Written Answers of 30 April 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which the proposed changes in the legal aid system will affect disabled people on low income.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No separate assessment has been made of the effect of the changes on disabled people. The financial eligibility of any applicant for legal aid depends on his or her income and the expenses which may be allowed against it. Following the changes, disability living allowance, attendance allowance and constant attendance

  Table 1: Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1976 by circuit

  Plea of Not Guilty to all counts

  Plea of Not Guilty to some counts

  Circuit

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Acquittal directed by judge

  Midland and Oxford

  3,257

  1,481

  1,776

  543

  210

  333

  428

  North Eastern

  3,029

  1,495

  1,534

  236

  83

  153

  336

  Northern

  3,319

  1,825

  1,494

  248

  100

  148

  401

  South Eastern: London

  7,065

  3,341

  3,724

  1,014

  374

  640

  881

  Provinces

  4,401

  1,988

  2,413

  604

  155

  449

  519

  Wales and Chester

  1,755

  931

  824

  222

  119

  103

  210

  Western

  2,224

  1,084

  1,140

  655

  204

  451

  298

  England and Wales

  25,050

  12,145

  12,905

  3,522

  1,245

  2,227

  3,073

  Table 2: Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1981 by circuit

  Plea of Not Guilty to all counts

  Plea of Not Guilty to some counts

  Circuit

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Acquittal directed by judge

  Midland and Oxford

  3,750

  1,607

  2,143

  448

  170

  278

  413

  North Eastern

  2,742

  1,376

  1,366

  193

  89

  104

  297

  Northern

  3,183

  1,865

  1,318

  283

  208

  75

  518

  South Eastern

  London

  10,439

  5,477

  4,962

  1,352

  293

  1,059

  1,137

  Provinces

  5,940

  2,890

  3,050

  716

  174

  542

  606

  Wales and Chester

  1,399

  724

  675

  50

  13

  37

  153

  Western

  2,132

  866

  1,266

  334

  68

  266

  208

  England and Wales

  29,585

  14,805

  14,780

  3,376

  1,015

  2,361

  3,332

  Table 3: Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1991 by circuit

  Plea of Not Guilty to all counts

  Plea of Not Guilty to some counts

  Circuit

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Acquittal directed by judge

  Midland and Oxford

  4,054

  2,449

  1,605

  607

  354

  253

  583

  North Eastern

  2,743

  1,480

  1,263

  357

  183

  174

  397

  Northern

  3,134

  1,841

  1,293

  417

  58

  359

  419

  South Eastern:

  London

  8,748

  5,353

  3,395

  641

  310

  331

  904

  Provinces

  7,106

  4,047

  3,059

  1,366

  257

  1,109

  821

  Wales and Chester

  2,032

  952

  1,080

  173

  42

  131

  141

  Western

  2,716

  1,638

  1,078

  524

  75

  249

  444

  542
  allowance paid as an increase to a disablement pension are disregarded when calculating disposable income for legal advice and assistance, as they are for legal aid. Applicants who are in receipt of disability working allowance qualify automatically for free advice and assistance and criminal legal aid.

  Crown Courts
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give, in table form, for each Crown court in England and Wales in 1971, 1981 and 1991(a) the number of defendants tried (b) the number of defendants found guilty, (c) the number of defendants acquitted and (d) the number of defendants discharged after the trial has been halted on the orders of the judge.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Figures for individual Crown court centres are not held prior to 1986. The only figures available are those set out in tables 1 to 4. Tables 1 to 3 provide the information by circuit for the years 1976, 1981 and 1991 respectively, and table 4 for each Crown court centre in 1991.
  543

  Plea of Not Guilty to all counts

  Plea of Not Guilty to some counts

  Circuit

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Acquittal directed by judge

  England and Wales

  30,533

  17,760

  12,773

  4,085

  1,479

  2,606

  3,709

  Table 4:Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1991 by court and circuit

  Plea of not guilty to all counts

  Plea of not guilty to some counts

  Court/Circuit

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Acquittal directed by judge

  Midland and Oxford

  4,054

  2,449

  1,605

  607

  354

  253

  583

  Birmingham

  732

  458

  274

  164

  128

  36

  186

  Coventry

  95

  59

  36

  30

  11

  19

  18

  Northampton

  307

  153

  154

  46

  21

  25

  26

  Oxford

  166

  100

  66

  66

  32

  34

  36

  Peterborough

  162

  102

  60

  73

  65

  8

  87

  Warwick

  192

  98

  94

  44

  36

  8

  38

  Derby

  338

  218

  120

  10

  5

  5

  30

  Grimsby

  72

  33

  39

  30

  24

  6

  21

  Leicester

  187

  120

  67

  16

  5

  11

  28

  Lincoln

  137

  100

  37

  1

  1

  0

  6

  Nottingham

  452

  331

  121

  42

  10

  32

  24

  Dudley/Wolverhampton

  494

  251

  243

  13

  2

  11

  27

  Shrewsbury

  119

  58

  61

  15

  4

  11

  9

  Stafford

  262

  167

  95

  16

  1

  15

  26

  Stoke-on-Trent

  188

  120

  68

  13

  6

  7

  15

  Worcester

  151

  81

  70

  28

  3

  25

  6

  North Eastern

  2,743

  1,480

  1,263

  357

  183

  174

  397

  Leeds

  880

  386

  494

  44

  15

  29

  78

  Wakefield

  116

  83

  33

  9

  5

  4

  14

  Huddersfield

  117

  74

  43

  6

  2

  4

  15

  Durham

  107

  67

  40

  23

  4

  19

  15

  Newcastle

  404

  199

  205

  213

  142

  71

  154

  Teesside

  328

  164

  164

  19

  7

  12

  36

  Beverley/Kingston-

  upon-Hull

  148

  96

  52

  3

  2

  1

  15

  Doncaster

  116

  66

  50

  6

  2

  4

  21

  Sheffield

  357

  218

  139

  25

  3

  22

  30

  York

  170

  127

  43

  9

  1

  8

  19

  Northern Circuit

  3,134

  1,841

  1,293

  417

  58

  359

  419

  Liverpool

  1,085

  548

  537

  72

  1

  71

  101

  Bolton

  371

  224

  147

  6

  1

  5

  27

  Manchester

  973

  579

  394

  286

  40

  246

  174

  Burnley

  123

  96

  27

  35

  13

  22

  20

  Carlisle

  149

  103

  46

  5

  1

  4

  21

  Preston

  433

  291

  142

  13

  2

  11

  76

  South Eastern (London)

  8,748

  5,353

  3,395

  641

  310

  331

  904

  Harrow/Acton

  612

  412

  200

  15

  9

  6

  55

  c.c.c.

  974

  505

  469

  86

  34

  52

  98

  I.L.S.H.

  1,580

  1,020

  560

  118

  59

  59

  136

  Knightsbridge

  1,155

  633

  522

  50

  19

  31

  92

  Middlesex Guildhall

  812

  511

  301

  47

  16

  31

  68

  Snaresbrook

  1,888

  1,116

  772

  163

  76

  87

  182

  Southwark

  1,020

  691

  329

  91

  61

  30

  169

  Wood Green

  707

  465

  242

  71

  36

  35

  104

  South Eastern

  (Provinces)

  7,106

  4,047

  3,059

  1,366

  257

  1,109

  821

  Cambridge

  113

  51

  62

  23

  4

  19

  13

  Chelmsford

  604

  352

  252

  46

  10

  36

  60

  Ipswich

  237

  151

  86

  40

  15

  25

  19

  St. Albans

  501

  241

  260

  67

  13

  54

  28

  Luton

  120

  55

  65

  11

  2

  9

  11

  Norwich

  300

  191

  109

  27

  14

  13

  41

  Aylesbury

  260

  116

  144

  136

  0

  136

  22

  Guildford

  283

  174

  109

  89

  17

  72

  43

  Isleworth

  893

  520

  373

  298

  0

  298

  112

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  779

  410

  369

  108

  2

  106

  38

  Reading

  366

  212

  154

  224

  0

  224

  36

  Canterbury

  241

  136

  105

  33

  20

  13

  38

  Chichester

  205

  131

  74

  58

  39

  19

  41

  Croydon

  1,055

  643

  421

  82

  51

  31

  135

  544 545

  Plea of not guilty to all counts

  Plea of not guilty to some counts

  Court/Circuit

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Total

  Acquitted

  Convicted

  Acquittal directed by judge

  Lewes

  379

  240

  139

  63

  44

  19

  82

  Maidstone

  770

  424

  346

  61

  26

  35

  102

  Wales and Chester

  2,032

  952

  1,080

  173

  42

  131

  141

  Cardiff

  505

  276

  229

  34

  5

  29

  25

  Carmarthen

  50

  21

  29

  5

  1

  4

  4

  Haverfordwest

  15

  10

  5

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  173

  109

  64

  10

  10

  0

  24

  Newport

  208

  113

  95

  6

  0

  6

  18

  Swansea

  508

  195

  313

  34

  15

  19

  25

  Caernarvon

  67

  33

  34

  20

  0

  20

  5

  Chester

  188

  70

  118

  28

  7

  21

  10

  Dolgellau

  7

  4

  3

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Knutsford

  54

  14

  40

  9

  0

  9

  1

  Mold

  162

  61

  101

  13

  1

  12

  19

  Warrington

  75

  35

  40

  11

  1

  10

  6

  Welshpool

  20

  11

  9

  2

  1

  1

  2

  Western

  2,716

  1,638

  1,078

  524

  275

  249

  444

  Bristol

  550

  307

  243

  133

  46

  87

  90

  Gloucester

  123

  71

  52

  2

  1

  1

  11

  Swindon

  165

  91

  74

  63

  16

  47

  22

  Barnstaple

  38

  20

  18

  10

  5

  5

  6

  Truro

  91

  65

  26

  12

  10

  2

  13

  Exeter

  234

  163

  71

  120

  88

  32

  77

  Plymouth

  151

  104

  47

  22

  16

  6

  23

  Taunton

  125

  77

  48

  17

  7

  10

  21

  Bournemouth

  173

  89

  84

  26

  7

  19

  21

  Dorchester

  53

  24

  29

  7

  2

  5

  3

  Newport (Isle of Wight)

  72

  52

  20

  10

  9

  1

  20

  Portsmouth

  316

  190

  126

  17

  4

  13

  27

  Salisbury

  44

  32

  12

  6

  3

  3

  4

  Southampton

  298

  170

  128

  8

  4

  4

  37

  Winchester

  283

  183

  100

  71

  57

  14

  69

  England and Wales

  30,533

  17,760

  12,773

  4,085

  1,479

  2,606

  3,709

  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give for each Crown court in England and Wales in 1971, 1981 and 1991, the average time and number of court appearances for defendants sent for trial from charge to completion of proceedings.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information on waiting times for individual Crown court centres is not available prior to 1986. The only data available are set out in tables 1 and 2. Table 1 shows, by circuit, the average waiting time in weeks between committal to the Crown court for trial and start of hearing for the years 1972, 1981 and 1991. Table 2 shows the equivalent figures for each Crown court centre in 1991. Information on the number of court appearances is not collected.

  Table 1: Crown Court: Defendants committed for trial average waiting times (weeks)

  Circuit

  1972

  1981

  1991

  England and Wales

  11·2

  15·7

  12·6

  Midland and Oxford

  6·3

  10·1

  9·2

  North Eastern

  8·3

  8·3

  13·5

  Northern

  7·3

  13·9

  11·1

  South Eastern:

  London

  22·7

  25·6

  15 9

  Provinces

  8·3

  20·8

  14·3

  Wales and Chester

  9·6

  10·1

  8·1

  Western

  6·8

  10·2

  13·7

  546

  Table 2

  Crown court: Defendants committed for trial—1991 Average waiting times (weeks)—Committals for trial

  Weeks

  Midland and Oxford Circuit

  9·24

  Birmingham

  9·78

  Coventry

  10·48

  Northampton

  9·64

  Oxford

  10·76

  Peterborough

  5·15

  Warwick

  6·82

  Derby

  9·86

  Grimsby

  11·11

  Leicester

  8·87

  Lincoln

  9·83

  11·52

  Dudley/Wolverhampton

  7·07

  Shrewsbury

  11·56

  Stafford

  6·73

  Stoke-on-Trent

  8·78

  Worcester

  10·89

  North Eastern Circuit

  13·54

  Leeds

  15·85

  Wakefield

  11·69

  Huddersfield

  12·12

  Durham

  8·20

  Newcastle

  13·27

  Teesside

  12·91

  Beverley/Kingston-upon-Hull

  11·93

  Doncaster

  11·61

  Sheffield

  15·89

  York

  13·20

  Northern Circuit

  11·12

  Liverpool

  10·32

  547

  Weeks

  Bolton

  13·53

  Manchester

  11·91

  Burnley

  11·43

  Carlisle

  14·98

  Preston

  9·13

  South East Circuit (London)

  16·05

  Harrow/Acton

  16·07

  c.c.c.

  15·47

  I.L.S.H.

  13·57

  Knightsbridge

  12·66

  Middlesex Guildhall

  17·60

  Snaresbrook

  17·56

  Southwark

  16·70

  Wood Green

  21·33

  South East Circuit (Province)

  14·30

  Cambridge

  11·34

  Chelmsford

  17·08

  Ipswich

  18·32

  St. Albans

  13·20

  Luton

  14·47

  Norwich

  17·34

  Aylesbury

  11·83

  Guildford

  19·09

  Isleworth

  9·59

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  12·13

  Reading

  12·33

  Canterbury

  9·90

  Chichester

  11·67

  Croydon

  15·26

  Lewes

  17·03

  Maidstone

  14·77

  Wales and Chester Circuit

  8·07

  Cardiff

  5·52

  Carmarthen

  8·80

  Haverfordwest

  6·89

  Merthry Tydfil

  11·60

  Newport

  10·63

  Swansea

  6·65

  Caernarvon

  10·37

  Chester

  7·99

  Dolgellau

  11·75

  Knutsford

  8·35

  Mold

  8·79

  Warrington

  11·11

  Welshpool

  12·06

  Western Circuit

  13·63

  Bristol

  15·26

  Gloucester

  13·12

  Swindon

  9·75

  Barnstaple

  11·02

  Truro

  9·57

  Exeter

  13·12

  Plymouth

  9·21

  Taunton

  11·77

  Bournemouth

  13·78

  Dorchester

  13·97

  Newport (Isle of Wight)

  12·66

  Portsmouth

  10·79

  Salisbury

  18·26

  Southampton

  16·46

  Winchester

  20·96

  England and Wales

  12·56

HEALTH

  Older People (Health)
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department funds into the various aspects of health and well-being in the third age.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department funds a wide range of research relating to the health and social welfare of older people. In the current year, about £450,000 will be committed from the centrally commissioned programme. "Community Care—Findings from Department of Health Funded Research 1988–1992" and "Department of Health Listings of Research and Development 1991" are available in the Library.

  NHS Supplies Authority
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will require the National Health Service Supplies Authority to set out in its annual report covering 1992 full information on its revenues, cost structures and operating margins.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The National Health Service Supplies Authority was not fully operational until October 1992 when the process of transferring staff and assets from the 14 regional supplies organisations was completed. Some operations will therefore have been covered in regional health authority accounts.

  NHS supplies will publish as much financial information as possible in its annual review in June.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the work of the National Health Service Supplies Authority since its inception.

  Mr. Boyce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the work of the NHS Supplies Authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The National Health Service Supplies Authority was set up to make sure the NHS gets best value for money in the 'goods and services it needs, and has already achieved savings in purchasing of £25 million.

  NHS Supplies will publish its annual review at the end of June setting out its work and achievements since its inception.

  Exempt Prescriptions
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of prescriptions in each of the last five years which were exempt by reason of being for(a) women aged 60 years or over, (b) men aged 65 years or over and (c) a pregnant woman or a woman in the first year after birth of a child.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Not all the information is available centrally. Available data are in the table.
  549

  Numbers [millions] of prescribed items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors to men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over, and to people holding exemption certificates issued by family health services authorities in each year 1988 to 1992.

  Year

  Men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over

  FHSA exempt

  1988

  142·6

  21·0

  1989

  147·3

  22·4

  1990

  153·5

  23·5

  1991

  159·7

  24·4

  1992

  167·8

  25·5

  Notes:

  1. The analysis is based on a 1 in 20 sample of all prescriptions submitted to the PPA by community pharmacists and appliance contractors. Dispensing doctor and personal administration prescriptions are not analysed into exempt, charge remitted and charge paid categories.

  2. 1987 to 1990 data are based on number of dispensing fees. From 1991, data are based on numbers of items.

  3. People covered by FHSA exemption certificates are pregnant women, women in the first year after the birth of a child and men and women with one or more of the medical conditions which confer entitlement to free prescriptions.

  Sodium Hexacyanoferrate
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the toxicity of sodium hexacyanoferrate; and what regulations govern its use.

  Mr. Sackville
  The use of sodium hexacyanoferrate as a food additive is permitted under the Miscellaneous Additives in Food Regulations 1980 (as amended). It is used as an anti-caking agent in table salt. The Government are advised on the safety-in-use of food additives by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. It reviewed the food additive use of sodium hexacyanoferrate in 1988. The committee confirmed that sodium hexacyanoferrate was provisonally acceptable for use in food but requested that data be provided from further specified studies. These studies will be reviewed by the committee as soon as all data are submitted.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial arrangements have been put in place by Her Department to purchase alternative provision for elderly clients with reserved rights in care homes which cease trading.

  Mr. Yeo
  People with reserved rights continue to be eligible for income support after a care home in which they are living ceases trading.

  Supraregional Services Advisory Group
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will list the members of the supraregional services advisory group.

  Mr. Sackville
  The members of the supraregional services advisory group are:

  Chairman

  Sir Michael Carlisle, RHA chairman, Trent RHA

  Dr. W. J. Appleyard, consultant paediatrician (representative of the joint consultative committee)

  550

  Professor N. Browse, president, Royal College of Surgeons

  Dr. M. Green, director, British Postgraduate Medical Federation (representing the special health authorities)

  Professor J. B. L. Howell, district health authority chairman, Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority

  Dr. N. F. Jones, joint consultants committee and the Royal College of Physicians

  Dr. W. E. Kearns, chief medical officer, North East Thames RHA

  Mr. P. Kemp, director of resources, East Anglian RHA

  Mrs. H. Kent, regional nursing officer, Northern RHA

  Mr. A. P. J. Ross, chairman of the joint consultants committee

  Professor D. A. Shaw, CBE, formerly dean of medicine, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (representing medical academic interests)

  Mr. C. Spry, regional general manager, South West Thames RHA

  Mr. L. Wright, director of finance, Yorkshire RHA

  Wessex RHA
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what reports were submitted to her Department by Department of Health auditors, by auditors appointed by the Department, by the district auditor or by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission, regarding Wessex regional health authority, in each year since 1984; and, in each case, what was the subject of the report, the date received, and whether it was a public or confidential report.

  Mr. Sackville
  [pursuant to his reply 30 March 1993, columns 185–88]: I regret that there was an error in my previous reply.

  The report by the Department of Health statutory auditor entitled "Report in Confidence to the Secretary of State on the audit of the accounts of Wessex regional health authority for the year ended 31 March 1988" was sent to the Department on 2 November 1988, and not in November 1987.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total running costs of her Department's research and development division for each of the past five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 23 April 1993]: The estimated costs, at 1992–93 pay and price levels, were:

  Research and development division total running costs—Manpower and Non-Manpower

  £ million

  1988–89

  1·14

  1989–90

  1·19

  1990–91

  1·21

  1991–92

  1·75

  1992–93

  2·10

EDUCATION

  National Curriculum Testing
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he is taking to ensure that the programme of testing at all stages, seven, 11 and 14 years and in all subjects, will be implemented; and if he will make a statement.
  551
  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has made it clear that the test for seven-year-olds and for 14-year-olds will be going ahead this year as planned. It is the statutory duty of head teachers to implement them and the contractual duty of school teachers to carry them out.

  In response to the genuine concerns of some teachers, my right hon. Friend has asked Sir Ron Dearing to review the national curriculum and assessment framework with the aim of simplifying it while retaining the key features of clear teaching objectives and regular tests. Early results from that review will inform the arrangements for testing in 1994. I look to all teachers to carry out the tests this year for the benefit of their pupils and in order to provide evidence for the review which Sir Ron Dearing is conducting.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to meet the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers to discuss proposals for national curriculum testing and assessment arrangements.

  Mr. Forth
  None. The NASUWT should make its views known to Sir Ron Dearing, the chairman designate of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, who is conducting a review of the national curriculum and assessment.

  School Places
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the number of surplus school places for each borough in(a) Greater Manchester and (b) London.

  Mr. Forth
  The following figures derive from a survey of school capacity carried out by the Department in 1991. They were calculated by comparing the capacity derived from the more open enrolment formula with the number of pupils on roll at each school.

  Primary Surplus places

  Secondary Surplus places

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  1,602

  1,612

  Bury

  0

  1,013

  Manchester

  7,617

  13,350

  Oldham

  1,319

  1,692

  Rochdale

  3,029

  1—

  Salford

  4,185

  3,711

  Stockport

  3,357

  3,474

  Tameside

  968

  1,854

  Trafford

  1,878

  2,955

  Wigan

  7,811

  4,025

  Inner London

  City

  21

  2—

  Camden

  972

  1,148

  Greenwich

  3,026

  3,756

  Hackney

  3,019

  1—

  Hammersmith

  2,981

  3,925

  Islington

  4,436

  1,715

  Kensington

  1,090

  1,046

  Lambeth

  4,479

  3,852

  Lewisham

  1,609

  3,223

  Southwark

  7,484

  3,837

  Tower Hamlets

  2,864

  1,051

  Wandsworth

  9,228

  3,908

  Westminster

  886

  578

  Outer London

  Barking

  1,368

  717

  Barnet

  1,463

  983

  552

  Primary Surplus places

  Secondary Surplus places

  Bexley

  2,914

  3,436

  Brent

  6,832

  4,480

  Bromley

  2,259

  1,309

  Croydon

  3,389

  3,149

  Ealing

  3,016

  3,533

  Enfield

  765

  3,976

  Haringey

  1—

  1—

  Harrow

  888

  466

  Havering

  1,971

  3,229

  Hillingdon

  3,635

  3,693

  Hounslow

  1,226

  2,598

  Kingston

  485

  1,117

  Merton

  1,637

  2,311

  Newham

  4,587

  3,899

  Redbridge

  796

  695

  Richmond

  1,845

  643

  Sutton

  1,386

  513

  Waltham Forest

  1,445

  2,706

  1 Data not provided

  2 No Secondary schools

  Rising and shifting populations and changes in school capacity mean that the surplus place levels in individual LEAs may have changed since the survey was done. We are currently consulting LEAs on the scope for surplus place removal in their areas. In the case of some LEAs the 1991 figures are subject to revision in the light of amendments subsequently provided by the LEA.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of the Greenwich judgment on the limitation of places for pupils from Marston Green who wish to study in the Heart of England school at Balsall Common, in Solihull, caused by pressure from pupils living in Birmingham and Coventry.

  Mr. Forth
  The effect of the Greenwich judgment is to enhance parental choice by removing restrictions on school admissions based on LEA administrative boundaries. The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to reverse the judgment.

  New Universities
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the numbers of postgraduate students(a) studying for taught courses and (b) studying for research degrees in each of the new universities.

  Mr. Boswell
  The table shows the numbers of post-graduate students studying for doctorates, masters degrees and other postgraduate qualifications in each of the new universities.

  Student Numbers

  1991

  Doctorates

  Masters

  OTH PG

  London Guildhall University

  27

  381

  122

  University of Greenwich

  60

  553

  835

  University of North London

  90

  352

  156

  South Bank University

  158

  1,489

  632

  University of Westminster

  48

  894

  1,196

  University of East London

  —

  856

  392

  Middlesex University

  42

  1,017

  300

  Thames Valley University

  —

  379

  974

  Kingston University

  84

  891

  592

  University of Central England Birmingham

  29

  805

  879

  Coventry University

  151

  445

  64

  University of Wolverhampton

  49

  621

  594

  Liverpool John Moores University

  109

  165

  369

  553

  Student Numbers

  1991

  Doctorates

  Masters

  OTHPG

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  129

  823

  1,390

  Sheffield Hallam University

  62

  1,230

  937

  University of Huddersfield

  29

  329

  266

  Leeds Metropolitan University

  21

  731

  606

  University of Northumbria at Newcastle

  12

  511

  498

  University of Sunderland

  40

  412

  185

  University of West of England Bristol

  107

  684

  894

  University of Teesside

  25

  330

  240

  University of Derby

  5

  168

  501

  University of Plymouth

  —

  424

  525

  Bournemouth University

  18

  159

  312

  University of Brighton

  8

  367

  385

  Anglia Polytechnic University

  —

  204

  317

  University of Portsmouth

  75

  693

  146

  University of Hertfordshire

  93

  592

  528

  University of Humberside

  19

  113

  294

  University of Central Lancashire

  23

  269

  256

  De Montfort University

  141

  484

  367

  Nottingham Trent University

  49

  484

  285

  Oxford Brookes University

  —

  511

  822

  Staffordshire University

  52

  243

  531

  Total

  1,706

  18,125

  17,105

  Teachers' Pensions Agency
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what key performance targets he has set the Teachers' Pensions Agency for 1993–94.

  Mr. Patten
  I have set the following key performance targets for the Teachers' Pensions Agency for 1993–94 which cover its main activities and focus on the principles of improving the quality of public services:

  (a) To take the necessary steps to enable the agency to publish audited, commercial-style accounts for 1993–94;

  (b) To achieve an improvement in efficiency in the use of running costs resources directly administered by the agency of at least 2 per cent.;

  (c) To review the existing systems for verification of contributions received from employers and to produce an action plan for implementing improved arrangements;

  (d) To provide a substantive answer to 95 per cent. of written enquiries within 15 working days;

  (e) To process 96 per cent. of the applications for retirement awards by the payable date or, it later, then within 30 days of receipt of the application; and

  (f) To meet agreed accuracy targets for pensions-related calculations.

ENVIRONMENT

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the 1993–94 budget for urban development corporations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Squire
  The 1993–94 budget for UDCs has now been finalised at £291·8 million. The table shows the allocation between UDCs.
  554

  UDC 1993–94 Budgets

  Budget 1993–94 £ million

  London Docklands

  96·40

  Merseyside

  21·50

  Black Country

  150·55

  Birmingham Heartlands

  5·00

  Trafford park

  30·60

  Teeside

  36·00

  Tyne and Wear

  37·50

  Leeds

  4·00

  Sheffield

  12·00

  Central Manchester

  6·50

  Bristol

  9·30

  Plymouth

  27·00

  1 Includes £19·55 million from DOT

  2 Includes £5 million from MOD

  In addition Birmingham Heartlands are to receive £4 million for the acquisition of 42 acres of land at the Leyland DAF site.

  Carbon Dioxide Programme
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he has updated the discussion document on the United Kingdom's carbon dioxide programme, in the light of recent announcements made in the Budget.

  Mr. Howard
  I have today placed copies in the Library of an addendum summarising developments relevant to the carbon dioxide programme since the publication of the discussion document in December 1992.

TRANSPORT

  Bus Services
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedure he will follow to consult passengers' representatives on bus services after privatisation and deregulation.

  Mr. Norris
  Current procedures for consulting the London regional passengers' committee (LRPC) will continue after the privatisation of the subsidiaries of London Buses Ltd. and until bus services in London are deregulated. Deregulation will enable bus operators to respond more flexibly to meet passengers' requirements, with competition safeguarding passengers' interests. It is therefore intended that on deregulation LRPC's statutory involvement with bus services in London will cease, in line with the position of other transport consumer groups outside London.

  London Taxis
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement outlining the meaning of two-tier licensing for London's taxis as referred to in the oral statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Norris), on 26 March,Official Report, column 1410.

  Mr. Norris
  By "two-tier licensing" (Official Report, 26 March, column 1410) was meant the system which currently exists outside London whereby hackney carriage vehicles and drivers are licensed to ply for hire in the streets

  555
  and at ranks; and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators are licensed to undertake pre-booked hirings only.

  Executive Agencies
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the executive agencies in his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  My right hon. Friend has set the following key targets for 1993–94 for the six Department of Transport executive agencies. Management objectives and performance indicators, where appropriate to the agency's business, are contained in the agencies' business plans; copies of which will be placed in the Library, with the following exceptions: the vehicle inspectorate (whose plan has been held over during work on the future status of the inspectorate, but which will be available shortly); DVOIT, and the Transport Research Laboratory, both of whose plans are commercial in confidence and will not be published.

  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's key targets are to meet, or better, an overall efficiency improvement of 2·5 per cent.; deliver 95 per cent. of ordinary driver licence cases to customers within 13 working days of receipt, not to exceed 15 working days in any month, and deliver medical cases within 25 working days of receipt; deliver 95 per cent. of vocational licence cases within 11 working days of receipt, not to exceed 13 working days in any month, and deliver medical cases within 35 working days of receipt; deliver 95 per cent. of first provisional licence cases within 12 working days of receipt, not to exceed 14 working days in any month; deliver 95 per cent. of changes to vehicle registration documents to customers within 13 working days of receipt, not to exceed 15 working days in any month; deliver 95 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles to customers within 15 working days of receipt, not to exceed 20 working days in any month; answer 80 per cent. of telephone inquiries within 30 seconds; deliver answers to 90 per cent. of written inquiries within eight working days of receipt; complete successfully 445,000 VED enforcement cases by imposition of penalties.

  The Driving Standards Agency's key targets are to achieve, or better, unit costs of £24·06 for car tests; £56·01 for bus, coach and lorry tests; and £37·40 for overall approved driving instructor register activities; cover full costs with income from customers; achieve a national average waiting time of no more than six weeks for car tests and no more than four weeks for motorcycle, bus, coach and lorry tests; and answer 90 per cent. of telephone calls to booking offices within one minute.

  DVOIT's key targets are to fulfil service level agreements with its customers; achieve, across the customer base, an average assessment by customers which is at least satisfactory as measured in the customer satisfaction survey; balance business costs with income; constrain prices for existing tariffed services within an RPI minus 5 per cent. ceiling; achieve a return on investment of 6 per cent. for business with Government customers and 8 per cent. for others; provide the necessary inputs to the privatisation process within the timetable approved by the privatisation project group.

  The Transport Research Laboratory's key targets are to cover full costs with income from customers while meeting the net control total in supply estimates; achieve
  556
  a minimum net revenue per person year of £45,000; ensure direct fee earning costs as a percentage of total operating costs are greater than 55 per cent.; achieve average staff utilisation in research resource centres of at least 1,300 hours per year on direct fee-earning work; and 90 per cent. of project outputs to be assessed by customers as good or very good.

  The Vehicle Certification Agency's key targets are to achieve, or better, a unit cost of £87·38; cover full costs with income from customers while keeping within the net control total in supply estimates; technically clear and issue approval certificates within nine days on average for 90 per cent. of system and component approvals, and within 20 days on average for 90 per cent. of whole vehicle approvals.

  The vehicle inspectorate trading fund's key targets are to make a gross efficiency improvement of 5 per cent. as measured by the agency's aggregate cost efficiency index; break even while achieving a 6 per cent. return on capital employed; achieve an HGV/PSV test error rate of less than 0·47 per cent.; achieve an HGV/PSV test exemption rate of less than 0·01 per cent., achieved an average turnaround time of 1·4 days on MOT documentation, produce 95 per cent. of interim or completed traffic enforcement operator licence reports for traffic commissioners within four weeks, except in specific cases where a different deadline has been agreed.

  Research Spending
  Mr. Day
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom's research spending from 1980 to 1990 as a percentage of gross domestic product; and what were the corresponding figures for the EC average and for the USA and Japan.

  Mr. Leigh
  The available data are as follows:

  Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a percentage of GDP

  UK

  EC average

  USA

  Japan

  1980

  —

  —

  2·39

  2·00

  1981

  2·41

  1·73

  2·45

  2·13

  1982

  —

  1·77

  2·62

  2·22

  1983

  2·25

  1·78

  2·71

  2·35

  1984

  —

  1·81

  2·78

  2·43

  1985

  2·31

  1·91

  2·93

  2·58

  1986

  2·34

  1·93

  2·91

  2·56

  1987

  2·25

  1·97

  2·87

  2·63

  1988

  2·23

  1·97

  2·83

  2·67

  1989

  2·27

  2·00

  2·82

  2·80

  1990

  2·21

  2·01

  2·80

  2·88

  Source: OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators.

  Vehicle Imports
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what tariff or other barriers are imposed upon imports of four-wheel drive motor vehicles from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Imports into the United Kingdom of four-wheel drive motor vehicles from the United States of America are subject only to the European Community's common external tariff.
  557

  "The Observer"
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the proposed sale of The Observer.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Lonrho announced on 29 April that it has received an offer from The Guardian and Manchester Evening News (GMEN) for The Observer which it found acceptable and upon which it had undertaken to consult the board of The Observer. A transfer of The Observer to GM EN would require my consent under provisions of the Fair Trading Act relating to newspaper mergers. I have not so far received any application for consent. Under the newspaper merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act I would need to refer a transfer to GMEN to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission unless I was satisfied that the paper was not economic as a going concern and, if the paper was to continue, the case was one of urgency. I could not reach a view on this until I had been able to study the terms of any application.

  Scotland-Ireland Gas Interconnector
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in negotiating a treaty to cover the intended gas interconnector linking Scotland with Ireland.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I am pleased to inform the House that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has today signed in Dublin a treaty with the Irish Government to cover the gas interconnector. The treaty will ensure the effective regulation of a pipeline which crosses international boundaries. It will set out matters of jurisdiction and provide for consultation and the exchange of information between the two Governments including a forum in which issues over the pipeline can be discussed. It will also provide for guaranteed access for links to Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

  This is good news for both our countries. By facilitating a link in the European infrastructure, the treaty takes us further down the road to a single market in energy. The United Kingdom has been in the forefront of liberalising energy markets and I shall continue to press hard in that direction. This is also good news for Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man since the treaty provides specific guarantees on access which they can take up.

  Construction of the pipeline has also brought more immediate benefit to the United Kingdom with contracts worth over £100 million being awarded to United Kingdom firms. The existence of an interconnector has the potential to create trading opportunities from which both countries can benefit. We have already seen National Power stepping in to strike an innovative deal to provide standby supplies to the Republic over the next five years.

  In due course, the treaty will be laid before the House. But in the meantime I will place a copy of the treaty in the Library.

  Shipbuilding Intervention Fund
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been paid to United Kingdom shipyards by way of the European Community directive on the shipbuilding intervention fund, in respect of the construction of merchant vessels, in each of the past five years.
  558
  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 29 April 1993]: Payment from the shipbuilding intervention fund in each of the past five years was as follows. The figures exclude payment made to shipbuilders in Northern Ireland.

  Year

  £ million

  1988–89

  38·7

  1989–90

  37·5

  1990–91

  28·7

  1991–92

  31·1

  1992–93

  20·4

  Hazardous Waste Shipments
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of his letter of 31 March to the hon. Member for Linlithgow on the subject of hazardous waste shipments from industrialised countries to developing countries.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 15 April 1993]: I have today instructed my officials to place a copy of the letter identified by the hon. Member in the Library as requested.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of officers in each grade from 1 to 7 and overall in the Duchy of Lancaster and in the Office of Public Service and Science are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled people.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [pursuant to his reply 14 April 1993, columns 535–36]: Some of the figures quoted in the answer have been found to be incorrect. The correct information is as follows:

  Grade (and equivalents)

  Women

  Total

  Percentage Women

  1

  0

  3

  0

  2

  2

  17

  12

  3

  2

  24

  8

  4

  0

  3

  0

  5

  16

  62

  26

  6

  21

  64

  33

  7

  61

  265

  23

  Overall

  1,287

  2,495

  52

  The ethnic monitoring programme was carried out on a voluntary basis and did not extend to the Cabinet Office's agencies. Of those who responded, 62 people chose to register as non-white. One of these people is at grade 7 level.

  The Cabinet Office's figures on staff with disabilities include only those who have chosen to register as disabled. Twenty-eight people are so registered. None is at grade 7 level or above. The Cabinet Office employs other staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Explosives
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arms or explosive finds have been made on Church property in Northern Ireland during the past three years.

  Mr. Mates
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Terrorism
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has referred his consultative paper "Terrorist Exploitation of the Construction Industry in Northern Ireland", to the Fair Employment Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission for their observations.

  Mr. Mates
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 April at col 271.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Listed Buildings
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals are being considered in public consultations on English Heritage's forward strategy which would involve a change in current responsibilities for grade 2 buildings outside London.

  Mr. Brooke
  No change is proposed in current responsibilities for grade II listed building casework outside London.

  Television Licences (Pensioners)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to meet representatives from pensioners' groups to discuss the cost of television licences for old age pensioners.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have no plans to meet representations from pensioners' groups, though we have sent a copy of the consultaton document about the future of the BBC, which asks questions about the television licence fee, to four organisations representing the elderly. I am well aware of the view amongst many pensioners that they should be entitled to free or reduced rate television licences. The Government have made clear on many occasions that it is wholly opposed to this idea: not only would giving free licences to pensioners impose an extra cost of at least £500 million a year on other licence payers, but it would also be wrong in principle, benefiting many people of pensionable age who are well able to pay the full fee.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Sexual Assaults)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specialist counselling services are available to prisoners who have been the victims of sexual assaults; and how many prisoners have been counselled for these matters in each of the last five years.
  560
  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 I. Dunbar to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 30 April 1993:

  In the absence of Mr. Lewis, the director general, from the office, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about specialist counselling services to prisoners who have been the victim of a sexual assault.

  Governors are able to call upon relevant specialists, including health care staff, psychologists, probation officers and chaplains, to assist in providing treatment, care and support to the victims of violent and traumatic incidents, including those involving sexual assault.

  I regret that the statistical information requested is not collected.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of sexual assaults reported by prisoners(a) by other prisoners and (b) by police or prison staff in each of the last five years.

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

  Prison Escort Services
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used to assess the suitability of the tenderers for the performance of prison escort services.

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

  Letter from I. Dunbar to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 30 April 1993:

  Court Escort Service
  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 criteria used to assesss the suitability of the tenderers for the performance of prison escort services.
  When awarding the contract for court escorting in the East Midlands and Humberside the main criteria considered by the tender panel were:

  The company track record and the support of the parent company or group for the contract;

  The company's grasp of the task being tendered;

  Ability to recruit, train and retain staff of suitable calibre;

  The adequacy of staffing levels and efficient use of staff;

  The number, capacity and configuration of vehicles the company proposed to use;

  Proposed routes;

  Management information systems;

  Price.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalty clauses form part of the contract with Group 4 for the court escort service in the east midlands area; and whether these penalty clauses have been activated as a result of recent events.

  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.
  561
  Letter from I. Dunbar to Mr. John McAllion, dated 30 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 Parliamentary Question about penalty clauses in the contract with Group 4 Court Services Ltd for the provision of the court escort service in the East Midlands and Humberside.

  The contract with Group 4 contains mechanisms which allow adjustments to payments to be made in the event of circumstances occurring which fall outside the terms of the contract. Where a material failure is caused by circumstances within the contractor's control and is not corrected within 20 days of it being brought to his attention, the Prison Service may terminate the contract.

  We are continuing to monitor Group 4's performance and have yet to decide whether it would be appropriate to apply any of the available contractual remedies.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bids were considered for the contract for the prison escort service awarded to Group 4 Security Services; and if he will publish(a) the names of the companies that bid for the prison escort service contract awarded to Group 4 Securities and (b) the cost level of each company's bid.

  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 I. Dunbar to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 30 April 1993:

  Prison Escort Service
  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 bids for the contract for the prison escort service awarded to Group 4 Security Services.
  Six tenders were received for the court escort contract for the East Midlands and Humberside. The tenderers were: Reliance; Burns; Group 4 Court Escort Service Limited; Wackenhut; Securiguard and Securicor. It is normal commercial practice not to reveal tender prices.

  Her Majesty's Prison Manchester
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps are being taken to ensure that Mr. C. D. Sherwood will be unable to use information relating to bids for the contract to manage Her Majesty's prison Manchester when advising Mancare regarding rebidding on costs;

  (2) when Mr. C. D. Sherwood's immediate superiors became aware that he had been approached by Mancare regarding possible employment; and when Mr. Sherwood was recruited by Mancare;

  (3) what role Mr. C. D. Sherwood had in assessing bids 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 Mr. I. Dunbar to Mr. Tony Blair, dated 30 April 1993:

  In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office, the Home Secretary has asked me to
  562
  reply to your recent Questions about a member of staff who has reported an offer of outside employment by one of the companies involved in the bidding for the management of HM Prison Manchester.

  Mr. Sherwood informed his immediate manager in the Remands Contracts Unit on 7 April that he had been sounded out about the possibility of employment in the private sector and that he wished to hold open the possibility of seeking approval for. such a move at a later stage. Given the circumstances, he left the Unit that day. His departure took place 6 days before the tenders for the management of HM Prison Manchester were opened, which took place after 12 noon on 13 April under the sealed bid procedure. Mr. Sherwood has therefore had no access to our role in assessing bids for the contract.

  Mr. Sherwood is still employed by the Prison Service. Were he to submit a formal application for permission to take up an outside posting with the company in question or any other organisation, it would be considered in the normal way under the Business Appointment Rules. This includes seeking the views of competitors, with a view to determining what conditions might need to be imposed on the taking up of the appointment.

  Minicabs
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Horne Department (1) how many incidents of assault, or attempted assault, on minicab passengers by their drivers in(a) London and (b) other metropolitan areas have been reported since 1985;

  (2) how many incidents of assault, or attempted assault, on minicab drivers by their passengers in (a) London and (b) other metropolitan areas have been reported since 1985;

  (3) how many minicab drivers were found guilty of assaulting their passengers in (a) London and (b) other metropolitan areas in 1991–92.

  Mr. Jack
  I am sorry not to be able to respond to the hon. Member's request as the information required is not collected centrally.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money, and from which departmental budgets, has been allocated to support those from the former Yugoslavia in the United Kingdom; what support services are being provided and funded by his Department; and if he will list the names of voluntary organisations who are supporting those from the former Yugoslavia in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Department of the Environment has set aside £80,000 for those local authorities worst affected by the influx of displaced persons from the former Yugoslavia in 1992–93.

  The Home Office is funding the Refugee Council, the Scottish Refugee Council and the British Red Cross. No specific sums have been allocated because the rate of arrival in this country cannot be predicted, but about £550,000 has been paid to date in grant aid.

  The following organisations are funded by the Home Office to provide support to all refugees and asylum seekers including those from former Yugoslavia:

  Refugee Council

  Refugee Arrivals Project

  Scottish Refugee Council

  Northern Refugee Centre

  Midlands Refugee Council

  563
  Information is not available on those organisations which on their own initiative brought groups of former Yugoslays to the United Kingdom during last year.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ex-detainees and their dependants from Yugoslavia have, to date, arrived in the United Kingdom under the terms of his statements to the House of 5 November 1992,Official Report, column 424, and 30 November 1992, Official Report, column 30.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  As at 28 April 1993, a total of 209 ex-detainees and 313 dependants had arrived. A further group, due to include about 100 people in all, arrived on 29 April.

  Bangladeshi Population
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the first report from the Home Affairs Select Committee of Session 1986–87 (HC 96), to help improve living and working conditions for the Bangladeshi population in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 19 April 1993]: The Government's initial response to the Select Committee report was contained in a 1987 White Paper which detailed the work that was being done by various Government Departments to implement the report's recommendations. Since then further progress has been made and I am writing to the hon. Member with further details. A copy will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities his Department has to assist police forces to make forensic analysis of substances believed to be nuclear materials, apprehended by British police investigators.

  Mr. Aitken
  I have been asked to reply. My Department has facilities for identification of the nuclear materials present in suspect packages and also for measurement of their radioactive content. These facilities are made available to the Home Department and police forces where appropriate.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional resources and additional appointments he plans to make available to support the Overseas Development Administration's involvement with the United Nations Sustainable Development Commission; which resolution of the United Nations General Assembly established the Commission; how the United Kingdom voted on the resolution; and if he will make a statement on its implementation to date.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development Administration works closely with the diplomatic wing of 564
  the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and with the Department of the Environment on the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). The additional work involved for ODA has been absorbed within existing resources.

  The CSD was formally established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council at its organisational session in February this year, as requested by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/191 of 22 December 1992. This resolution was adopted by consensus. The CSD held its first organisational session in February. Its first substantive session will be held from 14 to 25 June 1993 in New York.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department is making to the World Health Organisation tuberculosis prevention programme.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development Administration does not currently fund the World Health Organisation tuberculosis programme.

PRIME MINISTER

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what research studies he has commissioned into how fault lines in the ERM can be corrected; and what action he has initiated since September 1992 to correct them.

  The Prime Minister
  The European Council in Birmingham endorsed the view of Economic and Finance Ministers that the financial turbulence of last September called for reflection and analysis in the light of developments in capital markets and in the European and world monetary systems. This work is currently being carried forward.

  Jabal Hamrayn, Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what information Her Majesty's Government have concerning military activities at the Jabal Hamrayn site in Iraq.

  The Prime Minister
  Jabal Hamrin was the site where Iraq built one of its "superguns". The gun was destroyed under United Nations supervision in 1991. There is currently no military activity at the site.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Prime Minister how many and what percentage of officers in each grade from 1 to 7 and overall in the Cabinet Office are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled people.

  The Prime Minister
  [pursuant to his reply 29 March 1993, column 45]: I regret that some of the figures quoted have been found to be incorrect. The correct information is as follows.

  The figures for women employed in the Cabinet Office, including its executive agencies, are as follows:
  565

  Grade (and equivalents)

  Women

  Total

  Per cent. Women

  1

  0

  3

  0

  2

  2

  17

  12

  3

  2

  24

  8

  4

  0

  3

  0

  5

  16

  62

  26

  6

  21

  64

  33

  7

  61

  265

  23

  Overall

  1,287

  2,495

  52

  The ethnic monitoring programme was carried out on a voluntary basis and did not extend to the Cabinet Office's agencies. Of those who responded, 62 people chose to register as non-white. One of these is at grade 7 level.

  The Cabinet Office's figures on staff with disabilities include only those who have chosen to register as disabled. Twenty-eight people are so registered. None is at grade 7 or above. The Cabinet Office employs other staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.

EMPLOYMENT

  Earnings
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will show for 1992 the percentage and number of part-time women employees earning less than £3 per hour, £3·50 per hour, £3·80 per hour, £4 per hour, £5·20 per hour and £5·40 per hour for(a) manual, (b) non-manual and (c) all women in each of (i) Scotland, (ii) each region of Scotland, (iii) Great Britain and (iv) the standard regions;

  (2) if she will list for part-time women employees (a) average gross weekly earnings, (b) average weekly hours total and overtime hours and (c) average gross hourly earnings for (i) manual, (ii) non-manual and (iii) all part-time women workers in Great Britain arid the standard regions, Scotland and the regions of Scotland in 1992;

  (3) if she will give for male employees (a) average gross weekly earnings, (b) average weekly hours total and overtime hours and (c) average gross hourly earnings for (i) manual, (ii) non-manual and (iii) all male employees in Great Britain and the standard regions, Scotland and the regions of Scotland in 1992;

  (4) if she will give for women employees (a) average gross weekly earnings, (b) average weekly hours total and overtime hours and (c) average gross hourly earnings for

  Average equivalent disposable income by household type and by quintile groups Using the McClements equivalence scale re-scaled so that a household of one adult = 1

  £ per year

  Quinlile groups of households ranked by equivalised disposable income

  Household type

  Bottom

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  Top

  All households

  1979

  One adult with children

  1,081

  1,655

  2,211

  2,875

  4,700

  1,922

  Two adults with one child

  1,148

  1,715

  2,223

  2,865

  4,396

  2,611

  Two adults with two children

  1,220

  1,704

  2,230

  2,894

  4,666

  2,489

  Two adults with three or more children

  1,158

  1,708

  2,183

  2,876

  4,440

  2,018

  Other households with children

  1,240

  1,715

  2,236

  2,891

  4,173

  2,489

  1987

  One adult with children

  2,288

  3,213

  4,372

  6,088

  10,739

  3,285

  Two adults with one child

  2,196

  3,365

  4,554

  6,209

  10,564

  5,872

  Two adults with two children

  2,223

  3,393

  4,542

  6,184

  11,350

  5,488

  Two adults with three or more children

  2,202

  3,318

  4,546

  6,106

  10,300

  4,295

  566
  (i) manual, (ii) non-manual and (iii) all women employees in each of Great Britain and the standard regions, Scotland and the regions of Scotland in 1992;

  (5) if she will give for 1992 the percentage and number of female employees, part time and full time, earning less than (a) £3 per hour, (b) £3·50 per hour, (c) £3·80 per hour, (d) £4 per hour, (e) £5·20 per hour and (f) £5·40 per hour for (i) manual, (ii) non-manual and (iii) all females in each of Scotland as a whole, each of the regions of Scotland, Great Britain as a whole and each of the standard regions of Great Britain;

  (6) if she will give for 1992 the percentage and number of employees part-time and full-time, earning less than £3 per hour, £3·50 per hour, £3·80 per hour, £4 per hour, £5·20 per hour and £5·40 per hour for (a) manual, (b) non-manual and (c) all employees in each of Scotland, each of the regions of Scotland, Great Britain as a whole and each of the standard regions;

  (7) if she will give for 1992 the percentage and number of male employees earning less than £3 per hour, £3·50 per hour, £4 per hour, £5·20 per hour and £5·40 per hour for (a) manual, (b) non-manual and (c) all males in each of (i) Scotland, (ii) the regions of Scotland and (iii) Great Britain and the standard regions;

  (8) if she will give for all employees (a) average gross weekly earnings, (b) average weekly hours total and overtime hours and (c) average gross hourly earnings for (i) manual, (ii) non-manual and (iii) all employees in each of Great Britain and the standard regions, Scotland and the regions of Scotland in 1992.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In view of the considerable amount of information requested I will write to the hon. Member.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Incomes
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average equivalised disposable income per adult at 1990 prices for 1979, 1987 and 1990 of(a) single-parent households, (i) with one child and (ii) with two or more children, (b) two-parent households with (1) one child, (2) two children and (3) three or more children and (c) other households with children by quintile and decile groups of households.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information is not available in the precise form requested because the equivalence scale used is based on households rather than adults. In addition, the figures are only available at current prices.
  567

  Quintile groups of households ranked bv equivalised disposable income

  Household type

  Bottom

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  Top

  All households

  Other households with children

  2,169

  3,314

  4,601

  6,174

  9,836

  4,819

  1990

  One adult with children

  2,724

  4,057

  5,988

  9,049

  13,804

  4,322

  Two adults with one child

  2,517

  4,297

  6,052

  8,893

  16,247

  8,671

  Two adults with two children

  2,624

  4,339

  6,149

  8,666

  14,464

  7,333

  Two adults with three or more children

  2,524

  4,238

  5,925

  8,505

  19,295

  6,196

  Other households with children

  2,624

  4,241

  6,021

  8,796

  14,761

  7,142

  Average incomes by decile groups within household types are not published because of the small sample sizes and the consequent large sampling errors. The one adult with children household type is not subdivided further for the same reason.

  Any difference between the average equivalised disposable income of household types within a quintile group is likely to result from sampling errors.

  These figures are not strictly comparable over time because of changes in classification of both income and taxation and because of changes in the "Family Expenditure Survey".

  Training
  Ms Short
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the allowances paid to participants on(a) non-employed status training for work and youth training, (b) employed status training for work and youth training, (c) learning for work and (d) the community action programme are subject to taxation and/or national insurance contribution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The treatment for tax and national insurance contribution (NICs) purposes of allowances paid to participants on the programmes mentioned is as follows:

  Chargeable to:

  Programme

  Tax?

  NICs?

  Youth Training—not employed

  No

  No

  Youth Training—employed

  Yes

  Yes

  Training for Work—not employed

  1—

  No

  Training for Work—employed

  1—

  Yes

  Learning for Work

  1—

  No

  Community Action Programme

  1—

  No

  1 Currently under consideration.

  Post Office
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would have been raised in each financial year since 1990–91 by the imposition of full rate VAT on Post Office services.

  Sir John Cope
  Separate estimates have not been made for each financial year. It is estimated that had the VAT exemption of postal services been abolished, the full year revenue yield to the Exchequer would have been around £180 million in 1991–92.

  Oil Exploration
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of exploration and appraisal relief claimed by oil companies for each of the last five years; and what percentage of total exploration and appraisal expenditure this represents for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The amounts of exploration and appraisal relief claimed against profits for petroleum revenue tax since 1988 have been as follows:
  568

  Year

  Amount, £ million

  As a percentage of exploration and appraisal expenditure in the year1 Per cent.

  1988

  790

  70

  1989

  900

  76

  1990

  1,290

  79

  1991

  1,200

  62

  19922 3

  (540)

  (74)

  1 Oil companies commonly do not claim expenditure incurred until a tax liability is imminent. Figures cover the United Kingdom and its territorial waters and continental shelf.

  2 Figures for the second half of 1992 are not available yet.

  3 January to June.

  VAT
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue the Exchequer has received in penalties arising from misdeclaration of value added tax(a) in real terms and (b) as a percentage of the total tax take for value added tax in each year since 1987–88; and what is his estimate of such receipts for the years 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 29 April 1993]: The following figures are based on serious misdeclaration penalties assessed by Customs and Excise and start in 1990–91 when the serious misdeclaration penalty was introduced. The figures for 1992–93 are provisional; figures for 1990–91 include default interest.

  £ million

  Per cent, of net VAT receipts

  1990–91

  45

  0·14

  1991–92

  28

  0·08

  1992–93

  15

  0·04

  No figures are available on penalties for 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Purchasing Initiative
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in implementing the Government's purchasing initiative since 1990–91.

  Mr. Portillo
  A report by the central unit on purchasing (CUP) on progress in Government procurement during 1991–92 is published today. A copy is being placed in the Library. CUP offers advice and guidance to Departments
  569
  on best purchasing practice and the achievement of best value for money in purchasing and supply and management of works projects.

  The report notes that significant progress was made in 1991–92 but the initiatives need to be maintained if they are to become standard practice. CUP will continue to encourage and advise departments so that change is maintained and properly monitored.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions have taken place between the Benefits Agency and local authorities over the past year with regard to the preparation of a national service level agreement; and what effects contacts have had in speeding up the payment of housing benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  Following consultations involving this Department, the Benefits Agency and the local authority associations, a national model liaison service level agreement was signed on 12 November 1992. The national model is now being used by Benefit Agency district managers and local authorities as the framework for formulating local agreements throughout the country. A copy of the relevant circular to local authorities is in the Library.

  It is too early to say what effect agreements are having on speeding up the payment of housing benefit. Many local agreements were only finalised in March this year. I understand that negotiations are continuing in a few cases. A joint exercise involving the Benefits Agency and the local authority associations to assess the effectiveness of the agreements is planned for late 1993.

  Benefit Deductions
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many deductions were made from income support payments in Wales to cover repayment of social fund loans, poll tax arrears and fuel debts in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c)

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 30 November 1992 at column 72.

  Figures for the numbers of beneficiaries with deductions in May 1992 will be published shortly in the "Social Security Income Support Statistics Annual Statistical Inquiry, May 1992", a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why ME is not listed in the disability living allowance handbook under the chapter heading certain neurological illnesses.

  Mr. Scott
  Although the Department recognises ME as a distinct clinical entity, it is also aware that the disabling effects of ME and chronic fatigue syndromes may be very similar. Entitlement to benefit is based on how a person's disability affects their daily life, in respect of care and mobility needs rather than the diagnosis, illness or disease giving rise to such needs.
  570
  However the classification of benign myalgic encephalomyelitis—post-viral fatigue syndrome—under "Diseases of Nervous System" in the international classification of diseases will be taken into account in subsequent revisions of the disability handbook.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of recipients of housing benefit for each English local authority in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c) 1992–93; and what is the number in (i) local authority, (ii) housing association and (iii) private rented accommodation.

  Mr. Burt
  [holding answer 14 April 1993]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average processing time for mobility allowance claims in each region;

  (2) what was the backlog for mobility allowance claims in each region as at 31 March 1993 and 31 October 1992.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 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 Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) what is the average processing time for mobility allowance claims in each region as at 31 March 1993 and 31 October 1992.

  Firstly, I should explain that on 6 April 1992 Disability Living Allowance (DLA) consisting of a mobility component and care component, replaced and extended Attendance Allowance for the under 65s and Mobility Allowance (MobA).

  Prior to 6 April 1992 Mobility Allowance claims were processed centrally at the North Fylde Central Office. The average clearance time for MobA claims in March 1992 was 28–8 days. Performance on DLA is measured in terms of x °A, of cases cleared in y days and it is therefore not possible to state an average Processing time for claims on the new benefit. However, the majority of DLA new claims have been cleared within the primary target of 60 % in 30 days. The new claims performance for March 1993 was 71 % of cases cleared within 30 days.

  The information on the number of MobA claims that remain uncleared for each region at 31 October 1992 and 31 March 1993 is not available for the reasons stated above. However, in the region of 1900 claims made to MobA are being rechecked to confirm that all necessary action has been taken. These will be acted upon as soon as possible and any which require payment will be considered for compensation under the appropriate scheme.

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

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many requests for reviews of disability living allowance have been received in each region to date; how many have been cleared; and how many are outstanding;
  571
  (2) what was the average clearance time for claims and for review requests, at each of the regional disability benefit centres; and if he will list the various outcomes of disability living allowance reviews;

  (3) how many claims for disability living allowance have been made at each regional disability benefit centre to date; how many of these have resulted in an award, a refusal, or have still to be adjudicated on; and if he will break down the figures for awards according to the component and rate awarded.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Nigel Griffiths, dated 29 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 Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) how many requests for reviews of Disability Living Allowance have been received in each region to date; how many have been cleared and how many are outstanding. (ii) What was the average clearance time for claims and review requests at each of the Regional Disability Benefit Centres and if he will list the various outcomes of Disability Living Allowance reviews and (iii) how many Disability Living allowance claims have been made at each of the Regional Disability Living Allowance centres, how many of these resulted in an award, refusal or to be adjudicated on; and if he will break down the figures for awards according to the component and rate awarded.

  Claims
  New Disability Living Allowance claims are dealt with by the 11 Regional Disability Benefit Centres.

  The number of new claims (including special rules) received, awarded, refused and on hand to month end March 1993, per Regional Disability Benefit Centre are shown in Table 1.

  Total number of decisions does not equal the total number of clearances due to the fact that decisons does not take account of claims withdrawn or defective.

  The outstanding figure includes claims that have been to an adjudication officer who has asked for further evidence before a decision can be made and also includes claims where the adjudication officer has made a decision but the decision has not as yet been recorded on the DLA computer system.

  Table 1 Claims received and processed by 31 March 1993

  Claims

  Claims

  Claims

  All decisions

  received

  cleared

  on hand

  Total

  Awards

  Refusals

  Edinburgh

  51,247

  49,494

  1,753

  48,975

  24,788

  24,187

  Newcastle

  30,371

  28,979

  1,392

  28,675

  12,866

  15,809

  Leeds

  60,322

  57,218

  3,104

  56,618

  31,541

  25,076

  Manchester

  42,390

  40,257

  2,133

  39,834

  17,331

  22,503

  Bootle

  44,654

  42,021

  2,633

  41,579

  24,133

  17,447

  Birmingham

  76,936

  70,852

  6,084

  70,108

  44,531

  25,577

  Bristol

  29,349

  28,111

  1,238

  27,815

  16,925

  10,890

  Cardiff

  41,159

  38,500

  2,659

  38,096

  21,610

  16,486

  Wembley

  59,924

  56,504

  3,420

  55,911

  35,434

  20,477

  Sutton

  52,872

  48,961

  3,911

  48,447

  29,221

  19,226

  Glasgow

  8,076

  5,099

  2,977

  5,045

  1,980

  3,065

  Other management units

  26,395

  25,037

  1,358

  24,733

  16,788

  7,985

  Great Britain

  523,695

  491,033

  32,662

  485,876

  277,148

  208,728

  572
  A breakdown of awards by rate is in Table 2.

  Reviews

  Disability Living Allowance reviews are dealt with by the Disability Living Allowance Unit at Blackpool.

  It is only possible to provide the number of review requests received picking up the Disability Benefit Centre where the 1st tier decision was taken at disproportionate cost. This information is available once a decision is given on the request for a review.

  Reviews can be made within three months of the decision on the claim on any grounds, these are shown at (a).

  Reviews made outwith the three month period can only be accepted where there are particular grounds for review, these are shown at (b).

  As at Month end March 1993 the total number, of requests for review of a Disability Living Allowance 1st tier decisions, cleared and outstanding were as follows:

  Received

  Cleared

  Outstanding

  (a) Review within three months

  79,088

  40,404

  38,684

  (b) Review outwith three months

  17,714

  6,275

  11,439

  Total

  96,802

  46,679

  50,123

  List of various outcomes of DLA reviews, relating to 1st tier decision made at each of the DBCs are shown in Table 3.

  Performance for month of March 1993

  Performance on DLA is measured in terms of x per cent. of cases cleared in y days and it is therefore not possible to state an average processing time for claims and reviews on the new Benefit.

  The majority (71 per cent.) of New DLA claims were cleared in 30 days (against a Secretary of State target of 60 per cent. in 30 days).

  The majority (85 per cent.) of Special Rules claims were cleared in 10 days.

  29 per cent. of reviews (within 3 months) were cleared in 75 days.

  51 per cent. of reviews (outwith 3 months) were cleared in 75 days.

  Reviews are being actively targeted with additional resources being deployed and clearing rates are increasing.

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.
  573

  Table 2 Awards by rates of care and mobility by 31 March 1993

  Care

  Mobility

  Higher rate

  Medium rate

  Lower rate

  Higher rate

  Lower rate

  Edinburgh

  655

  1,208

  2,442

  6,776

  1,561

  3,116

  610

  1,762

  1,797

  2,673

  2,196

  24,788

  Newcastle

  274

  490

  1,328

  5.005

  508

  1,508

  203

  622

  639

  1,490

  788

  12,866

  Leeds

  856

  1,524

  3,205

  9.643

  1,530

  4,142

  760

  2,037

  1,586

  3,747

  2,499

  31,541

  Manchester

  652

  1,180

  2,440

  4,490

  868

  2,248

  436

  1,096

  980

  1,523

  1,415

  17,331

  Bootle

  441

  968

  2,190

  8,605

  679

  2,441

  572

  1,922

  1,133

  3,605

  1,569

  24,133

  Birmingham

  '1,807

  2,277

  3,737

  12,770

  2,277

  6,111

  1,201

  3,090

  2,836

  4,905

  3,525

  44,531

  Bristol

  546

  1,397

  1,594

  3,309

  1,246

  2,762

  588

  1,354

  1,627

  1,199

  1,322

  16,925

  Cardiff

  500

  897

  1,558

  9,200

  971

  2,018

  406

  1,418

  887

  2,600

  1,138

  21,610

  Wembley

  1,469

  2,041

  3,653

  6,848

  2,471

  5,305

  1,323

  2,591

  2,801

  3,327

  3,621

  35,434

  Sutton

  1,668

  2,093

  2,729

  5,207

  3,006

  3,739

  1,214

  1,819

  2,776

  2,059

  2,932

  29,221

  Glasgow

  46

  99

  215

  737

  76

  103

  43

  182

  125

  247

  r06

  1,980

  Other management units

  609

  801

  1,150

  5,807

  1,079

  2,318

  508

  1,053

  1,000

  1,567

  888

  16,788

  Great Britain

  9,523

  14,975

  26,241

  78,387

  16,272

  35,811

  7,864

  18,946

  18,187

  28,942

  21,999

  277,148

  Table 3 All reviews on new DLA awards by 31 March 1993

  Edinburgh

  Newcastle

  Leeds

  Manchester

  Bootle

  Birmingham

  Bristol

  Cardiff

  Wembley

  Sutton

  NFCO

  Others

  Total

  Withdrawn

  13

  8

  9

  5

  11

  15

  8

  8

  24

  10

  88

  0

  199

  Award Reduced

  1

  0

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  17

  0

  28

  Care to LR

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  0

  8

  Mob to LR

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Both to LR

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  4

  0

  9

  Award Maintained

  2,595

  1,299

  1,870

  1,672

  1,720

  2,045

  721

  1,229

  1,552

  1,314

  7,723

  3

  23,293

  Award Varied

  49

  20

  36

  36

  19

  54

  14

  36

  43

  49

  258

  0

  614

  Awarded Increased

  257

  137

  189

  256

  168

  227

  139

  162

  283

  339

  1,987

  0

  4,144

  Lapsed

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  I

  1

  0

  0

  8

  0

  13

  Allowed

  1,198

  825

  896

  1,280

  728

  1,041

  619

  766

  1,151

  1,310

  5,621

  1

  15,436

  Defective

  1

  3

  4

  1

  3

  3

  1

  0

  3

  5

  14

  0

  38

  No Grounds

  33

  26

  30

  17

  28

  31

  12

  16

  20

  34

  188

  0

  435

  Disallowed

  225

  144

  207

  189

  205

  207

  96

  137

  192

  143

  716

  0

  2,461

  Total

  4,373

  2,462

  3,243

  3,459

  2,884

  3,627

  1,612

  2,357

  3,271

  3,205

  16,182

  4

  46,679

  LR = Lower Rate

  Care = Care component

  Mob = Mobility component

  Social Fund
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in how many cases in each Benefit Agency district in Scotland in the most recent period for which data are available, an application for(a) community care grant and (b) social fund loan, met the criteria but was refused because of budgetary constraints;

  (2) how many applications for help from the social fund for budgetary loans and crisis loans were refused on the grounds of inability to pay; and what that was as a proportion of the total number of (a) loan applications and (b) loan refusals for each year since April 1988 for each of the Benefit Agency districts in Scotland.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund 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. Henry McLeish, dated 29 April 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsiblity to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your two recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) in how many cases in each Benefit Agency
  574
  District in Scotland in the most recent period for which data is available, an application for (a) community care grant and (b) social fund loan, met the criteria but was refused because of budgetary constraints and (ii) how many applications for help from the Social Fund for budgetary loans and crisis loans were refused on the grounds of inability to pay; and what that was as a proportion of the total number of (a) loan applications and (b) loan refusals for each year since April 1988 for each of the Benefit Agency Districts in Scotland.

  Numbers of applications refused on the grounds of insufficient priority by each of the Scottish Districts in the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993 are given in Annex A.

  In your second question, you seek information for each year since April 1988 for each of the BA Districts in Scotland. This information, which is attached at Annex B, is only available in this form from April 1991 when the Benefits Agency was created and local offices grouped into Districts. For the previous financial year 1990–1991 the information is available on the basis of the then existing DSS local office network. I regret that this information is not available for the previous financial years.

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

  Annex A

  CGCs and Loans refused on grounds of insufficient priority by Scottish Districts, 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993.

  District

  BLs

  CCGs

  CLs

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  1,729

  76

  7

  Clyde Valley

  2,141

  1,623

  80

  Coatbridge

  3,373

  321

  34

  575

  District

  BLs

  CCGs

  CLs

  East Lowlands

  2,368

  481

  33

  Fife

  2,558

  664

  19

  Forth Valley

  1,996

  501

  23

  Glasgow City

  1,909

  652

  38

  Glasgow East

  4,087

  1,775

  23

  Glasgow Laurieston

  2,819

  384

  98

  Glasgow Southwest

  1,591

  399

  217

  Glasgow West

  1,626

  701

  22

  Grampian and Shetland

  907

  313

  11

  Highlands and Islands

  913

  368

  31

  Irvine and Kilmarnock

  2,085

  180

  0

  Lomond and Argyll

  1,679

  294

  7

  Lothian Central

  1,425

  603

  73

  Lothian West

  1,609

  314

  194

  Renfrew

  1,871

  181

  79

  South West Scotland

  1,960

  287

  24

  Springburn and Cumbernauld

  2,502

  1,465

  100

  Tayside

  3,294

  950

  72

  Key:—

  BLs=Budgeting Loans

  CCGs=Community Care Grants

  CLs=Crisis Loans

  Annex B

  Key A = Number of applications refused on grounds of inability to pay

  B = A as a proportion of the total number of loan applications

  C = A as a proportion of the total number of loan refusals 1990–91 Budgeting Loans

  Local Office

  A

  B

  C

  Aberdeen North

  87

  3·1

  8·9

  Aberdeen South

  38

  2·3

  6·7

  Airdrie

  313

  7·8

  26·7

  Arbroath

  18

  1·3

  3·2

  Ayr

  250

  3·9

  10·2

  Bathgate

  126

  2·5

  6·4

  Bellshill

  123

  3·8

  12·5

  Campbelltown

  23

  4·6

  11·1

  Clydebank

  119

  3·4

  9·6

  Coatbridge

  156

  5·2

  15·6

  Cowdenbeath

  35

  2·1

  5·5

  Cumbernauld

  82

  2·8

  9·9

  Dumbarton

  123

  3·1

  1·1

  Dumfries

  66

  3·3

  0·8

  Dundee East

  74

  1·7

  5·1

  Dundee West

  58

  1·5

  4·1

  Dunfermline

  67

  2·9

  7·0

  East Kilbride

  46

  2·8

  8·7

  Edinburgh City

  128

  3·9

  10·1

  Edinburgh East

  87

  2·1

  5·3

  Edinburgh North

  125

  3·7

  9·7

  Edinburgh South

  50

  1·6

  4·3

  Edinburgh West

  58

  1·8

  5·1

  Elgin

  21

  1·6

  4·0

  Falkirk

  180

  3·5

  8·3

  Fort William

  10

  2·2

  5·9

  Galashiels

  13

  1·1

  2·5

  Glasgow Anniesland

  144

  2·5

  7·4

  Glasgow Bridgeton

  189

  4·0

  8·2

  Glasgow City

  149

  3·4

  8·9

  Glasgow Craigton

  273

  5·3

  16·9

  Glasgow Cranstonhill

  23

  2·1

  2·9

  Glasgow Laurieston

  134

  2·7

  9·0

  Glasgow Maryhill

  97

  2·3

  8·7

  Glasgow Partick

  87

  3·4

  9·4

  Glasgow Provan

  337

  3·4

  9·3

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  269

  3·0

  8·3

  Glasgow Shettleston

  311

  4·9

  14·0

  Glasgow Southside

  271

  3·9

  10·7

  Glasgow Springburn

  289

  3·6

  9·3

  Greenock

  146

  2·6

  5·9

  Hamilton

  216

  2·4

  8·2

  Inverness

  13

  0·6

  1·5

  Irvine

  110

  2·0

  6·0

  576

  Local office

  A

  B

  C

  Kilmarnock

  135

  3·7

  9·8

  Kirkaldy

  92

  2·8

  7·4

  Lerwick

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  Leven

  31

  1·6

  3·3

  Motherwell

  95

  2·1

  6·2

  Oban

  7

  2·3

  6·1

  Paisley

  133

  2·2

  4·9

  Perth

  26

  1·5

  3·4

  Peterhead

  16

  1·6

  3·7

  Port Glasgow

  176

  6·4

  15·6

  Stirling

  29

  0·8

  1·9

  Stornoway

  10

  2·5

  7·7

  Stranraer

  10

  0·9

  1·9

  Wick

  5

  0·7

  1·5

  1990–91 Crisis loans

  Local office

  A

  B

  C

  Aberdeen North

  5

  0·3

  14·7

  Aberdeen South

  4

  0·2

  11·1

  Airdrie

  6

  0·2

  2·4

  Arbroath

  39

  3·7

  7·4

  Ayr

  4

  0·1

  1·5

  Bathgate

  59

  1·8

  18·3

  Bellshill

  21

  2·2

  20·0

  Campbelltown

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  Clydebank

  1

  0·1

  16·7

  Coatbridge

  28

  2·3

  27·2

  Cowdenbeath

  2

  0·2

  4·7

  Cumbernauld

  10

  0·5

  23·8

  Dumbarton

  2

  0·1

  2·0

  Dumfries

  8

  1·3

  8·9

  Dundee East

  5

  0·7

  5·7

  Dundee West

  2

  0·1

  3·4

  Dunfermline

  1

  0·1

  1·7

  East Kilbride

  3

  0·5

  11·5

  Edinburgh City

  5

  0·2

  13·2

  Edinburgh East

  6

  0·4

  4·3

  Edinburgh North

  46

  2·3

  16·0

  Edinburgh South

  3

  0·2

  3·5

  Edinburgh West

  5

  0·3

  5·8

  Elgin

  2

  0·1

  9·5

  Falkirk

  95

  4·6

  55·2

  Fort William

  1

  0·5

  2·0

  Galashiels

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  Glasgow Anniesland

  33

  1·6

  11·7

  Glasgow Bridgeton

  46

  1·5

  10·1

  Glasgow City

  3

  0·2

  9·4

  Glasgow Craigton

  142

  4·7

  44·5

  Glasgow Cranstonhill

  15

  0·5

  4·8

  Glasgow Laurieston

  11

  0·4

  7·7

  Glasgow Maryhill

  16

  0·7

  37·2

  Glasgow Partick

  74

  4·4

  32·9

  Glasgow Provan

  9

  0·2

  5·6

  Local office

  A

  B

  C

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  14

  0·3

  1·9

  Glasgow Shettlestone

  4

  0·2

  3·5

  Glasgow Southside

  29

  0·8

  9·4

  Glasgow Springburn

  95

  1·9

  12·9

  Greenock

  14

  0·6

  8·9

  Hamilton

  12

  0·7

  24·5

  Inverness

  17

  0·7

  27·0

  Irvine

  5

  0·9

  20·8

  Kilmarnock

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  Kirkaldy

  4

  0·3

  3·1

  Lerwick

  2

  0·9

  16·7

  Leven

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  Motherwell

  24

  1·5

  14·0

  Oban

  0·

  0·0

  0·0

  Paisley

  58

  1·4

  4·9

  Perth

  5

  0·3

  5·0

  577

  Local office

  A

  B

  C

  Peterhead

  2

  0·2

  12·5

  Port Glasgow

  12

  1·2

  32·4

  Stirling

  3

  0·2

  1·0

  Stornoway

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  Stranraer

  6

  0·9

  6·0

  Wick

  0

  0·0

  0·0

  1991–92 budgeting loans

  District

  A

  B

  C

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  195

  2·1

  4·2

  Clyde Valley

  1,851

  2·9

  7·5

  Coatbridge

  726

  5·7

  13·3

  East Lowlands

  214

  2·1

  4·5

  Fife

  238

  2·3

  4·7

  Forth Valley

  221

  2·4

  6·1

  Glasgow City

  287

  2·7

  6·6

  Glasgow East

  1,027

  4·7

  10·7

  Glasgow Laurieston

  457

  3·0

  7·9

  Glasgow Southwest

  715

  5·7

  16·0

  Glasgow West

  283

  3·1

  7·5

  Grampian and Shetland

  144

  2·4

  5·3

  Highlands and Islands

  106

  1·9

  4·7

  Irvine and Kilmarnock

  273

  2·6

  6·6

  Lomond and Argyll

  276

  3·3

  7·7

  Lothian Central

  423

  5·3

  12·7

  Lothian West

  217

  2·2

  4·6

  Renfrew

  219

  2·3

  5·4

  South West Scotland

  487

  4·7

  10·5

  Springburn and Cumbernauld

  549

  4·3

  9·4

  Tayside

  182

  1·5

  3·3

  1991–92 Crisis loans

  District

  A

  B

  C

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  46

  0·8

  2·5

  Clyde Valley

  32

  0·8

  10·9

  Coatbridge

  219

  3·5

  14·5

  District

  A

  B

  C

  East Lowlands

  32

  0·5

  4·8

  Fife

  12

  0·2

  2·0

  Forth Valley

  45

  1·0

  15·6

  Glasgow City

  25

  0·3

  6·0

  Glasgow East

  192

  1·7

  7·3

  Glasgow Laurieston

  67

  0·7

  4·8

  Glasgow Southwest

  267

  3·4

  19·0

  Glasgow West

  106

  2·4

  15·4

  Grampian and Shetland

  14

  0·3

  23·3

  Highlands and Islands

  20

  0·3

  9·1

  Irvine and Kilmarnock

  4

  0·3

  10·3

  Lomond and Argyll

  7

  0·3

  4·4

  Lothian Central

  119

  1·9

  27·6

  Lothian West

  123

  2·2

  11·5

  Renfrew

  82

  1·3

  4·9

  South West Scotland

  29

  0·8

  3·3

  Springburn and Cumbernauld

  198

  2·4

  13·6

  Tayside

  50

  0·9

  4·9

  1992–93 Budgeting Loans

  District

  A

  B

  C

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  114

  1·2

  2·7

  Clyde Valley

  471

  3·2

  8·6

  Coatbridge

  851

  6·3

  12·8

  East Lowlands

  140

  1·4

  2·7

  Fife

  253

  2·4

  5·2

  Forth Valley

  269

  2·9

  6·5

  Glasgow City

  430

  3·9

  8·6

  578

  District

  A

  B

  C

  Glasgow East

  1,060

  5·1

  12·2

  Glasgow Laurieston

  496

  3·2

  8·2

  Glasgow Southwest

  904

  7·1

  20·8

  Glasgow West

  313

  3·4

  8·5

  Grampian and Shetland

  151

  2·5

  5·9

  Highlands and Islands

  136

  2·3

  5·9

  Irvine and Kilmarnock

  405

  3·4

  8·2

  Lomond and Argyll

  250

  3·0

  7·5

  Lothian Central

  510

  6·0

  13·7

  Lothian West

  186

  1·8

  4·5

  Renfrew

  206

  2·1

  4·8

  South West Scotland

  481

  4·6

  10·4

  Springburn and Cumbernauld

  586

  4·7

  10·8

  Tayside

  238

  1·9

  4·2

  1992–93 Crisis Loans

  District

  A

  B

  C

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  28

  0·5

  1·1

  Clyde Valley

  30

  0·7

  6·3

  Coatbridge

  188

  2·6

  10·4

  East Lowlands

  71

  1·0

  5·0

  District

  A

  B

  C

  Fife

  75

  1·1

  6·9

  Forth Valley

  61

  1·6

  17·4

  Glasgow City

  58

  0·8

  8·3

  Glasgow East

  226

  1·8

  5·4

  Glasgow Laurieston

  142

  1·3

  7·9

  Glasgow Southwest

  318

  3·5

  12·4

  Glasgow West

  89

  1·7

  10·2

  Grampian and Shetland

  23

  0·4

  25·8

  Highlands and Islands

  22

  0·3

  7·0

  Irvine and Kilmarnock

  3

  0·1

  5·5

  Lomond and Argyll

  7

  0·2

  6·8

  Lothian Central

  244

  3·5

  13·2

  Lothian West

  112

  1·6

  5·7

  Renfrew

  111

  1·5

  6·2

  South West Scotland

  44

  1·1

  4·4

  Springburn and Cumbernauld

  195

  2·4

  7·9

  Tayside

  67

  0·8

  3·9

  Income Support
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people were claiming income support in Scotland for the most recent date for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the total number of partners and dependants of those claimants;

  (2) if he will give the most recently available figure for the income support live load in each of his Department's offices, and by each Benefit Agency district, in Scotland.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support 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. Henry McLeish, dated 29 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,

  579
  how many people were claiming Income Support in Scotland for the most recent date for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the total number of partners and dependants of those claimants.

  You also ask, if he will give the most recently available figure for the Income Support live load in each of his Department's offices, and by each Benefits Agency district, in Scotland.

  The information is not available in the format you requested and some of it is only available at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics relate to the number of Income Support recipients rather than the number of claims.

  Information about the numbers of partners and dependants of people claiming Income Support is not routinely collected. However, estimates of the numbers of partners and dependants of Income Support recipients are available from the Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry (ASE). This is a point in time survey based on a one per cent sample of all people in receipt of Income Support.

  The latest information from the ASE relates to May 1991. The estimates from this were 487,000 recipients, 69,000 partners and 249,000 dependants in Scotland.

  I have appended the information relating to the Income Support live load per office and district as requested. This information is based on the Management Information Statistics as at 28 February 1993.

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

  Annex

  Number

  Glasgow West District Office

  Glasgow Anniesland

  10,614

  Glasgow Partick

  7,701

  District total

  18,315

  Glasgow City District Office

  Glasgow City

  8,673

  Glasgow Cranstonhill

  1,585

  Glasgow Maryhill

  10,085

  District total

  20,343

  Glasgow East District Office

  Glasgow Bridgeton

  8,411

  Glasgow Provan

  12,841

  Glasgow Shettleston

  12,341

  District total

  33,593

  Glasgow Laurieston District Office

  East Kilbride

  6,349

  Glasgow Laurieston

  15,202

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  12,969

  District total

  34,520

  Glasgow South West District Office

  Glasgow Craigton

  11,492

  Glasgow South West

  12,952

  District total

  24,444

  Renfrew District Renfrew

  22,592

  District total

  24,592

  Springburn and Cumbernauld District Council

  Glasgow Cumbernauld

  10,404

  Glasgow Springburn

  13,925

  District total

  24,329

  580

  Annex

  Number

  Clyde Coast and Cowal District Office

  Greenock

  12,557

  Port Glasgow

  4,489

  District total

  17,046

  Coatbridge District Office

  Airdrie

  7,353

  Belshill

  6,796

  Coatbridge

  6,691

  District total

  20,840

  Forth Valley District Office

  Falkirk

  12,939

  Stirling

  11,575

  District total

  24,514

  Highlands and Islands District Office

  Elgin

  6,949

  Fort William

  2,939

  Inverness

  12,825

  Stornoway

  4,096

  Wick

  4,862

  District total

  31,671

  Irvine and Kilmarnock District Office

  Irvine

  15,946

  Kilmarnock

  10,251

  District total

  26,197

  Lomond and Argyll District Office

  Campbeltown

  1,554

  Clydebank

  15,651

  Oban

  1,911

  District total

  19,116

  Clyde Valley District Office

  Hamilton

  16,676

  Motherwell

  12,317

  District total

  28,993

  South West Scotland District Office

  Ayr

  16,365

  Dumfries

  8,795

  Stranraer

  3,349

  District total

  28,509

  East Lowlands District Office

  Edinburgh East

  11,697

  Edinburgh South

  12,155

  Galashiels

  6,997

  District total

  30,849

  Fife District Office

  Cowdenbeath

  4,786

  Dunfermline

  6,809

  Kirkcaldy

  12,613

  Leven

  5,581

  District total

  29,789

  Grampian/Shetland District Office

  Aberdeen

  20,585

  Lerwick

  1,293

  Peterhead

  4,865

  District total

  26,743

  581

  Annex

  Number

  Lothian and Borders District Office

  Edinburgh City

  11,161

  Edinburgh North

  10,760

  District total

  21,921

  Lothian West District Office

  Bathgate

  14,180

  Edinburgh West

  11,062

  District total

  25,242

  Tayside District Office

  Arbroath

  7,228

  Dundee

  22,841

  Perth

  9,281

  District total

  39,350

  SCOTLAND

  Total live figure as at 28 February 1993 = 584,916

WALES

  European Community Funding
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated total of European regional development fund grants allocated to Wales for the financial year 1993–94, analysed by county; and if he will make it his policy that funding from this source will be treated as additional money by his Department, in line with his additionality agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the EC Commission.

  Mr. David Hunt
  ERDF is allocated to individual structural fund programmes on a calendar year basis. In 1992 and 1993 the following allocations were made to Wales:

  £ million

  1992

  1993

  Industrial South Wales

  21·88

  32·82

  Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys

  11·90

  11·08

  Clwyd

  7·82

  11·66

  RECHAR

  13·46

  6·39

  LEADER

  0·543

  0·543

  Figures are based on an exchange rate of £1 =1·435 ecu

  Negotiations about the European Commission's ERDF allocation to Wales for 1994 onwards are underway.

  The former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced in February 1992 the new public expenditure arrangements to ensure that additionality of ERDF grants would be fully transparent. With effect from 1 April 1993 onwards full additional expenditure cover is being provided for all ERDF capital receipts and for all projects approved under the RECHAR programme from 1 April 1992.

  Ogwr and Vale of Glamorgan
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the electorate of each community council in the boroughs of Ogwr and the Vale of Glamorgan;

  (2) how many community councils in (a) Ogwr and (b) the Vale of Glamorgan have electorates with fewer than 1,700 voters;
  582
  (3) how many community councils in (a) Ogwr and (b) the Vale of Glamorgan have electorates of (i) fewer than 4,000, (ii) fewer than 3,500, (iii) fewer than 3,000, (iv) fewer than 2,500, (v) fewer than 2,000, (vi) fewer than 1,500 and (vii) fewer than 1,000.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not held centrally.

  Water Disconnections
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of water disconnections in Wales in(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information required cannot be given in the form requested.

  The number of disconnections—domestic and nondomestic—in the water supply areas of Dwr Cymru Cyf, Chester Waterworks Company and Wrexham and East Denbighshire Water Company in 1990–91 and 1991–92 were 1,397 and 3,034 respectively.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to establish a cancer treatment centre for north Wales patients; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The provision of a cancer treatment centre in north Wales is the subject of an appraisal by Touche Ross. My right hon. Friend will make a n announcement in due course.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the number of medical house doctors and senior house officers in hospital trusts to cope with seriously ill patients under treatment by chemotherapy and requiring hospital admission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for the national health service trust concerned to assess.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cancer patients from north Wales travel(a) to the Christie hospital, Manchester and (b) to Clatterbridge hospital, Wirral for treatment in each year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the number of cancer patients who travel from north Wales to English hospitals for treatment is not held centrally. However, the Christie hospital NHS trust and Clatterbridge centre for oncology report the following number of episodes (where an episode is the necessary sequence of treatment for one patient):

  Christie NHS Trust1

  Clatterbridge2

  417

  771

  1 Actual completed episodes 1991–92

  2 Projected 1992–93 episodes

  Hospital Medical Units
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance is given to general practitioners as to where to refer patients in the event of the temporary closure of hospital medical units; and if he will make a statement.
  583
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In such circumstances the decision to refer is a matter for the judgment of individual general practitioners, who should be informed of closures by the local family health services authority. If a bed bureau is in operation, GPs would normally contact the bureau who in turn would arrange admission to an appropriate alternative unit. In the absence of a bed bureau arrangement, GPs would contact the nearest alternative local unit; and in the event of difficulties in admission the commissioning health authority would advise.

  House building activity by tenure

  1974

  1979

  1984

  1989

  1990

  (a) Dwellings started

  Private sector

  5,948

  7,586

  5,608

  9,938

  7,654

  Housing Association1

  161

  657

  326

  1,601

  2,204

  Local authority

  6,215

  3,019

  111

  501

  338

  Total dwellings2

  13,098

  11,426

  6,842

  12,040

  10,196

  (b) Dwellings under construction

  Private sector

  13,160

  10,523

  9,712

  13,146

  12,793

  Housing Association1

  224

  1,806

  742

  2,049

  2,600

  Local authority

  7,825

  5,194

  1,056

  731

  461

  Total dwellings2

  21,972

  17,867

  11,596

  15,926

  15,854

  (c) Dwellings completed

  Private sector

  8,137

  6,980

  6,276

  9,176

  7,931

  Housing Association1

  176

  1,016

  593

  1,642

  1,653

  Local authority

  3,046

  3,010

  1,997

  566

  608

  Total dwellings2

  11,811

  11,331

  9,021

  11,448

  10,192

  Source: As supplied on local authority returns.

  1Excluding acquisitions, rehabilitations and hostel bedspaces.

  2 Including new towns' and Government Departments' dwellings not elsewhere listed.

  Trust Hospitals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those trust hospitals in Wales where the hospital medical unit has been closed to general practitioner admission.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  All hospitals, whether NHS trust or directly managed units, may need to implement temporary closures for a variety of reasons. In Wales, four NHS trusts have had to do this:

  Llandough Hospital NHS Trust

  (3 April, 12 hours; 19 April, 6 hours; 20 April, 6 hours)

  Llanelli Dinefwr NHS Trust

  (7 April, 24 hours; 25 April, 24 hours)

  Wrexham Maelor NHS Trust

  (17/18 April, 48 hours)

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  (19 April)

  On each occasion arrangements were made to admit emergency patients to the nearest alternative appropriate hospital.

  Surgery Deaths
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish statistics of surgery death rates in hospitals in Wales in the latest available year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Health authorities and general practitioner fund holders contract with provider units for health services to meet the health needs of their resident populations and patients.
  584

  Housing
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dwellings were(a) started, (b) under construction and (c) completed in (i) 1974, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1984, (iv) 1989 and (v) 1990, distinguishing between private sector, housing association, local authority and total dwellings.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is given in the table.

  In deciding their choice of provider units, health authorities and general practitioner fund holders will consider the quality of services provided, their cost and their volume.

  Commissioners will consider a range of quality indicators, including outcome measures where they are available. Crude death rates by hospital are extremely misleading when taken in isolation. Even when the rates are standardised by age, sex and case mix, there may be other factors which make direct comparison inappropriate. Information on death rates by social condition is not generally available and standardisation by age alone would lead to misleading comparisons.

  However, there are a number of activities taking place which critically examine death rates following surgery within a hospital, including the procedures for postmortems, medical audit and the national confidential inquiry into perioperative deaths.

  No specific guidance to health authorities and national health service trusts has been issued, or is proposed, on variations in death rates. I have not held discussions with health authorities and national health service trusts on the matter.

  Health authorities and national health service trusts are encouraged to develop and make the maximum use of quality indicators and other information available.

  League tables on hospital performance, based around patients charter standards, will be published in 1994. I have not received any representations on the inclusion of death rates in hospital league tables.
  585

SCOTLAND

  Non-emergency Hospital Treatment
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ensure that, for non-emergency hospital treatments, patients of general practitioner fund holders and non-fund holders will have equally speedy access.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government's framework for the GP fund holding scheme seeks to maintain a proper balance between providing GP fund holders with an appropriate degree of flexibility in the use of their fund to provide benefits for their patients, and preserving the principle of equality of access to health care for all NHS patients. GP fund holders, in providing care themselves or in setting contracts with other providers, will be able to develop improved stndards in the quality of care for their patients provided as a consequence they do not directly disadvantage NHS patients from other practices.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretry of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the technical feasibility study of the privatisation of water and sewage services in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 April 1993]: A study of possible new structures for the water and sewerage services was commissioned from Quayle Munro Ltd. last summer. The study informed the consultation paper "Investing For Our Future", which made it clear that in the light of the advice available to them the Government were satisfied that privatisation and the other options outlined could be successfully achieved.

DEFENCE

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on developments in the EFA programme.

  Mr. Aitken
  Technical development of Eurofighter 2000 is proceeding and the first flight is expected this year. Reorientation of the project, in line with the agreement reached in Brussels on 10 December last year by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and his German, Italian and Spanish counterparts, is also well advanced.

  Equipment Exhibition
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will be opening the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition in September.

  Mr. Aitken
  My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to open the exhibition himself.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what categories of guests will be invited to the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition.

  Mr. Aitken
  Invitations to attend RN and BAEE are extended to appropriate overseas Government officials and industrialists, and members of the United Kingdom national and technical press.
  586
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition at Aldershot from 5 to 10 September.

  Mr. Aitken
  The cost of the exhibition will not be known until the list of participants has been finalised. All direct costs will, however, be recovered from participating companies.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visitors are expected at the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition in Aldershot between 5 and 10 September.

  Mr. Aitken
  Based on previous years' attendance at the separate Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibitions, 20,000 visitors are expected to attend between 5 and 10 September.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received from the Cheshire Regiment detailing Croatian Army attacks on Muslim civilians in Vitez, Jadlenica and surrounding villages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Information reported by United Nations protection force troops is passed through the United Nations chain of command, ultimately to the Security Council. As a member of the Security Council the United Kingdom receives information reported by all contributors to UNPROFOR, not only the United Kingdom battalion group.

  Washington Visit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what matters he discussed with the United States Administration, and what decisions were made, during his recent visit to Washington.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During his recent visit to the United States, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence discussed a wide range of issues including the crisis in the former Yugoslavia.

  Devonport Dockyard
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice was given to his Department by Coopers and Lybrand concerning the future of Devonport dockyard should it fail to win the refitting work for the Trident submarines.

  Mr. Aitken
  Advice provided to my Department by Coopers and Lybrand on future warship refitting arrangements is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of Devonport Management Ltd.'s business plan as either a nuclear or non-nuclear dockyard which was submitted to his Department on 9 March.

  Mr. Aitken
  Both dockyard contractors have, at my Department's request, submitted outline business plans against the possibility that the dockyard each manages was
  587
  to be the designated nuclear dockyard or a non-nuclear dockyard. These plans have been discussed at clarification meetings with the respective contractors, and are being taken into account in my Department's consideration of future warship refitting arrangements. The plans are commercially confidential, but, as I told the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 2 April (Official Report, column 507), we will release as much information as possible, subject to the constraints of commercial confidentiality and security once we have announced our proposals to the House.

  Vessels (Running Costs)
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the annual running costs to the Royal Navy of(a) an Invincible class carrier, (b) a type 42 destroyer, (c) a type 21 frigate, (d) a type 22 frigate (batch 1), (e) a type 22 frigate (batch 2 and batch 3), (f) a type 23 frigate, (g) an S Clan submarine, (h) a T Class submarine, (i) an Upholder class submarine, (j) a Hunt class MCMV and (k) a Sandown class MCMV.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The annual running costs for individual vessels within a class will vary according to the vessel's operating and maintenance programme. Average annual running costs however, for each of the classes of ship listed for 1991–92, the latest year for which information is available, based on ships' activities over the past six years, are as follows:

  Officers

  Other ranks

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  Royal Corps of Transport

  880

  42

  7,362

  661

  Royal Army Ordnance Corps

  935

  39

  4,204

  360

  Royal Pioneer Corps

  100

  (nil)

  1,151

  (nil)

  Army Catering Corps

  151

  11

  3,577

  458

  Postal and Courier Service of the Corps of Royal Engineers

  56

  2

  469

  184

  Sub-total

  2,122

  94

  16,763

  1,663

  Long-term Costings
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has approved his Department's long-term costings for the financial year 1993–94.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department's spending plans for the financial year 1993–94 were published in the class I supply estimates (HC495-I), presented to Parliament on 9 March 1993. Further details will be contained in the 1993 "Statement on the Defence Estimates".

  Telecommunications Aerials
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what applications he has received from private telecommunications companies to erect aerials on Templeton airfield, Pembrokeshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  There have been no applications from private telecommunications companies to erect aerials on Templeton airfield.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many telecommunications aerials have been erected on MOD property by private telecommunications companies primarily for their own use.
  588

  Vessel

  1 £ million

  (a) Invincible class carrier

  26·0

  (b) Type 42 destroyer

  16·5

  (c) Type 21 frigate

  10·0

  (d) Type 22 frigate (batch 1)

  12·5

  (e) Type 22 frigate (batch 2 and batch 3)

  17·0

  (f) Type 23 frigate

  2—

  (g) 'S' Class submarine

  19·5

  (h) T Class submarine

  10·5

  (i) Upholder class submarine

  2·0

  (j) Hunt class MCMV

  2·5

  (k) Sandown class MCMV

  2—

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest half million.

  2 Not available.

  Royal Logistics Corps
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many men and women were transferred to the new Royal Logistics Corps on its formation from each of the other corps involved in the amalgamation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  With the formation of the Royal Logistics Corps on 5 April 1993, a total of 20,642 military personnel were transferred to the new corps from the corps involved in the amalgamation. The total figure can be broken down as follows:

  Mr. Aitken
  The information is not held centrally and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what planning procedures are required of private telecommunications companies wishing to erect aerials on MOD property.

  Mr. Aitken
  A planning application should proceed in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Operational Analysis Centre in 1993–94.

  Mr. Aitken
  The chief executive of the Defence Operational Analysis Centre at West Byfleet is responsible for providing the Ministry of Defence with advice on formulation of defence policy, military operational capability and future equipment requirements, this advice being derived from operational analysis studies and field trials. He has been set the following challenging key performance targets for 1993–94:
  589

  Service to Customers

  (a) To complete 85 per cent. of the planned studies for customers within agreed timescales, and to seek progressive improvements in future years.

  (b) To complete 80 per cent. of the planned studies for customers within planned cost, and to seek progressive improvements in future years.

  (c) To complete 75 per cent. of studies within agreed time and cost.

  (d) To subject 100 per cent. of new major studies to a formal quality process, which will require peer review and measures of customer satisfaction, and to evalute a "total quality target" for studies for implementation in future years.

  (e) To respond to 85 per cent. of request from customers for unplanned urgent advice within timescales negotiated at the outset, and to seek progressive improvements in future years.

  Managment Systems

  (f) To implement a full cost accounting system and publish auditable accruals based accounts.

  Efficiency

  (g) In 1993–94 and 1994–95, to increase overall efficiency by 2 per cent. and 3 per cent. respectively. A programme of market testing declared in the 1993–94 business plan is included.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the number of brains of calves aged under six months which are entering the food chain; and what steps are taken to ensure that these animals have not been fed contaminated offal.

  Mr. Soames
  The feeding of ruminant derived protein to all cattle and other ruminants has been banned since July 1988.

  There is no scientific justification for banning the use of brains from calves under six months of age because of BSE; this judgment has been supported by the spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee and by international bodies such as the European Commission and the Office International Dee Epizooties. Nevertheless, under the meat products and spreadable fish products regulations 1984, brain may not be used in uncooked meat products nor may it be counted as meat in cooked products. Its use in practice, therefore, is thought to be minimal.

  ADAS
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has. Set for the ADAS in 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided that the financial and efficiency targets for ADAS for 1993–94 will be:

  Recovery of its full economic costs, through charges to its customers, including the Departments (MAFF and the Welsh Office). In the case of certain charged advisory services, ADAS will recover 52 per cent. of its costs from charges to the ultimate beneficiaries and the remainder will be met by the Departments. In other cases ADAS will recover the full costs from the customer;

  An overall efficiency improvement of at least 2 per cent. measured by the average cost in real terms per direct hour charged to contracts;

  590

  A reduction of at least 3 per cent. in the average time taken to collect debts due to ADAS from non-Departmental customers;

  The targets for the delivery and quality of service by ADAS will be:

  90 per cent. of research and development project milestones to be met;

  Achieving improvements in customer satisfaction, as evidenced in ADAS surveys.

  Wool Guarantee
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the operation of the wool guarantee in the 1993 clip year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Clause 48 of the Agriculture Bill will terminate the wool guarantee—by removing "wool" from the schedule to the Agriculture Act 1957 which lists those products which qualify for a guarantee—with effect from enactment of that Bill. The Government have, however, consistently made clear their intention that the guarantee should end on 30 April 1993—the last day of the 1992 wool clip year. To ensure that this timetable is met, Agriculture Ministers have today laid an affirmative resolution order in both Houses of Parliament to revoke the British Wool (Guaranteed Prices) Order 1955, SI 1955/487 as amended by SI 1976/602. This order has been the subject of consultation with producers' representatives.

  The order removes the requirement on Ministers annually to fix a guaranteed price for wool. By avoiding the substantial disruption which could have occurred had Ministers been required to fix a guarantee for the interim period between 1 May and subsequent enactment of the Bill, this action will ensure greater order and certainty both for producers and the industry. Retention of the guarantee for merely part of a clip year would not have been consistent with the objective of the mechanism, which was to stabilise the return from wool over time rather than to provide short-term producer support.

  The order does not override the need for primary legislation to amend the Agriculture Act 1957 to terminate the operation of the guarantee definitively. This remains the function of clause 48 of the Agriculture Bill.

  The Government's commitment to sheep producers. and the wool industry remains firm. I am convinced that, having achieved financial responsibility for its own affairs, the industry will respond positively to this new situation and will take advantage of the opportunities which it will provide.

  Grants and Subsidies
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sums were paid out by each of his divisional offices for each(a) agricultural subsidy scheme and (b) grant scheme available to farmers in 1992; how many agreements were entered into for each grant scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his reply 8 March 1993, columns 466–67]: The available information requested is set out in the table, based on the new structure of regional service centres which came into effect on 1 April 1992. The further information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost:
  591

  Agricultural schemes expenditure by regional service centre in 1992

  £ thousands

  Scheme

  Bristol

  Cambridge

  Carlisle

  Crewe

  Exeter

  Northallerton

  Nottingham

  Reading

  Worcester

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  1,186

  3,522

  —

  640

  305

  1,937

  719

  1,147

  —

  5 year set-aside

  2,263

  5,448

  424

  781

  1,030

  1,381

  2,286

  6,825

  2,520

  1 year set-aside

  211

  276

  33

  19

  55

  197

  95

  396

  114

  Pilot beef and sheep extensification

  —

  —

  44

  38

  —

  214

  13

  —

  25

  Farm woodland 1

  129

  265

  48

  48

  73

  143

  188

  258

  216

  Farm conservation grant (plan)

  38

  240

  735

  242

  565

  235

  285

  251

  115

  Farm conservation grant (non-plan)

  3,195

  1,071

  4,171

  3,783

  4,163

  2,998

  2,304

  2,278

  1,601

  Agricultural improvement (plan)

  42

  20

  933

  219

  322

  387

  161

  22

  93

  Agricultural improvement (non-plan)

  —

  —

  42

  —

  25

  34

  11

  1

  1

  Oilseed advance payments

  2,990

  17,326

  2,966

  1,999

  454

  11,505

  16,078

  13,018

  5,134

  Hill livestock compensatory allowance1

  292

  —

  2,573

  811

  1,233

  2,434

  255

  —

  291

  Suckler cow premium1

  1,545

  38

  135

  133

  3,454

  93

  5,176

  1,191

  143

  11 April to 31 December 1992.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 April,Official Report, column 289–90, on Lord Howe's visit to China, whether he met representatives of (a) the Chinese Family Planning Association and (b) the Chinese State Family Planning Commission; what questions were raised; and what response was received.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A wide range of issues including questions related to reducing China's population growth were raised with various organisations during Lord Howe's visit. In the time available it was not practicable to call on the specific bodies to which the hon. Gentleman refers.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the latest situation concerning human rights in Tibet; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are aware through our contacts with Amnesty International and other non-governmental organisations, of reports of human rights abuses in Tibet and elsewhere in China. We deplore such abuses and have made our concerns clear to the Chinese authorities on a number of recent occasions. EC ambassadors in Peking are considering a visit to Tibet in May, in the course of which they can be expected to raise a number of issues of concern.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government raised the issue of Chinese coercive population control at the UN Commission on Human Rights earlier this year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Although we did not raise this specific issue at the recent session of the UN Commission of Human Rights in Geneva, we and our EC partners did introduce a resolution calling on the Chinese authorities to guarantee full respect for human rights throughout China in keeping with their international obligations under the UN charter. Unfortunately, this was defeated by a narrow majority by a procedural "no-action" motion.
  592
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken to raise the issue of Chinese coercive population control at the meeting with Chinese embassy officials in London on 4 March; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A number of issues of concern, including that of forced abortion, were raised by officials with a member of the Chinese embassy on 4 March. We shall continue to raise such issues with the Chinese authorities at every appropriate opportunity.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 April,Official Report, column 289–90 on Lord Howe's visit to China, when questions relating to reducing China's population growth were raised with the Chinese authorities during the visit; what response was received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  This issue was raised by my right hon. noble and learned Friend Lord Howe's delegation with Fu Hao of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 4 December. An explanation of China's family planning policies was given by the Chinese side. When the report of the visit is completed, copies will be laid in the Library of the House.

  Angola
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the United Kingdom is taking to influence South African policy with regard to her nationals funding and fighting with UNITA in Angola.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We were actively involved in the preparation of UN Security Council Resolution 804 of 29 January 1993 which inter alia urges all member states to take all necessary steps to stop any direct or indirent military or para-military interference from their territories in Angola. There are no restrictions in international law on the supply of finance to UNITA. We have seen no evidence of such funding from South Africa.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by the British ambassador to the United Nations to ensure that the United Nations mandate in Angola is successfully completed.
  593
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The mandate of the United Nations Angola verification mission (UNAVEM) was to monitor the pre-election ceasefire in Angola and verify the conduct of the country's first ever democratic elections in September 1992. Since UNITA's rejection of the results of the elections and the subsequent return to civil war in Angola, UNAVEM has, with the support of the Security Council, found itself in the role of mediator between the two sides. Talks between them under United Nations auspices are currently 'taking place in Abidjan.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage recognition of the Government of Angola(a) by the United States of America and (b) by other Governments.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Recognition of the Government of Angola is a matter for independent decision by sovereign states, including the United States of America. The question has been discussed during routine bilateral exchanges between the United Kingdom and the United States.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that the ban on supplying arms to Angola is being observed, with particular reference to the supply of South African arms to UNITA.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Under the Bicesse peace accords of May 1991 the United States and former Soviet Union undertook to end supplies of lethal material to any Angolan party and to encourage other countries to do likewise.

  We fully support United Nations Security Council resolution 804 of 29 January 1993 which calls on member states to respect this article of the accords. We accept South African Government assurances that it is not supplying UNITA and will seek to prevent any illegal arms supplies to Angola.

  South Africa
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April, for how long the senior police officer is likely to be in South Africa to assist with the investigation into the assassination of Chris Hani; what is the rank of the officer in question; and if he will also be reporting to the United Kingdom authorities on his investigations.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Commander George Churchill-Coleman is expected to be in South African for approximately six weeks, but the ultimate duration of his stay will depend on how long the investigation into the murder of Chris Hani lasts. He will report directly to the Attorney-General of the Transvaal.

  Turkey
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the British Government have made concerning human rights violations against Kurdish people in Turkey.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 28 April at column 440.
  594

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work undertaken to date and the achievements of the United Nations inter-agency committee on sustainable development since its establishment.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The inter-agency committee on sustainable development held its first meeting in New York from 23 to 25 March. The committee agreed an approach for the allocation and sharing of responsibilities and for improved co-ordination in the implementation of Agenda 21 by the UN system; reviewed subsidiary bodies; discussed the financing needs of the UN system for activities mandated under Agenda 21; assessed new and existing reporting requirements related to Agenda 21 and made recommendations for their streamlining; and discussed the current policy issues in the follow-up to Agenda 21 which would need to be addressed by the administrative committee on co-ordination.

  Economic and Social Committee
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom is represented on the Economic and Social Committee of the United Nations; and what environmental initiatives have been taken by ECOSOC since 1990.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has been a member of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) since 1946. We were re-elected to serve a further four-year term at the 1992 General Assembly.

  In February 1993 ECOSOC established the Commission for Sustainable Development which will review progress in implementing the agreements reached at the United Nations conference on environment and development in Rio in June 1992. Since 1990 ECOSOC has passed a number of resolutions on environmental issues which are listed in the following official UN documents:

  Report of the Economic and Social Council for the year 1990;

  Report of the Economic and Social Council for the year 1991;

  Report of the Economic and Social Council

  (preliminary version A/47/3 of 21 September 1992)

  Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic arid Social Council at its Organisational Session for 1993 E/1993/INF/2.

  These can be found in the Library of the House.

  Adriatic Ship Diversions
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table showing the countries of registration and ownership, and the nature of the cargo, of the vessels diverted to date by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Western European Union ships in the Adriatic.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  From 22 November 1992 to 21 April 1993 NATO and Western European Union ships in the Adriatic challenged a total of 9,396 vessels, of which 599 were boarded and 137 diverted for closer inspection. We are investigating with the relevant authorities whether a list of the countries of registration and ownership of the diverted vessels, and of the cargoes carried by them, is available for publication.
  595

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Government's policy as regards the forthcoming non-proliferation treaty preparatory committee meeting.
  596
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The first preparatory committee will chiefly be concerned with procedural and administrative matters relating to the 1995 non-proliferation treaty extension and review conference. Our policy is to secure the indefinite extension of the treaty in 1995.