Written Answers of 12 February 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Visa Appeals
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many ministers of religion have appealed against refusal to grant a visa to enter the United Kingdom in each year since 1987; and how many such appeals were(a) upheld and (b) refused.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The independent appellate authority does not keep a separate record of the occupation or professional qualifications of individual appellants, and therefore the information requested is not available.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he will publish the external advice given to the Lord Chancellor on his proposed changes in legal aid.

  Number

  Average age (years)

  Men

  Women

  Barrister

  Solicitor

  Black/Asian

  Oxbridge

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  10

  66·1

  10

  —

  10

  —

  —

  9

  Lords Justices

  27

  63·4

  26

  1

  27

  —

  —

  23

  Heads of Division (excludes Lord Chancellor)

  4

  62

  4

  —

  4

  —

  —

  4

  High Court Judges

  84

  58·6

  80

  4

  84

  —

  —

  68

  Circuit Judges

  482

  58·1

  458

  24

  425

  57

  2

  261

  Recorders

  764

  52·0

  727

  37

  701

  63

  6

  n/a

  Assistant Recorders (excludes Assistant Recorders in training)

  486

  45·4

  435

  51

  407

  79

  8

  n/a

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  78

  53·4

  69

  9

  38

  40

  1

  n/a

  Industrial Tribunal Chairmen

  61

  57·7

  50

  11

  31

  30

  1

  n/a

  Value Added Tax Tribunal Chairmen

  3

  63

  3

  —

  3

  —

  —

  n/a

  Social Security Appeal Tribunal Chairmen

  25

  51·2

  19

  6

  4

  21

  —

  n/a

  Magistrates Courts (Wales)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the annual cost of magistrates courts in Wales.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The total cost of magistrates' courts in Wales for 1991–92, the latest date for which information is available, was £16,102,630. This comprises both central and local government provision, and both revenue and capital expenditure.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received concerning his new policies on legal aid; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and I have received a number of such representations.
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  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have received a number of representations since I announced these proposals. The extent to which these are published is a matter for the organizations and individuals concerned.

  Judges, etc (Numbers)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the total number of(a) Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, (b) Lords Justices of Appeal, (c) heads of division, (d) High Court judges, (e) circuit judges, (f) recorders, (g) assistant recorders, (h) stipendiary magistrates and (i) full time chairmen; what is the average age of each category; and how many are (i) men, (ii) women, (iii) barristers, (iv) solicitors, (v) black or Asian (vi) ex-independent school and (vii) ex-Oxford or Cambridge, for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The available information (as at 1 January 1993) is set out in the table. The figures for black or Asian office holders are believed to be correct, but the formal recording of the ethnic background of applicants for judicial office began only on 1 October 1991, so such information may be incomplete. Aggregated information relating to the school and university background of judges is not readily available. However, the results of a recent special exercise in relation to the university background of the more senior judges are included in the table.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Tourism
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations of "Tourism in the United Kingdom: Realising the Potential" as it applies to his Department's responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Those issues in "Tourism in the United Kingdom" which are the responsibility of my Department are being taken forward in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. The Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 which came into operation on 1 April 1992 provides enhanced powers for the board and places it in the pivotal role to promote, market and develop Northen Ireland as a tourist destination.

  A corporate plan for 1992 to 1995 published by the board develops in detail the guidelines outlined in the 1989–90 strategic review of tourism in Northern Ireland.

  785
  The statutory public consultative mechanism for tourism is in operation and the principles of the citizens charter are applied to the board's activities. The board will publish in the spring a report on "sustainable tourism" and open public consultation on the subject of tourism and the environment.

  A new selective financial assistance scheme has been introduced for the tourism industry which can assist both the public and private sector to develop and market areas prioritised in the strategic plan which aims to create jobs in tourism and add to the economy taking into account the effects on the environment.

  Roads
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what priority is being given to(a) upgrading the Larne to Belfast road and (b) submitting an application to the European Commission for funding improved transport links between Northern Ireland and Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland recognises the importance of the A8 Larne to Belfast road and a £2.5 million scheme to convert a further section of the road to dual carriageway has been included in the current five-year major road works programme.

  Under the Northern Ireland transportation programme 1989–93 the European Commission has made available some £120 million European regional development fund grant to support transport infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland. Of this amount £4·4 million is being allocated in respect of a number of projects at the port of Larne from which there are direct shipping services to Ardrossan, Cairnryan and Stranraer. In addition the port of Belfast has been allocated £0·75 million grant towards the provision of facilities to accommodate the Seacat service to Stranraer. Belfast city and Belfast international airports, which provide services to Scottish airports, have both received grant support under the transportation programme for a range of projects.

  It is expected that the present transportation programme will continue under the next round of funding post-1993, and will form an important part of the draft community support framework for Northern Ireland to be submitted to Brussels later this year.

  Legislation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a list of all legislation presently applicable in Great Britain which is intended to be applied to Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I keep the legislative needs of Northern Ireland constantly under review in the light of developments in legislation for the rest of the United Kingdom. In the current parliamentary Session planned legislation reflecting those developments includes provision on the subject of access to health records, fire safety, the civil service, social security, environment and safety information, and criminal justice.

  Suckler Cow Premium
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suckler cow premium application forms were processed during each month of 786
  1992; and what was (a) the shortest period and (b) the longest period to elapse between receipt of the application and payment of the claim.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of applications processed in 1992 was as follows:

  Number

  January

  1,602

  February

  642

  March

  2,034

  April

  144

  May

  119

  June

  59

  July

  8

  August

  11

  September

  6

  October

  4

  November

  3,112

  December

  7,389

  Information regarding the shortest and the longest period to elapse between receipt of the application and payment of the claim is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Decommissioning Scheme
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 896, what checks he will make on whether a fishing vessel applying for decommissioning is owned abroad; if vessels which have been registered overseas at any stop will be eligible for British decommissioning; what steps he intends to take to check where beneficial ownership lies; and if he will make a statement on the application of Community law to payments of decommissioning grants.

  Mr. Curry
  As I said in my answer of 29 January, the scheme will be confined to fishing vessels registered and licensed in this country. Checks will be made to ensure that this and all other conditions for payment under the scheme are satisfied. The rules of the scheme will be set out in a statutory instrument that the Government will shortly lay before Parliament. These will be in full accordance with Community law.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1991; whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision or whether the service was contracted out; what was the name of the successful contractor where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Of the market tests completed since November 1991, only two have involved the comparison of bids from internal and external service providers. These were:Headquarters reprographic services;
  Headquarters photographic services.

  The result of both market tests was the maintenance of the in-house provision.

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the firms of consultants used by his Department as part of the market testing programme since November 1991 together with the total cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The following firms of consultants have been used by the Department as part of its market testing programme since November 1991:

  Amtec Consulting;

  Coopers and Lybrand;

  Gould Consultants;

  Hoskyns Group;

  Leopold Joseph and Sons Ltd.

  These private sector consultancies together with self-employed purchasing specialists used by the Department have helped to

  identify suitable candidates for market testing;

  evaluate services currently provided;

  provide training in market testing;

  support in-house bids;

  conduct the competition phase of market testing.

  The total cost of these services to date is £80,926.

  Beef and Butter
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from persons in the Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency about eligibility for free EC beef and butter; and what response he has made.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has received a petition on behalf of the Bentilee Volunteers, Stoke-on-Trent seeking the inclusion of people in receipt of state pension, long-term invalidity benefit and unemployment benefit as eligible groups for the receipt of food under the EC surplus food scheme. The inclusion of such groups would reduce per capita allocations to 0·21 kg of butter and 0·18 kg of beef per year. To distribute such amounts would be impracticable and would be of little benefit.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the rules for eligibility for persons to whom designated organisations may distribute free butter and beef to include pensioners.

  Mr. Curry
  Those pensioners in receipt of income support or family credit or disability working allowance or who are homeless and destitute or living in welfare hostels are eligible for free food. To extend the scheme to all pensioners would reduce per capita annual allocations in the United Kingdom to approximately 0·24 kg of butter and 0·20 kg of beef per year. To distribute such amounts would be impracticable and would be of little benefit.

  Oil Spillages
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what bio-chemical studies are undertaken of(a) beaches contaminated by oil spillages and (b) beaches adjacent to areas affected by oil spillages.

  Mr. Curry
  The need for studies following oil spillages is considered on a case by case basis.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what basis he assesses the toxicity to marine life of dispersants used in the marine environment to disperse oil from oil spillages;
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  (2) on which species toxicity tests were conducted for the dispersants used to disperse oil from the MV Braer.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) on 20 January at column 289. Full details of the toxicity testing procedures for oil dispersants are contained in the Fisheries Research Technical Report No. 39 which is available in the Library of the House.

DEFENCE

  Music
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest figure for the annual running cost of each of the service schools of music, broken down into principal categories of expenditure; what is the annual intake of each of the service schools of music; and what is the(a) civilian and (b) service teaching complement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The net cash budget for the Royal Marines School of Music in 1992–93 is £6,693,000, of which £4,598,000 is for pay and allowances. This includes the cost of the 65 personnel of the Royal Marines band located at the school. The 1992 intake of trainees was 35 musicians and six buglers. The staff of the school comprises 47 personnel. Of these, 10 service personnel provide military training, and 23 service and 14 part-time civilian personnel carry out musical training.

  The forecast running costs for the Royal Military School of Music in 1992–93 are £1,730,000, which will be offset by estimated receipts of £192,000. Personnel costs account for £1,173,000. The annual intake capacity for initial musical training is 140, including 30 foreign and Commonwealth personnel. The teaching staff comprises six military and 11 civilian full-time instructors and 13 part-time civilian tutors.

  The RAF school of music is collocated with headquarters RAF music services and the two units' operating costs are not recorded separately. In the most recent year for which records are available (1991–92) the combined operating costs were £3,947,000. The 1992 intake of trainees was 14 new entrants, plus 19 for advanced training. The teaching complement comprises one officer, four non-commissioned officers and one civilian.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current established strength of each type of band in each of the services; and in each case what are the ranks of the band members, the number of each type of instrument established and the annual running cost.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The available information which is not necessarily in the same format for each service, is as follows:

  Royal Marine Bands
  The Royal Marines School of Music, Deal and the RM Bands at CINCFLEET and CINCHAVHOME each has a complement comprising:

  Deal

  1 Lieutenant Colonel (Special Duty Band)

  1 Lieutenant (Special Duty Band)

  2 Warrant Officer 2

  3 Colour Sergeants

  6 Sergeants

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  11 Corporals

  43 Musicians/Buglers

  CINCFLEET

  1 Captain (Special Duty Band)

  2 Warrant Officer 2

  3 Colour Sergeants

  6 Sergeants

  11 Corporals

  43 Musicians/Buglers

  CINCNAVHOME

  1 Captain (Special Duty Band)

  1 Warrant Officer 1

  4 Colour Sergeants

  6 Sergeants

  11 Corporals

  43 Musicians/Buglers

  Instrumentation for all three above is:

  1 Bandmaster

  2 Flute/Saxophone

  2 Oboes

  2 Bassoons

  2 Solo Clarinets

  6 Clarinet/Violin

  4 Clarinet/Viola

  4 Saxophone/Violin

  4 Horns

  2 Solo Cornets

  5 Cornet/Violin

  2 Cornet Piano

  5 Trombones

  3 Euphonium/Cello

  3 Basses

  3 Percussion

  1 Drum Major

  1 Bugle Major

  13 Bugler/Drummer

  The Royal Marine Bands at Flag Officer Plymouth, Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (FOSNI) and Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) each have 42 personnel, comprising:

  FO Plymouth

  1 Captain (Special Duty Band)

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  1 Colour Sergeant

  6 Sergeants

  6 Corporals

  27 Musicians/Buglers

  FOSNI

  1 Captain (Special Duty Band)

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  1 Colour Sergeant

  6 Sergeants

  6 Corporals

  27 Musicians/Buglers

  CTCRM

  1 Lieutenant (Special Duty Band)

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  2 Colour Sergeant

  5 Sergeants

  9 Corporals

  24 Musicians/Buglers

  Instrumentation for all three above is:

  1 Bandmaster

  1 Flute

  1 Oboe

  1 Bassoon

  1 Solo Clarinet

  3 Clarinet/Violin

  2 Clarinet/Viola

  2 Saxophone/Violin

  2 Horn

  1 Solo Cornet

  790

  3 Cornet/Violin

  1 Cornet Piano

  3 Trombones

  1 Euphonium/Cello

  2 Basses

  1 Percussion

  1 Drum Major

  7 Bugler/Drummer

  The annual running cost budget for the Royal Marine School of Music at Deal in 1992–93 is £6,693,000. Figures are not readily available for the individual Royal Marine Bands.

  Army Bands

  The strength of Army bands varies on the type of band, there are currently 63 bands in the Army. The establishment and rank of Army band members varies according to the type of band.

  Arm/Type of Band

  RAC Regimental/Infantry Regiment

  1 Warrant Officer 1

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  1 Staff Sergeant

  2 Sergeants

  4 Corporals

  4 Lance Corporals

  9 Privates

  Infantry Large

  1 Warrant Officer 1

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  2 Staff Sergeant

  4 Sergeants

  6 Corporals

  6 Lance Corporals

  14 Privates

  H Cav Mounted Minor Staff

  1 Major

  2 Warrant Officer 2

  2 Staff Sergeant

  4 Sergeants

  6 Corporals

  6 Lance Corporals

  14 Privates

  Minor Staff

  1 Major

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  2 Staff Sergeant

  4 Sergeants

  6 Corporals

  6 Lance Corporals

  14 Privates

  Foot Guards Major Staff

  1 Major

  2 Warrant Officer 2

  3 Staff Sergeant

  6 Sergeants

  9 Corporals

  8 Lance Corporals

  20 Privates

  Major Staff

  1 Major

  2 Warrant Officer 2

  3 Staff Sergeant

  6 Sergeants

  8 Corporals

  8 Lance Corporals

  20 Privates

  AGC Minor Staff

  1 Major

  1 Warrant Officer 2

  2 Staff Sergeant

  4 Sergeants

  6 Corporals

  791

  6 Lance Corporals

  15 Privates

  Gurkha Major Staff

  1 Major

  2 Captains

  2 Warrant Officer 2

  2 Staff Sergeant

  3 Sergeants

  8 Corporals

  8 Lance Corporals

  23 Privates

  The information on the number of instruments in Army bands is not held centrally, nor are the annual running costs for each type of band.

  RAF Bands

  Current Strengths

  Central Band— 86 (Two Bands and Salon Orchestra)

  Area Bands (4)—168 (42 Musicians in each)

  Central Band (includes Salon Orchestra):

  1 Director of Music (Sqn Ldr)

  1 Assistant Director of Music (Flt Lt)

  1 Flight Serrgeant

  16 Chief Technicians

  18 Sergeants

  25 Corporals

  19 Junior Technicians

  1 Senior Aircraftsman

  2 Leading Aircraftsmen

  Area bands (x 4)

  1 Director of Music (1 Sqn Ldr, 3 Flt Lts)

  1 Warrant Officer

  1 Flight Sergeant

  3 Chief Technicians

  6 Sergeants

  12 Corporals

  10 Junior Technicians

  6 Senior Aircraftsmen

  2 Leading Aircraftsmen

  The number of instrumentalists per band is:

  Instrument

  Central Band

  Area Bands (x 4)

  Flute/Piccolo

  4

  2

  Oboe

  2

  2

  Clarinet

  18

  9

  Saxophone

  6

  3

  Bassoon

  4

  2

  Horn

  8

  4

  Cornet

  12

  6

  Trombone

  8

  5

  Euphonium

  2

  2

  Tuba

  6

  3

  Percussion/Timpani

  6

  2

  Violins

  3

  —

  Viola

  1

  —

  Cello

  1

  —

  String Bass

  1

  —

  Piano

  1

  —

  The numbers above relate to the instruments established in each Band. Most musicians are accomplished players of more than one instrument.

  The annual running costs of the RAF Music Services, including Headquarters costs and the RAF School of Music, based on FY 91/92 rates are as follows:

  £

  Headquarters Music Services and United Kingdom Bands

  3,947,000

  Royal Air Force Germany Band

  792,000

  792
  The costs include staff costs, LOA, travel and subsistence and other miscellaneous costs, eg. quartering costs.

  Leyland DAF
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many DROPS vehicles are still outstanding from the order placed by his Department with Leyland DAF company.

  Mr. Aitken
  On 5 February 1993, 349 DROPS vehicles were still outstanding from the order placed with Leyland DAF.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of Leyland DAF company being placed in receivership on the British Army.

  Mr. Aitken
  A preliminary assessment has been made but it is not possible to be definitive until the receiver has determined the company's future.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 4-tonne trucks are outstanding from the order placed by the British Army with the Leyland DAF company.

  Mr. Aitken
  On 5 February 1993, 2,080 4-tonne trucks were outstanding from the order placed with Leyland DAF.

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the firms of consultants used by his Department as part of the market testing programme since November 1991 together with the total cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is open to individual management areas within the Department to employ consultants as necessary, within the limits of their budgets. Information on these contracts and their value is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Scientists
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to assist the redeployment in civil research and development of scientists losing their jobs because of closure of defence research establishments.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter delegated to the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Peter Temple-Morris dated 12 February 1993:
  In today's written answer the Secretary of State for Defence informed you that I would be replying directly to your question regarding the steps being taken to assist the redeployment in civil research and development of scientists losing their jobs because of closure of defence research establishments.
  While it is true that the DRA's rationalisation programme will result in some 2,000 job losses, we have been able so far to draw our plans to take those wholly in the support areas. Our aim is to retain and develop our front line scientific capability.

  793
  I hope you will find this information useful.

  Military Hospitals
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he plans for the status and activities of the seven military hospitals.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker) on 4 February Official Report, column 267.

  Royal Yacht
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 37, if he will list the movements and locations of the royal yacht Britannia during the Falklands' conflict; and what press releases or press advice were issued about its role during the conflict.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the period in question, HMY Britannia left her home port of Portsmouth to visit St. Nazaire between 22 and 27 April 1982, and Dover between 7 and 11 June 1982, in support of official royal engagements. It is not possible to provide the rest of the information requested without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where his Department first announced that the royal yacht Britannia was no longer considered necessary as a possible hospital ship.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence concluded during late 1992 that there was no longer a requirement for Britannia to fulfil the war role of a hospital ship. We have confirmed this decision in response to specific inquiries, the first instance being by my Department's press office on 20 January 1993.

  Royal Flights
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many nights in 1992 crew members of royal flights were found accommodation overseas; what was the cost; and what were the locations involved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Whenever practical, aircraft of the Queen's Flight which have carried out tasks to overseas destinations recover to the United Kingdom, thus enabling them to undertake other tasks. When this is not practical, crew members are accommodated in hotels in accordance with the standard regulations which apply to all air transport crews. In 1992, 266 nights were spent away from RAF Benson as a result of flights in the United Kingdom or overseas. The estimate for travel and subsistence for financial year 1992–93 is some £264,000 which covers nights spent away in both the United Kingdom and overseas. Details of individual occurrences could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what policies are pursued to ensure that people from the ethnic minorities are recruited as Officers of the House.
  794
  Mr. Beith
  In recruiting all staff to the House of Commons service, it is the Commission's policy that all eligible persons shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability, qualifications and fitness for the work and that there shall be no discrimination on any other grounds. The Commission has appointed an equal opportunities officer whose responsibility it is to monitor the Commission's policy of equal opportunity and to provide relevant advice to management and staff of the House.

  Members of selection boards are provided with written guidance as to the conduct of interviews. This makes it clear that there must be no discrimination on grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origins, sex or marital status.

  The Commission monitors its policy on racial equality by asking candidates to complete a questionnaire indicating their ethnic origin. This is voluntary and it is explained in the accompanying literature that the ethnic information is confidential to the equal opportunities officer and is not available to those involved in the selection process.

EDUCATION

  Schools Inspectors
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if schools are permitted to charge the Office for Standards in Education for the time and materials used in providing the essential information and statistics which independent inspectors need to make their inspections.

  Mr. Forth
  No. The information which registered inspectors will need to carry out an inspection will be readily available in all schools.

  Open University
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many people have been enrolled in Open university courses for each year since 1979;

  (2) how many Open university degrees have been awarded in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Boswell
  In 1979–80 there were 70,000 enrolments and 5,800 degrees awarded. Details of Open university enrolment and degrees awarded for later years up to 1990–91 are contained in statistical bulletin 8/92, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Books and Magazines (VAT)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of a standard rate of VAT on books and magazines on the reading patterns of primary and secondary school children.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has made no such assessment. Books and magazines are zero rated for VAT.

  Reading
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to encourage reading among young people.

  Mr. Forth
  This is already an essential element of our policy. The current review of national curriculum English,
  795
  on which the National Curriculum Council is expected to report soon, has been addressing the need to ensure that pupils are encouraged to develop the habit of reading widely, and are introduced to the richness of great literature.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the number of students with special educational needs who gained entry to university and polytechnics for each year since 1982.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is(a) the number and (b) the proportion

  LEA

  Middle

  Seconday

  Special

  Pupils with statements

  Pupils with statements

  Pupils with statements

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  City

  Camden

  —

  —

  137

  1·3

  277

  74·5

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  229

  1·6

  676

  91·1

  Hackney

  —

  —

  93

  1·2

  613

  94·2

  Hammersmith

  —

  —

  72

  1·2

  392

  89·9

  Islington

  —

  —

  86

  1·1

  323

  96·4

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  34

  0·9

  87

  100·0

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  87

  1·4

  711

  84·3

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  127

  1·2

  422

  90·6

  Southwark

  —

  –

  95

  1·0

  371

  75·6

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  89

  0·8

  403

  78·9

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  112

  1·2

  663

  92·7

  Westminster

  —

  —

  81

  1·1

  158

  94·0

  Barking

  —

  —

  59

  0·6

  150

  93·2

  Barnet

  —

  —

  113

  0·6

  291

  79·7

  Bexley

  —

  —

  185

  1·3

  260

  95·6

  Brent

  —

  —

  94

  0·8

  256

  72·5

  Bromley

  —

  —

  121

  0·8

  302

  84·4

  Croydon

  —

  —

  164

  1·0

  505

  98·1

  Ealing

  69

  1·0

  87

  0·8

  428

  93·2

  Enfield

  —

  —

  26

  0·2

  128

  29·8

  Haringey

  —

  —

  42

  0·5

  242

  70·8

  Harrow

  70

  1·3

  98

  1·2

  173

  78·6

  Havering

  —

  —

  159

  1·0

  214

  95·1

  Hillingdon

  —

  —

  85

  0·6

  313

  77·9

  Hounslow

  —

  —

  302

  2·3

  384

  98·2

  Kingston on Thames

  —

  —

  98

  1·3

  228

  98·7

  Merton

  82

  1·3

  89

  1·4

  235

  94·4

  Newham

  —

  —

  159

  1·2

  271

  79·2

  Redbridge

  —

  —

  63

  0·4

  367

  96·1

  Richmond upon Thames

  —

  —

  124

  1·7

  149

  100·0

  Sutton

  —

  —

  90

  0·8

  274

  88·1

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  89

  0·7

  689

  88·7

  Birmingham

  16

  0·5

  418

  0·6

  2,325

  77·1

  Coventry

  —

  —

  79

  0·4

  777

  94·8

  Dudley

  —

  —

  112

  0·6

  569

  99·6

  Sandwell

  —

  —

  44

  0·2

  619

  75·6

  Solihull

  —

  —

  170

  1·2

  262

  94·6

  Walsall

  —

  —

  112

  0·6

  567

  98·6

  Wolvehampton

  —

  —

  167

  1·1

  499

  99·6

  Knowsley

  —

  —

  151

  1·7

  501

  80·2

  Liverpool

  —

  —

  69

  0·2

  1,487

  93·8

  St· Helens

  —

  —

  131

  1·1

  448

  95·3

  Sefton

  —

  —

  210

  1·1

  387

  90·4

  Wirral

  —

  —

  251

  1·2

  638

  82·6

  Bolton

  —

  —

  114

  0·7

  376

  77·8

  Bury

  —

  —

  274

  2·6

  278

  93·3

  Manchester

  —

  —

  134

  0·6

  646

  34·9

  Oldham

  —

  —

  229

  1·4

  444

  74·9

  Rochdale

  —

  —

  137

  1·1

  369

  73·4

  Salford

  —

  —

  75

  0·6

  298

  66·1

  Stockport

  —

  —

  315

  1·7

  405

  90·4

  Tameside

  —

  —

  173

  1·2

  340

  80·6

  Trafford

  —

  —

  168

  1·5

  343

  86·2

  Wigan

  —

  —

  189

  0·9

  461

  53·1

  Barnsley

  —

  —

  109

  0·9

  158

  100·0

  Doncaster

  45

  0·5

  128

  0·8

  689

  97·0

  796
  of children with statements of special educational needs in (i) primary schools, (ii) middle schools, (iii) secondary schools and (iv) special schools in each local education authority area.

  Mr. Forth
  Information about pupils with statements of special educational needs in maintained middle, secondary and special schools in each local education authority in England in January 1992 is shown in the table. The numbers of pupils with statements in maintained primary schools in 1992 are not available. In January 1991, the latest year for which reliable figures are available, there were over 30,000 pupils with statements in maintained primary schools.
  797

  LEA

  Middle

  Seconday

  Special

  Pupils with statements

  Pupils with statements

  Pupils with statements

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Rotherham

  —

  —

  83

  0·5

  623

  99·2

  Sheffield

  94

  1·3

  316

  1·3

  819

  93·3

  Bradford

  167

  0·7

  143

  0·7

  707

  73·5

  Calderdale

  —

  —

  85

  0·7

  179

  89·9

  Kirklees

  47

  1·3

  249

  1·1

  643

  99·7

  Leeds

  394

  2·3

  614

  1·8

  996

  97·7

  Wakefield

  39

  0·5

  89

  0·6

  569

  89·6

  Gateshead

  —

  —

  68

  0·6

  328

  90·1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  46

  1·4

  94

  0·7

  675

  85·2

  North Tyneside

  82

  1·5

  100

  1·1

  419

  95·4

  South Tyneside

  —

  —

  117

  1·3

  346

  100·0

  Sunderland

  —

  —

  116

  0·6

  688

  99·0

  Isles of Scilly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Avon

  —

  —

  553

  1·0

  1,917

  92·8

  Bedfordshire

  201

  1·2

  230

  0·8

  1,032

  90·3

  Berkshire

  102

  2·0

  262

  0·6

  1,572

  95·3

  Buckinghamshire

  339

  2·2

  634

  1·8

  1,452

  91·8

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  0·6

  489

  1·2

  711

  72·3

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  1,192

  1·9

  1,379

  91·6

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  496

  1·3

  1,266

  89·5

  Cornwall

  —

  —

  784

  2·7

  285

  95·6

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  654

  2·1

  287

  93·8

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  1,486

  2·6

  1,062

  78·3

  Devon

  131

  3·6

  1,300

  2·3

  1,677

  93·8

  Dorset

  79

  0·7

  413

  1·3

  1,095

  99·2

  Durham

  —

  —

  258

  0·7

  955

  89·4

  East Sussex

  —

  —

  117

  0·3

  1,273

  93·2

  Essex

  —

  —

  949

  1·0

  2,317

  88·8

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  305

  1·0

  848

  64·2

  Hampshire

  342

  1·6

  1,170

  1·4

  2,839

  77·0

  Hereford and Worcester

  25

  0·2

  175

  0·5

  787

  62·5

  Hertfordshire

  59

  1·9

  718

  1·1

  1,894

  99·1

  Humberside

  —

  —

  452

  0·8

  1,161

  93·6

  Isle of Wight

  45

  0·8

  36

  0·7

  214

  84·9

  Kent

  25

  0·6

  918

  1·0

  3,030

  90·6

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  1,599

  1·9

  2,891

  88·7

  Leicestershire

  91

  1·7

  570

  1·0

  1,076

  97·5

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  713

  2·0

  1,025

  89·5

  Norfolk

  446

  2·7

  862

  2·1

  768

  85·7

  North Yorkshire

  2

  0·5

  531

  1·2

  951

  94·4

  Northamptonshire

  48

  0·5

  287

  0·8

  991

  85·6

  Northumberland

  163

  1·1

  118

  0·9

  485

  99·4

  Nottinghamshire

  8

  0·3

  122

  0·2

  1,622

  94·4

  Oxfordshire

  11

  0·3

  116

  0·4

  645

  76·9

  Shropshire

  —

  —

  831

  3·1

  485

  88·2

  Somerset

  75

  1·7

  385

  1·6

  561

  92·1

  Staffordshire

  55

  0·8

  350

  0·6

  1,884

  84·8

  Suffolk

  511

  3·2

  871

  2·8

  717

  90·5

  Surrey

  621

  2·3

  498

  1·2

  1,781

  99·9

  Warwickshire

  95

  0·7

  151

  0·6

  1,019

  78·3

  West Sussex

  87

  0·9

  239

  0·6

  766

  62·1

  Wiltshire

  78

  6·3

  1,182

  3·7

  637

  84·6

  England

  4,791

  1·4

  32,538

  1·2

  79,190

  86·0

  Mrs. Anne Cambell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the number of pre-school and nursery school children with statements of special educational needs in each local education authority area.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of pupils with statements of special educational needs in maintained nursery schools in each local education authority in England in January 1992 is shown in the table. Information about pre-school children who have statements is not available.

  Pupils with statements of special educational needs in maintained nursery schools in England: January 1992

  LEA

  Number of pupils

  City

  0

  Camden

  1

  Greenwich

  0

  798

  LEA

  Number of pupils

  Hackney

  1

  Hammersmith

  1

  Islington

  1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1

  Lambeth

  0

  Lewisham

  0

  Southwark

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  Wandsworth

  1

  Westminster

  4

  Barking

  0

  Barnet

  1

  Bexley

  2

  Brent

  0

  Bromley

  0

  Croydon

  1

  Ealing

  0

  799

  LEA

  Number of pupils

  Enfield

  0

  Haringey

  1

  Harrow

  0

  Havering

  0

  Hounslow

  0

  Kingston upon Thames

  12

  Merton

  0

  Newham

  6

  Redbridge

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  Sutton

  0

  Waltham Forest

  0

  Birmingham

  1

  Coventry

  0

  Dudley

  0

  Sandwell

  0

  Solihull

  0

  Walsall

  1

  Wolverhampton

  2

  Knowsley

  0

  Liverpool

  1

  St. Helens

  0

  Sefton

  1

  Wirral

  2

  Bolton

  3

  Bury

  0

  Manchester

  0

  Oldham

  0

  Rochdale

  2

  Salford

  0

  Stockport

  8

  Tameside

  0

  Trafford

  0

  Wigan

  0

  Barnsley

  1

  Doncaster

  0

  Rotherham

  3

  Sheffield

  1

  Bradford

  0

  Calderdale

  0

  Kirklees

  8

  Leeds

  0

  Wakefield

  1

  Gateshead

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3

  North Tyneside

  1

  South Tyneside

  1

  Sunderland

  2

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Avon

  5

  Bedfordshire

  3

  Berkshire

  30

  Buckinghamshire

  21

  Cambridgeshire

  6

  Cheshire

  6

  Cleveland

  0

  Cornwall

  2

  Cumbria

  5

  Derbyshire

  5

  Devon

  1

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  51

  East Sussex

  0

  Essex

  0

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  Hertfordshire

  9

  Humberside

  3

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Kent

  0

  Lancashire

  18

  Leicestershire

  1

  Lincolnshire

  8

  Norfolk

  2

  North Yorkshire

  7

  Northamptonshire

  2

  800

  LEA

  Number of pupils

  Northumberland

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  Oxfordshire

  1

  Shropshire

  0

  Somerset

  0

  Staffordshire

  7

  Suffolk

  0

  Surrey

  23

  Warwickshire

  3

  West Sussex

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  England

  298

  National Library for the Handicapped Child
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to grant governmental funding to the national library for the handicapped child.

  Mr. Forth
  We have no plans to fund the national library for the handicapped child.

  Higher Education Institutions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 27 January,Official Report, column 744, if he will conduct a survey of higher education institutions on the advantages of a single organisation fowarding tuition fees to them.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to undertake such a survey.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 27 January,Official Report, column 744, if he will bring forward proposals that local authorities forwarding tuition fees to higher education institutions after the specified date should add a payment for interest.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on representations he has received from and on behalf of higher education institutions in respect of late payment of the tuition fees from his Department via local authorities.

  Mr. Boswell
  Representations have recently been received from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and from two individual institutions.

  Professors of General Practice
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many professors of general practice there are in each medical school in England.

  Mr. Boswell
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not collected centrally.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid Loans
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the levels of reduction in debt service achieved by countries that have benefited from the relief of old aid loans granted by the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since 1979 we have written off over £450 million, through retrospective terms adjustment, of aid loans to the poorest countries. In the period 1979–91 this, together with the rescheduling of other aid loans, translated into a £410 million reduction in debt service for the countries concerned.

  We recently announced that we would also write off £56 million of aid loans to Zambia from 1 April 1993, provided their economic reform programme stays on track. In addition, we agreed to provide India with local cost aid for projects to offset repayments of past aid loans amounting to £560 million. Thus, the Government have, overall, relieved the burden of aid loans to developing countries by about £1 billion. Twenty-four countries have benefited from these measures.

  Forests
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific measures were undertaken to ensure that aid is targeted to the poorest people in areas where the forests are facing the severest threats.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Britain's aid in all sectors is targeted predominantly to the poorest countries and our forestry programmes are focused on countries, and parts of countries, where forestry and deforestation are important issues such as in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kenya, Ghana and Malawi. Some relatively better off countries such as Brazil and Malaysia also receive our forestry aid because of the particular problems they face in this sector.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those logging activities recognised by the Overseas Development Administration as promoting sustainable forest use for the benefit of traditional and other forest dwellers.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The logging activities most likely to promote sustainable forest use for the benefit of forest dwellers are those in which they participate directly.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost his Department since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  Work on market testing is combined with other duties and it is not possible to give a figure for the number of people assigned to the market testing 802
  programme. We broadly estimate that the cost of the programme to date is £155,000. This includes the cost of support for the in-house teams and other consultancy work. It does not include the cost of the in-house teams themselves.

  Tax Welfare
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review tax welfare alongside the review of spending Departments.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The tax system is reviewed each year in the run-up to the Budget.

  Disabled Employees
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of employees in his Department is registered disabled.

  Sir John Cope
  On 1 January 1993, the latest date for which this information is available, 0.9 per cent. of Treasury staff were registered disabled. The Department employs a number of people with disabilities who have chosen not to register as disabled.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what common procedures are being used by Government departments in relation to(a) the 1993 public expenditure survey, (b) plans for reductions in years beyond 1993–94 and (c) plans for 1996–97; what figure is being used to calculate reductions in 1996–97 from the 1995–96 baseline; and what information he has on the effect on real terms of reductions of (i) 2½ per cent. and (ii) 5 per cent. below the 1993–94 baseline for each Department.

  Mr. Portillo
  Procedures for the 1993 public expenditure survey are currently under discussion. No decisions have been taken.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the publishing industry about the possible imposition of VAT on reading matter.

  Sir John Cope
  My right hon. Friend has received many representations on Budget-related matters. As is usual, I cannot anticipate his Budget statement.

  Monarch (Taxation)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the right hon. Member for Swansea, West can expect a reply to his letter of 12 January, concerning taxation of the monarch.

  Mr. Lamont
  I shall be replying to the right hon. Member's letter of 12 January very shortly.

  Output Statistics
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average output per head for each county in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.
  803
  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 11 February 1993]: The latest available information, relating to gross domestic product by county for 1987 and 1989, was published in the December 1991 issue of "Economic Trends". Estimates for Scottish regions have recently been revised, reflecting improved methodology, and these are as follows.

  Gross domestic product at factor cost Scottish regions

  £ per head

  Region

  1987

  1989

  Borders

  5,271

  5,931

  Central

  5,465

  6,790

  Dumfries and Galloway

  5,384

  6,486

  Fife

  5,334

  6,228

  Grampian

  7,248

  8,966

  Highlands and Islands

  5,143

  5,934

  Lothian

  6,844

  8,190

  Strathclyde

  5,371

  6,536

  Tayside

  5,465

  6,593

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the firms of consultants used by his Department as part of the market testing programme since November 1991 together with the total cost; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown prosecution service has used consultants PE International and Price Waterhouse in its market testing programme at a cost of £12,800. The legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office have not used any firm of consultants.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Refugee Children
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what immigration status is granted to unaccompanied children from the former Yugoslavia; and what assessment he has made of the effect of their families of their immigration status.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Applications are considered individually and decisions take account of all relevant circumstances.

  Devon and Cornwall
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed by the Devon and Cornwall police force in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This information is set out in the table:

  Devon and Cornwall constabulary

  Strength as at 31 December

  Year

  Strength

  1979

  2,639

  1980

  2,721

  1981

  2,694

  804

  Year

  Strength

  1982

  2,729

  1983

  2,724

  1984

  2,745

  1985

  2,747

  1986

  2,753

  1987

  2,797

  1988

  2,812

  1989

  2,830

  1990

  2,867

  1991

  2,876

  1 1992

  2,909

  1 November.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notifiable criminal offences took place in Devon and Cornwall in each year since 1979; and if he will publish separate figures for(a) violence against the person, (b) sexual offences, (c) robbery, (d) burglary, (e) theft and handling of stolen goods, (f) fraud and forgery (g) criminal damage and (h) other offences.

  Mr. Jack
  Statistics for 1979 are published in Table 32 of the 1979 volume of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". Statistics for 1980 are published in table 3.1 of the "Criminal Statistics, Supplementary Volume 3". Figures for 1981–90 are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 2.4 in the 1983 volume and table 2.5 in the remaining volumes—copies of all these publications are available in the Library. Information for 1991 is published in the table. Figures for 1992 are not year available.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in Devon and Cornwall Number of offences

  1991

  Total

  108,208

  Violence against the person

  3,742

  Sexual offences

  806

  Robbery

  295

  Burglary

  25,708

  Theft and handling of stolen goods

  57,965

  Fraud and forgery

  4,175

  Criminal damage

  14,975

  Other offences

  542

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has introduced to reduce crime in the south-west.

  Mr. Jack
  The Devon and Cornwall constabulary has resources to maintain a strong and effective police service. At the end of November 1992 the force strength was 2,909 police officers and 1,400 civilians. This represents an increase in strength of 242 police officers and 292 civilians since 1979. We have also encouraged the development of effective crime prevention programmes. Nine crime prevention panels are in operation in the area and there are 3,378 neighbourhood watch schemes covering over 90,000 households. Other watch schemes have been introduced with the participation of the local community including boat watch, farm watch, community and business watch. The police have also reported a 3 per cent. decrease in the theft of vehicles of 1992 which is likely to be partly attributable to national and local car crime prevention campaigns. In addition an alcohol byelaw, which prohibits
  805
  the consumption of alcohol in certain public places in an effort to reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour, was confirmed in Restormel in 1991 following Home Office approval.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested by the Metropolitan police in(a) the last six months of 1991 and (b) the last six months of 1992; and how many arrested in each period were subsequently (i) charged, (ii) cautioned and (iii) had no action taken against them.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Peter Faithfull
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his consideration of an application to the Court of Appeal to review the conviction of Mr. Peter Faithfull, HMP Sudbury.

  Mr. Jack
  Following a number of representations on Mr. Faithfull's behalf, we are making enquiries into his case. I can not at present say when my right hon. and learned Friend will be in a position to decide whether a reference to the Court of Appeal would be justified.

  Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a report from the Viscount Colville of Culross QC on the operation in 1992 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have received such a report from Viscount Colville and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of(a) men and (b) women being held in police cells as a remand prisoner in England and Wales as of 1 February.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 1 February there were 159 male prisoners in police cells in England and Wales of whom 132 were unconvicted. There were no women in police cells. The most up to date information, however, is for 11 February when there were 53 male prisoners in police cells, of whom 39 were unconvicted.

  Brain Dead Patients
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will bring forward legislation to amend the law concerning brain dead persons on life support systems.

  Mr. Jack
  There are no plans to amend the law in this area.

  Primates (Experiments)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to his answer to the right hon. Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) of 2 December 1992,Official Report) column 215, about Shamrock Farms, what changes he proposes in terms of both numbers of staff and operational procedures in the Home Office inspectorate to prevent any repetition.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 15 December 1992,Official Report, col. 101. There are no plans to alter the size of the inspectorate or its operating procedures.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department many motorists were prosecuted for illegally driving in a bus lane in the Greater London area in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not separately identified in the statistics collected centrally.

  Market Testing Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the firms of consultants used by his Department as part of the market testing programme since November 1991 together with the total cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Since November 1991, the Home Office has awarded contracts to the value of £239,000 for consultancies as part of the market testing programme.

  The following companies have been used by candidate areas to advise them on how best to respond to the market testing initiative, viz.

  Price Waterhouse

  Shreeveport

  Corporate Renewal Associates

  PA Consulting Group

  Worthy Associates

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte were also employed to assist the Department in developing its market testing programme.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his Department's target figures for days taken to reply to correspondence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  From 1 October 1992, the targets for answering ministerial correspondence are 35 calendar days (equivalent to 25 working days) for immigration and nationality department and prison service cases; and
  21 calendar days (equivalent to 15 working days) for correspondence on all other subjects.

  Prisoner Statistics
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and how many women were sent to prison(a) on remand and (b) on sentence in each month of 1992 and in January 1993.
  807
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: The available information is given in the table. Data for September 1992 to January 1993 are not yet available.

  Receptions into Prison service establishments in England and Wales by Sex and Type of Custody: January—August 19921

  Males

  Females

  Month

  Remand2

  Sentenced

  Remand2

  Sentenced

  Fine Defaulters

  Others

  Fine Defaulters

  Others

  January

  4,700

  2,000

  4,500

  210

  110

  230

  February

  4,200

  1,700

  4,600

  210

  80

  210

  March

  4,200

  1,400

  5,000

  210

  100

  210

  April

  4,200

  1,300

  4,200

  210

  90

  160

  May

  4,200

  1,300

  3,900

  210

  80

  190

  June

  4,200

  1,700

  4,400

  200

  80

  170

  July

  4,400

  1,600

  4,900

  220

  80

  230

  August

  4,000

  1,600

  3,800

  190

  80

  170

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 100 for males and the nearest 10 for females.

  2 Untried only; excludes prisoners first received as convicted but unsentenced.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the sentenced and (b) remand gaol population for England and Wales for each month in 1992 and in January 1993.

  Prison population by type of custody: England and Wales—January 1992 to January 1993

  Held in prison service establishments

  Held in police cells

  Month-date

  Remand1

  Sentenced

  Total2

  Remand1

  Sentenced

  Total

  Total population in custody

  1992

  31 January

  9,901

  35,098

  45,319

  760

  487

  1,247

  46,566

  29 February

  9,765

  35,896

  45,964

  982

  644

  1,626

  47,590

  31 March

  9,461

  36,086

  45,864

  1,217

  665

  1,882

  47,746

  30 April

  9,510

  36,141

  46,022

  1,136

  580

  1,716

  47,738

  31 May

  9,550

  35,495

  45,390

  744

  562

  1,306

  46,696

  30 June

  9,559

  35,564

  45,486

  845

  501

  1,346

  46,832

  31 July

  9,248

  36,187

  45,765

  694

  416

  1,110

  46,875

  31 August

  9,403

  35,682

  45,378

  725

  247

  972

  46,350

  30 September

  9,455

  35,339

  45,020

  565

  250

  815

  45,835

  31 October

  9,163

  33,933

  43,377

  442

  86

  528

  43,905

  30 November

  9,200

  33,236

  42,708

  259

  97

  356

  43,064

  31 December

  8,272

  31,785

  40,328

  218

  60

  278

  40,606

  1993

  31 January3

  9,200

  31,800

  41,346

  152

  7

  159

  41,505

  1 Untried and convicted but sentenced.

  2 Includes non-criminal prisoners.

  3 January 1993 totals are provisional; the remand only sentenced figures have been estimated and are shown to the nearest 100.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) when he will issue guidance to Departments on the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 to market testing;

  (2) what proposals he has to issue guidance to the private sector, or make available on request to the private sector, the General Guidance: Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 and a document regarding the detailed implications if the regulations apply; and if he will make a statement:

  (3) what guidance he proposes on whether the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 will apply subsequent to market testing, where a
  808
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: The available information is given in the table.

  contractor employs most of the former staff but not the pre-existing premises or equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Attorney-General made a full statement on 21 January to the Standing Committee on the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill which set out clearly the position on the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.

  I am considering what further guidance might be helpful.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has for the funding of legal advice for tenderers for departmental service provision contracting out under the market-testing procedure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Potential tenderers must make their own arrangements for seeking and paying for any necessary legal advice. They can reflect these and all other relevant costs in their bid proposals.

  Milking and Mastitis Centre, Berkshire
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the names of the companies that have given grants to the milking and mastitis centre in Compton, Berkshire.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Between 1985 and 1992 the milking and mastitis centre was in receipt of funds from the Milk Marketing Board. The centre has recently entered into a contract with a commercial company, under which the company is funding work to the value of some £140,000 over a period of three years. It is one of the terms of the contract that the identity of the company should be treated as commercial-in-confidence information.

  Research Funding
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what was the total cost of the alpha-rated research projects which were refused by each research council in the financial year 1991–92; and how much money was spent by each research council on alpha-rated projects in that financial year;

  Council

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  AFRC

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  53

  27

  16

  22

  45

  27

  ESRC

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  22

  46

  40

  56

  56

  MRC 1

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  17

  36

  19

  45

  53

  51

  57

  NERC

  49

  25

  61

  48

  63

  47

  48

  13

  37

  39

  43

  SERC

  25

  22

  22

  19

  21

  40

  35

  38

  46

  59

  52

  1 Figures for the MRC are for Project Grants only.

  Figures which show the proportion of rejected alpha-rated research projects which involved expenditure of less than £250,000 in 1991–92 are as follows: 100 per cent. of the AFRC's, ESRC's, MRC's and NERC's awards in 1991–92 were less than £250,000. 87 per cent. of rejected alpha-rated grant applications to SERC involved expenditure of less than £250,000.

WALES

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in his Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost his Department since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Department's efficiency unit is responsible for managing its market testing programme and it has the equivalent of approximately six full-time staff engaged on the work. The estimated cost to date is £233,000.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1991; whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision or whether the service was contracted out; what was the name of the successful contractor where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.
  810
  (2) what proportion of research projects in fundamental science and technology from university departments graded alpha has been rejected in each year since 1981;

  (3) what is the proportion of fundamental science and technology projects graded alpha and rejected which involved expenditure of less than £250,000.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the financial year 1991–92, the Agriculture and Food Research Council (AFRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) refused funding for alpha-rated research projects worth £13 million, £22.8 million and £10.2 million respectively, and spent £21.7 million, £7.8 million, and £9 million on alpha-rated projects, respectively.

  In the academic year 1991–92, the Medical Research Council (MRC), and the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) refused funding for alpha-rated research projects worth £45 million and £151.8 million respectively, and spent £26 million and £105.6 million on alpha-rated projects, respectively. Figures for the financial year, for these research councils are not available.

  The proportion of alpha-rated research projects rejected by each research council is shown in the table:

  Mr. David Hunt
  A market test of building maintenance services has been carried out covering building project services and building inspections. The contract was awarded to Kirkham, Williams and Lewis.

  Nuclear Power Plants
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the environmental safety of the operation of nuclear power plants in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The two nuclear power stations in Wales at Trawsfynydd and Wylfa are subject to strict regulatory controls, as part of which an extensive environmental monitoring programme is undertaken. The results of this monitoring are regularly published by the Government and have consistently shown that the levels of radioactivity in the vicinity of the two stations meet international and national guidelines.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his estimate of the maximum and minimum capital allocation that fund-holding general practitioners in Wales will receive for hospital referrals in 1993–94;

  (2) what is the maximum and minimum for capital allocation that fund-holding general practitioner practices in Wales have had for hospital referrals in 1992–93.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  GP fund holders do not receive any capital allocations. A fund is provided to enable them to purchase the hospital services included in the fund-holding scheme. The minimum and maximum allocations to fund holders for these services in 1992–93 were £145,000 and
  811
  £1,328,000 respectively. Individual allocations depend on practice list size—which will reflect the number of GPs in the practice—and on the historic level of use of hospital services. Allocations for 1993–94 have not yet been determined.

  Housing
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been allocated to each local authority area in Wales for care and repair housing schemes during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies of his Department's planning policy guidance note on the development of wind energy and other renewable resources, published on 3 February have been printed; and to whom the guidance note has been distributed.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I understand that 4,500 copies of the joint Department of the Environment/Welsh Office planning policy guidance note on renewable energy have been printed by HMSO. Copies have been distributed to local authorities in England and Wales and for use by Government Departments, and others are available for sale from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

  Valleys Programme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the(a) number and (b) percentage, in terms of the total population of the valleys programme area, of economically inactive males for the valleys programme area for 1991;

  (2) what was the percentage, in terms of the total male population aged over 16 years, of economically inactive males in the valleys programme area, at the latest available date.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Statistics from the 1991 census are currently being prepared for the valleys programme area and I will write to the hon. Gentleman to give a full answer to the question shortly. Until then I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 13 January at columns 750–51, which gives the percentage of economically inactive males aged 16 to 64 for districts included in the valleys programme area.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds will be made available to the Cardiff Bay development corporation in the next financial year.

  Mr. David Hunt
  During 1993–94 my Department will make available to Cardiff Bay development corporation grant in aid of £44.9 million.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the current capability of the fire service in Wales to cope with the demands made upon it; and what representations he has had from the Fire Brigades Union on the resourcing of the service.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  On the basis of reports of inspections during 1992 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services, I am broadly satisfied that fire authorities in Wales are in this financial year complying with the nationally recommended minimum standards of fire cover and with the statutory duties under the Fire Services Act 1947. Her Majesty's inspectorate has, where appropriate, drawn the authorities' attention to some minor areas where they are failing to comply with these standards and duties. I have received no representations from the Fire Brigades Union specifically about the resourcing of the fire service in Wales, but my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State has discussed some resource issues relating to the fire service more generally with representatives of the Fire Brigades Union last November.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Tourism
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if, following the change in the value of the pound sterling, he will reassess the case for central funding of the promotion of tourism in England.

  Mr. Key
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the importance of sports-related tourism.

  Mr. Key
  The relationship between sports and tourism is strong and mutually beneficial. The Sports Council estimates that some 11 per cent. of expenditure by domestic and overseas tourists is sport-related.

  My Department provides grant in aid to the Sports Council to promote sport and leisure activities in Britain, and this includes activities undertaken by tourists.

  We have already committed up to £75 million towards an arena, a velodrome and for the preparation of the site for the Olympic stadium. If Manchester is successful, then the benefits to British tourism, particularly in the north-west, will be considerable.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Eastbourne, (Mr. Waterson) of 25 January,Official Report, column 694, what assessment his Department has made of the levels of investment in tourism-related projects since the decision to suspend grants made under section 4 of the Tourism Development Act 1969; and what the figure was in 1989.

  Mr. Key
  The English tourist board (ETB) publishes a biannual survey of investment in tourism-related projects. According to ETB figures, projects with a total value of £2,921 million (excluding those with a value of less than £500,000) were under construction in England between January and June 1989. The corresponding figure for the six months from January to June 1992 was £1,062 million.
  813
  This level of investment is many times higher than the total value of projects assisted by the section 4 scheme in England. In the 1988–89 financial year, expenditure on section 4 grants amounted to £13.2 million and total investment in projects assisted by these grants was just over £123 million.

EMPLOYMENT

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the firms of consultants used by her Department as part of the market testing programme since November 1991 together with the total cost; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Executive, the employment Department headquarters and the Employment service have used the following consultants to advise on its market testing programme, at a total cost of £144,885 (including VAT and expenses):

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Ernst and Young

  John Pearce

  KPMG

  PA Consulting

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list all the market tests that have taken place in her Department since November 1991; whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision or whether the service was contracted out; what was the name of the successful contractor where appropriate; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Four tests have been completed. One is under negotiation and therefore details are confidential. Of the remainder, both the Employment Department headquarters and the employment service travel services contracts were awarded to Wagons Lit. In-house provision was maintained for the employment service's information technology mainframe service.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff in her Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost her Department since November 1991; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Full information on the costs and staffing involved in the market testing programme across the Employment Department group are not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member when the information can be collated.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give estimates for the number of black workers likely to be adversely affected by the abolition of the wages councils.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 8 February 1993,Official Report, column 503.

  Youth Training
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many youth training places are currently available in the Bristol travel-to-work area.
  814
  Mr. McLoughlin
  I understand from Avon training and enterprise council that as at 29 January 1993 there was a total of 258 YT places available in the county of Avon. Separate records are not maintained for individual travel-to-work areas.

  Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which elements of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill were not discussed in advance with the Equal Opportunities Commission.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Equal Opportunities Commission was consulted about the most significant provisions in the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill which concern equality of opportunity and in which it has a legitimate interest. The commission was not consulted about the provisions affecting trade unions or other broader industrial relations issues.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) improvement notices, (b) prohibition notices and (c) prosecutions have been issued or commenced by the Health and Safety Executive's offshore division (i) from 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992 and (ii) since 1 April 1992; and what were the results and penalties in each case of a completed prosecution.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  1 April 19991 to 31 March 1992

  Since 1 April 1992

  Number of improvement notices served

  nil

  8

  Number of prohibition notices served

  2

  3

  Information on completed prosecutions is as follows:

  (i) Between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 1992, a total of three companies were convicted and fines of £850, £20,000 and £5,000, respectively, were imposed.

  (ii) Since 1 April 1992, a total of six companies have been convicted. Fines of £100,000, £1,000 £30,000, £1,000, £1,000 and £5,000, respectively, were imposed. Charges brought against two compamnies were not proved.

  Economically Inactive Males
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the(a) number and (b) percentage, in terms of the total population, of economically inactive males in the United Kingdom, at the latest available date.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The most recent results from the labour force survey for the whole of the United Kingdom are for spring (March to May) 1992. At that time there were a total of 5,733,000 economically inactive males representing 26.3 per cent. of the total male population aged 16 and over.

HEALTH

  NHS Employees
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent(a) nursing, (b) midwifery, (c) management and (d) clerical staff were employed by the national health service in each Birmingham health authority area and the West Midlands regional health authority area in each year since 1983.

  Whole-time equivalent staff in each Birmingham health authority area and West Midlands regional health authority

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  September 1983

  West Midlands RHA

  38,450

  2,370

  2—

  11,120

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,310

  260

  2—

  880

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,320

  20

  2—

  440

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,490

  150

  2—

  460

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,540

  110

  2—

  680

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,420

  150

  2—

  600

  September 1984

  West Midlands RHA

  38,460

  2,540

  2—

  11,150

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,420

  260

  2—

  870

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,360

  20

  2—

  450

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,500

  160

  2—

  480

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,390

  120

  2—

  630

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,440

  150

  2—

  580

  September 1985

  West Midlands RHA

  39,480

  2,570

  10

  11,000

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,480

  250

  1—

  890

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,390

  20

  1—

  460

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,560

  160

  0

  380

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,350

  110

  1—

  660

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,490

  140

  0

  610

  September 1986

  West Midlands RHA

  39,930

  2,590

  60

  11,220

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,550

  250

  10

  880

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,380

  30

  1—

  470

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,300

  140

  1—

  360

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,440

  100

  1—

  670

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,460

  130

  1—

  600

  September 1987

  West Midlands RHA

  40,490

  2,690

  90

  11,480

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,660

  250

  10

  910

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,380

  30

  10

  450

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,260

  150

  1—

  340

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,530

  100

  1—

  680

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,460

  120

  1—

  580

  September 1988

  West Midlands RHA

  39,440

  2,720

  150

  11,530

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,620

  250

  10

  920

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,370

  20

  10

  450

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,230

  150

  1—

  350

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,520

  100

  10

  710

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,410

  130

  10

  580

  September 1989

  West Midlands RHA

  39,770

  2,770

  530

  11,800

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,790

  270

  40

  940

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,350

  30

  20

  440

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,290

  150

  20

  350

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,480

  90

  10

  750

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,260

  130

  30

  590

  September 1990

  816
  Mr. Sackville
  The figures are shown in the table. Many of the functions undertaken by senior nursing and senior professional staff are now reflected in the national health service management figures. This means that year-on-year comparisons are invalid. Management still accounts for less than 1.8 per cent. of the NHS work force and the ratio of clinical to support staff has never been higher.
  817

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  West Midlands RHA

  40,410

  2,820

  1,060

  11,950

  Central Birmingham DHA

  2,830

  280

  80

  950

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,390

  30

  40

  490

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,270

  130

  30

  350

  South Birmingham DHA

  2,400

  90

  50

  750

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,250

  150

  60

  670

  September 1991

  West Midlands RHA

  38,960

  2,710

  1,440

  12,740

  East Birmingham DHA

  1,440

  30

  2—

  2—

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,310

  130

  2—

  2—

  South Birmingham DHA3

  4,600

  360

  2—

  2—

  West Birmingham DHA

  2,210

  150

  2—

  2—

  Source:

  Non Medical Manpower Census, except for 1991 Managerial and Administrative and Clerical staff which is collected on the form KM49.

  The above tables catergorise staff by the terms and conditions on which they are paid. Staff with managerial reponsibilities were, until a discrete NHS management function was introduced in a series of phased implementations for 1984, paid on terms according to their professional function (eg. administration, nursing etc).

  1 means less than 5.

  2 not available.

  3Central Birmingham DHA merged with South Birmingham DHA on the 1st April 1991.

  Notes:

  1. Includes agency staff.

  2. Management figures can not be broken down by DHA in 1991 due to changes in data collection to a Regional return KM49.

  Staffordshire Health Authorities
  Dr. Wright
  To ask Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the national health service as(a) managerial staff,

  Nursing and midwifery, administrative and clerical and general and senior managers in South-East Staffordshire and Mid-Staffordshire HAs from September 1987 to September 1991 Whole-time equivalents

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  South-East Staffordshire

  Nursing and midwifery (excluding agency)

  1,910

  1,900

  1,880

  1,840

  1,760

  Administrative and clerical

  430

  440

  430

  440

  —

  General and senior managers

  10

  10

  30

  50

  —

  Mid-Staffordshire

  Nursing and midwifery (excluding agency)

  1,780

  1,760

  1,800

  1,750

  1,830

  Administrative and clerical

  410

  410

  390

  420

  —

  General and senior managers

  10

  10

  60

  80

  —

  Notes:

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. '—' indicates that the 1991 figures for Administrative and Clerical and General and senior Managers are not centrally available at District level.

  3. Source of information: Non-Medical Manpower Census HAP(STATS)B.

  4. The fall in the number of nursing and midwifery staff in South-East Staffordshire is because of the transfer of services for elderly mentally ill patients from St. Matthews's hospital to other health authorities and to community homes.

  Hospital Costs
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what returns and at what intervals are made to her by hospitals on the average costs of procedures; and in what form those returns are made available to Parliament.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department does not routinely collect information on the costs of particular operations or procedures. However, since 1987–88 the Department has collected annual figures on average treatment costs by specialty by district. The health service indicators have included average treatment costs for patients using a hospital bed for most specialties. A copy of the indicators is available in the Library. For 1991–92 the specialty costs
  818
  (b) administrative and clerical staff and (c) nursing and midwifery staff in (i) the South-East Staffordshire health authority area and (ii) the Mid-Staffordshire health health authority in each year since 1987.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The figures are shown in the table.

  return was developed to collect total average costs by specialty on a provider unit basis. When the 1991–92 indicators are published later this year average specialty costs will therefore be at hospital rather than district level.

  Health Care Provision
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent her Department collects and analyses statistics relating to hospital and health care provision within the private sector as well as national health service.

  Mr. Sackville
  Centrally collected information about the private sector is via Department of Health forms KO36, KO37 and KO71.
  819
  KO36 provides information about beds and other facilities in private hospitals, homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984. As well as recording the number of institutions, there is a count of available beds, hospitals with operating theatres, consulting rooms and various clinical departments. The return also records the numbers of nursing staff by their level of qualification.

  KO37 collects aggregate activity for all private mental nursing homes registered by a health authority under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984. The return records data on patients detained under the provision of the Mental Health Act 1983. Latest data are published in a Statistical Bulletin "In-Patients Formally Detained in Hospital Under the Mental Health Act 1983 and Other Legislation, England 1984—1989–90" Bulletin 2(7)92, ISBN 1 85839 007 9.

  KO71 collects aggregate data on new episodes of drug misuse and the type of drug used. The return collects data from the national health service, voluntary, local authority and private services. This is a new return and it is proposed to publish data later this year.

  Nurse Prescribing
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the financial implications of deferring the implementation of nurse prescribing; what information she has on the long-term savings in health care costs which would flow from enabling certain nurses to write prescriptions; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Based on the Touche Ross cost-benefit analysis commissioned by the Department, we estimate that postponing the implementation of nurse prescribing will avoid start-up costs of £11 million and annual costs, once all nurse precribers are trained, of £15 million at 1991–92 prices.

  The time savings for each prescribing nurse and general practitioner consequential on the implementation of nurse prescribing are unlikely to be translated into reduced expenditure because the relatively small amounts of time saved per week are likely to be used up in a wide range of other activities. The main benefit of nurse prescribing is a speedier and better service for patients, the effects of which cannot be translated into monetary terms. As my hon. Friend knows, we are committed to implementing nurse prescribing as soon as resources permit.

  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is currently being undertaken by her Department to ensure that local authorities fulfil obligations outlined in section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

  Mr. Yeo
  We expect local authorities to be aware of their statutory duties under section 2(1) of the 1970 Act to provide a range of services for disabled people, where they accept that there is need. Each case is assessed on its own merits by the local authority. The Department receives regular returns on certain services provided by local authorities under the Act, as well as information from other sources including the social services inspectorate. We 820
  follow up specific cases referred to the Department, where it is alleged that a local authority is in breach of its statutory duties.

  Oil Spillages
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she collects to identify human health risks arising out of oil spillage incidents; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health keeps under continual review the relevant scientific literature on chemicals which are likely to be harmful to human health. The Department is also able to seek advice from its expert advisory committees. Decisions on any necessary monitoring of food and the environment following an oil spillage incident are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who would consult the Health Departments on health effects.

  Refugee Children
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources have been targeted towards unaccompanied children who are refugees from former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment gave to him today.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when guidance under the Children Act 1989 on refugee and asylum-seeking children will be published.

  Mr. Yeo
  Guidance and training material for social services staff working with unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking children is expected to be published in the spring.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she issues on the identification of who has parental responsibility for unaccompanied children who enter the United Kingdom as refugees.

  Mr. Yeo
  No specific guidance has been issued on parental responsibility for unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking children. Local authorities have responsibilities under the provisions of the Children Act 1989 in relation to unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking children.

  In-vitro Fertilisation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the availability of in-vitro fertilisation services within the national health service.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 4 December 1992 at columns 433–34.

  Refugees
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to local authorities and voluntary organisations in order to deal with the co-ordination of health care for refugees from the former Yugoslavia.
  821
  Mr. Yeo
  For the 1,000 displaced persons and their dependants whom the Government have agreed to accept from the former Yugoslavia, three reception centres have been opened. The staff of these centres, which are run by voluntary organisations, will liaise with the statutory authorities as necessary to ensure that health or personal social services needs are met. Departmental officials have written to both local authorities and health authorities in the reception centre areas to alert them to the expected arrivals.

  Child Care
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the voluntary child day care organisations which have closed due to the introduction of regulations regarding adequate facilities under the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not held centrally.

  Referral Decisions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 470, if she will now issue guidelines to ensure that community health councils are notified about extra-contractual referral decisions, affecting the population in their areas.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have already asked regional health authorities to ensure that community health councils have access to information about purchasers' contracts with providers and their purchasing plans which will include extra-contractual referral patterns. However, as each ECR decision is based on individual clinical factors, it would not be appropriate to notify community health councils of these decisions.

  North West Thames Health Authority
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the contract of employment for the current chairman of the North West Thames health authority expires.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The date is 31 July 1994.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions Ministers from her Department and senior civil servants have had with the chairman and the chief executive of the North West Thames health authority; and what was the outcome of these discussions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Ministers and senior officials frequently meet the chairman and chief executives of regional health authorities to discuss a wide range of topics and issues.

  Tomlinson Report
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will place copies of the Capita and Touche Ross studies commissioned by her Department in connection with the Tomlinson report in the Library.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Capita/Touche Ross study is one of three commissioned from management consultants as part of a preliminary review of options for reconfiguring acute services in inner London. Some of the information 822
  supplied by purchasers and providers for the studies was on an in-confidence basis and the full reports are not intended for publication. I will, however, arrange for executive summaries to be placed in the Library in due course.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the allocations to non-GP fund-holding practices in each region for 1992.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, the aggregate indicative prescribing amounts allocated to non-fund-holding general practitioners at regional and family health services authorities level for 1992–93 are shown in the table.

  1992–93 Indicative prescribing amounts1

  £

  Northern

  161,551,312

  Cleveland

  28,278,187

  Cumbria

  26,895,353

  Durham

  29,197,667

  Gateshead

  9,935,418

  South Tyneside

  9,018,511

  Sunderland

  18,585,952

  Newcastle

  14,318,000

  North Tyneside

  11,846,208

  Northumberland

  13,476,016

  Yorkshire

  170,944,380

  Humberside

  41,995,512

  North Yorkshire

  31,473,094

  Bradford

  23,116,300

  Calderdale

  9,528,533

  Kirklees

  19,674,833

  Leeds

  33,224,889

  Wakefield

  11,931,219

  Trent

  226,040,528

  Derbyshire

  40,157,309

  Leicestershire

  39,607,897

  Lincolnshire

  31,611,166

  Nottinghamshire

  44,955,047

  Barnsley

  14,134,291

  Doncaster

  15,822,522

  Rotherham

  12,578,370

  Sheffield

  27,173,926

  East Anglia

  110,081,510

  Cambridgeshire

  32,930,439

  Norfolk

  44,715,873

  Suffolk

  32,435,198

  North West Thames

  161,624,985

  Barnet

  16,159,297

  Bedfordshire

  25,617,020

  Hertfordshire

  38,543,203

  Brent and Harrow

  25,640,541

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  31,987,000

  Hillingdon

  10,039,430

  Kensington, City and Westminster

  13,638,494

  North East Thames

  183,970,935

  Essex

  73,773,600

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  17,921,299

  Camden and Islington

  17,244,237

  City and East London

  29,756,162

  Enfield and Haringey

  21,791,339

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  23,484,298

  South East Thames

  182,199,827

  Kent

  75,300,058

  East Sussex

  41,110,910

  Bromley

  13,356,276

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  32,360,943

  823

  £

  Greenwich and Bexley

  20,071,640

  South West Thames

  135,778,738

  Surrey

  44,554,588

  West Sussex

  37,042,262

  Kingston and Richmond

  11,621,062

  Croydon

  14,246,115

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  28,314,711

  Wessex

  142,533,409

  Hampshire

  72,991,774

  Dorset

  35,685,885

  Wiltshire

  27,966,799

  Isle of Wight

  5,888,951

  Oxford

  103,651,699

  Berkshire

  31,046,847

  Buckinghamshire

  23,727,503

  Northants

  26,007,082

  Oxfordshire

  22,870,267

  South Western

  177,396,623

  Avon

  47,107,788

  Cornwall

  28,843,210

  Devon

  55,347,684

  Gloucestershire

  25,608,280

  Somerset

  20,489,661

  West Midlands

  261,441,507

  Birmingham

  56,355,959

  Coventry

  16,689,102

  Dudley

  15,535,775

  Hereford and Worcester

  29,495,176

  Sandwell

  14,411,416

  Shropshire

  19,110,046

  Solihull

  8,307,163

  Staffordshire

  49,634,920

  Walsall

  15,457,921

  Warwickshire

  22,269,467

  Wolverhampton

  14,174,562

  Mersey

  126,929,323

  Cheshire

  44,430,300

  Liverpool

  27,252,313

  Sefton

  13,647,842

  St. Helens

  20,320,141

  Wirral

  21,278,727

  North Western

  223,227,213

  Lancashire

  81,516,576

  Bolton

  12,207,541

  Bury

  10,896,582

  Manchester

  27,101,200

  Oldham

  11,571,437

  Rochdale

  10,213,084

  Salford

  12,454,860

  Stockport

  15,253,520

  Tameside

  10,783,925

  Trafford

  12,668,266

  Wigan

  18,560,222

  1 Taken from December 1992 PPA data.

  Death Certificates
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are issued for the completion of death certificates in cases where the actual cause of death is as a result of a long illness, in order to identify the illness contributing to, and indirectly the cause of, death.

  Mr. Sackville
  Medical certificates of cause of death are required to be completed by a registered medical practitioner. The form of the certificate is prescribed and is in the internationally agreed format which is designed to 824
  identify an underlying cause for all recorded deaths, except where the deceased is aged under 28 days. In addition, the certifier may record other significant conditions contributing to the death but which are not related to the disease or condition causing it.

  Guidelines relating to their completion accompany the death certificates and are supplied to registered medical practitioners. Specimen copies have been placed in the Library and are available to interested parties on request.

  Capitation Targets
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 8 February,Official Report, columns 469–70, if she will publish such information as she has on capitation targets.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. As I explained in my earlier reply, the information at present held centrally contains inconsistencies and would be misleading as a source of comparisons between districts of different health regions. Consistent and comparable information will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those self-governing trusts that have filed their current accounts, indicating what percentage of the total this represents.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  All 57 first-wave national health service trusts have submitted the necessary financial accounts information for 1991–92 to the Department.

  Creutzfeld Jakob Disease
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the present number of known and suspected cases of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease and the geographic location of these cases; and what comparable data she has for the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information showing the total number of definite and probable cases of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease is produced on a yearly basis by Dr. R. G. Will, consultant neurologist at the national CJD surveillance unit, Edinburgh. Data for 1992 will be available later this year.

  Between 1987 and 1990 there were a total of 104 definite cases of CJD. The available data on deaths in the calendar year 1991 show that 28 people have been confirmed as CJD with a further four probable cases. The available information is shown in the table.

  Definite and probable cases of CJD 1987–1991

  Year and status

  Number

  1987

  Definite

  22

  1988

  Definite

  22

  1989

  Definite

  28

  1990

  Definite

  32

  1991

  Definite

  28

  Probable

  4

  Detailed information on geographical location of definite and probable cases is contained in the last report from Dr. Will. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  This report confirms that there has been no change in the incidence, geographical distribution or occupational

  825
  distribution of CJD. It will, however, be necessary to continue the study into the incidence of CJD for a decade or more to detect any change in the pattern of the disease.

  Hospitals (Alcohol Sales)
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of hospitals have bars on hospital premises selling alcohol.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Down's Syndrome
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies her Department has conducted into the use of, and efficacy of the Bart's test for pregnant women for Down's syndrome.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 5 February 1993]: Recently published articles and published studies on maternal serum screening, including the Bart's triple test, are listed as follows. Copies are available in the Library. These were funded from various sources.

  The implications of these new tests are complex and are being addressed at the moment by two separate working parties set up by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and regional directors of public health.
  Maternal serum screening for Down's Syndrome in early pregnancy—Wald N. J, Cuckle H. S, Dansem J. W. et al, British Medical Journal 1988, pp 883–7.
  Antenatal maternal serum screening for Down's Syndrome: results of a demonstration project—Wald, Kennard, Densem et al, British Medical Journal 224/92, pp 391–4.
  Prenatal screening for Down's Syndrome with use of maternal serum makers—Haddow J. E, Palomaki G. E, Knight G. J, et al, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 327, No. 9, pp 588–93.
  Maternal serum screening for fetal Down Syndrome in Women less than 35 years of age using alpha-fetaprotein, hCG, and unconjugated estriol: a prospective 2 year study—Phillips et al, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 80, No. 3, Part 1, pp 353–8.
  Prospective intervention trial of a screening protocol to identify fetal trisonomy 18 using maternal serum alphafetoprotein, unconjugated oestriol, and human chorinonic gonadotropin—Palomaki GE, Knight GJ et al, Prenatal diagnosis, Vol. 12, pp 925–30.

  Health Care Funding
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount of funding per capita for health care for each of the last five years for(a) the North East Essex health district and (b) the East Suffolk health district.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount of funding per capita for health care in each of the last five years for(a) Mid Essex health district and (b) the East Suffolk health district.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 1 February 1993]: The allocation of funds to the district health authorities is a matter for the North East Thames and the East Anglian regional health authorities respectively and detailed information is not collected centrally.

  Information which relates the expenditure of the DHAs to their resident populations is shown in the table.

  The figures which for the years before 1991–92 predate the national health service reforms, show the DHAs as
  826
  providers of health care. Expenditure per head of population therefore reflects patterns of local service provision and the effects of patient flows across health authority boundaries.

  The figures for 1991–92, which show the DHAs as purchasers and are not comparable to those for earlier years, reflect a transitional position as each RHA moves towards allocating funds to DHAs on a weighted capitation basis. Figures for total spending per capita include other resources, such as regional budgets and local income, in addition to allocations for resident population.

  Revenue expenditure per head of population

  Year

  North East Essex district health authority £

  Mid Essex district health authority £

  East Suffolk district health authority £

  1987–88

  202

  199

  206

  1988–89

  220

  219

  226

  1989–90

  236

  237

  245

  1990–91

  247

  255

  270

  1991–92

  317

  316

  345

  Sources:

  a. Annual accounts of the North East Essex, the Mid Essex and the East Suffolk district health authorities.

  b. Mid-year estimates of resident population—1987–91 (Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys).

  Notes:

  1. For the years prior to 1991–92, the figures for the DHAs are based upon their total revenue expenditure on the services which they managed or accounted for in the relevant financial years. For 1991–92 the figures for the DHAs are based upon their total revenue expenditure on purchases of health care and directly related services through contracts placed with their own Directly Managed Units and other providers of health care. Expenditure incurred on the authorities' administrative and purchasing functions is excluded.

  2. Capital expenditure incurred by the DHAs and all expenditure incurred by RHAs on behalf of their regions as a whole is excluded.

  3. The population figures used make no allowance for people resident in particular districts who receive treatment in others. For consistency the population estimates employed are those based on the 1981 Census.

  Wessex Regional Health Authority (Computer)
  Mr. Milligan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest estimate of the money lost by Wessex regional health authority in attempting to install a new computer system; and if she will make a statement on the current situation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to the reply, 10 February, column 701]: A comprehensive report in the public interest on this subject was published in July 1992. In addition, the district auditor decided to provide further material to Wessex regional health authority in confidence, to enable the authority to pursue all avenues for legal action. When I was informed of these documents, I instructed the chief executive of the national health service to ensure that rigorous remedial action was taken by the region and closely monitored by the national health service management executive; and that every opportunity for legal and police action was fully explored. Wessex regional health authority made all the material available to the police, whose inquiries are continuing. Legal action is still in progress.

  It is very important that these serious matters should be fully studied and lessons learnt. I understand that the Public Accounts Committee has commissioned a further

  827
  report on the project from the Comptroller and Auditor General and I shall consider it very carefully. It is important that as much information as possible should be in the public domain. With regard to the confidential reports to the regional health authority, I am advised that under section 30 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982, disclosure would require the consent of the people to whom the information relates. All the major points of concern are, however, set out very fully in the district auditor's public report.

  Drug Addiction
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individual general practitioners provided notifications of drug addiction in the last year.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  In 1991, the last year for which figures are available, there were 3,075 general practitioners in the United Kingdom who provided such notifications to the Home Office.

  Radiation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to reduce the United Kingdom's radiation dose limit to 0.3 milliSieverts and the lifetime radiation dose limit to 21 mSv.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom's radiation dose limits, for the public and for workers, comply with the current EC Eurotom directive on basic standards for radiation protection. Revision of this directive, and the dose limits therein, will begin later this year. My right hon. Friend has no plans to reduce dose limits in advance of revision of the directive.

ENVIRONMENT

  Regulations
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. Howard
  A provisional list of the regulations for which this Department is responsible and which impact on business has recently been prepared. I will arrange for it to be placed in the Library once it has been fully checked for accuracy and consistency of definition.

  Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the firms of consultants used by his Department as part of the market testing programme since November 1991 together with the total cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  My Department has used the following consultancy services to assist it in the development of the market testing process since November 1991:

  Dr. Alan Kemp

  Shreeveport

  828

  Simon Thorpe Consultancy

  Hoskyns Group plc

  Prime Strategy Consultants

  Symonds

  Capita Management Consultancy

  Civil Service College

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Peter Burholt Consultancy Ltd.

  Lane Whittlesey Business Consultants.

  The total cost of consultancies let to date is £302,004.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the meetings his Ministers have had with representatives of the voluntary sector to discuss the impact of the reduction of the urban programme, including an account of the representations made; and what action he intends to take as a result of these representations.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I have met representatives of the voluntary sector to discuss how the changes to the urban programme might affect them. I welcome the valuable work that the voluntary sector does in urban areas and I am pleased that the urban programme will be able to continue to fund voluntary sector projects that have been approved in this or previous financial years, for up to four years. The voluntary sector draws its funding from a wide range of sources and non-urban priority authorities support such groups without additional assistance from central Government.

  Forest of Dean Council
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the indebtedness of the Forest of Dean district council in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is given in the table:

  Total external debt (temporary and longer-term)

  Year End

  Forest of Dean £000

  1979–80

  20,000

  1980–81

  22,000

  1981–82

  22,000

  1982–83

  21,000

  1983–84

  26,000

  1984–85

  31,000

  1985–86

  31,000

  1986–87

  25,635

  1987–88

  22,872

  1988–89

  26,777

  1989–90

  26,653

  1990–91

  31,334

  1991–92

  30,523

  Figures for 1985–86 and earlier have been rounded to the nearest £100,000

  Source:

  1979–81 CIPFA Return of Outstanding Debt.

  1981–90 CIPFA Capital Expenditure and Debt Financing Statistics.

  1990–92 Local authority returns and PWLB.

  Local Government Debts, Essex
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the indebtedness of Essex county council, Colchester borough council and Maldon district council in each year since 1980.
  829
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is given in the table:

  Total external debt (temporary and longer-term)

  Year end

  Essex £000

  Colchester £000

  Maldon £000

  1979–80

  85,000

  44,000

  13,000

  1980–81

  48,000

  46,000

  13,000

  1981–82

  44,000

  44,000

  12,000

  1982–83

  51,000

  41,000

  10,000

  1983–84

  41,000

  42,000

  n/a

  1984–85

  70,000

  49,000

  10,000

  1985–86

  62,000

  44,000

  9,000

  1986–87

  86,420

  39,365

  6,791

  1987–88

  103,465

  34,655

  4,703

  1988–89

  113,466

  36,512

  2,707

  1989–90

  128,411

  46,246

  5,393

  1990–91

  131,130

  47,890

  8,269

  1991–92

  172,424

  50,444

  8,624

  Notes:

  Figures for 1985–86 and earlier have been rounded to the nearest £100,000

  Source: 1979–81 CIPFA Return of Outstanding Debt.

  1981–90 CIPFA Capital Expenditure and Debt Financing Statistics

  1990–92 Local authority returns and PWLB.

  Local Government Debts
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish a table showing the indebtedness of each district authority in ascending order;

  (2) if he will publish a table showing the indebtedness of each county authority in ascending order.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I have today placed the information requested about the outstanding debt of county and district councils in the Library of the House.

  Community Charge
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people registered for the community charge became liable to pay the charge as a result of attaining the age of 18 years after 31 March 1992.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Individual community charge registration officers hold information about charge payers; there are no central records.

  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the community charge reduction scheme to people registered who became liable to pay on reaching 18 years of age after 31 March 1992.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None.

  Refugees (Local Authorities)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources, additional to standard spending assessment provision, will be made available to local authorities providing support to refugees of former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Details of the financial assistance in respect of 1992–93 which will be available to those local authorities most affected by the influx of displaced persons from the former Yugoslavia are set out in the Special Grant Report (No. 5) which was approved by the House 830
  on 3 February 1993. A further Special Grant Report incorporating details of a scheme of financial assistance for the financial year 1993–94 will be laid in due course.

  Oil Spillages
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an advisory team to collate information on oil spill impact on the environment and pursue research into control and prevention measures.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on oil spills and discharges throughout the north-east Atlantic is collected and evaluated by the Paris Commission, in which Department of the Environment officials play a full part. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has announced an ecological steering group to consider what lessons are to be learnt and what research is suggested by the MV Braer incident.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 522, if he will place in the Library the information subsequent to the 1981 census which was used to amend the criteria for urban areas eligible to apply for city challenge.

  Mr. Howard
  Information on unemployment levels and derelict land was used to inform the selection of urban priority areas subsequent to the 1981 census. Both sets of information were published; unemployment data in the regular statistical series from the Department of Employment and derelict land from the Department of the Environment's survey—"Survey of Derelict Land in England 1982, DOE 1984".

  Transfers of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to Cherwell district council and Hampshire county council on the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No guidance on the application of the regulations has been issued to either authority. My Department has, however, made clear in correspondence with Cherwell district council and with the local authority associations that in its view the regulations will not normally apply to the straightforward contracting out of local authority services in consideration of a fee. It is accepted that the regulations may apply in certain circumstances where the arrangements entered into with a contractor are more complicated, but any local authority which attempts to structure a contract to ensure that the regulations apply, or insists that contractors tender on the basis that they apply, may be guilty of anti-competitive behaviour and thus risk sanctions imposed by my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Urban Partnership Fund
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities will receive assistance from the urban partnership fund; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the capital partnership programme.
  831
  Mr. Howard
  There has been an enthusiastic response to our invitation to the 57 urban priority authorities to bid for a share of the £20 million urban partnership fund element of capital partnership. I am pleased to announce offers of support to these local authorities and their partners:Birmingham, Bolton, Brent, Bristol, Burnley, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hartlepool, Hull, Islington, Kirklees, Knowsley, Leeds, Leicester, Lambeth, Langbaurgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Newham, North Tyneside, Nottingham, Oldham, Plymouth, Preston, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, South Tyneside, Southwark, Stockton, Sunderland, Wandsworth, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton.

  Along with support from the fund, the authorities will make use of about £33 million capital receipts and, taken together, the projects are estimated to lever in over £130 million of private sector resources. The projects will provide a major boost to regeneration activity and continue the partnership approach to renewal which is a central feature of Government inner cities initiatives and crucial to achieving lasting regeneration.

  A wide range of project proposals to benefit urban areas and their communities were submitted. Those selected were the ones which best met the criteria. These include: whether the proposals address the needs of local people and business in the area; whether they complement other activity in the area; and value for money, including whether they lever in resources which might otherwise not be available for renewal of the area.

  Each authority has today been notified of the outcome of its bid. Authorities whose bids were not successful, due to the heavy demand on the funds available, will naturally be disappointed. We hope that at least some elements of the proposals can be taken forward using their capital receipts.

  A full list list of proposed projects has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The urban partnership fund is only the first of a number of components of capital partnership for which successful bids will be announced. The others are:
  Housing Partnership, including the Housing Partnership Fund; Environmental Partnership, including programmes for recycling, waste management, contaminated land and landfill gas; and Countryside Partnership, covering programmes of the Rural Development Commission and Countryside Commission.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

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

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend is responsible for a total of over 800 public appointments. A total of 114 appointments, including reappointments, to 21 public bodies have been made since 1 November 1992. We do not routinely collect information on the political affiliations of those appointed, although sometimes this information is already in the public domain. The readily available information about the public appointments for which my right hon. Friend is responsible is published regularly in "Public Bodies".

  Motor Industry
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with his EC counterparts about the level of(a) Italian Government intervention in support of Fiat and (b) French Government support of Renault.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government have consistently drawn to the attention of the Commission cases involving alleged unfair state aid in the vehicles sector. The Commission's investigations have included reviews of state support for Fiat and Renault and have resulted in legally binding decisions on the level of aid permissible.

  Clean Coal Technology
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will outline the research undertaken by his Department to date on(a) the quality and (b) pollution levels occuring when burning (i) deep-mined coal produced within the United Kingdom coalfields, (ii) open-cast coal produced within the United Kingdom, (iii) deep-mined coal from each country that exports coal into the United Kingdom and (iv) open-cast coal from each country that exports coal to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  The key aim for Government support for clean coal technology research over the past few years has been to ensure that coal can achieve its full economic potential in contributing to United Kingdom energy supply taking account of the increasing severe environmental constraints. Although our programme has focused on improving the quality and reducing the pollution levels of using United Kingdom coals, much of the research would be applicable to deep mine and opencast coal from both the United Kingdom and overseas.

  The present programme is funding a portfolio of 56 projects with a value of over £114 million. Many of these projects are collaborative projects undertaken in partnership with United Kingdom industry, universities, British Coal, and overseas organisations under the auspices of the European Commission and International Energy Agency. Most of this expenditure is funding research on advanced power generation such as British Coal's topping cycle technology, alternative uses of coal—for example, British Coal's coal liquefaction project at Point of Ayr, North Wales—and coal science research with universities and United Kingdom industry.

  A wide range of reports on coal quality, emissions, and technologies applicable to both United Kingdom and overseas coals are published by IEA Coal Research which forms one of the projects supported by my Department. A list of its publications are in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what total funding for clean coal technology, including funding by the International Energy Association, has been given in the United Kingdom for each year since 1985; and what comparable information he has for Japan and the United States of America.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The International Energy Agency does not provide funds of its own, but encourages voluntary collaborative arrangements between member countries who contribute funds to a number of agreements including those based on clean coal technologies. Figures for the distribution of such

  833
  funds among member countries are not readily available and I cannot add any further financial information to my previous reply in the Official Report, column 206 on 3 February 1993. The United Kingdom has, however, participated in most of the coal-related IEA agreements.

  Wave Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what change his Department has made in the method of calculating the cost of wave power since the report of the energy technology support unit (ETSU-R-26) on wave energy in 1985.

  Mr. Eggar
  The method of calculating the cost of wave power as part of the 1992 review of wave energy is detailed in ETSU report R-72, "A Review of Wave Energy", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Disabled Employees
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of employees in his Department are registered disabled.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 1 July 1992, the latest date for which information is readily available, 1·0 per cent. of the Department's employees were registered as disabled.

  The Department also employs a number of people who are known to be disabled but have chosen not to register.

  Japanese Investment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry in relation to flows of Japanese investment in manufacturing industry into each European Community country.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 2 February 1993]: My colleagues and I hold regular meetings with the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Our discussions on Japanese manufacturing investment are of a bilateral nature only.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are directly or indirectly employed in the coal mining industry(a) in Scotland and (b) in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The latest available estimates of employees in employment show that there were 63,000 employees in the coal extraction and manufacture of solid fuels industry in the United Kingdom in September 1992. More detailed estimates are available only from the census of employment. The latest results relate to September 1989 and are as follows:

  Employees in employment

  Coal extraction and manufacture of solid fuels

  Of which Deep coal mines

  Scotland

  3,400

  2,400

  United Kingdom

  96,000

  88,700

  Note: Estimates for 1991 will be published in April 1993.
  834
  The Department has no figures for people indirectly employed in any industry.

  Ship Building
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many engineering apprenticeships were available in the United Kingdom ship building industry in(a) 1974, (b) 1979 and (c) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information relating specifically to the number of engineering apprenticeships available in the shipbuilding industry for the years 1974, 1979 and 1992 is not available.

PRIME MINISTER

  Pay Review Bodies
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest reports of the pay review bodies.

  The Prime Minister
  The 1993 reports of the review bodies on the pay of nursing staff, midwives and health visitors, the professions allied to medicine, the armed forces, and school teachers have now been published. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The Government are grateful to the members of the review bodies for the time and care which they have put into the preparation of the reports.

  In November the Government announced that public sector pay settlements in the coming year would be restricted to a range of 0 to 1·5 per cent. In line with the approach to public sector pay restraint, the groups covered by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body, the Nurses Pay Review Body and the Armed Forces Pay Review Body would receive an increase in pay of 1·5 per cent. from 1 April 1993. These review bodies were, however, invited by the Government to continue work on other specific issues and consider their position on performance pay, as appropriate to their remit groups.

  In accordance with this earlier statement, the Government will pay increases of 1·5 per cent. to doctors and dentists, nursing staff, midwives and health visitors, professions allied to medicine and the armed forces with effect from 1 April 1993.

  The School Teachers Review Body had previously been directed to report on school teachers' pay and conditions in 1993–94. The Secretary of State for Education directed it to have regard to the Government's general approach to public sector pay restraint.

  The School Teachers Review Body has recommended an across the board increase of 1 per cent. from 1 April 1993 together with restructuring of classroom teachers' pay effective from 1 September 1993. The recommendations would cost a total of 1·5 per cent. in the financial year 1993–94 and an additional 0·35 per cent. in the following year. The Government therefore propose to reduce the across-the-board increase for qualified classroom teachers at 1 April to 0·55 per cent., but to make a one-off payment of £90 to those teachers on 1 May 1993. This, together with the implementation of restructuring designed to develop the relationship between pay and performance in schools, will give teachers, like most other review body groups, an increase in pay of 1·5 per cent. whilst containing the total cost within the settlement limit. Head and deputy head teachers will, as recommended by the review body, receive an increase of 1 per cent. on 1 April.
  835
  The Top Salaries Review Body did not report this year. In common with Ministers and Members of Parliament, Top Salaries Review Body groups will receive no pay increase in respect of 1993. The Government will honour their commitment to pay the deferred second stage of the 1992 award, under which these groups will receive an increase of 2.9 per cent. from 1 April 1993.

  The Doctors and Dentists Review Body also decided not to report this year, but recommended an increase in the number of distinction awards for consultant medical and dental staff. The Nurses Pay Review Body and Armed Forces Pay Review Body also produced a number of recommendations. The Government have accepted all of these recommendations.

  The Government are also committed under the citizens charter to establishing a regular and direct link between a person's contribution to the quality of services and his or her reward. The review bodies have therefore been asked to consider the longer-term development of performance pay which will make this a reality.

  The table shows the increases for each group, and their cost.

  Review body

  Pay bill increase 1993–941 Per cent.

  Public expenditure expenditure cost £ million

  Doctors and dentists (DDRB)2

  1·5

  3 461

  Nurses and allied professions (NAPRB)2 nurses and midwives

  1·5

  3114

  professions allied to medicine (PAMs)

  1·5

  312

  Armed forces (AFPRB)5

  1·5

  85

  School teachers (STRB)6

  1·5

  7157

  1 Percentages by which the awards would increase the estimated 1993–94 pay bill.

  2 Great Britain. Northern Ireland health service pay normally follows Great Britain but is decided separately.

  3 Includes cost of staff in NHS Trusts.

  4 Figures exclude general medical practitioners' expenses which are subject to negotiation.

  5 United Kingdom.

  6 England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate pay regimes for school teachers.

  7 Does not include any consequential increases in the paybill of sixth form colleges becoming Further Education Corporations on 1 April.

  The cost of implementing these increases will be met from within the public expenditure planning totals published in the autumn statement.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incentives he proposes to give councils to strengthen the numbers of staff engaged in the detection of housing benefit fraud; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 12 November a number of measures to encourage local authorities to bear down on housing benefit fraud. From April this year, the level of benefit subsidy for housing benefit fraudulent overpayments will be increased from 25 per cent. to full rate 95 per cent. It is also proposed to allow local authorities to share in any weekly benefit savings above a specified level and 836
  generated through their anti-fraud efforts. These savings will be paid through the administrative subsidy arrangements.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to refund councils involved in the detection of housing benefit fraud their legitimate overhead costs, legal expenses and any other sums not recompensed by recovery from those convicted of fraud and conspiracy to defraud that council.

  Mr. Burt
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under present arrangements, there is no specific element in central Government funding, including the amount paid for administration subsidy by the Department, to cover those costs. However, under proposed arrangements from April 1993, authorities will be able to share in any weekly benefit savings, above a specified level, which their fraud staff generate.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners had an income of less than £5,000 a year, at the latest available date.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [pursuant to her reply, 11 January 1993, c. 675]: The following information was incorrect.
  'It is estimated1 that 61 per cent. of single pensioners2 had an income of less than £5,000 per year in 1988 (the latest available date).'

  The correct information is as follows:
  'It is estimated1 that 61 per cent. of pensioners2 had an income of less than £5,000 per year in 1988 (the latest available date)'.

  Notes:
  1 Family Expenditure Survey 1988.
  2 Based on pensioner units—ie single people over state pension age and couples where the husband is aged 65 or over, regardless of whether they are drawing state pension.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mr. Mohd Khalil
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be taken on an application made to the British post in Islamabad by Mr. Mohd Khalil (Ref. IMM/B4131) to join his wife in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lenox-Boyd
  A decision was made by the British high commission in Islamabad on 28 September 1992 to refuse entry clearance to Mr. Mohammed Khalil as the entry clearance officer was not satisfied, as he is required to be under the immigration rules, that the primary purpose of the marriage was not to gain entry to the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the ECO was not satisfied that there was adequate support and accommodation available for Mr. Khalil in the United Kingdom without recourse to public funds.

  Due to an administrative error, the formal notice of refusal was not sent to Mr. Khalil, but the ECO will now shortly do so. Any inconvenience this may have caused to Mr. Khalil is regretted.

  Ministers of Religion
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints were received by the British post in Islamabad before 1989 from
  837
  those applying for entry clearance to settle in the United Kingdom or to visit the United Kingdom concerning priority entry clearance procedures being applied to ministers of religion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1989 many complaints were received by the post in Islamabad from sponsors and Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom about the waiting time for interviews for members of families seeking to join heads of households settled in the United Kingdom. The numbers of complaints was not recorded.

  In order to give priority to family reunification cases, the queues were reorganised. As part of that exercise ministers of religion were reallocated from Q1 to Q3. This is the correct queue for applicants wishing to remain in the United Kingdom for more than six months other than those qualifying for Q1; those with a right of abode; applicants with a prima facie claim to British citizenship; aged dependents over 70; compassionate cases; Q2, spouses and dependent children under 18; and Q4, reapplicants.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ministers of religion have applied for visas to enter the United Kingdom at British overseas posts in each year since 1987; and how many were(a) granted and (b) refused.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested could not be provided except at disproportionate expense. The records since 1987 would need to be checked manually at 156 posts worldwide.

  Muslim Women (Rape)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence is being collated by Her Majesty's Government over the systematic rape of Muslim women in the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is collecting a large body of information about alleged breaches of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in the former Yugoslavia, including information about the sexual abuse of women. We propose to submit any substantiated evidence to the United Nations Secretary-General.

  Mr. Salman Rushdie
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent meeting between the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Grantham, and Mr. Salman Rushdie.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My meeting on 4 February was a significant step in raising the profile of Mr. Rushdie's continuing plight. It is almost four years since Ayatollah Khomeini issued his death threat against him. In the face of the continued threat to Mr. Rushdie and recent statements by senior figures in Iran, it was right to demonstrate our support by holding the meeting.

  I brought Mr. Rushdie up to date on our continuing efforts to resolve the problem of the fatwa and our decision to raise our profile and encourage international leaders and organisations to rally behind his cause. I reassured Mr. Rushdie that we remained greatly concerned by the
  838
  continuing failure of the Iranian authorities to repudiate the incitement to murder and the bounty offered in that respect by an Iranian organisation. This failure inevitably prevents the establishment of full and friendly relations with Iran.

  Secret Intelligence Service
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest estimate of the cost of modifications to the new secret intelligence service headquarters building; if he will categorise that expenditure with amounts; and what proportion the cost of modifications bears to the cost of construction.

  Mr. Hurd
  The latest estimate of the total cost of the new secret intelligence service headquarters is £236 million. The cost of the site and original construction was some £150 million and completion costs including fitting out and equipping the building are likely to be a further £86 million. Part of the cost relates to the specialised nature of the secret intelligence service's requirements. It is not usual or sensible to comment further on matters of this nature.

  Overseas Missions
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many tennis courts are attached to British missions abroad; how many have been built in the last 10 years; at what cost to the taxpayer; and what is the monthly maintenance cost.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: There are 81 tennis courts at Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts overseas. Eleven courts have been constructed in the past 10 years, at a total cost of about £225,000. The estimated monthly maintenance cost of an average tennis court is about £50.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many swimming pools are attached to British missions abroad; how many have been built in the last 10 years; at what cost to the taxpayer; and what is the monthly maintenance cost.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 8 February 1993]: There are 135 swimming pools at Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts overseas. Twenty swimming pools have been built in the last 10 years, at a total cost of about £750,000. The estimated monthly maintenance cost of an average pool is about £200.

SCOTLAND

  Castle Fraser Estates
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide extra funds for Scottish Homes under the rural housing initiative to accommodate tenants to be evicted by Castle Fraser Estates; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No, Scottish Homes' total resources for 1993–94 already allow for a significant increase of 9 per cent. over its original programme for 1992–93. It is for Scottish Homes to decide on the relative
  839
  priority of particular projects within its programme. The responsibility for dealing with any individuals who become homeless rests with local authorities which have a duty in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to provide advice and assistance to people in their area who become homeless.

  Tied House Tenants
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legal protection for long-standing tenants of tied houses on estates; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  These tenancies are private arrangements between the tenants and their employers, and the conditions of tenure are known to the tenants when they enter into their contract of employment. However, tied tenants cannot be removed from their homes without a court order.

  Drug Prescribing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the savings achieved in Scotland in each of the seven therapeutic categories covered by the limited list regulations of 1985 in each of the years 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991; and what were the total savings achieved in each year.

  Mr. Stewart
  In 1985–86, the first year of its operation, the selected list scheme saved £8.1 million on the Scottish NHS drugs bill. The savings in each of the therapeutic categories within the scheme were as follows:

  £ thousands

  Analgesics for mild to moderate pain

  2,400

  Antacids

  465

  Benzodiazepine tranquillisers and sedatives

  1,995

  Cough and cold remedies

  2,301

  Laxatives

  105

  Ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed in the community

  £ million

  Health Board

  1991–92

  1990–91

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  Argyll and Clyde

  26·47

  23·54

  21·31

  19·09

  16·93

  15·34

  13·70

  Ayrshire and Arran

  23·98

  21·47

  19·54

  17·25

  15·41

  13·98

  12·45

  Borders

  5·82

  5·21

  4·76

  4·28

  3·85

  3·49

  3·12

  Dumfries and Galloway

  8·70

  7·61

  6·84

  6·02

  5·39

  4·98

  4·40

  Fife

  18·25

  16·32

  14·80

  13·10

  11·50

  10·58

  9·40

  Forth Valley

  15·83

  13·74

  12·29

  10·94

  9·69

  8·82

  7·93

  Grampian

  24·00

  21·36

  19·36

  17·40

  15·48

  13·95

  12·57

  Greater Glasgow

  54·64

  48·79

  44·50

  39·54

  35·45

  32·21

  28·84

  Highland

  10·19

  8·97

  7·99

  6·98

  6·13

  5·49

  4·84

  Lanark

  35·03

  30·99

  28·24

  24·99

  21·99

  19·82

  17·62

  Lothians

  38·42

  34·48

  31·68

  28·51

  25·66

  23·27

  20·75

  Orkney

  0·93

  0·82

  0·72

  0·64

  0·59

  0·54

  0·50

  Shetland

  0·94

  0·85

  0·75

  0·66

  0·60

  0·54

  0·48

  Tayside

  24·33

  21·68

  19·47

  17·28

  14·92

  13·35

  11·85

  Western Isles

  1·37

  1·26

  1·17

  1·03

  0·95

  0·87

  0·77

  Scotland

  288·91

  257·09

  233·42

  207·70

  184·54

  167·23

  149·22

  Ingredient cost supplied to hospitals

  £ million

  Health Board

  1991–92

  1990–91

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  Argyll and Clyde

  3·59

  2·79

  2·64

  2·29

  2·03

  1·59

  1·63

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2·95

  2·36

  2·01

  1·75

  1·66

  1·44

  1·40

  Borders

  0·73

  0·62

  0·59

  0·43

  0·33

  0·29

  0·30

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1·35

  0·99

  0·88

  0·74

  0·70

  0·60

  0·53

  840

  £ thousands

  Tonics and bitters

  35

  Vitamins

  772

  It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for subsequent years, but we have no reason to doubt that significant savings will continue to be made·

  Mrs· Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescription items per person in Scotland there have been each year since 1985·

  Mr· Stewart
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: From the Scottish health service statistics the number of prescription items per person in each year since 1985 has been:

  Year

  Number

  1985

  6·96

  1986–87

  7·04

  1988

  7·33

  1989

  7·59

  1990

  8·00

  1991

  8·22

  1992

  8·63

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the general practitioners drugs bill in Scotland has been each year since 1985; if he will provide a breakdown by health board; and what has been(a) the expenditure on NHS medicines and (b) the total NHS drugs bill in Scotland in each year.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer of 9 February 1993]: The following are the cost of drugs dispensed in the community by health boards for each year since 1985 and the cost of drugs supplied to hospitals for the same years. Over 99 per cent. of the costs for drugs dispensed in the community relate to prescribing by GPs.
  841

  Health Board

  1991–92

  1990–91

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  Fife

  2·42

  2·09

  1·91

  1·69

  1·53

  1·36

  1·20

  Forth Valley

  2·24

  1·97

  1·82

  1·61

  1·53

  1·45

  1·27

  Grampian

  5·15

  4·60

  4·23

  3·86

  3·42

  3·11

  2·75

  Greater Glasgow

  14·66

  13·34

  12·27

  16·70

  10·05

  9·52

  9·52

  Highland

  1·58

  1·47

  1·22

  1·07

  1·02

  0·87

  0·74

  Lanarkshire

  4·47

  4·24

  3·88

  3·47

  3·08

  2·86

  2·74

  Lothian

  9·60

  8·80

  8·79

  7·70

  6·79

  6·24

  5·98

  Orkney

  0·10

  0·08

  0·08

  0·07

  0·08

  0·06

  0·06

  Shetland

  0·12

  0·12

  0·09

  0·09

  0·08

  0·07

  0·08

  Tayside

  5·44

  4·72

  4·19

  3·97

  3·68

  3·04

  3·02

  Western Isles

  0·20

  0·11

  0·15

  0·12

  0·11

  0·10

  0·09

  Scotland

  54·60

  48·30

  44·75

  45·56

  36·09

  32·60

  31·31

  Scotland—community and hospital

  343·51

  305·39

  278·17

  253·26

  220·63

  199·83

  180·53

  Holyrood House (Entrance Fees)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of the entrance fees for Holyrood house for the latest year for which figures are available; and to what purposes the revenues are applied.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the presentation of the Palace of Holyrood house to the public. The amount collected in entrance fees, which is directed towards the administrative and conservation costs of the royal collection, is a matter for the director of the royal collection, to whom the hon. Member may wish to write.

  Tourism
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations of "Tourism in the UK: Realising the Potential" as it applies to his Department's responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In respect of the tourism issues relating to Scotland, the following action has been taken. The work of the task forces charged with improving arrangements for training in the tourist industry, developing arts-based tourism and implementing environmental tourism management schemes have been advanced. A new initiative to help tourists with disabilities has been launched. The Scottish tourist board has fully committed itself to the principles of the citizens charter. In addition, we have set in train a fundamental review of the structure of arrangements under which support is provided to the industry.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of the construction of the bridge to Skye what changes have been made relevant to the planning inquiry to(a) the design of the secondary bridge, (b) the route of the approach road and (c) the construction of the prefabrication plant on the Plock of Kyle; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The changes made relevant to the public local inquiry held into the Skye bridge in early 1992 were:(a) the design of the secondary
  842
  bridge was confirmed as a cast in-situ single spine beam deck launched incrementally on to single elliptical piers; and (b) the level of the approach road was lowered in front of Lochalsh road. The reporter was advised and took into consideration (a) and (b) before making her recommendation to the Secretary of State. This information therefore formed part of the inquiry and decision-making process.

  The method of construction of the secondary bridge requires a temporary facility, to launch incrementally the deck of the bridge. The "cast and push" facility is contained within the boundaries of the confirmed road line and is a matter of construction for the contractor.

  Suckler Cow Premium
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many suckler cow premium application forms were processed during each month of 1992; and what was(a) the shortest period and (b) the longest period to elapse between receipt of the application and payment of the claim.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: The number of suckler cow premium applications processed for payment during each month of 1992 is set out in the following table. The information on the shortest and longest periods between receipt of application and payment of claim is not available and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  1992

  Number of claims processed

  January

  1,075

  February

  777

  March

  233

  April

  134

  May

  31

  June

  39

  July

  0

  August

  594

  September

  2,253

  October

  1,834

  November

  1,305

  December

  1,709

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many late applications were received for suckler cow premium in respect of 1990 and 1991; and how many of these were(a) paid in full, (b) paid in part and (c) refused.
  843
  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: Under the 1990 suckler cow premium scheme a total of 80 late applications were received. All these were received between the closing date of 31 January 1991 and 14 February 1991, thereby qualifying for the 70 per cent. of premium specified by the European Community rules of the scheme.

  Under the 1991 scheme a total of 67 late applications were received. Of these 62 were received between 31 January 1992 and 14 February 1992, qualifying for a 70 per cent. rate of premium. Five claims received after 14 February 1992 were refused as required by the rules of the scheme.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many late applications for suckler cow premium in respect of 1992 he has received to date.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: A total of 101 applications have been received since 15 December 1992, the closing date for the 1992 suckler cow premium scheme.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations and discussions he has had about the continuation of the less favoured areas supplement to the suckler cow premium; and what plans he has to continue the less favoured areas supplement to the suckler cow premium.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 February 1993]: I announced on 12 November 1992 that the rate of suckler cow premium from 1993 onwards would be limited to that part of the premium which is entirely funded by the European Community. In 1993 the rate will be £65·73, which represents an increase of 10 per cent. on the rate currently payable in the less-favoured areas.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the beef special premium in each year since 1979; and what was the less favoured areas supplement to the suckler cow premium in each year since 1990.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer of 9 February 1993]: The beef special premium scheme commenced in the United Kingdom in April 1989. Throughout the period 2 April 1989 to 31 December 1992 the premium was 40 ecu, but the amount paid to farmers varied with the value of the green pound on the date of receipt of their claims. The beef special premium increased to 60 ecu on 1 January 1993. The sterling value of the premium since its introduction is shown in the following table:

  Date of Change

  Rate £

  2 April 1989

  28.42

  1 May 1989

  29.19

  11 January 1990

  29.32

  14 May 1990

  31.81

  17 June 1991

  31.82

  17 September 1992

  32.33

  22 September 1992

  32.76

  19 November 1992

  35.22

  26 November 1992

  35.90

  1 January 1993

  56.34

  844
  The LFA supplement to the suckler cow premium was £4·26 in each year from 1990 to 1992.

  Criminal Justice
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to amend section 80 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 so as to substitute the age of 16 for the age of 21 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to amend section 80 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has, following the issue of Crown Office circular No. 2025/1, on 20 December 1991, to amend the law relating to offences listed under statute or under common law; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to amend the law in this area.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on his prosecution policy in relation to prosecution of offences under section 80 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980, and similar offences under the common law.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Prosecution policy is a matter for my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. A review of prosecution policy in relation to such offences which was instructed by the Lord Advocate in December 1991 is continuing.

  Legal Aid
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what account he has taken of research by the Law Society of Scotland into the differing levels of remuneration for civil legal aid work by solicitors in(a) Scotland and (b) England and Wales in assessing proposed changes to legal advice and assistance in civil legal aid in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has considered the comparisons made on behalf of the Law Society of Scotland in November 1990. These comparisons are not, however, directly relevant to the proposed changes to eligibility for advice and assistance and civil legal aid. Legal aid fees in Scotland are set to take account of the circumstances of the Scottish legal and legal aid systems.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cost of administration of the civil legal aid system by the Scottish Legal Aid Board for each financial year since 1987–88; and if he will show this as a percentage of the net payments from the civil legal aid fund in respect of each year.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table:
  845

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Administrative costs for civil legal aid

  2·915

  3·138

  3·479

  3·796

  3·850

  Net civil legal aid payments

  11·694

  11·379

  10·769

  11·715

  12·343

  Administrative costs as a percentage of net civil legal aid payments

  24·400

  27·600

  32·300

  32·400

  31·200

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in each of the past five years his permission has been sought prior to legal proceedings being instituted by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. There is no statutory requirement for the Scottish Legal Aid Board to obtain my right hon. Friend's permission before instituting legal proceedings.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number and source of representations he has received from the individual members or committees of the Scottish Legal Aid Board in relation to changes to legal advice and assistance and to civil legal aid to be instituted on 1 April.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has received no such representations from individual

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1 1992–93

  2 1992–93

  Gross civil legal aid payments

  15·697

  15·273

  14·729

  15·679

  16·581

  20·535

  23·449

  Gross civil legal aid payments adjusted to a 1987–88 base of 100

  15·697

  14·237

  12·883

  12·699

  12·562

  14·924

  17·041

  1 Actual to January 1993.

  2 Estimate.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the net sum met from civil legal aid in each financial year since 1987–88 after deducting from gross payments those amounts recovered.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table.

  Net civil legal aid payments

  £ million

  1987–88

  11·964

  1988–89

  11·379

  1989–90

  10·769

  1990–91

  11·715

  1991–92

  12·343

  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 oil spill 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.
  846
  members of the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The board itself and its legal aid committee submitted advice to my right hon. Friend on the proposed changes to eligibility for advice and assistance.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the gross payments for civil legal aid in each financial year since 1987–88; and if he will show each year's figure in real terms, using 1987–88 at base 100.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table shows(a) the gross expenditure on civil legal aid in each year since 1987–88, including actual expenditure in 1992–93 to January 1993 and estimated expenditure for the full year 1992–93; and (b) the same figures revalued where appropriate in line with the GDP deflator and expressed on a 1987–88 base of 100.

  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 workplace 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.

  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

  Scottish Record 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 Record Office.
  847
  Mr. Lang
  I have decided that, under the next steps initiative, the Scottish Record Office should be considered for executive agency status.

  Sports Council
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, on a parliamentary constituency basis, all the projects in which the Scottish Sports Council has made a financial contribution in the current year and for the years 1991–92 and 1990–91.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mr. Muir Russell
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how often Mr. Muir Russell of his Department has met representatives of Stagecoach Holdings plc, in connection with his official duties, in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Lang
  Prior to the first discussion of his possible appointment as a non-executive director, which was held on 1 December 1992, Mr. Russell had no meetings with representatives of Stagecoach Holdings plc.

  Under-age Drinking
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to deal with under-age drinking in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 February 1993]: The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Scotland Act 1990 prohibited the unsupervised sale of alcoholic liquor by under-age persons; required the sale of alcoholic liquor in wholesale quantities by under-age persons to be specifically authorised by responsible adults; and made it an offence to sell alcohol by wholesale to an under-age person. These provisions complemented existing legislation under which it is an offence for a licensee to allow a person under 18 to consume liquor in a bar and for alcoholic liquor to be sold to people under 18 or to be purchased on their behalf. The impact of experimental byelaws prohibiting drinking in public places in parts of Motherwell, Dundee and Galashiels is currently being assessed. If found to be effective my right hon. Friend will consider applications for the introduction of similar byelaws elsewhere.

  The Government encourage schools to tackle alcohol education. Two conferences for student teachers were held in Scotland last year to increase teachers' awareness of the levels of alcohol misuse among young people and the ways in which alcohol education can be integrated into the school curriculum.

  Much of the work of the Health Education Board for Scotland focuses on the young drinker. Further initiatives, bearing particularly on young people, are envisaged for 1993–94.

  National Portrait Gallery
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to intervene in the proposed closure of the Scottish national portrait gallery; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received on the importance of the Scottish national portrait gallery as a scholarly resource and to Scottish life; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 2 February 1993]: When the trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland first announced, in August 1991, that they wished to establish a gallery of Scottish art, one member of the public wrote to my right hon. Friend expressing concern that such a proposal could lead to the demise of the Scottish national portrait gallery.

  My right hon. Friend has not received from the trustees a firm and costed proposal for a Scottish gallery and has given no commitment to funding for such a proposal. The trustees have been specifically asked to examine the effect of the proposed gallery on the existing grouping of the national collections and on the buildings in which these are currently housed.

  Severely Disadvantaged Areas
  Dr, Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many regular full-time hired farm workers are employed on farm holdings in the severely disadvantaged areas according to the most recent figures for each year since 1978.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 February 1993]: Figures for severely disadvantaged areas are not readily available. However, the employment information requested for holdings within the Scottish less-favoured areas is set out in the table below. Information for the years prior to 1982 is not available.

  Number

  1982

  10,109

  1983

  9,993

  1984

  9,544

  1985

  9,393

  1986

  8,607

  1987

  8,133

  1988

  7,855

  1989

  7,609

  1990

  7,264

  1991

  6,916

  1992

  6,658

  Source: Scottish June Agricultural Census. Figures are hired male and female full time regular staff who are not members of the occupier's family.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the level of indebtedness among mostly sheep farmers and sheep and beef farmers, respectively, in the severely disadvantaged areas for each year since 1978.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 February 1993]: The information requested is set out in the table. Figures are available only since 1986–87.
  849

  LFA mainly sheep farms

  LFA sheep and cattle farms

  Total1 liabilities

  Total liabilities as a percentage of total assets2

  Total1 liabilities

  Total liabilities as a percentage of total assets2

  £ per farm

  £ per farm

  1986–87

  19,000

  13·5

  32,000

  16·8

  1987–88

  21,000

  12·7

  36,000

  18·1

  1988–89

  16,000

  10·5

  33,000

  15·1

  1989–90

  18,000

  10·6

  35,000

  16·7

  1990–91

  22,000

  13·3

  34,000

  15·7

  1991–92

  21,000

  11·6

  36,000

  16·3

  Source: Scottish Farm Accounts Scheme: Owner-occupied and tenanted farm results weighted together.

  1 Liabilities include bank loans, overdrafts and other long and short term loans.

  2 Total assets includes land and buildings, machinery, vehicles and breeding livestock, and current assets.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes there have been in the proportion of mostly sheep and sheep and beef farmers in severely disadvantaged areas in relation to the number of mostly sheep farmers and sheep and beef farmers in total for Scotland since 1978; and if he will chart the change.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 February 1993]: Information for severely disadvantaged areas is not readily available. The information requested comparing sheep and cattle and sheep holdings within the Scottish less-favoured areas with such holdings in Scotland as a whole is set out in the table. Information prior to 1982 is not available.

  Percentage of mainly sheep and cattle and sheep holdings in the Scottish LFA in relation to the numbers of such holdings in Scotland as a whole

  Per cent·

  1982

  60·1

  1983

  60·6

  1984

  62·8

  1985

  64·0

  1986

  69·2

  1987

  69·7

  1988

  70·1

  1989

  69·2

  1990

  68·6

  1991

  70·3

  1992

  71·5

  Source: Derived from Scottish June Agricultural Census.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 232, how many Caledonian MacBrayne ferry routes are unprofitable; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: My right hon. Friend does not consider it desirable to indicate which Caledonian MacBrayne's routes are profitable or unprofitable or to require the company to make public commercially sensitive information about operating surpluses and deficits incurred on individual routes.

  Forestry Commission
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in support of separating the two branches of the Forestry Commission into separate organisations; and what discussions have taken place.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The House of Commons Agriculture Committee, in its report "Land Use and Forestry", published in February 1990, recommended that the Forestry Commission's forestry authority and forest enterprise functions should be divided between separate departments. The Government did not accept this recommendation, but subsequently agreed that the Forestry Commission should carry out an internal reorganisation to distinguish clearly between its functions as a Government Department and its role in managing publicly owned forests. This reorganisation took place with effect from 1 April 1992.

  The Government have since received some representations in support of splitting the two parts of the Forestry Commission into separate organisations, most notably from the Centre for Policy Studies and the Adam Smith Institute. No discussions have taken place.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public access in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England has been lost since 1981 when Forestry Commission land was sold to the private sector.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The Government have retained no direct interest in such land following its sale by the Forestry Commission and no official statistics on the provision of access by the new owners have therefore been collected.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much Forestry Commission land in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England has been sold to the private sector each year since 1981; and how much money has been raised in each case.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The areas of land sold by the Forestry Commission in each year since 1981 are shown in the following table. These include woodlands and other land such as agricultural land and residential properties. The total receipts from these sales are also shown. A breakdown of the receipts by country is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  851

  Forestry Commission land sales

  Scotland

  Wales

  England

  Great Britain

  Year ended March

  (hectares)

  (hectares)

  (hectares)

  (hectares)

  Receipts (£ million)

  1982

  7,371

  1,743

  1,309

  10,423

  6·9

  1983

  8,135

  1,450

  2,523

  12,108

  14·6

  1984

  36,543

  3,347

  4,680

  44,570

  23·6

  1985

  18,359

  3,522

  6,976

  28,857

  22·1

  1986

  10,555

  3,229

  2,789

  16,573

  17·0

  1987

  6,220

  1,950

  2,786

  10,956

  14·7

  1988

  3,359

  977

  4,593

  8,929

  13·1

  1989

  4,286

  1,760

  1,629

  7,675

  12·4

  1990

  4,620

  1,242

  1,989

  7,851

  13·0

  1991

  4,754

  1,118

  1,556

  7,428

  12·0

  1992

  3,517

  1,657

  1,737

  6,911

  14·5

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken or intends to take, to introduce legislation which will ensure public access before and after Forestry Commission land is sold.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made on this subject by my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State for Scotland on 21 November 1990, Official Report, columns 164–66. The Government have no plans to introduce legislation.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of land the Forestry Commission has held in each of the years since 1979 in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England; and what percentage of total land this is.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The information is given in the following table:

  Year ended 31 March

  Area (hectares)

  Percentage of total land

  Scotland

  1980

  799,700

  10·4

  1981

  800,052

  10·4

  1982

  797,511

  10·3

  1983

  793,540

  10·3

  1984

  759,758

  9·9

  1985

  741,993

  9·6

  1986

  732,154

  9·5

  1987

  729,217

  9·5

  1988

  727,670

  9·4

  1989

  725,576

  9·4

  1990

  723,497

  9·4

  1991

  720,467

  9·3

  1992

  718,421

  9·3

  Wales

  1980

  160,700

  7·8

  1981

  160,674

  7·8

  1982

  158,979

  7·7

  1983

  157,699

  7·6

  1984

  154,410

  7·5

  1985

  150,901

  7·3

  1986

  147,751

  7·2

  1987

  145,306

  7·0

  1988

  144,329

  7·0

  1989

  142,654

  6·9

  1990

  141,490

  6·9

  1991

  140,299

  6·8

  1992

  138,671

  6·7

  England

  1980

  303,000

  2·3

  1981

  303,271

  2·3

  1982

  302,193

  2·3

  1983

  299,685

  2·3

  852

  Year ended 31 March

  Area (hectares)

  Percentage of total land

  1984

  295,004

  2·3

  1985

  288,080

  2·2

  1986

  285,685

  2·2

  1987

  282,031

  2·2

  1988

  277,440

  2·1

  1989

  276,026

  2·1

  1990

  274,638

  2·1

  1991

  272,157

  2·1

  1992

  270,502

  2·1

  Note:

  All the 1980 figures are rounded to the nearest 100 hectares.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many access arrangements, and how many access agreements, the Forestry Commission have made in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England in each year since 1991.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: Arrangements for securing continued public access to Forestry Commission woodlands after sale, by means of prior agreements entered into between the Commission and local authorities, were introduced in October 1991. No access agreements were completed in that year, but three were concluded in 1992, two in Wales and one in England.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of(a) Forestry Commission and (b) private planting each year since 1981 in (1) Scotland, (2) Wales and (3) England have been (i) new planting of conifers, (ii) restocking of conifers, (iii) new planting of broadleaf trees and (iv) restocking of broadleaf trees.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her yesterday at column 634.

  Forestry
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received, and what discussions he has held, in respect of increasing forestry in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England;

  (2) what plans he has for increasing forestry in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: I have had many representations on the need for increasing forestry in Britain. The Government made clear their support for
  "a steady expansion of tree cover to increase the many, diverse benefits that forests provide"

  853
  in a statement published in September 1991 under the title "Forestry Policy for Great Britain", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This continues to be our policy, and we shall be reviewing the effectiveness of the incentives currently available for forestry investment in accordance with the commitment we gave in our election manifesto. This review will be completed later this year.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of afforestation in Great Britain has been in Scotland each year since 1981; and how much of this has been coniferous.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The information is given in the following table.

  Year ended 31 March

  Area afforested in Scotland as percentage of area in Britain

  Area of conifers planted as percentage of total area planted in Scotland

  1982

  89

  100

  1983

  85

  99

  1984

  87

  99

  1985

  89

  99

  1986

  91

  99

  1987

  91

  97

  1988

  90

  95

  1989

  90

  93

  1990

  78

  84

  1991

  74

  80

  1992

  74

  78

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of forest have been planted each year in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England without a grant from the woodland grant scheme since its introduction.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The Forestry Commission's estimates of the area of new woodlands planted without grant-aid each year since the woodland grant scheme was introduced are given in the table.

  (hectares)

  Year ended 31 March

  Scotland

  Wales

  England

  Total

  1989

  38

  22

  136

  196

  1990

  2

  4

  185

  191

  1991

  0

  3

  134

  137

  1992

  0

  4

  119

  123

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Number of applications approved

  Grants paid (£ thousand)

  Number of applications approved

  Grants paid (£ thousand)

  Number of applications approved

  Grants paid (£ thousand)

  Number of applications approved

  Grants paid (£ thousand)

  Scotland

  698

  222

  1,436

  5,026

  1,218

  6,509

  697

  6,926

  Wales

  290

  25

  348

  406

  347

  463

  283

  621

  England

  2,233

  382

  3,688

  4,773

  2,935

  6,527

  2,273

  7,048

  Total

  3,221

  629

  5,472

  10,205

  4,500

  13,499

  3,253

  14,595

  Forestry Commission (Privatisation)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to privatise the Forestry Commission; and what consultations he has held.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The Government have no plans at present to privatise the Forestry Commission.

  Fishing Nets
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the approximate cost to the Scottish Office of the recent prosecution of the owner of the Moyallan for carriage of a monofilament net.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The case has been handled through the normal procedures that exist for dealing with alleged breaches of fisheries law. It has involved a number of different officials who have spent small amounts of time over a period and for that reason it is not possible to estimate the costs involved.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Government's policy towards the carriage of monofilament nets in Scottish waters by fishing boats which are(a) United Kingdom-registered flag of convenience boats and (b) United Kingdom-registered in ports other than in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: Under the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Carriage of Monofilament Gill Nets) (Scotland) Order 1986 the carriage of monofilament gill nets by any British fishing boat, including United Kingdom-registered flag of convenience boats and United Kingdom boats registered in ports other than in Scotland, is prohibited in the 0 to 6 mile sea area adjacent to the coast of Scotland.

  Woodland Grant Scheme
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many grants have been paid out under the woodland grant scheme in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England; and how much this has amounted to in each of the years since 1988.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The numbers of applications approved under the woodland grant scheme in each of the last four financial years, together with the grants paid, are shown in the following table. Applications associated with the farm woodland scheme have been included, but the grants paid do not take account of any annual payments made under that scheme.

  NHS Drugs Committee
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appointees serve on the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs; and how many more seats there will be when the Committee is extended.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: There are currently 15 members on the advisory committee on NHS drugs; a further five members are being appointed.

  Sheep Annual Premium
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had about extending the increase to the SAP less-favoured areas supplement after the current year; ane when the SAP less-favoured areas supplement will be paid.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: I have received no such representations. An LFA supplement of 5.5 ecu was paid to Scottish sheep producers in late summer. The further 1·5 ecu agreed by the Agriculture Council in December is expected to be paid in April 1993.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the value of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments for the forthcoming year; and what was the value of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments in each year since 1979.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The great majority of sheep and cattle which qualify for HLCAs in Scotland are located in the severely disadvantaged area of the less-favoured area. The HLCA sheep and cattle rates in the severely disadvantaged area in each year since 1979 were as set out in the following table:

  Year

  Cows £

  Upland sheep £

  Hill sheep £

  1979

  29·00

  2·85

  3·60

  1980

  35·00

  4·25

  5·50

  1981

  42·50

  4·25

  6·25

  1982

  44·50

  4·25

  6·25

  1983

  44·50

  4·25

  6·25

  1984

  44·50

  4·25

  6·25

  1985

  44·50

  4·25

  6·25

  1986

  54·50

  4·50

  6·75

  1987

  54·50

  4·50

  6·75

  1988

  54·50

  4·50

  6·75

  1989

  54·50

  4·50

  6·75

  1990

  54·50

  4·50

  7·50

  1991

  63·30

  4·90

  8·75

  1992

  63·30

  4·90

  8·75

  1993

  63·30

  3·60

  6·50

  Potatoes
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what national support schemes are planned within the proposed EC potato regime.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Holding answer 9 February 1993]: The current EC proposals for potatoes make no provision for the recognition or maintenance of national support measures.
  856
  The EC considers that potatoes should be brought within the coverage of the CAP and that a harmonised regime is necessary for completion of the single market.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the operating costs of the Potato Marketing Board in each year since 1979.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The operating costs of the Potato Marketing Board are to be found in the annual report and accounts of the board. The figures in the table, for the period 1979 to 1991, reflect the total administrative costs incurred, excluding costs of market intervention.

  Administration cost

  £ million

  1979

  3·3

  1980

  3·9

  1981

  4·8

  1982

  5·0

  1983

  5·7

  1984

  6·0

  1985

  6·9

  1986

  7·0

  1987

  7·5

  1988

  7·8

  1989

  8·2

  1990

  6·9

  1991

  9·1

  Source: PMB Annual report and accounts.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times the Government have intervened in the potato market; and what was the tonnage and cost in each year since 1979.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The Government do not intervene directly in the potato market but may pay a proportion of the cost of any intervention by the Potato Marketing Board under the provisions of the potato marketing scheme.

  It is therefore difficult to link Government expenditure to tonnage. Since 1979 Government expenditure has been as follows:

  £ million

  1981

  13·5

  1983

  0·3

  1985

  12·9

  Wool
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations and discussions he has received about retaining the British Wool Marketing Board's statutory guarantee duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: I have received representations about the ending of the wool guarantee from a number of hon. Members, from the National Farmers Union of Scotland, from the Scottish Crofters Union and from the Scottish northern regional committee of the British Wool Marketing Board.

  We announced our decision to terminate the wool guarantee in 1988. This element of direct involvement in

  857
  the wool market has outlived its usefulness, particularly in the face of EC support measures under the common agricultural policy. Sheep farmers will continue to receive very substantial Government support through ewe premium and hill livestock compensatory allowances. Scottish producers currently benefit each year by over £100 million in direct subsidies from these sources.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the British Wool Marketing Board's standard guarantee price in each year since 1979; what was the world wool price in each year since 1979; and what the income from wool has been to producers in the less favoured areas in Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The guarantee price for wool in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979 is given in the table:

  Year

  Price (p/kg)

  1979

  112

  1980–83

  115

  1984

  120

  1985–89

  129

  1990

  125

  1991

  130

  1992

  117

  The price of wool on world markets varies from country to country and is influenced by factors such as demand, availability and quality. The average price achieved for British wool at auction in each year since 1979 is given in the table:

  Year

  Price (p/kg)

  1979–80

  103·20

  1980–81

  87·64

  1981–82

  101·99

  1982–83

  99·86

  1983–84

  119·91

  1984–85

  138·70

  1985–86

  112·69

  1986–87

  116·72

  1987–88

  133·87

  1988–89

  136·38

  1989–90

  109·58

  1990–91

  61·85

  1991–92

  161·08

  1 Provisional.

  Information covering the income of producers in the less-favoured areas only is not available.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations and discussions he has had with regard to maintaining the current restrictions which ensure the milk quotas on remote and island areas in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: A number of representations have been received about ring-fencing milk quotas within the remote and island areas of Scotland. The Government are considering this matter in the light of new European Community regulations governing milk quotas.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table of farm income figures in Scotland in each year since 1979, at 1992 prices.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The figures requested are set out in the table:

  Farming income at 1992 prices1

  £ million

  1979

  182·8

  1980

  47·5

  1981

  146·5

  1982

  226·5

  1983

  148·3

  1984

  281·4

  1985

  32·4

  1986

  125·0

  1987

  215·5

  1988

  138·9

  1989

  205·8

  1990

  153·3

  1991

  100·9

  2 1992

  163·4

  1 Aggregate farming income in cash terms deflated by the retail price index (1992= 100).

  2 Estimated.

  Note: Farming income is the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial input and the capital they have in the farm business.

  Health Service Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of redundancies among NHS staff for each year since 1989–90 dividing the figures by the reason.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: Statistics on redundancies in the NHS in Scotland are not collected centrally other than in respect of staff who are both over 50 years of age and have at least five years' reckonable service for superannuation purposes where a benefit is immediately payable under the NHS (Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Scotland) Regulations 1981. The total number of such premature retirement awards for the years since 1989–90 is as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases

  1989–90

  1,040

  1990–91

  480

  1991–92

  625

  A breakdown by reason of redundancy is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Private Roads
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances EC funds can be sought to meet the cost of bringing a private road up to a standard where it can be adopted by the roads authority.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: The normal method of attracting EC funding for a road project would be through the European

  859
  regional development fund. To qualify, the project would have to be in an eligible area and be carried out by a public body. In Scotland, the areas eligible for ERDF are parts of Galloway, Lothian except Edinburgh city, parts of Central, Fife and Tayside regions, and all of Strathclyde and Highlands and Islands regions.

  In the majority of circumstances roads projects can be funded by ERDF only if they make a direct contribution to the creation and maintenance of employment, economic development, and productive investment. They must also be essential to the efficient movement of industrial, commercial, or tourist traffic. I am unaware of any other EC funds which might be available for the stated purpose.

  Regulations
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: 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.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the capital spending allocation for the Greater Glasgow health board for each of the last five years together with the comparable figure for 1992–93 and the projected capital budget for each of the next three years both in cash and real terms.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 11 February 1993] The figures for total capital allocations to Greater Glasgow health board for 1987–88 to 1992–93 are given in the table.

  Year

  Cash

  £ million at 1992–93 prices

  1987–88

  20·216

  27·817

  1988–89

  21·365

  27·403

  1989–90

  28·031

  33·735

  1990–91

  22·341

  24·900

  1991–92

  30·627

  31·929

  1992–93

  41·613

  41·613

  For 1993–94, Greater Glasgow health board, along with all other boards, received capital allocations for the building programme and computer developments which will be carried out by its directly managed units. It has also received provisional allocations for its directly managed units' building programme for 1994–95 and 1995–96. However, these figures are not comparable with those for previous years since they do not include the building and computer programmes of the prospective trusts. Capital provision for those will be included in their external financing limits. Additional small capital allocations may also be made for other purposes. For all boards and trusts the provisional allocations for 1994–95 and 1995–96 reflect only the consequences of the 1993–94 allocation and do not take into account potential new approvals given in the course of 1993–94. The figures are:
  860

  Cash

  £ million 1992–93 prices

  1993–94 Building and computer programme

  29·196

  28·415

  1994–95 Building programme only

  20·048

  18·897

  1995–96 Building programme only

  18·984

  17·415

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all schools which have opted to adopt grant-maintained status.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 February 1993]: Parents at London Street primary school in Edinburgh and Dalmuir primary school in Clydebank have voted in favour of applying for self-governing status. The subsequent application by the London Street primary school board was rejected and the Dalmuir primary school board has been advised that I am considering rejection of their application.

  Parents of three schools are currently being balloted by their school boards on self-governing status. The schools are St. Mary's Episcopal primary school, Dunblane where the school board has passed two resolutions calling for a ballot; and St. Gerard's and Queen's Park secondary schools in Glasgow where parents have presented the school board with a petition seeking a ballot.

  Hospitals
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce a guarantee for patients who wish to receive in-patient treatment at the same hospital they attended as out-patients.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: No. The decision as to how treatment should be carried out is a matter for discussion between the patient and his or her general practitioner and then the patient and consultant to whom he or she is referred. This may lead to a decision that the in-patient treatment may be most appropriately provided at another hospital.

TRANSPORT

  Tourism
  Mr.Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations of "Tourism in the UK: Realising the Potential" as it applies to his Department's responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  My Department recognises that travel is an integral part of tourism and continues to make progress in the areas of work which are described in "Tourism in the UK: Realising the Potential". As foreshadowed in the report a number of initiatives have been taken to assist tourist coach operation in central London, including the provision of over 160 additional parking spaces for the 1992 summer season.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1991; whether
  861
  the result was the maintenance of in-house provision or whether the service was contracted out; what was the name of the successful contractor where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Two market tests have taken place in the Department of Transport since November 1991:1. Subject: Procurement and Storage of Protective Clothing. Service was contracted out. Contractor is Greenham Trading Limited.
  2. Subject: Bulk/High Speed Reprographic Services. Service was contracted out: a split award, the contractors are HMSO Reprographics and Multiplex Technics Limited.

  These services were examined and tenders invited under the procedures obtaining before the publication of the White Paper "Competing for Quality" in November 1991. It is likely that any remaining items from this original programme will be dealt with under the new procedures, including the in-house bid. None of the items included in the new programme, published in the citizens charter first report, has reached tender stage.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost his Department since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The equivalent of eight full-time staff are assigned to the market testing programme. The approximate costs, including consultancies since November 1991 are £250,000.

  Pedestrian Crossing, Dorrington
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he hopes to respond to representations on the need for pedestrian crossing facilities on the A49 in Dorrington, Shrewsbury.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Discussions on the need for pedestrian crossing facilities on the A49 in Dorrington have been proceeding for some time. The Department's officials are arranging to meet representatives of Shropshire county council and Condover parish council later this month to discuss the options.

  Exmoor
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the representations by the Exmoor Society about the protection of moorland and villages from increased motor traffic.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I am aware that the Exmoor Society has expressed to the national park authority its concern about traffic on Exmoor. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has not been asked to consider this matter which is one for the local authorities concerned.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what tonnage of freight was transported by railway in each year since 1974; and what percentage this represented of total freight movements.

  Mr. Freeman
  Annual freight tonnages moved by rail can be found in table 9.3 of "Transport Statistics Great 862
  Britain 1992," a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Rail's percentage share for the years 1981 to 1991 is shown in table 1.9; comparable data for ealier years may be found in previous editions.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, columns 418–19, if he will now make public payment for track costs of rail freight operations in advance of conclusions to the parliamentary consideration of rail privatisation.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Such payments must await the clear identification of track costs which the formal establishment of Railtrack will bring and the designation of the Secretary of State as the competent authority under EC regulation 1893–91.

  Maritime Radar
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of a maritime radar installation with a recording facility.

  Mr. Norris
  It is not possible to estimate the costs of a radar installation without knowing the details of the location and type of facility proposed.

  Lorries
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken on the night and weekend exemption system for lorries in parts of London, on its costs and benefits, and on the average cost of each lorry refused an exemption permit in each year of operation of the scheme.

  Mr. Norris
  The Londonwide overnight and weekend lorry ban was adopted by a number of London borough councils following the abolition of the Greater London council. It is administered by the London Boroughs Transport Committee. None of the information requested is readily available to my Department.

  Fuel Consumption (Motorways)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the revenue from duty on fuel consumed on motorways.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Approximately one eighth of the petrol and one quarter of the diesel fuel used in this country is consumed on motorways. The duty paid on this fuel would have been about £1·7 billion in 1991–92.

  Trans-Pennine Routes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 493, what route across the Pennines he intends to exclude from consideration.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The route referred to by my right hon. Friend in that answer was a dual carriageway on the A628-A616 through the Peak District national park. I shall consider any suggestions about extension of the M65 which may emerge from the current consultation on the trans-Pennine study strategy report.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the terms of reference for the consultants responsible for the trans-Pennine study strategy report.
  863
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  To study traffic levels on the existing routes across the Pennines; to identify existing and future problems on the road network taking into account planned network developments and forecast increases in traffic and the role of public transport; and to identify potential solutions and assess their environmental and economic impact.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies and reports he has commissioned on the extension of the M65 eastwards from Colne.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None apart from the trans-Pennine study, which looked at all major routes across the Pennines.

  Stockport Bypass
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to hold the next public inquiry into the A6(M) Stockport north-south bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I cannot yet say when we shall be able to hold the next public inquiry. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Railway Staff
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct an examination of the consequences of the cessation of national negotiating machinery for weekly wages railway staff on their respective responsibilities.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Collective bargaining arrangements are a matter for negotiation between employers and employees.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he expects to be followed in the award of the initial franchises for existing British Rail services.

  Mr. Freeman
  Subject to Parliament approving the Railways Bill, we expect the franchising director to award the franchise contracts for the initial franchises in time for the first private sector railway franchises to commence services in 1994.

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has received from external sources on the effect of the cost of capital to private investors relative to the cost to the public sector on the level of future investment in the railways.

  Mr. Freeman
  We receive advice on a regular basis from our merchant bank advisers, Samuel Montagu. The cost of capital to private sector companies involved in the railway will depend on the market's view of the risks and rewards involved.

  Railway Equipment
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the length of time it will take to renew existing British Rail bridges,864
  trains, signalling and power supply equipment at the present rate of replacements; and what information he has on the average design life of each category or main type of (a) bridge, (b) train, (c) signalling and (d) power supply equipment.

  Mr. Freeman
  An assessment of this kind would not yield meaningful results given the varied durability of the different assets mentioned. The design life of bridges varies from 20 years to more than a century, of trains from 25 to 40 years and for signalling and power supply equipment from 20 years upwards. Asset lives assumed for the purpose of calculation of amortisation and depreciation charges in British Rail's annual report and accounts for 1991–92 are set out in note 4 on accounting policies in that report.

  Oil Tankers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil tankers travelled through United Kingdom waters in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to provide 24-hour availability of tugs to assist oil tankers in distress.

  Mr. Norris
  The provision of salvage tugs is a matter for commercial salvage companies and other owners of suitable vessels. Suitable Ministry of Defence vessels will offer emergency assistance if they are available and no suitable commercial vessel is within reach. The Government have no plans to provide salvage tugs themselves, other than for Ministry of Defence purposes. The Government are aware of work being done by the international salvage industry on the availability of salvage services and will consider carefully the implications of the forthcoming report by the industry's salvage working group. In addition, Lord Donaldson has identified that one of the topics which he expects his inquiry to consider is whether present and traditional salvage arrangements are satisfactory in the context of a hazardous cargo, and at its recent meeting the EC Council noted that the Commission intends to include in its communication on maritime safety"Initiatives to … promote measures concerning emergency services, in particular towing and co-ordination of the availability of salvage capacities".

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ban oil tankers built before 1980 from British waters.

  Mr. Norris
  There is no justification for banning tankers on a basis of age. A well-operated pre-1980 tanker presents less risk to the environment than a badly managed new vessel. This will be considered by Lord Donaldson in his inquiry, taking account of the economic implications as set out in his terms of reference.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to advocate mandatory standards at international level for alcohol policies and fail-safe mechanisms on oil tankers.

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom already gives support at the International Maritime Organisation to international endorsement of a legal intoxication standard based on
  865
  blood-alcohol level or equivalent and has a leading role in ensuring international recognition of the highest possible standards of design and construction for oil tankers and other merchant ships, having regard to detailed Classification Society requirements and any ship's specific company requirement related to the intended nature of service.

  Sea-going Tugs
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sea-going tugs are available in British waters; and where they are stationed.

  Mr. Norris
  According to the records held by the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, there are approximately 455 tugs. Information as to where they are stationed is not recorded.

  Community Transport, London
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the community transport budget for London in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Norris
  The provision of community transport is primarily a matter for individual London boroughs. My Department does, however, provide funds for the Dial-a-Ride service through London Transport. Expenditure on this since 1987, in cash terms, is as follows:
  866

  £ million

  1987–88

  6·000

  1988–89

  6·270

  1989–90

  7·270

  1990–91

  8·270

  1991–92

  10·015

  1992–93

  10·500

  ScotRail
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the public service obligation grant requirement of regional railways was allocated to ScotRail in each year for which figures are available; and what was the amount in each year.

  Mr. Freeman
  PSO grant is given in relation to the total requirements of Regional Railways and Network SouthEast. It is not allocated to particular sectors within these businesses.

  Chelmsford Bypass
  Mr Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to begin on widening the Chelmsford A12 bypass.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 11 February 1993]: We expect to consult the public by the end of this year and announce a preferred option in 1994. Further progress will be dependent on the successful outcome of statutory procedures and the availability of funds.