Written Answers of 22 June 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judges
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judges aged 70 years or over are sitting on the circuit bench(a) full-time and (b) part-time; and how many of these are recorders or assistant recorders.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As at 1 June 1993, there were 16 full-time circuit judges aged 70 or over. In addition there were 29 deputy circuit judges and 12 recorders aged 70 or over, who may sit part time. There were no assistant recorders aged 70 or over.

  Market Testing
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1992 and indicate, in each case, whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision, or whether the service was contracted out.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Since November 1992 the Lord Chancellor's Department has commenced market tests in eight areas: internal audit; pay services; Public Trust Office taxes division; Public Trust Office typing services; Statutory Publications Office; printing and forms supply; IT services; and court building and estates management. To date, seven separate market tests have been completed in the court building and estates management area, which all resulted in the services being contracted out. These services were formerly provided by the Property Services Agency. Save for internal audit, the market tests in the remaining areas are still proceeding and no decisions have been taken. In the case of internal audit an in-house provision has been maintained.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Redundant Farm Buildings
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what grant aid is available for the purpose of restoring redundant farm houses and associated buildings in order that they may once again form the basis of an active farming unit.

  Mr. Brooke
  If the hon. Member's focus is a Scottish one, I suggest that he writes to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of Stale for Scotland. In England, since 1989, English Heritage has been contributing funds towards the barns and walls conservation scheme, in the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale conservation area of the Yorkshire Dales national park—a joint initiative also involving the national park, Richmondshire district council, the 78
  Countryside Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Grants of up to 80 per cent. are available to farmers and landowners to enable them to bring the buildings back into working condition, using traditional materials and repair techniques. Nationally, English Heritage is able to give grants for the repair of historic buildings of outstanding historical or architectural interest—usually those listed grade I or grade II—or those situated in designated conservation areas.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for the national lottery to contain an instant lottery element.

  Mr. Sproat
  The types and mix of games for the national lottery will be for the operator to propose. The licensing of individual games under clause 6 of the National Lottery etc. Bill will be the responsibility of the director-general.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Northern Ireland Court of Appeal
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a further statement on the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland's progress in considering the cases referred to him by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal in its judgment in the case of Rv. Latimer and others delivered on 29 July 1992.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland considered the judgment of the Court of Appeal and all other then available facts and information. On 5 August 1992, 10 February 1993 and 27 April 1993 the director issued interim directions to the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary requesting that further reports, information and witness statements be obtained. The majority of these further reports, information and witness statements have been obtained by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and submitted to the director. A small number of witness statements remain outstanding.

  When all the matters requested in these interim directions have been received and considered, a decision as to whether criminal proceedings will be instituted will be taken. It is expected that this decision will be taken in the near future. I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 11 November 1992 at columns 835–36 and to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 27 January 1993 at column 709.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number and names of individuals and organisations who responded to the public consultation exercise on wheel clamping.

  Mr. Maclean
  Approximately 2,400 copies of the consultation paper were distributed and 184 responses have been received. Respondents were not asked to agree
  79
  to the publication of their names when their comments were invited and it would not be appropriate now to identify them. However, the table shows the categories to which these respondents belong.

  Number

  Landowners:

  hospitals

  7

  estates

  10

  national organisations

  9

  local organisations

  22

  individuals

  8

  Wheelclamping companies

  11

  Motorists

  13

  MPs and Members of the House of Lords

  8

  Local authorities

  46

  Police

  23

  Other bodies (including other Government departments and public and private organisations representing a wide variety of interests)

  27

  In addition, since 1 April 1992, we have received 199 letters forwarded by MPs and Members of the House of Lords, and 107 letters sent direct to the Home Office or other Government Departments commenting on this issue.

  Police Batons
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will agree to a pilot project on the use of the expandable side-handled baton being monitored by(a) the Association of Chief Police Officers, (b) the Police Federation, (c) the Chief Inspector of Constabulary and (d) an independent research and assessment team.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 21 June at column 2.

  Rabies
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce tougher sentences for offenders contravening anti-rabies laws; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The maximum penalty for offences under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 is an unlimited fine and/or 12 months' imprisonment. We have no plans to increase it.

  Wickham Laboratories
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the investigations into allegations by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in respect of Wickham laboratories.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate and the Medicines Control Agency have investigated allegations made by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) into procedures and practices at Wickham laboratories.

  The investigation did not find substantiated some of the principal allegations against Wickham, but it did disclose poor local management, resulting in lax attitudes and practices among certain staff. These included a readiness
  80
  to falsify test and environmental data on occasions. There was also one case of unnecessary animal use. Some aspects of the technical training were unsatisfactory: initial training was poorly structured and unrecorded and left some basic gaps in coverage. The system also lacked formal assessment of competence before unsupervised tasks were allocated to new employees.

  My right hon. and learned Friend has concluded that direct responsibility for the failures detected by the investigation lies with the individual who was line manager for the named day-to-day care person at the time to which the BUAV allegations relate, and who was himself named day-to-day care person at the time of the Home Office investigation. My right hon. and learned Friend has directed that he be replaced as named day-to-day care person and deputy project licence holder, and that his personal licence be revoked. In addition, the individual who was named day-to-day care person at the time of the BUAV investigation has been warned that particular attention will be paid to her current skills and knowledge if in future she should apply for a personal licence. A number of other members of Wickham staff have received letters of admonition, reminding them of the importance of a proper understanding of their responsibilities and obligations under the legislation.

  In addition to action in respect of individuals, my right hon. and learned Friend has directed:
  that Wickham agree with the inspectorate a formal training scheme for all animal unit staff, including full records of training given and an assessment of expertise for specific tasks being made from the beginning of each individual's employment;
  that Wickham's standard operating procedures relating to the care, husbandry and euthanasia of animals should be revised to the satisfaction of the inspectorate and to reflect best current practice.

  It has been made clear to Wickham that a serious view has been taken of the lapses which this investigation has revealed, and that Wickham's operation will be subjected to particularly close scrutiny in the future. The Animal Procedures Committee has been informed of the outcome of the investigation, and has endorsed the action taken.

  Other allegations made by the BUAV were not substantiated, and the inspectorate had reservations about some of the evidence presented in support of the allegations. In particular, the investigation did not find that there had been unauthorised reuse of animals, or that animal suffering had resulted from poor accommodation, or that problems had arisen from a potential conflict of interests among the senior management at Wickham. On the latter point, however, the Animal Procedures Committee has decided to look in general terms at the conflicts which may arise when the posts of certificate holder, project licence holder and named veterinary surgeon are not all held by separate individuals.

  The BUAV alleged that unnecessary animal testing took place. I am satisfied, however, that all the work carried out at Wickham was properly licensed udder the Act. The general issue of animal testing performed to satisfy the requirements of regulatory authorities is currently being examined by the Animal Procedures Committee, and I look forward to receiving its advice.

  Finally, I understand that the Medicines Control Agency's conclusion is that although there were operational and procedural deficiencies at Wickham, they do not call in question the validity of the particular tests, nor do they raise doubts about Wickham's continued

  81
  operation as a contract research establishment. A range of improvements has been insisted upon by the agency and it will he keeping the situation under close review.

  Prosecution Statements
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to give the defence the right to see prosecution statements in summary trials; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans at present to extend to defendants accused of summary offences the provisions of the Magistrates Courts (Advance Information) Rules 1985. The issue is, however, within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice and we will consider carefully any recommendations it might make.

  Unit Fine System
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider establishing a restrospective scheme to compensate those individuals who have been disadvantaged by the unit fine system after it has been replaced.

  Mr. Maclean
  No.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims have been made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last three years; how many have been successful; how many have gone to appeal and then been accepted; and what have been the shortest, longest and average times each year to deal with cases that have gone to appeal.

  Mr. Maclean
  The latest available information, provided by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB), is summarised in the following tables.

  Table 1 Claims received and decisions made by CICB

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Claims received

  53,655

  50,820

  61,400

  Awards offered and accepted at first decision stage

  25,577

  32,135

  35,268

  Applications for appeal

  7,203

  8,123

  9,258

  Appeals heard

  3,897

  6,265

  8,731

  Successful appeals

  2,349

  3,055

  3,981

  Table 2 Time between application for appeal and hearing

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Up to 3 months

  1

  4

  3

  3 to 6 months

  3

  8

  13

  6 to 9 months

  6

  10

  15

  9 to 12 months

  18

  11

  14

  Over 12 months

  72

  67

  55

  100

  100

  100

  Note: The numbers relating to awards, applications for appeals and appeals heard in any one year do not necessarily relate to claims received in that year, or to each other.
  82

  Police Mergers
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police authorities that have been considered for amalgamation(a) during his period of office as Home Secretary and (b) during the past 10 years; and which proposals did not proceed because of the current procedure for amalgamation (i) as the only or primary reason and (ii) as a contributory reason.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 19 May 1993]: No police authorities were considered for amalgamation during the term of office of my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke). At the time of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils, consideration was given to possible changes in the relevant police force areas. No changes were made because it was felt unlikely that reorganisation would improve effectiveness. The amalgamation procedure was not a factor in this decision.

  Complete records for the last 10 years are not available. However, the records that are available indicate that detailed consideration has not been given to the amalgamation of any other force areas during that time.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  World Service
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to enhance the output and reputation of the World Service.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In discussions with the World Service in March and April this year we reached broad agreement on plans for the next funding triennium (April 1994 to March 1997), and on priority areas for development, funded from savings elsewhere in the World Service. These plans, which remain subject to the outcome of the current public expenditure survey, take account of the need to respond to changes in the former Soviet Union, and include the introduction of two central Asian languages.

  Trade Representatives
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) diplomats and (b) trade representatives there are in each United Kingdom diplomatic post overseas.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The total number of United Kingdom diplomats (with the rank of second secretary and above) serving in United Kingdom diplomatic posts overseas is 1,263.

  The total number of trade representatives at these posts, including locally engaged staff, is 451.

  A breakdown of the figures by post is as follows:

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic post overseas

  Country

  Post

  Number of diplomats

  Trade representatives1

  Albania

  Tirana

  1·0

  0

  Algeria

  Algiers

  7·0

  1

  Angola

  Luanda

  6·0

  2

  Antigua

  Antigua

  1·0

  0

  83

  Country

  Post

  Number of diplomats

  Trade representatives1

  Argentina

  Buenos Aires

  8·0

  3

  Australia

  Brisbane

  2·0

  2

  Australia

  Canberra

  11·0

  0

  Australia

  Melbourne

  3·0

  5

  Australia

  Perth

  2·0

  3

  Australia

  Sydney

  3·0

  3

  Austria

  Vienna

  10·0

  3

  Austria

  Vienna CFE

  5·0

  0

  Austria

  Vienna UKMIS

  4·0

  0

  Azerbaijan

  Baku

  2·0

  0

  British Virgin

  Tortola

  1·0

  0

  Isles

  Bahamas

  Nassau

  2·0

  1

  Bahrain

  Bahrain

  5·0

  0

  Bangladesh

  Dhaka

  11·0

  1

  Barbados

  Bridgetown

  5·0

  1

  Barbados

  DT Secretar

  2·0

  0

  Belarus

  Minsk

  1·0

  0

  Belgium

  Brussels

  11·0

  5

  Belgium

  Brussels JMO

  4·0

  0

  Belgium

  Brussels UKDL

  9·0

  0

  Belgium

  Brussels UKRP

  39·0

  1

  Belize

  Belmopan

  2·0

  0

  Bolivia

  La Paz

  2·0

  1

  Botswana

  Gaborone

  3·0

  1

  Brazil

  Brasilia

  8·0

  0

  Brazil

  Rio de Janeiro

  2·0

  3

  Brazil

  Sao Paulo

  3·0

  5

  Brunei

  Ban Sen Beg

  3·0

  0

  Bulgaria

  Sofia

  7·0

  0

  Burma

  Rangoon

  2·0

  1

  Cambodia

  Phnom Penh

  3·0

  0

  Cameroon

  Douala

  1·0

  2

  Cameroon

  Yaounde

  2·0

  0

  Canada

  Montreal

  3·0

  4

  Canada

  Ottawa

  8·0

  3

  Canada

  Toronto

  3·0

  6

  Canada

  Vancouver

  2·0

  2

  Chile

  Santiago

  8·0

  4

  China

  Peking

  17·0

  7

  China

  Shanghai

  2·0

  1

  Colombia

  Bogota

  5·0

  1

  Costa Rica

  San Jose

  2·0

  2

  Croatia

  Zagreb

  4·0

  1

  Croatia

  Zagreb ECMM

  1·0

  0

  Cuba

  Havana

  4·0

  0

  Cyprus

  Nicosia

  11·0

  3

  Czechoslovakia

  Prague

  11·0

  5

  Denmark

  Copenhagen

  10·0

  5

  Ecuador

  Quito

  3·0

  2

  Egypt

  Alexandria

  1·0

  0

  Egypt

  Cairo

  13·0

  4

  El Salvador

  San Salvador

  1·0

  1

  Estonia

  Tallinn

  1·0

  0

  Ethiopia

  Addis Ababa

  5·0

  1

  Falklands

  Stanley

  1·0

  0

  Fiji

  Suva

  2·0

  1

  Finland

  Helsinki

  8·0

  4

  France

  Bordeaux

  1·0

  1

  France

  Lille

  1·0

  1

  France

  Lyons

  1·0

  2

  France

  Marseilles

  1·0

  1

  France

  Paris

  33·0

  10

  France

  Paris OECD

  6·0

  0

  France

  Strasbourg

  2·0

  0

  Gambia

  Banjul

  2·0

  0

  Germany

  Berlin

  12·0

  4

  Germany

  Bonn

  25·0

  0

  Germany

  Dusseldorf

  7·0

  7

  Germany

  Frankfurt

  3·0

  3

  Germany

  Hamburg

  2·0

  2

  Germany

  Munich

  4·0

  3

  Germany

  Stuttgart

  1·0

  2

  Ghana

  Accra

  10·0

  2

  Gibraltar

  Gibraltar

  2·0

  0

  Greece

  Athens

  11·0

  4

  Grenada

  St. George's

  1·0

  0

  84

  Country

  Post

  Number of diplomats

  Trade representatives1

  Guatemala

  Guatemala City

  3·0

  1

  Guyana

  Georgetown

  2·0

  0

  Holy See

  Vatican City

  2·0

  0

  Honduras

  Tegucigalpa

  1·0

  0

  Hong Kong

  Hong Kong BTC

  11·0

  4

  Hong Kong

  Hong Kong CTU

  2·1

  3

  Hong Kong

  Hong Kong JLG

  3·0

  0

  Hungary

  Budapest

  9·0

  5

  Iceland

  Reykjavik

  2·0

  0

  India

  Bombay

  7·0

  5

  India

  Calcutta

  2·0

  2

  India

  Madras

  2·0

  3

  India

  New Delhi

  21·0

  5

  Indonesia

  Jakarta

  14·0

  5

  Iran

  Tehran

  8·0

  2

  Iraq

  Baghdad

  4·0

  0

  Ireland

  Dublin

  9·0

  3

  Israel

  Tel Aviv

  7·0

  3

  Italy

  Florence

  1·0

  1

  Italy

  Milan

  5·0

  8

  Italy

  Naples

  2·0

  1

  Italy

  Rome

  17·0

  3

  Ivory Coast

  Abidjan

  3·0

  2

  Jamaica

  Kingston

  5·0

  1

  Japan

  Osaka

  3·0

  5

  Japan

  Tokyo

  23·0

  14

  Jerusalem

  Jerusalem

  2·0

  0

  Jordan

  Amman

  7·0

  1

  Kazakhstan

  Alma Ata

  2·0

  0

  Kenya

  Nairobi

  16·0

  3

  Kiribati

  Tarawa

  1·0

  0

  Korea

  Seoul

  9·0

  9

  Kuwait

  Kuwait

  10·0

  4

  Latvia

  Riga

  2·0

  0

  Lebanon

  Beirut

  2·0

  1

  Lesotho

  Maseru

  3·0

  0

  Libya

  Tripoli

  1·0

  0

  Lithuania

  Vilnius

  2·0

  0

  Luxembourg

  Luxembourg

  2·0

  0

  Macedonia

  Skopje

  1·0

  0

  Madagascar

  Antananarivo

  2·0

  0

  Malawi

  Lilongwe

  5·0

  0

  Malaysia

  Kuala Lumpur

  9·0

  6

  Malta

  Valletta

  4·0

  1

  Mauritius

  Port Louis

  2·0

  0

  Mexico

  Mexico City

  10·0

  5

  Mongolia

  Ulaanbaatar

  2·0

  0

  Montserrat

  Plymouth

  1·0

  0

  Morocco

  Casablanca

  2·0

  2

  Morocco

  Rabat

  4·0

  0

  Mozambique

  Maputo

  6·0

  0

  Namibia

  Windhoek

  3·0

  0

  Nepal

  Kathmandu

  5·0

  0

  Netherlands

  Amsterdam

  2·0

  0

  Netherlands

  The Hague

  13·0

  5

  New Zealand

  Auckland

  2·0

  3

  New Zealand

  Wellington

  8·0

  2

  Nicaragua

  Managua

  1·0

  0

  Nigeria

  Abuja

  4·0

  2

  Nigeria

  Kaduna

  2·0

  2

  Nigeria

  Lagos

  17·0

  5

  Norway

  Oslo

  10·0

  3

  Oman

  Muscat

  6·0

  3

  Pakistan

  Islamabad

  21·0

  3

  Pakistan

  Karachi

  4·0

  3

  Panama

  Panama City

  1·0

  1

  Papua New

  Port Moresby

  2·0

  0

  Guinea

  Paraguay

  Asuncion

  2·0

  1

  Peru

  Lima

  4·0

  1

  Philippines

  Manila

  7·0

  3

  Poland

  Warsaw

  12·0

  3

  Portugal

  Lisbon

  11·0

  5

  Portugal

  Oporto

  1·0

  1

  Qatar

  Doha

  3·0

  3

  Romania

  Bucharest

  8·0

  2

  Russia

  Moscow

  26·0

  6

  85

  Country

  Post

  Number of diplomats

  Trade representatives1

  Russia

  St. Petersburg

  3·0

  1

  Saudi Arabia

  Al Khobar

  2·0

  1

  Saudi Arabia

  Jedda

  4·0

  3

  Saudi Arabia

  Riyadh

  13·0

  8

  Senegal

  Dakar

  2·0

  0

  Seychelles

  Victoria

  2·0

  0

  Sierra Leone

  Freetown

  2·0

  0

  Singapore

  Singapore

  8·0

  5

  Slovakia

  Bratislava

  2·0

  0

  Slovenia

  Ljubljana

  1·0

  0

  Solomon Islands

  Honiara

  2·0

  0

  South Africa

  Cape Town

  4·0

  2

  South Africa

  Durban

  1·0

  1

  South Africa

  Johannesburg

  8·0

  6

  South Africa

  Pretoria

  11·0

  0

  Spain

  Barcelona

  2·0

  3

  Spain

  Bilbao

  1·0

  3

  Spain

  Madrid

  19·0

  8

  Spain

  Malaga

  1·0

  0

  Spain

  Palma

  1·0

  0

  Sri Lanka

  Colombo

  7·0

  2

  St. Lucia

  Castries

  1·0

  0

  St. Vincent

  Kingstown

  1·0

  0

  Sudan

  Khartoum

  4·0

  1

  Swaziland

  Mbabane

  2·0

  0

  Sweden

  Stockholm

  10·0

  5

  Switzerland

  Berne

  6·0

  1

  Switzerland

  Geneva CG

  7·0

  1

  Switzerland

  Geneva UKDEL

  3·0

  0

  Switzerland

  Geneva UKMIS

  10·0

  0

  Switzerland

  Zurich

  2·0

  6

  Syria

  Damascus

  6·0

  1

  Taiwan

  Taipei Attc

  3·0

  4

  Tanzania

  Dar Es Salaam

  7·0

  0

  Thailand

  Bangkok

  13·0

  8

  Tonga

  Nuku'alofa

  1·0

  0

  Trinidad

  Port of Spain

  3·0

  2

  Tunisia

  Tunis

  5·0

  0

  Turkey

  Ankara

  10·0

  3

  Turkey

  Istanbul

  5·0

  5

  Turks/Caicos

  Grand Turk

  1·0

  0

  U. A. Emirates

  Abu Dhabi

  7·0

  3

  U. A. Emirates

  Dubai

  5·0

  3

  Uganda

  Kampala

  7·0

  0

  Ukraine

  Kiev

  6·0

  0

  Country

  GDP growth 1988–92

  British exports 1992 £ million

  Export league position 1992

  Percentage of British exports 1992

  Percentage change British trade representation 1988–92

  Thailand

  10·17

  476

  34

  0·40

  +79·0

  Maldives

  9·51

  4

  160

  0·00

  1

  Malaysia

  9·09

  635

  28

  0·60

  -3·2

  Belize

  8·80

  11

  127

  0·01

  2

  Singapore

  8·06

  1,145

  19

  1·10

  -9·9

  South Korea

  7·96

  654

  27

  0·60

  +35·2

  China

  7·90

  429

  36

  0·40

  +32·5

  United Arab Emirates

  7·20

  926

  23

  0·90

  2

  Chile

  7·14

  125

  57

  0·10

  -1·6

  Botswana

  6·94

  20

  105

  0·02

  -16·0

  Source: IMF.

  1 No local representation.

  2 No change.

  Thailand
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current state of development of the proposed construction of the new transmitter in Thailand for the BBC World Service; and when the construction will be completed.
  86

  Country

  Post

  Number of diplomats

  Trade representatives1

  Uruguay

  Montevideo

  3·0

  1

  USA

  Atlanta

  2·0

  3

  USA

  Boston

  2·0

  2

  USA

  Chicago

  5·0

  9

  USA

  Cleveland

  1·0

  1

  USA

  Dallas

  1·0

  2

  USA

  Houston

  2·0

  3

  USA

  Los Angeles

  6·0

  4

  USA

  Miami

  1·0

  2

  USA

  New York BTIO

  9·0

  11

  USA

  New York UKMIS

  17·0

  0

  USA

  New York BIS

  3·0

  0

  USA

  New York CG

  4·0

  0

  USA

  New York JMO

  2·0

  0

  USA

  San Francisco

  2·0

  2

  USA

  Seattle

  1·0

  1

  USA

  Washington

  38·0

  3

  Uzbekistan

  Tashkent

  2·0

  0

  Vanuatu

  Vila

  2·0

  0

  Venezuela

  Caracas

  7·0

  4

  Vietnam

  Hanoi

  4·0

  0

  Vietnam

  Ho Chi Minh

  1·0

  1

  Yemen

  Sana'a

  5·0

  1

  Yugoslavia

  Belgrade

  7·0

  3

  Yugoslavia

  Kosovo

  1·0

  0

  Zaire

  Kinshasa

  2·0

  0

  Zambia

  Lusaka

  8·0

  2

  Zimbabwe

  Harare

  10·0

  2

  TOTALS

  1,263·1

  451

  1 Including senior locally engaged staff.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which 10 countries have had the greatest growth of GDP over the last five years; and what has been the percentage change of the number of United Kingdom trade representatives in the diplomatic posts in each of these countries over that period.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information is contained in the table.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have reached agreement in principle with the Thai authorities for the construction of a BBC World Service relay station in Thailand. Detailed site survey work, which is required before final project approval can be given, is about to begin. The target date for completion of the project is 1996.
  87

  UN Security Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the United Kingdom ambassador to the United Nations has had with his American, Russian, French and Chinese counterparts in New York following the proposal by the United States ambassador that Germany and Japan be allocated permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council; and what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Administration over the proposal.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have regular discussions with the Americans and other permanent members of the Security Council on a range of United Nations issues, including Security Council reform. The Americans have aired their views, which are not new, in the context of the Secretary-General's request for member states to submit views on Security Council reform by the end of June. Many states, including the United Kingdom, will be sending replies and we will play a full part in the debate.

  UN Peace-keeping Operations
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the United Kingdom's contribution was to the United Nation's peace-keeping operations for each of the last 10 years; and what form each contribution took.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  United Kingdom assessed contributions to the United Nations for peacekeeping operations for calendar years 1983 to 1992 inclusive are shown in table A.

  We also contribute contingents to a number of operations.

  Table B shows average manpower totals for FY89/90 onwards and the costs. Figures are not available for personnel involved in peacekeeping operations before 1989.

  Table A

  PKO

  Total United Nations costs

  United Kingdom assessment

  $

  $

  1983

  UNEF/UNDOF

  51,424,618

  2,903,400

  UNIFIL

  204,687,820

  11,562,616

  TOTALS

  256,112,438

  14,466,016

  1984

  UNEF/UNDOF

  35,008,804

  1,980,362

  UNIFIL

  139,515,477

  7,889,724

  TOTALS

  174,524,281

  9,870,086

  1985

  17,668,157

  999,159

  UNEF/UNDOF UNIFIL

  69,743,881

  3,943,611

  TOTALS

  87,412,038

  4,942,770

  Average manpower totals deployed on United Nations peacekeeping operations

  Operation

  Financial Year 1989–90

  Financial Year 1990–91

  Financial Year 1991–92

  Financial Year 1992–93

  Financial Year 1993–94

  UNFICYP (Cyprus)

  763

  778

  773

  786

  592

  UNTAG (Namibia)

  170

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UNIKOM (Iraq-Kuwait)

  —

  —

  20

  15

  15

  MINURSO (Western Sahara)

  —

  —

  15

  15

  15

  88

  PKO

  Total United Nations costs

  United Kingdom assessment

  $

  $

  1986

  UNEF/UNDOF

  36,075,718

  2,128,643

  UNIFIL

  165,495,803

  9,732,229

  TOTALS

  201,571,521

  11,860,872

  1987

  UNEF/UNDOF

  34,637,584

  2,052,892

  UNIFIL

  160,242,048

  9,499,379

  TOTALS

  194,879,632

  11,552,271

  1988

  UNEF/UNDOF

  17,448,712

  1,034,131

  UNIFIL

  128,287,933

  7,613,781

  UNIIMOG

  35,214,525

  2,085,184

  TOTALS

  180,951,170

  10,733,096

  1989

  UNEF/UNDOF

  35,758,957

  2,125,368

  UNIFIL

  152,928,144

  9,100,088

  UNIIMOG

  113,464,671

  6,765,227

  UNAVEM

  9,033,059

  535,871

  UNTAG

  409,555,646

  24,313,435

  TOTALS

  720,740,477

  42,839,989

  1990

  UNEF/UNDOF

  39,705,206

  2,350,921

  UNIFIL

  142,383,974

  8,450,380

  UNIIMOG

  24,245,517

  1,431,539

  UNAVEM

  5,680,851

  335,005

  ONUCA

  56,908,988

  3,375,840

  TOTALS

  268,924,536

  15,943,685

  1991

  UNEF/UNDOF

  37,865,581

  2,222,717

  UNIFIL

  151,520,291

  8,895,787

  UNAVEM

  52,133,556

  3,070,269

  ONUCA

  25,932,122

  1,514,512

  UNIKOM

  60,296,777

  3,542,240

  MINURSO

  140,911,223

  8,265,226

  ONUSAL

  13,242,993

  767,485

  TOTALS

  481,902,543

  28,278,236

  1992

  UNEF/UNDOF

  35,202,425

  2,120,982

  UNIFIL

  144,962,169

  8,792,954

  UNAVEM

  56,604,651

  3,420,182

  ONUCA

  12,120,754

  724,660

  UNIKOM

  60,869,647

  3,651,915

  ONUSAL

  36,260,035

  2,175,387

  UNAMIC

  33,294,358

  2,010,720

  UNTAC

  801,823,206

  48,813,331

  UNPROFOR

  250,455,801

  15,254,166

  UNOSOM

  108,441,298

  6,584,483

  TOTALS

  1,540,034,344

  93,548,780

  Note: Figures taken from United Nations status of Contribution Reports.
  89

  Operation

  Financial Year 1989–90

  Financial Year 1990–91

  Financial Year 1991–92

  Financial Year 1992–93

  Financial Year 1993–94

  UNTAC (Cambodia)

  —

  —

  1 2123

  123

  123

  UNPROFOR (Yugoslavia) [Including Hanwoood, Cheshire and Grapple]

  —

  —

  —

  1 32,489

  2,642

  Total for year

  933

  778

  931

  3,428

  3,387

  1 Manpower level reduced following the recent 25 per cent, reduction in the UNFICYP force.

  2 Original deployment consisted of three military observers, a 13 man mine clearance team and two military liaison officers at the United Nations. Increased in mid-March to its current strength.

  3 Between 15 July—23 October average manpower in-theatre was 331 but rose to 2,489 following the implementation of Operation Grapple.

  Cost of United Kingdom participation

  (£ million)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  UNFICYP (Cyprus)

  23·77

  24·84

  26·34

  29·93

  33·78

  UNPROFOR (Croatia/Bosnia)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UNTAG (Namibia)

  —

  1·25

  —

  —

  —

  MINURSO (Western Sahara)

  —

  —

  —

  0·06

  0·61

  UNIKOM (Iraq/Kuwait)

  —

  —

  —

  0·03

  0·82

  UNTASC/UNAMIC (Cambodia)

  —

  —

  —

  0·01

  0·83

  Gross cost

  23·77

  26·09

  26·34

  30·03

  100·35

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution has been made by the United Kingdom towards the training of persons involved in peacekeeping by the United Nations in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The preparation and training of United Kingdom personnel participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations is undertaken by the United Kingdom armed forces before each deployment. Over the last 10 years the United Kingdom has contributed personnel to the following peacekeeping operations:

  MINURSO—United Nations Mission for the Referendum in the Western Sahara

  UNFICYP—United Nations Peackeeping Force in Cyprus

  UNIKO—United Nations Iraq/Kuwait Observer Mission

  UNTAC—United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia

  UNPROFOR—United Nations Protection Force (in the former Yugoslavia)

  UNTAG—United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (Namibia)

  Narcotics
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total of the United Kingdom's funding for overseas programmes to combat the production and trade in narcotics in each of the last five years, with each programme shown separately.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The figures for Departments' overseas programmes to combat the production and trade in narcotics for the last five years are as follows:

  Latest inflation1

  Budget balance2

  General government debt3

  Long-term bond yield4

  Belgium

  2·7

  -6·9

  132·2

  7·2

  Denmark

  1·1

  -2·4

  74·0

  7·2

  France

  2·0

  -3·9

  50·1

  6·9

  90

  Foreign and Common wealth Office

  Overseas Development Administration

  Home Office

  £

  £

  £

  1988–89

  664,572

  n/a

  1,985,000

  1989–90

  4,267,927

  7,941,400

  2,267,000

  1990–91

  4,453,930

  3,733,585

  3,352,000

  1991–92

  3,203,266

  3,496,275

  2,093,000

  1992–93

  2,802,303

  3,627,631

  4,428,000

  n/a = not available.

  ODA figures relate to projects aimed both directly and indirectly at reducing drug production and trafficking in developing countries.

  In addition, £94,000 from the seized asset fund was allocated to drugs-related assistance to overseas governments in 1992–93.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  EC Economic Statistics
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current(a) inflation rate, (b) budget surplus or deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product, (c) public debt as a percentage of gross domestic product and (d) long-term interest rate, of each of the EC member states.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  91

  Latest inflation1

  Budget balance2

  General government debt3

  Long-term bond yield4

  Germany5

  4·0

  -2·8

  45·9

  6·8

  Greece

  16·2

  -13·8

  105·6

  n/a

  Ireland

  1·9

  -2·4

  99·0

  7·6

  Italy

  4·0

  -9·5

  106·8

  10·5

  Luxembourg

  3·8

  -1·6

  6·8

  7·2

  Netherlands

  2·3

  -3·3

  79·8

  6·6

  Portugal

  5·7

  -5·4

  66·2

  12·2.

  Spain

  4·6

  -4·5

  47·4

  10·7

  United Kingdom

  1·3

  -6·2

  45·9

  8·0

  1 Latest percentage change in consumer prices on year ago.

  2 1992 general government financial balance (as a percentage of GDP), European Commission.

  3 1992 gross debt of general government (as a percentage of GDP), estimates taken from European Economy (Annual Economic Report for 1993).

  4 Yield on fixed interest government securities on 15 June 1993.

  5 Inflation and government debt figures are for western Germany.

  Source: OECD and Eurostat

  Industrial Research and Development
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to offer tax incentives to encourage companies in the United Kingdom to invest in industrial research and development.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's recent White Paper on science and technology reiterated our view that we do not consider there to be a case for further general tax incentives for spending on research and development.

  Profit Distribution
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Departments has on the percentage of company profits distributed as dividends in each year since 1978 for each G7 country excluding Canada and for Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.

  Income tax liability of decile groups of taxpayers at current prices

  (£ million)

  Year

  Top 10 per cent.

  10–20

  20–30

  30–40

  40–50

  50–60

  60–70

  70–80

  80–90

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  Total tax liability

  Number in each decile (thousands)

  Total taxpayers1 (thousands)

  1979–80

  7,900

  3,600

  2,800

  2,300

  1,900

  1,600

  1,200

  900

  500

  200

  22,900

  2,160

  21,600

  1980–81

  9,300

  4,200

  3,300

  2,700

  2,200

  1,800

  1,500

  1,100

  600

  200

  26,900

  2,100

  21,000

  1981–82

  10,800

  4,700

  3,700

  3,000

  2,500

  2,100

  1,600

  1,200

  700

  200

  30,500

  2,080

  20,800

  1982–83

  11,700

  5,000

  3,900

  3,200

  2,700

  2,200

  1,700

  1,200

  700

  200

  32,600

  2,080

  20,800

  1983–84

  12,100

  5,300

  4,000

  3,300

  2,700

  2,200

  1,700

  1,200

  700

  200

  33,400

  2,040

  20,400

  1984–85

  13,200

  5,600

  4,200

  3,400

  2,700

  2,200

  1,700

  1,200

  700

  200

  35,300

  2,020

  20,200

  1985–86

  14,800

  5,900

  4,500

  3,700

  3,000

  2,400

  1,900

  1,400

  900

  300

  38,800

  2,020

  20,200

  1986–87

  16,900

  6,500

  4,900

  4,000

  3,200

  2,600

  2,000

  1,500

  900

  400

  42,800

  2,040

  20,400

  1987–88

  18,400

  6,800

  5,100

  4,100

  3,400

  2,700

  2,000

  1,500

  900

  300

  45,300

  2,080

  20,800

  1988–89

  19,400

  6,900

  5,200

  4,100

  3,400

  2,700

  2,100

  1,500

  900

  300

  46,500

  2,130

  21,300

  1989–90

  22,600

  8,300

  5,900

  4,600

  3,700

  2,900

  2,300

  1,700

  1,100

  400

  53,400

  2,150

  21,500

  1990–91

  25,400

  9,400

  6,900

  5,400

  4,200

  3,400

  2,600

  1,800

  1,000

  300

  60,400

  2,630

  26,300

  1991–92

  26,200

  9,800

  7,100

  5,600

  4,400

  3,500

  2,600

  1,800

  1,000

  300

  62,400

  2,550

  25,500

  1992–93

  25,800

  9,500

  6,900

  5,300

  4,200

  3,200

  2,400

  1,600

  800

  200

  59,900

  2,480

  24,800

  1 Tax units prior to 1990–91.

  Income tax liability of decile groups of taxpayers at 1979–80 prices

  (£ million)

  Year

  Top 10 per cent.

  10–20

  20–30

  30–40

  40–50

  50–60

  60–70

  70–80

  80–90

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  Total tax liability

  Number in each decile (thousands)

  Total taxpayers1 (thousands)

  1979–80

  7,900

  3,600

  2,800

  2,300

  1,900

  1,600

  1,200

  900

  500

  200

  22,900

  2,160

  21,600

  1980–81

  8,000

  3,600

  2,800

  2,300

  1,900

  1,500

  1,300

  900

  500

  200

  26,900

  2,100

  21,000

  1981–82

  8,300

  3,600

  2,900

  2,300

  1,900

  1,600

  1,200

  900

  500

  200

  30,500

  2,080

  20,800

  92
  Mr. Nelson
  The available information is provided in the OECD's "National Accounts Volume II", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total tax liability of each decile of taxpayers in each year since 1979–80 in(a) current prices and (b) 1979–80 prices; and how many taxpayers were in each decile in each year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Estimates are given in the tables. For years up to and including 1989–90 married couples are counted as one taxpayer and their incomes are combined. Following the introduction of independent taxation, for 1990–91 onwards husbands and wives are counted separately. The figures in the table have been rounded to the nearest £100 million and may differ slightly from the totals shown.
  93

  Year

  Top 10 per cent.

  10–20

  20–30

  30–40

  40–50

  50–60

  60–70

  70–80

  80–90

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  Total tax liability

  Number in each decile (thousands)

  Total taxpayers1 (thousands)

  1982–83

  8,400

  3,600

  2,800

  2,300

  1,900

  1,600

  1,200

  900

  500

  100

  32,600

  2,080

  20,800

  1983–84

  8,300

  3,700

  2,800

  2,300

  1,900

  1,500

  1,200

  800

  500

  100

  33,400

  2,040

  20,400

  1984–85

  8,600

  3,700

  2,800

  2,200

  1,800

  1,400

  1,100

  800

  500

  100

  35,300

  2,020

  20,200

  1985–86

  9,100

  3,600

  2,800

  2,300

  1,900

  1,500

  1,200

  900

  600

  200

  38,800

  2,020

  20,200

  1986–87

  10,100

  3,900

  2,900

  2,400

  1,900

  1,600

  1,200

  900

  500

  200

  42,800

  2,040

  20,400

  1987–88

  10,600

  3,900

  2,900

  2,400

  2,000

  1,600

  1,200

  900

  500

  200

  45,300

  2,080

  20,800

  1988–89

  10,600

  3,800

  2,800

  2,200

  1,800

  1,500

  1,100

  800

  500

  200

  46,500

  2,130

  21,300

  1989–90

  11,400

  4,200

  2,900

  2,300

  1,900

  1,500

  1,200

  800

  600

  200

  53,400

  2,150

  21,500

  1990–91

  11,700

  4,300

  3,200

  2,500

  1,900

  1,600

  1,200

  800

  500

  100

  60,400

  2,630

  26,300

  1991–92

  11,500

  4,300

  3,100

  2,500

  1,900

  1,500

  1,100

  800

  400

  100

  62,400

  2,550

  25,500

  1992–93

  11,000

  4,000

  2,900

  2,300

  1,800

  1,400

  1,000

  700

  300

  100

  59,900

  2,480

  24,800

  Tax units prior to 1990–91.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue change in a full year at 1993–94 income levels and assuming existing levels of personal allowances of replacing the present rates and thresholds of income tax with a structure in which(a) the first £2,500 incurred tax at 20 per cent., (b) £2,500 to £30,000 at 25 per cent., (c) £30,000 to £50,000 at 30 per cent., (d) £50,000 to £75,000 at 40 per cent., (e) £75,000 to £100,000 at 50 per cent., (f) £100,000 to £250,000 at 60 per cent. and (g) over £250,000 at 70 per cent.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The estimated revenue cost in a full year at 1993–94 income levels from imposition of the specified regime is £510 million. This does not allow for any behavioural effect that might result from such changes to the tax system and does not include capital gains tax.

  New Change Building
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in resolving the dispute concerning outstanding payments to contractors on project 1215 at New Change, EC4 on behalf of the Bank of England; and when Mr. R. Simpson, the managing director of R. M. Simpson Ltd. (Heating Engineers) of London SE26, can expect a reply from the Chief Secretary to his letter to him of 19 March.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 14 June 1993]: I have no record of receiving such a letter, although I now have a copy. My private secretary wrote to Mr. Simpson on 21 June.

  Personal Investment Authority
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has about the costs to date of the proposed personal investment authority.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 16 June 1993]: The PIA is a company limited by guarantee which will be applying to the Securities and Investments Board for recognition as a self-regulating organisation under the Financial Services Act. The costs to date are a matter for the company.

  Excise Duty
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value to the Exchequer of excise duty levied on(a) beer, (b) wine and (c) spirits, for the latest financial year; and if he will make a statement.
  94
  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: The information requested, for the year ending March 1993, is as follows:

  £ million

  Beer

  2,377

  Wine and made wine

  979

  Spirits

  1,659

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Market Testing
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1992 and indicate, in each case, whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision, or whether the service was contracted out.

  Mr. Mates
  Eleven tests have been completed in Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office since November 1992. Five of these were won by the in-house providers, two by outside contractors and four by a combination of both, as follows:

  Transit (computer systems)—Contracted out

  Bridge inspection vehicles—Retained in-house

  Roadman training centre—Retained in-house

  Road testing machines—Retained in-house

  Castlenavan Quarry—Combination

  Grounds maintenance (two tests)—Retained in-house

  Sewer maintenance—Combination

  Sludge maintenance (two tests)—Combination

  Catering—Contracted out

  EC Council of Ministers
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, together with the respective dates, those meetings of the EC Council of Ministers which were attended by Ministers in his Department in the latest 12 months.

  Mr. Mates
  None. Northern Ireland's interests like those of the rest of the United Kingdom at EC Council meetings are represented by the Minister with the lead United Kingdom policy responsibility.

  Clubs
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to publish in the near future the review of the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1987; and if he will make a statement.
  95
  Mr. Ancram
  The review is still in progress. In due course, the Government will publish proposals for amending legislation.

  Education and Library Boards
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the annual cost of administering each education and library board in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Belfast

  North-Eastern

  South-Eastern

  Southern

  Western

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1990–91

  6,229

  6,840

  6,727

  7,227

  6,365

  1991–92

  8,903

  8,962

  8,080

  9,155

  7,496

  11992–93

  7,888

  7,429

  6,266

  7,360

  6,532

  1 Estimated

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the education authorities in Northern Ireland and the total number of pupils for which each education and library board is responsible.

  Teachers

  Other Staff

  Board Area

  Full-lime

  Part-time1

  Full-lime

  Part-time

  Belfast

  3,635

  58

  1,557

  2,683

  North-Eastern

  3,994

  118

  1,741

  4,365

  South-Eastern

  3,410

  77

  1,260

  3,263

  Southern

  3,964

  95

  1,730

  4,199

  Western

  3,507

  34

  1,823

  4,735

  1 Information is not available on the number of part-time teachers. The figures in this column are based on the number of part-time teacher hours worked, expressed as full-time equivalents.

  Note: Data for teachers covers all those employed in schools in the boards' areas, but not necessarily by the boards. Figures for other staff relate to boards' staff only.

  Education Department
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of people employed in the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1984

  568

  1985

  588·5

  1986

  602

  1987

  606

  1988

  615·5

  1989

  621

  1990

  638·5

  1991

  631

  1992

  622

  1993

  655

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the annual cost of administering the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Ancram
  The costs for each of the last three financial years were:
  96
  Mr. Ancram
  The education authorities in Northern Ireland are the five education and library boards and the total numbers of pupils are as follows:

  Number

  Belfast

  66,183

  Western

  65,478

  Northern-Eastern

  74,328

  South-Eastern

  64,300

  Southern

  75,030

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time (i) teachers and (ii) other staff were employed in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Ancram
  The latest information relates to 1992–93 and is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1990–91

  12·5

  1991–92

  13·0

  11992–93

  14·8

  1 Provisional outturn.

  Pensions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the actual and estimated future annual totals for old age pension payments to people resident in Northern Ireland annually from 1990 to the year 2000.

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to table 9.22 of the Government's Public Expenditure Plans for Northern Ireland (Cmnd 2216), a copy of which is in the Library. Expenditure plans for the years 1996 to 2000 are not yet available.

  European Community Funding
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the annual transfers of EC moneys to Northern Ireland are(a) payments to Northern Ireland under each specific EC fund and (b) payments channelled via the United Kingdom Government and not explicitly identified as common agricultural policy transfers or other such transfers.
  97
  Mr. Mates
  The greatest part of the annual transfers of EC monies to Northern Ireland are made via the United Kingdom Government as payments from either the European regional development fund, the European social fund or the European guidance and guarantee fund (EGGF). Other small payments are made by the European Commission direct to recipients which are not passed through the United Kingdom Government.

  The majorty of payments under the guarantee section of the EGGF are made centrally on a United Kingdom basis through the Intervention Board Executive Agency and are not recorded on a territorial basis. There are no other transfers of EC monies to Northern Ireland via the United Kingdom Government.

  Babies (Eye Defects)
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year from 1976 to the latest available date, the numbers of babies born in Northern Ireland with(a) no eyes, (b) small eyes, (c) damaged optic nerves and (d) all recorded eye defects; and if he will estimate the comprehensiveness of the recorded information.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: The information is not collated centrally in the form requested. During the years 1980 to 1988, five babies were born in Northern Ireland with no eyes, 47 with small eyes and 28 with cataract. The number of babies born with eye defects between 1976 and 1981 were as follows:

  No eyes or small eyes

  Other eye defects

  1976

  2

  2

  1977

  2

  1

  1978

  2

  3

  1979

  12

  22

  1980

  12

  29

  1981

  12

  19

  The Northern Ireland genetics service, which has provided the information, believes it to be reasonably comprehensive.

PRIME MINISTER

  Horse Racing
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the horse racing industry.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  the Government are keen to see the industry prosper and, as my hon. Friend knows, we have in recent months taken various measures to help it to do so. I also welcome the establishment of the new British Horseracing Board and wish it success in its aim of putting racing in this country on a sound financial footing.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what response he is making to the letter on THORP from the Japanese groups delivered to him on 15 June.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.
  98
  So far as I am aware, no trace of the letter can be found.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his public statements on THORP since November 1990.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) on 17 June 1993 at columns 987–88.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those hon. Members with whom he has had meetings to discuss THORP since November 1990.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister meets hon. and right hon. Members regularly and discusses a range of topics.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 22 June.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been attending a European Council meeting in Copenhagen.

  Irish Republic (President)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the cost to the United Kingdom of each visit made by the present President of the Irish Republic to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Workplace Creches
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list, for the Civil Service in the Whitehall area, how many(a) men and women are directly employed, (b) buildings are used and (c) workplace creches are in place, or so much of the information requested as is available.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the Whitehall area there were approximately 4,560 men and 3,080 women employed in the home civil service at 1 April 1993.

  There are 27 common user estate buildings and two civil service workplace nurseries. A further nursery serving this area is scheduled to open in November. A number of Departments and agencies also have places in a private nursery in the vicinity.

TRANSPORT

  British Transport Police
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the Government's conclusions on the response to the consultation document "The Future Status of British Transport Police".

  Mr. Freeman
  We have today issued our conclusions on the consultation exercise and I am arranging for a copy to
  99
  be placed in the Library of the House. I welcome this opportunity of confirming our decisions that overall control will remain in the public sector; that a provision in the operator's licence will make it compulsory to use BTP for the administration of law and order on the railway; and that there will be levels of policing laid down which operators will be required to provide.

  The Government do not intend to change the policing of London Underground. The London Underground area of the BTP will continue largely as at present to provide these services.

  A5 (Dunstable Bypass)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the target date of autumn 1993 for the publication of draft orders under the Highways Act for the A5 Dunstable bypass stated in the letter from the then Minister for Roads and Traffic to the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire of 23 March remains in place.

  Mr. Key
  We hope to publish draft orders next spring. The delay results from a need to examine more fully the environmental impact of the road on the sensitive areas through which it passes. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Air Accident Report
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on air accident report 3/93; and what action he plans to take, and when, on the recommendations in this report.

  Mr. Norris
  This accident report, by my Department's air accident investigation branch (AAIB), relates to an incident on 9 March 1992, when an aircraft suffered damage soon after take-off from Frankfurt and diverted to London Heathrow. The AAIB has made a thorough analysis of this incident and its causes and consequences and have produced a valuable and comprehensive report.

  The AAIB has made two recommendations, directed at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These recommendations have been accepted and the appropriate alterations will be included in the next amendment to the Manual of Air Traffic Control Part I, due on 28 June 1993.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he sent a copy of air accident report 3/93 to the Library.

  Mr. Norris
  No copies of air accident report 3/93 were sent to the Library. Copies of AAIB reports are sent to the Library in the event of accidents and incidents likely to attract considerable public interest or where Members have indicated a particular interest in the investigation.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hon. Members were sent copies of air accident report 3/93 when it was published on 9 June.

  Mr. Norris
  None. The air accidents investigation branch (AAIB) send copies of their reports to all Members of Parliament who express an interest in a particular investigation.

  The AAIB published an interim bulletin on this accident in June 1992 but no Members indicated an interest in receiving a copy of the formal investigation report.
  100

  Railway Track Support Grant
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will require a reassessment of rail freight rates in light of the proposed track support grant; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if the track support grant is to be made available to the Cambrian coast railway; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) when he expects to make an announcement regarding the level and distribution of track support grant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  We envisage that Railtrack will be able to accept on to the rail network any freight flow which can cover its avoidable costs. The track charge grant is aimed at assisting flows which cannot cover those costs. It follows that grant will be flow specific, not route specific. The public expenditure provision for the new grant will be determined in the course of the current public expenditure planning round.

  Taxis
  Dame Angela Rumbold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps will be taken under the new proposed regulations to ensure that ex-licensed black cabs are not used for other taxi purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  At present, the law requires that when a vehicle licensed as a taxi in London is sold, or the licence has expired without plans for renewal, the vehicle licence plate must be returned to the licensing authority. Once this has been done the taxi becomes a private vehicle and although it can be used as a minicab, it is an offence to use it to ply for hire. In addition, the display of any sign or notice on it which includes the words "taxi", "cab" or "hire" is prohibited.

  Outside London, a London-type taxi may be used as a hackney carriage if it is licensed by the local district council, but it may not be used as a private hire vehicle at all because it might be mistaken for a taxi. If unlicensed it may be used as a private car only.

  Dame Angela Rumbold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is proposing to take to enforce prosecution of unlicensed minicabs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Minicabs in London are not licensed, and their use for pre-booked journeys is perfectly legal. It is illegal for them to accept hirings in the street. The police already have powers to take action in such cases.

  I am, however, reviewing the regulation of taxis, minicabs and private hire vehicles in England, including London, and I hope to publish a Green Paper on this subject shortly.

  A418
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department will publish its proposals for the A418 trunk route in Buckinghamshire.

  Mr. Key
  Preparations are in hand to consult the public about the A418 west of Aylesbury to Wing proposals later this year.
  101

  Portwood Roundabout
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to give the approval and finance for the installation of traffic lights at the Portwood roundabout giving access to the M66.

  Mr. Key
  Approval has already been given to install lights on the Portwood roundabout so that traffic leaving the M63 does not queue on the motorway. Funds have been made available to carry out the work this financial year.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Milk
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans she has to help the milk industry following the reduction of EC financial support for the school milk scheme; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what is her policy towards the provision of subsidised school milk; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Until the Commission presents its detailed proposals for expenditure under the school milk scheme in 1994, I am not able to make a clear statement of future policy in this area.

  Common Land
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to introduce legislation regarding common land and overgrazing; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  As regards legislation concerning common land, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 8 June at col.291.

  Environmentally damaging overgrazing on common land and elsewhere is being tackled under legislation covering hill livestock compensatory allowances (HLCAs) and the environmentally sensitive areas scheme. We plan to adjust other livestock premiums to complement the action already being taken on HLCAs. In addition, we have carried out consultations on a new moorland scheme which will also contribute to reducing overgrazing.

  Ewe and Suckler Cow Premiums
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the criteria by which the national reserve of ewe and suckler cow premium is distributed to applicants.

  Mrs. Shephard
  The categories to be covered by the national reserve were the subject of a consultation exercise, and the details are currently being finalised. The necessary national legislation will be made later in the summer.

  New Farmers
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what capital incentives are available to make farming more accessible to new entrants.

  Mrs. Shephard
  No capital incentives available are aimed specifically at new entrants to the farming industry.
  102
  However, young farmers (those under 40) taking out first improvement plans under the farm conservation grant scheme are eligible for additional grant of 25 per cent. of the normal rates of grant towards the cost of capital investments of benefit to conservation and the environment.

  CAP Fraud
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total amount of expenditure by the EC's administration concerned with seeking out fraud in the operation of the comon agricultural policy over the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; what is the value of the fraudulent activities which they discovered during this period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  A number of units within the Commission have an interest in dealing with CAP fraud. Information on their administrative costs is not available as the general budget of European Communities does not give this detail.

  The Commission's annual report on the fight against fraud includes details of CAP fraud and irregularities and measures to combat these. The 1992 report and action programme for 1993, COM(93)141 final, was the subject of explanatory memorandum 6203/93 of 20 May 1993 submitted by the Paymaster General. A copy of the report was placed in the Library of the House.

  Redundant Farm Buildings
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grant aid is available for the purpose of restoring redundant farm houses and associated buildings in order that they may once again form the basis of an active farming unit.

  Mrs. Shephard
  My Department does not offer grant aid for the restoration of redundant dwellings on farms. However, grants are available under the farm and conservation grant scheme for the repair or refurbishment of traditional farm buildings currently in agricultural use using traditional materials and construction methods.

EMPLOYMENT

  Disabled People
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve the way his Department gives assistance towards meeting the employment needs of people with disabilities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have asked the Employment Service to introduce a new major programme for people with disabilities from 1 April 1994. It will be called "access to work" and will assist people who need help to overcome barriers to work resulting from disabilities.

  Access to work replaces and adds to the help currently available under the special aids to employment, adaptations to premises and equipment, fares and work, and personal reader service schemes, which will be wound up. More people with a wider range of needs will be helped. Assistance will no longer be limited to prescribed, specific forms. Within resources available, it will be provided flexibly to meet need.

  Access to work will be open to unemployed, employed or self-employed clients registerable as disabled with

  103
  priority for unemployed people. New forms of help available will include communication support for deaf people, adaptations of vehicles to get to work, and support workers for people with severe physical disabilities, mental illness or with learning difficulties.

  In addition, from 5 July 1993, unemployed deaf people will be able to get help towards the cost of communicators at job interviews. Trials of other forms of communicator support for deaf people entering employment will be taking place in four locations during 1993. Lessons learned will be taken into account in access to work.

  Under access to work there will be an upper limit, at a level to be specified as soon as possible, to the amount of financial help any one individual can receive over a five year period, but entitlement to support will begin again after five years. Employers will be asked to make a 50 per cent. contribution towards assistance for employees who have worked for them for six months or more. These contributions will be capped over the five year period at a level to be specified. Employers will also be expected to pay for the cost of one-off items of equipment or help costing less than £100 for their employees who have worked for them for six months or more. Employers will not be asked for any contribution for new recruits or employees who have worked with them for less than six months.

  The job introduction scheme, which encourages employers to take on people with disabilities for short trial periods, will continue separately. The business on own account scheme, which currently provides assistance with general business setting up costs to only a very small number of severely disabled people, will be discontinued. However, those wanting to enter self-employment will be eligible for help under access to work.

  I believe that the introduction of access to work will be an important step in helping to release, in the workplace, the individual potential and initiative of people with disabilities and to meet their employment needs.

  CBI
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet the chairman of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss training issues.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is looking forward to an early meeting. Such meetings are held regularly.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the borough of Rochdale have been unemployed for more than a year.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on claimant unemployment by duration is available quarterly and on the unadjusted basis only.

  In April 1993, in the Rochdale local authority district, there were 3,586 claimants who had been unemployed for more than one year.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the measures taken to reduce unemployment in the 18 to 25 years age group.

  Miss Widdecombe
  All unemployed people in the 18 to 25 years age group are eligible, subject to qualifying 104
  criteria, for the full range of employment, enterprise and training measures available through the employment service, training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies. This is in addition to the advice and placement help which the employment service offers all unemployed people through its job centre network.

  Fishing Companies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many fishing companies went into liquidation from 1975 and passed their obligation to pay redundancy to his Department; and how many fishermen were paid redundancy in each case.

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

  Unemployment, Barnsley
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each of the three Barnsley constituencies the latest figures for(a) unemployment, (b) those who have been unemployed for one year, (c) those who have been out of work for at least five years and (d) those on training courses.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on claimant unemployment by duration is available quarterly, for the months of January, April, July and October, and on the unadjusted basis. The information requested is given in the table.

  Information on the numbers of people on training courses is collected at training and enterprise council (TEC) level and shows that in March 1993 there were 6,300 people on employment training and youth training courses in the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC area.

  Non-seasonally-adjusted claimant unemployment by duration—April 1993

  Total

  Unemployed over one year

  Unemployed over five years

  Barnsley Central

  4,329

  1,746

  233

  Barnsley East

  3,892

  1,478

  242

  Barnsley West and Penistone

  4,016

  1,437

  205

  Redundancies
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now publish the Government's case to the European Court of Justice concerning employee representation under the EC Collective Redundancies Directive 1975.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 14 June at column 451.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies were notified in the latest year for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of the total work force in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the north-west and (c) the travel-to-work areas of Accrington and Rossendale, Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle in east Lancashire.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Data on redundancies are obtained from the quarterly Labour Force Survey which provides figures for Great Britain only. Estimates of the numbers of
  105
  redundancies, in the three months prior to each survey, are shown in the table. Information for travel-to-work areas is not available.

  Great Britain

  Percentage of employees

  North West

  Percentage of employees

  Spring 1992

  322,000

  1·5

  32,000

  1·4

  Summer 1992

  278,000

  1·3

  35,000

  1·5

  Autumn 1992

  310,000

  1·4

  29,000

  1·2

  Winter 1992

  344,000

  1·6

  45,000

  1·9

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action has been undertaken to date by his Department to implement the recommendations of the EC Council of Ministers in 1986 on the subject of disabled people and employment within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Many of the issues covered by the EC Council of Ministers' recommendations had already been addressed by the United Kingdom prior to 1986. Since then we have:

  carried out a thorough review of all our employment and training provision for people with disabilities;

  undertaken wide-ranging consultations on proposals to improve the effectiveness of that provision;

  improved the local specialist disability services for employers and individuals by introducing placing assessment and counselling teams;

  ensured that equal opportunities principles apply to the delivery of training provision through training and enterprise councils and local enterprise councils;

  made delivery of employment rehabilitation more accessible locally through contracts with the voluntary sector;

  introduced a disability symbol so that employers who are committed to employing people with disabilities can communicate this publicly. The symbol was strengthened from 1 June 1993 so that employers who use the symbol now have to agree to five specific commitments to action relating to good employment practices;

  taken positive action to ensure that people with disabilities have priority for a place on each of the Department's main employment and training programmes for which they are suitable and eligible;

  announced improvements to our special schemes. which through the introduction of access to work next year, will increase both the range of help available to disabled people to overcome barriers to work and the number of disabled people who can be helped;

  reviewed the funding arrangements for our sheltered employment and will shortly be issuing a consultative document with proposals to improve their effectiveness.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to issue guidelines to employers outlining what constitutes reasonable cause for the dismissal of a registered disabled person.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is a question of fact for the court to decide whether there is reasonable cause under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 for a particular dismissal. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not given any statutory power to lay down guidelines of the kind suggested.

  Guidance to employers on their obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 is given in a leaflet "Employers Obligations—Notes for Guidance" which is issued by the employment service.

  Advice to employers on employing disabled people, whether or not they are registered, is contained in the code
  106
  of practice on the employment of disabled people available from the employment service. This is a voluntary code and there is no legal obligation on employers to observe it. We would expect that if an employer acted in accordance with the guidance and spirit of the code it would be most unlikely that a court would hold him or her to have acted unreasonably.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the implementation of paragraphs 77 and 78 of the approved code of practice in regard to the survey conducted under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The impact of paragraphs 77 and 78 (regarding the monitoring of exposure to hazardous substances at the workplace) was covered in a two-part survey on the regulations, carried out by inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities.

  The full report of the evaluation will he published in July and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Manufacturing Jobs
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has about the number of manufacturing jobs in each European Community region in each year since 1980; and what proportion of the regional total number of jobs they represented.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Statistics on employment by European Community region are published by the EC Statistical office in a series of reports entitled "Regional Statistics". Published reports covering years up to 1985 are available in the Library. Reports covering later years are in preparation but no publication date has yet been announced.

  Maternity Provisions
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to implement the new maternity provisions set out in the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill before October 1994.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  All the provisions of the EC Pregnant Workers Directive will be implemented in United Kingdom law by October 1994, as the directive requires.
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  Job Losses, Stoke on Trent
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what meetings he, or officers in his Department or agencies or consultancies under his Department, have organised to discuss the effect of job losses in Stoke on Trent.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Meetings are held when appropriate by officials of the Employment Department, the employment service and the Staffordshire training and enterprise council to discuss the effect of job losses in Stoke on Trent. The most recent meeting was held on 6 May 1993 and another is planned for 28 July.

DEFENCE

  Gulf War (Depleted Uranium)
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of depleted uranium during Operation Desert Storm.

  Mr. Hanley
  Depleted uranium was used by coalition forces in tank armour and ammunition. British use in the conflict was confined to a small number of rounds of tank ammunition.

  Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the consultation on the proposals to close the Royal Naval Engineering college at Manadon to be completed.

  Mr. Hanley
  Comments on the consultative document which outlines our proposals for the future of the Royal Navy first degree engineer officer training and the Royal Naval Engineering college, Manadon, a copy of which is in the Library of the House have been requested by 1 July 1993. In response to a request from the trades unions however I am happy to announce an extension of 10 working days.

  Service Accommodation (Cyprus)
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the capital expenditure used in the provision of new and renovated accommodation for(a) families and (b) single service personnel in Cyprus for the past five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the five financial years ending on 31 March 1993, capital expenditure on service families' accommodation in Cyprus has been £13,191,000, all of which was for new accommodation. Capital expenditure on accommodation for single service personnel has been £8,897,000 of which £7,384,000 was for new accommodation and £1,513,000 for renovation.

  International Commitments
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about the ability of existing regiments and battalions to meet all current international commitments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have received a number of representations from hon. Members and their constituents. The 108
  Government's position is set out in its response to the Defence Committee's Second Report, Session 1992–93, on "Britain's Army for the 90s", which the Committee published on 16 June.

  Exports
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the share of the world market achieved by British defence exports in 1992 and so far in 1993.

  Mr. Aitken
  In 1992, Britain's share of the world defence export market (in terms of new contracts let) was 20 per cent.—putting us in second place only to the United States of America. Based on our achievements so far this year we believe that we are on course to retain this market share.

  Overseas Service
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are currently serving on duty outside the United Kingdom; and in which principal locations.

  Mr. Hanley
  On 1 April 1993, the number of United Kingdom regular forces serving overseas was 70,436. The main locations were:

  Continental Europe (including former Yugoslavia)

  Cyprus

  Elsewhere in the Mediterranean, near east and Gulf

  Hong Kong

  Elsewhere in the far east

  and Gibraltar.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet other EC Defence Ministers to discuss the deployment of troops in Bosnia.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I met a number of my European colleagues at a meeting of NATO's Defence Planning Committee in Brussels on 25 May. Our discussions covered a wide range of issues, including the deployment of forces in the former Yugoslavia. I keep in regular contact with other European Defence Ministers on such matters, which remain under continuous review.

  Job Opportunities (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about Ministry of Defence job opportunities in North Yorkshire.

  Mr. Aitken
  Plans that will result in the reduction, rationalisation and transfer-out of posts in North Yorkshire have already been announced, and work is continuing to ensure that a cost-effective balance is achieved between our front-line forces and supporting infrastructure, but I can assure the hon. Member that there will continue to be a large MOD presence in the county.

  Royal Naval Reserve
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on the future of the Royal Naval Reserve.
  109
  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 17 June at columns 1009–12.

  United Nations Peacekeeping
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Nations peacekeeping and other operations involve British service men and women; and what are the numbers posted to these operations.

  Mr. Hanky
  As at early June the numbers of British service personnel serving with United Nations operations was as follows:

  Number

  Former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR)

  2,446

  Cyprus (UNFICYP)

  592

  Cambodia (UNTAC)

  122

  Western Sahara (MINURSO)

  15

  Iraq-Kuwait (UNIKOM)

  15

  Hydrographic Department
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the planned work of the Hydrographic Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence Hydrographic Department will continue to provide specialist input to defence programmes and plans and specialist advice to other Government Departments.

  Departmental Residential Property
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on empty residential property owned by his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  Empty residential properties which are surplus to long term requirements are sold wherever possible. Empty properties which are required in the long term but for which there is no immediate need are wherever possible leased to local authorities and over 900 properties are currently on lease in this way. Not all empty properties are surplus to requirements however as some are undergoing major maintenance or refurbishment and others are earmarked for incoming families and future deployments.

  Exports
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to assist United Kingdom defence industries to increase the proportion of their output supplied to overseas markets.

  Mr. Aitken
  Within my Department, the Defence Export Services Organisation assists United Kingdom defence industry market and sells its products and services overseas. We provide a wide range of advice and services including the promotion of exhibitions, the compilation of market surveys, help with foreign contacts and the offer of training and advice to customer countries.
  110

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are in former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  On 15 June there were 2,608 British forces personnel on the ground in the former Yugoslavia.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the meetings he has held with his European colleagues about the progress of the Eurofighter 2000 so far in 1993.

  Mr. Aitken
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has not discussed Eurofighter 2000 with his German, Italian and Spanish counterparts this year. I met the State Secretaries of the partner nations on 5 April in Bonn to review progress on the project and I have discussed this matter with my German counterpart, Herr SchÕnbohm, on two further occasions.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to meet his European colleagues to discuss the Eurofighter 2000.

  Mr. Aitken
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to meet his German, Italian and Spanish counterparts to discuss Eurofighter 2000.

  Belize
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the timetable for withdrawal of the British garrison from Belize.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 14 June at col.475 and the answer that my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on 13 May at cols 561–62.

  Market Testing
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1992 and indicate, in each case, whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision, or whether the service was contracted out.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information requested is as follows:

  Activity

  Result In house/Contractorised

  Flight checking services 115 Squadron—RAF Benson

  Contractorised

  Domestic services Gateway house—RAF Brize Norton

  Retained in house

  Engineering and Supply/Multi-activity contract RAF Scampton

  Contractorised

  Elementary flying training RAF Topcliffe

  Contractorised

  Catering—A and AEE Boscombe Down

  Contractorised

  111

  Activity

  Result In house/Contractorised

  Grounds maintenance Royal Marine Establishments

  Retained in house

  Domestic and administration services Wethersfield

  Contractorised

  Number of psychiatric hospitals1 1978 to 1990–91

  All psychiatric hospitals

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Northern

  19

  17

  17

  18

  18

  18

  18

  21

  23

  19

  17

  16

  16

  Yorkshire

  36

  36

  36

  37

  36

  34

  35

  37

  38

  33

  35

  36

  40

  Trent

  64

  63

  64

  64

  65

  65

  67

  62

  61

  53

  58

  53

  49

  East Anglian

  22

  22

  23

  25

  24

  25

  26

  24

  24

  25

  25

  21

  23

  North West Thames

  18

  19

  19

  18

  18

  18

  18

  21

  24

  21

  22

  22

  20

  North East Thames

  20

  20

  20

  21

  21

  21

  21

  22

  23

  25

  28

  28

  31

  South East Thames

  29

  29

  29

  29

  31

  31

  31

  31

  32

  33

  29

  35

  36

  South West Thames2

  34

  35

  35

  34

  35

  37

  35

  35

  34

  40

  46

  40

  35

  Wessex

  38

  42

  42

  43

  47

  54

  64

  79

  88

  29

  41

  39

  37

  Oxford

  19

  21

  20

  20

  20

  21

  24

  24

  30

  21

  24

  25

  17

  South Western

  56

  57

  55

  59

  60

  61

  63

  68

  73

  54

  58

  53

  60

  West Midlands

  36

  37

  37

  38

  41

  41

  43

  55

  57

  37

  39

  40

  36

  Mersey

  15

  15

  14

  13

  13

  12

  11

  11

  14

  15

  16

  15

  16

  North Western

  14

  13

  13

  17

  17

  19

  21

  22

  22

  16

  16

  16

  20

  Special Health Authorities

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  England

  421

  427

  425

  437

  447

  458

  478

  3513

  3544

  422

  455

  440

  437

  1 A hospital where 90 per cent. or more of the available beds are allocated to the psychiatric (mental illness and mental handicap) specialities. For years 1987–88 to 1990–91 mental handicap community units have been excluded. These units can generally be defined as facilities staffed by the NHS and managed separately from any hospital, which is located in the community, and provides not more than 24 residential places for people with learning disabilities.

  2 Number for 1987–88 estimated.

  3 These totals may be inflated by the inclusion of Mental Handicap Community Units.

  Sources: SH3 (Hospital Classification) 1978 to 1986.

  KHO3 (4th Quarter) 1987–88 to 1990–91.

  Neonatal Units
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neonatal units there were in each of the last five years; and how many of these units had a named consultant in charge.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available on the number of neonatal units in the last five years is shown in the table. Every baby in a neonatal intensive care cot will have a consultant paediatrician who is responsible for that baby's care.

  Number of hospital units recording beds available for neonatal intensive care

  Number

  1987–88

  1221

  1988–89

  211

  1989–90

  210

  1990–91

  208

  1991–92

  2—

  Source: KHO3.

  1 Includes an estimated figure for South West Thames.

  2 Data are being collected in a different form with effect from 1991–92 due to redesignation after the National Health Service reforms were introduced.

  Dioxins
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to calculate the effect of dioxins on humans.
  112

HEALTH

  Mental Hospitals
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental hospitals there were in each region and nationally in each of the last 15 years.

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

  Mr. Sackville
  The expert Advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has reviewed the toxicology of dioxins on a number of occasions. It has set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for dioxins of 10 picograms per kilogram body weight per day. Provided that individual intakes of dioxins do not exceed this level no risk to health is anticipated.

  Hospital Services, London
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to publish the reports of the six reviews of specialties in London; and what role their advice will play in decisions about the future of hospital services in London.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The specialty reviews will be published in full tomorrow and copies will be placed in the Library and Vote Office at 10.30 am. The chairmen of the review teams will hold a press conference to coincide with the publication.

  The Government set out their proposals for improving the National Health Service in London in "Making London Better", published on 16 February, copies of which are available in the Library. The specialty reviews were announced then, in response to a recommendation in Sir Bernard Tomlinson's report. The independent review teams were established to address the extensive duplication and fragmentation of services in six specialties (cancer; cardiac; neurosciences; renal; plastic surgery and children's specialist services) and make recommendations

  113
  on their future disposition. Their reports are independent advice to Ministers and the NHS, not statements of Government policy.

  Work on developing the proposals set out in "Making London Better" has progressed well since February. The recommendations of the specialty reviews represent a further necessary stage in that process, but not its conclusion. The review recommendations will form part of a complex jigsaw of factors informing decisions about the future pattern of services in London. The recommendations will be fed into the local process—already well under way—of developing sensible and sustainable proposals which meet the Government's objectives of improved patient care, support for excellence in teaching and research and value for money. Academic interests must be taken into account. Above all, proposals must be supported by NHS purchasers, reflecting patient preferences through the internal health market. No decisions are being taken to close any hospital, or make major service changes, on the basis of the specialty reviews alone.

  "Making London Better" set out a timetable for long-term change. Clearly, some issues will be resolved more quickly than others. We anticipate that the main proposals for the future configuration of services will be put forward in the autumn. Proposals for major changes to services would, of course, he subject to full statutory public consultation, according to established procedures.

  Persistent Vegetative State
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the implications of the case of Anthony Bland for the funding by the national health service of the care of patients who have been in PVS for more than one year in cases where the patient's family wish treatment to continue.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. Decisions on the care of patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS) are made by doctors in consultation with the care team and the patient's relatives/friends. Treatment of PVS patients, in common with all chronically ill long-stay patients, is funded from national health service resources.

WALES

  Pensions
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) members and (b) dependants are currently in receipt of (a) civil service pensions, (b) NHS pensions, (c) teachers' pensions, (d) armed forces pensions and (e) local government pensions in Wales; and what is the average amount of pension for (i) members and (ii) dependants in each category.

  Mr. Redwood
  Separate information for Wales on civil service, national health service, teachers and armed forces pension recipients is not readily available. Figures for the eight Welsh county councils, which include 77 other bodies whose superannuation funds are run by these councils, are given in the table.
  114

  Pensions and Annuities, 1991–92

  Number at 31 March 1992

  Average Pension/annuity1 (£ per person)

  Retired employees

  36,952

  2,396

  Dependants

  8,128

  894

  Source: Local Government Superannuation Funds returns.

  1 Excluding lump sums, transfers and refunds of contributions.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, column 346–48, if he will list the urban investment grants given by the Cardiff Bay development corporation, over the past eight quarters broken down by the same statistical headings.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is as follows:

  Project—NCM relocation

  Developer—ABP (Grosvenor Waterside)

  Grant paid—£550,000 (January-March 1993)

  Total grant approved——£2·5 million

  Private investment—£14·5 million

  Forecast permanent jobs—400

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many urban investment grants have been made in excess of £250,000 by the Cardiff Bay development corporation; to which property developers or owners they have been made; and how many other offers the corporation has made of over £250,000 which were not taken up.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the details of urban investment grants made by Cardiff Bay development corporation in the reply given today. The corporation has made no other offers over £250,000 which were not taken up.

  Quarrying
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by mineral planning authority the number of quarrying prohibition orders that have been issued, the number of appeals that have been made against them, and the inspector's decision in each case, over the last 10 years.

  Mr. Redwood
  There has been one. The order was made by Mid Glamorgan county council in respect of Ewenny quarry at Bridgend. Two objections were made to the order and following a public inquiry the inspector recommended that the order be not confirmed. The former Secretary of State accepted that recommendation and his decision was issued accordingly. There is at present an application by the county council before the High Court challenging the decision.

  European Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the review of boundaries for European parliamentary constituencies in Wales to be completed; and what consultations he proposes to hold on the membership of the committee to conduct such a review.

  Mr. Redwood
  These are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.
  115

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the expenditure on administration by each local authority in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Redwood
  Information for 1989–90 and earlier years is not available on a consistent basis and is not yet available for 1992–93. The information available is given in the table:

  Local education authority net current expenditure on administration

  £000

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Clwyd

  5,992

  7,903

  Dyfed

  5,847

  5,370

  Gwent

  6,628

  6,821

  Gwynedd

  n/a

  n/a

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,347

  9,459

  Powys

  2,290

  2,254

  South Glamorgan

  4,519

  5,406

  West Glamorgan

  5,245

  5,131

  n/a = Not available.

  Flooding, Llandudno
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people registered at the emergency centres during the recent flood at Llandudno; how many were offered alternative accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Aberconwy borough council reports that some 3,800 people have so far registered at the emergency centres at Llandudno and Conwy. Of these, about 2,500 have been offered alternative accommodation, but the number requiring medium to long-term alternative accommodation is thought to be nearer 1,000. The borough council is, of course, continually updating these figures.

  Linseed
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that Welsh linseed farmers will be paid the same as their English counterparts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Payment rates for linseed have been calculated under the rules of the arable aid payment scheme. The yield regions for future years are under discussion.

  Craft Industry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to help the craft industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The craft industry makes an important contribution to the economic and cultural life of Wales and a wide range of assistance is available from the Welsh Development Agency, Development Board for Rural Wales and the Welsh Arts Council

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 17 June,Official Report, column 728, in which non-departmental public body each vacancy exists; and for how long the vacancy has existed.
  116
  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is shown in the following table. Since 11 June, two vacancies have been filled: one on the Sports Council for Wales and one on the Board of the Cardiff Bay development corporation.

  Appointments made by the Secretary of State for Wales Vacancies at 11 June 1993

  NDPB

  Number of vacancies

  Date vacancy commenced

  Agricultural wages committee and agricultural dwelling house advisory committee:

  —Clwyd

  1

  February 1993

  —Dyfed

  1

  February 1993

  —Glamorgan

  1

  April 1993

  —Gwent

  1

  May 1993

  Plant variety and seeds tribunal:

  —Strawberries

  1

  June 1993

  Snowdonia national park committee

  1

  March 1993

  Cardiff Bay development

  1

  March 1993

  corporation

  12

  May 1993

  Sports council for Wales

  21

  April 1993

  Gwent community health NHS trust

  1

  March 1993

  Gwent FHSA

  1

  November 1992

  Clwyd North CHC

  1

  April 1993

  Cardiff CHC

  1

  October 1992

  Land authority for Wales

  1

  April 1991

  Housing for Wales

  1

  April 1989

  Welsh Development Agency

  2

  December 1992

  1 One of these vacancies has now been filled.

  2 This vacancy has now been filled.

  Strategic Planning Guidance
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answers of 27 May,Official Report, column 716, and 17 June, Official Report, column 726, what plans he has for arrangements for remuneration of the Assembly of Welsh Counties for its costs in (a) carrying out the strategic planning guidance exercise and (b) publicising it.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to him on 27 May.

ENVIRONMENT

  Environmental Management
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to participate in the Institute of Waste Management conference in Torbay from 15 to 18 June; and what recent meeting he has had with officials of the institute regarding the completion of waste management legislation.

  Mr. Yeo
  I addressed the opening session of the Institute of Waste Management conference on Tuesday 15 June. I shall be meeting representatives of the institute and of the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors and local authority associations soon to discuss waste management licensing.

  New Age Travellers
  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what legal action he intends to take to remove(a) the new age travellers and (b) their vehicles trespassing on land at Gipsy lane, Burnett, Avon, owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement;
  117
  (2) what measures he intends to take to protect the Wynne family from disturbance arising from trespass of vehicles occupied by new age travellers on his department's land adjacent to their home at Gipsy lane, Burnett, Avon;

  (3) what discussions he has held with the chief constable of Avon and Somerset about removal of illegal trespassers from his Department's land at Gipsy lane, Burnett, Avon;

  (4) when he intends to introduce measures (a) to end the open-ended financial commitment to meet new age travellers' accommodation needs and (b) to give local authorities stronger powers to deal quickly with illegal camping.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State directed Avon county council in 1990 under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 to make additional accommodation available for gypsies as only one site had been provided in Avon at that time. It is for the council to comply with that statutory directon and determine where sites should be located.

  I announced legislative proposals on 31 March 1993 to give local authorities stronger powers to tackle illegal camping and to repeal the duty to provide sites and the power to provide grant. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend, the Member for Woking (Sir C. Onslow) on 31 March at column 291. But the duty remains in force until it is repealed and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State remains responsible for ensuring that Avon county council complies with the duty and the direction.

  PSA services offered this surplus former Crown Suppliers depot at Burnett for sale on the open market in October last year and the council made an offer to purchase the property in order to develop it as a gipsy caravan site. Travellers have camped illegally on the site since the council's intentions became public.

  PSA services, as current owner of the site is preparing to take action for possession under order 113 of the rules of the supreme court.

  PSA services and its agents, Building Management South and West have liaised with the police on handling throughout, and have had discussions with Mr. and Mrs. Wynne about their position. I understand that a gated fence has been erected to prevent encroachment by the travellers on to Mr. and Mrs. Wynne's property.

  It is open to the council to apply for Exchequer grant to cover the capital costs of developing this site if it obtains planning permission to develop it as a gipsy caravan site. Gipsies are defined in the 1968 Act as
  "persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin"
  and it is for the council to decide who is or is not a gipsy, and to ensure that sites are only provided for—and used by gipsies.

  The cost of providing an authorised site on this land for gipsies, as defined in section 16 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, has been estimated by Avon county council as £795,500.

  Methane Emissions
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what prospects there are for reducing methane emissions from closed landfill sites; and what licensing requirements he will make for(a) existing and (b) new landfill sites in respect of methane emissions.
  118
  Mr. Yeo
  The Government have published guidance on dealing with gas from closed landfill sites, and is undertaking further work on methods of controlling methane emissions. Resources are made available to authorities for investigation and remedial measures by means of supplementary credit approvals.

  Conditions in individual waste disposal licences are a matter for waste regulation authorities. The Government issue guidance to authorities on the discharge of their licensing functions. In particular, revised guidance on landfill gas was issued as Waste Management Paper No. 27 in 1991; further guidance on licensing, which will deal with the need to control methane emissions, is in preparation.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been undertaken by his Department into methane gas emissions from landfill sites.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Department recently commissioned the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) of the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct a preliminary study on the subject. Their report was made available in draft form to the Watt committee and to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution for their study of waste incineration. The final report will shortly be available as a departmental research report.

  The ETSU study showed that there is considerable uncertainty about the contribution of landfills to United Kingdom methane emissions. Preliminary estimates lie in the range of 0·6 to 5·3 Mt/year, with a best estimate of about 2 Mt/year. Given the level of uncertainty in the input level, it is not possible to predict the level of emissions to within a factor of two of the best estimate. There are two main sources of uncertainty: waste arisings data and information on the amount of methane oxidation that occurs close to the surface of a landfill.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the cost to the United Kingdom economy of implementing the carbon dioxide targets agreed at Toronto in 1988.

  Mr. Yeo
  No targets were agreed by the United Kingdom Government at Toronto in 1988.

  Community Charge
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in rank order all local authorities in England showing receipts of community charge in 1992–93 as a percentage of the expected yield.

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

  Landfill Directive
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the revised version of the EC landfill directive from the European Commission.

  Mr. Yeo
  The European Commission has indicated that they expect to present their revised proposals for a landfill directive towards the end of June.
  119

  Local Government Holidays
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many extra-statutory holidays, in addition to bank holidays, are enjoyed by employees in local government.

  Mr. Curry
  This is entirely a matter for local government. We understand from the Local Government Management Board (the employers organisation) that in addition to statutory and other general national holidays, national agreements entitle local government employees to a further two extra-statutory holidays the timing of which are determined by local authorities after consultation with their employees.

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 7 June,Official Report, column 113, if he will make a statement on the issues discussed and decisions taken at the Trondheim biodiversity conference in May.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Trondheim conference on biodiversity, convened by the United Nations Environment Programme, discussed a large range of issues associated with the provisions of the convention on biological diversity. This was one of a number of meetings being held to provide expert opinion which will inform the decisions to be made by the intergovernmental negotiating committee and in time by the conference of the parties to the convention.

  Building Management South-East
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he is taking to remedy the management and control weaknesses which have been identified by the investigation of his Department's internal audit and central inquiry unit into allegations of irregularities at BMSE contracting division;

  (2) if he will name the contractor whose activities have given rise to concern to his Department's internal audit and central inquiry unit during its investigation into allegations of irregularities at BMSE contracting division;

  (3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the findings of his Department's internal audit and central inquiry unit's investigation into allegations of financial irregularities in the BMSE contracting division.

  Mr. Curry
  The following steps have been taken to remedy the management and control weaknesses identified by the internal audit and central inquiry unit investigations:

  an experienced civil service senior manager was brought in to take overall charge of Building Management South East contracting division while a detailed recovery plan was prepared

  the contracts of two members of staff have not been renewed

  a new financial controller has been appointed

  a management action plan has been agreed and implementation of it is being monitored by the BMSE board

  I do not propose to name the contractor whose activities have given rise to concern, as investigations into the case continue.
  120
  It is not customary to place copies of internal audit and central inquiry unit reports in the Library. They are available to the staff of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the usual way.

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to respond to the Royal Commission on environmental pollution report on waste incineration; and if he will indicate the nature of his proposed response.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government have welcomed the report from the Royal Commission on environment pollution on the incineration of waste as a comprehensive and clear analysis of the role of incineration as a waste management option. It describes incineration in a positive and reassuring light and is likely to go a long way to offsetting public concerns about incineration. The Government will be making a full response to the commission's report in due course.

  Community Care Housing
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the Housing Corporation capital funding to meet community care housing needs is maintained at or above the 1989–90 levels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase the Housing Corporation capital funding to meet community care housing needs for new schemes to allow new building levels to equal the 1989–90 level.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase the proportion of Housing Corporation capital funding to meet new schemes for community care housing needs to levels at or above those given in 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Housing Corporation continues to provide support for 3,000 special needs bed spaces a year, which attract revenue funding from the special needs management allowance. The corporation also provides capital support for further units of accommodation—up to 1,500 in the current year suitable—for people with special needs, but not requiring revenue support. No decisions have yet been taken about future levels of expenditure.

  There are many ways of meeting the housing needs arising from community care, including general needs social housing funded by the corporation, in which tenants can receive non-residential care support. Overall, resources for the corporation's approved development programme have been doubled from £935 million in 1989–90 to over £1·8 billion this year.

  The corporation's allocations to housing associations are made in response to the housing strategies prepared by local housing authorities. They in turn are consulted by the social services agencies about their community care strategies.
  121

  Housing (Elderly People)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the housing needs of people over 80 years in Stoke on Trent, North constituency and in the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department commissioned Ernst and Young management consultants to carry out an independent study of the housing needs of elderly and disabled people, including those aged 80 years and over. The study has been completed and a series of reports covering different elements of the programme of research is being prepared.

  The Ernst and Young study is restricted to England and will produce representative findings at national and regional levels. Separate studies of the housing needs of elderly and disabled people have been undertaken in recent years by the Scottish Office and the Northern Ireland Office.

  Guidance to local housing authorities will be produced, using the Ernst and Young research, on methods for assessing the needs of elderly people and the comparative costs of different housing and care options to meet their needs. This guidance is referred to in paragraph 18 of the joint circular (10/92) issued by my Department and the Department of Health on housing and community care.

  Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Bill (Advisory Body)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to establish an advisory body in respect of the provisions of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I have announced that the Government are prepared to contribute, for up to three years, towards the cost of a body giving advice on the leasehold reform provisions of the Bill. The Leasehold Reform Co-ordinating Committee has prepared a scheme for an advisory agency and is presently seeking to attract funding from various professional bodies and other organisations.

  Interim Development Orders
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to revoke all interim development orders which conflict with good environmental standards and sound environmental protection; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment gave on 22 January 1993 at columns 457–58.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures exist to ensure that the information supplied by BNFL in respect of applications for authorisation for proposed radioactive discharge limits fulfils the requirements of environmental assessment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 16 June 1993]: Details of the procedures used by Her Majesty's inspectorate of
  122
  pollution and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to assess the radiological implications of the radioactive discharges proposed by BNFL in its applications for new discharge authorisations for Sellafield, including the thermal oxide reprocessing plant, are given in the explanatory memoranda which accompanied the public consultation documents. Copies of these memoranda are in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the application from BNFL for authorisation for proposed new radioactive discharge limits from the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield fulfils the requirements of environmental assessment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 16 June 1993]: The information provided by BNFL in support of their applications for new radioactive discharge authorisations for Sellafield, including the thermal oxide reprocessing plant, was sufficient to enable Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to conduct detailed assessments of the radiological implications of the company's proposed discharges. These assessments confirmed that doses resulting from the proposed discharges would be well within national and international limits.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made in accordance with EC directive 84/467 Euratom of the projected costs and benefits which will arise from the operation of the BNFL thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 16 June 1993]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, together with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is currently considering a report by Her Majesty's chief inspector of pollution and the MAFF inspectorates on the recent consultation on applications for revised authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 for radioactive discharges from the Sellafield site. The revised authorisations would take into account (amongst other things) the operation of the THORP plant.

  Any decision on the applications will be made in accordance with national and EC law, including the relevant requirements of Directive 84/467/Euratom.

EDUCATION

  Pupil Testing
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his present estimate of the costs of the testing of 14-year-old pupils under the arrangements required by his Department(a) by local education authorities and (b) by his Department; and if he will express the figure for the confirmed expenditure as a sum per pupil involved.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department provides support under the grants for education support and training programme for local authority expenditure on training for teachers about national curriculum assessment. In the financial year 1993–94, grant at the rate of 60 per cent. supports £17 million of expenditure for the in-service training of teachers. Over the last three years £50·6 million
  123
  has been supported for this purpose. Information on the precise proportion of this expenditure which relates to the testing of 14-year-olds is not available.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to ensure that universities are not permitted to charge top-up fees for undergraduate courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government have given maximum independence to universities and colleges to manage their own affairs. To intervene in the setting of tuition fees would cut across that principle and would exceed my right hon. Friend's legal powers. Public funding for higher education is sufficient. It totals over £4 billion in England and over £270 million in Wales in 1993–94.

  EC Students
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps have been taken to obtain funding from the European Community or other member states in respect of the costs resulting from the enrolment of European Community students for third-level courses in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Boswell
  Students from other EC member states attending designated courses of higher education in the United Kingdom qualify for an award covering their course fees up to a specified maximum, where they satisfy basic eligibility conditions similar to those for students who live in the United Kingdom. Reciprocal rights apply to United Kingdom students studying elsewhere in the EC. The Department regularly discusses the distribution of funds for the various EC student mobility programmes with the Commission and representatives of other member states.

  EC Students
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many European Community students enrolled for third-level courses in the United Kingdom in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) 1992; what amount of tuition fee was forgone in respect of European Community students enrolling for third-level coures in the United Kingdom in (i) 1990, (ii) 1991 and (iii) 1992; and what was the total cost of the education of European Community students enrolling for third-level courses in the United Kingdom in (1) 1990, (2) 1991 and (3) 1992.

  Mr. Boswell
  In the academic years 1990–91 and 1991–92 there were respectively 26,837 and 33,133 students from other EC member states studying third-level courses at institutions in the United Kingdom. Data for 1992–93 are not yet available. Except in exchange programmes, higher education institutions have not forgone tuition fees in respect of these students, who, depending on circumstances, either receive an award covering the cost of fees or pay the fees themselves. The cost of provision for EC students is not recorded separately.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (I) if he will list, by local education authority area, those grant-maintained schools already operating on 124
  1 April which (a) have received their final budgets for the 1993–94 financial year and (b) have yet to receive their final budgets for the 1993–94 financial year;

  (2) if he will list, by local education authority area, those grant-maintained schools that started operating on 1 April which (a) have received their final budgets for the 1993–94 financial year and (b) have yet to receive their final budgets for the 1993–94 financial year;

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is contained in the tables. Schools which became self-governing on 1 April this year are asterisked. All schools were notified in March this year of a "proposed final" AMG based on an updating of last year's budget figure on which they are basing current year planning prior to final figures becoming available.

  SELF-GOVERNING STATE SCHOOLS IN RECEIPT OF FINAL AMG BUDGETS
  Barnet

  Mill Hill County School

  Bromley

  Beaverwood School for Girls

  Buller Wood School for Girls

  Charles Darwin School

  Coopers School

  Crofton Junior School

  Hayes School

  Holy Innocents Roman Catholic Primary School

  Kelsey Park School

  Langley Park School for Boys

  Newstead Wood School for Girls (GM)

  Ravens Wood School for Boys

  St. John Rigby School

  St. Olave's and St. Saviours Grammar School

  Hounslow

  Gumley House Convent School for Girls*

  Gunnersbury Catholic School*

  Humberside

  Wold Newton Primary School

  Kingston

  Tiffin School

  Richard Challoner School*

  Holy Cross Convent School*

  Kirklees

  Castle Hall School

  Heckmondwike School

  Lancashire

  Bacup and Rawtenstall School

  Lancaster Girls Grammar School

  Newton Bluecoat School

  Liverpool

  St. Francis Xavier's College

  Newham

  Stratford School

  Oxfordshire

  Shenington C.E. Primary School*

  Sandwell

  Manor High Community School

  Somerset

  Bruton Primary School

  Sexey's School

  Surrey

  The Beacon School

  125

  Collingwood School

  De Stafford School

  Epsom and Ewell High School

  Glyn School

  Gordon's School

  Guildford County School

  Hawkedale First School

  Heathside Secondary School

  Manor County First School

  Rosebery School

  St. John the Baptist School

  St. Paul's Catholic School

  Send CE First School

  Stoneleigh First School

  Thamesmead School

  Tameside

  Audenshaw High School

  West Hill High School*

  Warwickshire

  The Avon Valley Grant-Maintained School

  Ash Green Grant-Maintained School

  Hartshill School

  Myton School

  Queen Elizabeth School Atherstone

  Rugby High School for Girls*

  Alcester Grammar School*

  Wolverhampton

  Moseley Park GM School

  Wolverhampton Girls High School

  SELF-GOVERNING SCHOOLS WITH PROPOSED FINAL AMG BUDGETS
  Avon

  Beechen Cliff School

  Oldfield School

  Barnet

  Queen Elizabeth School for Boys

  Bedfordshire

  Ashcroft High School*

  Crawley Green Infant School*

  Icknield High School*

  Lea Manor High School*

  Lincroft Middle School*

  Manshead School

  Queensbury School

  Sharnbrook Upper School

  Thomas Whitehead CE School

  Wootton Upper School*

  Berkshire

  Cippenham Middle School GM

  Denefield School

  Desborough Comprehensive School

  Downs School (The)

  Herschel Grammar School

  Holy Family RC Combined School

  Langley Grammar School

  Priory School

  Reading School

  Southlands School

  St. Bartholomew's School

  Upton Grammar School

  Whitelocke Infant and Nursery School*

  Bexley

  Barnehurst Infant Grant-Maintained School

  Barnehurst Junior Grant-Maintained School

  St. Mary and St. Joseph's School*

  St. Columba's RC Boys School*

  Birmingham

  King Edward VI Aston School*

  King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys*

  King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls*

  King Edward VI Five Ways School*

  126

  King Edward VI Handsworth School*

  Baverstock GM School

  Great Barr GM School

  Hall Green School*

  Handsworth Grammar School for Boys

  Small Health School

  Bolton

  Canon Slade School*

  Crompton Fold Primary School

  George Tomlinson School*

  St. James' CE School

  Bradford

  Bingley Grammar School

  Hanson School*

  Laisterdyke Middle School*

  Oakbank School*

  Thornton School*

  Brent

  Claremont High School GM

  Copland Community School and Technology Centre

  Convent of Jesus and Mary High School*

  Kingsbury High School*

  Queens Park Community School*

  Buckinghamshire

  Brookmead School

  Overstone Grant-Maintained Combined School

  Hamilton Combined School*

  Beechview Middle School*

  Bridgewater Hall School

  Brindley Hall School

  Beaconsfield High School

  The Chalfonts Community College

  Wycombe Royal Grammar School*

  Lord Grey School*

  The Radcliffe School*

  Calderdale

  Crossley Heath School (The)

  Holy Trinity CE Senior School

  North Halifax High School (The)

  Rastrick High School*

  Salterlee Primary School

  Cambridgeshire

  Ailwyn Community School*

  Bassingbourn Village

  Comberton Village College*

  Crosshall Infants School

  Crosshall Junior School

  Deacons School*

  Gamlingay Village College

  Jack Hunt School

  Longsands Community College*

  Orton Wistow Primary School*

  Park Lane Primary School

  Sawston Village College*

  Sawtry Village College

  Stanground College*

  St. Helens Primary School

  The Kings School

  The Queens School

  Wheatfield Junior

  Cheshire

  Bankfield High School (GM)

  Fallibroome High School*

  Henbury School*

  Kettleshulme St. James GM CE Primary School

  Croydon

  Edenham School*

  Riddlesdown School

  Cumbria

  Appleby Grammar School*

  Dallam School*

  127

  Harraby School*

  Hayton CE Primary School

  Kirkbie Kendal School

  Kirkby Stephen Grammar School*

  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

  Queen Katherine School

  St. Aidan's High School

  Scotby CE VA Primary School

  Trinity School

  Derbyshire

  Belmont Primary School

  Borrow Wood Junior School

  Repton Primary School*

  Netherthorpe School

  The Ecclesbourne School

  Chellaston School

  The Merrill Community School

  Belper School*

  John Port School*

  Murray Park Community School*

  Noel Baker School*

  Heanor Gate School*

  Devon

  Colyton Grammar School

  St. Boniface's College*

  Teign School*

  Torquay Boy's Grammar School

  Dorset

  Avonbourne School

  Bournemouth School

  Bournemouth School for Girls

  Budmouth School

  Highcliffe Comprehensive School

  Parkstone Grammar School

  Poole Technical High School*

  St. Walburga's RC Primary School*

  Woodroffe School (The)

  Dudley

  Ellowes Hall School (The)*

  Kingswinford School (The)

  Old Swinford Hospital School

  Ealing

  Brentside High School

  Drayton Manor High School

  Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls (The)

  Greenford High School

  Northolt High School

  Wood End First School

  Wood End Middle School

  Essex

  Appleton School

  Beauchamps School

  Belfairs School*

  The Boswells School

  Bromfords School

  Castle View School

  Chalvedon School

  Chelmer Valley High School*

  Chelmsford High School for Girls

  The Cornelius Vermuyden School

  Davenant Foundation School*

  The Deanes School

  The Eastwood School

  Elmwood Primary School

  The Fitzwimarc School

  Furtherwick Park School

  Gable Hall School*

  Grays School*

  The Greensward School*

  Great Totham Primary School

  The Hedley Walter School

  Jotmans Hall Primary School*

  Katherines Primary School

  The King Edmund School

  128

  King Edward VI Grammar

  King Harold School

  King John School

  Newlands Spring Primary School

  Newport Free Grammar*

  North Crescent Primary School

  Northlands Junior School

  Northwick Park Infant School*

  Northwick Park Junior School*

  The Philip Morant School

  The Plume School

  Rainsford School*

  Rickstones School

  Rolph CE VA Primary School*

  Saffron Walden High School

  Southend Girls High School*

  St. Andrews CE Primary*

  St. Clere's School*

  St. Martin's School*

  Tendring High School*

  Thorpe Bay High School*

  Thurstable School

  Torells School

  Westborough Primary School

  Westcliff High School for Boys

  Westcliff High School for Girls

  West Hatch High School

  William De Ferrers School*

  William Edwards School*

  Gloucestershire

  Balcarras School

  Chipping Campden School

  Cotswold School

  Chosen Hill School

  Churchdown School

  The Crypt School

  Katharine Lady Berkeleys School

  Marling School

  Newent Community School

  Pates GM Grammar School

  Rednock School

  Ribston Hall High School

  Robinswood Primary

  Saintbridge GM Technology College

  St. Gregory The Great RC Primary School

  Stroud High School

  Tewkesbury Grant-Maintained School

  Blue Coat CE Primary School*

  Picklenash School*

  Wyedean School*

  Hammersmith

  London Oratory School

  Hampshire

  Abbotswood Middle School

  All Hallows RC School*

  Arnewood School (The)

  Bay House School*

  Blackfield Middle School*

  Bohunt Community School*

  Burgate School

  Calmore Middle School*

  City of Portsmouth Boys School (The)

  Crofton School, Fareham

  Front Lawn Middle School

  Hardley School GM

  Priory County Primary School (The)

  Ringwood School GM Comprehensive

  St. Joseph's RC Primary School*

  Testwood School

  Havering

  Abbs Cross School*

  Coopers Company and Coburn School (The)*

  Frances Bardsley School (The)

  Hereford and Worcester

  St. Augustine's RC School (*)

  St. Bede's RC School (*)

  Hertfordshire

  St. Mary's Catholic Primary School

  Christ Church CE Primary School

  Parkside First School

  Hertingfordbury Cowper JMI School

  Rickmansworth School

  Watford Grammar School for Boys

  Francis Bacon School

  Watford Grammar School for Girls

  Parmiters School

  The Bishop's Stortford High School

  Ashlyns School*

  Dame Alice Owens School*

  Bushey Meads School*

  Bushey Hall School*

  Queen's School*

  Mount Grace School*

  Hillingdon

  Oak Farm Infant School

  Oak Farm Junior School

  Grange Park Infant School*

  Grange Park Junior School*

  Bishopshalt School

  Haydon School

  Vyners School

  Queensmead School

  Uxbridge School

  Northwood School

  The Hayes Manor School

  Mellow Lane School

  The Douay Martyrs School

  Abbotsfield School*

  Swakeleys School*

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

  Kent

  The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington

  The Cornwallis School

  The Maplesden Noakes School

  Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

  Dartford Grammar School

  Homewood School

  Southlands Comprehensive School

  St. George's CE School

  Thamesview School

  Aylesford School

  Dartford Grammar School for Girls

  Oldborough Manor Community College

  Senacre Technology School

  Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys

  Snodland CE Primary School

  Wrotham School

  Cranbrook School

  Angley School

  Fulston Manor School

  Minster College

  Oakwood Park Grammar School

  Rainham Mark Grammar School

  The Robert Napier GM School

  The Skinners' School

  Borough Green Primary School

  Chatham Grammar School for Girls

  Holy Trinity CE Primary School

  Sandown Court Community College

  Sir Roger Manwood's School

  The Archbishop's CE School

  The Bradbourne School

  The Canterbury High School

  The Malling School

  Meopham School

  St. Simon Stock School

  The Hugh Christie School

  The Wildernesse School*

  Westlands High School*

  St. Gregory's RC Comprehensive School*

  St. John Fisher School*

  Sutton-at-Hone CE Primary School*

  130

  Roseacre Junior School*

  Mascalls School*

  The Charles Dickens School*

  The Folkestone School for Girls*

  Lambeth

  Archbishop Tenisons*

  Bishop Thomas Grant School*

  Dunraven School*

  La Retraite RC Girls School

  St. Bernadette's Junior School

  Lancashire

  Archbishop Temple School*

  Baines School

  Clitheroe Royal Grammar

  Lancaster Royal Grammar

  Leicestershire

  Abington High School*

  Bushloe High School*

  Long Field GM High School

  South Wigston High School*

  Uppingham Community College*

  Lewisham

  Turnham Primary School

  Lincolnshire

  Ancaster High School (The)

  Bourne Abbey Primary School

  Caistor Grammar School

  Carre's Grammar School

  Castle Hills GM School (The), Gainsborough

  Ermine Junior GM School

  Gartree GM School (The)

  Gleed Girls GM School

  King Edward VI School, Lincs

  Kings School Grantham (The)

  Lacey Gardens Junior School*

  Lincoln Christ's Hospital School

  Magdalen School (The)

  Malcolm Sargent County Primary (The) *

  Monks' dyke High School

  North Kesteven GM School

  Queen Elizabeth's GM Grammar School (ALF)

  Queen Elizabeth's Grammar (HORN)

  Rauceby School CE GM

  Robert Pattison GM School

  Skegness Grammar School

  St. George's GM School

  William Alvey CE Junior School

  William Farr CE Comprehensive School

  Yarborough High School

  Norfolk

  Acle High School

  Cliff Park High School*

  Costessey High School

  Cromer High School

  Dereham Church First School

  Downham Market High School

  Flegg High School*

  Great Yarmouth High School*

  Gresham Primary School

  Heacham Middle School

  Robert Kett Middle School

  Loddon Middle School

  Lynn Grove High School*

  Marshland High School

  Norwich Road School

  Redgate Middle School

  St. Clements High School*

  Sheringham High School

  South Wootton GM Junior School

  West Flegg Middle School

  Wymondham College

  Northamptonshire

  Danesholme Junior School*

  King John Middle School

  131

  Kingsley Park Middle School

  Kingswood School

  Lodge Park School

  Manor School

  Montagu School

  Moulton Primary School

  Northampton School for Boys

  Sir Christopher Hatton School

  Southfield School for Girls

  Weavers School

  Windmill Primary School

  Woodnewton Way Junior*

  Wrenn School

  Nottinghamshire

  George Spencer School*

  Greenwood Dale School*

  Ravensdale Middle School

  Rochdale

  Crossgates Primary School

  Smithy Bridge Primary School*

  St. James Primary School*

  Wardle High School*

  Sheffield

  Clifford CE GM School

  Shropshire

  Adam's Grammar School

  The Corbet School*

  Solihull

  Hatchford GM Primary School

  Southwark

  The London Nautical School

  St. Francesca Cabrini RC Primary School*

  Staffordshire

  Cannock Chase High*

  St. Thomas More RC School

  Sutton

  Cheam High School

  The John Fisher School

  Nonsuch High School for Girls

  Sutton Grammar School for Boys

  St. Philomena's School*

  Wallington High School for Girls*

  Wallington County Grammar*

  Wilson's School

  Tower Hamlets

  Raines Foundation School

  Trafford

  New Wellington High School*

  Ashton-on-Mersey County High School*

  Sale Moor County High School*

  Walsall

  St. Thomas More RC Comprehensive GM School

  Shire Oak Community School*

  Streetly School

  Waltham Forest

  Highams Park School

  Wandsworth

  Ethelburga Primary School (Grant-Maintained)

  Hillbrook Primary School*

  Graveney School

  Burntwood School

  Elliott School (GM)

  Salesian College

  John Paul II RC School*

  Southfields School (GM)*

  Wiltshire
  132

  Aloeric GM Primary School

  Highbury School

  Lavington Comprehensive School

  St. Augustine's RC GM Comprehensive School

  Wirral

  Calday Grange Grammar School*

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the respondents to the consultative document "A Common Funding Formula for Grant-maintained Schools" issued on 18 December 1992; and if he will place a copy of each response in the Library.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Following is a list of respondents to the consultative document "A Common Funding Formula for Grant-maintained Schools" issued on 18 December 1992. Respondents commented on this consultation paper, as others, on the understanding that their replies would be treated as private correspondence. They may, of course, give their views wider circulation should they wish.

  A further consultation document on a common funding formula was issued on 10 June. Section B of that paper contains a summary of responses to the first paper. Copies are available in the Library.

  GM Schools

  Adams' Grammar School, Shropshire

  Audenshaw High School, Tameside

  Beaconsfield High School, Buckinghamshire

  Bullers Wood School, Bromley

  Calday Grange Grammar School, Wirral

  The Canterbury High School, Kent

  The Chalfonts Community College, Buckinghamshire

  Chalvedon School, Essex

  Charles Darwin School (Bromley GM Head Teachers), Kent

  Chelmsford County High Girls, Essex

  Chosen Hill School, Gloucestershire

  The Cornwallis School, Kent

  Cranbrook School, Kent

  Crompton Fold Primary School, Bolton

  Crosshall Junior School, Cambridgeshire

  The Crossley Heath School, Calderdale

  Dartford Grammar School, Kent

  Desborough School (Berkshire Association of GM Heads), Berkshire

  Epson and Ewell School, Surrey

  Ermine Junior GM School, Lincolnshire

  Gordon's School, Surrey

  Hardley School, Hampshire

  Haydon School, Hillingdon

  Heathside School, Surrey

  The Hedley Walter High School, Essex

  Hendon School, Barnet

  Herschel Grammar School, Berkshire

  Highcliffe School, Dorset

  Holy Family Primary RC School, Berkshire

  The King's School, Grantham, Lincolnshire

  The King's School, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

  The Schools of King Edward VI, Birmingham

  King Edward VI Grammar School, Essex

  Kirkbie Kendal School, Cumbria

  The London Nautical School, Southwark

  Meopham School, Kent

  Newent Community School (Gloucs Association of GM Heads), Gloucestershire

  Northolt High School, Ealing

  Oak Farm JMI School, Hillingdon

  The Park Lane Primary School, Cambridgeshire

  Riddlesdown High School, Croydon

  Robinswood Primary School, Gloucestershire

  St. Bartholomew's School, Berkshire

  St. Helen's Primary School, Cambridgeshire

  St. John's School, Wiltshire

  St. John The Baptist School, Surrey

  Thamesmead School, Surrey

  Tiffin School, Kingston

  The Westborough Primary School, Essex

  133

  Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, Kent

  Wilson's School, Surrey

  Wolverhampton Girls' High School, Wolverhampton

  The Woodroffe School, Dorset

  LEAs: Inner London

  Camden

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Lewisham

  Southwark

  Tower Hamlets

  Wandsworth

  Westminster

  LEAs: Outer London

  Barnet

  Bexley

  Bromley

  Havering

  Hillingdon

  Kingston

  Redbridge

  Sutton

  LEAs: Metropolitan

  Barnsley

  Birmingham

  Bolton

  Calderdale

  Cleveland

  Dudley

  Durham

  Knowsley

  Merton

  Newcastle

  Solihull

  Trafford

  Wolverhampton

  LEAs: Shires

  Avon

  Bedfordshire

  Berkshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Cornwall

  Cumbria

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Dorset

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hampshire

  Hertfordshire

  Humberside

  Kent

  Lancashire

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  Northamptonshire

  Oxfordshire

  Somerset

  Staffordshire

  Surrey

  Warwickshire

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire

  Specified Bodies

  Association for All Speech Impaired Children (AFASIC)

  Association of Educational Psychologists

  Association of Heads of GM Schools (AHGMS)

  Association of London Authorities (ALA)

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities (AMA)

  Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL)

  Campaign for State Education (CASE)

  Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

  London Boroughs Association (LBA)

  134

  National Association of Governors and Managers (NAGM)

  National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)

  National Association of Maintained Charitable Secondary Schools

  National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN)

  National Deaf Children Society (NDCS)

  National Union of Teachers (NUT)

  Oxford Diocesan Board of Education

  Professional Association of Teachers (PAT)

  Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR)

  Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

  Special Educational Consortium

  University of Sussex at Brighton

  Others

  Colin Baker of Grey Coat Hospital School, Westminster

  R. D. Hurdman, Headteacher East Barnet School, Barnet

  R. J. Howling, The Purbeck School, Dorset

  Student Sabbaticals
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will seek information as to how many full-time students are on paid sabbaticals and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government's consultations on student union matters have covered the uses to which public funds may legitimately be put, including supporting the activities of sabbatical officers. My right hon. Friend is now finalising proposals for action.

  School Ballots
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the total sum of money paid to date to the Electoral Reform Society for its conduct of opt-out ballots in schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The total sum paid to the Electoral Reform Society for its conduct of ballots at schools considering grant-maintained status is almost £980,000 to date, covering 1,070 ballots over the past five years.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Plutonium
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the destination and end-use of shipments of plutonium nitrate from Dounreay; what plans there are to increase these shipments; and for how long he expects these to continue.

  Mr. Eggar
  Plutonium nitrate recovered from prototype fast reactor (PFR) fuel is shipped from Dounreay to Sellafield where facilities exist for its conversion to plutonium oxide and long-term storage under international safeguards.

  The use to which the plutonium oxide is put is a matter for the owners, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

  Plutonium nitrate shipments are an operational matter for the UKAEA, which will be determined in the light of arisings from the reprocessing plant at Dounreay.

  It was announced in the statement by the then Secretary of State for Energy on 21 July 1988 at columns 1302–11 that the Government had decided to fund the reprocessing plant at Dounreay until 1996–97, to process spent fuel from PFR.
  135
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 7 June,Official Report, column 159, what were the names of the Japanese reactors which provided the irradiated fuel from which the plutonium to which he refers was extracted and returned to Japan.

  Mr. Eggar
  Such matters are for British Nuclear Fuels plc and its customers.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the opening date of the Mox demonstration facility at Sellafield.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15 April 1993,Official Report, column 720.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what countries are expected to ship waste to, and receive plutonium from, the thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

  Mr. Eggar
  The thermal oxide reprocessing plant is a recycling facility which will reprocess spent nuclear fuel to recover the plutonium and uranium in a form which can be used for electricity generation. Nuclear waste will not be shipped to THORP. The plant has contracts from customers in Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Plutonium would be returned only under international safeguards and upon receipt of appropriate assurances covering peaceful use, physical protection and controls on re-transfer.

  Spent Batteries
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the organisations and individuals to whom his Department sent a copy of their consultation document of 5 May on options for spent battery collection under EC directive 91 /157/EEC.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  More than 800 copies of the Department's consultation paper have been issued so far, to all local authorities, to relevant trade and industry representative organisations, consumer, retail and environmental groups, and to companies and individuals who have expressed an interest in the subject to the Department. Responses are now being assessed.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what electricity generating capacity from renewable resources his Department is committed to underwrite financially for the United Kingdom as a whole by the year 2000;

  (2) when he expects to publish his renewable energy strategy review document.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government are committed to working towards new renewables generated capacity of 1500 MW (DNC) by 2000 and will publish a renewable energy strategy review document later this year, in the light of the report of the Renewable Energy Advisory Group and the coal review. I expect to make an announcement on future NFFO arrangements in due course.
  136
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions between his Department and the EC Commission concerning the extension of non-fossil fuel obligation funding for renewables beyond 1998.

  Mr. Eggar
  Discussions with the European Commission are continuing.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for the last five years, what percentage of(a) total electricity supply, (b) total electricity generating capacity and (c) primary energy supply was supplied by renewable energy sources; what proportion of renewable capacity received non-fossil fuel obligation funding; and what percentage of his Department's energy research budget was allocated to (i) nuclear research projects and (ii) renewables research.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows:

  The percentage of total electricity supply generated by renewables over the last five years is as follows:

  per cent.

  1988

  1·9

  1989

  1·8

  1990

  1·9

  1991

  1·7

  1992

  2·1

  The percentage of total electricity generating capacity which has been accounted for by renewables over the last five years is as follows:

  per cent.

  1988

  2·2

  1989

  2·1

  1990

  2·1

  1991

  2·2

  1992

  2·6

  The percentage of primary energy supply generated by renewables over the last five years is as follows:

  per cent.

  1988

  0·8

  1989

  0·8

  1990

  0·9

  1991

  0·8

  1992

  0·9

  Source:United Kingdom digest of energy statistics, 1991 and 1992.

  Since the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation was introduced in 1990, the proportion of renewables capacity receiving NFFO funding has risen to around 12 per cent. (as at 31 March 1993).

  The percentage of my Department's energy research budget spent on nuclear and renewables is as follows:

  Nuclear

  Renewables

  1987–88

  79·9

  9·1

  1988–89

  83·8

  8·6

  1989–90

  79·8

  10–8

  1990–91

  69·6

  13·1

  1991–92

  72·0

  19·0

  Source: Annual review of Government funded research and development, 1990 and 1992.
  137

  Collieries (Market Testing)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the chairman of British Coal about those collieries which are market testing; how long this period of market testing will last; and what discussions there have been about the closure of any of those collieries.

  Mr. Eggar
  Decisions about the future of individual collieries are a matter for British Coal. No deadline for the period of market testing has been set. Completion of the process will depend on the progress of commercial negotiations between British Coal and electricity generators over additional sales of coal.

  Arms Exports
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those countries which receive United Kingdom aid to which arms have been exported in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Needham
  For the period requested, statistics of arms exports could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on aid is available from "British Aid Statistics", and for arms transfers in 1992 the hon. Lady may wish to consult the United Kingdom's return for the United Nations register of arms transfers. Both documents have been placed in the Library.

  Registered Letters
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the current procedures in relation to the delivery of registered letters by the Royal Mail; and what alterations to this procedure were carried out in the delivery of registered letters to addresses used in connection with the Hoover free-flight promotion.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Royal Mail's procedures for delivering registered letters are as follows:As registered items arrive in the receiving sorting office they are recorded in a registered mail book. This book, together with the registered items, is sent to the local delivery office where the items are again checked against the book. As items are delivered to, or collected by, the customer, he or she signs for the number of registered items received. There was no variation of these procedures in respect of the Hoover offer. The agency handling the promotion collected and signed for its registered letters in the usual way.

  Recycling
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage investment in capital equipment for the purpose of recycling of waste materials in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Waste disposal costs are increasing, as a result of the higher standards required under certain provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This is helping to make recycling a more attractive waste management option, and investment in capital equipment for this purpose will flow naturally as a result. The Government are also encouraging investment by undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at developing markets for recycled materials. These include offering a £20 million grant towards the cost of papermaking plant,138
  with the capacity to recycle an extra 350,000 tonnes of waste paper a year, and providing grants for various research and development projects which seek to identify new uses for recovered materials, and which develop and demonstrate new recycling technologies.

  Exporters
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new plans he has to assist exporters.

  Mr. Needham
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 16 June,Official Report, column 603.

  Rural Sub-post Offices
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to ensure that rural sub-post offices in Northern Ireland will be kept open; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Post Office Counters Ltd. is making strenuous efforts to keep rural offices open, for example through its community office programme. In our review of the Post Office we are exploring a number of ways to underpin the rural network to ensure that post office services continue to be readily accessible to all in towns and in the country, throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Shipbuilding Intervention Fund
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received a reply to the letter from his department on 26 May to the European Commission on the eligibility of British warship yards for the shipbuilding intervention fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have not yet received a reply to my letter of 26 May to Commissioner van Miert.

  Structural Steel
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 16 June,Official Report, column 601, what representations he has received about the dumping of structural steel by countries within the European Community.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have received no representations about the dumping of structural steel in the United Kingdom by countries within the European Community. I have, however, received a number of representations about imports into the United Kingdom of allegedly subsidised structural steel from other EC member states.

  Political Contributions
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of investigations that have been taken place by the companies investigation branch into allegations of irregularities or non-compliance of the Companies Acts in relation to non-disclosure of political contributions in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None.

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints have been made to Companies
  139
  House in regard to the non-disclosure of political contributions to political parties which have led to investigation by the Serious Fraud Office in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None.

  Company Directors Disqualification Act
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many directors have been disqualified under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 for the years 1990, 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The total number of directors notified to Companies House as disqualified under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 was 419 in financial year 1990–91 and 459 in 1991–92. The provisional figure for 1992–93 is 649. Information is not compiled on a calendar year basis.

  High Definition Television
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the United Kingdom has the power to veto on funding for high definition television via the EC; and what is the upper limit of the contribution that Her Majesty's Government are prepared to make to this project;

  (2) which plants in which countries will benefit from EC funding of research and development of high definition television; and how many jobs will be created or sustained in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what level of funding is being proposed by the European Commission for high definition television; how much the United Kingdom is being asked to contribute; and what system is proposed for development by which firms;

  (4) what was the most recent Council of Ministers meeting at which high definition television and its development was discussed; and how the United Kingdom voted.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  At the Telecommunications Council on 16 June, unanimous agreement was reached on the framework of an action plan to help launch widescreen television services. The four-year plan will be for Community funds, together with funds from other sources, to be used to partially offset the additional costs to broadcasters and programme producers of broadcasting TV services (including high definition television services) in the widescreen format. The United Kingdom's contribution to the action plan subsidy will be calculated on a gross contribution of about 15 per cent. less abatement, which would depend on the level of United Kingdom receipts.

  The settlement represents a considerable negotiating success for the United Kingdom:
  The 850 MECU Community subsidy originally proposed by the European Commission has been reduced to 228 MECU (£160m). Additional funding from other sources, including industry, will introduce market discipline.
  The original proposal was to support only the analogue MAC technology. Broadcasters and programme makers using other technologies, including PALPlus or fully-digital technologies will now qualify for assistance.
  The UK also secured a valuable commitment that UK-based companies contributing to the action plan will be given due recognition of this in future European collaborative research
  140
  and development and standardisation activities into digital TV. The European Commission are expected to come forward with proposals for such activities before the end of the year.

  Consumer reaction to widescreen TV will determine how much United Kingdom broadcasters, programme makers and television set manufacturers benefit from the action plan. United-Kingdom-based television set manufacturers already enjoy 20 to 25 per cent. of Europe's manufacturing capacity and thus should be well placed to capitalise on the spread of widescreen. They should also benefit from the ability to participate in future EC research and development in new television technologies.

  Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers he has to ensure that partners from auditing firms criticised by the DTI inspectors are prevented from having a seat on the Financial Reporting review panel.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Appointments to the financial reporting review panel are a matter for the financial reporting council.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many auditing partners have been barred from practising as a result of critical reports published by his Department since June 1979.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None, so far as I am aware.

  Pennine Commercial Holdings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when will he publish the Department of Trade and Industry inspectors' report relating to(a) Pennine Commercial Holdings plc and (b) British Anzam plc.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, the inspectors are reviewing their interim report on Pennine Commercial Holdings plc with a view to submitting a final report. When the Pennine report is submitted, I will consider publication of the report on that company and of the report on British Anzani plc. Both relate to events concerning the Savings and Investment Bank Ltd of the Isle of Man.

  Departmental Inspectors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide a list of the names and business connections of the individuals who are currently acting as inspectors for his Department.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  D. Donaldson, QC

  Ian Watt, FCA of The Bank of England

  Miss E. Appleby, QC

  Mr. P. Foss, FCA

  Mr. L. Ziman, Solicitor, of Nabarro Nathanson

  Mr. W. Hoffman, FCA of Baker Tilly, Chartered Accountants

  Mr. P. Heslop, QC

  Mr. R. Lewis, FCA of Kidsons Impey, Chartered Accountants

  Mr. E. Hamilton, QC

  Mr. J. Scott, FCA of BDO Binder Hamlyn, Chartered Accountants

  Mr. W. M. Gage, QC

  Mr. A. Gilroy, FCA of BDO Binder Hamlyn, Chartered

  141
  Accountants

  Mr. A. Robertshaw of DTI

  Mr. C. Mayhew of DTI

  Mr. A. Fausset of DTI

  Mr. R. Thomas, QC

  Mr. R. Turner, FCA of Nevill Russell,Chartered Accountants

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress in discussions with the European Commission and the Council of Ministers in respect of member states being able to designate areas within their borders as eligible for objective 2 and 5(b) assistance; and when he expects a decision to be reached.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: No agreement has yet been reached on the method of selection of objective 2 and 5(b) areas for the period 1994 onwards. This issue forms one element of the current negotiations on the review of the structural funds regulations. I do not expect the Council to be in a position to adopt the revised regulations before the end of July.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade ( 1 ) if he will take steps to make available all information held by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. regarding its activities abroad, shipments of plutonium and spent nuclear fuel, in aid of the United States Governments's non-proliferation review;

  (2) what assistance Her Majesty's Government will give to the United States Government's plutonium proliferation review with particular reference to the thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: The review is a matter for the United States Government. It has not asked the United Kingdom Government for any assistance. The provision of any information held by BNFL regarding its commercial activities would be a matter for the company.

  Research
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the future representation of the United Kingdom in ENERO, the EC's environmental research organisation.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: That is a matter for future consideration but I hope it will be the new national environmental technology centre.

  Offshore Oil
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those offshore blocks for which licences with obligation well requirements have been issued in the second stage of the 14th round.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: Details of work programmes attached to individual oil and gas production licences are commercially confidential to the licensee. In total, work programmes on the 73 awarded blocks which were offered tinder the second stage of the 14th round include 72 (40 firm and 32 contingent) well obligations. Work programmes on all 110 blocks awarded in the round include 93 well obligations.
  142

  Warren Spring Laboratory
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much was raised by the Government by the sale of the Warren Spring Laboratory site; and what was the cost of the purchase of the new site in Welwyn Garden City and the construction of the new laboratory.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: A total of £25 million is being raised by the sale of the Stevenage site to Glaxo. The cost of purchasing the site at Welwyn Garden City, constructing a replacement laboratory and moving the staff and facilities was estimated at nearly £33 million.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of its full economic costs in trading terms the Warren Spring Laboratory recovered through the charges levied on customers in 1992–93; and what proportion of the net rate excess of income over expenditure set out in the DTI's supply estimate was met.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: On the basis of unaudited accounts the Laboratory recovered the whole of its full economic costs. The 1992–93 audited accounts are expected to be laid before the House before the summer recess.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the subsidiary targets for the Warren Spring Laboratory for the year 1992–93; and to what extent they were met.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [ holding answer 15 June 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Technology gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorkshire (Mr. Hague) on 13 January 1993, Official Report, column 739. On the basis of unaudited results, the laboratory looks to have met its 1992–93 targets.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what limitations there are on the freehold disposal of the site identified for the Warren Spring Laboratory in Welwyn Garden City.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: There are no limitations on the resale of the land at Welwyn Garden City, although I understand that any purchaser would have to enter into a deed of covenant with the management company.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what account he took of the possibility of conflict of interest in the report by PA consultants on the Warren Spring Laboratory; and what action was required of PA consultants to guard against conflicts of interest in preparing the report.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) on 21 June, Official Report, column 20.
  143

SCOTLAND

  Salmon Advisory Committee
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of those individuals not re-appointed to the Salmon advisory committee in 1993 were(a) ineligible through age or (b) unwilling to serve a further term.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: I refer to the reply by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on 14 June at column 396.

  1993–94

  (See note 1)

  Local authority

  Population as at 30 June 1991

  Capital allocation

  Total revenue budget

  £000

  £000

  Annandale and Eskdale

  37,140

  2·516

  5,269

  North East Fife

  69,930

  2·384

  12,584

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  41,040

  1·275

  6,484

  Edinburgh City

  438,780

  35·532

  117,528

  Banff and Buchan

  85,640

  1·792

  14,033

  Nithsdale

  57,140

  4·244

  8,915

  Grampian

  514,400

  49·713

  470,672

  Note:

  1. Information on local authorities' capital budgets is not held centrally. The Secretary of State does, however, give his consent annually to local authorities to incur liabilities to meet capital expenditure. This is given in the form of individual capital consent allocations as well as consent to meet capital expenses from capital receipts and revenue and private sector contributions. In addition local authorities eligible for assistance from the European regional development fund will receive in 1993–94 supplementary consent equal to the amount of grant they receive. The figures provided are therefore the total capital allocations including housing for 1993–94 and not the capital budgets.

  Loch Lomand
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to ensure co-ordination between inquiries by the Department of Transport marine safety directorate and by the Scottish Office into the fatal speed boat accident on Loch Lomond on the weekend of 5 to 6 June.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 17 June 1993]: The fatal accident which occurred on Loch Lomond is the subject of an investigation by Strathclyde police, who will make a report to the procurator fiscal in due course. The Marine Safety Directorate, which is also inquiring into the accident, is I understand, co-operating with the police.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take in the wake of the fatal speed boat accident on Loch Lomond last weekend.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 17 June 1993 ]: The Secretary of State's working party, which has been examining management issues affecting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, is expected to report next month. I understand that safety is one of the issues with which it will deal. We shall give careful consideration to all the recommendations which the working party will be making, including any relating to safety.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent implementation of byelaws on Loch Lomond will require amendment of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, in connection with the requirement of unanimity of riparian owners; and what legislative steps he intends to take in this respect.
  144

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the population, (b) the total capital budget for 1993–94 and (c) the total revenue budget for 1993–94, for (i) Annandale and Eskdale, (ii) North East Fife, (iii) Bearsden and Milngavie, (iv) Edinburgh City, (v) Banff and Buchan, (vi) Nithsdale district councils and (vii) Grampian region.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 June 1993]: The information requested is as follows:

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 17 June 1993]: For the making of byelaws to regulate the use of inland waters, section 121 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 requires a district or islands council to obtain, subject to certain conditions, the consent of every person having a proprietorial interest in or in relation to the waters. If district or islands councils represent to us that, in general terms, they are placed in real difficulty in meeting the statutory requirements for the byelaws they wish to make, then we shall be prepared to review the existing legislation.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the working party on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs will report.

  Sir Hector Monro:
  [holding answer 17 June 1993]: I understand that the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs working party has completed its deliberations and intends to present its report to the Secretary of State during July.

  Forestry
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress made to date regarding his review of incentives for forestry investment.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 June 1993]: As part of the review which my right hon. Friend announced on 30 March 1993 in a reply to the hon. Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) at column 150, the Forestry Commission has issued a consultation paper seeking views on the effectiveness of the current incentives for forestry investment.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to suspend the forestry
  145
  market-testing programme and any internal reorganisation of the Forestry Commission pending the outcome of his review on current incentives for forestry investment.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 June 1993]: The Forestry Commission will continue to undertake its normal business, including market testing, while the Forestry Review Group is carrying out its work. The Commission carried out a major internal reorganisation in 1992 and any proposals for further significant changes will not be considered until the outcome of the review is known.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what projects have been undertaken by Central Scotland Woodland: A Countryside Trust Ltd since its inception; if he will give details of the funding of each project; what outside bodies have been involved in each project; what contribution they have made; and how many people were employed in each project per agency involved.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: Central Scotland Woodlands: A Countryside Trust Ltd. as a private sector company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, is responsible to its board of directors. The principal shareholders are Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise, Central, Lothian and Strathclyde regional councils and Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Falkirk, Monklands, Motherwell, Strathkelvin and West Lothian district councils. I have asked Sir David Montgomery, its chairman, to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the acreage of Forestry Commission-owned forestry and the total number of Forestry Commission employees in each Scottish constituency; if he will list the projects which the Forestry Commission is carrying out with other agencies; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: The Forestry Commission does not keep records of the area of its landholdings or number of employees by constituency and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Forestry Commission carries out a large number of projects with other agencies and organisations throughout

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Argyll and Clyde health board

  Chairman

  Mr. R. Reid

  Farmer

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mr. M. Jones

  Company director

  Yes

  Mrs. E. Lander

  Company director

  Yes

  Mrs. J. Le Roux

  Housewife

  Yes

  Dr. J. Moffat

  Retired consultant psychiatrist

  Yes

  Mrs. S. Nelson

  Primary school teacher

  Yes

  Mr. C. Parker

  Company director

  Yes

  Royal Alexandra Hospital National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. T. Gibson

  Former hospice director

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. A. Burns

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. A. Durward

  Retired chief executive

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Ford

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. A. Gaunt

  Retired commandant, Erskine hospital

  Yes

  Mr. G. Murray

  Retired locomotive driver

  Yes

  146
  Great Britain, particularly in the areas of recreation, conservation and research. This information is not held centrally and could be prepared only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details of any offers to purchase the assets of the Forestry Commission which have been received by the review body; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Forestry Review Group, established on 30 March 1993 by my right hon. Friend and his forestry Minister colleagues, has not received any offers to purchase assets owned by the Forestry Commission.

  Appointments
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the procedure undertaken by his Department for the nomination and appointment of members of health boards and NHS trusts; and if he will list the individuals who are responsible for the appointments.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: My right hon. Friend is solely responsible for the appointment of non-executive members of health boards and NHS trusts. Nominations may be made by anyone but, in the case of health boards, are invited, in accordance with statute, from local authorities, bodies representative of the medical professions and certain other bodies. For the last round of appointments nominations were also invited through public advertisements.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of individuals appointed to health boards and national health service trusts; and if he will list by health board their current occupation and whether they reside within the health board area.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: The information on non-executive appointments is as follows. Those not resident within the health board area have business or other connections there.
  147

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Ayrshire and Arran health board

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Donaldson

  Electrical engineer

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Dr. K. Fegan

  General medical practitioner

  Yes

  Mr. J. Greene

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Miss M. Grosset

  Company secretary

  Yes

  Miss K. Paterson

  Retired nurse

  Yes

  Mrs. E. Reid

  Health carer

  Yes

  Mr. W. Young

  Company director

  Yes

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Health Care National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mrs. A. Bates

  Former nurse teacher

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. I Allison

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Mr. D. Gall

  Retired policeman

  Yes

  Mr. R. Johnston

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Dr. S. Kinnaird

  Auditor

  Yes

  Mr. W. McConnell

  Retail pharmacist

  No

  North Ayrshire and Arran National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. W. Ritchie

  Retired civil engineer

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. A. Dunbar

  School attendance officer

  Yes

  Mrs. K. Donald

  Company secretary

  Yes

  Mr. J. Grier

  Retired banker

  Yes

  Mr. A. Stewart

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. K. Tulloch

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  South Ayrshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Brown

  Retired surgeon

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. W. Mowatt

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Mr. H. Currie

  Business consultant

  Yes

  Mr. G. McKinstry

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Wilson

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mrs. D. McLellan

  Housewife

  Yes

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Borders health board

  Chairman

  Mr. D. Kilshaw

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Rev. A. Bennett

  Minister

  Yes

  Miss M. Marshall

  Chartered secretary

  Yes

  Mr. J. Metcalfe

  Retired company chairman

  Yes

  Dr. A. Paton

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Lady Sanderson

  Business consultant

  Yes

  Mr. H. Steven

  NFU Secretary

  Yes

  Dumfries and Galloway health board

  Chairman

  Mr. J. McIntyre

  Farmer

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mrs. V. Jardine-Paterson

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. H. McFadzean

  Farmer

  Yes

  Dr. J. Stubbs

  Retired anaesthetist

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Thomson

  Former member, South of Scotland Electricity Board

  Yes

  Mrs. J. Tulloch

  Company director

  Yes

  Dr. A. Wilkinson

  General practitioner

  Yes

  148 149

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Fife health board

  Chairman

  Mr. R. Baker

  Company director

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mrs. S. Aitken

  Housewife

  Yes

  Dr. A. Alexander

  General practitioner

  Yes

  Mr. F. Craig

  Company director

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Steedman

  Retired headmistress

  Yes

  Mrs. C. Stenhouse

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. G. Thomson

  Chartered accountant

  No

  Forth Valley health board

  Chairman

  Mrs. J. Isbister

  Mental welfare commissioner

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mr. E. Bell-Scott

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. K. Harding

  Newsagent

  Yes

  Dr. G. Hastings

  Unit director, Strathclyde university

  Yes

  Mr. P. Joynson

  Chartered surveyor

  Yes

  Mrs. K. Smith

  Emergency services organiser, WRVS

  Yes

  Mr. C. Stroyan

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Stirling Royal Infirmary National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. G. McKelvie

  Retired surgeon

  No

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. A. Bowie

  Company director

  Yes

  Mr. G. Houston

  Head of Industrial Society

  Yes

  Mrs. D. Littlejohn

  President, Industrial tribunals

  Yes

  Mr. G. Simmers

  Retired company chairman

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Walker

  University research fellow

  Yes

  Royal Scottish National Hospital and Community National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. A. Ward

  Solicitor

  No

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. W. Hughes

  Company chairman

  Yes

  Ms V. Smart

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Professor A. Stewart

  College professor

  Yes

  Mr. D. Tarr

  Chief scientific engineer

  Yes

  Dr. P. Williams

  Engineer

  Yes

  Grampian Health Board

  Chairman

  Dr. C. MacLeod

  Company chairman

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mr. J. Arbuthnott

  Estate owner/manager

  Yes

  Mrs. C. Ferguson

  Housewife/farmer

  Yes

  Mr. G. McLellan

  Company director

  Yes

  Professor D. Ogston

  University professor

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Park

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mrs. J. Wisely

  Housewife

  Yes

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. A. Broomfield

  Managing director

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Professor G. Catto

  University professor

  Yes

  Professor M. Meston

  University professor

  Yes

  Mr. H. Tocher

  Retired banker

  Yes

  Dr. F. Lyle

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Scott

  Tax partner

  Yes

  150 151

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Grampian Health Care National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Dr. A. J. Taylor

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. M. Humphrey

  Farmer

  Yes

  Mr. T. Murison

  Managing director

  Yes

  Mr. G. Robb

  Company director

  Yes

  Mrs. J. Catto

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. H. Fullerton

  Chief executive, Grampian Enterprise

  Yes

  Moray Health Services National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Snedden

  Retired banker

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. M. Adams

  Teacher

  Yes

  Mr. R. Anderson

  Farmer

  Yes

  Mrs. L. King

  Retired teacher

  Yes

  Mr. W. Phillips

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Mr. J. Royan

  Master butcher

  Yes

  Greater Glasgow Health Board

  Chairman

  Mr. W. Fyfe

  Company chairman

  No

  Non-executive members

  Rev. R. Campbell

  Minister

  Yes

  Mr. P. Holst

  Company director

  Yes

  Professor R. Mackie

  University professor

  Yes

  Mr. W. McCreath

  Solicitor

  No

  Mrs. J. Mackenzie

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. P. Runciman

  Retired company chairman

  No

  Mr. A. Scobbie

  Managing director

  Yes

  Southern General Hospital National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. A1

  Mr. A. Garland

  Partner, Construction company

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. R. McEwan

  Retired director, Scottish Development Agency

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Moore

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Stewart

  Tax adviser

  Yes

  Mr. H. Tankel

  Retired surgeon

  Yes

  Mrs. S. Bell

  Company director

  No

  Victoria Infirmary National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Dr. J. Dall

  Retired physician

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Dr. R. Colville

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Mrs. D. Glasser

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mrs. L. Howieson

  Pharmacist

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Gilchrist

  Company director

  Yes

  Mr. D. O'Brien

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Yorkhill National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mrs. J. Cameron

  Housewife

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Dr. J. Davidson

  Retired consultant radiologist

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Hall

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. R. Cleland

  Partner, Recruitment consultancy

  Yes

  Mrs. G. Garner

  Field worker, Action for Sick Children

  Yes

  Mrs. S. Kuenssberg

  Children's panel training organiser

  Yes

  Highland Health Board

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Robertson

  Company chairman

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mr. J. Ligertwood

  Retired bank manager

  Yes

  Dr. D. MacDonald

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Mr. D. Mackay

  Retired company executive

  Yes

  152 153

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Mrs. A. MacPherson

  Farm business partner

  Yes

  Mr. C. Neilson

  Retail businessman

  Yes

  Mrs. C. Thomson

  Company director

  Yes

  Caithness and Sutherland National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. G. Bruce

  Former company manager

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. J. Gunn

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Rev. A. Murray

  Minister

  Yes

  Dr. E. Mackenzie

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Mr. J. Rosie

  Technical assistant

  Yes

  Ms W. Taylor

  Retired nurse

  Yes

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Raigmore Hospital National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Kyle

  Retired surgeon

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. J. Gray

  Retired health board treasurer

  Yes

  Mrs. F. Hunt

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. A. Morrison

  Master baker

  Yes

  Professor G. McNicol

  Retired university vice-chancellor

  Yes

  Mrs. J. Robertson

  Housewife

  Yes

  Lanarkshire Health Board

  Chairman

  Mr. I. Livingstone

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Dr. W. Criggie

  General practitioner

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Hinshalwood

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Melvin

  Teacher

  Yes

  Mr. D. Millar

  Business consultant

  Yes

  Mr. J. Robison

  Retired colliery official

  Yes

  Mr. J. Thomson

  Director, voluntary organisation

  Yes

  Monklands and Bellshill National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Dr. G. Bell

  Retired general practitioner

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. A. Irvine

  Sales consultant

  Yes

  Mr. D. MacDonald

  Executive director

  Yes

  Dr. M. Moore

  University reader

  Yes

  Mrs. A. Morrison

  Veterinary surgeon

  Mr. W. Huggins

  Retired finance director

  Lothian health board

  Chairman

  Dr. J. Baynham

  Company director

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Professor R. Aitken

  University professor

  Yes

  Mrs. G. Barton

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. J. Campbell

  Chartered surveyor

  Yes

  Mr. R. Findlay

  Chief executive, Radio Forth

  Yes

  Mrs. M. Knox

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. G. Millar

  Community pharmacist

  Yes

  West Lothian National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. R. Watt

  Company chairman

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mr. T. Bennie

  Retired banker

  Yes

  Mr. J. Cunningham

  Retired trade union secretary

  Yes

  Mrs. I. Douglas

  Company accountant

  Yes

  Mr. P. Johnston

  School teacher

  Yes

  Mrs. C. Stevenson

  Housewife

  Yes

  154 155

  Occupation/profession

  Resident in health board area

  Orkney health board

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Leslie

  Pharmacist

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mr. J. Flett

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. E. Gibson

  Retired assistant headteacher

  Yes

  Captain M. Gunn

  Ships master

  Yes

  Mrs. E. Kerr

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mr. J. Rendall

  Sub-postmaster/postman

  Yes

  Dr. J. Walker

  General practitioner

  Yes

  Shetland health board

  Chairman

  Mrs. F. Grains

  Housewife

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Mrs. M. Colligan

  Retired teacher

  Yes

  Sq. Leader B. Gregson

  Local government officer

  Yes

  Dr. M. Hunter

  General practitioner

  Yes

  Mr. R. Johnson

  Retired businessman

  Yes

  Mrs. T. Leslie

  Teaching auxiliary

  Yes

  Mr. J. Telford

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Tayside health board

  Chairman

  Mr. J. MacFarlane

  Retired company director

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Rev. K. Campbell

  Minister

  Yes

  Mr. D. Davidson

  Pharmacist

  Yes

  Mrs. V. Joiner

  Company director

  Mr. H. Nicoll

  Retired local government officer

  Yes

  Professor R. Olver

  University professor

  No

  Mr. I. Sandison

  Retired company director

  Yes

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust

  Chairman

  Mr. J. S. Fair

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. M. Cane

  Retired university lecturer

  Yes

  Mr. G. Lowden

  Chartered accountant

  Yes

  Mr. R. Lyon

  University senior lecturer

  Yes

  Mrs. J. Wood

  Housewife

  Yes

  Professor H. Dick

  University professor

  Yes

  Western Isles health board

  Chairman

  Mr. A. Matheson

  Pharmacist

  Yes

  Non-executive members

  Dr. S. Brydon

  General practitioner

  Yes

  Mr. J. Harrison

  Depute head teacher

  Yes

  Mr. A. Hay

  Retired sales director

  Yes

  Mrs. C. MacAskill

  Housewife

  Yes

  Mrs. F. MacDonald

  Solicitor

  Yes

  Mr. M. MacLennan

  Building society manager

  Yes

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of each NHS trust and health board who are councillors; and which party they represent in each case.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Party

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  Mr. R. R. Reid

  Conservative

  Forth Valley Health Board

  Mr. K. Harding

  Conservative

  Grampian Health Board

  156

  Party

  Mrs. J. G. A. Wisely

  Conservative

  Lanarkshire Health Board

  Mr. J. P. Robison

  Labour

  Lothian Health Board

  Mrs. M. B. M. Knox

  Conservative

  Shetland Health Board

  Mrs. F. B. Grains

  Independent

  Mrs. M. U. Colligan

  Independent

  Mr. R. L. Johnson

  Independent

  Western Isles Health Board

  Mr. A. Matheson

  Independent

  Grampian Health Care NHS Trust

  Mr. J. M. Humphrey

  Conservative

  157

  Party

  Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust

  Rev. A. Murray

  Independent

  Mr. J. Rosie

  Independent

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  Mr. P. Johnston

  SNP

  Yorkhill NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. E. Cameron

  Conservative

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by health board and NHS trust the number of nominations for NHS trusts and health boards which have been made by regional councils; and if he will list by health board/NHS trust the number of nominations from regional councils which have been accepted.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 June 1993.]: The information in respect of non-executive appointments made with effect from 1 April 1993 is detailed in the table. The nominations were made for both health boards and NHS trusts.

  Number of regional council nominations for health board/NHS trust appointments

  Number

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  3

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board

  3

  Ayrshire & Arran Community Health Care NHS Trust

  North Ayrshire & Arran NHS Trust

  Borders Health Board

  3

  Dumfries & Galloway Health Board

  6

  Fife Health Board

  2

  Forth Valley Health Board

  1

  Royal Scottish National Hospital NHS Trust

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Grampian Health Board

  7

  Grampian Health Care NHS Trust

  Moray Health Services NHS Trust

  Greater Glasgow Health Board

  5

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  Yorkhill NHS Trust

  Highland Health Board

  6

  Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust

  Raigmore NHS Trust

  Year

  1Anophthalmia

  2Microphthalmia

  3Other eye defect

  All recorded eye defects

  5Neonatal hospital discharge record percentage of coverage of live births

  1980

  0

  3

  13

  16

  75·5

  1981

  0

  7

  12

  19

  78·5

  1982

  0

  2

  13

  15

  83·7

  1983

  0

  2

  19

  21

  85·7

  1984

  0

  6

  17

  23

  85·3

  1985

  3

  7

  20

  27

  85·0

  1986

  0

  2

  13

  15

  87·2

  1987

  0

  3

  18

  21

  87·8

  1988

  0

  1

  17

  18

  91·5

  1989

  2

  1

  22

  25

  95·7

  1990

  3

  3

  26

  32

  95·0

  1991

  0

  8

  40

  48

  98·4

  4 1992

  1

  4

  30

  35

  96·7

  1One or both eyes absent.

  2One or both small eyes.

  158

  Number

  Lothian Health Board

  9

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  Lanarkshire Health Board

  3

  Monklands and Bellshill NHS Trust

  Orkney Health Board

  2

  Shetland Health Board

  0

  Tayside Health Board

  1

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Western Isles Health Board

  0

  One of the nominees was appointed to the Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust.

  Sheep Quotas
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has within the EC to seek a reform in the current system of quota allocations for sheep farmers, with particular reference to allowing the transfer of a quota allocation when the farm ownership changes.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 21 June 1993 ]: The introduction of quotas to the sheep annual premium scheme was part of the overall agreement on CAP reform reached in 1992. It is too early to consider major changes to that agreement.

  The EC regulations already contain provisions for producers who took over a farm after the reference year to apply to the national reserve for an allocation.

  Babies (Eye Defects)
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year from 1976 to the latest available date, the number of babies born in Scotland with(a) no eyes, (b) small eyes, (c) damaged optic nerves and (d) all recorded eye defects; and if he will estimate the comprehensiveness of the recorded information.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 June 1993]: The table shows the number of babies born annually in Scotland with recorded eye defects from 1980 to 1992 with an indication of the comprehensiveness of the data recorded. Information is not available for the period before 1980 and no separate record is kept of figures for damaged optic nerves.
  159
  3All other mention of eye defects.

  4Provisional.

  5Increased coverage reflects improved record keeping.

  Research and Development
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the take up of grants and other incentives for research and development by small and medium enterprises.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 16 June 1993 ]: All industrial research and development support schemes administered by my Department are dealt with by one unit, making it easy for companies of all sizes to deal with appropriate officials who are aware of the full range of support and will signpost companies to the most appropriate form of assistance.

  My Department carries out a wide range of promotional activities, often working closely with local enterprise companies and other business intermediaries such as management consultants, accountants, and small business advisers in banks to encourage small and medium sized companies in Scotland to take up the support available for research and development both from the United Kingdom Government and the European Commission.

  Through the media of seminars, workshops and advice days, information and services are provided which identify opportunities to participate in United Kingdom and EC research and development programmes. Details on calls for proposals and deadlines are disseminated throughout Scotland by the publication of Industry Department's Technology Bulletin. Advice, guidance and assistance is also given to companies regarding the completion and submission of applications.

  In addition my officials work closely with the Scotland and Northern England relay centre which specialises in promoting EC research and development initiatives. The relay centre plays a central role in ensuring that the results emanating from the EC's framework research and development programme are used effectively, particularly by small and medium enterprises.

  Innovation Support
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the ease of access to innovation support programmes by small and medium sized enterprises.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 16 June 1993]: The publicity activities of my Department supplement the efforts of the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise networks to encourage small and medium sized enterprises to apply new technology and to take advantage of support for innovation.

  To improve further the supply of information for industry, Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with other bodies, is currently establishing a network of local business shops throughout Scotland.

  In addition, the Government are reviewing the scope for transferring from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Scottish Office responsibility for a range of schemes in Scotland for encouraging industrial innovation and technology transfer. The object of the review will be to
  160
  bring about transfer of responsibility wherever practicable, again with the aim of improving responsiveness to local needs.

  Housing (Elderly People)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase housing facilities for the elderly to enable the implementation of community care programmes; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 June 1993 ]: Housing for the elderly is provided by public sector landlords, housing associations and the private sector. Guidelines on housing for the elderly were published in 1991 and Scottish Homes published its discussion paper on housing for the elderly in May.

  Very substantial resources totalling some £900 million have been made available to local authorities, Scottish Homes and new town development corporations for capital investment in housing in 1993–94, including projects relating to the elderly.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of preparing and publishing the applications for trust status in Lothian health board hospitals.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 June 1993]: As in previous years separate funds had been set aside to assist hospitals who wish to consider and prepare applications for NHS trust status. The costs of preparing and publishing applications by Lothian hospitals are not yet available but as part of the public consultation process the Government attach great importance to copies of all applications being widely available to assist members of the public in their consideration of the proposals.

  Education Authorities
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the education authorities in Scotland with the total number of pupils for which each education authority is responsible.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total number of pupils at September 1992 in education authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, or for whom special arrangements are made under section 14 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, is shown for each education authority in Scotland.

  Education Authority

  Number of pupils

  Scotland

  797,978

  Borders

  15,204

  Central

  43,682

  Dumfries and Galloway

  23,425

  Fife

  58,022

  Grampian

  80,943

  Highland

  35,173

  Lothian

  103,688

  Strathclyde

  366,076

  Tayside

  59,168

  Orkney

  3,463

  161

  Education Authority

  Number of pupils

  Shetland

  4,228

  Western Isles

  4,906

  Strathclyde Divisions:

  Argyll and Bute

  9,546

  Ayr

  61,108

  Dunbarton

  54,541

  Glasgow

  99,535

  Lanark

  83,256

  Renfrew

  58,090

  Ferries
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions exist on the transfer of ferries constructed with the aid of European funds to private ownership.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the contributions made from EC funds to the construction of Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information is not readily available in the format requested. The total contribution made from EC funds to the construction of Caledonian MacBrayne ferries during the past 10 years is given in the following table:

  Vessels

  Year of award

  £ EC allocation

  £ Total EC grant paid

  Hebridean Isles

  1984

  2,750,000

  2,200,000

  Loch Striven

  1985

  425,000

  424,610

  Loch Linnhe

  1985

  425,000

  424,703

  Loch Riddon

  1987

  425,000

  425,000

  Loch Ranza

  1986

  425,000

  425,000

  Isle of Mull

  1987

  3,216,000

  3,216,000

  Lord of the Isles

  1989

  2,545,600

  2,545,600

  EC Council of Ministers
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, together with the respective dates, those meetings of the EC Council of Ministers which were attended by Ministers in his Department in the latest 12 months.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland attended a special joint meeting of Environment and Transport Ministers on 25 January 1993.

  My hon. Friend, the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, led for the United Kingdom at the Fisheries Councils on 19 October 1992 and 23 November 1992 and shared the lead for the United Kingdom at the Fisheries Council on 19 December 1992. He also attended the Agriculture Council on 26 October 1992 and the Fisheries Council on 18 March 1993.

  My hon. Friend the Minister for Education for Scotland attended the Education Council on 27 November 1992.

  On the occasions where Scottish Office Ministers do not personally attend they are represented at all EC Council meetings by senior officials or by their colleagues in the United Kingdom Government.
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  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the locations of Forestry Commission land(a) currently being developed for leisure activities and (b) those areas developed for leisure activities in each of the last five years.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 June 1993]: The Forestry Commission is preparing a list of its recreation facilities and I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a copy as soon as possible and for further copies to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of Forestry Commission interpretation centres and their location.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 June 1993]: The Forestry Commission has 29 interpretation centres, which are at the listed locations.

  England

  Alice Holt Forest, Hampshire

  Bedgebury Pinetum, Sussex

  Border Forest Park, Northumberland

  Cannock Forest, Staffordshire

  Delamere Forest, Cheshire

  Grizedale Forest Park, Cumbria

  Hamsterley Forest, Durham

  Neroche Forest (Offwell Centre), Devon

  North Riding Forest Park, North Yorkshire

  Thetford Forest Park, Suffolk

  Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

  Whinlatter Forest Park, Cumbria

  Wyre Forest, Hereford and Worcester

  Scotland

  Bennachie Forest, Grampian

  Farigaig Forest, Highland

  Galloway Forest Park (Clatteringshaws), Dumfries and Galloway

  Galloway Forest Park (Kirroughtree), Dumfries and Galloway

  Galloway Forest Park (Murray Centre), Dumfries and Galloway

  Galloway Forest Park (Stroan Bridge), Dumfries and Galloway

  Glenmore Forest Park, Highland

  Inverliever Forest, Strathclyde

  Portree Wood, Highland

  Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (David Marshall Lodge), Central

  Tay Forest Park, Tayside

  Wales

  Betws y Coed, Gwynedd

  Clocaenog Forest, Ruthin, Clwyd

  Coed Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan

  Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Dolgellau, Gwynedd

  Nant Yr Arian, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have been made for the involvement of the Ministry of Defence in discussions on the future of the Forestry Commission.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence are being kept informed of issues affecting their interests which arise from the work of the Forestry review group, announced by my right hon. Friend on 30 March 1993.
  163

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) the extra expenditure and (b) savings for each year up to 2000 as a result of each of the main measures on disability benefits which he announced on 10 January 1990; and if he will make further projections for (i) extra costs and (ii) savings

  Measure

  1993–94 Cost/saving

  1994–95 Cost/saving

  1995–96 Cost/saving

  2000–01 Cost/saving

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Introduction of disability living allowance

  +230

  +290

  +340

  +490

  Introduction of disability working allowance

  +20

  +50

  +50

  +100

  Abolition of the accrual of new rights to the earnings-related additions to invalidity pension

  -30

  -70

  -120

  -550

  Age related addition on severe disablement allowance

  +50

  +60

  +60

  +70

  Abolition of reduced earnings allowance in the industrial injuries scheme

  -80

  n/a

  n/a

  -160

  +=cost; -=saving.

  Sources:

  1. Government Actuary and Department of Social Security (for disability working allowance).

  2. Estimates for abolition of reduced earnings allowance in the industrial injuries scheme taken from Official Report of 19 January 1990 and converted to 1992–93 prices.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are at 1992–93 prices.

  2. Estimates take account of changes to income related benefit entitlement, except for disability working allowance which are gross costs.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million, but are not accurate to that degree. Estimates for 2000–01 are subject to a considerable degree of uncertainty.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that local authorities are meeting the requirement to process housing benefit claims within 14 days.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 19 January, at column 211. Full statutory responsibility for the administration of the housing benefit scheme rests with local authorities. They are required to ensure that the system is working effectively and in accordance with the rules of the benefit scheme. Regulations prescribe that claims should be processed within 14 days of receipt of all the necessary information, or as soon as possible thereafter. Where through no fault of the applicant, a claim to rent allowance cannot be settled within 14 days, interim payments should be made.

  We recognise the continuing concerns about some authorities' performance in this area, and the Department plans shortly to issue strengthened guidance reminding all authorities of their legal duties to make interim payments.

  My reply to my hon. Friend on 2 March 1993 at column 112 referred to the housing benefit performance measures, prepared by the Audit Commission, under the citizens
  164
  for each of these measures between the years 2000 and 2025 where these can be estimated in broad orders of magnitude.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the projected costs/savings of each of the main measures was announced by the former Secretary of State on 10 January 1990 at column 482. The table estimates in broad orders of magnitude these costs/savings for 1993–94 to 1995–96 and the likely effect for 2000–01 at the latest price base. It is not possible to provide estimates in the longer term since the costs and savings depend on a large number of factors which cannot be accurately forecast.

  charter initiative within local government. Publication of the results, both locally and nationally, will ensure that authorities monitor more closely how they meet the 14-day requirements.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has on the extent to which local authorities are meeting the 14–day target for housing benefit claims; if he will list those authorities which did not meet the target for the two most recent years where figures are available; and how many days it took those authorities to process such claims.

  Mr. Burt
  [holding answer 10 June 1993]: The available information has been placed in the Library. Information on the actual number of days that authorities take to process benefit claims is not available.

  Figures reported by many authorities indicate how well they administer housing benefit. Regulations provide that authorities should process claims within 14 days of all the necessary information becoming available. In 1991–92, overall figures, based on the 345 authorities supplying data, indicated that around 70 per cent. of authorities achieve, or exceed, the national average of 75 per cent. for the processing of housing benefit claims within 14 days of

  165
  all relevant information becoming available. Some 40 per cent. of responding authorities process 90 per cent. or more of claims within 14 days.

  Source: Housing Benefit Management Information System Statistical Return (1991–92).

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women have applied for disabled living allowance or the equivalent benefit, in each of the last three years; and what percentage of men and women have been granted it (i) for life and (ii) for specified periods of time.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard the chief executive of the Benefits Agency that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the relevant extracts from leaflets available to the general public in which advance notice has been given of the Government's intention to make invalidity benefit subject to income tax.

  Mr. Scott
  Reference to the intention to extend taxation to invalidity benefit has been included in the Department's leaflet about the benefit (NI 16A) since April 1983. The current wording is as follows:"Invalidity Benefit is not taxable, even when you continue to get it after 65 (men) or 60 (women). It is planned to tax it some time in the future, but a date hasn't yet been set".

  Social Fund
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action has been undertaken by his Department as a result of the recommendations on the reform of the social fund by the Social Security Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Scott
  We have taken account of these recommendations in making recent operational improvements to the social fund. n particular; this year's increase in the budget to £346 million (52 per cent. higher than in April 1991); the introduction of the social fund computer system which will improve the consistency, speed and quality of decision making; revised training; and improved forms and letters.

  We will continue to take account of the findings of this and other reports, as well as our own close monitoring, as we consider any further improvements to the operation of the fund.

  Quarry House
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the budget for decoration and art work for Quarry house in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Hague
  It is not possible to put a precise figure on the budget for decoration and artwork for Quarry house in 1991–92 and 1992–93 because the majority of work was covered by the main building contract.
  166

  Terminal Illness
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what benefits are currently available to terminally ill people in hospices or nursing homes;

  (2) what was the value of each benefit available to terminally ill people in hospices or nursing homes in each of the last 10 years; and how many people claimed each of those benefits in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Burt
  A wide range of benefits is available to terminally ill people in hospices or nursing homes, provided they meet the conditions of entitlement. Special higher levels of income support are available to people who were in residential care and nursing homes, including hospices which make a charge, at 31 March 1993. The maximum level which applies for such people who are terminally ill in nursing homes is currently £280 a week (£315 in London) plus personal expenses of £12·65. For details of this I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 18 January at columns 106–107. The income support entitlement of people entering homes since 1 April 1993 includes a residential allowance of £45 (£50 in London).

  Information about the value and the numbers of recipients of each benefit is not available in the form requested.

  Full information about eligibility to benefits is made widely available by the Benefits Agency in a variety of forms including leaflets and various confidential free telephone advice lines.

  Maternity Pay
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department will announce the proposed changes to statutory maternity pay required by the EC directive on the protection of pregnant women at work.

  Mr. Scott
  We are considering the directive's implications for statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance and will make an announcement when this work has been completed.

  Resettlement Unit Advisory Steering Group
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the resettlement unit advisory steering group last met; and when the group is next expected to meet.

  Mr. Hague
  The management of the Resettlement Agency is a matter for Mr. Tony Ward, the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Mr. T. Ward to Mr. Nick Raynsford, dated 21 June 1993:
  As the Resettlement Agency 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 Resettlement Unit Advisory Steering Group, when it last met, and when the group is next expected to meet. This is something which falls within the responsibilities he has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Resettlement Unit Advisory Steering Group last met on 4 April 1990. Since then, much headway has been made by the Agency, in taking forward Government policy to

  167
  disengage from the direct revision of facilities for single homeless people with an unsettled way of life. Ten units which provided 667 beds have been either replaced or sold by way of grant aid to voluntary organisations, and 852 new beds have been created to replace them. In this way, the Agency has made rapid advances and has not had cause to seek the advice
  168
  of the Advisory Steering Group since 1990. In view of the progress that has been made, it is, in my opinion, most unlikely that I will need to seek its help in future.
  I enclose a copy of my latest annual report from which you will see details of the Agency's performance.

  AID ALLOCATION AND DEFENCE EQUIPMENT SALES: POLICY
  AID ALLOCATION AND DEFENCE EQUIPMENT SALES: POLICY
  DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 25th MAY: POPULATION POLICY
  DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 25th MAY: POPULATION POLICY
  HARBEL MASSACRE
  HARBEL MASSACRE
  FLOATING HELIPORTS
  FLOATING HELIPORTS
  ABATTOIRS: CLOSURES
  ABATTOIRS: CLOSURES
  GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
  GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
  CLINICAL SPECIALTIES IN LONDON: REVIEWS
  CLINICAL SPECIALTIES IN LONDON: REVIEWS