Written Answers of 15 January 1993

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated proportion of economically active Roman Catholics and Protestants as at 31 December 1996.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government have not carried out any projections of the economically active population in terms of religion.

  Public Bodies (Targets)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for the introduction of goals and timetables to other public bodies in Northern Ireland similar to those introduced for senior civil servants in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is not for the Secretary of State to set goals and timetables for other public authorities. Under section 31(3) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989, all public authorities have a duty to consider the need for goals and timetables to assist in securing fair participation in their employment by both communities.

  Value of Green Pound in European Currency Units (Day Weighted Rates)

  Sector

  Year

  Beef

  Milk

  Eggs and Poultry

  Sugar and Cereals

  Sheepmeat

  Pigmeat

  Olive Oil

  1987

  1·452

  1·537

  1·537

  1·558

  1·533

  1·503

  1·583

  1988

  1·407

  1·503

  1·503

  1·524

  1·532

  1·428

  1·524

  1989

  1·382

  1·429

  1·437

  1·453

  1·489

  1·355

  1·472

  1990

  1·295

  1·351

  1·362

  1·347

  1·424

  1·284

  1·397

  1991

  1·257

  1·285

  1·287

  1·270

  1·285

  1·248

  1·278

  1992

  1·233

  1·233

  1·233

  1·233

  1·231

  1·190

  1·231

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Curry
  The number of staff employed in this Department' press office in recent years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1985

  35

  1986

  35

  1987

  30

  1988

  28

  1989

  26

  1990

  25

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Mates
  Data on staff employed prior to 1989 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The available information is as follows:—

  Staff in Post as at 1 April

  1989

  50

  1990

  54

  1991

  58

  1992

  58·5

  These figures include staff from the home and Northern Ireland civil services and the press offices of Northern Ireland Departments.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Electricity Transmission Wires
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the effects of overhead electricity transmission wires on farm animals using fields adjoining or below.

  Mr. Soames
  The Department has not made such an assessment.

  Green Pound
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value in European currency units of the green pound in each year since 1987.

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

  Year

  Number

  1991

  20

  1992

  20

  Figures for previous years are not readily available.

EDUCATION

  Further Education
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he intends to publish advice with respect to changes of name for colleges in the new further education sector.
  823
  Mr. Boswell
  The Department has today issued advice to colleges entering the new further education sector on 1 April 1993 on the procedure for applying for name changes. The advice also includes guidance on college titles.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Boswell
  Figures for the number of press officers are available only for the last three years. These are as follows:

  Year

  Press officers

  1990

  9

  1991

  8

  1992

  8

  Student Grant Cheques
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if Her Majesty's Government will hold urgent discussions with clearing banks about the criteria they use for cashing student grant cheques.

  Mr. Boswell
  This is entirely a matter for the clearing banks themselves to decide. My right hon. Friend has received no representations about any difficulties over their arrangements for cashing student grant cheques.

  Secondary Schools, Northamptonshire
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a list of secondary schools in Northamptonshire together with the amount spent per pupil in each school in the most recent available year.

  Mr. Forth
  Details of schools' planned unit costs are contained within part 2 of the budget statements prepared and published by each local education authority under section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988. Information on schools' actual expenditure is contained in authorities' outturn statements. Copies of the relevant parts of the budget statements for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and the outturn statement for 1991–92 published by Northamptonshire county council have been placed in the Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Calcutt Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister when he was first advised of the contents of the letter from Lord McGregor to Sir David Calcutt.

  The Prime Minister
  The first I knew of Lord McGregor's letter was when it appeared in the national press.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Prime Minister when he responded to a letter dated 9 December 1992 from President Dobrica Cosić of Yugoslavia concerning the 824
  conflict in the former Yugoslavia; if he will indicate what his response has been; and if he will seek agreement to the publication of the correspondence.

  The Prime Minister
  I replied to President Cosić's letter on 11 January. I believe it important to maintain the confidentiality of such correspodence.

  Denmark
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 37, what is the basis for clear distinction between the intergovernmental binding decision in respect of Denmark taken in Edinburgh, and a treaty judiciable at the International Court at The Hague.

  The Prime Minister
  In the EC context 'treaty' is normally used for an instrument amending the Community treaties and thus requiring ratification. The decision in respect of Denmark does not amend either the Maastricht treaty or the earlier Community treaties and does not require ratification. It is, like a treaty, binding in international law.

  Jamaica
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to withdraw all British economic aid to Jamaica if hangings are recommenced there in February.

  The Prime Minister
  No. But in line with normal practice, our bilateral aid policy for Jamaica will continue to take full account of all human rights considerations.

  Seals (Russia)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister what written evidence or information Her Majesty's Government have received from the Russian authorities concerning the seal cull in Russia; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Russian authorities informed us of the 1992 culling quotas of 7,300 and 2,300 for adult hooded and harp seals respectively. We have not received any figures for 1993. The Russian authorities are well aware of public concern in the United Kingdom about seal culling.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to incorporate article 10 of the European convention on human rights into British law.

  The Prime Minister
  No. Our policy remains not to incorporate the European convention on human rights into domestic law, since we believe that it is for Parliament, rather than the judiciary, to determine how the principles of human rights in the convention are best secured.

  Honours (Withdrawal)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister under what circumstances he would recommend to the Queen that awards be withdrawn posthumously; and if he will make a statement.
  825
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: None that I can foresee, but the forfeiture of awards is considered on a case-by-case basis.

  Prince and Princess of Wales
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he held with(a) the Prince and (b) the Princess of Wales prior to his statement of 9 December 1992.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on Tuesday 12 January at column 697.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electrical Faults (Fires)
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of fires in(a) the private sector and (b) the commercial sector were caused by faulty electrical installations for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jack
  The table shows the percentage of fires attended by local authority fire brigades in the United Kingdom in 1991 where the cause was reported to be faults in the electrical plugs, sockets, switches, leads to appliances and other wiring in buildings, by their trade or business activity. The classification of "private" or "commercial" is not available.

  Percentage of all fires in each category of building in 1991 caused by faulty electrical distribution apparatus1

  Category of building

  per cent.2

  Dwellings

  5

  Private garages, sheds etc.

  2

  Agricultural, forestry, fishing premises

  9

  Industrial premises

  7

  Premises used for distributive trade, hotels and catering; repairs

  8

  Transport and communication premises

  6

  Banking, finance, insurance, business services and leasing premises

  12

  Other service premises

  5

  Other

  2

  Unspecified

  6

  All occupied buildings

  5

  1 Electrical distribution apparatus include plugs, sockets and switches, leads to appliances and other wiring.

  2 Provisional.

  Source: Home Office Fire Statistics, based on reports from local authority fire brigades.

  Betting Offices
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to meet the chairman of the British Greyhound Racing Board to discuss the possible extension of betting office opening hours in the evening.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have no present plans for a further meeting, but have previously discussed this matter with the chairman. In addition, I met a delegation including the chief executive of the British Greyhound Racing Board on 21 December 1992 to discuss evening opening. My officials also met the chief executive and his colleagues on 2 December 1992.

  Immigration
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has taken on the continuing right to deny entry to the United Kingdom of visitors to other EC nations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Government have access to legal and other advice from a variety of sources, but it is not the normal practice to reveal details of the advice provided in relation to any specific issue.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his discussions with Commissioner Bangemann about the implications of proposed article 8A of the treaty of Rome in relation to the right of the United Kingdom to deny admission to visitors to other EC nations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend had a number of discussions with EC Vice-President Bangemann when Herr Bangemann had responsibility within the Commission for implementation of the internal market. My right hon. and learned Friend made it clear that, while the Government's policy was to make it as easy as possible for EC nationals to enter and leave the United Kingdom, immigration controls would be maintained on non-EC nationals.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will outline the reasons underlying his statement that the United Kingdom has a continuing right to exclude visitors to other EC nations following the implementation of proposed article 8A of the treaty of Rome.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Our view is that, insofar as it deals with the movement of persons, article 8A of the treaty of Rome applies only to EC nationals.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will use sequestrated assets from drug dealers in Liverpool to fund the expansion of the city's Dare to Care anti-drugs project; and if he will make a statement on measures he is taking to combat drug abuse in Liverpool.

  Mr. Jack
  Under present public accounting arrangements confiscated money is treated in the same way as fine revenue, and paid directly into the Consolidated Fund from which Government expenditure generally—including substantial support for drug-related work—is financed. In April 1991 the seized assets fund was established to recycle assets confiscated here under drug confiscation agreements with other countries to support work against drug misuse. £3.2 million has been made available from the fund in the current financial year to enforcement agencies and a variety of individual projects, including some based in Liverpool, directed against drugs misuse. The possibility of further funding being made available from this source is under consideration, but the final amount will depend on the success of international operations to confiscate the assets of drug traffickers.

  Under the drugs prevention initiative, a local drugs prevention team has been working in Liverpool since 1990.

  827
  The team has provided financial and other support to a wide range of drugs prevention projects, including Dare to Care.

  Merseyside police play an active role in tackling drug misuse. In addition to enforcing the law, they are involved with other agencies, including the regional health authority and the education authority, in a number of prevention and education initiatives.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new drug addicts registered on Merseyside in 1992; how many crimes on Merseyside were drug related over the past five years; and what resources are available to patrol Liverpool bay and the River Mersey to combat the smuggling of drugs into the area via small craft.

  Mr. Jack
  Addict statistics for 1992 are not yet available. In 1991, the number of new addicts notified to the Home Office in the Merseyside police area was 893.

  Information on drug-related offences in Merseyside is contained in table A2.1 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Statistics of Drugs Seizures and Offenders Dealt With, UK 1991 (Area Tables)", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Anti-smuggling control is the responsibility of the Customs and Excise Department. Patrol of the areas mentioned forms a part of the duties of the flexible anti-smuggling teams based in the Liverpool area. These comprise a total of 38 staff plus support of two further officers whose specific job is to gather coastal intelligence. There are, in addition, further staff based at Holyhead, Heysham and Ellesmere Port who can be called on should the need arise.

  The staff are supported by a locally based Searider semi-rigid inflatable vessel, Customs marine branch cutters, aerial surveillance and mobile radar vans as necessary. A wide range of other technical aids is also available to local staff as Liverpool is the centre for the research and development of Customs equipment.

  Youth Crime
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures he proposes to take to tackle youth crime in Mansfield and Nottinghamshire;

  (2) what measures he intends to take to deal with car crimes committed by young people in (a) Mansfield, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England and Wales.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government have encouraged the police and other agencies in the development of effective crime prevention programmes aimed at tackling youth crime and have funded a number of initiatives. The Home Office safer cities project in Nottingham has committed more than £100,000 to youth crime prevention schemes since 1989. In addition, we have set up a local drug prevention team in the area. The Department of Education announced last month that Nottinghamshire is to receive £147,000 in 1992–93 under its grants for education support and training (GEST) programme for youth crime prevention schemes, one of which will be a "wheels" project in the Ashfield district to divert young people from car crime. The Department of the Environment's city challenge programme in Nottingham is also targeting youth crime prevention. In addition the probation 828
  supervision grant scheme provides funding for three projects in the Nottingham area for support for offenders and ex-offenders.

  As part of its programme of action on youth crime for 1993, Crime Concern is planning a series of regional seminars, including two in the midlands, on best practice in diverting young people from crime.

  The Government are also considering what means might be needed to reduce offending by the very small group of persistent juvenile offenders.

  With regard to the measures being taken nationwide to prevent car crime, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the question from the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 16 December 1992, Official Report, column 208.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of offenders appearing before the courts in(a) the east midlands, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England and Wales were unemployed in (i) 1989, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  Information on the employment status of defendants appearing before the courts in England and Wales is not recorded centrally.

  Property Offences
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will publish regional data on the relationship between property offences and consumption levels.

  Mr. Jack
  No.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he will use in deciding which contractors should be awarded contracts to provide prison education services.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Contracts will be awarded to those providers, whether from the public or private sector, who offer the best combination of quality and price which reflects the priority of the service.

  Press Regulation
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department was first made aware of the contents of the letter sent by Lord McGregor to Sir David Calcutt.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department first became aware of the letter when it was published in the press on Tuesday 12 January.

  Offenders (Employment)
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of offenders in(a) the east midlands, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England and Wales went immediately into employment on release from prison in (i) 1989, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1991.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not recorded. However, the National Prison Survey 1991, which was based on a random sample of the prison
  829
  population, found that about one sixth of prisoners who had an earliest release date in 1991 said that they had jobs to go to on release.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of offenders under supervision by the probation service in(a) Nottinghamshire and (b) England and Wales were unemployed in (i) 1989, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  This information is not available centrally.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been his response to a request from the Association of London Authorities for his Department to meet the costs of the Metropolitan police's counter-terrorism operations.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have not recently received any such request. But I shall be meeting representatives of the association later this month and will consider their views.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Home Department's records do not contain a breakdown between press office and paid publicity (advertising, publications, exhibitions and videos) staff before 1982. Instead, public relations branch staff were listed together and this total, including clerical support grades, for 1979 to 1982 was 33 for each year inclusive.

  Press office staff numbers, including clerical grades, for subsequent years are:

  Number

  1983

  22·25

  1984

  21·75

  1985

  20·50

  1986

  24·25

  1987

  24·50

  1988

  26·00

  1989

  28·50

  1990

  27·50

  1991

  26·50

  1992

  25·50

  Crime Trends
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department of he will update Home Office research study No. 119: "Trends in Crime and their Interpretation."

  Mr. Jack
  The study examined a period of some 30 years up to 1987 and was published in 1990. More recent trends in recorded crime are being kept under review, but there is no reason to believe that there have been significant changes in the patterns which it describes in the period since publication.

  In coming to its conclusion the study, published in 1990, based its findings on a period of some 30 years up to 1987 and as a consdquence I have no reason to doubt the continuing validity of its conclusions. I therefore have no immediate plans to repeat this particular work using post-1987 crime data.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 17 December about inquiries into passport records.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I replied to the hon. Member on 13 January 1993.

  Dr. Kypros Loucas
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1992,Official Report, column 450, if he will identify the professionals who gave references on behalf of Dr. Kypros Loucas.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Dr. Loucas gave the names of two professionals as personal referees whom the Prison Service could approach. The references were given in a personal capacity and with the customary assurance that they would be treated in strict confidence. On that basis, it would be wrong to identify them.

  Central European Time
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the cost of a move to central European time.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Estimates of some of the possible costs and savings resulting from a move to Central European Time were made in the 1989 Green Paper "Summer Time: A Consultation Document" (CM722). We will review the adequacy of this information in our further consideration of policy on future summer time arrangements.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments were made in November 1992 and in December 1992(a) nationally and (b) in Merseyside.

  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 with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Edward O'Hara, dated 14 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 your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many cold weather payments were made in November 1992 and in December 1992 (a) nationally and (b) in Merseyside.
  There were no forecast or recorded periods of cold weather in November 1992. Following forecast and recorded periods of cold weather in December 1992, around 2.5 million payments nationally have been made costing approximately £15.5 million. More detailed national and local figures will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Claims
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims remained to be cleared on 26 November 1992(a) in total and (b) for claimants already in receipt of income support (i) for new claims for the highest rate of disabled living allowance care component and (ii) for new claims for the higher rate of attendance allowance.

  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 with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Ms. Jane Kennedy, dated 14 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 concerning claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) outstanding on 26 November 1992.
  A claim to either DLA or AA is a claim for the benefit as a whole and not for a specific component or level of component of the benefit. It is therefore not possible to give figures on the number of outstanding claims to a particular level of component. Information about outstanding claims for claimants who are already in receipt of Income Support is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  You asked about the number of claims outstanding at 26 November 1992. The information about claims is held on

  Month

  Number of times subject covered in calls

  Percentage of total subjects

  1 No calls and abandoned

  DLA

  AA

  DLA

  AA

  Number

  Per cent.

  February

  49,431

  8,249

  66

  11

  37,943

  33

  March

  55,230

  7,247

  68

  9

  11,474

  13

  April

  57,455

  20,983

  52

  19

  11,370

  10

  May

  33,133

  16,159

  45

  22

  10,438

  13

  June

  45,917

  20,350

  45

  20

  11,019

  11

  July

  30,233

  10,979

  44

  16

  11,551

  13

  August

  25,010

  9,065

  44

  16

  9,290

  9

  September

  23,460

  8,880

  40

  15

  8,793

  11

  October

  21,505

  8,645

  37

  15

  8,130

  11

  November

  18,954

  8,650

  33

  15

  9,379

  16

  December

  15,048

  7,397

  31

  16

  7,380

  16

  1 The number of abandoned calls is relevant to the whole service provided by the Benefit Enquiry Line.

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to compensate claimants for the Benefits Agency delays in processing disability living allowance and attendance allowance and for backdating of linked benefits; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 14 January 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational
  832
  monthly basis, therefore the number of new claims outstanding at the end of November was just over 66,000 for DLA, and 55,000 for AA.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number and percentage of all inquiries received by the benefits inquiry line which relate to disability living allowances and attendance allowances in each month since February 1992 and the number and percentage of calls recorded but not able to get through on this line over the same period.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the benefit inquiry line for people with disabilities is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 14 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 the numbers and percentages of all enquiries received by the Benefits Enquiry Line related to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) in each month since February; and the number of calls recorded but not able to get through on this line over the same period.
  The information requested is shown in the table:
  matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, asking what plans he has to compensate claimants for Benefits Agency delays in processing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) and for backdating of linked benefits.
  The present arrangements are that compensation can be considered only where, because of a clear and unambiguous Departmental error, a claim has taken longer than twelve months to process or, in the case of an existing award, there is an interruption in payment of three months or more. Normal backdating rules will apply in linked benefits and arrears can be backdated only up to the statutory maximum time limit of 52 weeks.
  I recognise that delays are unacceptable at any stage, and Ministers have given a clear commitment that no-one will lose benefit due to the delays in processing claims.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disability living allowance and
  833
  attendance allowance claims from (a) Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency and (b) the entire area dealt with by the relevant disability benefits centre have been outstanding each month since February 1992; and how many additional staff and at what grade have been taken on in each of those months.

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

  Letter from M. Bichard to Ms. Joan Walley, dated 14 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 concerning the number of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) claims in the Stoke North constituency and the relevant Disability Benefit centre.
  Information about the number of DLA and AA claims from Stoke North constituency is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  All new claims from people in the Stoke on Trent area are dealt with by the Midlands Disability Benefit Centre in Birmingham. The following table shows the number of DLA and AA claims outstanding at the DBC for each month.

  Disability living allowance

  Attendance allowance

  February

  1,712

  11,238

  March

  7,536

  15,237

  April

  12,617

  17,027

  May

  18,187

  18,486

  June

  19,978

  20,210

  July

  19,759

  20,639

  August

  20,004

  18,787

  September

  16,713

  15,168

  October

  11,357

  7,136

  November

  9,639

  8,464

  December

  9,121

  8,557

  You also asked about additional staff taken on at the DBC during each month. This information is in the following table.

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  AA

  Casual AA

  February

  —

  5

  —

  2

  —

  March

  —

  2

  21

  6

  4

  April

  —

  3

  1

  1

  1

  May

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  June

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  July

  —

  —

  4+2l

  —

  36

  August

  —

  —

  6

  —

  1

  September

  11

  1

  9

  1

  —

  October

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  November

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  December

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 6 months.

  2 Part time.

  In addition to the extra staff recruited, considerable overtime has been worked and staff have worked on a detached duty basis from other Benefits Agency offices. Work was also processed by staff at additional units which were set up elsewhere to assist in the clearance of the backlog. I gave details of this in my letter of 19 October 1992 to all MPs.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.
  834
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he received a copy of the report of the survey of disability living allowance and disability working allowance jointly undertaken by the Disability Alliance and Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation during this summer; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I received a copy of the report of the survey of disability living allowance and disability working allowance by the Disability Alliance and Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation on 25 November 1992 and I replied on 22 December. I noted that, although this report was based on an unrepresentative sample, it raised a number of issues, many of which were already being tackled. Officials from this Department intend to meet the researchers to discuss their findings and recommendations.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of successful disability working allowance applicants by(a) average hourly earnings, (b) average hours worked, (c) average age, (d) sex, (e) marital status, (f) householder status and (g) qualifying benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the householder status of applicants is not available. The table provides estimated figures derived from an analysis of successful claims up to 30 November.

  Number

  Average hourly earnings

  £2·95

  Average hours worked a week1

  30

  Average age

  37

  Number of awards to men

  1,538

  Number of awards to women

  1,099

  Number of awards to single people

  1,595

  Number of awards to couples

  1,042

  Qualifying benefits2:

  Invalidity benefit

  382

  Severe disablement allowance

  120

  Income support with disability premium

  196

  Housing benefit with disability premium

  27

  Community charge benefit with disability premium

  52

  Lower rate disability living allowance

  259

  Higher rate disability living allowance and attendance allowance

  1,601

  1 Mean average of cases analysed. Forty-five per cent. work more than 32 hours and 38 per cent. between 16 and 24 hours.

  2 Main qualifying benefit taken for claim purposes; applicants may have more than one qualifying benefit.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people awarded disability working allowance failed to apply to renew the benefit after six months; and what plans his Department has to monitor reasons for failure to renew in such circumstances.

  Mr. Scott
  It is not possible to say how many people fail to renew their claim at any one time because they have an eight-week period around the time their award expires in which they can make a renewal claim. However, an analysis of the 1,159 awards made by 30 June 1992 shows that by the end of December, 834 of these recipients had been given a second award. This figure is likely to increase when late claims are decided.

  We are monitoring disability working allowance claims and awards carefully and are also planning further research.

  Fraud
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many prosecutions there have been for social security fraud in the most recent six-month period for which figures are available and the previous five comparable six-month periods.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The investigation of social security fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 14 January 1993:
  As Chief Executive to the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of prosecutions that there have been for Social Security fraud in the most recent six month period for which figures are available and the previous five comparable six month periods.
  The number of prosecutions conducted by, or on behalf of, the Benefits Agency in the six month period 1.4.92–30.9.92 was 2,047. Prior to April 1992 statistics were kept based on the number of prosecutions that had been authorised, not those actually prosecuted. These figures were:—

  Total

  October 1991 to March 1992

  2,069

  April 1991 to September 1991

  2,286

  Before April 1991 these figures are only available on an annual total of the cases authorised, namely:—

  Total

  1990–91

  7,911

  1989–90

  8,671

  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many invalidity benefit claimants in(a) York, (b) North Yorkshire and (c) England have been called for medical examination in the past 12 months; and what proportion these figures represent of all invalidity benefit claimants;

  (2) how many claimants in (a) York, (b) North Yorkshire and (c) England have had their invalidity benefit withdrawn following medical examination in each quarter for the last two years; and what proportion of these claimants subsequently had their benefit reinstated.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Burt
  Information for the years 1979 to 1988 is not available in the form requested. There was no separate Department of Social Security until August 1988.
  836
  The figures for 1988 onwards are as follows:

  Professional

  Administrative support

  August 1988—April 1989

  8

  1·5

  April 1989—April 1990

  8

  1·5

  April 1990—April 1991

  8

  1·5

  April 1991—April 1992

  8

  1·5

  April 1992—April 1993

  9

  1·5

  "Wales This Week"
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what contribution his Department made to the HTV Cymru programme "Wales This Week", broadcast on 7 January.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department had no involvement in the broadcast.

  Young People
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures for the numbers of persons aged 16 and 17 years by county or region who received hardship benefit(a) in the financial year 1991–92 and (b) in the period April to October 1992.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the precise from requested. The table gives details of the number of claims for income support under the severe hardship provision by old DSS regions. Some people will have made more than one claim.

  DSS Region

  1991–92

  April-October 1992

  Scotland

  12,754

  11,493

  North Eastern

  9,340

  7,812

  North Western

  6,835

  7,235

  Midlands

  6,926

  6,792

  Wales and South West

  6,846

  6,305

  London North

  5,805

  5,794

  London South

  6,303

  5,763

  Source: Severe Hardship Claims Unit database.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many of the applications made in 1992 by(a) 16 and 17-year-olds and (b) 18 to 21-year-olds for (i) social fund loans and (ii) community care grants were made by females;

  (2) how many applications were made in 1992 by 18 to 21-year-olds for (a) social fund loans and (b) community care grants; how many of these applications were refused; and on what grounds;

  (3) how many applications were made in 1992 by 16 and l7-year-olds for (a) social fund loans and (b) community care grants; how many of these applications were refused; and on what grounds.

  Mr. Scott
  Information is not collected centrally on social fund applications by people from these age groups. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Licensed Premises
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that excise verification officers, in carrying out spot checks on licensed premises to prevent fraudulent sales of excisable goods, do not impose an undue burden on the operation of legitimate businesses; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  Excise verification officers are specially trained to counter the new revenue risks following completion of the single market. They will operate unobtrusively and will impose no undue burdens on legitimate businesses. Their controls will be largely intelligence-based and targeted at points of greatest risk, using information derived in many cases from trade sources. Legitimate traders will welcome this additional protection against dishonest competitors who have evaded United Kingdom duties on the goods they sell.

  VAT
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the yield of VAT estimated for the current financial year; and what would be the yield if VAT at 17.5 per cent. were extended to all goods and services currently zero-rated or exempt;

  (2) what would be the yield of VAT in the current year if a rate of 15 per cent. were applied to all goods including those presently exempted or zero-rated.

  Sir John Cope
  We estimate the VAT yield for 1992–93 will be £37·7 billion.

  The ready reckoner published in table 4.8 of the 1991 autumn statement suggests that, had the VAT rate been reduced to 15 per cent. from April 1992, the yield might have been £4.3 billion less.

  No estimates are available for the likely revenue effect from applying the standard rate of VAT to goods and services that are currently zero-rated or exempt from VAT. The 1992 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" provides some indication of the individual costs of the zero rates in 1991–92. These costs are not additive, however, and make no allowance for the likely behavioural response were the standard rate of VAT to be applied to these supplies.

  Whisky
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he received last year in duty on whisky and whiskey; and how much more in real terms was received 10 years ago.

  Sir John Cope
  In 1991–92 an estimated £730 million was received in excise duty on whisky and whiskey.

  In real terms, at 1991–92 prices, £365 million more than this was received in 1981–82.

  Carbon Dioxide Tax
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce a carbon dioxide tax.

  Sir John Cope
  In 1992 the United Kingdom signed the United Nations framework convention on climate change,838
  which, on entry into force will commit the United Kingdom to draw up a programme of measures aimed at returning emissions of carbon dioxide to their 1990 levels by the year 2000. The Secretary of State for the Environment has recently issued a discussion document designed to stimulate a public debate about how to achieve this target. A tax on carbon dioxide and energy, and a tax on carbon, were included in the summary of possible Government measures.

  The European Commission has proposed a draft directive to introduce a tax on carbon dioxide and energy. The draft directive requires the unanimous approval of all member states. The proposal was discussed at the Economic and Finance Council of the European Community on 14 December 1992. The United Kingdom made it clear that the Government are not yet convinced that an EC-wide tax on carbon and energy is a necessary or appropriate response to the problem of global warming. The Council agreed that before a decision could be taken on whether, and if so under what circumstances, such a tax should be introduced throughout the Community, further analysis should be undertaken on the impact of the proposed tax, notably on energy consumption, economic activity and competitiveness.

  Further work should also be undertaken on a number of important features of the Commission's proposals, such as the balance between the carbon and energy elements of the proposed tax and the treatment of electricity. This work will take account of the conclusions of the Edinburgh European Council on the principles of subsidiarity. The Government are examining the Commission's proposal carefully but without prejudice as to its final adoption.

  Books (VAT)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to impose VAT on books.

  Sir John Cope
  The hon. Member will not expect me to comment in the period running up to the Budget.

  Village Halls
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial controls are imposed on loans granted by(a) Action with Communities in Rural England and (b) the Sports Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: The conditions attached to loans will depend on the terms of the scheme under which the loan is offered. Conditions vary between schemes and, over time, within schemes.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in a table the value of(a) imports, (b) exports and (c) trade balance for manufactured goods for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: Information on imports, exports and the balance for manufactured goods is published regularly in the Central Statistical Office "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" and is also available on the CSO database which may be accessed by the House of Commons Library.
  839
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in a table an index of United Kingdom manufacturing output for each year from 1979, with 1979 set at 100.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: Indices of United Kingdom manufacturing output can be accessed by the House of Commons Library. The indices are based on 1985 = 100, but may be scaled appropriately.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Marlborough High Street (Fire)
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports he has received about the fire in Marlborough high street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, on 1 January; and what approaches have been made to his Department with regard to assisting its full restoration.

  Mr. Brooke
  I was greatly saddened to read of the disastrous fire which destroyed a number of 17th century buildings in Marlborough high street, and I have requested a full report on the incident from English Heritage. The only approach so far made to my Department concerning the possibility of financial assistance has been from my hon. Friend. The extent to which such assistance may be appropriate is a matter which is currently being considered by English Heritage in conjunction with other interested parties.

  Press Regulation
  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the recipients of embargoed copies of the report by Sir David Calcutt and the dates on which they received them.

  Mr. Brooke
  No embargoed copies of the report by Sir David Calcutt QC were made available outside Government and civil service prior to the date of the report's publication.

  Broadcasting
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has had from the Broadcasting Standards Council and the Independent Television Commission regarding television broadcasts originating from outside the United Kingdom with regard to standards of taste, decency, violence and sexual content; which broadcasts have been mentioned; and if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's ability to control pornographic broadcasts.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have received reports from both the Broadcasting Standards Council and the Independent Television Commission concerning the satellite channel Red Hot Dutch. I am considering what action is open to me to take under the powers available to me in the Broadcasting Act 1990, consistent with the United Kingdom's obligations under the EC broadcasting directive.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his policy and procedure when he responds to complaints(a) from hon. Members and
  840
  (b) from members of the public that listed buildings are being allowed to fall into a state of disrepair; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  When such complaints are received, my officials would normally make inquiries of English Heritage, the local authority concerned, or the owner, as appropriate. Further action would in the first instance be a matter for the local authority, but in exceptional cases consideration would also be given to the use of my reserve powers.

  Press Freedom
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about ministerial consideration of the issues and proposals in the report from Sir David Calcutt QC.

  Mr. Brooke
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 14 January 1993,Official Report, columns 1067–82.

  Bletchley Park
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the future of Bletchley Park as a museum dedicated to the cryptographers of world war two.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: Bletchley Park is at present owned partly by the Government and partly by British Telecom, both of whom plan to dispose of the site now that it is no longer needed for their own purposes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State looks on disposal as the opportunity to create at Bletchley Park a visible record of the code-breaking activities which took place there during world war 2. Departmental officials, and British Telecom too, are in touch with the Bletchley Park Trust about the trust's proposals for acquiring part of the site and developing a museum there. These discussions are aimed at translating the present proposals into firm plans.

WALES

  Education Programmes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effective provision of personal and social education programmes in schools in the last two years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Personal and social education is subject to inspection by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools who have undertaken several surveys of aspects of its provision in parts of Wales over the past two years.

  HMI has also addressed the subject, as appropriate, in its report on individual schools. Our new arrangements for inspections by registered inspectors will ensure more published reports on all aspects of the life of a school.

  For 1993–94, the Welsh Office will be supporting expenditure by local education authorities to support schools in the personal and social development of young people.

  School Building Design
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice has been published in the last two years in school building design; and what was the principal purpose of such advice in each case.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Guidance and advice on school building design in England and Wales is promulgated by the Department for Education. That Department seeks advice from the Welsh Office as and when appropriate.

  Special Needs Education
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessments he has made of the number of educational psychologists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, qualified specialists in hearing and visual impairments and other specialist support staff needed to ensure that all statements of special educational needs are prepared within six months whilst work with other children with special needs is maintained at satisfactory levels.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  It is for local education authorities to assess and make provision for appropriate numbers of such specialist staff to ensure that statements of special educational needs are prepared within six months. I would expect LEAs to liaise and work closely with district health authorities and social services departments in this process.

  Whorled Caraway Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to protect the whorled caraway plant species at the Rhigos site in Brecon Beacons national park.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. The whorled caraway plant is not protected by schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, nor is it classified as a nationally scarce species.

  Sheep Producers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the procedure he intends to follow in the allocation of quota to individual sheep producers in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Over 90 per cent. of producers in Wales who were paid sheep annual premium in 1991 have by now received details of their initial allocation of ewe premium quota. Those remaining producers who have not received an allocation under this round are being considered under a second round of allocations. At a later date we will also be considering applications from producers who claimed premium for the first time in 1992 and producers who have inherited holdings from producers who ceased sheep production in 1992. Finally, applications for quota from the national reserve will also be invited following consultations with interested parties on how the reserve will be managed. The reserve has been established in order to deal specifically with cases where the determination of quota on a historical reference period would cause special difficulties for certain producers.

  Total Management Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the development of the north Wales QED site.
  842
  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply given to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) on 17 November 1992 at column 144. This has been supplemented by my letter of 16 December to the hon. Member for Wrexham, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of staff employed in my Department's press office during the years in question is as follows:

  Number

  1979–80

  8

  1980–81

  8

  1981–82

  8

  1982–83

  8

  1983–84

  8

  1984–85

  10

  1985–86

  9

  1986–87

  9

  1987–88

  8

  1988–89

  9

  1989–90

  9

  1990–91

  8

  1991–92

  9

  Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Association of European Regions concerning the method of selection of the United Kingdom members and alternates of the proposed Committee of the Regions.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Electricity Cables
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received expressing public concerns over the electromagnetic effects of overhead electricity cables.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has received one representation about the possible human health effects.

DEFENCE

  Helicopter Carrier
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the timetable for the procurement of the landing platform helicopter vessel and list any foreseeable factors which might affect the timing of his placing of the construction contract.

  Mr. Aitken
  Evaluation of the tenders for the new landing platform helicopter vessel, received in October, will be complete this summer. It is planned to place the order in the autumn.

  Any order would be dependent upon the outcome of our evaluation of tenders and the competing demands within the defence programme at the time.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The numbers of information and administrative grades employed in the Ministry of Defence press and facilities office have been:

  Numbers of information and administrative grades

  Number

  1979

  48

  1980–82

  24

  1982–85

  27

  1985–87

  23

  1987 to mid 1992

  20

  Note: Current strength is 15.

  Figures prior to 1987 are estimates based on the approved staffing levels.

  Radiation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been made by his Department into the effects of electromagnetic field radiation and low-frequency non-ionising radiation, respectively, from facilities and equipment operated by his Department.

  Mr. Aitken
  The MOD assesses its facilities and equipments against national guidelines for non-ionising radiation. In addition measurement surveys are carried out to determine the field and effects from both existing equipments and new equipments as they are brought into service.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to respond to the study by the National Radiological Protection Board into the effects of radiation on personnel in attendance at British nuclear tests; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  When the National Radiological Protection Board report is published the Ministry of Defence will, in the light of its conclusions, consider how best to respond.

  Iraq
  Sir George Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the outcome of coalition operations against Iraq on 13 January.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I am delighted to report that information now received confirms that no coalition aircraft or personnel were lost or damaged in the attack. There are media reports of a small number of Iraqi casualties, but we are unable to substantiate these at present.

  I am also in a position to confirm that the operation achieved a high degree of success. All the indicators so far are that a serious blow has been dealt to the Iraqi air defence network in the south, thereby significantly enhancing the safety of coalition aircraft patrolling the no-fly zone. The latest information indicates that the RAF Tornado GR1 aircraft involved successfully inflicted severe damage on their targets in the air defence facilities at A1 Amarah.

  Further reconnaissance will be required to provide firmer details, and it will be some time before final
  844
  assessments of the success of the operation are available. I will continue to report to the House as more information becomes available.

HEALTH

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken at the level of district health authorities, between them, or by the Health and Safety Executive, to survey the incidence of use, and collation of the contents of information supplied by medical practitioners signing death certificates consequent to changes in those certificates under the Industrial Diseases (Notification) Act 1981.

  Mr. Sackville
  All registered deaths, including those certified by coroners as due to an industrial disease, are statutorily drawn to the attention of the district directors of public health, under section 124 of the National Health Service Act 1977, who may analyse them as they feel appropriate.

  Information concerning deaths from selected causes which may be the consequence of an industrial disease are routinely supplied to the Health and Safety Executive and analysed and published as appropriate.

  Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the future of the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research.

  Mr. Sackville
  The centre for applied microbiology and research (CAMR) is at present part of the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS), and reports to me through the PHLS board. Following recent consideration of these arrangements, we have decided that CAMR should become a separate body in its own right, remaining accountable to Health Ministers. This will be implemented by creating the centre as an authority under the Department of Health, which will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State through its own board. I will make a further announcement once the necessary preparations have been completed.

  Epilepsy (Computer Games)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations she has had with the British Epilepsy Association concerning the incidence of photo-sensitive epilepsy and causal links with computer games.

  Mr. Yeo
  None.

  Community Care Grant
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the allocation of community care grant to each London borough and the City of London Corporation in 1993–94; and if she will make a statement on the ability of the London authorities to provide community care services in 1993–94;

  (2) if she will provide details of the calculations for community care grant in London as provided by her Department to local authority associations and to provide an explanation for the corrections made.
  845
  Mr. Yeo
  Indicative special transitional grant allocations for all authorities were given in the Department's circular LASSL(92)12 (amended) issued to local authorities on 14 December 1992. The circular sets out the basis of the calculation, and a copy is in the Library. The figures were revised because of a technical error in the original formula used to calculate the figures. The extra £565 million which has been made available to local authorities for community care has been ring fenced to enable all authorities to arrange and purchase appropriate care under their new responsibilities.

  Tomlinson Report
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the estimated cost of funding the transfer or redundancy of 680 doctors in London, as envisaged by the Tomlinson report;

  (2) if she will publish the detailed reasoning behind the Tomlinson report estimate of £150 million to be spent on developing primary care services; and if she will publish similarly detailed costing of the costs of implementing the Tomlinson report in respect of (a) transfer and redundancy of doctors and (b) capital investment in restructuring hospitals;

  (3) what provision has been made in the public expenditure planning totals for 1993–94 to 1995–96 to fund the implementation of the Tomlinson report in respect of (a) transfer and redundancy of doctors, (b) developing primary care services and (c) capital investment in restructuring hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We shall publish our proposals for health services in London in the light of the Tomlinson recommendations, and their financial implications, shortly.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of residential care and nursing home places in each London borough.

  Mr. Yeo
  Statistics on private nursing homes are not collected by borough. Details of nursing home places are held by district health authorities and the latest available information is contained in "Private hospitals, homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984", copies of which are available in the Library.

  The reported number of places in residential care homes in London boroughs as at March 1991 was:

  Number

  Barking

  582

  Barnet

  2,262

  Bexley

  583

  Brent

  594

  Bromley

  1,489

  Camden

  939

  City of London

  0

  Croydon

  2,106

  Ealing

  1,379

  Enfield

  1,175

  Greenwich

  714

  Hackney

  809

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  651

  Haringey

  1,174

  Harrow

  1,008

  Havering

  1,387

  Hillingdon

  1,010

  846

  Number

  Hounslow

  790

  Islington

  937

  Kensington and Chelsea

  635

  Kingston upon Thames

  658

  Lambeth

  1,681

  Lewisham

  1,334

  Merton

  719

  Newham

  774

  Redbridge

  1,112

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,109

  Southwark

  895

  Sutton

  889

  Tower Hamlets

  549

  Waltham Forest

  1,058

  Wandsworth

  1,611

  Westminster

  874

  These figures include places in independent and local authority homes (both staffed and unstaffed). They do not, however, include places in most independent homes for fewer than four residents and some other independent homes which are not subject to registration under the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 615, how many residential properties are owned by her Department, other than by the national health service; and what number and percentage of these are empty.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department itself does not own any residential properties.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff were employed by her Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information for the years 1979–80 to 1987–88 is not available in the form requested.

  Professional staff

  Administrative staff

  1989–90

  13

  1

  1990–91

  14

  1

  1991–92

  13

  1

  1992–93

  14

  1

  Electromagnetic Radiation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has conducted into the health effects of electromagnetic energy subsequent to the study on electromagnetic fields and the risk of cancer, published in March 1992.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department is funding the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to undertake a programme of laboratory research into the effects on health of electromagnetic fields. This work was under way at the time the March 1992 study from the board was published. The programme includes the development of methods of measuring fields' strengths, theoretical assessments of energy distribution within the human body
  847
  and the effects of fields on the development and behaviour of animals and cellular systems. Results will be published as the various studies are completed.

  In addition, an advisory group to the board, chaired by Sir Richard Doll, continues to review new published information from worldwide sources.

  European Drug Prevention Week
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the promotional budget for European drug prevention week was spent on(a) leaflets advertising specific services, (b) radio advertising and (c) television advertising.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Producing and screening television commercials advertising the week represented about 16 per cent. of the total expenditure on European drug prevention week of Government Departments in England and Wales.

  No radio advertisements or leaflets advertising specific services were commissioned centrally. However, £590,000 was made available to regional health authorities, health districts and local drug prevention teams for the development of local projects. Some local radio advertisements and leaflets advertising services were produced from within the regional allocation as part of local campaigns.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on producing(a) folders, (b) promotional pens and (b) balloons for European drug prevention week.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A range of support material was made available to help local groups promote awareness about the dangers of drug misuse and the availability of services during the Week. This material included posters, flyers, folders, badges, pens and balloons. The cost of producing folders, pens and balloons was £27,500, £34,000 and £11,000 respectively.

  Myelography
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what efforts are being made to ensure that patients for whom myelography is proposed are made fully aware of the risks of that specific form of treatment.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: This forms part of the process of achieving informed consent from the patient prior to the procedure.

  Patients are entitled to receive sufficient information in a way that they can understand about the proposed treatment, any possible alternatives and any substantial risks. Patients must then be allowed to decide whether they will agree to the treatment. This important principle has been highlighted in the patients charter.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to radiologists and radiographers regarding the dangers of use of the contrast medium iophendylate.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: Iophendylate is the active ingredient of Myodil. I refer the hon. Member to the replies that my right hon. Friend gave the then right hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, South, Mr. Ashley, on 13 December 1990 at columns 466–69.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the level of use of magnetic resonance imaging within national health service institutions.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: I am aware of 51 magnetic resonance imaging units in use in the national health service in the United Kingdom.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The total numbers of residential properties owned by the Scottish Office, including the health service, as at 31 March 1992 was 1,666, of which 245 were vacant. The number of vacant properties expressed as a percentage of the total owned is 14.7 per cent.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Accident Prevention
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reports he has received from British Nuclear Fuels plc on the effectiveness of its plutonium evaporator live visual inspection system to prevent radiological accidents at Sellafield.

  Mr. Eggar
  Following the incident involving the plutonium evaporator cell at Sellafield on 8 September and the recovery of the resultant spillage, a number of features have been introduced to prevent a recurrence and to improve early detection in the unlikely event of there being any such similar spillage in the future.

  Such measures include detailed examination of relevant welds and where necessary repair, installation of drip trays with leak detectors, installation of television cameras and an improved inspection regime. The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate also required British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) to improve lighting and to install an automatic imaging system to detect any changes in the evaporator cell. These systems are in place and BNFL is confident that it would detect any similar leak if one were ever to occur.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his Department will have at the seminar on combined heat and power and the effects of EC environmental legislation on small-scale plants, to be held in Birmingham on 26 January.

  Mr. Eggar
  A representative of my Department will be speaking at the seminar. I understand that representatives of the Department of the Environment, including the energy efficiency office, and of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution are expected also to attend.

  Offshore Oil and Gas
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will suspend the 14th round of offshore oil and gas production licences.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have no plans to do so.

  Electricity Cables
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies his Department, or predecessor departments, has undertaken into the electromagnetic effects of high-voltage electricity cables.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department and its predecessors have not themselves carried out such studies. However, the Department keeps in close touch with the work being done nationally and internationally on this subject. In the United Kingdom the National Grid Company, formerly the CEGB, is currently funding such work which is carried out by independent research bodies.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of jobs in those areas currently enjoying assisted area status.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Of the 322 travel-to-work areas in Great Britain, 99 have assisted area status including Manchester which is part non-assisted. The latest available data on employment at TTWA level come from the 1989 census of employment. This gives the number of employees in employment, excluding self-employed, in all assisted areas as 7,230,384. The total for Great Britain was 22,234,458.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the amount of(a) Government grants and (b) European Community grants given in each of the last five years to assisted area status locations.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  On(a), Government expenditure by my Department in each of the last five financial years in respect of regional selective assistance, regional enterprise grants, consultancy initiative, expenditure by English Estates on land and factories and on residual expenditure under the regional development grants schemes, to locations in England with assisted area status were:

  £ million at current prices

  1987–88

  271

  1988–89

  323

  1989–90

  280

  1990–91

  223

  1991–92

  175

  Details of expenditure on other schemes run by my Department are not held on a regional basis.

  On (b), the European Community makes many different types of grant to the United Kingdom. Of these, part of the structural funds is regionally allocated under objectives 1, 2 and 5B. The only area in the United Kingdom that receives moneys under objective 1 is Northern Ireland. Regions designated under objectives 2 and 5B equate approximately to the assisted areas of Great Britain as designated by my Department. Totals allocated to these two areas in each of the calendar years 1989 to 1993 were:
  850

  £ million at current prices

  1989

  321

  1990

  466

  1991

  450

  1992

  619

  1993

  643

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to announce the results of the review of assisted area status.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Our intention is to announce the results of the assisted areas map review as early as possible, taking account of the outcome of the coal review and after the necessary clearance of the European Commission.

  Review Results
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to announce the results of his coal review; when he proposes to announce the results of his review of assisted areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The findings of the coal review will be set out in a White Paper to be published as soon as possible. The results of the assisted areas review will be announced as soon as possible and after the necessary clearance of the European Commission, but will need to take account of the coal review and the responses of the consultation document which the Government issued in June 1992.

  Coal-water Mixtures
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans the European Commission has to invest in coal-water mixture research in(a) 1993 and (b)

  Mr. Eggar
  The European Commission has no plans to invest in coal-water mixture research in either 1993 or 1994.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information his Department has on the use of coal-water mixtures for power generation in non-EC developed countries and countries of the former Soviet Union.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department is not aware that coal-water mixtures are used commercially for power generation in eastern Europe or the countries of the former Soviet Union. It is aware that extensive research and development has been carried out in these countries and the United States over several decades and that research and development is continuing in Japan. Japan is thought to be the only country undertaking extensive demonstrations of the technology with around 10 projects initiated over the past few years.

  The previous research and development carried out in the United Kingdom indicated that the technology is not economic in this country.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for extending the non-fossil fuel obligation to Scotland and Ireland; when it will happen; and if it will be on a rolling programme basis.
  851
  Mr. Eggar
  Policy in relation to the making of non-fossil fuel obligation orders in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Meanwhile, the coal review is considering the implications of the obligation on electricity suppliers to purchase non-fossil power.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much his Department spent in each year from 1988–89 to 1991–92, and how much is planned to be spent in 1992–93, on research and development on renewable energy.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has spent the following amounts on research and development on renewable energy.

  £ million

  1988–89

  16·0

  1989–90

  17·9

  1990–91

  20·8

  1991–92

  24·0

  Note

  The provision for 1992–93 is £24·3 million.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give the total cost of consultancies commissioned into the coal industry since April 1990;

  (2) how much he plans to spend on consultancies into the coal industry during the current financial year.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: The Department of Energy commissioned only one consultancy on the coal industry in 1990–91, from Alan Oakes. On grounds of commercial confidentiality, the costs of individual consultancies is not released.

  In 1991–92 the Department of Energy commissioned six consultancies on coal privatisation at a cost that year of £3·3 million.

  A further two consultancies have been commissioned by the DTI on coal privatisation in 1992–93. The Department has also commissioned four consultancies into the coal industry as a result of the coal review. I have in addition appointed John T. Boyd to report on the 10 pits currently subject to consultation. Total expenditure on consultancies into the coal industry by the DTI in 1992–93 is currently forecast to be £6·5 million.

  A number of consultants have also contributed to the Department's coal research and development programme, managed by the energy technology support unit at Harwell.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade according to what criteria the review procedure ordered by Lord Justice Glidewell in his ruling of 21 December 1992 will assess the viability of the 31 pits listed for closure.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will now include the 10 pits proposed for immediate closure with the other 21 in his review following judgment of the High Court of 21 December 1992.
  852
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: Lord Justice Glidewell did not order a review procedure to assess the viability of the 31 pits. His judgment related only to the 10 pits subject to consultation by British Coal. He said that what was needed was the rapid addition to the consultation already under way of some independent scrutiny. While it was for British Coal and the unions to decide how such an independent scrutiny should be conducted and who should conduct it, he said he had the impression that if my right hon. Friend instructed Boyds to report on the 10 pits as well as the other 21 and in particular to consider whether British Coal's criteria for the closure of 10 pits would be met in relation to any or all of them, the unions and other applicants might well agree to that course. It was also in his view a solution which any future court might well conclude was within his declaration.

  In his light of the judgment, my right hon. Friend has appointed Boyds to report on the 10 pits. This course is not intended in any way to pre-empt the outcome of the discussions between British Coal and the unions on the procedure which they should now follow. It is also a separate exercise from Boyd's current work on the other 21 pits being carried out as part of the coal review. No final decision will be taken on closing the 10 pits until the House has had the chance to debate the coal review White Paper, the consultation process has been completed and Boyds have reported.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans there are to resume production at the 10 collieries that he announced would be closed in his statement to the House of 19 October 1992, following the ruling of the High Court of 21 December 1992.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the steps being taken by his Department and British Coal following the judgment of the High Court of 21 December 1992 in respect of(a) resumption of normal working at the 10 pits proposed for immediate closure and (b) review of the redundancies occurring between 13 October 1992 and 21 December 1992 at those pits.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: These are matters for British Coal. However, I do not understand there to be anything in the judgment which requires coaling to resume at the 10 pits.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  Separate figures for the years before 1987 are not readily available. The number of staff in post in the Department's press office on 1 April since then has been as follows:

  Number

  1987

  51

  1988

  51

  1989

  37

  1990

  37

  1991

  38

  1992

  135

  853

  1 The total subsequently increased to 42 following the transfer of staff and functions from the former Department of Energy. It includes 15 clerical and other support posts.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EC Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards establishing the membership of the EC Committee of the Regions(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other member states of the EC.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Government are still considering the nomination of the 24 United Kingdom members of the committee (and 23 alternates) and how the seats should be allocated between the different parts of the United Kingdom. No decisions have yet been taken.

  The position is broadly similar in most other member states. Only Greece has so far announced their candidates.

  Visitors' Visas
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of appeals in the last 12 months against refusal of visitors' visas to people visiting relatives or friends in Walsall.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested is not centrally recorded and could not be provided except at disproportionate expense.

  Israel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to Israel in regard to the expulsion of more than 400 Palestinians in December 1992; and what representations Her Majesty's Government have made on the expulsions to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have drawn the attention of the Israeli Government to the two EC statements which condemned the deportations, urged the Israelis to return the deportees, and emphasised the importance of pursuing the peace process. And since the adoption of the Security Council resolution 799 the British ambassador has continued to underline to the Israelis our strong views on this issue. The UNHCR is not at present involved in this issue.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation Her Majesty's Government have made of the relevance of article 49 of the fourth Geneva convention (1949) on human rights to Israel's expulsion of over 400 Palestinians in December; and what representations have been made to the International Red Cross by Her Majesty's Government on the matter.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We consider the deportations to be in violation of the fourth Geneva convention. We remain in close contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to his Israeli counterpart in regard to United Nations Security Council resolution 799(92).
  854
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since the adoption of Security Council resolution 799 the British ambassador has continued to underline to the Israelis our strong views on the question of the Palestinian deportees.

  Jonathan Moyle
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made during his recent visit to Chile to the Chilean Government on the death of Jonathan Moyle.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the Moyle case at some length with both the Foreign Minister of Chile, Senor Silva Cimma, and the Moyle family's lawyer, Senor Trivino. Among the subjects discussed was the question of seeking the appointment of a special investigating magistrate.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the living conditions for refugees at the Whitehead detention centre in the Crown Territories of Hong Kong.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Whitehead detention centre currently houses 20,354 Vietnamese migrants. They enjoy freedom of movement within their sections of the centre where medical, educational and social facilities are available.

  The Hong Kong Government seek to maintain law and order in all the detention centres while trying not to run them as prisons. Conscious efforts have been made to encourage Vietnamese migrants to participate in the running of the centres through the establishment of camp committees.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions in regard to the role of British forces in civil emergency planning and evacuation in the Crown Territories he had during his recent visit to Hong Kong.

  Mr. Goodlad
  None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not recently visited Hong Kong. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Hong Kong from 7 to 8 January. These issues did not figure among the discussions that he held there.

  Holiday Accommodation
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is planning to make to his counterparts in the EC about unsafe holiday accommodation abroad.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no such plans. The safety of holiday accommodation is a matter for the individual Governments of the member states.

  The Association of British Travel Agents offers advice to British tour operators on the safety standards of holiday accommodation. The EC package travel directive however makes tour operators liable for damage or injury suffered by customers, even if caused by negligence of the owner or manager of holiday accommodation they use.
  855
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that United Kingdom holidaymakers are not exposed to hazardous foreign accommodation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers the British travelling public advice about dangers to their safety resulting from political unrest, lawlessness, threats of violence, natural disasters or epidemics.

  Holidaymakers are advised to consult their travel operator or the relevant national tourist office about the safety of their accommodation.

  Thailand (Public Defender)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken by the British consulate in Thailand to advise(a) Karyn Smith, (b) Stephen Harris and (c) other British citizens accused of crimes in Thailand, of the existence of a public defender system in that country; and what consideration he has given to making ex-gratia payments to the families of British prisoners in Thailand who have been caused hardship by the failure of the consulate to inform them of the public defender system.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the cases of Karyn Smith and Stephen Harris the question did not arise. Karyn Smith's parents arrived in Thailand shortly after her arrest and assumed responsibility for appointing a lawyer. Mr. Harris specifically asked the embassy not to become involved in the legal aspects of his case. The public defender system in Thailand is well known among detainees. But because it is not regarded by Western embassies as a viable alternative to private legal representation, our embassy has not made a practice of recommending it. Few British detainees have opted to use it. Most opt for private legal representation. There are no grounds for making ex-gratia payments to the families of British prisoners in Thailand.

  Argentina
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his Argentine counterpart on the prospects of Argentina joining the nuclear non-proliferation treaty during his recent visit.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and his Argentine counterpart discussed a number of non-proliferation issues, in particular the importance of bringing into effect as soon as possible the treaty of Tlatelolco which will create a nuclear weapons-free zone in Latin America. This is a vital agreement for the security of the region, and we consider it a step towards accession to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the Iraqi incursion into Kuwait around 10 January.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The UN Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that these activities were 856
  in violation of the procedures established by the Security Council. The Security Council responded on 11 January with a statement condemning the action taken by Iraq which constituted further material breaches of SCR 687 which established the ceasefire at the end of the Gulf war. The council demanded that Iraq co-operate fully with the United Nations Iraq/Kuwait observer mission (UNIKOM) and warned Iraq of the serious consequences that would flow from continued defiance. We fully supported this statement.

  On 13 February the Iraqi ambassador to the UN notified the President of the Security Council that his Government had suspended incursions to retrieve equipment from Kuwait. The Permanent Four have since put the Iraqis on notice that coalition actions on 13 January will not be the end of the matter if Iraq continues to flout the will of the international community.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the visas which have been granted or other facilities extended in the last year to enable Iraqis to enter the United Kingdom for the purposes of discussion with telecommunication or other commercial companies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Statistics according to nationality and purpose of visit are not centrally recorded and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost. However, we are aware that visas were issued to eight Iraqis in December 1992 to enter the United Kingdom for the purpose of discussions with a telecommunications company.

  We have not extended any other facilities to enable Iraqis to enter the United Kingdom for commercial discussions.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The numbers of staff employed in the FCO diplomatic wing news department and the aid wing press and briefing section are as follows:

  Year

  Staff

  1983–84

  26·0

  1984–85

  26·0

  1985–86

  26·5

  1986–87

  25·5

  1987–88

  19·0

  1988–89

  18·0

  1989–90

  18·0

  1990–91

  18·0

  1991–92

  18·0

  Our records do not go back beyond 1983.

ENVIRONMENT

  Radon
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the current average radon level in United Kingdom houses, expressed in becquerels per cubic metre; and if he will make a statement.
  857
  Mr. Maclean
  The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) estimates that the average radon level in dwellings in the United Kingdom is 20 becquerels per cubic metre of air. The action level is an annual average of 200 becquerels per cubic metre.

  Homelessness, Walsall
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an assessment of the extent of homelessness in Walsall; and how many(a) families and (b) single people will benefit from the additional funding announced in the autumn statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  An assessment is made on the basis of the local authority's own estimates contained in its housing strategy statement and statistical returns, together with the homelessness indicator in the housing general needs index.

  This information was used to inform our decisions on the housing investment programme allocations to local authorities which were announced on 17 December 1992.

  The autumn statement made considerable additional resources available to support capital programmes which will directly benefit families and single people in housing need:

  An increase in the Housing Corporation spending to £2.3 billion this year, to enable the immediate purchase of about 17,000 new, empty or repossessed homes for those in housing need (against the original autumn statement target of 16,000).

  Provide sufficient funds to exceed the target of 153,000 new housing association homes in the three years 1992–93 to 1994–95. This is now expected to be 170,000.

  The release of local authority capital receipts, which are expected to add around £l billion to housing spending between now and 1995–96.

  And the creation of a new housing partnership fund where £30 million will be available nationally in the form of supplementary credit approvals to be bid for worthwhile housing investment projects.

  Housing, Walsall
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses there are in multiple occupation in Walsall.

  Mr. Baldry
  The April 1991 census of population reports 52 shared dwellings in the Walsall local authority area.

  Tarmac Construction
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of money the Government transferred to Tarmac Construction for the liability it assumed for the redundancy entitlements of staff who transferred with PSA Projects under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Mr. Redwood
  Money was not transferred to Tarmac Construction specifically for the liabilities it assumed for staff redundancy entitlements. Under the severance sharing scheme Tarmac will be reimbursed for the costs of making staff redundant on an agreed basis subject to the overall limit to the Government's liability for redundancy payments in respect of staff as detailed in the answer given to the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans), on 25 November 1992.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total estimated cost of closing PSA Building Management Scotland based on December 1992 staff-in-post figures.

  Mr. Redwood
  This figure is not readily available and would, in any event, be commercially confidential.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the PSA Projects board members were aware of the bids of the different potential purchasers for PSA Projects.

  Mr. Redwood
  All board members met the shortlisted bidders and, in preparation for that, were given copies of the bids with the financial details edited out.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Her Majesty's Government are willing to sell all five PSA Building Management business divisions to one purchaser.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government are anxious to promote competition in the provision of maintenance services and would therefore be most reluctant to sell all the businesses to one purchaser.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of value for money in the sale of PSA Projects to Tarmac Construction.

  Mr. Redwood
  Tarmac's bid for PSA Projects was assessed both against the value of competing bids and against the cost of closing projects.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government expect to receive a net income from potential purchasers of all the PSA Building Management business divisions.

  Mr. Redwood
  Each of the businesses will have a sizeable contractually committed workload at the point of sale. We expect this to be reflected in the financial arrangements for disposal.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the future of those PSA Building Management business divisions which remain unsold by 1994.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have no specific plans as our intention is to sell the Building Management businesses this year.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the memorandum for the sale of the five PSA Building Management business divisions will be issued to potential bidders;

  (2) what is the timetable for the sale of the PSA Building Management business divisions.

  Mr. Redwood
  Final decisions have not yet been taken on the timetable for the sale of PSA Building Management business divisions or for the issue of the sale memorandum.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many times between December 1991
  859
  and 30 September 1992, on what dates, for what purpose and on what basis civil servants and others serving as PSA Projects board members formally and informally met representatives of companies bidding for PSA projects;

  (2) how many times, on what dates, and for what purpose, and on what basis civil servants and others serving as PSA Projects board members formally and informally met representatives of the Tarmac Group between 1 December 1991 and 30 September 1992.

  Mr. Redwood
  Many meetings would have taken place both formally and informally between individual members of Tarmac and other companies bidding for PSA Projects, as with other major construction industry companies, in the normal course of business.

  In addition during the due vigilance phase of the sales process both the board and individual board members met the shortlisted bidders. Following Tarmac's selection as preferred bidder at the end of September and before exchange of contracts on October 1 there was a meeting between the board and Tarmac Construction to discuss Tarmac's plans for the business and their communication to PSA Projects staff and a number of discussions between individual board members and Tarmac representatives on particular aspects of the prospective sale.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many outstanding claims against PSA Services have been lodged by companies within the Tarmac Group; what is their total value; and what is the total value of such claims relating to work at the Faslane and Coulport submarine bases;

  (2) how many outstanding claims against companies within the Tarmac Group have been made by PSA Services;

  (3) what arrangements he has made to settle outstanding claims lodged by Tarmac companies against PSA Services following the sale of PSA Projects to Tarmac Construction Ltd.

  Mr. Redwood
  There are no outstanding claims against the Tarmac Group of companies by PSA Projects or vice versa. Since 1 April 1992 the contracting authority for Government works contracts has been the individual client department. Any service provided by PSA Projects has been solely as agent.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements exist to ensure that surplus staff from PSA Projects will be matched with vacancies in Departments and that Departments do not recruit externally while there are surplus staff in the same grade in PSA Projects.

  Mr. Redwood
  PSA maintains constant contact with other Government Departments through its personnel change unit which was specifically set up for the purppse of identifying alternative posts for all surplus staff in PSA. These Departments are sympathetic to the PSA's situation and generally respond positively to our approaches. Most Departments consider surplus PSA staff before embarking upon any external recruitment, but if they decide to advertise outside the service PSA staff are normally invited to apply.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the dates, times and places, during the three-month period up to the sale of PSA 860
  Projects, of the internal meetings other than those with trade unions, at which PSA management discussed how the Agency's equal opportunities policies would be applied to the PSA Projects sale; and if he will make a statement on each step taken arising from those meetings, with regard to application of those policies.

  Mr. Redwood
  PSA Projects personnel staff, and representatives from the group personnel directorate, which has overall responsibility within PSA Services for all equal opportunities matters, regularly held meetings throughout the three-month period up to the sale of Projects, to discuss how the Department's equal opportunities policies should be applied in the sale of PSA Projects. The main meetings took place on 30 July 1992 in Marsham street and 21 September and 23 October 1992 in Croydon. Steps taken as a result of these meetings were:

  (a) to produce a paper for the trade unions setting out the proposed secondee selection criteria and arrangements for the avoidance of sexual and racial discrimination.

  (b) to undertake a further survey of the ethnic origin of those staff in PSA Projects who have hitherto declined to provide this information in order to improve the quality of information held on the ethnic origin database.

  (c) to establish central monitoring by the equal opportunities unit of the secondee selection process.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action was taken to ensure that there was no direct or indirect discrimination in the selection of PSA Projects staff for secondment; and if he will list the measures taken to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or disability.

  Mr. Redwood
  The trade unions were consulted about the proposed criteria for the selection of secondees in October 1992.

  The procedures to be adopted in the selection of staff for secondment were set out in a letter from the then managing director of PSA Projects to all his senior managers. This letter drew specific attention to the requirement of the equal opportunities legislation and the importance of avoiding any direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or disability. A copy of this letter was given to the trade unions in December 1992.

  Throughout the selection process the results were monitored centrally to ensure that no direct or indirect discrimination had taken place.

  Other measures undertaken during 1992 included the issue of guidance to all staff about the avoidance of racial or sexual harassment in the workplace. A new complaints and grievances procedure was also agreed with the trade unions and issued to staff throughout PSA Services in the form of a staff circular in advance of the PSA Projects sale.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what written guidance was given to PSA Projects staff, setting out the appeals procedure to follow if they were turned down for secondment and they believed this was done on the grounds of gender, race or disability.

  Mr. Redwood
  The appeals procedure for staff to follow in the event of any complaint or grievance including any on sexual or racial discrimination grounds was set out in a departmental notice which was agreed with the trade unions and issued to all PSA staff in April 1992.

  In the light of this no separate guidance for PSA Projects staff was thought to be necessary.

  Rents
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1992,Official Report, column 738, when he expects the Housing Corporation to publish its report on rents and affordability.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Housing Corporation's report, "The Affordability of Housing Association Rents", was published on 15 December 1992 and a copy was placed in the Library.

  Travellers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of(a) the traditional travelling community and (b) the new age travellers.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department does not hold information in the form requested. Section 16 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 defines gipsies as "persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin". In some cases, the Courts have held that individual new age travellers are gipsies within the statutory definition. Local authorities in England and Wales undertake regular counts of gipsy caravans in their areas, and in January 1992 English local authorities counted a total of 12,777 gipsy caravans.

  Cable Identification Colours
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent of harmonisation of cable identification colours in the EC.

  Mr. Baldry
  Preliminary discussion on the possible harmonisation of cable identification colours has taken place within technical committees responsible for electro-technical standardisation at European and international level.

  The representation of United Kingdom interests in these negotiations is the responsibility of the British electro-technical committee.

  Electrical Contractors
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether an electrical contractor from another Community country will be required to comply with BS 7671 when carrying out an electrical installation in the United Kingdom after the completion of the single market.

  Mr. Baldry
  In accordance with treaty obligations United Kingdom regulatory authorities, public purchasers and certain private bodies would not be able to insist on strict compliance with the British standard. Compliance with a specification offering equivalent performance would also be acceptable under present arrangements.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in which other EC states British electrical contractors have to comply with that state's national regulations.

  Mr. Baldry
  In general the details of regulations applicable to electrical installations are a matter for individual member states. Information on particular 862
  regulatory and other requirements applicable to British electrical contractors can best be obtained from the appropriate national authority. Where there is EC legislation—for example, relevant clauses of the workplace directive 89/654/EEC—affecting installations, the requirements of national regulations in all countries should be satisfied by meeting the requirements of the directive.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions of United Kingdom legislation govern compliance with BS 7671.

  Mr. Baldry
  Compliance with BS 7671 is not an express requirement under United Kingdom legislation for electrical safety. However, compliance with the BS may be used as evidence in claiming conformity with certain statutory requirements. In this the role of BS 7671 is essentially the same as that of the "regulations" for electrical installations previously published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

  Home Improvements, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of resources is available to Liverpool city council for home improvement grants in the current financial year; how many homes will be renovated in the current year; how many applications remain to be approved and works commenced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The level of resources dedicated to house renovation grants is a matter for Liverpool city council to decide within the framework of its capital programme and available resources.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate his Department has made as to the impact on voluntary organisations of phasing out the urban programme;

  (2) what procedures were followed by his Department in deciding to phase out the urban programme; and what guidance his Department has received in assessing the impact on the voluntary sector of changes in policy.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  There will continue to be a substantial urban programme (UP) in 1993–94 amounting to £176 million. We will honour in full existing commitments, including those for the voluntary sector and provide £20 million for urban partnership fund projects as part of the new capital partnership programme. It is open to local authorities to involve voluntary organisations in their urban partnership fund proposals. The decisions on the urban partnership were taken having regard to all the relevant factors, including their effect on the voluntary sector.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many urban programme funded(a) social welfare and health and (b) housing projects targeted at ethnic minority communities will end in each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and what is the financial cost of these projects in each year;

  (2) how many urban programme funded (a) social welfare and health and (b) housing projects run by voluntary organisations will end in each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and what is the financial cost of these projects in each year;
  863
  (3) how many urban programme funded (a) social welfare and health and (b) housing projects will end in each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and what is the financial cost of these projects in each year.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Empty Offices
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the current level of empty office space in(a) central London and (b) Greater London.

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on the level of empty office space in central and Greater London is not kept by this Department.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the conversion of empty office blocks in London to housing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  A number of housing associations have been able to convert commercial property in London for short-term occupation by the homeless, and they are continuing to investigate properties on the market which might be suitable for this type of use. However, the scope for such work does appear to be fairly limited, compared with opportunities for permanent housing provision by more orthodox means.

  Property Taxation Europe
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the countries in the Council of Europe which have a property tax which applies to houses and flats.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is not available in respect of Cyprus, Malta, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Hungary, Czechoslovakia or Poland. However, "Revenue Statistics of OECD Members 1965–1991" indicates that all other members of the Council of Europe collect recurrent and non-recurrent taxes on the use, transfer or ownership of property. Taxes on the use of properties for residence, where the amount payable is a function of the users' personal circumstances, are treated as taxes on income and are not separately identified.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements his Department has made for a third round of bidding for city challenge funds in 1993–94; and what arrangements will be made in respect of future city challenge bids.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The future of city challenge will be considered in the light of the general review of urban needs to be undertaken in 1993 and progress in the areas successful in the first two competitions.

TRANSPORT

  Company Cars
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the proportion of cars in, entering or leaving central London in peak hours whose total running costs are not met wholly by the taxable income of their owners or drivers; and what are the comparable figures available since 1980.

  Mr. Norris
  A survey conducted in 1989 found that 85 per cent. of cars entering central London during the morning peak (7 to 10 am) received some form of travel assistance from their company or employer for the journey being undertaken. Comparable figures from surveys conducted by the GLC in 1982 and 1985 are 74 per cent. and 78 per cent. respectively. The types of assistance received in 1989 are shown in the following table.

  Type of travel assistance received for car journeys to central London during the morning peak (7–10 am): 1989

  Per cent.

  Percentage receiving any form of travel assistance:

  85

  Type of assistance received (per cent.)1

  Parking space provided

  50

  Parking charges fully or partly paid

  25

  Mileage allowance

  8

  Self-employed tax relief or company allowance

  8

  Fuel costs fully or partly paid

  38

  None

  15

  1 Percentages sum to more than 100 because more than one form of assistance may be provided.

  Railway Expenditure
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much capital expenditure British Rail incurred, or plans to incur, on regional network track renewal in each year from 1980 to 1994.

  Mr. Roger Freeman
  The figures for British Rail's expenditure on track renewals between 1980 and 1991–92, the latest year available, are in the table.

  £ million1

  1980

  244

  1981

  238

  1982

  200

  1983

  253

  1984–85

  232

  1985–86

  196

  1986–87

  181

  1987–88

  195

  1988–89

  163

  1989–90

  173

  1990–91

  131

  1991–92

  163

  1 In 1991–92 prices.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish current and historical profit and loss accounts and balance sheets for each of the proposed rail passenger franchise units; and if he will set a date for publication.
  865
  Mr. Freeman
  It is our intention to provide financial information to bidders for franchises, with accounts based on the financial performance of the British Rail units to be set up to "shadow" the service groups to be franchised. The information will be made available to bidders when they are formally invited to tender.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions will be made for reimbursement of local authorities for investment in capital programmes in proposals for privatisation of the railways.

  Mr. Freeman
  A number of local authorities have supported worthwhile railway investment projects in order to secure enhanced services or facilities for local people. The benefits which the local authorities were seeking to secure will continue to be provided. Where the local authorities' investment has been made on the basis of British Rail providing a particular service this obligation will pass to British Rail's successor. So there is no case for reimbursement.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British Rail cannot act in a manner detrimental to current private passenger and freight operators until Railtrack is totally separated from British Rail passenger and freight operations.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend and I remain in close touch with the chairman of the British Railways Board. I remain confident that British Rail will do all that it can to ensure an effective transition.

  Rolling Stock
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has to allow locomotive, wagon and rolling stock manufacturers to acquire surplus British Rail assets for sale or lease to private sector operators in advance of franchising legislation receiving the Royal Assent.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a commercial matter for British Rail. British Rail is always interested to hear from those who wish to be included in tender lists for surplus rolling stock. For example, freight locomotives have already been sold to railway manufacturers for refurbishment and use in the private sector.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to publish an inventory, on a regular basis, of the locomotive, wagon, and rolling stock assets of each proposed passenger franchise and provide the same information for freight services.

  Mr. Freeman
  An inventory of rolling stock assets, including locomotives and wagons, for BR's existing passenger profit centres was published in the consultative document, "The Franchising of Passenger Rail Services", which we issued in October 1992. Updated information will be provided to bidders for passenger franchises when they are formally invited to tender. Information on the assets of the freight businesses will be contained in the information memorandum which will be provided for each business when it is offered for sale.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British 866
  Rail does not scrap locomotives, wagons and rolling stock which could be acquired by the private sector (a) for operations in advance of franchising routes and (b) for refurbishment to create a second-hand market in advance of refurbishment.

  Mr. Freeman
  BR's policy is to dispose of life-expired rolling stock by competitive tender. Not all disposals are scrapped.

  BR is storing securely the best assets which successor private operators might be able to use.

  Tankers
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps his Department takes, in the case of sightings of unidentified tankers being reported in the Minch, to determine the identity of the vessels concerned;

  (2) in what ways his Department has pursued reports of sightings of tankers in the Minch as promised in the Government response to the 40th report of the Public Accounts Committee, Session 1990–91 in December 1991;

  (3) how many sightings of tankers in the Minch have been reported to his Department since their request for such reports in the Government response to the 40th report of the Public Accounts Committee in December 1991;

  (4) what was the precise wording of the request for reports of sightings of tankers in the Minch referred to in the Government response to the 40th report of the Public Accounts Committee, Session 1990–91, December 1991; and to whom this request was made.

  Mr. Norris
  In the summer of 1991 the Highland regional council held a symposium on tankers in the Minch attended by representatives of many interested organisations. At the symposium, my Department issued a general invitation to report sightings of vessels which might be large laden tankers to my Department. This invitation was followed up in detailed paper by my Department for the Council, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. On a number of other occasions we have asked that local people should report any sightings of tankers in the Minch to the Department. In a new initiative, supported by my Department, the Highlands regional council is shortly to issue a leaflet outlining the voluntary reporting scheme.

  The Department has received no reports of laden tankers over 10,000 tons grt using the Minch from any source. Any such laden tanker identified would be investigated by the Department to discover the reasons for its presence in the Minch. There is no means of investigating unidentified tankers.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to consider a requirement on all tankers and bulk carriers passing through British waters to carry equipment to allow them to be tracked by satellite in the same manner as for passenger aircraft.

  Mr. Norris
  Extension of existing surveillance arrangements for ships fall within the terms of reference of Lord Donaldson's inquiry announced by my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department currently takes to monitor the movement of laden oil tankers around the British Isles.
  867
  Mr. Norris
  A reporting system for loaded oil and chemical tankers of over 1600 grt is in place in the channel and Dover strait (MAREP). This provides detailed information about such ships to surveillance centres. In addition the channel navigation information service monitors by radar all traffic in the Dover strait and its approaches.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the route for the channel tunnel rail link; and if he remains committed to the construction of an international station at Stratford.

  Mr. Freeman
  An announcement will be made as soon as possible. The Government's view has not changed that the route should run via Stratford and Union Railways route studies have taken account of this. The opportunity for a station at Stratford is thereby preserved.

  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive and subsequently publish the report by Union Railways on the channel tunnel rail link.

  Mr. Freeman
  A report has now been received. We shall move as quickly as possible to commence public consultation.

  International Driving Licences
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to remove the requirement for United Kingdom drivers to hold a current international driving licence when driving in other European Community countries.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  United Kingdom licence holders driving within the European Community are not required to hold an international driving permit in addition to a current full driving licence.

  Green Card Insurance Certificate
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a green card insurance certificate is now no longer required by United Kingdom drivers driving in other European Community countries.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  United Kingdom motor insurance policies provide third party cover in all EC member states. Drivers are not required to have a green card though they may find that in some countries the green card is more easily recognised as evidence of insurance than their insurance certificate.

  Farm Vehicles
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken by his Department to ensure proper lighting and registration marking on farm vehicles and on the implements they tow.
  868
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Requirements covering the fitting and use of lamps and reflectors on all vehicles used on public roads, including agricultural tractors and trailers, are set out in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (SI 1989–1796). There is also a requirement that a registration mark should be displayed on agricultural machines and trailers in the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 (SI 1971/450). Enforcement of these rules is a matter for the police.

  Press Office
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by his Department's press office in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Norris
  Details of staff in post in the Department's press office from 1984 (including administrative support) are as follows:

  Year

  Total staff in post

  1984

  12

  1985

  11

  1986

  11

  1987

  10

  1988

  10

  1989

  12

  1990

  12

  1991

  13

  1992

  13

  Before 1984, the information division was a common service of the Department of Transport, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency. Figures prior to 1984 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  M1-M62 Link
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the results of the public consultation process concerning proposals for an M1-M62 motorway link in west Yorkshire.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The results of the public consultation will be announced after the analysis of the responses has been completed. This is likely to take several more months due to the complexity of the scheme and the large number of responses received.

  M20 and A20
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the widening of the M20 in the Maidstone area and the new A20 road from Folkestone to be completed.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The M20 junctions 5 to 8 widening and A20 Folkestone to Dover schemes are expected to be complete by late summer 1993.