Written Answers of 4 March 1993

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Somalia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of whether the Serbian Government breached United Nations Security Council resolutions by secretly selling arms to Somalia via the federal directorate of supply and procurement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Any sale of arms by Serbia to Somalia would breach United Nations Security Council resolutions 757 and 733. We are aware of press reports of such deals, but we have no evidence to substantiate these.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the position reached in discussions with the Chinese Government on Hong Kong electoral issues.

  Whole-time equivalent staff in each district health authority of Oxford regional health authority September 1983

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  —

  570

  East Berkshire

  1,970

  160

  —

  470

  West Berkshire

  2,760

  210

  —

  560

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,600

  50

  —

  420

  Wycombe

  1,110

  140

  —

  290

  Milton Keynes

  300

  40

  —

  170

  Kettering

  1,330

  120

  —

  290

  Northampton

  2,410

  170

  —

  640

  Oxfordshire

  3,910

  230

  —

  1,120

  Ex-AHA staff

  20

  0

  —

  160

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,480

  1,110

  —

  4,700

  September 1984

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  —

  580

  East Berkshire

  2,000

  160

  —

  500

  West Berkshire

  2,710

  210

  —

  650

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,670

  40

  —

  420

  Wycombe

  1,140

  140

  —

  310

  Milton Keynes

  570

  70

  —

  260

  Kettering

  1,390

  130

  —

  320

  Northampton

  2,390

  170

  —

  640

  Oxfordshire

  3,880

  230

  —

  1,140

  Ex-AHA staff

  20

  0

  —

  70

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,830

  1,150

  —

  4,890

  212
  Mr. Goodlad
  The Governor of Hong Kong plans to make a full statement to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on 5 March of the position reached with the Chinese side over electoral arrangements in Hong Kong. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

HEALTH

  NHS Staff
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent(a) nursing, (b) midwifery, (c) management and (d) clerical and administrative staff were employed by the national health service in each district health authority of the Oxford regional health authority in each year since 1983.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The figures are shown in the table. Many of the functions undertaken by senior nursing and professional staff are now reflected in the national health service management figures. This means it is unreliable to compare numbers within groups between the years shown in the table. Management still accounts for less than 1·8 per cent. of the NHS work force and the ratio of clinical to support staff has never been higher.
  213

  September 1985

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  0

  570

  East Berkshire

  2,000

  190

  0

  490

  West Berkshire

  2,700

  210

  0

  670

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,620

  50

  0

  360

  Wycombe

  1,140

  140

  0

  310

  Milton Keynes

  610

  80

  0

  280

  Kettering

  1,350

  120

  —

  330

  Northampton

  2,350

  170

  0

  580

  Oxfordshire

  3,790

  240

  0

  1,090

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,630

  1,200

  —

  4,690

  September 1986

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  —

  530

  East Berkshire

  1,970

  190

  10

  500

  West Berkshire

  2,720

  210

  10

  680

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,630

  60

  —

  370

  Wycombe

  1,180

  140

  —

  310

  Milton Keynes

  630

  80

  —

  240

  Kettering

  1,350

  120

  —

  330

  Northampton

  2,250

  160

  —

  560

  Oxfordshire

  3,840

  250

  10

  1,120

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,640

  1,220

  20

  4,640

  September 1987

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  —

  550

  East Berkshire

  1,980

  190

  10

  500

  West Berkshire

  2,730

  210

  10

  710

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,630

  60

  —

  360

  Wycombe

  1,150

  150

  —

  310

  Milton Keynes

  670

  90

  —

  270

  Kettering

  1,370

  110

  —

  340

  Northampton

  2,270

  160

  —

  570

  Oxfordshire

  3,980

  250

  10

  1,130

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,860

  1,230

  30

  4,730

  September 1988

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  —

  530

  East Berkshire

  2,100

  180

  10

  480

  West Berkshire

  2,640

  200

  10

  710

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,620

  60

  —

  350

  Wycombe

  1,130

  120

  —

  340

  Milton Keynes

  640

  90

  —

  290

  Kettering

  1,380

  120

  —

  360

  Northampton

  2,250

  160

  10

  570

  Oxfordshire

  3,900

  250

  10

  1,140

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,740

  1,190

  40

  4,760

  September 1989

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  10

  550

  East Berkshire

  2,020

  180

  30

  470

  West Berkshire

  2,740

  210

  10

  710

  214 215

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,520

  60

  20

  340

  Wycombe

  1,190

  120

  10

  360

  Milton Keynes

  730

  90

  20

  300

  Kettering

  1,430

  120

  20

  360

  Northampton

  2,210

  160

  30

  570

  Oxfordshire

  3,850

  240

  50

  1,200

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,760

  1,200

  200

  4,860

  September 1990

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  50

  570

  East Berkshire

  2,040

  190

  40

  560

  West Berkshire

  2,670

  220

  30

  770

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,600

  60

  30

  370

  Wycombe

  1,180

  130

  30

  380

  Milton Keynes

  730

  100

  30

  320

  Kettering

  1,450

  140

  50

  350

  Northampton

  2,110

  150

  60

  580

  Oxfordshire

  3,990

  240

  110

  1,240

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,850

  1,230

  420

  6,150

  September 1991

  Nursing

  Midwifery

  Management

  Administration and clerical

  Oxford HQ and units

  70

  0

  —

  —

  East Berkshire

  2,290

  220

  —

  —

  West Berkshire

  2,310

  170

  —

  —

  Aylesbury Vale

  1,480

  70

  —

  —

  Wycombe

  1,270

  130

  —

  —

  Milton Keynes

  800

  90

  —

  —

  Kettering

  1,460

  140

  —

  —

  Northampton

  2,000

  130

  —

  —

  Oxfordshire

  3,950

  260

  —

  —

  REGIONAL TOTAL

  15,620

  1,200

  520

  4,930

  Note: In 1991 there has been a shift of Nursing and Midwifery staff from West Berkshire district health authority to East Berkshire district health authority due to the reallocation of Berkshire College of Nursing and Midwifery, Wexham park hospital from West to East Berkshire.

  Environmental Health Prosecutions
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions were brought by environmental health officers in each of the last five years; and what percentage of(a) cases and (b) contested cases resulted in convictions.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information prior to 1991 is not held centrally.

  During 1991, environmental health officers brought 1,143 prosecutions in connection with hygiene and microbiological contamination. In addition, there were 691 prosecutions relating to chemical contamination and extraneous matter, some of which related to food safety and some to quality. The available information does not show whether cases were successful or contested.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has received on the subject of continued tobacco advertising; and if she will make a statement.
  216
  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have received a number of representations. The Government will consider all representations received in keeping under review the need for further action to achieve the ambitious targets for reducing smoking set out in the "Health of the Nation".

  HIV (Therapy)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring her Department is undertaking on the use of combination therapy of AXT, DDI and Pyridinone for the treatment of HIV infection, as currently being tested in the United States; whether she envisages any trial use being made available in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We do not ourselves carry out clinical trials for HIV infection. This is the responsibility of the Medical Research Council. The Department does have an influence on the research programme through a concordat with the MRC.

  Recently, there have been reports from the United States that resistance developed to the drugs AZT, DDI and pyridinones renders HIV non-viable. It has been suggested that combination therapy with these three drugs

  217
  may be an effective treatment for HIV disease. The M RC AIDS therapeutic trials committee, on which the Department of Health is represented, has identified combination therapy as one of a number of priority areas for further research.

  So far all the evidence supporting use of this combination of drugs comes from laboratory studies. We do not know what the clinical significance will be. Unfortunately many therapies which are promising in the test tube do not give the hoped-for benefits to patients.

  Surgery (Waiting Times)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current average waiting period for(a) all operations, (b) cataract surgery, or the specialty within which such surgery falls and (c) hip replacement surgery, or the specialty within which such surgery falls; and what information is available as to the proportion of all people waiting for operations who are aged over 65 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Waiting time information by specialty is published in "Hospital Waiting Lists, In-Patients and Day cases", a copy of which is in the Library. Waiting time information on individual conditions and by age of patients is not held centrally.

  Out-patient Appointments
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce a system to limit waiting times for out-patient appointments.

  Mr. Sackville
  Under the patients charter, health authorities already set and publish local charter standards for first out-patient appointments, and from 1993–94 regional health authorities will set targets in their corporate contracts for local improvements.

  Children (State Care)
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will calculate the cost to the Exchequer of a child placed in the care of the state, from birth to the age of majority, at current prices.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information available represents the average weekly unit costs to local authorities for children of all ages for various placements. The latest average figures for English authorities, published in "Children in Care; England and Wales; year ending 31 March 1991", are £102 per week for a foster placement, £536 per week for a community home placement and £943 for a registered voluntary homes placement. These averages represent the gross "direct costs". The costs of field social work support are excluded as are the charges which local authorities may recover for children accommodated by them. Information is not currently available about the placement histories of children looked after since birth.

  Salmonellosis
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of death certificates on which salmonellosis is shown(a) as the main cause of death and (b) as a subsidiary cause of death, for the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of deaths, main cause and subsidiary, from salmonella infections, other than typhoid 218
  and paratyphoid fevers, ICD 003 in England and Wales, for the last five years for which figures are available are shown in the table.1

  Main cause

  Subsidiary

  1987

  52

  23

  1988

  58

  36

  1989

  61

  23

  1990

  68

  28

  1991

  62

  26

  1 Excluding neonatal deaths (0 to 27 days).

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest estimate of the annual cost of treatment for coronary heart disease; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not routinely collected centrally. The latest year for which figures are held is 1989–90. We estimate that in that year £540 million was spent on all forms of treatment of coronary heart disease in the national health service.

  Homoeopathic Hospitals
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent on each of the five homoeopathic hospitals in each year since 1990–91; and what changes in funding are planned following EC directive 92/73/EEC of 22 September 1992.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally.

  Northwick Park Hospital
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 17 February,Official Report, columns 204–5, what instructions she has given to doctors at Northwick Park Hospital Trust about involving patients or their general practitioners in discussions about contractual issues.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The national health service executive has issued further guidance to the NHS about involving general practitioners and other clinicians in the contracting process under cover of EL(93)10 "Managing activity and change through contracting", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Green Agenda
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the guidelines and targets set for the implementation of the May 1991 DOH green agenda in respect of(a) exploiting the NHS's purchasing power by specifying environmentally friendly products, (b) using contracting to create healthier environments, (c) producing a smoking policy manual, (d) saving 15 per cent. on energy over five years and (e) changing to unleaded fuel throughout the national health service by 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The National Health Service Supplies Authority—NHSSA—is responsible for procurement matters for the NHS. It is a customer-driven organisation and responds to its customers' requirements, which are
  219
  increasingly for environmentally friendly products. This is taken into account when procuring products and NHSSA is in the process of developing a policy, in partnership with customers and suppliers, to encourage wider usage of "green" products throughout the NHS.

  In October 1992, guidance was issued to ensure that all sales of tobacco on NHS premises were stopped by the end of 1992, except to long-stay patients who are smokers, and to ensure that, by 31 May 1993, the NHS is smoke-free except for limited necessary provision of separate smoking rooms. A booklet of good practice in implementing smoking policies was issued jointly by the Department and the Health Education Authority. A copy is available in the Library.

  In line with the Government-wide target, health authorities are set an overall target for reducing energy consumption by 15 per cent. over the five years from 1991–92. Guidance and advice has been issued to the NHS on options for attaining this reduction. The NHS management executive is monitoring progress towards its achievement.

  Ambulance services, the main users of petrol within the NHS, are phasing out the use of leaded petrol in their fleets as part of their vehicle replacement programmes. This allows resources to be managed effectively and provides for the further option of diesel-powered vehicles.

  Regional Health Authority Staff
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of staff employed in each of the regional health authority offices.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The numbers of staff employed by regional health authorities—RHAs—are not directly comparable as some centrally manage NHS Supplies, blood transfusion, and ambulance services, as well as directly employing consultants and registrars for the health service in their region. Excluding these centrally maintained functions, we estimate a total of some 7,850 whole-time equivalent staff were employed by RHAs on 1 July 1992 or an average of 560 staff each. The number of each RHA is in the table:

  Number

  Northern

  656

  Yorkshire

  518

  Trent

  509

  East Anglian

  292

  North West Thames

  361

  North East Thames

  580

  South East Thames

  604

  South West Thames

  611

  Wessex

  331

  Oxford

  567

  South Western

  559

  West Midlands

  1,168

  Mersey

  313

  North Western

  785

  TOTAL

  7,854

  Home Helps
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what were the costs per hour of the home help or home care service in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984, expressed both in actual prices and 1987 prices;

  (2) what were the total numbers of home help or home care hours provided in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984; and, for each year and what were the average numbers of hours per user and per pensioner resident in the county for each year.

  Mr. Yeo
  The information is not held centrally. The numbers of clients, hours of service received by them and costs per hour of service are included in "Personal Social Services Statistics—Actuals" published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Several items of the CIPFA data, including hourly costs, are reproduced in "Key Indicators of Local Authority Services" published by the Department of Health. Copies of these publications covering the years up to 1990–91 are in the Library.

  Fluoridation
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from local authorities about the proposed addition of fluoride to the North Yorkshire drinking water supply; and whether she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Human Tissue Tests
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are for pharmaceutical companics to carry out human tissue tests in vitro prior to marketing their products.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None. The requirement is for adequate and appropriate pharmacological and toxicological testing of proposed medicinal products before trials of such products in human subjects and before eventual marketing.

  Certain accepted safety tests that are performed routinely on potential new medicines do use human cells in vitro to achieve their results. Other tests necessitate the use of animal models to reassure on safety issues, but research continues in order to ascertain whether in vitro tests could become valid substitutes.

  Care Homes
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers of places in local authority residential homes for the elderly in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Yeo
  The table shows the total number of places in local authority staffed homes in Cambridgeshire reported as being primarily for elderly people form 1987 onwards. Similar information is not available for earlier years or unstaffed homes.
  221

  Number of places in local authority staffed homes for elderly people Cambridgeshire 1987–92

  As at 31 March

  Number of places

  1987

  1,358

  1988

  1,344

  1989

  1,297

  1990

  1,249

  1991

  1,259

  1992

  1,150

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average age of people admitted to local authority residential homes for the elderly in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information is collected centrally in age bands. The table shows the number of admissions, by age band, to local authority staffed homes in Cambridgeshire reported as being primarily for elderly people, from 1987 onwards. Similar information is not available for earlier years or unstaffed homes.

  Unnatural deaths of two year olds in England and Wales from 1981 to 1990

  ICD number

  Year

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  001–E999

  All causes

  299

  289

  284

  243

  278

  259

  274

  272

  268

  239

  E800–E999

  External causes of injury and poisoning

  81

  81

  75

  75

  69

  56

  70

  64

  73

  64

  E800–E807

  Railway accidents

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  E810–E819

  Motor vehicle traffic accidents

  10

  29

  21

  20

  11

  14

  26

  20

  20

  19

  E820–E829

  Other vehicle accidents

  0

  1

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  E830–E848

  Water, air and space transport accidents and vehicle accidents not elsewhere classifiable

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  E850–E869

  Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments, biologicals, other solid and liquid substances, gases and vapours

  3

  1

  2

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1

  1

  0

  E870–E879

  Misadventure during medical care, abnormal reactions, late complications

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  E880–E888

  Accidental falls

  10

  4

  6

  8

  1

  4

  4

  1

  0

  2

  E890–E899

  Accidents caused by fire and flames

  18

  8

  17

  19

  17

  20

  9

  15

  20

  15

  E900–E929

  Other accidents including late effects

  30

  27

  13

  13

  28

  13

  18

  14

  17

  16

  E960–E969

  Homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other person

  1

  6

  7

  7

  5

  3

  7

  4

  2

  6

  E980–E989

  Injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted

  7

  5

  6

  6

  4

  1

  3

  9

  10

  4

  Myelograms
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to issue new guidelines about myelograms.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have no plans to issue guidelines.
  222

  Number of admissions to local authority staffed homes for elderly people by age-band Cambridgeshire 1987–92

  Age-band on admission

  Year to 31 March

  Under 65

  65–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Total

  1987

  23

  160

  517

  576

  1,276

  1988

  45

  255

  992

  797

  2,089

  1989

  55

  257

  808

  814

  1,934

  1990

  32

  221

  1,021

  875

  2,149

  1991

  43

  311

  929

  1,176

  2,459

  1992

  51

  284

  1,027

  1,077

  2,439

  Children (Unnatural Deaths)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the number and main causes of unnatural deaths of two-year-olds each year since 1981.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Hospital Shops (Cigarettes)
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys have been conducted as to the number or estimated percentage of hospital shops that sell cigarettes.

  Mr. Sackville
  Guidance was issued to all national health service authorities and provider units in October
  223
  1992 requiring them to stop the sale of all tobacco on NHS premises, except to long-stay patients who are smokers, by 31 December 1992. No surveys have been conducted and implementation is being monitored through normal management arrangements.

  Primary Health Care Forum
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral statement on 16 February,Official Report, columns 133–37, on the national health service in London, if she will list the membership of the Primary Health Care Forum; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Primary Health Care Forum will be the engine for change and improvement for primary care in London. Its members come from a variety of backgrounds, but common to all is their work in helping to stimulate and develop high quality primary and community services. This blend of experience will provide a sharp focus on the problems in the capital. Their task is crucial if the health care of Londoners is to improve as they and we would wish.

  The Primary Health Care Forum members are:

  Mr. Tim Chessells (Chairman), Chairman of the London Implementation Group.

  Mr. Gerry Green, Regional General Manager, South East
  Thames and regional general manager lead on primary care.

  Mrs. Ainna Fawcett-Henesy, Regional Nursing Oficer, South East Thames on secondment to LIG.

  Professor Lesley Southgate, Professor of General Practice and Primary Care, St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

  Ms. Hilary Scott, General Manager, Enfield and Haringey FHSA.

  Dr. Peter Skolar, an inner London GP and Chairman of Camden and Islington Local Medical Committee.

  Ms. Jean Rowe, Nurse Manager, Hillingdon Community Health Trust.

  Mr. Geoff Shepherd, Chief Executive, Redbridge and Waltham Forrest DHA.

  Dr. Rod Smith, GP fundholder, Caversham, Berkshire.

  Dr. Sian Griffiths, Regional Director of Public Health, South West Thames RHA.

  Mr. Terry Bamford, Director of Social Services, Kensington and Chelsea.

  Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford, Director, King's Fund College.

  Ms. Rosemary Glanville, Director of Medical Architecture Research Unit, University of North London and Non-Executive Director, West Lambeth Community Health Care Trust.

  Mr. Jack Barnes, Health Care Directorate, NHS Management Executive.

  Drug and Alcohol Abuse
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statutory directions have been issued to local authorities to ensure that the needs of those with drug and alcohol problems are fairly considered under care in the community.

  Mr. Yeo
  The whole of the community care special transitional grant, which will be made available to local authorities, has been ring fenced to protect the funding of the entire range of community care services, including those for drug and alcohol misusers. The grant will reflect existing levels of provision in the alcohol and drug field. We have not, therefore, issued separate statutory directions on the distribution of these funds in respect of alcohol and drug misuse services. Statutory directions have, however, been issued to support payment or £3·3 million to enable local authorities to further develop 224
  voluntary sector services for those with alcohol and drug problems. We have also issued special guidance to local authorities in recognition of the particular challenge they face in meeting the needs of alcohol and drug misusers from 1 April 1993.

  Teleconference Costs
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of the primary care charter teleconference she held on Monday 22 February.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A total of £53,217·92 including VAT.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has commissioned into the effectiveness of residential care and secure residential care for juvenile offenders.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The following research projects commissioned by the Department include examination of the effectiveness of residential care for all children including juvenile offenders.

  1. Dartington Social Research Unit—Locking up children: secure provision within the child care system 1978

  2. Professor Timms/Professor Harris, University of Leicester—Between hospital and prison or thereabouts: a study of the implementation of the secure accommodation regulations

  1987

  3. Dartington Social Research Unit—The experiences and careers of young people leaving youth treatment centres 1989

  4. Dartington Social Research Unit—Alternative care careers: the experience of very difficult adolescents outside youth treatment centre provision

  1989

  5. Dartington Social Research Unit—Follow-up of young people from youth treatment centres

  1993

  6. Professor Bottoms/Professor Knapp, University of Cambridge and University of Kent—Evaluation of the effectiveness of intermediate treatment

  1993

  7. Professor Whitaker, University of York—culture and staff dynamics in children's homes
  Commissioned: 1992

  8. Professor Sinclair—The role and quality of residential care
  Commissioned: 1993

  9. Dartington Social Research Unit—Factors and processes associated with positive outcomes for troubled adolescents
  Commissioned: 1993

  Copies of projects 1 to 4 are available in the Library. Copies of projects 5 to 9 are not yet available. Copies will be placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on what progress has been made in solving the commissioning problems of the A91 building at Aldermaston; and when he now expects the building to become fully operational.

  Mr. Aitken
  The project definition study to evaluate the scope of work necessary to overcome the corrosion
  225
  problems of building A91 is due to report at the end of March 1993. This study will identify the most cost-effective repair option and confirm the date on which the building will become operational.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on each of the(a) major injuries, (b) other injuries, (c) dangerous occurences and (d) cases of disease, as defined in the reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 —SI, 1985, No. 2023—reported to the Health and Safety Executive by AWE Aldermaston during 1991.

  Mr. Aitken
  A total of 38 such incidents occurred in 1991. Further details are as follows:

  (a) major injuries (Total four)—two fractures of the wrist; one severed fingertip; one fall from a bicycle;

  (b) other injuries (Total 28)—three fractures of the hands and feet; seven minor accidents/illnesses; two sports injuries; eight strains various; one dog bite; one concussion; four injuries from falls; two eye injuries;

  (c) dangerous occurrences (Total five)—pipe flange steam leak in the main boilerhouse; lightning induced cable fault and fire on inductance; ignition of striker assembly; two releases of chromate dust; and

  (d) cases of disease (Total one)—suspected contamination by chromate dust (no residual effects found).

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when AWE Aldermaston plans to start the red commissioning stage of the A90 building.

  Mr. Aitken
  White commissioning is progressing well, but red commissioning will not commence until we are fully satisfied that the facility is ready to receive radio active material.

  Atomic Weapons Establishments
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role and powers of the Health and Safety Executive concerning the atomic weapons establishments.

  Mr. Aitken
  The role and powers of the Health and Safety Executive in this respect were outlined on page 41 of the 12th report of the Select Committee on Defence in 1990.

  Vulcan XH558
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to allow the Vulcan XH558 to fly at any of the events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  There are no plans to include the Vulcan in the RAF flypast for the royal review at RAF Marham on 1 April 1993, which will consist of current operational RAF aircraft, with Battle of Britain memorial flight aircraft providing a historical perspective for the service.

  However, once the future of the Vulcan has been determined, it will be possible to consider the form of a farewell flypast.

  Bandsmen
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 779, if he will set out the approximate number of bandsmen employed on (a) Operation Corporate and (b) Operation Granby.
  226
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No Army bandsmen were deployed on Operation Corporate. On Operation Granby approximately 940 individual Army bandsmen were deployed.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why his Department's property, Queen Mary buildings in Stillington street, has been rendered uninhabitable; what was the cost of doing this; what is the intended future use of the buildings; and what consideration was given to using them to house the homeless in the interim period.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Queen Mary buildings consists of four blocks of six-storey flats. Two of the blocks are fully occupied; the other two have been vacated because repairs are necessary in order to rectify corrosion in steel reinforcement bars. Structural investigations have been carried out at a cost of £75,000 to establish the extent of the corrosion and remedial work is now in hand.

  The flats are used by military personnel who need to live within close proximity of their place of work. When repairs have been completed all the flats will be required by my Department. The empty blocks are not suitable for occupation due to their structural condition.

  Vehicle Leasing
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the numbers and makes of the vehicles currently being leased by(a) the Royal Air Force, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Army.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force do not have vehicles on long-term lease. The Army, which has the largest fleet of support vehicles, has the following vehicles on lease in the United Kingdom and in Germany:

  Number

  Iveco Ford tractor units

  112

  Mercedes Benz tractor units

  36

  Volvo tractor units

  17

  Leyland DAF tractor units

  1

  Volvo rigid vehicles

  9

  Leyland refrigerated unit

  1

  Leyland DAF minibuses

  28

  Renault minibuses

  11

  Ford transit minibus

  1

  Minibuses (makes unknown)1

  6

  Box body Luton type van (make unknown)1

  1

  Mechanical grab (make unknown)1

  1

  Volkswagen pick-up

  1

  Peugeot cars2

  36

  Fiat cars2

  31

  Rover cars

  22

  Ford cars

  27

  Nissan cars

  2

  Vauxhall cars

  2

  Cars in BAOR1

  268

  Volkswagen minibuses in BAOR

  54

  Vans in BAOR1

  15

  1 The vehicle makes are unknown because the lease contract does not specify a vehicle make but calls for a vehicle type—for example 12 seater minibus.

  2 The Fiat and Peugeot cars are being phased out and replaced by Rovers as their lease period expires.

  Bands
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 778, on medical training of Army bands, what specific medical tasks medical assistants are qualified to undertake; and what is the equivalent level of qualifications in the Royal Army Medical Corps;

  (2) to what level of civilian medical expertise (a) Royal Marine and (b) Royal Air Force band personnel are trained.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All service band personnel are trained to a level that equates to basic first aider in civilian qualifications. In addition, Royal Marine and RAF personnel are awarded the Health and Safety Executive certificate in first aid in the workplace.

  Instruction includes emergency resuscitation using basic skills, control of haemorrhage, initial treatment of bone and joint injuries and the application of bandages and dressings. It also covers the basic nursing care of a patient, the management of intravenous infusion equipment, the transportation of casualties and casualty management under nuclear, biological and chemical conditions.

  Chemical Discharges
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which chemicals listed under the Trade Effluents (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1989 are discharged into the environment by facilities and sites operated by his Department.

  Mr. Aitken
  Central records are not maintained of the types and quantities of prescribed substances discharged by MOD. However, non-domestic discharges from individual MOD facilities and establishments are subject to prior agreement with the appropriate pollution control authorities. These agreements take into account the quantities, concentrations and types of prescribed substances contained in the discharges which are, in turn, dependent upon the particular processes or activities being undertaken.

  Army Personnel Centre
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 June 1992,Official Report, column 176, if he is now in a position to make a statement about his plans for an integrated army personnel centre outside London.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1993, c. 760]: The consultation period has now ended. A number of representations were received, one of which proposed an alternative building for the centre in Stockport at a purchase price to the Ministry of Defence of rather less than £4 million, against a purchase price of around £20 million for the original proposal. These representations are now being considered. No decisions have been taken and I will make a further statement on our intentions as soon as possible.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Citizens Charter
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will(a) detail the cost, sample size and sample composition of the recent survey conducted by Research International for the Citizens Charter Unit and (b) place a copy of the research findings in the Library.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  (a) It is not our practice to reveal the cost of such contracts, as it could prejudice Her Majesty's Government's position when negotiating other contracts. All payments are, of course, open to scrutiny.

  A sample of 940 adults was taken, which was representative of the country as a whole. The table gives a detailed profile of respondents.

  (Base = 940)

  Per cent.

  Sex:Male

  49

  Female

  51

  Age:16–24

  18

  25–34

  19

  35–44

  17

  45–54

  14

  55–64

  13

  65+

  19

  Working Status:

  Full/part-time

  50

  Not working

  30

  Retired

  20

  Marital Status:

  Married

  66

  Widowed/separated/divorced

  15

  Single

  19

  Finished Full-time Education:

  16 years or under

  65

  17 years or over

  35

  Regions:

  Scotland

  9

  North/North West

  18

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  9

  Midlands/Anglia

  20

  London

  12

  South East

  19

  Wales/South West

  13

  (b) Copies of the research findings have been placed in the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what research his Department has undertaken on the possible effect of the national lottery on the income of charities and voluntary organisations.

  Mr. Key
  The report prepared for the Department by the GAH group of consultants considered information available from other countries on the possible effects of national and state lotteries on charitable incomes.

  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations he has received on the effect of the national lottery on the income of charities and voluntary organisations.
  229
  Mr. Key
  I have received a number of observations as to the likely effect on the incomes of charities and voluntary organisations—most recently from the Charities Aid Foundation, which wrote to all members of the Standing Committee on 4 February and the Council for Charitable Sport, which wrote to my right hon. Friend on 9 February.

  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what direct consultations he has had with(a) voluntary organisations in the disablement field and (b) other voluntary organisations concerning the effect of the national lottery on their income.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend has met the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which expressed its views on the lottery's effect on charities' income, along with a number of other observations on the national lottery. I have also had written representations from a number of voluntary organisations.

  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what study he has made of the effect of a national lottery on charitable giving in the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Key
  I am aware of the report by DKM management consultants, which includes a chapter on the effect of the Irish national lottery on charitable incomes in the Republic of Ireland.

  Package Holidays
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many people in the United Kingdom took overseas package holidays during 1992.

  Mr. Key
  Latest figures from the international passenger survey show that there were 10,571,000 holiday visits made by United Kingdom residents on marketed package holidays during the first three quarters of 1992—22 per cent. higher than for the first three quarters of 1991. They represented 55 per cent. of all United Kingdom holiday visits overseas and 39 per cent. of all United Kingdom residents' visits abroad.

  Sport
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total tax revenue from sports and the total Government assistance to sport by way of grant in each EC country for the most recent available year.

  Mr. Brooke
  This information is not available.

  Children's Play
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will establish a dedicated budget for children's play from central Government.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Sports Council will take over the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit's responsibilities for information, and playwork education and training after 31 March 1993 and fund these from its main budget. This represents a very positive way forward, and I see no need to introduce any other financial arrangements.
  230
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will visit the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit to discuss the removal of ring fencing of money allocated to the unit by the Sports Council.

  Mr. Brooke
  In November, my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, met the chairman and vice-chairman of the play unit to discuss our plans for supporting children's play after 31 March 1993. The issue of funding after this date is a matter for the Sports Council and I therefore see no need for a further meeting with the play unit.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the representations he has received about the future of the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 19 January, Official Report, column 131. Between 15 January and 2 March, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and I received 85 letters from hon. Members, 28 from local authorities, 50 from voluntary sector play organisations, 34 from other organisations and 17 from members of the public. A significant proportion of this correspondence consists of identical letters reaching the Department by a number of different routes, and fails to appreciate that funding will continue to be available to play through the Sports Council.

  Irish Cannon
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the representations from the Irish Government about the future of the 16th century Irish cannon currently in the royal armouries.

  Mr. Key
  The two guns cast in London by Robert and John Owen in the late 1540s were bought in good faith from a reputable dealer in 1972. There have been various rumours in the subsequent 20 years, but no evidence about their origin. In June 1992 the National museum of Ireland claimed ownership, saying that an extensive police investigation was in progress. In October its acting keeper of antiquities visited the royal armouries and was given full access to their files. The position remains that no evidence has been presented to support the Irish claim and it seems sensible to await the outcome of their police investigation.

  Tourist Boards
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has had over the proposed reduction in the grant to the English tourist board and the relation between this grant and others to other tourist bodies in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  My Department has received a number of representations from the tourist industry about the level of English tourist board funding. The ETB is currently carrying out a review of its activities which will enable it to decide how its resources can be allocated most effectively in future.

  Decisions on the levels of funding for the other national tourist boards are a matter for the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, based on their assessment of their particular priorities.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the increase in the legal aid budget is due to increased payments on account to solicitors holding legal aid certificates in each of the last three years.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information is available only in respect of payments on account made to both barristers and solicitors in respect of civil legal aid. The percentage of the increase in legal aid fund expenditure clue to increased payments on account to both barristers and solicitors in those circumstances in each of the last three years was as follows:

  1989–90 £ million

  1990–91 £ million

  1991–92 £ million

  Gross fund expenditure

  580

  690

  910

  payments on account

  3·0 per cent.

  4·4 per cent.

  5·8 per cent.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the expected cost of the reorganisation of the outer London magistrates court system as proposed in Cm. 1829, "A New Framework for Local Justice"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Taylor
  We have not yet formulated proposals on the future organisation of the magistrates courts in outer London. We are at present consulting the service on the options and issues. The cost of reorganisation will depend on the option for change which is selected. Any additional costs arising out of reorganisation will be recovered through the structural improvements made by the changes and by efficiency savings.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish his proposals for the reorganisation of the outer London magistrates courts by the end of February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Taylor
  We have recently issued a consultation paper about the future organisation of the magistrates courts service in London. Responses are required by 31 May. The Lord Chancellor and I will give careful consideration to the views of those in the service in London before reaching any decisions about its future.

  Committal Proceedings
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he will abolish formal committal proceedings in court under section 6(2) of the Magistrates Courts Act 1980 in cases where the defence lawyer accepts that there is a case to answer.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  Consideration of the reform of committal proceedings is within the remit of the Royal Commission on criminal justice. We shall be reviewing the future of these proceedings in the light of the commission's findings.
  232

  1989–90 £ million

  1990–91 £ million

  1991–92 £ million

  Gross fund expenditure

  580

  690

  910

  Gross annual increase

  89

  110

  220

  Increase in payments on account

  8·3

  12·8

  22·3

  Percentage of increase attributable to increased payments on account

  9·3

  11·6

  10·1

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of legal aid in each of the last three years was accounted for by payments on account.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The percentage of legal aid fund expenditure in each of the last three years accounted for by payments on account was as follows:

TRANSPORT

  Light Dues
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on light dues.

  Mr. Norris
  We remain committed to the principle of funding the cost of navigational aids from light dues. We are, however, pursuing a number of initiatives in this regard. We have made a joint approach with the Irish Government to the European Commission proposing that the user should pay for navigational aids throughout the Community's waters. I have opened negotiations with the Irish Government with a view to increasing the level of contributions to the general lighthouse fund from sources within the Republic. I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on the difficult issue of light dues for pleasure craft. But work continues to identify an equitable and cost-effective charging system.

  On 15 February 1990 my right hon. Friend the former Member for Hertsmere, when Secretary of State for Transport, announced his intention of moving from a net to a gross tonnage basis for the assessment of light dues in 1994. The general lighthouse authorities and the payers of light dues are consulting together as to what the effects would be on differing types and sizes of vessels. I expect to make a further announcement later in the year.

  The tariff for light dues is usually revised annually so that the finances of the general lighthouse fund are maintained at a satisfactory level. Despite a substantial increase in the tariff last year, light dues revenue for 1992–93 was forecast to be 26 per cent. lower in real terms than in 1987. For the forthcoming year from 1 April I am today announcing an average increase in the tariff about of 3.5 per cent.

  I am therefore laying regulations to increase the light dues voyage tariff by 1·5p to 43p per tonne with effect from 1 April; I am also increasing the tariff for periodical payments including those for fishing vessels, from £205 a year plus £21 per metre—for 10 m and over—to £212 and £22 respectively, with consequential increases in related rates.

  Traffic Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution his Department made to the conference held in London on 22 February, "Less Traffic, Better Towns".

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I addressed this conference and the head of the Department's urban and general directorate gave a talk on current departmental initiatives. Three other officials from the Department attended the conference.

  Motorway Traffic
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider establishing indication markers on the back of vehicles not permitted to overtake in the third lane of motorways, as a contribution to road safety.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We have no evidence of vehicles not permitted in the third lane regularly flouting the regulations and using that lane, and no plans to require any markings on vehicles not permitted to use the third lane.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what type and size of vehicles are banned from overtaking in the third lane of motorways.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Regulation 12 of the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations, as amended by the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1992, stipulates the type and size of vehicles prohibited from the third lane of motorways. These are motor tractors, light or heavy locomotives, vehicles with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes and those drawing trailers.

  Trans-Pennine Study
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he used to select the consultancy organisation that produced the trans-Pennine study strategy commissioned by his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  As with any such consultancy award, the ability to deliver the work set out in the study brief at a competitive cost.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what penalty was provided in the contract with the consultancy responsible for producing the trans-Pennine study strategy report for failure to deliver the report on time.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  These kinds of commissions do not include a specific penalty for poor performance. If a consultant does not comply with the Department's requirements this would be taken into account when selecting tenderers for future commissions.

  The time scale for delivery of this report was adjusted when the scope of the study was extended.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 February,Official
  234
  Report, column 385, if he will list the organisations that tendered for the trans-Pennine study strategy commissioned by his Department, and the estimated cost of producing the report which was put forward by each organisation.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We received tenders from Transportation Planning Associates, the MVA Consultancy, Alastair Dick and Associates and Wootton Jeffreys. The value of each tender is a commercially sensitive matter which we do not divulge.

  A361
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total value of the outstanding disturbance claims arising from the building of the A361 Tiverton to Barnstaple link road; and what he estimates to be the interest accumulated on this sum.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The value of third-party claims arising from the construction of the A361 north Devon link road stages 2A and 2B would be difficult to quantify, as they are subject to negotiation between the claimant, the contractors, the consultants who supervise construction, and the Department. Compensation negotiated in respect of third-party claims does not attract interest.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many disturbance claims arising from the building of the A361 Tiverton to Barnstaple link road are still outstanding.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The table provides a breakdown of third-party claims arising from the construction of the A361 north Devon link road stages 2A and 2B.

  Number

  Stage 2A

  Claims received

  58

  Claims settled

  54

  Claims yet to be resolved

  4

  Stage 2B

  Claims received

  65

  Claims settled

  46

  Claims repudiated

  5

  Claims on which no recent action has been taken by claimants

  14

  A1 (Road Works)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates the A1 carriageways in the area of Ferrybridge, South Yorkshire, have been restricted due to road, bridge or other works during the last five years.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Carriageway restrictions have been imposed on the A1 in the area of Ferrybridge to enable substantial maintenance or survey work to be undertaken on nine occasions in the last five years, as follows:
  235

  Scheme

  Dates

  A1 Safety fencing M62 to Redhouse

  18 April 1988 to 19 June 1988

  A1 Wentbridge to Darrington

  6 February 1989 to 20 April 1989

  A1 River Aire to M62

  31 August 1989 to 15 December 1989

  A1 Wentbridge access

  15 January 1990 to 27 May 1990

  A1 Topographical survey, Wentbridge

  1 June 1990 to 31 August 1990

  A1 Wentbridge to Barnsdale Bar

  10 December 1990 to 13 April 1991

  A1 Redhouse to Barnsdale Bar

  12 May 1991 to 19 August 1991

  A1 Fairburn village

  11 November 1992 to 19 December 1992

  A1 Darrington

  22 February 1993 ongoing

  The list does not include daytime lane closures of a few hours' duration at off-peak times for routine work, patching or safety fence repairs.

  Road Traffic (Emissions)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of(a) carbon monoxide, (b) nitrogen oxides and (c) volatile organic compounds are from road traffic; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  The contribution from road traffic to national emissions in 1990 was:

  Per cent.

  Carbon monoxide

  90

  Nitrogen oxides

  51

  Volatile organic compounds

  41

  Over the next few years tight new emission standards are coming into force for cars, lorries and buses and these will lead to better air quality as older vehicles are phased out.

PRIME MINISTER

  Agricultural Surpluses
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the availability of facilities within the EC to store agricultural surpluses.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 4 March.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 4 March.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

  Marriage Counselling
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps are taken to co-ordinate the work of the United Kingdom Departments of the Scottish and Welsh Offices concerned with Relate; and if he will make a statement on the grants for Relate for future years.

  The Prime Minister
  [pursuant to his reply, 8 February 1993, c. 421]: The last two sentences should have read
  236
  "The Scottish Office provides a grant to Marriage Counselling Scotland. In 1993–94 this will amount to £87,288, an increase of one and a half per cent. compared with 1992–93."

EDUCATION

  Primary Schools
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will list for each local education authority area the number of pupils aged five to 11 years educated(a) within and (b) outside the maintained sector;

  (2) what percentage of pupils aged five to 11 years in England are educated within the maintained sector.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested for pupils attending schools in each local education authority area in England in January 1992 is shown in the table.

  Pupils aged 5–11 years in maintained and non-maintained schools in each local education authority in England in January 1992 Ages at 31 August 1991

  LEA

  Maintained

  Non maintained

  Percentage of pupils in maintained schools

  City

  171

  377

  31·2

  Camden

  10,189

  3,133

  76·5

  Greenwich

  19,253

  904

  95·5

  Hackney

  14,376

  2,106

  87·2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  8,264

  1,211

  87·2

  Islington

  13,245

  203

  98·5

  Kensington and Chelsea

  5,514

  5,619

  49·5

  Lambeth

  16,645

  914

  94·8

  Lewisham

  18,123

  1,124

  94·2

  Southwark

  18,335

  1,634

  91·8

  Tower Hamlets

  18,410

  106

  99·4

  Wandsworth

  14,485

  2,411

  85·7

  Westminster

  8,593

  2,516

  77·4

  Barking

  13,468

  0

  100·0

  Barnet

  21,506

  3,147

  87·2

  Bexley

  18,135

  430

  97·7

  Brent

  19,029

  930

  95·3

  Bromley

  20,656

  2,553

  89·0

  Croydon

  23,912

  3,595

  86·9

  Ealing

  21,453

  3,074

  87·5

  Enfield

  21,139

  808

  96·3

  Haringey

  15,554

  981

  94·1

  Harrow

  15,744

  1,659

  90·5

  Havering

  19,284

  433

  97·8

  Hillingdon

  18,345

  1,672

  91·6

  Hounslow

  16,855

  440

  97·5

  Kingston upon Thames

  9,411

  1,518

  86·1

  Merton

  11,606

  1,681

  87·3

  Newham

  22,441

  96

  99·6

  Redbridge

  18,112

  1,978

  90·2

  Richmond upon Thames

  9,867

  3,118

  76·0

  Sutton

  12,533

  970

  92·8

  Waltham Forest

  18,038

  484

  97·4

  Birmingham

  97,122

  3,056

  96·9

  Coventry

  27,036

  924

  96·7

  237

  LEA

  Maintained

  Non-maintained

  Percentage of pupils in maintained schools

  Dudley

  26,193

  146

  99·4

  Sandwell

  27,077

  138

  99·5

  Solihull

  17,640

  1,146

  93·9

  Walsall

  24,507

  373

  98·5

  Wolverhampton

  22,081

  753

  96·7

  Knowsley

  15,561

  113

  99·3

  Liverpool

  43,989

  1,224

  97·3

  St. Helens

  16,089

  365

  97·8

  Sefton

  24,934

  1,567

  94·1

  Wirral

  28,961

  1,879

  93·9

  Bolton

  24,368

  950

  96·2

  Bury

  15,112

  763

  95·2

  Manchester

  40,262

  1,810

  95·7

  Oldham

  22,041

  694

  96·9

  Rochdale

  19,875

  284

  98·6

  Salford

  19,812

  929

  95·5

  Stockport

  23,635

  2,380

  90·9

  Tameside

  20,116

  63

  99·7

  Trafford

  17,741

  1,638

  91·5

  Wigan

  27,974

  0

  100·0

  Barnsley

  19,153

  38

  99·8

  Doncaster

  27,134

  418

  98·5

  Rotherham

  23,341

  158

  99·3

  Sheffield

  39,344

  1,116

  97·2

  Bradford

  47,615

  1,569

  96·8

  Calderdale

  17,445

  484

  97·3

  Kirklees

  34,364

  717

  98·0

  Leeds

  58,869

  2,302

  96·2

  Wakefield

  27,716

  1,295

  95·5

  Gateshead

  16,360

  699

  95·9

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  21,548

  2,242

  90·6

  North Tyneside

  16,592

  503

  97·1

  South Tyneside

  14,006

  31

  99·8

  Sunderland

  27,630

  610

  97·8

  Isles of Scilly

  181

  0

  100·0

  Avon

  74,052

  5,424

  93·2

  Bedfordshire

  48,708

  2,581

  95·0

  Berkshire

  61,392

  7,086

  89·7

  Buckinghamshire

  54,085

  4,755

  91·9

  Cambridgeshire

  56,095

  2,802

  95·2

  Cheshire

  83,453

  3,671

  95·8

  Cleveland

  55,241

  967

  98·3

  Cornwall

  38,196

  1,239

  96·9

  Cumbria

  40,231

  1,102

  97·3

  Derbyshire

  77,922

  2,280

  97·2

  Devon

  78,334

  5,177

  93·8

  Dorset

  46,610

  3,644

  92·7

  Durham

  51,853

  1,087

  97·9

  East Sussex

  47,710

  5,687

  89·3

  Essex

  125,438

  6,948

  94·8

  Gloucestershire

  42,407

  3,427

  92·5

  Hampshire

  125,924

  9,611

  92·9

  Hereford and Worcester

  55,220

  4,595

  92·3

  Hertfordshire

  80,291

  7,683

  91·3

  Humberside

  77,284

  1,644

  97·9

  Isle of Wight

  9,588

  426

  95·7

  Kent

  124,793

  9,297

  93·1

  Lancashire

  123,100

  4,134

  96·8

  238

  LEA

  Maintained

  Non maintained

  Percentage of pupils in maintained schools

  Leicestershire

  78,266

  2,972

  96·3

  Lincolnshire

  47,616

  2,154

  95·7

  Norfolk

  57,469

  2,991

  95·1

  North Yorkshire

  54,604

  3,690

  93·7

  Northamptonshire

  51,864

  3,063

  94·4

  Northumberland

  26,180

  457

  98·3

  Nottinghamshire

  84,742

  3,369

  96·2

  Oxfordshire

  43,121

  4,878

  8·98

  Shropshire

  34,509

  2,434

  93·4

  Somerset

  36,473

  3,128

  92·1

  Staffordshire

  90,572

  2,316

  97·5

  Suffolk

  50,266

  3,488

  93·5

  Surrey

  66,742

  17,193

  79·5

  Warwickshire

  39,431

  2,661

  93·7

  West Sussex

  52,107

  5,127

  91·0

  Wiltshire

  46,860

  2,723

  94·5

  England

  3,944,864

  243,113

  94·2

  Nursery Education
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for education what proportions of three and four-year-olds attended state nursery schools or state nursery classes in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Forth
  The estimated percentages of the local three and four-year-old population attending maintained nursery schools and classes in Cambridgeshire local education authority for each of years 1984 to 1992 are shown in the table. The table also shows the percentages of such pupils being taught in infant classes in maintained primary schools.

  Position as at January each Year

  year

  Nursery schools and classes

  Infant classes

  1992

  12

  32

  1991

  11

  31

  1990

  11

  34

  1989

  12

  30

  1988

  12

  30

  1987

  12

  29

  1986

  12

  28

  1985

  12

  29

  1984

  11

  27

  Estimated percentages of three and four-year-old population attending maintained nursery schools and classes and infant classes in maintained primary schools in Cambridgeshire LEA.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Manufacturing (Midlands)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the figures for manufacturing output in the midlands from the latest available date.

  Mr. Portillo
  According to provisional CSO figures for 1991, GDP for manufacturing industry at factor cost in the midlands was £21.1 billion, representing 20.3 of the United Kingdom total.

  Actors
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on taxation arrangements for actors.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received very few representations recently.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Duncan-Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the main rate of corporation tax in(a) Japan, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The current main rates on distributed profits are 37½ per cent. in Japan, 36 per cent. in Germany, 33½ per cent. in France and 33 per cent. in the United Kingdom. In Germany a higher rate of 50 per cent. is applied to undistributed profits.

  Finance Ministers
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the discussions at the February meeting of European Community Finance Ministers.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the discussions at the February meeting of EC Finance Ministers.

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 18 February,Official Report, col. 315.

  US Tariffs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning the economy and the imposition by the United States of America of tariffs upon United Kingdom-manufactured goods.

  Mr. Portillo
  The United Kingdom is concerned about recent developments in trade relations with the US, in particular the imposition of anti-dumping duties on steel, which could have a significant impact on sections of the steel industry. The United Kingdom believes that it is essential that the dialogue between the Commission and US continues and that these disputes do not escalate into a trade war.

  Debt
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the ratio of debt to gross domestic product in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Italy, (c) France and (d) Germany.

  Mr. Portillo
  The OECD estimates that the gross general Government debt to GDP ratio in 1992 was 42 per cent. in the United Kingdom, compared with 44 per cent. in Germany, 50 per cent. in France and 108 per cent. in Italy.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of charities and voluntary bodies on the possible imposition of VAT on their activities.

  Mr. Nelson
  None.

  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the removal of VAT payable on items of sanitary protection.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have received a number on the subject.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning rates of VAT.

  Mr. Nelson
  Many representations have been received and these will be considered in the run-up to the Budget.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the relative cost of sending publications by post in the United Kingdom and the other member states of the EC, when considering the question of extending VAT to books and magazines.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the differing costs arid VAT rates in member states on publications sent by post. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further in the period leading up to the Budget.

  Retail Prices
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest figure for the annual increase in the retail prices index; and what were the comparable figures for January 1992 and January 1991.

  Mr. Portillo
  In January the headline rate of RPI inflation was 1.7 per cent., down sharply from 4.1 per cent. in January 1992 and 9 per cent. in January 1991. Headline inflation is now at its lowest level for more than 25 years.

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how Customs and Excise prosecution policy has been reviewed since the Matrix Churchill trial.

  Mr. Nelson
  The prosecution policy of Customs and Excise, determined within its role as an independent prosecuting authority, is guided by the code for Crown prosecutors which sets out the evidential and public interest tests which should be addressed when considering
  241
  criminal prosecutions. The commissioners keep under review their prosecution policies in relation to the wide range of enforcement responsibilities laid to them, taking account of all relevant factors. One such factor will clearly be the findings of Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.

  Edinburgh Summit
  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new projects are to go ahead in Britain as a consequence of the statement at the Edinburgh summit on European economic recovery.

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General gave to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) on 26 February,Official Report, column 765.

  Public Sector Leasing
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about public sector leasing policy.

  Mr. Portillo
  The autumn statement announced as part of the private finance initiative, certain changes affecting leasing by public sector bodies. As a form of procurement, leasing must be based on an assessment of value for money, taking into account the transfer of risk. If the great majority of the risk lies with the private sector, the capital value of leased assets will not be offset from departmental spending allocations or external financing limits. In addition, in the particular circumstances of the run-up to privatisation, British Rail will be allowed to lease some £150 million of new rolling stock.

  Interim guidance on the private finance initiative as a whole was provided to Departments on 9 December and placed in the Library of the House. More detailed guidance on leasing will be available shortly.

  Statutory rules require that local authorities in England and Wales should count leases as credit arrangements for which credit cover is needed, unless they are operating leases or other specified types of leases. In Scotland, authorities are similarly required to count certain categories of leases as capital transactions which must have capital allocation cover.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on tax revenues of changes in the level of unemployment in the south-east over the last year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the effects.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the President of the European Commission's call for an emergency summit of the Group of Seven to co-ordinate measures to tackle unemployment.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 26 February 1993]: The Japanese Prime Minister is currently the chair of the Group of Seven and it is for him to respond to this proposal. On Saturday my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hosted an informal meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers and central bank governors.
  242
  Concern was expressed about the high level of unemployment in all countries and there was agreement on the need to strengthen non-inflationary growth. This meeting was in part to fulfil last year's economic summit request to Finance Ministers to strengthen co-operation and to intensify work to reduce obstacles to growth and thereby foster employment.

  Repossessions
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Building Societies Commission to discuss repossessions.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Treasury Ministers meet the chairman of the Building Societies Commission from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Demand
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the level of total demand in the economy.

  Mr. Portillo
  Latest data indicate that the level of real domestic demand in the third quarter of 1992 was 0.6 per cent. higher than a year earlier. The majority of the Treasury's panel of independent forecasters and other outside forecasters expect it to pick up further in 1993. The Government will publish a new forecast in the financial statement and Budget report on 16 March.

  Consumer Spending
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the monthly change in consumer spending for each month since January 1990.

  Mr. Nelson
  Estimates of consumers' expenditure are not compiled monthly. Quarterly estimates of the volume of consumers' expenditure are shown in table 3 of the publication "Economic Trends". Table 1 of this publication gives monthly estimates of the volume of retail sales which account for about two fifths of total consumers' expenditure. Copies of "Economic Trends" are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Money Supply
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage change in the money supply, M4, for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Nelson
  Figures for the percentage change in the money supply, M4, for each year since 1987 are available in table 28 of "Economic Trends", January and February 1993 issues.

  Health and Education Expenditure
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been public spending on health and on education in each year since 1975 at current prices.

  Mr. Portillo
  Table 2.2 of the statistical supplement to the 1992 autumn statement, Cm. 2219, shows general Government expenditure by function from 1978–79. Figures are also available on a national accounts basis back to 1977, in cash terms, from the CSO database in the following series, identified by their database code:
  243

  GTGH: General Government expenditure on Health,

  GTGN: General Government expenditure on Education.

  The database can be accessed through the House of Commons Library.

  Sterling (Devaluation)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the extent of the devaluation of the pound sterling against the basket of international currencies since Wednesday 23 September 1992, on the latest available figures.

  Mr. Nelson
  Between close of business in London on 23 September 1992 and opening 1 March 1993 the £ sterling has declined against its exchange rate index by 6.74 per cent.

  Car Tax
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the total annual amount lost in taxation by the changes in car taxation announced in his autumn statement.

  Sir John Cope
  As a result of the abolition of car tax announced in the autumn statement it is estimated that there will be a total loss of revenue, including consequential VAT, of £750 million in 1993–94. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at the time that the costs would be recouped in the next Budget through other taxes on motoring.

  Bloodstock
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet representatives from the Jockey Club to discuss the level of VAT on bloodstock in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  I meet representatives of the Jockey Club from time to time, but have no meeting scheduled at present.

  Exchange Rates
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the benefits to industry of fixed exchange rates within the European Community.

  Mr. Nelson
  Exchange rate stability can be beneficial if there is sufficient convergence of monetary policy requirements among the countries concerned. The European Commission's 1990 report on the costs and benefits of economic and monetary union—"One Market, One Money"—surveyed a number of studies on this subject.

  Wages and Salaries
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current estimate of annual change in levels of wages and salaries and of the retail prices index; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  In December underlying average earnings growth was 4¾ per cent. This is estimated to be the lowest since 1967. In January headline RPI inflation was 1.7 per cent., also the lowest since 1967.

  Local Authorities (Loans)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the quotas for lending to local authorities by the Public Works Loan Board.

  Mr. Lamont
  The public works loan commissioners have issued a circular today notifying local authorities of a change in the formula for calculating the quotas for 1993–94. The change reflects the Government's continued concern about the level of investments held by some authorities. The revised formula will reduce the quota available to local authorities which hold substantial investments, some of which could be used in place of fresh borrowing. It will have little or no effect on authorities where investments are small. Interest rates will continue to be set near but just below market rates.

  A copy of the circular has been placed in the House Library.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made of the extent to which the introduction of PEPs has increased investment in equities, unit trusts or investment trusts by type of investor; and to what extent it has resulted in switching from client equity, unit trust or investment trust investment.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: Over £6 billion had been invested in personal equity plans by April 1992. Many investors will have been encouraged to invest more in equities and in unit and investment trusts, but the detailed information requested in not available.

  Charities
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts charities received in tax concessions and Government grants in each of the last three financial years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 26 February 1993]: The total cost of direct tax reliefs benefiting charities is not available. The latest information on the cost of income tax reliefs to charities, including donations by individuals and companies and relief for charities, is given in the table. In addition, inheritance tax relief for gifts and bequests to charities costs about £150 million per annum. The value of VAT reliefs specifically targeted on charities and the disabled is now worth some £150 million per annum. Information on grants to charities specifically in not available, but grants to the voluntary sector totalled £2.36 billion in 1989–90 and £2.68 billion in 1990–91. Comparable information for 1991–92 is not yet available.

  £ million1 Cost of income tax relief

  1990–91

  500

  1991–92

  570

  1992–93

  530

  1 These figures comprise the total sum repaid to charities and scientific research associations in respect of tax credits on dividends, and income tax deducted at source from other investment income, payments under deeds of covenant, single donations by individuals and companies under the Gift Aid Scheme and donations under the payroll giving scheme. Information is not available about income received by these bodies without deduction of tax and no allowance in the figures is made for this.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Health and Social Services Boards
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the definition of employees of each of the health and social services boards as(a) Irish, (b) United Kingdom, (c) British and (d) EC citizens is the result of decisions by the boards or of self-definition by the employees.

  Mr. Hanley
  The health and social services boards do not define the nationality of their employees as Irish, United Kingdom, British or EC. Applicants are asked to indicate on the application form whether they are EC or non-EC nationals.

  Caesarean Section Births
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many babies were born by Caesarean section in hospitals in Northern Ireland during each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The figures for 1971–1986 and 1991 and 1992 are given in the table. Equivalent information is not available for the years 1987–1990 when adjustments were being made to the data collection process.

  The figures in the table include both live and still-births.

  Babies born by caesarean section in hospitals in Northern Ireland 1971–1986, 1991, 1992

  Year

  Live/still births in hospital

  Babies born in hospitals by caesarean section

  Caesarean births as a percentage of total

  1971

  31,800

  1,611

  5

  1972

  30,464

  1,520

  5

  1973

  27,531

  1,488

  5

  1974

  28,047

  1,537

  5

  1975

  26,969

  1,720

  6

  1976

  26,936

  2,015

  7

  1977

  26,393

  1,910

  7

  1978

  27,380

  2,042

  7

  1979

  28,603

  2,408

  8

  1980

  28,240

  2,328

  8

  1981

  27,833

  2,395

  9

  1982

  27,420

  2,410

  9

  1983

  27,406

  2,445

  9

  1984

  28,897

  2,633

  9

  1985

  27,738

  2,642

  10

  1986

  28,333

  2,762

  10

  1991

  25,997

  2,912

  11

  1992

  25,508

  2,821

  11

  Irish Language
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many schools at each level Irish is presently taught to a majority of the pupils at some stage in their education in that school; how many children have achieved a pass in Irish at(a) GCSE, (b) 0-level and (c) A-level, in each of the last five years; what is the percentage of schools at each level offering Irish as a subject; how many of the schools offering Irish are (i) voluntary, (ii) controlled, (iii) maintained and (iv) integrated; and what is the percentage offering Irish in each of these categories.

  Mr. Hanley
  No information is available centrally on the number of primary schools which teach Irish.
  246
  The latest available information on the teaching of Irish at post-primary level relates to a survey conducted in respect of the 1988–89 academic year, based on a 10 per cent. sample of pupils.

  That survey identified 92 schools in which Irish is taught. All are voluntary schools of which 29 are voluntary grammar schools and 63 are voluntary maintained secondary schools. These figures represent 50 per cent. and 79 per cent. respectively of the total number of schools in these categories. It is probable, however, that there are other schools in which Irish is taught, but which were not identified in the sample used in the survey.

  The number of pupils who have obtained a pass in Irish at GCSE and A-level in each of the last five years is as follows:—

  GCSE

  A level

  GRADE

  A-C

  D-G

  A-E

  1988

  1,046

  469

  203

  1989

  1,133

  486

  183

  1990

  955

  436

  229

  1991

  959

  462

  214

  1992

  1,037

  504

  270

  1987 was the last year of NI GCE 'O' level examinations.

  Educational Administration
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take, in the light of the consultative document, "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland", to consult parents and teachers before concluding which of the three possible systems set out in the document he intends to install; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Copies of the consultative document on educational administration in Northern Ireland have been widely distributed to schools, colleges, teachers unions and professional associations. The views of parents have been sought through the Parents Action Group on Education. Press advertisements have also been placed informing the public of the publication of the document and inviting comments by 25 June. Furthermore, there have been detailed press articles setting out the contents of the document. The Government have stressed that no decisions will be made until all representations have been considered.

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study his Department has made of the potential impact on the current numbers employed within the five education and library boards, in the light of any move towards each of the three proposed models set out in chapters 6, 7 and 8 of the consultative document on educational administration in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The models described in the consultative document are intended to be illustrative of the broad frameworks within which educational services might be provided rather than to be detailed blueprints for future structures. They do not exclude consideration of any other models that might be suggested. The Government are committed to extensive consultation on the way ahead and will not make any final decisions until that consultation is completed. In these circumstances any notional assessment of the implications of the three models for present
  247
  levels of employment in the education and library boards was not considered to be of significant value at this stage of the review process.

  Slopping Out
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when slopping out will end at each of the gaols; and if he will make a statement on prison refurbishment.

  Mr. Mates
  Slopping-out does not take place in either of the two Maghaberry prisons as integral sanitation is provided.

  At the young offenders centre, Hydebank Wood, a system of electronic unlocking provides inmate access to sanitation at night in much of the accommodation. As a progressive regime operates in the centre, inmates normally progress into such facilities. Refurbishment at the centre costing £3·5 million over the next three years is planned.

  At Belfast prison a major £25 million programme aimed at ending slopping-out and greatly improving facilities by the year 2000 has now been planned and elements of work already begun. Due to the scale and complexity of the project and the need for it to be done while the prison is largely operational, work will take some years and the first elements will be security related. The remainder involve installation of many improvements for prisoners and staff, including en-suite toilet facilities in the wings.

  In both Maze and Magilligan prisons, prisoners often have their own cells. This allied to a regime which enabled them to spend much of the day out of cell, means that the sanitation difficulties experienced in other jurisdictions are much less prevalent. But we are currently developing a strategic plan for the entire prison estate in Northern Ireland which will include consideration of the installation of integral sanitation in these prisons.

  Regulations
  Mr. Sproat
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a list of all the regulations for which his Department is currently responsible with a descriptive title for each individual regulation.

  Mr. Atkins
  A provisional list of regulations that have an impact on business has recently been put together. Consideration will be given to placing the list in the Library once it has been fully checked for accuracy and consideration of definition.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industrial Assistance
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide a breakdown of regional preferential assistance to industry for each year since 1981–82, inclusive, at 1992–93 constant prices.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The amounts spent on regional preferential assistance in Great Britain for the period 1981–82 to 1991–92 are set out in the table. The values are all expressed in terms of 1992–93 prices.
  248

  Government expenditure on Regional Preferential Assistance to Industry at 1992–93 prices

  £ million

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  Great Britain

  1981–82

  818·0

  367·5

  432·6

  1,618·1

  1982–83

  639·9

  316·3

  641·7

  1,597·9

  1983–84

  498·6

  199·2

  379 5

  1,077·3

  1984–85

  477·5

  233·1

  295·6

  1,006·2

  1985–86

  372·6

  207·4

  295·2

  875·2

  1986–87

  512·6

  218·8

  351·9

  1,083·3

  1987–88

  372·4

  182·2

  210·8

  765·4

  1988–89

  405·7

  190·1

  193·9

  789·7

  1989–90

  317·5

  158·5

  174·0

  650·0

  1990–91

  227·8

  149·0

  177·3

  554·1

  1991–92

  157·6

  160·5

  134·4

  452·5

  £ millon

  Index

  1992–93 prices

  1978–79

  35·5

  1979–80

  41·4

  1980–81

  49·0

  1981–82

  53·7

  1982–83

  57·6

  1983–84

  60·2

  1984–85

  63·3

  1985–86

  66·7

  1986–87

  68·9

  1987–88

  72·7

  1988–89

  78·0

  1989–90

  83·1

  1990–91

  89·7

  1991–92

  95·9

  1992–93

  100·0

  Notes:

  1. All figures are gross and include payments to Nationalised Industries.

  2. Expenditure on a 1992–93 price basis for each year is calculated by applying the appropriate deflator to expenditure at current prices. The items included in the expenditure are Regional Development Grants, Regional Selective Assistance and Regional Enterprise Grants; expenditure on Land and Factories by the English Industrial Estates Corporation, the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies, the Development Board for Rural Wales, and the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

  Gas Reserves
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the present known reserves of gas in terms of the number of years present consumption can be maintained.

  Mr. Eggar
  Figures for gas reserves and consumption are published annually in the Brown Book.1I expect to publish the 1993 edition around the end of April.

  1 "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom": a report to Parliament by the Minister for Energy.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much coal designated for power generation was imported into the United Kingdom in 1992; and how much was imported from each exporter.

  Mr. Eggar
  The amount of coal imported into the United Kingdom and designated for power generation1 during 1992 was 7,568,000 tonnes. The breakdown by exporting countries is:
  249

  Thousand tonnes

  USA

  3,390

  Former USSR

  2

  Poland

  52

  Australia

  1,224

  South Africa

  388

  China

  238

  Colombia

  2,274

  Total imported coal

  7,568

  1 Major electricity generating companies as defined in Energy Trends.

  British Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what policy he has for developing(a) competitive and (b) comparative advantages within British industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 16 November 1992,Official Report, column 71, and the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 27 January 1993, Official Report, column 735.

  Departmental Inspectors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many of the individuals currently acting as inspectors for his Department have business connections with the organisations criticised in the reports published by him.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Two. The accountant inspectors in the Guinness plc and Astra Holdings plc investigations are, or have been, partners in KPMG Peat Marwick. One of the firms that now form KPMG Peat Marwick was criticised in the inspectors' report on Orbit Holdings plc, published on 23 December 1981. The firm's Bermuda office was criticised in the inspectors' report on Alexander Howden Holding plc, published on 29 August 1990. In both cases, the events in question occurred between 10 and 20 years ago.

  Recycling
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had from(a) Safeway and (b) other retail trade organisations on the problems of the comparative practices of the United Kingdom and German recycling industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I am aware of the concerns that Safeways and others in the retail sector have about the damaging effects on the United Kingdom recycling industry of the German approach to packaging recycling. My Department has received written representations from individual retailers and the British Retail Consortium, and from wider industry groups such as the Consortium of the Packaging Chain. We are currently discussing the position with the interests concerned.

  Aircraft Subsidies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 26 February,Official Report, column 772, what information on US/EC aircraft production subsidies from defence programmes has been exchanged; when the meetings between EC and US representatives were held; and whether these or related issues have been raised recently with the United States Government.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The first meeting to exchange information under the terms of the agreement is expected to take place at the end of March. Indirect support programmes will be among the topics covered at that meeting.

  Global Technology Partnership Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of the invitation to his Department's global technology partnership conference, to be held in Birmingham on 23 to 25 March, have been distributed; at what cost; which Ministers from his Department plan to attend; and what speeches by Ministers are planned.

  Mr. Eggar
  The global technology partnership conference is aimed at encouraging greater technology co-operation between businesses in the United Kingdom and those in the more industrialised developing countries. In addition to environmental improvement, such co-operation can lead to commercial opportunities for all businesses involved. To ensure this message was widespread, just over 8,500 invitations were distributed in the United Kingdom and the selected developing countries. The distribution costs of this were £5,392.

  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will speak at the conference.

  Petroleum Production
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the Government's latest forecasts of levels of United Kingdom petroleum production.

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest forecasts for petroleum production in the years 1993 to 1997 are as follows:

  Million tonnes

  1993

  85–105

  1994

  95–125

  1995

  95–125

  1996

  95–125

  1997

  85–120

  The forecast is presented as a range of outcomes for each year to take account of the many uncertainties involved. The figures include stabilised crude oil, natural gas liquids and condensates.

  These figures and a range of other information about the development of United Kingdom oil and gas resources may be obtained from "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom 1993"—the Brown Book—due to be published by the DTI at the end of April.

  Flats (Terrorism Insurance)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the additional premiums to be charged for terrorism cover for blocks of flats.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The new arrangements under which the Government will act as reinsurer of last resort in respect of damage caused by terrorist activity apply primarily to industrial and commercial property. The arrangements do not affect the property and homes of private policy holders, and these continue to be covered by insurance companies in exactly the same way as in the past.

  In the case of blocks of flats, the insurance companies have now decided that they will also continue to cover a property whose sum insured is under £2·2 million. Where a property's sum insured is above £2·5 million, the policy holder will be able to buy additional terrorism cover. The basic additional terrorism premium for a block of flats in London and other major city centres will be about one ninth of that for other industrial and commercial property and about one third in other parts of the country.

  These arrangements for blocks of flats represent a significantly more modest contribution from policy holders than previously envisaged.

WALES

  Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions the World Health Organisation's one hour guidelines on(a) sulphur dioxide and (b) ozone have been exceeded in Wales in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Records indicate that the World Health Organisation's one hour guidelines for ozone were exceeded in Wales on 21 occasions and 16 occasions in 1990 and 1992, respectively, but that no excesses occurred in 1991. For sulphur dioxide, the guidelines were exceeded on two occasions in 1992 but were not exceeded in either 1990 or 1991. No excesses have occurred to date in 1993 for sulphur dioxide or ozone.

  Independent Schools
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from independent schools regarding the provisions of the Education Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  One.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the Education Bill upon independent schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Independent schools will welcome the measures in the Education Bill which aim to prevent the employment of barred persons and also the proposals to exclude certain independent boarding schools from registration as children's homes. The Bill complements the long-established role of the independent sector in providing for greater choice and diversity to meet the needs of pupils and parents and in encouraging schools to specialise in their particular strengths.

  Caesarean Section Births
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many babies were born by Caesarean section in Wales in each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The number of caesarean deliveries reported in NHS hospitals in Wales since 1982 is given in the following table. Data for years prior to 1982 are not readily available and data for years after 1990 are not yet complete.

  Caesarean section deliveries

  Number

  1982

  3,311

  1983

  3,552

  1984

  3,820

  1985

  4,225

  1986

  4,238

  1987

  4,385

  1988

  4,508

  1989

  4,465

  1990

  4,204

  Note:

  Figures may understate the true position in that not all hospitals supply complete medical details on patient discharges and deaths.

  Aberconwy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received on the subject of granting objective 5(b) assisted area status to the borough of Aberconwy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received representations from Gwynedd county council and Aberconwy borough council seeking the inclusion of Aberconwy as an objective 5(b) area. This matter forms part of the wider consideration that is currently being given by my Department's structural funds review working group for Dyfed, Gwynedd and Powys. I support strongly the case for its inclusion.

  Local Government Reforms
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he now proposes to make a statement on his proposals concerning local government reforms.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I made a statement to the House on 1 March.

  Health Service Resources
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what decisions he has reached regarding the allocation of resources for hospital and community health and related services in Wales for 1993–94.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I announced on 16 December my decision on the allocation of resources for the national health service in wales for 1993–94. Within the £1,974 million resources available we propose to allocate £1,465 million for hospital and community health services and the cash-limited element of the family health services in Wales.

  For health authorities, the current resources within this sum which is subject to parliamentary approval to the supply estimates totals £1,290 million and represents a

  253
  cash increase of £47 million or 3·7 per cent. over 1992–93 estimated outturn provision. This sum, together with the additional £14 million which it is anticipated health authorities should, as a minimum, realise from further cost improvement savings and income generation schemes, will provide an effective increase in resources over 1992–93 of 5 per cent. Authorities will also benefit from further efficiency savings resulting from workload-related productivity increases through their contracts with service providers.

  £8·5 million of the sum available for health authorities will be allocated to fund the continuing and full-year cost of developments which are being funded centrally in 1992–93. £8·6 million will be allocated to other centrally funded developments which will be announced in due course.

  £29·2 million of the provision available will be made available for the discretionary use of health authorities. This provides for a 2·2 per cent. increase in HAs' discretionary revenue provision, or 0·4 per cent. in real terms, taking account of the 1·5 per cent. public sector pay restraint and the latest forecast of general inflation in 1993–94. In addition, authorities will be expected to generate the equivalent of at least a further 2 per cent. recurrent provision in efficiency savings from cash-releasing cost improvements and income generation schemes—1·3 per cent. minimum target—and productivity increases as throughput increase-0·7 per cent. minimum target—via their contracts with service providers.

  Authorities should therefore be in a position to make further improvements in the services offered to patients in accordance with the objectives of the patients charter.

  In order to continue progress toward weighted capitation funding, I have decided that all authorities will receive a minimum cash increase of 2 per cent. and that the balance of 0·2 per cent. will be provided to those

  Table 1

  Allocation

  Cash increase

  Remaining distance from target

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Clwyd

  170·805

  4·625

  3·2

  -3·93

  East Dyfed

  103·671

  1·860

  2·0

  2·22

  Gwent

  180·176

  3·250

  2·1

  -2·31

  Gwynedd

  101·341

  2·119

  2·4

  -2·40

  Mid Glamorgan

  226·009

  4·042

  2·0

  -1·30

  Pembrokeshire

  48·260

  0·850

  2·0

  1·52

  Powys

  62·701

  1·017

  2·0

  12·97

  South Glamorgan

  185·893

  2·810

  2·0

  2·88

  West Glamorgan

  146·327

  2·746

  2·0

  1·65

  Steady progress therefore has been made toward the equalisation goal set in 1991; but the progress to date has been neither so great as to justify bringing forward the 1998–99 target date for achieving weighted capitation shares, nor so small as to require extending the process. However, the formula will be subject to further review in 1993–94 and this will focus particularly on whether any progress has been or might be achieved in distinguishing the separate effects of differential morbidity and social deprivation on relative needs; and, if so, how these effects might be better reflected in the formula. Since this further review could have an impact upon formula targets, I will look again at the target date for achieving weighted capitation funding in the light of whatever emerges from the review.
  254
  authorities which would otherwise be more than 2 per cent. below their capitation formula targets in proportion to their respective distances from target.

  The formula targets used in determining the distribution of the 0·2 per cent. further tranche of equalisation funding have been updated to take account of 1991 census data and other changes which affect the 1993–94 revenue allocations—notably revised capital charge estimates following the revaluation of the NHS estate, a further redefinition of capital—which alters the balance of HA capital to revenue expenditure—and a decision to exclude from the formula assessment revenue provision associated with long-stay hospital services for patients with a mental handicap which will be predominantly transferred to local authorities in due course as hospital services for this group are progressively replaced by community care.

  These changes together with the equalisation funding provided over the past two years have together contributed to a narrowing of the range of differences between the most over-target and the most under-target HAs. Compared with 1991–92 when the range was from Powys at 14·61 per cent. over-target to Gwynedd 6·89 per cent. under-target, the position for 1993–94 prior to the distribution of the additional 0·2 per cent. equalisation provision shows a spread from Powys at 13·04 per cent. over-target to Clwyd at 4·82 per cent. under-target; and the latter figure reduces to 3·93 per cent. after its distribution.

  The resultant discretionary revenue allocations for 1993–94, the increases which they represent over their 1992–93 discretionary revenue provision in cash and percentage terms, and the consequent revised distances from authorities latest formula targets are shown in the table 1.

  Under the new capital allocation arrangements which came into force on 1 April 1992, £80·1 million will be earmarked for the purpose of the Welsh major capital programme. The funding will be made available respectively via specific cash allocations or external financing limit approvals to those HAs and NHS trusts that are responsible for managing the schemes in question. Details of this programme are set out in table 2.

  Table 2

  Welsh capital programme centrally funded elements

  1993–94 £

  WHCSA salaries

  4·509

  Dental Hospital re-equipping programme

  0·398

  Psychiatric/Joint finance/Psychiatric bridging finance

  0·028

  Breast Test Wales

  0·453

  255

  Welsh capital programme centrally funded elements

  1993–94 £

  Regional services

  Burns and plastic surgery—Morriston scheme IV

  8·430

  Adult cardiac services—UHW expansion

  0·156

  Paediatric cardiac

  0·538

  Club fees—United Kingdom transplant services

  0·514

  Blood transfusion centre

  1·659

  2nd cardiac unit

  1·552

  Sub-total regional services

  12·849

  Perinatal intensive care

  0·269

  Treatment centres

  0·496

  Information technology

  13·351

  Sub-total central programme

  32·353

  Health Authorities/National Health Service Trusts on-going schemes

  £ million

  Clwyd

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust -Phase 2A development

  4·828

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS Trust - Phase 2 development

  0·364

  East Dyfed

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust - West Wales General Ward Block 3

  0·937

  West Wales General Ward Block 2 including day hospital

  0·650

  Gwent

  Gwent Community NHS Trust - Ebbw Vale Community Hospital - Phase 1

  2·000

  Torfaen Community Hospital - Phases 1 and 2

  2·969

  Gwent Health Authority - Nevill Hall remedial work

  0·690

  Gwynedd

  Gwynedd Health Authority - Ysbyty Gwynedd Phase 2

  3·545

  West Mon Community Hospital

  3·157

  North Meirionnydd Community Hospital

  1·213

  Mid Glamorgan

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority - Taff Ely/ Rhondda DGH

  2·200

  Powys

  Powys Health Care NHS Trust - Brecon War Memorial Hospital Development

  2·004

  South Glamorgan

  Llandough Hospital NHS Trust - Barry Neighbourhood Hospital

  3·700

  South Glamorgan Health Authority - UHW Fire Precautions

  6·000

  UHW Energy Sources

  0·355

  Cardiff West (St· David's) Neighbourhood Hospital

  0·800

  West Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan Health Authority - Morriston Pathology

  2·734

  Neath Port Talbot DGH

  3·800

  Reserve

  For contractual claims, sundry creditors and miscellaneous rationalisation proposals

  3·723

  Sub-total on-going schemes

  45·669

  256

  Health Authorities/National Health Service Trusts New developments

  £ million

  Clwyd

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS Trust—Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Psychiatric Unit

  0·850

  East Dyfed

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust—North Road Development

  0·900

  Gwent

  Gwent Community Trust—Nevill Hall MI Unit

  0·700

  Nevill Hall Elderly

  0·400

  Mid Glamorgan

  Bridgend and District NHS Trust—Princess of Wales—Phase 2

  0·500

  Powys

  Powys Health Care NHS Trust—Bronllys/Mid Wales Rationalisation

  0·976

  West Glamorgan

  Swansea NHS Trust—Singleton Hospital Theatres

  1·500

  Sub-total new developments

  5·826

  Note: The Welsh Capital Building Programme reflects a degree of over-programming in anticipation of slippage during the course of 1993–94.

  A further £37·6 million will be made available for the discretionary minor capital requirements of HAs and the 14 national health service trusts which will be operational on 1 April 1993 as well as the minor capital needs of other 2.000 service providers which are not managed by HAs. This sum will, however, be abated by some £4·3 million which will be transferred to HAs' current provision in recognition of the further redefinition of capital expenditure which will become effective on 1 April 1993. £16·1 million of the £33·3 million balance will be allocated in the form of additional revenue provision to the prospective purchasers of national health service trusts' services. It will thus form part of the trusts' income for 1993–94 which can then be recapitalised to meet their minor capital requirements. This capital expenditure will, together with any capital expenditure on major capital schemes, be taken into account in determining EFLs. Provisional EFLs for the 14 national health service trusts in Wales in 1993–94, which are subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary estimates, are shown in table 3. They will be subject to revision during the course of the year as a consequence of national health service trusts updating their financial plans for next year to take account of the revenue allocations to their prospective purchasers that are covered in this announcement.

  Table 3

  Provisional EFLs

  £ thousands

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS trust

  -39

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS trust

  4,079

  Gofal Cymuned Clwydian Community Care NHS trust

  -160

  Llanelli Dinefwr NHS trust

  -1,700

  Carmarthen and District NHS trust

  1,035

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS trust

  916

  Glan Hafren NHS trust

  -3,712

  Gwent Community trust

  6,692

  Bridgend and District NHS trust

  86

  Pembrokeshire NHS trust

  -1,764

  Powys Health Care NHS trust

  2,680

  Llandough Hospital NHS trust

  1,890

  257

  £ thousands

  Swansea NHS trust

  -107

  South and East Wales Ambulance NHS trust

  -771

  (-) denotes a negative external financing limit (i.e., no new borrowing—the sum indicated being invested by the trust concerned or used to reduce outstanding debt).

  A nominal capital allocation of £10,000 per authority will be allocated to HAs to cover their minor capital needs as purchasing organisations. Authorities will be able to supplement this by virement from revenue, subject to the normal 1 per cent. discretionary limit, if this nominal amount is insufficient. The £15·4 million balance of minor capital provision will be allocated between the HAs on behalf of their residual directly managed units. As was the case last year, and in order to ensure the fair distribution of this sum between service providers, it will be allocated between authorities pro rata to the revenue income which their units are expected to attract next year. In this way, capital provision, like revenue will "follow the patient".

  The resultant capital allocations are set out in Table 4. Nominal sums only are included for the Pembrokeshire and Powys health authorities, since they are no longer responsible for the capital needs of any directly managed units.

  Table 4

  £ million

  Authority

  Capital Allocation

  Clwyd

  0·110

  East Dyfed

  0·542

  Gwent

  0·546

  Gwynedd

  2·535

  Mid Glamorgan

  4·178

  Pembrokeshire

  0·010

  Powys

  0·010

  South Glamorgan

  4·560

  West Glamorgan

  3·056

  In addition, health authorities are expected to benefit from £5·4 million which will be generated in property sales in 1993–94.

  A further £1·5 million will be held in reserve to meet the minor capital requirements of various other service providers such as the dental hospital and the Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

  Table 5

  Allocations (£ million)

  FHSA management and administration costs

  FHSA GP practice support costs

  Revenue

  Capital

  Clwyd

  1·285

  4·673

  0·095

  Dyfed

  1·107

  5·029

  0·103

  Gwent

  1·350

  5·897

  0·120

  Gwynedd

  0·876

  3·803

  0·078

  Mid Glamorgan

  1·650

  5·952

  0·121

  Powys

  0·619

  2·182

  0·045

  South Glamorgan

  1·425

  4·627

  0·094

  West Glamorgan

  1·117

  3·762

  0·077

  These allocations together represent another substantial increase in provision for hospital, community and family health services. They once again underline the Government's commitment to the NHS and recognise our undertaking to increase activity and maintain downward
  258
  £11·8 million is to be made available to family health services authorities for their management and administration functions. The current element of this provision—£11·2 million represents a cash increase of 3·9 per cent. over 1992–93 provision and includes specific provision to finance the cost of strengthening the monitoring and accountability arrangements for GP fund holders and to buy in additional medical advice in respect of health promotion undertaken by general medical practitioners. The provision includes £0·13 million which will be differentially allocated between FHSAs in recognition of the need to make further progress toward the equalisation of discretionary resources between FHSAs. This differential distribution will result in the achievement of a good measure of equalisation in 1993–94 with most authorities achieving parity with each other and only two authorities, South Glamorgan and Powys, remaining significantly better funded than the rest.

  The provision to be made available to FHSAs for the cash-limited general medical services funding for GP practice support costs is £42·7 million. This represents a cash increase of 9.6 per cent. over 1992–93 provision and includes £5·1 million for GP fund-holding practices' operating costs and preparatory fees for aspirant fund holders. This sum will not be distributed until after 1 April, when the number of participating practices in each FHSA area is known. Prospective GP fund holders have until 1 April to decide whether or not to participate in the scheme. Once the numbers are known, allocations for management support for practices operating funds, and preparatory fees for aspirant fundholders—both revenue and the capital costs associated with upgrading computer systems —will be calculated and allocated.

  A further £0·9 million of the total sum available for cash-limited GMS needs has been held in reserve subject to the outcome of consultation with the service about the extension of the weighted capitation approach to this component of FHSA provision. It is anticipated that this reserve will be distributed early in 1993–94 in a way that enables a start to be made on the equalisation of this category of provision. Subject to this the allocations to be made to FHSAs are set out in table 5.

  pressure on waiting times. They also serve to underpin patients charter guarantees about service availability and quality.

ENVIRONMENT

  Ecological Balance
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect on the ecological balance in the United Kingdom of(a) grey squirrels, (b) foxes, (c) Canada geese, (d) mink and (e) sparrow hawks.

  Mr. Maclean
  There is some difficulty in assessing what, if any, effects a given species has on the ecological balance throughout the United Kingdom. There are continual fluctuations in populations, with each variation being dependent upon many factors and the ecological balance can be seriously disturbed locally without the overall United Kingdom balance being disturbed.

  The grey squirrel is a non-native species and now has spread through most parts of the United Kingdom. The only areas free from grey squirrels at present are north Scotland, Cumbria, Northumbria, Isle of Wight and north Wales. In all other areas which have been taken over by greys and where reds have become extinct, the reds have never managed to re-colonise. In coniferous habitats the populations of reds and greys are more evenly balanced. Grey squirrels also cause serious damage to growing timber and sometimes cereals, fruit, bulbs and crops.

  Foxes can have severe localised impacts on ground nesting bird colonies if not controlled. For example, the RSPB is having to destroy foxes on the Abernethy game reserve because of the damage foxes are causing to the rare capercaillie. English Nature is also having to take similar action on one of its nature reserves. Apart from farm animals and birds, the main wildlife killed by foxes are: small rodents, earthworms, insects and rabbits.

  Mink have spread throughout all parts of the United Kingdom and have even managed to swim the stretches of water and have colonised parts of the Western Isles. Detailed studies show that, overall, they have little impact so far on prey populations on mainland Britain although they have severe localised impacts on ground nesting bird colonies. Studies show that mink main food sources are fish, frogs and waterside birds especially moorhen, loot and mallard. Competition between mink and otter occurs when food sources and suitable breeding habitats become scarce.

  Canada geese numbers are increasing rapidly from 19,000 in the 1970s to over 60,000 now. This non-native species causes damage to crops as well as amenity land in parks, public open spaces and golf courses. Goose droppings may pose health and safety risks and standing water in lakes become polluted. The geese can be aggressive while they are breeding and there are indications that the species competes with other wild birds for food and nest sites. My Department has set up a working group to assess the possible impacts on the environment, target appropriate research and plan a strategy for managing the species.

  In the past 20 years sparrow hawk populations have increased rapidly from a low in the 1960s. There are now 25,000 breeding pairs, plus around 30,000 non-breeders. There is insufficient evidence to show what the effect is on other bird species, but their main food sources are small birds.

  Rural Homelessness
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the report "Homelessness in Rural Areas" by the school of advanced urban studies, Bristol, in collaboration with Acre, for the Rural Development Commission, on the case for restricting the right to buy and offering portable discounts in rural areas where restrictive planning policies apply; and what action he intends to take.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no plans to restrict the right of tenants in rural areas to buy their homes. In certain designated rural areas current legislation allows landlords to impose restrictions on resale or permanent letting which favour local people, or reserve a right of pre-emption for 10 years.

  We do not plan to introduce incentives in the form of portable discounts. The only purpose of these could be to compensate for the loss of the right to buy and we have no intention of preventing the exercise of that right by rural tenants.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take on the findings of the report "Homelessness in Rural Areas" by the school of advanced urban studies, Bristol, in collaboration with Acre, for the Rural Development Commission in the incidence of homelessness in deep rural areas and the relative increase in overall rural homelessness.

  Mr. Baldry
  We will be reviewing our policy on the provision of social housing in rural areas in the light of research which we have ourselves commissioned. The proportion of the Housing Corporation's approved development programme going to the special rural programme, which is targeted on villages with populations of 3,000 or fewer, is to be increased from 5 per cent. in 1992–93 to 6 per cent. in 1993–94, and our policy of allowing development providing affordable housing in rural areas on sites which would not otherwise be available continues to bear fruit.

  Merseyside Housing Associations
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much housing association grant was paid to each housing association operating on Merseyside during each of the last two financial years.

  Mr. Baldry
  The allocation of grant to individual housing associations is a matter for the Housing Corporation.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current annual rent for a housing association tenant on Merseyside; and by how much it has increased over each of the last four years.

  Mr. Baldry
  The average housing association rents for unfurnished accommodation in Merseyside metropolitan county are:

  Weekly

  Annual

  Percentage charge

  Registered fair rents (excluding service charges)1

  Q3

  1992

  25·52

  1,327

  + 5

  Q3

  1991

  24·75

  1,267

  + 6

  261

  Weekly

  Annual

  Percentage charge

  Q3

  1990

  22.88

  1,190

  + 11

  Q3

  1989

  20.65

  1,074

  Assured rent (including service charges) 2

  Q3

  1992

  30·13

  1,566·76

  + 14

  Q3

  1991

  26·45

  1,375·40

  + 21

  Q3

  1990

  21·92

  1,139·84

  1 Department of the Environment Rent Officer's Statistics.

  2 National Federation of Housing Associations CORE quarterly bulletin.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties are owned by housing associations on Merseyside.

  Mr. Baldry
  Housing association stock in the Merseyside region of the Housing Corporation, which includes Merseyside metropolitan county plus Ellesmere Port and Neston, Halton, Warrington and West Lancashire at 31 March 1992 was:

  Units

  Self contained accommodation

  50,500

  Bedspaces

  Bedspaces in hostels

  2,800

  Source: The Housing Corporation HAR10/1 return.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 11 December 1992,Official Report, column 835, about the take-up of grants under the home energy efficiency scheme, what plans he has to improve access to, and take-up of, the scheme in London.

  Mr. Maclean
  The home energy efficiency scheme is a nationwide scheme and access to the grant in London is the same as elsewhere. Take-up in London has been lower than in other parts of the country but is now beginning to improve. Neighbourhood energy action is undertaking a study into the causes of the low take-up in London and I await the results of that study with interest.

  EC Environmental Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which policy proposals and priorities on the environment established by the Danish presidency of the European Council will have(a) immediate effect and (b) longer-term effect on environmental policy in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Kingdom, with all other member states, will be bound by all environmental measures which are adopted by the Environment Council during the Danish Presidency and will need to ensure that they are properly implemented in the United Kingdom in the timescale specified in each measure.

  Housing Resources
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are considered by the Housing Corporation in making decisions regarding the allocation 262
  of resources, other than the housing needs indicator; and what consideration is given to a housing authority's performance.

  Mr. Baldry
  Each year, the corporation discusses with individual local authorities their needs for housing association development and sets out the results in a series of regional policy statements which it publishes in July. These describe the types of development which the corporation is prepared to fund in each local authority area and the resources which it anticipates will be available in the following year. The policy statements form the background to the competitive bids which the corporation then invites from housing associations.

  Following further consultations with local authorities, the corporation allocates funds to those bids which meet the locally identified needs at the lowest cost in terms of corporation subsidy, subject only to the association concerned achieving the corporation's regulatory standards. A summary of the framework and criteria for bids for the 1993–94 programme was published in November last year and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Other than the HNI, the factor which most influences distribution between local authority areas is the availability of good-value bids, which in turn is influenced by the extent of the contributions made by the local authorities concerned either in terms of discounted land or cash contributions, including those made under the capital partnership arrangements announced last November.

  As I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 10 February, allocations are made to housing associations and take no account of the performance of local authorities themselves, other than the way in which they work with housing associations in their capacity as housing "enablers".

  Local Government Planning
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has concluded his consideration of the response from the London borough of Waltham Forest to the notice served on the authority on 29 July 1991 under section 19A of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. and learned Friend has now completed his careful consideration of the response which the London borough of Waltham Forest made to the notice served on the authority on 29 July 1991, as well as the authority's direct service organisation annual accounts for the financial years 1990–91 and 1991–92 which showed a continuing failure to achieve the required rate of return, and has today given a direction under section 19B of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. The effect of the direction is that authority is required to seek the Secretary of State's consent when it wishes to undertake certain maintenance work in circumstances where it has not submitted the lowest tender.

  Business and Environment Working Group
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he received the report of the financial sector working group of his advisory committee on business and the environment; and when he expects to respond.
  263
  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment received the report of the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment's financial sector working group on 6 January. He and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade have welcomed the report and circulated it widely. They will respond to this report and other recommendations from the advisory committee in response to the committee's final report, which is expected in May.

  CBI (Waste Minimisation)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent communications he has had from the Confederation of British Industry on its programme of waste minimisation.

  Mr. Maclean
  None.

  Direct Labour Organisations
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take against those local authorities whose direct labour organisations made significant financial losses in 1990–91.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Statutory notices under the Local Government. Planning and Land Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988 were served on 36 local authorities between July and September last year in respect of financial failure in 1990–91. My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 2 December 1992,Official Report, column 209, his decision in respect of 10 authorities. He has now considered the responses of a further 16 authorities on which notices were served on 11 August 1992 and 2 September 1992. He has today given a direction under section 14 of the 1988 Act to Gloucestershire county council in respect of ground maintenance work.

  My right hon. and learned Friend has decided to take no further action in respect of financial failure in 1990–91 by the London borough of Barnet—building cleaning; Blyth Valley borough council—new construction in excess of £50,000; Brighton borough council—highways and sewerage; Buckinghamshire county council—other cleaning; Castle Morpeth borough council—building maintenance; Dartford borough council—ground maintenance; Fareham borough council—ground maintenance; Harrogate borough council—ground maintenance; Holderness borough council—ground maintenance; North Norfolk district council—building maintenance; Reigate and Banstead borough council—building maintenance; Rotherham metropolitan borough council—ground maintenance; Surrey Heath borough council highways and sewerage; West Lancashire district council — building maintenance; and Wycombe district council — highways and sewerage.

  In all these cases the authority:—

  (a) appears to have successfully responded to the financial losses incurred in 1990–91, and has either achieved a surplus in 1991–92, or expects to achieve the appropriate financial objective in 1992–93, or,

  (b) has re-tendered or intends to re-tender very shortly the works in question, or,

  (c) has disposed, or intends to dispose, of its direct labour organisation, or,

  (d) is now operating below the "de minimis" level and, as such, is outside the scope of CCT legislation.

  264
  My right hon. and learned Friend is still considering responses from the remaining authorities on which notices were served in September 1992.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has, from reports so far monitored by his Department, of the regional average council taxes in band C for 1993–94.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The regional average council taxes in band C reported to my Department so far are as follows:

  Band C

  Average

  Community charge average

  Northern

  590

  460

  527

  North West

  570

  470

  548

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  530

  430

  474

  East Midlands

  500

  420

  499

  West Midlands

  520

  440

  528

  East Anglia

  450

  395

  456

  South East

  470

  480

  464

  London

  500

  495

  422

  South West

  490

  460

  493

  ENGLAND

  505

  460

  486

  The average council tax bill is likely to be more than £25 less for two people than under the Community charge.

  City Challenge Scheme
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue formal guidance in the form of a planning policy guidance note or a circular to local authorities in respect of the city challenge scheme.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We have no plans at present to issue formal guidance or a circular on planning policy for city challenge schemes.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money was invested in energy efficiency in the United Kingdom in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  A large part of the investment in the United Kingdom economy will have some effect on improving energy efficiency, although it is not possible to separate out an aggregate total of investment specifically directed at this purpose. However, in 1991 the amount of energy required per unit of GDP was some 18 per cent. lower than 1979.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners, Cambridgeshire
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners and people aged 85 years or over were resident in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984.

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

  National Insurance
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances national insurance credits can be stopped for an unemployed person.

  Mr. Burt
  Generally, the same conditions for benefit apply to credits and are set out in regulations, copies of which are in the Library.

  Circumstances in which the conditions are not satisfied include the following:

  The unemployed person—
  ceases to register;
  is no longer available for work;
  is not considered to be actively seeking work;
  is engaged in employment (not the usual main occupation) for more than 8 hours in that week or
  is engaged in employed earner's employment (usual main occupation) on more than one day in the week or earnings exceed the lower earnings limit (currently £54 per week);
  fails to comply with a written notice to attend an interview in connection with his employment prospects;
  fails to comply with a written notice to an officer of the Department of Employment in order to make a written declaration in connection with his satisfaction of the conditions for unemployment benefit;
  becomes a student.

  Mortgage Interest Payments
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants in the London borough of Lewisham received mortgage interest payments on homes where mortgages exceeded £100,000 or £200,000 in each year since 1987; and for how long the payments were received.

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

  Housing Benefit
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of housing benefit within the London borough of Lewisham have lived in(a) council housing, (b) other public sector housing and (c) private rented accommodation in each year since 1987.

  Investment income and occupational pensions for pensioners 1979 and 1989

  Source of income

  Investment income

  Occupational pension income

  Percentage of units with investment income

  Average amount for those in receipt (£ per week, 1989 prices)

  Percentage of units with occupational pension income

  Average amount for those in receipt (£ per week, 1989 prices)

  1979

  1989

  1979

  1989

  Per cent, growth 1979–89

  1979

  1989

  1979

  1989

  Per cent, growth 1979–89

  All ages

  Pensioner couples

  71

  87

  20·30

  38·80

  91

  65

  73

  43·80

  62·70

  43

  Single pensioners

  57

  69

  13·60

  24·90

  83

  32

  47

  29·00

  41·60

  44

  All pensioner units

  62

  75

  16·30

  30·70

  89

  43

  56

  36·80

  52·10

  41

  Recently retired pensioner units

  Pensioner couples

  73

  87

  21·60

  41·50

  92

  68

  75

  51·50

  65·60

  27

  Single pensioners

  60

  64

  12·60

  31·50

  150

  37

  55

  31·20

  41·40

  33

  All pensioner units

  68

  78

  18·20

  38·10

  109

  55

  67

  45·90

  58·00

  27

  Notes:

  1. Estimates of the percentage of pensioner units in receipt of occupational pension income are based upon data from the Family Expenditure Survey (1979 and 1989) and the GAD Survey of occupational pension schemes (1979 and 1987). They assume that the number of individual pensioners in receipt has remained at its 1987 level.

  2. Estimates of percentage growth are based on unrounded income figures and may not therefore be the same as those calculated from the

  266
  Mr. Burt
  Such information as is available is in the table. Information on tenants in other public sector housing is not available.

  Quarter

  Local authority tenants

  Private tenants

  1989

  May

  20,164

  8,666

  August

  20,469

  8,895

  November

  *

  *

  1990

  February

  20,092

  10,385

  May

  20,040

  10,468

  August

  20,071

  11,109

  November

  20,055

  11,345

  1991

  February

  20,568

  11,906

  May

  20,241

  12,738

  August

  20,453

  15,837

  November

  *

  *

  1992

  February

  20,099

  9,009

  May

  20,543

  11,976

  August

  20,326

  11,979

  Source: Housing Benefit Management Information System.

  Notes:

  Figures are only available for the new Housing Benefit scheme which was introduced in April 1988. Lewisham did not start submitting figures to the Department until May 1989 and have also failed to submit returns for quarters marked with an asterisk.

  Although authorities have been asked to identify Housing Association tenants separately since May 1992, returns from Lewisham do not show this information.

  Pensioners (Income)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest information held about pensioners' income.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The presentation and calculation of pensioners' income data has been changed to harmonise with the households below average income series. The latest details, based on the 1989 family expenditure survey, are in the tables.
  267
  rounded amounts shown in the table.

  3. All average amounts area means.

  4. All figures are before housing costs.

  5. Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age and couples in which the husband is over state pension age.

  The Average Incomes of Pensioners—1979 to 1989

  Pensioner Couples

  Single pensioners

  All pensioner units

  Income Source

  Average Income (£ per week, 1989 prices)

  Percentage growth

  Average Income (£ per week, 1989 prices)

  Percentage growth

  Average Income £ per week, 1989 prices)

  Percentage growth

  1979

  1989

  1979–89

  1979

  1989

  1979–89

  1979

  1989

  1979–89

  Earnings

  21·60

  18·80

  -13

  4·90

  [4·10]

  [-17]

  10·70

  9·40

  -12

  Benefit Income

  72·60

  80·70

  11

  48·00

  55·00

  15

  56·50

  64·30

  14

  Investment Income

  14 50

  33·70

  133

  7·70

  17·00

  121

  10·00

  23·10

  130

  Occupational Pension

  27·00

  45·70

  69

  8·40

  17·40

  107

  14·80

  27·60

  86

  Other Income

  [0·70]

  [0·50]

  [-34]

  0·50

  [0·40]

  [-17]

  0·60

  0·40

  -24

  Total gross income

  136·50

  179·40

  31

  69·50

  93·90

  35

  92·70

  124·90

  35

  Deductions

  19·70

  29·30

  49

  8·50

  15·10

  77

  12·40

  20·20

  63

  Total net income Before housing costs

  116·80

  150·10

  29

  61·00

  78·80

  29

  80·30

  104·70

  30

  Total net income After housing costs

  101·50

  138·50

  36

  50·40

  67·10

  33

  68·10

  93·00

  37

  Source:Family Expenditure Survey.

  Notes:

  1 Components may not sum to totals owing to rounding.

  2 All average amounts are means.

  3 All figures are before housing costs unless otherwise stated.

  4 Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age and couples in which the husband is over state pension age.

  5 Square brackets [] denote figures that are particularly sensitive to sampling error (less than 100 cases).

  6 Estimates of percentage growth are based on unrounded income figures and may not therefore be the same as those calculated from the rounded amounts shown in the table.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of persons aged 16 to 18 years living in the city of Edinbrugh who are not in employment or in full-time education.

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

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Deregulation Unit
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those areas of legislation for which he is responsible which are subject to investigation by the deregulation unit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  No areas of legislation for which MAFF is responsible are subject to investigation by the DTI deregulation unit. MAFF's deregulation unit is coordinating a major deregulation programme within the department. All areas of legislation which impose burdens on industry will be subject to review with formal deregulation plans prepared for the main policy areas. One of the seven task forces to be set up following the Prime Minister's seminar on deregulation on 2 February will cover the food, drink and agriculture sector. It will be up to the task force chairman to decide what particular areas of MAFF legislation to investigate.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to give a Minister in his Department responsibility for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Farm animals welfare is already included among the specific responsibilities of the Parliamentary Secretary, House of Commons, in the Department.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to other EC Agriculture Ministers on the transport of live animals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The Agriculture Council is currently awaiting proposals from the Commission for further measures to safeguard the welfare of animals in transport. The United Kingdom has made clear in the Council that it attaches high importance to the development of further Community rules on this subject.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) of 18 February,Official Report, columns 345–46, which research study estimated that a 10 per cent. change in wages council rates would lead to a change in employment of 0·6 per cent.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  An estimate of this order of magnitude was made by Kaufman in 1989. That is one of several United Kingdom studies which show that statutory minima reduce job opportunities, although different estimates have been made about the size of the effects.

  Trade Unions (Subscription Check-offs)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to her answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 590, what representations she received, and on what dates, that employers should be required to seek renewed consent to check-off deductions from their employees each year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Representations to Government are automatically treated as confidential. The Institute of Directors publicly supported annual renewal of consent to check-off deductions in its response of 23 October 1991 to the Green Paper "Industrial Relations in the 1990s". As a result of that consultation exercise, our proposal was modified and the period of reaffirmation was increased to three years.

  Unemployment, Southampton
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many travel-to-work areas in each standard English economic region have(a) higher levels and (b) lower levels of unemployment than those areas including Southampton, Itchen on the latest available figures.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Skill Centres
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 19 November 1992,Official Report, columns 337–38, on disposal of skills training agency or skill centre properties, if he will make a statement on the position of the remaining 10 properties.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The ex-skill centre properties which remain unsold following the privatisation of the skills training agency are being actively marketed, on the open market, by the Department's agent surveyors, King Sturge and Co.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 19 November 1992,Official Report, columns 337–38, on closure of skill centres, if she will list (a) the original 60 skill centres and (b) the eight sold with the skills training agency which she understands no longer to be functioning.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  (a) the original 60 skill centres were:

  Barking

  Basildon

  Bellshill

  Billingham

  Birmingham

  Bradford

  Bristol

  Cardiff

  Chelmsford

  Cheshire

  Chesterfield

  Cumbria

  Deptford

  Dundee

  Durham

  East Lancashire

  Edinburgh

  Edinburgh RO

  Enfield

  Enfield (Annex)

  270

  Gloucester

  Gwent

  Hillington

  Hull

  Ipswich

  Irvine

  Lambeth

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Letchworth

  Liverpool

  Manchester

  Manchester RO

  Medway

  Milton Keynes

  North Staffordshire

  Northampton

  Norwich

  Perivale

  Peterborough

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth

  Preston

  Reading

  Redruth

  Rochdale

  St. Helens

  Sheffield

  Skyline House

  Slough

  Southampton

  Southampton (Annex)

  Swindon

  Twickenham

  Tyneside

  Wakefield

  West Glamorgan

  West Sussex

  Wigan

  Wrexham

  (b) The training businesses at the following properties, sold with the skills training agency, are understood to be no longer functioning:

  Barking

  Coventry

  Peterborough

  West Sussex

  Wrexham

SCOTLAND

  Water
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he now intends to publish the Government's response to the consultation on options for the future of Scotland's water supplies.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Responses to the consultation paper are currently being studied. A large number of responses has been received and analysis will take time. A decision will be taken after this process is complete.

  Crown Office Fraud Unit
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those cases resulting in conviction on charges brought by the Crown Office fraud unit since its formation; and what were the dates of those convictions.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is not the policy of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate to make known historic information which identifies cases against individuals, in particular where they have served their sentences. In accordance with that policy, the annual
  271
  report for the Crown Office and procurator fiscal service for 1991–92, which was placed in the Library, gives details, omitting names and dates, of cases which were prepared by the Crown Office fraud unit and were disposed of during that period. Between the establishment of the unit in 1984 and 1991 a total of 65 persons were convicted in cases which were prepared for prosecution by the fraud unit. Since the period 1991–92 three persons have been convicted of offences in three separate cases, two involving fraud and one of corruption, and they were respectively sentenced to imprisonment for three years and four years and to pay a fine of £400. Criminal proceedings are pending in eight cases, and in two further cases warrants have been issued for the arrest of the accused.

  Prevention of Terrorism Acts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have had their period of detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts extended pending the results of forensic tests.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend considers each application to extend the 48-hour period for which a person may be detained in light of arrest under section 14 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 very carefully. It would not be appropriate to categorise cases in the manner requested; but in his most recent report on the operation of the Act in 1992, Lord Colville, who looked at all the extension order files held by the Scottish Office for that year, states that
  "… the proper criteria are being carefully observed in considering whether extensions should be granted".

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has decided the level of fee remission grant which will be available to parents under the assisted places scheme in school session 1993–94.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend is making £9·965 million available for fee remission in 1993–94. Fifty-eight schools across Scotland will participate in the scheme. This funding will enable the record number of 3,000 pupils currently benefiting to be maintained.

  KS Properties Ltd.
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer on 2 February 1992,Official Report, columns 167–68, when his Department was informed by the Scottish Development Agency that (a) the security for the loan was by mortgage deed with KS Properties Ltd., (b) the waiving of the security as a result of the decision made by his Department is shown in the accounts of KS Properties Ltd. as financially benefiting KS Properties Ltd. and (c) there are no loans from the Scottish Development Agency recorded in the accounts of KS Construction Ltd.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what crime prevention initiatives his Department is currently supporting.

  Mr. Jack
  We are currently supporting 20 safer cities projects and planning the creation of a new type of project in order to fulfil our objective of achieving up to 40. We are setting up a National Board of Crime Prevention. The ministerial group on crime prevention will meet soon with its new membership. We are developing a good practice guide to provide advice for practitioners on the setting up and evaluation of crime prevention initiatives.

  We continue to provide a contribution to the core costs of Crime Concern, the independent crime prevention organisation, and to fund the Home Office crime prevention centre to provide training and advice to police crime prevention officers and others. We run various publicity programmes and, in particular, we are following up the success of Car Crime Prevention Year. We continue to encourage the establishment of neighbourhood watch schemes and of crime prevention panels and the development of local multi-agency partnerships for crime prevention. Our police research group is currently supporting 16 crime prevention research and development initiatives. In addition, the programme development unit is funding a range of innovative local projects, which includes schemes aimed at tackling family violence. The probation service grants scheme also supports crime prevention projects.

  Amusement Arcades
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to amend the law relating to amusement arcades to restrict their use by children.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Following the Home Office research study, "Amusement Machines: Dependency and Delinquency", published in July 1988, we have concluded that further legislative controls on the use of amusement machines by young people are not justified, although we continue to keep the need for legislation under review.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the prevention of the manufacture and use of gaming machines which can be adjusted to make illegal pay-outs.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None. We are satisfied that the enforcement powers of both the police and Gaming Board under the Gaming Act 1968 are sufficient to tackle any breaches of that Act as it relates to gaming machines.

  Pornographic Material
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the penalty for possession of videotapes which are obscene by reason of the sexual or violent nature of their contents in cases where it is not alleged that trading has taken place.

  Mr. Jack
  The simple possession of an obscene videotape is not in itself a criminal offence, and the
  273
  Government have no plans to make it so. It is, however, an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 to possess an indecent photograph, film or video recording of a child under the age of 16, subject to a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a level 5 fine (currently £5,000). It is also an offence under the Protection of Children Act 1978 to possess indecent pictures of this sort with a view to their distribution, while the Obscene Publications Act 1959, as amended by the Obscene Publications Act 1964, makes it an offence to have an obscene article for publication for gain. The offences under the 1959 and 1978 Acts are both subject to a maximum penalty on conviction on indictment of three years' imprisonment or an unlimited fine, or both. The Video Recordings Act 1984 prohibits the possesssion of an unclassified video recording for the purposes of supplying it, unless the recording is exempt from classification, or the supply, if it took place, would be an exempted supply. This offence is subject to a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a £20,000 fine.

  The Government have no immediate plans to increase the penalties for these offences.

  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to engage private contractors to assist the police to search for and seize pornographic material and to recover the costs of such action from those who import, distribute, and sell, such material;

  (2) what plans he has to encourage the use of section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 to order the seizure of pornographic magazines, books, videos, and other materials; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the desirability of changing the rules of evidence so as to enable pornographic magazines, books, videos and other materials to be seized more cheaply and efficiently.

  Mr. Jack
  As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point on 5 February at column 350, we are currently considering what improvements might be made in the enforcement of the Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964, and other legislation relating to obscenity. This includes consideration of possible improvements in the effectiveness of the operation of section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959, which enables the police to obtain a magistrate's warrant to search for and seize obscene articles kept for publication for gain, and provides that such articles shall be brought before the magistrates for forfeiture.

  The deployment of police resources in matters such as seizures is an operational matter for chief constables and it would not be right for my right hon. and learned Friend to seek to influence the priority which they attach to the various demands placed upon them. There is no evidence that chief constables are unaware of their powers in this area. In 1992, over 17,000 video tapes were seized by the Metropolitan and Greater Manchester forces alone.

  Right of Silence
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to modify the right of silence so that courts may take fully into account the failure of defendants to answer questions put to them by an investigating officer in the presence of their solicitor and recorded on videotape.
  274
  Mr. Jack
  The opportunities available for an accused person to state his position and the extent to which it might be appropriate for courts to draw proper inferences from his failure to do so, are among the matters being considered by the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, which will be taking into consideration both the existing safeguards for accused persons and the potential for any further safeguards. The Government intend to study the Royal Commission's conclusions before deciding any and if so what changes may be necessary.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to extend the function of the Child Support Agency to pay to the victims of crime the sum awarded to them by a court compensation order and to recover that sum from the offender against whom the order was made.

  Mr. Jack
  I am writing to the hon. Member to explain why the Government do not think that it would be appropriate to proceed in this way.

  North Devon Police
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of policemen on the beat in North Devon.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The deployment of resources within the Devon and Cornwall constabulary is a matter for the chief constable. He must decide how best to deploy his officers in order to meet his operational priorities and the objectives of his force.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish crime figures for North Devon for each year since 1979;

  (2) if he will provide details of the numbers of crimes, by category, (a) committed and (b) solved in North Devon between April 1991 and April 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not collected centrally for north Devon.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish figures showing the level of funding of Devon and Cornwall constabulary for each year since 1987 at 1987 prices.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The following table shows the total expenditure of the Devon and Cornwall constabulary for the years requested. Specific grant at the rate of 51 per cent. is paid on police expenditure.

  Year

  Total net expenditure £ million

  Expenditure at 1987–88 prices £ million

  1987–88

  76·629

  76·629

  1988–89

  85·227

  79·443

  1989–90

  93·697

  81·951

  11990–91

  107·797

  87·313

  11991–92

  121·467

  92·027

  1 21992–93

  137·560

  99·971

  1 Because of change in capital financing arrangements in 1990 some caution should be used in comparing 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 with earlier years.

  2 Estimated expenditure.

  275
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to enable the appointment of more police officers in Devon and Cornwall.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In view of the present economic situation, and the need to constrain public expenditure, my right hon. and learned Friend has decided that the costs of increases in establishment for police forces in 1993–94 cannot be justified.

  Criminal Records
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a national computer database for the immediate registration of bail orders for the information of any other court when considering an application for bail by an arrested person.

  Mr. Jack
  The national criminal record system, which is expected to come into operation in spring 1994, will have the facility for recording the remand status of the defendant, although it will only be at a later state of the project that courts will be able to enter and retrieve this information directly.

  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that the computer database containing the criminal records of convicted persons is kept fully up to date, including brief facts of each offence, for the information of courts when sentencing or considering bail applications.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The national criminal record system, which is expected to come into operation in spring 1994, will be kept up to date through the direct input of data by police forces and will include brief details of each offence entered on the system.

  Unit Fines
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the operation of the unit fine system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The operation of the unit fine scheme is being carefully monitored. However, as it only came into operation on 1 October 1992, there is, at present, insufficient experience of its operation for precise or firm conclusions to be drawn about its effectiveness.

  Prisons
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make more room available in prisons by removing prisoners who are riot a danger to the public.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present intention of using his power under section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982. This allows him to order the release of some prisoners, essentially non-violent property offenders, up to six months before what would otherwise have been their release date. It is, however, one of the principal aims of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to ensure that the use of custody is imposed only on those offenders whose offences are so serious that custody is the only appropriate response or for whom custody is necessary in order to protect the public from serious harm.

  Secure Schools
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to provide secure schools in which any child over the age of 10 years cart be educated in a kind but disciplined environment until the attainment of their normal school leaving age.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend on 2 March,Official Report, columns 139–42.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the role of education in prisons; and if he will allow remission to prisoners who apply themselves to their education and obtain a recognised educational qualification while in prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In the White Paper "Custody, Care and Justice: The Way Ahead for the Prison Service in England and Wales" (Cm 1647), the Government stated that education is an essential part of the opportunities which must be provided in a prison. In recent years, the Government have significantly increased the resources devoted to education in prisons; the details of which were provided in the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 16 December 1992 at column 215.

  It would not be right to use the royal prerogative to award a prisoner special remission for educational achievement. It is, however, a consideration which the Parole Board can take into account in determining whether an offender, who has shown a willingness by attitude or behaviour in custody to address his or her offending behaviour and has made positive efforts and progress in doing so, should be recommended for early release.

  Ilfracombe (Drug-related Crime)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about drugs-related crime in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There has been a recent increase in drug-related crime in Ilfracombe. Devon and Cornwall constabulary is aware of the problem and is taking measures to tackle it.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will encourage police authorities to recruit more special constables in order to protect the public in shopping centres, on public transport, in areas with a high incidence of burglary, and in other places where the public is particularly at risk.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A national recruitment campaign for special constables has been running since 1991. In the first year of the campaign, numbers increased by 14 per cent. to just over 18,000. The deployment of special constables within a police force area is a matter for the chief constable concerned, but they commonly perform patrol duties in public places.

  Crime (Clear-up Rates)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the clear-up rate for each police force in 1992 was accounted for by offences taken into consideration.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not yet available for 1992.

  Prostitution
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussion he has had with senior police officers in areas of England and Wales which have the problems of prostitution and violence, as to action that will give protection to people living in such areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  From time to time Ministers meet senior police officers to discuss crime including prostitution and violence. It is for chief officers to decide what action should be taken in areas which are particularly affected by prostitution and violence.

  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list all cases since the passage of the 1974 Prevention of Terrorism legislation in which persons have been found guilty of offences connected with Irish terrorism in Great Britain, stating, in each case, the sentence imposed by the courts and whether the person concerned was originally arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism legislation; (2) how many persons have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism legislation since 1974, stating(a) how many were charged with offences, (b) how many were tried, (c) how many were convicted, (d) in the cases of those convicted, how many were imprisoned and (e) in the cases of those sentenced to imprisonment, how many of those were sentenced for (i) up to three months, (ii) three to six months, (iii) one to nine months, (iv) nine to 12 months, (v) 12 to 18 months, (vi) 18 to 24 months and (vii) more than 24 months, listing these individually by length of sentence.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The available information is contained in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin on the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism legislation (issues 10/84 and 5/93).

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those persons who have

  Date

  Location

  Incident

  30 November 1974

  Talbot Public House, Little Chester Street, London, SW1

  Device exploded. Eight people injured.

  11 December 1974

  Naval & Military Club, 94 Piccadilly, London W1

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  14 December 1974

  Churchill Hotel, Portman Square, London W1

  Four people injured in a shooting.

  17 December 1974

  GPO Telephone Exchange, Draycott Avenue, London, SW3

  Device exploded. Four people injured.

  17 December 1974

  GPO Telephone Exchange, Chenies Street/ Tottenham Court Road. London

  Device exploded. One person killed and one person injured.

  18 December 1974

  Harris Hearing Aid Consultant, 79 Park Street, Bristol

  Device exploded. 17 people injured.

  19 December 1974

  Selfridges, Oxford Street, London W1

  Device exploded. Nine people injured.

  21 December 1974

  Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  23 December 1974

  40 Westridge Road, Portswood, Southampton

  Two people injured in shooting.

  19 January 1975

  Portman Hotel, Portman Square, London WC1

  Five people injured in shooting.

  19 January 1975

  Carlton Tower Hotel, Sloane Street, London SW3

  Two people injured in shooting.

  278
  been found to have been wrongfully imprisoned for offences in Great Britain connected with Irish terrorism, stating, in each case, whether he or she was originally arrested under Prevention of Terrorism legislation.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Since the coming into force of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974 on 29 November 1974, the convictions of the following people for offences connected with Northern Irish terrorism have been quashed by the Court of Appeal following a reference under section 17(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968:

  Paul Hill

  Patrick O'Neill

  Gerard Conlon

  Patrick Conlon* (deceased)

  Patrick Armstrong

  Patrick Hill

  Carole Richardson

  Robert Hunter

  Anne Maguire*

  Noel McIlkenny

  Patrick Maguire

  Hugh Callaghan

  William Smyth*

  William Power

  Vincent Maguire

  John Walker

  Patrick Joseph Maguire*

  Judith Ward

  Of these the four marked with an asterisk had been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism legislation before being charged with the offences in question but this had no relevance to the quashing of their convictions.

  There have been no referrals in such cases to the High Court in Scotland by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Information on people who have been convicted by the courts of offences connected with Northern Irish terrorism and whose convictions have subsequently been quashed by the Court of Appeal or the High Court in Scotland other than on a reference by the appropriate Secretary of State is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each of the terrorist incidents carried out in Great Britain since the enactment of the 1974 Prevention of Terrorism legislation with, for each incident, where appropriate, the numbers, respectively, of killed and injured.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974 came into effect on 29 November 1974. A list of terrorist incidents relating to Northern Irish terrorism in Great Britain since that date, including the date, the location and, where appropriate, the numbers of people killed or injured, is in the following table. Before 1989, only those incidents which caused death or injury are recorded.
  279

  Date

  Location

  Incident

  23 January 1975

  MWB Pumping Station, Woodford New Road, Forest Road, London E17

  Device exploded. Three people injured.

  27 January 1975

  Lewis' Department Store, Manchester

  Device exploded. 14 people injured.

  27 January 1975

  City Girl Boutique, Victoria Street, London, SW1

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  27 January 1975

  Ratners Jewellers, 147 Kensington High Street, London, W8

  Device exploded. Four people injured.

  26 February 1975

  39 Fairholme Road, London, W14

  One person killed in shooting.

  30 June 1975

  Indian Restaurant, Rusholme, Manchester

  One person injured in shooting.

  9 July 1975

  Hope Street, Liverpool

  One person injured in shooting.

  10 July 1975

  14 Oxford Road, Crosby, Liverpool

  One person injured in shooting.

  27 August 1975

  Caterham Arms Public House, Caterham, Surrey

  Device exploded. 40 people injured.

  28 August 1975

  Peter Browns Outfitters, 25 Oxford Street, London, W1

  Device exploded. Seven people injured.

  29 August 1975

  K Shoe Shop Ltd., Kensington Church Street, London, SW7

  Device exploded. One person killed.

  5 September 1975

  Hilton Hotel, Park Lane. London, W1

  Device exploded. Two people killed and 63 people injured.

  15 September 1975

  12 Callcott Avenue, London, W8

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  15 September 1975

  Alcan Aluminium Ltd., 30 Berkley Square, London, W1

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  22 September 1975

  Portman Hotel, Portman Square, London, W1

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  25 September 1975

  Hare and Hounds Public: House, Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone, Kent

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  9 October 1975

  Piccadilly, London, W1, near Green Park Tube

  Device exploded. One person killed and 21 people injured.

  23 October 1975

  Campden Hill Square, London, W8

  Device exploded. One person killed and one person injured.

  29 October 1975

  Trattoria Fiori, 87 Mount Street, London, W1

  Device exploded. 18 people injured.

  3 November 1975

  Connaught Square, London, W2

  Device exploded. Three people injured.

  12 November 1975

  Scotts Restaurant, 20/21 Mount Street, London, W1

  Device exploded. One person killed and 15 people injured.

  18 November 1975

  Walton's Restaurant, Walton Street, London, SW3

  Device exploded. Two people killed and 20 people injured.

  27 November 1975

  50 Village Road, Enfield, Middlesex

  One person killed in shooting.

  20 December 1975

  Biddy Mulligans Public House, Kilburn High Road, London, NW6

  Device exploded. Five people injured.

  14 February 1976

  Landward Court, Harrowby Street, London, W1

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  21 February 1976

  Selfridges, Oxford Street, London, W1

  Device exploded. Five people injured

  1 March 1976

  Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  4 March 1976

  200 yards South of Cannon Street Station, London

  Device exploded. Nine people injured.

  King Street, London, WC2

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  15 March 1976

  Eastbound London Underground Train, West Ham, London

  One person killed and one person injured in shooting.

  16 March 1976

  Stationary train, Wood Green Underground Station, London

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  27 March 1976

  Ideal Home Exhibition, Olympia, London, W14

  Device exploded. One person killed and 84 people injured.

  2 February 1977

  Department of Environment, Renshaw House, Renshaw Street, Liverpool

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  17 December 1978

  Davies Street, Liverpool

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  Maggs Department Store, Queens Road, Bristol

  Device exploded. Seven people injured.

  18 December 1978

  London Central YMCA, Great Russell Street, London, WC1

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  The Oasis Swimming Pool, 168 High Holborn, London, WC1

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  30 March 1979

  Car park of the Palace of Westminster, London, SW1

  Device exploded. One person killed.

  17 December 1979

  GPO Sorting Office, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  GPO Sorting Office, Charlton Green, Dover

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  2 December 1980

  Princess Louise Regiment, Territorial Army Centre, Hammersmith Road, London W6

  Device exploded. Five people injured.

  10 October 1981

  Ebury Bridge Road, London, SW1

  Device exploded. Two people killed and 39 people injured.

  17 October 1981

  76 South Croxted Road, London SE21

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  26 October 1981

  Wimpy Bar, Oxford Street, London W1

  Device exploded. One person killed.

  23 November 1981

  Royal Artillery HQ, Government House, Woolwich New Road, London SE18

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  20 July 1982

  South Carriage Road, Hyde Park, London W1

  Device exploded. Four people killed and 28 people injured.

  Regents Park, London NW1

  Device exploded. Seven people killed and 31 people injured.

  10 December 1983

  Royal Artillery Barracks, Repository Road, London SE18

  Device exploded. Three people injured.

  17 December 1983

  Outside Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW3

  Device exploded. Six people killed and 91 people injured.

  25 December 1983

  Orchard Street, London W1

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  280 281

  Date

  Location

  Incident

  12 October 1984

  Grand Hotel, Brighton, Sussex

  Device exploded. Five people killed and 30 people injured.

  15/16 April 1987

  Various

  Devices exploded.

  1 August 1988

  Inglis Barracks, London SW7

  Device exploded. One person killed and eight people injured.

  20 February 1989

  Ternhill Barracks, Shropshire

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  22 September 1989

  Royal Marines School of Music, North Barracks, Deal, Kent

  Device exploded. Eleven people killed and 21 people injured.

  15 November 1989

  Kelso Place, Kensington

  Device made safe.

  18 November 1989

  Married Quarters, Messines Road, Colchester

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  16 January 1990

  Army HQ, SE District, Aldershot

  Device made safe.

  20 February 1990

  Combined Services Recruitment Centre, Rutland Street, Leicester

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  25 February 1990

  Army Recruiting Office, New Road, Halifax

  Device exploded.

  14 May 1990

  Service Education Centre, Eltham, South London

  Device exploded. Five people injured.

  16 May 1990

  Army Recruiting Centre, Wembley, Middlesex

  Device exploded. One person killed and four people injured.

  1 June 1990

  Lichfield Railway Station, Staffordshire

  One person killed and two people injured in shooting.

  9 June 1990

  Honourable Artillery HQ, City Road, London

  Device exploded. 19 people injured.

  12 June 1990

  West Green House,. Hartley Witney, Hampshire

  Device made safe.

  21 June 1990

  RAF Stanmore Park, Uxbridge

  Device exploded.

  25 June 1990

  Carlton Club, St. James, London

  Device exploded. 20 people injured.

  6 July 1990

  The Strand, London, WC2

  Device exploded.

  20 July 1990

  Stock Exchange, London

  Device exploded.

  30 July 1990

  The Dog House, Hankham, Nr. Pevensey

  Device exploded. One person killed.

  6 August 1990

  Woronzow Road, St. Johns Wood, London

  Device made safe.

  13 August 1990

  Pye Barn, Moulsford, Didcot

  Device made safe.

  10 September 1990

  Army and Navy Recruiting Office, Derby

  Device exploded.

  17 September 1990

  Army Information Office, Finchley, London

  One per injured in shooting.

  18 September 1990

  Milford, Staffordshire

  Two people injured in shooting.

  27 September 1990

  Royal Overseas League, Park Place, London, WC1

  Device made safe.

  24 January 1991

  Territorial Army Firing Range, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire

  Device exploded.

  7 February 1991

  Downing Street, London, SW1

  Three mortar bombs fired. One person injured.

  18 February 1991

  Paddington Station, London

  Device exploded.

  18 February 1991

  Victoria Station, London

  Device exploded. One person killed and 38 people injured.

  25 February 1991

  Napsbury Lane, St. Albans

  Device exploded.

  3 April 1991

  Preston Railway Station, Preston, Lancashire

  Devices made safe.

  5 April 1991

  Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester

  Devices exploded.

  28 June 1991

  Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex

  Device made safe.

  30 June 1991

  Royal Navy & RAF Recruiting Office, Fishergate Centre, Preston

  Device made safe.

  5 August 1991

  Cambridge Public House, Charing Cross Road, London

  Device exploded.

  29 August 1991

  London Underground Depot, Hammersmith

  Devices made safe.

  31 August 1991

  Bargain Bookshop, Charing Cross Road, London

  Device made safe.

  15 November 1991

  Old Barclays Bank, St. Peters Street, St. Albans, Hertfordshire

  Device exploded. Two people killed and one person injured.

  1 December 1991

  The Discount Furniture Store, Habitat, The World of Leather, The Reject Shop, Tottenham Court Road

  Devices exploded.

  2 December 1991

  Littlewoods, Oxford Street, London, W1

  Devices exploded.

  7/8 December 1991

  Various locations in Blackpool

  Devices discovered.

  8 December 1991

  Arndale Centre, Manchester

  Devices exploded.

  14 December 1991

  Brent Cross Shopping Centre

  Devices discovered

  15 December 1991

  Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, London, WC2

  Device exploded.

  16 December 1991

  Railway line near Clapham Junction

  Device exploded.

  23 December 1991

  Ilford Underground Depot

  Device exploded.

  Neasden Underground Depot

  Device exploded.

  Train at Harrow-on-the-Hill

  Device exploded.

  10 January 1992

  Whitehall Place, London, SW1

  Device exploded.

  17 January 1992

  Marquis of Granby PH, Shaftesbury Avenue, London

  Devices discovered.

  30 January 1992

  Elephant & Castle Underground Depot, London

  Devices discovered.

  3 February 1992

  Neasden Underground Depot

  Device discovered.

  7 February 1992

  London Underground Sidings between Barking and Upney Stations

  Device exploded.

  11 February 1992

  Telephone box, Parliament Street, London

  Device made safe.

  28 February 1992

  London Bridge Railway Station, London

  Device exploded. 29 people injured.

  29 February 1992

  Crown Prosecution Service, Furnival Street, London

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  1 March 1992

  White Hart Lane BR Station Tottenham, London

  Device made safe.

  10 March 1992

  Nr. Wandsworth Common Railway Station, London

  Device exploded.

  282 283

  Date

  Location

  Incident

  6 April 1992

  Bridle Lane, Nr. Piccadilly Circus, London

  Device exploded.

  10 April 1992

  St. Mary's Axe, City of London

  Device exploded. Three people killed and 91 people injured.

  11 April 1992

  Staple Corner Junction of M1 and North Circular

  Device exploded.

  13 April 1992

  Army Careers Information Office, Derby

  One person killed on shooting.

  9–10 May 1992

  MetroCentre, Gateshead

  Devices exploded.

  7 June 1992

  Royal Festival Hall, London

  Devise exploded.

  8 June 1992

  A64 Leeds—York Nr. Tadcaster, North Yorkshire

  One person killed and one person injured in shooting.

  10 June 1992

  Wilcox Place, Victoria Street

  Device exploded.

  15 June 1992

  St. Albans Street, Nr. Piccadilly Circus

  Device exploded.

  17–18 June 1992

  Marks and Spencers, Leeds

  Device made safe.

  1717–18 June 1992

  Stop and Shop, Leeds

  Device exploded.

  1717–18 June 1992

  Waterstones Bookshops, Leeds

  Devices discovered.

  25 June 1992

  Coleman Street, City of London

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  30/31 July 1992

  Milton Keynes (Shops, Library)

  Device exploded.

  25 August 1992

  Shropshire Regimental Museum and two furniture shops, Shrewsbury

  Devices exploded.

  6 September 1992

  London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London

  Device exploded.

  17 September 1992

  Madame Tussaud's, Marylebone Road, London

  Devices exploded.

  The Planetarium, Marylebone Road, London

  Device exploded.

  Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London

  Devices exploded.

  7 October 1992

  Junction of The Haymarket and Panton Street, Piccadilly

  Device exploded. Five people injured.

  Near Centre Point, Flitcroft Street, London, WC2

  Device exploded.

  8 October 1992

  Tooley Street, London, SE1

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  Melcombe Street, London, NW1

  Device exploded

  9 October 1992

  Royal British Legion, Nursery Road, Southgate N14

  Device exploded

  Car Park, Arnos Grove Underground Station

  Device exploded.

  10 October 1992

  Paddington Green PS, Harrow Road, Paddington, W2

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  12 October 1992

  Sussex Arms Public House, Long Acre, Covent Garden

  Device exploded. One person killed and four people injured.

  19 October 1992

  Novotel Hotel, Shortlands, Hammersmith, W6

  Device exploded.

  Oxenden St., London, SW1

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  21 October 1992

  Railway Line, Nr. Silver Street Station, Edmonton

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  Princess Louise Territorial Army Centre, Hammersmith Road, W6

  Device exploded. Three people injured.

  21 October 1992

  Railway Line, near Harrow Road (junction with Furness Road), NW10

  Device exploded.

  22 October 1992

  Sewage Pipe, Wick Lane, E3

  Device exploded.

  25 October 1992

  2517–28 Morpeth Terrace, London, SW1

  Device exploded.

  30 October 1992

  Whitehall, London, SW1, (near Downing Street)

  Device exploded.

  14 November 1992

  Stoke Newington Road, London, N16

  Device discovered. One person injured in shooting.

  15 November 1992

  Canada Tower, Canary Wharf

  Device made safe.

  16 November 1992

  Collingwood Street, Bethnel Green, El

  Device made safe.

  1 December 1992

  Stephens Street/Tottenham Court Road

  Device made safe.

  3 December 1992

  Deansgate and Cateaton Street, Manchester

  Two devices exploded. 64 people injured.

  9 December 1992

  Woodside Park Underground Station, North London

  Device exploded.

  10 December 1992

  Wood Green Shopping Centre, London

  Two devices exploded. 11 people injured.

  16 December 1992

  John Lewis Department Store, Oxford Street

  Device exploded. One person injured.

  16 December 1992

  Cavendish Square/Oxford Street

  Device exploded. Three people injured.

  22 December 1992

  Hampstead Tube Station

  Device exploded.

  6 January 1993

  Reject Shop, Plaza Shopping Centre, Oxford Street

  Device exploded.

  6 January 1993

  Dillons Bookshop, Northumberland Avenue

  Device exploded.

  6 January 1993

  C & A, Oxford Street

  Device exploded.

  6 January 1993

  Video Shop, 60 Oxford Street

  Device exploded.

  28 January 1993

  Harrods, Brompton Road, London

  Device exploded. Two people injured.

  3 February 1993

  Train at Kent House Station, Kent

  Device exploded.

  3 February 1993

  South Kensington Tube Station, London

  Device exploded.

  10 February 1993

  Cadogan Place, London, SW1

  Device exploded.

  26 February 1993

  Warrington, Cheshire

  One person injured in shooting.

  26 February 1993

  Warrington, Cheshire

  Device exploded.

  27 February 1993

  Camden High Street, London

  Devices exploded. 18 people injured.

  284

  Medomsley Prison
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the current situation of the building that formerly housed HM Prison Medomsley; and what plans his Department have for that building.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no plans to use the site at Medomsley as a prison again. The property has been advertised for sale, but no acceptable offer has yet been received.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish his provisional list for market testing in respect of his responsibilities with a view to contracting out for the period September 1993 to March 1995.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have not yet decided the content of future market testing programmes.

  Secure Units
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much capital money his Department(a) has available and (b) has allocated for the provision of secure units for young people in England in 1992–93; and if he will provide a list of the establishments concerned and the sums allocated in each case;

  (2) how much capital money his Department (a) made available and (b) spent on the provision of secure units for young people in England in 1991–92 and each of the previous 10 years.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 3 March at cols. 169–70.

  Convictions
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of crimes led to successful convictions in each of the last five years for which figures are available for each county; what was the average figure(a) for England, (b) for Wales and (c) the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proportion of recorded crimes has led to successful convictions in each of the last five years for which there are figures, in each county in England and Wales; what were the average figures for England, Wales and for the United Kingdom for the same years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The information is not available. Information on recorded offences and court proceedings is compiled on different bases and a measure that combines the two therefore cannot be prepared. Figures for crimes cleared up by
  286
  means of charge or summons were given in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Sweeney) on 4 February at cols. 291–92.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had about revising the basis on which crime statistics are collected.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: My Department is currently looking at revising the rules and instructions for the forces to follow in collecting crime statistics. As part of this process each force, as well as representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers, have been consulted. I expect a set of proposals to be submitted for my approval later this year.

  Crime (Staffordshire)
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was(a) the number of reported thefts from motor vehicles in Staffordshire in each year since 1979 and (b) the percentage differences in the number of reported thefts from motor vehicles in Staffordshire between 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) what was (a) the number of reported thefts of motor vehicles in Staffordshire in each year since 1979 and (b) the percentage difference in the number of reported thefts of motor vehicles in Staffordshire between 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available;

  (3) what was (a) the number of reported burglaries in Staffordshire for each year since 1979 and (b) the percentage difference in the number of reported burglaries in Staffordshire between 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available;

  (4) what was (a) the level of recorded crime in Staffordshire for each year since 1979 and (b) the percentage difference in the level of reported crime in Staffordshire between 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The available information is for recorded offences. Statistics for 1979 are published in table 32 of the 1979 volume of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". Statistics for 1980–91 are published annually in table 3·1 of the "Criminal Statistics, Supplementary Volume 3"—copies of these publications are available in the Library. Figures for 1992 are not yet available. Figures for percentage changes between 1979 and 1991, the latest available year, are as follows:

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police—Staffordshire

  Offence

  Percentage change 1991 compared with 1979

  Theft from vehicle

  +248

  Theft of vehicle

  +223

  Burglaries

  +193

  Total overall recorded crime

  +127

  HONG KONG: ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS
  HONG KONG: ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS
  TREATY OF ROME
  TREATY OF ROME
  DOMESTIC SERVANTS: INFORMATION LEAFLET
  DOMESTIC SERVANTS: INFORMATION LEAFLET
  TRANSCAUCASUS: DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION
  TRANSCAUCASUS: DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION
  WHITCHURCH SCHOOL
  WHITCHURCH SCHOOL
  EC FOODSTUFFS WITHDRAWN: QUANTITY AND VALUE
  EC FOODSTUFFS WITHDRAWN: QUANTITY AND VALUE
  AGRICULTURAL LAND DESIGNATED AS LESS FAVOURED
  AGRICULTURAL LAND DESIGNATED AS LESS FAVOURED
  LIGHT DUES
  LIGHT DUES
  JOBCLUBS ON POLITICAL PARTY PREMISES
  JOBCLUBS ON POLITICAL PARTY PREMISES