Written Answers of 26 July 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judicial System (Probity)
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in respect of the maintenance of the integrity and probity of the judicial system; and what role his Department plays in relation to allegations of bribery involving judges.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor regards integrity and probity as essential qualities for all those working in the judicial system. The investigation of allegations of bribery involving judges is a matter for the police. Consideration will also be given by the Lord Chancellor to any further action that may be required in the light of the results flowing from any such investigation.

  Industrial Deafness
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what steps he is taking to help victims of industrial deafness who are deterred from pursuing claims against their employers by the new regulations governing legal aid;

  (2) what steps he is taking to help victims of industrial deafness to pursue their claims for compensation against their employers.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No separate assessment has been made of the effect of the legal aid eligibility changes on litigants with specific categories of case. However, the financial limits for personal injury actions remain higher than those for other categories of civil proceedings. The disposable income limit for personal injury cases is £7,500 (£6,800 for other proceedings) and the disposable capital limit is £8,560 (£6,750 for other proceedings).

  No specific steps are proposed for the handling of industrial deafness cases, but they will benefit from a number of jurisdictional and procedural changes introduced for personal injury cases generally over the past two years. In the coming months the Lord Chancellor intends to issue a public consultation document setting out proposals for a less formal method than trial in open court for handling smaller personal injury claims. Depending on the financial limit set, a number of industrial deafness cases may benefit.

  Vulnerable Witnesses
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many cases defence counsel have objected to the use of video-link television equipment for the purpose of interviewing child witnesses and other vulnerable witnesses in each of the past three years; of these objections, how many were accepted by the court; and if he will make a statement.
  524
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information sought by the hon. Member is not collected, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many cases and in which courts video link television equipment has been used for the purpose of interviewing child witnesses and other vulnerable witnesses outwith the actual court room in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The number of cases in which child witnesses has given evidence via live television links at suitably equipped Crown court centres is set out in the table provided in answer to the hon. Member's previous question.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many court cases a screen has been used in order to shield child witnesses from those being proceeded against in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member asked a similar question on 16 November last year, to which I gave an answer that the information was not collected. I am pleased to be able to report that from 1 January 1993 my Department introduced a mechanism for collecting this information in the Crown court. Since that date there have been 18 reported cases in which a screen has been used to shield a child witness in court.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many courts have video-link television equipment installed for the purpose of interviewing child witnesses and other vulnerable persons; where such courts are located; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Live television link equipment, for the purpose of children giving evidence under the provisions of section 32 Criminal Justice Act 1988, has been installed at the 47 Crown court centres listed in the table, which also provides the answer to the hon. Member's further question.

  TV links statistics

  Court

  1989 Used

  1990 Used

  1991 Used

  1992 Used

  Birmingham

  10

  26

  16

  18

  Bradford

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Bristol

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Caernarfon

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Cardiff

  —

  —

  12

  10

  Carlisle

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Central Criminal Court

  4

  4

  3

  2

  Chelmsford

  11

  4

  16

  7

  Chester

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Croydon

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Derby*

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Exeter

  2

  7

  4

  1

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Grimsby

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Guildford

  7

  5

  7

  3

  Harrow

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Hull

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Ipswich*

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kingston upon Thames*

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leeds

  3

  8

  17

  13

  Leicester

  —

  —

  6

  0

  Lewes

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Lincoln

  —

  —

  —

  0

  525

  Court

  1989 Used

  1990 Used

  1991 Used

  1992 Used

  Liverpool

  16

  11

  13

  6

  Luton*

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Maidstone

  15

  18

  4

  3

  Manchester

  2

  6

  1

  0

  Mold

  9

  3

  1

  1

  Newcastle

  —

  —

  11

  5

  Northampton

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Norwich

  —

  —

  2

  1

  Nottingham

  16

  15

  14

  3

  Peterborough*

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plymouth

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Portsmouth

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Preston

  —

  —

  1

  0

  Reading

  —

  —

  1

  0

  St. Albans

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Sheffield

  —

  —

  5

  3

  South wark

  2

  6

  5

  7

  Stafford

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Swansea

  6

  15

  3

  3

  Teesside

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Truro

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Winchester

  5

  0

  5

  0

  Wolverhampton

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Woolwich*

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Installation of equipment at the courts marked "*" took place in 1993

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Benefits Agency business plan for the current year was laid before Parliament.

  Mr. Ancram
  It is expected that the Social Security Agency's 1993–94 business plan will be published in August 1993. The agency's service and financial targets for the year have, however, already been set and are as follows. They are in line with the Government's policy of improving the service provided to customers and fully support the standards established in the Northern Ireland citizens charter. I am satisfied that the targets present a demanding challenge for the agency.

  1. BENEFIT CLEARANCE TIMES (a)

  Per cent.

  In days

  Social fund crisis loans—on the day the need arises

  Social fund community care grants

  65

  7

  95

  20

  Income support

  71

  5

  90

  13

  Sickness/invalidity benefit

  65

  10

  95

  30

  Child benefit

  73

  10

  95

  30

  Family credit

  60

  13

  95

  42

  Disability living allowance

  65

  30

  85

  55

  Retirement pension

  65

  20

  95

  60

  Unemployment benefit

  7·5

  2. BENEFIT ACCURACY

  Income support: to pay the correct amount in at least 92 per cent. of cases. Sickness/invalidity benefit: to pay the correct amount in at least 97 per cent. of cases.

  Family credit: to pay the correct amount in at least 92 per cent. of cases.
  526
  Disability living allowance: to pay the correct amount in at least 96 per cent. of cases.

  Retirement pension: to pay the correct amount in at least 99 per cent. of cases.

  3. CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION (b)

  90 per cent. of customers to regard the agency's service as satisfactory or better.

  4. FINANCIAL RECOVERY

  Recovery of social fund loans—£16·1 million.

  Recovery of income support overpayments—£1·2 million.

  Recovery of centralized benefits overpayments—£0·18 million.

  Benefit savings from detection and prevention of fraud—£10·8 million.

  Increase number of contribution surveys to 6,000—including 1,400 employer educational visits.

  Increase class 1 identified from survey—arrears and in-year savings—to £0·38 million.

  5. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

  To live within a gross allocation of £28·5 million for social fund loans and community care grants.

  To live within the agency's gross administration budget of £119·5 million, of which £113·6 million relates to running costs. A cash efficiency saving of £2·8 million—2·7 per cent.—has been deducted from the running costs—excluding Benefits Agency work.

  Notes:

  (a). Clearance times normally cover the period from the date of receipt of the claim in the agency to the formal decision by the adjudication officer or equivalent. Notification of the result is normally issued the following day. All days refer to working days.

  (b) The customer satisfaction target covers a two-year period and will be measured by an independent survey in 1994–95.

  Hospital Opthalmic Departments
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidelines are given to health and social services boards for keeping and collating statistics in hospital ophthalmic departments; and what data from hospital ophthalmic departments boards are required to collate.

  Mr. Ancram
  The same data are collected for the specialty of ophthalmology as for all other hospital specialties. Details of the forms and how to complete them are given in the guidance manual for Korner central requirements for hospital services. This is supported by a data dictionary which lists the standard definitions to be used throughout Northern Ireland. In addition, anonymised records of patients' diagnoses and any operative procedures carried out are also collected for analysis centrally.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average cost of a visit to a hospital ophthalmic out-patient department.

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is not available at present.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many referrals from general practitioners and optometrists to hospital ophthalmology out-patients clinics there have been since 1985.

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is not available in the form requested. The total number of referrals to hospital ophthalmology out-patient clinics in Northern Ireland since 1985 is as follows:
  527

  Year

  Number

  1985

  19,268

  1986

  19,449

  1987

  18,786

  1988–89

  18,306

  1989–90

  19,106

  1990–91

  19,872

  1991–92

  20,668

  1992–93

  21,832

  Director of Public Health
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if the Eastern Health and social services board intends to re-advertise the post of director of public health;

  (2) when the Eastern health and social services board expects a permanent director of public health to take up the post.

  Mr. Ancram
  The vacant post of director of public health, Eastern health and social services board, was advertised in March 1993. A number of candidates were shortlisted for the post, but following interviews the board did not make an appointment.

  The board intends to readvertise the post and, in the meantime, an effective acting-up arrangement is in place.

  Armagh Health Centre
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to sell the health centre in Armagh; what plans he has for the property to be advertised for sale to the public; and if he will make a statement on the procedures which apply to the sale of publicly owned properties.

  Mr. Ancram
  The general medical practitioners working in Armagh health centre have expressed an interest in buying the premises. The proposal is being considered by the Southern health and social services board and is subject to approval by the Department of Health and Social Services. If the proposal is approved the premises would be sold at a price advised by the district valuer.

  A sale in these circumstances would result in a change of ownership but a continuation of the general medical services currently provided from the health centre. The sale would not therefore be advertised on the open market, nor would it be subject to the normal policy and procedural guidelines for dealing with the disposal of surplus Government land which are contained in DOE (NI) lands service circular No. LSC/1/91. A copy of the said circular has been placed in the Library.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses in Northern Ireland,528
  through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance. Economic development strategy focuses on assisting companies to develop their growth potential and competitiveness and is implemented through the Industrial Development Board (IDB) and the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU)

  Each year, IDB and LEDU set challenging targets and measure performance against both these and performance in the previous year.

  LEDU had a successful year in 1992–93 with a significant rise in activity levels across its range of programmes, including 3,716 individuals receiving enterprise training against a target of 3,000, and 1,429 new business start-ups against a target of 1,215.

  During 1992–93 there was a net increase of employment of 1,020 in LEDU client companies; this represents a significant reversal of the previous years results which showed a net decrease in employment of 650.

  Overall, 1992–93 was also a year of substantial achievement for the IDB when viewed against a background of recession at home and overseas. It was a successful year for inward investment, with 10 projects offering almost 2,000 new jobs having been attracted to Northern Ireland. Companies already based in Northern Ireland, many of them employing fewer than 200 people, have been winning business in the highly competitive international marketplace. Achieving and maintaining international competitiveness is promoted by the IDB as the most important objective which companies should strive towards if they are to survive and grow.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the IDB has taken following the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland into the selective financial assistance criteria employed by the IDB to improve the assessment of the employment potential of projects.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland reported to the House of Commons earlier this year on the application by the Industrial Development Board of its selective financial assistance criteria. This report was the basis of an examination by the Committee of Public Accounts which published its report, containing a number of recommendations, on 22 July 1993. A formal memorandum of reply to the Committee's report will be issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel in early autumn.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implementation of the Industrial Development Board's forward strategy for 1991 to 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Industrial Development Board has reported on the implementation of forward strategy in its annual reports for 1990–91 and 1991–92. A further update will be given in the report of 1992–93 to appear in the autumn. IDB officials report to me on their activities and I have regular meetings with the board's chairman. The board's activities are subject to regular policy evaluation and review.
  529

  Housing
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what comparative assessments have been made between housing associations and the Housing Executive with regard to the value for money in the administration, management and development costs of the different organisations.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is not possible to draw meaningful comparisons of relative value for money between the Housing Executive and housing associations because of the differences in the scale of their operations, in the housing needs which they seek to meet and in age and type of their housing stock. However, work is continuing to develop valid comparisons of management, maintenance and capital costs. A recent assessment of the value for money in new housing schemes confirms that in general both the Housing Executive and housing associations provide value for money.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision for move-on accommodation has been made by the Housing Executive for the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have been advised by the chairman of the Housing Executive that it does not make specific provision for move-on accommodation.

  Selective financial assistance offers

  £000

  Industrial Development Board

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Year

  South Down

  Northern Ireland

  Down, Banbridge and Newry and Mourne

  Northern Ireland

  1981–82

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1,024

  5,545

  1982–83

  162

  144,000

  1,178

  9,027

  1983–84

  2,985

  80,000

  1,375

  13,549

  1984–85

  6,625

  133,000

  1,534

  18,027

  1985–86

  4,307

  72,000

  2,197

  21,759

  1986–87

  1,522

  109,000

  2,241

  18,890

  1987–88

  811

  97,000

  2,563

  18,200

  1988–89

  4,870

  107,000

  3,080

  26,004

  1989–90

  610

  93,000

  887

  21,668

  1990–91

  1,415

  82,000

  2,498

  22,936

  1991–92

  300

  64,000

  1,520

  20,014

  1From 1 September 1982.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Atkins
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations apply in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying it out. The services or functions which have been contracted out in Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office and their agencies, since November 1991, and in which the regulations were not applied, are as follows:

  Building maintenance

  Catering

  Cleaning

  530
  The executive does however provide financial assistance to a number of voluntary agencies working in the homelessness field which provide counselling and resettlement programmes as part of their overall accommodation service. This assistance will amount to approximately £350,000 in 1993–94.

  Selective Financial Assistance
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amounts of selective financial assistance were allocated to industrial enterprises in the constituency of South Down from 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1992; and what were the total amounts of selective financial assistance allocated in each year in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  Information on selective financial assistance offers made by the Industrial Development Board to companies in the South Down constituency is available only from 1 September 1982, when the board was set up. Information on selective financial assistance offers made by the Local Enterprise Development Unit is available only by district council area.

  The table sets out the information available.

  Computer system

  Courier system

  Data processing

  Facilities management

  Grounds maintenance

  Gully emptying

  IT products and services

  Messengers/porterage

  Painting and decorating

  Receptionists/telephonists

  Roads reinstatement

  Security

  Sewer maintenance

  Sludge tinkering

  Stores

  Support typing

  Verge maintenance

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish details of activity in Northern Ireland designed to promote renewable energy sources;
  531
  (2) if he will make an announcement on future non-fossil fuel obligation policy for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  A study, jointly commissioned by Northern Ireland Electricity plc (NIE) and the Department of Economic Development, into the potential for renewable energy has concluded that there are a number of promising renewable technologies for commercial development in Northern Ireland.

  On the basis of the study's findings, and having regard to the Government's commitment to the promotion of commercially viable renewable technologies, I intend to make a non-fossil fuel obligation order next year under article 35 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, requiring NIE to secure the availability of up to 15 MW of power from renewable sources. The size of the order and the technologies included within it, will be determined by the bids received by NIE, having regard to the need for diversity of technologies and the impact on costs to electricity consumers.

  Accordingly, NIE will today be inviting bids from developers and will be announcing details of the arrangements for the processing of such bids.

  I envisage further non-fossil fuel obligation orders being made in future years with the aim of achieving a target of about 45 MW of renewable plant in Northern Ireland by the year 2005.

  Disability Allowances (Women)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women who qualify for severe disablement allowance and invalid care allowance will receive their full entitlement following the decision of the European Court of Justice on 30 March in case C328/91; when they will receive payments; if the payment of arrears will extend beyond 12 months from the date of claim; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. Wylie to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 22 July 1993:
  As I am responsible for Social Security operational matters, your recent Parliamentary Question about the effect of the European Court of Justice decision in case C328/91 as regards the entitlement of women to Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) and Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) has been passed to me for reply.
  Information about the number of women whose entitlement to these benefits falls within the scope of this decision is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, all such claims received after August 1988 have been adjudicated on and, where appropriate, payment made in accordance with normal rules and time limits. A decision regarding the payment of arrears beyond the normal time limit of 12 months is still awaited in separate cases currently before the European Court.
  I hope this is helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the official report and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Paediatrics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vacant posts of consultant paediatricians and senior registrars specializing in paediatrics have 532
  been notified in each of the past five years; on average how long it takes to fill such posts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows, at September in each year:

  Vacant posts

  Consultant paediatricians

  Senior registrars

  1988

  3

  1

  1989

  3

  1

  1990

  3

  0

  1991

  0

  0

  1992

  1

  2

  On average, from notification of vacancies, it takes three months to advertise and select successful candidates.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultant paediatricians and senior registrars are currently in post.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are currently 26 consultant paediatricians and 11 senior registrars employed in the health and personal social services in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) consultant paediatricians and (b) senior registrars currently employed were trained in (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) elsewhere in the United Kingdom, (iii) other European Community countries and (iv) countries outwith the EC.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information sought is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Concessionary Travel
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has concerning the denial of concessionary travel privileges and related concessions to those persons aged 60 years or more who are in receipt of invalidity benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The concessionary fare scheme, which is administered by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, is not linked to the receipt of invalidity benefit.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recorded visits were made by industrialists in connection with potential inward investment to each district council area in Northern Ireland from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993; and of these how many were repeat visits.

  Mr. Atkins
  Details of recorded first and repeat visits by industrialists to each district council area in Northern Ireland are set out in the table.

  1992–93 Visits by District Council Area

  District Council

  First visits

  Repeat visits

  Antrim

  17

  21

  Ards

  2

  3

  Armagh

  2

  1

  533

  District Council

  First visits

  Repeat visits

  Ballymena

  1

  2

  Ballymoney

  3

  1

  Banbridge

  —

  —

  Belfast

  55

  86

  Carrickfergus

  4

  3

  Castlereagh

  6

  2

  Coleraine

  1

  3

  Cookstown

  1

  —

  Craigavon

  7

  8

  Derry

  7

  16

  Down

  5

  1

  Dungannon

  1

  2

  Fermanagh

  2

  2

  Larne

  2

  3

  Limavady

  —

  2

  Lisburn

  5

  6

  Magherafelt

  1

  —

  Moyle

  1

  —

  Newry and Mourne

  4

  6

  Newtownabbey

  18

  12

  North Down

  6

  1

  Omagh

  —

  1

  Strabane

  —

  —

  Total

  151

  182

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Asil Nadir
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Attorney-General, (1) pursuant to his oral statement of 30 June,Official Report, column 967, when he concluded that there was no credible evidence implicating the judge in the case of Regina v. Nadir and Turner in a conspiracy;

  (2) when he expects the police investigation under the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions into the alleged conspiracy to bribe Mr. Justice Tucker to be completed; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) when he first learned of the allegation that the judge in the case of Regina v. Nadir and Turner was involved in a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice;

  (4) when he reviewed the evidence relating to allegations of involvement by the judges in the case of Regina v. Nadir and Turner in a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

  The Attorney-General
  The director of the Serious Fraud Office was informed on 1 October 1992 that the Metropolitan police had commenced an investigation into an alleged plot to bribe the trial judge in the Polly Peck case. I was informed of the position during the week commencing 5 October. The investigation continues and its management is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. I cannot say when it will be completed.

  The evidence gathered during the investigation will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service at its conclusion. The information that no credible evidence had been revealed implicating the judge was confirmed in response to a specific inquiry initiated by me to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the light of speculation and concern caused by the statement made by the hon. Member himself on 29 June.
  534

  Jason Georgiou
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the previous convictions of Paul Smith, a prosecution witness in the case of Jason Georgiou; and in how many other cases he has been a prosecution witness.

  The Attorney-General
  No. Background information of this nature relating to prosecution witnesses is provided to the Crown Prosecution Service solely for use in the course of criminal proceedings.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will outline the evidence which led the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Jason Georgiou with conspiracy to murder; and why the case was dropped.

  The Attorney-General
  No. It is my practice not to give detailed reasons in relation to decisions to prosecute. The Crown Prosecution Service was satisfied that the evidence available at the outset of proceedings was sufficient to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

  The case against Jason Georgiou and three of his co-defendants was dropped because the principal prosecution witness proved unwilling to give evidence at the trial.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  World Bank
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the British contribution to the World Bank group is used(a) for projects that directly benefit the poorest people in developing countries and (b) to help to meet the goals established at the world summit for children.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  United Kingdom contributions are used to support the overall operations of the World bank. The proportion which can be attributed to projects of this kind cannot readily be estimated.

  World bank lending for human resources development has increased almost fivefold since the early 1980s to 14 per cent. of total lending in fiscal years 1990–92, and in particular is focusing on basic social services, including primary health care and education. In fiscal year 1992, the bank estimates that 14 per cent. of new lending was for projects targeted at the poor. A second, equally important, component of the bank's poverty reduction strategy is the promotion of broadly-based economic growth which generates income-earning opportunities for the poor.

  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what opinions have been expressed by the Government to senior officials of the European bank for reconstruction and development on the bank's financial problems.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In discussion with the EBRD senior officials and fellow members, we have consistently emphasised that the bank—like any other public sector organization—has a duty to use the tax payer's resources as cost effectively as possible. We have welcomed the findings of the recently published report of the bank's
  535
  audit committee, which makes a number of proposals to strengthen financial procedures and controls. The bank's financial position remains strong—it made a small operating profit in 1992.

  Structural Adjustment Programmes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 23, what is the proportion of total United Kingdom aid which goes to each of the countries which are currently implementing a World bank or International Monetary Fund structural adjustment programme.

  Mr. Lennox Boyd
  The information requested for the countries listed in my earlier answer is contained in the table.

  United Kingdom bilateral aid in 1991–92 to countries implementing IMF/ World Bank—supported adustment programmes.

  Country

  Aid in £'000

  Percentage of total gross bilateral aid

  Algeria

  336

  0·03

  Bangladesh

  57,731

  5·35

  Bolivia

  3,951

  0·37

  Brazil

  2,710

  0·25

  Colombia

  3,789

  0·35

  Cote d' Ivoire

  5,358

  0·50

  Egypt

  13,406

  1·24

  Ethiopia

  19,099

  1·77

  Gambia, The

  5,812

  0·54

  Ghana

  44,716

  4·14

  Guyana

  5,811

  0·54

  Honduras

  1,468

  0·14

  India

  136,386

  12·63

  Jamaica

  7,511

  0·70

  Jordan

  3,122

  0·29

  Kenya

  37,987

  3·52

  Lesotho

  6,453

  0·60

  Malawi

  23,153

  2·14

  Morocco

  2,029

  0·19

  Mozambique

  18,087

  1·68

  Nepal

  16,664

  1·54

  Nicaragua

  206

  0·02

  Pakistan

  37,239

  3·45

  Philippines

  7,357

  0·68

  Senegal

  1,560

  0·14

  Sierra Leone

  2,275

  0·21

  Sri Lanka

  11,249

  1·04

  Tanzania

  32,454

  3·01

  Uganda

  26,960

  2·50

  Zambia

  34,425

  3·19

  Zimbabwe

  47,671

  4·42

  Total: Developing countries

  616,975

  57·14

  United Kingdom contributions to multilateral institutions 1982–1991

  (£'000)

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  IBRD

  —

  1,600

  28,146

  3,764

  26,888

  20,168

  6,561

  12,646

  10,255

  11,782

  IDA

  153,481

  203,860

  169,218

  124,438

  118,557

  133,000

  207,000

  169,500

  173,000

  188,866

  IFC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,177

  4,129

  3,558

  3,728

  250

  430

  MIGA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,098

  —

  —

  —

  IMF

  230

  —

  10

  —

  59

  22

  8,626

  17,060

  46

  3,189

  AfDB

  —

  2,204

  2,204

  2,204

  2,313

  2,310

  329

  1,706

  1,839

  1,936

  AfDF

  3,750

  2,452

  8,442

  2,955

  8,096

  7,217

  6,374

  5,341

  11,232

  10,265

  AsDB

  —

  1,394

  1,424

  1,334

  1,524

  775

  1,172

  703

  703

  706

  AsDF

  4,399

  4,321

  7,882

  14,190

  12,384

  10,729

  13,045

  19,775

  16,504

  19,054

  536

  Country

  Aid in £'000

  Percentage of bilateral assistance to central and eastern Europe

  Bulgaria

  1149

  2·15

  Czech and Slovak Federal Rep.

  7013

  13·14

  Hungary

  6315

  11·83

  Poland

  10734

  20·11

  Total: Central and Eastern Europe

  25211

  47·23

  Source: British Aid Statistics 1987–88 to 1991–92

  Russia
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State For Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of aid to Russia goes in the form of British manufactured goods and how much in direct cash payments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We make no direct cash payments to Russia under the British bilateral aid programme; nor do we deliver aid in the form of British manufactured goods. The know-how fund transfers key British skills through technical co-operation projects.

  Development Institutions
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a table setting out, for each year since 1982, the total contribution made by Her Majesty's Government to each of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development bank, the African Development bank and the Asian Development bank; and, in each case, what Her Majesty's Government's contribution represents as a percentage of the annual income and expenditure of each institution.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The table sets out United Kingdom contributions to each of the institutions. United Kingdom shareholdings in most of the institutions are determined at the time of periodic capital increases or of replenishments of concessional funds. In the case of the International Monetary Fund, the United Kingdom's stakeholding is determined by its quota, which is effectively a loan remunerated at a market-related interest rate. Multilateral development bank operations are funded mainly by borrowings on the international capital markets. Expressing contributions as a percentage of annual income and expenditure is of marginal utility, therefore, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  537

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  IADB

  679

  667

  1,195

  1,585

  1,793

  1,869

  1,491

  1,281

  774

  503

  IADB:FSO

  4,585

  4,110

  7,316

  11,666

  9,689

  5,346

  3,001

  1,020

  1,401

  —

  Notes:

  1. The IMF figures shown are for United Kingdom contributions to various facilities, including, from 1988 on, the enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF) interest subsidy account.

  In common with other members, the United Kingdom's principal contribution to the IMF is in the form of a loan, the "quota", on which is paid a market-related rate of interest. As part of the 1983 general quota increase, the United Kingdom increased its loan by SDR 1,806·5 million. As part of the 1992 general quota increase, the United Kingdom increased its loan by a further SDR 1,220·6 million. At the current rate of exchange between the £ and SDR, these amounts are equivalent to approximately £1·7 billion and £1·1 billion respectively.

  2. Acronyms

  IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("World Bank"); IDA: International Development Association; IFC: International Finance Corporation; MIGA: Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; IMF: International Monetary Fund; AfDB: African Development Bank; AfDF: African Development Fund; AsDB: Asian Development Bank; AsDF: Asian Development Fund; IADB: Inter-American Development Bank; IADB FSO: IADB Fund for Special Operations.

HEALTH

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names and occupations of the chairs and non-executive directors of each national health service trust in each regional health authority other than the Wessex and Northern regions.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth) on 20 July at column 121.

  Generic Drugs
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the savings obtainable if all drugs were prescribed generically.

  Formal admissions to NHS facilities, Private Nursing Homes (authorised to detain patients under the Registered Homes Act 1984) and Special Hospitals of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, by legal status England 1985–1989–90

  England

  Numbers

  Legal status

  Numbers (a)

  1985

  1986

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Total formal admissions (d)

  8,153

  9,134

  7,904

  8,792

  8,004

  8,773

  8,247

  8,993

  8,614

  8,698

  Under Mental Health Act 1983: Non-offenders

  2 (assessment, with or without treatment)

  3,121

  4,780

  3,416

  4,971

  3,716

  5,151

  4,047

  5,468

  4,301

  5,233

  3 (to hospital for treatment)

  943

  1,161

  902

  1,075

  1,193

  1,349

  1,322

  1,535

  1,437

  1,580

  4 (for assessment in emergency)

  1,525

  1,939

  1,205

  1,581

  945

  1,251

  885

  1,145

  826

  1,042

  5(2) (power to hold informal patient already in hospital)

  130

  137

  129

  148

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  Mentally disordered offenders

  35 (remanded to hospital for report)

  114

  32

  158

  43

  188

  46

  240

  59

  230

  54

  36 (remanded to hospital for treatment)

  28

  5

  26

  7

  31

  7

  28

  1

  33

  5

  37(4)(convicted person detained in a place of safety pending admission to hospital)

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  62

  18

  59

  25

  68

  18

  37 (convicted person sent to hospital for treatment with S.41 restrictions) (b)

  157

  22

  150

  20

  230

  45

  175

  41

  194

  41

  538
  Mr. Sackville
  An estimate, based on prescribing statistics for 1992 in England, suggests that savings of up to £80 million could have been achieved if all drugs which could have been dispensed in the generic form had been prescribed generically.

  Psychiatric Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) woman, (b) men and (c) people from an ethnic minority were sectioned by section, under the mental Health Acts; and how many admissions there have been in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally. Information on the number of admissions by gender and sections of the 1983 Mental Health Acts and other Acts is shown in the table.
  539

  Legal status

  Numbers (a)

  1985

  1986

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  37 (convicted person sent to hospital for treatment without S.41 restrictions)

  646

  127

  640

  131

  403

  106

  404

  72

  516

  101

  38 (interim hospital order)

  33

  12

  34

  6

  43

  11

  55

  8

  59

  12

  44 (patient committed to hospital pending Crown Court hearing for restriction order)

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  46 (detained during Her Majesty's pleasure)

  2

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  47 and 48 (prisoner transferred to hospital with S.49 restrictions)

  20

  5

  27

  4

  47

  11

  76

  8

  99

  6

  47 and 48 (prisoner transferred to hospital without S.49 restrictions)

  46

  13

  71

  11

  44

  8

  56

  10

  41

  7

  Place of safety orders

  135 (warrant to remove to a place of safety)

  80

  56

  58

  57

  22

  36

  33

  50

  35

  47

  136 (removal by police from a public place to a place of safety)

  1,070

  763

  867

  656

  742

  533

  670

  492

  562

  473

  Previous legislation (Fifth Schedule)

  34

  19

  30

  22

  5

  3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Other Acts (c)

  23

  11

  10

  6

  148

  160

  30

  39

  48

  47

  Notes:

  (a) Figures for 1985–86 were collected by the mental health inquiry from all mental illness. mental handicap hospitals and units and were based on calendar years. Figures from 1987–88 refer to the financial year and were collected on form KH15 from NHS facilities. Data for special hospitals are also on a calendar year basis for 1985–89.

  (b) These figures for 1985–1986 include section 37(4)

  (c) "Other Acts" includes Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964, section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948, sections 1, 2 or 12 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 and section 3 of the Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973.

  (d) Data for special hospitals by sex are only included in the total number of formal admissions.

  —nil or negligible.

  ..not collected.

  . not available.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she now expects to publish the Reed committee report on high security psychiatric care.

  Mr. Bowis
  Later in the year.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to complete the review of funding for those people needing psychiatric care; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Conclusions following our review of legal powers on the care of mentally ill people in the community will be announced shortly.

  Wandsworth (Operations)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the number of operating theatre sessions held and cancelled in the Wandsworth health authority in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Scheduled sessions—all specialties

  Year

  Number

  Held

  1990

  7,842

  1991

  7,057

  540

  Year

  Number

  1992

  7,776

  Cancelled

  1990

  492

  1991

  545

  1992

  733

  Novel Surgical Procedures
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account will be taken in the budget of the NHS central research and development committee standing group on health technology of its new function in reviewing and regulating novel surgical procedures.

  Mr. Sackville
  Following the Advisory Council on Science and Technology report on medical research and health, the central research and development committee standing group on health technology has been asked to advise on a strategy to achieve appropriate control and monitoring of new surgical procedures, taking account of the roles and responsibilities of health professionals, their professional bodies, and local and central management in the reformed national health service. Until a mechanism is identified and agreed, it is not possible to estimate the
  541
  resources that may be required to support the work of the steering group and its advisory panels or to fund the research it recommends.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers the NHS central research and development committee standing group on health technology will have to control the introduction and dissemination of novel surgical procedures.

  Mr. Sackville
  The standing group on health technology will advise on new technologies where, because of their potential risk, cost, ethical implications or other relevant factors, there is a particular need to control diffusion until more information is available. The management executive of the national health service is currently considering how diffusion of such technologies can best be controlled. Following the Advisory Council on Science and Technology report on medical research and health, the central research and development committee standing group on health technology has been asked to advise on a strategy to achieve appropriate control and monitoring of new surgical procedures, taking account of the roles and responsibilities of health professionals, their professional bodies, and local and central management in the reformed NHS.

  Midwives
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the number of midwifery staff whole-time equivalents in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Year

  Midwifery staff

  1987

  23,300

  1988

  23,310

  1989

  22,940

  1990

  23,770

  1991

  23,040

  Notes:

  Figures for England, as of 30 September and are quoted in whole-time equivalents.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Figures include hospital and community midwives, senior nurses/midwives and directors of nursing services working within midwifery, and student midwives.

  London Family Health Service Authorities
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the allocations for staff premises and computing for each family health services authority in the area covered by the London implementation group for 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally. Allocations for staff, premises and computing for individual family health services authorities within the London initiative zone are determined by the relevant regional health authority in accordance with its assessment of local needs and priorities.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total development moneys allocated for 1992 and 1993–94 to each FHSA covered by the London implementation group and provided for in "Making London Better".
  542
  Mr. Sackville
  Allocations of development monies to family health services authorities are determined by the regional health authorities in accordance with their assessment of priorities for the improvement of primary health care services.

  Qa Business Services
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department was consulted by West Midlands regional health authority in 1989 on(a) the content of the Wraith and Casey market research report into the potential west midlands customer base for Qa Business Services and (b) the West Midlands regional health authority's own estimates of potential redundancies in the management services division consequent upon its privatisation.

  Mr. Sackville
  We are not aware that any such consultation took place.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what further consideration her Department will give to making available financial assistance to the ex-employees of Qa Business Services on the lines of those given to civil servants transferred to TICC Ltd. on the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency;

  (2) what representations her Department has received regarding the announcement by West Midlands regional health authority on 15 July that it had no legal or moral responsibility to provide financial compensation to the ex-employees of Qa Business Services; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We regret that individuals have experienced financial loss following the collapse of Qa Business Services Ltd. in 1991. West Midlands regional health authority has examined the issue carefully; they have met with a group of former Qa employees on several occasions and invited them to submit any information they held which could substantiate a claim for compensation. After a full and exhaustive review of this evidence, West Midlands regional health authority concluded on the 15 July 1993 that, on present evidence, there was insufficient grounds for the regional health authority to accept responsibility for making compensatory payments. We have been kept fully informed on this issue and on the basis of the evidence available to us at this time we have accepted the region's conclusion. We have recieved no representations on this issue since 15 July.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department held on the future commercial viability of Qa Business Services when it announced that Qa Business Services had been given the waiting list initiative contract on 27 February 1991.

  Mr. Sackville
  This contract was awarded to Qa Business Services on the basis of its previous work for the Department on the management of waiting lists.

  West Midlands RHA
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations her Department received from the legal department of West Midlands regional health authority in November 1991 concerning the sale of the regional health authority's management services division.

  Mr. Sackville
  We are not aware that the Department received any such representations in November 1991.
  543
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department has on whether the actions and decisions taken by West Midlands regional health authority officers in pursuit of the privatisation of the regional health authority's management services division were fully documented; and whether proper reporting procedures were fully adhered to.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information of this nature is provided through the statutory audit process. The management buy-out of the region's management information services division was covered in the district auditor's report of 15 April 1993. A copy of this report was sent to the Department.

  Diabetic Eye Disease
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that all diabetics are screened annually for diabetic eye disease.

  Mr. Sackville
  Since 1 July this year general practitioners will receive separate fixed payments for organising a programme of chronic disease management either for diabetes or asthma. Practices choosing to participate are required to ensure that on initial diagnosis and at least annually a full review of the patient's health is carried out including checks for potential complications. A joint Department of Health/British Diabetic Association task force on diabetes has been established to consider all aspects of the St. Vincent recommendations and will be considering what, if any, further advice should be offered on screening for diabetic retinopathy.

  Staff Pensions
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific guidance her Department issues to regional and district health authorities on the protection of pension rights of staff transferred to employment in the private sector; and whether such guidance includes reference to the consideration of the consequences upon newly founded company pension schemes of the early collapse of companies.

  Mr. Sackville
  Advice has been issued to all national health service employers about overall terms and conditions of employment, including pensions, when an undertaking is transferred. NHS employers are also asked to issue to all staff leaving the NHS pension scheme, a leaflet which explains the pensions options open to them. This leaflet advises staff to think carefully before making any decision affecting their pension rights and, if unsure, to seek independent financial advice. A copy of "NHS Pension Scheme—Leaving the Scheme" will be placed in the Library.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish new guidelines concerning the management of difficult children in residential care homes.

  Mr. Bowis
  On 28 April 1993 the Department published guidance on permissible forms of control in children's residential care, which is available in the Library. In addition, we have commissioned the Open university to produce a catalogue of training material for staff who have to deal with difficult adolescents.
  544

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hearing aids were supplied(a) by the NHS and (b) privately in each year for the past 10 years (i) in total and (ii) to people aged over 64 years.

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of hearing aids issued to national health service hearing aid centres since 1984 is shown in the table. No data are available prior to 1984 or on private provision.

  Number of hearing aids issued to NHS hearing aid centres 1984–93

  Number

  1984–85

  601,203

  1985–86

  595,676

  1986–87

  640,949

  1987–88

  694,731

  1988–89

  628,470

  1989–90

  626,065

  1990–91

  591,468

  1991–92

  591,049

  1992–93

  591,228

  Counterfeit Medicines
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department has concerning(a) the current state of progress of the proposed EC directive on the distance selling of medicines and (b) the extent of the trade in the United Kingdom and the EC in counterfeit and reimported medicines.

  Mr. Sackville
  A European Commission proposal for a directive on distance selling is under discussion in Brussels. A first reading of the Commission's proposal has been completed. The European Parliament has recently submitted its opinion on the proposal. The Commission is now revising the text of the proposal to take account of that opinion and of the views of member states. It is expected the discussions of the revised text will begin in Brussels in September.

  There has been one instance of a fake medicinal product in the last 12 months in the United Kingdom which was intercepted before it reached the public. Records are not maintained of medicinal products legitimately reimported.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health where the counterfeit medicines discovered in the United Kingdom during the last three years were produced.

  Mr. Sackville
  Three instances of fake medicines have been discovered in the last three years. Production sources were never proven but investigators believed that the products came from a variety of sources.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department is taking to ensure that counterfeit and copycat versions of British medicines illicitly produced in Northern Cyprus are not reaching the NHS market.

  Mr. Sackville
  Any report of alleged counterfeit or copycat version of British medicines illicitly produced in northern Cyprus reaching the national health service market would be immediately investigated by the Medicines Control Agency. In addition, the agency
  545
  undertakes regular inspections of wholesale distribution and independently samples a range of products available to the public. Both inspection and sampling procedures include mechanisms to identify possible suspect products.

  Mr. Dalyell
  The ask the Secretary of State for Health what support the United Kingdom Government have given to the World Health Organisation campaign against counterfeit medicines.

  Mr. Sackville
  The United Kingdom Government are in regular contact with World Health Organisation (WHO) and actively support its campaign against counterfeit medicines. The United Kingdom has been at the forefront in assisting WHO with the development of a unified scheme for the certification of medicinal products which are traded internationally. The Medicines Control Agency shares with WHO its own experiences and strategies gained from investigations into counterfeit medicines.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in her Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information at 24 May is as follows:

  Number

  Administrative Assistants

  6

  Administrative Officers

  17

  Executive Officers

  81

  Higher Executive Officers

  58

  Senior Executive Officers

  30

  Senior Principal Technical Officers

  2

  Unified Grade 7s

  29

  TOTAL

  223

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all those services or functions contracted out in her Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Sackville
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) applies in any particular case will depend on the specification for the work to be carried out and the contractor's own proposals for meeting the specification. Since November 1991, the following services and functions have been contracted out as a result of market testing, and have not been affected by TUPE:

  Department of Health

  Office and building services, Quarry house

  Catering and building services, Skipton house

  The health survey for England

  National Health Service Estates Agency

  Clerical and secretarial support services

  546

  Geriatric Beds
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the number of long-stay geriatric beds in England in total and by health authority each year from 1985; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information collected by the Department on numbers of geriatric beds does not separately identify those used for continuing care.

  Racial Discrimination
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS employees or applicants for employment have won actions or had their actions settled in their favour for racial discrimination in selection or dismissal in the NHS in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  NHS Trusts Federation
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money the NHS Trusts Federation receives(a) from her Department and (b) from NHS trusts.

  Mr. Sackville
  The National Health Service Trusts Federation does not receive funding from the Department. Subscriptions from NHS trusts are a matter for the NHS Trusts Federation.

  Water Disconnections
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has commissioned into the health consequences for families of having their water supplies disconnected; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Surgical Operations
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of surgical operations were carried out outside normal working hours in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of surgical operations carried out outside normal working hours is not available centrally. The table shows the percentage of operations performed outside scheduled sessions—ie notional half days, usually within the working day, Monday to Friday.

  Year

  Percentage of operations outside scheduled sessions

  1987–88

  16·3

  1988–89

  16·2

  1989–90

  16·2

  1990–91

  16·7

  1991–92

  16·0

  Source: KHO8
  547

  Young People
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been made by or on behalf of children and young people under the provision of the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunals) Regulations 1974 in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints from children have been received to date by each social services department in England under section 26 of the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Bowis
  The first report to Parliament of the working of the Children Act 1989, a copy of which is available in the Library shows that, at 30 June 1992, 3,810 complaints in total had been received of which 542 were from children. Information is not available centrally by local authority.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been identified as having contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease according to the most recently available figures; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Figures are contained in the second annual report on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in the United Kingdom produced by Dr. R. G. Will and colleagues from the national CJD surveillance unit, Edinburgh. The table shows definite and probable cases of CJD notified to the unit during the first three years of the prospective study:

  Definite and probable cases of CJD in the United Kingdom

  Number

  1 May 1990 to 30 April 1991

  32

  1 May 1991 to 30 April 1992

  37

  1 May 1992 to 30 April 1993

  48

  The figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 update those in the first annual report.

  Although there has been a rise in the annual incidence of cases of CJD notified to the unit, the report concludes that this is not statistically significant and is likely to be related to increased ascertainment of cases. The report also confirms that there has been no significant change in the epidemiological or clinical characteristics of CJD since the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). A preliminary analysis of dietary history provides no convincing evidence of an increase in incidence of CJD in relation to possible dietary exposure to BSE. It will, however, be necessary to continue the study into the incidence of CJD for a decade or more to detect any change in the pattern of the disease.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Anthrax Vaccine
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many locations are licensed for the(a) manufacture and (b) storage of anthrax vaccine.

  Mr. Sackville
  Two sites in England are licensed for the manufacture of anthrax vaccine and five sites for its storage.
  548
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commenced into side effects of the administration of(a) anthrax vaccine and (b) penicillin-resistant anthrax vaccine; and what were the results.

  Mr. Sackville
  Anthrax vaccine is a licensed product in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968. As with all licensed medicinal products, administering physicians are expected to report all serious suspected adverse reactions to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines, using the "yellow card" system. Such reports are carefully scrutinised and followed up where necessary. Penicillin resistance or sensitivity of an infecting organism is not related to vaccine composition.

  Centre for Applied Microbiological Research
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will place in the Library the corporate and business plans for the special health authority covering the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research;

  (2) if she will place in the Library the accounts and corporate plans of the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research for the last three years and the current corporate plan, indicating if they are separate plans and reports or incorporated within the Public Health Laboratory Service reports;

  (3) if she will list the chair and members of the special health authority covering the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research, together with their salaries, and other remuneration and their other present or previous occupations and employment;

  (4) what resources are allocated to the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research in 1993–94; and what resources were allocated to it as part of the Public Health Laboratory Service in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The centre remains part of the Public Health Laboratory Service board (PHLSB) until its functions are transferred to a new body: it is likely that this will not be until after the end of this financial year. It obtains resources from a variety of sources, including sales of products under a distributorship and marketing agreement with Porton Products Ltd., contracts with other commercial companies and public sector bodies, and funding through the PHLSB for work undertaken for the board. It has not in the past published its own corporate plan, although it is referred to within the plans produced by the PHLSB. No chairman or members of a new authority have yet been appointed. However Mr. J. E. Everitt, at present chairman and chief executive of Vickers Medical, is acting as chairman-designate to steer the establishment of the new body.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many employees there are at the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research currently; and what were the figures for 1 April of each year since 1990.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is:

  Year

  Number

  1 April 1990

  461

  1 April 1991

  440

  1 April 1992

  467

  1 April 1993

  457

  1 July 1993

  459

  549

  Porton International
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the agreement between the Government and Porton International comes to an end; and what was the revenue to her Department arising from the agreement in each of the last three financial years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The distributorship and marketing agreement between Porton Products Ltd. and the Public Health Laboratory Services board (PHLSB) can be terminated by either side in October 1998. The revenue arising to the PHLSB from the agreement was £3·7 million in 1990–91, £6·8 million in 1991–92 and £6·9 million in 1992–93.

  NHS Trust Directors (Political Affiliations)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are her guidelines to regional health authorities and NHS trust chairpersons on vetting applications for NHS trust directors with respect to political party affiliation.

  Mr. Sackville
  My hon. Friend the Minister of Health has written to regional health authority chairmen seeking their recommendations for appointment of national health service trust non-executive directors, and providing guidance on the criteria to be followed. This guidance does not cover the issue of political affiliation: we do not seek information on this. People are appointed to health authorities and trusts for their personal qualities, and for the skills they bring to the management and strategic direction of the NHS trust. Copies of the guidance will be placed in the Library.

  Nursing Education
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the responsibilities of regional health authorities for funding nurse education; and what monitoring is given to the discharge of these responsibilities.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regions use top-sliced funds to purchase the training places required by employers to ensure the number of qualified staff matches the demand employers identify. Regular monitoring is carried out through the national health service management executive.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the ring-fenced money allocated to regional health authorities to provide nurse pre-registration courses has actually been used for this purpose; and to what use any not so used has been put.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1992–93, all the money allocated for pre-registration nurse training was used as intended.

  Consultant and senior registrar paediatricians by country of qualification in England and Wales—30 September 1991 Paediatric specialties

  United Kingdom

  Other European Community countries

  Elsewhere

  Total

  Consultant

  812

  8

  81

  901

  Senior registrar

  179

  3

  31

  213

  550
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing students there were in each of the four Thames regions, in the years 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. Sackville
  The figures show that the number of nursing students in each of the Thames regions as at 31 March 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  1990

  1991

  1992

  North East Thames

  6,030

  5,730

  6,310

  North West Thames

  3,940

  3,740

  4,150

  South East Thames

  4,170

  4,300

  4,460

  South West Thames

  2,830

  2,740

  2,810

  Notes:

  (1) The figures include those in pre-registration nursing, district nursing and district enrolled nursing courses.

  (2) All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students are projected to enter nursing education in each of the four Thames regions in the years 1993, 1994 and 1995.

  Mr. Sackville
  The four Thames regions will commission 5,767 training places for nursing in 1993–94. Information is not available centrally for projections to be made for 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Paediatrics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant paediatricians and senior registrars specialising in paediatrics are in post on a full-time equivalent in England and Wales.

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

  Consultant and senior registrar paediatricians England and Wales at 30 September 1991 Paediatric Specialties

  Whole-time equivalent

  Consultants

  828·4

  Senior Registrars

  184·8

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) consultant paediatricians and (b) senior registrars specialising in paediatrics currently employed in England and Wales were trained in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) other European Community countries and (iii) countries outwith the EC.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table.
  551
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant posts of consultant paediatricians and senior registrars specialising in paediatrics have been notified in each of the past five years; on average how long it takes to fill such posts; and if she will make a statement.

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

  Number of vacant posts for consultant and senior registrar paediatricians at 30 September 1987 to 1991 (England and Wales)

  Year

  Consultants

  Senior Registrars

  1987

  14

  6

  1988

  18

  6

  1989

  22

  9

  1990

  33

  10

  1991

  30

  6

  Notes:

  1. Data on time to fill such posts are not available.

  2. Paediatrics is known to be a shortage specialty and the number of senior registrar posts is being increased.

  General Practitioners (Drug Prescribing)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table setting out the total of the amount by which general practitioners' expenditure on prescribed drugs exceeded indicative limits in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Sackville
  The indicative prescribing scheme started in April 1991, therefore figures for 1990–91 are not available. Information for 1991–92 and 1992–93 is shown in the table.

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  Indicative amount

  2,231,489,967

  2,367,401,869

  Expenditure

  2,414,708,258

  2,545,374,139

  Difference

  +183,218,291

  +177,972,270

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to bring the budget for general practitioner prescriptions within the cash-limited budgets of health authorities or health commissions; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The cost of drugs prescribed by general practitioner fund holders are contained within fund-holding budgets, which in turn form part of the cash limited hospital, community and family health services budgets of regional health authorities. We have no plans to extend these arrangements to non-fund-holding general practitioners.

  Locum Doctors
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will require all national health service provider authorities and trusts to take up references on applicants for locum clinical appointments; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if she will make a statement on the arrangements whereby locum doctors are appointed in the hospital service.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health authorities and national health service trusts are responsible for the appointment of locum 552
  doctors in the hospital service. There are clear guidelines from the Department, designed to ensure that locum doctors are of an adequate standard to carry out the duties required of them. These include both checks on qualifications and references from previous employers. Copies of the guidelines (EL(89)P/148 and EL(92)53) are available in the Library.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide an estimate for the value of funding allocations retained by general practitioner fund holders at the year end.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information will not be available until the final 1992–93 accounts have been audited.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 20 July,Official Report, column 14, if she will estimate expenditure on trusts for 1993–94.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) on 17 May at column 29.

  District Health Authority
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average annual cost per whole-time equivalent at(a) current and (b) 1986–87 prices in each year from 1986–87 of an executive member of a district health authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Complaints Review
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has appointed the members of the complaints review she announced at 18 June.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I am pleased to announce that the following have agreed to be members of the National Health Service Complaints Review Committee chaired by Professor Wilson:

  Professor Judy Allsop, Professor of Health Policy, South Bank University; member, Citizen's Charter Complaints Task Force.

  Dr. Ewen Bramwell, General Practitioner.

  Mr. Chris Dabbs, Chief Officer, Salford Community Health Council.

  Mr. Steve Forster, Personnel Director, London and Scandinavian Metallurgical Co. Ltd; member, Rotherham FHSA.

  Mrs. VivienneHarpwood, Head of Medico-legal Department, University College of Wales, Cardiff.

  Mrs. Deirdre Hutton, Chair, Scottish Consumer Council.

  Mr. John James, Chief Executive, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster FHSA.

  Mr. Pat Killen, Managing Director, Tyrone Crystal; Chairman, Northern Ireland Citizen's Charter Board.

  Mr. Bruce MacGillivray, Consultant in Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal Free Hospital Trust.

  Rabbi Julia Neuberger, Chair, Camden and Islington Community Trust; Vice President, Patients Association.

  Ms Irene Scott, Nurse Executive Director, Christie Hospital

  553

  Empty Homes
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant bed spaces were identified in the task force on empty homes as being in the ownership of NHS Estates but unsuitable for commercial or social lettings; and how many of them were(a) in nurses' hostels, (b) in doctors' residences, (c) inside hospital grounds, (d) outside hospital grounds and (e) in each regional health authority area.

  Mr. Sackville
  Vacant bed spaces in hostels were generally considered by the task force to be unsuitable for commercial or social lettings. Based on a survey which covered about 75 per cent. of the national health service, it is estimated that at 1 December last year there were 11,400 vacant hostel places, of which 9,280 were inside, and 2,120 outside hospital grounds. Analysis of this information by nurses' hostels, doctors' residencies and regional health authority area are not available. Ownership responsibility for NHS staff residential accommodation lies with health authorities and trusts. The Department is issuing guidance which will include examples of good practice to encourage and assist NHS authorities to make use of empty places wherever practicable.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many empty bed spaces identified by her Department for the empty homes task force were(a) in hostels with shared facilities where all the bed spaces are vacant, (b) in hostels with shared facilities where some of the bed spaces are occupied and (c) in hostels or homes without shared facilities.

  Mr. Sackville
  From the survey carried out last year, it is estimated that across the national health service at 1 December the number of empty bed spaces were(a) 200, (b) 11,200 and (c) 3,700. These figures include properties being refurbished, due for demolition, and in the process of disposal as well as those available for letting.

  Dentistry (Sterilisation)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration she has given to the provision of additional funding to NHS dental practices to cover the cost of heat-sterilising handpieces between the treatment of each patient.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department reimburses in full to the profession, on an average basis, all dentists' national health service practice expenses. In 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 the health Departments, in their discussions with the profession in the dental rates study group (DRSG), explicitly recognised that dentists were likely to incur additional expenses for cross infection control and extra money was made available in those years. From 1990–91 onwards, any additional costs incurred from 1987–88 to 1989–90 are included in the baseline of dentists' practice expenses used by the DRSG to forecast dentists' future expenses and would have been reimbursed in the normal way.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data are held by her Department in relation to the different sterilisation practices employed by NHS dental practitioners for the cleaning of dental handpieces and the number of dentists who use each technique.
  554
  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Alcohol and Drug Treatment
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of whether sufficient residential treatment is now available for people with alcohol or drug problems;

  (2) how many residential services for people with alcohol or drug problems have deregistered with their local authority since January; and how many bed spaces this involves;

  (3) when she will make available the report from Goldsmiths college on the implementation of community care and its impact on the provision of residential treatment for people with alcohol or drug problems.

  Mr. Bowis
  Comprehensive information on residential services for people who misuse alcohol and drugs and on the scale of deregistration is not available centrally. It is expected that some data on these aspects of services provision will be included in the report by Goldsmiths college which has been commissioned to monitor the impact of community care on service provision for alcohol and drug misusers during the first three months of implementation. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Ultrasound
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she had made of the evaluation carried out as to the long-term safety of ultrasound exposure of the foetus and newborn; and on what studies she had based her conclusions.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: The available evidence on the safety of ultrasound in pregnancy is contained in the publication "Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth" (1989), a copy of which is available in the Library. It concluded that:
  "so far, there is no evidence that ultrasonography in human pregnancy has any harmful biological or physical effects."

  Details of trials conducted since 1989 are included in the Oxford database of perinatal trials. Copies of extracts from the database relating to ultrasound will be placed in the Library.

  An ad hoc group of the Chief Medical Officer's radiological advisory committee is currently examining the general safety of ultrasound.

  Hypnotherapy
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to introduce standardisation of training techniques, registration on a community basis and certification for hypnotherapists; if she will give details of her Department's response to the British Medical Association's report "Complementary Medicine—New Approaches to Good Practice"; and if she will make a statement about her Department's view of hypnotherapy services and their funding.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: We support the efforts of reputable training institutes in hypnotherapy to develop standards of training, voluntary registration and certification of hypnotherapists. The

  555
  British Medical Association's report will make a significant contribution to aiding understanding in the field of complementary medicine and we shall consider its recommendations with interest and care. Hypnotherapy is, in some cases, already provided in the national health service as an adjunct to other treatment by doctors, dentists, psychologists and other health care professionals. We are currently reviewing these matters to examine whether there is a further role for Government in promoting safe and competent practice in this field.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government continue to help small businesses through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  My Department has been an active participant in the Government's deregulation initiative. It is undertaking a thorough review of the impact of regulations, from whatever source, on the business sectors in which it has a policy interest, and I have recently commissioned a report on deregulation and the tourism industry, which includes a large number of small businesses. The Department will undertake a risk analysis and full compliance cost assessment before putting forward any new regulatory measures which might affect business, and aims to maintain and improve its links and consultation arrangements with businesses operating within the areas where I have a policy interest.

  The Department's fundamental review of the public library service will reflect the extent to which public libraries play a key role in the provision of information for small businesses.

  Businesses of various sizes have been successful in tendering competitively for the provision of contracted out services, in supplies and works for the Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Sproat
  There are no staff employed in the automatic data processing functional specialism in the Department of National Heritage or its agencies.

  Victoria County History
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient financial support for the continuation of the Victoria county history.
  556
  Mr. Sproat
  I am aware of the concerns about funding for the Victoria county history (VCH) and I know that my hon. Friend visited the Secretary of State for National Heritage with colleagues last December.

  Funding for the VCH does not fall to the Department of National Heritage, but rests with the university of London and the county councils. However, my Department recognises the valuable work being done by the VCH and has identified some possible sources of additional funding, details of which have been passed to the Institute of Historical Research, which manages the project.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what arrangement his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape;

  (2) what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Department of National Heritage keeps under review the need to make information available to blind and partially sighted people.

  Last year, the Department made available Braille copies of the popular version of the BBC consultation document issued by the Department.

  Royal Parks
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the next stage of the review of the royal parks will commence.

  Mr. Sproat
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its chief executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. R. Boyce to Mr. Nick Raynsford, dated 26 July 1993:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Written Parliamentary Question asking:
  When the next stage of the Review of the Royal Parks will commence.
  The Review group chaired by Dame Jennifer Jenkins have recently completed their report on St. James's Park, The Green Park and Regent's Park. The programme for future reviews is still to be decided.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Church of England
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make it his policy to review the amount of time given by Parliament to, and the cost to Parliament of, the consideration of Church of England matters.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no plans to do so.
  557

  Sittings of the House
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he is now in a position to respond to the report from the Select Committee on Sittings of the House (House of Commons Paper 20 of Session 1991–92).

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on the progress of amending the hours of sittings of the House.

  Mr. Newton
  In the light of further discussions I have had with the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) I will want to consider how we might take this forward. I regret that we have been unable to make more progress before the recess.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what proposals he has to implement the recommendations of the Procedure Committee's report on parliamentary questions, first report of 1992–93 (HC 687).

  Mr. Newton
  The Government are presently considering its further response to the Procedure Committee report in the light of that Committee's revised recommendations following the Government's original response.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the total number of staff employed in his office; and how many are men and how many women.
  558
  Mr. Newton
  The total number of staff employed in the Privy Council Office is 33 of which 16 are women. In my private office the figures are seven and four respectively.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will set up a Select Committee to consider whether the House should be consulted before further military action is taken against Iraq.

  Mr. Newton
  No. Ample opportunity already exists for discussion of these issues and, in fact, I understand the hon. Member has one of the Consolidated Fund debates later this evening on matters relating to Iraq.

  Nursery Facilities
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will make a statement on the progress of the survey of possible users of nursery facilities within the Palace.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The Administration Committee has reached agreement on which company should conduct the survey of potential demand for child care facilities. Arrangements are being made for the preparation of a questionnaire which will be circulated in the autumn to Members, their staff, staff of the House, and others employed on the parliamentary estate.
  559

PRIME MINISTER

  Japan (Visit)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what specific representations he received from Japanese non-governmental organisations on(a) nuclear nonproliferation, (b) international trade in plutonium and other nuclear explosives and (c) nuclear waste management assistance for Russia, during his visit to Japan for the recent G7 summit.

  The Prime Minister
  I did not receive any representations from non-governmental organisations on these issues during my recent visit to Japan.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 19 May 1992 to the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes),Official Report, column 113, if he will list the members of the new ministerial committee on the environment, referred in paragraph 4.5 of the consultation paper "UK Strategy for Sustainable Development"; how often it intends to meet; and if he will provide details of its remit.

  The Prime Minister
  The remit and membership of the ministerial committee on the environment remain as stated in my answer of 19 May 1992,Official Report, column 113. Meetings take place as necessary.

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for co-ordinating Government action on drug misuse between the different Departments of State; and what proposals he has to improve them.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are committed to bringing forward proposals to improve further the co-ordination of the control of drug misuse. Options are currently under consideration.

  Top Salaries Review Body
  Mr. Wolfson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Top Salaries Review Body.

  The Prime Minister
  The name of the Top Salaries Review Body (TSRB) has been changed to the Senior Salaries Review Body (SS RB). At the same time the Review Body's terms of reference have been revised. Both these changes have been introduced at the Review Body's request, and have been agreed with it. The revised terms of reference are as follows:

  Venue

  Duration

  Purpose

  Cost (£)

  Italy

  13–15 December 1990

  European Council

  60,805·00

  USA

  20–22 December 1990

  Bilateral

  33,871·00

  Saudi Arabia

  6–8 January 1991

  Bilateral

  45,098·00

  Oman

  8–9 January 1991

  Bilateral

  Egypt

  9 January 1991

  Bilateral

  France

  14 January 1991

  Bilateral

  1,857·00

  France

  20 January 1991

  Bilateral

  1,165·00

  Germany

  11 February 1991

  Bilateral

  1,388·00

  Soviet Union

  4–5 March 1991

  Bilateral

  50,352·00

  Germany

  11 March 1991

  Anglo-German Summit

  3,153·00

  Bermuda

  15–16 March 1991

  Bilateral

  24,670·00

  Luxembourg

  8 April 1991

  Informal European Council

  8,107·00

  France

  24 June 1991

  Anglo-French Summit

  10,422·00

  560
  "To advise the Prime Minister on the remuneration of holders of judicial office; senior civil servants, senior officers of the armed forces; and such other public appointments as may from time to time be specified.

  The Prime Minister may also ask the Review Body to advise from time to time on the pay and pensions of Members of Parliament and their allowances; Peer's allowances; and on the pay, pensions and allowances of Ministers and others whose pay is determined by a Ministerial and other Salaries Order.

  Procedures
  The Review Body will make other recommendations as it sees fit
  in order that the level of remuneration for the groups covered by its remit is sufficient to ensure, over time, the recruitment and retention and motivation of suitably able and qualified people to exercise their different responsibilities;
  to ensure that, as appropriate, the remuneration for the remit groups relates coherently to that of their subordinates, encourages efficiency and effectiveness, and takes account of the different management and organisational structures which may be in place from time to time;
  to relate reward to performance where appropriate;
  to maintain the confidence of those covered by the Review Body's remit that its recommendations have been properly and fairly determined; and
  to ensure that the remuneration of those covered by the remit is consistent with the Government's equal opportunities policy.
  In making recommendations, the review body shall consider any factors which the Government and other witnesses may draw to its attention. In particular it shall have regard to:
  differences in terms and conditions of employment between the public and private sector and between the remit groups, taking account of relative job security and the value of benefits in kind;
  changes in national pay systems, including flexibility and the reward of success; and job weight in differentiating the remuneration of particular posts; and
  the need to maintain a broad linkage between the remuneration of the three main remit groups, while allowing sufficient flexibility to take account of the circumstances of each group.
  The Review Body will take account of the evidence it receives about wider economic considerations and the affordability of its recommendations."

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister how many overseas visits he has made since he assumed office; and if he will list the venue, the duration, the purpose and the cost to public funds of the visits.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: The information requested is as follows:
  561

  Venue

  Duration

  Purpose

  Cost (£)

  Luxembourg

  28–29 June 1991

  European Council

  45,323·00

  Spain

  2–13 June 1991

  Holiday

  9,560·00

  USA

  27–30 August 1991

  Bilateral

  53,951·00

  China/Russia

  1–6 September 1991

  Bilateral

  196,844·00

  France

  11–12 September 1991

  Bilateral

  10,325·00

  Netherlands

  18 September 1991

  Bilteral

  962·00

  Zimbabwe

  14–22 October 1991

  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

  199,488·00

  Italy

  7–8 November 1991

  NATO Summit Meeting

  54,600·00

  Germany

  10 November 1991

  Bilateral

  1,340·00

  Italy

  27 November 1991

  Bilateral

  7,947·00

  Germany

  27 November 1991

  Bilateral

  Netherlands

  1 December 1991

  Bilateral

  1,736·00

  Republic of Ireland

  4 December 1991

  Bilateral

  2,684·00

  Netherlands

  8–10 December 1991

  European Council

  64,371·00

  USA

  30–31 January 1992

  United Nations Security Council Meeting

  58,928·00

  Poland

  25–26 May 1992

  Bilateral

  53,757.00

  Czechoslovakia

  26–28 May 1992

  Bilateral

  Hungary

  28–29 May 1992

  Bilateral

  Germany

  5 June 1992

  Bilateral

  1,012·00

  USA

  6–9 June 1992

  Bilateral

  318,146·00

  Colombia

  9–10 June 1992

  Bilateral

  Brazil

  10–12 June 1992

  United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

  Portugal

  25–27 June 1992

  European Council

  64,458·00

  Germany

  6–8 July 1992

  G7 Economic Summit

  140,908·00

  Finland

  9–10 July 1992

  CSCE Summit

  41,612·00

  Spain

  7–9 August 1992

  Olympic Games

  79,469·00

  Spain

  16–17 September 1992

  Bilateral

  2,293·00

  France

  30 September 1992

  Bilateral

  4,346·00

  Egypt

  23–25 October 1992

  50th Anniversary Commemoration of El Alamein

  74,616·00

  Belgium

  23 November 1992

  Bilateral

  7,041·00

  Italy/Greece

  27–28 November 1992

  Bilateral

  14,512·00

  Luxembourg

  30 November 1992

  Bilateral

  14,908·00

  Spain

  30 November to 1 December 1992

  Bilateral

  Portugal

  1 December 1992

  Bilateral

  Denmark

  2 December 1992

  Bilateral

  9,570·00

  Netherlands

  6–7 December 1992

  Bilateral

  8,148·00

  Republic of Ireland

  7 December 1992

  Bilateral

  France

  15–16 December 1992

  European Parliament Plenary

  7,910·00

  Canada

  17–18 December 1992

  EC/Canada Talks

  120,775·00

  USA

  18–20 December 1992

  EC/United States Talks

  Bosnia

  22 December 1992

  Visit British Forces

  10,828·00

  India

  23–28 January 1993

  Republic Day Celebrations

  179,512·00

  Oman

  28 January 1993

  Bilateral

  Saudi Arabia

  29 January 1993

  Bilateral

  USA

  23–25 February 1993

  Bilateral

  46,696·00

  Switzerland

  5–6 April 1993

  Bilateral

  n/a

  Austria

  6 April 1993

  Bilateral

  France

  27–28 May 1993

  Bilateral

  n/a

  Denmark

  20–22 June 1993

  European Council

  n/a

  Japan

  5–9 July 1993

  G7 Economic Summit

  n/a

  n/a=Not yet available.

  Deregulation (Construction Industry)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting held on 20 July with representatives of the deregulation task force on the construction industry.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: On 20 July I chaired a progress meeting on deregulation attended by Ministers and permanent secretaries from regulatory Departments, Lord Sainsbury and all the task
  562
  force chairmen. We welcomed progress on specific deregulation measures to reduce the burden on business. Ministers agreed to address changes requiring primary legislation as soon as parliamentary time permits. Ministers also agreed to publish "Working with Business: A Code for Enforcement Agencies" and a report on the operation of European Community law in the United Kingdom; to review how duplication between enforcement agencies might be eliminated; to require a small business litmus test of the impact on them of any new regulations; and to set up an eighth task force focusing on charities and voluntary organisations.
  563

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Health and Safety Training
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what representations he has received about health and safety training for staff of the House.

  Mr. Beith
  None.

  POLIS
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what measures are being taken to facilitate the provision of POLIS within Members' offices via the parliamentary data and video network; and when the network will be extended to the Norman Shaw buildings.

  Mr. Beith
  The parliamentary data and video network is at present available to Members on the lower floors of Millbank and a small number of Members outside via a telephone link. The network has been authorised only as a pilot phase and is currently being reviewed by the Information Committee, which hopes to report later this year.

  Any plans to extend the network, including POLIS, to the Norman Shaw buildings or elsewhere will need to await approval of the service by the House, following the report from the Information Committee and the provision of the necessary funds in the estimates.

  Members' Children (Recess)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what recent representations he has received about providing additional facilities for Members' children during the parliamentary recess; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Beith
  The Commission itself has received no such representations on this issue. Details of the Westminster holiday play scheme, in which the children of Members, their staff and staff of the House may participate, were publicised in the all-party notice and circulated to staff. In addition, progress is being made in the preparation of a questionnaire, which will be circulated in the autumn, as part of a survey to determine potential demand for child care facilities.

  Costs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what new proposals he has to reduce the costs for which the House of Commons Commission are responsible.

  Mr. Channon
  As part of its responsibility to improve the financial management of House Departments and to prepare the draft estimates for the House of Commons votes, the Finance and Services Committee continually seeks to improve the value for money of services provided to the House. Recent initiatives by House Departments which it has supported include revised arrangements for 564
  the telephone operator service and the introduction of least-cost routing; and the use of desk-top publishing in the Refreshment Department. The Committee has asked the Administration Committee to study the provision of documents, stationery, and office supplies to hon. Members with a view to reducing costs, and looks forward to receiving its recommendations. Other areas of expenditure will be examined in due course in consultation with the relevant domestic committees, Heads of Department and the internal auditor.

  The level of expenditure on House services is affected by the degree of activity of the House, its Committees and individual Members. This matter is reviewed in more detail in the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Commission, to be published on 6 September as House of Commons Paper No. 820.

  Terrace Dining Rooms
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what representations he has received about the use of the income from the use of the Terrace Dining Rooms.

  Mr. Channon
  None, although the use of income derived from banqueting services in the Terrace Dining Rooms was included in the Committee's review of the Refreshment Department trading fund.

SCOTLAND

  Police Authority
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what method of election or appointment he will introduce for members of the new Police Authority arising from the proposed changes to local government in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All new councils in Scotland will be police authorities and their members will be elected in the usual way. Where police force areas cover more than one council area there will be joint police committees for those forces made up of representatives from the councils in the force area.

  Transport Responsibilities
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with regional councils in Scotland relating to the transfer of their transport responsibilities following the move to single-tier authorities.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has discussed a range of subjects related to local government reform, including transport issues, with a number of regional councils and other local authority interests. In addition we have paid careful attention to the many responses to our consultation paper, "Shaping the New Councils", from regional councils and others, which discussed transport arrangements under the new single-tier structure.

  Community Care
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to ensure that full use is made of the independent sector in the development of community care policy.
  565
  Mr. Lang
  Two of the key objectives of our community care policy are the development of a flourishing mixed economy of care, alongside good quality public services, and securing better value for money. In order to achieve this I issued a direction on choice of residential care and I have asked all social work authorities to provide information about how this is implemented. I also consider it necessary that social work authorities should be aware of the full cost of their own provision and that this information should be publicly available. Under my powers under section 199 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 I am asking all authorities to let me have a statement of the full costs of their homes and will emphasise the need to have full regard to value for money when making decisions on the purchase of residential care places.

  I am monitoring closely, through statistical returns made to my Department, the level of use of the independent sector by local authorities and in the light of this will consider whether any further action is needed.

  Hospital Re-admissions
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish rates of re-admission to hospital following discharge.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: As I indicated in reply to the hon. Member's question on outcome measurements on 14 July 1993 at column 519, pilot outcome measures including 28-day emergency re-admission rate after discharge from medical specialties were included in the discussion document "Clinical Outcome Measures" issued on 7 July 1993, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place at the meeting of the EC Foreign Ministers on 19 July regarding economic and diplomatic sanctions against the Republic of Croatia; what proposals on this issue were tabled by the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Foreign Ministers of the European Community agreed in Brussels on 19 July to consider withdrawing Croatia's preferential trading benefits with the European Community, in view of Croatia's continued involvement in the conflict in Bosnia. Croatia will have to change its ways if it wishes to have the kind of relationship that it seeks with the European Community.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will expel the Croatian ambassador to London and recall Her Majesty's ambassador to Zagreb in protest at the Croatian Government's support for the Bosnian-Croat regime.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Such measures are not under consideration. But as Heads of Government made clear at the Group of Seven economic summit in Tokyo, the Croats and the Serbs risk placing themselves beyond the pale of the international community and stronger measures cannot be excluded. European Community 566
  Foreign Ministers also agreed in Brussels on 19 July to consider the withdrawal of Croatia's preferential trading benefits with the European Community, in view of Croatia's continued involvement in the conflict in Bosnia.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of conditions at Fojnica children's hospital in central Bosnia; how many children were found abandoned in the hospital; how many children have either died or are in a critical condition; what representations Her Majesty's Government plan to make to Alija Izetbegovic concerning the actions of his forces at Fojnica; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We share the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' concern about the desperate plight of the patients in the hospital in Fojnica. This is a further example of how innocent civilians have suffered as a result of the conflict in Bosnia. We have repeatedly urged all parties to respect the rights and interests of civilians.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the relationship between United Nations Security Council resolution 820 and World Health Organisation resolutions 41.31 and 42.24; what restrictions there are on the importation of medicines and medical equipment into the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Nations Security Council resolution 820 is fully compatible with the terms of the World Health Assembly resolutions 41.31 and 42.24. Medical supplies and foodstuffs are specifically exempted from the sanctions imposed on Serbia and Montenegro under United Nations Security Council resolution 820.

  Supplies intended strictly for medical purposes are permitted to enter Serbia and Montenegro under United Nations Security Council resolutions 757 and 820 following notification to the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 724.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the effect on the economy of(a) Romania and (b) Hungary of the economic sanctions applied against the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The economies of Romania, Hungary and other neighbouring countries have suffered damage from sanctions against former Yugoslavia. It is difficult to quantify this, particularly given the problem of isolating the effects of sanctions from the other factors influencing these economies. In our view, the international financial institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund, are the best placed to make this assessment. This they are already doing as part of their regular activities and programmes with these countries. We have been active in encouraging the IMF's efforts in this area.

  We have also strongly supported action by the Yugoslav Sanctions Committee under the provisions of article 50 of the United Nations charter. The Committee, and subsequently the Security Council, has endorsed Romanian, Hungarian and other requests for assistance under article 50. Their recommendations have included a request that the international financial institutions be invited to consider how their assistance programmes and facilities might be helpful to affected states.
  567
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total number of detainees in Bosnia-Herzegovina held in(a) Serbian prisons or camps, (b) Muslim prisons or camps and (c) Croat prisons or camps; and what is his estimate in each case of the number of detainees who are civilians.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regularly visits 1,098 prisoners held by Bosnian Serbs in detention camps in Bosnia, 951 held by Bosnian Muslims and 398 held by Bosnian Croats. No figures are available as to how many of these are civilians.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees regarding the establishment by Bosnian-Croat forces of a detention camp for Muslim males at the Mostar heliodrome; how many are estimated to be detained; what requests have so far been made to visit these prisoners by UNHCR or the International Committee of the Red Cross; what response such requests have had; and if he will publish the reports he has received regarding this detention camp; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received no reports on this centre from UNHCR. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regularly visits 15 prisoners held by the Bosnian-Croats in a detention centre at Mostar Rodoc, but we have received no details of ICRC's findings, in accordance with its rules over confidentiality.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total number of prisons and camps currently operating in Bosnia-Herzegovina; how many are under the control of(a) Muslims, (b) Croats and (c) Serbs; and to how many such camps or prisons in each case international organisations have been denied access.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regularly visits six places of detention under the control of Bosnian Croats: 15 places of detention under the control of Bosnian Muslims; and 13 places of detention under the control of Bosnian Serbs. ICRC suspect that further places of detention in unknown locations may exist.

  Bougainville
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the conflict in Bougainville.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We regard the conflict in Bougainville as an internal matter for the Government of Papua New Guinea, but we have made known to the PNG authorities our concern that a lasting solution should be achieved by peaceful means.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Papua New Guinea about access for humanitarian organisations including the International Committeee of the Red Cross to Bougainville.

  Mr. Goodlad
  There have been no such discussions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent 568
  Societies (IFRC) withdrew from Bougainville after operating an emergency relief programme between April 1991 and February 1992 which the IFRC reported to have achieved most of its set objectives.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Goodlad
  There are 155 officers in the FCO and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Ninety-eight are in the diplomatic wing, in the following grades:

  Grade

  Number

  SEO

  16

  HEO

  25

  EO

  15

  AO

  8

  AA

  1

  DS7M

  8

  DS9

  18

  DS10

  7

  Forty-six in the Overseas Development Administration, in the following grades:

  Grade

  Number

  SEO

  1

  HEO

  11

  EO

  22

  AO

  12

  Eleven in the Natural Resources Institute (an ODA agency), in the following grades:

  Grade

  Number

  HEO

  3

  EO

  4

  AO

  4

  United Nations Arms Register
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries from the far east have deposited their entries for the United Nations arms register.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  To date we understand that 10 countries from the Asia Pacific region have submitted data to the United Nations register of conventional arms. The United Nations Secretary General will report in the autumn on the register's first year of operation and on the data received from member states. The United Nations Resolution establishing the register requests that such data be forwarded to the United Nations Secretary General. We do not therefore see copies of other member states' returns as a matter of course. With our European partners, we are actively encouraging those states who have yet to submit data to do so.
  569

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Her Majesty's Stationery Office has a broad-ranging licence with the Royal National Institute for the Blind for the ad hoc reproduction of any Her Majesty's Stationery Office publication without fee, including Foreign Commonwealth Office material when published with HMSO.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Inquiries to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Overseas Development Administration from members of the public who identify themselves as blind or partially sighted are infrequent, but are dealt with by telephone.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by his Department and agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The tables list the computer consultancies employed by the diplomatic and aid wings of the Department and its agencies since November 1991. The total cost in each wing is £7,252,824 and £430,803 respectively. In the diplomatic wing the consultancies have been employed on the implementation of the information systems strategic plan, at home and overseas. The tasks include feasibility studies, programme and project management, baselining and enhancements to systems, software development and installation, contingency planning and information technology training, and systems maintenance. More detailed information on the tasks of individual consultancies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Diplomatic Wing Computer Consultancies

  Transaction Point

  Computer Park

  Stoy Hayward Consulting

  Lynwood Scientific Dev Ltd.

  Griffin Factors Ltd.

  NCR Ltd.

  International Factors Ltd.

  International Computers Ltd.

  Towngate Software Ltd.

  Eurostar HQ

  Duhig Berry Ltd.

  Computer Learning Centres Ltd.

  Compass

  SAS Software Ltd.

  James Duncan and Associates

  Desoft UK Ltd.

  Hogg Robinson (GFA) Ltd.

  Mega Consultancy

  Digitus Ltd.

  570

  Admiral Computing Ltd.

  J. M. Consulting Ltd.

  Brookgate Solutions

  Admiral Management Serv Ltd.

  Churchill Software Ltd.

  The SSADM College Ltd.

  Ernst and Young

  S. R. L. Data

  Hoskyns Group PLC

  UCL UK Ltd.

  Nameprime Ltd.

  Sema Group Systems Ltd.

  Uni Tech Complete Computing

  TMS Computer Authors Ltd.

  Sema Group Consulting Ltd.

  Crownshield Computers Ltd.

  Casu Elec Ltd.

  Insight Consulting

  Ferranti International PLC

  BT Customer Services

  Human Aspects Ltd.

  Griffiths Associates Ltd.

  Office Network Solutions Ltd.

  Firman Jack Ltd.

  Consult

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd.

  Logica UK Ltd.

  Secure Information Systems Ltd.

  Informix Software Ltd.

  Praxis Systems PLC

  Videcom Customer Services Ltd.

  KRCS Group PLC

  B. H. Blackwell Ltd.

  IBM United Kingdom Ltd.

  The Thomas Cook Group Ltd.

  F. W. Kensett and Son

  Price Waterhouse

  Siemens Nixdorf Info Sys Ltd.

  CSC Computer Sciences Ltd.

  OSPL Group

  Phoenix Tech Publications Ltd.

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Magic Computer Services Ltd.

  Lombard Natwest Factors Ltd.

  Digitext Ltd.

  Easams Ltd.

  Triad Special Systems Ltd.

  Fraser Williams (London) Ltd.

  Electronic Fac Design Ltd.

  ITIMF Ltd.

  C. K. Brightwell

  ITE Consultancy and Training Group

  Paton-Brown Ltd.

  Able Translations Ltd.

  Instruction Set

  M. Chadha

  Manton Office Equipment

  Kinesis Computing Ltd.

  Wang (UK) Ltd.

  Alphabyte Computer Systems

  Learning Tree International Ltd.

  Act Logsys Ltd.

  Mang Services and Design Ltd.

  Venture Factors PLC

  Aid wing computer consultancies

  Consultancy

  Rothesay Consulting

  IT Strategy Study

  Matrix Logic

  Office Automation/Local Area Network

  Charlton Associates

  Training

  Charlton Associates

  Financial Analysis

  O. C. Gardner and Co.

  Training

  BIS Information System

  Training

  HM Customs

  Asycuda

  S. P. D. Swan Consultants

  Training

  Enever Systems

  System Analysis and Programme Support

  Hewlett Packard

  Network Consultancy

  Patent Systems

  Network Consultancy

  571

  Consultancy

  Minch Consultants

  Network Consultancy

  Matrix Logic

  Network Consultancy

  J. Hinks

  IT Efficiency Review

  A. Brazier

  Monitoring and Backstopping Computer

  M. Radosevic

  Support for W.H.O.

  D. Gostellow

  Stores System

  J. C. Shephard

  Maintenance Systems

  Dr. Smyrrell

  Finite Element Analysis

  M. Walmshley

  Training

  D. Filer

  Data Management

  J. Snell

  Highway Computing and Assessment

  Mr. Robertson

  Lesotho Government Computer Centre

  Armaments
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the increase in armaments of(a) China, (b) Japan, (c) the Korean peninsula and (d) Indochina over the past five years.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A number of countries in the Asia Pacific region are in the process of modernising their armed forces. As yet there is no significant increase in their power projection capabilities. Despite prospects for improved stability in Indo-China, potential troublespots remain in the Asia Pacific, not least North Korea.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  Small firms are given full opportunity to bid for business with the Department. It is also our policy to pay invoices on time.

  Business transacted by the Department with small firms in the United Kingdom has increased from £24·2 million in the financial year 1991–92 to £35·8 million in 1992–93. In 1992–93 26·9 per cent. of total expenditure on the purchase of goods and services was with small firms.

  Israel
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 725, what approaches he has made to other members of the western European group in support of the admission of Israel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have discussed Israel's membership of the Western European and Others Group on a number of occasions with our EC partners, to whom we have made our position clear.
  572

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Since November 1991, the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contracted out the adminstration of the diplomatic service world-wide all risks insurance scheme and some aspects of purchasing services for office supplies and machinery. In neither case were the regulations applied. The aid wing has not contracted out any activities during this period.

  Overseas Land
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the land overseas which is owned by the Government for non-military purposes, giving the number of hectares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office owns freehold land at the 144 overseas diplomatic posts listed.

  The total land area of the compounds, office sites and residence sites in the list is about 240 hectares. The land area of the staff houses listed is not readily available, but is estimated to be of the order of 40 hectares. The balance of the land occupied by diplomatic posts overseas is held on various leasehold or condominium terms.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office keeps the overseas estate under continuous review, and rationalises its land holdings and disposes of any surplus land where it is practicable, necessary and cost-effective to do so.

  Abu Dhabi: compound

  Addis Ababa: compound

  Alexandria: compound

  Algiers: residence

  Amman: office, residence, one staff house

  Amsterdam: office, residence

  Ankara: compound

  Asuncion: residence

  Athens: office, residence, two staff houses

  Atlanta: residence, one staff house

  Auckland: residence, two staff houses

  Baghdad: compound

  Bahrain: compound

  Bangkok: compound

  Banjul: residence

  Belgrade: office, one staff house

  Belmopan: office, residence, three staff houses

  Berlin: site

  Berne: office

  Bogota: residence

  Bonn: office, residence, two staff houses

  Bordeaux: residence

  Boston: residence

  Brasilia: compound, seven houses

  Bridgetown, residence, four staff houses

  Brisbane: residence, one staff house

  Brussels: residence, 15 staff houses

  Bucharest: office

  Budapest: residence, one staff house

  Buenos Aires: office, residence, two staff houses

  Cairo: compound, five staff houses

  Calcutta: compound

  Cape Town: residence, eight staff houses

  Caracas: residence

  Casablanca: site

  Castries: residence

  573

  Chicago: two staff houses

  Cleveland: residence

  Colombo: office, two staff houses

  Copenhagen: residence, 13 staff houses

  Dakar: compound, two staff houses

  Damascus: site, residence

  Dar es Salaam: residence, 28 staff houses

  Doha: compound

  Dubai: compound

  Dublin: office, residence, 14 staff houses

  Durban: residence

  Edmonton: residence

  Gaborone: office, residence, eight staff houses

  Geneva: residence, three staff houses

  Georgetown, office, two staff houses

  Guatemala City: residence

  The Hague: office, residence, 10 staff houses

  Harare: residence, 13 staff houses

  Helsinki: office, residence, four staff houses

  Ho Chi Minh City: office, residence

  Houston: residence, one staff house

  Istanbul: compound site

  Jerusalem: compound

  Johannesburg: residence, nine staff houses

  Kabul: compound

  Kampala: 11 staff houses

  Karachi: compound

  Kathmandu: compound

  Khartoum: office, residence

  Kingston: compound, six staff houses

  Kingstown: office, residence

  Kinshasa: compound, residence

  Kuala Lumpur: compound, residence, four staff houses

  Kuwait: compound

  La Paz: office, residence

  Lille: residence

  Lilongwe: office, residence, 22 staff houses

  Lima: residence, one staff house

  Lisbon: office, residence, three staff houses

  Los Angeles: residence, one staff house

  Luanda: compound

  Lusaka: residence, 23 staff houses

  Luxembourg: residence

  Lyons: residence

  Madras: compound

  Madrid: office, residence, 18 staff houses

  Manila: residence

  Maputo: office, residence, two staff houses

  Marseilles: residence

  Maseru: compound, four staff houses

  Mbabane: office, residence, six staff houses

  Melbourne: residence, three staff houses

  Mexico City: office, residence

  Montevideo: office, residence

  Montreal: residence, one staff house

  Munich: residence

  Muscat: compound, 13 staff houses

  Nairobi: residence, 17 staff houses

  Naples: office/residence

  Nassau: residence, two staff houses

  Nicosia: office, residence, three staff houses

  Osaka: residence

  Oslo: compound, two staff houses

  Ottawa: office, residence, 20 staff houses

  Palma: residence

  Paris: offices, residences, 15 staff houses

  Perth: residence, one staff house

  Port Louis: office, residence, four staff houses

  Port of Spain: residence, five staff houses

  Port Vila: one staff house

  Prague: compound

  Pretoria: office, residence, 23 staff houses

  Quito: sites, residencev

  Rabat: residence

  Rangoon: office, compound, one staff house

  Reykjavik: site, residence

  Riga: compound

  Rome: office, residence

  St. George's: residencev

  St. John's: residence

  574

  San Franciso: residence

  San José: residence

  Santiago: residence, six staff houses

  Sao Paulo: residence

  Seattle: residence

  Seoul: compound, one staff house

  Singapore: residence, one staff house

  Sofia: residence

  Stockholm: office, residence, two staff houses

  Strasbourg: residence, one staff house

  Suva: office

  Sydney: residence, two staff houses

  Tehran: compounds

  Tel-Aviv: office, residence, nine staff houses

  Toronto: residence, one staff house

  Tunis: office, residence

  Valletta: one staff house

  Vancouver: residence

  Victoria: residence

  Vienna: office, residence, two staff houses

  Vientiane: residence, six staff houses

  Vilnius: compound

  Warsaw: one staff house

  Washington: office, residence, 25 staff houses

  Wellington: offices, residence, 16 staff houses

  Windhoek: office, residence, five staff houses

  Zurich: residence

  Libya
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from the Arab League about proposals for reviewing UN sanctions against Libya.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received no such representations about the forthcoming sanctions review.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards Nigeria in the light of the failure of the military government to transfer power to democratically elected political leadership.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 1 July at column 589.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Nigerian authorities about the detention without charges of the author Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are extremely concerned by the detention of Mr. Saro-Wiwa on charges of sedition and treason, and by reports that he has been denied proper medical treatment. The detention of Mr. Saro-Wiwa is only one of a number of recent detentions of civil and human rights activists by the Nigerian military authorities. These arrests have been carried out under military decrees. This is one of the reasons why we attach so much importance to the military handing over power to democratic civilian rule by 27 August.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria about their decision to hold fresh elections on 31 July.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The new national electoral commission has proposed the holding of fresh elections on
  575
  14 August. We have repeatedly made clear our wish to see a transfer to a democratic civilian administration by 27 August.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from the high commission in Nigeria about the outbreak of violence since the election; and what measures he is taking to ensure the safety of United Kingdom citizens in Nigeria.

  Mr. Lennox Boyd
  Our high commission reported widespread unrest and disorder in south-west Nigeria in late June and early July, from which a number of deaths resulted. We deeply regret the loss of life and very much hope that the current political crisis can be resolved without further bloodshed.

  The British community in Nigeria has been advised, through the warden system, to exercise caution, and that residents without essential business, especially dependants, should consider advancing their summer leave plans and postponing school children's holiday visits to Nigeria.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take action with other countries and with international organisations including the World bank and the International Monetary Fund to encourage General Babangida to implement the democratically expressed wish of the Nigerian people.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Throughout the current political crisis in Nigeria, caused by the annulment of the 12 June election results by the federal military Government, we have consulted closely with our partners and allies. The European Council and the United States have issued statements expressing their concern at the cancellation of the elections and the hope that the transition to democratic civilian rule will take place by 27 August, and have announced measures aimed at the Nigerian military similar to those taken by the United Kingdom on 24 June. The Commonwealth Secretary General and many other countries have also issued similar statements of concern, including Japan, Russia, Australia, Norway and Canada.

  Freehold Land
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list all the land overseas which is owned by the Government for non-military purposes, giving the number of hectares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office own freehold land at the 144 diplomatic Posts overseas, listed as follows.

  The total land area of the compounds, office sites and residence sites in this list is about 240 hectares. The land area of the staff houses listed is not readily available, but is estimated to be of the order of 40 hectares. The balance of the land occupied by diplomatic posts overseas is held on various leasehold or condominium terms.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office keep the overseas estate under continuous review and rationalise its land holdings, and dispose of any surplus land, where it is practicable, necessary and cost-effective to do so.

  Abu Dhabi: compound

  Addis Ababa: compound

  Alexandria: compound

  Algiers: Residence

  576

  Amman: office, Residence, 1 staff house

  Amsterdam: office, Residence

  Ankara: compound

  Asuncion: Residence

  Athens: office, Residence, 2 staff houses

  Atlanta: Residence, 1 staff house

  Auckland: Residence, 2 staff houses

  Baghdad: compound

  Bahrain: compound

  Bangkok: compound

  Banjul: Residence

  Belgrade: office, 1 staff house

  Belmopan: office, Residence, 3 staff houses

  Berlin: site

  Berne: office

  Bogota: Residence

  Bonn: office, Residence, 2 staff houses

  Bordeaux: Residence

  Boston: Residence

  Brasilia: compound, 7 houses

  Bridgetown: Residence, 4 staff houses

  Brisbane: Residence, 1 staff house

  Brussels: Residences, 15 staff houses

  Bucharest: office

  Budapest: Residence, 1 staff house

  Buenos Aires: office, Residence, 2 staff houses

  Cairo: compound, 5 staff houses

  Calcutta: compound

  Cape Town: Residence, 8 staff houses

  Caracas: Residence

  Casablanca: site

  Castries: Residence

  Chicago: 2 staff houses

  Cleveland: Residence

  Colombo: office, 2 staff houses

  Copenhagen: Residence, 13 staff houses

  Dakar: compound, 2 staff houses

  Damascus: site, Residence

  Dar es Salaam: Residence, 28 staff houses

  Doha: compound

  Dubai: compound

  Dublin: office, Residence, 14 staff houses

  Durban: Residence

  Edmonton: Residence

  Gaborone: office, Residence, 8 staff houses

  Geneva: Residence, 3 staff houses

  Georgetown: office, 2 staff houses

  Guatemala City: Residence

  The Hague: office, Residence, 10 staff houses

  Harare: Residence, 13 staff houses

  Helsinki: office, Residence, 4 staff houses

  Ho Chi Minh City: office, Residence

  Houston: Residence, 1 staff house

  Istanbul: compound site

  Jerusalem: compound

  Johannesburg: Residence, 9 staff houses

  Kabul: compound

  Kampala: 11 staff houses

  Karachi: compound

  Kathmandu: compound

  Khartoum: office, Residence

  Kingston: compound, 6 staff houses

  Kingstown: office, Residence

  Kinshasa: compound, Residence

  Kuala Lumpur: compound, Residence, 4 staff houses

  Kuwait: compound

  La Paz: office, Residence

  Lille: Residence

  Lilongwe: office, Residence, 22 staff houses

  Lima: Residence, 1 staff house

  Lisbon: office, Residence, 3 staff houses

  Los Angeles: Residence, 1 staff house

  Luanda: compound

  Lusaka: Residence, 23 staff houses

  Luxembourg: Residence

  Lyons: Residence

  Madras: compound

  Madrid: office, Residence, 18 staff houses

  Manila: Residence

  Maputo: office, Residence, 2 staff houses

  577

  Marseilles: Residence

  Maseru: compound, 4 staff houses

  Mbabane: office, Residence, 6 staff houses

  Melbourne: Residence, 3 staff houses

  Mexico City: office, Residence

  Montevideo: office, Residence

  Montreal: Residence, I staff house

  Munich: Residence

  Muscat: compound, 13 staff houses

  Nairobi: Residence, 17 staff houses

  Naples: office/Residence

  Nassau: Residence, 2 staff houses

  Nicosia: office, Residence, 3 staff houses

  Osaka: Residence

  Oslo: compound, 2 staff houses

  Ottawa: office, Residence, 20 staff houses

  Palma: Residence

  Paris: offices, Residences, 15 staff houses

  Perth: Residence, I staff house

  Port Louis: office, Residence, 4 staff houses

  Port of Spain: Residence, 5 staff houses

  Port Vila: 1 staff house

  Prague: compound

  Pretoria: office, Residence, 23 staff houses

  Quito: sites, Residence

  Rabat: Residence

  Rangoon: office, compound, 1 staff house

  Reykjavik: site, Residence

  Riga: compound

  Rome: office, Residence

  St. George's: Residence

  St. John's: Residence

  San Francisco: Residence

  San José: Residence

  San Salvador: Residence

  Santiago: Residence, 6 staff houses

  Sao Paulo: Residence

  Seattle: Residence

  Seoul: compound, 1 staff house

  Singapore: Residence, I staff house

  Sofia: Residence

  Stockholm: office, Residence, 2 staff houses

  Strasbourg: Residence, 1 staff house

  Suva: office

  Sydney: Residence, 2 staff houses

  Tehran: compounds

  Tel Aviv: office, Residence, 9 staff houses

  Toronto: Residence, I staff house

  Tunis: office, Residence

  Valletta: 1 staff house

  Vancouver: Residence

  Victoria: Residence

  Vienna: office, Residence, 2 staff houses

  Vientiane: Residence, 6 staff houses

  Vilnius: compound

  Warsaw: 1 staff house

  Washington: office, Residence, 25 staff houses

  Wellington: offices, Residence, 16 staff houses

  Windhoek: office, Residence, 5 staff houses

  Zurich: Residence

TRANSPORT

  Bus Station, London SE16
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on London Transport's capital commitment to an enclosed bus station at Canada Water, London SE16.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that LT is currently assessing the costs and benefits of building a roofed bus station at Canada Water.
  578

  Public Transport, London
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects next to meet the chairman of London Transport to discuss improvements to public transport in London.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet the chairman of London Transport regularly to discuss a variety of issues, including future improvements and standards of service.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultants who have been working on rail privatisation; and what is the cost to date of such consultants.

  Mr. Freeman
  I will write to the hon. Member with full details, but the Department employs 10 consultants. The cost for the financial year 1993–94 is estimated at £12 million.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the extent to which British Rail would be able to undercut private sector enterprises tendering for rail franchises.

  Mr. Freeman
  No such estimates are possible, but I am concerned that it would be very difficult to have a fair and equal competition if British Rail was a bidder.

  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that the proposed creation of RailTrack in April 1994 and the introduction of a new track charging regime will not result in additional financial burdens falling on metropolitan local authorities.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have given a commitment to the metropolitan local authorities that, if the restructuring of the railway industry results in higher charges in 1994–95 for the service levels that they currently support, measures will be taken, including, if necessary, the payment of special grants, to ensure that these changes do not result in an additional financial burden falling on them in 1994–95. I will be discussing the position for future years with them.

  Road Closures (City of London)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to monitor the effect on other parts of London arising from the City Corporation's current road closure scheme.

  Mr. Norris
  I have a quasi-judicial role if a permanent scheme is brought forward and I am advised it would be improper for my Department to collect its own data. If the City of London Corporation does wish to make the scheme permanent, it will require the consent of the traffic director and will need to provide him with information about the effects on the strategic road network on all parts of London.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman designate of RailTrack to discuss services on the west coast main line.
  579
  Mr. Freeman
  Current services on the west coast main line are a matter for the British Railways Board.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to European institutions with a view to securing financial support for investment in the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have recently announced the appointment of Hambros Bank Limited to examine the scope for a joint venture to renew the infrastructure of the west coast main line. During the course of its study it will undoubtedly examine closely the possible use of funds from European sources.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the monitoring of transport related air pollution.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department of the Environment monitors air quality across a range of sites. It issues daily bulletins of recorded levels and a forecast of the next day's air quality.

  My Department publishes annual calculations of emissions from the transport sector.

  Fishing Fatalities
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fishermen, serving as crew members of United Kingdom registered fishing vessels, lost their lives in each of the past five years; and in how many cases of such fatalities vessels were lost.

  Mr. Norris
  The number of United Kingdom fishermen who lost their lives as a result of accidents to United Kingdom fishing vessels in the years 1988 to 1992 is 18, 19, 22, 25 and eight. The number of United Kingdom fishing vessels lost in those years is 22, 22, 17, 41, and 32.

  By passes
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bypasses he plans to start in the current financial year.

  Mr. Norris
  We plan to start 19 new bypasses in this financial year. Many of the 22 other schemes we plan to start this year will also remove traffic from local communities.

  Merchant Marine
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the prospects for the British Merchant Marine.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Lady to the statement that I made in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on Monday 28 June 1993,Official Report, column 642.

  Docklands and Jubilee Lines Extensions
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects agreement to be reached to enable work to begin on both the Jubilee line extension and the Docklands light railway Lewisham extension.
  580
  Mr. Norris
  Once negotiations have been satisfactorily concluded between LT and the parties involved with the financing of Canary Wharf on the basis of their contribution to the Jubilee line extension and once the Olympia and York Company comes out of administration, the Secretary of State will be able to authorise the start of construction.

  A private Bill enabling construction of an extension of the Docklands light railway to Lewisham received Royal Assent on 27 May. We have made it clear that this scheme should be undertaken by the private sector. The means by which proposals can best be placed before investors, consistent with our manifesto commitment to privatise DLR as a whole, are under consideration.

  Second Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of progress on the construction of the second Severn bridge; and what is the likely opening date.

  Mr. Key
  Good progress is being made on the construction of the second Severn bridge, which is on schedule for opening to traffic in spring 1996.

  Bus Deregulation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of the effect of bus deregulation on through and joint ticketing schemes.

  Mr. Freeman
  No specific studies have been made of the effect of bus deregulation on through and joint ticketing schemes. Ticketing arrangements are a matter for operators and local authorities. Successful multi-operator ticketing schemes are in operation in the metropolitan areas and in several counties.

  M4 (Widening)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans to widen the M4 between junctions 5 and 15.

  Mr. Key
  We expect to start public consultation in the autumn on a scheme for the improvement of the M4 between junctions 4B and 8/9. Work is proceeding satisfactorily on other commissions to study the need and options for increasing the capacity of the motorway between junction 8/9 and junction 15. Public consultation on these schemes will take place once this work is completed.

  Train Leasing
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects British Railways Board to announce the results of the tender process for new trains under the recent £150 million leasing facility.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I expect British Rail to advise me of its decision within the next two months.

  Motorway (Charges)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the plans of other European countries to impose charges for the use of their motorway networks.
  581
  Mr. Key
  The Green Paper "Paying for Better Motorways" (Cm 2200) describes the charging systems for motorways already in use in a number of countries in Europe and elsewhere.

  Since then, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have announced their intention to develop a joint motorway permit system for heavy goods vehicles. Germany intends to begin field trials of the technology for electronic motorway charging in 1994. Several other countries are investigating the possibility of electronic charging.

  British Rail Rolling Stock
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total investment in British Rail rolling stock in(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Freeman
  Total British Rail investment in rolling stock in 1979 (excluding service vehicles) was £93 million (£232 million at 1992–93 prices). Total British Rail investment in rolling stock in 1992–93 (excluding service vehicles) was £386 million.

  Bournemouth Central Station
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the restoration of Bournemouth Central station.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that British Rail hopes that work on the restoration of Bournemouth station can begin in 1996–97, and should take about 15 months to complete. This project will be the responsibility of Railtrack, which will own station freeholds.

  Railways (Noise Insulation)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the proposed noise insulation regulations for new railway lines will be issued for consultation.

  Mr. Freeman
  A consultation document about the draft regulations and associated technical memorandum will be issued shortly and copies will be placed in the Library of the House. I shall also be writing to all Members in the south east and London whose constituencies may be affected. The consultation period will extend until mid-November.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role he envisages for the passenger transport authorities and passenger transport executives in the process of specifying and granting franchises for passenger railway services in their areas under the railway privatisation proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have today written to Councillor Joe Clark, chairman of the Association of Municipal Authorities public transport committee, setting out the role we envisage for the passenger transport authorities and passenger transport executives under our railway privatisation proposals, in the following terms:

  Letter from Mr. Roger Freeman to Councillor Joe Clarke:
  582
  It is our intention that under our railway privatisation proposals the PTAs and PTEs will continue to have essentially the same role as now in specifying local rail services and paying subsidy, where necessary, to support their specification.
  But, as we have discussed, some changes to the present system are going to be necessary to ensure that PTAs and the PTEs fit in properly with the new, privatised structure of the railway, and I promised to write to you explaining how the new system would work.
  Many of the trains that serve PTA passengers run on beyond a single PTA area, and it would not be operationally sensible to think of letting franchises covering only parts of a a service. That is why our proposal is that the PTAs and PTEs should be jointly involved with the Franchising Director in specifying and granting the franchises for their services.
  That means PTAs/PTEs being fully involved in specifying the service to be franchised, with each PTE specifying the local services to be supported within its area in terms of service level, service quality and fares, and agreeing that specification with the relevant PTA. The Franchising Director will then invite tenders jointly with the PTE, evaluate the bids and negotiate alongside the PTE with prospective franchisees. The PTE will then sign the franchise agreement, subject to the relevant PTA havving agreed the terms.
  The PTEs will need to agree with the Franchising Director how franchisees' performance is to be monitored to ensure that they are meeting their contractual obligations, and will be fully involved in the monitoring system, receiving all relevant information on the performance of the franchisee in respect of the services specified by the PTEs. The PTEs will be similarly involved with the Franchising Director in deciding jointly what measures should be taken where a franchisee fails to perform satisfactorily, including, ultimately, termination of the franchise agreement.
  The PTAs/PTEs' service specifications will largely determine the trainpaths that will be needed by the franchisee to run their services, and the Franchising Director will involve the PTEs in negotiating the necessary access rights.
  I hope this is helpful and reassures you that the PTAs and PTEs will have a full rôle to play in the privatised railway.

  Bus Information
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies are under way in his Department on the provision of information for bus users.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Transport Research Laboratory is conducting a research project for my Department to examine gaps in the current provision of information for bus users, the types of information passengers value most highly, and the extent to which cost-effective information provision can increase bus patronage. The project will include surveys in four selected study areas. The research should be completed next spring.

  Concessionary Fares
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he is making to require franchised train operators to participate in the concessionary fares scheme administered by passenger transport authorities, passenger transport executives and other local authorities in their respective areas.

  Mr. Freeman
  The way such schemes work is by ensuring that the operator of the services suffers no net loss as a result of participating in the scheme. We therefore expect that passenger railway service operators will be willing to participate on a voluntary basis following privatisation, as British Rail does now.

  Nevertheless, under the new clause added to the Railways Bill at Committee stage in the House of Lords in respect of fares and discount schemes, every franchise

  583
  agreement will include a provision requiring the franchise operator to participate in, charge fares in accordance with, and otherwise comply with the requirements of discount fares schemes approved by the franchising director. The Secretary of State also intends to instruct the franchising director to include a provision in franchise agreements which will enable the franchising director to require franchisees to take part in local authority concessionary fares schemes, provided that there is no net cost to the franchisee or the franchising director. It would thus be possible for a local authority which wanted a franchisee to join its scheme to request the franchising director to invoke this provision in the franchise agreement.

  It would also be possible for the PTAs/PTEs to seek to include a provision in the franchise agreements to which they are a party requiring the franchisee to join in their concessionary fares schemes.

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency annual report will be published.

  Mr. Key
  The inspectorate's annual report is being published today. Copies are being placed in the Library.

  Official Travel
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last travelled in an official capacity on a London midibus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. and hon. Friends and I regularly use various forms of public transport, including midibuses.

  Large Goods Vehicle Driver Training
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1992,Official Report, column 161, when he expects the Driving Standards Agency to publish an official learner syllabus for large goods vehicle drivers to help trainers and trainees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Driving Standards Agency, in collaboration with Her Majesty's Stationery Office. plans to publish a book for lorry drivers towards the end of the year. The book will contain not only the official recommended syllabus for learning to drive a large goods vehicle, but also useful information for trainers, experienced drivers and operators.

  Lorry Weights
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officers are authorised to check lorry weights in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  At 31 May 1993, 197 vehicle inspectorate (VI) traffic examiners were authorised by the chief executive to check lorry weights. Traffic examiners are integrated into VI"s district structure and it is not possible to give a breakdown by local authority area.

  Weighing is also carried out independently by local authority trading standards officers and the police.
  584
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions were made against transport companies for overweight loads in each region for 1992 and 1993 to the most recent practicable date.

  Mr. Key
  The numbers of successful prosecutions obtained by the vehicle inspectorate against goods vehicle operators for overloading offences for the year 1992 and from 1 January to 30 June 1993 are given in the table. During 1992 the inspectorate implemented a change in policy; it now only normally prosecutes where the vehicle is overloaded by 10 per cent. or 1 tonne.

  Traffic area regions

  Number of successful prosecutions

  1992

  1 21993

  Eastern

  378

  143

  North Eastern

  1,289

  411

  North Western

  774

  309

  Scotland

  523

  138

  South Eastern

  546

  224

  South Wales

  155

  54

  West Midlands

  417

  218

  Western

  1,008

  254

  Total

  5,090

  1,751

  11 January to 30 June.

  2 These are provisional figures. Some data from this period has not yet been processed.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his current plans for the route of the east London river crossing in the light of the exclusion of Oxleas wood from the original route; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  It is too early to say where and in what form future proposals will be developed. Any new proposals will be designed to have less impact on the local environment. As with all departmental road schemes, at the appropriate stages, there will be analyses of alternatives, full environmental assessments and, if necessary, a public inquiry.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Norris
  The number of staff in the automatic data processing specialism, and in receipt of the ADP pay allowance, is set out in the table.

  Department/Agency

  Grade

  Number

  Department of Transport (central)

  SEO

  19

  HEO

  36

  EO

  42

  AO

  22

  Total

  119

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  SEO

  3

  HEO

  12

  EO

  5

  AO

  37

  AA

  267

  Total

  324

  585

  Department/Agency

  Grade

  Number

  Drivers, Vehicles and Operators Information Technology Agency

  SEO

  32

  HEO

  74

  EO

  192

  AO

  22

  AA

  17

  Total

  337

  Vehicle Inspectorate Agency

  HEO

  1

  EO

  2

  Total

  3

  Some more senior staff have responsibilities for ADP but are not separately recorded as ADP specialists.

  Birmingham Relief Road
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of land acquisition consequential upon the Birmingham northern relief road with particular reference to(a) land purchased to date, (b) the identity of the purchaser and current owner and (c) the amount of land still needing to be purchased.

  Mr. Key
  The Department has so far purchased 59 properties under the blight provisions since the original road proposals were announced in 1984; a further 16 are in the process of acquisition. The properties will remain in the department's ownership until they are taken for the road scheme or can be declared surplus and sold.

  The compulsory purchase orders will be published this autumn and the total land required for the scheme is 596 hectares, of which 482 hectares are agricultural land.

  The land already purchased in advance of the compulsory purchase orders (under the blight provisions) does not all fall within the boundaries of the land required for the scheme. Therefore, it would be disproportionately expensive to calculate the exact amount of land still required.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grants have been made under section 12 of the London Regional Transport Act 1984 or other powers, to London Regional Transport in respect of the acquisition of land blighted by the crossrail project under section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991; and how much has so far been spent or authorised to be spent for this purpose since the Crossrail Bill was deposited in Parliament in November 1991.

  Mr. Norris
  A ring-fenced provision is made for all aspects of the Crossrail project. How in detail it is spent is a matter for London Regional Transport. I am advised that it has as yet purchased no blighted properties.

  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has approved, under section 32(2) of the London Regional Transport Act 1984, the lines upon which London Regional Transport and the promoters of crossrail shall exercise their discretion under section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 in relation to the acquisition by agreement of land in cases where it becomes 586
  apparent that the enjoyment of the land will be seriously affected by the carrying out or operation of the crossrail works.

  Mr. Norris
  No; London Regional Transport has made no proposal to my right hon. Friend in respect of its exercise of the power conveyed by section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act.

  Non-insured Vehicles
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the amount of revenue that is lost to the insurance industry each year through non-insured vehicles.

  Mr. Key
  The insurance industry's best estimate is that about 5 per cent. of all drivers are uninsured, though it is not possible to verify this figure. At that level, the industry estimate that they are losing about £375 million a year in premium income.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to limit the number of road tax evaders.

  Mr. Key
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the police are taking vigorous and effective action against vehicle excise duty (VED) evaders.

  Last year over 435,000 evaders were penalised with £37·5 million recovered. In addition an estimated 180,000 evaders relicensed as a direct result of enforcement action, recovering a further £14 million. The number of evaders brought to book has steadily increased over the last 10 years and this trend is planned to continue. Factors involved include the streamlining of the enforcement effort following an efficiency scrutiny, the introduction of new technology, the continuing programme of joint campaigns with the police and most recently the red windscreen warning notice scheme.

  Furness and Cumbria Coastal Lines
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects tenders to be invited to operate the Furness and Cumbria coastal lines.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Barrow to Carlisle line will be tendered as part of North-West regional railways. The precise timing will be decided by the franchising director after his appointment under the Railways Bill when it has received Royal Assent.

  Civil Aviation (Competition)
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to increase competiton in the civil aviation industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The EC third package of aviation liberalisation measures, which came into effect on 1 January, has already created very considerable opportunities for competition in civil aviation in the European Community. The Government will remain keen to ensure that obstacles are not created to hinder airlines wishing to make use of these opportunities. Elsewhere, our aim is to increase the opportunities for competition by seeking to liberalise the United Kingdom's bilateral air service agreements.
  587

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on current Government policy towards a fifth Heathrow terminal.

  Mr. Norris
  The objectives for airports policy were set out in the 1985 White Paper "Airports Policy"; this noted that the possibility of a fifth terminal at Heathrow would be kept under review, without commitment. The Secretary of State for the Enviornment has called in the planning application for a fifth terminal at Heathrow airport lodged by BAA plc on 17 February 1993. This will be for joint decision by him and my Secretary of State following a public inquiry. Because of this quasi-judicial role, it would not be proper for me to comment on the proposal.

  MV Avon
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake appropriate inquiries concerning the cause of the incident at approximately 2 pm on Wednesday 21 July when the MV Avon, en route from Southampton to China, ran aground off Browndown, Gosport; and if he will publish his findings.

  Mr. Norris
  The accident is being investigated by the Department's marine accident investigation branch. Any lessons to be learnt and how best they can be promulgated and acted upon will be considered by the chief inspector of marine accidents on completion of the investigation; this may include publication of the inspector's findings.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Market Testing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he vets bids for market testing of contracts to establish whether firmś directors have been found to be unfit to act as directors; and what vetting procedures he institutes to check this.

  Mr. Nelson
  The names of directors of firms bidding for market testing contracts in Her Majesty's Treasury, are checked with Companies House prior to a shortlist being announced. Directors who are unfit to act must be removed from all dealings with their firm and cannot act in a similar capacity within other firms. In the event of the Treasury finding one of its shortlisted firms listing an unfit director, further investigations would take place, through Companies House and the firm itself, to ensure that the director was no longer associated with the firm. If this proved to be the case and the firm had a good reputation and references, it would still be considered for the contract. However if there was still a serious doubt about the firm and/or its directors, it would be removed from the shortlist.

  Criminal Offences
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criminal offences he has introduced in the last five years under delegated legislation.

  Mr. Nelson
  No central records are kept of information in the form requested. However, the available information shows that since 1988 the following instruments have created new criminal offences by way of delegated legislation:588

  (a) Regulations made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer: the European Communities (Restriction on Disclosure) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2779).

  (b) Regulations made by Her Majesty's Treasury: the Banking Co-ordination (Second Council Directive) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3218).

  (c) Regulations made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise: the Customs and Excise (Common Transit) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/1476); the Customs Controls on Importation of Goods Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2724); the Customs Warehousing Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2725); the Free Zone Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2727); the Statistics of Trade (Customs and Excise) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/2790); the Statistics of Trade (Customs and Excise) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/541); and the Customs and Excise (Transit) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/1353).

  All these regulations were made in exercise of powers under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

  Customs and Excise
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will place in the Library copies of the recruitment leaflets in various Asian languages that were referred to in "News Update", issue No. 20, published in February by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Sir John Cope
  Copies of the brochures are being placed in the Library. They demonstrate the commitment of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to equal opportunities and are aimed at the parents and advisers of ethnic minority school leavers.

  VAT
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the impact on VAT revenues if new residential housing construction was subject to VAT at(a) 5 per cent., (b) 8 per cent. and (c) 17½ per cent. in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1995–96;

  (2) what would have been the impact on VAT revenues, if the rate of VAT for (a) new residential house construction and (b) home improvement and repair work had been respectively (i) 17½ per cent., (ii) 8 per cent., (iii) 5 per cent. and (iv) zero per cent. in 1992–93; and what is his estimate of the impact of such changes on VAT revenues in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96;

  (3) what is the expected total revenue from VAT in 1993–94 in respect of (a) all construction work and (b) home improvements and repair work; and what is his forecast for revenue in 1994–95 and 1995–96 from these sources;

  (4) if he will publish a table showing the total revenue from VAT in respect of (a) all construction work and (b) home improvement and repair work in each year since 1985–86.

  Sir John Cope
  No estimates are available for the total revenue yield from all construction or for home improvement and repair work.

  The estimates of the revenue yield from applying VAT to new residential house construction for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are as follows:

  1992–93

  1993–94

  (i) 17½ per cent.

  1,800

  1,700

  (ii) 8 per cent.

  800

  800

  (iii) 5 per cent.

  500

  500

  (iv) 0 per cent.

  0

  0

  589
  No estimates have been made for beyond 1993–94. These estimates are approximate and subject to revision. Also, they make no allowance for the likely behavioural response to changing the rate of VAT applied to these items so the actual revenue effect could differ from the figures shown.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the rates of VAT currently applicable to(a) new residential housing construction, (b) home improvement and repair work and (c) other construction work in each other country of the EC.

  Sir John Cope
  The information requested is shown in the table. The data given are the latest available.

  VAT on new residential construction; repairs, maintenance and alterations; and other construction work in the EC

  Country

  New residential housing construction

  Repairs, maintenance and alterations

  Other new construction work

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Belgium

  119·5

  26·0

  19·5

  212·0

  12·0

  Denmark

  125·0

  25·0

  25·0

  France

  18·6

  18·6

  18·6

  Germany

  Exempt

  15·0

  Exempt

  Greece

  18·0

  18·0

  18·0

  Ireland

  12·5

  12·5

  12·5

  Italy

  2 4·0

  19·0

  19·0

  19·0

  Luxembourg

  15·0

  15·0

  15·0

  Netherlands

  17·5

  17·5

  17·5

  Portugal3

  16·0 (12·0)

  16·0 (12·0)

  16·0 (12·0)

  4 5·0 (4·0)

  4 5·0 (4·0)

  4 5·0 (4·0)

  Spain

  5 3·0

  15·0

  15·0

  5 6·0

  15·0

  United Kingdom

  0·0

  17·5

  617·5

  1 The standard rate applies to the sale of new buildings by a person who is a professional building contractor.

  2 The lower rate applies to subsidised housing.

  3 The rates in brackets apply to madeira and Azores archipelagoes.

  4 The lower rate applies to contracted services relating to the construction of immovable property where the holders of the works contract are either (a) housing and building co-operatives providing that the services are contracted directly between them and the construction of the immovable property are perforned by companies engaged in building publicly financed dwellings within the scope of the development contracts; or (b) local government agencies, provided that the services in question are contracted directly with the contractor.

  5 Three per cent. applies to dwelling defined admilnistratively as having official protection status under special arrangements, when the supplies are made by the promoters thereof. Six per cent. applies to sales of buildings or parts thereof suitable for use as dwellings, including their garages and outbuildings which are transferred jointly. This excludes business premises, even where the dwellings are transferred jointly with the business premises.

  6 Authorised alterations to listed buildings are zero rated.

  Source: VAT in Europe (International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation).
  590
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the latest annual yield of 17·5 per cent. VAT on newspapers, magazines and periodicals.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: It is estimated that the yield of VAT at 17·5 per cent. on newspapers, magazines and periodicals would be £1,100 million in 1993–94. This figure does not take account of any behavioural response to applying the standard rate of VAT to these items.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated yield in 1994–95 from levying VAT at 17·5 per cent. on(a) children's clothing, (b) passenger transport, giving separate figures for bus, coach, rail and air transport, (c) food and (d) newspapers and periodicals.

  Sir John Cope
  Latest estimates available are for 1993–94 and are as follows:

  £ million

  (a) Children's clothing

  600

  (b) domestic passenger transport

  1,150

  international passenger transport

  1,000

  (c) food

  7,200

  (d) books, newspapers and magazines

  1,100

  Separate estimates have not been made for bus, coach, rail and air transport. Consumers' expenditure data suggests that they comprise respectively, 42 per cent., 44 per cent., 8 per cent. and 6 per cent. of domestic passenger transport. Consumers' expenditure data also suggests that around 87 per cent. of the figure for international passenger transport is in respect of transport by air, and 13 per cent. in respect of transport by sea.

  Separate estimates have not been made for newspapers and periodicals. Consumers' expenditure data suggest this may be around 70 per cent. of the total figure for books, newspapers and magazines.

  Japanese Companies
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid in corporation tax by Japanese companies in the United Kingdom each year since 1983.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Mainstream and advance corporation tax liabilities of United Kingdom subsidiaries and branches of Japanese companies are estimated to be:

  £ million

  1987

  140

  1988

  200

  1989

  210

  1990

  140

  1991

  150

  Information for earlier years is not readily available.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in Treasury and Treasury agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.
  591
  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  Senior Executive Officer

  11

  Higher Executive Officer

  16

  Executive Officer

  24

  Administrative Officer

  12

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in Inland Revenue in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Inland Revenue's information technology office employs some 2,350 civil servants of which 1,149 currently receive an advanced data processing allowance in recognition of their specialism.

  Grade (Civil Service Equivalent)

  Numbers

  SEO

  195

  HEO

  452

  EO

  502

  Total

  1,149

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Nelson
  No specific arrangements are currently in place but Her Majesty's Treasury will consider sympathetically any request recieved from blind or partially sighted people for access to information it produces. Facilities are available to enable us to produce information in Braille or large print.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Nelson
  No information produced by Her Majesty's Treasury is currently available in this form, but the Department would consider sympathetically any requests for its information to be produced in Braille, tape or large print. Facilities are available for information to be produced in Braille or large print.

  Of other Departments for which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has responsibility, the board of Inland Revenue will make available its revised leaflet "You and the Inland Revenue" in Braille, large print and audio rapes. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are currently considering the possibilities of issuing notice 1—allowances to travellers and the travellers charter in Braille and on audio cassette, and the Department for National Savings is planning to produce an all-in-one product leaflet next year and a tape version will be made available. A tape version of its "Guide to Savings for Non-Taxpayers" was available when that publication was current.
  592

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by the Inland Revenue, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Inland Revenue has awarded contracts to the following computer consultancies since November 1991:

  Task

  Abraxas Computer Services Ltd.

  Computer project support

  The Berwyn Partnership

  Computer project support

  Boldon James Ltd.

  Computer project support

  CSS Trident pic

  Computer project support

  Computer People Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Computer Sciences Co. Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Cornwall Affiliates Ltd.

  Business support

  DPLACE

  Business support

  DP Support Services Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Duhig Berry Ltd.

  Project management support

  Frost Berkeley Associates Ltd.

  Computer project support

  IBM (UK) Ltd.

  Computer project support

  ICL

  Computer project support

  ICS (Sales) Ltd.

  Computer project support

  IEMIT Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Intertech Computer Consultants Ltd.

  Computer project support

  LBMS pic

  Computer project support

  Lorien Technical Services Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Lucidus Ltd.

  Market testing

  Macleod Group

  Computer project support

  MDS Consultants Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Oracle Corporation Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Organisation and Systems Innovations Ltd.

  Project support

  PA Consulting Group

  Business systems

  Panacea Ltd.

  Computer project support

  P—E International Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Rand Information Systems Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Price Waterhouse

  Strategy support

  Quality Testing Ltd.

  System testing

  Sequel Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Softlab Ltd.

  Systems support

  SPAN Contracts

  Computer project support

  Starfield Management Ltd.

  Business support

  Systems Resources Ltd.

  Computer project support

  Task Force IT

  Computer project support

  Touche Ross

  Communications support

  VNG Nationwide

  Communications support

  Winnow Ltd.

  Business support

  World Systems plc

  Computer project support

  YCS Ltd.

  Computer project support

  The spend on computer consultancy is recorded over successive financial years from 1 April each year. Since April 1991, the Inland Revenue has spent the following total amounts on computer consultancy:

  £

  1991–92

  20,296,949

  1992–93

  19,427,849

  In the current financial year 1993–94, the Department expects to spend up to £18,900,000 on computer consultancy.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by Customs and Excise, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.
  593
  Sir John Cope
  The computer consultants engaged by the central information technology function together with the nature of their contracts and total cost are set out.

  Company

  Amounts paid since 1 November 1991

  Nature of work

  £

  LOGICA

  8,183,300

  Central four-year contract providing on call development support

  BIS

  2,473,500

  MFT Computer Systems

  3,300

  Amendments to Tariff Quota File

  Aspire

  44,500

  Market Testing advice

  Adbury Electronics

  3,900

  VAT Software Development

  Coopers and Lybrand

  63,000

  Market Testing advice

  Haymark communications

  11,800

  Software support

  Capita Management Consultant

  51,500

  Market Testing advice

  Interchange Associates

  84,700

  IT advice to Board

  Dove Communications

  91,400

  Telecomms. support

  Comshare

  322,000

  Technical specs, and analysis

  Datafit

  574,000

  VAT Programming

  Hedra

  51,900

  Information System Strategy Support

  Valid Consultancy

  87,100

  Telecomms. support

  TCSL Group

  33,100

  Prototype development

  CCTA

  80,200

  Management studies/ development

  Firefox Communications

  2,400

  Software Support

  Sun Microsystems

  1,000

  Technical assurance

  Data General

  49,500

  Testing and configuration support

  ACTLOGSYS

  26,100

  Technical Support

  Total

  12,238,200

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by the Treasury and Treasury agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Department's spend on computer consultancies since 1991–92 to date amounts to £64,220, including VAT. Information on individual consultancies and by task is not held centrally in the same way and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Agricultural Partnership Tenancies
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) pursuant to his answer of 26 February,Official Report, column 765, when he expects the issue of jurisdictional problems over the valuation of agricultural partnership tenancies to be solved; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many cases relating to the valuation of agricultural partnership tenancies are outstanding with the Lands Tribunal; and when he expects them to be resolved.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The case referred to in my earlier answer is due to be heard by the Lands Tribunal in early October. No other such cases are currently outstanding with the Lands Tribunal. In future, any such cases reaching the 594
  Lands Tribunal after this year's Finance Bill receives Royal Assent should benefit from clause 200 of the Bill, which proposes to allow the special commissioners to refer to the Lands Tribunal questions as to the value of land without the need for a fresh appeal.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in Customs and Excise, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Sir John Cope
  There have been no cases where Customs and Excise have contracted out existing in-house services where TUPE did not apply. To date, there has been only one contract involving the transfer of staff awarded to an outside bidder, London HQ catering, and the staff were transferred under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in Treasury and Treasury agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Nelson
  No previously in-house services have been contracted out since November 1991.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in Inland Revenue, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Records management (off-site store at Nottingham)

  Valuation banding for council tax

  Bulk mailing (employers' annual pack)

  Typing, secretarial and office support services (Nottingham)

  Catering (St. Albans)

  Catering (Leicester)

  Training Office—Writing of Training materials

  Estate management (south-east, Wales)

  Estate management (Scotland)

  Estate management (west midlands, East)

  Estate management (London and headquarters)

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government's economic policies are designed to maintain an environment in which business and enterprise can develop and prosper. The Treasury therefore places a high priority on helping small businesses. Developments in the last year include:reduction of inflation to 1·2 per cent., its lowest level for nearly 30 years;
  reductions in interest rates since leaving the exchange rate mechanism which, when fully passed through, will be worth over £5 billion a year off companies' interest payments.
  595
  In addition, the March Budget included:
  further transitional help on business rates, worth £370 million, so that no business will face a real increase in rates in 1993–94;
  changes to the loan guarantee scheme to improve the supply of bank finance to small businesses;
  allowing VAT relief on bad debts after six months rather than a year;
  increases in the VAT registration threshold from £36,600 to £37,600 and in the turnover limit of the VAT cash accounting scheme from £300,000 to £350,000;
  reductions in VAT penalties on late returns and misdeclarations, and new flexibility in applying penalties; a new entrepreneurs' relief from capital gains tax where gains from the sale of a person's own business are reinvested in new businesses, and an extension of capital gains tax retirement relief.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requests have been received from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to release frozen funds from banking institutions in London for the purpose of purchasing medical supplies; how many of these requests have been granted; how many have been denied; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is not readily available. The Bank of England, which administers financial sanctions on behalf of Her Majesty's Treasury, has given delegated authority to individual banks to release funds in respect of the export of humanitarian goods to Serbia and Montenegro from the United Kingdom, provided that a licence has been issued by the Department of Trade and Industry and that a letter of authorisation has been issued by the United Nations sanctions committee.

  Nuclear Companies
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what cash contributions he has estimated that British Nuclear Fuels plc, Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear will make to the national loans fund for each year from 1993 to 1998.

  Mr. Portillo
  No such estimates are available. All three companies may deposit cash surpluses in the national loans fund. But all three also have access to other deposit facilities. They take decisions on where to deposit surpluses from time to time as appropriate.

  Financial perspective expenditure ceilings

  Preliminary draft budget

  Budget council draft budget

  mecu

  £ million1

  mecu

  £ million

  mecu

  £ million

  Commitment appropriations

  1. Common agricultural policy

  36,465

  28,063

  36,465

  28,063

  36,465

  28,063

  2. Structural operations

  23,176

  17,836

  23,176

  17,836

  23,176

  17,836

  3. Internal policies

  4,325

  3,328

  4,243

  3,265

  3,638

  2,800

  4. External action

  4,236

  3,260

  4,174

  3,212

  4,020

  3,094

  5. Administrative expenditure

  3,579

  2,754

  3,579

  2,754

  3,578

  2,754

  6. Reserves

  1,530

  1,177

  1,530

  1,177

  1,530

  1,177

  Total commitments

  73,311

  56,419

  73,167

  56,308

  72,407

  55,723

  Total payment appropriations

  70,232

  54,050

  70,099

  53,947

  69,011

  53,110

  1 Throughout this reply the rate of £1 =1.2994 ecu has been used—the rate notified in the Official Journal as prevailing on the last working day of last month (30 June).

  596

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the organisation of executive officers in the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Inland Revenue has today announced moves towards a smaller number of large executive offices.

  With effect from 1 October 1993, the Controller, Inland Revenue Wales will assume responsibility for Inland Revenue midlands and the two executive offices will be combined and managed as a single executive office from 1 April 1994.

  Also from 1 April 1994, the tax offices in London responsible for some of the largest groups of companies, principally in the financial sector, will be brought together in a new executive office, top be known as the large groups office. This office will also incorporate a number of audit and investigative functions currently in the Department's head office.

  Responsibility for the remaining tax and collection offices in the three present London regional executive offices will be brought together under a single controller in charge of a new executive office, to be known as Inland Revenue, London.

  Budget Council
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent meeting of European Ministers at the Budget Council.

  Sir John Cope
  The Budget Council met in Brussels on 22 July. I represented the United Kingdom.

  The council established a first reading draft budget for 1994, totalling 72·4 billion ecu—£55·7 billion—in commitment appropriations and 69·0 billion ecu—£53·1 billion—in payment appropriations, respectively 760 million ecu—£585 million—and 1,088 million ecu—£837 million—below the figures proposed by the Commission in its preliminary draft budget. The draft budget would require own resources totalling 1·18 per cent. of Community gross national product, compared with the own resources ceiling for 1994 of 1·2 per cent.

  The draft budget respects the financial perspective expenditure ceilings agreed at the Edinburgh European Council in December 1992. The summary table compares the outcome of the Budget Council to the proposals in the Commission's preliminary draft budget by reference to the financial perspective ceilings.
  597
  The European Parliament will consider the draft budget for 1994 at its plenary session in October. The Parliament's amendments and modifications will be considered at the second Budget Council in November. The European Parliament's second reading is set for mid-December.

  The Council took no formal votes, the presidency concluding that there was the necessary majority to establish the draft budget for 1994.

  The Budget Council also considered the Commission's proposed supplementary and amending budget for 1993. It believed that further consideration of the proposal was necessary before any decision could be reached.

  Sterling Deposits
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the gross figures for sterling deposits held by financial institutions and banks in(a) the Bahamas, (b) Bermuda, (c) the Grand Cayman islands, (d) the Channel islands and (e) the Isle of Man for the latest year available.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 July 1993]: Neither the Treasury nor the bank collects this information. The following figures have been supplied by the relevant authorities in the Channel islands, the Isle of Man and the Cayman islands, and cover all banks with a presence in these centres. They do not cover other financial institutions.

  £ billion

  Financial Centre

  Total sterling deposits

  Jersey1

  22·35

  Guernsey

  8·9

  Isle of Man2

  8·04

  Cayman Islands3

  2·98

  1 March 1993 figure.

  2 December 1992 figure.

  3December 1992 figure for total sterling liabilities—including loans.

  Overseas Funds
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much had been placed in offshore and overseas funds by individual and corporate investors by summer 1983; and what is the amount at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: The data requested are not available.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. David Davis
  The Cabinet Office, of which the Office of Public Service and Science and its agencies are a part, employs the following numbers of civil servants in automatic data processing posts:598

  106 senior executive officers

  124 higher executive officers

  102 executive officers

  31 administrative officers

  39 administrative assistants

  Scientific and Technological Options
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to meet the chairman and secretariat of the European Parliament's scientific and technological options assessment programme to discuss the prospect for collaborative work; and whether his Office of Science and Technology receives copies of the scientific and technological options assessment research reports on a routine basis.

  Mr. David Davis
  The European Parliament's scientific and technological options assessment programme (STOA) advises the European Parliament on science and technological issues. I do not anticipate developing a programme of collaborative work. Nevertheless, I have instructed my officials to develop closer links with the STOA secretariat to ensure better mutual understanding of science and technology policy issues, and obtain copies of relevant reports.

  Central Scrutiny Programme
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what topics have been covered in the efficiency unit's central scrutiny programme in the last financial year; and which scrutiny reports can be made available to the general public.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Fourteen efficiency scrutinies or similar reviews have been undertaken by Departments in 1992–l93 in association with the Prime Minister's adviser on efficiency and the efficiency unit. The programme, including those which are not yet completed, is as follows:

  Department/Title of Scrutiny Completed

  Report: Publicly available

  HM Customs and Excise

  External Consultants

  No

  Ministry of Defence

  VIP Flying

  Under consideration

  Department of the Environment

  LA Superannuation Scheme

  Yes

  Department for Education

  Information Needs

  Under consideration

  Inland Revenue

  Valuation Office

  Under consideration

  Northern Ireland Office

  Community Economic Regeneration Scheme

  Under consideration

  Department of Social Security

  Property Management

  Under consideration

  Document Retention

  Under consideration

  Welsh Office

  Health Promotion

  Yes

  HM Treasury

  Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme

  Yes

  Purchasing Group

  Under consideration

  Not Completed

  599

  Department/Title of Scrutiny Completed

  Report: Publicly available

  Inland Revenue

  Common Causes of Error

  Department of Social Security

  Fraud and Security

  Customer Satisfaction

  Decisions on the publication of scrutiny reports are taken by the Ministers responsible for the scrutinies concerned. In a number of cases, where a scrutiny has been recently completed or is not yet complete, no decision on publication has been made.

  Government Estate
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what will be the terms of reference for the scrutiny of the management of the Government estate.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The terms of reference are as follows:

  To consider what arrangements would be needed to enable Departments and/or agencies to take as much responsibility as possible for the management, including acquisition and disposal, of all their civil estate properties, including those which are listed buildings.

  In particular, to consider:
  What financial and other systems should be retained or established to ensure efficient and effective property management, value for money for the Exchequer and to safeguard the position of Accounting Officers;
  Best public and private sector practice on property management issues;
  What central advice/support is needed for Departments on property management issues, including the employment of consultants; procurement of work services; measures against fraud; standards; health and safety; fire precautions; conservation and environmental issues;
  What co-ordination mechanism would need to be retained or established to ensure the development and implementation of strategic plans for estate rationalisation, to exploit fully Government's strong position in the market place, to make Departments aware of accommodation across Government and to avoid them bidding against each other for properties;
  What arrangements should be retained or established for any Department which cannot approximately take responsibility for the management of their civil estate. To make recommendations.

  The Prime Minister has asked his efficiency adviser, Sir Peter Levene, to review how the Government currently manages the properties it occupies, to consider the alternatives for their management and to report to him by the end of the year.

  As public service reforms gather pace, it is important to consider whether Departments and agencies should take

  School examination survey

  GCSE atempts by 16 year old pupils in England

  Subject taken

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  11991–92

  Physics

  Number (000's)

  196·92

  152·34

  100·08

  54·87

  Per cent, of any subject

  34

  28

  19

  10

  Chemistry

  Number (000's)

  179·07

  143·66

  97·95

  55·14

  Per cent, of any subject

  31

  26

  19

  10

  Biology

  Number (000's)

  216·96

  171·36

  110·14

  58·87

  Per cent, of any subject

  37

  31

  21

  11

  600
  on more direct responsibility for managing their property, and the means of ensuring that Government property is managed efficiently and effectively to achieve the best value for money for the tax payer.

  The scrutiny is being led by a team from the efficiency unit of the OPSS and began work on 19 July. Members will be drawn from other Departments and the private sector. Their report will be published.

EDUCATION

  A-levels
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what have been the total numbers of A-level entrants in(a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c). biology, (d) mathematics and (e) other or combined sciences in each year since 1988; and what was the total number of entrants to those subjects each year as a percentage of A-level entrants in all subjects.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The exact information requested is not available on a comparable basis for each year since 1988.

  The number of candidates aged 18 and below at the beginning of the academic year in schools and further education colleges in England entered for A-level in a (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) mathematics and (e) other or combined science in 1991–92 are shown:

  Number entered

  Per cent. of total entrants

  (a) Physics

  34,892

  15·7

  (b) Chemistry

  35,659

  16·1

  (c) Biology

  39,327

  17·7

  (d) Mathematics

  56,222

  25·4

  (e) Other/combined science

  4,749

  2·1

  GCSE
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the number of GCSE entrants in(a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) mathematics and (e) combined sciences in each year since 1989; arid what has been the total number of entrants in those subjects each year as a percentage of the total entrants in all subjects.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The estimated numbers of 16-year-old pupils in schools in England entering GCSE(a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) mathematics and (e) combined science in each year since 1989 are shown in the table. The percentage of the total entrants are also shown.
  601

  Subject taken

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  11991–92

  Mathematics

  Number (000's)

  532·26

  490·26

  471·41

  460·21

  Per cent. of any subject

  92

  90

  90

  87

  Combined science

  Number (000's)

  142·11

  203·75

  300·92

  396·71

  Per cent. of any subject

  24

  37

  58

  75

  Any subject

  Number (000's)

  581·3

  544·4

  521·15

  530·5

  School Inspections
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to extend school inspections to cover(a) methods of punishment, (b) complaints procedures, (c) the views of pupils and (d) provision for children with special needs.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  All inspections of schools must report on quality of education and standards of achievement, financial efficiency and development of pupils' spiritual, moral, cultural and social values. Inspections must be carried out in accordance with the framework of inspection published by the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to the hon. Member.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Boswell
  Whether or not the TUPE regulations apply in any particular case depends on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying it out. TUPE regulations did not apply to either of the Departmental functions contracted out since November 1991—the publications dispatch service and the pilot study of professional scrutiny and control of school building projects.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department ensures that most publications with key messages are available on tape for blind or partially sighted people. We do not make alternative arrangements when this is not practical.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department ensures that most publications which have important information for 602
  parents are made available on tape. It also pays for the Royal National Institute for the Blind to produce the annual booklet "Student Grants and Loans—a brief guide" in Braille.

  Medical Training
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has received for altering the arrangements for training medical, paramedical or other students of subjects principally aimed at careers in the NHS and similar employees.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has received no general proposals for change in this area. Officials of the Department for Education have held discussions with officials at the Department of Health about the arrangements for funding undergraduate courses in speech and language therapy, dietetics and chiropody. No decisions have yet been reached. Any proposals for change which may emerge from these discussions will be considered in consultation with higher education institutions, professional bodies and the NHS.

  Technology Teaching
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what efforts are being undertaken by his Department to secure an increased supply of approximately qualified teachers of technology in schools.

  Mr. Forth
  The shortage subject bursary scheme for teacher training has included technology since the start. The Open university's postgraduate certificate in education, which the Department has funded, will provide 100 training places a year in technology from February 1994. The school-centred initial teacher training scheme incorporates 100 places available for secondary technology teachers to be organised through the City Technology College Trust. Sixty 20-day designated courses of in-service training for technology will take place in 1993–94, with support under the grants for education support and training (GEST) programme, to enhance primary teachers' subject knowledge. GEST funding can be used for secondary in-service training in technology and other subjects. The Department's teaching taster courses have always featured technology amongst the subjects offered. Special courses have been offered to encourage highly qualified technologists facing redundancy to consider careers in teaching.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements will be undertaken by his Department to allocate appropriate capitation, resources, workshop facilities and ancillary staff to assist with the teaching of technology in schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government make unhypothecated grant available to local authorities, which decide on
  603
  their spending priorities between and within services, or directly to grant-maintained schools. In either case, it is for governing bodies to allocate their funds as they think best between different priorities, including technology. It is not for central Government to prescribe how much should be spent locally on any one area, but in 1993–94 we are making available grants for education support and training support in England for £179 million related to the implementation of the national curriculum generally, of which £30 million is specifically for information technology in schools. The Department is also supporting £24 million of expenditure through the technology schools initiative.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will outline the changes planned by his Department to(a) curriculum materials and (b) testing and examination arrangements following the production of the National Curriculum Council's interim report on the teaching of technology in schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The present national curriculum requirements for technology will remain in force until revised ones are introduced in respect of pupils in key stages 1 to 3 from the autumn of 1995, and in key stage 4 from the autumn of 1996. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and for Wales will decide towards the end of this year how best to take forward the development of these new curriculum requirements and the arrangements for their implementation, taking into account the findings of Sir Ron Dearing's wider review of the national curriculum and its assessment.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies In the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of staff by grade employed in the Department in the automatic data processing functional specialism is as follows:

  Number

  SEO

  18

  HEO

  50

  EO

  66

  AO

  14

  AA

  20

  Total

  168

  None is employed in the Teachers' Pensions Agency, although a proportion are employed in account management, developmental and support work for the agency.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Education if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by his Department and agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  This Department has spent an estimated £942,000 on computer consultancies since November 1991. Contracts awarded are as follows:
  604
  Contractor and Consultancies

  Microsoft Ltd.—Graphical User Interface Development

  BIS Systems Ltd.—Office Systems and Infrastructure Strategy

  BIS Systems Ltd.—Upgrading Core Resource Information

  System (CRIS-F)

  Sema Group Ltd.—Dissemination of Information Study

  Microsoft Ltd.—Policy Branch Information System (PBIS)

  Forvus Ltd.—Unix conversion and Migration

  BIS. Systems Ltd.—Telecommunications Scoping Study

  Coopers and Lybrand—Information Systems Branch Scoping Study

  Insight Ltd.—Pensions Administration System security

  Hoskyns Ltd.—Training on Pensions Administration System

  Hoskyns Ltd.—Course Development on Pensions Administration System

  Duhig Berry—Preparation and provision of specialist IS related training

  Kinesis Computing—Programming advice to Information Systems Branch

  BBT Statistical Computing—Conversion of Data to Quicktab format

  BIS Systems Ltd.—Development of a Bursary Payments System

  Coopers and Lybrand—Preparation of ISB Corporate Plan

  Insight Consulting—Review of Data Collection and Processing System

  MSL Ltd.—Programming advice to Information Systems Branch

  OCTS Ltd.—Advice on Superbase software

  MFT Computer Services—Novell Hardware Platform Consultancy

  Oracle Ltd.—Transfer of Data to Oracle Case format

  Mikrofaxt Ltd.—Development work on Purchasing System

  Granada Computer—Troubleshooting on Purchasing System

  AMTEC Consulting—Development of Information System for the Office for Standards in Education

  Forvus Ltd.—Development and Processing of Continuous Student Record

  Admiral Ltd.—Guidance on Word For Windows Project

  BBT Statistical Computing—Call off Contract for Conversion of Data

  Shreeveport Ltd.—Assistance to In-house team on Market Test

  Mircosoft Ltd.—Integration of Core Resource Information System and Policy Branch Information System

  BIS Systems Ltd.—Desk Top Integration Project

  OCTS Ltd.—Advice on Excel software

  Express Computer—Advice on the Capital Grants System

  ICL (UK) Ltd.—Consultancy to Upgrade TME40 Hardware

  Kinesis Computing—Enhancements to Conference Room Booking System

  CMG Ltd.—Advice on Relational Database software

  Uden Consulting—Review of Pensions Administration System Project

  Terry Kinnard—Prototyping of Data for Parents Charter

  MFT Computer Services—Porting of Secretariat System software to a UNIX hardware platform

  Kinesis Computing—Viability advice on Clipper System

  KPMG Consulting—Advice on Business Systems for Grant Maintained Schools

  Commercell—Development of Personnel System for the Office for Standards in Education

  Ingres Ltd.—Technical Audit of the Pensions Administration System

  Kinesis Computing—Provision of Technical Report on Grant Maintained Schools System

  Express Computer Consultants—Changes to Grant Maintained Schools Payments System

  Oracle Ltd.—Advice on Relational Database software

  Education Support Grant
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much education support grant was given to each local education authority for each year since 1979, for health education.

  Mr. Forth
  Details of allocations for education support grant (ESG) and the parallel LEA training grant
  605
  (LEATG) for health education are given in the table. The table shows expenditure allocations for ESGs and LEATGs to each LEA as announced in the circular for that year. Final take-up of allocations by LEAs may have been slightly less.

  Education support grants and local education authority training grants: allocation for health education

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1992–93

  Support for Health Education

  Training for Health Education

  Support for Health Education

  Training for Health Education

  Support for Health Education

  Training for Health Education

  ESG

  LEATGS

  ESG

  LEATGS

  ESG

  LEATGS

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  City

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  Camden

  25·0

  8·0

  26·3

  9·5

  24·6

  3·3

  Greenwich

  23·0

  14·0

  24·5

  16·7

  23·1

  5·6

  Hackney

  25·0

  10·0

  26·3

  11·9

  24·7

  3·9

  Hammersmith

  23·0

  7·0

  23·0

  7·0

  21·5

  2·6

  Islington

  25·0

  9·0

  26·3

  10·7

  24·6

  3·5

  Kensington

  25·0

  5·0

  26·3

  5·9

  24·5

  1·6

  Lambeth

  26·6

  11·0

  27·9

  12·0

  26·2

  4·1

  Lewisham

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  15·5

  24·7

  5·0

  Southwark

  38·0

  12·0

  10·3

  14·3

  9·9

  4·8

  Tower Hamlets

  25·0

  10·0

  26·3

  11·9

  24·7

  4·9

  Wandsworth

  25·0

  11·0

  26·3

  13·1

  24·7

  4·4

  Westminster

  25·0

  8·0

  25·0

  9·5

  23·4

  2·6

  Barking

  16·8

  10·0

  26·3

  6·5

  24·7

  3·8

  Barnet

  25·0

  17·0

  26·3

  17·0

  24·8

  6·7

  Bexley

  25·0

  14·0

  26·3

  10·0

  24·7

  5·3

  Brent

  25·0

  14·0

  26·3

  16·7

  24·7

  5·3

  Bromley

  25·0

  15·0

  25·0

  16·0

  24·0

  5·8

  Croydon

  25·0

  18·0

  26·3

  18·0

  24·8

  6·9

  Ealing

  26·2

  15·0

  27·5

  14·6

  25·9

  6·1

  Enfield

  28·5

  16·0

  29·9

  16·0

  28·1

  6·3

  Haringey

  25·0

  11·0

  26·3

  11·0

  24·7

  4·2

  Harrow

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  14·0

  24·7

  4·3

  Havering

  20·0

  15·0

  22·0

  15·5

  20·8

  5·8

  Hillingdon

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  11·0

  24·7

  5·2

  Hounslow

  32·7

  13·0

  32·7

  13·0

  30·7

  5·1

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  30·8

  8·0

  32·3

  9·5

  30·2

  2·8

  Merton

  25·0

  9·0

  26·3

  9·0

  24·6

  3·3

  Newham

  53·1

  15·0

  55·8

  17·8

  52·2

  5·8

  Redbridge

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  15·5

  24·7

  5·1

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  25·0

  7·0

  26·3

  7·0

  22·0

  2·7

  Sutton

  18·9

  10·0

  26·3

  11·9

  24·6

  3·7

  Waltham Forest

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  13·2

  24·7

  5·0

  Birmingham

  140·9

  72·0

  147·9

  54·8

  139·1

  28·2

  Coventry

  27·0

  21·0

  28·4

  25·0

  26·8

  7·8

  Dudley

  30·0

  20·0

  26·5

  22·4

  25·1

  7·4

  Sandwell

  25·0

  21·0

  26·8

  21·7

  25·4

  8·0

  Solihull

  23·6

  14·0

  25·5

  12·1

  24·0

  5·3

  Walsall

  25·0

  19·0

  26·6

  22·6

  25·2

  7·5

  Wolverhampton

  0·0

  17·0

  26·3

  18·4

  24·8

  6·5

  Knowsley

  72·0

  11·0

  75·6

  11·0

  70·5

  4·5

  Liverpool

  44·0

  33·0

  28·2

  39·3

  27·0

  12·9

  St. Helens

  25·0

  14·0

  26·3

  16·7

  24·7

  5·0

  Sefton

  32·7

  19·0

  34·3

  22·6

  32·3

  7·5

  Wirral

  51·0

  22·0

  53·6

  24·0

  50·3

  3·6

  Bolton

  25·0

  19·0

  26·3

  22·6

  24·9

  7·2

  Bury

  24·2

  11·0

  25·0

  0·0

  23·5

  0·0

  Manchester

  38·8

  31·0

  40·7

  36·9

  38·5

  11·5

  Oldham

  26·2

  16·0

  27·5

  0·0

  25·9

  6·4

  Rochdale

  25·0

  15·0

  26·3

  17·8

  24·8

  5·8

  Salford

  25·0

  15·0

  26·3

  15·0

  24·8

  6·0

  Stockport

  25·6

  19·0

  26·9

  21·3

  25·4

  7·0

  Tameside

  25·0

  15·0

  26·3

  15·0

  24·8

  5·9

  Trafford

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  15·5

  24·7

  4·7

  Wigan

  29·4

  23·0

  30·9

  22·3

  29·2

  8·4

  Barnsley

  25·0

  14·0

  26·3

  16·7

  24·8

  5·6

  Doncaster

  27·2

  21·0

  28·6

  23·1

  27·0

  8·0

  Rotherham

  25·0

  18·0

  26·3

  19·6

  24·8

  6·9

  Sheffield

  44·2

  31·0

  46·4

  35·0

  43·8

  11·3

  Bradford

  45·9

  35·0

  48·5

  38·5

  45·9

  13·5

  Calderdale

  25·0

  14·0

  26·3

  16·5

  24·7

  5·2

  Kirklees

  32·0

  26·0

  33·9

  27·0

  32·1

  10·0

  Leeds

  59·7

  44·0

  63·0

  52·3

  59·5

  17·2

  Wakefield

  27·4

  20·0

  27·0

  23·8

  25·6

  7·9

  606
  The health education grants began in 1990–91, building on earlier grants to combat drug abuse which began in 1986–87; the footnote to the table gives details of the national total of expenditure supported by these grants.
  607

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1992–93

  Support for Health Education

  Training for Health Education

  Support for Health Education

  Training for Health Education

  Support for Health Education

  Training for Health Education

  ESG

  LEATGS

  ESG

  LEATGS

  ESG

  LEATGS

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  Gateshead

  25·0

  12·0

  26·1

  14·3

  24·5

  4·9

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  29·8

  17·0

  31·3

  18·2

  29·5

  6·5

  North Tyneside

  25·0

  13·0

  26·3

  14·0

  24·7

  5·0

  South Tyneside

  25·0

  11·0

  26·3

  10·5

  24·7

  4·0

  Sunderland

  23·0

  21·0

  27·0

  25·0

  25·6

  8·0

  Isles of Scilly

  0·5

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Avon

  80·0

  57·0

  83·3

  67·8

  64·7

  21·8

  Bedfordshire

  42·7

  36·0

  44·8

  31·0

  42·4

  13·8

  Berkshire

  54·3

  47·0

  57·4

  47·0

  54·4

  17·4

  Buckinghamshire

  52·5

  39·0

  55·4

  43·4

  52·4

  15·5

  Cambridgeshire

  54·6

  41·0

  57·6

  43·4

  50·8

  16·2

  Cheshire

  51·0

  66·0

  50·0

  50·0

  44·0

  22·0

  Cleveland

  32·5

  41·0

  34·1

  47·6

  32·7

  15·5

  Cornwall

  33·8

  29·0

  36·0

  28·6

  34·1

  11·2

  Cumbria

  42·0

  32·0

  42·0

  31·1

  39·7

  12·1

  Derbyshire

  48·4

  59·0

  57·9

  64·5

  55·2

  22·9

  Devon

  75·0

  58·0

  65·0

  50·0

  61·7

  21·9

  Dorset

  46·3

  35·0

  48·6

  33·6

  45·9

  12·0

  Durham

  42·0

  40·0

  46·6

  47·6

  44·2

  15·4

  East Sussex

  40·0

  35·0

  40·3

  41·3

  38·2

  13·4

  Essex

  61·5

  97·0

  65·7

  115·4

  63·2

  36·7

  Gloucestershire

  42·9

  34·0

  34·7

  40·4

  33·0

  11·4

  Hampshire

  90·7

  94·0

  101·7

  90·0

  96·6

  35·1

  Hereford and Worcester

  110·8

  43·0

  57·6

  48·1

  54·5

  15·0

  Hertfordshire

  58·0

  65·0

  63·3

  62·8

  60·3

  24·1

  Humberside

  62·6

  58·0

  69·5

  62·0

  65·9

  22·8

  Isle of Wight

  25·0

  8·0

  26·3

  6·0

  24·6

  2·9

  Kent

  74·5

  95·0

  69·0

  113·0

  54·0

  4·1

  Lancashire

  100·0

  94·0

  105·0

  77·5

  99·7

  35·3

  Leicestershire

  43·4

  59·0

  53·7

  70·2

  51·4

  22·7

  Lincolnshire

  40·0

  36·0

  42·0

  42·8

  39·8

  13·8

  Norfolk

  58·6

  45·0

  61·5

  52·9

  58·1

  16·8

  North Yorkshire

  35·9

  43·0

  38·7

  51·1

  36·9

  16·4

  Northamptonshire

  42·6

  40·0

  45·0

  38·8

  42·7

  15·5

  Northumberland

  18·4

  20·0

  21·0

  17·0

  0·0

  8·0

  Nottinghamshire

  48·5

  64·0

  59·1

  76·1

  56·4

  24·3

  Oxfordshire

  41·5

  32·0

  43·6

  31·0

  41·2

  12·0

  Shropshire

  33·5

  27·0

  35·6

  30·0

  33·7

  10·1

  Somerset

  36·1

  29·0

  37·9

  0·0

  35·8

  10·3

  Staffordshire

  66·5

  69·0

  72·8

  62·6

  55·7

  26·4

  Suffolk

  51·4

  39·0

  51·0

  34·9

  48·3

  13·2

  Surrey

  44·1

  53·0

  48·6

  46·5

  46·3

  19·7

  Warwickshire

  40·0

  32·0

  42·0

  32·5

  39·7

  11·8

  West Sussex

  51·8

  39·0

  54·4

  39·0

  51·4

  14·9

  Wiltshire

  44·9

  36·0

  47·1

  39·5

  44·5

  12·9

  TOTAL

  4,061·0

  30,00·0

  4,200·0

  3,100·0

  3,899·9

  1,099·9

  Note: In addition, the following grants were available to combat drug misuse:

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  ESG

  2·0

  2·4

  2·0

  LEATGS

  1·5

  1·6

  1·7

  Total

  3·5

  4·0

  3·7

  Figures for 1986–87 are not readily available.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give approval for a school opting out of local authority control where a local authority proposes to close that school as part of a review of surplus places.
  608
  Mr. Robin Squire
  We have made it clear recently that my right hon. Friend would not normally aprove an application for grant-maintained status from a school already proposed for closure as part of a rationalisation scheme, particularly where the school concerned had a large number of surplus places.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the higher education institutions which are providing in-service training for teachers from grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mrs. Ann Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how long grant-maintained schools will be able to rely on the facility to bring in services from their local education authority once grant-maintained status has been approved.
  609
  Mr. Robin Squire
  This will vary from authority to authority. There is provision in the current Education Bill to enable grant-maintained schools to trade with LEAs for two years beyond what current legislation allows.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his policy on officials of his Department participating in meetings for parents or members of the public concerning grant-maintained status other than those meetings organised by his Department.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department's activities in providing information on grant-maintained status are governed by a code of conduct, a copy of which is in the Library. The detailed wording of that code is currently being revised following discussions with the Society of Education Officers, local authority associations and others. Under the code, officials do not normally participate in such meetings.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those grant-maintained schools about which his Department has received representations from parents about (i) non-admission and (ii) exclusion of their children.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department receives numerous letters and telephone inquiries from parents about matters relating to admission to and exclusion from maintained schools. The Department does not keep a record of every such inquiry.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education in what circumstances his Department will pay head teachers of grant-maintained schools to attend as invited speakers at meetings on grant-maintained status other than at their own schools; and what amount of funding would be paid in those circumstances.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Headteachers of grant-maintained schools who are invited to speak at schools considering grant-maintained status about the arrangements for that and their own experiences may claim travel and subsistence expenses from the Department. Such expenses are reimbursed at normal public service rates.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which grant-maintained schools have(a) applied for and (b) been approved to include as part of their admissions policy a process involving (i) pupil and (ii) parent interview; and in which schools the admissions policy has remained unchanged since the school became grant maintained.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is common practice for church schools, whether or not grant maintained, to make use of an interview to help decide whether the religious ethos of the school would be appropriate for the child concerned. Other schools may have arrangements which involve a senior member of staff meeting parents and children prior to admission. Such interviews, which do not affect the child's chance of gaining admission, can be extremely valuable for all concerned. The great majority of grant-maintained schools do not use interviews as part of their formal admission procedures. Relatively few schools have applied for changes in admission arrangements, of whatever kind, since acquiring grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the amounts of payments made under section 610
  79(3)(a)(iii) of the Education Reform Act 1988 and under sections 79(3)(b) of the Education Reform Act 1988 to grant-maintained schools, giving in each case the name of the school and the purposes of the payments.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The only payment that has been made to grant-maintained schools under section 79(3)(a)(iii) of the Education Reform Act 1988 was to Kirkbie Kendal school. The amount was £22,000, and the funds were made available in recognition of extra expenditure incurred by the school on meeting the needs of statemented pupils.

  Tables giving the other information requested have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the schools about which his Department has received representations from parents about the conduct of ballots held under section 61 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department does not collate information on representations received about the conduct of ballots held under section 61 of the Education Reform Act 1988, of which there have now been more than 1,240. Any complaints are considered individually on their merits.

  Testing
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the total number of representations he has received about testing in schools so far in 1993; and what was the proportion(a) in favour and (b) against.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Since the beginning of the year my right hon. Friend has received about 10,000 letters on the subject of testing in schools. They cover a number of different issues. The Department does not keep statistical information about their content.

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give the number of schools in each local authority out of the total number of schools in each case which have transmitted SAT results to their education authority.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  All primary schools maintained by a local education authority are required to send their key stage 1 test results to their authority for onward transmission to the Department. These must be sent to the authority by the end of the summer term. The end date for the authority's returns is 31 July. Secondary schools are required to submit their results through the GCSE examining groups by no later than 15 September. It is, therefore, too soon to have accurate figures on the number of schools that have transmitted their results as required.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, columns 33–36, when the information requested on pupils in schools for 1993 will be available.

  Mr. Forth
  This information from the January 1993 schools' census will become available towards the end of the year.
  611

  Selection
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those grant-maintained schools which have(a) applied for and (b) been approved to include as part of their admissions policy (i) an element of selection based on pupils' ability or aptitude and (ii) a fully selective system of admissions based upon ability; and if he will list those schools where the admissions policy has remained unchanged since the school became grant maintained.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Most grant-maintained schools operate the admissions policies agreed at the time of incorporation. The schools which have subsequently applied for changes in respect of the selection of pupils by aptitude or ability are as follows:

  Approved for element of selection

  Heathside school, Surrey

  Southlands school, Berkshire

  Langley Park school, Bromley

  Beaverwood school, Bromley

  Canterbury high school, Kent

  Cooper's school, Bromley

  Abbs Cross school, Havering

  King Edward VI grammar school, Essex

  Approved for fully selective intake

  Queen Elizabeth grammar school, Cumbria

  Application for element of selection pending

  North Kesteven, Lincolnshire

  Robert Pattinson school, Lincolnshire

  Mill Hill school, Barnet

  Budmouth school, Dorset

  Application for fully selective intake not approved

  Castle Hall school, Kirklees

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list for each local education authority the latest estimate of the number of surplus school places in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

  Mr. Forth
  The table shows the number of surplus places in each local authority in England during the academic year 1990–91, the latest available figures. The figures are derived from information provided by LEAs in response to a survey by the Department.

  Surplus places in LEA-maintained primary and secondary schools 1990–91

  Primary

  Secondary

  Corporation of London

  21

  —

  Camden

  972

  1,148

  Greenwich

  2,718

  3,260

  Hackney

  3,019

  1,780

  Hammersmith

  2,981

  3,251

  Islington

  2,958

  1,715

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,090

  1,046

  Lambeth

  4,479

  3,852

  Lewisham

  1,609

  3,223

  South wark

  5,511

  3,837

  Tower Hamlets

  2,864

  1,051

  Wandsworth

  9,096

  23,908

  Westminster

  891

  868

  Barking

  1,368

  717

  Barnet

  1,463

  983

  Bexley

  2,914

  3,436

  Brent

  6,585

  4,480

  Bromley

  2,259

  21,309

  Croydon

  3,389

  3,149

  Ealing

  3,016

  3,533

  Enfield

  765

  3,976

  612

  Primary

  Secondary

  Haringey

  1—

  1—

  Harrow

  888

  466

  Havering

  1,971

  3,229

  Hillingdon

  3,754

  3,693

  Hounslow

  1,226

  2,598

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  485

  1,117

  Merton

  1,639

  2,544

  Newham

  4,587

  3,899

  Redbridge

  796

  695

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  1,845

  643

  Sutton

  1,619

  2513

  Waltham Forest

  1,445

  2,706

  Birmingham

  8,711

  17,171

  Coventry

  6,022

  5,657

  Dudley

  2,551

  5,134

  Sandwell

  328

  7,722

  Solihull

  3,332

  6,645

  Walsall

  3,823

  4,667

  Wolverhampton

  6,116

  5,740

  Knowsley

  4,004

  3,925

  Liverpool

  19,481

  11,545

  St. Helens

  1,886

  3,621

  Sefton

  1,944

  4,519

  Wirral

  1,953

  6,580

  Bolton

  1,602

  1,612

  Bury

  -150

  1,013

  Manchester

  7,617

  13,350

  Oldham

  1,319

  1,692

  Rochdale

  1,784

  25,253

  Salford

  4,171

  3,711

  Stockport

  3,357

  2,732

  Tameside

  968

  1,854

  Trafford

  1,878

  2,955

  Wigan

  7,811

  4,025

  Barnsley

  4,220

  2,644

  Doncaster

  7,076

  8,550

  Rotherham

  4,346

  3,761

  Sheffield

  9,048

  8,730

  Bradford

  6,370

  8,331

  Calderdale

  3,324

  2,891

  Kirklees

  3,291

  6,222

  Leeds

  8,335

  15,684

  Wakefield

  4,314

  7,763

  Gateshead

  6,422

  2,941

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  4,515

  5,425

  North Tyneside

  3,802

  4,942

  South Tyneside

  2,619

  3,528

  Sunderland

  4,674

  2,5663

  Isles of Scilly

  78

  233

  Avon

  6,359

  14,904

  Bedfordshire

  9,782

  9,409

  Berkshire

  14,013

  8,825

  Buckinghamshire

  11,252

  5,564

  Cambridge

  9,401

  2,642

  Cheshire

  17,045

  11,149

  Cleveland

  10,391

  11,298

  Cornwall

  744

  3,209

  Cumbria

  5,674

  9,673

  Derbyshire

  10,230

  12,487

  Devon

  10,575

  9,012

  Dorset

  1,165

  5,941

  Durham

  11,516

  13,626

  East Sussex

  7,955

  6,350

  Essex

  22,611

  24,319

  Gloucestershire

  5,506

  5,756

  Hampshire

  24,719

  13,601

  Hereford and Worcester

  9,296

  9,570

  Hertfordshire

  20,503

  15,153

  Humberside

  16,347

  14,891

  Isle of Wight

  357

  1,101

  Kent

  15,431

  26,589

  Lancashire

  6,754

  20,135

  Leicestershire

  7,204

  16,644

  Lincolnshire

  7,236

  5,440

  Norfolk

  10,842

  7,682

  613

  Primary

  Secondary

  North Yorkshire

  9,524

  7,404

  Northamptonshire

  4,714

  8,058

  Northumberland

  4,902

  3,727

  Nottinghamshire

  17,253

  26,198

  Oxfordshire

  10,004

  9,589

  Shropshire

  5,936

  5,718

  Somerset

  2,524

  3,793

  Staffordshire

  24,485

  7,783

  Suffolk

  7,902

  8,015

  Surrey

  11,084

  8,400

  Warwickshire

  8,673

  7,277

  West Sussex

  6,940

  7,634

  Wiltshire

  9,682

  9,987

  1 Not available.

  2 Figures for secondary schools in these LEAs are incomplete.

  3 Figures for secondary schools in these LEAs are calculated on a slightly different basis since directly comparable figures are not available.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what were the fees charged by each school taking part in the assisted places scheme in 1992–93.

  Mr. Forth
  The fees charged to the parents of assisted pupils in each of the participating schools in the academic year 1992–93, and which are remitted either in whole or in part by the Department, are given in the table:

  Assisted places scheme

  School name

  Average fee charged for assisted pupils in academic year 1992–93

  £

  Abbey School, Reading

  3,405

  Abingdon

  4,212

  Ackworth

  3,906

  Aldenham

  6,762

  Alice Ottley

  3,849

  Alleyns, Dulwich

  5,205

  Ardingly College

  8,145

  Arnold School, Blackpool

  3,189

  Ashford

  4,505

  Ashville College

  4,299

  Austin Friars

  3,693

  Bancrofts

  4,224

  Barnard Castle

  4,014

  Bath High GPDST

  3,189

  Batley Grammar

  2,973

  Bedales

  7,797

  Bedford

  5,628

  Bedford High

  4,148

  Bedford Modern

  3,751

  Belvedere GPDST

  3,189

  Berkhamstead Girls

  4,234

  Berkhamsted

  5,299

  Birkenhead

  3,033

  Birkenhead High GPDST

  3,189

  Bishop's Stortford College

  7,030

  Blackheath High GPDST

  3,609

  Bloxham, Banbury

  6,454

  Bolton School Boys

  3,855

  Bolton School Girls

  3,855

  Bootham, York

  5,292

  Bradfield College

  8,324

  Bradford Girls Grammar

  3,506

  Bradford Grammar School

  3,411

  Brentwood School

  4,388

  Brighton College

  6,285

  Brighton/Hove High GPDST

  3,189

  Bristol Cathedral

  3,608

  614

  School name

  Average fee charged for assisted pupils in academic year 1992–93

  £

  Bristol Grammar

  3,423

  Bromley High GPDST

  3,609

  Bromsgrove

  5,076

  Bruton Girls

  3,099

  Burgess High Girls

  5,448

  Bury Grammar Boys

  3,000

  Bury Grammar Girls

  3,000

  Canford

  7,586

  Carmel College

  7,202

  Casterton

  4,624

  Caterham

  4,626

  Central Newcastle High GPDST

  3,189

  Charterhouse

  9,210

  Cheadle Hulme

  3,570

  Cheltenham Ladies College

  6,640

  Chigwell

  5,542

  Christ's Hospital

  6,264

  Churchers College

  4,440

  City of London

  5,090

  City of London Freemans

  5,138

  City of London Girls

  4,393

  Clifton College, Bristol

  5,064

  Clifton High, Bristol

  4,066

  Colfes

  3,982

  Colston's Girls

  3,165

  Colston's, Bristol

  3,165

  Coventry, Bablake

  3,099

  Coventry, King Henry VIII

  3,099

  Cranleigh

  4,500

  Croham Hurst

  3,742

  Croydon High GPDST

  3,609

  Culford

  5,377

  Dame Alice Harpur

  3,555

  Dame Allans Boys

  3,084

  Dame Allans Girls

  3,084

  Dauntseys

  5,604

  Denstone College

  6,160

  Derby High

  4,992

  Douai, Reading

  4,992

  Dover College

  5,970

  Downe House, Newbury

  6,774

  Dulwich College

  5,685

  Durham

  6,063

  Edgbaston College Girls

  3,774

  Edgehill College

  4,433

  Ellesmere College

  6,300

  Eltham College, London

  4,576

  Emanuel, London SW11

  4,110

  Epson College

  6,789

  Exeter

  3,529

  Farnborough Hill

  3,767

  Felixstowe College

  5,545

  Felsted, Dunmow

  7,935

  Forest School

  4,132

  Framlingham College

  5,502

  Francis Holland

  4,180

  Friends, Saffron Walden

  5,225

  Giggleswick, Settle

  5,061

  Godolphin and Latymer

  4,950

  Godolphin, Salisbury

  5,523

  Greshams

  7,296

  Guildford High Girls

  4,314

  Haberdashers Askes Boys

  4,794

  Haberdashers Askes Girls

  3,258

  Haileybury & ISC

  7,195

  Hampton

  3,967

  Harrogate College

  5,166

  Headington

  3,864

  Hereford Cathedral

  3,951

  Highgate

  5,815

  Hipperholme Grammar

  2,718

  Holy Child

  3,847

  Hulme Grammar Boys

  3,210

  615

  School name

  Average fee charged for assisted pupils in academic year 1992–93

  £

  Hulme Grammar Girls

  3,210

  Hurstpierpoint College

  8,160

  Hymers College

  3,048

  Ipswich

  4,322

  Ipswich High GPDST

  3,189

  James Allens Girls

  5,130

  John Lyons

  4,467

  Kent College

  5,484

  Kimbolton School

  4,356

  King Edward VI High

  3,538

  King Edward VI Norwich

  3,717

  King Edward VI Southampton

  3,900

  King Edward VII Lytham

  2,919

  King Edwards at Bath

  3,507

  King Edwards Birmingham

  3,919

  King Edwards Witley

  5,169

  Kings College Wimbledon

  5,400

  Kings High Girls, Warwick

  3,305

  Kings Bruton

  6,541

  Kings, Chester

  3,900

  Kings, Macclesfield

  3,725

  Kings, Rochester

  5,491

  Kings, Tynemouth

  3,097

  Kings, Worcester

  4,527

  Kingsley

  3,577

  Kingston Grammar

  4,166

  Kingswood School, Bath

  5,054

  Kirkham Grammar

  3,000

  La Sagesse Convent

  3,210

  Lady Eleanor Holles

  4,662

  Latymer Upper

  4,032

  Laxton

  4,224

  Leeds Girls High

  3,579

  Leeds Grammar

  3,546

  Leicester Grammar

  3,161

  Leighton Park

  7,450

  Leys, Cambridge

  7,411

  Liverpool College

  3,702

  Lord Wandsworth College

  6,240

  Loreto Convent Grammar

  2,604

  Loughborough Grammar

  3,658

  Loughborough High

  3,306

  Magdalen College

  4,026

  Malvern College

  7,680

  Manchester Grammar

  3,468

  Manchester High

  3,369

  Marist Convent Senior

  3,403

  Maynard

  3,435

  Merchant Taylors Girls

  3,204

  Merchant Taylors, Liverpool

  3,204

  Merchant Taylors, Northwood

  5,710

  Mill Hill

  6,414

  Monkton Combe

  5,178

  Mount Carmel, Cheshire

  2,790

  Mount St. Mary's College

  4,911

  Mount, York

  5,412

  Newcastle Under Lyme

  2,993

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne Church High

  3,210

  North London Collegiate

  4,089

  Northampton High

  3,642

  Norwich High GPDST

  3,189

  Notting Hill/Ealing High GPDST

  3,609

  Nottingham Girls High GPDST

  3,189

  Nottingham High

  3,413

  Oakham

  5,565

  Old Palace, Croydon

  3,464

  Oxford High GPDST

  3,189

  Pangbourne College

  5,100

  Perse School for Boys

  3,948

  Perse School for Girls

  3,454

  Plymouth College

  3,736

  Pocklington

  4,122

  Polam Hall

  3,648

  616

  School name

  Average fee charged for assisted pupils in academic year 1992–93

  £

  Portsmouth Grammar

  3,594

  Portsmouth High GPDST

  3,189

  Prior Park College

  4,093

  Putney High School GPDST

  3,609

  Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol

  3,519

  Queen Elizabeth, Blackburn

  3,371

  Queen Elizabeth, Wakefield

  3,400

  Queen Mary, Lytham

  2,919

  Queens College, London

  4,662

  Queens College, Taunton

  5,032

  Queens School, Chester

  3,075

  Ratcliffe College

  4,905

  Red Maids, Bristol

  3,420

  Redland High, Bristol

  3,341

  Reed's School, Cobham

  6,192

  Reigate Grammar

  3,922

  Rendcomb College

  6,120

  Repton

  5,190

  Rossall

  6,569

  Royal Grammar, Guildford

  5,016

  Royal Grammar, Newcastle

  3,113

  Royal Grammar, Worcester

  3,929

  Ryde School

  3,522

  Salesian College

  2,178

  Scarborough College

  4,426

  Sedbergh

  7,411

  Sevenoaks, Kent

  5,778

  Sheffield High GPDST

  3,189

  Shrewsbury High GPDST

  3,189

  Silcoates

  4,764

  Sir William Perkins

  3,364

  Solihull

  3,729

  South Hampstead High GPDST

  3,609

  St. Albans

  4,306

  St. Albans High Girls

  3,966

  St. Ambrose College

  2,817

  St. Anselms College

  2,787

  St. Bede's College

  3,438

  St. Bees

  6,180

  St. Benedict's

  4,466

  St. Catherine's

  5,082

  St. Dunstan's College

  3,980

  St. Edmund's College

  4,954

  St. Edward's College

  3,016

  St. Felix, Southwold

  5,142

  St. George's College

  5,550

  St. Helen and St. Katherine

  3,387

  St. Helen's, Northwood

  4,134

  St. John's College, Southsea

  3,091

  St. John's, Leatherhead

  6,030

  St. Joseph's College, Ipswich

  3,824

  St. Joseph's College, Stoke

  2,806

  St. Joseph's Convent, Reading

  3,465

  St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate

  6,210

  St. Margaret's, Bushey

  4,506

  St. Margaret's, Exeter

  3,261

  St. Mary and St. Anne

  6,344

  St. Mary's College, Crosby

  3,166

  St. Mary's Convent, Cambridge

  3,274

  St. Mary's Hall, Brighton

  5,139

  St. Maurs Convent, Weybridge

  3,705

  St. Paul's Girls, Hammersmith

  5,251

  St. Paul's, Barnes

  6,660

  St. Peter's, York

  5,595

  Stafford Grammar

  3,399

  Stamford

  3,546

  Stamford High

  3,549

  Stockport Grammar

  3,483

  Stoneyhurst College

  6,614

  Stowe

  7,518

  Streatham Hill/Clapham High

  3,609

  Surbiton High

  4,080

  Sutton High GPDST

  3,609

  617

  School name

  Average fee charged for assisted pupils in academic year 1992–93

  £

  Sutton Valence

  6,222

  Sydenham High GPDST

  3,609

  Talbot Heath

  3,759

  Taunton

  5,744

  Teesside High

  3,075

  Tonbridge

  7,404

  Tormead

  4,082

  Trent College

  5,269

  Trinity of John Whitgift

  4,533

  Truro

  3,810

  Truro High

  3,414

  University College School, London

  5,662

  Upton Hall Convent

  2,388

  Ursuline Convent, Kent

  4,338

  Ursuline High, Ilford

  3,700

  Wakefield High

  3,400

  Walthamstow Hall

  4,838

  Warwick

  3,864

  Wellingborough

  4,784

  Wellington College

  7,824

  Wellington, Somerset

  3,774

  Wells Cathedral

  4,635

  West Buckland

  4,176

  Westholme

  2,955

  Westminster

  5,013

  Whitgift, Croydon

  4,671

  William Hulme Grammar

  3,613

  Wimbledon High GPDST

  3,609

  Winchester College

  8,250

  Wisbech Grammar

  4,021

  Withington Girls

  3,150

  Wolverhampton Grammar

  3,882

  Woodbridge

  4,935

  Woodhouse Grove

  4,241

  Worksop

  5,460

  Wrekin College

  6,418

  Wycliffe College

  7,456

  Yarm

  4,005

  Sex Education
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will require schools to issue guidance to parents who withdraw their children from sex education;

  1992

  1993

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Year

  1st 2quarter

  Persons subject to deportation action

  Supervised departures

  475

  339

  385

  367

  1,566

  1—

  Left voluntarily

  21

  9

  15

  36

  81

  1—

  Illegal entrants:

  Left voluntarily

  82

  75

  67

  66

  290

  68

  1Not yet available.

  2Provisional data.

  Doctors (Work Permits)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the criteria governing the issue of work permits to doctors from non-EC countries wishing to continue in training grade posts in the NHS after the expiry of their permit-free four-year period;618
  and if he will provide schools with a model of such guidance including information on HIV and AIDS and the responsibilities associated with them.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has no powers to require schools to do so. We intend, however, to issue a circular of guidance which will encourage schools to offer support to those parents who do withdraw their children from all or part of sex education in deciding how best to provide their children with the information and guidance they will need.

  Student Unions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information he has on the number of(a) full-time and (b) part-time staff employed by each campus union in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is not available centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons detained under Immigration Act powers applied to his Department to be allowed to depart voluntarily under(a) the supervised departure provisions and (b) the voluntary departure provisions of the immigration rules in each quarter since January 1992.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The readily available information relates to persons subject to deportation action who were removed under the supervised departure procedures, or left voluntarily, and persons dealt with as illegal entrants who left voluntarily. This information is given in the table. Most of these persons will have been detained prior to departure. A number will have been subject to restrictions as an alternative to detention, but such cases could be separately identified only at disproportionate cost.

  (2) what consideration is given to extending permit-free training status beyond the maximum of four years for hospital training posts undertaken by doctors from non-EC countries.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Under the immigration rules there is no provision for a non-EC national doctor coming here for postgraduate training in a hospital to switch to work permit employment. Where a doctor requires longer than
  619
  four years to complete his or her postgraduate training, we are prepared to consider, exceptionally, granting further leave to remain on a permit-free basis for a limited period.

  Anabolic Steroids
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of abuse of anabolic steroids on the incidence of violent crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has recently completed a review of the misuse of anabolic steroids, including the available evidence on their behaviourial side effects and the possible link with violent crime. We are currently considering the council's conclusions and recommendations, together with other ministerial colleagues.

  Young Runaways
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has of the number of young people aged under 17 years who have run away from home within each police force area in Wales in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Maclean
  Figures are not available centrally. Limited information on missing persons is contained in the four Welsh forces' chief constables' annual reports.

  Bank Customers (Political Views)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will institute an inquiry on the keeping of records regarding the party political views of bank customers; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether the Data Protection Registrar has sufficient funds and staff to initiate a full inquiry into the keeping of records on individuals' party political views by commercial organisations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is for the Data Protection Registrar to determine whether a breach of the Data Protection Act has occurred in any particular case. I understand that the registrar is making some preliminary inquiries in the banking sector, following the stories which have appeared about the holding of data on political affiliations. He will consider whether further inquiries are appropriate, and what the resource implications of these may be.

  Sheehy Report
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of the Sheehy committee report on the police have been distributed free of charge to the police officers and other interested parties; and how much expenditure has been incurred.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A total of 875 copies of the report of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards were produced for distribution by the inquiry to interested parties. The chief officer of each police force in the United Kingdom received two copies, as did the clerk to each police authority. Copies were also circulated to each organisation and individual who gave oral evidence to the inquiry. The cost of distribution was £20,000.
  620

  Prisons (Racial Discrimination)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many official complaints have been made by prison inmates in England and Wales of racial discrimination being shown or used against them during each of the last three years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the prison service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent question about the number of complaints of racial discrimination recorded over the last three years.
  Information is not held in the form requested. The request and complaints system does not record racial discrimination as a separate category, nor does it separate out requests from complaints.
  Governors are required to record all racial incidents and report them quarterly to Area Managers, and annually in aggregated statistical form. However, the definition of a racial incident goes wider than complaints of racial discrimination and includes, for example, incidents between prisoners and between staff. It is not therefore possible to separate out complaints of racial discrimination from the information available.

  Fines (Non-payment)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and women were imprisoned for non-payment of fines for(a) not having television licences and (b) other offences involving fines in the last two years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is for 1991. A total of 258 males and 136 females were received into prison service establishments in England and Wales for defaulting on a fine after conviction for operating a television without a licence; and 17,740 males and 840 females were received for fine default following other offences.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposal he has to grant full British citizenship to members of non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong who will be without a right of abode elsewhere after 1997; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans for new legislation to provide British citizenship for this group. All British members of the non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong will be entitled to retain or acquire an appropriate form of British nationality after 1997 and will be assured of full British consular protection. They are guaranteed the right of abode in Hong Kong, and the Government have given an assurance, repeated on many occasions, that if, against all expectations, members of this group came under pressure to leave Hong Kong and had nowhere else to go, the Government of the day would be expected to consider with considerable and particular sympathy their case for admission to the United Kingdom.
  621

  Mr. Mark Jarvis
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the Winsom Green prison security department on the suitability of Mark Jarvis for home leave.

  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 Ms Lynne Jones, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the publication of the report on the suitability of Mr. Mark Jarvis for home leave.
  In considering applications for home leave, the home leave board will receive reports from a number of sources, including staff responsible for security. In the case of Mr. Jarvis, the home leave board considered these reports which, with the exception of the security report, indicated that his recent behaviour was much improved and that he had shown a marked change since arriving at Birmingham in 1991. In view of his history, the board decided that the decision should be deferred and further reports commissioned about the suitability of the place he intended to stay. His good behaviour continued over the next two months and the board was advised that his home leave address was suitable. The social services were also consulted, and his home leave was approved.
  The report from the security department at Birmingham had referred to his criminal record, his failure on temporary release the year before and his having been refused four applications for parole. The report was compiled by a prison officer and expressed the view that Mr. Jarvis was not suitable for home leave at the time, but having taken that report into

  Table A

  Persons found guilty or cautioned under the Licensing Act 1964 by police force area in Wales 1989–91

  Police force area

  Year

  Found guilty

  Cautioned

  Found guilty or cautioned

  Persons under 18 buying intoxicating liquor1

  Dyfed—Powys

  1989

  —

  23

  23

  1990

  3

  27

  30

  1991

  —

  10

  10

  Gwent

  1989

  8

  53

  61

  1990

  37

  54

  91

  1991

  1

  46

  47

  North Wales

  1989

  32

  60

  92

  1990

  15

  78

  93

  1991

  5

  31

  36

  South Wales

  1989

  8

  52

  60

  1990

  6

  76

  82

  1991

  —

  21

  21

  Wales

  1989

  48

  188

  236

  1990

  61

  235

  296

  1991

  6

  108

  114

  Selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 182

  Dyfed—Powys

  1989

  4

  16

  20

  1990

  7

  7

  14

  1991

  —

  4

  4

  Gwent

  1989

  16

  41

  57

  1990

  29

  22

  51

  1991

  6

  12

  18

  North Wales

  1989

  12

  14

  26

  1990

  11

  3

  14

  1991

  1

  10

  11

  622
  consideration, alongside other reports of a more positive nature, the home leave board decided he should be released.

  I am very concerned about any temporary release failure. The procedures were changed in October last year to improve the effectiveness of risk assessment. A further review is currently in progress. I have also written recently to all Governors to remind them of the need for great care before releasing a prisoner for home leave and reminding them to exercise caution in favour of public safety. It is right to refuse any application where there is doubt about a prisoner's likely behaviour while at liberty. Good behaviour in prison is a factor to be taken into account when considering a request for home leave, but the protection of the public has to be the overriding factor.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons under the age of 18 years were found guilty or cautioned for buying intoxicating liquor within each police force area in Wales in each of the last three years; and how many licensees were found guilty or cautioned for selling intoxicating liquor to persons aged under 18 years;

  (2) how many children and young people under the age of 18 years have been found guilty or cautioned for offences of drunkenness within each police force area in Wales in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is given in the tables. Data for 1992 will not be available until the autumn.
  623

  Police force area

  Year

  Found guilty

  Cautioned

  Found guilty or cautioned

  South Wales

  1989

  16

  11

  27

  1990

  19

  15

  34

  1991

  14

  8

  22

  Wales

  1989

  48

  82

  130

  1990

  66

  47

  113

  1991

  21

  34

  55

  1Section 169(2) Licensing Act 1964.

  2Section 169(1) Licensing Act 1964.

  Table B

  Persons found guilty or cautioned for offences of drunkenness by age and police force area in Wales 1989–1991

  Police force area

  Year

  Found guilty

  Cautioned

  Found guilty or cautioned

  Aged 10 to under 14 years

  Dyfed—Powys

  1989

  —

  1

  1

  1990

  —

  1

  1

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  1989

  —

  4

  4

  1990

  —

  7

  7

  1991

  —

  1

  1

  North Wales

  1989

  1

  —

  1

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  1990

  —

  2

  2

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  Wales

  1989

  1

  5

  6

  1990

  —

  10

  10

  1991

  —

  1

  1

  Aged 14 to under 18 years

  Dyfed—Powys

  1989

  8

  12

  20

  1990

  12

  13

  25

  1991

  8

  11

  19

  Gwent

  1989

  72

  77

  149

  1990

  69

  59

  128

  1991

  29

  38

  67

  North Wales

  1989

  29

  9

  38

  1990

  36

  15

  51

  1991

  26

  15

  41

  South Wales

  1989

  114

  68

  182

  1990

  89

  52

  141

  1991

  69

  29

  98

  Wales

  1989

  223

  166

  389

  1990

  206

  139

  345

  1991

  132

  93

  225

  Aged 10 to under 18 years

  Dyfed—Powys

  1989

  8

  13

  21

  1990

  12

  14

  26

  1991

  8

  11

  19

  Gwent

  1989

  72

  81

  153

  1990

  69

  66

  135

  1991

  29

  39

  68

  North Wales

  1989

  30

  9

  39

  1990

  36

  15

  51

  1991

  26

  15

  41

  South Wales

  1989

  114

  68

  182

  1990

  89

  54

  143

  624 625

  Police force area

  Year

  Found guilty

  Cautioned

  Found guilty or cautioned

  1991

  69

  29

  98

  Wales

  1989

  224

  171

  395

  1990

  206

  149

  355

  1991

  132

  94

  226

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Howard
  Our criteria are to target publicity material in alternative media, according to need, within available funding. My Department currently makes available the following:"Fire Safety Advice for Disabled People" in 18 pt bold type.
  "Fire Safety in the Home" audio cassette.
  "Practical Ways to Crack Crime—Family Version" audio cassette.

  We have not produced any material in Braille.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Howard
  Publicity material produced by the Home Office is available, free of charge, to the public from relevant local services such as police forces and fire brigades. Blind and partially-sighted people can obtain such material by contacting those services.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Whether or not the regulations apply in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying it out. The replies of 9 March at column 476 and 18 June at column 753 listed the areas of the Home Office which have been contracted out. The regulations did not apply to the following:

  Management of Wolds prison

  Management of Blakenhurst prison

  Court escort and custody services in Humberside and the east midlands

  Catering services (Downview, Belmarsh, Bullingdon, Holme House, Woodhill, Highdown and Lancaster Farms)

  Forensic Science Service waste disposal

  Information concerning whether the regulations applied to any other Home Office services for which contracts have been awarded since November 1991 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  626

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the building projects and their cost now being undertaken at Wandsworth prison as of 16 July.

  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. Tom Cox, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the building projects, and their cost, now being undertaken at Wandsworth prison.
  After completion of the modernisation of D Wing in March 1993, at a cost of £5·5 million, enabling works are under way to allow the modernisation of C Wing. The enabling works (including the removal of asbestos and electrical wiring) will be completed in September 1993, at an estimated cost of £175,000. Work on the 15 month refurbishment of C Wing will then commence in September 1993, at an estimated cost of £7·15 million.

  Jason Georgiou
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of custody for Jason Georgiou; for what period he was held in custody; and if he will list the prosecution witnesses.

  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. Peter Bottomley, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the costs of holding Jason Georgiou in custody and the period for which he was held.
  Jason Georgiou was held at Belmarsh Prison from 27 October 1992 until 30 April 1993 when he was transferred to Brixton Prison where he remained until his release on 12 July 1993.
  We do not collect costs of individual prisoners, but the average cost of holding a person in custody for this period in local and remand prisons would have been £17,197 at 93/4 prices.
  I regret that we are unable to furnish you with details of the prosecution witnesses in the case since the Lord Chancellors Department have advised that none of them were called to give evidence and therefore their details are not a matter of public record.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against

  627
  the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Howard
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  During the past 12 months my Department has substantially increased the resources it devotes to taking forward the Government's deregulation initiative and has taken a number of steps to help small businesses. We have proposed legislation which aims to clarify the law on Sunday trading; we have withdrawn draft fire regulations which representatives of some small businesses feared would be unduly burdensome and we are preparing new regulations which take account of these concerns; we have undertaken consultation exercises on greyhound racing and liquor licensing; and we have set in hand a full review of all regulations affecting business for which the Home Office has responsibility. We propose to remove the restrictions on weekday shop opening hours in England and Wales (and throughout the week in Scotland) as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  The main deregulatory achievements in 1991 were in betting and gaming. The greyhound industry was given greater flexibility to set deductions according to market forces by increasing from 17·5 per cent. to 29 per cent. the maximum permitted amount which may be retained by the operators of a totalisator on a dog racecourse. Gaming clubs were allowed to increase from one to two the number of multiple bingo games that can be played on a Saturday.

  The target is to complete the current review of H ome Office regulations by April 1994. Targets have also been set for other work such as consultative exercises and developing proposals for legislation. In addition the Home Office will contribute to the Department of Trade and Industry's central record of Government regulations against which progress on deregulation is being monitored.

  The work on deregulation complements continuing efforts to assist firms who wish to bid for Home Office business. Over the last 12 months we have again revised and reissued a booklet entitled "Selling to the Home Office" which details the Home Office's purchasing needs and gives specific contact points for initial approaches. A central contact point for general enquiries is also available. It is Home Office policy to give encouragement and assistance to small businesses wherever possible. The Home Office does not hold statistical information regarding the volume of business placed with small firms.

  Drug Addicts
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug addicts in Wales notified to his Department are aged under 21 years; and how many of them are(a) female and (b) male.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in tables A9 and A10 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1992" (area tables), a copy of which is in the Library.
  628

  Ethnic Minorities (Employment)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 June,Official Report, columns 178–80, how many letters of representation regarding proposed cuts in funding under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 he has received from, or on behalf of, (a) school governing bodies, (b) schools, (c) other educational institutions and(d) parents and other individuals.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The numbers are:(a) 119; (b) 192; (c) 10; (d)

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by his Department and agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office has committed approximately £4·5 million to 186 computer consultancy contracts let since 1 November 1991. During this period the statistical database has been automated and the tasks are not recorded in a manner which enables a general description to be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. The suppliers of the consultancies are as follows (figures in brackets indicate the number of contracts to that company if more than one):

  Supplier

  Admiral (× 3)

  Aims systems (× 3)

  Axis Consultants Ltd. (× 2)

  Bristol Transputer Centre

  Bull Information Systems (× 2)

  CCTA (× 7)

  Civil Service College

  CMG Information Services

  Computer Capacity Management

  Computer People North

  Concorde Services

  Coopers Lybrand and Deloitte (× 2)

  CSC (× 2)

  CSS Trident (× 4)

  Data Sciences UK

  Database Management

  Daton Systems

  Daymount Computing

  DBI Associates Limited (× 5)

  DEC (× 2)

  Dell Computer Corporation (× 3)

  Doric Computer Systems

  Easams

  Edinburgh Parallel

  EDS Scicon Defence

  Ernst and Young (× 2)

  Express Computer Consultants

  Ferranti International

  Grafton (× 4)

  Hans Grefte (× 3)

  Harvey Consultants

  HDX

  Hedra (× 2)

  Holdene Group Plc (× 2)

  Hoskyns Group Plc (× 7)

  Hunterskil (× 7)

  IBIS

  ICL (× 4)

  ITA

  Kermon (× 9)

  Keyford Precision

  KGB Micros

  Kode

  629

  Lancare (× 2)

  LBMS (× 2)

  Liverpool Polytechnic Service

  Logica (× 3)

  Logical Systems International

  Lorien Group Plc

  Mancos Computers

  Marketing Generics

  Metier

  Microprism (UK) Limited

  MSG Business Systems

  Myriad Computer Services (× 3)

  National Transputer

  Ofice (× 2)

  Oracle Corporation UK

  Origin IQ

  PA Consulting Group (× 12)

  Paradis Consultants (× 3)

  P-E International

  Price Waterhouse (× 2)

  Recognition Research (× 2)

  Retix

  Riverside Training (× 3)

  Robin Verney Associates (× 3)

  S-Com (× 2)

  Sanderson Insight

  Sema Group (× 4)

  Siemens Nixdorf (× 9)

  Smith Associates (× 2)

  Software AG (× 2)

  Span Contracts (× 3)

  Strategy and Vision Research

  TABS Limited (× 2)

  Touche Ross (× 2)

  VNG Nationwide (× 4)

  Winway Systems Limited

  World Quality Systems (× 5)

  Uninsured Vehicles
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted for driving an uninsured vehicle in 1992.

  Mr. Maclean
  A total of 364,035 proceedings were taken in England and Wales in 1991 for the offence of "using a motor vehicle vehicle uninsured against third party risks".

  The number involved is likely to be less because some may have been proceeded against for more than one of these offences.

  Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Police Computer System
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the designated computer system for the police national criminal intelligence service will be ready.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The interim computer system which is currently used by the National Criminal Intelligence Service is expected to be replaced early in 1995.

  Traffic Offences and Burglaries
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) traffic offences and (b) burglaries were recorded in (i) 1980 and (ii) 1992.

  Mr. Maclean
  Figures for the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police are published annually in the Home Office Bulletin "Notifiable Offences, England 630
  and Wales". They include offences of burglary, causing death by reckless driving and (from April 1992) causing death by aggravated vehicle-taking. All other traffic offences are not notifiable. However, statistics giving the action taken for offences relating to motor vehicles (written warnings, vehicle defect rectification scheme notices, fixed penalty notices and court proceedings) are published annually in Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Motor Offences, England and Wales", although 1992 figures have not yet been published. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the amount of police time that is spent on traffic control compared with burglary prevention and investigation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations from hon. Members and from the public in the last 12 months about the time spent by the police on traffic control as opposed to dealing with other crime matters. The police have a key role in the enforcement of traffic legislation. The deployment of police officers to meet the various duties undertaken by the police is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Howard
  The information is as follows:

  Grade

  Number

  Administrative assistant

  83

  Administrative officer

  79

  Executive officer

  202

  Higher executive officer

  176

  Higher professional and technology officer

  1

  Senior executive officer

  94

  Total

  635

  Prison Population
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the total prison population; and what those figures were in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  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. Jim Callaghan, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the latest figures for the total prison population and what those figures were in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
  The prison population was 44,901 on 23 July. The figures for 30 June each year between 1990 and 1993 are shown in the attached table.
  631

  Prison population, England and Wales: 1990–1993

  Date

  Number of persons2

  30 Jun 1990

  45,466

  30 Jun 1991

  45,626

  30 Jun 1992

  46,832

  30 June 19931

  44,225

  1 Provisional figure.

  2 Includes prisoners held in police cells (943 in 1990, 872 in 1991, 1,346 in 1992 and none in 1993).

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes now exist in England and Wales.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  According to the latest information available, there were over 115,000 neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales at the end of December 1992. These schemes covered some 5 million households.

  Police, Newham
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reasons for the reduction in numbers of police officers in the London borough of Newham in the last year.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Deployment of personnel within the Metropolitan police is a matter for the commissioner, but I understand that the reduction is due to civilianisation of some posts, employment of the manpower allocation formula at area level affecting manpower available to divisions, and the transfer of responsibility for court staff, and Whitehall security staff, from division to area or headquarters.

  Road Tax Evasion
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted for road tax evasion offences in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Maclean
  The following table shows the number of proceedings taken in England and Wales in the years 1989 to 1991 for the offence of "motor vehicle licence—failing to pay appropriate duty":

  Number

  1989

  166,575

  1990

  160,731

  1991

  174,828

  The number of people involved is likely to be less because some of them may have been prosecuted against for more than one of these offences.

  Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Victim Support Schemes
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many victim support schemes now operate in England and Wales.

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand there are some 360 local victim support schemes and branches in England and 632
  Wales. In addition there are 36 schemes operating in the Crown court as the Crown court witness service of Victim Support.

  Traffic Offences and Burglaries
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he collects about the priorities exercised by each police constabulary in allocating resources to(a) traffic offences and (b) burglary.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Fatal Stabbings
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fatal stabbings have been recorded by each police constabulary in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Maclean
  The table shows the number of offences currently recorded as homicide involving the use of a sharp instrument in England and Wales for the years 1987 to 1991:

  Offences currently recorded as homicide involving the use of a sharp instrument

  England and Wales Police force area

  Number of offences

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Avon and Somerset

  9

  2

  2

  2

  3

  Bedfordshire

  4

  3

  2

  2

  3

  Cambridgeshire

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  Cheshire

  1

  2

  2

  3

  2

  Cleveland

  —

  3

  6

  3

  3

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  2

  4

  2

  3

  Devon and Cornwall

  4

  6

  1

  3

  3

  Dorset

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Durham

  1

  —

  —

  3

  —

  Essex

  3

  6

  5

  1

  7

  Gloucestershire

  —

  1

  3

  1

  3

  Greater Manchester

  14

  12

  6

  4

  7

  Hampshire

  4

  1

  2

  6

  3

  Hertfordshire

  —

  7

  2

  1

  5

  Humberside

  3

  4

  2

  3

  2

  Kent

  4

  6

  2

  4

  2

  Lancashire

  9

  5

  5

  6

  3

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  1

  5

  3

  Lincolnshire

  2

  —

  2

  —

  2

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  3

  7

  4

  6

  11

  Metropolitan Police District

  70

  57

  59

  52

  73

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  7

  8

  Northamptonshire

  5

  4

  1

  1

  —

  Northumbria

  5

  3

  6

  6

  5

  North Yorkshire

  2

  1

  4

  2

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  5

  1

  —

  4

  5

  South Yorkshire

  4

  7

  3

  5

  8

  Staffordshire

  2

  3

  2

  3

  3

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  4

  2

  2

  Surrey

  3

  2

  2

  1

  2

  Sussex

  1

  2

  4

  4

  3

  Thames Valley

  2

  6

  7

  5

  7

  Warwickshire

  2

  —

  1

  —

  1

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1

  West Midlands

  15

  9

  10

  8

  12

  West Yorkshire

  10

  7

  13

  10

  15

  Wiltshire

  2

  1

  4

  1

  3

  Dyfed-Powys

  2

  2

  —

  —

  1

  Gwent

  2

  3

  1

  —

  —

  North Wales

  1

  4

  —

  —

  2

  South Wales

  3

  6

  6

  11

  1

  England and Wales

  201

  190

  182

  184

  223

  633

  Secured by Design Initiative
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to promote the Secured by Design initiative.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Secured by Design is a police initiative which has had the Government's full support since its inception, and we publish publicity material promoting its merits. The initiative will be further promoted in forthcoming guidance to local planning authorities on crime prevention to be issued by the Department of the Environment in consultation with the Home Office.

  Dog Breeders
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria local authorities must use when considering applications or renewal of licences for dog breeders.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Applications for licences for dog breeders are considered against the criteria set out in Section 1(4) of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973.

  Number of offenders convicted of offences of possession of of knives 1987 to 1991

  England and Wales

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Carrying of offensive weapons without lawful authority or excuse1 (found guilty)

  5,896

  5,793

  5,097

  4,281

  3,907

  Carrying article with blade or point in public place2 (found guilty)

  3—

  130

  1,544

  1,578

  1,737

  1 Prevention of Crime Act 1953, section 1. May include a small number of offences involving truncheons etc.

  2 Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 139.

  3 Not available.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought under the Criminal Justice Acts provisions banning the public carrying of knives.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information is given in the table. 1992 data will not be available until the autumn.

  Number of prosecutions for the offence of carrying an article with blade or point under section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 19881.

  1988–1991

  Year

  Prosecutions

  1988

  150

  1989

  2,018

  1990

  2,146

  1991

  2,397

  1Came into force in October 1988.

  Bail Hostels
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail hostels, and how many bail hostel places, are situated in each police authority area in England and Wales; and how many additional places the Government aims to provide by 1995 in each police authority area.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are bail hostels in 20 police authority areas as listed:
  634

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to curb the increase in violent crimes.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on 7 June 1993 at column 76.

  Knives
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted for possession of a knife in public without good reason in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information available centrally, which is given in the table, relating to the number of persons found guilty for possession of knives under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 section 1, and the Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 139 for the years 1987 to 1991. Information for 1992 is not yet available.

  Bail Hostels in England and Wales in 1993

  Police Authority

  Hostel

  Beds

  Cheshire

  Bunbury House

  22

  Cheshire

  Linden Bank

  22

  Cleveland

  South Bank

  24

  Devon and Cornwall

  Dudley Centre

  22

  Greater Manchester

  Chorlton Hostel

  27

  Gloucestershire

  Ryecroft

  16

  Hampshire

  Dickson House

  28

  Hampshire

  Southampton

  22

  Kent

  Dover Bail

  18

  Lancashire

  Blackburn

  18

  Leicestershire

  Howard House

  20

  Merseyside

  Merseybank

  28

  Metropolitan

  Canadian Avenue

  23

  Metropolitan

  Corfton Road

  20

  Metropolitan

  Kelley House

  28

  Metropolitan

  Kew

  14

  Metropolitan

  Tulse Hill

  27

  North Wales

  Ty Newydd

  12

  Northumbria

  Cuthbert House

  22

  Northumbria

  Pennywell

  22

  Oxfordshire

  Clarks House

  27

  South Wales

  Emroch House

  15

  Staffordshire

  Lichfield Road

  20

  West Midlands

  Marshall House

  22

  West Midlands

  Stonnall Road

  12

  West Midlands

  Sycamore Lodge

  32

  West Midlands

  Welford

  26

  South Yorkshire

  Town Moor

  25

  West Yorkshire

  Howden House

  27

  West Yorkshire

  Walmer Villas

  18

  Beds

  659

  Hostels

  30

  635
  There are approved probation/bail hostels in 36 police authority areas as listed:

  Probation/Bail Hostels in England and Wales 1993

  Police Authority

  Hostel

  Beds

  Avon and Somerset

  Ashley House

  20

  Avon and Somerset

  Bridge House

  15

  Avon and Somerset

  Brigstocke Road

  29

  Avon and Somerset

  Glogan House

  16

  Bedfordshire

  Bedford

  25

  Bedfordshire

  Napier Road

  23

  Cambridgeshire

  Peterborough

  26

  Cheshire

  Bewsey Street

  20

  Cleveland

  The Crescent

  25

  Cumbria

  Bowling Green

  24

  Derbyshire

  Burdett Lodge

  25

  Devon and Cornwall

  Lawson House

  20

  Devon and Cornwall

  Meneghy House

  18

  Dorset

  Bournemouth

  25

  Dorset

  Weston

  27

  Durham

  Fir Tree Grange

  28

  Essex

  Basildon

  32

  Essex

  Windyridge

  30

  Greater Manchester

  Ascot House

  22

  Greater Manchester

  Bradshaw

  27

  Greater Manchester

  Hopwood

  18

  Greater Manchester

  St. Josephs

  29

  Greater Manchester

  Wilton Place

  29

  Greater Manchester

  Withington Road

  37

  Hampshire

  The Grange

  18

  West Mercia

  Braley House

  23

  Herts

  St. Albans

  26

  Humberside

  Queens Road

  19

  Kent

  Fleming House

  23

  Kent

  Hollywood Manor

  30

  Lancashire

  Highfield House

  18

  Lancashire

  Hoole House

  24

  Leicestershire

  Charnwood Lodge

  18

  Leicestershire

  Kirk Lodge

  35

  Lincolnshire

  Wordsworth House

  28

  Merseyside

  Adelaide House

  22

  Merseyside

  Canning House

  27

  Merseyside

  Southwood

  23

  Metropolitan

  Beckenham Road

  20

  Metropolitan

  Bedford/Shenley

  30

  Metropolitan

  Camden House

  29

  Metropolitan

  Ellison House

  25

  Metropolitan

  KPH

  19

  Metropolitan

  Seafield Lodge

  14

  Metropolitan

  St. Edmunds

  25

  Metropolitan

  St. Mungo

  25

  Metropolitan

  St. Vincents

  24

  Metropolitan

  West Park

  22

  Metropolitan

  Westbourne House

  40

  North Wales

  Plas-y-wern

  12

  Norfolk

  John Boag House

  29

  Northamptonshire

  Bridgewood

  23

  Northamptonshire

  Stone House

  24

  Northumbria

  Ozanam House

  27

  Northumbria

  St. Christophers

  22

  Nottinghamshire

  Astral Grove

  15

  Nottinghamshire

  Southwell House

  16

  Nottinghamshire

  Trent House

  22

  South Wales

  Mandeville House

  26

  Staffordshire

  Wenger House

  42

  Suffolk

  Lightfoot House

  22

  Suffolk

  The Cottage

  18

  Surrey

  St. Catherines

  19

  Sussex

  Brighton

  15

  Thames Valley

  Abingdon Road

  22

  Thames Valley

  Elizabeth Fry

  20

  Thames Valley

  Manor Lodge

  27

  Thames Valley

  Milton Keynes

  16

  Thames Valley

  St. Leonards

  23

  Thames Valley

  Wellesley House

  18

  West Midlands

  Bilston

  15

  West Midlands

  Carpenter House

  16

  West Midlands

  Crowley House

  18

  West Midlands

  Stoke Green

  22

  636

  Police Authority

  Hostel

  Beds

  Warwickshire

  Kenilworth Road

  18

  Warwickshire

  McIntyre House

  18

  South Yorkshire

  Centre 45

  36

  South Yorkshire

  Norfolk Park

  49

  South Yorkshire

  Rookwood

  37

  West Yorkshire

  Albion Street

  24

  West Yorkshire

  Cardigan House

  23

  West Yorkshire

  Elm Bank

  17

  West Yorkshire

  Ripon House

  17

  West Yorkshire

  St. Johns House

  28

  Beds

  1,993

  Hostels

  84

  The approved hostel expansion programme aims to provide 1,365 additional places between April 1988 and March 1996. Of these, 914 are already on stream and are included in the tables. The remaining places have been provisionally allocated but until the appropriate properties or sites are identified the precise numbers cannot be determined.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the bail hostels and combined probation and bail hostels in England and Wales currently operated by voluntary organisations; and what target he has set for increasing this number by 1995.

  Mr. Maclean
  The approved hostels that are currently operated by voluntary managing committees are as listed:

  Approved bail hostels in England and Wales managed by voluntary managing committees.

  Probation area

  Hostel

  Location

  Beds

  London Inner

  Kelley House

  London

  28

  Probation and bail hostels in England and Wales managed by voluntary managing committees.

  Probation area

  Hostel

  Location

  Beds

  Avon

  Ashley House

  Bristol

  20

  Berkshire

  Elizabeth Fry

  Reading

  20

  Essex

  Windyridge

  Nayland

  30

  Kent

  Hollywood Manor

  Sevenoaks

  30

  London Inner

  KPH

  London

  19

  London Inner

  St. Edmunds

  London

  25

  London Inner

  St. Mungo

  London

  25

  London Inner

  St. Vincents

  London

  24

  Merseyside

  Adelaide House

  Liverpool

  22

  Northants

  Stone House

  Northampton

  24

  Northumbria

  Ozanam House

  Newcastle/Tyne

  25

  Northumbria

  St. Christophers

  Newcastle/Tyne

  22

  Warwickshire

  McIntyre House

  Nuneaton

  18

  Yorkshire West

  Cardigan House

  Leeds

  23

  Yorkshire West

  Ripon House

  Leeds

  17

  Yorkshire West

  St. Johns House

  Leeds

  28

  The approved hostel expansion programme aims to provide 1,365 additional places between April 1988 and March 1996. Of these 914 are already on stream. The remaining places have been provisionally allocated but until appropriate properties or sites are identified the precise numbers cannot be determined. Within the overall programme there is no specific target for expansion by voluntary hostels.
  637

  Prison Ships
  Ms. Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what companies his Department has been in contact with regarding the proposal to moor prison ships in Birkenhead and Barrow;

  (2) what timetable he is considering for the possible establishment of floating prisons;

  (3) what is the estimated cost of hiring staffing and maintaining prison ships in the Wallasey or Birkenhead docks.

  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 Ms Angela Eagle, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about prison ships.
  Maritime detention facilities are one of the options being considered as part of a Prison Service contingency planning exercise. This exercise is intended to identify options for coping with levels of prisoner population that exceed the available accommodation. A number of sites with the necessary docking facilities are being reviewed, but no decision has been taken on the feasibility of this option.
  As consideration of the option is at such an early stage, it is not possible to give the details of costs. Nor have there been any decisions on which companies could supply the accommodation.
  As the contacts so far have been of a very preliminary nature and any decision to proceed with this option might involve a competitive tender, details of individual companies interested could not properly be revealed at this stage.

  Fines
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was levied in fines after convictions under the criminal law for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; what amounts were actually collected in fines paid for each year; and in aid of which vote fines collected for breaches of the criminal law are appropriated.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the amount of fines imposed at all courts following conviction under criminal law for the years 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1991 is given in the table. Comparable data for years prior to 1986 and for 1987 and 1988 are unavailable. It is not possible to identify fines separately from other similar receipts such as confiscation orders, forfeit bail sureties or magistrates' courts fees. All monies collected from magistrates' courts are surrendered direct to the Consolidated Fund and are not appropriated in aid of any vote.

  Percentage of cases resolved within months

  Financial year

  Applications made

  Compensation paid

  Administration costs

  Total costs

  Administration as percentage

  3

  6

  9

  12

  Over 12

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1988–89

  43,385

  69·381

  7·481

  76·86

  9·7

  1·0

  2·1

  4·8

  19·0

  73·1

  1989–90

  53,655

  72·722

  9·064

  81·79

  11·1

  0·5

  1·5

  3·8

  13·9

  80·3

  1990–91

  50,820

  109·330

  10·293

  119·62

  8·6

  0·7

  2·6

  5·9

  16·3

  74·5

  1991–92

  61,400

  143·660

  13·102

  156·76

  8·4

  2·6

  8·4

  15·8

  22·0

  51·2

  1992–93

  65,977

  152·490

  14·249

  166·74

  8·5

  2·0

  8·9

  19·7

  26·3

  43·1

  Note: The percentage relating to cases resolved do not necessarily relate to claims received in that year. The figures for 1992–93 are provisional at this stage.
  638

  Amount of fines imposed at all courts for all offences under criminal law, 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1991

  England and Wales

  Millions

  1986

  £118·7

  1989

  £140·8

  1990

  £150·9

  1991

  £141·5

  Empty Homes
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by(a) location and (b) region, the empty homes in the ownership of his Department which are (i) vacant for security reasons, (ii) vacant awaiting redevelopment, (iii) vacant for demolition and (iv) surplus.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of vacant residential properties owned by the Department as at 1 April 1993 was as follows:

  Number

  (a) Retained for redevelopment or security reasons

  70

  (b) Retained for essential reallocation

  86

  (c) To be demolished

  50

  (d) Surplus and on the open market for sale

  86

  Total

  292

  The above figures do not include properties owned by the Metropolitan police or other police authorities.

  Listing by locations is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the cost of administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for each of the last five years; and what was the ratio of these costs to the amount paid out in claims;

  (2) what was the total number of claims made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last five years; and what proportion were paid out within (a) three, (b) six, (c) nine, (d) 12 and (e) over 12 months.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is summarised in the table. Fuller details can be found in the published annual reports of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Copies are held in the Library of the House.
  639

  Prisoners (Drugs)
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve community care assessment arrangements for drug misusing prisoners remanded in custody or sentenced.

  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. Tim Rathbone, dated 26 July 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent question about plans to improve community care assessment arrangements for drug misusing prisoners remanded in custody or sentenced.
  The arrangements for assessment for community care for people in contact with the Criminal Justice System were published recently in Home Office Circular 29/1993. A copy of this Circular is enclosed, it is also available in the library. We are currently undertaking a review of services provided for drug misusers in prison with the aim of producing a comprehensive strategy to address drug misuse. Preparation for discharge and aftercare arrangements will be included in this review.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking in his review of electoral registration procedures to address the difficulties experienced by homeless people in registering to vote.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As part of our post-election review, the electoral registration working group recently met representatives of the Church of England, the Salvation Army, Shelter and CHAR—the campaign for the homeless and rootless—to discuss the difficulties experienced by homeless people in registering as electors. We intend to hold further discussions later in the year.

  Football Pools
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Vernons Pools about the sale of pools coupons through retail outlets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The managing director of Vernons Pools wrote to me earlier this month about the timing of the commencement of clause 56 of the National Lottery Etc., Bill which will remove the prohibition on the use of premises for the delivery of football pools coupons and stakes. In order to ensure that the national lottery is not disadvantaged, we intend to defer the commencement of clause 56—and indeed of the other provisions of part IV of the Bill—until the launch of the lottery.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Wind Power
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to commence a tendering process to construct a demonstration offshore wind farm.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have no plans to construct a demonstration offshore wind farm.
  640
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to allow community-based wind power schemes to advertise for local investment; and if he will seek to place a statutory duty on local authorities to identify suitable sites for such developments.

  Mr. Eggar
  I am not aware of any impediment to community-based wind power schemes advertising for local investment.Planning Policy Guidance Note 22: Renewable Energy advises local authorities to include renewables in their development plan and provides guidance on how this should be done. It includes an annex on wind power.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to make an announcement of when wind power developers can next apply for contracts under the non-fossil fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement concerning the procedure for the award of such contracts.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 21 July to the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss),Official Report, column 339.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that the next tranche of wind power contracts should be for not less than 700 MW.

  Mr. Eggar
  I currently expect to make the third renewable energy order under the non-fossil fuel obligation for approximately 300 to 400 MW of new capacity in total but will review this in light of the quality and cost of proposals received. I am considering a separate band for wind power within that total.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount of money was allocated to Government sponsored research and development for renewable energy which is non-nuclear and does not involve the production of energy through waste incineration in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amount of Government expenditure on research and development for renewable energy, not involving the production of energy through waste incineration, in each year since 1987 is as follows:

  Year

  Spend

  (£ millions)

  1987–88

  16·2

  1988–89

  15·8

  1989–90

  17·7

  1990–91

  20·5

  1991–92

  23·1

  1992–93

  23·6

  The allocation for 1993–94 is estimated at £22·6 million.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to ensure that all contracts for renewable energy under the non-fossil fuel obligation are for a minimum of 10 years beginning from the date of commissioning the projects.

  Mr. Eggar
  My intention is that the third renewables order will run for 15 to 20 years as from November 1994. This will allow the public electricity suppliers to offer generators contracts for a similar period.
  641

  Energy from Waste
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of non-nuclear contracts granted under the non-fossil fuel obligation have been given to companies involved in the generation of energy through waste incineration in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  Under the 1990 Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Renewables Order, seven out of 75 renewables contracts went to waste incineration projects. Under the 1991 order 14 out of 122 contracts went to waste incineration projects.

  Generator name

  Location

  Capacity (MW DNC)

  1990 projects

  Isle of Wight county council

  Newport

  2

  Energy Supplies Ltd.

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3

  North London Waste Authority

  Edmonton/London

  27

  Coventry City council

  Coventry

  8

  Elm Energy UK

  Wolverhampton

  20

  Fibropower Ltd.

  Diss, Suffolk

  13

  Fibropower Ltd.

  Scunthorpe, Humberside

  13

  1991 projects

  Babcock Power Investments Ltd.

  Portsmouth

  33

  British Coal

  Nottingham

  7

  Cory Environmental Ltd.

  Belvedere, Kent

  103

  Derbyshire county council

  Raynesway

  7

  Energy Supplies Ltd.

  Pebsham, East Sussex

  4

  National Power

  Northfleet, Kent

  44

  SELCHP Ltd.

  London

  25

  Southampton Geothermal Heating

  Southampton

  5

  Wessex Waste Management

  Avonmouth, Bristol

  23

  Yorkshire Renewable Energy Ltd.

  Knotstrop, Leeds

  21

  Adams Integrated Waste Ltd.

  Wolverhampton

  8

  Agrigen Ltd.

  Northampton

  8

  Northumbrian Services Ltd.

  Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

  1

  Slough Estates

  Slough

  13

  (c): The contract prices awarded to projects under the 1990 order varied, and are commercially confidential. Under the 1991 order, waste incineration projects in the "Municipal and General Industrial Waste" band receive a premium of 6·55 p/kWh; while those in the "Other" band receive a premium of 5·9 p/kWh.

  (d): The amount of electricity generated by all projects is commercially confidential.

  Biogas and Hydroelectric Schemes
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what efforts are currently undertaken by his Department to encourage the development of biogas schemes and smaller hydroelectric schemes.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department's renewable energy programme aims to stimulate the development of renewable sources of energy which have prospects of being economically competitive and environmentally acceptable. The non-fossil fuel obligation is stimulating an initial market. Biogas and small scale hydro are being supported under both the research programme and the non-fossil fuel obligation.

  Regional Electricity Companies
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when the details of the contracts for the non-fossil fuel obligations of the regional electricity companies will be announced;

  (2) what will be the intended length of contracts under the new contracts for the non-fossil fuel obligations of the regional electricity companies.
  642
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the companies which have been given moneys under the non-fossil fuel obligation for the generation of energy through waste incineration in each year since 1990 indicating(a) the name of the company, (b) the location of the incinerators, (c) the amount of money awarded for each project and (d) the amount of electricity in megawatts generated by each project.

  Mr. Eggar
  (a) and (b): The names, locations and capacities of waste incineration projects which received contracts under the 1990 and 1991 non-fossil fuel obligation renewables orders are as follows:

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the document which I placed in the Libraries of both Houses giving details of the proposed arrangements of the third renewables order under the non-fossil fuel obligation, to which I referred in my reply of 21 July to the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss)Official Report, column 339. My intention is that the third order will run for 15 to 20 years as from November 1994, which will allow the public electricity suppliers to offer generators contracts for a similar period.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger),Official Report, 20 July, column 126, what were the dates over which the vitrified high-level waste was delivered to Japan, the mode of transport used, the quantity involved and the location to which it was sent in Japan.

  Mr. Eggar
  The operational details are a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc and its customer in Japan.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment has been made of Russian technical capacity to process nuclear waste.
  643
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 8 July 1993]: British Nuclear Fuels plc is in discussion with the Russian Ministry of Atomic Power on the management of that country's nuclear waste. I understand that the parties have identified a number of areas in which collaboration between them can usefully take place and that they have agreed to meet on a regular basis.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in conducting a study with BNFL on financial consequences of abandoning THORP, including the alternative use of already committed capital investment for the interim storage of contracted foreign spent fuel, as recommended in the First report of the Environment Committee of Session 1985–86, HC 191, on radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government did not accept the recommendation in question.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assurances overseas customers using the thermal oxide reprocessing plant have given that they will accept returns of high-level waste in accordance with the substitution principle; if Government approval of the principle will be conditional on such assurances; and what assessment he has made of the extent of facilities in recipient countries to provide adequate storage for such waste.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: The Government's consideration of the proposal by British Nuclear Fuels plc to return nuclear waste by substitution has not yet been completed. Should substitution be approved, it would be for the company to negotiate appropriate arrangements with its customers within guidelines set by the Government. Customers who did not wish to accept substitution on a basis acceptable to the United Kingdom would be required to take delivery of all three waste streams—high, intermediate and low-level waste.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has about the comparative costs of transporting intermediate-level waste arising from the reprocessing of foreign spent nuclear fuel at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant back to customer countries against storing the intermediate-level waste in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: This is a commercial matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc and its overseas customers.

  Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in meeting his target to ensure the first phase of work on options for the future of the AEA is completed by late autumn.

  Mr. Eggar
  The consultancy study I announced on 1 April,Official Report, column 407, is progressing to schedule. An announcement will be made in due course, once I have had an opportunity to consider the consultants' report and the AEA's own views.
  644

  Nuclear Safety (CIS)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress made in establishing a training seminar for nuclear safeguards experts from the Commonwealth of Independent States republics.

  Mr. Eggar
  In collaboration with BNFL and AEA my Department has to date arranged and funded three safeguards seminars for experts from the CIS Republics. Two of these were attended by personnel from the Russian Federation and concentrated on safeguards approaches for reprocessing plants, the third dealt with safeguards for fuel fabrication plants and fast reactors and included participants from the Republic of Kazakhstan in addition to the Russian Federation. A further two seminars are planned for the autumn.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 13, on what occasions in regard to what nuclear materials the European Commission has granted a derogation under article 22 of EC Regulation 3227/76 for nuclear exports from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  Derogation from reporting has been granted to the Science museum, South Kensington, London for uranium and thorium specimens.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has of the surpluses expected to be generated by Nuclear Electric, Scottish Nuclear and British Nuclear Fuel's operations from 1993 to 1998; and what restrictions he intends to place on their use.

  Mr. Eggar
  The profitability of Nuclear Electric, Scottish Nuclear and BNFL over the period 1993–98 will depend on a number of factors, many of which are inevitably uncertain. In their role as shareholder, the Government undertake appropriate monitoring of the companies' expenditure plans.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the increase in liabilities would be for British Nuclear Fuels, Scottish Nuclear and Nuclear Electric if discounting is not applied to nuclear provisions.

  Mr. Eggar
  These are matters for the companies concerned.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research has been undertaken to verify that the two per cent. discount rate applied to nuclear liabilities by United Kingdom nuclear companies correctly balances the risks and benefits between current and future generations.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the nuclear companies.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress in making his target in implementation of extended reporting of nuclear materials and equipment by August 1993.

  Mr. Eggar
  The submission of confidential returns has begun.
  645

  Nuclear Emergencies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in his target to develop by August a strategy for use of the radioactive incident monitoring network in a United Kingdom emergency through integration into the existing nuclear emergency briefing room procedures.

  Mr. Eggar
  Radioactive incident monitoring network equipment has been installed within the nuclear emergency briefing room and Department of Trade and Industry staff have participated in testing and demonstration of the system. Agreement has been reached in general terms on how it will be integrated into nuclear emergency briefing room procedures when the radioactive incident monitoring network phase 2 comes on stream towards the end of this year.

  Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor Fuel
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with(a) British Nuclear Fuels Limited, (b) Costain Engineering or (c) Nuclear Electric regarding plans on construction of a dry store for spent advanced gas-cooled reactor fuel.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department discusses a range of topics with these companies.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made to the letter sent to the Minister for Energy on 5 July by the chairman of the Consumers Union of Japan relating to THORP.

  Mr. Eggar
  The letter arrived on 19 July. I shall be replying in due course.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects THORP to be commissioned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Before commissioning its thermal oxide reprocessing plant, British Nuclear Fuels plc will need such consents and authorisations as may be required by law. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 28 June,Official Report, column 392, there is to be a further round of consultation. This is expected to start shortly and to last for two months. Final decisions will be taken following this further period of consultation.

  Uranium
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the price per tonne of uranium in 1977, adjusted to 1993 prices; what was the projected price for 1993 given in the Windscale inquiry report; what is the current cost per tonne of uranium; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Euratom Supply Agency's report for 1992 shows that the average price of natural uranium deliveries made during the year under multiannual contracts to the electricity utilities of the European Community or their procurement organisations was 49·50 ecu per kilogramme of uranium. The agency's 1977 646
  report did not provide a comparable figure for that year because of uncertain conditions in the market. Illustrative prices for uranium were mentioned in chapter 9 of the Windscale inquiry report.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much uranium separated by reprocessing at Sellafield over the last 40 years has been used in reactors(a) by weight and (b) as percentage of total uranium produced.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) on 20 July 1993,Official Report, columns 127–28.

  Environmentally Friendly Fuel Technology
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken following the representations the former Department of Energy received from the Director General of Electricity Supply about the inclusion of environmentally friendly technologies, including such as combined heat and power, in the non-fossil fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that the then Secretary of State for Energy took full account of his consultations with the Director General of Electricity Supply when making the 1990 and 1991 renewables orders under the non-fossil fuel obligation. Both orders are supporting projects with the potential for combined heat and power. On 21 July I announced a third renewables order under the non-fossil fuel obligation. I would expect projects with the potential for combined heat and power to bid into this order also.

  Oil Exploration
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how the environmental interests of the coast are safeguarded during the oil exploration licensing procedure.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department of Trade and Industry consults other Government Departments, the joint Nature Conservation Committee and local advisory groups before offering any blocks for licensing. The JNCC in turn consults English Nature, the Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

  Blocks that are offered for licensing in sensitive areas such as those close to the coast are subject to special conditions to protect wildlife and the environment. These conditions are agreed with relevant Government Departments and the JNCC.

  The conditions include consultation with JNCC and other environmental organisations before the licensee undertakes operations; seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife; a ban on drilling within three miles of the coast; the use of zero-discharge rigs and water-based drilling muds; and to agree with the advisory bodies and local authorities plans to be put into effect in case of an oil spill.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to which foreign defence industries the British nuclear industry supplies depleted uranium.
  647
  Mr. Eggar
  All shipments of depleted uranium are made in accordance with the provisions of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1992. It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to make public the details of specific export licence applications. In assessing all such applications the Government take into account the United Kingdom's obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what publicly financed grants are available to scientists and entrepreneurs for research into and development of renewable energy technology.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department operates a research and development programme on renewable energy. Financial assistance may be available to appropriate projects. Interested parties should contact:

  Enquiry Bureau

  Energy Technology Support

  Harwell Laboratory

  Oxfordshire

  OX11 ORA

  Pharmaceuticals
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the volume and value of exports of anthrax vaccine in each year since 1985

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is not available from official sources because the United Kingdom trade classification does not separately identify anthrax vaccines. The manufacturers of anthrax vaccines in the United Kingdom report no exports during the last five years. Information prior to that could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  KONVER Programme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton), of 14 June,Official Report, columns 409–10, which bodies have been consulted for their views on the draft United Kingdom programme for the KONVER scheme; and what is the planned size of the draft United Kingdom programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answwer 23 July 1993]: The United Kingdom KONVER programme will request 20·12 million ecu, which is the full amount allocated to the United Kingdom for 1993.

  Consultation on the draft programme will proceed during August, and will include the training and enterprise councils, the local enterprise companies, the local authority associations, and the Rural Development Commission.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape;
  648
  (2) what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department's information materials are freely available. We are not aware of widespread demand for them to be separately prepared for blind and partially sighted people, but the need for such provision is kept under review.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer or Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Eggar
  In my Department no services or functions have been contracted out where the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations were relevant. Collection of information on all contracts where TUPE was not applicable would incur disproportionate costs.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department and its agencies employ the following staff in the automatic data processing functional specialism:

  Number

  Senior Executive Officer

  61

  Higher Executive Officer

  136

  Executive Officer

  156

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by his Department and agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department does not classify consultancies in terms of their activity and collection of this information would incur disproportionate costs.

  Zinc
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what recent representations he has received concerning distortions in the world trade in zinc ash and residue, zinc dross, unwrought zinc, and zinc waste and scrap; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what information he has concerning the tariffs, duties, taxes and other barriers to imports faced by those attempting to import zinc ash and residue, zinc dross, unwrought zinc, and zinc waste and scrap to and from India; and what representations he has made to the Indian

  649
  Government, to the European Community, or through the general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiating process about those barriers;

  (3) what steps he is taking to bring about free and fair trade in zinc ash and residue, zinc dross, unwrought zinc, and zinc waste and scrap;

  (4) what information he has concerning the net balance of trade in terms of volume and value between the United Kingdom and India in zinc ash and residue, zinc dross, unwrought zinc, and zinc waste and scrap.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Defence Industry (Reduction)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that assistance from the European Community can be targeted to those communities which have suffered directly the greatest impact of reduced demand in the level of defence procurement regardless of whether or not they have assisted area status or are suffering overall regional or industrial decline;

  (2) if he will make a statement providing details of the European Community KONVER programme for assistance to areas affected by reduced demand in the defence industries; whether assistance through this programme is available only to projects in locations with assisted area status or is more widely available; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the north west of England benefits from this programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answers 13 July 1993]: Those areas which are within an objective 2 area will be eligible for assistance for activities supported by the European regional development fund within the KONVER scheme.

  Moreover the conclusions reached at the Foreign Affairs Council on 2 and 3 July on the regulations on the future of European structural funds, confirmed by the Council on 19 and 20 July, enable member states to make available to areas not designated for objective 1, 2 or 5b a limited part of the European regional development fund contribution to KONVER. The Government intend to make use of this new flexibility in the United Kingdom's 1993 KONVER programme.

  All areas affected by the reduction in defence expenditure will be eligible for support under the European social fund part of the scheme.

  Eligibility for the structural funds is not affected by assisted area status.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how the value and cost of plutonium owned by United Kingdom nuclear companies is treated for accounting purposes.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what use he intends to make of consultants in the forthcoming nuclear review; and what safeguards he intends to institute in respect of auditors of companies in 650
  the nuclear industry who tender for consultancy contracts associated with the review to ensure no conflict of interest occurs.

  Mr. Eggar
  No decisions have yet been taken on the scope, timing and format of the nuclear review, or on whether consultants will be employed. A further announcement will be made in due course.

WALES

  Unemployment
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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.

  Mr. Redwood
  The assisted area review took into account future rundowns, including those arising from reductions in defence expenditure. As a result the Haverfordwest and Fishguard travel-to-work areas have been upgraded to development area status to assist further in the work taken forward through the west Wales task force.

  Youth Organisations
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the national voluntary youth organisations within Wales currently in receipt of funding from his Department, indicating when each organisation was informed of their grant levels for the current year.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  There are 15 youth organisations currently in receipt of grant, namely the Boys Brigade, Baptist Youth Ministry, Church in Wales, Guides Cymru, Gwerin y Coed (Woodcraft Folk), the Order of St. John, Phab (Wales), United Nations Association International Youth Services, United Reform Church, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, Welsh Association of Youth Clubs, Welsh Federation of Boys' and Girls' Groups, Welsh Scout Council, and the Young Men's Christian Association of Wales.

  All organisations were informed of their grant levels for 1993–94 on 8 April, except the Welsh Association of Youth Clubs, which was informed on 26 May as its application was handled separately.

  Wales Youth Agency
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the training materials produced to date by the Wales Youth Agency aimed at(a) young people and (b) those employed in the youth service since the establishment of the agency;

  (2) if he will list the publicity leaflets aimed at young people produced by the Wales Youth Agency since its establishment;

  (3) how many consultation exercises have been undertaken to date by the Wales Youth Agency with organisations of young people; and if he will list (a) the subject of each consultation and (b) the organisations which were consulted.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally.
  651
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to investigate staffing decisions undertaken by the Wales Youth Agency in relation to former employees of the Welsh Youth Forum.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No. The Department has been kept informed of the agency's staffing decisions relating to former employees of the Wales Youth Forum.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations have been received by his Department from the Wales Youth Agency since its establishment concerning(a) the participation of young people in decision making and (b) the future of the youth service agency;

  (2) if he will list the written representation received by his Department from the Wales Youth Agency since its establishment on policy issues affecting young people.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Wales Youth Agency has made representations on the future of the Welsh youth card, information needs of young people, young people's membership of the management board: youth service funding, innovatory grants scheme in Wales, and the validation of training for youth workers in Wales.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the meetings held to date between members of his Department and members of the Wales Youth Agency, indicating the date and purpose of each meeting.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since its establishment in April 1992, the Department has met the chairman, vice-chairman and other members of the Wales Youth Agency's management board on three occasions.

  Date

  Purpose

  8 April 1992

  Introductory meeting with chairman and vice-chairman and vice-chairman

  2 June 1992

  Agency's role and activities

  25 May 1993

  Funding of the youth service

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members on the management group of the Wales Youth Agency, indicating their names and representative organisations; and which members are aged 25 years or under.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The management board's membership is:

  Name

  Representative body

  Mr. Gerald Davies (Chairman)

  Personal capacity

  Dr. Howard Williamson

  Personal capacity

  Ms Sara Edwards

  Personal capacity

  Ms Michelle Herbert1

  Personal capacity

  Mrs. Beverly Martin

  Personal capacity

  Mr. Brian Thirsk

  Wales Association of Full-time Youth and Community Workers

  Mr. Bert Jones

  North-East Wales Institute of Higher Education

  652

  Name

  Representative body

  Mrs. Amber Hughes1

  Wales Youth Forum

  Mr. Peter Williams

  Further Education and Youth Service Association of Wales

  Mr. Dewi Jones

  Welsh Joint Education Committee

  Mr. David Allen

  Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services

  1 Denotes members aged 25 or less.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce a statutory youth service in Wales and to develop a formula for funding local youth service provision.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. Local education authorities already have a statutory duty to secure provision for their areas of adequate facilities for further education, and for recreation, social and physical training for those of school age. These provisions cover the youth service.

  The resources made available to Welsh local authorities through the annual local authority revenue settlement are not attributed to particular services. Youth service funding at the local level is a matter for individual authorities to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.

  European Environmental Agency
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make representations to the European Community advocating Wales as a location for the new European Environmental Agency.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on this issue on 24 February at column 634.

  Aggregates
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the estimated level of primary aggregates production in Wales by county(a) for the 1992–96 period and (b) between 2006–11; and what the 2006–11 production levels will be and the percentage of the 1992–96 levels in each instance.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government do not provide guidance on primary aggregates production on a county basis. Details of the regional position based on the proposals in the draft revision of minerals planning guidance note 6, published in January, are available in the Library of the House.

  Housing
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Welsh housing authorities making non-statutory rate fund contributions to their housing revenue account in 1992–93, giving the amounts in each case.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Council housing authorities can make contributions to the housing revenue account only in accordance with schedule 4 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as amended by the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.
  653

  Homelessness
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many bed-and-breakfast establishments are currently used by each local authority in Wales to house homeless people; and how many establishments have no(a) kitchen and (b) bathroom facilities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available centrally.

  Youth Training
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list for each training and enterprise council in Wales their youth training performance in 1992–93 showing(a) the cost per output point and (b) the number of national vocational qualifications per 100 leavers, together with the latest information he has for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list for each training and enterprise council in Wales their employment training performance in 1992–93 showing (a) the cost per output point, (b) the number of national vocational qualifications per 100 leavers and (c) the number of positive outcomes per 100 leavers, together with the latest information he has for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information on the performance of TECs in Wales in these areas is used for management purposes by my officials in their discussions with TECs. My approach to performance measurement is being refined and I will consider publishing comparative information in due course.

  Woodlands
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the total land mass of Wales is made of publicly-owned woodland and forests.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The publicly-owned forests and woodlands managed by the Forestry Commission cover about 6 per cent. of the total land area of Wales. Information on the area of woodland owned by other public bodies is not readily available but it is not thought that it would be significant as a percentage of the total land area.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being taken to ensure the Welsh public will continue to have access to publicly-owned woodland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Forestry Commission encourages people to enjoy the publicly-owned forests in its care through a "freedom to roam" policy. It also provides a range of visitor facilities, and caters for many outdoor activities and sports. The Commission will be continuing to implement these policies in its management of forests in the future.

  Arrangements for securing continued public access to Forestry Commission woodlands sold under the disposals programme, by means of prior agreements entered into between the commission and local authorities, were introduced in October 1991. These arrangements will be reviewed this year in consultation with the countryside agencies and the local authority associations.
  654
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many acres of woodland in Wales are open for public access; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Forestry Commission manages 127,000 hectares (about 315,000 acres) of woodland in Wales and encourages public access through a "freedom to roam" policy. Public access is also often permitted in woodlands under the management of local authorities and bodies such as the Woodland Trust, but figures for these and the areas of privately owned woodlands open to the public are not readily available.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being taken in Wales to help those people graduating from TECs to find employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  All TEC training programmes are focused on obtaining employment through improved skills and qualifications. Trainees are provided with job search advice and support and TEC training providers maintain close contact with local employers. In addition the Employment Service provides a range of advisory and guidance services through its network of local offices.

  The latest information available for 1992–93 indicates that following their period of training with TECs, 3,466 adult trainees and 5,309 youth trainees in Wales secured employment or progressed into further education or training.

  Child Sex Abuse
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what level of funding has been granted by his Department to local authorities in Wales towards the development of specialist therapeutic and support services for sexually abused childen and their families in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authority social services expenditure is funded through the annual local authority revenue and capital settlements. It is for individual authorities to decide how to apportion those resources between and within services in accordance with their statutory obligations and their own priorities.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils attended each of the secondary schools in Wales in the school year 1992–93.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The number of pupils on the roll of each secondary school in Wales at January 1993 is as follows:

  Clwyd

  School Name

  Number on roll

  Hawarden High School

  1,052

  Rhyl High School

  1,084

  Mold Alun School

  1,460

  Elfed High School

  720

  Holywell High School

  1,010

  St. Davids High School

  588

  Prestatyn High School

  1,387

  The Maelor School

  505

  655

  School Name

  Number on roll

  Castell Alun High School

  1,096

  Ysgol Maes Garmon

  671

  Summers High School

  460

  Ysgol Glan Clwyd

  777

  Flint High School

  604

  Connah's Quay High School

  627

  Ysgol Bryn Elian

  707

  Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan

  1,088

  Eirias High School

  1,049

  Denbigh High School

  806

  Ysgol Dinas Bran

  780

  Ysgol-y-Grango

  725

  Brynhyfryd School

  903

  Ysgol Morgan Llwyd

  490

  Ysgol Bryn Alyn

  724

  Darland School

  690

  St. David's School

  1,102

  Ysgol Bryn Offa

  1,033

  Ysgol Uwchradd Argoed

  492

  Ysgol Rhiwabon

  608

  The Groves High School

  774

  St. Richard Gwyn High School

  1,098

  Blessed Edward Jones

  608

  St. Joseph's R.C. High School

  456

  Dyfed

  School name

  Number on roll

  Ysgol Pantycelyn

  375

  Ysgol Gyfun Tregib

  795

  Amman Valley Comprehensive School

  1,287

  Fishguard County Secondary School

  742

  Ysgol Dewi Sant

  343

  Greenhill Comprehensive School

  1,346

  Pembroke Comprehensive School

  1,426

  Lampeter County Secondary School

  583

  Aberaeron Comprehensive School

  878

  Cardigan County Secondary School

  744

  Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron

  285

  Penglais Comprehensive School

  1,010

  Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig

  593

  Coedcae Comprehensive School

  853

  Graig Comprehensive School

  685

  Ysgol Gyfun y Strade

  661

  Glan-y-Mor Comprehensive School

  672

  Bryngwyn Comprehensive School

  1,031

  Sir Thomas Picton Comprehensive School

  1,103

  Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin

  634

  Queen Elizabeth Cambria

  817

  Queen Elizabeth Maridun

  772

  Ysgol Gyfun Dyffryn Teifi

  593

  Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn

  584

  Ysgol Gyfun Maes Yr Yrfa

  660

  Gwendraeth Valley Comprehensive School

  627

  Milford Haven Comprehensive School

  1,235

  Ysgol Gyfun Ddwyieithog y Preseli

  547

  Tasker Milward V.C. Comprehensive School

  1,175

  Ysgol Gyfun Dyffryn Taf

  852

  St. John Lloyd R.C. Comprehensive School

  381

  Gwent

  School name

  Number on roll

  St. Julians Comprehensive School

  1,231

  Duffryn Comprehensive School

  1,057

  Hartridge Comprehensive School

  943

  Bettws Comprehensive School

  1,112

  Lliswerry Comprehensive School

  1,201

  Bassaleg Comprehensive School

  1,320

  Newbridge Comprehensive School

  664

  Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School

  754

  Glyncoed Junior Comprehensive School

  408

  656

  School name

  Number on roll

  Blackwood Comprehensive School

  805

  Llantarnam Comprehensive School

  1,104

  Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School

  1,359

  Oakdale Comprehensive School

  814

  Glanyrafon Junior Comprehensive School

  386

  Caerleon Comprehensive School

  1,364

  Monmouth Comprehensive School

  1,341

  Tredegar Comprehensive School

  938

  Fairwater Comprehensive School

  1,196

  King Henry VIII Comprehensive School

  1,242

  Chepstow Comprehensive School

  1,063

  Caldicot Comprehensive School

  1,291

  Ebbw Vale Senior Comprehensive School

  690

  Risca Comprehensive School

  657

  Abersychan Comprehensive School

  780

  Trevethin Comprehensive School

  519

  West Monmouth Comprehensive School

  944

  Nantyglo Comprehensive School

  675

  Abertillery Comprehensive School

  815

  Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyn

  365

  St. Joseph's Comprehensive School

  1,017

  St. Alban's R.C. Comprehensive School

  572

  Cwmcarn Grant Maintained School

  333

  Brynmawr School

  480

  Gwynedd

  School name

  Number on roll

  Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen

  392

  Ysgol Botwnnog

  425

  Ysgol Brynrefail

  551

  Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle

  422

  Ysgol Eifionydd

  583

  Ysgol John Bright

  1,021

  Ysgol Aberconwy

  678

  Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones

  901

  Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi

  1,095

  Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni

  818

  Ysgol David Hughes

  1,259

  Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern

  686

  Ysgol y Gader

  337

  Ysgol y Moelwyn

  444

  Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn

  359

  Ysgol y Berwyn

  448

  Ysgol Ardudwy

  553

  Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy

  740

  Ysgol Friars

  896

  Ysgol Tryfan

  402

  Ysgol y Creuddyn

  638

  Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen

  1,098

  Ysgol Glan y Mor

  699

  Mid Glamorgan

  School name

  Number on roll

  Afon Taf High School

  1,203

  Pen-y-dre High School

  1,041

  Cyfarthfa High School

  1,008

  Vaynor and Penderyn School

  362

  Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School

  1,336

  Coedylan Comprehensive School

  1,080

  Hawthorn High School

  940

  Mountain Ash Comprehensive School

  1,122

  Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen

  983

  Blaengwawr Comprehensive School

  655

  Tonyrefail Comprehensive School

  1,091

  Cynffig Comprehensive School

  822

  St. Cenydd Comprehensive School

  870

  St. Ilan Comprehensive School

  820

  Bryntirion Comprehensive School

  979

  St. Martin Comprehensive School

  720

  Maesteg Comprehensive School

  1,287

  657

  School name

  Number on roll

  Heolddu Comprehensive School

  801

  Ynysawdre Comprehensive School

  906

  Lewis Boys' Comprehensive School

  857

  Pencoed Comprehensive School

  1,114

  Lewis Girls' Comprehensive School

  973

  Brynteg Comprehensive School

  1,727

  Porthcawl Comprehensive School

  1,048

  Treorchy Comprehensive School

  1,235

  Ferndale Comprehensive School

  931

  Ogmore Comprehensive School

  645

  Porth Comprehensive School

  1,166

  Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari

  1,186

  Rhymney Comprehensive School

  693

  Bedwas Comprehensive School

  730

  Tonypandy Comprehensive School

  1,021

  Y Pant Comprehensive School

  691

  Ysgol Gyfun y Cymer

  487

  Aberdare Boys' Comprehensive School

  742

  Aberdare Girls' Comprehensive School

  633

  Bedwellty Comprehensive School

  515

  Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

  828

  Bishop Hedley High School

  618

  Archbishop Mcgrath School

  419

  Cardinal Newman R.C. Comprehensive School

  697

  St. John Baptist C.I.W. School

  761

  Powys

  School name

  Number on roll

  Caereinion High School

  437

  Llanfyllin High School

  543

  Llanidloes High School

  485

  Ysgol Bro Ddyfi

  381

  Newtown High School

  1,071

  Welshpool High School

  713

  John Beddoes County Secondary School

  507

  Llandrindod High School

  754

  Builth Wells High School

  484

  Maesydderwen Comprehensive School

  630

  Brecon High School

  816

  Gwernyfed High School

  501

  Crickhowell High School

  626

  South Glamorgan

  School name

  Number on roll

  Rumney High School

  1,050

  Glyn Derw High School

  329

  Cardiff High School

  1,168

  Glan Ely High School

  807

  Willows High School

  713

  Fitzalan High School

  1,297

  Llanedeyrn High School

  866

  Cantonian High School

  1,012

  Whitchurch High School

  1,860

  Llanishen High School

  1,440

  Llanrumney High School

  764

  Cathays High School

  884

  Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School

  985

  Barry Boys' Comprehensive School

  1,335

  Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School

  1,406

  Stanwell Comprehensive School

  1,002

  St. Cyres Comprehensive School

  1,372

  Cowbridge Comprehensive School

  1,134

  Radyr Comprehensive School

  1,208

  Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf

  1,099

  St. Illtyds R.C. High School

  682

  Mary Immaculate R.C. High School

  597

  The Bishop of Llandaff High School

  1,125

  St. Teilo's C.I.W. High School

  1,007

  658

  School name

  Number on roll

  Corpus Christi R.C. High School

  989

  St. Richard Gwyn R.C. High School

  451

  West Glamorgan

  School Name

  Number on roll

  Mynyddbach County Secondary School

  615

  Penlan County Secondary (Boys) School

  601

  Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School

  945

  Olchfa Comprehensive School

  1,766

  Morriston Comprehensive School

  1,104

  Dynevor Comprehensive School

  456

  Pentrehafod Comprehensive School

  1,069

  Bishop Gore Comprehensive School

  1,354

  Cymer Afan Comprehensive School

  426

  Glan Afan Comprehensive School

  590

  Sandfields Comprehensive School

  734

  Dyffryn Comprehensive School

  788

  Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera

  766

  Penyrheol Comprehensive School

  931

  Gowerton Comprehensive School

  1,145

  Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School

  890

  Cwmtawe Comprehensive School

  970

  Llangatwg Comprehensive School

  960

  Dwr y Felin Comprehensive School

  1,271

  Cwrt Sart Comprehensive School

  614

  Bishopston Comprehensive School

  968

  Dillwyn Llewelyn Comprehensive School

  558

  Pontarddulais Comprehensive School

  675

  Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr

  535

  Birchgrove Comprehensive School

  842

  St. Joseph's R.C. Comprehensive School

  757

  Bishop Vaughan Catholic Comprehensive School

  933

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the number of pupil exclusions in(a) the primary sector and (b) the secondary school sector within each local education authority in Wales in each year since 1987; and what has been the percentage of excluded pupils within the general school population in each area in each year.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by his Department and agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Redwood
  The computer consultancies employed by my Department and its agencies since November 1991 are listed as follows. The total cost to the Department was £453,508.
  659

  Contractor

  Task

  The Government Centre for Information Systems (CCTA)

  Post implementation review of the Department's computerised financial systems.

  The Government Centre for Information Systems (CCTA)

  Post implementation review of the Department's in-house bureau mainframe computer system.

  The Government Centre for Information Systems (CCTA)

  Post implementation review of the Department's Welsh highways information system.

  The Government Centre for Information Systems (CCTA)

  Post implementation review of the Department's site monitoring system (new roads).

  The Government Centre for Information Systems (CCTA)

  Post implementation review of the Department's personnel management system.

  DBI Associates

  Production of an information systems strategy for the Welsh Office Education Department.

  NCC Consultancy

  Review of the document logging and diary facilities in the ministerial private office.

  KPMG Management Consulting

  Study of the future of the in-house bureau mainframe system.

  Computer Management Consultants

  Study of the Department's future office automation requirements.

  Axsis

  Welsh Office communications study: Part 1.

  Axsis

  Welsh Office communications study: Part 2.

  Admiral Management Services

  Review of security of the Department's computerised finance systems.

  IPL

  Post implementation review of the transport and highways payment monitoring system.

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd.

  Evaluation of the need for a computerised record of manufacturing plants in Wales.

  Ernst and Young

  To advise on end of financial year procedures in relation to the Department's financial systems.

  Net funding per pupil on books and equipment in primary schools at constant prices1

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Clwyd

  29·5

  26·1

  23·1

  22·6

  37·4

  32·1

  Dyfed

  27·2

  31·6

  29·7

  33·1

  43·5

  42·9

  Gwent

  29·5

  31·7

  33·6

  35·9

  40·4

  66·9

  Gwynedd

  30·7

  31·1

  30·2

  52·0

  64·1

  60·3

  Mid-Glamorgan

  29·6

  30·0

  31·7

  40·7

  32·1

  74·7

  Powys

  36·5

  39·6

  33·4

  25·0

  24·2

  30·4

  South Glamorgan

  29·6

  31·1

  30·9

  32·7

  35·3

  51·1

  West Glamorgan

  41·8

  37·8

  36·8

  36·4

  38·0

  47·1

  1 From 1987–88 includes nursery schools. Prices at March 1993.

  Net funding per pupil on books and equipment in secondary schools at constant prices1

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Clwyd

  70·2

  58·6

  54·9

  39·6

  104·2

  112·8

  Dyfed

  64·3

  91·3

  74·6

  76·3

  88·9

  74·0

  Gwent

  79·6

  79·6

  92·9

  89·2

  86·9

  97·6

  Gwynedd

  91·6

  85·6

  74·9

  114·3

  104·0

  112·6

  Mid-Glamorgan

  84·8

  76·5

  94·9

  117·9

  131·7

  161·5

  Powys

  79·5

  77·3

  76·0

  56·6

  59·5

  52·6

  South Glamorgan

  81·4

  69·8

  73·8

  75·0

  104·0

  95·2

  West Glamorgan

  87·8

  81·0

  79·2

  64·7

  85·5

  90·1

  1 Prices at March 1993.

  660

  Contractor

  Task

  Safetynet PLC

  To advise on the upgrade of the computer suite housing the Department's financial systems.

  Praxis PLC

  Feasibility study regarding the development of a central information database for HM School Inspectors in Wales.

  Praxis PLC

  Preparation of a project initiation document and operational requirement for an information database for HM School Inspectors in Wales.

  Price Waterhouse

  Scoping study for the market test of Welsh Office information technology services.

  Gower Business Systems

  Study of the possible uses of desk top publishing.

  Mouncey and Partners

  To advise on the implementation of computer systems in valuation tribunal offices.

  MVA Systematica

  To advise on the migration of the Department's road accident system from the in-house bureau mainframe computer.

  Esams Ltd.

  Scoping study for the valuation tribunal integrated appeals system.

  School Books
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the expenditure per pupil on school books in each of the local education authorities in Wales in(a) the primary sector and (b) the secondary sector in each year since 1986 at constant prices.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The following tables give expenditure per pupil at constant prices on text and library books, and educational equipment, for the years requested.
  661

  Psychiatric Admissions
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many psychiatric admissions of children of 16 years or under have occurred within each health authority area in Wales in each of the last three years; and how many were diagnosed under conduct disorder in each instance.

  1988

  1989

  1990

  All admissions

  Admissions for disorders1

  All Admissions

  Admissions for disorders1

  All admissions

  Admissions for disorders1

  Clwyd

  49

  44

  42

  37

  41

  38

  East Dyfed

  6

  4

  10

  5

  5

  3

  Gwent

  9

  5

  8

  5

  14

  13

  Gwynedd

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  Mid Glamorgan

  11

  7

  8

  2

  10

  2

  Powys

  6

  3

  1

  1

  2

  1

  South Glamorgan

  44

  32

  49

  38

  54

  48

  West Glamorgan

  6

  3

  11

  6

  8

  5

  Total

  133

  100

  130

  95

  136

  111

  1Includes neurotic, personality and other non-psychotic mental disorders.

  Note: There are no Mental Illness Hospitals or units in Pembrokeshire.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each fund-holding general medical practitioner's practice in Wales the per capita allocations for the purchase of hospital services in 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It would be inappropriate to publish per capita allocations for each fund-holding practice in Wales. Allocations reflect the individual nature and extent of these services with which patients in each practice have been provided over previous years. The per capita allocations to fund holders for the purchase of hospital services in 1993–94 on average amount to £71 per patient, and range from £44 to £128.

  Programme for the valleys expenditure

  £ million

  1988–89 outturn

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 outturn

  1992–93 estimated outturn

  Urban Programme

  11·950

  16·000

  19·400

  23·600

  21·000

  Urban Development/UIG1

  2·600

  7·200

  6·000

  4·500

  5·000

  RIG1

  28·875

  16·100

  14·500

  16·140

  15·350

  WDA

  Factories

  20·730

  20·950

  23·100

  18·500

  15·500

  Land Reclamation

  11·900

  15·500

  14·700

  15·000

  18·500

  Environmental

  0·780

  0·600

  0·600

  1·500

  1·500

  Urban Renewal Unit

  0·700

  1·570

  3·260

  5·381

  10·000

  Investment

  1·325

  1·750

  2·730

  0·535

  0·250

  Business Development

  0·720

  0·720

  1·000

  0·940

  1·30

  Corporate Planning/Research

  0·100

  0·100

  0·050

  0·040

  0·050

  Roads

  11·100

  7·200

  15·270

  36·807

  40·840

  Employment Department

  48·600

  49·670

  48·200

  48·000

  48·000

  1These programmes are demand-led.

  662
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information given in the following table relates to children aged 16 or under admitted to mental illness hospitals and units in each health authority area.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average wage of the lowest paid decile of the population in Wales in 1991(a) at 1991 prices and (b) at 1979 prices.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is not statistical custom to calculate average earnings within the lowest or highest deciles. The New Earnings Survey estimates that, in 1991, 10 per cent. of full-time adult employees in Wales earned below £128·70 per week. At constant 1979 prices, the figure was £52·50 per week.

  Valleys Initiative
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown of expenditure at constant prices for each year from 1988–89 to 1992–93 for each sub-programme of the valleys initiative programme.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  663

  Welshpool Bypass
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many accidents have occurred on the Welshpool bypass since its opening on 16 July; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I am advised that up to 21 July, four accidents have been recorded by Dyfed/Powys police on the bypass or at its junctions. From an initial examination, it does not appear that the design of the new road has contributed to the incidents. The situation will be kept under close review.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will instruct his highways department to re-design the Sarnybryncaled junctions on the Welshpool bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This junction has been designed in accordance with national standards. As is usual in the period after the opening of a new stretch of trunk road, use of the bypass will be closely monitored and any necessary improvements identified at Sarnybryncaled or elsewhere will be introduced.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing the total tonnage of hazardous waste transported through each port in Wales in 1990–91 and 1991–92; and if he will publish a breakdown of the types of waste transported.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested was published in issues of the Environmental Digest for Wales, available in the Library of the House. 1990–91 figures appeared in table 1.49 of volume 6 and 1991–92 figures in table 1.53 of volume 7, subject to the following revisions:

  Waste imported (tonnes)

  Holyhead, 1991–92

  Chlorinated solvents

  21·7

  Miscellaneous redundant waste

  16·2

  Total

  385·5

  Newport, 1991–92

  Hexachlorobenzene

  199·8

  Source: Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution

  Temporary Accommodation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households in temporary accommodation in Wales were living in(a) bed-and-breakfast accommodation, (b) hostels, including women's refuges, and (c) short-life housing in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information for the years 1987 to 1991 has been published in Table 7.9 of Welsh Housing Statistics No. 12 1992, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. On 31 December 1992 there were 248 households temporarily accommodated in bed and breakfast, 394 in hostels and women's refuges and 89 in short-life dwellings.
  664

  Beaches (Pollution)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what monitoring is conducted by his Department on local authority compliance with its advice concerning the public display of the results of National Rivers Authority testing of water quality of Welsh European Community designated beaches.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As in previous years, Welsh Office officials wrote to all coastal local authorities at the beginning of the bathing season encouraging them to participate in the bathing water quality poster scheme. It is for each local authority to decide whether it wishes to participate in the scheme.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many complaints have been received by the Commission for Local Administration in Wales from and on behalf of children and young people in care in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The hon. Gentleman will need to seek this information by writing to the commissioner for local administration in Wales.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the average amount of leaving care grant given by each local authority to children and young people formerly in care in Wales in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not available centrally.

  Heavy Metal Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing(a) the tonnage totals permitted to be deposited in each river estuary in Wales and (b) the actual tonnage deposited for (i) zinc, (ii) cadmium, (iii) lead, (iv) copper, (v) mercury and (vi) chromium in (1) 1991 (2) 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The following levels of dredged material were licensed for disposal at sites in Welsh estuaries in 1991. 1992 figures are not yet available.

  Thousand Tonnes

  Cardiff Grounds

  3,178

  Newport

  3,500

  Uskmouth

  120

  Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  There are no specific amounts licensed for individual contaminants but prior to licensing the concentrations of each contaminant in the dredged material are measured to ensure that those amounts are acceptable for disposal at sea.

  The amounts of the contaminants deposited at each of these sites in 1991 was published in table 2.24 of the Environmental Digest for Wales, No. 7, available in the Library of the House. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.
  665
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the tonnage of(a) cadmium, (b) zinc, (c) lead, (d) copper, (e) mercury and (f) chromium disposed of off the coasts of Wales in (i) 1991 and (ii) 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested for 1991 was published in table 2.23 of the Environmental Digest for Wales, No. 7, available in the Library of the House. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  Children Act 1989
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what monitoring has been undertaken by his Department on the provision of accommodation for 16 and 17-year-old people designated as in need by local authorities in Wales as a result of the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authorities were asked through the Welsh Office circular 26/91 to report on inter-agency collaboration under the Children Act 1989 on a wide range of issues, including provision of accommodation for children in need. Most authorities have now reported and the remainder of the responses are expected shortly.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many complaints have been received to date by each social services department from children under section 26 of the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Paragraph 3.53 of the Children Act Report 1992 recorded the latest available information. Eleven complaints in total had been received from or on behalf of children by local authorities in Wales in the first nine months following the implementation of the Children Act on 14 October 1991. Details are:

  Number

  Clwyd

  Nil

  Dyfed

  1

  Gwent

  2

  Gwynedd

  4

  Mid Glamorgan

  2

  Powys

  Nil

  South Glamorgan

  1

  West Glamorgan

  1

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales have not developed policy statements or related practice guidelines and procedures regarding children leaving care.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I am not aware of a local authority in Wales which has not developed any policy statements or related practice guidelines and procedures on children leaving care.

  Urban Waste Water Directive
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made by his Department in drawing up plans for the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive requires member states to establish an implementation programme by the end of this year.666
  Relevant Government Departments, including the Welsh Office, are working with the National Rivers Authority and the water industry in drawing up this programme.

  Independent Schools
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secreetary of State for Wales if he will list the independent schools in Wales which currently have fewer than 50 pupils; and which of those schools have registered as children's homes under the Children Act 1989.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Under the Children Act 1989, independent schools which provide accommodation for 50 or fewer children are required to be registered as children's homes unless they are approved to take children with statements of special educational needs under Section 11(3)(a) of the Education Act 1981. A list of such schools in Wales is set out as follows:

  Independent schools providing accommodation for 50 or fewer pupils and which are not approved under section 11(3)(a) of the Education Act 1981

  The Cathedral School, Cardiff

  Howells School, Cardiff

  Emmanuel School, Swansea

  Netherwood School, Saundersfoot, Dyfed

  St. Clare's Convent School, Porthcawl

  St. John's School, Porthcawl

  St. David's Ursuline Convent School, Brecon
  (to re-open as St. Davids School from I September 1993)

  Their registration as children's homes is a matter for local authority social services departments.

  Oil Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the reported incidents of oil pollution around the coast of Wales in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992; and which incidents resulted in a spillage extending for one mile or more.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Summary information on incidents around the Welsh coast in 1991 was published in table 2.30 of the Environment Digest for Wales, No. 7, available in the Library of the House. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

  School Pupils
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list showing the number of permanent pupils excluded from(a) primary and (b) secondary schools according to each local education authority in Wales in each of the last three years; and how many pupils issued with statements have been included in each area.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Cardigan Bay (Nature Reserve)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to designate Cardigan bay as a marine nature reserve; and if he will establish the posts of marine conservation wardens for the area.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend is responsible for designating marine nature reserves in Wales following an application from the Countryside Council for Wales. There are no such applications currently before the Department.
  667
  Responsibility for the management of such reserves rests with the Countryside Council for Wales.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, how many employment training or training for work trainees have employment status; what was the position a year earlier; and how this number has been estimated;

  (2) for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, separately for male and female, how many people have entered employment action and how many were participating in employment action in each month since January; and what detailed information he has about the destination of those participants who have left employment action; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will publish tables showing the latest available results from the employment training leavers' survey for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of employment training leavers who were (a) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (b) in a full-time job with another employer, (c) employed in their own business, (d) in a part-time job, (e) in voluntary work, (f) on another Government training programme, (g) on a full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) in a job club and (k) doing something else;

  (4) if he will publish tables showing the latest available results from the youth training leavers survey for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of youth training leavers who were (a) in full-time work with the same employer, (b) in full-time work with a different employer, (c) in part-time work, (d) on a full-time course at a college or training centre, (e) on another youth training scheme, (f) doing something else, (g) who were unemployed, (h) who had obtained a vocational qualification, (i) the number of questionnaires issued, (j) the usable percentage response rate and (k) the percentage of respondents who were early leavers;

  (5) if he will show for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for all trainees and separately for male and female, for the latest available period, the wages earned by employment training trainees who three months after leaving were (a) in a full-time job, (b) in a part-time job and (c) self-employed;

  (6) if he will list for each region and for Great Britain as a whole the latest available information he has on the characteristics of those who have entered employment training showing (a) the number of entrants covered, (b) whether male or female, (c) duration of unemployment, (d) ethnic origin and (e) if they have a disability;

  (7) how many people were participating in (a) employment training, (b) employment action, (c) the enterprise allowance scheme/business start-up allowance and (d).youth training in each month since December 1992 for each region and for Great Britain as a whole; and if he will make a statement;
  668
  (8) how many youth training credits have been issued in the pilot areas to young people; how many young people have taken them up; what other information he has on the take up of credits in those areas; and if he will make a statement;

  (9) what are the latest results for each region, and for Great Britain as a whole, of the YTS/YT leavers' survey, showing for all trainees, for male and female trainees and for each separate ethnic group and for those with a disability (a) those in full-time work with the same employer, (b) those in full-time work with a different employer, (c) those in part-time work, (d) those on a full-time course at a college or training centre, (e) those on another youth training scheme, (f) those doing something else, (g) those who were unemployed, (h) those who had obtained a vocational qualification, (i) the number of questionnaires issued, (j) the usable percentage response rate and (k) the percentage of respondents who were early leavers;

  (10) if he will show for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for the latest available period, for all leavers and separately for male and female, for each ethnic group, and for those with a disability or health problem, the number and proportion of employment training trainees who three months after leaving were (a) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (b) in a full-time job with another employer, (c) employed in their own business, (d) in a part-time job, (e) in voluntary work, (f) on another Government training programme, (g) on a full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) in a job club and (k) doing something else;

  (11) if he will show for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for the latest available period, for all leavers and separately for male and female, for each ethnic group, and for those with a disability or health problem, the number and proportion of employment training leavers who (a) had been entered for a vocational qualification, (b) had obtained a vocational qualification, (c) had failed to obtain a vocational qualification and (d) were awaiting results; and how many of the employment training leavers in the relevant period had completed the training agreed in their initial action plan;

  (12) how many people were receiving the business start-up allowance formerly the enterprise allowance in each London training and enterprise council in each quarter since December 1992; and what was the amount of expenditure on the business start-up allowance in the areas covered by each London TEC in 1991–92 and the budgets agreed for business start-up allowance with each London TEC in 1993–94; and if he will make a statement;

  (13) what has been the average length of participation that trainees have spent on employment training in 1991–92 and 1992–93 for each region and for Great Britain as a whole;

  (14) if he will publish tables showing the latest available results from the employment training leavers' survey for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of employment training leavers who had (a) been entered for a vocational qualification, (b) obtained a vocational qualification, (c) had failed to obtain a vocational qualification and (d) were awaiting their results; and how

  669
  many of the employment training leavers in the relevant period had completed the training agreed in their initial action plan.

  Miss Widdecombe
  As the information is contained in a considerable number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list for each training and enterprise council in England their youth training performance in 1992–93 showing(a) the cost per output point and (b) the number of national vocational qualifications per 100 leavers, together with the latest information he has for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list for each training and enterprise council in England their employment training performance in 1992–93 showing (a) the cost per output point, (b) the number of national vocational qualifications per 100 leavers and (c) the number of positive outcomes per 100 leavers, together with the latest information he has for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We intend to publish inter-TEC comparisons for 1992–93 as soon as the final figures have been agreed. A copy will be placed in the Library. We intend to publish full year comparisons for 1993–94 next summer. We do not plan to publish in-year tables because uneven flows of information during the year can distort comparisons of performance.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what sums of money have been contributed from the European social fund towards(a) youth training and (b) employment training in 1992; what percentage contribution to the total costs of youth training and employment training this represents; what other Department of Employment training and employment programmes have been financially supported by the ESF; how much financial support has been given in 1992; what proportion of the total cost this contribution represented; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested about programmes which have received European social fund support in 1992 is provided in the table. This data relate to ESF support for programmes in England and Wales:

  ESF support1 (£ million)

  ESF support as a percentage of expenditure

  Employment training

  140·25

  16·88

  Youth training

  14·54

  2·53

  Enterprise allowance scheme

  12·31

  16·59

  1 Applications totals.

  TEC Challenge
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria he used in selecting the winners of TEC challenge; and if he will place copies of the successful bids in the Library.
  670
  Miss Widdecombe
  The advisory panel chaired by the permanent secretary of the Employment Department appraised the bids on eight criteria, based upon those set out in the training and enterprise council challenge prospectus published in April, a copy of which is in the Library. I made my decisions after receiving advice from the advisory panel. The TEC challenge bids are commercial-in-confidence; however, I have placed a list showing brief descriptions of the winning bids in the Library.

  Job Clubs
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in each region and Great Britain as a whole since April 1992 have joined job clubs, how many have left, how many leavers got jobs and how many entered another positive outcome; and if he will break down the information by the ethnic origin and sex of participants.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many job clubs were operational for each region and for Great Britain as a whole at the latest available date; and how many of them in each region catered for groups with special needs.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about performance information about the Jobclub programme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Table "A" attached shows for each region and for Great Britain the numbers who have joined Jobclubs between 30 March 1992 and 25 June 1993 together with information during the same period of those members leaving. Leavers who are shown as going into other positive outcomes have gone on to either training, full-time education or self-employment.
  As I indicated in my letter to you of 28 October 1992, information on the ethnic background and male/female characteristics of Jobclub leavers is now collected on annual sample survey basis. The information was collected for the month of March 1993, and the results of the count are in tables "B". Tables "B" show the performance between I March 1993 and 26 March 1993 for male and female Jobclub members and by ethnic origin on a regional basis and for Great Britain as a whole.
  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 placea a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.
  671

  Table A

  Jobclub entrants and leavers information 30 March 1992 to 25 June 1993

  Region

  Jobclub entrants

  Jobclub leavers

  Leavers into jobs

  Leavers into jobs per cent.

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Leavers into positive outcomes per cent.

  Northern

  17,699

  17,766

  7,087

  40

  1,841

  50

  Yorks and Humberside

  23,755

  23,233

  11,024

  47

  3,348

  62

  East Midlands

  25,174

  24,459

  11,990

  49

  3,597

  64

  London and South East

  83,281

  80,755

  33,521

  42

  11,585

  56

  South West

  20,121

  19,717

  9,573

  49

  2,821

  63

  Wales

  15,972

  15,320

  8,199

  54

  2,099

  67

  West Midlands

  26,014

  26,258

  11,872

  45

  4,268

  61

  North West

  39,939

  39,855

  17,808

  45

  4,690

  56

  Scotland

  26,266

  26,104

  12,974

  50

  3,247

  62

  Nationally

  278,221

  273,467

  124,048

  45

  37,496

  59

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants

  March 1993

  National

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  7,790

  1,813

  16,374

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  345

  121

  803

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  417

  169

  1,034

  None of the above

  80

  33

  223

  Preferred not to say

  40

  20

  123

  Total

  8,672

  2,156

  18,557

  Male

  6,740

  1,654

  14,755

  Female

  1,932

  502

  3,802

  Totals

  8,672

  2,156

  18,557

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants

  March 3

  Northern

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  478

  91

  1,155

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  2

  1

  4

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/Sri Lanken

  4

  4

  10

  None of the above

  0

  0

  8

  Preferred not to say

  0

  0

  4

  Total

  484

  96

  1,181

  Male

  398

  81

  988

  Female

  86

  15

  193

  Totals

  484

  96

  1,181

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants

  March 1993

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  794

  180

  1,588

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  11

  2

  27

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  37

  19

  90

  None of the above

  4

  5

  14

  Preferred not to say

  3

  0

  4

  Total

  849

  206

  1,723

  Male

  659

  165

  1,383

  Female

  190

  41

  340

  Totals

  849

  206

  1,723

  672

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants

  March 1993

  East Midlands and Eastern

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  812

  198

  1,599

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  9

  5

  22

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/Sri Lanken

  33

  9

  69

  None of the above

  6

  1

  10

  Preferred not to say

  0

  0

  6

  Total

  860

  213

  1,706

  Male

  681

  168

  1,381

  Female

  179

  45

  325

  Totals

  860

  213

  1,706

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants

  March 1993

  London and South East

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers inlo other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  1,771

  499

  3,954

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  270

  95

  634

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/Sri Lanken

  214

  75

  569

  None of the above

  57

  20

  153

  Preferred not to say

  31

  19

  86

  Total

  2,343

  708

  5,396

  Male

  1,723

  507

  4,066

  Female

  620

  201

  1,330

  Totals

  2,343

  708

  5,396

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants

  March 1993

  South West

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  584

  142

  1,231

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  8

  2

  12

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  11

  2

  15

  None of the above

  2

  3

  6

  Preferred not to say

  0

  0

  2

  Total

  605

  149

  1,266

  Male

  469

  116

  1,008

  Female

  136

  33

  258

  Totals

  605

  149

  1,266

  673

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants March 1993

  Wales

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  526

  112

  1,024

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  3

  2

  8

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  1

  2

  9

  None of the above

  3

  0

  6

  Preferred not to say

  1

  0

  3

  Total

  534

  116

  1,050

  Male

  438

  89

  860

  Female

  96

  27

  190

  Totals

  534

  116

  1,050

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants March 1993

  West Midlands

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  712

  186

  1,348

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  31

  12

  67

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  89

  48

  199

  None of the above

  4

  1

  9

  Preferred not to say

  2

  0

  5

  Total

  838

  247

  1,628

  Male

  654

  190

  1,280

  Female

  184

  57

  348

  Totals

  838

  247

  1,628

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants 1 April 1991 to 27 March 1992

  North West

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  1,269

  244

  2,684

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  9

  2

  27

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  26

  8

  68

  None of the above

  2

  2

  11

  Preferred not to say

  1

  1

  7

  Total

  1,307

  257

  2,797

  Male

  1,019

  208

  2,272

  Female

  288

  49

  525

  Totals

  1,307

  257

  2,797

  Job interview guarantee scheme

  Numbers of clients assisted and placed in jobs

  Number of clients assisted 1992–93

  Number of clients placed 1992–93

  Number of clients assisted April-June 1993

  Number of clients placed April-June 1993

  Northern Region

  9,342

  3,110

  4,940

  1,490

  Yorks and Humberside Region

  13,851

  4,920

  14,107

  3,806

  East Midlands and Eastern Region

  12,978

  5,123

  4,954

  2,090

  London and South East Region

  64,673

  23,811

  26,184

  10,421

  South West Region

  26,994

  8,162

  7,434

  3,367

  Office for Wales

  14,249

  5,365

  5,884

  2,613

  West Midlands Region

  19,177

  7,718

  5,156

  2,688

  North West Region

  18,715

  8,112

  11,254

  4,874

  Office for Scotland

  16,081

  10,380

  6,058

  4,672

  National

  196,060

  76,701

  85,971

  36,021

  674

  Jobclub: Ethnic origin and Sex of participants March 1993

  Scotland

  Leavers into Jobs

  Leavers into other positive outcomes

  Total Leavers

  White

  844

  161

  1,791

  Black/Afro Caribbean

  2

  0

  2

  Indian/Pakistani Bangladesh/ Sri Lanken

  2

  2

  5

  None of the above

  2

  1

  6

  Preferred not to say

  2

  0

  6

  Total

  852

  164

  1,810

  Male

  699

  130

  1,517

  Female

  152

  34

  293

  Totals

  852

  164

  1,810

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people have taken part in the job interview guarantee scheme in each region in 1992–93 and in the first quarter of 1993–94; and how many participants have secured full-time or part-time employment with their sponsoring employer.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the Job Interview Guarantee (JIG). This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  You asked how many unemployed people have taken part in the Job Interview Guarantee (JIG) Scheme in each region in 1992–93 and in the first quarter of 1993–94 and how many participants have secured full or part-time employment with the sponsoring employer. The information is set out by region in the attached table.
  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.
  675

  Child Care
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action has been taken by his Department to implement the 1992 European Community recommendation on child care.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government welcome the recommendation, which is in tune with our policy of encouraging measures which allow parents to balance their work and family responsibilities. Since the recommendation was adopted in March 1992, we have introduced a major £45 million initiative to provide 50,000 extra out-of-school child care places for the over-fives. Shortly before the recommendation was adopted, we published the booklet, "The Best of Both Worlds" which illustrates with case studies a variety of flexible employment practices which can benefit working parents and employers alike. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, in his previous post as the Secretary of State for Wales, launched the Chwarae Teg or "Fair Play" initiative which brings together a partnership of the public, private and voluntary sectors to promote new child care provision and flexible working as part of a strategy to increase opportunities for women in the work force. We will continue to look for opportunities to promote a more family-friendly working environment.

  Actively-seeking-work Test
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many claimants in each quarter since April 1992 for each region and for Great Britain as a whole have(a) been issued with warning letters for not actively seeking work, (b) had their claim referred to an adjudication officer for not actively seeking work, (c) had their claims allowed or disallowed for not actively seeking work, (d) had their claim referred to an adjudication

  Warning letters issued by region and nationally for each quarter since April 1992

  April to June 1992

  July to September 1992

  October to December 1992

  January to March 1993

  Northern

  300

  290

  163

  185

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  282

  292

  166

  163

  East Midlands and Eastern

  203

  202

  78

  98

  London and South Eastern

  2,126

  2,250

  1,758

  1,515

  South Western

  406

  388

  271

  349

  Wales

  233

  183

  71

  72

  West Midlands

  619

  486

  235

  190

  North Western

  1,678

  2,006

  1,510

  1,057

  Scotland

  887

  612

  337

  363

  National

  6,734

  6,709

  4,589

  3,992

  Work Trials
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work trial agreements have been made with employers in 1992–93 and in the first quarter of 1993–94, for each region and for Great Britain as a whole; how many unemployed people have taken part in work trials in each region; how many participants have secured full-time or part-time employment with their sponsoring
  676
  officer for refusing suitable employment and (e) how many of those in (d) have had their benefit disqualified or not disqualified.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the number of claimants who have been issued with warning letters for not actively seeking work; had their claim referred to an adjudication officer for not actively seeking work; had their claims allowed or disallowed for not actively seeking work; had their claim referred to an adjudication officer for refusing suitable employment; and how many of those have had their benefit disqualified or not disqualified in each quarter since April 1992 for each region and for Great Britain as a whole. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The publication "Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions", includes the statistics you asked for on actively seeking work and refusal of employment, for each quarter since April 1992 to March 1993, for each standard region and for Great Britain as a whole, and copies are held in the Library of the House.
  A change introduced in the Social Security Act 1989 removed the requirement that employment offered had to be suitable for the person concerned; instead the client now has to show that they have good cause for refusing any job which is offered to them.
  I enclose a table showing by Region, and Nationally, the number of warning letters issued to clients whose worksearch activity was not considered to be adequate.
  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.

  employer; what is the best information he has on the wages they receive; how long those jobs have lasted; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 26 July 1993:

  677
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about Work Trials. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Figures showing the numbers of unemployed people participating in Work Trials, and the numbers placed into work as a result are attached. Details of the number of Work Trial agreements made with employers, the wages of Work Trial participants and the length of these jobs is not collected.
  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.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Annex A

  Work Trial participants and platings for April 1992 to March 1993 are as follows:

  Region

  Participants

  Placings

  Northern

  196

  125

  Yorks and Humberside

  102

  67

  East Midlands

  147

  87

  London and South East

  260

  136

  South West

  89

  41

  Wales

  158

  83

  West Midlands

  132

  65

  North West

  236

  119

  Scotland

  384

  227

  Total

  1,704

  950

  Annex B

  Work Trial participants and placings for the quarter April 1993 to June 1993 are as follows:

  Region

  Participants

  Placings

  Northern

  74

  39

  Yorks and Humberside

  107

  56

  East Midlands

  207

  132

  London and South East

  480

  205

  South West

  119

  62

  Wales

  165

  93

  West Midlands

  189

  116

  North West

  399

  265

  Scotland

  420

  229

  Total

  2,160

  1,197

  Restart
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in each region and Great Britain as a whole how many people attended a Restart interview in 1992–93 and in the first quarter of 1993–94; and what were the results of those interviews broken down in the same way as the reply given on 18 December 1990,Official Report, column 148.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Clare Short, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Questions to him about how many people, for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, attended a Restart interview in 1992–93 and in the first
  678
  quarter of 1993–94; and what were the results of those interviews broken down in the same way as the reply given in the Official Report, column 148, on 18 December 1990. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Restart interview programme provides a framework within which the Employment Service provides help for long-term unemployed people. It provides a gateway to the range of employment and training opportunities available as well as being a means of ensuring that claimants remain available for and are actively seeking work.
  During the 1992–93 operational year 2·8 million interviews were conducted and from these interviews 33,300 started work, 78,200 began training under Employment Training, 106,000 started in Jobclub, 112,100 started a Restart course and 6,900 started the Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
  The Employment Service has changed its performance monitoring at a national level for 1993–94 and the information for this year cannot be given in exactly the same format as that previously provided. Information is not yet available for the first quarter of this operational year, the figures quoted are for the first two months. During the first two months of 1993–94 54,500 interviews were conducted and from these interviews 5,800 people started work and 95,600 started an Employment Department programme, such as Jobclub, Restart Course, Jobplan Workshop and Training For Work.
  These figures reflect only the direct results of Restart. We do not know how many people subsequently take up a job or a place on an employment or training programme as a result of the guidance given to them at their interview.
  An indication of the scale of that effect is provided by the report "The Restart Effect" which was recently published by the independent Policy Studies Institute. It is based on an analysis of the largest survey of unemployed people in the United Kingdom since 1980. This showed conclusively that the programme had a major effect in reducing the time it takes people to leave unemployment, to get a job and to enter Employment Training, particularly for those people who were at a disadvantage within the labour market.
  I hope that 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.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise council chairmen have left each TEC board since its launch; and how many TEC directors have resigned since the launch of their TEC.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A total of 34 training and enterprise council chairmen have left TEC boards since their launch.

  Two Chairmen have left the following TECs:

  SOLOTEC;

  South Thames.

  One Chairman has left the following TECs:

  AZTEC;

  Bedfordshire;

  Calderdale/Kirklees;

  CAMBSTEC (Central & South Cambridgeshire);

  Coventry & Warwickshire;

  Devon & Cornwall;

  Dorset;

  Greater Nottingham;

  Gwent;

  Hampshire;

  HAWTEC (Hereford & Worcester);

  Humberside;

  Leeds;

  London East;

  Manchester;

  679

  METROTEC (Wigan);

  North Derbyshire;

  Northumberland;

  North London;

  North Nottinghamshire;

  QUALITEC (St. Helens) Ltd.;

  Rochdale;

  Rotherham;

  Sheffield;

  Shropshire;

  Southern Derbyshire;

  South Glamorgan;

  Stockport/High Peak;

  Surrey;

  TARGED North West Wales;

  Teesside;

  Wearside;

  West Wales;

  Wight Enterprise;

  Wolverhampton.

  A total of 328 TEC directors have left TEC boards since the launch of their TEC. This is principally due to changes in their business commitments, and reflects similar levels of turnover in the private sector as a whole.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest available information on the number of male and female directors of training and enterprise councils; how many are from(a) ethnic minority backgrounds and (b) the private sector; what is the best information he has about which industrial sectors they come from; and how many of the non-private sector directors are from (i) local authorities, (ii) local education authorities, (iii) other educational organisations, (iv) trade unions, (v) voluntary organisations, (iv) ethnic minority organisations, (vii) employers' associations and (viii) others.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There are currently 942 male and 127 female directors of training and enterprise councils in England. Of these, 757 come from the private sector.

  Of the non-private sector directors:

  (i) 98 are from local directors;

  (ii)43 from local education authorities;

  (iii)31 from other education organisations;

  (iv)52 from trade unions;

  (v)37 from voluntary organisations;

  (vi)2 from ethnic minority organisations;

  (vii)12 from employers' associations;

  (viii)37 others.

  Information on the ethnic origin of TEC board members is provided voluntarily. The most up-to-date figures are from 1992 and cover only 44 TECs. Twenty board members are quoted as being of ethnic minority origin.

  The Department does not maintain statistics on the industrial sector origins of private sector TEC directors.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will direct training and enterprise councils to publish annual statements of accounts for public inspection; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Training and enterprise councils are required to publish an annual report and audited statement of accounts within four months after the relevant financial year.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements apply to the payment of salaries and other expenses of officers of local authorities who serve on boards of training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.
  680
  Miss Widdecombe
  Directors serving on boards of training and enterprise councils are refunded expenses reasonably incurred in connection with their duties on behalf of TECs. They are not renummerated.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for training and enterprise councils to provide information on individual local projects, including costs, on request by a member of the public or a district council; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Training and enterprise councils are required to publish a summary of their corporate and business plans and annual reports. This is available to the public on request. TECs' corporate plans must also be made available for inspection by the public.

  TECs are private companies. It is for them to determine what information they publish about the funding of specific projects.

  Parental and Family Leave
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to support European Community directives on parental and family leave for employees.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make representations to the European Community advocating the adoption of measures to protect workers from exposure to methyl bromide.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A proposal for an EC directive on the protection of workers from chemical agents, such as methyl bromide, has recently been published. A comprehensive set of legislation already exists in the United Kingdom to protect workers from hazardous substances, including methyl bromide. The United Kingdom will press for the principles of this legislation to be incorporated in any corresponding Community measure.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance is issued by his Department regarding protection of workers handling methyl bromide.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In 1991, the Health and Safety Executive published guidance note CS 12: "Fumigation using methyl bromide (bromomethane)".

  Additional guidance is available in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988—COSHH—and the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. This includes an approved code of practice which gives practical guidance on the requirements of COSHH in relation to fumigation operations.

  St. Helena (Work Permits)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits have been issued to citizens of St. Helena for each of the last 15 years; and what proposals he has for numbers in future years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The number of work permits issued to citizens of St. Helena for each of the years for which figures are available is as follows:
  681

  Number

  1986

  20

  1987

  30

  1988

  28

  1989

  51

  1990

  53

  1991

  30

  1992

  34

  There is no specific number of work permits planned to be issued to St. Helenians in future years. However, the maximum number of permits available to St. Helenians under the special dependent territories quota scheme is 35 in 1993 and 30 in 1994, when the scheme ends.

  Applications for work permits for St. Helenians outside these arrangements will continue to be considered against the normal work permit scheme criteria.

  ES Guide 39
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when ES guide 39 was issued; what it replaced; whether the letters in appendix V4 and appendix V3 were in the previous guide; and whether the note of guidance in clauses V 16 and V17 was in the previous guide.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. John Spellar, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about ES Guide 39. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief executive of the Agency.
  ES Guide 39 was issued in January 1993 and replaced the New Client Adviser Guide and the Claimant Adviser Handbook. The guidance contained in Section V paragraphs V16 and V17, and the letters in Appendices V3 and V4, have been taken directly from the Claimant Adviser Handbook. I enclose copies of the guidance previously contained in the Claimant Adviser Handbook and that in ES Guide 39 for your information.
  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.

  Employment Service I

  Claimant Adviser Handbook

  Current claim—no medical evidence

  I16 If the claimant has an established claim to benefit and states during the 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

  682

  e are not capable of undertaking work; and

  f have not seen their doctor;

  the claimant should be asked to seek their doctor's advice about their capacity to work. The following action should then be taken.

  I17 if the claimant agrees to see their doctor the claimant adviser should complete and give them a copy of the letter in Appendix I3. A copy of this letter should be sent with a letter to the doctor(Appendix I4) to explain the reason for the claimant's visit This procedure should prevent confusion between the claimant, the doctor and the claimant adviser about why the claimant is seeking their doctor's advice about their capacity for work. It must be made clear to the claimant that they are seeking their doctor's advice on their own behalf and not on behalf of the claimant adviser or the Employment Service.

  I

  Employment Service

  Appendix 14

  Claimant Adviser Handbook

  (Para I 17)

  Letter to GP Explaining Advice that has been given to Claimant by Claimant Adviser

  Claimant Adviser Service

  The Employment Service

  Employment Department

  Date

  I am the claimant Adviser at……… benefit office; part of the Employment 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 Unemployment 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 employment. 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 unemployment benefit, income support and/or credits of NI.

  Claimant Adviser

  *Cross out if it does not apply.

  I

  Employment Service

  Appendix 13

  Claimant Adviser Handbook

  (Para I17)
  683
  Letter to Claimant Suggesting Claimant Seeks Doctor's Advice

  Claimant Adviser Service

  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………

  Claimant Adviser

  *Cross out if it does not apply.

  Annex 1

  ES Guide 39

  V

  Appendix V4

  (para V17)

  Letter to GP Explaining Advice Given to Client by Client Adviser
  684
  The Employment Service

  Employment Department

  Date

  I am the Client Adviser at………benefit office; part of the Employment 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 Unemployment 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 employment. 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 unemployment benefit, income support and/or credits of NI.

  Client Adviser

  *Cross out the one which does not apply.
  685
  Annex 2

  ES Guide 39

  V

  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

  V16 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;

  ask them to seek their doctor's advice about their capacity to work.

  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 you or the ES.
  686

  Right to Strike
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what legislative and other action the Government intend to take to lessen the right to strike for public sector workers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government have no immediate plans for legislation beyond the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act, which received Royal Assent on 1 July. We continue to keep all aspects of industrial relations law under review.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the change in income of the lowest paid 10 per cent. of those in full-time employment in England in real terms from May 1979 to April 1992.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The required information on earnings is published in table 116 of part E of the new earnings survey for 1979 and 1992. The April 1992 and April 1979 retail prices index required to adjust these for inflation can be found in table 6.4 of the Employment Gazette for July 1993 and in table 26 of the annual supplement to "Economic Trends 1979". Copies of these are in the Library.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the wage level at the latest date for which figures are available for the lowest paid 10 per cent.in full-time employment in(a) England as a whole and (b) in each region in England.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is published in table X5.3 of part A of the 1992 new earnings survey, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what changes he plans to make to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations following the Government's deregulation review.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As part of the Government's deregulation initiative, I have invited the Health and Safety Commission to review the costs and benefits of health and safety legislation. The review will include the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. The commission has established seven industrial task groups to assist in this work, and plans to report on its review in April 1994. It is therefore far too early to know what the HSC will propose.

  London East TEC
  Mr. Ron Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the work of London East TEC in the London borough of Newham.

  Miss Widdecombe
  London East Training and Enterprise Council—LETEC—in common with all training and enterprise councils, is providing a wide range of services and initiatives in education, enterprise and training which it considers to be appropriate for the needs of its local area. The London borough of Newham benefits from many of LETEC's area wide programmes, as well as
  687
  specific local programmes. It also has the advantage of Stratford city challenge resources contributing to the development of its most deprived area.

  Careers Service
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give estimates for(a) expenditure already incurred and (b) expenditure envisaged in implementing those provisions of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 relating to the careers service.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In preparing for the new careers service arrangements, a small amount of administrative and other costs have so far been incurred by the Employment Department. It is estimated that in a full year, additional running costs will be about £0·5 million in England. The provision of careers services in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales. The Government's expenditure plans for 1994–95 and beyond will be settled later this year in the current public expenditure survey. Sufficient funds will be provided to fulfil the statutory duty of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Incomes
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a table showing the number and percentage of the adult population in each region with less than the average annual national income level in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The available information, the proportions of full-time employees in the new earnings survey sample with average gross weekly earnings below the level of average earnings, is provided in the table:

  Full time employees—pay unaffected by absence

  Proportion earning below the level of average gross weekly earnings: At April

  Pern cent

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  1979

  49·2

  53·4

  65·1

  64·4

  1980

  48·3

  53·4

  63·4

  65·5

  1981

  48·2

  53·7

  64·0

  64·3

  1982

  47·1

  52·9

  63·9

  65·4

  1983

  46·9

  52·9

  65·1

  65·0

  1984

  46·4

  52·7

  66·3

  65·1

  1985

  46·7

  52·8

  64·1

  67·6

  1986

  46·0

  52·8

  65·0

  64·6

  1987

  46·1

  52·4

  65·9

  64·9

  1988

  45·9

  52·0

  66·0

  65·5

  1989

  45·2

  51·7

  64·6

  65·4

  1990

  44·5

  51·4

  65·2

  64·7

  1991

  44·6

  51·5

  65·7

  65·2

  1992

  44·6

  51·8

  65·4

  65·9

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  1979

  58·6

  60·1

  58·7

  59·7

  1980

  61·9

  62·5

  62·0

  61·5

  1981

  64·1

  63·4

  62·6

  62·5

  1982

  64·0

  64·4

  62·7

  62·7

  1983

  64·8

  65·0

  62·8

  63·8

  1984

  64·4

  65·7

  63·7

  62·8

  1985

  64·5

  65·9

  63·0

  62·9

  1986

  65·0

  65·6

  63·7

  62·8

  1987

  65·7

  66·8

  65·0

  63·8

  688

  1988

  66·2

  67·5

  65·5

  64·6

  1989

  66·3

  67·8

  66·0

  65·1

  1990

  66·5

  66·6

  66·5

  65·4

  1991

  67·3

  67·2

  67·2

  64·8

  1992

  66·8

  67·5

  66·9

  64·8

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  1979

  58·2

  60·7

  57·6

  1980

  60·0

  63·0

  61·6

  1981

  61·6

  62·4

  62·4

  1982

  62·0

  62·3

  61·7

  1983

  63·4

  62·7

  63·8

  1984

  63·8

  62·0

  64·3

  1985

  64·0

  62·5

  63·4

  1986

  63·7

  64·1

  65·1

  1987

  65·4

  64·7

  65·1

  1988

  66·6

  66·0

  66·9

  1989

  67·3

  66·1

  67·3

  1990

  66·9

  65·9

  68·3

  1991

  67·0

  65·3

  68·9

  1992

  65·5

  65·8

  68·0

  Holiday Pay and Unpaid Wages
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 7 June,Official Report, column 99, what has been the cost of (a) holiday pay and (b) unpaid wages owed to employees whose employer becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to pay in each year since 1987–88.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may make payment from the national insurance fund for holiday pay and unpaid wages to employees whose employer becomes insolvent. The cost of such payments for each year since 1987–88 is as follows:

  Holiday pay £ million

  Unpaid wages £ million

  1987–88

  12·8

  11·2

  1988–89

  10·2

  10·1

  1989–90

  11·2

  11·9

  1990–91

  23·3

  24·3

  1991–92

  41·7

  47·3

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a table showing the number of vacancies in jobcentres that were(a) temporary and (b) permanent in each quarter from April 1987 in each region.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him asking about the number of vacancies notified to Jobcentres since April 1987. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Providing historical vacancy information from 1987 will take some time to collate. I will write to you shortly with the complete information you requested.

  689
  In the meantime, I enclose a table showing the information you requested for the past three quarters.
  I hope this is helpful.

  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written

  Details of permanent and temporary vacancies notified in the last three quarters

  Region

  5 October 1992 to 8 January 1993

  11 January 1993 to 2 April 1993

  5 April 1993 to 2 July 1993

  Permanent vacancies notified

  Temporary vacancies notified

  Permanent vacancies notified

  Temporary vacancies notified

  Permanent vacancies notified

  Temporary vacancies notified

  West Midlands

  28,113

  6,421

  30,816

  4,781

  34,234

  7,003

  East Midlands

  33,762

  10,402

  35,206

  7,720

  40,484

  12,212

  London

  43,171

  12,900

  43,422

  10,541

  48,655

  11,782

  South East

  53,624

  13,971

  57,171

  10,789

  66,118

  13,641

  Scotland

  44,669

  14,212

  48,053

  11,961

  53,278

  14,781

  Wales

  20,419

  10,077

  22,000

  7,497

  26,532

  10,129

  North West

  51,670

  18,115

  53,792

  13,674

  64,203

  19,902

  South West

  26,009

  6,915

  31,449

  6,397

  36,680

  10,304

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  27,666

  5,555

  29,782

  4,785

  34,516

  6,878

  Northern

  15,620

  4,760

  16,433

  3,631

  17,956

  4,444

  Total

  344,723

  103,328

  368,124

  81,776

  422,656

  111,076

  Fraud
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are his Department's current estimates for unemployment benefit fraud; and how the figures are arrived at.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. John Battle, dated 26 July 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the current estimates for unemployment benefit fraud; and how the figures are arrived at. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  We do not know how many people claiming unemployment benefits are doing so fraudulently and we do not make approximations. However, you may be interested to know that in the last financial year my fraud inspectors saved the taxpayer £44·71 million net as a result of over 61,000 people withdrawing their claims to benefit following investigation.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Paliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many officers have been employed investigating unemployment benefit fraud(a) in local offices and (b) in regional teams for each year since 1979.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. John Battle, dated 26 July 1993:
  690
  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.
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about how many officers have been employed investigating unemployment benefit fraud, in local offices and regional teams, for each year since 1979. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The ES fraud investigation organisation was restructured in 1984 and, unfortunately, comparative figures for earlier years are not available.

  The number of ES Inspectors employed are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1984–85

  450

  1985–86

  650

  1986–87

  720

  1987–88

  785

  1988–89

  820

  1989–90

  820

  1990–91

  820

  1991–92

  780

  1992–93

  780

  ES inspectors are of Executive Officer grade and are supported by clerical and managerial staff.
  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.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what intentions his Department has to introduce measures on child care and employment rights to reflect the change in the number of women in the work force.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government have made clear their intention to enable women to fulfil their full potential in the world of work. In April 1993 we introduced the out-of-school child care grant, an initiative delivered by training and enterprise councils, and local enterprise companies in Scotland. A total of £45 million has been allocated and we hope to create 50,000 new child care places for the over-fives. The Trade Union Reform and
  691
  Employment Rights Act 1993 gives working women significant new maternity rights including a new right to 14 weeks maternity leave and comprehensive protection against dismissal on grounds of pregnancy, regardless of length of service or hours of work. The Act also includes a right to complain to an industrial tribunal against discriminatory terms in collective agreements, and a power for industrial tribunals to impose restrictions on reporting the identities of the parties in cases involving allegations of sexual harassment.

  Complaints (Young People)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many complaints have been received in each year since 1987 by the Equal Opportunities Commission from and on behalf of children and young people aged 18 years or under; and what proportion related to schooling matters in each year.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Equal Opportunities Commission does not collect this information in the form requested. However, the EOC's annual reports contain information on overall numbers of inquiries relating to education and training.

  Travel-to-work Expenses
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken to repeal the salary ceiling for eligibility to travel-to-work expense claims

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 21 July 1993]: The travel to interview scheme is currently under review and the eligibility conditions are being looked at to see whether the resources available can be better targeted. The possibility of removing the salary limit is included in the review. Any changes to the rules are subject to Treasury approval. Subject to that approval, our intention is to implement any changes as quickly as possible.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of assistance available under the special employment schemes on the level of employment of blind people.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: Such an assessment is contained in the consultative document "Evaluation of Special Schemes for people with disabilities: Summary Paper", November 1990. A copy of this is available in the Library.

  The range of help currently available to the blind and partially sighted will continue, and be enhanced, under access to work from April 1994.

ENVIRONMENT

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to establish minimum room size standards for bed-and-breakfast accommodation used to house homeless people.

  Sir George Young
  The homelessness code of guidance for local authorities—Third edition—advises that bed-and-breakfast accommodation should be used only as a692
  last resort, and that care should be taken in ensuring that all forms of temporary accommodation meet acceptable standards. The number of homeless households placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation has reduced significantly over the last 12 months, and now accounts for only a small proportion of those placed in temporary accommodation.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis he has made of the impact of the introduction of the council tax on pensioners in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry:
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 July 1993, Official Report, column 264.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the subject of waste recycling.

  Mr. Yeo
  My colleagues and I have regular discussions with our European counterparts. The subject of recycling has arisen frequently in recent discussions, with a particular focus on the proposed EC packaging directive, and the effects of the German packaging ordinance on recycling in other member states.

  These issues were debated at the most recent Environment Council meeting on 29 June. All other member states shared the United Kingdom's concern about the impact of the German ordinance.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government have taken towards improving the proportion of household waste recycled.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government are taking a number of measures to encourage recycling. These are set out in "This Common Inheritance, The Second Year Report" (Cm 2068). In particular:we have allocated £15 million in supplementary credit approvals to local authorities to encourage provision of facilities for recycling in 1993–94;
  we have announced our intention to increase recycling credits from 1 April 1994, so that they reflect the full economic costs of disposal;
  we are holding discussions with a range of industries, with a view to establishing how they might contribute to the achievement of the 25 per cent. target.

  Minerals Planning Guidance
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to amend minerals planning guidance note No. 6 to include(a) references for the need for the adoption of demand management policies in regional planning guidance, structure and local plans and (b) references to the need to encourage consideration of aggregates use in the environmental apraisal of plan options.

  Mr. Baldry
  These matters are being considered in the light of the responses to the draft guidelines issued for public consultation in January. The revised guidelines will be published later this year.
  693

  County Hall, London
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest position with regard to the sale of county hall.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will a statement on the future of county hall, London.

  Mr. Baldry
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning to the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes), on 20 July 1993,Official Report, column 105.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the estimated total cost of county hall, London, since(a) the abolition of the Greater London council and (b) the abolition of the Inner London education authority, in terms of (i) maintenance and repairs, (ii) security, (iii) heat, light and other costs and (iv) loss of rental income from unlet vacant offices.

  Mr. Gummer
  The total cost of maintaining the county hall complex since the abolition of the GLC and ILEA during the period whilst it was still substantially occupied is not known. Since it was fully vacated in 1990, the annual cost of maintenance and repairs has been in the region of £980,000, of security £510,000 and of heat, light and similar costs £152,000. It would not be appropriate to seek to estimate the loss of rental income since the London residuary body has never sought to let vacant parts of the complex as this would inhibit its disposal for refurbishment or development.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the unconditional sale of the riverside building county hall, London, was completed; to whom; and what was the total consideration.

  Mr. Gummer
  An unconditional contract exists for the sale of the riverside building of county hall to the Shirayama Corporation of Japan and is due to be completed in October. The amount of the consideration is a matter of commercial confidentiality.

  Aggregates
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are currently being undertaken by his Department to secure a reduction in the demand for aggregates in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Baldry
  Draft guidelines and a policy issues paper on aggregate extraction were issued in January. The responses received are now being reviewed. The future level of demand for aggregates is central to that review.

  Minerals Act 1981
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of his review of the Minerals Act 1981.

  Mr. Baldry
  We consulted last year on options for change. I hope to be able to issue a further consultation paper on detailed proposals later this year.
  694

  Radiation Exposure
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the relative effectiveness in minimising exposure to radiation according to the as low as reasonably achievable principle of(a) dry storage of spent advanced gas-cooled reactor fuel followed by direct disposal of (b) reprocessing spent fuel followed by deep disposal of high-level and intermediate-level waste.

  Mr. Yeo
  One of the objectives of the Government's policy for radioactive waste management is that the exposure to ionising radiation shall be reduced to levels which are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), social and economic factors being taken into account. It is for the owners of the spent fuel or their agents to put forward their proposals for dealing with it, and to demonstrate to Government regulatory agencies that the ALARA principle is being met.

  Architects
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that unqualified persons in other EC countries who cannot use the title architect in those countries are precluded from using the title within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Baldry
  No, but people from EC member states who do not have qualifications satisfying the architects directive will not be recognised by the United Kingdom competent authority as professionally qualified.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Baldry
  Whether or not the 1981 regulations apply in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying it out.

  Since publication of the White Paper "Competing for Quality, Buying Better Public Services" the Secretary of State's market-testing programme has included the activities listed below which have been contracted out under contractual arrangements which did not need to incorporate the 1981 regulations:

  —procurement of professional property services, provided previously by the Property Services Agency;

  —increased use of contract inspectors by the Planning Inspectorate agency;

  —information technology project management within the Planning Inspectorate agency; and

  —research and research services—first tranche.

  Information relating to services or functions which are not on the Department's market-testing programme but which have been contracted out since November 1991 cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in Ordnance Survey since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.
  695
  Mr. Baldry
  Since November 1991 Ordnance Survey has not contracted out any function involving the transfer of its staff.

  Private Rented Housing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to revive the private rented sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  We are keen to revive the private rented sector. The deregulation measures in the Housing Act 1988, which introduced assured and assured shorthold tenancies at market rents for most new lettings, was designed to encourage landlords to bring their property onto the market.

  We have also launched a number of specific initiatives including the "Rent-a-Room" scheme, under which householders no longer have to pay tax on rent from a lodger in their home if the gross annual amount of the rent is no more than £3,250; the flats over shops scheme, under which £25 million is being made available through local authorities over three years to bring flats over shops back into residential use; and the housing associations as managing agents scheme, which allows housing associations to act as an intermediary between potential private landlords and tenants in order to encourage more empty property to be let.

  I am exploring other measures to build on what has been achieved so far.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses are empty(a) in total and (b) in the north-west region; and how many of them (i) are fit for occupancy, (ii) need minor repairs and (iii) need more extensive renovation.

  Sir George Young
  Local authorities report the numbers of their own dwellings that are empty in their housing investment programme (HIPI) returns.

  The latest available figures for England and the north-west, which are at 1 April 1992, appear in columns A198, total vacant; A191, available for letting; A192, awaiting minor repairs; and A193 and A194, awaiting major works, of the "1992 HIP1—Regional Grossing", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Local Government Commission
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue revised guidelines for the Local Government Commission.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no immediate plans to do so, but we are keeping the guidance under review.

  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Local Government Commission has correctly interpreted the guidance given to it with regard to(a) cost effectiveness, (b) community identity and (c) the case for unitary authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  These are matters which we shall be looking at as we receive the Local Government Commission's final recommendations for each review area.
  696
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the interpretation by the Local Government Commission of the guidance given to it by his Department with regard to size and joint arrangements affecting any new arrangements for local government.

  Mr. Baldry
  These are matters which we shall be looking at as we receive the Local Government Commission's final recommendations for each review area.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the local authority associations on revision of the Local Government Commission's policy guidance.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Association of County Councils and the Association of District Councils have given us their views and we are considering them.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Local Government Commission so far published.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Local Government Commission has made final recommendations on the Isle of Wight only, and we are currently considering the Government's response.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assent he has made of the way in which the Local Government Commission has implemented the policy guidance issued by his Department.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter which we shall be looking at as we receive the Local Government Commission's final recommendations for each review area.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what weight he expects the Local Government Commission to give to responses received from local people during stage 3 of the review in each first phase area.

  Mr. Baldry
  Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1992 places a duty on the Local Government Commission to take into consideration all relevant representations made to it.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in Ordnance Survey in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Baldry
  Ordnance Survey employs 141 staff—one unified grade 6, five unified grade 7, 16 SEO, 46 HEO, 62 EO, nine AO and two AA—in its information and computer services functions.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Gummer
  My department—excluding Ordnance Survey—currently employs 186 staff—detailed by grade below—in the automatic data processing functional specialism:
  697

  Number

  SEO

  35

  HEO

  71

  EO

  47

  AO

  14

  AA

  19

  UV-B Monitoring
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether current monitoring has established a relationship between stratospheric ozone depletion and UV-B measurements at ground level; and what research is being undertaken to validate scientific models linking ozone depletion and ground level UV-B;

  (2) what facilities exist in the United Kingdom for monitoring of UV-B radiation at ground level; to what extent results are affected by low-level ozone pollution in the areas surrounding the monitoring sites; and how successfully these results can be used to predict UV-B levels in other less polluted areas;

  (3) what plans he has (a) in the short term and (b) in future years should UV-B levels rise further as a result of ozone depletion, to make UV-B monitoring data available to the public on a daily basis;

  (4) what plans he has to upgrade or extend the network of UV-B monitoring stations in the United Kingdom; and if he will outline the work to be done and the timetable.

  Mr. Yeo
  The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), on behalf of the Department of Health, has operated since 1988 three monitoring sites for surface ultra-violet radiation at Chilton, Oxfordshire, Leeds, and Glasgow. The board plans to add three further sites by the end of the year at Camborne, Cornwall, Kinloss, and Lerwick. My Department supports research at Reading university which is playing a leading role in international programmes for determining standards for improved UV-B monitoring networks. I have asked the Department's stratospheric ozone review group (SORG) to assess possibilities for an improved network in its next report this autumn.

  Air pollution, including low-level ozone, will have some influence on UV-B radiation reaching the ground, although much less than natural conditions such as cloudiness. The exisiting NRPB sites cover a range of situations from rural to outer urban and are believed to give a good indication of the maximum UV-B levels experienced throughout the United Kingdom. The additional sites planned for the end of this year will provide a further check on this.

  Results from the NRPB network are published annually. I understand a scheme to release weekly bulletins is imminent. The Department's stratospheric ozone review group will review ground level UV-B irradiation in its report this autumn. So far, no increase in UV-B has been detected in the United Kingdom against the background of natural variability. The frequency of reporting will be reviewed should this position change.

  Monitoring UV-B cannot of itself establish the link between ozone layer depletion and UV-B at ground level, but is essential to validating mathematical models. Current models agree well with monitoring data under the "worst-case" clear sky conditions. They are limited by the
  698
  availability of precise data on pollution levels, aerosols and clouds, which act to further reduce ground level UV-B.

  Homelessness
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of policy on the homeless outside London, including the young homeless and the discharged mentally ill.

  Sir George Young
  The aim of reducing homelessness underlies all the Government's housing policies. We have taken steps to increase the supply of low cost housing where it is needed. The public resources available to housing associations, the main providers of new social housing, increased from £935 million in 1989–90 to £1·8 billion in 1993–94, making some 54,500 new homes available this year. The housing market package announced in the autumn statement last year has been a considerable success, providing an extra 18,000 housing association homes in 1992–93, as well as releasing local authority and housing association houses for reletting by enabling their present tenants to become home owners. In addition, the temporary relaxation of the rules governing local authority receipts, for the period November 1992 to December 1993, gives local authorities greatly increased spending power.

  Under section 8 of the Housing Act 1985, local authorities have a duty to assess the housing needs of their area and, in their role as enablers, can use their housing and planning powers to stimulate activity by housing associations and the private sector to meet those needs. In the latest guidance to local authorities on the housing investment programme (HIP) round, greater emphasis is also being placed on the development of a strategic housing role by authorities, to encompass all the housing needs and resources of the area. It is for individual local authorities to decide whether schemes to help young homeless people are appropriate to the needs of their area and, in the light of their resources and commitments, the priority to attach to such schemes.

  My Department also gives grants under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 to voluntary sector organisations which help single homeless people. This financial year we have made available £6·45 million to 170 projects—130 outside London—that provide direct, practical help to single homeless people. Seventy nine of these projects help young people secure accommodation, and provide advice, training and continuing support.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State of Health is, through the single homeless young people initiative, funding 14 projects specifically designed to help young people outside London who are homeless, or in danger of becoming so.

  Health authorities have an obligation to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for any necessary continuing care, including drawing up an individual care programme, before mentally ill people are discharged. The evidence we have is that homeless mentally ill people sleeping rough are not those who have been recently discharged from long-stay psychiatric hospitals.
  699

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure that the area grant adjustment methodology within standard spending assessments reflects accurately the actual level of wage costs to all local authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  The general aim of SSAs is not to reflect actual expenditure but to measure each authority's relative need to spend in order to provide a standard level of service. As far as the area cost adjustment is concerned, we are examining the methodology as part of our review of SSAs for 1994–95. We will be announcing our proposals later in the year.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the outcome of his review of standard spending assessments will be published; in what form; and how long a period there will be for consultation before final decisions by Ministers are made.

  Mr. Gummer
  I shall discuss the report on the review of standard spending assessments, to be prepared by the SSA sub-group to the settlement working group, with representatives of the local authority associations at the October meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance.

  We shall announce our proposals for the revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95, including SSAs, in the late autumn, and then consult in the usual way.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library the representations which he has received in respect of his review of standard spending assessments.

  Mr. Gummer
  I shall arrange for copies of the representations received so far from local authorities on the review of standard spending assessments to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual change in the total standard spending assessments for all English local authorities from 1990–91 to 1993–94; and what were the annual increases in the element for the area cost adjustment over the same period.

  Mr. Baldry
  The total of standard spending assessments for all local authorities in England for 1993–94 was £36,622 million, of which £1,332 million—3·6 per cent. of the total—was allocated on the basis of the area cost adjustment. The annual percentage changes since 1990–91 have been as follows:

  Percentage changes

  Year

  Total SSA

  Amount allocated on area cost adjustment

  1990–91 to 1991–92

  19·4

  37·7

  1991–92 to 1992–93

  6·8

  14·1

  1992–93 to 1993–94

  2·9

  7·4

  Note: For the purposes of comparison with 1993–94, the 1992–93 figures have been adjusted to allow for the transfer of certain local authority responsibilities, most notably for further education.
  700

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the opencast mining applications in the north-west since January 1990 indicating where approval(a) has been given to original or revised application without appeal and (b) has been given following appeal and those applications rejected indicating where such rejection has been determined following an appeal.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held centrally.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details from the maintenance and servicing record of the quantity and type of ozone-destroying chemicals used annually in his Department's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for servicing and in leakages; and what proportion is removed for recycling.

  Mr. Yeo
  Tollgate house, Bristol is the only building occupied by my Department where refrigeration plant within the air conditioning system contains ozone depleting substances. It is estimated that consumption of R22 per annum is:

  150 kg utilised

  15 kg reclaimed

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in the Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems.

  Mr. Yeo
  Tollgate house, Bristol is the only building occupied by my Department where refrigeration plant within the air conditioning system contains ozone-depleting substances. There are no automatic leak detection facilities but an exercise is under way to consider the removal of these substances. The installation of automatic leak detectors will be considered in the light of the consultants' report.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his departmental green Minister has promoted protection of the ozone layer with specific policy measures; which possible measures have been considered and rejected; and on what grounds.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department's green housekeeping policy statement states the measures we are taking to protect the ozone layer. These are: (1) to continue to eliminate products containing halons, chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1—trichloroethan and other ozone-depleting substances well in advance of the Government's responses to international agreements and EC regulations; (2) to extend the leakage prevention programme through regular servicing of all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment containing ozone-depleting substances in compliance with professional codes of practice. No measures for promoting protection of the ozone layer have been considered but rejected.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of public appointments for which he is responsible.
  701
  Mr. Gummer
  I am responsible for 528 appointments to 43 public bodies. In addition, I appoint the rent assessment panel.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Gummer
  The decision to provide a publication in media suitable for blind and partially sighted people is taken in the light of the available publicity budgets and the likely number of such people among the target audience.

  Recent examples of publications which have been produced in such media include leaflets on the community charge and the council tax.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Gummer
  All the publicity material published by my Department is distributed to a very wide range of media outlets, including broadcasters, for them to report on. Information is also made available to the general public through the offices of such organisations as voluntary groups, citizens advice bureaux and local authorities.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average waiting time for the approval of planning applications by(a) Harrogate borough council and (b) all other authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  On Tuesday 20 July 1993, my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning launched the planning performance checklists, copies of which have been placed in the House Library. The checklists show the relative performance of local planning authorities against the Government's target that 80 per cent. of applications for planning permission should be decided within eight weeks. In the year to 31 March 1993, Harrogate district council decided 51·3 per cent. of applications within eight weeks. Nationally, during the same period, local planning authorities decided 63 per cent. of applications within eight weeks.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received all the evidence he requires to make a judgment in relation to the THORP review.

  Mr. Yeo
  A final decision will be taken after the further consultation announced by my right hon. Friend in his answer on 28 June, to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson)Official Report, column 392
  702

  Housing (Disabled People)
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report which his Department has prepared on housing services for disabled people.

  Sir George Young
  The report will be published in August.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the management and disposal arising from the United Kingdom nuclear power programme of(a) the stockpile of plutonium, (b) vitrified high-level waste from spent fuel reprocessing, (c) intermediate-level waste from reprocessing and (d) spent fuel that is not reprocessed but placed in temporary storage.

  Mr. Yeo
  The policy for vitrified high-level waste from spent fuel reprocessing is to store it for at least 50 years before disposal. The arrangements for disposal have not yet been determined.

  UK Nirex Ltd. is the nuclear industry body charged with the responsibility of developing new disposal facilities for low and intermediate-level wastes, including reprocessing waste. The work of Nirex to develop such facilities continues, and it will have to satisfy the planning and regulatory authorities that its proposals are acceptable. The relevant wastes will be stored until the facilities become available.

  Plutonium and irradiated nuclear fuel are of potential value. It is for the owners to consider what they wish to do with such material and to satisfy the relevant authorities that their proposals are acceptable.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been carried out into the environmental and health implications of storing intermediate-level wastes arising from the reprocessing of foreign spent nuclear fuel in the thermal oxide reprocessing plant; and if he will give an estimate of the plutonium content of this waste per tonne of spent fuel reprocessed.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 14 July 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for the storage of intermediate-level wastes arising from reprocessing rests with British Nuclear Fuels plc as operators of the Sellafield site, subject to meeting the statutory requirements of the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate. The precise plutonium content of the waste will depend upon the operational performance of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

  Local Authority Management
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next plans to meet representatives of the local authority associations to discuss the report on the internal management of local authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has regular two-monthly informal meetings with the chairmen of the three local authority associations at which a wide range of issues are discussed. The next meeting is planned to take place in September.
  703

  Council Rent Arrears
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by local authority the rent arrears owed by local authority tenants for the last year for which figures are available and the total rent owing.

  Sir George Young
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, North (Mr. Heald) on 20 July 1993,Official Report, columns 104–105

  Regulated Tenancies (Rents)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the figures for the increase in rent for regulated tenancies over each of the last five years; what percentage of tenants of regulated tenancies qualify for housing benefit; and what have been the comparable figures over each of the last five years.

  Sir George Young
  Regulated tenancies may or may not have a fair rent registered by the rent officer. The mean percentage increase on re-registration of fair rents in England for each of the last five years is as follows:

  Per cent.

  1988

  18

  1989

  19

  1990

  22

  1991

  25

  1992

  25

  Rents may be re-registered every second year: these increases therefore cover a period of at least two years. Comparable figures on rent increases for regulated tenancies without a registered rent are not available.

  We do not have statistics showing the proportion of regulated tenants who qualified for housing benefit over each of the last five years. The private renters survey 1990, however, estimated that 52 per cent. of regulated tenants with a registered rent and 35 per cent. of those without a registered rent were eligible for housing benefit. In comparison, the 1988 private renters survey found that 56 per cent. and 39 per cent. respectively would qualify.

  Fire Regulations
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish England and Wales Approved Document B (Building Regulations, Fire) and if he will make a statement on the operation and effectiveness of the regulations in England and Wales since they came into force on 1 June 1992.

  Mr. Baldry
  The current edition of Approved Document B was published in December 1991, replacing an earlier version of 1985. The new approved document has been well received and appears to be operating effectively.

  Oil Spills
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many oil spills of over 100 gallons from offshore installations there were in United Kingdom waters in(a) 1980 and (b)

  Mr. Yeo
  (a) 52; (b)
  704

  European Coastal Strategy
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he supports the principle of a European coastal strategy; and what action he will take to urge other member state Governments to support the European Commission's attempt to establish one.

  Mr. Yeo
  At present, the Commission has not published a proposed directive on a European coastal strategy.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department is taking to ensure that the incremental benefits of constantly increasing drinking water standards justify the cost to consumers of their implementation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Changes to domestic requirements on drinking water are subject to consideration of cost and benefits as a matter of course.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further proposals he expects to bring forward within the EC and by the Government directly to improve further drinking water quality; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  We are considering the implications of the revised guidelines which are shortly to be published by the World Health Organisation, and will be playing our part in any negotiations initiated by the European Commission on the drinking water directive.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the measures introduced by the Government(a) directly and (b) because of EC directives, to improve drinking water standards since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  The legislative and administrative measures introduced by the Government to improve drinking water standards in England and Wales since 1979 result largely from the implementation of EC directive 80/778/EEC—the drinking water directive. They are as follows:

  Department of the Environment circular 20/82, dated 19 August 1982;

  The Water Act 1989 as consolidated by the Water Industry Act 1991;

  The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 [SI No. 1147], as amended by the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations 1989 and 1991 [SI Nos. 1384 and 1837 respectively]; and,

  The Private Supplies Regulations 1991 [SI No. 2790].

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used to determine the time scales set for implementation of new drinking water quality standards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The time scales for implementation of any new drinking water quality standards proposed by the European Commission would be negotiated by member states in the Environment Council. Any changes to domestic standards, including dates of implementation, would take into account all relevant factors including the implications for water consumers.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the cost to
  705
  each water company of the implementation of each of the EC and United Kingdom measures for improving drinking water standards since 1979.

  Mr. Yeo
  The total capital cost of improving drinking water quality in England and Wales in the period 1989–90 is estimated to be £2 billion, excluding the cost of improvements resulting from renovation of the distribution system. Comparable estimates for the period before 1989 are not available.

  Housing (Tower Hamlets)
  Mr. Peter Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the allocation to the London borough of Tower Hamlets under the housing investment programme in 1992; what is the estimate for 1993; and what have been the allocations in every year since 1979, in current and constant prices.

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

  Housing Investment Programme (HIP) allocations by Tower Hamlets Borough Council and capital expenditure, 1979–80 to 1993–94

  £ thousand

  HIP allocations1

  Housing capital expenditure

  Cash

  1993–94 prices2

  Cash

  1993–94 prices2

  1979–80

  13,635

  33,516

  n/a

  n/a

  1980–81

  12,584

  26,140

  n/a

  n/a

  1981–82

  5,318

  10,074

  n/a

  n/a

  1982–83

  10,542

  18,642

  6,684

  11,820

  1983–84

  12,000

  20,282

  9,856

  16,658

  1984–85

  12,311

  19,803

  11,321

  18,210

  1985–86

  11,644

  17,760

  12,011

  18,320

  1986–87

  17,397

  25,708

  27,618

  40,812

  1987–88

  19,587

  27,437

  29,150

  40,832

  1988–89

  22,985

  30,011

  34,353

  44,854

  1989–90

  20,448

  25,052

  121,378

  148,707

  New capital finance system3

  1990–91

  25,244

  28,635

  42,808

  48,558

  1991–92

  21,439

  22,800

  435,505

  437,758

  1992–93

  23,046

  23,680

  553,133

  554,594

  1993–94

  23,982

  23,982

  n/a

  n/a

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

  2 Cash figures have been converted to 1993–94 price levels by excluding the effect of general inflation as measured by the GDP market prices deflator.

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

  4 Provisional.

  5 Estimated.

  Mr. Peter Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families were accepted as 706
  homeless in the London borough of Tower Hamlets in 1992 or the latest available date; and how many were similarly accepted as homeless in each year since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  Local authorities report the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the housing acts in their quarterly P 1(E) returns.

  The figures for acceptances reported by Tower Hamlets in the years 1979 to 1992 were as follows:

  Year

  Reported acceptances

  1979

  687

  1980

  334

  1981

  332

  1982

  808

  1983

  189 (1)

  1984

  985

  1985

  1—

  1986

  1—

  1987

  654 (2)

  1988

  1,069

  1989

  884

  1990

  1,142

  1991

  542 (2)

  1992

  851

  1 Not available.

  The figures exclude households found to be intenationally homeless from the second quarter of 1991. The figures for 1983, 1987 and 1991 are partial; the figures in brackets indicate the number of quarters for which information was reported.

  City Grant (Bradford)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present position of the application for city grant by 3Ds Ltd. for the west end scheme in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department has made a formal offer of a city grant of £3·4 million to 3D Bradford Ltd. to aid the construction of a £11·7 million office development on a derelict site in the west end of Bradford and we are waiting to hear whether the company is prepared to go ahead.

  Habitats Directive
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue the consultation document on the implementation of the EC directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government are considering the best means of implementing the requirements of the EC habitats directive. Our proposals will be published shortly.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment when his Department expects to publish its consultation document on implementation of the habitats directive.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: The Government are considering the best means of implementing the requirements of the EC habitats directive. Our proposals will be published shortly.
  707
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether measures will be included in the consultation document on the implementation of the EC directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the United Kingdom to address the incidental capture and killing of small cetaceans in fishing nets as required under article 12(4); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government's proposals for implementation of the EC habitats directive paper will address the United Kingdom's obligations. Action is already being taken to deal with the conservation of small cetaceans and I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 11 June 1993 to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger)Official Report, column 358

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures will be included in the biodiversity action plan to improve the conservation status of small cetaceans in United Kingdom waters arid, in particular, to address the incidental capture and killing of marine mammals in fishing nets.

  Mr Yeo
  The biodiversity action plan will address the United Kingdom's obligations at a strategic level. Action is already being taken to deal with the conservation of small cetaceans and I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 11 June 1993 to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger),Official Report, column 358

  Waste Management
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment (1) pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Wardell),Official Report, columns 101–2, if he will make a statement on the new waste management licensing system;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to proceed with the introduction of economic instruments relating to waste management before finalising the regulations implementing the EC framework directive on waste.

  Mr. Yeo
  On the waste management licensing system, I refer to the answer I gave on 6 July,Official Report, column 80.

  It is the Government's policy to use economic instruments in preference to regulation to achieve environmental goals. We have already introduced credits for recycling and we are actively considering whether to develop economic instruments to promote the reduction and recycling of waste and, if so, which instruments are likely to be most effective. There is no reason why these considerations should delay the introduction of the waste management licensing system.

  Sellafield
  Sir Giles Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) of 28 June 1993,Official Report, column 392, whether he has received the information he requested from British Nuclear Fuels plc; when the second period of public consultation into the proposed new discharge authorisation for BNFL's Sellafield site will begin; when it will end; what other information, additional to the material provided by BNFL, he will be making available during the public
  708
  consultation; who will assess the responses arising from the consultation process; and when he expects to be in a position to take a final decision on this issue.

  Mr. Yeo
  BNFL has provided the further information mentioned in my right hon. Friend's answer of 28 June to the hon. Member for Norwich, North,Official Report, column 392. The other material referred to in that answer will also be made available for public consultation which is exptected to start shortly and to last for two months. A final decision will be taken following this consultation.

  Housing Association
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans he has for financing housing associations following the second report from the Environment Committee of Session 1992–93, HC 466, on the Housing Corporation.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson) on 15 July,Official Report, column 591

  Local Government Review
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings have been held by Ministers with hon. Members to discuss the review of local government in England; and if he will list these meetings giving dates and the numbers of hon. Members present on each occasion.

  Mr. Gummer
  I and my ministerial colleagues frequently discuss with hon. Members a wide range of issues, including the local government review, and we welcome the opportunity to do so, whether formally in the Department or informally elsewhere. We keep no list of such discussions.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in the course of his review of the standard spending assessment system concerning reform of the area cost adjustment formula.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have received representations from a large number of authorities about the area cost adjustment. These representations will be considered carefully as part of our review of standard spending assessments.

  New Towns (Property Sales)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average amount paid to the Commission for New Towns for the sale of freehold properties to(a) private developers and (b) leaseholders in each year since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  This information is not readily available but will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes have been sold by the Commission for New Towns, and for what total sum, in each year since 1979.
  709
  Sir George Young
  This information will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Carbon Dioxide
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for completing the United Kingdom's carbon dioxide programme.

  Mr. Gummer
  In the first half of this year we initiated a wide-ranging debate on the United Kingdom's CO2 programme. Issues discussed included the type of measures that the Government should take as part of the programme and the role of other organisations and groups outside government.

  Our view has been that an effective and efficient national CO2 programme requires a partnership approach. In the light of the positive response to the consultation exercise, we have concluded that the United Kingdom can create such a partnership.

  The Government's role is to provide the right fiscal, regulatory and financial framework for the programme and to help disseminate advice and information on the many actions that can be taken to achieve savings. But it is decision makers in households and businesses throughout the country who will take the actions that will lead to lower emissions. The Government are looking to business groups, trade associations and voluntary and consumer groups to act as channels of information and encouragement to these decision makers. The energy industries have an important part to play in promoting the efficient use of energy and in ensuring that energy is produced in economically and environmentally sound ways.

  Several measures have already been announced. These include those announced in the March Budget to increase the price of energy in the domestic and transport sectors, the establishment of the energy saving trust to provide financial incentives to energy efficiency, and an increase in the objective for renewable energy. These measures together are expected to stimulate savings amounting to two thirds of the target.

  On Wednesday last week, my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy announced his proposals for further renewable energy orders under the non-fossil fuel obligation, in pursuit of the new objective for renewable energy.

  Today I am able to announce a step forward in the trial of local energy advice centres being conducted by the energy saving trust with finance from the Energy Efficiency Office. The first franchises to run these centres are now being offered to successful applicants, and the centres will be operational by October.

  We have considered what additional measures should be taken to complete the programme. We have concluded that we should take further action to help business to make energy savings. We will strengthen the Energy Efficiency Office's programmes of advice and information aimed at business and will be discussing with business groups how to obtain the maximum response. We expect that significant additional savings can be achieved in this sector.

  We recognise that public sector bodies should provide a lead. We will be setting further targets for the Government estate which should take energy use by central Government down to well below 80 per cent. of
  710
  1990 levels by the year 2000. The Government are looking to other public sector bodies to adopt similarly stringent targets.

  We will also continue to provide information and encouragement to households to use energy efficiently. We will increase the resources devoted to this, working with the energy saving trust, to reinforce the impact of the trust.

  Concern was expressed during consultations about the prospect of rising transport emissions. We believe that, taking account of the views expressed during consultation, it would be reasonable to work towards further savings from transport by the year 2000 over and above the 1·5 MtC expected to be saved as a result of the fuel duty increases announced in the March Budget. We will be discussing with interested parties how such savings can best be realised.

  The Government also take the view that energy should be produced and delivered in a way that keeps CO2 emissions at the lowest cost-effective level consistent with other environmental goals. This is primarily the responsibility of the energy industries. We will be working towards the achievement of 5,000 MW of combined heat and power capacity by the year 2000, an increase of 1,000 MW on the previous target.

  The framework for the United Kingdom's CO2, programme is now in place. Many organisations have indicated their willingness to participate in the programme. We will be discussing with those organisations the contribution they can make in the light of the further Government action announced today, in order for the full programme to be published at the end of the year.

  Urban Priority Areas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his review of urban priority areas will be completed.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: Consultation is continuing on the outcome of our contractors' work to assess urban conditions in the light of the 1991 census. The contractors are carrying out further analytical work. This consultation and further work should be completed by the autumn.

  Local Government Associations
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next plans to meet the chairmen of the Association of District Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Association of County Councils.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: My right hon. Friend plans to meet the chairmen again in September, at the next of their regular two-monthly meetings.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.
  711
  Mr. Gummer
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  My Department's Energy Efficiency Office launched the energy management assistance scheme in April 1992 to help smaller businesses reduce their energy costs. The scheme provides grants towards consultants' costs in identifying energy savings and helping in their achievement. Over the last 12 months, more than 1,500 grants, averaging about £400 each, have been paid to small manufacturing and commercial enterprises.

  In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, my Department is funding a programme to raise awareness of environmental issues among small firms to help them improve their environmental performance. This follows a recommendation made by the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment. We are jointly supporting 10 local initiatives, which bring together the private sector, the community and local authorities. My Department is supporting projects in Sheffield and Blackburn; a further three will be announced in due course. The programme will also focus on specific industrial sectors, working with trade associations to develop a programme of help and guidance for small businesses.

  We continue to review the impact of the integrated pollution control and local authority air pollution control systems on small businesses. This has resulted in the laying of new regulations, the publication of a consultation paper reviewing the scope of the controls, and the issue of guidance to local authorities on exempting certain small industrial processes. Further proposed deregulatory initiatives in relation to the operation of both systems will be of benefit to small businesses.

  In November 1992, my Department published planning policy guidance note No. 4, "Industrial and Commercial Development and Small Firms". This includes a section on how local planning authorities can help small firms through the planning system.

  The Planning Inspectorate executive agency continues successfully to work to performance targets for prompt handling of planning appeals, including those for small businesses.

  For small firms in the construction industry, we ask for information on a sampling basis to minimise the burden of form filling. We give feedback to small firms on the use of raw data provided to us to indicate the cyclical nature of the construction industry. On research, we encourage better dissemination of results on the construction industry to make it user friendly for smaller firms.

  We continue to tackle bureaucracy in the main inner-city programmes. City challenge has been simplified and grant regimes reduced from seven to three. The application form for derelict land grant has been simplified and we have taken through the legislation to set up the urban regeneration agency which will integrate three separate programmes in to a single grant regime.

  My Department monitors all its programmes and publishes details of a wide range of outputs and targets in its annual report.
  712

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by Ordnance Survey, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. Baldry
  The chief executive will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from D. Rhind to Mr. John McAlIion, dated 26 January 1993:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Ordnance Survey expenditure on computer consultancy contracts since November 1991.
  The total expenditure on such contracts was £463,000. I attach a list of the contracts awarded showing the name of the contractor and the subject of the consultancy assignment.
  A copy of this letter and enclosure will be deposited in the House of Commons Library and the Public Information Office.

  List of Consultancies—Computer based—November 1991 to date

  Firm

  Purpose

  Data Dictionary Systems

  Systems Architecture Plus Support

  Roger Hipperson

  Agents Plotting System

  Oracle

  Validation of AAP Database scheme

  Mera Business Systems

  Enhancements to Mera

  London Business

  Commercial Exploitation of OS Data

  Roger Hipperson

  Gui Developments

  Mera Business Systems

  Tuning of Mera

  Mera Business Systems

  Night Cover for Year End Procedures

  Thew Consulting

  PMC System Configuration

  Thew Consulting

  Training for PMC Package

  Mera Business

  Improving Service Levels

  Roger Hipperson

  Superplan Plotting System

  Know Edge Ltd.

  GIS Support

  Documedia

  Transfer of Smart Data Base Records to Calm System

  Grosvenor Consultancy Services

  Market Testing of Computer Operations

  Roger Hipperson

  Graphic Application Development

  Logica Defence

  Spatial Database Development

  Dr. DeRoure

  WAN Consultancy

  Smallworld Systems Ltd.

  GIS Consultancy

  Mera Business

  Modification of Software

  Systems

  Purpose

  Compass

  P.C. Based output system for Customer Supply

  Oracle

  Database design review

  Oracle

  Support for Purchase and Payables System

  Mera

  Enhancements to Mera System

  CSC Europe

  Configuration Management Investigation

  ESRI

  Software development Project 1993

  C and G College of Higher Education

  Use of SDM Methodology for in-house Oracle Programme

  Mera

  Enhancement to Mera System

  713

  Systems

  Purpose

  GID

  Validation of NTF Version 2·0

  MVA Systematica

  OSCAR Database Project

  Oracle

  Addresspoint Database Configuration

  CSL

  Market Testing—Preparation of Bid for Computer Operations

  Mera

  Enhancement to Mera System

  Dr. DeRoure

  Use of UNIX Daemons

  Oracle

  Addresspoint Database Health Check

  Digital

  DEC System Ultrix Performance Assessment

  Mera

  Enhancements to Mera System

  Admiral

  Feasibility study for ICS function for registration under BS575O

  Alprange

  Development of Electronic Mail System

  Mera

  Development of Mera

  AIM

  Consultancy for trial to meter use of OS Data

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the regulations governing entitlement to housing benefit in the cases of those claimants whose savings exceed the prescribed limit only by virtue of delayed back-payment of other allowances by the Benefits Agency; and what action he has taken in the case of the couple in Forest Hill, London SE23, raised with him by the London borough of Lewisham.

  Mr. Burt
  All of the income-related benefits treat back payments of these allowances in the same way. We have no plans at present to change these arrangements. In the case of the couple in Forest Hill, an interim reply was sent to the London borough of Lewisham on 23 July 1993. I will write to the hon. Member with further details shortly.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has received about the administration of housing benefit; and what plans he has to improve the speed and standard of service.

  Mr. Burt
  The day-to-day administration of housing benefit is the responsibility of local authorities. The Department routinely collects statistical information from authorities about housing benefit and council tax benefit including information about the way that the benefits are administered. Evidence shows that in 1991–92, around 75 per cent. of all housing benefit claims were processed within 14 days of receipt of all the necessary information.

  The Department has also received a number of reports, including "Remote Control and Benefits Administration—a Management Handbook" from the Audit Commission and "Managing Housing Benefit" from the Accounts Commission. Both commissions have emphasised that authorities can do much by improved organisation and by setting and monitoring standards to improve the way they deliver housing benefit.
  714

  Households Below Average Income
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average disposable income at(a) actual and (b) April 1993 prices per adult, distinguishing those under and those over the pensionable ages, and per child applying the appropriate equivalence scale according to age, for the two lowest decile groups in the latest households below average income analysis for 1979, 1988–89 and 1990–91, before and after housing costs.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the tables.

  The results do not show what has happened to the income of the groups over time. They reflect changes in composition of the bottom and second deciles (see note 2).

  Median net equivalised household income in the two lowest whole population deciles for pensioners adults, non-pensioner adults and children, 1979, 1988–89 and 1990–91 in actual prices1 and in April 1993 prices Pensioner adult (equivalised £ per week)

  Decile

  1979

  1988–89

  1990–91

  Actual prices

  Bottom

  BHC

  35

  72

  82

  AHC

  32

  57

  63

  Second

  BHC

  42

  89

  104

  AHC

  38

  74

  82

  April 1993 prices

  Bottom

  BHC

  89

  92

  90

  AHC

  76

  73

  71

  Second

  BHC

  106

  114

  115

  AHC

  91

  94

  92

  1 Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1990–91 refer to the middle of the period covered; that is June 1979, January 1989 and January 1991 respectively.

  Non-pensioner adult (equivalised £ per week)

  Decile

  1979

  1988–89

  1990–91

  Actual prices

  Bottom

  BHC

  32

  66

  72

  AHC

  29

  51

  51

  Second

  BHC

  43

  89

  103

  AHC

  39

  73

  81

  April 1993 prices

  Bottom

  BHC

  82

  83

  79

  AHC

  68

  65

  58

  Second

  BHC

  108

  113

  113

  AHC

  93

  93

  91

  Dependent child (equivalised £ per week)

  Decile

  1979

  1988–89

  1990–91

  Actual prices

  Bottom

  BHC

  33

  69

  77

  AHC

  30

  54

  59

  Second

  BHC

  43

  89

  102

  AHC

  39

  73

  81

  April 1993 prices

  Bottom

  BHC

  84

  88

  84

  AHC

  70

  69

  66

  Second

  BHC

  109

  113

  112

  AHC

  92

  93

  91

  Notes:

  1. The estimates have been calculated by taking the median income

  715
  of pensioners, non-pensioners and children in each of the two bottom deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.

  2 The HBAI publication does not present results in the form requested here. The results in the form requested cannot be interpreted as indicating the incomes of these groups have gone up or down over the period. Any income changes will reflect shifts of the number of people in each group—pensioners/nonpensioners/children—from one decile group to another. For example, if pensioners incomes remained unchanged but there was a shift of pensioners from the top of the bottom docile into the second decile, the median income of the pensioners in the bottom decile in these tables would show a fall. Conversely, if pensioners incomes again remain the same, but there was a shift of pensioners from the second decile into the bottom decile, the median income of the pensioners in the bottom decile in these tables would show a rise. But in both these examples the real incomes amongst pensioners did not change. For information on changes in income of low-income pensioners and non-pensioners see Table A5 of HBAI 1979–1990–91.

  3 All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in appendix 5 of "Households Below Average Income", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the equivalent monetary value in pound per week at April 1993 prices, following table A2 of the latest HBAI report, in 1979, 1988–89 and 1990–91, before and after housing costs, of the decile medians of the two poorest decile groups, the poorest quintile and the total population mean of(a) a single adult, (b) a couple with no children, (c) a couple with one child aged three, (d) a couple with one child aged 16, (e) a couple with two children aged three and eight, (f) a couple with three children aged three, eight and 11, (g) a couple with three children aged 11, 16 and 17 years, (h) a single adult with children, (i) all households with children equivalised and (j) all households equivalised.

  Mr. Burt
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  The estimates follow table A2 of Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1979–1990–91. It is not possible to give equivalent monetary values for the requested groups (h),(i) and (j) as the calculation of these figures is dependent on the number and age of children in each household. The money values for the bottom quintiles for family groups is provided in table A5 of HBAI.

  The information that can be provided is subject to the same qualifications as HBAI 1979–1990–91, in particular paragraph 1.4 which points out that the results do not track what happens to a particular set of individuals and are as likely to be influenced by changes in the mix of groups as changes in income levels within each group.

  Disability Benefits
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the changes made since 1979 in benefits for disabled people; for each case where there are savings, how much has been saved to date; and how much is projected to be saved up to(a) 2000 and (b)

  Mr. Scott
  A list of 65 changes made since 1979 to incapacity benefits and benefits for disabled people has been placed in the Library. Of the 65 changes, 14 relate to savings measures and are identified with an asterisk, 46 incurred costs and one change involved a transfer of expenditure. An estimate of the savings in each case to date 716
  and projected as requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It is not possible to provide projections as far ahead as 2025 since they would depend on a large number of factors which cannot be accurately forecast.

  Caring
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for changes to the benefits system in recognition of the costs incurred in caring.

  Mr. Scott
  Invalid care allowance, the main benefit for carers, has been uprated consistently in line with the retail prices index. The weekly earnings limit has been increased in each of the past four years and is currently £50, net of allowable expenses. In addition carers who receive either income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit are entitled to the carer premium. The earnings disregard for carers in receipt of any of those benefits was increased to £15 from April this year.

  Some 195,000 carers benefit at a current cost in 1992–93 of £366 million. We have no plans to make further changes to the benefits.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will acknowledge the letter of Ms J. J. Lowmass of 28 April to the head of section, disability allowance, Blackpool—his reference JE 553986C Sherwood—together with subsequent correspondence, including a letter to himself from Ms J. J. Lowmass and Mr. E. M. Sherwood dated 23 June; and when he expects his Department to be able to deal with the matter.

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

  Letter from Mr. M. Bichard to Mr. Peter Temple-Morris, dated 23 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking if he will acknowledge the letter of Ms J. J. Lowmass of 28th April to the Head of Section, Disability Allowance, Blackpool (his reference JE 553986C Sherwood) together with subsequent correspondence, including a letter to himself from Ms J. J. Lowmass and Mr. E. M. Sherwood dated 23rd June; and when he expects his Department to be able to deal with the matter.
  Ms Lowmass wrote to the Attendance Allowance Unit (AAU) on the 17 November 1992 asking for confirmation that her letter of 1 September 1992, which detailed a change in Stephen's circumstances, had been received.
  The AAU which was dealing with Stephen's claim at the time (Attendance Allowance (AA) for customers under the age of 65 became DLA from 6 April 1992, but no conversion had taken place at that time on Stephen's case) wrote to Mrs. Lowmass stating that they had no record of receiving this letter. A copy of this letter was then provided by Ms Lowmass in November 1992.
  You will be aware of the delays that have resulted due to the backlog of work on DLA. Unfortunately, because of these delays it was March 1993 before the file was referred to an Adjudication Officer who decided that Stephen was not entitled to the care component of DLA, and advised Stephen's parents accordingly.

  717
  Further correspondence was received from Ms Lowmass and Mr Sherwood on the 28 April and 28 June respectively. The letter of 28 April is now being treated as a request for a review.
  The present situation is that a review claim pack was issued to Ms Lowmass by first class Post on 15 July 1993. Ms Lowmass was given the opportunity to complete the pack by phone but declined. When the pack is returned it will be dealt with as a matter of priority.
  This case has clearly not been handled with the efficiency I would expect. Please convey my sincere apologies to Ms Lowmass and Mr. Sherwood for the delays they have suffered and for any distress or inconvenience caused.
  I am pleased to say that the overall situation at the DLA Unit is much improved and 80 per cent. of new cases are now being cleared inside 30 days.
  I thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and for giving me the opportunity to explain the situation. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Hospital Patients (Pensions)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many state pensioners in York have had their pensions suspended in the last 12 months because of a long stay as a hospital in-patient.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Mr. M. Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 26 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many State pensioners in York have had their pensions suspended in the last twelve months because of a long stay as a hospital in-patient.
  I regret that the information is not available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, I can inform you that on 30 September 1992, the latest date for which information is held, a total of 47,170 pensioners (0·51 per cent. of the national pensioner population) had their Retirement Pension reduced because they were receiving treatment as hospital in-patients.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give details of the assumptions made in his Department's estimates of the cost of disability working allowance in the years 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and 2000–01; and on what grounds his Department no longer expects to make savings as a result of the introduction of this benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  The estimates of the gross cost of disability working allowance in each year are based on a projection of the increase in the case load. There will be savings in other benefits to off-set the gross cost but until further analysis has been done it is not possible to quantify these. The further analysis cannot be completed until we have the results of research which the Policy Studies Institute has been commissioned to conduct.
  718

  Income Support
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many 16 and 17-year-olds for each month since January 1992 have made applications for income support on grounds of extreme hardship by region and for Great Britain as a whole, shown separately for male and female; how many have been granted or refused; what information he has about the grounds on which applications were turned down; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 21 May 1992 at columns 238–9 and on 30 October 1992 at columns 923–4. Such information as is available about claims after September 1992 is in the tables. Some people will have made more than one claim.

  Scotland

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  2,083

  1,631

  452

  November

  2,004

  1,547

  457

  December

  1,618

  1,234

  384

  1993

  January

  2,459

  2,037

  422

  February

  2,343

  1,870

  473

  March

  2,687

  2,172

  515

  April

  2,957

  2,491

  466

  May

  2,531

  2,140

  391

  June

  2,490

  2,095

  395

  North Eastern

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  1,468

  1,133

  335

  November

  1,306

  993

  313

  December

  1,137

  907

  230

  1993

  January

  1,944

  1,638

  306

  February

  1,731

  1,408

  323

  March

  2,064

  1,709

  355

  April

  1,894

  1,622

  272

  May

  1,838

  1,576

  262

  June

  1,876

  1,626

  250

  North Western

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  1,272

  1,018

  254

  November

  1,214

  943

  271

  December

  1,102

  874

  228

  1993

  January

  1,800

  1,536

  264

  February

  1,740

  1,403

  337

  March

  1,948

  1,632

  316

  April

  1,859

  1,593

  266

  May

  1,893

  1,605

  288

  June

  1,902

  1,633

  269

  Midlands

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  1,180

  961

  219

  November

  1,167

  905

  262

  719

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  December

  926

  727

  199

  1993

  January

  1,800

  1,503

  297

  February

  1,512

  1,207

  305

  March

  1,701

  1,416

  285

  April

  1,605

  1,393

  212

  May

  1,553

  1,310

  243

  June

  1,627

  1,404

  223

  Wales and South Western

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  1,104

  930

  174

  November

  1,006

  805

  201

  December

  852

  688

  164

  1993

  January

  1,657

  1,443

  214

  February

  1,384

  1,145

  239

  March

  1,642

  1,372

  270

  April

  1,498

  1,282

  216

  May

  1,406

  1,216

  190

  June

  1,409

  1,211

  198

  London North

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  1,091

  895

  196

  November

  998

  813

  185

  December

  745

  621

  124

  1993

  January

  1,498

  1,326

  172

  February

  1,247

  1,049

  198

  March

  1,469

  1,282

  187

  April

  1,332

  1,169

  163

  May

  1,294

  1,114

  180

  June

  1,293

  1,130

  163

  London South

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  1,056

  848

  208

  November

  972

  776

  196

  December

  800

  662

  138

  1993

  January

  1,483

  1,310

  173

  February

  1,348

  1,120

  228

  March

  1,474

  1,257

  217

  April

  1,376

  1,209

  167

  May

  1,330

  1,140

  190

  June

  1,336

  1,139

  197

  Great Britain

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  1992

  October

  9,256

  7,418

  1,838

  November

  8,668

  6,783

  1,885

  December

  7,183

  5,716

  1,467

  1993

  January

  12,647

  10,797

  1,850

  February

  11,305

  9,202

  2,103

  720

  Total

  Successful

  Refused

  March

  12,985

  10,840

  2,145

  April

  12,521

  10,759

  1,762

  May

  11,845

  10,101

  1,744

  June

  11,933

  10,238

  1,695

  Source: Severe Handship Claims Unit Database

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of state for social Security how many recipients of income support who have deductions for voluntary unemployment are also subject to other deductions; and what is the average amount per person of these deductions.

  Mr. Burt
  There are 1,000 recipients of income support whose benefit is reduced because of voluntary unemployment who also have other deductions. The average amount of these other deductions is £5·15 (£19·86 including the voluntary unemployment deduction).

  Source: Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry, May 1992.

  Notes: Average amounts are correct to the nearest penny.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many overpayments of income support have been caused by a failure to report a reduction in interest rates.

  Mr. Burt
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount spent by local authorities in Wales on housing benefit in the last three available financial years.

  Mr. Burt
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 July 1993, c. 73]: I am advised that the reply contained incorrect information. The correct information is:

  £ million

  1990–91

  242

  1991–92

  306

  1992–93

  340

  (excludes expenditure on community charge benefit).

  Source: 1993 Departmental Report date.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants who receive the lower rate of income support for persons aged under 25 years and are living away from home also have deductions; and what is the average amount per person of these deductions.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support had reductions in their benefit(a) including and (b) excluding deductions for voluntary unemployment, but excluding payments of current mortgage interest in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Burt
  The information available is in the table.
  721

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (a) Including voluntary unemployment reduction

  629,000

  613,000

  715,000

  1,000,000

  (b) Excluding voluntary unemployment reduction

  600,000

  581,000

  678,000

  975,000

  Source: Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries, May 1989–1992.

  Note:

  1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. The figures exclude cases with deductions solely for payment of current. mortgage interest and arrears.

  3. Recipients with deductions for mortgage interest payments are included in the figures if they also have other deductions.

  4. Recipients with the voluntary unemployment reduction may be included in (b) if they have other deductions.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants who receive the lower rate of income support for person aged under 25 years also have deductions; and what is the average amount per person of these deductions.

  Mr. Burt
  There are 85,000 recipients receiving the lower rate of income support for a person aged less than 25 years who have deductions from benefit. The average amount of the deductions is £4·85. The corresponding figures where benefit is also reduced because of voluntary unemployment are 98,000 and £6·13.

  Source: Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry, May 1992.

  Notes:

  1. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand, average amounts are correct to the nearest penny.

  2. Recipients with the lower rate of income support for those aged under 25 have been identified on the basis that they are under 25, single and without dependants, and do not therefore qualify for the higher rate of benefit.

  Severe Hardship, Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims have been made for severe hardship in Wales in each year from 1989–90; and if he will indicate(a) total requests, (b) claims accepted, (c) claims refused and (d) the percentage of successful claims.

  Mr. Burt
  Such information as is available is in the table. Information prior to January 1991 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Year

  Awarded

  Refused

  Total

  Percentage successful

  1991

  1,876

  433

  2,309

  81

  1992

  3,696

  813

  4,509

  82

  11993

  2,641

  506

  3,147

  84

  1 January-June.

  Source: Severe hardship claims unit database.

  Incomes
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the percentage change in income during the period 1979 to 1987, both before and after housing costs, of each percentile group in the population.

  Mr. Burt
  The information for each decile median is in the tables. Greater disaggregation would not provide statistically reliable results.
  722

  Percentage changes in real income by decile group 1979–1987

  Decile group medians

  Income before housing costs

  Income after housing costs

  Decile 1

  5

  –4

  Decile 2

  4

  0

  Decile 3

  5

  2

  Decile 4

  9

  7

  Decile 5

  12

  11

  Decile 6

  14

  14

  Decile 7

  16

  17

  Decile 8

  19

  20

  Decile 9

  24

  25

  Decile 10

  35

  38

  Note: All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 1992, Official Report, columns 946–47, what was the average equivalised income at April 1993 prices of the poorest 20 per cent. and richest 20 per cent. before and after housing costs for 1979, 1981, 1987, 1988–89 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Burt
  Average median net equivalised income in April 1993 prices (in pounds per week) for the bottom and top 20 per cent. of the income distribution.

  Before housing costs

  Bottom 20 per cent.

  Top 20 per cent.

  1979

  98

  294

  1981

  96

  303

  1987

  102

  382

  1988–89

  102

  408

  1990–91

  101

  437

  After housing costs

  Bottom 20 per cent.

  Top 20 per cent.

  1979

  84

  260

  1981

  80

  270

  1987

  83

  338

  1988–89

  83

  366

  1990–91

  81

  390

  Notes:

  1. The information in the tables, before and after housing costs, for the years 1979, 1981, 1987, 1988–89 and 1990–91 (latest years available).

  2. All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the total expenditure in 1993–94 on housing benefit broken down between(a) council tenants, (b) housing association tenants and (c) private tenants; and what these figures would have been if

  723
  the uprating of the applicable amount for each type of household had been 1 per cent. below the retail prices index.

  Mr. Burt
  It is not currently possible to disaggregate expenditure of rent allowance between housing association and private sector tenants. Estimates for 1993–94, are that housing benefit expenditure will be £4,920 million in respect of council tenants in the form of rent rebates and £3,250 million in respect of housing associations tenants in the form of rent allowances.

  If the 1993–94 uprating had been 1 per cent less than the RPI, the figures would be £4,885 million and £3,240 million respectively.

  Source: 1989–90–91 Family Expenditure Surveys modelled at 1993–94 prices and benefit levels.

  All figures rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  Uprating Costs
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of total expenditure in 1993–94 on(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit; and what these figures would have been if the uprating of the applicable amount for each type of applicant had been 1 per cent. less than the retail prices index.

  Mr. Burt
  It is estimated that total expenditure on income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit for 1993–94 will be £16,485 million, £8,170 million and £1,630 million respectively.

  The estimated expenditure, if income-related benefit rates had been uprated in 1993–94 by 1 per cent. less than the RPI, would be £16,390 million, £8,125 million and £1,615 million respectively.

  Notes:

  Source: 1989–90–91 Family Expenditure Surveys and the 1991 Annual Statistical Enquiry modelled at 1993–94 prices and benefit levels.

  All figures rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  Measures operated by the Department to assist small business include:
  Production of a self-employed starter pack "Working for Yourself". This assists the newly self-employed in understanding their National Insurance liability.
  Introduction, from April 1993, of a quarterly billing system for self-employed National Insurance contributions.
  Other measures aimed at business in general, which should help small businesses, include:
  For national insurance contributions (NIC) changes made from April 1993 to align the treatment of certain expenses with PAYE rules.
  Setting up of a working group, on which small businesses are represented, to consider further options for reducing the
  724
  administrative burden caused by the operation of different rules for PAYE and NIC purposes in defining earnings and expenses.
  Establishing a working group of employers' organisations, which includes representatives of small business, to examine the scope for removing or easing the administrative burdens imposed by the statutory sick pay scheme.

  The Department has a system to monitor proposals which impact on business, to ensure that the needs and costs to small businesses are taken into account, although there are no performance indicators specifically for monitoring achievements in this area. However, we attach particular importance to action taken to help small businesses and will continue to explore further ways of doing so.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in his Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Hague
  Whether or not TUPE applies in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractor's proposals for carrying the work out.

  The following services have been contracted out since November 1991 without application of the TUPE regulations:

  Business information

  Catering

  Casual hire

  Child care

  Cleaning/window cleaning

  Communications audit

  Conference

  Consultancy

  Courier/parcel services

  Closed circuit television

  Estates maintenance

  Facilities management

  Gas purchases

  Invalid car parts distributors

  Medical

  Messenger

  Porterage

  Postal

  Removals/relocation

  Secretarial

  Security

  Training

  Travel

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print;

  (2) what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Scott
  Decisions to publish material in forms other than standard print are taken on a case by case basis. Currently the Department has the following number of publications available nationally in leaflets, tapes and Braille.
  725

  Four benefits audio tapes

  Two benefits large-print leaflets—individual requests or information obtainable from the benefit inquiry line

  Nineteen general social security leaflets

  One child Support Agency leaflet in Braille

  One child Support Agency tape

  Two disability working allowance booklets

  One disability working allowance audio tape

  One disability working allowance brochure in large print

  Two family credit leaflet tapes

  Blind and partially sighted people and their representatives can ring the Department's range of telephone advice services. In particular, the benefits inquiry line gives free confidential advice and information for all social security benefits for people with disabilities. Callers then receive Braille or large print as required. The benefits inquiry line also completes forms over the telephone and sends Braille copies to the caller for signing.

  Blind and partially sighted people can also ring or visit their local office for a personal interview. Home visits can be arranged if needed.

  The Department's advertising campaigns are supported by tape or Braille publications.

  The advertising campaign to publicise the new disability benefits in 1992 was the first such campaign to be signed for deaf people.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his most recent estimate of the number of one-parent families; and what percentage of the heads of lone-parent families are aged(a) under 20, (b) 20 to 25, (c) over 25 years and (d) female.

  Mr. Burt
  The number of lone parent families with dependent children in Great Britain is provisionally estimated from the 1991 census of population to be 1·27 million.

  Information on the age and sex of lone parents is not yet available from 1991 census of population but is scheduled to be published next year in the Household and Family Composition Volume, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  However, data from the General Household Survey for the years 1989 to 1991 give the following estimates for the percentages of lone parent families in Great Britain with the stated characteristics.

  Per cent.

  Aged under 20

  2

  Aged 20 to 25 inclusive

  11

  Aged over 25

  88

  Female

  92

  Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents there are in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole; and how many and what proportion of income support claimants are lone parents in each area.

  Mr. Burt
  Provisional estimates of the number of lone parent families with dependent children in 1991 are as follows:(a) Inverclyde 3,200, (b) Strathclyde, 69,400, and (c) Scotland 132,0001.

  Data on the number of lone parent families in receipt of income support in individual locations are not available.
  726
  However, the total number of lone parents receiving income support in Scotland in 1992 was 106,0002, representing 20 per cent. of all income support claimants in Scotland.

  1 1991 population census, provisional estimate.

  2 1992 Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry. The definition of lone parents used excludes those temporarily separated.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table:

  Grade

  Numbers

  SEO

  326

  HEO

  937

  EO

  1,285

  AO

  596

  AA

  821

  Total

  3,965

  Notes:

  The figures show those staff entitled to receive an automatic data processing (ADP) pay allowance as at 22 July 1993. They may:

  (a) include some staff who have transferred to other duties but retain the ADP pay allowance on a mark-time basis* and

  (b) exclude some staff in executive grades who have not completed the qualifying period of receipt of the ADP pay allowance.

  Spending
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which other EC countries have reduced social security spending in the last year; and what information he has on the changes they have introduced.

  Mr. Scott
  Measures to contain the growth in social security spending have recently been announced in a number of EC countries, including France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Information on the changes in EC countries is regularly collected by the Department.

  Disabled Voluntary Workers
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow disabled voluntary workers to continue to carry out unpaid work without loss of welfare benefits; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Disabled voluntary workers can carry out unpaid work without loss of social security benefits as long as they continue to satisfy the entitlement conditions. We are currently reviewing the benefit system and will be looking at benefits for disabled people in that context. No decisions have been taken.

  Benefits
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of (i) taxpayers and (ii) tax-paying households in receipt of(a) family credit, (b) housing benefit, (c) community charge benefit, (d) retirement pension, (e) unemployment benefit and income support to an unemployed claimant, (f) statutory sick

  727
  pay, (g) widows' benefits, (h) industrial death benefit, (i) invalid care allowance, (j) invalidity allowance paid with a retirement pension, (k) statutory maternity pay and (l) at least one of those benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Private Pensions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many contracted-out rebates to private pension plans are currently outstanding; how many are due to inadequate or inaccurate information supplied by employers or insurance companies; how many are due to the application forms APPI being misplaced; and when he expects the backlog of rebates will now be paid.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not available. the Contributions Agency pays rebates outstanding as soon as it is able to establish entitlement. We are actively pursuing a satisfactory solution to the problem of misplaced APPIs with the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how Her Majesty's Government administers the payment of social benefit entitlements to recipients living in Yugoslavia, pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 724; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how his Department administers the obligations of United Nations Security Council resolution 757 on payment of social benefits to civilians living in Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) whether foreign pensions, child and other social benefit entitlement held by persons resident in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have been frozen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The United Nation Security Council Committee, established pursuant to resolution 724, ruled that it was up to individual Governments to decide whether to pay social benefits to people in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). In cases where Governments decide to make such payments, it was up to the Government concerned to devise a mechanism for doing so without contravening the mandatory sanctions established by the Security Council under resolution 757. In accordance with this ruling, Her Majesty's Government informed the committee that on humanitarian grounds the United Kingdom would continue to pay social security benefits to beneficiaries in the federal republic. United Kingdom benefit entitlement is not, therefore, frozen. We are continuing to send payable orders to the federal republic by post.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for support have been made to the Independent Living (1993) Fund; how many offers of support have been made by the trustees; how many awards are now in payment; and how many cases there have been where the trustees of the fund have 728
  been unable to reach agreement on the sharing of responsibility with local authority social services departments.

  Mr. Scott
  I am informed by the director of the Independent Living (1993) Fund that as of 19 July 1993, 260 applications for support had been received by the fund. Of these 67 were rejected because they did not meet the basic eligibility criteria for help from the fund. The remainder are at various stages in the application process, and 14 offers of help have been made. There are four awards that have been accepted and put into payment. There has been one case where an applicant gained the initial support of a local authority which then failed to agree a care package with the fund.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out in detail how accountability is to be made to Parliament for the use of public funds provided to the trustees of the Independent Living (1993) Fund and the Independent Living (Extension) Fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The published Government accounting rules and procedures, as set out in "Government Accounting—A guide on accounting and financial procedures for the use of Government Departments", apply to both the Department and the funds in accounting to Parliament for this use of public money.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assurances he has received from statutory and charitable services that they will be able to fill the gap created by the decision of the trustees of the Independent Living (1993) Fund to exclude seriously disabled people who are terminally ill from eligibility for support from the fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The aim of the Independent Living (1993) Fund is to provide long-term support for severely disabled people who wish to live independently.

  It is the statutory responsibility of health authorities and local social service departments to make provision for people who are terminally ill. Support for such people is also provided by charitable and voluntary organisations.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he is satisfied that care of severely disabled people who are terminally ill will now normally be provided on a cost-effective basis following the decision of the trustees of the Independent Living (1993) Fund to exclude the terminally ill from the scope of the fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The action of the trustees of the Independent Living (1993) Fund in no way detracts from the responsibility of health authorities and local social services departments to provide care and support for terminally ill people in a cost-effective way.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many asylum seekers who receive income support also have deductions; and what was the average amount per person of these deductions.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available.
  729

  Earnings
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much income net of tax, national insurance and benefit reductions, is retained out of each £.1 per week increase in gross earnings by(a) a single adult aged 26 years earning £132 per week, (b) a lone parent with one child aged nine years earning £136 per week and (c) two adults with two children aged 12 and 14 years earning £196 per week, on the assumption that each is paying rent of £48 per week and council tax of £10 per week.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table. Marginal deduction rates in excess of 90 pence in the pound are estimated to affect less than half of 1 per cent. of the working population.

  Single adult age 26

  Lone parent with 9-year-old child

  Two adults with children aged 12 and 14

  £

  £

  £

  Gross earnings

  132·00

  136·00

  196·00

  Tax

  14·03

  7·33

  21·76

  National insurance

  7·96

  8·32

  13·72

  Take-home pay

  110·01

  120·35

  160·52

  Child benefit

  0·00

  16·05

  18·10

  Family credit

  0·00

  17·31

  14·14

  Rent

  48·00

  48·00

  48·00

  Rent rebate

  8·35

  16·12

  9·13

  Council tax

  10·00

  10·00

  10·00

  Council tax benefit

  0·00

  0·19

  0·00

  Total net income

  118·35

  170·01

  201·88

  Net income after R and CT

  60·35

  112·01

  143·88

  Marginal increase rate

  0·23

  0·03

  0·07

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Criminal Offences
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criminal offences she has introduced in the last five years under delegated legislation.

  Mr. Jack
  The powers to introduce criminal offences in statutory instruments are provided for in primary

  Bread-large white sliced loaf

  Average price

  Percentage change from previous year

  (pence/loaf)

  (actual)

  (in real terms)1

  1990

  50

  +4·7

  -4·4

  1991

  53

  +6·1

  +0·3

  1992

  54

  +1·3

  -2·4

  1 Deflated by All Items RPI.

  Breakmaking wheat

  Average price

  Percentage change from previous year

  (£/tonne ex-farm)

  (actual)

  (in real terms)1

  1990

  118·27

  +3·7

  -5·2

  1991

  132·28

  +11·8

  +5·6

  1992

  135·01

  +2·1

  -1·6

  1 Deflated by All Items RPI.

  730
  legislation. It is estimated that in the last five years the Department has been responsible for 55 statutory instruments introducing criminal offences which still exist.

  Wheat
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average on-farm selling price of wheat in the United Kingdom for each of the years from 1979 to 1993 at actual and also at constant prices, showing the 1979 price as 100.

  Mr. Jack
  Information for Great Britain is set out in the table. Comparable information for the United Kingdom is not available.

  Great Britain on-farm selling price of wheat

  £ per tonne

  Harvest years

  Actual price

  Constant price

  Relative constant price

  RPI 1979 = 100

  1979–80

  98·13

  100·00

  100·00

  100·00

  1980–81

  104·98

  106·98

  90·67

  117·99

  1981–82

  112·38

  114·52

  86·81

  131·92

  1982–83

  119·08

  121·35

  84·74

  143·21

  1983–84

  124·33

  126·70

  84·62

  149·74

  1984–85

  111·26

  113·38

  72·07

  157·32

  1985–86

  112·20

  114·34

  68·53

  166·84

  1986–87

  112·67

  114·82

  66·57

  172·49

  1987–88

  111·20

  113·32

  63·05

  179·72

  1988–89

  114·19

  116·37

  61·72

  188·54

  1989–90

  112·23

  114·37

  56·29

  203·17

  1990–91

  119·56

  121·84

  54·78

  222·40

  1991–92

  122·31

  124·64

  52·94

  235·45

  1992–93

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  244·27

  Notes:

  1979–80 to 1985–86 are August to July years.

  1986–87 to 1992–93 are July to June years.

  RPI are calendar years.

  N/A = not available.

  Source of actual price data: Home-Grown Cereals Authority.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the price of(a) bread and (b) wheat in each year since 1988, with the annual increases in actual terms and real terms.

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

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average on-farm selling price of wheat in the United Kingdom for 1961, 1973 and each year since 1990 in cash terms and at 1979 prices.
  731
  Mr. Jack
  Information for Great Britain is set out in the table. Comparable information for the United Kingdom is not available.

  Great Britain On-Farm selling price of wheat

  £ per tonne

  Harvest years

  Actual price

  Relative price

  Relative constant price

  RPI 1979 = 100

  Constant 1979 Prices

  1961

  20·26

  20·65

  90·89

  22·72

  89·19

  1973–74

  58·39

  59·50

  142·29

  41·82

  139·63

  1989–90

  112·23

  114·37

  56·29

  203·17

  55·24

  1990–91

  119·56

  121·84

  54·78

  222·40

  53·76

  1991–92

  122·31

  124·64

  52·94

  235·45

  51·95

  1992–93

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  244·27

  n.a.

  Notes: 1961 is a calendar year.

  1973–74 is an August/July year.

  1989–90–1992–93 are July/June years.

  RPI are calendar years.

  1961 and 1973–74 are for England and Wales only.

  n.a. = not available.

  Source of Actual Price Data: Home-Grown Cereals Authority.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in her Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Jack
  The number of automatic data processing functional specialists employed in the Department and agencies, by grade is as follows:

  Officers

  Numbers

  Executive Officers

  132

  Higher Executive Officers

  140

  Senior Executive Officers

  78

  Total

  350

  Fishing By-catches
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many reports of by-caught marine mammals have been received by his Department under the voluntary reporting scheme since its introduction; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Since the scheme for voluntary reporting was introduced on 1 January 1992, there has been only one report for England and Wales which recorded the incidental catch of three common porpoises. Officials are at present considering how to encourage fishermen to report as many incidents as possible under this scheme.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what measures her Department will be taking to monitor the incidental capture and killing of small cetaceans in fisheries and to ensure that this capture does not have a significant negative impact on the species, as required under the EC directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora;

  (2) what measures are being taken to fulfil the commitment made under the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas to reduce by-catches of small cetaceans in fisheries and to prevent fishing gear being lost or discarded at sea.
  732
  (3) what measures her Department will be taking to meet the requirements of the resolution on harbour porpoises in the north Atlantic and Baltic seas, which was co-sponsored by the United Kingdom Government and adopted at the recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission, to (a) collect data on the by-catch mortality level of harbour porpoises and (b) to give high priority to reducing by-catches of harbour porpoises.

  Mr. Jack
  On 1 January 1992, United Kingdom fisheries departments introduced a reporting scheme seeking information from fishermen on incidental by-catches of marine mammals including the gear involved. The information from this scheme together with data from the 1994 project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of the Environment, other North sea states and the EC to assess small cetacean populations in the Baltic sea, North sea and channel will help to enable us to make an informed judgment of the extent of fisheries by-catches of small cetaceans and the impact they might have on the species.

  MAFF and DOE are also funding work into the use of sonar reflectors to warn cetaceans away from fishing nets. Discarding of fishing gear at sea is an offence unless undertaken in accordance with a licence under part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is her Department's policy on which information produced by her Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

  Mr. Jack
  MAFF aims to publish as much information as possible in formats which are readily accessible to a wide variety of users. The Department has recently responded to the needs of blind and partially sighted people by publishing one of its "Food Sense" information booklets in Braille, large print and audio-cassette versions. This was done in close co-operation with the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and we hope it will be the forerunner of similar ventures in the future.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will publish the evidence she has on whether the number of cows affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy is falling.

  Mr. Soames
  The detailed epidemiological evidence of the effects of the ruminant feed ban on the number of suspected cases of BSE being reported was published in the progress report which was placed in the Library of the House in my reply of 27 May,Official Report, column 689, and updated in my reply of 14 July, Official Report, columns 544–45.

  I have arranged for a graph to be placed in the Library of the House which brings up to date the information presented in figure 1 of this report.

  Equine Viral Arteritis
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of equine viral arteritis have been reported to date in the current year within each member state of the European Community.
  733
  Mr. Soames
  We have no comprehensive or reliable information on the number of outbreaks of equine viral arteritis (EVA) in other member states.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which European Community member states currently designate equine viral arteritis as a notifiable disease; and what plans she has to embark on such a classification in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  There is no requirement in EC law for equine viral arteritis (EVA) to be made notifiable, but I am informed that the disease is notifiable in Italy.

  The Government have decided that, for the following reasons, EVA should not be made notifiable. First, there is no EC requirement to do so. Secondly, movement restrictions would have to be applied to horses on infected premises and could not be removed from those animals that were permanent carriers. This would cause financial hardship out of all proportion to the severity of the disease.

  The United Kingdom thoroughbred industry has for some time operated a voluntary code of practice for the prevention and control of EVA, which includes guidance on the appropriate measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease. The code is considered to be an effective means for stud owners and others to protect their animal health status, and its use is commended to all sectors of the equine industry.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list each occasion on which her Department was issued with warnings of inadequate testing arrangements in Poland by the Animal Health Trust prior to the recent outbreak of equine viral arteritis in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  On two occasions, the Animal Health Trust has drawn to the Department's attention seropositive test results for equine viral arteritis virus in imported horses accompanied by Polish certification. However, on neither occasion has there been any conclusive evidence of inadequate testing arangements in Poland.

  Hens
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what rules or guidance her Department provides on the transportation for slaughter of spent hens; and if it is permissible for injured hens with broken limbs to be transported before slaughter;

  (2) whether consignments of hens transported from the United Kingdom to other member states within the European Community require a veterinary check before transit; and whether they must be free from serious injury for such a journey to be permissible;

  (3) what is her Department's policy on the transportation of spent hens via ferry to Holland for slaughter; and if she will make a statement;

  (4) what guidelines are given by her Department to battery egg producers on how to dispose of spent hens which have sustained serious injury during their productive life.

  Mr. Soames
  Harmonised EC animal health rules governing the intra-Community trade in poultry require,734
  inter alia, that consignments be examined for clinical signs or suspicions of disease shortly before export by an official veterinarian. In addition, the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992 makes it an offence to cause or permit animals—including poultry—to be transported in a way which causes or is likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering. The order, which implements European Community directive requirements, also makes it unlawful to transport diseased, ill or injured poultry and imposes a limit of 12 hours on the period which poultry may be transported without being fed and watered. Further provisions set standards for the carriage of poultry, including transport in road vehicles on board ship.

  The joint industry welfare guide to the handling of spent hens—published by the National Farmers Union and the British Poultry Meat Federation—recommends that visibly unfit or injured birds must not be loaded but should be slaughtered on the farm as quickly and humanely as possible. The Ministry's code of recommendations for the welfare of domestic fowls—applicable to all on-farm, egg-laying hens—states that ailing birds and birds suffering from injury such as open wounds or fractures, or from prolapse of the vent should be segregated and treated or, if necessary, be humanely killed without delay. The law requires that any bird arriving at the slaughterhouse which is found to be suffering must be slaughtered immediately.

  Food Prices
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price to the consumer of(a) a pint of milk, (b) a 21b loaf of bread and (c) a pint of beer in 1970, 1980 and each year since 1990.

  Mr. Jack
  The annual averages of the prices used for calculating the retail prices index are given in the table.

  Annual average price (£)

  Bread—800g white sliced loaf

  1990

  0·50

  1991

  0·53

  1992

  0·54

  Milk—1 pint pasteurised

  1990

  0·31

  1991

  0·32

  1992

  0·34

  Beer—1 pint draught bitter

  1990

  1·09

  1991

  1·24

  1992

  1·31

  Botswana (Beef)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the consequences for beef prices in Botswana of the proposed agreement at the general agreement on tariffs and trade.

  Mr. Jack
  The proposed GATT agreement includes a commitment to reduce both the volume of and expenditure on subsidised exports of beef. This should help to produce a firming of prices for beef on world markets, which would benefit Botswana.
  735
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of the benefits the Botswana beef industry gains from Lome IV and of how this will be affected by the present GATT talks.

  Mr. Jack
  Under the terms of protocol seven of Lome IV on beef and veal, Botswana benefits from a 90 per cent. reduction in the variable levy on beef and veal for an annual quantity of 18,916 tonnes of boneless meat. This would not be affected by the proposals in the draft Uruguay round agreement on agriculture.

  Self-Sufficiency
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the level of United Kingdom self-sufficiency in all agricultural products in 1979, 1985 and each year since 1990.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer my hon. Friend to the tables in section 5 of the publication "Agriculture in the United Kingdom, 1992" copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Wool Sales (Penalties)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she has to bring forward legislation to increase the maximum penalty which the British Wool Marketing Board may impose on members who sell wool to independent merchants; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Any amendment to the British wool marketing scheme would be initiated by the board and then, following consultation with producers, submitted to Ministers for consideration. None on this matter has been received.

  Northmoor
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cost of the proposal to replace the diesel pumps at Northmoor pumping station with electric pumps; what is the expected amount of grant that would be paid by the Ministry towards the replacement of the pumps; and what proportion of residual costs after grant aid would fall upon the Somerset county council as a levy-paying authority to the National Rivers Authority and Northmoor district drainage board.

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated cost of the proposed electric pumps at Northmoor pumping station in the Somerset levels is £415,334 at current prices. If approved, MAFF grant aid would be available at 45 per cent. of eligible costs, with the remainder funded by the National Rivers Authority (NRA) from levies on Somerset county council. The NRA proposals do not envisage any contribution from Northmoor internal drainage board.

  Slaughter of Animals
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps Her Majesty's Government will now take to ensure that EC colleagues adopt the proposed EC directive on the welfare of animals at the time of slaughter or killing.

  Mr. Soames
  We initiated discussion on this proposal during the United Kingdom presidency. We have been at 736
  the forefront of member states seeking agreement on it. We shall continue to press for adoption during the Belgian presidency.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have been held with EC colleagues on imposing an eight-hour limit on slaughter journeys for live farm animals.

  Mr. Soames
  On 1 January a new directive came into operation setting Community standards for the welfare of all animals during transport. We have been pressing the Commission strongly to submit proposals for the additional rules which are needed on key issues such as maximum journey times for certain types of animal.

  I am pleased to say that the Commission announced on 13 July that the proposals were now ready and would be submitted to the Council. We hope that the negotiations in the Council will start shortly. The United Kingdom will be pressing for Community rules which reflect the high standards which we are applying in this country.

  Surplus Food
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements will be made in the United Kingdom for 1993–94 under the EC surplus food scheme.

  Mr. Jack
  The United Kingdom's full share of EC funding 1993–94 for the Community's surplus food scheme will be used for the distribution of beef. In previous years, butter has also been distributed but successful reductions of intervention stocks has meant that butter cannot now be made available under the scheme.

  Some 6,200 tonnes of beef are being released from intervention stocks to be canned for allocation to designated organisations. Further quantities of beef may be made available early next year.

  In addition to asking existing designated organisations to confirm that they still wish to participate in the scheme during 1993–94, agriculture Departments will also be inviting new applications from appropriate charitable and other non-profit-making organisations who wish to be designated.

  Fishing Vessels (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the names, the port of registry and the length or tonnage of British registered fishing vessels that have been successfully prosecuted under the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967, listing the particular offence they were found guilty of and the penalty imposed.

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

  Fishing Vessels (Licences)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food (1) if she will make it her policy to revoke fishing licences on British-registered vessels if sufficient evidence is presented of extensive breaches of regulations from investigations carried out in other states;

  (2) how many fishing vessels on the British register have had their licences revoked because of breaches of regulations which resulted in successful prosecutions in the United Kingdom;
  737
  (3) in what circumstances fishing vessel licences are revoked for breaches of regulations following successful prosecution in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: Powers to revoke or suspend fishing licences following breaches of licence conditions are set out in section 4(9)(b) of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967, as amended, but have not yet been exercised.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when she will be raising with the European Commission and the Spanish Government the subject of undersize fish caught in the British quota and landed in Spanish ports;

  (2) what action she intends to take to protect and conserve undersize fish in British waters from British registered vessels that land their catch in Spanish ports.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: Any vessel retaining on board or landing undersize fish is breaching the rules of the common fisheries policy. I am raising this matter with the EC Fisheries Commissioner, Mr. Y. Paleokrassas and will be sending him a copy of the video tape of the recent "Cook Report" programme highlighting the problem of illegal fishing activity.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the names of current British-flagged fishing vessels which were formerly Spanish registered or owned by Spanish individuals or companies prior to their British registry; and when they were entered on the British register, their port of registration and their tonnage, length and horsepower.

  Mr. Steven Norris
  I am sending relevant extracts from the register of fishing vessels to the hon. Member and will place copies in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Single-role Minehunters
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made in preparing tenders for a further batch of Sandown single-role minehunters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  We expect to make an announcement on the next batch of single-role minehunters shortly.

  Sennybridge Range
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each type of ammunition which has been(a) tested or (b) stored at the Sennybridge range since 1979.

  Mr. Hanley
  Army units using the Sennybridge training range bring their own ammunition with them. Sennybridge is an Army training range, it is not used in a testing/proofing role. About 150 different types of conventional ammunition have been stored. These are as follows:

  Pellet air gun ·177 inch

  Round ·22 inch ball Mk 2

  Round ·22 inch ball high velocity Mk 3

  Round ·303 inch ball bandolier Mk 7

  Round ·303 inch ball carton Mk 7

  738

  Cartridge blank ·303 inch carton L1OA1

  Round ·50 inch 4B/IT belted M33 [K] M17 belts of 100

  Cartridge shotgun 12 bore No. 6 shot

  Cartridge shotgun 12 bore SG shot

  Cartridge shotgun 12 bore LG shot

  Cartridge shotgun 12 bore solid shot (Brenneke)

  Round 5·56 mm ball carton M193

  Cartridge blank 5·56 mm carton

  Round 5·56 mm ball carton L2A1 (SA80)

  Round 5·56 mm ball bandolier L2A1 (SA80)

  Round 5·56 mm tracer carton LIA1 (SA80)

  Round 5·56 mm tracer carton LA71 (SA80)

  Cartridge blank 5·56 mm carton LIA1 (SA80)

  Round 7·62 mm ball bandolier L2A2

  Round 7·62 mm ball bandolier L2A2 (sniper)

  Round 7·62 mm ball carton L2A2

  Round 7·62 mm tracer carton L5A1 (obsolete)

  Round 7·62 mm 4B/IT belted L2A2/L5A3 or M62

  Round 7·62 mm IB/1T belted L2A2/L5A3 or M62

  Round 7·62 mm ball belted L2A2

  Cartridge blank 7·62 mm carton L13A1

  Cartridge blank 7·62 mm belted L13A1

  Round 7·65 mm x 17 mm ball carton DM11

  Round 9 mm ball carton Mk 2Z

  Round 9 mm plastic blank carton L2A1

  Round 9 mm ball carton M39 (FFV) (pistol)

  Cartridge signal 1 inch red Mk 13T

  Rocket hand fired illuminating parachute L5A4

  Signal kit pyrotechnic pistol 16 mm No. 1 Mk 3 (white)

  Signal kit pyrotechnic pistol 16 mm No. 1 Mk 3 (green)

  Signal kit pyrotechnic pistol 16 mm No. 1 Mk 3 (red)

  Cartridge illuminating 38 mm L30A1

  Flare tripwire Mk/2/2

  Flare ground indicating No. 1 yellow Mk 3

  Thunderflash Mk 8

  Portfire friction Mk 2

  Generator smoke L1Al

  Simulator atomic explosion 5·5 inch

  Grenade hand No. 83 smoke red Mk ¾

  Grenade hand No. 83 smoke blue Mk ¾

  Grenade hand No. 83 smoke green Mk ¾

  Grenade hand No. 83 smoke yellow Mk 3/2

  Grenade hand signal smoke yellow L38A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke blue L35A2

  Grenade hand signal smoke blue L52A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke green L52A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke red L54A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke orange L55A1–3

  Grenade hand signal smoke green L64A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke orange L65A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke red L66A1

  Grenade hand signal smoke blue L67A1

  Round 40mm practice M407A1/M781C

  Grenade rifle 40mm AA/heat L74A1

  Grenade hand HE L2A1 with fuze L25A4

  Grenade hand practice L56A1

  Rocket 66mm HE anti-tank L1A1 pinned

  Rocket 21mm sub-calibre L1A1

  Mortar bomb 2in HE Mk 1 fuzed 161

  Mortar bomb 2in smoke emission Mk 2 50 GR cart/steel tail

  Mortar bomb 2in illuminating Mk 2/2

  Mortar bomb 2in practice Mk 1/1 with cart

  Mortar bomb 51mm HE L1A1 fuzed L98A1

  Mortar bomb 51mm illuminating L3A2

  Mortar bomb 51 mm smoke screening L2A1

  Mortar bomb 81mm HE L15A3 fuzed No. 162

  Mortar bomb 81mm illuminating para L28A2 fuzed FH81B

  Mortar bomb 81mm practice L22A1 fuzed L67

  Round 84mm heat L40A3 British fuzed L42

  Round 84mm practice L41A3

  Round 6·5mm L11A1 (indoor)

  Round 6·5mm L1OA1 (outdoor)

  Rocket system 94mm heat L1Al

  Round 9mm spotter tracer L3A1

  Simulator rocket fire 94mm L23A1

  Fuze grade percussion practice L134A1

  Cartridge 2in mortar primary 50 gr Mk 1/1

  Cartridge 81mm mortar primary L33A1

  Cartridge 81mm primary L35A1

  Cartridge 81mm mortar augmenting L36A1 sets

  739

  Round 7·62mm tracer (Argentinian)

  Round ·30 inch 4B/IT nelted Mk 4z/Mk 1Z

  Cartridge blank ·30 inch belted LIOAI

  Round ·50 inch observing L11A2 belts of 98 rounds

  Simulator gunfire AFV flash and sound L16A1

  Cartridge blank 25pr 4oz GP L1A1 W/Prim No 11 Mk 4/3

  Cartridge blank 25pr 8oz GP Mk 2 W/Prim No 11 Mk 4/3

  Cartridge signal 1·5in white smoke puff Mk 4T

  Actuating charge L1A1

  Simulator projectile airburst liquid L1A2

  Cartridge 1·5 inch irritant CS anti-riot L2A2

  Grenade hand irritant CS anti-riot L13A1

  Grenade hand practice anti-riot LI6A1

  Generator irritant CS hand held L1A1

  Irritant kit smoke respirator testing L1A1

  Cartridge and irritant powder dispenser

  Powder dispenser and support assembly

  Simulator small arms fire L19A1

  Simulator small arms strike L21A1

  Simulator small arms Ricochet L22A1

  CNSTR IRRT CS PRSZD hand held LIA4

  CNSTR PRSZD practice self/protect L5A4

  Grenade discharger practice anti-riot L14A1 long range

  Generator training irritant CS Mk 1

  Fuze safety L1A2 (metric)

  Fuze instantaneous L1Al (metric)

  Cord detonating L1A1 (metric)

  Detonator demolition electric L2A1

  Detonator demolition L1AI

  Igniter safety fuze electric

  Firing device kit demolition grip

  Match fuzee

  Firing device kit demolition combination L26A1

  Injector kit ammunition EOD L46A1 (pigstick)

  Cartridge ·50in electric EOD propelling XLIE1

  Sound unit EOD electric L1A1

  Sound unit EOD electric L2A1

  Charge linear cutting 25gm type B XL1E1

  Charge linear cutting 40gm type B XL2E1

  Charge linear cutting 100gm type B XL3E1

  Charge linear cutting 180gm type B XL4E1

  Charge linear cutting 80gm type B XL5E1

  Charge linear cutting 120gm type B XL7E1

  Charge demolition 4oz cartridge nobels 808 plastic

  Charge demolition 8oz cartridge nobels 852 plastic

  Charge demolition explosive sheet explosive No. 2

  Charge demolition No. 1 6 inch Mk 3

  Charge demolition necklace L1A1

  Charge demolition No. 11 30 LB Mk 1B

  Charge demolition L3A1

  Bangalore torpedo sets 1·5 inch 6 feet Mk 2

  Mine anti-personnel practice C4A1

  Charge spotting mine C3 (smoke refill)

  Mine anti-personnel M 18A1

  Refill kit practice mine anti-tank L31A2

  Mine anti-tank Mk 7/1 with TDP

  Mine anti-tank practice L2A1

  Smoke unit anti-tank mine L1A2

  Mine anti-tank HE blast L9A1 without fuze

  Explosive kit cratering rapid L25A1

  Initiator flash L3A2

  Coupler kit demolition

  Clip demolition spring steel

  Dems box

  7·62 ball NATO 9 BIT

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 709, what was the source of data on pyrophoric qualities of depleted uranium to which he refers; and if he will arrange for copies of the relevant information to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Aitken
  The data from United States sources referred to in my answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 709, is classified. However, the office of the United States Assistant Secretary of Defence (Public Affairs)
  740
  recently issued an unclassified fact sheet on "Health effects of depleted uranium" which was placed in the Library in response to a question from the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) of 29 June, Official Report, column 491.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last visited the atomic weapons establishment at Aldermaston; what was the purpose of his visit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence last visited AWE Aldermaston in June. The purpose of his visit was a briefing on the role and work of AWE.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the fire which occurred in a glove box in the A area of AWE Aldermaston on 15 June.

  Mr. Aitken
  There was no such incident on 15 June 1993.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year for the last five years, the cost of running the Aldermaston atomic weapons establishment.

  Mr. Aitken
  The costs of the defence nuclear programme, including the costs of AWE, are classified, in accordance with the practice of successive Governments.

  Hunting
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances stewards employed by hunts are allowed on to Ministry of Defence land where the hunt that employs them has a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total receipts in 1991–92 from licences for hunting on Ministry of Defence land, from all hunts that held a licence.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Mr. Hamilton) gave him on 29 March at column 11.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist for beagle hunts to hunt or have access to Ministry of Defence land other than those licensed to do so.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many licences to hunt on Ministry of Defence land are not subject to an annual fee.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.
  741

  Shooting Clubs
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many licences his Department issued to shooting clubs allowing them to shoot birds and mammals on Ministry of Defence land in(a) 1991, (b) 1992 and (c) 1993 to date.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Northumberland National Park
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to intensify or increase infantry training at Otterburn in the Northumberland national park; and what plans he has to acquire additional land for military training in the national park.

  Mr. Hanley
  The concentration of infantry recruit training at Catterick will mean an increase in man training days at Otterburn training area. Some additional land may be required. This will be subject to the outcome of an independent environmental impact assessment study and further discussions with the National Park Authority.

  Land Purchases
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much land in the United Kingdom his Department purchased over each of the past five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of providing security for empty Ministry of Defence married quarters over the past year.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 16 July,Official Reply, column 723. The cost of caretaking covers security.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards residence by widows of late service personnel with children in Ministry of Defence married quarters not required for use.

  Mr. Hanley
  All widows of late service personnel are allowed to remain in a married quarter for up to six months after the death of their husband. Procedures vary slightly within individual services, but all widows continue to pay the standard accommodation charge during this period. Accommodation may sometimes be available in surplus married quarters and widows may be allowed to remain there beyond the six-month period until they have found alternative accommodation, so long as there are no pressing service requirements for the property.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many discount sales of Ministry of Defence married quarters have been made in the past year to service personnel leaving the forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  Further to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 20 July 1993,Official Report, column 165, during 1992–93, 346 sales were completed through the services discount scheme.
  742

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department and agencies in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. Aitken
  Numbers of staff by grade that are employed in the automatic data processing functional specialism as at 22 July 1993 are as follows:

  Number

  Executive officer

  1,254

  Higher executive officer

  711

  Senior executive officer

  229

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Aitken
  Further to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 15 July 1992,Official Report, column 817, I can inform him that our new suppliers service has given marketing advice to about 2,000 companies over the past 12 months. Also, in November 1992 the MOD reissued its advisory booklet on selling to the MOD. The publication is intended to be of particular value to small companies.

  Details of payments made to small firms during 1992–93 are not yet available, but during 1991–92, some 6,300 small companies secured contracts valued at approximately £1·16 billion. A significant number of these orders went to companies with less than 50 employees. In the same period Ministry of Defence establishments awarded 276,000 local purchase orders valued at about £222 million, a large number of which went to small firms.

  Land Sales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by Welsh local authority the extent of the land held by his Department indicating in each area the amount of land to be sold by the end of 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is provided by county. A breakdown by local authority could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  County (Wales)

  Area (hectares) totals of freehold and leasehold interests

  Area (hectares) land it is proposed to sell by the end of 1993

  Clwyd

  383

  0

  Dyfed

  6,716

  2·727

  Gwent

  670

  0·291

  Gwynedd

  798

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  8

  0

  Powys

  12,059

  0

  South Glamorgan

  402

  0

  West Glamorgan

  1

  0

  Totals

  21,037

  3·018

  743

  Military Hospitals
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) service personnel and (b) civilians were treated at (i) Royal Navy hospital Stonehouse, (ii) RAF hospital Ely and (iii) RAF hospital Halton in each of the last three years for which figures are available;

  (2) how many beds were provided at (a) Royal Navy hospital Stonehouse, (b) RAF hospital Ely and (c) RAF hospital Halton in each of the last three years for which figures are available;

  (3) what discussions his Department has had with local health authorities regarding the closure of military hospitals.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested in respect of patients treated and bed numbers is as follows:

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Royal Navy hospital Plymouth (Stonehouse)

  Service patients

  14,861

  13,418

  11,224

  Civilian patients

  38,025

  38,135

  31,453

  Available beds

  89

  86

  100

  The Princess of Wales' Royal Air Force hospital Ely1

  Service patients

  13,175

  10,899

  7,278

  Civilian patients

  37,121

  12,599

  5,578

  Available beds

  137

  82

  81

  Princess Mary's Royal Air Force hospital Halton

  Service patients

  12,378

  11,231

  15,455

  Civilian patients

  25,875

  21,404

  23,835

  Available beds

  141

  127

  158

  1 The Princess of Wales' Royal Air Force hospital Ely ceased patient care on 31 July 1992.

  My Department has sought the views of all local health bodies affected by our proposals for the reorganisation of the armed forces' secondary medical care in the United Kingdom under which a number of military hospitals have been proposed for closure. Our discussions with the NHS continue.

  Mine Hunters
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 458, to the hon. Member for Colchester, South and Maldon (Mr. Whittingdale) what progress he is making in issuing invitations to tender for a further batch of Sandown class mine hunters before the House rises for the summer recess.

  Mr. Aitken
  We expect to make an announcement on the next batch of single role minehunters shortly, but I regret this will not be before the House rises.

  Anthrax Vaccine
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has facilities for the manufacture or storage of anthrax vaccine.

  Mr. Hanley
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment under its framework document and I have asked the chief executive to reply.

  Letter from Mr. G. Pearson to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 26 July 1993:
  744
  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him if his Department has facilities for the manufacture or storage of anthrax vaccine (Question 3, Order Paper 20 July 1993) has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to carry out research to ensure that the UK Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. As part of this work research is carried out into medical countermeasures including vaccines against the chemical and biological warfare agents that might be used against the UK Armed Forces.

  3. There are no facilities for the manufacture of anthrax vaccine in the Ministry of Defence. However, storage facilities for a wide range of medical products used by the Armed Forces including vaccines are available in the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the expenditure on the purchase of anthrax vaccine in each of the last three financial years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Details relating to all vaccines giving protection against biological warfare agents are classified.

  Military Training Overseas
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his practice to give details of the cost of the military training provided by Her Majesty's Government to individual overseas countries.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans to change the current practice of not divulging such information as it is a confidential matter between the Governments concerned.

  Near-collision (Irish Sea)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his American counterpart concerning the near-collision which occurred between a United States nuclear submarine and the MFV Lupina C in the Irish sea on 16 September 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had no such discussions. Officials have, however, discussed the incident with the United States authorities and the latter have now completed an investigation into the incident and have recently passed a copy of their report to us. A press statement has also been issued by the United States authorities. The marine accident investigation branch is now conducting an investigation of the incident.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British arms sales to Israel.

  Mr. Aitken
  The sale of defence equipment to Israel has been restricted since 1982 in direct response to Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British arms sales to the middle east.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is our policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas wherever this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests, and does not conflict with our international obligations.
  745
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Finchley of 28 June,Official Report, column 345, on United Kingdom arms sales in 1992, if he will place similar information for each year from 1979 in the Library.

  Mr. Aitken
  The 1992 United Nations register return was the first such return made. Information relating to earlier defence exports is contained in "UK Defence Statistics". A copy of the 1993 edition has recently been placed in the Library of the House.

  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's policy on arms sales to countries in the Indian sub-continent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  All exports of arms require an export licence. Each application is carefully considered on a case by case basis taking into account a range of factors including international and national security and regional stability. In particular, no arms are allowed to be exported when they are judged likely to be used for internal repression or terrorist activities. This system of control applies to all destinations, including the countries of the Indian sub-continent.

  Army (Training Needs)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, columns 377–78, on training land, whether he intends to publish the results of the work his Department is conducting in the assessment of the Army's training needs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department's proposals for the future organisation of the Army's individual training organisation were set out in the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Mr. Hamilton) gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes) on 16 December 1992 at columns 335–36 and the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Mr. Bruce) on 22 July at column 351–52. These, together with the Army's requirements for unit and formation training, will form the basis of the Army's training needs. Any requirement for training land to meet that requirement will be subject to rigorous scrutiny before any final decisions are taken.

  I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of a summary of the Army's collective training strategy.

  Nimrod
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the RAF bases at which Nimrod aircraft are still based; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Royal Air Force Nimrod aircraft are based at RAF Kinloss and RAF Wyton.

  Overseas Land
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the land overseas which is owned by the Government, which has a defence role, giving the number of hectares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence owns 15 married quarters in the United States of America, five in 746
  north-west Europe, 17 in Gibraltar and two in the Bahamas for the use of serving personnel. In the Falkland Islands the Ministry of Defence owns eight aerial/radar sites. All other facilities overseas are either leased or made available under various intergovernmental agreements.

  RAF St. Mawgan
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to develop a listening device out to sea from the joint maritime communications centre at RAF St. Mawgan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Member on 28 June at column 379.

  Trident
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what cost savings he estimates would be made in each of the next four years if one Trident was mothballed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Government remain committed to a four boat Trident force. Estimates of the possible savings which could accrue from mothballing any of the Vanguard class submarines are not, therefore, available.

  RAF Training Ranges
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many practice bombs have been dropped at the Wiley Sike range in each year since 1977; and if he will list the permitted types of weaponry at the Wiley Sike range;

  (2) if he will list the locations of each of the remote threat emitter sites at RAF Spadeadam, the date on which each became operational and the number of days on which each has been active in each year since becoming operational;

  (3) if he will list the amounts spent on capital investment in buildings and equipment at RAF Spadeadam in each year since 1977; and if he will specify what amounts were paid from (a) United Kingdom funds, (b) United States air force funds and (c) NATO funds;

  (4) within what radius of RAF Spadeadam the dropping of chaff is permitted; and what are the restrictions on the amount of chaff dropped by each aircraft;

  (5) how many electronic training runs were carried out by aircraft at RAF Spadeadam in each year since 1977;

  (6) what communications he has received from telecommunications operators and customers concerning interference caused by electronic emissions from RAF Spadeadam;

  (7) how many Skyguard radars are in service at RAF Spadeadam; what are the roles of each; and if he will specify the circumstances in which these radars are deployed beyond the boundaries of the RAF Spadeadam range;

  (8) if he will list the radio frequency ranges on which RAF Spadeadam is permitted to transmit; what changes have taken place in these permitted ranges since 1985; and what plans he has for further changes;

  (9) if he will list the number of occasions on which RAF Spadeadam has been activated later than 6 pm in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  747
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the purchase of equipment to provide simulation of non-Soviet threats at RAF Spadeadam.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has no such plans at present.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for alterations to the boundaries of the tactical training areas.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans to alter the boundaries of the tactical training areas used for operational low flying. From October however, we intend to dispense with the administrative separation of the Borders tactical training area into east and west sections. This will simplify the management of the low-flying system and will mean that statistics on movements in the Borders tactical training area will be directly comparable with those for the northern Scotland and central Wales tactical training areas. At present the division of the Borders area can lead to a single sortie generating more than one movement in central records.

  Airwork Ltd.
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD contracts Airwork Ltd. currently has; what is their approximate total value; and when the last contract currently held by Airwork Ltd. was last awarded.

  Mr. Aitken
  Further to my answer to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 27 April 1993 at column 394, the position at the end of June was that Airwork Ltd. held 51 contracts from my Department. The original value of these was just over £95 million, but the value of work still to be carried out was approximately £28·3 million. The most recent of these contracts was placed on 28 April.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies tendered for the 134 F3 Tornado 25 fatigue index modification contract awarded to Airwork Ltd. in September 1992.

  Mr. Aitken
  Four companies submitted tenders for the 25 FI modification programme:

  Airwork Ltd.

  Lovaux Ltd.

  BAe Warton

  BAe Hamble

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department's assurance periodic surveillance reports on the quality of performance by Airwork Ltd on the F3 Tornado modification contract by RAF St. Athan from September 1992 to March 1993 identified the problems leading to the cancellation of the contract on 25 May.

  Mr. Aitken
  In view of our pending claim, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the contents of the surveillance reports by the MOD quality assurance staff.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the estimated turn-round time per aircraft for the modification programme for RAF F3 Tornados to be carried out by Airwork Ltd. pursuant to its September 1992 contract; and in what way its quality assurance procedures and surveillance work differed from those agreed with British Aerospace on the preceding contract.
  748
  Mr. Aitken
  The Airwork contract required a turnround time of 45 working days for each aircraft, though 60 days were allowed for the first aircraft off each production line. The same quality assurance procedures applied to both the Airwork and BAe contracts for Tornado F3 fatigue modifications.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the flight safety risk of the damage done by Airwork Ltd. in the course of the F3 Tornado modification programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  : The damage, if unrepaired, would have reduced the aircraft's safe fatigue life and could have posed a flight safety risk. The detailed investigation now underway will assess the extent to which the damage to each aircraft affects its structural integrity and determine the most appropriate repair scheme.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with Deutsche Aerospace in relation to inspection of fasteners and fastener holes with respect to the manufacturer's guarantee on the centre fuselage section of F3 Tornados damaged by Airwork Ltd in the course of the modification programme.

  Mr. Aitken
  The investigation by the aircraft design authorities into the precise extent of the damage to each aircraft is not yet complete and we have still to receive their assessment.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date and at which RAF station the structural damage to F3 Tornados was first discovered, which led to the cancellation of the Airwork modification contract.

  Mr. Aitken
  Damage to one aircraft was discovered on 29 March at RAF St. Athan where Airwork was carrying out the embodiment of the modifications. However, this was not sufficiently serious to justify termination of the contract. More serious damage was discovered subsequently.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date Airwork secured AQAP4 registration; when that registration was last reviewed and checked; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  Airwork Ltd. has held AQAP1 registration (a higher level which embraces AQAP4) for a number of years. The registration was last reviewed in August 1992, when the company was reassessed against the new ISO 9001 requirement and certificated for a further three years.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Airwork remains on the defence contractors list; and when its ownership and financial standing and level of performance indemnity assurance was last reviewed.

  Mr. Aitken
  Airwork Ltd. remains on the defence contractors list, a position which is subject to regular review. In making decisions on the award of contracts, we take account of contractors' past performance.

  The ownership and financial standing of Airwork were last reviewed by my officials on 17 May. My Department holds a performance guarantee from Airwork Ltd's holding company, supported by guarantees from the holding company's shareholders; these are not limited in value and are still current.
  749
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average cost of the 25 fatigue index modification programme carried out on the F3 Tornado RAF aircraft at RAF St. Athan by British Aerospace; what the quality assurance procedures and surveillance were; and what the average turn-round times per aircraft.

  Mr. Aitken
  Contract prices are commercially confidential. The normal MOD quality assurance arrangements applied to both the BAe and Airwork contracts. Under these a contractor with the appropriate QA registration is responsible for the quality of his work in accordance with the contractual quality plan; there is some limited MOD QA surveillance. The average turnround time on the BAe contract was 63 days. However, the two contracts called for different turnround times and hence different shift and resource patterns.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those air-to-ground weapons ranges in the United Kingdom at which the practice firing of depleted uranium shells by United States Air Force aircraft has been permitted.

  Mr. Aitken
  None.

  RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the titles and names of contractors for all externally commissioned research work on behalf of the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine since 1985.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine has commissioned only one such contract since 1985. This contract, placed with a British university, was ended in 1991. It is not the practice of my Department to release the names of contractors undertaking work on its behalf.

  NATO Standardisation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the NATO standardisation agreement 3531 was implemented in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hanley
  NATO standardisation agreement 3531 was implemented in the United Kingdom in April 1992.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current requirements for operational low flying by Royal Navy Sea Harrier aircraft.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Sea Harrier is required to conduct low level operational flying as part of its air to ground role. The aircrew have to train regularly at low level over land to maintain this expertise.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown, for each type of Royal Navy aircraft, of the number of(a) hours and (b) sorties flown at low level in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Hanley
  Records are not held centrally in the form requested, so the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  750

  Harrier
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total cost of the rectification programme for the Harrier GR5/GR7 fleet following the series of electrical faults during 1991.

  Mr. Aitken
  The estimated total cost to my Department is £8·4 million.

  Researchers (Attacks)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 July,Official Report, column 174, if he will list the incidents reported to his Department in which academic researchers assigned to Ministry of Defence contracts have been physically attacked as a result of their work.

  Mr. Aitken
  I will write to the hon. Member on the specific point raised in his question. In the meantime, I can tell him that at a recent meeting with my officials the research councils strongly endorsed my Department's policy that universities should decide whether or not to disclose their receipt of funds from the Ministry of Defence for research contracts.

  Uranium Enrichment
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made in arrangements for the enrichment of uranium for defence purposes since the announcement by his predecessor of 23 June 1982,Official Report, columns 128–29, following the closure of enrichment plants in the United States of America.

  Mr. Aitken
  There have been no changes in the arrangements for the enrichment of uranium for defence purposes announced by the then Defence Secretary in 1982.

  Porton Down (Animal Experiments)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the papers which have been published since 1984 on the experiments that have taken place on animals at Porton Down.

  Mr. Hanley
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment under its framework document and I have asked the chief executive to reply.

  Letter from Mr. G. Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 26 July 1993:
  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him if he will place in the Library the papers which have been published since 1984 on the experiments that have taken place on animals at Porton Down (Question 40, Order Paper 23 July 1993) has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
  2. Although as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment I am keen to provide as much information as possible on the work of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, I have to do so with due regard to the security and safety of the staff at the Establishment. I regret that the activities of animal rights activists, who placed a bomb under the car of a member of my staff from which she was lucky to escape with her life, necessitate that I should not provide this particular kind of information relating to animal experiments. I therefore regret that I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.
  751

  Army Air Corps Aircraft
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown for each type of Army Air Corps aircraft, of the number of(a) hours and (b) sorties flown at low level in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Hanley
  Army records, which are kept for a period of three years, show only the flights booked at low level rather than the actual number of flights. These are manual records and the information requested for the past three years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Tritium
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made in arrangements for procurement of tritium for defence purposes in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Aitken
  There have been no changes in the arrangements for procuring tritium for defence purposes in the last 10 years.
  752

  Refits
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Swan Hunter can compete for future Royal Navy refits.

  Mr. Aitken
  Swan Hunter in Receivership will be eligible to compete for unallocated RN refits subject to the usual requirements in respect of financial status, facilities, resources and qualifications.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now arrange for the refit of a destroyer or frigate to be put out to competitive tender.

  Mr. Aitken
  We plan to invite tenders for the refit of HMS Birmingham, a type 42 destroyer, in the near future

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

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

  PRISON ESCORTS: ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS
  PRISON ESCORTS: ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS
  PRISON SERVICE ESCORTS: ESCAPES AND ATTEMPTED ESCAPES
  PRISON SERVICE ESCORTS: ESCAPES AND ATTEMPTED ESCAPES
  WAR CRIMES ALLEGATIONS: HEATHERINGTON-CHALMERS REPORT
  WAR CRIMES ALLEGATIONS: HEATHERINGTON-CHALMERS REPORT
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS: FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT SCHEMES
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS: FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT SCHEMES
  MENTALLY DISORDERED REMAND PRISONERS: SELF-INFLICTED DEATHS
  MENTALLY DISORDERED REMAND PRISONERS: SELF-INFLICTED DEATHS
  WOLDS PRISON: ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS
  WOLDS PRISON: ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS
  WOLDS REMAND PRISON PCO ASSAULTED BY PRISONERS
  WOLDS REMAND PRISON PCO ASSAULTED BY PRISONERS
  WOLDS PRISON: DISTURBANCES
  WOLDS PRISON: DISTURBANCES
  DISTURBANCES
  DISTURBANCES
  ARTS COUNCIL (REVIEW)
  ARTS COUNCIL (REVIEW)
  THEATRES: ARTS FUNDING
  THEATRES: ARTS FUNDING
  RESEARCH COUNCILS: MISSION STATEMENTS
  RESEARCH COUNCILS: MISSION STATEMENTS
  EDUCATION: ASSISTED PLACES SCHEME
  EDUCATION: ASSISTED PLACES SCHEME
  STUDENT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE: SURVEY
  STUDENT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE: SURVEY
  TEACHERS: TRAINING AND SUPPLY
  TEACHERS: TRAINING AND SUPPLY
  HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS: BRITISH CITIZENSHIP PLACES
  HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS: BRITISH CITIZENSHIP PLACES
  US GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
  US GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
  DEVONPORT DOCKYARD AND AWE, ALDERMASTON: BROWN AND ROOT LTD.
  DEVONPORT DOCKYARD AND AWE, ALDERMASTON: BROWN AND ROOT LTD.
  GEN. McPEAK'S VIEWS
  GEN. McPEAK'S VIEWS
  CIVIL PLUTONIUM
  CIVIL PLUTONIUM
  INDUSTRY AND THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BASE: PARTNERSHIP
  INDUSTRY AND THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BASE: PARTNERSHIP
  ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS (WALES)
  ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS (WALES)
  QUEEN MARY'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: BURNS AND PLASTICS UNIT
  QUEEN MARY'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: BURNS AND PLASTICS UNIT
  THE DISABLED: CHARGES FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY SERVICES
  THE DISABLED: CHARGES FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY SERVICES
  PEERS: HEALTH AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS
  PEERS: HEALTH AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS
  NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE AUTHORITIES AND TRUSTS
  NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE AUTHORITIES AND TRUSTS
  NON-DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES
  NON-DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES
  MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983: FORMAL ADMISSIONS
  MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983: FORMAL ADMISSIONS
  SEA FISH INDUSTRY AUTHORITY
  SEA FISH INDUSTRY AUTHORITY
  SET-ASIDE RULES
  SET-ASIDE RULES
  DEREGULATION TASK FORCES: MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER
  DEREGULATION TASK FORCES: MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER
  CONSTRUCTION DEREGULATION TASK FORCE: CHAIRMAN
  CONSTRUCTION DEREGULATION TASK FORCE: CHAIRMAN
  CLOSE-RINGED BIRDS: REGULATION
  CLOSE-RINGED BIRDS: REGULATION
  STOLEN BIRDS
  STOLEN BIRDS
  BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION: RATIFICATION
  BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION: RATIFICATION
  SOCIAL SECURITY (STATISTICS)
  SOCIAL SECURITY (STATISTICS)
  HOUSING BENEFIT AND INCOME SUPPORT
  HOUSING BENEFIT AND INCOME SUPPORT
  SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET (CHILD BENEFIT)
  SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET (CHILD BENEFIT)
  SOCIAL FUND (LOANS)
  SOCIAL FUND (LOANS)
  SOCIAL FUND: BUDGET
  SOCIAL FUND: BUDGET
  SOCIAL FUND (REPAYMENTS)
  SOCIAL FUND (REPAYMENTS)
  COMMUNITY CARE GRANTS: REFUSAL
  COMMUNITY CARE GRANTS: REFUSAL
  SOCIAL SECURITY: EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS
  SOCIAL SECURITY: EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS
  INFRASTRUCTURE: INVESTMENT
  INFRASTRUCTURE: INVESTMENT
  STERLING: SUPPORT
  STERLING: SUPPORT
  CAMEROONIAN STUDENTS IN UK: UNPAID FEES
  CAMEROONIAN STUDENTS IN UK: UNPAID FEES
  SOMALIA: UN RESOLUTION 794
  SOMALIA: UN RESOLUTION 794
  EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES
  EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES
  MALAWI: UK AID
  MALAWI: UK AID
  RECEIVERS
  RECEIVERS
  BLANK RECORDING TAPE (LEVY SCHEME PROPOSALS)
  BLANK RECORDING TAPE (LEVY SCHEME PROPOSALS)
  PUBLIC SECTOR RESEARCH BODIES
  PUBLIC SECTOR RESEARCH BODIES
  CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND ENGINEERS
  CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND ENGINEERS