Written Answers of 19 January 1993

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Children's Play
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what effect he expects his decision to withdraw central support for the children's play and recreation unit to have on research currently being undertaken in Nottingham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Sports Council will be taking over direct responsibility for a number of the play unit's functions after 31 March 1993. I am not aware that this will effect any research currently being undertaken in Nottingham.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the representations he has received concerning future funding for the children's play and recreation unit.

  Mr. Brooke
  Between 3 December 1992, when I made my announcement about future funding for the national children's play and recreation unit (Official Report, column 325) and 15 January 1993, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have received 21 letters from hon. Members, 20 from local authorities, 24 from voluntary sector play organisations, eight from other organisations and nine from members of the public.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what money will be available from grant aid through the Sports Council in 1993–94 for children's play.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Sports Council has agreed to allocate £220,000 to children's play in 1993–94. Further discussions are now taking place between my Department and the council on this basis.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions he has had to ensure that there is a national strategy for children's play.

  Mr. Brooke
  None. Decisions on play provision are best taken at local level.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to commission research on a national lottery in addition to the GAH consultants' report.

  Item

  To whom allocated

  Conditions/wishes expressed

  Hambledon cricket club minute and account books

  Hampshire record office

  Unconditional

  Sculpture by Henry Moore

  Leeds city art gallery

  Conditional

  Collection of eight contemporary paintings consisting of: "Bomb Store" by David Bomberg

  Tate gallery

  Wish

  130
  Mr. Brooke
  I have no plans at the present time to commission further research.

  Weight Training
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what advice he has sought about the risks to the health of persons under the age of 18 years of(a) weight lifting and (b) weight training;

  (2) if he will discuss with the chairman of the Sports Council the risks to the health of persons under the age of 18 years of (a) weight lifting and (b) weight training; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I meet the chairman of the Sports Council from time to time to discuss issues of mutual interest and look to the council for advice on all sports-related issues. The council's advice is that both weight lifting and weight training are acceptable for those under 18 provided that they are carried out in a controlled environment under the supervision of suitably qualified coaches.

  Coalfield Areas
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 539, what discussions he has had with the English tourist board and the East Midlands tourist board to ensure there are sufficient reserves available to bring economic regeneration to coalfield areas.

  Mr. Key
  Discussions are currently in progress between my Department and the English tourist board on the criteria for the allocation of funds to the regional tourist boards.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half year ended 31 December 1992 of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national, scientific, historic or artistic interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed in the matter of allocation by testators or executors; if he will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation with the respective dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax; and if a press notice will be issued by his Department in the event of any information being given in his reply which has not been previously announced.

  Mr. Brooke
  The information that the hon. Member requests is as follows;
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  Item

  To whom allocated

  Conditions/wishes expressed

  "Man Hosing Metal Fishboxes" by Prunella Clough

  Tate gallery

  Wish

  "Self Portrait, Recto and Verso" by David Bomberg

  Wakefield art gallery

  Wish

  "Ghetto Theatre" by David Bomberg

  Wakefield art gallery

  Wish

  "Woman and Goat" by Robert Colquhoun

  Wakefield art gallery

  Wish

  "Two Figures Monotype" by Robert Colquhoun

  Wakefield art gallery

  Wish

  "Pears" by William Scott

  Wakefield art gallery

  Wish

  Untitled work by Roger Hilton

  Wakefield art gallery

  Wish

  Vintage motorcar and two motorcycles

  National motor museum (motorcar)

  Unconditional

  Bradford industrial museum (Scott motorcycle) Tank museum (Brough motorcycle)

  Rembrandt etching and 31 illuminated manuscripts

  National art collections fund

  Conditional

  Items awaiting allocation

  Date of acceptance

  Portrait by Beechey

  20 April 1990

  Beccafumi paintings

  20 November 1991

  Press notices have already been issued announcing the allocations that have been made to date.

  Museums and Galleries (Attendance)
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what were the attendance figures for 1992 reported by the national museums and galleries in England for which he is responsible, broken down into the individual institutions, but including their outstations, with the figures in each case of the percentage increase or decrease on the attendance figures for 1991.

  Mr. Key
  The estimated number of visitors during 1992 to the 11 national museums and galleries for which I am responsible are as follows:

  Estimated attendance in 1992

  Percentage change from in 1991 estimated attendance

  British museum

  6,725,192

  +4.0

  Imperial war museum

  1,140,883

  +9.2

  National gallery

  4,300,000

  No change

  National maritime museum

  530,000

  –8.5

  National museums and galleries on Merseyside

  1,207,000

  –2.9

  National portrait gallery

  796,000

  –8.2

  Natural history museum

  1,267,000

  –15.5

  Science museum

  2,579,000

  +2.1

  Tate gallery

  2,150,711

  –11.7

  Victoria and Albert museum

  1,526,199

  +9.9

  Wallace collection

  200,000

  +42.7

  Total

  22,421,985

  +4.6

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the organisations who have expressed an interest in tendering for the franchise to run the national lottery to date.
  132
  Mr. Brooke
  This information is commercially confidential.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what tender criteria will be used to award the licence to run the national lottery.

  Mr. Brooke
  The licence to run the national lottery will be awarded by the director general of the national lottery. The director general, once appointed, will decide the criteria for awarding the licence, in line with his overriding duties under the legislation.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which are the three legal aid area boards with the highest and lowest grant rates in percentage terms in respect of legal aid applications made to magistrates courts by defendants charged with(a) causing actual bodily harm, (b) shoplifting, (c) drink-driving, (d) criminal damage and (e) possession of an offensive weapon; and what was the percentage in each case.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information is not available in the form requested. Between April 1991 and March 1992, the area committees of the Legal Aid Board with the highest approval rates in respect of criminal legal aid were: East Midlands (91.7 per cent.), South Western (82.1 per cent.) and North Western (70.7 per cent.). The three area committees with the lowest approval rates were: Northern (46.5 per cent.), Merseyside (47 per cent.) and West Midlands (49.4 per cent.). Renewed applications may also be made to the courts. The area committees deal only with applications which have previously been rejected by the courts. Statistics reflecting the nature of the offence are not kept.

  Law Students
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints the Lord Chancellor has received from students who have been failed on the Bar vocational course; and if he will make a statement.
  133
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As of 11 January 1992 the Lord Chancellor had received four representations from students.

  The Lord Chancellor takes a keen interest in legal education and equality of opportunity in the profession. However, the independence of the legal profession precludes him from intervening in the administration of the Bar vocational examination by the Council for Legal Education. The Commission for Racial Equality is shortly to conduct an investigation into the results, with which the Council for Legal Education will be co-operating fully. In addition, the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and conduct, which is a statutory body independent of the Lord Chancellor's Department, has received 17 representations and will be addressing this question as part of its review of legal education.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what review the Lord Chancellor has undertaken of the number of complaints from students dissatisfied with the way the Council of Legal Education has been conducting the course and its assessment procedures.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The legal profession is independent of Government and it would therefore not be appropriate for the Lord Chancellor to conduct any such review.

  The Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and conduct, which was established by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 as an independent body, has a duty to assist in the maintenance and development of standards in legal education, and has to have regard to the desirability of equality of opportunity when doing so. The committee is obliged under the Act to keep legal education and training under review; it launched a major review on 25 November 1992, which will address this question among others. However, the statutory independence of the committee precludes the Lord Chancellor from directing how it should discharge its duties.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 January.

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

  Office Staff
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the staff of his Office and their grades.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Principal private secretary (Grade 3)

  Private secretary—overseas affairs (Grade 3)

  Chief press secretary (Grade 3)

  8 Special advisers

  Deputy chief press secretary (Grade 5)

  Secretary for appointments (Grade 5)

  Private secretary—economic affairs (Grade 5)

  2 Private secretaries—Parliamentary affairs and home
  134
  affairs (Grade 7)

  4 Senior information officers

  2 Senior executive officers

  5 Higher executive officers

  2 Assistants

  10 Executive officers

  22 Senior personal secretaries

  4 Personal secretaries

  11 Administrative officers

  4 Typists

  1 House manager

  1 Door keeper

  13 Support grade band 2

  10 Support grade band 1

  1 Support manager 3

  1 Senior cook

  In addition there are 10 custody guards, nine telephonists and four drivers who are not employed by my Office.

  Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received on the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations since the Bill was published on 5 November.

  The Bill will increase the rights of trade union members, enhance the rights of individual employees, provide new protection for the community against the effects of unlawful industrial action, and improve the operation of the labour market.

  Electrical Engineering
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on Government support for electrical engineering;

  (2) what steps the Government have taken to reward excellence in the field of electrical engineering.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has set up sectoral divisions, including electrical engineering, leading to a closer dialogue to promote the recognition and importance of electrical engineering within the United Kingdom economy. The Government acknowledge the importance of electrical engineering and fully support the industry through a range of assistance that includes overseas trade, research and development, regional support and promoting awareness.

  Excellence in the industry is acknowledged through the Queen's awards including those for technology and exports, where electrical engineering is well represented. Additionally there are, of course, a number of people of eminence in the field of electrical engineering whose achievements have been recognised in the usual ways.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Visits
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks are make by the prison service on identity, name and address of people visiting convicted prisoners; how it establishes the purpose of each visit; and how it records this information.
  135
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The procedures in respect of visits to convicted prisoners are laid down in prison service standing order 5, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on advertising electoral registration in North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Blyth Valley in each year since 1990, and how much will be spent in the current year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The amount spent by the Government on electoral registration advertising in England and Wales in each year since 1990 was as follows. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000.

  Electoral registration advertising

  Year

  £'000

  1990

  923,000

  1991

  627,000

  1992

  617,000

  The proportion of this total spent in each individual district council area is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The 1993 budget figure is not yet available.

  Arms Amnesty
  Mr. James Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will sanction a further arms amnesty in Hampshire on the lines of the one held in 1988 to cover firearms, knives and other weapons.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Firearms amnesties require the agreement of the Attorney-General not to bring prosecutions for certain offences. They are, therefore, exceptional events which are held only on a national basis.

  No such agreement is required in respect of knives and other offensive weapons. It is, therefore, open to individual police forces to hold a campaign for the surrender of such items at any time.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now reply to the letter sent to his Minister of State on 9 November 1992 by the hon. Member for Gower regarding a constituent residing in Gorseinon, Swansea.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 12 January.

  Electoral Systems
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the decision of the European Parliamentary Commission on electoral systems: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have received no such decision.

  Police Authorities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each police authority the approved establishment and budget for 1992–93 and for 1993–94.
  136
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is set out in the table. Information on 1993–94 budgets is not available.

  Force

  1992–93 Budget £ million1

  1992–93 Establishment2

  1993–94 Establishment3

  Avon and Somerset

  123.553

  3,087

  3,087

  Bedfordshire

  43.516

  1,178

  1,178

  Cambridgeshire

  51.376

  1,241

  1,241

  Cheshire

  73.382

  1,920

  1,920

  City of London

  46.947

  798

  798

  Cleveland

  60.198

  1,502

  1,502

  Cumbria

  47.500

  1,187

  1,187

  Derbyshire

  73.728

  1,850

  1,850

  Devon and Cornwall

  131.068

  2,928

  2,928

  Dorset

  56.191

  1,302

  1,302

  Durham

  52.995

  1,389

  1,389

  Dyfed Powys

  39.814

  969

  969

  Essex

  126.716

  2,950

  2,950

  Gloucestershire

  48.794

  1,184

  1,184

  Greater Manchester

  291.000

  7,077

  7,077

  Gwent

  38.580

  1,010

  1,010

  Hampshire

  129.300

  3,269

  3,269

  Hertfordshire

  69.516

  1,684

  1,684

  Humberside

  84.500

  2,034

  2,034

  Kent

  136.394

  3,096

  43,136

  Lancashire

  128.200

  3,229

  3,229

  Leicestershire

  73.000

  1,853

  1,853

  Lincolnshire

  48.312

  1,206

  1,206

  Merseyside

  188.595

  4,706

  4,706

  Metropolitan

  1,488.974

  28,260

  528,293

  Norfolk

  59.668

  1,446

  1,446

  Northamptonshire

  52.009

  1,190

  1,190

  Northumbria

  148.250

  3,613

  3,613

  North Wales

  55.943

  1,369

  1,369

  North Yorkshire

  58.572

  1,418

  1,418

  Nottinghamshire

  91.045

  2,344

  2,344

  South Wales

  129.381

  3,168

  3,168

  South Yorkshire

  120.500

  3,031

  3,031

  Staffordshire

  87.549

  2,215

  2,215

  Suffolk

  51.114

  1,233

  1,233

  Surrey

  71.055

  1,673

  1,673

  Sussex

  118.674

  3,014

  3,014

  Thames Valley

  168.930

  3,812

  3,812

  Warwickshire

  42.000

  1,020

  1,020

  West Mercia

  84.687

  2,053

  2,053

  West Midlands

  284.917

  6,977

  6,977

  West Yorkshire

  218.326

  5,295

  5,295

  Wiltshire

  50.313

  1,181

  1,181

  1 Estimated revenue budget for 1992–93.

  2 Approved establishment at 31 October 1992.

  3 Approved establishment at 1 April 1993.

  4 The 1993–94 approved establishment for the Kent constabulary includes 40 reimbursed posts for the channel tunnel which came into effect on 1 January 1993.

  5 The 1993–94 approved establishment for the Metropolitan police includes additional posts resulting from planning in the 1991 public expenditure survey.

  KPMG Management Consultants
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts awarded by his Department to KPMG Management Consultants over the past 12 months.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  KPMG Management Consultants have been awarded one contract by my Department over the past 12 months—it is a contract to review the work and organisation of the Police National Computer Organisation.

  Prison Transfers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of those entitled to apply for temporary transfers from prisons in Britain to Northern Ireland have actually applied, distinguishing between(a) loyalist prisoners, (b) republican prisoners, (c) men and (d) women;

  (2) how many applications have been received for transfers from prisons in Britain to Northern Ireland, from (a) loyalist prisoners, (b) republican prisoners, (e) men and (d) women; and how many of each have been accepted.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Revised criteria governing transfers between United Kingdom jurisdictions were announced on 23 November 1992. It is open to any prisoner to make a request for such a transfer; 39 male and two female prisoners who were previously known to have expressed an interest in transferring to Northern Ireland have been specifically invited to submit requests for transfer under these criteria.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

  Financial year

  Awards made

  Compensation paid (at actual prices) (£ million)

  GDP deflator

  Compensation paid (at 1979–80 prices) (£ million)

  Compensation paid (at 1992–93 prices) (£ million)

  1979–80

  17,460

  15·737

  43·174

  15·737

  37·999

  1980–81

  20,138

  21·462

  51·089

  18·137

  43·794

  1981–82

  17,350

  21·977

  56·022

  16·937

  40·896

  1982–83

  19,733

  29·445

  60·013

  21·183

  51·150

  1983–84

  21,133

  32·821

  62·791

  22·567

  54·492

  1984–85

  19,771

  35·293

  65·976

  23·095

  55·767

  1985–86

  22,534

  41·560

  69·577

  25·789

  62·271

  1986–87

  21,925

  48·242

  71·816

  29·002

  70·029

  1987–88

  20,991

  52·043

  75·763

  29·657

  71·611

  1988–89

  27,752

  69·381

  81·279

  36·854

  88·989

  1989–90

  27,926

  72·722

  86·622

  36·246

  87·521

  1990–91

  35,190

  109·330

  93·537

  50·464

  121·852

  1991–92

  39,249

  143·660

  100

  62·024

  149·766

  1992–93

  104·250

  TOTALS

  311,152

  693·673

  387·691

  936·138

  Firearms
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress on transferring responsibility for firearms and shotgun licensing to a national firearms control board.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend is in the process of consulting Ministerial colleagues about this and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  Prisoners (Mental Health)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of persons currently residing in prisons in England and Wales are considered to have mental health problems.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not available centrally in the form requested. However, the psychiatric profile study of the sentenced population carried out by Professor John Gunn and published in October 1992 estimated the prevalence of psychiatric disorders as 38.8 per cent. of which substance dependency or abuse accounted for 19.6 per cent.
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  Of these, 15 male prisoners and two female prisoners have submitted requests for permanent or extended temporary transfer which are under consideration. Two male prisoners have requested permanent transfers only.

  Statistics on the political background of prisoners seeking transfers to Northern Ireland are not kept.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many payments were made to individuals by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for each year since 1979;

  (2) what was the total sum paid to victims of crime by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for each year since 1979 (a) in current prices and (b) in 1979 prices.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is given in the table. It has been taken from CICB's published annual reports, copies of which are held in the Library of the House. Revaluation of the compensation paid in year to current and to 1979 prices has been made using the GDP deflator.

  Press (Unauthorised Disclosures)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action has been taken against officials in his Department(a) generally and (b) in the press office for unauthorised disclosures to the press in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No Home Office official, either generally or in the press office, has been subject to disciplinary action for unauthorised disclosures to the press in the last 12 months.

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 December to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair),Official Report, column 662–64, if he will make a statement on his review of the procedure for handling inquiries on individual citizenship applications.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Ms. Lynne) on 14 January at columns 793–94, to which I have nothing to add.

  Betting Offices
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the evening opening hours of licensed betting offices.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In October 1991, the Government issued a consultation document inviting the views of all interested parties on whether licensed betting offices should be open in the evening and, if so, at what times. Over 800 representations and a number of petitions have since been received. The views expressed fully reflected the arguments for and against evening opening. In the light of that consultation process, I have decided that evening opening should be allowed until 10 pm on Mondays to Saturdays between April and August inclusive.

  Government policy on gambling is that there should be adequate properly regulated facilities available for those who wish to gamble. It is clear that the growth in the number of evening horseraces has created increased consumer demand for evening opening of licensed betting offices during the summer months. In those circumstances, the Government believe that there are no public interest or policy reasons to object to evening opening.

  I know that many bookmakers, their staff and the greyhound racing industry are concerned about the effect which evening opening may have on them. I have taken account of those concerns and I believe that the approach now proposed achieves a sensible and reasonable balance between the various interests.

  My decision is broadly in line with the recommendations of the Home Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons following its inquiries into the funding of horseracing and greyhound racing. However, as some horseraces are run after 9 pm and to allow time for payment of any winnings, I propose that the latest closing time should be 10 pm rather than the 9 pm recommended by the Committee. This will be a standard latest closing

  Type of property

  Number in MPS estate

  Vacant

  Percentage

  Available for disposal

  Percentage

  Houses

  1,271

  68

  5·3

  45

  3·5

  Flats

  1,215

  196

  16·0

  151

  12·4

  Section houses

  26

  3

  11·5

  1

  3·8

  Bed spaces in section houses

  2,981

  714

  23·9

  373

  12·5

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  The Queen (Income)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what income Her Majesty the Queen receives in right of her Duchy of Lancaster; whether it is liable to income tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Payments are made to the Keeper of the Privy Purse from revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster for Her Majesty's use. The sovereign is entitled to these revenues in right of her Duchy of Lancaster.

  Payments to the privy purse are detailed in the Duchy accounts which are placed in the Library of the House. In
  140
  time throughout April to August. A variable closing time, perhaps linked to the last horserace, would have created enforcement difficulties.

  The Government are committed to removing unnecessary regulations on business and extending consumer choice where possible. Evening opening represents a further important measure of deregulation and will give bookmakers greater freedom to adjust their opening hours to suit the needs of their customers.

  The opening hours of licensed betting offices are prescribed by regulation, subject to the negative resolution procedure. I have today laid an order before parliament which will permit evening opening with effect from 1 April 1993. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will lay a similar order to permit the same evening opening hours in Scotland.

  Prevention of Terrorism
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how observations from interested persons or organisations should be submitted for consideration by Lord Colville in his report on the operation in 1992 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Written observations should be submitted to Lord Colville c/o Room 647, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT no later than Friday 5 February 1993.

  Metropolitan Police Property
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 601, if he will list the total number of residential properties owned by the Metropolitan police and the number, and percentage of the total of these which are empty.

  Mr. Charles WardleM
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: The information requested is contained in the table:

  the year to 29 September 1991 the sum of £3,100,000 was paid to the privy purse. Duchy accounts for 1992 will be in the Library by mid-February.

  Duchy revenues are not subject to income tax. On the tax question I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 26 November 1992, at column 982.

  Sir Charles Powell
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps were taken under the rules relating to business appointments for former civil servants in connection with the appointment of Sir Charles Powell as a director of Jardine Matheson.

  Mr. Jackson
  Staff at Sir Charles Powell's grade are required to seek approval for any paid outside appointment they wish to accept within two years of
  141
  leaving the civil service. Applications are referred to the head of the home civil service, who advises the appropriate departmental Minister whether any conditions should be applied. Individual applications are treated in confidence.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  National Insurance
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated full-year revenue effect in 1992–93 and 1993–94 of(a) abolishing the upper earnings limit for employee's national insurance contributions, (b) allowing personal allowances against such contributions and (c) both (a) and (b).

  Mr. Dorrell
  The estimated effects in a full year are shown in the table. For (b) and (c) it has been assumed that the levels of earnings used to calculate National Insurance contributions are gross earnings less the personal allowance. For the 1993–94 calculations, personal allowances have been increased by the autumn statement assumption of 3·25 per cent. over 1992–93 levels. No account has been taken of possible behavioural changes which might result from the measures.

  Cost(—)/Yield(+)

  1992–93 £ million

  1993–94 £ million

  (a) Abolishing the upper earnings limit for employees national insurance contributions

  2,700

  2,900

  (b) Allowing personal allowances against employees' national insurance contributions

  –5,100

  –5,300

  (c) Part b with upper earnings limit for employee's national insurance contribution abolished

  –3,500

  –3,500

  Whisky
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the consumption and the revenue elasticities of duty on whisky and whiskey.

  Sir John Cope
  We do not have details of elasticities for individual spirits products. We estimate that the price elasticity of demand for spirits consumption is –1.1. The impact of changes in the duty rate on consumption, and hence revenue, will depend on the duty content of the retail price.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he plans to put forward at the ECOFIN Council in Brussels on 18 January.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Council will discuss the economic situation in the Community as part of its regular exercises in multilateral surveillance and the package of measures to promote economic recovery which was agreed at the European Council in Edinburgh. I have no plans to put forward other proposals.

  Income Tax
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed by his Departments specifically to investigate avoidance of income tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In excess of 1,000 staff in the Inland Revenue are involved in the investigation of errors, differences of legal interpretation and avoidance which they discover in the tax returns and accounts of individuals and trusts. Information is not available about the proportion of their time which is spent specifically investigating avoidance of income tax. The figure given excludes those investigating tax evasion.

  Trading Expenses
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's present policy with regard to the setting of pre-production expenses against tax liability as they are incurred; and what proposals he has to allow this in all areas of economic activity.

  Mr. Dorrell
  When calculating trading profits for tax purposes, revenue expenditure incurred in the five years before a trade commences is treated as if incurred when the trade starts, provided the expenditure would have qualified as a deduction had the trade commenced. Qualifying capital expenditure which is incurred for the purposes of a trade prior to its commencement is also deemed to have been incurred on the first day of trade.

  These are general rules which apply to all trades.

  Business Expansion Scheme
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was(a) the total amount invested in the business expansion scheme for each year since the scheme's inception, (b) the amount invested in private rented housing, for each year since the scheme was extended to housing, (c) the total cost of tax relief for each year and
  (d) the amount of tax relief in respect of investment in private rented housing, for each year from 1988–89 to 1992–93.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The latest estimates for years up to 1991–92 were given in my reply on 21 October 1992,Official Report, columns 313–14. Estimates for 1992–93 are not yet available.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement indicating the nature of the over-provision in respect of Wales indicated in footnote 2 to table 2B.3 and footnote 2 to table 2B.4 in the 1992 "Autumn Statement".

  Mr. Portillo
  The sums relate to the correction of a miscalculation of housing revenue account subsidy for Wales in the 1991 public expenditure survey.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to tax invalidity benefits.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 19 October 1992,Official Report, col. 190.
  143
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield from taxing invalidity benefits.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Available information is given in my reply to the hon. Members for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) and for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 27 October 1992, at column 572.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average value of the pound sterling in European currency units in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: The average annual value of the pound sterling in European currency units since 1987 is as follows:

  1ECU/£

  1987

  1·4200

  1988

  1·5060

  1989

  1·4886

  1990

  1·4000

  1991

  1·4284

  1992

  1·3620

  1 Based on market exchange rates.

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

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: The number of press and public relations staff employed in my Department was as follows:

  Staff

  1986–87

  10

  1987–88

  10

  1988–89

  10

  1989–90

  10

  1990–91

  10

  1991–92

  9

  Information for the years 1979–85 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent up to 31 December 1992 on preparation for privatisation of parts and the whole of the Inland Revenue's operation.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In the present financial year, the costs to date of market testing activities in the Inland Revenue are around £1.3 million. Estimates of the costs for earlier years are not readily available, but would be much smaller.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining Her Majesty's Government's detailed plans for reform of the Inland Revenue and the time scale over which any changes are expected to occur.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The Revenue's change programme was first announced by the
  144
  Chancellor in his statement of 6 March 1992 Official Report, column 323–25, and further details appeared in the Board of Inland Revenue's report for the year ending 31 March 1992 (Cm. 2086) and the first report of the citizens charter (Cm. 2101). The Revenue's management plan, due for publication in the spring, will set out the Department's main aims and objectives over the period to 1996–97.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate Her Majesty's Government have made of the reduction in the number of smaller and more rural Inland Revenue offices in the event of changes being made in the way the Inland Revenue conducts its duties.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The Inland Revenue is reviewing the organisation and structure of its local offices with the aim of increasing the quality of service to taxpayers and the efficiency of the operations. Any changes would take place over a number of years, following consultation with staff, and no estimate has yet been made of the number of smaller and more rural offices needed.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration has been given to the need to maintain the guarantee of confidentiality in the course of any changes in the way the work of the Inland Revenue is conducted.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: We recognise the importance of this issue. If work is contracted out, there are two safeguards. The first is that all relevant contracts contain provisions obliging contractors to make all necessary arrangements to protect the privacy of personal information. The second is that contractors and their employees are subject, in the same way as Revenue employees, to the criminal sanctions—a fine, or imprisonment, or both—provided by section 182 of the Finance Act 1989, for unauthorised disclosure of personal tax information.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received on the Government's intention to subject the work currently undertaken by the Inland Revenue to market testing;

  (2) what consultations he has had with interested parties regarding plans to introduce market testing to the work currently undertaken by the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: We have received a number of representations about the market testing of services in the Inland Revenue; officials have held discussions with trade unions representing staff in the Department and with other interested parties.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining the discretionary powers available to local Customs and Excise officers; and what steps he takes to monitor the differences in enforcement and interpretation of VAT rules from one part of the country to another.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Local VAT officers have certain limited discretionary powers in relation to tax control, compliance and debt management. These are contained primarily in the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, the VAT Act 1983 and the Finance Act 1985.
  145
  The care and maintenance of VAT is the statutory responsibility of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. This includes ensuring consistency of treatment for all taxpayers and is achieved by giving local VAT officers specialist training and written guidance from headquarters. The application of this guidance is carefully monitored both locally and centrally. Departmental systems and procedures are also subject to overview by Customs and Excise's own internal auditors and by the National Audit Office.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on the annual retail prices index of a standard rate of VAT imposed on(a) newspapers, books and periodicals, (b) children's clothes, (c) domestic fuel and (d) public transport.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The table gives our current estimate of the impact on the RPI of applying the standard rate of VAT to the categories outlined.

  Category

  Percentage increase in RPI

  Newspapers, books and magazines

  0·3

  Children's clothes

  0·2

  Domestic fuel

  0·8

  Public transport

  0·2

  Petroleum Revenue Tax
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he expects petroleum revenue tax to produce for the Exchequer in the current and each of the next three financial years; and if he will make it his policy to reduce it in cases where companies invest in refurbishment of existing offshore gas and oil installations in order to help the fabrication industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The revenue raised by petroleum revenue tax in 1992–93 was estimated at £100 million in the autumn statement. It has been the practice to include outturn estimates, and a coming year petroleum revenue tax forecast, in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" issued on Budget day.

  The costs of refurbishing offshore installations in oil and gas fields would normally already qualify for immediate relief in full against petroleum revenue tax, where the field is within the charge to that tax.

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

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: In common with other Departments, the Treasury has arrangements under which it can make interest free
  146
  advances of salary of up to £100 to assist staff with the purchase of a bicycle for home-to-office travel. Advances are repayable over one year.

  It was announced on 16 December 1992, Official Report, column 285–86, that responsibility for determining the conditions on which such advances can be made has been delegated to Departments. The Treasury will be reviewing its arrangements in the light of that delegation.

  Trade Sales and Management Buy-outs
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's guidance note on trade sales and management buy-outs within the public services.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: No. The written guidance referred to is intended for internal use by Departments and vendor units engaged in, or considering, privatisation by trade sale.

  Personal Taxation
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average tax charge in the United Kingdom on a married man with two children with earnings in each of the decile groups in each financial year since 1986–87.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Information is available only for income tax. With the introduction of independent taxation in 1990–91, comparable figures are available for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92. Information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In calculating decile groups it is appropriate to take account of the tax liability on total income for income tax purposes, not just earnings. Income tax liability is not affected by the number of children so the figures below include all married men who pay income tax.

  Decile groups of taxpaying married men

  Average income tax liability (£ per year)

  Per cent.

  1990–

  1991–

  Bottom 10

  120

  130

  10 – 20

  400

  420

  20 – 30

  680

  730

  30 – 40

  980

  1,000

  40 –50

  1,300

  1,400

  50 – 60

  1,600

  1,700

  60 – 70

  2,000

  2,200

  70 – 80

  2,600

  2,800

  80 – 90

  3,600

  3,900

  Top 10

  10,400

  11,200

  Average

  3,200

  3,500

EDUCATION

  Education Spending
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the link between education standard spending assessments and academic attainment.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has made no such assessment, since standard spending assessments are primarily a mechanism for distributing grant and local education authorities have discretion to order their spending priorities as they wish.
  147
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what level of funding, based on secondary education standard spending assessment, an 11 to 15, 1,000-pupil school would receive in(a) Wakefield, (b) Bradford, (c) Wandsworth and (d) Westminster.

  Mr. Forth
  Standard spending assessments are designed to reflect the varying costs, in different areas, of providing a standard level of service, taking account of different local circumstances. They are essentially a mechanism for distributing grant: decisions on spending priorities between education and other services and within education are for individual local authorities. The funding that a school receives thus largely depends on local decisions about priorities and also on the local authority's scheme for local management of schools. Moreover, the education elements of SSAs relate to all LEA functions, including central services and the maintenance of special schools. There is no separately identifiable element relating to the funding of ordinary schools.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the standard spending assessment per post-16 education student for each metropolitan authority in 1993–94.

  Mr. Forth
  From 1993–94 the education of most post-16 students will be the responsibility of the Further Education Funding Council. LEAs will continue to be responsible for pupils over 16 in schools and for certain kinds of further education for adults. There is no separately identifiable element in 1993–94 SSAs for further education for adults. The post-16 element of SSAs relates to 16-plus pupils in schools, including special schools and related central services and support functions such as home-to-school transport.

  Hearing Impairment
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research has been undertaken to date by his Department to evaluate the effect of the introduction of the local management of schools regime upon specialist educational provision for hearing-impaired children.

  Mr. Forth
  None. The purpose of local management of schools is to ensure that funds are allocated to schools on an objective basis, taking account of local circumstances. LMS does not qualify in any way the duties of LEAs or schools regarding pupils with special educational needs, including the hearing impaired.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many three and four-year-olds were in nursery education for each local education authority at the latest available date.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of three and four-year-olds attending maintained nursery schools or nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each local education authority in England in January 1992 is shown in the following table.

  Pupils aged 3 and 4 in maintained nursery schools and classes in England—January 1992

  LEA

  Pupils

  City

  29

  Camden

  1,012

  Greenwich

  3,103

  148

  LEA

  Pupils

  Hackney

  2,212

  Hammersmith

  1,509

  Islington

  1,797

  Kensington and Chelsea

  826

  Lambeth

  2,294

  Lewisham

  2,569

  Southwark

  2,707

  Tower Hamlets

  2,687

  Wandsworth

  2,211

  Westminster

  1,049

  Barking

  1,750

  Barnet

  2,351

  Bexley

  1,127

  Brent

  2,390

  Bromley

  154

  Croydon

  1,159

  Ealing

  3,246

  Enfield

  1,484

  Haringey

  2,546

  Harrow

  958

  Havering

  247

  Hillingdon

  3,150

  Hounslow

  2,469

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,173

  Merton

  2.593

  Newham

  4,445

  Redbridge

  987

  Richmond upon Thames

  706

  Sutton

  1,684

  Waltham Forest

  2,502

  Birmingham

  10,342

  Coventry

  2,196

  Dudley

  2,881

  Sandwell

  4,640

  Solihull

  1,728

  Walsall

  4,223

  Wolverhampton

  3,936

  Knowsley

  2,477

  Liverpool

  6,350

  St Helens

  1,632

  Sefton

  2,470

  Wirral

  2,314

  Bolton

  3,057

  Bury

  1,446

  Manchester

  7,324

  Oldham

  2,386

  Rochdale

  2,018

  Salford

  3,315

  Stockport

  1,731

  Tameside

  2,504

  Trafford

  1,820

  Wigan

  2,125

  Barnsley

  2,951

  Doncaster

  3,326

  Rotherham

  2,974

  Sheffield

  5,720

  Bradford

  6,025

  Calderdale

  1,799

  Kirklees

  4,445

  Leeds

  8,276

  Wakefield

  4,322

  Gateshead

  1,798

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,995

  North Tyneside

  2,648

  South Tyneside

  2,225

  Sunderland

  3,137

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Avon

  4,923

  Bedfordshire

  5,135

  Berkshire

  5,780

  Buckinghamshire

  2,694

  Cambridgeshire

  2,196

  Cheshire

  5,481

  Cleveland

  9,422

  Cornwall

  1,611

  Cumbria

  3,002

  Derbyshire

  8,950

  Devon

  2,743

  149

  LEA

  Pupils

  Dorset

  805

  Durham

  6,856

  East Sussex

  1,460

  Essex

  2,446

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Hampshire

  1,993

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,274

  Hertfordshire

  8,422

  Humberside

  8,756

  Isle of Wight

  186

  Kent

  1,984

  Lancashire

  6,857

  Leicestershire

  5,372

  Lincolnshire

  1,349

  Norfolk

  855

  North Yorkshire

  3,505

  Northamptonshire

  2,915

  Northumberland

  2,833

  Nottinghamshire

  13,293

  Oxfordshire

  2,574

  Shropshire

  1,343

  Somerset

  239

  Staffordshire

  6,566

  Suffolk

  2,952

  Surrey

  2,857

  Warwickshire

  2,123

  West Sussex

  602

  Wiltshire

  561

  England

  329,597

  Under-sevens
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the latest available figures for the expenditure per child under seven years by each education authority and grant-maintained schools in England.

  Mr. Forth
  Available expenditure data cover nursery and primary schools as a whole and cannot be disaggregated between particular age ranges. The table indicates each local education authority's average school-based funding per pupil in nursery and primary schools in 1990–91, the latest year for which information on actual expenditure by LEAs is available. There were no primary grant-maintained schools in 1990–91.

  LEA

  Net institutional funding per pupil (£)

  City

  1,950

  Camden

  1,710

  Greenwich

  1,720

  Hackney

  1,900

  Hammersmith

  1,970

  Islington

  1,770

  Kensington

  2,060

  Lambeth

  1,840

  Lewisham

  1,710

  Southwark

  1,850

  Tower Hamlets

  1,940

  Wandsworth

  1,820

  Westminster

  2,110

  Barking

  1,460

  Barnet

  1,550

  Bexley

  1,260

  Brent

  1,670

  Bromley

  1,410

  Croydon

  1,440

  Ealing

  1,690

  Enfield

  1,430

  Haringey

  1,840

  Harrow

  1,480

  150

  LEA

  Net institutional funding per pupil (£)

  Havering

  1,290

  Hillingdon

  1,540

  Hounslow

  1,510

  Kingston-upon Thames

  1,430

  Merton

  1,750

  Newham

  1,490

  Redbridge

  1,350

  Richmond-upon Thames

  1,530

  Sutton

  1,360

  Waltham Forest

  1,570

  Birmingham

  1,260

  Coventry

  1,300

  Dudley

  1,230

  Sandwell

  1,450

  Solihull

  1,240

  Walsall

  1,510

  Wolverhampton

  1,390

  Knowsley

  1,390

  Liverpool

  1,290

  St. Helens

  1,210

  Sefton

  1,260

  Wirral

  1,280

  Bolton

  1,220

  Bury

  1,190

  Manchester

  1,320

  Oldham

  1,370

  Rochdale

  1,200

  Salford

  1,270

  Stockport

  1,260

  Tameside

  1,320

  Trafford

  1,170

  Wigan

  1,140

  Barnsley

  1,260

  Doncaster

  1,250

  Rotherham

  1,340

  Sheffield

  1,390

  Bradford

  1,500

  Calderdale

  1,440

  Kirklees

  1,300

  Leeds

  1,430

  Wakefield

  1,340

  Gateshead

  1,390

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,520

  North Tyneside

  1,310

  South Tyneside

  1,290

  Sunderland

  1,280

  Avon

  1,320

  Bedfordshire

  1,380

  Berkshire

  1,340

  Buckinghamshire

  1,320

  Cambridgeshire

  1,260

  Cheshire

  1,260

  Cleveland

  1,230

  Cornwall

  1,190

  Cumbria

  1,340

  Derbyshire

  1,370

  Devon

  1,310

  Dorset

  1,290

  Durham

  1,370

  East Sussex

  1,240

  Essex

  1,240

  Gloucestershire

  1,200

  Hampshire

  1,260

  Herefordshire

  1,360

  Hertfordshire

  1,340

  Humberside

  1,280

  Isle of Wight

  1,250

  Kent

  1,120

  Lancashire

  1,310

  Leicestershire

  1,290

  Lincolnshire

  1,210

  Norfolk

  1,280

  North Yorkshire

  1,230

  Northamptonshire

  1,230

  Northumberland

  1,320

  Nottinghamshire

  1,390

  151

  LEA

  Net institutional funding per pupil (£)

  Oxfordshire

  1,570

  Shropshire

  1,350

  Somerset

  1,230

  Staffordshire

  1,270

  Suffolk

  1,310

  Surrey

  1,340

  Warwickshire

  1,220

  West Sussex

  1,240

  Wiltshire

  1,260

  Note: Figures are derived from LEAs' returns of their spending to the Department of the Environment and of their pupil numbers to the Department for Education. They include school-based spending on salaries and wages, recurrent premises costs, books, equipment and other supplies and services, and unspent balances held by schools at the year end under local management schemes. They exclude spending on home to school transport, school meals, LEAs' central administration and financing costs of capital expenditure.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy that all education authorities should receive funding for the education of under-sevens at the same level as Westminister education authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  No. Standard spending assessments, which determine the distribution of grant between authorities, are designed to reflect the varying costs, in different areas, of providing a standard level of service, taking account of different local circumstances.

  Independent Residential Colleges
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how new students at independent residential colleges are to be funded as from April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  In April responsibility for funding the long-term residential colleges in England, including the cost of student maintenance, will pass to the Further Education Funding Council for England and responsibility for funding Coleg Harlech in Wales will pass to the Further Education Funding Council for Wales. It will be for the councils to decide on the most appropriate system of funding student maintenance.

  A-level Music
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which London boroughs provide A-level music courses for sixth form pupils.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is not held centrally. It is for schools and colleges to decide which A-level courses to provide.

  Education Assets Board
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many recommendations from the Education Assets Board are awaiting a decision by his Department; and if he will list these and the time they have been with his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  There are 12 cases awaiting final determination by my right hon. Friend. These are:
  152

  Institution

  Date received

  Grant maintained schools

  Dartford Grammar School for Girls, Kent

  December 1992

  Great Barr School, Birmingham

  August 1992

  Hendon School and Queen Elizabeth School for Boys, Barnet

  June 1992

  Kingsley Park School, Northamptonshire

  September 1992

  Pate's Grammar School, Gloucestershire

  November 1991

  Rickmansworth School, Hertfordshire

  June 1992

  Stratford School, London

  May 1992

  Wymondham College, Norfolk

  December 1992

  Higher education institutions

  University of East London

  May 1991

  Falmouth College of Art and Design

  September 1991

  University of Greenwich

  September 1991

  University of West of England; Bath College of Higher Education

  November 1991

  Higher Education
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those higher education institutions which receive public funds from his Department by way of fees for each undergraduate above those set from time to time in the three bands of tuition fees.

  Mr. Boswell
  Fees, other than the tuition fees payable to universities, are paid by local education authorities for students at the constituent colleges of the universities of Cambridge, Durham, Kent, Lancaster, Oxford and York in recognition of their collegiate structure. The recurrent grant paid to these universities by the Universities Funding Council is abated in recognition of these college fee payments.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Computer Services
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee if he will make a statement on the range and type of(a) general and (b) computer services which may be accessed from the Library by the constituency offices of hon. Members; what advice and assistance is available in establishing links between constituency offices and the House; what plans he has to enhance such services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waller
  All services of the Library are available to the constituency offices of hon. Members by telephone, fax and post. In addition, Members can request direct access to POLLS, the Parliamentary on-line information service managed by the Library, from their constituency if they have the necessary personal computer and modem. The Library provides an information sheet on establishing a telecommunications link to POLLS and will provide such support as it can, given the wide range of equipment used by Members.

  A pilot project for a parliamentary data and video network is at present being undertaken in 7 Millbank. Members and staff in 7 Millbank have direct cabling to the network, but access from elsewhere is via modem. Services from the Library available now, or shortly on the system, include POLIS and the HMSO CD-ROM disks of Hansard. Other services such as CD-ROMS of national

  153
  newspapers will also become available. The pilot project of the network will be reviewed by the Information Committee in the next few months.

  Any plans to enhance the network services beyond those necessary for the pilot project must depend upon the Information Committee's report and the House's reaction to it.

  The computer officer and his staff are available to provide advice and assistance to Members on information technology matters; a list, approved by the Information Committee, of appropriate IT equipment; and training for Members, their staff and constituency offices to access and use the pilot network.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will ensure provision for more bicycles within the Palace of Westminster precincts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  I will make sure this matter is included on the agenda of the Committee for consideration at a future meeting.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  International Development Association
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the 10th replenishment of the International Development Association.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Agreement was reached on the 10th replenishment of the International Development Association at a meeting in Berne of representatives of donor Governments on 15 December. Donors pledged to provide a total of SDRI3 billion, approximately $18 billion. It will enable the World Bank to offer concessional aid over the period 1993–96. Subject to parliamentary approval, the United Kingdom will contribute £620 million, a share of 6.15 per cent.

  The replenishment agreement provides for greater emphasis on poverty reduction and performance by borrowers, to ensure resources are allocated to those countries where they are needed most and can be most effectively used. There will also be a stronger focus on sustainable development, in line with the agreements reached at the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio last June. Donors also endorsed a series of measures designed to improve project quality and implementation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made to secure the return of pension moneys paid to the Saudi Government by British workers once employed in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The British embassy in Riyadh has assisted British claimants to secure refunds of personal 154
  contributions from the Saudi Arabian general social insurance scheme (GOSI). It has persuaded the Saudi authorities to ensure that the terms for obtaining a refund are clearly and widely publicised. It has continued to urge GOSI to deal with requests quickly. The embassy has followed up the cases of individuals who have experienced difficulty in obtaining their entitlement.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the future of Gibraltar.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Porter) on 6 December 1990 at col.188.

  Iran
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government in relation to violations of human rights by the Iranian Government against the Baha'i community; how many cases of confiscation of Baha'i property, in Yazd, Teheran and Isfahan, by the members of the Imam Khomeini Foundation, have been reported to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have made representations on a number of occasions to the Iranian authorities about the persecution of Baha'is in Iran, both bilaterally and together with our EC partners. We made representations in Tehran on 25 October, on behalf of all EC member states, about death sentences passed on two Baha'is following summary trials and the reports of 24 cases of confiscations of the homes and property of Baha'is. We and our EC partners co-sponsored an UNGA resolution reflecting international concern at the human rights situation in Iran. It was adopted on 18 December by a large majority. It specifically referred to the treatment of the Baha'i community.

  Iraq
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the recent visit to the United Kingdom of Iraqi negotiators dealing with GEC.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We understand that eight Iraqi businessmen recently visited the United Kingdom to discuss with GPT, a partly owned subsidiary of GEC, the possibility of business once the sanctions regime is lifted. We agreed to the issue of visas—fewer than the Iraqis wanted—against the background that there is no reason why British firms should not hold such discussions with the Iraqis. But we made clear to GEC that, since Iraq is in breach of the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 setting out the terms of the formal ceasefire at the end of the Gulf war, there is no immediate prospect of sanctions being lifted and therefore no prospect of GPT being in a position to fulfil any contract with the Iraqis. We also told it that we were not therefore ready to put an application to the United Nations Sanctions Committee.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visas have been issued to Iraqis to visit the United Kingdom on business in the last 12 months.
  155
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Statistics according to nationality and purpose of visit are not centrally recorded and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made on behalf of the British Government on the matter of those British subjects held by the Iraqi regime; and if he will inform the Iraqi Government that any use of these people as a human shield will result in retaliation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have made many representations to the Iraqi Government on behalf of Paul Ride and Michael Wainwright, and have taken every opportunity to press for their release. We have no reason to believe the prisoners will be used as human shields.

  Mansoor Hussain Qureshi
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the explanatory statement concerning the refusal by the United Kingdom to grant entry clearance to Mansoor Hussain Qureshi—Ref: K051037—sent by the post to London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The explanatory statement is in the course of preparation. On completion, it will be sent to the Independent Appellate Authority. A copy will also be sent to Mr. Qureshi or his authorised representative.

  UN Commission on Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which will be the lead Government Department for the newly created UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  At present, the FCO leads within Whitehall on institutional aspects of the follow up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, including the establishment of the Sustainable Development Commission.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he is proposing to hold with British non-governmental organisations on the creation of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and other changes currently taking place in the UN system as a result of the UN Conference on Environment and Development.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Environment attended a meeting with non-governmental organisations on 15 September, chaired by the International Institute for Environment and Development. Representatives of non-governmental organisations subsequently participated in the United Kingdom delegation at the UN General Assembly discussions on Rio follow-up. The United Kingdom will host an international non-governmental organisation conference "Implementing the Rio Agenda: Partnerships for Change", in Manchester in September.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account he has made of whether the work of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development will be adequately funded under financial arrangements recently agreed in New York.
  156
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  UN General Assembly resolution 47/191 called for the Sustainable Development Commission to be"funded from the UN regular budget and depend to the maximum extent possible upon existing budgetary resources."
  We await the Secretary General's detailed proposals.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how the proposed United Kingdom national authority will undertake its role of demonstrating to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that the United Kingdom Government are fulfilling its obligations as set out in the forthcoming chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The United Kingdom national authority will act as a channel of communications with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which will include transmitting declarations from United Kingdom sites. The verification regime operated by the OPCW inspectorate will ensure that the United Kingdom meets its obligations under the convention.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he plans to publish annual reports about the work of, and information collected by, the national authority under the proposed chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Heseltine
  No decision has been taken yet about whether the National Authority will publish an annual report. This will be the subject of consultation with interested bodies. The information received by the authority will be subject to the terms of the annex to the convention dealing with the protection of confidential information.

  Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when current supplies of stockpiled depleted uranium will be depleted from re-use.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the owners of the material.

  Military Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 4 December 1992,Official Report, column 443, if he will publish in the Official Report his letter to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Heseltine
  A copy of my letter of 7 January to the hon. Member has been placed in the Library. I see no need to publish the letter in the Official Report as well.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the environmental benefits of the Silver II toxic waste solvent destruction rig developed by the Atomic Energy Authority research establishment at Dounreay.
  157
  Mr. Eggar
  Evaluation, including consideration of the environmental implications, has been carried out by the AEA.

  Colliery Pumping Operations
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the possible pollution of waterways resulting from ceasing pumping operations at Vane Tempest and Easington collieries.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is an operational matter for British Coal. I understand that there is regular liaison between British Coal and the National Rivers Authority at local and regional levels on all issues relevant to the National Rivers Authority's responsibilities for regulating water pollution.

  Mortgages (Payment Protection Schemes)
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received to amend the provisions to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 with regard to exemptions for insurance companies in the provision of payment protection schemes for residential mortgages.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have received representations including some from the trading standards department of Shropshire county council on the subject of the Unfair Contract Terms Act and insurance. Insurance contracts will be subject to the provisions of the Unfair Contract Terms Directive which is currently being negotiated.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he now expects to make an announcement on 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.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs in manufacturing industry have been created in the United Kingdom in 1992 as a result of foreign investment.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The most recent figures available are for the 1991–92 financial year. In this period 42,767 jobs were associated with foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector; 17,615 of these jobs were newly created.

  These figures are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest. There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where the Invest in Britain Bureau and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. They take no account of subsequent developments.

  Beer Orders
  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will review the operation of the Beer Orders.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Beer Orders came fully into force only on 1 November last year. The Director General of 158
  Fair Trading will be keeping them under review to ensure that the national brewers comply fully with their requirements. However, I have been giving further consideration to the merits of an early full scale review of the orders. The period since the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's 1989 report on the supply of beer has seen many significant changes taken place in the brewing industry, partly due to the Beer Orders but also in response to commercial pressures. The full effect of these changes will only gradually become apparent. Moreover, it is highly desirable that both brewers and tenants alike should now have a period of stability to plan ahead within the new framework that has been created by the orders. A full-scale review later this year of the effects of the orders would further prolong uncertainty within the industry. While the director general will continue to monitor the market and will investigate fully any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in line with his statutory duties, we have concluded that it would be wrong to ask him to carry out a further full-scale review of the market.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the steps taken to ensure the fabric of the mines at all the collieries which he announced were to be closed have been satisfactorily maintained; arid what assessment of this has been made by Her Majesty's inspectors of mines.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: British Coal, whose responsibility this is, has given frequent assurances that it is preserving the fabric of the 10 pits so that if, at the end of the period of consultation, it is decided to keep any or all of them open, that will be possible. My right hon. Friend has asked Boyds to report on whether the fabric of the 10 pits is being preserved in accordance with those assurances.

  The HSE, through Her Majesty's inspectors of mines, continues to inspect these pits in accordance with its plan of work to ensure the health and safety of those working there.

  Single Market
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the directives, regulations, statutory instruments and Acts of Parliament required to create the single market, distinguishing between(a) those which have been made effective to 31 December 1992 and (b) those which remain to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Information about single market measures and their implementation in the United Kingdom is provided in the "Spearhead" computer database produced by my Department. The database is publicly available, and can by accessed by the Library.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost(a) directly to the Exchequer, (b) to local authorities and (c) to businesses of implementing all the directives, regulations, statutory instruments and Acts of Parliament to create the single market; and if he will make a statement.
  159
  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: When both negotiating and subsequently implementing domestically all European Community measures, Departments do attempt to assess, and minimise unnecessary, costs to both public and private sector interests. Our objective throughout the single market programme has been to secure agreement on measures which will provide positive benefits to United Kingdom businesses and consumers.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the chemical weapons production facilities in the United Kingdom designed, constructed or used since 1946 that will require destruction following the ratification of the chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Chemical weapons have not been made in the United Kingdom for almost 40 years. It is not thought that any facilities which might have been used before that date still remain but investigations are under way to confirm this.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the value of United Kingdom(a) imports, (b) exports and (c) trade balance for manufactured goods with each member state of the European Community in 1970, 1979 and the latest available year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Information for 1970 can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information for 1979 and 1991 is given in my answer to the hon. Member on 14 January 1993, Official Report, col. 782.

  Bankruptcy
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of monies retrieved by trustees in bankruptcy proceedings during the last year have gone to trade creditors.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 December 1992]: This information is not held centrally by the Department in the form requested, and could not be easily obtained.

ENVIRONMENT

  Grant Allocations
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that metropolitan councils are not disadvantaged in grant allocation as a result of the basis on which population estimates take into account unenumerated people.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We have considered the population figures produced by the registrar general based on 1991 census results most carefully in relation to their implications for standard spending assessments and revenue support grant. We are satisfied that the methods he has employed to produce these estimates, particularly in relation to census underenumeration, are the most appropriate in the circumstances and do not therefore disadvantage metropolitan or any other class of authorities.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has(a) to revise part L of the Building Regulations to achieve significant improvements in the energy efficiency of new buildings and (b) to extend the regulations to cover rehabilitation work on older houses.

  Mr. Baldry
  I intend to issue a consultation paper shortly setting out proposals to amend part L of the Building Regulations 1991 strengthening the existing provisions for energy conservation in new buildings. These will include measures for use in older houses when undertaking alteration or conversion work covered by the regulations.

  Office Accommodation
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost per square foot of the rental or lease of office accommodation in(a) London and (b) elsewhere for which his Department is responsible for providing to his own and other Government Departments and agencies.

  Mr. Howard
  The current average cost per square foot for the rental or lease of office accommodation provided by my Department is estimated to be as follows:

  £

  (a)London

  15·23

  (b)Elsewhere

  7·22

  The figures relate to the 63 per cent. of office accommodation which is leased and excludes freeholds.

  Housing (Self-build)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what further plans the Government have to encourage self-build as a housing option in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what grant funding is specifically available to self-build projects to build homes in the United Kingdom.

  Sir George Young
  The Housing Corporation has a revolving fund of £3 million in the current financial year and the next, from which loans are advanced to self-build projects for outright ownership. Grant from the corporation is also available to self-build groups, channelled through registered housing associations, where they cannot afford the cost of full owner-occupation.

  We have no further plans to encourage the development of self-build groups.

  The information is for England only and similar information on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective Secretaries of State.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many self-build housing units have been completed in the United Kingdom for each year since 1987; and what comparable figures he has for other European countries.

  Sir George Young
  The information requested is not collected by this Department.

  Noise
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will respond to the report of the noise review working party, the Batho report.

  Mr. Maclean
  Over half of the recommendations of the noise review working party have now been acted upon. The speech by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Noise Council seminar on 15 May 1991 and that of my predecessor to the Institution of Environmental Health Officers on 10 September 1991 summarised progress to date on the Government's response to the report of the noise review working party, the Batho report. Since then, the Government have issued consultation documents on the control of aircraft noise and on proposals to extend noise nuisance to the streets. A complete draft of the planning policy guidance note "Planning and noise" was issued for consultation at the beginning of 1992. Guidance on the control of noisy parties was issued to local authorities and the police on 4 September 1992. My speech to Euronoise '92 on 14 September included a further update of the Government's progress in responding to the Batho report.

  Tenant's Death
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he issues to local authorities concerning rent payments, where the lawful tenant has died and there is no succession to the tenancy, during the period immediately following death when the deceased's affairs are being dealt with.

  Mr. Baldry
  None. However, a secure tenancy does not cease on a tenant's death. Normally, the tenant's executors would be responsible for paying the rent until they and the authority terminate the tenancy. If the tenant did not leave a will, and there are no letters of administration, the tenancy vests in the president of the family division of the High Court.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to reduce the need for landfill waste disposal and to make recycling of waste more financially attractive than disposing of waste in landfill sites.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have introduced, through the Environmental Protection Act 1990, tough new environmental standards for waste disposal which we expect to result in higher disposal costs. The same Act requires waste disposal authorities to divest themselves of their operations, ensuring that the full economic costs of waste disposal are reflected in prices. We have also introduced recycling credits so that the effect of higher landfill prices feeds through to those involved in recycling household waste.

  We have recently published a report on "Economic Instruments and Recovery of Resources from Waste", a

  162
  copy of which is in the House Library. In the light of that report, we are considering whether any further changes to the economic framework for solid waste would be justified.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to send information to central and eastern European nations on the Green Ministers structure whereby each Department has a Minister responsible for environmental policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government's approach to environmental policy, including the concept of Green Ministers, was set out in the 1990 White Paper "This Common Inheritance". We have sent that document and the two subsequent annual reports which also refer to the concept to countries in central and eastern Europe and have discussed it with the Environment Ministers of several of them.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the research relating to the health implications of living in proximity to opencast sites that he has considered in reviewing the opencast planning guidelines.

  Mr. Baldry
  Research into environmental health issues is carried out by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Government's main agency for biomedical research, which is funded by the Office of Science and Technology. I am however aware that the Department of Health's medical staff have discussed with Drs Temple and Skyes their recent research on the subject of asthma and opencast mining and I understand that the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants is also being asked for advice on this matter. I am also aware of a recent epidemiological study carried out by the Institute of Occupational Medicine on behalf of British Coal into the respiratory health of opencast coal workers, the main conclusion of which was that neither asthma nor chronic bronchitis among them was related to exposure to airborne dust.

  My Department will take account of all material considerations in its review of the opencast coal planning guidelines.

  Housing Investment, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual housing investment programme for Lambeth for each of the last 15 years expressed in current values.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is given in the table. The figures for 1990–91 and subsequent years are not directly comparable with those for earlier years because of the revisions to the capital finance system introduced in April 1990.
  163

  Housing investment programme ( HIP) allocations by Lambeth borough council and capital expenditure, 1978–79 to 1992–93

  £ thousand

  HIP allocations1

  Housing capital expenditure

  Cash

  1992–93 prices2

  Cash

  1992–93 prices2

  1978–79

  42,956

  121,018

  n/a

  n/a

  1979–80

  56,334

  136,027

  n/a

  n/a

  1980–81

  54,915

  112,057

  n/a

  n/a

  1981–82

  41,530

  77,282

  n/a

  n/a

  1982–83

  43,314

  75,242

  32,185

  55,909

  1983–84

  42,333

  70,284

  46,812

  77,721

  1984–85

  40,185

  63,497

  45,201

  71,423

  1985–86

  34,372

  51,501

  44,112

  66,095

  1986–87

  35,587

  51,659

  56,201

  81,583

  1987–88

  33,969

  46,741

  56,582

  77,857

  1988–89

  30,683

  39,355

  37,064

  47,539

  1989–90

  23,450

  28,222

  68,346

  82,254

  New capital finance system3

  1990–91

  30,329

  33,803

  46,755

  52,110

  1991–92

  33,248

  34,661

  432,351

  433,726

  1992–93

  32,354

  32,354

  541,287

  541,287

  1 Allocations for the years up to and including 1989–90 are final allocations, ie the initial allocation plus any increases to the initial allocation made in-year. The allocations figures for 1990–91 and subsequent years are the HIP allocations (housing annual capital guidelines plus specified capital grants) issued prior to the start of the financial year. These figures do not include any supplementary credit approvals issued during the year.

  2 Cash figures have been converted to 1992–93 price levels by excluding the effect of general inflation as measured by the GDP market prices deflator.

  3 From 1990–91, under the new capital finance system, the HIP allocation is an assessment of relative need for housing capital expenditure rather than a direct borrowing approval. Borrowing approval is now conveyed by the single, all service, basic credit approval.

  4 Provisional.

  5 Estimated.

  One-bedroom Flats
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many one-bedroom flats have been built in county Durham since 1979; and how many are attributed to each local housing authority in the county in total.

  Housebuilding: One-bedroom flats completed1: County Durham by local authority

  Number

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Chester Le Street

  0

  0

  34

  0

  0

  0

  20

  Darlington

  76

  114

  88

  51

  205

  142

  142

  Derwentside

  0

  0

  76

  21

  12

  0

  48

  Durham

  0

  4

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  Easington

  81

  38

  33

  40

  89

  0

  0

  Sedgefield

  1

  48

  8

  0

  18

  41

  25

  Teesdale

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wear Valley

  0

  20

  24

  19

  12

  0

  0

  County Durham

  158

  224

  264

  131

  342

  183

  235

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  21992

  Chester Le Street

  20

  42

  0

  0

  46

  12

  0

  Darlington

  40

  106

  35

  108

  41

  33

  10

  Derwentside

  24

  0

  9

  6

  8

  0

  6

  Durham

  5

  20

  0

  23

  0

  28

  13

  Easington

  0

  0

  34

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sedgefield

  0

  40

  28

  23

  21

  53

  13

  Teesdale

  0

  0

  0

  6

  3

  20

  3

  Wear Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  County Durham

  89

  208

  106

  166

  119

  146

  45

  Notes:

  1 The table shows total housebuilding activity by private enterprise, housing associations and local authorities in the respective local authority areas.

  2 The 1992 figures cover January to November only.
  164
  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Housing Association Homes
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Government are making in fulfilling its pledges in respect of provision of housing association homes.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's election manifesto promised 153,000 housing association homes over the period 1992–93 to 1994–95. The Housing Corporation now estimates that it will be able to provide around 170,000 new homes in that period.

  This includes more than 17,000 homes which the corporation expects housing associations will be able to buy with the £580 million provided for the purchase of new, empty and repossessed homes as part of the housing market package announced in the Chancellor's autumn statement. It also includes the release of up to 2,000 existing housing association homes with the additional £20 million provided by the package for grants under the tenants' incentive scheme.

  Repair Grants
  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applicants are waiting for mandatory repair grants in(a) Stockport and (b) the north-west.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not collected by the Department. Once a valid grant application has been received, an authority must approve or refuse it within six months of the date it is made.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the grant-related expenditure assessment base to standard spending assessment introduction has affected efficient distribution of resources; and how this has been investigated.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The SSA system is under constant review. Each year the SSA formulae and their implications for authorities are approved by Parliament. This follows a process of extensive discussion with local authority representatives. It was the intention in moving to SSAs that they should be easier to understand but no less fair than GREAs. It would be difficult for any investigation to establish whether this has led to a change in the efficiency with which resources are distributed—none has been carried out with this aim in view. The Audit Commission is at present carrying out a study of SSAs. As soon as its report is available we will consider it carefully.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from what date the 1991 census results will be used for all standard spending assessments; and what transitional arrangements will be introduced for authorities with major changes.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The detailed results of the 1991 census will be incorporated, as appropriate, into the calculation of the standard spending assessments for 1994–95. The need for transitional arrangements will be considered when these assessments become available in the autumn.
  166
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total level of capital receipts received by each local authority in England in the financial year 1991–92.

  Mr. Maclean
  Local authorities provide returns to the Department giving the capital receipts they received in 1991–92 and the receipts they are forecasting to receive in 1992–93. I have arranged for this information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an independent analysis of standard spending assessments for the purpose of identifying local authority spending requirements.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Standard spending assessments already reflect detailed research evidence from a wide range of sources, both within and outside Government, as well as extensive discussions with local authority representatives over a number of years. They are updated and refined to take on board new data and evidence every year. The Audit Commission is currently engaged in a special study of standard spending assessments. We shall study carefully its findings and recommendations once these are available.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the lowest shire county standard spending assessment as a proportion of the highest shire county SSA; and what is the lowest metropolitan authority SSA as a proportion of the highest metropolitan authority SSA.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is as follows:

  1993–94 provisional standard spending assessments:

  £ million

  Shire counties

  Highest SSA

  Kent

  963·077

  Lowest SSA

  Isle of Wight

  77·498

  Lowest as proportion of highest

  0·080

  Metropolitan districts

  Highest SSA

  Birmingham

  879·076

  Lowest SSA

  Bury

  104·766

  Lowest as proportion of highest

  0·119

  A major factor affecting all standard spending assessments is the underlying population of the authority concerned.

  Land Reclamation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether land reclamation that has already received support from regional offices of his Department will continue to be supported by the urban regeneration agency when it is formed.

  Mr. Redwood
  Where the Department has approved derelict land grants, support will continue on the present basis. Once the urban regeneration agency has been established it will receive applications for further support. The Housing and Urban Development Bill makes provision for a new unified grant regime for the agency which will replace derelict land grant and the other grants to be transferred to it. The agency will determine its own priorities in the light of guidance the Department issues to
  167
  it. The Government will take account of the current priorities for existing grants, including derelict land grant, when preparing this guidance and constructing the new unified grant regime.

  Abandoned Coal Mines
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet placed a contract for research into problems associated with methane and other gas discharges from abandoned coal mines; and when it is planned that the study will report.

  Mr. Baldry
  Following a tender competition, an offer of a contract to investigate the appropriate response of the planning system to methane and other gas emissions from disused coal mines has been made to Wardell Armstrong. The details of the contract are being negotiated and it is expected that work will commence in March. The results will be reported in the spring of 1995.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average length of time taken to deal with complaints under the staff grievance procedure of Property Services Agency Building Maintenance south-east; what proposals he has for reducing the time taken; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  PSA Services introduced a revised procedure for dealing with complaints and grievances in April 1992. This procedure recognises that many informal cases are settled quickly and amicably between individuals and their line managers. The recommended time limit for dealing with formal complaints is four weeks, but this can vary according to the nature and seriousness of the complaint.

  The only formal grievance raised in BM South East took much longer than four weeks to resolve. As a result all directors are being reminded of the need to adhere more closely to the recommended time limit.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the list of names of PSA Projects staff not chosen for secondment was finalised; on what date PSA Projects was sold to Tarmac; on what date a complete ethnic breakdown of those staff not chosen for secondment was produced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  PSA Projects was sold to Tarmac Construction on 1 December 1992.

  The Projects staff choice exercise was completed on 13 November 1992 and the full list of those staff not chosen for secondment was passed to the PSA Services equal opportunities unit on 17 November 1992. The unit carried out a detailed analysis to establish whether there had been any discrimination in the selection process. None was identified.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the proportion of ethnic minority PSA Projects staff(a) in general and (b) of those not picked for secondment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The proportions of ethnic minority staff in Projects are;168

  (a) 8·2 per cent. of the total staff in post at 20 November 1992

  (b) 8·5 per cent. of those not picked for secondment

  Although the difference in percentage terms is not statistically significant the PSA's equal opportunities unit examined each case individually and concluded that there had been no discrimination in the selection process.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Association of District Councils and other local authority organisations about compulsory competitive tendering.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My Department has received representations from a number of local authority organisations, including the Association of District Councils, on the operation of the current CCT regime, the planned regulations and guidance clarifying the existing statutory framework and on the proposals to extend competition to local authorities' construction related and corporate services. Copies of these representations are available through the Library of the House.

  Minerals (Planning Guidance)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the new draft minerals planning guidance note 3 will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  We hope to issue draft revised guidelines for public consultation as soon as possible after the outcome of the coal review.

  Superquarries
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what geological evidence he has considered relating to the potential for development of superquarries for aggregate mining; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Geological evidence about coastal superquarries was provided to my Department by consultants who were commissioned to investigate the potential of such quarries to supply aggregates to the south-east of England. A copy of the published report "Coastal Superquarries to Supply South-East England Aggregate Requirements" is in the House of Commons Library. The work undertaken by the consultants consisted primarily of a desk study of geological maps and other published material. Their resource assessment concluded that North West Europe—particularly Norway and Scotland offered a number of good opportunities for developing coastal superquarries.

  My Department has taken the views of the consultants into account in preparing revised mineral planning guidance for aggregates on the provision in England and Wales (MPG6). Public consultation on the draft revised guidelines is currently taking place and a copy of this has been placed in the House of Commons Library. I have sent a copy to the hon. Member.

  The Government consider that coastal superquarries could provide an increasing contribution to aggregates supplies in the next century and is currently seeking views on the practical levels which could be expected. The Government recognise that individual applications will

  169
  need very careful assessment both in respect of the proposed extraction and where the material would be landed.

  Noise
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what work the Building Research Establishment has done on behalf of his Department in studying the proposals arising from the noise review working party.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: The Building Research Establishment has provided my Department with technical advice on a number of the recommendations of the noise review working party, including the current draft of the Planning Policy Guidance note on planning and noise which will replace circular 10/73 and proposals to increase controls on noise from audible intruder alarms. They have represented my Department on BSI committees responsible for the revision of BS4142 (industrial noise) and the replacement of BS4737 (alarms) by a European standard. They have also completed initial research into the use of noise abatement zones by local authorities.

  Paper Recycling
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken or proposes to take to encourage the recycling of newspapers and magazines within the United Kingdom; what proportion of Her Majesty's Government's target of the recycling of 25 per cent. of household waste by the year 2000 will be comprised of waste paper; what is the estimated tonnage of that proportion; and what outlets he expects there to be in place in the year 2000 to utilise this waste paper by recycling.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: We are setting an economic and legislative framework which encourages an environmentally justified level of recycling. This will affect newspapers and magazines as well as other recyclable materials. We have also agreed with the newspaper publishers and newsprint producers that they will aim to increase the proportion of recycled fibre in newsprint used in Britain to at least 40 per cent. by the year 2000. Subject to parliamentary approval, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade proposes to offer a £20 million grant to the papermaking company SCA to invest in a major newsprint mill at Aylesford in Kent, which will produce newsprint made entirely from waste paper.

  The Government have not forecast the proportion of waste paper from household sources which will be recycled in the year 2000, nor the outlets which will be available to recycle this paper.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Income Support
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show for each office of the Social Security Agency the number of(a) female and (b) male single persons who are in receipt of income support; and of these how many in each area and category are single parents.
  170
  Mr. Hanley
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alex Wylie. However, I understand that the information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Intensive Therapy Units
  Sir Patrick McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number and location of intensive therapy units in the Province; and how many donors have arisen in each in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are eight intensive therapy units in Northern Ireland, which are listed below, together with the number of donors in each in the past 12 months.

  Donating hospital

  Number of cadaveric solid organ donors

  Belfast City Hospital

  4

  Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry

  3

  Ulster Hospital, Dundonald

  2

  Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast

  18

  Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast

  1

  Craigavon Area Hospital

  4

  Mid Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt

  2

  Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

  1

  TOTAL

  35

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show for each Housing Executive district in the western region the number of(a) female and (b) male single persons who are in receipt of housing benefit; and of these how many in each category are single parents with (i) one dependent child, (ii) two dependent children, (iii) three dependent children and (iv) more than three dependent children, or as much of such information as is available to him.

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

  Training Centres
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on the future of the training centre network and the measures which he proposes to introduce.

  Mr. Atkins
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. J. S. Crozier. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J S Crozier to Mr. Andrew Hunter, dated 15 January 1993:

  You have asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a sstatement on the future of the Training Centre network and the measures he proposes to introduce.

  The development, management and administration of the Training Centre network, lies within the responsibility

  171
  of the Training and Employment Agency (T&EA). As Chief Executive of the Agency I have been asked by the Secretary of State to reply on his behalf.

  Training Centres are an important source of craft level training in Northern Ireland. I envisage a continuing need for the services they provide in the foreseeable future.

  The Agency has been conducting an internal review of the Training Centres to identify what action should be taken to ensure they are managed efficiently and cost effectively. We are currently conducting a feasibility study on the market testing of Centres. I expect that study to be complete by April 1993 with a view to a market test being initiated shortly afterwards. Proposals concerning the future of Training Centres will be formulated when these exercises are complete.

  1992

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Number of searches

  Total number of searches carried out

  29

  41

  44

  32

  38

  42

  Total number of inmates searched

  22

  27

  32

  19

  25

  20

  Number of prisoners searched once

  17

  19

  22

  12

  12

  2

  Number of prisoners searched twice

  4

  7

  8

  5

  13

  15

  Number of prisoners searched more than twice

  1

  1

  2

  2

  0

  3

  Reason for search

  First admission on remand/awaiting trial

  8

  7

  14

  2

  10

  1

  First admission on sentence/final discharge

  8

  10

  10

  9

  7

  7

  Attending trial

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Inter prison visit

  4

  3

  4

  3

  2

  7

  Pre-release home leave

  9

  18

  11

  16

  12

  25

  Compassionate home leave

  0

  2

  2

  2

  4

  0

  Visits to outside hospital

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Attendance at court for bail

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Bail granted

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  No prohibited articles were found during these searches and no prisoners refused to be searched.

  Prison Transfers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners for scheduled offences have been transferred from prisons in Northern Ireland to Britain for each of the last 10 years; what was the length of their original sentence; what sentence those now released actually served; and what length of sentence those still in prison still have to serve.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  When a prisoner is transferred to Great Britain from Northern Ireland all records concerning the prisoner are passed to the receiving jurisdiction. The information requested is consequently unavailable in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of strip searches made on female prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry monthly since July 1992; what was the number of persons involved and the number of times each person was searched; what prison contraband, smuggled items or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and what were the reasons for each search.

  Mr. Mates
  The information requested is as follows:

  received for transfers from prisons in Northern Ireland to Britain from prisoners serving sentences for scheduled offences.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Between 1982 and 1992 13 prisoners convicted of scheduled offences in Northern Ireland, made a total of 18 applications for permanent transfer to Great Britain but were unsuccessful in securing transfer. A further 10 prisoners transferred to Great Britain in the same period but as their records are now held in the receiving jurisdiction it is not known if they were convicted of scheduled offences. In addition, 20 prisoners convicted of scheduled offences applied for temporary transfer and of these 14 were transferred, normally for periods of between two and six weeks.

  Ulster Museum
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the attendance figures for 1992 reported by the Ulster museum, including its outstations; and what was the percentage change compared with the attendance figures for 1991.
  173
  Mr. Hanley
  In 1992 a total of 450,800 people visited the Ulster museum and the Armagh county museum—an increase of 41.9 per cent. on the attendance figures for 1991.

  Civil Service
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to introduce goals and timetables for the professional and technical grades of the Northern Ireland civil service.

  Mr. Mates
  The professional and technical grades of the Northern Ireland civil service comprise a wide range of occupations many of which require particular skills and specific qualifications. It is not practicable therefore to consider a single goal and timetable in respect of this group of staff as a whole. Nevertheless, the appropriateness and practicability of goals and timetables as an affirmative action measure in respect of the various disciplines which comprise the professional and technical grades of the NICS are presently under consideration and will be the subject of further discussion with the Fair Employment Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Northern Ireland civil service trade unions.

  Building Regulations
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation has taken place on proposals for amendment to parts E and EE of the Building Regulations (NI) 1990; what responses have been received to the consultation document; and when the revised regulations will be promulgated.

  Mr. Atkins
  A consultation paper setting out proposals for amendments to parts E and EE of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 was issued for consideration, on 31 December 1991, to a total of 115 public and private sector bodies. These proposals are based on similar requirements which have since been incorporated in the Building Regulations 1991 which apply in England and Wales.

  Twenty-three responses to the consultation paper were received.

  It is likely that the statutory rule amending the regulations will be made in late 1993, following consideration by the European Commission, and will come into operation in 1994.

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

  Mr. Mates
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Salary advances are available to home civil service staff to assist with the purchase of bicycles for home-to-office travel, but no requests have been received since the introduction of this facility in August 1991. The advance would be required to be repaid over 12 months and the bicycle used for travel to work. Proof of purchase would be required. No changes are planned to these conditions.
  174
  There is no facility available within the departments or agencies of the Northern Ireland civil service to permit civil servants to be granted salary advances to enable the purchases of bicycles for home to office travel. There are no plans to introduce such a facility.

TRANSPORT

  Motorway Service Areas
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will establish a target date by which time motorway service areas will be located at an average distance of 30 miles apart throughout the United Kingdom motorway network.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No. Under a new policy on the provision of motorway service areas announced on 6 August, it is now for the private sector rather than the Government to identify where there is a need for further motorway services and to secure their development.

  Damaged Car Tyres
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he will take to prevent the sale of structurally damaged car tyres from accident write-off cars at car boot sales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I propose to go out to public consultation later this year on proposed safety regulations to be made under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which will supplement that Act by making it an offence to sell or otherwise supply in the course of business any used car, motorcycle or retread tyre that is defective.

  Car Ownership
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of households in each local authority area do not possess a car.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Information on households car ownership for individual local authorities is provided by population censuses. The local authority area results from the 1991 census will be published soon.

  Roads (Porous Ashphalt)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to secure the widespread use of porous asphalt on motorways and trunk roads in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is the Department's policy to use porous asphalt where it can be shown to be the most suitable and cost effective surfacing. A specification and advice note on porous asphalt are to be published shortly by the Department of Transport jointly with the Welsh Office, Scottish Office and Department of Environment (Northern Ireland). These documents will set out those situations where porous asphalt is likely to be suitable.

  Railway Track, Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the length of railway track open to traffic in Wales in 1979; what is the length at the most recent available date; and if he will make a statement.
  175
  Mr. Freeman
  In 1979 British Rail had 984 route miles of track open. The figure for 1991 was 927. Other than the technical closure of the Vale of Rheidol line on its transfer to the private sector, no passenger lines were closed during this period.

  Rolling Stock
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much rolling stock was in use on the railways in 1979; how much is currently in use; and what is the average age of rolling stock currently in use in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information for British Rail is given in the table. However, it is not possible to give a meaningful indication of the average age of all vehicles. Such a figure would vary widely according to the type of rolling stock.

  1979

  1991–92

  Locomotives

  Diesel

  3,261

  1,634

  Electric

  310

  262

  Sub-total locomotives

  3,571

  1,896

  High speed trains

  Power units

  136

  197

  Coaches

  533

  728

  Advanced passenger trains

  Power units

  5

  —

  Coaches

  15

  —

  Diesel Multiple Units

  3,284

  2,074

  Electric Multiple Units

  7,458

  6,909

  Bakerloo

  1972 stock. Currently being refurbished.

  1962 stock. Currently being replaced with brand new stock as part of modernisation programme—first new train in passenger service expected spring 1993.

  Central

  Circle and Hammersmith and City

  1969 and 1977 stock. Currently being refurbished.

  District

  1969 and 1977 stock.

  East London

  1962 stock.

  Jubilee

  1983 stock.

  Metropolitan

  1962 stock.

  Northern

  1959 and 1972 stock. Currently being refurbished.

  Piccadilly

  1973 stock.

  Victoria

  1967 stock. Currently being refurbished.

  Speed Control
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made with the final report from the village speed control working group; and when he expects the final report to be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Measures have already been implemented at most of the trial sites in the working group's study. They are being monitored and the results will be analysed by the Transport Research Laboratory. The working group's final report is expected to be published in the summer.

  Tanker Routes
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the crude oil-carrying tanker Aegean Sea passed through the Minch.
  176

  1979

  1991–92

  Loco-hauled passenger coaches

  5,885

  2,114

  Non-passenger coaches

  4,336

  1,100

  Sub-total Coaching Vehicles (Excluding power units)

  21,511

  12,925

  Sub-total power units

  141

  197

  Freight vehicles (excluding brake vans)

  Covered

  11,439

  1,679

  Open

  14,415

  13,500

  Others

  111,735

  4,698

  Sub-total Freight Vehicles

  137,589

  19,877

  Total all vehicles

  162,812

  34,895

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1991–92 exclude 13,166 freight vehicles and 11 locomotives privately owned. 1979 figures not known, but are broadly the same for wagons, with no locomotives.

  2. Reduction in locomotives follows replacement by multiple units, notably by Regional Railways, and withdrawal of lower powered units. This has also had an impact on loco-hauled coaches.

  3. Reduction in diesel multiple units caused by electrification schemes, and replacement in certain cases by vehicles of higher capacity, and use of shorter train formations.

  4. Reduction in number of freight vehicles and non-passenger coaches largely caused by withdrawal from certain categories of traffic, notably in the wagon load type of business.

  5. In 1979 4,228 railway cars were in use on London Underground. The equivalent figure for 1991–92 was 4,146 cars.

  Over the 10 London Underground lines, most of the rolling stock is aged between 20 and 30 years. The rolling stock currently in use on each line is as follows:

  Mr. Norris
  My Department does not hold information on the route taken by the Aegean Sea.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to renegotiate the provision of the 1958 international convention on the territorial sea and contiguous zone to change the designation of the Minch as an international strait with a right of innocent passage.

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter which falls within the terms of Lord Donaldson's inquiry announced by my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now place an exclusion order on the passage of oil tankers using(a) the Minch, (b) the Little Minch and (c) the sea off the Hebrides, and instruct oil tanker masters to use the deep-water route westward of the Outer Hebrides; and if he will make a statement.
  177
  Mr. Norris
  The deep water route west of the Hebrides is the recommended route, agreed by the International Maritime Organisation for all laden tankers over 10,000 grt. My Department, with the support of the industry, takes every opportunity to encourage vessels to use this route. The waters of the Minch, although within territorial limits, have been accepted by Parliament as an international strait to which the right of innocent passage applies. Thus the deep water route is recommended and not mandatory. In poor weather the risk of an accident may be greater if a tanker goes into the open Atlantic rather than using the comparatively sheltered waters of the Minch where anchorages are available. The Department's view has been that masters must retain this option in adverse weather.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to set up an oil tanker exclusion zone around the sensitive coastal and marine areas around the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter which falls within the terms of reference of Lord Donaldson's inquiry announced by my right hon. Friend. An exclusion zone for tankers in international waters would require international agreement. In the meantime, we are exploring the possibility and feasibility of introducing interim measures for tanker operations around the United Kingdom.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a requirement for motor manufacturers to fit alternative fitting points for backward facing seats for pre-school children in all new cars.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  My Department has been working with manufacturers and various international organisations to find better and more convenient ways of fitting child seats to vehicles. It is intended that this work will eventually result in European legislation requiring all cars to be fitted with anchorage points suitable for securing forward or rearward-facing restraints for children of all ages.

  Unadopted Roads
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to legislate on the subject of unadopted roads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None.

  Private street works law was reviewed in 1983. Subsequently it was decided that there should be no
  178
  change either in the arrangements for the adoption of unadopted roads or the principle of frontager liability for the expense of making up such roads. Some minor amendments to private street works law may be brought forward if a suitable opportunity arises.

  Motorways
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway in England are currently being widened.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  A total of 30·4 miles.

  A259 (Bypass)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the exhibition of plans for the A259 Icklesham bypass will take place.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  A public consultation exhibition of proposals for the Guestling Thorn and Icklesham bypass is expected to be held this spring. I will announce the detailed arrangements as soon as possible.

  Road Expenditure
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the proposed level of expenditure in England in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 on(a) new road construction and improvement, (b) structural maintenance and (c) current maintenance on trunk roads.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  An announcement about national roads expenditure for 1993–94 will be made shortly. Provisional figures for the following years will appear in the 1993 departmental report, which will be published next month.

  Train Driver Instruction
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to allow the private sector to establish train driver instruction schools.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have accepted all the Health and Safety Commission's recommendations in their report, "Ensuring Safety on Britain's Railways" which was published on 12 January. These included the recommendation that the Health and Safety Commission should be empowered to accredit other bodies including private training organisations, to carry out driver training and certification following assessment against clear standards.

  English Channel
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many collisions occurred in the English channel in the last five years; and what reasons were established for them.

  Mr. Norris
  To establish the number of accidents in any sea area would entail a great deal of research. To add to that the task of manually listing each accident and the reason for it would entail staff time and resources at disproportionate cost.

  Data for 1991 onwards is being input into a recently installed, computerised accident database in the marine accident investigation branch. This will allow information as requested to be provided for accidents which occurred during and after 1991.

  Vehicle Engines
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to limit the time that vehicle engines are left running while the vehicle is at a standstill.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Regulation 98 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No. 1078) already provides that the driver of a vehicle shall, when the vehicle is stationary other than due to the necessities of traffic, stop the action of any machinery attached to or forming part of the vehicle so far as may be necessary for the prevention of noise.

  Oil Tankers
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it his policy fully to inspect all non-EC registered oil tankers over 10 years old calling at United Kingdom ports;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to scrutinise fully the qualifications of officers and crew on all non-EC registered oil tankers calling at United Kingdom ports.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The criteria for inspecting ships under the memorandum of understanding on port state control (MOU) are agreed by all the signatories. They are amended from time to time in the light of experience and are continually under review.

  It would not necessarily be the best use of resources to inspect all non-EC tankers over 10 years old calling at United Kingdom ports, or to make a full scrutiny of the qualifications of the officers and crew an automatic duty for a surveyor conducting such an inspection.

  Inspections do include operational aspects which enables the surveyor to "look behind" the paper qualifications and make some assessment of the abilities of the officers and crew to respond to emergency operations and other duties assigned to them.

  Responsibility for standards, both of a ship and a crew, lies primarily with the owner and the flag state, but where a port state inspection reveals deficiencies in crew qualifications the surveyor may detain the vessel until suitably qualified personnel are found.

  The United Kingdom has been pursuing the necessity to improve standards of vessels worldwide and will continue to do so. We will bestriving to raisecrew qualification standards when the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping convention comes up for review at the International Maritime Organisation in March.

EMPLOYMENT

  Microfabrication
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will estimate the number of people employed in that sector of the electricity industry related to microfabrication.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The number of employees in the microfabrication sector of the electricity industry is not separately identifiable.

  Young People (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new measures she plans to help young people in north Nottinghamshire to find employment.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The local employment service and North Notts training and enterprise council deliver a wide range of employment, enterprise and training programmes to help young unemployed people in the area find the best and quickest route to employment.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the budgets of training and enterprise councils in the north in the last financial year.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The budgets of training and enterprise councils in the north in the last financial year amounted to £596 million.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will increase Government support for the training and enterprise councils.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Training and enterprise councils' budgets for next year will be broadly in line in cash terms with the planned expenditure for this year. They will have sufficient resources to carry out the objectives agreed in their business plan.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations she has received regarding the level of reserves held by TECs.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have received only one previous question on the matter, from my hon. Friend himself.

  Working Time
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment she has made of the effect of the working time directive on jobs and economic activity in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No directive has yet been adopted. Unnecessary and complex restrictions on working time can only damage the competitive position of British employers and undermine long-term employment prospects.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on the work of the employment service to help the unemployed.
  181
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The employment service provides a wide range of services to help unemployed people find work, including placing them in jobs and referring them to training and other programmes. Over a million opportunities will be available in 1993–94. It also pays unemployment benefits to people who are entitled to them.

  Check-off
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations she has received on the rights of trade union members on check-off.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on the subject of check-off. Proposals in the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill will protect the rights of trade union members by ensuring that check-off deductions cannot be made from their wages without their express knowledge and consent.

  Acquired Rights
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement about implementation of the EC directive on acquired rights.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The directive was implemented by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. The Government doubt whether the directive is compatible with the principles of subsidiarity and it will certainly be among those directives which the Government will continue to question as the subsidiarity exercise develops. In addition, the Government will press in any negotiations for the revision of the directive to make it absolutely clear that the directive does not cover the contracting out of services where no business is transferred.

  As long as the directive remains in force, however, the Government must ensure that United Kingdom law implements it fully. Clause 26 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill, now in Committee, makes some minor amendments to the regulations to ensure this. These amendments do not change the fact that the regulations apply only if an undertaking is transferred as a going concern. This has always been, and will continue to be, the test of whether or not the regulations apply.

  Labour Statistics
  Ms. Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current unemployment figures for the north-west.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In November 1992 seasonally adjusted claimant unemployment in the north west was 329,100 or 10.8 per cent. of the work force.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was(a) the total number of people registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth and (b) the total number of job vacancies registered in the London borough of Wandsworth on 11 January.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The latest available data relate to 12 November 1992 for claimant unemployment and 6 November 1992 for unfilled vacancies at jobcentres. On these respective dates there were 18,334 claimant 182
  unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth, and 136 unfilled vacancies at jobcentres covering the Wandsworth area.

  Simple comparisons between the unemployment figures for a local area and the equivalent vacancy figures can be misleading because the coverage of jobcentre vacancies can vary between different occupations and different areas. Within any one area there is not necessarily a match between the location and skills of the unemployed and the location and nature of the vacancies available.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement about unemployment levels in the north-west in the manufacturing sector.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is estimated from the labour force survey that in the summer of 1992, 72,000 unemployed people in the north west had last worked in manufacturing.

  Weymouth and Dorchester
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on work being undertaken by her Department in the Weymouth and Dorchester travel-to-work area over the next five years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department will continue to provide a full range of employment, training and enterprise measures to help unemployed people in the area as elsewhere.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new jobs have been created in the London area in the past five years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information on job losses and job gains is not collected. Between September 1987 and September 1992 there was a net decrease in the civilian work force in employment in Greater London of 436,000 or 11.1 per cent.

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

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: The information requested is given in the table:

  Number

  1979–80 to 1985–86

  Not available

  1986–87

  8

  1987–88

  9

  1988–89

  9

  1989–90

  17

  1990–91

  17

  1991–92

  14

  1992–93

  14

  Figures for 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89 are for the Department's press office only. The Department's press

  183
  office was merged with the Training Agency press office in November 1989 and the figures from 1989–90 onwards reflect this.

WALES

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many entrants for initial teacher training last year undertook a period of pupilage, or other work with children, before starting their courses; what percentage of all students this was; and what contribution his Department has made to encourage this practice;

  (2) how many schools, counted separately, in the primary, secondary and special education sectors, offer pupilage to prospective initial teacher training students; and what is the percentage of schools involved;

  (3) how long a period of pupilage in a school lasts, on average; what are the longest and shortest periods of time; and what advice is given by his Department to encourage high quality student experience.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally. The Government have given financial support to a number of "taster courses" in Wales providing school experience for people who are interested in teaching.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the way in which initial teacher training establishments are selecting applicants on the basis of their personal qualities for effective classroom management and for relating well to children, the way in which his Department is contributing to more effective selection procedures and the number and percentage of applicants who are not accepted for initial teacher training.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The criteria for the approval of initial teacher training courses require institutions to ensure that entrants to teacher training have the necessary personal qualities for the profession, including an ability to manage and to get on well with children. No one can be accepted on to an ITT course without being interviewed.

  The number of applicants not accepted on to ITT courses in England and Wales in 1992 were, for undergraduate courses, around 9,900—39 per cent. of applicants—and for postgraduate courses around 8,800 —35 per cent. of applicants.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken in the last two years to promote multicultural awareness and equal opportunities in schools and initial teacher training establishments.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  In the last two years the Government have continued the phased introduction of the national curriculum, which is designed to challenge and stimulate all pupils whatever their ethnic or cultural origin. The Curriculum Council for Wales and the Schools Examination and Assessment Council, which advise my right hon. Friend on the curriculum and assessment, are required in exercising their functions to take account of the ethnic and cultural diversity of society in Wales and the importance of promoting equal opportunities for all pupils regardless of ethnic origin and gender. The Government are also proposing to strengthen religious education, which provides opportunities to study other faiths and cultures and develop greater tolerance and understanding.
  184
  The criteria for the approval of courses of initial teacher training include a requirement that they should help student teachers to develop an awareness of individual differences, including social and cultural dimensions. We have encouraged the development of ITT courses for people from ethnic minority communities.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of teacher training courses in developing group management skills; and if he considers further specific measures are needed in this regard;

  (2) what assessment he has made in the last two years of the effectiveness of basic counselling skills for students in initial teacher training establishments; and how many establishments have been studied for this purpose.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The criteria for the approval of courses of initial teacher training require that students should be trained both in the effective management of groups of pupils and in the pastoral skills required to interact well with individual children. HMI, in its inspection of all ITT courses in Wales, and the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education in its scrutiny of all course proposals have collected evidence of the satisfactory compliance of the institutions with these criteria.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of those involved in the provision of teacher training in determining whether potential teachers have the ability to relate well to pupils.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Higher education institutions are required to interview all students they admit to courses of initial teacher training. Assessment of students' ability to relate well to children is done during that interview and as part of the assessment of the student's teaching practice. We have not made a specific assessment of how institutions undertake this task.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of initial teacher training establishments in introducing students to the concept of peer support and its uses.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have not made an assessment of peer support within initial teacher training courses in Wales. The use of group work is a feature of all ITT courses in institutions in Wales and teaching practice guidance includes the expectation that students should employ various strategies, including group work, in their work with pupils.

  Pupil Behaviour
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales since 1990–91 how much money under the grants for education support and training scheme has been allocated to programmes dealing with the management of pupil behaviour; and what percentage of overall funding this is.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The following sums have been specifically allocated to programmes within GEST aimed at improving support services for the most difficult pupils and for training to help improve teachers' practical skills in managing pupil behaviour:
  185

  £

  Percentage of total GEST funding

  1990–91

  280,600

  1·2

  1991–92

  289,200

  1·2

  1992–93

  233,000

  0·8

  TOTAL

  802,800

  1·0

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local education authorities provide midday supervisors and other non-teaching staff with training in the management of pupils' behaviour; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of this training.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available centrally. No assessment of such training has been undertaken by the Department.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local education authorities in promoting better coordination between various local agencies dealing with pupils with behaviour or attendance problems and their families.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Effective liaison with other agencies is an essential element in dealing with pupils with behaviour or attendance problems and its importance is stressed in much of the guidance produced on the Children Act 1989. The Department issued guidance in 1991 drawing attention to the need for statutory and non-statutory bodies to collaborate in order to secure the successful implementation of the Act.

  The Department has agreed to contribute financially to a cities in schools initiative that has been established in Gwent to help combat truancy and to improve the quality of life for young people in the area.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research his Department has sponsored in the last two years on the implications for pupil behaviour of arranging pupils in groups for teaching purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. The behaviour implications of grouping pupils for teaching purposes were, however, discussed in the Elton report into discipline in schools.

  Articled Teachers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have become articled teachers since the inception of the scheme; and in what sectors and subjects.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Sixteen students are currently being trained under the Clwyd local education authority articled teacher scheme. Of these 16 students, five are training to become primary teachers and the remaining 11 are being trained for the secondary phase. A breakdown of the subject specialisms of the secondary students, is as follows:

  Subject

  Number of Students

  Mathematics

  2

  Chemistry

  2

  Biology

  2

  186

  Subject

  Number of Students

  Welsh

  4

  English

  1

  The students are due to complete their training at the end of the current academic year.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of in-service training for articled teachers; and what percentage have withdrawn from the scheme since its inception.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Only one local education authority in Wales has adopted an articled teacher scheme. The students involved have yet to complete their training. OHMCI is scrutinising the scheme and will come to a conclusion on its effectiveness at the end of the period of training. Of the 17 students who started the course, one has withdrawn from the scheme.

  New Teachers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local education authority induction programmes for new teachers.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Induction programmes are assessed within inspections carried out by Her Majesty's inspector of schools, whose reports I see.

  Induction training funded under the grants for education support and training programme is assessed and taken account of in the consideration of LEA applications for GEST grant. Greater priority to improving induction training was given in the 1992–93 GEST programme. In addition I am funding a research project at University college of Wales, Swansea, aimed at developing guidance on induction programmes for schools in Wales.

  Intervention Powers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local education authorities have used their powers of intervention under section 28 of the Education (No. 2) Act 1986; and on how many occasions.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available centrally.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to encourage the recruitment of teachers from minority ethnic backgrounds; and what success has been achieved in the last two years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Government have adopted a range of measures to encourage people from ethnic minority backgrounds to consider a career in the teaching profession. They include teaching as a career, publications, advertising, participation at careers events, stimulating the development of special access courses, and supporting relevant local projects.

  The Government introduced ethnic monitoring of teachers in January 1990 following recommendation by the Swann committee, but the quality of the response from

  187
  local education authorities and grant-maintained schools so far has been poor. As a result it is not yet possible to draw conclusions about the percentage of teachers in Wales who are from ethnic minorities, nor to identify improvements over the last two years.

  Management Training (Senior Teachers)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of management training programmes for head teachers and other senior staff.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  It is for individual schools and teachers to decide which training programmes can most effectively meet their particular needs.

  The Department has helped by supporting the development and assessment of a number of new management training initiatives in recent years. A survey of overall provision for school management training was commissioned in 1989 to guide and support the work of the school management task force. This work is being taken forward in Wales by Wales Officers and Advisers Development, a consortium set up by Welsh local education authorities.

  The office of her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales has responsibility for inspecting the training of teachers including management training programmes.

  Records of Achievement
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of of records of achievement in giving due weight to a wide range of pupil achievements and personal qualities.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The national record of achievement is an effective summary for school-leavers to take forward to further education and working life. Recent evaluation has shown that take-up of the NRA among schools has been high. I attach significant value to the continued use of the NRA. That is why regulations governing reports on pupils' achievements which are to be laid before Parliament shortly will require schools in Wales to use the NRA format to provide a specified minimum of information for school-leavers. Copies of the regulations and an explantory circular will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Supply Teachers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local education authorities provide in-service training in classroom management for supply teachers.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally.

  Teaching Skills
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of staff providing training in teaching skills have had at least one term's regular teaching experience in the last five years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The criteria for the accreditation of initial teacher training includes the requirement that, from the beginning of the current academic year, all staff at institutions who are concerned with training students in 188
  teaching skills must have had at least one term's experience of teaching in school in the previous five years. OHMCI monitor courses regularly to ensure that institutions comply with this requirement.

  School Bullying
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken by his Department to overcome bullying and racial harassment in schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Bullying and racial harassment are serious matters and we expect schools to deal firmly with them when they arise. While there is no evidence to suggest that racial harassment is a problem in schools in Wales, I am aware of incidents of bullying. To emphasise the importance of firm action against bullying, the Department has sent copies of the information and guidance pack "Action against Bullying" and of a booklet produced by the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education to all schools in Wales. In addition, the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales has been asked to ensure that all inspecting teams appointed under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 pay particular attention to the arrangements for securing good discipline and behaviour.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of bullying have been reported in each local education authority in the primary, secondary and special education sectors in each of the last three years; and what percentage of those cases were racially motivated.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available centrally.

  Charcoal Dressings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will ensure that pensioners at home suffering from cancer with fungating wounds can use charcoal dressings on prescription for use by district nurses in the community;

  (2) if he will review the type and nature of dressings supplied on prescription for cancer sufferers living at home.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Additions to the GP prescribable list, such as new dressings, must be subject to the availability of resources. Dressings prescribed by a consultant for a patient discharged into the community, and not available on the GP prescribable list, are the responsibility of the provider unit; that is, directly managed unit or NHS trust.

  Cancer Patients
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of people suffering from cancer receiving care in their homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not available centrally.

  One of the major strategic aims of the NHS in Wales is to bring health care closer to a patient's home. Our emphasis is on health gain and we wish to see an increase in the quality of life for people with cancer. I am pleased that health authorities are addressing these issues.

  Difficult Pupils
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the provision that local education authorities make for their most difficult pupils; and how many local education authorities have been studied in this regard.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. As part of its detailed inquiry into discipline in schools, the Elton committe asked local education authorities about their provision for pupils whose behaviour teachers found most difficult to manage. Their report commented on both the nature and quality of the provision made and has been beneficial to local authorities in helping them to devise strategies for dealing with difficult pupils.

  For the future, inspecting teams appointed under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 will pay particular attention to schools' arrangements for securing good discipline and behaviour.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest information he has concerning the number of indefinite exclusions of pupils from(a) local education authority schools and (b) grant-maintained schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available centrally.

  Education (Serious Incident Reporting)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local education authorities' serious incident reporting systems.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. It is for local education authorities to determine what arrangements are most appropriate to enable them to discharge their functions effectively.

  River Dee Crossing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  to ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet a deputation of councillors and officials from county and district level concerning the building of the new River Dee crossing.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Yes.

  Discipline in Schools Report
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he has taken on recommendation(a) 68 and (b) 69.1, of the Elton report on discipline in schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have issued "Education: A Charter for Parents in Wales" which deals with parental responsibilities as well as their rights. It emphasises the need for parents to support the work of schools in the education of their children.

  The Curriculum Council for Wales has issued guidance to schools on the content of family-life education, including education for parenthood, and its place in the wider curriculum.

  Education Welfare Officers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many education welfare officers are employed by each local authority; what is the ratio of officers to pupils in each local education authority; and if he will make a statement about the adequacy of this provision.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not available centrally. It is for each local education authority to determine whether the number of education welfare officers employed is sufficient to enable it to meet its statutory responsibilities.

  Classroom Management
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the way in which the principles of good classroom management are being implemented by teachers and their trainees; and what contribution his Department has made in this process and to the extent to which implementation has been achieved.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  In February last year I launched a debate on classroom organisation and teaching methods in primary schools in Wales. Following extensive consultations with teachers in Wales, the Curriculum Council for Wales issued guidance to primary schools on these issues in November. Good classroom practice is a matter for teachers, headteachers and schools and will continue to be subject to inspection either by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools or by inspectors registered by the office of Her Majesty's chief inspectors of schools from September 1993. The criteria for the approval of courses of initial teacher training require that students should be trained in the effective management of groups of pupils.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest information available to him on the money needed to bring all school buildings into a good state of repair.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The state of repair and management of the local authority estate was addressed in the efficiency initiative. Following the issue of the report of the "Quality Circle" on property review, the authorities were expected to provide reports on their estate holdings, including the education estate, but have not yet done so.

  Road Construction and Maintenance
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many miles of motorway in Wales are currently(a) open, (b) under construction and (c) planned in Wales either (i) as completely new motorway or (ii) as existing motorway being widened.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The mileages are as follows:

  (a) Open—74 miles.

  (b) Under Construction—6 miles.

  (c) Planned—19 miles (new motorway) and 8 miles (widening of existing motorway).

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown of the planned expenditure on(a) new construction and improvement,
  (b) structural maintenance and (c) current maintenance on trunk roads by his Department for each year from 1993–94 to 1995–96.
  191
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Total planned central Government net expenditure in 1993–94 on the roads and transport programme in Wales is £201.3 million. Further details will be published in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96: Departmental Report by the Welsh Office" in February. Planned net expenditure in 1994–95 and 1995–96 is £209.3 million and £219.7 million respectively.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the numbers and locations of (1) the(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Wales which have opted out of local education authority control; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) the (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Wales which have applied to opt out of local education authority control; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Twelve schools have to date published proposals to become grant maintained. They are:

  (a) PRIMARY SCHOOLS

  Cefnpennar Infants, Mid Glamorgan

  Llanerfyl, Powys

  Caergeiliog, Gwynedd

  Derwen, Clwyd

  Penybryn, Clwyd

  (b) SECONDARY SCHOOLS

  Queens, Gwent

  Cwmcarn, Gwent

  Bishop Vaughan, West Glamorgan

  Brynmawr, Gwent

  Emrys ap Iwan, Clwyd

  Maelor, Clwyd

  Stanwell, South Glamorgan

  Assisted Places Scheme: Payment to Schools Financial Years 1981–82—1991–92

  School

  1981–82 £

  1982–83 £

  1983–84 £

  1984–85 £

  1985–86 £

  1986–87 £

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  Christ College, Brecon

  7,986

  21,443

  36,063

  48,289

  62,116

  95,473

  131,470

  155,404

  189,033

  244,081

  321,779

  Howell's School, Denbigh

  11,011

  37,883

  70,107

  96,971

  132,971

  179,033

  225,465

  243,740

  237,474

  231,442

  254,759

  Howell's School, Llandaff

  17,774

  57,094

  106,799

  144,940

  209,858

  274,274

  314,274

  319,099

  334,290

  358,798

  328,763

  Llandovery College

  3,737

  9,217

  19,615

  31,013

  38,279

  454,407

  55,732

  75,308

  92,650

  140,381

  203,641

  Monmouth School (for Boys)

  18,515

  52,035

  92,610

  134,170

  181,642

  233,684

  307,291

  277,352

  323,194

  303,951

  374,475

  Monmouth School (for Girls)

  9,644

  21,677

  37,072

  52,598

  68,760

  90,225

  109,297

  144,422

  128,010

  140,618

  166,552

  Penrhos College

  5,108

  21,973

  38,489

  62,843

  81,089

  99,399

  140,459

  136,944

  156,617

  183,500

  225,688

  Rydal School

  4,194

  38,206

  53,896

  56,864

  67,768

  93,274

  110,254

  112,767

  128,121

  153,508

  189,153

  Lowther College*

  23,709

  15,244

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  101,678

  274,772

  454,651

  627,688

  842,483

  1,519,769

  1,394,242

  1,465,036

  1,589,389

  1,756,279

  2,064,810

  * Lowther College closed in July 1982.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many economically active males there were in each district in(a) 1987 and (b) 1991; what percentage those numbers represented of the population of each district;
  192
  Of these, the applications from Cwmcarn, Brynmawr, Bishop Vaughan, and Emrys ap Iwan schools have been approved for grant-maintained status and those from Queens and Cefnpennar have been rejected.

  Proposals from the other six schools are currently before me for decision and I hope to make announcements on them soon.

  River Corring (Pollution)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment has been made of the pollution caused from the spoil from the Nantewlaeth reclamation scheme discharging into the River Corring in the Aran valley following flooding.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Rivers Authority undertook a visual assessment following the pollution incident which affected the Rivers Corrwg and Afan on 30 November 1992. This found siltation of the river gravels and a corresponding smothering of fish spawning reeds. A survey of the effect of this incident on fish populations will be undertaken by the authority later this year.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the amount of money given under the assisted places scheme to each of the private schools of Wales in each of the years from the schemes inception up to the latest possible year; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is as follows:

  and what was the percentage change in the number of economically active males in each district between 1987 and 1991.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of economically active males and the percentage they represent of the malt population of working age are given for 1986 and 1991 it the following table. Data for 1987 are not available. The percentage change between the two years is not shown a: the sources used for the data are not strictly comparable
  193

  Economically active males in Welsh districts 1986 and 1991

  1986

  1991

  Econ active males aged 16–64 (000)

  Percentage of males aged 16–64 economically active

  Econ active males aged 16–64 (000)

  Percentage of males aged 16–64 economically active

  Alyn & Deeside

  19·1

  87·2

  20·8

  87·2

  Colwyn

  10·8

  83·4

  12·5

  81·1

  Delyn

  17·6

  86·3

  18·3

  84·2

  Glyndwr

  10·4

  86·0

  11·0

  84·6

  Rhuddlan

  11·7

  81·0

  12·2

  79·7

  Wrexham Maelor

  31·0

  85·6

  30·0

  83·3

  Carmarthen

  12·8

  83·5

  13·8

  81·4

  Ceredigion

  15·1

  80·7

  15·6

  80·1

  Dinefwr

  8·6

  80·1

  9·2

  78·1

  Llanelli

  17·4

  78·1

  17·2

  76·9

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  17·8

  84·7

  18·2

  82·5

  South Pembrokeshire

  9·7

  82·2

  10·5

  81·7

  Blaenau Gwent

  18·8

  77·6

  18·4

  76·9

  Islwyn

  16·3

  81·5

  16·7

  79·1

  Monmouth

  19·6

  86·6

  20·5

  84·7

  Newport

  33·0

  84·0

  34·2

  82·9

  Torfaen

  23·4

  83·1

  23·1

  81·2

  Aberconwy

  10·3

  85·0

  12·6

  82·4

  Arfon

  13·1

  84·4

  13·3

  80·2

  Dwyfor

  6·4

  82·5

  6·7

  82·4

  Meirionnydd

  7·4

  83·5

  8·1

  82·2

  Ynys Mon-Isle of Anglesey

  18·0

  85·0

  17·6

  82·3

  Cynon Valley

  15·6

  78·3

  15·2

  76·0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  13·9

  75·8

  13·7

  75·9

  Ogwr

  31·9

  79·1

  33·2

  80·4

  Rhondda

  18·3

  72·5

  17·9

  74·5

  Rhymney Valley

  25·3

  76·3

  25·0

  76·8

  Taff-Ely

  22·8

  78·6

  25·0

  81·0

  Brecknock

  10·0

  84·1

  10·4

  81·6

  Montgomeryshire

  13·8

  89·8

  14·4

  86·1

  Radnor

  5·9

  87·0

  6·2

  85·5

  Cardiff

  68·0

  82·0

  70·3

  81·8

  Vale of Glamorgan

  29·0

  85·9

  29·4

  83·5

  Lliw Valley

  14·9

  82·1

  15·3

  79·3

  Neath

  16·2

  77·0

  15·8

  78·1

  Port Talbot

  12·2

  76·5

  11·8

  75·0

  Swansea

  45·7

  79·5

  43·8

  78·7

  Notes:

  1. Economically active students are excluded.

  2. Data for 1991 are from the 1991 Census.

  3. Data for 1986 are extracted from the Welsh Inter Censal Survey are subject to sampling error, and are not strictly comparable to Census data.

  Roads Department (Wildlife Protection)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures his Roads Department has taken and will take to minimise disturbance to badgers and other wildlife; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The provision of badger-proof fencing, badger crossings and gates, together with the relocation of setts are among steps that are, or may be, taken, depending on the particular circumstances. Mitigating measures for other wildlife are subject to the species involved.

  The Department's highways directorate recognises the need to mitigate and minimise the effects of road construction on wildlife and will continue to pursue that objective.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the budget for the programme for environmentally sensitive areas in each year since 1985; and what the budget will be in each year for the next three years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The first environmentally sensitive area in Wales—the Cambrian mountains (original)—was 194
  not designated until 1 March 1987. The Cambrian mountains (extension) and Lleyn peninsula ESAs were designated on 1 January 1988. I intend to designate four further ESAs—Anglesey, Radnor, Preseli and the Clwydian range—during 1993. Actual and estimated Welsh ESA payments to farmers are set out in the following table:

  Year

  1£m

  1987–88

  0·02 (actual)

  1988–89

  0·37 (actual)

  1989–90

  0·70 (actual)

  1990–91

  0·88 (actual)

  1991–92

  1·46 (actual)

  21992–93

  3·74 (estimate)

  31993–94

  5·79 (estimate)

  31994–95

  7·61 (estimate)

  31995–96

  7·76 (estimate)

  Notes:

  1 The figures have been rounded.

  2 Actual 1992–93 expenditure will be published in the 1992 Appropriation Accounts.

  3 The 1993–94 provision will be published in the 1993–94 Main Supply Estimate Class XV Vote 2. The provision for 1994–95 and 1995–96 will also be published in the Main Supply Estimate for those years.

  Special Education
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how special education will be regarded under the proposed system of unitary authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Special education will continue to be treated as a matter of high priority under the new structure of local government. The local education authority will retain responsibility for assessing, and making appropriate provision for, children with special education needs.

  National Biodiversity Plan
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to develop a national biodiversity plan for Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The action plan on biodiversity is being prepared on a UK-wide basis, but the Welsh Office and the Countryside Council for Wales are, of course, being closely consulted.

  National Museum
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the attendance figures for 1992 reported by the national museum of Wales, including its outstations; and what was the percentage change compared with the attendance figures for 1991.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A total of 867,943 people visited the national museum of Wales during 1992, an increase of 27 per cent. over the attendance reported for 1991.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the level of farm incomes in(a) less favoured areas, (b) disadvantaged areas and (c) severely disadvantaged areas, in cash terms and real terms in each year since 1982.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information is available in this form only since 1985–86 and is as follow:

  Less favoured areas income

  Disadvantaged areas income

  Seriously disadvantaged areas income

  Current prices £

  1Real terms £

  Current prices £

  1Real terms £

  Current prices £

  1Real terms £

  1985–86

  7,616

  10,727

  5,938

  8,363

  7,913

  11,145

  1986–87

  7,906

  10,830

  3,129

  4,286

  9,604

  13,156

  1987–88

  9,453

  12,438

  5,985

  7,875

  10,703

  14,083

  1988–89

  14,250

  17,813

  10,353

  12,941

  15,721

  19,651

  1989–90

  8,805

  10,121

  5,370

  6,172

  10,022

  11,520

  1990–91

  7,561

  7,959

  1,592

  1,676

  9,932

  10,455

  1991–92

  12,254

  12,254

  4,386

  4,386

  15,340

  15,340

  1 Deflated by the RPI 1991–92=100.

  Housing
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the Welsh housing budget was used to fund the tenants' cash incentive scheme in the last financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1991–92, resources amounting to £200,000 were made available for tenants' cash incentive schemes. This represents 0·038 per cent. of the total Welsh Office provision for housing amounting to £527 million for that year.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what account was taken of the legal action being taken against Dr. Roy Bichan in the United States when he appointed him deputy chairman of the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I take full account of all available information in making appointments.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget—allocated funds has been spent since being set up (i) in cash terms each year, (ii) as a percentage of the Welsh Development Agency's total budget and (iii) as a percentage of Welsh Development Agency's international budget.

  Mr. David Hunt
  This is a matter for the Welsh Development Agency. I have arranged for the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Gentleman and for a copy of his response to be printed in the Official Report.

  Letter from Philip J. Head to Mr. Ron Davies, dated 7 January 1993:
  In response to the above question I am pleased to enclose the information you requested concerning the Agency's Technology Growth Fund.
  The Agency is, of course, involved in promoting the use of technology and technology related investment through both its Business Services and Welsh Development International divisions. In the Business Services Division alone some £1.3 million of expenditure was directly related to these activities in the 1991–92 financial year.
  Please let me know if you require any further information.

  Technology Growth Fund

  Year

  Expenditure £K

  Percentage of Agency Expenditure Per cent.

  Percentage of WDI Expenditure Per cent.

  1988–89

  80

  0·07

  3·18

  1989–90

  540

  0·41

  17·24

  1990–91

  120

  0·08

  3·40

  1991–92

  90

  0·06

  2·16

  Cereal Crop
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the level of cereal crop production in Wales in 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  According to the cereal production survey conducted during September 1992, the production of cereal crops in Wales for the 1992 harvest was as follows:

  Wheat

  80 thousand tonnes

  Winter barley

  90 thousand tonnes

  Spring barley

  80 thousand tonnes

  Oats

  20 thousand tonnes

  Triticale

  1 thousand tonnes

  Roads
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when work to improve the A483 Welshpool to Shropshire borders road is due to commence; and if he will make a statement.
  197
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The A483 Pant-Llanymynech bypass scheme is expected to start in the medium term, between April 1995 and March 1998.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the consultants for the Newton bypass will be appointed; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Consultants are expected to be appointed in spring 1993.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received in relation to the possibility of trunking the South Glamorgan peripheral distributor road; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I am aware of no such representations.

  Council Rents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average rent of council homes in Wales for each year since 1979 adjusted for rises in inflation.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The average rents of council homes set by local authorities are given in the following table:

  Average weekly rent of council homes in Wales

  Rents adjusted to 1992–93 prices £s

  1979

  15·26

  1980

  16·02

  1981

  21·27

  1982

  24·20

  1983

  24·16

  1984

  24·51

  1985

  24·77

  1986

  25·01

  1987

  24·64

  1988

  25·32

  1989

  26·90

  1990

  27·21

  1991

  28·05

  1992

  29·81

  Source: 1979–1989 CIPFA.

  1990–1992 Local authority returns.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average income of hill sheep farmers in Wales in each of the past five years; and what are the projected levels for the present and the coming financial years, taking into account any changes to the grant system.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Average incomes of hill and upland sheep farms for each of the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 are as follows:

  £

  1987–88

  9,380

  1988–89

  15,283

  1989–90

  9,468

  Figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 together with income forecast for 1992–93 are at table 14 of the statistical tables prepared in connection with the 1992 autumn review of hill
  198
  livestock compensatory allowances. A copy is available m the Library of the House. Forecasts are not yet available for the coming financial year but it is presently estimated that the net effect of the increase in sheep annual premium payments, including the less-favoured area supplement, as the result of green pound devaluations, together with HLCA payment reductions will represent an enhancement of about £10.0 million in total Welsh LFA sheep producer incomes.

  Operation Wizard
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 14 January,Official Report, column 771, under what statutory powers the Operation Wizard consultancy exercise was authorised; if prior authorisation was agreed by his Department before each of the consultants was engaged; if the choice of consultants followed an open advertisement and competition relating to a published brief; if he will publish a full list of the consultancy companies and partnerships engaged; and on what date each of them started and completed their work.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The agency has wide-ranging powers under the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 which includes powers to commission studies in relation to the discharge of its functions. Within the guidelines set out in the financial memorandum, day-to-day management, including the use of consultants, is a matter for the agency. In awarding contracts, the agency is required to have regard to best practice and value for money.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what negotiations he has had with his counterparts in the European Commission concerning the principle of and level of European regional development fund grant for the proposed Cardiff bay barrage.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Welsh Council for Voluntary Action
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action concerning the grant aid for volunteering in the next financial year; what evaluation he has made of the consequences of grant aid settlement on the level and quality of volunteering activity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Welsh Office officials are in regular contact with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action about many matters concerning the voluntary sector, but there has been no specific consultation concerning grant-aid for volunteering in 1993–94. The WCVA has responsibility for administering the volunteering in Wales fund and were awarded £215,000 by the Department in 1992–93 for distribution to eligible projects which promote: volunteering. Resources for the VIWF, along with all other applications from Welsh generalist intermediary bodies, including the WCVA itself, are being considered in the light of the total resources available for 1993–94. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in February 1993.

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions during each of the last five years the search and rescue helicopter squadron has been called out to deal with reported emergencies in and around the Ceredigion and Pembroke North constituency.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. Statistical data are not recorded in the form requested.

DEFENCE

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many offshore emergency incidents have been dealt with by the search and rescue helicopter squadron at RAF Brawdy in each of the last five years; and how many such incidents have involved the winching of firefighters to stricken vessels.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The table gives the number of offshore emergency incidents dealt with by the search and rescue flight at RAF Brawdy over the past five years. Statistical data are not held on the number of incidents involving the winching of firefighters.

  Year

  Callouts

  Persons Rescued

  1988

  71

  53

  1989

  66

  38

  1990

  62

  92

  1991

  69

  48

  1992

  63

  15

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the bases for search and rescue helicopter squadrons within the United Kingdom which have closed during the last 10 years, indicating the average response time to coastal and offshore emergencies(a) within a radius of 25 miles, (b) 50 miles, (c) 75 miles, (d) 100 miles and (e) 150 miles from the base both (i) prior to and (ii) following the removal of the service from the vicinity.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No bases with search and rescue helicopters have closed in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been undertaken by his Department to date concerning the effect of the removal of search and rescue helicopter squadrons upon localised emergency rescue arrangements.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The new basing structure for the RAF search and rescue helicopter force took into account, and will very largely meet, the established civil SAR criteria.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department had at the most recent part-session of the Assembly of Western European Union.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave an address to the Western European Union assembly on 1 December 1992,200
  during the second part of its 38th ordinary session. Officials from my Department attended for part of the session.

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the reason for withholding papers on chemical and biological weapons, and the authority of command of nuclear weapons, beyond 30 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Those Ministry of Defence papers which are not already open continue to be withheld from the public domain under the criteria of the Public Records Acts for reasons such as national security. They will be progressively released as their sensitivity lapses.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) all measures taken by his Department in the last 12 months to prevent nuclear proliferation, (b) the number of personnel in his Department working to prevent nuclear proliferation and (c) his Department's total expenditure on control of nuclear proliferation in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is Government policy to meet all our obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and our commitments under the nuclear suppliers group regime. My Department supports fully the Government's efforts to promote effective international controls on nuclear weapon-related and nuclear dual-use exports to help prevent proliferation. A wide range of personnel within my Department work on nuclear non-proliferation-related matters; the direct costs of pursuing this policy are not separately identifiable.

  AWRE Aldermaston
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what projects are currently under way at the atomic weapons research establishment, Aldermaston; what work is planned to finish within the next year; what new projects are planned for the establishment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  We are committed to maintaining the United Kingdom's minimum nuclear deterrent. The atomic weapons establishment has a complex and continuing programme of work in fulfilment of this policy, including support for in-service weapons, the Trident programme, and preliminary work towards a possible replacement for the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

  Bosnia
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to strengthen the rules of engagement for the British troops in Bosnia; and if he will make it his policy that they will have the means to protect themselves with all the appropriate light weapons and radar-seeking missiles being made available on HMS Ark Royal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Rules of engagement governing the use of force by the British battaliion group carrying out its humanitarian role in Bosnia already provide satisfactorily for our troops to respond in self-defence,
  201
  with the means available to them, to any attacks. In his statement on 14 January, Official Report, columns 1057–58, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said that the forces which are being currently deployed to the Adriatic have been sent as a contingency, to be available to provide additional protection for the battalion group should that be required.

  RAF Pilot Training
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to review levels of RAF pilot training; whether the future viability of RAF Chivenor is contingent upon a review; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  While there are currently no plans to review RAF training, all aspects of my Department's activities are examined to see what scope exists for making savings on the defence budget. This is done through the annual process of re-costing the defence programme. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on what the results of this or subsequent years' examinations may be for individual capabilities or establishments.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the net effect on Exmoor farming incomes of changes he proposes to hill livestock compensatory allowances for the next year.

  Mr. Curry
  The conditions of the HLCA scheme are determined on the basis of national statistical data and it is not possible to measure the impact on different localities.

  Average net farm income on LFA livestock farms in the United Kingdom

  Severely Disadvantaged Area

  Disadvantaged Area1

  All LFA

  Nominal terms

  Real terms

  Nominal terms

  Real terms

  Nominal terms

  Real terms

  2Year

  £ thousands per farm

  3Index

  3Index

  £ thousands per farm

  3Index

  3Index

  £ thousands per farm

  3Index

  3Index

  1982–83

  —

  112

  172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  112

  172

  1983–84

  —

  98

  143

  —

  412

  595

  —

  108

  159

  1984–85

  —

  112

  157

  —

  338

  465

  —

  121

  170

  1985–86

  —

  107

  142

  —

  205

  266

  —

  112

  148

  1986–87

  —

  80

  102

  —

  113

  141

  —

  82

  104

  1987–88

  —

  118

  145

  —

  218

  263

  —

  125

  153

  1988–89

  —

  145

  168

  —

  293

  335

  —

  154

  179

  1989–90

  —

  103

  111

  —

  152

  161

  —

  106

  114

  1990–91

  8.3

  87

  86

  2.8

  58

  56

  7.1

  85

  83

  1991–92

  10.4

  110

  103

  4.3

  91

  83

  9.1

  109

  102

  1992–93

  12.2

  128

  116

  4.9

  102

  90

  10.6

  127

  114

  1 The disadvantaged area was designated only in 1984.

  2 Accounting years end on average in February.

  3 1989–90—1991–92=100. Indices in real terms have been derived by deflating the nominal indices by the Retail Price Index.

  Advisory Committees
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the organisations represented on each of his Department's advisory committees.
  202
  I have no reason to believe conditions for farmers in Exmoor are materially different from those obtaining elsewhere in the less favoured areas in England. The HLCA reductions were taken in the light of increased incomes in the hill sheep sector and will in any case be more than offset by increases in ewe premium payments next April resulting from green pound devaluations and decisions taken at the December Agriculture Council.

  Farm Income
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the level of average net farm income at constant prices for(a) England. (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

  Mr. Curry
  Provisional estimates of net farm income in 1992 will be published shortly. Estimates for 1993 and 1994 income levels are not available.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the level of farm incomes in(a) less-favoured areas, (b) disadvantaged areas and (c) severely disadvantaged areas, in cash terms and real terms in each year since 1982.

  Mr. Curry
  Year by year comparisons can best be made by reference to results from a constant sample of farms. The following table shows indices of net farm income in nominal and real terms for each year from 1982–83 to 1992–93 on farms in the United Kingdom's less favoured areas and estimated income levels for the latest available constant sample. The information given takes no account of the impact of the recent green pound devaluations. Sheep farmers in the less favoured areas can expect an additional total subsidy of at least £1.80 per ewe in respect of 1992.

  Mr. Gummer
  The following table lists the organisations which have formal representation on each advisory body given in the annual "Public Bodies" publication, the latest edition of which relates to 1991 and is available from the Library of the House.

  However for the majority of the bodies' members are appointed on the basis of their personal expertise rather than because of the organisation by which they are employed.
  203

  Advisory body

  Organisations represented formally

  Advisory Committee on Pesticides

  —

  Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees

  (i) National Farmers Union (NFU)

  (ii) Transport and General Workers Union
  (T&GWU) (Rural Agricultural and Allied Workers Trade Group)

  Agricultural Statistics Consultative Committee

  (i) NFU

  (ii) Country Landowners Association (CLA)

  (iii) T&GWU (Agriculture and Allied Workers National Trade Group)

  Banana Trade Advisory Committee

  (i) Geest Industries Ltd. plc

  (ii) Fyffe Group Ltd.

  (iii) Jamaica Producers Marketing Co. Ltd.

  (iv) Windward Islands Banana Growers Association (WINBAN)

  (v) Jamaica Marketing Co. Ltd. (JAMCA)

  Committee of Agricultural Valuation

  —

  Consultative Panel on Badgers and Tuberculosis

  (i) NFU

  (ii)CLA

  (iii) RSPCA

  (iv) Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

  (v) Joint Nature Conservation Committee

  (vi) Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  (vii) Flora and Fauna Preservation Society

  (viii) T&GWU

  (ix) British Veterinary Association

  (x) Mammal Society

  (xi) National Federation of Badger Groups

  Consumers' Committee for England and Wales under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958

  —

  Consumers' Committee for Great Britain under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958

  —

  Farm Animal Welfare Council

  —

  Food Advisory Committee

  —

  Hill Farming Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern ireland

  —

  National Food Survey Committee

  —

  Priorities Board for Research and Development in Agriculture and Food

  —

  Regional Panels for the Farming Industry

  —

  Salmon Advisory Committee

  —

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  —

  Steering Group on Chemical Aspects of Food Surveillance

  —

  Sugar Beet Research and Education Committee

  (i) NFU

  (ii) British Sugar plc

  Veterinary Products Committee

  —

  Wild-caught Birds
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce limits on consignment size for the importation of wild-caught birds to fewer than 100 birds into the United Kingdom, and if he will press for this limit to be applied in the new EC transport directive.
  204
  Mr. Soames
  We are pursuing proposals for limiting the size of consignments of wild birds with the International Air Transport Association, whose Live Animal Regulations are now mandatory under Community law. We are also pressing the European Commission to introduce proposals for further specific measures on wild birds under the directive on the protection of animals during transport.

  Fisheries Inspectors
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what access British fisheries inspectors have to all ships registered in Britain; and when they last inspected the British-registered fishing fleet based in La Coruna in northern Spain.

  Mr. Curry
  British sea fisheries officers have powers to inspect all United Kingdom and foreign-registered fishing vessels in British ports and at sea within British fishery limits.

  United Kingdom-registered ships that are over 10 m in length and land less than 50 per cent. of their catch in the United Kingdom are required to make at least four pre-notified visits to British ports in each six month period (January-June and July-December). Subject to other priority work, British sea fisheries officers check such vessels on these visits. In addition, they are subject to inspections at sea by the United Kingdom fisheries protection service.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions exist in the market in milk quotas across the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  Under the EC milk quota regulations the permanent transfer of quota is linked to land transactions. Detailed rules governing the transfer of quota are contained in the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1991. Under these regulations wholesale quota which accounts for about 97 per cent. of milk produced in the United Kingdom is managed on a regional basis in the United Kingdom. This means that it may be transferred only within each of the eight regions which are defined under the regulations. England and Wales and the Scilly Isles are defined as one region; so too is Northern Ireland; and there are six regions in Scotland. Direct sales quota is required by EC rules to he managed on a national basis, so transfers are not subject to similar regional restrictions.

  New EC regulations will govern milk quota administration from 1 April 1993. We will be revising the United Kingdom DPQR once the new EC detailed rules have been agreed.

  Poultry Meat Inspection Charges
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether poultry meat inspection charges are levied at the same rate across the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  The Fresh Meat and Poultry Meat (Hygiene, Inspection and Examinations for Residues) (Charges) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No. 2494) require local authorities to charge for health inspection at poultry meat plants. Subject to compliance with the detailed provisions of the regulations, local authorities are entitled to recover the real costs incurred in carrying out the inspection.

  The Department carried out a detailed review of meat inspection charges in early 1992 which revealed that inspection charges varied considerably across the country. My right hon. Friend the Minister placed summary statistics collected during this review in the Library of the House in June 1992. (Hansard cols. 16–17, 8 June 1992.)

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence he has concerning the spread of bovine TB from badgers to cattle.

  Mr. Soames
  Experimental control areas in Dorset and Gloucestershire, set up in 1975, provided evidence of the causal link between infection in badgers and cattle herds. Two independent reports, by Lord Zuckerman in 1980 and Professor Dunnet in 1986, concluded from the evidence obtained, under laboratory conditions at the central veterinary laboratory and from the field that badgers can and do harbour bovine tuberculosis and represent a potential threat to cattle. All cattle tuberculosis breakdowns are the subject of detailed epidemiological investigation by MAFF veterinary staff. These show that badgers are implicated in at least three-quarters of cattle herd tuberculosis breakdowns in the south-west of England.

  Farm Support
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers are in receipt of support in the less favoured areas, split into those in the severely disadvantaged areas and those in the disadvantaged areas; and what is the average amount of support which each receive under each form of support from public funds.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested in respect of livestock subsidies in the United Kingdom is as follows:

  Type of support

  Number of claimants (thousands)

  Average payment at 1992 rates

  SDA

  DA

  SDA

  DA

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Scheme

  51

  16

  £2,250

  £690

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme

  51

  £5,900

  Suckler Cow Premium Scheme

  35

  £2,600

  The number of claimants does not equate precisely with the number of farmers receiving support because some claims are submitted by groups of farmers. For the sheep annual premium scheme and the suckler cow premium scheme information is available only for the less favoured areas: it is not possible to distinguish between payments made in relation to the severely disadvantaged areas and the disadvantaged areas.

  Myxomatosis
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the availability of vaccine against myxomatosis in pet arid commercially farmed rabbits.

  Mr. Soames
  In April 1992 the only United Kingdom product licence for a myxomatosis vaccine was surrendered by its holder. As a result no further supplies of vaccine were available once existing stocks held by veterinary practitioners were used up. Following informal discussions between the veterinary medicines directorate and vaccine manufacturers, and representations by rabbit keepers to the pharmaceutical industry, an application has
  207
  recently been received from Intervet (UK) Ltd to licence a replacement vaccine. The data supporting the application are being assessed as rapidly as possible against the standard Medicines Act criteria of safety, quality and efficacy.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of monetary compensatory amounts on inflation in British food prices; and what consideration has been given to phasing in the subsequent green pound devaluation.

  Mr. Curry
  The 7 per cent. devaluation of the green pound agreed at the Agriculture Council in November and three smaller automatic devaluations resulting from realignments within the exchange rate mechanism (ERM) were followed by a 4·4 per cent. devaluation of the United Kingdom green rate on 1 January 1993, to take it within two points of the prevailing market exchange rate in line with the rules of the new agrimonetary system. These green rate changes effectively phased in the adjustment to the new arrangements under which monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs) were abolished. It is estimated that these green pound devaluations may increase food prices by about 2 per cent. once the effects of the increases in common agricultural policy support prices have worked through.

  Under the rules of the new system, green rate devaluations (and revaluations) will take place automatically in order to keep green rates closely aligned with market rates. The market exchange rates of the currencies outside the narrow band of the ERM (currently the pound sterling, the lira, the peseta, the escudo and the drachma) will be monitored during three 10-day reference periods each month. A member state's green rate will be adjusted whenever there is a gap of more than two percentage points between green and market rates during the final reference period in a month. There will also be adjustments when the difference between the monetary gaps for any

  Average weekly earnings (adults)1 £

  Weekly upper earnings limit (UEL)

  UEL as a percentage of average earnings Per cent.

  Number of people3 Million

  Estimated effect on NI revenues4 £billion

  April

  1978

  78·60

  120·00

  152·7

  —

  —

  1992

  304·60

  405·00

  133·0

  1·7

  +0·5

  1993

  2320·00

  420·00

  131·3

  1·8

  +0·7

  Notes

  1 Average weekly full time earnings of all adults. Source: New Earnings Survey.

  2 Assumes a rise in average earnings of 5 per cent. rounded to the nearest £.

  3 The estimated number of people with earnings above the UEL but below the level which would have applied had the UEL been increased in line with average earnings since 1978–79.

  4 The estimated effect on NI revenue had the increases in the UEL since 1978–79 been by the level of earnings rather than prices. Includes effects on both employers' and employees' NICs.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing(a) the level of the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions as a percentage of average earnings in 1978–79, 1992–93 and his projection for 1993–94, (b) the number of additional people who will pay national insurance contributions in 1992–93 and 1993–94 as a result of
  208
  two currencies exceeds four points in any of the three reference periods in a month. Finally, more frequent adjustments can be made to green rates when exchange rates are very volatile.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Agriculture Council held on 18 and 19 January.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at this quiet meeting of the Council which followed that in December under the United Kingdom presidency when decisions were taken on most outstanding issues.

  Discussion concentrated on detailed issues. It was agreed that officials would conduct a technical appraisal of the compatibility of common agriculture policy reform with the draft Uruguay round agreement.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing(a) the level of the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions as a percentage of average earnings in 1978–79, 1992–93 and his projection for 1993–94, (b) the number of additional people with earnings above the national insurance contribution ceiling in 1992–93 and 1993–94 as a result of increases in the upper earnings limit by the level of prices rather than average earnings since 1978–79 and (c) the effect on national insurance revenues in 1992–93 and 1993–94 of increases in the upper earnings limit by the level of prices rather than average earnings since 1978–79.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.

  increases in the lower earnings limit by the level of prices rather than average earnings since 1978–79 and (c) the effect on national insurance revenues in 1992–93 and 1993–94 of increases in the lower earnings limit by the level of prices rather than average earnings since 1978–79.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in the table.
  209

  1Average weekly earnings (adults) £

  Weekly lower earnings limit (LEL) £

  Lower earnings limit (LEL) as a percentage of average earnings Per cent.

  3Estimated number of additional contributors Million

  4Estimated effect on National Insurance revenues £ billion

  April

  1978

  78·60

  17·50

  22·3

  —

  —

  1992

  304·60

  54·00

  17·7

  0·6

  +0·5

  1993

  2320·00

  56·00

  17·5

  0·6

  +0·7

  1 Average weekly full-time earnings of all adults. Source: New Earnings Survey.

  2 The estimated additional number of people who pay National Insurance contributions and gain potential entitlement to contributory benefits as a result of increases in the lower earnings limit since 1978–79 by the level of prices rather than earnings.

  3 The estimated effect on National Insurance revenue as a result of increases in the lower earnings limit since 1978–79 by the level of prices rather than earnings. Includes effects on both employers' and employees' National Insurance contributions, but does not take account of the extra costs of contributory benefits which people are obtaining for as little as £1.12 a week.

  4 Assumes a rise in earnings of 5 per cent., rounded to the nearest £.

  War Pensions
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will reconsider his decision to stop awards of war pension for noise-induced hearing loss resulting in under 20 per cent. disablement; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No, as announced in the reply to the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes), 17 December at columns 369–70, full and careful consideration was given to all representations before the decision was taken to proceed with the package of changes which included the introduction of a minimum level of disablement for noise-induced hearing loss.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has on the time taken by local authorities to process housing benefit applications from council and privately renting tenants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Regulations provide that authorities should process claims to housing benefit within 14 days of all the necessary information becoming available. If authorities are unable to do this they should make interim payments. Many authorities achieve the target in full. Nationally, in 1991–92, 71 per cent. of new claims from council tenants and 70 per cent. of claims from private tenants were processed within 14 days. For repeat claims the percentages were 83 per cent. and 73 per cent. respectively. All figures are an improvement on the overall figure of two thirds of claims processed within 14 days achieved in 1990–91.

  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of housing benefit to the private sector in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) to date in the current year; and what was the average level of benefit in (i) the private sector, (ii) the council sector and (iii) the housing association sector.

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is set out in the table:
  210

  Amount of rent allowance paid or estimated (£ thousand)

  Rent allowance

  Average amount (£/week) of rent rebate

  1990–91

  1,757,071

  25·45

  19·80

  1991–92

  2,353,942

  32·57

  22·76

  1992–93

  2,883,389

  39·02

  26·73

  —1

  —2

  Notes: Separate information in respect of Housing Associations is not available.

  Rent allowance is Housing Benefit paid to the private sector and includes that paid to the housing association sector.

  Rent rebate is Housing Benefit paid to the council sector.

  Source:

  (1) Local Authority Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit subsidy claim forms.

  (2) 1990 and 1991, the Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit Management Information System statistics annual
  1 per cent sample, taken in May of each year, for 1992 the quarterly caseload enquiry, as at August 1992.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will announce how housing benefit transitional payments will be treated in April.

  Mr. Burt
  We have always made it clear that housing benefit transitional payments which were introduced in 1988 will be reduced as increases in other benefits make them less necessary. We have, therefore, decided on a flat rate reduction of £1·50 per week in these payments for the year from April 1993. As a result, the vast majority of recipients will still gain overall in cash terms from the April uprating of other social security benefits.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines have been issued to deal with applicants suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis applying for disability living allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  The disability handbook, which helps adjudicating authorities to assess medical evidence, provides information on the likely effects of myalgic encephalomyelitis on a person's care and/or mobility needs.

  Income Support
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by date for the last 12 months, the number of times his Benefit Agency's income support computer has malfunctioned.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support 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 Michael Bichard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 18 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 if he will list by date for the last 12 months, the number of times his Benefits Agency's Income Support Computer system has malfunctioned.
  I am pleased to advise you that the time lost through computer malfunction is minimal. The Income Support Computer Service is available for 122,400 hours a year. Only 0.72 per cent. of computer time was lost in the year ended December 1992. This was a total of 882 hours and 57 minutes.
  I have appended, in chronological order, information on the incidents where there has been a loss of the Income Support computer service. The time lost on any date shown is a cumulative total for the number of incidents shown and may represent one or more offices.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Time lost

  Date

  Incidents raised

  Hours

  Minutes

  3 January 1992

  1

  —

  33

  7 July 1992

  1

  1

  35

  15 January 1992

  2

  5

  54

  16 January 1992

  2

  3

  44

  18 January 1992

  7

  7

  06

  19 January 1992

  3

  10

  56

  24 January 1992

  1

  1

  15

  26 January 1992

  2

  1

  16

  27 January 1992

  3

  2

  57

  28 January 1992

  2

  2

  02

  29 January 1992

  9

  27

  56

  2 February 1992

  2

  1

  18

  4 February 1992

  2

  2

  29

  6 February 1992

  1

  —

  16

  9 February 1992

  2

  3

  00

  17 February 1992

  4

  7

  35

  18 February 1992

  2

  —

  34

  1 March 1992

  2

  1

  20

  2 March 1992

  2

  3

  46

  3 March 1992

  1

  1

  05

  5 March 1992

  2

  4

  39

  8 March 1992

  2

  6

  06

  9 March 1992

  4

  6

  44

  12 March 1992

  1

  —

  03

  13 March 1992

  2

  2

  36

  18 March 1992

  2

  4

  31

  19 March 1992

  5

  12

  37

  23 March 1992

  2

  1

  16

  7 April 1992

  2

  4

  38

  8 April 1992

  1

  —

  40

  10 April 1992

  1

  —

  13

  15 April 1992

  2

  2

  20

  24 April 1992

  2

  —

  40

  28 April 1992

  2

  1

  28

  29 April 1992

  33

  28

  21

  30 April 1992

  5

  17

  43

  1 May 1992

  1

  —

  28

  6 May 1992

  4

  7

  32

  212

  Time lost

  Date

  Incidents raised

  Hours

  Minutes

  14 May 1992

  2

  2

  16

  26 May 1992

  1

  1

  00

  29 May 1992

  2

  4

  13

  7 June 1992

  1

  3

  20

  9 June 1992

  4

  2

  01

  10 June 1992

  1

  —

  41

  11 June 1992

  1

  —

  50

  17 June 1992

  1

  —

  14

  21 June 1992

  1

  1

  06

  23 June 1992

  4

  8

  22

  25 June 1992

  2

  4

  00

  26 June 1992

  2

  —

  20

  27 June 1992

  3

  2

  45

  1 July 1992

  5

  1

  05

  6 July 1992

  2

  2

  59

  7 July 1992

  4

  8

  43

  10 July 1992

  1

  —

  59

  13 July 1992

  2

  3

  15

  17 July 1992

  2

  1

  45

  18 July 1992

  2

  2

  00

  20 July 1992

  4

  2

  47

  22 July 1992

  2

  2

  04

  23 July 1992

  1

  —

  05

  24 July 1992

  12

  11

  45

  27 July 1992

  3

  3

  04

  28 July 1992

  2

  —

  55

  3 August 1992

  2

  1

  30

  4 August 1992

  4

  3

  55

  5 August 1992

  5

  9

  54

  6 August 1992

  1

  1

  00

  7 August 1992

  1

  —

  48

  13 August 1992

  1

  —

  50

  18 August 1992

  1

  —

  32

  20 August 1992

  1

  —

  47

  22 August 1992

  6

  6

  22

  23 August 1992

  2

  8

  34

  31 August 1992

  7

  22

  18

  1 September 1992

  10

  12

  40

  2 September 1992

  1

  3

  10

  9 September 1992

  8

  6

  48

  10 September 1992

  2

  1

  54

  11 September 1992

  1

  2

  27

  12 September 1992

  1

  1

  09

  14 September 1992

  5

  6

  41

  15 September 1992

  1

  —

  22

  18 September 1992

  4

  2

  10

  22 September 1992

  1

  —

  27

  26 September 1992

  3

  3

  56

  1 October 1992

  3

  —

  59

  2 October 1992

  1

  —

  39

  6 October 1992

  2

  2

  54

  7 October 1992

  2

  5

  11

  8 October 1992

  2

  —

  40

  13 October 1992

  2

  3

  35

  14 October 1992

  2

  3

  17

  19 October 1992

  32

  160

  00

  20 October 1992

  29

  37

  26

  21 October 1992

  23

  35

  52

  22 October 1992

  8

  8

  56

  24 October 1992

  14

  10

  08

  25 October 1992

  2

  —

  56

  29 October 1992

  2

  2

  077

  2 November 1992

  2

  2

  45

  4 November 1992

  1

  —

  23

  8 November 1992

  2

  1

  29

  10 November 1992

  2

  2

  37

  12 November 1992

  2

  3

  26

  18 November 1992

  1

  —

  31

  19 November 1992

  2

  1

  25

  30 November 1992

  1

  4

  20

  1 December 1992

  40

  82

  09

  2 December 1992

  8

  5

  07

  3 December 1992

  6

  11

  34

  4 December 1992

  5

  4

  06

  8 December 1992

  1

  —

  32

  10 December 1992

  21

  34

  28

  11 December 1992

  1

  2

  00

  213

  Time lost

  Date

  Incidents raised

  Hours

  Minutes

  21 December 1992

  13

  19

  21

  13 December 1992

  1

  1

  00

  17 December 1992

  2

  4

  04

  20 December 1992

  3

  4

  40

  23 December 1992

  2

  1

  13

  29 December 1992

  1

  2

  22

  31 December 1992

  1

  —

  32

  Totals

  352

  822

  57

  Social Fund
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was, for each social security office in the United Kingdom, the number of cases in the current financial year where an application for a community care grant met the criteria but the grant was refused because of budgetary constraints;

  (2) what was, for each social security office in the United Kingdom, the number of cases in the current financial year where an application for a social fund loan met the criteria but the loan was refused because of budgetary constraints.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Dennis Canavan, dated 18 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 Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Social Fund applications refused on grounds of budgetary constraints.
  Details of loans and grants refused on grounds of insufficient priority by each Benefit Agency District are in the attached annex. The figures are for the period 1 April to 30 November 1992 and are the latest 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.

  Numbers of Social Fund refusals on grounds of insufficient priority April to November 1992 (latest available data)

  District

  Loans

  Grants

  Bankside

  1,027

  169

  Barking and Havering

  605

  340

  Barnet

  572

  165

  Barnsley

  1,374

  510

  Bedfordshire

  1,025

  377

  Berkshire

  839

  258

  Birmingham Chamberlain

  976

  249

  Birmingham Heartlands

  1,044

  60

  Birmingham North West

  978

  487

  Birmingham South East

  569

  142

  Birmingham South West

  924

  351

  Blackburn and Accrington

  1,034

  286

  Blackpool

  462

  15

  Bolton

  1,160

  776

  Bradford

  1,514

  595

  Bristol Severnside

  1,106

  971

  Brunel

  1,121

  366

  Buckinghamshire

  579

  535

  Burnley and Rossendale

  640

  283

  Cambridgeshire

  870

  262

  Canterbury and Thanet

  430

  152

  214

  District

  Loans

  Grants

  Central Staffordshire

  712

  442

  Channel

  698

  194

  Cheshire North West and Central

  1,174

  645

  Cheshire South and West

  1,146

  352

  Chesterfield and Worksop

  602

  347

  City East

  587

  260

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  1,346

  66

  Clyde Valley

  1,722

  1,258

  Coatbridge

  2,214

  294

  Cornwall

  836

  507

  Coventry

  1,028

  158

  Cynon Merthyr and Rhymney Valley

  3,082

  258

  Derbyshire Central

  1,179

  365

  Derbyshire South

  484

  248

  Devonia

  621

  396

  Doncaster

  1,688

  16

  Dorset

  723

  792

  Durham North

  1,889

  253

  Durham South

  1,619

  18

  Ealing

  755

  241

  East Lowlands

  1,695

  342

  East Sussex

  340

  50

  Essex South East

  548

  346

  Essex South West

  760

  200

  Euston

  1,859

  662

  Fife

  2,046

  475

  Forth Valley

  1,534

  364

  Fulham

  1,337

  955

  Glamorgan South

  2,345

  253

  Glasgow City

  1,471

  447

  Glasgow East

  2,847

  1,161

  Glasgow Laurieston

  2,061

  258

  Glasgow South West

  1,375

  261

  Glasgow Springburn/Cumbernauld

  1,961

  1,023

  Glasgow West

  1,207

  432

  Gloucestershire

  1,224

  436

  Grampian/Shetland

  647

  228

  Gwent North and Brecon

  926

  203

  Gwyneddigion

  701

  74

  Hackney and Islington

  864

  354

  Halifax

  893

  363

  Hampshire North

  767

  188

  Harrow and Hillingdon

  449

  415

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  472

  174

  Highlands and Islands

  559

  273

  Hounslow and Kingston

  467

  333

  Hull

  2,961

  953

  Humberside South

  1,147

  279

  Irvine

  71,391

  135

  Kent North

  1,661

  243

  Kirklees

  1,247

  428

  Knowsley

  1,536

  596

  Lancaster and South Cumbria

  743

  218

  Lea Roding

  930

  317

  Leaside

  680

  256

  Leeds Aire and Wharfedale

  1,526

  631

  Leeds Ridings

  1,523

  397

  Leicester North

  955

  160

  Leicestershire South

  517

  337

  Lewisham and Brixton

  1,943

  814

  Lincolnshire East

  513

  354

  Liverpool Central

  888

  251

  Liverpool North

  1,179

  176

  Liverpool South

  1,582

  815

  Lomond and Argyll

  1,232

  209

  London Central

  306

  114

  Lothian Central

  1,038

  405

  Lothian West

  1,488

  253

  Manchester Central

  1,194

  120

  Manchester North

  697

  385

  Manchester South

  1,588

  797

  Mid Wales and Maelor

  823

  133

  Neasden

  770

  281

  Newcastle

  2,960

  733

  Newham

  1,129

  249

  North and East Hertfordshire

  501

  622

  North Cumbria

  930

  633

  North Essex

  778

  344

  215

  District

  Loans

  Grants

  North Staffordshire

  1,196

  635

  North Tyneside

  836

  210

  North Wales Coast

  982

  513

  North Yorkshire

  358

  205

  Northamptonshire

  1,018

  194

  Northumberland

  862

  117

  Norwich

  1,242

  338

  Nottinghamshire East

  909

  363

  Nottinghamshire North

  927

  372

  Nottinghamshire West

  968

  734

  Ogwr Afan Nedd

  1,198

  44

  Oldham

  825

  522

  Oxfordshire

  705

  123

  Preston

  864

  352

  Renfrew

  1,451

  117

  Rother and Dearne

  1,260

  619

  South East Hants and Wight

  1,654

  298

  Sale and East Cheshire

  447

  156

  Salford District

  650

  177

  Sandwell

  823

  299

  Scotland South West

  1,432

  202

  Sefton

  1,181

  140

  Sheffield East

  2,036

  569

  Sheffield West

  1,133

  527

  Shropshire

  924

  1,073

  Solent and Forest

  1,117

  136

  Somerset

  380

  140

  South Devon

  1,622

  456

  South Downs

  677

  308

  South Gwent and Islwyn

  1,184

  383

  South West Lancashire

  1,127

  161

  South West Thames

  1,394

  519

  Stockport

  724

  251

  Suffolk

  1,062

  715

  Surrey Downs

  319

  22

  Surrey North

  1,006

  340

  Swansea

  1,012

  415

  Taff Rhondda

  855

  198

  Tameside

  1,061

  357

  Tayside

  2,500

  668

  Tees North

  2,619

  673

  Tees South

  2,493

  677

  Thameside

  972

  126

  Tyneside South

  2,559

  291

  Wakefield

  1,141

  525

  Wales West

  937

  250

  Walsall

  1,277

  163

  Warwickshire

  789

  221

  Wearside

  2,784

  471

  West Hertfordshire

  361

  324

  West Kent

  549

  114

  West Lincolnshire

  1,145

  335

  West Pennine

  1,219

  773

  West Sussex

  570

  245

  Wigan and Leigh

  770

  533

  Wiltshire

  917

  421

  Wirral

  2,064

  676

  Wolverhampton

  752

  249

  Worcestershire North

  830

  291

  Yorkshire East

  410

  95

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the target clearance rates for new claims and reviews of disability living allowance and attendance allowance to be met.

  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.
  216
  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 18 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 asking when we expect the target clearance rates for new claims and reviews of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) to be met.
  The most recent clearance performances during the month of December are 55 per cent. (DLA) and 54·4 per cent. (AA65+) against targets of 60 per cent. cleared in 30 and 35 days respectively. The numbers of new claims on hand is reducing month by month and we will continue to give detailed management attention to achievement of targets during the remainder of the current financial year.
  As far as DLA and AA65+ reviews are concerned, we are recruiting and deploying additional staff at Fylde and elsewhere to deal with the arrears. A profiling exercise is in progress to establish the effect of these extra staff against the backlog of work and expected intake and we will soon be able to predict a date for achievement of clearance targets. I will continue to take a close personal interest in the progress of performance.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide details of the training provided to(a) benefits inquiry line staff and (b) adjudication officers working on disability living allowance and attendance allowance, including the dates and duration of training courses provided on these benefits; what percentage of the annual training budget for these benefits has already been spent; and what plans he has to increase this budget in real terms in the financial year 1993–94 and in subsequent years.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 18 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. You asked for details of training provided to (a) Benefits Inquiry Line staff and (b) adjudication officers working on Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, including the dates and duration of training courses provided on these benefits; what percentage of the annual training budget for these benefits has already been spent; and what plans he has to increase this budget in real terms in the financial year 1993–94 and in subsequent years.
  Initial training for Benefits Inquiry Line staff is covered within a period of 6 weeks. In this time all trainees are given a basic awareness of all Social Security benefits. Further benefits training is given which enables the trainees to calculate comfortably various Social Security benefits, and how to use these calculations. I shall write to you again with details of the dates of these training courses.
  In addition to the basic benefits training the advisers training also incorporates:

  Disability awareness

  Listening in—(trainees listen to calls with an experienced adviser)

  Supervised calls—(trainees take first calls with experienced advisers)

  217

  Telephone techniques

  A visit to a District office.

  Training for Adjudication Officers based on the Fylde DLA Unit began in November 1991. There were approximately 7 courses running at any one time with 12 people on each course between November 1991 and March 1992. The duration of each course is 22 days.

  At the Fylde Attendance Allowance Unit (AAU) seven courses were held and were attended by 70 adjudication officers. Six courses of 4 weeks duration were held for existing staff and one course lasting 6 weeks for new entrants. The dates of these courses were

  6 January 1992 to 31 January 1992 (2 courses)

  17 February 1992 to 13 March 1992

  17 February 1992 to 27 March 1992

  27 April 1992 to 25 May 1992

  7 September 1992 to 2 October 1992

  5 October 1992 to 30 October 1992.

  Training for adjudication staff for both benefits in the DBCs was mainly undertaken during January, February and March 1992. The courses were held on different dates and locations but were all approximately five weeks in length.

  On the question of training budgets, for DLA 73 per cent. of the annual training budget has been spent as at the end of December. For AA this figure is 88 per cent. It is too early to say what the training budget will be for the financial year 1993–94 and subsequent years.

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

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average number of inquiries received each day on applications for disability living allowance by(a) the hotline established to serve hon. Members and (b) other units of his Department since the benefit was introduced; what is the current backlog of applications for the allowance; what is his target date for clearing this backlog; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is (a) the target and (b) the average length of time taken to determine an application for the disability living allowance; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 18 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. You asked what is the average number of enquiries received each day on applications Disability Living Allowance by (a) the hotline established to serve honourable Members and (b) other units of his Department since the benefit was introduced; what is the current backlog of applications for the allowance what is his target date for clearing this backlog. You also asked what is (a) the target and (b) the average length of time taken to determine an application for the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  Significant numbers of individual customers have contacted offices of the Benefits Agency concerning the delay in their payments. Information is not available on the precise number of representations received but I can assure you that we endeavour to answer enquiries as quickly as possible. The average daily number of enquiries received on the hotline established for honourable Members to use is 35. This is over the period 6 July 1992 to 8 January 1993.
  On the question of target clearance times I should explain that the Benefits Agency introduced a standard performance
  218
  measure across benefits some time ago. This is expressed in terms of clearance targets by x per cent. of claims cleared in y days rather than average clearance times as was previously the case. The most recent clearance performances during the month of December are 55 per cent. for DLA and 54·4 per cent. for AA65+ against targets of 60 per cent. cleared in 30 and 35 days respectively.
  The numbers of new claims on hand is reducing month by month and we will continue to give detailed management attention to achievement of targets during the remainder of the current financial year. I have expressed my regret for the delays which occurred following the introduction of this new benefit. I am pleased to say that claim levels for Disability Living Allowance have stabilised and work on hand has now reduced to normal levels.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Fraud Investigators
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are employed by his Department specifically to investigate fraudulent claims.

  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 and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Gordon McMaster, dated 18 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 asking how many people are employed by his Department specifically to investigate fraudulent claims.
  The complement for 1992–93 for staff specifically to investigate fraudulent claims is 2,853, however all staff are expected to identify fraudulent claims and may be involved in an investigation.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

HEALTH

  Hospital Closures
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the legal provisions regarding consultations by health authorities and trusts with elected representatives and members of the public on proposals to close hospitals or reduce the numbers of beds in hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Health authorities are required to consult their local community health council (CHC) or councils when substantial changes in local services are under consideration. There is no similar requirement for national health service trusts to consult CHCs. However, as a matter of course, NHS trusts discuss proposed service changes with their purchasers. If appropriate, the health authority would then consult the relevant CHC.

  Skin and Allergic Disorders
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will estimate the annual cost to the national health service for prescribed drugs in the categories(a) drugs acting on the skin and (b) drugs for allergic disorders;
  219
  (2) how many people were using national health service prescribed drugs as (a) drugs acting on the skin and (b) drugs for allergic reactions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information is not available on the number of people using national health service prescribed drugs which act on the skin and for allergic disorders. The number of prescriptions dispensed in England in 1991 for drugs in these categories and the relevant net ingredient cost is as shown.

  Prescriptions (thousands)

  Net ingredient cost (£ thousands)

  Drugs acting on the skin

  28,255

  108,383

  Drugs for allergic disorders

  5,519

  22,637

  The figures include prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

  Community Supervision Orders
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people she expects to become subject to a community supervision order in 1993.

  Mr. Yeo
  No decision has been taken to introduce a community supervision order for psychiatric patients. The case for this is one of the issues to be considered by the official team referred to in the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) on 13 January at column 731.

  Mental Illness
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the timing and costs of full implementation of the care programme policy for mentally ill people, including the costs of necessary psychiatric services.

  Mr. Yeo
  We required all district health authorities to implement fully the care programme approach from 1 April 1991 and we have received assurances from regional health authorities that this has been done. The Department and the regional health authorities are monitoring progress.

  The introduction of the care programme approach in itself imposed no new costs on either health or local authorities as it embodied existing good professional practice.

  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps she is taking to monitor the application of section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983;

  (2) how many people are subject to the provisions of section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983; and what is the current cost of its implementation for each regional health authority.

  Mr. Yeo
  The implementation of section 117 of the Act is reviewed by the Mental Health Act Commission as part of its programme of visits to health and social services. In its fourth biennial report, published in December 1991, the commission reported that most health authorities and social services departments had completed their policies and procedures for the implementation of section 117.
  220
  The services which this section of the Act requries authorities to provide for formerly detained patients form part of the general provision of services for mentally ill people in the community and we do not collect separate figures about them. Under the care programme approach introduced in April 1991 all patients using these services, whether or not they have been detained in hospitals, are required to have an individual care programme and a named key worker.

  Blyth Valley (Patient Numbers)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of patients per general practice in Blyth Valley.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Practice

  List size

  1

  12,656

  2

  12,645

  3

  12,356

  4

  8,822

  5

  6,867

  6

  5,677

  7

  4,664

  8

  4,264

  9

  4,208

  10

  4,168

  11

  924

  12

  633

  Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessments have been undertaken of the number of patients potentially contaminated with Creutzfeldt Jakob disease as a result of surgery within the NHS.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23 November 1992 at column 504.

  Mental Health Task Force
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the names, qualifications and experience of the members of the mental health task force.

  Mr. Yeo
  The membership of the mental health task force and its support group is in the process of being finalised. A copy of the full list of members of the group will be placed in the Library when it has been completed.

  NHS Trusts
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts had by 31 December 1992 completed their contracts for the period to 31 March for elective treatments in(a) orthopaedic surgery, (b) ENT, (c) general medicine and (d) general surgery.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Drug Prescribing
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money will be saved by expanding the selected list of drugs that cannot be prescribed under the national health service to her proposed new categories.
  221
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The savings from extending the selected list scheme will depend on the specific changes made to the list of drugs which cannot be prescribed under the national health service. These will be made only on the recommendation of the independent Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs and cannot be predicted in advance.

  Supported Lodgings
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people(a) in Nottinghamshire and (b) nationally were classified as being looked after in supported lodgings by reason of being cared for by the carer in the carer's own home on (i) 1 January 1991 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not available centrally.

  Community Care
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are expected to be discharged into the community from Winterton and Kyhope Cherry Knowle hospitals in the coming year; how many were discharged in 1990, 1991 and 1992; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Northern Regional health authority, for details.

  Doncaster Health Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the chairmen and non-executive directors of health authorities and trusts in Doncaster in 1991–92; how much each received as salary and expenses; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The chairmen of health authorities and national health service trusts and the non-executive directors of NHS trusts in Doncaster are as follows:

  Body

  Chairman

  Non-executive directors

  Doncaster DMA

  Mr. J. G. Smith

  Doncaster FHSA

  Mr. K. Jones

  Doncaster Royal

  Mr. C. Bryant

  Mr. G. A. Brown

  Infirmary and Montagu Hospital Trust

  Mr. M. A. Mitchell

  Mr. J. H. Pickup

  Mrs. R. M. Cottrell

  Mrs. E. Sparrow

  Doncaster Healthcare Trust

  Mr. P. Horsburgh

  Mr. L. Lucas

  Mr. J. Millar

  Miss C. Fleming

  Mrs. M. Spencer

  Mr. J. Liversedge

  District health authority and family health service authority members are appointed by regional health authority chairmen.

  All health authority members and NHS trust non-executive directors receive remuneration of £5,000 per annum.

  DHA, FHSA and trust chairmen are remunerated annually according to a banding system as follows:

  1 April 1991:

  Band 1—£18,935

  222

  Band 2—£16,835

  Band 3—£14,850

  1 December 1991:

  Band 1—£19,285

  Band 2—£17,145

  Band 3—£15,125

  Health authority chairmen and members and trust chairmen and non-executive directors are entitled to have, where appropriate, expenses refunded, but details are not held centrally.

  Unemployment and Ill Health
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has made on the association between unemployment and ill health.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are fully aware of the extensive research literature about the association between unemployment and ill-health. This literature includes analysis of the respective contributions of unemployment itself and of the related variables of social class, poverty, age and pre-existing ill-health. Studies also indicate the value of preventive health care and of social support of unemployed people and their families.

  Anabolic Steroids
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned into the risks to the health of persons under the age of 18 years of the indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department has commissioned no research specifically into the risks to the health of persons under the age of 18 years of the use of anabolic steriods. However, in October 1991 we commissioned Professor G. V. Stimson, Director of the Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, to undertake a study into the extent of misuse of anabolic steriods. The report of this study has just been received by this Department and is currently being considered.

  Weight Training
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned into the risk to the health of persons under the age of 18 years of(a) weight lifting and (b) weight training; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Health Centres
  Ms. Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the report of the Hambros bank into the funding of health centres is to be published.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The report has been received by the Department and its recommendations are now being considered. We shall announce our proposals for action in due course.

  Azapropazone
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the side effects of azapropazone; how many cases of such side effects have
  223
  come to her attention; what consideration the Committee on Safety of Medicines is giving to this matter; and what central guidance on the side effects has been given to general practitioners.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The safety of all licensed medicines, including azapropazone, is constantly monitored by the Medicines Control Agency. As part of this process, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) operates a yellow card scheme for physicians to report suspected adverse reactions to drugs. Under this scheme, CSM has received 2,041 reports of adverse reactions which may be associated with azapropazone. A report of a suspected reaction in association with a drug does not necessarily mean that the drug caused the effect reported. Azapropazone belongs to a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used in the treatment of rheumatic disease and other musculoskeletal disorders. More reports of suspected adverse reactions are received in association with this group of drugs than any others, reflecting their wide usage.

  A number of studies are being conducted comparing the relative safety of different NSAIDs. CSM will be reviewing these studies when the results become available and, if necessary, will issue advice to prescribers. It has been recognised for some years that NSAIDs can cause serious gastrointestinal reactions such as bleeding and perforation of ulcers. This problem was drawn to the attention of doctors by the CSM in articles in the British Medical Journal in March and May 1986 and in its bulletin "Current Problems No. 16" issued in 1986. No specific guidance has been issued by CSM regarding the side effects of azapropazone. Information is available to physicians in the British National Formulary, which the Department issues free of charge to all prescribers, and in the data sheet for products, which are produced by the manufacturers and authorised by the licensing authority.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the expenditure on azapropazone in cash terms, and as expenditure per 1,000 population in each NHS region and health district in 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I shall let the hon. Member have such information as is available as soon as possible.

  Special Hospitals
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what percentage of patients currently residing in special hospitals in England and Wales an assessment has shown that they could more appropriately be dealt with in gaols or other forms of accommodation.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information is not readily available in the form requested. One hundred and fourteen special hospital patients, or 7·5 per cent. of the total, were awaiting transfer to other facilities on 31 December 1992. Six of these were awaiting transfer to prison.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 she requires to be made by local authorities and health departments for mentally disordered offenders.

  Mr. Yeo
  Section 46 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 requires local authorities, in 224
  consultation with health authorities, to prepare and publish plans for the provision of community care. Section 47 of the Act requires local authorities to involve district health authorities in the assessment of need for those people in their areas who are identified as requiring community care services. These would include services for mentally disordered offenders who require them.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what maximum figure she intends to set for the combined total public funding available after April to individual disabled people to live in their own homes.

  Mr. Yeo
  I do not intend to set a maximum figure for the amount that health and local authorities may spend in helping people live in their own homes.

  Dentists
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists went bankrupt during 1992; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally. However, the Dental Practice Board has confirmed that during 1992 it received notices of bankruptcy in respect of nine dentists.

  Health Authority Meetings
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will require health authorities to publish the agenda for matters to be considered in private; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No. Whether and when to exclude the press and general public is a matter for the authorities themselves to decide. However, authorities are expected to conduct their business in as open a manner as possible.

SCOTLAND

  Prison Transfers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received for transfers from prisons in Scotland to Northern Ireland, from(a) loyalist prisoners, (b) republican prisoners, (c) men and (d) women; and how many of each of these applications have been accepted.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information available is as follows:

  Number of requests (no women applied)

  Agreed

  1985

  3

  2

  1986

  1

  1

  1987

  3

  —

  1988

  2

  1

  1989

  1

  —

  1990

  15

  2

  1991

  24

  1

  1992

  5

  33

  1 One withdrawn.

  2 Two withdrawn.

  3 One still under consideration.

  225
  Prisoners in Scotland are not classified by reference to the political or other motivation of their offences.

  Revised criteria for interjurisdiction transfers were announced in the Official Report, 23 November 1992, columns 476–77.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount he expects to be saved from the current civil legal aid budget resulting from the Government's proposals for each of the next five financial years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The purpose of the proposed changes announced on 16 November is to ensure the continuation of reasonable access to legal aid for the most needy, while at the same time taking action to control the rate of growth in legal aid expenditure. The proposed changes are expected to reduce forecast expenditure on civil legal aid by between £2 million and £3 million in 1993–94 rising to around £5 million in 1997–98. Total expenditure on legal aid will, however, continue to increase and in financial year 1995–96 it is expected to be 40 per cent. higher than the planned expenditure for the current year.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, under the Government's new legal aid proposals, applicants will be required to make continuous contributions over the full life of the case.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under the Government's proposals a person granted civil legal aid in Scotland after 1 April 1993 will not be required to make continuous contributions over the full life of the case.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish detailed proposals regarding changes in civil legal aid and civil advice and assistance schemes in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Draft regulations will be laid before the House in the spring.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what level of contributions will be required in civil legal aid cases under the Government's new legal aid proposals.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under the Government's proposals a person receiving civil legal aid will be required to make a maximum contribution of up to one third of the amount by which his disposable income exceeds the lower free limit for civil legal aid.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the maximum income level for obtaining free advice and assistance for legal aid applicants from April 1993.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The maximum disposable income level for obtaining free advice and assistance has yet to be determined.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of the adult population of Scotland which after 1 April will be eligible for(a) legal advice and assistance and (b) legal aid, for civil purposes on a nil contribution;

  (2) what is his estimate of the proportion of the adult population of Scotland which after 1 April will be eligible for (a) legal advice and assistance and (b) legal aid for civil purposes irrespective of the level of contribution;
  226
  (3) what is the proportion of the adult population of Scotland currently eligible for (a) legal advice and assistance and (b) legal aid for civil purposes on a nil contribution;

  (4) what proportion of the adult population of scotland is currently eligible for (a) legal advice and assistance and (b) legal aid, for civil purposes irrespective of the level of contribution.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Given the variations over time in individuals' circumstances it is not possible to estimate with any precision the proportion of the adult population eligible for legal aid.

  Analyses of data from the family expenditure survey suggest that in Scotland the percentage of households which would be eligible for civil legal aid under the proposed changes to eligibility criteria would be in the range of 45 to 55 per cent. with between 20 and 30 per cent. free of contributions. Similar figures would apply to advice and assistance. This represents a reduction of between 5 and 10 per cent. of the households currently eligible in financial terms.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he had with relevant parties and bodies prior to his announcement of 16 November 1992 of reduced access to civil legal aid and legal advice and assistance in Scotland; and how many legal applicants are likely to be affected by the announced changes after 1 April.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: No detailed consultations were held before the announcement on 16 November 1992, but discussions have since taken place with the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Law Society of Scotland.

  Given the variations over time in individuals' circumstances it is not possible to estimate with any accuracy how many legal aid applicants are likely to be affected after 1 April by the proposed changes but I refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the questions by the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell).

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the last five years for which figures are available the number of civil legal cases which occurred in sheriff courts in Scotland by category of case, indicating the percentage increase over the period for each category.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Figures for the number of ordinary cause, summary cause and small claim actions disposed of in sheriff courts in Scotland are set out in the table. The percentage increase or decrease between 1987 and 1991 is also shown except for small claims where the figure relates, to the period 1989 to 1991.

  Ordinary cause

  Summary cause

  Small claims

  Total

  1987

  47,555

  121,996

  —

  169,551

  1988

  47,735

  109,745

  —

  157,480

  1989

  46,232

  51,881

  62,520

  160,633

  1990

  49,308

  41,941

  83,119

  174,368

  227

  Ordinary cause

  Summary cause

  Small claims

  Total

  1991

  54,512

  44,758

  87,769

  187,039

  Percentage Increase/ Decrease 1987–1991 (1989–1991 for Small Claims)

  +14.6%

  –63.3%

  +40.4%

  +9·7

  Civil Legal Actions in Sheriff Courts

  Subject Matter

  Average Cost Per Case to Scottish Legal Aid Fund

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Divorce 2 year separation (Pursuer)

  452·80

  450·99

  459·59

  490·13

  573·71

  Divorce 2 year separation (Defender)

  443·22

  481·89

  478·10

  461·12

  641·20

  Divorce 5 year separation (Pursuer)

  460·08

  481·90

  488·15

  512·80

  600·38

  Divorce 5 year separation (Defender)

  552·34

  784·43

  711·73

  717·31

  770·64

  Divorce Other Grounds (Pursuer)

  644·13

  638·36

  698·93

  749·27

  814·21

  Divorce Other Grounds (Defender)

  607·42

  620·85

  714·81

  724·24

  831·41

  Separation

  536·30

  661·24

  703·21

  781·59

  789·94

  Aliment

  475·46

  464·17

  472·27

  486·48

  476·98

  Husband and Wife Miscellaneous

  491·26

  459·54

  513·84

  551·07

  622·15

  Affiliation/Aliment

  501·41

  561·13

  627·91

  635·51

  664·75

  Custody

  529·35

  481·81

  606·60

  635·49

  683·25

  Adoption

  305·85

  272·64

  267·62

  354·04

  563·55

  Parent and Child Miscellaneous

  478·10

  526·26

  635·11

  575·14

  711·56

  Reparation

  673·71

  890·29

  1,058·76

  1,011·98

  1,405·83

  Diligence

  —

  102·25

  213·25

  3,010·33

  686·44

  Other

  —

  348·59

  408·50

  450·68

  502·10

  Total

  560·22

  534·50

  603·55

  636·59

  699·11

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much Her Majesty's Government expects to save in civil legal aid expenditure in Scotland from 1 April as a result of the changes announced on 16 November 1992 in financial eligibility; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The purpose of the proposed changes announced on 16 November 1992 is to ensure the continuation of reasonable access to legal aid for the most needy, while at the same time taking action to control the rate of growth in legal aid expenditure. Depending on the detailed circumstances of the individual cases involved, the proposed changes are expected to reduce forecast expenditure on civil legal aid in future years by between £2 million and £3 million. Total expenditure on legal aid will, however, continue to increase and in financial year 1995–96 is expected to be 40 per cent. higher than the planned expenditure for the current financial year.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average contribution paid by legal aid recipients in each category of civil legal action over the past five years for which figures are available.
  228
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average cost per case to the civil legal aid budget in each category of civil legal actions occurring in sheriff courts in Scotland over the past five years for which figures are available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The information is not readily available in the form requested.

  Over 80 per cent. of those receiving civil legal aid are not required to pay any contribution. The average contribution paid by recipients of civil legal aid falling within the contributory band in the financial years 1987–88 to 1991–92 is set out in the following table:

  Year

  Average contribution £

  1987–88

  486·46

  1988–89

  342·88

  1989–90

  262·50

  1990–91

  228·95

  1991–92

  321·12

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take in the light of the absence of the lodging of the geographical survey, relevant to the Skye bridge contract, with the British Geological Survey; what legal force is ascribed to the relevant section
  229
  of his Department's "Road's Directorate Invitation to Tender" document in this respect; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The arrangments for the various tenderers to undertake a joint geological investigation and ultimately to lodge the factual results of their survey with the British Geological Survey is a roads directorate contractual requirement not a legal requirement. This practice is undertaken on trunk road projects whereby the information provided by public expenditure is made available for general use. There is no prescribed time limit for the lodging of such information and it is done at an appropriate time, often at the conclusion of the construction works.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what allowance he has made for the extent of public subsidy to Caledonian Macbrayne Ltd. after the loss of Kyle of Lochalsh-Kyleakin ferry fares income to the company when the Skye bridge opens; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The company's corporate plan for 1992–95 contains assumptions on cost savings and loss of revenue which are likely to occur upon the discontinuation of the Kyle of Lochalsh-Kyleakin ferry service. My right hon. Friend has taken these assumptions into account in making provision for deficit subsidy for the company within the planning period. My right hon. Friend does not consider it desirable to make public such commercially-sensitive information.

  Caledonian Macbrayne Ltd.
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the public subsidy given in each of the last 10 financial years to Caledonian Macbrayne Ltd.; what proportion this subsidy represented of the total income of the company; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Year

  Deficit subsidy

  Turnover

  Deficit subsidy as percentage of turnover

  1981–82

  5·800

  17·5

  33·1

  1982–83

  6·115

  17·6

  34·7

  1983–84

  6·650

  19·2

  34·6

  1984–85

  6·987

  21·0

  33·3

  1985–86

  7·500

  22·3

  33·6

  1986–87

  7·400

  23·1

  32·0

  1987–88

  6·900

  23·8

  29·0

  1988–89

  6·540

  25·4

  25·8

  1989–90

  6·280

  26·9

  23·3

  1990–91

  5·722

  28·6

  20·0

  1991–92

  5·800

  31·7

  18·3

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information is made available to him by Caledonian Macbrayne Ltd as to(a) the profitability of individual ferry routes and (b) the extent to which there is cross subsidisation of fares within the network; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The scale fare system which has been operated by Caledonian MacBrayne since 230
  1975 generalises costs across the network as a whole and produces network-based information about costs, fares income and deficit subsidy requirements. The new CFARES fares setting system which the company is in process of introducing will be based upon route-specific infomation about costs, surpluses and deficits.

  As a consequence of this change from network-based information to route-specific information, Caledonian MacBrayne makes available to my right hon. Friend an increasing amount of information about costs, surpluses and deficits incurred on individual routes. Since deficit subsidy is paid to meet the operating loss incurred by the company in providing a network of approved services, there is some cross subsidisation of services within this arrangement.

  However, the overall deficit of £6,050,000 likely to be incurred by the company this year in operating the network indicates that the majority of the company's routes are unprofitable. My right hon. Friend does not consider it desirable to make public commercially-sensitive information about operating costs, surpluses or deficits incurred on individual routes.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his target timespan for responding to letters received from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Sproat) on 2 December 1992 at col.183.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names and addresses of justices of peace serving the district of Renfrew; and what plans he has to make further appointments.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As for other commission areas, my right hon. Friend is advised on the need for new appointments as justices of the peace for the commission area of Renfrew by the Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace for that area. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible about the further information he requests.

  Homelessness
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of household units(a) making application for and (b) being awarded homeless persons status in each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The latest complete information is published in table 1 of "The Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin 'Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland 1980/81 to 1991/92, Housing/ 1992/6'," which is available in the House Library.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the aims and objectives of the competition on measures to deal with homelessness referred to by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for housing on 16 December 1992; if he will list the likely competitors; and what criteria he will apply in judging any submissions.
  231
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All local housing authorities in Scotland were invited to submit proposals by 11 December for the additional £7.5 million housing capital allocations in 1992–93 for projects to tackle homelessness which I announced in November. When proposals were invited, it was made clear that priority would be given to projects assisting homeless one-parent families and those housed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Forty-eight local authorities submitted proposals and I announced the successful projects on 23 December. The extra £7.5 million will fund 59 projects in 48 local authorities to provide accommodation for over 470 homeless people.

  City Status
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria are applied in determining applications by Scottish towns for city status; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  City status in Scotland, which has no statutory significance, derives from royal charters granted by the Monarch. There are no formal criteria. No such charter has been granted for over a century.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on rights of way in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have any plans to make a statement on rights of way in Scotland at present.

  Scottish Natural Heritage issued on 13 January a consultation paper entitled "Enjoying the Outdoors" which considers arrangements for access to the countryside in Scotland, including rights of way. It will report the results of its consultation exercise to me in due course and I shall consider then any recommendations which it may make.

  Polling Stations (Access)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make available resources for the purchase of(a) static and (b) portable ramps to improve access to polling stations;

  (2) what resources he made available in the last financial year for (a) static and (b) portable ramps to improve access to polling stations.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Finance is available from the consolidated fund to meet 50 per cent. of the cost of providing temporary ramps for polling stations to assist access by disabled voters. As elections are held only infrequently in comparison with the other uses made of buildings designated as polling stations, there is no justification for central Government to meet the full cost of providing either permanent ramps or the full cost of temporary ramps from election funds.

  The Secretary of State assumed responsibility for financing parliamentary elections in Scotland on 22 August 1991. No applications for support towards the cost of providing ramps at polling stations were made by
  232
  Scottish returning officers in the remainder of that financial year; one such application has been made, successfully, in the current financial year.

  Water and Sewerage Services
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received about the future of water and sewerage services in Scotland since July 1992; how many of these were letters from(a) individuals and (b) organisations or institutions; what is his estimate of the number of signatures appended to any petitions he has so far received; how many representations were (i) for and (ii) against taking these services out of the control of local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  To date, a total of 6,311 representations has been received. This includes 5,154 pre-printed postcards, 142 responses to the consultation paper and 1,015 other representations. There have been 1,056 letters from individuals and 101 from organisations or institutions and 23 petitions carrying 5,372 names.

  An analysis of responses to the consultation paper will be made after the end of the consultation period.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses to representations about the future of water and sewerage services in Scotland have been issued since July 1992(a) by him, (b) by Ministers, (c) by the engineering, water and waste directorate of the Environment Department and (d) by other representatives of the Scottish Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  To date, 5,703 responses have been issued. Ministerial replies have been given to 112 representations; the engineerin, water and waste directorate of the Scottish Office environment Department has replied to 5,528; and 13 which dealt with matters in addition to the future of water and sewerage services have received replies from other parts of the Scottish Office.

  "Investing in our Future"
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the engineering, water and waste directorate of the Environment Department to advise where copies of the consultation paper "Investing In Our Future" may be obtained free of charge when it is responding to representations from members of the public.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The consultation paper is issued to everyone who expresses an interest in receiving it or in participating in the consultation process.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland where copies of his consultation paper "Investing In Our Future" may be obtained free of charge by members of the general public.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The consultation paper can be obtained from the Scottish Office environment department, water restructuring division, room 203A, 27 Perth street, Edinburgh EH3 5RB.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will instruct the engineering, water and waste directorate of the Environment Department to
  233
  advise where copies of the consultation paper "Investing in our Future" may be obtained free of charge when it is responding to representation from members of the public.

  Sir Hector Monro
  It is standard practice in replying to representations to draw attention to the availability of the consultation paper. The address from which copies of the consultation paper may be obtained has been given wide publicity, and all letters informing the public that the paper is available carry that address and telephone number.

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1992,Official Report, column 133, when he plans to announce the appointments made to vacancies which will arise on Argyll and Clyde health board on 31 March; what consultations he is undertaking or has undertaken prior to his decisions; what plans he has to consult hon. Members representing constituencies within the health board area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend expects to announce shortly appointments to fill vacancies arising in Argyll and Clyde health board. The consultation required by the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 has been carried out and the views of the health board chairman have been taken. There are no plans to consult hon. Members representing constituencies within the health board area; it is open to hon. Members, as some indeed have done, to suggest names for possible appointment to health boards.

  Name

  Occupation

  Salary

  Estimated Time Commitment

  Sir James Mellon KCMG (Chairman)

  Former Diplomat

  £35,330

  3 days per week

  John Richards CBE, PPRIAS (Deputy Chairman)

  Architect with John Richards Associates

  £16,055

  1½ days per week

  Norman Lessels CA

  Partner in Chiene and Tait, also non-executive Chairman of Standard Life Assurance Company

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  Mrs. Frances McCall MBE

  Chairperson of the Confederation of Scottish Housing Co-operatives

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  Professor Duncan MacLennan

  Director of the Centre for Housing Research at Glasgow University

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  Tom Begg JP, BA, OBE

  Lecturer in Economics at Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  Mrs. Heather Sheerin OBE

  Co-Director of family-owned retail carpet business

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  Mrs. Daphne Sleigh

  Freelance Market Researcher

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  Cameron Parker

  Non-executive Vice-Chairman of Lithgows Ltd

  £6,140

  ½ day per week

  In addition the chief executive, Peter McKinlay, is an ex-officio member of the board. His salary is linked to civil service grade 2.

  Public Housing (Windows)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies he has available on the need to replace metal-framed windows in public sector housing in Scotland; what financial provision he has made for the programme in the current and future financial year: and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have received no reports specifically on the need to replace metal-framed windows.

  Local authorities and other public sector housing landlords can carry out the replacement of metal-framed windows as part of their capital programmes if they see this as a priority in comparison with other housing needs. Gross capital expenditure resources available for public sector housing in Scotland in 1992–93 are estimated to be £549 million. An equivalent estimate for 1993–94 will not be available until decisions are taken on the allocation of Scottish Homes' budget and final capital allocations to local authorities are announced in March.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the(a) name, (b) occupation, (c) honoraria, salary or allowance and (d) estimated time commitment of each member of the board of Scottish Homes.

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

  Paisley (City Status)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to award the burgh of Paisley city status.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no such plans.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his plans to consider the wheel clamping of vehicles in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Appeal Court judgment of 12 June 1992 determined that wheel-clamping a vehicle on private land and demanding money for its release is a crime. There are statutory provisions which would authorise the police and parking attendants to clamp vehicles illegally parked on public roads. The power in relation to the police is exercisable by statutory instrument made by the Secretary of State at the request of a regional or islands council. The power has not so far been exercised in Scotland. The power in respect of parking attendants will not be brought into force until the operation of similar powers in London has been evaluated.

  Health Service
  Sir Patrick McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number and location of intensive therapy units in Scotland; and how many organ donors have arisen in each during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Stewart
  At 30 September 1992 there were 24 NHS intensive therapy units in Scotland. These are as listed.

  NHS hospitals in Scotland with intensive therapy beds
  (by health board)

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board —

  Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board —

  Ayr Hospital

  Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock

  Borders Health Board —

  Borders General Hospital, Melrose

  Dumfries and Galloway Health Board —

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries

  Forth Valley Health Board —

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  Grampian Health Board —

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

  Greater Glasgow Health Board —

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  Glasgow Western General

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow

  Southern General Hospital, Glasgow

  Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow

  Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

  Highland Health Board —

  Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

  Lanarkshire Health Board —

  Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride

  Law Hospital, Carluke

  Monkland District General Hospital, Airdrie

  Lothian Health Board —

  St. John's Hospital, Livingston

  Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

  Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

  Tayside Health Board —

  Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  Stracathro Hospital, By Brechin

  236
  Information on the numbers of organ donors in each unit is not collected centrally.

  The number of organ donors, by region, in the period January 1992 to December 1992 was as follows:

  Number

  West of Scotland

  58

  East of Scotland

  Edinburgh

  13

  Dundee

  12

  Aberdeen

  20

  Total

  103

  Weapons Control
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislation on the control of offensive and lethal weapons; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As I indicated in my response to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Shettleston (Mr. Marshall) on 16 December at columns 423–24, we shall be consulting shortly on this issue with a view to legislating at the first available opportunity.

  Smoke Alarms
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what resources he made available in the last financial year to enable(a) local authorities, (b) Scottish Homes, (c) housing associations, (d) housing cooperatives, (e) owner-occupiers, (f) tenants in the private-rented sector, (g) universities and colleges and (h) other housing providers to finance the installation of smoke alarms; if he will issue a circular to the providers of public housing encouraging the installation of smoke alarms; if he will introduce legislation to require smoke alarms to be fitted in all homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Resources are not earmarked to finance the installation of smoke alarms. Local authorities and other housing providers have substantial capital resources available to them which can be used for smoke alarms where they see this as a priority compared with other needs. The Scottish Office Environment Department wrote to all local housing authorities in 1991 and 1992 highlighting the contribution which smoke alarms can make to the saving of lives, and encouraging authorities which have not already completed a smoke alarm installation programme to include this in their forthcoming capital programmes.

  We intend shortly to lay before Parliament an amendment to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 and the technical standards for compliance with these regulations which will require all new dwellings to be provided with mains-operated smoke alarms.

  Mr. Thomas Adleigh
  Mrs. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Scottish ambulance service is to hold a disciplinary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Thomas Adleigh of 27 Glencairn road, Paisley; and if he will make a statement.
  237
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: No. Disciplinary matters are for the management of the Scottish ambulance service in the first instance and thereafter by the Board of the Common Services Agency as the statutory employer. The report prepared by the general manager of the Scottish ambulance service on the ambulance response to this patient does not indicate any grounds for disciplinary action against any member of staff. I have arranged for a copy of this report to be sent to the hon. Member.

  Mrs. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will hold a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Thomas Adleigh of 27 Glencairn road, Paisley, to include the general effectiveness of ambulance services in the Argyll and Clyde health board area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: Until my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has reached a decision as to whether a fatal accident inquiry into the death of Mr. Adleigh should be held, it is not appropriate to consider whether any other form of formal inquiry should be undertaken into the service within Argyll and Clyde health board area.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the emergency response time of ambulance crews is calculated by the Scottish ambulance service; what changes there have been to the method of calculation during the last 15 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: The calculation of the response time of ambulance crews is made on the basis that the time begins from the moment the 999 call is answered by the control officer until the ambulance crew arrives at the side of the patient. Previously the calculation began when the vehicle started the journey to the patient.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make available for public inspection the logged, written and audio records for emergency calls and consequent responses from depots of the Scottish ambulance service controlled from within the Argyll and Clyde health board area from 1 November 1992 until 31 December 1992.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: On request, the general manager of the Scottish ambulance service will make available all written and audio records of emergency calls and responses from ambulance stations to legitimate inquirers, subject to appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy and confidentiality of patients. If the hon. Member contacts the general manager he will make the appropriate records available.

  Mrs. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy for the Scottish ambulance service to restore the shift patterns operating in the Argyll and Clyde health board area prior to October 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: Shift patterns are an operational matter and are the responsibility of the management team led by the general manager of the Scottish ambulance service. I understand
  238
  that these are based on historical level of demand at different times of the day and night. They are kept under review and are adjusted to take account of new patterns of demand. Revised shift arrangements were introduced in October following a careful assessment of the likely demand at various times of the day.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of ambulance staff in Scotland employed by the NHS in the years 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991, using whole-time equivalents.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The number of ambulance staff was as follows:

  Year

  Ambulancemen/women

  Ambulance officers and control assistants

  Total

  1987

  1,751·0

  181·0

  1,932·0

  1988

  1,789·7

  188·0

  1,977·0

  1989

  1,793·2

  220·0

  2,013·2

  1990

  1,802·7

  220·0

  2,022·7

  1991

  1,963·0

  223·0

  2,186·9

  The figures exclude administrative and clerical staff and other support staff employed by the Scottish ambulance service.

  Royal Alexandra Hospital
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what salary, allowance or honorarium will be paid to(a) the chairman and (b) the members of the trust board of the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley; what budget these will be drawn from; which services are covered by that budget; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 14 January 1993]: The chairman of the trust board of the Royal Alexandra hospital will receive remuneration of £17,145 per annum and non-executive directors will receive £5,000. In addition the chairman and members are entitled to claim travelling and subsistence allowances at rates set for members of public bodies. These costs will be met from the trust's contract income.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the reduction in turnover experienced by dental practices in Scotland as a result of the Government's recent changes in method of remuneration.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: There have been no recent changes in the method of dentists' remuneration. Since the introduction of the new dental fee scale in July 1992, turnover as reflected in gross income received by dentists in Scotland, which includes fees paid to dentists by health boards and charges collected by dentists from patients, has been at a higher level than in the comparable period for the previous year. From July to November 1992—the latest month for which figures are available—the total gross fees authorised to dentists (which include the value of charges paid by patients) were £56,379,000, compared with £56,316,000 for the same period in 1991.
  239
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the amount paid to dental practitioners in Scotland over the past three years at constant prices together with the planned level of expenditure for the next three years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The remuneration received by dentists in Scotland for provision of NHS services as reflected in the total gross fees authorised for payment to dentists (which include the value of charges paid by patients) is shown in the table for the last three financial years. Estimates of expenditure for future years are not yet available.

  Year

  Gross payments to dentists £ million

  Gross payments to dentists at 1991–92 prices £ million

  1989–90

  94·393

  108·971

  1990–91

  111·463

  119·165

  11991–92

  132·822

  132·822

  1 Figures for 1991–92 reflect the fact that dentists' average gross earnings for NHS work were significantly higher than the target average gross income (TAGI) set for that year.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the assumptions used by his Department when seeking to estimate the fixed costs of a dental practice.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: No such estimate is made by the Department. Average national health service dental practice expenses in Great Britain are estimated each year by the dental rates study group and full reimbursement of these costs to dentists on an average basis is included in dental fees.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many courses of dental treatment were undertaken in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The figures for 1991 and the preceding four years are contained in the table. The figures from 1 October 1990 are for adults only as under the new dental contract introduced from that date children are now treated under capitation arrangements to provide continuing care, and information is not recorded on individual courses of treatment. The number of children registered with a dentist under these arrangements at the end of the calendar years since October 1990 is shown separately in the table. The number of courses of dental treatment undertaken in Scotland for 1992 is not yet available. To the end of November 1992 —the latest month for which figures are available—a total of 2.357 million courses of adult treatment had been undertaken, and a total of 0.72 million children were registered with dentists.

  Million

  Number of courses of treatment

  Number of children registered (as at December)

  1987

  2·987

  n/a

  1988

  3·053

  n/a

  1989

  3·144

  n/a

  1990 January to September

  2·316

  n/a

  1990 October to December1

  0·545

  0·29

  1991

  2·485

  0·66

  1 New contract for General Dental Services introduced on 1 October 1990.

  240
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the method of arriving at payments for courses of dental treatment, materials and laboratory fees.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Dentists' remuneration for national health service work is set by a process of several stages. The Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) recommends a target average net income (TANI) which it considers dentists should earn from providing national health service general dental services, and the Government decide to accept or amend the recommendation and sets the TANI. The dental rates study group (DRSG) then forecasts the level of dentists' expenses (including materials and laboratory costs) for the coming year and adds this figure to the TANI to produce the target average gross income (TAGI).

  The DRSG then applies a balancing mechanism to the TAGI figure to correct for any over or underpayments to dentists in previous years as a result of differences between forecast expenses and earnings and actual figures, and produces the amount due to the average dentist. Finally the DRSG forecasts the amount of national health service work that dentists will undertake in the coming year and sets the scale of individual payments and fees at a level that, taking account of the forecast amount of work, will deliver the TAGI due to the average dentist.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from dentists in Scotland regarding the current system of remuneration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: My right hon. Friend has received a wide range of representations from dentists. The Government recognised the concern about the current system of dental remuneration and therefore commissioned Sir Kenneth Bloomfield to undertake his fundamental review of that system. Dentists were invited to contribute to the review.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dental practices in each health board area have opted out of national health service dental treatment in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: According to information held by health boards, in the last 12 months one general dental practitioner in Fife health board area and one in Tayside health board area have left their dental lists because they no longer wish to provide national health service dental treatment.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in which towns in the Borders health board area dental practices have gone private in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: According to information held by Borders health board, in the last 12 months no general dental practitioner has left the Borders health board dental list in order to provide private treatment only.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Bloomfield review committee to report on the future system of remuneration for dentists.
  241
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Ministers have now received Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's report on his fundamental review of dental remuneration.

  Drugs and Alcohol
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the establishments in Scotland which provide residential facilities for(a) those with alcohol problems and (b) those with drug problems; if he will show for each establishment (i) the capital grant and (ii) the total revenue grant provided by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will provide estimated figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Information on residential facilities for alcohol misusers is contained in The Scottish Council on Alcohol publication, "Alcohol Services in Scotland" and for drug misusers is

  Table 1

  Grants awarded under section 10(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 Residential Establishments

  Establishment

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev1 £

  Cap1 £

  Alcohol

  Albyn House, Designated Place Aberdeen

  45,909

  —

  3,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Deeford House Aberdeen (also covers drug misuse)

  11,400

  —

  600

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Beechwood House, Designated Place Inverness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6,750

  3,349

  150,000

  97,132

  —

  101,652

  —

  Glasgow Council on Alcohol (Designated Place)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,521

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drugs

  Simpson House Edinburgh

  32,977

  —

  8,233

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeen Drugs Action

  47,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drugs Problems Resources Group, Kilmahew Place, Glasgow

  25,269

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeen Drugs Action

  —

  —

  40,370

  —

  2,485

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Red Towers Drugs Project, Helensburgh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  200,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Estimated.

  Note: No figures are yet available for 1993–94.

  Table 2: Grants awarded under the urban programme Residential Establishments

  Establishment

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Rev £

  Cap £

  Alcohol

  Alcohol counselling/lodging houses, Glasgow

  23,616

  —

  25,482

  —

  29,124

  —

  2,351

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Anchor House, (Cyrenians), Tayside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,608

  12,456

  22,000

  —

  58,906

  330

  61,557

  —

  West Lothian supported accommodation (residential hostel)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,669

  103,545

  37,881

  Drugs

  Brenda House extended care, Edinburgh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  17,635

  —

  106,605

  Notes: No figures are yet available for 1993–94.
  242
  contained in the Scottish Drugs Forum/Health Education Board for Scotland's "Register of Helping Agencies", copies of which I am arranging to place in the Library.

  Funding for residential establishments is provided directly and indirectly by the Scottish Office from a number of sources. Most funding for residential establishments is provided locally by local authorities and health boards either from funds specifically allocated for drug misuse or from their general allocations. Details of funding from all these sources could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  It is possible to provide information on the limited funding which is available from the Scottish Office for alcohol and drugs projects, including residential facilities, undertaken by voluntary sector organisations working in the social care field under section 10(1) of The Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and of the funding which is available under the urban programme. Details of the residential establishments benefiting under these schemes are set out in the tables.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) managerial staff and (c) clerical and administrative staff in the NHS in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: The information requested is as follows:

  September

  1989

  1990

  11991

  1 21992

  (a) Headcount Nursing and midwifery3

  74,949

  74,573

  75,068

  73,625

  Managerial4 6

  800

  1,072

  1,315

  1,659

  Administrative and clerical5

  16,617

  17,136

  17,679

  18,429

  (b) Whole time equivalent Nursing and midwifery3

  64,452·3

  63,687·2

  63,503·0

  61,658·8

  Managerial4 6

  797·6

  1,064·5

  1,301·3

  1,642·6

  Administrative and clerical5

  14,425·3

  14,859·3

  15,282·8

  15,850·7

  1 1991 and 1992 figures include staff of the State Hospital.

  2 Data for September 1992 are provisional.

  3 Nursing and midwifery includes qualified, unqualified and in-training staff. The decrease in numbers between 1991 and 1992 is largely accounted for by Project 2000 student nurses who are not included in the figures.

  4 The 1989 figure includes administrative and clerical staff on grade 18 and above; the 1990–92 figures include grade 7 and above.

  5 Includes control assistants and ambulance officers.

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

  Ardrossan-Saltcoats-Stevenston Bypass
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Messrs Wimpey on the proposed Ardrossan-Saltcoats-Stevenston bypass.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: Until such time as a public inquiry is held for a scheme, it is not the Department's practice to make public representations received by parties affected by the scheme. However, Wimpey Homes Ltd is not an objector to the published bypass proposals.

  Scottish Natural Heritage
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answers of 15 December 1992,Official Report, columns 169–70, when Scottish Natural Heritage will write to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer, 18 January 1993]: Scottish Natural Heritage will write to the hon. Member by the end of January. Work related to the MV Braer incident in Shetland has delayed the collection of relevant information.

  Hunting
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which fox and deer hunts have been issued with licences or permits to hunt live quarry on Forestry Commission land.
  244
  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993]: The Forestry Commission has issued the following hunts with licences or permits to hunt on Forestry Commission land.

  Fox Hunts

  Ashford Valley Hunt

  Banwen Miners Hunt

  Barlow Hunt

  Barton Hunt

  Beaufort Hunt

  Belvoir Hunt

  Bewcastle Hunt

  Bicester Hunt with Wheddon Chase

  Bilsdale Hunt

  Blankney Hunt

  Blencathra Foxhounds

  Border Hunt

  Brocklesby Hunt

  Cambridgeshire Hunt

  Chiddingfold, Leaconfield and Cowdray Hunt

  Cleveland Hunt

  College Valley Hunt

  Coniston Foxhounds

  Cottesmore Hunt

  Crawley and Horsham Hunt

  Cumberland Farmers Foxhounds

  Cumberland Foxhounds

  Curre Hunt

  Derwent Hunt

  Duddon Valley and District Hunt

  East Essex Hunt

  East Kent Hunt

  East Sussex and Burstow Hunt

  Eskdale and Ennerdale Foxhounds

  Essex Hunt

  Farndale Hunt

  Fitzwilliam Hunt

  Gelligaer Farmers Hunt

  Goathland Hunt

  Grafton Hunt

  Grove and Rufford Hunt

  Hampshire Hunt

  Haydon Hunt

  Hodder Valley Foxhounds

  Hurworth Hunt

  Isle of Wight Hunt

  Liddesdale Hunt

  Llangeinor Hunt

  Llangibby Hunt

  Melbreak Hunt

  Middleton Hunt

  Milvain Hunt

  Monmouthshire Hunt

  Morpeth Hunt

  North Lonsdale Foxhounds

  North Norfolk Harriers

  North Tyne Hunt

  Oakley Hunt

  Ols Surrey and Burstow Hunt

  Pennine Foxhounds

  Pentyrch Hunt

  Percy Hunt

  Puckeridge Hunt

  Saltersgate Farmers

  Sinnington Hunt

  Southdown and Eridge Hunt

  South Notts Hunt

  South Pembrokeshire Hunt

  South Wold Hunt

  Staintondale Hunt

  Suffolk Hunt

  Surrey Union Hunt

  Talybont Hunt

  The New Forest Foxhounds

  Thurlow Hunt

  Tredegar Farmers Hunt

  Tynedale Hunt

  United Pack Shropshire

  West Norfolk Hunt

  245

  West Percy Hunt

  West Somerset Vale Foxhounds

  Woodland Pytchley Hunt

  York and Ainsty North Hunt

  Ystrad Hunt

  Deer Hunts

  Quantock Staghounds Hunt

  The New Forest Buckhounds

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when an application for a permit to hunt on Forestry Commission land was last refused.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993]: In November 1990 the Forestry Commission refused an application for a permit to hunt deer in Buckland wood in Devon, as this is an area where deer hunting is not a traditional activity.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when a permit to hunt on Forestry Commission land was last withdrawn.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993]: The Forestry Commission has no record of a permit to hunt being withdrawn.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what charge is made for a permit to hunt on Forestry Commission land.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993]: No charge is made for a permit to hunt on Forestry Commission land.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vehicle permit applications to the Forestry Commission to follow hunts have been(a) refused and (b) withdrawn in the latest period for which figures are available; and what are the terms and conditions of such vehicle permits.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993] The Forestry Commission only issues vehicle permits to follow three hunts in Yorkshire and two hunts in south-east England. The conditions are listed in the permits, an example of which has been placed in the Library. Some permits to hunt also give authority for a specified number of vehicles to follow the hunt. No record is kept of applications which have been refused or not renewed; the Forestry Commission has no record of a permit being withdrawn.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what charge is made for a vehicle permit from the Forestry Commission to follow a hunt.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993]: The Forestry Commission makes no charge for a vehicle permit to follow a hunt.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring procedures are in force to ensure the conditions of vehicle permission from the Forestry Commission to follow hunts are adhered to.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 12 January 1993]: Some hunts provide vehicle stewards who are responsible for ensuring that only authorised vehicles enter Forestry Commission land. In addition, Forestry Commission staff carry out random checks on hunt days to ensure that the conditions of the permits are being followed.

  Forestry
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he is making in preparing(a) draft national or regional programmes and (b) zonal plans under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2080/92 instituting an aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: To receive Community part-financing of forestry grant-aid under Council Regulation No. 2080/92, member states have to submit national or regional programmes describing their forestry aid schemes to the European Commission, which will decide whether they comply with the objectives and conditions of the regulation. Preparation of zonal plans is entirely optional.

  The Forestry Commission is currently preparing a draft national programme for the United Kingdom, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Scottish and Welsh Office Agriculture Departments, and this is expected to be submitted to the European Commission in the spring. We will not be producing either regional or zonal plans.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a statement clarifying the chief medical officer's statement to the Evening Times (Glasgow) on fluoridation.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 January 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 17 December at column 457 to his two earlier questions on this matter.

  Heritage Coastline
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many kilometres have been designated as heritage coasts; and what proportions this represents of the total Scottish coastline.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 11 January 1993]: The designation of heritage coast is not used in Scotland. Important coastal areas are protected by other landscape and conservation designations and through development plans.

  Smokers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the total number of habitual smokers in Scotland by regional and island council area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 January 1993]: In 1990 —the latest year for which information is available—the general household survey conducted by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) indicated that 34 per cent. of the Scottish population aged 16 or over were cigarette smokers. Information broken down by region or island council is not available.

  Smoking is the single most important contributor to ill-health in Scotland. It is a high priority for health

  247
  education and last autumn the Health Education Board for Scotland launched major campaigns directed at young people and adults. My right hon. Friend also announced
  248
  a number of other steps to combat smoking in the policy statement "Scotland's Health—a Challenge To Us All" which he published last July.

  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: REPLENISHMENT
  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: REPLENISHMENT
  TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS
  TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS
  BETTING OFFICES: EVENING OPENING
  BETTING OFFICES: EVENING OPENING
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION OPERATION REVIEW: SUBMISSIONS
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION OPERATION REVIEW: SUBMISSIONS
  INCOME SUPPORT: BOARDER PREMIUM PROPOSAL
  INCOME SUPPORT: BOARDER PREMIUM PROPOSAL
  COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS: REDUCTION OF NOXIOUS EMISSIONS
  COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS: REDUCTION OF NOXIOUS EMISSIONS
  EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS: PRE-APPOINTMENT CHECKS ON STAFF
  EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS: PRE-APPOINTMENT CHECKS ON STAFF
  RECYCLED PAPER USED IN NEWSPRINT
  RECYCLED PAPER USED IN NEWSPRINT