Written Answers of 15 February 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT'

  Legal Aid
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to maintain the existing eligibility levels in respect of legal aid in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The financial eligibility criteria for civil legal aid have generally been set and maintained at the same levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a considerable number of years. The Lord Chancellor is satisfied that as far as possible this policy of maintaining parity should be continued. He therefore proposes to introduce the same changes to the civil legal aid eligibility criteria in Northern Ireland as those announced for England and Wales. As to the timing of the changes, it will be possible for some of the proposals to be effected in April 1993, as in England and Wales.

  It is intended to bring forward regulations which will enable the following changes to eligibility limits to be made in respect of civil legal aid, legal advice and assistance and advice by way of representation:

  (a) lowering of the "free limit" for civil legal aid to income support levels;

  (b) reduction of dependants allowances to income support level;

  (c) additional provision to be made for the disregard of benefits;

  (d) to increase in civil legal aid and advice by way of representation cases the maximum contribution from one-quarter to one-third of excess disposable income.

  It is not possible, under current regulation-making powers, for the Lord Chancellor to bring forward regulations immediately to give effect to two other aspects of the proposals—namely, the extension of the payment of contributions over the lifetime of the case and the abolition of the contributory part of the legal advice and assistance scheme. Nevertheless, the Lord Chancellor intends, as soon as an opportunity arises, to bring forward legislation to enable the Northern Ireland eligibility criteria to be more full aligned with those in England and Wales.

  Courthouse, Derry
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will make a statement on the feasibility of providing accessible court facilities for Derry city while work is carried out on the courthouse; and what representations he has received from the legal profession in Derry, elected representatives and the community about the proposed transfer of sittings to Coleraine.

  (2) if the director of the Northern Ireland Court Service will meet the Derry Solicitors Association for further discussion on the effect of the service's decision to relocate Derry's court proceedings in Coleraine for three years;
  2
  (3) what consideration he has given to using the large rooms available in the administration block adjacent to the courthouse in Derry city to accommodate proceedings while the courthouse undergoes refurbishment.

  Mr. John. M. Taylor
  Representations were received from elected representatives, the Derry city council and the Londonderry City Solicitors Association about the decision to transfer Crown court sittings to Coleraine during the period when the main courthouse at Londonderry is being refurbished and improved. I am pleased to say that the director of the Northern Ireland court service met with representatives of the Londonderry City Solicitors Association on 4 February 1993 when an agreement was reached which will ensure that the court facilities available in Londonderry will be used to full capacity during the period of refurbishment of the main courthouse building. One of the two large rooms in the administration block has been fitted out as a courtroom which can be used for civil proceedings. The second room can be used as either a tribunal room or a barristers' solicitors room as need arises.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for deciding where a court sits, including who makes the effective decision and the account taken of the views and preferences of the recorder.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor, under section 47(3) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act, 1978, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, to decide the venues for the Crown court. Under the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 it is for the Lord Chancellor to decide and give directions as to the places of sittings of the county court and as to the nature of the business to be transacted by any county court at any place. It is standard practice for the county court judge for the division concerned to be consulted before a final decision is taken and directions issued.

TRANSPORT

  Railway Equipment
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the current level of orders for rolling stock for British Rail relative to trends in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail has on order 583 diesel and electric multiple unit vehicles and 441 power cars, locomotives, trailer units and coaches for channel tunnel services.

  Locomotive and passenger rolling stock deliveries in the last 10 years were as follows:

  Calendar year

  Number of new vehicles delivered

  1983

  93

  1984

  220

  1985

  364

  1986

  331

  1987

  397

  1988

  519

  1989

  648

  1990

  751

  3

  Calendar year

  Number of new vehicles delivered

  1991

  236

  1992

  365

  Rail Services
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement outlining which functions under the railway proposals will control the means of production and delivery of rail services.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under our proposals the responsibility for the track and infrastructure will be for Railtrack, the new national track authority. Existing passenger services will be franchised to private sector operators who will bid competitively to run services. Freight services will be provided by private sector operators. On the question of vertical integration, I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in his speech on 2 February on Second Reading of the Railways Bill,Official Report, column 163.

  Rail Investment
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 420, what is his forecast for capital investment by British Rail in 1993–1994, excluding spending associated with the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  In his appearance in front of the Transport Select Committee on 27 January this year, the chief executive of British Rail, Mr. John Welsby, estimated that investment in the existing railway would be some £550 million in 1993–94. British Rail is currently refining its plans further in producing its budget for 1993–94.

  Rail Freight
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has been able to take since his recent announcements on the future arrangements for the carriage of freight by rail to enable private operators to have the opportunity of carrying rail freight which British Rail have declined to carry.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Railways Bill is needed in order to establish a proper framework for access to the railway network by private train operators. Meanwhile the British Railways Board has undertaken to respond positively to private sector initiatives which help to increase the amount of freight on rail, within the existing statutory framework, and British Rail managers have discussed several proposals with private firms. I have agreed with the chairman that we shall discuss whether anything more can be done to facilitate voluntary access for private train services in the run-up to freight privatisation.

  Concessionary Fares
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had from Manchester TUC pensioners in regard to concessionary fares; what reply he is sending; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.
  4
  Mr. Freeman
  We have recently received a letter from Manchester TUC pensioners as well as several representations by Manchester Members of Parliament on their behalf. Responsibility for concessionary fares in Greater Manchester rests with the passenger transport authority and the district councils. It is for those authorities to decide what level of concessions is appropriate, taking account of their other local spending priorities.

  Road Construction Materials
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the quantity and type of aggregate that have been used in(a) the construction of new roads and (b) the maintenance of existing roads in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Westway
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a date has been set for the demolition of houses on the Westway to facilitate the road widening scheme at the junction of Westway and Old Oak.

  Mr. Norris
  It is planned to take possession of all the properties required for this scheme by February 1995. A few of them will, however, be required by August 1994 for advance works to divert public utility services. Formal notices will soon be given to owners and occupiers of these properties. The houses will be demolished as soon as possible after they are vacated to reduce risk of squatting.

  Red Routes
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Thames bridges are proposed to come under the responsibility of the director of traffic for London under the red routes scheme.

  Mr. Norris
  Twickenham, Kew, Chiswick, Battersea, Vauxhall, London and Tower bridges are included in the priority red route network on which the traffic director for London has responsibilities under the Road Traffic Act 1991.

  Shipping Accidents
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the shipping casualties or accidents since 1 July 1983 in respect of which a formal investigation by a wreck commissioner or sheriff has been held under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 1 February 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Date of accident

  Name of vessel

  3 June 1984

  Marques

  6 March 1987

  Herald of Free Enterprise

  13 January 1989

  Boy Andrew

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances he will require a formal investigation into a shipping accident by a sheriff or wreck
  5
  commissioner in terms of section 56(1) of the Merchant Shipping act 1970, as amended; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 1 February 1993]: The Secretary of State would be likely to order a formal investigation where an investigation under the Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation) Regulations 1989 cannot fully determine the cause of the accident and where there is a reasonable prospect that a formal investigation will do so. A formal investigation might also be called if, for any reason, the Secretary of State considered that it would lead to the circumstances of the accident and the lessons to be learnt becoming better and more widely known.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Debt (Developing Countries)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been(a) the level of debt repayments to United Kingdom banks from developing countries and (b) the level of new United Kingdom bank lending to developing countries in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  United Kingdom banks are required to report details of loans outstanding to developing countries, but not to show separately flows of new lending, repayments and reschedulings. It is therefore only possible to provide the net flows. These show net repayments to United Kingdom banks from developing countries over the last five years:

  Gross bilateral United Kingdom expenditure on aid per capita1

  1988 £ actual

  1989 £ actual

  1990 £ actual

  1991–92 £ actual

  Afghanistan

  0·07

  0·13

  0·07

  n/a

  Algeria

  0·02

  0·02

  0·02

  0·01

  Angola

  0·05

  0·14

  0 12

  0·13

  Anguilla

  199·88

  249·61

  162·82

  n/a

  Antigua and Barbuda

  14·20

  9 01

  12·63

  22·89

  Bahamas

  0·02

  0·12

  0·33

  0 31

  Bangladesh

  0·40

  0·50

  0·50

  0·51

  Barbados

  1·99

  1·12

  17·23

  9·38

  Belize

  18·15

  20·80

  29·68

  19·07

  Benin

  0·08

  0·07

  0·07

  0·04

  Bermuda

  0·42

  0·69

  0·08

  0·03

  Bhutan

  0·31

  0·30

  0·31

  0·54

  Bolivia

  0·43

  0·58

  0·57

  0·54

  Botswana

  7·20

  6·68

  6·84

  9·25

  Brazil

  0·01

  0 31

  0·01

  0·02

  British Virgin Islands

  193·68

  317·73

  184·96

  16·88

  Brunei

  0·01

  0·04

  0·03

  0·03

  Burkina Faso

  0·04

  0·03

  0·03

  0·04

  Burma2

  0·06

  0·02

  —

  —

  Burundi

  0·02

  0·03

  0·03

  0·03

  Cambodia

  0·02

  0·04

  0·01

  n/a

  Cameroon

  0·49

  0·45

  0·24

  0·26

  Cape Verde Islands

  0·15

  0·18

  0·13

  0·30

  Cayman Islands

  76·19

  62·14

  146·64

  n/a

  Central African Republic

  0·01

  0·02

  0·02

  0·02

  Chad

  0·05

  0·04

  0·03

  0·04

  Chile

  0·02

  0·02

  0·03

  0·05

  China

  0·03

  0·02

  0·02

  0·02

  Colombia

  0·06

  0·07

  0·06

  0·12

  Comoros

  0·00

  0·02

  —

  0·04

  6

  Repayments (net) £ million

  1987

  1,500

  1988

  800

  1989

  850

  1990

  1,010

  1991

  680

  Positive net financial transfers from banks to developing countries are not necessarily desirable. For example, if debtors were to receive new market rate loans to cover interest payments on old debt, this would show up as a positive transfer, but it would also increase the debt burden. The purpose of commercial bank lending is, rather, for loans to be invested on a productive basis, so as to finance interest and repayments when the time comes.

  Aid Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the average value of United Kingdom aid to each recipient country per head of population in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested is in the table.

  The levels of our development assistance to individual countries are based on a number of factors, of which population is only one. The cash levels of our assistance are given in "British Aid Statistics 1987–88–1991–92", which is available in the Libraries of the House.
  7

  1988 £ actual

  1989 £ actual

  1990 £ actual

  1991–92 £ actual

  Congo

  0·15

  0·13

  0·10

  0·16

  Cook Islands

  4·55

  —

  0·20

  n/a

  Costa Rica

  0·57

  2·18

  1·80

  3·62

  Cyprus

  1·09

  1·01

  1·66

  0·71

  Djibouti

  0·34

  0·20

  0·16

  0·30

  Dominica

  24·67

  30·77

  16·14

  24·22

  Dominican Republic

  0·02

  —

  —

  —

  Ecuador

  0·15

  0·12

  0·54

  0·12

  Egypt

  0·37

  0·21

  0·17

  0·26

  El Salvador

  0·03

  0·03

  0·02

  0·01

  Equatorial Guinea

  0·04

  0·21

  0·15

  —

  Ethiopia

  0·43

  0·25

  0·41

  0·37

  Falkland Islands

  2,133·33

  1,853·29

  513·96

  n/a

  Fiji

  1·67

  6·32

  5·96

  3·09

  Gabon

  0·01

  0·03

  0·02

  0·06

  Gambia

  8·19

  6·14

  8·61

  6·64

  Ghana

  2·42

  3·58

  1·38

  3·01

  Gibraltar

  317·40

  13·96

  13·60

  n/a

  Grenada

  12·25

  13·25

  11·81

  26·50

  Guatemala

  —

  —

  0·01

  0·01

  Guinea

  0·10

  0·07

  0·08

  0·17

  Guinea-Bissau

  0·06

  0·04

  0·04

  0·03

  Guyana

  0·65

  8·21

  19·13

  7·28

  Haiti

  —

  —

  —

  0·01

  Honduras

  0·26

  0·14

  0·17

  0·29

  Hong Kong

  0·03

  0·04

  0·05

  0·07

  India

  0·13

  0·12

  O·1l

  0·16

  Indonesia

  0·10

  0·12

  0·13

  0·19

  Iran

  —

  —

  0·01

  0·05

  Iraq2

  —

  —

  —

  1·08

  Israel

  —

  —

  0·01

  —

  Ivory Coast

  0·65

  0·76

  0·90

  0·44

  Jamaica

  8·51

  8·36

  6·17

  2·51

  Jordan

  1·09

  1·31

  2·58

  0·99

  Kenya

  2·24

  2·34

  1·91

  1·56

  Kiribati

  28·57

  24·97

  24·09

  23·24

  Laos

  0·03

  —

  0·01

  0·01

  Lebanon

  0·01

  —

  0·05

  —

  Lesotho

  3·01

  3·59

  3·37

  3·64

  Liberia

  0·37

  0·26

  0·23

  0·19

  Madagascar

  0·04

  0·03

  0·05

  0·06

  Malawi

  6·09

  5·29

  4·52

  2·72

  Malaysia

  0·61

  0·51

  1·21

  0·89

  Maldive Republic

  4·44

  2·95

  3·79

  2·98

  Mali

  0·15

  0·14

  0·12

  0·16

  Malta

  0·27

  0·47

  0·34

  0·79

  Mauritania

  0·10

  0·08

  0·03

  0·15

  Mauritius

  6·12

  11·67

  4·70

  2·86

  Mexico

  0·02

  0·02

  0·01

  0·02

  Mongolia

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0·01

  Montserrat

  190·48

  337·02

  354·64

  n/a

  Morocco

  0·03

  0·02

  0·43

  0·08

  Mozambique

  2·09

  1·50

  1·66

  1·15

  Namibia

  1·67

  1·22

  1·17

  1·33

  Nepal

  0·62

  0·96

  0·82

  0·87

  Nicaragua

  0·05

  0·02

  0·12

  0·05

  Niger

  0·05

  0·04

  0·04

  0·05

  Nigeria

  0·07

  0·57

  0·12

  0·12

  Oman

  0·72

  0·65

  0·44

  0·67

  Pakistan

  0·23

  0·29

  0·43

  0·33

  Panama

  0·43

  0·31

  0·31

  0·35

  Papua New Guinea

  4·19

  3·01

  2·36

  1·30

  Paraguay

  0·13

  0·09

  0·12

  0·11

  Peru

  0·07

  0·05

  0·06

  0·07

  89

  1988 £actual

  1989 £actual

  1990 £actual

  1991–92 £actual

  Philippines

  0·02

  0·20

  0·18

  0·12

  Pitcairn Island

  1,625·00

  —

  —

  n/a

  Rwanda

  0·05

  0·05

  0·07

  0·03

  Sao Tome and Principe

  0·14

  —

  —

  n/a

  Senegal

  0·14

  0·43

  0·13

  0·21

  Seychelles

  25·99

  16·72

  13·77

  22·84

  Sierra Leone

  0·96

  0·71

  0·63

  0·55

  Singapore

  0·05

  0·14

  0·11

  0·09

  Solomon Islands

  17·72

  18·44

  16·88

  16·72

  Somalia

  1·17

  0·90

  0·28

  0·47

  South Africa3

  —

  —

  0·18

  —

  Sri Lanka

  1 33

  1·42

  1·02

  0·66

  St· Helena and Dependencies

  3,036·40

  4,777·83

  2,173·50

  n/a

  St· Kitts-Nevis

  44·57

  16·52

  22·77

  25·93

  St· Lucia

  19·91

  61·19

  16·14

  12·13

  St· Vincent

  7·76

  8·95

  11·72

  8·58

  Sudan

  1·11

  1·32

  0·88

  0·71

  Surinam

  0·03

  0·01

  —

  —

  Swaziland

  7·09

  8·29

  6·49

  4·43

  Tanzania

  1·40

  1·54

  0·91

  1·32

  Thailand

  0·43

  0·19

  0·20

  0·07

  Togo

  0·09

  0·08

  0·09

  0·13

  Tonga

  2·84

  3·68

  2·30

  2·40

  Trinidad and Tobago

  0·12

  0·52

  0·58

  4·14

  Tunisia

  0·06

  0·11

  0·05

  0·03

  Turkey

  0·05

  0·07

  —

  0·30

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  604·72

  748·51

  702·02

  n/a

  Tuvalu

  628·95

  39·17

  55·36

  n/a

  Uganda

  1·83

  1·75

  1·43

  1·55

  Uruguay

  0·01

  —

  0·02

  0·05

  Vanuatu

  40·45

  38·35

  39·98

  35·97

  Venezuela

  —

  —

  —

  0·01

  Vietnam

  —

  —

  —

  0·01

  Western Samoa

  0·30

  0·25

  0·98

  0·49

  Yemen (Republic of)

  0·66

  0·58

  0·49

  0·43

  Yugoslavia

  —

  —

  —

  0·01

  Zaire

  0·02

  0·20

  0·06

  0·04

  Zambia

  2·32

  2·63

  3·13

  4·24

  Zimbabwe

  2·68

  2·31

  2·16

  4·86

  1 Figures are only provided for those countries and dependencies for which population figures are available and aid per capita is greater than £0·005 in one or more years.

  "n/a" indicates that population figures are not available in that year.

  "—" indicates that aid per capita is less than £0·005 in that year.

  2 Aid provided to these countries is for the purpose of humanitarian assistance only.

  3 No aid to South Africa is channelled through the South African Government.

  Aid Programme
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters his Department has received from the public about the current level of the British aid programme since June 1992.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We receive regular correspondence on the level of the aid programme and related aid questions. There has been no central record kept of the numbers of letters received from the public which are concerned principally with aid volume.

  Angola
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest situation in Angola.
  10
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We welcome the meeting between the Government of Angola and UNITA last month in Addis Ababa, but regret that UNITA did not return to talks on 10 February as agreed. We have strongly urged UNITA to do so. Dialogue is crucial if a ceasefire is to be agreed and the peace process resumed.

  Peru
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid was given by the EC to Peru over the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Commitments of Community aid to Peru were as follows: 1990, 31 mecu (£22 million); 1991, 36 mecu (£25 million); 1992, 49.·5 mecu (£36 million). This included funding for rural development projects,
  11
  emergency aid, food aid, co-financing with non-governmental organisations and assistance with drugs control.

  New Community initiatives, with the exception of increased humanitarian assistance and support for NGOs, were suspended following the coup last April. In the light of recent progress towards restoration of democracy in Peru, the position is being kept under close review.

  World Summit for Children
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the financial implications of the agreement made at the world summit for children, for all donor countries to re-examine their development assistance budgets, to ensure that programmes aimed at the achievement of the goals for the survival, protection and development of children will have a priority when resources are allocated.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The world summit for children was not planned as a pledging conference and no new programme was launched. The summit's goals are fully consistent with the priority areas for the British aid programme, which are explained in the departmental report published on 10 February (Cm 2202).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Extradition
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons living in the United Kingdom the Indian authorities have applied to extradite in each of the last 10 years; in how many cases such applications have been(a) accepted and (b) refused; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  We have received one such application, which was subsequently withdrawn.

  Police Restructuring
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to police authorities regarding their possible re-organisation; and what plans he has for primary legislation to restructure the constabularies of England and Wales.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have not given advice to police authorities on this matter. We are considering a range of issues relating to the future structure, organisation and funding of the police service.

  When we have firm proposals for change we shall consult interested parties.

  Foreign Enlistment Act 1870
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870.

  Mr. Jack
  The Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 was reviewed by the Diplock committee in 1976 (Cmnd. 6569). We have no current plans for a further review of the Act.

  Cycle Lights
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the number of cyclists in the Greater London area who have(a) been
  12
  prosecuted and (b) been warned by a police officer for riding a cycle without lights during each of the last three years.

  Mr. Jack
  Information for the Metropolitan police district (including the City of London) is given in the table.

  Number of persons cautioned and prosecuted for pedal cycle lighting and reflector offences in the Metropolitan Police District (including the City of London) 1989, 1990 and 19911

  Year

  Cautions

  Prosecutions

  1989

  —

  —

  1990

  7

  5

  11991

  —

  7

  1 Provisional.

  Prison Department
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have agreed redundancy payment in the supply and transport branch of the warehousing and distribution branch of the prison department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  All the staff employed in the warehousing and distribution function to whom redundancy notices have been issued have been advised of the amount of redundancy payment to which they will be entitled. As the period of redundancy notice does not expire until 31 March 1993 and, as my right hon. and learned Friend said on 4 February at columns 285–86, while the implication of advice received on the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE) is being considered no payments have yet been made.

  Manchester Prison
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the provision of welfare and probation services to HM prison Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Bidders for the management of HM prison Manchester are free to work up their own proposals for the provision of welfare services at the prison. They must do so in accordance with the standards laid down in section 0 of the "Manchester Operational Specification," a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the fire service pay agreement will be implemented this year; and if he will make it his policy that the cost of meeting the agreement is fully funded.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Government's policy that pay settlements in the public sector this year should be restricted to between zero and 1·5 per cent. applies to the fire service as to other public sector groups. Pay and conditions of service in the fire service are matters for negotiation in the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades on which the Government are not represented. My right hon. and learned Friend has written to the chairman of the fire service employers' representative organisation to make it clear that he expects
  13
  the employers to comply with the Government's public sector pay policy when they come to settle any pay increases in 1993. The increase in the fire service's share of local authority total standard spending for 1993–94 has been based on the assumption that any pay increases during 1993 will not exceed 1·5 per cent.

  Deaths of prisoners in Her Majesty's prison service establishments between 1 January 1991 and 11 February 1993

  Establishment

  Status

  Age

  Sex

  Ethnicity of death

  Cause verdict

  Inquest

  1991

  Gloucester

  S

  42

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  The Mount

  S

  19

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Norwich

  S

  36

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Wandsworth

  S

  29

  M

  2

  Cut throat

  Suicide while balance of mind disturbed and aggravated by lack of care

  Full Sutton

  S

  35

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Blundeston

  S

  34

  M

  1

  Myocardial dysplasia

  Natural

  Lincoln

  S

  62

  M

  1

  Uraemia necrosis

  Natural

  Maidstone

  S

  61

  M

  1

  Heart failure

  Natural

  Manchester

  U

  22

  M

  9

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Stafford

  S

  40

  M

  1

  —

  Unlawfully killed

  Cardiff

  U

  23

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Brixton

  U

  37

  M

  8

  Heart failure

  Accidental

  Liverpool

  U

  22

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide aggravated by lack of care

  Bristol

  S

  32

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide aggravated by lack of care

  Wakefield

  S

  59

  M

  1

  Cardiac arrest

  Natural

  Wormwood Scrubs

  S

  56

  M

  1

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Oxford

  U

  29

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Accidental

  Manchester

  U

  31

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Misadventure

  Wandsworth

  S

  25

  M

  1

  Cerebral infarction

  Natural

  Garth

  S

  38

  M

  1

  Cut wrists

  Suicide

  Leeds

  U

  31

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Camp Hill

  S

  51

  M

  1

  Heart attack

  Natural

  Liverpool

  S

  30

  M

  1

  Heart-lung failure

  Suicide

  Durham

  U

  33

  M

  1

  Possible dystonic reaction to haloperidol

  Open

  Wakefield

  S

  49

  M

  8

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Littlehey

  S

  46

  M

  1

  Cardiac arrest

  Natural

  Brixton

  U

  24

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide aggravated by lack of care

  Featherstone

  S

  34

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide aggravated by lack of care

  Wandsworth

  S

  64

  M

  1

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Wormwood Scrubs

  S

  21

  M

  2

  Hanging

  Open

  Haverigg

  S

  31

  M

  1

  Sclerosis of liver

  Natural

  Blantyre House

  S

  27

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Accidental

  Durham

  S

  27

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Pentonville

  S

  54

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide while balance of mind disturbed

  Wakefield

  S

  37

  M

  1

  Stabbed

  Not held

  Parkhurst

  S

  29

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide brought about by lack of care

  Full Sutton

  S

  34

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Misadventure

  Liverpool

  S

  41

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Grendon

  S

  30

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Durham

  S

  63

  M

  1

  Acute myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Manchester

  S

  21

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Birmingham

  S

  25

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Preston

  S

  45

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Dorchester

  U

  45

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Wakefield

  S

  31

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Birmingham

  S

  23

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Feltham

  S

  18

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Wakefield

  S

  65

  M

  1

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Nottingham

  S

  45

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Winchester

  U

  42

  M

  1

  Drug poisoning

  Misadventure

  Glen Parve

  U

  20

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Feltham

  S

  15

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Accidental

  Deaths in Custody
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all deaths since 1 January 1991 of persons detained in prison service custody stating in each case the age, sex and ethnic background of the deceased, the cause of death, the inquest verdict, whether the person was on remand or sentenced and the establishment concerned.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is given in the table.
  15

  Establishment

  Status

  Age

  Sex

  Ethnicity of death

  Cause verdict

  Inquest

  Norwich

  S

  30

  M

  2

  Asthma attack

  Open

  Kirkham

  S

  54

  M

  No trace

  Heart attack

  No inquest1

  Grendon

  S

  37

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Pentonville

  IA

  32

  M

  7

  Acute cardiac failure2

  Not yet held

  Cardiff

  U

  33

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Suicide whilst balance of mind disturbed

  Winchester

  U

  40

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Haverigg

  S

  25

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Leicester

  S

  65

  M

  1

  Lung cancer

  Natural

  Stafford

  S

  29

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Usk

  S

  52

  M

  1

  Heart attack

  Natural

  Maidstone

  S

  64

  M

  1

  Cerebral haemorrhage

  Natural

  Birmingham

  U

  41

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Suicide

  Norwich

  U

  49

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Misadventure

  Swaleside

  S

  41

  M

  2

  Pulmonary aneurysm

  Natural

  Garth

  S

  49

  M

  1

  Heart attack

  Natural

  Stoke Heath

  U

  19

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Long Lartin

  S

  52

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Suicide

  Leeds

  U

  30

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  1992

  Risley

  U

  24

  F

  2

  Drug poisoning

  Misadventure

  Hull

  U

  30

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Moorland

  S

  19

  M

  1

  Hanging3

  Not held

  Winchester

  S

  72

  M

  1

  Prostatic cancer

  Natural

  Bristol

  U

  40

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Dorchester

  S

  31

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Durham

  U

  21

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Lincoln

  S

  44

  M

  1

  Cardiac arrest

  Natural

  Feltham

  U

  18

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Liverpool

  S

  53

  M

  1

  Meningitis

  Natural

  Glen Parva

  U

  20

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Pentonville

  U

  36

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Wakefield

  S

  67

  M

  1

  Cerebral infarction

  Natural

  Feltham

  U

  20

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide due to abnormality of the mind

  Pentonville

  U

  25

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide while balance of mind disturbed

  Wayland

  S

  46

  M

  1

  Stabbed

  Not held

  Norwich

  U

  24

  M

  2

  Hanging

  Suicide while suffering from psychotic illness

  Stafford

  S

  23

  M

  3

  Hanging

  Open

  Wakefield

  S

  45

  M

  1

  Brain haemorrhage

  Natural

  Norwich

  S

  25

  M

  1

  Brain abscess

  Natural

  Cardiff

  U

  40

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Death by drug dependency

  Wakefield

  S

  38

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide while in a depressed state

  Lincoln

  S

  65

  M

  1

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Deerbolt

  S

  16

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Long Lartin

  S

  59

  M

  1

  Respiratory failure

  Natural

  Liverpol

  U

  22

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Pentonville

  U

  33

  M

  7

  Overdose

  Suicide

  Hull

  U

  23

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Manchester

  U

  53

  M

  1

  Myocardial ischaemia

  Natural

  Highpoint

  S

  54

  M

  1

  Acute myocardial ischaemia

  Natural

  Leeds

  U

  21

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Accidental

  Lewes

  U

  23

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Misadventure

  Swaleside

  S

  30

  M

  2

  Hanging

  Misadventure aggrevated by lack of care

  Wandsworth

  S

  68

  M

  no trace

  Occlusive coronary atheroma

  Natural

  Styal

  S

  20

  F

  1

  Hanging

  Misadventure

  Highpoint

  S

  28

  M

  7

  Cardiac arrythmia

  Natural

  Birmingham

  U

  24

  M

  2

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Brinsford

  U

  19

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Manchester

  U

  31

  M

  1

  Ischaemic heart disease

  Natural

  Wandsworth

  S

  39

  M

  1

  Carcinoma of small intestine

  Natural

  Wellingborough

  S

  47

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Kingston

  S

  45

  M

  1

  Epileptic fit

  Natural

  Wakefield

  S

  69

  M

  1

  Broncho-pneumonia

  Natural

  Ashwell

  S

  21

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Bullingdon

  S

  61

  M

  1

  Carcinoma tosis

  Natural

  Hindley

  S

  18

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Parkhurst

  S

  51

  M

  1

  Epileptic fit

  Accidental

  Leyhill

  S

  49

  M

  1

  Cardiac camponade

  Natural

  16 17

  Establishment

  Status

  Age

  Sex

  Ethnicity of death

  Cause verdict

  Inquest

  Maidstone

  S

  37

  M

  1

  Asphyxia

  Suicide

  Send

  S

  27

  M

  2

  Haemolytic streptoccal septicaemia

  Natural

  Elmley

  U

  40

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Belmarsh

  S

  40

  M

  1

  Pneumocystis carinii

  Natural

  Wakefield

  S

  60

  M

  1

  Myocardial infarction

  Natural

  Stocken

  S

  50

  M

  4

  Myocardial infarction

  No Inquest4

  Liverpool

  S

  39

  M

  1

  Coronary occlusion

  Not yet held

  Holloway

  S

  30

  F

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Maidstone

  S

  69

  M

  1

  Carcinomatosis

  Natural

  Wakefield

  S

  47

  M

  1

  Myocardial Insufficiency

  Natural

  Pentonville

  U

  21

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Leyhill

  S

  52

  M

  1

  Gastro-intestinal haemorrhage

  Natural

  Norwich

  S

  32

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  The Verne

  S

  54

  M

  7

  Pulmonary embolism

  Natural

  Durham

  U

  25

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Gartree

  S

  51

  M

  1

  Asphyxiation

  Suicide

  Parkhurst

  S

  43

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Open

  Belmarsh

  S

  26

  M

  1

  Brain haemorrhage

  Not yet held

  Parkhurst

  S

  56

  M

  1

  Acute myocardial infarction

  Not yet held

  Ashwell

  S

  30

  M

  4

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Littlehey

  S

  21

  M

  1

  Overdose

  Not yet held

  Cardiff

  U

  30

  M

  1

  Not held5

  Long Lartin

  S

  35

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Leeds

  U

  22

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Suicide

  Leicester

  U

  28

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Brixton

  U

  27

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Ashwell

  S

  28

  M

  1

  Heart attack

  Not yet held

  Wormwood Scrubs

  U

  40

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Bullingdon

  U

  28

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  1993

  Highdown

  U

  27

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Leicester

  U

  26

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Canterbury

  U

  36

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Lancaster

  S

  32

  M

  Not held6

  Risley

  S

  44

  M

  1

  Heart attack

  Not yet held

  Durham

  S

  27

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  North Sea Camp

  S

  48

  M

  1

  Peripheral neuropathy

  Not yet held

  Norwich

  S

  65

  M

  1

  Hypertensive heart disease

  Not yet held

  Wetherby

  S

  20

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  Belmarsh

  U

  29

  M

  1

  Awaiting post mortem result

  Not yet held

  Hollesley Bay

  S

  21

  M

  No trace

  Brain haemorrhage

  Not yet held

  Hull

  S

  44

  M

  1

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  1 Prisoner died in outside hospital where he had been for three weeks prior to his death.

  2 Post mortem failed to reveal the exact cause of death, but concluded there was a 'strong possibility of acute cardiac failure' and a more remote possibility of asphyxia.

  3 Cell mate charged with murder. Trial yet to be held.

  4 Died in outside hospital.

  5 Cell mate charged with murder.

  6 Two prisoners charged with murder.

  Notes:

  (1) Status:

  S—Sentenced

  U—Unsentenced, including convicted prisoners who have not yet been sentenced

  IA—Detained under the Immigration Act

  (2) Ethnicity:

  1—White

  2—West Indian or Guyanese

  3—Indian

  4—Pakistani

  5—Bangladeshi

  6—Chinese

  7—African

  8—Arab

  9—Mixed Origin
  18 19
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all deaths of people who have died in police custody or otherwise with the police since 1989 to include the age, sex and ethnic background of the deceased, the cause of death, offence charged with if relevant, and the inquest verdict.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Details of deaths in police custody during 1989 for all forces except the Metropolitan police were published in the annual report of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary. Those for 1990 and 1991 were published in Home Office "Statistical Bulletins" 12/91 and 4/92 respectively. Figures for 1992 are currently being collated and will appear in a further bulletin.

  Deaths which occurred in the Metropolitan police district are published in the Commissioner's annual report. Details of the ethnic background of the deceased are not recorded.

  Carl Bridgewater Murder Trial
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps were taken to inform the prisoners, their families, and their solicitors of his decision not to refer the Carl Bridgewater murder trial back to the Court of Appeal; when this information was given to radio broadcasters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. Friend made his decision known publicly at 10 am on 3 February. The solicitor representing Messrs. Michael and Vincent Hickey and Mr. Robinson was informed of that decision by telephone and letter. Letters were also sent to each of the three convicted men.

  Immigration
  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total numbers(a) applying for asylum in the United Kingdom, (b) being accepted for immigration in the United Kingdom and (c) emigrating from the United Kingdom, in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: Information on applications for asylum in the United Kingdom is given in table A. The fall in 1992 follows measures introduced in late 1991 to deter multiple and other fraudulent applications.

  Information on persons accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom is published in table 3 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin Issue 29/92 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—First and Second Quarters 1992". Information for the second half of 1992 is not yet available.

  The available information on emigration from the United Kingdom is produced by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from the international passenger survey, which defines a migrant as a person leaving one country where he/she has been a resident for a year or more, with the intention of residing in another country for a year or more. This information includes British and other EC citizens, but excludes migration between the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom. Data for 1990 are given in table 2·1 of the 1990 issues of the OPCS publication "International Migration". Corresponding data for 1991 are given in table B; data for 1992 are not yet available.

  Copies of both the publications are in the Library of the House.
  20

  Table A

  Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants

  Number

  1990

  22,000

  1991

  44,800

  1992

  24,600

  Table B

  Migration to and from the United Kingdom1 in 1991

  Number of persons, in thousands

  Inflow

  Outflow

  Net balance2

  All citizenships

  267

  239

  28

  British citizens

  117

  137

  -20

  Other EC citizens

  31

  32

  -1

  Non-EC citizens

  119

  70

  49

  1 Excluding migration between the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom.

  2 A positive figure represents a net inflow, a negative figure a net outflow.

  EC Visas
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which immigration category the format of the common EC visa will apply; and whether it will supersede the current formats of visas, entry clearances and letters of consent in those categories.

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

  Under the terms of the Treaty on European Union the Council shall, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, adopt measures relating to a uniform format for visas. The treaty is not yet in force and no proposal has been put forward by the Commission.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General 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.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown prosecution service has assigned two staff (with support from other staff as required) to its market testing programme. The Treasury Solicitor's Department has assigned five staff, part-time, to its programme. No staff have been assigned specifically in the Serious Fraud Office or the legal secretariat to the Law Officers. The programme has cost £56,300 since November 1991.

  Mr McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General 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.
  21
  The Attorney-General
  Since November 1991 the Crown prosecution service has market tested its HQ reprographics service which was contracted out to Williams Lea F.M.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much advance corporation tax was collected in 1991–92.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Advance corporation tax receipts in 1991–92 were £7,936 million.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the level of unrelieved advance corporation tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Unrelieved advance corporation tax carried forward is provisionally estimated to be about £5 billion.

  Snack Foods
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests were received by Customs and Excise in their review of the savoury snack food market asking for different classification for VAT on products; and what similar products are taxed at zero and at standard rate of VAT in different outlets.

  Sir John Cope
  No requests have been received for reclassification of individual products to either the standard or the zero rate. The main thrust of the arguments advanced on the industry's behalf, mainly by the Snack, Nuts and Crisps Manufacturers Association (SNACMA) was for the introduction of a reduced rate of VAT for all savoury snack products. There are a number of snack products which are eligible for zero-rating under the provisions for food generally. Examples are tortilla chips, twiglets, corn chips, mini garlic breads and bagel chips. All food is standard-rated when supplied by way of catering, ie through outlets such as snack bars or public houses, hotels and restaurants.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people between the ages of 16 and 60 years began employment in Government Departments in 1992.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Some 28,000 people aged between 16 and 59 years began employment in the non-industrial home civil service during the period 1 January to 30 September 1992. Information for the final quarter of the year is not yet available.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide figures for the reduction in numbers of posts as a result of contracting out since 1979 in his Department and agencies for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Nelson
  Readily accessible records do not exist as far back as 1979. Detailed records cover only the past two years. During that time there has been no reduction in the 22
  number of Treasury posts as a result of contracting out. Nevertheless, it is estimated that since 1979 there has been a reduction of eight Treasury posts as a result of contracting out.

  Taxation
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make it his policy to provide in answer to parliamentary questions figures relating to tax paid by classes of taxpayers sufficiently large to preserve confidentiality with particular reference to businesses now privatised; and if he will publish his correspondence with the hon. Member for Eltham on the subject.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Published statistics about taxation are limited to aggregates which preserve the confidentiality of taxpayers' affairs.

  Discount Rates
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on discount rates.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are no plans for changes in public sector discount rates.

  British Assets Abroad
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total size of British assets abroad; and what were the figures in(a) 1985 and (b)

  Mr. Lamont
  The estimates of identified United Kingdom external assets as shown are based on recording direct investments at book values, and other assets at estimated market values. To the extent that the valuation basis for direct investment reflects values in earlier periods, an up-to-date valuation is likely to be higher. These figures do not cover United Kingdom liabilities to overseas residents.

  £ billion

  end-year 1975

  98·5

  end-year 1985

  593·2

  September 1992

  1,065·0

  Sources: United Kingdom Balance of Payments, 1992; CSC, Databank.

  EC Budgets
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions the European Council has established a budget in which the resources ceiling has been less than the declared commitments; by what percentage in each case the commitments have exceeded the resources ceiling; and what were the comparable percentages in respect of the resources ceiling and commitments agreed at the Edinburgh Council meeting.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]: The 1988 own resources decision (88/376/EEC, Euratom) sets separate ceilings on the own resources available to finance payments from the Community budget, and on total commitments. The ceiling on commitments is set at 1.30 per cent. of Community GNP, which is higher than

  23
  the 1.20 per cent. own resources ceiling specified for 1992. The difference reflects the fact that some commitments will in practice not be taken up and so will not result in payments being made. There is, also in some cases, a considerable time lag between commitments and payments. As long as the Community economy continues to grow such expenditure commitments will represent a smaller proportion of Community GNP when the payments are made than when the commitments were given. However, article 3 of the own resources decision also requires the Community to maintain a compatible relationship between commitment appropriations and payment appropriations to enable the own resources ceiling to be maintained.

  The European Council held at Brussels in February 1988 agreed the figures shown in table 1.

  The corresponding figures agreed by the Edinburgh European Council in 1992 are given in table 2. (In addition to agreeing to increase the own resources ceiling from 1.20 per cent. of GNP to 1.27 per cent. by 1999, the European Council also agreed to increase the limit on commitments from 1.30 per cent. to 1.335 per cent. of GNP).

  Table 1

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (1)

  Own resources ceiling (per cent, of GNP)

  1·15

  1·17

  1·18

  1·19

  1·20

  (2)

  Payment appropriations as per cent, of GNP

  1·12

  1·14

  1·15

  1·16

  1·17

  (3)

  Commitment appropriations as per cent, of GNP

  1·160

  1·180

  1·200

  1·215

  1·235

  Table 2

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (1) Own resources ceiling (percentage of GNP)

  1·20

  1·20

  1·21

  1·22

  1·24

  1·26

  1·27

  (2) Payment appropriations as percentage of GNP

  1·20

  1·19

  1·20

  1·21

  1·23

  1·25

  1·26

  (3) Commitment appropriations as percentage of GNP

  1·260

  1·250

  1·260

  1·275

  1·290

  1·310

  1·325

  (3)-(l) Extent to which commitments exceed own resources ceiling (percentage of GNP)

  0·060

  0·050

  0·050

  0·055

  0·050

  0·050

  0·055

  (3)-(2) Extent to which commitments exceed payments (percentage of GNP)

  0·060

  0·060

  0·060

  0·065

  0·060

  0·060

  0·065

  Rugby Football
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he makes for the taxation of income on benefits arising from the playing of Rugby Union football.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: Under Rugby Union rules players are forbidden to receive payment for playing. If they were to do so they would be taxed in the same way as other professional sports men and women.

  Incomes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the amount and share of income going to(a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the next 2 to
  24

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (3)-(1)Extent to which commitments exceed own resources ceiling (per cent, of GNP)

  0·010

  0·010

  0·020

  0·025

  0·035

  (3)-(2)Extent to which commitments exceed payments (per cent, of GNP)

  0·040

  0·040

  0·050

  0·055

  0·065

  Notes:

  1. The figures for payment and commitment appropriations are based on the financial perspective set out in the Inter Institutional agreement which was agreed between the European Commission, Council and European Parliament following the Brussels European Council. They are expressed here as percentages of Community GNP on the basis of the GNP forecasts which were available to the European Council at the time.

  2. In practice, the annual budgets agreed over the period 1988–1992 had payment and commitment appropriations which were considerably lower, as a percentage of GNP, than the European Council envisaged. This was mainly because the Community economy grew more strongly over the period in question than the European Council had assumed. The actual figures as budgeted were as follows.

  Payment appropriations as per cent, of GNP

  Commitment appropriations as per cent, of GNP

  1989

  1·08

  1·12

  1990

  1·00

  1·04

  1991

  1·10

  1·16

  1992

  1·11

  1·16

  5 per cent., (c) the next 6 to 10 per cent. and (d) the next 10 to 20 per cent. and subsequent deciles of tax units for each year since 1978–79, revalued at 1978–79 prices;

  (2) if he will list the tax take for (a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the next 2 to 5 per cent., (c) the next 6 to 10 per cent. and (d) the next 10 to 20 per cent. and subsequent deciles of income groups for each year since 1978–79, revalued at 1978–79 prices.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 February col. 741–42]: Unfortunately there were two typographical errors in the table, which has now been corrected. Readily available estimates are in the table. For 1978–79 and 1989–90, married couples are counted as one taxpayer and their incomes are combined. Following the introduction of independent taxation, for 1990–91 onwards, husband and wives are counted separately. The estimates of total income relates to income subject to income tax and excludes non-taxable income such as certain social security benefits.
  25

  1Quantile group of taxpayers

  1978–79

  21989–90

  21990–91

  Tax liability

  Total income

  Percentage of total income

  Tax liability

  Total income

  Percentage of total income

  Tax liability

  Total income

  Percentage of total income

  Per cent.

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Top 1

  2,300

  5,000

  5

  3,400

  10,500

  8

  3,700

  11,300

  8

  1 to 5

  2,600

  9,900

  10

  3,800

  16,300

  12

  3,800

  16,000

  11

  5 to 10

  2,100

  9,300

  9

  2,600

  13,800

  9

  2,600

  13,500

  10

  10 to 20

  3,200

  15,000

  15

  3,600

  20,900

  15

  3,800

  20,900

  15

  20 to 30

  2,500

  12,600

  12

  2,600

  16,000

  11

  2,700

  16,500

  12

  30 to 40

  2,100

  11,000

  11

  2,000

  13,700

  10

  2,100

  14,100

  10

  40 to 50

  1,700

  9,600

  9

  1,600

  11,800

  8

  1,700

  12,000

  9

  50 to 60

  1,400

  8,500

  8

  1,300

  10,200

  7

  1,300

  10,400

  7

  60 to 70

  1,100

  7,300

  7

  1,000

  8,800

  6

  1,000

  9,000

  6

  70 to 80

  780

  6,000

  6

  760

  7,700

  5

  710

  7,600

  5

  80 to 90

  430

  4,900

  5

  470

  6,200

  4

  410

  6,100

  4

  Bottom 10

  130

  3,700

  4

  170

  4,800

  3

  130

  4,800

  3

  All taxpayers

  20,300

  102,800

  100·0

  23,300

  140,800

  100·0

  24,000

  142,300

  100·0

  1991–922

  1992–932

  Quantile group of taxpayers1

  Tax liability

  Total income

  Percentage of total income

  Tax liability

  Total income

  Percentage of total income

  Per cent.

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Top 1

  3,600

  11,100

  8

  3,400

  10,500

  8

  1–5

  3,900

  15,900

  11

  3,700

  15,200

  11

  5–10

  2,600

  13,400

  10

  2,500

  12,900

  10

  10–20

  3,700

  20,600

  15

  3,600

  20,000

  15

  20–30

  2,700

  16,500

  12

  2,600

  16,000

  12

  30–40

  2,100

  13,900

  10

  2,000

  13,500

  10

  40–50

  1,700

  11,800

  9

  1,500

  11,400

  9

  50–60

  1,300

  10,200

  7

  1,200

  9,800

  7

  60–70

  1,000

  8,700

  6

  870

  8,400

  6

  70–80

  700

  7,300

  5

  580

  7,000

  5

  80–90

  400

  5,900

  4

  300

  5,600

  4

  Bottom 10

  130

  4,700

  3

  100

  4,500

  3

  All taxpayers

  23,900

  140,000

  100

  22,200

  134,800

  100

  1 Tax units for years prior to 1990–91.

  2 In 1978–79 prices.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Press Regulations
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the statutory and other restraints on publication by the press.

  Mr. Brooke
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Disabled Employees
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of employees in his Department are registered disabled.

  Mr. Key
  The Department of National Heritage is still in the process of setting up its personnel and other central management information systems and the information to answer this question is not yet centrally available.

  Football Trust
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the value of grants to football clubs made by the Football Trust in the last three years.

  Mr. Brooke
  The value of grants offered to football clubs by the Football Trust in the last three years is £75.5 million.

  Art Collections
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the most recent estimate of the value of the Government's art collection; how many paintings are owned by the Government; and in which public buildings they are located.

  Mr. Key
  No market valuation of the Government art collection exists, because the art collection is not actively traded.

  The Government art collection owns 2,464 paintings, as well as a number of other works of art located in approximately 600 United Kingdom Government buildings throughout the world.

  Rugby League
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will introduce legislation to stop other sports preventing the participation of players who have played Rugby League football.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: I have no plans to do so. It is for the individual governing bodies of sport to determine their own rules and regulations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Television Service
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 4 June,Official Report, column 636, what further developments have taken place regarding the provision of a live television feed of the Chamber of the House to hon. Members' offices.

  Mr. Newton
  As I indicated in my previous reply to the hon. Member, the Broadcasting Committee has agreed in principle to the supply of a television feed to Members' offices within the parliamentary estate. If the House approves this recommendation, the pace at which it can be implemented throughout the House and its outbuildings will depend on progress with proposals currently under consideration by the Information Committee for the establishment of a parliamentary data and video network, on which the television feed from the Chamber would be carried. These proposals will, of course, also require the approval of the House. For its part, the Broadcasting Committee will continue to keep the matter under review.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards a united China; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  In 1950 the British Government recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. There is no change in that position.

  Mr. Raja Ibrar Hussain
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer at 5 February,Official Report, column 394, concerning Mr. Raja Ibrar Hussain, whether Mr. Hussain has lodged an appeal against the refusal of entry clearance to allow him to join his wife in the United Kingdom; whether an explanatory statement has been sent to the appellate authorities in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Mr. Raja Ibrar Hussain lodged an appeal with the British High Commission in Islamabad on 22 November 1992 against the refusal of entry clearance to allow him to join his wife in the United Kingdom.

  The entry clearance officer's explanatory statement of the refusal is in the course of preparation.

  I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive notification from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office when the entry clearance officer's explanatory statement has been sent to the appellate authorites in London.

  Belgium (Foreign Residents)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the letter of 4 February from the migration and visa correspondence unit to the hon. Member for Ilford, South, what evidence he has of repeated applications for asylum and social security 28
  benefits by non-EC nationals resident in Belgium; how many such cases there have been in 1992 and 1993; what were the nationalities of those involved; identifying Commonwealth and community citizens separately; what length of visits had been applied for; how many had visited the United Kingdom in the previous year; how many non-EC nationals resident in Belgium have been refused visitors' visas in 1992 and 1993; what new practices have been put in place; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Social Security benefits are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  I understand that in 1992 a number of illgal immigrants were arrested and convicted in the United Kingdom. This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  The numbers of non-EC nationals refused visas by the British embassy in Belgium in 1992 and 1993 were:

  1992–126

  1993 (January only)–12

  No new practices have been put in place by the embassy. All visa applications are scrutinised to establish that they meet the requirements of the immigration rules.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the use of the Green Island reception centre in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the comparison of conditions with those in the Tai A Chan detention centre.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Green Island detention centre was originally used exclusively as a reception facility for Vietnamese migrants arriving in Hong Kong. It is now used principally for holding those who are scheduled for repatriation to Vietnam. The centre has a capacity of about 500. It has dormitory huts like all other detention centres but it does not have kitchen facilities; meals are provided by an outside caterer. The recreational area is limited. Non-government organisations provide services in the centre which is also visited daily by a medical team.

  The Tai A Chau detention centre has a capacity of about 10,000. It is on a remote island and, because of both size and location, it is self-contained. Unlike other detention centres, the Vietnamese migrants are allowed out of the centre during the day and engage in a range of activities which include farming, poultry raising and fish breeding.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number of immigrants from Vietnam arriving in Hong Kong between 1975 and the end of 1992; how many of these were resettled in third countries; how many of them were returned to Vietnam(a) voluntarily and (b) compulsorily; and how many remained in Hong Kong on 31 December 1992.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A total of 183,542 Vietnamese migrants arrived in Hong Kong between 1975 and the end of 1992. According to figures from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as at 31 December 1992, taking account of children born in the camps in Hong Kong, 138,023 had been resettled in third countries, 26,729 had been repatriated and 45,317 remained in Hong Kong.
  29
  A total of 418 were returned to Vietnam under the orderly repatriation programme or other bilateral arrangements.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the total numbers on 1 February in Hong Kong for(a) Vietnamese refugees, (b) Vietnamese immigrants awaiting screening and (c) Vietnamese determined to be illegal immigrants.

  Mr. Goodlad
  On I February the total number of Vietnamese migrants in Hong Kong was 44,803. Of these 2,495 were refugees, 19,869 were awaiting screening or its results and 22,439 had been determined to be illegal immigrants.

  Disabled Employees
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of employees in his Department is registered disabled.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Some 0.4 per cent. of employees in the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are registered disabled and 1.49 per cent. in the Overseas Development Administration.

  British Mercenaries
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by the consular department to British nationals in difficulty as a result of acting as mercenaries abroad.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Mercenaries are treated in the same way as any other British citizen requiring assistance from our consular offices abroad. Assistance would usually be limited to helping them to return to the United Kingdom at their own expense.

  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the instances and countries in which consular advice or assistance has been given to mercenary soldiers.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Mercenaries are not specifically identified in Foreign and Commonwealth Office records of consular assistance given to British nationals.

  In seeking consular assistance mercenaries do not necessarily identify themselves as such.

  Peru
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Council of Ministers has taken to encourage the restoration of human rights and democracy in Peru.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  In response to President Fujimori's suspension of constitutional government in April 1992. the United Kingdom with its EC partners called on the Peruvian authorities to re-establish democratic institutions with the full participation of political parties and respect for human rights. Most aid to Peru was suspended. We continue to review with our European Community partners the measures taken last year in the light of progress towards the restoration of democracy.

  Cyprus
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) the Greek Cypriot and (b) the Turkish
  30
  Cypriot communities about progress made by the United Nations on Cyprus; and at what levels within the leadership of each community he is in contact.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last discussed these matters directly with President Vassiliou of Cyprus at the EC-Cyprus Association Council on 21 December 1992. We are in continual touch with the leadership of both Cypriot communities at the highest level through our high commissioner in Nicosia.

  Visas
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer at 5 February,Official Report, column 394, concerning the children Shenaz Begum, Afsar Khan and Shaira Begum, what account was taken of doubts about their mother's relationship with their father when the mother, Mrs. Zartaj Begum, was issued with a visa to enter the United Kingdom; when the British High Commission in Islamabad requested the Home Office to make inquiries of her husband in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Ms. Martaj Bibi (Begum) applied for entry clearance at the British High Commission in Islamabad on 7 October 1991, accompanied by her daughters Bibi Nargas and Rehana Begum, on the basis of her marriage in Pakistan to Mr. Mohammed Gham Gharti on 18 April 1969.

  Once the entry clearance officer (ECO) was satisfied that the relationships were as claimed, and that there was adequate support and accommodation available for the family in the United Kingdom without recourse to public funds, the ECO issued visas to Zartaj Bibi and Bibi Nargas, and a certificate of entitlement to Rehana Begum on 1 October 1992.

  I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive notification from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth office of the date on which the high commission in Islamabad requested the Home Office to make inquiries of Ms Bibi's husband in the United Kingdom. This information is not currently available.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new practice has been followed by the visa section of the British embassy in Belgium in scrutinising applications for visit visas by non-EC nationals living in Belgium in 1992 and 1993; what is the reason for the new procedure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No new practice has been followed by the British embassy in Belgium.

  All applications for visit visas by non-EC nationals are scrutinised as the entry clearance officer is obliged to be satisfied that applications meet the requirements of the immigration rules before visas may be granted.

  Maritime Zones
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the maritime zones for(a) dependent territories and (b) other territories.
  31
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested is as follows:

  Territorial sea

  Fisheries zone

  Exclusive economic zone

  (Distances are in nautical miles)

  (a) Dependent territories

  Anguilla

  3

  200

  —

  Bermuda

  12

  200

  —

  British Antartic Territory

  3

  3

  —

  British Indian Ocean Territory

  3

  200

  —

  British Virgin Islands

  3

  200

  —

  Cayman Islands

  12

  200

  —

  Falkland Islands

  12

  200

  —

  Gibraltar

  3

  3

  —

  Hong Kong

  3

  —

  —

  Montserrat

  3

  200

  —

  Pitcairn Islands

  3

  —

  200

  St. Helena, Ascension, Tristan da Cunha

  12

  200 each

  —

  South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

  12

  12 each

  —

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  12

  200

  —

  (b) Crown dependencies

  Isle of Man

  12

  12

  —

  Bailiwick of Guernsey

  3

  12

  —

  Jersey

  3

  3

  —

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest report of the United Nations special commission investigating the Iraqi programmes of weapons of mass destruction, received by Her Majesty's Government; and when it was received.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We work closely with the UN Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM). It is not our practice to comment in detail on the information given to us by UNSCOM.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide figures for the reduction in numbers of posts as a result of contracting out since 1979 in his Department and agencies for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Goodlad
  There has been a reduction of some 60 posts in the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 1984 as a result of contracting out. To check the position back to 1979 would involve disproportionate cost.

  Wilton Park has reduced its number of posts by six as a result of contracting out. Neither the Overseas Development Administration nor the Natural Resources Institute have reduced their number of posts as a result of contracting out.

  UNESCO
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the incoming administration in the United States of America regarding membership of UNESCO; and if he will make a statement.
  32
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have frequent contacts with the United States authorities on many aspects of UNESCO. My information is that, like us, they have reached no decision on membership of the organisation.

  EC Association Agreements
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the European Community's association agreements with Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland to come into effect.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The trade provisions of the association agreements with Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia came into effect on 1 March 1992 under interim agreements. The main agreements with Poland and Hungary, to which the European Parliament has already given its assent, will come into effect when national Parliaments in all EC member states have authorised their ratification. The presidency is pressing member states to do so rapidly. As well as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark have completed their ratification procedures. Following the dissolution of the Czechoslovak Federation on 31 December 1992, the Community has moved to begin negotiations on new association agreements with the successor Czech and Slovak Republics.

  Bulgaria and Romania
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the European Community's association agreements with Bulgaria and Romania have yet been finalised.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The European Community concluded negotiations on association agreements with Romania and Bulgaria under the United Kingdom Presidency. The agreements were initialled on 17 November and 22 December 1992 respectively. EC Foreign Ministers signed the agreement with Romania in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 1 February 1993. It is hoped the agreement with Bulgaria can be signed in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 8 March.

  Whaling
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to resist any attempt by Norway to negotiate a change in the current EC ban on whaling within EC waters as part of its application for full membership of the EC.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made our views on whaling clear to Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland when she delivered Norway's application to join the EC. We would expect Norway to apply existing Community legislation on whaling and trade in whale products on accession to the Community.

  Bhutan
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the situtation in Bhutan and on arrangements for refugees from Bhutan in neighbouring countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following the implementation of Bhutanese citizenship laws there are estimated to be about 72,000 refugees from Bhutan in camps in eastern Nepal. A
  33
  further 10,000 refugees are in India. We are providing financial help for the refugees in Nepal through the Save the Children fund.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with non-governmental organisations concerning the first preparatory committee meeting of the non-proliferation treaty; what plans his Department has to involve non-governmental organisations in his Department's activities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our Department has regular contacts with organisations which have an interest in the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and intends to continue doing so.

  Nuclear Testing
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 355, if he will place in the Library copies of the letters sent to Senators Hatfield, Mitchell and Exon.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  A copy of the text of the letter sent to Senators Hatfield, Mitchell and Exon in August 1992 will be placed in the Library today.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affiars, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1992,Official Report, column 355, if he will list the senior members of the Democratic party contacted by Her Majesty's Government in connection with the nuclear testing programme; and what concerns they expressed about United Kingdom policy.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have had many such contacts, but are now pursuing those with members of the new Administration. So far there have been only general exchanges about considerations bearing on the policies of both Governments.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Potatoes
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he will take to ensure that the stock feed scheme is introduced for potatoes this year and that it will be uprated in line with the current rage of inflation.

  Mr. Hanley
  Under current arrangements Government may intervene in the potato market by way of a stock feed scheme if it appears that the average price for potatoes sold for human consumption over the marketing year will be less than the target price. The cumulative average price to date is significantly higher than the target price, consequently I have no plans to introduce a stock feed scheme. The target price is not linked to the rate of inflation.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  There are two full-time and one part-time members of staff in a small central unit within the Department of Finance and Personnel assigned to the Northern Ireland market testing programme. Otherwise staff in this unit and in other Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office contribute to the market testing process as part of wider responsibilities. Under present arrangements, therefore, information on the cost of the programme cannot be accurately determined across the seven Departments Covered by the Northern Ireland market testing programme, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office have set themselves challenging targets for market testing since the publication of the White Paper, "Competing for Quality", in November 1991, and will continue to play a full part in this initiative.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Eighteen tests have been completed in Northern Ireland Departments and the NI() since November 1991—of these seven were won by the in-house providers, five tests by outside contractors and six by a combination of both, as follows:

  Transit (computer system)—contracted out

  Sludge disposal (2 tests)—combination

  Building maintenance—contracted out

  Reservoir maintenance—retained in-house

  Roads reinstatement—combination

  Marine disposal of sewage sludge—retained in-house

  Sewer maintenance—combination

  Verge maintenance—combination

  Car park management—retained in-house

  Gully emptying—combination

  Road marking—retained in-house

  Strangford ferry—retained in-house

  Street lighting—retained in-house

  Cleaning—contracted out

  Key holding—contracted out

  Grounds maintenance—retained in-house

  Catering—contracted out

  In the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland I would not wish to disclose the names of successful contractors.

  Market testing is part of the Government's strategy to increase the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the public service. Decisions on whether work continues to be carried out in-house or is contracted out are taken on the basis of value for money.

  Crimes
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy on diverting offenders away from the courts and custodial sentences and towards
  35
  community-based projects; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of community-based projects on the level of juvenile crime in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Cautioning schemes for both adult and juvenile offenders operate in Northern Ireland, aimed at avoiding prosecution where it is not required in the public interest. The courts also have a range of community-based disposals available to them for offenders of all ages.

  We are currently reviewing these and other aspects of Northern Ireland's criminal justice arrangements and hope to announce our conclusions in the coming months.

  Northern Ireland Select Committee
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the oral answer by the Lord President of the Council, 25 June 1992,Official Report, column 395, what is his current policy on the establishment of a Northern Ireland Select Committee.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The establishment of a Northern Ireland Select Committee is a matter for the House. The Government, however, take the view that while such a Committee may be desirable in principle there remain a number of issues, including the extent of support from elected representatives from both sides of the community in Northern Ireland, needing further consideration.

  Sheep Farmers
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sheep farmers there are in Northern Ireland; and how many sheep farmers are in receipt of hill livestock compensatory amounts.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the latest agricultural census, sheep were recorded on 11,323 holdings. Hill livestock compensatory allowance in respect of sheep was paid to 9,802 farmers in 1992.

  Water
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the sites proposed to him for classification as sensitive areas under the EC directive on urban waste water treatment, including the proposing body, by reason of(a) eutrophication and (b) inland water with a nitrate concentration greater than 50 mg/l.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive requires member states to identify sensitive areas, in accordance with the criteria set out in the directive, by 21 December this year. The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is at present compiling a final list of "candidate" sensitive areas. An announcement about the location of the areas to be formally identified as sensitive will be made before the deadline imposed in the directive.

  Children Act
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many qualified officers are employed in each of the four health and social services boards responsible for registration and inspection of services under the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Children Act 1989 does not apply in Northern Ireland. However, under the Children and 36
  Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, the number of qualified officers in the health and social services boards responsible for registration and inspection of day care services is as follows:

  Health and social services board

  Number of qualified officers (whole-time equivalent)

  Eastern

  13·0

  Western

  1·0

  Northern

  5·5

  Southern

  4·0

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations there have been with child care associations in Northern Ireland in applying the Children Act 1989, with particular reference to the setting of standards and the quality of service under the care of children provisions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Children Act 1989 does not apply in Northern Ireland, where child care services are currently governed by the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968. However, a proposal for a draft Children (Northern Ireland) Order to reform the law in Northern Ireland on the care and upbringing of children along the lines of the Children Act 1989 will be issued shortly for widespread public consultation.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out in full the duties of registration officers engaged under the Children Act 1989 within the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Children Act does not apply in Northern Ireland, where day care services in the non-statutory sector are regulated by the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, by regulations issued under this Act and by departmental guidance. These regulations and guidance will be revised as part of the implementation of the proposed Children (Northern Ireland) Order and will take account, as appropriate, of the relevant requirements and advice on day care issued under the Children Act 1989.

  Energy
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the state aid to the energy sector within Northern Ireland as notified to the European Commission.

  Mr. Atkins
  There is no state aid to the energy sector in Northern Ireland.

  General Practitioners
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the general practitioner fund holding practices granted in Northern Ireland in each board area;

  (2) if he will give the number of applications pending for general practitioner fund holding practices in each board area.

  Mr. Hanley
  Fund holding will not commence in Northern Ireland until 1 April 1993. At present, 20
  37
  practices or groups of practices are preparing to become fundholders on that date and are expected to be granted fund holding status shortly. Expressions of interest in joining the second fund holding wave commencing in April 1994 were recently sought. Practices have until the end of February 1993 to register their interest. The practices who are preparing to become fund holders on 1 April 1993 are as follows:

  Eastern Board

  Dr. Brown and partners

  Salisbury Medical Centre

  Antrim Road

  Belfast

  Dr. Donnelly and partners

  Clifton Street Surgery

  Belfast

  Dr. Rowan and partners

  281 Ormeau Road

  Belfast

  Dr. Trimble and partners

  Dunluce Health Centre

  Dunluce Avenue

  Belfast

  Dr. Dick and partners

  Dunmurry

  Belfast

  Dr. Kane and partners

  Brook Street Surgery

  Holywood

  Co. Down

  Dr. Jackson and partners

  Dr. McAughey and partners

  Skegoniel Health Centre

  Belfast

  Dr. Lowry and partners

  Springfield Road

  Belfast

  Dr. Morrison and partners

  Cherryvalley Health Centre

  Belfast

  Dr. Laird and partners

  Bloomfield Road Surgery

  Bangor

  Co. Down

  Dr. Lindsay and partners

  Priory Surgery

  Holywood

  Co. Down

  Western Board

  Dr. Garvey and partners

  Lower Strabane Road

  Castlederg

  Dr. Craig and partners

  Bridge Street Medical Centre

  Londonderry

  and

  Dr. Hetherington and partners

  Eglington Health Centre

  Numbers of courses of national health service dental treatment in Scotland by health board area

  Health board

  1987

  1988

  1989

  19903

  19901 4

  1991–922

  Argyll and Clyde

  258,537

  263,704

  271,769

  197,957

  44,640

  206,277

  Ayrshire and Arran

  250,239

  250,350

  254,617

  186,728

  42,018

  187,757

  Borders

  72,514

  74,807

  78,839

  59,132

  14,646

  65,622

  Dumfries and Galloway

  88,106

  92,049

  94,113

  69,199

  14,491

  71,512

  Fife

  208,259

  213,290

  220,942

  158,218

  38,178

  160,124

  38

  Eglinton

  Co Londonderry

  Dr. Gallagher and partners

  The Health Centre

  Strabane

  Co Tryone

  Northern Board

  Dr. Hegan and partners

  Rosehall Medical

  Centre Glengormley

  Co Antrim

  Dr. Campbell and partners

  The Health Centre

  Greenisland

  Co Antrim

  Dr. McAteer and partners

  The Health Centre

  Ballyclare

  Co Antrim

  Dr. Stevenson and partners

  The Health Centre

  Whiteabbey

  Co Antrim

  Dr. Patterson and partners

  The Health Centre

  Portglenone

  Co Antrim

  Dr. Thompson and partners

  Crumlin

  Co Antrim

  and

  Dr. Gallagher and partner

  Glenavy

  Co Antrim

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of general practitioner practices in Northern Ireland at the latest available date.

  Mr. Hanley
  At February 1993 there were 354 general medical practices in Northern Ireland.

SCOTLAND

  Dental Treatment
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many courses of dental treatment were undertaken in each health board area in Scotland in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information is set out in the table. The figures from 1 October 1990 are for adults only, as under the new dental contract introduced from that date children are now treated under capitation arrangements to provide continuing care, and no longer undergo individual courses of treatment. At 31 March 1992, 622,000 children were registered with dentists in Scotland under capitation arrangements.
  39

  Health board

  1987

  1988

  1989

  19903

  19901 4

  1991–922

  Forth Valley

  150,978

  157,174

  160,965

  117,794

  26,838

  130,389

  Grampian

  292,001

  292,106

  303,233

  218,533

  55,136

  267,042

  Greater Glasgow

  513,945

  527,965

  537,454

  393,481

  93,387

  441,154

  Highland

  101,489

  104,525

  111,009

  82,916

  19,793

  94,050

  Lanarkshire

  300,227

  306,231

  309,381

  224,996

  48,213

  219,558

  Lothian

  458,153

  471,551

  490,115

  355,469

  85,992

  396,777

  Orkney

  8,147

  8,231

  8,598

  6,599

  1,968

  7,438

  Shetland

  5,551

  6,445

  7,604

  5,713

  1,832

  6,589

  Tayside

  268,986

  275,142

  284,822

  210,381

  47,108

  222,697

  Western Isles

  10,029

  9,347

  9,239

  6,116

  1,307

  7,553

  Scotland

  2,987,161

  3,052,917

  3,142,700

  2,293,232

  535,547

  2,484,539

  1 New contract for general dental services introduced on 1 October 1990.

  2 With effect from 1 April 1991 the method of collecting statistical information was changed to reflect financial years.

  3 January to September.

  4 October to December.

  Incomes
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to paragraph 1 of his letter of 20 January to Scottish hon. Members, what assessment he has made of the number of people in Scotland whose income will fall or remain constant in real terms during the coming year; and what proportion of these he classifies as being on a low wage.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has not made any assessment of the number of people in Scotland whose real income will fall or remain unchanged during the coming year. Accordingly, my right hon. Friend has not assessed the proportion on low wages, however defined.

  I note, however, that the independent forecasters, whose projections on the economy are regularly monitored by the Scottish Office Industry Department, expect that Scottish GDP will rise, on average, by 1·3 per cent. in 1993 and 2·3 per cent. in 1994. I am confident that this will be reflected in an overall rise in real incomes for the people of Scotland.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a breakdown of the planned expenditure on(a) new construction and improvement, (b) structural maintenance and (c) current maintenance on trunk roads by his Department for 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mainly sheep

  Sheep and cattle

  Cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Indices cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Indices cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Average 1989–90 to 1991–92= 100

  Average 1989–90 to 1991–92=100

  1978–79

  8,100

  21,500

  74

  184

  6,900

  18,400

  48

  120

  1979–80

  5,700

  16,200

  49

  106

  3,500

  8,200

  26

  56

  1980–81

  5,800

  11,300

  52

  97

  3,100

  6,100

  27

  51

  1981–82

  9,700

  17,200

  99

  163

  11,000

  19,400

  87

  144

  1982–83

  7,400

  13,400

  75

  115

  9,500

  15,600

  74

  113

  1983–84

  6,000

  9,400

  72

  106

  7,500

  11,700

  66

  97

  1984–85

  8,400

  12,600

  94

  132

  6,100

  9,100

  60

  84

  1985–86

  13,200

  19,600

  144

  190

  8,400

  11,900

  84

  111

  1986–87

  7,100

  9,700

  79

  101

  3,600

  4,900

  34

  43

  1987–88

  10,200

  13,300

  118

  146

  9,300

  12,000

  102

  125

  1988–89

  10,700

  13,300

  105

  122

  12,500

  15,500

  129

  150

  1989–90

  9,300

  10,800

  97

  105

  9,300

  10,800

  105

  113

  1990–91

  9,300

  9,700

  95

  93

  8,400

  8,800

  92

  91

  40
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 5 February 1993]: Planned expenditure on trunk roads in Scotland for the forward year 1993–94 in the following categories is as follows:

  1993–94 £ million

  New construction and improvement

  167·2

  Structural maintenance

  33·0

  Current maintenance

  30·6

  Corresponding figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are not yet available. The totals of (a) capital and (b) current planned expenditure on trunk roads in these years is as follows:

  1994–95 £ million

  1995–96 £ million

  Capital

  217

  225

  Current

  33

  34

  Disadvantaged Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the net farm income for sheep and sheep and cattle farms in severely disadvantaged areas, in both nominal and real terms, for each year since 1978.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 4 February 1993]: Estimates of net farm income based on results of sample surveys are provided in the following table. Indices are shown in the table based on results from constant samples of farms to allow reliable year to year comparisons.
  41

  Mainly sheep

  Sheep and cattle

  Cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Indices cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Indices cash terms

  Adjusted for inflation

  Average 1989–90 to 1991–92= 100

  Average 1989–90 to 1991–92=100

  1991–92

  9,600

  9,600

  108

  102

  10,500

  10,500

  102

  96

  1992–93

  11,600

  11,100

  131

  118

  11,300

  10,900

  111

  100

  1 Forecast.

  Source: Farm Accounts Scheme.

  Notes:

  1. Cash figures deflated by the retail price index, 1991–92 = 100.

  2. The levels of income have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  3. In 1983–84 the lower size limit for farms in the sample was reduced therefore the figures in 1983–84 and later are not fully comparable with earlier years.

  Lothian Health Board
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) managerial staff and (c) clerical and administrative staff in Lothian health board in each year since 1989.

  Staff in Lothian health board at 30 September

  1989

  1990

  1991

  11992

  (a) Headcount

  Nursing and midwifery2

  10,891

  10,577

  10,668

  10,592

  Managerial3 4

  93

  119

  135

  183

  Administrative and clerical

  2,607

  2,652

  2,659

  2,692

  (b) Whole time equivalent

  Nursing and midwifery2

  9,510·0

  9,219·9

  9,152·4

  9,012·9

  Managerial3 4

  93·0

  118·5

  135·0

  180·1

  Administrative and clerical

  2,180·9

  2,221·6

  2,220·2

  2,230·8

  1 Data for September 1992 are provisional.

  2 Nursing and midwifery includes qualified, unqualified and staff in training. The decrease in numbers between 1991 and 1992 are largely accounted for by the Project 2000 student nurses who are excluded from the 1992 figures.

  3 1989 figures include administrative and clerical staff on grade 18 and above. 1990–91 includes grades 7 and above.

  4 The increase in numbers in this group is partially accounted for by the transfer of some professional staff to senior manager grades.

  Red Deer
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which public, voluntary and private sector interests he and his officials have met in order to discuss their responses to the Government's 1991 consultation paper on red deer legislation; when such meetings took place; and what conclusions were drawn from the exercise.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: During 1992 my officials held meetings with representatives of the Association of Deer Management Groups, the British Deer Society, the Forestry Commission, the Red Deer Commission, the Scottish Landowners' Federation, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link and the World Wide Fund for Nature to discuss the review of deer legislation in the light of the responses to the consultation paper. I have also had subsequent discussions with the chairman of the Red Deer Commission. In the light of these meetings, and after scrutiny of all responses to the consultation paper, I announced on 21 December 1992 that I had asked the Red Deer Commission to give further consideration to the key points arising from the consultation exercise with a view to making detailed recommendations for possible legislative changes.
  42
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: The information requested is as follows:

PRIME MINISTER

  Smoking
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what provisions govern the imposition of no-smoking policies by operators of(a) trains, (b) aeroplanes, (c) buses and (d) taxis.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government believe that decisions on whether or not smoking should be permitted on public transport are a matter for the operators concerned.

  On the railways, British Rail has the power to ban smoking by virtue of British Rail byelaw 20. On the London Underground, smoking is banned under a London Transport byelaw made under section 67 of the Transport Act 1962, as amended by paragraph 5(1) of schedule 3 to the Transport (London) Act 1969 and section 37 of the Transport Act 1981.

  Under article 53 of the Air Navigation Order 1989, the commander of an aircraft is empowered to decide on whether passengers should or should not be allowed to smoke.

  Bus operators are entitled to ban smoking on their vehicles under section 6 of the Passenger Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors and Passengers) Regulations 1990.
  43
  There are no statutory provisions for taxi drivers to ban smoking in their vehicles. In line with their commitment in the "Health of the Nation" White Paper, the Government have undertaken to seek an opportunity to amend the relevant legislation to allow them to do so.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Prime Minister what action the Government take to ensure that individuals known to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to have been mercenary soldiers to whom consular advice or assistance has been given are notified to the Ministry of Defence.

  The Prime Minister
  The Ministry of Defence would not expect the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to notify them routinely of individuals who had sought consular advice or assistance, unless there were reason to believe that the individual concerned might be a serving or former member of the armed forces.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to raise the matters of nuclear weapons testing, nuclear reprocessing and the international trade in nuclear explosive materials during his meeting with President Clinton on 24 February.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to have wide ranging discussions with President Clinton and members of his Administration.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister how members of the public can contribute to the Scott inquiry.

  The Prime Minister
  Members of the public who have information to contribute to the inquiry may write direct to Lord Justice Scott at 1 Palace street, London, SW1E 5HE.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what resources Her Majesty's Government have made available to the Scott inquiry to pay for travel costs, overnight accommodation and subsistence of witnesses invited from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) abroad.

  The Prime Minister
  Lord Justice Scott will be provided with the resources that he considers necessary to conduct his inquiry.

  World Summit for Children
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Prime Minister what specific targets his Government are setting for itself in terms of allocating resources for clean water, sanitation and basic education, in light of agreements made at the world summit for children.

  The Prime Minister
  In the financial year 1991–92, one quarter of our bilateral aid to developing countries allocatable by sector was spent on clean water, sanitation and education.

  Rural Areas
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Prime Minister what responsibilities the Department of Trade and Industry has for trade and industry in rural areas.
  44
  The Prime Minister
  The Department of Trade and Industry and its regional offices liaise closely in the delivery of services with other Government Departments and agencies where necessary. This includes the Department of the Environment which has responsibility for rural development policy and the Rural Development Commission.

  Coastal and Marine Issues
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will unify departmental responsibility for coastal and marine matters including incidents of oil pollution.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: No. The present division of responsibilities within Government for coastal and marine matters provides a comprehensive system of management. Coastal issues cannot be artificially isolated from the mainstream of policy-making across Government. Responsibility for preventing and responding to marine pollution lies clearly with the Department of Transport, which liaises with other Departments as appropriate.

  EC Regulations
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with his EC partners concerning transfer of undertakings and protection of employment regulations.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 implement the EC acquired rights directive 1977. The European Commission is expected to make proposals to revise the directive shortly.

  Departmental Library
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 551, what use has been made of the book by his Office; and what account the Government have taken of the substance of the final chapter of the book in considering possible prosecutions arising out of the case.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]The matters discussed in the book are the subject of Lord Justice Scott's inquiry. It is necessary to await the judge's report and recommendations.

WALES

  Quangos
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each body in Wales run by a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation stating in respect of each of them the total budgeted public expenditure for 1992–93 and 1993–94 for which they are responsible.

  Mr. David Hunt
  There are 16 executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Welsh Office. They are listed in the following table which shows original plans for the current year, and planned expenditure for 1993–94 (where appropriate, expenditure is shown in both gross and net terms).
  45

  Welsh Office Executive NDPBs

  £ million

  Non-departmental Public Body (NDPB)

  1992–93 Plans

  1993–94 Plans

  Welsh Development Agency

  Gross

  166·8

  171·4

  Net

  75·7

  61·6

  Development Board for Rural

  Gross

  23·6

  25·4

  Wales

  Net

  15·8

  16·3

  Cardiff Bay Development

  Gross

  40·0

  53·0

  Corporation

  Net

  35·1

  45·0

  Wales Tourist Board

  Gross

  15·4

  15·3

  Net

  13·5

  13·7

  National Museum of Wales

  Gross

  15·0

  15·6

  Net

  14·0

  14·1

  National Library of Wales

  Gross

  5·8

  6·4

  Net

  5·7

  6·2

  Sports Council for Wales

  Gross

  8·2

  8·9

  Net

  5·8

  6·4

  Land Authority for Wales

  Gross

  9·5

  13·0

  Net

  1Nil

  1Nil

  Housing for Wales2

  Gross

  132·4

  139·6

  Net

  124·4

  132·1

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Gross

  17·3

  19·9

  Net

  17·3

  19· 8

  Curriculum Council for Wales

  1·6

  1·4

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting3

  Gross

  9·9

  1·6

  Net

  9·8

  1·5

  Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales

  1·2

  1·1

  Further Education Funding Council4

  2·0

  143·3

  Higher Education Funding Counci4

  0·5

  179·0

  Wales Youth Agency

  0·4

  0·4

  1 The Land Authority's activities are funded by self-generated resources, supported by borrowing.

  2 Figures include special needs management allowance, but exclude capitalised interest, tax relief grants and local authority transfers.

  3 The decrease in provision from 1992–93 to 1993–94 reflects that from 1 April 1993, new arrangements for funding education and training will operate as the Welsh National Board ceases to be responsible for funding the salaries of teachers following changes introduced by the

  Facilities registered with Social Services Departments offering treatment and/or rehabilitation care for people who are lcohol and/or drug dependent

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Dyfed

  Place

  —

  —

  23

  23

  29

  29

  Residents

  —

  —

  21

  23

  23

  27

  Gwent

  Place

  —

  —

  19

  19

  19

  19

  Residents

  —

  —

  13

  17

  16

  11

  Gwynedd

  Place

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  7

  Residents

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  6

  Mid Glamorgan

  Place

  12

  12

  12

  12

  12

  12

  Residents

  12

  9

  12

  9

  11

  9

  South Glamorgan

  Place

  24

  40

  40

  24

  24

  24

  Residents

  14

  39

  33

  21

  18

  18

  Wales

  Place

  36

  52

  94

  78

  91

  91

  Residents

  26

  48

  79

  70

  72

  71

  46

  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1992.

  4 The increase in provision from 1992–93 to 1993–94 reflects that from 1 April 1993 the Funding Councils take on their full responsibilities.

  Information and Publicity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the value of the printing contracts won by the Wilprint Group in each financial year since 1988–89.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The value of all contracts awarded to the Wilprint Group by the Welsh Office for financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90 can be supplied only at disproportionate cost. The figures for succeeding years are:

  £

  1990–91

  255,266

  1991–92

  157,356

  1992–93

  46,470

  Drug and Alcohol Abuse
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many residential places have been made available within specialist residential units for drug and alcohol abusers in Wales, as a whole and according to each local authority area, during each of the last 10 years;

  (2) how many patients have been treated at residential specialist units for drug and alcohol abusers in Wales in each of the last 10 years, according to each local authority areas.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available in the form requested. The following table gives details of places, and patients present on 31 March, in each year for which the information is available, in residential facilities registered with county social service departments offering places specifically for the treatment and/or rehabilitation of drug and alcohol misusers. It does not include in-patient facilities at medical establishments.
  47
  Note:

  There were no facilities registered with Social Services Departments offering treatment and/or rehabilitation for people who are alcohol and/or drug dependent in Clwyd, Powys and West Glamorgan.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the percentage of the Welsh Development Agency's annual gross budget met by grant-in-aid in each year since 1986, as to(a) planned budget and (b) outturn.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is shown in the following table:

  Year

  Percentage of WDA 's planned gross budget met by grant-in-aid

  Percentage of WDA's gross outturn met by grant-in-aid

  1986–87

  41·3

  44·0

  1987–88

  60·5

  53·0

  1988–89

  54·8

  53·8

  1989–90

  53·5

  52·3

  1990–91

  54·1

  54·4

  1991–92

  54·5

  55·1

  1992–93

  44·9

  144·9

  1 Figure based on forecast outturn.

  M4 (Bypass)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his current estimate of the completion date of the M4 Brynglas tunnels bypass schemes; and what provision has been made for penalty payments if the contracts are not completed on time.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The current contract completion date is August 1994. The conditions of contract for this scheme contain the normal provision for financial payments to the Department for late completion.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to make a statement on the Welsh Economic Council consequent upon his receipt of the formal response from the Equal Opportunities Commission.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 11 February 1993, at column 731.

  Public Transport
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been employed in public transport in Wales in each year since 1979 by(a) bus services, (b) train services and (c) other.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Levels of employment in public transport' in Wales are given in the following table. Figures are available only for years when a census of employment was carried out and the results prior to 1981 are not comparable with later years. Separate figures for road and rail services are not available.
  48

  September

  Employees in employment

  1981

  16,700

  1984

  13,800

  1987

  12,400

  1989

  13,100

  Source: Employment Department

  1 Scheduled road passenger transport, urban railways, freight and passenger railways. (Standard Industrial Classifications) (Revised) 1989: 7100 and 7210)

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of(a) bus services and (b) train services in Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Information on the numbers of bus and train services in Wales is not available. The numbers of vehicle kilometres covered by local (stage) bus services for each year since 1982 are given in the following table:

  Local (Stage) Bus Services1

  Year

  Local (stage) bus services (million vehicle kilometres)

  1982

  106

  1983

  106

  1984

  105

  1985–86

  95

  1986–87

  94

  1987–88

  105

  1988–89

  118

  1989–90

  119

  1990–91

  123

  1991–92

  120

  Source: Department of Transport.

  1 Estimates for 1982 to 1984 are derived from various sources and may be less reliable than those for later years. Figures are based on sample surveys and are approximate. Data refer to the year end up to 1984 and to the annual average from 1985–86.

  Water
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sites proposed to him for classification as sensitive areas under the EC directive on urban waste water treatment, including the proposing body, by reason of(a) eutrophication and (b) inland water with a nitrate concentration greater than 50 mg/l.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The urban waste water treatment directive requires member states to identify sensitive areas, in accordance with the criteria set out in the directive, by 31 December this year. The National Rivers Authority is at present compiling final lists of possible sensitive areas which it will submit to the Welsh Office for consideration. An announcement about the location of the areas to be formally identified as sensitive will be made before the deadline imposed in the directive.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about his monitoring of the effectiveness of the citizens charters issued to date.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  Each public sector organisation publishes information about its performance against its charter standards. A full account of overall progress was given in the "Citizen's Charter First Report" (Cm. 2101).

  Market Testing
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the savings resulting from the Government's market testing programme will be made available for reinvestment in the public services.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  All of the savings can be ploughed back. This means more public services, at no extra cost. This is very good news for the taxpayer; and for the economy as a whole.

  Open Government
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress he has made towards more open government.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have made progress on many fronts, and will follow up with further proposals in a White Paper later this year.

EDUCATION

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the further education colleges in England which run special transition courses for school leavers with learning difficulties; and what plans his Department has to promote the establishing of more of these courses.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government recognise the part which link courses play in the transition from school to further education for pupils with learning difficulties. There is no central list of transition arrangements. We have promoted, through guidance to schools and further education colleges, the importance of transition arrangements, including link courses.

  Nursery Education
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many nursery places have been lost through school closures in the primary sector in 1991–92.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on the effects of school closures on nursery places is not collected centrally in the form requested. The number of full-time and part-time pupils attending maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England increased from 318,000 in January 1991 to 330,000 in January 1992.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines are issued to local education 50
  authorities in connection with reducing surplus places in the primary sector to protect (a) nursery places and (b) purpose-built nursery resources.

  Mr. Forth
  No specific guidelines have been issued. It is initially for LEAs to decide in the light of local circumstances the most appropriate means of rationalising school provision. We would expect LEAs to consult all interested parties before deciding on such action.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the total number of(a) full-time nursery teachers and (b) part-time nursery teachers in state schools for each year since 1982.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on the numbers of qualified nursery teachers in nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England in January of each year from 1982 to 1992 are shown in the table.

  Qualified teachers in nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools

  Full-time teachers

  Full-time equivalent of part-time teachers

  1992

  6,815

  492·1

  1991

  6,851

  434·5

  1990

  6,784

  364·8

  1989

  6,674

  291·1

  1988

  6,687

  240·5

  1987

  6,460

  259·3

  1986

  6,333

  220·0

  1985

  6,205

  186·6

  1984

  6,094

  167·1

  1983

  6,113

  152·8

  1982

  5,989

  150·3

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the names of schools in each local education authority which have opted out of local education authorities and have not repaid debts to their local education authorities; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of unpaid debts.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department does not keep the information centrally. It is the duty of the Education Assets Board to identify the liabilities which transfer to grant-maintained schools and such matters need to be looked at on a case by case basis. All schools, including grant-maintained schools, should keep within their budgets.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) when he will announce his decision on the application by Grays school, Essex, for grant-maintained status;

  (2) when he will announce his decision on the application by William Edwards school, Grays, Essex, for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has today announced that he has approved the applications of both Grays school and William Edwards school, with minor modifications to their admission arrangements. They will become self-governing state schools (grant-maintained) on 1 April 1993.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide figures for the reduction in numbers of posts as a result of contracting out since 1979 in his Department and agencies for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Boswell
  Since 1979 the reduction in the number of posts in the Department as a result of contracting out is some 28.

  Statutory Instruments
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many statutory instruments were laid before Parliament by his Department in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of statutory instruments laid before Parliament by the Department for the years 1980 to 1992 are as follows:

  Number

  1980

  23

  1981

  24

  1982

  15

  1983

  24

  1984

  12

  1985

  16

  1986

  12

  1987

  23

  1988

  38

  1989

  67

  1990

  50

  1991

  53

  1992

  49

  Special Needs Education
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines are issued to local education authorities in connection with reducing surplus places in schools to protect integrated special needs facilities.

  Mr. Forth
  Circular 3/87, "Providing for Quality", reminded LEAs of the considerations in relation to special needs that they would need to take into account when considering the rationalisation of school provision. Copies of circular 3/87 are available in the Library.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pre-school and nursery school children are undergoing formal assessments for special educational needs in each local education authority area.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Business Names
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those business names, including either of the words university or polytechnic, on the use of which his opinion has been sought under the Business Names Act 1985, with an indication where possible of whether approval has been given.

  Mr. Boswell
  The following business names which include either "university" or "polytechnic" have been approved under the Business Names Act 1985 following the consent of the Secretary of State:52

  University Holidays

  Liverpool University China Business Consultancy

  Somerset University

  Eula Wesley University USA

  Records of other names on which the Secretary of State's opinion has been sought under the Business Names Act 1985 could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Research Units
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he had recently had with directors of university-based research units on the current status of advanced research in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Boswell
  Ministers have had no such discussions recently. The assessment of the quality of research in universities has been the responsibility of the Universities Funding Council (UFC). the UFC's 1992 assessment exercise shows that the average rating of UFC-funded universities has increased since the last assessment in 1989.

  Cash Limits
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what changes he plans to announce to cash limits on votes within his responsibility for 1992–93.

  Mr. Patten
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 February 1993, columns 275–76]: The revised cash limit for my Department's administration vote, class XI, vote 4, for 1992–93 is –109,994,000, not –110,994,000.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Statutory Instruments
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many statutory instruments were laid before Parliament by his Department in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  1980

  121

  1981

  102

  1982

  79

  1983

  94

  1984

  70

  198S

  85

  1986

  66

  1987

  76

  1988

  104

  1989

  110

  1990

  114

  1991

  131

  1992

  189

  1 This figure includes SIs relating to the former Department of Energy. Sls laid in earlier years by Department of Energy are not readily available.

  Slovenia
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade why the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Technology visited Slovenia recently; what contacts he made there; what opportunities for future trade he found; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  I visited Slovenia at the invitation of the Government of Slovenia. I held useful talks with Ministers
  53
  of the new Government of Slovenia on ways to strengthen British Slovenian trade links; I also met representatives of the Slovenian business community. Slovenia is keen to increase trade and commercial links with the United Kingdom. In the first instance the most promising sectors look to be chemicals, information technology and telecommunications.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide figures for the reduction in numbers of posts as a result of contracting out since 1979 in his Department and agencies for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested has not been systematically recorded. Since 1979 the number of staff in the Department of Trade and Industry or its predecessor Departments has fallen from over 18,000 to under 12,000. How much of this reduction came as a result of contracting out is not centrally recorded.

  Electricity
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 568, what arrangements, other than the state aid inherent in the fossil fuel levy, were notified to the European Commission in the course of the electricity privatisation exercise.

  Mr. Eggar
  The other arrangements notified to the European Commission in the course of the eleclricity privatisation exercise in England and Wales were:the Regional Electricity Companies' agreement with Nuclear Electric forming part of the qualifying arrangements to meet the Nuclear Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation;
  the coal purchase contracts between the British Coal Corporation and National Power and PowerGen;
  the qualifying arrangements to meet the renewables Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, and the arrangements relating to the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency Lid.;
  the Grid and Distribution Codes;
  the arrangements involving Electricité de France;
  the British Grid Systems Agreement;
  the Pooling and Settlement Agreement;
  the Master Connection and Use of System Agreement and the connection and use of system agreements;
  the initial contracts for differences.

  Fossil Fuel Levy
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what figure he has agreed with the European Commission on the level of state aid inherent in the fossil fuel levy.

  Mr. Eggar
  In giving state aids clearance to the fossil fuel levy, the Commission took broad account of the premium payments that would be made under the contract between Nuclear Electric and the regional electricity companies.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment has been made in his review of coal and energy policy of the change in value of property bought by British Coal Opencast in the Pw11 Du area.
  54
  Mr. Eggar
  None. Assessment of changes in the value of British Coal properties is not included in the terms of reference of the coal review.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the assessment of the cost of pumping at Westoe, Vane Tempest and Easington collieries.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for British Coal.

  EC Funds
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much more sterling is available to the United Kingdom from the European social fund and European regional development fund as a result of the fall in the exchange rate.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Payments in ecu from the funds are received at frequent but irregular intervals. Each is converted to sterling at the exchange rate on the date of receipt. Also, in the case of the European social fund, annual programmes are not finally valued in ecu until the date of submission of the final account of expenditure, some 18 months after the start of the programme. No single figure can therefore be given.

  Radioactive Materials
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will now prevent plutonium from being flown out of Carlisle airport by British Nuclear Fuels Limited; and if he will hold a public inquiry into the use of Carlisle airport for the transport of radioactive materials.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 5 February 1993]: No. In its report on the transport of civil plutonium by air, the independent Advisory Committee on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (November 1988) assessed that, on extremely pessimistic assumptions involving a severe crash in a suburban area, the radiological risks from carrying such material would be less than one fatality in 50 years. This is much lower than the likely casualties arising from the impact of the aircraft itself.

  Post Office (Privatisation)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has, as part of his Post Office privatisation proposals, to sell off Parcelforce and Royal Mail as a single unit;

  (2) what plans he has, as part of his Post Office privatisation proposals, to keep the counters business in the public sector.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: No decision has been taken to privatise the Post Office. Therefore, I have no such plans.

EMPLOYMENT

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will provide figures for the reduction in numbers of posts as a result of contracting out since 1979 in her Department and agencies for which she has responsibility.
  55
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not retained in a form that would allow such an analysis without disproportionate cost.

  Merchant Shipping
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the merchant shipbuilding industry in the United Kingdom in(a) 1974, (b) 1979 and (c)

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Merchant shipbuilding forms part of the shipbuilding and repairing industry (activity heading 3610 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980). Estimates for dates nearest to those specified are as follows:

  Employees in the shipbuilding and repairing industry in Great Britain1

  Thousands

  June 1974

  146

  June 1979

  135

  September 1989

  51

  1 Not seasonally adjusted.

  Figures from the September 1991 census of employment will be available in April.

  Allocations

  1990 £

  1991 £

  1992 £

  1993 £

  Local Authorities

  49,251,200

  60,500,000

  59,000,000

  83,450,000

  Voluntary Sector

  18,897,000

  21,000,000

  21,000,000

  31,800,000

  Higher Education

  14,691,080

  17,000,000

  16,780,000

  22,000,000

  Industry Training Organisations

  6,584,090

  3,000,000

  3,000,000

  6,000,000

  TEC/LEC

  618,330

  4,000,000

  8,000,000

  13,000,000

  Government

  142,500,000

  157,500,000

  150,400,000

  209,800,000

  1990 £

  1991 £

  Claims

  Local Authorities

  —

  55,114,200

  Voluntary Sector

  —

  18,885,400

  Higher Education

  —

  16,247,000

  Industry Training Organisations

  —

  3,104,700

  TEC/LEC

  —

  1,213,000

  Government

  156,700,700

  Total

  209,665,990

  251,265,000

  Information for 1990 broken down by sector could be obtained only by manual analysis and therefore at disproportionate cost.

  Details of final claims for 1992 do not have to be submitted to the Commission until June 1993.

  All moneys allocated in 1990 and 1991 which were not taken up in those years were carried forward for use in 1991 and 1992 respectively.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Croham directive applies to the availability of the report recently commissioned by the Employment Department on the use of technical assistance moneys under the European social fund.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Croham directive is not applicable to the availability of the report mentioned by the hon. Member.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what increase in European social fund moneys is available to the United Kingdom under objectives 2, 3 and 4 as a result of the rise in value of the ecu since 16 September 1992.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Industry.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list(a) the amounts of European social fund allocations to each European social fund sector under each of the objectives 3 and 4 operational programmes, (b) the amounts claimed by each European social fund sector under each of the objectives 3 and 4 operational programmes and (c) what has happened to funds allocated under these programmes but not claimed, for each year since 1989.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The amounts of European social fund money initially allocated to and claimed by the organisational sectors covered by objectives 3 and 4 are provided in the following tables.

  Training for Work
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidelines she has issued, or intends to issue, to training and enterprise councils regarding training for work.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Since the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 12 November 1992 in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley (Mr. Booth),Official Report, column 903–4, an initial briefing note on training for work, and a further note covering the initiative in more detail have been issued to training and enterprise councils. The planning guidance to TECs for 1993–94 set out the requirements for training for work and a draft version of the TEC operating agreement for 1993–94 has been issued. Regional presentations on the new initiative have been given to TECs. The contractual requirements for running training for work are comprehensively set out in the 1993–94 TEC operating agreement which will be issued shortly.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will publish a table showing the destination of leavers from youth training schemes in London, giving the most recent figures, and figures for each earlier period since the scheme began to operate.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is given in the following table.
  57

  Youth training outcomes in London Leavers during April 1986 to March 1992

  per cent.

  April 1986 to March 1987

  April 1987 to March 1988

  April 1988 to March 1989

  April 1989 to March 1990

  April 1990 to March 1991

  April 1991 to March 1992

  Total in a job

  58

  66

  71

  66

  52

  39

  (same employer)

  (10)

  (21)

  (32)

  (31)

  (24)

  (21)

  (different employer)

  (44)

  (40)

  (35)

  (31)

  (23)

  (13)

  (self-employed)

  (2)

  (2)

  (2)

  (2)

  (4)

  (1)

  (part-time up to 30 hours)

  (3)

  (3)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  (3)

  On another training programme

  10

  8

  6

  6

  7

  7

  On a full-time course

  4

  4

  4

  5

  8

  9

  Doing something else

  4

  3

  3

  4

  7

  7

  Unemployed

  23

  18

  14

  16

  25

  34

  Not answered

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  Notes: Percentage may not total 100 due to independent rounding

  Figures in brackets may not equal 'Total in a job' due to independent rounding

  Percentages shown as a proportion of total number of questionnaire responses

  Source: YT Follow-up Servey

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will publish a table showing for Greater London the numbers of people employed in September of each year since 1988 in the retail and distribution sector; and what separate figures she has for the numbers employed in retailing, wholesaling, and transport, and other distributive services.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Estimates for the retail distribution sector and wholesaling for September 1988 and all the industries specified for September 1989 are available from the NOMIS database in the Library. For later dates the estimates are aggregated with other industries and cannot be provided separately. Figures for the industries specified will be available when the September 1991 census of employment results are published in April.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will publish a table showing, for Greater London, the numbers of people employed in September of each year since 1988 in the finance and business services sector; and what separate figures she has for the numbers employed in banking, credit granting institutions, insurance, accountancy and management consultancy, legal services, software services, property services, and international and equity markets.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Estimates for the finance and business services sector for all the dates specified are available from the NOMIS database in the Library. Estimates for software services and international and equity markets are not available. The other industries listed are available from NOMIS, for September 1988 and September 1989. Figures for all the industries specified will be available when the September 1991 census of employment results are published in April.

  Biofuel Industry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the United Kingdom are currently employed in the biofuel industry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There are no figures available. The biofuel industry has been interpreted to mean the production of liquid transport fuels from biomass crops —such as rapeseed oil.

DEFENCE

  Trident
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implication of the START II treaty on the price and specifications of Trident missiles purchased from the United States of America.

  Mr. Aitken
  The START II treaty has no such implications.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether Trident missile service units are designed for removing nuclear warheads from missiles on board Trident submarines;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the function of Trident missile service units;

  (3) how many Trident missile service units have been ordered from Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. for service at RNAD Coulport.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Trident missile service unit is designed to provide an environmentally controlled working area for the removal and installation of nuclear warheads from Trident missiles on-board Vanguard class submarines. Three missile service units have been ordered.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether it is intended to remove nuclear warheads from Trident missiles on land or while on board Trident submarines;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the procedures to be used for loading and unloading nuclear warheads on to and from Trident missiles and the hazards associated with these procedures.

  Mr. Aitken
  Installation and removal of United Kingdom nuclear warheads is planned to take place only when Trident missiles are on-board Vanguard class submarines. We envisage that United Kingdom procedures to install and remove warheads will mirror approved United States practice; the United Kingdom safety assessment is expected to endorse these procedures.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to include within the terms of reference of the new examination of the bids by Rosyth and Devonport for repair and refitting of Trident
  59
  submarines the matters of direct revenue and capital costs, and local social and economic factors in each area as well as technical capability; if he will arrange for an element of scrutiny independent from the officers of his Department directly involved; and if he will publish the detailed assessment and report on the comparative bids.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All relevant factors will be taken into account in our considerations, which continue to draw on a wide range of expertise including that of specialist consultants. Once we have formulated proposals these will be announced to the House, and we will release as much information as possible, subject to the constraints of commercial confidentiality and security.

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many technical projects at his Department's chemical and biological establishment at Porton Down have been funded by the United States Department of Defence since 1963; what has been the total worth of these projects; and what were the aims of these projects;

  (2) how many personnel from the United States Department of Defence have been stationed on a permanent basis at the Ministry of Defence's chemical and biological warfare establishment since 1963; and for what purpose and under which specific defence agreement these postings were arranged.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  These are matters for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993:
  Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking how many technical projects at his Department's Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down have been funded by the United States Department of Defense since 1963; what has been the total worth of these projects; and what were the aims of these projects (Question 8, Order Paper 5 February 1993) and what funding the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment will receive from the United States Department of Defense for research in the near future (Question 24, Order Paper 5 February 1993) have been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
  I would refer you to my letter of 16 July 1992 in reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many research projects at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down have been funded by the United States Department of Defense since 1979 and their total worth (Question 24, Order Paper 15 July 1992) in which I said that there have been no research projects at CDDE Porton Down directly funded by the United States Department of Defense. I also said that CBDE had recently been tasked to carry out work under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Strategic Defence Initiative which is being funded by the US Department of Defense through the SDI Participation Office in London. The value of that work at CBDE in the current financial year is £1·59M.
  Since my letter to you of 16 July 1992, we have been awarded a contract from the United States Department of Defense to support the UK programme in aid of a NATO Project Group tasked with selecting a commercially available anti-emetic drug to protect servicemen against nuclear radiation induced nausea and vomiting. The value of this work is £250K.
  60
  The aims of these projects are as follows:

  (a) The work in support of the Strategic Defence Initiative is to improve the effectiveness of such defences against the threat of chemical or biological weapons.

  (b) The anti-emetic work is to improve the protection of servicemen against nuclear radiation induced nausea and vomiting.

  Insofar as the future is concerned, it is not possible to estimate what future funding this Establishment will receive from the US Department of Defense as the annual defence budget in the United States is subject to extensive review and the outcome depends on the US Government and Congressional reviews of the budget.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) under which defence agreement information from the defence microbiology division of the chemical and biological defence establishment has been exchanged with the United States of America; to which United States governmental establishments this information has been passed; when this information was first exchanged; and with which other countries information from the defence microbiology division has been exchanged;

  (2) what is the primary purpose of the Defence Microbiology Division at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment; when it was set up; how many staff are in the division; and in which publications and on what dates scientists in the Defence Microbiology Division published their research findings during 1991.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  These are matters for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993:

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him what is the primary purpose of the Defence Microbiology Division at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment; when it was set up; how many staff are in the Division; and in which publications and on what date scientists in the Defence Microbiology Division published their research findings during 1991 (Question 26 Order Paper 5 February 1993) and under which defence agreement information from the Defence Microbiology Division of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has been exchanged with the United States of America; to which United States governmental establishments this information has been passed; when this information was first exchanged and with which other countries information from the Defence Microbiology Division has been exchanged (Question 10, Order Paper 5 February 1993) have been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The primary purpose of the Defence Microbiology Division at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down is to carry out work on defence against pathogenic micro-organisms and toxins that are assessed to present a threat to the United Kingdom Armed Forces. The work of this Division contributes to the United Kingdom programme on chemical and biological defence which is aimed at ensuring that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them.

  3. The Defence Microbiology Division was set up in 1979 when the Microbiological Research Establishment was transferred to the Public Health Laboratory Service and became the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research. At that date, the then Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down took on the responsibility for biological

  61
  defence. Currently, the Division has 44 staff. A list of the research publications for scientists in the Defence Microbiology Division in 1991 is as follows:

  The monitoring and detection of Bacillus anthracis in the environment. J. Appl. Bacteriol., Special Supplement, 1991 20:9S-18S.

  Toxicity of Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin is dependent on a domain homologous to an enzyme from the human arachidonic acid pathway. Infect. Immun. 1991 59:1872–1874.

  Development of a detection test for Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) using the polymerase chain reaction, patent application GB 9102157·6 1991.

  Epitope mapping of the alpha-toxin of Clostridium perfringens. Infect. Immun. 1991. 59:4338–4342.

  Quantitative and qual-itative analysis of airborne spora. Grana. 1991. 30:407–408.

  Microorganisms in Aerobiology. Grana. 1991. 30:17. Roles of Maillard Reactions in Diseases. 1991. HMSO Publications.

  Evaluation of a small-scale method for the extraction of the K88 antigen from Escherichia coll. FEMS Microbiol. Letts. 1991. 78:81–84.

  Production and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies directed against the lipopolysaccharide of Francisella tularensis. J.Clin. Microbiol. 29:1407–1412.

  4. Insofar as the exchange of information with the United States of America is concerned, I would refer you to my letter of 10 August 1992 in response to your Parliamentary Question asking under what defence agreement information from the Defence Microbiology Division at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, is passed to the United States Department of Defence (Question 9, Order Paper 16 July 1992). In that response I referred you to the reply of the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Right Honourable Archie Hamilton, MP, of 21 May 1992, Official Report, Columns 255–256 which indicated that there are a number of agreements with NATO allies covering research, development, deployment and standardisation of chemical and biological defence equipment. The purpose of these agreements is to exchange information and to promote co-operation and collaboration with our allies in the field of chemical and biological defence. The work of the Defence Microbiological Division at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down contributes to the United Kingdom programme on chemical and biological defence and such information is exchanged with the United States Department of Defence under the agreements listed in the reply of 21 May 1992.

  5. The United States Governmental Establishments to which this information has been passed include the following:

  a. The United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseas, Fort Detrick, Maryland.

  b. The US Army Chemical Research Development and Engineering Center at Edgewood, Maryland (now known as the US Army Chemical and Biological Defence Agency and the US Edgewood Development and Engineering Center).

  c. The US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

  In addition, information has been exchanged from time to time with the appropriate US Navy and US Air Force establishments as well as with the Department of Defence in Washington DC. Most of the collaboration and information exchange has taken place with the US Army as they have the lead US responsibility for chemical and biological defence.
  The information from the Defence Microbiology Division has been exchanged since its establishment in [979. Information from the Defence Microbiology Division has also been exchanged with the other allied nations identified in the reply of 21 May 1992, Official Report, Columns 255–256.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests and studies his Department has conducted on the chemical agents bromacil, monuron and 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid; when these tests and studies were carried out; whether they were carried out on 62
  humans; and whether the results of these tests and studies have been passed on to the United States Department of Defence.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The substances bromacil, monuron and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic are commercially available herbicides and not chemical agents. Our records indicate that no work has been carried out on bromacil or monuron; 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid was, however, used operationally in Malaya in the 1950s. Details are available on files held by the Public Records Office.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when his Department produced the nerve agent VX; where it was produced; for what purpose; and in what quantity;

  (2) how the results of the collaborative programme between his Department and the United States Department of Defence on the thermal stability and analytical research of VX nerve gas were used by the United States Department of Defence; in what year these collaborative programmes ended; and what United States military establishments took part in these programmes.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  These matters are for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993:

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him when his Department produced the nerve agent VX; where it was produced; for what purpose; and in what quantity (Question 14, Order Paper 5 February 1993) and how the results of the collaborative programmes between his Department and the United States Department of Defense on the thermal stability and analytical research of VX nerve gas were used by the United States Department of Defense; in what year these collaborative programmes ended; and what United States military establishments took part in these programmes (Question 28, Order Paper 5 February 1993) have been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of the materials which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor.

  3. VX was first synthesised on a laboratory scale in the early 1950s and subsequently produced in appropriate quantities for the research carried out into its toxicological characteristics, thermal stability and analytical research. Synthesis has been carried out at the then Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down and at the Chemical Defence Establishment at Nancekuke, Cornwall.

  4. The purpose of producing VX was stated in my letter to you of 10 August 1992 replying to your Parliamentary Question asking in which years the Department of Defence's scientists carried out studies and tests on quantities of VX nerve gas prepared by the United States of America, what was the purpose of these tests and studies and how many British Service personnel have been subjected to tests involving VX nerve gas (Question 26, Order Paper 14 July 1992). As I indicated in that letter, the purpose of the tests and studies of VX, although initially to assist the UK programme into producing nerve agents, was subsequently to evaluate the potential threat to the UK Armed Forces should an aggressor produce and use the nerve agent VX. The UK programme into offensive CW was abandoned in the late 1950s and since

  63
  then our work has been wholly concerned with the provision of effective protective measures. No studies involving British Service personnel have been carried out using VX nerve agent.

  5. In respect of the quantity of the nerve agent VX, I would refer you to my letter of 10 August 1992 in answer to your parliamentary question asking what quantity of VX nerve gas is currently stocked by his Department (Question 12, Order Paper 14 July 1992). In that I stated that small quantities of the nerve agent, VX, are held at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in order to enable us to carry out our work to ensure that the protective measures for the UK Armed Forces are effective. It would not be in the national interest to disclose the precise quantity of VX nerve gas; it is, however, a small quantity and is very much less than the aggregate quantity of chemical warfare agents that will be permitted to be held for protective purposes under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention that opened for signature in Paris on 13–15 January 1993.

  6. The way in which the results of the collaborative programmes and information exchnage between the Ministry of Defence and the United States Department of Defence on the thermal stability and analytical research of VX nerve gas were used by the United States Department of Defence is a matter for the United States Government. Insofar as the duration of these collaborative programmes and information exchange is concerned, I would refer you to the reply given by the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Mr. Jonathan Aitken, MP of 16 July 1992, Official Report, Column 936, which stated that research information had been exchanged on a continuing basis on the potential hazard from chemical and biological agents including VX nerve gas under the agreements listed in the reply of 21 May 1992, Official Repot, Columns 255–256 concerning international agreements on chemical and biological defence.

  7. The United States military establishments that took part in this information exchange and collaboration were primarily the US Army Chemical Research Development and Engineering Center At Edgewood Arsenal, now known as the US Army Chemical and Biological Defence Agency and the Edgewood Research Development and Engineering Center, and the US Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defence also located at Edgewood, Maryland. Most collaboration has taken place with the US Army as they are the US lead agency for chemical and biological defence.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the lodger units at the chemical defence and biological defence establishment referred to on page 11 of the establishment's latest annual report.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livinstone, dated 15 February 1993.

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking which are the lodger units at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, referred to on page II of the Establishment's latest Annual Report (Question 15, Order Paper 5 February 1993) has been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The lodger units at CBDE referred to on page 11 of the 1991/92 Annual Reports and Accounts were:

  a. Hunting Engineering Ltd

  b. Royal Ordnance Plc who have now left the site

  In addition, receipts are received for services provided to two colocated units at Porton Down.

  c. The Department of Health

  d. The Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many staff from his Department's chemical and biological defence establishment at Porton Down have been stationed on a permanent basis at United 64
  States Department of Defence establishments and for what purpose; and at which United States Department of Defence establishments they were;

  (2) under which defence agreements the chemical and biological defence establishment arranged the current visit of the United States Navy scientist for a collaborative project to improve detection capabilities; and from which United States defence establishment this scientist came;

  (3) what funding the chemical and biological defence establishment will receive from the United States Department of Defence for research in the near future.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  These matters are for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993:

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking how many staff from his Department's Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down have been stationed on a permanent basis at United States Department of Defense Establishments and for what purpose; and at which United States Department of Defense Establishments they were (Question 16, Order Paper, 5 February 1993), how many personnel from the United States Department of Defense have been stationed on a permanent basis at the Ministry of Defence's Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment since 1963; and for what purpose and under which specific defence agreements these posting were arranged (Question 31, Order Paper 5 February 1993) and under which defence agreements the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment arranged the current visit of the Unites States Navy scientist for collaborative project to improve detection capabilities; and from which United States Defense Establishment this came (Question 23, Order Paper 5 February 1993) have been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. Our records do not allow us to readily determine the numbers of staff stationed in the United States or at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment over an extended period. During the past nine years, three members of staff from the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down have been stationed for an extended period at United States Department of Defense Establishments to carry out collaborative work in the field of chemical and biological defence. The United States Department of Defense Establishments were the US Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center located at Edgewood, Maryland (now known as the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Agency and the US Army Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Centre) and the US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

  3. Over the same period four United States Department of Defense personnel have been stationed for extended periods at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. These attachments have been to carry out collaborative research in chemical and biological defence under the defence agreements identified in the reply by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Rt. Hon. Archie Hamilton, MP of 21 May 1992, Official Report, columns 255–256.

  4. The current visit of the United States Navy scientist for a collaborative project to improve the detection capabilities was arranged under the Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical and Biological Defence between the UK, US and Canada pending agreement of a bilateral arrangement with the US Navy. This scientist came from the United States Navy Medical Research and Development Command in Bethesda, Maryland.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which United States Department of Defence establishments have sent staff on visits to his Department's
  65
  chemical and biological defence establishment at Porton Down in each year since 1979; under which specific defence agreements these visits have been organised; and which other United States Government departments and agencies have visited Porton Down during this period;

  (2) how many staff from the chemical and biological defence establishment at Porton Down have visited United States Department of Defence establishments in each year since 1979; what was the purpose of these visits; which United States Department of Defence establishments they visited; which grade were the staff; and whether the visits included academic working for his Department.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  These are matters for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993:

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking which United States Department of Defense Establishments have sent staff on visits to his Department's Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down in each year since 1979; under which specific defence agreements these visits have been organised; and which other United States Government Departments and Agencies have visited Porton Down during this period (Question 20, Order Paper 5 February 1993) and how many staff from the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton have visited United States Department of Defense Establishments in each year since 1979; what was the purpose of these visits; which United States Department of Defense Establishments they visited; which grade were the staff; and whether the visits included academics working for his Department (Question 37, Order Paper 5 February 1993) have been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The principal United States Department of Defense Establishments which have sent staff on visits to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down are:

  a. The US Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center at Edgewood, Maryland (now known as the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Agency and the Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center).

  b. The US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

  c. The US Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense at Edgewood, Maryland.

  d. The US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

  e. The Department of Defense at the Pentagon.

  3. In addition, representatives occasionally visit the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment from the US Navy, US Air Force and other Defense Establishments. Most visits are made by representatives fro the Department of Defense in Washington DC and from the US Army Establishments as the US Army have the lead responsibility in the US for chemical and biological defense.

  4. The specific defence agreements under which these visits have been organised are those referred to in the reply by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, The Rt. Hon. Archie Hamilton, MP, of 21 May 1992, Official Report, Columns 255–256. Occasionally visits are made to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment by other representatives of the United States Government from time to time. These include the State Department and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

  5. In respect of visits by staff from the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down to the United States Department of Defence Establishments, we do not maintain records in a way that enables us to identify how many staff have visited United States Department of Defence
  66
  Establishments in each year since 1979. In the last five years the following are the number of CBDE personnel who have visited the United States of America on official duty:

  Number

  1988–89

  36

  1989–90

  35

  1990–91

  40

  1991–92

  56

  1992–93

  56

  6. The purpose of these visits was to promote information exchange and collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United States and on occasion to attend international conferences held in the United States. The principal United States Department of Defence Establishments visited are the following:

  a. The US Army Chemial Research, Development and Engineering Center at Edgewood, Maryland (now known as the US Army Chemical and Biological Defence Agency and the Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center).

  b. The US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease at Fort Detrick.

  c. The US Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defence at Edgewood, Maryland.

  d. The US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

  e. The Department of Defence at the Pentagon, Washington DC.

  In addition other US Navy, US Air Force, US Army and Department of Defence Establishments are visited. Most visits are to US Army Establishments as the US Army has lead responsibility in the US for chemical and biological defence. The grade of staff ranged from Senior Scientific Officer up to Grade 3. Visits very occasionally have included academics working for the Department but this is exceptional.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests and studies his Department has carried out with the United States of America with regard to(a) the incapacitating agent BZ and (b) binary nerve gases; what was the aim of these tests and studies; and when these tests and studies were carried out.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993.

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what tests and studies his Department has carried out with the United States of America with regard to (a) the incapacitating agent BZ and (b) binary nerve gases; what was the aim of these tests and studies; and when these tests and studies were carried out (Question 22, Order Paper, 5 February 1993) has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. I would refer you to my letter to you of 10 August 1992 in answer to your Parliamentary Question asking how many tests had been carried out since 1967 involving the incapacitating agent BZ and British Service personnel, when these tests were carried out, whether all the personnel were volunteers and whether BZ is currently stocked by any of his Departments, Establishments (Question 32, Order Paper, 14 July 1992). In that reply I said that the role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton down is to ensure that the United Kingdom Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. This work involved the evaluation of the potential hazard of possible agents such as the incapacitating agent BZ. No tests and studies have been carried out with the United States of America with regard to the incapacitating agent BZ.

  67

  3. In respect of binary nerve gases, I would refer you to the answer by the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Mr. Jonathan Aitken, MP of 16 July 1992, Official Report column 936 which indicated that research information had been changed on a continuing basis on the potential hazard from chemical and biological agents including VX nerve gas and possible binary gases with the aim of ensuring that the protective measures for the United Kingdom Armed Forces are as effective as possible. No tests and studies have been carried out on binary nerve gases with the United States of America.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the United Kingdom exchanged information about its research into CR gas with the United States of America.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993.

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him when the United Kingdom exchanged information about its research into CR gas with the United States of America (Question 29, Order Paper 5 February 1993) has been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. I would refer you to my letter to you of 10 August 1992 in answer to your Parliamentary Question asking what information about defence research into CR gas the United Kingdom has passed to the United States of America, under which defence agreement this information was exchanged and when the information was transferred (Question 36, Order Paper 14 July 1992). In my letter of 10 August 1992, I stated that research into CR commenced in 1962 at the then Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down. The information gained in the research programme during the subsequent years has formed part of the chemical and biological defence programme and has been the subject of information exchange and collaboration with the United States Department of Defence on a continuing basis.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many patents the chemical and biological defence establishment at Porton Down has filed since 1962; and what are the numbers of each of these patents.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This is a matter for the chemical and biological defence establishment (CBDE) under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 15 February 1993.

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him how many patents the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has filed since 1962 and what are the numbers of each of these patents (Question 32, Order Paper 5 February 1993) has been passed to me to reply to as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The number of patents filed by this Establishment and its precursors, the Chemical Defence Establishment and the Microbiological Research Establishment, since 1962 is 63 and their numbers are as follows:

  Number

  Number

  Number

  1173142

  1538056

  2081744

  1206581

  1512536

  2072873

  1571799

  1558183

  2074995

  1149042

  1571799

  2103564

  1310011

  1530714

  2113672

  68

  Number

  Number

  Number

  1301101

  1567606

  2164327

  1341550

  4228598

  2187725

  1206340

  1487612

  2183207

  1376888

  1558153

  2223411

  1340343

  1588442

  2203543

  1360277

  1588441

  2212149

  1429476

  2014452

  2229527

  1415664

  2015531

  2229526

  1605289

  2021594

  2231404

  1478463

  2042099

  2239740

  1605296

  2042100

  2224114

  1438651

  2025006

  2222370

  1456231

  2048052

  2225251

  1464368

  2062929

  2257017

  1476761

  2134228

  US 5082540

  1487611

  2059677

  2252323

  Several other patent applications are still being processed.

  Arms Transfers
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff have been allocated to prepare the United Kingdom submission to the United Nations register of arms transfers; what additional costs have been incurred in preparing the submission; and by what date Her Majesty's Government intend to submit the report to the United Nations.

  Mr. Aitken
  No staff have been specifically allocated to the preparation of the British contribution to the United Nations register; the work will be accommodated within existing responsibilities and budgets. On the third point, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5 February at column 373.

  Challanger Tanks
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many powerpacks had to be changed in Challenger I tanks during the Gulf operation; who that powerpack differs from the one in Challenger II; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  A total of 279 powerpacks were changed during the deployment of Challenger I to the Gulf. The majority of engine failures were caused by dust ingestion.

  The Challenger II powerpack comprises of CV12 engine coupled to a TN54 gearbox which has six instead of the four forward ratios of the Challenger I gearbox. The powerpack, which is controlled by a new digital automotive system control unit, represents a significant improvement in reliability. In addition to a totally new main engine cleaner design, numerous reliability modifications have been embodied in the engine and the gearbox.

  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response he made to the request of the manufacturers for the release of a Challenger II battle tank in order to seek to win the Swedish Army order.

  Mr. Aitken
  Vickers Defence Systems made no request for the release of a Challenger II prototype in order to participate in the Swedish competition.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been achieved in the plans announced in June 1991 for an upgrade programme on the Challenger 1 fleet.
  69
  Mr. Aitken
  A detailed study has been undertaken by Vickers Defence Systems and this is now under evaluation by the Department. A range of options is being considered.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. Aitken
  Market testing is being handled as part of the Department's devolved management strategy. Its central market testing service, which offers advice and assistance to managers, currently comprises nine officials

  Activity

  Result In-house/Contractorized

  Successful contractor

  RN Simulator helicopter control operations Royal Naval Air Station Portland

  Contract

  Hunting Aircraft Ltd.

  Works Services Management, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose

  Contract

  PSA Building Management, South, West

  Food Distribution in BAOR

  Contract

  NAAFI

  Freight Services BAOR

  Contract

  Edmond Depaire

  Air Weapon Ranges, RAF Cowden

  Retained in house

  RAF Holbeach

  Contract

  Assessment Services Ltd.

  Engineering and Supply/Multi-activity RAF Scampton

  Contract

  Hunting Aircraft Ltd.

  Recruitment exhibition production, RAF Henlow

  Contract

  Serco Ltd.

  Elementary Flying Training School, RAF Topcliffe

  Contract

  Hunting Aircraft Ltd.

  Aircraft Support Services—A&AEE, Boscombe Down

  Retained in house

  Catering Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton

  Contract

  ARA Services Plc

  HMS Drake, Devonport

  Contract

  RCO Support Services Ltd.

  Engineering and other activities Ground radio/radar maintenance, Royal Naval Air Station, Portland

  Contract

  Hunting Aircraft Ltd.

  Parachute servicing

  Contract

  Irvin G.B.

  Andover aircraft maintenance

  Contract

  FLS Aerospace (Lovaux)

  Wessex helicopter maintenance, RAF Shawbury

  Contract

  Serco Ltd.

  Engineering support No. 60 Squadron RAF

  Contract

  FLS Aerospace (Lovaux)

  Printing services BAOR

  Contract

  HMSO

  Helicopter maintenance and engineering at Royal Naval Air Stations Yeovilton, Culdrose and Portland

  Contract

  Hunting Aircraft Ltd.

  70
  at an annual cost in salaries and ERNIC of about £260,000. Conduct of the market testing programme is the responsibility of the management areas themselves: sonic staff are dedicated to market testing but most carry out this function as part of their normal duties. It is not practicable to identify staff numbers or costs without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 succesful contractor where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information requested is as follows:
  71

  Activity

  Result In-house/Contractorized

  Successful contractor

  Aircraft maintenance Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton

  Contract

  Hunting Aircraft Ltd.

  Guarding at Abbey Wood site Bristol

  Contract

  Chubb Wardens Ltd.

  Reconnaissance Visits to Bristol new site

  Contracts

  Property Spectrum

  Peter Carol Coaches

  Bristol Moat House

  Bristol Hilton

  Swallow Royal Hotel

  British Rail

  Property Management Central London

  Contract

  Planned Maintenance Engineering Ltd.

  Escorts for School Children's Visits

  Contract

  Universal Aunts Ltd.

  Invergordon Depot
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress towards the disposal of his Department's fuel depot and pier facilities at Invergordon, with particular reference to the likely time scale involved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Bids for the surplus oil fuel depot Invergordon complex are under consideration following competitive tender action in October 1992 and in the light of subsequent negotiations. We hope to be able to announce a decision soon.

  Submarines
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects each of the Upholder class of submarines to enter service with the Royal Navy; what is the final cost estimate for each Upholder class submarine; what general plans he has for deployment of the submarines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  HMS Upholder was accepted by the Royal Navy in December 1990 and re-entered service, following completion of modifications to her weapon handling and discharge systems (WHDS), last month. HMS Unseen and HMS Ursula were accepted by the Royal Navy in July 1991 and June 1992, respectively and are due to have their WHDS modifications carried out later this year, allowing them to re-enter service in early 1994. Unicorn is planned to enter service, with WHDS modifications already incorported, this summer. For commercial reasons, it is not our practice to disclose the cost of individual warships. The overall programme cost is however, expected to be similar in real terms to that shown in table 3–2 volume 2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991." It is not our practice to disclose details of the operational deployment of Royal Navy submarines.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for sale of Upholder class submarines; and what discussions he has had with the Government of Canada about such sales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No decisions affecting Upholder class submarines have been taken.

  Wizard Generator
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to upgrade the Wizard generator at RAF Edzell; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A contract has been placed to refurbish power generation at RAF Edzell and work will begin on the site on I March 1993.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the total expenditure on drug abuse prevention programmes for the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in each year since 1985, in constant 1992 prices; and how many people were employed to administer these programmes, in each year since 1985;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 5 February, Official Report, columns 373–74, how many service personnel dismissed from the services for drug-related offences were stationed overseas at the time; and in what countries.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Ministry Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to whom Ministry land at Berry Head, Brixham, has been sold; and if conditions were attached to the sale to ensure that the land will continue to be a refuge for wildlife.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The sale has not yet been completed and the name of the potential purchaser, therefore, remains commercial in confidence. No conditions on future use have been attached by the Ministry of Defence; however, consultations with the local planning authority clearly indicate that it will strenuously resist development for use other than for agriculture, leisure/amenity or open space.

  Composite Signals Organisation Station
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the tendering arrangements for the contract to build an antenna at CSOS Morwenstow.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have been asked to reply.
  73
  The competitive tender exercise for the procurement of an antenna for the composite signals organisation station Morwenstow was carried out in accordance with the standard Government procurement guidelines. Companies with the relevant capabilities were invited to submit tenders by the end of December 1992.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the winner of the contract to build an antenna at CSOS Morwenstow.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have been asked to reply.

  The contract should be awarded before the end of February.

HEALTH

  District Health Authorities, Manchester
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy with regard to the merger of district health authorities within Greater Manchester; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We are prepared to consider mergers where they are clearly in the interests of patients.

  North Western regional health authority ha; encouraged district health authorities to form purchasing consortia. From 1 April 1993, the following consortia will operate within Greater Manchester:

  North, Central and South Manchester and Salford DHAs;

  Oldham and Tameside and Glossop DHAs;

  Bolton and Wigan DflAs;

  Bury and Rochdale DHAs.

  Any proposals to merge these, or any, DHAs would be subject to full public consultation.

  High Blood Pressure
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many national health service prescriptions were written for products used in the treatment of high blood pressure in each year since 1987; and what assessment has been made of the effects of her Department's initiative in encouraging doctors to screen more patients on the number of prescriptions written for these products.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is not possible to calculate to what extent any increase is due to doctors carrying out screening programmes. The remaining information is given in the table.

  Products used in the treatment of high blood pressure England (as defined by British National Formulary chapters 2.2, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6)

  Thousands

  Year

  Prescriptions

  1987

  51,088·8

  1988

  51,860·1

  1989

  53,247·0

  1990

  54,308·6

  1991

  59,626·3

  Notes:

  1. The data for 1991 is not directly comparable to those for earlier years because of a change in the way in which these data are collected.

  2. From January 1991, the data are based on:

  (a) items. Previously they were based on prescription fees and some items may attract more than one fee.

  74

  (b) prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration by doctors. Previously they only covered prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors.

  3. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the extent any increase in the number of NHS prescriptions written so far this year has resulted from her Department's policy of(a) encouraging doctors to carry out screening programmes for certain detectable conditions and (b) requiring doctors to achieve target levels for patients needing vaccination against a variety of various diseases.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is not possible to calculate to what extent any increase is due to these policies.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are her Department's plans for doctors to indicate on a prescription form, FP10, the diagnosis for which a medicine is being prescribed, other than for a licensed indication; and how she will be able to protect patient confidentiality;

  (2) what consultations she has held with consumer and patient organisations over her plans for requiring doctors to indicate on the FP 10 prescription form the diagnosis for which a particular medicine is being prescribed, in order to meet the requirement of the new terms of reference for the Advisory Committee on NHS drugs.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are no such plans.

  London School of Hygiene
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the publications and research projects funded by her Department at the small area statistics unit of the London School of Hygiene.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The small area health statistics unit is funded jointly by the Department of Health, the Department of the Environment, the Health and Safety Executive, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland. A list of the unit's publications and of the research projects completed and in progress will be placed in the Library.

  Oral Health
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the national public expenditure on oral health promotion in the last five years; and what are the projected figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94;

  (2) how much money in real terms was spent in each of the last five years on oral health promotion in each district.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Responsibility for arranging for the provision of dental health education and preventive programmes is for district health authorities. Information on the total cost of such programmes is not available centrally.

  Since the publication of the 1987 White Paper "Promoting Better Health", more than £1·8 million has been provided from central funds to support innovative

  75
  local projects. This includes £265,000 in 1992–93. Final decisions about any central funding for 1993–94 have not yet been made.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what total allocation of additional resources she has made to implement the oral health strategy targets in the "Health of the Nation" White Paper in the coming five years; and when she will publish details of the implementation plan for the strategy.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The "Health of the Nation" White Paper does not include oral health strategy targets.

  Dentists
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have deregistered, or have refused to accept for NHS treatment(a) adults, (b) children under 18 years, (c) families with a certificate for full help with cost of NHS services, (d) those in full-time education under 19 years, (e) expectant mothers, (f) mothers with babies up to the age of 12 months and (g) anyone receiving income support or family credit.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Between 3 July 1992 and 5 February 1993, 1,586 dentists (of a total of 15,433 at 30 September 1992) gave notice to family health services authorities of their intention to deregister 358,300 (1·74 per cent.) adult patients and 182 dentists gave notice of their intention to deregister 1,196 (less than 1 per cent.) child patients. During this same period there was a net increase of 600,000 in the number of adult registrations. Dentists are independent contractors and are free to accept or refuse patients for national health service treatment. The remaining information requested is not held centrally.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints are received, per year, about alleged breaches of the voluntary agreement on tobacco advertising; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of alleged breaches referred to the committee for monitoring agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship since its inception is set out in the table.

  Number of alleged breaches of voluntary agreements

  Year

  Number

  1987–88

  462

  1988–89

  65

  1989–90

  168

  1990–91

  120

  1991–92

  119

  Further information is set out in the annual reports of the committee, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Number of blood donations

  Population eligible to give blood1 2

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Northern

  122,267

  127,275

  124,332

  133,756

  1,887,820

  Yorkshire

  133,088

  139,147

  144,189

  146,926

  1,949,900

  Trent

  197,746

  207,713

  189,554

  207,508

  3,097,330

  East Anglia

  92,195

  91,920

  96,454

  97,758

  1,248,000

  North West Thames

  192,004

  187,832

  195,357

  214,953

  2,350,220

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. Sackville
  A market testing unit of two people has been set up to co-ordinate the Department's programme. A number of other staff working within the functional areas affected are spending part of their time on work associated with market testing.

  Between November 1991 and the end of March 1993 it is estimated that the programme will have cost in the region of £830,000. This includes consultancy costs, staff costs and associated overheads.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. Sackville
  Since November 1991, the market testing of office and building services for the new buildings of Skipton house in London and Quarry house in Leeds (a joint DH/DSS building) has been completed. It has resulted in the award of the following service level agreements or contracts for services which had previously been provided wholly or mainly in-house in the Department's other buildings:

  For Skipton house

  Facilities management—Procord Ltd

  Reception and conference room booking—In-house team

  Office support services—In-house team

  For Quarry house

  Facilities management—P and O TFM Ltd

  Office support services—Manpower UK

  Blood Donors
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of blood donor donations in each national health service region since 1988; and if he will express this figure as a percentage of the population in each region.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table gives the numberof donations collected in each region from 1988 to 1991 together with the populations which fell into the age band eligible to give blood. The numbers of donors making these donations are not known centrally and so cannot be expressed as a percentage of each region's eligible population.
  77

  Number of blood donations

  Population eligible to give blood1 2

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  North East Thames

  142,716

  151,786

  118,155

  159,950

  2,215,160

  South Thames

  282,188

  296,158

  276,028

  306,402

  4,189,360

  Wessex

  95,484

  104,751

  100,405

  109,169

  1,406,540

  Oxford

  107,805

  114,415

  122,717

  123,304

  1,709,810

  South Western

  182,000

  184,195

  177,798

  187,818

  2,205,170

  West Midlands

  216,485

  231,075

  242,077

  250,688

  3,264,500

  Mersey

  108,387

  110,931

  109,116

  124,123

  1,698,120

  North Western

  176,328

  177,200

  183,421

  200,922

  2,824,200

  Notes:

  1 The eligible age band for blood donors is 18 to 65 inclusive.

  2 The eligible donor population figures are for 1988, the latest year available.

  Limited List
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what studies she has commissioned among practising clinicians to look into the clinical implications of extending the limited list to include 10 additional therapeutic categories; and if she will publish the results;

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she commissioned among practising clinicians to look into the clinical implications of extending the limited list proposals to 10 additional therapeutic categories; and whether she intends to publish the results of those studies.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No such studies were commissioned. The changes do not affect the basic structure of the selected list scheme which has been in operation since 1985. It will be for the advisory committee on national health service drugs, when it considers individual drugs in the new categories, to ensure that the clinical needs of patients continue to be met.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what stage in the regulatory process involving the Committee on the Safety of Medicines, and the relevant expert advisory committees on(a) the existing categories and (b) the 10 new proposed categories of the limited list prescribing system for pharmaceutical products, a new product for which a product licence was being sought would be considered for inclusion in the limited list; what timetable would be followed for such consideration; and whether such consideration would be automatic.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The advisory committee on national health service drugs would only consider a new product which had been licensed and was available for prescription. New products in the specified categories are normally drawn to the committee's attention by its secretariat and the committee is asked whether it wishes to review them.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment has been made in respect of(a) the existing categories and (b) the 10 new proposed categories of the limited list prescribing system for pharmaceutical products, of the impact of the deterrent effect of a possible limited list inclusion upon the decision of companies considering whether or not to incur the costs of bringing forward a product licence application;
  78
  (2) what specific steps are being taken by her Department to ensure that pharmaceutical companies are not deterred from bringing forward applications for new product licences by uncertainty about the possibility of a subsequent inclusion in the limited list.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The advisory committee on national health service drugs is required to ensure that drugs to meet all clinical need in the specified categories can be provided as economically as possible. There is nothing in the provisions of the selected list scheme which need deter companies from bringing forward applications for new product licences.

  Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has invited the Royal College of General Practitioners to make nominations for membership of the advisory committee on NHS drugs.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has invited the Royal College of General Practitioners to make nominations for membership of the newly constituted advisory committee on national health service drugs.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Royal College of General Practitioners was one of the professional bodies which we consulted before appointing the new members of the committee whose names I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander) on 10 February at column 697.

  Disabled Employees
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of employees in her Department is registered disabled.

  Mr. Sackville
  At 11 February 1993 1.3 per cent. of the Department's employees were registered disabled. In addition, a number of staff have a disability but are not registered disabled.

  Advisory Group on Rehabilitation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current membership of the advisory group on rehabilitation; what are its revised terms of reference; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The current membership of the advisory group on rehabilitation is: Lord Holderness(Chairman),

  79
  Mrs. Mary Baker, Professor Anne Chamberlain, Mrs. Anne Davies, Miss Nadia Deadman, Dr. Pamela Enderby, Mr. Stuart Fletcher, Lord McColl, Professor Lindsey McLellan, Miss Carol Underwood, Miss Anne Walker and Dr. Karen Waters.

  The task of the advisory group on rehabilitation is to advise the Department of Health on the most effective means of promoting the development of rehabilitation in England and achieving its recognition as a key area in the strategy for health. This will cover topics such as collaboration between statutory and voluntary bodies; the tasks which fall to health authorities in their purchasing role; research; specialised education and training of rehabilitation professionals and the conduct of a programme of collaborative development work with the national health service.

  HELIOS Programme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has made to the EC Social Affairs Committee concerning the reduction in funding of the HELIOS programme.

  Mr. Yeo
  There has been no reduction. The first HELIOS programme finished in December 1991 and discussions on the second programme, including its overall budget, are continuing. The European Commission originally requested 5.6 million ecus for the second HELIOS programme in 1993. The Council has put that sum in reserve, at the request of the European Parliament.

  Medical Confidentiality
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce regulations or produce guidelines on medical confidentiality covering the subject matter of the draft National Health Service Functions (Preservation of Confidentiality) Regulations 1987; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on Thursday 29 October at column 841.

  Doctors
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number and percentage of doctors who drink alcohol while on duty; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of(a) the ethics and (b) the virological dangers of xenotransplantation;

  (2) what research has been undertaken into xenotransplantation and the breeding of baboons; and if she will place copies in the Library.

  Mr. Sackville
  Transplanting organs from animals into human beings has been attempted in some countries but not in the United Kingdom. In 1992 two attempts were made in the United States to transplant organs from baboons into human beings, but both human patients died following immunological rejection.
  80
  The Department of Health and the Medical Royal Colleges are watching developments and will scrutinise closely any proposed research of this subject. Additionally any proposed research involving national health service patients would have to be referred to the appropriate local research ethics committee.

  Neither the Department of Health nor the Medical Research Council has any reports or published evidence of research into xenotransplantation and the breeding of baboons.

  Organ transplantation has developed cautiously and responsibly in the United Kingdom. I am confident that this will continue.

  Viruses
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study she has made of(a) Lassa fever, (b) Marbury disease and (c) other illnesses with respect to their possible causation by viruses from a different species.

  Mr. Sackville
  Many viruses that affect humans have an animal host and are termed zoonoses. Information on the host range comes from regular monitoring of journals and discussions with scientific and medical experts. The results of studies into the causes of Lassa fever and Marburg disease have been published. The Medical Research Council also has a simian virus committee which is attended by a Department of Health observer.

  Vitamin Supplements
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the vitamin supplements which are currently widely used to supplement the diets of young babies are available over the counter; and what steps are being taken by her Department to ensure the continued availability of such products in the event of the introduction in the future by the European Commission of a directive on dietary supplements.

  Mr. Sackville
  Vitamin preparations suitable to supplement the diets of young babies are available over the counter. The Government continue to safeguard the nutritional status of young children in income support families by making supplementary vitamins available free under the welfare foods scheme. The EC Commission is now reviewing its work programme and the future of any initiative on dietary supplements will be dependent on that review. The Government's policy remains to strike a balance between ensuring public health and maintaining the availability of safe products for which there is clearly a strong public demand.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given by her Department to mothers with young babies about the advisability or otherwise of vitamin supplementation, the range of vitamins which should be used, and the age of the children for whom such supplementation is appropriate.

  Mr. Sackville
  Expert advice from the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy is that vitamin supplementation of Vitamins A, C. D should be given to infants and young children aged from six months to at least two years and preferably up to five years.
  81
  The guidance has been promulaged to health professionals and incorporated in the Health Education Authority booklet "Birth to Five" which is given free to all first-time mothers.

  West Midlands RHA
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new resources she plans for the west midlands regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1993–94 an additional £53 million has been made available to West Midlands regional health authority in respect of services for its resident population. This is a 1 per cent. increase above inflation once measures on public sector pay restraint have been taken into account. In addition to this amount a further £43 million from centrally held budgets (including AIDS and joint finance) has been issued to West Midlands as part of its initial revenue cash limit. During the course of the year the regional health authority will receive a share of other centrally held budgets including those for general medical services and Project 2000.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the terms of reference for the new chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Donald Wilson, in addition to carrying out all the duties of all regional chairmen, has been asked to:

  1. ensure that patients and staff in the West Midlands are properly served by an efficient and effective regional organisation;

  2. oversee important management changes proposed in the West Midlands.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the terms agreed for the retirement of Sir James Ackers as chairman of the west midlands regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  With the agreement of the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has decided to make a payment of £10,000 to Sir James Ackers under the provisions of paragraph 9(3) of schedule 5 of the National Health Service Act 1977.

  Health Districts (Boundaries)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 335, what is her policy on making boundaries of district health and local authorities co-terminous; and how this was applied to her decision to approve the merger of the Kingston/Esher and Richmond/Twickenham/ Roehampton health districts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The achievement of common boundaries between local authorities and district health authorities, whilst a highly desirable aid to joint working, is not essential. It is one of the potential benefits which may accrue from DHA mergers, and must be considered in the light of local circumstances.

  The merger of Kingston and Esher with Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton was approved for 1 April 1993 to enable the development of a more effective purchasing agency. Further adjustments to boundaries, in order to achieve co-terminosity at this stage, could have delayed the merger. South West Thames RHA now
  82
  proposes to consult to make the new Kingston and Richmond DHA co-terminous with local authorities by 1 April 1994.

  Walsgrave Hospital
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the results of her public consultation exercise carried out recently regarding the trust status of Walsgrave hospital.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Public consultation on the application for a combined Coventry, Warwickshire and Walsgrave National Health Service Trust was completed on 25 September 1992. Of the 28 responses received, 10 were in support, nine in opposition and nine were neutral. Formal consultation on the dissolution of the Walsgrave NHS Trust involving all staff and staff organisations was completed on 8 January 1993. There was only one response and this expressed satisfaction with the conditions agreed for the transfer.

  Specialised Medical Services
  Dame Angela Rumbold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has for ensuring that changes to specialised medical activity will continue to maintain close links with primary and secondary levels of medical care;

  (2) what steps she has taken to ensure that the special needs of children in hospital who are suffering from an acute illness or requiring a specialised service should be protected; and what plans she has for an investigation prior to changes arising from the Tomlinson report;

  (3) what plans she has to continue funding for the specialised medical services at current levels if they are relocated following the Tomlinson report.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We will take account of all relevant factors and announce our proposals for London's health services in the light of the Tomlinson recommendations shortly.

  State Registered Nurses
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to increase the numbers of conversion courses for state enrolled nurses and what funding will be made available nationally for this; what are the current numbers of SENs for the current and previous five years; and how many conversion courses were available in each of those years.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is for regional health authorities, in consultation with employers, to plan for enrolled nurse conversion, now known as level two to level one conversion, as part of their responsibility for identifying the level of demand for qualified nurses and for allocating appropriate budgets.

  In addition, we are committed to increasing the number of places available for second level nurses conversion as part of the Project 2000 reforms. An announcement has recently been made concerning additional funding for Project 2000 in 1993–94.

  The English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting has been encouraged to develop flexible options which have made it possible to reduce both the length and cost of conversion courses.
  83
  Details of the current numbers of second level nurses for the current year are not yet available. The figures for the previous five years are given in the table. The number of conversion courses available in each of these years is not held centrally by the Department of Health.

  Numbers of second level nurses England: at 30 September each year (to the nearest hundred)

  Year

  Number

  1986

  71,930

  1987

  71,050

  1988

  69,430

  1989

  59,270

  1990

  56,200

  1991

  52,100

  Source: Department of Health (SM 13) Annual census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.

  East Cumbria Community Health Authority
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from the East Cumbria community health council about the chairman of the East Cumbria health authority; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have received one letter from the chairman of the East Cumbria community health council. I am satisfied that Mr. Carr should continue to carry out his duties as health authority chairman.

  Operating Theatres
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operating theatres in the north-west of England are not operational.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information about operating theatres is published annually by the Department in "NHS Operating Theatres: Availability and Use: England". A copy of the edition for the year ending 31 March 1991 is available in the Library.

  The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Bruce Martin, chairman of North Western regional health authority, for further details.

  Tobacco Consumption
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the fall in tobacco consumption in the United Kingdom since(a) 1975, (b) 1977, (c) 1989 and (d)

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Figures on tobacco products for home consumption with necessary duty paid are given below. Comparable figures are not available for earlier years.
  84

  Tobacco products released for home consumption

  Thousand million

  Million kilogrammes

  Year

  Cigarettes

  Cigars

  Handrolling

  Other

  1979

  124·5

  3·3

  5·7

  4·0

  1989

  96·0

  2·4

  4·4

  2·3

  1990

  97·5

  2·3

  4·1

  2·2

  1991

  95·6

  2·1

  4·2

  2·1

  Source: Customs and Excise.

  Hospitals (Ministerial Visits)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the dates of each ministerial visit to hospitals which has taken place since 25 January or is planned to take place.

  Mr. Sackville
  The following ministerial visits have been made to hospitals since 25 January:

  25 January—Breakspear hospital, Abbots Langley, Herts.

  29 January—East Birmingham hospital (Yardley Green health centre).

  5 February—Hope hospital, Salford.

  11 February—Leicester Royal infirmary.

  Further visits are planned.

  Wessex RHA
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the recommendations in the District Auditor's report on losses on computer contracts by Wessex regional health authority on which no action has been taken.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Wessex regional health authority has taken into account all the recommendations of the district auditor set out in paragraph 93 of the report in the public interest published in July 1992; and has referred to Hampshire fraud squad all material on regional information systems plan, including all the information provided in confidence by the district auditor. The only recommendation which has not been implemented is, after reference to independent legal advice, the one regarding the possibility of taking legal action against Arthur Andersen and IBM.

  Staff Costs
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the total pay bill for(a) managerial staff, (b) administrative and clerical staff, (c) nursing and midwifery staff, (d) medical staff and (e) ancillary staff in each region of the NHS in each year since 1989;

  (2) what is the average cost of employing each managerial staff member in the NHS;

  (3) what was the total pay bill for (a) managerial staff, (b) administrative and clerical staff, (c) nursing and midwifery staff, (d) medical staff and (e) ancillary staff of the NHS in England in each year since 1989.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Analyses of the annual total salaries and wages costs for hospital and community health services (HCHS) in England are shown in the tables. The figures for 1991–92 are provisional.

  The average gross pay costs of employing a whole-time general or senior manager in 1991–92 was approximately £31,000.
  85

  HCHS—Expenditure on salaries and wages 1989–90 £000 (cash)

  Region

  General and Senior Managers

  Administrative and Clerical staff

  Nursing and Midwifery staff

  Medical staff

  Ancillary staff

  All other staff

  Total

  Northern

  9,809

  59,873

  327,831

  93,683

  59,834

  103,285

  654,315

  Yorkshire

  13,035

  68,955

  355,540

  103,543

  58,598

  130,941

  730,611

  Trent

  9,183

  90,140

  451,088

  125,776

  86,490

  156,349

  919,025

  East Anglian

  8,505

  36,648

  193,638

  54,868

  35,166

  71,833

  400,658

  North West Thames

  13,778

  77,690

  350,313

  111,860

  51,511

  154,204

  759,357

  North East Thames

  19,180

  101,809

  431,427

  138,033

  85,665

  203,574

  979,688

  South East Thames

  12,959

  98,880

  381,547

  114,443

  71,195

  157,768

  836,792

  South West Thames

  9,230

  72,451

  304,296

  85,108

  49,876

  153,005

  673,966

  Wessex

  8,648

  52,498

  278,293

  74,506

  46,679

  93,274

  553,899

  Oxford

  5,402

  48,151

  216,270

  65,414

  32,244

  79,021

  446,501

  South Western

  11,573

  59,830

  326,431

  84,687

  51,142

  111,667

  645,330

  West Midlands

  17,007

  110,015

  503,545

  145,171

  92,504

  177,848

  1,046,090

  Mersey

  8,399

  52,959

  258,812

  74,885

  42,625

  87,762

  525,442

  North Western

  9,773

  90,513

  448,128

  129,066

  76,097

  145,171

  898,747

  SHAs

  2,362

  18,245

  66,060

  36,636

  10,426

  50,805

  184,534

  England Totals

  158,844

  1,038,657

  4,893,219

  1,437,676

  850,053

  1,876,506

  10,254,955

  HCHS—Expenditure on salaries and wages 1990–91 £000 (cash)

  Region

  General and Senior Managers

  Administrative and Clerical staff

  Nursing and Midwifery staff

  Medical staff

  Ancillary staff

  All other staff

  Total

  Northern

  15,301

  68,294

  351,182

  103,492

  61,433

  116,663

  716,365

  Yorkshire

  23,502

  76,647

  380,633

  115,336

  59,614

  146,208

  801,940

  Trent

  14,969

  102,750

  484,754

  139,725

  89,687

  175,125

  1,007,009

  East Anglian

  11,232

  43,159

  211,961

  62,127

  37,190

  80,766

  446,435

  North West Thames

  19,568

  94,959

  373,184

  120,722

  50,384

  163,728

  822,545

  North East Thames

  29,011

  116,802

  467,107

  148,854

  85,613

  216,304

  1,063,691

  South East Thames

  19,933

  111,716

  412,477

  127,686

  72,806

  167,778

  912,397

  South West Thames

  16,167

  83,251

  328,232

  93,518

  51,097

  161,443

  733,708

  Wessex

  15,718

  58,770

  299,341

  82,274

  46,918

  103,738

  606,760

  Oxford

  10,123

  55,314

  234,391

  72,106

  32,804

  87,900

  492,638

  South Western

  15,670

  70,223

  353,054

  92,927

  54,289

  125,014

  711,177

  West Midlands

  23,498

  123,706

  543,884

  160,645

  97,803

  204,872

  1,154,408

  Mersey

  13,801

  58,602

  270,931

  83,382

  42,288

  97,028

  566,032

  North Western

  18,870

  100,325

  477,019

  142,292

  71,874

  163,833

  974,213

  SHAs

  4,111

  22,513

  70,730

  40,263

  11,185

  53,927

  202,729

  England Totals

  251,475

  1,187,029

  5,258,882

  1,585,351

  864,985

  2,064,325

  11,212,046

  HCHS—Expenditure on salaries and wages 1991–92

  £000 (cash)

  Region

  General and Senior Managers

  Administrative and Clerical staff

  Nursing and Midwifery staff

  Medical staff

  Ancillary staff

  All other staff

  Total

  Northern

  21,007

  74,453

  357,000

  104,844

  59,979

  121,775

  739,058

  Yorkshire

  27,129

  71,166

  346,178

  93,480

  46,275

  127,696

  711,923

  Trent

  24,547

  110,586

  488,210

  143,992

  84,816

  179,762

  1,031,912

  East Anglian

  14,833

  47,768

  221,075

  69,079

  39,527

  83,692

  475,974

  North West Thames

  25,020

  103,337

  366,548

  117,086

  46,246

  149,101

  807,338

  North East Thames

  33,824

  112,462

  417,118

  126,804

  69,135

  176,245

  935,588

  South East Thames

  27,186

  115,472

  414,065

  125,237

  65,765

  155,083

  902,807

  South West Thames

  19,595

  84,719

  285,757

  80,749

  44,964

  149,365

  665,149

  Wessex

  21,698

  66,360

  309,975

  88,333

  46,354

  111,118

  643,838

  Oxford

  15,622

  62,209

  255,309

  79,346

  32,989

  96,428

  541,903

  South Western

  14,860

  52,830

  243,011

  62,379

  36,749

  90,818

  500,647

  West Midlands

  34,907

  136,390

  567,466

  184,334

  96,743

  230,994

  1,250,833

  Mersey

  12,391

  42,190

  172,056

  57,076

  22,207

  62,420

  368,340

  North Western

  28,864

  106,841

  490,832

  143,869

  67,196

  169,232

  1,006,835

  SHAs

  5,440

  26,702

  84,210

  43,910

  12,950

  56,224

  229,436

  NHS Trusts

  54,538

  168,578

  747,160

  294,836

  129,352

  344,072

  1,738,536

  England Totals

  381,461

  1,382,064

  5,765,968

  1,815,353

  901,248

  2,304,024

  12,550,118

  Sources:

  (a) Annual accounts (1989–90 and 1990–91) and annual financial returns (1991–92) of regional and district health authorities in England and
  86 87
  those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals. (Annual financial returns of the first wave national health service trusts–1991–92.)

  (b) Annual census of manpower as at 30 September 1991 (Department of Health).

  Notes to the tables:

  1. HCHS covers the total expenditure by the health authorities and the national health service trusts including hospital, community health, patient transport (i.e. ambulances), blood transfusion and other services.

  2. The figures are for gross pay costs including employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions. Some columns and rows may not add up precisely because of roundings.

  3. The figures for "all other staff" include dental, ambulance, maintenance and professional and technical staff together with the total costs of all the categories of non-national health service (agency, etc.) staff.

  4. Salaries and wages costs incurred by family health services authorities and special health authorities providing central services to the national health service are excluded.

  5. The decrease in nursing and midwifery pay as a proportion of total is partially attributable to senior nurses being regraded to senior manager pay scales.

  Radiation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to adopt the recommendations of the International Commission of Radiological Protection on the adoption of a gut uptake factor of 0.001 to be used in radiation dose calculations.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  Gut uptake factors used by the authorising Departments (the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution) in radiation dose calculations are based on advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), which in turn takes account of the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Details of NRPB recommended gut uptake factors are published in "Documents of the NRPB" Volume 1, No. 2 (1990), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to take account of the findings of the radiobiology department of St. Bartholomew's hospital medical school, London in relation to the gut uptake factor levels adopted by her Department to calculate radiation dose levels.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  The findings referred to have been submitted to MAFF and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in a response to public consultation on proposed new authorisations for the discharge of radioactive wastes from British Nuclear Fuel's Sellafield plant. They will be considered by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for the Environment along with all other responses received in the light of advice from the National Radiological Protection Board.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. Curry
  The number of full-time staff in the market testing unit is currently 15. But a further 175 staff in various other parts of the Department have contributed to the programme, either in the identification of candidates for market testing or in the actual conduct of tests and the 88
  activities associated with them. The total cost of this to date is estimated at some £875,000. including external consultancy support.

  Agricultural Training Board
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he requires the Agricultural Training Board to abide by the procedures set out in general circular 262 of 28 April 1986.

  Mr. Curry
  Yes.

  Mink
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to identify the owners of mink which have escaped from licensed fur farms into the wild.

  Mr. Soames
  If a mink that is believed to have come from a mink farm is captured, inquiries are made to establish its origin. Should evidence be presented that mink are escaping from a particular farm, Agricultural Development Advisory Service officers will be asked to visit the site to ensure security arrangements are satisfactory.

  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given, following the approval of the Mink Keeping Order 1992, to bring forward proposals requiring animals farmed under licence to be identified by a tattoo or the implanting of a microchip to aid in the identification of animals caught in the wild.

  Mr. Soames
  None. I have no plans to introduce such a requirement.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was(a) the acreage and (b) the percentage of farmland in set-aside in each EC country at 1 January; and what are the estimated equivalent figures for 1 January 1994.

  Mr. Curry
  The latest available information on land set-aside under the five-year set-aside scheme in each EC country is set out in table I. Information on the area of land set aside this year under the new arable area payments scheme will not be available until growers have to declare the area later this year. Table II contains estimates of the area which might be set aside under the new scheme, derived from budgetary estimates of expenditure on the CAP reform package prepared by the Commission last year. There is no reason to expect that the area set aside in 1994 will be significantly different from that in 1993.
  89

  Five-year set-aside scheme

  Country

  Total arable area (thousand ha)

  Five year SA area (ha)3

  Five year SA area (acres)3

  Five year SA area as per cent. of national arable area

  Belgium

  326

  880

  2,170

  0·3

  Denmark

  1,909

  12,810

  31,650

  0·7

  France

  11,859

  235,490

  581,670

  2·0

  Germany1

  8,218

  374,370

  924,700

  4·6

  Greece

  1,523

  710

  1,760

  —

  Ireland

  359

  3,450

  8,530

  1·0

  Italy

  5,429

  721,850

  1,782,960

  13·3

  Luxembourg

  33

  90

  220

  0·3

  Netherlands

  226

  15,370

  37,970

  6·8

  Portugal2

  833

  —

  —

  —

  Spain

  8,978

  103,170

  254,830

  1·1

  United Kingdom

  4,396

  155,120

  383,150

  3·5

  Total

  44,087

  1,623,310

  4,007,440

  3·7

  1 Excludes former GDR.

  2 Portugal was exempt from the requirement to introduce a five year scheme.

  3 The figures for the five year scheme do not take account of withdrawals either after three years or in order to enter the new arable regime.

  New arable support system

  Total estimated SA area

  Country

  Total arable area (thousand ha)

  (thousand ha)

  (thousand acres)

  As a percentage of arable area

  Belgium

  326

  27

  67

  8

  Denmark

  1,909

  226

  558

  12

  France

  11,859

  1,463

  3,614

  12

  Germany1

  8,218

  915

  2,260

  11

  Greece

  1,523

  27

  67

  2

  Ireland

  359

  33

  82

  9

  Italy

  5,429

  236

  583

  4

  Luxembourg

  33

  1

  2

  3

  Netherlands

  226

  22

  54

  10

  Portugal

  833

  34

  84

  4

  Spain

  8,978

  764

  1,887

  9

  United Kingdom

  4,396

  634

  1,566

  14

  Total

  44,087

  4,381

  10,821

  10

  1 Includes former German Democratic Republic.

  Note: Minor discrepancies are due to rounding.

  Source (both tables): Commission statistics.

  Chlorpropham
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what publicly funded toxology tests on CIPC have been carried out in the United Kingdom; and what notification he has had of toxology tests on CIPC carried out in the United Kingdom by companies.

  Mr. Soames
  No publicly funded toxicology tests on CIPC, also known as chlorpropham, have been carried out in the United Kingdom. It is the rule that an applicant for approval of a pesticide product is responsible for carrying out the necessary toxicology tests.

  Reports of toxicity tests performed in the United Kingdom on formulations containing CIPC have been submitted as part of a number of approvals for products containing CIPC. But the majority of studies submitted on the toxicology of CIPC are based on work performed in Europe, north America and Japan.
  90
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of whether the chemical CIPC is suitable for use in crisp manufacturing.

  Mr. Soames
  There is evidence that CIPC, also known as chlorpropham, is effective as a means of preventing sprouting of potatoes in store, and so helping to ensure a year-round supply of potatoes suitable for crisp manufacture. The EC pesticide review programme will in due course consider all aspects of the approval of CIPC, including its effectiveness and its toxicology.

  Following recommendations from the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides, an average daily intake figure of 0·1 mg per kilogram body weight per day for CIPC has provisionally been set for consumer risk assessment purposes. Residues of CIPC found in total diet studies indicate that CIPC presents no risk to health.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Agriculture Council held on 9 and 10 February.
  91
  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture Council which started on 9 February and, after a suspension, finished in the early hours of Saturday 13 February.

  The most difficult item was concerned with bananas, where the Council had before it a text which put into legal form the political agreement on a Community regime agreed at the December Council. That agreement fully protected United Kingdom interests and our traditional suppliers in the Caribbean and was therefore highly satisfactory for Her Majesty's Government.

  Unfortunately, two delegations refused to confirm their earlier positive votes and opposed the adoption of the legal text. They sustained this position through many difficult hours of negotiation. Eventually matters were resolved, and the text adopted, because two other delegations, which had previously opposed the agreement, including the Danish delegation now in the chair, voted in favour so that the necessary qualified majority could be found. By this means the Danish presidency in particular ensured the maintenance of that integrity of Council decisions without which the Community could not function effectively. It is most unfortunate that two delegations changed their votes in this way. Such an attitude can only make future negotiations in the Council more difficult. However, on the substance, as indicated above, the regulation is a very satisfactory one for the United Kingdom.

  The Council also had a first discussion of the 1993 farm price proposals. I regretted that these do not include reforms of those sectors such as sugar, wine, olive oil and fruit and vegetables where this is still outstanding.

  In conclusion with the Commission in the margins of the Council, I was able to confirm that the supplementary ewe premium for flocks in our less favoured areas should be paid at the green rate applicable on 3 January. This means that this year United Kingdom producers will receive some 10·4 million more than previously expected.

  This was not an easy Council, but the outcome was a good one for the United Kingdom.

  Sheep Dips
  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports or information his Department has received concerning links between exposure to organo-phosphate sheep dips and chronic illness.

  Mr. Soames
  The veterinary medicines directorate operates a suspected adverse reaction reporting scheme for all veterinary medicines, including sheep dips. All reports are fully investigated. The results of those involving humans are assessed by an appraisal panel of Government doctors and scientists who evaluate potential links between human health and exposure to organophosphate sheep dips, before consideration by the Veterinary Products Committee, an independent scientific advisory committee.

  In addition, a project to investigate possible chronic effects on farmers of occupational exposure to organophosphate dips is currently being carried out by the institute of occupational health at Birmingham university.

  Ms. Corston
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice is currently given by his Department to people in the use of organo-phosphate sheep dip.
  92
  Mr. Soames
  The manufacturers of all licensed organophosphate sheep dips are required, as a condition of approval, to provide advice to users via product labels and product literature on the safe use of these products, including the need for protective clothing. Further advice is contained in the free leaflet "The Safe Handling and Disposal of Sheep Dips" published by the veterinary medicines directorate which has been distributed to all sheep farmers in England and Wales.

  It is important that this advice is carefully followed by those using these products.

  Young Farmers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of people employed in agriculture are under 30 years of age; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The results of the 1990 EC structure survey show that in England about 20 per cent. of people employed in agriculture are under 30 years of age. This includes farmers, working spouses and regularly employed workers. The survey is based on a sample covering approximately one quarter of all main holdings in England and is therefore subject to sampling error.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans there are to increase the number of young people entering farming; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The numbers of those becoming working farmers is entirely a matter for individual choice in response to personal circumstances and market forces.

  Drainage Authorities
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what guidance is given to drainage authorities when they give information on the value for money and economic efficiency of the maintenance works that they carry out to interested parties;

  (2) what rules drainage authorities follow upon the disclosures to interested parties of the investment appraisal submitted to his Department when seeking grant-aid; and if he will extend the depth and quality of information made available to interested parties.

  Mr. Curry
  The Ministry encourages authorities to make aggregated results of appraisals of grant-aided flood defence works available to interested parties on request. Such works can include not only new construction and improvements, but also major repairs. Guidance on the form in which the information should be presented was set out in a Ministry paper on investment appraisal issued to drainage authorities in 1985, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House at the time. The Ministry plans to publish revised and updated project appraisal guidelines next month. Separately, consideration is being given to whether guidance on the provision of results of appraisals to interested parties should be revised.

  There is no separate Ministry guidance on the economic appraisal by authorities of their own maintenance work.

  Sheep Scab
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.(1) if he will list the number of sheep affected by sheep scab, by county and divided into less
  93
  favoured areas and non less favoured areas in each month from October 1991 to the last month for which figures are available;

  (2) if he will list the number of outbreaks of sheep scab, by county, by flock and divided into less favoured areas and non less favoured areas in each month from October 1991 to the last month for which figures are available.

  October

  November

  December (1991)

  January (1992)

  February

  March

  April

  May

  England:

  Avon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Cornwall

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  2

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon

  1

  —

  1

  2

  3

  1

  2

  5

  Dorset

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  4

  6

  —

  1

  2

  3

  1

  —

  Leicestershire

  1

  —

  2

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  Manchester MC

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  1

  —

  Northumberland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Shropshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire MC

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Wales:

  Clwyd

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Dyfed

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Scotland:

  Borders

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Central

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galoway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Grampian

  —

  —

  —

  3

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Strathclyde

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  9

  9

  12

  27

  29

  8

  12

  17

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all vehicles used by teams trapping badgers under the bovine tuberculosis control policy carry his Ministry's markings; and whether personnel involved carry identification identifying themselves and giving them authority for their work at all times.

  Mr. Soames
  Ministry vehicles used in bovine TB control operations do not carry Ministry markings. All Ministry personnel are issued with identification cards bearing their photograph and written authority to carry out their official duties.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the culling of badgers under the bovine tuberculosis control policy has been contracted out.

  Mr. Soames
  No.
  94
  Mr. Soames
  The table below lists the number of recorded outbreaks on a flock basis by county for the months October 1991 to May 1992, which is the last month for which figures are available. The remaining information is either unavailable or could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Training Board (Wales)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the future of the Agricultural Training Board in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  In response to the consultation document on the future status and operation of the Agricultural Training Board issued on 25 September 1992, representations were received from 80 organisations and individuals in Wales. Ministers expect to be in a position to make a statement on the future of the board later this month.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels were recorded in International Council for the Exploration of the Seas areas(a) vii(a), (b) vii(f) and (c) vii(g) in each month during each year since 1986.
  95
  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 11 February 1993]: The information requested is set out for numbers of individual vessels recorded during routine fishery surveillance within British fishery limits in the ICES areas stated. Surveillance is not continuous, so the figures do not represent total numbers of boats fishing the areas in question. Over the period, surveillance effort in ICES area VII has increased. This, together with an improvement in the quality of surveillance data, contributes to the increased numbers of vessels reported in more recent years.

  1986

  Vlla

  Vllf

  Vllg

  January

  60

  53

  54

  February

  121

  78

  22

  March

  175

  71

  65

  April

  180

  109

  61

  May

  250

  95

  90

  June

  263

  81

  100

  July

  306

  104

  94

  August

  154

  89

  52

  September

  212

  107

  103

  October

  116

  58

  78

  November

  123

  57

  58

  December

  45

  38

  48

  1987

  Vlla

  Vllf

  Vllg

  January

  48

  16

  1

  February

  234

  35

  34

  March

  215

  93

  54

  April

  270

  127

  66

  May

  318

  104

  90

  June

  311

  85

  40

  July

  327

  116

  121

  August

  198

  79

  121

  September

  269

  78

  117

  October

  205

  89

  130

  November

  152

  46

  87

  December

  173

  54

  72

  1988

  Vlla

  Vllf

  Vllg

  January

  173

  61

  66

  February

  186

  125

  102

  March

  282

  176

  114

  April

  456

  189

  104

  May

  423

  144

  126

  June

  342

  95

  172

  July

  234

  78

  83

  August

  264

  153

  151

  September

  242

  121

  126

  October

  165

  93

  131

  November

  247

  95

  137

  December

  159

  61

  61

  1989

  VIIa

  VIIf

  VIIg

  January

  164

  107

  107

  February

  188

  93

  87

  March

  134

  192

  120

  April

  416

  139

  164

  May

  268

  173

  238

  June

  275

  99

  159

  July

  220

  154

  181

  August

  243

  150

  144

  September

  270

  84

  88

  October

  212

  82

  126

  96

  1989

  VIIa

  VIIf

  VIIg

  November

  242

  71

  107

  December

  113

  23

  90

  1990

  VIIa

  VIIf

  VIIg

  January

  100

  89

  75

  February

  34

  101

  77

  March

  264

  291

  206

  April

  220

  130

  207

  May

  326

  196

  209

  June

  173

  138

  196

  July

  287

  119

  184

  August

  268

  109

  214

  September

  337

  123

  202

  October

  172

  100

  147

  November

  141

  116

  150

  December

  42

  77

  142

  1991

  VIIa

  VIIf

  VIIg

  January

  138

  122

  78

  February

  181

  177

  94

  March

  268

  166

  63

  April

  279

  133

  140

  May

  448

  94

  187

  June

  131

  99

  128

  July

  104

  127

  136

  August

  341

  101

  179

  September

  181

  87

  170

  October

  113

  65

  96

  November

  233

  49

  107

  December

  257

  91

  142

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the administration of claims for disability living allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  Introducing disability living allowance at a stroke was always going to be a difficult task. But since April 1992, the Benefits Agency has received over 1·25 million claims to disability living allowance and attendance allowance. Almost 1·2 million of these have been cleared and over 800,000 awards of benefit have been made.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce any initiatives to speed the delivery of the disability living allowance to recipients.

  Mr. Scott
  The Benefits Agency, which is responsible for the administration of disability living allowance, is reviewing the procedures for processing claims, setting up additional processing centres and increasing the training of staff.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to complete the review of the disability living allowance care component for Mr. Trevor Fowler, applied for on 22 October 1992.
  97
  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Bob Cryer, dated 12 February 1993.
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, about Mr. Trevor Fowler's application for review of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component made on 22 October 1992.
  I am pleased to tell you that the outstanding action was completed on Mr. Fowler's case on 10 February 1993 and the Disability Living Allowance Unit (DLAU) have already written to you separately and in greater detail about this.
  The delay has resulted from the heavy volumes of work following the successful launch of the new benefit. Latterly delays were due to the backlog of reviews which had been building up. You will be aware from my letter of 19 October 1992 to all MPs of the problems the Benefits Agency has faced since the launch of DLA and the positive steps I have taken to improve the situation. Further steps taken to recruit additional, and redeploy existing, staff to clear the backlog of reviews.
  I am sorry for the delay in dealing with Mr. Fowler's case. Mr. Fowler has clearly not received the standard of service to which he is entitled from the Agency. Such matters are not taken lightly when they fail to come up to the standard of service the Benefits Agency is trying to give all its customers and I offer my sincere apologies to Mr. Fowler for any distress and inconvenience caused by the delays.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  European Court of Justice
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recent cases in the European Court of Justice have been won by his Department.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 23 November 1992, at column 532.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of extending the replacement fund for the independent living fund to cover people over retirement age.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 11 December 1992, at column 153.

  Mortgage Interest
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he has given to a scheme to enable unemployed households in receipt of income support covering mortgage interest payments to take up job opportunities that may be available to them.

  Mr. Burt
  We have considered carefully the proposals which have been made to pay mortgage interest for those in work. We have no plans for such a scheme.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what studies his Department has made of the impact of the present benefit arrangements for 16 and 17-year-olds on homelessness among that age group.

  Mr. Burt
  The benefit arrangements for 16 and 17-year-olds are, like those of other recipients, kept under review. The Department of Employment guarantees a youth training place to all 16 and 17-year-olds who want one. Income support is not generally payable as youth training allowances are usually more generous. Income support is available to others who are vulnerable, either because they fulfil particular criteria, or by way of the severe hardship provision.

  Pension Age
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made on equalising the pension age, and introducing flexible retirement for men and women.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are committed to the equalisation of state pension age. No decisions have been taken as to what option should be adopted but we shall be announcing our proposals for equalisation in due course following full consideration of the views both the public and interested organisations have expressed.

  Housing Benefit (Lodgers)
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to change housing benefit entitlement to include lodgers who are close relatives.

  Mr. Burt
  Housing benefit is payable only in respect of a commercial rent liability. Most people living with close relatives do not have a rent liability, but instead make contributions to the household's costs. It has never been the Government's intention that housing benefit should be payable for such contributions.

  Pensions
  Mr. Legg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's policies to encourage personal pensions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The success of the Government's policy in encouraging personal pensions is amply demonstrated by the fact that 5 million people are currently personal pension holders.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department is planning to encourage personal choice in pensions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are committed to encouraging choice and flexibility in pension provision. We have introduced measures to ensure that individuals are able to obtain the information they need to make informed choices, and we are considering whether more can be done in this area. It is clear that individuals wish to take advantage of the choices available to make provision for their own retirement–5 million people have used
  99
  personal pensions to contract out of the state earnings-related pension scheme since we introduced the option in 1988.

  Care Allowances
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women are in receipt of mobility care allowance; and what was the comparable figure in 1978–79.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of people in receipt of the carer premium as a percentage of those who are eligible.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the information given in my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 25 January 1993, at columns 585–86.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much his Department spends on invalid care allowance and the carer premium; and what percentage of the total social security budget this figure makes up.

  Mr. Scott
  Pursuant to my reply of 25 January at column 583, the percentage of the total social security budget spent on invalid care allowance and the carer premium in 1991–92 was 0·4 per cent.

  Means Testing and Private Pensions
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about proposals to means test universal benefits and about his policies towards private pensions provision; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  From time to time we receive representations relating to various aspects of the Government's benefits and pensions policies. These cover a wide range of topics and include suggestions for changes in the current schemes.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the percentage of pensioners retiring(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available, who had incomes from savings; and what was the real average level of savings on each of those two dates.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My ministerial colleagues and I receive representations from many people about pensioner issues. I am able to inform them that 68 per cent. of pensioners who had recently retired in 1979 had income from savings, rising to 78 per cent. by 1988. The average

  Month (1992)

  Rent Allowances1 £

  Rent Rebates (Non-HRA)1 £

  Rent Rebates (HRA)2 £

  Total £

  January

  1,450,750

  268,599

  3,688,722

  5,408,071

  February

  2,006,221

  268,599

  3,688,723

  5,963,543

  March

  2,006,221

  268,599

  no payment

  2,274,820

  April

  2,516,687

  330,750

  no payment

  2,847,437

  May

  2,516,687

  330,750

  4,277,595

  7,125,032

  June

  2,516,687

  -786,1903

  4,277,595

  6,008,092

  100
  income from savings of all recently retired pensioners, at 1988 prices, was £12 per week in 1979 and £26.30 in 1988. Reliable information on the level of savings is not available in the form requested.

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey.

  Pensions (Married Women)
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which EC countries provide a separate pension to married women who have never made their own contributions towards a pension.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The United Kingdom is the only country in the Community to pay a separate pension to a pensioner's wife in her own right on the strength of her husband's contributions. However, Denmark and the Netherlands also pay a pension to a wife on the basis of residence.

  Disability
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department has taken to maintain support for disabled people.

  Mr. Scott
  Since 1979 we have introduced a wide range of improvements, aimed at providing a wide ranging and coherent system of disability benefits. These improvements culminated in the introduction of disability living allowance and disability working allowance in April last year.

  By the end of 1992–93, we expect expenditure on benefit for long-term sick and disabled people to have risen by more than 170 per cent. in real terms to £13·7 billion.

  Income Support
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently estimated to be receiving income support; what is the total cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  It is estimated that for 1992–93 there are 5·3 million claims for income support at a total benefit cost of £14·5 billion. This level of expenditure demonstrates our commitment to protect those on a low income.

  Source: Social Security—Departmental Report—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96 (Cm 2213).

  Housing Benefit, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much refund of housing benefit was paid to Lambeth council in each of the 12 months of 1992.

  Mr. Burt
  Monthly payments on account of housing benefit subsidy made to Lambeth council in 1992 are shown in the table.
  101

  Month (1992)

  Rent Allowances1 £

  Rent Rebates (Non-HRA)1 £

  Rent Rebates (HRA)2 £

  Total £

  July

  2,516,687

  -1,177,1193

  4,277,595

  5,617,163

  August

  2,516,687

  163,209

  4,277,595

  6,957,491

  September

  2,516,687

  330,750

  4,277,595

  7,125,032

  October

  2,516,687

  210,714

  4,730,835

  7,458,236

  November

  2,516,687

  313,602

  3,311,740

  6,142,029

  December

  2,516,687

  313,602

  4,353,135

  7,183,424

  Total

  28,113,375

  835,865

  41,161,130

  70,110,370

  Notes:

  1 paid by the Department of Social Security

  2 paid by the Department of the Environment

  3 negative amounts, due to recovery from 1991–92

  In addition, the Department paid £110,361 to Lambeth council in 1992 in respect of the direct administration subsidy for housing benefit. The monthly profile of this subsidy was as follows:

  £

  January

  36,787

  February

  36,787

  March

  36,787

  April

  79,179

  May

  79,179

  June

  79,179

  July

  79,179

  August

  79,179

  September

  79,179

  October

  79,179

  November

  79,179

  December

  79,179

  Total

  110,361

  The above table shows administration subsidy payments on account made by DSS. Administration subsidy for housing benefit is paid in two parts: 50 per cent. direct grant from DSS and 50 per cent. through the revenue support grant.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to respond to the application by Mr. Stanley Vauvert for mobility allowance, sent on 13 July 1992.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Bob Cryer, dated 12 February 1993.
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, about Mr. Stanley Vauvert's application for review made on 13 July 1992 of the decision to disallow his Mobility Allowance claim.
  I am pleased to tell you that a decision was made on Mr. Vauvert's application on the 10 February 1993 and the Disability Living Allowance Unit have already replied to you separately and in greater detail about this.
  I am concerned about the delay in the handling of Mr. Vauvert's review application. You will be aware from my letter of 19 October 1992 to all MPs of the problems the Benefits Agency (BA) has faced since the launch of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the positive steps I have taken to improve the situation. Since then further steps have been
  102
  taken to recruit additional, of and redeploy existing staff to clear the backlog of reviews by, amongst other things, the setting up of four additional processing units.
  Mr. Vauvert has clearly not received the standard of service which he has every right to expect from the Agency and I offer my sincere apologies to him for any distress and inconvenience caused by the delays.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful and I thank you for the opportunity to explain this matter. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Energy Policy
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to delay the MPG 3 review until after the House has debated the recommendations in the first report from the Trade arid Industry Select Committee 1992–93 (HC 237) on British energy policy and the market for coal, in so far as they relate to open cast coal mining.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department intends to issue draft revised guidance for public consultation as soon as possible following the outcome of the coal review. We shall give careful consideration to the recommendations of the Trade and Industry Select Committee in preparing the draft guidelines and before the guidelines are finalised we will take into account the outcome of debates and all other representations we receive during the public consultation period.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. Howard
  None of the projects in my Department's market testing programme which involves exposing in-house functions to competition has yet reached the stage where a contract or service level agreement has been awarded.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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.
  103
  Mr. Howard
  There are six staff in my Department directly assigned to the market testing programme.

  From November 1991 to end December 1992, the total cost of the programme amounted to £650,480.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the compliance of the current application by British Nuclear Fuels for a revision of its authorisation to discharge radioactive waste from its Sellafield site with clauses on the justification of the production of radioactive waste within the 1986 White Paper on radioactive waste.

  Mr. Maclean
  This is a matter for the chief inspector of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who have recently completed the statutory public consultation exercise into BNFL's applications. Following consideration of the numerous responses received by HMIP, they will be submitting their consultation response document to the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for consideration.

  Noise Monitoring
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken by his Department towards developing a co-ordinated noise level monitoring database for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  None. However, we have recently completed the national noise incidence study which involved noise measurements being made outside 1,000 homes in England and Wales during 1990 and has provided a benchmark on how noisy the country is. The results of the study will be published later this year.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant, Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on the consultation exercise conducted by the inspectorate on British Nuclear Fuels' application for discharge authorisations for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant and associated plants.

  Mr. Maclean
  HMIP and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food currently expect to submit their report on the consultation exercise by the beginning of April 1993.

  Landfill Gas Flares
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about air pollution from landfill gas flares; what techniques are available to reduce emissions; and whether he will make gas flares subject to local authority air pollution control.

  Mr. Maclean
  Flaring of landfill gas serves to destroy the flammable components of the inlet landfill gas and reduce the trace components which are responsible for odour problems. Carbon dioxide would constitute the bulk component of flared gas since methane is a flammable gas. However, in order to have a better understanding of emissions from flare systems, my Department has 104
  commissioned the Environmental Safety centre at Harwell laboratory to carry out research on the fate of landfill gas components when flared, to compare the potential environmental impact of both source and flared landfill gas, and provide technical recommendations on the key design factors in flare systems to ensure complete combustion. The final report is expected this year.

  Pollution control legislation applies through the provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 under which a landfill site requires to be licensed before operations can commence. The most recent advice on appropriate requirements for flare stacks is contained in chapter 8 of the Department's "Waste Management Paper No. 27". Since emissions are controlled through the waste disposal licence, it is not necessary for flares to be additionally controlled under the air pollution legislation.

  EC Environmental Action Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resource commitment was agreed by the Council of Ministers in support of the European Commission's fifth environmental action programme.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Council has agreed a commitment of 13 million ecu (£10.4 million) to support environmental action including the fifth action programme.

  Methane Emissions
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion, in carbon dioxide equivalent, of the United Kingdom's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions arises from methane emissions; and whether he plans to introduce a strategy to reduce emissions of methane gas.

  Mr. Maclean
  The most recent edition of the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" estimates United Kingdom methane emissions in 1990 at 4·371 million tonnes. The direct global warming effect of these emissions is estimated at around 7 per cent. of that of United Kingdom emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Indirect effects add to methane's relative contribution; the intergovernmental panel on climate change estimates that these could be of similar magnitude to the direct effect. The estimate of United Kingdom methane emissions is currently under review.

  The UN framework convention on climate change requires developed country parties to draw up a programme of measures aimed at returning emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methane, to their 1990 levels by 2000. We are aiming to produce the United Kingdom's first national programme under the convention by the end of this year.

  Emissions
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he expects the introduction of new vehicle emission standards to influence emissions of oxides of nitrogen from road vehicles over the next 30 years; and what projections he has commissioned to demonstrate the possible effects.

  Mr. Maclean
  The introduction of three-way catalytic converters, now required on all new petrol-engined cars, should lead to a significant decrease in NOx emissions over the next 10 years.
  105
  Projections by Warren Spring laboratory to 2010 were published in September 1992 in the report "Pollution in the Atmosphere: Future Emissions from the UK". I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House. They suggest a fall in NOx emissions from road transport of between 30 per cent. and 36 per cent. by 2010 compared with 1991.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the total estimated emissions of oxides of nitrogen in the United Kingdom in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Maclean
  Estimated emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the United Kingdom since 1980, as reported in my Department's 1991 Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics, and are as follows:

  NOx Emission (thousands tonnes)

  1980

  2,312

  1981

  2,242

  1982

  2,221

  1983

  2,234

  1984

  2,216

  1985

  2,327

  1986

  2,416

  1987

  2,544

  1988

  2,626

  1989

  2,717

  1990

  2,729

  Eco-labelling
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those EC member states that have indicated they will continue with national eco-labelling.

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand that France, Germany and the Netherlands are currently continuing with national eco-labelling schemes.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those environmental organisations that have been involved in eco-labelling consultation;

  (2) what percentage of the market will be required for qualification in each of the markets under consideration by the United Kingdom Eco-Labelling Board; and if he will list them;

  (3) if he will include in the environmental impact statement for eco-labelling of product contents the effect of sourcing of ingredients on third world cultures and ecosystems as well as the presence of volatile organic compounds;

  (4) what studies he has made of the different energy mixes used in manufacturing throughout the European Community when developing eco-label criteria for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom Eco-Labelling Board has been established to administer and promote the European Community eco-labelling scheme nationally and has responsibility for dealing with the operational aspects of the scheme. I have therefore asked the board to reply to my hon. Friend direct.
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  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps is taking to encourage the European Commission to issue clear guidelines on eco-labelling.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have consistently pressed the European Commission to implement the scheme as quickly as possible and to issue whatever guidance may be required.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has made of the effectiveness of eco-labelling as opposed to fiscal measures on(a) energy use sources, (b) waste disposal, (c) incentives for energy efficiency, (d) tax breaks for recycling or re-use or (e) tax breaks for clean of non-renewable technology.

  Mr. Maclean
  The eco-labelling scheme aims to create a market advantage for manufactures and retailers who make and stock greener products. The scheme is a European Community commitment and it is complementary to any fiscal measures which might be taken in particular sectors.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in order all his Department's press releases since 1 September 1992.

  Mr Howard
  Monthly summaries of this Department's press releases for the period 1 September 1992 to 31 January 1993 have been placed in the Library.

  Housing
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent talks he has had with financial institutions about their potential involvement in the private rented sector in housing.

  Mr. Baldry
  My hon. Friend, the Minister for Housing and Planning, has had a series of meetings with financial institutions to discuss a wide range of issues, including the potential for their involvement in the private rented housing sector to a greater degree than at present. We envisage that these will continue.

  Aggregates
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish in full his Department's revised approach to sand and gravel extraction in England and Wales.

  Sir George Young
  The Department has published revised planning guidelines for aggregates provision in England and Wales for public consultation. The consultation period ends on 31 March and the guidelines will be published once the public response has been assessed.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been carried out by his Department into the use of recycled material as an alternative to aggregate extraction; what other examination his Department has made of ways of reducing the demand for aggregates in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
  107
  Mr. Baldry
  My Department has commissioned a number of studies into ways of achieving more efficient use of aggregates, including research into the occurrence and utilisation of mineral and construction wastes. No research has been undertaken into reducing directly the demand for aggregates, which is a reflection of the demands made by society on the construction industry.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigation he plans to carry out into the comparative environmental problems and benefits between developing coastal superquarries and inland sources of aggregates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Regional commentaries produced by the regional aggregates working parties indicate that traditional sources of primary aggregates will not be able to meet all anticipated demand over the next 20 years without some unacceptable environmental implications. My Department is therefore considering a range of options for meeting future demand. Any proposals for the development of coastal superquarries will be assessed on their merits and full regard will be had to their possible environmental impact.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the figures for the consumption of the different types of aggregates including crushed rock, sand and gravel, marine dredged sand and gravel, secondary aggregates and recycled materials, as used by different industries in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The proportions of the total consumption of primary aggregates (sand and gravel and crushed rock) accounted for by particular sectors of the construction industry in England and Wales in 1990 have been estimated by ECOTEC Research and Consulting Ltd. as:

  Per cent.

  Housing

  20

  Roads (including Bridges)

  24

  Private Industrial

  11

  Private Commercial

  12

  Other Public

  13

  Road Repair and Maintenance

  8

  Housing Repair and Maintenance

  8

  Other

  3

  No detailed statistics are available on the use of different types of aggregates by these separate sectors.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what expertise exists in the national co-ordinating group and each of the regional aggregates working parties to assess the potential for synthetic and waste materials as alternatives to aggregates; what consultations each of these bodies has with environmental and other interests in carrying out their duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  These groups possess no specific expertise on secondary and waste materials for aggregates use. In addition to these groups, however, the Department also receives advice from consultants and the appropriate trade associations. Consultations have also taken place with environmental and other interests on the regional commentaries produced by the regional aggregates 108
  working parties and my Department has taken the responses into consideration in the revised guidelines for aggregates provision which have been published for consultation.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much(a) crushed rock, (b) sand and gravel, (c) marine dredged sand and gravel, (d) secondary aggregates and (e) recycled materials have been (i) imported into the United Kingdom and (ii) exported from the United Kingdom for 1985 until the latest available date; if he will list the countries involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Very little crushed rock, land-won sand and gravel or secondary and recycled aggregates have been imported or exported to or from the United Kingdom since 1985. Total exports and imports of these aggregates are estimated to account for les than 1 per cent. of total United Kingdom aggregates production and consumption.

  Marine sand and gravel dredged in United Kingdom waters is landed in some other European countries, principally Holland, Belgium and France. Foreign landings of marine dredged sand and gravel since 1985 are:

  Tonnes

  1985

  2,495,000

  1986

  2,317,000

  1987

  2,564,000

  1988

  2,379,000

  1989

  2,590,000

  1990

  3,818,000

  1991

  4,614,000

  Source: Crown Estate.

  FC Initiatives
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further allocations of funding are available to the United Kingdom from the European social fund and the European regional development fund, for initiatives which are the responsibility of his Department, as a result of the fall in the exchange rate.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry.

  Derelict Land
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are being made available for derelict land reclamation under the derelict land grant programme in 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The resources available in 1993–94 for derelict land reclamation under the derelict land grant programme will be £103·5 million.

  The reclamation of derelict and often seriously contaminated land plays a vital role in regenerating run down urban areas and improving the environment. In the last five years DLG has funded the reclamation of more than 6,000 hectares (14,820 acres) of derelict land, and more than, 1,500 hectares of land are now reclaimed annually.

  DLG is available throughout England, but in practice the largest allocations go to the north west and Yorkshire

  109
  and Humberside regions where some of the most extensive dereliction is found; and to the west midlands where funding is needed for continued investigative and remedial work on old limestone workings in the black country.

  A large proportion of the DLG programme will be devoted to 25 rolling programmes of reclamation, which will receive £45 million in 1993–94.

  Reclamation in areas subject to colliery closures is an important priority. DLG is being used in these areas mainly to reclaim collieries closed before March 1990: British Coal has agreed to take financial responsibility for the reclamation of most collieries closing since then. In 1993–94, £19 million of DLG will be devoted to treating dereliction arising from coal mining.

  The Government's continued high level of commitment to the clearance of dereliction will ensure that momentum is not lost in the handover to the urban regeneration agency. The agency will have a wide range of powers to deal with derelict, vacant and underused land either itself or in cooperation with local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors.

  Earth Summit
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Population Concern, the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International have been invited to take part in the discussions on the practical implementation of the Earth Summit agreements at the International Conference for Non-Governmental Organisations in Manchester in September.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have consulted on proposals to hold an international conference in September on the theme of partnerships for change. We are considering responses to our consultation note. When we issue invitations to attend, we shall bear in mind the interest of people engaged in the population issues.

  Urban Waste Water
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites proposed to him for classification as sensitive areas under the EC directive on urban waste water treatment, including the proposing body, by reason of(a) eutrophication and (b) inland water with a nitrate concentration greater than 50 mg/l.

  Mr. Maclean
  The urban waste water treatment directive requires member states to identify sensitive areas, in accordance with the criteria set out in the directive, by 31 December this year. The National Rivers Authority is at present compiling final lists of "candidate" sensitive areas which it will submit to the Department for consideration. Similar exercises are being carried out in the remainder of the United Kingdom. An announcement about the location of the areas to be formally identified as sensitive will be made before the deadline imposed in the directive.

  Protection Regulations
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the regulations protecting the environment which he proposes to take steps to rescind.

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. Friend is currently reviewing all regulations protecting the environment to 110
  ensure that they are necessary, and that they are meeting their objectives in the most efficient way possible with the minimum burden on industry.

  Civil Servants (Bicycles)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the current conditions on which civil servants in his Department are granted salary advances to enable the purchase of bicycles for home-to-office travel; if he will make a statement on the current conditions in each agency of his Department; what plans he has to change the conditions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]Neither my Department not its agencies currently have a scheme for granting salary advances for the purchase of bicycles. However, my Department is currently reviewing the exisitng facilities for staff who cycle to work.

  Abandoned Mines (Water Pollution)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to complete his consideration of the framework of responsibility for water pollution from abandoned mines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 10 February 1993]We aim to reach conclusions later this year.

  Oil Spillages
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to protect sites of special scientific interest and other environmentally important areas from the effects of oil spillages.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]In advance of any recommendations arising from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the Shetland tanker incident or from the inquiry conducted by Lord Donaldson on the measures necessary to protect the United Kingdom coastline from pollution from merchant shipping, I draw the hon. Member's attention to the agreement reached by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport with tanker operators to avoid a number of sensitive areas.

  Coal-fired Power Stations
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances his Department is required to grant permission before sulphur can be added to coal used in coal-fired power stations.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]There is no record of sulphur being added to coal used in power stations. However, in appropriate circumstances, traces of sulphur trioxide may be added to the flue gases to provide a very great improvement in the removal of particulate matter in an electrostatic precipitator. The sulphur trioxide has little environmental significance in the quantities used. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution would require notification before the use of sulphur trioxide began at a power station.

  ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: ACCESS REGULATIONS
  ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: ACCESS REGULATIONS
  HOOVER BUILDING: A.40 LIGHTING
  HOOVER BUILDING: A.40 LIGHTING
  AMENITY TREES: ADVISORY SERVICE
  AMENITY TREES: ADVISORY SERVICE
  NORTHERN IRELAND BORDER: ROAD CLOSURES
  NORTHERN IRELAND BORDER: ROAD CLOSURES
  RAIL FRANCHISEES AND TERRORIST ACTS
  RAIL FRANCHISEES AND TERRORIST ACTS
  LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS, TOWER HAMLETS
  LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS, TOWER HAMLETS
  LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS, BRENT
  LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS, BRENT
  PRESIDENT CLINTON AND UK CIVIL SERVICE
  PRESIDENT CLINTON AND UK CIVIL SERVICE
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION OPERATION REVIEW: REPORT
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION OPERATION REVIEW: REPORT
  MINES: PREVENTION OF USE
  MINES: PREVENTION OF USE