Written Answers of 9 July 1993

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Quangos
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the names of individuals who(a) are spouses of hon. Members, (b) are Members of the House of Lords, (c) are spouses of Members of the House of Lords and (d) have been party candidates for Parliament, indicating for which party, who have been appointed by his Department to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations giving, in each case, the title of the post, any salary payable, and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. Davis
  There are two hon. Members of this House who are also members of the non-departmental public bodies to which my right hon. Friend makes appoint-ments. These are my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, West and Torridge (Miss Nicholson), who was appointed a member of the Medical Research Council for the period 12 August 1991 to 31 July 1995; and my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman), who was appointed a member of the Agricultural and Food Research Council for the period 1 January 1991 to 31 July 1994. Both Members receive an honorarium of £4,600 per annum.

  In addition, Lord Chorley is a member of the Natural Environment Research Council. He was first appointed on 1 August 1988 and reappointed on 1 August 1991 for a further term of three years. He, too, receives an honorarium of £4,600 per annum.

  Information is not available on whether any members of the non-departmental public bodies for which my right hon. Friend makes appointments have spouses either in this House or in another place. Similarly, information is not available on whether appointees have been parliamentary candidates, except where candidates were elected.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many maintenance assessments have been issued by the Child Support Agency since it came into operation;

  (2) how many inquiry forms have been issued to absent parents by the Child Support Agency at the latest date for which figures are available;

  (3) how many (a) non-income support and (b) income support cases have been referred to the Child Support Agency at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
  284
  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 7 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many maintenance assessments have been issued by the Agency; the number of enquiry forms issued to absent parents; and how many non-income support and income support cases have been referred to the Agency.
  Although information is not available at this stage relating to the number of non-income support/income support cases referred to the Agency, I can tell you that during the period 5 April to 28 May over 53,000 maintenance application forms were received. In the same period over 19,000 maintenance enquiry forms were issued, and over 700 maintenance assessments were calculated and the parents notified.
  At this early stage these figures should be regarded as provisional and may be subject to amendment.
  I hope you will find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to extend the period for which residential allowance is paid to new care home residents who attend hospital during their period in residential care.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 10 May at column 340.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Manufacturing Productivity
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on trends in manufacturing productivity over the past year.

  Mr. Nelson
  Manufacturing productivity in the three months to April was 7·8 per cent. higher than a year earlier. Apart from the three months to March, this was the highest growth rate for over six years.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Africa (Aid)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy concerning aid to Africa; what consultations he has with voluntary organisations that work in Africa prior to taking policy decisions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Sub-Saharan Africa is a priority for British bilateral assistance. In 1991–92 we disbursed £334 million in grant aid, excluding Commonwealth Development Corporation investments.

  We have regular contact with non-governmental organisations on a range of operational and policy issues. The establishment of the British Overseas NGOs for Development last month will promote greater coordination between NGOs and ODA.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Heritage Buildings
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what funds are made available by his Department to county councils for the maintenance and repair of heritage buildings owned by them.

  Mr. Brooke
  Such funding is provided through the grant schemes administered by English Heritage, one of the Department's sponsored bodies. During 1992–93, English Heritage made 46 offers to county councils under its main grant programmes, representing £0·5 million in total. In addition, it contributed over £7 million, in the form of town schemes and areas grants, to owners of listed buildings through partnership arrangements with local authorities.

  Local Authority Guidance
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the new guidance for local authorities on historic buildings and conservation areas will be available for public comment.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have just issued for comment a major new statement of Government policy for historic buildings and conservation areas. This is the first major re-statement of the Government's policies for conservation since March 1987. It reaffirms our determination to protect the 500,000 listed buildings and 7,500 conservation areas which are so important a part of this country's cultural heritage. It emphasises the role of the planning system in striking a balance between the interests of conservation and the need to provide for sensible development. At the same time it reflects recent changes in the legislation; major court judgments since 1987; and some recent reassessment of priorities, for instance for the listing of historic buildings.

  This statement will be revised in the light of public comments and then published jointly by our two Departments as planning policy guidance note 15. As such, it will be of central importance for some years to come for a wide range of decisions affecting historic buildings and conservation areas. We hope, therefore, that everyone with an interest in conservation policy will let us have his or her comments on the draft.

  At the same time we are issuing a consultation paper on the effectiveness of planning controls in protecting the character and appearance of conservation areas. The paper seeks views on the extent to which problems currently exist and on possible solutions. It invites full public discussion of a range of options, with a view to striking the right balance between protecting the heritage and minimising bureaucratic controls over businesses and private citizens, both of which are important objectives of Government policy. The decisions we take in the light of public responses to this consultation paper will be reflected in the final version of PPG 15.

  I have arranged for copies of both documents to be placed in the Library.

EMPLOYMENT

  Passive Smoking
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to protect workers in the tourism and leisure industry from the danger to their health of passive smoking.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The protection of workers from risks to health from passive smoking at work is already covered by section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, which applies to all industries.

  Medical Waste Incinerators
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidelines and procedures exist or are proposed on the role and responsibilities of the Health and Safety Executive in monitoring and supervising medical waste incinerator facilities.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Executive's responsibilities in respect of incinerators, including those which handle medical waste, extend to enforcing the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and regulations made under the Act in respect of the health, safety and welfare of employees and the health and safety or others who may be affected by work activities to the extent that such activities are not covered by other more specific environmental legislation not enforced by HSE.

  Of particular relevance are the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988, which are each supported by an approved code of practice. Both regulations require employers to assess the risk to their employees and to others who may be affected by the work activity, and carry out steps to bring into effect and maintain the level of control required by their assessments. The COSHH regulations specifically expand and clarify the duties of employers regarding hazardous substances at work to which employees and others may be exposed.

  At visits to incinerators, HSE's role is to ensure that compliance with the relevant legislation is achieved by employers and workers at the workplace. The Health and Safety Commission's Health Services Advisory Committee has published guidance on the safe disposal, including incineration, of medical waste and HSE inspectors refer to this guidance during inspection and other visits to incineration facilities.

  Emissions from incinerators and operating conditions are covered by environmental legislation and are the responsibility of other enforcing authorities.

TRANSPORT

  Bicycles (Carriage by Rail)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the future of carriage of bicycles by rail following privatisation; and if the will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received a number of representations from cycling organisations and others.

  We expect private sector rail operators to be more responsive to the demands of all their passengers,

  287
  including cyclists. Following a meeting I had with the cycling groups recently, they have agreed to produce a pamphlet explaining the commercial opportunity cyclists present to the operators of rail services and the ways in which services can be made more attractive to cyclists. I have agreed to bring this pamphlet to the attention of prospective franchisees.

  Disability
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations with organisations. representing workers with disabilities were undertaken before the reconstitution of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Freeman
  We consulted a wide range of organisations representing both transport and disability interests, including organisations of, and for, people with disabilities.

  Consultants
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultants currently employed by his Department, Railtrack and the British Railways Board on work relating to the implementation of the Railways Bill together with their terms of reference.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department's consultants and their areas of advice are listed in the table:

  Linklaters and Paines—Legal issues

  Samuel Montagu and Co.—Merchant Banking

  KPMG Peat Marwick—Accountancy

  Coopers and Lybrand—Access charges

  Richard Ellis—Property matters

  Dewe Rogerson—Marketing

  PJR—Management and organisation

  Mercer—Freight: Access and regulation —Franchising

  Ernst & Young—Information systems

  Consultants employed by the British Railways Board are a matter for the board. Railtrack is at present a division of the board.

  Buses
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which county councils he formally consulted in relation to the consultation paper on operation of local bus services outside London.

  Mr. Freeman
  The paper was sent to the Association of County Councils and to all those county councils which asked for a copy. We are ensuring that all county councils are aware of the consultation.

  Public Transport, London
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the type and scope of parliamentary questions from hon. Members in respect of London's public transport service on which he will not provide substantive answers.

  Mr. Norris
  It is for the House authorities to decide what questions are accepted, for answer by Ministers. Where a question has been so accepted, I will always, as far as practicable, provide a substantive answer on the matters for which I am responsible.

  Rail Bridge, Barmouth
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement in the current situation in respect of the rail bridge link to Barmouth and the Cambrian coast line.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand from British Rail that there are no significant problems with the Barmouth rail bridge.

  Rolling Stock
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the criteria used to determine the figure of £150 million as the total available for a rolling stock leasing project; and if the sum will be treated as public expenditure.

  Mr. Freeman
  The purpose of the leasing concession announced in the autumn statement was to encourage the development of a private sector leasing market in the transition to the privatised railway. The figure of £150 million reflected a judgment on the size of the concession the Government considered prudent to make, given the need to offer the leasing industry some genuine experience of rolling stock leasing.

  Only rental payments made by the public sector under the lease will score as public expenditure as they are made.

  Rail Users' Consultative Committees
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers the rail users' consultative committees will have to publish their reports into closure proposals under his railway privatisation plans.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government intend that rail users' consultative committees should be free to publish their reports on closure proposals and will propose that the Railways Bill be amended to that effect.

  Trust Ports
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has made of(a) the potential regenerative effect of privatisation of trust ports in the regions and (b) the regenerative effects of such privatisations which have already taken place.

  Mr. Norris
  Privatised trust ports will be able to broaden their capital base and, as appropriate, diversify their activities, within a framework of accountability to shareholders.

  This will be to their advantage in the development of the port and the local economy which it serves. It is not therefore necessary for the Secretary of State to undertake such studies.

  Through Rail Tickets
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made as to the availability of through tickets to passengers starting journeys at Chepstow, Cromer, Felixstowe, Knaresborough, Newmarket, Whitby, Bishop Auckland, Burnley, Milford Haven and Welshpool stations after rail privatisation;

  (2) if his proposals for the continuing availability under rail franchising arrangements, of through tickets, will include ticket sales at unmanned stations.
  289
  Mr. Freeman
  We have made it clear that through tickets will be available at as many stations as possible. The precise coverage is not yet determined.

  Rolling Stock
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what sums his Department has approved for capital expenditure by British Rail for the Network SouthEast system, excluding replacement of existing rolling stock and equipment;

  (2) what sums he has authorised for investment expenditure on regional railways in 1993–94, excluding replacement of rolling stock and existing equipment but including all new facilities and expansion of the existing system.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answers 7 July 1993]: The Government have set British Rail's external financing limit at £1,495 million for 1993–94. This should allow investment of some £1·1 billion. Priorities within that figure are for British Rail to determine, but they will include investment related to the channel tunnel which will benefit Network SouthEast infrastructure as well as international services. The estimate for investment by Network SouthEast in 1993–94 excluding rolling stock and channel tunnel preparations will amount to approximately £95 million and for Regional Railways approximately £44 million. In addition British Rail is exploring the scope for utilising private finance to enable further improvements to be made.

  From next April, the responsibility for infrastructure investment will lie with Railtrack. It will take a strategic view of investment and will be charged with producing an indicative 10-year investment plan.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Repurchased Homes
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate by district the number of homes repurchased and allocated by the Housing Executive and housing associations, respectively, the total amounts spent and the priority categories of the households to whom the homes were allocated.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information in relation to properties repurchased by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and housing associations, excluding the Northern Ireland Co-ownership Association, as a result of the housing initiative announced by the Chancellor in his autumn statement, is given in the table.

  All the properties repurchased by the Housing Executive have been allocated to households in urgent housing need or to transfer applicants whose vacated properties were then used to house urgent housing need applicants. Of the eight properties repurchased by housing associations, six have been allocated to households in urgent housing need and two are being repaired prior to allocation.

  Properties repurchased by the Housing Executive and housing associations under the house purchase initiative.
  290

  District

  Northern Ireland housing executive

  Housing associations

  Antrim

  —

  —

  Armagh

  3

  —

  Ballycastle

  1

  —

  Ballymena

  4

  —

  Ballymoney

  1

  —

  Banbridge

  2

  —

  Bangor

  1

  —

  Belfast 1

  6

  —

  Belfast 2

  7

  —

  Belfast 3

  4

  —

  Belfast 4

  4

  —

  Belfast 5

  —

  —

  Belfast 6

  —

  —

  Belfast 7

  5

  —

  Carrickfergus

  11

  —

  Castlereagh 1

  1

  —

  Castlereagh 2

  4

  —

  Coleraine

  2

  —

  Cookstown

  —

  —

  Craigavon

  —

  —

  Downpatrick

  7

  —

  Dungannon

  2

  —

  Fermanagh

  3

  —

  Larne

  5

  —

  Limavady

  6

  —

  Lisburn 1

  3

  —

  Lisburn 2

  3

  —

  Lisburn 3

  3

  —

  Londonderry 1

  —

  8

  Londonderry 2

  —

  —

  Londonderry 3

  2

  —

  Lurgan

  8

  —

  Magherafelt

  1

  —

  Newry 1

  5

  —

  Newry 2

  4

  —

  Newtonwabbey 1

  3

  —

  Newtownabbey 1

  2

  —

  Newtownards 1

  4

  —

  Newtownards 2

  3

  —

  Omagh

  —

  —

  Portadown

  1

  —

  Strabane

  1

  —

  Total number

  122

  8

  Total Cost

  £2,558·750

  £174,500

HEALTH

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had regarding the retention in St. Bartholomew's hospital of a casualty unit capable of treating cardiac failure and other life-threatening events and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have received a number of representations regarding the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital. Where appropriate, details have been referred to North East Thames regional health authority which was responsible for consulting on the proposed closure of the accident and emergency department.

  St. George's Hospital, Tooting
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many nursing and auxiliary staff have been made redundant at St. George's hospital, Tooting in each of the last three years;

  (2) at the latest date for which information is available what percentage of the facilities at St. George's hospital, Tooting, were in full use, in part use and closed;

  (3) what has been the salary and wages or remuneration of the following grades (a) business managers, (b) nurses and midwives, (c) administration and clerical, (d) ancillary staff, (e) non-national health service staff and (f) the chairman of the trust at St. George's hospital, Tooting, in each of the last three years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Dr. Elizabeth Valiance, the chairman of St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust, for details.

  The chairman's remuneration is £19,285 a year.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which district health authority chairmen are also chairs of NHS trusts; and if he will name the trusts and authorities involved.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Members of district health authorities are ineligible under national health service regulations to serve concurrently as directors of NHS trusts.

  Medical Waste
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her latest estimate of the scale of demand in England and Wales over the next 10 years for new facilities for disposing of medical waste, broken down(a) by region, (b) by volume, (c) by the proposed means of disposal and (d) by the type of operator envisaged;

  (2) if she will give details of current proposals for further units for incineration of medical waste, including the location of the units and the firms or organisations which will operate them.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Around 125,000 tonnes of waste produced by the national health service in England each year is disposed of as clinical waste. Health authorities are individually responsible for making arrangements for disposing of their waste. Each health authority has confirmed that its waste is disposed of in accordance with the interim standards of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and that by 1995 it will meet the full requirements of the Act. Incineration is expected to be the normal means of disposal, and will be carried out by health authorities themselves, or public or private contractors depending on local circumstances.

  The Department has issued strategic guidance, copies of which will be placed in the Library, to assist health authorities to formulate and implement environmental policies. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mental Illness
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric patients were resident in mental illness institutions operated by her Department in each year since 292
  the commencement of the Mental Health Act 1983, distinguishing between those compulsorily detained under the Act and those voluntarily admitted.

  Mr. Bowis
  The available information is shown in the table.

  The table provides the number of patients resident in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units, and special hospitals at 31 December; number formally detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, and number treated informally, England, for the years 1983 to 1986, and the total number of residents under the mental illness specialty in NHS hospitals and units at 31 March for the years 1989 to 1992.

  Year

  Residents:formally detained

  Treated informally

  Total

  31 December

  1983

  6,216

  104,194

  110,410

  1984

  5,892

  99,636

  105,528

  1985

  6,423

  94,738

  101,161

  1986

  6,295

  88,821

  95,116

  31 March

  1989

  n.a.

  n.a.

  83,900

  1990

  n.a.

  n.a.

  81,800

  1991

  n.a.

  n.a.

  70,800

  1992

  n.a.

  n.a.

  64,700

  Data for 1987 and 1988 are not considered reliable; data for 1989 to 1992 cannot be identified separately.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps her Department is taking to monitor the impact of the NHS management executive letter TEL 93/2 on the time within which detained patients' appeals are heard and the ability of NHS trusts to convene early and effective hearings;

  (2) when she intends to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Mental Health Act 1983 so as to correct the error identified in NHS management executive letter TEL 93/2;

  (3) what training is available to non-executive directors of NHS trusts to equip them for their responsibilities towards patients and the public, with particular reference to hearings pertaining to patients' appeals.

  Mr. Bowls
  The Mental Health Act Commission keeps in touch with national health service trusts about the arrangements for hearing patients' appeals. We will consider carefully any proposals it makes.

  We recognise the pressures placed on non-executive directors of NHS trusts as a result of the problem described in the NHS management executive's letter TEL 93/2. This can only be corrected by primary legislation and we shall be seeking the earliest opportunity to introduce it.

  We are committed to ensuring that high-quality training is provided to chairmen and non-executive directors of trusts. A wide range of training and induction is available locally and nationally, and the NHS management executive will be making proposals this autumn for enhancing and improving the way in which training and support is provided. On the issue of managers' power to discharge detained patients, training and guidance are available from the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts, in conjunction with the Mental Health Act Commission, and from the NHS Trust Federation. A copy of the NHS management executive's letter TEL 93/2 will be placed in the Library.
  293
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times section 4 of the Mental Health Act 1983 has been used each year since the Act came into force.

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is shown in the table.

  The Mental Health Act 1983 came into force in September 1983. The table gives the number of admissions under section 4 and changes during the year from other sections and from other Acts to section 4 and data for that year have been analysed in terms of the 1983 Act.
  Table provides data on the use of section 4 of the Mental Health Act 1983: covering admissions to national health service facilities, private nursing homes and special hospitals under this section, and changes in legal status of patients in national health service facilities from other sections or other Acts to section 4 in each of the years 1983 to 1989–90.

  Year and source

  Mental Health Act 1983, section 4: Assesment in emergency

  1983

  Admissions1

  5,640

  Changes to2

  N/a

  TOTAL

  5,640

  1984

  Admissions1

  3,622

  Changes to2

  N/a

  TOTAL

  3,622

  1985

  Admissions1

  3,464

  Changes to2

  N/a

  TOTAL

  3,464

  1986

  Admissions1

  2,786

  Changes to2

  N/a

  TOTAL

  2,786

  1987–88

  Admissions1

  2,196

  Changes to2

  288

  TOTAL

  2,484

  1988–89

  Admissions1

  2,030

  Changes to2

  263

  TOTAL

  2,293

  1989–90

  Admissions1

  1,868

  Changes to2

  236

  TOTAL

  2,104

  1 Admissions to special hospitals relate to calendar years.

  2 Patients in national health service facilities only (not available before 1987–88: changes to section 4 are mostly from informal status, with some from place of safety orders.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the national director of MIND will receive a full reply to the letter sent to her dated 11 May 1993.

  Mr. Bowis
  I met the national director of MIND informally earlier this month and am having a full meeting with her on 12 July when we shall be discussing a range of issues including matters raised in her letter.
  294
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is provided for primary health care teams, social workers and carers in the field of mental illness; and what plans she has to improve that training.

  Mr. Bowis
  Guidance to health authorities and local authorities on developing human skills and resources for all mental health workers is contained in the "Mental Illness Key Area Handbook", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health where in her Department the responsibility for providing the resources for training programmes for health care workers and others concerned with mental illness in the community lies.

  Mr. Bowls
  The responsibility for providing resources for training programmes lies with health and local authorities from within their overall financial allocations.

  Training Initiatives
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she intends to facilitate the resourcing of major national training initiatives in health care, with particular reference to those offered by open distance learning providers.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The national health service management executive has consistently supported the development of major national training initiatives which improve the delivery of care to patients. Such initiatives provide professional and managerial development opportunities for a wide range of NHS staff. Given the prevalence of shift and rota working within the NHS, some of these initiatives are delivered through open and distance learning.

  It is the policy of the management executive to support these programmes through meeting their development costs. Decisions about the investment in training for particular individuals must remain a decision for local managers, in the light of local need to develop better services.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Abortion
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with police forces about the steps taken to protect women who choose to seek legal abortion from intimidation.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None. Enforcement of the Public Order Act 1986 as it relates to threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress is the responsibility of chief officers of police.

  Winston Silcott
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is being given by his Department to a reference to the Court of Appeal in the case of conviction for murder of Winston Silcott.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department is considering a report of inquiries made on its behalf by the Metropolitan police. In the light of the results of that consideration my right hon. and learned Friend will decide whether there are grounds for any action on his part.

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the content of the acquis built up by intergovernmental co-operation between the 12 member states referred to in the press release of the meeting of 1 and 2 June of the Ministers responsible for immigration in Copenhagen; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The "acquis" will be those instruments and agreements between the member states which the applicant countries will be required to accept on acceding to the Community. This will include legally binding instruments such as the Dublin convention. Discussions between the member states on other items to be included are at an early stage.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work has been begun by the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration referred to in the Copenhagen meeting of Ministers responsible for immigration on 1 and 2 June.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration (CIREFI) is intended to provide a permanent mechanism for regular exhange of information, consultation and collaboration on practical matters between the relevant departments of the member states including information on member states' control procedures and immigration legislation.

  It has so far held only one meeting, on 7 April 1993.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the agenda of the ad hoc group on immigration under the Belgian presidency; and how many days have been allocated for its meetings.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Belgian presidency has provisionally allocated a total of eight days to four meetings of the ad hoc group on immigration.

  It will be for the Belgian presidency to determine the agenda for each of these meetings as they arise. The main agenda item for the first meeting will be the presentation of the presidency's programme for the coming six months. It is expected that the ad hoc group and its sub-groups will continue work currently in hand both on preparations for implementation of the Dublin convention and external frontiers convention, and under the immigration and asylum work programme agreed by Ministers at the end of the Dutch presidency in December 1991, including on admission for employment, harmonisation of asylum procedures and measures to combat illegal immigration.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the budget of the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration; and what are the sources of its funding.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration (CIREFI) has no separate budget. Meetings are serviced by a small number of staff from the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities and accommodation is provided within the offices of the Council.
  296
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for further relaxation of controls at internal borders of the European Community as referred to in the press release of the meeting of 1 and 2 June of the Ministers responsible for immigration in Copenhagen.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend, the then Home Secretary, informed the House in a written answer on 17 December 1992, at column 445, that we would be considering what further changes might be made in the course of 1993 to the United Kingdom immigration arrangements vis-á-vis member states of the Europoan Community, in furtherance of our policy of reducing checks on European Community nationals to the minimum compatible with the retention of effective immigration controls on third-country nationals, together with adequate safeguards against the entry of terrorists and other serious criminals.

  The change which we have in mind is that EC nationals arriving at ferry ports from other European Community member states would be required to confirm their EC status by holding up an EC passport or identity card, but immigration officers would not normally examine the document in detail. The officer would, however, make a full examination where there was any suspicion that the document was not genuine or that the passenger was not in fact an EC national. We have not yet reached any decision on exactly when this arrangement might be introduced at ferry ports or on whether, as the European Commission have suggested, it might be possible to extend it to some smaller regional airports in respect of EC passengers arriving from elsewhere within the European Community.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between United Kingdom immigration policy and the premise referred to in the report of the meeting of Ministers responsible for immigration at their meeting in Copenhagen on 1 and 2 June on the necessity of control of migratory flows for the successful integration of immigrants lawfully resident in the territories of member states.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  At the meeting of EC Immigration Ministers in Copenhagen, which I attended, there was a general consensus that the maintenance of effective immigration controls was an important factor in achieving the successful integration of immigrants lawfully resident in member states of the Community.

  This view is entirely compatible with the Government's policy of applying immigration controls which are both firm and fair.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the address and the name of the director of the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Centre for Immigration, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration (CIREFI) has no director. Meetings are chaired by the EC presidency and are held in Brussels in the offices of the Council of the European Communities.

  Small Firms (Crime)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to help small firms guard against crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office Crime Prevention Centre has recently issued to police forces a retail security guide for use by beat police officers. It gives detailed guidance on how small retail premises can be protected from burglary and will help police officers to provide appropriate advice to shopkeepers. Specialist crime prevention officers and architectural liaison officers are also available in police forces to advise on particular problems.

  The Government have encouraged the development of business watch, shop watch and industry watch schemes —along the lines of the neighbourhood watch model. Many small businesses have also benefited directly from various crime prevention schemes supported and funded by the Home Office safer cities programme. We are also proposing to set up a retail action group.

  Erwin Van Haarlem
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds Erwin Van Haarlem was released from prison and deported to Prague.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Mr. Van Haarlem was convicted on 3 March 1989 for an offence under Section 7 of the Official Secrets Act 1920, and was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with a recommendation that he should be deported on his release. The then Home Secretary accepted this recommendation. Section 46 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 permits the early release of prisoners who are subject to deportation orders. Mr. Van Haarlem was released under this provision and deported to Prague on 5 April this year.

  Prisoners (Visiting Facilities)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of(a) demand for and (b) availability of legal visiting facilities for category A remand residents at (i) Belmarsh and (ii) other prisons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Peter Bottomley dated July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about the demand and availability of legal visit facilities for Category A remand prisoners at HM Prison Belmarsh and other establishments.
  It is for the governor of each establishment to monitor the demand for legal visiting facilities to ensure that adequate facilities are available to members of the legal profession so that they can conduct interviews with remand prisoners in the interests of the criminal justice system.
  In the case of Belmarsh, there are adequate facilities to cope with the normal demand for legal visits requested by category A prisoners and the governor has made available additional facilities to deal with any urgent or immediate request which cannot be accommodated in the usual way.

  London Bombings
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been(a) held under the provisions of the prevention of terrorism Acts (b) charged and (c) released in connection with the Bishopsgate bomb and the London taxi bombs.

  Mr. Howard
  Following the incidents on 24 April 1993 in Bishopsgate, EC2, Seven Sisters road, N4 and Judd street, WC1, 10 people were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. One person was charged with a terrorist-related offence, but the charge was not proceeded with. One person was charged in relation to other offences and one person was returned to Northern Ireland to complete a prison sentence. The remaining seven people were released without charge.

  Metropolitan Police/RUC Consultations
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Metropolitan police take to consult the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Londonderry in appropriate cases.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Metropolitan police have a close working relationship with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and will take whatever steps are appropriate to consult the RUC where necessary.

  Racial Hatred
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the Commission for Racial Equality's recommendation in its 1992 review of the Race Relations Acts calling for an independent review of the law on incitement to racial hatred.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In its second review of the Race Relations Act 1976 the Commission for Racial Equality put forward a number of wide-ranging recommendations. These are currently under consideration and a formal response for the review as a whole will be issued as soon as possible.

  Domestic Violence
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Redcar (Ms Mowlam) of 29 March,Official Report, column 103, how many times the interdepartmental group on domestic violence has met; which Departments participated; and how frequent are their meetings.

  Mr. Maclean
  The official interdepartmental group on domestic violence, chaired by the Home Office, and with participation from the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Departments of Employment, the Environment, Health and Social Security, the Department for Education, the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Offices and the Treasury, has met twice to discuss areas in which work on domestic violence can be taken forward at national and local level. It will continue to meet as and when appropriate.

  Refuges
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the interdepartmental co-ordination on refuge provisions.
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  Mr. Maclean
  As stated in the Government's reply to the third report from the Home Affairs Committee, Session 1992–93, (Cm 2269), refuge provision is one of a number of matters that will be considered by the interdepartmental group on domestic violence.

  Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the past five years he has exercised his power of recall under section 42 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in respect of a person who was at time of recall a sentenced prisoner detained in prison.

  Mr. Maclean
  The total number of conditionally discharged patients recalled under section 42 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in the last five years for which the information is available is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1987

  40

  1988

  43

  1989

  36

  1990

  41

  1991

  56

  Information as to the number of these who were serving a sentence of imprisonment at the time is not separately recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last five years he has used his power under section 50(1)(b) of the Mental Health Act 1983 to release on licence or discharge under supervision a prisoner who has been the subject of a transfer direction and a restriction direction.

  Mr. Maclean
  I regret that this information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedural arrangements his Department requires to be complied with before he will use his power under section 50(1)(b) of the Mental Health Act 1983 to release on licence or discharge under supervision in the case of a person considered fit to leave treatment in hospital and suitable for release or discharge.

  Mr. Maclean
  The power to discharge a patient under section 50(1)(b) of the Mental Health Act 1983 can be used to discharge, on life licence, a life sentence prisoner who has been transferred to hospital during the course of his sentence. In such a case, if the patient's responsible medical officer or a mental health review tribunal have recommended that the patient be discharged, the practice has been to consult the Lord Chief Justice and the trial judge, if available, about the length of time for which the patient should be detained in order to satisfy requirements of retribution and deterrence. In any case in which that period has already been served, the views of the parole board would be sought about the discharge recommendation. If the parole board supported the proposed discharge, consideration would then be given as to whether in all the circumstances of the case, it would be appropriate for the patient to be discharged on life licence. In any case in which the decision was taken not to discharge such a300
  patient, and it was not considered appropriate for that patient to remain in hospital, the patient would be returned to prison in order to continue to serve the life sentence.

  Consideration is presently being given to what procedures will apply in the case of discretionary life sentence prisoners who have been, or will be, transferred to hospital, and who will benefit from the new arrangements governing their release contained in part II of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  Immigration Office, Birmingham Airport
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publicise the availability of the new immigration office at Birmingham airport.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Local organisations have been advised of the new immigration public enquiry office and its opening has received publicity in the Birmingham press. It will be given further publicity following an official opening to take place shortly.

  Prisoners' Health Care
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which Prison Service establishments the health care service for prisoners now purchases NHS services; and what has been the annual cost(a) by establishment and (b) in total in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Liz Lynne dated July 1993:
  I have been asked to reply to your Question seeking information about Prison Service establishments which are purchasing services from NHS providers and the cost of these services.
  The health care services (excluding pharmaceutical services) at present provided under contracts with NHS provider authorities and units, as distinct from contracts with individual practitioners, are indicated in the following table. The aggregate cost of the contracts in this financial year is £225,000. For reasons of commercial confidentiality I am unable to give information about costs in earlier years when there was only one contract.

  Establishment

  Type of Service

  HM Prison Belmarsh

  General Medical Services

  HM Prison Durham

  Psychiatric Services

  HM Prison Frankland

  Psychiatric Services

  HM Remand Centre Low Newton

  Psychiatric Services

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which Prison Service establishments negotiations are in progress with the NHS for the provision of health care services.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Liz Lynne, dated July 1993:
  I have been asked to reply to your Question about current negotiations between Prison Service establishments and the NHS for the provision of health care services.

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  I am not aware that any establishment is in formal negotiation with NHS providers at the present time. Invitations to tender for a contract to provide genito-urinary services to three establishments—HM Prisons Brixton, Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs—are expected to issue soon.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints procedure exists for prisoners who wish to complain about any aspect of medical care or treatment which they receive from the health care service for prisoners or the NHS contractor.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Liz Lynne, dated July 1993:
  I have been asked to reply to your Question about the complaints procedure available to prisoners who wish to complain about any aspect of medical care or treatment.
  In Prison Service establishments formal complaints which relate to clincal care or treatment received in prison are normally first considered by the head of health care of the establishment. They may also be referred, either on appeal or by exercise of a right of direct confidential access, to the Directorate of Health Care at Prison Service headquarters where they are considered by a senior doctor. In general this procedure is available whether the service complained of is provided by staff of the Health Care Service for Prisoners or by an external provider under contract, but individual contracts may provide—and one current contract does so provide—for clinical complaints to be considered under NHS procedures.
  Other avenues normally available to prisoners, including Boards of Visitors and Members of Parliament, can also be used to ventilate complaints about health care.

WALES

  Council Homes (Juveniles)
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has issued to local authorities regarding juveniles in council homes, including the use of restraint where necessary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Draft guidance on permissible forms of control in children's residential care was issued for consultation to Welsh local authorities and voluntary organisations in November 1992. As a result of that exercise, which ended in December 1992, the guidance was changed substantially from the draft originally circulated.

  The final guidance issued by the Department on 29 April 1993 under cover of Welsh Office circular 38/93 was much stronger and more explicit. It sets out a broad framework of principles and circumstances where a child may be restrained. It is designed to cover young people living in both secure and open children's homes and offers positive and practical advice to staff and managers on the care and control of young people in residental care. At the same time, it recognises that managers will need to decide who best to put this guidance into operation. The onus is on the care worker to make judgments as to whether restraint is required in the predominating circumstances and to determine the degree of restraint appropriate and when it should be used. Copies of this guidance are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Mobile Libraries
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mobile libraries were operating in each local authority area of the counties of Gwynedd and Clwyd in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c)

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The available information is given in the following table:

  Number of mobile libraries

  19801

  19851

  19921

  Gwynedd

  7

  7

  7

  Clwyd

  17

  14

  13

  1 At 31 March.

  Source: CIPFA.

  Village Halls
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many village halls were located in each local authority area of the counties of Gwynedd and Clwyd in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c)

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not available centrally.

ENVIRONMENT

  Medical Waste Incinerators
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidelines and procedures exist or are proposed on the role and responsibilities of metropolitan districts in monitoring and supervising medical waste incinerators in(a) the private sector and (b) the NHS;

  (2) what guidelines and procedures exist or are proposed on the role and responsibility of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in monitoring and supervising medical waste incinerator facilities in the private sector.

  Mr. Yeo
  The incineration of medical waste is a prescribed process under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is responsible for the integrated pollution control of private sector and NHS incinerators with a capacity of 1 tonne per hour or more. They have issued a process guidance note, IPR5/2 "Clinical Waste Incineration", which sets out in detail how these processes should be operated and monitored. Local authorities, including metropolitan districts, are responsible for air pollution control of private sector and NHS incinerators with a capacity of less than 1 tonne per hour; the Secretary of State's guidance note PG 5/1(92) "Clinical Waste Incineration Processes," provides guidance relating to these smaller incinerators. The Secretary of State has also issued waste management paper 25, which gives guidance to waste regulation authorities in relation to their responsibilities in respect of the licensing of the handling and storage of medical waste.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the locations, the names of the companies involved, their capacities and their proposed timetable for development for medical waste incinerators which currently are in receipt of planning consent.
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  Mr. Yeo
  The Department does not keep this information.

  Dioxin
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the levels of recorded dioxin contamination(a) in the north-west of England, (b) on Merseyside and (c) in Knowsley.

  Mr. Yeo
  As part of a larger survey of milk in the United Kingdom, carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, two samples of whole cow's milk were obtained in 1990 from north-west England, but outside the Merseyside and Knowsley areas. Concentrations of dioxins and furans in the milk were within the normal range observed in the United Kingdom (0·04–0·27 ng TEQ/kg milk).

  In 1986 a background survey of dioxins and furans in soils of the United Kingdom was carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution. Samples were taken from sites in north-west England but outside the Merseyside and Knowsley areas. A report of the results is in the Library of the House.

  In 1992 measurements of dioxin levels in soil and grass adjacent to the Cleanaway incinerator at Ellesmere. Port were obtained as part of a national survey of emissions from incinerators carried out by HMIP. The results obtained for soil and grass were 0·26 and 0·11 ng TEQ/kg respectively.

  Rural Development Commission
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the budget for the Rural Development Commission in each year since 1990–91; and what is the proposed budget for the next financial year.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 28 June 1993]: The Rural Development Commission's expenditure for the first three years is as follows:

  £ million

  1990–91

  35·058

  1991–92

  32·263

  1992–93

  36·210

  The commission's budget for this and the next financial year is as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  39·002

  1994–95

  41·020

  All figures include corporation tax except 1994–95 which is a planning figure only.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached about the future of local government in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I gave yesterday.

  Police Reform
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about his proposals for police reform in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The existing police forces in Scotland will continue after local government reorganisation but joint police committees willl be established where forces cover more than one council area.

  In line with the principles of the citizen's charter, we wish our police forces to be seen to consult the public they serve about priorities, to publish annual targets and to report on performance achieved against those targets. I expect forces to build on their existing procedures for consulting the public, especially community councils, and for setting targets for various activities as required under the Justice Charter for Scotland. To ensure that performance can be measured against resources devoted to policing, we shall require chief constables to produce their annual reports on a financial year basis and I propose to take statutory power to prescribe classes of information which these reports should contain. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary and the Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland will continue to monitor the performance of forces. Reports by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary on its annual inspections of police forces have been published for some time and we shall expect chief constables in future to make public their responses to the recommendations of inspection reports.

  Our police forces have become multi-disciplinary bodies with a wide range of professional skills, deployed by civilians as well as by uniformed officers. We wish chief constables and their subordinate commanders within forces to have greater freedom to deply those resources. Accordingly, I intend to remove the statutory controls exercised by the Secretary of State and by police authorities over police and civilian establishments. The police grant payable to police authorities will become subject to a cash limit, though police authorities will retain a measure of discretion in determining expenditure. I shall take reserve powers to ensure that police authorities provide sufficient funds to maintain an efficient force with adequate manpower; and to ensure sensible collaboration and common standards between forces in the interests of efficiency—including standards for information systems. My Department will shortly be issuing fresh guidance on civilianisation to help ensure that police officers perform only those tasks requiring their powers. Some Scottish forces have already introduced local command units with budgets delegated to the local cammanders and we shall encourage wider adoption of these arrangements.

  With my right hon. and learned Friends the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and for Northern Ireland, I shall be considering the recommendations of the report of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards and, after consultation with interested parties, will reach decisions on the recommendations of the report. I am also undertaking a review of police conduct and performance procedures in Scotland and, depending on responses to the consultation paper being issued this month, new procedures will be introduced to deal with unsatisfactory performance and unacceptable conduct in the police service. These changes together should enhance

  305
  the professionalism of the police by increasing flexiblity to reward good performance and to deal effectively with poor performance.

  In conjunction with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary I shall be considering legislative provision to ensure that constables from different jurisdictions have adequate powers throughout Great Britain.

  Where primary legislation is required I propose to take the earliest suitable opportunity to introduce new provisions.

  I believe that these proposals will ensure that, in keeping with the requirements of the justice charter, the organisation of the police in Scotland both achieves a proper accountability to local people, and promotes the efficiency and effectiveness of individual police forces in their fight against crime.

  Midwives
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many midwives were employed in national health service hospitals each year since 1980; how many community midwives were employed over the same period; and if he will describe the changes in Government policy concerning staffing complements for midwives over the same period.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: The data requested for the years 1980–91 are published in the annual issues of "Scottish Health Statistics". Data for 1992 are contained in "Health Briefing—NHSiS Non-medical/ dental Manpower Summary: 1980–1992". Copies of these publications are available in the House of Commons Library. There have been no changes during this period in Government policy concerning staffing complements for midwives. It remains for individual health boards and national health service trusts to decide the level of midwifery staffing appropriate to their needs in the light of local circumstances.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women, in each health board area, were refused the services of a community midwife in 1992 on the grounds of non-availability.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: Following inquiries of health boards, I am advised that in 1992 no woman, in any Scottish health board area, was refused a community midwife service on grounds of non-availability.

  Women's Refuges
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are currently available in women's refuge hostels in Scotland; and what is the rate per 10,000 population.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: There are currently 283 places in women's refuge hostels in Scotland; this is 0·55 places per 10,000 population.

  Community Care
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve provision for(a) the elderly, (b) children with special needs, (c) adults with mental or
  306
  physical handicap, (d) adults experiencing and recovering from mental illness and (e) persons with a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse under the care in the community legislation.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: Under the new community care arrangements, local authorities, in consultation with health boards and other agencies, are responsible for assessing care needs and developing plans to meet these needs. The authorities have been provided with extensive guidance and considerable additional resources. Local authorities should, therefore, be well placed to ensure that good quality services are available for these vulnerable groups.

  The local authority inspection units and the Scottish Office social work services inspectorate are both concerned with promoting higher standards in all types of care provision.

  Hospital Building Programme
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the capital allocated for the hospital building programme announced in November 1992 for new build hospitals in Lothian, Lanarkshire and Glasgow remain available for this purpose.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: Yes.

  Care of the Elderly
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effects on the elderly since the implementation on 1 April of the care in the community legislation.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: My officials have regular meetings with staff from local authority social work departments, housing departments, health boards, voluntary organisations and representatives of independent sector home owners concerning the operation of the new arrangements. A programme of monitoring will also take place through the analysis of statistical returns, the commissioning of research and the work of the social work services inspectorate.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Quangos
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the names of individuals who(a) are spouses of hon. Members, (b) are members of the House of Lords, (c) are spouses of members of the House of Lords and (d) have been party candidates for Parliament, indicating for which party, who have been appointed by her Department since 1988 to quasi-autonomus non-governmental organisations giving, in each case, the title of the post, any salary payable, and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. Jack
  Our records show that only one member of the House of Lords has been appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since 1988. Details of this appointment as requested by the hon. Member are as follows:
  307

  Name

  Title of Post

  Salary

  Duration

  Lord Mackay of Ardbreknish1 (John Jackson Mackay)

  Chairman, Sea Fish Industry Authority

  £28,780 per annum

  Three years from 1 October 1990

  1 Appointed jointly with Secretaries of State for Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland.

  The other information requested by the hon. Member is not held centrally. To provide it could be done only at disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  THORP
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the actual and projected figures for current and future employment at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield with an explanation for the basis of the figures and a sector-by-sector breakdown of the jobs involved.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc. I understand that the company will shortly be publishing information of the type requested.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any plutonium of weapons-useable quality has been exported to Japan from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  The usefulness of reprocessed plutonium for weapons purposes depends on its composition. It is not in the public interest for me to comment further. All

  Year

  Registered with BCE

  JACCS training

  Other training

  Total training

  Percentage of those registered with BCE

  1989–90

  18,251

  1,384

  552

  1,936

  10·6

  1990–91

  10,441

  796

  218

  1,014

  9·7

  1991–92

  15,536

  1,671

  155

  1,826

  11·8

  1992–93

  13,790

  2,475

  335

  2,810

  20·4

  TOTALS

  58,018

  6,326

  1,260

  7,586

  13·1

  These figures do not include those who entered retraining directly via other agencies, jobcentres, restart programmes etc.

  Information about previous occupation and/or industry before entering a Government training scheme is not collected centrally.

  From April 1993 entrants to training for work who have been made redundant as a result of pit closure will be identified if they are not covered by normal eligibility rules.

  Coal
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of coal produced in(a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) England in the last year for which full figures are available; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1986.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amounts of coal produced in England, Scotland and Wales were as follows:
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  reactor grade plutonium is held in secure conditions while in the United Kingdom. Any exports are subject to stringent internationally accepted standards of safeguards and physical protection. The Government would allow the export of plutonium from reprocessing only on receipt of satisfactory assurances that the material would be used only for peaceful purposes.

  Miners (Retraining)
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proportion of miners leaving the industry in each year since 1989–90 went on a retraining scheme on leaving the industry;

  (2) what proportion of miners leaving the industry in each year since 1989–90 went on (a) a training scheme funded through the job and career change scheme and (b) a Government training scheme.

  Mr. Eggar
  British Coal Enterprise has advised us that of the 58,018 former British Coal employees registered for assistance with them since 1989–90, 13·1 per cent., 7,586, have entered retraining. These figures are detailed on a year-by-year basis, with information given on those who went on the job and career change scheme and those who have taken other retraining. Other retraining includes Government schemes and further education support by local education authority grants.

  Thousand tones

  Wales

  Scotland

  England

  Total1

  1986

  9,295

  6,758

  88,582

  108,099

  1987

  8,037

  6,143

  87,475

  104,533

  1988

  7,374

  6,086

  88,210

  104,066

  1989

  6,789

  6,251

  85,245

  100,605

  1990

  6,398

  6,519

  78,146

  93,508

  1991

  5,194

  7,072

  79,469

  94,921

  1992

  4,873

  6,935

  68,730

  84,874

  Source: British Coal, Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics.

  1 Only direct production by British Coal is readily available by country. The total also includes an estimate for slurry etc. recovered and disposed of other by British Coal from dumps, ponds, rivers etc.

  Energy
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the proportion of energy used in(a) housing, (b) commercial, (c) industrial and (d) public building since 1990.
  309
  Mr. Eggar
  The percentages of energy consumption by sector are given in the table. Further details will be published in the 1993 edition of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics at the end of July. A detailed description of the consumer sectors used is given on pages 14 and 15 of the 1992 edition of the digest.

  Sector

  Percentage of energy consumed

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Domestic

  42

  44

  43

  Commerce

  11

  11

  11

  Industry

  40

  37

  37

  Public services

  8

  8

  9

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of total United Kingdom energy expenditure was accounted for by(a) transport, (b) buildings and (c) other industries in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Eggar
  The percentage of United Kingdom energy expenditure by various sectors are given in the table. Further details will be published in the 1993 edition of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics at the end of July. A detailed description of the consumer sectors used is given on pages 14 and 15 of the 1992 edition of the digest.

  Sector

  Percentage of total expenditure on energy

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Transport

  45

  44

  44

  Domestic, public services and commerce

  39

  41

  41

  Industry

  15

  14

  14

  Other (agriculture)

  1

  1

  1

  Company Investigations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement outlining his Department's reasons for not acknowledging the existence or otherwise of investigations into the affairs of individual companies' or accountancy partnerships in response to parliamentary questions about business collapses and frauds; and for how long this practice has been in operation.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department undertakes a number of inquiries every year into companies under the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989, Insurance Companies Act 1982 and Financial Services Act 1986. Further details are available in the companies annual report published each year. It has long been the policy under Labour as well as Conservative Governments to announce only the appointment of inspectors under certain Companies Act powers. The vast majority of inquiries are not announced both for operational reasons and in order not to prejudice the outcome. Public announcement would undermine the effectiveness of the inquiries and would unduly damage the business of the companies concerned, particularly where no misconduct is discovered.

  Warren Spring Laboratory
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will publish the estimated costs to his Department and to other Government departments of the move of 310
  Warren Spring Laboratory to the Atomic Energy Authority, including the costs of disruption to existing research programmes, staff relocation and redundancies;

  (2) if he will publish a list of the organisations he consulted before deciding to close Warren Spring Laboratory.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 29 June 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central on 7 July 1993, Official Report, column 153.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is Her Majesy's Government's policy towards the reprocessing of Iraqi nuclear waste at Dounreay.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 8 July 1993]: As was explained in the reply of my right hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy of 5 November 1991 to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), Official Report, column 68, the United Kingdom and France expressed willingness to assist with recovery of material from Iraq. During these discussions, the United Kingdom and France went to considerable lengths to accommodate the International Atomic Energy Agency's concerns over the responsibility for the long-term storage of waste from reprocessing and questions over the legal liability for the material. In the event, the IAEA decided to pursue another option.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kashmir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent information he has received on the activities of the Indian security forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We receive regular information from our high commission in Delhi on the activities of the Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as media reports. The continuing loss of life on all sides is a cause of grave concern.

  Brazilian Embassies (Dogs)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given to the Brazilian ambassador to the Court of St. James's in respect of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the keeping of Filo Braziliero dogs in Brazilian embassies.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None.

  Mr. Asil Nadir
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) of 14 June,Official Report, column 423, what assistance he has now received from Turkish authorities in connection with the return of Mr. Nadir to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Turkish authorities offered co-operation and assistance to investigators of the Serious
  311
  Fraud Office during their visit to Ankara from 7 to 9 June. They have since provided substantial responses to the major part of a detailed commission rogatoire.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Tests (Nevada)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received from the United States Administration in regard to the future use of the nuclear test site in Nevada by the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Aitken
  We are in close contact with the United States Administration on all aspects of nuclear testing. President Clinton announced on 3 July that he was extending the moratorium on testing at the Nevada test site to the end of September 1994, provided that no other state tests before then.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to obtain a copy of the testimony given before the United States Congress on 29 June by the Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, Mr. Gallucci, in regard to the current evaluation by the United States Administration of the Iraqi military nuclear programme; and if he will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hanley
  A copy of Mr. Gallucci's testimony has been obtained which will be placed in the Library.

  RAF Support Command
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying days have been lost due to bad weather, at each RAF base in Support Command since 1979.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on maintenance by each base in Support Command since 1979.

  Mr. Hanley
  Information is available only from financial year 1990–91. The information shown is for property maintenance work costing less than £300,000 which comes under the unit's own budget. Projects costing more than £300,000 are controled centrally and cannot be accredited to the individual unit or establishment without disproportionate cost.

  £ million

  Station

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Total

  Amport House

  0·184

  0·295

  0·199

  0·678

  Biggin Hill

  0·618

  0·716

  0·448

  1·782

  Boscombe Down

  0·636

  0·821

  0·632

  2·089

  Brampton

  2·061

  2·408

  2·451

  6·920

  Central Medical Establishment, Kelvin

  0·910

  0·109

  0·830

  0·283

  Ely

  0·779

  0·828

  0·296

  1·903

  Farnborough

  0·253

  0·762

  0·249

  1·264

  Harrogate

  0·306

  0·164

  0·291

  0·761

  Headley Court

  0·711

  0·802

  0·647

  2·160

  Inspectorate of Recruitment, Cranwell

  0·208

  0·265

  0·229

  0·702

  Innsworth

  2·034

  1·873

  1·402

  5·309

  London Dental Centre, Uxbridge

  0·500

  0·160

  0·900

  0·300

  312

  Station

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Total

  Rudloe Manor

  1·219

  1·752

  2·305

  5·276

  Stanbridge

  0·545

  1·075

  0·803

  2·423

  Swanton Morley

  1·049

  1·433

  0·000

  2·482

  Uxbridge

  2·974

  2·697

  2·813

  8·304

  Wroughton

  1·460

  1·399

  1·873

  4·732

  Abingdon

  1·830

  1·660

  0·683

  4·173

  Bampton Castle

  0·000

  0·000

  0·200

  0·200

  Cardington

  0·286

  0·423

  0·514

  1·223

  Carlisle

  1·155

  2·543

  4·200

  7·898

  Chilmark

  0·784

  1·232

  0·687

  2·704

  Digby

  0·482

  0·932

  0·780

  2·195

  Henlow

  1·340

  1·523

  2·517

  5·380

  Kemble

  0·290

  0·327

  0·387

  0·743

  North Luffenham

  1·021

  1·730

  1·253

  4·005

  Oakhangar

  0·140

  0·442

  1·113

  1·569

  Quedgeley

  0·918

  1·214

  1·122

  3·254

  Sealand

  1·244

  2·146

  2·124

  5·514

  Stafford

  1·579

  3·117

  3·284

  7·980

  St. Athan

  5·605

  7·700

  7·453

  20·758

  Rudloe Manor

  0·000

  0·000

  0·300

  0·300

  Swanton Morley

  0·000

  0·000

  0·778

  0·778

  Special Signals Unit, Woolwich

  0·000

  0·125

  0·000

  0·125

  Chivenor

  1·300

  1·800

  3·431

  6·531

  Church Fenton

  0·864

  0·854

  0·347

  2·065

  Cosford

  4·182

  4·052

  3·648

  11·882

  Cranwell

  2·497

  3·139

  3·247

  8·883

  Finningley

  3·069

  2·695

  2·368

  8·132

  Halton

  2·862

  3·806

  4·263

  10·931

  Hereford

  1·316

  1·610

  1·083

  4·009

  Linton

  1·175

  1·509

  1·844

  4·528

  Locking

  1·683

  2·271

  2·699

  6·653

  Newton

  1·322

  1·375

  1·584

  4·281

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the area of land, in acres, of each RAF station in Support Command; what are the number and length of runways at each station; and what type of aircraft each station has.

  Mr. Hanley
  The following information shows only those airfields supporting training aircraft; RLG denotes relief landing ground.

  Unit

  Runway Length (ft)

  Aircraft Type

  Area (acres)

  RAF Chivenor

  6,000

  Hawk

  508

  4,400

  RAF Cranwell

  6,800

  Tucano

  1,823

  4,800

  RAF Barkston Heath

  6,000

  RLG

  553

  4,200

  Tucano

  RAF Linton-on-Ouse

  6,000

  Tucano

  718

  4,400

  RAF Elvington

  10,000

  Disused

  405

  RAF Church Fenton

  5,800

  RLG

  445

  5,500

  Tucano

  RAF Topcliffe

  6,000

  Light

  197

  4,100

  aircraft

  RAF Dishforth

  6,100

  RLG

  477

  4,500

  Light aircraft

  RAF St. Athan

  6,000

  Various

  992

  RAF Scampton

  9,000

  Tucano/Bulldog

  898

  313

  Unit

  Runway Length (ft)

  Aircraft Type

  Area (acres)

  RAF Binbrook

  7,500

  Disused

  570

  4,200

  4,200

  RAF Shawbury

  6,000

  Helicopters

  748

  4,500

  RAF Ternhill

  3,100

  Helicopters

  279

  3,200

  RAF Swinderby

  6,000

  Chipmunk

  629

  4,100

  RAF Valley

  7,500

  Hawk

  797

  5,400

  4,200

  RAF Mona

  5,500

  RLG Hawk

  170

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of service personnel and civilian personnel at each RAF base in Support Command; and what is the total pay bill incurred in respect of each base per annum.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 7 July the information is as follows:

  RAF station

  Civilian establishment

  Service establishment

  Civilian/Service pay costs1992–93 (£ million)

  2 Signals Unit, Bampton Castle

  4

  64

  1·444

  9 Signals Unit, Boddington

  7

  99

  1·878

  Boscombe Down

  15

  19

  1·206

  Bracknell

  103

  178

  5·377

  Brampton

  690

  980

  31·710

  217 Maintenance Unit, Cardington

  113

  6

  1·441

  14 Maintenance Unit, Carlisle

  892

  13

  12·310

  Chaplains School Amport House

  32

  —

  0·280

  11 Maintenance Unit, Chilmark

  232

  13

  3·422

  Chivenor

  119

  794

  14·607

  Cosford

  309

  512

  14·969

  Cranwell

  458

  1,248

  34·557

  Digby

  54

  72

  1·982

  Finningley

  149

  557

  15·671

  Halton

  358

  978

  24·899

  Harrogate

  24

  36

  0·847

  Headley Court

  61

  116

  3·119

  Henlow1

  841

  928

  28·664

  Hereford

  141

  299

  7·123

  Innsworth

  88

  172

  3·577

  Linton-on-Ouse

  165

  363

  9·511

  Locking

  235

  527

  13·415

  Newton

  384

  562

  12·953

  North Luffenham

  140

  652

  13·331

  1001 Signals Unit, Oakhangar

  31

  368

  6·567

  7 Maintenance Unit, Quedgeley

  145

  8

  4·879

  Rudloe Manor2

  226

  717

  12·071

  St. Athan

  1,208

  2,639

  65·484

  Scampton

  93

  438

  15·758

  30 Maintenance Unit, Sealand

  1,283

  469

  29·382

  Shawbury

  131

  341

  8·398

  16 Maintenance Unit, Stafford

  763

  664

  20·878

  314

  RAF station

  Civilian establishment

  Service establishment

  Civilian/Service pay costs 1992–93 (£ million)

  Stanbridge

  176

  217

  11·683

  Swanton Morley

  347

  863

  16·419

  Swinderby

  33

  202

  4·664

  Uxbridge

  135

  451

  13·368

  Valley

  211

  805

  15·638

  Wittering

  5

  257

  4·360

  PA Hospital Wroughton

  130

  438

  9·852

  London—various locations

  52

  79

  2·536

  1 Including detachment at Wyton.

  2 Including detachments.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service families, and how many service houses, are on station for each RAF base in Support Command.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 7 July the information requested is as follows:

  Total married quarters

  Total occupied

  Flying training units

  Chivenor

  325

  321

  Cranwell

  451

  403

  Finningley

  375

  285

  Linton-on-Ouse

  162

  127

  Shawbury

  160

  126

  Valley

  374

  356

  Other units

  Amport House

  3

  2

  Bedford Rae

  7

  4

  Boscombe Down

  135

  133

  Bracknell

  138

  103

  Brampton

  404

  349

  Carlisle

  14

  14

  Chilmark

  5

  4

  Cosford

  339

  305

  Digby

  230

  127

  Henlow

  401

  381

  Hereford

  165

  146

  Innsworth

  355

  332

  Halton

  550

  530

  Harrogate

  114

  111

  Headley Court

  63

  63

  Locking

  325

  304

  North Luffenham

  269

  249

  Oakhangar

  92

  91

  Quedgeley

  9

  8

  Rudloe Manor

  217

  207

  St. Athan

  829

  812

  Scampton

  427

  294

  Sealand

  276

  189

  Stafford

  286

  254

  Stanbridge

  128

  119

  Swanton Morley

  224

  208

  Swinderby

  155

  47

  Uxbridge

  833

  736

  Wroughton

  131

  130

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional expense has been incurred by his Department as a result of the passing of UN Security Council resolution 816; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The additional annual costs are currently assessed at around £20,000,000.
  315
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the military consequences of the mobilisation of Bosnian-Croat citizens of fighting age in Bosnia-Herzegovina on 30 June and the imposition of curfew; if he will consider the withdrawal of British forces deployed near Vitez; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The mobilisation of Bosnian-Croat citizens to serve in the Croatian Defence Council, a militia type force based throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina and organised for the local defence of Bosnian Croat communities, was in response to the on-going fighting against Bosnian government, mainly Muslim, forces.

  It is unlikely the mobilisation will have any implications for the British forces in Vitez. The safety of our troops is paramount, however, and we keep their deployment continually under review.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Staffordshire, South (Mr. Cormack) of 1 April,Official Report, column 500, what assessment he has made of UNMO document DTG: 131600Z Mar 93 and, note verbale S/24900/Add.27 of 16 March in relation to the identity, origin or destination of the aircraft that violated the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina near Gladovici on 13 March; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Assessment of available evidence of the reported no-fly zone violation on 13 March has not produced conclusive proof as to the nature of the mission, the identity of the aircraft operators, or the location of the aircraft operating base.

  Desert Storm Syndrome
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will place in the Library details of all organisations and individuals who have made representations to his Department about the Desert Storm syndrome.
  316
  Mr. Hanley
  Apart from questions from various hon. Members, which are recorded in the Official Report, and letters from the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Enright), my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough (Mr. Sykes), my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling) and my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt), my Department has record of only eight written representa-tions to date concerning the alleged condition popularly known as Desert Storm syndrome. For reasons of confidentiality I am not able to provide names. There has additionally been recent media interest in this subject and other representations may be in the process of being made as a result.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment of the medical evidence related to the alleged Desert Storm syndrome.

  Mr. Hanley
  The wide variety of symptoms which are alleged to make up the condition popularly known as Desert Storm syndrome are prevalent within the general population. There is no evidence that the incidence of these symptoms in the services has increased since the Gulf conflict. There is nothing in the available medical evidence in the United Kingdom that would suggest that the symptoms described cannot be explained in conventional medical terms, but my Department is actively seeking further information and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Depleted Uranium Shells
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether depleted uranium ammunition was used by United States forces in accidental attacks on British forces during the Gulf war.

  Mr. Hanley
  No.

  NETHERLANDS—UK: FRAUD LAWS
  NETHERLANDS—UK: FRAUD LAWS
  DOMESTIC EMPLOYMENT: WORKING HOURS
  DOMESTIC EMPLOYMENT: WORKING HOURS
  CIVIL SERVICE: PERFORMANCE RELATED PAY
  CIVIL SERVICE: PERFORMANCE RELATED PAY