Written Answers of 22 February 1993

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Communities (Amendment) Bill
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he requested legal advice on amendment No. 27 to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill from the Government's Law Officers.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Law Officers were formally consulted on 9 February.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the advice his Department has received on amendment No. 27 to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 15 February, at column 27.

  E1 Salvador (Human Rights)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the fulfilment of the guarantee given by Alfredo Cristiani of El Salvador to the United Nations Secretary-General in November 1992 concerning the transfer or retirement of officers from his army who had been named as human rights violators.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  In a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council on 7 January, the UN Secretary-General accepted as satisfactory the measures adopted and implemented by the Government of El Salvador with respect to 87 of the 102 army officers covered by the recommendations of the ad hoc commission set up under the El Salvador peace accords. However, the Secretary General said that the measures adopted in respect of the other 15 officers did not comply with those recommendations. The Security Council on 9 February expressed concern at this situation.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received about the situation in Bosnia since 8 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Secretary of State has received no visitors specifically to discuss Bosnia since 8 February. It is a frequent topic in his discussions with overseas visitors and others. He has received numerous letters from members of the public and hon. Members on behalf of their constituents.

  Palestine Liberation Organisation
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct Her Majesty's ambassador in Tunis to convey to the Palestine Liberation Organisation the concern of Her Majesty's Government at the continuing contacts between Yasser Arafat and Saddam Hussein.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The PLO is well aware of our views on Saddam Hussein.

  Publicity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson)Official Report, column 358, what is his Department's (a) current outturn estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (b) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The current estimated expenditure by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for publicity in 1992–93 and the budgeted expenditure for publicity in 1993–94 are:

  FCO Diplomatic wing £

  FCO ODA wing £

  1992–93

  951,500

  680,000

  1993–94

  566,001

  680,000

  Communications Courses
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what equipment those attending communications courses in Northamptonshire in the last six months have been trained; when the models of equipment concerned are to be withdrawn; and what is the per capita cost for those attending such courses, including travelling, subsistence and accommodation.

  Mr. Goodlad
  No FCO personnel have attended communications courses in Northamptonshire in the last six months. FCO staff have been trained at Hanslope Park in Buckinghamshire on numerous types of equipment over the last six months. Certain radio and teleprinter equipment is now being withdrawn as more cost-effective PC-based communication systems are installed worldwide. The average cost, including all overheads, per student per day is about £90.

  Air Travel
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what class of air ticket staff travel when travelling to and from posts abroad; and what assessment he has made of the relative costs to his Department of their travelling on(a) economy or excursion fares and (b) business class fares.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The types of ticket to which diplomatic service officers and their families are entitled accord with guidance set by HM Treasury. Almost all officers on duty, transfer and mid-tour leave travel economy class on journeys of up to two and a half hours, and business class
  411
  for longer journeys. Very senior officers may travel in a higher class in certain circumstances, by virtue of their grade or for operational reasons: such cases amount to about 1.5 per cent. of total journeys. All other leave journeys and children's holiday visit passages, including journeys over two and a half hours, are by the cheapest means: economy or Apex fares.

  We have not made an assessement of the relative cost of downgrading the class of travel, for example from business to economy class. Air fare pricing is constantly changing: our travel services contractor logs 1.6 million changes a day. We judge that the entitlements set by HM Treasury represent a reasonable balance of economy, operational needs, and comfort for the traveller.

  The FCO constantly strives for greater value for money. We have agreements with a number of airlines which provide for substantial discounts, negotiated in partnership with our travel services contractors, with whom we also have a special arrangement to reduce cost.

  Mr. Mahal Khalil
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 February,Official Report, column 840, concerning Mr. Mahal Khalil—Ref: IMM/B4131—if he will make it his policy that any appeal made by Mr. Khalil against refusal to grant entry clearance will be accepted; if he will arrange for an appeal to be given priority in view of the delay caused by administrative error; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Should Mr. Khalil submit an appeal against the decision to refuse entry clearance, the entry clearance officer—ECO—at the high commission in Islamabad will accept the appeal. The ECO will give priority to the preparation of his explanatory statement. Mr. Khalil may wish to ask in his appeal that it be given priority, and the independent appellate authority would no doubt give full consideration to such a request.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Authorities (Legislation)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the consultation procedures with local authorities on the implications for them of intended legislation.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Under recent legislation, where consultation is necessary, the Secretary of State is required to consult"such representatives of local government as appear to him to be appropriate".

  For these purposes we consult the local authority associations. Consultation documents cover the resource implications of proposals for local authorities. Even where there is no statutory requirement, it is the Government's policy and practice to consult the associations so that local government's views can be taken into account as early in the formulation of policy and legislation as possible. In addition, there are regular informal meetings between Ministers and the chairmen of the associations at which the direction of policy and the possibility of future legislation are discussed.

  These consultation arrangements are kept under review and are regularly discussed with the associations.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations are currently being funded under the urban programme in Lambeth.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The organisations currently being funded under Lambeth's urban programme are listed as follows

  1. London Borough of Lambeth

  2. Camberwell District Health Authority

  3. West Lambeth District Health Authority

  Voluntary Organisations

  1. Melting Pot Foundation-Green Badge Taxi School

  2. LMHS-Roots and Shoots

  3. Angell Town Estate Enterprise Centre

  4. Front Line Women's Organisation

  5. Lambeth Turkish Speaking Community

  6. Lambeth Youth Aid-Textile Printers

  7. Worklink

  8. Plant Exchange

  9. Allen Edwards Nature Gardens

  10. Loughborough Estate Tenants Association

  11. Brixton Sheltered Street Scheme

  12. Lambeth Chinese Community Association

  13. St. Martins Estate Community Project

  14. CLUFO/Vietnam Refugees

  15. Angell Town Community Nursery

  16. Frontline Development-Brixton Cares

  17. HAPA

  18. Allen Edwards Oasis Environmental Project

  19. Stockwell Good Neighbours

  20. Vietnamese Elderly Project

  21. Apostolic All Nations Community Centre

  22. Oval Options

  23. 198 Gallery

  24. Fanon Project-Brixton Circle

  25. Ashmole Tenant's Hall

  26. Norbury CHAS

  27. North Lambeth Day Centre Resettlement

  28. Organisation for Sickle Cell Research

  29. South Island Workshop Training Programme

  30. Myatts Field Community Centre

  31. Asian Community Action Group

  32. St. Vincents Community Centre

  33. Heath Road Community Project

  34. Black Contractors Association

  35. Lambeth Accord-Worklink

  36. Lambeth Business Association

  37. Lambeth Drugline

  38. Help 71

  39. Lilford Afterschool Group

  40. Springfield Community Flat

  41. Cathedral Employment

  42. QTAB

  43. LMHS-All Sewn Up

  44. The Baytree Centre

  45. Brixwork

  46. CALA Training Centre

  47. Blackfriars Settlement-Work Centre

  48. Eritrean Community

  49. Ethelred Estate

  50. Lambeth Summer Project

  51. Bondway Night Shelter

  52. West Indian Ex-Serviceman's Association

  53. Holy Trinity Church, Tulse Hill

  54. Lambeth Somali Community Association

  55. Turkish Speaking Community Project

  56. Dorset Road Community Hall

  Housing Starts
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the number of private sector housing starts in each year from 1988; and if he will make a statement.
  413
  Mr. Baldry
  Estimates of housebuilding starts in England by sector each year from 1988 to 1991 are shown in table 6.1(a) of "Housing and Constuction Statistics 1981–1991". A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  Figures for 1992 have been released in an information bulletin. On provisional estimates, there were 99,500 private enterprise and 27,400 housing association starts in England during 1992.

  Super-quarries
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact of establishing super-quarries in Scotland on the requirement for production of aggregates in England and Wales.

  Mr. Baldry
  In considering the potential contribution which coastal super-quarries in north-west Europe might make to aggregates supplies, the consultants employed by my Department made a broad assessment of the planning and environmental issues involved. The Government have made it clear that individual applications will need very careful assessment and full regard will be had to their possible environmental impact.

  Rent Deposit Scheme
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the pilot rent deposit scheme in west London funded by his Department; and if he will publish a report on the scheme.

  Mr. Baldry
  The pilot project for a rent deposit fund operated by the Notting Hill Housing Trust—NHHT—and funded by my Department as part of the rough sleepers initiative in central London is due to end on 30 June 1993. My officials are at present discussing with NHHT how best to evaluate the scheme.

  Housing Associations (Grants)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will publish the affordability assumption used to determine grant rates to housing associations.

  Sir George Young
  Outturn rents are determined by housing associations. The Government do not publish the factors and assumptions implicit in the grant rate model or any general definition of affordability, since they do not wish to imply a view as to what constitutes an affordable rent in any particular case.

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all developments at waste incineration sites are subject to full environmental impact assessments;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that environmental impact assessments must be undertaken prior to developing new stacks on existing waste incineration sites;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to secure that environmental impact assessments are undertaken prior to any modification of existing waste incineration plants.
  414
  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: The Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, which implement directive 85/337/EEC in respect of projects requiring applications for planning permission, set out the circumstances in which an environmental assessment—EA —is required. For projects of the types described in scheduled 1 to the regulations, which include new waste disposal installations for the incineration of hazardous waste, an EA is mandatory. For projects of the types described in schedule 2 to the regulations, which include new installations for the incineration of non-hazardous waste and modifications of existing hazardous and non-hazardous waste incineration installations, an EA is required if the particular development proposed would be likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location.

  Taxi Drivers
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities with responsibility to issue hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers' licences which have not adopted the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  The following local authorities had not adopted the 1976 Act by 18 February 1993:

  Aberconwy District Council

  Bridgnorth District Council

  Broxbourne Borough Council

  Epping Forest District Council

  Glanford Borough Council

  Leominster District Council

  Mid Devon District Council

  Mid Suffolk District Council

  Monmouth District Council

  Newbury District Council

  Radnor District Council

  Rother District Council

  South Buckinghamshire District Council

  South Staffordshire District Council

  West Lindsey District Council

  Unless there is a local Act in force which contains a provision requiring them to be satisfied as to the fitness of an applicant, councils that have not adopted the 1976 Act cannot require a criminal record check of hackney carriage or private hire vehicle driver licence applicants.

  Royal Family
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what, for the latest available year, was the cost to his Department of expenditure in support of the royal family in respect of(a) expenditure on palaces in occupation of Her Majesty and residences occupied by members of the royal family and (b) the gentlemen-at-arms and yeoman of the guard.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  Expenditure in 1991–92 was £26,880,700 on the royal palaces and residences and £47,000 on the gentlemen-at-arms and yeoman of the guard.

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance he proposes to make available to London boroughs and the Common Council
  415
  during 1993–94 in respect of the extra costs due to his decisions on housing revenue account subsidy in respect of debt from the former Greater London council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [pursuant to his answer, 17 February 1993, c. 283–84]: To assist authorities further, my right hon. and learned Friend intends to change the statutory rules on minimum revenue provision so as to reduce the required minimum repayment of principal deemed debt in 1993–94 from an amount of 4 per cent. of the deemed debt to an amount of 0.5 per cent. of the deemed debt.

  I am arranging for London boroughs and the Common Council to be notified today of my right hon. and learned Friend's intentions, so that authorities can take account of them when setting their budgets for 1993–94.

TRANSPORT

  Safe Buses for Women
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he is carrying out into the operation of safe buses for women; what assessment he has made of their contribution; in which areas they are operating; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department is concerned with the safety of women as public transport users, as pedestrians and as motorists. No specific research has been undertaken into safe buses for women; our priority is, rather, to promote the safety of all passengers on public transport, including women.

  Ships (Seaworthiness)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken to ensure that ships entering British coastal waters are seaworthy.

  Mr. Norris
  All ships entering British coastal waters must carry valid safety certificates issued on behalf of the flag stage stating that the ship meets international requirements.

  United Kingdom ships are subject to surveys and random inspections by surveyors from the Department of Transport who also inspect foreign ships arriving at British ports under port state control procedures.

  Over 30 per cent., of foreign ships arriving at British ports are inspected under these procedures and it is

  British Rail investment expenditure 1979 to 1991–92

  £ million cash

  New routes

  New electrification

  Rolling stock

  Other capital investment

  Infrastructure

  Total

  Rail

  Non-rail

  revenue investment

  1979

  1

  5

  93

  48

  14

  106

  266

  1980

  0

  5

  122

  54

  14

  115

  309

  1981

  0

  4

  106

  47

  13

  107

  277

  1982

  0

  2

  98

  41

  6

  111

  258

  1983

  0

  4

  70

  54

  5

  146

  279

  1984–85

  0

  13

  79

  95

  13

  201

  402

  1985–86

  3

  36

  80

  131

  12

  150

  412

  1986–87

  8

  43

  79

  147

  19

  102

  398

  1987–88

  9

  43

  100

  148

  9

  172

  481

  1988–89

  9

  20

  206

  152

  25

  148

  560

  1989–90

  42

  38

  208

  223

  27

  174

  712

  1990–91

  63

  29

  262

  267

  30

  182

  833

  1991–92

  97

  25

  325

  320

  34

  205

  1,005

  416
  estimated that 80 per cent. of all ships arriving at ports within the area controlled by the memorandum of understanding for port state control are inspected.

  Vehicle Licensing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has to invite tenders to extend licence issuing outlets; and how many such additional outlets are to be authorised.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency invited competitive tenders for the issue of vehicle excise licences by advertisement in the national press on 30 October last. The tender process is now under way but it will be some time yet before the final outcome is known. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Rail Travel Concessions
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that under his proposals for the railways all those categories of persons currently enjoying privileged and concessionary travel facilities, in addition to British Rail staff will continue to enjoy those benefits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail introduced railcards as a commercial decision, not as a result of any legal obligation. There is every reason to believe that the private sector will introduce new initiatives in order to attract more passengers.

  However, the provision of the disabled persons railcard is a voluntary initiative on British Rail's part; it is not profitable. The Government wish to guarantee that common discount facilities for disabled people will continue in the future, and a requirement to this effect will be incorporated into every franchise agreement.

  British Rail Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the capital expenditure of British Rail annually from 1979 on(a) asset replacement, (b) new capital schemes and (c) other capital expenditure.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, a breakdown of investment between 1979 and 1991–92 is provided in the table.
  417
  Notes:

  1. Figures exclude changes in advance payments on rolling stock orders.

  2. Infrastructure Revenue Investment is expenditure on infrastructure renewal charged to profit and loss account, exclusive of track renewals.

  3. Other non-rail figures for 1979 and 1980 exclude ships, harbours, hovercraft and hotels.

  4. Figures rounded to nearest million.

  Public Transport
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons have been employed in public transport in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland in each year since 1981 by (i) bus services, (ii) train services, (iii) maritime ferry services and (iv) other public transport services.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 17 February 1993]: Information is not available in the form requested. Figures that are available appear in the annual publications "Scottish Transport Statistics" and "Bus and Coach Statistics).

  The tables gives the number of staff employed by bus and coach operators based in Scotland, by Scotrail, and by Strathclyde passenger transport executive—underground.

  Staff employed in public transport

  Bus and coach1 2

  Scotrail3

  Strathclyde passenger transport executive—under-ground

  1981

  22,200

  1981

  17,887

  1981–82

  308

  1982

  21,300

  1982

  16,999

  1982–83

  316

  1983

  21,700

  1983

  16,493

  1983–84

  311

  1984

  21,300

  1984–85

  15,798

  1984–85

  308

  1985–86

  20,300

  1985–86

  15,272

  1985–86

  317

  1986–87

  20,400

  1986–87

  14,610

  1986–87

  316

  1987–88

  20,100

  1987–88

  13,650

  1987–88

  321

  1988–89

  19,600

  1988–89

  12,908

  1988–89

  322

  1989–90

  19,800

  1989–90

  11,108

  1989–90

  327

  1990–91

  19,200

  1990–91

  10,926

  1990–91

  315

  1991–92

  19,200

  1991–92

  9,500

  1991–92

  310

  1Figures for 1985–86 and 1986–87 are annual averages; for all other years they relate to the year end.

  2Figures are approximate, as only a sample of the smaller bus and coach operators is surveyed.

  3 From 1984–85 onwards, figures relate to 31 March.

  Figures are not available for maritime ferry services and air transport.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Computer-assisted Transcription
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he will publish the cost of(a) implementing computer-assisted transcription in the crown courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal since March 1988, including training costs and (b) introducing tape recording as a means of taking official records in the crown courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal in the same period.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The cost of implementing(a) computer aided transcription—CAT—and (b) of introducing tape recordings in the Supreme Court, under the court reporting contracts in place since June 1988, was met by contractors under the terms of their contracts and the information is not available to my Department.

  Between 1 April 1988 and 31 December 1992 my Department paid £753,450·79 in training grants to
  418
  contractors. This sum related almost entirely to the training of CAT operators to assist the contractors in meeting the terms of their contracts, but it is not possible to isolate the exact amount.

  The cost of the new tape recording equipment presently being installed in the crown court and comined court centres, together with the cost of tapes over the first year, is £833,000. This sum also includes the cost of some additional county court equipment.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Parliamentary Sceretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is his Department's policy in respect of supporting computer-assisted transcriptions as a method of keeping offical shorthand records of proceedings in court;

  (2) what policy changes have taken place within his Department in relation to the use of verbatim reporters using computer-assisted transcription for recording proceedings in law courts from 1 March 1992 until 14January;

  (3) what was the basis for his decision to reduce the number of law courts designated as computer-assisted transcription courts between 1988 and 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department's policy is that CAT should be retained as a court reporting method, but that it should be directed to those courtrooms where its potential attributes, in terms of the speed of delivery of accurate transcript and information technology might be best utilised.

  There have been no changes in policy between 1 March 1992 and 14 January 1993. The present court reporting contracts expire on 31 March 1993. In establishing the requirement for CAT in the new contracts, the Department has taken into account the experience gained over the past four years. CAT will be required at courts hearing the most lengthy and complex cases and from which the greatest demand for transcripts arise. In addition, contractors are not barred from using CAT in other courtrooms if they wish.

  The new contracts provide for CAT in 179 courtrooms at 35 court centres. The Royal Courts of Justice and the Central Criminal Court will continue to have CAT in every courtroom which currently has CAT.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Disclosure of Information
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the Acts of Parliament affecting public scrutiny of the civil service and prohibiting disclosure of information which he is reviewing.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher) on 2 November 1992,Official Report, column 55.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to increase the release of information to Parliament hitherto regarded as confidential for reasons of national security.
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  Mr. Waldegrave
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in the House on 6 May 1992, this Government are committed to greater openness and to removing unnecessary secrecy. In pursuit of this policy objective, the Government continue to review records which have a bearing on national security with the purpose of identifying material which can safely be released. There will, however, remain matters relating to security and intelligence on which it is difficult to comment without revealing, by what is said or not said, information that can have a bearing on the effectiveness of the security and intelligence services and the safety of their staff.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were on rule 43 in prisons in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland on 12 February.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of males and females—both adults and young persons—removed from association under rule 43 of the prison rules and rule 46 of the young offender institution rules on 12 February, in prison service establishments in England and Wales.

  Rule 43/46 Own protection

  Rule 43/46 Good order and discipline

  Total

  Males

  1,570

  241

  1,811

  Females

  22

  7

  29

  Total

  1,592

  248

  1,840

  The table does not include inmates in designated vulnerable prisoner units where ruled 43 and 46 restrictions do not apply.

  Responsibility for prisons elsewhere in the United Kingdom rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Offences on Bail
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and percentage of persons found guilty of further offences whilst on bail in each police force in England and Wales in 1981 and 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  Although information is not collected centrally on the number of persons found guilty of further offences while on bail, research findings based on samples of a limited size offer an indication of the percentage of persons convicted of an offence while on court bail. For 1981, the Home Office survey "Estimates of offending by those on bail"—statistical bulletin 22/81—offers a national figure of 9 per cent. Between 1986 and 1988, surveys in four police force areas indicated that the percentage of persons given bail by the courts who were convicted of an offence committed while they were on bail ranged between 8 and 12 per cent. A survey by Northumbria police in 1989 gave a higher figure of 17 per cent., but this included offences "taken into consideration" by the courts or dealt with by formal caution—Morgan P., 1992, "Offending while on bail: a survey of recent studies." Home Office, RPU 65.

  Re-offenders
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and percentage of persons found guilty of further offences subsequent to(a) a term of imprisonment and (b) a non-custodial sentence in each police force area in England and Wales in 1981 and 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  This information is not available. Regular reconviction studies are made, but these are based on relatively small samples and estimates of reconviction rates by police force area are not made. The most recent estimates of national reconviction rates were published in "Prison Statistics 1990".

  Security Service
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish, in any form that does not jeopardise national security, the approximate total number of files accessible by the name of the individual and held by the security service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is not possible to disclose such details without jeopardising the service's operational capability.

  Wolds Prison (Escape)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the circumstances leading to the escape of a prisoner from Wolds prison on 9 February while he was being escorted for treatment at Hull royal infirmary.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The prisoner was taken to Hull royal infirmary on the evening of 9 February. He apparently had difficulty in walking and a wheelchair was used to taken him into the hospital. His handcuffs were removed for the examination and treatment. This is usual practice, particularly where, as here, X-rays are taken. On completion, the Wolds staff went to reapply the handcuffs prior to escorting him back to their vehicle. But before they could do so the prisoner ran through the doors, out of the hospital and along the road. The staff gave chase but lost him. Police were contacted immediately and he was rearrested the following night. An internal inquiry was mounted to review procedures. The Home Office controller was kept informed of events from the start.

  Prison Escorts (Escapes)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many escapes there have been from prison escort in each of the last 12 months; and how many of these escapes were from(a) cellular vehicles and (b) hired taxis.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There have been 124 escapes from escort incidents involving 146 prisoners.

  Monthly breakdown

  Incidents

  Prisoners

  February 1992

  8

  8

  March

  13

  15

  April

  9

  9

  May

  5

  6

  June

  10

  12

  July

  10

  12

  421

  Monthly breakdown

  Incidents

  Prisoners

  August

  8

  9

  September

  12

  13

  October

  9

  13

  November

  19

  19

  December

  10

  16

  January 1993

  11

  14

  Total

  124

  146

  (a) There were no escapes from cellular vehicles during this period.

  (b) There were seven prisoners who escaped from hired taxis during this period.

  Number

  February 1992

  1

  April 1992

  1

  June 1992

  3

  January 1993

  2

  Total

  7

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government expect to abolish prison department custodial remands for 15 and 16-year-olds.

  Mr. Jack
  We aim to end the remand of 15 and 16-year-old boys to prison custody as soon as enough places in local authority secure accommodation are available. The necessary plans are being forwarded through the Department of Health with the aim of completing them by the end of 1995.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles held in custody on remand or after conviction have in each of the last five years(a) committed suicide or (b) been recorded as having attempted self-mutilation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is set out in the table. Both sentenced and unsentenced juveniles are included. Figures for the incidence of deliberate self-harm prior to 1991 are not available.

  Acts of deliberate self-harm by prisoners aged under 17 in HM prison service establishments 1988–921

  Acts of deliberate self-harm

  Year

  Not causing death

  Causing death

  1988

  N/A

  —

  1989

  N/A

  —

  1990

  N/A

  2

  1991

  59

  1

  1992

  100

  1

  1 17-year-old prisoners were not regarded as juveniles until the Criminal Justice Act 1991 came into effect on 1 October 1992.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policies he has for reducing the disruption to education, training and work to those juveniles who are in custody.
  422
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I do not accept that there will be disruption to the education, training and work of juveniles in custody.

  I am confident that, where changes take place as a result of the competitive tendering exercise, prison governors and the contractors will arrange a smooth transition from the current to the new education provider so as to ensure an effective continuation in the delivery of education services.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile offenders received custodial sentences in 1979, in 1981 and in 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  Information on persons aged 14 and under 17 sentenced to immediate custody is published annually in the Command Paper "Criminal statistics, England and Wales". Table 7.15 of the 1989 publication gives the requested data back to 1979. Copies of this publication are available in the Library. 1992 data will not be available until the autumn of 1993.

  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles(a) under 15 years of age and (b) between 15 and 17 years of age committed offences (i) after a police caution, (ii) while on bail, (iii) while on remand in local authority accommodation and (iv) while undergoing non-custodial community penalties, in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Jack
  This information is not available. The number of people who commit offences cannot be measured. Research studies of those convicted for offences are made and published from time to time by the Home Office. The most relevant estimates—Home Office statistical bulletin 20/92—are that 11 per cent. of those aged under 14 and 16 per cent. of those aged 14 to 16 who had been cautioned in 1985 were convicted of standard list offences within two years of their caution.

  Mrs. Rushina Begum
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision is going to be taken over the application of Mrs. Rushina Begum—ref. R258995/5 (S) and PO 25725/92—to join her husband in the United Kingdom following the submission of further evidence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A telex authorising the issue of an entry clearance to Mrs. Rushina Begum to join her husband in the United Kingdom was sent on 16 February to the high commission in Dhaka.

  Police (Discipline)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police retired on sickness grounds while disciplinary action involving them was under consideration in the most recent year for which the information is available.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In 1991, 19 police officers retired after disciplinary charges had been brought against them, but before those charges had been heard. It is not known how many of those retirements were on medical grounds; nor is it known how many officers retired while disciplinary action was under consideration but before charges had been brought.

  Official Secrets Act 1989
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to repeal section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

  Mr. Jack
  There are no plans to amend the Official Secrets Act 1989.

  Members of Parliament
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for a reduction in the number of hon. Members from 651 to 450.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Government have no plans to make a reduction in the number of hon. Members of this House.

  Rape
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the number of reported offences of rape and indecent assault on women in England and Wales for the year 1979 and for the most recent year for which he has information; and what are the figures for Nottinghamshire.

  Mr. Jack
  The available information relates to recorded offences and is given in the table.

  These figures may reflect increased reporting by victims and/or changes in police recording practices.

  Notifiable offences of rape and indecent assault on a female recorded by the police

  England and Wales

  Number of offences

  1979

  1991

  Nottinghamshire

  Rape

  28

  111

  Indecent assault on female

  553

  642

  England and Wales

  Rape

  1,170

  4,045

  Indecent assault on female

  11,834

  15,792

  Miss Carolyn Nunez
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 24 January from the hon. Member for South Hams regarding the application by Miss Carolyn Nunez for her British citizenship to be reinstated.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have written to my hon. Friend today about the outcome of this application.

  Police, Plumstead
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1), pursuant to his answer of 10 February,Official Report, column 630, what are the current and proposed numbers of uniformed constables in the Plumstead division of the Metropolitan police;

  (2), pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 630, what was the number of uniformed police officers in the Plumstead division of the Metropolitan police for each of the years 1991, 1992, and proposed for 1993, broken down by rank.
  424
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: The information is as follows:

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Chief superintendent

  1

  1

  1

  Superintendent

  1

  1

  1

  Chief inspector

  2

  2

  2

  Inspector

  10

  9

  9

  Sergeant

  40

  37

  37

  Constable

  209

  204

  194

  Although the total number of uniformed constables is due to reduce during the current year, an equivalent increase in civilian staff will release police officers at present in support posts. As a result, the number of constables available for operational duties will be unchanged.

  Mr. Austin Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 286, what representations he has now received about the number of police officers in the Plumstead and Greenwich divisions of the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: The following have now written to my right hon. and learned Friend:

  the chairman and Secretary of the Greenwich Police/Community Consultative Group:

  Mrs. Grace Sole of Charlton;

  Mr. Roy Martin of Eltham, the Chairman of the Courtlands Residents Association;

  the Chairman of the Eltham Police/Community Working Group;

  the Secretary of the Woolwich Central Baptist Church;

  and the Warden of Trinity College.

  My right hon. and learned Friend has also received letters from my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) enclosing correspondence from the chairman and secretary of the Greenwich Police/Community Consultative Group; and the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) enclosing correspondence from the chairman of the Greenwich Police—Greenwich Sector Working Group.

  Sex Discrimination Act
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for the repeal of section 23(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, as subsequently amended, or of section 25(1) of the same Act; and what assessment he has made of the proposed consequences of repeal.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend has the matter of sex discrimination in the provision of school places under consideration.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list those articles, protocols and declarations relating to titles II, III and IV of the treaty of European union as adopted at Maastricht from which no rights and obligations arise which need to be given effect in domestic law.
  425
  The Attorney-General
  The articles and protocols relating to titles II, III and IV of the treaty of European union amend the Community treaties.

  Any amendment to the Bill which, by preventing incorporation of a treaty provision into our domestic law, makes it impossible for the United Kingdom to implement its Community obligations would cause us to regard ourselves as unable to ratify the treaty; and would mean that, if we did ratify, we should be in breach of our treaty obligations as soon as the treaty came into effect.

  As a general principle, it is important to preserve consistency between our domestic law and Community law as it is applicable to the United Kingdom. This is best achieved by following the United Kingdom's consistent legislative practice of incorporating in domestic law not only all amendments to the Community treaties but any protocols annexed to those treaties.

  The Government therefore continue to oppose deletion of the social protocol from the proposed revised list of Community treaties in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972. But since the social protocol expressly states that acts adopted under the agreement of the other 11 member states shall not be applicable to the United Kingdom, its deletion would not render the United Kingdom incapable of fulfilling its obligations under the treaty of union and would not, therefore, prevent ratification.

  Some amendments may add domestic procedures when implementing the treaty obligations. Some protocols may relate only to a particular member state. In such cases, the Government would have to examine carefully whether, if the Bill were amended, our law would still be consistent with our international obligations. But provided this condition were met, amendments in these categories would not be fatal to ratification.

  Application of these principles will, I think, make it clear into which category particular amendments fall. If it is not clear how to apply these principles to a particular amendment I am willing to examine the matter carefully and give the House further advice on that amendment.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of cases referred to the Crown prosecution service in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) July to June 1992 resulted in (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction, in each offence category.

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  Records are not maintained by the Crown prosecution service of outcomes in relation to offence categories. Percentage calculations of the number of cases prosecuted and the number resulting in a conviction cannot be given on a fully consistent basis for the periods requested. A revised system of data collection was introduced in April 1991 which makes comparison of figures before and after that date inappropriate. The figures in the tables relate to the number of defendants whose cases were handled in the 31 areas of the Crown prosecution service, but do not include specialist casework undertaken at the head-quarters of the service.

  In table one, in respect of magistrates courts, column 1 shows the number of defendant cases received; column 2 shows the number which proceeded to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in conviction.
  426

  Table one—Magistrates Courts

  Column 1 Received

  Column 2 Hearings

  Column 3 Convicted

  1990

  1,638,751

  1,136,235

  1,107,444

  1991

  1,575,021

  1,078,006

  1,051,362

  July 1991 to June 1992

  1,563,686

  1,045,279

  1,019,615

  The number of cases received during a particular period does not equal the number finalised in that period, as incomplete cases are carried over from period to period. Cases which have not been included in the total proceeding to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts include cases committed to the Crown court for trial, cases discontinued, cases resulting in a bind over, cases adjourned sine die, and cases in which the defendant could not be traced. Also not included in column 2 are cases submitted by the police for advice only and some non-criminal proceedings, such as forfeitures under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.

  In table two, in respect of Crown court cases, column 1 shows the number of cases received; column 2 shows the number of cases which proceeded to a full hearing; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in a conviction.

  Table two

  Crown court

  Column 1 Received

  Column 2 Hearings

  Column 3 Convicted

  1990

  152,199

  105,516

  96,790

  1991

  153,652

  106,026

  97,114

  July 1991 to June 1992

  151,603

  105,373

  96,596

  Cases not included in the total proceeding to a full hearing in the Crown court include cases in which no evidence was offered, cases in which all charges were left on file, cases resulting in a bind over, and cases in which the defendant could not be traced or was found unfit to plead. Also not included in column 2 are cases committed to the Crown court for sentence, and appeals.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministers' Homes
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister in how many cases improvements made at public expense in the past five years to the private homes of Ministers, for reasons of personal security, have not been used wholly or mainly for those purposes.

  The Prime Minister
  I am aware of no such case. Since November 1990, responsibility for the provision of security measures for public figures at threat from terrorist attack has rested with the Home Office. Before November 1990, the provision of security measures was the responsibility of the accounting officer advised by the police and the relevant departmental security officer.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister how many houses or buildings attached to homes belonging to Ministers or their families which have been converted or improved at public expense for reasons of personal security have been the subject of professional fee payments out of public money in the last five years.

  The Prime Minister
  Where security measures are provided at public expense to a person at threat from
  427
  terrorist attack, professional fees will be paid if this offers the best value for money. It is not possible to identify every case where such fees have been paid.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out those matters in regard to exports to Iraq on which Ministers are prepared to give substantive answers while the Scott inquiry is sitting.

  The Prime Minister
  Lord Justice Scott has terms of reference which allow him to look into all the issues which he regards as relevant to his inquiry. Ministers will continue to answer substantive questions where to do so would not prejudice the issues being investigated by the inquiry.

  Law and Order
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to transfer responsibility for law and order concerns within Wales to the Secretary of State for Wales.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government always keep departmental distribution of functions under review.

  Polly Peck
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Prime Minister what activities were undertaken in northern Cyprus and the east Mediterranean directly or indirectly by Polly Peck for the United Kingdom Government between 1985 and 1990.

  The Prime Minister
  I am not aware of any such activities having been undertaken. A full trawl of all Government Departments and agencies could not be carried out without incurring disproportionate cost.

  N M Rothschild
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the work obtained and the fees paid to N M Rothschild in the course of the Government's privatisation programme since 1983.

  The Prime Minister
  The table shows the Government appointments made to N M Rothschild in privatisations since 1983. The fees paid are a matter of commercial confidentiality. Appointments for adviser to the Government are made following full competition. The Government's consistent practice has been to select the firm offering the best value for money.

  N M Rothschild privatisation appointments

  Privatisation

  Year

  Appointment

  BT

  1984

  Underwriter

  Britoil

  1985

  Underwriter

  British Gas

  1986

  Adviser to Government Underwriter

  Royal Ordnance

  1987

  Adviser to Government

  British Airways

  1987

  Underwriter

  Rolls-Royce

  1987

  Underwriter

  BAA

  1987

  Underwriter

  British Petroleum

  1987

  Adviser to Government Underwriter

  British Steel

  1988

  Underwriter

  Water

  1989

  Underwriter

  Regional Electricity Companies

  1990

  Underwriter

  BT

  1991

  Member of French syndicate

  428

  Privatisation

  Year

  Appointment

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  ongoing

  Adviser to Government

  British Coal

  ongoing

  Adviser to Government

  Matrix Churchill Trial
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 472, how much of the evidence of the key witness was given in response to questions which referred to the disclosed documents.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: As I indicated in my answer of 4 February, I suggest matters relevant to the Matrix Churchill trial should await the outcome of Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister how he intends to monitor the commitment of the Prime Minister of India to respect human rights in Kashmir.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 February 1993]: During my visit, I encouraged the Indian Prime Minister to allow international human rights organisations and others to visit Kashmir. We shall continue to monitor the situation through our high commission in Delhi, through our contacts with human rights organisations and through media reports. We shall continue to raise human rights issues with the Indian Government.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  VAT
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions of European legislation govern the introduction of a 5 per cent. VAT rate of goods and services now(a) exempt, (b) zero rated and (c) subject to the standard rate.

  Sir John Cope
  Article 1(1) of Council directive 92/77/EEC adopted on 19 October 1992, replacing article 12(3) of the sixth VAT directive 77/388/EEC, provides for reduced rates of VAT, of not less than 5 per cent., which may be applied to goods and services in a list annexed to the directive, regardless of their current VAT rating.

  In addition, article 1(4)(b) of 92/77/EEC, replacing article 28(2) of 77/388/EC provides for the application of a reduced rate, of not less than 5 per cent., to goods and services which at 1 January 1991 were subject to a zero rate in accordance with Community law.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue would be obtained by applying VAT at a level of(a) 5 per cent. and (b) 17.5 per cent., to each of (a) food, (b) children's clothes and shoes, (c) public transport, (d) energy, (e) newspapers and (f) books.

  Sir John Cope
  Table D1 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement" shows the estimated cost of the main VAT zero rates. These estimates suggest the following yields:
  429

  £billion

  5 per cent.

  17.5 per cent.

  (a) Food

  2.0

  7.0

  (b) Children's clothes and shoes

  0.2

  0.6

  (c) Passenger transport

  0.5

  1.9

  (d) Domestic fuel and power

  0.5

  1.8

  (e) Books, newspapers and magazines

  0.3

  1.1

  The estimates make no allowance for the behavioural responses to applying VAT to these categories, so that actual yield would probably be less than suggested.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the level of sales of local newspapers of the imposition of a standard rate of VAT on newspapers.

  Sir John Cope
  The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated an own price elasticity of –0.657 for all leisure goods, which include newspapers. This elasticity suggests that a 17i per cent. increase in price would reduce demand, in volume terms, by around 10 per cent.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many farmers and other eligible producers have registered for the VAT flat-rate scheme for farmers.

  Sir John Cope
  The flat rate scheme for farmers started on 1 January. Up to 17 February, 85 certificates had been issued to persons opting to join the scheme.

  Trade Union Subscriptions
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the administrative savings and the tax expenditure if trade union subscriptions were paid net of tax with block credit of tax directly to trade unions;

  (2) if he will estimate how many trades union members (a) obtain and (b) are eligible for tax relief on their subscriptions.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is estimated that 63,000 people are receiving relief through their PAYE code numbers for that part of a subscription to a trade union which is attributable to the provision of superannuation, life insurance or funeral benefits. The information required to estimate the number of union members eligible for the relief and the potential tax cost of moving to a relief by deduction system is not available. The cost of setting up and operating a scheme of relief by deduction cannot be estimated with sufficient certainty to establish whether net administrative savings would result.

  Bank Auditors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose legislation under which the auditors of all banks regulated under the Banking Act 1987 would be appointed by the regulatory body.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have no plans to do so.

  Green Pound
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the departure of sterling from the exchange rate mechanism on the value of the green pound; and if he will make a statement.
  430
  Mr. Portillo
  Since sterling left the exchange rate mechanism, the green pound has devalued by 1786 per cent. against the green ecu.

  Tax Income
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Government's tax income currently goes on(a) servicing debt, (b) unemployment benefit and its administration and (c) other transfer payments.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the breakdown of general Government receipts shown in table 3.10 of the 1992 "Autumn Statement", Cm. 2096; to the breakdown of general Government expenditure shown [n tables 2.5 and 2.6 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Cm. 2219; and to the figures for unemployment benefit administration in figure 27 of the "Social Security Departmental Report", Cm. 2213.

  Revenue Expenditure
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Government's current revenue expenditure goes on(a) servicing debt, (b) unemployment benefit and its administration and (c) other transfer payments.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the breakdown of general Government expenditure shown in tables 2.5 and 2.6 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Cm. 2219; and to the figures for unemployment benefit administration in figure 27 of the "Social Security Departmental Report", Cm. 2213.

  Personal Sector Debt
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) of 10 February,Official Report, column 632, if he will give a regional breakdown of the levels of personal sector debt per £100 of disposable income for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  Regional figures for the level of personal sector debt outstanding are not available.

  Royal Family
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, for the latest available year, was the cost to his Department of expenditure in support of the royal family in respect of the central chancery of the orders of knighthood.

  Mr. Lamont
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: Assuming that the right hon. Member wishes to update information contained in the 1990 report of the royal trustees—HC 629, October 1990—the comparable outturn for staff costs for 1991–92 was £201,000. In addition, the Treasury paid £364,000 mostly for the costs of the insignia themselves.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Prayers
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will bring forward proposals to arrange for Prayers to be moved from the Floor of the House to the Crypt and for questions to begin at half-past two o'clock.

  Mr. Newton
  No.

  Annual Parliamentary Calendar
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he will be in a position to announce an annual parliamentary calendar.

  Mr. Newton
  I have already made progress towards giving the House greater notice of recess dates, having announced Easter recess dates on 26 November and the Whit recess dates on 4 February. How far it will prove possible to build further on this is of course linked with the discussions on the Jopling report to which I referred in an earlier reply today.

  European Communities (Amendment) Bill
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hours have now been spent on the Committee stage of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

  Mr. Newton
  Before today's proceedings, the House has spent 75 hours and 14 minutes on 11 days in Committee on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

  Annie's Bar
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is his policy on the continued existence of Annie's Bar.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  The Committee is at present undertaking an inquiry into refreshment services for the House of Commons. The functions of the various Refreshment Department facilities, including Annie's Bar, are being considered during that inquiry together with the possible provision of new services. The Committee hopes to report later this year.

  Visitors (Refreshment Facilities)
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what financial provision will be made for basic refreshment facilities for visitors.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  The Committee is including consideration of the possible provision of refreshment facilities for line of route visitors in its current inquiry into refreshment services for the House of Commons. It is, therefore, too early to establish what financial provision might need to be made.

  Smoking
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what plans he has to review the policy regarding smoking in eating areas in the House.
  432
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  The policy regarding smoking in the various Refreshment Department outlets is kept under consideration in the light of customer demand.

  Hair Dryers and Showers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) how many(a) hair dryers and (b) showers are planned to be installed in the Palace of Westminster and outbuildings occupied by House of Commons staff;

  (2) at whose request, and on whose authority, a hair dryer was installed in the ladies' wash room in 3 Dean's Yard; what was the cost of installing it; and under what budget the cost will fall.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  These are matters for the Director of Works.

  Wheelchair Members
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what arrangements are being made to help hon. Members confined to wheelchairs to work in the Chamber and offices in the House.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  This matter is currently under consideration by the Accommodation and Works Committee in the context of a comprehensive survey on access for the disabled commissioned by its predecessor Committee.

  Blood Donors
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans he has to facilitate the giving of blood by all those who work in the Palace of Westminster.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The north London centre of the blood transfusion service operates a two-day clinic in the Treasury once every six months when Members, their staff and staff of the House may give blood. The next planned visit is between 29 and 30 March. Arrangements for it may be made through the nursing sister.

  Car Parking
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what consideration is being given to proposals to increase the amount of car parking available to hon. Members.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The Administration Committee is currently examining existing and future car parking requirements of this House and their regulation by the Serjeant at Arms. This inquiry will be able to consider the issue raised by the hon. Member.

  Payroll and Personnel System
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on the reasons for the introduction, and the budgeted and actual cost, of the new payroll and personnel system for House of Commons staff; and what savings he expects to be made in each of the next two years.

  Mr. Beith
  The new payroll and personnel system is being introduced to replace two separate systems, one of
  433
  which was introduced in 1984, and the other in 1988. The new system will provide additional personnel information and improved payroll analyses to facilitate the introduction of financial management systems within the House. It will also provide the facility for payroll and personnel records functions for the staff of the Parliamentary Works Directorate.

  Outline provision for hardware and software costs was made in the estimates for £130,000, excluding training costs and VAT, for the new system. The actual cost is expected to be slightly less than this figure. No direct staff savings are expected, but the new system will allow for an increase in the workload of some 15 per cent. as a result of the transfer to the House of the staff of the Parliamentary Works Directorate.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Package Travel Industry
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding his decision on the possible reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission of the Airtours plc bid for Owners Abroad plc.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I shall take a decision on whether to refer this proposed acquisition to the MMC in due course, following advice from the Director General of Fair Trading. When taking that decision, I shall take into account all relevant factors.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy regarding the concentration of ownership within the package travel industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The main, but not exclusive, consideration when assessing mergers in the travel industry, as in any other industry, is the likely impact of the merger on competition in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (I) if he will refer the Airtours bid for Owners Abroad to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of a successful bid by Airtours for Owners Abroad on consumer choice, value for money and employment within the United Kingdom travel industry; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what percentage of the market share Airtours would hold in the event of its bid for Owners Abroad being successful.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I shall take a decision on whether to refer this proposed acquisition to the MMC in due course. When taking that decision, I shall take into account all relevant factors.

  Details of current market share figures for the relevant markets in this case have been provided by a number of sources. Section 133(1) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 requires that information with respect to any particular business and obtained in this way should not be disclosed without the consent of the parties.

  Land Mine Exports
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on United Kingdom policy on the export of land mines.

  Mr. Needham
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 22 January setting out the Government's views on this matter. I have nothing further to add.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been granted for the export of land mines for each year since 1988.

  Mr. Needham
  Separate statistics are not maintained for land mines and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Land mines fall within heading ML4a of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1992, which prohibits the export without a licence of a wide range of bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles and similar weapons.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had regarding the United States Government's embargo on the export of land mines.

  Mr. Needham
  None.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1992,Official Report, column 593, on ECGD, what response he has received to the offer of voluntary redundancy; how many staff have chosen (a) early retirement, (b) redundancy, (c) transfer to other divisions of his Department and (d) to other departments in south Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The ECGD has issued a questionnaire to all its staff asking them to indicate their preferred options for location and continuity of employment. The objective is to establish the framework for an orderly run down in staff numbers over the next 12 months. The definitive position is unlikely to emerge for some months, but the early indications are that the desired run down will be achieved by wholly voluntary means.

  Publicity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson),Official Report, columns 496–97, (a) what is his Department's (i) current estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (ii) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94, exclusive of energy and (b) what is his Department's energy-related expenditure, as to (1) current estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (2) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94.

  Mr. Eggar
  Estimated expenditure on publicity in 1992–931 is:

  £million

  Energy-related

  1.2

  Other

  7.0

  Central publicity budget.1

  435
  Allocations for 1993–94 will be made according to need during the year.

  Political Risk Insurance
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what short-term insurance or reinsurance is offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department to United Kingdom exporters to non-OECD countries to cover political risk; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  Since December 1991, the privatised successor of the insurance services group of the ECGD has assumed responsibility for the provision to United Kingdom exporters of short term export credit insurance previously provided by the ECGD.

  The new company currently sources over 90 per cent. of its reinsurance needs, for both commercial and political risk worldwide, from the private market. The ECGD participates in the company's reinsurance treaties so as to supplement the cover available from the market, thereby ensuring that the company's full needs are met. This transitional support will be available up to December 1994 in order to give time for the new company to arrange to source its full reinsurance requirements from the private market.

  Quite separately, the ECGD provides the new company with 100 per cent. reinsurance of the risks, largely political, arising on certain high risk markets for which no capacity is being made available by the private market. This facility is not time limited and, subject to satisfactory financial performance, it will continue for as long as the Government consider it essential to meet the reasonable needs of United Kingdom exporters.

  These arrangements are intended to ensure that United Kingdom exporters do not suffer any reduction in export credit insurance facilities as a result of the privatisation.

  EC Funds
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to have Merseyside included in objective 1 status by the European Community; what estimates he has made of assistance towards infrastructure, industrial development and training that such status would confer on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe) on 17 February 1993,Official Report, column 269. It is too early to estimate the amount of financial assistance which objective 1 status would confer on Merseyside. This would depend on the Council's decisions on the extent of objective 1 regions elsewhere and on the criteria for the distribution of the funds between objective 1 regions. The Council will not decide which areas will become eligible for several months.

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a breakdown of the daily financial effect on British Nuclear Fuels of the delay in the commissioning of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the company.

  Office of Telecommunications
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the successor to Sir Bryan Carsberg as director general of Oftel.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I have today appointed Mr. Don Cruickshank as Director General of Telecommunications from 1 April.

  Mr. Cruickshank has had a varied and successful career in business. He was managing Director of Virgin Group plc from 1984–89 and before that, Commercial Director at Times Newspapers from 1977–80 and a Director of the Information and Entertainment Division of Pearson plc from 1980–84. Since 1989 he has been Chief executive of the national health service in Scotland, where he has done excellent work.

  Since the privatisation of BT in 1984 the telecommunications industry has changed substantially and since the further liberalisation set in train by the Duopoly review in 1991, there has been an increasing number of operators entering the market in competition with BT. I wished to appoint someone to this important post who had direct experience of competition as a businessman. Mr. Cruickshank fulfils that criterion admirably and will, I am sure, do a very good job.

  Since Sir Bryan Carsberg became Director General of Fair Trading in June 1992, Bill Wigglesworth, the then deputy director general of Oftel, has been acting as Director General and I would like to pay tribute to the sterling way in which he has carried out his duties. He will return to his position as deputy director from 1 April.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Prisons
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the manning level of prison officers in(a) Crumlin Road, (b) the Maze, (c) Maghaberry and (d) Magilligan, for each year since 1990.

  Mr. Mates
  The table shows the manning levels of prison officers at these prisons since 1990:

  Average staff in post

  Prison

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Belfast

  667

  683

  716

  Maze

  1,148

  1,107

  1,037

  Maghaberry

  583

  596

  620

  Magilligan

  495

  492

  495

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to introduce the national vocational qualifications into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Northern Ireland has been involved in the development of national vocational qualifications—NVQs —from their inception in 1986. NVQs have been available in Northern Ireland since that date as in the rest of the United Kingdom, as they have been developed by the awarding and validating bodies.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on education in each of the prisons in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Mates
  The table shows a breakdown, prison by prison, of the expenditure on education, including staff costs, over the last five years:

  Belfast

  Maze

  Maghaberry

  Magilligan

  YOC Hydebank

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  1988–89

  117,000

  259,000

  110,000

  93,000

  137,000

  1989–90

  118,500

  274,500

  144,000

  91,500

  134,000

  1990–91

  117,000

  267,500

  235,000

  111,000

  189,500

  1991–92

  153,000

  290,000

  215,000

  140,000

  232,000

  1992–93

  127,000

  345,000

  202,000

  118,000

  216,000

  All figures are to the nearest £500.

  Claimants, Newry and Armagh
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of claimants in each ward within the constituency of Newry and Armagh, or such relevant statistics as are available, who are in receipt of(a) unemployment benefit, (b) income support, (c) family credit, (d) disability living allowance and (e) child benefit.

  Mr. Hanley
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 19 February 1993:
  As I am responsible for Social Security operational matters your recent Parliamentary Question on the number of claimants in each ward within the constituency of Newry and Armagh who are in receipt of Unemployment Benefit, Income Support, Family Credit, Disability Living Allowance and Child Benefit has been passed to me for reply.
  I regret that the information is not available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  Some information however, is available on Unemployment Benefit and Income Support for the Newry and Armagh Social Security Office areas and this is set out below.

  Date of most recent information

  Benefit claimed or received

  Total number of customers claiming each benefit in Newry Social Security Office area

  Total number of customers claiming each benefit in Armagh Social Security Office area

  14 January 1993

  Unemployment Benefit

  5,396

  2,717

  30 November 1992

  Income Support

  10,894

  5,612

  438
  I hope you find this information helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Rreport and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Bus and Goods Vehicle Licences
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his review of the conditions of the issuing of operators licences for buses and goods vehicles in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  Because of the increasing differences between the operator licensing regimes in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Department of the Environment undertook a review of the Northern Ireland licensing system. Consultation with all interested parties was carried out in 1992 and the main recommendations of the review report were generally welcomed. Implementation of these recommendations would have significant resource implications and I am considering the way forward.

  Buses
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new buses have been purchased for public use in Northern Ireland over the past three years.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am advised by the managing director of Ulsterbus Ltd./Citybus Ltd. that the companies purchased 246 new buses over the past three years. None of the other operators of stage carriage services in Northern Ireland purchased any new buses in that period.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many public service buses have been found unroadworthy following inspection carried out by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested has been recorded only since September 1992, since when 114 buses have been examined of which 15 were found to be unroadworthy.

  Fair Employment
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a statistical breakdown of employment in the various sectors of the Belfast education and library board in keeping with the 1991 census of the Belfast area as they reflect the percentages of Protestants and Roman Catholics employed.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: The information is as follows:
  439

  Belfast education and library board staff (January 1992)

  Section

  Total number of staff 1

  Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  Non determined

  Number

  Per cent. of 1

  Number

  Per cent. of 1

  Number

  Per cent. of 1

  Administration

  45

  26

  57·78

  16

  35·56

  3

  6·66

  Architects

  40

  19

  47·50

  18

  45·00

  3

  7·50

  Education

  106

  58

  54·72

  41

  38·68

  7

  6·60

  Finance

  97

  52

  53·61

  37

  38·14

  8

  8·29

  Library—HQ (includes Administration and Technical staff)

  112

  62

  55·36

  42

  37·50

  8

  7·14

  —Branches

  88

  41

  46·59

  39

  44·32

  8

  9·09

  School Based (Non Teaching)

  2,552

  1,224

  47·96

  1,130

  44·28

  198

  7·76

  FE (Non Teaching)

  360

  223

  61·94

  109

  30·28

  28

  7·78

  FE (Teaching—Permanent)

  594

  321

  54·04

  198

  33·33

  75

  12·63

  3,994

  2,026

  50·73

  1,630

  40·81

  338

  8·46

  Source:—Belfast Education and Library Board's Fair Employment Review

  The 1991 labour force survey revealed that in the Belfast education and library board area 53.2 per cent. of the economically active population was Protestant, and 46.8 per cent. was Roman Catholic.

SCOTLAND

  General Practitioners
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what services are made available to GPs who are(a) non-fund holding and (b) fund holders.

  Mr. Stewart
  The range of services made available by national health service provider units to general practitioners does not vary according to whether or not they are fund holders. Rather than relying on the health board's purchasing arrangements, GP fund holders are able to use their funds to purchase the following hospital and community health services directly from providers:

  —a specified range of elective surgical procedures;

  —most out-patient treatments and diagnostic tests;

  —certain specified direct access services;

  and from 1 April 1993:

  —certain community nursing services;

  —additional direct access services;

  —most out patient mental health treatments.

  In respect of these services GP fund holders are required to work within their overall fund as approved by the health board, but are otherwise not constrained by any limitation on the funds available to a health board for referrals for these services.

  In addition from 1 April 1993 as announced by my noble Friend, the Minister of State on 26 January, GP fund holders, where appropriate and qualified and with the prior approval of the health board, will be able to be reimbursed from their fund for providing certain specific diagnostic and minor surgical procedures for their patients.

  Nimmo Smith/Friel Report
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy and a transcript of a tape involving the Sun newspaper and a lawyer submitted as evidence to the Nimmo Smith/Friel inquiry and copies of letters to the Lord Advocate of 4 and 12 February relating to the Nimmo Smith/Friel report and the replies.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  World Summit for Children
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase resource allocations for the areas of clean water and sanitation and basic education, in the light of agreements made at the world summit for children.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply of 15 February 1993 at columns 43–44.

  United Kingdom Food Support
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in(a) Somalia and (b) Eritrea are now estimated to be receiving daily food support from the United Kingdom; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since January 1992, we have pledged 48,100 tonnes of bilateral food aid worth £7,798,000 to Somalia and 17,596 tonnes worth £3,829,000 to Eritrea. It has all been delivered. Bilateral food aid is channelled through the World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross and British non-governmental organisations who distribute it according to need: actual numbers of those receiving food financed by the United Kingdom are not readily available.

  Kenya
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Kenya of the Minister for Overseas Development.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: During her visit to Kenya my noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development met President Moi and other Kenyan leaders for discussions on a range of political and economic issues, including aid. She also visited a drought-affected district in the north-east to see relief and rehabilitation work, and pledged a further £750,000 to help drought victims in the Turkana region.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many convoys carrying humanitarian aid to Sarajevo and other towns in Bosnia Herzegovina by road have had as their point of departure(a) Belgrade and (b) Split; what have been the total quantities of supplies transported in each case; how many air-relief flights have delivered such aid; and what has been the quantity transported.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 9 February 1993]: Exact figures for the number of road convoys which have travelled into Bosnia Herzegovina are not available. However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees who is co-ordinating the international community's response to this crisis estimates that over 57,000 tonnes of relief supplies have been delivered by road to Bosnia Herzegovina since July 1992. This consists approximately of 22,000 tonnes delivered from Split and Zagreb; 3,550 tonnes from Belgrade; and 31,900 tonnes from Metkovic (which is now used as the principal depot for convoys into Bosnia from the south, and which is supplied from Split and Ploce).

  In addition a total of 2,646 relief flights have been made, delivering 29,098 tonnes of humanitarian relief; all of these were to Sarajevo.

  Croatia
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what avenues are in use for sending humanitarian aid in postal packages to United Nations-protected zones in Croatia, including the routes employed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 12 February 1993]: We are not aware of any suitable avenues for delivering humanitarian aid to United Nations protected zones in Croatia by post. We have recommended that people wishing to assist should do so through established charities operating in the former Yugoslavia.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Rugby League
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has made to remove restrictions placed on Rugby League players; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  As the hon. Member will be aware, sports organisations in this country are independent bodies which are free to lay down their own rules and regulations.I therefore have no plans to intervene in this matter. However I welcome the recent introduction of the 'free gangway" system which allows rugby players to play both codes at amateur level and for clubs to share facilities, and hope that rugby authorities will do their utmost to ensure its effective implementation.

  BBC (Funding)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what arrangements he has made to consult representatives of elderly people on the future funding of the BBC.
  442
  Mr. Brooke
  We have sent a copy of the consultation document about the future of the BBC, which asks questions about future funding, to four organisations representing elderly people, and have asked for their views. We welcome views from other organisations representing the elderly, as well as from interested individual viewers and listeners.

  Government Art Collection
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will ensure that art treasures in the charge of Her Majesty's Government will be retained.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the question from the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms. Abbott).

  Tourism
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he intends to meet the chairman of the British Tourist Authority to discuss the future of tourism in Great Britain.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he next intends to meet the chairman of the British Tourist Authority to discuss the future of tourism in Great Britain.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the chairman of the British Tourist Authority. I expect to discuss the authority's corporate plan with the chairman when it is submitted in the spring.

  North West Tourist Board
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he intends to meet the chairperson of the North West tourist board to discuss funding for that body.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend plans to visit the North West tourist board within the next few months. The allocation of Government funds to the regional tourist boards is a matter for the English tourist board.

  Windsor Castle (Fire)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he is now in a position to announce the cost of the Windsor fire; and to which budgets the cost will fall.

  Mr. Brooke
  A very broad initial estimate of the costs of restoration suggests a figure in the range £30 to £40 million depending on the form of restoration chosen. More precise figures will not be available until decisions have been taken on the form of restoration.

  Fossils and Offshore Sites
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the protection of fossils and offshore sites.

  Mr. Key
  I informed the House on 7 December 1992 that I have accepted that natural history objects, including fossils, should be brought within our export controls. We
  443
  intend shortly to revise our national export controls in the Export of Goods (Control) Order to include skeletal remains and fossils, found in United Kingdom soil or territorial waters.

  Local Authority Arts Provision
  Ms. Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the impact of the current year's local government finance settlement on local authority arts provision.

  Mr. Brooke
  Most local authorities are still in the process of determining their budgets for 1993–94, so an overall assessment of planned local authority provision for the arts cannot yet be made. Arts provision is discretionary and it is for authorities themselves to fix its level. They must, of course, work within overall expenditure constraints. I hope that they will, nonetheless, continue to recognise the very real benefits of spending in support of the arts.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to visit West Yorkshire to discuss the provision of art and recreation with the leaders of the local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I will be visiting Leeds and Sheffield shortly. I also visited Leeds last October. My Department assists in the provision of art and recreation facilities through its grants-in-aid to the Arts Council and to the Sports Council, and through its business sponsorship incentive schemes for sport and the arts; in addition, it assists in the provision of sports and active recreational facilities through credit approval cover to local authorities.

  Sports Facilities
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received about the wider use of publicly owned sports facilities.

  Mr. Brooke
  My Department has been involved in discussions with the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of District Councils, the Association of County Councils and the Sports Council about schedule 11 of the current Education Bill. This clarifies the legal position in relation to dual use joint management agreements and will facilitate the wider community use of school sports facilities.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to review the public library service in London.

  Mr. Key
  I have already initiated a major review of the public library service in England to provide a basis for its development up to and into the next century.

  Cycling Holidays
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information his Department has about the numbers of people who take cycling holidays in Britain each year.
  444
  Mr. Key
  The United Kingdom travel survey indicates the figure in 1991 for people who take holidays in Britain with the primary interest is cycling as 1 per cent. (approximately 0.58 million trips).

  However, 3 per cent. (around 1.74 million) of British tourists taking holidays in the same year stated they engaged in cycling as part of their leisure activities.

  Sport
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what public money has been allocated to sport in each of the past three years at 1993 prices; what is proposed for the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  My Department's direct funding of sport is its grant-in-aid to the Sports Council (Great Britain) and the Football Licensing Authority (FLA), and its support for the new business sponsorship scheme for sport, Sportsmatch.

  Grant-in-aid to the Sports Council (Great Britain) and to the FLA in the current and last two financial years, expressed in 1993–94 prices, are:

  £ million

  Sports Council (GB)

  FLA

  1990–91

  51.244

  0.125

  1991–92

  49.973

  0.775

  1992–93

  50.103

  0.822

  The grant-in-aid to each body in 1993–94 will be £50604 million and £0.9 million respectively.

  Sportsmatch was launched in the current year. I expect to provide £1–17 million in this financial year, and £3 million next year (cash prices).

  The Government also provide substantial support for local authority revenue spending on sport through the revenue support grant arrangements. Basic credit approvals amounting to £79 million (cash price) for local authority capital spending have also been provided between 1991–92 and 1993–94. Sport has also benefited through the Government's inner city programmes.

  It is also making available a total of £73 million (cash price) in support of Manchester's bid to host the Olympic Games in the year 2000.

  Furthermore, reductions in the rate of pool betting duty are contributing approximately £44 million (cash price) per year to the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and to the Football Trust.

EDUCATION

  Religious Education
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he will publish the National Curriculum Council's analysis of agreed syllabuses for religious education.

  Mr. Forth
  The decision to publish such documents is one for the National Curriculum Council.

  Access Funds
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many applications for each access fund have been made in each year since the establishment of the funds.
  445
  Mr. Boswell
  The information is not available in the form requested. Many institutions make no distinction between the three funds when considering applications. Others have considered applications from students on a termly or ad hoc basis, and therefore make more than one payment to individual students.

  From the available information it is estimated that the numbers of applications for the three funds which the Department has provided are as follows:

  Number

  1990–91

  116,000

  1991–92

  118,200

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what monitoring is conducted by his Department of the administration of student access funds.

  Mr. Boswell
  All institutions are required to account fully for their use of the access funds. Each is required to provide audited accounts, monitoring information and main uses reports for each year of operation of the funds.

  Consultants
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the contracts awarded by his Department to(a) Coopers and Lybrand management consultants, (b) Touche Ross management consultants, (c) Price Waterhouse management consultants, (d) Ernst and Young management consultants, (e) Crichton Roberts Ltd., (f) KPMG management consultants and (g) Leopold Joseph management consultants, with the total cost of the contracts with each contractor, for (i) the past 12 months and (ii) 1991–92.

  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is as listed. No contracts were awarded in these periods to Crichton Roberts or Leopold Joseph.

  CONTRACTS AWARDED IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991–92

  KPMG

  (Total value £69,825)

  Customer Survey for the Teachers Pensions

  Agency Review of a Data Collection Processing System

  Identification of a Market Testing Programme for the DFE

  Coopers and Lybrand

  (Total value £29,300)

  Financial management survey at the Schools Examinations and Assessment Council

  Commitment audit and cash How verification

  Price Waterhouse

  (Total value £66,074)

  Capital equipment survey of equipment held in further education and sixth form colleges

  Financial management survey

  Touche Ross

  (Total value £144,595)

  Assistance in preparing colleges for independence from Local Authority control

  Tender budgeting and accounting methods

  Provision of operational research assistance

  Ernst and Young

  (Total value £66,765)

  Supply of telecommunications and distance working for the Department

  Financial management survey of Purchasing procedures

  FEFC relocation study

  446
  CONTRACTS AWARDED IN THE 12 MONTHS FROM 17 FEBRUARY 1992 TO 17 FEBRUARY 1993

  KPMG

  (Total value £63,750)

  Follow up work to the Customer Survey for the Teachers

  Pensions Agency

  Financial Management Review of Research Council contracts with other Government Departments

  Project Audit of the Pensions Administration System (PAS) for the Teachers Pensions Agency

  Coopers and Lybrand

  (Total value £1,446,750)

  Review of colleges preparations for independence

  Scoping study for IS Business and Consultancy Division

  Consultancy assistance to ISB Corporate Plan

  Financial management survey of the National Curriculum

  Council (NCC)

  Pensions Payments Opinions Review

  Open University review of part-time costs

  Price Waterhouse

  (Total value £75,454)

  Financial Consultancy Review

  Capital equipment survey of equipment held in further education and sixth form colleges

  Accountancy Review

  Touche Ross

  (Total value £55,342)

  Assistance on file storage, file retrieval and document retention

  Provision of operational research assistance

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education where he intends to hold conferences on grant-maintained status for schools; and if he will provide details of the target audience and costs, including the cost of publishing and distributing literature for those conferences.

  Mr. Forth
  Conferences for headteachers and governors of local education authority maintained schools are planned for Nottingham and Birmingham. The conference literature comprises a letter of invitation and a copy of the standard grant-maintained information pack. The unit cost of producing the information packs is 79p. Mailings of invitations and packs fall within the terms of the contract with the departmental despatch centre and therefore costs cannot be identified separately. The cost of conference accommodation and facilities is expected to be approximately £6,700 for each event. Specialised support services for each conference are likely to cost around £6,500. Further conferences will be held across the country to meet demand.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide a breakdown on the costs, including the cost of publication and distribution of promotional literature, of the "Going Grant-maintained Conference" held on 10 and 11 February in Newcastle.

  Mr. Forth
  The conference material for the two one-day events held in Newcastle comprised a letter of invitation and a copy of the standard grant-maintained information pack. Production costs of the information packs were approximately £2,600. The mailing of invitations and packs fell within the terms of the contract with the departmental despatch centre and distribution costs cannot be identified separately. The total costs for
  447
  conference accommodation and facilities were approximately £12,300. Specialised support services for the two conferences cost approximately £11,000.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the approved capital allocations for grant-maintained schools for the year 1993–94.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is contained in the following tables. Table A lists those self-governing state schools (grant-maintained schools) operating as at

  Table A

  Grant-maintained school's capital bids 1993–94 allocations

  School

  Project

  £ thousand

  Avon

  Beechen Cliff

  Urgent drainage and subsidence prevention work

  139

  Oldfield

  2 new science laboratories and preparation rooms

  200

  Barnet

  Hendon

  Extension and provision of additional science technology and maths facilities

  420

  Bedfordshire

  Manshead High

  Replace oil with gas central heating system

  110

  Queensbury

  Improvements to science and technology facilities

  120

  Berkshire

  Denefield

  New science laboratory

  55

  The Downs

  New laboratory and classrooms to replace mobiles

  320

  Herschel

  Fire precaution works including alarm system

  130

  Langley Grammar

  Extension for 2 science laboratories with prep, rooms

  210

  Priory Combined

  Resources unit, 4 classrooms and toilets for physically disabled children

  275

  Southlands (Reading)

  Re-roofing

  15

  Bexley

  Barnehurst Infants

  2 new classrooms to replace mobiles

  90

  Barnehurst Junior

  1 new classroom to replace mobile

  50

  Birmingham

  Baverstock

  Roofing works; repairs and replacement

  42

  Great Barr

  Fire prevention work to the 4-storey block

  300

  Handsworth

  2 new technology rooms

  184

  Small Heath

  Replace heating boiler and controls

  55

  Bolton

  Crompton Fold

  New classroom and changing room to replace temporary accommodation

  90

  Repairs to heating system

  95

  Bradford

  Bingley

  Phase 2 of science wing

  250

  Brent

  Claremont High

  Refurbish home economics and CDT accommodation

  150

  Phase 2: Science wing

  350

  Copland

  Convert and refurbish 4 science laboratories

  150

  Bromley

  Beaverwood

  New technology block

  277

  Bullers Wood

  Provision of 5 new laboratories

  214

  Charles Darwin

  Phase 3: Rewiring of school

  162

  Coopers

  New technology block

  221

  Crofton Junior

  New science room

  55

  Hayes

  Refurbish science accommodation and health and safety work

  146

  Kelsey Park

  New technology block

  315

  Langley Park

  Remodel and refurbish craft block

  100

  Newstead Wood

  New technology block

  267

  Ravenswood Boys

  Technology extension and upgrade existing

  246

  Buckinghamshire

  Beaconsfield

  Re-roof main building

  190

  Bridgewater Hall

  Improvements to science and technology

  128

  Bridgewater Hall

  Replace shared boiler

  200

  With Brindley Hall

  Chalfonts

  2 new science laboratories plus preparation rooms

  305

  Calderdale

  Crossley Heath

  Laboratory refurbishment

  225

  North Halifax

  Essential cladding repairs

  125

  448
  the end of December 1992 which are to receive a capital grant allocation for 1993–94. Table B shows the allocations made to these schools under the technology schools intiative. Schools which became self-governing state schools on 1 January 1993 were invited to submit bids by 25 January 1993 for named capital projects and for resources under the technology schools initative. Decisions on the allocations for these schools have not yet been made.
  449

  School

  Project

  £ thousand

  Salterlee Primary

  Urgent health and safety work

  40

  Cambridgeshire

  Bassingbourne

  Reorganisation and refurbishment to provide technology facilities

  136

  Gamlingay Village

  New classrooms to replace 4 temporary classrooms

  185

  Remodel science and technology facilities

  137

  Park Lane Primary

  Re-roof

  80

  Queens

  Science department extension

  300

  St. Helen's Primary

  Replace mobiles with 2 classrooms and toilets

  120

  Cheshire

  Bankfield

  Part re-fenestration

  300

  Croydon

  Riddlesdown

  Health and safety works

  400

  Cumbria

  Hayton

  Alterations and extension to replace temporary accommodation

  170

  Kirkbie Kendal

  Phase 1: Science/technology facilities

  950

  Queen Katherine

  Roof and cladding repairs to 2 blocks

  50

  St. Aidan's

  Re-model and refurbish science laboratories

  150

  Trinity

  Refurbishment of science laboratories

  150

  Re-model technology suite and 1 classroom

  198

  Derbyshire

  Borrow Wood Junior

  Health and safety improvements

  65

  Resource area and circulation improvements

  45

  Ecclesbourne

  Phase 2: Technology block

  260

  Netherthorpe

  Replace temporary accommodation with modern language block

  200

  Dorset

  Avonbourne

  Improvements to existing technology and science departments

  220

  Bournemouth School for Girls

  4 new science laboratories

  350

  Budmouth

  Refurbish 7 science laboratories plus preparation rooms

  370

  Highcliffe

  Health and safety improvements

  75

  Parkstone Grammar

  Remodel and refurbish science and technology facilities

  500

  Woodrofle

  Refurbish 3 science laboratories

  150

  Ealing

  Drayton Manor

  Repair and upgrade art and technology roof

  77

  Ellen Wilkinson

  Window replacement in tower block

  105

  Remodelling to provide 2 additional laboratories

  95

  Greenford High

  Re-roof CDT, home economics and art block

  165

  Essex

  Beauchamps

  Boiler replacement and energy conservation

  118

  Boswells

  New technology block and refurbish technology and classrooms

  350

  Bromsford

  Major repairs and remedial works

  243

  Chalvedon

  Phase 3: Middle school refurbishment and extensions

  300

  Chelmsford Girls

  New science department

  500

  Eastwood

  Re-model and refurbish technology block

  120

  Elmwood Primary

  Provide 4 new classrooms and hall and extend reception area

  340

  Furthenvick Park

  Replace boiler, hot and cold storage and E.M.S.

  145

  Great Totham Primary

  Demolish temporary classroom, and conversion of existing accommodation

  75

  Katherines Primary

  Conversion of teaching areas

  75

  King Edward VI

  Replace temporary accommodation with new technology/art block

  270

  King Harold

  Re-roofing and renew curtain wall sealing

  155

  King John

  Refurbish 4 laboratories and preparation rooms

  188

  North Crescent Primary

  3 new classrooms

  180

  Northlands Junior

  Essential perimeter security fencing

  35

  Philip Morant

  Conversion to provide 3 laboratories

  120

  Plume

  Re-model upper school design and technology block

  148

  Rickstones

  Refurbish technology accommodation

  50

  Saffron Walden

  Replace asphalt roofs and parapets

  388

  Thurstable

  Re-model and extend technology

  200

  Torells

  Refurbish technology

  185

  Westcliff Boys

  2 new science laboratories

  170

  Gloucestershire

  Balcarras

  Re-roofing part of school

  80

  Chosen Hill

  Remodelling to form 3 science laboratories and preparation rooms

  195

  Cotswold

  Replace heaters and insulation in the ROSLA block

  42

  Crypt

  Refurbishment of science and technology facilities

  190

  Katherine Lady Berkeley

  Major roof repairs

  161

  Marling

  New science block and adaptations and demolition of some existing accommodation

  475

  Newent Community

  Refurbish 3 home economics rooms

  150

  Refurbish science laboratories

  90

  450 451

  School

  Project

  £ thousand

  Pates

  Replacement buildings: Part phase 3 and phase 4

  500

  Rednock

  New building to provide 2 science laboratories and 4 classrooms

  650

  Ribston Hall High

  Replace glazed aluminium cladding to 3-storey block

  198

  Robinswood Primary

  Replace school roof finish

  27

  Rewire and update electrical installation

  72

  Tewkesbury

  Replacement and rationalisation of heating and hot water services

  259

  Hampshire

  Burgate

  2 new science laboratories and preparation rooms

  230

  City of Portsmouth

  Refurbish 4 science laboratories

  120

  Crofton

  New block containing new science laboratories to replace temporary accommodation

  450

  Hardley

  New heating system to Butler block

  145

  Hertfordshire

  Christchurch

  New classroom to replace mobile

  71

  Francis Bacon

  Refurbish science laboratories

  120

  Up-grade fire resistance

  68

  Parkside First

  Internal alterations and repairs

  141

  Parmiters

  6 new classrooms and 2 new laboratories

  400

  Rickmansworth

  New art and design block

  440

  Remove asbestos, reclad and reroof (excluding VI Form block)

  120

  St. Mary's Primary

  Refurbish toilets

  30

  Hillingdon

  Bishopshalt

  Replace old boiler with gas heating system

  46

  Haydon

  New technology block and refurbish existing technology and classrooms

  270

  Hayes Manor

  Fire protective ceilings and ventilation—West building

  130

  Mellow Lane

  Major repairs and health and safety work (part only)

  302

  Northwood

  Re-roofing and repairs to rainwater goods

  136

  Queensmead

  New technology block and re-model technology provision

  300

  Uxbridge High

  Phase 1: roof repairs

  310

  Humberside

  Wold Newton

  Additional new classroom

  54

  Kensington

  Cardinal Vaughan

  New technology building

  300

  Kent

  Angley

  Remodelling of design and technology department

  330

  Archbishops

  Conversion of workshop to laboratories and provision of CDT rooms and classrooms

  640

  Aylesford

  Phase 2: New technology and art block

  345

  Borough Green

  2 additional infant classrooms

  95

  Bradbourne

  Technology provision

  55

  Canterbury High

  New block of laboratories and toilets

  218

  Chatham Girls

  New technology block

  216

  Cornwallis

  Refurbish science laboratories

  300

  Cranbrook

  Refurbish English and History accommodation

  46

  Dartford Girls

  New technology block and adaptations to provide IT facility

  280

  Holy Trinity Primary

  Classroom renovation

  19

  Mailing

  Re-model technology accommodation

  285

  Maplesden Noakes

  Replace central heating boiler plant in each block

  200

  Conversion to science and technology room

  75

  Meopham

  Gas supply and new heating system

  200

  Minster College

  Refurbish technology facility

  364

  Rainham Mark

  Adaptations to science block

  200

  Robert Napier

  New technology accommodation

  358

  St. Georges (Gravesend)

  Alternative means of escape

  40

  Senacre

  New technology block and remodelling of existing

  230

  Simon Langton

  Remodelling to create art, design and technology centre plus new workshops

  370

  Sir Roger Marwood

  Extension and improvements to laboratories

  400

  Skinners

  Technology building

  200

  Snodland Primary

  New classroom block to replace mobiles

  200

  Thames view

  Asbestos removal and boiler replacement

  95

  Wilmington Boys

  Science block refurbishment

  200

  Kirklees

  Heckmondwike

  Phase 2: Repairs to old block

  189

  Additional technology accommodation and conversion

  266

  Lancashire

  Bacup and Rawtenstall

  Technology and science laboratory

  35

  Clitheroe Royal

  New classrooms and improvements to science

  400

  Lancaster Royal Grammar

  2 classroom block

  122

  Replacement of heating and domestic water system

  46

  Newton Bluecoat

  New changing rooms, medical inspection room and disabled toilet

  55

  452 453

  School

  Project

  £ thousand

  Lincolnshire

  Ancaster High

  Roof conversion

  50

  Bourne Abbey Primary

  2 additional classrooms, new science/technology room and toilets

  200

  Caistor

  New rooms for design/technology and IT

  260

  Carres

  Reroofing laboratory and main teaching blocks

  67

  Castle Hills

  Extension of technology block and science laboratory alterations

  350

  Ermine Junior

  New science and technology classrooms

  50

  Gartree

  Additional science laboratory and fire exit

  130

  Gleed Girls

  Phase 1 of technology/science improvements

  181

  Kings (Grantham)

  New science/IT block

  385

  Lincoln Christ Hospital

  Demolish temporary accommodation and extend technology/science facilities

  199

  Magdalen

  Heating system

  65

  North Kesteven

  Re-wiring of lower school block

  175

  Partial re-roofing

  125

  Queen Elizabeth (Alford)

  New science and technology extension to replace temporaries

  370

  Queen Elzabeth (Horncastle)

  Re-roofing—single storey Vic Hallam block

  77

  Rauceby

  Extension to provide classrooms, resource facilities and toilets

  170

  Robert Pattinson

  New science laboratories and re-model technology unit

  500

  St. George's (Sleaford)

  Two new double classroom blocks to replace temporaries

  200

  Replacement of 2 mobiles

  200

  Skegness

  Replace temporary classrooms with new teaching block including technology provision

  600

  William Farr

  Refurbishment of computer room science laboratories and new classrooms

  160

  Liverpool

  St. Francis Xavier

  New general and technical rooms

  600

  Norfolk

  Acle High

  Conversion to provide technology facilities

  145

  Single classroom extension

  50

  Costessey High

  Extension to provide 2 science laboratories

  200

  Cromer High

  Improvements to technology facilities

  205

  Dereham First

  New classroom

  60

  Gresham Village

  Three classroom extension and refurbishment of existing accommodation

  225

  Heacham Middle

  New technololgy room

  50

  Marshland High

  Extension and adaptations to technology suite

  235

  Norwich Road

  Roof renewal of main block

  121

  Renewal of main boiler

  45

  Robert Kett

  Repairs to roof and chimneys

  75

  Sheringham High

  Refurbish existing technololgy facilities

  270

  West Flegg Middle

  Two new classrooms to replace mobiles

  130

  Wymondham College

  Technology centre to replace temporary accommodation

  261

  Northamptonshire

  King John, Northants

  Replace slate roof and repair curtain walling

  45

  Kingswood

  Replacement of main heating system

  126

  Lodge Park

  Replacement of mobiles by new building

  470

  Moulton Primary

  Phase 3: Replace of 4 mobiles

  199

  Northampton Boys

  Refurbish 5 laboratories and repair works

  280

  Southfield Girls

  Repairs to concrete frame, flat roofs and toilets

  162

  Nottinghamshire

  Ravensdale Middle

  Structural repairs to craft areas

  40

  Rochdale

  Crossgates Primary

  New classroom

  35

  Shropshire

  Adams Grammar

  Repair support and facade of main entrance

  100

  Somerset

  Bruton Primary

  Phase 2: Classroom Extensions

  80

  Sexey's

  Science Department development

  200

  Southwark

  London Nautical

  Boiler and calorifer replacement

  140

  Surrey

  Beacon

  Expansion of canteen facilities

  34

  Cheam High

  New technology block

  216

  Collingwood

  External fabric refurbishment

  294

  Refurbishment laboratory/science block

  280

  De Stafford

  Urgent recladding and reroofing

  640

  Epsom and Ewell

  IT Development

  100

  Heathside

  Refurbishment 3 science laboratories

  120

  John Fisher

  Science—Fire, health and safety improvements

  200

  Manor County First

  Replace oil with gas central heating

  86

  Nonsuch High

  New classroom and re-model science laboratories

  335

  454 455

  School

  Project

  £ thousand

  Send First

  3 new classrooms and toilets

  210

  Stoneleigh First

  Window Replacement

  46

  Sutton Grammar

  Refurbishment 4 laboratories

  160

  Wilsons

  Food technology, design and art area

  150

  Tameside

  Audenshaw

  2 new classrooms

  105

  Tower Hamlets

  Raines Foundation

  New science laboratories and ancillary accommodation

  450

  Walsall

  Streetly

  Roof repairs

  87

  St. Thomas More

  New science block

  695

  Wandsworth

  Burntwood

  Window Replacement and Remedial works

  340

  Upgrade science classrooms and fire escape

  302

  Elliott

  Alteration to science accommodation

  300

  Warwickshire

  Ash Green

  Replacement of boilers

  111

  Avon Valley

  Phase 1: Extension of science and technology facilities and refurbishment

  220

  Hartshill

  Rewire whole school

  262

  Myton

  Extend and refurbish existing workshops for design and technology

  499

  Queen Elizabeth (Atherstone)

  Refurbish laboratory

  84

  Wiltshire

  St. Augustines

  New technology block

  230

  Woherhampton

  Moseley Park

  Two new science laboratories and associated facilities

  255

  Table B

  Technology schools initiative 1993–94 allocations for grant-maintained schools

  School

  Amount allocated (£thousands)

  Baines School

  205

  Beacon School

  185

  Cornwallis School

  207

  Graveney School

  300

  Homewood School

  176

  Manshead School

  252

  Northolt High School

  200

  Ravenswood School for Boys

  244

  Small Heath School

  211

  Southlands School

  223

  Stratford School

  300

  Wymondham College

  200

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parents rang the telephone helpline set up in respect of advice on grant-maintained schools by his Department on 1 February, for each of the first two weeks of operation.

  Mr. Forth
  During the first weeks of operation, the helpline received 271 calls, of which 214 were from parents. The number of calls received during the second week was 848, of which 674 were from parents. This gives a total of 1,119 calls during the first two weeks, of which 945 were from parents.

  Schools, Northamptonshire
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the schools in Northamptonshire which(a) are operating as grant-maintained, (b) are
  456
  approved for grant-maintained status but not yet open, (c) are schools which have voted yes and published proposals for grant-maintained status, (d) are schools which have voted yes but not yet published proposals and (e) are schools whose applications have been rejected.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as follows:

  (A) Operating schools

  Kingsley Park Middle School

  Kingswood School

  Lodge Park School

  Manor School

  Montagu School

  Moulton Primary School

  Northampton (GM) School for Boys

  Sir Christopher Hatton School

  Southfield School for Girls

  The King John School

  The Windmill County GM Primary School

  Weavers School

  Wrenn School

  (B) Schools which are approved hut not yet operating

  Danesholme Junior School

  (C) Schools which have published proposals for grant-maintained status

  Corby Beanfield Junior School

  Queen Elizabeth School

  Woodnewton Way Junior School

  (D) Schools which have voted in favour of grant-maintained status but have not yet published proposals

  Millbrook Infant School

  (E) Schools whose application for grant-maintained status has been rejected

  Bliss Charity Primary School

  Kettering Boys School

  Coventry LEA
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide extra resources for education for Coventry local education authority.

  Mr. Forth
  Over the three financial years 1990–91 to 1992–93, the education component of Coventry's assessment has increased by almost 21 per cent. once the 1992–93 additional grant for teachers' pay has been taken into account. This is a substantial increase, well in excess of the rate of inflation.

  The local authority finance settlement for 1993–94 allows for an increase of 2·6 per cent. in education standard spending once account is taken of the transfer of responsibility for most further education to the Further Education Funding Council. This increase is reasonable, given that inflation is falling and that public sector pay settlements in the coming financial year should be restricted to between zero and 1·5 per cent. Coventry will receive its fair share of this increase.

  Sidney Stringer School, Coventry
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement about the subject matter of his consultation with governors of Sidney Stringer school in Coventry.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend is not aware of any issues arising from consultation of the governors of Sidney Stringer school. In conducting consultation exercises, from time to time, it is normal practice to consult a wide range of interested bodies, including teacher unions.

  Nurseries
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the latest information on the number of children attending nursery schools and nursery classes in each local education area in England.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of pupils of all ages attending maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each local education authority in England in January 1992 are shown in the table.

  Pupils attending maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each LEA in England January 1992

  LEA

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  City

  0

  29

  Camden

  191

  821

  Greenwich

  682

  2,425

  Hackney

  165

  2,047

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  574

  936

  Islington

  268

  1,533

  Kensington and Chelsea

  264

  564

  Lambeth

  447

  1,847

  Lewisham

  231

  2,342

  Southwark

  484

  2,231

  Tower Hamlets

  695

  1,997

  Wandsworth

  209

  2,031

  Westminster

  165

  884

  Barking

  0

  1,751

  Barnet

  512

  1,868

  Bexley

  180

  947

  Brent

  241

  2,231

  Bromley

  0

  154

  458

  LEA

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  Croydon

  454

  707

  Ealing

  589

  2,657

  Enfield

  0

  1,484

  Haringey

  214

  2,347

  Harrow

  0

  958

  Havering

  0

  247

  Hillingdon

  120

  3,046

  Hounslow

  0

  2,471

  Kingston upon Thames

  242

  932

  Merton

  0

  2,593

  Newham

  948

  3,501

  Redbridge

  0

  987

  Richmond upon Thames

  71

  635

  Sutton

  240

  1,445

  Waltham Forest

  321

  2,181

  Birmingham

  2,368

  7,975

  Coventry

  228

  1,968

  Dudley

  71

  2,810

  Sandwell

  216

  4,425

  Solihull

  0

  1,728

  Walsall

  792

  3,431

  Wolverhampton

  847

  3,089

  Knowsley

  0

  2,524

  Liverpool

  561

  5,789

  St. Helens

  75

  1,558

  Sefton

  315

  2,156

  Wirral

  315

  1,999

  Bolton

  499

  2,558

  Bury

  151

  1,295

  Manchester

  554

  6,814

  Oldham

  0

  2,386

  Rochdale

  933

  1,085

  Salford

  844

  2,478

  Stockport

  910

  822

  Tameside

  355

  2,150

  Trafford

  0

  1,820

  Wigan

  196

  1,929

  Barnsley

  180

  2,771

  Doncaster

  0

  3,327

  Rotherham

  373

  2,602

  Sheffield

  754

  4,971

  Bradford

  508

  5,528

  Calderdale

  0

  1,799

  Kirklees

  543

  3,903

  Leeds

  280

  8,037

  Wakefield

  476

  3,852

  Gateshead

  70

  1,728

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  693

  2,347

  North Tyneside

  292

  2,356

  South Tyneside

  777

  1,448

  Sunderland

  1,006

  2,169

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  Avon

  1,679

  3,307

  Bedfordshire

  1,402

  3,753

  Berkshire

  2,134

  3,664

  Buckinghamshire

  518

  2,178

  Cambridgeshire

  717

  1,480

  Cheshire

  860

  4,621

  Cleveland

  143

  9,280

  Cornwall

  113

  1,502

  Cumbria

  798

  2,204

  Derbyshire

  1,508

  7,452

  Devon

  294

  2,450

  Dorset

  0

  805

  Durham

  2,699

  4,177

  East Sussex

  298

  1,163

  Essex

  266

  2,180

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  338

  1,655

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  1,274

  Hertfordshire

  1,699

  6,745

  Humberside

  1,129

  7,628

  Isle of Wight

  0

  186

  Kent

  91

  1,893

  Lancashire

  3,382

  3,477

  Leicestershire

  50

  5,343

  459

  LEA

  Nursery schools

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  Lincolnshire

  243

  1,109

  Norfolk

  396

  461

  North Yorkshire

  395

  3,111

  Northamptonshire

  620

  2,297

  Northumberland

  156

  2,695

  Nottinghamshire

  563

  12,762

  Oxfordshire

  1,097

  1,494

  Shropshire

  119

  1,224

  Somerset

  0

  239

  Staffordshire

  2,035

  4,532

  Suffolk

  100

  2,867

  Surrey

  436

  2,426

  Warwickshire

  757

  1,366

  West Sussex

  459

  143

  Wiltshire

  0

  561

  England

  52,183

  278,160

  Publicity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson), Official Report, column 446, what is his Department's(a) current outturn estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (b) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94.

  Mr. Boswell
  As noted in the Department's annual report (Cm 2210), which was laid before Parliament on 9 February, expenditure by the Department on publicity and publications, excluding statutory orders, is expected to be about £6·8 million in 1992–93. The provisional budget for 1993–94 is £8·0 million.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the percentage of students who entered further and higher education for the latest year for which information is available; and what corresponding information he has for each EC country.

  Mr. Boswell
  In 1991–92 some 67 per cent. of 16-year-olds and 49 per cent. of 17-year-olds participated in full-time education in schools, sixth-form colleges and further education colleges in England. In the same year some 23 per cent. of 18 to 20-year-olds in Great Britain entered full-time higher education. Further details are shown in tables 17 and 21 of the departmental report, Cm 2210. Comparisons with certain EC countries are shown on pages 16 and 17 of "Education Statistics for the UK" 1992 edition, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Primary and Secondary Schools (Resources)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to rectify the imbalance of resources between primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  It is for each local education authority to determine the appropriate balance of spending between the primary and secondary school sectors. The 1993–94 local authority grant settlement allows for local authorities in England to spend £16,854 million on education overall, 2·6 per cent. more than the comparable figure for 1992–93.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State fir Education what steps he has taken to evaluate the impact of the decision to cease funding for health education co-ordination within the grants for education support and training programmes on drug abuse work.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend will look to the Office for Standards in Education to provide hire with information and advice about all aspects of education provision in schools. This will include provision made for preventive health education, aspects of which are included in the national curriculum and must be studied by all pupils.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils have had surpluses in excess of £1 million in(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92; and if he will list them.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Training and enterprise councils may earn surpluses by the effective use of some of the funds made available to them by the Department, to meet their needs for adequate reserves for their day-to-day commitments as companies, to finance any advances in funding they make to their training providers and to reinvest in local training, education and enterprise activities. Under their contracts, they can use their surpluses only on activities agreed with the Department to further the objectives in their plans. The surpluses held by each TEC for both 1990–91 and 1991–92 may be seen in their published accounts, which are available in the Library.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how she intends to continue funding of health and safety training by trade unions and for workers' representatives.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced in December, the current public subsidy for the training of trade union officials will be phased out over a three-year period from April. We will, however, be providing some additional funds to the Health and Safety Commission for health and safety training initiatives.

WALES

  Police Areas
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the resident population of each police force area in Wales in 1981 and 1991.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The mid-year estimates of resident population for the police force areas of Wales for 1981 and 1991 are shown in the table.
  461

  1981 Thousands

  19911 Thousands

  North Wales

  624·9

  653·8

  Gwent

  441·7

  446·9

  South Wales

  1,302·7

  1,316·1

  Dyfed-Powys

  444·2

  469·5

  Source: Registrar General's Mid Year Estimate of Resident Population.

  1 1991 data are provisional.

  Access Funds
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been made by students to each of the access funds within each university, college and college of higher education in Wales in each year since the establishment of the funds.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since the access funds were established in 1990–91, the Universities Funding Council has been responsible for distributing access funds to the colleges of the university of Wales. The Welsh Office has distributed access funds to the other further and higher —FHE—institutions in Wales.

  Institutions do not usually distinguish between the three access funds when considering applications. According to returns from FHE institutions in Wales a total of 3,160 students applied for assistance from the access funds in 1990–91 and 3,932 in 1991–92. Similar information for 1992–93 will not be available until later in the year.

  Wilprint Group
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he received requests from the fraud squad for files relating to the placing of printing and publicity contracts with the Wilprint Group; and on whether that request was complied with.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department always co-operates fully with the police.

  Tai Cymru
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many housing units have developed by Tai Cymru in areas with a population of under 3,000 in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not available centrally.

  Local Authority Reserves
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the level of reserves, excluding capital receipts, held by each local authority in Wales in each year from 1990 onwards; and if he will publish estimated reserve levels, excluding capital receipts, for the financial year 1993–94.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information available is shown in table 8·9 of "Welsh Local Government Financial Statistics 1992", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This includes estimated reserves at 31 March 1993.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to paragraph 9·13 of the Welsh Office report, "Government Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96", Cm. 2215, on what date he estimates the quinquennial review of the aims and objectives of the Cardiff Bay development corporation will(a) commence and (b) be completed; what external consultancy assistance will be sought and by what means, to assist in the review; what the total cost of the review is estimated to be, inclusive of any such consultancy assistance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I expect the financial management and policy review of the Cardiff bay development to begin around the end of the financial year and to take approximately three months to complete. Such reviews are normally conducted by a Welsh Office official assigned to the project for its duration. On that basis, I estimate the cost to be about £14,000.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to figure 3·09 of the Welsh Office report, "Government Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96", Cm. 2215, when he expects to set the target rate of return on the Welsh Development Agency for its investment function in 1993–94.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I expect to agree a provisional financial duty shortly and to determine a final financial duty for 1993–94 later this year.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to paragraph 3·16 of the Welsh Office report, "Government Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96", Cm. 2215, what consultations he has had with the Welsh Development Agency concerning the sale of all or any of the Treforest, Bridgend, Waterton Forestfach or Wrexham industrial estates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The departmental report clearly sets out the Government's policy on planned disposals. Decisions on which properties to bring forward are for the Welsh Development Agency.

  NHS Trusts
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) health authority members and (b) members of boards of national health service trusts are elected members of principal local authorities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Seven health authority members and two national health service trust non-executive directors were elected members of a principal local authority in Wales at the time of their appointment. Since local authorities are not required to notify the Department about changes to their membership, the Welsh Office does not have a record of changes in elected member status for these or other health authority members and trust non-executive directors following appointment.

  Health Promotion
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to paragraph 9·08 of the Welsh Office report, "Government Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96, Cm.
  463
  2215", if he will place a copy in the Library of the October 1992 report on health promotion and the subsequent action plan.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The action plan is still under consideration. Publication of the scrutiny report and the Welsh Office's response will be addressed when that consideration is complete.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of TECs are elected members of principal local authorities.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information as to whether members of TECs are also elected members of local authorities is not collected centrally.

  A465
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when contracts will be signed for construction work to begin on the A465 link between Aberdulais and Glynneath.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The contract will be let shortly before main works start. This is planned for 1993–94 and is contingent on expenditure on other schemes in the roads programme.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Management Consultants
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the contracts awarded by his Department to(a) Coopers and Lybrand management consultants, (b) Touche Ross management consultants, (c) Price Waterhouse management consultants, (d) Ernst and Young management consultants, (e) Chrichton Roberts Ltd., (f) K.P.M.G. management consultants and (g) Leopold Joseph management consultants, with the total cost of the contracts with each contractor, for (i) the past 12 months and (ii) 1991–92.

  Mr. Curry
  Consultancy fees totalling £304,082 were paid to Coopers and Lybrand, Touche Ross, Price Waterhouse, and KPMG, for the financial year 1991–92. A further breakdown of figures cannot be given as this information is classified commercial in confidence. These consultancy firms were involved in six areas of work in my core-department. This answer excludes contracts made for information technology work and those made by executive agencies. The precise number of contracts, and information for the last 12 months, can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the number and percentage of cereal farmers in each EC member state who will have to place land in set-aside.

  Mr. Curry
  The information in the following table is derived from budgetary estimates of expenditure on the CAP reform package prepared by the Commission. The estimates do not distinguish between cereals farmers and those growing oilseeds or protein crops, both of which are also covered by the arable area payments scheme.
  464

  Country

  Number of growers expected to set land aside

  Percentage of growers expected to set land aside

  Belgium

  7,644

  16

  Denmark

  37,770

  46

  Germany

  105,474

  21

  Greece

  4,378

  1

  Spain

  58,169

  8

  France

  202,744

  34

  Ireland

  6,285

  15

  Italy

  34,210

  3

  Luxembourg

  256

  10

  Netherlands

  6,068

  26

  Portugal

  2,349

  1

  United Kingdom

  50,363

  63

  Total

  515,710

  12

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the likely acreage for set-aside for cereal land in each EC member state under the common agricultural policy reform proposals.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 14 December 1992 at column 70. That information was derived from Commission estimates which do not distinguish between land used to grow cereals and land used for other arable crops eligible for the new arable area payments.

  Consultancies
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many contracts for consultancies were awarded by his Department over(a) the last 12 months and (b) 1991–92.

  Mr. Curry
  During the financial year 1991–92 contracts were awarded by my core-department to consultancy firms involved in ten areas of work. This answer excludes contracts made for information technology consultancies and those made by executive agencies. The precise number of contracts, and information for the last 12 months, can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Sheep Annual Premium
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the impact on the sheep annual premium of a change in the pound sterling/ecu exchange rate to £ = 1·25 ecu.

  Mr. Curry
  The final rate of sheep annual premium in respect of 1992 is calculated according to the green exchange rate in force on 3 January 1993. It will not be affected by changes in the pound sterling/ecu exchange rate subsequent to that date.

  The rate of premium for future years will depend on the level of market prices and green rates operating in each member state throughout the year. The pound sterling/ecu exchange rate is therefore only one factor affecting the level of premium payable in the United Kingdom, and its impact cannot be assessed independently of the others.

  Bee Diseases
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his actions to alleviate bee diseases.
  465
  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: Since my reply to the Member for Linlithgow on 5 November at columns 405–06, a further 33 cases of varroasis have been confirmed, all within the infected area, making a total of 318. I have arranged for letters to be sent to every beekeeper known to the Department to ensure that each is aware of the varroa controls and the advice that is available. I have also arranged for a further varroa search to take place in the spring. Until then existing controls will be maintained. Further action will depend on the results of the search. We shall also continue to take the necessary action to tackle other bee diseases including American foul brood and European foul brood.

  Veterinary Science
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what Government funding is made available annually towards the cost of the training course for veterinary science.

  Mr. Boswell
  I have been asked to reply.

  Funding for veterinary schools is the responsibility of the Universities Funding Council. The UFC's teaching

  Class of Drug

  Numbers Discharged

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Class A

  Importing

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Supplying

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Possessing

  7

  5

  7

  7

  24

  36

  Class B

  1

  Importing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Supplying

  10

  7

  13

  10

  12

  20

  Possessing

  43

  43

  45

  51

  75

  103

  Class C

  Importing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Supplying

  —

  —

  Nil

  —

  —

  —

  Possessing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Toxic Substances:

  —

  2

  2

  —

  6

  6

  Total Offenders:

  60

  57

  68

  68

  121

  170

  Notes.

  1. Class A drugs include heroin, opium, morphine, cocaine, pethidine, other narcotic drugs, LSD and certain other injectable amphetamines and hallucinogens.

  Class B drugs include other narcotics, cannabis, cannabis resin and amphetamines.

  Class C drugs include a number of amphetamine-like drugs.

  Toxic material includes glue, lighter fuel and other inhaled hallucinogenic substances.

  Information in respect of the types of drugs involved in cases of administrative discharge is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  In my answer of 5 February, columns 373–74, the figures shown for dismissal related solely to those instances where an offender's most serious offence was either importing, possessing, or supplying drugs. The figures provided in today's answer also include those convicted of

  Rank

  Year

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Royal Navy

  Ordinary rate

  2

  2

  1

  —

  —

  7

  Able rate

  3

  6

  4

  13

  23

  56

  466
  unit of resource for veterinary science for the academic year 1992–93 is £9,589. The UFC is funding some 1,800 undergraduate places.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels 12 m long and under are registered in the United Kingdom; and what is their total horse power.

  Mr. Norris
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are 9,153 fishing vessels of 12 m or less; total horse power is 697,237.

DEFENCE

  Drugs
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 February,Official Report, column 373–4, if he will list the drugs involved in each case of discharge from the services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The drugs involved in dismissals following court martial or summary proceedings are as follows:

  a more serious offence of violence in addition to a drugs charge and are therefore slightly higher than the figures previously provided.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 February,Official Report, columns 373–74, what were the ranks of all those discharged from the services for drugs-related offences.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The ranks of those dismissed for drugs offences following court martial or summary proceeding are as follows:
  467

  Rank

  Year

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Leading rate

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Petty Officer

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Army

  Private

  38

  37

  50

  46

  78

  83

  Lance Corporal

  5

  3

  5

  2

  5

  6

  Corporal

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  Sergeant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  Staff Sergeant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Lieutenant

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Captain

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Royal Air Force

  Aircraftman

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Leading Aircraftman

  8

  5

  7

  5

  7

  12

  Corporal

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  60

  57

  68

  68

  121

  170

  Information on the rank of those administratively discharged for drug offences is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  In my answer of 5 February, the figures shown for dismissal related solely to those instances where an offender's most serious offence was either importing, possessing or supplying drugs. The figures provided in today's answer also include those convicted of a more serious offence of violence in addition to a drugs charge and are therefore slightly higher than the figures previously provided.

  Absence Without Leave
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of the various branches of the armed forces towards punishment of service men and women who are absent without leave.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Absence without leave is an offence under the service discipline Acts and is punishable by up to two years' imprisonment. It is regarded as a serious offence as it can undermine the operational effectiveness of a unit and the morale of other personnel. Punishments awarded vary according to the circumstances of individual cases.

  Meteorological Office
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for which of its services to the public the Meteorological Office charges a fee directly to the user;

  (2) what income the Meteorological Office has generated from answering public inquiries about the United Kingdom inshore water forecast in each year since it began charging for the service.

  Mr. Aitken
  These are matters delegated to the Meteorological Office under the terms of the framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply directly to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Professor Julian Hunt to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 22 February 1993:

  Dear Mr. Ainger

  I am responding to your two written Parliamentary Questions.
  468
  (1) To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for which of its services to the public the Meterological Office charges a fee directly to the user.
  The Met Office provides services to the public in a variety of ways. Some services, such as severe weather warnings and a range of basic forecast scripts, are provided free of charge to the broadcasting media. Other television, radio and newspaper services (the majority) are provided on a commercial basis to the media companies, but are received by the user—the public—at no direct cost.
  Only services offered directly to the public are charged directly. For example, Weathercall is a premium-rated telephone service run jointly by the Met Office and a private firm. Through its network of Weather Centres the Met Office provides weather forecasts for each of 27 areas around the UK, updated three times a day. Revenue from the calls is shared between the line provider (normally British Telecom) and the service providers.
  A similar service, called Marinecall, is provided for leisure yachtsmen, giving weather forecasts for 15 inshore areas and two sea areas around the United Kingdom. Services for mountain walkers, skiers and holiday makers (Mountaincall, Skicall and International Weathercall respectively) are also offered.
  Over the past year, the Met Office has extended the premium-rated approach to dial-in fax services. MetFAX offers a range of products, designed for yachtsmen, general aviation and schools. A version for the general public, corresponding to Weathercall, is planned for later this year.
  Finally, the public can make use of special telephone numbers at Weather Centres and speak directly to forecasters, for which a subscription charge and a charge per call is made. However this service, together with a large range of more tailored services, is aimed more at specific markets, such as agriculture, building and the offshore industry, rather than the general public.
  (2) To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what income the Meteorological Office has generated from answering public enquiries about the United Kingdom inshore weather forecast in each year since it began charging for the service.
  The Met Office provides an inshore waters forecast for the United Kingdom twice daily to the BBC free of charge as part of the Office's Public Meteorological Service. The forecasts are broadcast on Radio 3 in the morning and Radio 4 in the evening.
  In addition, a premium-rated telephone service (Marinecall) is available. The Marinecall service comprises 15 inshore areas, a national UK inshore and two sea area forecasts (for the English Channel and the southern North Sea). Forecasts are updated twice daily from our network of Weather Centres—for example the forecasts for St. David's Head to Hartland Point and for St. David's Head to Colwyn Bay are provided from Cardiff Weather Centre.
  The service began in 1986, earning revenue as follows:
  469

  £

  1986–87

  32,000

  1987–88

  82,000

  1988–89

  128,000

  1989–90

  213,000

  1990–91

  242,000

  1991–92

  240,000

  11992–93

  194,000

  1 10 months to date.

  Trident
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with his American counterpart with regard the maximum number of warheads to be carried by each British Trident submarine.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of warheads carried by a British Trident submarine is a matter for Her Majesty's Government. We have long made clear that each submarine will enter service carrying no more than 128 warheads. The exact number to be deployed will be decided in the light of the circumstances at the time.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the first flight of the European fighter aircraft to take place; in what country it is to occur; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The first flight of Eurofighter 2000 is expected this year. The contractor's programme envisages that a German-assembled prototype will be the first to fly, followed shortly after by a second aircraft in the United Kingdom.

  The activities leading to first flight have been somewhat delayed by the programme review commissioned last year and the changes introduced as a result of decisions taken at the quadripartite ministerial meeting on 10 December 1992. A number of technical issues—none of them of a serious nature—remain to be resolved, including qualifications of the flight control system software—which is critical to flight safety—and which is taking longer than originally expected. The precise timing of first flight is a matter for the manufacturers to decide when they judge sufficient development progress has been made to allow flight testing to proceed safely.

  Vessel Hulls
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what classes of vessel his Department allows tenderers to respond on the basis of non-United Kingdom built hulls;

  (2) on how many occasions and for what classes of vessel tenderers to his Department have responded on the basis of non-United Kingdom built hulls.

  Mr. Aitken
  Apart from the conversion of existing merchant shipping to meet certain specialist requirements, the only occasion on which tenderers were permitted to respond on the basis of non-United Kingdom built hulls was for the competition for single role mine hunters, cancelled in 1991.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what opportunities exist under the Independent 470
  European Programme Group/Western European Union arrangements for United Kingdom warship builders to bid to supply hulls for other European navies;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Independent European Programme Group/Western European Union arrangements for reciprocal purchasing in the field of warship hulls; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The nations of the Independent European Programme Group which now all participate in the WEU, are under no obligation to include warship hulls in the arrangements agreed in the IEPG to open the European defence equipment market.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the extent to which United Kingdom shipbuilders have been invited to tender to supply hulls to the navies of(a) France, (b) the Netherlands, (c) Belgium, (d) Italy and (e) Germany; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  I am not aware that any such invitations have recently been received from any of the countries listed.

  Warships
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the proportion of warship building capacity which is state owned in(a) France, (b) the Netherlands, (c) Belgium, (d) Italy and (e) Germany; and what effect this has on reciprocal purchasing arrangements.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (M r. Viggers) on 17 February,Official Report, column 254.

  Fatal Accidents
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider making it the practice of Her Majesty's Government to make publicly available the conclusions and recommendations of service boards of inquiry reports investigating fatal accidents subject to the agreement of the next of kin of the deceased and the minimum of security requirements.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: Service board of inquiry reports are internal documents written for internal use by the service concerned. Their conclusions and recommendations may refer to failings on the part not only of the deceased, but also of other named, or identifiable, service personnel or service units involved. While this is no longer considered sufficient justification for withholding reports from the next of kin of the deceased, it does render the material inappropriate for routine publication by the Ministry of Defence.

HEALTH

  Drug Prescribing
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that the proposals to extend the selected list regulations to 10 therapeutic categories
  471
  will not be implemented until after the two joint working groups set up by her Department with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to (a) to examine the factors contributing to the rate of growth of NHS expenditure on drugs and (b) to consider the future development of the pharmaceutical industry in the United Kingdom and its contribution to the national economy have had the opportunity to make initial recommendations to her.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No.

  NHS Staff (Medical Screening)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the responsibilities transferred by statutory instrument from the former medical officers of health to the health authorities on the occasions of health and local government reorganisation in respect of medical screening and examinations of local authority staff and applicants; and which such services are provided free of charge.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The exact responsibilities of the national health service for providing services to local authorities are not set out in statute. They are covered in general terms by the requirement in section 22 of the National Health Service Act 1977 that health and local authorities must co-operate in order to secure and advance the health and welfare of their residents, and also in general guidance issued by the Department.

  NHS Low Income Scheme
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the outcome of the review of the national health service low income scheme.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) on Tuesday 15 December at column 184. I hope to make an announcement soon.

  NHS Drugs
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to her answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 321, what evidence she possesses that the selected list scheme continues to exert a downward pressure on the national health service drugs bill; and in what year it was obtained;

  (2) pursuant to her answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 321, what are the grounds for her belief that measures under the selected list scheme continue to exert a downward pressure on the drugs bill.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Advisory Committee on National Health Service drugs is required to ensure that drugs to meet all real clinical needs in the specified categories can be provided as economically as possible under the NHS. In considering whether to recommend that a particular product should not be prescribed under the NHS, the committee will have regard both to its cost and to the cost of alternative products which are likely to be prescribed in its place. This ensures that the net effect of the committee's recommendations will be to exert a continuing downward pressure on the NHS drugs bill.

  Anti-ulcer Products
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what degree doctors began prescribing the more expensive anti-ulcer products as an alternative after the selected list scheme was introduced and applied to antacid products in 1985; and if her Department has assessed the total costs to the national health service.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Such an estimate, whether relating to the volume or cost of prescriptions, could not be made as information about diagnosis is not included on prescription forms.

  Cholera
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of cholera in the United Kingdom by region, have been reported in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the table.

  The data provided are for England and Wales only. The information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Number of cholera cases notified for England and Wales by Regional Health Authority, 1988–91

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  England and Wales

  17

  13

  19

  22

  Wales

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Northern

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Trent

  1

  2

  3

  3

  East Anglia

  —

  —

  1

  2

  North West Thames

  —

  —

  —

  1

  North East Thames

  3

  1

  1

  —

  South East Thames

  —

  1

  2

  4

  South West Thames

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Wessex

  —

  3

  —

  1

  Oxford

  3

  1

  2

  2

  South Western

  2

  —

  1

  1

  West Midlands

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Mersey

  —

  2

  1

  2

  North Western

  2

  —

  3

  1

  Juvenile Offenders (Secure Places)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she intends to privatise secure accommodation for young people.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial assistance she proposes to give to local authorities for the staffing and running costs of secure places provided by them so that juvenile offenders are not sent to prison; from what sources such assistance will be provided; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Financial assistance for the staffing and running costs of additional secure places managed by local authorities will be considered in the appropriate public expenditure surveys. Consideration will be given to seeking a transfer of part of the resources from the Home Office when the courts have power to direct remanded juveniles to secure accommodation.
  473
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 319, what representations she has received that the proposed number of additional secure places for juvenile offenders is insufficient; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  A number of representations have been received from local authorities. We are satisfied that the estimate is based on the best possible information currently available. The position will be kept under review.

  Dysentery
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of dysentery have been reported by region in the United Kingdom in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the table.

  The data provided are for England and Wales only. The information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Notifications of Dysentery for England and Wales by Regional Health Authority, 1988–1991.

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  England and Wales

  3,692

  3,277

  2,756

  9,935

  Wales

  91

  115

  235

  972

  Northern

  50

  30

  48

  606

  Yorkshire

  572

  628

  519

  3,466

  Trent

  272

  314

  145

  718

  East Anglia

  54

  159

  47

  39

  North West Thames

  360

  297

  297

  284

  North East Thames

  165

  157

  209

  162

  South East Thames

  163

  146

  131

  179

  South West Thames

  399

  281

  177

  214

  Wessex

  112

  66

  85

  90

  Oxford

  198

  226

  171

  147

  South Western

  130

  153

  188

  504

  West Midlands

  724

  370

  198

  711

  Mersey

  74

  60

  35

  123

  North Western

  328

  275

  271

  1,720

  Hepatitis
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of hepatitis A and B have been reported, by region, in the United Kingdom in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is given in the table.

  The data provided are for England and Wales only. The information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Notifications of Hepatitis (all forms) for England and Wales by Regional Health Authority, 1988–1991.

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  England and Wales

  5,062

  7,071

  9,005

  7,917

  Wales

  194

  129

  257

  260

  Northern

  383

  569

  1,232

  1,343

  Yorkshire

  572

  1,269

  1,585

  1,923

  Trent

  359

  474

  487

  301

  East Anglia

  125

  191

  133

  124

  474

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  North West Thames

  370

  410

  303

  222

  North East Thames

  298

  321

  427

  409

  South East Thames

  263

  322

  937

  645

  South West Thames

  190

  224

  242

  119

  Wessex

  249

  201

  174

  94

  Oxford

  210

  487

  712

  564

  South Western

  296

  191

  399

  146

  West Midlands

  325

  488

  570

  484

  Mersey

  117

  151

  503

  479

  North Western

  1,111

  1,644

  1,044

  804

  Corporate Affairs Intelligence Unit
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the main duties and responsibilities of the corporate affairs intelligence unit, NHS ME, based in Leeds; how many people are employed there full-time and part-time; what is the budget for 1993 and estimated budget for each of the next three years; what funding comes from departmental budgets other than her own; arid if she will make a statement;

  (2) when the corporate affairs intelligence unit, NHS ME in Leeds was established; what consultants arid advisers it has used since it was established and what is the total cost of such retention; what is the total cost of entertainment, travel and other facilities to journalists and others since it was established; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The corporate affairs intelligence unit was established on 30 September 1991. Its duties, which were previously undertaken by the Department's regional liaison division, include the preparation of draft replies for Ministers and the national health service management executive on matters concerning the NHS that are not appropriate for referral to NHS authorities and trusts, and the preparation of briefing for parliamentary questions, early-day motions, invitations, etc. It supports Ministers and the management executive in their contact with the NHS in each region. The unit is also responsible for advising Ministers on the appointment of chairmen and members of NHS authorities and trusts.

  On 1 February 1993, there were 53 full-time staff in the unit, and three temporary typists. The unit has a manpower budget of about El million for 1993–94, the same as that for 1992–93; estimates have not been prepared for future years. All funding comes from Department of Health budgets.

  Since its inception, the unit has received advice and guidance from a number of sources including the Department's information division. PA Consulting Group assisted with setting up and running a number of training workshops for the unit staff. The value of the contract with PA Consulting Group is commercially confidential.

  The unit is staffed by civil servants, none of whom is authorised to speak to journalists, and does not provide entertainment, travel or other facilities to them. The unit has a hospitality budget of some £1,800 which is used, in the main, to provide refreshments to people from outside the Department attending meetings with the unit.

  North East Trust Zone
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the main duties and responsibilities of the north east trust zone, based in Leeds; how many people are
  475
  employed there full-time and part-time; what is the budget for 1993 and estimated budget for each of the next three years; which part of her Departmental budget supplies the funding; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The national health service management executive north east outpost is one of six outposts established by the management executive to monitor the performance of NHS trusts. The outpost has responsibility for monitoring NHS trusts within the geographical area covered by the Northern, Yorkshire and Trent regional health authorities. Within the zone there are 31 trusts established as part of the first and second waves and 40 units which will become trusts on 1 April 1993 as part of the third wave. In addition 35 applications are currently being considered from units that wish to become trusts as part of the fourth wave.

  The main responsibilities of the outpost are as follows:

  Monitoring trusts' financial performance against statutory financial duties;

  Reviewing trusts' strategic direction and annual business plans;

  Appraising trusts' business cases for capital investment;

  Monitoring trusts' annual reports and accounts;

  Leading the assessment process for fourth wave trusts;

  Providing a channel of communication between trusts and the Management Executive.

  The outpost has eight staff, all of whom are full-time. The budget for 1993–94 is £650,000. We expect the budget to reflect inflation in each of the next three years. Funding has been provided from within existing regional health authority allocations.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 604, if she will list those hospitals, in each region that have been notified to her Department as experiencing problems managing their resources to cope with admissions levels.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no formal requirement on hospitals to send such a notification to the Department. It is for individual health authorities and trusts to manage their resources and to make arrangements for non-emergency admissions to hospitals when admissions are running at a particularly high level.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 12 February,Offical Report, column 828, if she will place copies of the financial accounts from all first wave self-governing trusts in the Library.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The financial accounts information supplied by first wave trusts for 1991–92 is summarised by the Department and presented to Parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor General when he has completed his audit. The summarised accounts will be published as a House of Commons paper copies of which are placed in the Library. Full copies of the accounts of individual trusts are in the public domain and can be obtained locally.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what charge per day per patient is made by secure units for the mentally ill in Yorkshire in(a) self-governing trusts and (b) other hospitals.
  476
  Mr. Yeo
  Information on the charges made by secure units to national health service purchasers in respect of normal referrals is not held centrally. Details of daily charges are collected for patients admitted as extra contractual referrals. The latest figures available are for financial year 1991–92 and are as follows:

  £ per day

  Newton Lodge medium secure unit (Wakefield)

  198

  De La Pole Hospital interim secure unit (Hull)

  191

  High Royds Hospital interim secure unit (Ilkley)

  100

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations have been received from Yorkshire regional health authority over the past five years about a secure unit for those suffering from mental illness.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 February.

  Lynfield Mount Hospital
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will arrange for each response to the consultation carried out concerning a proposal to establish a special care unit at Lynfield Mount hospital, Bradford, to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Yeo
  The individual responses will be available at Bradford health authority's headquarters.

  Mifepristone/RU486
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the drug Mifepristone/RU486; what guidance she has issued on its use; and what plans she has to review its usage.

  Mr. Sackville
  Mifegyne (mifepristone; RU486) was granted a licence in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968 on advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), an independent drug safety committee established under the Act. Following a thorough evaluation of the available data from pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and usage in other countries, both the CSM and the licensing authority were satisfied as to the safety, quality and efficacy of the drug.

  The use of Mifegyne for the termination of pregnancy is subject to the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended). Guidance to doctors on its usage is contained in the data sheet and information for patients is given in the patient information Leaflet. These documents were approved by both the CSM and the licensing authority.

  As with all marketed drugs, information on the safety of RU486 is collected and investigated by the CSM. The safety, quality and efficacy of RU486 are taken into consideration during reviews of its usage.

  Ambulances (Emergency Calls)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list(a) for each ambulance authority in England and (b) for the financial year 1991–92 and each off the first two quarters of 1992–93 (i) the total number of emergency calls, (ii) the percentage of emergency calls which were reached within 14 minutes in urban areas and (iii) the percentage of emergency calls which were reached within 19 minutes in rural areas.
  477
  Mr. Sackville
  Information for 1992–93 is not yet available. Final figures for 1991–92 are given in the table.

  Emergency calls

  Ambulance authority

  Total number of emergency calls

  Response within 19 minutes calls Per cent.

  Non-Metropolitan authorities 1991–92

  Cleveland

  23,089

  94

  Cumbria

  14,602

  87

  Durham

  29,583

  96

  Humberside

  141,793

  99

  North Yorkshire

  20,904

  96

  Derbyshire

  35,714

  297

  Leicestershire

  31,647

  96

  Lincolnshire NHS Trust

  16,388

  296

  Nottinghamshire

  53,500

  297

  Cambridgeshire

  119,206

  84

  Norfolk NHS Trust

  26,808

  91

  Suffolk

  11,606

  291

  Bedfordshire

  20,471

  95

  Hertfordshire

  38,773

  96

  Essex

  62,577

  96

  East Sussex

  33,338

  96

  Kent

  55,993

  96

  Surrey

  42,565

  291

  West Sussex

  25,048

  97

  Dorset

  125,583

  97

  Hampshire

  137,508

  97

  Wiltshire

  14,383

  96

  Isle of Wight

  13,477

  99

  Berkshire

  127,665

  93

  Buckinghamshire

  17,155

  296

  Northamptonshire

  16,657

  298

  Oxfordshire

  15,614

  292

  Avon

  33,321

  299

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  16,306

  292

  Devon

  133,304

  94

  Gloucestershire

  15,696

  94

  Somerset

  11,078

  291

  Hereford and Worcester

  119,867

  97

  Shropshire

  13,732

  293

  Staffordshire

  41,346

  299

  Warwickshire

  113,898

  94

  Cheshire

  37,522

  287

  Lancashire

  71,414

  299

  1 Return based on number of emergency patient journeys.

  2 Journeys where response within 20 minutes.

  Emergency calls

  Ambulance authority

  Total number of emergency calls

  Response within 19 minutes calls Per cent.

  Metropolitan authorities 1991–92

  Northumberland Metropolitan NHS Trust

  166,098

  97

  West Yorkshire Metropolitan

  101,227

  83

  South Yorkshire Metropolitan NHS Trust

  64,073

  76

  London Ambulance Service

  472,310

  64

  West Midlands Metropolitan

  1120,258

  92

  Mersey Metropolitan NHS Trust

  1102,096

  94

  Greater Manchester Metropolitan

  1157,902

  97

  1 Return based on number of emergency patient journeys.

  Censuses
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of residents of England and Wales are estimated to have been missed by each census since 1971, taking account of any follow-up surveys.
  478
  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 17 February 1993]: Results of the 1981 census post enumeration survey indicated a net undercount of about 0·4 per cent. of people present in private households. This degree of under-enumeration was of the same magnitude as that indicated by the coverage checks following the census of 1971.

  The 1981 census did not attempt to enumerate residents of households wholly absent on census night (except as visitors if they were elsewhere in the country). Taking this into account, the total under-coverage of residents in most census statistical tables was about 2·2 per cent. Allowing for residents in wholy absent households who were enumerated as visitors elsewhere in the country (1·3 per cent.), the proportion of residents not counted in the census was 0·9 per cent.

  Unlike the earlier censuses, the 1991 census sought to enumerate residents of households wholly absent on census night, either by obtaining the information when people returned to their home address or by imputation, so the analyses of under-enumeration are not directly comparable. The 1991 census validation survey identified sources of error which indicated that about 0·6 per cent. of residents in households had not been counted. From other sources, it is estimated that a further 1·3 per cent. of the resident population was missed for reasons not identified by this survey, giving a total of 1·9 per cent.

  Further details for the 1981 and 1991 censuses are given in annex A to the 1991 "Census National Monitor for Great Britain", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of infants aged under one year she estimates were missed by the census in(a) inner London, (b) outer London, (c) metropolitan districts, (d) urban non-metropolitan districts and (e) other non-metropolitan districts in England and Wales.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 17 February 1993]: The estimated proportions of infants aged under one year missed by the 1991 census were 8·8 per cent. in inner London, 4·1 per cent. in outer London, 3·7 per cent. in metropolitan districts outside London, 2·9 per cent. in non-metropolitan cities, and 1·9 per cent. in other non-metropolitan districts (3·0 per cent. in England and Wales as a whole). Appropriate allowances for these people have been made in compiling the provisional rebased 1991 population estimates.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will conduct a thorough review of the geographical distribution of census undercount for the final mid 1991 population estimates; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 17 February 1993]: The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is currently carrying out further geographical analyses of results from the census validation survey, and also of other factors that contributed to the provisional set of mid-1991 population estimates. The outcome of these investigations will be reported in conjuction with the final mid 1991 population estimates, to be published in June 1993.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Rent Deposit Scheme
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 1992 Official Report, columns 155–56, what conclusions he has drawn from the pilot rent deposit scheme in West London.

  Mr. Scott
  I am advised by the Department of Environment that the pilot project for a rent deposit fund operated by the Notting Hill Housing Trust is due to end on 30 June 1993. We await the evaluation of this project with interest.

  Total Benefit Expenditure by Broad Groups of Beneficiaries £ million 1992–93 prices

  Sick and Disabled

  Elderly

  S/T sick

  L/T sick and disabled

  Total

  Family

  Unemployed

  Widows and others

  1974–75

  20,045

  1,873

  3,629

  5,502

  3,062

  1,889

  2,101

  1975–76

  21,305

  1,874

  3,984

  5,859

  3,652

  3,092

  2,138

  1976–77

  22,923

  2,055

  4,472

  6,527

  3,886

  3,946

  2,097

  1977–78

  23,707

  2,103

  4,745

  6,848

  4,821

  4,369

  1,959

  1978–79

  24,789

  2,055

  5,014

  7,088

  7,293

  3,895

  1,944

  1979–80

  24,614

  1,652

  5,099

  6,751

  8,843

  3,572

  1,846

  1980–81

  24,924

  1,401

  5,130

  6,530

  8,170

  6,194

  1,745

  1981–82

  26,834

  1,328

  5,542

  6,870

  8,836

  7,530

  1,779

  1982–83

  28,179

  1,018

  6,134

  7,152

  9,435

  8,759

  1,742

  1983–84

  29,503

  1,326

  6,904

  8,229

  10,030

  9,524

  1,739

  1984–85

  29,889

  1,297

  7,499

  8,796

  10,358

  10,054

  1,729

  1985–86

  30,811

  1,280

  7,970

  9,250

  10,627

  10,498

  1,683

  1986–87

  31,953

  1,408

  9,001

  10,408

  10,890

  10,668

  1,645

  1987–88

  31,916

  1,479

  9,229

  10,708

  11,261

  9,202

  1,565

  1988–89

  30,558

  1,465

  9,645

  11,109

  11,215

  6,766

  1,480

  1989–90

  31,152

  1,488

  10,380

  11,869

  11,138

  5,227

  1,380

  1990–91

  31,961

  1,368

  11,433

  12,800

  11,079

  5,673

  1,368

  1991–92

  32,837

  1,128

  13,119

  14,247

  11,863

  7,886

  1,442

  1992–93

  34,484

  1,159

  14,859

  16,017

  12,926

  9,290

  1,418

  1993–94

  35,203

  1,168

  15,908

  17,076

  13,560

  10,038

  1,399

  1994–95

  34,754

  1,183

  16,777

  17,960

  14,046

  10,376

  1,371

  1995–96

  35,430

  1,210

  17,685

  18,894

  14,562

  10,265

  1,372

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of(a) disability living allowance reviews and (b) attendance allowance reviews that have been disallowed to date by whether the original award was for the higher, middle or lower rate in the case of disability allowance and higher or lower in the case of attendance allowance.

  Table 1: Awards of Disability Living Allowance between February and December 1992

  Single Awards

  Care component

  Mobility component

  DCB/

  Higher Rate

  Middle Rate

  Lower Rate

  Higher Rate

  Lower Rate

  Edinburgh

  562

  991

  2,158

  5,897

  1,466

  Newcastle

  227

  393

  1,200

  4,130

  487

  Leeds

  604

  1,085

  2,318

  8,487

  1,300

  Manchester

  494

  877

  1,863

  3,455

  647

  Bootle

  335

  694

  1,670

  6,300

  589

  Birmingham

  1,223

  1,573

  2,829

  9,312

  1,936

  Bristol

  436

  1,085

  1,248

  2,643

  1,024

  Cardiff

  392

  633

  1,244

  6,966

  857

  Wembley

  1,100

  1,455

  2,690

  5,073

  2,178

  Sutton

  1,332

  1,520

  2,014

  3,859

  2,438

  DLA Unit

  196

  212

  231

  2,410

  374

  Great Britain

  6,902

  10,517

  19,464

  58,532

  13,296

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide the figures used in constructing figure 10 in the social security departmental report published in February, together with equivalent figures for each year from 1970–71.

  Mr. Scott
  Information is not available in the form requested for years before 1974–75. The available information is in the tables.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary fo State for Social Security how many(a) disability living allowance awards and (b) attendance allowance awards were made between February and December 1992, nationally and by disability benefit centre; and if he will provide a breakdown of these by higher, middle or lower rate.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the tables.
  481

  Table 2 (continued)

  Dual awards

  Higher rate care plus

  Middle rate care plus

  Lower rate care plus

  Higher rate mobility

  Lower rate mobility

  Higher rate mobility

  Lower rate mobility

  Higher rate mobility

  Lower rate mobility

  All rates

  Edinburgh

  2,415

  521

  1,511

  1,522

  2,335

  2,031

  21,411

  Newcastle

  1,178

  152

  474

  526

  1,283

  731

  10,794

  Leeds

  3,096

  546

  1,631

  1,179

  3,186

  2,135

  25,580

  Manchester

  1,650

  319

  775

  686

  1,158

  1,240

  13,169

  Bootle

  1,792

  421

  1,369

  819

  2,594

  1,401

  17,993

  Birmingham

  4,173

  827

  2,204

  1,991

  3,519

  2,965

  32,545

  Bristol

  2,064

  459

  1,058

  1,266

  965

  1,122

  13,353

  Cardiff

  1,548

  338

  1,107

  707

  2,121

  1,039

  16,969

  Wembley

  3,777

  840

  1,825

  1,890

  2,469

  3,096

  26,376

  Sutton

  2,692

  887

  1,298

  1,873

  1,485

  2,488

  21,862

  DLA Unit

  593

  78

  302

  158

  458

  165

  5,184

  Great Britain

  24,979

  5,389

  13,554

  12,616

  21,574

  18,411

  205,236

  Table 3 Awards of attendance allowance between April and December 1992

  DBC

  Higher rate

  Lower rate

  Total

  Edinburgh

  11,492

  16,206

  27,698

  Newcastle

  4,047

  4,256

  8,303

  Leeds

  13,257

  18,511

  31,768

  Manchester

  8,548

  11,682

  20,230

  Bootle

  7,400

  11,428

  18,828

  Birmingham

  17,964

  26,073

  44,037

  Bristol

  11,360

  19,252

  30,612

  Cardiff

  6,453

  13,170

  19,623

  Wembley

  18,925

  26,887

  45,812

  Sutton

  16,227

  26,657

  42,884

  AA Unit

  352

  798

  1,150

  Total (All DBCs)

  116,025

  174,920

  290,945

  Notes:

  1. Unrounded figures have been used previously in PQs for DBCs.

  2. Monthly figures on AA only available from May 1992 and do not break-down nil awards into higher and lower rates.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number and percentage of disability working allowance claims that were renewed after the first six months and the number and percentage that were not renewed either because a request for renewal was not submitted or because the applicant did not fulfil the conditions of entitlement; and if he will provide a breakdown of claimants refused benefit at renewal stage on the grounds of failing to meet the disability conditions, the income test, the qualifying benefit conditions or other reasons.

  Mr. Scott
  It is not possible to say how many claims were not renewed at any one time because there is an eight-week period around the time the disability working allowance award expires in which a person can make a renewal claim. However, an analysis of the 1,502 awards made by 31 July 1992 shows that by the end of January 1993, 1,073 (71·4 per cent.) of these recipients had been given a second award. This figure is likely to increase when late claims are decided.

  By 29 January the number of renewal claims refused in each category was as follows:

  Reason for refusal

  Number of renewal claims refused

  Failure to meet the disability test

  21

  Failure to meet the income test

  126

  No qualifying benefit

  8

  Other reasons

  85

  482
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number and percentage of requests for reviews of(a) disability living allowance and (b) attendance allowance that remain outstanding.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the table.

  Total number received

  Reviews outstanding at end of January 1993

  Percentage of reviews outstanding

  Disability living allowance February 1992-January 1993

  67,953

  53,681

  79

  Attendance allowance April 1992-January 1993

  109,428

  28,812

  26

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to produce written information to claimants about their right to ask for a review of departmental decisions not to award compensation in respect of disability living allowance claims.

  Mr. Scott
  Payments to compensate someone for the lost use of benefit are made on an exgratia basis and there is no right of appeal against these decisions.

  However, any customer who believes that they meet the criteria for the award of a compensatory payment and who has had a payment refused may ask the DLA unit if the decision can be looked at again. (The criteria are that the delay has been at least 12 months for new claims or three for renewal claims; the arrears due are more than £50; and there has been clear departmental error which resulted in the delay).

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total expenditure of his Department on payments of disability living allowance and attendance allowance since the beginning of April 1992, excluding administrative costs; and if he will provide the total expenditure on mobility and attendance allowance for the same period in the previous year.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, spending on mobility allowance and attendance allowance for the year 1991–92 together with the estimated spending for disability living allowance, residual mobility allowance and attendance allowance for the year 1992–93 is in the table:
  483

  Actual spending 1991–92 (millions)

  Estimated spending 1992–93 (millions)

  Attendance allowance

  1,706

  1,458

  Mobility allowance

  1,062

  125

  Disability living allowance

  —

  1,905

  Total

  2,768

  3,488

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to respond to(a) the recommendation in the Social Security Advisory Committee's eighth report relating to the severe disability premium and (b) the other recommendations.

  Mr. Burt
  We have, of course, taken careful note of the committee's recommendations, but we are under no obligation to make a formal response and have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to reply to the application by Mr. Ernest Peel for his review of the mobility component of the disability living allowance which was sent to her Department on 2 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 M. Bichard to Mr. Bob Cryer, dated 19 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 when he expects to reply to the application by Mr. Ernest Peel for his review of the mobility component of the disability living allowance which was sent to this Department on 2 July 1992.
  A further decision has been given on Mr. Peel's Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component claim and was notified to Mr. Peel on 9 February 1993. I understand that the Disability Living Allowance Unit has already replied to you separately and in greater detail about his matter on 12 February 1993.
  The unfortunate delay in dealing with Mr. Peel's review application has resulted from heavy volumes of work following the successful launch of the new benefit. 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
  484
  DLA and the positive steps being taken to improve the situation. Since then further steps have been taken to clear the current backlog of reviews. Measures taken include recruiting additional, and redeploying existing staff and the setting up of four additional processing units.
  I offer my sincere apologies to Mr. Peel for the delay in dealing with his claim. He has clearly not received the standard of service that he has every right to expect from the Agency. Such matters are not taken lightly and measures are being taken to improve the quality of service for all our customers.
  I hope that you will find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to reply to the application by Mr. K. J. Warring-Davies for a component of the disability living allowance following the medical examination which took place on 24 November 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 writ to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Bob Cryer, dated 19 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 when he expects to reply to the application by Mr. K. J. Warring-Davies for a component of the disability living allowance following the medical examination which took place on 24th Novcember 1992.
  A decision has been given on Mr. Warring-Davies' Disability Living Allowance application and notified to him on 11 February 1993. I understand that the Disability Living Allowance Unit has already replied to you separately and in greater detail about this matter on 18 February 1992.
  The unfortunate delay in dealing with Mr. Warring-Davies' application has resulted from the heavy volumes of work following the successful launch of the new benefit. 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 being taken to improve the situation. Since then further steps have been taken to clear the current backlog of reviews. Measures taken include recruiting additional, and redeploying existing, staff and the setting up of four additional processing units.
  I apologise for the delay in dealing with Mr. Warring-Davies' case. Such matters are not taken lightly and measures are being taken to improve the quality of Service for all our customers.
  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.

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