Written Answers of 29 April 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what inquiries he undertook to determine the ability of those who will have to pay higher contributions to their legal fees as a result of the changes to legal aid regulations announced in the last autumn statement to afford these contributions; and what plans he has to monitor the new regulations to ensure that applicants are in fact able to pay the new contributions.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Contributions to legal aid are one third of disposable income above the free limit after a generous range of allowances has been made against gross income. When an offer of legal aid with a contribution is made, it is for the individual concerned to assess his priorities and to decide whether or not to accept it. The operation of the new financial eligibility regulations will be closely monitored.

TRANSPORT

  Railway Rolling Stock
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current progress of the design and funding of the new class 323 electric multiple units designated for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority; and when he expects them to enter service.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that 45 class 323 vehicles are on order for services sponsored by Greater Manchester passenger transport authority. These will be funded by British Rail and the cost recovered over time through S20 payments. In addition, the PTE has ordered, through British Rail, a further six vehicles for services to Manchester airport. The PTE is to fund 45 per cent. of the cost of these and British Rail the remainder. The PTE's contribution to the airport link project has been funded through capital allocations.

  The manufacturers of these vehicles are making good progress in overcoming the technical problems that they have incurred. British Rail hopes to have the first vehicles in revenue-earning service, initially in the west midlands, at the end of September. Further vehicles will then enter service on a regular basis over the course of the following year.

  A650, Keighley
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a further announcement about the A650 Hard Ings road, Keighley, improvement scheme.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The preferred route was announced for this scheme in March 1992. Design and 462
  related works are now being progressed with a view to publishing draft orders under the 1980 Highways Act during 1994.

  M6 (Lane Closures)
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions on which lane closures have taken place at junction 8 (Ray Hall) of the M6 motorway and associated link roads since the M5-M6 link was completed; what was the reason for the closures and the subsequent work carried out; what were the dates and length of time of the closures; what is the total estimated cost to public funds of the works carried out at this junction; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is not possible to list all the lane closures which have taken place on these sections of the midland links motorways since they opened to traffic in 1970. In addition to programmed major refurbishment works, there have been closures required for emergency works and for routine maintenance. Major refurbishment works in the period are as follows:

  (i)) 1980 M6 Ray Hall—viaduct resurfacing and deckjoint repairs for six months.

  (ii) 1981 M5 Eastern Arm—viaduct resurfacing and deckjoint repairs for three months.

  (iii) 1982 M5 Western Arm—viaduct resurfacing and deckjoint repairs for three months.

  (iv) 1991 M6 Ray Hall—viaduct deck repairs, waterproofing, drainage, carriageway strengthening and resurfacing, street lighting renewal for six months.

  (v) 1993 M5 Eastern Arm—viaduct deck repairs, Waterproofing, drainage, carriageway strengthening and resurfacing, street lighting renewal for six months (contract commenced on 19 April)

  By using temporary narrow lanes at times of peak traffic demand, the programmed closures have not materially restricted capacity below that otherwise available. At all other times, sufficient capacity has been maintained to accommodate the prevailing traffic flow with minimum delay.

  The total estimated cost to public funds of all the works carried out at this junction cannot be separated from the costs of maintaining the midland links motorway network as a whole.

  The midland links motorway network is subject to ongoing major and routine maintenance work and every effort will continue to be made to minimise disruption to traffic.

EDUCATION

  Voluntary Aided Status
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many recent applications for voluntary aided status have been received; and which were(a) accepted and (b) rejected.

  Mr. Forth
  Since January 1990 the Secretary of State has decided 15 applications for new voluntary aided schools; of these five were approved and 10 were rejected. Four of these approvals were for new primary schools, including a Roman Catholic, Church of England/ Methodist, interchurch and a Jewish school. The fifth approval was for a Jewish secondary school. The 10 unsuccessful applications included three RC, three C of E,
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  one Church of England/Methodist, two Jewish schools and one Muslim. The last decision is currently being reconsidered.

  Higher Education Colleges
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps can be taken by students to appeal to an independent body against decisions of colleges of higher education in England.

  Mr. Boswell
  Arrangements for consideration of student appeals, including appeals to an independent body, are a matter for each college to determine individually.

ENVIRONMENT

  Domestic Appliances
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to promote the reduction of energy consumption of domestic appliances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department encourages consumers to purchase energy-efficient appliances through information and advice campaigns such as "Helping the Earth Begins at Home". In collaboration with the regional electricity companies, the Energy Efficiency Office within my Department operates a voluntary labelling scheme for household refrigerators and freezers to show their relative energy efficiency on a scale from 1—least efficient—to 10—most efficient.

  The Government strongly support the development by the European Commission of measures to improve the energy efficiency of traded goods including domestic appliances. A framework directive for the mandatory energy labelling of domestic appliances was adopted in September 1992 and delegated to the Commission the responsibility to prepare and adopt detailed application directives for specific appliances. The first such directive, for refrigerators and freezers, is expected to be adopted by the Commission in the next two months.

  We will support the proposed development and adoption by the Commission of a directive setting minimum energy efficiency standards in Europe for household refrigerators and freezers; and are in favour of the extension of such requirements to other domestic appliances provided that it is clear that market forces or voluntary measures will not produce the desired result and that other member states agree that this is the best way forward.

  "Agenda 21"
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the implementation of "Agenda 21" and the biodiversity and climate changes conventions at local and national levels.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are committed to ratifying the climate change convention by the end of this year and to establishing the basis for ratification of the convention on biological diversity in the same timescale.

  An extensive consultation exercise is currently taking place on the United Kingdom's national programme for limiting emissions of carbon dioxide. Two thirds of the
  464
  programme is already in place. The complete programme will be incorporated in the national plan under the climate change convention to be published by the end of the year. Wide consultation across all sectors is also under way on our national action plan on biodiversity which will be published later this year. This will bring together the Government's policies and programmes for wildlife and will cover the conservation and sustainable use of our natural heritage.

  We intend to present a report on the United Kingdom's national sustainability strategy to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, the main institutional mechanism for following up Agenda 21, before the end of 1993. We are conducting a national debate so that everyone with a concern for the environment has the opportunity to express views on how we can balance the need for economic development with protection of the environment. The local authority associations with our support are developing a "Local Agenda 21" initiative for local government. We are also hosting "Partnerships for Change '93", an international NGO conference to be held in Manchester in September. This will enable all parts of the international NGO community to exchange experience on the implementation of Agenda 21.

  Fiddler's Ferry Power Station
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of whether the Fiddler's Ferry power station conforms to the Govenment's national plan's control on emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Maclean
  The requirement of the national plan is that National Power and PowerGen, who are the operators of Fiddler's Ferry power station, should each keep within a specified company quota for SO2 and NOx emissions from existing large combustion plant. This has been met in 1991 and 1992. Authorisations issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution aim to ensure that the sum of allocations for SO2 and NOx for a particular company do not exceed its overall quota. However, there is flexibility within the plan for the distribution of a company's allocations to change provided that they do not in total exceed the quota or conflict with any other conditions of the authoritisation, such as those designed to ensure that best available techniques not entailing excessive cost are used to minimise harmful emissions.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the sulphur dioxide emissions from Fiddler's Ferry power station for 1991; what are the 1993 estimated figures; and what assessment he has made of the reason for the difference between those two figures.

  Mr. Maclean
  Reported emissions of SO2 for 1991 were 171,018 tonnes. It is estimated that total emissions will be broadly the same in 1993.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated level of sulphur dioxide emissions from Fiddler's Ferry power station for 1993; what were the figures for 1987; and what effect the EC policy of securing a 50 per cent. reduction in emissions has had on reducing the level of emissions from that station.

  Mr. Maclean
  Estimated 1993 SO2 emissions from Fiddler's Ferry power station are 172,000 tonnes; 1987
  465
  figures are not held centrally. Current EC policy on reductions of SO2 emissions is primarily embodied in the large combustion plants directive of 1988. One of its requirements is that by the year 2003 total SO2 emissions from all power stations in the United Kingdom should be reduced by 60 per cent. from 1980 levels. The annual company quota for PowerGen, which operates the Fiddler's Ferry power station, reflects that requirement.

  Sulphur Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration the Government have given to supporting the European Commission request that the deadline for the 50 per cent. reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions should be the year 2000.

  Mr. Maclean
  I am not aware of such a request, but the Government are already committed through the national plan to a 52 per cent. reduction, from 1980 levels, in SO2 emissions from existing large combustion plant by the year 2000.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to reduce emissions and conform to the 50 per cent. reductions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen laid down by the European Commission.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom is committed to meeting current EC legislation on reductions of SO2 and NOx.

  Housing
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new housing units were constructed by(a) the local authority and (b) housing associations in the Cannock Chase district council area and the Lichfield district council area in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  Estimates of housebuilding completions by sector for each local authority area in England are shown in the publications "Local Housing Statistics" and "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas 1980–1989" for some earlier years.

  Figures for 1979 are in table 5 of the May 1980 edition, issue No. 53, of "Local Housing Statistics". Figures for 1980 to 1984 are in "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas", tables 1.1 to 1.5. Figures for 1985 to 1991 are in tables 1(a) to 1(g) of the October 1992 edition, issue number 103, of "Local Housing Statistics". Figures for the first nine months of 1992 have been published in table 1 of issue No. 104 of "Local Housing Statistics".

  Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  South West Water
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he is making in the examination of South West Water prices announced by the Prime Minister on 11 March,Official Report, column 1105.

  Mr. Maclean
  Responsibility for water charges rests with the Director General of Water Services. The Department is, however, now examining certain aspects of water authorities' overall programmes to see if there is any room for manoeuvre.
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  Open Spaces Society
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the grant from his Department for the Open Spaces Society for 1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on Wednesday, 24 March,Official Report, column 628.

  Disused Mine Shafts
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make available resources to make safe disused mine shafts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Resources to make safe disused mine shafts are available in England through derelict land grant and in Wales through the Welsh Development Agency's land reclamation programme. Normally these are provided where the treatment of the mineshaft forms part of the scheme for the reclamation of derelict land. However, resources are also available for the treatment of isolated mine shafts which threaten public safety or which endanger existing development.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest position on the waste management licensing timetable.

  Mr. Maclean
  I am convinced that we must achieve our environmental objectives for waste management in a way which places the least possible burden on industry. In doing so, we have to take account of European Community measures dealing with waste management, as I explained in my announcement on 17 March.

  Unfortunately further consideration of this important aspect and its impact on the relationship between waste management licensing under part 11 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other controls has produced a number of technical problems that have not yet been finally resolved. It is very important to get the position right and for all regulating authorities and handlers of controlled waste to know what they have to do to comply with obligations deriving from Community measures.

  Regrettably, therefore, we cannot now meet our target for waste management licensing of 1 June. As soon as I am in a position to give a revised date, I shall do so. I should stress that we fully intend to bring in the Environmental Protection Act waste management licensing system and the EC revised waste framework directive. Moreover, this delay in no way affects the present requirement under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for facilities handling waste to have licences.

  Local Authorities (Complaints)
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities are not prevented by terms in insurance policies from providing explanations or issuing apologies in response to complaints from members of the public.
  467
  Mr. Robin Squire
  the terms included in these policies are a matter for negotiation between local authorities and their insures.

  Council Tax, Newbury
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the secretary of State for the Environment what are the current council tax levels in Newbury for each band; and what these levels would be if there was no budgeted recourse to the council's resources.

  Mr. Howard
  Assuming that the council had made no use of its resources and had chosen to set the budget requirement at the level of budgeted net revenue expenditure, the council taxes for each band would have been as follows in each case:

  £

  Current council tax levels

  Band A

  352·30

  Band B

  410·90

  468

  £

  BandC

  469·60

  Band D

  528·30

  Band E

  645·70

  Band F

  763·10

  Band G

  880·50

  Band H

  1,056·60

  Tax levels assuming no use of council's own resources

  Band A

  423·08

  Band B

  493·59

  Band C

  564·11

  Band D

  634·62

  Band E

  775·65

  Band F

  916·67

  Band G

  1,057·70

  Band H

  1,269·24

  469

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Employment, Belfast
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new firms have been established in the enterprise zone area of Belfast since the zone was first operational.

  Mr. Atkins
  The number of firms in the Belfast enterprise zone increased From 165 at designation on 21 October 1981 to 478 at expiry in October 1991, a net increase of 313 firms.

  Schools (Expenditure)
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the expenditure per pupil in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Primary £

  Secondary £

  1989–90

  1,026·60

  1,845·72

  1990–91

  1,130·84

  1,976·45

  1991–92

  1,226·91

  2,091·93

  Students
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the flow of third-level education students out of and into Northern Ireland each year since 1981.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is available from 1985–86 to 1991–92 and is as follows:

  Year

  Northern Ireland domiciled students entering third level institutions outside Northern Ireland

  Non-Northern Ireland domiciled students entering third level institutions in Northern Ireland

  1985–86

  2,190

  625

  1986–87

  2,486

  699

  1987–88

  2,690

  866

  1988–89

  2,879

  968

  1989–90

  3,286

  990

  1990–91

  3,582

  1,161

  1991–92

  4,004

  1,209

  Note:

  Figures relate to full-time undergraduate new entrants only.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Reducing unemployment in Northern Ireland depends on the achievement of higher levels of economic growth and on Northern Ireland industry becoming internationally competitive. The Government's strategy to achieve this includes identifying and removing 470
  obstacles to growth; encouraging inward investment; promoting cross-border trade; building up management and work force skills; developing an enterprise culture; and supporting innovation and research and development.

  Those who have been unemployed for long periods may need additional helpo to enable them to compete for the jobs that are available. The Training and Employment Agency provides practical help through the job training programme, Enterprise Ulster, the Action for Community Employment scheme and the job clubs service. In addition guidance and counselling is available from each of the Training and Employment Agency's area offices and from the Social Security Agency through the Restart programme.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his oral answer of 21 January,Official Report, columns 488–89, when he now expects to announce the non-fossil fuel obligation quota for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Subject to approval by the European Commission, I expect to announce details of a non-fossil fuel obligation for Northern Ireland in the early summer.

  Training and Employment Agency
  Sir James Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets have been set for the Training and Employment Agency for Northern Ireland for the period 1993 to 1996.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following targets have been set:

  1. To increase the number of companies developing their management and workforce skills from 225 at April 1993 to 300 by March 1994 and 400 by March 1996.

  2. To assess companies on the Company Development Programme against the national standard "Investor in People" with the aim of having 70 achieving recognition by March 1996.

  3. To offer every company referred to the Agency by the Industrial Development Board relevant information, advice and customised training.

  4. To increase the proportion of Youth Training Programme leavers who achieve a full qualification at National Vocational Qualifications level 2 or above from 13% at April 1993 to 45% by March 1996. This is in line with the National Education and Training Targets.

  5. To increase the proportion of Job Training Programme leavers who achieve a full qualification at National Vocational Qualifications level 2 or above from 12% al April 1993 to 30% by March 1996.

  6. In 1993/94 the Agency will seek to place 30,000 people into jobs.

  7. To maintain the high levels of customer satisfaction and where possible increase them.

  8. To reduce administration costs by more than 2% in 1993/94.

  9. To meet, for the Agency, the national "Investors in People" standard by September 1995.

  Electoral Areas
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish a table to show for(a) each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland, (b) each council area in Northern Ireland, (c) each district electoral area in each council area and (d) each ward, the number of electors currently qualified to vote at the local elections;
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  (2) if he will publish a table to show the area of each (a) parliamentary constituency, (b) council area, (c) district electoral area and (d) ward, in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer, 21 April 1993]: The information is set out in the tables. The electorates represent the number of local government electors included on the electoral register for 1993–94 on 19 March 1993, the enumeration date for the purpose of the current review of parliamentary constituency boundaries. The areas are approximate and include areas of inland water.

  Table 1: Parliamentary constituencies

  Constituency

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Belfast East

  53,217

  2,896

  Belfast North

  55,161

  3,414

  Belfast South

  52,317

  2,460

  Belfast West

  55,415

  2,935

  East Antrim

  64,651

  43,077

  East Londonderry

  78,265

  148,468

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  72,285

  266,000

  Foyle

  77,167

  60,385

  Lagan Valley

  74,853

  45,498

  Mid Ulster

  70,486

  255,641

  Newry and Armagh

  69,546

  108,259

  North Antrim

  71,209

  154,262

  North Down

  70,371

  10,456

  South Antrim

  69,939

  71,630

  South Down

  78,588

  149,241

  Strangford

  70,827

  43,206

  Upper Bann

  69,088

  47,933

  Total

  1,153,385

  1,415,761

  Table 2 Districts, district electoral areas and wards

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF ANTRIM

  30,961

  57,794

  Antrim North West

  Cranfield

  1,598

  5,518

  Drumanaway

  1,507

  2,359

  Randalstown

  1,549

  2,307

  Shilvodan

  1,505

  5,230

  Toome

  1,568

  6,499

  7,727

  21,913

  Antrim South East

  Aldergrove

  1,649

  15,669

  Ballycraigy

  1,598

  57

  Clady

  1,621

  8,028

  Crumlin

  1,903

  1,471

  Farranshane

  1,565

  420

  Parkgate

  1,500

  6,514

  Templepatrick

  1,749

  2,028

  11,585

  34,187

  Antrim Town

  Balloo

  1,501

  514

  Fountain Hill

  1,752

  87

  Greystone

  1,535

  55

  Massereene

  1,730

  523

  Springfarm

  1,882

  417

  Steeple

  1,554

  43

  Stiles

  1,695

  55

  11,649

  1,694

  472

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF ARDS

  49,716

  38,052

  Ards East

  Donaghadee North

  2,372

  1,692

  Donaghadee South

  2,198

  189

  Gregstown

  2,407

  272

  Loughries

  2,279

  2,050

  Millisle

  2,112

  1,518

  Movilla

  2,325

  144

  13,693

  5,865

  Ards Peninsula

  Ballywalter

  2,119

  3,319

  Carrowdore

  1,989

  5,052

  Kircubbin

  2,039

  3,962

  Portaferry

  2,185

  3,074

  Portavogie

  2,256

  2,313

  10,588

  17,720

  Ards West

  Ballygowan

  2,203

  1,565

  Comber East

  2,126

  454

  Comber North

  1,933

  362

  Comber West

  2,314

  655

  Killinchy

  2,012

  4,158

  Lisbane

  2,020

  3,817

  12,608

  11,011

  Newtownards

  Ballyrainey

  2,066

  1,017

  Bradshaw's Brae

  2,297

  1,034

  Central

  2,149

  255

  Glen

  2,100

  460

  Scrabo

  1,827

  423

  Whitespots

  2,388

  267

  12,827

  3,456

  District/district electoral area and Wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF ARMAGH

  36,705

  67,130

  Armagh City

  Abbey Park

  1,425

  348

  Callan Bridge

  1,682

  136

  Demesne

  1,629

  336

  Downs

  1,526

  155

  Observatory

  1,801

  413

  The Mall

  1,662

  119

  9,725

  1,507

  Crossmore

  Carrigatuke

  1,543

  6,272

  Derrynoose

  1,551

  6,996

  Keady

  1,670

  103

  Killylea

  1,565

  6,399

  Milford

  1,533

  4,427

  7,862

  24,197

  Cusher

  Hamiltonsbawn

  1,853

  5,479

  Killeen

  1,707

  1,515

  Laurelvale

  1,663

  1,238

  Markethill

  1,726

  3,181

  Poyntz Pass

  1,661

  5,946

  Tandragee

  1,818

  1,496

  10,428

  23,855

  The Orchard

  Ballymartrim

  1,648

  6,137

  473

  District/district electoral area and Wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  Charlemont

  1,656

  3,447

  Hockley

  1,785

  4,200

  Loughgall

  1,742

  3,279

  Rich Hill

  1,859

  508

  8,690

  17,571

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF BALLYMENA

  42,637

  63,197

  Ballymena East

  Ballykeel

  1,668

  109

  Castle Demesne

  1,731

  115

  Dunclug

  1,744

  69

  Fair Green

  1,731

  66

  Moat

  1,581

  45

  Summerfield

  1,844

  159

  10,299

  563

  Ballymena North

  Broughshane

  1,864

  1,291

  Craigywarren

  1,748

  5,957

  Cullybackey

  1,930

  484

  Dunminning

  1,732

  5,266

  Glenravel

  1,832

  8,984

  Slemish

  1,624

  13,594

  10,730

  35,576

  Ballymena South

  Ahoghill

  1,981

  1,122

  Glenwhirry

  1,815

  11,576

  Grange

  1,833

  6,035

  Kells

  1,954

  2,180

  Portglenone

  1,843

  3,946

  9,426

  24,859

  Ballymena West

  Academy

  1,668

  223

  Ardeevin

  1,893

  347

  Ballee

  1,752

  148

  Ballyloughan

  1,737

  95

  Galgorm

  1,714

  1,003

  Harryville

  1,710

  287

  Park

  1,708

  96

  12,182

  2,199

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF BALLYMONEY

  17,864

  41,856

  Ballymoney Town

  Carnany

  1,189

  86

  Fairhill

  1,180

  224

  Glebe

  1,244

  96

  Newhill

  1,101

  64

  Route

  1,156

  265

  5,870

  735

  Bann Valley

  Clogh Mills

  1,130

  2,427

  Dunloy

  1,120

  2,235

  Killoquin Lower

  1,107

  4,014

  Killoquin Upper

  1,050

  2,429

  Seacon

  1,279

  1,899

  The Vow

  1,048

  3,490

  6,734

  16,494

  474

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Bushvale

  Ballyhoe and Corkey

  1,023

  8,155

  Benvardin

  1,056

  3,594

  Dervock

  1,086

  3,886

  Knockaholet

  1,069

  4,986

  Stranocum

  1,026

  4,006

  5,260

  24,627

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF BANBRIDGE

  27,052

  45,248

  Banbridge Town

  Ballydown

  1,692

  795

  Banbridge West

  1,723

  132

  Edenderry

  1,578

  94

  Fort

  1,536

  123

  Seapatrick

  1,503

  389

  The Cut

  1,599

  74

  9,631

  1,607

  Dromore

  Ballyward

  1,561

  8,654

  Dromore North

  1,597

  348

  Dromore South

  1,583

  1,206

  Gransha

  1,521

  5,149

  Quilly

  1,564

  4,853

  7,988

  20,210

  Knockiveagh

  Bannside

  1,514

  7,119

  Gilford

  1,516

  1,546

  Katesbridge

  1,545

  7,187

  Lawrencetown

  1,542

  2,765

  Loughbrickland

  1,575

  4,195

  Rathfriland

  1,741

  619

  9,433

  23,431

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF BELFAST

  208,599

  11,488

  Balmoral

  Blackstaff

  3,729

  194

  Finaghy

  3,915

  261

  Malone

  4,340

  220

  Musgrave

  4,042

  180

  Upper Malone

  3,785

  434

  Windsor

  3,996

  94

  23,807

  1,383

  Castle

  Bellevue

  3,706

  287

  Castleview

  3,899

  146

  Cavehill

  3,987

  339

  Chichester Park

  3,993

  97

  Duncairn

  3,628

  922

  Fort William

  3,768

  103

  22,981

  1,894

  Court

  Crumlin

  4,035

  86

  Glencairn

  3,547

  396

  Highfield

  3,868

  264

  Shankill

  3,678

  91

  Woodvale

  3,824

  60

  18,952

  897

  475

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Laganbank

  Ballynafeigh

  3,994

  65

  Botanic

  3,953

  132

  Rosetta

  4,131

  169

  Shaftesbury

  4,038

  222

  Stranmillis

  4,002

  245

  20,118

  833

  Lower Falls

  Beechmount

  4,156

  83

  Clonard

  4,119

  66

  Falls

  4,012

  116

  Upper Springfield

  3,985

  257

  Whiterock

  3,874

  77

  20,146

  599

  Oldpark

  Ardoyne

  4,305

  59

  Ballysillan

  4,354

  112

  Cliftonville

  4,246

  119

  Legoniel

  4,129

  884

  New Lodge

  4,496

  72

  Water Works

  4,594

  127

  26,124

  1,373

  Pottinger

  Ballymacarrett

  3,729

  75

  Bloomfield

  4,201

  77

  Orangefield

  4,196

  141

  Ravenhill

  4,152

  190

  The Mount

  4,127

  74

  Woodstock

  4,046

  56

  24,451

  613

  Upper Falls

  Andersonstown

  4,444

  102

  Falls Park

  4,506

  237

  Glencolin

  4,271

  950

  Glen Road

  4,466

  159

  Ladybrook

  4,469

  136

  22,156

  1,584

  Victoria

  Ballyhackmore

  4,555

  114

  Belmont

  4,467

  179

  Cherryvalley

  4,332

  199

  Island

  3,779

  376

  Knock

  4,126

  119

  Stormont

  4,604

  706

  Sydenham

  4,001

  619

  29,864

  2,312

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF CARRICKFERGUS

  25,123

  8,194

  Carrick East

  Bluefield

  1,525

  113

  Boneybefore

  1,430

  59

  Love Lane

  1,290

  81

  Milebush

  1,498

  40

  Victoria

  1,588

  92

  7,331

  385

  Carrick Middle

  Blackhead

  1,571

  239

  Eden

  1,751

  2,154

  476

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  Gortalee

  1,248

  33

  Greenisland

  1,384

  460

  Knockagh

  1,384

  323

  Whitehead

  1,528

  652

  Woodburn

  1,613

  3,622

  10,479

  7,483

  Carrick West

  Burleigh Hill

  1,836

  115

  Clipperstown

  1,468

  49

  Killycrot

  1,430

  111

  Northland

  1,257

  18

  Sunnylands

  1,322

  33

  7,313

  326

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF CASTLEREAGH

  47,994

  8,501

  Castlereagh Central

  Cregagh

  1,802

  31

  Downshire

  1,889

  43

  Lisnasharragh

  1,887

  96

  Lower Braniel

  2,011

  87

  Upper Braniel

  1,948

  283

  Wynchurch

  1,816

  48

  11,353

  588

  Castlereagh East

  Ballyhanwood

  2,468

  1,056

  Carroweagh

  2,136

  756

  Dundonald

  2,057

  216

  Enler

  2,253

  51

  Gilnahirk

  2,021

  81

  Graham's Bridge

  2,302

  89

  Tullycarnet

  2,131

  50

  15,368

  2,299

  Castlereagh South

  Cairnshill

  2,146

  96

  Carryduff East

  2,311

  407

  Carryduff West

  1,903

  422

  Knockbracken

  1,842

  105

  Moneyreagh

  2,455

  3,625

  10,657

  4,655

  Castlereagh West

  Beechill

  2,145

  392

  Galwally

  1,901

  102

  Hillfoot

  2,250

  152

  Minnowburn

  2,108

  144

  Newtownbreda

  2,212

  169

  10,616

  959

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF COLERAINE

  37,322

  48,557

  Bann

  Agivey

  1,567

  6,716

  Castlerock

  1,798

  2,913

  Garvagh

  1,781

  5,337

  Kilrea

  1,597

  2,647

  Macosquin

  1,634

  7,310

  Ringsend

  1,533

  10,724

  9,910

  35,647

  477

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Coleraine East

  Ballysally

  1,655

  92

  Cross Glebe

  1,639

  127

  Dundooan

  1,644

  4,749

  Dunluce

  1,602

  4,777

  University

  1,554

  237

  8,094

  9,982

  Coleraine West

  Central

  1,641

  105

  Churchland

  1,756

  125

  Knocklynn

  1,658

  296

  Mount Sandel

  1,555

  192

  The Cuts

  1,943

  465

  Waterside

  1,841

  238

  10,394

  1,421

  The Skerries

  Atlantic

  1,855

  457

  Hopefield

  1,843

  212

  Portstewart

  1,767

  86

  Royal Portrush

  1,788

  420

  Strand

  1,671

  332

  8,924

  1,507

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF COOKSTOWN

  21,863

  62,169

  Ballinderry

  Ardboe

  1,475

  6,181

  Coagh

  1,298

  2,887

  Killycolpy

  1,440

  9,437

  Moneymore

  1,330

  2,198

  Stewartstown

  1,257

  4,270

  The Loop

  1,488

  6,099

  8,288

  31,072

  Cookstown Central

  Gortalowry

  1,427

  185

  Killymoon

  1,434

  187

  Newbuildings

  1,402

  81

  Oldtown

  1,361

  217

  Tullagh

  1,525

  110

  7,149

  780

  Drum Manor

  Dunnamore

  1,323

  9,822

  Lissan

  1,279

  7,302

  Oaklands

  1,240

  5,284

  Pomeroy

  1,320

  3,895

  Sandholes

  1,264

  4,014

  6,426

  30,317

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF CRAIGAVON

  54,810

  37,820

  Central

  Bleary

  2,250

  1,747

  Drumgask

  2,153

  287

  Drumgor

  2,139

  305

  Edenderry

  2,350

  174

  Kernan

  2,239

  1,697

  Killycomain

  2,059

  91

  478

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  Taghnevan

  2,078

  111

  15,268

  4,412

  Loughside

  Aghagallon

  2,282

  9,918

  Court

  2,256

  129

  Derrytrasna

  2,359

  7,168

  Drumnamoe

  2,143

  41

  Woodville

  2,334

  139

  11,374

  17,395

  Lurgan

  Church

  1,937

  56

  Donaghcloney

  1,799

  3,348

  Knochnashane

  2,152

  199

  Magheralin

  2,177

  1,789

  Mourneview

  1,919

  71

  Parklake

  1,962

  280

  Waringstown

  2,179

  1,169

  14,125

  6,912

  Portadown

  Annagh

  1,895

  945

  Ballybay

  1,879

  658

  Ballyoran

  1,910

  976

  Brownstown

  2,400

  743

  Corcrain

  1,989

  110

  Tavanagh

  1,897

  52

  The Birches

  2,073

  5,617

  14,043

  9,101

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF DERRY

  64,197

  38,738

  Cityside

  Beechwood

  2,018

  41

  Brandywell

  1,967

  66

  Creggan Central

  2,003

  97

  Creggan South

  1,851

  75

  Westland

  1,870

  32

  9,709

  311

  Northland

  Crevagh

  2,482

  2,611

  Foyle Springs

  2,316

  104

  Pennyburn

  2,400

  215

  Rosemount

  2,155

  41

  Springtown

  2,257

  109

  Strand

  2,296

  122

  The Diamond

  1,966

  83

  15,872

  3,285

  Rural

  Banagher

  1,911

  12,114

  Claudy

  1,949

  8,267

  Eglinton

  2,167

  2,910

  Enagh

  2,262

  3,114

  Holly Mount

  1,995

  5,271

  New Buildings

  2,241

  520

  12,525

  32,196

  Shantallow

  Ballymashalog

  2,501

  278

  Carn Hill

  2,144

  93

  Culmore

  2,307

  972

  Shantallow East

  2,060

  41

  479

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Shantallow West

  2,173

  584

  11,185

  1,968

  Waterside

  Altnagelvin

  2,341

  318

  Caw

  2,000

  125

  Clondermot

  1,985

  119

  Ebrington

  2,041

  156

  Kilfennan

  2,197

  81

  Lisnagelvin

  2,308

  80

  Victoria

  2,034

  99

  14,906

  978

  District/district electoral area wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTICT OF DOWN

  41,229

  64,917

  Ballynahinch

  Ballymaglave

  1,836

  522

  Ballynahinch East

  1,798

  207

  Drumaness

  1,974

  3,531

  Dunmore

  1,774

  4,574

  Seaforde

  1,676

  7,330

  9,058

  16,164

  Downpatrick

  Ardglass

  1,820

  3,503

  Audleys Acre

  1,700

  183

  Ballymote

  1,703

  365

  Cathedral

  1,832

  557

  Killough

  1,762

  5,871

  Quoile

  1,907

  1,251

  Strangford

  1,725

  6,072

  12,449

  17,802

  Newcastle

  Castlewellan

  1,798

  2,312

  Donard

  1,785

  1,012

  Dundrum

  1,639

  2,416

  Murlough

  1,694

  1,214

  Shimna

  1,783

  134

  Tollymore

  1,611

  6,906

  10,310

  13,994

  Rowallane

  Crossgar

  1,897

  3,195

  Derryboy

  1,809

  5,775

  Killyleagh

  1,846

  538

  Kilmore

  2,018

  6,059

  Saintfield

  1,842

  1,390

  9,412

  16,957

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF DUNGANNON

  32,668

  78,323

  Blackwater

  Aughnacloy

  1,463

  7,018

  Benburb

  1,527

  4,069

  Caledon

  1,520

  8,069

  Killyman

  1,520

  3,527

  Moy

  1,527

  2,648

  7,557

  25,331

  Clogher Valley

  Augher

  1,402

  7,200

  Ballygawley

  1,516

  5,721

  480

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Castlecaulfield

  1,601

  3,912

  Clogher

  1,410

  10,442

  Fivemiletown

  1,419

  7,798

  7,348

  35,073

  Dungannon Town

  Ballysaggart

  1,617

  259

  Coolhill

  1,446

  229

  Drumglass

  1,340

  469

  Killymeal

  1,441

  609

  Moygashel

  1,355

  609

  Mullaghmore

  1,366

  409

  8,565

  2,584

  Torrent

  Altmore

  1,506

  6,044

  Coalisland North

  1,599

  1,112

  Coalisland South

  1,514

  412

  Coalisland West and Newmills

  1,509

  917

  Donaghmore

  1,494

  2,750

  Washing Bay

  1,576

  4,100

  9,198

  15,335

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF FERMANAGH

  39,617

  187,678

  Enniskillen

  Castlecoole

  1,989

  684

  Devenish

  1,779

  429

  Erne

  1,813

  647

  Lisbellaw

  1,682

  5,215

  Portora

  1,840

  414

  Rossorry

  1,731

  575

  Tempo

  1,627

  9,075

  12,461

  17,039

  Erne East

  Brookeborough

  1,670

  12,397

  Donagh

  1,620

  10,924

  Lisnaskea

  1,866

  556

  Maguires Bridge

  1,687

  8,872

  Newtownbutler

  1,767

  9,090

  Rosslea

  1,654

  9,544

  10,264

  51,383

  Erne North

  Ballinamallard

  1,566

  4,467

  Belleek and Boa

  1,632

  17,306

  Irvinestown

  1,619

  1,727

  Kesh, Ederney and Lack

  2,132

  11,281

  Lisnarrick

  1,352

  7,192

  8,301

  41,973

  Erne West

  Belcoo and Garrison

  1,661

  20,283

  Boho, Cleenish and Letterbreen

  1,808

  13,986

  Derrygonnelly

  1764

  16,058

  Derrylin

  1,600

  10,567

  Florence Court and Kinawley

  1,758

  16,389

  8,591

  77,283

  481

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF LARNE

  22,603

  33,647

  Coast Road

  Ballyloran

  1,442

  29

  Carncastle

  1,550

  908

  Carnlough

  1,478

  5,828

  Craigy Hill

  1,451

  28

  Glenarm

  1,343

  10,719

  7,264

  17,512

  Larn Lough

  Antiville

  1,429

  61

  Ballycarry

  1,523

  3,031

  Glynn

  1,376

  3,284

  Island Magee

  1,539

  2,658

  Kilwaughter

  1,623

  6,587

  7,490

  15,621

  Larne Town

  Blackcave

  1,512

  91

  Central

  1,664

  100

  Gardenmore

  1,640

  121

  Harbour

  1,504

  157

  Town Parks

  1,529

  45

  7,849

  514

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF LIMAVADY

  19,699

  58,633

  Bellarena

  Aghanloo

  1,196

  7,613

  Ballykelly

  1,219

  2,048

  Glack

  1,239

  5,612

  Gresteel

  1,431

  1,948

  Magilligan

  1,234

  7,886

  6,319

  25,107

  Benbradagh

  Dungiven

  1,351

  238

  Feeny

  1,205

  9,449

  Forest

  1,374

  3,607

  The Highlands

  1,143

  6,015

  Upper Glenshane

  1,218

  13,816

  6,291

  33,125

  Limavady Town

  Coolessan

  1,289

  83

  Enagh

  1,725

  74

  Greystone

  1,472

  30

  Rathbrady

  1,408

  80

  Roeside

  1,195

  134

  7,089

  401

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF LISBURN

  70,665

  44,669

  Downshire

  Ballymacbrennan

  2,367

  6,994

  Dromara

  2,548

  4,525

  Drumbo

  2,405

  2,515

  Hillsborough

  2,549

  2,991

  Maze

  2,533

  1,581

  12,402

  18,606

  Dunmurry Cross

  482

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Collin Glen

  2,551

  935

  Derryaghy

  2,315

  512

  Dunmurry

  2,306

  145

  Kilwee

  2,278

  98

  Poleglass

  2,499

  78

  Seymour Hill

  2,106

  92

  Twinbrook

  2,216

  58

  16,271

  1,918

  Killultagh

  Ballinderry

  2,376

  5,774

  Glenavy

  2,554

  7,854

  Knockmore

  2,203

  434

  Maghaberry

  2,288

  3,921

  Moira

  2,499

  1,739

  11,920

  19,722

  Lisburn Town North

  Ballymacash

  2,375

  190

  Ballymacoss

  2,610

  1,408

  Harmony Hill

  2,360

  93

  Lambeg

  2,162

  416

  Lisnagarvy

  2,326

  71

  Magheralave

  2,232

  175

  Wallace Park

  2,279

  172

  16,344

  2,525

  Lisburn Town South

  Blaris

  2,421

  880

  Hilden

  2,357

  107

  Hillhall

  2,274

  681

  Lagan Valley

  2,435

  106

  Old Warren

  2,092

  74

  Tonagh

  2,149

  50

  13,728

  1,898

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (Hectares)

  DISTRICT OF MAGHERAFELT

  25,871

  57,240

  Magherafelt Town

  Ballymaguigan

  1,538

  4,087

  Glebe

  1,496

  200

  Lecumpher

  1,461

  6,609

  Town Parks East

  1,694

  116

  Town Parks West

  1,649

  163

  7,838

  11,175

  Moyola

  Bellaghy

  1,615

  2,817

  Castledawson

  1,679

  1,469

  Gulladuff

  1,631

  3,652

  Knockloghrim

  1,676

  4,124

  Upperlands

  1,478

  3,735

  Valley

  1,634

  3,664

  9,713

  19,461

  Sperin

  Draperstown

  1,628

  5,266

  Lower Glenshane

  1,700

  8,208

  Maghera

  1,719

  196

  Swatragh

  1,787

  6,888

  Tobermore

  1,486

  6,046

  8,320

  26,604

  483

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF MOYLE

  10,708

  49,210

  Ballycastle

  Bonamargy and Rathlin

  791

  1,438

  Dalriada

  834

  83

  Glentaisie

  668

  62

  Kinbane

  663

  3,848

  Knocklayd

  719

  165

  3,675

  5,596

  Giant's Causeway

  Ballylough

  648

  1,252

  Bushmills

  661

  851

  Carnmoon

  637

  3,088

  Dunseverick

  633

  3,742

  Moss-Side and Moyarget

  611

  3,988

  3,190

  12,921

  The Glens

  Armoy

  653

  2,796

  Glenaan

  891

  1,594

  Glenariff

  852

  5,302

  Glendun

  774

  8,919

  Glenshesk

  673

  12,082

  3,843

  30,693

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF NEWRY AND MOURNE

  57,369

  90,316

  Crotlieve

  Burren and Kilbroney

  1,822

  4,652

  Clonallan

  2,217

  264

  Derryleckagh

  2,063

  1,491

  Mayobridge

  1,837

  5,478

  Rostrevor

  1,992

  3,234

  Seaview

  2,145

  129

  Spelga

  1,769

  7,903

  13,845

  23,151

  Newry Town

  Ballybot

  1,845

  136

  Daisy Hill

  1,920

  151

  Drumalane

  1,967

  202

  Drumgullion

  2,038

  151

  St Mary's

  1,918

  162

  St Patrick's

  2,168

  199

  Windsor Hill

  1,992

  157

  13,848

  1,158

  Slieve Gullion

  Creggan

  1,700

  6,001

  Crossmaglen

  1,772

  1,834

  Fathom

  1,858

  2,646

  Forkhill

  2,090

  4,387

  Silver Bridge

  1,893

  5,672

  9,313

  20,540

  The Fews

  Bessbrook

  1,737

  624

  Camlough

  1,766

  3,842

  Derrymore

  1,843

  739

  Donaghmore

  1,748

  6,595

  Newtownhamilton

  1,691

  7,732

  Tullyhappy

  1,749

  6,494

  10,534

  26,026

  The Mournes

  Annalong

  1,935

  3,853

  484

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Areas (hectares)

  Binnian

  1,749

  6,561

  Kilkeel Central

  2,306

  625

  Kilkeel South

  2,135

  450

  Lisnacree

  1,704

  7,952

  9,829

  19,441

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF NEWTOWNABBEY

  56,105

  15,071

  Antrim Line

  Ballyhenry

  2,387

  89

  Burnthill

  2,339

  48

  Collinbridge

  2,153

  448

  Glebe

  2,317

  88

  Glengormley

  2,338

  51

  Hightown

  2,092

  57

  Mallusk

  2,372

  2,364

  15,998

  3,145

  Ballyclare

  Ballyclare North

  2,363

  179

  Ballyclare South

  2,269

  178

  Ballynure

  1,850

  4,540

  Ballyrobert

  2,701

  2,545

  Doagh

  2,100

  2,706

  11,283

  10,148

  Macedon

  Abbey

  2,335

  188

  Cloughfern

  2,277

  330

  Coole

  2,251

  49

  Dunanney

  1,849

  66

  Valley

  2,455

  191

  Whitehouse

  2,126

  72

  13,293

  896

  University

  Ballyduff

  2,303

  52

  Carnmoney

  2,280

  86

  Hawthorne

  1,953

  74

  Jordanstown

  2,400

  188

  Monkstown

  2,243

  145

  Mossley

  2,268

  143

  Rostulla

  2,084

  194

  15,531

  882

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF NORTH DOWN

  55,042

  8,158

  Abbey

  Bangor Castle

  2,183

  167

  Bloomfield

  2,323

  145

  Conlig

  2,284

  901

  Harbour

  2,146

  72

  Rathgael

  2,056

  51

  Whitehill

  2,149

  44

  13,141

  1,380

  Ballyholme and Groomsport

  Ballycrochan

  2,706

  157

  Ballyholme

  2,009

  79

  Ballymaconnell

  2,209

  225

  Ballymagee

  2,204

  75

  Broadway

  2,341

  113

  Churchill

  2,336

  81

  Groomsport

  2,231

  731

  485

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  16,036

  1,461

  Bangor West

  Bryansburn

  2,351

  68

  Clandeboye

  2,255

  667

  Crawfordsburn

  2,043

  640

  Dufferin

  2,045

  84

  Princetown

  2,216

  156

  Silverstream

  2,101

  54

  Spring Hill

  2,300

  101

  15,311

  1,770

  Holywood

  Craigavad

  2,082

  1,928

  Cultra

  2,056

  649

  Holywood Demesne

  2,232

  180

  Holywood Priory

  2,023

  451

  Loughview

  2,161

  339

  10,554

  3,547

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF OMAGH

  31,414

  112,990

  Mid-Tyrone

  Beragh

  1,477

  6,095

  Drumnakilly

  1,584

  7,339

  Gortin

  1,357

  9,043

  Killyclogher

  1,434

  218

  Owenkillew

  1,391

  17,498

  Sixmilecross

  1,393

  7,857

  Termon

  1,485

  8,445

  10,121

  56,495

  Omagh Town

  Camowen

  1,521

  176

  Coolnagard

  1,683

  223

  Dergmoney

  1,594

  140

  Drumragh

  1,582

  405

  Gortrush

  1,634

  239

  Lisanelly

  1,533

  1182

  Strule

  1,396

  173

  10,943

  1,538

  West Tyrone

  Clanabogan

  1,543

  8,781

  Dromore

  1,458

  4,027

  Drumquin

  1,436

  13,318

  Fairy Water

  1,409

  9,413

  Fintona

  1,523

  3,871

  Newtownsville

  1,492

  7,153

  Trillick

  1,498

  8,394

  10,350

  54,957

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  DISTRICT OF STRABANE

  25,552

  86,165

  Derg

  Castlederg

  1,566

  544

  Clare

  1,726

  8,965

  Finn

  1,552

  3,812

  Glenderg

  1,665

  17,094

  Newtownstewart

  1,580

  4,755

  Sion Mills

  1,516

  695

  9,605

  35,865

  Glenelly

  Antigarvan

  1,573

  4,681

  486

  District/district electoral area and wards

  Local electors

  Area (hectares)

  Dunnamanagah

  1,483

  9,435

  Plumbridge

  1,447

  20,502

  Slievekirk

  1,494

  6,607

  Victoria Bridge

  1,530

  8,154

  7,527

  49,379

  Mourne

  Ballycolman

  1,568

  57

  East

  1,687

  86

  North

  1,673

  479

  South

  1,798

  168

  West

  1,694

  131

  8,420

  921

  1,153,385

  1,415,761

TRANSPORT

  Safe Seas
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has made to the European Commission on its proposal for setting up a committee on safe seas contained in the communication from commissioners on a common policy on safe seas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom has warmly welcomed the Commission's communication "A Common Policy for Safe Seas", which closely mirrors the Government's views on the need for action to improve the level of maritime safety in Community waters. Along with other member states, we approve in principle the Commission's proposal for a Committee on Safe Seas, and are currently considering what its terms of reference should be.

  A614
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to make the A614 in Nottinghamshire dual carriageway.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We do not have any proposals in the trunk road programme to upgrade the A614 in Nottinghamshire to dual carriageway standard.

  Railway Rolling Stock
  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached following his Department's consultative exercise on the provision of rolling stock following the privatisation of British Rail.

  Mr. Freeman
  I intend to ask British Rail to establish rolling stock companies and to transfer its existing passenger rolling stock to these by 1 April 1994. Our provisional view is that there should be three rolling stock companies. Each should have a mixed portfolio of different types and ages of stock which they would lease to franchisees and BR's operating divisions pending franchising. Wherever reasonably practicable franchisees should have more than one potential source of supply for rolling stock in any particular market segment. More
  487
  detailed work is in hand to determine how the fleet should be divided between the companies; what role the companies should take in the maintenance of their stock; and, whether, for example, individual BR maintenance depots should be associated with each rolling stock.

  The companies will initially be publicly owned and will invest as necessary to renew their fleets. Our intention is to transfer the companies to the private sector as soon as practicable.

  During the course of the consultative exercise a number of ideas have been put forward for the early involvement of private sector expertise and capital. I expect to reach conclusions shortly on the role which the private sector might take in working with the public sector in developing an operating lease market. I will then be inviting those interested to bring forward specific proposals.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  British Coal Pension Scheme
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when British Coal last made normal contributions to mineworkers' pension funds; and if members are continuing to make contributions;

  (2) what sum British Coal now owes to the industry's pension funds to cover the cost of making pension payments to the staff made redundant and retiring early between April 1983 and April 1992.

  Mr. Eggar
  These are matters for British Coal and the trustees of the pension schemes.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest valuation of the assets of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for British Coal and the trustees of the staff superannuation scheme.

  Riot Control Units
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences his Department has granted for armoured anti-riot units since 1979.

  Mr. Heseltine
  This would require examination of all export licences for military goods to all destinations since 1979 which could be done only at disproportionate expense.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representation his Department's export control office had at the non-proliferation seminar on plutonium held at Rhodes House, Oxford, on 21 April.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Two officials from my Department's Export Control Organisation attended the seminar.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made to the Greenpeace report, "Vessel Head Penetration Cracking in Nuclear Reactors", published in March 1993, a copy of which has been sent to him.
  488
  Mr. Eggar
  I have not received a copy of this report.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what visits to the Trawsfynydd nuclear plant have been made by International Atomic Energy safety inspectors on OSART safety assessment missions since the plant opened; and if he will make a statement on the current safety status of the plant.

  Mr. Eggar
  There have been no International Atomic Energy Agency operational safety and review team—OSART—missions to Trawsfynydd. Both reactors remain shut down while the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate completes its assessment of Nuclear Electric's safety case for restart.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the chief nuclear inspector at Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate is taking to consider measures to prevent vessel head penetration cracking in Sizewell B.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) on 15 April 1993,Official Report, column 705.

  Assisted Area Status
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his proposals in respect of the assisted areas map were submitted to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  After the review of the assisted areas map has been completed the Government's proposals will be put to the Commission for article 92 state aids clearance.

  Dan-Air
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had regarding the competition implications of the takeover of Dan-Air by British Airways.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  All representations received are treated in confidence. All relevant considerations were taken into account in the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and in his decision not to refer the proposed acquisition to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Sodium Hexacyanoferrate
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of sodium hexacyanoferrate is(a) manufactured in the United Kingdom, (b) imported into the United Kingdom and (c) exported from the United Kingdom; and what are the locations where sodium hexacyanoferrate is produced in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Sodium hexacyanoferrate is not separately identified in the United Kingdom statistical classifications; therefore, the information is not available.

  Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many obligations remain outstanding for drilling(a) firm and (b) contingent wells under the 11th and 12th United Kingdom offshore licensing rounds.
  489
  Mr. Eggar
  There are 309 outstanding obligation wells from the 11th and 12th rounds of offshore licensing. Of these, 193 are firm obligations, and 116 conditional.

  Shipbuilding Intervention Fund
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, South (Mr. Sumberg), of 21 April,Official Report, column 119, about the change of rules governing the shipbuilding intervention fund, which took effect from 1 April, if the grant to be paid at the maximum permitted level refers to vessels under construction on 1 April as well as those to be constructed after 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The concession applies only to those vessels for which offers of grant were made on or after 1 April.

  Explosion, Liverpool
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the President of the Board of 'Trade if he will make a statement on the recent explosion which occurred in Liverpool 8.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 20 April 1993]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the gas explosion at 148 High Park street on 30 December 1992. This was dealt with by the police authorities and the Health and Safety Executive which, I understand, have decided to take no further action.

  Economic Task Force
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will create an economic task force for the industrial areas of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 27 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

HEALTH

  Myelograms
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many myelograms were conducted in the national health service in each year since 1989–90 and in the first six months of 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The latest estimate of episodes involving myelogram procedures,. held by the Department, for the year 1989–90 is 18,230. This figure includes radiculograms as well as myelograms.

  Older Patients
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to monitor the NHS purchasing arrangements to identify whether there is discrimination against older patients.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have set in place mechanisms for monitoring purchasers' performance and ensuring that they are accountable to Ministers and to the public they serve. Health authorities as purchasers are expected to develop contracting arrangements which accurately reflect the needs of all of their resident population.
  490

  Contact Lenses
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received questioning the safety of contact lenses; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The College of Ophthalmologists wrote to the Chief Medical Officer to bring to his attention the increase in contact lens-induced microbial keratitis. The Department has met the representatives of the four eye care professional bodies: College of Ophthalmologists, British College of Optometrists, Association of Optometrists, and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

  The working group chaired by the Department has drafted guidance for the eye care professions including a leaflet for patients. The Department has consulted the industry on the content of these drafts and a further meeting of the working party, together with representatives of the industry, will be held on 27 May with the aim of finalising the documents.

  The Department will fund the publication of the guidance.

  Nurses
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been issued to health authorities and trusts on providing newly qualified nurses with information about national vacancies;

  (2) what guidance has been issued to health authorities and trusts on the provision of careers counselling services for nursing students;

  (3) what plans she has to establish schemes to enable newly qualified nurses who are unemployed to consolidate their education.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health authorities and trusts are aware that the Employment Service has details of national vacancies and that the English National Board runs a Resource and Careers Service Department.

  Regional health authorities have chosen to manage the position of newly qualified nurses themselves by adopting a variety of approaches such as expansion of flexible working patterns, job sharing, short-term contracts and clearing house schemes.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current state of discussions within the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council regarding outstanding clinical grading appeals.

  Mr. Sackville
  The management side of the council awaits a response from the staff side to an offer on 31 March about a number of procedural changes aimed at significantly speeding up the appeals process. The management side made the proposals in support of the initiative requiring regional health authorities to draw up plans to clear outstanding appeals by 31 October 1993.

  NHS Trusts
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the chairs and non-executive directors of NHS trusts had previous professional experience within the NHS before their appointment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.
  491

  Overseas Manufacturers (Inspection)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the annual cost of providing teams to inspect plants overseas which manufacture products for use in the NHS;

  (2) how many people are employed by her Department to inspect plants overseas which manufacture medical products for use in the national health service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The equivalent of 6·7 full-time inspectors from the Department of Health and the Medicines Control Agency together were employed in the inspection of medical device and licensed medicinal product manufacturers overseas in 1992–93. The estimated cost—staff, travel and subsistence expenses—of providing these services was £595,000.

  Dentistry
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many approvals were successfully processed by the Dental Estimates Board; and what was the value of that work approved for each month since April 1991;

  (2) how many requests for prior approval were received by the Dental Estimates Board; and what was the value of that work which dentists wished to carry out, for each month since April 1991.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information in the table shows the number of applications for prior approval submitted by general dental practitioners in England and Wales to the Dental Practice Board for the period April 1991 to March 1993. We have no reason to believe that the DPB failed to process any applications made during this period. The value of the dental work for which these applications were made is not routinely collated by the DPB.

  General dental services (England and Wales) Number of applications for prior approval1 April 1991 to March 1993

  Number

  1991

  April2

  7,000

  May2

  7,000

  June2

  6,000

  July

  6,583

  August

  5,308

  September

  4,437

  October

  5,746

  November

  4,717

  December

  3,331

  1992

  January

  5,037

  February

  4,551

  March

  4,528

  April

  4,408

  May

  3,907

  June

  4,323

  July3

  6,378

  August

  10,624

  September

  17,765

  October

  24,609

  November

  24,069

  December

  23,591

  1993

  January

  26,113

  February

  27,959

  March

  34,073

  1 The small number of prior approval applications arising from investigation, Prior Approval Penalty and Targeting are excluded.

  492
  2 The figures for April to June 1991 are estimates.

  3 The prior approval by value limit was reduced from £600 to £200 with effect from 8 July 1992.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid out to the general dental practitioners working within the national health service for each month since April 1991.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  Payments to general dental practitioners—England

  1991–92 £ million

  1992–92 £ million

  April

  90·582

  116·408

  May

  91·807

  116·576

  June

  94·140

  111·830

  July

  100·276

  114·106

  August

  104·808

  113·243

  September

  92·334

  101·281

  October

  99·553

  98·397

  November

  108·703

  101·686

  December

  111·130

  102·551

  January

  100·896

  105·225

  February

  115·203

  99·171

  March

  114·359

  94·849

  Total

  1,223·791

  1,275·323

  Source: Monthly expenditure returns submitted to the Department by family health services authorities and the Dental Practice Board.

  Notes: Figures are the total of gross payments made to general dental practitioners in each month for all fees, allowances and directly reimbursed practice expenses, but exclude other General Dental Service costs such as payments to salaried dentists, emergency dental service fees, and employer's superannuation costs.

  Respiratory Illness
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence is available to her Department on the rate of hospital admissions of people suffering from respiratory illness in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the north-west region.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1989–90 the rate of hospital admissions of people suffering from respiratory illness in(a) England was 125 per 10,000 population and (b) in the north-west region was 153 per 10,000 population. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Proposed Hospital Mergers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines or instructions she has given to the Guy's and St. Thomas's hospital trust on the subject of the proposal for merger of Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have asked the trust to carry out a thorough appraisal of the site options and to bring forward clear recommendations on future service configuration and siting by the autumn.

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the special circumstances under paragraph 9(3) of schedule 5 to the National Health Service Act 1977
  493
  which led her to make a compensation payment to the former chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority on the termination of his appointment.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The decision to offer a compensation payment took account of the fact that Sir James Ackers resigned from the position of chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority 18 months before his term of office was due to expire; and that in his 10 years of service considerable progress was made, particularly in carrying out many major hospital developments; waiting lists have fallen dramatically and a record number of patients are now being treated.

  Special Health Authority
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the revenue budget of each special health authority for 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what is the projected distribution of funds for those authorities for 1994–95.

  Mr. Sackville
  The revenue allocations for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are given in the table. Figures for 1994–95 cannot be projected at this early stage.

  Special Health Authorities

  1992–93 £ million

  1993–94 £ million

  Central Blood Laboratory Authority/ National Blood Authority (CBLA/ NBA)

  3·718

  6·152

  NHS Supplies Authority

  13·892

  8·110

  UK Transplant Special Services Authority (UKTSSA)

  1·986

  2·397

  Bethlem Royal and Maudsley (BR&M)

  33·896

  35·825

  Eastman Dental Hospital (EDH)

  8·178

  8·489

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's (and Acton) (HQC)

  76·608

  80·172

  Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH)

  21·321

  22·185

  Hospitals for Sick Children (Gt. Ormond St. and Queen Elizabeth's) (HSC)

  55·483

  57·612

  National Heart and Lung Hospitals (Brompton and London Chest) (NH&LH)

  48·87

  49·387

  National Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery (Queen Square, Maida Vale, Finchley and Chalfont) (NHNN)

  30·116

  31·113

  Royal Marsden Hospital (Fulham and Sutton) (RMH)

  35·685

  37·234

  Notes:

  The figures for UKTSSA do not include money allocated for reimbursement of donor hospitals as the money does not contribute to the running costs of the organisation. The UKTSSA in effect manages the funds used to reimburse donor hospitals for maintaining cadavers prior to transplantation, for the Department.

  The figures for 1992–93 are subject to validation by audit. The figures for 1993–94 are initial allocations, which will be added to by in-year adjustment, as appropriate.

  The CBLA became the NBA with effect from 1 April 1993.

  Junior Doctors (Working Hours)
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress towards reducing the hours worked by junior doctors.

  Mr. Boyce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in achieving a reduction in junior doctors' hours.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I will make an announcement shortly.
  494

  Listeria
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in the United Kingdom were caused by listeria in the last year for which figures are available; what comparable figures he has for other EC member states; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1991, there were 10 certified deaths from listeriosis in the United Kingdom. There are no comparable figures available for other EC member states.

  Medical Practitioners
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the implications of the European medical directive for the ability of British registered medical practitioners to practise elsewhere in the European Community; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Last year the European Commission expressed concern that the system in place in the United Kingdom for the mutual recognition of specialist qualifications might not comply with the 1975 European medical directives. A working group was established to review United Kingdom arrangements for specialist medical training in the light of these directives. The group has produced comprehensive recommendations and its report will be issued shortly for a period of consultation.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 March,Official Report, column 497, if she will place in the Library a copy of her Department's instructions on the valuation of assets for transfer to NHS trusts.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is contained in the "Capital Charges and Trust Equivalent Manual", a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will consult the Lord Mayor of London and the City of London corporation about the future of the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital;

  (2) If she will withdraw her proposal to close the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital following the bomb explosion in the City of London; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  North East Thames regional health authority has issued a consultation document on proposals for the closure of the accident and emergency department at St Bartholomew's hospital. The consultation process will proceed in the normal way and the North East Thames RHA would welcome comments on the proposals it contains.

  Sight Tests
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations govern access to free NHS sight tests for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The same rules of entitlement to free national health service sight tests, as set out in section 38 of the NHS Act 1977, apply to people who are deaf or hard of hearing as to all other people.
  495

EMPLOYMENT

  DEFENCE
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 3 March,Official Report, column 209, if she will give a breakdown of the cost per trainee of employment training.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 22 April 1993]: The breakdown is provided in the following table;

  Breakdown of employment training unit costs

  £

  Unit Cost elements

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Fees

  2,576

  2,399

  2,929

  Allowances

  2,601

  2,662

  2,807

  Head Office Costs

  227

  323

  278

  Total

  5,404

  5,384

  6,014

  Note: No comparable breakdown is available for the 1988–89 total.

  Service

  Year

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Royal Navy/Royal Marines

  18

  18

  21

  16

  20

  14

  Army

  90

  71

  73

  99

  120

  112

  Royal Air Force

  8

  2

  3

  3

  3

  1

  Notes:

  1. More than one offence may have been committed in some cases and the sentence of dismissal may have been given because of the more serious offence; or perhaps as a result of numerous convictions at a trial, i.e., a totaling effect.

  2. Figures for 1992 are not expected to be available until mid-June. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of state for defence will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of(a) the Royal Navy, (b) the RAF and (c) the Army were discharged from the services, having gone absent without leave, in each year since 1986.

  Service

  Year

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Royal Navy/Royal Marines

  28

  64

  77

  90

  71

  74

  76

  14

  Army

  1,962

  1,997

  2,190

  2,477

  2,999

  2,808

  2,650

  597

  Royal Air Force

  236

  219

  154

  190

  155

  131

  103

  29

  1. The figures show the number of reported cases of absence without leave, which are not necessarily the same as the number of individuals who have gone absent without leave as some individuals may have gone absent more than once.

  2. Figures for the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and Army show cases of personnel reported as absent for a period of seven days or more and for whom warrants for arrest have been issued.

  3. Figures for the Royal Air Force show cases of personnel reported as absent for one day or more and may include instances where warrants for arrest have not yet been issued.

  4. Figures for 1993 cover the period 1 January 1993 to 1 April 1993.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ascertain the current location and deployment of military equipment and armaments exported under licence from the United Kingdom to the former republic of Yugoslavia since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is already United Kingdom policy to do so.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representation his Department had at the seminar on nuclear proliferation held at Rhodes House, Oxford on 21 April.
  496

DEFENCE

  Absence without Leave
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of(a) the Royal Navy, (b) the RAF and (c) the Army were discharged from the services, having gone absent without leave, in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Personnel are not usually discharged from the services for going absent without leave. Records of any such discharges are not maintained centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of personnel dismissed following court martial or summary proceedings for offences involving absence without leave, however, are as follows:

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Information in respect of reported cases of absence without leave is as follows:

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department was represented at official level at the seminar "The plutonium legacy: nuclear proliferation out of control?" held in Oxford on 21 April 1993.

  Aer Lingus Crash
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of the Irish Government concerning further information on the cause of the crash of the Aer Lingus Viscount in the Irish sea on 24 March 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.
  497

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key performance targets have been set for 1993–94 for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  Mr. Aitken
  The chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down is responsible for research to ensure that the United Kingdom armed forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. He has been set the following challenging key performance targets for 1993–94:

  Improved delivery of the programme

  1. In 1993–94 to achieve, within agreed timescales, 88 per cent. of the programme milestones agreed with customers.

  2. In 1993–94 to complete 82 per cent. of the agreed programme assignments required by customers within the specified cost and to keep within CBDE's overall budget.

  3. To sustain the CB research programme and the capability of CBDE to respond effectively to operational emergencies by maintaining scientific and technical staff to at least 70 per cent. of the total planned manpower.

  More efficient use of resources

  4. To increase the overall efficiency of CBDE by at least 2·5 per cent. of the net budget less capital works over the financial year 1993–94 with emphasis on improving output efficiency.

  5. To continue the agreed Market Testing programme identified by the Feasibility/Scoping Study, including the preparation of the specification in 1993–94, to produce an in-house bid and to complete the process by 31 March 1995.

  6. In 1993–94 to increase the percentage of CBDE cash expenditure (less captial works) attributed to direct costs by 5 per cent. to 60 per cent. using the database established in 1992–93.

  Development of management systems

  7. To extend the improved resource allocation and cost attribution system to provide project costs on a full cost basis by March 1994.

PRIME MINISTER

  Gibraltar
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the status of Gibraltar in the EC.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Local Authority Powers, Scotland
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many representations he has received proposing that some existing local authority powers be transferred away from Scottish local authorities to the Scottish Office;

  (2) how many representations he has received to establish joint boards or non-elected bodies in Scotland to take over functions from directly elected Scottish local authorities.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations on local government issues. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has received some comments, in response to his consultation exercise on local government reform in Scotland, which advocate either the transfer of particular local authority functions to central Government, or the establishment of joint boards, or both.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister how much food has been contributed by the United Kingdom to relieve humanitarian suffering in the former Yugoslavia; what proportion of food held in intervention under EC rules in the United Kingdom has been supplied; what action he is taking to persuade EC Heads of Government to ensure proper supplies of food to the former Yugoslavia are made; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom has provided £92·5 million for humanitarian relief in the former Yugoslavia. Of this some £48 million is our share of EC expenditure, the bulk of which has been spent on food aid. This is provided in cash to UN agencies and NGOs, which then purchase supplies that meet their operational requirements. Some EC intervention stocks have been used in the past, but none from the UK.

  The UK has also contributed some £44·5 million in direct bilateral action, focusing on the supply of transport, equipment and expertise to central Bosnia where needs are greatest. We were the first country to respond to the United Nations inter-agency appeal of 25 March, donating a further £15 million, of which £8·5 million was in immediate cash contributions. We maintain a regular dialogue with other EC member states and have urged them to follow suit.

  Former Soviet Union
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards securing international action to decommission nuclear power stations in the former Soviet Union where it is judged that their continued operation poses a hazard to the lives of the peoples of both eastern and western europe; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  At the Munich summit last July, the G7 countries gave their support to a multilateral programme of action designed to improve the safety of Soviet-designed reactors in the former Soviet Union and central and eastern Europe. The programme, subsequently endorsed by the G24 countries, included measures to bring about urgent operational and near-term technical improvements to the highest risk plants. The Government are playing a full part in supporting and implementing the programme both bilaterally and through the European Community's technical assistance programmes. We have contributed £8·25 million to the nuclear safety account recently set up at the European bank for reconstruction and development to finance urgent safety not covered by bilateral assistance programmes.

  The longer-term future of the plants concerned is a matter for the Governments of the states concerned. However, the G7 programme also provided a basis for consideration of the future of these plants, within the framework of market-oriented energy strategies, by setting in train energy studies covering replacement sources of energy and their cost implications. The World bank, with the International Energy Agency, is in the process of completing these studies, in discussion with the countries concerned. The forthcoming Tokyo summit will review progress on the action programme as a whole, including how best to take forward the conclusions of these studies.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to his statement in the House on 11 March,Official Report, column 1105, to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor), what is the timetable for the review of water charges in the south-west; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Responsibility for water charges rests with the Director General of Water Services. My right honourable and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is now examining certain aspects of overall programmes to see if there is any room for manoeuvre. This requires analysis and it would be premature to say more at this stage.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Prime Minister what implications the decision to abandon the privatisation of water in Northern Ireland has for the future of the water and sewerage services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  None. The position in Northern Ireland is quite separate from that in Scotland. A decision for Scotland will be taken in the light of circumstances that apply to Scotland.

  I refer the honourable Member to the reply I gave to the honourable Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 27 April at column 848.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Television
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will make provision for separate viewing facilities for right hon. and hon. Members to view Channel 4 and satellite television news.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I shall arrange for this matter to be considered by the Administration Committee.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Malawi
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made under their good governance programme for the reform of Malawi's Bill of Rights, and the establishment of an independent judiciary and a fair judicial review process in Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 27 April at column 370 regarding the representations we have repeatedly made on human rights grounds. These included proposals to introduce habeas corpus legislation as well as urging a review of the powers of Malawi's traditional courts.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the recent conference held in Addis Ababa to discuss the future of Somalia; and if he will make available a full account of the proceedings of the conference.
  500
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The conference held in Addis Ababa on 15 to 27 March resulted in an agreement among the main Somali factions on the formation of a transitional Government. The factions also affirmed earlier agreements on a ceasefire and disarmament. We have not seen a full record of the proceedings, but I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the text of the 27 March agreement signed by 15 faction representatives.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the systematic abuse of women in Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have no information on any systematic abuse of women in Somalia. We received reports of the stoning to death of five women in Hargeisa, northern Somalia in January. My right hon. and noble friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, during a visit to Hargeisa on 7 February 1993, raised the issue with the authorities there, and was assured that action was being taken to arrest those responsible.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits have been made to Somalia in the last 12 months by representatives of the British Government; and if he will list the parts of Somalia visited.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 14 December 1992 at column 22. Since then, an FCO official visited Mogadishu, 16–17 January; an FCO official and an ODA official visited Mogadishu and Baidoa, 29–30 Janaury; my right hon. and noble friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey visited Baidoa, Mogadishu and Hargeisa, 6–7 February; the British ambassador to Addis Ababa visited Hargeisa, 6–7 February; an FCO official and a member of the British high commission, Nairobi visited Mogadishu, Belet Huen and Baidoa, 2–4 March; and a member of the British high commission, Nairobi visited Mogadishu, 17–18 April.

  China
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the total number and (b) the refusals for applications for entry clearance as students, in each of the last five years, from nationals of the People's Republic of China.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The total number of private student applications and the number of private student refusals, in each of the last five years, for nationals of the People's Republic of China is as follows:

  Applications

  Refused

  Appeals Received

  1988

  454

  152

  8

  1989

  1,357

  466

  136

  1990

  2,607

  1,479

  525

  1991

  2,894

  2,346

  760

  1992

  1,308

  1,015

  264

  South Africa
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid has been given to each organisation directed to helping human rights groups in South Africa in each of the past three years.
  501
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 22 April 1993]: The ambodia information is as follows.

  Organisation

  Amount £

  1990

  National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders

  8,069

  Black Sash Advice Office

  3,000

  Butterworth Legal Resources Centre

  2,000

  Lawyers for Human Rights

  3,128

  1991

  Advice Centres Association

  10,800

  Twilight Children

  4,367

  Social Development Centre

  3,062

  Kimberley Advice Office

  1,089

  National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders

  2,570

  Rwetelayakwanga Advice Office

  1,233

  National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders

  11,685

  Moletsane Advice Office

  2,718

  1992

  Family Institute (child abuse and marital problems)

  2,254

  Phahameng Advice Office

  3,900

  Herschel Advice Office

  1,440

  National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders

  38,000

  In addition, Britain has supplied experts to support Mr. Justice Goldstone's investigations into incidents of violence and we are providing £50,000 for a human rights colloquium to be held in South Africa in September to look at the role of the judiciary in upholding human rights and ensuring government under law. Our entire aid programme in South Africa of over £10 million in 1992–93 is aimed at assisting the country's non-white citizens to play their rightful role in the economy and future government of the country.

  Gini coefficients for the distribution of income at each stage of the tax-benefit system, 1977–1990 Households with and households without children

  Gini coefficients (per cent.)

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  19901

  Equivalised original income

  Households with children

  29

  n/a

  29

  31

  33

  36

  36

  37

  39

  41

  42

  41

  41

  42

  Households without children

  50

  n/a

  51

  51

  52

  53

  54

  54

  54

  55

  55

  55

  53

  55

  All households

  43

  n/a

  44

  44

  46

  47

  48

  49

  49

  50

  51

  51

  50

  52

  Equivalised gross income

  Households with children

  24

  n/a

  24

  25

  26

  28

  27

  27

  29

  30

  31

  33

  32

  34

  Households without children

  32

  n/a

  32

  33

  34

  33

  34

  33

  34

  35

  37

  38

  37

  40

  All households

  29

  n/a

  30

  31

  31

  31

  32

  31

  32

  34

  36

  37

  36

  38

  Equivalised disposal income

  Households with children

  23

  n/a

  22

  24

  25

  26

  25

  24

  26

  28

  29

  31

  31

  32

  Households without children

  29

  n/a

  29

  30

  30

  29

  30

  29

  30

  32

  34

  36

  35

  38

  All households

  27

  n/a

  27

  28

  28

  28

  28

  28

  29

  31

  33

  35

  34

  36

  Equivalised post-tax income

  Households with children

  26

  n/a

  25

  27

  28

  30

  28

  27

  29

  32

  33

  35

  35

  37

  Households without children

  30

  n/a

  30

  32

  32

  31

  33

  32

  33

  36

  38

  40

  38

  42

  All households

  29

  n/a

  29

  30

  31

  31

  31

  30

  32

  35

  36

  38

  37

  40

  1 Includes Company car benefit.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each district council in Gloucestershire the number of appeals to the valuation
  502

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the number of mine-clearing units operating under the UN mandate in Cambodia; and how many mines have been lifted as a result of those operations.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [pursuant to his reply 22 April 1993]: We have received further information from our mission in Phnom Penh.

  UNTAC has now redeployed its resources. As of 17 April, there were three international training teams and 20 supervisory teams operating in Cambodia. A total of 2,184 Khmer deminers, 51 Khmer supervisors, and 21 Khmer instructors had been trained. A further 32 deminars, 24 supervisors and 27 instructors were still undergoing training. Twenty-six platoons of trained Khmer deminers were operating under UN Supervisory teams in Cambodia, while another six were operating under NGO auspices.

  We continue to strees to UNTAC the importance of its mine clearance training activities to which we have contributed personnel.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Incomes
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give Gini coefficients for the distribution of income at each stage of the tax benefit system 1977 to 1990, in the equivalised form adopted in Economic Trends No. 471, page 187 for (a) households with children only, (b) other households and (c) all households.

  Mr. Nelson
  The figures are given in the table.

  officer by property owners against council tax banding; and how long he expects it to take for these appeals to be determined.

  Mr. Nelson
  As at 22 April, 6,125 proposals had been received by the listing officer responsible for district
  503
  council areas in Gloucestershire. The division of this figure into individual district council areas is not yet available. As the number of appeals which will be made in Gloucestershire cannot yet be predicted it is not possible to determine the length of time it will take to deal with them.

  Charities
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount in real terms that charities will gain from the changes announced in the Budget regarding payroll giving and gift aid in the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The revenue cost of these measures will depend on take-up. But the cost of the Gift Aid change is estimated at £20 million in 1993–94, £30 million in 1994–95 and £30 million in 1995–96. The cost of the payroll giving change is estimated at £1 million each year.

  Married Couples Allowances
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the additional revenue, at 1993 prices, resulting from leaving the married couples allowances unchanged in the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what estimate he has made of the additional revenue which will be generated in the financial years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Dorrel
  The estimated direct revenue yield for each year compared with tax regimes in which the married couple's allowances had been increased in line with the statutory rules for indexation since 1990–91 are as follows:

  Yield in a full year at 1993–94 prices

  £ million

  1991–92

  450

  1992–93

  600

  1993–94

  750

  Equivalent estimates for 1994–95 and 1995–96 would depend on income levels, changes in the retail prices index, and other aspects of the tax regime for the future years.

  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the ways in which United Kingdom contributions to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have been spent to date.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 19 April, Official Report, c. 249–50.

  VAT (Fuel)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue from value added tax paid by charities on domestic fuel and power in real terms at 1993 prices, in the years 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Sir John Cope
  In 1993 prices, we estimate that applying VAT to charities' non-business use of fuel and power will raise around £10 million in 1994–95 and around £25 million in 1995–96.
  504
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received favouring his proposal to charge value added tax on supplies of fuel and power for domestic, residential and charity non-business use.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 26 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations. Among other things these support the need to use the tax system to help fulfil our Rio commitment, support the need to raise revenue to tackle the deficit and support the policy of doing this through indirect taxation rather than income tax.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 April,Official Report, column 180, what is his estimate of the annual revenue for value added tax on pensioners' payments of standing charges for gas and electricity when the rate is (a) 8 per cent. and (b) 17·5 per cent.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 27 April 1993]: Table 4.1 of the FSBR provides estimates of the total revenue effect of applying VAT to domestic fuel and power. Applying VAT to pensioners' payments of standing charges is estimated to raise around 3 per cent. of this total, or around £30 million in 1994–95 and £70 million in 1995–96. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor made clear in his Budget speech, extra help will be given through benefits to those pensioners and others on low incomes who are dependent on income-related benefits.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Services
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by each fire service actual expenditure for 1992–93 against standard spending assessments 1992–93 and planned spending for 1993–94 against standard spending assessments 1993–94.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Neither outturn expenditure for 1992–93 nor local authority service budgets for 1993–94 are yet available centrally. English authorities' latest budget estimates for fire and civil defence in 1992–93, and the fire and civil defence components of their standard spending assessments for that year, are given in the table.

  £ million

  1992–93 Fire and civil defence budget estimate

  1992–93 Fire and civil defence SSA

  Avon

  20·698

  19·494

  Bedfordshire

  10·939

  10·907

  Berkshire

  14·766

  16·458

  Buckinghamshire

  11·389

  12·171

  Cambridgeshire

  11·688

  11·471

  Cheshire

  19·720

  19·077

  Cleveland

  17·993

  18·669

  Cornwall

  9·512

  7·250

  Cumbria

  10·947

  8·377

  Derbyshire

  16·587

  16·758

  Devon

  20·634

  19·089

  Dorset

  12·342

  11·753

  Durham

  12·968

  12·491

  West Sussex

  15·492

  14·330

  Essex

  32·019

  31·108

  Gloucestershire

  9·857

  9·069

  Hampshire

  25·990

  30·448

  505

  1992–93 Fire and civil defence budget estimate

  1992–93 Fire and civil defence SSA

  Hereford and Worcester

  12·254

  11·831

  Hertfordshire

  18·805

  20·378

  Humberside

  22·644

  20·217

  Isle of Wight

  3·078

  2·280

  Kent

  33·841

  30·328

  Lancashire

  30·844

  30·361

  Leicestershire

  14·308

  16·548

  Lincolnshire

  9·969

  9·309

  Norfolk

  13·906

  12·399

  Northamptonshire

  10·560

  10·905

  Northumberland

  8·592

  5·706

  North Yorkshire

  13·975

  11·706

  Nottinghamshire

  19·435

  20·482

  Oxfordshire

  10·639

  10·848

  Shropshire

  7·717

  7·626

  Somerset

  8·625

  7·316

  Staffordshire

  18·548

  18·640

  Suffolk

  11·936

  10·691

  Surrey

  23·374

  21·756

  Warwickshire

  11·186

  8·618

  West Sussex

  13·977

  14·430

  Wiltshire

  9·500

  9·610

  London

  237·550

  238·252

  Greater Manchester

  66·386

  67·242

  Merseyside

  45·292

  44·904

  South Yorkshire

  30·966

  27·310

  Tyne and Wear

  32·012

  32·915

  West Midlands

  63·239

  66·216

  West Yorkshire

  51·035

  47·388

  Isles of Scilly

  0·101

  0·067

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to the police to apprehend and arrest individuals attempting unlawfully to sell nuclear materials in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The police have the power to arrest without warrant in relation to an offence of dealing with nuclear material in contravention of subsection (2) of section 2 of the Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983. In certain circumstances, they may also be able to arrest for offences under the Theft Act 1968.

  Crime, Greater Manchester
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests there were in the Greater Manchester area during the past year for(a) burglaries and (b) crimes of violence.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Police National Network
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 April,Official Report, column 109, what contract award procedures applied in the case of the short-listing for the police national network.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The procurement of the police national network follows the negotiated procedures set out in article 11(2) (c) of the EC services directive, which comes into force on 1 July.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints he has received about wheel clamping in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Greater Manchester area.

  Mr. Jack
  Since 1 April 1992, the Home Office has received 258 written complaints about wheel clamping on private land, both directly from members of the public arid from hon. Members on behalf of constituents. Of this total, 15 can be identified as originating from the Greater Manchester area.

  In the same period, the Home Office has received 20 written complaints about wheel clamping on the public highway, which currently takes place only in London. We are not aware of any complaints from the Greater Manchester area on this issue.

  The Home Office issued a consultation document on wheel clamping on private land on 23 February. Comments should reach the Home Office by 30 May.

  Primates
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in establishing a register of primates kept in member states in order to minimise the importation of primates for research from outside the Community.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 16 March at col.176.

  HMP Blakenhurst
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries into the antecedents of Mr. T. Don Hutto were made before awarding the contract to manage Her Majesty's prison Blakenhurst to UKDS; in what way the present departmental inquiry into Mr. Hutto differs; and if the results of the inquiries will be made public.

  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 Ian Dunbar to Mr. Tony Blair, dated April 1993:

  In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Mr. Hutto.

  As is standard practice before awarding any prison managment contracts, a range of enquiries was made about the Corrections Corporation of America and to a limited extent about individuals within it; (those who are to be running a prision are subject to separate, more detailed checks). The purpose of the present inquiry is to look into specific allegations which have been made against Mr. Hutto and the conclusions of the exercise will be announced.

  Police Statistics
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the national and regional police bodies in England and Wales giving(a) the purpose of the body, (b) the date established, (c) the

  507
  headquarters' location, (d) the name and rank of chief officer, (e) the body to whom the chief officer reports or is accountable, (f) the number of police officers employed, (g) the number of civilian staff employed and (h) the cost of the body in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  HMP Manchester
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the procedures for firms to re-bid on cost, after all the original bids have been received, for the contract to manage Her Majesty's prison Manchester.

  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 Ian Dunbar to Mr. Tony Blair, dated April 1993:

  In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office the Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the procedures for firms to re-bid on costs.

  There are at present no such procedures in place; in the event that a re-tender is required, tenderers will be advised accordingly, and the procedures detailed.

  Any unsolicited re-tenders received after the return date will be considered as late tenders, and may not be included in the evaluation.

  Bogus Marriages
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his most recent estimate of the number of bogus marriages solemnised in the United Kingdom during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The number of bogus marriages identified in the course of enforcing the immigration law is not collected centrally. More generally, the incidence of bogus marriages is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now place in the Library full information arising from the 1992 British crime survey.

  Mr. Jack
  Analysis of the 1992 British crime survey is still in progress. Full results will be presented in a series of reports. The first two will be published in the summer and will cover: crime levels, the reporting of crime and the risks of crime; and contacts with and attitudes to the police. Copies will be placed in the Library in the usual way.

  Young Offenders Centre, Feltham
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations which have placed a bid to run the educational service at Her Majesty's young offenders and remand centre, Feltham; and if he will make a statement.
  508
  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 Ian Dunbar to Mr. Alan Keen, dated 29 April 1993:

  In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about those bidding to provide future education services at Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham.

  I would refer you to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sherwood, Mr. Tipping, on 14 January, col 798, a copy of which is enclosed. The London Borough of Hounslow and Hounslow Borough College have agreed to continue to provide education services at HM Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham until 31 August 1993. Following the recent judgment of Mr. Justice Ogden in the case of Kenny and Woodroffe v South Manchester College, the Prison Service expects to reach a decision shortly on how to proceed with tendering for those prison establishments, for which contracts for the future provision of education services have not yet been placed.

  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the report into Her Majesty's young offenders and remand centre, Feltham, carried out by Anthony Scrivener QC and his team on behalf of the Howard League; 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, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr Alan Keen, dated 29 April 1993:

  In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the Howard League report on Feltham Remand Centre and Young Offender Institution.

  The report covers a wide range of matters and makes many recommendations. The Howard League have identified several areas of concern and steps have already been taken to improve conditions at Feltham and to reduce the risk of suicide by the young offenders held there.

  The Governor of Feltham is studying the Howard League's report in detail, along with other members of the Prison Service Working Group on Feltham. Its terms of reference are to support and facilitate the enhancement of the regime at Feltham Remand Centre; to consider the plan for its long-term future; and to make recommendations.

  There will be a full response to the Howard League recommendations when the Feltham Working Group publishes its report later this year.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made with the invitation contained in the guide issued jointly by the Office of Public Service and Science and Her Majesty's Treasury to consider making the interests of members of non-departmental public bodies a matter of public record; and if he will list all declarations already made.
  509
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Such action is at the discretion of Departments, and information on declarations made is not collected centrally.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Indemnity Undertakings
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given by Departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six months ending 31 March; and what was the value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and which remain outstanding as at 31 March.

  Mr. Brooke
  The information requested is as follows:

  In the six months to 31 March 1993 the following undertakings to indemnify were given by the relevant departments for items on loan to national and non-national institutions:

  Number

  Department of National Heritage

  501

  Scottish Office Education Department

  45

  Welsh Office Education Department

  26

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  9

  The value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and outstanding at 31 March 1993 are:

  £

  Department of National Heritage

  1,187,879,848

  Scottish Office Education Department

  133,108,056

  Welsh Office Education Department

  32,937,662

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  2,994,719

  Windsor Castle
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made in deciding the reconstruction strategy for Windsor castle.

  Mr. Brooke
  A thorough examination has now been carried out of the area damaged by the fire on 20 November, which extends to nine principal rooms and 103 additional rooms. A large expanse of roof has been destroyed. However, almost all the walls, the structure of the windows, and much of the floors of the principal rooms are still sound. And damage to the interiors varies greatly from room to room. Some have been almost totally destroyed; others have suffered only limited damage to the interior decoration of the walls and ceilings. Virtually all the furniture and paintings were in store at the time of the fire and can be returned to the rooms, some of which were specifically designed to house them.

  The reconstruction strategy must clearly take account of the extent of the damage in the various state apartments. In those rooms where significant internal decoration remains, it would not be right to complete the work of the fire by destroying what remains: restoration to the condition before the fire is clearly appropriate. But, where little or nothing of the former interior has survived, there is much more scope for considering modern redesign, for putting a late 20th century stamp in this area of the castle of which we and future generations can be proud.
  510
  It has therefore been agreed by Her Majesty that some rooms—the grand reception room, for example, and the crimson and green drawing rooms—will be restored to their former glory. Modern techniques may be used where they will not impinge on the visual impact of the rooms; and, where practicable, damaged elements will be repaired and significant fragments that have been saved will be reused. Throughout, we will be seeking to combine faithful restoration with value for money.

  In other rooms, such as the private chapel where the fire began and the state dining room, there will be the opportunity to start anew and give expression to the best of modern design.

  In arriving at this broad approach, the Government and the royal household have had the benefit of consultations with the chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission, the president of the RIBA, and the chairman of English Heritage in their personal capacities. I am indebted to them for their assistance.

  Her Majesty is very conscious of the potential cost to the taxpayer of that work. She has decided to open, to the public, parts of Buckingham palace, housing important items of the royal collection in August and September, starting this summer. The income from charges for entry, together with the proceeds from charges to be raised for entry to the precincts of Windsor castle from next year, will be devoted to the reconstruction of the fire-damaged areas.

  Some decisions regarding design have yet to be taken and detailed specifications are still to be drawn up. And any recommendations in the report on fire prevention strategy which will be presented to me by Sir Alan Bailey next month will need to be considered. However, early estimates suggest that the reconstruction of the fire-damaged areas will cost £30 to £40 million over a five-year period. Some 70 per cent. of that cost is expected to be met by proceeds from visitor charges at Buckingham palace and Windsor. The remainder will be found from within the present level of funding provided by grant-in-aid from the Department of National Heritage to the royal household. The contribution from the Exchequer, therefore, is expected to average £2 to £2½ million annually at current prices over the five years.

  The royal household will now proceed to prepare a detailed programme of work. Full consultation with relevant bodies will be carried out on the proposals once they have been worked up.

  What is proposed represents an approach to the reconstruction of Windsor castle that blends restoration with redesign. The burden on the taxpayer is significantly reduced, due to Her Majesty's proposals to allow greater public access to Buckingham palace and to devote the proceeds from admission charges at Buckingham palace and Windsor to the reconstruction work.

  I am in no doubt that this will be widely welcomed, both in this House and beyond. I believe the way now to be clear for that work to proceed with support throughout the nation.

  Angling
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment his Department had made of the total number of anglers in Great Britain.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 27 April 1993]: The 1990 general household survey found that 6 per cent. of those

  511
  surveyed in Great Britain, aged 16 or over, participated in angling in the 12 months before interview. This suggests that there are about 2,670,000 anglers.

WALES

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest estimates of the number of(a) full-time and (b) part-time (i) males and (ii) females in

  Thousands

  Division description

  September 1984

  September 1987

  September 1989

  September 1991

  Male full—time

  Manufacturing

  36·4

  39·7

  42·8

  37·7

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  18·1

  19·7

  21·0

  17·1

  Other manufacturing1

  18·3

  20·0

  21·8

  20·6

  Construction

  8·1

  7·0

  6·7

  6·7

  Distribution2

  5·8

  6·3

  6·1

  6·6

  Transport/communication

  5·1

  4·8

  5·6

  4·4

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  3·5

  2·9

  3·4

  3·8

  Other services3

  16·1

  19·0

  15·4

  15·7

  Male part—time

  Manufacturing

  0·3

  0·3

  0·4

  0·4

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  0·1

  0·1

  0·2

  0·2

  Other manufacturing1

  0·2

  0·2

  0·2

  0·2

  Construction

  0·2

  0·3

  0·1

  0·1

  Distribution2

  0·5

  0·7

  1·2

  1·2

  Transport/communication

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·4

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  0·1

  0·2

  0·2

  0·2

  Other services3

  2·6

  4·6

  2·4

  2·6

  Female full—time

  Manufacturing

  17·0

  19·5

  20·0

  16·8

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  7·8

  8·0

  8·3

  6·3

  Other manufacturing1

  9·2

  11·6

  11·7

  10·5

  Construction

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  0·4

  Distribution2

  4·1

  4·0

  4·4

  4·1

  Transport/communication

  0·5

  0·7

  0·8

  0·9

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  2·8

  2·7

  3·1

  4·3

  Other services3

  16·4

  18·0

  17·5

  19·3

  Female part—time

  Manufacturing

  1·9

  2·7

  3·0

  2·6

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  0·6

  0·8

  0·8

  0·7

  Other manufacturing1

  1·3

  1·9

  2·1

  1·8

  Construction

  0·6

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  Distribution2

  5·4

  5·7

  7·8

  8·2

  Transport/communication

  0·3

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  1·0

  1·0

  1·3

  1·9

  Other services3

  18·7

  20·5

  25·9

  27·8

  Division Description

  1984–91

  1987–91

  1989–91

  Percentage change in Male full—time

  Manufacturing

  3·4

  —5·1

  —12·0

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  —5·6

  —13·2

  —18·6

  Other manufacturing1

  12·3

  2·8

  —5·6

  Construction

  —16·5

  —3·4

  0·9

  Distribution2

  12·8

  3·9

  7·1

  Transport/communication

  —13·7

  —9·7

  —22·6

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  8·9

  32·1

  12·4

  Other services3

  —2·6

  —17·8

  1·7

  Percentage change in Male part—time

  Manufacturing

  31·8

  24·1

  —8·6

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  140·0

  140·0

  —4·5

  Other manufacturing1

  —5·4

  —12·7

  —11·9

  512
  employment in (1) manufacturing, (2) metal goods, engineering and vehicles, (3) other manufacturing, (4) construction, (5) distribution, (6) transport and communications, (7) banking and financial and (8) other services, in 1991, 1989, 1987 and 1983 within the areas covered by the valleys initiative; and what percentage changes in each category level occurred in 1991 as compared with 1989, 1987 and 1983.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested on employees in employment within the areas covered by the valleys initiative is given in the following tables:

  Division Description

  1984–91

  1987–91

  1989–91

  Construction

  —29·3

  61·3

  39·1

  Distribution2

  161·8

  65·4

  2·0

  Transport/communication

  18·3

  37·9

  18·3

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  97·5

  9·8

  51·6

  Other services3

  2·5

  —43·3

  7·5

  Change in Female full—time

  Manufacturing

  —1·6

  14·2

  —16·2

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  —19·9

  —21·2

  —24·3

  Other manufacturing1

  13·9

  —9·3

  —10·4

  Construction

  —17·1

  —19·1

  —17·1

  Distribution2

  —0·2

  1·3

  —7·3

  Transport/communication

  71·4

  24·0

  7·0

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  53·2

  58·3

  38·7

  Other services3

  17·6

  7·4

  10·1

  513

  Division Description

  1984–91

  1987–91

  1989–91

  Change in Female part—time

  Manufacturing

  34·7

  —5·7

  —13·9

  Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.

  33·4

  —10·6

  —11·2

  Other manufacturing1

  35·3

  —3·4

  —14·9

  Construction

  —21·9

  —7·5

  —0·9

  Distribution2

  52·3

  44·1

  5·3

  Transport/communication

  73–3

  0·5

  —8·3

  Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.

  82·2

  95·6

  47·0

  Other services3

  48·8

  35·8

  7·2

  Source: Employment Department.

  1 Divisions 2 and 4, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

  2 Classes 61–65, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

  3 Classes 66–67 and division 9, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

  Home Improvements
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his oral statement on 1 April,Official Report, column 513, how many homes have been improved through enveloping and repairs in each of the last five years, and at what public cost within the area covered by the valleys initiative; and how many homes, and what public expenditure he estimates will be spent during each of the next five years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers and cost of homes improved through enveloping and block/group repairs over the last five years are set out in the following table:

  Year

  Numbers

  Cost £ million

  1988–89

  2,656

  14·343

  1989–90

  2,749

  12·716

  1990–91

  1,622

  14·117

  1991–92

  367

  3·943

  1992–93

  478

  4·788

  Totals

  7,872

  49·907

  For 1993–94 I have made almost £3·3 million available specifically for area renewal schemes in the valleys area. Activity beyond 1993–94 will depend on the priority which local authorities give to area based renewal within the resources available to them.

  The figures shown are exclusive of mandatory home renovation grant activity for individual homes.

  Pharmacies
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of pharmacies in Wales; and how many dispense fewer than 2,000 prescriptions per year.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In each month on average, for the 12 months ending 28 February 1993, there were 708 pharmacies in Wales, of which 124 dispensed fewer than 2,000 prescriptions.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 20 October 1992,Official Report, columns 283–84, what progress he had made in allocating
  514
  the £2·5 million under the urban programme; what allocations have been announced and on what the money has been spent; and what proposals he has for the expenditure of the residual amount.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Local authorities were informed in January of the successful projects receiving assistance from the urban programme in 1992–93 under the special allocation of £2·5 million to help promote the development of the areas affected by the colliery review. A further £700,000 has also been made available in 1993–94 to continue the developments started in 1992–93.

  Details of the individual local authorities benefiting and amounts approved from the special allocation are as follows:

  Local Authority

  Approval 1992–93 £

  Approval 1993–94 £

  Clwyd CC

  100,000

  —

  Delyn BC

  80,000

  —

  Rhuddlan BC

  425,000

  160,000

  Dyfed CC

  20,000

  —

  Llanelli BC

  331,300

  150,000

  Dinefwr BC

  565,000

  150,000

  Cynon Valley BC

  260,000

  100,000

  Merthyr Tydfil BC

  363,000

  140,000

  Rhymney Valley DC

  161,000

  —

  West Glamorgan CC

  126,000

  —

  Lliw Valley

  64,000

  —

  Total

  2,495,300

  700,000

  Details of the individual projects approved are as follows:

  Authority and Project

  Approved £

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Projects approved for areas around Betws colliery

  Dyfed

  Garnant Initiative Programme Provision of 15 small workshops and retail facilities skills training for business in the tourism, craft and leisure industry also provided

  20,000

  —

  Llanelli

  Cross Hands Business Park—12

  166,300

  150,000

  Workshops—Complementing existing provision

  Cross Hands Business Park—7

  165,000

  —

  Workshops—Complementing existing provision

  Dinefwr

  Capel Hendre Business Park provision of major serviced Industrial site

  250,000

  50,000

  Cwmaman River Corrider Improvements

  Development of Site for recreational purposes

  235,000

  100,000

  Block B Capel Hendre Business Park Servicing of three-acre site

  80,000

  —

  Lliw Valley

  Nursery Units at Pontardawe— provision of 10 units

  64,000

  —

  West Glamorgan

  Training and Activity Centre Cwmllynfell

  82,000

  —

  515

  Authority and Project

  Approved £

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Purchase and conversion of garage—24 training places

  Amman Valley Enterprise

  24,000

  —

  Improvement of facilities for Community Businesses and IT Training

  Cwmllynfell Miners' Welfare Hall

  20,000

  —

  Redevelopment of Hall

  Total

  1,106,300

  300,000

  Authority and Project

  Approved £

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Projects approved for areas around point of Ayr colliery

  Clwyd CC

  Managed Workshops Space, Morfa Provision of 5 units totalling 118m2

  100,000

  —

  Delyn BC

  Afonwen Woolen Mill—Grosvenor Charter—Conversion of 900m2 of floor space for commercial use

  80,000

  —

  Ruddlan BC

  Ffrith Beach Development Prestatyn Tourism development—15 acres of derelict land improved

  90,000

  —

  Extension to Tai Tywyn Business Centre

  30,000

  —

  Land acquisition for industrial development

  Extension to Pare Industrial Estate Land acquisition for industrial development

  130,000

  —

  Coach Interchange, West Rhyl Provision of alternative and improved facility for coaches

  65,000

  160,000

  Gateway Project, Rhyl Railway Station Provision of 10 units—Refurbishment of an old station building into Business Centre

  110,000

  —

  Total

  605,000

  160,000

  50 per cent.

  95 per cent.

  Urban

  7 mins

  14 mins

  South Glamorgan

  Rural

  8 mins

  18 mins

  Clwyd, Gwent, Mid and West Glamorgan

  Sparsely populated

  8 mins

  21 mins

  East Dyfed, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Powys

  The information given in the tables relates to the relevant standards for each service:

  Year ended 31 March

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Percentage of ambulances arriving within 50 per cent, target

  Clwyd

  62

  n/a

  63

  59

  60

  East Dyfed

  54

  55

  56

  54

  55

  Gwent

  61

  73

  53

  50

  52

  Gwynedd

  54

  54

  55

  54

  55

  Mid Glamorgan

  48

  45

  50

  47

  53

  516

  Authority and Project

  Approved £

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Projects approved for areas around Taff Merthyr colliery

  Cynon Valley

  Cwm Cynon Enterprise Centre Provision of 20 units and offices

  100,000

  100,000

  River/Sewer Diversion, Mountain Ash Cwm Cynon Development Programme

  130,000

  —

  Technology Centre, Aberaman Part of Cwm Cynon Development Programme —Training Centre in high technology skills. Grant to help meet additional costs

  30,000

  —

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Goat Mill Road, Dowlais Reclamation of 3.8ha of land, clear derelict buildings

  250,000

  —

  Repairs and Renewal to Treharris Boys Club

  53,000

  —

  Increase Community uses of Club. Cyfarthfa Park

  60,000

  140,000

  Phase III of Tourism development Programme for Merthyr

  Rhymney Valley

  Caerphilly Business Park

  61,000

  —

  Provision of medium sized units Infrastructure Works at Duffryn Industrial Estate part of Local authority's Economic Strategy

  100,000

  —

  Total

  784,000

  240,000

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many ambulances have been operated by each health authority in Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of emergency calls to the ambulance service in each country in Wales in each year since 1987 was answered within(a) eight minutes and (b) 14 minutes.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Until 31 March 1991 standard ambulance response times in Wales were 50 per cent. in eight minutes and 95 per cent. in 20 minutes. Revised classifications of ambulance service—tied to density of population served—came into effect on 1 April 1991:

  Year ended 31 March

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Percentage of ambulances arriving within 50 per cent. target

  Pembrokeshire

  33

  44

  40

  37

  36

  Powys

  46

  44

  44

  44

  44

  South Glamorgan

  66

  66

  58

  56

  42

  West Glamorgan

  55

  n/a

  62

  64

  61

  Percentage of ambulances arriving within 95 per cent. target

  Clwyd

  99

  n/a

  100

  96

  97

  East Dyfed

  91

  92

  92

  92

  94

  Gwent

  98

  99

  98

  100

  93

  517

  Year ended 31 March

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Percentage of ambulances arriving within 50 per cent, target

  Gwynedd

  95

  95

  93

  94

  94

  Mid Glamorgan

  98

  95

  98

  82

  96

  Pembrokeshire

  68

  86

  86

  92

  84

  Powys

  86

  83

  83

  82

  83

  South Glamorgan

  99

  99

  98

  95

  84

  West Glamorgan

  94

  n/a

  97

  97

  96

  Note: n/a=not available.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 20 October 1992,Official Report, columns 283–84, what progress he has made in allocating to the Welsh Development Agency (a) £16 million for land reclamation and urban property development, (b) £5 million for business support services and (c) £10 million for urban renewal joint venture schemes; how much expenditure under each of these heads has been announced and for what purposes; and what proposals he has for the expenditure of the residue.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Provision for the Welsh Development Agency's 18-month programme in the coal review areas announced last October has been made within the overall budget totals set for the agency, the 1993–94 figures for which I announced on 10 December. The programme embraces a wide range of projects. I understand that the agency has made good progress in implementation of the programme and expects to achieve the target outturn by the end of the current financial year.

  Local Government
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he had made of the effect on the populations of Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick of a transfer of those communities into the South Glamorgan health authority in respect of access to the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The function of health authorities is to purchase health care from providers on behalf of their resident populations. These providers need not necessarily be within the boundaries of the health authority, and often are outside those boundaries.

  As a provider of health care, Bridgend and district NHS trust is well placed to offer services to a number of health authority purchasers, as well as fund-holding general practitioners. Purchasing decisions will be informecl by GP, community health council and patient preference rather than administrative boundaries.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the distances between(a) Wick, (b) Saint Bride's Major, (c) Ewenny and (d) Coychurch and (i) Bridgend and (ii) Barry using the shortest route by A and/or B roads.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The approximate distances are as follows:518

  Miles

  Bridgend

  Barry

  Wick to

  6·0

  13·6

  St. Bride's Major to

  3·4

  16·2

  Ewenny to

  2·1

  17·0

  Coychurch Lower to

  2·4

  17·9

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect on children living and attending primary schools in Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick of a transfer of those communities to the Vale of Glamorgan unitary authority in respect of access to comprehensive schools in the proposed Bridgend unitary authority.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Responsibility for the admission of pupils to local education authority maintained schools rests with local authorities, and that responsibility will be unchanged under any proposals for the reorganisation of local government. Admission authorities are required not to discriminate against pupils living outside their areas in implementing their admissions policies.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the distances, by A and/or B roads, from the place, closest by road, in(a) the community of Wick, (b) the community of Saint Bride's Major, (c) the community of Ewenny and (d) the community of Coychurch Lower to (i) Bridgend and (ii) Barry.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The approximate distances are as follows:

  Miles

  Bridgend

  Barry

  The community of Wick to

  5·1

  13·3

  The community of St. Bride's Major to

  2·3

  15·3

  The community of Ewenny to

  1·0

  15·4

  The community of Coychurch Lower to

  1·3

  16·2

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what specific criteria he used to determine that the communities of Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick should be transferred from the borough of Ogwr to the Vale of Glamorgan under his plans for unitary authorities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In considering the boundaries of the proposed unitary authorities I took account of the principles set out in the consultation paper, "The Structure of Local Government in Wales" which I published in June 1991 and, in particular:

  i. local authority boundaries should, as far as possible, reflect and strengthen existing community loyalties; and

  ii. local public services should be of high quality, and delivered efficiently, economically and effectively.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect on the communities of Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick of a transfer of those communities into the Vale of Glamorgan in respect of access to the library facilities in the town of Bridgend.
  519
  Mr. David Hunt
  The education, leisure and culture sub-group of the structures group of the WCCLG considered the provision of library services under a structure of unitary authorities.

  A copy of their report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the length of time it takes for a resident of the communities of(a) Coychurch Lower, (b) Ewenny, (c) Saint Bride's Major and (d) Wick to travel by public transport to (i) Bridgend and (ii) Barry.

  Mr. David Hunt
  These are matters which were put to me when I visited the area last Friday.

  Farmers (EC Aid)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he is making to improve the service to farmers requiring maps in order to make applications for European Community financial assistance before the 14 May deadline; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Farmers may obtain advice and maps from the Ordnance Survey and their agents. In addition, to ease congestion at these outlets, I have made special arrangements for farmers to have access to maps held by my Department to help them complete their applications. I have asked local authorities and other bodies to provide access to maps they hold. Special arrangements have also been made with the Ordnance Survey so that the Welsh Office and ADAS can sell maps to farmers.

  In the past week I have also informed livestock producers that if accurate details of forage areas cannot be established accurately by 15 May they should submit this year an estimate in hectares on a field-by-field basis. Provided that estimate proves to be either accurate or an under-statement of the area, they will not be penalised subsequently. I have therefore recommended that they estimate conservatively should they need to do so.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he has made to meet farmers and farming organisations to discuss the revised guidelines for European Community assistance, and to set up explanatory seminars with(a) a ministerial presence and (b) official presence only.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department has gone to considerable lengths to inform the farming industry of the changes to the various premium schemes, including the introduction of the integrated administration and control system (IACS), arising from the reforms of the common agricultural policy. Between January and March senior officials ran 10 seminars throughout Wales to explain the new rules and grant application procedures. They have also, upon invitation, addressed meetings of both local and national organisations with an interest in the industry.

  Special additional arrangements have been made to advise farmers about the completion of their IACS returns. I have established free-phone helplines in the divisional offices of my Agricultural Department which have received over 10,000 calls. I also commissioned ADAS to undertake an awareness campaign and provide on the spot training at markets and places where farmers gather throughout Wales. By Friday 23 April, in
  520
  conjunction with my officials they had held some 150 such events, attended by approximately 6,500 farmers. These will continue right up to the deadline of 15 May and concentrate more on form filling in working groups and clinics. I have participated in several of these clinics in various parts of Wales. I shall also be meeting representatives of farming unions next week.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming a unified pension age of 60 years, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate in 2035 being 19·4 per cent., and of the equivalent rate of single pension;

  (2) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming a unified state pension age of 65 years, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate 2035 being 19·4 per cent. and of the equivalent rate of single pension;

  (3) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming a unified pension age of 63 years, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate in 2035 being 19·4 per cent., and of the equivalent rate of single pension;

  (4) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming that current state pension ages are maintained, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate in 2035 being 19·4 per cent., and of the equivalent rate of single pension.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is in the table.

  Pension Age

  Rate of Basic Pension in 2035 consistent with a combined Class 1 NI contribution rate of 19·4 per cent. (1993–94 benefit rates)

  Required rale of annual increase in pension above price inflation

  £

  Percentage

  Current pension ages

  61·10

  0·2

  Unified age of 60

  52·90

  —0·1

  Unified age of 63

  61·10

  0·2

  Unified age of 65

  68·15

  0·5

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish estimates, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", on the effect on national insurance contribution rates in 2015, 2025, 2035 and 2045 of equalising state pension age at(a) 60 years, (b) 63 years and (c) 65 years, giving figures separately for (i) earnings-uprating of pensions and national insurance thresholds and (ii) price-uprating.
  521
  Miss Widdecombe
  Available information is given in the tables. Figures for 2015 and 2045 are not available.

  (i) Earnings-uprating Effect measured in percentage points

  2025

  2035

  Age 60

  + 3·0

  + 2·5

  Age 63

  negligible

  negligible

  Age 65

  —2·0

  —1·5

  (ii) Price-uprating Effect measured in percentage points

  2025

  2035

  Age 60

  + 2·0

  + 1·5

  Age 63

  —0·25

  negligible

  Age 65

  —1·5

  —1·0

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what ways the procedures have been changed for people who were receiving invalidity benefit and are found to be no longer eligible.

  Mr. Scott
  No changes have been made to the entitlement conditions or to the procedures which follow an adjudication officer's decision that someone is no longer entitled to invalidity benefit.

  Voluntary Work
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effect of voluntary work undertaken in excess of 24 hours a week by an unemployed person who can demonstrate that he or she is looking for work on the person's benefit entitlement.

  Mr. Burt
  There is no legislation limiting the amount of voluntary work an unemployed person may undertake. An unemployed person who is engaged in unpaid voluntary work may continue to receive benefits provided he continues to satisfy the conditions of entitlement. These are that a person must be available for work, and must actively seek work each week.

  Current legislation allows volunteers 24 hours' notice in which to make the necessary arrangements to give up or rearrange voluntary responsibilities before taking up an offer of employment. In recognition of the value the Government place on voluntary work the Secretary of State announced on 28 April a proposal to extend this period of notice to 48 hours.

  Fuel Bills
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further proposals he has to lessen the effect on people on low incomes of the imposition of value added tax on gas and electricity bills.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to ensure that those who are chronically ill receive additional payments to cover the cost of value added tax on fuel.

  Mr. Burt
  In his Budget statement the Chancellor said that there would be extra help for poorer pensioners and those on low incomes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing the details of this extra help in the autumn.

  Claimants Abroad
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has as to the payment of social security benefits to individuals who died in the Waco fire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Harry Green way, dated 28 April 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State asking what information he has as to the payment of social security benefits to individuals who died in the Waco fire.

  A check of the Departmental Central Index has shown that five people had current or recent claims to benefit whilst in the Waco Compound of the Davidian Cult. Of those five people four are feared to have died in the fire and the benefits involved were Income Support, Child Benefit and Retirement Pension.

  The above information has emerged from our preliminary enquiries. I can assure you, however, that the individual circumstances of each case will be fully investigated to establish the correct entitlement in each case and we are reviewing procedures to prevent payment to those living abroad who do not qualify for benefit. I would also like to say that the payments of benefit to persons overseas are not made by girocheque or order book and that legitimate payments to such persons would be made by the Agency's Overseas Branch Directorate by payable order through a bank account or by automated credit transfer.

  I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how long those in the Waco compound who were receiving social security benefits had been out of the United Kingdom;

  (2) how many people in the Waco compound were in receipt of benefits from his Department; and what benefits they were receiving.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 28 April 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) how many people in the Waco compound were in receipt of benefits from his Department; and what benefits they were receiving and (ii) how long those in the Waco compound who were receiving Social Security benefits had been out of the United Kingdom.

  A check of the Departmental Central Index has shown that five people had current or recent claims to benefit whilst in the Waco Compound of the Davidian Cult. The benefits involved were Income Support, Child Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Benefit and Retirement Pension.
  523
  I am unable, until my investigations are complete, to say how long each individual had been outside the United Kingdom as none of the absences from this country had been reported to the Department's Overseas Benefits Directorate (OBD), who are responsible for considering benefit entitlement for most people who leave the United Kingdom. I can, however, say that of the five people mentioned, one ceased to receive benefit in February 1993 and another ceased to receive benefit in March 1993. I can also say that the payments of benefit to persons overseas are not made by girocheque or order book and that legitimate payments to such persons would be made by OBD by payable order through a bank account, or by automated credit transfer.

  The above information has emerged from our preliminary enquiries. I can assure you, however, that the individual circumstances of each case will be fully investigated to establish the correct entitlement in each case and we are reviewing procedures to prevent payment to those living abroad who do not qualify for benefit.

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Visually Impaired Claimants
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he has taken, or will be taking, to improve access to the benefits system for people who are visually impaired by providing more official information in large print, Braille, or on tape; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Michael Richard to Mr. Alfred Morris, dated 28 April 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security regarding the provision of benefit information in large print, Braille, or on tape.

  The Benefits Agency has a contract with RNIB to provide information for visually impaired people in Braille. Last year 28 different leaflets were translated, and 450 eye hospitals were mailed with the Braille version of FB19 Social Security benefits—A guide for blind and partially sighted people. This year we are working to extend the distribution of material further and translate yet more leaflets.

  The Agency also produces the publication FB19 in both large print and as an audio tape. In the year 1992–93, 80,000 booklets and 40,000 tapes of this publication were mailed to visually impaired people. A similar level of activity is planned for this current year.

  A number of services are available from the Benefit Enquiry Line for visually impaired customers. These include a forms completion service in Braille and large print.

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Sickness and Invalidity Benefit
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals are currently claiming invalidity benefit in(a) the county of Cleveland and (b) in the boroughs of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh.
  524
  Mr. Scott
  The administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 28 April 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many individuals are currently claiming Invalidity Benefit in (a) the County of Cleveland and (b) in the Boroughs of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh.

  The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportinate cost. However, the latest statistics available from the Agency's North Tees District and South Tees District Offices, which include the areas concerned in the question, show a total of 27,777 customers in receipt of Invalidity Benefit. As Agency District boundaries do not correspond with county or borough boundaries this figure includes some customers living in areas other than those listed in the question.

  Listed below are the figures available for each Office within the North Tees District and South Tees District.

  Number of recipients currently in receipt of Invalidity Benefit

  Number

  North Tees District

  Stockton-on-Tees District Office

  7,545

  Hartlepool Branch Office

  5,368

  South Tees District

  Middlesbrough District Office (including Tees South Branch Office)

  7,108

  Easton Branch Office

  3,355

  Redcar Branch Office

  4,401

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 15 March to the Minister of State regarding retirement age for receiving invalidity benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  My noble Friend Lord Henley wrote to the hon. Member on 26 April. He apologised for the delay.

  Benefits
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the data used in the construction of figure 7 in the 1993 Social Security departmental report on percentages of different types of benefits paid in the broad groups of beneficiaries in 1992–93; and what were the equivalent figures for each year since 1976.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the table.
  525

  Different types of benefit paid to broad groups of beneficiaries in cash terms

  £ million

  1976–77

  1977–78

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Elderly:

  Contributory

  5,662

  6,697

  7,639

  8,903

  10,615

  12,216

  13,640

  14,705

  15,361

  16,678

  17,876

  18,842

  19,337

  20,795

  22,798

  25,688

  26,955

  Non-contributory

  36

  36

  42

  41

  43

  45

  46

  47

  45

  48

  45

  46

  45

  44

  45

  47

  48

  Income-related

  716

  809

  1,063

  1,186

  1,481

  2,070

  2,436

  2,909

  3,381

  3,709

  3,969

  4,165

  4,275

  4,842

  5,741

  5,688

  7,481

  Short-term sick:

  Contributory

  559

  652

  696

  655

  654

  680

  554

  765

  787

  821

  936

  1,033

  1,090

  1,153

  1,157

  973

  1,025

  Non-contributory

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Income-related

  16

  17

  29

  25

  28

  29

  28

  29

  28

  28

  28

  35

  45

  74

  66

  107

  134

  Long-term sick:

  Contributory

  732

  909

  1,070

  1,253

  1,446

  1,701

  1,952

  2,257

  2,540

  2,772

  3,128

  3,435

  3,826

  4,325

  4,444

  5,362

  6,116

  Non-contributory

  353

  424

  523

  628

  791

  970

  1,149

  1,353

  1,554

  1,788

  2,090

  2,386

  2,590

  2,912

  3,938

  4,902

  5,944

  Income-related

  166

  177

  176

  218

  262

  289

  408

  523

  619

  726

  948

  845

  1,050

  1,320

  1,842

  2,291

  2,799

  Family:

  Contributory

  58

  76

  105

  125

  149

  158

  152

  141

  161

  164

  168

  244

  277

  316

  348

  376

  398

  Non-contributory

  559

  889

  1,814

  2,846

  3,021

  3,464

  3,767

  4,112

  4,414

  4,619

  4,675

  4,761

  4,694

  4,736

  4,820

  5,438

  6,044

  Income-related

  470

  569

  654

  669

  809

  1,097

  1,479

  1,751

  1,936

  2,265

  2,617

  3,129

  3,712

  4,130

  4,741

  5,538

  6,483

  Unemployed:

  Contributory

  559

  629

  632

  653

  1,280

  1,702

  1,500

  1,497

  1,578

  1,589

  1,734

  1,468

  1,107

  733

  870

  1,604

  1,838

  Non-contributory

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Income-related

  545

  761

  742

  817

  1,250

  2,320

  3,511

  4,204

  4,741

  5,374

  5,574

  5,179

  4,128

  3,576

  4,203

  5,943

  7,452

  Widows and others:

  Contributory

  481

  512

  555

  617

  698

  757

  795

  844

  859

  877

  906

  899

  910

  912

  891

  1,013

  1,032

  Non-contributory

  88

  96

  105

  116

  131

  148

  156

  162

  169

  180

  183

  186

  189

  199

  281

  291

  291

  Income-related

  18

  15

  26

  27

  21

  45

  45

  34

  59

  59

  39

  46

  55

  34

  51

  76

  94

  Note: Expenditure in this table includes grants to local authorities, rent rebate subsidy payments and local authority expenditure not met by specific Government grants.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which year the additional resources for the Commonwealth Development Corporation announced in November 1992 will be made available; whether the money will be drawn on the existing Overseas Development Administration's budget; and whether it will be classified as official development assistance.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In November 1992 we announced that certain changes in the financing arrangements for CDC would result in up to £50 million of additional resources being made available to the overseas aid effort as a whole. Part of this arises from the decision to waive interest due on outstanding aid loans from 1 April 1994, which would otherwise accrue to the Consolidated Fund. This will increase the amount of self-generated funds retained within CDC.

  We also agreed that CDC should seek to borrow from funds available for some Caribbean basin initiative countries, known as "936" funds, provided the borrowing terms meet the Government's normal criteria.

  Decisions about the level of new loans from the aid budget for the CDC are made annually. CDC loans to borrowers overseas are not sufficiently concessional to qualify as offical development assistance. Equity investments in developing countries under existing definitions do count as official development assistance.

  Aid
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of British aid was spent on primary health care, nutrition, basic education, family planning, safe water and sanitation in 1990, 1991 and 1992; and how much in cash terms would 526
  need to have been spent in those years in order to increase the amount spent on those basic needs to 20 per cent. of official development assistance.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information for 1990 and 1991 is in the table. Figures for 1992 are not yet available. More detailed information on spending within individual sectors is not readily available. Individual projects may be targeted at more than one sector and area. Equally, projects not covered in the sectors listed may have an impact on basic needs.

  Sector

  1990 £000

  1991 £000

  Education

  103,098

  114,141

  Health and Population (including Nutrition and family planning)

  39,066

  45,319

  Water and Sanitation

  22,099

  24,966

  Total

  164,263

  184,426

  As percentage of bilateral aid allocable by sector1

  29

  30

  1 Bilateral aid which is not allocable by sector includes programme aid, debt relief, humanitarian assistance, and loans to the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of its official development assistance the United Kingdom spent in Sub-Saharan Africa in 1990; and what was the increase each year in percentage terms, giving the figures for(a) bilateral aid, (b) multilateral aid and (c) in total.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested for 1990 and 1991 is set out in the tables. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.
  527

  (i) Total Net oda

  (ii) Allocable Bilateral oda to Sub-Sahara Africa

  (i) as a percent of (i)

  (iii) Multilateral Aid to1 Africa

  (iii) as a per cent. of (i)

  (ii) plus (iii) as a per cent. of (i)

  £ million

  £ million

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1990

  1,503

  301

  20·0

  366

  24·4

  44·4

  1991

  1,814

  428

  23·6

  n/a

  —

  —

  n/a = Not yet available.

  1 The figures given are estimated by ODA Statistics Department using data provided by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD on the spending patterns of multilateral agencies, and United Kingdom contributions to multilateral organisations. They refer to all Africa; it is not possible to dis-aggregate Sub-Saharan Africa.

  Allocable net bilateral oda to Sub-Saharan Africa increased by over 42 per cent. between 1990 and 1991. As a percentage of total net oda the figure for allocable bilateral oda to Sub-Saharan Africa for 1991 represented an incrase of some 18 per cent. over that for 1990.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British assistance is being given to the formation of police forces in Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have informed the UN, EC and other bilateral donors that we are ready to help in the re-establishment of an indigenous police force in Somalia. The UN is currently developing a plan. As soon as it is available we shall consider what form our assistance might take. Meanwhile, we have appointed a consultant to undertake an assessment of emergency rehabilitation needs in the north-west, including the requirements for the development of police forces in the region.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been made to involve women's groups in the reconstruction of Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey met representatives of women's groups when she visited Somalia last September and again in February. She encouraged them to play a full role in Somalia's rehabilitation and reconstruction. Since, then, women's groups have played an active role in the political reconciliation process. The Addis reconciliation conference of 12 to 27 March 1993 agreed that women should be represented on the proposed interim national council. The UN's relief and rehabilitation plan for 1993 gives priority to activities designed to involve and assist women.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific assistance has been given by(a) the Government and (b) the EC to Sudan since January 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since January 1992, we have committed over £13 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance to Sudan. In the same period, we have provided 528
  almost £0·8 million in residual payments following the termination of the bilateral development aid programme in January 1991. In addition, since April 1991, almost £0·7 million has been disbursed through the joint funding scheme to support the work of British NGOs in Sudan.

  Since January 1992, the EC has committed over £61 million—United Kingdom share about £10 million—in food and other emergency assistance to Sudan. Figures are not available for EC disbursement on development projects, but no new development projects have been approved since 1990.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the adequacy of medical supplies to Sudan; and what obstacles there are to the adequacy of supplies to that country.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Our bilateral development assistance programme to Sudan was terminated in 1991. We are not therefore now involved in considering the regular provision of medical supplies to the Government of Sudan and we have made no assessment of the national availability of such supplies.

  Since January 1992, we have committed about £563,000 in humanitarian assistance funds and, in 1992–93, almost £52,000 from the joint funding scheme, in support of health care activities run by British NGOs in Sudan.

  Least-developed Countries
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have signed the Paris declaration and the United Nations programme of action for the least-developed countries; and what is the Government's policy towards recommendations on the amounts donors should spend on aid to the least-developed countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government joined the international consensus in adopting the Paris declaration and the United Nations programme of action for the least developed countries. There are a number of different aid targets set out in the programme of action. We reaffirmed our commitment to the target of 0·15 per cent. of GNP for aid to the least developed, but we did not subscribe to any timetable for reaching it.

  Forestry Aid
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will undertake a review of the United Kingdom's assistance to forestry aid projects in developing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We routinely monitor and review all our projects. We have recently completed an evaluation of six forestry projects, the lessons from which are being applied to our current programmes.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Potato Marketing Board
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from potato growers in Lancashire about the effects of the abolition of the Potato Marketing Board.
  529
  Mr. Curry
  We have received representations through three hon. Members expressing support for the continuation of the PMB and one directly from a potato grower who favours abolition.

  Agricultural Wages Board
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board.

  Mr. Gummer
  The board is due to be reviewed this year as part of the periodic review of all non-departmental public bodies.

  Surplus Food
  Mr. Williams O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he has considered to the distribution of surplus EC food; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I am reviewing all aspects of the scheme and will make an announcement soon.

  Hill Farms
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of hill farms generated a net farm income below the annual average for industrial earnings in 1991–92.

  Mr. Curry
  Net farm income is not a measure of farmers' cash earnings and is not comparable with the average earnings of industrial workers.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a progress report on non-rotational set-aside.

  Mr. Gummer
  We are pressing the European Commission for Proposals.

  In the meantime, we are consulting on our proposals for national management rules for non-rotational set-aside.

  Farmland (Public Access)
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from farmers in the northern region about public access to farmed land.

  Mr. Curry
  None.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make representations to the EC in order to reduce United Kingdom net contribution to the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  As a result of the reform of the common agriculture policy agreed last year, UK receipts under the CAP are likely to increase from 7 per cent. to around 9 per cent. of total expenditure.

  Integrated Administration and Control System
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on an extension of the 15 May deadline for the return of details appertaining to the integrated administration and control system.

  Mr. Gummer
  We have received a number of representations suggesting an extension of the 15 May deadline.

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the integrated administration control scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  The integrated administration and control system is an important and necessary measure to make sure that taxpayers' money is properly accounted for in every part of the Community.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had on the complexity of IACS questionnaires.

  Mr. Gummer
  We have received a number of representations about IACS documents.

  Fishing Organisations
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent consultations he has held with fishing organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The industry and the Fisheries Departments began a major review of fisheries conservation three days ago. On 8 May I expect to attend the annual general meeting of the NFFO.

  French Agriculture Minister
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the French Minister for Agriculture to discuss implementation of CAP reforms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met his French opposite number to discuss the export of British farm produce; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall).

  Set-aside Land
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to seek a review of the criteria for rotational set-aside in the EC.

  Mr. Curry
  We are continuing to discuss various detailed aspects of the rotational set-aside arrangements with our Community partners. We have no plans to seek a fundamental review of the arable area payments scheme at this stage.

  Clenbuterol
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to which countries in the European Community have incorporated into their domestic legislation a ban on the use of clenbuterol as a growth promoting substance.
  531
  Mr. Soames
  I am not aware of any member state which has introduced a specific ban on the use of Clenbuterol as a growth-promoting substance. It is, however, contrary to EC legislation for a veterinary medicinal product to be used for a purpose other than that for which it is licensed, unless under the direction and authority of a veterinary practitioner. No member state has licensed the use of Clenbuterol other than for therapeutic purposes.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the health risk to citizens of the United Kingdom from beef produced in countries which have ineffective controls over the misuse of clenbuterol.

  Mr. Soames
  All member states are required to submit to the Commission annually details of their national plans for the examination for residues, including clenbuterol, in live animals and fresh meat. Similar arrangements apply in respect of third countries importing meat into the Community.

  Ongoing surveillance in the UK for clenbuterol in imported meat is carried out under a scheme, co-ordinated by the working party on veterinary residues in animal products, which is directed at retail and wholesale premises and extends to both imported and domestic supplies. Because of the evidence of abuse of clenbuterol outside Great Britain, surveillance is being increased this year. A new sampling programme for imported meat will also commence shortly under which samples of imported bovine tissues will be collected and analysed for clenbuterol residues.

  The consumption of meat containing excessive residues of clenbuterol can result in increased pulse rate and palpitations. There is no evidence of any such cases of illness arising in the United Kingdom.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions on which his Department authorised the establishment of an additional personal secretary post responsible to the marketing development manager—principal grade—since January 1986.

  Mr. Curry
  No personal secretary posts have been appointed to report to principal grade officers.

  Cashmere
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for placing cashmere production on an equitable base with other supported livestock enterprises in the United Kingdom.

  Mr Curry
  I have no plans to introduce support measures for cashmere production.

  Vegetables
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those vegetables of which he is aware which contain alkaloids; if he will indicate in each case the number of cases of harm to humans which have been recorded in the United Kingdom as a result of the consumption of those vegetables; if he will indicate in each case whether sales of products made from those vegetables have been banned; and if he will make a statement.
  532
  Mr. Soames
  Potatoes, aubergines, green and red peppers and green tomatoes contain glyco alkaloids. Figures are not collected centrally in the form requested. Local authorities have powers under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ensure that foodstuffs containing unacceptable levels of alkaloids do not enter the food supply.

  Comfrey Products
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from the Action Group for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy about the decision to ban the sale of comfrey products; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  I have received representations from both groups about the recent decision to seek the withdrawal from sale of certain comfrey products containing the highest level of toxic alkaloids. In reply, I have reiterated that this action was taken on the basis of clear and unequivocal recommendations from the independent expert scientific committees that advise Ministers on food safety issues.

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to suspend payment of the farm woodland premium scheme in England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  None.

  Fishery Protection Vessels
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent successes have been achieved by the fishery protection vessels operated on behalf of his Department.

  Mr. Curry
  From 1 January to 15 April this year the Royal Navy fisheries protection vessels have carried out 465 inspections at sea; serious infringements of fisheries rules have been identified on 27 vessels.

  Agricultural Training Board
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions have been taken about the future status, funding and operation of the Agricultural Training Board following the consultation exercise that took place last month.

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to his reply, Official Report, 1 April, col. 329]: The Government can now confirm their intention to replace the Agricultural Training Board with a non-statutory independent organisation. The target date for completing the change is 1 April next year.

  The new arrangements will free the successor body to the board from the constraints that statutory control imposes and allow it to expand commercially, so that it can offer training services on a fully commercial basis to a wider range of land-based and rural businesses. The new body will work closely with the other agencies and organisations operating in rural areas, particularly the Rural Development Commission and training and enterprise councils in England and Wales and the local enterprise companies in Scotland. The successor body will

  533
  continue to service the agricultural and horticultural industries, but this change will also allow it to develop and provide services to organisations operating in areas such as the countryside and environmental management.

  As I have already announced, the Government will continue to make a substantial contribution to the new organisation's finances, through a contract with the ATB successor body for the provision of specific services, initially covering the period to March 1996. Government objectives will be reviewed before the end of this first contract period and any changes will be reflected in any succeeding contract. Subsequent changes to funding levels will also have regard to the commercial revenue generated by the successor body.

  I have asked Mr. Andy Stewart, the ATB's current chairman, to lead the development of the successor body. He will be supported by a group of senior industry representatives from Scotland, England and Wales who have agreed to act as directors of the successor bodyy and to work closely with the existing board members during the changeover period.

  I have every confidence in the ATB successor body's ability to make the most of the opportunities that this new freedom presents to respond to the needs of the industries that it will serve.

  Veterinary Surgeons
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified veterinary surgeons were employed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory on 1 January 1991, 1 January 1992 and 1 January 1993, respectively.

  Mr. Gummer
  Responsibility for this matter is delegated to the Central Veterinary Laboratory and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Gentleman direct.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Gavin Strang, dated 29 April 1993.

  As you know the Minister has asked that I write to you direct with the answer to your question. The information requested is as follows:

  Veterinary surgeons employed

  1 January 1991

  44

  1 January 1992

  46

  1 January 1993

  38

  These figures include veterinary surgeons employed at the Laboratory's Lasswade laboratory near Edinburgh.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates the Veterinary Products Committee considered the paper "Bovine Somatotropin and Animal Health: The effect of recombinant BST on somatic cell counts", by E. J. Brunner, E. P. Millstone, I. R. White, R. J. Barrel and O. N. N. Al-Muderis.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Veterinary Products Committee considered a pre-publication copy of this paper at its meeting on 23 July 1992.

SCOTLAND

  Bail Appeals
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many appeals against refusal of bail were granted in each of the past five years on legal aid; and what proportion of the total these appeals constituted;

  (2) how many appeals against refusal of bail in each of the past five years in (a) district court and (b) sheriff court were forwarded to the High Court; and how many were granted;

  (3) what was the total cost to his Department in dealing with appeals against refusal of bail for each of the past five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not available. Records do not distinguish between appeals against grant or refusal of bail, nor between appeals from the district and sheriff courts. Bail appeals are not recorded as a separate category of grants of legal aid.

  The total number of appeals against grant or refusal of bail considered by the High Court over the past five years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1988

  2,679

  1989

  2,820

  1990

  3,031

  1991

  3,301

  1992

  4,149

  The estimated average court costs of hearing a bail appeal, including judicial, staff and accommodation costs, are £10·80 at 1992 prices.

  Ferry Piers
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of adapting the piers at Kennacraig, Port Ellen and Port Askaig to accommodate the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, Isle of Arran; and which agencies are responsible for funding the project.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total cost of adapting the piers at Kennacraig, Port Ellen and Port Askaig including dredging and other associated works to accommodate MV Isle of Arran is estimated to be in the region of £700,000. The project is being funded by Caledonian MacBrayne, the Scottish Office and the European regional development fund.

  National Epilepsy Centre
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has concerning the future of the National Epilepsy Centre.

  Mr. Stewart
  Decisions on the future of residents of the national epilespy centre are matters for Quarrier's Homes, which runs the centre in conjunction with those local authorities and health boards which have responsibility for the residents. Proposals for the future should be set out in the relevant local authority and health board community care plans.

  Junior Doctors
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many actual hours are currently worked by junior doctors in each hospital.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information on actual hours worked by junior doctors is not held centrally. Junior doctors contract for a standard working week of 40 hours and such further agreed additional duty hours to be spent on-call or on shift work as are required to meet the needs of the service. As at 30 September 1992—the latest available figures—the average number of contracted hours for junior doctors was 79 per week. Provisional half-yearly returns from health authorities indicate that as at 31 March 1993 only 130 junior doctors, 3·9 per cent., were contracted for more than 83 hours of duty per week.

  Huntington's Disease
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial contribution will be required from sufferers from Huntington's disease or other long-term illness living in private sector homes.

  Mr. Stewart
  None.

  Sufferers from long-term illnesses, living in private sector nursing homes, who require medical or other treatment are not required to contribute towards the cost of that treatment provided it is available under the NHS and is prescribed or recommended by their general practitioners.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision there is within the national health service for long-term care for sufferers of Huntington's disease.

  Mr. Stewart
  The level of provision for sufferers of Huntington's disease will vary for each patient. In all cases the aim will be to secure the most effective package of care to meet the needs of the patients and carers alike. This can range from community health service care and support for those able to live at home to long-term hospital care.

  Care in the Community
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether appropriate residential care will be available, for all who require it, under the care in the community legislation.

  Mr. Stewart
  Since April 1992, all social work authorities have been required to produce community care plans for their areas based on a local assessment of need. These plans have been examined by the Scottish Office community care implementation unit which then discusses the plans with the local authority and the health board jointly. All plans include information about the availability of residential care.

  Acute Beds
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the impact of deprivation on the demand for acute beds in each health board area.

  Mr. Stewart
  There is no conclusive information available on the impact of deprivation on the demand for acute beds in Scotland.

  Ambulances
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on speeding up response of emergency ambulances.

  Mr. Stewart
  In 1991–92, 49 per cent. of emergency calls were responded to within eight minutes and 95 per cent. within 20 minutes. In 1992–93 the percentage of calls responded to within eight minutes increased to 51 per cent. and the performance within 20 minutes was maintained. This was achieved despite a 6·9 per cent. increase in the number of calls received.

  Residential Care
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether elderly home owners who enter residential care are expected to sell their property to pay part of their care costs.

  Mr. Stewart
  All client groups who require public support are expected to contribute towards the cost of residential care they receive. The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 require that the value of a permanent resident's former dwelling should be taken into account in assessing ability to pay unless it is occupied by the resident's spouse, or a relative who is aged 60 or over, or who is incapacitated. Local authorities do, however, have discretion to disregard property from the financial assessment in other circumstances where they consider it reasonable to do so.

  Women Consultants
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to increase the number of women medical graduates who take specialist training to become consultants.

  Mr. Stewart
  On 2 April the NHS in Scotland management executive announced the introduction in 1993–94 of a national scheme for part-time training and working at registrar and senior registrar level which will be available to men and women doctors and dentists. We have allocated additional funding of £350,000 to meet the cost of 25 part-time registrar and 10 part-time senior registrar posts. The scheme will be run by the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.

  NHS Employees
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken concerning NHS employees' continuity of employment with local authority-run community care services.

  Mr. Stewart
  Consideration is presently being given to responses received as a result of a consultation exercise on draft care staff transfer enabling regulations.

  Crossroad Schemes
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crossroad schemes funded by his Department have reported that they expect to run out of funds by 31 December.

  Mr. Stewart
  My Department does not fund local crossroads schemes directly and I have had no reports of
  537
  any that expect to run out of funds by 31 December. Local schemes, of which there are about 50 in Scotland, are eligible for grants from local authorities and health boards. It is for these authorities to decide whether to fund crossroads schemes or make other provision for care attendant schemes.

  Unemployment
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The key to increased employment is a prosperous and productive economy. The Government are firmly committed to removing the barriers to economic growth and to the stimulation of economic development, through various measures including the activities of Scottish Enterprise and its network of local enterprise companies, among which is the Glasgow Development Agency.

  In relation to long-term unemployed individuals, we have introduced the most comprehensive range of measures there has ever been in this country to help people back to work. The Employment Service already provides a wide range of services which contribute to two thirds of people who become unemployed leaving unemployment within six months. From the summer it will also provide community action, a new programme of voluntary work for people unemployed for more than a year. The, new training for work programme operated by local enterprise companies, which began on 1 April, has the principal purpose of helping unemployed people to get jobs and is targeted on those unemployed for six months or more. This programme will be delivered in Glasgow by the Glasgow Development Agency, along with further measures announced on 16 March by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer which will give long-term unemployed people a new way to gain qualifications and provide more opportunities for those seeking to starr, their own business.

  The rate of increase in long-term unemployment in Glasgow between January 1992 and January 1993 was less than a third of that for Great Britain as a whole. The measures which I have described will further improve performance in responding to the needs of the unemployed.

  Young Chronically Sick
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to build a hospital unit for the young chronic sick.

  Mr. Stewart
  None. It is for health boards as purchasers of health care to determine how best to provide for the health needs of all residents in their area.

  Accident Waiting Times
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average length of waiting time at accident and emergency departments within each health board area for the latest available period.

  Mr. Stewart
  This information is not held centrally.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 150, when he expects the inter-departmental committee of civil servants to report on the future organisation, management and ownership of the Forest ry Commission.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 20 April 1993, column 89.

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reasons underlie his decision to suspend payment of the farm woodland premium scheme in Scotland until October; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The farm woodland premium scheme has been highly successful in Scotland in its first full year of operation. Although there have been more planting proposals submitted than originally expected, my Department is continuing to process new applications and the resulting payments in the normal way.

  Central European Time
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to hold consultations with people resident in the north of Scotland about the possibility of Britain moving into the central European time zone.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government have no proposals at present for changing the existing arrangements for summertime. No changes will be made without fully taking into account the views of the public and sectoral opinion throughout Scotland.

  Breast Screening
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a progress report on the Scottish breast screening programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I have today approved the publication of a report covering the background, introduction arid structure of the Scottish breast screening programme together with the 1991–92 results and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The report shows that:The Scottish Breast Screening Programme is based on 3 key issues: quality, patient acceptability and continual monitoring and evaluation of the programme;
  The primary target of the Programme is to reduce mortality in the screened population in Scotland by 30 per cent. overall;
  Each year in Scotland approximately 2,600 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and a total of 1,300 women of all ages die from the disease;
  Mammographic screening is but one strategy in the fight to defeat breast cancer and, by the year 2000, the Screening Programme is expected to result in about 1,650 extra years of life gained annually in Scotland; on average, each of the women in whom death from breast cancer is prevented will have an additional 15 years of life;
  In 1991–92, 126,867 Scottish women were invited for screening;
  The United Kingdom target for uptake of invitation is 70 per cent. and Scotland is above this with an average uptake of 72 per cent. of all women invited for screening;

  539
  0·9 per cent. of all women screened went on to have a biopsy, and 72 per cent. of these women were diagnosed with cancer; this level of diagnosis is well above the 50 per cent. target set by the United Kingdom standards;
  In 1991–92, 578 cancers were detected, equalling 6·3 per 1,000 women screened; this again is well above the United Kingdom detection standard of 5 per 1,000 women screened.

  The Scottish breast screening programme is an example of the increased emphasis on improving health structures set out as a goal in the patients charter. It also accords with the patients charter in seeking to provide a high-quality service and standards and value for money.

  Junior hospital doctors: contracted average weekly hours of work; as at 30 September 19921

  Average hours contracted

  Type of contract

  Number of doctors

  Basic

  Additional duty

  Total

  Maximum hours contracted total

  Whole time:

  Full shift

  142

  40

  21

  61

  108

  Partial shift

  138

  40

  30

  70

  78

  Rota (on call)

  2,631

  40

  40

  80

  116

  All whole time contracts

  2,911

  40

  39

  279

  116

  Part time:

  Rota (on call)

  28

  20

  26

  46

  n/a

  Others

  91

  37

  —

  37

  n/a

  Notes:

  Doctors contracted for full or partial shift patterns of working are not contracted for on call work.

  1 Data are provisional.

  Excludes staff with honorary contracts and staff in dental specialities.

  Excludes data for the Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Grades included in the table are: senior registrar; registrar; senior house officer; and house officer.

  2 Includes both shift and on call additional duty hours.

  Provisional information collected for the half-year to 31 March 1993 shows that only 130 junior doctors—3·9 per cent.—were contracted for more than 83 hours of duty per week.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the average and maximum weekly number of hours on duty and on call of junior hospital doctors in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 27 April 1993]: Information on actual hours worked by junior doctors is not held centrally. As at 30 September 1992, the latest available figures, the average number of contracted hours for junior doctors and the maximum hours contracted by any doctor were as shown in the table:

  Violence
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the levels of resources provided towards the reduction of murder and violence in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend has a number of bids for additional resources under consideration.

  TORT OF INTIMIDATION
  TORT OF INTIMIDATION
  INFLATION RATES
  INFLATION RATES
  BEER PRICES
  BEER PRICES
  FORMER SOVIET UNION: ARMED FORCES ABROAD
  FORMER SOVIET UNION: ARMED FORCES ABROAD
  CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION: TARGETS
  CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION: TARGETS
  PROFOUNDLY DEAF PEOPLE: PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
  PROFOUNDLY DEAF PEOPLE: PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
  WINDSOR CASTLE: RECONSTRUCTION
  WINDSOR CASTLE: RECONSTRUCTION