Written Answers of 15 July 1993

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category A prisoners there are currently in England and Wales.

  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 Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. Rod Richards, dated 15 July 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many Category A prisoners there are currently in England and Wales.

  There were 578 such prisoners on 30 June 1993.

  Correspondence
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in the amount of mail received by his office from hon. Members regarding law and order issues during 1993; and what steps he is taking to avoid excessive delays in replying.

  Mr. Maclean
  In the first six months of this year my office received 1,624 letters from hon. Members on law and order matters, compared with 414 in the same period in 1992—an increase of 392 per cent. A monthly comparison is set out in the table.

  I very much regret the time taken to reply to some hon. Members' letters. A number of measures have been put in hand to reduce delays. Most notably, additional staff have been allocated to the division principally responsible for assisting in the preparation of replies. Every effort will be made to see that all outstanding correspondence from Members is answered as expeditiously as possible.

  Number of letters received from hon. Members on law and order issues

  1992

  1993

  January

  61

  114

  February

  76

  194

  March

  92

  555

  April

  16

  287

  May

  74

  279

  June

  95

  195

  Total

  414

  1,624

  Immigration
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants from overseas have been(a) granted political asylum, (b) granted exceptional leave to remain and (c) refused permission to stay since April 1992.
  580
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There is no provision to grant asylum to a person not in the United Kingdom. Information on the outcome of entry clearance applications made abroad for the purpose of seeking asylum here is not separately identifiable in the statistics.

  In the period April to December 1992 a total of 490 grants of settlement-including dependants—were made to south—east Asian refugees, who form a distinct group dealt with under a specific programme. This information since December 1992 is not yet available.

  Information on all decisions made in the period 1 April 1992 to 30 June 1993 on applications for asylum in the United Kingdom is given in the following table.

  Decisions1 on applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by type, 1 April 1992 to 30 June 1993

  Decisions

  Total decisions

  46,155

  Recognised as refugee and granted asylum2

  2,230

  Not recognised as refugee, but granted exceptional leave3

  23,900

  Refusals

  Total refused

  20,030

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave after determination

  3,755

  Refused on third country grounds

  770

  Refused under paragraph 101 of the Immigration Rules4

  15,500

  1 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period.

  2 Excluding South East Asian refugees.

  3 Where it would have been unreasonable or impracticable to seek to enforce return to country of origin.

  4 For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failure to respond to two invitations to interview to establish identity.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many remand prisoners have been held on remand in custody for more than 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest available provisional data are for 30 June 1993. On that date there were about 200 untried prisoners and 100 convicted unsentenced prisoners in Prison Service establishments who had first been remanded in custody over 12 months earlier. Not all of these defendants will have been in continuous prison custody since their first remand. This period excludes any time spent in non-Prison Service establishments—eg police cells—before reception on remand into a Prison Service establishment.

  Child Offenders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders aged 15, 16 or 17 years have received a sentence of detention under section 53(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act since 1983; and if he will break down their offences into categories.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1983 to 1991 is given in the table. 1992 data will not be available until the autumn.
  581

  Number of offenders aged 15, 16 and 17 years sentenced at the crown court under Section 53(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 by offence group 1983 to 1991—England and Wales

  Age and Offence group

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Aged 15 Years

  Violence against the person

  3

  5

  2

  3

  9

  8

  8

  —

  9

  Sexual offences

  2

  6

  2

  6

  5

  6

  9

  10

  5

  Burglary

  —

  —

  10

  6

  5

  11

  3

  6

  4

  Robbery

  6

  9

  14

  15

  19

  21

  13

  15

  13

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Criminal damage1

  6

  4

  7

  3

  7

  9

  4

  8

  5

  Drug offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All offences

  22

  24

  36

  34

  45

  55

  38

  39

  36

  Aged 16 years

  Violence against the person

  6

  21

  14

  23

  19

  12

  13

  10

  13

  Sexual offences

  6

  7

  8

  10

  5

  8

  5

  13

  6

  Burglary

  6

  9

  19

  16

  17

  21

  10

  7

  8

  Robbery

  16

  27

  38

  47

  42

  53

  29

  35

  23

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Criminal damage1

  6

  6

  16

  11

  8

  10

  5

  11

  1

  Drug offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Other

  —

  2

  5

  —

  4

  2

  —

  1

  —

  All offences

  40

  72

  100

  107

  96

  108

  62

  77

  51

  Aged 17 years

  Violence against the person

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sexual offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Burglary

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Robbery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Criminal damage1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All offences

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1Including arson.

  Note: Comparisons with prison receptions suggest there may have been under recording during 1989 and 1990, although this is less likely in 1990.

  Fellowship Charitable Foundation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now ask the Charity Commissioners to consider exercising their temporary protective powers under section 8 of the Charities Act 1992 in respect of the trustees of the Fellowship Charitable Foundation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand that the Charity Commissioners are already considering which of their powers, if any, they should exercise in respect of the Fellowship Charitable Foundation.

  Manchester Prison
  Dame Angela Rumbold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce a decision on the future of Manchester prison (Strangeways).

  Mr. Howard
  The prisons board met yesterday to consider the report of the panel which evaluated the bids for the management of Her Majesty's prison Manchester. It decided to accept the majority recommendation of the evaluation panel that the preferred service provider should be the in-house team. In the face of fierce competition. the in-house hid offers the best value for money and will set new standards for the operation of established local prisons. Subject to the conclusion of a satisfactory service 582
  level agreement, the team now faces the challenge of delivering its promise of a safe, purposeful and open regime, with active prisoner and community involvement. Performance against these commitments will be closely controlled on a basis comparable to private sector contracts.

  Firearms
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the fourth annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee.

  Mr. Howard
  I have placed a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee in the Library of both Houses today.

LORD CHANCELLORS DEPARTMENT

  Divorce
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will estimate the average cost to the public sector of divorce for a couple with two children where(a) the parties receive legal aid. (b) one or both parties are rehoused in public housing and (c) the party given custody of the children receives state benefit.
  583
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is not possible to estimate the average cost in such a case because eligibility for legal aid, public housing and state benefits depends on a number of factors but particularly the income of the husband and wife at the time of separation. However, the average cost of a legally aided divorce in the county courts in 1992–93 was £1,514.

  PTE support to BR over the past five years

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Total

  Centro

  Revenue

  16

  17

  19

  22

  25

  99

  Capital

  2

  4

  5

  8

  9

  28

  Greater Manchester

  Revenue

  17

  22

  26

  28

  29

  122

  Capital

  8

  7

  3

  6

  6

  30

  Merseyside

  Revenue

  12

  18

  22

  18

  22

  92

  Capital

  3

  6

  8

  9

  14

  40

  South Yorkshire

  Revenue

  3

  4

  4

  5

  6

  22

  Capital

  1

  2

  —

  1

  7

  11

  Tyne and Wear

  Revenue

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  6

  Capital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  Revenue

  8

  9

  12

  15

  15

  59

  Capital

  1

  3

  1

  3

  13

  21

  Strathclyde

  Revenue

  27

  26

  29

  31

  30

  143

  Capital

  7

  26

  15

  9

  6

  63

  Total

  Revenue

  84

  97

  113

  120

  129

  543

  Capital

  22

  48

  32

  36

  55

  193

  Notes

  1. Revenue contributions, are largely supported by central Government RSG and SSA cover and capital contributions by credit approval cover given by the Department.

  2. Revenue is the level of S20 claims after audit, except 1992–93 which as yet has not been audited.

  3. Capital refers to investment funded directly by PTEs, ie, it excludes investment funded by the PSO and recovered via debt charges.

  Radioactive Materials (Transport)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was Her Majesty's Government's policy position on the draft code of practice for the maritime transport of radioactive materials discussed at the International Maritime Organisation's marine environment protection committee meeting on 5 to 9 July.

  Mr. Norris
  Her Majesty's Government's policy is to support the decision of the International Maritime Organisation's maritime safety committee to approve the code of practice for adoption by the 18th assembly of the IMO.

  Unstaffed Rail Stations
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the British Rail stations in each parliamentary constituency which are(a) wholly or (b) partially unstaffed, indicating those which became unstaffed within the past year.
  584

TRANSPORT

  Passenger Transport Authorities
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the contributions to(a) capital investment and (b) revenue of British Rail by each of the passenger transport authorities in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not readily available in the form required. However, as at 14 July, of the 2,551 stations on the British Rail network, 977 were wholly unstaffed. Because of the variation in the number of hours for which stations are open, it would be difficult to define partially staffed.

  Airline Passengers (Telecommunications)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the safety and security implications of airline passengers using telecommunications technology while airborne; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation rests with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

  It has been found that transmissions from portable telephones may cause interference with an aircraft's own electronic sySterns. Earlier this month the CAA issued an updated aeronautical information circular giving guidance on this matter to air operators, pilots, flight crew and all

  585
  concerned with the operation of the aircraft. They were advised that the use of portable telephones in aircraft is not permitted, and that they should require passengers to switch them off.

  Driver's Licence History (Sentencing)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cost charged to a magistrate's court of a printout by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of a driver's licence history needed to assist in sentencing.

  Mr. Key
  DVLA does not charge courts for driver licence printouts.

  Urban Public Transport
  Mr Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to meet the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers to discuss the reorganisation of urban public transport.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend has no current plans to meet the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, but Ministers do have regular contact with the institution.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for providing funding for Network SouthEast to lease new trains.

  Mr. Freeman
  In last year's autumn statement an additional £150 million was made available to British Rail specifically to allow it to lease new rolling stock. New outer suburban trains for Network SouthEast are one of two options being considered by British Rail. It is expected to take a decision later in the summer. Whatever the outcome, I shall be looking to support further leasing deals, provided that they comply with Treasury guidelines.

ENVIRONMENT

  Special Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste category of(a) neutral metal bearing, (b) neutral-inorganic, (c) neutral-organic, (d) neutral-oily (1–15 per cent.), (e) mineral oil and <20 per cent. others, (f) mineral oil and >20 per cent. others, (g) oil + <20 per cent. water >85 per cent., (h) grease/fat/wax/vegetable oil, (i) tars/phenols, (j) solvents-non halogen, (k) solvents-halogenated,(l) solvents-mixed (including water) and (m) solvents-S non halogen;

  (2) if he will list, by year for the last five years. and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) solid metal bearings, (b) solid inorganic, (c) solid CN, (d) solid organic, (e) solid asbestos, (f) filter material-inorganic, (g) acid metal bearing, (h) acid-inorganic, (i) acid-organic, (j) alkalis metal bearing, (k) alkalis-inorganic, (l) alkalis-organic and (m) aqueous cyanide;

  (3) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the numbers of tonnes of special waste production
  586
  in the waste categories of (a) hydrocarbons and their oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulphur compounds, (b)inorganic cyanides, (c) inorganic halogen containing compounds, (d) inorganic sulphur containing compounds, (e) laboratory chemicals, (f) lead compounds, (g) mercury compounds, (h) nickel and nickel compounds, (i) organic halogen compounds, excluding inert polymeric materials and (j) peroxides, chlorates and azides;

  (4) if he will list by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) pharmaceutical waste, (b) mixed organics in drums, (c) metal compounds, (d) non-toxic metal compounds, (e) metals-elements, (f) metal oxides, (g) inorganic compounds, (h) other inorganic material, (i) organic compounds, (j) polymeric material and precursors, (k) fuels, oils and greases, (l) fine chemicals and biocides, (m) miscellaneous chemicals waste, (n) filter materials and sludges, (o) miscellaneous waste and (p) construction waste;

  (5) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) acids and alkalis, (b) antimony and antimony compounds, (c) arsenic compounds, (d) asbestos (all chemical forms), (e) barium compounds, (f) beryllium and beryllium compounds, (g) biocides and phytopharmaceutical substances, (h) boron compounds, (i) cadmium and cadmium compounds, (j) copper compounds, (k) heterocyclic organic compounds containing oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulphur and (l) hexavalent chromium compounds;

  (6) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) solvent-S halogen/mixed, (b) mineral oil sludges, (c) contaminated industrial waste, (d) empty contaminated drums, (e) pressurised cylinders/ aerosols, (f) contaminated soil, (g) mixed laboratory chemicals, (h) biocides-solid, (i) biocides-liquid, (j) biocides-aqueous diluted, (k) resins-organic and (l) filter material-organic;

  (7) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) pharmaceutical and veterinary compounds, (b) phosphorus and its compounds, (c) selenium and selenium compounds, (d) silver compounds, (e) tarry materials from refining and tar residues from distilling, (f)tellurium and tellurium compounds, (g) thallium and thallium compounds, (h) vanadium compounds and (i) zinc compounds.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information is not currently available.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those local authorities in England with over 60 per cent. of their properties in bands A and B combined, for council tax purposes; and if he will give the relevant percentage in each case;

  (2) if he will list those local authorities in England with 50 per cent. or more properties in band A for council tax purposes; and if he will give the relevant percentage in each case.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am arranging for the information to be placed in the Library of the House.
  587

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the reason for the United Kingdom request for an exception for 15 years to the prohibition on the sea disposal of low and intermediate-level radioactive substances, under the convention for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic.

  Mr. Yeo
  The convention provides no such exception: it provides that, after a 15-year moratorium which starts this year, France and the United Kingdom will each have the option to resume sea disposal of low and intermediate-level radioactive waste. The reason for preserving this option is that sea disposal may be the best practicable environmental option for certain categories of radioactive waste. It would be wrong to close off that option.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy during the further consultation period on the discharge licences for Sellafield that developed countries should aim for self-sufficiency in dealing with radioactive wastes.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 14 July 1993]: It is for countries to decide their own policy in dealing with radioactive waste in the light of their international obligations.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will release to all consultees as part of the further consultation period announced for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant project on 28 June, the 20-year forward look review commissioned from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Yeo
  No. The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's review of the radioactive waste disposal issues which are likely to arise over the next 20 years has not been completed.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to consult over the issue of substitution of nuclear waste in contracts between British Nuclear Fuels and other Governments utilities, with particular reference to the issues raised by Professor Knill of RAWMAC.

  Mr. Yeo
  We require further information from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee before its advice on waste substitution can be considered properly.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations in the United Kingdom would have the technical capacity to construct or run a dry store capable of taking spent advanced gas-cooled reactor fuel.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for the organisations concerned.

  Toxic Waste (Taiwan)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received from the Government of Taiwan as to the proportion of the toxic 588
  waste exported in 1992 to Taiwan from the United Kingdom that has been (a) separated and recycled and (b) directly disposed of.

  Mr. Yeo
  None.

  Community Charge Arrears
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce amending legislation to amend regulation 16(1) of the Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 to enable the collection of community charge arrears by way of attachment of earnings orders or deductions from income support in conjunction with postponed warrants of commitment to prison under regulation 41 of those same regulations.

  Mr. Baldry
  A court will normally postpone a warrant of commitment under regulation 41(3)(b) of the Community Charge (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 on condition that a debtor repays a specified sum each week. The weekly payment will be decided by the court following an examination of the debtor's means. It would not therefore be appropriate for a further statutory deduction to be allowed from the debtor's income to recover that debt.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce amending legislation to enable community charge charging authorities to apply to the magistrates courts to vary the order of that court if both charging authority and the debtor are agreed on a payment arrangement.

  Mr. Baldry
  We do not think that is necessary. Under the law as it stands there is nothing to prevent a debtor from paying an authority more than the amount specified in the court order if he agrees to do so. It would not be appropriate for the debtor to pay less than the amount specified in the order as this is the amount that the court has decided he should pay, following an examination of his means.

  Housing Associations
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the Government's objectives in reducing housing association grant; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  The Government's objective in reducing average housing association grant rates is to maximise the proportion of private finance in new housing association schemes, and thereby maximise the number of new homes that housing associations are able to provide from the available public resources. This will ensure that more people now living in unacceptable conditions can be housed satisfactorily.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to set up a housing association ombudsman.

  Sir George Young
  The Housing Corporation circulated proposals in a consultation document earlier this year and have received a range of comments and suggestions. The Environment Select Committee has also recently reported
  589
  its views on this subject. These comments are currently being considered and I hope that a revised set of proposals will be issued shortly, dealing both with the establishment of an ombudsman service for housing association tenants and with improved arrangements for the handling of tenants' complaints by associations themselves.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of housing association tenants were in receipt of housing benefit in each year since 1988.

  Sir George Young
  Reliable information is not available for all housing association tenants covering the period 1988–1992.

  The information set out in the table covers permanent lettings by housing associations in the years 1990–1992, and shows the proportion of households assessed by housing officers as qualifying for housing benefit in each year.

  Proportion of households qualifying for housing benefit: Housing Association lettings, England.

  Per cent.

  1990

  55

  1991

  62

  1992

  67

  Source National Federation of Housing Associations, CORE data base.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the average income levels of housing association tenants in each year since 1988.

  Sir George Young
  Reliable information is not available for all housing association tenants covering the period 1988–1992.

  The information set out in the table covers permanent lettings by housing associations in the years 1990–1992, and shows the average net weekly household income of new tenants who took up a housing association tenancy and of existing tenants who moved within a housing association.

  Average net weekly household income1: Housing association lettings, England.

  £/week

  1990

  92·00

  1991

  94·00

  1992

  97·50

  1 Includes child benefit but not housing benefit or council tax benefit (or equivalent).

  Source National Federation of Housing Associations, CORE data base.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to respond to the recommendations regarding housing association grant made by the Environment Select Committee in its second report of Session 1992–93 (HC466) on the Housing Corporation; and what account will be taken of those recommendations in relevant decisions taken by his Department before publication of his response to the Select Committee report.

  Sir George Young
  We are examining the recommendations of the Environment Select Committee report on the 590
  Housing Corporation and will make a formal response when the House reassembles after the summer recess. However, where operational decisions are needed sooner, we may provide an interim response on particular issues.

  In taking decisions about the level of housing association grant in 1994–95, Ministers will consider all available evidence, including the Select Committee's recommendations.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his current estimate of the amounts of capital receipts received by local authorities since November 1992 and which are available to authorities for capital spending under the terms of the autumn statement; and what was his original estimate.

  Mr. Gummer
  Estimates of local authorities' capital receipts are based on information provided by local authorities. At the time of the autumn statement, it was estimated that English local authorities would receive some £2·2 billion of capital receipts in 1992–93. On the basis of more recent information from local authorities, a revised estimate of £2·1 billion was made in April this year. No separate estimates of receipts have been made for the period between 13 November 1992 and the end of the financial year, during which virtually all of the receipts received will have been available for capital spending as a result of the temporary relaxation in the capital receipts rules announced in the autumn statement. Provisional outturn information for receipts which local authorities obtained between 13 November 1992 and 31 March 1993 will be published in due course, once returns from local authorities have been received and processed.

  Disabled Facilities Grants
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation he has made of the effect of the alterations since 1 April in the disregard rules for calculation of entitlement to disabled facilities grants; what consultations he has had with the representatives of people with disabilities on the effects of the alterations; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  These changes were designed to provide more help to grant applicants on low incomes and less to the better-off. It is too soon to assess their precise effects. Disability organisations were consulted on the changes prior to their introduction. They will have an opportunity to provide views on this as part of the Department's current consultation exercise on the future of private housing renewal programmes.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the principal changes in the disregards for the purposes of calculating the entitlement to disabled facilities grants since 1 April.

  Sir George Young
  The information requested is contained in the Housing Renovation etc Grants (Reduction of Grant) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993 No. 551) and Department of the Environment circular 7/93, copies of which are available in the Library.
  591

  Council Rents
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has reached as a result of the consultation carried out by his Department on recent rent increases for regulated tenancies.

  Sir George Young
  I have considered carefully the representations from both landlords and tenants on this issue. Although generally no new regulated tenancies have been created since 15 January 1989, the Government gave an assurance at the time of the passing of the Housing Act 1988 that existing regulated tenants would not be subject to the new regime which that Act brought in. Registered rents for regulated tenancies have risen substantially in certain areas since 1989, but still remain well below market rents.

  Having carefully considered the representations received as a result of the recent consultation, I am not convinced that the public interest would be best served by altering the legislative balance which currently exists. To provide further legislative controls over rents would hinder efforts to promote the revival of the private rented sector. Housing benefit is available to meet the cost of reasonable increases in regulated rents for those on low incomes. Our objective in all sectors is to move towards personal subsidies rather than subsidies to bricks and mortar. Accordingly, the Government have no plans for further legislation on this sector.

  I am concerned, however, that there should be general consistency of approach through the country. I have no powers to issue guidance to either rent officers or rent assessment committees, but I plan to encourage greater exchange of information and views between them to encourage consistency.

  Dioxin, Derbyshire
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further investigations have been made of dioxin contamination of soils and vegetation in Derbyshire.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the results of soil and vegetation sampling at Stanton-by-Dale and Staveley in Derbyshire. The results are in i he same range as the levels found in earlier samples taken at Staveley, announced on 31 March,Official Report, column 292.

  Concentrations of dioxins in soil and vegetation are reflected in concentrations in milk from the same area. Milk is the principle source of human exposure to dioxins. The concentrations of dioxins in milk produced in the Staveley area are within the normal range for milk in the United Kingdom. Because the levels of dioxins in vegetation and soil in the Stanton-by-Dale area are comparable to or less than the levels found in the Staveley area, there is no concern about the milk produced in the Stanton-by-Dale area.

  Sampling of emissions to the air from the foundry at Staveley reveal a very low level of dioxins, equivalent to one seventh of the guideline limit set by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution for new chemical incinerators. These results suggest that the gas cleaning plant at the Staveley foundry is very effective.
  592

  Fruit and Vegetables
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's planning policy for farm-based fruit and vegetable packing operations.

  Mr. Curry
  Farm-based fruit and vegetable packing operations, including those packing the produce of other farms, can help bring necessary diversification to the rural economy and assist our farmers in competing effectively at home and abroad. The Government attach great importance to encouraging new sources of jobs and services in rural areas, and maintaining a strong agricultural and horticultural industry. Planning policy guidance note 7 advises that development which is necessary to sustain the rural economy should be properly integrated with the protection of the rural environment. Unless material considerations indicate otherwise, applications for farm-based packing operations must be determined in accordance with the development plan.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment his Department made prior to its decision to require BBC Radio WM to relinquish its medium-wave frequencies of the impact this would have on the ethnic minority broadcasting in the west midlands.

  Mr. Brooke
  BBC Radio West Midlands simulcasts its services on both FM and AM, except for some 37 hours a week in the evenings, when it broadcasts its Asian programmes on AM. We appreciate that many Asian listeners would regret the loss of these programmes. That is why we have asked the BBC to look for ways of continuing to broadcast them after October 1994, when the Radio Authority will use the AM frequencies for a new local radio service in the west midlands.

  North West Council for Sport and Recreation
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the names and backgrounds of the chairman and members of the North West Council for Sport and Recreation.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 12 July 1993]: The chairman, and those members whom I appoint, are currently as follows:

  Chairman:

  Mr. J. R. Cochrane

  Vice-Chairman:

  Mr. J. R. H. Greenwood

  Ministerial nominees:

  Mrs. M. B. Birkenhead

  Mrs. J. Hammersley-Parker

  Mr. H. A. Cann

  There are two vacant ministerial appointments.

  It would not be appropriate for me to publish personal details in the Official Report. My hon. Friend may therefore wish to pursue this directly with the regional council.

EDUCATION

  Student Loans
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the number of students receiving a student loan in further education and higher education.
  593
  Mr. Boswell
  Loans under the student loans scheme are not available to students in further education. The number of students in higher education who are in receipt of loans under the scheme is a matter for the Student Loans Company. I will ask the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  University Students
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students were studying at each university in the United Kingdom at the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the figures in(a) 1960, (b) 1970 and (c)

  Numbers of full-time and part-time students in universities in Great Britain in 1960–61, and totals for each comparable institution for 1970–71, 1980–81 and 1991–92

  1960–611

  1970–712

  1980–813

  1991–923

  Institution

  full-time

  part-time

  full-time

  part-time

  full-time

  part-time

  full-time

  part-time

  Birmingham University

  4,457

  200

  6,782

  325

  8,884

  956

  11,437

  1,989

  Bristol University

  3,366

  152

  6,238

  521

  7,010

  528

  9,235

  671

  Cambridge University

  8,950

  —

  10,720

  473

  11,479

  1,055

  13,920

  1,217

  Durham University

  5,184

  202

  3,374

  84

  4,770

  193

  6,046

  1,163

  Exeter University

  1,410

  88

  3,387

  270

  5,064

  712

  6,466

  1,186

  Hull University

  1,660

  61

  3,943

  280

  5,498

  505

  6,669

  1,713

  Leeds University

  4,860

  199

  9,126

  415

  10,885

  930

  13,680

  1,281

  Leicester University

  1,374

  190

  3,364

  605

  4,789

  651

  6,920

  1,148

  Liverpool University

  4,113

  396

  6,613

  495

  7,859

  530

  10,040

  1,481

  University of London

  21,995

  8,644

  33,131

  7,921

  40,538

  8,704

  51,392

  13,352

  Manchester University

  4,944

  646

  8,271

  594

  11,327

  1,109

  13,359

  1,976

  Manchester College of Science and Technology

  1,956

  1,965

  3,340

  145

  4,137

  460

  5,262

  307

  North Staffordshire University College4

  769

  —

  1,863

  184

  2,801

  441

  4,440

  1,392

  Nottingham University

  2,506

  185

  5,194

  622

  7,053

  685

  9,581

  1,342

  Oxford University

  8,975

  —

  11,073

  756

  11,802

  1,717

  14,122

  768

  Reading University

  1,557

  27

  4,917

  484

  5,819

  360

  8,229

  1,525

  Sheffield University

  3,009

  438

  5,744

  162

  8,369

  428

  10,854

  1,020

  Southampton University

  1,654

  85

  4,381

  681

  6,168

  483

  7,897

  1,269

  Total England

  82,739

  13,478

  131,461

  15,017

  164,252

  20,447

  209,549

  34,800

  University of Wales

  6,431

  221

  6,655

  406

  20,402

  1,265

  26,810

  2,677

  Total Wales

  6,431

  221

  6,655

  406

  20,402

  1,265

  26,810

  2,677

  Aberdeen University

  2,016

  243

  5,660

  599

  5,590

  179

  7,180

  728

  Edinburgh University

  5,963

  1,328

  9,368

  539

  9,783

  884

  12,550

  1,115

  Glasgow University

  6,223

  230

  7,969

  972

  9,830

  1,299

  12,798

  1,485

  Glasgow Royal College of Science and Technology5

  1,695

  2,251

  5,356

  788

  6,707

  472

  9,588

  1,948

  St. Andrews University

  2,632

  80

  2,577

  85

  3,348

  98

  4,225

  80

  Total Scotland

  18,529

  4,132

  30,930

  2,983

  35,258

  2,932

  46,341

  5,356

  Total Great Britain

  107,699

  17,831

  169,046

  18,406

  219,912

  24,644

  282,700

  42,833

  1 Source—University Grants Committee "Returns from Universities and Colleges 1960–61".

  2Source—Department for Education "Statistics of Education Volume 6".

  3 Source—Universities Statistical Record "Volume 1 Students and Staff".

  4 North Staffordshire University College, now Keele University.

  5 Glasgow Royal College of Science and Technology, now Strathclyde University.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will update the table given in his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 358, by listing by local education authority area and for each grant-maintained school the proposed final annual maintenance grant and the final AMG, where this has now been determined.
  594
  Mr. Boswell
  The numbers of students at universities in the academic year 1960–61, and corresponding data for these institutions in the academic years 1970–71, 1980–81 and 1991–92 are shown in the table. Figures for these institutions and those for universities established since 1960–61 are published in the Universities Statistical Record volume 1, and in Statistics of Education volume 6, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is given in the table.

  GM A MG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Avon

  Beechen Cliff School

  1,952,184

  —

  Oldfield School

  1,628,128

  —

  Barnet

  Hendon School

  2,409,076

  2,440,651

  595

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Queen Elizabeth's GM School for Boys

  2,685,434

  2,675,943

  Mill Hill County School

  2,881,500

  12,921,688

  Bedfordshire

  Queensbury School

  2,219,524

  2,497,566

  Thomas Whitehead CE School

  326,490

  318,337

  Manshead CE Upper School

  1,819,281

  1,804,759

  Sharnbrook Upper School

  3,082,414

  3,235,054

  Ashcroft High School

  1,699,750

  1,853,806

  Crawley Green GM Infant

  443,864

  453,773

  Icknield High School

  2,696,196

  2,803,589

  Lea Manor High School

  2,597,388

  2,743,544

  Lincroft Middle School

  675,363

  728,131

  Wootton Upper School

  2,386,232

  2,605,756

  Berkshire

  Southlands School

  1,388,715

  1,336,886

  Reading School

  1,625,933

  1,715,218

  St Bartholomew's School

  3,432,434

  3,584,862

  Desborough Comprehensive School

  2,374,578

  2,326,426

  Denefield School

  2,100,230

  2,202,280

  Langley Grammar School, Slough

  1,526,243

  1,561,050

  Herschel Grammar School

  1,328,282

  1,481,846

  The Downs School

  1,319,024

  1,359,609

  Cippenham Middle School

  671,467

  706,528

  Priory Combined School

  818,634

  871,735

  Upton Grammar School

  1,399,355

  1,409,494

  Holy Family Combined School

  461,129

  519,043

  Whitelocke Infant and Nursery School

  268,260

  267,466

  Bexley

  Barnehurst Infants School

  270,593

  276,889

  Barnehurst Junior School

  385,918

  390,904

  St Columba's RC Boys School

  1,728,391

  1,598,267

  St Mary and St Joseph's School

  1,604,686

  1,522,403

  Birmingham

  Baverstock GM School

  2,444,257

  —

  Small Heath School

  2,468,506

  —

  Handsworth Grammar School for Boys

  1,759,199

  —

  Great Barr School

  4,260,290

  —

  Hall Green School

  1,555,385

  —

  King Edward VI Aston School

  1,381,228

  —

  King Edward VI Camp Hill Boys School

  1,480,522

  —

  King Edward VI Camp Hill Girls School

  1,420,988

  —

  King Edward VI Five Ways School

  1,492,205

  —

  King Edward VI Handsworth School

  1,850,229

  —

  Bolton

  St. James' CE School, Bolton

  1,617,428

  1,794,487

  Crompton Fold Primary School

  639,332

  668,643

  Canon Slade School

  3,184,651

  3,344,288

  George Tomlinson School

  1,502,743

  1,340,663

  Bradford

  Bingley Grammar School

  2,107,250

  —

  Hanson GM School

  2,642,398

  —

  Laisterdyke GM Middle School

  678,103

  —

  Oakbank School

  2,463,211

  —

  Thornton School

  2,014,073

  —

  Brent

  Claremont High School

  2,883,678

  —

  Copland Community School

  2,930,432

  —

  Convent of Jesus and Mary

  2,205,616

  —

  Kingsbury High School

  4,931,819

  —

  Queens Park Community School

  2,178,054

  —

  Bromley

  Butlers Wood School for Girls

  2,498,965

  2,498,965

  Coopers School, Chislehurst

  2,879,623

  2,879,623

  Langley Park Boys School

  2,756,105

  2,756,105

  Hayes School, Bromley

  2,906,576

  2,906,576

  Ravens Wood School, Bromley

  2,229,200

  2,229,200

  Kelsey Park chool

  2,057,976

  2,057,976

  596

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Beaverwood School for Girls

  2,300,643

  2,300,643

  Crofton Junior School

  1,048,129

  1,048,129

  Newstead Wood School

  1,855,892

  1,855,892

  Charles Darwin School

  2,411,849

  2,411,849

  Holy Innocents Primary School

  382,014

  '382,014

  St. Olave's and St. Saviour's School

  1,619,235

  11,619,235

  St. John Rigby School

  2,117,319

  12,117,319

  Buckinghamshire

  Bridgewater Hall School

  3,204,466

  —

  Brindley Hall School

  2,431,157

  —

  Beaconsfield High School

  1,721,529

  —

  Brookmead County Combined Middle School

  339,118

  —

  The Chalfonts School

  2,152,263

  —

  Overstone Combined School

  443,334

  —

  Beechview Middle School

  392,261

  —

  Hamilton Combined School

  1,010,910

  —

  Lord Grey School

  2,367,618

  —

  The Radcliffe School

  3,660,581

  —

  Wycombe Royal Grammar School

  2,644,713

  —

  Calderdale

  Crossley Heath School

  1,501,989

  —

  North Halifax High School

  1,674,604

  —

  Salterlee Primary School

  131,837

  —

  Holy Trinity CE Senior School

  1,591,393

  —

  Rastrick High School

  1,937,528

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  St. Helen's Primary School, Bluntisham

  401,047

  428,396

  Bassingbourn Village College

  902,676

  858,366

  Gamlingay Village College

  415,101

  412,435

  The Queen's School, Wisbech

  3,067,674

  3,024,982

  Park Lane Primary School

  390,793

  401,207

  Sawtry Village College

  1,354,921

  1,291,906

  Wheatfields Junior School

  505,856

  498,875

  Crosshall Infant School

  445,731

  472,486

  Crosshall Junior School

  518,051

  537,874

  The King's School, Peterborough

  1,834,790

  1,782,920

  Jack Hunt School

  3,071,177

  3,011,650

  Ailwyn Community School

  1,462,188

  1,516,425

  Deacon's School

  1,900,822

  1,963,122

  Longsands Community College

  2,834,472

  2,813,248

  Orton Wistow Primary School

  372,322

  384,970

  Sawston Village College

  2,339,941

  2,315,722

  Stanground College

  2,779,761

  2,886,358

  Village College, Comberton

  1,543,918

  1,557,103

  Cheshire

  Bankfield High School

  1,279,547

  —

  Kettleshulme CE Primary School

  89,659

  —

  Fallibroome High School

  1,879,222

  —

  Henbury County High School

  1,774,896

  —

  Croydon

  Riddlesdown High School

  2,474,018

  —

  Edenham School

  2,549,918

  —

  Cumbria

  Kirkbie Kendal School

  2,212,594

  —

  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

  1,233,850

  —

  Hayton CE Primary School

  132,259

  —

  St. Aidan's School

  1,456,320

  —

  Trinity School

  3,787,687

  —

  Scotby CE Primary School

  268,313

  —

  The Queen Katherine School, Kendal

  2,618,932

  —

  Appleby Grammar School

  1,089,603

  —

  Dallam School

  1,457,983

  —

  Harraby School

  1,221,534

  —

  Kirkby Stephen Grammar School

  806,540

  —

  Derbyshire

  Netherthorpe School

  1,745,449

  1,900,896

  Ecclesbourne School

  2,794,799

  2,876,695

  Borrow Wood Junior School

  312,012

  326,448

  Belmont Primary School

  457,194

  472.904

  597

  GM A MG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Chellaston School

  1,942,677

  1,996,409

  The Merrill Community School

  2,296,888

  2,142,353

  Belper Grant-Maintained School

  2,218,033

  2,371,000

  Heanor Gate School

  1,977,148

  2,168,605

  John Port School

  3,466,400

  3,455,267

  Murray Park Community School

  2,020,900

  1,961,579

  Noel Baker School

  2,772,186

  2,691,008

  Repton Primary School

  286,568

  272,386

  Devon

  Colyton Grammar School

  1,236,902

  —

  Torquay Boys Grammar School

  2,021,436

  —

  St. Boniface's College

  1,548,905

  —

  Teign School

  1,749,091

  —

  Dorset

  Bournemouth Grammar School

  2,099,218

  —

  Woodroffe School

  1,768,493

  —

  Budmouth School

  1,957,125

  —

  Avonbourne School

  1,896,285

  —

  Parkstone Grammar School, Poole

  1,582,203

  —

  Bournemouth Girls School

  1,899,453

  —

  Highcliffe Comprehensive School

  1,505,584

  —

  Poole Technical High School

  2,362,279

  —

  St. Walburga's RC Primary School

  519,550

  —

  Dudley

  Old Swinford Hospital

  1,353,932

  1,333,690

  Ellowes Hall School

  1,682,743

  1,748,389

  Kingswinford GM School

  1,496,201

  1,530,593

  Ealing

  Brentside High School

  2,527,864

  —

  Drayton Manor High School

  2,800,599

  —

  Ellen Wilkinson High School

  2,297,226

  —

  Greenford High School

  2,280,914

  —

  Northolt High School

  2,238,588

  —

  Wood End First School

  515,262

  —

  Wood End Middle School

  481,652

  —

  Essex

  Chalvedon School

  2,942,384

  3,097,544

  Westcliffe High School for Boys

  1,983,393

  2,023,768

  King John School, Benfleet

  2,543,937

  2,700,946

  Beauchamps School, Wickford

  1,632,598

  1,500,912

  Bromfords School, Wickford

  1,621,266

  1,715,516

  Elmwood Primary School

  640,727

  663,359

  Newlands Spring Primary School

  441,625

  479,367

  Saffron Walden High School

  2,893,757

  2,991,923

  The Philip Morant School

  2,306,316

  2,438,457

  The Plume School

  3,729,556

  3,796,954

  West Hatch High School

  2,119,945

  2,139,867

  The Boswells School

  2,789,752

  2,917,087

  Chelmsford County High School

  1,551,437

  1,555,402

  The Eastwood School

  1,772,834

  1,748,207

  Furtherwick Park School

  1,877,288

  1,880,719

  Katherine's Primary School

  385,503

  390,484

  King Edward VI G School, Chelmsford

  1,668,285

  1,645,444

  King Harold School

  1,654,751

  1,611,949

  North Crescent Primary School

  331,361

  309,353

  Rickstones School

  1,354,346

  1,304,412

  Thurstable School

  1,759,796

  1,769,834

  Torells Comprehensive School

  1,348,562

  1,323,256

  Northlands Junior School

  422,835

  437,656

  Great Totham County Primary School

  519,880

  559,603

  The Appleton School

  2,403,831

  2,351,509

  The Deanes School

  1,378,823

  1,534,698

  The Hedley Walter School

  2,039,499

  1,914,949

  Castle View School

  1,677,326

  1,696,896

  Cornelius Vermuyden School

  1,626,928

  1,677,509

  Westcliff High School for Girls

  1,979,784

  1,963,536

  The Fitzwimarc School

  2,338,709

  2,384,271

  Westborough Primary School

  797,187

  871,092

  King Edmund School

  2,388,014

  2,362,489

  Belfairs Community College

  2,688,155

  2,601,882

  598

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Chelmer Valley High School

  1,850,564

  1,922,695

  Davenant Foundation School

  2,191,067

  2,250,799

  Gable Hill Grant-maintained Comprehensive

  2,082,046

  2,082,098

  Jotmans Hall Primary School

  391,615

  400,350

  Newport Free Grammar School

  1,373,664

  1,382,974

  Northwick Park County Infant School

  331,619

  329,561

  Northwick Park County Junior School

  447,237

  467,390

  Rainsford School

  1,908,746

  1,922,091

  Rolph CE Voluntary-assisted Primary School

  236,270

  271,858

  Southend Girls High School

  1,843,623

  1,882,642

  St. Andrew's CE Primary School

  213,082

  241,635

  St. Clere's School

  1,795,939

  1,844,734

  St. Martin's School

  2,261,602

  2,437,456

  Tendring High School

  2,737,470

  2,826,959

  The Grays School

  1,802,033

  1,856,598

  The Greensward School

  1,703,645

  1,808,695

  Thorpe Bay School

  1,514,686

  1,664,222

  William De Ferrers School

  2,893,884

  3,068,491

  William Edwards School

  1,722,225

  1,805,779

  Gloucesteshire

  Ribston Hall High School

  952,515

  —

  Marling School

  1,589,093

  —

  Pate's Grammar School

  1,979,013

  —

  Stroud High School

  1,506,846

  —

  Robinswood Primary School

  504,800

  —

  Tewkesbury School

  2,191,122

  —

  The Crypt School

  921,601

  —

  Balcarras School

  1,385,422

  —

  Chosen Hill School

  2,269,284

  —

  Katharine Lady Berkeley School

  2,106,532

  —

  Churchdown School

  2,146,453

  —

  The Cotswold School

  1,172,924

  —

  Newent Community School

  2,308,178

  —

  Rednock School

  2,238,057

  —

  Saintbridge School

  1,665,487

  —

  Chipping Camden School

  1,647,517

  —

  St. Gregory RC Primary School

  524,541

  —

  Blue Coat CE Grant-maintained School

  330,774

  —

  Picklenash County Junior School

  332,954

  —

  Wyedean School

  1,262,851

  —

  Hammersmith

  London Oratory School

  4,254,240

  —

  Hampshire

  Hardley Secondary School

  1,651,981

  1,802,699

  Burgate School

  1,288,576

  1,363,405

  Arnewood School

  2,421,755

  2,514,246

  Ringwood Comprehensive School

  1,666,419

  1,759,723

  Crofton School, Fareham

  2,142,854

  2,160,203

  The City of Portsmouth Boys' School

  1,864,855

  1,955,989

  The Priory Primary School

  166,754

  190,383

  Testwood School

  1,850,730

  1,913,697

  Abbotswood Middle School

  844,731

  826,691

  Front Lawn Middle School

  431,852

  447,565

  All Hallows RC School

  2,258,710

  2,424,544

  Bay House Grant-maintained School

  3,276,655

  3,203,364

  Blackfield Middle School

  586,385

  578,966

  Bohunt Community School

  2,167,405

  2,296,747

  Calmore Grant-maintained School

  535,464

  614,455

  St. Joseph's RC Primary School

  554,535

  685,197

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Havering

  Abbs Cross School

  1,726,574

  —

  Coopers Company and Coborn

  2,706,265

  —

  Frances Bardsley School

  2,648,292

  —

  599

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Hereford and Worcester

  St. Augustine's RC High School

  1,604,896

  1,640,491

  St. Bede's School

  872,397

  886,339

  Hertfordshire

  Rickmansworth School

  2,349,929

  2,363,251

  Watford Boys Grammar School

  2,521,834

  2,535,614

  Francis Bacon School

  1,179,739

  1,216,702

  Watford Girls' Grammar School

  2,482,995

  2,539,319

  Parmiters School

  2,333,813

  2,322,198

  St. Mary's R.C Primary School

  304,749

  305,310

  Christ Church CE JMI School, Chorley

  319,139

  311,975

  Parkside First School

  363,115

  391,288

  Hertingfordbury School

  244,250

  240,010

  Bishop Stortford's School

  2,310,664

  2,466,927

  Ashlyns Grant-Maintained School

  1,492,243

  1,559,997

  Bushey Hall School

  2,571,885

  2,397,349

  Bushey Meads GM School

  2,143,420

  2,228,601

  Dame Alice Owens School

  2,577,663

  2,624,084

  Mount Grace School

  1,214,475

  1,424,777

  Queens School

  2,738,038

  2,849,229

  Hillingdon

  Bishopshalt School

  2,403,584

  2,422,836

  Haydon School

  2,707,686

  2,720,645

  Queensmead School

  2,229,343

  2,299,623

  Vyners School

  2,161,804

  2,004,307

  Uxbridge High School

  1,714,649

  1,822,505

  North wood School

  2,278,887

  2,201,048

  Hayes Manor School

  1,747,694

  1,727,799

  Mellow Lane School

  2,372,797

  2,318,510

  Oak Farm Infant School

  503,191

  518,217

  Oak Farm Junior School

  578,099

  601,549

  The Douay Martyrs School

  2,359,500

  2,557,837

  Abbotsfield School

  1,789,388

  1,819,125

  Grange Park Infant School

  435,117

  468,892

  Grange Park Junior School

  474,170

  506,794

  Swakeleys School

  1,856,814

  1,833,869

  Hounslow

  Gumley House Convent School

  2,251,140

  2,220,884

  Gunnersbury Catholic School

  2,208,717

  2,219,875

  Humberside

  Wold Newton Primary School

  151,221

  151,221

  Kensington

  Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

  2,212,931

  —

  Kent

  The GS for Girls Wilmington

  1,101,219

  1,150,731

  The Cornwallis School

  1,826,773

  2,024,564

  The Maplesden Noakes School

  1,555,626

  1,621,979

  Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

  830,956

  1974,896

  St. George's CE School, Gravesend

  2,330,199

  2,357,482

  Homewood School

  2,792,083

  2,913,572

  Thamesview School

  2,280,985

  2,254,247

  Dartford Grammar School

  1,707,230

  1,929,403

  Southlands Comprehensive School

  2,462,598

  —

  Dartford Grammar School for Girls

  1,707,230

  1,835,365

  Aylesford School

  2,085,430

  2,111,294

  Wrotham School

  1,024,272

  1,103,099

  Simon Langton Boys' Grammar School

  1,416,773

  11,461,523

  Snodland CE Primary School

  535,424

  548,533

  Oldborough Manor High

  1,537,167

  —

  Senacre High School

  2,067,367

  2,118,277

  Cranbrook School

  1,699,728

  1,760,629

  Angley School

  1,770,291

  1,776,358

  Fulston Manor School

  1,731,977

  1,805,342

  Oakwood Park Grammar School

  1,077,926

  1,005,749

  Rainham Mark Grammar School

  2,292,762

  2,332,940

  Robert Napier School, Gillingham

  1,754,076

  1,888,104

  The Minster School

  2,938,993

  3,010,954

  The Skinner's School

  1,501,127

  1,525,792

  The Canterbury School

  1,802.353

  1,915,215

  600

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Borough Green Primary School

  424,435

  450,287

  Chatham Grammar School

  1,207,990

  1,297,125

  Sir Roger Manwood's School

  1,505,123

  1,451,715

  The Archbishop School

  1,382,493

  1,418,357

  The Mailing School

  1,293,312

  1,321,004

  Sandown Court School

  1,881,011

  1,909,388

  Meopham School

  986,030

  935,095

  Holy Trinity

  349,381

  372,716

  The Bradbourne School

  998,561

  1,081,782

  Hugh Christie School

  1,995,981

  12,089,046

  St. Simon Stock School

  1,906,283

  1,998,991

  Mascalls School

  2,868,192

  2,848,129

  Roseacre Junior School

  454,503

  462,317

  St. Gregory's Catholic Comp. School

  1,888,110

  2,030,483

  St. John Fisher, Chatham

  2,422,432

  2,503,687

  Sutton-at-Home CE Primary School

  443,276

  455,039

  The Charles Dickens School

  1,657,401

  1,727,919

  The Folkestone School for Girls

  1,759,327

  1,900,829

  The Wildernesse School

  1,456,554

  1,389,844

  Westlands High School

  2,883,852

  3,040,893

  Kingston

  Tiffin School

  2,369,820

  2,258,964

  Holy Cross Convent School

  1,512,082

  1,605,165

  Richard Challoner School

  1,569,710

  1,534,475

  Kirklees

  Heckmondwike Grammar School

  1,561,430

  1,658,905

  Castle Hall GM School

  957,073

  1,035,467

  Lambeth

  La Retraite School

  1,833,557

  —

  St. Bernadette Junior School

  458,829

  —

  Archbishop Tenison's School

  1,497,461

  —

  Bishop Thomas Grant School

  2,520,496

  —

  Dunraven GM School

  3,157,842

  —

  Lancashire

  Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

  1,860,719

  2,008,763

  Lancaster Royal Grammar School

  2,003,296

  '2,052,518

  Lancaster Girls Grammar School

  1,634,088

  1,651,403

  Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

  2,267,523

  12,394,558

  Newton Blue Coat CE School

  394,244

  399,323

  Baines School

  1,562,692

  1,615,217

  Archbishop Temple School

  1,232,110

  1,306,839

  Leicestershire

  Long Field High School

  861,669

  —

  Abington High School

  1,254,560

  —

  Bushloe High School

  1,468,582

  —

  South Wigston High School

  1,469,802

  —

  Uppingham Community College

  1,388,617

  —

  Lewisham

  Turnham Primary School

  985,962

  —

  Lincolnshire

  Queen Elizabeth's GM Grammar School

  893,067

  —

  Skegness Grammar School

  1,505,727

  —

  The King's School Grantham

  1,916,942

  —

  Carre's Grammar School

  1,091,103

  —

  St. George's School

  2,232,973

  —

  King Edward VI Grammar School

  1,440,508

  —

  Caistor School

  1,045,148

  —

  Bourne Primary School

  689,316

  —

  Gartree School

  886,647

  —

  Magdalen CE/Methodist Primary School

  348,144

  Yarborough High School

  2,415,986

  —

  Lincoln Christ's Hospital School

  2,726,583

  —

  Castle Hills School, Gainsborough

  1,146,804

  —

  North Kesteven School

  2,648,988

  —

  North Rauceby Primary School

  132,038

  —

  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horn

  1,341,978

  —

  601

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Robert Pattinson School

  2,444,092

  —

  William Alvey CE Junior School

  680,349

  —

  Ancaster High School

  1,267,502

  —

  William Farr CE School

  1,735,540

  —

  Ermine School

  430,157

  —

  Gleed Girls School

  1,208,925

  —

  Monks' Dyke High School

  1,504,824

  —

  Lacey Gardens Junior School

  592,816

  —

  Malcolm Sargent County Primary School

  738,364

  —

  Liverpool

  St. Francis Xavier's College

  2,650,426

  2,650,426

  Newham

  Stratford School

  1,669,153

  1,681,318

  Norfolk

  Wymondham College

  2,341,738

  2,303,400

  Gresham County Primary

  175,466

  —

  Heacham Middle School

  390,702

  —

  Redgate Middle School, Hunstanton

  309,338

  —

  Loddon Middle School

  386,143

  —

  Costessey High School, Norwich

  1,563,502

  1,713,332

  Cromer High School

  1,285,699

  1,244,563

  Dereham Church VA First School

  234,966

  —

  Downham Market High School

  3,162,712

  3,304,650

  Marshland High School

  1,445,781

  1,450,658

  Norwich Road School

  532,262

  554,195

  Robert Kett Middle School

  652,471

  653,204

  West Flegg Middle School

  678,538

  660,604

  Acle High School

  1,175,358

  1,144,641

  Sheringham High School

  1,273,388

  1,326,726

  South Wooton School

  200,679

  —

  Cliff Park High School

  1,537,831

  1,571,695

  Flegg High School

  1,204,462

  1,274,541

  Great Yarmouth High School

  1,616,159

  1,585,705

  Lynn Grove VC High School

  1,629,674

  1,675,848

  St. Clements High School

  1,196,556

  1,170,746

  Northamptonshire

  Southfield School for Girls

  1,457,522

  1,572,193

  Kingsley Park Middle School

  634,205

  679,974

  Kingswood School

  2,159,652

  2,178,146

  Moulton Primary School

  569,645

  607,087

  King John School

  489,239

  516,726

  Northampton School for Boys

  1,963,181

  2,196,983

  Lodge Park School

  1,876,194

  1,810,351

  Manor School

  1,524,610

  1,570,521

  Montagu School

  1,860,992

  1,980,827

  Weavers School

  2,558,015

  2,576,385

  Windmill Primary School

  617,400

  578,154

  Wrenn School

  2,252,542

  2,373,269

  Sir Christopher Hatton

  1,709,232

  1,757,218

  Danesholme Junior School

  515,961

  561,510

  Woodnewton Way Junior School

  548,394

  569,809

  Nottinghamshire

  Ravensdale Middle School

  663,989

  —

  Greenwood Dale School

  1,363,758

  —

  George Spencer School

  2,047,408

  —

  Oxfordshire

  Shenington CE Primary School

  125,756

  125,756

  Rochdale

  Crossgates Primary School

  336,367

  —

  Smithy Bridge Primary School

  550,873

  —

  St James CE Primary

  333,743

  —

  Wardle High School

  2,142,932

  —

  Sandwell

  Manor High School

  1,848,555

  1,789,513

  Sheffield

  Clifford First School

  144,612

  120,602

  602

  GM AMG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Shropshire

  Adams' Grammar School

  1,164,848

  —

  Corbet GM School

  1,242,066

  —

  Solihull

  Hatchford Primary School

  861,670

  969,063

  Somerset

  Sexey's School

  1,300,720

  1,300,720

  Bruton Primary School

  347,348

  347,348

  Southwark

  London Nautical School

  1,495,297

  1,491,358

  St. Francesca Cabrini RC Primary

  845,723

  —

  Staffordshire

  St. Thomas More School

  1,916,166

  —

  Cannock Chase High School

  2,087,964

  —

  Surrey

  Guildford County Secondary School

  1,828,343

  1,935,201

  Collingwood School, Camberley

  3,452,755

  3,642,975

  St. John the Baptist School, Woking

  1,586,183

  1,646,877

  Glyn School

  1,978,289

  2,106,650

  Gordon's School

  787,666

  756,557

  Beacon School

  1,757,428

  1,894,525

  Epsom and Ewell High School

  1,979,606

  2,009,386

  Hawkedale First School

  182,746

  161,194

  Heathside Secondary School

  1,225,671

  1,465,192

  Manor First School, Byfleet

  259,389

  240,411

  Roseberry School, Epsom

  1,894,516

  2,039,296

  Stoneleigh First School

  308,014

  333,102

  de Stafford School

  1,193,336

  1,238,774

  Send CE First School

  243,980

  232,999

  Thamesmead School

  1,100,720

  11,393,999

  St. Paul's School

  1,480,782

  1,625,955

  Sutton

  Wilsons School

  1,741,804

  —

  Nonsuch High School for Girls

  2,049,840

  —

  John Fisher School

  1,714,027

  —

  Cheam High School

  2,204,728

  —

  Sutton Grammar School for Boys

  1,461,957

  —

  St. Philomena's School

  1,907,056

  —

  Wallington High School for Boys

  1,454,128

  —

  Wallington High School for Girls

  1,703,895

  —

  Tameside

  Audenshaw High School

  1,637,607

  1,637,607

  West Hill School

  1,508,812

  1,508,812

  Tower Hamlets

  Raines Foundation School

  2,535,384

  2,752,152

  Trafford

  Ashton on Mersey School

  1,867,657

  1,944,771

  New Wellington High School

  1,883,460

  1,899,279

  Sale Moor School

  1,291,642

  1,337,832

  Walsall

  The Streetly School

  2,385,678

  2,321,781

  St. Thomas More RC School

  2,719,395

  2,812,356

  Shire Oak Community School

  1,459,790

  1,400,817

  Waltham Forest

  Highams Park School

  2,526,942

  —

  Wandsworth

  Graveney School

  4,595,017

  —

  Burntwood School

  3,593,918

  —

  Elliot School

  3,569,454

  —

  Salesian College

  1,513,423

  —

  Ethelburga Primary School

  443,315

  —

  Hillbrook Primary School

  764,600

  —

  John Paul II RC School

  1,524,504

  —

  Southfields School

  3,571,491

  —

  603

  GM A MG—1993–94 School

  Proposed final AMG

  Final AMG

  Warwickshire

  Avon Valley School

  730,195

  727,515

  Ash Green School (Exhall)

  1,111,820

  1,103,673

  Hartshill School

  1,350,262

  1,346,854

  Queen Elizabeth School Atherstone

  1,554,124

  1,552,689

  Myton School

  2,235,952

  2,226,965

  Alcester Grammar School

  1,262,526

  1,262,526

  Rugby High School For Girls

  1,230,469

  1,226,666

  Wirral

  Calday Grange Grammar School

  2,300,326

  —

  Wiltshire

  St. Augustine's School

  1,215,926

  —

  Aloeric School

  516,885

  —

  Highbury School

  1,158,555

  —

  Lavington School

  1,107,939

  —

  Wolverhampton

  Moseley Park

  2,601,795

  2,926,515

  Wolverhampton GS

  1,412,918

  1,450,571

  Numbers and percentages of day-pupils taking paid and free school meals in maintained schools in England 1989–1992

  Position at January each year

  School type

  Other Primary1

  Junior

  Secondary

  Paid

  Free

  Paid

  Free

  Paid

  Free

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  1992

  960,350

  27

  571,106

  16

  170,700

  29

  110,061

  19

  865,313

  30

  294,297

  10

  1991

  1,047,810

  30

  469,286

  13

  196,820

  32

  93,707

  15

  875,576

  31

  235,107

  8

  1990

  1,110,229

  32

  429,834

  13

  215,936

  35

  89,394

  14

  864,733

  30

  222,929

  8

  1989

  1,103,542

  33

  425,555

  13

  216,579

  35

  89,840

  15

  869,605

  30

  235,270

  8

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a further statement about school teachers' pay in 1993.

  Mr. Patten
  I am today publishing the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 1993, which will put in place the new pay spine for classroom teachers which I announced in February. 1 intend to lay an order before the House tomorrow which will bring the document into force with effect from 1 September 1993.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the United Kingdom Government have to join other European countries in contributing to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis at Laxenburg, near Vienna.

  Mr. David Davis
  None at the present time.

  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
  604
  Note: Only schools operating as grant maintained on 1 April 1993.

  1Updated form previous answer to exclude adjustments in respect of 1992–93

  School Meals
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of children received(a) paid and (b) free meals in (i) primary, (ii) junior and (iii) secondary schools in England as a whole in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on school meal arrangements in England since 1989 is shown in the table. Information prior to 1989 is not available on a comparable basis although the results of early school meals censuses were published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy up to 1988 in "School Meal Statistics at October", copies of which are available in the Library.

  non-governmental organisations giving, in each case, the title of the post, any salary payable, and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. David Davis
  [pursuant to the reply, 9 July 1993, c. 285]: I regret that the information I gave regarding my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson) and my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman) is incorrect. Although they are members of the Medical Research Council and the Agricultural and Food Research Council respectively, they do not receive any honoraria.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  British Military Hospital, Nepal
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial, medical and administrative support Her Majesty's Government have given the former British military hospital, Dharan, Nepal, to enable it to continue as the major medical and surgical facilitity in east Nepal; and if he will make a statement on the future of the hospital and its staff.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1989, when the British Brigade of Ghurkas withdrew from the British military hospital, we agreed an aid package worth £3 million to assist with the transition to Nepali management. This package included assignments by a surgeon, an anaesthetist, a physician and a general manager. It also funded the construction of new wards, the provision of equipment and the training of local staff.

  Long-term viability has been assured through the establishment at the hospital by the Government of Nepal

  605
  of the BP Koirala Institute for Health Sciences with the assistance of the Indian Government. The final commissioning of wards and transfer of equipment are expected to be complete by the end of this month.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his United States and European Community counterparts about their contributions to United Nations aid for the peoples of the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Humanitarian aid for the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, including assistance through the United Nations, is the subject of frequent discussion with our partners in the European Community and the United States. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development announced an additional package of humanitarian aid for the former Yugoslavia of £18·5 million on 12 July, thus bringing our total bilateral commitment to £63 million. Details of this new package will be set out on 16 July at the meeting of donors which has been called by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and we urge other donors to follow our example.

  International Finance Corporation
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available the voting decisions of the United Kingdom executive director in the International Finance Corporation since 1 January 1991.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1993]The proceedings of the board of executive directors of the International Finance Corporation are confidential so as not to inhibit full and frank discussion.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  CSCE
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the second meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the conference on security and co-operation in Europe in Helsinki on 6 to 9 July.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Helsinki provided a valuable opportunity for parliamentarians from 45 CSCE participating states and representatives of international organisations to meet and debate issues relating to co-operation and security in the CSCE area. The declaration adopted by the Assembly is an important statement of concern regarding conflicts in the CSCE area and also reflects the view of the Assembly that the CSCE has a key role in seeking to prevent and resolve such conflicts.

  Chittagong Hill Tract Refugees
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to a the Indian and (b) the Bangladeshi Governments on the proposed
  606
  repatriation to Bangladesh of the Chittagong hill tract refugees currently in refugee camps in the state of Tripura, India.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have not made formal representations to either Government about the proposed repatriations. But the Indian and Bangladesh authorities are aware of our concern about the tribal refugees from the Chittagong hill tracts in camps in Tripura. For example, the acting British high commissioner in Dhaka discussed the issue with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on 26 June.

  English Language Teaching
  Mr. Whitney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the work of the British Council in direct English language teaching is self-financing, taking account of start-up costs of the ELT operation since the mid-1970s and all relevant overheads.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The work of the British Council in direct English language teaching is entirely self-financing. Students' fees cover all relevant costs, including overheads, and the surplus is used partly to reinvest in the business, partly to cover the business risk and partly to support the council's cultural and educational programmes as a return on earlier investment in start-up costs.

  South American Nationals (Graduate Training)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to promote graduate training in Europe of south American nationals; and what assessment he has of the number of such graduates in Europe in 1983 and the most recent available date.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Human resource development is a priority for our bilateral technical co-operation programmes and, wherever appropriate, United Kingdom training is an integral part of aid-funded projects.

  It has not been possible to obtain statistics relating to south American nationals studying in European countries other than in the United Kingdom. Obtaining the statistics from all European countries could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  In 1984–85, the total number of students from south America studying in the United Kingdom funded by Her Majesty's Government sources totalled 292 at an approximate cost of £1·6 million; statistics for overseas students funded by Her Majesty's Government prior to this are not available. In 1992–93, the number of students from south America was 641 at a cost of about £4·38 million. A breakdown of these totals by country of origin has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Our aid programme has supported the bulk of Her Majesty's Government-funded students from south America. Aid funds are provided under our bilateral technical co-operation training arrangements—287 students at a cost of approximately £2·22 million in 1992–93—and under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office scholarship award scheme—274 students at a cost of approximately £1·76 million in 1992–93.
  607

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of full-time workers on adult rates currently earn less than(a) £100, (b) £150, (c) £200 and (d) £250 per week, including and excluding overtime, in (i) Yorkshire and Humberside, (ii) north Yorkshire, (iii) the north of England and (iv) the United Kingdom, distinguishing between male and female and manual and non-manual.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information available form the new earnings survey can be found in the following tables:

  Full-time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence Proportion with gross weekly earnings EXCLUDING overtime below the following amounts: April 1992

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  Manual men

  £100

  0·9

  1·5

  1·0

  0·8

  £150

  13·6

  19·4

  12·1

  11·9

  £200

  42·2

  54·2

  37·9

  39·3

  £250

  69·5

  77·1

  66·2

  66·9

  Non-manual men

  £100

  0·8

  1·2

  0·5

  0·5

  £150

  6·6

  8·3

  5·5

  4·6

  £200

  18·8

  22·6

  15·6

  14·4

  £250

  32·0

  36·3

  28·2

  26·1

  Manual women

  £100

  9·1

  10·0

  7·2

  7·4

  £150

  58·3

  53·3

  53·3

  49·9

  £200

  87·6

  87·8

  82·8

  81·9

  £250

  97·3

  94·4

  95·3

  93·6

  Non-manual women

  £100

  1·5

  2·4

  1·8

  1·2

  £150

  20·4

  24·4

  19·9

  14·8

  £200

  49·9

  54·2

  51·3

  40·6

  £250

  67·6

  71·8

  67·9

  59·6

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  Full time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence Proportion with gross weekly earnings including overtime below the following amounts: April 1992

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  Manual men

  £100

  0·8

  1·5

  0·8

  0·6

  £150

  8·1

  10·8

  8·3

  7·8

  £200

  27·0

  34·8

  25·9

  26·1

  £250

  50·5

  59·8

  50·6

  49·6

  Non-manual men

  £100

  0·8

  1·2

  0·5

  0·4

  £150

  5·5

  7·8

  4·5

  3·9

  £200

  16·1

  20·0

  13·6

  12·4

  £250

  28·9

  33·3

  25·2

  23·2

  Manual women

  £100

  8·3

  7·8

  5·3

  6·7

  £150

  52·9

  48·9

  47·7

  44·7

  £200

  80·1

  81·1

  76·7

  75·4

  £250

  92·6

  88·9

  92·6

  89·3

  Non-manual women

  £100

  1·4

  2·1

  1·7

  1·1

  £150

  19·3

  23·1

  18·7

  13·7

  £200

  47·7

  52·3

  48·6

  38·6

  £250

  65·8

  70·0

  65·6

  57·8

  Source: New Earnings Survey
  608

  Wages
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for what are the current average earnings of part-time workers on adult rates, distinguishing between manual and non-manual in(a) Yorkshire and Humberside, (b) west Yorkshire, (c) South Yorkshire, (d) north Yorkshire, (e) Humberside, (f) the north of England and (g) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is contained in the following table:

  Average gross weekly earnings of part-time em on adult rates of pay unaffected by absent April 1992

  Manual

  Non-manual

  £

  £

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  70·8

  97·2

  West Yorkshire

  67·7

  96·1

  South Yorkshire

  73·1

  100·4

  North Yorkshire

  74·9

  —

  Humberside

  72·0

  —

  North

  69·1

  93·0

  United Kingdom

  72·7

  103·7

  Source: New Earnings Survey, Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

  Note: "—" denotes sample number too small or standard error too large for reliable estimate.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for what percentage of workers on adult rates currently earn less than(a) £2·50, (b) £3·00, (c) £3·50, (d) £4·00, (e) £4·50, (f) £5·00, (g) £5·50 and (h) £6·50 per hour including and excluding overtime, in (i) Yorkshire and Humberside, (ii) north Yorkshire, (iii) the north and (iv) the United Kingdom, distinguishing between manual and non-manual, male and female and full and part-time workers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information available from the new earnings survey can be found in the following tables:

  Full-time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence Proportion with gross hourly earnings including overtime below the following amounts: April 1992

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  £

  Manual men

  2·50

  ·6

  ·9

  ·8

  ·5

  3·00

  2·3

  3·7

  2·6

  2·1

  3·50

  6·1

  7·6

  6·5

  5·8

  4·00

  13·8

  19·7

  13·0

  12·7

  4·50

  24·1

  31·9

  21·6

  22·2

  5·00

  36·0

  45·4

  31·5

  33·3

  5·50

  48·2

  59·4

  43·9

  45·2

  6·50

  67·6

  77·3

  64·1

  64·8

  Non-manual men

  2·50

  ·5

  ·6

  ·4

  ·3

  3·00

  1·0

  1·6

  1·1

  ·8

  3·50

  3·6

  6·2

  3·1

  2·4

  4·00

  6·9

  9·9

  6·9

  4·8

  4·50

  10·6

  14·3

  9·5

  7·9

  5·00

  16·0

  21·1

  13·6

  11·9

  5·50

  21·3

  27·0

  17·8

  16·4

  6·50

  31·2

  37·9

  26·7

  24·9

  Manual women

  2·50

  3·0

  1·3

  4·2

  3·4

  3·00

  16·6

  12·8

  17·5

  13·8

  3·50

  39·5

  33·3

  37·2

  31·7

  4·00

  57·5

  52·6

  55·2

  49·9

  609

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  £

  4·50

  69·6

  62·8

  68·2

  64·6

  5·00

  80·9

  79·5

  78·8

  76·7

  5·50

  89·3

  88·5

  85·2

  84·7

  6·50

  96·2

  93·6

  95·6

  93·3

  Non-manual women

  2·50

  ·8

  ·9

  1·2

  ·5

  3·00

  2·9

  4·4

  3·4

  1·9

  3·50

  10·3

  14·2

  10·0

  6·7

  4·00

  19·1

  25·9

  19·4

  13·2

  4·50

  30·0

  38·5

  30·3

  21·7

  5·00

  40·3

  48·3

  42·0

  31·4

  5·50

  50·6

  59·3

  53·6

  41·1

  6·50

  65·3

  76·0

  68·6

  55·8

  Part-time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence Proportion with gross hourly earnings including overtime below the following amounts: April 1992

  £

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  Manual women

  2·50

  5·5

  4·9

  5·6

  6·5

  3·00

  23·2

  20·6

  26·9

  22·0

  3·50

  49·6

  39·2

  64·9

  51·8

  4·00

  74·5

  65·7

  81·2

  71·3

  4·50

  84·6

  78·4

  87·5

  82·9

  5·00

  92·2

  92·2

  92·4

  90·2

  5·50

  95·5

  95·1

  94·2

  93·8

  6·50

  97·7

  96·1

  96·4

  96·9

  Non-manual women

  2·50

  2·5

  3·0

  2·2

  2·0

  3·00

  7·3

  6·0

  7·5

  6·0

  3·50

  28·5

  36·3

  31·0

  24·7

  4·00

  44·5

  51·8

  44·4

  38·2

  4·50

  58·2

  61·9

  54·9

  51·5

  5·00

  68·4

  68·5

  66·1

  62·2

  5·50

  76·2

  78·6

  75·6

  70·1

  6·50

  84·7

  86·9

  85·2

  79·9

  Full-time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence Proportion with gross hourly earnings excluding overtime below the following amounts: April 1992

  £

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  Manual men

  2·50

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  0·6

  3·00

  2·6

  3·9

  2·8

  2·4

  3·50

  7·3

  9·6

  7·7

  6·8

  4·00

  17·2

  25·0

  14·9

  15·5

  4·50

  27·9

  37·8

  23·6

  25·4

  5·00

  39·6

  50·5

  34·0

  36·6

  5·50

  52·4

  63·8

  46·1

  48·4

  6·50

  70·7

  79·1

  66·3

  67·4

  Non-manual men

  2·50

  0·5

  0·6

  0·4

  0·3

  3·00

  1·2

  1·9

  1·1

  0·8

  3·50

  4·0

  6·2

  3·5

  2·5

  4·00

  7·5

  11·2

  7·0

  5·2

  4·50

  11·3

  14·9

  10·0

  8·4

  5·00

  16·8

  21·4

  14·1

  12·5

  5·50

  22·0

  27·6

  19·0

  17·0

  6·50

  32·1

  38·2

  27·7

  25·8

  Manual women

  2·50

  3·2

  2·6

  4·4

  3·6

  3·00

  17·5

  12·8

  17·5

  14·4

  3·50

  41·0

  37·2

  37·7

  33·2

  4·00

  59·3

  55·1

  56·7

  51·8

  4·50

  72·1

  65·4

  69·5

  66·2

  610

  £

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  5·00

  82·5

  79·5

  79·3

  77·8

  5·50

  90·2

  92·3

  86·2

  85·6

  6·50

  97·1

  94·9

  95·6

  93·8

  Non-manual women

  2·50

  0·8

  1·3

  1·2

  0·5

  3·00

  3·0

  4·7

  3·5

  1·9

  3·50

  10·7

  14·8

  10·2

  6·9

  4·00

  19·3

  25·9

  19·9

  13·5

  4·50

  30·3

  39·4

  30·9

  22·1

  5·00

  40·8

  48·9

  43·2

  31·9

  5·50

  51·1

  59·9

  55·1

  41·7

  6·50

  65·9

  76·0

  69·1

  56·3

  Part-time employees on adult rates—pay unaffected by absence Proportion with gross hourly earnings excluding overtime below the following amounts: April 1992

  £

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  North

  Great Britain

  Manual women

  2·50

  5·5

  4·9

  5·6

  6·5

  3·00

  23·9

  20·6

  27·1

  22·3

  3·50

  49·8

  39·2

  65·1

  52·1

  4·00

  74·7

  63·7

  81·4

  72·0

  4·50

  84·6

  76·5

  87·3

  82·9

  5·00

  91·7

  89·2

  92·8

  90·2

  5·50

  95·0

  93·1

  94·6

  93·8

  6·50

  97·5

  95·1

  96·2

  96·8

  Non-manual women

  2·50

  2·5

  3·0

  2·2

  2·1

  3·00

  7·6

  6·5

  1·1

  6·1

  3·50

  28·7

  35·1

  32·1

  25·2

  4·00

  45·1

  52·4

  44·7

  38·5

  4·50

  58·4

  62·5

  54·6

  51·6

  5·00

  68·7

  68·5

  66·1

  62·3

  5·50

  76·2

  78·6

  75·4

  70·0

  6·50

  84·7

  86·9

  85·3

  79·9

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  Note: Information for part-time men is not available.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for what were the median, highest and lowest decile earnings of full-time workers on adult rates, distinguishing between male and female, manual and non-manual in(a) Yorkshire and Humberside, (b) the north of England and (c) the United Kingdom in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information for Great Britain and the regions of Britain can be found in table 116 of part E of the new earnings survey for each of the years requested.

  Corresponding information for Northern Ireland is available only from 1984 and can be found in table 1 of the Northern Ireland report. Information for the United Kingdom is not available.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for what steps he is taking to assist areas with rising unemployment, in particular areas of high concentrations of defence-related industry; what special programmes are available for such areas; and what plans he has to increase such assistance.
  611
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 7 July 1993,Official Report, columns 201–2.

  Sickness Benefit
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for if he will make a statement on the issue by claimant advisers in the Service of standard letters asking doctors to advise whether a claimant is incapable for work; and if he will publish the guidance for the distribution of such letters.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. J. Turner to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 15 July 1993:

  As the Service is an Executive Agency, it is the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the Agency's Chief Executive to answer Parliamentary Questions about relevant operational matters. In his absence, I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State about the issue, by our Client Advisers, of letters asking doctors to advise clients on their capability for work.

  It may help if I explain that everyone claiming un benefit (UB), credits of National Insurance contributions and Income Support (IS) as an unemployed person must be capable of. available for and actively seeking work. ES receptionists and advisers have a key role in making sure clients understand and meet these conditions. Where evidence suggests clients are not meeting them, then our people investigate why and explain the alternatives which may exist. This may include helping clients who are not entitled to UB get an alternative benefit such as Sickness Benefit.

  Guidance to ES local office receptionists and advisers, when dealing with new claims for UB, therefore requires that they sensitively prove the issue of capability to find out if there is a current claim to Sickness Benefit; or if the client believes they have a health problem which stops them from working. Only where there is a doubt about whether a client is capable of work, and the client is willing to seek further advice from their GP will an adviser suggest they seek medical advice. If the client does not wish to seek further advice but our people have doubts about their capability for work, their claim will be taken and referred to an independent adjudicating authority for a decision on entitlement.

  Where a client is already claiming UB but states they are not capable of work, an ES adviser will assess whether there is a more appropriate benefit and seek to facilitate a smooth transition if appropriate. As part of this process an adviser may suggest the client seeks their GP's advice about their capacity to work. To explain the situation to the GP the adviser will send them a letter (Annex 1) explaining why the client is seeking their opinion. The client is also given a letter to make clear to them that they are seeking medical advice on their own behalf, not on behalf of the ES (Annex 2). The use of these letters also makes sure that a consistent approach is maintained across the network of our local offices. I have also attached (Annex 3) a copy of the guidance available to advisers on the issue of these letters.

  I hope this is helpful.

  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.
  612
  Anenx 1

  ES Guide 39

  Appendix V4

  (para V17)

  Letter to GP Explaining Advice Given to Client by Client Adviser

  The Employment Service Employment Department

  Date

  I am the Client Adviser at………benefit office; part of the Service. I give advice to unemployed people to help them find suitable work and provide information about the benefits which they may receive. I also have to ensure that people satisfy the conditions of entitlement for receiving Un Benefit, Income Support and/or credits of NI. One of the main conditions laid down in the Social Security Act 1975 is that the client must be capable of taking up suitable work.

  When I interviewed your patient on………*he/she informed me that they had health problems that prevents them undertaking any. In these circumstances I have had to suggest that *he/she should seek your advice about their fitness for Employment.

  If in your opinion *he/she is incapable of all work then you will no doubt advise your patient in accordance with your own clinical judgement.

  Should you advise your patient that *he/she is capable of work then it will be necessary for them to see me again to reconsider their claim to un benefit, income support and/or credits of NI.

  Client Adviser

  *Cross out the one which does not apply.
  613
  Annex 2

  ES Guide 39

  Appendix V3

  (para V17)

  Letter to Client Suggesting they Seek GPs Advice

  The Employment Service Employment Department

  Date

  When I saw you on………about your claim for unemployment benefit, you told me that you had a health problem which prevented you doing any work. This means that you do not seem to be capable of and available for work, which is one of the main rules for payment of unemployment benefit (Social Security Act 1975).

  In these circumstances I had to suggest that you seek your doctor's advice about your fitness to work. Please take this letter with you if you decide to go to see your doctor.

  *I would like to see you again on………

  at………

  Client Adviser

  *Cross out if it does not apply.

  Annex 3

  V

  ES Guide 39

  Current claim—no medical evidence

  VI6 If the client has an established claim to benefit and states during an interview that they:

  a have recently been disallowed Sickness or Invalidity Benefit, and

  b wish to appeal against the DSS AO's disallowance, and

  c their doctor is not issuing sickness certificates, and

  d their medical condition has significantly deteriorated since they last visited their doctor or

  e are not capable of undertaking work; and.

  f have not seen their doctor;

  V17 If the client agrees to see their doctor, complete and give them a copy of the letter in Appendix V3. Write to the GP using the letter in Appendix V4 explaining the reason for the client's visit, enclosing a copy of the letter issued to the client to avoid confusion between the client and the doctor as to why medical advice is being sought about their capacity for work. Make sure the client knows they are seeking medical advice on their own behalf, not on behalf of your or the ES.
  614

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Fast Breeder Reactor
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the scope of the United Kingdom fast breeder reactor programme following the closure of the Dounreay reactor; if he will outline the differences from the programme for FBR construction contained in the Windscale inquiry report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I announced on 19 November 1992,Official Report, column 411, that funding of fast reactor research and development beyond March 1993 was not a priority and that the programme would therefore be wound down. No further Government-funded work is planned except for a limited programme of experiments associated with the closure of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay. Any work beyond that is a matter for the industry.

  In his conclusions to the Windscale inquiry report, the then Mr. Justice Parker concluded that the construction of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant was desirable although it was then possible that it would be decided not to proceed further with fast reactors, at any rate for a period.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount spent on redundancy pay in the coal mining industry since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 13 July,Official Report, columns 437–38.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount spent on retraining redundant mine workers since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information available on expenditure on retraining redundant mineworkers relates to British Coal's job and career change scheme (JACCS).

  Total expenditure from the introduction of JACCS in June 1985 to the end of March 1993 was £42·98 million.

  This figure does not include expenditure on those who entered retraining directly via other agencies, training and enterprise colleges, job centres, restart programmes etc.

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

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he has received for import licences for spent nuclear fuel shipments destined for THORP between the present time and 1 November.

  Mr. Eggar
  All shipments of spent fuel for reprocessing at THORP are made in accordance with the provisions of the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954. Unless the spent fuel is consigned from the European Community a licence is required. The number of shipments to take place between the present time and 1 November is a matter for the company concerned.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, further to his statement on Monday 28 June,
  615
  Official Report, column 691, on what evidence he based the figure of £5 billion as the amount of compensation which might be payable in respect of failure to operate THORP.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 8 July 1993]Whether any money would need to be paid to customers if THORP did not operate, and if so how much, would depend on the circumstances. including those arising in the event of any breach of contract. British Nuclear Fuels plc has advised me that its legal advice is that the contracts in question are very robust.

  BNFL has also advised me that the figure of £5 billion in question is the sum of the company's assessment of the economic detriment to the United Kingdom of abandoning THORP about—£1 billion—plus a further £4 billion, being an approximate estimate of the total amount already invested by overseas customers in THORP reprocessing—taking account of transport costs, interest and exchange rate movements.

  If any customer were to make a claim against BNFL, it would be for the company to decide how to respond. In the absence of agreement, how much—if anything—would be payable would be determined in the courts in the light of the specific circumstances.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to assist areas with rising un, in particular areas of high concentrations of defence-related industry; what special programmes are available for such areas; and what plans he has to increase such assistance.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department provides advice on diversification through the "Changing Tack" regional seminar programme and associated help manual. In addition, areas which are adversely affected by defence changes may be able to benefit from the EC KONVER initiative, which will be worth some £15 million to the United Kingdom as a whole.

  It is for firms themselves to build on their skills and technologies to achieve success in new markets. The DTI offers a wide range of schemes to help companies improve product planning, innovation processes and marketing skills.

  Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 35, on representations from lessees, how many of the complainants who wrote to his Department about the treatment of lessees by Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. have been interviewed by officials of his Department.
  616
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In response to a recent request, my officials are proposing to meet representatives of the National Association of Inntrepreneurs Lessees in the near future.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assurances he has received from Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. concerning imposition of commercial full market rents on those of its tenants who remain subject to a beer tie.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The company has told my Department that its assessment of a market rent reflects the particular circumstances of individual public houses, including whether or not they are tied.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 12 July,Official Report, column 347–48, on Inntrepreneur's treatment of tenants, if he will list the assurances given to Ministers by Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. in 1991 about the treatment of tenants, indicating to what extent they were confined to the introduction of procedures for long-term leases to be determined by independent arbitration where they could not be agreed with tenants.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The assurances were given to Ministers in 1991 by all major brewers. They related to the sympathetic treatment of tenants who might have real difficulties in taking on a long-term lease, such as those nearing retirement, as well as the introduction of independent arbitration procedures.

  Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd.
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 12 July,Official Report, column 347–48, on discussions with Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd., what were the undertakings given to the Director of Fair Trading by Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd., following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the Elders IXL Ltd./Grand Metropolitan plc merger; and whether he is satisfied that these have been met.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have placed copies of the undertakings in the Library of the House. The majority of the undertakings were to come into effect in three stages, on 31 October 1992, 31 March 1995 and 31 March 1998. The parties have supplied the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) with details of the measures they have taken to comply with the first of these stages. These have been considered carefully by the Office of Fair Trading and some points of detail are presently the subject of correspondence with the company. The DGFT's monitoring of compliance will be a continuous process.
  617

  Insolvency Service Executive Agency
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Insolvency Service executive agency for 1993–94.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have set the Insolvency Service the target of sustaining as far as possible the level of productivity in case administration which it achieved in 1992–93. I shall continue to expect it to bring proceedings for the disqualification of directors of failed companies where these are in the public interest and the submission of prosecution reports where there is evidence of criminal behaviour.

  In addition, I have set the service the following quality of service targets for 1993–94:

  to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within nine weeks in at least 75 per cent. of all cases;

  to hold the initial meeting of creditors within 12 weeks in at least 80 per cent. of all cases;

  to check and action at least 95 per cent. of payment requisitions within 10 days or by the due date;

  to submit reports within 10 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of criminality;

  to submit disqualification reports within 15 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by directors.

  These are based on an assumption of 40,000 new cases and the completion of 28,000 cases in 1993–94.

  In addition, I have set the chief executive of the service the targets of
  replying within 10 working days to letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply, and
  producing commercial-style accounts for 1993–94, which will form the basis for the preparation of auditable accounts.

  Small Businesses
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what definition of a small or medium-sized enterprise is used by his Department.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The size of a business needs to be considered in relation to its sector, to its stage of development as well as in the context of any particular scheme or initiative.

  The DTI does not therefore use a single definition for all purposes. Instead DTI schemes targeted at small and medium-sized businesses adopt different definitions depending on their particular objectives.

  For example, the small firms merit award for research and technology (SMART) competition is for individuals or businesses with fewer than 50 employees; whereas the enterprise initiative consultancy scheme is open to firms employing up to 500 employees. The loan guarantee scheme, on the other hand, makes use of both employee number and turnover and these differ from sector to sector as appropriate.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the maximum size of company that can receive support under the EUREKA programme in the United Kingdom; and what is the maximum size in each of the other participating countries.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  With regard to the restrictions on the size of company that can receive support from my Department for EUREKA projects, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the 618
  Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Butler) on 30 June 1993, Official Report, column 513. This outlines the changes that will occur after 1 September 1993.

  The restrictions on the provision of funding for EUREKA projects in other countries is a matter for their individual Governments and disclosure of information is limited. Recent information that is available is presented below:

  Country

  Restrictions

  Austria

  None

  Belgium

  Priorities for innovative projects with likely economic/employment benefits

  Denmark

  None

  Finland

  Priorities for industrial funding especially SMEs and market orientated projects

  France

  Priorities for SMEs

  Germany

  Certain technology areas restricted

  Greece

  Priorities for large national industry and SMEs

  Iceland

  Priorities for industry, market orientated projects for national advantage

  Ireland

  Priorities for manufacturing industry. State enterprises not eligible

  Italy

  Government bodies ineligible. Research institutes must be associated with industry

  Luxembourg

  Luxembourg-based industrial partner necessary

  Netherlands

  Research institutes and universities ineligible

  Norway

  Universities and research institutes must constitute with national companies

  Portugal

  No information available

  Spain

  Priorities according to Spanish R and D priorities

  Sweden

  SMEs given priority

  Switzerland

  Industry ineligible

  Turkey

  No information available

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future participation of the United Kingdom in the EUREKA programme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  EUREKA is an industry-led, bottom-up initiative, but I expect the United Kingdom to continue to be a major participant with United Kingdom organisations both initiating and joining new EUREKA projects. As part of its commitment to EUREKA the United Kingdom will take over the EUREKA chair in 1996–97.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the maximum size of company that can benefit from(a) the small firms loan guarantee scheme, (b) LINK, (c) advanced technology programmes, (d) SMART and (e) Support for products under research.
  619
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The maximum size of company that can benefit from the small firms loan guarantee scheme, LINK, advanced technology programmes, SMART and SPUR is currently as follows:

  Small firms loan guarantee scheme—companies of 200 employees or less, with the exception of the construction, mining and quarrying industries where the limit is 25, that also meet the following sectoral criteria:

  Agriculture, horticulture and service industries—maximum turnover of £500,000;

  Wholesaling—maximum turnover £2,000,000;

  Manufacturing—maximum turnover £3,000,000;

  Catering—maximum of two outlets;

  Road transport—maximum of five vehicles.

  LINK and advanced technology programmes1—there is no size limit.

  SMART—49 employees or fewer.

  SPUR—500 employees or less.

  1 From 1 September 1993 advanced technology programmes will be closed to applications for new projects.

  MINIS Returns
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish his Department's management information syStern for Ministers returns.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The MINIS 93 returns were published today. A set has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Environmental Schemes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the earliest possible date for the reopening of the environmental management options scheme, environmental technology innovation scheme and EUROENVIRON.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 13 July 1993]: The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment are considering what future support might be appropriate to encourage innovation by industry in environmental technology. This support might include some elements of the three departmental schemes referred to by the hon. Member but no decision has yet been taken.

  Postal Charges
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation his Department has had with the Post Office covering the increase in charges for recorded, registered and special deliveries; and if he sought the advice of the Mail Users Association or business leaders about the increases.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 13 July 1993:] The pricing and specifications of Royal Mail's services are operational matters for the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users National Council. My Department has, however, made clear to the Post Office its view that, in line with Government policy, the prices charged for recorded, registered and special deliveries should reflect the true costs of these services and should not be subsidised by users of ordinary mail services.

HEALTH

  Speech Therapy
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many speech therapists were employed in the NHS in each of the last five years.
  620
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information available is shown in the table.

  Whole-time equivalent speech therapists in England for September of each year

  Number

  1987

  2,630

  1988

  2,730

  1989

  2,810

  1990

  2,940

  1991

  3,020

  Source: Department of Health non-medical work force census.

  Notes:

  1. The figures represent speech therapists directly employed in the hospital and community health service.

  2. The figures for 1991 include staff in the national health service trusts.

  3. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Women's Unit
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will publish(a) the programme of work for the women's unit and (b) the goals that have been achieved to date, following the establishment of Opportunity 2000;

  (2) whether she has any plans to continue the women's unit beyond 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  In September 1991 the Department of Health was the first Government Department to sign up to Opportunity 2000. The national health service goal is to take full advantage of the potential of women in the NHS so that the best health care can be provided for all members of the population.

  To achieve its overall objectives, the national health service management executive has set eight goals for the NHS as the first milestone in the period to the year 2000. The NHSME wants to reach these goals by the end of 1994.

  Numerical goals have been set to increase the numbers of women in senior management, accountancy, medical consultants and non-executive positions. Other goals address women's needs for personal and management development; flexible working and child care; and equal access to selection and promotion.

  The programme of work for the NHS women's unit has been outlined in the NHS "Implementation Guide to Opportunity 2000", which will be placed in the Library, and 18 months into the campaign enocuraging progress has been made. The monitoring procedure, through local action plans, is ongoing and is constantly assessed by the unit. The future existence of the unit beyond 1994 will depend upon reviewing the progress made in achieving these goals.

  Nursery Places
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many day care nursery places there were in each of the last five years for children under three years and from three years to compulsory school age; and what corresponding information for the latest available year she has for other EC member states.

  Mr. Bowis
  Centrally collected information on places in day nurseries in the public and independent sectors includes all places for children under five; information for the last five years is shown in the table.
  621

  Day nursery places available for children under 5 England

  As at 31 March

  Number

  1987

  60,733

  1988

  66,237

  1989

  75,378

  1990

  87,451

  1991

  106,068

  Information about publicly funded child care services in European Community member states was included in a report from the European Parliament's Committee on Childcare and Equality of Opportunity, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Folic Acid
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (I) what assessment she has made of whether folic acid is generally available as a medical product on prescription in both 4 mg and 0·5 mg strengths;

  (2) what proposals she has to implement recommendation 8.3 of the expert advisory group on folic acid and neural tube defects that prescriptions of folic acid, when given for the prevention of NTD, should be free.

  Mr. Sackville
  Folic acid is not generally available as a licensed product on prescription in either 4 mg or 0·5 mg strengths. Prescriptions of folic acid 5 mg and of folic acid 0·4 mg with iron, are available free of charge to those who are entitled to prescription charge exemption, including pregnant women and those who qualify for charge remission under the national health service low-income scheme. There are no plans to extend these arrangements.

  Passive Smoking
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates have been made of the annual number of people dying from causes related to passive smoking; what plans there are to ban smoking in public places to which children have access; and if she will list the diseases in children which can be caused by passive smoking.

  Mr. Sackville
  In its fourth report, published in 1988, the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health estimated the numbers of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke over most of their lives as "several hundred deaths per year". A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  "The Health of the Nation" White Paper sets a target of 80 per cent. of public places being covered by effective smoking policies by 1994. The White Paper states that the Government would consider legislation on smoking in public places if voluntary progress is not maintained.

  International scientific studies suggest that exposure of children to environmental tobacco smoke from parental smoking is causally associated with:
  increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms of irritation, increased prevalence of middle ear effusion ("glue ear"), increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis) in infants and young children,additional episodes and increase of severity of asthma in children who already have the disease.622

  Doctors (Appeals)
  Mr. Boyce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 12 May,Official Report, column 481, if she will take steps to ensure that the information on which she and the Medical Advisory Committee consider appeals by doctors against penalties imposed on them is complete and free from errors of fact; and if she will propose amendments to the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations to allow the involvement of the original complainant in the process.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are satisfied that all the information provided by the complainant and the respondent in connection with the original investigation and any appeal, including sworn testimony in some cases, is available to the Medical Advisory Committee when it considers a penalty. We recently announced a full and independent review of all national health service complaints procedures under the chairmanship of Professor Allan Wilson and we look to his committee to advise us on whether any changes are needed.

  Parent-held Records
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of parent-held records.

  Mr. Bowis
  We understand that the unit cost of the model record produced by the British Paediatric Association is between £1·05 and £1·08, depending upon the quantity ordered.

  GP Fund Holders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the relative cost of general practitioner fund holding and joint commissioning by district health authorities and general practitioners.

  Mr. Sackville
  Both general practitioner fund holding and district health authority purchasing are improving value for money and services to patients.

  Home Helps
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many home helps are employed by each local authority responsible for community care; and what is the ratio of home helps to population in each authority.

  Mr. Bowis
  The centrally available data on whole-time equivalent directly employed home helps, excluding home help organisers and assistant organisers, as at September 1992, the latest date for which this information is available, are shown in the table:

  Home helps directly employed1 at 30 September 1992

  1992 Local Authority Social Services Department

  Home Helps (WTE)

  Per 1,000 Total population2

  Avon

  1272·9

  1·32

  Barking and Dagenham

  243·4

  1·68

  Barnet

  231·4

  0·77

  Barnsley

  421·0

  1·88

  Bedfordshire

  489·0

  0·91

  Berkshire

  590·2

  0·78

  Bexley

  268·5

  1·23

  Birmingham

  1,320·0

  1·33

  Bolton

  338

  1·28

  623

  1992 Local Authority Social Services Department

  Home Helps (WTE)

  Per 1,000 Total population2

  Bradford

  696·4

  1·48

  Brent

  108·4

  0·4A

  Bromley

  243·2

  0·82

  Buckinghamshire

  532·0

  0·82

  Bury

  208·3

  1·16

  Calderdale

  388·6

  2·00

  Cambridgeshire

  467·5

  0·69

  Camden

  273·3

  1·53

  Cheshire

  865·1

  0·89

  City of London

  13·9

  3·40

  Cleveland

  731·3

  1·31

  Cornwall and Scilly Isles

  478·9

  1·00

  Coventry

  361·0

  1·19

  Croydon

  246·1

  0·77

  Cumbria

  497·5

  1·01

  Derbyshire

  1406·0

  1·49

  Devon

  921·4

  0·88

  Doncaster

  466·6

  1·59

  Dorset

  535·6

  0·80

  Dudley

  309·4

  1·00

  Durham

  943·2

  1·56

  Ealing

  224·0

  0·80

  East Sussex

  631·0

  0·88

  Enfield

  308·0

  1·17

  Essex

  1404·1

  0·90

  Gateshead

  341·0

  1·68

  Gloucestershire

  493·0

  0·91

  Greenwich

  288·0

  1·35

  Hackney

  381·0

  2·08

  Hammersmith

  261·4

  1·72

  Hampshire

  955·9

  0·60

  Haringey

  255·5

  1·27

  Harrow

  239·1

  11·8

  Havering

  256·4

  1·12

  Hereford and Worcester

  654·6

  0·95

  Hertfordshire

  818·6

  0·82

  Hillingdon

  283·6

  1·20

  Hounslow

  226·1

  1·09

  Humberside

  1,199·6

  1·37

  Isle of Wight

  149·0

  1·18

  Islington

  248·0

  1·46

  Kensington and Chelsea

  142·9

  0·98

  Kent

  658·9

  0·43

  Kingston upon Thames

  95·9

  0·69

  Kirklees

  546·3

  1·44

  Knowsley

  92·0

  0·60

  Lambeth

  452·1

  1·82

  Lancashire

  1,637·0

  1·16

  Leeds

  1,600·0

  2·26

  Leicestershire

  691·7

  0·77

  Lewisham

  368·6

  1·57

  Lincolnshire

  525·0

  0·88

  Liverpool

  847·0

  1·81

  Manchester

  699·4

  1·63

  Merton

  216·1

  1·26

  Newcastle

  512·7

  1·89

  Newham

  385·9

  1·77

  Norfolk

  986·8

  1·29

  North Tyneside

  360·0

  1·85

  North Yorkshire

  797·4

  1·10

  Northamptonshire

  375·0

  0·63

  Northumberland

  484·0

  1·57

  Nottinghamshire

  1,201·5

  1·18

  Oldham

  356·0

  1·62

  Oxfordshire

  525·2

  0·90

  Redbridge

  226·5

  0·98

  Richmond upon Thames

  185·2

  1·12

  Rochdale

  438·5

  2·13

  Rotherham

  374·6

  1·47

  Salford

  374·0

  1·66

  Sandwell

  421·2

  1·43

  Sefton

  337·8

  1·14

  Sheffield

  1,503·1

  2·90

  Shropshire

  264·7

  0·64

  Solihull

  183·4

  0·91

  Somerset

  0·00

  0·00

  624

  1992 Local Authority Social Services Department

  Home Helps (WTE)

  Per 1,000 Total population2

  South Tyneside

  228·0

  1·45

  Southwark

  282·7

  1·26

  Staffordshire

  1,400·5

  1·33

  Stockport

  371·1

  1·28

  St. Helens

  340·9

  1·89

  Suffolk

  556·1

  0·83

  Sunderland

  478·8

  1·62

  Surrey

  457·4

  0·44

  Sutton

  208·0

  1·22

  Tameside

  388·4

  1·76

  Tower Hamlets

  165·5

  0·98

  Trafford

  307·2

  1·43

  Wakefield

  444·3

  1·40

  Walsall

  244·8

  0·93

  Waltham Forest

  442·9

  2·06

  Wandsworth

  439·6

  1·73

  Warwickshire

  464·5

  0·95

  West Sussex

  750·3

  1·04

  Westminster

  304·0

  1·67

  Wigan

  406·9

  1·31

  Wiltshire

  329·4

  0·57

  Wirral

  498·7

  1·48

  Wolverhampton

  391·2

  1·58

  1 Excludes staff employed in contracted out arrangements.

  2 Related to OPCS 1991-based population projection for 1992.

  Contraception
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of general practitioners(a) provide a family planning service, (b) put in claims for the fitting of intra-uterine contraceptive devices in the last year, ( c) provide condoms to patients, (d) hold the Joint Committee on Contraception certificate and (e) prescribed a diaphragm in the last year.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  As at 1 October 1992, 82 per cent. of general practitioners in England were contracted with family health services authorities to provide contraceptive services to patients on their own list. For the same date, 17 per cent. of GPs in England were contracted with FHSAs to provide contraceptive services to patients on any list.

  Data from a biannual survey indicates that about half of the GPs in England put in claims for the fitting of IUCDs for the six-month period ending 30 September 1992.

  Hospitals (Complaints)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the number of recorded complaints about hospital services in each of the health regions in England and Wales during the last 12 months.

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

  Written complaints by or on behalf of patients England 1991–92

  Number

  Northern

  2,124

  Yorkshire

  2,074

  Trent

  3,328

  East Anglian

  1,699

  North West Thames

  3,426

  North East Thames

  4,091

  South East Thames

  4,375

  625

  Number

  South West Thames

  2,322

  Wessex

  2,435

  Oxford

  1,489

  South Western

  1,144

  West Midlands

  3,833

  Mersey

  986

  North Western

  3,391

  Special Health Authority

  799

  Total Trusts

  7,164

  England Total

  44,680

  Source: K040 return 1991–92.

  Under the patients charter, launched in October 1991, we made it clear that patients have the right to have any complaint about national health services investigated.

  Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide increased resources to enable CHCs to fulfil their role in representing public opinion and monitoring the NHS.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is for regions, as establishing authorities for community health councils, to ensure that they are properly resourced. The national health service management executive wrote to regions last year reminding them of this obligation.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to ensure that all regional health authorities make all parts of community health council premises used by either members of the public or council members accessible to people with disabilities, with additional funding to complete such works or increased rental for alternative premises being provided in addition to the annual budget of the community health council; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No. It is for individual regional health authorities to provide community health councils with suitable accommodation.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will introduce legislation for new statutory duties for community health councils giving them comprehensive monitoring rights over all services provided for NHS patients and rights of consultation and access to(a) district health authority units, (b) NHS trusts, (c) family health services authority services including general practitioner fund holders and (d) situations where health

  Midwives by nature of contract, England—September 1991 (whole-time equivalent)

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Bank

  ENGLAND

  19,640

  13,660

  5,980

  240

  Northern

  1,310

  910

  400

  0

  Yorkshire

  1,620

  1,210

  410

  0

  Trent

  1,880

  1,390

  490

  20

  East Anglian

  780

  610

  180

  20

  North West Thames

  1,130

  880

  250

  0

  North East Thames

  1,600

  1,280

  310

  10

  South East Thames

  1,310

  990

  320

  30

  South West Thames

  1,040

  780

  260

  10

  Wessex

  1,140

  790

  350

  30

  Oxford

  1,030

  730

  300

  50

  South Western

  1,180

  10

  1,180

  10

  626
  and nursing care are provided within the (i) voluntary, (ii) independent and (iii) private sectors; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if she will introduce legislation to give powers to community health councils to inspect residential and nursing homes; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have no plans to introduce legislation to give community health councils new statutory duties or powers.

  Under current legislation, CHCs play a valuable role in helping to monitor services to national health service patients. Recent guidance in relation to monitoring of the patients charter has repeated the importance of this role.

  CHCs have statutory rights of access to NHS premises. They must also be consulted by health authorities about proposals for any substantial variations in service. Where services to NHS patients are provided by the independent sector, purchasers can make clear in the contracts concerned the CHC's role in monitoring services.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance her Department issues to regional health authorities regarding the time scale for setting budgets for community health councils; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Midwives
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives practise in each zone in London.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Practising midwives by London pay zone as at 30 September 1991: whole-time equivalent

  1991

  Inner London

  1,030

  Outer London

  1,750

  Fringe

  970

  Extra territorial managed units

  60

  Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest ten whole-time equivalent.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwifery staff are employed in each region(a) full time and (b) part time (i) on agency basis and (ii) on bank contracts.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available is shown in the table.
  627

  Total

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Bank

  West Midlands

  2,220

  1,650

  570

  10

  Mersey

  1,110

  770

  340

  10

  North Western

  2,190

  1,580

  620

  20

  Special health authorities

  90

  90

  0

  —

  Notes:

  1 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 whole-time equivalent.

  2. Totals may not add due to rounding.

  3. Bank totals included in full/part time columns.

  Midwives
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent midwives there are at each incremental point of each pay scale.

  Midwives by pay scale and incremental point as at 30 September 1991, England: wte

  Payscale

  Incremental Points

  Total

  00

  01

  02

  03

  04

  05

  06

  Others

  NB61

  —

  0

  0

  —

  20

  —

  —

  0

  30

  NB91

  —

  0

  —

  —

  30

  0

  0

  0

  40

  NC11

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  NP21

  0

  10

  0

  0

  0

  30

  10

  0

  60

  NP26

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  0

  —

  —

  20

  NP31

  20

  30

  30

  0

  30

  0

  —

  20

  130

  NP36

  590

  620

  560

  550

  3,670

  200

  —

  400

  6,600

  NP41

  70

  110

  280

  450

  490

  1,530

  140

  60

  3,120

  NP46

  220

  350

  400

  430

  6,130

  480

  60

  90

  8,160

  NP51

  10

  20

  50

  70

  330

  30

  0

  10

  510

  NP56

  10

  20

  20

  20

  270

  20

  —

  10

  380

  NQ00

  70

  —

  —

  0

  0

  0

  —

  0

  70

  NR01

  10

  10

  0

  10

  20

  —

  —

  —

  40

  NR11

  20

  30

  40

  30

  210

  20

  —

  10

  370

  NR21

  —

  0

  0

  10

  40

  0

  —

  0

  60

  NR31

  0

  10

  0

  10

  30

  0

  —

  0

  50

  NR41

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  0

  —

  —

  20

  NR51

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Total

  19,640

  Note:—All figures are rounded to the nearest ten whole time equivalent.

  Totals may not add due to rounding.

  Figures include bank midwives.

  "—" = zero

  0 = less than 5

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers of midwifery staff in 1992 given as whole-time equivalents.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not currently available. Data for September 1992 will be available later in the year.

  London Hospitals
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has in relation to trust funds of the London hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The trust funds of London hospitals are a matter for the trustees of the funds and the Charity Commissioners.
  628
  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table:

  Paediatric Services
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the number of(a) paediatric specialist/consultants and (b) paediatric beds per 1,000 population in each EC country.

  Mr. Bowis
  In England in 1991 there were, 0·15 paediatric consultants and 1·76 beds in children wards per 1,000 children under age 15. Equivalent information for other European Community countries is not available centrally.

  Splenectomy
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has commissioned into the desirability of vaccinating people who have undergone splenectomy against pneumonia and septicaemia.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. We have recommended to all doctors that people who have had a splenectomy should be vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine.
  629

  Inner London Services
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of(a) the current level of demand and (b) the current level of unmet demand in inner London for services provided by (i) community psychiatric nurses, (ii) health visitors, (iii) other community nursing staff and (iv) general practitioners; and what assessment has been made of the increased level of demand if the recommendations in the Tomlinson report are followed.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The assessment of local health needs is a matter for district health authorities and family health service authorities who will work together closely in inner London to tailor services to local demand. As we outlined in "Making London Better", the London initiative zone will be a focus for the development of primary and community services in London. LIZ is already enabling assessed needs to be met through a wide range of projects. We have provided an additional £43·5 million for investment on improving primary and community health services in this financial year.

  School Nurses
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued as to the requirement for schools to have school nurses; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Under section 5 of the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1977 district health authorities and other purchasers of health services for children are required to arrange for the medical examination of pupils in attendance at schools maintained by local education authorities and at grant maintained schools. The Department is preparing a good practice guide on community child health services including school health services. Later this year we plan to send a consultative draft to health and education authorities, professional bodies, and special interest groups inviting their comments.

  Broadgreen Accident and Emergency Unit
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has now received about the closure of Broadgreen accident and emergency unit; how many beds will be lost; what compensatory provision for accident and emergency patients will be made at the Liverpool Royal hospital; and what it will cost to provide these extra beds.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received 36 representations from hon. Members, approximately 23,000 letters from members of the public and a number of petitions. Liverpool health authority's consultation document proposing the closure of Broadgreen accident and emergency unit suggests that increasing the efficiency of Liverpool's hospitals to the national average in 1990 will enable services to be delivered from 500 fewer beds across the whole Liverpool conurbation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering Liverpool health authority's proposals and will take all factors into account before making a final decision. Under those proposals, A and E services currently provided at Broadgreen will be covered by improved facilities at the 630
  Royal Liverpool, Aintree and Whiston hospitals. For more information, the hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. D. H. Tod, chairman of Liverpool health authority.

  Job Descriptions
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 614, in what instances the provision of a job description to job applicants is regarded as beneficial.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is for each national health service employer to decide.

  St. Bartholomew's
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the City organisations that have written in opposing the closure of St. Bartholomew's hospital's accident and emergency department; on what dates Ministers in her Department have visited St. Bartholomew's hospital in the last year; and how much time was spent on each visit to the nearest hour.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have received a number of letters regarding the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital, some of which have been received from City organisations. I visited Bart's hospital on 9 September, 5 November, 21 and 27 January. Records were not kept of the time spent.

  Contact Lenses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the charge made for contact lenses prescribed by the hospital eye service for each year since 1979.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The charges are shown in the table.

  £

  1 September 1979

  6·15

  1 April 1981

  8·30

  1 April 1982

  7·90

  1 April 1984

  9·40

  1 April 1985

  25·00

  1 September 1988

  26·50

  1 April 1990

  28·85

  1 April 1991

  32·15

  1 August 1991

  32·0

  1 April 1992

  35·90

  1 April 1993

  36·90

  Note—No changes were made in 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1989 from previous years.

  Psychiatric Patients
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress on the inquiry into homicides and suicides committed by discharged psychiatric patients announced on 23 October 1991.

  Mr. Bowis
  The confidential inquiry into homicides and suicides by mentally ill people being conducted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists has commenced and is identifying cases of homicide by mentally ill people under the care of or recently discharged by the specialist psychiatric services. Of the 68 cases reviewed to date, 20
  631
  fall within the inquiry's remit and a further 12 are being followed up for clarification. Clinical staff are being approached in confidence for detailed information.

  The inquiry is also looking at suicides by mentally ill people and has received a positive response. In some areas audit mechanisms have been set up to identify cases and give details of events surrounding the suicide. Collation of information began on 1 June this year when the inquiry has been notified of 55 cases for follow-up.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many internal inquiries have been conducted in the last five years by local authorities, health authorities, social services inspectorates and the courts into circumstances in which mentally ill people have been discharged into the community under the statutory after care provisions in section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, subsequently to commit serious injury, assault, manslaughter or murder; and how many have been made public.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis her Department arrives at an appropriate prescription charge for NHS medicines; and to which votes the revenues raised are appropriated in aid.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The prescription charge is an amount which successive Governments have thought it right, for those who can afford to do so, to contribute towards the cost of family health services. The revenue raised by charges is appropriated in aid of class XII, vote 2 and class XII, vote 1 of the main supply estimates 1993–94.

  Medicines Commission
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to receive the annual report of the Medicines Commission for 1992.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have received the report and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) of the Medicines Act 1968.

  Bound volumes have been placed in the Library containing the 1992 reports of the Medicines Commission, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission and the Veterinary Products Committee.

  We are glad to pay tribute to the valuable work done by the distinguished members of the Medicines Act advisory bodies and thank them warmly for the time and effort which they contribute to the public interest in this most important field.

  Food Safety
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she has taken to ensure that the codes of practice issued under section 40 of the Food Safety Act 1990 are consistently and sensibly enforced; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  On 6 May the Department wrote to all chief environmental health officers in England reminding them that food safety inspections should be conducted in 632
  accordance with code of practice No. 9 on food hygiene inspections and urging them to concentrate their efforts where significant risks are posed.

  The Department will shortly be consulting on a revision of this code and code of practice No. 5 on the issue of improvement notices to improve and clarify them. in addition, on 25 May, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food met representatives of the local authority associations, the Local Authorities Coordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards and the Institution of Environmental Health Officers to emphasise the importance Ministers attach to a sensible, risk-related approach to the enforcement of food law. The Department investigates with the local authorities concerned all cases brought to its attention where there is a suggestion that the law has been applied in an over-zealous way.

  Nutritional Therapists
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recognition her Department has accorded to the Register of Nutritional Therapists Ltd.; what representations her Department has received about claims to official recognition made by this body; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have recently been made aware of the claim that the title "The Register of Nutritional Therapists" has been approved by the Department of Health. We are taking up this matter with the company concerned and I shall write to my hon. Friend when the outcome of our inquiries is known.

  Child Residential Care
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost to a local authority each year to keep a child in residential care.

  Mr. Bowis
  The centrally held national information is the direct revenue cost, net of related income, of keeping a child in a community home or registered voluntary home, excluding the cost of field social work support, central administration etc. This was £29,016 per year for the year ended 31 March 1991.

  Adoption
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost to a local authority of arranging for the adoption of a child.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Fellowship Charitable Foundation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has held, and with whom, regarding the security and welfare of users of establishments currently run by the Fellowship Charitable Foundation.

  Mr. Bowis
  Our guidance, LAC(93)6, to local authorities stresses the value of having contingency plans to cover events such as unplanned home closures. The aim is to enable home closures to be handled with minimum disruption to individuals. Guidance on the practicalites of
  633
  such contingency planning was produced earlier this year by the community care support force and will be placed in the Library.

  If, despite these measures, a residential care home suddenly closes and alternative accommodation is not available, the local authority should make residential care arrangements for the residents under its duty under the National Assistance Act 1948 to provide residential care to people who are in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available.

  Dentistry
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much the minimum charge for dental treatment has risen in(a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 1979.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There is no minimum charge for national health service dental treatment. All treatment for those under 18 years is free, and 21 per cent. of adult courses of treatment are provided with full or partial relief from charges.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the location in England of emergency national health service dental units which are open at weekends; what is the average waiting time for a patient at each of these units; what guidance is given as to the recommended weekend opening hours and staffing levels of such units; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The 43 family health services authorities providing emergency dental services at weekends are shown in the table. These arrangements provide cover for patients in 84 family health services authority localities. Information on the average waiting time is not available centrally. Opening hours and staffing levels are matters for local decision. In addition, emergency treatment can also be provided by hospital accident and emergency departments.

  Family health services authorities providing emergency dental services at weekends and hunk holidays

  Cleveland

  Humberside

  North Yorkshire

  Bradford

  Kirklees

  Leeds

  Wakefield

  Leicestershire

  Nottinghamshire

  Doncaster

  Sheffield

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  Camden and Islington

  City and East London

  Enfield and Haringey

  East Sussex

  Kent

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  Surrey

  West Sussex

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  Dorset

  Hampshire

  Wiltshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Devon

  Shropshire

  Staffordshire

  634

  Dudley

  Wolverhampton

  Cheshire

  Liverpool

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  Lancashire

  Bolton

  Bury

  Manchester

  Oldham

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Trafford

  Wigan

  Contraceptives
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration the Government have given to imposing prescription charges on contraceptives.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no present plans to do so.

  Prescription Charges
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much prescription charges have risen in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms between 1979 and 1993.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  On 1 April 1993, prescription charges had risen by £4·05 cash and £1·53 in real terms since 1979. The charge remains substantially less than the average total cost of a prescribed item to the national health service. Only one in five precribed items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors now attracts a charge, compared with two in five in 1979.

  Drugs Projects
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all drugs residential and rehabilitation projects by borough in the Greater London area; how many places each project has; what was the cost of each project in 1991–92; and what was the budget for 1992–93.

  Mr. Bowis
  Comprehensive information about residential and rehabilitation projects for drug misusers is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse, the national umbrella organisation for drug misuse services, which publishes a directory of services available to drug misusers by county and by London borough.

  Steroids
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many successful prosecutions have been made relating to the sale and/or distribution of anabolic steroids in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 12 July 1993]: There has been one successful Medicines Act prosecution since 1991.

DEFENCE

  Skyship 600
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role has been designed for the Skyship 600 airship ordered by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
  635
  Mr. Aitken
  A Skyship 600 airship has been supplied to the MOD by Westinghouse Surveillance System Ltd. for a series of trials to assess the suitability of airships for a variety of possible roles. Until these trials have been completed and the results assessed, no decisions can be made on any future operational roles that airships might undertake.

  Service Training
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the budgeting implications of reduction in numbers of service personnel involved in training in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Following the introduction of the new management strategy, data is now collected by budgetary area—as shown in table 2.2 of Defence Statistics 1993—and not by programme. It is not possible to identify separately the budgetary implications of the reductions in numbers of service personnel involved in training without disproportionate cost.

  Redundant Trainers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure that skilled trainers declared redundant by the armed services are used to their best advantage in the civilian economy.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence provides a comprehensive training and resettlement service for all service leavers, including redundees. This is designed primarily to assist in the move to a second career, and includes advice on the job market and the skills required. Many service leavers not only possess a wide range of skills but will also have several years experience as instructors, trainers and teachers. In addition to the wider marketing of their potential through the "Access to Excellence" campaign, a number of specific initiatives are being pursued in conjunction with the Departments of Employment and Education to promote their value as instructors and trainers for employment opportunities through the training and enterprise councils and within the new general national vocational qualification scheme.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Spanish battalion in UNPROFOR II will be withdrawn; what changes have been or will be made to the area of responsibility of the United Kingdom contingent as a result; if additional logistic support will be required; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  : The duration of individual nations' contributions to UNPROFOR is a matter for the UN and the nations concerned, which we would expect to make public any such decision. Currently there are no plans to change the areas of responsibility of the various national contingents to UNPROFOR Bosnia-Herzegovina command, and consequently no requirement for additional logistic support.

  Burma
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training facilities Her Majesty's Government currently offer to military personnel from Burma.
  636
  Mr. Hanley
  None: The inclusion of Burma in the list of countries that receive military training provided in the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Mr. Hamilton) gave the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 27 May, at column 681, referred to a civilian who was due to attend a military medical course, but who in the event did not turn up.

  Red Arrows
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of maintaining the Red Arrows RAF formation flying team.

  Mr. Hanley
  The full accounting which takes into account station overheads cost of maintaining and supporting the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team for financial year 1992–93 was some £17,000,000. The cash cost, which comprises pay, aviation fuel and travel and subsistence, was some £2,000,000.

  Airborne Warning and Communication System
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what limitations AWACS has in tracking slow-moving propellor-driven light aircraft; if he will make a statement on the reasons for these limitations and on their effects on the ability of the international community to police unauthorised air traffic over Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  AWACS was designed and developed to detect fast-moving military aircraft, larger than those suspected of violating the no-fly zone, flying beyond and below the coverage of surface radars. AWACS' performance in detecting small, slow-moving targets is less effective than for its primary role. The ability to detect these slow-moving targets is further inhibited by the "radar shadow" afforded by the mountainous terrain. Details of suspected violations are reported to the United Nations in a number of ways and the limitations of AWACS does not have a material effect on monitoring the operation of the no-fly zone.

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many committees are run by the Chemical and Biological Defence Board of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council; what are the titles of each committee; how long each committee has existed; how many people sit on each committee; and how many of these people are from universities and institutions of higher education.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Chemical and Biological Defence Board of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council has three committees reporting to it. These are:

  (i) The Biomedical Sciences Committee which has been in existence since 1 January 1992 and has nine members of whom seven are from universities and institutions of higher education.

  (ii) The Microbiology and Biotechnology Committee which has been in existence since 1 January 1992 and has nine members of whom five are from universities and institutions of higher education.

  (iii) The Physical Sciences Committee which has been in existence since 1 January 1981 and has 10 members all of whom are from universities of higher education.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times the Government have reviewed
  637
  their policy concerning the production of (a) chemical weapons and (b) biological weapons since 1979; and how many times United Kingdom Defence Ministers have discussed this policy with the Defense Secretaries of the United States Government during that time.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom abandoned its offensive biological capability after the second world war and its offensive chemical capability in the 1950s and that remains the Government's policy. Since then the United Kingdom's policy has concentrated on implementation of an effective defence against the use of such weapons and international agreements on their control, destruction and eventual abolition. The Government consider their policy on these latter issues on a regular basis, and have a long-standing and continuing dialogue with the United States authorities. The issues are discussed at ministerial level when necessary.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contingency plans have been considered or drawn up by the Ministry of Defence for the supply of chemicals and biological weapons from its allies in the event of an emergency, since 1963.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence has had no contingency plans to obtain chemical or biological weapons from its allies since the United Kingdom abandoned its offensive capabilities in chemical weapons in the 1950s and biological weapons after the second world war.

  Depleted Uranium Shells
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication he has received since 1 June from(a) the Traumatic After Care Trust and (b) Galloway United Against Radiation Danger in regard to the health risks posed by the testing and use of depleted uranium shells.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department has no record of receiving any communication from Galloway United Against Radiation Danger since 1 June. The directors of the Trauma After Care Trust wrote to me on 8 July, but their letter does not specifically mention such health risks.

  Defence Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of his Department's United Kingdom Defence Statistics 1993 have been printed; at what cost; and to whom it has been distributed.

  Mr. Hanley
  A total of 9,300 copies of United Kingdom Defence Statistics 1993 were printed. The costs of printing and publication were borne by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which aims to recover its costs from sales revenue.

  In addition to commercial sales, copies were distributed widely within the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces, to British embassies and high commissions, other Government Departments, the Libraries of both Houses, the House of Commons Vote Office, members of the press and academics.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of national income goes on military spending in(a) Britain, (b) Germany and (c) Japan; and what is the European average.
  638
  Mr. Hanley
  Defence expenditure for the United Kingdom and Germany in 1992 as a proportion of gross domestic product was 4·1 per cent. and 2·2 per cent. respectively. Japan is expected to devote around 1 per cent. of its GDP to defence in 1992–93. Total defence expenditure by European NATO countries in 1992 was some 2·7 per cent. of their aggregate gross domestic product.

  Guard service
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of his Department's new guard service and of its performance relative to previous arrangements.

  Mr. Hanley
  The MOD Guard Service (MGS) was implemented on 1 October 1992 to bring together a variety of guarding grades locally recruited at some 300 different sites under a wide variety of conditions of service. While the guards had given good service and provided security which was generally high, the new service is designed to produce a more professional body with commonality of uniform; professional standards; pay; conditions of service; staffing structure; and centralised training. The result is an improved performance over the previous arrangements. For the future, improvements to MGS training together with the introduction of recently formulated national vocational qualifications for guarding will further enhance the high standards already achieved.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there have been any secondees from the British Army to military training establishments in Bangladesh in 1992 or 1993; and what plans there are for such secondments in future.

  Mr. Hanley
  There were no British Army secondees in the period, although there was a tri-service training team on loan service in Bangladesh until October 1992. There are no immediate plans for any secondments in future.

  Mr. Meacher To
  ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for inviting Bangladeshi military personnel to attend development and technical training courses in British military establishments.

  Mr. Hanley
  Bangladesh bids for places on courses in British military establishments, in a similar way to other countries. Bangladeshi students attend military courses on a variety of subjects. Details of training provided are confidential.

PRIME MINISTER

  Referendums
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the dates since 1979 on which Government policy on the desirability of a referendum has been expressed by the Prime Minister in an official capacity; and whether the Prime Minister was in favour in the cases listed in his parliamentary answer,Official Report, 28 November 1991, column 608.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 28 November 1991 at columns
  639
  613–14. I supported the views expressed on behalf of the Government by my predecessor. Since then there have been four occasions, all of which referred to European integration, on which I have made the Government's views clear: 3 June 1992, Official Report, column 830; 18 June 1992, Official Report, column 1037; 16 March 1993, Official Report, column 167; and 30 March 1993, Official Report, column 156.

  Tokyo Communique
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what specific steps he intends to take to(a) encourage the multilateral development banks to focus more intensively on sustainable development and (b) incorporate environmental appraisals into project preparation and to make them publicly available, as stated at paragraph 8 of the G7 communique from Tokyo on 9 July.

  The Prime Minister
  Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992 the Government have supported a wide range of improvements in this area. For the International Development Association of the World bank, details are set out in the report on the 10th replenishment which the House approved on 12 July. Negotiations on the sixth replenishment of the African Development Fund and the capital resources of the Inter-American and Asian development banks are currently in progress. We are also actively working for agreement by the World bank board to proposals to make more information on its projects publicly available, including environmental assessments: a decision is expected soon.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration he has given to the appointment of a senior Minister as(a) a Minister with special responsibility for young people and (b) a Minister with special responsibility for older people; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his similar question on 14 November 1991 at column 639 about designating a Minister with responsibility for young people. Similarly, issues facing older people are not specific to that age group. Appointing a Minister with special responsibility to look after such groups would diffuse responsibilities for particular aspects of policy which presently fall clearly on each departmental Minister.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made towards holding a further meeting of the London conference on former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The steering committee of the international conference on the former Yugoslavia met at senior official level in Geneva on 1 July. There are currently no plans to hold a further meeting, at either official or ministerial level, but the co-chairmen are keeping this under review.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made in placing monitors on the border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.
  640
  The Prime Minister
  Following the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 838, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a report on the options for deployment of international border monitors on the border between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia/ Montenegro. Following full discussion of the report in the Security Council, the President of the Council replied, asking the Secretary-General to investigate whether the states involved were willing to co-operate in the deployment of monitors and, if so, which member states of the United Nations would be prepared to contribute monitors. We await the outcome of these soundings.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) why publication of information about population with disabilities has been discontinued in the report, "Households Below Average Income";

  (2) if he will ensure that the next "Households Below Average Income" report makes specific reference to people with disabilities and includes statistical data covering disabled pensioners and recipients of disability benefits and invalidity benefits who are under pensionable age.

  Mr. Burt
  Information on people with disabilities was discontinued as part of the "Households Below Average Income" (HBAI) report following recommendation 4.34 of the HBAI stocktaking report published and placed in the Library in November 1991.

  The family expenditure survey, the data source for the HBAI report, does not record whether an individual is disabled and the stocktaking report, expressed concern about the reliability of the data for sick and disabled people.

  There are no plans to change the information provided in the next HBAI statistics.

  Incomes
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the increase in real incomes for the top decile of the income range between 1979 and the latest available year before and after housing costs.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 8 July at columns 214–15.

  Pensioners Living Abroad
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he has any plans to change the basis on which United Kingdom retirement pensions and widows' benefits are paid to people living abroad; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to change the basis on which United Kingdom retirement pensions and widows' benefits are paid to people living abroad; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  In general, annual upratings of those benefits are not paid outside the United Kingdom, but some 13,500 pensioners and widows living abroad have
  641
  erroneously been awarded benefit in excess of their legal entitlement, most between 1988 and August 1991. All new awards since August 1991 have been made on the correct legal basis. But there are about 10,500 continuing overpayments; some are only a few pence a week and the average is about £10·80 a week. The total cost is estimated at £33 million between 1985–86 and 1992–93.

  We shall not be taking steps to reduce those pensions that are being overpaid since the past overpayments are not recoverable under section 71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and we are ensuring that United Kingdom pensioners who have received a certain level of benefit, albeit at too high a rate in existing law, should not now suffer a reduction for reasons which are no fault of their own. For that reason, we intend to introduce an amendment to the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations which will provide a legal basis for maintaining these payments at their present rate.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing what expenditure on social security would be in real terms in each year since 1973–74 if the number of pensioners, sick, unemployed, widows and families, etcetera had remained unchanged at 1973–74 levels; and what proportion of the gross domestic product such spending accounted for in each year.

  Mr. Scott
  It is not possible to provide the information requested.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate what expenditure on(a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) the social fund is attributable to the rise in unemployment.

  Mr. Scott
  Information in the form requested is not available. However, in 1992–93 expenditure on housing benefit and community charge benefit for unemployed people in Great Britain was £2,032 million. Awards from the social fund to unemployed people in Great Britain amounted to £115 million excluding cold weather payments. Information about cold weather payments is not available.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing social security expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product in each year since 1963.

  Mr. Burt
  The percentage figures for each year from 1963–64 until 1977–78 are in the table. Those for subsequent years are shown in table 4 of the Department of Social Security publication "The Growth of Social Security".

  Years

  Benefit expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  1963–64

  6·3

  1964–65

  6·0

  1965–66

  6·6

  1966–67

  6·6

  1967–68

  8·1

  1968–69

  8·0

  1969–70

  7·4

  1970–71

  7·2

  642

  Years

  Benefit expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  1971–72

  7·5

  1972–73

  7·4

  1973–74

  7·4

  1974–75

  7·7

  1975–76

  8·1

  1976–77

  8·6

  1977–78

  8·9

  Source used to obtain figures "Annual Abstract of Statistics", various years.

  Legal Aid
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 337, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance notes issued to assessment officers assessing financial eligibility in civil legal aid cases.

  Mr. Burt
  Copies of the relevant guidance have been placed in the Library.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proposals he has for introducing legislation to disregard attendance on employment training courses by those entitled to adult dependency supplements to their invalidity benefit from before the introduction of the all-or-nothing earnings rule on 15 September 1985, for the purpose of protecting existing beneficiaries;

  (2) on what date extra-statutory payments were cancelled for those previously entitled to adult dependency increases on top of their invalidity benefit and who have lost that entitlement due to attendance on an employment training course; what plans he has to issue new instructions restoring the right to make extra-statutory payments to this category of benefit claimants; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is his current estimate of the number of claimants of invalidity benefit supplemented by adult dependency allowance dating back to before 15 September 1985, who have lost their allowance due to attendance on employment training courses since 1988; and how many successful claims there have been for extra-statutory payments equalling the lost adult dependency allowance and to what total estimated value.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the number of invalidity benefit recipients with an adult dependency increase where entitlement ended due to attendance on employment training courses since 1988 is unavailable. By April 1991, the latest date for which figures are available, there had been five successful claims for extra-statutory payments to a total value of £2,477·70. Instructions to staff to make extra-statutory payments in affected cases were cancelled in error in January 1993, but are being reinstated today. The Government intend to bring forward legislation to place these payments on a statutory footing when a suitable opportunity arises.
  643

  National Insurance
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of changing the national insurance threshold into a tax allowance in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95.

  Mr. Hague
  If employees did not pay contributions on that part of their earnings which falls below the lower earnings limit the cost would be as follows:

  (£ billion)

  In year

  Full year

  1993–94

  0·9

  1·0

  1994–95

  0·9

  1·0

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much revenue would be raised by abolishing the national insurance ceiling in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95.

  Mr. Hague
  If the upper earnings limit for employees' contributions was abolished, the additional revenue yield in a full year would be about £2·7 billion for 1993–94 and £3·5 billion for 1994–95. If the upper profits limit for self-employed class 4 contributions was also abolished, the additional yield would be about £0·4 billion for 1993–94 and £0·5 billion for 1994–95.

  Over 3 million people would have to pay extra national insurance contributions as a result.

  Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the basic state retirement pension to a level at which income support and housing benefit would cease to be payable to pensioners; and by how much the standard rate of income tax would have to be raised to raise the same sum.

  Mr. Hague
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 June 1993, column 61]: The information was incorrect and incomplete due to a transcription error. The correct information is as follows:

  The additional cost of increasing the basic retirement pension to the higher pensioner rate of income support would be £3·4 billion. This represents a full year extra cost in 1993–94 net of savings made by the consequent reduction in spending on income-related benefits.

  The basic rate of income tax would have to be increased by 3 pence to raise this amount.

  It is not possible to estimate a level of retirement pension at which all pensioners cease to be eligible for housing benefit as entitlement depends on the level of rent paid, and rents vary widely. As an illustration of the cost involved we estimate that it would cost £11·2 billion net in 1993–94 to' increase retirement pensions to a level where income support and housing benefit entitlement would cease for pensioners paying the average local authority weekly rent paid by pensioners in receipt of housing benefit—£26·64 in May 1991, the latest available figures.

  The basic rate of income tax would have to be increased by 8p to raise this amount.

  Note: The estimated amounts of increases in the basic rate of income tax have been rounded to the next whole penny.
  644

SCOTLAND

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he gives to hospital trusts on the amount of money they should spend on the production of business plans.

  Mr. Stewart
  No specific guidance has been issued. It is for trusts to decide on such matters having regard to the overall principle of obtaining best value for money.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to set targets for Caledonian MacBrayne.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has decided to set the following targets for Caledonian MacBrayne for the year 1993–94. The company will be required to achieve as a financial target that fares income should cover at least 59 per cent. of operating costs, including depreciation on a replacement cost basis and provision for an 8 per cent. forgone rate of return on capital. As an efficiency target, the company will be asked not to exceed a maximum unit cost of £1·04 per passenger car unit capacity kilometre. As a quality of service target, the company will be asked to achieve a figure of 96·5 per cent. of sailings arriving on time, excluding sailings which are delayed or cancelled for safety reasons, for example, adverse weather conditions. My right hon. Friend considers that the setting of these targets will provide a clear framework for the operation of the company, consistent with the objectives of securing continued improvement in operational efficiency and standards of service.

  Fisheries Protection Agency
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the annual report and accounts for 1992–93 of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.

  Mr. Lang
  I have today published the report, copies of which have been laid in both Houses.

  House Condition Survey
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Scottish Homes to publish the main report of the Scottish house condition survey.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand that Scottish Homes will publish the Report of the Scottish house condition survey on Tuesday 20 July and I have arranged for copies to be deposited in the House Libraries and sent to all Scottish Members.

  Police
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland; when he will issue his consultation document reviewing police conduct and performance procedures in the Scottish police service.

  Mr. Lang
  I am today issuing a paper which invites comments on proposals for new procedures to deal with
  645
  unsatisfactory performance and unacceptable conduct in the police service. I believe these arrangements would be in keeping with the changes which have been, and are being made, to personnel management in the police service. Some of my proposals are drawn from those contained in a similar consultation paper issued by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. My proposals which are designed to modernise and simplify existing procedures in line with best management practice, build on the excellent work already being done by the police themselves to improve the quality of their service to the public.

  I have invited comments on the paper by 31 August 1993 and shall welcome views from everyone with an interest in these issues.

  Copies of the paper are available in the Library and in the Vote Office.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to whom each of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Scottish Office is responsible; whether the public bodies or their members in each case are subject to(a) surcharge, (b) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (c) scrutiny by the Audit Commission or National Audit Office, (d) the statutory provisions for open government which apply to local authorities, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charters; and whether the chairpersons and members of the boards of each of these bodies are required to declare an interest.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 6 July 1993]: The day-to-day management responsibility of executive NDPBs depends on the statutory or other arrangements relevant to the individual NDPB. All are responsible through me to Parliament for the proper management of any Government funds made available to them. In respect of the other matters referred to in the question: (a) I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 24 June at column 273;(b) those bodies subject to the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Commissioner are listed in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 as amended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Commissioners Act 1987; (c) the audit regime of NDPBs is listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies", which is available in the Library of the House and in certain cases the Comptroller and Auditor General is able to undertake other scrutiny of NDPBs; (d) the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 does not apply to NDPBs; (e) performance indicators are often published in the annual report of the body and will normally be contained in the management statement for the body concerned; a selection are included in my Department's departmental report; (f) the citizens charter applies to NDPBs. Scottish Office executive NDPBs are encouraged to fulfil the provisions of the citizens charter and many are already doing so. Management statements will contain commitments to citizens charter principles. In addition, NDPBs will in due course produce charter standard statements.

  I take into account the question of interests of chairmen and members of the boards of executive NDPBs when I am making appointments to a body. Arrangements for the
  646
  declaration of interest of members on specific items under consideration by the body are normal practice; detailed arrangements vary depending on the body.

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last consulted the leaders of the political parties in Scotland represented in Parliament regarding appointments made by him to the Parliamentary Boundary Commission of Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 July 1993]: In December 1988.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he appointed(a) Mr. A. R. Napier and (b) Professor U. A. Wannop to be members of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland; and what is the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 July 19931: Professor U. A. Wannop was first appointed a member of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland on 6 June 1983 and Mr. A. R. Napier on 2 May 1985. Both members were subsequently reappointed in December 1988 for a period of five years until 31 December 1993.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxation
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the balance between direct and indirect taxation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Since 1979 the share of total tax revenue raised as direct tax has fallen by 4 per cent. The share of tax revenue raised as direct tax from individuals has fallen by over 7 per cent.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies have been undertaken into the relationship between the lowering of taxation levels and the amount of revenue generated by those taxes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Changes in the tax system over the last 14 years have lowered marginal tax rates and have encouraged the enterprise and initiative on which a strong growing economy and buoyant tax revenues depend.

  Redundant Workers (Counselling)
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his proposal to introduce tax relief for companies offering counselling to redundant workers with two years or more service.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The great majority of the representations we have received have welcomed the proposed relief for outplacement counselling.

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the balance of payments deficit.
  647
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the balance of payments.

  Mr. Portillo
  The key to reducing the balance of payments deficit is improving our competitiveness. The Government have facilitated this by getting inflation down to its lowest for a generation. Unit wage costs in manufacturing are falling while they are rising in many of our main competitors. The Government have also taken specific action to assist exporters, such as extending Export Credits Guarantee Department cover.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial implications to the Treasury arise out of the delayed consultation on the commissioning of THORP.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Nuclear Fuels plc has assessed the impact on its profits of a delay to commissioning THORP to be £2 million per week. The level of profits is a consideration in determining the level of dividend 13NFL will pay to the Government as its shareholder.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on public spending of Government policies on unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government plan to spend. £2.8 billion in 1993–94 on training, enterprise and vocational education programmes to help around If million unemployed people back into work. The Budget included £125 million—net cost—to provide an additional 100,000 opportunities.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about levels of VAT receipts.

  Sir John Cope
  VAT receipts in the last financial year, 1992–93 are estimated to have been £37·0 billion. They are forecast to total £39·9 billion in 1993–94.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue will be raised by the extension of VAT to fuel bills.

  Sir John Cope
  The estimated revenue yield is £950 million in 1994–95 and £2,300 million in 1995–96.

  Pools Betting Duty
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the reduction in pools betting duty introduced to enable football clubs to continue to fund capital works in line with the Taylor report.

  Sir John Cope
  In the 1990 Budget pool betting duty was reduced from 42·5 per cent. to 40 per cent. for five years to help finance the implementation of the Taylor report and in particular the achievement of all-seating. The 648
  former Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Lamont), made it clear that the Government will be prepared to extend the reduction to the year 2000 provided the football leagues and football clubs produce satisfactory plans to finance their own contribution to further necessary ground improvements. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage will shortly be discussing the position with us on the basis of information supplied by the Football Trust and the clubs themselves, in support of an extension of the reduction.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of an independent Bank of England.

  Sir John Cope
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor has made it clear that he intends to listen to the debate that is now going on, so we have not made a final assessment yet.

  Business Expansion Scheme
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Cancellor of the Exchequer how many companies set up under the business expansion scheme have achieved substantial growth in profitability, growth and productivity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not available. BES has served its purpose well over the years. A wide range of companies have been helped and the scheme has contributed to a climate in which the role of entrepreneurship has been recognised. We are firmly committed to supporting small firms through a range of policies.

  Bank of England
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to encourage public debate about the future role of the Bank of England.

  Sir John Cope
  I am not sure any encouragement is needed from either my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor or me. We are particularly interested in the contribution my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Sir T. Arnold) and other hon. members who serve on the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee are making in their inquiry into the future role of the Bank of England.

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what comparative studies have been undertaken of the systems for providing capital financing for nationalised industries among EC countries.

  Sir John Cope
  While we are generally aware of other countries' arrangements, the Government have not undertaken a comprehensive study.

  Other countries are following the United Kingdom's lead in privatising nationalised industries.
  649

  Income Tax
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in the current financial year calling for an increase in income taxes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received a number of representations concerning the rates of income tax; some of these favour an increase in the rates and some favour a decrease. It remains the Government's objective to move towards a basic rate of 20 per cent. when it is prudent to do so.

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much public spending on health has changed in real terms since 1978–79; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  This year we plan to spend 61·4 per cent. more on the national health service, in real terms, than we did in 1978–79.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue from stamp duty on the sale of houses and flats in the latest quarter for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A provisional figure for receipts of stamp duty on all transactions of land and other property except for shares in the first quarter of 1993 is £150·9 million.

  Public Spending
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the public spending planning total for 1994–95.

  Mr. Portillo
  The new control total for 1994–95 was set in the 1992 autumn statement at £253·6 billion.

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

  Mr. Portillo
  Manufacturing productivity in the three months to May was 8·7 per cent. higher than a year earlier. This was the highest growth rate for over six years.

  Consumer Price Inflation
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of consumer price inflation is in Britain; and what are the OECD and EC averages.

  Sir John Cope
  Latest figures show that consumer price inflation in the United Kingdom is 1·2 per cent. This is below the average levels in OECD and EC countries of 2·9 and 3·3 per cent. respectively.

  Share Option Schemes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many United Kingdom quoted companies run executive share option schemes; how many directors have taken out options at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
  650
  Mr. Dorrell
  In relation to executive share option schemes approved by the Inland Revenue, this information is not readily available. Information about schemes that are not approved by the Inland Revenue is not held centrally.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect on the total amount spent on public sector pay in 1994–95 of public sector pay rises in 1994 of(a) 2 per cent., (b) 3 per cent., (c) 4 per cent. and (d) the latest rate of inflation which will be used for the upgrading of pensions and benefits.

  Mr. Portillo
  Estimates of expenditure on pay across the public sector as a whole are difficult to make due to the disparate nature of the pay bargaining arrangements applying to the groups involved. However, it is estimated that each one per cent. change in public sector pay in 1994–95 would cost/save about £¾ billion.

  Assumed public sector pay rise in 1994

  Estimated cost in 1994–95 £ billion

  (a) 2 per cent.

  1·5

  (b) 3 per cent.

  2·25

  (c) 4 per cent.

  3·00

  (d) Inflation rate used to upgrade pensions and benefits1

  1·5

  1 The March 1993 Financial Statement and Budget Report gave an assumption of 2 per cent, for the increase in the RPI over the year to September 1993.

  Duty Free Goods
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his best estimate on an annual basis of the loss in revenue to each EC country due to increased sales of duty free goods since changes in duty free laws were introduced on 1 January 1993.

  Sir John Cope
  The information is not available.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1992,Official Report, column 399, what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of the Gulf war to date; and what are his latest figures for the cash contribution of other countries to the cost of the Gulf war.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Ministry of Defence currently estimates that the additional military cost of the Gulf conflict is £2,345 million, spread over several years. The Export Credits Guarantee Department has paid up to 31 March 1993, £499 million of claims arising from the situation in the Gulf in 1990–91 and which have yet to be recovered. A further £160 million of claims on Iraq have yet to be examined. Other Departments incurred minor costs in respect of the conflict.

  The bulk of these costs has been offset by the cash contributions from other Governments totalling £2,049 million.
  651

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he gives to complaints of excessive zeal on the part of Inland Revenue investigating officers from hon. Members; how many such complaints he has received with regard to the special office No. 2; what written guidance exists to guide him on how to deal with such complaints; and if he will place a copy of such guidance in the Library.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There are no special arrangements for dealing with this type of complaint, which would be referred to the Inland Revenue for full investigation and report in the normal way. A response would then be made to the hon. Member as appropriate by the Minister responsible or by the Inland Revenue direct.

  I am not aware that any such complaints have been received with regard to the special office No. 2.

  Government Staff
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of staff in post in central Government Departments at 1 April.

  Mr. Portillo
  On 1 April 1993 there were 554,212 staff in post in central Government, a decrease of about 13,600 since 1 October 1992. This is the largest six-monthly fall since July 1987.

  Of the total staff in post, 502,798 were non-industrials and 51,414 were classified as being in industrial work. A summary showing staff in post by Department has been placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  General Medical Practices
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at which health centres it is planned to proceed with capital expenditure projects in support of general medical practices in each of the next three years.

  Eastern

  Northern

  Southern

  Western

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  1990

  362

  192

  115

  89

  48

  70

  159

  20

  1991

  284

  200

  94

  92

  69

  80

  161

  21

  1992

  292

  197

  91

  86

  62

  89

  154

  20

  1993

  270

  209

  88

  96

  68

  98

  156

  27

  Notes:

  1. Figures quoted are at March each year and include both hospital and community midwives.

  2. Information prior to March 1990 is not available in a compatible form.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many midwifery staff are employed in each health board area(a) full time and (b) part time (i) on an agency basis and (ii) on bank contracts.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no agency midwives employed in the health and personal social services in Northern Ireland. As at March 1993 there were 35 part-time midwives employed on bank contracts by the Eastern board and two by the Southern board.
  652
  Mr. Ancram
  Health centres in Northern Ireland at which capital expenditure is planned in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 are as listed:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board

  Lisburn HC

  Not known

  Not known

  Shankill HC

  Northern Health and Social Services Board

  Glengormley

  Ballyclare1

  Whiteabbey

  Antrim

  Larne1

  Ballyclare

  Ballymena1

  Whitehead1

  Larne

  Bellaghy1

  Ballymena

  Carrickfergus

  Cookstown

  Bellaghy

  Whitehead

  Cullybackey

  Greenisland

  Portglenone2

  Portglenone

  Randalstown

  Ballycastle

  Coleraine

  Garvagh

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  Portadown

  HC

  Nil

  Nil

  Western Health and Social Services Board

  Dungiven1

  Dungiven

  Nil

  Shantallow1

  Shantallow

  Eglinton

  Omagh

  Omagh

  Carrickmore

  Lisnaskea

  Carrickmore1

  1 Indicates a project carried into the second year.

  2 Indicates a project split over two years.

  Midwives
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many midwives were employed(a) full time and (b) part time in each health board area in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many practising midwives there are in each grade in each health board area, including those in senior nurse/senior midwife grades, senior nurse grades and education and clinical grades, excluding agency midwives; how many are employed(a) full time and (b) part time; and how many student midwives there are in each area.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows at March 1993:
  653

  Eastern Board

  Northern Board

  Southern Board

  Western Board

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  Clinical Grade D

  25

  9

  —

  2

  2

  90

  20

  4

  Clinical Grade E

  126

  185

  45

  81

  24

  4

  74

  20

  Clinical Grade F

  6

  4

  3

  3

  —

  3

  5

  3

  Clinical Grade G

  99

  8

  38

  10

  39

  1

  55

  —

  Clinical Grade H

  6

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Clinical Grade I

  6

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Unit Senior Manager II

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Student Midwife D

  44

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Student Midwife E

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Note:—There are currently a further 21 practising midwives (19 full-time, 2 part-time) in educational grades who are employed by the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland.

  Imported Animals
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which animals have been designated under the Destructive Imported Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1933 and in subsequent regulations made under that Act.

  Mr. Ancram
  Musk-rats, grey squirrels, non-indigenous rabbits, coypus, mink and arctic foxes.

  £ million

  1988–89 Outturn

  1989–90 Outturn

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Outturn

  1992–93 Outturn

  1993–94 Plans

  Financed by European Regional Development receipts

  47

  40

  49

  50

  120

  103

  Financed by European Social Fund receipts

  36

  46

  51

  53

  47

  55

  Financed by European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund1 (Guidance Section receipts)

  13

  9

  10

  29

  25

  19

  Total

  96

  95

  110

  132

  192

  177

  Per Capita Value (£)2

  61

  60

  69

  83

  119

  109

  1 The agricultural industry in Northern Ireland receives amounts under the Guarantee Section of the EAGGF (ie under the Common Agricultural Policy). Most of these payments are made centrally on a United Kingdom basis through the Intervention Board Executive Agency and no record of such payments is maintained on a territorial basis. Identifiable receipts for 1991–92 amount to some £60 million.

  2 Based on mid-year population estimates.

  From 1994 onwards, Structural Funds allocations to Northern Ireland will be governed by a new Community Support Framework. It will be some months before the expenditure under the various headings will be known.
  654

  EC Funds
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what EC contribution was made to public expenditure in Northern Ireland(a) in total and (b) per capita in each of the last five years and the current year; what are his projections for each of the next two years; and for each of those years what is his estimate of the sums received under each heading used by the EC.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities—the Government's Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96" (Cm 2216) published in February 1993 records EC Structural Funds contribution to public expenditure in Northern Ireland as follows:
  655

  Prisoners
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners there were in each prison in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and the current year; how many were male and female; and what are his projections for the next two years.

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  11993–94

  Prison

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Belfast

  503

  —

  515

  —

  484

  —

  475

  —

  541

  —

  559

  —

  Maze

  678

  —

  538

  —

  488

  —

  484

  —

  473

  —

  494

  —

  Magilligan

  287

  —

  278

  —

  302

  —

  301

  —

  312

  —

  322

  —

  Maghaberry

  166

  26

  273

  23

  297

  30

  300

  38

  317

  43

  324

  40

  YOC Hydebank

  162

  —

  156

  —

  179

  —

  198

  —

  179

  —

  213

  —

  Totals

  1,796

  26

  1,760

  23

  1,750

  30

  1,758

  38

  1,822

  43

  1,912

  40

  1 April-June 1993 only.

  It is not possible to project the population by prison establishment.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for how many prisoners he has budgeted in his estimates for the current year and each of the next two years.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Financial plans are related to actual and anticipated accommodation needs and usage and not directly to prisoner numbers.

  Sheep
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total sheep quota for(a) less favoured areas and (b) non-less-favoured areas in Northern Ireland; and what is his estimate of the current total breeding ewe flock in each of those areas.

  In-patient and community treatment of mental illness in Northern Ireland

  In-patient

  Community12

  Year

  Patients admitted

  Long stay patients at year ended 31 March

  Outpatient referrals seen

  Day patients first attendances

  1988–89

  n/a

  21,628

  8,916

  2122

  1989–90

  5,749

  1,786

  9,704

  685

  1990–91

  5,479

  1,653

  8,925

  1,335

  1991–92

  5,376

  1,613

  9,743

  1,463

  1992–93

  5,752

  n/a

  11,149

  1,304

  1 Does not include patients who began their first episode of care in an earlier year.

  2 This information is incomplete.

  n/a Not Available.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total public expenditure in Northern Ireland in(a) total and (b) per capita in each of the last five years and the current year; and what are his projections for each of the next two years.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The total public expenditure for Northern Ireland within the Secretary of State's responsibility and public expenditure per capita for the years 1988–89 to 1993–94 and forecasts for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are in the following table:
  656
  Sir John Wheeler
  The average prison population for the last six financial years was as follows:

  Mr. Ancram
  The total sheep annual premium quota for Northern Ireland is 1,393,888, of which 1,140,519 in the less-favoured areas—LFA—and 253,369 in the non-LFA. The total breeding ewe flock is currently estimated to be 1,142,399, of which 911,635 in the LFA and 230,764 in the non-LFA.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many mentally ill patients were treated(a) in the community and (b) as in-patients, for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  (2) what percentage of patients were treated (a) as day patients, (b) as in-patients and (c) in the community by the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not available in the form requested. Figures on in-patients and community treatment of mental illness patients are presented in the table:

  Total public expenditure

  Public expenditure per capita

  Year

  £ million

  £

  1988–89

  5,436

  3,445

  1989–90

  5,725

  3,617

  1990–91

  5,872

  3,694

  1991–92

  6,428

  4,032

  1992–93

  7,092

  4,402

  1993–94

  7,476

  4,598

  1994–95

  7,703

  4,703

  1995–96

  7,980

  4,842

  657

  Rural Planning Review
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the rural planning review, giving details of the consultation which has taken place, and the factors which have delayed it; when he expects to have draft proposals ready; and when they will be expected.

  Mr. Atkins
  A major consultation exercise was held in August 1991 with the circulation of the leaflet "What Kind of Countryside Do We Want?". In addition during late 1991 representations of the Department's town and country planning service attended 20 public meetings or rural clinics organised by the Rural Development Council, the Rural Community Network and Community Technical Aid at which the issues raised in the leaflet were discussed. By spring 1992 over 100 responses, including a substantial report on the rural clinics, were received. The Department has carefully analysed these comments and in the light of the full response to the consultation exercise the Department has decided that there will be no publication of draft proposals. It is intended that the new strategy will be published in September.

WALES

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of(a) hydrocarbons and their oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulphur compounds, (b) inorganic cyanides, (c) inorganic halogen containing compounds, (d) inorganic sulphur containing compounds, (e) laboratory chemicals, (f) lead compounds, (g) mercury compounds, (h) nickel and nickel compounds, (i) organic halogen compounds excluding inert polymeric materials and (j) peroxides, chlorates and azides;

  (2) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categores of (a) solvents-S halogen/mixed, (b) mineral oil sludges, (c) contaminated industrial waste, (d) empty contaminated drums, (e) pressurised cylinders/ aerosols, (f) contaminated soil, (g) mixed laboratory chemicals, (h) biocides-solid, (i) biocides-liquid, (j) biocides-aqueous diluted, (k) resins-organic and (l) filter material-organic;

  (3) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) solid metal bearing, (b) solid inorganic, (c) solid CN, (d) solid organic, (e) solid asbestos, (f) filter material-inorganic, (g) acid metal bearing, (h) acid-inorganic, (i) acid-organic, (j) alkalis metal bearing, (k) alkalis-inorganic, (l) alkalis-organic and (m) aqueous cyanide;

  (4) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) acids and alkalis, (b) antimony and antimony compounds, (c) arsenic compounds, (d) asbestos all chemical forms, (e) barium compounds, (f) beryllium and beryllium compounds, (g) biocides and phytopharmaceutical substances, (h) boron compounds, (i) cadmium and cadmium
  658
  compounds, (j) copper compounds, (k) heterocyclic organic compounds containing oxygen nitrogen and/or sulphur and (l) hexavalent chromium compounds;

  (5) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) neutral metal bearing, (b) neutral-inorganic, (c) neutral-organic, (d) neutral-oily (one to 15 per cent.), (e) mineral oil and < 20 per cent. others, (f) mineral oil and > 20 per cent. others, (g) oil + >20 per cent. water <85 per cent., (h) grease/fat/wax/ vegetable oil, (i) cars/phenols, (j) solvents-non halogen, (k) solvents-halogenated, (l) solvents-mixed (including water) and (m) solvents-S non-halogen;

  (6) if he will list by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) pharmaceutical waste, (b) mixed organics in drums, (c) metal compounds, (d) non-toxic metal compounds, (e) metals-elements, (f) metal oxides, (g) inorganic compounds, (h) other inorganic material, (i) organic compounds, (j) polymeric material and precursors, (k) fuels, oils and greases, (l) fine chemicals and biocides, (m) miscellaneous chemicals waste, (n) filter materials and sludges, (o) miscellaneous waste and (p) construction waste;

  (7) if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste production in the waste categories of (a) pharmaceutical and veterinary compounds, (b) phosphorus and its compounds, (c) selenium and selenium compounds, (d) silver compounds, (e) tarry materials from refining and tar residues from distilling, (f) tellurium and tellurium compounds, (g) thallium and thallium compounds, (h) vanadium compounds and (i) zinc compounds.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is not currently available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste arisings and deposits.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is given in the following table.

  Special waste arising and disposed of, by county

  Tonnes

  Waste arising

  Waste disposed of

  1987–88:

  Clwyd

  10,309

  621

  Dyfed

  7,430

  83

  Gwent

  15,616

  27,362

  Gwynedd

  4,446

  10

  Mid Glamorgan

  3,327

  350

  Powys

  120

  0

  South Glamorgan

  12,272

  19,268

  West Glamorgan

  17,515

  304

  1988–89:

  Clwyd

  8,430

  715

  Dyfed

  7,476

  315

  Gwent

  16,428

  34,340

  Gwynedd

  3,152

  23

  Mid Glamorgan

  5,691

  780

  Powys

  139

  0

  South Glamorgan

  7,150

  97

  West Glamorgan

  11,123

  579

  1989–90

  Clwyd

  12,380

  1,624

  659

  Waste arising

  Waste disposed of

  Dyfed

  16,240

  340

  Gwent

  23,866

  30,396

  Gwynedd

  3,938

  50

  Mid Glamorgan

  3,740

  1,306

  Powys

  314

  0

  South Glamorgan

  8,125

  189

  West Glamorgan

  10,413

  776

  1990–91:

  Clwyd

  11,999

  1,262

  Dyfed

  15,209

  36

  Gwent

  22,134

  15,050

  Gwynedd

  6,874

  819

  Mid Glamorgan

  6,795

  4,875

  Powys

  381

  0

  South Glamorgan

  10,718

  42

  West Glamorgan

  15,081

  613

  1991–92:

  Clwyd

  27,563

  644

  Dyfed

  21,137

  196

  Gwent

  20,711

  28,786

  Gwynedd

  9,214

  700

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,436

  6,973

  Powys

  373

  0

  South Glamorgan

  8,487

  112

  West Glamorgan

  7,414

  733

  Source: HMIP 1986–87 to 1989–90; DOE 1990 onwards

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, by year for the last five years, and by county, the number of tonnes of special waste arising(a) within the county and deposited within the county, (b) within the county and exported out of the county and (c) outside the county and deposited within the county.

  Mr. Redwood
  From the information available, it is not possible to differentiate the amount of special waste originating in and deposited in a county from that imported into the county for deposition. Nor is it possible to determine the amount of special wastes exported from a county which originated in the county. Special wastes may be imported and re-exported as part of the treatment and disposal process. The available information is given in the following table.

  Special waste arising and disposed of. by county

  Tonnes

  Waste arising

  Waste imported from other areas

  Waste exported to other areas

  Waste disposed of

  1987–88

  Clwyd

  10,309

  846

  9,991

  621

  Dyfed

  7,430

  0

  7,347

  83

  Gwent

  15,616

  30,573

  18,760

  27,362

  Gwynedd

  4,446

  0

  4,436

  10

  Mid Glamorgan

  3,327

  301

  3,279

  350

  Powys

  120

  0

  120

  0

  South Glamorgan

  12,272

  12,507

  5,511

  19,268

  West Glamorgan

  17,515

  36

  17,247

  304

  1988–89

  Clwyd

  8,430

  654

  8,369

  715

  Dyfed

  7,476

  92

  7,253

  315

  Gwent

  16,428

  33,096

  15,185

  34,340

  Gwynedd

  3,152

  0

  3,129

  23

  Mid Glamorgan

  5,691

  747

  5,658

  780

  Powys

  139

  0

  139

  0

  South Glamorgan

  7,150

  156

  7,209

  97

  West Glamorgan

  11,123

  52

  10,596

  579

  660

  Waste arising

  Waste imported from other areas

  Waste exported to other areas

  Waste disposed of

  1989–90

  Clwyd

  12,380

  1,605

  12,361

  1,624

  Dyfed

  16,240

  0

  15,900

  340

  Gwent

  23,866

  31,531

  25,002

  30,396

  Gwynedd

  3,938

  0

  3,888

  50

  Mid Glamorgan

  3,740

  1,249

  3,683

  1,306

  Powys

  314

  0

  314

  0

  South Glamorgan

  8,125

  45

  7,981

  189

  West Glamorgan

  10,413

  74

  9,711

  776

  1990–91

  Clwyd

  11,999

  1,215

  11,952

  1,262

  Dyfed

  15,209

  13

  15,186

  36

  Gwent

  22,134

  18,996

  26,080

  15,050

  Gwynedd

  6,874

  0

  6,054

  819

  Mid Glamorgan

  6,795

  4,800

  6,720

  4,875

  Powys

  381

  0

  381

  0

  South Glamorgan

  10,718

  490

  11,166

  42

  West Glamorgan

  15,081

  104

  14,572

  613

  1991–92

  Clwyd

  27,563

  752

  27,672

  644

  Dyfed

  21,137

  76

  20,971

  196

  Gwent

  20,711

  13,845

  38,388

  28,786

  Gwynedd

  9,214

  8,931

  1,391

  700

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,436

  6,276

  8,739

  6,973

  Powys

  373

  0

  373

  0

  South Glamorgan

  8,487

  26

  8,401

  112

  West Glamorgan

  7,414

  161

  6,842

  733

  Source: HMIP 1986–87 to 1989–90; DOE 1990 onwards

  Valuation Tribunals
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the numbers of community charge and non-domestic rate appeals disposed of per full-time equivalent employee in each valuation tribunal office in Wales during the financial year 1992–93.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The figures for appeals cleared in 1992–93 by each valuation tribunal office are as follows:

  Tribunal Office

  Full time equivalent staff

  Appeals Cleared

  Per Staff Member

  Clwyd

  13·33

  2·274

  689·1

  Dyfed

  4·0

  2,617

  654·2

  Gwent

  3·5

  1,957

  559·1

  Gwynedd

  22·3

  1,950

  847·8

  Mid-South Glamorgan

  5·0

  4,462

  892·4

  Powys

  2·5

  948

  379·4

  West Glamorgan

  4·0

  2,390

  597·5

  1 Clwyd tribunal office reduced from four to three full-time equivalent staff 1 August 1992.

  2 Gwynedd tribunal office reduced from three to 1·6 full-time equivalent staff 1 October 1992.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many non-domestic rate appeals were outstanding in Gwynedd at 30 June; how many of that number were lodged prior to 30 November; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  At 30 June, the Gwynedd valuation tribunal had 1,273 outstanding non-domestic rate appeals. Information on the number of those lodged prior to 30 November 1992 is not available.
  661

  Midwives
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many whole-time equivalent midwives there are at each increment point of each pay scale.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Detailed breakdowns of nursing and midwifery staff employed by health authorities and NHS trusts into occupational groups such as that requested are not considered reliable. However, I refer the hon. Gentleman to a letter that I sent to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones) dated 13 July, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, which gave a breakdown of nursing and midwifery staff in post as at 30 September 1992—excluding students and pupils and staff nursery staff—by grade and pay spine point.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what specialist provision is currently available in Wales for early onset of Alzheimer's disease.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally. It is for health authorities to determine and provide the specialist provision required to meet local needs.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the level of sickness absence among employees in Wales by broad industrial sector expressed as(a) the average number of days lost and (b) the percentage of employee sickness absence.

  Regular day attenders at NHS day care facilities

  Number of patients treated1

  Day cases

  In-patient cases

  In the community2

  1987–88

  12,241

  78,471

  456,420

  —

  1988–89

  —

  85,012

  456,858

  —

  1989–90

  11,927

  86,486

  475,515

  —

  1990–91

  12,152

  101,191

  482,473

  222,869

  1991–92

  13,275

  132,945

  500,336

  219,548

  1 This does not relate to the number of people treated as one person may have been discharged more than once during the year.

  2 Patients treated by district nurses, community psychiatric nurses, community mental handicap nurses and other community nurses (excluding health visitors and midwives). It should be noted that an individual may be included more than once if they had been treated by more than one category of staff. Comparable information is not available prior to 1990–91.

  Voluntary Work
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those voluntary projects, organisations and bodies he has funded in Wales since 1986 along with the amount allocated, other than those which he has financed under section 21 of the Education Act 1980, listing Welsh language projects, organisations and bodies separately.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Department provides direct funding to about 250 voluntary organisations each year. In 1991–92, the latest year for which figures are available more than £10 million was paid in direct grants to the voluntary sector, £2 million of which was paid in support of Welsh language activities. In addition, a further £172 million was provided as indirect grants—i.e. those paid via health or local authorities or NDPBs—the bulk of which—some £164 million—was paid to housing associations.
  662
  Mr. Redwood
  The information available on sickness absence, by sector of industry, is given in the following table. These estimates are derived from the labour force survey carried out between December 1992 and February 1993 and may be subject to sampling variability.

  Industrial sector

  Employees

  Percentage absent due to sickness or injury in the reference week1

  Agriculture

  2—

  2—

  Energy and water supply

  19,000

  2—

  Manufacturing

  236,000

  5

  Construction

  53,000

  2—

  Services

  664,000

  5

  All industries and services

  979,000

  5

  Source:—Labour Force Survey.

  1 Respondents are asked to indicate any absence in a particular week.

  2 Sample too small to provide a reliable estimate.

  Patients
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of patients were treated(a) as day patients, (b) as in-patients and (c) in the community by the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information in the exact form requested is not available centrally. However, the available information is given as follows. No percentages have been calculated as a patient may be treated in more than one of the categories or in other categories not given.

  Information on individual grants awarded prior to 1988–89 is not readily available. Since 1988–89 a list of all direct Government grants to the voluntary sector has been placed in the Library of the House. I have therefore arranged for a further copy of the Welsh Office entries for the financial years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 to be placed in the Library of the House amended to indicate grants awarded solely in respect of Welsh language activities and those awarded under section 21 of the Education Act 1980. However, many of the other grants paid will also have included an element of support for the Welsh language which is not separately identifiable.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total budget of the Welsh Development Agency in 1990–91, 1991–92; and 1992–93 and what proportion of this was allocated to the north Wales office.
  663
  Mr. Redwood
  The budget for the three financial years is shown in the Welsh Office departmental report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  The agency's budget is allocated according to functions and programmes rather than geographic areas.

  Supply Teachers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many supply teachers are registered with each local education authority in Wales for casual cover; and to what incremental point on the main professional grade for teachers' salaries a suitably qualified and experienced supply teacher may progress.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information on the number of supply teachers registered with each local education authority in Wales is not held centrally.

  The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document lays down a minimum point on the scale to which teachers may be appointed, depending on their previous service. An experienced supply teacher could be appointed on the minimum point applicable or on any higher point up to the top of the scale. A new pay spine for teachers will be introduced with effect from 1 September 1993.

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Total value

  £9·3 million

  £8·8 million

  £7·0 million

  Of which percentage in Gwynedd and Clwyd

  21·6 per cent.

  17·0 per cent.

  13·6 per cent.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which primary schools in each local education authority in Wales(a) use the Welsh language as the main language of instruction, (b) use some Welsh as a medium of instruction and (c) undertake little or no instruction through the medium of Welsh.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I have made a list of the 1,704 primary schools in Wales available in the Library of the House. The schools are broken down into the following categories: those with classes which use Welsh as a sole or main medium of instruction, those with classes which use Welsh as a medium of teaching for part of the curriculum and those which teach Welsh as a second language or not at all. The breakdown is based on information for the 1991–92 academic year.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average number of hours spent teaching Welsh in schools in Wales in the(a) primary and (b) secondary sectors; and if he will give a breakdown by county.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since 1990, schools in Wales have been progressively implementing the requirements of Welsh as a national curriculum subject. Information on the number of hours or periods spent on national curriculum Welsh is not collected centrally.

  However, the 1989 secondary school staffing survey provided information on the number of teaching periods spent teaching Welsh as a first language, Welsh as a second language and remedial Welsh and is given in the following table. Equivalent information is not available for primary schools.
  664

  Environmental Contamination
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has received from Gwent county council regarding the potential environmenal contamination of south-east Wales by airborne radioactive particulates arising from Ministry of Defence tests at its Salisbury Plain test area.

  Mr. Redwood
  None. The Ministry of Defence has also confirmed that it has no knowledge of tests on Salisbury plain which could give rise to radioactive particulates in the environment of south-east Wales.

  Land Authorities
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total budget of each land authority in Wales in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93; and what proportion was spent in Gwynedd and Clwyd.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Land Authority for Wales is required to be self-financing. The total value of development land sold by the authority and the percentage in respect of Gwynedd and Clwyd were as follows:

  Local Education Authority

  Percentage of periods spent teaching Welsh

  Clwyd

  6

  Dyfed

  7

  Gwent

  1

  Gwynedd

  11

  Mid Glamorgan

  4

  Powys

  6

  South Glamorgan

  3

  West Glamorgan

  5

  ALL WALES

  5

  Mental Illness
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mentally ill patients were treated(a) in the community and (b) as in-patients, for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information in the exact form requested is not available centrally. However, the available information is given in the following table.

  Discharges and deaths1

  Resident patients2

  First contacts by community psychiatric nurses3

  1987–88

  14,157

  43,952

  —

  1988–89

  14,289

  —

  —

  1989–90

  15,000

  43,577

  —

  1990–91

  15,094

  53,348

  24,984

  1991–92

  16,236

  53,013

  22,629

  1 Deaths and discharges of in-patients from NHS hospitals. This does not relate to the number of people treated as one person may

  665
  have been discharged more than once during the year. Includes people treated in the specialities of mental illness, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and old age psychiatry.

  2 Patients resident in mental illness hospitals and units in Wales on the day an annual census was taken. This will not include patients who although resident at some time during the year were not resident on the date of the census.

  3 Information was not collected centrally prior to 1990–91. This does not include patients cared for by other groups of staff (ie GPs and social workers) and voluntary organisations for which no information is collected centrally.

  4 At 5 April.

  5 At 31 March.

  Total gross expenditure on new construction improvement and maintenance (Wales)

  Expenditure in Clwyd

  Expenditure in Gwynedd

  Expenditure in Powys

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  per cent.

  1990–91

  184·9

  22·0

  11·9

  75·2

  40·7

  14·4

  7·8

  1991–92

  171·0

  24·7

  14·4

  62·6

  36·6

  11·0

  6·4

  1992–93

  204·5

  16·3

  8·0

  54·3

  26·6

  14·1

  6·9

  Health Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds have been made available by his Department for health education in Wales in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The amounts made available for health promotion, of which health education forms part, is shown in the following table.

  £ million

  1987–88

  2·4

  1988–89

  3·3

  1989–90

  4·2

  1990–91

  6·1

  1991–92

  7·5

  1992–93

  19·4

  1993–94

  29·9

  Net current expenditure on museums and art galleries1

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Alyn and Deeside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Colwyn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Delyn

  109

  158

  168

  190

  Glyndwr

  43

  66

  72

  48

  Rhuddlan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wrexham Maelor

  117

  140

  168

  169

  Carmarthen

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ceredigion

  137

  133

  139

  135

  Dinefwr

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Llanelli

  35

  107

  28

  45

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Pembrokeshire

  1

  1

  3

  3

  Blaenau Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Islwyn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Monmouth

  250

  350

  373

  384

  Newport

  341

  425

  453

  515

  Torfaen

  39

  8

  47

  44

  Aberconwy

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Arfon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dwyfor

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Meirionnydd

  6

  8

  13

  11

  Ynys Môn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cynon Valley

  0

  83

  40

  85

  Merthyr Tydfll

  86

  99

  121

  123

  Ogwr

  0

  0

  0

  0

  666

  Welsh Office Highways Department
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total budget of the Welsh Office highways department in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93; and what proportion of this money was spent in Gwynedd, Clwyd and Powys.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Gross expenditure in Wales on new construction, improvement and maintenance on motorways and trunk roads was £184·9 million in 1990–91, £171·0 million in 1991–92 and £204·5 million in 1992–93. The proportion spent in Gwynedd, Clwyd and Powys is given in the following table.

  1 Projected outturn.

  2 Estimate.

  Arts Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the level of arts services budgets in each local authority in Wales since 1990.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Individual local authorities decide what to spend on the arts from within their available resources. Information on the budgets they have set for museums and art galleries is given in the following table. Other arts spending is not separately identifiable from local authority budget returns.
  667

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Rhondda

  106

  152

  262

  158

  Rhymney Valley

  134

  241

  98

  216

  Taff Ely

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Brecknock

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Montgomeryshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Radnorshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cardiff

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Vale of Glamorgan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Port Talbot

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lliw Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Neath

  78

  94

  93

  108

  Swansea

  944

  1,022

  1,335

  1,136

  Clwyd

  892

  559

  444

  392

  Dyfed

  337

  368

  450

  393

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gwynedd

  725

  193

  223

  157

  Mid Glamorgan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Powys

  175

  208

  227

  228

  South Glamorgan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Glamorgan

  0

  66

  80

  93

  Total Districts

  2,426

  3,087

  3,413

  3,370

  Total Counties

  2,129

  1,394

  1,424

  1,263

  Total Wales

  4,555

  4,481

  4,837

  4,633

  1 Local authority budgets.

  Housing Revenue Accounts
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the notional housing revenue account figures for Wales for the current financial year and the estimates made in respect of the next financial year; and if he will list the assumptions on which they are based.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  £ million

  £ million

  Notional income from rents

  322·9

  346·9

  Notional management and maintenance allowance

  168·8

  174·3

  The 1993–94 figures are taken from local authorities first advance subsidy claim forms.

  For 1994–95, the estimated figures are also based on the initial claim form data for 1993–94. The key assumptions are for per dwelling increases in real terms of 5 per cent. in guideline rents and 1 per cent. in management and maintenance allowances. These assumptions will be reviewed in this year's public expenditure survey and will be subject to consultation in the usual way. The relevant inflation assumption from 1993–94 to 1994–95 is 4·25 per cent. as set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1993–94.

  Home Helps
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many home helps were employed in each local authority area in the counties of Gwynedd and Clwyd in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c)

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers of people employed by the social services departments of Gwynedd county council and Clwyd county council are not reported at district level. The total numbers of home helps—including 668
  home help organisers and assistants—employed in each county at the 30 September of each year are shown in the following table:

  Clwyd

  Gwynedd

  1980

  Number

  560

  627

  Whole-time equivalent

  314·0

  260·0

  1985

  Number

  660

  670

  Whole-time equivalent

  400·0

  278·0

  1992

  Number

  1840

  900

  Whole-time equivalent

  1335·3

  390·0

  1 Provisional

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

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information on the number of bus routes operating in Clwyd and Gwynedd is not available centrally.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students are currently studying at each public sector higher education college in Wales; and how many of the students are normally resident in Wales, both in terms of total numbers and as a percentage of the main student body.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Provisional data for the 1992–93 academic year on students enrolled on higher education at the former public sector higher education colleges in Wales—including Trinity college—together with the numbers and proportion who were resident in Wales, are as follows:
  669

  Students1 enrolled on higher education courses at 2 November 1992

  Students usually resident in Wales

  Institution

  Total number of students2

  Number

  Per cent, of total

  Cardiff Institute of HE

  5,520

  3,776

  68

  Gwent College of HE

  4,876

  3,833

  79

  Normal College Bangor

  1,031

  745

  72

  North East Wales Institute

  3,452

  2,147

  62

  Swansea Institute of HE

  3,759

  2,889

  77

  Trinity College

  1,251

  852

  68

  University of Glamorgan

  11,525

  7,078

  61

  Welsh Agricultural College

  324

  105

  32

  Welsh College of Music and Drama

  415

  149

  36

  Total

  32,153

  21,574

  67

  1All modes of attendance. Excludes students enrolled on further education courses.

  2Includes other United Kingdom students and those from abroad.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the tender specifications for the market testing of the training office functions of his 670
  Department; and if such tender specifications will have to be advertised in the supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities.

  Mr. Redwood
  The specification for the market test of staff training services within the Department will form part of the tender documentation, which will be issued when tenders are invited. There is no requirement to advertise details of the tender specification in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

  Powys TEC
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Powys training and enterprise council in relation to refunding part of the 1992–93 grant in aid to the council.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. My officials have been in regular contact with the TEC since a routine financial appraisal monitoring visit revealed that insufficient evidence was available, at that time, to substantiate some of the TECs adult training invoices for payment by the Welsh Office. The TEC has now gathered additional evidence to suport their claims. My officials will meet with the TEC on 19 July to consider the adequacy of the further evidence.

  MARKET TESTING: HIGH COURT RULING ON EC DIRECTIVE
  MARKET TESTING: HIGH COURT RULING ON EC DIRECTIVE
  FIREARMS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE: REPORT
  FIREARMS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE: REPORT
  MR. FRANKIE TERENZIO: CORONER'S LETTER
  MR. FRANKIE TERENZIO: CORONER'S LETTER
  MANCHESTER PRISON (STRANGEWAYS): MANAGEMENT
  MANCHESTER PRISON (STRANGEWAYS): MANAGEMENT
  FUNKE, CREMIEUX AND MIAILHE v. FRANCE JUDGMENTS
  FUNKE, CREMIEUX AND MIAILHE v. FRANCE JUDGMENTS
  LAND USE AND TRANSPORT: POLICY
  LAND USE AND TRANSPORT: POLICY
  ROAD PROGRAMME: EFFECTS
  ROAD PROGRAMME: EFFECTS
  ROAD DEVELOPMENT PLANS: REGIONAL GUIDANCE
  ROAD DEVELOPMENT PLANS: REGIONAL GUIDANCE
  SINGLE MOTHERS: REPORT
  SINGLE MOTHERS: REPORT
  DTI TRANSCRIPTS: USE IN CRIMINAL TRIALS
  DTI TRANSCRIPTS: USE IN CRIMINAL TRIALS
  MINIS 1993 RETURNS
  MINIS 1993 RETURNS
  WEST BANK AND GAZA: EXPORTS
  WEST BANK AND GAZA: EXPORTS
  JERUSALEM: STATUS
  JERUSALEM: STATUS
  EC AID: EFFECTIVENESS
  EC AID: EFFECTIVENESS
  NORTHERN IRELAND: HUMAN RIGHTS
  NORTHERN IRELAND: HUMAN RIGHTS