Written Answers of 1 July 1993

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Buckingham Palace (Police)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the numbers of additional Metropolitan police officers who will have to be deployed and the number of officers who will have to be redeployed consequent on the opening of Buckingham palace to the public; and what assessment he has made of the implications.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Metropolitan police have reviewed the policing of the palace in consultation with the royal household and other agencies. I understand that there will be no additional cost to the Metropolitan police.

  Non-attendance of Witnesses
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to change the law to ensure that when a court case is withdrawn due to non-attendance of witnesses and it is subsequently shown that they were deliberately prevented from attending the court the case can be resubmitted.

  Mr. Maclean
  Although there are no current plans to amend the law in this area, we continue to keep the matter under close review. We shall wish to consider in particular any recommendations the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice may make that have bearing on the law in this area.

  Inner-city Estates
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that adequate police resources are applied to countering intimidation on inner-city housing estates.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The deployment of resources is the responsibility of chief officers of police.

  Homosexuality
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review and revise the law regarding the age of consent for homosexual adults.

  Mr. Maclean
  The criminal law is kept continually under review, but there are no current plans to amend it in this area.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest number of(a) ex-detainees and (b) dependants from the former Yugoslavia who have arrived in the United Kingdom under the arrangements announced last November; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A total of 238 ex-detainees and 404 dependants from the former Yugoslavia have so far arrived under the arrangements which I announced on 30 November 1992.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the United Kingdom to receive refugees from the former Yugoslavia other than ex-detainees or their dependants; what is the estimate of such persons now in(a) Bosnia, (b) Croatia and (c) Slovenia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Our programme to receive 1,000 vulnerable individuals plus their dependants has concentrated on former detainees since the humanitarian organisations have given priority to this group. Outside the programme, refugees from former Yugoslavia—like individuals of other nationalities—may seek entry clearance to come to the United Kingdom if they feel that this would be a more appropriate country of refuge. I understand that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees latest estimates of refugees and displaced people in the region are: Bosnia 2,280,000; Croatia 572,000; Slovenia 35,000.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to restrict access through the criminal injuries compensation scheme to recompense for loss of earnings;

  (2) whether he intends to apply his proposed tariff-based system for criminal injuries compensation to children who are victims of abuse;

  (3) which organisations and individuals he has consulted about proposals to reform the criminal injuries compensation scheme;

  (4) when he plans to publish his White Paper for the future of the criminal injuries compensation scheme;

  (5) what account his proposed new criminal injuries compensation scheme will take of loss of wages;

  (6) what plans he has to exclude nurses, fire fighters and police officers from eligibility to compensation for criminal injuries;

  (7) who will determine awards under his Department's proposed tariff-based scheme for criminal injuries compensation;

  (8) if he will make it his policy to ensure that victims of criminal violence continue to receive recompense under the criminal injuries compensation scheme for post-traumatic stress and similar distress.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on 30 June 1993 at column 498 in which I explained that we would be setting out our proposals for the new tariff scheme in a White Paper later this year. The issues raised by the hon. Member will be dealt with in that document. As I also indicated in my reply, while we are not conducting a formal consultation exercise we have already received observations from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Victim Support and others.

  Crime Clear-up Rates
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the proportion of the clear-up rate for each police force in(a) 1990 and (b) 1991 accounted for by offences taken into consideration.
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  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in the table.

  Notifiable offences1 cleared up by the police: percentage of offences cleared up by being taken into consideration England and Wales

  Police force area

  1990

  1991

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Avon and Somerset

  18

  15

  Bedfordshire

  24

  16

  Cambridgeshire

  19

  28

  Cheshire

  16

  15

  Cleveland

  19

  33

  Cumbria

  17

  18

  Derbyshire

  17

  20

  Devon and Cornwall

  16

  16

  Dorset

  15

  14

  Durham

  7

  12

  Essex

  19

  34

  Gloucestershire

  23

  18

  Greater Manchester

  16

  26

  Hampshire

  21

  18

  Hertfordshire

  20

  27

  Humberside

  26

  21

  Kent

  15

  20

  Lancashire

  27

  21

  Leicestershire

  33

  28

  Lincolnshire

  26

  21

  City of London

  6

  12

  Merseyside

  9

  15

  Metropolitan police district

  6

  7

  Norfolk

  18

  22

  Northamptonshire

  15

  18

  Northumbria

  13

  20

  North Yorkshire

  19

  25

  Nottinghamshire

  28

  24

  South Yorkshire

  11

  6

  Staffordshire

  14

  16

  Suffolk

  6

  1

  Surrey

  14

  16

  Sussex

  20

  22

  Thames Valley

  22

  26

  Warwickshire

  16

  21

  West Mercia

  14

  13

  West Midlands

  11

  16

  West Yorkshire

  14

  18

  Wiltshire

  18

  14

  Dyfed-Powys

  2

  4

  Gwent

  10

  10

  North Wales

  16

  17

  South Wales

  6

  4

  TOTAL

  15

  18

  1 Excluding offences of "other criminal damage" of value £20 and under.

  Prison Service (Disciplinary Arrangements)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for revising disciplinary arrangements in the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Following a review of disciplinary procedures in the prison service, I have now approved revised arrangements, which include a new code of discipline for the service. Under the revised arrangements, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House, all prison service staff are now brought together under a single code of discipline, which replaces the different procedures which previously applied to various grades of staff. The primary aim of the revised arrangements, which are consistent with employment law and with guidance from the advisory, conciliation and 568
  arbitration service, and which will be implemented with effect from 1 July 1993, is to ensure that standards of conduct are maintained and to encourage improvement in individual conduct. The new code details the procedures for taking disciplinary action when conduct falls below those standards.

  In keeping with moves across the prison service to ensure that decisions are taken at the appropriate level, responsibility for taking disciplinary action up to and including dismissal is being devolved to prison governors and to heads of division at prison service headquarters.

  The new code lays down timescales for completing each stage of the disciplinary process, and introduces a new system of progressive disciplinary warnings and penalties. Governors and heads of division will award penalties and will undertake all the administrative work connected with each case. There are rights of appeal built in to various stages of the disciplinary process.

  Any disciplinary offences which are alleged to have been committed before 1 July 1993 will be dealt with under the disciplinary arrangements which were then in force.

  I believe that the revised arrangements are a considerable improvement on the disparate arrangements previously in force, and that they represent a significant step forward for all concerned.

EDUCATION

  EC Education Council
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Duncan) of 16 June,Official Report, column 600, what were the voting figures for each decision taken at the European Community's Education Council held on 11 June; and if he will make it his policy to include in future statements on Council meetings information on whether formal votes were taken.

  Mr. Boswell
  No formal votes were taken at this Council meeting. I can confirm that it will be our policy to make this information available in future reports on Council meetings.

  Smoking
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance he has issued to school governors and local education authorities on the introduction of no-smoking policies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  We believe that all schools should develop clear policies on smoking, and are currently considering what guidance we might offer to help them in this process.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sheep Quotas
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to introduce legislation to implement the quota transfer and leasing of sheep reference quantities.

  Mr. Jack
  The Sheep Annual Premium and Suckler Cow Premium Quotas Regulations 1993 were laid before
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  Parliament on 30 June. These regulations implement the transfer and lease arrangements for both sheep and Buckler cow quotas.

  Folic Acid
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made since the publication by the Chief Medical Officer of his report on folic acid and the prevention of neural tube defects, in ensuring an increased range of breads and cereals fortified with folic acid.

  Mr. Soames
  My Department wrote to the relevant trade organisations commending the report to their members and encouraging them to follow the recommendation to increase the range of breads and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid. The response has been positive and we are aware of some new fortified products already.

  Diversification
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives she is taking to help farmers to diversify and maintain rural employment.

  Mr. Jack
  In the negotiations that resulted in reform of the common agricultural policy the United Kingdom was successful in protecting many of the support mechanisms that are of benefit to United Kingdom farmers. This success will help maintain employment in an increasingly diversified rural economy.

  Days at Sea
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels have been allocated the basic 80 days provisional days at sea allocations in(a) England, (b) Cornwall and (c) Devon; and how many owners in each category have lodged claims.

  Mr. Jack
  The minimum 160 half-days allocation was issued provisionally in respect of 801 fishing vessels administered by fisheries offices in England. Of these, 148—including 60 Channel Islands vessels—are administered by the south western fisheries district—Devon, Somerset and Avon—and 80 by the western fisheries district—Cornwall.

  By 25 June 1993, applications for additional days at sea had been received in respect of 577 fishing vessels, administered in England, which had been provisionally issued with the minimum allocation. Of these, 110—including 40 Channel Islands vessels—are administered by the south western fisheries district and 54 by the western district.

  Fur Farming
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on fur farming.

  Mr. Soames
  The Mink (Keeping) Order 1992, which was adopted following a debate in the House on 8 December 1992, requires that establishments keeping mink for fur must be licensed by Agriculture Departments. In order to obtain a licence specific standards of security 570
  must be met to prevent the escape of mink. There are currently 19 licensed establishments in England and two in Scotland. Welfare conditions on fur farms are monitored regularly by the state veterinary service on the basis of recommendations adopted by the Council of Europe.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what key performance targets have been set for the Intervention Board; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Shephard
  In agreement with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland I have set the following targets:

  to process 98 per cent. of claims within ministerial deadlines and all claims within regulatory deadlines or, in their absence, 60 days;

  to process at least 98 per cent. of claims correctly;

  to achieve 2 per cent. running cost efficiency gains;

  to achieve 5 per cent. improvement in productivity;

  to keep disallowance to within 0·4 per cent. of EC funds handled;

  to keep expenditure within vote provision and running cost and cash limits; and

  to achieve 5 per cent. new value for money savings in the procurement of goods and services.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 24 July.

  Mr. Jack
  [pursuant to his reply, 28 June, cols. 383–84] : No votes were taken on any matter before the Council.

ENVIRONMENT

  Radiation
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in relation to the 1991 recommendation from the National Radiation Protection Board relating to a dose constraint of 0·3 mSv of radiation per year for members of the public.

  Mr. Yeo
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, acting jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the case of nuclear licensed sites, have taken account of the dose constraint of 0·3 mSv in developing authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 for disposals of radioactive waste since this was first recommended by the International Commission for Radiological Protection in 1990.

  THORP
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations were held between his Department and the European Commission in its preparation of the reply to written question No. 2486/92 to the Commission by Anita Pollock MEP on the matter of the requirement of an environmental impact assessment on the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield, as published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, 7 June, C155 volume 36, page 12.

  Mr. Yeo
  None.

  Radioactive Waste (Advisory Committee)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who have been nominated by Her Majesty's Government to represent the United Kingdom on the Advisory Committee for the community plan for action in the field of radioactive waste management under council resolution of 29 June 1984; what criteria are used in choosing United Kingdom nominations; and if he will set out the qualifications of the current United Kingdom representatives.

  Mr. Yeo
  The United Kingdom representatives on the committee are the head of the Department's radioactive substances division and his counterpart in the Scottish Office. The occupants of these posts are well placed to provide appropriate advice to the Commission.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what system exists for persons wishing to appeal against the level of water rates or water charges in respect of a property to do so to an independent tribunal or court.

  Mr. Yeo
  Water charges are in respect of most properties based on rateable value and there has never been a specific right of appeal against their level—though there was a right of appeal against domestic rateable values and a time limited right still remains in the case of non-domestic rateable values. The independent Director General of Water Services has a duty to protect customers' interests and to ensure that there is no discrimination in setting charges. Complaints about the application of charges in individual cases, which customers are unable to resolve with their local water company, can be taken up with the appropriate local customer service committee (CSC) of the Office of Water Services. These committees are not appellate bodies but were established specifically to represent customers' interests and to investigate complaints.

  Where a customer receives a metered supply of water, and disputes the accuracy of the meter reading, he may, under the Water (Meters) Regulations 1988, request the water company to test the meter. Any dispute arising under the regulations may be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator appointed by agreement between the parties or, in default of agreement, by the Secretary of State.

  Noise Abatement Zones
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations his Department has received on noise abatement zones; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have received no recent representations, apart from those from the hon. Member.

  The report of the Noise Review Working Pary 1990, copies of which are in the Library, found that the application of NAZs was limited by their complexity and the demands on local authority resources. Subsequent research by the Building Research Establishment considered this further and demonstrated that the principal problems are the complexity of the regulations
  572
  for setting up NAZs and the intensive use of manpower in monitoring the statutorily required noise level registers. My Department is considering these findings.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the specialist advisers appointed to each Minister in his Department.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have appointed Keith Adams as my political adviser and have reappointed James Gray as a political adviser working primarily with my Department's Ministers of State. I have reappointed Tom Burke as an expert adviser on environmental affairs and Professor Peter Hall as an expert adviser on planning affairs.

  Housing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the total specific capital grant and credit approvals for housing purposes to each local authority in England for 1992–93 and 1993–94 and the receipts taken into account for the 1993–94 figures.

  Mr. Baldry
  A table setting out information on allocations of specified capital grant, which forms part of the annual housing investment programme (HIP) allocations, for each local authority in England has been placed in the Library of the House.

  There are two types of credit approval—basic credit approvals and supplementary credit approvals.

  Basic credit approvals can be used to support capital expenditure in any local authority service, and are not allocated to individual services. I refer the hon. Member to the documents "Basic Credit Approvals 1992–93" and "Basic Credit Approvals 1993–94" for information on basic credit approvals and receipts taken into account. Both documents are available in the Library.

  Supplementary credit approvals provide additional authority for local authority borrowing. As indicated in the answer by the then Secretary of State for the Environment to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Shaw) on 5 March, Official Report, column 333, information on supplementary credit approvals issued by the Department in the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93, including those relating to housing capital expenditure, will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish for each year since 1978 the number of local authority housing units built by each authority(a) in total, (b) for sheltered housing and (c) for general need; and what he forecasts the situation to be for the current year and each of the next five years.

  Sir George Young
  Estimates of the total numbers of local authority house-building completions within each local authority area in England are in the following publications:

  Year and Publication title and issues:

  1978

  "Local Housing Statistics" Issue No. 49.

  1979

  "Local Housing Statistics" Issue No. 59.

  1980–84

  "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas 1980 to 1989".

  1985–1990

  "Local Housing Statistics" Issue No. 103.

  1991–1992

  "Local Housing Statistics" Issue No. 105.

  573
  The Department collects information about special types of housing for the elderly, including sheltered dwellings—referred to as "dwellings with a warden" before 1986—and about dwellings for chronically sick and disabled people.

  Figures for individual local authorities are shown in certain issues of "Local Housing Statistics". Annual data for each year from 1982 to 1991 are in issues Nos. 66, 70, 74, 78, 82, 86, 90, 94, 99 and 102 respectively. Combined figures for July 1980 to December 1981 for dwellings built for the elderly and also for August 1970 to December 1981 for dwellings built for the chronically sick and disabled are in issue No. 66. Data were not collected before July 1980 on dwellings specially built for the elderly.

  The Department does not prepare forecasts of housebuilding activity.

  Entry on Land (Local Government Officials)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the powers local government officials have to enter land without prior notification.

  Mr. Baldry
  This question cannot be answered without disproportionate cost. Such powers of entry are, however, conferred only in cases where it may be necessary for officials to enter land to deal with an emergency in a situation in which it is not possible to contact the owner or his agent in advance.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the number and percentage of housing improvement grant applications refused in(a) full and (b) part due to means testing since means testing was introduced for grant purposes.

  Sir George Young
  This information is not collected by the Department.

  Solent Wetlands
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his plans for the wetlands of the Solent under the Ramsar convention; and if he will make a statement on the timing of the publication.

  Mr. Yeo
  English Nature is preparing a detailed case for submission to my Department but is unlikely to be in a position to make a formal recommendation before the end of this year. Good progress continues to be made in listing sites under the Ramsar convention. The United Kingdom has now listed 66 such sites, the largest number of any contracting party to the convention.

  Smoking
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to local authorities on the introduction of no-smoking policies in their workplaces and in places they own which are entered by members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government's "Code of Practice on Smoking in Public Places", which provides practical guidance to owners and managers on implementing suitable policies on smoking, was brought to the attention 574
  of local authorities in DOE circular 7/92, issued on 28 February 1992. The circular also drew attention to advice on passive smoking at work available from the Health and Safety Executive and the health education and promotion agencies.

  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how progress towards the "The Health of the Nation" goal of 80 per cent. of public places being smoke-free by 1994, is being monitored; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department has commissioned market research into smoking policies operating in various types of public place. It is planned to follow this with a further survey in 1994.

  Commission on Sustainable Development
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the outcome of the first meeting of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development held in New York from 14 to 25 June.

  Mr. Gummer
  The commission was established following the Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Its task is to monitor progress in following up the Rio agreements, focusing in particular on the implementation of agenda 21.

  The commission has made a highly satisfactory start. Countries represented at the first session in New York adopted a positive and constructive attitude towards the work of the commission.

  Agreements were reached on the commission's work programme and on guideline for national reporting of progress in implementing agenda 21. Agreement was also reached on a number of intersessional meetings on substantive issues which would prepare the ground for the commission's second session next year.

  The 1994 session will focus on health, human settlements and fresh water, and toxic chemicals and toxic waste; 1995 on land, desertification, forests and biodiversity; and 1996 on atmosphere, oceans and all kinds of seas. A number of issues, including finance, technology transfer, co-operation and capacity building, will be considered each year. In 1997 the commission will review overall progress in implementing agenda 21.

  All countries have been encouraged to contribute to the process by making national reports on progress towards sustainable development in a common format and covering issues identified by the commission.

  The United Kingdom Government are members of the Commission and are playing a full part in its work with wide participation from non-governmental organisations. We aim to produce the United Kingdom's own sustainable development plan by the end of 1993, and report on this to the commission's 1994 session.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department spent on legal advice regarding the implications of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 for the market-testing programme.
  575
  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 29 June 1993]: It is not possible to identify separately the cost of legal advice on these regulations which has been provided specifically in relation to my Department's market-testing programme.

  Building Management Businesses
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in selling the building management businesses.

  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1993, c. 247]: I am pleased to be able to announce the exchange of contracts for the sale of the PSA building management businesses BM South East and BM South and West. The businesses have been sold to a joint venture between Pell Frischmann Consulting Engineers Ltd. and Matthew Hall Ltd., a subsidiary of AM EC plc.

  This sale will benefit taxpayers, staff and customers. The next step is for staff to choose individually whether to transfer to the privatised business. The future of the businesses now lies in the private sector and I hope many staff will choose to transfer with it. Completion of the sale is expected during the next three months.

  The joint venture will pay the Government a net £11·4 million for the two businesses over the next four years. Government will in addition meet the costs of redundancies, should they be necessary, up to a agreed figure in the first five years following completion of the sale. The redundancy entitlement of transferring staff will be guaranteed by Government for five years after the sale. Further details cannot be released until all the sales have been completed.

  The joint venture brings together a major contractor and an established engineering consultancy. I am confident that the combination of their commercial skills with the strengths of the BMSE and BMS&W work forces will give the businesses a sound future in the private sector.

  I hope to make further announcements soon about the sales of the other three BM businesses.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Paternity Cases
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will bring forward proposals to amend the law to compel fathers or alleged fathers, in cases of contested paternity, to take blood tests, or to allow the court to take refusal to take a blood test into account in deciding paternity cases and to provide that repeated refusal to take a blood test will be construed as evidence supporting the case of the opposing litigant.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have no plans to amend the law to make blood tests compulsory in cases of disputed paternity. Under the provisions of section 23 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969, as amended, courts may already draw what inferences seem appropriate in any particular case from a refusal to undertake a blood test.

  Magistrates' Clerks
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what arrangements are made for the payment of magistrates court clerks; and to what extent local authorities are concerned with those arrangements.
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  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The salaries and other expenses of magistrates' court clerks are met by the local paying authorities who are reimbursed up to 80 per cent. of those costs by specific grant from my Department. However, court clerks are actually employed by the local magistrates' courts committee which must agree its overall budget with its paying authority. Additionally, the joint negotiating committee for magistrates' courts staff, the national body which negotiates the salaries and conditions of service for court clerks, includes local authority representatives on the management side.

  Care Centres
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will set out the arrangements and the timetable for the national review of the designation of care centres for the hearing of care cases brought under the Children Act 1989; and if he will list those organisations which are to be consulted at local level.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The national review of care centres, which has always been a part of the Lord Chancellor's arrangements for monitoring the Children Act, will begin in the late summer. The precise arrangements and timetable have yet to be finalised. Consideration is also being given to who should be consulted locally, in order that there should be a full and effective consultation.

  Intestacy
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to implement the recommendations in the Law Commission's report No. 187 on distribution on intestacy.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This report contains a number of recommendations. The Government have not accepted the first recommendation, namely that a surviving spouse should in all circumstances receive the whole of the intestate's estate. The Government have, however, decided to accept the Commission's other recommendations, which concern the "hotchpot" rule, survivorship clauses and provision for cohabitants, and will introduce legislation to implement them when a suitable legislative opportunity occurs.

  The Government are concerned to provide additional protection for a surviving spouse in order to enable him or her in the great majority of cases, where the size of the intestate's estate permits it, to remain in the former matrimonial home and to have a sufficient surplus on which to live. To this end the Lord Chancellor will make an order as soon as practicable to increase the statutory legacy payable to a surviving spouse on intestacy from £75,000 to £125,000 in the case of the lower legacy, and from £125,000 to £200,000 in the case of the higher legacy.

  Long Criminal Trials
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made since the publication of the consultation paper on long criminal trials.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The consultation paper was published in December 1992 to seek the views of
  577
  practitioners and the general public on ways of reducing the length of long trials and particularly those involving serious and complex fraud.

  A total of 84 contributions were received from members of the judiciary, legal practitioners and their professional bodies, Government Departments, organisations with an interest in the subject-matter, academics and other interested individuals. These responses have been considered by the inter-departmental working group. It is clear that many of the issues raised touch on areas covered by the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, whose report is expected shortly.

  The Home Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Lord Chancellor will therefore consider the responses received and the views of the working group as they take forward their consideration of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to allow Sunday trading by supermarkets in the Province.

  Mr. Ancram
  None, but as has been made clear in the House on several occasions, we shall in due course review the law in the light of developments in England and Wales.

  Banbridge-Newcastle Road
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve the Banbridge-Newcastle road.

  Mr. Atkins
  At present improvements to the value of £100,000 are planned over the next three years.

  Community Relations
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current situation regarding community relations in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The most recent social attitudes survey indicated that perceptions of relations between Protestants and Catholics continue to improve.

  This is encouraging, but the healing of community divisions will require goodwill on all sides, at political, community and individual levels. Government will continue to encourage and support those involved in community relations work.

  Building Regulations (Fire)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in the review of Building Regulations (Fire) which his Department is conducting.

  Mr. Atkins
  Revised draft regulations will, in compliance with European Community requirements, be notified to the Commission later this year. It is anticipated that the revised regulations, which include amendments to the fire safety requirements, will be made in early 1994 and come into operation later that year.

  Casement Park
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning referral of the Casement Park case to the Court of Appeal.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have received a range of representations, from hon. Members and others, to the effect that the cases of Mr. Patrick Kane, Mr. Michael Timmons and Mr. Sean Kelly should be referred again to the Court of Appeal.

  Tourism
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's initiatives to help boost the tourist trade in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  New powers, provided in 1992, are being used by the Northern Ireland tourist board to promote, market and develop Northern Ireland's tourist potential. A range of new initiatives are being put into operation with the objective of attracting tourists and developing a high quality, professional, international tourist product.

  Pensioners (Fuel Bills)
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met officers of Age Concern in Northern Ireland to discuss matters involving winter fuel cost for old people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  No such meeting has been held recently. Extra help will be given from April 1994 to less well off pensioners and others on low incomes. Details of the precise way in which this extra help is to be provided will be announced in the autumn.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has had from officers of Age Concern in Northern Ireland on winter fuel cost for old people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  My noble Friend the Lord Arran recently received a letter from officers of Age Concern that included an inquiry about fuel costs for old people. The representations made in that letter are currently being
  considered.

  University Applications
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in Northern Ireland are applying to go to university in October.

  Mr. Ancram
  The application process has not yet been completed for the 1993–94 academic year. However, a provisional figure for those from Northern Ireland applying to go to university in October is 12,647. Numbers of applicants for part-time places are not yet available.

  Law and Order
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for reviewing law and order policies as they relate to Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The emergency provisions are regularly considered by the House in the light of reports by
  579
  an independent reviewer. Proposals which flowed from a wide-ranging review of other aspects of criminal justice policy were published in the discussion paper "Crime and the Community" in March; we shall consider carefully the public response to the paper. We shall also want to consider the implications for Northern Ireland of the recommendations that are to be made for England and Wales by the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from local authorities and depositors in the province who have lost money in BCCI.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Any such representations would have been passed on to either my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer or my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who have responsibility for this matter. No records are kept of correspondence transferred in this way.

  Drainage Services
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bring land and road drainage services under the control of one overall authority.

  Mr. Atkins
  None.

  Homelessness
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were registered as homeless in Northern Ireland for the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chairman that the Executive does not maintain a register of homeless persons. However, the number of applicants accepted as being either homeless or threatened with homelessness since 1 April 1989 when the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order came into effect is as follows:

  Year

  Number of applicants

  1989–90

  5,166

  1990–91

  6,983

  1991–92

  7,494

  1992–93

  7,549

  Property Damage (Terrorism)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost of damage to property by terrorist groups in the most recent year for which figures are available and over the past 10 years, respectively.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its chief executive, Mr. J. Robinson. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  580
  Letter from J. Robinson to Sir Teddy Taylor, dated 1 July 1993.

  I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the amount of criminal damage to property caused by terrorist groups. The Secretary of State has asked me to respond.

  I regret that the information is not available in the form you requested. However the following are details of the total amount of compensation paid for terrorist related criminal damage claims which were settled in each year since 1982–83:

  Year of settlement

  Total amount paid

  £million

  1982–83

  25·5

  1983–84

  22·3

  1984–85

  22·9

  1985–86

  16·7

  1986–87

  18·9

  1987–88

  10·6

  1988–89

  16·9

  1989–90

  18–4

  1990–91

  18·9

  1991–92

  19·7

  1992–93

  40·2

  These amounts include the costs and expenses incurred by applicants in making out and verifying their claims.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Constitutional Arrangements
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest talks with Ministers from the Government of Ireland on future constitutional arrangements for the Province.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I met the Taoiseach and Tanaiste in London on 16 June. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers of the Irish Government were also present. The two Governments considered the prospects for a resumption of political dialogue in Northern Ireland. They agreed on the need to address adequately all of the key relationships involved and to work towards an outcome which would accommodate the rights and identities of the two major traditions in Ireland. The two Governments confirmed that their aim is to achieve a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland, within the island of Ireland and between the peoples of the two islands. The two Governments also called on the political parties in Northern Ireland to help in the search for political progress and agreed that contacts would continue actively with the Northern Ireland parties.

  Emergency Services
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the performance of the emergency services in dealing with incidents of terrorist violence.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The emergency services continue to provide an outstanding service in responding to incidents involving terrorist violence, as they do to all incidents requiring their expertise. The men and women serving in the fire brigade, ambulance service and police, as well as those in other organisations, including the Housing
  581
  Executive, social services and Compensation Agency, who are called upon to react to terrorist incidents, deserve great credit for their work and I have nothing but praise for them.

  Cross-border Security
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the cross-border security situation between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Chingford (Mr. Duncan-Smith).

  Unemployment
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in west Belfast.

  Mr. Atkins
  West Belfast benefits from the wide range of economic development programmes aimed at helping to generate economic growth and durable employment throughout Northern Ireland. Within these programmes, disadvantaged areas, including west Belfast, receive special treatment; for example, inward investors can receive more generous assistance if they locate in such areas.

  West Belfast is covered by the Making Belfast Work initiative which continues to play an important role in tackling material deprivation. This year a further £24 million has been allocated to the initiative which aims to increase jobs and investment, improve community participation and enhance the skills and improve the quality of life of residents in the area.

  There are also five Belfast action teams operating in west Belfast and urban regeneration work such as the planned development of the former Mackies factory site at Springvale will also contribute to the economic prospects of the area.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he is taking to reduce unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The trend in unemployment in Northern Ireland is now firmly downwards with an average fall of 1,000 per month over the last three months. Further reductions in unemployment in Northern Ireland depend on the achievement of higher levels of economic growth which will lead to an increased number of employment opportunities and on Northern Ireland industry becoming more internationally competitive.

  The main features of the Government's strategy to achieve this growth include helping companies to identify and remove obstacles to growth; encouraging inward investment; building up management and workforce skills; developing an enterprise culture; and supporting innovation and research and development. Help is available in each of these areas for activities which will improve business performance.

  Security
  Molyneaux
  24. Mr. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
  582
  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) earlier today.

  Security Forces (Manpower)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on current manpower levels for the security forces in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  As at 30 April there were 13,104 police officers and 18,679 members of the armed forces in their support in Northern Ireland. The Government continue to devote all the resources necessary to security. Force levels are kept under constant review.

  Criminal Injury Compensation
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes he intends to make in the system of compensation for criminal injury and criminal damage.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary proposes to issue a White Paper shortly outlining proposals for a new tariff-based criminal injuries compensation scheme in Great Britain. I will study the White Paper carefully before considering whether there are lessons to be learnt for Northern Ireland.

  I have no current plans to reform the criminal damage compensation scheme in Northern Ireland.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the national curriculum in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Northern Ireland curriculum has now completed its third year of phased implementation, and programmes of study in all the compulsory subjects are now statutory and working their way through primary and secondary schools. The programmes of study have been well received and teachers have commented on their high quality.

  There have been concerns, however, particularly from primary schools teachers, about the volume and level of content in the curriculum. There are particular fears that the depth of volume of what will be required when all the programmes are in place could affect standards in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy.

  I take these concerns seriously, and I have therefore written to the Northern Ireland Curriculum Council commissioning a fundamental review of the primary curriculum. I have asked the council to provide advice on the underlying causes of the problems, how these should be addressed, and the nature, shape and content of an appropriately broad and balanced curriculum for the primary sector. I have asked the council to consult widely with teachers and to submit its advice by the end of April 1994.

  The council already has plans for a review of the totality of the secondary curriculum, being in 1994, and I see no need to accelerate its timetable.

  To allow time for these new developments, I will not be introducing any new programmes of study into the primary sector in September 1993.

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights
  Mr. Molyneaux
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received the 18th report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The report, for the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993, has been published today and copies have been laid before Parliament.

  The commission has considered a wide range of matters during the period under review. These include the possibility of incorporating the European convention on human rights into domestic law, and a review of legislative procedures for Northern Ireland. The report also deals with emergency legislation and security policy, criminal justice issues, the RUC charter, race relations, disability, education, abortion law, and family and social matters.

  I value the advice that the commission gives me on a wide range of human rights matters and I very much appreciate the commitment that the members have shown in undertaking such an extensive programme of work.

  Copies of my response to the commission's 18th report and of the report itself have been placed in the Library.

  House Condition Survey
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the results of the Northern Ireland house condition survey; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand from the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that the results of the 1991 Northern Ireland house condition survey which was conducted by the Executive have been published today. I have made arrangements to place copies in the Library.

  The survey shows that further significant progress has been made in improving housing conditions in Northern Ireland. The Executive and Department of the Environment will now be considering the implications of the survey results for housing policies and strategies.

  Intimidation Complaints
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been received in each of the past three years at the RUC stations in Newtownards, Comber and Dundonald from Roman Catholics alleging intimidation on grounds of religion; and if he will make a statement about alleged forcible removal of Roman Catholics from these three areas.

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding reply 28 June 1993]: There were four complaints of this nature received at the above-named police stations in each of the years 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  Such complaints included reports of criminal conduct, including criminal damage, and allegations of sectarian behaviour such as abusive or threatening telephone calls at home or at place of work. In six of the 12 cases families are known to have moved from their homes. The Government strongly condemn all acts of intimidation and the Royal Ulster Constabulary will continue to take action against those involved in criminal behaviour.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Cyprus regarding the political and social arrangements for the forthcoming Commonwealth conference to take place in Cyprus later this year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  President Clerides called on my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister in March and reassured him that the arrangements for the forthcoming commonwealth heads of government meeting in Cyprus later this year were progressing well.

  Market Testing
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the market-testing programme has cost his Department since November 1992.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 7 June at column 93.

  United Nations Security Council Reform
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 June,Official Report, column 87, if he will place in the Library a copy of the United Kingdom submission to the United Nations Secretary General on United Nations Security Council reform.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Yes, I am arranging for our reply to the United Nations Secretary-General's invitation to submit written comments on a possible review of membership of the Security Council to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Regional and Minority Languages
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to sign the European charter on regional and minority languages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The implications of the European charter on regional or minority languages are still being considered by Government Departments with an interest in its provisions. The United Kingdom decision on ratification will take into account the situation of each of the indigenous minority languages spoken within the United Kingdom. We have not yet come to a final view on whether to sign the convention which opened for signature in November of last year.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which countries the 400 ex-detainees, currently in the Karlovac transit camp, have been allocated; what main criteria are taken into account when country allocation is determined; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are currently 303 ex-detainees in Karlovac awaiting transfer. Twenty-two
  585
  countries have offered places for ex-detainees under the joint United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-International Committee of the Red Cross scheme. Except for those with close links—eg family ties—with a particular country, UNHCR allocates places according to availability.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 15 June,Official Report, column 493, how many of the 2,400 detainees in Bosnia have now been visited by the International Committee of the Red Cross; how many, to date, have been released; how many are expected to be re-settled in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) other EC countries and (c) non-EC countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Committee of the Red Cross has successfully secured the release of approximately 6,840 detainees in Bosnia-Herzegovina and they are visiting a further 3,550 still held in detention. Of the 4,571 ex-detainees who had left Karlovac transit centre by 16 June, 238 went to the United Kingdom, 2,007 to other EC countries and 2,326 to non-EC countries.

  Croatia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to how many refugees in Croatia are accommodated(a) with families, (b) in hotels and similar accommodation, (c) in transit camps, (d) in temporary settlements consisting of pre-fabricated buildings and (e) in other types of accommodation; how many of this total, to date, have applied for registration as (i) ex-detainees and (ii) dependents of ex-detainees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—UNHCR—estimates that there are some 270,000 refugees in Croatia but has no detailed breakdown of how they are accommodated.

  Apart from 303 ex-detainees accommodated at Karlovac transit centre, UNHCR is investigating the cases of approximately 2,100 other individuals in Croatia claiming to be ex-detainees or their family members.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation there has been between Her Majesty's Government and EC Governments and UNHCR on the building of settlements in Croatia to accommodate refugees transferred from hotels on the Croatian coast; whether such transfers are made on a voluntary basis; what rights refugees have to refuse such transfers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government of Croatia have informed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of their intention to remove some refugees currently in hotels to other state-run accommodation. Overall, UNHCR is funding some 70 shelter projects in Croatia with a planned capacity for approximately 44,000 people. UNHCR plans to monitor any non-voluntary transfers of refugees from their present accommodation.

  Slovenia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent Slovenia's borders are open to refugees; what is the current estimate 586
  of refugees in Slovenia; and what representations have been made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Her Majesty's Government and EC Governments for additional funds and other assistance to support refugees in Slovenia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—UNHCR—estimates that there are approximately 60,000 refugees in Slovenia. UNHCR's 1993 appeal includes provision for refugees in Slovenia. The United Kingdom has given £27·8 million in cash and kind to UNHCR since the beginning of 1993. Slovenia is not accepting new arrivals.

  Mr. Vuk Draskovic
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the appropriate authorities in Belgrade to allow the British and other EC ambassadors in Belgrade to be granted access to meet Mr. Vuk Draskovic, the Leader of the Serbian Opposition, and his wife; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has urged President Milosevic to release Mr. and Mrs. Draskovic and to ensure meanwhile that they have access to proper medical treatment and visitors. We have supported the efforts of the European Comunity presidency to secure agreement for visits by EC representatives. We and our European partners will continue to press the authorities in Belgrade on this issue.

  India
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call upon the Indian Government to publish information about(a) the names and (b) the number of persons detained in India without trial and details of the capacity of prisons in (a) the Punjab, (b) Kashmir and (c) Assam with details of payments made in each of the last five years to members of the security forces in respect of causing the death of a person deemed a militant and/or a terrorist; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government of India regularly publish information regarding the number of detentions under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, most recently in response to a parliamentary question in the Indian upper house on 10 March. Names of detainees are not released. Details of prisons are available for each state from the inspector general of prisons for individual states. We are aware that rewards have been paid to members of the public and police, but not the Army, for the capture of named individuals. We are not aware that there is a general system of payments for the capture of alleged militants or terrorists.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the applicability of EC rules to abattoirs in the Falkland Islands and its consequences for the supplying of meat for consumption by British service men.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Falkland Islands are not within the territorial scope of the European Community
  587
  treaties, and EC hygiene rules do not apply there. It is Ministry of Defence policy to supply service personnel overseas with food of an equivalent standard to that which they could expect in the United Kingdom. Where it is possible to purchase food locally, the Ministry of Defence will do so, provided that this food offers quality, a varied diet and value for money. Where it is not possible to meet these requirements locally, food is supplied from other sources.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria following General Babangida's decision to overrule the results of the presidential election on 12 June.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Nigerian High Commissioner was summoned to meet my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 24 June. She informed him that we deplored the decision to annul the 12 June presidential election, and had decided to take a number of immediate measures to curtail military co-operation and the issue of visas to the Nigerian armed forces, and to review our aid programme. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also met the Nigerian Secretary for External Affairs on 30 June. He informed him of the United Kingdom's current policy in respect of Nigeria and restated the great importance we attach to the commitment to return to democratic civilian rule by 27 August.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on United Kingdom policy in respect of Nigeria following the presidential election of 12 June and subsequent developments.

  Mr. Hurd
  We greatly regret that the outcome of the democratic elections on 12 June has not been respected and that conditions have been imposed which would bar candidates who ran in those elections from participating in a fresh electoral system. We note that President Babangida has promised that the return to democratic civilian rule will take place on 27 August.

  The United Kingdom will not lift the measures announced on 24 June until a democratic civilian regime has been installed and is working unhindered. Meanwhile no new aid commitments for Nigeria will be made.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts he has had, or proposes to have, with Moshood Abiola following his success in the presidential election in Nigeria on 12 June.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The British high commissioner in Nigeria, and his staff, have been in contact with a wide range of political leaders in Nigeria, including Chief Abiola.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Nigerian military regime about the annulment of the presidential elections; and if he will make a statement.
  588
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 28 June 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the House on 24 June at column 442, and a statement issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 24 June, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The Nigerian high commissioner in London was summoned to meet my right hon. and noble Friend, the Minister for Overseas Development, on 24 June.

  Baroness Chalker made it clear that we deplored the suspension of the programme for a transition to civilian rule and that we had, as a consequence, decided to announce a series of measures curtailing our bilateral co-operation, particularly in the defence field.

  Video Equipment
  Mr Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that video equipment in the United Kingdom should not be rendered obsolete by any agreement with the United States regarding specifications for such equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  In areas of rapid technological development, such as video products, existing technology is always being superseded by more advanced technology as a matter of course. The Government have no ability to stop technological progress, including video equipment, even if they wanted to.

  Although world-wide standardisation of video systems would bring the benefits of a larger, more competitive marketplace, the United Kingdom Government have no plans at present for any bilateral agreement with the United States on specifications for such equipment.

TRANSPORT

  Traffic Volume
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the traffic growth forecasts for England used by his Department for the periods 1963 to 1970, 1970 to 1980 and 1980 to 1990; and if he will give the actual traffic growth for those periods.

  Mr. Key
  Since it started to use national forecasts of road traffic in about 1970 the Department of Transport has used or made six principal forecasts. They are given for selected years in the table in index number form, with a base of 1968 = 100 for the earliest forecast, and with a base of the index of actual traffic compared with 1968 for the subsequent forecasts. The table also includes an index of actual traffic growth since 1968.

  The index numbers are of the total of all motor vehicle traffic except two-wheelers, for Great Britain. After 1975 the forecasts were made in a range of low and high growth, and the two figures for each year reflect that range.
  589

  Forecasts

  Year

  Actual traffic

  1968 base

  1971 base

  1975 base

  1978 base

  1982 base

  1988 base

  1968

  100

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1970

  107

  112

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1971

  114

  —

  114

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1975

  124

  141

  133

  124

  —

  —

  —

  1978

  137

  —

  —

  —

  137

  —

  —

  1980

  144

  173

  160

  145–160

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  150

  —

  1985

  165

  194

  179

  165–186

  147–162

  159–165

  —

  1988

  202

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  202

  1990

  221

  212

  198

  184–208

  158–182

  171–189

  212–220

  1992

  1218

  218

  203

  190–215

  160–189

  174–197

  222–236

  1 Provisional.

  Taxis (Smoking)
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to introduce legislation to allow drivers of licensed hackney carriages to ban smoking in their cabs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  As soon as a suitable legislative opportunity presents itself, the Government will bring forward legislation allowing taxi operators to ban smoking in their cabs.

  Stationary Traffic (Engines)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make recommendations in the highway code and other publications issued by his Department concerning the environmental, social and financial benefits of switching off engines while in stationary traffic.

  Mr. Key
  Guidance has already been given in leaflets issued by the Department of Transport on motoring and the environment and by the Department of the Environment on how to help prevent smog. I have placed copies in the Library.

  British Rail (Safety Plan)
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received British Rail's 1993 safety plan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The British Railways Board has now submitted its 1993 safety plan. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  I welcome the board's plan, which sets out BR's strategic safety objectives for 1993, reviews safety performance in 1992, and describes the board's safety policy and organisation. The plan demonstrates the wide range of initiatives underway, and the considerable resources BR is devoting to maintaining and improving its good safety record.

  The plan should both reassure rail users and give BR staff confidence that safety remains a high priority. The board has the full support of the Government in keeping up the momentum on safety as our privatisation proposals are implemented.
  590

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  No. 1 Parliament Street
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the present programme of preventative maintenance that is now being followed at No. 1 Parliament street; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  In common with other buildings on the parliamentary estate the No. 1 Parliament street building is covered by service contracts for the care and planned maintenance of its mechanical and electrical plant. Building and engineering inspections of the building are carried out on a regular basis by staff of the parliamentary works directorate.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission (1) what was the total cost of the refurbishment of No. 1 Parliament street;

  (2) if he will give a breakdown of the amounts of money which were paid to the main contractors or subcontractors who were involved in the refurbishment and modernisation work at No. 1 Parliament street.

  Mr. Beith
  The total cost of the new parliamentary building phase I was some £45 million. This includes not only No. 1 Parliament street but also Nos. 2 and 3 Parliament street, No. 1 Derby gate and No. 2 Canon row.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, pursuant to his answer of 23 June,Official Report, column 186, what obligations Fairclough still has for the work undertaken as one of the principal contractors involved in the refurbishment work at No. 1, Parliament street; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  None, apart from the work on the circle lock doors and the cooling system mentioned in my answer on 23 June at column 186; and any residual liability for latent defects in the building.

  Craftspeople
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will list the building craftsmen and craftswomen who are permanently employed within the House of Commons.

  Mr. Beith
  The following building craftsmen are permanently employed: three carpenters, three plumbers, two painters, a locksmith and a glazier.
  591
  In addition, the number of contractors' employees fluctuates according to the workload.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the proportion of questions tabled for written reply that Ministers of Her Majesty's Government have declined to answer substantively over the past year on the grounds that to do so would incur a disproportionate cost.

  Session 1992–93

  (up to and including 7 May 1993)

  Department

  Number of POLIS entries for written answers

  Number of POLIS entries including reference to "disproportionate"

  Answer to Mr. G. Allen

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1,713

  10

  17 May 1993 c. 25w

  Defence

  2,381

  50

  17 May 1993 c. 85–6w

  Education

  1,654

  6

  17 May 1993 c. 23–4w

  Employment

  1,697

  38

  18 May 1993 c. 132–3w

  Environment

  3,701

  17

  17 May 1993 c. 61w

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including Overseas Development Administration)

  2,625

  20

  17 May 1993 c. 48w

  Health

  3,849

  26

  17 May 1993 c. 30–1w

  Home Office

  3,095

  45

  17 May 1993 c. 64–5w

  National Heritage

  666

  0

  18 May 1993 c. 125–6w

  Northern Ireland

  1,237

  33

  ——

  Prime Minister

  949

  11

  17 May 1993 c. 34w

  Scotland

  2,241

  9

  ——

  Social Security

  2,081

  79

  17 May 1993 c. 79–80w

  Trade and Industry

  3,151

  19

  21 May 1993 c. 346w

  Transport

  2,609

  18

  17 May 1993 c. 3w

  Treasury

  2,044

  13

  17 May 1993 c. 14w

  Wales

  2,919

  20

  ——

  Attorney-General

  172

  2

  ——

  Lord Chancellor

  627

  22

  ——

  Duchy of Lancaster

  403

  4

  ——

  Lord President of the Council

  99 (as leader)

  4

  ——

  32

  0

  ——

PRIME MINISTER

  Commonwealth Conference
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Government of Cyprus regarding the political and social arrangements for the forthcoming commonwealth conference to take place in Cyprus later this year; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I discussed arrangements for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government

  Ministry

  Parliamentary Private Secretary

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Minister for Agriculture (Mrs. G. Shephard)

  Mr. J. Brazier

  Minister of State (Mr. M. Jack)

  Miss E. Nicholson

  Defence

  Secretary of State (Mr. M. Rifkind)

  Mr. H. Bellingham

  Minister of State (Mr. J. Aitken)

  Mr. S. Milligan

  Minister of State (Mr. J. Hanley)

  Mr. R. Gale

  Duchy of Lancaster

  Chancellor of the Duchy (Mr. W. Waldegrave)

  Mr. I. Taylor

  Education

  Secretary of State (Mr. J. Patten)

  Mr. M. Carrington

  Minister of State (Lady Blatch)

  Mr. D. Evennett

  592
  Mr. Newton
  The table shows the number of entries in the POLLS database for answers in the current session—up to and including 7 May 1993—for each Department, with the number of entries in each case including the word "disporportionate". References are also given to recent answers to questions from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) relating to the number of questions which were not given substantive answers on the ground of disproportionate cost. The figures, if any, given in those answers may not have been compiled on the same principles as the POLLS database.

  meeting with President Clerides, when he called on me in March. I understand that the planning for these arrangements is progressing well.

  Parliamentary Private Secretaries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 24 November, Official Report, column 577–8, if he will publish the current list of parliamentary private secretaries and the Ministers to whom each is attached.

  The Prime Minister
  The current list of parliamentary private secretaries and the Ministers to whom each is attached is as follows:
  593

  Ministry

  Parliamentary Private Secretary

  Employment

  Secretary of State (Mr. D. Hunt)

  Mr. N. Evans

  Minister of State (Mr. M. Forsyth)

  Mrs. A. Browning

  Environment

  Secretary of State (Mr. J. Gummer)

  Mr. J. Paice

  Minister of State (Sir G. Young)

  Dr. C. Goodson-Wickes

  Minister of State (Mr. D. Curry)

  Mr. D. French

  Minister of State (Mr. T. Yeo)

  Mr. M. Trend

  Foreign Office

  Secretary of State (Mr. D. Hurd)

  Mr. D. Martin

  Minister of State (Mr. A. Goodlad)

  Mr. G. Kynoch

  Minister of State (Mr. D. Hogg)

  Mr. H. Booth

  Minister of State (Mr. D. Heathcoat-Amory)

  Mr. R. Richards

  Minister for Overseas Development (Lady Chalker)

  Mr. M. Robinson

  PUSS (Mr. M. Lennox-Boyd)

  Mr. M. Robinson

  Health

  Secretary of State (Mrs. V. Bottomley)

  Mr. K. Mans

  Minister of State (Dr. B. Mawhinney)

  Mr. P. Thompson

  Home Office

  Secretary of State (Mr. M. Howard)

  Dr. L. Fox

  Minister of State (Mr. P. Lloyd)

  Mr. D. Wilshire

  Minister of State (Mr. D. MacLean)

  Mr. J. Arnold

  Law Officers Department

  Attorney-General (Sir N. Lyell)

  Mr. T. Devlin

  Solicitor-General (Sir D. Spencer)

  Mr. G. Streeter

  National Heritage

  Secretary of State (Mr. P. Brooke)

  Mr. A. Steen

  Northern Ireland Office

  Secretary of State (Sir P. Mayhew)

  Mr. M. Moss

  Minister of State (Mr. R. Atkins)

  Mr. J. Hayes

  Minister of State (Sir J. Wheeler)

  Mr. J. Evans

  Prime Minister

  Mr. G. Bright

  Privy Council Office

  Lord President and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. T. Newton)

  Mr. J. Marshall

  Scottish Office

  Secretary of State (Mr. I. Lang)

  Mr. S. Coombs

  Social Security

  Secretary of State (Mr. P. Lilley)

  Mr. P. Merchant

  Minister of State (Mr. N. Scott)

  Mr. M. Bates

  PUSS (Mr. A. Burt/Lord Henley/Mr. W. Hague)

  Mr. I. Bruce

  Trade and Industry

  President of the Board (Mr. M. Heseltine)

  Mr. R. Ottaway

  Minister of State (Mr. T. Sainsbury)

  Mrs. A. Knight

  Minister of State (Mr. R. Needham)

  Mr. A. Rowe

  Minister of State (Mr. T. Eggar)

  Mr. S. Burns

  Transport

  Secretary of State (Mr. J. MacGregor)

  Mr. G. Riddick

  Minister of State (Mr. R. Freeman)

  Mr. B. Wells

  Treasury

  Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. K. Clarke)

  Mr. P. Oppenheim

  Chief Secretary (Mr. M. Portillo)

  Mr. D. Amess

  Financial Secretary (Mr. S. Dorrell)

  Mr. G. Brandreth

  Paymaster General (Sir J. Cope)

  Dr. I. Twinn

  Welsh Office

  Secretary of State (Mr. J. Redwood)

  Mr. D. Evans

  Minister of State (Sir W. Roberts)

  Mr. D. Tredinnick

  594 595

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 1 July.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 1 July.

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

  Iraq and Somalia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has had from UNICEF on the effects on children and infants of United Nations high-tech military action in Iraq and Somalia.

  The Prime Minister
  UNICEF has not made such representations to me. We remain in close touch with United Nations agencies providing humanitarian relief to Iraq and Somalia.

  Legislative Drafting
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what percentage of Government legislative drafting is carried out by lawyers not permanently employed as parliamentary counsel; and what plans there are for change.

  The Prime Minister
  In terms of primary legislation, all Government Bills, except those relating exclusively to Scotland and the Appropriation and Consolidated Fund Bills, are drafted by members of the parliamentary counsel office. From time to time some consolidation Bills have been drafted by lawyers who have been members of the parliamentary counsel office but who are no longer employed in the public service. The proportion of work undertaken in this way is not significant and it is not practicable to specify it as a percentage of the total drafting work undertaken by the members of the parliamentary counsel office. There are no plans for change at the moment.

  "Questions of Procedure for Ministers"
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has been consulted by the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, the hon. Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates), under paragraphs 126 and 127 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers"; on what subjects; and on what dates.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 June 1993]Consultations between the Prime Minister and other Ministers are private.

  Morgan Rogerson (Car Loan)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Prime Minister on which date he was first aware that the hon. Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates) had received the loan of a car from the Morgan Rogerson company or from individuals associated with that company.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 June 1993]: My hon. Friend issued a statement to the press explaining the
  596
  circumstances in which a temporary loan of a car to his wife had been made. He informed my office at the time he issued the statement.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Environmentally Sustainable Projects
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) of 21 June,Official Report, columns 24–5, how often the Overseas Development Administration updates its "Manual of Environmental Appraisal"; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the manual.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The manual was first produced in March 1989. A revised version was produced in April 1992 and a copy placed in the Library of the House. The contents of the manual are kept continually under review.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Gross Domestic Product
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total gross domestic product at 1993 prices terms in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Nelson
  Figures for gross domestic product are not available at 1993 prices. Figures at constant 1985 prices are available on the Central Statistical Office database which can be accessed by the House Library.

  Market Testing
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the market-testing programme has cost his Department since November 1992.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Since November 1992, an estimated £100,000 has been spent on market testing. This includes the cost of support for the in-house teams and other consultancy work, but not the costs of the in-house teams themselves. The majority of this expenditure is in respect of the 1992–93 market-testing programme which covers some £4 million of in-house provided services.

  Private Medical Insurance (Tax Relief)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the expected cost to the Exchequer in 1993–94 of providing tax relief on private medical insurance.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is estimated that the cost in 1993–94 will be about £70 million.

  Inheritance Tax
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in 1992–93 of granting relief against inheritance tax for chattels declared to be open to inspection by members of the public.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The estimated cost to the Exchequer of granting conditional exemption from inheritance tax for
  597
  chattels in 1992–93 is about £40 million. There are sometimes significant fluctuations in the estimated cost from year to year. Most of the chattels are on dislay in historic houses open to the public or on loan to museums or galleries.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in 1992–93 of granting relief against inheritance tax for(a) business property within section 104 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 and (b) agricultural property within section 116 of the same Act.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The estimated cost of granting relief against inheritance tax for transfers in 1992–93 are(a) for business property within section 104 of the Inheritance

  Range of Net Estate

  1988–89 Number of estates applying for grants of representation

  1988–89 Number of estates not taxed

  1989–90 Number of estates applying for grants of representation

  1989–90 Number of estates not taxed

  £250,000 and under £500,000

  7,051

  2,795

  7,992

  3,100

  £500,000 and under £1,000,000

  1,728

  501

  2,322

  694

  £1,000,000 and under £2,000,000

  420

  110

  628

  182

  £2,000,000 and over

  153

  46

  231

  63

  British Rail (Capital Allowances)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the value of unused capital allowances held by British Rail and its associated companies as at 31 March or the most recent date for which information is available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Providing the figure requested would be a breach of taxpayers' confidentiality.

  Share Option Schemes
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the expected cost to the Exchequer in 1993–94 of tax relief on(a) approved discretionary share option schemes and (b) approved all-employee savings-related share option schemes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Provisional estimates are as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  Approved discretionary share option schemes

  55

  Approved savings-related share option schemes

  95

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to create new executive units in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Sir John Cope
  I am pleased to announce that the Customs and Excise internal management consultancy 598
  Tax Act 1984, £45 million in a full year and (b) for agricultural property within section 116 of the same Act, £65 million in a full year.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will provide an estimate for(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93 of the number of estates on which no inheritance tax was paid in each of the brackets (i) £250,000 to £500,000, (ii) £500,000 to £1 million, (iii) £1 million to £2 million and (iv) over £2 million.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Estimates of the numbers of estates applying for grants of representation and of estates paying no inheritance tax, where death occurred in the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90, for the two most recent years available are given in the table.

  service has today become a next steps executive unit with the title "Management and Consultancy Services". Copies of the framework document describing its responsibilities and accountability are being placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) of 5 March,Official Report, column 336, on the introduction of an upper limit for income tax allowances and reliefs for the years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 29 June 1993] : Estimates of the direct revenue yield in a full year at 1992–93 and 1993–94 levels of income from imposition of the specified limits for allowances and reliefs within the tax system for these years are given in the table. These are based on information compiled from a number of statistical surveys and are subject to more than the usual margin of uncertainty, and incorporate the conventional assumption of no changes in mortgage interest rates in 1993–94.

  Limit for total allowances and reliefs

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £ million

  £ million

  £10,000

  690

  650

  £15,000

  380

  380

  £20,000

  270

  280

  After restriction of the relevant allowances and reliefs to the basic rate the estimated further yield from imposing the specified limits would be as follows:

  599

  Full year yield at 1992–93 income levels, £ million

  Full year yield at 1993–94 income levels, £ million

  Limit for total allowances and reliefs

  Limit for total allowances and reliefs

  After restriction to the basic rate of

  £10,000

  £15,000

  £20,000

  £10,000

  £15,000

  £20,000

  (a) all personal allowances except the basic personal allowance

  610

  360

  270

  590

  360

  270

  (b) relief for personal pension contribution

  560

  310

  230

  530

  310

  240

  (c) relief for employees' contribution to occupational pension schemes

  630

  370

  270

  610

  370

  280

  (d) allowances and reliefs in (a) and (b)

  510

  300

  220

  490

  300

  230

  (e) allowances and reliefs in (a) and (c)

  580

  350

  260

  570

  360

  270

  (f) reliefs in (b) and (c)

  500

  300

  220

  490

  300

  230

  (g) allowances and reliefs in (a), (b) and (c)

  480

  290

  220

  470

  300

  230

  The number of people with total allowances and reliefs in excess of these limits is as follows:

  Limit

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £

  thousands

  thousands

  10,000

  610

  420

  15,000

  85

  85

  20,000

  45

  45

  The estimates of revenue yield do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the changes.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  EC Trade Policy
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to establish the right to consumer organisations to be involved in EC trade and anti-dumping policy.

  Mr. Needham
  European Community trade policy, including policy on anti-dumping questions, is settled by the Council of Ministers, and implemented by the Commission in consultation with the member states. The Government take careful account of the views of consumer organisations in formulating the United Kingdom position on trade policy and anti-dumping questions.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure detailed reports of discussions and votes concerning trade policy at Council of Ministers meetings are made available to the House.

  Mr. Needham
  A ministerial statement is made to the House after each Council of Ministers meeting. These reports on the meetings will normally include whether any formal votes were taken, and, if so, voting details will be provided.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Commission proposals made under EC trade policy instruments put to the Council of Ministers in the last three years have included an assessment of the impact on consumers and the economy; and what proportion of such Commission proposals this represents.

  Mr. Needham
  During the period January 1990 to June 1993, the number of Commission proposals made to the Council under the relevant articles of the treaties were as follows:600

  Treaty Base

  Number of proposals

  Article 113

  161

  A. 113 (Anti-dumping)

  84

  A. 113 (Countervailing)

  1

  Article 28

  47

  Article 100a

  12

  Other

  25

  Total

  330

  Proposals with a treaty base of 100a have been included where it is judged that the proposal would have had a significant impact on external trade policy. The category "other" includes proposals with an unspecified treaty base, and European Coal and Steel Community proposals. Proposals amending existing proposals have been counted separately.

  Where the proposal is for an anti-dumping action, both consumer and economic factors are taken into account by the Commission according to the circumstances of the case. For the other proposals, an assessment of the impact on consumers and the economy has not been carried out.

  Asil Nadir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the companies registered in Great Britain of which Mr. Asil Nadir is a director; and which of these companies have offices in northern Cyprus.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  This is a matter for Companies House. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Durham to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 29 June 1993:

  As this matter concerns information held at Companies House, I have been asked to reply to you.

  According to the records at Companies House, Mr. Nadir does not currently hold any directorships of companies registered in Great Britain.

  Consumer Law
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what representations have been made by his Department to the European Commission concerning the draft directives on consumer law.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government of the United Kingdom play a full part in the deliberations of the Council on all draft directives, including those concerning consumer law.

  Small Firms
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many small firms have started business. in the last year and over the past decade.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Estimates of numbers of small business start-ups in Great Britain are produced by Barclays Bank. Estimates for the past five years are given in the table. Figures for earlier years are not available.

  Estimates of business start-ups produced by Barclays Bank plc:

  Year

  Starts

  1988

  452,000

  1989

  464,000

  1990

  459,000

  1991

  484,000

  1992

  456,000

  Konver Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Barrow in Furness (Mr. Hutton) of 14 June,Official Report, columns 409–10, if he will list those interested bodies on the EC Konver programme to which he refers; and when he expects to invite applications for Konver projects.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The interested bodies which my Department will consult will include representatives of the training and enterprise councils and the local enterprise companies, and the local authority associations.
  Information for potential applicants, including a closing date for applications, will be made available by the end of July.

  EC Regional Development Fund
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the south west of England's eligibility for assistance from the European regional development fund.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Eligibility will depend on the revision of the regulations, currently under negotiation in the Council of Ministers.

  Internationally Mobile Investment
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's performance in attracting internationally mobile investment projects in 1992–93.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau—IBB—announced in its annual report published today that 1992–93 was another successful year for inward investment—and jobs—coming to the United Kingdom.

  Between 1 April 1992 and 31 March 1993, the IBB recorded 303 direct investment projects by foreign owned companies in the United Kingdom. Based on information supplied by the companies at the time of their announcements it is estimated that these projects will in due course create 16,718 jobs; in addition, a significant number of jobs were safeguarded.
  602
  These results demonstrate how attractive this country continues to be to overseas investors. It is very pleasing that the United Kingdom remains the preferred location in the European Community for inward investors.

  The results also provide evidence of the successful partnership the Invest in Britain Bureau has with many public and private sector organisations involved in the promotion of inward investment both at home and abroad.

  I am arranging for a copy of the report to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Export Finance
  Mr. John Townend
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the remuneration paid to banks under the Export Credits Guarantee Department's fixed rate export finance scheme.

  Mr. Needham
  The British Bankers Association, representing the banking community, and the Government have reached agreement on revised arrangements for remunerating banks providing fixed rate export finance under guarantees given by the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The new agreement, which will last for five years, will come into effect on 5 July. The agreement will provide significant savings for the Government, but the greater part of these will not represent an increased burden on the banks since they will be achieved by mutually advantageous changes in the settlement mechanism which will in particular match the timing of interest payments with the funding arrangements of the banks. This measure has been welcomed by the banks, many of whom were concerned that the previous global arrangements exposed them to mis-matches between remuneration and funding costs at a time of highly volatile commercial interest rates. The Government and the BBA are confident that the new arrangements, which are the result of several months of constructive discussions, will enable banks to continue to provide the financial support our exporters need and they are an excellent example of the way in which banks and the Government can work together in support of the Government's export strategy. The changes will apply also to the Home Shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme.

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Scott inquiry the matter of compensation for those employees of Matrix Churchill who have lost their jobs.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: The hon. Member has written to me about this; I shall be replying to him shortly.

  EC Procurement Directive
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the adequacy of guidance on the European procurement directive which is available to British industry and commerce.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: The Government have kept both the United States and individual trade associations informed about the European Community public purchasing directives; and

  603
  my own Department's guidance booklet on the subject has been distributed to more than 135,000 companies and individuals. While there have been surveys of the general effectiveness of my Department's single market publicity, there has been no formal assessment specific to the public purchasing directives. The recent appointment to my Department of an export promoter responsible for helping companies win public sector contracts throughout the EC and EFTA should help identify any gaps in the present guidance. The Treasury, which led the United Kingdom negotiation of the directives, is also considering whether there is a need to provide additional general guidance.

  Cable Television
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current number of cable television franchises; how many cable television companies have commenced operations; how many have failed to meet the commencement dates required by their licences; and what action he has taken in cases of failure.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: (a) There are currently 127 broad band cable television franchises; (b) 58 broad band cable franchises have commenced operations; (c) There is no requirement within a licence granted under the Telecommunications Act 1984

  Great Britain.

  Persons by economic activity, sex and occupations.

  thousands

  In Employment2

  ILO Unemployed

  ILO Unemployed Over 1 Year4

  SOC (major)

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Total3

  13,560

  11,095

  1,981

  939

  880

  288

  1 Managers and Administrators

  2,559

  1,251

  145

  54

  49

  12

  2 Professional

  1,510

  950

  63

  28

  17

  —

  3 Associate Professional and Technical

  1,126

  1,080

  86

  35

  33

  —

  4 Clerical and Secretarial

  918

  2,891

  128

  179

  55

  51

  5 Craft and Related

  2,941

  357

  532

  43

  227

  15

  6 Personal and Protective

  822

  1,641

  99

  110

  42

  29

  7 Sales

  695

  1,274

  87

  108

  33

  30

  8 Plant and Machine Operatives

  1,855

  482

  286

  82

  126

  24

  9 Other occupations

  1,033

  1,116

  284

  97

  135

  29

  —Estimate below 10,000.

  2Includes employees, self employed, those on Government employment and training schemes and unpaid family workers.

  3Includes those who did not state their occupation.

  4Duration of the unemployed excludes those who did not state the length of time unemployed.

  Persons by economic activity, sex and industry.

  thousands

  In Employment

  ILO Unemployed

  ILO Unemployed Over 1 Year4

  Industry

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Total3

  13,560

  11,095

  1,981

  939

  880

  288

  0 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

  377

  118

  39

  —

  13

  —

  1 Energy and Water

  387

  88

  35

  —

  14

  —

  2 Minerals, Ores etc.

  515

  180

  58

  14

  25

  —

  3 Metal goods, Engineering etc.

  1,900

  518

  230

  54

  102

  19

  4 Other Manufacturing

  1,297

  758

  203

  93

  89

  27

  5 Construction

  1,445

  179

  400

  13

  175

  —

  6 Distribution, Hotels and Catering

  2,302

  2,632

  296

  233

  118

  64

  7 Transport and Communication

  1,191

  363

  128

  30

  55

  —

  8 Banking and Finance

  1,499

  1,370

  116

  78

  39

  16

  9 Other services

  2,564

  4,844

  204

  210

  87

  61

  —Estimate below 10,000.

  2 Includes employees, self employed, those on Government employment and training schemes and unpaid family workers.

  3 Includes those who did not state their industry.

  4 Duration of the unemployed excludes those who did not state the length of time unemployed.

  Source: Labour Force Survey—Winter (December-February) 1992–93 (not seasonally adjusted)
  604
  for a licensee to adhere to a commencement date. However, licences do contain build obligations by which licensees should build past specified numbers of homes within set periods, and operators' compliance with these obligations is the responsibility of the Director General of Telecommunications; (d) In the first instance, any action taken against operators for failure to comply with their build obligations is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each standard occupational and industrial classification(a) the numbers employed, (b) the numbers of unemployed and (c) long-term unemployed under the International Labour Organisation definition, where previous occupation or employment fell within each classification for (1) Great Britain and (2) the west midlands region, broken down by gender, at the latest available date.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information from the winter 1992–93 labour force survey is given in the tables:
  605

  West Midlands Region.

  Persons by economic activity, sex and occupations.

  thousands

  In Employment2

  ILO Unemployed

  ILO Unemployed Over 1 Year4

  SOC (major)

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Total3

  1,259

  993

  215

  100

  104

  31

  1 Managers and Administrators

  231

  112

  11

  —

  —

  —

  2 Professional

  133

  72

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3 Associate Professional and Technical

  84

  85

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4 Clerical and Secretarial

  74

  244

  14

  16

  —

  —

  5 Craft and Related

  301

  43

  65

  —

  30

  —

  6 Personal and Protective

  59

  144

  11

  10

  —

  —

  7 Sales

  62

  118

  —

  12

  —

  —

  8 Plant and Machine Operatives

  230

  60

  38

  15

  21

  —

  9 Other occupations

  79

  112

  24

  11

  10

  —

  —Estimate below 10,000.

  2 Includes employees, self employed, those on Government employment and training schemes and unpaid family workers.

  3 Includes those who did not state their occupation.

  4 Duration of the unemployed excludes those who did not state the length of time unemployed.

  Persons by economic activity, sex and industry.

  thousands

  In Employment2

  ILO Unemployed

  ILO Unemployed Over 1 year4

  Industry

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Total3

  1,259

  993

  215

  100

  104

  31

  0 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Energy and Water

  31

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2 Minerals, Ores etc

  76

  27

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3 Metal goods, Engineering etc

  292

  80

  40

  10

  17

  —

  4 Other Manufacturing

  118

  65

  23

  11

  13

  —

  5 Construction

  130

  19

  39

  —

  17

  —

  6 Distribution, Hotels and Catering

  213

  253

  28

  21

  13

  —

  7 Transport and Communication

  86

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8 Banking and Finance

  101

  102

  11

  —

  —

  —

  9 Other services

  180

  402

  19

  22

  —

  —

  —Estimate below 10,000.

  2 Includes employees, self employed, those on Government employment and training schemes and unpaid family workers.

  3 Includes those who did not state their industry.

  4 Duration of the unemployed excludes those who did not slate the length of time unemployed.

  Source: Labour Force Survey—Winter (December-February) 1992–93 (not seasonally adjusted).

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the current level of unemployment in the north-west region.

  Miss Widdecombe
  On the seasonally adjusted basis, the number of unemployed claimants in the north-west region in May was 324,300. This is 10,000 lower than in January this year and the fourth consecutive month that unemployment has fallen.

  Wood-based Products
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in merchanting, manufacturing and retailing of wood-based products.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information for manufacturing is for the manufacture of timber and wooden furniture. In April 1993, the number of employees in employment in this industry in Great Britain stood at 179,000. Merchanting and retailing of wood based products are included within wholesale and retail distribution and cannot be separately identified.

  Work Injuries
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure that employers make adequate payments to those who are injured at work.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 already requires employers to take out insurance to cover claims for compensation from employees who are injured as a result of their employer's negligence. We have no plans to extend this legislation.

SCOTLAND

  Industrial Water Disconnections
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by year for the past five years, and by each water authority, the number of industrial water disconnections made.

  Sir Hector Monro
  This information is not held centrally.
  607

  Community Forests
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration is being given to the future of community forests in the work of the interdepartmental review group on the Forestry Commission.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 24 June 1993]: One of the tasks of the forestry review group, announced by my right hon. Friend on 30 March 1993, is to make proposals for changes which would improve the effectiveness of the delivery of the Government's forestry policy objectives, including community forests.

  Drug Addicts
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of drug addicts notified in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 24 June 1993]: Information on the number of drug addicts notified to the Home Office from Scotland since 1982 is published in "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1992—Area tables", a copy of which is in the Library. Details for 1980 and 1981 are contained in the corresponding publications for 1990 and 1991.

  Pine Beauty Caterpillars
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names and areas of the forests which have been sprayed against infestation with pine beauty moth caterpillars in each of the last 10 years; which areas have had to be sprayed more than once; and what areas of forest have been destroyed by this insect.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: The forests that have been treated against pine beauty moth in the past 10 years are listed in the table; full information for 1993 is not yet available. Lodgepole pine was the only species of tree infested, and there have been no instances of the pine being attacked by the moth where it has been planted in mixture with other species.

  Parts of North Dalchork, South Dalchork, Inveroykel, Truderscaig and Rimsdale have been sprayed more than once, as shown in the table.

  About 750 hectares of woodland have been killed by the pest over the period, of which about 600 hectares were on the isle of Lewis.

  Woodland

  Area (ha)

  1984

  0

  1985

  Strathrannoch

  132

  Garbat

  707

  North Dalchork

  2,264

  Inveroykel

  481

  Truderscaig

  784

  Badenoch

  66

  Achentoul Estate

  252

  Ben Armine Estate

  98

  1986

  Creag Dubh

  27

  Badenoch

  39

  Braemore

  50

  South Dalchork

  269

  Truderscaig

  447

  608

  Woodland

  Area (ha)

  Achentoul

  196

  Ben Armine

  98

  Strath Rannoch

  34

  Inveroykel

  570

  North Dalchork

  338

  Creag Dubh

  20

  Fiag

  45

  , Strath Cuilleanach

  93

  Suisgill

  320

  Fiag

  45

  North Dalchork

  12

  Strathrannoch

  155

  1987

  Braemore

  180

  Caplich

  122

  Dalnessie

  27

  Rimsdale

  448

  South Dalchork

  65

  Poulary

  473

  Inveroykel

  573

  Syre

  136

  North Dalchork

  130

  South Dalchork

  111

  1988

  Copaig

  371

  Cnoc a' Moid

  184

  Truderscaig

  229

  1989

  0

  1990

  0

  1991

  Truderscaig

  85

  1992

  Isle of Lewis

  109

  1993

  Isle of Lewis

  North Dalchork

  Achrugan

  Rimsdale

  Badenoch

  Suisgill

  Total area about

  3,500

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what chemicals have been used to spray forestry plantations against infestation with pine beauty moth caterpillars; what studies have been made of the effects of these chemicals on birds; and with what results.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: Two chemicals have been used: Fenitrothion and Dimilin. A biological control agent, Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus, which is specific to the pine beauty moth, has also been used.

  Fenitrothion is an organophosphate insecticide which affects arthropods. Dimilin prevents arthropods from moulting successfully between different development stages; it has no effect on other organisms, including birds. Both chemicals were comprehensively tested by the manufacturers for their effects on other wildlife, including birds, before they were approved for use by the pesticides safety directorate.

  Futher studies on the possible effects of Fenitrothion on birds were carried out by staff of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These

  609
  studies concluded that there was no evidence that use of the chemical against pine beauty moth caterpillars had caused any reduction in the numbers of the common breeding birds in pine plantations in Scotland, nor had there been any statistically significant changes in the numbers of birds in the area immediately after spraying.

  Common Land
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of common land in England and Wales are owned by the Forest Commission.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Lodgepole Pine
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what areas have been planted with Lodgepole pine(a) by the Forestry Commission itself in each of the last 10 years and (b) by private owners with grant aid from the Commission over the same period.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: The areas planted with Lodgepole pine by the Forestry Commission are given in the table. Lodgepole pine comprises about half the trees on the areas shown as planted in mixture. Details of areas planted with Lodgepole pine by private owners are not available.

  Areas planted by the Forestry Commission with Lodgepole Pine

  Year

  Lodgepole pine planted alone (hectares)

  Lodgepole pine planted in mixture (hectares)

  1984

  390

  1 550

  1985

  170

  1 350

  1986

  200

  1 340

  1987

  110

  1 770

  1988

  130

  1 600

  1989

  100

  920

  1990

  80

  1 040

  1991

  30

  1 150

  1992

  30

  800

  1993

  30

  400

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) who decided what options the Forestry Commission review group is considering; and how it was decided which options(a) should and (b) should not be considered;

  (2) if he will list the options currently being considered by the Forestry Commission review group.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 30 June 1993]: The remit of the forestry review group is to review the effectiveness of the current incentives for forestry investment, in accordance with the manifesto commitment, and options for the ownership and management of Forestry Commission woodlands, and to make proposals for changes which would improve the effectiveness of the delivery of the Government's forestry policy objectives, having regard to the Government's other economic and environmental policies.

  The range of options examined is for the group to determine, within this remit, and Ministers do not expect to be informed about specific options until the group delivers its final report.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on his correspondence with the hon. Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates) relating to the Serious Fraud Office.

  The Attorney-General
  Further to my statement, these documents are being published today under the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 pursuant to a motion of the House. They include letters and meeting notes together with material enclosed with those letters or left with me at meetings. One small deletion falling outside the two categories which I explained to the House yesterday would have to be edited has been made to a meeting note. The reason is the need to avoid prejudicing any criminal proceedings flowing from an investigation unrelated to the Polly Peck case. In addition I have omitted transcripts of a hearing at the Central Criminal Court left with me by Mr. Mates.

  Whilst the matters covered in those transcripts do not fall within either of the categories referred to by me yesterday, the transcripts relate to proceedings in chambers and thus should not be published without the leave of the judge.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to market test Government legal services or the office of Parliamentary Counsel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have no plans to market test the office of the parliamentary counsel. My Department is not responsible for other parts of the Government legal service.

HEALTH

  Children's Drinks (Sugar)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she proposes to take over the sale of sugar-rich drinks for babies and toddlers in connection with the threat to the dental health of very young children; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is not the Department's policy to intervene in the sale of such drinks unless a specific false health claim is being made.

  Quarry House
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the estimated costs for the relocation expenses of her Department's move to Quarry house.

  Mr. Sackville
  The estimated costs of relocation expenses for the move to Leeds are £13·3 million.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of people provided with relocation expenses for the move to Quarry house.
  611
  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 438 people working for the Department have received relocation expenses. A further 75 staff unwilling to relocate, but willing to work in Leeds for periods of up to three years, may claim the reimbursement of reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Rhodes Boyson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the total amount of expenditure on services within the responsibility of her Department in(a) England, (b) Greater London and (c) the south East, excluding Greater London, for each year from 1982–83 to 1992–93, estimated, distinguishing between current and capital expenditure, though excluding local authority credit approvals/capital allocations.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Waiting Times
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the waiting time for those suffering with eye conditions to see a consultant ophthalmologist at the Birmingham Heartlands hospital; and what action she will take to reduce delays in treatment for those with eye conditions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are committed to driving down all waiting times. Information on waiting times for first out-patient appointments is not available centrally. In 1993–94 regions have set targets, for time to first out-patient appointment, and will reduce waiting times in specialties where they are unacceptably high.

  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make available figures on the number of people waiting for an out-patient appointment in the area served by Doncaster health authority;

  (2) what are the target waiting times for each specialty in the Doncaster district health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on the number of people waiting for out-patient appointments is not available centrally. As purchasers of health care, all district health authorities will shortly be publishing their first annual report on performance achieved by their providers against each of the patients charter standards.

  Medicines Committees (Advice)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions apply to the licensing authority in respect of the acceptance of the advice of either the Committee on Safety of Medicines or the Medicines Commission where the advice of the two bodies is at variance.

  Mr. Sackville
  The licensing authority must take into account the reports of the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Medicines Commission on licensing matters referred to these bodies under the procedures laid down in section 21 and 29 of, and schedule 2 to, the Medicines Act 1968, but is not bound to accept the advice of either body.

  Product Licensing
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances an appeal in respect of a product licensing decision may be held before a panel of persons appointed; and on what grounds a licensing authority may reasonably reject the findings of that panel.

  Mr. Sackville
  A product licence holder or an applicant for a product licence, may be heard by a person appointed for the purpose if, after consulting the appropriate Medicines Act committee or the Medicines Commission, the licensing authority proposes to give a decision which is at variance with the advice received.

  Licence holders and applicants may also be heard by a person appointed where the licensing authority proposes, on grounds not relating to safety, quality or efficacy, to suspend, revoke or vary an existing product licence or refuse to grant a new product licence, or propose to grant a new licence otherwise than in accordance with the application.

  The licensing authority takes into account the report of the person appointed but is not bound to accept the report's findings.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the appeal procedures under the Medicines Act 1968 that are available to pharmaceutical companies whose product licences may be suspended or revoked by the United Kingdom Licensing Authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  The procedures are laid down in schedule 2 to the Medicines Act. In summary, they provide for a product licence holder to be heard by, or make written representations to, the appropriate committee. If the committee's findings and advice are adverse to the licence holder, he may be heard by, or make written representations to the Medicines Commission. There is also provision for the matter to heard by a person appointed for the purpose.

  When the licensing authority has reached a decision following these procedures, section 107 of the Medicines Act provides that its validity may not be questioned in any legal proceedings, except that it may be challenged in the High Court on the grounds that the decision is not within the powers of the Act, or that relevant requirements of the Act or regulations made under the Act, have not been complied with.

  NHS Job Applicants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 June,Official Report, column 261, if she will issue guidance as to the need for the issue of a job description to job applicants prior to the interviewing and appointment of a person to work in the NHS; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  While it may be helpful in some instances for a national health service employer to provide more detail about a job on request, we see no need to require this in every case.

  Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the mean age of consultants appointed in each year since 1979.
  613
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Mean age of all consultants appointed each year in England

  Mean age

  1987

  38

  1988

  38

  1989

  38

  1990

  39

  1991

  39

  Appointments
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the register of business and political interests of non-executive directors of regional health authorities, district health authorities and trust boards.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There is no such register. Members of health authorities and non-executive directors of national health service trusts, are required to declare pecuniary interests that could influence, or be thought to influence, their judgment of any decisions to be taken by the authority or trust of which they are a member.

  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of individuals appointed to non-executive posts in the Doncaster health authority and on the Trent regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The names of the non-executive members of Trent regional health authority together with the most recent information on their occupations are shown in the table.

  The appointment of the non-executive members of the Doncaster health authority is a matter for Trent regional health authority.

  Trent regional health authority

  Non-executive members

  Occupation

  Mr. M. Dessau

  Retired manufacturer

  Dr. K. Edwards

  University vice-chancellor

  Mrs. P. Wildgoose

  Former teacher

  Mr. G. demons

  Chartered accountant

  Mr. D. Bertram

  Quality management director

  Students
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many students have applied on the grounds of low income for automatic entitlement to free prescriptions and dental and optical treatment in each year since 1990; and what was the cost in each year of the administration of these entitlement claims;

  (2) what proportion of full-time students in higher education applied for automatic entitlement of free prescriptions, dental and optical treatment in each year since 1990.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Not all of the requested information is available. In 1992–93, an estimated 153,000 claims from students under the national health service low income scheme resulted in full charge remission for prescriptions and dental treatment, and full help with optical costs. The cost of handling these claims was about £900,000.
  614

  Road Traffic Act 1988
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost of administering section 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in relation to the sums received by the NHS under that section.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Mental Illness
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of paying for the provision of acute psychiatric services in the private sector for NHS patients in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Bowis
  Under the national health service reforms, it is the responsibility of health authorities to purchase appropriate care from cost-effective sources including the private sector. The extent to which health authorities commission care from the private sector is not available centrally.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made to improve significantly the health and social functioning of mentally ill people.

  Mr. Bowis
  There has been considerable progress over the years. In line with the three strategies set out in "The Health of the Nation" we have taken a number of steps towards improving information and understanding; developing comprehensive local services; and continuing the development of good practice. This includes funding the first national survey of psychiatric illness; issuing the "Mental Illness Key Area Handbook"; and distributing good practice guidance in the "Care Programme Approach"—a copy of which will be placed in the Library—and much more.

  Casualty Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total number of casualty consultants and casualties in the latest available year; and what is her Department's guidance on the number of casualty consultants needed nationally or per casualty.

  Mr. Sackville
  The total number of consultants in accident and emergency—A and E—departments in England at 30 September 1991 was 219 (216·4 whole-time equivalents). During the year ended 31 March 1992 there were 10,978,000 new attendances in A and E departments. Not all A and E departments are led by A and E consultants; some are led by consultants in orthopaedics, others by consultants in surgery.

  We do not issue guidance on the number of consultants in A and E needed nationally or per casualty. It is a matter for each employing authority to determine the number of consultants needed in its A and E departments in the light of local needs.

  Nurses
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for nurses in areas served by(a) the Trent regional health authority and (b) the Doncaster health authority for the years 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.
  615

  Drugs
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drugs, normally prescribed and dispensed, cost less than £4·25; and what percentage of the total drugs bill this represents in numbers of drugs and in value.

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

  Individual preparations and prescribed items dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors or personally administered by prescribing doctors in England in 1992

  All items

  Items with a Net Ingredient Cost of less than £4·25

  Percentage with a Net Ingredient Cost of less than 14·25

  Number of individual1 preparations

  16,678

  5,595

  34

  Number of prescribed items (million)

  425·1

  241·7

  57

  Total Net Ingredient Cost (£ million)

  2,858

  427

  15

  1The information is provided on the basis of individual preparations and not the drug chemical name.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the total national health service drugs bill for each year since 1982–83, with an estimate for 1993–94.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) on 22 March at column 470, for information from 1982–83 to 1991–92.

  The final outturn for 1992–93 is not yet available. The cost of drugs in the hospital and community health services—HCHS—is met from the total HCHS cash limited allocation and a separate estimate for 1993–94 is not available. Main estimate provision of £2,834 million has been made for the family health service drugs bill in the current year.

  Health Authority Guidelines
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines there are governing the availability of information on the activities of regional health authorities and district health authorities.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 11 February at column 765.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by(a) Trent regional health authority and (b) Doncaster health authority towards achieving the targets set by "The Health of the Nation" on coronary heart disease.

  Mr. Sackville
  "The Health of the Nation" is a long term strategy and the national health service management executive is working closely with regional health aurthorities—RHAs—on setting and monitoring robust and achievable "Health of the Nation" targets.

  Trent RHA have undertaken a health lifestyles survey which provided baseline data on risk factors in local
  616
  communities and this will assist in targeting management action. The region has started to address coronary heart disease by issuing guidance identifying the potential for investment in improving health and this will help to target resources.

  Health promotion programmes in Doncaster in 1993–94 will concentrate on the risk factors of cigarette smoking, nutrition and physical activity in collaboration with schools, workplaces and the voluntary sector, and with general practitioners. Clinical protocols are being developed for the prevention and management of coronary disease.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken to enforce the contractual obligations of the chairs of national health service trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Chairmen of national health service trusts are appointed as statutory office holders and are not engaged under contracts of service.

  Health Service Commissioners
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to receive the annual report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1992–93.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Health Service Commissioner has made his annual report on the performance of his functions in England, Scotland and Wales. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales and I presented the report to the House on 30 June. It was published today—HC 764—and copies have been placed in the Library. Copies are also available from the Vote Office.

  Dementia
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet representatives of the Alzheimer's Disease Society to discuss the policy of her Department in relation to people with dementia and their carers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I have arranged to meet representatives of the Alzheimer's Disease Society on Tuesday 27 July.

  NHS Premises (Tobacco Sales)
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all sales of tobacco in NHS premises have now ceased.

  Mr. Sackville
  "The Health of the Nation" White Paper gave a commitment that all sales of tobacco on national health service premises would be stopped, except to long-stay patients who are smokers. This has largely been achieved.

  The Department is ensuring that the handful of sites still to meet this commitment do so as soon as possible.

  Dentists
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average gross income of dentists in the year 1992–93.
  617
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The average gross fee earnings of dentists in the dental rates study group (DRSG) population in 1992–93 in Great Britain was £86,020. In addition it is estimated that DRSG principals received on average some £2,000 by way of other "top-sliced" payments.

  Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the figures for the estimated cost to the NHS of treatment to those injured or killed'in road traffic accidents in each year since 1979; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Nurse Regradings
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail by region the amount of moneys given over to help complete the regrading process of nurses; and if she will detail the funds separately for each trust hospital.

  Entrants to initial pre-registration nurse training by course of study and academic qualifications

  England 1992–93

  Course of study

  Number

  Academic qualifications of entrants

  Less than 5 grade C GCSEs or equivalent

  5 grade C and above GCSEs or equivalent

  6 or more grade C and above GCSEs or equivalent

  'A' levels or higher qualifications

  Registered nurse training

  Traditional training

  Total

  3,890

  700

  610

  1,150

  1,439

  General

  3,350

  540

  550

  1,050

  1,210

  Mental illness

  420

  120

  50

  70

  180

  Mental handicap

  120

  40

  10

  30

  40

  Project 2000

  Total

  12,040

  2,080

  1,910

  3,820

  4,230

  Adult

  8,190

  1,380

  1,400

  2,770

  2,640

  Mental health

  1,670

  350

  210

  350

  750

  Mental handicap

  650

  160

  90

  160

  240

  Child

  820

  60

  100

  350

  310

  Common foundation

  710

  120

  100

  190

  300

  Registered midwifery training

  Direct entrants

  520

  70

  40

  120

  290

  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source: English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery arid Health Visiting.

  Relocation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of her Department's civil servants have been transferred from London to the NHS executive headquarters at Leeds.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 28 June 1993]: A total of 530 staff have been transferred from London to the National Health Service Management Executive and NHS Estates Agency in Leeds, 75 on a temporary basis.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what indemnities have been given by Yorkshire regional health authority to Yorkshire Water plc against all claims
  618
  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Nursing and Midwifery Staff
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by clinical grade and specialty for each district health authority and regional health authority the number of nursing and midwifery staff employed as at 1 April.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 11 June 1993]: The information available will be placed in the Library.

  Nursing Education
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish details of the numbers of entrants to initial pre-registration nursing education by course of study and by the academic qualifications possessed by entrants in(a) 1989, (b) 1990, (c) 1991 and (d)

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 23 June 1993]: Data are only available for the year ending 31 March 1993 and are shown in the table.

  arising from fluoridation of water supplies; if she will place a copy of the indemnity in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [pursuant to his reply, 17 June 1993, c. 697]: I regret that the previous reply was incorrect. On 22 December 1989 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave Yorkshire Water Services Ltd an indemnity against liabilities arising from the supply of fluoridated water provided by Anglian water authority without adjustment of the fluoride levels. A copy of the indemnity will be deposited in the Library.

WALES

  Rural Prosperity Programme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the schemes currently funded in Wales under the rural prosperity programme indicating(a) the amount allocated to each scheme in total, (b) the amount spent on each scheme to date and (c) the amounts due to be allocated for each scheme for financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Mr. Redwood
  The rural prosperity programme is a Welsh development agency initiative. I have arranged for

  Partnerships of five or more doctors in Wales (as at 1 October)

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  1990

  18

  12

  11

  5

  16

  9

  13

  16

  1991

  19

  15

  11

  7

  16

  9

  15

  17

  1992

  18

  17

  10

  9

  16

  9

  15

  18

  Partnerships of two or fewer doctors in Wales (as at 1 October)1

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  1980

  34

  39

  55

  21

  40

  9

  36

  22

  1981

  34

  39

  50

  26

  41

  7

  33

  20

  1982

  31

  37

  51

  26

  43

  4

  34

  23

  1983

  30

  40

  49

  22

  43

  4

  35

  22

  1984

  33

  40

  50

  22

  48

  4

  33

  25

  1985

  30

  40

  52

  22

  50

  4

  36

  24

  1986

  29

  39

  53

  21

  50

  4

  31

  23

  1987

  31

  35

  48

  22

  57

  4

  30

  24

  1988

  34

  37

  49

  21

  55

  3

  27

  27

  1989

  35

  36

  49

  20

  57

  3

  28

  26

  1990

  38

  37

  57

  24

  55

  3

  28

  25

  1991

  37

  30

  50

  21

  60

  3

  26

  27

  1992

  39

  28

  47

  19

  56

  3

  25

  26

  1Includes doctors practising single handed.

  Drug Stocks
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance he has issued to hospitals as to the use of drugs after their use-by date.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1988 the Department of Health and Welsh Office jointly issued guidelines to health authorities in England and Wales on the safe and secure handling of medicines which contain guidance requiring hospital staff to return all out of date drugs or medicines to the pharmacy for disposal.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what evidence he has of hospitals using drugs which are past their use-by date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have no such evidence.

  Flood Damage
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial assistance is available for farmers whose land has been adversely affected by the recent flooding.
  620
  the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Gentleman, and for a copy of his response to be placed in the Library of the House.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Ieun Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner practices comprised(a) five or more partners and (b) two or fewer partners in each district health authority area in Wales in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information available relates to partnership rather than practice size. Information for partnerships of five or more doctors is available only for 1990 onwards.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department is assessing the extent of flood damage to agricultural land. Farmers can, if eligible, receive assistance under existing grant schemes for some of the work that may be necessary following the flooding.

  Sports Council for Wales
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library full details of the funds spent by the Sports Council for Wales in the period 1990 to 1992 on drug tests for athletes, disaggregating the amount spent on individual sports and indicating the number of tests which proved positive for banned substances.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have placed the information requested in the Library of the House.

  Mental Handicap
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mentally handicapped adults are currently living in long-stay hospitals outside the county in which they were residents.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of 368.
  621

  Integrated Administration and Control Systems
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many fully completed IACS forms have now been received by the Welsh Office; what percentage of Welsh farmers this represents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  We have received 18,537 forms. The proportion of fully completed forms will not be known until detailed checks have been completed.

  Ministerial Visit, Tywyn
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to visit the Tywyn area of the constituency of Meirionnydd Nant Conwy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have no immediate plans to visit the Tywyn area, although I have a very extensive programme of visits to every county in Wales.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by county, hectarage and location, the Forestry Commission land in Wales sold since October 1991 where(a) access agreements have been concluded and (b) access agreements have not been concluded.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  [holding answer 22 June 1993]: Arrangements aimed at securing continued public access to woodlands sold by the Forestry Commission were introduced in october 1991. Excluding those sales which were too far advanced at that time to be included for consideration under the new arrangements, the commission has sold the following 28 areas of forest land in Wales since then. No access agreements have been concluded in respect of any of these areas.

  Area (ha)

  Clwyd

  Coed Cochion

  87·0

  Newbridge and Chirk By-pass

  1·0

  Dyfed

  Allt Fawr

  4·0

  Allt Tir Isaf

  5·0

  Erryd Wood

  5·0

  Garreg Llywd Ffyrdd

  6·0

  Llwyn Neuadd

  6·0

  Llys Y Fran-Velindre

  2·6

  Penywaun

  11·9

  Pen Yr Allt

  4·7

  Pryce Moor Wood

  5·0

  Rosebush (Land at)

  27·0

  Sunny Hill Wood

  9·0

  The Coombes

  6·0

  Trawscoed Woods

  88·0

  Wenallt Fawr

  12·0

  Wern Talhardd

  8·0

  Gwent

  Goytre Hall Wood

  4·0

  Ifton Quarry

  14·0

  Newport-Worcester Trunk Road

  1·7

  Gwynedd

  Bodfeddau

  9·6

  Gwenfro Uchaf

  7·3

  Mid Glamorgan

  Blaengarw (Old Industrial Tip)

  67·8

  622

  Area (ha)

  South Glamorgan

  Coed Hills

  27·5

  Coed Y Colwn

  15·0

  West Glamorgan

  Dyffryn Woods

  116·0

  Penyrallt (Land at)

  0·5

  Valley Woods

  75·0

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing income distribution of child benefit recipients broken down into equivalised income bands.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the tables.

  Distribution of child benefit recipients by equivalised1 income bands, 1990–912

  Equivalised income of benefit unit3

  Number of benefit units in receipt of child benefit

  Percentage of all benefit units in receipt of child benefit

  thousands

  Per cent.

  Before housing costs

  less than £50

  170

  2·5

  £50-£100

  883

  12·8

  £100-£200

  2,967

  42·9

  £200-£300

  1,732

  25·1

  £300-£400

  661

  9·6

  £400-£500

  235

  3·4

  £500 or more

  265

  3·8

  After housing costs

  less than £50

  379

  5·5

  £50-£100

  1,610

  23·3

  £100-£200

  2,913

  42·1

  £200-£300

  1,324

  19·2

  £300-£400

  374

  5·4

  £400-£500

  146

  2·1

  £500 or more

  169

  2·4

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey

  Notes:

  1 Income has been equivalised within benefit units using the McClements scales.

  2 This represents the latest information available and combines the data for the years 1990 and 1991

  3 Income is in £s per week expressed in January 1991 prices.

  Loans and Compensation (Floods)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will use his discretion under the crisis fund to convert all loans made necessary because of the recent flooding disaster into direct grants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Help from the social fund may be available to people affected by the recent flooding principally in the form of discretionary crisis loans. Social fund community care grants are primarily intended to help promote care in the community and are not designed to be used for general disaster relief, although each application is considered on its merits.
  623
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to secure that invalidity benefit recipients affected by the recent flooding will be eligible for social fund loans.

  Mr. Scott
  Discretionary crisis loans are already available to invalidity benefit recipients where there is a serious risk to the health and safety of the applicant or their family and where such a loan is the only means of dealing with the crisis.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will bring forward proposals to pay

  Sickness benefit recipients

  Invalidity benefit recipients

  England

  Scotland

  England

  Scotland

  31 January 1990

  91,000

  14,000

  887,000

  167,000

  28 February 1990

  88,000

  13,000

  889,000

  168,000

  31 March 1990

  80,000

  13,000

  895,000

  169,000

  30 April 1990

  86,000

  15,000

  909,000

  170,000

  31 May 1990

  84,000

  15,000

  916,000

  172,000

  30 June 1990

  86,000

  15,000

  922,000

  173,000

  31 July 1990

  87,000

  16,000

  925,000

  173,000

  31 August 1990

  83,000

  15,000

  935,000

  175,000

  29 September 1990

  85,000

  14,000

  940,000

  177,000

  31 October 1990

  89,000

  13,000

  943,000

  178,000

  30 November 1990

  88,000

  13,000

  948,000

  180,000

  31 December 1990

  91,000

  14,000

  959,000

  181,000

  31 January 1991

  90,000

  13,000

  959,000

  180,000

  28 February 1991

  90,000

  13,000

  963,000

  181,000

  30 March 1991

  83,000

  15,000

  971,000

  181,000

  1991–92

  120,000

  1,365,000

  1992–93

  135,000

  1,490,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures based on a 1 per cent. sample of claimants are at a point in time, not for the month as a whole, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Information in the form requested is not available for later than 30 March 1991. Figures for 1991–92 and 1992–93 come from the Departmental Report 1993.

  Income Support
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the annual income support payable to an unemployed person aged 20 years in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table. The amount shown assume only income support personal allowance is payable. Any income from another source would also be taken into account.

  Income support payable to a single unemployed 20 year old

  Date of benefit uprating

  Weekly personal rate (£)

  Annual total (£) (Financial year)

  April 1990

  28·80

  1,497·60 (1990–91)

  April 1991

  31·15

  1,626·30 (1991–92)

  October 1991

  31·40

  April 1992

  33·60

  1,747·20 (1992–93)

  April 1993

  34·80

  1,809·60 (1993–94)

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the levels of income support for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the Library.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people living within the catchment
  624
  compensation for damage in the flooding incident at Aberconwy and Meirionnydd to individuals who do not qualify for benefits or social funding.

  Mr. Scott
  No. Local authorities have primary responsibility for disaster relief.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each month since January 1990 the number of people in receipt of invalidity and sickness benefit(a) in England and (b) in Scotland.

  Mr. Scott
  The available information is in the table.

  area of the York Benefits Agency office were in receipt of invalidity benefit on the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of invalidity benefit 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. Hugh Bayley, dated 30 June 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many people living within the catchment area of the York Benefits Agency Office were in receipt of Invalidity Benefit on the most recent date for which figures are available.

  The information is not available in the format requested. This is because statistics are not maintained by District/ Benefit Offices for recipients of Invalidity Benefit.

  However, it is possible to state the number of claimants to Invalidity Benefit at York District Office. These include a small number of people who have claimed but are not receiving Invalidity Benefit, eg. because there is underlying entitlement which has been extinguished by the payment of a higher overlapping benefit or where termination action has not been completed.

  There were in fact 5,094 people claiming Invalidity Benefit at York District Office at the last working day of May 1993. These figures were obtained from a 100 per cent. clerical count of cases in the Office.
  625
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what considerations underlie the different treatment of an employer's payment of an employee's council tax liability, paid under a contract of employment, for national insurance contributions and income tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Generally the position is that such an employee would normally be liable to both national insurance contributions and income tax. However, certain employees who are living in accommodation provided by the employer are not charged income tax on the benefit of that accommodation under the provisions of section 145(4) of the Taxes Act 1988. Broadly, this is where the accommodation is necessary for their job. The payment of the council tax on such accommodation by the employers will not give rise to an income tax charge on these employees.

  There are no parallel provisions in social security legislation and consequently national insurance contributions may be due. However, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State is currently considering whether this difference is suitable for alignment under the current deregulation initiative.

  Maternity Payments
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women aged(a) 16 or 17 years, (b) 18 to 24 years and (c) 25 years and over received maternity payment from the social fund in each year from 1988; and how many of the maternity payments were made to single women.

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

  Road Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the figures for the estimated cost to the Department of Social Security for those injured in road traffic accidents for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available.

  Flood Victims
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are being taken to provide an immediate response to applications for help from the social fund by victims of the recent flooding in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  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 he placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd. dated 30 June 1993.
  626
  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 what steps are being taken to provide an immediate response to applications for help from the Social Fund by victims of the recent flooding in Wales.

  I would first of all like to explain that the primary responsibility for disaster relief lies with the Local Authority and I understand that the Government has already made available extra money for the emergency work.

  However, help may be available from the Social Fund. In the main, this will be in the form of Crisis Loans (CLs) which are available to anyone who needs financial help to meet expenses in an emergency or a disaster, whether or not they are receiving any benefit. They must however, be facing serious risk or serious damage to their health or safety, and the CL must be the only means of dealing with the crisis.

  In order to ensure that applications from flood victims are processed more promptly, the Colwyn Bay office has set up a dedicated section. All applications for assistance are being considered sensitively, in light of the individual circumstances of the applicant.

  Expenditure from District Social Fund budgets is monitored closely. Arrangements are in place to record expenditure incurred as a result of flooding or other natural disasters.

  If the situation arises, the Department will review the local budgets of Districts which have incurred additional Social Fund expenditure as a result of flooding.

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

DEFENCE

  Fleet Maintenance and Repair
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year testing of the Fleet Maintenance and Repair Organisation in Her Majesty's naval base, Portsmouth is likely to start.

  Mr. Aitken
  Preparatory work has already started.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of the ALFENS low-flying safety system to prevent crashes and near misses; and if he will speed up the introduction of the system.

  Mr. Hanley
  The automated low flying enquiry and notification system—ALFENS—will enhance safety by improving the availability and exchange of accurate information to military aircrew at all times. The system will also provide more flexible deconfliction arrangements at night but is not designed to provide deconfliction for daytime flying. ALFENS will be introduced into service as quickly as possible.

  HMS Repulse
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Clyde public safety scheme was activated as a consequence of the release of coolant from HMS Repulse on 20 June.

  Mr. Hanley
  The activation of the alarm was immediately discovered to have been an over-reaction to what was a minor incident that posed no risk to the public. Because of this, the public emergency authorities were not alerted and the public safety scheme was not activated.
  627

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the United Kingdom's contribution to the costs of the preparatory commission for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established under the chemical weapons convention, expressing the figures(a) for each relevant Government financial year and (b) for each financial year of the commission; and from which subheads of which votes of which classes United Kingdom contributions funds are taken.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom made an initial contribution to the 1993 preparatory commission budget of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of £130,000 in the Government's financial year 1992–93; this was paid from class 1 vote 1 subhead J2. A further contribution of £136,667 was made to the 1993 preparatory commission's budget in the Government's financial year 1993–94 from class 1 vote 1 subhead M3. The commission's financial year coincides with the calendar year.

  Nuclear Weapons (Transport)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the fire-resistant qualities of the truck cargo heavy duty II vehicles used by his Department for the transportation of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have nothing to add to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement gave the hon. Member on 9 June,Official Report, column 288.

  Aircraft Carriers (Refitting)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money will have to be spent at Rosyth dockyard to enable the refitting of aircraft carriers; and how much would need to be spent at Devonport dockyard to enable it to perform the same operation.

  Mr. Aitken
  A continuing programme of capital expenditure on various items is envisaged at both Rosyth and Devonport which is not specifically related to refitting aircraft carriers. The existing facilities at Rosyth are suitable for refitting aircraft carriers, as are those at Devonport, without significant additional expenditure, but further discussions about precise requirements will take place with the dockyard operator well in advance of the first refit.

  Anti-armour Ammunition
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the programme of research and development into anti-armour ammunition with depleted uranium penetrators.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has undertaken two development programmes for anti-armour tank ammunition with depleted uranium penetrators. The CHARM 1 programme to develop a 120 mm tank round with a depleted uranium penetrator is now almost complete. A programme to develop an enhanced performance 120 mm tank round with a depleted uranium penetrator—CHARM 3—began in 1991.
  628
  My Department has also undertaken a research programme to examine the feasibility of developing a 140mm tank round with a depleted uranium penetrator. This programme, too, is now almost complete.

  Radiation Monitoring
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 474, to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger), if he will place in the Library copies of reports on radiation monitoring carried out since 1980 by (a) the Atomic Energy Authority at and around the Eskmeals test firing range, (b) BNFL at and around the Kirkcudbright test firing range and (c) Atomic Weapons Establishment at the west Freugh test firing range.

  Mr. Aitken
  Subject to deletion of some classified details, I will arrange for copies of the reports to be placed in the House of Commons Library in due course.

  Depleted Uranium Shells
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what detailed records are kept of the dates and locations of each of the tests involving depleted uranium shells; and to whom this information is made available.

  Mr. Aitken
  Full records of all DU firings are kept as part of standard trials documentation. These records are available on request to regulatory authorities, such as Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution or Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what future steps he proposes to take to assess and keep under review the possible effects on the local population and environment arising from the testing of depleted uranium shells at(a) Kirkcudbright test firing range, (b) West Freugh test firing range and (c) Eskmeals test firing range; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the appropriate health and safety measures deemed necessary as part of the United Kingdom development firing programme using depleted uranium; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The measures currently taken are set out in my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces' reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 14 June,Official Report, columns 473–74. We propose to continue these. In addition, in the spirit of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 we propose to undertake a full environmental impact assessment at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many periodic inspections have been carried out by(a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) the Department of the Environment's radiochemical inspectorate in each year since 1980 into the United Kingdom development firing programme using depleted uranium; and if he will provide a breakdown by firing range.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Health and Safety Executive visited Kirkcudbright in 1986 to inspect the handling and firing of DU rounds. Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate was fully consulted in 1980–81 while preparations for DU firing at Kirkcudbright were being made. It visited the range in April this year at our invitation. Her Majesty's
  629
  inspectorate of pollution visited Eskmeals once in 1989 and twice in 1993. A number of visits to Eskmeals took place between 1981 and 1989, but a record of the exact dates is not available.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish a public inquiry into depleted uranium testing; what representations he has received calling on him to set up such an inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  I have no plans to establish such an inquiry. I have received no other such representations.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has passed to(a) Dumfries and Galloway regional council, (b) Wigton district council and ( c ) Stewartry district council on the safety, health and environmental precautions to be taken in order to ensure the protection of the local population from the effects arising from the testing of depleted uranium shells at Kirkcudbright test firing range; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The results of the monitoring summarised by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces in his replies to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 14 June,Official Report, columns 473–74, demonstrate that there is no risk either to those who work on the range or to those who live near it. There is, therefore, no need for precautions such as the hon. Member describes.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has carried out or commissioned on the use of tungsten-tipped shells as an alternative to the use of depleted uranium.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department is not carrying out any research into the development of a tungsten-tipped tank round for service with the British Army beyond those already in service; nor has it commissioned any.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the dates and locations of each of the tests involving depleted uranium shells at Kircudbrighi firing range.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information is not readily available in the form requested by the hon. Member. Since firing started in March 1982, firing has taken placed on 535 days, with annual totals as follows:630

  Days

  1982

  3

  1983

  20

  1984

  55

  1985

  24

  1986

  26

  1987

  26

  1988

  32

  1989

  59

  1990

  88

  1991

  59

  1992

  87

  1993

  156

  1 To date.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many existing or past military or civilian personnel from his Department have contacted his Department regarding possible uranium contamination as a result of being involved in depleted uranium testing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  No military or civilian personnel have contacted my Department regarding possible uranium contamination as a result of being involved in the proof-firing of depleted uranium ammunition in the United Kingdom. Three personnel who expressed concern that they may have inhaled depleted uranium dust during training for Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait were subject to monitoring which showed no detectable depleted uranium contamination.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the current stocks and future arisings of radioactive waste at the west Freugh and Kirkcudbright test firing ranges.

  Mr. Aitken
  There are no such stocks; nor are any future arisings expected.

  Defence Estimates
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the "Statement on the Defence Estimates"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1993" will be published on Monday 5 July.

  NIGERIA: DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS
  NIGERIA: DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS
  SUDAN: REPORT OF EC DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS
  SUDAN: REPORT OF EC DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS
  ST. HELENA: TOURISM PROSPECTS
  ST. HELENA: TOURISM PROSPECTS
  MEDICAL EYE CENTRES
  MEDICAL EYE CENTRES
  SIGHT TESTS
  SIGHT TESTS
  NORTHERN IRELAND: STATUTORY RULES
  NORTHERN IRELAND: STATUTORY RULES
  EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS
  EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS
  M.25 and M.4 IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES
  M.25 and M.4 IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES
  LONG CRIMINAL TRIALS: RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION PAPER
  LONG CRIMINAL TRIALS: RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION PAPER
  INTESTACY: IMPLEMENTATION OF LAW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
  INTESTACY: IMPLEMENTATION OF LAW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS