Written Answers of 5 February 1993

EDUCATION

  Primary Schools
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines the Government issue on the optimum size of primary schools.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government have issued no guidelines on the optimum size of primary schools.

  Universities, Wales
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what formula will be used in determining the proportion granted to the Wales higher education funding council of the Department for Education budget for universities.

  Mr. Boswell
  The expenditure programmes of the Department and the Welsh Office were adjusted at the time of the 1992 autumn statement to take account of the changed responsibilities for the funding of universities.

  Key stage 1: Testing 7 year olds in 1992

  England

  Percentages of pupils who have reached level 4

  English Level 4 Per cent.

  Mathematics Level 4 Per cent.

  Science Level 4 Per cent.

  Technology Level 4 Per cent.

  Camden

  0.7

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Greenwich

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Hackney

  0.8

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  Hammersmith

  0.6

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  Islington

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0.4

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  Lambeth

  1.1

  0.1

  0.3

  0.4

  Lewisham

  0.5

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Southwark

  0.6

  0.0

  0.2

  0.0

  Tower Hamlets

  0.7

  0.0

  0.1

  0.5

  Wandsworth

  0.1

  0.0

  0.3

  0.0

  Westminster

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  Barking

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Barnet

  0.6

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Bexley

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Brent

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Bromley

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Croydon

  0.5

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  Ealing

  1.3

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Enfield

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Haringey

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Harrow

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Havering

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Hillingdon

  0.3

  0.0

  0.2

  0.0

  Hounslow

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Kingston upon Thames

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  Merton

  1.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Newham

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Redbridge

  0.3

  0.0

  0.1

  0.1

  Richmond upon Thames

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Sutton

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Waltham Forest

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Birmingham

  0.1

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  Coventry

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Dudley

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Sandwell

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Solihull

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  342
  Adjustments of this kind are only one component of the public expenditure survey process leading to a decision by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales about the funds available for the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

  Schools Inspectors
  Sir Thomas ArnoldM
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools is making towards maintaining a register of those competent to lead inspection teams.

  Mr. Forth
  This is a matter for Ofsted; I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to my hon. Friend.

  Key Stage 1
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children aged seven years in each local education authority area are allowed to proceed beyond key stage 1, level 3.

  Mr. Forth
  Every child at the end of key stage 1 who has demonstrated through the statutory assessments that he or she has reached the targets for level 3 should be taken on by his or her teachers to the targets appropriate for the next level. The following table indicates by LEA the percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 1 in 1992 who reached level 4.
  343

  English Level 4 Per cent.

  Mathematics Level 4 Per cent.

  Science Level 4 Per cent.

  Technology Level 4 Per cent.

  Walsall

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  Wolverhampton

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Knowsley

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Liverpool

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  St. Helens

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Sefton

  0·2

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  Wirral

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Bolton

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Bury

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Manchester

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Oldham

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Rochdale

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Salford

  0·0

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  Stockport

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Tameside

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Trafford

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Wigan

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Barnsley

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Doncaster

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Rotherham

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Sheffield

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Bradford

  0·5

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  Calderdale

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Kirklees

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·1

  Leeds

  0·4

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Wakefield

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Gateshead

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  0·4

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  North Tyneside

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  South Tyneside

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Sunderland

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  Avon

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Bedfordshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Berkshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Buckinghamshire

  0·4

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  Cambridgeshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  Cheshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Cleveland

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Cornwall and Isles Scilly

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Cumbria

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Derbyshire

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Devon

  0·5

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Dorset

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Durham

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  East Sussex

  0·5

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Essex

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Gloucestershire

  0·2

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  Hampshire

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Hertfordshire

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Humberside

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Isle of Wight

  0·5

  0·3

  0·5

  2·5

  Kent

  0·3

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  Lancashire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Leicestershire

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Lincolnshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Norfolk

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  North Yorkshire

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Northamptonshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Northumberland

  0·0

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  Nottinghamshire

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Oxfordshire

  0·4

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  Shropshire

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Somerset

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Staffordshire

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Suffolk

  0·3

  0·0

  0·2

  0·0

  Surrey

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Warwickshire

  0·1

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  West Sussex

  0·5

  0·0

  0·1

  0·0

  Wiltshire

  0·2

  0·0

  0·0

  0·2

  Special Educational Needs
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring in legislation to give parents of children with special needs the right to state a preference for their child's school from amongst local education authority special or ordinary schools, grant-maintained schools and schools run by a recognised charity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The Education Bill, currently before Parliament, significantly extends the rights of parents of children with special educational needs over the school their child should attend. It enables parents of children with special educational needs to express a preference for the maintained school which should be named in a statement or to make representations in favour of a non-maintained or independent school. In all cases, if the local education authority does not comply with the parents' wishes, parents may appeal to the special educational needs tribunal, whose rulings will be binding.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish for each local education authority the number of appeals made against statements of special educational need; and what is the estimated cost of running the appeals system in each local education authority in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide information on the staffing and other costs which go to making up his estimate of setting up the tribunal system for hearing appeals about statements of special educational needs.

  Mr. Forth
  We shall be consulting on the details of the tribunal's establishment and procedures. Initial estimates are based on the Department's own experience of staffing and administrative costs in handling appeals and reflect consultation with other Departments which sponsor tribunals.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Smoking
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if consideration will be given to reviewing the policy on smoking within the Palace of Westminster, following the recent case involving Stockport council; and if he will make a statement.

  Table A: Parliamentary Constituences

  Constituency

  Column 1: estimated population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent of 16 year olds (as at 30 June 1991)

  Column 2: registered electors (1992–93 Register,qualifying date 15 September 1991)

  Column 2 as a percentage of Column 1

  Belfast East

  54,655

  53,375

  97·7

  Belfast North

  54,931

  55,587

  101·2

  Belfast South

  55,368

  52,556

  94·9

  Belfast West

  54,960

  55,280

  100·6

  East Antrim

  64,621

  63,739

  98·6

  East Londonderry

  78,930

  76,912

  97·4

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  70,489

  71,472

  101·4

  Foyle

  77,264

  75,970

  98·8

  Lagan Valley

  76,053

  73,688

  96·9

  346
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 1 February at column 64.

  Abbreviated Automatic Dialling
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee on what date abbreviated automatic dialling to the European Commission ceased; and when it will be restored.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The only disruption of the abbreviated dialling system for the European Commission occurred recently when its telephone number was changed without notice. The new number was encoded as soon as it was known. Extra numbers have now been added; and a revised list of European institution exchanges accessible by abbreviated dialling will be circulated as soon as possible.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Radiation Emergencies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken in his Department to implement the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1993.

  Mr. Atkins
  None. The enactment cited is not extant in Northern Ireland.

  Population
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the latest estimates by the Registrar General of Populations of those aged 17 years and over, plus 63 per cent. of those aged 16 years, for each district council area and parliamentary constituency, together in each case with the equivalent year's electoral registration figures expressed in numbers and as a percentage of relevant population.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is set out in the tables. It is the same as that which I provided to the hon. Gentleman in my letter of 18 November 1992, a copy of which was placed in the Library. Electoral registration figures for 1993–94 will not be available until the new register is published on 15 February. Mid-year population estimates for 1992 will not be available until the summer.
  347

  Constituency

  Column 1: estimated population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent of 16 year olds (as at 30 June 1991)

  Column 2: registered electors (1992–93 Register, qualifying date 15 September 1991)

  Column 2 as a percentage of Column 1

  Mid Ulster

  71,186

  70,410

  98·9

  Newry and Armagh

  68,837

  68,716

  99·8

  North Antrim

  71,096

  70,217

  98·8

  North Down

  70,201

  69,604

  99·1

  Strangford

  71,468

  69,855

  97·7

  South Antrim

  71,334

  68,292

  95·7

  South Down

  78,592

  77,371

  98·4

  Upper Bann

  68,675

  68,422

  99·6

  Total

  1,158,660

  1,141,466

  98·5

  Table B: District Council Areas

  District Council

  Column 1: estimated population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent of 16 year olds (as at 30 June 1991)

  Column 2: registered electors (1992–93 Register, qualifying date 15 September 1991)

  Column 2 as a percentage of Column 1

  Antrim

  32,678

  30,227

  92·5

  Ards

  49,086

  49,089

  100·0

  Armagh

  37,019

  36,222

  97·8

  Ballymena

  42,671

  42,091

  98·6

  Ballymoney

  17,725

  17,610

  99·4

  Banbridge

  24,704

  24,891

  100·8

  Belfast

  212,332

  209,126

  98·5

  Carrickfergus

  24,683

  24,527

  99·4

  Castlereagh

  48,405

  47,505

  98·1

  Coleraine

  38,000

  37,138

  97·7

  Cookstown

  21,581

  21,637

  100·3

  Craigavon

  54,855

  54,520

  99·4

  Derry

  64,643

  63,309

  97·9

  Down

  41,656

  40,656

  97·6

  Dungannon

  31,854

  32,354

  101·6

  Fermanagh

  38,636

  39,112

  101·2

  Larne

  22,536

  22,318

  99·0

  Limavady

  20,608

  19,282

  93·6

  Lisburn

  72,538

  69,472

  95·8

  Magherafelt

  25,391

  25,611

  100·9

  Moyle

  10,700

  10,509

  98·2

  Newry and Mourne

  57,870

  58,207

  100·6

  Newtownabbey

  56,057

  55,155

  98·4

  North Down

  55,272

  54,464

  98·5

  Omagh

  31,889

  30,973

  97·1

  Strabane

  25,271

  25,319

  100·2

  Total

  1,158,660

  1,141,324

  98·5

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Satellite Television
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints he has received from those members of the public who have paid for de-coders which enable them to receive a satellite programme called "Red Hot Dutch."

  Mr. Jack
  None have so far been addressed to the Home Office.

  Obscene Publications Act
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with groups representing women, parents, children, the police, the legal profession, the churches and the retail trade about reform of the Obscene Publications Act 1959; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  We receive frequent representations both from groups and from individuals on the subject of obscenity and are aware of the concern which is felt in many quarters. The application of the Obscene Publications Act is kept under constant review and we are currently considering, in consultation with the police, the Crown prosecution service and other Government Departments, whether any changes in practice might be made to improve the enforcement of the law.

  Sri Lankan Refugees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of Sri Lankan refugees seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom on 25 January.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  On 31 December 1992, around 4,450 applications by Sri Lankan citizens, excluding dependants, for asylum in the United Kingdom were awaiting a decision. Specific information for 25 January 1993 is not available.

  Police, Greenwich
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis indicating the change in the number of police officers available for service in the London borough of Greenwich in each of the last two years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  On 29 December 1992 the policing strength within the London borough of Greenwich was recorded as 261 and for the same date in 1991 it was 281. Between these dates the method of manpower recording changed. There has, in fact, been no reduction in the number of police officers available for operational duty.

  Customs Barriers
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to ensure that the removal of customs barriers between Great Britain and continental EC countries does not lead to a flood of automatic weapons being brought into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  All European Community states are bound by the EC weapons directive, which came into effect on 1 January 1993. Under the directive the possession of automatic firearms is prohibited throughout the Community.

  Also under the directive, movements of other firearms are subject to a new licensing system. As before, anyone purchasing a firearm in another EC state must have prior permission from the police to bring it into the United Kingdom. But in addition to this, notice of each transfer of a firearm to this country will now be sent to my Department via a new Community-wide information system. The information will be passed to police and customs officers who will investigate any apparent irregularities.

  Mr. Salman Rushdie
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is Her Majesty's Government's current policy on the protection of Mr. Salman Rushdie from terrorism; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It remains the policy that protection should be provided where it appears appropriate in the operational judgment of the chief officer of police. In Mr. Rushdie's case decisions on the level of police protection to be provided are a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Female Prison Officers
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female prison officers are employed in prisons in the United Kingdom; and how they are deployed throughout the service.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At the end of December 1992, there were 1,967 female prison officers employed in prison service establishments in England and Wales—41 principal officers, 126 senior officers and 1,800 officers. A total of 682 were employed in female establishments, 1,124 in male establishments and 161 in dual-sex establishments.

  Beckard Pollitzer Ltd.
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his decision to contract out the warehouse and distribution function of the supply and transport branch of his Department to Beck and Pollitzer Ltd.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend to her question on 4 February.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision has been made for compensation to be payable to Beck and Pollitzer should his Department withdraw from the contracting out of supply and transport functions of the Home Office.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No provision has been made for compensation to be paid to Beck and Pollitzer.

  Prison Service Dog Section
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to market-test the prison service dog section; what consideration he has given to the applicability of the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations 1981; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The prison dog service is one of the candidates in my Department's current market testing programme. Work on this project is due to commence on 8 March. As part of it we will be considering the applicability of the TUPE regulations.

  Mr. Bashir Uddin
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider compensation to Mr. Bashir Uddin following his acquittal of assault at the Inner London Crown court; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  If Mr. Bashir Uddin applies to the Home Office, his application will be carefully considered in accordance with the current relevant arrangements for the payment of ex-gratia compensation which were described by my right hon. Friend, the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) on 29 November 1985 at column 691–92.

  Safer Cities Programme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grant aid budget those safer cities projects due to close in March 1994 have for the financial
  351
  year 1993–94; how much of this each project has already committed; and what money is available within each project for new initiatives.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: Each of the 16 projects due to close in March 1994 has £100,000 available in grant funding in 1993–94 to support local crime prevention schemes. The records of approved schemes held at the Home Office show the following amounts already committed and still available for initiatives. Plans to use uncommitted expenditure may already be at a fairly advanced stage locally.

  Project

  Amount committed (£ thousand)

  Amount available from £ 100,000 (£ thousand)

  Birmingham

  42·1

  57·9

  Bradford

  32·1

  67·9

  Bristol

  0·0

  100·0

  Coventry

  92·9

  7·1

  Hartlepool

  108·6

  0·0

  Hull

  96·9

  3·1

  Islington

  0·0

  100·0

  Lewisham

  54·6

  45·4

  Nottingham

  76·4

  23·6

  Rochdale

  21·4

  78·6

  Salford

  80·7

  19·3

  Sunderland

  12·5

  87·5

  Tower Hamlets

  35·0

  65·0

  Wandsworth

  31·5

  68·5

  Wirral

  56·0

  44·0

  Wolverhampton

  50·3

  49·7

  In addition, each of these projects has access to further funds in 1993–94 from a central pool of £500,000 which has been set aside to assist the development locally of continuing structures for the maintenance of multi-agency crime prevention work.

  Immigration
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of individuals who are given work permits are eventually given leave to remain indefinitely.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 2 February 1993]: In recent years, the number of acceptances for settlement after four years employment with a work permit has represented around 12 to 14 per cent. of the total number of non-trainee work permits (both for long and short-term employment), issued four years previously.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Benefits Agency's decision not to pay income support to the Woolwich constituent national insurance No. PW130335D following the decision by the social security appeal tribunal on 28 October 1992.

  Mr. Burt
  I understand that Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency has already replied directly to the hon. Member, advising that the independent adjudication officer intends to appeal to the commissioner about his constituent's case.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures estimating, on the same basis as estimates made in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", the cost of a split retirement scheme in which the basic pension is payable at age 60 years and SERPS at age 65 years assuming an alignment of contracting-out terms with the new pension ages, giving figures for(a) 2015, (b) 20205, (c) 2035 and (d)

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Cost (£ million)

  2015

  600

  2025

  600

  2035

  400

  Notes:

  1. Figures given at 1990–91 prices.

  2. Information for 2045 not available.

  3. Figures refer to net public sector borrowing requirement cost.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in(a) 1993–94, (b) 2015,
  (c) 2025, (d) 2035 and (e) 2045 of abolishing national insurance contributions for men aged 60 to 65 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The cost in income foregone to the national insurance fund of abolishing the employee national insurance contributions for men aged 60 to 65 would be as follows:

  Year

  Cost £ million

  1993–94

  600

  2015

  800

  2025

  900

  2035

  900

  2045

  800

  Notes:

  1. Figures given in 1993–94 prices.

  2. 1.5 per cent real earnings growth assumed.

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide details of the training provided to(a) benefits inquiry line staff and (b) adjudication officers working on disability living allowances and attendance allowance, including the dates and duration of training courses provided on these benefits; what percentage of the annual training budget for these benefits has already been spent; and what plans he has to increae this budget in real terms in the financial year 1993–94 and in subsequent years.

  Mr. Scott
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 January, col. 218–19]: The chief executive has written further to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 4 February 1993.
  I wrote to you on 18 January in reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social

  353
  Security concerning the training provided to Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) staff and adjudication officers working on Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. In that letter I said that I would write to you again with details of the dates of the training for BEL staff.
  Training courses for the BEL operators were held for the whole of April 1991 to June 1991, when BEL was initially set up. Courses were subsequently held on the following dates:

  1 October 1991 to 31 October 1991 (condensed course)

  11 November 1991 to 31 December 1991

  1 July 1992 to 31 July 1992 (condensed course)

  10 August 1992 to 18 September 1992

  12 October 1992 to 20 November 1992

  7 December 1992 to 8 January 1993 (condensed course)

  Courses will continue to be held as new operators are taken on.
  I hope you will find this reply helpful. A copy of this will appear in the Official Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.

  Successful prosecution action taken by HSE Inspectorates in the Crown Court, 1 January 1992 to 31 March 1992

  Company

  Crown Court

  Date of hearing

  Sentence £

  Ashby Demolition

  Knightsbridge

  2 January 1992

  7,500

  Sansoms (Newport) Ltd.

  Newport

  6 February 1992

  2,500

  Caird Environmental Ltd.

  Birmingham

  23 March 1992

  50,000

  Fletchers Bakeries Ltd.

  Sheffield

  25 March 1992

  10,000

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her estimate of the costs of redundancy payments to those who are likely to lose their jobs in related industries as a result of the intended pit closures announced on 13 October 1992.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It has not yet been determined which pits are to close, and it is therefore quite impossible to attribute consequential job losses to particular closures. It cannot be estimated what redundancy entitlements, if any, affected employees might have.

  Overseas Qualifications
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will publish the conclusions of her Department's investigation into the recognition of overseas qualifications held by adults; when the conclusion will be implemented; and how they will be funded.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The first diploma directive, 89/48/EEC, was implemented in the United Kingdom in April 1991, covers degree qualifications and is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. The second diploma directive, 92/51/EEC will cover those qualifications awarded on completion of higher education courses of up to three years duration and equivalents including national and Scottish vocational qualifications. Both directives will allow individuals to have their qualifications recognised when seeking employment in another member state, in an occupation regulated according to the directives.

  The Employment Department has responsibility for the second diploma directive and represented the United Kingdom interest in negotiations towards its adoption by the European Council in June 1992. The directive is due to be implemented in member states' law by June 1994.

EMPLOYMENT

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the successful prosecutions undertaken at the Crown court for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 during 1992 and in 1993 to the most recent practicable date together with the sentences imposed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is presently only available for the period 1 January 1992 to 31 March 1992 and this is given in the following table. I will arrange for the information covering the period 1 April 1992 to 31 January 1993 to be made available once it has been checked for accuracy.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will list for the last five years the number of applications for work permits that are(a) categorised as tier 1 applications and (b) categorised as tier 2 applications;

  (2) if she will list for the last five years (a) the number of tier 1 applicants for work permits and (b) the number of tier 2 applicants for work permits and the outcomes of these applications;

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 2 February 1993]:The information is not available in the form requested. The two-tier procedure for making work permit applications was introduced in October 1991, together with changes in the way applications are recorded. The following table shows for the last five years the number of applications received for categories of permit now dealt with under the two-tier procedure.

  Number

  1988

  28,295

  1989

  34,784

  1990

  40,065

  19911

  37,086

  1992

  32,789

  1 Changes made to the arrangements for recording applications.

  Note: Over this period on-average approximately 50 per cent. of these applications were approved.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Right to Silence
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received about the law on the right to silence and the implications in child cruelty cases; and if he will make a statement.
  355
  The Attorney-General
  I have received three letters from Members of Parliament and one from a member of the public regarding the right to silence and its implications in child cruelty cases.

  As regards my views on the general issue, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 18 January 1993, Official Report, column 4. I do not advocate creating special arrangements for specific categories of offences.

  R. v. Uddin
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will set up a full inquiry into the accuracy of information that the Crown prosecution service gave to defence lawyers in the recent case of R.v. Uddin in the Inner London crown court.

  The Solicitor-General
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on the 27 January 1993 at column 708. A full explanation has been provided by the branch Crown prosecutor in a letter to solicitors acting on behalf of Mr. Uddin and I do not consider that any further inquiry is necessary. As I stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Leyton, a copy of the letter containing this explanation has been placed in the Library.

WALES

  Education
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he or his departmental officials had recently with representatives of county councils in Wales to discuss the current and projected levels of educational provision managed by councils in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance (WCCLGF) and its settlement working group (SWG) are the appropriate fora for discussions with local authorities on local government finance issues. I chaired meetings of WCCLGF on 26 November and 12 January. My officials met officers from local authorities at a meeting of SWG on 21 December.

  Disability (Schools)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of schools in each area in Wales have been adapted for the use of disabled pupils and teachers.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not held centrally. Local education authorities are responsible for providing facilities for disabled pupils and teachers at their schools.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the number of people made homeless in Wales in each of 1990, 1991 and 1992; and what estimate has been made of the percentage in each case made homeless as a result of mortgage repossessions.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is available for those persons accepted as homeless by local authorities and is provided in the following table:
  356

  Persons accepted as homeless

  Total

  From action by mortgagee Per cent.

  1990

  19,675

  16

  1991

  24,025

  23

  11992

  18,021

  17

  1 January to September only

  Source: Welsh Office local authority returns

  Education Funding
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received from and what meetings he has held with the parent-teacher associations of Wales about the levels of financial provision for education in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received one representation from a parent-teacher association about levels of financial provision for education in Wales. I have received no request for meetings.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish further planning guidelines to authorities on the subject of wind farms in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Following public consultation, the Welsh Office and the Department of the Environment issued a planning policy guidance note on renewable energy on 3 February 1993.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received on the level of the hill livestock compensatory allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received representations from Welsh Members of Parliament, the Welsh farming organisations and individual farmers in respect of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments in Wales. I have also recently met representatives from the Welsh farming unions to discuss the matter.

  Housing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of Tai Cymru regarding its decision on the designation of development status housing associations operating in(a) neighbourhood renewal areas and (b) the west of Cardiff;

  (2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of Tai Cymru regarding guidelines for the minimum size and number of housing associations with a development role operating in inner city neighbourhood renewal areas.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  These are matters for the board of Housing for Wales.

  Dolgellau to Bala Road
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the improvements to the Drws-y-Nant section of the Dolgellau to Bala road are to be commenced; and if he will make a statement.
  357
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Design work on this scheme is progressing with the intention of commencing the work in 1994 subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and the availability of finance.

  Radiation Emergencies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made in his Department to implement the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Within Wales, these regulations apply to the small number of employers whose business undertakings might conceivably come within their scope, and to the county councils as part of their emergency planning responsibilities. The Welsh Office has no direct responsibility for their implementation but the Department will be one of the organisations consulted by the county councils under section 4(3) of the regulations.

  (a) Full time1

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Colleges of further education2

  Aberdare college

  312

  302

  487

  Afan college

  627

  719

  814

  Barry college of further education

  712

  850

  1,130

  Bridgend college

  807

  814

  1,120

  Carmarthen college of technology

  1,515

  1,510

  1,682

  Ceredigion college of further education

  508

  483

  576

  Coleg Glan Hafren

  1,138

  1,443

  1,790

  Coleg Glynllifon

  38

  48

  52

  Coleg Meirionnydd

  303

  326

  355

  Coleg Pencraig

  289

  384

  369

  Coleg Powys

  812

  897

  1,033

  Crosskeys college

  1,550

  1,712

  2,046

  Ebbw Vale college of further education

  304

  273

  307

  Gorseinon college

  885

  1,010

  1,169

  Gwynedd technical college

  1,016

  1,102

  1,199

  Llandrillo technical college

  1,487

  1,532

  1,783

  Llysfasi college of agriculture

  29

  88

  226

  Merthyr Tydfil college

  395

  370

  437

  Neath college

  1,323

  1,337

  1,451

  Newport college of further education

  827

  786

  1,098

  Pembrokeshire college of further education

  655

  942

  1,105

  Pencoed college

  31

  52

  129

  Pontypool college

  1,072

  1,130

  1,515

  Usk agricultural college3

  67

  52

  Pontypridd college

  907

  1,027

  1,301

  Rhondda college

  213

  216

  339

  Swansea college

  1,486

  1,892

  2,056

  Welsh college of horticulture

  175

  154

  189

  Ystrad Mynach college

  754

  742

  880

  Colleges of higher education4

  Cardiff institute of higher education

  3,246

  3,415

  3,887

  Gwent college of higher education

  1,601

  1,636

  1,925

  Normal college Bangor of higher education

  528

  628

  760

  North East Wales institute

  3,217

  3,580

  4,159

  Swansea institute of higher education

  1,879

  2,031

  2,428

  Trinity college

  691

  849

  1,071

  University of Glamorgan

  4,774

  5,031

  5,948

  University of Wales

  Aberystwyth

  3,617

  3,712

  4,171

  Bangor

  3,328

  3,523

  4,002

  Cardiff

  8,279

  8,866

  9,887

  St. David's Lampeter

  854

  961

  1,057

  Swansea

  5,272

  5,639

  6,556

  College of medicine

  950

  1,001

  1,137

  Welsh agriculture college

  173

  207

  323

  Welsh college of music and drama

  293

  312

  369

  Goosanders and Cormorants
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy not to issue any licences for the culling of goosanders and cormorants in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 licences may be granted by the Department to kill these birds in order to prevent serious damage to fisheries.

  Further Education
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the colleges of further and higher education in Wales indicating the capacity limit figures for each college and actual numbers of(a) full-time and (b) part-time students during each of the last three academic years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information is not held centrally on the student capacity of colleges. The number of students at colleges of further and higher education is shown in the table.
  359
  1 Includes sandwich students.

  2 Includes students following courses of higher education at colleges of further education.

  3 Usk agricultural college merged with Pontypool college in 1991–92.

  4 Includes students following courses of further education at colleges of higher education.

  (b) Part time1

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Colleges of further education2

  Aberdare college

  1,209

  1,130

  1,098

  Afan college

  1,317

  1,402

  1,385

  Barry college of further education

  2,251

  2,016

  2,136

  Bridgend college

  3,383

  3,299

  3,148

  Carmarthen college of technology

  2,540

  2,509

  3,368

  Ceredigion college of further education

  1,204

  1,265

  1,268

  Coleg Glan Hafren

  3,470

  3,345

  3,270

  Coleg Glynllifon

  75

  61

  43

  Coleg Meirionnydd

  520

  719

  761

  Coleg Pencraig

  759

  654

  582

  Coleg Powys

  4,096

  3,313

  3,229

  Crosskeys college

  1,791

  2,052

  1,745

  Ebbw Vale college of further education

  2,172

  1,516

  1,589

  Gorseinon college

  1,047

  1,233

  1,097

  Gwynedd technical college

  2,378

  2,141

  1,963

  Llandrillo technical college

  3,927

  3,858

  4,033

  Llysfasi college of agriculture

  434

  340

  319

  Merthyr Tydfil college

  1,643

  1,845

  2,060

  Neath college

  2,839

  2,816

  3,104

  Newport college of further education

  3,812

  3,820

  4,383

  Pembrokeshire college of further education

  1,386

  1,492

  1,253

  Pencoed college

  569

  574

  523

  Pontypool college

  2,069

  2,071

  1,920

  Usk agricultural college3

  394

  345

  Pontypridd college

  2,880

  2,925

  2,721

  Rhondda college

  1,337

  1,425

  1,317

  Swansea college

  4,004

  3,926

  3,841

  Welsh college of horticulture

  153

  134

  150

  Ystrad Mynach college

  1,444

  1,718

  1,809

  Colleges of higher education4

  Cardiff institute of higher education

  2,877

  2,523

  2,391

  Gwent college of higher education

  2,788

  2,664

  2,834

  Normal college Bangor of higher education

  115

  99

  73

  North East Wales institute

  5,839

  5,362

  5,113

  Swansea institute of higher education

  2,060

  1,830

  1,736

  Trinity college

  —

  —

  —

  University of Glamorgan

  1,485

  1,760

  2,150

  University of Wales

  Aberystwyth

  312

  301

  331

  Bangor

  278

  296

  289

  Cardiff

  1,021

  1,203

  1,178

  St. David's Lampeter

  43

  51

  93

  Swansea

  453

  417

  568

  College of medicine

  170

  200

  218

  Welsh agriculture college

  22

  —

  —

  Welsh college of music and drama

  213

  218

  242

  1 Includes evening only, open/distance learning and linked students at colleges of further and higher education but excludes students on continuing education courses at the University of Wales.

  2 Includes students following courses of higher education at colleges of further education.

  3 Usk agricultural college merged with Pontypool college in 1991–92.

  4 Includes students following courses of further education at colleges of higher education.

  Milk (Sulphur-35)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how often his Department conducts sampling of the sulphur-35 radioactive content of bulk milk samples near the Trawsfynydd and Wylfa nuclear plants.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The food science division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food co-ordinates the monitoring for sulphur-35 activity in milk samples from around Trawsfynydd and Wylfa nuclear power 360
  stations on behalf of my Department. Milk samples are collected weekly from certain local farms and are bulk tested every quarter.

  Monitoring results show that levels found as a result of discharges from Trawsfynydd and Wylfa nuclear power stations are well within international and national guidelines.

  This particular monitoring forms part of a comprehensive programme for monitoring radioactivity levels in food and agricultural products in England and Wales. The results are published annually in the "Terrestrial Radioactivity Monitoring Programme" (TRAMP) reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  One-stop Shops
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, c.99, if he will give the names of the members of the enterprise and business support working group; when they started work; and when he estimates they will produce an interim report on one-stop shops for business and technology information.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The names of the members are:

  Mr. B. Adcock, Council of Welsh Districts

  Mr. J. Driscoll, Coopers, Lybrand Deloitte

  Mr. P. Fortune, Wales Enterprise

  Mr. A. Fretter, Assembly of Welsh Counties

  Mr. R. Geldard, Federation of Welsh Chambers of Commerce

  Mr. G. Jackson, Development Board for Rural Wales

  Ms. B. Pold, Computer Advisory Services

  Mr. E. Roberts, Assembly of Welsh Counties

  Mr. M. Robinson, National Westminster Bank Plc

  Mr. P. Sheldon, South Glamorgan TEC

  Mr. M. Thomas, Welsh Development Agency

  Mr. J. Troth, North East Wales TEC

  Mr. A. Williams, Mid Glamorgan TEC

  Mr. T. Withnall, Dependable Packs Ltd.

  The Group is chaired by Mr. J. F. Craig, a deputy secretary at the Welsh Office. In addition the following officials of my Department attended the meetings: Mr. C. L. Jones, Mr. M. J. Clancy, Mr. D. T. Richards, Dr. R. J. Loveland.

  The group has been asked to produce its report by May 1993.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report,
  c. 99, when the Welsh Office received the request for financial assistance from the Welsh Economic Research Unit.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A request from the South East Wales Economic Forum was first received on 15 May 1992.

  Business and Technology Information
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report,
  c. 99, on business and technology information, if he will specify which are the five colleges for which technology audits are being carried out, and which are the three colleges being assisted via the EC STRIDE programme.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Technology audits are being carried out in the University of Wales colleges of Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Swansea and North Wales, and also in the University of Glamorgan.

  The Carmarthenshire college of technology and art; the North East Wales institute of higher education; and the University of Glamorgan have been offered assistance via the EC STRIDE programme.

  Health Line Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 2 February how many calls there have been since 30 November 1992 on Health Line Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Between 30 November 1992 and 29 January 1993 a total of 211 telephone calls were received by Health Line Wales.

  Wilprint Group
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of his departmental printing budget was awarded to the Wilprint Group in the years 1990 to 1992.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The proportion of the departmental printing budget awarded to the Wilprint Group was:

  1. Central Printing Budget:

  1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991: All work placed via HMSO

  1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992: 1.2 per cent. of work placed with Wilprint

  2. Publicity Budgets (including design and delivery)

  1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991: 10.8 per cent. of work placed with Wilprint

  1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992: 2.3 per cent. of work placed with Wilprint

  3. Programme Budgets
  The information requested could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to issue departmental press releases by electronic mail.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None, but the matter is kept under review.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each local education authority for each of the last three years the number of appeals made against statements of special educational needs; and what is the estimated cost of running the system in each local education authority.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information is not held centrally on the number of appeals against the provision in a statement of special educational needs which went before a local appeals committee nor of the costs of running the system in each local education authority. However, the number of appeals against statements to my right hon. Friend are shown as follows:

  LEA

  Appeals made

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Gwynedd

  12

  1

  —

  —

  Clwyd

  1

  —

  2

  —

  South Glamorgan

  24

  —

  —

  —

  Powys

  11

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  —

  1

  —

  West Glamorgan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 One withdrawn.

  2 Three withdrawn.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Armenia
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the recent appeal by the President of Armenia for international emergency aid.
  363
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Kingdom gave £450,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at the end of 1992 for their emergency relief work in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. We also contribute through the European Community; Armenia's 38 mecu (£26.4 million) share of the EC's 1.25 becu loan to the FSU for humanitarian needs is currently being drawn down.

  The major problem at the moment is getting supplies into Armenia, and we have been working with our partners to overcome these difficulties. Following the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 February, an urgent assessment is being undertaken and we have expressed the view that it should concentrate particularly on the political and logistical problems of delivering supplies. The Commission also confirmed its readiness to use part of its emergency humanitarian aid reserve (circa 10 mecu (£7 million) in 1993) for Armenia if needed. Officials of the EC's technical assistance programme, who are in Armenia, are assessing food needs.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the supply of food and medical aid from the European Community to Armenia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: Last winter Armenia received a share of the Community's 250 mecu (£175 million) humanitarian aid grant for the whole of the former Soviet Union. Additionally, an EC loan facility to the value of 38 mecu (£26.4 million) is available to Armenia as a whole, of which the Armenian Government have allocated 36 mecu (£25 million) for food

  Project aid

  £ thousand

  Financial aid (excluding ATP)

  Technical co-operation (excluding ATP)

  Aid and trade provision

  Programme aid

  Other technical co-operation

  Debt relief

  Humanitarian assistance

  Total

  1987–88

  2,181

  6,139

  5,496

  —

  137

  —

  63

  14,017

  1988–89

  4,848

  7,599

  7,230

  —

  42

  —

  —

  19,719

  1989–90

  5,289

  6,968

  1,248

  —

  48

  —

  78

  13,631

  1990–91

  1,654

  9,681

  2,845

  —

  34

  —

  194

  14,409

  1991–92

  1,658

  7,179

  591

  —

  30

  —

  70

  9,528

  Source: British Aid Statistics.

  Project

  Location

  Agriculture and livestock

  Agricultural research scholarship scheme

  Country-wide application

  Cambridge/Peradeniya veterinary link

  Kandy

  Audio visual centre, Peradeniya

  Kandy

  Reading—Ruhuna link

  Ruhuna

  Peradeniya collaboration project

  Kandy

  Coconut processing

  Country-wide

  Grain storage

  Country-wide

  Draught animal research

  Country-wide

  Forestry

  Victoria land use mapping project

  Central uplands of Sri Lanka

  Forestry and land use mapping; management and plantation; forestry research and information

  Emphasis on forest conservation and planting in the uplands; some aspects of wider application

  Sri Jayawardenepura university

  Colombo

  Oxford Forestry Institute/Peradeniya

  Kandy

  Fishing

  Sandskipper

  South East coastal zone

  364
  stuffs and 2 mecu (£1.4 million) for medical supplies. The bulk of the supplies have not yet arrived owing to the problems of transportation through neighbouring states.

  We have been working with our partners to try to overcome these problems. Following the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 February, an urgent assessment is being carried out and we have expressed the view that it should concentrate particularly on the political and logistical problems of delivering supplies. The Commission also confirmed its readiness to use part of its emergency humanitarian aid reserve (circa 10 mecu (£7 million) in 1993) for Armenia if necessary.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the European Community is providing to the care and treatment of Armenian and Azeri refugees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: Last year the Community gave 2 mecu (£1.4 million) of emergency humanitarian aid specifically to refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. The EC has also made available a 38 mecu (£26.4 million) loan facility for humanitarian purposes to Armenia as a whole.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the amount of financial aid given to Sri Lanka in each of the last five years; what specific projects this aid was given for; and where in Sri Lanka these projects were to be developed.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The amount of aid given to Sri Lanka in each of the last five years is as follows:

  This aid was provided for a wide range of projects including:
  365

  Project

  Location

  Ruhuna—Stirling link

  Ruhuna

  Mahaweli hatchery

  Central uplands

  Bay of Bengal project

  Coastal Sri Lanka

  Land development and irrigation

  BGS radial wells project

  Country-wide

  Energy

  Wood burning stoves

  Country-wide

  Samanalawewa hydro project

  Samanalawewa

  Power IX

  Colombo

  Samanalawewa archaeological project

  Samanalawewa

  Construction

  Victoria dam

  Upper Mahaweli

  Roads

  Colombo roads

  Colombo

  Monaragala roads feasibility study

  Monaragala

  Roads development authority

  Colombo

  Air Transport

  Colombo airport security

  Colombo

  Transport

  Tractor rehabilitation

  Country-wide/Colombo

  Buses

  Country-wide/Colombo

  Assistance to state transport board

  Country-wide

  Public administration

  Sri Lanka institute for development administration

  Colombo

  Bradford project planning

  Colombo

  Water and sanitation

  Loughborough WEDC

  Country-wide

  Hill country water supply

  Central uplands

  Housing

  Galle housing project

  Galle

  Education

  Colombo

  English teacher training college

  Regional English support centres

  Country-wide

  Department of English education

  Colombo

  Staff college for education and rehabilitation

  Country-wide

  Leeds—Moratuwa textile link

  Moratuwa

  DPU workshop

  Country-wide

  Loughborough—Moratuwa construction

  Moratuwa

  Technical education project

  Colombo

  Batticaloa Sussex link

  Batticaloa

  Jaffna university equipment

  Jaffna

  Cultural triangle project

  North-central Sri Lanka

  Testing and evaluation project

  Colombo

  Health and welfare

  Anti-malaria campaign

  Country-wide/Colombo

  Cleft lip palate/project

  Country-wide

  Matara health education

  Matara

  Jaffna hospital equipment

  Jaffna

  Primary health care

  Country-wide

  Institutional and other

  Sarvodaya

  Country-wide except north and east

  Save the Children Fund (reconstruction and rehabilitation)

  North and east

  Oxfam (reconstruction and rehabilitation)

  North and east

  Makandura village project

  Makandura

  Colombo municipal council workshops

  Colombo

  Colombo municipal council technical training

  Colombo

  Colombo municipal institutional development

  Colombo

  Note:The designation "country-wide" in the list above means that the project was with a national institution and not location-specific in character.

  Third World (Financial Reforms)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the International Monetary Fund and World bank to ensure that the poorest people in third world debtor countries are protected when internationally required financial reforms are implemented.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have supported the efforts the International Monetary Fund and the World bank are making to help their member Governments ensure that economic adjustment programmes take account of the needs of the poorest members of society, both through the overall pattern of public expenditure and through specific projects and programmes.

  Third World (Military Expenditure)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to urge the multilateral, financial and aid institutions to require the reduction of military expenditure as a condition of third world countries receiving loans; and to what extent this is a criterion when deciding on allocations of United Kingdom overseas aid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is for each country to assess and provide for its own legitimate defence needs. However, the United Kingdom actively supports the increased emphasis placed by the International Monetary Fund and the World bank in recent years on the implications for economic and social development of the composition of public expenditure. In the recently completed negotiations on the 10th replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA), donors urged that in reviews of public expenditure, IDA management should address the question of whether adequate levels of development expenditures in the budgets of recipient countries are being crowded-out by the weight of large or rising non-development expenditures, including military expenditure, and to take up this question with the Government concerned wherever appropriate.

  We have made it clear that we consider the setting of an appropriate level of military expenditure to be an important part of good government. It is therefore one of the factors we take into account when deciding our allocations of bilateral aid.

  United Nations (Disaster Assistance)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking to encourage the United Nations to co-ordinate international assistance to areas affected by famine and natural disasters more effectively.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We encourage greater co-ordination of international humanitarian assistance in all fora of the United Nations, including the governing bodies of the various agencies concerned. Specifically we initiated the proposal which led to General Assembly resolution 46/182 and the formation of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in April 1992. We will continue to support the efforts of that Department to ensure good co-ordination, more effective responses to the victims' needs and better value for money.

PRIME MINISTER

  Appointments
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Prime Minister what public appointments he has made since 1 November 1992; and what information he has on the political affiliations of those appointed.

  The Prime Minister
  Appointments (including reappointments) made by me between 1 November 1992 and 31 January 1993 have been as follows:

  Number

  Trustees of museums and galleries

  10

  Civil service appointments

  2

  Members of pay review bodies

  2

  Other appointments

  6

  Any political affiliations those appointed may have are not relevant to their appointments.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a table indicating the rate in pounds sterling of the uniform business rate in(a) Wales and (b) England in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The uniform rate was not in operation before 1 April 1990. The information for the last three years is given in the folowing table.

  Year

  Wales

  England

  1990–91

  0·368

  0·348

  1991–92

  0·408

  0·386

  1992–93

  0·425

  0·402

  The poundage for Wales and England were set in 1990 at a level which ensured that the overall yield from ratepayers remained at the 1989–90 level in real terms. Since 1990 poundages have been uprated in line with the annual increase in the retail prices index as at September in the preceding year.

  Honours System
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to make an announcement on his review of the honours system.

  The Prime Minister
  An announcement will be made shortly.

  Crown Immunity
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions Her Majesty's Government have used Crown privilege in criminal cases in the last three years.

  The Prime Minister
  Crown privilege is now described by the courts as public interest immunity. No central records of such claims are maintained. On 1 February 1993 at column 18 my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General provided particulars of cases conducted by the prosecuting authorities superintended by him, in which claims had been supported by ministerial certificates.

  Southwark (Visits)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister how many official visits he has made to Southwark since he became Prime Minister; and if he will give details of the date and purpose of each visit.

  The Prime Minister
  I visited Guy's hospital on 24 July 1991.

DEFENCE

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the role and function of building A1.1 at the atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the role and function of building A41 at the atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston.

  Mr. Aitken
  Although we have provided information on the new A90 complex it is not our general policy to disclose the role and function of individual buildings at atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about the death of Walter Mallin from injuries received at Aldermaston; what operations were being carried out at the time of the accident; in what part of the site the accident took place; and how many other persons were injured in this accident;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the death of Terence Bishop from injuries received at Aldermaston; what operations were being carried out at the time of the accident; in what part of the site the accident took place; and how many other persons were injured in this accident;

  (3) if he will make a statement about the death of Norman Adams from injuries received at Aldermaston; what operations were being carried out at the time of the accident; in what part of the site the accident took place; and how many other persons were injured in this accident;

  (4) if he will make a statement about the death of Douglas Whittaker from injuries received at Aldermaston; what operations were being carried out at the time of the accident; in what part of the site the accident took place; and how many other persons were injured in this accident;

  (5) if he will make a statement about the death of Peter Allen from injuries received at Aldermaston; what operations were being carried out at the time of the accident; in what part of the site the accident took place; and how many other persons were injured in this accident;

  (6) how many workers have died from injuries sustained in accidents at Aldermaston, listing for each worker his or her name and the date of the accident.

  Mr. Aitken
  AWE records show that a total of seven fatalities among the AWE work force or contractors employed by AWE have occurred as a result of incidents on the Aldermaston site. The dates of each incident and the names of those who died are listed:11 December 1957; Mr. D. Whittaker died as a result of injuries received when he was sprayed with molten metal which was accidentally released from the equipment on which he was working in a research area of AWE. Five other workers were injured.
  26 February 1959; Mr. T. Bishop and Mr. J. W. Malin sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accidental
  370
  detonation of a conventional high explosive which they were transporting on an electric vehicle in an explosives area. One other worker was injured.
  13 May 1959; Mr. N. Adams, an employee of a firm contracted to do work associated with the construction of pressure vessels, died as a result of being struck by a metal plate which blew out from the high pressure line on which he was working. The accident occurred in a nuclear reactor building prior to commissioning. There were no others injured.
  14 September 1973; Mr. T. Hughes, a contractor's employee, died as a result of a fall from a boilerhouse chimney stack which he was inspecting. There were no others injured.
  23 July 1979; Mr. P. Allen died as a result of an explosive charge detonating close to or on his left temple. The incident occurred within the explosives area, but in a room which was not authorised for explosives detonation. The inquest recorded an open verdict. There were no others injured.
  25 November 1986; Mr. R. Preston, a contractor employed as a night watchman, died as a result of injuries received in a road accident on the Aldermaston site. There were no others injured.

  In addition, a contractor was killed on 2 November 1985 as a result of falling from scaffolding whilst carrying out construction work on a new boilerhouse at Aldermaston. The boilerhouse was not, however, under AWE management control at the time and therefore the incident is not a matter for detailed AWE recording.

  The hon. Member will be aware that my Department did not assume responsibility for AWE, Aldermaston until 1973 and that the earlier accidents occurred when it was within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. We sympathise with all of the bereaved families who have had to live through these sad experiences, and I am sure that no useful purpose would be served by making further statements on individual cases.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the date of the start of construction of building A1.1 at AWE Aldermaston; on what date construction was completed; on what date the building was declared operational; and how long he expects the building to remain operational.

  Mr. Aitken
  Construction of building A1.1 began in the second half of 1950 and was completed in 1951. It became operational in 1952, and is expected to remain operational for some years.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which buildings at AWE Aldermaston will be removed from operational service once(a) the A90 complex and
  (b) the A91 complex are declared operational.

  Mr. Aitken
  A90 and A91 are planned to replace current facilities which will then be taken out of use and decommissioned.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost, so far, in constructon and commissioning of(a) the A90 complex and (b) the A91 complex at AWE Aldermaston; and what is the estimated expenditure required for completion.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our practice to disclose cost details of individual buildings at Aldermaston.

  Arms Transfers
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) of 22 January,
  371
  Official Report, column 464, when he intends to place in the Library the British contribution to the United Nations register of conventional arms transfers.

  Mr. Aitken
  The British contribution to the United Nations register of conventional arms transfers will be placed in the Library as soon after its compilation as possible. It is due to be forwarded to the United Nations by 30 April 1993.

  Amphibious Helicopter Carrier
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in making a decision on orders for the proposed amphibious helicopter carrier.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 January to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) at col.840.

  Portland Naval Base
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisations and individuals responded to his consultation on the future of Portland naval base; what was the consensus of the responses to the consultation; when he expects to make a final decision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Responses have been received from the Ministry of Defence industrial and non-industrial trade unions, the Portland Joint Trade Union Action Committee, Dorset county council, Weymouth and Portland borough council and Plymouth city council. My hon. Friends the Members for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce) and for Dorset, West (Sir J. Spicer) have made valuable contributions to the consultation process. In addition there have been a number of letters from members of the public. These responses are currently being considered and I expect to make a decision shortly.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate for the number of service redundancies that have, and are likely to arise, as a result of the implementation of the "Options for Change" cuts and of the overall cost of redundancy payments involved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  To date, 5,969 service personnel have been selected for redundancy as a result of the restructuring of our armed forces. In addition, approximately 6,400 army personnel are due to be notified later this month of their selection for redundancy. For these 12,369 personnel, the estimated cost of redundancy payments—special capital payments—is £363 million All three services are considering carefully what further redunancies will be necessary.

  Drugs Offences
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been discharged from the services as a result of drugs-related offences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of personnel dismissed from the services following court martial or 372
  summary proceedings for offences of importing, supplying or possessing drugs since 1986, the earliest date for which the information is available, is:

  Number

  1986

  58

  1987

  55

  1988

  59

  1989

  68

  1990

  116

  1991

  160

  1992

  —1

  1 Not yet available.

  In addition, the numbers of Army and Royal Air Force personnel administratively discharged for drug offences, since 1982, are as follows:

  Number

  1982–83

  36

  1983–84

  31

  1984–85

  57

  1985–86

  49

  1986–87

  13

  1987–88

  24

  1988–89

  9

  1989–90

  31

  1990–91

  38

  1991–92

  82

  1992–93

  1287

  1 to 4 February

  The Royal Navy record administrative discharges as dismissed only and do not refer to the specific offence.

  The armed forces have a comprehensive drug abuse prevention programme and the measures taken to combat drug abuse are regularly reviewed.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those nuclear submarines that have been removed from service and are awaiting disposal, indicating the location of each submarine, and stating whether(a) the reactor fuel and (b) the reactor core of each submarine has been removed.

  Mr. Aitken
  The reactor core and the fuel are one and the same thing. The information requested is as follows:

  HM Submarines

  Location

  Reactor core status

  Dreadnought

  Rosyth Naval Base

  Removed

  Warspite

  Devonport Naval Base

  Removed

  Churchill

  Rosyth Naval Base

  Removed

  Conqueror

  Devonport Naval Base

  Removed

  Courageous

  Devonport Dockyard

  Undergoing removal

  Swiftsure

  Rosyth Naval Base

  Removed

  Revenge

  Rosyth Dockyard

  On board awaiting removal

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  EC Butter and Meat
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those categories of people eligible to qualify for EC butter and EC meat.
  373
  Mr. Curry
  People in receipt of income support, family credit, disability working allowance, the homeless and destitute and those living in welfare hostels are eligible to receive food under the arrangements for implementing the EC surplus food scheme in the United Kingdom.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet a delegation of pensioners from Stoke on Trent, North to discuss eligibility for EC butter and meat.

  Mr. Curry
  I have no plans to do so. I am aware of the views expressed by pensioners. To extend the scheme to all pensioners would spread the available food so thinly that it would be of little benefit to anyone.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the amount of(a) butter and (b) meat which will be destroyed because of non-take up by those deemed eligible.

  Mr. Curry
  None. The Intervention Board Executive Agency arranges reallocation among other designated organisations for distribution to eligible categories of people.

  Agricultural Land (Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area of agricultural land in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Pendle is currently subject to set-aside under the CAP; and what is the annual cost.

  Mr. Curry
  The latest available figures show that 243 hectares of agricultural land are currently set aside under the five-year scheme in Lancashire. Payments to farmers, in respect of this land are estimated at £50,000 this financial year. Similar information for Pendle is not readily available. Information on land set aside under the new arable area payments scheme will not be available until growers have to declare the area later this year.

  Regulations
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a list of all the regulations for which his Department is currently responsible with a descriptive title for each individual regulation.

  Mr. Curry
  A provisional list of regulations which impact on business has recently been put together. Consideration will be given to placing the list in the Library once it has been fully checked for accuracy and consistency of definition.

  Hill Sheep Farmers
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the number of hill sheep farmers in Cumbria who will suffer a reduction in income due to the change in hill livestock compensatory allowances; and what plans he has to compensate such farmers;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the impact of the reduction of hill livestock compensatory allowances on hill sheep farmers in Cumbria.

  Mr. Curry
  About 2,300 farmers in Cumbria will be affected by the reduction in sheep headage payment rates 374
  under the 1993 hill livestock compensatory allowances scheme. The resultant loss of income by the hill sheep sector in Cumbria will be more than offset by significant increases in the 1992 ewe premium, the final instalment of which will be paid in the spring.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average level of income for hill sheep farmers in Cumbria for each year since 1978–79; and what was the percentage change each year.

  Mr. Curry
  This information is not available.

HEALTH

  Contraceptives
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names of contraceptive pills, coils, diaphragms and spermicides available free on prescription and the number of prescriptions for each named item given by general practitioners in the last year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  To release data on the number of prescriptions issued by general practitioners for each named drug would indicate the trading position, and could affect the business, of the manufacturers concerned. It is therefore treated as commercial in confidence. However, the numbers of prescriptions issued in England in 1991 for contraceptives as indicated in the "British National Formulary" chapter 7.3 was 7.7 million. The figures for 1992 are not yet available. The remaining information requested is in the table.

  Contraceptives prescribed in England 1991

  BNF Drug Name

  Binovum Contracep Tab

  Brevinor Contracep Tab

  C-Film Contracep

  Cilest Contracep Tab

  Conova 30 Contracep Tab

  Delfen CRN Pack B

  Delfen Foam B Aero 20G

  Delfen Foam Pack A

  12.5 per cent. plus

  Applic 20G

  Double check spermicide VAG inserts

  Duracreme CRM 2 per cent.

  Duragel Jelly 2 per cent.

  Emko VAG Foam kit 40G

  Emko VAG Foam refill

  Eugynon 30 Contracep Tab

  Eugynon 50 Contracep Tab

  Femodene-Ed Contracep Tab

  Femodene Contracep Tab

  Femulen Contracep Tab

  Gynol 11 Contracep Jelly

  Gynovlar 21 Contracep Tab

  Loestrin 20 Contracep Tab

  Loestrin 30 Contracep Tab

  Logynon-Ed Contracep Tab

  Logynon Contracep Tab

  Marvelon Contracep Tab

  Mercilon Contracep Tab

  Microgynon 30 Contracep Tab

  Micronor Contracep Tab

  Microval Contracep Tab (30MCG)

  Minilyn Contracep Tab

  Minovlar Ed Contracep Tab

  Minovlar Contracep Tab

  Minulet Tab

  Meocon 1/35 Contracep Tab

  Neogest Contracep Tab

  Norgeston Contracep Tab (30MCG)

  375

  Noriday Contracep Tab

  Norimin Contracep Tab

  Norinyl-1 Contracep Tab

  Noristerat Inj 200MG/1ML Amp

  Ortho-Creme Crm Pack B

  Ortho-Forms Pess

  Ortho-Gynol Jelly Pack B

  Ortho-Novin Contracep Tab 1/50 Pushpack

  Ovran 30 Contracep Tab

  Ovranette Contracep Tab

  Ovran Contracep Tab

  Ovulen 50 Contracep Tab

  Ovysmen Contracep Tab

  PC4 Contracep Tab

  Rendells Pess

  Staycept Jelly

  Staycept Pess

  Synphase Contracep Tab

  Trinordiol Contracep Tab

  Trinovum ED Contracep Tab

  Trinovum Contracep Tab

  Schizophrenia
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many sufferers form schizophrenia were detained(a) under section 2, (b) under section 3, (c) under section 37 and (d) under sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in each year since 1984;

  (2) how many sufferers from schizophrenia were detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in each year since 1984, in each regional health authority area;

  (3) how many (a) non-offender and (b) mentally disordered offender patients detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each year since 1984 were suffering from schizophrenia.

  Mr. Yeo
  The available information is given in the tables.

  These data are not the number of patients as a person may be admitted more than once during the year.

  Information on a comparable basis is not held centrally for later years.

  Admissions (with a diagnosis of schizophrenia) to mental illness hospitals in England detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 during each year 1984–1986, by regional health authority

  Mental Health Act 1983; Section 136

  Year

  Regional health authority

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Northern

  26

  10

  16

  Yorkshire

  2

  5

  11

  Trent

  3

  11

  4

  East Anglian

  6

  3

  2

  North West Thames

  149

  109

  81

  North East Thames

  178

  159

  131

  South East Thames

  87

  79

  73

  South West Thames

  93

  94

  80

  Wessex

  4

  3

  5

  Oxford

  0

  1

  0

  South Western

  2

  2

  2

  West Midlands

  5

  2

  5

  Mersey

  2

  3

  2

  North Western

  7

  10

  15

  England

  564

  491

  427

  376

  Admissions (with a diagnosis of schizophrenia) to mental illness hospitals in England detained under selected sections of the Mental Health Act 1983 during each year 1984 to 1986

  Mental Health Act 1983 Section

  Year

  2

  3

  37

  47 and 48

  1984

  1,886

  859

  483

  32

  1985

  2,122

  912

  382

  21

  1986

  2,164

  864

  395

  27

  Admissions (with a diagnosis of schizophrenia) to mental illness hospitals in England detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 during each year 1984 to 1986: (a) non-offenders and (b) mentally disordered offenders

  Mental Health Act 1983

  Year

  (a) non-offenders

  (b) mentally disordered offenders

  1984

  4,348

  594

  1985

  4,547

  522

  1986

  4,334

  550

  Hospitals (Activity Returns)
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 9 December,Official Report, column 690, what was the total number of hospitals making activity returns in England in 1992, distinguishing between (a) the NHS, (b) joint users and contractuals and (c) independent acute.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 9 December 1992 at column 690. In addition to the 1,578 national health service sites making activity returns in 1990–91 there were 217 independent hospitals which had an operating theatre and could therefore be classified as acute. There are no sites classified as joint users and contractuals making returns to the Department.

  The information requested is not available after 1990–91.

  Ethnic Communities
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys have been undertaken by her Department as to the health service provision available to elderly members of ethnic communities in(a) London and (b) England; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  District health authorities are responsible for assessing the health care needs of their resident populations, including their ethnic communities, and for ensuring that appropriate services are available. Monitoring access to and use of services by members of ethnic groups will be introduced nationally from April and will provide health authorities with information which they can use in planning services.

  The Age Concern Institute of Gerontology has recently completed two studies of health and social services provision for ethnic elders, covering a wide range of localities, including some in London. This work was funded by the Department and the reports are currently being considered.

  Chiropodists and Physiotherapists
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider introducing legislation to apply the principles of the Osteopaths Bill to state-registered chiropodists and physiotherapists.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have no plans to do so. The state-registered chiropody and physiotherapy professions are already regulated under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider the preparation of a factsheet on chiropody in the health service "Careers" series.

  Mr. Sackville
  The need for national health service careers information for a range of occupational groups is regularly reviewed.

  Regulations
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a list of all the regulations for which her Department is currently responsible with a descriptive title for each individual regulation.

  Mr. Sackville
  A provisional list of regulations which impact on business has recently been collated. Consideration will be given to placing the list in the Library once it has been fully checked for accuracy and consistency of definition.

  Down's Syndrome
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which health authorities provide(a) full funding and (b) partial funding for pregnant women to undergo the Bart's test for Down's syndrome;

  (2) how many pregnant women have had the Bart's test for Down's syndrome in the last two years; and if she will break down the figure by age group;

  (3) what information she has on the availability of the Bart's test through (a) non-trust hospitals and (b) self-governing trust hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines her Department has issued on the use or sale of the Bart's test for pregnant women for Down's syndrome.

  Mr. Sackville
  The provision of advice to clinicians and practitioners on medical procedures is a matter for the professional bodies concerned. No specific guidance has been issued by the Department in respect of biochemical screening for Down's syndrome.

  RU486
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement detailing the progress which has so far been made in identifying the source of the pills of the abortifacient drug RU486 which were imported into the United States of America from the United Kingdom, and about which she has received correspondence from the hon. Member for Congleton.
  378
  Mr. Sackville
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 4 November 1992 at col.291.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the latest estimates by the Registrar General of Populations of those aged 17 years and over, plus 63 per cent. of those aged 16 years, for each district council area and parliamentary constituency in England and Wales, together in each case with the equivalent year's electoral registration figures expressed as a figure and as a percentage of relevant population.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 26 October 1992 at col.476.

  Neither the mid-1992 population estimates nor the 1993 electorate figure is yet available. The Registrar General expects to publish the mid-1992 population estimates in October 1993.

  Dentistry
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to assist those patients having difficulty registering for NHS dental services in west Cumbria.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is the responsibility of family health services authorities (FHSAs) to ensure that national health service dental treatment remains accessible locally. FHSAs can apply for permission to employ salaried dentists if they consider it necessary to maintain services. Cumbria FHSA is able to assist those people who need help obtaining NHS dental treatment.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in west Cumbria are now accepting new NHS patients.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally.

  The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Cumbria family health services authority, Mr. J. R. Wills, for details.

  Registered Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what distinction is made in departmental guidance to local authorities between adult family placement schemes and small homes due to be registered when the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 comes into force on 1 April.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department's guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 highlights a number of factors which need to be considered in the case of adult placement schemes. These include the fact that registration is not required unless both board and personal care are provided; the possibility of modifying usual registration procedures where checks have already been made on people belonging to a scheme; the scope for local authorities to waive fees; and the fact that placement scheme organisers may be able to help carers fulfil their duties under the Act.

  Nurse to Bed Ratio
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the nurse to bed ratio for national health service hospitals, annually, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 29 January 1993]: The information requested is in the table.

  Years

  Nurse to bed ratio

  1979

  0·98

  1980

  1·03

  1981

  1·10

  1982

  1·13

  1983

  1·15

  1984

  1·18

  1985

  1·22

  1986

  1·26

  1987–88

  1·34

  1988–89

  1·41

  1989–90

  1·47

  1990–91

  1·55

  1991–92

  1·62

  Price (pence per litre

  Duty (pence per litre)

  VAT rate per cent

  Tax differential duty plus consequential VAT (pence per litre)

  Member State

  unleaded

  diesel

  differential

  unleaded

  diesel

  Belgium

  56·9

  48·2

  8·7

  29·9

  22·2

  19·5

  9·2

  Denmark

  51·6

  49·3

  2·2

  23·6

  20·3

  25·0

  4·1

  France

  58·3

  42·2

  16·1

  34·3

  20·2

  18·6

  16·7

  Germany

  55·2

  43·0

  12·2

  33·2

  22·0

  214·0

  12·7

  Greece

  58·7

  41·4

  17·3

  32·7

  21·4

  18·0

  13·3

  Ireland

  61·8

  56·7

  5·1

  27·8

  23·7

  21·0

  4·9

  Italy

  69·1

  53·8

  15·2

  39·1

  28·8

  19·0

  12·2

  Luxembourg

  39·4

  35·4

  4·0

  20·4

  14·4

  15·0

  18·2

  Netherlands

  63·3

  40·3

  22·9

  36·3

  17·3

  17·5

  22·3

  Portugal

  62·5

  50·9

  11·7

  35·5

  26·9

  16·0

  10·0

  Spain

  56·1

  44·5

  11·6

  29·1

  21·5

  15·0

  8·7

  UK

  46·4

  46·9

  -0·4

  23·4

  22·9

  17·5

  0·7

  1 Luxembourg levies VAT at a rate of 15 per cent for diesel and 6 per cent for unleaded petrol.

  2 Now 15 per cent.

  Bank Notes
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the size, layout and printing on the £5, £10, and £20 bank notes to make it easier for visually impaired people to distinguish one value note from another.

  Mr. Nelson
  The design of Bank of England notes is the responsibility of the bank. The bank advises that it keeps the designs of its notes under constant review. In designing the new series of notes the bank consulted widely with representatives of the blind and partially-sighted. Differential sizes were retained for each denomination to help the blind, and a distinctive bold-coloured symbol was included on the front of each note specifically to help the partially sighted.

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice in respect of treating a limited partnership and the general partner of the limited partnership as one entity for VAT purposes.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  GDP
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) of 26 January,Official Report, column 662, if he will give the actual figures underlying the figures listed for shares of total gross domestic product.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information for the years 1981 to 1991 is published in table 2.1 of the 1992 edition of the "United Kingdom National Accounts", the Central Statistical Office Blue Book, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Figures for earlier years are held on the CSO database which can be accessed by the Library.

  Fuel Differentials
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is(a) the price differential and (b) the tax differential between unleaded petrol and diesel fuel in each EC member state.

  Sir John Cope
  The information is as follows, based on data for December 1992 using exchange rates as at 1 October 1992—the date used by the European Commission as the reference for exchange rates.

  Sir John Cope
  Where there is one general partner in a limited partnership he is the taxable person for VAT purposes. However, one VAT registration can cover the activities of that limited partnership in addition to any other activities undertaken by the general partner as an individual.

  Newcastle Tax Offices
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the staff at the Newcastle tax offices was on 1 April 1991, 1 April 1992 and at the most recent available date; and what further changes in numbers of staff are proposed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The staff at Newcastle tax offices was as follows:

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  Now

  Newcastle 1 Tax District

  137

  146

  145

  Newcastle 2 Tax District

  25

  25

  24

  Newcastle 3 Tax District

  64

  68

  64

  381

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  Now

  Newcastle 4 Tax District

  74

  83

  78

  Newcastle Collection

  53

  53

  48

  Totals

  353

  375

  359

  There will be a reduction of approximately four full-time units in the staff allocated to Newcastle 1 tax district following the removal of trust work from that office in March 1993.

  The Inland Revenue is reviewing the organisation and structure of its Newcastle tax offices with the aim of increasing the quality of service to taxpayers and the efficiency of the operations. No decisions have yet been made about the structure and staff numbers needed.

  Automatic Weapons (Import)
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps Customs and Excise take to prevent the import of automatic weapons from France by individuals arriving at Dover.

  Sir John Cope
  Though all systematic customs controls on intra-Community traffic ended on 1 January 1993, customs continue to make targeted anti-smuggling checks to prevent the importation of illicit goods, including weapons which represent a serious threat to society.

  Television (Expenditure)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has concerning the average weekly household expenditure on(a) cable television, satellite television, video recordings, and other broadcast media and (b) the BBC licence fee.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: The information required is published annually at current prices in "Family Spending", the report on the family expenditure survey. The most recently published report is that of 1991. Copies of this volume are available from the House of Commons Library.

  Gilt Issues
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish on a monthly basis for the period 1965 to date(a) net gilt issuance, (b) gross gilt issuance and (c) outstanding sterling denominated national debt.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 29 January 1993]: Figures on gilt issuance appear in table 3 of the Bank of England "Quarterly Bulletin" for issues published before March 1976 and in table 8 of the Bank of England "Quarterly Bulletin" for issues published between March 1976 and November 1991 inclusive. Figures for 1991 onwards may be found in table 3.5 of Financial Statistics, published by the Central Statistical Office. Figures are published on a quarterly rather than a monthly basis.

  Detailed information about the nominal national debt (the total liabilities of the National Loans Fund) is compiled annually. The sterling national debt is published in the February issue of "Financial Statistics" (table S1). The supplementary statements to the Consolidated Fund and the National Loans Fund, published each December
  382
  as a House of Commons Paper also show the oustanding national debt and its components as at 31 March each year.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the amount of capital receipts likely to be released in the smallest area for which figures are available which covers the Hyndburn constituency during the calendar year 1993 and the financial year 1993–94 from the sale of council-owned dwellings under the right-to-buy legislation.

  Mr. Baldry
  At the time of last year's autumn statement it was estimated on the basis of local authorities estimate for 1992–93 that around £2¾ billion of capital receipts would be raised by local authorities in the United Kingdom in 1993–94, mainly from the sale of council houses. No estimates are available for individual local authorities or regions of the United Kingdom, nor for the 1993 calendar year.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the structure of the means test for home improvement grants; what is the grant withdrawal rate for a couple, a couple with one child, and a couple with two children assuming receipt of community charge benefit and/or family credit; and how many such grants were awarded in each nation and region in the last complete year.

  Mr. Baldry
  The details of the means test for house renovation grants are set out in the Housing Renovation etc, Grants (Reduction of Grant) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No 1189) as amended. These regulations are summarised in the Department's circulars 12/90 and 5/91 on house renovation grants. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  The level of grant awarded depends in the financial circumstances of each applicant and the cost of the proposed works. The Department does not collect information on the grant withdrawal rates for the groups listed.

  Information on renovation grants awarded is available only for England as a whole but data are available for numbers of grants paid in each English region. The figures are as follows:

  Number

  Grants Awarded

  England

  38,141

  Grants Paid

  England

  18,731

  By Region

  North

  1,954

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,027

  East Midlands

  2,038

  East Anglia

  908

  Greater London

  1,608

  South East

  2,976

  South West

  1,828

  West Midlands

  2,227

  North West

  3,165

  383
  The renovation grant systems in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the appropriate Secretary of State.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that mandatory grants for house improvement should remain mandatory.

  Mr. Baldry
  A number of changes to the house renovation grant system are being considered for inclusion in the consultation paper announced by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Housing and Planning on 12 January at columns 707–8. Nothing is being ruled out at this stage.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses or flats have been bought in each local authority area under the grant to housing associations announced in the autumn statement for the purchase of properties; how many of these properties in each area have been newly built; what has been the average price paid in each authority area for newly built properties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have today deposited in the Library a table providing the information requested.

  I am delighted that purchases have already been approved in over 90 per cent. of the local areas in England, which will take over 13,000 properties off the market. The proportion of purchases approved from builders and developers so far has been around 60 per cent., as these deals are typically the quickest to complete. Last week only a third of approvals were for such purchases, and the great majority of the remainder were for purchases from private individuals. The Housing Corporation estimate that housing associations will be able to buy some 17,000 properties in England by the end of March as a result of these measures, and another 3,500 purchases will be made possible through cash grants to tenants. Taken together with recent substantial falls in interest rates, this package should certainly have a very positive impact on the housing market.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the booklet "How to Appeal", in relation to council tax, will be made available to local authorities.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is planned to publish the booklet later this month, when regulations introducing the appeals system have been made. The final text of the booklet was sent to authorities on 2 February.

  Ecolabels
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he regards the testing of cosmetics on laboratory animals as a relevant criterion in assessing fitness of a product for an ecolabel award by the Ecolabelling Board;

  (2) what guidelines have been provided to member states by the European Commission in relation to the scope for life cycle assessment studies for ecolable criteria studies; and if he will place the guidelines in the Library;

  (3) what is the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board's target for the range of market share to be obtained by
  384
  products receiving an ecolabel; if the board intends to issue an ecolabel to at least one brand of each product; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that an adequate objective standard is met in all cases where an ecolabel is issued.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board has been established to administer and promote the European Community ecolabelling scheme nationally and has responsibility for dealing with the operational aspects of the scheme. I have therefore asked the board to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has had from Body Shop in relation to the standards of assessment established by the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board; what response has been made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has received no representations from the Body Shop on this matter. I understand, however, that the Body Shop has raised the matter with the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board and I have asked the board to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board to be financially self-sufficient; and what impact on the timetable for self-sufficiency he expects the rate of awarding labels will have.

  Mr. Maclean
  One of the aims of the UK Ecolabelling Board is that it should ultimately become self-financing. My Department has asked the board to prepare a plan for covering its costs in the sixth year of operation. This target will be reviewed annually following discussions of the board's corporate plan and in the light of the success of the scheme.

  Urban and Inner City Policies
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give a breakdown of the £10 billion referred to in the oral statement by the Home Secretary of 9 June 1992,Official Report, column 167, as having being spent by the Government on urban and inner city policies since 1985–86;

  (2) if he will give a breakdown of the £4 billion a year referred to in the oral statement by the Home Secretary of 9 June 1992, Official Report, column 167, as being spent by the Government on projects in the inner cities.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Government support for urban regeneration of £10 billion is based on the total of expenditure for 1988–89 (£3 billion), 1989–90 (over £3 billion) and 1990–91 (£4 billion).

  The £4 billion a year total divides broadly into support of £1 billion under each of the following heads:

  Targeted urban group of programmes

  Housing programmes

  Employment, Trade and Industry programmes

  Other Action for Cities programmes, and Scotland and Wales

  Refrigerators (Disposal)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the provision for safe disposal of refrigerators in each local authority.
  385
  Mr. Maclean
  Local waste regulation authorities are required to produce plans detailing the arrangements needed to treat, recycle or dispose of controlled waste likely to arise or be situated in their areas. Waste disposal and treatment facilities may be provided by waste disposal authorities or by the private sector; regulation of such facilities is the responsibility of waste regulation authorities.

  Where refrigerators are controlled waste, compliance with the duty of care requires the waste producer to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the waste goes only to legally authorised destinations. These would be sites that are licensed to treat or dispose of this type of waste, or specially exempt from the requirement to be licensed, or operated by a local authority under a resolution under section 11 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  Local authorities may bid for supplementary credit approvals for the provision of facilities for recycling chlorofluorocarbons. £15 million is available for recycling facilities in 1993–94.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue an updated version of waste management paper No. 25.

  Mr. Maclean
  A revised version of waste management paper No. 25 is in preparation and it is hoped a public consultation draft will be issued shortly for comment.

  Owner Occupiers
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to assist overcrowded owner-occupiers trapped by(a) negative equity and (b) low income.

  Mr. Baldry
  Reductions in average mortgage rates mean that they are now lower than at any time since March 1969, and mortgage repayments as a proportion of earnings are at their lowest since 1978. Mobility is also made easier by the raising of the ceiling on unsecured loans by building societies, and by measures in hand to allow the security of the new property to be substituted for that of the old without the loss of mortgage interest tax relief.

  Boundary Commission
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he received prior to his decision to overrule the Boundary Commission recommendation in relation to Leyton and Redbridge; from whom they were received; which favoured an overruling of the Boundary Commission; and on what dates they were received.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Secretary of State has accepted all the proposals of the Local Government Boundary Commission for the boundary between Leyton and Redbridge, with one minor modification to the proposal for Hollybush hill, thereby moving the boundary from the centre to the western edge of the road to ease highway maintenance. This modification was made in the light of a letter of 17 June 1992 from the chief executive of the London borough of Waltham Forest.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy as President of the European Environment Council to place the issue of the environmental risk of transporting plutonium from Europe to Japan on the agenda for the European Community-Japan bilateral meeting on environmental co-operation to be held on 3 and 4 December in Brussels.

  Mr. Maclean:
  [holding answer 24 November 1992]: No. The meeting on 3 and 4 December is one between officials of the Commission of the European Communities and Japan. Shipments of plutonium take place only in compliance with stringent internationally agreed standards.

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now list by how much each local authority benefits from the area cost adjustment in 1993–94.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 2 February 1993]: I have placed in the Library a table showing all those authorities which benefit from the area cost adjustment, and by how much, within standard spending assessments for 1993–94. All other authorities receive an area cost adjustment of zero.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the outcome of the consultation on the local government finance settlement for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [pursuant to his reply, 28 January, column 854]: I am today placing in the Library and the Vote Office a further table showing the standard spending assessment and grant entitlement of each local authority. These reflect small revisions to the tax base of some authorities as a result of the treatment of boundary changes.

TRANSPORT

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost to the Exchequer of the decision not to proceed with the construction of the Birmingham northern relief road as a publicly funded road; and if he will break down the cost into its component parts.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Following the decision to seek private finance for the Birmingham northern relief road, the Department reimbursed some £38,000 to individuals and organisations who had incurred costs in objecting to proposals for a publicly-funded road. In addition about £1,000 was paid to engineering consultants who arranged storage of data on the public scheme. The total cost of the public scheme taken to the inquiry was estimated at about £310 million at 1990 prices. The decision not to proceed with a publicly-funded BNRR has therefore produced a substantial saving to the Exchequer.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate at current prices the total identifiable
  387
  expenditure incurred by Her Majesty's Government in relation to the proposed Birmingham northern relief road (a) as a public road and (b) as a toll road.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  About £11.4 million was spent by my Department in working up proposals for a publicly-financed Birmingham northern relief road, mainly on consultants' fees, purchase of land and objectors' costs. The subsequent costs to date of selecting a private sector promoter, negotiating a concession agreement, purchasing land and contributing to the preparation of draft orders are currently estimated at about £6.3 million. Both figures are at outturn prices: figures at current prices could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Some costs of land purchase are recoverable.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road will start; what is the name of the inspector appointed to carry out that report; what is the length of time allocated to carry out the inquiry; and what is the venue involved.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I cannot answer any of these questions because the draft orders for the Birmingham northern relief road are yet to be published. Upon publication my Department will take the necessary steps, along with the planning inspectorate, to make arrangements for the public inquiry.

  ATOLs
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the steps taken by the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that all passengers whose travel is arranged through package operators are adequately protected through the holding of air transport organiser's licences.

  Mr. Norris
  The Civil Aviation Authority examines each ATOL licence holder annually to ensure that it is managed by persons who are fit to hold a licence and have a financial bond as a guarantee of security against financial failure. Should the bond prove inadequate in the event of failure, the Air Travel Trust, which is managed by Civil Aviation Authority officials, is designed to meet claims which would properly have been payable from the bond.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify the types of bookings on scheduled air services which require the organiser to hold an air transport organiser's licence.

  Mr. Norris
  Under The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL)) Regulations 1972, as amended, an ATOL licence is required where a person selling air seats on scheduled flights is acting as a principal in the sale to the public rather than acting as the agent of the airline. An airline does not need an ATOL in order to advertise or sell tickets for carriage on its own aircraft.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what protection exists for clients of packaged air travel operators who do not hold an air transport operator's licence and do not satisfy EC regulations.

  Mr. Norris
  Most air tour operators are required by The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing)388
  Regulations to hold an ATOL. ATOL holders are required to show their ATOL number in all their brochures, leaflets and advertisements.

  There are some air tour operators without an ATOL who may currently have alternative bonding arrangements with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), pending the completion of requirements for an ATOL.

  Hereford Bypass
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide a detailed break-down of the Q2/1992 prices for construction of the A49–465 Hereford bypass using the(a) published route and (b) western alternative route 1C; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, a public inquiry into the proposals for the Hereford bypass was held between March and September 1991 and in May 1992. The inspector heard evidence on the relative merits of the Department's published route and objectors' alternative route 1C and much of what the hon. Gentleman now asks, with many other issues, was discussed, in principle, at that time.

  The inspector has submitted his report to the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport. They are presently considering his recommendations and will announce their decision soon. It would not be right for me to comment further on the merits of the eastern and western routes.

  Shipping
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all British ships registered by his Department on 23 January, 1 April 1992, 1 April 1991 and 1 April 1990; and if he will, in each case, indicate whether the vessel is(a) an oil tanker, (b) a passenger/freight ferry and (c) carrying out North sea offshore operations.

  Mr. Norris
  I have placed in the Library lists of vessels on the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man registers on the nearest available dates.

  Road Safety
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of the President of the Board of Trade of 17 December 1992,Official Report, column 472, what assessment has been made of the effect on road safety of requiring motor advertisers to include within advertisements a safety warning that speed kills.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No such assessment has been made and I am not convinced that there would be any substantial safety benefit in imposing this requirement on motor advertisers.

  All vehicle advertisements are assessed by the Advertising Standards Authority against its code of practice and those which are regarded as placing an undue emphasis on speed are already banned. I am encouraged to see that there is an increasing compliance with the code and that numerous manufacturers are now choosing to advertise their vehicles on safety grounds. This indicates a welcome increase in market demand for safer vehicles.

  Merchant Shipping
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many representations he has had since 1 January 1992 about(a) the change in the size in the British merchant fleet, (b) the change in the number and quality of vessels flying flags of convenience sailing in United Kingdom waters, (c) the change in the level of the United Kingdom's invisible earnings from shipping and (d) the ability of the merchant fleet to support the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  We have received a number of representations from interested parties covering these and other shipping issues.

  A detailed breakdown of meetings, discussions and correspondence on these issues cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he proposes to make to the cash limits and running costs limit for his Department for 1992–93.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limits in class VII will be changed as follows:

  Class and vote

  Current cash limit

  Changes

  Revised cash limit

  VII, 1

  2,124,259,000

  1-6,314,000

  2,117,945,000

  2

  215,205,000

  1 2-2,300,000

  212,905,000

  4

  171,769,000

  2 3-785,000

  170,984,000

  5

  439,851,000

  4900,000

  440,751,000

  1 Transfers of £3,000,000 to the Department of Environment, Class VIII, Vote 3 for the Bristol Spine Road and of £4,814,000 to Class VII, Vote 3 to cover payments to British Rail pension funds in respect of pre-1975 obligations. These are offset by a transfer from Class VII, Vote 2 of £1,500,000 for certain running costs.

  2 A transfer of £800,000 to Class VII, Vote 4 in respect of certain running costs.

  3 A reduction of £1,585,000 in respect of demand financing.

  4 An increase of £900,000 in grant to the Humber Bridge Board.

  My Department's gross running costs limit has been decreased by £1,585,000 from £393,458,000 to £391,873,000 as a consequence of (c) above.

  Where increases are involved these will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Westminster Pier
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is part of his transport strategy for London that commuters on the River Thames should have access to Westminster pier; and how many people he estimates would benefit from this.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand from the Port of London Authority, which owns Westminster pier, that the pier is used to capacity in the summer months by existing contractual licence holders, who are primarily geared to meeting the needs of tourists, and that in its present form the pier could not safely accommodate extra commuter services of the type, for instance, operated by Riverbus.

  The River Thames working group, which I established recently, will be studying the general issue of commuter access to the river, including the potential benefits which improved access could bring.

  Air Navigation Licences
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Civil Aviation Authority not to issue any further licences under the Air Navigation Order 1989, or under section 38 of the Airports Act 1986, and to withdraw any licences already issued but not yet operated upon, in circumstances where no public announcement of the issue of the licence was made;

  (2) if he will instruct the Civil Aviation Authority not to issue any further licences under the Air Navigation Order 1989, or under section 38 of the Airport Act 1986, and to withdraw any licences already issued but not yet operated upon, in circustances where the operation of the licence could affect the operations of an airport within a 30-mile radius;

  (3) if he will instruct the Civil Aviation Authority not to issue any further licences under the Air Navigation Order 1989, or under section 38 of the Airports Act 1986, and to withdraw any licences alrady issued but not yet operated upon, in circumstances where the putative licence operator has previously given assurances that no such operation would be commenced and the operations under the order will cause financial damage to private citizens;

  (4) if he will instruct the Civil Aviation Authority not to issue any further licenses under the Air Navigation Order 1989, or under section 38 of the Airports Act 1986, and to withdraw any licences already issued but not yet operated upon, in circumstances where no planned permission has been obtained;

  (5) if he will instruct the Civil Aviation Authority not to issue any further licences under the Air Navigation Order 1989, or under section 38 of the Airports Act 1986, and to withdraw any licences already issued but not yet operated upon, in circumstances where the operation of the licence would affect the value of an airport within a 30-mile radius.

  Mr. Norris
  Licensing of airfields under the Air Navigation Order, and the grant of applications under section 38 of the Airports Act are matters for the Civil Aviation Authority. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has no powers to direct the Civil Aviation Authority in these circumstances.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Civil Aviation Authority not to issue any further licences under the Air Navigation Order 1989, or under section 38 of the Airports Act 1986, and to withdraw any licences already issued but not yet operated upon, in circumstances where there would be potential environmental damage, and a full environmental impact assessment has not been carried out and publicly discussed.

  Mr. Norris
  No. The circumstances under which a full environmental impact assessment would be required for an airport/aerodrome development, are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Israel
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the appropriate
  391
  steps that will be taken to ensure that Israel complies with United Nations Security Council resolution 799 on the Palestinian deportees.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have repeatedly urged the Israeli Government to comply with Security Council resolution 799. Their decision to allow 100 of the deportees to return is a useful step in the right direction. We hope they will build on this. We are stressing to all concerned that the top priority is to resume the peace process.

  Muslims, India
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence has been gathered from the Foreign Office posts in India about violence towards Muslims on account of their religion; and what discussions have taken place with the Government of India about this problem.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received regular reports from our posts in India about the recent communal violence there. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the situation with the Indian Prime Minister during his visit to India in January. We have condemned the violence and support the principles of Indian secular democracy and protection for religious minorities.

  Cyprus
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government about progress made by the United Nations on Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary discussed Cyprus with their Turkish counter-parts in London on 23 November. The Secretary of State has since kept in close touch via our ambassador in Ankara. He has made clear to the Turks that we expect them to encourage the Turkish Cypriots to work actively towards a settlement.

  Birmingham Summit
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 563, how the costs of the Birmingham summit were met.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The costs of the Birmingham summit were met from public funds.

  UN Charter
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on adapting article 2(7) of the United Nations charter to take into account humanitarian aspects.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. Article 2(7) prohibits the United Nations from intervening in matters which are "essentially" within domestic jurisdiction. Article 55 requires the United Nations to promote human rights, which are now a matter of international concern. The prohibition in article 2(7) does not apply to enforcement measures under chapter VII.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is to be taken by officials at the post in Islamabad concerning applications by Shenaz Begum (DOB: 5:7:1979); Afsar Khan (DOB: 31:10:1980) and Shaira Begum (DOB: 5:7:1989) to join their father in the United Kingdom; when their applications were submitted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The British High Commission at Islamabad is not satisfied that Shenaz Begum, Afsar Khan and Shaira Begum are British citizens by descent from Mr. Mohammed Gham Ghani as claimed on their passport applications made in October 1991. This is because, according to Mr. Ghani's certificate of registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies, his wife's name is Zaitoon Jan. The children's mother Zartaj Bibi, claims that she is his first and only wife. The decision to withhold passport facilities from the children was communicated to Zartaj Bibi on 17 January 1993.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is to be taken on an application to the post in Islamabad by Mrs. Janat Begum (Ref: B6038) to join her husband in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The High Commission in Islamabad agreed on 3 February to issue entry clearance to Mrs. Janat Begum to join her husband in the United Kingdom. The entry clearance officer will write to Mrs. Begum, inviting her to call in to collect her visa.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is to be taken on an application made at the post in Islamabad by Mr. Raja Ibrar Hussain, who was born on 8 November 1962, to join his wife in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A decision was taken by the British High Commission in Islamabad on 15 November 1992 to refuse entry clearance to Mr. Raja Ibrar Hussain as the entry clearance officer was not satisfied, as he is required to be under the immigration rules, that Mr. Hussain was related to his wife as claimed; that the primary purpose of the marriage was not to gain entry to the United Kingdom; and that there was adequate support and accommodation available for Mr. Hussain in this country without recourse to public funds.

  Iran
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have recently been made in international bodies over the continued human rights abuses in Iran.

  Mr. Douglas-Hogg
  The UN Secretary-General's special representative on human rights in Iran presented his latest report to the UN General Assembly in November. We and our EC partners co-sponsored the critical resolution reflecting his concerns, which was adopted on 18 December. The Edinburgh Council's conclusions on Iran at the EC summit in December made
  393
  it clear that improvement in Iran's human rights record, among other factors, will be important in determining the extent to which relations with and confidence in Iran can be developed.

  South Korea
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the withdrawal of British personnel from South Korea.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 18 January at column 50.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) of 18 January,Official Report, column 38, when he expects to introduce primary legislation on the chemical weapons convention; and which interested bodies he will consult on the implementation in the United Kingdom of the chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Legislation to implement the United Kingdom's obligations under the chemical weapons convention will be introduced when the parliamentary timetable permits.

  Consultation arrangements have not yet been finalised, but those to be consulted will include the Chemical Industries Association, the British Chemical Distributors and Traders Association, and the Confederation of British Industry.

  Steel
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to the Government of the United States of America concerning duties imposed by the United States department of commerce on imports of flat rolled steel from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Needham
  The provisional anti-dumping duties of 109.22 per cent. on British Steel exports of steel plate are unwarranted and wholly disproportionate.

  The actions, brought by the highly protected US steel industry, will not help efforts to secure a much needed international settlement in the multilateral steel agreement negotiations.

  The President of the Board of Trade has written to US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown urging him to focus on these matters at the earliest opportunity. The issue was raised at the Foreign Affairs Council on 2 February.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the recently imposed United States tariffs on steel imports.

  Mr. Needham
  The provisional anti-dumping duties of 109.22 per cent. on British Steel exports of steel plate are unwarranted and wholly disproportionate. They were in addition to the earlier countervailing duties imposed on United Kingdom exports of plate and bar. To penalise 394
  genuinely privatised companies which have not received subsidies for over six years is unfair and economically unsound.

  The actions, brought by the highly protected US steel industry, will not help efforts to secure a much needed international settlement in the multilateral steel agreement negotiations.

  The President of the Board of Trade has written to US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown urging him to focus on these matters at the earliest opportunity. The issue was raised at the Foreign Affairs Council on 2 February when the actions were condemned as unacceptable.

  International Trade Commission
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have been brought against United Kingdom-based companies, by United States companies, to the International Trade Commission in each of the last five calendar years; and what United Kingdom Government advice or assistance is available to companies faced with such hearings.

  Mr. Needham
  The table details, according to the best information readily available, the number of cases against United Kingdom companies with the US International Trade Commission.

  The British embassy in Washington monitors the filing of complaints. My officials notify any United Kingdom companies affected by these quasi-legal investigations.

  My department is not in a position to offer financial assistance for legal fees. But DTI and the British embassy do provide general advice and assistance to British companies on such matters as tactics and procedure and in anti-dumping cases are prepared to raise particular points with the Department of Commerce, in support of the European Community, if it appears that the US authorities are not operating their rules fairly. My Department is in any event directly involved in any countervailing duty cases as these involve questions of government subsidy.

  Total number of petitions filed with the ITC involving United Kingdom firms

  Year

  Anti-dumping

  Countervailing

  Section 337

  1988

  2

  —

  —

  1989

  1

  —

  1

  1990

  4

  —

  1

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  4

  2

  2

  Intangible Technology
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans Her Majesty's Government have to introduce legislation to control the export of intangible technology.

  Mr. Needham
  While current export controls apply only to technology in a tangible form, they in practice enable significant transfers of technology to be controlled.

  The control of intangible technology raises very considerable practical difficulties and while the Government have no immediate plans to introduce such legislation, it is keeping the position under review.

  Nature Conservation Bodies
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the role of statutory nature conservation bodies under the new arrangements for the out-of-round award of petroleum production licences.

  Mr. Eggar
  The role of statutory conservation bodies under the new arrangements for out-of-round awards of petroleum production licences is the same as their role in licencing rounds. It is our general and established policy, before offering blocks for licence in any part of the United Kingdom continental shelf, to consult relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies (including conservation bodies) in advance of any announcement and to attach licence conditions agreed with such bodies which reflects each block's sensitivities.

  Petroleum Production Licences
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he consulted the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and other appropriate statutory conservation agencies before making his decision to award petroleum production licences for North sea blocks 39/1 and 39/2.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee and other appropriate statutory conservation agencies were consulted about blocks 39/1 and 39/2 in March, as part of the 14th round consultation process. At that time no out-of-round application had been received for these blocks and it was envisaged that they would be offered in the 14th round.

  Biofuels
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has analysed the potential of bio-diesel as a transport fuel in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department of Trade and Industry has today published through HMSO a review of the potential of bio-diesel as a transport fuel which was prepared by the energy technology support unit. The report assesses the economics of bio-diesel production and concludes that a subsidy of approximately 15p per litre would be required for bio-diesel to be commercially viable in the United Kingdom. It also considers the environmental implications of bio-diesel production and use. The review will inform those contemplating growing oil seed rape, investing in the conversion plant or using bio-diesel as a vehicle fuel. A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Coal Review
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made for making the evidence submitted to his Department's coal review available to the public in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Eggar
  Copies of the evidence to the review, other than commercially confidential material, have been placed in the following libraries, where members of the public may call, by appointment, to view it:
  396
  Edinburgh:

  The Library, Scottish Office, St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, EH1 3DH.

  Cardiff:

  The Library, Welsh Office, New Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF1 3NQ.

  Belfast:

  The Library, Department of Economic Development, Netherleigh, Massey Avenue, BT4 2JP.

  In addition copies of individual pieces of evidence, other than confidential evidence, may be ordered from the DTI Energy Library and Information Centre, 1 Palace street, London, SW1E 5HE.

SCOTLAND

  Car Crime
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce car crime in Scotland and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office launched a major advertising campaign aimed at reducing car crime in April 1992. Scottish police forces have taken complementary local initiatives. Recent statistics point to an overall reduction in car crime following the campaign.

  Decisions on the priority to be given to car crime in the crime prevention programme for 1993–94 have yet to be taken.

  Motorways
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of motorway in Scotland are without central reservation crash barriers; and what percentage of the total mileage this represents.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are 285 km (178 miles) of motorway in Scotland of which, by the end of March 1993, approximately 32 km (20 miles) will be without central reserve safety fencing. This represents 11 per cent of the total length.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of motorway in Scotland are unlit at night; and what percentage of the total mileage this represents.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Of a total of 178 miles of motorway in Scotland, 145 miles are unlit, which equates to approximately 81 per cent.

  Health Boards (Revenue Allocation)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each health board their revenue allocation for 1992–93 and 1993–94, the percentage change for each health board between the two periods after allowing for inflation and the percentage variation from Scottish health authoritities resources equalisation parity for each health board for each period.

  Mr. Stewart
  Details of individual board revenue allocations for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are contained in the table.
  397

  Health Board

  £ million Revenue Allocation 1992–93

  1Distance from Parity (Under)/Over per cent. after 1992–93 Allocation

  £ million Revenue Allocation 1993–94

  1Distance from Parity (Under)/Over per cent. after 1993–94 Allocation

  Percentage change between 1992–93 after allowing for Inflation

  Argyll and Clyde

  220·299

  (0·49)

  229·154

  (0·87)

  1·24

  Ayr and Arran

  171·197

  (5·90)

  180·855

  (5·31)

  2·81

  Borders

  54·407

  (2·17)

  57·467

  (1·98)

  2·80

  Dumfries and Galloway

  77·968

  (1·17)

  80·548

  (1·19)

  0·54

  Fife

  158·162

  (3·85)

  167·956

  (3·07)

  3·35

  Forth Valley

  126·674

  (1·97)

  137·369

  (1·28)

  5·54

  Grampian

  252·837

  (2·66)

  266·766

  (2·12)

  2·61

  Greater Glasgow

  560·259

  4·41

  594·379

  3·93

  3·17

  Highland

  106·800

  (0·17)

  110·492

  (0·45)

  0·61

  Lanark

  239·761

  (1·68)

  253·617

  (2·13)

  2·87

  Lothian

  403·552

  1·00

  409·112

  0·67

  -1·41

  Orkney

  11·169

  (1·27)

  11·337

  0·63

  -1·29

  Shetland

  12·768

  0·08

  13·542

  1·40

  3·15

  Tayside

  240·393

  4·45

  240·627

  3·62

  -2·66

  Western Isles

  20·638

  (0·95)

  22·704

  1·70

  6·99

  Note: A further £159 million will be distributed during 1993–94 for cardiac surgery, breast cancer screening, bridging finance and other specific initiatives.

  1 Distance from parity affected by demographic change between 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Drug and Alcohol
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve aftercare facilities for drug users in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Scottish Office has made available to health boards £2.4 million in the current financial year specifically for the support and provision of drug misuse services. Assistance is also given to local authorities through the urban programme for drug-related projects. The planning and development of services are primarily the responsibility of health boards and local authorities, in consultation with the voluntary sector and having regard to local circumstances.

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Number of Addicts Notified

  Proportion1 of Population (per 100,000)

  Number of Addicts Notified

  Proportion of Population (per 100,000)

  Number of Addicts Notified

  Proportion of Population (per 100,000)

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  21

  5: 100,000

  29

  7: 100,000

  55

  13: 100,000

  Strathclyde Region2

  268

  12: 100,000

  370

  16: 100,000

  483

  21: 100,000

  Scotland

  728

  14: 100,000

  1,184

  23: 100,000

  1,480

  29: 100,000

  1 The figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

  2 Aggregation of figures for Argyll and Clyde, Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire Health Boards.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions are to be made for residential care and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and misuse under the new community care arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart:
  [holding answer 4 February, 1993]: From 1 April 1993, under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990, local authorities will make provision within community care plans for people who misuse alcohol and drugs. They will be responsible for assessing the social needs of individual alcohol and drug misusers and arranging appropriate packages of care, including residential care provision. Residential services offer a number of different treatment approaches, and local authorities will need to ensure that individuals are referred to a service best suited to their needs. The Scottish Home and Health Department will shortly be issuing special
  398
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of notifications of drug addicts and the proportions of the communities in(a) Greenock, (b) Port Glasgow, (c) Paisley, (d) Strathclyde and (e) Scotland as a whole in each of the past three years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: Information on addicts notified to the Home Office from Scotland is collected on a health board rather than town or regional basis. The table gives the number of notifications and the proportions of the population they represent in 1989, 1990 and 1991 for (a) Argyll and Clyde health board, within which Greenock, Port Glasgow and Paisley lie; (b) Strathclyde; and (c) Scotland. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  guidance to local authorities, encouraging them to give special attention to the needs of alcohol and drug misusers within community care.

  Breast Screening
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the preliminary results of the breast screening programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  A report on the Scottish breast screening programme will be published towards the end of March 1993 in conjunction with similar reports for England and Wales and I shall place a copy in the Library of the House.

  The data of the Scottish report will relate to 1991–92 which was the first full year of operation. Preliminary results indicate that attendance was 72 per cent. of women invited and that the rate of cancers detected was 6.3 per 1,000 women screened.

  Long-term Unemployment
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of long-term unemployed people in each travel-to-work area in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information is available on the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library. Library staff are ready to assist in accessing the information.

  Investment
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total value of investment and the names of organisations or companies invested in by each local enterprise company in Scotland and by Highland Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise.

  Mr. Stewart
  Investments made by local enterprise companies are a matter for these bodies, subject to their respective delegated authorities. The most significant investments made by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, in terms of value and proportion of capital held, are reported in the bodies' published annual accounts, copies of which are in the Library. I am arranging for the chairmen of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to write to the hon. Member with details of the remainder of their investments.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the right of tenants to buy houses owned by par value co-ops including their eligibility for the relevant discounts.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are two types of par value co-operatives: non-fully mutual co-operatives, and fully mutual co-operatives. Secure tenants of local authorities who transfer to a non-fully mutual co-operative have a preserved right to buy and are eligible to purchase their houses at a discount in accordance with section 128 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988. Fully mutual co-operative tenants do not have a statutory right to buy. Their rights are defined by the tenancy agreements drawn up between them and the co-operatives.

  Dentistry
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many patients have been de-registered by their dentists for NHS treatment in(a) each Scottish health board and (b) Argyll and Bute since (i) 1979, (ii) 1 October 1990 and (iii) 8 July 1992.

  Mr. Stewart
  Formal arrangements for patients to be registered with a specific dentist were introduced under the new contract for general dental services on 1 October 1990. No information about de-registration is therefore available prior to October 1990. Information about de-registrations since 1 October 1990 supplied by health boards for their area is contained in the table. Information for individual local government districts is not available.
  400

  Number of Patients de-registered by dentists in Scotland by Health Board area

  Health Board

  1 October 1990 to 7 July 1992

  8 July 1992 to 29 January 1993

  Argyll and Clyde

  49

  2,222

  Ayrshire and Arran

  46

  1,060

  Borders

  14

  1,186

  Dumfries and Galloway

  72

  3,394

  Fife

  10

  241

  Forth Valley

  140

  304

  Grampian

  18

  1,864

  Greater Glasgow

  116

  432

  Highland

  30

  189

  Lanarkshire

  34

  231

  Lothian

  142

  330

  Orkney

  Nil

  Nil

  Shetland

  Nil

  Nil

  Tayside

  47

  184

  Western Isles

  Nil

  11

  Scotland (Total)

  718

  11,648

  Lambs
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has of infringements of the law regarding the time limit on the castration of lambs in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I have no reports of infringements relating to the castration of lambs.

  This practice is regulated by the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 which prohibits castration without the use of an anaesthetic from the age of three months.

  The code of recommendations for the welfare of sheep stipulates that castration must be carried out only in strict accordance with the law and by a competent trained operator. Where anaesthetic is used, the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, as amended, restrict operators to veterinary surgeons only.

  The Farm Animal Welfare Council recently reconsidered the general practice of castration of farm animals. On its recommendation the Government are funding a research programme which is now in progress.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average legal aid cost per case at(a) the sheriff court in a solemn procedure trial and (b) a High Court trial, where (i) there is one accused and (ii) there is more than one accused.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested. In 1991–92 the average legal aid cost of a case in(a) a Sheriff court solemn procedure trail was £2,049 and in (b) a High Court trial was £5,716.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average legal aid cost of a High Court of Justiciary trial day.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested. In 1991–92 the average legal aid cost of a case in a High Court trial was £5,716.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average legal aid cost per case at(a) the sheriff

  401
  court in a solemn procedure trial and (b) a High Court trial applicable to (i) the advocate involved and (ii) the solicitor involved.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  For 1991–92 the information is as follows:

  Average cost per case (£)

  Counsel

  Solicitor

  Sheriff Court—solemn trial

  182

  1,702

  High Court—trial

  1,960

  3,358

  Note: In addition various outlays such as payments to witnesses, may be payable.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average legal aid cost per case at the sheriff court in summary trials.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In 1991–92 the average cost per case was £798.

  Records Office
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the future organisation of the Scottish Records Office.

  Mr. Lang
  I have decided that, under the next steps initiative, the Scottish Record Office should be considered for executive agency status.

  MV Braer
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the aftermath of the grounding of the MV Braer.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 3 February 1993]: Follow-up action to the Shetland oilspill received the highest priority. The Government's bridging fund for businesses facing economic hardship is now in place; the health survey of people living in the vicinity has started; the remit and chairman, Professor William Ritchie, of the ecological steering group have been announced and the remaining membership will be shortly; and the fishery exclusion zone has been extended. The Government will continue to ensure that all necessary steps are taken.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) business frauds, (b) cheque, credit and cash card frauds, (c) thefts from companies, (d) thefts from employees, (e) offences of shoplifting, (f) offences of vandalism against business and (g) assaults at the work place were committed (i) in Scotland and (ii) in each police force area in 1991.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: The only available information collected centrally is given in the table.
  402

  Number of Cases of theft by shoplifting recorded by the police in Scotland, 1991

  Police Force

  Number

  Northern

  905

  Grampian

  2,329

  Tayside

  2,918

  Fife

  1,064

  Lothian and Borders

  5,750

  Central

  1,723

  Strathclyde

  14,862

  Dumfries and Galloway

  547

  Scotland

  30,098

  Disability
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held recently with the Council of Scottish Local Authorities concerning the new arrangements for the provision of personal assistance services to people who would previously have been eligible for financial assistance from the independent living fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart:
  [holding answer 4 February, 1993]: My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State most recently met representatives of the convention's social work committee on 2 October 1992 when a number of community care issues were discussed. This meeting preceded the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People on 24 November about the future of the independent living fund and its successor body arrangements to be introduced from 1 April.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland subsequently announced on 2 December that in 1993–94 £2.8 million was being added to both Government supported expenditure and to aggregate exchequer finance to cover costs to local authorities arising out of their responsibilities under the new arrangements.

  Disadvantaged Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many producers are entitled to hill livestock compensatory allowances in the Highlands region; and how many of those are located in severely disadvantaged areas.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 4 February, 1993]: In Highland region 3,989 producers were paid hill livestock compensatory allowances under the 1992 scheme. Of these 3,955 were located in severely disadvantaged areas.