Written Answers of 5 March 1993

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Security Firms
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take the necessary act ion to require all employees of security firms(a) to be registered by the police authority, (b) to be issued with a personal number and (c) to be required to wear their personal identification number prominently and visually; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. The Government's policy is to promote self-regulation in the private security industry.

  Electoral Malpractice
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the penalties for electoral malpractice;

  (2) what proposals he has to increase the penalties for corrupt or illegal electoral practices;

  (3) what proposals he has for the revision of the law on illegal electoral practices.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The penalties for corrupt practices, illegal practices and other offences are set out in the Representation of the People Act 1983. We have no proposals for revising the law.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for amendment of the legislation on the conduct of elections.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have set up five working groups of Home Office officials and representatives of returning officers and local authorities to consider different aspects of the electoral process. We shall consider the findings of the working groups once they have concluded their work.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for extension of the time for submission of electoral expense returns.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no such proposals.

  Animal Experimentation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to investigate the value of human tissue as an alternative to both live animal experimentation and experiments with animal tissues.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office, on the advice of the Animal Procedures Committee, funds research into ways of refining, reducing and replacing the use of living animals in scientific procedures. Applications for funding are considered by the research sub-committee of the APC.

  Police Interview Notes
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many instances in each of the past three years criminal convictions have been referred back to the Court of Appeal following re-examination of the original police interview notes.

  Mr. Jack
  The re-examination of original police interview notes was a factor in the reference to the Court of Appeal of one case in 1990, four cases in 1991 and three cases in 1992.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests have been made to the police in each of the past three years for the disclosure of original interview notes in cases where criminal charges have been brought; in how many instances these requests have been denied; and for what reasons.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This information is not available. Records are not held in a form which would identify such requests.

  Prison Service (Supply and Transport)
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future arrangements for the warehousing and distribution function of the prison service's supply and transport branch.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Following the market testing of the warehousing and distribution function, I approved, in July 1992, the award of a contract to a private sector company, subject inter alia to the negotiation of a satisfactory contract. It has not been possible to negotiate such a contract, and the next best bid, which is the in-house bid, now becomes the preferred bid. I have instructed officials to negotiate a service level agreement with the in-house providers. I expect the outcome of this market test to reduce the present costs of this function by about a quarter over three years.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the probation service budget in England and Wales was spent on(a) research and information and (b) administration in 1981, 1991 and 1992 respectively.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 19 February 1993]: Probation service expenditure, while broken down, is not done so in such a way as to enable this information to be given.

  Probation areas, taking account of both national arid local plans and priorities, make their own decisions about expenditure on research and on administration. Much valuable research work as well as essential information work is conducted within probation areas.

  The number of personnel employed by probation committee in England and Wales as research and information officers and as clerical, secretarial and adminstrative staff was as follows (percentage of total staff in parentheses):
  289

  31 December 1981

  31 December 19911

  30 Sepember 19921

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Research and information officers

  n/a

  (n/a)

  63·5

  (0·4)

  66·7

  (0·5)

  Clercial, secretarial and administrative staff

  23,461

  (29·0)

  4,378

  (30·5)

  4,513

  (30·8)

  1 Figures are full-time equivalents.

  2 Includes 947 part-time staff.

  Telephone Sex Lines
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to ban sex lines from the public telephone system.

  Mr. Leigh
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is an effective system of regulatory control of these services; they are obliged to operate under a code of practice drawn up and monitored by the independent committee for the supervision of standards in telephone information services (ICSTIS). The code sets detailed conditions for the content, conditions of access and advertising of the services.

  Telephone subscribers also have the opportunity to request call barring, which makes it impossible to call the services from their line. BT provides this facility free of charge.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  High Court Judges
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether additional judges will be appointed to reduce delays in the High Court.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice have now considered the advice of the group of judges and officials chaired by Lord Justice Kennedy. This is contained in the group's report on High Court judges' work, deployment and numbers, copies of which will be made available to the Libraries of both Houses.

  As a result of that advice, the Lord Chancellor and I have decided to seek parliamentary and Privy Council approval in the near future to increase the statutory maximum number of judges

  Table 1

  Net institutional expenditure by each authority in cash terms

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Local education authority

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  ILEA

  482,118

  1,740

  528,027

  1,930

  569,987

  2,105

  589,220

  2,170

  —

  —

  City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  404

  1,950

  Camden

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  39,153

  2,000

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Hackney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  49,671

  2,165

  Hammersmith

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30,386

  2,225

  Islington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  41,959

  1,995

  Kensington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21,787

  2,340

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  48,757

  2,020

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  59,568

  1,985

  Southwark

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  57,227

  2,015

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  63,056

  2,140

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  53,440

  2,085

  Westminster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  42,767

  2,715

  290
  Subject to that approval, the Lord Chancellor intends as soon as possible to recommend the appointment of 10 additional High Court judges, and he has agreed with the Lord Chief Justice and the Vice-Chancellor that the additional judges will be deployed in such a way as to reduce delays and backlogs in the chancery division, the Court of Appeal criminal division, the Crown Office list, the employment appeal tribunal and the commercial court.

EDUCATION

  Market Testing
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will subject the work of his Department's solicitors branch to market testing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  There are no immediate plans to market test the work of the Department's legal branch.

  Education Spending
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list for each local education authority in England and Wales for each year since 1985(a) their total spending, (b) their spending per pupil and (c) their spending per pupil at nursery, primary and secondary stages of education.

  Mr. Forth
  The information for England for parts(a) and (b) is given in table 1, and for part (c) in table 2. Expenditure on schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. Figures given relate to net institutional expenditure rather than total LEA spending. The tables show spending in cash for years up to 1990–91, the latest year for which information on actual spending is available.
  291

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Local education authority

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  Barking

  26,776

  1,125

  29,712

  1,280

  35,015

  1,540

  37,924

  1,680

  39,698

  1,745

  Barnet

  49,015

  1,230

  54,540

  1,385

  n.a.

  n.a.

  63,842

  1,620

  65,817

  1,725

  Bexley

  36,610

  1,110

  40,541

  1,255

  44,502

  1,405

  46,504

  1,490

  49,529

  1,575

  Brent

  53,388

  1,565

  59,966

  1,785

  67,385

  2,070

  53,184

  1,700

  54,722

  1,760

  Bromley

  42,833

  1,135

  45,824

  1,255

  53,732

  1,520

  54,615

  1,585

  58,149

  1,710

  Croydon

  51,199

  1,165

  56,011

  1,300

  62,419

  1,490

  60,556

  1,495

  65,688

  1,630

  Ealing

  49,429

  1,340

  54,295

  1,470

  n.a.

  n.a.

  63,779

  1,740

  72,405

  1,950

  Enfield

  41,364

  1,070

  45,570

  1,195

  51,306

  1,365

  54,546

  1,475

  61,690

  1,650

  Haringey

  43,727

  1,665

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  53,050

  2,085

  Harrow

  33,323

  1,265

  37,200

  1,425

  40,580

  1,595

  37,270

  1,455

  43,893

  1,685

  Havering

  41,578

  1,115

  45,958

  1,260

  49,259

  1,375

  53,471

  1,540

  55,265

  1,605

  Hillingdon

  37,566

  1,150

  41,376

  1,305

  44,715

  1,440

  49,292

  1,600

  54,172

  1,785

  Hounslow

  36,381

  1,195

  41,314

  1,370

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  51,504

  1,695

  Kingston upon Thames

  20,210

  1,155

  22,899

  1,335

  26,008

  1,550

  26,848

  1,635

  28,855

  1,740

  Merton

  23,494

  1,085

  27,074

  1,290

  28,870

  1,415

  32,566

  1,665

  36,756

  1,855

  Newham

  48,416

  1,380

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  60,527

  1,775

  61,648

  1,750

  Redbridge

  34,910

  1,160

  40,634

  1,360

  43,608

  1,470

  43,559

  1,460

  49,743

  1,625

  Richmond upon Thames

  18,339

  1,160

  20,502

  1,290

  23,866

  1,495

  24,949

  1,545

  27,374

  1,665

  Sutton

  23,768

  1,075

  26,847

  1,220

  29,949

  1,375

  31,991

  1,470

  34,903

  1,640

  Waltham Forest

  41,145

  1,315

  47,816

  1,570

  53,595

  1,800

  53,909

  1,855

  57,505

  1,940

  Birmingham

  165,104

  965

  183,258

  1,085

  202,882

  1,215

  229,519

  1,385

  255,623

  1,550

  Coventry

  53,838

  1,080

  58,421

  1,205

  63,183

  1,350

  72,625

  1,585

  74,798

  1,625

  Dudley

  45,203

  955

  51,052

  1,105

  56,396

  1,250

  61,414

  1,395

  66,482

  1,530

  Sandwell

  55,117

  1,080

  60,145

  1,220

  65,541

  1,360

  75,387

  1,610

  78,611

  1,670

  Solihull

  33,634

  970

  37,277

  1,100

  40,547

  1,230

  46,411

  1,455

  47,630

  1,495

  Walsall

  50,264

  1,040

  57,801

  1,235

  62,965

  1,380

  69,559

  1,565

  78,226

  1,755

  Wolverhampton

  47,754

  1,115

  51,236

  1,230

  n.a.

  n.a.

  61,207

  1,585

  60,864

  1,600

  Knowsley

  33,677

  1,170

  37,470

  1,350

  40,288

  1,505

  40,276

  1,550

  42,469

  1,640

  Liverpool

  87,258

  1,090

  96,249

  1,240

  106,700

  1,405

  116,414

  1,550

  122,992

  1,645

  St. Helens

  33,622

  1,025

  37,290

  1,180

  39,794

  1,305

  44,515

  1,515

  43,400

  1,485

  Sefton

  44,552

  950

  48,301

  1,050

  53,768

  1,200

  60,391

  1,365

  66,145

  1,495

  Wirral

  50,343

  950

  55,804

  1,075

  61,991

  1,220

  77,424

  1,535

  81,495

  1,605

  Bolton

  42,845

  945

  46,272

  1,040

  51,073

  1,170

  59,775

  1,400

  62,904

  1,490

  Bury

  29,184

  1,070

  31,907

  1,190

  36,808

  1,420

  37,444

  1,455

  36,181

  1,395

  Manchester

  84,857

  1,210

  94,449

  1,375

  97,711

  1,445

  n.a.

  n.a.

  105,937

  1,555

  Oldham

  37,578

  980

  40,900

  1,080

  46,381

  1,240

  55,698

  1,480

  60,531

  1,585

  Rochdale

  39,018

  1,070

  42,330

  1,190

  46,030

  1,320

  52,629

  1,540

  52,044

  1,545

  Salford

  39,847

  1,025

  42,986

  1,140

  n.a.

  n.a.

  54,788

  1,555

  55,280

  1,560

  Stockport

  43,162

  955

  46,910

  1,065

  53,082

  1,230

  59,360

  1,420

  65,138

  1,555

  Tameside

  36,895

  1,020

  40,778

  1,150

  44,788

  1,280

  50,316

  1,450

  52,880

  1,545

  Trafford

  32,596

  1,085

  34,473

  1,180

  41,355

  1,460

  39,936

  1,440

  42,322

  1,480

  Wigan

  57,426

  1,060

  62,992

  1,195

  68,937

  1,345

  73,622

  1,480

  75,447

  1,530

  Barnsley

  38,719

  1,050

  41,894

  1,175

  44,561

  1,295

  47,037

  1,420

  46,181

  1,425

  Doncaster

  51,584

  1,040

  55,982

  1,155

  60,802

  1,285

  70,245

  1,495

  68,574

  1,445

  Rotherham

  42,493

  955

  48,080

  1,110

  53,063

  1,260

  61,045

  1,490

  63,539

  1,500

  Sheffield

  88,573

  1,140

  95,472

  1,285

  n/a

  n/a

  103,507

  1,545

  108,538

  1,625

  Bradford

  85,613

  1,050

  93,442

  1,155

  105,138

  1,315

  117,446

  1,470

  125,563

  1,560

  Calderdale

  32,781

  1,000

  38,840

  1,215

  38,312

  1,220

  42,109

  1,355

  51,005

  1,645

  Kirklees

  62,214

  960

  68,247

  1,085

  74,720

  1,220

  86,726

  1,455

  88,646

  1,510

  Leeds

  108,699

  990

  121,473

  1,135

  133,273

  1,280

  151,542

  1,485

  164,826

  1,620

  Wakefield

  51,312

  1,015

  56,103

  1,145

  62,253

  1,300

  n/a

  n/a

  73,424

  1,560

  Gateshead

  33,484

  1,065

  37,012

  1,205

  39,670

  1,335

  43,298

  1,495

  46,716

  1,620

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  46,879

  1,185

  51,603

  1,325

  57,085

  1,480

  61,188

  1,605

  63,867

  1,665

  North Tyneside

  35,912

  1,165

  39,717

  1,305

  43,111

  1,445

  n/a

  n/a

  48,216

  1,620

  South Tyneside

  26,597

  1,070

  29,166

  1,200

  31,160

  1,310

  36,255

  1,545

  37,239

  1,570

  Sunderland

  50,284

  970

  53,995

  1,065

  59,249

  1,200

  67,901

  1,425

  70,108

  1,480

  Avon

  135,806

  1,000

  147,269

  1,105

  159,839

  1,220

  185,292

  1,455

  191,994

  1,495

  Bedfordshire

  88,611

  1,055

  95,169

  1,140

  109,451

  1,330

  125,627

  1,545

  129,417

  1,590

  Berkshire

  109,356

  1,015

  118,121

  1,105

  n/a

  n/a

  142,077

  1,380

  157,303

  1,530

  Buckinghamshire

  96,537

  1,010

  109,085

  1,155

  121,396

  1,305

  129,622

  1,420

  138,582

  1,530

  Cambridgeshire

  91,610

  955

  102,699

  1,075

  113,646

  1,190

  131,166

  1,335

  142,488

  1,475

  Cheshire

  150,018

  985

  162,800

  1,070

  180,605

  1,195

  201,300

  1,335

  218,270

  1,470

  Cleveland

  99,190

  990

  110,174

  1,120

  118,866

  1,230

  139,878

  1,465

  149,885

  1,535

  Cornwall

  62,409

  920

  69,369

  1,030

  77,917

  1,165

  90,492

  1,355

  96,044

  1,445

  Cumbria

  76,705

  1,005

  87,501

  1,170

  97,354

  1,325

  109,071

  1,515

  114,803

  1,595

  Derbyshire

  143,594

  995

  160,141

  1,130

  178,059

  1,285

  210,905

  1,545

  218,707

  1,630

  Devon

  126,373

  960

  139,303

  1,065

  154,563

  1,190

  175,376

  1,355

  197,169

  1,520

  Dorset

  77,445

  965

  86,996

  1,095

  95,122

  1,195

  108,507

  1,370

  118,208

  1,500

  Durham

  96,436

  995

  104,931

  1,105

  115,206

  1,245

  130,096

  1,430

  139,024

  1,530

  East Sussex

  77,377

  960

  85,933

  1,070

  95,653

  1,205

  110,587

  1,400

  119,707

  1,500

  Essex

  226,340

  975

  249,563

  1,090

  276,336

  1,230

  313,949

  1,445

  319,631

  1,480

  Gloucestershire

  72,694

  955

  81,405

  1,085

  93,346

  1,260

  102,195

  1,400

  104,605

  1,470

  Hampshire

  201,084

  925

  224,402

  1,050

  250,945

  1,195

  287,806

  1,395

  301,984

  1,460

  Herefordshire

  96,338

  985

  104,815

  1,085

  116,119

  1,220

  130,655

  1,395

  142,325

  1,520

  292 293

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Local education authority

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  Total expenditure

  Unit cost

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  £000

  £

  Hertfordshire

  157,356

  1,030

  173,344

  1,155

  187,505

  1,275

  220,368

  1,545

  234,711

  1,665

  Humberside

  148,186

  1,040

  159,796

  1,140

  173,137

  1,265

  200,568

  1,480

  204,631

  1,510

  Isle of Wight

  16,966

  995

  18,500

  1,100

  20,845

  1,250

  23,767

  1,395

  25,595

  1,505

  Kent

  206,786

  915

  225,181

  1,015

  247,234

  1,135

  274,142

  1,275

  296,367

  1,385

  Lancashire

  204,696

  945

  223,480

  1,050

  251,072

  1,200

  287,430

  1,380

  311,867

  1,510

  Leicestershire

  145,523

  1,045

  161,113

  1,175

  175,441

  1,290

  202,552

  1,500

  219,144

  1,620

  Lincolnshire

  84,034

  985

  92,651

  1,105

  98,856

  1,195

  109,036

  1,340

  113,022

  1,420

  Norfolk

  102,002

  975

  112,461

  1,085

  130,457

  1,280

  142,067

  1,425

  150,766

  1,520

  North Yorkshire

  101,974

  1,015

  111,035

  1,115

  119,621

  1,220

  135,552

  1,390

  150,114

  1,545

  Northamptonshire

  90,857

  970

  100,242

  1,075

  108,385

  1,170

  126,367

  1,375

  130,725

  1,435

  Northumberland

  49,173

  1,005

  54,566

  1,130

  60,467

  1,270

  68,737

  1,450

  75,540

  1,585

  Nottinghamshire

  165,415

  1,065

  178,866

  1,180

  193,205

  1,310

  226,020

  1,560

  246,811

  1,700

  Oxfordshire

  80,132

  1,060

  88,075

  1,190

  98,054

  1,350

  106,067

  1,490

  123,693

  1,740

  Shropshire

  63,439

  1,005

  70,550

  1,135

  79,220

  1,295

  88,530

  1,470

  97,605

  1,635

  Somerset

  60,863

  955

  67,956

  1,075

  76,163

  1,220

  86,708

  1,420

  91,002

  1,485

  Staffordshire

  168,484

  1,015

  180,305

  1,115

  197,123

  1,245

  223,459

  1,435

  238,846

  1,525

  Suffolk

  88,665

  965

  96,355

  1,065

  104,760

  1,175

  130,200

  1,495

  134,806

  1,550

  Surrey

  124,655

  985

  136,052

  1,100

  150,040

  1,240

  161,194

  1,340

  178,779

  1,550

  Warwickshire

  71,032

  950

  76,996

  1,055

  84,769

  1,185

  94,908

  1,370

  100,175

  1,455

  West Sussex

  84,553

  920

  95,115

  1,045

  105,155

  1,170

  124,107

  1,410

  133,638

  1,505

  Wiltshire

  76,968

  955

  86,049

  1,090

  93,402

  1,200

  105,013

  1,375

  114,914

  1,505

  Table 2

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil (cash terms)

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Local education authority

  NUR

  PRI

  SEC

  NUR

  PRI

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  ILEA

  2,505

  1,315

  2,085

  2,455

  1,460

  2,345

  1,585

  2,610

  1,605

  2,505

  1,835

  2,725

  —

  —

  City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,950

  0

  Camden

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,710

  2,290

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  Hackney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,900

  2,710

  Hammersmith

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,970

  2,665

  Islington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,765

  2,440

  Kensington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,060

  2,905

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,840

  2,585

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,715

  2,430

  Southwark

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,850

  2,350

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,940

  2,490

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,820

  2,520

  Westminster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,310

  3,220

  Barking

  n/a

  915

  1,260

  n/a

  1,010

  1,470

  1,155

  1,745

  1,255

  1,970

  1,360

  2,200

  1,420

  2,270

  Barnet

  1,320

  930

  1,330

  1,275

  1,060

  1,510

  1,195

  1,675

  1,250

  1,820

  1,370

  1,925

  1,495

  2,040

  Bexley

  1,015

  815

  1,195

  1,250

  915

  1,370

  1,030

  1,530

  1,100

  1,685

  1,215

  1,820

  1,260

  1,965

  Brent

  2,145

  1,025

  1,590

  2,220

  1,105

  1,805

  1,305

  2,195

  1,375

  2,305

  1,425

  2,225

  1,550

  2,915

  Bromley

  n/a

  855

  1,255

  n/a

  925

  1,420

  1,070

  1,645

  1,165

  1,770

  1,290

  1,955

  1,375

  2,150

  Croydon

  1,165

  865

  1,355

  1.340

  935

  1,535

  1,040

  1,825

  1,180

  2.040

  1,200

  1,935

  1,380

  2,015

  Ealing

  1,580

  1,050

  1,460

  1,720

  1,135

  1,650

  n/a

  n/a

  1,385

  2,145

  1,485

  2,345

  1,690

  2,575

  Enfield

  n/a

  775

  1,245

  n/a

  890

  1,380

  1,005

  1,580

  1,110

  1,715

  1,220

  1,815

  1,385

  2,015

  Haringey

  910

  1,160

  1,710

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,840

  2,590

  Harrow

  n/a

  875

  1,340

  n/a

  1,020

  1,600

  1,070

  1,775

  1,115

  1,740

  1,230

  1,975

  1,435

  2,270

  Havering

  n/a

  825

  1,325

  n/a

  905

  1,510

  1,005

  1,670

  1,095

  1,860

  1,155

  1,990

  1,240

  2,035

  Hillingdon

  945

  895

  1,315

  1,375

  1,000

  1,520

  1,075

  1,675

  1,195

  1,870

  1,305

  2,005

  1,465

  2,250

  Hounslow

  n/a

  955

  1,290

  n/a

  1,065

  1,505

  1,175

  1,675

  1,270

  1,895

  n/a

  n/a

  1,440

  2,060

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,270

  825

  1,325

  1,385

  915

  1,530

  1,055

  1,720

  1,175

  1,905

  1,265

  2,120

  1,400

  2,195

  Merton

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,835

  950

  1,325

  1,020

  1,470

  1,210

  1,660

  1,345

  1,925

  1,755

  1,990

  Newham

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,205

  1,880

  1,360

  2,140

  1,445

  2,310

  1,415

  2,330

  Redbridge

  n/a

  835

  1,290

  n/a

  935

  1,465

  990

  1,600

  1,070

  1,735

  1,150

  1,855

  1,290

  2,065

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,215

  900

  1,200

  1,250

  1,000

  1,330

  1,075

  1,475

  1,180

  1,645

  1,375

  1,790

  1,470

  1,935

  Sutton

  1,235

  750

  1,135

  1,410

  855

  1,300

  980

  1,420

  1,090

  1,630

  1,215

  1,750

  1,320

  2,035

  Waltham Forest

  1,590

  980

  1,540

  1,600

  1,095

  1,915

  1,235

  2,345

  1,250

  2,435

  1,430

  2,490

  1,510

  2,600

  Birmingham

  1,225

  745

  1,175

  1,175

  835

  1,345

  940

  1,490

  1,040

  1,640

  1,130

  1,800

  1,265

  2,050

  Coventry

  730

  850

  1,310

  1,225

  910

  1,485

  990

  1,705

  1,065

  1,940

  1,195

  2,180

  1,220

  2,265

  Dudley

  1,520

  735

  1,125

  1,850

  830

  1,350

  915

  1,570

  1,020

  1,840

  1,085

  1,915

  1,225

  2,085

  Sandwell

  875

  875

  1,230

  1,270

  960

  1,410

  1,055

  1,630

  1,175

  1,885

  1,275

  2,120

  1,325

  2,200

  Solihull

  n/a

  755

  1,115

  n/a

  845

  1,280

  925

  1,450

  1,040

  1,650

  1,160

  1,835

  1,180

  1,915

  Walsall

  1,065

  830

  1,185

  1,235

  970

  1,430

  1,080

  1,645

  1,200

  1,885

  1,255

  1,995

  1,460

  2,185

  Wolverhampton

  920

  920

  1,225

  1,065

  985

  1,395

  1,070

  1,575

  1,190

  1,745

  1,320

  1,970

  1,320

  2,035

  Knowsley

  n/a

  845

  1,320

  n/a

  960

  1,515

  1.050

  1,735

  1,165

  1,990

  1,235

  2.105

  1,340

  2,210

  Liverpool

  1,350

  875

  1,250

  1,440

  980

  1,445

  1,105

  1,730

  1,150

  1,905

  1,225

  2,060

  1,285

  2,250

  St. Helens

  1,385

  770

  1,150

  1,510

  860

  1,340

  965

  1,505

  1,050

  1,710

  1,170

  1,965

  1,155

  1,920

  Sefton

  1,120

  740

  1,125

  1,220

  800

  1,275

  930

  1,460

  1,015

  1,600

  1,110

  1,715

  1,200

  1,900

  294 295

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Local education authority

  NUR

  PRI

  SEC

  NUR

  PRI

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  N/P

  SEC

  Wirral

  1,535

  720

  1,125

  1,795

  815

  1,280

  920

  1,480

  1,070

  1,750

  1,225

  1,970

  1,275

  2,080

  Bolton

  1,090

  720

  1,115

  1,220

  780

  1,230

  890

  1,425

  1,015

  1,635

  1,130

  1,795

  1,195

  1,950

  Bury

  1,270

  715

  1,175

  1,315

  795

  1,340

  1,045

  1,515

  1,080

  1,730

  1,190

  1,860

  1,165

  1,755

  Manchester

  1,665

  905

  1,425

  1,990

  1,020

  1,660

  1,095

  1,785

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,285

  2,060

  Oldham

  n/a

  815

  1,095

  n/a

  870

  1,255

  1,005

  1,395

  1,125

  1,590

  1,295

  1,760

  1,360

  1,920

  Rochdale

  1,280

  795

  1,275

  1,375

  850

  1,460

  940

  1,650

  990

  1,695

  1,170

  2,050

  1,185

  2,165

  Salford

  1,350

  790

  1,200

  1,555

  840

  1,385

  985

  1,625

  1,085

  1,860

  1,200

  2,140

  1,230

  2,145

  Stockport

  1,215

  740

  1,115

  1,265

  805

  1,270

  935

  1,500

  1,035

  1,730

  1,095

  1,860

  1,230

  2,015

  Tameside

  1,500

  815

  1,160

  1,735

  910

  1,325

  995

  1.525

  1,115

  1,660

  1,235

  1,770

  1,300

  1,940

  Trafford

  n/a

  735

  1,140

  n/a

  855

  1,315

  965

  1,525

  1,050

  1,710

  1,130

  1,920

  1,145

  2,030

  Wigan

  695

  785

  1,230

  1,295

  860

  1,460

  955

  1,675

  1,025

  1,850

  1,090

  2,000

  1,135

  2,070

  Barnsley

  1,330

  865

  1,165

  1,285

  925

  1,325

  985

  1,470

  1,065

  1,645

  1,145

  1,795

  1,210

  1,770

  Doncaster

  n/a

  870

  1,145

  n/a

  980

  1,325

  1,045

  1,500

  1,175

  1,655

  1,255

  1,805

  1,205

  1,765

  Rotherham

  1,040

  800

  1,070

  1,115

  890

  1,230

  1,050

  1,440

  1,125

  1,635

  1,245

  1,810

  1,285

  1,910

  Sheffield

  1,520

  980

  1,260

  1,645

  1,060

  1,490

  n/a

  n/a

  1,230

  1,810

  1,315

  1,920

  1,365

  2,085

  Bradford

  1,585

  850

  1,085

  1,730

  945

  1,235

  1,060

  1,410

  1,160

  1,605

  1,275

  1,635

  1,410

  1,685

  Calderdale

  1,265

  800

  1,110

  1,420

  895

  1,330

  950

  1,440

  1,145

  1,665

  1,140

  1,665

  1,395

  2,010

  Kirklees

  1,020

  785

  1,055

  1,225

  875

  1,250

  985

  1,415

  1,110

  1,620

  1,205

  1,765

  1,250

  1,860

  Leeds

  1,085

  795

  1,060

  1,270

  905

  1,230

  1,030

  1,370

  1,155

  1,545

  1,255

  1,715

  1,375

  1,860

  Wakefield

  1,540

  875

  1,090

  1,450

  955

  1,290

  1,070

  1,495

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Gateshead

  1,475

  900

  1,185

  1,655

  980

  1,360

  1,080

  1,560

  1,180

  1,770

  1,245

  1,865

  1,340

  2,030

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,325

  930

  1,345

  1,615

  1,020

  1,530

  1,140

  1,725

  1,225

  1,870

  1,320

  1,980

  1,475

  1,925

  North Tyneside

  1,110

  900

  1,295

  1,205

  995

  1,455

  1,090

  1,660

  1,145

  1,785

  n/a

  n/a

  1,320

  1,930

  South Tyneside

  1,245

  865

  1,255

  1,265

  965

  1,430

  1,060

  1,585

  1,150

  1,825

  1,255

  2,010

  1,265

  2,085

  Sunderland

  1,235

  775

  1,150

  1,335

  855

  1,305

  925

  1,505

  1,005

  1,670

  1,155

  1,845

  1,240

  1,865

  Avon

  1,170

  780

  1,160

  1,285

  850

  1,310

  975

  1,435

  1,050

  1,630

  1,195

  1,795

  1,250

  1,860

  Bedfordshire

  1,195

  815

  1,140

  1,195

  875

  1,250

  1,030

  1,455

  1,115

  1,635

  1,240

  1,815

  1,325

  1,830

  Berkshire

  1,275

  790

  1,150

  1,395

  845

  1,280

  n/a

  n/a

  1,030

  1,570

  1,105

  1,735

  1,265

  1,875

  Buckinghamshire

  1,090

  755

  1,140

  1,270

  845

  1,320

  970

  1,505

  1,065

  1,715

  1,170

  1,850

  1,285

  1,990

  Cambridgeshire

  1,300

  730

  1,040

  1,430

  815

  1,205

  910

  1,315

  1,005

  1,480

  1,115

  1,640

  1,215

  1,845

  Cheshire

  1,100

  760

  1,090

  1,220

  810

  1,235

  900

  1,390

  960

  1,545

  1,050

  1,715

  1,180

  1,865

  Cleveland

  1,070

  795

  1,175

  1,115

  890

  1,355

  970

  1,545

  1,075

  1,770

  1,150

  1,915

  1,210

  2,035

  Cornwall

  1,000

  710

  1,045

  1,290

  795

  1,175

  900

  1,345

  1,010

  1,525

  1,095

  1,690

  1,170

  1,810

  Cumbria

  1,340

  775

  1,095

  1,490

  915

  1,315

  1,060

  1,510

  1,140

  1,685

  1,265

  1,845

  1,305

  1,990

  Derbyshire

  1,225

  780

  1,125

  1,410

  875

  1,305

  990

  1,530

  1,080

  1,755

  1,235

  1,975

  1,335

  2,060

  Devon

  940

  725

  1,095

  1,020

  800

  1,225

  905

  1,380

  975

  1,535

  1,095

  1,705

  1,255

  1,890

  Dorset

  n/a

  770

  1,030

  n/a

  870

  1,190

  950

  1,320

  1,020

  1,490

  1,120

  1,630

  1,245

  1,770

  Durham

  1,280

  825

  1,095

  1,460

  920

  1,225

  1,050

  1,405

  1,130

  1,575

  1,225

  1,735

  1,320

  1,845

  East Sussex

  1,190

  760

  1,085

  1,355

  825

  1,235

  930

  1,385

  1,025

  1,565

  1,125

  1,765

  1,215

  1,890

  Essex

  1,215

  730

  1,115

  1,360

  820

  1,255

  920

  1,420

  1,050

  1,635

  1,150

  1,800

  1,180

  1,850

  Gloucestershire

  n/a

  740

  1,095

  n/a

  835

  1,260

  935

  1,385

  1,010

  1,545

  1,140

  1,735

  1,175

  1,875

  Hampshire

  1,070

  730

  1,065

  1,220

  825

  1,220

  950

  1,405

  1,040

  1,580

  1,125

  1,790

  1,190

  1,880

  Herefordshire

  n/a

  745

  1,060

  n/a

  815

  1,180

  930

  1,330

  1,000

  1,440

  1,145

  1,635

  1,280

  1,760

  Hertfordshire

  1,335

  780

  1,180

  1,485

  870

  1,350

  975

  1,490

  1,130

  1,740

  1,245

  1,900

  1,335

  2,065

  Humberside

  1,080

  865

  1,125

  2,520

  915

  1,270

  995

  1,460

  1,155

  1,690

  1,265

  1,765

  1,240

  1,870

  Isle of Wight

  n/a

  730

  1,030

  n/a

  785

  1,150

  935

  1,350

  1,055

  1,495

  1,120

  1,575

  1,210

  1,710

  Kent

  1,400

  695

  1,015

  1,575

  760

  1,145

  855

  1,290

  935

  1,475

  1,030

  1,565

  1,085

  1,750

  Lancashire

  1,275

  720

  1,095

  1,405

  780

  1,255

  890

  1,450

  985

  1,620

  1,090

  1,810

  1,265

  1,885

  Leicestershire

  1,430

  805

  1,205

  1,270

  885

  1,390

  960

  1,565

  1,085

  1,770

  1,180

  1,900

  1,275

  2,065

  Lincolnshire

  1,070

  720

  1,025

  1,205

  795

  1,185

  900

  1,280

  1,005

  1,505

  1,110

  1,630

  1,150

  1,800

  Norfolk

  1,225

  760

  1,095

  1,235

  850

  1,230

  955

  1,385

  1,070

  1,585

  1,160

  1,810

  1,255

  1,930

  North Yorkshire

  1,255

  775

  1,110

  1,305

  850

  1,240

  915

  1,375

  1,030

  1,595

  1,100

  1,760

  1,230

  1,945

  Northamptonshire

  1,130

  740

  1,110

  1,280

  815

  1,250

  885

  1,375

  1,005

  1,545

  1,095

  1,685

  1,170

  1,730

  Northumberland

  1,995

  755

  1,075

  2,420

  840

  1,230

  945

  1,390

  1,090

  1,630

  1,175

  1,645

  1,300

  1,785

  Nottinghamshire

  1,400

  840

  1,220

  1,505

  935

  1,365

  1,020

  1,540

  1,115

  1,745

  1,255

  1,960

  1,355

  2,170

  Oxfordshire

  1,060

  815

  1,190

  1,290

  905

  1,350

  1,035

  1,560

  1,125

  1,660

  1,205

  1,810

  1,470

  2,055

  Shropshire

  1,265

  765

  1,125

  1,410

  850

  1,285

  945

  1,470

  1,075

  1,690

  1,160

  1,855

  1,310

  2,055

  Somerset

  n/a

  700

  1,040

  n/a

  780

  1,195

  900

  1,355

  1,025

  1,570

  1,145

  1,745

  1,220

  1,815

  Staffordshire

  1,060

  815

  1,125

  1,165

  880

  1,255

  980

  1,420

  1,050

  1,610

  1,155

  1,790

  1,260

  1,875

  Suffolk

  980

  770

  1,030

  1,165

  830

  1,165

  910

  1,305

  1,020

  1,485

  1,120

  1,820

  1,175

  1,875

  Surrey

  1,365

  730

  1,110

  1,420

  820

  1,260

  905

  1,415

  1,050

  1,635

  1,140

  1,675

  1,260

  2,045

  Warwickshire

  1,145

  765

  1,085

  1,240

  845

  1,220

  940

  1,400

  1,025

  1,635

  1,140

  1,675

  1,220

  1,875

  West Sussex

  1,015

  705

  1,060

  990

  785

  1,220

  890

  1,360

  1,005

  1,530

  1,145

  1,745

  1,250

  1,830

  Wiltshire

  n/a

  745

  1,055

  n/a

  850

  1,230

  940

  1,350

  1,045

  1,555

  1,125

  1,700

  1,270

  1,820

  Notes:

  1. Net institutional expenditure covers the direct costs in schools of salaries and wages, premises and certain supplies and services. It does not include the costs of school meals, home to school transport, LEA central administration, and financing costs of capital expenditure. For 1990–91, figures include unspent balances held by schools at the year end under local management of schools schemes.

  2. Table 1 omits data for 1988–89 because comparable figures are not available.

  3. Figures in both tables up to 1989–90 are from the Cipfa publication "Education Statistics Actuals incorporating The Handbook of Unit Cost" for each relevant year. For 1990–91, figures are derived directly from local education authorities' returns of their spending to the Department of the Environment and of their pupil numbers to the Department for Education.

  4. Spending on nursery and primary schools was not collected separately for years after 1986–87.

  296

TRANSPORT

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those road schemes currently proposed by his Department which will have effects on(a) sites of special interest, (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty and (c) national parks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We place great emphasis on environmental considerations when assessing road proposals. Wherever possible roads are kept away from protected areas such as sites of special scientific interest, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and national parks. We consult statutory environmental organisations from the earliest stages of route development to ensure that impacts on protected areas, where unavoidable, are limited, and appropriate mitigation measures put in place, including the creation of new habitats.

  The following lists are confined to schemes for which preferred routes have been announced, but have not reached construction stage.

  Proposals for road schemes which would affect sites of special scientific interest are:

  M1-A1 link (Lofthouse—Bramham)

  M6 junctions 30—32

  M25 junctions 12—15 (link roads)

  M66 Denton—Middleton

  A1 (M) Redhouse—Ferryhridge

  A1 (M)Ferrybridge—Hook Moor

  A2/A282 Dartford improvements

  A3 Hindhead improvements (preferred route under review)

  A5 Dunstable bypass

  A6 Clapham bypass

  A10 Wadesmill and Colliers End bypass

  A 10/A47 A134 to Hardwick roundabout

  A13 Thames avenue—Wennington

  A17 Leadenham—Sleaford improvements

  A30 Shallowater hill improvement

  A30/A39 Indian Queens/Fraddon bypass

  A34 Newbury bypass

  A35 Chideock—Morcombelake bypass

  A43 Geddington bypass

  A45 Stonebridge grade separated junction

  A49/A465 Hereford bypass

  A64 York bypass—Malton bypass

  A65 Hellifield—Long Preston bypass

  Al20 Stansted—Braintree

  A259 Bexhill and Hastings western bypass

  A259 Dymchurch—M20 (junction 11)

  A259 Pevensey—Bexhill improvement

  A259 Rye bypass

  A303 Wylye—Stockton Wood

  A406 East London river crossing

  A585 Norcross—M55 link

  A650 Airedale Route (Crossflatts—Cottingley Bar)

  Birmingham northern relief road

  Kidderminster, Blakedown and Hagley bypass

  Proposals for road schemes which would affect areas of outstanding natural beauty are:

  M20 junctions 3–5

  M25 junctions 12–15 (link roads)

  M25 widening junctions 16–23

  A3 Hindhead improvement (preferred route under review)

  A4/A46 Batheaston/Swainswick bypass

  A5 Dunstable bypass

  A16 Fotherby bypass

  A16 Partney bypass

  A21 Lamberhurst bypass

  A21 Tonbridge-Pembury

  A21 Kippings Cross-Lamberhurst

  A23 Handcross-Warninglid improvement

  A27 Patching junction

  298

  A27 Worthing-Lancing improvement

  A30 Marsh-Honiton

  A30 Shallowater hill improvement

  A34 Newbury bypass

  A34 (A34/M4 junction 13) improvement

  A35 Chideock-Morecombelake bypass

  A36 Codford-Heytesbury

  A39 Allins-South Penlean

  A40 Witney bypass-Sturt Farm improvement

  A41 Aston Clinton bypass

  A46 Upper Swainswick-Pennsylvania

  A64 York bypass-Malton bypass

  A65 Ilkley bypass

  A66 Stainmore-Banksgate

  A259 Winchelsea bypass

  A259 Dymchurch-M20 (junction 11)

  A259 Hastings eastern bypass

  A303 Ilminster-Marsh

  A303 Wylye-Stockton Wood

  A417 Brockworth bypass

  A417 Cirencester-Stratton bypass

  A417 North of Stratton-Nettleton

  Proposals for road schemes which would affect national parks are:

  A65 Gargrave bypass

  A65 Hellifield-Long Preston bypass

  A616/A628 Salters Brook-Stockbridge

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the increase of carbon dioxide emissions from transport from 1985 to 2000; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  In 1985 the transport sector emitted 26 million tonnes of carbon (calculated by source). It is estimated that in 2000 transport emissions will be between 38 and 40 million tonnes of carbon (Source: Warren Spring laboratory).

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of(a) energy consumption and (b) carbon dioxide emissions transport was responsible for in the most recent period for which an estimate has been made; what percentage of this was attributed to roads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  In 1991 the transport sector accounted for 22 per cent. of total inland energy consumption of primary fuels and equivalents (Source: Department of Trade and Industry). Road transport accounted for 80 per cent. of the sector's energy consumption. In 1990 24 per cent. of carbon dioxide emissions, by end user, were allocated to the transport sector, of which 90 per cent. came from road transport (Source: Warren Spring laboratory).

  Railways (Crimes)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the statistics for crimes of all kinds committed against passengers on all British Rail lines over the past five years.

  Mr. Roger Freeman
  Figures for crimes committed against passengers are not readily available prior to 1991. However, figures for 1991 and 1992 are in the following table:

  1991

  1992

  Robberies

  591

  760

  Rape and indecent assaults

  195

  217

  Assaults

  615

  664

  299

  1991

  1992

  Others (non-violent)

  28,996

  29,432

  Total

  30,397

  31,073

  Road Safety
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to issue guidelines to local authorities concerning the use of red light and speed cameras for deterrent and road safety purposes.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Advice was issued to local authorities in England and Wales in March 1992 (Department of Transport Circular Roads 1/92, Welsh Office Circular 22/92) and to local authorities in Scotland in June 1992 (SOID Circular 7/92).

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what comparative statistics he has on the use of rail to transport freight in each country in the EC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Table 8.10 of Transport Statistics Great Britain 1992 shows freight moved by national vehicles on national territory in 1980 and 1990. Copies are available in the Library.

  An important reason for national differences is economic geography. The long coastlines of the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain favour coastal shipping, while the topography of the Netherlands favours inland waterways. France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany cover a land mass favourable to rail for bulk transport, and with long hauls giving some advantage to rail over road.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  War Crimes Act 1991
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the operation so far of the War Crimes Act 1991.

  The Solicitor-General
  Investigations continue in the manner set out in the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member on 16 November 1992,Official Report, column 14. The number of cases under investigation in England and 'Wales is 90. The prosecuting authorities will consider each case at the conclusion of the relevant police investigation. I cannot predict whether and when any prosecutions will be initiated.

  EC (Acquired Rights Directive)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions the Government have appeared before the European Court of Justice in cases concerning the European Community acquired rights directive (77/187); and what was the total cost to the Government of such representations.

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 16 February 1993]: The United Kingdom has intervened on five
  300
  occasions before the European Court of Justice in cases concerning the acquired rights directive, 77/187, the first of which was in 1983. The cost of time spent by officials in preparing and in some cases presenting the cases cannot be calculated retrospectively. Some information is however still available about disbursements and I will write to the hon. Member with details about this once the records have been checked.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Irish Language
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to embrace cultural diversity within the Province and to support the Irish language in the context of European Community policy on lesser-spoken languages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is the Government's policy to promote cultural diversity—for example, through the cultural traditions group funded under the cultural traditional programme—and I hope that it will soon be possible to hold further talks to take forward the preliminary consideration given to this matter last year. As for support for the Irish language, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) on 16 November 1992,Official Report, column 9,and on 17 November 1992 Official Report, columns 149–52, where information was provided on Government support for the Irish language. The Government are still considering whether to sign the Council of Europe convention on regional and minority languages.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Irleland what is his estimate of the number of people in Northern Ireland who use Irish as a medium of communication in their daily life.

  Mr. Hanley
  Up-to-date information on the number of people in Northern Ireland using Irish as a medium of communication in their daily lives is not available. The 1991 census of population, which contains the most recent information on knowledge of the language, indicates that 131,974 persons aged three or over had some ability. The 1987 continuous household survey indicated that, of those with some knowledge of the language, I per cent. of those aged 16 to 69 and five per cent. of those aged three to 15 years used it in the home on a daily basis.

  North-South Co-operation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to seek the removal of all barriers occasioned by the border to the closest possible relationships in Ireland between north and south, through people-to-people contacts and cooperation across a range of policy areas, as part of a wider framework of European Community inter-regional co-operation involving the EC and the new Committee of the Regions; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  It is already my policy to promote cross-border co-operation at individual level, through bi-lateral contact, and in the wider European Community framework.
  301
  I have welcomed in particular the removal of barriers to trade with the creation of the single market and will continue to look for opportunities for the promotion of educational exchanges, cultural contacts, community development projects, tourism, export promotion and measures to improve the infrastructure of Northern Ireland's economy. These were issues addressed during last year's talks which focused on relationships among the people of the island of Ireland, as well as those within Northern Ireland and between the two Governments. I hope that it will soon be possible to hold further talks to continue to address these issues as part of a comprehensive agenda.

  Educational Administration
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that any change in structure of educational administration in Northern Ireland, as advanced in the consultative document, will not result in any real cut in the appropriation of funds to the Department of Education, after the implementation of a revised administrative structure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  While the stated objectives of the consultative document include achieving greater effectiveness, efficiency and economy so as to improve education services in Northern Ireland, the extent of any net savings cannot be evaluated until the Government have analysed the cost of setting up and operating any new structures. At that stage, the overall expenditure needs of the Department of Education, like those of other Northern Ireland Departments, will have to be decided in the public expenditure survey, in the usual way.

  Assembly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish an inquiry into the case for a Northern Ireland assembly elected by proportional representation, with a high degree of autonomy within the United Kingdom, with the ability to represent Northern Ireland directly to the institutions of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I continue to urge the need for further political dialogue on such issues. The talks which took place last year identified common themes and principles which should underlie any new political institutions in Northern Ireland and examined possible structures which might reflect these. Preliminary consideration was also given to the possible future relationship between any new political institutions in Northern Ireland and the institutions of the European Community. I hope it will be possible to agree a basis for fresh talks which could make further progress towards agreement on these and other relevant issues.

  Police Interview Notes
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many instances in each of the past three years criminal convictions have been referred back to the Court of Appeal following re-examination of the original police interview notes.

  Mr. Mates
  One case, involving four men, in 1991.

  Vehicle Registration
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on vehicle registration for Derry city outlining the reasons for avoiding alphabetical sequence by progressing from EUI to GUI registration.

  Mr. Atkins
  In common with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Great Britain, the Department of Environment (NI) vets vehicle registration marks to avoid the issue of any combination of letters, or letters and numbers, which might cause, or be thought to cause, offence. FUI was regarded as such a combination.

PRIME MINISTER

  Civil List
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange for those payments to members of the royal family made through the civil list to be subject to audit and scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  The Prime Minister
  The payments of the annuities to members of the royal family from the Consolidated Fund are already subject to National Audit Office audit. Her Majesty the Queen has agreed to refund those costs, except for the annuities for the Queen Mother and the Duke of Edinburgh.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the highest rank in the civil service or Government to which market testing will be applied.

  Prime Minister
  Market testing could apply in principle to any suitable activity and would, therefore, affect staff at any grade in market tested areas.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he received on nuclear testing during his recent visit to Washington.

  The Prime Minister
  During my visit I received one letter about nuclear testing from a United States congressman.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 25 February,Official Report, column 671, if he will list the titles of the papers his office has made available to the Scott inquiry.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It would not be appropriate to do so.

WALES

  Tourism
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the latest figure for people employed in the tourist industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement;
  303
  (2) how many people were employed in the tourist industry in Wales in 1990–91 and 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In September 1989 there were 71,100 people directly employed in tourism in Wales. More recent data are not available. The definition of these industries is consistent with that of table 8.1 in the Employment Gazette a monthly periodical produced by the Employment Department, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many summonses have been served concerning moneys outstanding on the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The total number of summonses issued by Welsh courts in respect of arrears in payment of community charge for the period 1 April 1990 to 31 December 1992 was 1,179,064. Some people may have been summonsed in more than one financial year.

  Prompt action by local authorities in the use of enforcement procedures has had the desired effect. Welsh local authorities anticipate that they will collect more than they budgeted to collect when the 1992–93 charges were set. This surplus will be passed on in council tax bills for 1993–94, giving an average reduction for a band C property of £15.

  Business Rate
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many business rate appeals are currently outstanding; how many non-domestic rating appeals were originally received following the revaluation on 1 April 1990; and how many of those original appeals have since been resolved.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Following the revaluation of non-domestic property on 1 April 1990, 26,710 appeals were received. Around 18,000 of these have been resolved. The total number of appeals outstanding at 31 January 1993 was 18,290.

  Bankruptcies
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of bankruptcies in each year since 1987(a) in Wales and (b) in England.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Official estimates of bankruptcy orders are compiled for Wales and England together and are not separately available for Wales.

  Estimates of bankruptcy orders for England and Wales for each of the years in question are as follows:

  Bankruptcy Orders

  1987

  6,994

  1988

  7,717

  1989

  8,138

  1990

  12,058

  1991

  22,632

  1992

  32,106

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on compulsory competitive tendering.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government remain committed to the wider application of compulsory competitive tendering to local government. This will secure greater efficiency and a higher standard of service to local tax payers.

  DSS (Transfer of Funds)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a figure for the cumulative transfer of funds from the Department of Social Services to his Department.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The amount transferred from the Department of Social Security to local authorities and the NHS in Wales is as follows:

  Cumulative Amount

  £ million

  1993–94

  27.8

  1994–95

  72.9

  1995–96

  108.6

  School Populations
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average size of each school population for which each education authority in Wales is responsible.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information on the average size of schools maintained by each local education authority at January 1992 is given in the table.

  Primary1

  Secondary2

  Clwyd

  164

  811

  Dyfed

  103

  775

  Gwent

  205

  891

  Gwynedd

  100

  667

  Mid Glamorgan

  184

  876

  Powys

  96

  600

  South Glamorgan

  244

  983

  West Glamorgan

  227

  847

  Wales

  164

  827

  1 Includes full and part-time pupils.

  2 Excludes grant-maintained schools.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many professional assessors there are in the county of Powys who are capable of assessing the needs of children and young people who are prima facie in need of special education provision through the medium of the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Welsh Development Agency regarding new regional headquarters offices for the north East Wales and Swansea and West Glamorgan district operations of the agency.
  305
  Mr. David Hunt
  I regularly meet the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Orthopaedic Surgery
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the south Glamorgan health authority regarding the completion of the contract with his Department to provide 200 additional knee and hip replacement operations for those on consultants' waiting books for more than 18 months; what approaches have been made to him in relation to staffing difficulties in orthopaedic operating theatres in the Cardiff Royal Group of Hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Responsibility for meeting the patients charter guarantees for knee and hip replacement operations rests with health authorities, who need to negotiate appropriate contracts with a range of providers.

  No approaches have been made to the Department about staffing levels in orthopaedic theatres in any of the hospitals in the Cardiff Royal Group.

  Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his statement to the House on 1 March,Official Report, columns 22–23, in relation to Cardiff's status as capital city of Wales, when he proposes to meet the leaders of Cardiff city council and South Glamorgan county council, and the chairman of Cardiff Bay development corporation; by what date he intends to complete the definition of the study into Cardiff's future; what financial contribution he intends to make towards the cost of such consultancy studies as arise from the definition of a study; what public consultation exercise he will propose; and when he proposes to make a further statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I expect the meeting to take place shortly. No decisions will be taken until I have discussed the proposal fully with those concerned.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the West Glamorgan and the North East Wales training and enterprise councils requesting approval for an expenditure from accumulated surpluses on TEC headquarters buildings; if he will issue guidelines on capital expenditure financed from accumulated surpluses on accommodation; if he will make it his policy to cap expenditure on office accommodation by TECs in excess of own requirements; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  TECs are required to seek my approval for all expenditure including the use of operating surpluses. To date only one major capital expenditure project, the North East Wales TEC business development centre, has been approved. TEC proposals are considered on their merit in support of local economic development but the normal criteria governing expenditure on capital projects are applied.

EMPLOYMENT

  President of Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of the removal of the accommodation of the president of industrial tribunals to 29 Woburn place; and how much of that cost was incurred for the refurbishing of those premises.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is planned to move the president of industrial tribunals and support staff from existing accommodation in Gatcliffe house, Ebury Bridge road, to refurbished accommodation at 29 Woburn place. The estimated cost of this relocation is £427,000 of which £383,000 is for refurbishing the premises.

  Women's Issues
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd), of 8 February,Official Report, column 504, on how many occasions decisions of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Women's Issues have been made known to Parliament and the public.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Announcements on the Government's decisions, arrived at through Cabinet Committee meetings, will be made as appropriate.

  Publicity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 2 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson),Official Report, column 469, what is her Department's (a) current outturn estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (b) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Department's current outturn estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 is £11.5 million. Budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94 is £12 million. These figures include publicity expenditure for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and the Health and Safety Executive.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 319, if she will give a regional breakdown of the figure of 275,000 unemployed whose last job was in self-employment.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Estimates from the summer (June to August) 1992 indicate that in each region of Great Britain the numbers unemployed on the International Labour Organisation definition (not seasonally adjusted), who reported their employment status in their last job as self-employed were as follows.

  Region

  Number

  Great Britain

  275,000

  Northern

  1—

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  17,000

  East Midlands

  19,000

  East Anglia

  12,000

  South East

  117,000

  307

  Region

  Number

  Greater London

  51,000

  Rest of South East

  66,000

  South West

  32,000

  West Midlands

  20,000

  North West

  26,000

  Wales

  11,000

  Scotland

  14,000

  1— Estimate below 10,000.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people who had been unemployed in the United Kingdom for 12 months and more were(a) 18 to 25 years, (b) 26 to 40, (c) 41 to 50 and (d) 50 to 65 plus years in May 1979 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Claimant unemployment figures by age and duration are only available from October 1983, and only on a quarterly basis, for specific age and duration bands. The table gives the extent of the available data.

  United Kingdom claimant unemployed for over 12 months (not seasonally adjusted)

  Age

  October 1983

  January 1993

  18–24

  320,202

  209,554

  25–39

  358,197

  431,239

  40–49

  177,077

  191,449

  50+

  268,636

  197,844

  Total 18+

  1,124,112

  1,030,086

  Employment Training
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 126, if she will give for each year of operation the numbers getting jobs immediately after leaving an employment training scheme and in jobs six months after leaving a scheme.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information available is in the following table.

  Employment training: Job outcomes for Great Britain

  per cent.

  Year

  Proportion of leavers in a job1

  Immediately after leaving their training

  Six months after leaving their training

  July 1989 to March 1990

  26

  n/a

  April 1990 to March 1991

  25

  n/a

  April 1991 to March 1992

  20

  231

  Source: Employment training leavers and follow-up databases.

  Notes:

  New net current expenditure on concessionary fares schemes: Cambridgeshire: 1983–84 to 1992–93

  £ thousands

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  Cambridgeshire County Council

  337

  346

  339

  377

  370

  427

  885

  362

  285

  371

  Cambridge District Council

  57

  68

  85

  92

  100

  113

  97

  77

  209

  203

  East Cambridgeshire District Council

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  1

  7

  21

  21

  Fenland District Council

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  9

  10

  308

  1 Jobs includes full-time, part-time and self-employment.

  2 Former trainees have been surveyed six months after leaving employment training only since January 1991.

  Community Work, Swindon
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to encourage work in the community in Swindon.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has been reviewing with colleagues the range of measures we already have in place to help unemployed people to find and keep jobs, to ensure that they are as effective as possible.

  We have been examining further ways in which to enable unemployed people to use their time actively and constructively so that they remain in touch with the world of work.

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are being taken by her Department to ensure the payment of redundancy payments at Matrix Churchill in the Coventry area; and how many jobs are involved.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The redundancy payments service has paid statutory redundancy payments from the national insurance fund to 209 former employees of Matrix Churchill Ltd. A further five claims were rejected as ineligible. The last payment was made on 15 February; there are no outstanding claims.

  Concessionary Bus Fares
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average value per user of concessionary bus fares schemes for the elderly provided by each district council in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on concessionary fare schemes for the elderly is not available.

  Expenditure each year on concessionary fares schemes in total by Cambridgeshire county council and each district council in Cambridgeshire is shown in the table. The figures, supplied by local authorities, include expenditure on concessions for the elderly, disabled, blind and young people. The Department does not have information on the number of users of the concessionary fares schemes.
  309

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  Huntingdonshire District Council

  15

  20

  18

  19

  19

  18

  18

  19

  40

  44

  Peterborough District Council

  65

  69

  82

  71

  110

  81

  74

  135

  137

  134

  South Cambridgeshire District Council

  4

  5

  6

  7

  6

  5

  5

  49

  52

  59

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Children's Theatre
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the Arts Council project grants which have been granted to children's theatre.

  Mr. Brooke
  During the current year, there were nine project grants awarded to children's theatre companies, as follows:

  £

  Lambeth Children's Theatre

  28,000

  Neti Neti

  28,000

  Open Hand

  22,220

  Dodgy Clutch

  18,070

  Action Transport

  16,650

  The Glee Club

  15,600

  MYPT

  15,000

  Token Gestures

  11,700

  Working Parts

  6,000

  There were additionally seven project grants to young people's theatre and theatre in education groups. The Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils and the regional arts boards also made project grants to a large number of children's and young people's theatre groups.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will discuss with the regional arts boards the establishment of specific awards to children's theatre within their areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Arts Council and the former regional arts associations issued a joint policy statement on theatre for children and young people, following the 1985 Warwick conference. That policy still applies and continues to be widely endorsed.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetic Diversity
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is taking to ensure preservation of genetic diversity in vegetable, fruit and grain varieties.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department funds a number of plant genetic resource collections, including the vegetable gene bank at Wellesbourne, Warwickshire and the national fruit collection at Brogdale, Kent. The Government, through the Overseas Development Administration, is a major funder of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources and other centres that hold collections of genetic resources. The Government participate in international efforts to establish networks of ex-situ plant genetic resource collections.
  310

  Poultry Inspection
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place or are taking place on the establishment of an egency for the purposes of poultry meat inspection.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government announced last year that a national meat hygiene service is to be established. It will be responsible for enforcing hygiene and welfare rules in licensed fresh red and white meat plants in Great Britain. It will have an important deregulatory impact by providing a consistent and cost-effective service which will be of benefit to industry and consumers alike. Detailed planning is under way, in close consultation and discussion with all the interested organisations concerned.

  Agricultural Training Board (Secretary)
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what post inspection was undertaken by his Department in the case of an Agricultural Training Board secretary who failed the civil service typewriting grade test in 1987, and had the grade of post altered to assistant administrative officer.

  Mr. Curry
  We are unable to supply the information required without further details to enable identification of the post in question. The grade of assistant administrative officer is not one used within the agricultural training board.

  Myxomatosis
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 209, if he will make a further statement on the availability of myxomatosis vaccine.

  Mr. Soames
  On 18 February the Veterinary Products Committee considered the data supplied by Intervet (UK) Ltd. in support of their application for a licence for a myxomatosis vaccine. It advised that a licence could be issued provided the company met certain conditions. The company is addressing these. I hope a licence will be issued later this month, although, on this basis, it is likely to be May before the company is able to make supplies widely available.

  Oxamyl
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will detail the measures taken by his Department to ensure the absence of Oxamyl from imported food; and how many prosecutions for the presence of Oxamyl there have been during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Soames
  Oxamyl is approved for use on food crops in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Monitoring of both
  311
  domestically produced and imported food is carried out by the Government's working party on pesticide residues. Maximum residue levels for oxamyl in various crops have been set by the United Nations Codex Alimentarius Commission. There have been no prosecutions for the presence of Oxamyl during the past 12 months.

  Moroccan Tomatoes
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the importation of Moroccan tomatoes.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend has received one letter about the effect of tomato imports from Morocco on growers' returns.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now completed his review of the five environmentally sensitive areas which were first designated in 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am today laying before both Houses of Parliament statutory instruments providing for the upgrading of the five environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) that were first designated in 1988. These are:

  Breckland;

  Clun (formerly Shropshire Borders);

  North Peak;

  Suffolk River Valleys;

  Test Valley

  In the Breckland ESA I am introducing new payments aimed at extending the area of lowland heath. New payments will also be available in the Clun ESA to enhance grassland diversity and encourage hedgerow and woodland management. The provisions extend the boundaries of the North Peak ESA and provide additional encouragement to regenerate heather moorland. In the Suffolk River Valleys ESA the boundary extensions bring in additional valleys and provide for further enhancement of the valley grasslands. I have also decided that new management agreements should be offered to farmers and landowners in the Test Valley ESA and that the boundaries of this area should be extended. I hope that the changes that I am introducing in this ESA will attract wider support than has the current scheme.

  I am also laying before both Houses a short amending order which will bring the Pennine Dales ESA scheme into line with other ESAs by extending the scope of woodland payments.

  Information packs giving details of the new schemes are being placed in the Libraries and are being sent to farmers in each area from whom applications are now invited. The revisions that I am introducing build on the achievements of the existing schemes. They will strengthen their beneficial environmental effects which are described in the published monitoring reports which will also be available in the Libraries later this month.

  Sheep Dip
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sheep were tested for organophosphate residues and with what results after the last compulsory dip.

  Mr. Soames
  The last compulsory sheep dip occurred between 22 September and 2 November 1991. In 1991, 82 312
  samples of renal fat were taken from sheep under the national surveillance scheme and tested for residues of organophosphorus compounds. No residues above the maximum residue limits were detected. Sixty samples have been taken in 1992. Of the 48 analysed to date, no residues have been detected above the maximum residue limit.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the amounts, expressed as appropriate, of the main generic compounds of(a) organophosphates, (b) organochlorines and (c) pyrethroides used or sold as sheep dip in Britain in each year since 1973.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member when it has been obtained.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has regarding the possibility of organophosphorus compounds or their metabolites getting into and remaining in the flesh and/or offals of sheep dipped in MAFF-approved dips.

  Mr. Soames
  The licensing assessment carried out under the Medicines Act 1968 requires applicants to submit data demonstrating the persistence of residues of veterinary medicines in food-producing animals including sheep. Where necessary, withdrawal periods, i.e. the minimum time between completion of treatment and slaughter, are subsequently specified in product literature. The Animals, Meat, Meat products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1991 make it an offence to fail to observe these withdrawal periods.

  In addition, Ministry veterinary staff undertake random sampling each year under the national surveillance scheme for monitoring residues of veterinary medicines in meat. No organophosphorus residues above the maximum residue limit have been detected in sheep meat under this surveillance programme in recent years.

  Meat Inspections
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made as to the equivalence of the qualifications of veterinary officers in each member state of the EC in respect of the hygiene and inspection requirements for fresh meat.

  Mr. Soames
  Since 1978 the Community has had harmonised rules on training requirements and the mutual recognition of veterinary surgeons. They require any member state to allow veterinary surgeons, upon presentation of the correct certification, to practise on their territory.

  Other member states have traditionally made more use of veterinary personnel in meat hygiene work. In many instances their salaries are comparatively lower than in the United Kingdom and they are used not only to supervise abattoirs and perform ante-mortem inspections on all animals, but also for post-mortem inspection which will normally continue to be done by meat inspectors in this country.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make an estimate of the number and percentage of(a) unmarried and (b) married women who have retired at 60 years of age and have during the past 12 months become entitled to receive a full state retirement pension based on their own contributions.

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

  At 31 March 1992, 162,570 women resident in Great Britain aged 60 at their last birthday were receiving basic state pension—either on their own or their husband's contributions. Of these 46,120 (28·4 per cent.) were receiving the full rate basic pension based on their own contributions.

  A breakdown by marital status is not available.

  Earnings Link
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer on 1 March,Official Report, column 47, on the cost of reintroducing earnings upratings for retirement pensions and linked benefits, if, on the basis of the same assumptions as used in the answer, he will estimate the effect on national insurance contribution rates in the years from 1996–97 to 2005–06.

  Miss Widdecombe
  An estimate of the increase in the main class 1 joint employee-employer contributions for national insurance which could be required is in the table. The estimate excludes contributions payable to the national health service.

  Percentage increase

  1996–97

  0·2

  1997–98

  0·4

  1998–99

  0·6

  1999–00

  0·8

  2000–01

  1·0

  2001–02

  1·2

  2002–03

  1·3

  2003–04

  1·5

  2004–05

  1·6

  2005–06

  1·8

  Note: Derived from estimates underlying tables 13, 14 and 15 of the "National Insurance Fund Long Term Financial Estimates—Report of the Government Actuary on the Second Quinquennial review under Section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975", published in July 1990 (HoC 582).

  Benefits
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the effect on Treasury revenues in 1993–94 and in a full year of raising child benefit to £9·55 a week for all children assuming(a) corresponding increases in income-related benefits for families and (b) no corresponding increases in income-related benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Based on the latest estimates of the numbers of children for whom these benefits will be paid in 1993–94, there would be additional costs of about £260 million after corresponding increases in other benefits, and about £150 million without such increases.

  Mrs. Helen Dacey
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received in relation to the withholding by the solicitors acting for the estate of the late Mrs. Helen Dacey of the money paid by the Benefits Agency in respect of attendance alllowance DSS reference 379091501, and its delayed transfer to the beneficiary of the estate.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of attendance allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mrs. Jane Kennedy, dated 4 March 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what representations he had received in relation to the withholding by the solicitors acting for the estate of the late Mrs. Helen Dacey of the money paid by the Benefits Agency in respect of attendance allowance DDS reference 379091501, and its delayed transfer to the beneficiary of the estate.
  Following Mrs. Dacey's death, the Benefit's Agency was in contact with the solicitors who were administering her estate regarding the arrears of Attendance Allowance. Correspondence was received from various other parties about this. However a thorough search of the papers relating to Mrs. Dacey at both the Attendance Allowance Unit and the local benefit office have revealed no representation that the solicitors were withholding payment of the arrears to the beneficiary of the estate.
  I am sorry that I am unable to be of more assistance in this matter. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

HEALTH

  Spending Statistics
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount of money in real terms spent from the national health service budget per head of population for each family health service authority, district health authority and regional health authority in(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The allocation of funds to district health authorities (DHAs) is a matter for regional health authorities (RHAs) and detailed information is not collected centrally. The spending of family health services authorities (FHSAs) is primarily demand-led and funded accordingly. However, information which relates the 1991–92 total revenue expenditure of RHAs, DHAs and FHSAs to their resident populations have been placed in the Library. Similar information for 1992–93 will be available towards the end of the year.

  The figures for the FHSAs do not include the full cost of general dental services as the Dental Practice Board became responsible for making most payments direct to dental practitioners from 1 April 1991. Consequently the figures are not fully comparable with those for earlier years. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 7 December 1992 at columns 515–20.

  The RHA and DHA figures for 1991–92 are not comparable with those for earlier years as they show the authorities primarily as purchasers rather than providers

  315
  of health care. The figures for DHAs will vary significantly reflecting a transitional position as each RHA moves towards allocating funds to DHAs on a weighted capitation basis. Figures for total spending per capita include other resources (such as regional budgets and local income) in addition to allocations for resident population.

  General and acute activity growth by region 1989–90 to 1992–93 Ordinary admissions and day cases

  Changes

  Overall

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–92 @ Q3

  1989–90 to 1990–91

  1990–91 to 1991–92

  1991–92 to 1992–93

  1989–90 to 1992–93

  Actual

  Actual

  Actual

  Forecast

  Actual per cent.

  Actual per cent.

  Forecast per cent.

  Forecast per cent.

  A Northern

  487,996

  505,216

  532,953

  564,980

  3·5

  5·5

  6·0

  15·8

  B Yorkshire

  564,200

  580,596

  614,400

  659,560

  2·9

  5·8

  7·4

  16·9

  C Trent

  619,246

  641,330

  666,702

  705,949

  3·6

  7·1

  2·8

  14·0

  D East Anglia

  282,671

  285,833

  305,930

  324,239

  1·1

  7·0

  6·0

  14·7

  E North West Thames

  434,450

  427,509

  468,976

  524,638

  -1·6

  9·7

  11·9

  20·8

  F North East Thames

  540,113

  547,003

  587,704

  606,363

  1·3

  7·4

  3·2

  12·3

  G South East Thames

  493,396

  490,349

  534,695

  553,668

  ‭0·6

  9·0

  3·5

  12·2

  H South West Thames

  360,174

  356,058

  392,617

  410,082

  -1·1

  10· 3

  4·4

  13·9

  J Wessex

  391,005

  409,328

  446,205

  477,409

  4·7

  9·0

  7·0

  22·1

  K Oxford

  297,099

  288,064

  311,548

  345,501

  ‭3·0

  8·2

  10·9

  16·3

  L South Western

  461,908

  461,902

  505,148

  538,226

  0·0

  9·4

  6·5

  16·5

  M West Midlands

  709,679

  735,613

  782,583

  793,803

  3·7

  6·4

  1·4

  11·9

  N Marsey

  392,991

  397,085

  424,739

  437,169

  1·0

  7·0

  2·9

  11·2

  P North Western

  696,469

  710,967

  751,267

  758,796

  2·1

  5·7

  1·0

  8·9

  S Special Health Authorities

  102,498

  103,945

  111,534

  108,860

  1·4

  7·3

  ‭2·4

  6·2

  T England

  6,833,895

  6,940,798

  7,457,001

  7,809,243

  1·6

  7·4

  4·7

  14·3

  Forelands Hospital, Bromsgrove
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what departmental guidelines apply to the sale of Forelands hospital, Bromsgrove; what is the role of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the proceeds of the sale and the use to which they have been put.

  Mr. Sackville
  Departmental guidelines to health authorities on the sale of surplus National Health Service property are set out in "Property Transactions in the National Health Service". Property disposals arc fully delegated to health authorities, and the Department was not involved in the sale of Forelands orthopaedic hospital.

  Of the £4.2 million realised from the sale, £50,000 was returned to South Birmingham district; the remaining money was transferred to the region's operational capital programme funding to form part of the overall capital resources available to the region.

  Huntington's Chorea
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside, (Mr. Blunkett) of 17 February,Official Report, column 206, if she will make additional funding available to health authorities to make provision for the care of people suffering from Huntington's Chorea.

  Mr. Yeo
  The provision of appropriate care for people suffering from Huntington's Disease is a matter for health authorities. As announced in December, allocations to

  Patient Services
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services to patients were increased in each region in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information about general and acute activity in each regional health authority is given in the table.

  health authorities for 1993–94 have been increased by an average of 0·8 per cent. above projected inflation, after public sector pay restraint has been taken into account.

  Childhood Cancers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what preliminary reports she has received from the United Kingdom co-ordinating committee on cancer research on its five hypotheses on the cause of childhood cancers research project; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 1 March 1993 at column 28.

  Information Technology
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of current inquiries made by her Department into the purchasing of information technology and software.

  Mr. Sackville
  The purchasing of information technology and software by the national health service is a local matter for health authorities, and my Department is not informed routinely. In common with other matters, these purchases may be the subject of local audit enquiry.

  In January this year, authorities were instructed to submit all proposals for investments of £1 million or more on such projects to the NHS management executive for scrutiny against published criteria.

  The Department assists by issuing guidance on good practice in procuring computer systems. The latest revision of this guidance will be published in April 1993 under the generic title of "Procurement of Information Systems Effectively" (POISE).

  Tomlinson Report
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 23 February,Official Report, column 541, on the Tomlinson report, if she will list the 10 recommendations which have not been accepted.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government have accepted 96 of the recommendations in the Tomlinson report and have not accepted three: those which refer to the relocation of the Royal Brompton and the Royal Marsden to the Charing Cross building. The remaining seven have either been referred to the London implementation group for further advice or, although agreed with in principle, are being taken forward in a different manner to that recommended in the report.

  Hepatitis B
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to encourage regular medical checks for consultants, doctors and nursing staff in the national health service with particular reference to hepatitis B infection; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of national health service employing authorities to provide occupational health services for health care workers.

  Revised guidelines designed to strengthen arrangements for preventing transmission of hepatitis B in the hospital setting have been produced by the advisory group on hepatitis, which advises the four United Kingdom health departments. The guidelines have gone out to consultation with professional bodies and the NHS.

  Suicide
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will identify the cost-effective NHS interventions intended to contribute to the targeted reduction in suicide rates.

  Mr. Yeo
  There are a number of measures which national health service and social services staff can take to help meet the suicide targets. These include the establishment of multi-disciplinary audit meetings in relation to suicides, the implementation of observation policies in all units for those patients who need them and the regular training of teams in the assessment and management of suicidal risk and in the latest treatment techniques for those at risk.

  Information on evaluating the effectiveness of interventions is contained in "The Health of the Nation" mental illness key area handbook which has been distributed to both NHS and social services managers. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Elderly Patients, Newcastle
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average number of beds available in wards responsible to Newcastle district health authority caring for elderly patients in each year since 1982.

  Mr. Yeo
  The answer is given in the table.
  318

  Total number of average daily available beds.

  Elderly patients 1982–92 Newcastle district health authority

  Number

  1982

  355

  1983

  412

  1984

  409

  1985

  418

  1986

  457

  1987–88

  489

  1988–89

  499

  1989–90

  474

  1990–91

  457

  11991–92

  425

  1 includes trust figures

  Source: SD2A; 1982–86 SH3 return; 1987–88–1991–92 KHO3 return.

  Figures shown relate only to beds specifically designated for the elderly. Elderly patients also occupy a significant number of beds in other wards.

  Doctors (Alcohol Consumption)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish guidelines as to the amount of alcohol doctors should drink while on duty.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No.

  "Making London Better"
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money, in real terms, will be made available to regions, outside the Thames regions, in 1993–94, following the implementation of "Making London Better".

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's reply of 8 December 1992 to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Martin) at columns 635–36, announcing the 1993–94 allocations to all regional health authorities. These allocations were made after setting aside sums to improve health services in the capital.

  Ponteland Hospital
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were available in Ponteland hospital, Northumberland(a) in 1991 and (b)

  Mr. Yeo
  Ponteland is a geriatric hospital with an overall capacity of 61 beds. Since 1990 the number of beds occupied has declined to between 32 and 38 for continuing care patients. Newcastle district health authority has replaced the continuing care service provided by Ponteland hospital with the purchase of 38 nursing home beds.

  Dental Treatment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for the out-of-hours care of the patients of school dentists.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Since October 1990 all children have been able to register with a general dental practitioner who, as part of their continuing care, makes arrangements for treatment out of hours. Any child not registered with
  319
  a general practitioner can seek treatment from the Community dental service, who would then be responsible for arranging any necessary out-of-hours treatment.

  District Health Funding
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress has been made towards providing a greater allocation of resources for health care in Southend, as announced on 12 May 1992,Official Report, column 482;

  (2) if she will give a general direction to regional health authorities to ensure that no underfunded district receives less in real terms in 1993–94 than in 1992–93;

  (3) what measures she is making to ensure that underfunded health districts receive extra funds annually until the discrepancy is removed.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Regional health authorities are responsible for managing the movement of their districts towards weighted capitation funding. The following guidance was issued to all RHAs on 4 December 1992:
  "Regions will therefore be asked to report on their planned deployment of the 1993–94 allocation and in particular to demonstrate clear progress towards equalisation. The pace of such progress and whether it should he achieved by reducing resources allocated to districts above their capitation share is a matter for individual regions to judge in the light of local circumstances."
  Comprehensive national information on sub-regional allocations for 1993–94 is not yet available, but the guidance above gives clear direction on the policy to be followed.
  North East Thames regional health authority gave Southend district health authority £2·7 million real growth in 1992–93 and a further £1·6 million real growth is planned for 1993–94. This growth has occurred over a period when the district's weighted capitation entitlement has also been increasing due to population changes and to changes in the allocation of formula. These changes mean that despite the additional growth, Southend DHA will remain 8 per cent. below its new weighted capitation entitlement in 1993–94. The new DHA into which it will merge in April 1993 will receive further growth in future years with the aim of bringing it to its capitation share.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Decision-making
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances, where cases are raised with the Minister, decisions are made at ministerial level; in what circumstances cases are referred to officials at the high commission or embassy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In all entry clearance cases where a Member corresponds with the Minister, the migration and visa correspondence unit is asked to assess, on information supplied by the post, whether there is any evidence of illogicality or procedural error, or whether there are any compassionate circumstances that have not been taken into account. Should the inquiry raise such matters, the Minister will consider the case.

  Mongolia
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to have British Council representation in Mongolia.
  320
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are no plans at present for British Council representation in Mongolia.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the President of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have congratulated Mr. Clerides on his recent election success and welcome his commitment to attend continuing negotiations on the intercommunal dispute to be held by the United Nations in New York. No firm date has yet been set for a meeting with President Clerides, but we hope a mutually convenient opportunity may be found in advance of those talks.

  Hong Kong
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving relations with China over Hong Kong.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Diplomatic contacts with China have taken place in recent weeks in Peking. Our aim has been to explore whether a firm and productive basis could be found for the two sides to enter formal talks on the arrangements for the 1994–95 elections. In announcing last week that the Bill embodying those arrangements would not be published on 26 February, the Hong Kong Government promised to set out the reasons for the delay. The Governor made a statement to the Legislative Council on 5 March to this end.

  Since the Governor's policy address to the Legislative Council last October, we have made clear that we are ready to talk at any time and without pre-conditions in an effort to reach an understanding with the Chinese side on these electoral arrangements. The Legislative Council is already examining the boundaries and Election Commission Bill. The Executive Council endorsed on 2 February draft legislation embodying the remainder of the Governor's constitutional proposals. So there is no mystery about what the draft legislation contains. We passed a copy of it to the Chinese side on 6 February. At the same time we repeated formally our willingness to talk at any time without pre-conditions; and we explained to the Chinese side that the Bill was ready for gazetting.

  We received a positive response on the principle of talks from the Chinese side. To help ensure that talks got off to the best possible start, we and the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, decided to postpone our original plan for gazettal on 12 February, while making clear to the Chinese side that there could not be an indefinite delay, given the practical need to press ahead with legislation. We proposed an early starting date for the talks and told the Chinese side of the composition of our negotiating team.

  In the absence of a Chinese response, we and the Governor decided, again with the advice of the Executive Council, to delay gazettal for a second time on 19 February and for a third time on 26 February. We wished to give every possible opportunity for the Chinese side to respond.

  At the beginning of March, we did receive a reply. But despite further diplomatic contacts, in which we have continued to press for early talks, we have not yet been able to announce a starting date for them. We have made

  321
  plain that we are ready for the talks to proceed on the basis of the Joint Declaration, the principle of convergence with the Basic Law, and the relevant understandings and agreements reached between China and Britain. We consider the Governor's proposals are wholly compatible with these.

  As far as we are concerned, we are ready to talk immediately. Following further exchanges in Peking in recent days, there remain only a few points of disagreement which could and should be resolved quickly. In the meantime, we and the Governor decided to defer gazettal for a fourth time.

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The report is being published and laid before Parliament today. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

ENVIRONMENT

  Thames Helicopter Pad
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department is taking in respect of the plans submitted by Thames Heliport plc for a mobile helicopter pad on the Thames; and what representations he has received.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am aware of the proposal by Thames Heliport plc for a floating heliport on the Thames. The scheme's promoters have been encouraged to discuss their plans with the appropriate local planning authorities. It is, of course, for those authorities to consider whether an application for planning permission should be made.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received correspondence on this matter from the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Ms. Hoey), the Theatres Trust, the Shakespeare Globe Trust, the London Rivers Association, the London Boroughs Association, and from the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

  Isle of Wight
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the start date of a new authority for the Isle of Wight and the arrangements for a shadow authority for the island.

  Mr. Howard
  In line with my announcement on 21 December I have consulted the authorities on the Isle of Wight about the timing and arrangements for structural change. In the light of this consultation I intend, if Parliament approves a new local government structure for the island in due course, to establish any new authority on 1 April 1995, with a shadow authority elected in May 1994. This will ensure there is adequate time for preparation of effective arrangements for the provision of services to the people. The county council elections will go ahead on 6 May and are not affected by these proposals

  Radiation Leak, Sellafield
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he plans in the arrangements for publishing details of leaks of radiation from Sellafield, following the leak of 13 February.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Any need for change would be based on the outcome of current investigations of recent incidents, which would have to be discussed and agreed with other Government Departments.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent leak at Sellafield for the process and cost of decommissioning the thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: None. The process and cost of decommissioning is primarily a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry and Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he received from the Meteorological Office at the time of the recent leak from Sellafield about weather conditions in the area.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: No information was received from the Meteorological Office.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish(a) the total staff complement of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and (b) the number of field inspectors currently in post at HMIP; and what were the corresponding figures for (a) and (b) for the air pollution inspectorate at the point of transfer to HMIP.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: HMIP currently employs 169 inspectors out of a total complement of 377·5 staff. On its formation in April 1987 HMIP had a total complement of 199 staff, including 42 inspectors and eight sampling officers who transferred from the former industrial air pollution inspectorate.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since 1 April 1990 every instance of his using his powers under section 40(6) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to give a direction to treat expenditure as being for capital purposes, showing separately in each case the name of the authority or authorities, the estimated amount of the expenditure and his reason for giving the direction.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Directions under section 40(6) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 have been issued between 1 April 1990 and 2 March in respect of the following types of expenditure:

  Redundancy costs
  Directions have been issued in respect of substantial expenditure on lump-sum redundancy or severance payments.

  Late rating adjustments
  Directions have been issued in respect of substantial "late

  323
  rating adjustments". These are refunds by authorities of rates under the old rating system arising from retrospective changes in ratepayers' liabilities, normally as a result of appeals.

  Losses arising on bank deposits
  Directions have been issued in respect of substantial provisions for estimated losses arising from financial difficulties of certain banks (BCCI, Chancery and Edington).

  Directions relating to redundancy payments

  Authority

  Date direction was issued

  Amount £ million

  Directions issued in respect of 1990–91

  Southwark

  11 June 1990

  5·000

  Rochdale

  11 June 1990

  1·035

  Wigan

  11 June 1990

  5·000

  Northants

  11 June 1990

  0·803

  Bristol

  9 July 1990

  5·000

  Liverpool

  13 July 1990

  0·673

  Greenwich

  23 July 1990

  0·700

  Bristol

  15 August 1990

  2·000

  Hackney

  30 August 1990

  1·000

  Hillingdon

  30 August 1990

  4·000

  North Tyneside

  10 September 1990

  1·000

  North Tyneside

  13 September 1990

  4·000

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  28 September 1990

  0·750

  Bradford

  1 November 1990

  1·500

  Harrow

  13 November 1990

  2·900

  Southwark

  12 December 1990

  3·000

  Eastbourne

  7 January 1991

  0·423

  Haringey

  8 January 1991

  6·000

  Gosport

  15 January 1991

  0·300

  Brent

  17 January 1991

  0·300

  Manchester

  18 January 1991

  2·712

  Eastleigh

  23 January 1991

  0·488

  Newham

  31 January 1991

  2·368

  Eastbourne

  6 February 1991

  0·040

  Sheffield

  19 February 1991

  8·500

  Ealing

  28 February 1991

  0·750

  Barnsley

  27 March 1991

  1·500

  Bexley

  15 May 1991

  0·489

  Camden

  5 July 1991

  2·100

  Tameside

  6 September 1991

  0·434

  Merton

  6 September 1991

  0·382

  North Tyneside

  13 November 1991

  0·810

  Directions issued in respect of 1990–91 and 1991–92

  Bromley

  6 December 1990

  1·300

  Greenwich

  17 January 1991

  3·300

  Tower Hamlets

  21 February 1991

  9·000

  Wigan

  28 February 1991

  5·000

  Salford

  13 March 1991

  2·621

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  26 April 1991

  4·500

  Bexley

  15 May 1991

  0·489

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6 September 1991

  0·250

  Directions issued in respect of 1991–92

  Southwark

  12 December 1990

  5·000

  Derbyshire

  25 January 1991

  11·000

  Haringey

  15 February 1991

  7·000

  Sheffield

  19 February 1991

  2·500

  Lambeth

  5 March 1991

  11·500

  Sutton

  14 March 1991

  0·400

  Hillingdon

  15 March 1991

  6·000

  Rochdale

  3 April 1991

  0·800

  Ipswich

  31 May 1991

  0·775

  Lambeth

  26 June 1991

  2·000

  Rochdale

  4 July 1991

  0·800

  Brent

  10 July 1991

  1·000

  Hackney

  29 August 1991

  2·000

  Dartford

  29 August 1991

  0·420

  Coventry

  3 September 1991

  1·750

  Bristol

  5 September 1991

  1·200

  Merton

  6 September 1991

  0·391

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6 September 1991

  0·500

  Harrow

  25 September 1991

  2·200

  324
  Tenants' choice scheme
  A direction has been issued in respect of interest arising on instalment payments by an authority to the purchaser of housing under the Tenants' Choice scheme.

  It is intended to issue directions in respect of certain costs arising in connection with debts inherited from the former Greater London Council. No such directions had been issued at 2 March.

  Details of all the individual directions issued are set out in the tables.
  325

  Authority

  Date direction was issued

  Amount £ million

  Gosport

  16 October 1991

  0·250

  Brent

  28 October 1991

  1·000

  Lewisham

  6 November 1991

  4·000

  Sutton

  13 November 1991

  0·200

  North Tyneside

  13 November 1991

  1·000

  Reading

  18 November 1991

  0·600

  South Bedfordshire

  18 December 1991

  0·500

  Chorley

  31 December 1991

  0·230

  St. Albans

  3 January 1992

  0·310

  Stoke

  20 January 1992

  1·089

  Sefton

  5 February 1992

  0·500

  Eastbourne

  13 February 1992

  0·216

  Manchester

  14 February 1992

  1·800

  Liverpool

  19 February 1992

  4·995

  Harrow

  27 February 1992

  0·800

  Barnsley

  5 March 1992

  1·000

  Ealing

  8 April 1992

  2·000

  Harrow

  12 May 1992

  0·450

  Reading

  20 May 1992

  0·150

  Enfield

  1 June 1992

  1·200

  Camden

  23 June 1992

  4·520

  Havering

  5 August 1992

  0·470

  Directions issued in respect of 1991–92 and 1992–93

  Northumberland

  17 December 1991

  3·500

  Bristol

  31 December 1991

  3·500

  South Tyneside

  31 December 1991

  2·750

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3 January 1992

  6·165

  Thamesdown

  7 January 1992

  2·000

  Bristol

  16 January 1992

  3·900

  Dartford

  22 January 1992

  0·600

  Bury

  24 January 1992

  2·500

  Adur

  6 February 1992

  0·125

  Islington

  21 February 1992

  2·400

  Harrowgate

  18 March 1992

  0·133

  Adur

  5 June 1992

  0·085

  Directions issued in respect of 1992–93

  Salford

  20 December 1991

  3·000

  Havant

  17 January 1992

  0·500

  Southwark

  21 January 1992

  5·000

  Shropshire

  28 January 1992

  1·000

  Wigan

  5 February 1992

  3·000

  Greenwich

  11 February 1992

  2·000

  Derbyshire

  11 February 1992

  5·000

  Sutton

  27 February 1992

  1·250

  Gloucestershire

  27 February 1992

  2·200

  Lambeth

  28 February 1992

  5·000

  Brent

  5 March 1992

  1·000

  Rochdale

  5 March 1992

  1·250

  Tower Hamlets

  18 March 1992

  5·000

  Langbaurgh on Tees

  12 May 1992

  0·600

  Harlow

  1 June 1992

  3·200

  Basildon

  17 June 1992

  1·000

  Hillingdon

  6 July 1992

  4·000

  North Tyneside

  13 July 1992

  0·750

  Three Rivers

  13 July 1992

  0·106

  Brent

  17 July 1992

  1·000

  Rochdale

  17 July 1992

  0·500

  Havering

  5 August 1992

  0·500

  St. Helens

  7 August 1992

  7·000

  Welwyn Hatfield

  7 September 1992

  1·000

  South Bedfordshire

  12 October 1992

  0·500

  Haringey

  22 October 1992

  1·000

  Hackney

  10 November 1992

  2·000

  Stoke on Trent

  10 November 1992

  1·355

  Harrow

  12 November 1992

  4·000

  Brent

  16 November 1992

  1·250

  Thamesdown

  16 November 1992

  0·500

  Three Rivers

  17 November 1992

  0·018

  North Devon

  24 November 1992

  0·249

  Stevenage

  24 November 1992

  0·800

  Sheffield

  10 December 1992

  4·000

  Reading

  23 December 1992

  0·600

  Stockton on Tees

  5 January 1993

  0·300

  Birmingham

  14 January 1993

  20·000

  South Tyneside

  18 January 1993

  0·850

  326 327

  Authority

  Date direction was issued

  Amount £ million

  Winchester

  20 January 1993

  0·447

  Brent

  5 February 1993

  0·550

  Tameside

  12 February 1993

  0·500

  Hackney

  16 February 1993

  2·500

  Barnet

  18 February 1993

  0·900

  Manchester

  26 February 1993

  10·000

  Directions issued in respect of 1992–93 and 1993–94

  Greenwich

  19 October 1992

  3·000

  Middlebrough

  10 December 1992

  2·000

  Newham

  10 December 1992

  9·000

  Greenwich

  5 January 1993

  3·000

  Islington

  5 January 1993

  3·400

  North Tyneside

  18 January 1993

  0·400

  Sutton

  22 January 1993

  1·500

  Adur

  25 January 1993

  0·140

  Norwich

  26 February 1993

  1·888

  Directions issued in respect of 1993–94

  Northumberland

  10 December 1992

  3·500

  Bristol

  10 December 1992

  2·000

  Richmond upon Thames

  23 December 1992

  0·800

  Derbyshire

  5 January 1993

  6·000

  Gloucestershire

  8 January 1993

  3·000

  Salford

  11 January 1993

  3·000

  Shropshire

  4 February 1993

  1·500

  Hounslow

  5 February 1993

  1·000

  Leicestershire

  5 February 1993

  2·500

  Lambeth

  16 February 1993

  10·000

  Leicester

  23 February 1993

  0·650

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  23 February 1993

  1·000

  Directions relating to late rating adjustments

  Islington

  5 March 1992

  3·809

  Enfield

  18 March 1992

  2·265

  Direction issued in respect 4 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93

  North Tyneside

  5 March 1992

  2·750

  Directions issued in respect of 1991–92

  Barnsley

  5 March 1992

  0·235

  Bury

  5 March 1992

  0·280

  Wakefield

  5 March 1992

  0·450

  Newham

  11 March 1992

  3·225

  Camden

  11 March 1992

  1·391

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  11 March 1992

  1·955

  Gateshead

  11 March 1992

  0·941

  Enfield

  11 March 1992

  0·787

  Northumbria PA

  11 March 1992

  0·413

  Sunderland

  11 March 1992

  9·399

  Middlesbrough

  11 March 1992

  0·152

  Tyne and Wear FCDA

  11 March 1992

  0·079

  Vale Royal

  11 March 1992

  0·060

  Ryedale

  11 March 1992

  0·35

  Chorley

  11 March 1992

  0·016

  Darlington

  11 March 1992

  0·008

  Newham

  18 March 1992

  2·410

  Sunderland

  12 May 1992

  2·401

  Tyne and Wear FCDA

  12 May 1992

  0·321

  Directions issued in respect of 1991–92 and 1992–93

  Haringey

  5 March 1992

  4·300

  Salford

  5 March 1992

  1·800

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  18 March 1992

  6·045

  Directions issued in respect of 1992–93

  Lambeth

  28 February 1992

  2·945

  Greenwich

  3 March 1992

  2·420

  Southwark

  3 March 1992

  2·629

  Wandsworth

  3 March 1992

  2·916

  Lewisham

  3 March 1992

  2·594

  Islington

  6 March 1992

  1·940

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  17 March 1992

  1·854

  Hackney

  2 April 1992

  1·200

  Bedfordshire

  27 April 1992

  4·000

  Camden

  27 August 1992

  2·100

  328 329

  Authority

  Date direction was issued

  Amount £ million

  Directions relating to bank losses

  Direction issued in respect of 1990–91

  Rugby

  2 April 1992

  0·100

  Directions issued in respect of 1991–92

  Rother

  19 February 1992

  0·510

  Stockport

  6 March 1992

  0·690

  Southwark

  6 March 1992

  2·100

  Mansfield

  6 March 1992

  1·665

  Bury

  6 March 1992

  3·900

  Bristol

  6 March 1992

  0·400

  Greater Manchester FCDA

  18 March 1992

  1·370

  Wigan

  18 March 1992

  1·590

  Alnwick

  19 March 1992

  0·630

  Welwyn Hatfield

  31 March 1992

  0·574

  Hertsmere

  28 May 1992

  0·671

  Direction issued in respect of 1992–93

  South Bedfordshire

  20 February 1992

  1·080

  Direction relating to the tenants choice scheme

  Direction issued in respect of 1992–93

  Westminster

  8 April 1992

  1·923

  Climate Change
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the working group II session of the intergovernmental panel on climate change held in Geneva on 8 to 12 February.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Good progress was made towards agreeing a work plan for the reconstituted working group II, which will feed into the IPCC's second assessment report to be published in late 1995.

  Supplementary Credit Approval
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much supplementary credit approval has been granted to each local authority for each year since 1 April 1990, showing separately the name of the authority, the amount and the purpose for which it was given.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Supplementary credit approvals are issued by a number of Government Departments and comprehensive information at this level of detail is not held centrally. In their regular returns to my Department local authorities report the total amount of supplementary credit approvals they have received, or expect to receive, and I have arranged for a summary of the most recent information from each authority to be placed in the Library of the House.

  I have arranged for more detailed information regarding supplementary credit approvals issued by my Department to be collated and this will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

  Recycling Exhibition
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department will be represented at the international exhibition of recycling in Paris on 17 to 19 March.
  330
  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: My Department is not being represented at the international exhibition in Paris.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Prime Minister's Questions
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the names of hon. Members who have in this Parliament had a question for oral answer to the Prime Minister listed on the Order Paper among the top six more than four times.

  Mr. Newton
  I am informed by the Table Office that, in this Parliament, up to and including questions tabled on Tuesday 2 March for answer on Tuesday 16 March, two hon. Members have had five questions to the Prime Minister for oral answer draw among the top six as a result of the random computer shuffle: they are my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) and the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Tony Banks). No hon. Member has had more than five such questions.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Cohesion Fund
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 October 1992,Official Report, columns 460–61, on the cohesion fund, if he will provide the calculations on relative wealth and fund eligibility on the basis of (a) real exchange rates and (b) normal rates.

  Sir John Cope
  The normal rate for calculations of relative wealth in respect of the structural funds is purchasing power parities; and the Edinburgh European Council confirmed that this would be the basis used for calculations of relative wealth and eligibility for the cohesion fund.

  The Edinburgh European Council also agreed that the four member states with a per capita GNP of less than 90 per cent. of the EC average in purchasing power parities

  331
  would be eligible for the cohesion fund. These member states are Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. The United Kingdom's per capita GNP on a purchasing power parities basis is around the EC average.

  Tax Offices, Southampton
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason market-testing of clerical work in the Southampton tax offices was abandoned.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Last year the Inland Revenue started pilot market tests of certain services at four separate local sites including Southampton. It became clear that these initial tests would not he properly representative of market testing on a wider scale, and they were replaced early this year by a larger market test of the Revenue's secretarial and typing services across the whole of the South West region.

  Income Tax
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in 1993–94 of introducing an allowance against income tax of(a) £1,000 and (b) £2,000 for all working mothers., giving both full and first-year costs;

  (2) if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in 1993–94 of introducing an allowance against income tax of (a) £1,000 and (b) £2,000 for all working mothers with at least one child under five years, giving both full and first-year costs.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Estimate of the cost of introducing allowances against taxable incomes for working mothers and lone parents at 1993–94 levels are set out in the table. The first year cost would depend on how the measure was implemented.

  Cost (£ billion)

  Allowance of (a) £1,000 per year

  Allowance of (b) £2,000 per year

  All working mothers1

  0·6

  1·1

  All working mothers with a child under five1

  0·2

  0·4

  1 Including lone parents who are working.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update, to take account of the 1992 Budget, the information on tax changes contained in his answer of 3 March 1992 to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher),Official Report, column 122.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Latest estimates of the reduction in tax liability resulting from the changes in tax rates, allowances and thresholds are in the table. The 1978–79 income tax regime has been indexed to 1992–93 levels by reference to the statutory formula, and allowing for independent taxation. A reliable analysis of taxpayers with incomes over £80,000 is not available.

  For the purposes of these calculations the indexed regime of 1978–79 is applied directly to the income base of 1992–93. In practice, retention of the regime, indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.
  332

  Reduction in income tax compared with 1978–79 indexed regime

  Range of individual's income in 1992–93 (£)

  Number of individual1 1992–93 (million)

  Total reduction in tax (£ million)

  Average gain per individual (£)

  Under 5,000

  3·5

  520

  150

  5,000–10,000

  8.1

  3,100

  390

  10,000–15,000

  6·2

  4,500

  730

  15,000–20,000

  3·8

  4,100

  1,080

  20,000—30,000

  3·2

  5,300

  1,700

  30,000—50,000

  1·2

  4,000

  3,403

  50,000—80,000

  0·3

  2,700

  9,700

  over 80,000

  0·1

  6,800

  48,200

  Total

  26·4

  31,100

  1,200

  1 Individuals who would be liable to tax under the indexed 1978–79 regime.

  Income Tax
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer of 21 January 1992, to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle),Official Report, column 128, on the introduction of an upper limit for income tax allowances and reliefs for the years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]Estimates of the direct revenue yield in a full year at 1992–93 levels of income from imposition of the specified limits for allowances and reliefs within the current income tax system are given below. These are based on information compiled from a number of statistical surveys and are subject to more than the usual margin of uncertainty.

  Limit £

  Yield £ million

  10,000

  690

  15,000

  380

  20,000

  280

  After restriction of the relevant allowances and reliefs to the basic rate the estimated further yield from imposing the specified limits would be as follows:

  Full year yield at 1992–93 income levels, £ million Limit for total allowances and reliefs

  After restriction to the basic rate of

  £10,000

  £15,000

  £20,000

  (a) all personal allowances except the basic personal allowances

  610

  360

  270

  (b) relief for personal pension contributions

  560

  310

  230

  (c) relief for employees' contributions to occupational pension schemes

  630

  370

  270

  (d) allowances and reliefs in (a) and (b)

  510

  300

  230

  (e) allowances and reliefs in (a) and (c)

  580

  350

  270

  (f) reliefs in (b) and (c)

  500

  300

  230

  333

  After restriction to the basic rate of

  £10,000

  £15,000

  £20,000

  (g) allowances and reliefs in (a), (b) and (c)

  480

  290

  220

  The number of people with total allowances and reliefs in excess of £10,000 is just under 600,000. The corresponding figures for £15,000 and £20,000 are about 85,000 and 45,000 respectively. The estimates of revenue yield do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the changes. It is not possible to provide detailed information for 1993–94.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average individual cumulative gain(a) in cash prices and (b) in 1991–92 prices to those earning (i) £5,000, (ii) £10,000, (iii) £15,000, (iv) £20,000, (v) £25,000, (vi) £30,000, (vii) £40,000, (viii) £50,000, (ix) £60,000, (x) £70,000 and (xi) £100,000 as a result of changes in (1) income tax and (2) income tax and national insurance since 1979 and 1987.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Latest estimates of the reduction in liability resulting from changes in national insurance and income tax rates, allowances and thresholds are in the table. The 1978–79 and 1987–88 income tax regimes have been indexed to 1992–93 levels by reference to the statutory formula and allowing for independent taxation.

  Quantile group of taxpayers

  Total income (£ billion)

  Average income (£)

  Total earned income1 (£ billion)

  Average earned income £

  1990–91

  Top 1 per cent.

  28

  107,800

  21

  81,400

  Top 5 per cent.

  69

  52,200

  54

  41,700

  Top 10 per cent.

  103

  39,100

  84

  32,100

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  161

  8,800

  148

  8,100

  Bottom 50 per cent

  95

  7,300

  87

  6,700

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  12

  4,600

  11

  4,200

  All taxpayers

  358

  13,600

  316

  12,100

  1991–92

  Top 1 per cent.

  29

  114,700

  23

  89,600

  Top 5 per cent.

  71

  56,000

  59

  46,300

  Top 10 per cent.

  106

  41,900

  90

  35,600

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  165

  9,300

  154

  8,700

  Bottom 50 per cent.

  97

  7,600

  90

  7,100

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  12

  4,800

  11

  4,500

  All taxpayers

  370

  14,500

  334

  13,200

  1992–93

  Top 1 per cent.

  29

  115,400

  22

  91,400

  Top 5 per cent.

  70

  56,500

  59

  47,900

  Top 10 per cent.

  105

  42,400

  91

  37,000

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  164

  9,500

  154

  8,900

  Bottom 50 per cent.

  96

  7,800

  90

  7,300

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  12

  5,000

  11

  4,600

  All taxpayers

  367

  14,800

  338

  13,700

  1 Income from employment, self-employment and pensions.

  334

  Average change in 1992–93 (£)

  Compared with 1978–79 indexed regime

  Compared with 1987–88 indexed regime

  Range of individuals income in 1992–93£

  Income tax

  Income tax and National Insurance

  Income tax

  Income tax and National Insurance

  Under 5,000

  150

  180

  80

  90

  5,000–10,000

  390

  360

  190

  250

  10,000–15,000

  730

  610

  260

  400

  15,000–20,000

  1,080

  830

  340

  490

  20,000–25,000

  1,490

  1,040

  430

  570

  25,000–30,000

  2,030

  1,550

  510

  630

  30,000–40,000

  2,870

  2,380

  370

  480

  40,000–50,000

  4,750

  4,260

  730

  840

  50,000–60,000

  7,340

  6,850

  1,660

  1,760

  60,000–70,000

  11,000

  10,500

  3,060

  3,150

  70,000–80,000

  14,800

  14,300

  4,840

  4,920

  Over 80,000

  48,200

  47,500

  18,900

  18,900

  Average

  1,200

  1,000

  400

  480

  I regret that a reliable analysis of taxpayers with incomes over £100,000 is not available.

  For the purposes of the calculations in the first two columns of the table the indexed regime of 1978–79 has been applied directly to the income base of 1992–93. In practice retention of the 1978–79 regime, indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total and average income and earned income in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 of(a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the top 5 per cent., (c) the top 10 per cent., (d) the bottom 70 per cent., (e) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers and (g) all taxpayers.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Estimates are given in the table.
  335
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on the Treasury revenues in 1993–94, and in a full year, of introducing a child care tax allowance of £50 a week for(a) working mothers and (b) either partner in a two-earner couple, assuming that relief is available at the basic rate only, giving figures separately for (i) all families with dependent children and (ii) families with at least one child under five years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Estimates of the full year cost of introducing such an allowance in 1993–94 are set out in the table. The first year cost would depend on how the measure was implemented.
  336

  Cost (£ billion)

  Allowance of £50 per week restricted to basic or lower rate relief and given to

  (a) working mothers and lone parents

  (b) the higher mothers and earner in a two-earner couple

  All families with dependent children1

  1.4

  2.2

  Family with at least one child under the age of five

  0.5

  0.9

  1 Includes dependent children aged 16 to 18

  Employee (Definition)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to clarify the definition of employee in relation to the payment of PAYE in connection with the payment of fees to private companies in lieu of salary.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: We have no plans to do so. Whether an individual is an employee for tax purposes is a question of fact and general law and will depend, therefore, on the circumstances of the particular case.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to reduce opportunities for tax avoidance by payment of fees to private companies in lieu of salaries for full-time positions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Tax avoidance arrangements of all kinds are kept under review and appropriate action is taken where necessary.

DEFENCE

  Redundancies
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis Royal Navy captains retire on a one-star pension after six years in the rank; what compensation for the loss of this pension increment was allowed for in the current round of redundancies; how many of those made compulsorily redundant at the rank of captain has completed six years in the rank; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In accordance with the current (and long-standing) pay arrangements for Royal Navy officers, Royal Naval captains who attain six years seniority in that rank automatically receive the pay, and thus retire with the pension benefits, related to one star rank in the Army and RAF. Only those captains selected for redundancy who had attained six years seniority would receive redundancy benefits based on the higher pay rates as the redundancy compensation scheme, although it includes a payment to compensate for lost career, does not include specific provision for taking into account future pay or pension increases. In the first phase of the Royal Navy redundancy programme, which covers the period from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993, none of the captains selected for complusory redundancy will have completed more than six years in the rank by the end of this period. Six captains who applied to be considered and were selected for redundancy will have over six years seniority. In the second phase, which covers the period from 1 April 1993 to 30 November 1993, three of the captains selected for complusory redundancy have completed more than six years in the rank or will have done so by the final date. Five captains who had applied to be considered will also fall into this category.

  Bands
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 778, if the band of the Cheshire Regiment has been
  338
  deployed as part of the UNPROFOR in Bosnia; if the band of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment is to be deployed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The band of the Cheshire Regiment has deployed to Bosnia but the band of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment is not due to do so.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 778, if he will set out the number of fee-paying engagements by each service band in the latest full year for which figures are available; what is the contribution to public funds made, and how it is calculated; and what proportion of fees is retained by the unit concerned.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Details of the number of fee-paying engagements undertaken by each service band are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The contribution to public funds is calculated on a percentage basis dependent on the net earnings each band makes. The remainder of the charge is apportioned between the performers and individual band funds. With regard to the total contribution made to public funds I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 11 February 1993,Official Report, column 778.

  Service Pensions
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what entitlement widows of post-service marriages to armed forces personnel have to a widow's pension based on the service of their late husband; and what the position was prior to 1978, and from 1978 to 1987.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The current terms of the armed forces pension scheme include provision for a pension to be awarded to the eligible widow of a service man who marries after leaving the armed forces provided that some part of his service was given on or after 6 April 1978 and that he himself qualified for retired pay or pension. Before that date, widows of post-retirement marriages had no entitlement to a pension.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend entitlement to armed service widows' pensions to all widows of armed service personnel, irrespective of whether marriage was contracted before, during or after the period of service.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The armed forces pension scheme already provides pensions for the eligible widows of service personnel leaving the armed forces on or after 6 April 1978 irrespective of whether marriage took place before or after service was completed. There are no plans to backdate these arrangements.

  HMS Coventry
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current role of HMS Coventry in the Gulf; what arrangement he has made for HMS Coventry to deal with anti-submarine patrols; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  HMS Coventry is currently assigned to the Armilla patrol which is tasked to provide reassurance and protection if necessary to British entitled ships and to operate in support of United Nations sanctions on maritime trade with Iraq. It is not our practice to release more detailed operational information.

  2nd Gurkha Rifles
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the distance being flown by 2nd Gurkha Rifles for training at Wainwright in Canada; how many aircraft will be needed for the journey; what consideration was given to sending units from the United Kingdom or Germany instead of part of the Hong Kong garrison; and when a battalion from Hong Kong last went for training in Canada.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is proposed that the 2nd Gurkha Rifles will travel direct from Hong Kong to Edmonton in two chartered aircraft. The distance flown will be approximately 11,500 miles. Consideration was given to sending an infantry battalion from United Kingdom land forces or British Army of the Rhine, but neither command was able to release a battalion due to other commitments, drawdown and reorganisation. There is no record of a Hong Kong battalion previously training in Canada.

  Armed Service Personnel
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed service personnel went absent without leave last year; and what punishments they received.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There were 2,724 personnel in the Royal Navy and Army reported as absent without leave in 1992 (excluding absences of less than seven days for which no central records are kept). Information in respect of Air Force personnel could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Information on the punishments awarded to personnel of all three services convicted at courts martial or summary proceedings of a charge of unauthorised absence or desertion is gathered on an annual basis, but the details for 1992 are not expected to be available until late April. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State forDefence will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.

  Overseas Commitments
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the current overseas commitments demanded of the armed services; and if he will make a statement about the requirement for a defence review.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Britain's armed forces have a number of overseas commitments, which they are well placed to meet. We shall continue to keep these plans, and our defence policy as a whole, under review.

  Army Personnel Centre
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tayside, North (Mr. Walker) of 13 January,Official Report, column 760, what has been the outcome of the consultation concerning the proposal that an integrated Army personnel centre should be established in Glasgow.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Tayside, North (Mr. Walker) on 4 March,Official Report, column 229.

  RAF Lossiemouth
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the future of the RAF squadron based at Lossiemouth;

  (2) what plans he has for future developments at RAF Lossiemouth.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Currently there are two Buccaneer squadrons, the Jaguar operational conversion unit, an air defence RAF regiment squadron, and a ground defence RAF regiment auxiliary field squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. Two Sea King helicopters also operate out of Lossiemouth in the search and rescue role. At the beginning of next year, we plan to deploy two squadrons of Tornado GR1b to RAF Lossiemouth. In addition, the Tornado weapons conversion unit will move to RAF Lossiemouth from RAF Honnington.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office Services
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to place a statutory duty on the Post Office to continue to offer special concessionary rates of postage for despatching such items as talking books and Braille books to the blind or disabled.

  Mr. Leigh
  The current concessionary postage facilities for the blind are detailed in section 21 of the inland letter post scheme and section 2 of the overseas letter post scheme. These arrangements appear to work very well and I see no case for further legislation at present.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many sub-post offices have had their opening hours reduced; and what is their location in Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Leigh
  The information requested is not available. The number of community and restricted hours offices operating in Scotland at the end of each of the last four financial years was as follows:

  Community offices

  Restricted hours offices

  March 1989

  236

  0

  March 1990

  287

  2

  March 1991

  314

  7

  March 1992

  340

  8

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many new sub-post offices have been opened, and what has been their location in Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Leigh
  The numbers of new post offices opened in Scotland in the last four financial years are as follows:

  Post offices opened

  1988–89

  6

  1989–90

  8

  1990–91

  6

  1991–92

  2

  341
  The numbers of new post offices opened in earlier years and individual locations could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many island post offices have closed in Scotland in each year since 1979;

  (2) how many post offices have closed in Scotland in each year since 1979;

  (3) how many rural sub-post offices have closed in Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Leigh
  The numbers of post offices closed in Scotland in each of the last four financial years are as follows:

  Post offices closed

  1988–89

  21

  1989–90

  19

  1990–91

  32

  1991–92

  12

  Many of these closures were in rural areas where, due to the decline in the number of village shops, it has not been possible to find suitable candidates for sub-postmasterships. The number of post office closures in earlier years and a breakdown of information by rural or island areas could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many sub-post postmasters and sub-post mistresses have been employed in Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Leigh
  Data are not available for the numbers of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses employed in Scotland since some hold more than one sub-post office.

  The total number of sub-post offices in Scotland at the end of each of the last four financial years was as follows:

  Number

  1988–89

  1,999

  1989–90

  2,019

  1990–91

  2,022

  1991–92

  2,046

  The net increase is the result of the Crown Office conversion programme.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recourse or protection is available against a person who, contrary to the repeatedly expressed wishes of the recipient, persists in sending letters to that recipient through the Royal Mail.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: Subject to certain statutory prohibitions, the Post Office has a duty to deliver all mail as addressed. It is, of course, open to an individual to seek an injunction against a persistent sender of unwelcome mail. Persons who do not wish to receive unsolicited mail can register with the mailing preference service, which covers some 90 per cent. of direct marketing firms, to have their names removed from mailing lists.

  Advanced Technology Research
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Government support for private sector advanced technological research.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Government encourage the private sector to carry out additional technological research through a number of collaborative Research and Development schemes eg the Government-wide LINK scheme and DTI's advanced technology programmes.

  There are also DTI schemes specifically designed to meet the needs of smaller companies, such as SMART (small firms merit award for research and technology) and SPUR (support for products under research), both of which provide single company research and development support.

  Furniture Safety
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to publicise the new regulations relating to the sale of non-compliant second-hand foam furniture.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department published, in August 1991, "A Guide to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations" which explains the main requirements of the regulations in some detail and sets out the dates when they come into force. This guide, which was prepared in consultation with the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Trading Standards and the Institute of Trading Standards Administrations, is to assist suppliers of domestic upholstered funiture. It is provided free of charge, and, to date, 50,000 copies have been distributed by my Department and trading standards officers throughout the country. My Department has also issued a separate guide for consumers—"Making Furniture Safer"—some 80,000 copies of which have been distributed.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library details of advice notes given to(a) trading standards officers, (h) charities or voluntary organisations and (c) businesses in regard to foam-filled furniture in respect of (i) warning labels, (ii) information on non-compliant foam and (iii) proof of purchase of smoke alarms.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Department has expressed the view to the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Trading Standards that the simple distribution of secondhand furniture by a charity in pursuance of its charitable objectives to needy persons, either free of charge or at a nominal cost only, would be unlikely to constitute a supply in the course of business within the meaning of the legislation.

  My Department has also given guidance to charities in accordance with the above, but has recommended that individual charities should seek separate legal advice in the light of their particular circumstances.

  Copies of the guidance given to charities, together with the guidance booklets on the requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Safety) Regulations will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made on the European directive relating to flammability of furniture.
  343
  Mr. Leigh
  The European Commission announced, in May 1991, the suspension of work on an EC directive on the fire behaviour of upholstered furniture pending research to establish a scientific basis for the development of test methods on burning behaviour. This research is now under way and is expected to be completed in 1994.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the quantities of second-hand furniture sold by shops, auctions and car boot sales which will have to go to landfill as a result of the implementation of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendments) Regulations 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 23 February 1993]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, allowed a period of five years for suppliers of second-hand upholstered furniture to prepare for the application of the fire resistance requirements to this furniture, and to adjust stocks of non-complying furniture accordingly. No information is available as to the quantity of second-hand furniture which will have to go to landfill.

  Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will provide a list of the auditing guidelines formulated by the Auditing Practices Committee after his Department acquired a non-voting representation on it.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department was represented on the former Auditing Practices Committee by a nonvoting member from May 1987 until the Committee was dissolved in 1991. The auditing guidelines developed by the Committee and issued after May 1987 were as follows:

  Date

  Applicability to the public sector of Auditing Standards and Guidelines

  July 1987

  The impact of regulations on public sector audits

  March 1988

  Analytical review

  April 1988

  Pension schemes in the United Kingdom

  November 1988

  Banks in the United Kingdom

  March 1989

  Building Societies in the United Kingdom

  March 1989

  Reports by auditors under company legislation in the United Kingdom

  June 1989

  —revised version

  February 1991

  Reports by auditors under company legislation in the Republic of Ireland

  June 1989

  Audit reports and information on the effects of changing prices

  October 1989

  The auditor's responsibility in relation to fraud, other irregularities and errors

  February 1990

  Guidance for internal auditors

  June 1990

  Communications between auditors and Regulators under sections 109 and 180(l)(q) of the Financial Services Act 1986

  July 1990

  General business insurers in the United Kingdom

  March 1991

  The auditors' statement on the summary financial statement

  May 1991

  Life insurers in the United Kingdom

  October 1991

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the dates of the meetings of the Auditing Practices Board which his representative has attended.
  344
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department's representative attended the meetings of the Auditing Practices Board held on the following dates:

  1991

  3 July

  9 September

  15 October

  3 December

  1992

  14 January

  11 February

  10 March

  13 April

  19 May

  30 June

  28 July

  8 September

  25 September

  15 October

  24 November

  1993

  12 January

  9 February

  Supervisory Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to propose legislation under which members of the general public would have access to the minutes of the meetings of the councils of the recognised supervisory bodies.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no such plans.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to replace the five recognised accountancy supervisory bodies with a single body.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to revoke the recognition of the supervisory bodies recognised under part II of the Companies Act 1989.

  Inspectors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to adopt a policy under which his Department's report published under section 729 of the Companies Act 1989, will show the business connections of the inspectors appointed during that year.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I take it that the reference should be to the Companies Act 1985. My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times since 1979 any individual criticised in an inspectors' report has acted as an inspector for his Department.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Once. In 1977 inspectors were appointed to investigate the affairs of Gilgate Holdings Limited and they submitted their final report on 8 April 1991. The accountant inspector was subsequently criticised in a report on Ramor Investments Limited, published in 1983.

  Company Returns
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals he has to modify the contents of the annual returns filed by companies with the Registrar of Companies;
  345
  (2) how many times in 1989, 1990 and 1991, companies have filed a statement in respect of auditor removal in respect of section 391(2) of the Companies Act 1985;

  (3) how many companies failed to file an annual return in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Hamilton
  These are matters for Companies house. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from D. Durham to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 4 March 1993.
  You tabled three Parliamentary Questions on 1 March, concerning matters which are my responsibility as Registrar of Companies. The questions concerned proposals for modifying the annual returns provided by companies; the number of companies which have failed to file such returns since 1985; and the number of times in 1989, 1990 and 1991 that auditors were removed under S391(2) of the Companies Act 1985. I will answer the points seriatim.
  We have at the present time no specific proposals to modify the annual return. As I explained in my letter of 22 February 1993 in answer to your previous Parliamentary Question, about checks made on annual returns, we now have a "shuttle" annual return form. The information it contains is mostly pre-printed by Companies House, and a company either confirms the information or amends the details as necessary. The "shuttle" systems is relatively new, and as we and companies gain greater experience in using it, we may wish to propose changes if they appear necessary or desirable. However, the annual return is prescribed by regulations, and any changes would, of course, require Parliamentary approval.
  Turning to your second question, the figures you require on the number of companies failing to file an annual return are as follows:—

  Number

  1985

  266,000

  1986

  93,000

  1987

  93,000

  1988

  103,000

  1989

  126,000

  1990

  100,000

  1991

  138,000

  1992

  101,000

  These figures are calculated up to the end of June in each year: those for 1985, 1986 and 1987 relate to England and Wales only. All the figures have been derived from the number of companies in default for an annual return, in relation to the number of companies assumed to be active.

  Your final question was about removal of auditors. The figures are as follows:

  Number

  1989

  596

  1990

  665

  1991

  2,507

  These are calendar year figures, and relate to Great Britain.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what actions he takes after referring the criticisms of auditors in his Department's inspectors' reports to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  As a recognised supervisory body, the ICAEW is responsible for taking any disciplinary or regulatory action against an auditor registered with it. The institute keeps my Department informed of the progress in considering relevant information in inspectors' reports.
  346
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1992,Official Report, column 310, how many of the accountancy firms listed by him currently act as auditors to public bodies sponsored by his Department.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Two of the accountancy firms listed in the previous answer currently act as auditors to public bodies sponsored by my Department—Coopers and Lybrand, and Ernst and Young.

  J. S. Bass plc (Liquidation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute a DTI inquiry into the conduct of the liquidation of J. S. Bass plc in Manchester.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  British Goods
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to identify areas where customer demand at home and abroad cannot be satisfied by British goods; and how he intends to encourage production to move into these areas.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department is continually working to assist United Kingdom firms to identify market opportunities both at home and abroad. It also aims, to help businesses take full advantage of these by stimulating enterprise and innovation and encouraging best practice in quality, design and management.

  Transfer Pricing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to require all multinational companies to disclose their transfer pricing policies in notes to their annual accounts.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None.

  Company Receivers
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers he has to examine the fees paid to company receivers.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Secretary of State does not have powers to examine the fees paid to company receivers.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money in 1993 values has been received from the European regional development fund in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  European regional development fund allocations to the United Kingdom since 1984 have been as follows:

  1993 prices £ million

  1984

  555

  1985

  492

  1986

  464

  1987

  583

  347

  1993 prices £ milliion

  1988

  469

  1989

  411

  1990

  381

  1991

  454

  1992

  501

  1993

  693

  Structural Funds
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 17 February to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe),Official Report, column 269, what parishes, districts and counties within Wales fall within the definition of rural Wales for the purposes of grants from structural funds.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Under the current structural funds regulations, the area covered by the objective 5(b) programme known as Rural Wales includes the whole of the three counties of Dyfed, Gwynedd and Powys with the exception of the Llanelli travel-to-work area; those parts of the Swansea, Aberdare and Blaenau Gwent (formerly Ebbw Vale) and Abergavenny travel-to-work areas in Dyfed, Gwynedd and Powys; and that part of the Conwy and Colwyn travel-to-work area in Gwynedd.

  Article 8(1) of Regulation (EEC) 2052/88 requires that objective 1 regions shall be regions at NUTS II level. The

  Percentage shares of total imports1 of Gulf co-operation council countries analysed by exporting country 1979–91

  Year

  UK per cent.

  France per cent.

  Germany per cent.

  Italy per cent.

  USA per cent.

  Japan per cent.

  China per cent.

  Bahrain

  1979

  8·7

  2·0

  2·7

  2·1

  8·1

  6·8

  0·6

  1980

  6·9

  1·4

  1·5

  1·3

  7·6

  7·5

  0·5

  1981

  6·0

  1·1

  1·6

  1·2

  8·9

  6·2

  0·5

  1982

  7·2

  1·7

  3·4

  1·6

  10·4

  7·8

  0·5

  1983

  8·4

  2·4

  4·9

  3·9

  7·0

  12·7

  0·5

  1984

  7·3

  1·4

  3·2

  6·3

  7·4

  9·9

  0·4

  1985

  7·3

  1·4

  3·2

  6·3

  7·4

  9·9

  0·4

  1986

  7·3

  1·4

  3·2

  6·3

  7·4

  9·9

  0·4

  1987

  7·3

  1·4

  3·2

  6·3

  7·4

  9·9

  0·4

  1988

  7·3

  1·4

  3·2

  6·3

  7·4

  9·9

  0·4

  1989

  7·3

  1·4

  3·2

  6·3

  7·4

  9·9

  0·4

  1990

  6·3

  1·5

  2·5

  4·0

  18·5

  6·7

  0·3

  1991

  7·3

  3·9

  4·1

  2·7

  14·0

  4·6

  0·3

  Saudi Arabia

  1979

  7·1

  4·6

  11·0

  7·4

  19·8

  15·8

  0·6

  1980

  6·5

  5·4

  9·1

  7·3

  20·0

  17·9

  0·8

  1981

  6·2

  5·7

  9·5

  6·7

  21·4

  18·3

  0·7

  1982

  6·6

  5·3

  11·0

  6·1

  21·0

  19·1

  0·6

  1983

  6·2

  5·3

  9·9

  7·5

  19·7

  19·5

  0·6

  1984

  5·8

  7·8

  8·3

  7·2

  17·4

  19·8

  0·6

  1985

  6·2

  5·1

  8·4

  7·8

  17·0

  19·0

  0·9

  1986

  7·3

  5·6

  8·1

  7·3

  17·5

  15·7

  1·2

  1987

  7·8

  5·3

  7·7

  6·8

  15·3

  17·3

  1·6

  1988

  7·3

  5·2

  7·2

  6·5

  16·2

  16·0

  1·8

  1989

  10·2

  4·3

  6·3

  5·7

  18·2

  14·2

  1·9

  1990

  11·3

  4·0

  7·4

  4·6

  16·7

  15·3

  1·8

  1991

  11·3

  4·0

  7·8

  4·6

  20·2

  13·7

  2·2

  Oman

  1979

  16·8

  3·6

  6·3

  2·2

  8·0

  15·4

  1·2

  1980

  15·6

  1·9

  5·6

  1·8

  5·7

  19·7

  1·0

  1981

  14·5

  2·4

  4·3

  1·9

  7·8

  22·6

  0·7

  1982

  14·4

  3·3

  8·3

  1·7

  8·0

  20·7

  0·7

  1983

  18·6

  2·1

  7·3

  2·1

  7·7

  22·0

  0·5

  1984

  16·6

  2·9

  9·5

  2·3

  7·6

  21·3

  0·5

  1985

  16·4

  3·7

  7·8

  3·0

  5·7

  20·2

  0·3

  348
  NUTS II level region of rural Wales comprises the entire counties of Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwynedd and Powys. It is in respect of this region that the Government continue to press the case for objective 1.

  Coal Task Force
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he received the report from the coal task force on the United Kingdom's future coal research requirements; and what conclusions he has reached regarding its contents.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: The coal task force report on the United Kingdom's future coal research requirements was received by the then Secretary of State for Energy in July 1991. The subject of clean coal technology is currently being considered within the context of the coal review.

  Gulf Co-operation Council (Market Share)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the market share held by(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) China, (e) Japan, (f) Italy and (g) the United States of America in each country of the Gulf Co-operation Council in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 March 1993] : The information requested is in the tables:
  349

  Year

  UK per cent.

  France per cent.

  Germany per cent.

  Italy per cent.

  USA per cent.

  Japan per cent.

  China per cent.

  1986

  16·8

  3·3

  8·4

  3·1

  7·1

  13·5

  0·4

  1987

  13·7

  3·3

  7·5

  2·3

  6·2

  14·2

  0·4

  1988

  13·3

  3·5

  5·2

  4·1

  8·8

  16·8

  0·4

  1989

  11·7

  3·3

  5·5

  2·1

  8·5

  15·7

  0·5

  1990

  11·3

  4·2

  4·8

  1·6

  9·2

  16·7

  0·4

  1991

  14·0

  3·4

  5·5

  2·5

  6·8

  20·4

  0·3

  Qatar

  1979

  15·5

  10·0

  16·8

  5·8

  8·7

  18·6

  1·3

  1980

  17·7

  5·4

  6·1

  5·3

  11·3

  18·3

  1·5

  1981

  16·5

  6·0

  7·2

  4·8

  11·1

  20·5

  0·9

  1982

  16·2

  9·8

  7·2

  4·7

  9·0

  22·0

  0·8

  1983

  16·7

  4·9

  8·2

  5·0

  9·1

  21·8

  0·7

  1984

  14·6

  5·4

  7·2

  4·8

  9·1

  19·2

  1·0

  1985

  16·3

  7·6

  8·7

  4·9

  6·5

  18·2

  0·5

  1986

  16·5

  5·1

  9·6

  5·3

  5·9

  17·0

  0·6

  1987

  16·0

  4·3

  7·2

  4·9

  11·9

  16·3

  1·2

  1988

  13·8

  4·0

  7·9

  4·3

  9·3

  17·6

  0·9

  1989

  11·6

  4·7

  7·3

  7·8

  8·8

  18·8

  1·0

  1990

  14·5

  4·7

  7·7

  9·4

  9·5

  14·6

  1·0

  1991

  11·8

  5·2

  8·5

  5·6

  11·6

  13·6

  1·3

  Kuwait

  1979

  10·0

  3·4

  8·0

  5·6

  14·4

  18·3

  2·5

  1980

  8·6

  3·9

  8·6

  5·6

  14·5

  21·0

  2·2

  1981

  7·8

  3·5

  12·0

  5·8

  14·0

  22·7

  2·0

  1982

  7·0

  3·6

  14·0

  6·0

  12·7

  24·1

  1·6

  1983

  7·2

  5·8

  10·5

  6·4

  11·1

  25·7

  1·8

  1984

  6·3

  8·6

  8·7

  6·5

  9·4

  23·8

  1·6

  1985

  7·3

  3·7

  10·2

  6·0

  8·8

  27·1

  1·6

  1986

  6·2

  4·0

  9·3

  5·3

  11·9

  22·9

  1·6

  1987

  6·7

  3·9

  7·7

  4·9

  10·1

  18·8

  2·1

  1988

  6·0

  3·1

  7·6

  4·6

  12·1

  13·3

  3·0

  1989

  6·5

  3·3

  7·9

  5·3

  13·0

  12·7

  3·4

  1990

  8·4

  3·5

  8·9

  6·1

  10·9

  11·3

  1·8

  1991

  7·3

  2·6

  6·5

  0·0

  29·0

  10·3

  0·5

  United Arab Emirate

  1979

  15·9

  5·0

  7·8

  4·1

  13·1

  16·8

  1·6

  1980

  14·3

  6·0

  5·8

  4·8

  13·5

  17·3

  1·6

  1981

  11·7

  5·5

  6·7

  4·3

  14·4

  18·5

  1·6

  1982

  11·7

  6·6

  8·6

  4·7

  13·5

  18·6

  1·4

  1983

  10·3

  5·4

  7·2

  5·2

  12·4

  19·4

  1·7

  1984

  9·9

  4·6

  6·7

  7·1

  12·1

  17·8

  1·6

  1985

  11·1

  4·4

  7·2

  5·3

  11·0

  20·0

  1·8

  1986

  11·2

  5·3

  8·6

  4·6

  9·7

  18·3

  2·2

  1987

  10·6

  4·3

  9·0

  4·3

  8·4

  18·0

  2·9

  1988

  9·7

  3·4

  7·1

  4·5

  9·5

  16·4

  3·3

  1989

  9·4

  3·7

  7·6

  4·7

  9·7

  15·0

  2·9

  1990

  10·0

  3·6

  7·6

  4·6

  9·1

  14·2

  5·0

  1991

  8·9

  4·6

  6·8

  4·2

  9·7

  14·3

  2·7

  1 Total visible imports.

  Source: IMF Direction of Trade.

SCOTLAND

  Community Care
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are being made to ensure that moneys raised within the area of the Highland health board through the sale of Craig Dunain hospital are re-invested in community care in the health board area.

  Mr. Stewart
  Health boards and NHS trusts are allowed to retain the full receipts from the disposal of surplus property, to invest in developments which improve patient care within their area. Community based developments to replace any long-stay institution will be 350
  required before it is closed and will be funded from a number of sources including the normal health service capital programme and local authorities.

  Made in Scotland
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's annual expenditure on Made in Scotland, Beauly; and for how many years this is planned to continue.

  Mr. Lang
  There is no direct Scottish Office expenditure on Made in Scotland Ltd. The company was established in 1991 with assistance from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, on the basis that it would be required to become commercially self-supporting within a given period. The terms of the assistance are a matter between the company and the enterprise bodies.

  Women's Aid
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when 1993–94 provision for Scottish Women's Aid will be decided under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.

  Mr. Stewart
  Scottish Women's Aid was advised of its 1993–94 provision in a letter issued on 1 March 1993.

  Continuing Care Beds
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many continuing care beds for elderly patients there were in NHS hospitals in each of the last five years; and what projected figures he has for the future.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested for each of the last five years is shown in the following table. Health boards are constantly reviewing their assessment of need, consequently projected figures are not available.

  NHS average available staffed beds: Geriatric long-stay and psychogeriatrics Years ending 31 March 1988 to 31 March 1992

  Year

  Total

  Geriatric Long-stay

  Psychogeriatrics

  1988

  13,728

  8,535

  5,193

  1989

  14,857

  8,896

  5,961

  1990

  14,794

  8,880

  5,914

  1991

  14,715

  8,727

  5,988

  1992

  15,214

  8,522

  6,692

  Crafts
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was his Department's annual expenditure on the craft section of Scottish development agency and Highlands and Islands development board in the year before their abolition.

  Mr. Lang
  Expenditure by the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands Development Board in 1990–91 was £377,000 and £569,000 respectively. These figures exclude any management and administration expenditure incurred by these bodies, and financial assistance to crafts made available by HIDB other than through Craftpoint, which cannot be separately identified.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what proposals he has for the administrative relationship between Made in Scotland and the Crafts Council and the Scottish Art Council;

  (2) what will be the administrative base for decisions concerning the crafts within the Scottish Arts Council;

  (3) what is to be the administrative relationship between the Crafts Council and the Scottish Arts Council in terms of (a) the establishment of priorities and (b) the allocation and distribution of grants to crafts people and craft operators.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 1 February 1993 (Official Report, column 37) his intention to establish new arrangements for the support of crafts in Scotland. The details of these arrangements are still under consideration and a further announcement will be made in due course.
  352
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual Scottish Office expenditure of the craft section of the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands Development Board in the three years immediately prior to the winding up of both organisations.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: The expenditure by the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands Development Board was as follows:

  Scottish Development Agency

  £000

  1988–89

  303

  1989–90

  315

  1990–91

  377

  The figures exclude any management and administration expenditure incurred, which could not be identified without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Highlands and Islands Development Board

  £000

  1988–89

  230

  1989–90

  495

  1990–91

  569

  The figures exclude any management and administration expenditure incurred by HIDB, and financial assistance to crafts made available through other than Craftpoint, which cannot be separately identified.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the annual expenditure of the Scottish Office on Made in Scotland, Beauly, in each of the past three years; and what it will be for each of the next three years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 3 March 1993 ]: Made in Scotland Ltd. was only established in 1991. The company has received no direct support from the Scottish Office; but was formed with assistance from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on the basis of the support it would provide for the marketing and promotion of the crafts industry in Scotland. The terms of the assistance are a matter between the company and the enterprise bodies.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is to be the administrative relationship between the Crafts Council and the Scottish Arts Council in establishing priorities, deciding on allocation and dispersing grants to craftspeople and craft operations in Scotland;

  (2) what will be the administrative base for craft discussions within the Scottish Arts Council;

  (3) what is the administrative relationship between Made in Scotland and the Crafts Council/Scottish Arts Council administering the new money.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: I announced on 1 February 1993, Official Report, column 37, my intention to establish "new arrangements" for the support of the crafts sector in Scotland. The details of these arrangements are still under consideration and I will make a further announcement in due course.

  Extraction of Minerals
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 23 February,Official Report, column 562, if he will give the amounts received by the Forestry Commission from licences and leases for permitting the extraction of minerals in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro: The information is given in the table. Detailed records are available only for the last four years; the amounts for the first six years are therefore based on estimates.

  Year ended 31 March

  £million

  1983

  10·3

  1984

  10·3

  1985

  10·4

  1986

  10·4

  1987

  10·5

  1988

  0·5

  1989

  0·6

  1990

  0·7

  1991

  0·9

  1992

  0.8

  1 Estimate.

  Obscenity Law
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has had from groups and individuals about the law in relation to obscene, violent and pornographic material; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has had from groups and individuals calling for Government action to review the law in relation to obscene, violent and pornographic material; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: We receive occasional representations both from groups and individuals about the law concerning such material. Current legislation on this matter is kept under constant review. The Government are supporting the Video Recordings (Amendment) Bill introduced in another place, which aims to improve the enforcement of the Video Recordings Act 1984.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers of convictions of offences relating to obscene, violent and pornographic publications each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Information is not available in the form requested. The table shows the number of persons with a main charge proved of handling obscene material.

  Persons with a charge proved

  1979

  24

  1980

  16

  1981

  8

  1982

  8

  1983

  15

  1984

  21

  1985

  19

  354

  Persons with a charge proved

  1986

  18

  1987

  20

  1988

  17

  1989

  14

  1990

  13

  1991

  8

  Nimmo Smith/Friel Report
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the individuals and groups who have made representations to him following the publication of the Nimmo Smith/Friel report.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend has received two representations, one from me on behalf of a constituent, and one from a member of the public in Fife.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultation he has had with representatives of the children's panel on the way to deal with persistent juvenile offenders aged between 12 and 15 years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Officials of the Scottish Office meet representatives of the children's panels regularly to discuss issues affecting children who are referred to reporters on offence and non-offence grounds. In addition there is a children's hearings representative group which meets twice a year under the chairmanship of a Scottish Office official.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the maximum custodial sentence available to the courts for a persistent juvenile offender aged(a) 14 years and (b) 17 years in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1992.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The term "persistent juvenile offender" is not legally defined but there is a range of sentences—custodial and non-custodial—available to the courts for a 14 or 17-year-old convicted on indictment. The maximum custodial sentence available for both these age groups for the most serious crimes—including murder where the sentence is mandatory—is detention without limit of time.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many juveniles have been convicted of offences involving the carrying or using of knives in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) June 1991 to July 1992.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Information is held centrally only on the numbers of persons with a main charge proved of possession of an offensive weapon under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953. The number of persons aged less than 16 years and the number of 16 and 17-year-olds with a main charge proved of possession of an offensive weapon are shown in the table. The information relates to 1990 and 1991, the latest years for which data are available.

  Age

  1990

  1991

  Less than 16 years

  2

  2

  17 and 17-year-olds

  202

  181

  Prison Education
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the expenditure on education within Scottish prisons including staff costs each year since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The expenditure on education in Scottish prisons since 1979 is as follows:

  £000

  Year

  Amount

  1979–80

  203

  1980–81

  228

  1981–82

  447

  1982–83

  411

  1983–84

  622

  1984–85

  608

  1985–86

  822

  1986–87

  716

  1987–88

  697

  1988–89

  723

  1989–90

  967

  1990–91

  1,230

  1991–92

  1,309

  1992–93

  1,525

  Stabbings
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many assaults with a knife or similar weapon resulted in either a serious injury or death in each police force area since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: The available information is provided in the tables. Figures for patients dealt with as outpatients are not available.

  Number of persons recorded by the police in Scotland who were killed with a knife or other sharp instrument by police force area, 1979–1991

  Police Force

  Number killed

  Northern

  19

  Grampian

  21

  Tayside

  22

  Central

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Grampian

  Lothian and Borders

  Northern

  Strathclyde

  Tayside

  1979

  —

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1980

  —

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1981

  —

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1982

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  N/a

  N/a

  1983

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1984

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1985

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1986

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1987

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1988

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1992

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a—Details not available.

  356

  Police Force

  Number killed

  Fife

  16

  Lothian and Borders

  65

  Central

  9

  Strathclyde

  327

  Dumfries and Galloway

  8

  Total

  487

  In-patient discharges from Scottish hospitals with a diagnosis of injury (excluding death) resulting from an assault by a cutting or piercing instrument for each health board of treatment, 1979–1991

  Health board of treatment

  Number

  Argyll and Clyde

  933

  Ayrshire and Annan

  395

  Borders

  37

  Dumfries and Galloway

  58

  Fife

  158

  Forth Valley

  210

  Grampian

  466

  Greater Glasgow

  4,072

  Highland

  123

  Lanarkshire

  639

  Lothian

  1,098

  Orkney

  4

  Shetland

  9

  Tayside

  314

  Western Isles

  2

  Scotland

  8,518

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police officers in each police force area have been wounded or murdered by stabbing with a knife or similar weapon in each year since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: Since 1979 one police officer in Scotland has been murdered by stabbing, in Strathclyde police area in 1982. Information recorded by forces on the number of police officers wounded by stabbing is set out in the following table.

  Prevention of Terrorism Acts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were(a) arrested or (b) stopped and questioned under the terms of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts in 1990.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: The information sought by the hon. Member is set out in the report on the operation in 1990 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 by Viscount Colville of Culross QC, published on 21 February 1991, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Lilley and Company
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him by the management and receivers of Lilley and Company relating to the London rules and the unanimity rule among banks.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 19 January 1993]: My right hon. Friend has not received any such representations.

  Drug Offences
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the value of(a) money and (b) assets that have been confiscated from persons convicted by courts in (i) Strathclyde and (ii) Scotland as a whole for drug offences in each of the past four years.

  NHS qualified nursing staff by health board.

  Number and whole time equivalent (WTE) as at 30 September.

  1989

  1990

  1991

  19921

  Health Board

  Number

  WTE

  Number

  WTE

  Number

  WTE

  Number

  WTE

  Scotland

  42,170

  36,221

  42,459

  36,258

  43,011

  36,449

  43,125

  36,300

  Argyll and Clyde

  2,996

  2,524

  3,055

  2,575

  3,159

  2,658

  3,206

  2,678

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2,348

  2,033

  2,394

  2,075

  2,493

  2,164

  2,433

  2,115

  Borders

  817

  705

  799

  681

  791

  672

  830

  700

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,289

  1,068

  1,310

  1,091

  1,336

  1,109

  1,338

  1,105

  Fife

  2,377

  2,066

  2,436

  2,114

  2,497

  2,159

  2,516

  2,153

  Forth Valley

  2,181

  1,838

  2,294

  1,917

  2,338

  1,920

  2,475

  1,995

  Grampian

  4,427

  3,526

  4,566

  3,575

  4,586

  3,554

  4,704

  3,611

  Greater Glasgow

  9,351

  8,296

  9,042

  7,972

  8,850

  7,660

  8,643

  7,463

  Highland

  1,763

  1,490

  1,809

  1,520

  1,831

  1,548

  1,842

  1,536

  Lanarkshire

  3,886

  3,314

  3,954

  3,364

  3,970

  3,380

  3,810

  3,233

  Lothian

  6,073

  5,341

  5,979

  5,248

  6,053

  5,227

  6,081

  5,197

  Orkney

  165

  145

  175

  153

  184

  159

  188

  162

  Shetland

  172

  152

  175

  155

  192

  172

  186

  167

  Tayside

  3,991

  3,454

  4,117

  3,556

  4,128

  3,551

  4,242

  3,644

  Western Isles

  265

  207

  285

  203

  284

  207

  299

  220

  CSA

  69

  62

  69

  60

  53

  47

  58

  50

  State hospital2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  266

  263

  274

  271

  1 Data for September 1992 are provisional.

  2 Data for State hospital did not become available until September 1991.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many claimants of disability working allowance are also in receipt of exemption from prescription charges by reason of(a) low income and (b) prescribed illness or condition;

  (2) what is his estimate of the number and types of eligible persons who fail to claim exemption from prescription charges.
  358
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 17 February 1993]: On conviction in drug trafficking cases the court may, in addition to imposing a sentence of imprisonment, impose a fine, order the forfeiture of specific assets (including drugs, cash and vehicles) and, in the case of the High Court, make a confiscation order. A confiscation order is an order to pay a sum of money and does not relate to specific assets, although specific assets may be realised to enforce it. Forfeiture is extensively ordered by the courts in drug trafficking cases, but figures are not available in the form sought. Confiscation orders were made by the High Court in each of the last four years as follows:

  Strathclyde £

  Scotland £

  1989

  15,000

  26,795·70

  1990

  Nil

  Nil

  1991

  Nil

  83,963·38

  1992

  17,490·36

  17,490·36

  Nurses
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified nursing staff were employed in each health board in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: The information requested is given in the table:

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 February 1993]: The requested information is not available. However, we believe that the figures are comparable with those in England and Wales and I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Health.

  European Time
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the net extra numbers and categories, of people who would avoid injury due to road
  359
  accidents if Scotland adopted common European time; and if he will summarise the considerations that will influence his policy on Scotland's time zone.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: Estimates based on figures for Strathclyde published by the Transport Research Laboratory in 1989, updated to take account of 1991 casualty data and extended to the whole of Scotland using the results from the study of the BST experiment in 1969–70 indicate an estimated saving of five fatalities, 23 serious and 256 slight injury casualties. No breakdown of these figures by road user category is available but it is thought that pedestrians would be the largest group to benefit. These estimates do not take into account any possible increase in casualties which might result from additional activity in lighter evenings.

  Given Scotland's particular geographical position, we wish to give the most careful consideration to the views of various sectors of the community and public generally on any proposals to change the present summer time arrangements.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made following the further consultation exercise in respect of the setting up of a proposed register of land which may be contaminated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 23 February 1993]: Good progress has been made in the further consideration of the proposals for registers of land which may be contaminated. An announcement will be made shortly.

SCOTLAND

  Tenants' Rights
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the instructions and guidance he has given to Scottish Homes about the way to handle cases where local authority or Scottish Homes tenants have been the subject of compulsory purchase orders and have lost their tenant's right to buy.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: I have given no such guidance to Scottish Homes, which has no formal responsibility in such cases apart from the involvement it would have as landlord if one of its houses were subject to compulsory purchase. A Scottish Homes or local authority tenant whose house was subject to compulsory purchase would only lose his right to buy if he declined to accept an alternative tenancy which would normally be offered by the landlord or another public sector landlord.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people whose homes were owned by local authorities or by Scottish Homes have been the subject of a compulsory purchase order which has resulted in the tenant losing the statutory right to buy in each of the last 10 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will specify the statutory powers which give 360
  tenants of local authority or Scottish Homes domestic properties the right to financial compensation in lieu of the loss of tenant rights.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Where a short tenancy (that is, a tenancy the duration of which is no greater than a year, and runs from year to year) has been terminated early, the provisions of section 114 of the Land Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845 apply in respect of the payment of compensation for early termination of the lease.

  NHS Premises (Access)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the rights of access to national health service premises of(a) blind patients with guide dogs and (b) patients who suffer from other physical disabilities; and what guidance he has issued or proposes to issue on this question of access.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 24 February 1993]: The Government's policy is that suitable access and facilities should be provided for disabled people who have problems of mobility or orientation. This includes those who are wheelchair bound and those who are blind. Such measures are inevitably constrained by practical considerations; eg in relation to the adaptability of existing accommodation. It covers patients, staff and visitors. This policy is reflected in general and specific terms in the hospital planning guidance notes prepared by the Management Executive and published by HMSO.

  Training
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, in 1992–93 prices and cash terms, the total amount spent of the budget for training for Scotland in each year since 1989–90, the expected outturn in 1992–93 and plans for 1993–94.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 24 February 1993]: Training expenditure in Scotland was not recorded separately in the years prior to 1991–92. Since then, resources have been made available as part of the grant-in-aid of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support the training programmes administered by these bodies. The following table provides details:

  £million

  1991–92 (outturn)

  1992–93 (estimated outturn)

  1993–941 (plans)

  Cash

  227·985

  216·451

  195·650

  1992–93 prices

  237·674

  216·451

  190·413

  1 The approved estimate for 1993–94 is expected to include additional provision of up to £4 million.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details from the 1991 census of the numbers unemployed as a proportion of the economically active population in each ward making up the Cunninghame, North constituency.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: The figures are given in the table.
  361

  Unemployed as a percentage of the economically active population

  Ward

  Per cent.

  Ardrossan North

  12·4

  Ardrossan South

  16·8

  Arran

  8·3

  Beith

  9·6

  Dalry

  10·5

  Fairlie, Skelmorlie and Cumbrae

  7·8

  Garnock East

  8·3

  Kilbirnie North

  13·6

  Kilbirnie South

  14·8

  Largs North

  9·5

  Largs South

  90

  Saltcoats East

  20·2

  Saltcoats North

  17·0

  South Beach

  11·9

  West Kilbride

  10·4

  All wards in constituency

  11·7

  Note: The areal definition of ward used for census output involves some approximation but it is thought unlikely that this would have a significant effect on the figures.

  Archaeological Sites
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department and Historic Scotland have made of the effect of extreme weather conditions in January on archaeological sites in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: Inspectors from Historic Scotland have visited a selection of sites damaged by the January storms on Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. The Orkney Islands archaeologist is conducting detailed inspection of damage to sites in Orkney with financial support from Historic Scotland. Historic Scotland will fund at least one small excavation at Tuquoy in Orkney, to follow up damage in January to a site on which excavations were undertaken in advance of coastal erosion which took place up to 1988. Historic Scotland also plans further assessment at the Brough of Birsay as a consequence of storm damage. Sampling is being arranged at one damaged site in the Western Isles; other sites visited by an inspector following storm damage had been sampled previously and no systematic survey is planned. No request has been received to date from the Shetland Islands archaeologist for emergency assessment of sites following the January storms. No systematic survey is planned but Historic Scotland inspectors will shortly be carrying out a further inspection. Assessment of the effects of pollution from oil spilled from the Braer wreck on Jarlshof and neighbouring sites has already commenced. No reports have been received of damage to archaeological sites elsewhere in Scotland from the extreme weather conditions in January.

  Ecological Steering Group
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the budgetary arrangements for the ecological steering groups referred to in his statement of 11 January,Official Report, column 626.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: The sum of £20,000 has been made available to support the ecological steering group in this financial year, and adequate provision will be made for 1993–94. I expect that its work will largely be founded on investigations carried
  362
  out, or to be carried out, by other bodies, but if it should become clear that further funding is needed the Government will respond appropriately.

  Arbroath Infirmary
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reductions Tayside health board intend to make on X-ray facilities at Arbroath infirmary.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Tayside health board currently has no plans to change X-ray facilities at Arbroath infirmary. The board is undertaking public consultation on its proposal to withdraw specialist general medical services from the Infirmary and, in their place, develop a GP-led service. If that proposal goes ahead the board will review, with the GPs, the level of X-ray facilities required.

  Casualty Services
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what finance and other resources are currently made available to general practitioner-provided casualty services by hospitals in each health board.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: The information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what limitations are imposed on general practitioner hospital casualty services; and how these are regulated.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: The scope of the casualty service provided by general practitioners is a matter for health boards and individual practitioners. In each case, clinical judgment will determine whether a patient should be treated by the general practitioner or referred to a larger hospital or a specialist. Where necessary, referral protocols can be agreed between GPs and the hospitals with which they regularly deal.

  Out-patient Clinics, Angus
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which specialist out-patient clinics are currently being proposed by Tayside health board at each Angus hospital; and which they propose to end.

  Mr. Stewart [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Specialist out-patient clinics currently held at each Angus hospital are set out in the table. Tayside health board has no plans to change these.

  Stracathro

  Surgical/Urology

  Neurosurgery

  Orthopaedic

  Ophthalmology

  Diabetes

  Medical

  Dermatology

  Paediatrics

  Geriatrics

  Brechin Infirmary

  Gynaecology

  Ante-natal

  Surgical Ophthalmology

  Diabetes

  Medical

  Plastic Surgery

  363

  Orthopaedic

  ENT

  Psychiatry

  Montrose Infirmary

  Gynaecology

  Ante-natal

  Surgical

  Ophthalmology

  Orthoptic

  Medical

  Chest Medicine

  Dermatology

  Orthopaedic

  ENT

  Psychiatry

  Arbroath Infirmary

  Gynaecology

  Ante-natal

  Surgical

  Neurology

  Orthoptic

  Diabetes

  Medical

  Dermatology

  Chest Medicine

  Rheumatology

  Orthopaedic

  ENT

  Psychiatry

  Paediatric

  Psychiatry of Old Age

  Forfar Infirmary

  Gynaecology

  Surgical

  Medical

  Chest Medicine

  Dermatology

  Rheumatology

  Orthopaedics

  ENT

  Psychiatry of Old Age

  Fyfe Jamieson

  Ante-natal

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what payments have been made to general practitioners in respect of community hospitals in each health board in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mrs. Donna Bromham
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Donna Bromham in Nairn on 19 July 1992; and what alterations have been made to the Scottish road safety vehicle which hit her.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: Mrs. Donna Bromham dies tragically from injuries sustained when she was struck by a loose flap of a road safety display vehicle. The accident happened on 19 July 1992 in the town of Nairn. Mrs. Bromham was on the footpath when the accident occurred. The police reported the matter to the procurator fiscal at Inverness who, after consultation with Crown counsel, took criminal proceedings against the driver on charges of careless driving and use of a vehicle in a dangerous condition. The driver went
  364
  to trial at Inverness sheriff court and was found not guilty on the first charge but was convicted on the second. He was fined £100 and had his licence endorsed with three penalty points.

  The vehicle was held for inspection by Northern Constabulary and released to Highland regional council on 3 August 1992, since when it has not been in use. It will not be permitted on the roads until modifications have been carried out by the regional council, and inspected by the police. The modifications will provide additional security and allow for visual confirmation that the flap is in a safe condition for transportation.

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

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: The number of recorded deliveries by Caesarean section for the years 1975–92 is given in the table. Comparable information for 1970–74 is not available centrally.

  Year

  Number

  Percentage of total deliveries

  1975

  5,627

  8·7

  1976

  6,083

  9·4

  1977

  6,297

  10·0

  1978

  6,930

  10·7

  1979

  7,686

  11·3

  1980

  7,958

  11·5

  1981

  8,246

  11·8

  1982

  8,388

  12·5

  1983

  8,231

  13·5

  1984

  8,547

  13·0

  1985

  8,834

  13·2

  1986

  8,828

  13·3

  1987

  9,104

  13·5

  1988

  9,523

  14·3

  1989

  9,177

  14·9

  1990

  9,534

  14·3

  1991

  9,754

  14·0

  11992

  9,234

  14.0

  1 Provisional.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed in the dairy industry in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: The information sought is not held centrally. Estimates of the number of people employed on dairy farms are set out in the following table:

  Year

  On-farm

  1982

  11,756

  1983

  11,680

  1984

  11,288

  1985

  10,737

  1986

  10,230

  1987

  9,994

  1988

  9,494

  1989

  9,340

  1990

  9,323

  1991

  9,018

  1992

  8,636

  Midwifery Services, Angus
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which locations have been selected for general practitioner/community-led midwifery services in Angus;

  (2) what estimates he has of the staff implications of creating general practitioner community-led midwifery services in Angus hospitals; and what representations or discussions he has had on this subject.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 March 1993]: As a pilot study, Tayside health board plans to introduce, in Forfar, a general practitioner-led maternity service which has on-call support from the local community midwives.

  The new service will be located at Whitehills hospital and replace the current maternity service provided at Fyfe-Jamieson maternity home. The relocation, together with the change of service will result in a decrease in staffing of 10 whole-time equivalent nurses and 3·4 whole-time equivalent support staff.

  The Secretary of State has not received any representations about the planned service or held discussions on the subject.

  Tayside Health Board
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what salaries and other payments have been made to Tayside health board members in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 February 1993]: Remuneration of non-executive members of Tayside health board commenced only in April 1991 and has remained at its initial level of £5,000 per annum. In addition these members are entitled to claim travelling and subsistence allowances at rates set for members of public bodies. Information is not held centrally on the amount of allowances claimed on the payment of executive members, which is a matter for the board itself.

  Maternity Provision
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the maintenance of current maternity provision in Montrose and Arbroath.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 26 February 1993]: I understand that Tayside health board has no plans, at present, to change the existing maternity provision in Montrose and Arbroath.

  White Fish
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet representatives of the Scottish inshore fleet to discuss the problems resulting from undisclosed landings of white fish; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to meet with representatives of the Scottish inshore fleet to discuss undisclosed landings of white fish.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to control undeclared landings of white fish at east coast ports in breach of vessels' quotas; and if he will make a statement.
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  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency devotes substantial resources to detecting and preventing undeclared landings. There are regular out of hours patrols by fishery officers and fishery protection vessels are deployed to patrol harbours where there is a risk of undeclared landings.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers are available to him to deal with white fish landings which are undisclosed for quota purposes; and how many times those powers have been used in the last two years for which figures are available.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: Vessels which fail to declare landings of white fish may be in breach of European Community regulations requiring the master of a vessel to submit to the authorities documents on the vessel's fishing activity and the catch landed. Failure to submit such documentation may lead to the imposition of a fine not exceeding £2,000. Masters of vessels will normally supply the necessary documentation when a landing is detected by the authorities. There has been one successful prosecution in the last two years.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being undertaken by his Department to investigate the extent of undisclosed white fish landings; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: There is no reliable source of information on the overall extent of undisclosed white fish landings. My Department's main priority is to take action to detect and prevent attempted clandestine landings and, where appropriate, to report cases to the prosecuting authorities.

  Eastwood/East Kilbride
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to implement the proposed changes to the local government boundary between East Kilbride district council and Eastwood district council.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: As is usual is such cases, my Department invited the affected local authorities to propose a mutually convenient date for the transfer to take effect. No date has yet been volunteered. My officials have now written to the authorities setting a deadline of the end of March 1993 for them to agree a date. In the absence of agreement by that date the Secretary of State will make the order required to implement the changes. The date selected will be binding on all parties.

  M80
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received to date from public bodies, organisations and individuals concerning the proposed extension of the M80 motorway between Stepps and Haggs.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The formal presentations made to regional and district councils and other bodies in the latter part of 1992 and the series of public meetings which followed have prompted 53 representations to date. Of these, seven have been from local authorities and public bodies, six from community councils and residents associations, eight from

  367
  organisations and 32 from individuals. In their representations the local authorities and public bodies have mainly supported the Kelvin Valley route with none coming out against it. The remainder of the representations have tended to reflect the particular interest of the group or individual concerned, with those living alongside the alternative A80 route opposing it and those affected by the Kelvin Valley route rejecting that line. A small number of individuals have questioned the justification for either route.

  Computer Literacy
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote computer literacy among those aged 12 to 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: Under the five to 14 programme, national guidelines provide schools with guidance on the application of computer learning in each of the curricular areas. In this way pupils will develop knowledge of computers and relevant skills in using technology.

  Also, as part of a series of reports on effective learning and teaching, the Scottish Office education department plans to publish a report covering computing later this year. This report will make recommendations to help ensure quality in provision.

  Improving standards of attainment, including those in information technology, will also be central to our consideration of the way forward in relation to the Howie committee's proposals for the development of upper secondary education.

  New Towns
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what position has been reached in the wind-up of Scottish new town development corporations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: Orders to wind-up East Kilbride and Glenrothes development corporations were made on 24 February 1992 with wind-up to be completed by 31 December 1995. These development corporations are due to make their first interim reports to the Secretary of State on progress towards wind-up by 30 June of this year. The dates planned for completion of the wind-up of Cumbernauld, Livingston and Irvine development corporations are 31 December in 1996, 1998 and 1999 respectively. Consultation about winding-up Cumbernauld development corporation will take place later this year with a view to an order being made in December.

  On 12 and 13 February 1992 my right hon. and learned Friend informed the new town development corporations of his decisions about successor arrangements for economic development and the disposal of the corporation's assets, including housing. Subsequently the Scottish Office industry department provided development corporations with detailed guidance on implementation of these decisions. Further guidance covering the financial arrangements relating to the disposal of housing, the transfer of planning and the disposal of environmental, civic and community assets is being prepared in light of comments from the new town development corporations and other interested parties, including Scottish Homes and
  368
  local authorities. All of the guidance emphasises the importance of early and detailed consultation between the development corporations and Scottish Enterprise, local enterprise companies, Scottish Homes and local authorities. These discussions have begun and are at different stages in each town reflecting the different wind-up timetables.

  Some progress in the disposal of assets and liabilities has been made in all of the new towns and officials from the Scottish Office industry department are in regular contact to monitor progress.

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Schools
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which schools in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency will be inspected by Her Majesty's inspectorate for schools in the next five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: Her Majesty's inspectorate inspects each year a representative sample of schools designed to ensure balance in terms of factors such as location, size, performance, date of previous inspection. An appropriate proportion of schools in the hon. Member's constituency will be included in the sample. The list of schools to be inspected is not published in advance; schools and their education authorities are informed by letter when the inspection is about to commence.

  English and Communication Skills
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the use of English and communication skills among those persons aged 12 to 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: A number of measures already in place are aimed at the improvement of the use of English and communication skills. The national guidelines "English Language 5–14" are designed to ensure that between these ages pupils learn to communicate effectively in written and spoken forms and that due attention is given to grammar and spelling.

  We have also recently published the report "Effective Learning and Teaching in Scottish Secondary Schools: English" as part of a series which describes good practice in a range of secondary school subjects.

  Improving standards of attainment, including attainment in English, will also be central to our consideration of the way forward in relation to the Howie committee's proposals for the development of upper secondary education.

  Gaelic
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he makes of the total number of persons domiciled in Scotland who speak Gaelic as(a) their first language and (b) their sole language.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The information requested is not available. The 1991 census revealed, however, that there were 69,979 people in Scotland who could speak, read or write Gaelic.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average age of persons domiciled in Scotland speaking Gaelic as a first language.
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  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The information requested in not available.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure by his Department in the promotion of the Gaelic language during the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The total expenditure on the promotion of Gaelic in 1992–93 is estimated to be £11.9 million. This comprises support for Gaelic education through a scheme of specific grants to local authorities and otherwise; for the building of an extension to Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye (alongside contributions from Scottish Television and Grampian Television); for Gaelic broadcasting; and for organisations which exist to support the language and culture.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the projected expenditure by his Department in the promotion of the Gaelic language in each year of the future public expenditure programme.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The projected expenditure is as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  12.095

  1994–95

  11 936

  1995–96

  12.173

  Table 2

  Main crime or offence

  Persons called to court

  Charge proved

  Percentage of persons called to court with charge proved

  1990

  1991

  1990

  1991

  1990

  1991

  Total crimes and offences

  197,532

  190,246

  175,947

  170,492

  89

  90

  Homicide

  103

  101

  87

  87

  84

  86

  Serious assault

  1,563

  1,304

  1,162

  968

  74

  74

  Handling offensive weapons

  1,411

  1,355

  1,011

  1,010

  72

  75

  Robbery

  841

  790

  637

  614

  76

  78

  Other non-sexual violence

  514

  418

  402

  317

  78

  76

  Sexual assault

  229

  177

  165

  124

  72

  70

  Lewd and libidinous practices

  431

  397

  355

  326

  82

  82

  Other indecent

  1,150

  889

  1,115

  864

  97

  97

  Housebreaking

  7,345

  6,617

  6,084

  5,429

  83

  82

  Theft by opening l'fast places

  3,562

  3,529

  2,832

  2,818

  80

  80

  Theft of motor vehicle

  3,195

  3,139

  2,322

  2,282

  73

  73

  Shoplifting

  7,061

  7,116

  6,402

  6,409

  91

  90

  Other theft

  10,621

  9,033

  9,128

  7,689

  86

  85

  Fraud

  3,709

  3,211

  3,329

  2,883

  90

  90

  Other dishonesty

  4,371

  4,280

  3,630

  3,541

  83

  83

  Fire-raising

  213

  177

  174

  144

  82

  81

  Vandalism, etc.

  6,673

  6,069

  5,810

  5,232

  87

  86

  Crimes against public justice

  6,985

  6,602

  5,718

  5,333

  82

  81

  Drugs

  3,417

  4,022

  3,016

  3,474

  88

  86

  Other crimes

  41

  43

  24

  30

  59

  70

  Simple assault

  16,080

  14,124

  13,086

  11,389

  81

  81

  Breach of the peace

  23,291

  19,805

  20,219

  17,115

  87

  86

  Drunkenness

  2,898

  2,162

  2,820

  2,092

  97

  97

  Other miscellaneous offences

  18,157

  18,650

  16,726

  17,645

  92

  95

  Reckless and careless driving

  8,778

  7,748

  8,073

  7,159

  92

  92

  Drunk driving

  8,835

  8,452

  8,607

  8,227

  97

  97

  Speeding

  18,175

  21,790

  17,946

  21,547

  99

  99

  Unlawful use of vehicle

  21,016

  21,677

  19,603

  20,415

  93

  94

  Vehicle defect offences

  5,029

  4,490

  4,587

  4,091

  91

  91

  Other motor vehicle offences

  11,838

  12,079

  10,877

  11,238

  92

  93

  Prosecutions
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of cases referred to the Scottish Crown prosecution service in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) July 1991 to June 1992 resulted in (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction, in each offence category.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Information is not available in the form requested. Table 1 shows the total number of reports to the procurator fiscal for 1990–92, and the total number and percentage of these reports which resulted in court proceedings. Table 2 shows the number of persons proceeded against in 1990–91 by offence category and the number and percentage of these persons who subsequently had a charge proved against them.

  Table 1

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Reports to procurator fiscal

  360,896

  368,974

  367,063

  Reports resulting in court proceedings

  188,259

  196,268

  189,934

  Other non-court proceedings1

  131,824

  137,380

  141,542

  No proceedings

  40,813

  35,326

  35,587

  Percentage of reports resulting in court proceedings

  52

  53

  52

  1 Non-court proceedings include, warning letters, conditional offers for motor vehicle offences, fiscal fines and diversion.

  Schools Expenditure
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the expenditure on each(a) primary school pupil, (b) secondary school pupil and (c) average for all pupils, for the last financial year for which information is available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: The information is given in the table. It does not include the cost of home to school transport, school meals, education authority central administration and loan charges.

  Net current expenditure per pupil in 1990–91

  £

  Primary

  1,508

  Secondary

  2,675

  All schools

  2,098

  Note: These figures have been compiled from local authority financial returns. The "All schools" figure relates to nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  Business Rate
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many business rate appeals are currently outstanding in each Scottish region and in total.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Not all the valuation areas are coterminous with Scottish regions. The information in the form that it is recorded is set out in the table.

  Outstanding business rate appeals as at 25 February 1993

  Valuation areas

  Appeals

  Borders

  Nil

  Central

  63

  Dumfries and Galloway

  29

  Fife

  298

  Grampian

  135

  Highland/Western Isles

  900

  Lothian

  445

  Orkney/Shetland

  6

  Strathclyde

  450

  Tayside

  1,068

  TOTAL

  3,394

  Hospitals
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what discussions his Department has had with the University of Edinburgh and Lothian health board with regard to the replacement of the dental hospital in Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if it is still his policy to build a replacement for the Royal infirmary in Edinburgh; and when he expects to make an announcement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Discussions between the University of Edinburgh and Lothian health board and the Scottish Office Home and Health Department about the proposed new Edinburgh dental hospital continue. My right hon. Friend remains fully committed to providing such capital investment as is necessary to establish the dental hospital. It will be for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary NHS trust, if its application for trust status is approved, to take forward plans for a new dental hospital in consultation with prospective purchasing health boards.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is still his policy to build a new dental hospital in Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Policy on the distribution of acute hospitals in Edinburgh is a matter primarily for Lothian health board, in consultation with the Scottish Office Home and Health Department and subject to the approval of my right hon. Friend. Consultations are continuing and proposals will be issued for public consultation in due course.

  Civil Legal Aid
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what change there has been in the cost of civil legal aid between 1991–92 and 1992–93; and if he will publish the figures on that matter supplied to him by the Scottish Legal Aid Board and its commentary on those figures.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: Gross expenditure on civil legal aid in 1991–92 was £16·58 million. Figures provided by the Scottish Legal Aid Board show that actual expenditure to the end of January 1993 was £20·54 million. The board estimates that expenditure for the full financial year 1992–93 will be £23·45 million—a projected increase of 41·4 per cent. over the 1991–92 outturn. In the view of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, the rise is caused by an increasing number of grants and by grants being claimed and paid more quickly.