Written Answers of 12 January 1993

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many member countries of(a) the EC, (b) G7 and (c) the OECD include expenditure incurred by sub-national units of government, local authorities, states, departments, länder, municipalities, and so on, and financed by local taxation in the expenditure to be controlled by central Government in their public expenditure planning processes; and if he will make a statement on the inclusion of United Kingdom local authority self-financed expenditure in the new control total.

  Mr. Portillo
  As explained in annex C to chapter 2 of the "Autumn Statement"—paragraph 2C.9—local authority self-financed expenditure—LASFE—is included in the new control total because it is a significant component of general Government expenditure, is not primarily cyclical and cannot sensibly be allowed to vary without any requirements for offsetting adjustments. Although LASFE is not directly under central government control, the Government influence and restrain local authority expenditure, and hence LASFE, through grant, capping and capital receipts rules.

  Information on which OECD countries include expenditure incurred by sub-national units of government and financed by local taxation in their public expenditure planning processes is not readily available. It can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Revenue Losses
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his most recent estimate of annual revenue losses arising from legal imports of(a) cigarettes, (b) other tobacco products, (c) wines and spirits, (d) beer and (e) other excisable goods, following the completion of the single market in January.

  Average January price (pence)

  Percentage price change (per cent·) over previous 12 months

  Year1

  Standard loaf of bread2

  Pint of milk3

  Bread

  Milk

  January Retail Prices Index (Jan 1974 = 100)

  UK net contribution to the EC Budget £ million

  1973

  10

  5·5

  n·a·

  n·a·

  89·3

  102

  1974

  13

  5·5

  20·3

  0

  100·0

  29

  1975

  14

  5·0

  8·3

  -9·2

  119·9

  -56

  1976

  17

  8·5

  19·4

  69·8

  147·9

  167

  1977

  21

  10·5

  23·2

  23·5

  172·4

  369

  1978

  26

  12·5

  18·5

  19·1

  189·5

  822

  1979

  30

  13·5

  13·4

  7·3

  207·2

  947

  1980

  35

  15·0

  16·0

  11·1

  245·3

  706

  1981

  39

  18·5

  11·0

  23·3

  277·3

  397

  1982

  41

  20·0

  6·0

  8·1

  310·6

  606

  1983

  43

  21·0

  3·5

  5·0

  325·9

  647

  1984

  45

  21·0

  4·1

  0

  342·6

  656

  688
  Sir John Cope
  The "Financial Statement and Budget Report" published in March 1992 made provision for a full-year loss of £250 million from increased cross-border shopping. We anticipate that most of the loss will be due to cigarettes, but the estimate is difficult and subdivisions between categories of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products would not be meaningful.

  VAT
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to collect value added tax from businesses at the current rate only on the turnover above the registration threshold; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  Value added tax is a transaction-based tax; it is collected by registered businesses from their customers and remitted to Customs. Unlike direct taxes, it is not a tax on the business. The relief suggested is, therefore, not appropriate.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of reference of the planned review of the exemption from value added tax of educational materials; and when he expects the review to be completed.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs and Excise are undertaking an internal review of the VAT exemptions available for educational services provided by fee paying schools, universities and other businesses to see whether, consistent with EC legislation, there is scope for simplification and rationalisation. It is too early yet to say how soon the review will be completed. There is no general exemption for the supply of educational materials and this is not part of the review.

  Food Prices
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prepare a table showing for each year since 1 January 1973(a) the average price of a standard loaf of bread, (b) the average price of a pint of milk, (c) the average price of a standard tin of baked beans, (d) the percentage increase in the price of each item, (e) the retail price index and (f) the United Kingdom net contribution to the EC budget; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The available information is given in the following table. Average price data for baked beans are not available.
  689

  Year1

  Standard loaf of bread2

  Pint of milk3

  Bread

  Milk

  January Retail Prices Index (Jan 1974 = 100)

  UK net contribution to the EC Budget £ million

  1985

  47

  22·0

  3·0

  4·8

  359·8

  1,808

  1986

  51

  23·0

  8·5

  4·3

  379·7

  572

  1987

  55

  25·0

  4·0

  8·2

  394·5

  1,721

  1988

  58

  26·0

  5·8

  4·2

  4407·5

  1,362

  1989

  60

  28·0

  5·5

  7·2

  4437·9

  2,315

  1990

  64

  29·0

  6·3

  7·5

  4471·4

  2,475

  1991

  70

  32·0

  9·7

  8·2

  4513·6

  545

  1992

  71

  33·0

  2·5

  4·6

  4534·9

  n.a.

  1The price data have been given for January of each year.

  2Price for a white unwrapped 1¾1b loaf.

  3Price for a pint of pasteurised milk. Prior to 1987 prices relate to delivered milk only. Since then shop-bought milk has been included in the calculations.

  4Indices have been converted to a January 1974–100 base from the official January 1987 = 100 base for ease of comparison.

  Family Expenditure
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the average spent each week by a family of two adults and two school age children on(a) food, (b) clothing, (c) entertainment, (d) housing and (e) taxes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The estimates are shown in the table. They are based on spending in 1991.

  Average weekly expenditure

  Description

  £ per week

  Food

  68·86

  Clothing

  24·83

  Entertainment

  41·42

  Housing

  64·34

  Income tax and National Insurance employees contribution

  107·88

  Domestic Energy Supplies
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to levy(a) value added tax or (b) any other additional taxation on domestic energy supplies.

  Sir John Cope
  My right hon. Friend will, as usual, set out his taxation proposals in the Budget. As is normal at this time of year, I cannot comment further at this time on any such proposals.

TRANSPORT

  Lorry Trailers (Rail Transport)
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the upgrading of the existing British Rail network necessary in order to accommodate unaccompanied lorry trailers.

  Mr. Roger Freeman
  Discussions are to be held between BR, independent transport consultants and the Health and Safety Executive on the scope for accommodating piggyback freight on some of BR's existing lines. They will be considering the engineering, cost and safety implications of using redesigned wagons and enhancing height clearances on some lines.

WALES

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid in each of the last five years to landowners in Wales in respect of compensation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and how much was paid during the same period in respect of land purchase.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Prior to 1 April 1991, payments under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for management agreements and land purchase were made by the Nature Conservancy Council for Great Britain as a whole, and were recorded centrally. Therefore figures for payments made in Wales prior to 1 April 1991 are not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  In 1991–92 payments made to landowners by the Countryside Council for Wales in respect of management agreements under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 amounted to £1.055 million. This amount included payments to encourage positive conservation measures as well as payments in respect of compensation, which are not recorded separately.

  For 1991–92, £0.631 million was paid by the Countryside Council for Wales for the purchase of land in national nature reserves. In addition, the Countryside Council for Wales gave grants totalling £0.399 million towards the purchase of land by other organisations for nature and landscape conservation.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement indicating the criteria used in assessing(a) projects benefiting all of the county and (b) projects benefiting all of the borough/district as used in his Department's press release of 14 December concerning the urban programme in mid Glamorgan.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The press release included a map showing the location of the projects to be grant aided. Projects that were shown as benefiting the whole county or the whole borough or district were identified on the basis of the information supplied by the local authorities concerned in their grant applications.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sites of special scientific interest damaged by acid rain in the latest year for which figures are available and give the hectarage of each site of special scientific interest affected.

  Mr. David Hunt
  A study published in October 1992 identified 42 sites of special scientific interest in Wales as having freshwater habitats affected by acid deposition, out of a current total of 848 SSSIs. These sites are listed in the tables. The area given is that of the whole SSSI and not the area damaged. The study sampled freshwaters and did not assess damage to the land area of sites. The Countryside Council for Wales is currently seeking to establish how far land habitats are being damaged by acid rain. Present research has indicated that some parts of south Wales may also be affected by acid rain although this was not considered likely at the time of the original study.

  Welsh SSSI surveyed and within which freshwaters were considered to have been affected by acidification.

  SSSI Name

  Area of whole SSSI (not area damaged)

  Dwyfor

  Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar

  138 ha

  Hafod Garregog

  45 ha

  Meirionnydd

  Ceunant Cynfal

  36 ha

  Cadair Idris

  3,548 ha

  Rhinog

  2,681 ha

  Coed Ganllwyd

  59 ha

  Coedydd Abergwynant

  88 ha

  Migneint

  4,108 ha

  Dduallt

  135 ha

  Arfon Arthog

  280 ha

  Pont Croesor

  91 ha

  Llyn Tegid

  484 ha

  Aberconwy

  Sychnant Pass

  109 ha

  Fairy Glen Woods

  43 ha

  Llynnau Mymbyr

  67 ha

  Llyn Goddionduon

  7.ha

  Llynnau Bodgynydd

  25 ha

  Llyn Bychan

  4 ha

  Llyn Ty'n y Mynydd

  7 ha

  Pandora Reservoirs

  8 ha

  Carneddau

  8,190 ha

  Arfon

  Coedydd Aber

  185 ha

  Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

  2,740 ha

  Cwm Dwythwch

  385 ha

  Glydeiriau and Cwm Idwal

  2,780 ha

  Llyn Cwellyn

  89 ha

  Clwyd

  Berwyn

  15,991 ha

  Mynydd Hiraethog

  6,321 ha

  Llandegla Moor

  576 ha

  Dyfed/Powys

  Montgomery

  Coed Afon Crewi

  5 ha

  Coedydd Llawr-y-glyn

  102 ha

  Pencreigiau'r Llan

  234 ha

  River Wye

  10 ha

  Pumlumon

  3,848 ha

  692

  SSSI Name

  Area of whole SSSI (not area damaged)

  Radnor

  Marcheini Uplands

  810 ha

  Cwm Gwynllyn

  92 ha

  Rhos Rhyd-y-ceir

  8 ha

  Maelienydd

  350 ha

  Ceredigion

  Coedydd a Cheunant Rheidol

  234 ha

  Llynoedd Ieuan

  175 ha

  Elenydd

  22,770 ha

  Cwm Doethie and M Mallaen

  6,187 ha

  1 250 km length

  Medical Research
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Medical Research Council in relation to the closure in 1995 of the epidemiology unit at Llandough hospital; what provision he will arrange in relation to the Caerphilly study into factors affecting heart disease incidence; what other proposals for medical research in Wales he has exchanged with the research council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: Officials were involved in the review of the Medical Research Council-funded epidemiology unit and keep in close touch with the MRC as a matter of course. Senior officials, including the chief medical officer, met the Secretary of the Medical Research Council in Cardiff on 12 November 1992 to discuss the closure of the unit, and the future Medical Research Council developments in Wales. I am pleased to say that the Medical Research Council has endorsed the recommendation of its systems board that the Caerphilly study should continue to be supported through to the completion of phase IV, which will require work beyond the closure date of the unit.

  I consider a sound research base very important and I am keen to see Medical Research Council investment in Wales maintained. Thus, I am encouraged to note that the Medical Research Council is discussing with researchers in Wales a number of possible projects under the clinical research initiative.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish a revised learning difficulties strategy for Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The revised document will be published in time to relaunch the strategy from 1 April 1993.

  EC Doctors and Dentists
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will encourage district health authorities to embark on recruitment drives in Europe to attract doctors and dentists to work in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: All health authorities in Wales are currently able to recruit doctors and dentists from Europe. All, with the exception of Powys health authority, have already recruited from Europe.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Postponed Cases
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will give the numbers of cases postponed in(a) magistrates courts and (b) stipendiary magistrates' courts in each county, indicating (i) the percentage involved at each court, (ii) the reasons for each postponement and (iii) the cost of each postponement in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Service Agency
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used in the selection of the new chief executive of the Prison Service Agency; what steps were taken to ensure a fair and open competition; if the selected candidate was the first recommendation of the selection panel; and what is to be the salary of the appointee.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 21 December, Mr. Derek Lewis was appointed chief executive and director general of the new Prison Service Agency in an open competition conducted under the aegis of the Civil Service Commissioners. The Recruitment and Assessment Services issued a public advertisement and Saxton Bamfylde International plc conducted an executive search. The advertisement stated that the successful candidate would need to have experience, most probably at chief executive level, of leading a substantial organisation in the public or private sector; a track record of successful management of large-scale change, delivering improved quality and efficiency; and first-class communication skills and good judgment appropriate to the leadership of a highly complex and sensitive public service. In accordance with the normal practice the recommendations of the selection panel are confidential. Mr. Lewis's salary is £125,000 a year and he is eligible for a performance bonus of up to 35 per cent. of basic salary, assessed by the Department on the basis of measures of performance.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred each year since 1965 under

  Table A Number of persons convicted of child sex offences 1981–19911 England and Wales

  Offence

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  19911

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  147

  126

  149

  118

  150

  147

  195

  232

  183

  189

  168

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  10

  5

  12

  22

  17

  20

  20

  31

  26

  18

  26

  Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years

  509

  506

  533

  511

  528

  410

  430

  460

  406

  421

  351

  694
  section 5a of the Public Order Act 1936 and subsequently sections 17 to 23 of the Public Order Act 1986; and how many of these prosecutions have been successful.

  Mr. Jack
  Information for 1979 to 1991, which is provisional, is given in the table. Data for 1965 to 1978 are not available.

  Number of prosecutions at magistrates' courts and convictions at all courts under Section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 and Sections
  17 to 23 of the Public Order Act 19861, 1979 to 1991

  Year

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  1979

  3

  2

  1980

  —

  —

  1981

  3

  1

  1982

  4

  4

  1983

  2

  1

  1984

  11

  2

  1985

  25

  8

  1986

  4

  11

  1987

  11

  6

  1988

  22

  2

  1989

  28

  2

  1990

  45

  4

  19912

  67

  3

  1 Came into force on 1 January 1987.

  2 Provisional.

  Child Sex Abuse
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offenders have been charged with more than one incidence of child sex abuse;

  (2) how many incidents there have been of persons being treated for child sex abuse who have been charged with offences of a similar nature (a) during the course of their treatment and (b) within two years after their treatment finishing;

  (3) how many persons were convicted in each of the last five years for offences of sexual abuse against children; and how many such persons have been convicted in each of the last 10 years in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.

  Mr. Jack
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of offenders who have been charged with more than one incident of child sex abuse. Nor are records kept centrally of the number of persons being treated for child sex abuse who have been charged with similar offences.

  Information on the number of persons convicted of child sex crimes in England and Wales and the Coventry and Warwickshire areas is given in the tables. It is only possible from the information held centrally to identify sex offenders where the victim is known to be aged under 16 years.
  695

  Offence

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  19911

  Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years

  1,458

  1,492

  1,356

  1,281

  1,446

  1,327

  1,556

  1,650

  1,657

  1,537

  1,469

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years

  81

  71

  103

  83

  110

  100

  102

  135

  96

  110

  105

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years

  487

  419

  422

  414

  395

  341

  346

  340

  262

  304

  223

  Incest with a girl under 13 years

  32

  45

  40

  49

  57

  77

  89

  104

  100

  84

  68

  Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  7

  7

  7

  —

  3

  3

  4

  2

  5

  3

  3

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years

  7

  7

  3

  6

  3

  2

  6

  7

  3

  5

  1

  Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc

  4

  3

  4

  3

  —

  3

  3

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years

  8

  9

  6

  8

  11

  12

  7

  8

  13

  8

  8

  Gross indecency with children

  229

  231

  220

  237

  266

  243

  248

  246

  219

  276

  219

  1 Provisional

  Table B Number of persons convicted of child sex offences in the Warwickshire Police Force Area 1987–19911 Warwickshire

  Offence

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1 1991

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  2

  1

  2

  2

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years

  1

  1

  6

  3

  1

  Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years

  15

  13

  14

  17

  13

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years

  2

  3

  1

  —

  —

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years

  2

  1

  5

  3

  5

  Incest with a girl under 13 years

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency with children

  1

  1

  2

  1

  4

  1 Provisional.

  696

  Table C Number of persons convicted at the magistrates' courts of child sex offences in Coventry Petty Sessional Division and at the Crown Court who were committed from Coventry Petty Sessional Division 1987–19911 Coventry

  Offence

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1 1991

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  5

  1

  5

  3

  1

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years

  2

  3

  2

  2

  3

  Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years

  11

  7

  11

  9

  9

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 years

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16 years

  4

  4

  2

  2

  1

  Incest with a girl under 13 years

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Inciting girl under 16 years to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc.

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  697

  Offence

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1 1991

  Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16 years

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency with children

  5

  5

  2

  2

  3

  1 Provisional.

  Linen Washing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take to ensure that prisons conform to guidelines issued in circular DHSS HC (87); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Circular instructions 9/1992 replaces, so far as practice in the prison service is concerned, DHSS circular HC (87) on the washing of foul and infected linen. Annex 3 of the circular instruction includes detailed guidance on the treatment of foul and infected linen and the wearing of protective clothing, which all prisons are expected to follow so as to ensure that such items are hygienically washed to the standards recommended in the DHSS circular.

EDUCATION

  Adult Education
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many enrolments there were for courses of adult education provided by the Inner London education authority at the time of its abolition; and what are the current corresponding figures for its successor authorities.

  Mr. Boswell
  In November 1989, there were some 222,000 enrolments of students aged 19 and over on courses in adult institutions and further education colleges maintained by the Inner London education authority. In November 1991, the corresponding figure for institutions maintained by the inner London boroughs or funded through the London residuary body is provisionally estimated as 202,000.

PRIME MINISTER

  Prince and Princess of Wales
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister how many times he met the Prince and Princess of Wales to discuss their separation before his announcement on 9 December 1992.

  The Prime Minister
  I meet both the prince and princess periodically to discuss a range of issues.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 1992,Official Report, column 655, when the further report from the National Radiological Protection Board on mortality and cancer evidence relating to nuclear test veterans will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 24 November at column 577.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Homelessness
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the number of homeless persons presently seeking dwellings who are(a) Roman Catholics, (b) Protestants and (c) others in each district of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  Mr. Atkins
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chief executive that the information requested is not readily available. However an indication of the total number of homeless persons seeking Housing Executive accommodation is given by the numbers of applicants in the A1 group—emergency housing category—of the executive's waiting list. The number in the A1 group in each executive district as at 30 November 1992 was as follows:

  District

  A1 Applicants

  Antrim

  27

  Armagh

  19

  Ballycastle

  8

  Ballymena

  22

  Ballymoney

  1

  Banbridge

  11

  Bangor

  15

  Belfast 1

  98

  Belfast 2

  38

  Belfast 3

  96

  Belfast 4

  49

  Belfast 5

  50

  Belfast 6

  53

  Belfast 7

  75

  Carrickfergus

  36

  Castlereagh 1

  17

  Castlereagh 2

  18

  Coleraine

  30

  Cookstown

  6

  Craigavon

  3

  Downpatrick

  72

  Dungannon

  10

  Fermanagh

  19

  Larne

  16

  Limavady

  26

  Lisburn 1

  55

  Lisburn 2

  30

  Lisburn 3

  63

  Londonderry 1

  139

  Londonderry 2

  49

  Londonderry 3

  109

  Lurgan

  17

  Magherafelt

  6

  Newry 1

  31

  Newry 2

  25

  Newtownabbey 1

  15

  Newtownabbey 2

  20

  Newtownards 1

  38

  Newtownards 2

  10

  Omagh

  35

  699

  District

  A1 Applicants

  Portadown

  12

  Strabane

  25

HEALTH

  Diethylstilbestrol
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has undertaken into the long-term carcinogenic and other side-effects on children born to mothers given DES as a treatment for high blood-pressure during pregnancy in the period 1941 to 1960; if she will assist the formation of DES self-help groups; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  International studies have suggested that Diethylstilbestrol is potentially carcinogenic to daughters of women prescribed the drug and can have potential non carcinogenic side effects on offspring of both sexes.

  The Department has supported a study among EC member states aimed at providing information to the public and medical profession. This was undertaken by "DES Action the Netherlands" on behalf of the European Commission. We have no current plans to assist in the formation of DES self-help groups, but it is open to voluntary bodies to seek financial support under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.

  DES was not widely prescribed in this country and the estimated number of women who might develop cancer as a consequence is very small.

  The prospect for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer in this country has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of the NHS breast and cervical screening programmes. Additionally, anyone who develops symptoms which worry them should immediately contact their doctor.

  Any new information relating to side effects from DES will be monitored in the usual way when it becomes available to the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  NHS Property
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is Her Majesty's Government's practice in respect of use of the proceeds from disposal of national health service land or other property which was in origin substantially funded by charitable donations.

  Mr. Sackville
  All proceeds from the sale of national health service land and property are retained by the NHS for reinvestment in the NHS.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will outline her decision on the level of prescription charges to be applied from 1 April.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Morley and Leeds, South (Mr. Gunnell) on Tuesday 8 December 1992 at column 633.

  Meternity Services
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the report of the departmental study team set up to consider good practice in commissioning and providing maternity services in units led by midwives and/or general practitioners; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I am pleased to announce that the study team's report, entitled "A study of midwife-and GP-led maternity units" has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library and distributed throughout the national health service in England.

  The report sets out principles of good practice in purchasing and the effective use of resources, the roles of clinicians, safety and location of units and quality of service. Although it was based on visits to maternity units led by midwives or general practitioners, many of the principles are relevant to maternity services more generally.

  Drug Costs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, for each of the last 10 years, the average proportion of the increase in national health service spending attributable to manufacturers' price increases, for each of the 10 groups of prescription medicines and drugs covered by the proposed extension to the limited list.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Available data do not permit the effect of manufacturers' pricing increases to be identified separately from other factors affecting the total cost of national health service prescriptions.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Accommodation (Loans)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many loans were given from the social fund in each of the last three years to young people under the age of 21 years living in the Greater London area to help pay a deposit to secure accommodation.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 11 January 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 loans from the Social Fund to help pay a deposit to secure accommodation.
  Payments for deposits to secure accommodation are excluded from the Social Fund by the Secretary of State's Direction. However, loans for the payment of rent in advance are available from the Social Fund to assist people moving into accommodation. In the financial year 1990–91, 1,822 such awards were made in the Greater London area totalling £363,366. In 1991–92, 1,854 awards were made to the value of £365,752. The corresponding figures for 1989–90 are not held but you may wish to note that 12,833 awards totalling £1.8 million were made nationally during this year. No information is available as to the age of the applicants to whom awards were made.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.

  Resettlement Units
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the current timetable for the transfer of each of the Department of Social Security resettlement units to independent landlords;

  (2) what are the plans for units that are specifically excluded from the transfer programme for resettlement units;

  (3) what arrangements have been made by the DSS resettlement unit to guarantee that there will be continued revenue funding for each transferred resettlement unit and any associated replacement provision;

  (4) what provision is being made for appropriate replacement accommodation and permanent move-on accommodation for single homeless people currently resident in DSS resettlement units.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The management of the Resettlement Agency is a matter for Mr Tony Ward, the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Tony Ward to Mr. John Battle, dated 12 January 1993:
  I am writing in response to the four questions that you have recently asked about the business of the Resettlement Agency of which I am the Chief Executive.
  Your first question asked, "What is the current timetable for the transfers of each of the Department of Social Security Resettlement Units to independent landlords?"
  Our first exercise to dispose of the resettlement units at Camden in London, and Newbury in Berkshire should be completed by 31 March 1993. At that time this Agency will cease to have any operational responsibility for the units and they will be disposed of to two separate voluntary organisations. We have not yet decided the exact timescales for the nine remaining units which will be subject to similar processes. However, provisional planning is that at least four will be disposed of by the end of March 1994, and at least a further four by the end of March 1995.
  Your second question asked, "What are the plans for units that are specifically excluded from the transfer programme for resettlement units?"
  Only two of our resettlement units fall into this category, namely Bishopbriggs in Scotland and Leeds. Bishopbriggs is certain to be replaced by other hostel provision. We are, as yet, undecided about the prospects for our unit at Leeds. We are currently considering ways in which the unit could be modernised, but if this is not a practical option then the unit would be replaced by other facilities.
  Your third question asked about the guarantees, "that there will be continued revenue for each transferred resettlement unit and any associated replacement provision?"
  The current intention is that revenue funding will continue for those organisations which the Agency currently funds, and in the future might fund. However, funding is subject to monitoring arrangements which aim to ensure that the care standards are adequate, that the conditions of grant award are within the legislation, and that the facilities are managed in a way which provides value for money. Providing these conditions are met and subject to overall Government policy, I expect funding to continue.
  Your fourth question asked, "What provision is being made for appropriate replacement accommodation and permanent move-on accommodation for single homeless people currently resident in DSS Resettlement Units?" (RUs).
  Only two RUs are currently in the process of being replaced. These are the 80 bed unit at Southampton and the 64 bed unit at Stormy Down in South Wales.
  At Southampton, by 1 April 1993 the replacement provision will consist of 136 beds at various locations in the region. In South Wales the replacement provision will consist of 65 beds, and an additional 14 beds where we provide financial support.
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  As I have indicated earlier, the remaining units will mainly be handed over to other organisations and the residents will not be adversely affected by this process.
  If you require any further information or advice on my answers to your questions please let me know.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Elizabeth Pinnock of 45 South Furzeham road, Brixham (NI number YM 87 30 82 A) will learn the result of her appeal against the decision to refuse her disability living allowance; and whether any of her doctors, consultants, osteopaths and chiropracters were consulted before this decision was made.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 11 January 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions raised about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Mrs. Elizabeth Pinnock's appeal against the decision to refuse her Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and whether any of her doctors, consultants, osteopaths and chiropractors were consulted before this decision was made.
  Mrs. Pinnock appealed against a decision to refuse her claim for Mobility Allowance (MobA) on 6 November 1991 and was notified of the outcome of the appeal on 13 December 1992. I am pleased to tell you that the review decision on her DLA claim has also now been notified to Mrs. Pinnock.
  As you may be aware, adjudication officers (AOs) are independent of the Benefits Agency in their decision-making and are free to seek such medical advice as they deem necessary to make a decision. General Practitioners, consultants, chiropractors and osteopaths are all among the sources available to AOs before decisions are made. A medical report was obtained from Mrs. Pinnock's GP in pursuit of her appeal.
  I am very sorry for the delay in dealing with this case and for any difficulties Mrs. Pinnock has experienced. I wrote to you in greater detail about this on 6 January 1993.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.

  Benefits, Wakefield
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the refusal rate for(a) community care grants and (b) social fund loans at the Wakefield Benefits Agency office in the 1991–92 financial year and from April 1992 to the current date.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 11 January 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 refusal rates for grants and loans at the Wakefield Benefits Agency Office.
  Details of refusal rates for each Benefit Agency District, for the 1991–92 financial year, are in the Library. The number of applications received and refused by each District for the period 1 April 1992 to 30 September 1992 is also in the Library. The refusal rate in Wakefield District for loans and grants for the months of October and November 1992 (the

  703
  latest data available) is 34.5 per cent. and 78.6 per cent. respectively. I should emphasise that the vast majority of community care grant refusals are because the application fails to meet the basic criteria.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the take-up figures for the post-1988 reforms income-related benefits will become available.

  Mr. Lilley
  Estimates of take-up for the post-1988 income-related benefits have been published today. Copies of the report, which relates to 1989 for income support and housing benefit and 1988–89 and 1991 for family credit, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Child Support Agency
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance she proposes to issue to Child Support Agency staff on the subject of the requirement on mothers to co-operate; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has today issued guidelines for Child Support Agency staff which describe how he wishes section 6 of the Child Support Act 1991, which deals with applications by those receiving certain benefits and includes a requirement to co-operate in some circumstances, to be applied. Copies of the guidelines have been placed in the Library.

  A new system of child maintenance is being introduced on 5 April, which takes the responsibility for determining maintenance away from the courts and puts it in the hands of a new Government body, the Child Support Agency. Both parents have a responsibility for the financial support of their children.

  After 5 April, lone mothers who get income support, family credit or disability working allowance will be asked to give the name and other details of their child's father so that the Child Support Agency can arrange for him to pay maintenance for his child. The vast majority of lone mothers claiming income support already provide details of absent fathers although they are not yet required to do so by law. Some mothers, however, decide not to give details of the child's father. These mothers will be asked to supply information after 5 April, unless they or any children living with them would be at risk of harm or undue distress if they did so. Many mothers who receive child maintenance find that it gives them greater flexibility and more choice over the way they organise their lives, particularly as they continue to get maintenance if they go to work, and research shows that many mothers would welcome a return to work. Nevertheless, the Government recognise that in some cases a mother will have genuine fear that disclosing the name of the father to the Child Support Agency will result in a risk of harm or undue distress to her or her children. Mothers will be told, in these circumstances, that the Child Support Agency will act as a buffer between the parents so that, if they do not wish to do so, they will not have to see the child's father, and he will not be told where the mother and her children live. However, if the mother continues to believe, in spite of this, that there is a likelihood that there is a risk to her or the children, then the guidelines will be applied.
  704
  The guidelines are not exhaustive and do not provide a definitive list of circumstances which would constitute good cause for not providing information about the absent parent. Rather, they provide guidance which staff will use to help make a decision. Each case will be considered on its merits. Child support staff will be very carefully trained, in a programme devised with the help of Relate, to enable them to deal with their clients sensitively. In general, the mother will have the right to be believed unless what she says is inherently contradictory or implausible. The guidelines also explain the rights of appeal to an independent tribunal.

  The same rules for child maintenance will apply in cases where the parent with care of the child is the father, and it is the mother who will be contacted to pay maintenance. In one in 10 cases, the parent with care is the father.

  In addition to placing the guidelines in the Library, further copies will be available from the Department.

  I understand that the Department of Health and Social Services will shortly be issuing similar guidelines for the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency.

DEFENCE

  Royal Navy Ships
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has further to reduce the number of Royal Navy ships; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Our plans to move to a smaller and better equipped Navy remain as set out in "Britain's Defence for the 90s". We will move to these force levels while introducing newer and more capable vessels.

  Armed Forces Pay
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect the armed forces pay increase announced in the autumn statement will have on morale.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Government's policy on pay restraint applies across the public sector without exception. Service personnel recognise that they must play their part, along with other public sector workers, in keeping public expenditure under control and contributing to economic recovery.

  Peacekeeping (Europe)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the effect of the projected deployment of infantry in peacekeeping roles in Europe on the availability of forces for other purposes.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am satisfied that the restructuring of the Army currently under way will deliver a balanced force that is well matched to our needs and at a level which is adequate to meet the tasks we ask it to undertake.

  Industry (Communications)
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve his Department's communications with industry.

  Mr. Rifkind
  We seek continually to develop and improve communication between the Department and
  705
  industry. Most recently, we have informed the Defence Trade Associations that, from this year, we shall be publishing annually a list of our approved equipment programmes, as an aid to industry in their forward planning.

  Oil Pipelines
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the revenue of his Department by allowing the private sector to use the oil pipelines under his control.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Spare capacity on the MoD pipeline system has, for a number of years, been let to the private sector and revenues appropriated in aid. The situation is continuously monitored by our managing agents, the Oil and Pipelines Agency, to ensure maximum returns commensurate with strategic requirements.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in Bosnia.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the latest situation in Bosnia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Sweeney) earlier today.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the number and deployment of United Kingdom troops in Bosnia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are currently some 2,500 British troops deployed to Bosnia Herzegovina as part of the United Nations protection force.

  Trident
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the life of the Trident submarine programme.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Trident force is planned to enter service progressively from the mid-1990s and will provide the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent capability until well into the next century.

  Defence Spending (Scotland)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to visit Scotland to look at the implications there of reductions in defence spending.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend frequently visits Scotland and gives regular consideration to the effects of reductions in the defence programme there, as he does for all parts of the United Kingdom.

  Scottish Regiments and Battalions
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the review of Scottish regiments and battalions; and if he will make a statement.
  706
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) earlier today.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with regard to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We take appropriate opportunities to discuss issues related to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with those countries already party to the treaty, and to urge the few remaining countries who have not acceded to do so.

  Defence Contracts
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the nationality of all the companies given contracts for small arms and bullets in the last three years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In addition to companies based in the United Kingdom, companies from the following countries have been awarded contracts for small arms and bullets in the last three years:

  Austria

  Belgium

  France

  Germany

  Norway

  Portugal

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  United States of America

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proportion of British defence contracts placed with British companies.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In order to achieve the best value for money, wherever possible, we place contracts by means of open competition. British companies have proved highly competitive to the extent that, over the past five years, we estimate that 91 per cent. of defence equipment expenditure was spent with United Kingdom firms.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for improving the living quarters for armed forces in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Two hundred new houses are currently under construction throughout the sovereign base areas. These will replace 35-year-old prefabricated married quarters. It is planned to start construction of a further 96 married quarters in the eastern sovereign base areas in 1993. Two old barrack blocks in the eastern sovereign base area are scheduled for demolition and replacement by modern style single living accommodation for 150; construction is planned to start in 1993. In addition, the Defence Land Agent is steadily improving the stock as better properties become available.

  Warship Orders
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about future plans for ordering warships and auxiliary vessels.
  707
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Further orders for warships and auxiliary vessels are planned including type 23 frigates, a replacement for the type 42 destroyers, mine countermeasures vessels and new amphibious ships. Further orders for support ships are also planned.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the properties within the responsibility of his Department which are currently empty in the London borough of Greenwich.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 118 vacant service married quarters in the London borough of Greenwich out of a stock of 646. The majority of these are reserved for families returning from overseas within the next two months while others are undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation.

  In addition, 39 married quarters were in the process of being sold, 30 of these to a housing association at a discount in return for nomination rights for personnel who will be leaving the services over the next few years.

ENVIRONMENT

  House Renovation Grants
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for changes to the house renovation grant system; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Bates) in my reply of 11 January, during recent months it has become clear that the present renovation grant system is placing increasing financial pressure on a growing number of local authorities, mainly because of the demands of mandatory grants. I have concluded that there is a need to take a further thorough look at the operation of the system, in particular to examine whether it offers the best structure for investing the resources that are likely to be available in future years. Accordingly, my Department will shortly be issuing a consultation paper setting out possible options for change. I shall want to consider very carefully the views expressed by local authorities and others in response to this document.

  On 17 December 1992, I announced the resources which we are making available in 1993–94 to support the local authorities expenditure on renovation grants, on other aspects of private housing renewal and on dealing with defective housing. I am pleased to say that, taken together with authorities increased spending power receipts next year, these provide for higher total expenditure than in the current financial year.

  On 22 December my officials wrote to the local authority associations consulting them on the amendment regulations to give effect to the changes to the renovation grant system that I announced on 16 July 1992, Official Report, column 1047. These changes will be implemented from 1 April this year. Among other things, these involve adjustments to the means test which will enable more help to be given to low income applicants, a limit of £50,000 on mandatory renovation grants and revised cost limits for minor works assistance and group repair schemes.
  708
  These changes are being made without prejudice to further revision of the system, possibly including adjustments to the means test to target resources even more tightly on the poorest households, that I may decide to make for 1994–95 onwards as a result of the review.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Research and Technology
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to terminate the application of attribution in relation to projects in research and development in the United Kingdom which have been granted EC funding.

  Mr. Leigh
  The DTI does not normally provide top-up funding to those organisations who have secured European Community R and D funding. EC R and D grants have already been set at a level which takes into account the need for the research projects to be completed successfully. I have no plans to change this policy.

  The key need in research and development funding is to continue to avoid duplication, by ensuring that Community programmes complement, and are complemented by, our domestic programmes.

  Toy Imports
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of toys imported into the United Kingdom from China in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  Figures prior to 1988 are not available on a comparable basis due to the revision of the standard international trade classification. The available information is given in the table.

  United Kingdom imports of toys1 from China

  £ million

  1988

  92·4

  1989

  136·1

  1990

  159·1

  1991

  192·1

  Jan-Oct 1992

  221·9

  1 Toys are defined as heading 894.2 of the Standard International Trade Classification (revision 3).

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

  Kazakhstan
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to negotiate a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan;

  (2) what plans he has to meet trade delegations from Kazakhstan;

  (3) what plans he has to increase the amount of trade between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan.

  Mr. Needham
  Trade between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan comes within Community competence and, under the United Kingdom presidency of the EC, my Department has played a leading role in securing agreement on a mandate for partnership and co-operation agreements with the republics of the former Soviet Union. Negotiations with Kazakhstan on such an agreement are expected to begin early this year. On a bilateral basis
  709
  negotiations are now beginning between the United Kingdom and Kazakh authorities on an investment promotion and protection agreement—IPPA.

  No officially sponsored trade delegations are expected in the near future but as recently as last November my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade met Vice-President Asanbaev during his visit to London.

  My Department intends to build on this visit and on that made by President Nazarbaev in November 1991. The section of the Department that dealt with the former Soviet Union has now been split up and enlarged to provide a separate section on Transcaucasia and central Asia, including Kazakhstan. This new section already provides British companies with information about economic conditions and specific business opportunities and supports them in the market, in which it works closely with the British embassy recently opened in Alma Ata.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission about lifting the 1998 time limit for the non-fossil fuel obligation—NFFO—as it relates to renewable energy sources;

  (2) what representations he has received regarding the impact of planning delays on the viability of waste-to-energy schemes included under the 1991 NFFO renewable order.

  (3) how many waste-to-energy schemes are included under the 1991 NFFO renewables order; and how many such schemes have (a) received planning consent, (b) failed to receive planning consent and (c) not applied for planning consent.

  (4) what role renewable energy schemes, including waste-to-energy, have in achieving Government targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government believe that renewable sources of energy can make an important contribution to limiting greenhouse gas emissions. We are currently working towards a figure of 1,000MW of new renewable energy generating capacity in 2000. The Renewable Energy Advisory Group has recommended that the Government should underwrite a floor level of 1,500MW of new renewables in the United Kingdom by the year 2000. This recommendation is under consideration. The Government are considering targets for the specific use of waste to generate energy against the background of the Government target of recycling 50 per cent. of recyclable household waste by the year 2000.

  There are 42 waste to energy schemes including landfill gas, in the 1991 NFFO renewables order. Planning consents for such schemes are a matter for the generators who put them forward.

  Representations about the effect of planning delays on waste to energy schemes have been received from Cory Environmental and from the hon. Gentleman. I am unable to comment on Cory's application for consent for a waste to energy station at Belvedere as I am acting in a quasi-judicial capacity.

  Discussions are in progress with the European Commission on the question of support of renewables beyond 1998.

  European Space Agency
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the British companies carrying out work in connection with the European Space Agency in order of the value of the contract concerned.

  Mr. Leigh
  On the basis of the most recent information available, the total value of contracts awarded by the European Space Agency—ESA—to United Kingdom companies in the three years between 1989 and 1991 amounted to the equivalent of 323,194,715 ecu—European currency units. More than 100 United Kingdom companies received contracts from ESA in this period and the following table lists those who were awarded contracts with a total value of more than 850,000 ecu.

  Value of contracts awarded by the European Space Agency to United Kingdom companies 1989–91

  Company

  Value ('000 ecu)

  British Aerospace

  126,815

  Matra Marconi Space UK

  56,438

  Serco Ltd.

  19,077

  Logica Ltd.

  11,260

  Avica

  7,921

  Marcol

  6,491

  Vega Space Systems

  5,596

  Royal Aerospace Establishment

  4,769

  Sira Ltd.

  4,388

  Science Systems

  4,244

  IGG Component Technology

  3,629

  Dowty Electronics Ltd.

  2,658

  Spur Electron Ltd.

  2,324

  GEC Research Ltd.

  2,296

  Satellites International Ltd.

  2,158

  Plessey Ltd.

  1,975

  STC Technology

  1,875

  ERA Technology

  1,714

  Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  1,653

  European Space Tribology Lab

  1,590

  English Electric Valve Co.

  1,560

  Pilkington

  1,521

  Ferranti Ltd.

  1,356

  Martin Baker Aircraft Co.

  962

  Brunel University

  959

  COM Dev Europe

  870

  Other UK companies

  44,097

  Total

  323,195

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on United Kingdom participation in the European Space Agency.

  Mr. Leigh
  The United Kingdom will continue to participate in the European Space Agency on the present basis. Our most recent initiative within the agency's activities, which I announced on 26 November, 1992,Official Report, columns 818–19, has been to take a major share in a new earth observation programme, Envisat-1, approved by European Space Agency Ministers at their meeting in Granada on 9 and 10 November, 1992.

  BAe Space Division
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effects for the United Kingdom technology base of the Matra/Marconi takeover of the BAe space division.

  Mr. Leigh
  British Aerospace has discontinued discussions with potential purchasers or partners for its
  711
  space systems business since it has not been possible to conclude a satisfactory agreement. In the light of that outcome, the British Aerospace board has decided to retain its space systems interests as a wholly owned subsidiary of British Aerospace plc.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list each civil servant in his Department with an outstanding consent to become a non-executive director of a private company; if he will give the date his consent was given, the time period, and the companies concerned; and what policy considerations underlie his decisions on giving or withholding consent.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department arranges non-executive directorships to companies as part of a programme to develop the knowledge and skills of its senior staff and improve understanding between DTI and business. In selecting candidates for specific opportunities account is taken of potential conflicts of interest. The time periods of directorships are flexible and not normally determined when appointments are made. The table lists the DTI civil servants currently holding non-executive directorships under this programme, with details of the dates they started them and the companies concerned.

  Name of Official

  Start Date

  Company

  Cooke, J. A.

  September 1990

  RTZ Pillar Ltd.

  Dart, G. S.

  October 1991

  Laing Engineering Ltd.

  Dobbie, Dr. R. C.

  April 1989

  Vickers PLC (Marine Engineering Division)

  Egginton, Dr. M. A.

  October 1991

  BOC UK Gases Ltd.

  Hagestadt, J. V.

  March 1988

  British Aerospace Flying College Ltd.

  Heathcote, Dr. F. R.

  February 1988

  Trafalgar House Property Ltd.

  Lawrenson, I. J.

  March 1990

  Marine Technology Directorate Ltd.

  Marsh, D. R.

  February 1992

  Bovis Homes Ltd.

  Neville-Rolfe, Miss M. T.

  April 1987

  Rolls Royce Motor Cars Ltd.

  Paton, W.

  April 1989

  Optimal Ltd.

  Wallard, A. J.

  June 1986

  Rank Cintel Ltd.

  O'Shea, M. K.

  July 1992

  Seven Seas Ltd.

  Bureaucracy
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in removing excessive bureaucracy in Government dealings with businesses, organisations and individuals; and what further steps he proposes to take.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Since the general election, a wide range of deregulatory measures has been taken across 712
  Whitehall to reduce administrative and regulatory burdens on business. There has also been action to improve the application of regulation by local authorities and the quality of assessments of the potential costs of compliance which are taken into account in deciding whether and how to regulate. Currently, all Government Departments are examining the body of regulation for which they are responsible, whether this originates at the EC or national level or is applied by local authorities. The work is being driven forward by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade who has appointed my noble Friend Lord Sainsbury to assist him and to help strengthen the business contribution to the deregulation initiative. The aim is to identify further scope for reducing the burden on business significantly through simplification and abolition of regulatory requirements and administrative procedures. Taking into account the concerns and views of businesspeople affected by such regulations, each department is drawing up a plan of action for 1993 and beyond. These plans and progress under the initiative generally will be discussed at a forthcoming seminar to be chaired by the Prime Minister. In addition, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will shortly announce the terms of reference of a scrutiny into the formulation of EC law and its implementation and enforcement in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of implementing(a) EC directives and (b) Government legislation in each year since 1987–88; and what steps he is taking to reduce such costs.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Overall estimates of compliance costs have not been made. Compliance costs of individual measures are made but it is not possible sensibly to aggregate these estimates. A scrutiny will begin shortly into the formulation, implementation and enforcement of EC directives in the United Kingdom with a view to minimising the burden on businesses. All Departments are examining existing legislation with a view to reducing the burdens on businesses through simplification and repeal. In addition, revised guidance has been issued to officials on compliance cost assessments and copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Cuba
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions there are on trade with Cuba(a) generally and (b) in respect of medical supplies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 17 December 1992]: Cuba is on the UK list of destinations for which export licence applications are subject to special licensing procedures. Apart from imports of bananas which are subject to "dollar quota" licensing, there are no UK restrictions on imports from Cuba which are not applied more generally against imports from all sources.

  GATT
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with participants in the Uruguay round of the GATT concerning the proposed creation of a multilateral trade organisation; and if he will make a statement.
  713
  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The establishment of a multilateral trade organisation was proposed in the draft final act of the GATT Uruguay round, which was tabled in December 1991 by the GATT director general, Mr. Dunkel. It has been the subject of a great deal of discussion between participants in the Uruguay round, including the European Commission who negotiate on behalf of the European Community; the position taken by the Commission has been prepared in discussion with the member states. The MTO was intended to serve as a means of implementing the results of the round and of strengthening the international trading system; it would not in itself alter the rights and obligations under the various Uruguay round agreements. Recently, the United States Government have indicated that they have problems with the constitution of the MTO as proposed, which will require further discussion.

  Terrorist Activities
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to accept Government responsibility for compensation for terrorist activities on the British mainland on the basis of the rules in force in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will meet the Association of British Insurers to discuss the implications of the withdrawal of insurance cover for terrorist attacks on premises in Great Britain.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The President of the Board of Trade made an announcement on 21 December that the Government have decided in principle to act as reinsurer of last resort for terrorist attacks against mainland GB non-domestic property and related risks from January 1993. This has enabled insurance companies to continue to offer insurance cover for terrorist attacks, with insurers being able to buy the necessary cover as a separately rated risk. As an insurance solution to the problem has been provided in agreement with the Association of British Insurers, the question of Government compensation does not arise.

  Transgenic Animals
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to ensure that transgenic animals that cannot be kept without adverse effects on their health and welfare will be excluded from patentability under the proposed EC directive on the legal protection of biotechnical inventions.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The European Commission is expected to revise the draft directive in response to a recent opinion from the European Parliament and I will consider any provisions relating to animal health and welfare which may be proposed. However, patent law is not an appropriate means for controlling activities undertaken in the field of biotechnology. Legislation exists covering the welfare of animals and it is reasonable that inventions which respect that legislation should have the benefit of patent protection.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what future plans his Department has to promote the north-east abroad to foreign investors; and if he will make a statement;
  714
  (2) what role his Department plays abroad to make the north-east an attractive proposition for investment by foreign businesses.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The Department of Trade and Industry through its Invest in Britain Bureau—IBB—promotes all United Kingdom regions to potential overseas inward investors. Overseas, this national promotional activity is carried out at IBB's direction by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The IBB directly funds the overseas inward investment activities of the English regional development organisations, who each have responsibility for promoting their own particular region. In the north-east this is the Northern Development Company. The NDC has offices in 10 countries, solely to promote the north to potential investors. In addition, the DTI's English unit manages offices in Taiwan and Korea which promote all the English regions to potential investors. These arrangements work well and have attracted many inward investors to the north-east.

  North-East Aid
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the regional aid measures initiated by his Department to aid the north-east; what is the level of(a) Government and (b) private investment in each case; and what is the number of jobs created and safeguarded through each scheme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: Since April 1984, two regional aid schemes run by my Department assisted private investment and were linked to employment. The schemes were regional selective assistance and the revised regional development grants scheme.

  Regional selective assistance is available to firms in the assisted areas for investment projects which either create or safeguard employment. Since April 1984 to end December 1992 my Department offered £289 million which was accepted by firms in the north-east in support of projects estimated at £2,865 million. Up to the end December 1992, grant totalling £181 million had been paid in respect of those projects which had created 31,232 jobs and safeguarded a further 8,473.

  Under the revised regional development grants scheme which was introduced in development ares in November 1984 and was closed to new applications in March 1988, no grant was paid to undertakings employing more than 200 people unless their projects created employment. To be eligible for grant, projects had to be approved. The amount of capital expenditure that was approved for grant in the north-east was £1,843 million. Since the inception of the scheme up to the end December 1992 grants totalling £193 million had been paid to companies in the north-east and during that time 51,909 jobs had been created.

  My Department also provides assistance under the regional enterprise grants scheme aimed at assisting small enterprises with, inter alia, investment projects. Projects supported by this scheme have created employment in the north-east; however, as grant is not directly linked to job creation, employment data are not collected.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the total number of residential properties owned by his Department, (b) the number of such properties which are empty, and (c), (b) as a percentage of (a).

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: My Department has no residential properties.

  Companies House
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many companies in each of the past five years failed to meet their legal obligations to supply returns to Companies House timeously; and how many of these cases were referred to debt collectors in order to extract penalties;

  (2) what process of competitive tendering was engaged in before the Lewis Group was appointed as debt collectors to Companies House; and to what extent payments by Companies House to the Lewis Group are on a commission basis.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the chief executive of Companies House executive agency for which my Department is responsible. I have therefore asked Mr. David Durham to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from David Durham to Mr. Brian Wilson, dated 6 January 1993:
  You recently tabled two Parliamentary Questions to the President of the Board of Trade, asking him: (1) how many companies in each of the past five years failed to meet their legal obligations to supply returns to Companies House timeously; and how many of these cases were referred to debt collectors in order to extract penalties: (2) what process of competitive tendering was engaged before the Lewis Group were appointed as debt collectors to Companies House; and to what extent payments by Companies House to the Lewis Group are on a commission basis. Following the answer given by Mr. Hamilton, I am replying as Chief Executive of Companies House.
  Companies House is responsible for ensuring that both annual returns and annual accounts are filed within the time limits set out in the Companies Act. Because companies are continually filing throughout the year it is not possible to give figures on how many companies filed late during any particular year. It is possible to give the number of companies who have not filed either their annual returns or annual accounts, or both, on 30 June for the last five years. It is on this date that Companies House' performance against the compliance target set by Ministers is measured.

  Both

  Annual Returns

  Annual Accounts

  30 June 1992

  146,000

  101,000

  80,000

  30 June 1991

  214,000

  138,000

  134,000

  30 June 1990

  187,000

  100,000

  142,000

  30 June 1989

  211,000

  126,000

  154,000

  30 June 1988

  183,000

  103,000

  134,000

  These companies were not referred to debt collectors as no penalties were charged prior to July 1992.
  Penalties for the late filing of accounts were introduced on 2 July 1992 and since that date 51,736 penalties have been levied of which 12,023 have been referred to the Lewis Group as official recovery agents for Companies House.
  A number of firms were invited to tender for assisting Companies House in the collection of late filing penalties
  716
  revenue. DTI standard procedures were followed in the competitive tendering process and the Lewis Group were finally selected on the basis that having met all the criteria laid down they also offered the best value for money.
  As you are probably aware it is not customary to reveal payments to individual contractors following a competitive tender procedure on grounds of commercial confidentiality, however, Lewis Group are paid entirely on a commission basis.

SCOTLAND

  Food and Drink
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how he intends to take forward the initiative announced at the 1992 Royal Highland Show to establish a forum for the industry and public agencies to discuss the generic promotion of Scottish food and drink.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Scottish Office officials have consulted representatives of food and drink producers and there has been a widespread welcome for this initiative. I have therefore decided to create a Scottish Food Strategy Group, with the following general terms of reference:"To advise on opportunities for enhancing the performance of the Scottish food and drink industry, particularly in overseas markets, and with regard to the resources available to the public agencies."
  As one of its early tasks, I am asking the group to consider the detailed case for developing a single Scottish quality mark for food and drink and to report to me with its recommendations.

  I am glad that Mr. James Millar, Chairman of William Low plc, has agreed to chair the group. Other members, who between them share extensive knowledge and experience on the range of issues relevant to the group's work, are:
  Mr. Stanley Bernard, Managing Director, Sco-Fro Ltd.
  Miss Ann Foster, Director, Scottish Consumer Council.
  Mr. David Hall, Managing Director, Halls of Broxburn.
  Mr. Adam McCartney, Managing Director, Scottish Pride Quality Dairy Foods.
  Mr. Maitland Mackie, Vice-President, National Farmers' Union of Scotland, and Managing Director, Mackie's Quality Farm Foods.
  Mr. Donald Morrison, soft fruit farmer, Forfar.
  Mr. Brian Simpson, Chief Executive, Scotch Quality Beef and Lamb Association.
  Mr. James N. Walker, Director, Walkers Shortbread Ltd.
  Mr. John Whitehead, Managing Director, Top Hat Holdings Ltd.

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and Food From Britain will provide assessors to the group and the secretariat will be provided by the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

  Economy
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the growth in GNP for the Scottish economy for 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 December 1992]: The Government do not publish forecasts of GNP growth in any of the countries or regions of the United Kingdom, including Scotland.
  717
  For reference, the Chancellor's autumn statement included a forecast growth of 1 per cent. in United Kingdom GDP in 1993. I am confident that Scotland will share in this economic upturn.

  Detailed projections of the Scottish economy are, of course, made by a number of independent economic consultants.

  Drugs
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total general practitioner drug budget for each year since 1989–90 and projected for 1992–93; and what proportion of the budget was spent on each standard age group of patients.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 December 1992] The following are the costs of drugs dispensed each year since 1989–90 and projected for 1992–93. These figures include all presciptions dispensed by community pharmaceutical services: over 99 per cent. of the costs relates to prescribing by general practitioners. It is not possible to identify the proportion of the budget spent on each standard age group of patients.

  £ million

  1989–90

  233·4

  1990–91

  257·1

  1991–92

  288·9

  11992–93

  323·5

  1 Projected.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the receipts from the European Community's regional development fund have been awarded to(a) infrastructure projects undertaken by regional and island councils, (b) infrastructure projects carried out by the state, (c) industrial concerns and (d) other programmes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 16 December 1992]: Since 1975 Scotland has obtained assistance from the European regional development fund under a variety of measures and programmes. Not all the records are held centrally, most are in manual form, and none is categorised in the manner set out in the hon. Gentleman's question. Accordingly, the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Hospitals, Angus
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Tayside health board to announce its plans for the future of(a) Stracathro hospital, (b) Arbroath infirmary and (c) other hospital services in Angus.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 17 December 1992]: Tayside health board is currently in the process of reviewing its acute services. Options will be considered by the health board in February 1993 and there will then be a period of public consultation. No decisions will be taken about the future of Stracathro hospital, Arbroath infirmary or any other hospital service in Angus, until public consultation is complete.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of the cost to public funds of the proposed Skye bridge and its approaches.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The estimate of the cost to public funds of the Skye bridge and its approaches up to the end of 1995 is £7.75 million at June 1988 prices, the price base on which tenders were received. The estimate includes the costs of the approach roads, incorporating changes as a result of the public local inquiry held in January and February last year, and consultants' fees.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with local authorities in the east of Scotland on the provision of a roll-on-roll-off ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: None.

  Structural Fund
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken within the Council of Ministers to secure a change in the criteria for allocation of structural funds under objective 1 to ensure that the highlands and islands of Scotland are eligible for assistance.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 17 December 1992]: The Edinburgh European Council decided that there should be no change in the criteria for establishing objective 1 areas and agreed that special cases would also be considered where areas did not meet the strict gross domestic product test. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear that the Government will be arguing for the inclusion of the highlands and islands in the list of objective 1 areas.

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement review procedures within Scottish Enterprise to ensure that board members who also lead consultancy firms are not favoured in the awarding of consultancy contracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 December 1992]: There are already in place within Scottish Enterprise procedures for ensuring that board members do not become involved in the consideration of matters in which they have a financial or commercial interest. These procedures, the rigorous operation of which is supported by the board, apply to the award of consultancy and similar contracts as well as to other business.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Milk
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the producers' and dairy trades' respective proportionate shares of final retail
  719
  values, milk prices, for each milk marketing board and their trade counterparts throughout the United Kingdom for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Gummer
  It is not possible to provide a full reply in the form requested. The Government ceased setting maximum retail prices for milk in 1981 and 1984 for

  Table 1 Wholesale producers? average net price (pence per litre)

  Milk marketing year April to March

  England and Wales Board

  Scottish Board

  Aberdeen and District Board

  North of Scotland Board

  Northern Ireland Board

  1974–75

  6·362

  6·390

  6·300

  6·379

  5·959

  1975–76

  7·956

  7·880

  7·867

  7·905

  7·628

  1976–77

  9·400

  9·450

  9·324

  9·487

  9·010

  1977–78

  9·985

  9·930

  9·985

  10·275

  9·640

  1978–79

  10·587

  10·590

  10·815

  10·424

  10·217

  1979–80

  11·560

  11·800

  11·907

  11·684

  11·361

  1980–81

  12·701

  13·200

  13·257

  13·118

  11·413

  1981–82

  13·732

  14·400

  14·044

  13·978

  12·954

  1982–83

  14·778

  15·021

  15·023

  14·121

  14·100

  1983–84

  14·666

  15·058

  15·326

  14·587

  14·266

  1984–85

  14·574

  15·284

  14·947

  14·515

  13·926

  1985–86

  15·415

  16·194

  15·609

  15·502

  14·423

  1986–87

  15·805

  16·500

  15·955

  15·913

  14·720

  1987–88

  16·301

  17·575

  16·705

  16·719

  15·127

  1988–89

  17·663

  18·336

  18·114

  18·102

  16·532

  1989–90

  18·937

  20·112

  19·672

  19·819

  17·873

  1990–91

  18·943

  20·143

  19·169

  18·954

  16·568

  1991–92

  19·716

  20·466

  19·847

  19·279

  17·914

  Source: "UK Diary Facts and Figures" published by the Federation of United Kingdom Milk Marketing Boards.

  Table 2 Milk Marketing Boards' average net returns for milk sold by them for human consumption (pence per litre)

  Milk marketing year April to March

  England and Wales Board

  Scottish Board

  Aberdeen and District Board

  North of Scotland Board

  Northern Ireland Board

  1974–75

  5·370

  5·262

  5·224

  5·117

  5·098

  1975–76

  5·938

  5·592

  5·802

  5·862

  5·602

  1976–77

  8·367

  8·268

  8·198

  8·197

  8·256

  1977–78

  11·283

  11·208

  11·099

  11·127

  10·826

  1978–79

  12·464

  12·467

  12·456

  12·442

  12·192

  1979–80

  13·589

  13·600

  13·594

  13·560

  13·318

  1980–81

  15·334

  15·718

  15·698

  15·673

  15·476

  1981–82

  16·391

  17·117

  17·097

  17·057

  16·596

  1982–83

  17·589

  18·187

  18·167

  18·086

  17·829

  1983–84

  17·771

  18·551

  18·540

  18·560

  18·020

  1984–85

  18·323

  18·925

  18·911

  18·914

  18·552

  1985–86

  19·176

  19·823

  19·841

  19·812

  19·388

  1986–87

  19·835

  20·475

  20·472

  20·469

  20·054

  1987–88

  20·731

  21·348

  21·347

  21·333

  20·907

  1988–89

  21·287

  21·892

  21·904

  21·889

  21·538

  1989–90

  22·842

  23·199

  23·209

  23·285

  22·453

  1990–91

  23·914

  24·111

  24·043

  24·174

  23·585

  1991–92

  24·759

  24·745

  24·752

  24·745

  24·674

  Source: "UK Dairy Facts and Figures" published by the Federation of United Kingdom Milk Marketing Boards.

  The figures for Northern Ireland are shown net of a consumer subsidy which applied from 1981 to 1988. The Northern Ireland figures for 1981–82 and 1982–83 were obtained from the Northern Ireland Milk Marketing Board.

  Table 3 Maximum retail price for liquid milk (pence per litre)

  Calender Year

  Maximum retail price1

  1974

  8·799

  1975

  14·958

  1976

  16·718

  1977

  20·238

  1978

  23·757

  1979

  26·397

  720
  Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom respectively. Since then, retail pricing has been a matter for dairy companies and retailers.

  The average net prices paid to producers by each milk marketing board, each board's average net return for milk sold by it for human liquid consumption and the maximum retail prices for the relevant years are as follows:

  Calender Year

  Maximum retail price1

  1980

  29·916

  1981

  32·556

  1982

  36·956

  1983

  36·956

  1984

  38·715

  1 Retail price control of milk ended in Scotland on 30 September 1981 and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 31 December 1984.

  All figures listed are year end prices.

  Source: "UK Dairy Facts and Figures" published by the Federation of United Kingdom Milk Marketing Boards.

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in full the autumn review of hill farming in less-favoured areas.

  Mr. Curry
  I have placed in the Library copies of the tables dealing with indices of hill farm income, market prices, hill livestock compensatory allowance expenditure and animal numbers which were discussed with the farming unions in the context of the autumn review, along with supplementary tables containing additional background information. Definition of the terms relating to income used in these tables are contained in appendix 3 to "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom", 1992 edition, a copy of which is also in the Library of the House.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to ensure that potato growers and consumers in the United Kingdom will be assured of a continuing sufficient supply of British potatoes in the event of abolition of the Potato Marketing Board.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government are consulting widely on the recently published proposals for an EC potato regime which as drafted do not make provision for the area—quota—controls and support-buying arrangements of our potato marketing scheme. We have long made it clear that our objectives in the light of any proposals for an EC regime in potatoes would be a level playing field of potato production throughout Europe; that the United Kingdom industry can meet all the needs of the market; that the United Kingdom industry can contribute to the export drive; that decisions are based clearly on the best scientific and technical knowledge available. It is also important that we create a climate favourable to investment in the United Kingdom by food processing and manufacturing companies.

  Nitrates
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest assessment of the effect of overuse of agricultural nitrates; and what resources his Ministry is putting into research on lower nitrate use.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry operates various programmes to encourage sensible use of nitrogen fertilisers and to monitor the effects of such fertilisers on the environment. Our current assessment is set out at length in the booklet "Solving the Nitrate Problem" which is available in the Library of the House. The findings in the booklet are based in part on the R and D programme instituted by the Ministry to identify ways of reducing nitrate leaching from agriculture. In 1992–93 we are spending £6.9 million on this programme.

  Overgrazing
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the damage done to upland landscapes and wildlife caused by overgrazing; and if he will reconsider switching payment of grants to farmers to the area of land farmed rather than the number of sheep.
  722
  Mr. Curry
  Conservation of the traditional upland environment is dependent upon the continuation of extensive livestock farming. Overgrazing of certain types of land can however result in localised environmental damage. The Government have announced a series of targeted measures to deal with this. A switch to paying hill livestock subsidies on an area basis would be hugely disruptive with an uncertain impact on the environment. It would also be contrary to European Community law.

  Aflatoxins
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to introduce controls of aflatoxins in certain products.

  Mr. Soames
  Regulations introducing limits on nuts, dried figs and their products were laid before Parliament on 18 December 1992 and came into effect on 31 December 1992. The regulations, which are based on advice from the Food Advisory Committee, replace the general controls operated under the Food Safety Act. The main provisions of the regulations are: a statutory limit of 4µg/kg total aflatoxins in supplies for sale for human consumption; a statutory limit of 10µg/kg total aflatoxins in produce imported from third countries for further processing before human consumption.

EMPLOYMENT

  Offshore Installations (Standby Vessels)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she is satisfied that all the standby vessels supporting oil and gas installations fully comply with the code in the assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The joint Health and Safety Executive and Department of Transport code on the assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations came fully into effect on 1 January 1993. At that date, all standby vessels attending offshore installations had been certificated as complying with the code, full compliance will be expected before any certificate is issued in the future.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had held with UN representatives with regard to the increase of British troops currently committed in Yugoslavia, or with regard to extending the area of operations for such British troops.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No decision has been taken on the reinforcement of the British forces in former Yugoslavia, but the UN has been made aware that it is under consideration. We have no plans at this time to extend the area of operations of the British forces in former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Duncan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what efforts were
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  made by Her Majesty's Government to promote balanced media reporting during the recent elections in Yugoslavia, and to monitor the way in which they were run.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, with our encouragement, provided £35,000 as half the cost of independent satellite broadcasts during the run-up and immediate aftermath of the elections, as well as a contribution to the costs of a monitoring team.

  EC Presidency
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the total cost to United Kingdom funds of the United Kingdom Presidency of the EC.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The main costs of the United Kingdom presidency were borne by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office vote. Including the Birmingham and Edinburgh European Councils and the London conference on Yugoslavia, they are expected to total around £15.8 million.

  Other Government Departments and public sector bodies such as the police have also incurred expenditure on the presidency. Precise figures on their costs are not available.

  Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom presidency.

  Mr. Hurd
  Yes. I have placed in the Library a pamphlet produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth office which gives details of the main items of business covered during the United Kingdom presidency of the Community, from July to December 1992. A copy has been sent to each Member of Parliament.

  Treaty on European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which areas of action or competence of the proposed European union incorporated in the draft treaty or treaties tabled by the Dutch presidency and discussed by the Council of Ministers on 30 September 1991 were not included in the treaty on European union signed at Maastricht in December 1991.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The draft treaty tabled by the Dutch presidency in September 1991 differed from that signed at Maastricht essentially in including all areas of cooperation within amendments to the treaty of Rome and thus within Community competence. For example, the Dutch draft made immigration and foreign and security policies matters within Community competence rather than intergovernmental as under the Maastricht treaty.

  Croatia
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means and at which date and location the Council of Ministers of the European Community determined policy in respect of the recognition of Croatia; and when and by what means such recognition was signified by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Council of Ministers of the European Community, meeting in Brussels on 15 January 724
  1992, decided that Croatia should be recognised. The Prime Minister wrote to President Tudjman later that day recording the British Government's recognition of Croatia.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 21 December 1992.

  Mr. Hurd
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 December. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry was present for the discussion of trade issues.

  The Council discussed follow-up to the Edinburgh European Council. On high definition television—HDTV —Ministers held a short discussion on a Commission proposal for a five-year action plan to support the development of HDTV. No decisions were taken and the subject was remitted for further work under the Danish presidency. On enlargement of the Community, Ministers noted that negotiations with Austria, Sweden and Finland would open formally on 1 February.

  The Council expressed the Community's willingness to enter into negotiations with EFTA member states on the changes necessary to the European economic area agreement after the negative vote in the Swiss referendum. The Council invited the Commission to submit as soon as possible a recommendation for the opening of these negotiations.

  The Council continued discussion of a Commission proposal to change the decision-making procedures for Community anti-dumping and other commercial defence measures, and to establish common rules for imports of goods from third countries. The Council also discussed the export regimes for goods which have both civil and military uses. Pending agreement on the draft regulation on export controls on these dual-use goods and technologies, member states agreed the nature of interim controls which would apply to intra-Community trade in such goods from 1 January.

  When the Council discussed the court of first instance, one member state maintained its reserve on the proposed transfer of dumping and subsidy cases from the European Court of Justice to the court of first instance. The Council therefore decided to send the issue back to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for early discussion under the Danish presidency.

  Recent developments in the Yugoslav crisis were discussed, including the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia, Kosovo, implementation of the United Nations and EC sanctions regimes and EDC economic assistance to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

  The Commission presented a draft negotiating mandate for a new partnership agreement with Morocco. Detailed discussion will now take place under the Danish presidency.

  In the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council there was a conference of representatives of member states to agree the nomination of new Commissioners.

  An EC/Cyprus Association Council also took place in the margins of the Council.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration has been given to setting up an office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to deal with settlement and visa applications.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have no plans at the moment to set up a visa section at the embassy in Ljubljana, but we are keeping the possibility under review. Nationals of Slovenia travelling on national passports do not require visas for the United Kingdom.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British women employed by the Western European Union hold senior positions within that organisation; and if he will list those positions.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Three British women hold senior positions within the Western European Union. One is head of the private office of the president of the Western European Union Parliamentary Assembly; one is a linguist in the office of the clerk of the Assembly; and one is a linguist in the Western European Union secretariat.

  India
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has(a) received and (b) made concerning the religious troubles in India.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received a number of representations about events in India following the destruction of the Babri mosque on 6 December. We have condemned those responsible for provoking the violence and supported the Indian Government's appeal for calm. We also support the principle of protecting religious minorities and have urged Hindu and Muslim communities everywhere to show restraint and to avoid further provocations or reprisals.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which overseas British posts former Yugoslavia nationals are able to apply for visas to visit the United Kingdom; what is the average delay at each post in interviewing those applying for visas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Former Yugoslavia nationals can apply at any British visa-issuing post overseas. Straightforward visitor visa applications are processed within 24 hours of receipt. The method of recording statistics at posts worldwide does not allow us to establish the average waiting time at posts for applicants from the former Yugoslavia who are required to attend for interview.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Cultural Property
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to sign the 1970 UNESCO convention on the means of prohibiting 726
  and preventing the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property; how many countries have signed the aforementioned convention; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Key
  I have been asked to reply.

  Her Majesty's Government have no plans to ratify the 1970 UNESCO convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property. The 76 contracting states are:

  Algeria

  Angola

  Argentina

  Australia

  Bangladesh

  Belarus

  Belize

  Bolivia

  Brazil

  Bulgaria

  Burkina Faso

  Cambodia

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Central African Republic

  China (People's Republic of)

  Columbia

  Cote D'Ivoire

  Croatia (Republic of)1

  Cuba

  Cyprus

  Czechoslovakia

  Democratic People's Republic of Korea

  Dominican Republic

  Ecuador

  Egypt

  El Salvador

  Georgia (Republic of)2

  Greece

  Grenada

  Guatemala

  Guinea

  Honduras

  Hungary

  India

  Iran (Islamic Republic of)

  Iraq

  Italy

  Jordan

  Kuwait

  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

  Madagascar

  Mali

  Mauritania

  Mauritius

  Mexico

  Mongolia

  Nepal

  Nicaragua

  Niger

  Nigeria

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Panama

  Peru

  Poland

  Portugal

  Qatar

  Republic of Korea

  Russian Federation3

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Slovinia (Republic of)4

  Spain

  Sri Lanka

  Syrian Arab Republic

  Tadjikistan (Republic of)5

  Tunisia

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  Turkey

  Ukraine

  United Republic of Tanzania

  United States of America

  Uruguay

  Yugoslavia

  Zaire

  Zambia

  1 This State lodged a notification of succession on 1 July 1992, by which it stated that it was bound by the Convention which Yugoslavia ratified on 3 october 1972.
  2 This State lodged a notification of succession on 4 November 1992, by which it stated that it was bound by the Convention that the USSR ratified on 28 April 1988.
  3 The instrument of ratification was deposited by the USSR on 28 April 1988. The Director-General has been informed that the Russian Federation would continue the participation of the USSR in UNESCO Conventions.
  4 This State lodged a notification of succession on 28 October 1992, by which it stated that it was bound by the Convention which Yugoslavia ratified on 3 October 1972.
  5 This State lodged a notification of succession on 8 November 1992, by which it stated that it was bound by the Convention that the USSR ratified on 28 April 1988.
  Note: The German Democratic Republic accepted the Convention on 16 January 1974. However, on the occasion of the unification of the two German States, it was agreed upon that the united Germany would determine its position with regard to the international treaties adopted by the German Democratic Republic. Germany has not made its position known concerning this Convention.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the modified plans and designs of the phase 2 new parliamentary building to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held from Monday 18 January to Friday 22 January.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Somalia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that British aid to Somalia is reaching the people for whom it is intended.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In order to help ensure that British humanitarian assistance to Somalia reaches those in need, it is channelled through United Nations agencies, British and international non-governmental organisations. Its delivery has been severely constrained by lack of security. We have strongly supported United Nations efforts to improve the security situation through the deployment of United Nations arrmed guards. We also try to ensure that practical arrangements made for delivery of aid to Somalia take full account of local security situations.

  We shall take full advantage of any new security arrangements agreed by the United Nations to help the delivery of humanitarian aid.