Written Answers of 27 July 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Inquests
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action will be taken to ensure that the operation of the inquest system is expedited.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Under the present inquest procedures in Northern Ireland, decisions about the commencement, adjournment and timing of a particular inquest are matters largely for the coroner tasked with responsibility for the conduct of the inquest. The Government are satisfied that those arrangements are right in principle, because the coroner is in the best position to judge these matters based on his knowledge of all the circumstances of the case. In a small minority of cases, there is a degree of unavoidable delay due to a range of factors, such as the complexity of the circumstances giving rise to the death; the necessary time taken by the authorities fully to investigate the circumstances of the death, to make proper decisions about criminal prosecutions, and to bring appropriate cases to trial; and legal challenges to coroners' decisions made in the higher courts by the next-of-kin of the deceased or other interested parties. The Government are conscious, as are the coroners and all those involved in the inquest system, of the need to ensure that delays in the holding of inquests are kept to a minimum. The Government believe, nevertheless, that the present arrangements generally work well in practice and do not propose any action at this time.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by his Department, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr John M. Taylor
  Between 1 November 1991 and 30 June 1993, the Lord Chancellor's Department has awarded contracts for information technology services to 38 companies. The total cost of these contracts is £2,182,473.

  Information about the companies to whom contracts were awarded is commercial in confidence and may not be revealed.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by the Land Registry, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member's question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of 754
  Her Majesty's Land Registry is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. John McAllion, dated 26 July 1993:
  Parliamentary question No. 93/480 computer consultancies employed by HM Land Registry
  As Chief Executive it is my responsibility to answer questions on operational matters concerning HM Land Registry. Consequently, the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question to him concerning the use of computer consultants.
  In reply to your question, I can confirm that no computer consultancies have been employed by HM Land Registry since November 1991.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the House library.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in his Department in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The following numbers of staff are employed on work which qualifies them to receive the automatic data processing allowance.

  Number of staff

  SEO

  37

  HEO

  92

  EO

  121

  AO

  41

  AA

  22

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in the Land Registry in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member's question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of Her Majesty's Land Registry is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from John Marthorpe to Mr. John McAllion, dated 26 July 1993:

  Parliamentary Question No. 93/481

  Land Registry staff in the ADP functional specialism

  As Chief Executive it is my responsibility to answer questions on operational matters concerning HM Land Registry. Consequently, the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question to him concerning the staff we employ in the automatic data processing (IT) functional specialism.

  I have set out below the staff in post figures (full time equivalents) for HM Land Registry staff currently employed in the Civil Service's Information Technology Functional Specialism.

  Grade

  Number

  SEO

  23

  HEO

  52

  EO

  85

  755
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the House library.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's 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 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. John M. Taylor
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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 1988 were not applied.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Whether or not TUPE applies in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractor's own proposals for carrying out this work. Since November 1991, the Lord Chancellor's Department has completed market tests for the professional services required to manage its accommodation and development of new court buildings, and the internal audit function. None of these services or functions has attracted TUPE. A list of services and functions contracted out outside the Department's market testing programme is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in the Land Registry, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 were not applied.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member's question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of Her Majesty's Land Registry is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. John McAllion, dated 26 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive it is my responsibility to answer questions on operational matters concerning HM Land Registry. Consequently, the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question to him concerning contracted out services in HM Land Registry.
  Since November 1991, there have been no services or functions carried out by Land Registry staff which have been contracted out. Market Testing exercises are currently being carried out in which the TUPE regulations may apply once the successful bid has been identified.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the House Library.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what conclusions he has reached about the amalgamation of magistrates' courts committees outside Greater London.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice", published in February 1992, announced our intention of reducing the number of magistrates' courts committee areas from the present 105 to 50 to 60 in due course. In the light of extensive consultation with magistrates' courts committees and others in the magistrates' courts service, the Lord Chancellor has concluded that the following magistrates' courts committees outside Greater London should be amalgamated:

  Manchester City, Tameside, Oldham and Stockport;

  Trafford, Salford, Wigan, Bury, Rochdale and Bolton;

  Knowsley, Liverpool, St. Helens, Sefton and Wirral;

  Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull;

  Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton;

  Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland;

  Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland;

  Leeds and Wakefield;

  Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees:

  Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham;

  Avon and Somerset;

  Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire;

  Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire;

  Hampshire and the Isle of Wight;

  Devon and Cornwall;

  Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

  In Wales, the new magistrates' courts committee areas will cover the following unitary authority areas:

  Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire, Aberconwy and Colwyn, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham;

  Powys, Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire;

  Swansea, West Glamorgan and Bridgend;

  Vale of Glamorgan, Glamorgan Valleys and Cardiff;

  Heads of the Valleys, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport and Monmouthshire.

  These amalgamations can be brought into effect only by an order made by the Lord Chancellor. At present, such an order can be made only on the application of the local magistrates. Legislation will be introduced at the earliest opportunity to enable the Lord Chancellor to make such an order. Before making any order amalgamating magistrates' courts committee areas, the Lord Chancellor will take into account the views of those affected. No order will be made without an opportunity for those locally to make representations. The Lord Chancellor will therefore require local consultation to have taken place, and views reported to him, when considering whether an order should be made.

  All other committee areas outside London should remain organised as they are at present. The Lord Chancellor will announce his decisions about the future organisation of the magistrates' courts service in London separately.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of legal aid for immigration cases in each of the last five years.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The only immigration cases for which civil legal aid is available are judicial review
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  proceedings. It is not possible to provide separate expenditure figures for judicial review proceedings involving immigration cases. Green form advice is, however, available for immigration and nationality matters and gross expenditure in each of the last five years on those matters was as follows:

  £000's

  1988–89

  782

  1989–90

  1,682

  1990–91

  2,653

  1991–92

  5,018

  1992–93

  7,248

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 27 July.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 27 July.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Iraq (Sanctions)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what action has been taken as a result of a meeting on 22 June, arranged by him, between the Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, Sir Michael Burton, and the hon. Member for Linlithgow, on the effect of sanctions on the health, infant mortality and economy of Iraq.

  The Prime Minister
  Since the meeting referred to, £1 million has been transferred through the UN escrow account for purchasing part of the crop grown in northern Iraq to help feed the local population. We have also agreed to finance a programme of water and sanitation work in schools in the south. Emergency relief is to be provided to people fleeing repression in the south.

  No. 10 Downing Street
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what income was received from the use of No. 10 Downing street for non-official functions in the last three financial years.

  The Prime Minister
  The costs of catering staff and other expenses are met directly by the organisers of such events. No charge is made for the use of 10 Downing street.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the non-official or party receptions or functions at 10 Downing street during the coming 12 months for which permission has been given.

  The Prime Minister
  I am not prepared to give advance notice of functions at 10 Downing street, whether official or non-official.

  Desert Storm Syndrome
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss Desert Storm Syndrome when he meets the French President on 26 July.
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  The Prime Minister
  No. The subject was not discussed.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the witnesses who have appeared to date before the Scott inquiry; what is the total cost incurred to date by Her Majesty's Government in providing documents, witnesses and support services for the Scott inquiry; and what allocation of resources has been made for future activities of the inquiry.

  The Prime Minister
  To date, the following have given oral evidence in open session to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry:

  Ministers/former Ministers

  Sir Richard Luce

  Sir Adam Butler

  Paul Channon Esq.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew

  Government officials/former Government officials

  S. P. Day Esq.

  D. Q. Bryars Esq.

  J. M. Hart Esq.

  C. T. Sandars Esq.

  Lt. Col. R. Glazebrook

  A. S. Collins Esq.

  Sir Stephen Egerton

  W. C. Patey Esq.

  R. Fellgett Esq.

  P. W. M. Vereker Esq.

  M. Higson Esq.

  Sir David Miers

  Non-Government

  Sir Hal Miller

  D. James Esq.

  In addition, nine witnesses have given oral evidence in closed session.

  The records of the Department of Trade and Industry show that the total amount charged by the inquiry to that Department for the provision of support services—permanent costs of most staff, equipment, and other general administrative costs—up to 23 July 1993 is £310,000. The cost to Government Departments of providing to the inquiry documents and witnesses requested is not held centrally and could be given only at disproportionate cost.

  Specific allocation of resources for the future activities of the inquiry has not been made.

  Thailand (Drug Smugglers)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he made to secure the release from gaol in Thailand of two women convicted of drug smuggling; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to seeking the release of United Kingdom citizens detained abroad for drugs offences; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I shall write to the right hon. Member.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Open Government
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how his proposals in relation to access to personal information as described in the White Paper on
  759
  open government differ from those proposed in the data protection directive—COM. (92) 422; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The White Paper on open government proposes a clear and effective free-standing right for people to have access to personal information held about them by a wide range of public authorities. It complements the right of access to computerised data provided by the Data Protection Act 1984. The subject of access provisions in the draft directive on data protection are only one part of an elaborate structure for the control of personal data, whether held on computer or otherwise, in all sectors.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many appointments to public bodies since April 1992 have been advertised; and if he will list them by Department.

  Consultant

  Assignment

  Amtec Consulting

  To specify and set up Communication link

  Amtec Consulting

  Network consultancy

  Amtec Consulting

  System administration support

  CCTA

  IT Strategy Scoping Study

  Computer Answers

  Database conversion and installation

  CSC Europe

  Tutor input (four consultancies)

  Daton Systems Ltd.

  Integrated Accounting, Statistical and Management Information System

  David Best

  Tutor input

  Direct Technology

  Automator (QA) package to test on line main frame systems (two consultancies)

  DSS

  Development of database system

  Eider Computers Ltd.

  Rewrite and enhance Oracle databases in MAGIC

  Eider Computers

  Develop new database

  Eider Computers

  Database design and installation

  Eider Computers

  Database conversion and installation

  Eider Computers

  Database conversion and installation

  Eider Computers

  Database design and installation

  Gamma Secure Systems

  System security profiles

  Gresham

  Implementation of new job Assembly automation system

  ICL

  Performance monitoring

  ICL

  Performance consultancy

  ICL

  Enhancement of Office Power system

  ICL

  IS Strategy and Networking

  Ingres

  Database Implementation

  LBMS

  Novell Netware installation for SSE

  Magic Software Enterprises

  Annual on-site consultancy for MAGIC software

  PC Security Ltd.

  Enhancements to access control software

  Rollstest

  Network consultancy

  Sandra Skemp

  Maintenance, development and modification of software (two consultancies)

  Sapphire ASC

  Setting up and implementation of Management Accounting System (four consultancies)

  Satelcom

  Installation of communication system—Megapac

  Simdell

  Office Automation

  Specif(ix) Ltd.

  Appraisal of unix-based computer system to rectify performance problems

  Systematika

  Development and maintenance of database

  Touche Ross

  Security/Contingency CRAM

  Triad Special Systems

  Database enhancements installations and support

  Trident

  Database conversion and installation

  Triad Special Systems Ltd.

  Outline User Specification for Office Services Database

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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
  760
  Mr. Waldegrave
  This information is not held centrally.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. David Davis
  The cost of computer consultancy contracts awarded by the Office of Public Service and Science and its agencies since November 1991 is £818,000. This figure does not include the cost of CCTA computer consultancies. The information requested is not held centrally within CCTA in the form requested and is available only at disproportionate cost.

  The consultancies and assignments for which they were engaged are as follows:

  performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific
  761
  programmes of support and assistance. Work carried out by my Department over the last 12 months to assist small businesses includes:
  publishing the science engineering and technology White Paper "Realising Our Potential". This paper sets out how Government will be giving increased priority to smaller firms within their programmes for encouraging industrial research and development; and will be seeking to involve companies of all sorts, including small businesses, in the new technology foresight programme;
  running two full-day conferences designed to inform businesses of the potential opportunities for competing for Government contracts under the market-testing, programme. These were attended by representatives from over 400 companies, including many small businesses;
  encouraging Government Departments and agencies to assist business, including small firms, through citizens charter initiatives such as the VAT charter produced by Customs and Excise, and the Employer's charter produced by the Contributions Agency;
  helping the DTI's deregulation unit to frame a code of good practice for enforcement agencies in accordance with citizens charter principles. The code was published on 20 July;
  overseeing an efficiency scrutiny into the implementation and enforcement of EC law in the United Kingdom; the report of the scrutiny was also published on 20 July.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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 1988 were not applied.

  Mr. David Davis
  Whether or not TUPE applies in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying out that work. The services and functions contracted out since November 1991 by the Office of Public Service and Science, including its agencies, and Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the Central Office of Information in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1988 did not apply are as follows:

  Service/Function (and area)

  Conference and Event Management (CCTA)

  Data Preparation (Chessington Computer Centre)

  Distribution of College 1993–94 Prospectus (Civil Service College)

  Elements of Payroll Development (Chessington Computer Centre

  Reprographics Unit Basildon (HMSO)

  Telephonist Service for Downing Street (OPSS)

  Training (Chessington Computer Centre)

  Typing Services at Publications Centre (HMSO)

  Research Council Chair
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration he is giving to having a research scientist as opposed to an industrialist as chairman of the one research council which will be concerned under his proposals with basic science.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Although the new Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council will not be exempt from a responsibility to consider its contribution to wealth creation, I would not wish to rule out the appointment of a suitably qualified research scientist as part-time non-executive chairman of the council.

  Research Vessel Services
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much money was raised by Research Vessel Services (Barry) in commissioned research and charter income in each of the last three years; and what is the estimated income from this source in the 1993–94 financial year.

  Mr. David Davis
  Research Vessels Services does not itself carry out commissioned research. Charter receipts are as follows:

  Year

  Charter Receipts (£k)

  1990–91

  35

  1991–92

  0

  1992–93

  348

  1993–94

  91

  Notes.

  1. The 1992–93 figure is provisional, as the council's accounts for that year have not yet been audited.

  2. The 1993–94 figure is an estimated one.

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

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: The executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of Public Service and Science—which forms part of the Cabinet Office—are as follows:

  Agricultural and Food Research Council

  Economic and Social Research Council

  Medical Research Council

  Natural Environment Research Council

  Science and Engineering Research Council

  The research councils are responsible to my right hon.

  Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  (a) Neither the councils nor their members are subject to surcharge;

  (b) the councils are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner;

  (c) the councils are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office;

  (d) the councils are not subject to open government provisions applying to local government—other than the Data Protection Act 1984—but they will come within the proposals contained within chapters 4, 5 and 6 of the open government White Paper (Command 2290);

  (e) the councils publish performance indicators in their annual corporate plans;

  (f) all public servants are subject to the citizens charter. The research councils are encouraged to adopt charter principles.

  The Cabinet Office also sponsors the Chequers Trust, which is an independent trust.

  (a) Neither the trust nor its members are subject to surcharge;

  (b) the trust is not subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner;

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  (c) the trust is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office;

  (d) the trust is not subject to statutory provisions for open government;

  (e) the trust is not required to publish performance indicators;

  (f) the trust operates on citizens charter principles.

  Before any appointments are made to public bodies great care is taken to ensure that there is no conflict of interest.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total expenditure by all Departments on executive non-departmental public bodies for each year since 1970–71 in 1991–92 prices.

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: The following table gives details of the total Government expenditure in 1991–92 prices on executive non-departmental public bodies for the financial year 1978–79 and then each financial year since 1981–82 to 1991–92. Figures for the financial years 1970–71 to 1977–78 and 1979–80 to 1980–81 are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Executive non-departmental public bodies

  Total government expenditure (in 1991–92 prices) £ million

  1978–79

  8,010

  1981–82

  6,960

  1982–83

  8,510

  1983–84

  8,200

  1984–85

  7,710

  1985–86

  7,640

  1986–87

  7,910

  1987–88

  7,810

  1988–89

  7,480

  1989–90

  9,940

  1990–91

  10,730

  1991–92

  10,320

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department sponsors 44 non-departmental public bodies and has policy responsibility for five public corporations. None of their board meetings is held in public. Some bodies, however, hold conferences, open days and other kinds of meetings from time to time on matters of general interest attended by members of the public.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to whom each of the executive non-departmental public bodies is sponsored by the Department of National Heritage is responsible; whether the public bodies or their members in each case are subject to(a) surcharge, (b) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d)statutory provisions for open government, (e)performance indicators and (f) provisions under the
  764
  citizens charters; and whether the chairpersons and members of the boards of each of these bodies are required to declare an interest.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: My Department's executive non-departmental public bodies—NDPBs—are listed in "Public Bodies 1992", to which should be added the Geffrye museum and the Horniman museum which became executive NDPBs during the course of 1992. The functions and responsibilities of each body are specified in its founding legislation or charter.

  (a) There are no surcharging arrangements.

  (b) Bodies subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are listed in schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, as amended. This includes:

  Arts Council of Great Britain

  British Film Institute

  British Library Board

  Crafts Council

  English Tourist Board

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (English Heritage)

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund

  Registrar of Public Lending Right

  Sports Council

  (c) All of my Department's executive NDPBs are subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General with the exception of the national film development Fund.

  (d) There are no statutory provisions on open government which apply to executive NDPBs.

  (e) Performance indicators for my Department's executive NDPBs can be found in their annual reports and are summarised in the DNH annual report 1993, Cm 2211.

  (f) The principles of the citizens charter apply to all the Department's executive NDPBs. All appointments to NDPBs are made in accordance with guidance provided by the Cabinet Office and the Treasury, which requires Ministers to satisfy themselves that there is no conflict of interest.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. Sproat
  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 out the work.

  My Department has contracted out mailroom services, minor maintenance, office cleaning, reprographics, security, central typing and secretarial cover, and the provision of computer equipment and new associated services.

  The Royal Parks Agency has contracted grounds maintenance and the provision of nursery services and the Historic Royal Parks Agency has contracted out manning of vehicle entrances, ticket checking and the security control room at the Tower of London.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. Sproat
  My Department has used the Government's centre for information systems, the CCTA, to advise on its computer requirements and future information systems strategy. It has also used Sema Group Ltd. to advise on transferring data from former parent Departments, and on various proposals for computer software. To date, the Department has spent £416,658 inclusive of VAT on computer consultancies.

  The Royal Parks Agency has used KPMG to develop IT-based systems for financial monitoring, grounds maintenance monitoring and crime monitoring for the Royal Parks constabulary. It has also used Mr. Geoffrey Page, an individual consultant, to develop and commence implementation of an IT strategy. To date, it has spent £82,547 inclusive VAT on consultancies.

  The Historic Royal Palaces Agency has used Ibex Systems Ltd. to develop the agency's financial system at a cost of £1,462 inclusive of VAT.

  ITV Levy
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how he proposes to refund any overpayments of ITV levy.

  Mr. Brooke
  During the current financial year it will be necessary to make payments, via the Independent Television Commission, to independent television companies that, in the accounting period to 31 December 1992, made excess payments of levy into the Consolidated Fund. Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the Department of National Heritage home broadcasting vote—class XI vote 4. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £4·1 million will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  The levy came to an end on 31 December 1992 when it was replaced by the new arrangements for Channel 3 licences laid down in the Broadcasting Act 1990.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the benefits which may accrue to tourism as a result of the national lottery.

  Mr. Sproat
  I hope and expect that the tourism industry will benefit considerably as a result of funds arising from the national lottery. Fixed percentages of the net proceeds of the national lottery will be specifically allocated to areas which will enable British tourist attractions to be improved and enhanced. These allocations, amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds annually, and being additional to any spending otherwise available from the Government, will enable more capital provision to be made for both the natural and built heritage, for the arts, and for sport. For example, funds arising from the national lottery will enable further restoration, preservation and presentation of historic houses, historic sites, galleries and museums to 766
  be undertaken. They would also enable capital funding to be made available for visitor centres, designed to increase appropriate access to, and understanding of, our rich heritage. Again, extra funds would be available, for example, for improving existing theatres, or for building new theatres. Similarly, sports stadiums, and other sporting facilities, will be eligible to receive capital sums, which would not otherwise have been available, to improve existing sports facilities, or to add new ones.

  Funds from the national lottery, however, will not be used to make direct grants to hotels or restaurants on the pattern of the old grants under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969.

  In addition to funds arising from the national lottery which are allocated to the improvement of heritage, arts and sport, funds will also be allocated to the Millennium Commission, which is a new body established by the Bill charged with funding projects which celebrate the best of the old millennium and look forward to the new one. The commission will fund a number of visionary projects which, it is hoped, will attract interest worldwide, and thus add to tourist attraction for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the timetable for the process of tendering for the licence to run the national lottery.

  Mr. Brooke
  The National Lottery etc. Bill has now been read the Third time in another place and the only stage remaining is this House's consideration of Lords amendments. Its passage is therefore virtually completed, and I expect the National Lottery etc. Bill to receive Royal Assent in the autumn. The director general will be appointed and the invitation to tender will be issued shortly thereafter.

  It is, therefore, intended that urgent work on the preparation of the invitation to tender, and on the selection process for the national lottery operator, should now be set in hand, in consultation with the regulatory adviser whom I expect to appoint shortly.

  Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate for the office of the national lottery vote—class XI, vote 8—the main estimate for which was presented to Parliament on 17 June. Pending that approval and Royal Assent to the National Lottery etc. Bill, urgent expenditure estimated at £200,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund. The fact that the National Lottery etc. Bill has completed virtually all of its parliamentary stages is a material factor in the decision to seek recourse to the Contingencies Fund.

  Sports Grants
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will give a breakdown of grants given to individual sports by the Sports Council for the last available year.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Sports Council's grants to individual sports in 1992–93 were:

  Sport

  Total

  £

  Angling

  46,800·00

  Archery

  83,675·00

  Association football

  522,275·00

  767

  Sport

  Total

  £

  Athletics

  682,212·00

  Badminton

  297,363·00

  Ballooning

  4,108·00

  Baseball

  22,250·00

  Basketball

  419,817·00

  Bobsleigh

  70,000·00

  Bowls

  161,080·00

  Boxing

  109,000·00

  Canoeing

  344,426·00

  Caving

  32,000·00

  Cricket

  802,114·00

  Croquet

  24,250·00

  Cycling

  563,924·00

  Diving

  12,764·00

  Fencing

  176,530·00

  Flying

  8,297·00

  Gliding

  50,250·00

  Golf

  90,075·00

  Gymnastics

  653,700·00

  Handball

  15,445·00

  Hang and Para Gliding

  70,000·00

  Hockey

  1,249,166·00

  Judo

  375,850·00

  Karate

  13,400·00

  Lacrosse

  160,150·00

  Land Yachting

  18,000·00

  Lawn Tennis

  518,301·00

  Life-Saving

  52,008·00

  Luge

  5,000·00

  Modern Pentathlon

  159,500·00

  Motor Sports

  27,500·00

  Mountaineering

  219,650·00

  Multi-Sports

  5,532,202·00

  Movement and Dance

  179,572·00

  Netball

  600,040·00

  Orienteering

  151,290·00

  Outdoor Activities

  188,168·00

  Parachuting

  93,500·00

  Patanqua

  18,500·00

  Riding

  201,000·00

  Roller Hockey

  18,000·00

  Roller Skating

  18,000·00

  Rowing

  445,000·00

  Rugby League

  322,110·00

  Rugby Union

  118,320·00

  Sailing

  513,772·00

  Shooting

  422,304·00

  Skating

  107,000·00

  Skiing

  372,325·00

  Squash Rackets

  25,880·00

  Sub-Aqua

  2,200·00

  Surfing

  23,500·00

  Swimming

  462,565·00

  Table Tennis

  501,726·00

  Tenpin Bowling

  9,430·00

  Triathlon

  62,500·00

  Tug-of-War

  18,875·00

  Volleyball

  343,828·00

  Water Skiing

  237,662·00

  Water Sports

  120,506·00

  Weight Lifting

  163,119·00

  Wrestling

  71,250·00

  Rounders

  12,055·00

  Other, includes grants to disability, youth, school sports organisations etc.

  1,377,356·00

  Total

  20,985,435·00

  Items in Lieu of Tax
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Sir D. Smith) of 21 July,Official Report, column 247, concerning the two paintings by Edward Vuillard accepted in lieu of inheritance tax, what were the relevant amounts of tax satisfied in respect of each of the paintings; and what conditions were attached, or wishes expressed, as to their destinations.

  Mr. Sproat
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Writers in Residence
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 14 July,Official Report, column 508, if he will state the country of origin of the writers from abroad to which grants were made by the Arts Council of Great Britain under its writers in residence scheme; and if he will indicate the place of residence of writers to whom other residency schemes have been made in the United Kingdom during the last five years.

  Mr. Brooke
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Tourism
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his Department's review of regulations in the tourism industry.

  Mr. Sproat
  I told the House on 14 June that my Department proposed to carry out an urgent and detailed inquiry into the damaging effects of regulation on the tourism industry. This was because I was extremely concerned at reports of the expensive and time-wasting consequences of many regulations, and of their harmful effects on the competitiveness of our tourism industry.

  I promised that I would report to the House before the summer recess on what the inquiry had achieved by that date. This I now do.

  Following my announcement of an inquiry, I wrote asking for facts, examples, opinions, and proposals for change to the chairman of every regional tourist board, to scores of tourist-related trade associations, other relevant bodies, such as local authorities, and individuals such as hoteliers and restaurateurs. I also wrote personally to some 60 Members of Parliament with constituencies where tourism is a significant industry. I held meetings with the chairman of the British Tourist Authority, who is also chairman of the English tourist board, and with the chairmen of the Scottish and Wales tourist boards. I also met many delegations of those directly and personally involved in the tourism industry. I have met the chairman of the Retail and Tourism Task Force and the task force members representing the tourism industry, who have already done much work in this area as part of the deregulation initiative.
  769
  Officials of my Department have also had many detailed discussions with appropriate individuals and bodies.

  The result of all this activity has been a deluge of valuable information from the industry on the subject. I am very grateful to the tourism industry for the swift, detailed and helpful responses I have received.

  As a background to action that will follow from this inquiry, I want to make clear two matters: these regulations, or their interpretation, derive from several very different sources. These sources are the British Government, the European Community, local authorities, NDPBs, individual officials of local authorities and NDPBs, and rumour, ignorance, and misunderstanding; and regulations are, or are perceived to be, damaging for very different reasons. Here are 12 of many such reasons:

  (i) Some regulations are damaging because they are inappropriately conceived from the start.

  (ii) Some regulations were well-intentioned in theory but have proved ill conceived in practice.

  (iii) Some regulations are interpreted in far too heavy-handed or officious a way.

  (iv) Some regulations are applied in different ways in different parts of the country.

  (v) Some regulations are applied in different ways in the same tourist outlet, such as a hotel or restaurant, by different officials at different times.

  (vi) Some regulations are applied in a way where the punishment for non-compliance appears wholly disproportionate to the original breach, or alleged breach, of the regulation.

  (vii) Some regulations are applied without a clear and straightforward right of appeal against an enforcement.

  (viii) Some regulations are communicated in language so ill-written, or with guidance so complicated or so lengthy (or both), that they cannot be readily understood.

  (ix) Some regulations require an implementation which is contradictory to another regulation.

  (x) Some regulations are enforced strictly in the United Kingdom but are enforced laxly, or not at all, in other parts of the European Community, thus damaging the United Kingdom's competitiveness against tourism overseas.

  (xi) Some regulations are damaging because they were promulgated originally with other industrial sectors primarily in mind, and without necessary thought being given to their effects on the tourism industry.

  (xii) Some "regulations" are not regulations at all, but are misinterpretations of regulations by individual bodies or by individual officials of those bodies, or by firms and companies in the pursuit of contracts.

  In addition to the damaging effect which individual regulations may have on individual businesses at individual times, there is a damaging effect brought about by the accumulation of these regulations—a damaging, cumulative effect which can be far greater than the sum of its parts.

  I should also wish to emphasise most strongly that many regulations are wise and practical.

  My Department's review has so far identified more than 80 pieces of legislation and regulations which affect the industry. It may be that we shall discover even more. I intend to investigate each of these individually and in detail in order to assess whether it imposes unnecessary burdens on tourism businesses.

  Having identified the more than 80 pieces of legislation which I mention above, my inquiry has focused on the damage caused by burdensome regulations, and in
  770
  particular the seven areas most often complained about. These are the subject of detailed and on-going study by my Department. These areas are:

  (i) Food Safety and Hygiene;

  (ii) Fire Safety;

  (iii) Package Travel Regulations;

  (iv) the Electricity at Work Regulations;

  (v) Public Entertainment Licensing;

  (vi) Tourism Signposting; and

  (vii) Price Display Regulations.

  Drawing on the information received from tourism businesses, and my Department's consequent research into the regulations concerned, a number of preliminary conclusions and recommendations have been arrived at in each case. I intend to discuss these conclusions and recommendations with ministerial colleagues.

  I also intend to take up two further issues which have been raised with me where the interest of the tourism industry were not primarily considered:

  First, I want to ensure that sufficient account is taken of tourism interests when air services agreements are being negotiated, and that benefits to regional airports can be maximised.

  Second, there is growing concern, particularly, but not exclusively, in coastal resort towns, about the number of hotels which are being converted to hostels for benefit recipients, and about the unpleasant and harmful effects which this change of use is having on tourism, and the quality of life, in those areas.

  My Department's review has also produced the preliminary recommendation that the Department should establish better communications with the grass roots of the tourism industry. My Department must also in future be even more closely linked into the Whitehall consultation process. This is in order to ensure that the implications for tourism of any regulatory proposal are recognised and fully taken into account.

  The preliminary overall conclusion of my review is that the complex proliferation of regulations is unquestionably having a damaging effect on the tourism sector. This should now cease. I intend it to do so.

  In addition to the detailed work which will now be undertaken on individual regulations, my Department is now advancing five guiding principles to be adopted whenever new regulations are being proposed:

  (i) the specific nature and size of the problem or ill which the regulation is designed to curb must be identified and substantiated, clearly and in detail, before any regulation is proposed;

  (ii) there should be both a compliance cost assessment, and risk assessment, for every regulation, to produce a cost-benefit analysis which should make specific reference to the impact on small businesses and on tourism;

  (iii) the Department concerned should consider the new regulation in the context of the body of existing regulations, assess the cumulative effect of this body of regulation, and look at the case for excision, rationalisation or streamlining;

  (iv) an automatic review should be built in, so that after a set time the Department concerned will assess whether the regulation is achieving its purpose, and is still necessary;

  (v) consultation machinery between the Department concerned and the tourism industry, and between my Department and other Government Departments, will be improved; in particular, so that the views of the tourism industry are more fully taken into account.

  I wish to emphasise strongly that this inquiry, and the specific actions that flow from it, are only the start of a continuing campaign to rid the tourism industry of unnecessary regulatory burdens. I shall continue to welcome advice and information from the tourism

  771
  industry on this subject. During the summer recess, I intend to see representatives of every regional tourist board, in my office, and then to visit every regional tourist area in the field. I shall also be seeing more delegations from those involved directly in the tourism industry.

  English Tourist Board
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the outcome of the English tourist board's strategic review.

  Mr. Brooke
  The English tourist board—ETB—has concluded a review of how best it might help the tourism industry make its full contribution to the economy by generating additional tourism business. The board retained consultants to conduct the review, and sent me a copy of their report earlier this month. The report contains new prioritised objectives for the board arising from the review, which are supported by the regional tourist boards—RTBs. These give top priority to the ETB's lead body function and action to improve the quality and value for money of the English tourism product. They give lower priority to marketing and programmes designed to encourage visits to a greater variety of destinations. The review also acknowledges the importance of the RTB network to the achievement of the ETB's objectives.

  I look forward to receiving from the board a fully developed strategy to deliver such objectives in the most effective way within the resources allocated to it in the 1992 public expenditure survey. The board has also bid for additional resources by way of grant-in-aid from 1994–95 onwards. That bid will be considered in the process of the current survey.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in the Crown Prosecution Service in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service has 31 staff in the automatic data processing functional specialism. They are graded as follows:

  Grade

  Number

  5

  1

  7

  2

  SEO

  5

  HEO

  16

  EO

  7

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the numbers of staff by grade that are employed in the Treasury Solicitor's department in the automatic data processing functional specialism.

  The Attorney-General
  The Treasury Solicitor's department has three staff in the automatic data processing functional specialism. They are graded as follows:

  Grade

  Number

  7

  1

  EO

  2

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in the Treasury Solicitor's department, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  The Attorney-General
  No services or functions have been contracted out in the Treasury Solicitor's department since November 1991.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in the Crown Prosecution Service, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service has contracted out one function since November 1991 to which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied. This was its headquarters reprographics service, involving two permanent members of staff, both of whom were offered alternative posts within CPS (HQ).

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by the Crown Prosecution Service, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.

  The Attorney-General
  The computer consultancies employed by the Crown Prosecution Service since November 1991 and the tasks for which they were engaged are as follows:

  Consultants

  Task engaged

  Yale Consulting

  Local Area Networking Strategy and Technical Support

  Integrated Project Support

  Establishment of a Project Support Office

  Oracle Corporation

  Software Development

  Bull Information Systems

  Software Development

  Infact Ltd

  Cabling Specification for New Buildings and Supervision of Cabling Installation

  Axsis Consultants

  Telecommunications Strategy

  Mouncey and Partners

  System Integration Consultancy

  Sequelogic

  Software Development

  Amtec Consulting

  Information Systems Strategy Study

  Olivetti Ltd

  Software Integration

  Quadratron

  Software Integration

  Hunterskil

  Software Development

  Comshare

  Software Design

  Hoskyns

  Project Support Set Up

  Art of Management Ltd

  Risk Management

  The total cost to the Crown Prosecution Service is £746,946, inclusive of VAT.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all the computer consultancies employed by the Treasury Solicitor's Department, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to his Department.
  773
  The Attorney-General
  The computer consultancies employed by the Treasury Solicitor's Department since November 1991 and the tasks for which they were engaged are set out in the following list.

  CCTA

  Procurement replacement UNIX system

  Procure PC maintenance contract

  Recruitment advice and assistance

  IS strategy study

  AXSIS Consultants

  Advise on, and assist with, local area network and software requirements, selection and implementation

  Telecom Capita

  Advise on alternative wide area network strategy and costs

  B. Yates

  Advise on loading disbursement data

  The total cost to the Treasury Solicitor's Department is approximately £84,385, inclusive of VAT.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Attorney-General 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.

  The Attorney-General
  The Government 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.

  The departments for which I am responsible are the legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's department, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. The services provided by the first two are largely internal to Government. The functions of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office relate purely to the criminal justice system.

  As regards purchasing, all the departments have regard to the desirability of encouraging small businesses in line with the policy of the Government as a whole. However, no specific programmes of support and assistance operate in the departments for which I am responsible.

  Regina v. Brown
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what action he is intending following the Court of Appeal decision in Regina v. Brown of 28 May; and if he will place a transcript of the judgment in the Library.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions has invited the Court of Appeal to certify that a point of general public importance arises in relation to the meaning to be attached to the words "use" when applied to personal data within section 5 of the Data Protection Act 1984, and to grant leave to appeal on this point to the House of Lords.

  No transcript of the judgment of the Court of Appeal is yet available.

  Court Proceedings
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Crown Prosecution Service expects to proceed with the case against the prisoner, details of which have been communicated to his office by the hon. Member for Stretford.

  The Attorney-General
  The case to which the hon. Member refers is listed for trial at Manchester Crown court on 1 November 1993. I will write in more detail to the hon. Member in due course.

EDUCATION

  Complaints (Young People)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many complaints have been made under section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 concerning the specific actions of local education authorities in relation to the curriculum or religious worship; and what were the figures for each local education area in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows the number of complaints received by local education authorities in academic years 1990–91 and 1991–92—the only years for which information is available. The figures include complaints received via the governing body of a school as well as those made direct to the local education authority. Only those authorities that have notified the Department of one or more complaints are included.

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Avon

  3

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  1

  Bradford

  1

  —

  Bury

  —

  1

  Coventry

  —

  1

  Cumbria

  —

  1

  Derbyshire

  —

  1

  Ealing

  1

  —

  East Sussex

  —

  2

  Greenwich

  1

  —

  Harrow

  1

  —

  Hillingdon

  1

  1

  Islington

  —

  3

  Kensington

  1

  —

  Kent

  1

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  1

  Leeds

  —

  1

  Manchester

  1

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  1

  Oxfordshire

  —

  1

  Richmond

  —

  1

  Rochdale

  1

  —

  Sheffield

  —

  4

  Southwark

  —

  5

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  Tameside

  1

  —

  Trafford

  —

  1

  Total

  14

  27

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many complaints have been received from children or young people aged 18 years or under in relation to section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 according to each local education authority area for each year since 1989.
  775
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The returns which local education authorities make to the Department for Education do not specify the age of the complainant.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many complaints have been received by his Department in relation to section 219 of the Education Reform Act 1988 in each year since 1989; and how many complaints related to(a) the conduct of local education authorities, (b) the conduct of governing bodies of maintained schools, (c) grant-maintained schools, (d) higher education corporations and (e) institutions of further and higher education maintained or assisted by local education authorities.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to amend circular 1/89 on local arrangements for the consideration of complaints to include references to complaints from pupils.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. Circular 1/89 already states that complaints may be made by "parents and others" and section 23 of the Education Reform Act places no restrictions on who may make a formal complaint about the curriculum or collective worship.

  Nursery Education
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of children receive publicily funded nursery places in(a) Belgium, (b) Italy, (c) Spain, (d) Greece, (e) Germany and (f) the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information is not centrally available in the form requested. The table shows the latest available information on combined public and private participation rates in pre-compulsory schooling. Separate participation rates are not available. There are also some differences between countries in the distinction drawn between education and day care. If the United Kingdom figures are defined to include nursery schools, nursery classes, infant classes, pre-school play groups and group day care, the participation rates for both three to four and three to five-year-olds increase to over 90 per cent.

  Participation in pre-primary education by age group,19891 Percentage of age group

  Age at which compulsory schooling starts

  Education

  Percentage of private sector provision 1987

  3 to 5

  3 to 4

  Belgium1

  6

  96

  96

  58

  Germany

  6

  63

  52

  271

  Italy13

  6

  76

  76

  33

  Spain

  6

  69

  53

  37

  1988–89 outturn £ million

  1989–90 outturn £ million

  1990–91 outturn £ million

  1991–92 outturn £ million

  1992–93 provisional £ million

  Grant-maintained schools

  0

  18

  69

  183

  485

  City technology colleges

  14

  30

  58

  56

  50

  776

  Age at which compulsory schooling starts

  Education

  Percentage of private sector provision 1987

  3 to 5

  3 to 4

  United Kingdom

  5

  64

  46

  6

  466

  450

  11988 data for Belgium and Italy.

  2In Germany, some providers of private sector provision receive some public subsidy.

  3Estimated.

  41991 data.

  Sources: Table AA: Education Statistics for the United Kingdom, 1992 edition.

  Student Unions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the dates of each visit undertaken by members of his Department to student unions since April 1992; and what plans he has to visit student unions before the end of October.

  Mr. Boswell
  Officials have made visits to universities and colleges relating to student unions since April 1992 on 26 October and 8 and 9 December 1992; and on 26 January; 8, 12, 19, 22 and 25 February; 4, 5, 8, 11, 12 and 16 March; 22 April; and 7 and 14 May 1993. Other visits by Ministers and officials to universities and colleges also commonly include discussions with representatives of students.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Boswell
  None.

  Student Funding
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to alter the funding arrangements for British students undertaking first degrees at United Kingdom universities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend keeps the arrangements for the funding of students under periodic review. Any plans for changes, in this or any other field, would be announced at the appropriate time.

  Public Spending
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the total gross public spending on(a) grant-maintained schools and (b) city technology colleges for the years since 1988–89; and what is the projected expenditure for the years to 1995–96 at 1991–92 prices.

  Mr. Forth
  Spending to date on grant-maintained schools and city technology colleges has been as follows:
  777
  Total spending in future years on grant-maintained schools will depend on the number of schools becoming grant maintained, their size and location, and the balance between primary and secondary schools. However, on current trends a reasonable estimate would be about:

  £ million (1991–92 prices)

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Grant-maintained schools

  1,100

  2,300

  4,000

  Projected future spending on city technology colleges is as follows:

  £ million (1991–92 prices)

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  City technology colleges

  47

  46

  48

  Note:

  Figures for GM schools include annual maintenance grant. which is recovered from local authorities; special purpose grants; capital grant; cost of GM ballots; the Grant Maintained Schools Centre; the projected cost of the Funding Agency for Schools. They exclude other spending by local authorities, who remain responsible for some services to GM pupils, and DFE running costs.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils attended each school taking part in the assisted places scheme in 1992–93 during the year; and how many in each case were on an assisted place.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Numbers of pupils in APS schools in A Y 1992–93

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Abbey School, Reading

  1,035

  48

  Abingdon

  762

  94

  Ackworth

  507

  18

  Aldenham

  334

  26

  Alice Ottley

  715

  86

  Alleyns, Dulwich

  1,038

  203

  Ardingly College

  632

  19

  Arnold School, Blackpool

  1,143

  80

  Ashford

  606

  41

  Ashville College

  700

  9

  Austin Friars

  300

  8

  Bancrofts

  905

  80

  Barnard Castle

  586

  13

  Bath High GPDST

  626

  114

  Batley Grammar

  595

  253

  Bedales

  628

  7

  Bedford

  1,123

  103

  Bedford High

  987

  120

  Bedford Modern

  1,204

  154

  Belvedere GPDST

  567

  178

  Berkhamstead Girls

  594

  11

  Berkhamstead

  748

  21

  Birkenhead

  1,112

  205

  Birkenhead High GPDST

  1,021

  243

  Bishop's Stortford College

  591

  47

  Blackheath High GPDST

  526

  101

  Bloxham, Banbury

  341

  20

  Bolton School Boys

  1,003

  267

  Bolton School Girls

  1,139

  254

  Bootham, York

  346

  20

  Bradfield College

  589

  6

  Bradford Girls Grammar

  880

  63

  Bradford Grammar School

  1,145

  222

  Brentwood School

  1,196

  100

  778

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Brighton College

  47

  116

  Brighton-Hove High GPDST

  730

  148

  Bristol Cathedral

  467

  137

  Bristol Grammar

  1,232

  267

  Bromley High GPDST

  760

  87

  Bromsgrove

  1,178

  20

  Bruton Girls

  573

  130

  Burgess Hill Girls

  611

  20

  Bury Grammar Boys

  790

  204

  Bury Grammar Girls

  1,128

  246

  Canford

  494

  27

  Carmel College

  236

  72

  Casterton

  330

  53

  Caterham

  1,049

  127

  Central Newcastle High GPDST

  861

  127

  Charterhouse

  699

  9

  Cheadle Hulme

  907

  129

  Cheltenham Ladies College

  834

  14

  Chigwell

  647

  71

  Christ's Hospital

  815

  21

  Churchers College

  565

  128

  City of London

  840

  138

  City of London Freemans

  675

  16

  City of London Girls

  643

  114

  Clifton College, Bristol

  1,170

  69

  Clifton High, Bristol

  789

  46

  Colfe's

  892

  186

  Colston's Girls

  555

  170

  Colston's, Bristol

  616

  88

  Coventry, Bablake

  926

  178

  Cranleigh

  720

  27

  Croham Hurst

  528

  19

  Croydon High GPDST

  1,065

  84

  Culford

  621

  49

  Dame Alice Harpur

  977

  140

  Dame Allans Boys

  462

  112

  Dame Allans Girls

  452

  127

  Dauntseys

  614

  54

  Denstone College

  273

  103

  Derby High

  528

  15

  Douai, Reading

  238

  20

  Dover College

  272

  18

  Downe House, Newbury

  481

  10

  Dulwich College

  1,380

  273

  Durham

  486

  29

  Edgbaston College Girls

  385

  19

  Edgehill College

  509

  141

  Ellesmere College

  352

  9

  Eitham College

  751

  109

  Emanuel, London

  763

  290

  Epsom College

  664

  27

  Exeter

  834

  168

  Farnborough Hill

  503

  150

  Felixstowe College

  306

  20

  Felsted, Dunmow

  562

  45

  Forest School

  1,200

  130

  Framlingham College

  720

  9

  Francis Holland

  366

  18

  Friends, Saffron Walden

  272

  85

  Giggleswick, Settle

  435

  12

  Godolphin and Latymer

  702

  157

  Godolphin, Salisbury

  352

  20

  Greshams

  753

  10

  Guildford High Girls

  616

  16

  Haberdashers Askes Boys

  1,327

  250

  Haberdashers Askes Girls

  1,134

  123

  Haileybury and ISC

  628

  15

  Hampton

  908

  200

  Harrogate College

  391

  18

  Headington

  714

  14

  Hereford Cathedral

  587

  233

  Highgate

  914

  35

  Hipperholme Grammar

  366

  9

  Holy Child

  338

  15

  Hulme Grammar Boys

  832

  210

  Hulme Grammar Girls

  626

  184

  779

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Hurstpierpoint College

  505

  18

  Hymers College

  937

  148

  Ipswich

  759

  77

  Ipswich High GPDST

  611

  102

  James Aliens Girls

  1,039

  168

  John Lyons

  523

  107

  Kent College

  696

  88

  Kimbolton Schools

  712

  20

  King Edward VI High

  549

  127

  King Edward VI Norwich

  745

  113

  King Edward VI Southampton

  958

  241

  King Edward VII Lytham

  597

  225

  King Edwards at Bath

  855

  110

  King Edwards Birmingham

  844

  244

  King Edwards Witley

  507

  61

  King Henry VIII

  1,084

  92

  Kings College Wimbledon

  910

  64

  Kings High Girls, Warwick

  558

  124

  Kings, Bruton

  309

  17

  Kings, Chester

  610

  92

  Kings, Macclesfield

  1,026

  150

  Kings, Rochester

  609

  64

  Kings, Tynemouth

  895

  15

  Kings, Worcester

  931

  182

  Kingsley

  583

  16

  Kingston Grammar

  585

  160

  Kingswood School, Bath

  469

  44

  Kirkham Grammar

  653

  80

  La Sagesse Convent

  493

  161

  Lady Eleanor Holles

  816

  37

  Latymer Upper

  1,049

  312

  Laxton

  185

  2

  Leeds Girls High

  986

  78

  Leeds Grammar

  1,137

  168

  Leicester Grammar

  561

  30

  Leighton Park

  311

  21

  Leys, Cambridge

  378

  36

  Liverpool College

  694

  185

  Lord Wandsworth College

  432

  81

  Loreto Convent Grammar

  812

  57

  Loughborough Grammar

  918

  126

  Loughborough High

  527

  89

  Magdalen College

  484

  125

  Malvern College

  672

  87

  Manchester Grammar

  1,436

  274

  Manchester High

  959

  175

  Marist Convent Senior

  400

  9

  Maynard

  564

  163

  Merchant Taylors Girls

  906

  187

  Merchant Taylors, L'pool

  844

  213

  Merchant Taylors, N'wood

  715

  81

  Mill Hill

  556

  69

  Monkton Combe

  323

  41

  Mount Carmel, Cheshire

  577

  20

  Mount St. Mary's College

  319

  70

  Mount, York

  297

  18

  Newcastle under Lyme

  1,329

  390

  Newcastle upon Tyne Church

  608

  20

  North London Collegiate

  915

  98

  Northampton High

  804

  149

  Norwich High GPDST

  855

  164

  Notting Hill/Ealing High

  774

  105

  Nottingham Girls High GPDST

  1,078

  194

  Nottingham High

  827

  160

  Oakham

  1,015

  20

  Old Palace, Croydon

  743

  205

  Oxford High, GPDST

  648

  76

  Pangbourne College

  416

  19

  Perse School for Boys

  653

  52

  Perse School for Girls

  691

  66

  Plymouth College

  866

  200

  Pocklington

  702

  146

  Polam Hall

  468

  27

  Portsmouth Grammar

  1,102

  191

  Portsmouth High GPDST

  755

  137

  Prior Park College

  446

  20

  780

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Putney High School GPDST

  807

  79

  Queen Elizabeth Hospital

  503

  169

  Queen Elizabeth, Blackburn

  1,220

  260

  Queen Elizabeth, Wakefield

  744

  132

  Queen Mary, Lytham

  622

  233

  Queens College, London

  389

  81

  Queens College, Taunton

  699

  67

  Queens School, Chester

  613

  69

  Ratcliffe College

  459

  77

  Red Maids, Bristol

  573

  173

  Redland High, Bristol

  656

  93

  Reed's School, Cobham

  391

  20

  Reigate Grammar

  812

  99

  Rendcomb College

  227

  20

  Repton

  584

  54

  Rossall

  705

  42

  Royal Grammar, Guildford

  794

  140

  Royal Grammar, Newcastle

  1,128

  239

  Royal Grammar, Worcester

  916

  282

  Ryde School

  629

  9

  Salesian College

  502

  65

  Scarborough College

  416

  21

  Sedbergh

  424

  47

  Sevenoaks, Kent

  939

  16

  Sheffield High GPDST

  753

  93

  Shrewsbury High GPDST

  599

  84

  Silcoates

  564

  8

  Sir William Perkins

  538

  96

  Solihull

  1,006

  28

  South Hampstead High GPDST

  743

  72

  St. Albans

  637

  120

  St. Albans High Girls

  681

  53

  St Ambrose College

  820

  59

  St. Anselms College

  919

  207

  St. Bede's College

  1,136

  220

  St. Bees

  285

  77

  St. Benedict's

  595

  77

  St. Catherine's

  578

  34

  St. Dunstan's College

  746

  147

  St. Edmund's College

  573

  79

  St. Edward's College

  937

  396

  St. Felix, Southwold

  360

  18

  St. George's College

  474

  34

  St. Helen and St. Katherine

  518

  95

  St. Helen's, Northwood

  924

  48

  St. John's College, Southsea

  855

  200

  St. John's, Leatherhead

  390

  6

  St. Joseph's College, Ipswich

  646

  76

  St. Joseph's College, Stoke

  450

  15

  St. Joseph's Convent, Reading

  422

  131

  St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate

  356

  22

  St. Margaret's, Bushey

  453

  20

  St. Margaret's, Exeter

  448

  19

  St. Mary and St. Anne

  277

  15

  St. Mary's College, Crosbey

  789

  254

  St. Mary's Convent, Cambridge

  592

  118

  St. Mary's Hall, Brighton

  389

  63

  St. Maurs Convent, Weybridge

  668

  58

  St. Paul's Girls, Hammersmith

  611

  73

  St. Paul's, Barnes

  1,169

  80

  St. Peter's, York

  756

  120

  St. Swithun's Winchester

  642

  0

  Stafford Grammar

  274

  15

  Stamford

  930

  98

  Stamford High

  1,014

  101

  Stockport Grammar

  994

  240

  Stoneyhurst College

  398

  35

  Stowe

  572

  8

  Streatham Hill/Clapham High

  537

  153

  Surbiton High

  737

  20

  Sutton High GPDST

  808

  74

  Sutton Valence

  368

  58

  Sydenham High GPDST

  683

  129

  Talbot Heath

  519

  140

  Taunton

  987

  52

  Teesside High

  550

  14

  781

  School name

  Number of pupils on roll

  Number of assisted pupils

  Tonbridge

  638

  6

  Tormead

  564

  20

  Trent College

  650

  124

  Trinity—of John Whitgift

  812

  140

  Truro

  876

  116

  Truro High

  355

  64

  University College School

  770

  72

  Upton Hall Convent

  604

  170

  Ursuline Convent, Kent

  268

  20

  Ursuline High, Ilford

  383

  138

  Wakefield High

  1,066

  148

  Walthamstow Hall

  612

  50

  Warwick

  999

  147

  Wellingborough

  771

  68

  Wellington College

  802

  37

  Wellington, Somerset

  838

  226

  Wells Cathedral

  801

  76

  West Buckland

  555

  83

  Westholme

  990

  20

  Westminster

  649

  56

  Whitgift, Croydon

  956

  106

  William Hulme Grammar

  793

  220

  Wimbledon High GPDST

  793

  76

  Winchester College

  664

  23

  Wisbech Grammar

  628

  326

  Withington Girls

  590

  74

  Wolverhampton Grammar

  646

  256

  Woodbridge

  748

  121

  Woodhouse Grove

  737

  135

  Worksop

  346

  20

  Wrekin College

  317

  9

  Wycliffe College

  565

  43

  Yarm

  586

  29

  Churston Grammar School
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will increase the maximum allocation for the next academic year for the Churston grammar school, Churston, to 120 pupils as requested by the school.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has not received a request to increase the standard number for Churston grammar school.

  Primary School Teachers
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many responses have been received to his draft circular on the initial training of primary school teachers issued on 9 June; how many of those responses were unfavourable; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The consultation period on my right hon. Friend's draft circular on the initial training of primary teachers lasts until the end of July. We will consider the responses carefully before making announcements. We plan to issue the circular in its final form in the early autumn.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what rules cover the personal responsibility of governors of city technology colleges; whether members are required to declare interests; what statutory provision is made for public access to information about a college or its governors' proceedings; what charter provisions apply to their activities; and whether they are subject to performance indicators.
  782
  Mr. Forth
  Governors of city technology colleges hold office under schemes of government—approved under the funding agreements for the colleges. Governors must declare an interest in respect of any contract in which they have an interest and may not vote on the matter. Like maintained schools, CTCs publish prospectuses and annual reports to parents and, as companies, their annual accounts are open to public inspection. In general, the provisions of the parents charter apply to the parents of pupils at CTCs, but CTCs are independent schools and the funding agreements for the colleges predate the charter. These funding agreements provide for the supply of information on performance indicators.

  Governing Bodies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education from which categories the governing bodies of further education colleges and six-form colleges are obliged to appoint new members; what are the rules about the personal responsibility of members of the governing bodies of such colleges; if members are required to declare interest and whether a register of such interests is open to public inspection; what statutory provisions govern public access to information about a college and its governors' proceedings and for holding public meetings; to which provisions of the citizens charter or specific charters relating to their own activities they are subject; and what performance indicators are in place.

  Mr. Boswell
  Further education corporations were established on 30 September 1992 to conduct further education and sixth-form collegese. The composition of corporations is set out in their instrument of government, which has been prescribed by statutory instrument—1992 No. 1957 and 1992 No. 1963. New members are appointed as and when vacancies arise following the resignation, or completion of the terms of office, of existing members. The conduct of FE corporations is governed by their instruments and articles of government.

  Colleges are not required to keep a register of members' interests, but corporation members are required, under the instrument of government, to declare any financial interest in the supply of work or goods to the institution or any contract concerning the institution. They must not take part in any discussions relating to a matter in which they have a financial interest nor may they vote on it. Minutes of corporation meetings are made available for inspection at the institution during normal office hours.

  Governors will have a part to play in ensuring that their college meets the requirements of the forthcoming charter for further education and develops its own charter within the national framework set.

  My right hon. Friend has asked the Further Education Funding Council to work with colleges on the development of performance indicators for the sector. At present, colleges collect and use whatever information they think necessary to assist them in assessing their performance. Later this year, the Department will be publishing comparative tables of the academic and vocational achievements of 16 to 18-year-olds in colleges in the further education sector, and colleges themselves will be required to publish comprehensive information on the achievements and career routes of their students.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the current total of grant-maintained
  783
  schools; what are the rules about the personal responsibility of members of the government bodies of such schools; whether members are required to declare interests; what statutory provision is made for public access to information about a school and the governors' proceedings; what charter provisions apply to their activities; and whether they are subject to performance indicators.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A total of 493 schools have been incorporated as self-governing—grant-maintained—in England to date. A further 170 have been approved to become self governing. Grant-maintained schools in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  As in LEA schools, individual governors of self-governing schools are not normally personally liable for actions and decisions of the governing body. However, appeals committees members may be personally liable for the decisions they make. The Department recommends that governing bodies take out insurance against this contingency.

  Members of governing bodies of self-governing schools are required by their instrument of government to declare any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any matter which is to be considered at a governing body meeting.

  The articles of government of a self-governing school provide that a copy of each of the instruments and articles of government, the prospectus, the governors' annual report, the audited accounts for the previous school year and non-confidential parts of the minutes of meetings of the governing body must be made available for public inspection.

  The parents charter makes a number of references to the responsibilities of self-governing schools' governing bodies. These responsibilities are set out in full in the schools' articles of government.

  Requirements in respect of schools' performance apply equally to self-governing and local education authority-maintained schools.

  Schools Funding Agency
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the Schools Funding Agency, its chairperson and members will be subject to(a) surcharge, (b) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for public access to information, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter; and whether the chairperson and members will be required to declare relevant interests, in a form available for inspection.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is as follows:

  Declare interests

  Surcharge

  No

  Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner

  No

  Scrutiny by National Audit Office

  Yes

  Statutory provisions for public access to information

  No

  Performance indicators

  Yes

  Citizens' Charter

  Presumed yes

  Requirement to declare an interest

  1Yes

  11 Availability to be considered

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, columns 95–96, whether his Department maintains a register of the interests declared by chairpersons and board members of the executive non-departmental public bodies, available for inspection at his or at the main offices of the eight relevant bodies.

  Mr. Boswell
  As each of our non-departmental public bodies maintains a proper degree of operational independence, the Department does not recognise a need to maintain a central register giving these details. It is for the bodies themselves to decide whether to maintain records of their members' interests.

  Drugs
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he intends to take to promote drugs education and prevention within the education system.

  Mr. Forth
  We will continue our policy of stimulating, encouraging and supporting work within schools and the youth service, with a view to ensuring that young people are made aware of the dangers of drug misuse, and are equipped with the attitudes and skills they need to resist pressures to use or misuse them. In addition, all maintained schools are already required to promote education about drugs as part of national curriculum science.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to publish details of the number of pupils excluded from individual grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on permanent exclusions from maintained schools in England was collected by the Department over a two-year period, starting with summer term 1990, under the national exclusions reporting system. The results of the survey were published on 23 April and showed that a total of 6,743 permanent exlusions had been reported, with 2,910 in year one and 3,833 in year two. This information was collected for purposes of national aggregation and it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the figures by school or by sector because of assurances given as to confidentiality.

  Further Education Funding Councils
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the names of the members of the regional committees of the further education and higher education funding councils who have already been nominated, together with the regional committees to which no appointment has yet been made and the date on which any outstanding appointment will be made; which organisations were consulted on the appointments; and what was the form and nature of any such consultation.

  Mr. Boswell
  [pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1993, c. 599]I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lady Mary Holborow as chairman of the south-west regional committee of the Further Education Funding Council.

EMPLOYMENT

  Devon and Cornwall TEC
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of trainees on courses sponsored by Devon and Cornwall training and enterprise council entered full-time employment in the year to March.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest full year for which figures are available is April 1991 to March 1992. During that year, 21 per cent. of those leaving employment training went into full-time employment and 7 per cent. into part-time employment. A further 11 per cent. undertook activities including training, full-time education, work experience or voluntary work.

  Over the same period, 56 per cent. of those leaving youth training went into full-time employment and 4 per cent. into part-time employment. A further 12 per cent. went into other training or full-time education.

  Training
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest information he has on the number of people who are participating on training courses which are supported by the European social fund; how many are operated by(a) training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies, (b) local authorities and further education colleges and (c) voluntary organisations; how many people will benefit from ESF training courses in the current operational year; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest information available on numbers of participants on European social fund—ESF—courses in 1993 organised by the three organisational sectors requested, is as follows:

  Sector

  Beneficiaries

  Training and Enterprise Councils, Local Enterprise Companies (including Departmental programmes to help the unemployed):

  692,000

  Local Authorities/Further Education Colleges:

  438,000

  Voluntary sector:

  106,000

  Overall we currently expect some 1,308,000 people to benefit from ESF-funded training during 1993. This figure is likely to rise as further projects continue to be approved.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the implementation of the training for work scheme.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Training for work became available from 29 March as a major part of the range of opportunities available to help people back to work. It is being delivered in all parts of the country by the network of training and enterprise councils.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on reported cases of(a) illness, (b) eye infections and (c) cases of skin damage directly related to contact with methyl bromide.
  786
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In the period January 1987 to March 1993, a total of four cases of reported ill health, relating to two incidents, were confirmed by the pesticides incidents appraisal panel as being attributable to the use of methyl bromide.

  Information has also been obtained from incidents reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1986. Since these regulations came into force, five such cases have been reported. These included one case of nose irritation; one of respiratory irritation and neurological symptons; and one of acute irritant effects.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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.

  Miss Widdecombe
  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 businesses include:
  The Business Start Up Scheme (formerly the Enterprise Allowance Scheme), which provides an allowance and training/counselling support in the early months of trading to unemployed people who start their own businesses. Its performance is measured in terms of numbers taking up support and the survival rate of these businesses. Around 50,000 people were awarded an allowance in 1991–92, and just over 40,000 in 1992–93. Survey evidence has consistently shown that of those people completing the full term of Enterprise Allowance, approximately 76 per cent. were still trading 6 months later (ie 18 months after start-up).
  From April 1991, Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) have been delivering the Scheme and have enjoyed considerable local discretion in its design and selection criteria. They have been placing greater emphasis on increasing the quality of the businesses they support in order to improve survival. Evaluation studies assessing the performance of the Business Start Up Scheme have recently been completed and are expected to be published in due course.
  The Department makes significant funds available to TECs to enable them to support the development of small businesses. TECs provide a varied range of help including consultancy support, advice and guidance and training audits. TECs increasingly are linking this support to achievement of the Investors in People national standard. Action materials to specifically help small businesses achieve the standard have been developed. Investors in People sets a standard for the training and development of people to achieve business objectives—a vital requirement for business, regardless of size. Of the 307 organisations which have met the standard so far, 179 are employers with less than 200 employees. There are over 3,300 employers committed to achieving the Standard, including many small businesses.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (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;
  787
  (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.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department aims to provide the general public with a wide range of information relating to employment and training. We ensure that important information is available in formats other than hard text to make it accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. The decision about what is translated depends on the content and intended audience for the document. Some information is provided in direct translation, for example, the job seekers charter and leaflets on the Department's services, such as "Make It Work". The Department is most likely to produce translations of material that covers a summary of services or programmes rather than producing several versions of small leaflets. We can arrange for correspondence to be sent in Braille where it is requested.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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 1988 were not applied.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department currently contracts out a large proportion of its services and functions. To list them all would involve disproportionate cost. The application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 depends upon the facts of each case. The regulations have not been treated as applying to any of the activities contracted out since November 1991.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Employment Department group employs a total of 732 staff in the automatic data processing—ADP—functional specialism. A breakdown of staff numbers by grade within the Department and its agencies as in July 1993 is given in the table:

  Employment Department Group Numbers of staff by grade in ADP functional specialism (July 1993)

  Part of group

  Grade

  Number of staff

  Employment Department HQ (ED HQ)

  SEO

  60

  HEO

  121

  EO

  147

  AO

  129

  AA

  288

  Employment Service (ES)

  SEO

  36

  HEO

  76

  EO

  106

  AO

  2

  AA

  nil

  Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  SEO

  9

  HEO

  21

  EO

  37

  788

  Part of group

  Grade

  Number of staff

  AO

  nil

  AA

  nil

  1Includes 3 part-time staff.

  2Includes 35 part-time staff.

  19 full-time casual staff.

  11 part-time casual staff.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Employment Department group has employed a total of 299 computer consultancies involving 106 companies since November 1991, a list of these is given at annex A. The tasks for which they were engaged are listed in annex B. The total cost of these consultancies to the Department amounts to:

  £

  Employment Department Head Quarters (EDHQ)

  4,197,139

  Employment Service (ES)

  5,530,503

  Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  655,824

  Total

  10,383,466

  Annex A

  Employment department group List of computer consultancies since November 1991

  Number of contracts

  Company

  ED HQ

  ES

  HSE

  451 Computer Services

  1

  —

  —

  ACT Logsys

  3

  3

  1

  Admiral Management Services

  3

  1

  —

  Amtec

  —

  1

  2

  Andersons

  —

  4

  —

  Ansley Gutherie

  1

  —

  —

  Arena Resources

  7

  —

  —

  Ashberry

  2

  —

  —

  ASK Ingres

  2

  —

  —

  Atlantic

  —

  4

  —

  BIS Information Systems Ltd.

  1

  1

  —

  Bull HN Information Systems Ltd.

  —

  —

  1

  C. Newton Associates

  —

  1

  —

  CAS

  —

  1

  —

  CCC

  —

  1

  —

  Class

  —

  1

  —

  Compel Systems Ltd.

  —

  —

  2

  Computer Associates

  —

  2

  —

  Computer People

  2

  —

  —

  Computer Search and Select

  2

  —

  —

  Comtex UK Ltd.

  —

  —

  1

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  2

  3

  —

  CPI

  —

  5

  —

  CSS Trident

  3

  —

  —

  Data Sciences

  —

  1

  —

  Dataflex

  1

  —

  —

  DBI Associates

  5

  11

  —

  Derengrove

  1

  —

  —.

  Digital Equipment Co. Ltd.

  4

  —

  2

  Disc Europe

  —

  —

  1

  E. Bingham

  2

  —

  —

  Easams

  4

  1

  —

  EFD Total System Consultants

  1

  —

  —

  Elan

  1

  —

  —

  Emslie Phelps

  2

  —

  —

  789

  Number of contracts

  Company

  ED HQ

  ES

  HSE

  Ernst and Young

  16

  2

  —

  Executor

  1

  1

  —

  FI Kernal

  2

  —

  —

  Franklin

  1

  —

  —

  Future Dimension

  4

  —

  —

  Hewlett Packard Ltd

  —

  —

  1

  HI-BROW

  —

  1

  —

  Hoskyns Group

  3

  2

  2

  Human Factors Consultancy

  1

  —

  —

  Hunterskill Limited

  4

  —

  —

  ICL

  1

  —

  1

  Ingres

  2

  1

  —

  ISM

  —

  3

  —

  Keisley Harris

  —

  —

  1

  Kermon

  1

  —

  —

  Kernal Technology

  2

  —

  —

  Kinesis

  —

  —

  3

  Inference (Europe)

  4

  —

  —

  IQ Software

  1

  —

  —

  LA International

  1

  —

  —

  IBMS

  —

  —

  1

  Logica

  3

  —

  —

  London HCI

  —

  1

  —

  Look Systems

  1

  —

  —

  Lorien

  4

  3

  —

  M Brookes

  1

  —

  —

  Marcol

  2

  —

  —

  Michael Gore

  —

  1

  —

  MSW

  —

  —

  3

  Myriad

  —

  4

  —

  Novatek Limited

  1

  —

  —

  Olivetti

  1

  —

  —

  Oracle

  —

  1

  3

  PA Consulting

  3

  6

  —

  Pactum

  1

  —

  —

  PE International

  7

  —

  —

  Perfect Recall

  2

  —

  —

  Portfolio Systems Ltd

  1

  —

  —

  Price Waterhouse

  1

  4

  —

  Prospective Technica

  1

  1

  —

  Puretrans

  1

  —

  —

  Quadraton

  13

  —

  —

  Quality Projects

  —

  —

  2

  Quando

  —

  1

  —

  RCMS

  —

  —

  1

  South Yorks SAT Systems

  —

  1

  —

  Sapphire

  —

  2

  —

  SBS

  —

  2

  —

  Scientific and Business Systems

  8

  —

  —

  Sema Group

  1

  2

  —

  Sheffield Hallam

  —

  1

  —

  SIA Langton Ltd

  1

  —

  —

  Silkglade

  2

  —

  —

  Software Sciences

  —

  1

  —

  Span Computer Contracts

  2

  —

  —

  Staffwise

  2

  —

  —

  System Applied Technology

  1

  —

  —

  Tailor Made Software

  —

  1

  —

  Tamar Computer Services

  1

  —

  —

  Task Force

  —

  1

  —

  Traid

  2

  —

  —

  Trainvalue

  1

  —

  —

  Trident

  1

  —

  —

  Unicorn Training Partnership

  2

  1

  —

  UNIX System Labs

  —

  1

  —

  Xentec Limited

  4

  .—

  —

  V Keehan

  1

  —

  —

  VNG

  —

  2

  —

  World Systems

  —

  2

  —

  WS Atkins

  1

  —

  —

  Yale Data

  16

  —

  —

  Total

  184

  87

  28

  790

  Annex B

  Employment Department Group List of tasks undertaken by computer consultants since November 1991

  Task

  ED HQ

  ES

  HSE

  Analysis and programming

  *

  *

  —

  Audit

  —

  —

  *

  Contract advice

  —

  —

  *

  Data management

  —

  *

  —

  Database management/administration

  *

  —

  —

  Evaluation

  —

  —

  *

  Hardware testing

  —

  *

  —

  Help desk

  —

  *

  —

  Human computer interface

  —

  *

  —

  Infrastructure

  —

  *

  —

  IT strategy consultancy/advice

  *

  *

  *

  Market testing

  —

  *

  —

  Micro installation

  —

  *

  —

  Networking

  —

  *

  —

  Plans review

  —

  *

  —

  Procurement

  —

  *

  —

  Project management

  *

  —

  *

  Project review

  —

  *

  —

  Project support

  —

  *

  —

  Quality assurance analysis

  *

  *

  —

  Quality assurance analysis

  *

  —

  —

  Quality audit

  —

  *

  —

  Risk assessment

  —

  *

  —

  Scoping study

  —

  *

  —

  Security

  —

  *

  —

  Service level agreements

  —

  *

  —

  Service management

  —

  *

  —

  Software development

  —

  *

  —

  System analysis

  *

  —

  —

  System design/development

  *

  *

  *

  System testing

  —

  *

  —

  Technical accountancy

  *

  —

  —

  Technical authorship

  *

  —

  —

  Technical training

  *

  *

  —

  Telecomms

  —

  *

  —

  TPM

  —

  —

  —

  Unit costing

  —

  *

  —

  Voice cabling

  —

  *

  —

  Executive Staff
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of executive staff employed in his Department in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in the current year, and in each of the previous five years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information available is given in the table. Information is not readily available in the form requested before 1989:
  791

  Executive staff-employed in Scotland

  Executive staff employed in the United Kingdom

  1993

  1,945

  22,334

  1992

  1,902

  22,238

  1991

  2,047

  19,833

  1990

  2,106

  20,360

  1989

  2,066

  20,407

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The following public bodies meetings in public:

  Industrial Tribunals

  Employment Appeal Tribunal

  Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal

  Central Arbitration Committee (for hearings into complaints about non disclosure of information).

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply of 6 July,Official Report, columns 107–8, whether he takes into account the interests of chairpersons and members of the boards of executive non-departmental public bodies when making appointments to these bodies; and what steps he takes to identify relevant interests.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Yes, appropriate steps are taken to avoid a conflict of interests, depending on the appointment.

  Earnings
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment on average in terms of percentage how much female(a) part-time and (b) full-time workers earn; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on the earnings of female part-time and full-time workers can be found in table 19 of part A of the new earnings survey, the 1992 edition of which can be found in the Library. Part A of the 1993 new earnings survey will be published in September.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what were the figures for average weekly earnings for(a) males and (b) females in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) England for 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) what were the figures for average weekly earnings for (a) males in manual work, (b) males in non-manual work, (c) females in manual work and (d) females in non-manual work in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) England for 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is published in tables 12 and 13 of part A of the new earnings survey for 1979 and 1992.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the figures for average hourly 792
  earnings for (a) males and (b) females in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) England for 1979 and for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is published in tables 122 and 123 of part E of the new earnings survey for 1979 and 1992.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) of 15 July,Official Report, columns 608–12, if he will provide for Scotland, Wales and each English region equivalent figures on earnings to those given in his answer.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: Information available from the new earnings survey can be found in the following tables.

  Average gross weekly earnings of part-time employees on adult rates-pay unaffected by absence: April 1992

  Manual (£)

  Non-manual(£)

  Greater London

  87·7

  127·5

  South East

  77·7

  113·1

  South West

  67·9

  97·2

  West Midlands

  71·0

  100·8

  East Midlands

  70·1

  95·1

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  70·8

  97·2

  North West

  75·0

  100·7

  North

  69·1

  93·0

  Scotland

  70·7

  108·1

  Wales

  69·4

  101·5

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

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual men

  £100

  0·6

  0·5

  0·9

  0·7

  0·6

  0·8

  £150

  5·1

  5·9

  7·1

  9·6

  8·3

  9·0

  £200

  16·4

  20·6

  27·1

  31·2

  27·8

  28·9

  £250

  35·7

  41·8

  52·7

  55·7

  52·7

  53·4

  Non Manual men

  £100

  0·4

  0·3

  0·7

  0·4

  0·7

  0·4

  £150

  1·7

  2·4

  4·5

  4·6

  4·2

  4·3

  £200

  6·7

  8·7

  13·7

  15·1

  14·1

  15·1

  £250

  15·1

  17·8

  27·9

  26·2

  26·6

  28·3

  Manual women

  £100

  3·1

  4·6

  6·1

  8·0

  7·8

  6·8

  £150

  22·6

  32·2

  50·4

  49·0

  49·0

  52·6

  £200

  53·3

  63·5

  81·1

  79·9

  79·5

  82·7

  £250

  74·8

  81·2

  93·6

  91·5

  92·9

  91·9

  Non Manual women

  £100

  0·4

  0·7

  0·9

  1·8

  1·4

  1·6

  £150

  3·3

  6·8

  16·4

  17·0

  18·7

  17·2

  £200

  14·5

  24·5

  47·4

  46·0

  50·1

  47·1

  £250

  34·0

  45·6

  65·9

  64·8

  67·2

  65·1

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual men

  £100

  0·8

  0·5

  0·8

  0·4

  0·7

  £150

  8·1

  8·0

  8·3

  8·0

  9·9

  £200

  27·0

  27·5

  25·9

  27·1

  31·4

  793

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  £250

  50·5

  51·0

  50·6

  52·4

  54·1

  Non Manual men

  £100

  0·8

  0·4

  0·5

  0·4

  0·5

  £150

  5·5

  4·8

  4·5

  5·5

  5·2

  £200

  16·1

  14·6

  13·6

  15·2

  15·4

  £250

  28·9

  25·0

  25·2

  26·2

  28·3

  Manual women

  £100

  8·3

  9·2

  5·3

  6·4

  7·6

  £150

  52·9

  46·8

  47·7

  47·6

  48·8

  £200

  80·1

  79·0

  76·7

  78·6

  81·4

  £250

  92·6

  91·5

  92·6

  91·7

  94·4

  Non Manual women

  £100

  1·4

  1·2

  1·7

  1·3

  2·1

  £150

  19·3

  16·5

  18·7

  18·8

  18·7

  £200

  47·7

  45·7

  48·6

  47·8

  46·4

  £250

  65·8

  63·8

  65·6

  65·3

  65·8

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

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual men

  £100

  0·7

  0·7

  1·0

  0·8

  0·7

  1·1

  £150

  6·9

  8·2

  11·8

  14·0

  13·0

  14·5

  £200

  24·6

  30·8

  41·8

  45·2

  40·6

  43·8

  £250

  50·6

  58·7

  71·4

  72·7

  69·3

  71·6

  Non Manual men

  £100

  0·4

  0·3

  0·9

  0·4

  0·7

  0·4

  £150

  1·9

  2·8

  5·4

  5·5

  5·0

  5·5

  £200

  7·5

  10·1

  16·5

  17·5

  16·4

  17·3

  £250

  17·4

  20·3

  31·5

  29·0

  29·9

  31·7

  Manual women

  £100

  3·2

  5·1

  7·6

  8·5

  8·6

  7·0

  £150

  26·0

  37·2

  54·5

  53·8

  53·8

  58·2

  £200

  60·0

  70·7

  88·3

  86·5

  85·9

  88·4

  £250

  81·3

  87·2

  98·1

  95·0

  95·7

  96·6

  Non Manual women

  £100

  0·4

  0·7

  0·9

  2·1

  1·4

  1·6

  £150

  3·6

  7·4

  17·7

  18·3

  20·3

  18·6

  £200

  15·7

  26·3

  49·1

  48·3

  52·0

  48·9

  £250

  35·8

  47·5

  68·2

  66·8

  69·0

  66·8

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual men

  £100

  0·9

  0·6

  1·0

  0·5

  0·9

  £150

  13·6

  12·2

  12·1

  12·7

  14·8

  £200

  42·2

  42·3

  37·9

  42·6

  44·0

  £250

  69·5

  68·3

  66·2

  70·0

  69·9

  Non Manual men

  £100

  0·8

  0·5

  0·5

  0·4

  0·7

  £150

  6·6

  5·6

  5·5

  6·4

  6·3

  £200

  18·8

  17·2

  15·6

  17·1

  18·0

  £250

  32·0

  28·0

  28·2

  29·1

  31·2

  Manual women

  £100

  9·1

  9·8

  7·2

  7·3

  8·1

  £150

  58·3

  52·3

  53·3

  52·7

  55·1

  £200

  87·6

  84·6

  82·8

  84·8

  86·3

  £250

  97·3

  95·3

  95·3

  95·2

  96·3

  Non Manual women

  £100

  1·5

  1·3

  1·8

  1·5

  2·4

  794

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  £150

  20·4

  17·9

  19·9

  20·7

  20·4

  £200

  49·9

  48·2

  51·3

  50·1

  48·0

  £250

  67·6

  65·7

  67·9

  66·9

  66·6

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

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual men

  £2·50

  0·5

  0·4

  0·6

  0·7

  0·7

  0·9

  £3·00

  1·7

  1·5

  2·1

  2·8

  2·6

  3·3

  £3·50

  3·9

  4·5

  5·5

  7·7

  7·8

  8·5

  £4·00

  8·5

  10·9

  17·3

  19·0

  16·7

  18·4

  £4·50

  14·9

  19·2

  28·0

  30·3

  25·9

  29·1

  £5·00

  23·2

  29·2

  41·2

  42·7

  27·0

  40·5

  £5·50

  31·0

  39·4

  53·3

  54·9

  49·1

  53·6

  £6·50

  51·3

  59·8

  72·4

  72·2

  69·0

  71·9

  Non Manual men

  £2·50

  0·2

  0·2

  0·6

  0·2

  0·4

  0·4

  £3·00

  0·4

  0·5

  1·3

  0·9

  1·1

  0·9

  £3·50

  0·9

  1·4

  3·2

  2·9

  3·1

  3·2

  £4·00

  1·8

  3·1

  6·6

  6·0

  6·2

  6·3

  £4·50

  3·4

  5·5

  10·4

  10·1

  9·7

  10·5

  £5·00

  5·6

  8·4

  15·1

  15·0

  14·8

  15·3

  £5·50

  8·5

  11·7

  21·2

  20·6

  20·5

  21·0

  £6·50

  15·5

  19·4

  31·1

  28·5

  31·0

  32·0

  Manual women

  £2·50

  2·9

  3·2

  3·3

  2·4

  4·4

  3·2

  £3·00

  6·8

  8·5

  15·0

  15·2

  16·4

  16·4

  £3·50

  17·2

  21·9

  37·0

  36·6

  35·5

  39·5

  £4·00

  27·1

  39·0

  57·3

  55·1

  54·9

  61·2

  £4·50

  42·0

  54·1

  72·8

  69·8

  68·9

  75·1

  £5·00

  56·8

  67·1

  85·8

  81·8

  80·9

  84·4

  £5·50

  69·6

  76·7

  89·0

  89·1

  88·5

  90·6

  £6·50

  82·3

  88·3

  97·2

  94·5

  95·9

  96·2

  Non Manual men

  £2·50

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·7

  0·5

  0·6

  £3·00

  0·5

  0·8

  1·5

  2·5

  2·6

  2·4

  £3·50

  1·4

  3·1

  8·6

  8·7

  9·0

  8·8

  £4·00

  3·3

  6·8

  16·5

  16·4

  18·7

  17·5

  £4·50

  6·1

  12·3

  27·1

  25·7

  29·8

  28·0

  £5·00

  10·3

  19·1

  40·8

  38·8

  43·5

  40·0

  £5·50

  15·4

  26·8

  52·9

  49·2

  54·2

  50·5

  £6·50

  29·3

  42·3

  67·6

  63·5

  67·1

  64·6

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual men

  £2·50

  0·8

  0·4

  0·9

  0·7

  0·7

  £3·00

  2·6

  2·6

  2·8

  2·3

  2·7

  £3·50

  7·3

  7·3

  7·7

  7·5

  8·3

  £4·00

  17·2

  16·0

  14·9

  17·0

  17·3

  £4·50

  27·9

  27·0

  23·6

  28·4

  28·1

  £5·00

  39·6

  38·4

  34·0

  39·9

  40·7

  £5·50

  52·4

  50·1

  46·1

  52·5

  52·9

  £6·50

  70·7

  68·4

  66·3

  70·8

  69·1

  Non manual men

  £2·50

  0·5

  0·3

  0·4

  0·2

  0·5

  £3·00

  1·2

  1·0

  1·1

  1·0

  1·4

  £3·50

  4·0

  3·0

  3·5

  3·5

  3·8

  £4·00

  7·5

  5·8

  7·0

  7·1

  7·4

  £4·50

  11·3

  9·7

  10·0

  10·5

  11·9

  £5·00

  16·8

  14·6

  14·1

  15·1

  15·8

  £5·50

  22·0

  19·3

  19·0

  20·3

  21·5

  £6· 50

  32·1

  27·8

  27·7

  29·9

  31·6

  795

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual women

  £2·50

  3·2

  5·2

  4·4

  3·5

  3·3

  £3·00

  17·5

  17·3

  17·5

  16·6

  14·6

  £3·50

  41·0

  35·1

  37·7

  37·6

  34·1

  £4·00

  59·3

  52·9

  56·7

  54·4

  56·9

  £4·50

  72·1

  68·0

  69·5

  69·9

  70·2

  £5·00

  82·5

  79·8

  79·3

  81·0

  81·0

  £5·50

  90·2

  87·0

  86·2

  89·9

  87·5

  £6·50

  97·1

  94·8

  95·6

  94·9

  95·7

  Non manual women

  £2·50

  0·8

  0·5

  1·2

  0·6

  0·8

  £3·00

  3·0

  2·7

  3·5

  2·3

  3·6

  £3·50

  10·7

  7·9

  10·2

  10·1

  9·6

  £4·00

  19·3

  15·3

  19·9

  18·3

  17·4

  £4·50

  30·3

  25·4

  30·9

  28·6

  28·9

  £5·00

  40·8

  36·6

  43·2

  38·9

  39·0

  £5·50

  51·1

  47·9

  55·1

  50·9

  48·5

  £6·50

  65·9

  62·7

  69·1

  63·9

  64·2

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

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual men

  £2·50

  —

  —

  —

  12·1

  —

  20·0

  £3·00

  —

  —

  —

  29·0

  —

  36·7

  £3·50

  —

  —

  —

  53·2

  —

  64·4

  £4·00

  —

  —

  —

  70·2

  —

  75·6

  £4·50

  —

  —

  —

  77·4

  —

  86·7

  £5·00

  —

  —

  —

  80·6

  —

  88·9

  £5·50

  —

  —

  —

  89·5

  —

  94·4

  £6·50

  —

  —

  —

  91·9

  —

  97·8

  Non manual men

  £2·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £6·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Manual women

  £2·50

  3·2

  6·1

  5·0

  7·7

  7·1

  8·2

  £3·00

  9·2

  14·9

  18·6

  26·6

  26·9

  26·5

  £3·50

  18·9

  37·6

  47·3

  59·6

  58·9

  60·6

  £4·00

  32·8

  57·4

  63·2

  76·2

  80·9

  74·7

  £4·50

  60·7

  75·9

  70·9

  84·9

  87·4

  82·7

  £5·00

  77·6

  85·9

  79·5

  91·7

  92·8

  90·4

  £5·50

  86·2

  91·5

  82·9

  95·7

  95·8

  93·1

  £6·50

  93·3

  96·2

  89·1

  97·8

  98·2

  96·5

  Non manual women

  £2·50

  1·6

  1·7

  1·9

  1·5

  2·7

  1·6

  £3·00

  3·0

  4·0

  6·7

  6·4

  8·4

  6·1

  £3·50

  8·2

  16·2

  22·7

  29·8

  31·1

  29·5

  £4·00

  15·9

  28·7

  37·9

  43·9

  44·6

  46·6

  £4·50

  28·7

  42·3

  54·5

  56·7

  57·0

  58·3

  £5·00

  41·0

  54·2

  67·1

  66·9

  66·5

  70·6

  £5·50

  48·9

  62·6

  74·0

  73·6

  73·1

  77·5

  £6·50

  64·0

  74·3

  83·5

  82·7

  81·6

  85·3

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual men

  £2·50

  11·1

  9·8

  —

  —

  —

  £3·00

  34·3

  30·3

  —

  —

  —

  £3·50

  58·6

  47·5

  —

  —

  —

  £4·00

  69·7

  63·1

  —

  —

  —

  796

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  £4·50

  75·8

  72·1

  —

  —

  —

  £5·00

  85·9

  79·5

  —

  —

  —

  £5·50

  89·9

  85·2

  —

  —

  —

  £6·50

  94·9

  91·8

  —

  —

  —

  Non manual men

  £2·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £6·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Manual women

  £2·50

  5·5

  6·5

  5·8

  6·5

  —

  £3·00

  23·9

  20·7

  27·1

  25·2

  —

  £3·50

  49·8

  51·8

  65·1

  58·1

  —

  £4·00

  74·7

  73·1

  81·4

  77·6

  —

  £4·50

  84·6

  83·6

  87·3

  87·7

  —

  £5·00

  91·7

  90·0

  92·8

  93·6

  —

  £5·50

  95·0

  94·0

  94·6

  95·3

  —

  £6·50

  97·5

  96·9

  96·2

  97·4

  —

  Non manual women

  £2·50

  2·5

  1·7

  2·2

  2·9

  3·7

  £3·00

  7·6

  6·1

  7·7

  7·2

  8·6

  £3·50

  28·7

  28·1

  32·1

  29·3

  33·3

  £4·00

  45·1

  40·7

  44·7

  38·4

  47·4

  £4·50

  58·4

  55·4

  54·6

  51·1

  58·2

  £5·00

  68·7

  64·9

  66·1

  59·3

  67·0

  £5·50

  76·2

  72·6

  75·4

  67·4

  73·9

  £6·50

  84·7

  81·5

  85·3

  77·6

  82·4

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

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual men

  £2·50

  0·4

  0·4

  0·4

  0·7

  0·6

  0·7

  £3·00

  1·6

  1·5

  1·9

  2·6

  2·4

  2·8

  £3·50

  3·7

  4·0

  4·5

  6·8

  6·6

  6·9

  £4·00

  7·6

  9·2

  12·8

  15·7

  14·1

  14·7

  £4·50

  13·2

  16·7

  24·0

  27·1

  23·2

  25·5

  £5·00

  21·2

  26·5

  37·5

  39·2

  33·8

  36·6

  £5·50

  29·4

  36·5

  49·1

  51·5

  46·4

  49·8

  £6·50

  49·9

  57·3

  69·6

  70·0

  66·5

  69·1

  Non Manual men

  £2·50

  0·2

  0·2

  0·6

  0·2

  0·4

  0·4

  £3·00

  0·4

  0·4

  1·2

  0·9

  1·1

  0·9

  £3·50

  0·9

  1·3

  3·0

  2·8

  2·9

  2·8

  £4·00

  1·7

  2·9

  6·2

  5·6

  5·9

  5·9

  £4·50

  3·2

  5·2

  9·8

  9·7

  9·2

  10·1

  £5·00

  5·3

  8·0

  14·7

  14·1

  14·2

  14·8

  £5·50

  8·3

  11·3

  20·3

  19·9

  19·6

  20·1

  £6·50

  14·8

  18·7

  29·5

  27·9

  30·0

  30·8

  Manual women

  £2·50

  2·7

  2·9

  2·8

  2·4

  4·2

  3·0

  £3·00

  6·5

  8·1

  12·6

  14·4

  15·9

  15·8

  £3·50

  15·8

  20·5

  35·4

  34·8

  34·2

  37·6

  £4·00

  25·8

  36·8

  54·5

  53·8

  53·4

  59·5

  £4·50

  41·1

  52·5

  71·1

  67·4

  67·6

  73·5

  £5·00

  56·1

  66·1

  82·9

  80·6

  79·9

  83·6

  £5·50

  68·3

  75·4

  88·6

  88·1

  88·1

  89·9

  £6·00

  81·7

  87·6

  95·9

  94·5

  95·6

  95·8

  Non Manual women

  £2·50

  0·2

  0·3

  0·3

  0·7

  0·4

  0·5

  £3·00

  0·5

  0·8

  1·5

  2·3

  2·5

  2·3

  £3·50

  1·4

  3·1

  8·5

  8·5

  8·6

  8·7

  797

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  £4·00

  3·2

  6·6

  16·6

  16·0

  18·3

  17·1

  £4·50

  6·0

  12·0

  26·6

  25·3

  29·4

  27·6

  £5·00

  10·2

  18·8

  40·4

  38·1

  42·9

  39·4

  £5·50

  15·4

  26·5

  52·5

  48·7

  53·4

  49·9

  £6·50

  28·8

  41·8

  66·9

  62·7

  66·4

  64·2

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual men

  £2·50

  0·6

  0·4

  0·8

  0·6

  0·5

  £3·00

  2·3

  2·2

  2·6

  1·9

  2·3

  £3·50

  6·1

  6·3

  6·5

  6·4

  7·2

  £4·00

  13·8

  13·2

  13·0

  13·5

  14·6

  £4·50

  24·1

  23·3

  21·6

  24·2

  25·2

  £5·00

  36·0

  34·7

  31·5

  36·1

  36·9

  £5·50

  48·2

  46·9

  43·9

  49·6

  49·9

  £6·50

  67·6

  66·1

  64·1

  67·6

  66·9

  Non manual men

  £2·50

  0·5

  0·3

  0·4

  0·2

  0·4

  £3·00

  1·0

  0·9

  1·1

  1·0

  1·1

  £3·50

  3·6

  2·9

  3·1

  3·3

  3·5

  £4·00

  6·9

  5·4

  6·9

  6·5

  7·1

  £4·50

  10·6

  9·1

  9·5

  9·8

  11·3

  £5·00

  16·0

  14·0

  13·6

  14·3

  15·3

  £5·50

  21·3

  18·7

  17·8

  19·5

  20·7

  £6·50

  31·2

  26·9

  26·7

  29·0

  30·9

  Manual women

  £2·50

  3·0

  5·0

  4·2

  3·2

  3·3

  £3·00

  16·6

  16·2

  17·5

  16·0

  14·4

  £3·50

  39·5

  33·9

  37·2

  35·8

  31·7

  £4·00

  57·5

  51·2

  55·2

  52·6

  53·7

  £4·50

  69·6

  67·0

  68·2

  68·2

  68·6

  £5·00

  80·9

  78·7

  78·8

  79·6

  79·7

  £5·50

  89·3

  85·8

  85·2

  88·9

  87·3

  £6·50

  96·2

  94·4

  95·6

  94·7

  95·7

  Non manual women

  £2·50

  0·8

  0·5

  1·2

  0·5

  0·7

  £3·00

  2·9

  2·5

  3·4

  2·3

  3·6

  £3·50

  10·3

  7·6

  10·0

  9·4

  9·2

  £4·00

  19·1

  14·8

  19·4

  17·8

  17·3

  £4·50

  30·1

  25·2

  30·3

  28·1

  28·2

  £5·00

  40·3

  35·9

  42·0

  38·4

  38·4

  £5·50

  50·6

  47·0

  53·6

  49·8

  48·1

  £6·50

  65·3

  62·1

  68·6

  63·6

  63·9

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

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual men

  £2·50

  —

  —

  —

  11·3

  —

  20·0

  £3·00

  —

  —

  —

  28·2

  —

  36·7

  £3·50

  —

  —

  —

  54·0

  —

  64·4

  £4·00

  —

  —

  —

  70·2

  —

  75·6

  £4·50

  —

  —

  —

  77·4

  —

  85·6

  £5·00

  —

  —

  —

  80·6

  —

  88·9

  £5·50

  —

  —

  —

  89·5

  —

  94·4

  £6·50

  —

  —

  —

  91·1

  —

  98·9

  Non Manual men

  £2·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £6·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  798

  Greater London

  South East

  East Anglia

  South West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  Manual women

  £2·50

  3·4

  6·0

  5·0

  7·5

  7·0

  8·2

  £3·00

  9·2

  14·7

  17·8

  26·0

  26·6

  26·3

  £3·50

  18·6

  37·1

  46·5

  59·8

  58·8

  59·6

  £4·00

  32·1

  56·7

  62·4

  75·6

  80·3

  74·2

  £4·50

  60·6

  75·9

  70·9

  85·6

  87·3

  82·4

  £5·00

  76·8

  85·9

  79·5

  92·6

  92·5

  90·6

  £5·50

  86·2

  91·7

  83·3

  95·5

  95·8

  93·1

  £6·50

  93·3

  96·4

  89·5

  97·7

  98·2

  96·5

  Non Manual women

  £2·50

  1·6

  1·7

  1·7

  1·5

  2·7

  1·5

  £3·00

  3·0

  4·0

  6·5

  6·2

  8·3

  5·9

  £3·50

  8·1

  16·0

  21·9

  29·8

  30·9

  28·1

  £4·00

  15·5

  28·4

  37·2

  43·7

  45·0

  46·0

  £4·50

  28·8

  42·1

  54·8

  56·7

  56·8

  58·0

  £5·00

  4·10

  54·1

  67·3

  66·9

  66·5

  70·4

  £5·50

  48·7

  62·6

  74·0

  73·9

  73·2

  77·7

  £6·50

  63·9

  74·4

  83·3

  82·6

  81·7

  85·4

  Yorkshire/ Humberside

  North West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  Manual men

  £2·50

  11·1

  9·0

  —

  —

  —

  £3·00

  34·3

  29·5

  —

  —

  —

  £3·50

  58·6

  48·4

  —

  —

  —

  £4·00

  69·7

  61·5

  —

  —

  —

  £4·50

  76·8

  73·0

  —

  —

  —

  £5·00

  85·9

  80·3

  —

  —

  —

  £5·50

  89·9

  86·1

  —

  —

  —

  £6·50

  96·0

  91·8

  —

  —

  —

  Non manual men

  £2·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £3·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £4·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £5·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £6·50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Manual women

  £2·50

  5·5

  6·5

  5·6

  6·6

  —

  £3·00

  23·2

  20·5

  26·9

  25·3

  —

  £3·50

  49·6

  51·4

  64·9

  58·0

  —

  £4·00

  74·5

  71·8

  81·2

  76·9

  —

  £450

  84·6

  83·0

  87·5

  87·6

  —

  £5·00

  92·2

  90·2

  92·4

  93·4

  —

  £5·50

  95·5

  93·3

  94·2

  95·3

  —

  £6·50

  97·7

  97·1

  96·4

  97·4

  —

  Non manual women

  £2·50

  2·5

  1·6

  2·2

  2·9

  3·7

  £3·00

  7·3

  5·8

  7·5

  7·4

  8·6

  £3·50

  28·5

  27·3

  31·0

  28·1

  32·7

  £4·00

  44·5

  40·5

  44·4

  37·7

  47·7

  £4·50

  58·2

  55·5

  54·9

  50·5

  58·4

  £5·50

  76·2

  72·8

  75·6

  67·3

  74·5

  £6·50

  84·7

  81·5

  85·2

  77·7

  82·4

  Maternity Rights
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Emploument when his Department intends to implement the maternity rights provisions of the Trade Union and Employment Rights Acts 1993.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The provisions will be commenced by October 1994, as the Ec pregnant workers directive requires.

  Unemployment, East Midlands
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the east midlands have been unemployed for a year or longer.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In April 1993 and on the unadjusted basis, 65,699 claimants had been unemployed for over a year in the east midlands region.

  In winter 1992–93, also on the unadjusted basis, the number unemployed over a year according to the International Labour Organisation definition stood at 73,000.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of people in Rochdale who have completed TEC-run training courses entered full-time employment in each of the last two years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is given in the table:

  Youth training/employment training—percentage of those completing their training entering full-time employment Rochdale training and enterprise council April 1990 to September 1992

  Youth training1 Per cent.

  Employment training Per cent.

  April 1990 to March 1991

  76

  41

  April 1991 to March 1992

  74

  n/a

  April 1992 to September 1992

  61

  n/a

  Source: YT follow-up survey, ET follow-up survey.

  Notes:

  1 Includes Youth Training and Youth Credits, April 1991 to September 1992 information is provisional.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total gross public expenditure on training and enterprise councils for each year since 1989–90, and projected expenditure for the years up to 1995–96, in 1991–92 prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the methods used in the compiling of employment statistics.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A thorough review of the methods used in compiling employment statistics was conducted by the Department in 1988. As a result, my predecessors authorised a number of initiatives to improve the quality of the statistics. These included the introduction of a quarterly labour force survey in 1992; the first full census of employers for 12 years, in September this year; and the co-development with the Central Statistical Office of a new register of businesses which will be fully operational in 1995.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the level of unemployment in the travel-to-work areas where collieries have closed; and what initiatives the Government are currently taking to provide jobs in those areas.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Between January and June 1993, claimant unemployment fell in all those travel-to-work areas containing collieries where British Coal has ceased operations since October 1992.

  The Government have made available £75 million to training and enterprise councils and the Employment Service to provide a range of training, job search and other measures to help the unemployed people affected. This £75 million forms part of a larger £200 million package of assistance involving the Employment Department, the Department of Trade and Industry, British Coal Enterprise, English Estates and other Government agencies.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the social chapter.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The social chapter has not been a major topic in discussions with European Ministers. The interpretation, the extent and the use of the agreement of 11 on social policy are essentially matters for those member states who signed it.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the publication, including details of price and availability, containing the text of(a) the social chapter, (b) the social charter signed by 11 Heads of State or Government at Strasbourg in 1979, (c) the social protocol and attached agreement and (d) documents referred to in texts (a) to (c) above or necessary for construing them; and if he will state for each document its publication date and the authority for its publication.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Social Charter
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 22 July, at column 295, if he will now publish the text of the social charter signed in Strasbourg on 9 December 1989 by 11 member states of the European Community, together with a schedule of the consequential draft on effective regulations and directives with accompanying information concerning relevant security reports, debates and implementation.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The text of the social charter was annexed to the unnumbered explanatory memorandum submitted to the parliamentary scrutiny Committees by the Employment Department on 24 November 1989. The text of each Commission proposal under the social action programme has been deposited in Parliament and explanatory memoranda in each case have been prepared for the scrutiny Committees. All the information requested by the hon. Member is therefore already in the public domain.

  Unemployment, South-east Essex
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what intiatives he is taking to assist the long-term unemployed in south-east Essex.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Long-term unemployed people in south-east Essex have access to a range of opportunities specifically aimed to give them the help they need to get back to work. These include Restart, job clubs, the job interview guarantee, training for work, and job plan workshops.

  We have also recently introduced learning for work, community action and an expanded business start-up scheme for long-term unemployed people which are just a part of the 1·6 million opportunities available nationally this year through the Employment Service and training and enterprise councils to help unemployed people find the best route back to employment. This is an increase of about 600,000 opportunities on last year.

  Sickness Certification
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the extent to which staff of the Employment Service have encouraged fit, unemployed persons to seek sickness certification from their general practitioners as an alternative to registering for employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The chief executive of the Employment Service has assured me that Employment Service staff do not encourage fit, unemployed persons to seek sickness certification from their GPs. Only where clients raise doubts about their fitness and capability for work, and are willing to seek further advice from their GP will advisers suggest that they do so. If the Employment Service has doubts about their capability for work, but the client does not wish to seek further medical advice their claim will be taken and referred to the independent adjudicating authority for a decision on entitlement to an unemployment benefit.

  Accident Victims (Refraining)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what research has been undertaken by his Department into effective methods of retraining accident victims.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department has undertaken no national research specifically relating to retraining accident victims.

  People with disabilities, including those whose disabilities arise from accidents, have priority under a wide range of employment and training programmes including training for work and, where eligible, learning for work and community action.

  People with disabilities retain their priority status throughout their period of unemployment, or until they have entered each one of our main programmes.

  Labour Market
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he intends to take to improve the workings of the British labour market.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The aim of the Department is to support economic growth by promoting a competitive,802
  efficient and flexible labour market. We have already taken steps to achieve this through step-by-step reforms of industrial relations and trade union law, through deregulation to reduce burdens on business and increase choice and opportunities for individuals, by encouraging training and enterprise, and by helping and requiring unemployed people actively to seek work. We need to maintain these policies if United Kingdom business is to remain competitive.

  Health and Safety at Work
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consolidate the current statutory instruments on health and safety at work.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 18 May 1993,Official Report, column 129.

  Young People
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds are in full-time employment.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest available estimates, not seasonally adjusted, from winter 1992–93 labour force survey shows that 12 per cent. of 16 and 17-year-olds in Great Britain were in full-time employment. Seventy per cent. of this age group were in full-time education.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what number of 16 and 17-year-olds are currently without a job, a place in higher education or a place on a training scheme.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the oral answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 116, what information is available from the labour force survey about the number of those aged 16 and 17-year-olds unemployed according to the International Labour Organisation definition in autumn 1992 and winter 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information appeared in a feature article in the July 1993 Employment Gazette—"Economic Activity of 16 and 17 year olds", table 1, page 308.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to increase training provision and other employment measures for young people in Hartlepool.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Teesside training and enterprise council has a wide range of measures in place to help young people in Hartlepool, including the guarantee of a place on youth training.

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives his Department is taking to improve career opportunities for young people in London.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Youth training and training credits are available to young people through training and enterprise councils in London, as elsewhere. These offer a
  803
  wide range of training opportunities which will enhance and improve the career opportunities of those young people participating.

  Training and enterprise councils will also continue to work in collaboration with the careers service to further develop new and innovative training opportunities for young people.

  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what number of 16 and 17-year-olds are currently without a job, a place in higher education or a place on a training scheme.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Women in Management
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives he has encouraged to improve opportunities for women to progress into senior management positions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I am convinced that every woman with the necessary inclination, ambition and ability should be allowed a fair and equal opportunity to progress to the highest level possible of her chosen profession. I wholly endorse the aims of the employer-led Opportunity 2000 initiatives, which seeks to enhance the quality and quantity of women's participation in the work force and the Department seeks to be one of the truly exemplary employers in the campaign.

  The "New Horizons for Women" initiative promotes a whole range of opportunities for women and publications such as "The Best of Both Worlds" and "Rising to the Challenge" encourage employers to adopt flexible working practices, which can be of benefit to many women with responsibilities beyond the workplace, and to consider the valuable contribution which women have to make to the world of work.

  Horse Racing
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are estimated to be employed in jobs relating to the horse racing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available. Employment relating to the horse racing industry cannot be distinguished from other leisure industries within activity reading 9791—sport and other recreational services—of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980.

  Manufacturing Employment
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on manufacturing employment in the west midlands.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In March 1993, there were 547,000 employees in manufacturing industries in the west midlands.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of manufacturing employment has been lost since January 1990.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Between January 1990 and May 1993, the number of employees in manufacturing in Great 804
  Britain fell by 18 per cent. However, the fall in manufacturing employment is not new; its peak was as far back as 1966. In addition since March 1983, reductions in manufacturing employment have been more than offset by increases in other parts of the economy.

  Working Population
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the United Kingdom are in work as a percentage of the total population of working age; and what is the average figure in the European Community.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The United Kingdom percentage in spring 1991 was 70·2 per cent. compared with an EC average of 61·6 per cent. based upon the latest published EC labour force survey report. The most recent available estimate for the United Kingdom is for winter 1992–93 when the percentage was 70 per cent.

  Home Workers
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's assessment of the number of home workers in Leeds, West.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is estimated that in West Yorkshire some 19,000 people work at home as their main job, including those who are self-employed. Estimates of the numbers of homeworkers are not available for Leeds, West or other local areas.

  Business Start-up Scheme
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those enterprises started under the business start-up scheme are still trading after three years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The business start-up scheme has not been operational long enough to give the information asked for. The business start-up scheme replaced the enterprise allowance scheme and only came into operation in April 1991. The full results of a survey of those starting the scheme in May 1991 is to be published later this year. This shows that 71 per cent. were still operating the same business 18 months after starting.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he wil make a statement on the work of the Health and Safety Executive in relation to Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate and field operations divisions carry out regular inspections of BNFL's operations at Sellafield under the Health and Safety at Work etc, Act 1974; the relevant statutory provisions of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, as amended and other relevant legislation.

  Redundancy Legislation
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to review the redundancy legislation.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Minor changes to the statutory notification and consultation procedures were made in the
  805
  Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act. These provisions will come into force on 30 August. We have no plans to change the arrangements for statutory redundancy payments.

  Careers Service
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much expenditure(a) has already been incurred and (b) will be incurred in implementing those provisions of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 relating to the careers service.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 26 July 1993.

  Number of economically active Women by age of youngest dependent child. Winter 1992–93 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Woman aged 16 and over

  Thousands

  Age of youngest dependent child

  All economically active women

  0–4

  5–10

  11–15

  No dependent children under 16

  Great Britain

  12,034

  1,666

  1,435

  1,125

  7,808

  England

  10,409

  1,432

  1,237

  968

  6,772

  Wales

  562

  86

  70

  51

  356

  Scotland

  1,063

  148

  129

  106

  680

  Source: Labour Force Survey.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish figures for the projected labour force in Scotland for each year until 2001(a) for males and (b) for females.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The figures were published in the June 1992 issue of the Employment Gazette—table 1, pages 294–5—and more detailed analyses are available from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the annual labour activity rate for(a) males and (b) females in Scotland between the current year and his Department's published figure for 2000.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The figures were published in the June 1992 issue of the Employment Gazette—table 4, pages 300–1—and more detailed analyses are available from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list how many(a) males, full time, (b) females, full time and (c) females, part time in Scotland were covered by collective agreements at work both in 1979 and for the latest full year for which such figures are available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, information on the proportion of employees covered by collective agreements in the groups specified, as at April 1992, is shown in the table. Comparable figures for 1979 are available only at disproportionate cost.

  Proportion of employees covered by a collective agreement in Scotland, April 1992

  Category of employee

  Proportion covered per cent.

  (a) Full-time males

  35

  (b) Full-time females

  42

  (c) Part-time females1

  50

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many women in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) England were economically active whose youngest child was aged(a) 0-four years, (b) five to 10 years, (c) 11 to 15 years, or had no children, for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest available estimates from the winter 1992–93 labour force survey are given in the table:

  1The survey does cover all part-time female employees, only those that are members of pay-as-you-earn(PAYE) schemes.

  Source: New Earnings Survey

  EC Social Policy
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to consult(a) employers or their representatives and (b) employees and trade unions over the European Community green paper on social policy.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The European Commissioner for Social Affairs has already sought the views of all interested parties on his proposal to publish a green paper on the future of European social policy. After the green paper has been published the Commissioner will initiate a further extensive round of consultation. I am sure that employers and trades unions will want to play a full part in that debate.

  Child Care
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has received to the document, "Good Childcare, Good Business", produced by Employers for Childcare, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be meeting the organisers of Employers for Childcare in the near future, when they will discuss the issues raised in their document.

  Social and Labour Affairs Council
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what matters he expects to be discussed at the next meeting of the EC Social and Labour Affairs Council.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The agenda for the next meeting of the EC Labour and Social Affairs Council on 12 October has not yet been fixed.
  807
  However, the Belgian presidency has indicated that it expects the agenda to include some or all of the following items:

  Directive on Atypical Work

  Directive on Posted Workers

  Directive on European Works Councils

  Directive on the Protection of Young Workers

  Directive on Biological Agents (final adoption)

  Directive on Parental Leave

  Directive on the Reversal of the Burden of Proof in Sex Discrimination Cases

  Initiative on Employment

  The Commission's Green Paper on Social Policy

  Disability
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department have taken against training and enterprise councils who have been found to be not making available suitable high quality training for people assessed to have a disability.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Each training and enterprise council sets out in its business plan its proposals for the year ahead including the help it can give to people with disabilities. Regional directors regularly review the performance of each TEC to ensure that it delivers the agreed plan. There are a range off sanctions which the Department can bring to bear.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled directors there are on each training and enterprise council board; and what percentage of the TEC boards this represents.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people in the United Kingdom of working age are neither in work nor in training; and what percentage of the disabled population in this age group this represents.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The labour force survey—LFS—asks people of working age if they currently have any health problem or disability which limits the kind of paid work they can do. Estimates based on answers to this question will include people with short-term health problems and disabilities as well as those registered as disabled.

  The latest estimates show that of people in the United Kingdom with such health problems or disabilities, 523,000–10·4 per cent.—were unemployed on the ILO definition.

  These figures are based on estimates for Great Britain in winter 1992–93 and those for Northern Ireland in spring 1992 and are not seasonally adjusted.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of training and enterprise council public meetings were fully accessible for disabled people in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available. It is a matter for each training and enterprise council to ensure proper access to their annual public meetings.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is meant by the term "suitable high quality training" as used in the 1993–94 training and 808
  enterprise council operating agreement in relation to the availability of training for people assessed to have a disability.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Suitable high-quality training means training that meets the requirements placed on training and enterprise councils' providers to achieve the standards of approved training organisation status or agreed alternative.

  From April 1994, new revised arrangements will come into effect covering all TEC products and services. These build on the existing arrangements and the considerable development work undertaken by TECs.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled employees there are within each training and enterprise council; and what percentage of the work force this represents.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. As an employer, every training and enterprise council is required to satisfy the statutory obligations of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are being taken by his Department to measure and compare high quality training for disabled people within and between training and enterprise council areas.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Training and enterprise councils' business plans are examined before approval to ensure that they have included objectives and targets for helping people with disabilities. TECs are required by their contract to provide regular performance statistics relating to the training, and placing, of people with disabilities. The Department's regional contracts managers review TECs' achievements against objectives at regular intervals.

  Performance reports produced as part of this monitoring process are used to ensure that appropriate action is being taken and that TECs are delivering the agreed plan within the terms of their contract.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of training and enterprise council resources are spent on disabled people in each TEC.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Astra Training
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he intends to take to secure training programmes undertaken by, and the future employment of, staff employed by Astra Training in Sheffield.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department contracts with training and enterprise councils for the delivery of training programmes in their areas. It places a contractual obligation on the TECs, where a training provider closes, to find the trainees concerned suitable alternative training. This provision will come into effect in the event that Astra's receivers close any skillcentres. We understand that skillcentres are continuing to offer services to customers while the trading position is reviewed.
  809
  Where redundancies take place among Astra's staff, whether in Sheffield or elsewhere, the full facilities of the Employment Service are available to help the people concerned find alternative work. The redundancy payments service is already in touch with the receiver to ensure that where redundancies do occur, statutory payments are made as soon as possible.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what residual obligation his Department has to the staff and trainees currently employed by the collapsed firm Astra.

  Miss Widdecombe
  As was made clear from the outset, the sale of the Skills Training Agency in 1990 was conducted on a clean-break basis. At the time of the sale, the Government ensured that the staff who transferred to Astra were covered by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations and that Astra and other purchasers provided pension and redundancy rights in line with ministerial undertakings. The Department has no continuing obligation to Astra staff who were civil servants. The Department's contract with training and enterprise councils requires suitable alternative training to be found for trainees whose training is affected by any closure of a training centre.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he intends to take to provide training facilities to replace those lost by the collapse of Astra.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department contracts with training and enterprise councils for the delivery of training programmes in their areas. It places a contractual obligation on the TECs, where a training provider closes, to find the trainees concerned suitable alternative training. This provision will come into effect in the event that Astra's receivers close any skillcentres. We understand that skillcentres are continuing to offer services to customers while the trading position is reviewed.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what protection for the staff employed in the training centres were negotiated with Astra plc when the sale was made.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The sale of skillcentres to Astra—and other purchasers—in 1990 was governed by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations—TUPE. This meant that those terms and conditions to which staff were entitled and which were covered by TUPE transferred with staff to their new employment. In addition the Government required purchasers to provide pensions broadly comparable to those applying to the civil service, and redundancy rights at least equivalent to the civil service terms in force at the date of sale. These measures prevented changes being made to terms and conditions for reasons due to the transfer itself, but were not agreed in perpetuity.

  North Norfolk Action Scheme
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average amount paid per year for each person involved in the north Norfolk action scheme to each of the providers and the average amount paid to providers nationally in similar schemes.
  810
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for the subject in 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 Sir Ralph Howell, dated 27 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 average amount paid per year for each person involved in North Norfolk Action to each of the providers and the average amount paid to providers nationally in similar schemes. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  North Norfolk Action was set up on 10 May to pilot a combination of work experience and intensive case load support to people unemployed over six months. The work experience is full-time on projects of benefit to the community which would not otherwise be done. Whilst participating, people also receive help in looking for permanent jobs.

  There are currently three providers of North Norfolk Action, North Norfolk County Council, Community Rural Aid, NACRO. They are paid an average of £2,840 per year for each person involved in the programme. This is to cover the cost of:

  —supervisors wages;

  —tools and equipment;

  —Health and Safety;

  —Jobskills training;

  —First Aid training;

  —transport; and

  —administration costs.

  The only programme similar to North Norfolk Action will be Community Action. This was announced in the Budget in March and will allow unemployed people to do work of community benefit. Providers of Community Action which is about to start on 27 July as paid an average of £2,080 per year per person. However Community Action providers work on a part-time basis for up to 21 hours each week. As with North Norfolk Action participants will receive an allowance equivalent to their weekly benefit rate plus £10.

  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.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of young people who entered youth training in each of the last five years in the London East training and enterprise council area; and what were the qualifications they received in each year.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Unlawful Industrial Action
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he intends to fund the Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The new Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action is established under section 22 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993, which received Royal Assent on 1 July.

  The new Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action will be independent of

  811
  Government and free from ministerial direction. The commissioner has been established as a non-departmental public body to ensure this independence, while ensuring proper accountability and financial propriety.

  The commissioner can provide material assistance, on application, to those individuals contemplating or taking proceedings against trade unions under the new "citizen's right" provision of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993. This provision allows individuals to bring court proceedings to halt the unlawful organisation of industrial action which deprive them of goods or services.

  Parliamentary approval for expenditure on the expenses of the new commissioner will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the Department of Employment's programmes and central services vote-class V. vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £80,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund:

  Commissioner for the Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action (Class V, Vote 1)—£120,000.

  Job Clubs
  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.

  Standard

  Supportive

  Executive

  People with disabilities

  Ex-offenders

  Total

  Northern

  83

  3

  9

  1

  1

  97

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  93

  13

  7

  0

  1

  114

  East Midlands

  89

  7

  16

  1

  1

  114

  London and South East

  288

  42

  43

  4

  4

  381

  South West

  90

  5

  14

  1

  2

  112

  Wales

  77

  0

  8

  0

  0

  85

  West Midlands

  119

  9

  13

  0

  1

  142

  North West

  166

  6

  13

  1

  3

  189

  Scotland

  116

  10

  9

  0

  0

  135

  National

  1,121

  95

  132

  8

  13

  1,369

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what specific measures his Department takes to encourage the creation of jobs by inward investment in the United Kingdom.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In addition to the specific activities of the Department of Trade and Industry's Invest in Britain Bureau, one of the lowest rates of corporation tax in the developed world, and a Government who support the enterprise culture, overseas investors are attracted by the United Kingdom's labour market. Fewer days are now lost to industrial action since records began more than 100 years ago, the regulatory burden on employers is light and the labour market is the most flexible in Europe. That is why the United Kingdom attracts nearly 41 per cent. of the stock of Japanese investment and over 36 per cent. of the stock of United States investment into the EC. This continuing investment, which has created or safeguarded
  812
  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 Jobclubs operational for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, and how many of them cater for people with special needs. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  The information is given in the attached table. It shows the number of standard and specialist Jobclubs by region and for Great Britain as a whole at the end of June 1993.

  My colleague John Cooper wrote to you in December last year on the subject of Jobclubs for people with special needs. As he said then, all Jobclubs accept members who either have some degree of literacy or language problem, have a disability or have been in prison. Similarly, all Jobclubs are open to people seeking executive or managerial work.

  Since he wrote to you the evaluation of the supportive Jobclub network has been carried out. As you know supportive Jobclubs provide additional help to people with more severe problems who cannot cope in a standard Jobclub, such as people with literacy or language problems, or those with a severe lack of confidence. The evaluation, which was completed in March 1993, identified a number of good practices within the network and found that supportive Jobclubs are successful in placing unemployed people directly into work. On the strength of these findings further places will be available this year to help people with special needs in supportive Jobclubs.

  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.

  more than 275,000 jobs over the last five years, would be put at risk by adopting the added costs and restrictions of the social chapter, which the United Kingdom will continue to resist.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of the recession on the willingness of employers to find extra money to employ disabled people.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: We are pleased that employment of people with disabilities has held up well during the recession; the Employment Service placed more than 40,000 unemployed people with disabilities into jobs during 1992–93, well ahead of its target. However, we recognise the difficulties encountered by disabled people in the employment market. It is for reasons such as these that we have special employment

  813
  provision for disabled people and give disabled people priority for a place on our main employment and training schemes.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve the employment prospects for people with disabilities in Yorkshire and Humberside; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: We will continue to encourage employers to provide opportunities for disabled people through programmes of education and persuasion, backed by practical help, in Yorkshire and Humberside as elsewhere throughout the country. Through jobcentres, people with disabilities have access to local placing assessment and counselling teams to provide advice to people with disabilities and their employers.

  Three examples of innovative initiatives in Yorkshire and Humberside are a pioneering programme run by Bradford training and enterprise council to help graduates with a disability to pursue a career in management; worklink, a specialist advisory and counselling service for people with disabilities run by Barnsley and Doncaster TEC; and in Shipley and Keighley the Cellar project, supported by the Employment Service, provides disabled people with advice, guidance and support to help them obtain work placements and workshop places. From 1 April 1994 the new access to work initiative will be introduced to meet the employment needs of people with disabilities nationally.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for what proportion of its activities Thames Water Utilities Ltd. is exempt from the requirements of the regulations governing the employment of disabled persons; what are the terms of exemption permit held.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: 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. Harry Cohen, dated 27 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 what proportion of the activities of Thames Water Utilities is exempt from the requirements of the regulations governing the employment of disabled persons; and what are the terms of exemption permit held. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  Thames Water Utilities Limited is, like other employers with twenty or more workers, subject to the Quota provisions of the Disabled (Persons) Employment Act 1944. It may help if I explain those provisions.

  The Quota Scheme was established by the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944. Under the scheme, employers who have 20 or more workers have a duty to employ a quota of registered disabled people. The standard quota is currently set at 3 per cent. of an employer's total workforce. It is not an offence to be below quota. However, when in this situation an employer has a further duty to engage suitable registered disabled people, if any are available, when vacancies arise. A below-quota employer
  814
  must not engage anyone other than a registered disabled person without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Employment Service.

  The issue of a permit does not provide employers with exemption from their duties and obligations under the 1944 Act. A permit allows an employer to engage a person who is not registered as disabled. The 1944 Act sets out the criteria under which a permit can be issued, which include regard to the nature of the work, and the availability and suitability of registered disabled people.

  Employers who are below quota can apply for "bulk" permits in advance to authorise a specified number of engagements over a limited period, based on the employer's estimated requirements. Bulk permits were introduced in order to keep a minimum the administrative burden for employers and the Department, whilst protecting the interests of people with disabilities. These are issued by the Jobcentre and will consider sympathetically and suitable registered disabled people who may become available.

  Information about the quota or permit position of individual employers is not disclosed without their prior consent. This has been the policy of successive governments. I cannot, therefore provide the specific information you request about Thames Water Utilities. I am sorry that I cannot be of more help on this occasion.

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

  Executive Staff (Scotland)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many executive staff in the Department of Employment in(a) Dundee and (b) Scotland who have been declared as surplus to requirements; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The Employment Department group currently has five executive staff in Scotland who have been declared as surplus to requirements. None of them is in Dundee.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the budget for the current year for his Department in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom; and if he will list the budgets for the previous five years expressed in 1993 prices.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]:

  The Department's current budget relates in the main to England for training programmes and to Great Britain for other programmes and activities. The responsibility for delivery of the main training programmes in Scotland was transferred to the Scottish Office in 1991–92. Detailed information prior to 1991–92 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Northern Ireland expenditure information can be obtained from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

DEFENCE

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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.
  815
  Mr. Aitken
  The table lists services or functions contracted out as a result of market testing in the Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 or, in the case of BAOR, equivalent German regulations based on the European acquired rights directive, were not applied. Similar information covering services or functions contracted out other than as a result of market testing could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Catering at Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton and HMS DRAKE, Devonport.

  Ground radio/radar maintenance, Royal Naval Air Station, Portland.

  Helicopter maintenance and engineering, Royal Naval Air Stations Yeovilton, Culdrose and Portland.

  Aircraft maintenance, Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton.

  RN simulator helicopter control operations, Royal Naval Air Station, Portland.

  Works services management, Royal Naval Air Station, Culdrose.

  Engineering support, No. 60 Squadron RAF.

  Parachute servicing.

  Andover aircraft maintenance.

  Wessex helicopter maintenance, RAF Shawbury.

  Air Weapon Range, RAF Holbeach.

  Engineering and supply multi-activity, RAF Scampton.

  Recruiting exhibition production, RAF Henlow.

  Elementary Flying Training School, RAF Topcliffe.

  Flight checking, No. 115 Squadron, RAF Benson.

  Guarding at Abbey Wood site, Bristol.

  Reconnaissance visits to Bristol new site.

  Catering, A & AEE Boscombe Down.

  Vessel

  Yard were work was carried out

  Allocated/Competed

  1988–89

  RFA OAKLEAF

  Falmouth Shiprepair Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA BAYLEAF

  Falmouth Shiprepair Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA REGENT

  Tyne Shiprepair Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA GREY ROVER

  Smiths Shiprepair Ltd, North Shields

  Competed

  RFA FORT AUSTIN

  Smiths Shiprepair Ltd, North Shields

  Competed

  RFA BLUE ROVER

  Smiths Shiprepair Ltd, North Shields

  Competed

  RFA SIR LANCELOT

  Smiths Shiprepair Ltd, North Shields

  Competed

  RFA SIR GALAHAD

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR PERCIVALE

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR GERAINT

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA TIDESPRING

  Humber Shiprepair Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA BRAMBLELEAF

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Competed

  RFA SIR GERAINT

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Allocated

  RFA SIR BEDIVERE

  DML, Devonport Dockyard

  Allocated

  1989–90

  RFA OLMEDA

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA RESOURCE

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA REGENT

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR TRISTRAM

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR BEDIVERE

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA DILIGENCE

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA GOLD ROVER

  A&P Appledore (Falmouth) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA OAKLEAF

  A&P Appledore (Falmouth) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA ORANGELEAF

  Humber Shiprepair Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR GERAINT

  Tees Dockyard Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA FORT GRANGE

  Swan Hunter Shipbuilders

  Competed

  RFA OLNA

  Thew Engineering, Southampton

  Competed

  RFA BLACK ROVER

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Competed

  1990–91

  RFA BAYLEAF

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA BLUE ROVER

  Tees Dockyard Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA GREY ROVER

  DML, Devonport Dockyard

  Competed

  RFA FORT AUSTIN

  DML, Devonport Dockyard

  Allocated

  1991–92

  RFA ARGUS

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR BEDIVERE

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR PERCIVALE

  Tees, Dockyard Ltd.

  Competed

  816
  Support Services, Northern Ireland.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. Aitken
  Since November 1991, my Department has placed 509 contracts worth a total of £23 million for consultancies related to administrative computer work. In addition, a number of divisions within my Department are empowered to place local orders for computer consultancy up to a maximum value of £25,000 per order; there were approximately 4,000 orders totalling some £1·2 million in this category.

  I regret that it is not possible to provide more details without incurring disproportionate costs.

  RFA Refits
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list the RFA refits carried out in each of the last five years showing the yard at which each was carried out and in each case whether the work was allocated or won in competition.

  Mr. Aitken
  Information on those RFA refits finishing in the last five complete financial years, is as follows:
  817

  Vessel

  Yard were work was carried out

  Allocated/Competed

  RFA BLACK ROVER

  DML, Devonport Dockyard

  Competed

  RFA ORANGELEAF

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Competed

  RFA OLWEN

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Allocated

  RFA GOLD ROVER

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Allocated

  RFA BRAMBLELEAF

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Allocated

  1992–93

  RFA FORT GRANGE

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR GERAINT

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA SIR GALAHAD

  A&P Appledore (Tyne) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA OAKLEAF

  A&P Appledore (Falmouth) Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA DILIGENCE

  Tees Dockyard Ltd.

  Competed

  RFA OLMEDA

  DML, Devonport Dockyard

  Competed

  RFA SIR TRISTRAM

  BTL, Rosyth Dockyard

  Allocated

  Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what disaggregated information he can give by country of the defence equipment listed for export under table 1.11 of "UK Defence Statistics 1993" under the line listing total value of exports to the middle east and north Africa.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the United Kingdom return to the United Nations arms register, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (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;

  Base

  Facilities

  Broughton Moor

  Cumbria

  NATO Armaments Depot

  June 1992

  Holy Loch

  Strathclyde

  Storage/Support

  June 1992

  RAF Kemble

  Gloucestershire

  Storage/Support

  June 1992

  Martlesham Heath

  Suffolk

  Communications Site

  July 1992

  RAF Greenham Common

  Berkshire

  Standby Deployment Base

  September 1992

  Cairnmore Hilloch

  Highlands

  Communications Site

  October 1992

  RAF Inverbervie

  Grampian

  Communications Site

  October 1992

  Latheron

  Highlands

  Communications Site

  October 1992

  RAF Locking

  Avon

  Contingency Hospital

  October 1992

  RAF Sculthorpe

  Norfolk

  Standby Deployment Base

  October 1992

  West Murkle

  Highlands

  Communications Site

  October 1992

  Aberdeen

  Grampian

  Communications Site

  November 1992

  Kinnaber

  Grampian

  Communications Site

  January 1993

  Mormond Hill

  Grampian

  Communications Site

  January 1993

  RAF Machrihanish

  Strathclyde

  Storage/Support

  April 1993

  Glen Douglas

  Strathclyde

  Storage/Support

  June 1993

  RAF St. Mawgan

  Cornwall

  Storage/Support

  June 1993

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those bases and facilities operated or leased by United States armed forces that are to be returned to his Department's control.

  Mr. Hanley
  The list of bases and facilities made available to the United States visiting forces at the following locations and which are due to be returned or partially returned to Ministry of Defence control is as follows:
  818
  (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. Aitken
  With the exception of recruitment literature and application forms, the information produced by my Department is not available in alternative media for public use, although it would be possible to provide this if it were cost effective to do so. Internal information, however, can usually be made available to staff in alternative media where there is a demand.

  US Bases
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those bases and facilities operated or leased by United States armed forces that have been returned to his Department's control since June 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  The list of bases and facilities made available to the United States visiting forces at the following locations and which have been returned to Ministry of Defence control since June 1992 is as follows:

  Bases

  Locations

  Facilities

  RAF Welford

  Berkshire

  Storage/Support

  RAF Burntwood

  Cheshire

  Storage/Support

  RAF Bentwaters

  Suffolk

  Main Operating Base

  RAF Woodbridge

  Suffolk

  Main Operating Base

  RAF Caerwent

  Gwent

  Storage/Support

  Chilwell

  Nottinghamshire

  Storage/Support

  RAF Bicester

  Oxfordshire

  Contingency Hospital

  RAF Little Rissington

  Gloucestershire

  Contingency Hospital

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Oxfordshire

  Main Operating Base

  RAF Upwood

  Cambridgeshire

  Contingency Hospital

  819

  Bases

  Locations

  Facilities

  RAF Alconbury

  Cambridgeshire

  Main Operating Base

  RAF Brawdy

  Dyfed

  Storage/Support

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the specialist qualifications of Dr. Pocock in(a) air transport, (b) the operation of aircraft or (c) otherwise to conduct the study commissioned by his Department into RAF communications flying from RAF Northolt.

  Mr. Hanley
  Dr. Pocock is a senior official with long experience of the Ministry of Defence. It is not expected that a scrutineer will have specialist qualifications in the area of his study: his job is to bring a fresh and independent perspective for Ministers and management to consider. He can of course draw on specialist advice as necessary.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of reference of Dr. Pocock's study for his Department into RAF communications flying from RAF Northolt; and when and to whom he will report his conclusions.

  Mr. Hanley
  The study is part of the Government's programme of efficiency scrutinies under the supervision of the Cabinet Office efficiency unit. Its aim is to establish the scope for greater effectiveness and efficiency in RAF communications flying which involves a number of RAF stations. The study requires examinations of existing patterns of demand, procedures and costs; the identification of trends; and the consideration of new arrangements. The recommendations go to Ministers and the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, as well as to the Government's efficiency adviser. The report was completed on 13 July 1993 and its conclusions are now being assessed.

  Radioactive Shells
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year the V J battery for the testing of radioactive shells were first constructed in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Aitken
  The current VJ battery was constructed between 1979 and 1980.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those sites within the United Kingdom where radioactive shells have been tested in the last 30 years.

  Mr. Aitken
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to anti-armour kinetic energy penetrator rounds containing depleted uranium. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 14 June,Official Report, columns 474–75.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year the testing of radioactive shells was first undertaken within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Aitken
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to anti-armour kinetic energy penetrator rounds containing 820
  depleted uranium, DU. DU firings in the United Kingdom began with a small research programme at Eskmeals starting in 1963.

  Military Equipment Exports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United Kingdom's 20 principal military equipment customers in terms of descending money volume of purchases.

  Mr. Aitken
  It has been the policy of successive Governments not to reveal details of arms sales to individual countries. However, table 1.11 of "UK Defence Statistics 1993" gives information on the value of sales broken dow n by region.

  Radiation-related Illness
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the 126 claims for compensation from radiation-related illnesses, as outlined in A5, pages 39 to 40 of the Twelfth report of the Defence Committee, HC479, Session 1989–90, by establishment as well as by year and nature; and if he will provide comparable information for periods since 1990.

  Mr. Aitken
  The tables give details of claims made—not necessarily followed up by the claimant or accepted—over the periods referred to in the Defence Committee report HC479, Session 1989–90 and the period from 1990.

  Breakdown of claims by establishment for the period January 1979 to December 1989

  Claims

  AWE

  101

  ROF Radway Green

  1

  RNAY Fleetlands

  1

  RAF Whitney

  1

  RRE Malvern

  2

  RNAD Coulport

  3

  HNB Faslane

  1

  HNB Chatham

  3

  Devonport Dockyard

  4

  Rosyth Dockyard

  2

  Vickers—Barrow in Furness

  1

  HNB Portsmouth

  1

  Vulcan NRTE

  1

  HMS Dreadnought

  1

  HMS Battleaxe

  1

  Radar Site—Cyprus

  1

  British Rail Depot—Derby

  1

  For the period from January 1990 to July 1993, there have been 25 claims received so far.

  Breakdown of claims by year and nature for the period January 1990 to July 1993

  Illness

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total

  Leukaemia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Acute Myeloid

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Acute Lymphoblastic

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Chronic Myeloid

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Cancer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  (Unspecified)

  1

  1

  1

  3

  —

  Lung

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Bladder

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Testicular

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Others (Specified)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  821

  Illness

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total

  Hodgkins Disease (Lymphoma)

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Malignant Melanoma

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Mental Anxiety

  2

  2

  3

  —

  —

  Sub Totals

  6

  7

  8

  4

  25

  Breakdown of claims by establishment for the period January 1990 to July 1993

  Number

  AWE

  14

  Rosyth

  3

  HNB Chatham

  4

  HMS Revenge

  1

  HMS Courage

  1

  RCC Amersham

  1

  RAF Waddington

  1

  Atomic Weapons Establishments
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) all laws, statutes and regulations which AWE Aldermaston could claim Crown immunity prior to 1 April and (b) all laws, statutes and regulations which Hunting BRAE, as managing contractors of AWE Aldermaston, can claim Crown immunity from; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  Prior to 1 April 1993, all AWE sites were owned and operated by the Crown. It is a well-established rule that the Crown is not bound by statute unless this is specifically stated, or it is clear that the Crown is to be bound by implication. To list all legislation from which AWE could have claimed Crown immunity prior to 1 April 1993 would therefore involve disproportionate effort and cost. However, even in circumstances where the Crown is not bound by legislation, it is Government policy that it should comply as though such requirements apply to it, wherever this is appropriate and practicable.

  Special provisions relating to the operator of the AWE after contractorisation on 1 April 1993 are set out in the schedule to the AWE Act 1991.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions AWE Aldermaston is having with the nuclear installations inspectorate regarding the possibility of providing a site licence for the atomic weapons establishments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  In the studies leading up to the contractorisation of the atomic weapons establishment, my Department held discussions with the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate concerning the possible licensing of appropriate sites of the atomic weapons establishments. These discussions are planned to continue following the HSE review of health and safety at AWEs and in the light of the conclusions of that review.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions now govern the liability of contractors of the atomic weapons establishments, to prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive for any breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1976.
  822
  Mr. Aitken
  The contractor operating the atomic weapons establishment, Hunting BRAE Ltd., is subject to the full range of legal sanctions available to Health and Safety Executive inspectors under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

  Defence Commitments
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the United Kingdom's overseas defence commitments by country in(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1993; and what was the infantry manpower required to meet each of those commitments;

  (2) if he will list the United Kingdom's domestic defence commitments in (a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1993; and what was the amount of infantry manpower required to meet each of those commitments.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom's defence commitments worldwide are set out in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates" for 1980, 1985 and 1993; overall figures for deployments of each of the armed forces are set out in volume II of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates" for 1980 and 1985, and in "United Kingdom Defence Statistics 1993". Figures for infantry personnel stationed in the United Kingdom and overseas for 1980, 1985 and 1993 are as follows;

  Country

  1980

  1985

  1993

  United Kingdom

  29,041

  26,147

  24,654

  Germany

  11,152

  9,921

  5,915

  Cyprus

  1,181

  1,162

  904

  Gibraltar

  581

  622

  18

  Hong Kong

  790

  801

  671

  Caribbean

  523

  574

  487

  Falkland Islands

  —

  —

  175

  Others

  541

  2,529

  1,548

  Notes:

  1. Separate figures are not available for the Falkland Islands for 1980 and 1985. Figures for those years are included under "Others".

  2. Figures for Belize are included under "Caribbean".

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the sufficiency of United Kingdom Army personnel to meet(a) its domestic defence commitments and (b) its overseas defence commitments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The size of the British Army matches its commitments at home and overseas.

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 87–88, on the numbers of civilian and service staff in post, if he will publish the comparable figures for 1 January 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  1 April 1990

  Civilian staff in post

  Grade 3

  165

  Grade 5

  1373

  Service staff in post

  Major Generals (and equivalents)

  149

  Brigadiers (and equivalents)

  393

  823
  1 Civilian data for 1 January 1990 are not available.

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Army's manpower in thousands in(a) 1980, (b) 1992, (c) 1993 and (d) 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The strength of the Regular Army, excluding Gurkhas, as at 1 April of the years in question is as follows:(a) 1980–159,000, (b)1992–145,000, (c) 1993–135,000 and (d) 1994–120,000 (current forecast).

  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage reduction, since the "Options for Change" announcements in(a) first division civil servants and (b) executive officers employed by the Ministry of Defence; and what are the corresponding reductions in armed forces' uniformed manpower.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  1 April 1990

  1 April 1993

  Percentage change

  First division civil servants

  4,071

  3,825

  -4·78

  Colonels and equivalents and above

  2,074

  1,914

  7·71

  Executive officers

  42,467

  39,877

  -6·10

  2nd Lieutenants—Lt Colonels and equivalents

  38,456

  37,380

  -2·80

  Note:

  First Division civil servants are taken to be Grades 1–7. Executive officers are taken to be those in the executive band in the Grades of Senior Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer and Executive Officer Grades.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much infantry manpower was deployed in Northern Ireland in(a) 1980, (b) 1990, (c) 1991 and (d) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Gurkha Pensioners
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how many years it has been the practice of Her Majesty's Government to provide free medical services to Gurkha pensioners in Nepal; whether this has included provision of free medicines; and what steps are proposed to maintain such provision.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although the Government have no obligation to provide medical services, free or otherwise, to Gurkha pensioners in Nepal the Ministry of Defence has since 1969 provided funding, in the form of grant in aid, to the Gurkha Welfare Trust—GWT—a charity whose operating arm, the Gurkha Welfare Scheme, runs a welfare service in Nepal for Gurkha ex-service men. Although at its introduction the grant was intended to cover administrative costs and medicines, in 1973 the GWT requested that the grant be used solely for administrative costs; the salaries of the field and support 824
  staff and the rent of offices. This request was granted on the basis that the cost of providing drugs and medical care would be met from the trust's charitable funds. There are no plans to change this arrangement.

  In addition, Gurkha pensioners were also able to receive free treatment at the British military hospital in Dharan in eastern Nepal which provided medical care including medicines to serving British Gurkhas and their dependants on a no-cost basis from its opening in 1960 until it was handed over to the Nepalese Government in 1990.

  Helicopters
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the EH101 utility support helicopter for the Royal Air Force meets his detailed specification justification.

  Mr. Aitken
  We have made good progress in defining our support helicopter requirement, and we hope to be in a position to announce our procurement strategy soon.

  Property Disposals
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the book value of the land and buildings disposed of by his Ministry in each region of the United Kingdom, for each year from 1988–89 until 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence does not maintain a comprehensive set of book values of its land and buildings.

  Danger Money
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which regiments currently receive extra payments in respect of dangerous postings; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the amount per month for a United Kingdom service person on top of their basic salary when extra payments are made in respect of a dangerous posting.

  Mr. Hanley
  No United Kingdom service personnel receive extra payments in respect of dangerous postings.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the agreed code of practice to eliminate racial discrimination and promote equal opportunities in the Army will be made public.

  Mr. Hanley
  We intend to publish a code of practice on race relations in the armed forces in the autumn. The code will be disseminated throughout the three services and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Surplus Land
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on maximising the financial return from the sale of surplus land.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is my Department's policy to seek to maximise the return for the taxpayer when disposing of
  825
  surplus sites. This is normally best achieved through open market competitive sale once the full planning potential of the property has been explored.

HEALTH

  Information Technology
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the companies to which the information management group of the national health service management executive has awarded any contracts and the total sums of money paid to these companies.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information will be placed in the Library.

  Tranquilliser Addiction
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance her Department gives to patients who have become addicted to tranquillisers and are seeking legal redress against those who marketed these drugs; what is the estimated level of tranquilliser drug addiction in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Our "Health of the Nation" strategy addresses the problems of prescribing benzodiazepines and the need to review their use, and health authorities are responsible for purchasing any treatment required. Matters of compensation, however, are for individuals to pursue with the companies concerned, if necessary through the courts, as in other areas of health care. Information about tranquilliser drug addiction is not available centrally.

  Herbal Products
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action she will take to ensure that the Committee for Proprietary Medical Products of the EC consults appropriate professional and consumer bodies at European level in respect of the continuous sale of herbal products;

  (2) what representations she has received from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists regarding the recommendations of the Committee for Proprietary Medical Products of the EC that certain herbs should be removed from supply;

  (3) if she will consult the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and other bodies representing consumer interests about the work of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products of the EC;

  (4) what information she has about the recommendations of the Committee for Proprietary Medicines of the EC in respect of the continued sale of herbal products; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The European Community Committee for Proprietary Medicines—CPMP—does consult rnember states, industry representative bodies and other interested parties on all draft guidelines.

  Representations were received from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists—NIMH—that it had not been consulted about a list of herbs withdrawn for safety reasons compiled by the CPMP. The NIMH was advised that the list was simply a factual record of those herbs which had already been withdrawn nationally from
  826
  medicinal products by one or more member states and that the list had been sent to the European Scientific Co-operative for Phytotherapy—ESCOP—in response to ESCOP's proposals for monographs on certain herbal ingredients. The list was published in the recent annual report of the CPMP.

  Authorisations relating to particular medicinal products are the responsibility of the regulatory body of the member state concerned.

  NHS Trusts
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by region the NHS trusts in existence or for which applications are in progress, and the direct managed units.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 20 July,Official Report, column 114, if she will provide a list of trusts which received grants, by wave and district health authority.

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

  NHS Computer Procurement
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines her Department issues to regional health authorities on tendering procedures for supplies information system contracts;

  (2) what advice her Department has issued to regional health authorities on the purchase of products related to hospital information support systems.

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

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish tables showing for each family health services authority—FHSA—area(a) the general practitioner indicative prescribing budgets and the general practitioner fund holders prescription budgets for 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 and (b) the out-turn expenditures so far as available, with the percentage over-or under-spend together with indexes for the combined general practitioner and fund holder spend in each area in cash and standard NHS prices.

  Mr. Sackville
  We do not hold prescribing information in index form, the available information will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners were requested to supply further information about their prescribing practices in the North Tyneside and Newcastle FHSA areas in 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what action was taken on such information.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints by or on behalf of children and young people aged under 18 years have been investigated by the Mental Health Act Commission in each year since 1985.
  827
  Mr. Bowis
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will seek to extend the remit of the Mental Health Act Commission to cover informal patients.

  Mr. Bowis
  We have no current plans to do so.

  Zoplicone
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evidence she holds on the dependence risk of zoplicone in clinical usage;

  (2) what representations have been made by her Department since 1989 to the manufacturers of Zimovane, in respect of their claims that there is no evidence of dependence in clinical use; and what was the outcome;

  (3) what action she proposes to take against the manufacturers of Zimovane in respect of their claims that there is no evidence of dependence in clinical use.

  Mr. Sackville
  When zopiclone—Zimovane—was first marketed in 1989, there was no evidence from clincial studies that the drug could cause dependence. The safety data obtained post-marketing suggest that the drug has some dependence potential. These data indicate that the risk of dependence increases with dose and duration of treatment and is great in patients with a history of alcohol and drug abuse. There is little evidence of dependence if the drug is used at the licensed doses for no more than four weeks.

  The manufacturers changed the prescribing information in 1990 and 1992 at the request of the Medicines Control Agency—MCA—to reflect post-marketing experience. The promotional material for zopiclone now states that the drug has minimal dependence potential when used in the short term; this claim is consistent with the available scientific evidence. The European Community Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products is reviewing the dependence potential of all short-acting hypnotic drugs, including zopiclone. The prescribing information on dependence for all hypnotics may be amended by the MCA as a result of this review.

  Drugs (Misleading Advertising)
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in each of the last five years her Department prosecuted a drug product licence holder for false or misleading advertising within the meaning of section 92 of the Medicines Act 1968.

  Mr. Sackville
  No medicines product licence holders have been prosecuted for offences relating to misleading advertising during the last five years.

  Young People (Complaints)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been received from children and young people at each youth treatment centre since the introduction of formal compliants procedures.

  Mr. Bowis
  Formal complaints procedures were voluntarily introduced in the Glenthorne and St. Charles centres in 1989 and 1991 respectively. The number of complaints recorded by each centre over these periods is shown in the table.
  828

  Glenthorne

  St. Charles

  April 1989-March 1990

  36

  —

  April 1990-March 1991

  44

  —

  April 1992-March 1993

  54

  12

  Figures for 1991–92 were not collated as the service was under review prior to establishment as an executive unit of the Department from 1 April 1992.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many complaints have been made by or on behalf of children aged under 18 years concerning(a) hospital care, (b) clinical judgments and (c) health care in the community in each year since 1985;

  (2) how many complaints by or on behalf of children and young people aged under 18 years have been made to the health service Commissioner in each year since 1985; and how many of those complaints concerned (a) health authorities, (b) the Mental Health Act Commission and (c) the Public Health Service Laboratory board.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will list the date, incident, and local authority involved on each occasion when she has had reason to intervene under section 84 of the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Bowis
  The power has not to date been exercised.

  Complaint Procedures (Schools)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what efforts are currently being made by her Department to monitor the implementation of her Department's guidelines on the establishment of complaints procedures within independent schools.

  Mr. Bowis
  Independent schools which are children's homes are required by the Representations Procedure (Children) Regulations 1991 to set up a representations procedure with an independent element to consider complaints and other representations made by or on behalf of children accommodated by them but not looked after by local authorities.

  Other independent schools with boarding pupils are expected, in fulfilling their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children accommodated by them, to have a procedure to enable the children to raise concerns which cannot be dealt with informally and to raise these with an independent person if necessary.

  The social services inspectorate reviews local authorities' inspections of these schools.

  Rights of the Child
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the reservations entered by her Department on the United Nations convention on the rights of the child; and what was the reason behind each reservation.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government entered the following two reservations in respect of matters for which the Department of Health has responsibility. These are set out in "Treaty Series No. 44 (1992), Convention on the Rights of the Child", presented to Parliament in July 1992.
  829

  a. The United Kingdom interprets the Convention as applicable only following a live birth.

  b. The United Kingdom interprets the references in the Convention to "parents" to mean only those persons who, as a matter of national law, are treated as parents. This includes cases where the law regards a child as having only one parent, for example where a child has been adopted by one person only and in certain cases where a child is conceived other than as a result of sexual intercourse by the woman who gives birth to it and she is treated as the only parent.

  The reservations reflect the existing position under United Kingdom law in the fields abortion, adoption and assisted conception.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement outlining the timetable envisaged by her Department for the preparation of the report scheduled to be submitted by the United Kingdom to the United Nations committee on the rights of the child; and if she will list the organisations to be consulted in the preparation of the report.

  Mr. Bowis
  The United Kingdom will submit its first report to the Convention on the rights of the child, on the measures adopted by the United Kingdom to give effect to the rights recognised in the convention, by 14 January 1994, as required by article 44 of the United Nations convention.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 20 July,Official Report, column 116, if she will give the number of accidents and emergency departments in England in each year since 1979.

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

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the appointments made to public bodies by her since April 1992 have been advertised; and if she will list them.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available centrally in respect of national health service authorities and trusts.

  The posts of the director of the Health Advisory Service, who was appointed in April 1992, and the chairman of the Dental Practice Board, who was appointed in January 1993, were advertised.

  The Department's aim is to appoint people from a wide range of different backgrounds and where advertising does not take place, many professional and voluntary bodies are consulted when appointments are made to public bodies.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the public bodies for which she is responsible hold meetings in public; and if she will list them.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth) on 20 July at column 121 for a list of the public bodies. All 249 health authorities and 292 national health service trusts are required to hold at least one public meeting a year.

  The other public bodies which hold public meetings are as follows:

  The Health Education Authority

  The Central Council for Education and Training in Social
  830
  Work

  The English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  The European Year of Older People and Solidarity Between Generations

  Community Child Health Services
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason it was decided to prepare a good practice guide on community child health services including school health services.

  Mr. Bowis
  The guide will assist purchasers to set quality standards in contracts for child health services in the community, and providers to deliver services to meet these standards.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has received concerning the addition of fluoride to drinking water supplies and its danger to health.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no evidence to show that adjusting the level of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal concentration of one milligram per litre has any adverse effect upon health.

  Heart Treatments
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities exist for pacemaker implantations and cardiac catheterisation in the Waltham Forest area; and if she will make a statement.

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

  Care Homes
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether religious orders, or proprietors of unregistered residential care homes of fewer than four beds established prior to 1 April, are required to register within the terms of the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991, which came into force on 1 April 1993, removed the exemption from the requirement to register with the local authority previously enjoyed by those running homes with fewer than four residents. This requirement applies to homes operating before 1 April 1993 as well as those opening after that date.

  Religious communities are not exempt from the provisions of the Act, although registration is not required where all those being cared for have been resident with the person running the home for not less than five years.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many former in-patients of NHS psychiatric and mental handicap hospitals have been discharged to private commercial nursing homes, pursuant to arrangements made between their respective district health authority and the home's proprietor, where such arrangements include an agreement by the health authority to contribute towards the costs of the residents' treatment and care;
  831
  (2) how many residents of private commercial nursing homes registered under the Registered Homes Act 1984, currently receiving income support, were formerly in-patients of NHS psychiatric or mental handicap hospitals and were discharged into such homes by their respective district health authorities or NHS trusts; and how many of such nursing homes' residents are regarded as residing in a hospital or similar institution and receiving their in-patient treatment, pursuant to arrangements made by their local district health authority or NHS trust.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to assure nursing home residents, their relatives, and nursing home proprietors that claimants refused income support payments as a result of the Court of Appeal's judgment in the case of Percival White v. Chief Adjudicating Officer, or whose payments are discontinued following review, will be regarded as in-patients of the national health service.

  Mr. Bowis
  On the information so far available, we do not believe that it has significant new implications for the care of people in nursing homes where support is provided from public funds but we will study the transcript of the judgment carefully when it is available.

  Community Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost estimated during 1991 by the NHS management executive on the basis of returns received from regional health authorities of requiring strict compliance by district health authorities with the departmental guidance given in EL(90)MB/45; what steps her Department has taken to identify those district health authorities which have not complied with such guidance and that contained in EL(91)108; and what is the current estimated capital and revenue costs to those health authorities of complying with such guidance.

  Mr. Bowis
  The purpose of EL(90)MB/45 and EL(91)108 was to clarify the then legal position on arrangements between health authorities and voluntary and private nursing and residential homes and to advise authorities that they should take legal advice when entering into such arrangements. Authorities were not required to submit returns in response to the letters and individual arrangements are not subject to audit by the Department.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Health Select Committee recommendation in paragraph 15 of its sixth report of Session 1992–93, "Community Care", HC 482, that the Government take further action in relation to local authorities making cash payments to disabled people to make their own personal assistance arrangements.

  Mr. Bowis
  We will consider all the Committee's recommendations and publish our response in due course.

  Organ Donations
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress she has made with plans to identify and reimburse hospitals for costs incurred in organ donation.
  832
  Mr. Sackville
  Since April 1992, national health service hospitals have been able to obtain reimbursement from central funds for the costs of maintaining potential organ donors in their intensive therapy units.

  Child Birth
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the costs of having a baby in an NHS hospital for ante-natal care, delivery costs and post-natal care.

  Mr. Sackville
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Ethnic Minority Patients and Staff
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the initiatives being undertaken by the NHS management executive in respect of meeting the needs of black and ethnic minority patients and staff; and what equivalent initiatives she is taking for personal social services.

  Mr. Sackville
  Our goal for the health and personal social services is that there should be equal opportunities for both users and employees. To achieve this, we aim that the Department—including the national health service management executive—should harness current major policies so that black and ethnic groups derive full benefit from them; and should support those national and local organisations which represent the health and social care needs of black and ethnic groups, and may also assist in meeting them.

  To carry forward these aims in respect of health and health care, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary established a task force which examined how to spread more widely the good practice which already exists in improving services for ethnic people. We hope to announce our response shortly.

  In respect of employment, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has set up an informal working group to advise her on the best way forward. She is currently awaiting the group's recommendations and will consider possible action in the autumn.

  To carry forward the same broad strategic aims in the provision by local authorities and others of personal social services for black and ethnic minorities, the Department funds the race equality unit which offers a consultancy service to local authority social services departments on good practice in delivering services to ethnic minorities.

  In addition, the Department's social services inspectorate has adopted a policy statement on race equality which commits it to
  "promoting the delivery of accessible and cost-effective personal social services which are appropriate to the needs of a multi-racial and multi-cultural society, giving full regard to different needs and expectations of people from a variety of races and cultures".

  It is carrying this out in various ways, including, for example, the preparation of practice guidance concerning community care in response to the inspectorate's report "Black communities—who cares?".

  NHS Boards
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if board members of(a) district health authorities, (b) family health services authorities and (c) NHS trusts are required to declare interests; whether a register of such interests is maintained and available for public inspection;

  833
  and to which provisions of the citizens charter or to specific charters relating to their own duties they are subject.

  Mr. Sackville
  Chairmen and members of health authorities and chairmen and non-executive directors of national health service trusts are required to declare pecuniary interests that could influence, or be thought to influence, their judgment of any decisions to be taken by the authority or trust of which they are a member. There is no requirement to maintain a register of interests. There are no provisions in the citizens charter or specific charters which relate explicitly to board members.

  Child Migration
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will establish a public inquiry into successive Governments' responsibility for child migration to Australia until the 1960s through the assisted passage scheme set up in the Empire Settlement Acts of 1922 and 1937 and the regulations that were introduced to monitor the local authorities making use of these schemes to send children to Australia to ensure the departure of only those children who would benefit from those schemes as required by section 17(2) of the Children Act 1948.

  Mr. Bowis
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons the files(a) MH 102 1954 "Emigration" of 15 children-correspondence with the Home Office, (b) MH 102 1889 report on the "Swan Home and Coogee Home, Perth", and (c) MH 102 1882 "Correspondence about Roman Catholic Child Migrants", relating to child migrants are closed under the 75-year rule; and whether the information contained within them can be made available to British child migrants for use in tracing relatives and counselling purposes;

  (2) for what reasons the files (a) MH 102 1879 "Emigration of children to Christian Brothers Schools in Australia", (b) MH 102 1880 "Correspondence concerning the emigration of children to Christian Brothers Schools in Australia" and (c) MH 102 2022 "Emigration of young people to Australia" and a report on the Riverview Salvation Army training farm, Queensland, relating to child migrants are closed under the 75-year rule; and whether the information contained within them can be made available to British child migrants for use in tracing relatives and counselling purposes.

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 July at column 5.

  Refugees
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made of the number of refugees who have not got access to a general practitioner; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  No such estimate has been made.

  Trauma Operations
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) orthopaedic trauma operations and (b) trauma operations were performed in England in each year since 1990.
  834
  Mr. Sackville
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many major trauma units are in operation in England; and what is the projected budget for trauma in(a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c)

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health has been funding a pilot trauma centre at the North Staffordshire hospital centre national health service trust since 1990. The project is being evaluated by the medical care research unit in the university of Sheffield. Its report is expected before the end of 1994. Decisions on the future strategy for dealing with patients with major injuries will be taken in the light of this work.

  Projected budgets for trauma are not available centrally. Individual health authorities are funded on the basis of their resident populations and it is a matter for them to determine the level of funding needed to secure a comprehensive range of health services, including the treatment of trauma, for their residents.

  NHS Trust Directors (Political Affiliation)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the regional health authorities which ask for a declaration of local political party affiliation in applications for non-executive and executive directors of NHS trusts.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information of this type is not available centrally. People are appointed to health authorities and trusts for their personal qualities and skills. Political affiliation is not a factor in these appointments.

  Orthopaedic Surgeons
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of orthopaedic surgeons in England and Wales in each year since 1989.

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

  Data on medical staff in trauma and orthopaedic surgery in England at 30 September

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Consultant

  717

  755

  776

  Associate Specialist

  53

  63

  72

  Staff Grade

  3

  19

  32

  Senior Registrar

  141

  157

  149

  Registrar

  387

  387

  385

  Total

  1,301

  1,381

  1,414

  Notes:

  1. Consultant, associate specialist and staff grade are career grades.

  2. Information on senior registrar and registrar grades is included because they are doctors in higher specialist training.

  Orthopaedic Consultants
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list her estimates for orthopaedic consultant posts that will be required in England in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The Government encourage expansion of consultant numbers, but the Department of Health does
  835
  not plan consultant numbers. Consultant expansion is a matter for local employing authorities who should have regard to the health care needs of their local population and competing priorities in planning their medical staffing.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has identified within her Department any other candidates for agency status under the next steps initiative.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have decided that the medical devices directorate should be launched as an agency at the beginning of the next financial year.

  The new agency will be responsible for ensuring that medical devices for sale or use in the United Kingdom meet appropriate standards of safety, quality and effectiveness and that these standards comply with the statutory scheme controlling medical devices throughout the European Community.

  The agency will have more freedom to manage its affairs and clearer responsibilities within a framework of objectives, performance targets and resources agreed with Ministers.

  I am confident that the move to agency status will enable the directorate to control, monitor and advise on the safety of medical devices more effectively and more efficiently, to the greater benefit of patients and users alike.

  This will bring the agencies in the Department to four. The identification of other candidates is a continuing objective.

  Maternity Hospitals
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each NHS region and for special health authorities for each financial year from 1989–90 onwards(a) the total number of maternities, (b) the total number of birth episodes in the maternity hospital episode system and (c) the total number of birth episodes in the maternity hospital episode system which had a maternity tail.

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

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many senior managers in the national health service there were on each spinal point 1 to 30; what was the flat salary on each point; and what was the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent on each point in each year since the introduction of these grades;

  (2) what was the number of unit general managers in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, the salary range in each group and the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent in each group in each year since the introduction of these grades;

  (3) what was the number of district general managers in groups 1, 2 and 3, the salary range in each group and the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent in each group, in each year since the introduction of these grades.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: The information available is shown in the tables. Details of the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent in each senior manager, unit or district general manager group are not available centrally.
  836
  (a) increases in the management numbers reflect the planned and progressive introduction of general and senior management posts into the health service. This increase was not at the expense of direct patient services, as new money was secured for strengthening management which would not otherwise have been available to the national health service.

  (b) Many staff who would previously have been classified in their professional capacity are now appearing under management headings. This includes a number of senior nurses along with other professional, executive and administrative staff.

  Table 1

  Number of National Health Service managers (whole-time equivalents) 1988–90

  Spine point

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1

  10

  20

  20

  2

  10

  10

  10

  3

  40

  50

  60

  4

  60

  60

  80

  5

  60

  80

  100

  6

  80

  110

  130

  7

  80

  100

  130

  8

  60

  110

  160

  9

  40

  70

  130

  10

  20

  70

  160

  11

  20

  130

  260

  12

  30

  150

  280

  13

  20

  160

  400

  14

  10

  170

  430

  15

  10

  200

  450

  16

  0

  240

  490

  17

  —

  220

  500

  18

  —

  220

  650

  19

  —

  260

  610

  20

  —

  260

  650

  21

  —

  230

  590

  22

  —

  260

  580

  23

  —

  140

  350

  24

  —

  150

  350

  25

  —

  100

  300

  26

  —

  90

  180

  27

  —

  80

  180

  28

  —

  40

  110

  29

  —

  50

  110

  30

  —

  40

  100

  Other

  80

  10

  410

  Source: Non-medical workforce census for the years 1986–1990.

  Notes:

  (i) All figures quoted are for England, in whole-time equivalents (WTEs) and are as of 30 September.

  (ii) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 WTEs.

  (iii) Where a zero is recorded, there were less than 5 WTEs.

  (iv) 'Other' are staff on senior manager arrangements whose pay spine point is not recorded.

  (v) Data for 1991–92 is not available centrally.

  Table 2

  Number of unit and district general managers (whole-time equivalents) 1986–90

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  DGM1

  10

  35

  30

  40

  45

  DGM2

  20

  75

  85

  85

  85

  DGM3

  10

  35

  35

  35

  30

  UGM1

  10

  30

  30

  35

  40

  UGM2

  40

  130

  140

  175

  180

  UGM3

  25

  100

  100

  105

  100

  UGM4

  35

  145

  135

  120

  95

  UGM5

  0

  10

  5

  5

  0

  Source: Non-Medical Workforce Census for the years 1986–90.

  Notes:

  1. All figures quoted are for England, in whole-time equivalents (WTEs) and are as of 30 September.
  837
  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 WTEs.

  3. Where a zero is recorded, there were less than 2·5 WTEs.

  4. Data for 1991–92 is not available centrally.

  Table 3

  Basic salaries of NHS senior managers 1987–92

  Spine point

  1987 (Dec.)

  1988

  1989 (Jan.)

  1989 (Sept.)

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1

  34,850

  36,770

  36,770

  39,170

  42,290

  44,850

  46,600

  2

  33,510

  35,350

  35,350

  37,660

  40,660

  43,120

  44,800

  3

  32,220

  34,000

  34,000

  36,220

  39,100

  41,460

  43,080

  4

  30,980

  32,680

  32,680

  34,820

  37,600

  39,870

  41,420

  5

  29,790

  31,430

  31,430

  33,480

  36,150

  38,330

  39,820

  6

  28,640

  30,220

  30,220

  32,200

  34,760

  36,860

  38,300

  7

  27,540

  29,050

  29,050

  30,960

  33,420

  35,440

  36,820

  8

  26,480

  27,940

  27,940

  29,770

  32,140

  34,080

  35,410

  9

  25,460

  26,860

  26,860

  28,620

  30,900

  32,770

  34,050

  10

  24,480

  25,830

  25,830

  27,520

  29,710

  31,510

  32,740

  11

  23,540

  24,830

  24,830

  26,460

  28,570

  30,300

  31,480

  12

  22,640

  23,890

  23,890

  25,440

  27,470

  29,130

  30,270

  13

  21,760

  22,960

  22,960

  24,470

  26,410

  28,010

  29,100

  14

  20,930

  22,080

  22,080

  23,520

  25,400

  26,930

  27,980

  15

  20,120

  21,230

  21,230

  22,620

  24,420

  25,900

  26,910

  16

  19,350

  20,410

  20,410

  21,750

  23,480

  24,900

  25,870

  17

  —

  —

  19,630

  20,910

  22,580

  23,940

  24,870

  18

  —

  —

  18,870

  20,110

  21,710

  23,020

  23,920

  19

  —

  —

  18,150

  19,340

  20,870

  22,140

  23,000

  20

  —

  —

  17,450

  18,590

  20,070

  21,290

  22,120

  21

  —

  —

  16,780

  17,880

  19,300

  20,470

  21,270

  22

  —

  —

  16,130

  17,190

  18,560

  19,680

  20,450

  23

  —

  —

  15,510

  16,530

  17,840

  18,920

  19,660

  24

  —

  —

  14,920

  15,890

  17,160

  18,200

  18,910

  25

  —

  —

  14,340

  15,280

  16,500

  17,500

  18,180

  26

  —

  —

  13,790

  14,690

  15,860

  16,820

  17,480

  27

  —

  —

  13,260

  14,130

  15,250

  16,180

  16,810

  28

  —

  —

  12,750

  13,580

  14,670

  15,550

  16,160

  29

  —

  —

  12,260

  13,060

  14,100

  14,960

  15,540

  30

  —

  —

  11,790

  12,560

  13,560

  14,380

  14,940

  Notes:

  1. In 1987 pay arrangements for senior managers included 16 spine points. In 1989 the spine was lengthened to 30 points when senior manager arrangements were extended to lower tiers of management.

  2. Except where otherwise stated, all salary rates effective from 1 September.

  3. Senior managers' salaries may be enhanced by performance-related pay nationally and geographical allowances in the south-east of England.

  Table 4

  Salary Range for Unit and District General Managers 1986–92

  1986 (May)

  1986 (September)

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  DGM1

  43,940-

  46,580-

  48,400-

  31,600

  33,500

  35,175

  37,110

  39,520

  63,470

  67,280

  69,900

  DGM2

  41,500-

  43,990-

  45,710-

  30,200

  32,000

  33,600

  35,450

  37,750

  59,950

  63,550

  66,030

  DGM3

  37,980-

  40,260-

  41,830-

  28,800

  30,500

  32,025

  33,790

  35,990

  55,060

  58,370

  60,650

  UGM1

  37,980-

  40,260-

  41,830

  26,400

  28,000

  29,400

  31,020

  33,040

  55,060

  58,370

  60,650

  UGM2

  33,360-

  35,370-

  36,750-

  24,100

  25,500

  26,775

  28,250

  30,090

  48,280

  51,180

  53,180

  UGM3

  30,110-

  31,920-

  33,160-

  21,700

  23,000

  25,150

  25,480

  27,140

  43,670

  46,300

  48,110

  UGM4

  26,040-

  27,610-

  28,690-

  18,900

  20,000

  21,000

  22,160

  23,600

  37,700

  39,970

  41,530

  UGM5

  15,600

  16,500

  17,325

  18,280

  19,470

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  (i) Except where otherwise stated, all salary rates effective from 1 September.

  (ii) Salary ranges were introduced in 1990 following a restructure of general manager pay arrangements.

  (iii)Until 1990 the basic salaries for general managers could be enhanced by supplements (up to 15 per cent. and 10 per cent. for UGM and DGM posts respectively) and by performance-related pay (up to 20 per cent.). London Weighting was payable to general managers working in the London zones. From 1990 a maximum salary for each general manager post was set within the appropriate pay range. Managers are usually appointed below these maxima and move towards them according to performance. Non-superannuable, non-recurring annual bonuses of up to 8 per cent. depending on performance may be paid to managers on the maxima for their posts. Geographical allowances may be paid in the south-east of England.

  (iv) The UGM5 grade was assimilated into UGM4 with the restructuring in 1990.
  838

  Folic Acid
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further research she intends to initiate into links between the use of folic acid and reduction in birth defects and heart disease.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: The Department is currently exploring ways in which the mechanisms being set up to monitor the prevalence of neural tube defects following the issue of advice about folic acid in pregnancy, can be enhanced to include the prevalence of other common and major defects. Copies of the advice PL/CMO(92)18 and PL/CNO(92)12 are available in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Training Courses
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest information he has available on the number of people participating in(a) action for community employment, (b) the youth training programme, (c) the job training programme, (d) the enterprise allowance scheme, (e) job clubs and (f) Restart courses; how many participants are expected to participate in each programme in 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  There are no Restart courses run in Northern Ireland. Under a Restart programme people who have been unemployed for 26 weeks or more are interviewed every 26 weeks when training needs and employment opportunities are discussed with a view to helping them find work. Otherwise the information is as follows:

  Scheme

  Number of participants at 30 June 1993

  Number expected to participate in 1993–94

  ACE

  9,561

  9,500

  YTP

  9,806

  12,500

  JTP

  4,155

  4,450

  Jobskills1

  1,611

  2,000

  Business Start Programme2

  816

  1,200

  Job clubs

  1,776

  4,080

  1Jobskills is a single integrated scheme which is being piloted in 2 areas in Northern Ireland and which may eventually replace both YTP and JTP.

  2This scheme has replaced the Enterprise Allowance scheme.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland Office is currently working on its policy regarding employment of 840
  people with disabilities. A code of practice on the "Employment of People with Disabilities in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS)" was issued in August 1992 by the equal opportunities unit—EOU—to all Northern Ireland Departments. The code sets out the policy on the employment of people with disabilities, provides practical guidance on ways in which staff at all levels can help people with disabilities to participate fully in the work of the NICS and describes the special arrangements for the employment of staff who are registered disabled. The code lists the range of equipment which is available to assist people with a visual impairment: computer and Braille printer, computer and voice synthesiser, Braille jotter, computer enlarged text, tape recorder and personal reader service. In addition, a document brailling service is operated for those visually impaired civil servants who find it convenient to have documents in Braille for reference. While there is no overall policy in the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments for the publication of information in alternative media or on the access to information where it has not been published in alternative media, the following procedures are in place throughout the Northern Ireland Departments.

  Department of Health and Social Services

  When publishing any information, the choice of media used, including Braille, large print or tape, is made in relation to the nature of the message and the audience to be reached.

  Department of Economic Development

  Through the Training and Employment Agency's disablement advisory service, there is a wide range of services available. Contact with clients is on a personal one to one basis. All relevant information is also available either in Braille, on tape or large print. When a client requires information which is not already available in the medium most acceptable, it is provided within three to six days.

  A tape on consumer rights has been produced by the General Consumer Council for NI in conjunction with the Blind Centre which has distributed it by way of the talking newspaper network.

  The Local Enterprise Development Unit is in the process of producing a range of audio tapes which provide advice on key areas of business development which are accessible for the blind or partially sighted.

  Department of the Environment

  The roads service operates the 'orange badge' scheme which provides on-street parking concessions for registered blind people and those with severe mobility handicaps. In this connection, the roads service has arranged for the production of an audio tape which outlines details of the orange badge scheme for those who have difficulty in reading the explanatory leaflet. This tape is available on request from Disability Action and the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland.

  The road safety education branch makes use of TV, radio and large posters in road safety campaigns. The Jordanstown schools for children with the auditory or visual handicaps are supplied with road safety teaching materials and are visited by the Department's road safety education officers, who liaise with teachers on the teaching of road safety to blind or partially sighted people.

  Other areas of the Department, while not having a defined policy relating to the production of information in alternative media, give assistance as required to blind or partially sighted people. For examples, ratepayers/housing

  841
  benefit claimants with impaired vision are given every assistance in understanding correspondence and cornpleting forms. Where, appropriate, staff visit such persons in their own homes to assist them.

  The water executive is currently in discussions with the Royal National Institute for the Blind to identify relevant information which could be produced in alternative media and stored centrally for access by registered sighted or blind persons.

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  As of 1 July 1993, the following numbers of staff are employed as IT specialists to serve in the central business development service, the information systems units of each of the six Northern Ireland departments, the Northern Ireland Office, and the Police Authority for Northern Ireland:

  2 Grade 6

  13 Grade 7/Superintending Systems Analysts

  71 Senior Systems Analysts

  154 Systems Analysts

  147 Programmer Analysts

  144 Programmers

  Additionally, there are a number of staff employed in the operation and support of mainframe computers in DHSS:

  1 Staff Officer

  6 EO1s

  4 EO11s

  9 AOs

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  Department of Economic Development

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Logicom

  Feasibility Study into Facilities Management

  Logicom

  Software Support

  Logicom

  Software Tailoring

  Oracle

  Software Support

  Quadratron

  Software Installation Review

  Hoskyns

  Systems Administration Support

  Oracle

  Database Development Support

  Oracle

  Consultancy

  CSC Index

  Corporate Information Management

  Total cost

  £79,855

  842

  Department of Agriculture

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Unisys Ltd.

  Sizing capacity of the Animal Health System for contingency purposes

  Hedley Computer Consultants

  To check the Animal Health System to identify potential problem areas before the Spring business peak.

  Stonehenge Consultancy Services Ltd.

  Study to advise on strategic, operational and data management issues as part of a Client Database investigation.

  Stonehenge Consultancy Services Ltd.

  Advise on a Request for Information to the Trade for potential Data Dictionary suppliers and evaluation of responses.

  Capita Management Consultants Ltd.

  Delivery and Quality Assurance of a Framework Report for a Geographical Information System.

  Hewlett-Packard Ltd.

  Linking of equipment to the Laboratory Information Management System at the Veterinary Sciences Division.

  Portfolio Systems

  Advice on software development and hardware procurement for the Grants and Subsidies System.

  CCTA

  To appraise the way forward for the implementation of a computerised accounting system within DANI in the context of NICS policy on convergence.

  Systar Ltd.

  A capacity Management Study to consider the efficiency of and identify any problem areas in the Animal Health System.

  Systar Ltd.

  To assist in completing acceptance tests of a contingency Animal Health System, by a comparative analysis with the existing system of the capacity and performance of both systems.

  CFM Group Ltd.

  Consultation on Oracle Financials for the Common Accounting System

  Total cost

  £64,353

  Department of Education

  Consultant

  Subject of consultancy assignment

  Touche Ross and Co.

  Information Systems Strategy Study in the Education Service

  DIGITAL

  Development of IT Contingency Plan Procedures Manual

  DIGITAL

  Networking Review of Digital Equipment in DENI

  McDonnell Douglas

  Consultancy on Civil Service payroll Interface with CAFIS

  CCTA

  Quality Assurance of IT Strategy

  DIGITAL Equipment Company

  Pathworks (Lan) Software

  CCTA

  IS Strategy Definition

  Total Cost

  £169,130

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Oracle Corp UK Ltd.

  Consultancy on UNIX systems

  Oracle Corp UK Ltd.

  Consultancy on Oracle language

  Class Ltd.

  Consultancy on SSADM

  843

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Digital

  Consultancy on Project Management

  CCTA

  Scoping study for the IS Strategy definition

  CCTA

  Implementation of NICS Telecommunications Project

  ITAT Associates Ltd.

  Scoping study for NICS Datacoms network

  CCTA

  Market-Testing of the VLO computer operations

  CFM

  Assistance in the development plan re: IT operations

  Belmin

  Development of Purchasing System

  P. Wells

  Development of Purchasing System

  J. Struthers

  Development of Purchasing System

  A. Farrell

  European Satellite Information System

  Purchasing Index (UK) Ltd.

  Development of Purchasing Index

  CFM

  Feasibility study on the use of Electronic Data Interchange project

  CCTA

  Strategy Scoping study DOE Planning Service

  CCTA

  Common Accounting Project

  CCTA

  Miscellaneous Consultancy Support

  Coopers and Lybrand

  IT Market Testing Workshop

  Computer Associate

  CA Superproject Consultancy

  Oracle Corp

  Oracle Project for DOE

  Inst. Software Engineering

  Preparation and running of CASE seminar

  ICS Computing

  Open Systems Standards Project

  Info Strategies

  Open Systems Standards Project

  CSC Index

  Open Systems Standards Project

  CCTA

  Customer Services Agreement

  NCC Ltd.

  Open Systems Standards Project

  Synaptics

  Estimating and Project Management

  Lorien Group

  Report on use of Oracle with SSADM

  Computer Search and Selection

  Identification of Programming Language for PRO

  Software Ireland

  Open Systems Standards Project

  Lucas Management Systems

  Artemis 7000 VMS Project

  Elite Consultancy

  Introduction to Lotus—training course

  University of Ulster

  Introduction to Personal Applications

  Total cost

  £286,491

  844

  Department of Health and Social Services

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Examination of Child Support IT Strategy

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Review of Senior Management FAMIS System

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Replacement Mental Health Record System

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Quality Review and Strategic Planning of Non-Operational Strategy on Single Terminal Access Point

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support Business Care for Interim Community Care Systems (NHSSB)

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support evaluation of Mental Health Systems

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support HPSS Maternity Systems

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Options Analysis and Strategy Study to support IT Systems in Antrim Area Hospital

  Touche Ross

  Review of Child Support Management Information System Requirements

  Touche Ross

  Integrated Complementing System Model

  Touche Ross

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support HPSS Laboratory Systems

  Synaptics

  Date Communications X400 Network Project

  BIC Systems

  Introduction of Network Guides

  BIC Systems

  Specialised Assistance for Prescription Pricing System

  Elite Consultancy

  Amendment to Project Cost Monitoring Software

  Park Applications

  Social Security Agency—Salaries Module

  Park Applications

  Specialised Assistance and Recommendations for Review of HPSS Finance Supplies Computer Systems

  Sybex Consultancy

  Document Imagining Process

  Insight Consultancy

  Security of DHSS Network

  Insight Consultancy

  Options Analysis and Recommendations for IT Security related to HPSS Patient Administration Systems

  Insight Consultancy

  Specialised Assistance in the formulation of generalised IT Security Guidelines for the HPSS

  BIS

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support Review of HPSS Data Communications Strategy

  CAMS

  Implementation Support for READ CODES for Clinical Systems

  Ernst and Young

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support Business Case for Regional Contracting System

  845

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Capita

  Options Analysis and Recommendations to support HPSS Accident and Emergency and Radiology Systems

  McDonnell Douglas

  Capacity Planning Review of Existing HPSS MDIS Machines

  Department of the Environment

  Consultant

  Task for which consultant engaged

  Oracle UK Ltd.

  Vehicle Inspection and Driving Test Branch

  Quality Assurance

  Water Service

  System Development

  CSL (NI) Ltd.

  Rate Collection Agency

  System Development

  DBI Associates Ltd.

  Roads Service

  IS Strategy Study

  Coopers, Lybrand, Deloitte

  Water Service

  IS Strategy Study (ongoing)

  Rate Collection Agency

  IS Strategy Study

  Land Registry

  NIGIS Topographical Database System

  Helm Corporation Ltd.

  Rate Collection Agency

  Quality Assurance

  CFM Northern Ireland Facilities Management

  Driver Vehicle Testing Agency

  System Development

  Data Capture to start System

  ICS Computing Ltd.

  Driver Vehicle Testing Agency

  Interim Review of DVTA Project

  Information Systems Unit

  Assistance with preparation of a Technical Specification for the Unix Processor

  Oracle UK Ltd.

  Driver Vehicle Testing Agency

  Quality Assurance

  DBI Associates Ltd.

  Information Systems Unit

  Telecoms Strategy Study

  Roads Service

  Roads Service Routes

  Aims Ireland Ltd.

  Information Systems Unit

  Assets Management System

  Roads Service

  Computerisation of Road Traffic Accidents

  Digital Equipment Co. Ltd.

  Information Systems Unit (for Driver Vehicle Testing Agency)

  IT Project Management Consultancy (ongoing)

  Helm Corporation Ltd.

  Rate Collection Agency

  Replacement Computer System

  Driver Vehicle Testing Agency

  System on Accrual Accounting

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Driver Vehicle Testing Agency

  Programme for Productivity Models and Reports

  Water Privatisation

  Study of Water Charging Regime

  Information Systems Unit

  Rate Collection Agency—IS Strategy Study; Land Registry—NIGIS Topographical Database System

  Wellington Computer Systems Ltd.

  Roads Service

  Street Lighting System

  Lorien Computers Recruitment Ltd.

  Roads Service

  Feasibility Study into Bridge Management and Maintenance Project

  TOTAL COST £636,000·00

  Note: Information on the use of consultants in the Department of the Environment is collected and maintained for each financial year. Accordingly, the list for this Department shows computer consultants employed in the period 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1993.

  Data Processing

    Northern Ireland Office
    Firm A—Consultancy work in connection with the setting up of a Financial Cost Management and Accounting Information System.
    Firm B—Production of an Information System Strategy for the Authority and the RUC.
    TOTAL COST £298,849·00

  Health and Social Services
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will carry out a review of the implementation of the Department of Health and Social Service's regional strategy for 1992 to 1997; and if he will make a statement.
  846

  Consultant

  Task for which engaged

  Intersystems

  Specialised Assistance in Interfacing of Mumps Based Standards

  Total cost

  £400,272·00

  Mr. Ancram
  Implementation of the regional strategy is kept continuously under review by the health and personal social services management executive on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Services.

  The management executive's annual management plan sets a number of interim objectives and targets for boards which are based on those in the regional strategy. The new management executive corporate monitoring information system is being used to track progress in achieving these.

  Belfast Harbour
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will agree to meet the leaders of the stevedores working in the Belfast harbour to discuss the future of the Belfast harbour; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans at present to meet the leaders of the stevedores working in the Belfast harbour.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to meet the chairman and chief executive of the Belfast Harbour Commission to discuss industrial relations areas of the port; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans at present to meet the chairman and chief executive of the Belfast Harbour Commission.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the terms and conditions of the draft Ports (Northern Ireland) Order should include a clause giving working conditions for those people employed at the Belfast port equivalent to those at other United Kingdom ports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Provision has been made in the schedule to the draft Ports (Northern Ireland) Order relating to the transfer of employment rights and liabilities similar to that in the Ports Act 1991, which applies in the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will hold urgent discussions with the chief executive of Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Scruttons Ltd. (Stevedores), to examine the terms and conditions being imposed on the Transport and General Workers Union dock labour force at Belfast harbour; and if he will make a statement on his findings.

  Mr. Atkins
  Terms and conditions for the dock labour force in Belfast are at present being discussed by representatives of the employers and their prospective employees. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in these matters.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The following public bodies hold public meetings:—

  Belfast Education and Library Board.

  North-Eastern Education and Library Board.

  South-Eastern Education and Library Board.

  Southern Education and Library Board.

  Western Education and Library Board.

  The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland.

  Planning Appeals Commission.

  Water Appeals Commission.

  Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland.

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland.

  Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency.

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board.

  Southern Health and Social Services Board.

  Western Health and Social Services Board.

  848

  Northern Health and Social Services Board.

  Eastern Health and Social Services Council.

  Southern Health and Social Services Council.

  Western Health and Social Services Council.

  Northern Health and Social Services Council.

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust.

  Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust.

  Green Park HSS Trust.

  Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust.

  Ulster, North Down and Ards Hospitals HSS Trust.

  Eastern Ambulance Services HSS Trust.

  The Registered Homes Tribunals.

  Social Security Appeal Tribunals.

  Medical Appeal Tribunals.

  Disability Appeal Tribunals.

  Northern Ireland Economic Council.

  Rural Poverty
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he will take in order to combat the levels of rural poverty in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is tackling the problem of rural housing unfitness highlighted in the recently published 1991 house condition survey primarily through the housing grants scheme which is geared to direct most assistance to those in greatest need. The scheme includes provision for replacement grant and more generous financial assistance towards the installation of first-time services to meet the specific needs of rural dwellers.

  The Department of Health and Social Services has provided a grant towards the administrative costs of the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network since its establishment in 1991.

  Social security in Northern Ireland maintains parity with the rest of the United Kingdom. There are no specific provisions for rural areas, but income-related benefits provide assistance to those in greatest need regardless of their location.

  In addition, the rural development programme in Northern Ireland is encouraging the economic and social regeneration of the most disadvantaged rural areas. It aims to assist those who, as part of a broadly based community group, are seeking to develop plans for the regeneration of their areas. I am confident that the long-term benefits that will accrue from the programme will help to alleviate rural poverty through increased employment opportunities—direct jobs, both full time and part time, and the indirect spin-offs to the general locality that will follow—for example, increased visitors to an area through local tourism development; helping to stem the migration from rural to urban areas; building of self-confidence to remote communities through the community development process; improved access to training and development for both individuals and groups; improvement in local infrastructure and services.

  The Rural Development Council is a key element of the programme and is playing an important role in promoting and supporting local community development and advising Government on issues affecting rural communities.

  While the programme is at an early stage of implementation, I have been greatly encouraged by the progress made to date by the Department of Agriculture, RDC, and community groups across Northern Ireland.

  849
  Five multi-sectoral projects have been launched, representing substantial national, European Community, International Fund for Ireland and private funding commitment to rural areas of greatest need. A number of other projects are at the development stage.

  Creggan to Glassdrummond Road, Armagh
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the accident history of the Creggan and Glassdrummond road, County Armagh; and if' he will take steps to improve traffic safety on this road.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since 1986, three personal injury accidents have been reported. The Department proposes to improve traffic safety on the road by erecting signs and providing road markings at the Murray's road junction.

  EC Assistance
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of all the successful and unsuccessful applications under the EC Leader and interregional co-operation—Interreg—programmes.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House. A total of 572 applications have been received under the Northern Ireland/Ireland Interreg programme. Of these, 265 have been successful, 281 unsuccessful and the remainder are still under consideration. Of the 61 applications considered under the Leader programme, four have been successful, 31 unsuccessful and the remainder are still under consideration.

  Housing (Grants)
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many grant applications have been received by each office of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive under the Housing Order 1992; and how many are(a) approved, (b) rejected and (c) incomplete.

  Mr. Atkins
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that the information requested is as follows:

  Grants Office

  Number of Applications

  Received

  Approved

  Rejected

  Incomplete

  North-East Region

  Ballyclare

  1,120

  10

  420

  625

  Ballymena

  851

  4

  65

  757

  Coleraine

  535

  6

  136

  306

  West Region

  Derry

  1,916

  —

  346

  1,410

  Fermanagh

  1,070

  23

  142

  896

  Omagh

  1,282

  54

  109

  913

  South Region

  Craigavon

  1,265

  18

  122

  1,085

  Newry

  1,368

  9

  40

  1,300

  South-East Region

  Lisburn

  1,225

  25

  143

  1,041

  Newtownards

  1,456

  29

  392

  963

  Belfast Region

  Belfast District 1

  1,162

  24

  428

  618

  Belfast District 2

  1,509

  67

  358

  854

  Belfast District 3

  1,539

  49

  114

  1,268

  850

  Grants Office

  Number of Applications

  Received

  Approved

  Rejected

  Incomplete

  Total

  16,298

  318

  2,815

  12,036

  Note: 1,129 grant applications under the Order were subsequently withdrawn.

  Camlough Lake, Armagh
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals there are to develop Camlough lake, in County Armagh, for(a) recreation or tourism, (b) electricity generation and (c) mains water supply.

  Mr. Atkins
  The recreation and tourism potential of Camlough lake has been considered as part of the South Armagh tourism study which will be published in the near future.

  The use of Camlough lake in the generation and supply of electricity is primarily a matter for Northern Ireland Electricity plc. I am not, however, aware of any proposals.

  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has a proposed programme of works with the aim of increasing abstraction from Camlough lake to supply future demand's for the Newry area.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which bodies or organisations currently have responsibility for the land, waters and development of the Camlough lake area of County Armagh.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Camlough Waterworks Trustees and Northern Ireland Electricity plc own land around Camlough lake. Under the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, the Department of the Environment has a duty to promote the conservation and cleanliness of water. Proposals for development are subject to the planning process.

  Belfast International Airport
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports have been commissioned by the Northern Ireland Office concerning the viability of privatising Belfast international airport; if he will make them public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  A feasibility study on the privatisation of Belfast International Airport was commissioned from Hambros Bank Ltd in 1991; its final report is confidential to Government and is not available publicly.

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take to ensure the full protection of current contractual agreements and working conditions for all employees at Belfast international airport on its transfer to private ownership; what changes there will be to contractual agreements or working conditions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 will apply to the process of transferring Northern Ireland Airports Limited—NIAL—into private ownership. The employees of NIAL will therefore transfer to the successor company with the benefit of their terms and conditions of employment. On the sale of the shares of the successor company to private ownership employment contracts will be unaffected.
  851
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many firefighters are employed at Belfast international airport; under whose specific control they currently operate; under whose specific control the airport fire service will operate after privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Fifty-six airport firefighters are employed at Belfast International Airport. They operate under the control of the airport company and that arrangement will continue after privatisation.

  Selective Financial Assistance
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which industrial enterprises benefited from allocation of selective financial assistance in South Down from 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1992.

  Mr. Atkins
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Electricity
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports he has received from the Director General of OFFER concerning his assessment of the imlementation of Northern Ireland Electricity in terms of prices, energy efficiency and standards of service.

  Mr. Atkins
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Rural Planning Strategy
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish the new rural planning strategy and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The new strategy will be published in September. This follows a major consultation exercise commenced in August 1991 involving the publication of the leaflet "What Kind of Countryside Do We Want?", and a series of public meetings or "rural clinics" organised by the Rural Development Council, the Rural Community Network and Community Technical Aid at which the issues raised in the leaflet were discussed. The strategy document will outline the overall planning strategy and regional policies for the rural area, and will collate within one document planning guidance to all those interested in development in the rural area.

  Post Office Robberies
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 38, why the robbery which occurred at Toome street post office, Belfast, on 17 June was not included in his answer;

  (2) if he will make a statement on a robbery which occurred at Toome street post office, Belfast, on 17 June; and if he will state the value of cash and other items stolen.

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: There is no post office at Toome street, Belfast. The hon. Member may have in mind the Royal Mail's main postal sorting office. This is located at Royal Mail house, Donegall quay, Belfast, but is known locally as Tomb street, where it has a service entrance. I understand that
  852
  there was an incident involving the unauthorised removal of a number of registered packages from these premises on 17 June, but it is inappropriate for me to comment further as the matter is sub-judice.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Computers (Misuse)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been disciplined for misusing personal information from police computers in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is intending in relation to paragraph 3.6 of the Police Complaints Authority report 1992 concerning the continued misuse of the police national computer; whether the procedures, recommended by a report to Parliament and published by the authority in 1986—HC 425—have been implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The arrangements for the protection of police national computer data against misuse by police officers are the responsibility of individual chief officers. The Association of Chief Police Officers published a code of practice for police computer systems in December 1987, in which the recommendations of the Police Complaints Authority report of 1986 were taken into account. The procedures for auditing use of the PNC are being considered further by ACPO in conjunction with the Home Office.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been prosecuted for misusing personal information from police computers in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Court proceedings information held centrally under the Data Protection Act 1984 and Computer Misuse Act 1990 does not distinguish as to the employment or professional status of the offender.

  Deer
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the behavioural pattern of roe deer in their formation of family groups between May and August; and what protection is afforded to families of roe deer during that period;

  (2) what plans he has to review schedule 1 to the Deer Act 1991;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the impact of the Deer Act 1991 on population figures for roe deer;

  (4) what protection is afforded to (a) doe and (b) buck roe deer during the rutting season; and what assessment he has made as to whether the provisions are compatible with each other.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have received no evidence to suggest that the Act is not working effectively, nor that the close seasons set out in schedule 1 are in need of revision. I understand that the population of deer of all species is
  853
  rising. Protection for doe roe deer runs from 1 March to 31 October, which thus includes the rutting season. No similar protection is afforded to bucks, for which the close season runs from 1 November to 31 March.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Howard
  Three. These are as follows: Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England; Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales; Community Development Foundation.

  Young Detainees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the number of children and young people originating in Wales detained under section 53 sentences and kept in prison departments.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated July 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of children and young people originating in Wales detained under Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and kept in prison establishments.

  The available information is for those detained under section 53 after sentencing by courts in Wales. The latest information is for 31 May 1993. On that date, there were 7 detainees aged between 15 and 17 and 4 detainees aged between 18 and 20 who were recorded as having received Section 53 sentences from courts in Wales.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children and young people were detained under section 53 sentences in Wales in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is for those received into Prison Service establishments after sentences under Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 from courts in Wales during the years 1989 to 1991. Figures for 1992 are not yet available. The details for those recorded as being received from Welsh courts are given in the table for the age bands 14 to 16 and 17 to 20. These figures do not cover those received into local authority care.

  Age at reception

  Year

  14–16

  17–20

  Total

  1989

  5

  1

  6

  1990

  4

  1

  5

  1991

  2

  1

  3

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles and young adults from Wales were remanded in custody in(a) 1979, (b) 1984, (c) 1989 and (d)
  854
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated July 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about remands in custody of juveniles and young adults from Wales in (a) 1979, (b) 1984, (c) 1989 and (d)

  The available information is for prison receptions of remands into custody from courts in Wales during the years 1989 and 1990. This is given in the attached table, with separate figures for first reception as untried and first reception as convicted unsentenced for each of the age bands 14 to 16 and 17 to 20.

  Prison receptions of remands into custody from courts in Wales

  First reception

  Total remands

  Untried

  Convicted Unsentenced

  Age 14 to 16

  1989

  63

  5

  68

  1990

  60

  8

  68

  Age 17 to 20

  1989

  755

  89

  844

  1990

  893

  143

  1,036

  Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking following the recent inspection of the Merseyside fire and civil defence authority in respect of the financial provision for the authority for the remainder of 1993–94, and therefore in subsequent years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Her Majesty's inspector of fire services is preparing the report of the special inspection of the Merseyside fire brigade which he conducted during the week beginning 5 July. I shall want to consider the implications of the report carefully once it has been completed.

  Hypnotics
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has recently received from his Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs concerning hypnotics; what conclusions he has reached in the light of any such advice; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has recently considered the misuse of the hypnotic temazepam. In November 1992 the Council recommended in principle that temazepam should be rescheduled from schedule 4 to schedule 3 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985, a stricter regime of control.

  The Home Office subsequently carried out a public consultation exercise on this proposal. The advisory council has now considered the responses to this consultation, and we are currently studying its conclusions.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to remove the right of access under the Data Protection Act 1984 to computerised personnel and immigration records held as personal data; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement in relation to progress being made towards agreement on the proposed European Commission directive on data protection; and in which areas there is still disagreement between member states.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question from him on 31 March at column 220. The Council working party has concluded its initial consideration of the revised text of the draft directive. It has started a second reading, on the basis of a text containing amendments proposed by the Belgian presidency.

  Racial Equality
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were received by the Commission for Racial Equality from and on behalf of children and young people aged 18 years or under in each year since 1987; and how many of them related to(a) racial harassment, (b) school exclusions, (c) school admissions and (d) transracial fostering adoption.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Life Prisoners
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average sentence actually served by(a) men and (b) women sentenced to life imprisonment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  According to the records held centrally, which are approximate, the average time served under sentence in Prison Service establishments by life sentenced prisoners first released on licence in 1992 was 13·2 years for males and 12·6 years for females. These figures are provisional and may be subject to revision at a later date.

  Figures are published annually, but not split by sex, in "Prison Statistics England and Wales", table 8.5 of the volume for 1991, Cm 2157.

  Knives
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the sentences for those convicted of carrying a knife in public without good reason; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The maximum penalty for the offence of carrying a knife in public without good reason is a level 3 fine—currently £1,000. In appropriate circumstances, a person may be charged with carrying an offensive weapon in public without good reason. This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
  856
  The penalties for these offences are kept under review, but we have no present plans to invite Parliament to increase them.

  Passports
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what considerations govern the number of sub-post offices permitted to handle passport applications.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the chief executive of the Passport Agency, whom I have asked to reply.

  Letter from John Hayzelden to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 26 July 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, as the chief executive of the Passport Agency, to write to you in reply to your Parliamentary Question about passports.

  The UK Passport Agency has a contract with Post Office Counters Ltd (POCL) under which they issue British Visitor's Passports (BVPs) and stock application forms for standard British passports. BVPs are issued only at Crown Post Offices in England, Wales and Scotland and at sub-Post Offices that were previously, Crown Post Offices and at certain designated sub-Post Offices at ports and airports. By restricting the issue of BVPs to these offices, we can ensure close control over the issuing arrangements and the security of blank BVPs.

  Application forms for standard passports (for issue at one of the Passport Offices located at Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport and Peterborough) are available at the same Post Offices as those that issue BVPs. This means that the application forms are available at some 1,500 Post Offices in total, as well as at travel agents and Passport Offices. In deciding whether to extend the current range of outlets for passport application forms, we have to balance cost against customer need. Our surveys indicate that at present some 93 per cent. of passport applicants find our forms very easy or fairly easy to obtain, but we shall keep the matter under continuous review.

  Murder (Life Sentences)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates in England and Wales were serving a life sentence for murder 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 Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated July 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the population of prisoners serving a life sentence for murder.

  The latest available information is for 31 May 1993 when there were 2,520 prisoners in Prison Service establishments serving mandatory life sentences for murder.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies have been considered by his Department concerning any relationship between juvenile offenders and(a) employment and qualifications, (b) school attendance records, (c) statemented pupil status, (d) earlier reference to educational support services, consequent on known behaviour and (e) any

  857
  other pattern of undesirable conduct for which remedies were likely to be available directly of indirectly from public funds.

  Mr. Maclean
  Home Office research study 96 "Schools, Disruptive Behaviour and Delinquency", published in 1988 is a comprehensive review of research in this area. The Home Office research and planning unit is continuing to monitor relevant research findings.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use by the courts of residence requirements when supervision orders are imposed on juvenile offenders.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are committed to ensuring that courts have the powers they need to deal effectively with offenders. The Children Act 1989 conferred upon courts a power to attach a residence requirement to supervision orders. This power came into force in October 1991. The guidance issued under the Children Act made it clear that this requirement is intended to be available for a repeat offender who has committed a serious offence and whose criminal behaviour is attributable to the circumstances in which he is living. No information is yet available on the extent of its use.

  Settlement
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those who have been granted exceptional leave have gained settlement in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on persons accepted for settlement under exceptional leave arrangements in the years 1988–92 is given in table 1.1 of Home Office statistical bulletin issue 19/93 "Asylum Statistics, United Kingdom 1992", a copy of which is in the Library. Information on persons previously granted exceptional leave who were subsequently accepted for settlement on another basis is not readily available.

  Asylum
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and of these how many have been granted full asylum and how many have been removed or otherwise left the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on applications for, and grants of, asylum in the United Kingdom in the years 1988–92 is given in table 1.1 of Home Office statistical bulletin issue 19/93 "Asylum Statistics, United Kingdom 1992", a copy of which is in the Library. Available information for 1992 on removals and voluntary departures of asylum seekers is given in table 9.1 of the bulletin. Corresponding information for years prior to 1992 is not available.

  Deportation
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases during the last 12 months a deportation order has been signed by the Home Secretary but removal not affected due to the provisions of EC legislation.
  858
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Where it is decided not to effect the removal of someone who is the subject of a deportation order, normal practice is to revoke the order. There have been no revocations in the last 12 months arising from the application of EC law.

  Working Holidaymakers
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been granted working holidaymaker status in each of the last five years; if he will give the breakdown by nationality; how many people granted holidaymaker status in each of the last five years did not leave the United Kingdom at the end of their conditions; and on what basis they sought to remain.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Reliable data on admissions of working holidaymakers are available only from 1 May 1990, and were given in the reply to a question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 14 June at columns 449–50. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible with the available after-entry data on working holidaymakers.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors were admitted to the United Kingdom, during the last full year for which such figures are available as working holidaymakers; and from which countries of origin they came.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 14 June at columns 449–50.

  Retired Firefighters
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will meet representatives from the National Association of Retired Firefighters to discuss their participation at the remembrance ceremony at the cenotaph; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received regarding ex-fire service personnel taking part in the remembrance ceremony at the cenotaph; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have received two letters from the association's national secretary asking whether representatives of the association might take part in the ceremony. The civilian services contingent is made up of serving representatives of the civilian services. My right hon. and learned Friend would consider sympathetically any request from the association for a meeting, but I can hold out no hope of being able to extend membership of the contingent to retired personnel.

  EC Work Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what test is applied to European Community national work seekers in receipt of income support for over six months following the amendment to regulation 21(3) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1977, introduced on 12 April;

  (2) what action will be taken by his Department if income support is still in payment after six months to a European Community national considered not to have a genuine chance of finding work by the Employment Service.
  859
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Where a European Community national has been seeking work here for over six months and is in receipt of income support, his position is reviewed, taking into account any relevant information including an assessment from the Employment Service, of the person's work seeking activities and chances of finding work. If the European Community national is considered not to have any right, under EC law, to remain here, he is informed that he is no longer lawfully present and that he should leave the United Kingdom. He is then no longer eligible for the payment of income support.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what practical distinction he makes in considering whether nationals of other EC countries in receipt of income support are lawfully present in the United Kingdom between the tests of(a) a genuine chance of finding work or (b) a reasonable chance or opportunity of finding work.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In deciding whether a European Community national who is in receipt of income support is lawfully present in the United Kingdom, the criteria established by the European Court of Justice judgment of 26 February 1991 in the case of Antonissen—case C 292/89—are applied. These have the effect that the person must show, among other matters, that he has "genuine chances of being engaged".

  Police (Encrypted Radios)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the provision of encrypted radios for Gloucestershire constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have had discussions with Gloucestershire constabulary regarding the use of encrypted radios by police forces. They were advised of the recommendations by the Association of Chief Police Officers on this matter, which the Home Office endorses.

  Asylum and Immigration
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and immigration detainees have committed acts of deliberate self-harm in the last 12 months in United Kingdom prisons and detention centres.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Between 1 June 1992 and 31 May 1993, four immigration detainees, including asylum seekers, committed acts of self-harm while detained in immigration detention centres. The immigration status of those detained in prison who committed acts of deliberate self-harm is not known.

  Terrorists
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners serving sentences in British prisons for terrorist offences have been transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland; how many of them are men and how many are women; and how many cases are pending.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is given in the table.
  860

  Prisoners transferred from Great Britain to Northern Ireland following conviction for terrorist offences and requests for such transfer outstanding.

  Men

  Women

  1988

  0

  0

  1989

  1

  0

  1990

  0

  0

  1991

  2

  0

  1992

  3

  0

  Requests outstanding

  14

  2

  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will raise within the Trevi group the question of the sentence on the murderer of the English school teacher, Mrs. Fiona Jones.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Trevi is a forum for intergovernmental police co-operation between the member states of the European Community and does not discuss judicial matters. Sentencing remains a matter for each member state—in this case, France.

  Police Radio Service
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the recommendations of the review into the police radio service will be introduced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Work is now in hand to translate the recommendations of the review of radio communications in the police and fire services into detailed implementation proposals. The present plan is for the new radio systems to be available for use by the police and fire services from 1998.

  Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of the re-inspection of the Merseyside fire and civil defence authority; and if he will now make the report on that re-inspection public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a letter on behalf of hon. Members seeking a meeting to discuss matters relating to the special inspection of the Merseyside fire brigade which took place during the week beginning 5 July. We shall reply to those representations as soon as possible.

  Drugs Education
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish a formal response to the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on drugs education in schools.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are now studying the report "Drug Education in Schools: the Need for a New Impetus", which was published on 28 June. We shall respond to the chairman of the advisory council with our views on the report in due course.

  Secure Accommodation
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on provisions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 which give powers to the courts to detain under 16-year-olds in secure accommodation and the use to which these powers have been put in the past 15 years.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 allows the Crown court, inter alia, to order that 10 to 13-year-olds who have been convicted of murder or manslaughter and 14 to 15-year-olds who have been convicted of murder or manslaughter or other grave

  Summary of 10–15 year olds sentenced under Section 53, 1979–91—England and Wales

  Year

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Offence

  Murder

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  3

  2

  0

  2

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Attempted murder

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Manslaughter

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  2

  1

  3

  3

  1

  1

  2

  0

  3

  Wounding or other act endangering life

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  7

  4

  1

  1

  8

  7

  7

  2

  6

  Endangering railway passengers

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Other wounding etc.

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Total—violence against the person

  2

  12

  10

  12

  12

  7

  5

  7

  12

  10

  10

  2

  13

  Sexual offences

  1

  5

  7

  4

  2

  6

  3

  8

  6

  8

  11

  10

  6

  Burglary

  3

  5

  4

  2

  0

  1

  12

  9

  7

  11

  6

  8

  4

  Robbery

  5

  5

  12

  15

  11

  9

  22

  22

  26

  31

  15

  17

  22

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Criminal damage (Arson)

  2

  6

  2

  7

  7

  6

  11

  4

  9

  10

  9

  10

  6

  Drug offences

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other indictable non-motoring offences

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Total

  13

  33

  35

  39

  32

  29

  54

  51

  60

  70

  52

  48

  51

  1 A breakdown of the total number of offences of violence against the person is not known for these years.

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

  Mandatory Life Sentences
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to implement the House of Lords judgment in R.v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Smart, Pegg, Doody and Pierson, given on 24 June.

  Mr. Howard
  The current procedures governing the release of persons convicted of murder and sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment are described in statements made in 1983 and 1987 by two of my predecessors as Secretary of State, the right hon. Sir Leon Brittan and my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) respectively.

  Under those procedures, shortly after a person has received a mandatory life sentence, the Secretary of State invites the judiciary to give its views on the period to be served to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. The judiciary's views presently comprise the advice of the trial judge and the Lord Chief Justice. Their advice is one factor among others which the Secretary of
  862
  crimes which in the case of an adult would carry a sentence of 14 years or more, should be detained in a place to be determined by the Secretary of State for periods not exceeding the maximum period of imprisonment which could be imposed on an adult for those offences.

  The Government are currently reviewing the adequacy of these provisions. Offenders in this age group may be detained, if the Secretary of State so decides, in secure accommodation managed either by local authorities, or by the youth treatment service or by the Prison Service. Information, available only for years since 1979, relating to the detention of 10 to 15-year-olds under section 53 after conviction for specific offences is given in the table.

  State considers before he sets the date for the first review by the Parole Board of the case for releasing the prisoner on licence.

  This review is timed to take place three years before the expiry of the minimum period which the Secretary of State considers necessary to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence or, where that period is 20 years or more, 17 years after sentence.

  At present, a prisoner is not told the contents of the judicial recommendation, nor the length of the period which the Secretary of State has determined to be the minimum necessary to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. However, where the period so determined is less than 20 years, the prisoner can deduce its length by adding three years to the date which he is given for his first review; and where it is 20 years, he can deduce its length from the terms of the notice informing him that his first review will take place 17 years after sentence. But where the period is more than 20 years, the prisoner is not able to establish its total length.

  The House of Lords judgment requires me to inform the prisoner of the recommendations made by the judiciary as to the period necessary to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence and of the substance of any opinions expressed by the judiciary which

  863
  are relevant to my decision as to the appropriate minimum period to be served to satisfy those requirements. In addition, I am required to afford the prisoner the opportunity to submit written representations. Although I am not required to adopt the judicial advice, I must give reasons where I or a Minister acting under my authority decides to depart from it.

  I propose to give effect to this judgment by informing all persons who are now serving a mandatory life sentence and any persons who may subsequently be so sentenced, as soon as is reasonably practicable, of the substance of the judicial recommendations which were made in their case as to the period to be served by them in order to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. I am consulting the Lord Chief Justice about the precise way in which this will be done.

  In addition, I have decided to disclose to both existing and future mandatory life sentence prisoners the Secretary of State's decision, taken after consideration of the judicial advice, on the appropriate period in question.

  In accordance with the judgment, reasons will be given to the prisoner for any departure from the judicial view.

  As the judgment makes clear, successive Secretaries of State have been, and I continue to be, willing to consider any written representations by prisoners as to the minimum period to be served by them to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. In future, prisoners will be afforded the opportunity to submit such written representations at the beginning of the sentence and before I have formed a view as to the minimum period for retribution and deterrence.

  I take this opportunity to emphasise that the view which I or a Minister acting under my authority takes, at the beginning of a mandatory life sentence, of the period necessary to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence is an initial view of the minimum period necessary to satisfy those requirements. It therefore remains possible for me, or a future Secretary of State, exceptionally to revise that view of the minimum period, either by reducing it, or by increasing it where I, or a successor in my office, concludes that, putting aside questions of risk, the minimum requirements of retribution and deterrence will not have been satisfied at the expiry of the period which had previously been determined.

  Before taking a decision to increase this minimum period, the Secretary of State would inform the prisoner that he was minded to take this action and afford him the opportunity to submit written representations as to why the period should not be increased. Any such representations would then be taken into account before any new decision was made. If it were decided to increase the period in question, the prisoner would be informed of the length of the new period and given the reasons for the increase.

  Finally, I wish to state that a mandatory life sentence prisoner should not assume that once the minimum period fixed for retribution and deterrence has been satisfied he will necessarily be released if it is considered that he is no longer a risk. In this respect, the position of a prisoner subject to a mandatory life sentence is to be contrasted with that of a prisoner serving a discretionary life sentence. As the then Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold), stated in the House on 16 July 1991 during debates on the Criminal Justice Bill:
  864
  "In a discretionary case, the decision on release is based purely on whether the offender continues to be a risk to the public. The presumption is that once the period that is appropriate to punishment has passed, the prisoner should be released if it is safe to do so. The nature of the mandatory sentence is different. The element of risk is not the decisive factor in handing down a life sentence. According to the judicial process, the offender has committed a crime of such gravity that he forfeits his liberty to the State for the rest of his days—if necessary, he can be detained for life without the necessity for subsequent judicial intervention. The presumption is, therefore, that the offender should remain in custody until and unless the Home Secretary concludes that the public interest would be better served by the prisoner's release than by his continued detention. In exercising his continued discretion in that respect, the Home Secretary must take account, not just of the question of risk, but of how society as a whole would view the prisoner's release at that juncture. The Home Secretary take account of the judicial recommendation, but the final decision is his."—[Official Report, 16 July 1991; Vol. 193, c. 311–12.]

  I wish to make it clear that, in so far as the judgment of the House of Lords considered that there was inconsistency between the practice established by Sir Leon Brittan in 1983 and that statement by my right hon. Friend, I wholly endorse the latter as a desciption of the way in which I currently exercise my discretion to release mandatory life sentence prisoners and intend to do so in future.

  Accordingly, before any such prisoner is released on licence, I will consider not only (a) whether the period served by the prisoner is adequate to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence and (b)whether it is safe to release the prisoner, but also (c) the public acceptability of early release. This means that I will exercise my discretion to release only if I am satisfied that to do so will not threaten the maintenance of public confidence in the system of criminal justice.

  Everything that I have said about the practice of the Secretary of State in relation to mandatory life sentence prisoners applies equally to persons who are, or will be, detained during Her Majesty's pleasure under section 53(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, as well as to persons who have been, or will be, sentenced to custody for life under section 8 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982.

  Forensic Science Service
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the annual report for the Forensic Science Service; and if he will make a statement about the financial targets this year.

  Mr. Howard
  I have today laid before Parliament copies of the Forensic Science Service's annual report and accounts for 1992–93.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) announced on 4 May at column 72 financial and service level targets for the Forensic Science Service for 1993–94 based on a forecast outturn for 1992–93. On the basis of the audited outturn for 1992–93, the unit cost efficiency target has been revised from 1·6 per cent. to 1·8 per cent. The other performance targets remain the same.

  Channel Tunnel
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the criminal injuries compensation scheme will apply to the channel tunnel.
  865
  Mr. Howard
  The British part of the channel tunnel—that is to say, the land comprising the tunnel system as far as the frontier at the mid-point of the tunnel—is part of Great Britain by virtue of section 10 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987. Subject to certain exceptions explained in this answer, blameless victims of crimes of violence in that part of the tunnel system will accordingly be eligible to apply for compensation under the criminal injuries compensaton scheme in the normal way.

  However, article 30(1) of schedule 2 to the Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) Order 1993 provides that claims for compensation for injury caused by or to officers of the adjoining state in the exercise of their functions in the host state shall be subject to the law and jurisdiction of the adjoining state as if the circumstances giving rise to the claim had occurred in that state. This means that the scheme will cover injuries caused by or to United Kingdom officers anywhere in the tunnel system or control zones, but not injuries caused by or to foreign officers. Claims for injury caused to or by foreign officers must accordingly be made against the officer's country.

  In order to ensure that the scheme reflects these provisions I am amending it by the insertion of new paragraphs 4A and 28A, which read as follows:
  "4A. The Board will entertain applications under paragraph 4 arising from injury or death caused by or to officers of the United Kingdom—but not of any other state—in the exercise of their functions in the Channel Tunnel or control zones, within the meaning of the Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) Order 1993."
  "28A. Paragraph 4A will take effect from the date the Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) Order 1993 comes into force."

  The order is expected to come into force on 2 August 1993.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new appointments have been made to the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Howard
  Mr. Anthony Williams MBE and Mr. Linbert Spencer have accepted my predecessor's invitation to serve as members of the Police Complaints Authority. Mr. Williams has retired from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and Mr. Spencer is an employment consultant. Mr. Williams and Mr. Spencer will serve for three years, from 24 June 1993 and 26 July 1993 respectively.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the number of complaints received by the Police Complaints Authority from and on behalf of children and young people aged under 18 years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Responsibility for recording complaints against the police rests with the chief officer of the force concerned. Statistics collected centrally do not show the age of complainants but chief officers have been asked to supply this information from this year.

  Returning Residents
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, by nationality, have requested entry to the United Kingdom as returning residents, in each quarter since April 1992; and how many 866
  have been (a) readmitted as such, (b) readmitted for a limited period and (c) refused entry to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The available information is given in the tables. Information is not available on persons seeking admission as returning residents who were found not to satisfy the relevant requirements of the immigration rules but who were admitted for a limited period under another category.

  Table 1 Persons1 admitted as returning residents since April 19922

  Number of admissions

  Nationality

  2nd quarter 1992

  3rd quarter 1992

  4th quarter 1992

  EUROPE

  28,640

  39,550

  25,440

  Austria

  2,300

  3,050

  1,850

  Bulgaria

  110

  140

  110

  Cyprus

  1,370

  2,540

  1,100

  Czechoslovakia

  240

  290

  160

  Finland

  1,770

  2,450

  1,480

  Hungary

  350

  570

  310

  Malta

  1,850

  3,100

  1,490

  Norway

  3,150

  4,030

  2,620

  Poland

  1,960

  3,800

  1,920

  Romania

  130

  190

  100

  Sweden

  6,890

  7,180

  6,170

  Switzerland

  4,320

  4,970

  3,810

  Turkey

  2,460

  4,990

  2,520

  Former USSR

  430

  890

  570

  Former Yugoslavia

  1,300

  1,380

  1,220

  AMERICAS

  50,550

  60,380

  44,920

  Argentina

  370

  330

  310

  Barbados

  410

  570

  420

  Brazil

  780

  1,200

  650

  Canada

  8,670

  10,410

  7,040

  Chile

  460

  660

  330

  Colombia

  660

  850

  460

  Cuba

  10

  +

  +

  Guyana

  260

  380

  300

  Jamaica

  1,590

  2,100

  1,640

  Mexico

  370

  460

  300

  Peru

  230

  190

  140

  Trinidad and Tobago

  830

  1,050

  620

  USA

  35,660

  41,900

  32,510

  Uruguay

  40

  90

  40

  Venezuela

  220

  200

  170

  AFRICA

  14,340

  20,580

  13,980

  Algeria

  540

  890

  420

  Egypt

  790

  1,070

  780

  Ethiopia

  100

  100

  70

  Ghana

  1,660

  2,250

  1,900

  Kenya

  1,180

  1,440

  960

  Libya

  150

  220

  200

  Mauritius

  1,020

  1,420

  770

  Morocco

  1,030

  2,870

  1,020

  Nigeria

  3,320

  4,410

  3,850

  Sierra Leone

  190

  310

  200

  Somalia

  30

  60

  40

  South Africa

  2,540

  2,720

  2,090

  Sudan

  200

  320

  120

  Tanzania

  360

  620

  400

  Tunisia

  300

  600

  270

  Uganda

  170

  230

  160

  Zambia

  240

  340

  210

  Zimbabwe

  500

  690

  530

  ASIA

  46,600

  51,300

  35,040

  Bangladesh

  2,380

  3,000

  1,410

  China

  220

  220

  220

  Hong Kong BDTC/BN(O)

  1,270

  1,400

  870

  India

  14,560

  15,300

  11,580

  Indonesia

  190

  250

  140

  867

  Number of admissions

  Nationality

  2nd quarter 1992

  3rd quarter 1992

  4th quarter 1992

  Iran

  3,750

  4,910

  2,580

  Iraq

  560

  690

  460

  Israel

  1,820

  1,900

  1,390

  Japan

  5,680

  6,600

  4,840

  Jordan

  430

  570

  400

  Kuwait

  150

  150

  100

  Lebanon

  1,180

  1,410

  880

  Malaysia

  3,340

  3,340

  2,130

  Pakistan

  5,680

  4,650

  4,260

  Philippines

  1,640

  1,860

  1,030

  Saudia Arabia

  290

  390

  220

  Singapore

  720

  860

  630

  Sri Lanka

  1,490

  2,460

  1,060

  Syria

  260

  350

  130

  Thailand

  1,000

  980

  670

  AUSTRALIA

  19,260

  20,500

  15,010

  Australia

  12,090

  13,010

  9,660

  New Zealand

  7,160

  7,490

  5,350

  OTHERS

  6,610

  8,630

  4,940

  British Overseas Citizens

  1,240

  1,270

  790

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  2,590

  3,340

  2,040

  Stateless

  2,790

  4,020

  2,060

  ALL NATIONALITIES

  166,000

  200,950

  139,330

  + 5 or fewer.

  1 Excluding EC nationals to whom the immigration rules on returning residents do not apply.

  2 Data for the first two quarters of 1993 are not yet available.

  Passenger admissions and persons refused leave to enter and removed, for selected nationalities in 1992.

  1st quarter 1992

  2nd quarter 1992

  3rd quarter 1992

  4th quarter 1992

  Year 1992

  Nationality

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Jamaica

  4,930

  100

  6,010

  98

  9,170

  104

  5,760

  107

  25,900

  409

  Turkey

  16,300

  57

  18,400

  55

  25,300

  52

  19,600

  64

  79,500

  228

  Morocco

  3,540

  21

  4,410

  28

  6,720

  27

  3,840

  23

  18,500

  99

  USA

  521,000

  228

  823,000

  251

  903,000

  247

  559,000

  207

  2,810,000

  933

  Australia

  77,100

  65

  133,000

  69

  156,000

  54

  98,600

  48

  465,000

  236

  Malaysia

  14,500

  70

  25,300

  111

  31,700

  81

  22,100

  84

  93,600

  346

  Hong Kong (BDTS and BN(O)s)

  17,700

  34

  21,000

  39

  39,500

  35

  13,600

  23

  91,800

  131

  Guyana

  1,000

  9

  1,580

  16

  2,200

  12

  1,240

  23

  6,030

  60

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,060

  13

  4,490

  13

  7,040

  18

  3,740

  17

  18,300

  61

  Colombia

  3,750

  102

  5,990

  93

  6,620

  80

  4,750

  122

  21,100

  397

  Algeria

  2,690

  60

  3,840

  45

  5,560

  58

  3,260

  70

  15,300

  233

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were detained under
  868

  Table 2

  Persons seeking admission as returning residents who have been refused and removed since April 19921

  Nationality2

  2nd quarter 1992

  3rd quarter 1992

  4th quarter 1992

  Poland

  —

  —

  1

  Former Yugoslavia

  1

  —

  —

  Brazil

  —

  1

  —

  Jamaica

  —

  1

  1

  Venezuela

  —

  1

  —

  Nigeria

  1

  —

  —

  Zambia

  1

  —

  —

  Zimbabwe

  —

  1

  —

  Bangladesh

  6

  —

  4

  Hong Kong BDTC/BN(O)

  1

  —

  —

  India

  3

  3

  1

  Iran

  1

  —

  —

  Pakistan

  2

  —

  —

  Other countries not elseware specified

  1

  —

  —

  All nationalities

  17

  7

  7

  1 Data for the first two quarters of 1993 are not yet available.

  2 Nationalities other than those given are zero.

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Jamaica, (b) Turkey, (c) Morocco, (d) the USA, (e) Australia, (f) Malaysia, (g) Hong Kong, (h) Guyana, (i) Trinidad, (j) Colombia and (k) Algeria were (i) granted and (ii) refused permission to enter the United Kingdom at ports of entry in each quarter since January 1992, and in total, to the latest available date.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The information requested for 1992 is given in the table; corresponding data for the first two quarters of 1993 are not available.

  Immigration Act powers(a) overnight, (b) between one night and one month and (c) for a period of more than

  869
  one month in (i) Harmondsworth detention centre, (ii) the Queen's building in Heathrow, (iii) terminal 4, Heathrow, (iv) the Beehive, Gatwick, (v) HM prison Haslar, (vi) HM prison Pentonville and (vii) any other establishments, by name, during (a) 1992 and (b) 1993 up to the latest convenient date; and of these people, how many in each category were (1) women, (2) children aged under 18 years and (3) men.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The available information is given in the table. The other information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Persons detained overnight or longer at certain locations1

  Location, length of stay, type of detainee

  1992

  1993

  January to June

  Harmondsworth2

  702

  3121

  Queen's Building, Heathrow

  1,644

  3359

  Haslar

  348

  3164

  Stansted

  4211

  3151

  The Beehive, Gatwick:

  Overnight

  2,052

  1060

  More than one night, less than one month

  907

  458

  One month or more

  —

  —

  Terminal 4, Heathrow:

  Overnight:

  Men

  792

  422

  Women

  526

  351

  Children under 18 years

  17

  13

  1,335

  786

  More than one night, less than one month:

  Men

  27

  3

  Women

  38

  11

  Children under 18 years

  4

  —

  69

  14

  One month or more

  —

  —

  1 Unless otherwise stated, the data include persons initially detained elsewhere prior to being detained at the location given.

  2 Data mainly exclude persons detained initially elsewhere, and exclude illegal entrants and deportees detained.

  3 January to March 1993 only.

  4 August, when detention centre opened, to December 1992 only.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the arrangements for inspecting marked registers after elections so as to allow such inspection to take place in the electoral area in question rather than in London.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This matter is currently being considered as part of our post-election review.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make it his policy to introduce proposals for a Select Committee on Sustainable Development.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no plans to do so. However, the hon. Member will no doubt welcome the United Kingdom 870
  strategy for sustainable development consultation paper which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment launched last week, and may wish to contribute his views.

  House Committees
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what Committees of the House other than Standing Committees have members of the Government as members; and if he will name the Committees and the hon. Members concerned.

  Mr. Newton
  The details requested are as follows:

  Committees

  Members

  Accommodation and Works Committee:

  Mr. David Lightbown

  Administration Committee:

  Mr. Sydney Chapman

  Broadcasting Committee:

  Mr. Greg Knight

  Mr. Tony Newton

  Finance and Services Committee:

  Mr. Greg Knight

  Mr. Tony Newton

  Procedure Committee:

  Mr. Andrew MacKay

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Mr. Stephen Dorrell

  Boundaries
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will list the current boundaries of the precincts of the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  A map of the parliamentary estate is contained in section 2 of the Members' handbook. Large-scale drawings delineating the precise boundaries of the precincts of the House are held by the Parliamentary Works Directorate.

  Staff Manning Levels
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what discussions are now taking place and with whom as to possible reductions of staff manning levels in any building in which Members of Parliament or their staff have offices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Beith
  Following the decision by the House of Commons Commission on 5 July to implement a revised complement for the office keeper and attendants' staff in the Serjeant at Arms' Department, members of the union branch committee of NUCPS and staff have been briefed on the changes. The staff inspector will review the operation of the new proposals after they have been in force for 12 months. Such a review will enable the Commission to be satisfied that the new grading levels are appropriate, that the wider use of information technology has been achieved without undue difficulty, and that the new staff complements provide a satisfactory level of service to Members and their staff.

  The various staff changes will not be implemented until after the House returns in October. I understand that all

  871
  the office keeper and attendant staff will be informed of their new locations of work before the House rises and that training is being arranged for any new duties to be undertaken.

  Parliamentary Buildings
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what additional facilities have been requested by hon. Members in each of the parliamentary buildings where hon. Members and staff now have offices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Details of facilities available to Members are contained in the leaflet "Accommodation and General Facilities for Members, their Private Secretaries and Research Assistants". That leaflet is reprinted in the Members' handbook and is available from the Serjeant at Arms office and the special leaflet racks.

  Requests for additional facilities are received regularly from Members, and those requests that cannot be provided on a routine basis are referred to the relevant domestic Select Committee for further consideration.

  If my hon. Friend has any particular issue in mind, he should, in the first instant contact the Serjeant at Arms or relevant head of department.

  Amar Appeal
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Amar Appeal to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 15 to 19 November.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have received advice and assistance on privatisation, contracting out and next steps style reforms under the know-how fund and other aid sources, and the cost in each case.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Most of the assistance provided overseas on privatisation has been to countries in east and central Europe and the former Soviet Union. Figures for individual countries since the launch of the know-how funds, including outstanding commitments, are:

  £'000

  Poland

  5,211

  Romania

  1,783

  Hungary

  4,424

  Bulgaria

  430

  Former Czechoslovak Federation

  4,800

  Czech. Republic.

  200

  Slovak Republic.

  500

  Estonia

  371

  Latvia

  200

  Lithuania

  11

  872

  £'000

  Russia

  2,335

  Ukraine

  355

  Consultancy, advisory and twinning assistance has also been provided to developing countries but on a much smaller scale. Recent examples include Tanzania, Zambia, Guyana and Jamaica. Detailed expenditure figures are not readily available.

  Advice on contracting out and next steps style reforms is usually part of a broader agenda of civil service and local government reform. The know-how funds are providing or developing assistance to central Government reform in Poland, Hungary, Albania and Ukraine and to local government in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria and Romania. Among developing countries, civil service or local government reforms have been or are of particular importance in the Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Uganda and Zambia while reform of individual institutions forms a part of most significant aid programmes. It is not possible to identify the elements of these programmes which relate specifically to contracting out and next steps style reforms.

  World Development Conference
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent world development report, "Investing in Health" and on the visit of the Minister for Overseas Development to the world development conference in Liverpool.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We welcome this comprehensive and stimulating report and agree with its central thesis that a major proportion of the global burden of ill health could be prevented or inexpensively treated through cost-effective health care interventions. We endorse its concern about the huge burden of disease suffered by Africa.

  At the Liverpool school of tropical medicine on 23 July, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development delivered a speech entitled "The Challenge for Investors in Health: ODA's Perspective". She referred to two important challenges n the report: how can Governments and donors (i) provide more resources for health care and (ii) concentrate resources on cost-effective health care. She explained that ODA's health and population assistance is addressing these challenges by (i) helping to develop and refine health technologies, (ii) helping countries establish the systems needed to deliver health care technologies and (iii) encouraging reallocation of resources for health care, so that investments lead to real health improvements for the greatest number of people. We have placed a copy of her speech in the Libraries of the House.

  Malawi
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for restoring financial aid to Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Progress on political and economic reform since the referendum has been encouraging. We have told President Banda that we plan to resume balance
  873
  of payments aid in September and that we will be reviewing other aspects of our aid programme to Malawi at about that time. We will continue to follow closely the course of political and economic events in Malawi and this will continue to influence our aid programme.

  Environmental Consultancies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the environmental consultancies engaged by the Overseas Development Administration for the last five years and provide, in each case, the number of projects for which environmental impact assessments have been prepared and the total value of contracts awarded.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1993]: A list of the 69 environmental consultancies engaged over the last five years at a total cost of about £9·4 million has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  In line with the environmental appraisal process set out in the ODA manual of environmental appraisal, full environmental impact assessments—EIAs—are undertaken only on projects where earlier examination indicates this is required. EIA is a process rather than a single event. ODA's work in this area can often involve assessing the quality and comprehensiveness of EIAs completed by developing countries or other donors, and strengthening them by additional EIA inputs in line with the manual.

  ODA's central financial records show that over the last five years we have contributed to 10 EIA assessments using outside environmental consultancies at a cost of about £2·8 million. These are included in the list referred to earlier in my answer.

  ODA central financial records do not, however, cover those environmental assessment and monitoring activities undertaken by in-house advisers and which cover, at the appropriate stage, most of the projects under consideration by ODA.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Bank of England
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the sections of the Banking Act 1987 under which the Bank of England is specifically required to owe a duty of care to the bank depositors.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Banking Act 1987 does not impose such a duty upon the Bank of England.

  VAT
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the oral statement by the Paymaster General in the Standing Committee on the Finance Bill on 8 June on the mitigation of VAT penalties, what are the other factors that must be taken into account for mitigation to be permissible on the basis of the excluded circumstances; how he will ensure that Customs exercise their discretion in mitigating the VAT penalty; whether guidelines will be published for the information of the taxpayer; and what measures he will take to ensure that the policy is being applied consistently between tax offices.

  Sir John Cope
  From Royal Assent to the Finance Bill, restrictions on customs' existing power of mitigation in 874
  cases involving dishonesty will be removed and the discretion to mitigate extended to misdeclaration penalties. The essence of such a discretion is that each case is examined on its merits and customs cannot be prescriptive. All the circumstances leading to a penalty will be considered. The only constraints are the three factors excluded by law, if they are the sole criteria. These constraints are necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the penalty regime.

  Customs will issue guidelines in public notices now being prepared. The use of the mitigation will be subject to customs' normal management controls. The mitigation is also subject to review by the independent VAT tribunal.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the payments on accounts scheme for VAT.

  Sir John Cope
  As announced at the time of the Budget in March, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor now proposes that both the qualifying year for establishing inclusion in the scheme, and the reference year for establishing the level of payments, should be rolled forward to the most recent year for which details are available, 1992–93. This ensures that the scheme remains as fair as possible by using the most up-to-date information on the tax liability of businesses.

  A statutory instrument—the VAT (Payments on Accounts) Order 1993—will shortly be laid before the House to give effect to this and other changes from 2 September 1993. In the interest of equity, the order makes provision to bring new businesses and existing businesses immediately into the scheme, where such businesses have an annual VAT liability exceeding £2 million. It provides for increased payments where the VAT liability of a business increases to certain levels. It also allows a business to come out of the scheme where the latest year's liability is less than £1·6 million.

  Eco-tax
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce an eco-tax in order to discourage unnecessary packaging.

  Sir John Cope
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has no such plans.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the 10 countries which are most frequently given as the place of ordinary residence by those completing Inland Revenue tax returns 12 FR for the most recent year available, stating in each case the approximate number of taxpayers giving each country as their place of residence.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No records of this information are available.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the tax districts which deal with completed 11K tax returns.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Most tax districts issue and deal with 11K tax returns, but especially those offices dealing with the PAYE of foreign workers assigned to the United Kingdom.

  Gross National Product
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the United Kingdom gross national product for each of the next five years.

  Mr. Nelson
  Projections of gross domestic product growth for the financial years up to and including 1997–98 were published in table 2.2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report". A copy is available in the Library.

  Single Person Households
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that there is effective co-ordination of the impact on single person households of national taxation, local government taxation, and the various systems used for charging for public utilities.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government take all relevant factors into account in making decisions on the level and structure of national taxation and on the local authority settlement. Council tax bills are set by local authorities, but legislation provides for a discount of 25 per cent. for single person households and for the payment of council tax benefit to those in need. Systems of charging for utilities are of course a matter for the private companies which now run them, subject to regulation by the appropriate regulatory body.

  Economy
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the CBI over the state of the economy.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I regularly receive representations from the CBI and other organisations representing the views of United Kingdom industrialists on the state of the economy.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to meet representatives of(a) the Disabled Living Foundation, (b) the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation, (c) the Keep Able Foundation and (d) Dial UK concerning the removal of VAT exemption from products designed for disabled people.

  Sir John Cope
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the types of products designed for disabled people which have been removed from VAT exemptions since April 1992.

  Sir John Cope
  None.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.
  876
  Mr. Portillo
  Of the public bodies for which my right hon. and learned Friend is responsible, the Financial Services Tribunal may hold hearings in public if applicants so request. None of the other public bodies for which he is responsible holds meetings in public.

  11 Downing Street
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 700, what was the final destination of the carpet that was replaced on the second floor of No. 11 Downing street.

  Sir John Cope
  The old carpet was relaid elsewhere in 11 Downing street in 1991.

  Football
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue is received per year from football and football pools.

  Sir John Cope
  The amount raised from pool betting duty in 1992–93 was £318 million. It is estimated that VAT on gate receipts and season tickets raises about £30 million each year.

  Personal Debt
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the current level of personal debt in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nelson
  The estimated financial liabilities of the personal sector at end-December 1992 were £488·2 billion. Details of the composition of this figure can be found in table 14·8 of the July 1993 edition of "Financial Statistics" or on the Central Statistical Office database; both sources are available in the Library.

  Unemployment
  Ms Short
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to implement the G7 agreement to give priority to reducing unemployment.

  Mr. Nelson
  The economic declaration from the Tokyo summit affirmed the implementation of stable macroeconomic policies to promote non-inflationary sustainable growth and structural reforms to make markets—especially the labour market—work better. Such policies are the surest way or reducing unemployment over the medium term and are the heart of this Government's economic policy.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage real-terms increase or decrease in expenditure between 1979–80 outturn and 1993–94 estimated outturn in respect of(a) overall public expenditure, (b) defence, (c) social security, (d) health and (e) education.

  Mr. Portillo
  The percentage change in real terms between 1979–80 and 1992–93—the latest year for which detailed figures are available—is 23 per cent. for general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, 5 per cent. for defence, 63 per cent. for social security, 53 per cent. for health and 27 per cent. for education.

  Commission Disclosure
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the submissions he has received in respect of the Office of Fair Trading report on commission disclosure in respect of independent financial advisers and direct sale forces in the insurance industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 22 July 1993 at columns 296–300.

  The Treasury has received some 800 written responses from all sectors of the industry, almost all of which have included representations about commission disclosure.

  Carbon Emissions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the use of taxation policy to reduce carbon emissions to the levels recommended by the evaluation carried out by the Meteorological Office.

  Sir John Cope
  The Government's policy to ensure that the United Kingdom meets its commitments in the climate change convention, signed at Rio in June 1992, is set out in the answer that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment gave in reply to a written question from my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink) on 26 July 1993, at columns 709–10. This refers to the taxation measures announced in the March budget to increase the price of energy in the domestic and transport sectors.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make it his policy to make a statement to Parliament where any bids from Inland Revenue staff are not considered in the market testing or privatisation of any work which is currently undertaken by the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement on his policy with respect to Inland Revenue bids.

  (2) whether he will ensure that no confidential information or tax returns are held in other countries under the arrangements for Inland Revenue work to be undertaken by private companies;

  (3) whether there are any restrictions as to the location in (a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) the United States of America or (c) elsewhere of companies allowed to bid under the arrangements for market testing or privatisation for work which is currently undertaken by the Inland Revenue.

  (2) Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the revenue lost to excise evasion on(a) hand-rolling tobacco and (b) cigarettes since the abolition of European fiscal frontiers; and how much of this revenue has been recovered so far.
  878
  Sir John Cope
  Total revenue involved for single market excise offence cases involving hand-rolling tobacco to 30 June is £527,900 and for cigarettes £36,874. The amount recovered will depend on court cases, most of which are still pending. No reliable estimates of undetected evasion are available.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any offence involving the unauthorised disclosure of information from tax returns is subject to prosecution under the Finance Act 1989 if the offence is committed in another country; and whether a prosecution would take place in the United Kingdom or the country where the offence is committed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the average gross income from interest, dividends, trust income and annuities entered under section C of Inland Revenue form 12 FR by taxpayers completing these forms in the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) what were the average earnings and benefits for the most recent year available of taxpayers completing Inland Revenue Tax returns 12 FR.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Bear Products
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken by Customs and Excise in respect of the sale of bear bile products by the Sino-Herbalist Centre, 90–92 Shaftesbury avenue, London W1V 7DH.

  Sir John Cope
  The illegal sale of bear bile products is an offence for which the police, rather than Customs, have enforcement responsibility. Customs has responsibility for the enforcement at importation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species controls and is very willing to take appropriate action if provided with information about illegal importation.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of all bear products seized by Customs and Excise during each of the last three years for which records are available.

  Sir John Cope
  HM Customs has made two seizures of bear products in the last three years: one bearskin imported from Norway and seized at Immingham in January 1990 and one rug—Ursus Americanus—imported from Montreal and seized at Heathrow in July 1993.

  Taxation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the total tax take is represented by the budget of the Department of Social Security.
  879
  Mr. Portillo
  The proportion of general Government receipts accounted for by the Department of Social Security's budget in 1992–93 is estimated to have been 33·6 per cent.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the information given in chapter 5 of the autumn statement 1992 and annex D of the "Statistical Supplement of the 1992 Autumn Statement".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Treasury is today publishing a booklet containing estimates of the effects of various illustrative tax changes on tax receipts in 1994–95 and 1995–96 and preliminary estimates of the costs of the main tax reliefs in 1993–94. Copies are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  VAT (Domestic Fuel)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the EC directives relevant to the charging of VAT on domestic fuel supplies; what are the current or future requirements of the legislation concerned with Community harmonisation of VAT liability or rate for these supplies; and what communication or indication he has received from the European Commission in respect of the obligations of Her Majesty's Government in respect of these commodities.

  Sir John Cope
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Civil Servants (Relocation)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made in the rules on interest-free loans advanced to civil servants for house purchase when they are relocated to higher housing cost areas.

  Mr. Dorrell
  From 4 May 1993, Departments and agencies have had discretion to pay advances of salary of up to 12 months' salary with a repayment period of 20 years, where it is affordable and cost effective to do so. This is an increase over the earlier limit of six months' advance of salary repayable over 10 years. These changes were made as part of a wider delegation to Departments of responsibility for determining the relocation expenses of civil servants.

  Tax Fraud
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officers have been employed investigating tax fraud; and what amounts have been recovered as a result, in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: It is not possible to isolate resources and yield relating to fraud cases from those relating to other tax investigating work. But I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 25 June at columns 327–28, 29 June at columns 454–55, and 6 July columns 100–01.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the amounts received by the United Kingdom in objective 5a grants(a) according to region and (b) the amount directed towards areas within the county of Humberside.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 16 July 1993]: The total amount of European Community funding received for agricultural grants under objective 5a of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund in the United Kingdom in 1992 was approximately £64 million. This related to total payments within the United Kingdom, including national funding, of around £190 million. The figures include receipts and expenditure in respect of objective 5a schemes paid in objective 1 areas—Northern Ireland—and in objective 5b areas—certain designated rural areas requiring development.

  These figures broken down by region are summarised in the table. I regret that a figure for the amount of aid directed towards areas within the county of Humberside could be provided only at disproportionate cost as information on the various schemes is not kept on a county basis.

  Region

  Total expenditure

  EC receipts

  £ million

  £ million

  England

  61

  21

  Scotland

  62

  20

  Wales

  36

  10

  Northern Ireland

  31

  13

  Agriculture Expenditure
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the overall cost to the Exchequer of support to United Kingdom agriculture in each year since 1963–64 in actual and 1989–90 prices; and if he will show each figure as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture (£ million actual prices)

  United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture (£ million 1989–90 prices)

  United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture as percentage of GDP

  1963–64

  294

  2,628

  0·94

  1964–65

  264

  2,259

  0·77

  1965–66

  238

  1,944

  0·65

  1966–67

  229

  1,795

  0·59

  1967–68

  262

  1,996

  0·64

  1968–69

  257

  1,863

  0·58

  1969–70

  268

  1,846

  0·56

  1970–71

  259

  1,650

  0·49

  1971–72

  323

  1,885

  0·54

  1972–73

  267

  1,441

  0·40

  1973–74

  392

  1,978

  0·52

  1974–75

  495

  2,086

  0·55

  1975–76

  512

  1,719

  0·46

  1976–77

  378

  1,121

  0·29

  1977–78

  460

  1,197

  0·30

  1978–;79

  537

  1,260

  0·31

  1979–80

  677

  1,361

  0·32

  881

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture (£ million actual prices)

  United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture (£ million 1989–90 prices)

  United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture as percentage of GDP

  1980–81

  1,012

  1,720

  0·43

  1981–82

  972

  1,506

  0·37

  1982–83

  1,433

  2,073

  0·50

  1983–84

  1,729

  2,390

  0·56

  1984–85

  1,712

  2,254

  0·52

  1985–86

  2,165

  2,702

  0·60

  1986–87

  1,449

  1,751

  0·37

  1987–88

  1,630

  1,868

  0·38

  1988–89

  1,380

  1,473

  0·29

  1989–90

  1,258

  1,258

  0·24

  1990–91

  1,910

  1,799

  0·34

  1991–92

  1,959

  1,729

  0·34

  1992–93

  2,066

  1,763

  0·34

  Sources:

  1963–64 to 1985–86 from the UK Annual Reviews of Agriculture

  1986–87 to 1992–93 (forecast) from Agriculture in the UK

  UK GDP—CSO Economic Trends

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) overall EC expenditure as a percentage of EC gross domestic product, (b) net EC expenditure on agriculture as a percentage of overall EC gross domestic product and (c) net United Kingdom expenditure on agriculture as a proportion of gross domestic product in each year since 1973.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  EC General Budget expenditure as percentage EC GDP

  EC expenditure on agriculture (EAGGF Guarantee) as percentage EC GDP

  UK expenditure1 on agriculture as percentage UK GDP

  1973

  0·46

  0·37

  0·52

  1974

  0·43

  0·31

  0·55

  1975

  0·47

  0·35

  0·46

  1976

  0·53

  0·39

  0·29

  1977

  0·55

  0·41

  0·30

  1978

  0·68

  0·49

  0·31

  1979

  0·71

  0·52

  0·32

  1980

  0·71

  0·50

  0·43

  1981

  0·72

  0·45

  0·37

  1982

  0·76

  0·45

  0·50

  1983

  0·85

  0·55

  0·56

  1984

  0·87

  0·59

  0·52

  1985

  0·83

  0·59

  0·60

  1986

  0·98

  0·62

  0·37

  1987

  0·94

  0·61

  0·38

  1988

  1·01

  0·68

  0·29

  1989

  0·93

  0·59

  0·24

  1990

  0·93

  0·57

  0·34

  1991

  1·04

  0·61

  0·34

  19922

  1·17

  0·66

  0·34

  Sources:

  The Community Budget: The Facts in Figures, 1992 Edition The European Economy 1992

  Eurostat Rapid Reports: Economy and Finance, 1993 No. 2 UK Annual Reviews and Agriculture in the UK

  Economic Trends, Annual Supplement 1992 and June 1993

  1 UK expenditure reflects UK financial years e.g. 1973 is April 1973-March 1974

  2 1992 EC budget figures
  882
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the overall cost of national and EC agricultural support in the United Kingdom as a cash figure and as a percentage of gross domestic product in 1960, 1970 and each year since 1980–81.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  UK public expenditure on agriculture £ million

  Percentage of GDP

  1960–61

  263

  1·00

  1970–71

  259

  0·49

  1980–81

  1,012

  0·43

  1981–82

  972

  0·37

  1982–83

  1,433

  0·50

  1983–84

  1,729

  0·56

  1984–85

  1,712

  0·52

  1985–86

  2,165

  0·60

  1986–87

  1,449

  0·37

  1987–88

  1,630

  0·38

  1988–89

  1,380

  0·29

  1989–90

  1,258

  0·24

  1990–91

  1,910

  0·34

  1991–92

  1,959

  0·34

  1992–93

  2,066

  0·34

  Sources:

  1960–61, 1970–71, 1980–81 to 1985–86 from the UK Annual Review of Agriculture

  1986–87 to 1992–93 (forecast) from Agriculture in the UK

  UK GDP—CSO Economic Trends

  Sheep
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she intends to bring forward for allocation of quota to sheep producers who are new entrants and those whose claims for sheep annual premium in 1991 were reduced by exceptional factors.

  Mr. Jack
  These two categories of sheep producer were included in the proposed categories of eligibility for the national reserve about which we consulted the industry earlier this year. The details are currently being finalised. The amounts of quota in the reserve will be limited.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the forms for extra allocations for sheep quotas from the national reserve will be issued before the 6 August cut-off date for quota transfers.

  Mr. Jack
  The details of the national reserve categories are currently being finalised and the necessary national legislation will be made later in the summer. Applications to the national reserve will not be invited before 6 August. A letter has been sent to all known sheep producers giving guidance about the rules that will operate if they acquire quota by transfer or lease and apply for an allocation from the national reserve.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the public bodies for which she is responsible hold meetings in public; and if she will list them.
  883
  Mr. Jack
  Of the public bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible, only the eight agricultural land tribunals in England and Wales and the plant varieties and seeds tribunal hold meetings in public.

  Fur Farms
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the last five years officers of ADAS have visited mink and Arctic Fox fur farms.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Responsibility for this matter is delegated to ADAS and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Gentleman direct.

  Letter from Dr. J. M. Walsh to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 28 July 1993:

  In answer to your question, according to our records in each of the last five years ADAS undertook the following visits on behalf of MAFF.

  1988 27

  1989 31

  1990 26

  1991 19

  1992 17

  Over this period ADAS also undertook a small number (approximately 6) of fee paid consultancy visits to mink farms.

  ADAS became an Executive Agency on 1 April 1992. The visits on behalf of MAFF are now carried out under a contract with the MAFF Policy Division. As a contracting organisation, it not our normal practice to disclose information relating to the contracts we undertake. Could I suggest that further enquiries should be directed to the Customer Group within MAFF.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on how many occasions in the last five years officials of the state veterinary service have advised mink fur farmers to improve the conditions in which the animals are being held in order to avoid prosecution; and if he will give details;

  (2) on how many occasions in the last five years officials of the state veterinary service had advised Arctic fox fur farmers to improve the conditions in which the animals are being held in order to avoid prosecution; and if he will give details.

  Mr. Soames
  In monitoring welfare standards on fur farms, the state veterinary service operates to the guidelines laid down in the relevant recommendations adopted by the Council of Europe. Were conditions to be found which warranted immediate prosecution, we would

  EC Sugar quotas and production 1991–92

  '000 tonnes white sugar equivalent

  Member State

  Quota

  Non-quota 'C' sugar production 1991–924

  Total production 1991–921

  1991–92 consumption

  Difference between total production and consumption

  'A' quota

  'B' quota

  France2

  2,996

  806

  740

  4,387

  2,082

  2,305

  Denmark

  328

  97

  43

  468

  222

  246

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  680

  146

  66

  892

  455

  437

  Ireland

  182

  18

  13

  213

  124

  89

  Netherlands

  690

  182

  174

  1,046

  582

  464

  Germany

  2,638

  811

  460

  3,909

  2,865

  1,044

  United Kingdom

  1,040

  104

  72

  2,346

  2,280

  66

  Italy

  1,320

  248

  —

  1,509

  1,606

  -97

  Greece

  290

  29

  —

  273

  333

  -60

  884
  not hesitate to take such action. Centrally held records on the welfare inspections of fur farms date from 1990 and written advice on improvements was given in one case.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the number of mink farms over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Soames
  Information is only readily available for the last five years. No mink farms have been licensed during this time in Wales. Information with regards to England is as follows:

  Number

  As at 31 March 1989

  52

  As at 20 February 1990

  43

  As at 20 February 1991

  25

  As at 12 March 1992

  25

  As at 20 July 1993

  13

  Sugar
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the price in pound per tonne paid to United Kingdom farmers under the common agricultural policy for sugar beet in each month since August 1992;

  (2) what was the average price in pound per tonne paid to United Kingdom farmers under the common agricultural policy for sugar beet produced in the 1991–92 sugar beet season and the 1992–93 season.

  Mr. Jack
  Each year the Council of Ministers sets minimum prices for sugar beet grown to meet the EC's sugar quotas. The actual price per tonne of sugar beet is negotiated between the NFU and British Sugar plc, the United Kingdom's sole beet processor, for the whole crop for that season. An interim price is agreed early in the season and then finalised after the crop is harvested. The final price for contracted sugar beet for 1991–92 harvest was £33·22 and the provisional price for the 1992–93 harvest is £37·32 per tonne.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current(a) common agricultural policy A, B and C quota for sugar production, (b) domestic consumption of sugar and (c) surplus of production over consumption of sugar in each EC member state.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is set out in the table:
  885

  '000 tonnes white sugar equivalent

  Member State

  Quota

  Non-quota 'C' sugar production 1991–924

  Total production 1991–921

  1991–92 consumption

  Difference between total production and consumption

  'A' quota

  'B' quota

  Portugal3

  64

  6

  —

  301

  324

  —23

  Spain

  960

  40

  —

  864

  1,093

  -229

  EC

  11,188

  2,488

  1,568

  16,208

  11,956

  4,242

  Notes:

  1 This includes non-quota 'C' sugar and for United Kingdom, France and Portugal includes white sugar produced from raw cane sugar.

  2 Figures for France include Overseas Departments.

  3 Figures for Portugal include Azores.

  4 'C' sugar is grown outside quota. It does not receive price support and must be exported without subsidy, except for a proportion which may be carried forward to count against the following year's quota.

  5 Figures may not add to corresponding totals because of rounding.

  Industrial and Marine Bacteria
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she intends to continue to provide funding for the national collections of industrial and marine bacteria.

  Mr. Jack
  MAFF will provide funding for this company to the end of the current financial year. The Office of Science and Technology will take over responsibility for Government sponsorship of the company from 1 April 1994. pending the outcome of their review of the national need for culture collections.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she plans to make any changes in the licensing arrangements for fishing vessels; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I am pleased to advise that a number of changes are being made with immediate effect to the present licensing arrangements following the consultation papers issued by the Fisheries Departments in April 1992 and January 1993. We hope that these changes will assist the industry and at the same time contribute towards our multi-annual guidance programme—MAGP—targets for reducing the capacity of the United Kingdom fishing fleet by 31 December 1996.

  In early 1992, the Government introduced a 20 per cent. capacity penalty for all licence transfers and aggregations. With my colleagues from the other Fisheries Departments, I have considered the operation of the present penalty and in the light of representations from industry we have decided on certain modifications. These take into account concerns over the structure of the industry, the difference between single licence transfers and aggregations and the licensing and replacement of 10m and under vessels. For example, subject to certain conditions, for vessels of over 10m we are reducing the capacity penalties for single licence transfers and aggregations involving minor engine modifications; and waiving that penalty where sunk vessels are being replaced. In addition, for vessels of 10m and under we are removing the capacity penalty for single licence transfers and allowing licence transfers between vessels with inboard and outboard engines. The detail of these and other changes is as follows.

  All existing rules on the "transfer" or "aggregation" of licences will remain in force subject to the following. The 20 per cent. capacity penalty for licence aggregations is
  886
  being retained, but a 10 per cent. penalty will apply to those aggregations involving minor engine modifications to existing vessels provided the engine power of the vessel, as measured in kilowatts, is not increased by more than 15 per cent. in a single aggregation or in a series of smaller aggregations. In addition, a 10 per cent. capacity penalty will apply to single licence transfers involving vessels over 10m in overall length. No penalty will be applied to single licence transfers affecting vessels of 10m overall length and under where there is no increase in the vessel capacity units of the recipient vessel. The capacity penalty may also be waived where we are satisfied that the vessels being replaced have been destroyed or permanently disabled as a result of fire, sinking or other accidental causes, provided the vessel capacity units of the replacement vessel are no greater than those of the replaced vessel and the age difference between the vessels is not more than seven years, the age of any vessel being determined from the date of its first build.

  The transfer and aggregation of licences from vessels of 10m overall length or under to vessels over 10m, or vice versa, will not be permitted. The number of vessels between 10 and 17m overall length which may take part in any future licence aggregation will be limited to two. However, for vessels of 10m overall length or under it will be possible to transfer or aggregate licences between vessels with outboard engines and those with inboard engines.

  Our MAGP targets are based on the vessels listed on the fishing vessel register maintained by the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen. To ensure that the register is restricted to active fishing vessels, from 1 November 1993 any person applying to transfer or aggregate fishing licences will need to show, before a new licence is issued, that any donnor vessel has been deregistered or that the donor vessel has been relicensed as part of a separate licence transaction.

  Any existing claims to licence entitlements must also be notified to the appropriate Fisheries Department by 1 November 1993 and a valid licence application in respect of a named vessel made by 27 July 1995. Entitlements occurring after the date of this announcement must be notified to the appropriate Fisheries Department within three months, and a valid licence application made within two years, of the date on which the entitlement first arose. Those who fail to notify Fisheries Departments of a licence entitlement, or fail to submit a valid licence application within the time limits specified will normally lose any claim to that licence entitlement. However, where the claim to an

  887
  entitlement has arisen as a result of the loss of a vessel involving death or serious injury, the time limit for notification may, exceptionally, be extended.

  Mr. Beggs To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (1) how many late applications have been received for fishing vessel licences for 10m and under vessels which were not registered on or before 27 February 1992; and how many of these late applicants have been granted licences;

  (2) how many late applications have been received for fishing vessel licences for 10m or under vessels which were not registered on or before 27 February; how many of these late applicants have been granted licences; how many have not been granted licences; and whether these applicants can reclaim the registration fee paid in pursuit of a fishing licence;

  (3) how many late applications have been received for fishing vessel licences for 10m and under vessels which were not registered on or before 27 February 1992; and how many of these late applicants have been granted licences.

  Mr. Jack
  To be eligible for a 10m and under licence, fishermen had to meet one of the following criteria:

  (a) own vessels of 10m and under overall length which were on 27 February 1992 registered under part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988; and provide evidence of fishing for profit in the reference period 28 February 1991–27 February 1992;

  (b) have applied on or before 27 February 1992 to register such a vessel; or

  (c) provide evidence of an enforceable financial commitment to obtain such a vessel which was entered into on or before 27 February 1992; or

  (d) have replaced a qualifying vessel which was used for commercial fishing during the reference period, provided that the new vessel was no larger in vessel capacity unit terms and the original vessel had been removed from the Register.

  More than 6,850 applications for 10m and under licences were received in the United Kingdom—England and Wales about 4,670, Northern Ireland about 245, Scotland about 1,940. By 1 July some 5,330 licences had been issued or approved in principle—England and Wales about 3,550, Northern Ireland about 145, Scotland about 1,635. At the same date some 740 licences had been refused or the applications had been withdrawn—England and

  Crude trade balances in US $ millions

  1990

  1991

  1990

  1991

  1990

  1991

  Agriculture

  Cereals

  Total visibles excluded oil and agriculture

  United Kingdom

  -10,185

  -8,925

  255

  310

  -31,068

  -17,635

  USA

  18,143

  17,962

  11,783

  9,897

  -104,408

  -80,205

  Canada

  2,081

  2,270

  3,351

  3,816

  285

  -3,744

  EC(12)

  -11,722

  -13,410

  3,415

  1,578

  16,584

  -7,960

  Cairns Group

  41,726

  39,832

  6,571

  6,008

  1-41,421

  1-42,049

  1 The trade balances for the Cairns Group does not exclude oil as no data are readily available.

  N.B. The trade balances for the EC and Cairns Group include intra trade.

  Source: OECD Foreign Trade by commodities, Series C.

  United Nations FAO Handbook.

  IMF Direction of Trade.

  Northmoor Pumping Station
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she will take to further the conservation of flora and fauna, under section 16 of the 888
  Wales about 485, Northern Ireland about 80, Scotland about 175. The remaining applications are being dealt with as quickly as possible.

  Licences have been issued to those who were able to meet one of the eligibility criteria set out above. Rejections may have been for a number of reasons, but the main ones relate to applicants being unable to meet the principal criteria because either the vessel was not registered on 27 February 1992 under part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 or the applicant had not fished for profit in the reference period 28 February 1991 to 27 February 1992.

  Registration and licensing of fishing vessels are two separate matters. It has long been a requirement that vessels used for fishing for profit have to be registered under the merchant shipping legislation. Anyone who has been fishing for profit when the vessel was not registered has therefore been operating illegally. The question of refunds of registration fees does not therefore arise.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on her policy on the application by British Nuclear Fuels plc to commission THORP; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: BNFL has applied to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Ministry for permission to use natural and depleted uranium to test the THORP plant at Sellafield. A copy of the announcement that we made on 22 July, together with HMIP, on the granting of variations to BNFL's existing authorisations to discharge liquid and gaseous radioactive waste on or after the 12 August 1993 to test THORP can be found in the Library of the House.

  Trade Balance
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show the crude balance of imports and exports of(a) agriculture overall, (b) cereals and (c) the rest of the non-oil, non-visible trade for the United Kingdom, the EC, the United States of America, Canada and the Cairns group countries in 1979, 1984 and each year since 1989.

  Mr. Needham
  I have been asked to reply.

  The figures requested are in the table:

  Water Resources Act 1991, when considering the eligibility for grant aid of the proposal to replace the pumps at Northmoor pumping station.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: Discussions between MAFF, the National Rivers Authority, English

  889
  Nature and the Northmoor internal drainage board are still in progress on the proposed new pumps at Northrnoor pumping station. In considering the outcome of these discussions, Ministers will fully take into account the requirements of section 16 of the Water Resources Act 1991 as they relate to the conservation of flora and fauna.

ENVIRONMENT

  THORP
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 7 June,Official Report, column 100, if he will set out a breakdown of the 83,000 responses to the THORP consultation exercise in a format that is available to his Department.

  Mr. Yeo
  In their report of the consultation exercise on the draft Sellafield authorisations the inspectorates provide the following breakdown of responses received:

  Number

  Total number of letters received

  83,731

  Illegible names and addresses

  12,170

  Total for

  19,217

  Total against

  64,514

  Proformas

  49,041

  Petitions for

  17

  Petitions against

  2159

  118,467 names

  228,780 names

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give permission for the uranium section of THORP to be commissioned; and what criteria he would apply in reaching such a decision.

  Mr Yeo
  HM inspectorate of pollution and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 22 July that, subject to the completion of the procedures under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960, they are minded to grant a variation of BNFL's existing authorisations to discharge liquid and gaseous radioactive waste, on or after the 12 August 1993, so that natural and depleted uranium could be used to test THORP.

  HM inspectorate of pollution and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food reached this position in the light of several considerations. The radiological impact of the emissions from testing THORP in this way would be very small, less than 0·001 per cent. of the average dose to the United Kingdom population from natural background radiation. The impact would be small in comparison with the impact from THORP in full operation if it is allowed to reprocess spent nuclear fuel and—after considering the representations received during the public consultation—HMIP and MAFF inspectors have concluded that the impact from THORP in full operation would be acceptable. Only natural or depleted uranium would be used—no testing with spent fuel would be allowed under the terms of the proposed variation. There would be no increase to the existing limits on emissions from Sellafield.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is still required before THORP is commissioned.
  890
  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend announced in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 28 June,Official Report, column 392, a further round of consultation. A final decision will be taken after this.

  Recycling
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government have taken in addressing the option of waste reduction in meeting their recycling targets.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government have set a target for recycling 25 per cent. of household waste by the end of the decade. This target relates to materials recycling and composting. However, it is clearly better to avoid waste in the first place, where that is a practicable option, and the Government employ a variety of measures to encourage waste minimisation. In addition to providing for the minimisation of the discharge of pollutant substances, the Environmental Protection Act establishes stringent standards for waste disposal. When fully implemented, these standards will increase the costs of disposal and provide an additional incentive to minimise waste. The Government also run programmes to raise awareness in companies of the benefits of waste minimisation; to demonstrate best practice; and to provide advice and information on cleaner technology for industry. A number of major companies have now set themselves waste reduction targets.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the achievement by local authorities of their recycling plans.

  Mr. Yeo
  Most local authorities are starting to implement recycling plans which extend over a number of years and we expect to approve those plans which have been submitted more recently by the end of the summer. It would be premature to attempt to assess how much progress has been made in implementation at this early stage.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the import into the United Kingdom of German waste seeking processing outlets is having on package waste disposal in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to protect schemes in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Butler).

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the Government intend to take forward their proposals for increasing the recycling of packaging and other goods and to deal with the threat posed by schemes in other countries.

  Mr. Gummer
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Technology and I have today invited the major organisations involved in the packaging chain to draw up a plan by which industry will take responsibility for ensuring that the majority of used packaging is not simply thrown away but returned to beneficial use. We expect this plan to make a significant contribution to meeting the Government's target of recycling 25 per cent. of household waste by the end of the decade.
  891
  Recycling minimises the use which we as individuals make of the earth's limited resources and there is already a great commitment to it in many parts of the community. Voluntary groups, charitable bodies, dedicated individuals, business and local authorities have all done much to establish a basic framework of schemes. But today many of these schemes face a crisis and, if we are to safeguard this potential for growth, we need to adopt comprehensive measures which involve all the relevant business sectors.

  I believe that many of those in the packaging chain—retailers, fillers, and manufacturers of packaging materials and packaging accept that they should share responsibility for what happens to packaging once it has served its original purpose. My predecessors and colleagues at the Department of Trade and Industry have been discussing with the industry for the past two years how that responsibility might be put into practice.

  We have made useful progress in our discussions. But our long-term goals are being put in danger by the damage being caused to Britain's recycling efforts by measures elsewhere in Europe. Many of our European partners are introducing recycling schemes for packaging, but in some of those schemes there is an alarming imbalance between what is collected and the ability to reprocess it. We need to ensure that we get this balance right and that we sustain the recycling infrastructure which we have painstakingly built up so far.

  We have therefore decided that urgent action is necessary and that it is time to spell out what the Government expect of industry. That is why I will be meeting senior representatives of retailers, fillers of packaging and manufacturers of packaging and packaging materials over the next few weeks.

  We will invite them to produce a plan which meets the following objectives:
  producers—retailers, fillers and manufacturers of packaging and packaging materials—must take a share of responsibility for what happens to packaging once it has served its original purpose, while minimising the packaging deemed essential;
  producers would show that they accept that responsibility by delivering targets for the amount of used packaging which they recover. We accept that recovery targets above 75 per cent. are unlikely to be practicable by the end of the decade. So we are asking them to commit themselves to ensuring that between 50 and 75 per cent. of all packaging waste—the precise level to be agreed with Government—is recovered by the year 2000;
  producers would bear any extra cost of setting up systems to meet the recovery targets;
  we will emphasise to producers the importance of their taking immediate action to ensure that a recycling infrastructure—collectors and processors—continues to be available to them, so that they can meet their recovery targets.

  We welcome the initiative already taken by the Institute of Grocery Distribution to finance pilot recycling collection schemes. We would support the idea that recognition should be given to those companies who have contributed to such schemes, when more comprehensive arrangements are established.

  We are inviting leading figures in the industry to report back by the end of October on the action which they have taken to help collection and processing operations to continue, especially for waste paper and board and plastics. And we are asking them to present us with an effective plan for meeting the objectives which I have outlined, before Christmas 1993. We will make clear to industry that it should ensure that its plans are compatible with United Kingdom and EC competition law.
  892
  If the industries concerned cannot satisfy us by Christmas that they are committed to achieving the objectives, or if they decide that legislative backing is necessary, we will need to move towards a legislative approach to mandating producer responsibility.

  We believe that one of the benefits of introducing a scheme of producer responsibility will be that we are better able to demonstrate, in our discussions on a European Community packaging directive, that it is possible to reduce the environmental impact of packaging significantly without placing unreasonable burdens on business. We also wish to ensure that the targets contained in the directive are realistic.

  My colleagues and I will also continue our discussions with industries dealing with other waste streams on how they could shoulder responsibility for the wastes which their activities generate. In particular, I will be inviting the newspaper publishers to discuss these issues with me.

  The initiative which we are announcing today will form an important part of our recycling strategy. It will allow the public, who would like to see less packaging and who do not want throw away materials which could be used again, to recycle much more than they can at present. It will be another important step in moving towards a society whose daily 'habits preserve the world for future generations.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have not submitted their waste recycling proposals to his Department for approval.

  Mr. Yeo
  The following local authorities have yet to submit recycling plans to the Department:

  Amber Valley

  Bolsover

  Brent

  Erewash

  Great Yarmouth

  Sandwell

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  We have received an informal draft from Blackburn, but still await the formal submission of their plan.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each grant made by his Department for recycling projects.

  Mr. Yeo
  The following grants have been made available for recycling projects under the environmental action fund in 1993–94:

  Waste Watch, National

  £196,987

  Community Recycling Network, National

  £30,000

  Eureka Museum for Children, Halifax

  £21,950

  Action Resource Centre, Nottinghamshire

  £13,000

  Avon Friends of the Earth

  £11,200

  Cash from Trash, Wakefield

  £31,939

  Bristol Recycling Consortium

  £20,000

  Wastestream Systems Ltd., London

  £18,780

  Wyecycle, Wye

  £15,000

  The DTI also makes funds available to businesses for innovative recycling projects under the environmental technology innovation scheme—ETIS—EUROENVIRON scheme, and environmental management options scheme—DEMOS.

  The following local authorities have also been allocated supplementary credit approvals to support capital expenditure on waste recycling for 1993–94:
  893

  Authority

  Allocation

  £'000

  London Boroughs

  Barnet

  200

  Bromley

  13·5

  Croydon

  155

  Ealing

  1·175

  Enfield

  50

  Hackney

  170

  Haringey

  20

  Hillingdon

  5

  Kingston upon Thames

  48

  Lambeth

  112·25

  Merton

  97

  Newham

  100

  Redbridge

  168

  Richmond

  70

  Southwark

  30

  Sutton

  365

  Tower Hamlets

  53

  Waltham Forest

  150

  Wandsworth

  20

  Metropolitan Authorities

  Barnsley

  135

  Bolton

  75

  Bury

  30

  Calderdale

  30

  Doncaster

  16

  Dudley

  100

  Gateshead

  35·5

  Kirklees

  35

  Knowsley

  110

  Leeds

  1,410

  Liverpool

  270

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  600

  Oldham

  98

  Rochdale

  36

  Rotherham

  19

  St. Helens

  7·7

  Sandwell

  820

  South Tyneside

  7

  Stockport

  55·575

  Wakefield

  340

  West Yorkshire Waste Management

  1,137

  Wirral

  24

  Wolverhampton

  53

  County Councils

  Cambridgeshire

  240

  Cornwall

  40

  Cheshire

  20

  Cumbria

  105

  Devon

  240

  Durham

  50

  Hampshire

  517

  Hereford and Worcester

  11

  Hertfordshire

  20

  Leicestershire

  106

  Lincolnshire

  175

  Northumberland

  7

  North Yorkshire

  76·5

  Nottinghamshire

  175

  Oxfordshire

  150

  Somerset

  78·5

  Suffolk

  48

  Wiltshire

  20

  District Councils

  Adur

  40

  Allerdale

  75

  Alnwick

  33

  Amber Valley

  20

  Bassetlaw

  8

  Bath

  20·4

  Beverley

  20

  Blaby

  40

  Bournemouth

  29

  Brighton

  60

  894

  Authority

  Allocation

  £'000

  Bristol

  248·75

  Broxbourne

  105

  Browtowe

  77

  Burnley

  45

  Carlisle

  20

  Chelmsford

  20

  Cheltenham

  60

  Cherwell

  15

  Chester

  200

  Chesterfield

  28

  Chiltern

  50

  Copeland

  48

  Craven

  50

  Darlington

  6

  Derby

  70

  Easington

  7·8

  East Dorset

  15

  East Hertfordshire

  42

  Eden

  13

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  10

  Gedling

  13

  Great Grimsby

  70

  Guildford

  60

  Harborough

  30

  Harlow

  17

  Hartlepool

  150

  Hastings

  50

  Havant

  17·5

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  20

  Hull

  175

  Hyndburn

  30

  Kerrier

  125

  Lancaster

  20

  Lanbaugh on Tees

  64

  Leicester

  90

  Melton

  40

  Mid Bedfordshire

  35

  Mid Suffolk

  60·5

  Middlesborough

  23

  Milton Keynes

  1,450

  Newark and Sherwood

  50

  North Dorset

  25

  North Hertfordshire

  12

  Norwich

  20

  Nottingham

  71·8

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  37

  Oswestry

  65

  Oxford

  205

  Pendle

  15

  Peterborough

  12·35

  Plymouth

  160

  Poole

  37·5

  Portsmouth

  10

  Preston

  10

  Reading

  15

  Ribble Valley

  7

  Rochester upon Medway

  145

  Rother

  40

  Rushmoor

  70

  Scarborough

  25

  Selby

  30

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  50

  South Derbyshire

  50

  South Herefordshire

  20

  South Lakeland

  28·75

  South Norfolk

  50

  South Northamptonshire

  75

  South Somerset

  100

  St. Albans

  70

  St. Edmundsbury

  26·5

  Stockton on Tees

  96·5

  Surrey Heath

  42

  Tendring

  4

  Test Valley

  91·5

  Tewkesbury

  30

  Vale of White Horse

  20

  Watford

  30

  895

  Authority

  Allocation

  £'000

  Waverley

  30

  Wealdon

  100

  Welwyn Hatfield

  40

  West Devon

  75

  West Dorset

  20

  West Wiltshire

  116

  Winchester

  26

  Woking

  33·7

  Wokingham

  40

  Woodspring

  10

  Wrekin

  90

  Wychavon

  15

  Wycombe

  20

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the disposal of intermediate level decommissioning wastes from United Kingdom nuclear power stations; and what capacity will be available within the proposed Nirex repository to accommodate these wastes.

  Mr. Yeo
  Intermediate level radioactive waste will be stored until it can be disposed of in Nirex's deep disposal facility. The capacity of the facility has yet to be established.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been undertaken by his Department into the use of integrated toxicological potential as a basis for determining equivalence between different categories of radioactive waste; and if he will make it his policy to seek the views of THORP's overseas customers concerning such practices.

  Mr. Yeo
  Consideration of the various aspects of waste substitution is still to be completed. Should substitution be approved it would be for British Nuclear Fuels plc to negotiate appropriate arrangements with its customers within guidelines set by the Government.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received from British Nuclear Fuels plc in regard to the present projected capacity of the vitrification plant at Sellafield to handle all the high level waste(a) stockpiled and (b) planned to be created arising from reprocessing contracts currently signed by BNFL.

  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend has received no such information.

  Rural Sewerage, Yorkshire
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision for rural sewerage schemes was included in Yorkshires Water's asset management plan for 1989–90 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  I am informed by Yorkshire Water that no specific provision for rural sewerage schemes was made in the company's 1989 asset management plan for the period 1989 to 2000. However, the company will respond to statutory requisitions for first-time sewerage in accordance with legal requirements.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 707, with whom his Department sought agreement prior to the removal of the commercially sensitive information to which he refers; what is the scope of the points that require clarification with the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; what timetable he has set for RWMAC to report on the further work; what was the date of the RWMAC press release to which he refers; and if he will place a copy of the press release in the Library.

  Mr. Yeo
  British Nuclear Fuels agreed the information that was commercially sensitive in RWMAC's report on waste substitution. The further work for RWMAC will relate to the use of the toxic potential index and the waste management implications of waste substitution. I expect to receive further advice from RWMAC later this year. Copies of RWMAC's press release of 28 June have been placed in the Library.

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

  Mr. Gummer
  I have today arranged for a list of the computer consultancies employed by my Department since November 1991, together with and indication of the tasks for which they were engaged, to be placed in the Library of the House. The total cost to the Department was £5,878,713.

  New Towns
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to secure the orderly completion of the new towns initiative in England.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have been discussing with Sir Neil Shields, the chairman of the Commission for the New Towns, the scale of the task remaining to be completed to enable the commission to dispose of the bulk of its remaining assets and make provision for disengagement from its current liabilities, and we have agreed that this should be achievable within a five-year period. The Government therefore intend to wind up the Commission for the New Towns by no later than 31 March 1998.

  We have also agreed that provision will need to be made for the longer-term management and sale of those assets which it would not be prudent to dispose of within this time scale, and for the on-going management of any remaining liabilities. Discussions will continue on the best ways of providing for these.

  I should like to place on record the Government's appreciation of the excellent work undertaken by the commission in completing the biggest and most significant exercise in urban planning ever undertaken in this country. From their origins in the garden city movement, the new towns have been highly successful in promoting local economic growth while, at the same time, providing excellent employment opportunities and living conditions

  897
  for people of all backgrounds. I have every confidence that the commission's substantive remaining tasks can be brought to a successful conclusion within the next five years.

  Water Byelaws
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of the number of prosecutions since 1 January 1989 for contraventions of water byelaws made in accordance with his model.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not held centrally. Prosecutions are a matter for individual water companies.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when national regulations will replace water byelaws; and what the enforcement arrangements will be;

  (2) what plans he has to improve the level of enforcement of the water byelaws and regulations replacing them by recognising prescribed persons under section 74(2)(d) of the Water Industry Act 1991;

  (3) if the proposed environment agency will enforce national water and waste water regulations suggested in paragraph 9·3 (vi) of the consultative document, "Using Water Wisely":

  (5) if it is his intention to retain the requirements for prevention of waste, misuse, contamination and undue consumption embodied in the current water byelaws when regulations are introduced to replace these byelaws:

  (5) what plans he has to consult the public and the plumbing industry when regulations are drafted to replace the current water byelaws.

  Mr. Yeo
  The consultation paper "Using Water Wisely" sought views on matters regarding the replacement of water byelaws by regulations, including the issue of enforcement. We shall shortly be publishing the Government's proposals for taking these matters forward. It is intended that regulations will come into force before the current water byelaws expire in 1997. There will be further wide consultation both before and after the regulations are drafted.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider making it illegal under consumer legislation to sell plumbing fittings which would contravene the water byelaws, or their replacement regulations, if fitted to the water supply system in or around buildings;

  (2) what representations he has received on the practice of selling plumbing fittings which, when fitted and used, are illegal under water byelaws.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have received two representations about this matter. The supply of construction products, which includes plumbing fittings, is controlled by the Construction Products Regulations 1991. Only those products which satisfy the requirements of these regulations may be lawfully supplied.

  Chemical Industries Association
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 708, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting with the Chemical Industries Association.
  898
  Mr. Yeo
  My right hon. Friend met members and officials of the Chemical Industries Association on Tuesday 20 July. They had a useful exchange of views on a wide range of issues affecting the industry.

  Fiddlers Ferry Power Station
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific measures are being introduced at Fiddlers Ferry power station to ensure that sulphur dioxide emissions are reduced in line with the European Community directive requiring large combustion plants to cut sulphur dioxide emission to 50 per cent. of 1980 levels by 2000.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Council directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants is delivered by the United Kingdom's programme and national plan for reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from existing large combustion plants.

  Under the programme and plan, the operator of Fiddlers Ferry power station, PowerGen, is given a company wide quota for each year for sulphur dioxide emissions for allocation to individual stations. As limits are not set for individual stations, measures to be used to control emissions of sulphur dioxide are not specified.

  Limits are set by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to secure its wider objectives under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Maritime Housing Association, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the committee of management of Maritime housing association, Liverpool, concerning a tenants opinion survey undertaken on behalf of the association; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I have received a letter from the chairman of Maritime housing association on behalf of the committee of management about its tenants opinion survey. The letter outlines the results of the survey relating to the income of tenants, the percentage of tenants in receipt of housing benefit and data on rents.

  Before decisions on grant rates for 1994–95 are taken, we will consider all the relevant evidence, including the information provided by Maritime housing association, on rents and the availability of private finance.

  Plumbing
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the awarding of Government or local authority plumbing contracts to contractors who do not have British Standard Institute BS5750 approval or its European equivalent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  Within the constraints imposed by public procurement legislation, each Government Department and local authority may set its own criteria for the selection of plumbing contractors provided it is done in a non-discriminatory manner. A contractor that has achieved BS5750 certification will have demonstrated it has a high standard quality control system. That may be a factor of which account is taken in the choice of contractor.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Department of the Environment currently sponsors 29 executive non-departmental public bodies, of which the following regularly hold meetings open to the general public:

  Housing Action Trusts

  Housing Corporation

  Letchworth Garden City Corporation

  Local Government Commission

  National Rivers Authority

  Urban Development Corporations

  In addition, the Commons Commission, valuation tribunals and rent assessment panels hold their hearings in public. Other public bodies may hold occasional open meetings or consult the public in other ways as necessary.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if the chairpersons and board members of executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are required to declare interests, in a form available for public inspection at his Department or at the main offices of the various bodies;

  (2) whether the members of (a) urban development corporations—UDCs—(b) housing action trusts—HATs—and (c) registered housing associations are required to declare interests and to make such interests open to public inspection; what statutory provision is made for public access to information about these bodies; whether they are subject to performance indicators; whether they are required to publish an annual report or to hold meetings in public; what charter provisions apply to their activities; and whether members of registered housing associations are liable to surcharge.

  Mr. Gummer
  All the executive NDPBs spnsored by my Department, including UDCs and HATs, have in place arrangements for chairmen and other board members to declare any conflicts of interest. It is for the bodies themselves to decide whether and in what form to make information on members' interests available to the public.

  Section 64 of the Housing Act 1988 requires HATs to issue statements of proposals for consultation, and schedule 8 requires them to publish annual reports. Schedule 31 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 requires UDCs to publish annual reports. Neither HATs nor UDCs are required to hold meetings for the general public, but most have chosen to do so.

  As a matter of policy, all NDPBs are required to develop and use performance indicators and to apply the principles of the citizens charter in their dealings with the public.

  Registered housing associations, which are not NDPBs, are subject to statutory regulation by the Housing Corporation, which is required to maintain and make available for public inspection a register of such associations. Associations are required to submit regular returns, including information about committee members and their interests. The corporation has a duty to supervise associations and monitor their performance against published criteria, including the tenants guarantee. The concept of surcharge as used in the Local Government
  900
  Finance Act 1982 applies only to local authorities. I will ask the corporation to write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Civil Engineering Projects
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that recycled materials of the appropriate specification will be given priority over quarried aggregate in civil engineering projects.

  Mr. Baldry
  The choice of materials for use in civil engineering projects is a matter for the market. The Government support an increase in the use of waste and recycled materials in construction and are considering how to achieve this as part of the review of minerals planning guidance note 6 on aggregates.

  Rents
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take on rent levels following the publication of the Association of District Councils/Association of Metropolitan Authorities housing finance survey.

  Sir George Young
  The joint Association of District Councils and Association of Metropolitan Authorities housing finance survey provides a useful contribution to the information which the Department gathers during the course of the financial year, and I was pleased to have a discussion with the associations about their 1993–94 survey at the meeting of the Housing Consultative Council on 7 July. My Department will, as usual, form a view of the emerging picture-6n local authority housing finance, and all of this information will be taken carefully into account when we reach decisions on the housing revenue account subsidy determinations for 1994–95 towards the end of the year. The level of actual council rents will remain a matter for each housing authority to decide.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the average gross rent before rebate housing benefit for each year since 1978 to date, and with an estimate for 1993, for(a) local authority and (b) housing association dwellings in current prices, in constant prices, and on an index where 1978 = 100.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The available information is as follows:

  Average weekly unrebated local authority rent at April

  At current prices

  At constant (April 1993) prices

  Current price index

  £pw

  £pw

  1978

  5·83

  16·89

  100

  1979

  6·41

  16·87

  110

  1980

  7·70

  16·65

  132

  1981

  11·42

  22·03

  196

  1982

  13·48

  23·77

  229

  1983

  13·97

  23·69

  240

  1984

  14·66

  23·64

  251

  1985

  15·54

  23·43

  267

  1986

  16·36

  23·94

  281

  1987

  17·70

  24·85

  304

  1988

  18·82

  25·42

  323

  1989

  20·70

  25·88

  355

  1990

  23·76

  27·14

  408

  901

  At current prices

  At constant (April 1993) prices

  Current price index

  £pw

  £pw

  1991

  27·28

  29·29

  468

  1992

  30·57

  31·47

  524

  1993

  33·52

  33·52

  575

  Average weekly mean registered housing assocation rent1 2

  At current prices

  At constant (Q1 1993) prices

  Current price index

  £pw

  £pw

  1978

  10·05

  27·89

  100

  1979

  10·66

  26·08

  106

  1980

  12·48

  25·89

  124

  1981

  14·08

  26·10

  140

  1982

  15·61

  26·65

  155

  1983

  17·20

  28·08

  171

  1984

  18·66

  29·01

  186

  1985

  19·72

  28·85

  196

  1986

  21·40

  30·34

  213

  1987

  22·86

  31·11

  227

  1988

  24·97

  32·39

  248

  1989

  26·75

  32·20

  266

  1990

  29·86

  32·84

  297

  1991

  32·64

  33·91

  325

  1992

  36·38

  36·43

  362

  1993

  37·99

  37·99

  378

  1 Includes service charges.

  2 Excludes shared ownership tenancies.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total gross public expenditure on the activities of(a) urban development corporations, (b) housing action trusts and (c) registered housing associations for each year since 1979 and the projected expenditure for the years up to 1995–96 in 1991–92 prices.

  Mr. Baldry
  Gross public expenditure for urban development corporations, housing action trusts and registered housing associations, in 1991–92 prices, is set out in the table:

  £ million (1991–92 prices)

  UDCs1

  HATs

  Housing Associations2

  1979–80

  —

  —

  984

  1980–81

  —

  —

  1,047

  1981–82

  68

  —

  999

  1982–83

  103

  —

  1,327

  1983–84

  149

  —

  1,208

  1984–85

  133

  —

  1,074

  1985–86

  123

  —

  1,206

  1986–87

  124

  —

  1,124

  1987–88

  187

  —

  1,138

  1988–89

  289

  —

  1,082

  1989–90

  502

  —

  1,253

  1990–91

  591

  —

  1,306

  1991–92

  509

  10

  1,740

  1992–93

  418

  26

  2,354

  1993–94

  292

  82

  1,807

  1994–95

  229

  80

  1,766

  1995–96

  221

  78

  1,643

  1 Excludes the Docklands Light Railway. Figures for years up to 1992–93 include receipts from the European Regional Development Fund. Estimates for receipts in forward years are not available.

  2 Excludes Local Authority Housing Association Grant.

  902
  Figures up to 1991–92 represent expenditure outturn. Figures for 1992–93 are for provisional outturn; figures for 1993–94 represent public expenditure provision; and figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 represent planned expenditure as set out in the Department of the Environment's 1993 annual report, Cm 2207.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish separate tables showing in rank order the number of(a) local authority dwellings, (b) housing association dwellings and (c) former local authority dwellings transferred to housing action trusts or otherwise or by way of large-scale voluntary transfer, for each local housing authority in England; and if he will include totals for each table.

  Mr. Gummer
  The available information on the transfer of local authority dwellings to housing action trusts and by way of large scale voluntary transfer is given in the tables.

  Transfers to Housing Action Trusts

  Local Authority

  Date of Transfer

  Number

  Waltham Forest

  April 6 1992

  2,416

  Kingston upon Hull

  January 27 1992

  2,084

  4,500

  (b) Housing association dwellings

  Nil

  (c) Former local authority dwellings (Right to buy)

  Local Authority

  Date of Transfer

  Number

  Waltham Forest

  April 6 1992

  6

  Large Scale Voluntary Transfers

  (a) Local Authority dwellings transferred to Housing Associations

  Local Authority

  Date of Transfer

  Number1

  Bromley

  6 April 1992

  12,318

  Rochester2

  27 July 1990

  8,029

  North Bedfordshire

  13 June 1990

  7,378

  Swale

  28 March 1990

  7,352

  Newbury

  30 November 1989

  7,109

  Breckland

  30 March 1993

  6,712

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  15 January 1991

  6,382

  Sevenoaks

  29 March 1989

  6,315

  Tunbridge Wells

  30 January 1992

  5,519

  West Dorset

  27 May 1993

  5,279

  Suffolk Coastal

  22 May 1991

  5,272

  Chiltern

  15 December 1988

  4,650

  Mid Sussex

  9 November 1990

  4,426

  Hambleton

  29 April 1993

  4,268

  East Cambridgeshire

  31 March 1993

  4,223

  Broadland

  4 April 1990

  3,716

  Ryedale

  28 February 1991

  3,321

  South Bucks

  26 March 1991

  3,317

  Surrey Heath

  15 January 1993

  2,885

  Medina

  27 July 1990

  2,813

  East Dorset

  3 December 1990

  2,246

  South Wight

  30 July 1990

  2,056

  Christchurch

  28 March 1991

  1,621

  107,207

  1 Excluding transfers of shared ownership properties.

  2 Local authority dwellings in Rochester were transferred to Medway Housing Society—not a registered Housing Association.

  Notes:

  (b) Housing Association dwellings

  Nil

  (c) Former Local authority dwellings

  Nil

  Protected Birds
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Croydon, North-East (Mr. Congdon) of 8 July,Official Report, columns 233–35, what is his policy on the proposals put forward by France, Greece and Spain at the EC Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg on 29 June regarding the extension of sport shooting to a number of protected bird species; what progress has been made by COREPER; and when he now expects the revised annexes to the wild birds directive to be adopted.

  Mr. Yeo
  The United Kingdom did not oppose the proposals for amending annex II of the bird directive—79/409/EEC—considered at the EC Environment Council on 29 June 1993. No agreement was reached and it is for the presidency to determine how to take the matter forward and the timing of future discussions.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he had with United Kingdom conservation organisations prior to deciding the United Kingdom position on amendments to annex II of the EC birds directive.

  Mr. Yeo
  Scientific advice on the proposals was sought from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was informed of the proposals and made representations.

  Housing Rehabilitation
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the latest figures available to show the extent of the rehabilitation work currently undertaken by housing associations nationally; and if he has any plans to increase the funding available for inner city and rural rehabilitation projects.

  Sir George Young
  In 1992–93, the Housing Corporation granted approvals for 6,501 rehabilitation units—13·4 per cent. of the programme as a whole. For 1993–94 12·6 per cent of unit allocations were for rehabilitation units.

  My objective was to see rehabilitation projects rise to at least 18 per cent. of rented approvals this year. However, I understand that the corporation was unable to achieve this at the same time as taking account of the priorities expressed by local authorities. No target has yet been set for future years.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) of 6 July,Official Report, column 80, if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and decisions taken in the meetings with the organisation with an interest in waste management licensing to which he refers.

  Mr. Yeo
  I held meetings with interested parties to enable them to express to me their concerns arising from the delay in implementing waste management licensing; and to discuss the problems that need to be solved before we can implement the licensing system. No decisions were to be expected in such meetings, and none was taken. I904
  repeated my assurance that as soon as I am in a position to give a revised date for waste management licensing, I shall do so.

  Housing Grant
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the National Federation of Housing Associations to discuss the implications of the Government's policy on reducing housing association grant.

  Sir George Young
  I discussed this topic with the National Federation of Housing Associations on 14 July 1993.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a Gro-grant scheme in England based on the Scottish Homes model.

  Sir George Young
  I am considering various options to encourage the revival of the private rented sector in England.

  Institute for the Environment and Health
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusion the Government had reached, in regard to their announcement in the White Paper "The Health of the Nation", about the creation of an Institute for the Environment and Health; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Medical Research Council has agreed in principle to establish an institute at its interdisciplinary research centre on mechanisms of human toxicity at the university of Leicester. It will be jointly supported by my Department and by the Department of Health. The institute will act as a focal point on research into the links between environmental quality and health. We expect it will also have a role in supporting Government in international programmes in this field.

  The institute will complement, but not impinge on, areas already covered by other Government Departments or other statutory agencies. These include the Health and Safety Executive, which has statutory responsibilities relating to exposures from work activities, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whose responsibilities include agricultural chemicals and food safety.

  Urban Waste Water Treatment
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish(a) the list of candidate eutrophic sensitive areas and (b) the list of candidate high natural dispersion areas proposed to him by the National Rivers Authority in connection with the implementation of the EC urban waste water treatment directive.

  Mr. Yeo
  The NRA has not finalised its proposals for these areas. Data are still being collected and discussions with appropriate bodies are continuing. I have placed a copy of the NRA's current working list in the Library of the House. Some areas may not feature in the final NRA list of candidates proposed to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales and it is also possible that other candidates may be added to the list as a result of ongoing work. Grid references are
  905
  given for the eutrophic sensitive area candidates and general locations are given for high natural dispersion area candidates, but in both cases the information is only indicative and exact boundaries have not yet been fixed.

  Works Contracts
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet considered the replies from South Tyneside metropolitan borough council and Stockton-on-Tees borough council to the notices served on the authorities on 1 Febraruy and 8 March, respectively, under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has given careful consideration to the responses made by the two authorities to the notices served on them for anti-competitive behaviour on 1 February and 8 March. He has today given directions to South Tyneside and Stockton-on-Tees under section 14 of the 1988 Act requiring them to retender their ground maintenance work and other cleaning work respectively. If the councils wish their direct service organisations to carry out this work after 1 August 1994 they need to satisfy my right hon. Friend, no later than 30 April 1994, that they have fulfilled the competition requirement as laid down in the legislation.

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place the report by Coopers and Lybrand on the running of the Government car service in the Library.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Coopers and Lybrand report on the Government car service contains commercially sensitive information. I have therefore decided that it should not be made publicly available.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what controls have been introduced by his Department on the use of methyl bromide within the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to ban methyl bromide imports into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Yeo
  Use of methyl bromide as a fumigant is controlled under the Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986. The guidelines for its use as a soil fumigant are being revised. I have no plans at present to ban its import into the United Kingdom, but imports will be controlled under an EC regulation currently under discussion.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is introducing to reduce dependency on housing benefit among(a) housing association tenants, (b) council tenants and (c) private rented sector tenants; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Region

  11988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Central

  2,906

  1,347

  462

  4,797

  3,100

  Eastern

  3,212

  1,256

  971

  1,885

  926

  North West

  779

  756

  889

  2,074

  495

  Public Inquiries
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Surrey, East dated 1 April on the subject of public inquiries regarding Heathrow terminal 5 and the M25 link roads proposal.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend will be writing to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Environmental Expenditure
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the results of research on environmental expenditure in the United Kingdom, commissioned by his Department, will be published.

  Mr. Yeo
  The report will be published in the last week of August, and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Architects (Warne Report)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his response to the Warne report on the architects' profession; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 2 February 1993,Official Report, columns 89–90.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to introduce new guidelines to local authorities concerning the implementation of the hardship clause on uniform business rates payments within the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to alter or replace the existing guidance.

  Water Disconnection
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families had their water supply disconnected in each water authority in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information on numbers of households disconnected in the area of each Ofwat customer service committee region is set out in the following table. Although each CSC region relates to the area covered by one of the privatised water and sewerage undertakers, each entry in the table includes figures for the water supply companies operating within that area. For 1988–89 only, the numbers are for total disconnections, that is, domestic and non-domestic.
  907

  Region

  11988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Northumbria

  1,618

  721

  662

  1,009

  754

  South West

  100

  245

  210

  381

  300

  Southern

  1,524

  919

  429

  3,064

  4,800

  Thames

  2,436

  687

  966

  2,084

  3,665

  Wales

  1,249

  1,356

  1,305

  2,951

  2,448

  Wessex

  314

  140

  194

  492

  315

  Yorkshire

  1,078

  999

  1,585

  2,545

  1,833

  1 Domestic and non-domestic.

  Air Quality Monitoring
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what comprehensive and comparable monitoring of air quality is carried out by statutory authorities in Greater London; at what precise locations any such activity is carried out, by what means individual or aggregated results are published or made available to the public; and if he will make such reports available in the Library.

  Mr. Yeo
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Poll Tax Costs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost to central and local government in each financial year since 1989–90 of administering the poll tax, including the costs of collection and enforcement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The cost to local government in England of collecting and administering the community charge was £448 million in 1990–91, £467 million in 1991–92, and £449 million—estimated—in 1992–93. Local authorities have budgeted for costs of £ 145 million in 1993–94. Central Government do not have direct responsibility for these functions.

  Bathing Water Standards
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 21 July,Official Report, columns 266–67, on EC bathing waters, what information he has as to the steps the Commission is taking to increase compliance with standards in those countries with more than 100 beaches which failed the mandatory standards.

  Mr. Yeo
  None, but I understand that the Commission has taken infringement action on the bathing water directive against all member states.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has had with Berkshire county council about the exclusion of Greenham common from section 194 of the Law of Property Act 1925;

  (2) what is his role in respect of the granting of planning consent for developments on Greenham common (a) of a gravel crusher and (b) of other structures.

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

  Refugees
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what payments have been made for each of the past five years, and to which local authorities, in respect of Kurdish refugees, Bosnian refugees, Somali refugees, Vietnamese refugees, Chilean refugees and others; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The following payments were made by my Department in 1989–90 and 1990–91 under a scheme of special financial assistance to local authorities in respect of Turkish asylum seekers:

  Local Authority

  1989–90

  1990–91

  £

  £

  London Borough of Haringey

  599,400

  —

  London Borough of Hackney

  141,300

  —

  London Borough of Islington

  —

  49,474

  The following sums were subsequently recovered from those local authorities, following receipt of audited claims showing expenditure incurred by each authority:

  £

  London Borough of Haringey

  29,921

  London Borough of Hackney

  141,300

  London Borough of Islington

  5,680

  During 1992–93, the following payments were made under a scheme of assistance in respect of displaced persons from the former Yugoslavia:

  Local Authority

  1992–93

  £

  Ayelsbury Vale District Council

  23,332

  Rochford District Council

  3,060

  Uttlesford District Council

  44,408

  Rochford district council subsequently withdrew its claim for assistance and repaid £3,060 to the Department. No other payments of grant in respect of refugees have been made by the Department. However, further amounts in respect of displaced persons from former Yugoslavia will be paid during the current financial year. Also, a new special grant in respect of unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking children from various parts of the world will be paid to local authorities this year.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his intentions as regards the arrangements to be adopted for handling the transfers of assets and liabilities between authorities necessitated by local government restructuring; and if he will make a statement.
  909
  Mr. Curry
  My officials are discussing with officers of the Association of District Councils and the Association of County Councils the practical implications of any transfers of assets and liabilities between local authorities which might be necessitated by local government restructuring. In the light of these discussions, we intend to consult the local authority associations and local authorities on proposals for the treatment of local authority assets and liabilities in any local government restructuring.

  Local Authority Associations
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings he has had with representatives of the local authority associations since April 1992.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: Between April 1992 and 27 May 1993, my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State had 13 meetings with representatives of the local authority associations. Since his appointment on 27 May, the Secretary of State has had three meetings with representatives of the associations.

  Government and Public Bodies (Transferred Functions)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the functions transferred to central Government Departments and bodies, or to non-elected bodies, consequent upon(a) the abolition of the Greater London council, (b) the abolition of the metropolitan counties and (c) other legislation enacted since 3 May 1979.

  Mr. Gummer
  I will deal first with(a) and (b) of the question. The Local Government Act 1985 provided for most of the functions of the Greater London council—GLC—and the metropolitan county councils—MCCs to be devolved respectively to the London borough councils and the City of London and the metropolitan district councils. The exceptions were responsibility for:

  (i) police—which was was transferred to Joint Police Authorities (except in London), many of whose members are elected local authority councillors,

  (ii) fire, civil defence and passenger transport—which was transferred respectively to Joint Fire and Civil Defence Authorities and Passenger Transport Authorities all of whose members are elected councillors

  (iii) waste disposal—transferred to a mixture of statutory and voluntary joint bodies covering all the areas of the former metropolitan county councils and part of London

  (iv) certain arts and museums responsibilities were transferred to the Arts Council, English Heritage and the Office of Arts and Libraries (now Department of National Heritage)

  (v) Land Drainage (all areas)—to Regional Water Authorities (now water companies),

  (vi) Trunk Roads (London) to the Secretary of State for Transport and,

  (vii) Pensions Administration—for the GLC and South Yorkshire MCC, pensions administration was transferred to two pensions fund authorities.

  To turn to (c), we have been able to identify the following functions:
  the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 created 12 urban development corporations as development control planning authorities in place of certain local authorities.
  the London Regional Transport Act 1984 transferred London Regional Transport from GLC to the Secretary of State for Transport.
  the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 removed from local education authorities the responsibility for appointing all, or a majority
  910
  of, the governors of county and controlled schools. Local management of schools (LMS) means that from April 1994 the governing body of every primary and secondary school will manage the school's budget and be responsible for appointing its staff.
  the Education Reform Act 1988 removed from local authorities responsibility for the provision of higher education, made possible the introduction of independent City Technology Colleges (CTCs) and removed the power of LEAs to set schools' admission limits.
  the Housing Act 1988 established Housing Action Trusts and removed a number of housing units from local authority control.
  the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 transfers the duty to provide a careers service to the Secretary of State.
  the Health and Safety (Emissions into the Atmosphere) (Amendment) Regulations 1989 added a number of processes to those subject to control by Her Majesty's Inspection of Pollution.
  the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Amendment Regulations 1992 transferred responsibility for licensing poultry meat slaughterhouses from local government to the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.
  the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 made colleges of further education including sixth form colleges, self-governing with their funding arrangements transferred to the Further Education Funding Councils for England and Wales. the Education (Schools) Act 1992 provided that from 1993 for secondary schools, and 1994 for all other schools, local authorities will lose their general power of school inspection. the Local Government Act 1992 transferred certain duties and powers in relation to parish reviews from district councils to the Local Government Commission.
  the Leashold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 gives the Secretary of State power to designate an area within which the Urban Regeneration Agency would become the local planning authority and have development control powers within that area.
  We have also identified the following functions which have been gained by local government since 3 May 1979: the Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982 transferred the administration of rents and rates rebates and allowances from the (then) DHSS to local authorities.
  since the abolition of the GLC and the metropolitan county councils, metropolitan districts have been required to prepare unitary development plans (the Secretary of State was previously responsible for the final stages and adoptions).
  the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1989 transferred certain enforcement responsibilities to local authorities.
  as a result of our community care reforms, local authorities have been given lead responsibility for assessing people's needs for community care and purchasing residential and nursing home care (in place of the Department of Social Security).
  the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 transferred responsibility for the final stages and adoption of structure plans in shire counties to county councils (the Secretary of State was previously responsible).
  the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regs 1991 returned certain processes to local authority control.
  the Road Traffic Act 1991 transferred parking regulations from Department of Transport to local authorities.
  the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1992 transferred responsibility for enforcing animal health controls at ports on products of animal origin from third world countries from MAFF to local authorities. Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 transferred power to determine exclusions from Right to Buy from the Environment Secretary to local government.

  National Health Service Land
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much NHS land has been sold with planning permission for commercial development in each of the past five years.
  911
  Mr. Sackville
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not available centrally. Health authorities are required to obtain the best price that can reasonably be obtained in disposing of surplus land, and land which has the potential for development should normally be sold with the benefit of planning permission. In the past 10 years, the national health service has disposed of over 5,000 hectares realising £1·1 billion which has been reinvested in health services.

TRANSPORT

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. Norris
  The Department continues to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance. The Department's aim of a more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transport system, using the market to offer the widest possible choice to transport users, will assist businesses of all sizes.

  My Department is, like others, systematically reviewing the regulations for which it is responsible to ensure that unnecessary or over-burdensome regulation is cut back. When considering new regulations, we will take particular account of the burden those regulations impose on small businesses.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  Procurement and Storage of Protective Clothing

  The service was contracted out from DOT. All the staff involved were to transfer to other duties and the implications of the TUPE regulations did not arise.

  Bulk/High Speed Reprographic Service

  The service was contracted out on a split award, a proportion being awarded to HMSO. This service was formerly provided to DOT by the Property Services Agency which withdrew the service. As no DOT staff were involved in the contracted-out service, the TUPE regulations could not be applied within DOT.

  Land Compensation
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has exercised the powers of section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 since the section came into force; what projects these related to; on how many times other promoters of transport schemes have exercised these powers; and if he will make a statement.
  912
  Mr. Key
  These powers have been exercised by the Secretary of State on 357 occasions since they came into force. They have been used to approve the purchase of property which is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, likely to be seriously affected by the construction or opening of new or widened trunk roads in England. The exercise of these powers, which are discretionary, is a matter for individual promoters; I regret that the Department has no information on how they are operated by others.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Norris
  Board meetings and committee meetings of public bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are not held in public.

  Tribunal hearings which hear appeals against the Civil Aviation Authority's decisions on the granting or otherwise of licences or certificates are open to the public on application. The eight traffic commissioners all hold public inquiries in connection with bus and goods vehicle operator licensing. Other bodies may hold consultation meetings in public from time to time as circumstances require.

  National Parks
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met members from each of the national parks authorities to discuss improvements in access to the national parks for tourists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have recently met members of the national park authorities to discuss access for tourists; nor have they asked for such a meeting. Tourist access would normally be a matter for the national parks authorities to pursue with local highway authorities who would also need to take into account the interests of local people and others travelling in the area.

  Motorways (Scheduled Works)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the details of each scheduled road works to English motorways for July, August and September.

  Mr. Key
  The list shows the major motorway roadworks in England which are expected to be taking place during all or part of the months of July, August and September.

  Scheme

  Start date

  Completioh date

  A1(M) Bowburn to Carville

  March 1993

  August 1993

  Ml J1–5

  August 1993

  September 1993

  MI J1

  June 1993

  May 1994

  M1 J9–10 North Bound

  March 1993

  December 1993

  M1 J14

  September 1993

  October 1993

  M1 J34–35

  June 1993

  August 1993

  M1 Woodall to Wales

  September 1993

  December 1993

  M3 J8–9

  June 1993

  August 1993

  M4 J4b–5

  March 1993

  September 1993

  M4 J15–16

  August 1993

  August 1993

  M5 J6–6

  July 1991

  August 1993

  M5 Eastern Arms to M6–J8

  April 1993

  October 1993

  M5 J13–14

  September 1993

  October 1993

  913

  Scheme

  Start date

  Completion date

  M5 J18 and Avonmouth Ring road

  June 1993

  March 1995

  M5 J26–27

  September 1993

  December 1993

  M6 J1–2

  August 1993

  October 1993

  M6 J12–13

  September 1993

  November 1993

  M6 J15–16

  September 1993

  October 1993

  M6 J20–21a

  November 1993

  May 1996

  M6 J23–25

  April 1993

  July 1993

  M6 J30–32

  March 1993

  March 1995

  M6 J38–40

  June 1993

  September 1993

  M18 J5–6

  July 1993

  November 1993

  M20 J1–3

  April 1993

  July 1993

  M20 J5–8

  July 1991

  September 1993

  M25 J2–3

  September 1993

  February 1994

  M25 J8–10

  May 1993

  August 1993

  M25 J8–15

  June 1993

  June 1994

  M25 J15–16

  January 1993

  December 1993

  M27 J7–8

  September 1993

  November 1993

  M56 J4–6

  April 1993

  July 1994

  M56 J11–12

  September 1993

  December 1993

  M56 J12–14

  March 1993

  August 1993

  M57 Between Junctions with A59 and A580

  April 1993

  September 1993

  M61 J5–6

  July 1993

  Unknown

  M62 J11–12

  July 1993

  July 1993

  M62 J14–17

  May 1993

  April 1994

  M62 Irwell Valley

  July 1993

  October 1993

  M63 J8

  May 1993

  July 1993

  M62 J34 Pollington

  August 1993

  November 1993

  M62 J30–31

  June 1993

  October 1993

  M66 Denton—Middleton

  June 1993

  August 1995

  A621 Rurral

  July 1993

  September 1993

  In addition to these schemes, some minor roadworks and routine maintenance on motorways may be necessary. These will be carried out at night whenever possible.

  Number of applications

  Number of refusals

  Traffic area

  Type of licence

  New

  Number

  Renewal

  New

  Number

  Renewal

  North Eastern

  Goods

  2,127

  2,267

  34

  11

  Passenger

  342

  0

  North Western

  Goods

  2,141

  2,359

  25

  4

  Passenger

  410

  1

  West Midland

  Goods

  1,386

  1,798

  42

  5

  Passenger

  132

  1

  Eastern

  Goods

  2,254

  2,287

  17

  7

  Passenger

  311

  2

  South Wales

  Goods

  624

  817

  30

  4

  Passenger

  156

  1

  Western

  Goods

  1,738

  2,011

  105

  18

  Passenger

  263

  3

  South Eastern and Metropolitan

  Goods

  1,616

  1,838

  179

  34

  Passenger

  202

  7

  Scottish

  Goods

  1,060

  1,056

  28

  7

  Passenger

  246

  0

  TOTAL:

  Goods

  12,946

  14,433

  460

  90

  Passenger

  12,062

  115

  1 New and renewal.

  Separate figures for new and renewal applications for passenger vehicle operator licences, and the reason for refusal in each case, are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he intends to introduce relating to the deregulation of the operating licensing regime for heavy goods vehicles and buses.

  Driving Licences
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to carry out the timetable for the full legislative implementation of the second European directive on driving licences.

  Mr. Key
  The legislation necessary to implement the second EC directive on the driving licence has to be in place before 1 July 1994. Public consultation on the changes will begin shortly. Draft regulations under the European Communities Act 1972 will be put forward in the next parliamentary Session.

  Motorways (Tourism)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he has had with the English tourist board regarding access to tourist destinations from or via English motorways during the summer.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend has held no consultations with the English tourist board on this matter; nor has the board made an approach for such a meeting.

  Operator Licences
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications there were in each traffic area for(a) operator licence applications and (b) renewal of operator licences; how many were refused in each area; and what was the reason in each case for refusal of operator licence applications.

  Mr. Key
  The figures requested for the year 1992–93, are as follows:

  Mr. Key
  The views of consultees on the proposals contained in the consultation document "Passengers and Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing" circulated on 27 May 1993, are being considered and a statement will be made in due course.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint report by the traffic commissioners against continuous operators licensing.
  915
  Mr. Key
  The traffic commissioners did not submit a formal report in response to the consultation document on operator licensing and it is not our normal practice to publish individual responses to consultations of this nature. The views of consultees on the proposals contained in the document of 27 May 1993, "Passenger and Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing"—a copy of which was placed in the Library—are being considered and a statement will be made in due course.

  Lorries
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had regarding the proposal to increase lorry axle weights to 44 tonnes, with particular reference to pressing for such vehicles to be confined to the motorway network only; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The proposal on which we issued a consultation document in March was an increase in the maximum gross weight to 44 tonnes for six-axle articulated lorries and drawbar trailer combinations carrying containers and swap-bodies to and from railheads in combined road/rail operations. No change was proposed to the maximum axle weight. We received a number of representations that careful consideration should be given to the routeing of 44-tonne vehicles, particularly in urban areas, but none that they should be confined to the motorway network, which would be impractical. In fact, the 44-tonne, six-axle vehicle would be no larger and cause no more road wear than present vehicles. We hope to be able to announce our conclusions on the consultation soon.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the amounts planned to be spent on strengthening road bridges to take heavier lorries, in each of the years in the current public spending round; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert Key
  In 1988–89, the Department of Transport started a 15-year programme for the rehabilitation of bridges on national roads in England. The programme involves assessing the condition of bridges, and strengthening them where necessary. This year the Department plans to spend £150 million.

  The Department also provides support to English local authorities for the maintenance of their bridges by way of transport supplementary grant and credit approvals. This year, this support will total £137 million. The exact amount spent will depend on local authorities' priorities.

  The national and local bridge programmes are intended to cater for the increasing volume of traffic as well as to provide for heavier lorries.

  Expenditure in the next three years will depend on the need for strengthening identified by the assessment programme and the outcome of the current public spending round.

  Buses
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with bus operators regarding possible improvements in bus design to increase passenger safety;
  916
  (2) what discussions he has had with organisations representing bus passenger users regarding possible improvements in bus design to increase passenger safety; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The prospect of an EC directive concerning bus and coach construction is currently under discussion within the European Commission. All future proposals to change the constructional requirements of these vehicles will have to be agreed by member states.

  As part of our continuing aim to improve the safety of passengers using these vehicles, we maintain contact with representative organisations of both users and operators.

  Environmental Assessments
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to issue an updated and expanded environmental assessment manual for scheme assessment.

  Mr. Key
  Volume 11 of the "Design Manual for Roads and Bridges—Environmental Assessment" has been published today. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Traffic Calming
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when' traffic-calming regulations are to be introduced.

  Mr. Key
  I am pleased to announce that the Highways (Traffic Calming) Regulations 1993 have now been made, and laid in Parliament. They give highway authorities clear legal powers to use a range of engineering measures as part of traffic-calming schemes. The regulations will come into effect on 27 August 1993. Traffic calming can have very worthwhile effects in improving local environments and in assisting road safety. Measures to keep speeds to appropriate levels and alter the way drivers behave are as relevant to small towns and villages as they are to large urban locations. I want to see the use of traffic calming spread as rapidly and widely as possible. My Department will assist this process by assessing good practice, and generating technical guidance on techniques that can be used.

  Civil Aircraft
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Civil Aviation Authority has made a final response to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the CAA's provision of air navigation and air traffic control services to civil aircraft published in July 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Civil Aviation Authority publishes its third and final response today. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library. Hon. Members will see that the final response records all the progress made since the report itself was published.

  The authority's initial response, made in December 1990, said that the authority had accepted all but one of the MMC's 40 recommendations. I am pleased to report that 30 of the recommendations have now been fully acted upon—in some cases, the authority has gone even further in implementing the recommendations than was envisaged by the MMC—and substantial progress has been made on a further five which have proved more complex than originally envisaged.
  917
  In three instances, practical constraints have meant that the recommendations could not be implemented in precisely the way proposed by the MMC. But the authority is taking all possible steps to fulfil the intent of the recommendations.

  In the three years since the report was published, the effects of the recession on the aviation industry have caused the authority to pay special attention to cost control and improved effectiveness. It is to the authority's credit that it has made such good progress in implementing the report against so difficult a background.

  Street Works Advisory Committee
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the street works advisory committee.

  Mr. Key
  I am glad to say that I have reappointed the committee for a period of two years from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 1995, with a particular remit to produce a report for publication towards the end of that period. This will complete the committee's work and it will then be wound up.

  I am grateful to the committee for its work since it was first appointed in 1987, and look forward to receiving its advice during this further period.

  Tankers
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secetary of State for Transport what action is currently undertaken by his Department to monitor tanker movements in dangerous sea passages.

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping, in consultation with the Department, developed an interim voluntary code for the routeing of tankers around the United Kingdom coast, which includes recommendations for reporting their movements to coastguard stations in sensitive areas. It is anticipated that the International Maritime Organisation's assembly will formally adopt the reporting proposals in the autumn.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (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.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information published by the Department's disability unit is produced on tape as a matter of course; the unit's short documents are produced in Braille, and large print is produced on request.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. Freeman
  The Department does not make special arrangements to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to most of the information it produces.

  However, it does take care to ensure that the availability of its information is brought to the attention of as wide a range of the public as possible—including through the broadcast media.
  918
  In addition, information published by the Department's disability unit is produced on tape as a matter of course; the unit's short documents are produced in Braille, and large print is produced on request.

  This policy is being reviewed.

  M11
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will re-evaluate the environmental standards applied to Mll link road through Leyton and Leytonstone.

  Mr. Norris
  No. The assessment of the environmental effects of the A12, Hackney-M11 link road has been the subject of public debate over many years and through three public inquiries. All statutory procedures are complete and we expect to begin work in Wanstead in the autumn.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the transport users consultative committee for north-western England concerning investment and modernisation of the west coast main line for provision of IC225 trains for that route; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The most recent representation from the transport users' consultative committee about upgrading the west coast main line was in its 1992–93 annual report which was sent to me earlier this month.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from operators who may wish to bid for franchises for passenger rail services in Wales.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received a number of private sector expressions of interest in passenger rail franchises that would operate services in Wales.

  Landscape Advisory Committee
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the members of the Landscape Advisory Committee; and which new road and road improvement schemes have been investigated by the committee within Wales in each of the last two years;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to publish the reports on new road schemes and road improvements schemes produced for his Department by the Landscape Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Key
  The current members of the Landscape Advisory Committee are:

  Professor D. K. C. Jones (Chairman)

  Sir H. E. Aubrey-Fletcher

  Professor M. Benwell

  Dr J. A. Bergg

  Professor G. E. Cherry

  Mr. L. J. Clark

  Professor M. M. Cole

  Mr. G. P. Crow

  Ms E. A. O. Evans

  Mr. J. V. S. Evans

  Mr. C. R. Ferens

  Professor P. J. Fowler

  Mrs. E. J. Garland

  919

  Mr. H. J. R. Geddes

  Mr. A. D. Gill

  Mrs. J. Jack

  Mrs. P. E. Lunn

  Ms W. M. Lutley

  Professor M. A. MacKeith

  Mr. J. M. McCluskey

  Mr. M. R. Porter

  Miss W. E. Powell

  Mrs. V. Russell

  Mr. M. O. Slocock

  Mr. M. E. G. Taylor

  Mrs. V. Wakefield

  Mr. R. W. Winter

  Members of the committee have inspected the following road schemes in Wales during the past two years:

  A470

  Builth Wells Bypass

  10 September 1991 and 28 January 1992

  A487(T)4

  Bontnewydd, Llanwnda and Dolydd Bypass

  9–11 October 1991

  A487(T)

  Groeslon, Penygroes and Llanllyfni Bypass

  9–11 October 1991

  A494

  Llanbedr Bypass

  7 May 1992

  A487

  Fishguard Lower Town Improvements/ Bypass

  11 May 1992

  A465

  Llangua-Pontrilas

  25 November 1992

  A40

  Crickhowell Bypass (Re-Inspection)

  25 January 1993

  M4

  Relief Road (Magor to Castleton)

  26 January 1993

  A497

  Penrhyndeudraeth

  18 March 1993

  A470

  Llanwrst Bypass

  19 March 1993

  Reports on road schemes in England and Wales which have been submitted by the Landscape Advisory Committee are already made available, on request, to any member of the public following the announcement of the preferred route for the scheme.

  Barge, Hallsands
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for the barge scuttled at Hallsands, south Devon to be removed as a danger to shipping; and if he will make a statement as to the circumstances in which the barge was sunk and the application of the Oslo convention to the sinking.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that the barge in question was being used in connection with coast protection works being undertaken for the National Rivers Authority. It has been moved from where it first sank, and subsequently scuttled nearby. It is an offence under the Coast Protection Act 1949 to deposit any object on the seabed so that obstruction or danger to navigation is caused, without the consent in writing of the Secretary of State. That consent was not sought in advance as the Act requires. We have had an application from a local person seeking retrospective consent for this action which has now been refused. My Department has invoked its powers of enforcement to ask the National Rivers Authority to ensure that this unauthorised danger is cleared as a matter of urgency. International agreements regulating scuttling have been implemented through the Food and Environment Protection Act 1973, administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It, too, is considering appropriate action in this case.

  Supply Vessels
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the percentage of supply vessels operating in the British sector of the North sea which were foreign flagged(a) in 1982 and (b) in 1992.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department does not collect details of supply vessels operating in the North sea, but I have obtained from other sources the following figures for June of each year:(a) 51 per cent. (b) 45 per cent.

  Harbours (Speed Limits)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proposals he has received from Poole harbour commissioners to make byelaws relating to speed limits of vessels; and what was the outcome;

  (2) if he will list those harbours on the English south coast that do not have speed restrictions in place;

  (3) what consultations his Department has had on the environmental implications of vessel speed in the Poole harbour site of special scientific interest.

  Mr. Norris
  Poole harbour commissioners' proposed amendments to the harbour byelaws, for confirmation by the Secretary of State, to allow a speed limit of 10 knots to be imposed on power driven vessels, to enable water ski-ing and aquaplaning to be restricted to specified zones, and to exclude boardsailing from the main navigation channel. The last of these did not prove to be contentious and that amendment has been confirmed. The proposed speed and zoning restrictions, however, attracted a large number of objections. The commissioners have now produced a considered response to these, upon which the objectors have been given an opportunity to comment. The Secretary of State will then proceed to a decision as soon and possible. The local Act empowering the commissioners to make byelaws does not provide for any public inquiry into objections to proposed amendments and written representations have therefore been relied on.

  The Department does not have a readily available record of speed limit byelaws by all harbour authorities. The commissioners' response refers to 25 harbour authorities on the south coast which have such limits. Poole already has one of 6 knots for the little channel, Poole quay channel and Holes bay. The commissioners have not proposed the amendments to their byelaws primarily on environmental grounds, but they have drawn attention to such considerations in their report.

  Passenger Vessels
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure the full compliance with the regulations on passenger vessels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  All passenger vessels operating to and from United Kingdom ports must comply with national and international requirements. An inspection programme is in place to ensure that these ships meet those requirements.

  North Sea Pollution
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information has been reported to Her Majesty's Government under the Polrep reporting system
  921
  of the 1983 Bonn agreement on co-operation in dealing with pollution of the North sea; and what incidents have been reported by contracting parties on radioactive releases under the Bonn agreement.

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

  East London River Crossing
  Ms Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) of 7 July,Official Report, columns 158–59, if he will ensure that any new proposals in respect of the east London river crossing will not run through, over or under any part of Oxleas wood; if new proposals in respect of the east London river crossing will be the subject of a full environmental impact assessment in accordance with the terms of EC directive 85/337/EEC, section 105A of the Highways Act 1980 and the Highways (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, and that there will be a public inquiry; and if in bringing forward new proposals, he will consider alternatives to a road link.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on Monday 26 July 1993, at column 584.

WALES

  Orange Badges
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to issue new guidelines to local authorities in Wales concerning(a) the allocation of parking spaces to orange badge holders within (i) new car parking facilities and (ii) existing car parking facilities and (b) the accessibility of car park ticket machines.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government encourage local authorities to provide extra parking facilities wherever possible by designating special bays at convenient locations both on-street and in off-street car parks. Orange badge laws do not extend to off-street car parks, whether local authority or privately owned.

  The accessibility of car park ticket machines is for the operator of the car park to determine. Current British standards for pay and display machines include requirements regarding the height of the display and coin slots, and the dimensions, of any plinth upon which the machines may be mounted. These requirements should facilitate access by wheelchair users.

  Schools (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to place a duty on local authorities to publish annually details of the proportion of local authority schools which are accessible to disabled people.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I have no plans to introduce such a duty. It is for each local education authority to decide what measures are required to fulfil its statutory obligations to ensure access to disabled people in schools. In addition, individual schools can publish details about their access facilities for disabled people in their prospectuses.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. Redwood
  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 my Department to assist small businesses include:

  Enterprise Promotion

  There are now seven training and enterprise councils (TECs) providing business counselling and support for small businesses across Wales. During 1992–93, TECs received 42,843 inquiries and provided 13,903 counselling sessions. In the same year, TECs also provided business start-up funding totalling £1·919 million; 2,077 businesses were using the business start-up scheme at the end of March 1993.

  In addition to the work of the TECs, local enterprise agencies provide a range of support services to new and growing businesses. There are now 22 local enterprise agencies in Wales, including four merged to form two new agencies in 1991. The 22nd agency commenced operations on 2 July 1993. Enterprise and small business growth are also promoted under the Enterprise Wales scheme. Since its launch in 1988, more than 6,500 companies have applied for consultancy advice provided through this initiative

  Grant Support

  Small businesses continue to take advantage of help available under regional selective assistance. During the year ending 30 June 1993, 120 firms employing under 200 accepted offers of regional selective assistance totalling £22·463 million, an increase of almost 17 per cent. on the previous year. A further 163 small firms—i.e., those with fewer than 25 employees for investment grant and fewer than 50 for innovation grant—accepted offers of regional enterprise grant totalling £2·469 million, an increase of 38 per cent. over the same period.

  In addition, the Welsh Development Agency made 80 loans during 1992–93 with a value of £0·631 million from its small loans scheme. The Development Board for Rural Wales offered £2·8 million mid-Wales development grant assistance to 36 projects helping to generate private sector investment of £22 million and creating or safeguarding 1,172 job opportunities.

  The small firms merit award for research and technology (SMART) continues to be very popular. In the previous two years, Welsh industry has gained 16 of the awards, 9 per cent. of the United Kingdom total. Under the support for products under research scheme (SPUR), grant support awarded to companies in Wales rose from £0·75 million in 1991 to £0·96 million in 1992, a percentage increase of 28 per cent.

  Deregulation

  The Welsh Office is contributing fully to the Government's deregulation initiative to lift the burden of Government regulations on business. No Wales-only regulations have been identified as placing a burden on business, but a consultation exercise is being carried out to assess the impact of United Kingdom-wide regulations on Welsh firms.

  Primary School Assistant Teachers
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the average amount spent by local education authorities in Wales in advertising each assistant teacher vacancy within the primary school sector.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to respond to job losses in the aerospace industry in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am sorry about the job losses announced in Clwyd. The Welsh Office and other Government agencies already operate a wide range of measures aimed at increasing employment opportunities throughout Wales. All these bodies will continue to look for and respond swiftly to opportunities that arise which have the potential to increase employment prospects. Of course, we stand ready to help, within our powers, where we can in these difficult cases.

  Beaches (Pollution)
  Mr.Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the beaches tested for entero-viruses in Wales in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992;

  (2) how many tests for salmonella were conducted on each beach in Wales in (a) 1991 and (b)

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The number of samples analysed by the National Rivers Authority for entero-viruses and for salmonella from EC identified bathing waters in Wales were published in the 1991 and 1992 volumes of "Bathing Water Quality in England and Wales", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Defence Job Losses
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant) on 19 July,Official Report, column 7, what was the source of the estimate of job losses in the defence sector to which he refers.

  Mr. Redwood
  The source was Conservative central office.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, column 64, whether a register of the interests declared by members of non-departmental public bodies available for public inspection, is maintained by his Department or at the main offices of the various bodies.

  Mr. Redwood
  No central register is maintained. It is the practice of some bodies to publish such information in their annual report and accounts.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if a decision has been made regarding the final allocation of resources for 1993–94 to family health services authorities in respect of general practitioner practice expenses and support costs for general practitioner fund holders.
  924
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  On Thursday 4 March,Official Report, columns 255–61, in announcing the cash allocation for 1993–94 for health authorities, my right hon. Friend indicated that further resources would be made available to family health services authorities in respect of GP fund holders' support costs. He explained also that £867,000 held back from the initial allocation to the authorities of funding for GP cash-limited expenses would be distributed following the outcome of a consultation.

  The authorities will be responsible for 71 operational and 31 preparatory GP fund holders in Wales in 1993–94. In recognition of the enhanced practice management computer systems required by fund holders, funding of up to £7,000 to meet the full computer maintenance costs of each operational fund holding practice and up to £22,000 to meet the additional computer hardware and software costs involved in preparing for fund holding will be available. Allocations to authorities will be in line with the numbers of operational and preparatory fund holders in each area.

  Separate funding is provided to authorities in respect of their expenditure on GPs' practice premises, practice support staff and practice computerisation—distinct from that for fund-holding practices. Prior to this year, the shares of the total annual funding for this purpose were determined largely by the extent of past investment decisions by GPs.

  The period immediately before the introduction of the revised GP contract in April 1990 saw substantial growth in committed expenditure on practice premises improvement. In addition, the revised contract stimulated increased investment in practice support staff. During the period 1989–90 to 1993–94, the resources for expenditure on GP practice expenses in Wales increased by 67 per cent. in real terms.

  In April, 1993, all health authorities and community health councils in Wales, plus GP professional interests, represented by the General Medical Services Committee (Wales) and, at the local level, by individual local medical committees, were consulted on proposals to allocate this funding with effect from 1993–94 on the basis of a weighted capitation formula. Copies of the consultation document are in the Library of the House.

  This formula produces for each family health services authority a target share of the total resource available for Wales for GP practice premises, support staff and practice computerisation. The starting point for the formula is the resident population of each district, taken from the population estimates based on the 1991 census. This is weighted for age and sex, by GP consultation rates for Wales and by the standardised mortality ratios for the area. In recognition of the heavier costs involved in providing additional surgeries to ensure reasonable access for patients in rural areas, the formula includes a rurality component based on comparative road lengths. This component is given a 15 per cent. weighting in the formula.

  It is our view that this formula meets the essential criteria for a capitation-based approach to the allocation of health care resources. In addition, the population basis of the formula is consistent with the features of the GP contract whereby age-banded capitation lists comprise the major fees mechanism in remunerating and partially reimbursing GPs, and a special subvention is given in recognition of the specific problems of rural areas.

  A change of this order in any resource allocation process cannot take place overnight. It is our intention

  925
  that authorities' progression, from their historical shares of funding for this expenditure to their target shares based on the weighted capitation formula, will be phased over the period from the present financial year to 2002–03. This will take place against a planning framework which recognises continued real terms growth throughout the period. The span of this transitional period should ensure that those authorities with a reducing share of the total funding will be able to plan an orderly realignment of their expenditure plans; and those with increasing shares of the total resources will be able to utilise the extra funds as effectively as possible. In both cases, the availability of resources for reinvestment—as existing cost rent schemes mature—coupled with the beneficial effect on allocations of the reduction in interest rates, should, with good management, ensure continued development of GP support staffing and facilities throughout Wales over this period.

  Whilst I remain convinced that the services provided by family doctors in rural parts of Wales require a recognition of unavoidable additional costs, I am open to further suggestions on how best to do this. Therefore, during this year, there will be further consultations to discuss this aspect of the formula. During the course of the transitional period to 2002–03, the Welsh Office will remain open to opportunities and proposals for improving the formula.

  As I have indicated, pending the outcome of the consultation exercise, £867,000 was held back from the initial allocations for 1993–94 for expenditure on GPs' practice premises, practice support staff and practice computerisation. We propose to use this to initiate the progression from historical shares of funding for this expenditure, to target shares, as indicated by the weighted capitation formula. The £867,000 will be divided equally between Clwyd, Mid Glamorgan and West Glamorgan, which are at present below their target shares. Taking account of this, the intended final revenue allocations for 1993–94 for this purpose are shown in table 1, together with the capital allocations. Table 2 shows each authority's percentage share of the total revenue funding for 1993–94 for this purpose, as a consequence of these final allocations, compared with the target share to be attained by 2002–03.

  I envisage that the progression to target shares over the 10-year span to 2002–03 will be effected in two ways: first, by directing available growth funding each year to those authorities remaining below their target shares, pro rata with their respective distance from their target shares; and, secondly, for those authorities above their target shares,

  Table 3

  Annual Change in Funding as a Percentage of Previous Year's Allocation a: Constant Prices

  Family Health Services Authority

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Clwyd

  0·83

  0·84

  1·71

  1·38

  1·36

  1·30

  0·99

  0·91

  0·52

  Dyfed

  0·00

  0·00

  0·08

  0·25

  0·47

  0·70

  0·77

  0·95

  0·51

  Gwent

  0·00

  0·00

  -1·00

  -1·01

  -1·00

  -0·99

  0·00

  0·50

  0·60

  Gwynedd

  0·00

  0·00

  -1·49

  -1·52

  -1·49

  -1·51

  -1·48

  -1·50

  0·06

  Mid Glamorgan

  1·51

  1·47

  2·82

  2·14

  1·93

  1·72

  1·12

  0·87

  0·55

  Powys

  0·00

  0·00

  -0·99

  0·00

  0·00

  0·50

  0·77

  0·85

  0·58

  South Glamorgan

  0·00

  0·01

  -1·02

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·60

  West Glamorgan

  1·21

  1·22

  2·36

  1·82

  1·70

  1·54

  1·08

  0·87

  0·56

  926
  there will be three years of marking time—no growth funding but also no reduction in funding—followed in subsequent years by a series of annual percentage reductions in their shares. The funding thereby released will be added to available growth funding and allocated to below-target authorities. On this basis and, I must stress, for planning purposes only, the percentage changes in annual revenue funding for this purpose that authorities in Wales might anticipate over the next 10 years are shown in table 3.

  For the sake of completeness, table 4 shows the final allocations incorporating funding for the additional costs of computer support for GP fund holders. As fund holding has progressed at markedly different rates in different parts of Wales, this funding element is not included in the formula shares. Authorities will also be able to draw from Welsh Office funds relating to GP fund holder management allowances within the prescribed limits.

  Table 1

  1993–94 final allocations to family health services authorities for cash limited expenditure on GPs practice premises, practice support staff and practice computerisation

  (excluding GP fund holder support)

  Revenue

  Capital

  Total

  £000's

  £000's

  £000's

  Clwyd

  4,956

  101

  5,057

  Dyfed

  5,029

  103

  5,132

  Gwent

  5,897

  120

  6,017

  Gwynedd

  3,802

  78

  3,880

  Mid Glamorgan

  6,236

  127

  6,363

  Powys

  2,182

  45

  2,227

  South Glamorgan

  4,628

  94

  4,722

  West Glamorgan

  4,045

  83

  4,128

  Wales

  36,775

  751

  37,526

  Table 2

  Percentage Share of Revenue Funding

  Family Health Services Authority

  1993–94

  Formula share

  Clwyd

  13·48

  14·21

  Dyfed

  13·68

  13·57

  Gwent

  16·03

  14·89

  Gwynedd

  10·34

  9·04

  Mid Glamorgan

  16·96

  18·65

  Powys

  5·93

  5·77

  South Glamorgan

  12·58

  11·98

  West Glamorgan

  11·00

  11·89

  WALES

  100·00

  100·00

  927

  Table 4

  1993–94 Final allocations lo family health services authorities for cash limited expenditure on GPs practice premises, practice support staff and practice computerisation (including GP fund-holder computer support)

  FHSA

  Revenue

  Capital

  Total

  £000's

  £000's

  £000's

  Clwyd

  5,075

  145

  5,220

  Dyfed

  5,071

  279

  5,350

  Gwent

  5,988

  186

  6,174

  Gwynedd

  3,809

  188

  3,997

  Mid Glamorgan

  6,285

  149

  6,434

  Powys

  2,217

  89

  2,306

  South Glamorgan

  4,656

  270

  4,926

  West Glamorgan

  4,171

  127

  4,298

  Wales

  37,272

  1,433

  38,705

  Construction Contracts
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the proposal that construction contracts worth over £1 million should continue to be subject to compulsory competitive tendering during the period of local government reorganisation in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received a number of representations, including some from the private sector.

  In the light of those representations, I have decided that it would be appropriate to continue to require competition for construction contracts worth over £500,000. This change will enhance the opportunities of private sector firms to compete for work from local authorities during the period of local government reorganisation.

  Trauma
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many major trauma units are in operation in Wales; and what is the projected budget for trauma in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Lady to my answer to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones), on 26 January 1993,Official Report, column 671.

  Projected budgets for trauma are not available. Individual health authorities are funded on the basis of their resident populations and it is a matter for them to determine the level of funding needed to secure a comprehensive range of health services, including the treatment of trauma, for their residents.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) orthopaedic trauma operations and (b) trauma operations were performed in Wales in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Lady and place a copy of the reply in the Library of the House.

  NHS Provider Units
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidelines of March 1993 on the pricing and costing of services by provider units within the NHS to purchasers.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The guidance issued in March 1993 related to the costing of specific service targets within 928
  contracts to be let by Welsh health authorities in 1993–94. Earlier this month, more general guidance on costing for contracting in future years was issued by the Welsh Office following work undertaken in England. Copies of both documents have now been placed in the Library of the House.

  Incontinence Aids
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidance on the free supply of incontinence aids by health authorities on a non-discriminatory basis.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Annex C of Welsh Office circular 27/93 provides guidance on the supply of incontinence aids for people living in the community.

  A copy of this circular has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Educational Qualifications
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many, and what percentage, of(a) women and (b) men in Wales have (a) university degrees, (b) higher technician diplomas, (c) craft/lower technical diplomas and (d) no vocational qualifications at the latest available date;

  (2) how many, and what percentage, of those working in Wales have (a) university degrees, (b) higher technician diplomas, (c) craft/lower technical diplomas and (d) no vocational qualifications at the latest available date.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Forestry
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, by county, those forest areas in Wales currently available for sale to the private sector.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many grant-maintained schools there are in Wales; what are the rules about the personal responsibility of members of their governing bodies; whether members are required to declare interests; what statutory provision is made for public access to information about a school and the governors' proceedings; what charter provision applies to their activities; and whether they are subject to performance indicators.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  There are seven grant-maintained schools operating in Wales with a further three approved.

  Generally, liability rests with the governing body rather than individual members. Individual members may however, be held liable in certain circumstances and schools are advised to take out insurance against these contingencies.

  The instrument of government sets out in detail the circumstances in which members of the governing body should declare an interest and may be required to leave a

  929
  meeting or will not be permitted to take part in a discussion or vote. The general principle is that no one should be involved in a decision where his or her own personal interests conflict with those of the school.

  The article of government render a grant-maintained school accountable to the community it serves. It is required to publish a prospectus and annual report, hold an annual parents meeting, and make available non-confidential details of governors' meetings.

  Grant-maintained schools are subject to the same citizens charter provisions and are required to provide the same performance data as their local education authority counterparts.

  Orthopaedic Consultancies
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his estimates for the number of orthopaedic consultant posts that will he required in Wales in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally. Consultant expansion is a matter for employing bodies who should have regard to the health care needs of their local population.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the intake at each teacher training establishment in Wales for each year since 1990 together with the numbers who qualified as teachers from each establishment during the same period.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  [holding answer 14 July 1993]: As this information will be available shortly, I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is to take to protect the interests of local government staff in the run up to local government reorganisation in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  [pursuant to his reply, 8 June 1993, c. 218–19]: The chairman and members of the advisory committee on the staffing implications of local government reorganisation are to be:

  Sir Richard Lloyd Jones KCB (Chairman)

  Peter Anthony Bennett

  David Hughes Davies DL

  Michael Roger Towers

  The appointments will take effect from 1 September 1993.

  The members of the committee will be able to bring to bear their extensive experience of management and personnel issues, which has been gained at senior level in both tiers of local government and in the public and private sectors. I look forward to receiving their advice.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about his proposals to delegate power to area committees as part of the reorganisation of local government in Wales; and to which areas of Wales it will apply.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am considering taking a power that would permit me to require shadow unitary authorities in 930
  certain specified circumstances to produce decentralisation schemes. Such schemes would set out their proposals for devolving responsibilities to area or shire committees. They would have to be produced in accordance with guidance prepared by my Department, and I would be empowered to approve and amend them.

  This proposal builds upon the statement my predecessor made to the House on 1 March when he suggested that a structure of area committees, representing the existing district areas, might be the most appropriate form of internal organisation for the proposed Powys unitary authority, given that authority's size and population. Since that time, my colleagues and I have been considering how best to give effect to that suggestion.

  I envisage that the power to require an authority to prepare a decentralisation scheme would be applied:

  1. Where a specified number of members—probably 10—of the unitary authority had requested it; and

  2. Where the Secretary of State was satisfied that a scheme was appropriate having regard to relevant geographic, cultural and demographic considerations.

  Authorities would normally be expected to prepare schemes for areas based upon the present or former areas of principal councils.

  Each area committee would have real decision-making powers over the functions delegated to it by the full council. While the full council would possess, as at present, a power to override committee decisions, this would be subject to a qualified majority vote of, say, 90 per cent. so that the whole council could not overturn an area committee's decision without the support of some members of that area committee. Delegated powers could be returned to the full council by agreement; likewise, further powers could be devolved to the area committee.

  It would be for members of the unitary authorities in the first instance to suggest which functions to delegate. But they would decide which in the light of my guidance, and the decisions themselves would be subject to my powers of amendment. Normally, I would expect delegation to cover those aspects of a district's functions—for example, housing, environmental health, waste collection, local planning—that lend themselves to local administration, but some present county functions or particular elements of them could also be delegated.

  The decentralisation scheme would need to set out the principles upon which resources were to be allocated. It would also have to provide for matters such as access to staff and equipment.

  The power would be available for use in all 21 of the authorities proposed in the White Paper, Cm 2155. In practice, I do not envisage it being applied widely, but its availability would provide people from areas such as Montgomeryshire, Breconshire and Radnorshire with the assurance that their elected representatives will have substantial control over the administration of local services in their areas. It would not be available for individual towns and villages that currently are part of a larger district council area.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many movements of spent fuel of radioactive waste to Sellafield have resulted from the Magnox reprocessing programme to date.
  931
  Mr. Eggar
  To date, more than 12,000 flasks of spent Magnox fuel have been delivered to Sellafield for reprocessing.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many and what range of movements of radioactive waste will arise in the lifetime of the operation of THORP if substitution is not permitted.

  Mr. Eggar
  British Nuclear Fuels plc estimates that, from the first 10 years of operating its thermal oxide reprocessing plant and assuming that waste substitution is not approved, some 3,300 containers of radioactive waste would have to be returned to its customers overseas. The quantities for subsequent years will depend upon BNFL's progress in securing additional orders for the plant.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies he has commissioned and which compare the viability of returning the intermediate-level wastes arising from the reprocessing of foreign nuclear fuel at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant for the customer countries rather than vitrified high-level waste.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: None.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department has been consulted regarding the location of storage facilities for intermediate-level waste generated by reprocessing foreign spent fuel at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant, between the planned start-up of THORP and the beginning of operation of the planned Nirex repository; and if he will make it his policy not to include Dounreay in his consideration.

  Mr. Eggar
  BNFL's plans for intermediate level waste are to store it, following encapsulation, in purpose-built facilities at Sellafield until it is returned to the customer or disposed of as appropriate.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what storage facilities there are, or are planned, for intermediate-level wastes arising from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at the thermal oxide reprocessing plant, between the planned start up of THORP and the beginning of operation of the planned Nirex repository; and if he will take this into account when considering approval of the principle of waste substitution.

  Mr. Eggar
  The provision of waste storage facilites at Sellafield is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc as operators of the site. All relevant factors will be taken into account in considering the company's proposal for waste substitution.

  National Environmental Technology Centre
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who has been appointed head of the National Enviornmental Technology Centre announced on 10 June,Official Report, column 303; and what is the formal relationship between the National Environmental Technology Centre and AEA Technology.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  An appointment has not yet been made. The National Environmental Technology Centre will form part of AEA Technology.

  AEA Technology
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to make a grant from public funds to allow AEA Technology to reorganise its environmental functions so as to combine them with Warren Spring Laboratory.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The National Environmental Technology Centre will be funded by fees from its customers, as the Warren Spring Laboratory has been. The AEA's agreed costs, in establishing the NETC, will be provided by my Department.

  Japan
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the achievements and objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policy on trade with Japan.

  Mr. Needham
  Since the late 1980s, the Government have established a close, plain-speaking and positive relationship with Japan. In addition to the United Kingdom's welcome for overseas investment and the other advantages it offers, this has contributed to the United Kingdom being Japan's preferred investment partner in Europe. This investment represents over 40 per cent. of Japanese investment in the EC and has created more than 50,000 manufacturing jobs. Our export promotion campaigns, "Opportunity Japan" and "Priority Japan" have successfully encouraged United Kingdom firms to make inroads into the Japanese market. United Kingdom exports rose 75 per cent. to £2·63 billion in the period 1988–90 and have held up well—standing at £2·24 billion—compared with our major trading partners in the past two years, despite difficult economic conditions in Japan. The Japanese Government also assist United Kingdom companies who export to and invest in Japan.

  Working with our European Community partners, we seek from the Japanese Government further measures to stimulate domestic demand in Japan and to increase her propensity to import. We also seek further practical assistance to new investors in and exporters to Japan and the removal of the remaining barriers which affect British business. Such barriers are few but very important for the industries concerned. My Department remains committed to increasing awareness of the immense business opportunities in Japan and to strengthening our industrial base by learning from best Japanese practice. To that end, we are working with United Kingdom industry through our Priority Japan campaign, Engineers to Japan scheme and other activities.

  Economy, North-West
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the economy in the north-west region.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In spite of intense international competition, the north-west has shown considerable resilience in recent years. Important modernisation and rationalisation have taken place and companies continue to win important contracts both at home and abroad ranging from hi-tech electronic goods to lozenge manufacturers. The region has increased its GDP by over 50 per cent. in five years, recording a figure of £50·3 billion
  933
  in 1991, second only to the south-east within the United Kingdom. The north-west's stock of VAT-registered businesses increased by over 14 per cent. in the five years to 1991 while unemployment trends have been reversed with the seasonally-adjusted total being reduced by 9,700 in six months to June 1993.

  There have been a number of favourable comments on the economic situation in recent months. The North West Chambers of Commerce in their 2nd quarter 1993 survey report have commented on a further strengthening of domestic sales and orders, especially for smaller companies, while claiming that the higher level of confidence achieved in the first quarter has been broadly maintained. The Invest in Britain Bureau's annual report indicates that 23 inward investment schemes are under way in the north-west involving over 3,300 associated jobs. These projects are from a number of countries including the USA, Japan and Germany.

  Aerospace Companies
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what economic contributions aerospace companies make to the United Kingdom industrial production, investment, the balance of payments and corporation tax revenues.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Output of the aeropace in 1990, in terms of gross domestic product at current factor cost, was £5,139 million or 4·9 per cent. of the output of the manufacturing industry as a whole. Net capital expenditure by the aerospace industry was £424 million in 1990. In 1990, aerospace accounted for 3 per cent. of net capital expenditure in manufacturing.

  In 1992, the aerospace industry had a trade surplus of £2,340 million.

  Separate data on corporation tax are not available for the aerospace industry. Classification of companies by industry for corporation tax is by summary trade classification within which aerospace companies are included with "other transport equipment manufacturers"

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to promote the aerospace industry in Clwyd.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department maintains a continuous dialogue with the aerospace industry on ways in which the Government can help. The British Aerospace Broughton site has received over £10 million of regional selective assistance and regional development grants. It has also benefited from the launch aid support for the Airbus Airbus A320 and A340.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what bearing his initiative in relation to cutting red tape has on the Data Protection Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  All regulations having an impact on business, which includes the Data Protection Act 1984, are being reviewed as part of the deregulation initiative.

  Carbon Saving
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has estimated the cost to British industry of implementing the measures announced to date for achieving a saving of 10 million tonnes of carbon, per annum.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which she received from my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 6 July 1993 at column 78.

  My hon. Friend
  will also wish to note the statement on 16 March 1993 Official Report, column 183, by my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont) that the measures which he was introducing to help meet our environmental commitments would do so in a way which does the least possible damage to the competitiveness to British industry; and that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment yesterday announced that the Government will be strengthening the Energy Efficiency Office's programmes of advice and information to help business make energy savings, as part of the Government's programme for meeting its international commitments for limiting carbon dioxide emissions.

  Companies Act Investigations
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many investigations under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 are currently being undertaken by private contractors.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  As at 23 July 1993, 10 investigations involving 14 companies were being undertaken under section 447(3) of the Companies Act 1985 by competent persons other than officers of the Department.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. McLoughlin
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes and initiatives of suport and assistance.

  Measures operated by my Department to assist small businesses include:

  Business Link. The development of a national network of one-stop shops—to be known as business links—is a key component of the Government's strategy for small firms. Good progress is being made by the original six pilots, and they have now been joined by two more areas—Leicestershire and Shropshire. The first business links are expected to open in September. An assessment panel will meet quarterly, starting in October, to consider further proposals to set up business links. Eventually there should be a network of about 200 business links throughout the country, each one providing a single point of access to a wide range of high quality business information and advice and removing the confusion that is too often experienced by small firms seeking help.
  935
  Deregulation measures. The seven business task forces, created following the Prime Minister's seminar on deregulation on 2 February, are giving priority to the concerns of small businesses. Each task force has at least one representative from, or looking after the interests of, small firms. In addition, a sub-group has been set up, with membership drawn from all the task forces, to consider and make recommendations on issues which have a particular small business dimension.

  The task forces have recommended that, when formulating new regulation, the interests of small firms should be the first consideration. Following the Prime Minister's deregulation progress meeting on 20 July it has been decided that this recommendation will be implemented by the introduction of a small firms 'litmus test' as part of the compliance cost assessment.

  The Enterprise Initiative Consultancy Scheme. In the year ended March 1993, 23,082 applications were received and 14,375 were approved.

  The consultancy scheme will continue until 31 March 1994 as scheduled. Beyond that, a new package of support, including a new diagnostic service, a consultancy brokerage scheme, new consultancy services and technology advice will be phased in alongside the consultancy scheme from 1994–95 onwards to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements. This comprehensive range of local services, contracted through TECs and delivered by TECs and business links will provide high quality support for business, be suited to business needs and make cost-effective use of public funds.

  The Small Firms Merit Award for Research and Technology (SMART) scheme. Last year, 180 grants, the maximum number on offer, were made.

  Support for Products Under Research (SPUR) which helps small firms develop new products and processes. In the 12 months to March 1993, 138 grants were offered, worth over £12 million.

  EUREKA. Last year, the United Kingdom participated in 43 announced EUREKA projects, involving 107 organisations, including 33 small to medium sized enterprises. This year, the United Kingdom participated in 49 announced projects, involving 76 organisations, 28 of which were smaller companies.

  The Loan Guarantee Scheme facilitates smaller firms' access to finance. In the 12 months to May 1993, 2,407 loans were guaranteed to a value of £51 million.

  The terms of the scheme were enhanced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement. The changes, which were implemented in 1 July, are: the premium in the inner city task force and city challenge areas was reduced from 1 to 0·5 per cent. At the same time, premiums were reduced on all other loans, from 2·5 per cent. of the guaranteed portion of the loan to 1·5 per cent. for variable rate lending and 0·5 per cent for fixed rate lending on the whole loan;
  the maximum loan available for established businesses increased to £250,000;
  the guarantee level increased to 85 per cent. for these businesses.

  Informal investment demonstration projects. Five of these projects were established by TECs in partnership with other local organisations in January 1992 with Departmental pump-priming. They help together potential investors and small businesses seeking investment. An interim review of progress was carried out in early 1993 with favourable results.
  936
  Late Payment. The Department continues to address the difficult problem of late payment of commercial debt. Three trade association pilot initiatives have been established with financial support from the Department; we are monitoring the payment performance of Government Departments and my noble Friend Baroness Denton, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms, continues to follow up individual cases of late payment to small firms by large companies and public bodies. The Department has also endorsed the CBI's prompt payer's code.

  The Department also issued a consultation paper on the 1992 Budget proposal to require large companies to state in their reports and accounts how quickly they pay. The responses to the consultation exercises are presently under consideration.

  It is extremely difficult to measure the extent of late payment or the impact of any one measure and it is too soon to evaluate the results of the trade association initiatives. However, there are indications, most recently from the Association of British Factors and Discounters, that payment times in the United Kingdom are improving.

  Export Promotion. My Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide, through Overseas Trade Services, a wide range of help, advice and support to United Kingdom exporters at each stage of the export process, from researching opportunities through to contacting and visiting markets. The services we offer are particularly geared to meet the needs of smaller firms. An independent monthly survey of the delivery of the services shows a consistently high level of customer satisfaction, and some 90 per cent. of respondents regularly say that they will use the services again. Details of the services and of their take-up are featured in the "British Overseas Trade Board Annual Report 1992–93 and Forward Plan"—a copy of which is in the Library.

  GATT
  Ms Short
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to urge the EC representatives involved in the negotiation of the GATT Uruguay round to ensure that any agreement on a multilateral trade organisation,(a) state unequivocally that existing international environmental treaties will not be liable to challenge using GATT rules and (b) states a clear commitment to promotion of sustainable development in the main body of the text.

  Mr. Needham
  As the GATT has no powers to challenge other international agreements, and does not seek such powers, such a statement is not required. Language on sustainable development is already incorporated in the draft text of the MTO preamble. The Commission has sought to strengthen this language and to annex a ministerial declaration on future trade and environment work to the Uruguay round final act.

  Ms Short
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms of reference of the GATT working group on environmental measures and trade; how many times the group has met since 1971; what matters have been discussed at recent meetings; what reports have been produced; and what is the method by which Her Majesty's Government have input into the discussions at meetings of the group.
  937
  Mr. Needham
  The formal terms of reference of the GATT group remain those under which it was established in November 1971. The group did not meet until 1991, but has met 11 times since then, to discuss three agenda items: the GATT's relationship to multilateral environmental agreements; transparency of environmental regulations; and packaging and labelling. The group is also discussing those elements of the follow-up to UNCED "Agenda 21" which fall to the GATT. The GATT secretariat has reported transactions of the meetings and has, at the group's request, produced background papers to facilitate discussion. Individual contracting parties have also tabled papers. The European Commission speaks for the Community in GATT. United Kingdom input is made in three ways: at Community co-ordinations in Geneva; in the article 113 committee in Brussels; and by informal contacts with the Commission.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of HCFC 22 is purchased by his Department per annum.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information on the quantity of HCFC 22 purchased by the Department is not available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the latest available figures for his Department's total purchase of CFCs and HCFCs.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information on the purchase of CFCs and HCFCs by the Department is not available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons installations are contained within his Department's buildings.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department does not maintain central records of the number of its installations that contain CFC and HCFC.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by his Department are considered essential.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Following the consultation exercise carried out by the Department of the Environment earlier this year, no decision has yet been taken on any applications by the United Kingdom under the terms of the Montreal protocol for continued production of ozone-depleting chemicals for essential use.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances become controlled waste in terms of section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  All ozone-depleting substances that need to be disposed of are controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the quantity of ozone-depleting substances recycled within his Department and returned to the manufacturer.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information on the quantity of ozone-depleting substances returned to the manufacturer 938
  is not available. The Department's policy is to ensure that such substances are disposed of or recycled in an environmentally responsible way.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occured within Department buildings in the last five years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is departmental policy to ensure that installations and equipment are properly maintained, in particular so to avoid catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances. Detailed maintenance records are not kept centrally.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much funding has been allocated or spent to specifically deal with measures to reduce his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The objective of reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances is integrated into the Department's general purchasing decisions. Separate information on funding for specific measures is therefore not available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many chlorofluorocarbon domestic fridges are contained within his Department's buildings;

  (2) if he will give an undertaking to purchase only ozone-friendly fridges that do not contain CFCs or HCFCs for his Department.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information on the number of CFC domestic fridges contained within the Department's buildings is not available. My Department will phase-out the use of refrigerators containing CFCs and HCFCs as soon as possible, taking into account value for money and all relevant environmental factors, including energy efficiency.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade by what date his Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There are as yet no EC regulations limiting the use of ozone-depleting chemicals.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many portable halon fire extinguishers are contained within departmental buildings; and what measures are being taken to ensure their recycling and replacement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Portable halon fire extinguishers are replaced, when time-expired, with non-ozone depleting alternatives, in accordance with the Department's policy.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action has been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances consumed by his Department are identified as controlled wastes when they are no longer in use;

  (2) what measures have been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances in use by his Department identified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 do not reach the atmosphere.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My Department and its contractors take appropriate action to deal with the disposal of
  939
  ozone-depleting substances used within departmental buildings in accordance with existing requirements. We also have the Department of the Environment's new guidance for procurement and accommodation staff, which instructs them to ensure that contractors comply with best practice in terms of professional guidance and relevant British standards.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in his Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Information on the number of the Department's refrigeration and air conditioning systems that use automatic leak detection systems is not held centrally. However, the Department ensures that effective preventive monitoring and detection equipment is part of the maintenance regime.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets have been set for the recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals within departmental buildings.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Although no specific targets have been set, the Department aims to recycle ozone-depleting chemicals as far as possible.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives or substitutes to the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by his Department.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The purchasing policy of my Department has been informed by guidance from several sources. This includes the Department of the Environment's new guidance for procurement and accommodation staff, which instructs them to ensure that contractors comply with best practice in terms of professional guidance and relevant British standards. My Department has also published guidance on the replacement of ozone-depleting substances used in refrigeration and air conditioning, for fire extinguishing systems or as solvents.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. McLoughlin
  Information on the quantity and type of ozone-depleting chemicals used annually by the Department's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for servicing and in leakages is not held centrally.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. McLoughlin
  My Department subscribes to the Government's policy on protection of the ozone layer as reflected in the United Kingdom's existing commitments to phase-out production of some ozone-depleting substances and its participation in continuing international discussions to introduce wider controls.
  940
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to promote and assist the UKAEA's development into a profitable commercial research and development contractor.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Atomic Energy Authority is expected to meet objectives prescribed by the Government. The prime objective is to ensure that it competes effectively in its markets, develops its business to meet customers' needs and earns an acceptable return on its assets. Performance against these objectives is monitored on a regular basis. The AEA is also eligible to receive support under various export promotion and other schemes operated by my Department to assist British companies.

  Nuclear Emergencies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to meet his target to complete a strategy for information management on nuclear emergencies through his nuclear planning liaison group by November.

  Mr. Eggar
  Work on information management is continuing through the nuclear emergency planning liaison group and progress so far has been satisfactory.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the report prepared by his Department on the options available to open up decommissioning and radioactive waste management operations to competition.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government are concerned to ensure maximum cost-effectiveness in their expenditure on decommissioning and radioactive waste mangement operations. For new projects, the aim will be to put every contract out to competition unless there is a clear reason why this would not provide best value for money. We are also systematically reviewing projects currently under way to establish whether there is scope for increased competition.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out a breakdown of the allocation of expenditure to British Nuclear Fuels, waste management and decommissioning, respectively, under his departmental resource allocation in part 5 of his management information system for Ministers 1993 returns.

  Mr. Eggar
  The available information is published in MINIS 93, part 5: energy, the entry for atomic energy division.

  European Energy Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to ensure discussions on nuclear matters in the European Energy Council are consistent with United Kingdom interest.

  Mr. Eggar
  Specific discussions on nuclear matters are infrequently held in the Energy Council. Whether debated there or in other Councils, the United Kingdom's line is decided only after full consultation with all interested home Departments.

  EUREKA Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the participation of United Kingdom companies in the Membrane project of the EUREKA programme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  EU 5 ULTRAMEM, which is known as Membrane in France, is a completed EUREKA project in which there were no United Kingdom partners.

  UKAEA
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what objectives he has set for the new chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have set objectives for the new UKAEA Chairman, Sir Anthony Cleaver, as follows:

  Introduction

  I am writing to set the objectives I wish you to pursue as the Chairman of the AEA. These objectives set out the general direction in which the Government wishes you to take the AEA. Specific targets in support of these objectives will be set from time to time, after consultation with you. Nothing in these objectives over-rides your responsibilities as an Accounting Officer.

  Statutory Framework

  The AEA's activities are undertaken within the framework of the Atomic Energy Authority Acts 1954 and 1986, the Science and Technology Act 1965, and other relevant legislation.

  Aims

  The AEA has, with Government support, progressively sought to increase its competitiveness, cut costs, provide better value for money for its customers and increase profitability. Good progress has been made but the AEA is operating in increasingly competitive markets, both for the work which it undertakes for the Government and for other customers.

  Within the statutory framework, your prime objective is to ensure that the AEA competes effectively in these markets, develops its business to meet the needs of its customers and, in doing so earns an acceptable return on its assets. To this end, you should ensure that the AEA has a structure and cost levels that secure these objectives and subject the AEA's support activities to market testing and contractorisa.tion where appropriate. You should also ensure that the AEA has a clear market strategy and sufficient marketing and management expertise competent to deliver the objectives of that strategy. More generally you should continue the process of cultural change focusing the organisation on commercial success and recognising the key role that the development of staff has in this context.

  Defined customer-contractor relations should apply to all work carried out by the AEA. As far as funding by the Department of Trade and Industry is concerned, this work will be in Programme Letters agreed with the Department or under contract and will be carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the Letters or contract. Subject to its statutory constraints the AEA should undertake work for customers, whether nuclear or non-nuclear, on the basis of an acceptable return after taking into account any related waste management and decommissioning costs and the overall needs of the business.

  Within the framework of legislation and Government policy, you should ensure that the AEA explores all options for exploiting its technology, including collaboration with other organisations where this is commercially justified or where I indicate that there is a national interest in doing so. You should ensure that AEA informs the Department, at an early stage, of its plans for such collaboration. Consistent with the development of its competitive position and securing an appropriate return for its investment in R&D, I also expect the AEA to take every opportunity to facilitate the process of technology transfer particularly to small firms.
  942
  You should ensure that the AEA annually submits to the Department a Corporate Plan covering the Public Expenditure Survey period. This should contain Business Plans for the AEA as a whole and for each main business area. In particular the Plan should contain a clear strategy for reducing operating costs and identify those areas where increased resources (money, manpower, and research) are justified by prospects of future profitable business and those where effort should be reduced. The Plan should include a Capital Investment Memorandum setting out the AEA's capital expenditure proposals. It should also include contingency planning showing how the AEA would respond to different market out-turns to those assumed in the Plan.

  Financial

  The Government, whilst continuing to support the AEA in restructuring its operations, looks to the AEA to achieve returns that enable it to fund the costs of restructuring and make a return for the Exchequer.

  I expect you to ensure that the financial target, as set by me from time to time after discussion with the AEA, is achieved.

  I also expect you to ensure that the AEA stays within its External Financing Limit (EFL) as agreed from year to year and to surrender distributions of agreed sums from time to time to the ConsoLidated Fund.

  Performance Targets

  You should propose suitable measurable performance targets, including efficiency and quality of service targets, consistent with and complementary to the financial target for approval by the Department.

  Safety

  The AEA is subject to the safety requirements imposed on licensed operators by the Health and Safety Executive under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. You should ensure that the AEA continues to have arrangements which secure at all times the highest standards in safety that are reasonably practicable in its day-to-day activities, in its decommissioning activities and in the management of radioactive waste.

  Decommissioning and radioactive waste management

  Decommissioning and radioactive waste management are substantial and important activities within the AEA's total sphere of operations. You should accordingly ensure that the AEA carries out its decommissioning and radioactive waste management responsibilities in the most cost effective way, consistent with safety and other requirements of the regulatory authorities.

  Options for the future

  I have recently set in hand a study to consider options for the future of the AEA, including the possibility of privatisation and have appointed consultants to advise me. I expect you to ensure that the AEA co-operates fully with my Department and its advisers in considering the range of options. You should also ensure that the AEA conducts its business in such a way which does not restrict those options.

  Conclusion

  This letter sets out the main strategic objectives for the term of your current appointment until decisions are taken on the future of the AEA. I expect to discuss each annual Corporate Plan with you, to review the AEA's achievements against the specific targets which have been set, and if necessary to set new targets in the light of this discussion and review. I will review these objectives once decisions have been reached on the future of the AEA.

  Russia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what joint ventures between British Nuclear Fuels and the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy have been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Clothing and Textiles
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on trade in clothing and textiles with the poorest third-world countries of the recent decision to lift quotas on clothing imports from countries of east and central Europe;

  (2) what steps he has taken to remove trade barriers on clothing and textiles;

  (3) what decisions taken at the G7 summit in Tokyo will improve the treatment of the poorest nations in the multi-fibre arrangement.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government have consistently worked for an early conclusion to the GATT Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations which would include the phasing out of the multi-fibre arrangement and of the associated quantitative restrictions maintained by the European Community and most other importing countries against exports of textiles and clothing from the main low-cost suppliers. The progress made in Tokyo on the Uruguay round in general has enabled multilateral negotiations to resume in Geneva and has greatly improved the prospects for a successful conclusions by the end of the year. As regards other trade barriers, the EC has recently concluded agreements with the Czech republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria providing for restrictions on imports of textiles and clothing into the EC to be removed over a five to six-year period. The Government do not expect this process to have any implications for the poorest developing countries, most of which already enjoy unlimited duty-free access to the EC and are not subject to any quota restrictions.

  Nuclear Reactor, Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 13 July,Official Report, column 433, how the plutonium content of the final fuel loading of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay is dependent upon the operational programme.

  Mr. Eggar
  The plutonium content of nuclear reactor fuel changes during operation as a result of nuclear reactions in the core. The amount of plutonium in the fuel of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay when the reactor is shut down in 1994 will therefore depend on the reactor performance and also on the timing and extent of any refuelling that may be required.

  Coal Bed Methane
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the coal bed methane industry will be represented on the proposed energy advisory panel.

  Mr. Eggar
  I shall make an announcement about the composition of the panel in due course.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who will determine primacy of use for coal resources between coal mining and coal bed methane interests following coal privatisation; and what criteria will be used to determine primacy.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's consistent policy is to ensure the largest economically viable coal industry which the market can support in the long term. The Government 944
  also wish to encourage the development of coal bed methane as a potentially significant energy source. Both these factors are being taken into account in planning for privatisation.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if access in the future to the British Coal Corporation's geological data will be made available to the coal bed methane industry on a similar basis to that which oil and gas data is currently available to the industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  As indicated in the White Paper "The Prospects for Coal", Cm 2235, we propose to establish a new public sector body to be known as the Coal Authority, which will be responsible for licensing coal mining activity. The Coal Authority will be required to make available to potential licensees and other interested parties records of past, present and planned mining and geological information in its possession, subject to commercial confidentiality and any reasonable fee that may be charged.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what effect British Coal's claim to ownership of coal bed methane aborbed in coal has on the Department of Trade and Industry's right to issue exploration licences to companies intending to extract coal bed methane.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. The Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934, vests all petroleum in the Crown. For purposes of the Act the definition of petroleum includes any natural gas, such as methane, existing in its natural condition in strata. Exploration licences granted under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934, allow the licensees to search and bore for petroleum, and get petroleum in the course of exploration.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress was made at the recent meeting between his Department, the British Coal Corporation and the United Kingdom Onshore Operators Group towards resolving whether the corporation or the Crown owns coal bed methane absorbed in coal seams.

  Mr. Eggar
  My officials chaired a meeting on 15 June 1993 between British Coal and the United Kingdom Onshore Operators Group aimed at achieving greater understanding of the principles surrounding the entry into the coal seams and their occupation and use for the purpose of extraction of coal bed methane. I understand that both parties found the meeting useful and I hope that further progress in detailed negotiations between the two sides will now be possible. While reserving its position on ownership of coal bed methane, British Coal undertook at the meeting not to charge a production-related royalty for such methane, in order to help facilitate the development of the new industry.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Eggar
  The President of the Board of Trade is responsible for about 45 public bodies. The information requested is not immediately available, but I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Sugar
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will update for each year for which the information is available the information listed in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on sugar of 1987 on the proportion of United Kingdom sugar production by(a) British Sugar and (b) Tate and Lyle.

  The volume and value of United Kingdom sugar sales by supplier in 1988/89 with their respective market shares

  '000 tonnes

  Per cent. share

  £ million

  Per cent. share

  British Sugar

  1,218·1

  52·1

  532·3

  52·3

  Tate and Lyle

  944·0

  40·4

  427·1

  41·9

  Imports1

  175·7

  7·5

  268·2

  6·7

  Total

  2,337·8

  100·00

  1,018·6

  100·00

  Source: Table 4·9. MMC Report on the proposed merger between Tate and Lyle plc and British Sugar plc. February 1991.

  1 Includes some imports by Tate and Lyle and British Sugar.

  2 MMC estimate based on survey figures from the merchants and others.

  Information about later years is not publicly available. Assisted Areas

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what parts of each of the local government wards currently in effect in the city of Birmingham have not been designated as having development area status under the Assisted Area Order 1993.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The designation of wards within travel-to-work areas as development areas or intermediate areas is based on wards as they existed for the decennial census of population in April 1981. This is necessary because these travel-to-work areas themselves are based on 1981 wards, and using wards defined at any other time, when their boundaries may not necessarily match those used to define the boundaries of travel-to-work areas, means that some of the areas intended for designation could inadvertently be counted twice, or missed out.

  Birmingham is a case in point and by using the city's 1981 wards in the Assisted Areas Order 1993, development area status applies for the whole of the city of Birmingham. However, on examination, I think the Assisted Areas Order 1993, is not sufficiently clear on this point and I have therefore made and laid an amending order to clarify the position. I shall write to the hon. Member further about the position in Birmingham, and to other hon. Members representing areas where designations for parts of travel-to-work areas have been based on wards.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with his Irish counterpart on the subject of Merseyside's application for objective 1 status within the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government's proposal of objective 1 status for Merseyside was approved by the Council in Brussels on 20 July. I did not discuss it bilaterally with the Government of the Republic of Ireland, but I hope that the European structural funds will in future contribute appropriately to the development of links between what will now be two neighbouring objective 1 regions.
  946
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  More up-to-date information was provided in the 1991 Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the proposed merger between Tate and Lyle plc and British Sugar plc. This showed the following position:

  Nuclear Electric
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been received by his Department concerning Nuclear Electric and the Simpkin partnership; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The hon. Member has written to DTI Ministers and asked several parliamentary questions. No other representations have been received.

  Coal Mines
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with British Coal on the subject of the removal of machinery from the pits which British Coal is currently offering for license to the private sector.

  Mr. Eggar
  Under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946. matters such as the deployment of machinery are operational matters for British Coal, and the Government are not given powers to intervene. My Department has however kept in close touch with British Coal, and I have raised the matter on a number of occasions with the chairman of the corporation. He has given me assurances that no equipment with be redeployed unnecessarily, that each decision to salvage major equipment will be taken on the basis of all relevant economic and operational criteria, and in particular that British Coal is prepared to give details of the destination of any major items of machinery which it removes. It is up to British Coal to justify each such decision.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those functions in his Department which have been subject to market testing; and in how many cases, an in-house bid was(a) made and (b) awarded.

  Mr. Eggar
  A full list of market tests to be undertaken in my Department in the period ending September 1993 was published in "The Citizen's Charter, First Report: 1992", Cm 2101. Although there have been instances of contracting out of some of these services for policy or management reasons, only one case of formal market
  947
  testing against internal provision has so far been completed. In that particular case, an in-house bid was made and was successful.

  Consultants
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list, for the last three financial years, the contracts of more than £10,000 in value awarded to outside consultants by his Department; what was the purpose of each contract; and whether each contract awarded was subject to competitive tendering.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is my Department's policy to apply competitive tendering procedures to consultancy contracts. The individual contract information requested cannot be provided other than at disproportionate cost.

  Tying-in Arrangements
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to implement the tying-in provisions, sections 104 to 107 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990; and when they will be implemented.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Following wide consultation over proposals to implement these provisions, the Government are considering how best to proceed.

  EC Structural Funds
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what will be the financial allocations for the three United Kingdom regions designated for objective 1 of the EC structural funds.

  United Kingdom Exports of Fur Pelts

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Mink

  Raw

  number

  3,183,931

  3,067,732

  454,688

  314,089

  359,866

  £'000

  48,259

  37,718

  6,088

  4,117

  3,343

  Treated

  number

  10,152

  4,474

  54,653

  17,073

  9,136

  £'000

  1,668

  1,396

  2,093

  2,301

  1,728

  Total

  number

  3,194,083

  3,072,206

  509,341

  331,162

  369,002

  £'000

  49,927

  39,114

  8,181

  6,418

  5,071

  Fox

  Raw

  number

  982,246

  366,651

  48,208

  30,763

  70,922

  £'000

  17,551

  6,334

  684

  548

  1,465

  Treated

  number

  4,266

  46,169

  522

  111

  3,954

  £'000

  168

  1,151

  15

  5

  37

  Total

  number

  986,512

  412,820

  48,730

  30,874

  74,876

  £'000

  17,719

  7,485

  699

  553

  1,502

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many retail businesses were involved in the fur trade; and how many employees they had for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The number of retail businesses classified as furriers is as follows:
  948
  Mr. Sainsbury
  During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 20 July, it was agreed that the objective 1 financial allocation for the United Kingdom for the period 1994–99 should be 2,430 million ecu at 1992 prices. The Government have decided to distribute this allocation as follows: Northern Ireland 1,270 mecu, Merseyside 840 mecu and the Scottish Highlands and Islands 320. mecu.

  Fur Trade
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many companies are involved in tanning of fur skins; and how many employees they have.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  This information is available only for the whole of the leather—tanning and dressing—and fellmongery industries. In 1991, there were 180 businesses with 6,500 employees, including working proprietors.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many(a) mink pelts and (b) Arctic fox pelts from British mink farms were exported in each year since 1988; and what was their value;

  (2) how many British red fox pelts were exported in each year since 1988; and what was their value.

  Mr. Needham
  Official statistics do not distinguish between mink produced by British farms and re-exports, or between various species of fox. The available information is given in the table.

  Numbers

  1989

  114

  1990

  93

  1991

  79

  1992

  57

  949
  Information for earlier years on employment and the number of businesses is not available.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many import and export businesses were involved in the fur trade; and how many employees they had for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  This information is not available.

  Payment of Bills
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of bills are paid on time by Government Departments.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  During the financial year 1992–93, major purchasing Departments and agencies undertook sample surveys to determine the percentage of invoices paid within the agreed credit period, or within 30 days where no credit period has been set. Government Departments reported results in the range 75 to 100 per cent.

  The full results are:

  Department

  Percent of invoices paid within contract terms or 30 days

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  85

  Central Statistical Office

  86

  Customs and Excise

  85

  Defence

  99

  Education and Science

  84·4

  Employment and ACAS

  84

  Employment Service

  84·4

  Environment

  90

  Foreign and Commonwealth

  91·37

  Health

  90

  Health and Safety Executive

  94

  Inland Revenue

  86·2

  Lord Chancellors

  83·4

  National Savings

  95·3

  Paymaster General's Office

  100

  PSA—Building Management

  73

  Royal Mint

  78

  Social Security

  94

  Trade and Industry

  90·5

  Transport

  85·8

  Treasury

  92·4

  Welsh Office

  76

  Departments will continue to monitor their payment performance and for subsequent years the returns will be published in departmental annual reports.

  Waste Recycling
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role he foresees for business in recovering waste for recycling.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have today announced a new initiative to encourage industry and commerce to play a greater role in reducing the amount of waste which has to be disposed of through landfill, including by establishing systems to recover and reuse waste materials whenever it is practicable and environmentally advantageous to do so. I intend to continue the dialogue which has already begun with different sectors of industry and 950
  commerce producing products which eventually become waste, such as tyres, batteries, vehicles and electronic equipment, to determine how our objective can best be put into effect in these and other areas.

  An important plank in our policy is the need to maintain and develop our existing recycling infrastructure, on which many jobs depend. This is currently threatened by surplus of waste materials generated as a result of recycling policies elsewhere in Europe. We are looking to all the sectors concerned in our initiative to help counter this threat. In addition, our policies will create new opportunities and jobs—in collecting, sorting and processing materials for reuse and recycling. I intend to explore with companies how Britain can best capitalise on this growing market area.

  Pit Licences
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information British Coal is providing to potential licensees of the pits it has offered for licensing to the private sector.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that those expressing interest in pits which British Coal has offered for licensing to the private sector have been provided by British Coal with an initial information pack setting out a brief description of the colliery and detailed information on the licensing process. At the next stage, potential licensees who submit a bond are able to visit the pits, are provided with an information memorandum setting out detailed information about the colliery and have access to source documents in a data room. Much of this detailed information is commercially confidential. However, I am placing in the Library a list provided by British Coal of the contents of the information memoranda and data rooms, together with a copy of the initial information pack.

  Telephone Bills
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will be making regulations enabling the Director General of Telecommunications to determine billing disputes.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 included provisions giving my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade the power to make regulations enabling the Director General of Telecommunications to determine disputes about bills for certain telephone services.

  However, there have been important developments which have led me to reconsider the need to make the regulations at the present time.

  BT sends out some 100 million bills each year. The number of complaints about billing disputes made to the Office of Telecommunications—Oftel—and the Scottish and Welsh telecommunications advisory committees has fallen from 12,778 in 1991 to 6,892 in 1992 and Oftel expects its figure to fall further in 1993. The reduction in complaints involving BT's customers appears to be due to a number of factors, including the modernisation of BT's network, which has resulted in itemised bills now being available on 90 per cent of its lines;call barring, which enables the customer to bar premium rate services and is now available on some 65 per cent. of its lines;a network security study carried out by BT which has resulted in

  951
  improved security, detection and investigation techniques;the launching by BT of a new customer care service based on freefone numbers—BT is also in the process of agreeing improved procedures for dealing with complaints with the director general under the powers of the Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992;BT is also carrying out trials for introducing itemisation for calls below 50p, monthly billing and credit limits on usage.

  In addition, BT has recently announced that it will be introducing "opting-in" for adult premium rate services through the use of personal identification numbers from July next year. This welcome action, together with the other measures detailed in my answer, should lead to an even greater reduction in the number of billing disputes.

  In the light of the action which BT has taken and in the expectation of further reductions in the level of complaints about telephone bills to Oftel, I have decided not to proceed to make the regulations at the present time. I do, however, attach importance to continued improvements and I will want to look closely at this again in a year's time.

  West Cumbria Development Agency
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the relationship between the West Lakes Development Agency and British Nuclear Fuels; if he will define the role of the agency; and how much ERDF funding it received in each year since 1988.

  Mr. Eggar
  There is no such organisation as the West Lakes Development Agency. The West Cumbria Development Agency has the objectives of attracting investment to the area, creating and sustaining employment there and helping local businesses become more competitive. I understand that British Nuclear Fuels plc, which is a member of the agency, has contributed just over £1 million each year to the West Cumbria Development Fund Ltd which provides financial support for the agency. In addition, the agency receives funding from a number of public and private sector organisations. The European regional development fund contributed £270,000 in 1990–91 towards business support measures.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what preparations he has made for United Kingdom participation in the diplomatic conference on third party liability on nuclear accidents; and when he expects the conference to be held.

  Mr. Eggar
  My officials are taking an active part in the negotiations being held in the International Atomic Energy Agency's standing committee on liability for nuclear damage. The director general of the IAEA has not yet proposed a date for a diplomatic conference.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks) of 7 July,Official Report, column 151, if he will make a statement on the matters reported upon to date by the deregulation task forces; and what decisions Her Majesty's Government have taken to implement deregulation proposals.
  952
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 26 July, at columns 561–63.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to announce those regulatory and administrative burdens upon business which will be abolished by his forthcoming Bill on deregulation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  We propose to introduce a Bill including measures arising from the work of the business task forces and departmental reviews of regulations as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement indicating the principles upon which his forthcoming deregulation Bill will be based; and if he intends to ensure that this proposed legislation fully addresses the need fundamentally to enhance and encourage the international competitiveness of British industry.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  A key objective of the Government's deregulation initiative is to simplify existing regulations in order to remove unnecessary burdens on business and any proposed legislation would reflect this objective. The need to enhance and encourage the international competitiveness of British industry is a main aim of the Department and will certainly be taken fully into account.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times the deregulation unit has met since its inception; and if he will publish the notes of the meetings and of the Prime Minister's seminars of 2 February and 20 July.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: The deregulation unit is a division of my Department and does not maintain a record of the number of meetings it has held. The seven deregulation task forces have held 105 meetings among themselves and over 40 meetings with Government Departments, but have not produced formal notes of meetings. For the outcome of the Prime Minister's meetings on 2 February and 20 July, I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply of Thursday 4 February 1993, Official Report, column 470 and to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on Monday 26 July, at columns 561–63.

  Innovation Budget
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was his Department's innovation budget for each of the last three financial years, and for 1993–94.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Expenditure under the innovation budget of the Department of Trade and Industry for the last three financial years, and forecast expenditure for 1993–94, are as follows:

  £ million

  Outturn

  Forecast (gross)

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  82·3

  102·7

  137·4

  124·7

  British Gas
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on British Gas; when he intends to make a response; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is due to make its reports on gas to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board and to the Director General of Gas Supply by 30 July. I shall wait to see the reports before coming to a view on the timetable for any response.

  Office of Gas Supply
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the term of office of the present Director General of Ofgas ends; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Sir James McKinnon's second term of office as Director General of Gas Supply expires in August 1994. Earlier this year, Sir James announced his intention to retire on 31 October 1993. We have, therefore, initiated the process of identifying a successor and an announcement will be made in due course.

  Competitiveness Assessment
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement setting out the arrangements which he intends to adopt to fulfil his commitment that the impact upon the international competitiveness of British companies, particularly small

  Table showing expected participation Perifra II projects approved by the commission in August 1992

  1 ECU = 0·698 UK £

  Project/region

  Total cost of project £'000

  Community contribution £'000

  Contribution from other sources £'000

  Local authority

  TEC/LECs

  Other

  Scottish Borders

  3,005

  1,202

  216

  1,304

  Borders College, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust: 62 Consortium including local authority, Rural Development

  Calderdale: Todmorden Regeneration Scheme

  645

  323

  —

  —

  Commission and private sector: 323

  Royal Ordnance: 1,030

  Chorley: Lancashire Technology Centre

  2,400

  1,200

  70

  —

  Chorley Local Enterprise Agency: 100

  Dyfed/West Wales Task Force

  1,550

  146

  —

  —

  West Wales Task Force: 775

  Fife region

  1,158

  579

  —

  579

  —

  Hertfordshire TEC: Innovation and Development Centre

  1,911

  700

  275

  530

  Private sector: 406

  Leeds: Clothing Resource Centre

  310

  155

  —

  —

  Consortium including the TEC, local authority Trade Association: 155

  Royal British Legion

  4,399

  1,374

  —

  —

  Royal British Legion: 3,025

  Note:

  Small subsequent adjustments may have been made which are not shown here as a result of changes in the rate of exchange.

  SMART and SPUR
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the distribution between the regions and nations of the number and value of small firms merit award for research and technology and support for products under research projects; what has been the 954
  companies, will be asssessed prior to the introduction of future legislation or regulations; what steps he intends to take to involve representatives of industry in the on-going assessment of that impact; and if he will make it his policy to publish the results of that assessment alongside the assessment of public service manpower and finance requirements currently included in the explanatory memoranda attached to Government Bills and orders.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The potential impact on the international competitiveness of British companies, including small firms, is a factor taken into account in all Government policies. Industry will be consulted in an appropriate manner in each case in the framing and implementation of new legislation. The Government are committed to the publication of compliance cost assessments for all new proposals for legislation which impact on business.

  EC Perifra Programme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins), of 4 November 1992,Official Report, columns 315–16, how much EC funding was made available under the Perifra scheme to each of the eight projects that were approved on 7 August 1992; and how much direct funding was made available to each project by (a) local authorities, (b) Hertfordshire training and enterprise council, (c) the Royal British Legion and (d) the Government.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: The information requested is as follows.

  amount of committed spending so far; and what is the length of processing time from submission of applications to approval.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: SMART—small firms merit award for research and technology—is an annual competition with a closing date for entries. Winners are announced three months later. The number and value of awards made within the current programme, which commenced in 1992, and expenditure to 30 June 1993 are as follows:
  955

  Region/Nation

  No. of awards

  Value of awards offered (£'000)

  Expenditure (£'000)

  East

  17

  763

  271

  East Midlands

  17

  757

  489

  North East

  8

  352

  201

  Northern Ireland

  6

  239

  134

  North West

  16

  684

  456

  Scotland

  17

  755

  419

  South East

  31

  1,350

  856

  South West

  20

  880

  542

  Wales

  16

  714

  471

  West Midlands

  18

  765

  496

  Yorks/Humberside

  14

  611

  478

  Total

  180

  7,870

  4,813

  SPUR—support for products under research—was launched in 1991. The average processing time of applications is 108 days. The number and value of awards, and expenditure to 30 June 1993 are:

  Region/Nation

  No. of awards

  Value of awards offered (£'000)

  Expenditure (£'000)

  East

  29

  2,607

  450

  East Midlands

  18

  1,848

  507

  North East

  12

  1,070

  194

  North West

  57

  3,993

  1,178

  Scotland

  28

  3,157

  1,173

  South East

  56

  5,956

  1,619

  South West

  19

  1,450

  537

  Wales

  21

  1,893

  430

  West Midlands

  32

  2,274

  729

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  42

  3,145

  999

  Total

  314

  27,393

  7,816

  Pharmaceuticals
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the present export guidelines for(a) anthrax vaccine and (b) penicillin.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The Export of Goods (Control) Order 1992, as amended, controls the export of certain isolated live cultures in the form of vaccines, including bacillus anthracis. As such, an export licence is required. There is no similar control on the export of penicillin.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions exist for the export of raw materials for the production of medicine to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: All exports of humanitarian aid to Serbia or Montenegro must be licensed by the Department of Trade and Industry and accompanied by a letter of authorisation from the United Nations sanctions committee.

  The UN sanctions committee automatically agrees to the export of finished medicines to Serbia and Montenegro. The export of medical raw materials and precursors is considered on a case-by-case basis.

  Environmental Technology
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the environmental technology innovation scheme and the environmental management options scheme were open for applications; when they were closed to further applications; and how many applications had been received subsequent to closure.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The environmental technology innovation scheme—ETIS—jointly managed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment and DTI's environmental management options scheme—DEMOS—were both launched on 2 October 1990. The schemes are open to new applications until 30 September 1993. However, since February this year the Departments have informed new applicants that projects already under assessment are expected to take up the remaining resources of each scheme. Since that time, nine ETIS and eight DEMOS applications have been received.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications were made, grants awarded and how much expenditure committed, in each region and nation and for the United Kingdom, on(a) the environmental technology innovation scheme, (b) the environmental management options scheme and (c) EUROENVIRON, together with in each case the average and target processing cycles from application to award.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The average processing time for approved projects under the three schemes was as follows:

  Months

  ETIS

  11·5

  DEMOS

  12·4

  EUROENVIRON

  4·3

  These processing times include periods when responses were awaited from applicants to supply information necessary to complete assessment of their project proposals by the Department concerned. The processing times for ETIS and DEMOS include the initial outline application stage. We will be taking account of the results of an interim evaluation carried out on the three schemes last year in the design of any successor programmes.

  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Environmental Technology Innovation Scheme (ETIS) (Jointly managed by DTI and DOE)

  Region/Country

  Applications received

  Grants awarded

  Expenditure committed £

  South East

  167

  8

  1,514,769

  East

  39

  3

  564,180

  South West

  47

  —

  —

  East Midlands

  34

  2

  138,025

  West Midlands

  62

  8

  1,494,910

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  40

  3

  598,789

  North West

  65

  6

  674,020

  North East

  19

  1

  24,186

  Scotland

  33

  1

  835,120

  Wales

  14

  —

  —

  Northern Ireland

  1

  —

  —

  Unspecified/Non UK

  1

  —

  —

  Totals

  522

  32

  5,843,999

  957

  (b) DTI's Environmental Management Options Scheme (DEMOS)

  Region/Country

  Applications received

  Grants awarded

  Expenditue committed £

  South East

  168

  2

  290,250

  East

  48

  —

  —

  South West

  54

  1

  409,000

  East Midlands

  41

  3

  570,805

  West Midlands

  66

  4

  662,130

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  44

  1

  8,100

  North West

  72

  4

  491,800

  North East

  24

  —

  —

  Scotland

  45

  1

  157,516

  Wales

  25

  1

  121,865

  Northern Ireland

  9

  —

  —

  Unspecified/Non United Kingdom

  7

  —

  —

  Totals

  603

  17

  2,711,466

  EUROENVIRON

  Region/Country

  Applications received

  Grants awarded

  Expenditure committed £

  South/East

  42

  14

  2,131,405

  East

  1

  1

  33,977

  South West

  4

  1

  19,878

  East Midlands

  7

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  3

  1

  683,218

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9

  2

  927,100

  North West

  4

  5

  544,741

  North East

  7

  4

  670,764

  Scotland

  7

  3

  241,562

  Wales

  2

  —

  —

  Northern Ireland

  13

  —

  —

  Totals

  99

  131

  5,297,645

  131 United Kingdom companies have received offers of grant for 22 projects of which six projects involve more than one United Kingdom company.

  British Coal Directors
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the declarations of interests of directors of the British Coal Corporation notified to him since 1983.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: No.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidelines are laid down when appointing directors of the British Coal Corporation about the declaration of pecuniary interests; how long they have been in existence; and what plans there are to revise them.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: The appointments of British Coal Corporation members are subject to the provisions of the Coal Industry Nationalisation (National Coal Board) Regulations 1946.

  Regulation 3 in essence requires members:

  a) to disclose to my right hon. Friend full particulars of any interest or securities held or acquired in any undertaking carrying on a business similar to that at any time carried on by the Corporation; and

  b) to disclose at a meeting of the Members of the Corporation any direct or indirect interest in a contract made or proposed by the Corporation.

  I have no present plans to revise those regulations.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which categories of work at the Patent Office are(a) currently being market tested and (b) being considered for future market testing.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The current programme which is nearing completion, having entered the consultation phase, includes reprographics, messenger and post dispatch services, file repository, stationery, trade marks data capture and trade marks referencing. Market testing will be applied in due course to other Patent Office work, but no decisions have been taken on the content of next year's programme.

SCOTLAND

  Councillors (Salaries)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had in respect of the payment of salaries to local government representatives in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Council membership is based on the principle of voluntary public service and is not regarded as a salaried appointment. All payments to members of local authorities are by way of allowances and travel and subsistence. A new system of councillors' allowances was introduced in April 1991. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities' comments on the first year's operation of the new system are currently being considered in the wider context of local government reform and the consultation paper on the review of internal management of local authorities, the responses to which are currently being analysed. A number of local authorities have expressed their views separately and these will also be taken into account in the review of allowances.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether home helps will be able to stand in elections to any new single-tier local authorities proposed in his White Paper on the reform of Scottish local government:

  (2) if he will make a statement on disqualification from standing for elections to the new councils proposed in the White Paper on the reform of Scottish local government.

  Mr. Stewart
  The question of the eligibility of local authority employees to stand for election to the authority which employs them was among the issues considered in our recent consultation paper "The Internal Management of Local Authorities in Scotland". Responses to this paper are currently being analysed and a decision on this issue will be taken in the light of these.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the written remit of the review of local government in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government's first consultation paper on local government reform in Scotland, issued in June 1991, set out the principles on which the new system should be based. These included the need for the new system to reflect local loyalties and allegiances, to be efficient, accountable to its electorate and cost-effective.
  959
  The principles were widely endorsed by those who responded to the consultation paper and formed the basis for the local government structure proposed in the White Paper published by my right hon. Friend on 8 July.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what powers he has to prevent asset stripping by a district council prior to a reorganisation of local government;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the powers the Commissioner for Local Government has to investigate complaints of discrimination made by residents within a district council;

  (3) what statutes govern the holding by a district council of a referendum in all or part of its area;

  (4) what powers he has to change a capital programme, submitted by a district council, to ensure that the programme is not discriminatory against a particular geographical area;

  (5) what plans he has to provide that in a referendum organised by a district council prominence is given by that council to all viewpoints on the isue of the referendum;

  (6) what powers he has to prevent a district coucil discriminating against residents in part of its area;

  (7) what requirements are imposed on district councils on the conduct of referendums.

  Mr. Stewart
  The issues raised by the hon. Member are serious and important and I shall write to him as soon as possible.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who has made representations to him concerning the transfer of Chryston, Stepps and the Moodiesburn ward from Strathkelvin in the proposed East Dunbartonshire to the proposed Lanarkshire, North; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the final cost of the consultation processes with regard to both local government reorganisation and changes to the water and sewerage services in Scotland;

  (2) what plans he has to bring forward his proposals for local government reorganisation in a separate Bill from the one containing his proposals for water and sewerage services;

  (3) when he expects to be able to bring forward legislation to implement the White Paper on local government reorganisation;

  (4) what plans he has to establish an executive body to operate the Glasgow underground following local government reorganisation;

  (5) what assessment he has made of the financial consequences of local government reorganisation for the operation of the Land Register.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consideration was given to the establishment of an independent commission to examine the reorganisation 960
  of Scottish local government; what representations he received advocating that such a commission be established; what assessment was made of the costs of establishing such a commission; on what basis he decided not to establish such a commission; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will meet the regional council directors of planning to discuss the implications for planning services arising from the reorganisation of Scottish local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what steps he is taking to minimise disruption arising from the reorganisation of Scottish local government to (a) planning services, (b) environmental health services, (c) housing as a local authority service, (d) industrial development and (e) urban regeneration; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what evidence he has considered in assessing the level of voter satisfaction with the existing structure of local government in Scotland; what steps he has taken in order to determine the level of voter satisfaction with that structure; what further steps he intends to take to determine the level of voter satisfaction with that structure, and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what assessment he has made as part of the reorganisation of Scottish local government of the optimum authority size necessary to ensure adequate service provision; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what evidence he has considered in assessing the extent to which the electorate identify with the existing councils in their locality; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) if he will meet the regional council directors of transport to discuss the implications for transport services arising from the reorganisation of Scottish local government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (I) if he will estimate the cost to each regional, district and island authority of the task of local government reorganisation;

  (2) if he will publish details of the specific criteria used to determine the boundaries of each of the proposed new single-tier authorities; and if he will list the key criteria for each individual authority;

  (3) what is his estimate of (a) the number of anticipated redundancies and (b) the cost of redundancy payments resulting from the anticipated job losses associated with his local government reorganisation proposals; and if he will break these figures down for each regional, district and island authority;

  (4) if he will meet the regional council directors of education to discuss the implications for the provision of education services arising out of the reorganisation of Scottish local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what steps he is taking to minimise disruption arising from the reorganisation of Scottish local government to the provision of (a) transport services, (b) police and fire services, (c) social work services and (d) education services; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) if he will give details of his Department's estimate of savings resulting from the reorganisation of Scottish local government for each regional, district and island authority;
  961
  (7) if he will meet the regional council directors of roads services to discuss the implications for roads services arising from the reorganisation of Scottish local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (8) if he will publish details of which local authority boundaries were recommended to be coterminous with which health board or local enterprise boundary; and if he will identify the respondents making such recommendations;

  (9) if he will meet the regional council directors of social work to discuss the implications for social work services arising out of the reorganisation of Scottish local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (10) if he will list the names of those respondents expressing concern about the possibility of local government reorganisation jeopardising future funding for voluntary organisations; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (11) if he will produce a list of the organisations referred to by those respondents referring to links with other bodies and identify which respondents referred to links with which body; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (12) if he will publish a list of the names of those respondents who criticised the short-term costs of the reform of Scottish local government reorganisation; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (13) if he will publish a list of the names of those respondents who welcomed reform of Scottish local government as representing long-term savings; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (14) if he will list the names of those respondents who commented on the transitional arrangements to be made for (a)local authority property, (b) local authority information technology, (c) local authority compulsory competitive tendering and (d) local authority staff in their submissions to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils"; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (15) if he will list the names of those respondents to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils" who were not supportive of local government reorganisation; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (16) if he will list the names of those respondents to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils" who were not supportive of the proposal to reorganise Scottish local government into single-tier authorities; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (17) if he will list the names of those organisations whose submissions to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils" whose preferred local government structure for Scotland as a whole was to retain the regions; and if will provide a breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (18) if he will list the names of those respondents to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils" who commented on community councils; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;
  962
  (19) if he will list the names of those respondents who recommended that local authority boundaries should be coterminous with health board or local enterprise company boundaries in their submissions to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils"; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (20) if he will list the names of those respondents who referred to the costs of reform in their submissions to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils".

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has had from foreign owned water companies in response to the consultation paper "Investing in Our Future" during the recent consultation exercise and since the publication of "Shaping the Future—The New Councils";

  (2) if he will list the organisations which supported option (d) in the consultation paper "Investing in Our Future" during the recent consultation exercise;

  (3) what role the local authority ombudsman will have within the new councils in Scotland;

  (4) if he will list the individuals or organisations who expressed a preference for three-yearly local government elections in the course of the recent consultation exercise on local government reform;

  (5) what approval a council will need to change its name after the new local authority structure has been established; and what statutory construction exercise with the public will be expected;

  (6) what is the expected increase in water charges as a result of investment in water and sewerage services in the next five years;

  (7) when he expects to publish fuller details of his plans for the water and sewerage services in Scotland;

  (8) what meetings he has had with representatives from Milngavie district council and Eastwood district council since the publication of "Shaping the Future—The New Councils" to discuss the new council structure;

  (9) if he will publish the names of individuals or organisations who supported the view that there should be multi-member divisions in the course of the recent consultation exercise on local government reform;

  (10) if he will publish the names of those organisations or individuals that made representations supporting (a) Westhill belong included within Aberdeen city council and (b) the creation of North Lanarkshire council during the recent consultation exercise on local government reform;

  (11) what representations he received from individuals and organisations that there should be separate water authorities for each island authority during the recent consultation exercise;

  (12) what representations were received supporting the formation of a national service for the reporter to children's hearings during the recent consultation exercise on local government reform; and if he will list the individuals and organisations;

  (13) when the Local Government Boundary Commission will conduct a review of boundaries after the new councils have been created in Scotland;

  (14) when the elections for the shadow authorities will be held in 1995; and if there are any plans to change the traditional arrangements;
  963
  (15) when he intends to consult further regarding the future of water and sewerage services in Scotland; and what form this consultation will take;

  (16) which private companies and organisations have made representations to be involved in the provision of water and sewerage services during the recent consultation exercise on local government reform;

  (17) what plans he has to meet the present regional and district councils in Scotland to discuss transitional arrangements regarding the formation of the new councils;

  (18) if he will list the posts the holders of which will not be eligible to stand for election for the new councils;

  (19) what representations he received from islands authorities that the elections to the three islands councils should be held in 1994 and subsequently delayed until 1999 during the recent consultation exercise on local government reform;

  (20) if he will publish details of the representations he has received from organisations and individuals that the new water authorities should have the power to disconnect water supplies during the recent consultation exercise;

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he intends to make available to the proposed new local government authorities a general power of competency enabling them to do anything they think necessary for the benefit of the people they serve;

  (2) what plans he has to prescribe by law minimum standards for services provided by local authorities;

  (3) what representations he has received in the course of consultation on local government reorganisation concerning the national road network and the future role of local authorities as road authorities;

  (4) what has been the cost to date of the consultation process for local government reform in Scotland;

  (5) whether he intends to bring forward proposals to require elections for membership of the proposed new water authorities;

  (6) how many copies of the two consultation documents on local government reorganisation and the White Paper, "Shaping the Future—the New Councils" were published; what proportion of them were sold to the public; and how many further copies of the White Paper he intends to make available to the public;

  (7) what regulatory and financial controls he intends to implement with regard to the proposed new water authorities;

  (8) whether members of the proposed new water authorities must be elected local government councillors;

  (9) what plans he has to change the electoral system used in district and regional council elections;

  (10) Whether he has considered in terms of annex B paragraph 4 of the White Paper on local government reorganisation, the financial or manpower consequences of the establishment of joint boards in estimating a reduction in council staffing levels of between 700 and 2,200 employees;

  (11) whether he intends to make changes to the current role of the Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland in local government reorganisation;

  (12) how many representations he has received in favour of (a) an electoral system based on proportional
  964
  representation and (b) specifically the single transferable vote electoral system, in connection with his proposals to reorganise local government in Scotland;

  (13) what criteria he has taken into account in proposing a Lothians council which is not geographically contiguous;

  (14) how many of his Department's officials were involved in the drafting of the two consultation documents on local government reorganisation and the White Paper, "Shaping the Future—the New Councils";

  (15) which interested persons he intends to consult in terms of paragraph 6·4 of the White Paper on local government reorganisation;

  (16) what regard he had to the pre-1974 council boundaries in drawing up the proposed council boundaries as contained in the White Paper on local government reorganisation;

  (17) if he will explain for what reasons in terms of paragraph 3·4 of the white paper on local government reorganisation, he proposes a power allowing the Secretary of State to approve joint boards for council co-operation; and what representations advocating such an approach he has received.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Training Schemes
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each local enterprise company in Scotland its youth training performance in 1992–93 showing(a) the cost per output points 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.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each LEC in Scotland their employment training performance in 1992–93 showing(a) the cost per output point, (b) the number of NVQs 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.

  Mr. Stewart
  In Scotland the responsibility for monitoring local enterprise company performance on employment training, and on its successor training for work, rests with Scottish Enterprise and with Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have therefore asked the chairmen of these bodies to write to the hon. Member.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.
  965
  Mr. Stewart
  The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the busniness climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  Small businesses are of crucial importance to the Scottish economy and are continuing to benefit from the comprehensive schemes of support which the Government have introduced. My Department has overall responsibility for assisting small firms in Scotland while specific schemes are delivered mainly through Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the network of 22 local enterprise companies. In addition to providing services specific to Scotland, these bodies also have responsibility for the delivery and monitoring in Scotland of United Kingdom services on behalf of other Departments including the Department of Trade and Industry. Measures operated directly by my Department to assist small business include the regional enterprise grant for investment, regional enterprise grant for innovation and regional selective assistance.

  For the period 1992–93, my Department made 102 offers of regional selective assistance to the value of over £18·2 million to small companies—those employing fewer than 200. This contributed to the creation of 2,320 planned new jobs and the safeguarding of 480 existing jobs. Under both the investment and innovation elements of the regional enterprise grant scheme, 272 offers to the value of £3.5 million were made in Scotland in 1992–93 to companies employing under 25 people, contributing to the creation of 1,060 planned new jobs and the safeguarding of 940 existing jobs.

  The success of these and other Government policies is demonstrated by statistics for VAT registration. A total of 9,800 additional companies registered for VAT in 1980. In 1991, the comparable figure was 13,900, an increase of 42 per cent. At the end of 1991, the total number of VAT-registered businesses in Scotland was 118,000 an increase of 24,600 or 26 per cent. on the comparable Figure for 1979.

  Empty Housing
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authority-owned houses were empty at the last date for which figures were available; what information he has on the length of time they had been vacant; what is his estimate of the rent forgone for each local authority during the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Details of the numbers of vacant local authority dwellings at 31 March 1992, together with information on the length of time which they had been vacant, are shown at table 17 of the Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin (Housing Series) No. Hsg/1992/8. Rental income lost by each local authority because of unlet dwellings in 1992–93 is shown in table 7 of the

  Blind and Partially Sighted at 31 March by Year and Region

  1992

  1991

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  1986

  1985

  Region

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Borders

  378

  127

  332

  108

  309

  105

  292

  96

  271

  84

  282

  93

  279

  76

  286

  85

  Central1

  974

  229

  1,026

  204

  786

  181

  786

  181

  590

  180

  590

  180

  651

  134

  636

  128

  Dumfries and Galloway

  455

  366

  436

  348

  442

  322

  453

  313

  463

  276

  460

  266

  445

  225

  434

  190

  966
  Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin (Housing Series) No. Hsg/1993/5. Both bulletins are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (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;

  (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. Stewart
  The Scottish Office targets information in an appropriate manner to those who have an interest. Each constituent Department within the Scottish Office determines how best to publish and disseminate the information which it produces. Consideration is consistently given to whether a need exists for a publication to be reproduced in Braille or tape format.

  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were registered blind and partially sighted in each year since 1985; and what figures are projected for registrations in(a) five and (b) 10 years time.

  Mr. Stewart
  The number of people reported by local authorities as registered blind and partially sighted at 31 March of each year is as follows:

  Year

  Blind

  Partially sighted

  1985

  12,738

  3,586

  1986

  13,710

  4,008

  1987

  13,678

  4,479

  1988

  13,760

  4,651

  1989

  14,088

  4,834

  1990

  14,120

  5,012

  1991

  14,552

  5,237

  1992

  19,506

  6,210

  The increase between 1991 and 1992 is due to revised figures received from Strathclyde region. It is not possible to project future registrations in (a) five and (b) 10 years time.
  967

  1992

  1991

  1990

  1989

  1988

  1987

  1986

  1985

  Region

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Blind

  Partially Sighted

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Fife

  721

  502

  735

  444

  716

  415

  711

  382

  714

  344

  721

  292

  693

  262

  649

  241

  Grampian

  1,128

  502

  1,039

  448

  1,002

  371

  999

  305

  946

  285

  916

  227

  853

  189

  732

  126

  Highland

  636

  261

  622

  211

  594

  212

  579

  190

  540

  171

  536

  177

  483

  173

  465

  156

  Lothian

  2,468

  859

  2,317

  706

  2,241

  661

  2,227

  644

  2,210

  612

  2,251

  588

  2,193

  525

  2,192

  500

  Strathclyde2

  11,370

  2,721

  6,709

  2,211

  6,709

  2,211

  6,709

  2,211

  6,709

  2,211

  6,585

  2,193

  6,777

  1,981

  5,985

  1,763

  Tayside

  1,157

  519

  1,076

  454

  1,081

  440

  1,086

  417

  1,078

  405

  1,089

  373

  1,095

  353

  1,125

  309

  Orkney

  42

  22

  63

  12

  50

  1

  58

  1

  59

  1

  58

  1

  51

  2

  47

  1

  Shetland

  40

  12

  55

  5

  53

  6

  43

  7

  39

  8

  32

  13

  27

  14

  25

  16

  Western Isles

  137

  90

  142

  86

  137

  87

  145

  87

  141

  74

  158

  76

  163

  74

  162

  71

  Scotland

  19,506

  6,210

  14,552

  5,237

  14,120

  5,012

  14,088

  4,834

  13,760

  4,651

  13,678

  4,479

  13,710

  4,008

  12,738

  3,586

  1 1989 Figure used in 1990, 1987 Figure used in 1988

  2 1992 Figure estimated, 1988 Figure used in 1991. 1990 and 1989; 1984 Figure used for Renfrew in 1986 and 1985

  Data Processing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  There is no automatic data processing functional specialism in the Scottish Office and its agencies, but the numbers of staff by grade at 30 June 1993 in receipt of an ADP allowance are listed in the following table:

  Grade

  Number

  AA (Data Processor)

  73

  AO (Senior Data Processor)

  28

  EO

  68

  HEO

  78

  SEO

  29

  Total

  276

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  Whether or not the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply in any particular case will depend on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying out the work. Since publication of the "Competing for Quality" White Paper, the Scottish Office's market testing programme has included the activities listed which have been contracted out under contractual arrangements which did not incorporate the TUPE regulations.

  Functions contracted out by the Scottish Office and Scottish Office agencies

  Property management at the Scottish Police College

  Toll collection at the Erskine Bridge

  Maintenance and management of Court Houses (five contracts)

  Building and Planned Maintenance for the Scottish Fire Service Training School

  Property management at the Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen

  Audit of two national health service bonds

  Audit of three national health service trusts

  Professional services relating to the Secretary of State's
  968
  trunk road programme and the capital building programmes, of the Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, Animal House

  Information on services and functions contracted out since November 1991 but not included in the market testing programme could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ophthalmic Out-patients
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost of a visit to a hospital ophthalmic out-patient department.

  Mr. Stewart
  This information is not held centrally. In 1992–93, the average cost of a visit to an out-patient department in an acute hospital was £27.

  Rent Arrears
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on local authority rent arrears accumulated in individual years is not held centrally. The rent arrears outstanding to each local authority at 31 March 1992 is shown in the table. The total rent arrears written off as irrecoverable by local authorities in Scotland during 1992–93 is estimated to have been £6·25 million.

  £

  Berwickshire

  39,721

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  67,482

  Roxburgh

  27,392

  Tweeddale

  23,221

  Clackmannan

  453,115

  Falkirk

  814,783

  Stirling

  1,016,998

  Annandale and Eskdale

  122,911

  Nithsdale

  318,211

  Stewartry

  56,008

  Wigtown

  160,935

  Dunfermline

  559,961

  Kirkcaldy

  746,420

  North East Fife

  131,136

  Aberdeen

  1,476,770

  Banff and Buchan

  292,617

  Gordon

  83,046

  Kincardine and Deeside

  75,562

  Moray

  61,152

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  18,000

  Caithness

  84,606

  Inverness

  115,578

  Lochaber

  81,203

  Nairn

  13,304

  969

  £

  Ross and Cromarty

  199,304

  Skye and Lochalsh

  19,935

  Sutherland

  14,157

  East Lothian

  681,815

  Edinburgh

  2,013,333

  Midlothian

  230,960

  West Lothian

  441,324

  Argyll and Bute

  141,923

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  59,935

  Clydebank

  728,694

  Clydesdale

  454,758

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  369,450

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  354,792

  Cunninghame

  582,078

  Dumbarton

  838,160

  East Kilbride

  47,218

  Eastwood

  31,277

  Glasgow

  12,726,402

  Hamilton

  757,260

  Inverclyde

  930,352

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  293,435

  Kyle and Carrick

  611,616

  Monklands

  829,249

  Motherwell

  884,199

  Renfrew

  2,137,488

  Strathkelvin

  614,339

  Angus

  101,368

  Dundee

  1,256,271

  Perth and Kinross

  140,682

  Orkney Islands

  54,573

  Shetland Islands

  156,964

  Western Isles

  332,250

  Total

  35,875,693

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the radiological consequences of the spillage of plutonium at the AEA Technology plant at Dounreay on 29 June; and when his Department first learned of the incident.

  Mr. Stewart
  On the morning of 30 June the Atomic Energy Authority reported to my Department that two workers at Dounreay had been contaminated following the opening of a drum which contained centrifuge filter bodies in sealed bags. Subsequent reports indicated that detailed checks had been carried out to determine whether there had been any intake of material by personnel either directly involved in the operation or nearby. As a result, early analysis suggested that one worker would be subject to further checks in order to determine the precise level of material ingested. Two other workers were confirmed as having received significantly less exposure. The cause of the incident is being investigated by the Atomic Energy Authority and the nuclear installations inspectorate.

  Sight Tests
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated savings made in 1992–93 in Scotland as a result of the introduction of a charge for sight tests.

  Mr. Stewart
  We estimate that the savings made in 1992–93 as a result of the restriction of the categories of people eligible for an NHS sight test in 1989 were of the order of £9 million.

  Veterinary Services
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what alterations he plans to make to the operation of the Highlands and Islands veterinary services scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  These plans are at present being finalised, and we hope to put firm proposals to those concerned shortly.

  Young People in Care
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether children and young people looked after in care in Roxburgh and Berwickshire have access to a telephone in private.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member arid arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Museums
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the amount of financial assistance received by(a) all industrial museums and (b) the Scottish mining museum, from local authorities.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Edinburgh Airport
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated or actual cost of the fancification of the two roundabouts on the under-approach to Edinburgh airport and the various associated pillars and railings around them; and by whom they were authorised.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The landscaping work on the two roundabouts at the Edinburgh airport interchange is being undertaken by Lothians and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd.

  I understand the costs are being met in full by the Enterprise Company. The Scottish Office, as one of the two road authorities affected, has been consulted during design and construction and satisfied itself as to the safety of the proposal before consenting to the work.

  My hon. and learned Friend may find it helpful to contact the local enterprise company direct should he wish to discuss the matter. The enterprise company would be happy to discuss the project and to provide any further details he may require about it.

  MV Braer
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration the Lord Advocate has given to the bringing of charges against the(a) master and (b) owner of the MV Braer in respect of the stranding of the vessel and events leading up to the stranding of the vessel on Shetland on 5 January; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Crown counsel have considered an interim report from the procurator fiscal. They expect to receive a further report in due course.

  Laboratory Services
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many general practitioner fund-holding practices have chosen to use non-accredited laboratory services; and if he will provide a breakdown by regional health authority.

  Mr. Stewart
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total level of gross expenditure in Scotland for 1988–89 to 1992–93 and the estimated gross expenditure for 1993–94 on fund holding for general practitioners; what was the component assigned to laboratory services at constant prices; and if he will provide a breakdown by regional health authority.

  Mr. Stewart
  There were no operational fund holders in Scotland prior to 1991–92. In that year, gross expenditure by general practitioner fund holders was £8·19 million.

  Details of gross expenditure for 1992–93 are not yet available as the audit of annual accounts for that period has not yet been completed. Estimates of gross expenditure for 1993–94 cannot be given at this stage due to the possibility of further fund holders joining the scheme in mid year. Information on the element of this gross expenditure assigned to laboratory services is not available centrally.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what powers he has, and what further steps he is taking, to enforce quality standards on laboratory services in line with the recommendations provided by the Scottish Home and Health Department to regional health authorities; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what information he has on laboratory services in Scotland which are not accredited with CPA (UK) Ltd.; and if he will list them by regional health authority;

  (3) which of the regional health authorities have external quality assurance checks for cervical screening; and what percentage of cervical examinations are subject to such external quality assurance checks;

  (4) what was the total gross expenditure in Scotland for 1988–89 to 1991–92 on national external quality assurance schemes for laboratory tests; and how much expenditure was incurred within each regional health authority;

  (5) what steps he is taking to ensure that all laboratory tests for cervical screening are subject to external quality assurance checks;

  (6) what is the total gross expenditure for 1992–93 on (a) cervical screening and (b) external quality assurance checks for cervical screening; and if he will provide a breakdown by regional health authority;

  (7) what guidance is offered by the Scottish Home and Health Department to regional health authorities regarding the quality standards of providers of laboratory services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial allocations he has made to health boards for general practitioners fund holding for laboratory services at constant prices for 1993–94; and if he will provide a breakdown by regional health authority.
  972
  Mr. Stewart
  The allocation of financial hospital and community health services, including laboratory services, to fund-holding general practices is a matter for the relevant health board. This finance comes from their general allocation for hospital and community health services.

  No information on the portion of the fund holder's allocation from the board attributable to laboratory services is available centrally.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many Arctic fox are present on licensed mink farms currently operating in Scotland;

  (2) if he will give details of the numbers of mink farms in Scotland over the past 10 years;

  (3) what is the size and location of each mink farm currently operating in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letters to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the mink factory farm at Appin in Scotland is currently licensed to keep mink; whether mink are currently present; and whether the farm was licensed to keep mink in September and October 1992.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Power>
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what extension he has approved to the notional life of Scottish Nuclear's advanced gas-cooled reactor power stations; and what effect this extension will have on the annual provisions made by Scottish Nuclear to fund decommissioning and other nuclear liabilities.

  Mr. Stewart
  It is the responsibility of Scottish Nuclear to take a view on the notional life of its power stations, and to satisfy the nuclear installations inspectorate regarding safety and other licensing requirements. The effect of the extension to the notional life of Torness power station is to increase the time over which the company make charges against revenue in order to accumulate the provisions necessary to meet future liabilities; this has the effect of reducing the annual charge.

  Fishing
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response has been made to the report and representations made by the chairman of the Sea Fish Industry Authority to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro), regarding the outcome of a recent seminar held in Inverness on the subject of several orders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Astronomy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with learned body authorities about the agreements on astronomy involving the United States of America, Canada, Chile, other south American countries and the United Kingdom relating to the Gemini project of two optical infra red telescopes, one in the Nauna Kec site in Hawaii, and the other in Sierra Non in Chile.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The proposal is an inter-agency agreement involving participation by the Science and Engineering research council. The research councils are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in the process of the appointment of an Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the spent fuel emplaced in the proposed Torness dry store is to be managed and disposed of after the planned period of storage.

  Mr. Stewart
  A public inquiry into the proposed dry store at Torness has been held. The reporter has not yet produced his report of that inquiry. Meantime, I understand from evidence led by Scottish Nuclear at the inquiry that no decision has yet been taken on the proposed longer-term management and disposal of the spent fuel.

  Health Expenditure
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total gross allocation to Scotland for health expenditure in the year 1993–94; and if he will publish a breakdown of(a) the revenue and capital allocation components of the gross total, (b) of the final allocation for practice team staff and premises and (c) the total gross allocation, the revenue and capital components of it and the final allocation for practice team staff and premises for each of the regional health authorities.

  Mr. Stewart
  The total gross allocation to Scotland for health expenditure in the year 1993–94 is £3,923 million comprising £3,754 million revenue and £169 million capital. The final allocation for practice team staff and premises will be £58·8 million. The total gross allocation, the revenue and capital components of it and the allocation to date for practice team staff and premises for each health board is as follows:

  £ million

  Health board

  Revenue

  Capital

  Practice team staff and premises

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  204·0

  13·5

  4·1

  221·6

  Ayrshire and Arran

  161·7

  1·6

  3·8

  167·1

  Borders

  51·7

  3·6

  1·0

  56·3

  Dumfries and Galloway

  73·4

  3·2

  1·8

  78·4

  974

  Health board

  Revenue

  Capital

  Practice team staff and premises

  Total

  Fife

  150·7

  6·6

  3·5

  160·8

  Forth Valley

  121·1

  6·8

  2·7

  130·6

  Grampian

  235·9

  0·5

  6·1

  242·5

  Greater Glasgow

  522·9

  26·6

  10·5

  560·0

  Highland

  98·4

  5·9

  2·8

  107·1

  Lanarkshire

  230·3

  8·8

  4·3

  243·4

  Lothian

  363·5

  22·1

  9·4

  395·0

  Orkney

  10·6

  1·4

  0·2

  12·2

  Shetland

  12·0

  2·3

  0·2

  14·5

  Tayside

  211·4

  11·2

  5·5

  228·1

  Western Isles

  18·6

  1·5

  0·7

  20·8

  State Hospital

  12·3

  4·1

  —

  16·4

  Total

  2,478·5

  119·7

  56·6

  2,654·8

  The remaining £1,268·2 million is mainly for expenditure on family health services but also on centrally financed and other specific services. These costs are met as they arise during the year.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future organisation of Caledonian MacBrayne.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave to him on 10 June 1993 at column 277.

  Scottish Nuclear
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the guarantees made to Scottish Nuclear under schedule 12 to the Electricity Act 1989 are reflected in(a) Scottish Nuclear's accounts and (b) public sector accounts.

  Mr. Stewart
  The treatment of the guarantees made to Scottish Nuclear under schedule 12 to the Electricity Act 1989 are described in notes 4 and 15 to Scottish Nuclear's annual report and accounts for 1992–93. As far as public sector accounts are concerned, the schedule 12 guarantee is treated as a contingent liability.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make public the detailed engineering and economic assessment of the relative merits of dry storage and reprocessing made by Scottish Nuclear in 1991, with the removal of commercially sensitive material if necessary.

  Mr. Stewart
  Scottish Nuclear provided engineering assessments of the proposed dry storage at Torness at the recent public inquiry into the proposal. The company also made statements at the inquiry about the economic cases for dry storage as opposed to reprocessing. This will be reflected in the report of the public inquiry. Any more detailed economic assessment would be commercially confidential.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, columns 647–48, whether his Department

  975
  maintains a register of the interests of chairpersons or board members of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department.

  Mr. Lang
  No.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Lang
  The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 does not apply to any of the non-departmental public bodies for which I am responsible. Non-departmental public bodies are not required to hold meetings in public and do not normally do so. Health boards are covered by the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. NHS trusts are not covered by the Act, but are required to hold one public meeting each year.

  Racially Motivated Incidents
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the monitoring and reporting of racially motivated incidents and crimes on the same basis as in England and Wales.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Quangos
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) former hon. Members of this House, (b) former Members of the European Parliament, (c) candidates at any parliamentary election since 1983 and (d) spouses of hon. Members, Members of the European Parliament, former hon. Members of Parliament or former Members of the European Parliament who have been appointed since January 1987 by his Department to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations, health boards or NHS hospital trusts; and if he will list in each case the title of the post, the salary, the duration of the appointment and the party which each former Member, former MEP, or candidate represented.

  Mr. Lang
  The information held centrally by my Department does not show whether appointees were former hon. Members of this House, former Members of the European Parliament, candidates at any parliamentary election or the spouse of an hon. Member, former hon. Member or former Member of the European Parliament. As far as I am aware, the only appointee to a Scottish Office body listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies" who is the spouse of an hon. Member of the House is Mrs. Kathleen Dalyell, wife of the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell). She is a member of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland and her appointment runs from 1 June 1992 to 31 December 1996; it is unsalaried. Mrs. Deirdre Hutton, wife of the former MEP for the South of Scotland, is a member of the Parole Board for Scotland. Her appointment runs from 1 June 1993. It is unsalaried, but a fee is paid.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of individuals who(a) are spouses of hon. Members, (b) are members of the
  976
  House of Lords, (c) are spouses of members of the House of Lords and (d) have been party candidates for Parliament, indicating for which party, who have been appointed since 1987 to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations, giving in each case the title of the post, any salary payable and the duration of the appointment.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The information covers the Scottish Office bodies listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". The information is at 1 September 1992 and does not include appointments as justices of the peace, appointments to children's panels or appointments which expired before that date, details of which are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The information on appointments which I make is as follows:

  (a) Mrs. Kathleen Dalyell, wife of the hon. Member for Linlithgow, is, as far as I am aware, the only spouse of a Member of the House who currently holds an appointment to a Scottish Office non-departmental public body. She is a member of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland and her present appointment commenced on 1 June 1992 and runs to 31 December 1996; Mrs. Joan Mackenzie, widow of the former hon. Member for Rutherglen, is a member of the Greater Glasgow health board. Her appointment runs from 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1997. Health board members receive remuneration of £5,000 per annum.

  (b) the following members of the House of Lords hold appointments on Scottish Office bodies: Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden is a member of the board of trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland; his appointment runs from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1994. The right hon. the Lord Cameron of Lochbroom is a member of the Edinburgh new town conservation committee; his appointment runs from 1 February 1991 to 31 January 1996. Lord Goold is a member of the Scottish hospital endowment research trust; his appointment runs from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1996. Viscount Thurso is a member of the Central Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace (Scotland). His appointment runs from 30 May 1991 to 15 May 1995. The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres is chairman of the board of trustees of the National Library of Scotland. The appointment runs from 14 November 1990. Baroness Carnegy of Lour was a member of the Scottish Economic Council until 31 January 1993.

  Until his death recently, the Marquess of Bute was chairman of the trustees of the National Museums of Scotland. All the above appointments are or were unsalaried;

  (c) the only spouse of a member of the House of Lords holding appointment to a Scottish Office body is Lady Sanderson, wife of Lord Sanderson of Bowden, who is a member of Borders health board. Health board members receive remuneration of £5,000 per annum.

  (d) since information on the political affiliations of appointees is not held centrally, I have no record of appointees who may have been parliamentary candidates.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the former hon. Members of the House who have been appointed since 1987 to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations; and
  977
  if he will list in each case the title of the post, the salary, the duration of the appointment and the party which each represented as an hon. Member.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: No former Members of Parliament who ceased to be Members of the House in 1987 and 1992 currently hold appointments on bodies for which my Department has responsibility.

  The information held centrally by my Department does not show whether appointees were Members of this House during earlier Parliaments.

  Royal Artillery Range, Balivanich
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evaluation he has made of the survey by Highlands and Islands Enterprise of the economic impact of the Royal Artillery range in Balivanich upon the Western Isles economy; and if he will commission a similar survey of the social and economic impact of closure of the range.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The survey by Highlands and Islands Enterprise which was carried out with the full co-operation of the Army confirmed the important role which the Royal Artillery range Hebrides plays in the economic and social structure of the islands of Benbecula and North and South Uist. There are at present no plans to commission further studies.

  Forestry
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that public access will be maintained to any forests which may be privatised.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 1 July to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley),Official Report, column 611, whether the environmental policies referred to include environmental and recreational benefits in the Forestry Commission estate.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: I shall write to my hon. Friend and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will invite the Forestry Commission to produce a national forestry strategy combining the principles of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development with domestic forestry policy.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: Shortly after the Earth summit, the Prime Minister announced the Government's decision to publish a national plan for the implementation of the statement of forest principles agreed at Rio. The plan will cover both domestic forestry policy and the United Kingdom's interests in forestry overseas. It is being prepared by the Forestry Commission with the assistance of the other departments whose responsibilities are affected.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what area of woodlands and forests presently 978
  owned and managed by the Forestry Commission and not designated as a site of special scientific interest or national nature reserve is subject to management for nature conservation benefits by Forestry Enterprise.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The Forestry Commission manages all its forests and woodlands to enhance their nature conservation value.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the criteria which are relevant in determining whether or not a forestry scheme requires an environmental assessment;

  (2) if he will instruct the forestry authority to seek environmental assessments for forestry schemes on sites adjacent to or in the vicinity of sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The criteria for determining whether the Forestry Commissioners should require an environmental assessment are set out in the Environmental Assessment (Afforestation) Regulations 1988, a copy of which is held in the Library.

  Under the regulations, the commissioners already have the power to require an environmental assessment for an afforestation scheme adjacent to or in the vicinity of sites of special scientific interest if in their view the scheme is likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by county, those forest areas in Scotland currently available for sale to the private sector.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much Forestry Commission land has been placed on the market for sale during the past 10 years but has not in the event been sold; and what is his estimate of the value of this land.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Rating
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether rateable values have been harmonised to bring Scotland into line with England and Wales; and if he will provide details.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list those types of hereditaments where assessment of rateable values has not been harmonised to bring Scotland into line with rateable values in England;

  (2) what powers he has to give direction to assessors in Scotland as to the assessment of the hereditaments for rating purposes; and what exercise has been made of such powers.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member.
  979
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he expects to receive following the 1995 revaluation in respect of(a) hotels, (b) chemical plants, (c) fabrication yards and (d) airports.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Housing Associations
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of housing association tenants were in receipt of housing benefits in each year since 1987 in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 July 1993]: This information is not collected centrally.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to provide in Scotland funding equivalent to that provided in England under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 5 July 1993]: Scottish needs have been taken into account in setting the level of aggregate external finance given to local authorities.

  Laser Treatment
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) to what extent laser treatment of the eyeball to restore normal vision is available within the NHS in Scotland; and what plans he has to provide the service universally;

  (2) what estimate he has made of the (a) capital and (b) revenue cost of providing laser treatment of eyeballs in each health board area.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 19 July 1993]: I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Colorectal Surgery
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the average waiting time for routine colorectal surgery at each hospital where it is offered; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what measures he is taking to ensure that waiting times for colorectal surgery are within guidelines promised by the patients charter.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 19 July 1993]: I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he intends to use to ensure that waiting lists do not grow for medical treatments that have been identified as efficient by health boards.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 19 July 1993]: I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Patients
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to ensure that patients are given firm advance notice of the date when routine surgical procedures are to be carried out.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 19 July 1993]: I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Patients (Transport)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice or guidelines he has given to NHS trusts concerning specifications of contracts for ambulance services and transport services for patients and the minimum levels of training and skills required for such personnel.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: None. The ambulance and transport services for patients provided to NHS trusts in Scotland are covered by service level agreements with the Scottish ambulance service. These agreements specify standards of service and training of personnel.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS trusts have one or more contracts with private operators for ambulance or patient transport services.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: None.

  Council Tax
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his latest estimate of the number of band D equivalents in each council tax band in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole; and if he will make a statement;

  what is his latest estimate of the total number in each council tax band in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole of (i) dwellings, (ii) exempt dwellings, (iii) chargeable dwellings which are subject to a disabled reduction, (iv) chargeable dwellings which are entitled to a single discount for the purposes of council tax, (v) chargeable dwellings which are entitled to two discounts for the purposes of council tax and (vi) total equivalent number of dwellings after discount exemptions and disabled relief; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is his latest estimate of the number of dwellings on the valuation list in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The available information is set out in the table. Updated estimates will be available in the autumn. These will give, for the first time, information, by band, on numbers of exempt dwellings, dwellings which are subject to disabled reduction, and dwellings receiving single discounts and two discounts.
  981

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  Tax proportion

  Dwellings

  Band D equivalent

  Dwellings

  Band D equivalent

  Band A

  6

  311,874

  207,916

  588,607

  392,405

  Band B

  7

  237,648

  184,837

  570,284

  443,554

  Band C

  8

  145,646

  129,463

  330,040

  293,369

  Band D

  9

  99,244

  99,244

  234,530

  234,530

  Band E

  11

  91,087

  110,229

  232,051

  283,618

  Band F

  13

  41,497

  59,940

  112,868

  163,032

  Band G

  15

  27,361

  45,602

  78,449

  130,748

  Band H

  18

  2,695

  5,390

  10,088

  20,176

  Total

  956,152

  842,621

  2,156,917

  1,961,432

  The number of dwellings expressed is determined by multiplying the number of dwellings in the band by the ratio of the tax proportion for the band to the proportion for band D.

  Youth Unemployment
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many 16 and 17-year-olds in(a) the Greenock travel-to-work area, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole are currently without a job, a place in higher education or a place on a training scheme.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993] This information is not available in the form requested. The table shows the numbers of young people aged 17 and under who are unemployed and claiming benefit at employment service offices as at April 1993 in the Greenock travel-to-work area, Strathclyde and Scotland:

  Unemployed and claiming benefit as at April 1993

  Aged under 17

  Aged 17

  Greenock travel-to-work area

  11

  38

  Strathclyde Region

  518

  1,204

  Scotland

  937

  2,202

  Paediatrics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultant paediatricians and senior registrars specialising in paediatrics are in post in hospitals in each of the health boards.

  Number of Consultants and Senior Registrars in Paediatric specialties by health board and country of qualification; as at 30 September 1992

  Health Board

  Grade and county of qualifaction

  Consultant

  Senior Registrar

  Scotland

  UK

  Other EC

  Non-EC

  Scotland

  UK

  Non-EC

  Argyll and Clyde

  4

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ayrshire and Arran

  5

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Borders

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  4

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Forth Valley

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian

  6

  12

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  Greater Glasgow

  13

  22

  1

  5

  5

  6

  —

  Highland

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Lanarkshire

  4

  4

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian

  14

  24

  —

  1

  3

  6

  —

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  6

  9

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  982
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The numbers in whole-time equivalents as at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which information is available, are shown in the table.

  Hospital consultants and senior registrars in paediatric specialities (Whole time equivalents) by health board as at 30 September 1992

  Consultants

  Senior registrars

  Argyll and Clyde

  4·0

  ·

  Ayrshire and Arran

  5·0

  —

  Borders

  2·0

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2·0

  —

  Fife

  4·0

  —

  Forth Valley

  3·0

  —

  Grampian

  10·3

  1·6

  Greater Glasgow

  23·6

  6·0

  Highland

  2·0

  0·6

  Lanarkshire

  4·0

  —

  Lothian

  19·2

  4·6

  Orkney

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  Tayside

  8·9

  1·2

  Western Isles

  —

  —

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

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The information is set out in the table.
  983
  Notes:

  1. Paediatric specialties include medical paediatrics, surgical paediatrics and community child health.

  2. Information collected centrally records only the main specialty of a doctor. No information is therefore available on the number of doctors who work in paediatrics but for whom this specialty constitutes an area of 'special interest' (second specialty).

  Dr. Godman
  To ask Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacant posts of consultant paediatricians have been notified by each of the health boards 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. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: Information on vacant posts is available centrally only if an established post has been vacant for a period of at least six months during the year ending 30 September. For the years ending September 1989 to September 1992, only one such vacancy for consultant paediatrician was notified; it was in Greater Glasgow health board in the year ending 30 September 1991. No information is available centrally for the year ending 30 September 1988.

  Table 1

  Midwifery staff by gender and health board at 30 September 1987

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Qualified

  3,954

  358

  278

  91

  143

  202

  215

  394

  693

  262

  361

  429

  32

  31

  393

  72

  Female

  3,950

  358

  276

  91

  143

  202

  215

  394

  693

  262

  361

  428

  32

  31

  392

  72

  Whole-time

  2,497

  207

  160

  68

  92

  93

  141

  252

  488

  158

  200

  307

  26

  28

  239

  38

  Part-time

  1,453

  151

  116

  23

  51

  109

  74

  142

  205

  104

  161

  121

  6

  3

  153

  34

  Male

  4

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Whole-time

  4

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  In training

  992

  72

  61

  0

  25

  52

  75

  79

  253

  27

  87

  187

  0

  0

  74

  0

  Female

  984

  72

  61

  0

  24

  51

  75

  79

  251

  27

  86

  186

  0

  0

  72

  0

  Whole-time

  984

  72

  61

  0

  24

  51

  75

  79

  251

  27

  86

  186

  0

  0

  72

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  8

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Whole-time

  8

  0

  0

  0

  1

  I

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unqualified

  1,373

  176

  94

  4

  40

  73

  81

  103

  343

  40

  114

  197

  4

  2

  102

  0

  Female

  1,372

  176

  94

  4

  40

  73

  81

  103

  343

  39

  114

  197

  4

  2

  102

  0

  Whole-time

  374

  33

  16

  3

  3

  5

  23

  21

  128

  12

  57

  44

  0

  1

  28

  0

  Part-time

  998

  143

  78

  1

  37

  68

  58

  82

  215

  27

  57

  153

  4

  1

  74

  0

  Male

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Table 2

  Midwifery staff by gender and health board at 31 March 1988

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Qualified

  3,988

  367

  295

  91

  144

  198

  219

  402

  706

  268

  355

  441

  30

  29

  375

  68

  Female

  3,985

  367

  294

  91

  144

  198

  219

  402

  706

  268

  355

  440

  30

  29

  374

  68

  Whole-time

  2,499

  200

  173

  69

  90

  93

  149

  256

  492

  158

  193

  316

  22

  25

  227

  36

  Part-time

  1,486

  167

  121

  22

  54

  105

  70

  146

  214

  110

  162

  124

  8

  4

  147

  32

  Male

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Whole-time

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  In training

  999

  73

  59

  0

  28

  51

  75

  78

  252

  28

  83

  193

  0

  0

  79

  0

  Female

  989

  73

  59

  0

  27

  50

  74

  78

  249

  28

  81

  193

  0

  0

  77

  0

  Whole-time

  987

  73

  58

  0

  27

  50

  74

  78

  249

  28

  80

  193

  0

  0

  77

  0

  Part-time

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  10

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Whole-time

  10

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unqualified

  1,341

  177

  93

  4

  41

  71

  79

  103

  336

  42

  100

  192

  4

  2

  97

  0

  Female

  1,340

  177

  93

  4

  41

  71

  79

  103

  336

  41

  100

  192

  4

  2

  97

  0

  Whole-time

  353

  34

  16

  3

  3

  5

  20

  21

  123

  11

  46

  44

  0

  1

  26

  0

  Part-time

  987

  143

  77

  1

  38

  66

  59

  82

  213

  30

  54

  148

  4

  1

  71

  0

  Male

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Midwifery
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) female and (b) male midwifery staff, full-time and part-time, employed by each of the health boards in each of the past six years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The available information is shown in the tables and includes staff working in hospitals and in the community; community staff whose combined duties cover midwifery are also included. Midwives on senior nurse or teaching grades cannot be identified by specialty and are therefore not included.
  985

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Whole-time

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Table 3

  Midwifery staff by gender and health board at 30 September 1989

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Qualified

  3,996

  364

  267

  106

  140

  200

  208

  407

  716

  300

  342

  446

  28

  33

  363

  74

  Female

  3,994

  364

  267

  108

  140

  200

  208

  407

  715

  300

  342

  445

  28

  33

  363

  74

  Whole-time

  2,566

  201

  156

  86

  93

  102

  136

  258

  526

  176

  192

  323

  23

  24

  231

  39

  Part-time

  1,428

  163

  111

  22

  47

  98

  72

  149

  189

  124

  150

  122

  5

  9

  132

  35

  Male

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  In training

  910

  64

  57

  0

  29

  53

  58

  68

  242

  28

  81

  178

  0

  0

  52

  0

  Female

  906

  64

  57

  0

  29

  53

  58

  68

  242

  28

  79

  177

  0

  0

  51

  0

  Whole-time

  906

  64

  57

  0

  29

  53

  58

  68

  242

  28

  79

  177

  0

  0

  51

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Whole-time

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unqualified

  1,180

  160

  82

  21

  39

  67

  69

  97

  323

  39

  79

  107

  4

  2

  91

  0

  Female

  1,180

  160

  82

  21

  39

  67

  69

  97

  323

  39

  79

  107

  4

  2

  91

  0

  Whole-time

  308

  31

  16

  9

  3

  5

  17

  18

  128

  10

  27

  21

  0

  1

  22

  0

  Part-time

  872

  129

  66

  12

  36

  62

  52

  79

  195

  29

  52

  86

  4

  1

  69

  0

  Male

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Table 4

  Midwifery staff by gender and health board at 30 September 1990

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Qualified

  4,053

  375

  271

  101

  159

  204

  220

  420

  709

  289

  346

  444

  29

  34

  383

  69

  Female

  4,047

  375

  271

  101

  159

  203

  220

  419

  708

  289

  344

  444

  29

  34

  382

  69

  Whole-time

  2,549

  203

  149

  79

  96

  97

  137

  261

  525

  167

  194

  326

  24

  25

  231

  35

  Part-time

  1,498

  172

  122

  22

  63

  106

  83

  158

  183

  122

  150

  118

  5

  9

  151

  34

  Male

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Whole-time

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  In training

  781

  51

  55

  0

  23

  48

  51

  65

  174

  27

  73

  167

  0

  0

  47

  0

  Female

  779

  51

  54

  0

  23

  47

  51

  65

  174

  27

  73

  167

  0

  0

  47

  0

  Whole-time

  777

  51

  54

  0

  23

  47

  51

  65

  172

  27

  73

  167

  0

  0

  47

  0

  Part-time

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  2>

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unqualified

  1,129

  146

  80

  21

  39

  61

  56

  103

  304

  37

  78

  107

  4

  2

  91

  0

  Female

  1,129

  146

  80

  21

  39

  61

  56

  103

  304

  37

  78

  107

  4

  2

  91

  0

  Whole-time

  277

  27

  17

  9

  4

  2

  10

  17

  117

  8

  25

  21

  0

  1

  19

  0

  Part-time

  852

  119

  63

  12

  35

  59

  46

  86

  187

  29

  53

  86

  4

  1

  72

  0

  Male

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Table 5

  Midwifery staff by gender and health board at 30 September 1991

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Qualified

  4,215

  399

  288

  96

  164

  213

  233

  431

  762

  311

  347

  449

  29

  36

  396

  61

  Female

  4,211

  399

  288

  96

  164

  213

  232

  431

  761

  311

  345

  449

  29

  36

  396

  61

  Whole-time

  2,562

  210

  165

  80

  91

  100

  135

  250

  505

  187

  195

  323

  23

  26

  244

  28

  Part-time

  1,649

  189

  123

  16

  73

  113

  97

  181

  256

  124

  150

  126

  6

  10

  152

  33

  Male

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  986 987

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  In training

  657

  46

  59

  0

  26

  32

  47

  60

  98

  25

  60

  142

  0

  0

  62

  0

  Female

  654

  45

  58

  0

  26

  32

  46

  60

  98

  25

  60

  142

  0

  0

  62

  0

  Whole-time

  652

  45

  56

  0

  26

  32

  46

  60

  98

  25

  60

  142

  0

  0

  62

  0

  Part-time

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unqualified

  1,198

  143

  80

  22

  34

  69

  71

  106

  309

  38

  80

  157

  4

  2

  81

  2

  Female

  1,198

  143

  80

  22

  34

  69

  71

  106

  309

  38

  80

  157

  4

  2

  81

  2

  Whole-time

  315

  30

  16

  8

  3

  3

  15

  21

  126

  8

  24

  39

  0

  1

  19

  2

  Part-time

  883

  113

  64

  14

  31

  66

  56

  85

  183

  30

  56

  118

  4

  1

  62

  0

  Male

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Table 6

  Midwifery staff by gender and health board at 30 September 1992

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  Qualified

  4,313

  420

  272

  101

  157

  220

  299

  452

  732

  313

  345

  463

  27

  33

  420

  59

  Female

  4,304

  419

  272

  101

  157

  219

  297

  452

  730

  313

  343

  463

  27

  33

  419

  59

  Whole-time

  2,502

  208

  147

  80

  82

  95

  132

  247

  509

  181

  187

  317

  23

  25

  242

  27

  Part-time

  1,802

  211

  125

  21

  75

  124

  165

  205

  221

  132

  156

  146

  4

  8

  177

  32

  Male

  9

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Whole-time

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Part-time

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  In training

  516

  31

  51

  0

  25

  26

  29

  66

  63

  25

  31

  124

  0

  0

  45

  0

  Female

  512

  31

  51

  0

  24

  26

  28

  66

  63

  24

  31

  123

  0

  0

  45

  0

  Whole-time

  511

  31

  50

  0

  24

  26

  28

  66

  63

  24

  31

  123

  0

  0

  45

  0

  Part-time

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  4

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole-time

  4

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unqualified

  1,210

  133

  75

  21

  26

  66

  70

  114

  350

  38

  73

  149

  4

  2

  87

  2

  Female

  1,205

  133

  75

  21

  26

  66

  70

  114

  346

  38

  73

  149

  4

  2

  86

  2

  Whole-time

  324

  29

  11

  7

  3

  3

  13

  22

  145

  8

  23

  38

  0

  1

  19

  2

  Part-time

  881

  104

  64

  14

  23

  63

  57

  92

  201

  30

  50

  111

  4

  1

  67

  0

  Male

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Whole-time

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Part-time

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Students on 19921 programmes in midwifery

  121

  14

  14

  0

  0

  11

  20

  0

  18

  0

  20

  9

  0

  0

  15

  0

  Female

  120

  14

  14

  0

  0

  11

  19

  0

  18

  0

  20

  9

  0

  0

  15

  0

  Male

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Student midwife data are as at 31 October 1992; some students are not funded directly by health boards and all are shown by geographical location of their College.

  Labour Statistics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in(a) the Greenock travel-to-work area, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland have been unemployed for 12 months or longer.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]The latest Employment Department figures show that in April 1993 the number of claimants unemployed for 12 months or more in the Greenock travel-to-work area, Strathclyde and Scotland was 2,019, 50,853 and 86,591 respectively.

  Scottish Arts Council
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what recent discussions he has held with the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council concerning the role of the 988
  council in relation to the determination of such moneys which may come its way from the national lottery; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what recent discussions he has held with the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council concerning the council's role and functions; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what recent discussions he has held with the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council concerning (a) the future size and composition of the membership of the council and (b) regional representation on the council; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Inverclyde Enterprise Zone
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his intention to apply for European structural funds for the proposed development at the Parklea (Kelburn) site in the Inverclyde enterprise zone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 19931 A decision on whether to apply for structural funds assistance for the proposed development is a matter for the project sponsor or sponsors.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what environmental assessment has been undertaken on the proposed development at the Parklea (Kelburn) site in the Inverclyde enterprise zone; what is the impact of the proposals in Parklea on the wildlife conservation value of the site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 19931 A lengthy study was conducted by Paisley college to assess the possible effect of reclamation of the Parklea site on its wildlife, and in particular its birdlife. The hon. Member can obtain a copy of the report, should he wish to do so, from Inverclyde district council.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Parklea (Kelburn) site in the Inverclyde enterprise zone is designated as having any wildlife conservation interest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 July 19931 The foreshore at the Parklea (Kelburn) site is part of the Erskine-Langbank site of special scientific interest which was notified by the Nature Conservancy Council on 29 October 1984 in respect of the ornithological interest of the area. The site of special scientific interest forms part of the section of the inner Clyde estuary which was proposed by the council for designation as a special protection area by my right hon. Friend under the EC directive on the conservation of wild birds—79/409/EEC—and as a site under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance.

  Witnesses (Video Links)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many cases at the sheriff court and the High Court video link equipment has been employed in order to allow for the examination of child witnesses outwith the court in each of the past three years; in which courts these trials took place; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: Section 56 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 which provides for the giving of evidence by a child by live television links came into force on 30 September 1991 and had been used in 16 cases up to 1 June 1993 the latest date for which figures are available. The table sets out the courts in which the trials took place by year:

  11991

  1992

  21993

  High Court, Edinburgh

  0

  3

  1

  High Court, Glasgow

  0

  5

  4

  Sheriff Court, Edinburgh

  0

  0

  1

  Sheriff Court, Glasgow

  0

  1

  1

  1 October to December.

  2 January to May.

  Child Witnesses
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases at the sheriff court and the High Court 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.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 July 1993.]I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign arid Commonwealth Affairs when he last met President Clerides of Cyprus; what subjects were discussed; when he next expects to meet him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, together with the Prime Minister, last met President Clerides on 23 March. Discussion included the UN-sponsored inter-communal talks, the application of Cyprus to join the EC, and arrangements for Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting—CHOGM. The next confirmed meeting with President Clerides is at CHOGM in October, although an opportunity may arise sooner.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage the British high commissioner to Cyprus to seek visits into the occupied northern area of Cyprus of British hon. Members who may be visiting the island; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  As a courtesy to visiting parliamentarians, our high commissioner in Nicosia offers to arrange appointments with members of either Cypriot community or both. It is our policy to maintain contacts with both communities.

  Treaties
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the treaties signed by Her Majesty's Government in 1992, giving for each treaty the date of signature and the date on which instruments of ratification were deposited, where appropriate.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The treaties signed by Her Majesty's Government in 1992 are listed in the table.

  Two of these have been ratified. An instrument of ratification for protocol No. 10 of the convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms was deposited on 9 March 1993 and instruments of ratification for the convention on social security with Barbados were exchanged at London on 27 February 1992.
  991

  Multi-lateral treaties

  Instrument and Title

  Date of United Kingdom signature

  European Convention on the Protection of the Archeological Heritage (revised). Signed at Valletta on 16 January 1992.

  16 January 1992

  Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level. Signed at Strasbourg 5 February 1992.

  5 February 1992

  Treaty on European Union. Signed at Maastricht 7 February 1992.

  7 February 1992

  Onchocerciasis Fund Agreement 1992. Signed at Washington 25 February 1992.

  25 February 1992

  Convention on the Protection and the Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. Signed at Helsinki 18 March 1992.

  18 March 1992

  Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents. Signed at Helsinki 17 March 1992.

  18 March 1992

  Treaty on Open Skies. Signed at Helsinki 24 March 1992.

  24 March 1992

  Protocol No. 10 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Signed at Strasbourg 25 March 1992

  25 March 1992

  Instrument of Ratification deposited on 9 March 1993.

  Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas. Signed at New York 17 March 1992.

  16 April 1992

  Agreement on the European Economic area with Protocols 1–49, Annexes I-XXII and Final Act. Signed at Oporto 2 May 1992.

  2 May 1992

  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Adopted at Nairobi 9 May 1992.

  12 June 1992

  Convention on Biological Diversity. Adopted at Nairobi 11 May 1992.

  12 June 1992

  Convention on the Accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations, opened for signature in Rome 19 June 1980. Signed at Funchal 18 May 1992.

  18 May 1992

  Convention on Revising the Convention setting up a European University Institute. Signed at Florence 18 June 1992.

  18 June 1992

  Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. Signed at Paris on 22 September 1992.

  3 November 1992

  European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. Signed at Strasbourg 2 October 1992.

  5 November 1992

  Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition of 13 December 1957. Signed at Strasbourg 17 March 1978.

  9 November 1992

  992

  Instrument and Title

  Date of United Kingdom signature

  Protocol of Accession of the Hellenic Republic to the Western European Union, with an Annex. Signed at Rome 20 November 1992.

  20 November 1992

  Protocol of 1992 to Amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969–with Final Act.

  27 November 1992

  Decision taken by Common Agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States on the location of the Seats of the Institutions and of Certain Bodies and Departments of the European Communities. Signed at Edinburgh 12 December 1992.

  12 December 1992

  Bilateral Treaties

  Instrument and Title

  Dates of Signature

  Argentina

  Agreement concerning Air Services.

  Buenos Aires 24 January 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Argentina Debt Agreement No. 3 (1989)).

  London 17 March 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Argentina Debt Agreement No. 4 (1991)).

  London 17 March 1992

  Australia

  Exchange of Notes amending the Agreement on Social Security signed at London on 1 October 1990.

  Canberra 22 April 1992

  Austria

  Second Supplementary Convention to the Convention on Social Security between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Austria.

  London 13 October 1992

  Barbados

  Convention on Social Security with Protocol

  London 7 January 1992

  Instrument of Ratification deposited on 27 February 1992.

  Bolivia

  Exchange of Notes amending the United Kingdom/Bolivia Loan No. 1 1973 (The United Kingdom/Bolivia Retrospective Terms Agreement 1992)).

  La Paz 14 April 1992 and 9 June 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Bolivia Debt Agreement No. 4 (1992)).

  La Paz 30 July 1992 and 8 September 1992

  Exchange of Notes extending the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments done at La Paz on 24 May 1988 to the Isle of Man, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bermuda and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey.

  La Paz 3 December 1992 and 9 December 1992

  993

  Instrument and Title

  Dates of Signature

  Bulgaria

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Bulgaria Debt Agreement No. 1 (1991).

  Sofia 30 September 1992 and 14 October 1992

  Burkina Faso

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Burkina Faso Debt Agreement No. 1 (1991)).

  Abidjan/ Ouagadougou 27 November 1991 and 13 January 1992

  Canada

  Exchange of Notes amending the Treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters signed at Ottawa on 22 June 1988.

  London 26 March 1992

  Colombia

  Exchange of Notes further amending the Air Services Agreement signed at Bogota on 16 October 1947.

  Bogota 16 December 1991 and 13 January 1992

  Costa Rica

  Exchange of Notes concerning the United Kingdom/Costa Rica Debt Rescheduling Agreement 1992.

  San Jose 16 November 1992 and 20 November 1992

  Cote D'Ivoire

  Agreement concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/Cote d'Ivoire Debt Agreement No. 6 (1991)).

  Abidjan 9 July 1992 and 30 July 1992

  Cyprus

  Exchange of Notes concerning the Berengaria Estate at Limassol.

  Nicosia 18 May 1992

  Ecuador

  Agreement concerning Mutual Assistance in relation to Drug Trafficking.

  Quito 7 May 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Ecuador Debt Agreement No. 5 (1992)).

  London 30 July 1992

  Estonia

  Exchange of Notes concerning the Settlement of Outstanding Claims and Financial Issues.

  Tallinn 26 March 1992

  Finland

  Exchange of Notes amending the Agreement for Air Services between and beyond their Respective Territories, done at London on 25 March 1965.

  Helsinki 13 April 1992 and 17 June 1992

  Exchange of Notes further amending the Convention on Social Security signed at London on 12 December 1978.

  London 14 October 1992

  France

  Exchange of Notes concerning the Activities of Fishermen in the vicinity of the Channel Islands and the French Coast of the Cotentin Peninsular and, in particular, on the Schole Bank.

  Paris 10 July 1992

  994

  Instrument and Title

  Dates of Signature

  Gabon

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Gabon Debt Agreement No. 4 (1991))

  Paris and Librevill 19 March 1992

  Grenada

  Exchange of Notes extending the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments done at London on 25 February 1988 to the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bermuda and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey.

  Bridgetown and St. George 16 July 1992 and 20 July 1992

  Guyana

  Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains.

  Georgetown 30 August 1992

  Exchange of Notes extending the Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement, 27 October 1989, to the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bermuda and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey.

  Georgetown 15 September 1992 and 22 September 1992

  Honduras

  Exchange of Notes concerning the United Kingdom/Honduras Retrospective Terms Adjustment Agreement 1992

  Tegucigalpa 31 August 1992

  Hungary

  Agreement on the Establishment of Activities of Cultural Centres.

  Budapest 11 March 1992

  Iceland

  Exchange of Notes amending the Convention on Social Security signed at Reykjavik on 25 August 1983.

  London 6 October 1992 and 26 October 1992

  India

  Extradition Treaty.

  London 22 September 1992

  Agreement concerning the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime and the Tracing, Restraint and Confiscation of the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime (including Crimes Involving Currency Transfer) and Terrorist Funds.

  London 22 September 1992

  Ireland

  Protocol Supplementary to the Agreement concerning the Delimitation of Areas of the Continental Shelf between the two countries signed at Dublin on 7 November 1988.

  Dublin 8 December 1992

  Japan

  Exchange of Notes further amending the Schedule annexed to the Air Services Agreement of 29 December 1952.

  Tokyo 29 May 1992

  Jordan

  Exchange of Notes amending the United Kingdom/Jordan Loan Agreement 1987.

  Amman 26 March 1992

  995

  Instrument and Title

  Dates of Signature

  Exchange of Notes consolidating Certain Loans made by the United Kingdom to Jordan (The United Kingdom/Jordan Rescheduling Agreement 1992).

  Amman 6 December 1992

  Lithuania

  Exchange of Notes concerning the Transfer of Gold from the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Lietuvos Bankas (The Bank of Lithuania).

  Vilnius 27 March 1992

  Miscellaneous

  Agreement between the Three Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of The Netherlands and the Government of the United States of America regarding the Establishment, Construction and Operation of a Uranium Enrichment Installation in the United States.

  Washington 24 July 1992

  Morocco

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Morocco Debt Agreement No. 6 (1992)).

  Rabat 1 September 1992 and 7 September 1992

  Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the Provisional Application of the Agreement on Relations in the Sea Fisheries Sector initialled in Brussels on 15 May 1992.

  Brussels 21 December 1992

  Agreement on Relations in the Sea Fisheries Sector.

  Brussels 21 December 1992

  The Netherlands

  Agreement relating to the Exploitation of the Markham Field Reservoirs and the Offtake of Petroleum therefrom.

  The Hague 26 May 1992

  Nicaragua

  Exchange of Notes amending the Treaty of Friendship Commerce and Navigation with Nicaragua signed at Managua on 28 July 1905.

  Managua 04 April 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning the United Kingdom/Nicaragua Debt Rescheduling Agreement 1992.

  Managua 07 October 1992 and 13 October 1992

  Exchange of Notes amending the Treaty of Friendship Commerce and Navigation with Nicaragua signed at Managua on 28 July 1905.

  Managua 09 April 1992

  Norway

  Exchange of Notes concerning the Proposed Export by British Nuclear Fuels plc to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Halden Reactor Project, Oslo, of Uranium Oxide Powder.

  Oslo 22 January 1992

  Exchange of Notes amending the convention on Social Security signed at Oslo on 19 June 1990.

  London 30 September 1992 and 05 November 1992

  996

  Instrument and Title

  Dates of Signature

  Peru

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Peru Debt Agreement No. 3 (1991)).

  London 17 September 1992

  Philippines

  Exchange of Notes concerning the United Kingdom Debt Rescheduling Agreement No. 1 1992.

  Manila 23 December 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning the United Kingdom/Philippines Debt Rescheduling Agreement No. 2 1992.

  Manila 23 December 1992

  Exchange of Notes concerning the United Kingdom/Philippines Debt Rescheduling Agreement No. 3 1992.

  Manila 23 December 1992

  Poland

  Exchange of Notes concerning the Abolition of Visas

  Warsaw 17 June 1992

  Russian Federation

  Exchange of Notes between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Vnescheconombank of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, concerning the Deferral of the Debt of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and its Successors, to Foreign Offical Creditors.

  London 05 June 1992

  Agreement on Economic Cooperation.

  London 9 November 1992

  Agreement on the Establishment of Direct Secure Telephone Links between 10 Downing Street in London and the Kremlin in Moscow.

  London 9 November 1992

  Treaty on the Principles of Relations.

  London 9 November 1992

  Senegal

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Senegal Debt Agreement No. 9 (1991)).

  Dakar 18 March 1992 and 9 April 1992

  South Africa

  Agreement for Air Services between and beyond their Respective Territories.

  London 11 August 1992

  Agreement concerning Mutual Assistance in Relation to Drug Trafficking.

  Pretoria 2 September 1992

  Sweden

  Exchange of Notes amending the Convention on Social Security signed at Stockholm on 29 June 1987.

  London 30 September 1992 and 20 October 1992

  Switzerland

  Exchange of Notes further Amending the Agreement for Air Services between and beyond their respective Territories, done at London on 5 April 1950.

  Berne 2 November 1992 and 23 November 1992

  997

  Instrument and Title

  Dates of Signature

  Tanzania

  Exchange of Notes concerning Certain commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/ Tanzania Debt Agreement No. 4 (1992)).

  Dar es Salaam 24 August 1992

  Uganda

  Convention for the Avoidance of double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains.

  Kampala 23 December 1992

  United Arab Emirates

  Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

  Dubai 8 December 1992

  United States of America

  Exchange of Notes amending the Agreement for Financing of certain Programmes of Educational and Cultural Exchange signed in London on 10 May 1965.

  London 11 September 1992 and 23 September 1992

  Exchange of Notes extending the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America concerning the Investigation of Drug Trafficking Offences and the Seizure and Forfeiture of Proceeds and Instrumentalities of Drug Trafficking, signed at London on 9 February 1988, to Gibraltar

  London 30 September 1992

  Exchange of Notes extending the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America concerning the Investigation of drug Trafficking Offences and the Seizure and Forfeiture of Proceeds and Instrumentalities of Drug Trafficking, signed at London on 9 February 1988, to the Isle of Man

  London 30 September 1992

  Uruguay

  Agreement on Legal Assistance in Relation to Drug Trafficking between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay

  Montevideo 23 January 1992

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the treaties to which Her Majesty's Government acceded in 1992, giving for each treaty the date on which instruments of accession were deposited.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We did not accede to any treaty in 1992.

  India
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Government of India to provide immediate free access to India without conditions to reputable international human rights organisations to investigate human rights violations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have been urging the Indian Government for some time to allow access by human 998
  rights organizations. We therefore welcome the recent decision of the Indian Government to allow certain human rights organizations to visit India and hope that such visits will take place in the near future.

  EC Committee of the Regions
  Mrs. Weing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will detail the ciriteria used in deciding the allocation of membership throughout the United Kingdom for the Committee of the Regions;

  (2) if he will detail the mechanisms to be observed for nomination and designation of membership of the European Community Committee of Regions;

  (3) if he will list the number of members to be allocated ato the European Committee of Regions for (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Of the 24 United Kingdom seats on the Committee of the Regions, 14 will be allocated to England, five to Scotland, three to Wales and two to Northern Ireland. This allocation will best meet the objectives for the Committee of the Regions, as set out in the treaty on European union.

  Nominations for England will be handled by the Secretary of State for the Environment and, for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, by the respective Secretaries of State.

  Northern Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records are kept of hon. Members who have visited northern Cyprus in the course of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There is no attempt at systematic or exhaustive monitoring of the movements of hon. Members.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he gives to hon. Members or delegations of hon. Members from the United Kingdom who visit Cyprus as to the advisability of visiting the occupied area of northern Cyprus during their visit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  As a courtesy to visiting parliamentarians, our high commissioner in Nicosia offers to arrange appointments with members of either Cypriot Community or both. It is our policy to maintain contacts with both communities.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is to be taken on the application made by Mrs. Jahan Ara Khan—Ref: IMM/B5808—at the post at Islamabad to join her husband in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the absence of any information about this case, I have asked the high commission in Islamabad for a full report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  EC Economic and Social Committee
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what nominations he has made to the European Community Economic and Social Committee to fill the vacancies which occurred during 1992.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Candidates have been selected to fill the vacancies which occurred last year and a further vacancy this year. The candidates have been informed of their nomination. Their details will shortly be passed to the Council secretariat for formal approval by the Council of Ministers.

  Recess Dates
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to which of the legislatures of the G7 countries operate a system of fixed recess dates.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States agree recess dates annually, but have a provision to extend or recall the legislature to meet urgent needs as required.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the annual report of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Copies of the foundation's first annual report were placed in the Library today.

  In its first 13 months, with funding of £1·2 million, the foundation supported about 140 projects in 32 countries, ranging from the provision of an adviser to the President of Albania to the training of Russian ex-army officers as social workers. The average cost of each project was £13,500. We welcome the diversity of the foundation's projects, and its commitment to continuous improvement in the already high degree of their cost-effectiveness.

  THORP
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international representations Her Majesty's Government have received from non-governmental organisations and individuals regarding potential proliferation and safety risks posed by the thermal oxide reprocessing plant facility at Sellafield.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have been asked to reply.

  Many of the responses from outside the United Kingdom to the public consultation on the draft authorisations for the Sellafield site mentioned these issues.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international security factors are to be taken into account in Her Majesty's Government's consideration of whether or not to commission the thermal oxide reprocessing plant for the manufacture of commercial domestic plutonium for sale in world markets.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In accordance with the House of Commons resolution of 28 June, Her Majesty's1000
  Governemnt has confidence in the non-proliferation arrangements that underlie THORP's work for overseas customers. Such arrangements include our obligations and those of our customers under the non-proliferation treaty and the nuclear suppliers group guidelines. We would allow the export of plutonium from reprocessing only if we had received satisfactory assurances that it would be used only for peaceful, non-explosive purposes.

  All shipments of plutonium from the United Kingdom will meet international requirements on safety, physical protection and safeguards for such exports.

  Secret Intelligence Service
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a brochure on the Secret Intelligence Service along the lines of the brochure recently published on the Security Service.

  Mr. Hurd
  Legislation will be brought forward during this Parliament to put the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ on a statutory footing. I cannot yet say what information we will make available on these agencies.

  Croatia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances her Majesty's Government will agree to the imposition of sanctions against the republic of Croatia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will consult EC Foreign Ministers with a view to the imposition of full economic and diplomatic sanctions against the republic of Croatia;

  (2) what effect action by the Croatian army against neighbouring states will have on diplomatic recognition and economic assistance to the republic of Croatia;

  (3) if Her Majesty's Government will sponsor a United Nations Security Council resolution leading to full economic and diplomatic sanctions against the republic of Croatia forthwith; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  European Community Foreign Ministers agreed on 19 July to consider the withdrawal of Croatia's preferential trade benefits with the Community in the light of Croatia's involvement in the conflict in Bosnia. Further measures against Croatia have not been ruled out, but are not at present under consideration.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from the United Nations of the presence of brigades of the regular Croatian army in the republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina; and whether such action will be treated as aggression by one state against another for the purpose of United Nations rules.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is evidence that Croatian Government forces are engaged in the conflict in Bosnia. European Community Foreign Ministers agreed on 19 July to consider the withdrawal of Croatian preferential trade benefits with the Community in the light of Croatia's involvement in the conflict in Bosnia.
  1001
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise with the German Foreign Minister the question of future sanctions against Croatia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed Croatia with Herr Kinkel on 15 July as well as during the meeting of EC Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 19 July. The subject is likely to arise again when he is next in touch with Herr Kinkel.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent to which the republic of Croatia has met the requirements set by the London conference; and what steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take to ensure that these obligations are met.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend the Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby, (Mr. Wareing) on 16 July,Official Report, column 688.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Herr Klaus Kinkel, German Foreign Minister, at the EC meeting of Foreign Ministers on 19 July in relation to Croatia and economic and diplomatic sanctions.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The question whether to withdraw the preferential trading benefits that Croatia enjoys with the European Community was discussed by all Foreign Ministers, including Herr Kinkel. It was agreed to consider the withdrawal of these benefits in the light of Croatian Government involvement in the fighting in Bosnia.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Croatian Government regarding the deportation by Bosnian-Croat forces of Bosnian Muslims to third nations.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No specific representations have been made. We have made repeatedly clear to the Croatian Government that they must use their influence with the Bosnian Croats to press for an end to the fighting and to prevent further atrocities, including forced movement of populations.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what plans Her Majesty's Government have made to take action against the republic of Croatia in the event of its continuing aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if Her Majesty's Government will oppose the imposition of sanctions against the republic of Croatia in the absence of a change of policy by the Croatian Government towards Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Bosnian Croats; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The international community continues to watch closely for further evidence of the involvement of Croatian Government forces in the fighting in Bosnia. Our policy will continue to be influenced by such reports. As Heads of Government at the Group of Seven summit in Tokyo on 7 to 9 July made clear, stronger measures against Croatia and Serbia cannot be excluded.
  1002
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to summon the Croatian ambassador or to send a demand to Zagreb in respect of Croatian army invasion of a neighbouring sovereign state.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have repeatedly raised with the Croatian authorities their involvement in the conflict in Bosnia, most recently on 21 July, when the Belgian Foreign Minister, Mr. Claes, as European Community President, saw President Tudjman in Zagreb.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has had from UN sources on joint action by Croatian Government and Bosnian Croat forces to displace Bosnian Muslims from around Mostar and the establishment of transit camps: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is evidence that Croatian Government forces are providing active support in Bosnia for the Bosnian Croat forces, including in the Mostar area.

  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 possible assistance by the Croatian Government in the forced deportation of Bosnian Muslims from Bosnia-Herzegovina; what requests have been made by Bosnian-Croat and Croatian Government officials to the UNHCR requesting assistance facilitating the deportation of Muslims from Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will publish the UNHCR's response.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No reports have been received from the UNHCR to date. But the UNHCR has undertaken to write to Her Majesty's Government detailing any such requests she has received. A copy of their letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the requirements for(a) the removal of sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and (b) the imposition of sanctions against the republic of Croatia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The conditions to be fulfilled by Serbia and Montenegro in order for sanctions to be lifted are spelt out in the relevant Security Council resolutions. There are no specific requirements for the imposition of sanctions, which must be judged in the light of circumstances. With respect to the possible imposition of sanctions on Croatia, European Community Foreign Ministers agreed on 19 July to consider the withdrawal of Croatia's preferential trade benefits with the Community in the light of Croatia's involvement in the conflict in Bosnia.

  Armenia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of the implementation by the republic of Armenia of the CSCE agreement calling for a 60-day ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Kelbadjn in Azerbaijan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  President Ter-Petrossian of Armenia has expressed his support for the CSCE plan and
  1003
  his willingness to co-operate both with the CSCE and the authorities in Baku to bring about its immediate implementation. Leaders of the local Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh have also agreed to the plan in principle. We have, however, noted with concern that local Armenian forces have apparently attacked and captured Agdam, which is Azerbaijani territory with an exclusively Azeri population. We deplore this escalation of the fighting. We have made clear that the CSCE plan must be implemented as soon as possible.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Government of the Republic of Armenia over the continued military attacks on Agdam and surrounding areas in violation of the recently signed ceasefire agreement negotiated by the CSCE.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are disturbed by reports that local Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh have taken advantage of the political uncertainty in Azerbaijan to launch a series of attacks. We note with concern that they have now apparently occupied Agdam, which is Azerbaijani territory with an exclusively Azeri population. We deplore this escalation of the fighting. We have made clear that fighting around Agdam, and elsewhere in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, must cease and that the CSCE peace plan must be implemented as soon as possible.

  Israel
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his German counterparts on the Arab trade boycott of Israel; and what plans he has for such discussions in the future.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The boycott was discussed with G7 colleagues, including the Germans, at the Tokyo summit, and the political declaration included a statement calling for its end. We have no plans to discuss this further with German colleagues.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legislative plans he has to prevent United Kingdom companies from complying with the Arab trade boycott of Israel.

  Mr. Needham
  I have been asked to reply.

  Her Majesty's Government have no plans for the introduction of legislation on the Arab boycott of Israel.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) of 16 July,Official Report, column 725, what his Department (a) has done and (b) intends to do in relation to Israel's membership of the Asian regional group at the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have made our views clear on this issue, and will continue to do so.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support Israel's admission to PREPCOM of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in the Hague; and if he will make a statement.
  1004
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Israel is already a member of the preparatory commission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons—OPCW—in The Hague. We welcome Israel's signature of the chemical weapons convention and participation in the OPCW PREPCOM. We are working with Israel and other signatory states for the speedy and effective implementation of the convention.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department(a) has done and (b) intends to do in ensuring the Arab states maintain their commitment to abandon the Arab trade boycott of Israel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Under the United Kingdom presidency, the EC initiated a demarche to Arab States urging them to lift the boycott. We continue to urge them to do so.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 18, whether previous investigations into allegations of rape as a tool of war in Bosnia-Herzegovina applied equally to such crimes committed by members of all groups involved in the conflict.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Investigations carried out by a range of non-governmental and international organisations and special missions into sexual abuse of women in the Bosnian conflict indicate that such abuse has been carried out by combatants from all parties to the conflict.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 18, what steps he has taken to collect information on rapes by (a) Muslim forces, (b) Croat forces and (c) Serbian forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina; what are his sources of information; what steps have been taken to ensure the objective collation of evidence, regardless of the ethnic origin of either the perpetrator or the victim; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is collecting substantial information about breaches of international humanitarian law, including information about rape, committed by all parties to the conflict in former Yugoslavia, for submission to the United Nations commission of experts in Geneva. The information collected has come from a variety of sources including non-governmental organisations, the media and individual witnesses.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 18, if he regards existing investigations into rape as a tool of war in Bosnia-Herzegovina as having given an accurate picture of this practice, regardless of the ethnic origin of either the perpetrator or victim.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A number of international and non-governmental organisations and special investigative missions, such as the EC mission led by Dame Anne Warburton, have reported on the abuse of women in the Yugoslav conflict. We believe that these reports provide an accurate picture of the situation.
  1005
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information Her Majesty's Government received on the role of Sefer Halilovic, newly appointed commander of the Bosnian Muslim army in his previous commission as a JNA officer leading Yugoslav army units engaged in the siege and destruction of Vukovar;

  (2) what information he has as to the identity of the commander of the Bosnian Muslim army; and when this information became available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The newly appointed commander of the Bosnian Muslim army is Rasim Delic; Sefer Halilovic was the previous commander.

  Maastricht
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an estimate of the cost to date to public funds of preparing and representing in the courts Her Majesty's Government's case in relation to the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The court hearing on the application for judicial review began on 26 July. It is not possible at this stage to give an accurate estimate of the costs of preparing the Government's case.

  Nagorno-Karabakh
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current efforts by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe to secure a renewed ceasefire in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and the response of the various parties to these endeavours.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The chairman of the CSCE Minsk conference, Mario Raffaelli, visited the region from 9 to 13 July. Both President Ter-Petrossian of Armenia and acting President Aliev of Azerbaijan expressed support for the early implementation of the CSCE plan and willingness to co-operate with each other. Mr. Raffaelli also paid his first visit to Stepanakert where the local leaders have agreed to the plan in principle. This is, however, at odds with recent reports that local Armenian forces have attacked and apparently captured Agdam, which is Azerbaijani territory with an exclusively Azeri population.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Goodlad
  None.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, columns 87–88, whether his Department maintains a register of the interests declared by chairpersons and board members of executive non-departmental public bodies, available for public inspection at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or at the main offices of the various bodies.

  Mr. Goodlad
  No. But the Commonwealth Development Corporation publishes information on board members' interests, if any, in its annual accounts.

  United Nations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many new members have been admitted to the United Nations over the past 18 months; how many remain excluded from a regional group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Twenty-five new members have been admitted to the United Nations since the beginning of 1991. Five of these states—Estonia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia—have not yet joined a regional group. We would expect them to join the geographically most appropriate group in each case in due course.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 19 and 20 July.

  Mr. Hurd
  I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 July with the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.

  In a debate in open session on the presidency's programme, EC colleagues echoed my emphasis on the need to pursue the Edinburgh and Copenhagen initiatives to increase growth, jobs and competitiveness.

  The Council adopted six new regulations governing the structural funds. Agreement was also reached on financial allocations for member states' objective 1 regions. The United Kingdom will receive 2·43 becu for the period 1994–99 for its objective 1 regions—Northern Ireland, the highlands and islands of Scotland and Merseyside.

  The Council discussed the Commission's draft directive to extend the franchise for European parliamentary elections. Several member states, including the United Kingdom, criticised the draft for being too detailed. The presidency recommended a light directive for the 1994 elections. A revised text will be considered by the October FAC.

  The Presidency updated the Council on its discussions with the European Parliament on a new inter-institutional agreement on budget discipline to implement the Edinburgh financial perspective.

  Over lunch, Lord Owen briefed Ministers on the latest situation on the ground in ex-Yugoslavia, and on the co-chairmen's continued efforts to identify proposals for a settlement that all three parties could accept. Ministers agreed that the presidency should visit the region as soon as possible in July to underline the EC's support for the co-chairmen. Serbia would be told that their present position remained unacceptable and that sanctions would be maintained, Croatia would be warned that the EC was seriously considering withdrawing Croatia's preferential EC trade access and the Muslims would be encouraged to negotiate. Ministers emphasised the importance of the rigorous implementation of sanctions and the maintenance of humanitarian aid.

  Ministers set preparations in hand for consideration of the French proposal for a stability pact with central and eastern Europe. They also briefly discussed recent events in Somalia.
  1007
  The Commission presented its opinions on the applications of Malta and Cyprus to join the Community. The Council welcomed the Commission's positive messages on Maltese and Cypriot eligibility and European vocation, and asked COREPER to examine the opinions so as to enable the FAC to take a position on the Commission's recommendations at its next meeting in October.

  The Council briefly discussed a draft regulation on the control of exports of certain dual-use goods and technologies, and asked COREPER to prepare for further discussion in October.

  The Commission reported on the GATT Uruguay round negotiations. The Council welcomed the progress at the Tokyo summit and the resumption of multilateral negotiations in Geneva. At France's request, the presidency will examine the possibility of a joint Council of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Ministers in September to consider the agricultural aspects of the negotiations. The Council also discussed the anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by the United States on imports of EC steel. The Commission will determine what further action should be taken in the light of the International Trade Commission's findings which will be announced on 27 July.

  The Council agreed to the conclusion of an EC trade and co-operation agreement, financial protocol and transport agreement with Slovenia.

  The Council adopted measures to implement decisions of the 21 to 22 June Copenhagen European Council accelerating trade access to Community markets for the central European associate countries—Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia. The Council also adopted a new regulation to extend the provision of EC technical assistance to the former Soviet Union until the end of 1995.

  The Council discussed a Commission proposal to increase Stabex expenditure for 1993, a proposal which the United Kingdom could not accept. The Council asked COREPEPER to consider the issue further.

  The presidency and the Commission reported to the Council on the 7 to 9 July G7 summit in Tokyo, and on the 6 July EC/Japan summit.

  An EC-Tunisia Co-operation Council was held in the margins, and Ministers discussed European parliamentary commission issues, including events in the former Yugoslavia, with the Tunisian Foreign Minister over dinner. No formal votes were taken.

  Sudan
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Sudan; and what representations they are making to the Government of Sudan in relation to this policy.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have many concerns. Chief among them is the failure to settle the civil war in the south, the continuing humanitarian crisis in many parts of the country and persistent reports of human rights abuses. We take every suitable opportunity to raise these issues with the Government of Sudan, both bilaterally, and with our EC partners and other donor states. A key role is played by Her Majesty's ambassador to Sudan, Mr. Peter Streams, who has tackled skilfully the difficult task of conveying our concerns directly to the authorities in 1008
  Khartoum. Indeed, Mr. Streams has shown a high degreee of professionalism and competence in carrying out his duties in a testing environment.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Co mmonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement reached between Mr. Ekeus as special representative for the United Nations Security Council and the Iraqi government on 22 July in regard to implementation of UN Security Council resolutions in Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Security Council members, including the United Kingdom, have expressed support for Mr. Ekeus' actions. The Security Council, and UNSCOM, will continue to press for sustained Iraqi implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Low Pay
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 October 1992,Official Report, column 736, if he will give the average equivalised income at April 1993 prices for the poorest 20 per cent. of individuals in households of families with children, excluding and including free school meals, both before and after housing costs.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is in the table. All information is presented according to households below average incomes conventions.

  Average median equivalised income at April 1993 prices for the bottom 20 per cent, of individuals in households of families with children

  1979 £

  1988–89 £

  1990–91 £

  Before housing costs

  Excluding free school meals

  97

  98

  95

  Including free school meals

  100

  100

  96

  After housing costs

  Excluding free school meals

  80

  77

  72

  Including free school meals

  84

  79

  74

  Notes:

  1. Income is in equivalised pounds per week.

  2. All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  3. Families with children include both single parents and couples with children.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the change in expenditure on housing benefit in 1993–94 broken down between (a) council tenants, (b) housing association tenants and (c) private tenants if (i) the taper had been set at 80 per cent., (ii) all earnings disregards had been halved and (iii) all non-dependant deductions had been doubled.

  Mr. Burt
  It is not currently possible to disaggregate expenditure on rent allowance between housing association and private sector tenants. Estimated expenditure, for 1993–94, is that housing benefit of £4,920 million will be in
  1009
  respect of council tenants in the form of rent rebates and £3,250 million in respect of housing association tenants and private tenants in the form of rent allowances.

  If the housing benefit taper were set at 80 per cent., earnings disregards halved and non-dependant deductions doubled, it is estimated that, in 1993–94, expenditure would be £4,565 million in respect of council tenants in the form of rent rebates and £3,020 million in respect of housing association tenants and private tenants in the form of rent allowances.

  Notes:

  Source: 1989–90–91 Family Expenditure Surveys modelled at 1993–94 prices and benefit levels.

  All figures rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the take-up rate of the disability working allowance since its introduction; what percentage of applications for disability working allowance have been successful; and what percentage of appeals concerning decisions on applications for disability working allowance were successful.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the tables.

  Claims to disability working allowance from 10 March 1992 to 30 June 1993

  Number

  Number received (take-up)

  28,766

  Number decided

  28,380

  Number awarded

  3,915

  Percentage successful

  14

  Note: The percentage of successful awards on new claims for June 1993 was 30 per cent.

  Appeals from 10 March 1992 to 25 June 1993

  Number

  Number received

  95

  Number cleared

  58

  Number awarded or increased

  7

  Percentage successful

  12

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the take-up rate of the disability living allowance since its introduction; what percentage of applications for disability living allowance were successful; and what percentage of appeals concering decisions on disability living allowance were successful.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the tables.

  Claims to disability living allowance from 1 February 1992 to 30 June 1993

  Claims

  Number received (take-up)

  874,034

  Number decided

  818,930

  Number awarded

  504,103

  Percentage successful

  62

  1010

  Appeals from 1 February 1992 to 30 June 1993

  Appeals

  Number received

  15,592

  Number cleared

  1,874

  Number awarded or increased

  760

  Percentage successful

  41

  Incomes
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the percentage change in income during the period 1979 to the latest date for which information is available before and after housing costs, of each percentile group in the population.

  Mr. Burt
  Real increases in income between 1979 and 1990–91 for each decile group in the income distribution are provided in the tables; greater disaggregation would not give statistically reliable results. These figures relate to the United Kingdom and are based on income equivalised for household size and composition.

  Percentage changes in real income by decile group 1979–1990–91

  Decile Group Medians

  Income before housing costs

  Income after housing costs

  Decile 1

  -1

  -14

  Decile 2

  6

  0

  Decile 3

  11

  7

  Decile 4

  17

  16

  Decile 5

  23

  —

  Decile 6

  27

  28

  Decile 7

  31

  33

  Decile 8

  36

  38

  Decile 9

  43

  45

  Decile 10

  58

  62

  Note: All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give(a) the mean income, at April 1993 prices, of those receiving invalidity benefit, (b) the mean income of those in the poorest two quintiles receving invalidity benefit and (c) the numbers of households in the family expenditure survey to which (a) and (b) separately apply, and the numbers in the population as a whole which these categories represent, on the basis of the latest households below average income analysis, for 1979 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the tables.

  Average equivalised household income of reported in validity benefit recipients (£per week, April 1993 prices)

  Income group of total population

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  1979

  1990–91

  1979

  1990–91

  1st quintile

  99

  105

  81

  84

  2nd quintile

  133

  152

  113

  127

  All IVB recipients

  141

  196

  122

  178

  Notes:

  1. IVB recipients include all individuals in benefit units where someone reports receipt of IVB.

  2. Average income for all IVB recipients is mean income; for quintile groups median income is used.

  3. The quintile averages quoted are the median incomes of IVB recipients in the relevant quintile of the population income distribution.

  4. All estimates subject to sampling error.

  5. The quintile group results cannot be interpreted as indicating changes in the incomes of IVB recipients; they reflect movements in and out of each overall quintile, as well as changes within a quintile.
  1011

  Numbers of Households in ungrossed FES with reported receipt of invalidity benefit (sample cases)

  Income group of total population

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  1979

  1990–91

  1979

  1990–91

  1st Quintile

  69

  107

  69

  104

  2nd Quintile

  46

  173

  40

  161

  All IVB recipients

  167

  521

  167

  521

  Notes:

  1. The figures show the number of households in the FES sample where at least one member reported receipt of invalidity benefit. Quintile groups refer to the whole population income distribution.

  Numbers of reported IVB recipients within population income groups (000's)

  Income group of total population

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  1979

  1990–91

  1979

  1990–91

  1st Quintile

  460

  460

  460

  450

  2nd Quintile

  330

  570

  300

  540

  All IVB recipients

  1,130

  1,940

  1,130

  1,940

  Notes:

  1. The populations given are numbers of individuals in benefit units in receipt of IVB. Quintile groups refer to the whole population income distribution.

  2. Estimates of IVB recipients are based on reported receipt in the Family Expenditure Survey and will be subject to sampling error.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the number and proportion of invalidity benefit claims in 1992–93 lasting(a) up to six months, (b) six months to one year, (c) one to two years and (d) over two years, broken down by (i) age, (ii) sex and (iii) region.

  Mr. Scott
  The latest year for which figures are available is 1990–91, but information is not readily available at present. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with such information as is available.

  Disability
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 71, for how many households of long-term sick and disabled beneficiaries in the bottom quintile of income after housing costs no estimate is provided; and on how many occasions quantile data on income provided by the Central Statistical Office in recent years have not been published when the 95 per cent. confidence intervals of plus 9 to plus 30, minus 7 to plus 15 and plus 12 to plus 36 apply.

  Mr. Burt
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 71, what was the main income at April 1993 prices before and after housing costs, of the poorest quintile and of all households below average income of people who are long-term sick or receiving disability benefits for 1979 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Burt
  Available estimates are in the table.
  1012

  Median equivalised household incomes of non-working long-term sick and people declaring receipt of disability benefits (pounds per week).

  1979

  1990–91

  BHC

  AHC

  BHC

  AHC

  Bottom Quintile

  92

  76

  96

  79

  Below average income

  133

  116

  160

  143

  Notes:

  1. The Households Below Average Income (HBAI) dataset, the Family Expenditure Survey (FES), does not identify all long-term sick or disabled people and its identification of receipt of disability benefits is imperfect. The estimates are susceptible to those imperfections as well as sampling errors. The results in the tables may, therefore, reflect changes in the categories of long-term sick or disabled people identified in the FES as well as changes in the incomes of such people.

  2. Reliable estimates of the mean income of people in the bottom quintile of this group and of those in households below average income are not available. Below average income refers to the population average income in the relevant year.

  3. Disability benefits counted here are Invalidity Benefit, Mobility Allowance and Attendance Allowance and Severe Disability Allowance (1990–91) or Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension (1979).

  Mobility Equipment Fund
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what arrangements are made for repayments of mobility equipment fund grants; to what extent recipients are offered a choice of lender and terms; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has to extend means testing to all levels of grants made under the mobility components of the disability living allowance;

  (3) what is his policy on means testing grants from the mobility equipment fund exclusively to meet the costs of major adaptions to vehicles for severely disabled recipients of the mobility component of the disability living allowance; whether the higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance is means tested; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what are the criteria according to which Motability awards grants from the mobility equipment fund; and under what arrangements Motability is accountable to his Department for its distribution of the mobility equipment fund;

  (5) what is the total of his Department's current provision including motor tax exemption for (a) the mobility component, high rate and (b) the mobility equipment fund.

  Mr. Scott
  Motability is an independent charity; and it is for it to set the criteria for payments from the mobility equipment fund. Like any other charity which receives funds from Government, it is required to show that such funds are used economically, efficiently and effectively and for the purpose for which they were provided. MEF grants are not repayable.

  Any question as to the level of motor tax exemption is one for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  The higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance is not means tested.

  It is expected that, in 1993–94, £2·184 billion will be spent on disability living allowance. Figures are not available to show the proportion within this figure likely to be spent on the higher rate of the mobility component. The contribution from the Department of Social Security to the MEF for 1993–94 is £2 million.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents were refused budgeting loans as a percentage of the total number of applicants during the year 1992–93.

  Mr. Scott
  Social fund data are recorded by application rather than by applicant. In 1992–93, the number of applications for a budgeting loan from lone parents which did not result in an award was 11·4 per cent. of all budgeting loan applications received.

  Benefits
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of recipients of(a) housing benefit, (b) income support, (c) family credit and (d) invalidity benefit in (i) Inverclyde, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole; and the percentage of the eligible population in each area receiving such benefit in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of social security 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 Michael Bichard to Dr. Norman Godman, 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 what was the number of recipients of (a) housing benefit, (b) income support, (c) family credit and (d) invalidity benefit in (i) Inverclyde, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole; and the percentage of the eligible population in each area receiving such benefit in each of the last five years.

  The complete range of information you request is either not available or could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics are not routinely collected to reflect the numbers of recipients over a given period. The statistics that are available show the number of recipients at a given point in time. In addition, statistics are not routinely collected for Inverclyde and Strathclyde in respect of Income Support, Family Credit and Invalidity Benefit. The figures available are for the Benefits Agency Districts covering these areas and, as the boundaries of these offices do not correspond exactly with those of the Inverclyde and Strathclyde areas, it would require a manual trawl of benefit records to obtain the information. The information that is available is in the attached appendix.

  Finally, take-up figures for income related and Invalidity Benefit are not available on a regional basis. Estimates of the take-up of Income Support, Family Credit and the new unified Housing Benefit for Great Britain were published in "Income Related Benefit Estimates of Take-up in 1989" in January this year. Take-up estimates for the income related benefits that were available before the 1988 benefit reforms are for 1985 and 1987 and are provided in Social Security Statistics 1990 (Table 48) and Social Security Statistics (Table H.5) respectively. Copies of these publications are in the Library. Information for Invalidity benefit is not available.

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

  APPENDIX TO PQ 3394 1992/93

  Family Credit

  Figures prior to May 1990 are not available since this information is routinely destroyed. This information has been supplied by the Family Credit Unit.
  1014

  Date

  Region

  Number

  May 1990

  Inverclyde

  911

  Strathclyde

  13,246

  Scotland

  33,462

  May 1991

  Inverclyde

  1,051

  Strathclyde

  14,581

  Scotland

  36,252

  June 1992

  Inverclyde

  1,345

  Strathclyde

  19,113

  Scotland

  46,501

  May 1993

  Inverclyde

  1,690

  Strathclyde

  21,982

  Scotland

  52,830

  Housing Benefit

  This information has been provided by the Analytical Services Division of the Department of Social Security. The figures quoted are averages of the quarterly counts of Housing Benefit cases. Estimates have been included for those quarters where Local Authorities in Strathclyde failed to respond. Figures for Inverclyde have been rounded to the nearest hundred; the other figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. It is not possible to show the overlap with other benefits apart from Income Support.

  Region

  Number (with IS)

  Number (without IS)

  Total

  1988–89

  Inverclyde

  9,800

  5,300

  15,100

  Strathclyde

  168,000

  104,000

  272,000

  Scotland

  321,000

  243,000

  564,000

  1989–90

  Inverclyde

  9,900

  5,000

  14,900

  Strathclyde

  159,000

  109,000

  268,000

  Scotland

  315,000

  241,000

  556,000

  1990–91

  Inverclyde

  6,600

  5,100

  11,700

  Strathclyde

  155,000

  112,000

  266,000

  Scotland

  307,000

  236,000

  542,000

  1991–92

  Inverclyde

  6,000

  5,000

  11,100

  Strathclyde

  151,000

  115,000

  266,000

  Scotland

  301,000

  260,000

  561,000

  1992–93

  Inverclyde

  6,100

  5,000

  11,100

  Strathclyde

  154,000

  111,000

  266,000

  Scotland

  308,000

  233,000

  541,000

  Invalidity benefit

  Figures for Inverclyde and Strathclyde are not available prior to May 1991 since this information is routinely destroyed. Figures for Scotland have been provided for the last five available years and have been rounded to the nearest thousand. This information has been supplied by the Analytical Services Division of the Department of Social Security in conjunction with Management Information Statistics.

  Region

  Number

  April 1987

  Scotland

  135,000

  April 1988

  Scotland

  147,000

  April 1989

  Scotland

  158,000

  1015

  Region

  Number

  March 1990

  Scotland

  169,000

  May 1991

  lnverclyde

  6,487

  Strathclyde

  115,964

  Scotland

  n.a.

  May 1992

  lnverclyde

  6,201

  Strathclyde

  132,237

  Scotland

  n.a.

  May 1993

  lnverclyde

  6,627

  Strathclyde

  142,212

  Scotland

  n.a.

  Income Support

  Figures are not available for Inverclyde and Strathclyde prior to 1991 since this information is routinely destroyed. However, for Scotland as a whole, figures are available for the five year period requested, rounded to the nearest thousand. These figures have been provided by Analytical Services Division and are based on a 1 per cent. count. The information for Strathclyde and Inverclyde have been supplied by the Income Support Management Information Statistics.

  Region

  Number

  May 1988

  Scotland

  499,000

  May 1989

  Scotland

  486,000

  May 1990

  Scotland

  481,000

  May 1991

  lnverclyde

  15,617

  Strathclyde

  293,529

  Scotland

  487,000

  May 1992

  lnverclyde

  15,971

  Strathclyde

  294,081

  Scotland

  519,000

  May 1993

  lnverclyde

  16,595

  Strathclyde

  315,636

  Scotland

  n/a

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will conduct a survey of waiting times for benefit claimants at benefit centres in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and place a copy of the results in the Library.

  Mr. Burt
  Waiting times in benefit offices are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. and learned Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Greville Janner, dated 27 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 if he will conduct a survey of waiting times for benefit claimants in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  1016
  There are no plans to conduct a survey of waiting times for benefit claimants in England, Wales and Scotland. A survey in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  The Benefits Agency is currently piloting an advanced-caller system that will enable staff to continuously monitor waiting times. The system will also alert staff if a customer has been waiting an unduly long time, or if there is an increase in the number of callers. This enables a decision on whether to deploy more reception staff to be made at an early stage. In addition, most offices now run their reception points as a fast stream service. Customers are seen and wherever possible their enquiries are cleared at the initial reception point.

  I place great importance on listening to our customers. The Benefits Agency Customer Charter gives a commitment to actively seek, listen to and act on the views of our customers. Each District in the Agency tests customer opinion at least once a year to find out which aspects of the service are seen as most in need of improvement, so that resources can be targeted appropriately.

  The Benefits Agency also commissions a national independent survey of its customers each year. One of the topics covered in the survey concerns the customer's perception of the length of time they have to wait in the office before being seen. A copy of the 1991 survey is in the Library.

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

  Income Support
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average amount of deductions for recipients of income support who receive the disability premium and have(a) more than one deduction and (b) more than two deductions;

  (2) how many recipients of income support are subject to more than (a) one, (b) two or (c) three deductions from their income support; and what is the average amount per person of those deductions;

  (3) what is the number and average amount of deductions for recipients of income support who receive the lone parent premium and have (a) more than one deduction and (b) more than two deductions;

  (4) what is the number and average amount of deductions for recipients of income support who receive the family premium and have (a) more than one deduction and (b) more than two deductions.

  Mr. Burt
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly wth such information as is available.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support and unemployment benefit claimants have(a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully claimed income support under the hardship rules, showing those whose claim was in doubt due to (i) not actively seeking work, (ii) refusing suitable employment and (iii) availability for work for each region and for Great Britain as a whole for each quarter since April 1992.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Clare Short, 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

  1017
  Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many income support and unemployment benefit claimants have (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully claimed income support under the hardship rules, showing those whose claim was in doubt due to (i) not actively seeking work, (ii) refusing suitable employment and (iii) availability for work for each region and for Great Britain as a whole for each quarter since 1992.

  The information has been taken from the Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics and is attached. The number of customers who have successfully or unsuccessfully

  Availability for work—Hardship Applications

  Territory

  June 1992

  September 1992

  December 1992

  March 1993

  Scotland and Northern

  1A

  203

  213

  152

  136

  2R

  46

  83

  66

  89

  Wales and Central

  1A

  150

  156

  168

  52

  2R

  84

  73

  54

  55

  Southern

  1A

  370

  416

  293

  421

  2R

  115

  146

  261

  428

  National Totals

  1A

  723

  785

  613

  609

  2R

  245

  302

  381

  572

  1A =Awards

  2R = Refusals

  Actively Seeking Work—Hardship Applications

  Territory

  June 1992

  September 1992

  December 1992

  March 1993

  Scotland and Northern

  1A

  24

  43

  14

  19

  2R

  139

  145

  96

  112

  Wales and Central

  1A

  52

  69

  30

  38

  2R

  55

  59

  44

  25

  Southern

  1A

  71

  141

  101

  75

  2R

  54

  51

  21

  35

  National Totals

  1A

  147

  253

  145

  132

  2R

  248

  255

  161

  172

  1A = Awards

  2R = Refusals

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average level of deductions from income support excluding current liability for mortgage interest in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested can be obtained from the figures in table 10.1 of volume 1 of the "Department of Social Security Income Support Statistics Annual Statistical Enquiry", May 1989 to May 1992, copies of which are in the Library.

  Separate statistics for current liability for mortgage interest were not collected for the years 1989 to 1991 and are only available for May 1992.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by premium the deductions made from the income support of persons who receive the lower rate of income support for persons aged under 25 years.

  Mr. Burt
  The numbers of deductions made from the benefit of income support recipients who receive the under 25 years of age rate of income support and who are entitled to a premium are as follows:
  1018
  applied for a hardship payment because they have refused suitable employment are included in the numbers of customers whose claim is in doubt because of their availability for employment. I regret it is not possible to break this figure down.

  The figures are based on the Benefits Agency's Territorial structure, which has been in force since April 1991.

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

  Number

  Disability Premium

  Community Charge Deduction

  1,000

  Social Fund Recovery

  4,000

  Source:

  "Income Support Annual Enquiry", May 1992.

  Notes:

  1. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  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 dependents, and do not therefore qualify for the high rate of benefit.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support are subject to direct payment of mortgage interest for(a) current liability and (b) arrears.

  Mr. Burt
  The latest information in the form requested is in table 10.1 of volume 1 of "Department of Social Security—Income Support Statistics, Annual Statistical Enquiry", May 1992, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support are
  1019
  having deductions made from their benefit (a) for community charge arrears, (b) fuel bills and (c) social fund repayments; and what percentage of the total number of claimants this represents.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested can be obtained from the figures in tables 3.1 and 10.1 of volume 1 of the "Department of Social Security—Income Support Statistics Annual Statistical Enquiry", May 1992, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were dependent(a) on supplementary benefit in 1979 and (b) on income support in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  There were 4·4 million claimants, partners and dependants receiving supplementary benefit in 1979. The latest available income support figures are for May 1992, when there were 8·9 million claimants, partners and dependants receiving income support. Comparisons between supplementary benefit and income support are difficult, since the conditions of entitlement and the basis of assessment differ.

  Notes:

  1. Sources: Supplementary Benefit Annual Statistical Enquiry, November 1979. Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry, May 1992.

  2. Figures rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

  Social Fund Loans
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases in each of the last five years civil enforcement action has been taken in either the county court or the sheriffs' court to enforce the recovery of social fund loans.

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

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of the number of deductions made for the recovery of social fund loans from social security benefits other than income support, by benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of social fund awards which were repaid from social security benefits (excluding income support) 1992–93

  Source of repayment

  Number of repayments

  Family credit

  61,201

  Industrial Disablement pension

  1,564

  Invalid care allowance

  2,800

  Invalidity benefit

  233,850

  Maternity allowance

  1,646

  Reduced earnings allowance

  230

  Retirement pension

  40,456

  Severe disability allowance

  3,536

  Sickness benefit

  95,194

  Unemployment benefit

  3,488,307

  War disablement pension

  453

  War widow's pension

  149

  Widow's pension

  12,421

  Widowed mother's allowance

  3,414

  Total

  3,945,221

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the public bodies for which he is responsible hold meetings in public; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Hague
  Of the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies 1992", a copy of which is in the Library, the following hold hearings in public, except where the appellant requests a private hearing:

  Disability appeal tribunals

  Medical appeal tribunals

  Social security appeal tribunals

  Vaccine damage tribunals

  Child support appeal tribunals

  Community Care Grants
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a further breakdown of the reasons for refusal of community care grants where direction 4 is not satisfied, referred to in annex 8 of the annual report of the social fund 1992–93.

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

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the preserved rights to income support at higher level of very dependent elderly and infirm will be maintained in unregistered residential care homes of fewer than four beds established prior to 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  From 1 April, small homes are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Registered Homes Act 1984, and are required to register if they are providing both board and personal care. For the residents to have preserved rights the home must be registered. If a home is not registered, the residents are no longer entitled to the higher levels of income support but can claim normal income support and housing benefit.

  Reciprocal Arrangements
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security with how many countries outside the EC Her Majesty's Government have entered into reciprocal social security agreements; and upon what criteria decisions have been taken as to which countries should be covered by such arrangements.

  Mr. Hague
  The United Kingdom has reciprocal social security agreements with 23 countries outside the EC.

  In order to enter into an agreement with the United Kingdom the other country's social security scheme has to be sufficiently similar to provide for reciprocity. There has to be sufficient movement of workers between the two countries to justify the outlay of resources to negotiate, operate and maintain the agreement. Above all, any additional costs have to be affordable.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for industrial disablement benefit for a prescribed industrial disease were received by the Benefits Agency's South Tyneside district, North Tyne district and Newcastle district offices in the period since
  1021
  January 1991; how many of these claims resulted in medical examinations; what were the outcomes of the examinations concerned; how many appeals were received from claimants against the outcomes; and what were the results of any resultant medical appeal tribunals.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Clelland, 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 claims for industrial injuries disablement benefit for a prescribed industrial disease were received by the Benefits Agency's South Tyneside District, North Tyne District and Newcastle District offices in the period since January 1991; how many of these claims resulted in medical examinations; what were the outcomes of the examinations concerned; how many appeals were received from claimants against the outcomes; and what were the results of any resultant medical appeal tribunals.
  Information on the number of prescribed disease claims and the subsequent outcome on such claims since January 1991 is not available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Similarly information on medical examinations and appeals is not to hand. Such information as is available is shown in the tables:

  Table 1

  Industrial injuries disablement benefit—prescribed disease. New claims in period April 1992 to June 1993

  New claims

  Newcastle district

  1,293

  South Tyneside

  3,705

  North Tyneside

  1,627

  The above information is based on a 100 per cent. count of claims received in benefit offices. Prescribed disease claims were not identified separately prior to April 1992.

  Table 2

  Industrial injuries disablement benefit—prescribed disease new assessments in period October 1992 to June 1993

  New assessments

  Newcastle district

  25

  South Tyneside

  109

  North Tyneside

  9

  The information is based on 100 per cent. count of the number of new assessments of Disablement Benefit in benefit offices. Prescribed disease awards were not identified separately prior to October 1992. Some claims made during the period will not have been assessed yet.

  I hope that this reply is helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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.
  1022
  Mr. Hague
  The employment of computer consultancies is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Information Technology Services Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. John McAllion, dated 23 July 1993:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to the Parliamentary Question, tabled by you on 21 July 1993, concerning computer consultancies employed by the Department of Social Security. As Chief Executive of the Information Technology Services Agency, I have responsibility for engaging IT consultants for the Department.
  There are a large number of consultancy suppliers employed within the Department of Social Security and the number of individual computer contracts runs into several hundred. If however there is a specific area of work that is of interest to you I will be happy to provide you with further details. The tasks for which they are employed covers all areas of IT including business analysis, software development, technical support and technical innovation. Individual tasks can range from the development of a specific interface between systems, to assistance with the advancement of our open systems strategy. A list of the suppliers of these services is attached.
  You also refer to the total cost of this work to the Department. I am unable to provide information on the value of the individual contracts as to do so may be a breach of commercial confidentiality. However, I can say that the value of contracts let between November 1991 and July 1993 is in the region of £87M. I should also explain that some of the more recent contracts do extend beyond this financial year.

  Benefits (Leicester)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the maximum waiting time for(a) claimants, (b) benefits and (c) consultations at each of the benefit centres serving the Leicester, West constituency.

  Mr. Burt
  The performance of a benefit office is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. and learned Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Greville Janner, 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 the maximum waiting time for (a) customers, (b) benefits, and (c) consultations at each of the benefit centres serving the Leicester, West constituency.
  As you will be aware, your constituency is served by two Benefit Agency Districts, North Leicestershire and South Leicestershire. While there is no specific measurement of waiting times, and it is therefore not possible to answer your question in the form required, the Districts believe that customers are seen, initially within 15 minutes. Customers waiting for a more detailed interview or payment of benefit may have to wait longer than this and they are generally advised how long this is likely to take. Every effort is made to ensure that customers do not have to wait more than two hours. Both Districts will investigate any instances where this is exceeded.
  Consultations with customers are arranged at the customer's convenience, and either conducted immediately or at a place and time convenient to the customer.
  I hope you find this answer useful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many self-employed individuals have been found to be avoiding national insurance contribution payments; and what has been the value of the revenue recovered in each year since 1984–85(a) in each region and (b) nationally.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of national insurance is a matter to Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 26 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency I am responsible for answering questions about relevant operational matters. I have been asked to reply to your question about how many self-employed individuals have been found to be avoiding payment of National Insurance Contributions (NICs), and the value of the revenue recovered in each year since 1984–85.
  In general, all self-employed people aged between sixteen and pension age are required to pay Class 2 NICs, unless they have applied for, and been granted, an exception from payment on the grounds of small earnings. Where payment is not made arrangements are in place for the contributor to be reminded and if necessary pursued for non-payment. It is the aim of the Agency to obtain current compliance and payment of any arrears at the smallest cost of public funds.
  Most people commencing self-employment notify the Agency or the Inland Revenue that they have done so, but we are aware that some do not. In addition, there are some with whom the Agency loses contact if they have changed address and not reported the change. We have no reliable information as to the total numbers who are self-employed and are avoiding payment of NICs. Since April 1991, the Secretary of State has set a High Level Target to identify self-employed people not previously known to the Agency. This target has been increased each year, from 60,000 in the 1991/92 year to 70,000 in the 1992/93 year and 103,000 in 1993/94: in the first two years we have exceeded the target set. Of course, some of the newly-identified self-employed will be earning low amounts and may qualify for exception from payment on the grounds of low income. The important element is, however, that they have become known to the Agency, and may well subsequently be liable to pay Class 2 NICs.
  Because of the method of recording our statistical information I cannot supply the information you have asked for in relation to the amount of money recovered from our efforts in the pursuit of unpaid National Insurance debt. However, I have supplied in annexes, which will be tabled in the Library, information on the numbers and amounts involved where proceedings have been undertaken by the Agency or instalment arrangements have been accepted.
  When a contributor acknowledges that he or she owes arrears of Class 2 NICs, but is unable to settle the debt by payment of a lump sum, the Agency will consider, in appropriate circumstances, the acceptance of payment of the arrears by instalment. Such an arrangement is always conditional upon the contributor undertaking to pay future Class 2 NICs timeously. An annex to my reply gives details of the instalment arrangements accepted in the years in question.
  If necessary, the Agency will pursue unpaid Class 2 NICs by either civil or criminal prosecution and a further annex gives details of the number of prosecutions undertaken and the amounts involved.
  I am supplying the figures from 1984–85 (Instalments from 1985–86) on a regional basis and for the 1992–93 year on a national basis. A regional breakdown of the 1992–93 year is not yet available.
  I regret that I have been unable to give you the precise information that you requested in your question but I hope that my reply has proved helpful.
  1024
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 June,Official Report, columns 324–25, how many cases of national insurance contributions avoidance have been uncovered; and how much revenue has been recovered in each year since 1984–85.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of national insurance is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 26 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions agency I am responsible for answering questions about relevant operational matters. I have been asked to reply to your question about how many cases of avoidance have been uncovered and the value of the revenue recovered in each year since 1984–85.
  As I explained in my reply to your earlier question, where non-compliance with National Insurance law is uncovered the Agency does not attempt to differentiate between cases involving genuine mistakes and suspected evasion or avoidance of liability.
  There are several ways in which the incorrect or non-payment of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) can be discovered including survey visits made by inspectors, examining and processing employers' End of Year Returns, and enquiries made by individual contributors.
  Since achieving full Executive Agency status in April 1991 the Contributions agency has been set High Level Targets on the number of surveys undertaken and their subsequent Class 1 yield and on the identification of self employed contributors previously unknown to the Department. The targets and published achievements were as follows:—

  Surveys of Employers

  Numbers Target

  1991–92 88,000 (achieved 106,353)

  1992–93 114,000 (achieved 118,032)

  1993–94 123,000

  Yield Target

  £33·8 million (achieved £59·23 million)

  £71·24 million (achieved £89·14 million)

  I am attaching, as an annex, details for potential arrears going back to 1986–87, identified as a result of survey. Collection of these arrears is largely the responsibility of the Inland Revenue, and figures for the actual amounts recovered are not available.

  Self Employed identified

  Numbers Target

  1991–92 60,000 (achieved 84,040)

  1992–93 70,000 (achieved 93,981)

  1993–94 110,000

  Not all the self-employed identified would have been liable to pay Class 2 NICs in the years in question, so no details of the precise yield can be calculated. But once someone has been brought into the system, their future liability will be monitored.

  I hope that the information that I have supplied is useful.

  Arrears of NICs identified on survey

  Year

  £

  Amount of Class 2 underpaid

  1986–87

  6,542,075

  1987–88

  5,803,847

  1988–89

  4,947,683

  1989–90

  5,682,563

  1990–91

  10,482,893

  1991–92

  21,311,394

  1992–93

  19,604,506

  Amount of Class 1 Underpaid

  1986–87

  8,041,677

  1987–88

  5,949,893

  1988–89

  4,518,164

  1989–90

  6,031,229

  1025

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  25,035,006

  1991–92

  58,891,925

  1992–93

  89,670,327

  Fraud
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many officers have been involved in investigating social security fraud in(a) local offices and (b) regional teams in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of fraud investigation is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. John Battle, 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 officers have been involved in investigating social security fraud in (a) local offices and (b) regional teams in each year since 1979.
  I regret that I am unable to provide you with all the information you have requested but I hope that you find the following helpful.
  The Sector Fraud Organisation has only been in existence since January 1991 and prior to that date staff investigating fraud were provided by the Local Offices when required and were not counted separately. The regional fraud teams ceased to exist when the Sector Fraud Organisation was set up.
  The first full year for which figures are available is the year ending 31 March 1992. The number of sector fraud staff in post at that date was 2,742. At the year ending 31 March 1993 there were 2,789 sector fraud staff in post.
  In addition to the Sector Fraud Organisation the Benefits Agency also uses discrete teams to investigate organised and multiple claims fraud. In the year ending 31 March 1992 there were 227 staff involved in the prevention and detection of organised and multiple claim fraud. The figure for the year ending 31 March 1993 was 268.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  DNA Tests
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the expected date when figures will be available from the Child Support Agency for the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993 on the number of DNA tests carried out in the pursuit of declarations of paternity in child maintenance cases in England and Wales;

  (2) what were the costs to the Child Support Agency of the DNA tests used to establish paternity during the pursuance of a maintenance claim for the year ending March 1992.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Gareth Wardell, dated 27 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what were the costs to the Agency of the DNA tests used to establish paternity during the pursuance of a maintenance claim for the year ending March 1992, and the expected date when figures will be available for the period I April 1992 to 31 March 1993 on the number of DNA tests carried out in pursuit of applications to a Court for a maintenance order in England and Wales. Both periods relate to the time before the Agency was launched.
  We estimate that during the period from I April 1992 to 31 March 1993, the Department made application to the courts for a declaration of paternity which involved DNA testing in less than 100 cases.
  As regards the costs to the Department of DNA tests carried out in 1991–92, my previous letter explained that in the year ending March 1992 DNA testing was an issue in less than 1 per cent. of the 1,000 cases in which the Department made application to the courts for a declaration of paternity. Recovery of the costs for DNA testing were normally sought from the court in the costs they awarded. Before the Department then, or the Agency now, would consider pursuing such a case, the weight of other evidence of paternity would be substantial and the expectation was that most of the cases would be successfully proven and that the full costs would be recovered. In the light of this, and due to their limited nature, figures were not collected on the costs involved in individual DNA testing nor on the total court costs recovered.
  I hope you will find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  MAGISTRATES' COURTS COMMITTEES: AMALGAMATIONS
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS COMMITTEES: AMALGAMATIONS
  SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE: SECONDEES
  SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE: SECONDEES
  LEGAL AID: DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS COSTS
  LEGAL AID: DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS COSTS
  CYCLING: FACILITIES
  CYCLING: FACILITIES
  RAILWAYS: PENSION PROVISIONS
  RAILWAYS: PENSION PROVISIONS
  VEHICLE INSPECTORATE: ANNUAL REPORT
  VEHICLE INSPECTORATE: ANNUAL REPORT
  RAILTRACK: FINANCE
  RAILTRACK: FINANCE
  RAILWAY LINES: NOISE REGULATIONS
  RAILWAY LINES: NOISE REGULATIONS
  BUS USERS: INFORMATION PROVISION
  BUS USERS: INFORMATION PROVISION
  TRAIN OPERATORS: CONCESSIONARY FARES
  TRAIN OPERATORS: CONCESSIONARY FARES
  COASTAL NETTING STATIONS: SCOTLAND
  COASTAL NETTING STATIONS: SCOTLAND
  SALMON AND SEA TROUT NETTING: CROWN ESTATE COMMISSIONERS' STAFF
  SALMON AND SEA TROUT NETTING: CROWN ESTATE COMMISSIONERS' STAFF
  GOVERNMENT POLICY
  GOVERNMENT POLICY
  RPI WEIGHTINGS
  RPI WEIGHTINGS
  INHERITANCE TAX: EXEMPTIONS
  INHERITANCE TAX: EXEMPTIONS
  SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT (EXPENDITURE)
  SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT (EXPENDITURE)
  NATIONAL LOTTERY: LICENCE TENDERING
  NATIONAL LOTTERY: LICENCE TENDERING
  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXPENDITURE: VALUE FOR MONEY
  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXPENDITURE: VALUE FOR MONEY
  SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
  SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
  GIBRALTAR: AIRPORT AGREEMENT
  GIBRALTAR: AIRPORT AGREEMENT
  WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY
  WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 19th-20th JULY
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 19th-20th JULY
  OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT: AID
  OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT: AID
  HUMANITARIAN RELIEF: COST MONITORING
  HUMANITARIAN RELIEF: COST MONITORING
  SOUTHERN IRAQ: REFUGEES
  SOUTHERN IRAQ: REFUGEES
  OCCUPIED TERRITORIES: CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT
  OCCUPIED TERRITORIES: CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT
  RUSSIA: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
  RUSSIA: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
  FORMER SOVIET UNION: UK CONTRIBUTION TO PRIVATISATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY
  FORMER SOVIET UNION: UK CONTRIBUTION TO PRIVATISATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY
  SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION: CRITERIA
  SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION: CRITERIA
  CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENTION
  CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENTION
  AMUSEMENT CENTRES: PLANNING
  AMUSEMENT CENTRES: PLANNING
  UK CO2 PROGRAMME
  UK CO2 PROGRAMME
  BRITISH CHILDREN SENT OVERSEAS: REUNION DISCUSSIONS
  BRITISH CHILDREN SENT OVERSEAS: REUNION DISCUSSIONS
  SMALL SHOPS: CRIME PREVENTION
  SMALL SHOPS: CRIME PREVENTION
  CAR CRIME: PREVENTION
  CAR CRIME: PREVENTION
  WAR CRIMES: INVESTIGATIONS
  WAR CRIMES: INVESTIGATIONS
  TAYLOR CASE: DISCLOSURE TO THE DEFENCE
  TAYLOR CASE: DISCLOSURE TO THE DEFENCE
  MARKET TESTING: HIGH COURT RULING ON EC DIRECTIVE
  MARKET TESTING: HIGH COURT RULING ON EC DIRECTIVE
  WOLDS PRISON: INSPECTION
  WOLDS PRISON: INSPECTION
  LIFE IMPRISONMENT: TARIFF DISCLOSURE
  LIFE IMPRISONMENT: TARIFF DISCLOSURE
  FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE: ANNUAL REPORT
  FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE: ANNUAL REPORT
  PRISONS: COURT ESCORT SERVICES
  PRISONS: COURT ESCORT SERVICES