Written Answers of 10 March 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In 1991–92 expenditure on official entertainment in the Lord Chancellor's Department was

  Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom by Polish nationals, excluding dependants, and decisions

  Number of principal applicants

  Decisions1

  Refusals

  Applications received

  Total decisions

  Recognised as refugee and granted asylum

  Not recognised as refugee but granted exceptional leave

  Total refused

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave after determination

  Refused on safe third country grounds2

  Refused under para 101 of Immigration rules3

  April 1992

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  May 1992

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  June 1992

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  July 1992

  4

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  August 1992

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  September 1992

  3

  3

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  October 1992

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  November 1992

  4

  2

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  December 1992

  63

  6

  —

  —

  6

  1

  4

  1

  January 1993

  85

  9

  —

  —

  9

  —

  9

  —

  February

  19

  5

  —

  —

  5

  —

  5

  —

  1 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period.

  2 Refused on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country.

  3 Refused for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failure to respond to two invitations to interview to establish identity.

  Prosecutions and Convictions
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have been made in each police authority area in respect of (i) the Football Spectators Act 1989 and (ii) the Aggravated Vehicle-Taking Act 1992, respectively, since the Acts came into force.

  Mr. Jack
  Information collected centrally on the number of prosecutions, convictions and orders given under the Football Spectators Act 1989 for 1990 and 1991 is given in the table. 1992 data will not be available until autumn 1993.
  552
  £20,894·90p. In the current financial year, expenditure to 31 January, the latest date to which figures are available, it was £16,460·25p.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Manchester Prison (Market Testing)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the revised closing date for tenders in respect of the market-testing exercise at HM prison Manchester.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  13 April 1993.

  Political Asylum
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Poland have applied for political asylum since April 1992; and of these, how many have been granted asylum.

  Court proceedings data under the Agravated Vehicle-Taking Act 1992, which did not come into force until April 1992, will not be available until autumn 1993.

  Number of orders made under Section 15(1) of the Football Spectators Act 1989 by police force area 1990 and 1991

  Police Force Area

  Orders

  1990

  Derbyshire

  17

  Dorset

  1

  Merseyside

  1

  1991

  Merseyside

  4

  553

  Number of defendants prosecuted and found guilty of offences under the Football Spectators Act 1989 by police force area 1990 and 1991

  Offence

  Police force area

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  1990 Nil return

  1991

  Failing to comply with the duty to report imposed by a restriction order [Section 16(4)]

  Humberside

  1

  1

  Metropolitan Police District

  1

  1

  Failing to comply with requirements necessary to give effect to restriction orders [Section 19(6)]

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  —

  Derbyshire

  3

  3

  Kent

  1

  1

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  Making a false statement or making use of a false document in connection with an application for exemption from the duty to report [Section 20(10)]

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  —

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each year of the last 10 years, the number of police officers in the Metropolitan police area per head of population and the actual numbers used in the calculation.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is as follows:

  Population

  Establishment

  Ratio

  1982

  7,329,000

  26,615

  1:275

  1983

  7,214,000

  26,915

  1:268

  1984

  7,200,000

  27,115

  1:266

  1985

  7,202,000

  27,165

  1:265

  1986

  7,241,000

  27,515

  1:263

  1987

  7,247,000

  27,815

  1:261

  1988

  7,237,000

  28,115

  1:257

  1989

  7,201,000

  28,415

  1:253

  1990

  7,223,000

  28,423

  1:254

  1991

  7,260,000

  28,439

  1:255

  1992

  7,284,000

  28,680

  1:254

  Secure Units
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his statement to the House on 2 March,Official Report, column 139, what he estimates will be the total capital costs of the secure units; and how much will be available in the current financial year and in each of the next five years.

  Mr. Jack
  As my right hon. and learned Friend indicated in his statement on 2 March, at columns 139–42, we are now working up detailed plans for the introduction of a new secure training order for persistent juvenile offenders between the ages of 12 and 15. At this stage, it is not possible to provide detailed estimates of the extra capital provision likely to be required for this purpose.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.
  554
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department's expenditure on official entertainment in the financial year 1991–92 was £28,094; and in the current financial year, to 28 February, is £16,387.

  Cleveland Alternatives for Young People
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 February,Official Report, column 609, if he will give funding to revive the Cleveland Alternatives for Young People project.

  Mr. Jack
  I understand that the Cleveland Alternatives for Young People project, which originally received funding from the Department of Health, is now a part of the local authority's youth justice team and that its services continue to be offered by the local authority.

  Andrew Ohene
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement about the death of Andrew Ohene in Swaleside prison on 13 June 1992.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At the inquest into the death of Mr. Ohene, which concluded on 5 February 1993, the jury recorded the verdict that death was caused by "misadventure aggravated by lack of care". Following the inquest, the prison service operational director with responsibility for Swaleside prison established an inquiry into the circumstances of Mr. Ohene's death. The inquiry is being conducted by Mr. John Harrison, the governor of Canterbury prison, and by Dr. Roger Ralli, principal medical officer within the prison service's directorate of health care.

  Police
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will provide by police authority for England details of the ratio of the standard spending assessment and the population served for the years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–24; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the ratio of the approved establishment to the population served in each police authority area in England in 1991–92 and 1992–93, and proposed for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.
  555
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is shown in the table.

  Force

  Police: population ratio (officers per person)

  SSA: Population ratio (£ per person)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Avon and Somerset

  464

  464

  464

  38·73

  44·71

  46·45

  Bedfordshire

  478

  454

  454

  37·88

  47·03

  49·59

  Cambridgeshire

  544

  540

  540

  32·38

  39·58

  41·12

  Cheshire

  509

  503

  503

  35·16

  41·18

  42·79

  City of London

  5

  5

  5

  5,033·90

  5,655·37

  6,480·49

  Cleveland

  371

  371

  371

  48·50

  55·85

  58·03

  Cumbria

  414

  413

  413

  43·19

  50·25

  52·21

  Derbyshire

  515

  508

  508

  34·34

  40·81

  42·40

  Devon and Cornwall

  525

  516

  516

  34·08

  40·14

  41·61

  Dorset

  515

  509

  509

  34·51

  40·72

  42·30

  Durham

  435

  435

  435

  40·96

  47·65

  49·51

  Essex

  511

  501

  501

  37·13

  43·77

  45·87

  Gloucestershire

  455

  455

  455

  38·89

  45·56

  47·33

  Greater Manchester

  363

  362

  362

  49·32

  56·36

  58·51

  Hampshire

  533

  522

  522

  35·13

  41·96

  44·25

  Hertfordshire

  501

  500

  500

  39·14

  46·06

  47·82

  Humberside

  432

  430

  430

  41·32

  48·23

  50·10

  Kent

  504

  491

  491

  37·32

  44·44

  47·06

  Lancashire

  437

  436

  436

  41·09

  47·53

  49·38

  Leicestershire

  488

  481

  481

  36·64

  43·13

  44·80

  Lincolnshire

  491

  491

  491

  36·36

  42·19

  43·83

  Merseyside

  306

  306

  306

  58·72

  67·70

  70·33

  Norfolk

  534

  525

  525

  33·38

  39·48

  41·01

  Northamptonshire

  503

  493

  493

  34·98

  42·02

  43·66

  Northumbria

  400

  397

  397

  44·63

  52·12

  54·15

  North Yorkshire

  510

  508

  508

  35·16

  40·78

  42·37

  Nottinghamshire

  433

  433

  433

  41·55

  47·85

  49·71

  South Yorkshire

  429

  426

  426

  41·75

  48·61

  50·50

  Staffordshire

  474

  473

  473

  37·84

  43·84

  45·55

  Suffolk

  544

  537

  537

  32·74

  38·62

  40·12

  Surrey

  460

  459

  459

  43·29

  51·08

  52·72

  Sussex

  480

  474

  474

  39·22

  42·48

  44·75

  Thames Valley

  529

  517

  517

  35·94

  43·19

  45·92

  Warwickshire

  482

  480

  480

  37·66

  43·93

  45·81

  West Mercia

  543

  535

  535

  33·15

  38·74

  40·25

  West Midlands

  376

  375

  375

  47·38

  54·64

  56·76

  West Yorkshire

  390

  390

  390

  45·99

  53·13

  55·20

  Wiltshire

  516

  487

  487

  36·72

  46·07

  48·28

  Metropolitan

  256

  258

  258

  92·93

  100·14

  104·56

  Notes:

  1. The latest population information available from the OPCS is for mid-1991.

  2. For consistency with the shire forces, the SSA information used for the metropolitan single-service authorities excludes the capital financing and other services components.

WALES

  Syllabuses
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local education authorities who have adopted new agreed syllabuses since 29 September 1988, stating for each such local education authority whether the syllabus is newly prepared or is an adopted syllabus of another local education authority; and in the latter case if he will give the name of that adopted syllabus and the date of preparation.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I understand the local education authorities for Clwyd, Dyfed, Powys and Gwent have adopted new agreed syllabuses since 29 September 1988 and that none of them is an agreed syllabus of another LEA. I further understand that Gwynedd LEA has completed a review of its agreed syllabus and that Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan and South Glamorgan LEAs are at present reviewing their agreed syllabuses.

  Schools (Daily Worship)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give for each local education authority(a) the number of determinations granted to schools by the Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education under section 12 of the Education Reform Act 1988, (b) the total number of county and controlled schools and (c) the percentage of such schools which have been granted exemption from daily Christain worship; and if he will give the corresponding figures for Wales as a whole.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally.

  Development Agency (Merger)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the merger of the Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Tillery Valley Foods
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what authorisation was(a) sought and (b) granted for departmental officials from his NHS directorate to attend the opening of Tillery Valley Foods new factory on 1 March.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No specific authorisation was required for the visit, which was undertaken by the director, NHS Wales.

  Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total received for Wales from the European regional development fund in each year since 1987–88; and what are the expected receipts for each year until 1996–97.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Since 1987–88, the amounts allocated from the European regional development fund are given in the table:

  £ million

  1987

  57·8

  1988

  63·3

  1989

  38·8

  1990

  27·4

  1991

  89·0

  11992

  54·9

  11993

  61·9

  1 Figures quoted are based on an exchange rate of £1 = 1435 ecu.

  Negotiations are continuing over Wales' allocation for 1994–97.

  National Technology Strategy
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to develop a national technology strategy for Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I already have a policy which actively encourages the strengthening of the technology base in Wales. This includes maximising the use in Wales of Government support means such as SMART, SPUR, STRIDE and other technology transfer schemes.

  In addition, other initiatives such as the creation of Imperial Park, the formation of the Welsh relay centre and the publication by the WDA of the "Welsh Academic Directory" are designed to assist.

  Development Agency
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each year since 1987–88(a) the estimated market value at 1993 prices of property owned by the Welsh Development Agency, (b) the amount raised by the sale of property, (c) the total floor area of property owned and (d) the total floor area of property sold; and if he will provide forecasts of the corresponding figures for years until 1996–97.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have arranged for the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Gentleman, and for a copy of his response to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the finance for the work of the Welsh 558
  Development Agency has come from European Community sources in each year since 1987–88; and how much is expected to come from European Community sources in each year to 1996–97.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Figures for the period 1987–88 to 1992–93 are set out in the table:

  Finance from the European Community

  £

  1987–88

  502,166

  1988–89

  2,560,725

  1989–90

  1,759,046

  1990–91

  3,917,682

  1991–92

  1,231,505

  11992–93

  804,252

  1 To 5 March 1993.

  Note: Figures include loans from the European Coal and Steel Community for which the WDA acts as agents.

  EC funding for future years will be dependent upon the number of successful bids made by the agency.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how much has been allocated to and how much has been spent of the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget, in each of the last four years;

  (2) if he will list the projects which have been funded from the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget in each of the last three years; and what was the funding level granted to each project.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund—TGF—is supported from its investment, grant in aid budget which includes a number of other investments. TGF expenditure in each of the last three years and a forecast outturn for the current year is as follows:

  Total WDA technology growth fund payments

  £

  1989–90

  540,000

  1990–91

  120,000

  1991–92

  92,500

  1992–93

  400,000

  I am not able to provide details of support to individual companies as this may be commercially sensitive.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve investment in Welsh organic farming.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am considering a new grant scheme to encourage organic methods of production on farms and holdings in Wales. A consultation paper will be issued shortly.

  High Technology Training
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to improve the quality of training in high technology in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A rigorous quality standard is applied to high technology training under employment training in Wales. A comprehensive quality system, based on the
  559
  European quality award and developed by the department in collaboration with the Wales Quality Centre, is used by training and enterprise councils in contracting with their training providers.

  Under the new training for work programme I expect all Welsh TECs to continue to offer quality training in high technology skills.

  Lords Lieutenant
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the total cost of services provided by local authorities and other public bodies in connection with the official duties of lords lieutenant in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Personal expenses arising from the official duties of lords lieutenant in Wales are paid by the Welsh Office. Expenditure in 1992–93 is estimated to be £16,500. Information on the cost of services provided by local authorities and other public bodies is not held centrally.

  RECHAR Programme
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the projects in Wales that have gained approval under the European Community's RECHAR programme to date and the amount of funding granted.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the budget for each training and enterprise council in Wales for 1992–93.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 10 November 1992, at column 723.

  Education (Special Needs)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase available resources to local education authorities in Wales to assist with promoting policies of integrating children with special educational needs in mainstream schools; and how much has been allocated to each local education authority for this specific purpose in each of the last five years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Resources for local authorities are not hypothecated and it is for authorities to determine funding for integration in the light of local circumstances and priorities. For 1993–94, under the grants for education support and training—GEST—programme, the Welsh Office is making grant available to local education authorities to support expenditure of £223,000 on projects for the integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream settings. The Department has also invited applications from county joint planning teams for pump priming funding under the mental handicap strategy for integration in education.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all those services or functions that have been contracted out from his Department since November 1991 560
  without market testing an in-house bid against external competition, with, in each instance, the successful contractor and the reasons for the decision to exclude an in-house bid.

  Mr. David Hunt
  There have been none.

  Local Government
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he received during the consultation period on the future of local government in Wales; how many of these representations urged him to abolish Montgomeryshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Since June 1991 I have received many tens of thousands of representations in the form of letters, petitions and other submissions including a small number who favoured unitary authority status for Powys.

  Substance Advisory Committee
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will grant funding to the substance advisory committee to enable it to employ a full-time worker in the Llandrindod Wells area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This financial year the Welsh Office has allocated to Powys health authority over £131,000 from central funds for combating drugs misuse, to supplement the authority's own investment in this field of work. The location of the drugs misuse workers is a matter for the health authority.

  Drugs Dependency
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of drugs dependency have been recorded in Wales in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not available in the form requested. Figures relating to the number of first admissions to mental illness hospitals for drugs-related diagnoses are published in "Mental Health Statistics for Wales". The latest information on the number of addicts in Wales notified by medical practitioners to the chief medical officer at the Home Office is published in "Statistics of Drug Addicts notified to the Home Office, UK 1991: Area tables". Copies of these publications are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Further information is available from the Welsh drug misuse database, which was set up in April 1991. The database records anonymous information on individuals applying to voluntary/statutory drugs services of general practitioners in Wales with problems relating to the misuse of drugs. A total of 1,759 new cases of drugs abuse were recorded in 1992.

  Carmel Woods
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the future of Carmel woods in the Gwenlais valley; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has received representations from hon. Members, individuals and organisations. An appeal for the registration of a claimed
  561
  old mining permission in respect of land including the woods is currently before him. A public inquiry has been held and a decision will be reached as soon as possible after the inspector's report is received.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The amounts spent by the Welsh Office on official hospitality were:

  Amount

  1991–92

  £35,982

  11992–93

  £34,569

  1 28 February 1993

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what quantities of aid by bilateral, United Kingdom and EC programmes have been given to Nicaragua in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following is the information.

  Official development assistance (net) to Nicaragua 1982–1991

  ($ million)

  United Kingdom (bilateral)

  Other DAC donors (bilateral)

  European Community

  1982

  0·06

  76·83

  7·27

  1983

  0·10

  72·85

  6·85

  1984

  0·01

  71·65

  14·68

  1985

  0·15

  67·08

  12·65

  1986

  0·13

  104·45

  9·07

  1987

  —

  111·11

  14·29

  1988

  0·32

  166·24

  24·56

  1989

  0·10

  182·70

  19·66

  1990

  0·13

  273·58

  1n.a.

  1991

  0·36

  1n.a.

  1n.a.

  1 n.a.—not available.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures he will implement to ensure that the equal opportunities practices established in the civil service will be continued in any areas where services are contracted out to private companies.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Where services are contracted out to private companies, the Government do not intend to require particular employment policies and practices, and such requirements will not be included in tender documents. EC directives impose restrictions on the Government's ability to take account of non-commercial matters. Subject to these restrictions, departments and agencies may wish to give prospective contractors the 562
  opportunity to provide information on their employment policies and practices, including equal opportunities, that such contractors may believe is relevant to their ability to fulfil the contract for which they are bidding.

  Citizens Charter
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements are in place for the modification of insurance agreements between public service providers and insurance companies in order to underwrite the service commitments outlined in the Citizens Charter White Paper (July 1991, Cm 1599).

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No special arrangements have been established in relation to the commitments set out in the "Citizen's Charter", Cm 1599. Government Departments do not generally insure, as it is considered more cost effective to deal with claims as they arise.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The expenditure by my Department on official entertainment was £282,770 in 1991–92 and £52,567 in 1992–93 to date. The 1991–92 figure includes £234,126 directly attributable to the 1991 economic summit.

  European Bioinformatics Institute
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made on the United Kingdom's bid to host the European Bioinformatics Institute; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am delighted to announce that the United Kingdom has been successful in its bid to host the European Bioinformatics Institute at Cambridge. This was agreed yesterday by the governing council of the European molecular biology laboratory. The EBI is expected to be fully operational within two years. Accommodation will be provided jointly by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.

  Winning this bid represents a significant boost for British science. Molecular biology is an exciting and important area of modern science, with great potential for industry, and the EBI will provide researchers with vital informatics support. Securing this facility for the United Kingdom underlines our commitment to international science and will reinforce our leading position in molecular biology in Europe and beyond.

TRANSPORT

  Roadworks (Code of Practice)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the issue on approval of codes of practice under parts III and IV of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Three codes of practice have been prepared by the highway authorities and utilities committee, representing highway authorities and utilities
  563
  in Great Britain, and have been approved by the Secretaries of State for Transport, Scotland and Wales. They are the codes on:
  Reinstatement, approved under Sections 31 and 130, dated June 1992, published September 1992.
  Diversionary works, approved under Sections 84 and 143, dated June 1992, published October 1992.
  Co-ordination and Co-operation, approved under Sections 56, 59, 60, 115, 118 and 119, dated November 1992, published February 1993.

  The Secretaries of State for Transport, for Scotland and for Wales have issued a code of practice, dealing with safety at street works, under sections 6 and 124. This was published in February 1993.

  In addition, the Secretaries of State have arranged for the publication of the code of practice on inspections prepared by the highway authorities and utilities committee and dated July 1992. The Secretaries of State commend the use of this code although they have no statutory power to approve it.

  All of the codes have been the subject of extensive public consultation before approval, issue or commendation. All apply to the whole of Great Britain, and all are published by HMSO.

  Copies of all the codes of practice have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many night flights will be permitted at Heathrow and at Gatwick in the winter under his recent proposals, excluding aircraft which are at present exempt and assuming that airlines use the same mix of aircraft as in the past year.

  Mr. Norris
  At Heathrow the mix of traffic in the period 2330 to 0600 does not differ markedly between the seasons. Assuming airlines use the same mix of traffic as in the past year, the proposed winter quota of 5,000 for Heathrow would translate into about 2,000 movements by aircraft counting one or more under the proposed new system and there would be about 300 movements by zero-rated aircraft in addition to those currently exempt. The assumption that the mix of traffic at Gatwick at night in the winter season will remain unchanged is unlikely. The best estimate is that the proposed winter quota of 6,450 for Gatwick will translate into between 2,350 and 3,500 movements depending on the build-up between scheduled and chartered services. There would also be some movements by zero-rated aircraft in addition to those currently exempt.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Child casualties1by Police force area and severity: Great Britain 1990–1991

  Casualties

  1990

  1991

  Killed

  Injured

  Total

  Killed

  Injured

  Total

  Metropolitan Police

  30

  6,627

  6,657

  34

  5,913

  5,947

  Cumbria

  5

  392

  397

  6

  326

  332

  Lancashire

  11

  1,415

  1,426

  5

  1,332

  1,337

  Merseyside

  9

  1,726

  1,735

  14

  1,617

  1,631

  Greater Manchester

  17

  3,177

  3,194

  28

  2,883

  2,911

  Cheshire

  12

  735

  747

  3

  672

  675

  Northumbria

  19

  1,244

  1,263

  10

  1,199

  1,209

  564
  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport, excluding its agencies, spent £169,050 on official entertainment during 1991–92, and has spent £194,222 to date—5 March 1993—during 1992–93.

  Red Routes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the criteria used by his Department for the calculation of spending on roads leading to red routes in Greater London; how much has been spent in Islington; and how much is further planned on the Al red route in Islington.

  Mr. Norris
  The specific traffic management measures to be introduced on and adjacent to red routes will be determined in local plans to be prepared under the direction of the traffic director in accordance with his network plan.

  Some £680,000 has been spent by the Department on approved works on roads adjacent to the A1 pilot red route in Islington. Apart from maintenance, there are no plans at present for further expenditure on the pilot scheme in Islington, but the traffic director will be reviewing the route in due course to ensure that it is operating in accordance with his network plan for red routes generally.

  Speed Limits
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of the effect a drop in the national speed limit to 60 mph would have in a reduction in energy consumption.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We have made no precise estimate of the effect on fuel consumption of such a reduction in speed limits. The calculation is a complex one as fuel consumption would be affected by a number of factors, particularly the level of compliance with the speed limit, the rate of acceleration and braking, and the transfer of traffic to roads which already have a speed limit of 60 mph or less. However, the Government are keeping speed limits under review for both safety and environmental reasons. Our strategy is set out in the Department's document "Killing Speed and Saving Lives".

  Road Accidents (Children)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children were(a) killed and (b) injured on the roads in each police authority area in England in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The table shows the number of children aged up to 15 killed and injured on the roads, by police authority area for 1990 and 1991.
  565

  1990

  1991

  Killed

  Injured

  Total

  Killed

  Injured

  Total

  Durham

  8

  468

  476

  9

  449

  458

  North Yorkshire

  4

  575

  579

  5

  507

  512

  West Yorkshire

  20

  2,018

  2,038

  11

  1,878

  1,889

  South Yorkshire

  7

  1,099

  1,106

  7

  1,017

  1,024

  Humberside

  6

  888

  894

  11

  794

  805

  Cleveland

  8

  581

  589

  4

  588

  592

  West Midlands

  20

  2,444

  2,464

  22

  2,279

  2,301

  Staffordshire

  4

  1,022

  1,026

  10

  929

  939

  West Mercia

  13

  814

  827

  3

  753

  756

  Warwickshire

  3

  381

  384

  3

  304

  307

  Derbyshire

  8

  691

  699

  2

  593

  595

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  1,006

  1,015

  13

  986

  999

  Lincolnshire

  7

  458

  465

  8

  433

  441

  Leicestershire

  10

  747

  757

  7

  740

  747

  Northamptonshire

  6

  492

  498

  3

  420

  423

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  580

  585

  7

  491

  498

  Norfolk

  6

  670

  676

  6

  612

  618

  Suffolk

  2

  417

  419

  4

  437

  441

  Bedfordshire

  2

  452

  454

  6

  437

  443

  Hertfordshire

  3

  618

  621

  4

  492

  496

  Essex

  19

  1,177

  1,196

  7

  1,036

  1,043

  Thames Valley

  14

  1,376

  1,390

  5

  1,176

  1,181

  Hampshire

  16

  1,289

  1,305

  8

  1,130

  1,138

  Surrey

  2

  675

  677

  3

  546

  549

  Kent

  9

  1,054

  1,063

  16

  1,111

  1,127

  Sussex

  11

  948

  959

  3

  871

  874

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  9

  1,055

  1,064

  5

  883

  888

  Avon and Somerset

  4

  769

  773

  7

  737

  744

  Gloucestershire

  4

  300

  304

  4

  279

  283

  Wiltshire

  4

  387

  391

  7

  373

  380

  Dorset

  4

  454

  458

  5

  372

  377

  TOTAL

  350

  41,221

  41,571

  315

  37,595

  37,910

  1 Aged 0–15.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of passenger trains using the core west coast main line are arriving within five minutes of their scheduled times for the latest available period.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under the passengers charter, punctuality on InterCity services is measured by the number of trains arriving at their destinations within 10 minutes of the advertised time. On this basis, the west coast main line's performance for the period ending 27 February was 89·2 per cent.

  Twyford Down
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will order an inquiry into whether excessive force was used by private security guards to evict protesters from Twyford Down; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: No. Any allegations about the use of excessive force to remove trespassers from the Department's land at Twyford Down are for the police to investigate.

  Motorways (Grey Boxes)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sets of steps have been built on motorway verges to connect with grey boxes; what is the purpose of the boxes; what is the average cost of the construction of the steps; what is their expected annual usage; and amortised over 20 years what is the predicted average cost of such use.
  566
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: No central record is kept of the total number of sets of steps or their total usage. The steps are provided for safety reasons for when maintenance engineers carrying equipment need to gain access to the grey boxes mounted on embankments or at the bottom of slopes. Such access might be routine—about four to seven times a year per site—or for emergency repairs which might be during the day or night. The average cost of a set of steps is about £1,000. The grey boxes house electronic equipment for the motorway emergency telephones and matrix signals.

  New Drivers
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on the introduction of probationary plates for young or inexperienced drivers.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend is considering various options for reducing the high accident rate associated with young drivers. Probationary plates are just one of many possibilities. We hope to issue a consultation paper shortly.

  Staff (Working Hours)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a survey of all offices and agencies for which he has responsibility to ascertain to what extent staff supplying a service to the public are curtailing their work on a Friday afternoon earlier than other days of the week; and if he will make a statement on his policy on hours of staff working each week.
  567
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: As part of implementating the citizens charter, my Department has already undertaken a number of surveys of customers' attitudes and needs. Among other things, they have enabled the Department to adjust office "opening hours" more closely to what the public want. We do not apply a uniform rule, but we have a number of changes to provide a better service; for example the Driving Standards Agency now offers driving tests on Saturdays and summer evenings. We will continue to keep the position under review.

DEFENCE

  Bosnia
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the casualties sustained by Her Majesty's armed forces' peacekeeping force stationed in Bosnia; and how they were sustained.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There have been two deaths, that of Lance Corporal Edwards during an exchange of small arms fire by the warring factions in Gorni Vakuf on 13 January 1993, and that of Lance Corporal Rocke in the early hours of Saturday 6 March, the circumstances surrounding which are currently being investigated. There have been a further 48 casualties whose injuries were sufficiently serious or incapacitating that medical evacuation was necessary. Most have been of a minor nature resulting from road traffic accidents but more serious were a shrapnel wound sustained during a mortar attack, a ruptured liver suffered while taking exercise and an acid burn and fractured collar bone sustained from separate road traffic accidents.

  On and off duty road traffic accidents involving British Forces Belize

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  11992

  Number of accidents

  13

  6

  26

  33

  22

  50

  244

  Number of injuries3

  9

  8

  5

  4

  8

  7

  17

  Number of deaths

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  6

  1 Figures for 1992 are provisional.

  2 Up to July 1992.

  3 Comprises only those injuries resulting in admission to hospital.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sums of money have been paid to the Government of Belize in each of the past 10 years for the payment of road repairs and maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence does not make any payments to the Government of Belize in respect of road repairs and maintenance.

  Road Accidents
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the practice for boards of inquiry to investigate road traffic accidents occurring in other countries which involve armed forces personnel and vehicles and in which service men and women have suffered fatal or serious injuries; and if he will make a statement.

  Gulf Patrols
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost at current prices of the Royal Navy Gulf patrols in each year since 1987; and what are his estimates for the next two financial years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The costs of individual fleet tasks could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Test Sites, Australia
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet his Australian counterpart to discuss rehabilitation of the former United Kingdom nuclear test sites in Australia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Energy met my noble Friend, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, in November 1991 to discuss the Australian request for a United Kingdom contribution towards the cost of further rehabilitation of the former United Kingdom nuclear weapon tests sites at Maralinga and Emu Field. We have no plans for further meetings, but there has been regular contact with the Australian authorities on this subject and we hope to respond to the Australian request shortly.

  Belize
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many traffic accidents involving military personnel have occurred in Belize in each of the past seven years; what was the number of service men killed or injured in these accidents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Road traffic accidents involving military personnel serving overseas are investigated by the service police in liaison with the local police authorities. The findings of the police investigation are submitted to command headquarters for consideration. A board of inquiry may subsequently be convened if the command authorities require an internal investigation additional to that of the police, but this is not normally considered necessary.

  Welbeck College
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will detail the examination results for Welbeck college, Nottinghamshire for the last two academic years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information on A-level results is set out in the table.
  569

  Academic year

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Number of students

  66

  55

  Overall pass rate (per cent.)

  81

  76

  Average points per student in all examination subjects1

  19.35

  17.33

  1 Grade A=10 points, B=8, C=6, D=4 and E=2.

  RAF Hospitals
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 February to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox),Official Report, column 740, if he will place in the Library a copy of the review on which he based his decisions concerning RAF hospitals.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Gibraltar
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 February,Official Report, column 255, what estimate he has made of the costs of deploying personnel from the United Kingdom to undertake naval control of shipping tasks at Gibraltar in periods of tension or war, hitherto undertaken by Royal Naval Reserve personnel; what plans he has to close the maritime headquarters; what use it is intended to make of the accommodation at HMS Calpe; from whose budget the annual costs have hitherto been met; on whose budget the costs of the Territorial Army element of the Gibraltar Regiment are borne; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Naval control of shipping staff would only deploy to Gibraltar in the event of a major conflict. The extra costs of deploying an RNR officer would be approximately £160 per person travel costs, should a trooping flight be unavailable, and £1·55 per officer per day for mess accommodation at current prices. There are no plans to close the maritime headquarters. The accommodation at HMS Calpe will be used as a community centre by the staff of Commander British Forces Gibraltar and their families. The costs of pay, bounty and allowances for volunteer reservists at HMS Calpe fall to the top level budget of the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command; all other costs fall to the higher level budget of the Commander British Forces Gibraltar within the top level budget of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff as do the costs of the TA element of the Gibraltar Regiment.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Agricultural Land (Building)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual estimated yield if a 20 per cent. tax was imposed on the enhanced value of agricultural land sold for building development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that a reliable estimate could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Self-employment
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals who claim self-employed status each year are subsequently found to be employed.
  570
  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to review the principles of contract of service and contract for services in distinguishing between employed and self-employed status.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The principles of contract of service and contract for services are matters of general law. The application of these principles to the question of employment status for tax purposes is kept under review.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances the Inland Revenue treats an individual with one source of income as self-employed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Whether or not an individual is self-employed is a question of fact and law, and depends on the terms of the engagement concerned, rather than the number of sources of income.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the criteria applied by the Inland Revenue in determining whether an individual is self-employed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Guidelines to help an individual decide whether he or she is self-employed or an employee are set out in the Inland Revenue leaflet IR56/N139. These are summarised briefly in the table. But the criteria must be considered as a whole. Any one of them is unlikely to be sufficient in itself and the relative weight to be given to each may vary accordingly to the particular circumstances of the case.

  Does the individual have a final say in how the business is run? Does the individual risk money in the business? And is the individual responsible for meeting losses as well as taking profits?
  Does the individual have to do the work themselves, or can they hire someone to do the work (and pay them out of their own pocket)? Does someone else tell them what to do? Does the individual provide major items of equipment necessary to do the job?
  Does the individual have to work at the premises of the work provider?
  Is the individual paid by the hour, week or month, or for a specific piece of work?

  Family Perspective and Life Cycle
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which publication, speech or statement his Department has described how it takes account of the family perspective and the life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of his Department.

  Sir John Cope
  The "1993 Departmental Report for the Chancellor's Departments", Cm 2217, outlines the roles and objectives of the Treasury. The Chancellor's Budget statement and the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" outline developments in the economy, provide economic forecasts and set out the Budget proposals. The "Autumn Statement" and "Statistical Supplement to the Autumn Statement" set out public spending plans. The policies outlined in these various publications take account of implications for the family.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on how his Department takes account of the family perspective and the family life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of his Department.
  571
  Sir John Cope
  These issues are considered by the Treasury in the formulation and implementation of the Government's economic and financial policy.

  Taxation
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he proposes to the rules covering the claiming of expenses against tax in respect of a person opting for the payment of fees to a company rather than of a salary to himself.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I cannot comment on suggestions for tax changes at this time of year. But benefits in kind provided by a company to its directors or employees, and expenses paid on their behalf for which they could not obtain a tax deduction, are chargeable to tax on the individuals in the normal way.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all those services or functions that have been contracted out from his Department since November 1991 without market testing an in-house bid against external competition, with, in each instance, the successful contractor and the reasons for the decision to exclude an in-house bid.

  Mr. Nelson
  All services or functions in the Treasury that have been contracted out since November 1991 were either new services or functions, or had previously been contracted out. In all these cases, there was no in-house team to bid.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to reduce opportunity for tax avoidance by full-time employees through the payment of fees to private companies in lieu of salaries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 5 March, at column 341.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the number of companies which are being used as vehicles for tax avoidance purposes for individuals who have their salaries paid through the companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Inland Revenue has made of the number of single person service companies currently established primarily for the purpose of receiving fees in lieu of salaries where that person works full time for one organisation; and what plans he has to regulate these companies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Aggregate information of the sort requested is not available centrally. But tax avoidance arrangements of all kinds are kept under review and action is taken as appropriate.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines have been issued to the Inland Revenue on 572
  the handling of tax returns of individuals who opt to register as self-employed rather than as an employee of a company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Whether an individual is an employee or self-employed for a particular engagement is a question of fact and law. Inland Revenue staff receive guidance to help them deal with all aspects of tax returns.

  11 Downing Street (Catering)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when catering for No. 11 Downing street was put out to contract; if this was by public tender; how many tenders were received; and for how long the contract will run.

  Mr. Nelson
  There is no single contract covering the provision of catering services for official functions at No. 11 Downing street. Arrangements are made for individual functions as and when they arise.

  Manufacturing Trade
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of tine Exchequer what was the change in levels of trade in manufacturing between(a) the second half of 1973 and September 1992 and (b) since September 1992.

  Mr. Nelson
  The latest information is available from table A9 of the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" and its annual supplement which are available in the Library of the House, and from the Central Statistical Office database which can also be accessed through the Library.

  Skills and Qualifications
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement giving the details of those policies which have been introduced by his Department in each of the last five years in order positively to encourage individuals to improve their skills and qualifications.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: In the 1991 Finance Act my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced tax relief at source for fees paid by an individual for training towards most national vocational qualifications and their Scottish equivalents.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning the possible impact upon the property market of the abolition of stamp duty on the purchase of houses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: We have received a number of representations about stamp duty on land and buildings. I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether listing officers are required to correct factual errors on the council tax valuation list which are brought to their attention before 1 April.
  573
  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: Listing officers are required to take such steps as are reasonably practicable in the time available to ensure valuation lists are accurately compiled on 1 April 1993. This will include taking account where possible of factual errors brought to their attention before that date.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of domestic properties located on registered agricultural holdings in England and Wales have been valued for council tax purposes(a) by officers of the Valuation Office agency and (b) by valuers engaged from the private sector.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: The valuation for banding of all known composite dwellings was undertaken by officers of the Valuation Office.

  Small Firms
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all those regulations affecting small firms which have been abolished by his Department in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: This information is not available in the precise form requested. The Chancellor is fully committed to relieving the regulatory burden on small businesses to the maximum possible extent. A significant number of taxes have been abolished altogether, including car tax, the investment income surcharge, the national insurance surcharge, development land tax, on-course betting duty, capital duty and a number of stamp duties. Both Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise have made major contributions to reducing the burden of tax administration on small businesses. Each Department has its own deregulation unit, strategically placed to ensure that deregulation is well to the fore when policy options are being considered. Measures implemented in recent years include significant increases in the threshold for VAT registration, the introduction of a cash accounting scheme to simplify VAT administration for smaller traders, increases in the corporation tax threshold, the introduction of an option for small businesses to submit three-line accounts instead of full accounts, and a major and continuing programme in both Departments to cut down on and simplify the forms which businesses have to complete.

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of all circulars and other advice issued by his Department concerning the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the acquired rights directive.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: Responsibility for market testing has been passed to the efficiency unit of the Cabinet Office, which will be issuing guidance shortly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  War Crimes
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what personnel and resources in the Crown prosecution service are now being devoted to the investigation and possible prosecution of recent war crimes.

  The Solicitor-General
  The war crimes unit of the Crown prosecution service, which was established to advise the police on war crimes committed between 1939 and 1945, is made up of seven lawyers together with appropriate administrative staff. The unit also provides advice to the Metropolitan police in connection with their inquiry concerning the Falkland Islands. The latter is the most recent allegation of war crimes on which the unit is currently giving advice.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  The Attorney-General
  The amount spent on official entertainment in the departments for which I am responsible, the Crown prosecution service, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Serious Fraud Office, and the legal secretariat to the Law Officers, in 1991–92 totalled £32,118. The amount spent in 1992–93 as at 28 February 1993, totalled £27,563.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Competition Legislation
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers he has under competition legislation to investigate the role of major retailers in decisions by manufacturers to withdraw supplies from other retail outlets.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Under the competition legislation, the responsibility for investigating allegations of anticompetitive practices and restrictive practices lies with the Director General of Fair Trading. Unregistered registrable restrictive agreements can be addressed under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976, while refusal to supply can be tackled under the Competition Act 1980 or the Resale Prices Act 1980.

  Kelloggs
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading the matter of decisions by Kelloggs in respect of the supply of products to Shoprite.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Under the competition legislation the Director General of Fair Trading, Sir Bryan Carsberg, has a responsibility to investigate allegations of anti-competitive practices. I understand that Sir Bryan is looking into a complaint from Shoprite regarding the supply of products. Any evidence of possible anti-competitive behaviour should be submitted to Sir Bryan.

  Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much electricity has passed from England to France and how much electricity has passed from France to England in each year since the interconnector link opened.

  Mr. Eggar
  According to the "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1992", the amounts of electricity which have passed from France to England and England to France have been as follows:

  Calender year

  France to England TwH

  France to England TwH

  1986

  4·4

  0·2

  1987

  11·7

  —

  1988

  12·5

  —

  1989

  13·5

  0·9

  1990

  12·0

  —

  1991

  16·4

  —

  Figures are not yet available for 1992.

  Propellant Gases (Labelling)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans there are to require the labelling of canisters of propellant gases such as butane and propane with warnings that if they are inhaled the consequences could be fatal; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Government have no present propposals to require the labelling of aerosols containing butane or propane to warn about the dangers of inhalation, but we will continue to keep the matter under review.

  Foam Furniture
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will extend the 1 March deadline in respect of second-hand foam furniture regulations to enable clarification and safeguards to be written into the regulations in connection with the recycling of secondhand furniture by charities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department has no plans to amend those requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, which apply to second-hand upholstered furniture, and which came into force on 1 March this year.

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many proposed Royal Mail capital investment projects have not proceeded in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Leigh
  The information requested is not available.

  Stepped Piston Engine
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance is provided by his Department for the development of the stepped piston engine.
  576
  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department is not currently supporting any project specifically involving stepped piston engines. However, my Department does support other industry-led research projects including the development of vehicle engine technologies.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response the nuclear installations inspectorate has made to the representations from the British Computer Society regarding the computer safety system planned for Sizewell B; and what assessment he has made of the delay and the cost involved in implementing them.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate—Nil—received a copy of the British Computer Society's—BCS—open letter which put forward suggestions for reassuring the society about the safety of the computerised primary protection system—PPS—for Sizewell B. The NII replied to BCS noting the points made. In the NII's view, none of these raise safety issues that are not already being addressed by the Nil in its ongoing assessment of NE's safety case of the PPS.

  Nuclear Electric has carefully considered the BCS open letter but have not identified any points which might undermine their safety case for the PPS. The company do not believe that any changes to the PPS are required and consequently do not foresee any delay leading to extra costs being incurred.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what shareholding Nuclear Electric holds in the European fast reactor consortium, SKB; and what effect Her Majesty's Government's recent decision to discontinue involvement in collaborative European breeder reactor research will have on the future of this shareholding.

  Mr. Eggar
  Nuclear Electric plc has a shareholding of 1·65 per cent. in SBK consortium. The future of this shareholding is a commercial matter for the company.

  British Telecom
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the directors appointed as Government appointed directors of British Telecom since 1984 with their dates of appointment; what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the appointment of such directors; and under what legal provisions such appointments are made.

  Mr. Leigh
  Under the terms of BT's articles of association, the Government hold a 'special share' in BT. By virtue of their status as special shareholder, the Government are entitled to appoint up to two directors to the BT board.

  There have been four such directors to date:
  Mr. Graeme Odgers was nominated as Government director on 20 September 1984 and relinquished this post on 30 September 1986;
  Mr. John Raisman was appointed as Government director on 20 September 1984 and relinquished this post on 30 September 1987;
  Mr. Paul Bosonnet was appointed as Government director on 1 October 1986 and relinquished this post on 30 September 1991;

  577
  Mr. Geoffrey Mulcahy was nominated as Government director of BT on 19 October 1988. His current terms of appointment run until 19 October 1993. In addition to discharging the function of Government-appointed director, Mr. Mulcahy is a director of BT in his own right.

  The Government's present policy in this area is that they do not plan to appoint a second Government director. The Government will keep the longer term issue of Government directors to BT in general under review.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the policies set out in Energy Paper 42 remain those of Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's current strategy on wave energy is laid out in Energy Paper 55 "Renewable Energy in the UK: The Way Forward". An updated appraisal of wave energy "A Review of Wave Energy", ETSU-R-72, was published in December 1992, a copy of which is available in the Library. A decision on any future United Kingdom wave energy programme will be made in the context of the Government's overall review of renewable energy strategy in the light of the 1992 review of wave energy, the report of the Renewable Energy Advisory Group, the coal review, and Government energy policy generally.

  Support for Products under Research
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the success of the Spur initiative.

  Mr. Leigh
  The support for products under research scheme offers grants of 30 per cent. of eligible project costs, up to a maximum £150,000 grant, to companies in Great Britain with up to 500 employees who need support to develop innovative products and processes. It has been a great success and in its first two years up to the end of February 1993 there have been 255 offers of grant worth a total of over £22 million. There will be an interim evaluation of the scheme in autumn this year.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to ban the import of coal from countries where there is evidence of the employment of children or the exploitation of coal miners in the coal mines providing such coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  As a general rule, there are severe practical difficulties in identifying goods allegedly produced using child labour or exploiting labour, given the complexities of international trade. Also, it is highly doubtful whether the social conditions that give rise to such practices can be improved by restricting trade.

  In the specific case of coal from Colombia, which the hon. Member may have in mind, the authorities have assured the Government that no coal mined from pits which employ children is exported to the United Kingdom. The Government call on all states which have ratified international instruments covering slavery, servitude, forced labour or child labour to meet their obligations.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he expects the safety-related plant status monitoring system to be fully integrated into the control systems of nuclear power stations;

  (2) what action he is taking to ensure that Nuclear Electric has carried out full safety checks on its safety-related plant status monitoring system; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will list the nuclear power stations where the safety-related plant status monitoring system (a) has been installed and (b) is under consideration for installation.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that Nuclear Electric—NE—proposes to employ the plant status monitoring system—STATUS—to augment current administrative procedures at their nuclear power plant for assessing that adequate safety systems remain available whenever equipment is temporarily taken out of service for maintenance purposes. STATUS is neither a protection nor a control system, and is currently at the trial stage and not yet in operational use at any of NE's plant. Before the system is put into operation it will require the agreement of the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate. NE has not yet asked the NII to consider the matter.

  Directors Disqualification Act 1986
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how long on average it takes from the initiation of an investigation to a conviction of those prosecuted under the Directors Disqualification Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In cases where the prosecution was brought by my Department and the conviction was obtained in 1991–92 or 1992–93, the average period between the date when an investigation with a view to prosecution was initiated and the date when a conviction was obtained for an offence under section 11 or section 13 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 was 20·3 months.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many successful prosecutions there have been in 1991 and 1992 under the Directors Disqualification Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Prosecutions by my Department for offences under section 11 or section 13 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 resulted in 83 convictions in 1991–92. So far in this financial year my Department has been informed of 54 convictions for offences under section 11 or section 13.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many investigations are pending under the Directors Disqualification Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  There are 76 cases where my Department is conducting an investigation with a view to prosecution under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

  Consultancy Service
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the future of consultancy services offered by his Department.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I am pleased to announce that my Department will be working with the training and enterprise councils and pilot one-stop shops to develop and trial a package of business advisory services which will build on and ultimately succeed the very successful DTI enterprise initiative consultancy scheme.

  Businesses are not homogeneous. Strengths and weaknesses vary between individual firms. Their problems do not remain static. Rather they change as the firms and the markets in which they operate evolve.

  In considering DTI's own business services I have, therefore, decided that we should begin to move away from the idea of rigid, narrowly defined national schemes towards a more flexible system responsive to consumer needs and delivered locally.

  The new package of support will include a new diagnostic service, a consultancy brokerage service, continuation in some form of consultancy support and technology-related advice.

  To provide for the development of this new package of services, I am revising the rate of subsidy paid by my Department under the existing enterprise initiative consultancy scheme.
  580
  At present the DTI meets two thirds of the cost of consultancy in assisted areas and urban programme areas and half the cost elsewhere. These rates will be reduced to one half the cost in assisted areas and one third elsewhere. The revised rates will apply for all applications received after 4 pm on Wednesday 24 March 1993.

  The scheme will continue until 31 March 1994 as originally scheduled.

  Beyond that I am convinced that consultancy support will have a continuing role to play. The new flexible package will enable it to continue beyond the previously designated closure date of the consultancy scheme.

  The new services will be developed, trialed arid introduced alongside the consultancy scheme to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

  I am convinced that the comprehensive range of local services outlined in these proposals, contracted through TECs and delivered through the one-stop shops where they exist and through TECs elsewhere, will provide high-quality support for business. It will not only provide support suited to business needs; it will also make cost effective use of public funds.

  In doing so it will enable the Department to assist a larger number of firms than at present while enabling them to choose from a wider variety of support services which meet their needs.

  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much of the surplus in the Post Office superannuation fund can be attributed to(a) the Royal Mail, (b) Post Office Counters and (c) Parcelforce.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 5 March 1993]: The Post Office has two pension schemes: the Post Office staff superannuation scheme, which all staff who were employed before 1 April 1987 were eligible to join, and the Post Office pension scheme which is open to all staff who have joined the Post Office since 1 April 1987. Both these schemes are Post Office-wide schemes, and there has never been any attribution of any part of their surpluses to any of the constituent businesses of the Post Office. This information is therefore not available.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent research has been undertaken into the levels of Japanese and United States investment in the United Kingdom and the factors encouraging or discouraging such investment.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: Specifically commissioned research into the levels of Japanese and United States investment in the United Kingdom is not necessary since information on this is reported regularly by various governmental and other bodies.

  My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau commissions research from consultants to assist its promotion of the United Kingdom as the preferred location for manufacturing investment in Europe. This information is not published as it is commercially sensitive and would be of value to competitors.

  Qualifications and Skills
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement giving the details of those policies which have been introduced by his
  581
  Department in each of the last five years in order positively to encourage individuals to improve their skills and qualifications.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: My Department aims to ensure British business has access to an adequate supply of people with the right skills and attributes. It does this by encouraging business to invest in the training of its work force, listening to what business has to say, and, where appropriate, influencing the policies of the Department for Education and the Department of Employment who have primary responsibility for education and training. Specific programmes supported by my Department in furtherance of these aims include the teaching company scheme, senior academics into industry and the Shell technology enterprise programme.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any plans to meet representatives of the Engineering Employers Federation, the Confederation of British Industry or the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance to discuss ways in which his policies can more effectively encourage individuals to improve their qualifications or skills.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: The President of the Board of Trade regularly meets a range of industrial bodies to discuss issues of concern to industry, including qualifications and skills.

  Airbus Agreement
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the full terms of the US-EC Airbus agreement(a) in respect of aircraft engines and (b) in respect of other matters.

  Mr. Sainsbury [holding answer 8 March 1993]: Since the agreement applies only to support offered for the development of the airframes of large civil aircraft, it does not contain provisions relating to aero-engines. However, the agreement commits the signatories to seek its multilateralisation and its expansion to cover aircraft of all sizes, engines and equipment, through the GATT agreement on trade in civil aircraft. Negotiations are currently under way on this extension.

  Copies of the agreement between the United States and the European Community have been available in the Library of the House since 23 June 1992. The text is also available on request from my Department.

EDUCATION

  Music Teachers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many full-time music teachers were employed in state schools in 1979, 1985, 1989 and the latest available date.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on the numbers of full-time music teachers is available from school staffing surveys. The four secondary school staffing surveys show the following numbers of full-time teachers who taught music at some point in the survey week and, regardless of whether they taught any music in the survey week, the number of full-time teachers who held a post A-level qualification in the subject:—582

  Maintained Secondary Schools in England

  1977

  1984

  1988

  1992

  Number of full-time teachers teaching some music (thousands)

  10·4

  9·3

  7·1

  5·8

  Number of full-time teachers with a post 'A' level qualification in music (thousands)

  14·3

  11·6

  9·2

  7·6

  The primary school staffing survey carried out in 1987 showed that 15,200 full-time teachers teaching in English primary schools had a post A-level qualification in music and that 18,600 full-time teachers had responsibility for curriculum leadership in music.

  Research and Development
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the net expenditure on research and development activities by the Higher Education Funding Council, and its predecessors, the Universities Funding Council, University Grants Committee and the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, in each year since 1979(a) in cash terms and (b) at current prices.

  Mr. Boswell
  Estimated expenditure on research and development funded by the University Grants Committee, the Universities Funding Council and the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council from 1979–80 to 1991–92 is shown in the table. There are no outturn spending estimates for later years. The figures are based on a notional attribution of spending between teaching and research. The funding councils have not separately earmarked funding for teaching and research.

  UGC/UFC and PCFC funding of research and development

  £ million

  Outturn

  Cash

  1991–92 prices

  1979–80

  359

  832

  1980–81

  441

  863

  1981–82

  484

  864

  1982–83

  535

  891

  1983–84

  551

  878

  1984–85

  564

  855

  1985–86

  609

  875

  1986–87

  655

  912

  1987–88

  695

  917

  1988–89

  755

  929

  1989–90

  758

  875

  1990–91

  789

  844

  11991–92

  881

  881

  1 Estimate.

  Notes:

  Source: Annual Review of Government Funded Research and Development, 1992.

  2. Figures exclude research into the humanities.

  3. Figures include PCFC funding for research from 1988–89 onwards.

  4. Figures for 1989–90 onwards are calculated on a revised basis which is not directly comparable to previous years.

  5. Figures for 1991–92 only include Computer Board.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what education grants or other forms of assistance are available to asylum seekers to enable them to take up full-time courses(a) while their applications to remain are

  583
  determined, (b) when they have been granted exceptional leave to remain and (c) when they have been granted indefinite leave to remain; and what is their status, as seen by college authorities, when in each of the above categories.

  Mr. Boswell
  Mandatory awards and student loans, and help from the access funds, are available to eligible students on qualifying courses of higher education who have been ordinarily resident in the British islands throughout the three years immediately prceding the start of the academic year in which their course commences. Students who are recognised as refugees within the meaning of the United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees and who are now ordinarily resident in the British islands are exempt from the three-year requirement, as are their spouses and children. They are eligible for support from the date of their recognition as refugees. This provision does not apply to students who have been granted exceptional or indefinite leave to remain, for whom local education authorities are free to make discretionary awards. Discretionary awards may also be available for most other courses of further and higher education not designated for mandatory awards. Other assistance may be available through refugee charitable organisations in the form of scholarship programmes.

  Further and higher education institutions may not, in most cases, lawfully charge a higher rate of fee to students who are recognised as refugees or have been granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom than to students who meet the three year ordinary residence requirement.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list all those services or functions that have been contracted out from his Department since November 1991 without market testing an in-house bid against external competition, with, in each instance, the successful contractor and the reasons for the decision to exclude an in-house bid.

  Mr. Boswell
  Since November 1991, the Department has contracted out—that is, engaged private sector contractors to undertake work previously done by the Department's staff—without market testing in one area: the professional architectural scrutiny of school building projects. The successful contractor is Hurd Rolland of Berkhamsted; there was no in-house bid because this is a small-scale pilot to test whether external contractors can provide the necessary service satisfactorily.

  Since November 1991 the Department has also let contracts as a result of market tests undertaken before that date. Previously in-house costings rather than in-house bids were used to frame value-for-money judgments.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it his policy to amend section 4 of the Special Educational Needs Regulations 1983 to require that local education authorities seek written professional advice on a child's potential for learning and the provision required to realise this potential as part of any section 5 assessments;

  (2) if he will seek to amend section 4 of the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations 1983 so as to
  584
  secure that local education authorities seek out written professional advice related to the kind and level of provision needed by a child whom the authority decides to place in an ordinary school.

  Mr. Forth
  Paragraph 2(1) of schedule 8 to the Eduation Bill, currently before Parliament, provides that regulations shall make provision as to the advice which a local education authority are to seek when making an assessment of a child's special educational needs. We shall be consulting widely on the regulations.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 so as to establish statutory rights for non-statemented children with special educational needs;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to place an obligation upon school governors and head teachers to obtain professional advice regarding the form of special education required by statemented and non-statemented children with special educational needs.

  Mr. Forth
  Clause 153 of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, places statutory duties on the governing body of all maintained schools to use their best endeavours to secure that all registered pupils with special educational needs receive the necessary special educational provision. This clause also requires governors to report annually on the implementation of their school's policy for pupils with special educational needs.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to issue new guidelines to local education authorities on defining efficient use of resources within section 2 of the Education Act 1981.

  Mr. Forth
  No. It is for local education authorities themselves to reach decisions on the efficient use of their resources.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 to ensure that local education authorities have a duty to ensure that children with special educational needs are not deprived of the opportunity to realise their full potential.

  Mr. Forth
  A child's potential is relevant in deciding whether he or she has special educational needs. The Education Bill, currently before Parliament, reinforces LEAs' duties to arrange appropriate provision to meet. pupils' special educational needs where they are required to determine that provision.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 so as to grant the rights of parents to insist on an assessment under section 5 of the Act if they disagreed with any changes to statements of children with special educational needs via the statement amendment process.

  Mr. Forth
  Clause 162(2) of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for the parent of a child with a statement of special educational needs to ask the local education authority to arrange for full assessment under clause 158 to be made. The authority shall comply with the request where a further assessment is necessary providing that such an assessment has not taken place within the preceding six months.
  585
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 so as to secure that local education authorities consider their duties to explore the possibility of integrating special needs children into mainstream schools under section 2 as part of the assessment and statementing procedures under section 5, and prior to considering their duties to consult parents under section 7;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 so as to remove the responsibility on local education authorities to satisfy themselves that the integration of a single child with special educational needs must represent an efficient use of resources.

  Mr. Forth
  Our policy is to encourage sensible integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream schools. Clause 152 of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, puts a qualified duty on local education authorities to integrate unless that duty is incompatible with the wishes of the parent.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to give statutory force to the principles outlined in his departmental circulars 1/83 and 22/89 relating to the involvement of a child or young person in determining the nature of his or her special educational needs provision.

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to my remarks made during debates in the Committee stage of the Education Bill,Official Report, Standing Committee E, 26 January 1993, c. 1139–40.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to place an obligation on local education authorities issuing new statements or amendments to existing statements for children with special educational needs to secure that such statements are produced no later than the beginning of the term prior to the one when they are intended to come into effect.

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to my remarks made during debates in the Committee stage of the Education Bill,Official Report, Standing Committee E, 26 January 1993, c. 1108–9.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make it his policy to seek to amend part II of schedule I to the Education Act 1981 to secure that the form and contents of a statement include reference to any non-educational needs;

  (2) if he will amend section 10 of the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations 1983 so as to ensure that all statements refer to the amount, type and content of the provision to be made and the qualifications of the person designated to deliver it.

  Mr. Forth
  Clause 159(2) of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, provides that a statement of special educational needs shall be in such form and contain such information as may be prescribed. We shall be consulting widely on the regulations.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to amend section 10 of the Special Educational Needs Regulations 1983 requiring a school to be named within a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Under paragraph 3(3) of schedule 9, to the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, a local 586
  education authority shall name the parent's preferred school in the statement of special educational needs, subject to prescribed exceptions. If those exceptions apply or the parent has not expressed a preference for a school, clause 159(4)(b) requires the LEA to specify the name of any school or institution which it considers appropriate for the child and which should be specified in the statement.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to amend section 12 of the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations 1983 to place a duty on a local education authority to whose area a family of a child with special educational needs has moved, to fulfil the needs expressed in the statement established by their former local education authority in the shortest possible time.

  Mr. Forth
  Paragraph 7(2) of schedule 9, to the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, allows for regulations to make provision for the transfer of a statement of special educational needs from one local education authority to another, and for the new authority to have the duty to maintain that statement. We shall be consulting widely on the regulations.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 to ensure that children are not placed in special schools without the provision of a statement or the formal commencement of a section 5 assessment.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department's guidance in circular 22/89 is that children in special schools should normally either have the protection of a statement or be undergoing a formal assessment under section 5 of the 1981 Education Act. The Education Bill, currently before Parliament, will not make this a statutory requirement.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to separate the power to assess statements for children with special educational needs from the power to decide on and make appropriate provision outlined within statements.

  Mr. Forth
  Part III of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, makes it clear that the duty to assess, make statements of special educational needs and, unless the parent has made suitable alternative arrangements, arrange the provision specified in the statement, remains the responsibility of the local education authority.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to place a duty on local education authorities to establish a minimal procedure for the annual review of statements for children with special needs to include(a) the preparation of written reports and their submission to parents and (b) the granting of a meeting with parents to discuss the review.

  Mr. Forth
  Clause 162(6) of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, provides that regulations may make provision as to the manner in which reviews of statements of special educational needs are to be conducted. We will be consulting widely on the content of the regulations.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to place a legal duty upon the relevant authorities to provide non-educational provision to
  587
  children with special educational needs whose assessments under section 5 of the Education Act 1981 have specified the need for such provision.

  Mr. Forth
  1 refer the hon. Member to my remarks made during debates in the Committee stage of the Education Bill,Official Report, Standing Committee E, 26 January 1993, c. 1128–31.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to seek to amend section 9(1) of the Education Act 1981 to enable parents of non-statemented children to request local education authority assessments under section 5 of the Act.

  Mr. Forth
  Clause 163 of the Education Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for the parent of a child who does not have a statement of his special educational needs to ask the authority to arrange for an assessment under clause 158 of the Bill.

  Schools (Access)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will establish a target date by which time all schools in the United Kingdom will be wheelchair-accessible;

  (2) what plans he has to seek to amend the Education Act 1981 so as to remove from the category of children with special educational needs those children whose only problem is that the school that they wish to attend does not offer full and equal physical access;

  (3) if he will place an obligation upon local education authorities to (a) seek professional advice on adapting a mainstream school for the needs of a child with special educational needs, (b) make an assessment of the child's mobility needs and (c) receive an estimate from a professional builder of the cost of the adaptation work to be undertaken at the school, prior to taking a decision under section 2 of the Education Act 1981.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government do not intend to set a target date by which time all schools should be adapted to allow wheelchair access. Government policy is to encourage local education authorities to improve access to school buildings to facilitate the integration of disabled pupils into mainstream provision. When established, the Funding Agency for Schools will also contribute to the furtherance of this policy.

  Youth Crime
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of the Home Secretary of 10 February,Official Report, column 625, what future plans he has to increase the amount committed by his Department in 1992–93 under its grants for education support and training for youth crime prevention schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: No grants were provided for youth crime prevention schemes under the Department's 1992–93 programme of grants for education support and training—GEST. With the 1993–94 GEST programme, my right hon. Friend will be grant aiding expenditure by English local education authorities of £4.1 million on such schemes. Funding beyond 1993–94 will be considered in this year's review of public expenditure plans.

SCOTLAND

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

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the average school population for each education authority is as follows.

  Average school population as at September 1991

  Primary

  Secondary

  Scotland

  186

  708

  Borders

  111

  656

  Central

  200

  879

  Dumfries and Galloway

  110

  558

  Fife

  215

  1,118

  Grampian

  161

  789

  Highland

  96

  519

  Lothian

  233

  722

  Strathclyde

  230

  765

  Tayside

  171

  689

  Orkney

  75

  231

  Shetland

  64

  183

  Western Isles

  58

  144

  Strathclyde Divisions

  Argyll and Bute

  74

  45.4

  Ayr

  228

  778

  Dunbarton

  258

  897

  Glasgow

  248

  660

  Lanark

  220

  868

  Renfrew

  294

  780

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it the policy of his Department to decline to advise health boards on ways of arranging transferring services to trusts so that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 do not apply.

  Mr. Stewart
  No such advice has been given by my Department. As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith) on 23 February at column 565, health boards and trusts have been advised to seek legal advice on the applicability of transfer of undertakings regulations in relation to specific proposals for the market testing of services.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all those services or functions that have been contracted out from his Department since November 1991 without market testing an in-house bid against external competition, with, in each instance, the successful contractor and the reasons for the decisions to exclude an in-house bid.

  Mr. Ian Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that 1 gave him on 17 February, at column 169. Of the functions listed in that answer, property management at the Scottish police college, the management and maintenance of court houses, the building and plan maintenance for the Scottish fire service training school

  589
  and property management at the marine laboratory, Aberdeen were all previously undertaken by the Property Services Agency on behalf of the Scottish Office. The toll collection at Erskine bridge was examined and tenders invited under the procedures obtaining before the publication of the White Paper "Competing for Quality" in November 1991. External tenders were examined against the existing in-house service. The audit of two national health service trusts involved new work. The Scottish Office audit unit submitted bids for the work but these were unsuccessful. I am encouraging in-house bids in all the activities currently being market tested.

  Infertility Services
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish the report produced by a working group of the national medical advisory committee on infertility services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The report is being published today and will be welcomed by all who are interested in planning and providing services to the infertile. It contains valuable guidance on good practice and on the organisation and management of infertility services at all levels of treatment. Accordingly, I have accepted, or commended to health boards, all but one of the report's recommendations which when implemented will bring much needed improvements to the services provided for childless couples. The one exception is the recommendation supporting the establishment of a centrally funded NHS service for high-tech treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation and gamete intra-fallopian tube transfer. I do not consider that these services meet the criteria for central NHS funding and have concluded that decisions on the provision of such services are a matter for individual health boards. Boards may provide or purchase high-tech assisted reproduction services from the general resources already allocated to them: as is the case for many other treatments, the judgment of the priority for these services, as compared to others, is for them to make.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many juvenile offenders are in Scottish prisons at ages of(a) 14 years, (b) 15 years, (c) 16 years and (d) 17 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Number

  14 years

  Nil

  15 years

  Nil

  16 years

  72

  17 years

  152

  The figures for 16 and 17-year-olds relate to prisons and young offender institutions but exclude those held on remand.

  Prisoners (Suicide)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners on remand or after conviction have(a) committed suicide, (b) attempted suicide or (c) been recorded as having attempted self-mutilation in the last five years for which figures are available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Year

  Number of suicides

  Number of attempted suicides

  Number of attempted self mutilations

  1988–89

  9

  40

  18

  1989–90

  4

  18

  23

  1990–91

  5

  30

  26

  1991–92

  5

  24

  16

  21992–93

  14

  22

  13

  1 Additionally there are 4 outstanding fatal accident inquiries.

  2 To 28 February.

  Prison Escort (Escapes)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many escapes there have been from prison escort in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 March 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Escapes from prison escorts

  Number

  1992

  March

  3

  April

  2

  May

  4

  June

  2

  July

  1

  August

  4

  September

  2

  Octoer

  2

  November

  1

  December

  5

  1993

  January

  1

  February

  2

  29

  Prison Officers ( Assaults)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of convictions for assault on(a) male prison officers and (b) female prison officers in each of the past 14 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 3 March 1993]: Records of convictions for assault on prison staff are not maintained.

  Shetland Oil Spillage
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sub-littoral monitoring of benthic marine communities in the vicinity of MV Braer has been undertaken to assess the immediate impacts of the oil spillage in the Shetland Islands.
  591
  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 5 March 1993]: Adverse weather has prevented any structured programme of diving, although local divers have made occasional descents which indicate significant mortality of macrobenthic species. The marine nature conservation review team from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee carried out work between 25 February and 2 March but the results of this are not yet available.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring of the marine plants and invertebrate communities in the shorelines in the vicinity of MV Braer has been undertaken to assess the immediate impacts of the oil spillage in the Shetland Islands.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 5 March 1993]: Adverse conditions prevented immediate post-spill monitoring. Scottish Natural Heritage marine biologists have recently visited the area, but their observations have not yet been assessed. Monitoring will be kept under review by the ecological steering group.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funding he has allocated to Scottish Natural Heritage to undertake studies and other work in the aftermath of the grounding of the MV Braer.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: None. On present information, Scottish Natural Heritage currently has sufficient resources available to it to fund such research studies or other work likely to arise following the MV Braer incident.

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of all circulars and other advice issued by his Department concerning the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the acquired rights directive.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: The national health service in Scotland management executive wrote to health authorities in Scotland on 11 December 1992 on the need to seek legal advice on the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. A copy of this advice is being placed in the Library. No other general advice has been issued by my Department.

  Housing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of new-build(a) general needs, (b) special needs and (c) sheltered houses constructed by local authorities in each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 January 1993]: Information on housebuilding by category of need is not readily available for the years prior to 1986, and could be extracted only at disproportionate cost. The available information is set out in the table.

  Local authority housebuilding in Scotland

  Category of need

  Year

  General needs

  Special needs1

  Sheltered housing2

  1986

  1,192

  540

  273

  1987

  1,068

  592

  321

  1988

  1,249

  632

  312

  592

  Category of need

  Year

  General needs

  Special needs1

  Sheltered housing2

  1989

  953

  498

  330

  1990

  3677

  3294

  3207

  1991

  3567

  3419

  3272

  1 Consists of sheltered, sheltered wheelchair, amenity, ambulant disabled and wheelchair housing.

  2 Includes sheltered wheelchair.

  3 Based on incomplete returns.

  Water Services
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses he received to his consultation on the future of water services in Scotland, in the form of(a) letters, (b) names on petitions and (c) individually signed postcards; and how many submissions were in favour of (i) continued control of water services by local authorities with no privatization, (ii) control by a body other than a local authority and (iii) for privatisation options; and, in the last case, how many were for each method of private involvement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 4 March 1993 ]: In response to the consultation paper we have received more than 4,800 letters; 11 large petitions and a number of smaller petitions which together have over 85,000 signatures; and more than 56,500 pre-printed postcards some of which were received before the consultation paper was issued. The petitions and postcards oppose privatisation of the water and sewerage services. Other responses are being studied and a full analysis is not yet available.

  Minerals Extraction
  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
  [holding answer 5 March 1993]: The information is as follows. Detailed records are only available 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

  10·5

  1989

  0·6

  1990

  0·7

  1991

  0·9

  1992

  0·8

  1 Estimate.

  School Boards
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools are eligible to have a school board; and how many have such a board currently in operation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 March 1993]: A total of 2,907 schools in Scotland are eligible to have a school board. Of these, 2,199 currently have such a board.

  Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  Non-denominational

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  1. Applicants

  1990

  3,722

  50·12

  3,349

  45·10

  355

  4·78

  1991

  2,792

  49·10

  2,649

  46·59

  245

  4·31

  1992

  1,959

  46·76

  1,949

  46·53

  281

  6·71

  2. Appointees

  1990

  118

  47·39

  108

  43·37

  23

  9·24

  1991

  222

  49·22

  212

  47·01

  17

  3·77

  1992

  122

  44·53

  145

  52·92

  7

  2·55

  Applicants and appointees from outside Northern Ireland have, where possible, been classified as Protestant or Roman Catholic.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the Housing Executive's new build programme to house homeless people in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Housing Executive's new build programme is not required to be extended to provide housing for homeless people in Northern Ireland.

  Government Employees
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 4 March, whether prospective Government employees in Northern Ireland are asked to indicate on their application forms whether they are EC or non-EC nationals.

  Mr. Mates
  Prospective Government employees in Northern Ireland are not asked whether they are EC or non-EC nationals. Applicants are asked to state their place of birth and, if they have changed their nationality since birth, to state their nationality.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. Mates
  Expenditure on Department of Finance and Personnel official entertainment has been:

  £

  1991–92

  29,000

  1992–93

  43,000

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Belfast Education and Library Board
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was(a) the number and (b) the proportion of applicants for positions with the Belfast education and library board in the last three years who were classified as (i) Protestant, (ii) Roman Catholic and (iii) from outside Northern Ireland or non-religious; and what proportion of each group was appointed to positions with the board.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information, as supplied by the Belfast education and library board, is as follows:

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how much was spent of offical entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. Newton
  The Privy Council Office, which includes the Private Office of the Lord Privy Seal and Lord President as well as the Judicial Committee and Privy Council proper, spent £6,782 in 1991–92 and £10,477 in 1992–93, to 8 March 1993, on official entertainment.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Prime Minister's Questions
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 5 March to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick),Official Report, column 334, how many of the five questions tabled for answer to the Prime Minister by each of the two hon. Members mentioned were (a) reached and (b) answered by the Prime Minister.

  Mr. Newton
  Three of the questions asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) were answered orally by the Prime Minister, and the other two were answered by me. Two of the Questions asked by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) were answered orally by the Prime Minister, one was answered by me, and one was not reached; the remaining question is due for answer on Tuesday 16 March.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Minister from his Department last visited Cyprus to obtain information as to the situation on the island; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  Our high commission in Nicosia is irt close and regular contact with both communities. I have frequent meetings with Cypriot Ministers, and all parties to the dispute, in London and elsewhere.

  Since the last ministerial visit in 1983, we have believed it important not to undertake initiatives that could cut across negotiations by United Nations envoys in Cyprus itself. In particular a ministerial visit would raise problems concerning the nature and level of contact with the Turkish-Cypriot community. The timing of any such move must be most carefully considered.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on what steps the British Government have taken to promote a successful outcome from the forthcoming United Nations-sponsored talks on Cyprus.

  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to encourage greater progress towards a political settlement in Cyprus.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We give full support to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to promote a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus dispute. Talks are due to resume in New York shortly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the way forward with Dr. Boutros-Ghali on 3 March and with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr. Cetin, on 26 February. We will continue to work hard to prepare the ground for a successsful outcome to negotiations.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to meet the new President of Cyprus to discuss the situation on the island.

  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.

  Dalai Lama
  Mr. Illsely
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of Her Majesty's Government will be available to meet the Dalai Lama during his visit to Britain later this year.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I understand that the Dalai Lama will be visiting this country privately in May. As a distinguished religious leader and Nobel Prize winner he is very welcome. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has indicated that, if 596
  a suitable time can be found, he would be glad to have a private meeting with his holiness. I do not know the private plans of other members of the Government.

  United States of America
  Mr. Ottoway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom/United States relations.

  Mr. Hurd
  United Kingdom/United States relations are in excellent shape and we expect them to remain so.

  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the United States ambassador to the Court of St. James's to discuss co-operation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs meets the United States ambassador on a fairly regular basis. They last met on 3 March.

  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what high level contacts have taken place between the United Kingdom Government and the United States Government on future relations between Britain and the United States of America since the new United States presidency began.

  Mr. Hurd
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited Washington for talks with President Clinton and members of his administration on 24 February.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met United States Treasury Secretary Bentsen last weekend, and I have had meetings with Secretary Warren Christopher and Defence Secretary Les Aspin.

  India
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of India about human rights in Nagaland.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have regularly raised human rights with the Government of India.

  Sudan
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place concerning the situation in the Sudan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have discussed the situation in Sudan with our EC partners, the United States and other countries which give relief, and also with Governments in Africa and the middle east. We are following up at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in Sudan adopted by an overwhelming majority in December. We hope that the United Nations Commission will agree to appoint a rapporteur to investigate the situation in Sudan on a public basis.

  South Africa
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of Governments of front-line states regarding progress in the Republic of South Africa towards ending the policy of apartheid.

  Mr. Hurd
  We share the wish of all states in the region to see non-racial democracy established in South Africa. We discuss progress on this with representatives of those states at every suitable opportunity.

  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have further discussion with President de Klerk and other members of the South African Government regarding their proposed constitutional changes.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We shall keep in regular touch with them, and with the other main parties in the constitutional negotiations, as the process develops.

  Angola
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking at the United Nations Security Council to support the Government of Angola.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  On 29 January, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 804 which, among other things, calls on member states to render economic and technical assistance to the Government of Angola for reconstruction and development.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the leaders of UNITA since the beginning of 1993; and what was their response.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We were actively involved in United Nations Security Council resolution 804 of 29 January and the EC statement on Angola of 17 February, which condemn UNITA's initial rejection of the results of the elections of 29–30 September 1992 and call for a ceasefire and dialogue between the Government of Angola and UNITA. Officials, including our outgoing ambassador, have reinforced this message with the UNITA office in London.

  Maastricht Treaty
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European Community counterparts about changes in the powers, accountability and openness of European Community institutions consequential upon ratification of the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Edinburgh European Council agreed a range of measures to increase transparency and openness in Community decision-making. The first results are being felt, for example in the televising of some Council debates, even before the Maastricht treaty comes into force. The Edinburgh Council also welcomed the measures decided and announced by the Commission on greater openness.
  598
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with his counterparts in the other EC countries regarding the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs regularly meets his counterparts in other member states. The Maastricht treaty is frequently a topic of discussion.

  Diplomats (Experience)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many senior diplomats in overseas posts have any industrial or commercial experience; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Forty-five senior diplomats of first secretary rank or above, have gained direct industrial or commercial experience through attachments to companies during their diplomatic service careers; 20 are currently serving overseas. Fifty senior diplomats have undertaken attachments to the Department of Trade and Industry; 32 are currently at overseas posts. A number of senior diplomats had commercial or industrial experience before joining the diplomatic service. The figures for these categories are not readily available. A total of 669 senior diplomats have trained for, and carried out, overseas commercial work. Of these, 433 are currently at post. Nearly half our senior locally engaged staff overseas are engaged in commercial work.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of human rights abuses in Kashmir; and what representations he has made to the Government of India.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received representations from a number of sources about abuses of human rights in Kashmir. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the situation in Kashmir with the Indian Prime Minister in January, who assured him of his commitment to respect for human rights, that allegations of human rights abuses were investigated, and that those responsible for wrongdoing were punished.

  Nuclear Conflict
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals he has to reduce the possibility of a nuclear conflict.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Our strategy for preventing nuclear conflict will continue to rest on two pillars: the maintenance of an effective minimum deterrent, and wholehearted support for the nuclear non-proliferation regime. We attach the highest importance to securing the indefinite extension of the non-proliferation treaty in 1995.

  Ukraine
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with the Ukraine.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have good relations with Ukraine. President Kravchuk's visit to the United
  599
  Kingdom on 9 to 12 February helped to consolidate ties, and gave British business men opportunities to make useful contacts. During the visit a bilateral treaty, which sets out the framework for future relations, and a number of other agreements were signed.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the United Kingdom has to contribute to a multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British troops are already an important part of the relief effort in Bosnia. They will no doubt continue to be needed. If there is a durable ceasefire and a workable agreement, there may need to be a United Nations peacekeeping effort alongside the relief operation. I cannot say whether there should be a change in the role of the British troops in Bosnia until a workable agreement has been secured and the nature of any peacekeeping operation been determined.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the suitability of Tuzla airfield in northern Bosnia for taking heavy transport plances; if mines have been cleared; what plans he has for using the airport to deliver aid; and what assessment he has made of the number of refugees and availability of supplies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The current assessment of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is that road access and delivery of supplies to Tuzla are adequate and that there is no need to open the Tuzla airfield for the delivery of supplies by air. The possibility of using the airfield in future is being kept under constant review but would require an extension of UNPROFOR's mandate as well as additional troops on the ground to secure the airport.

  There are now estimated 70,000 to 100,000 refugees in Tuzla and more are expected following the recent fighting in eastern Bosnia. Shelter and supplies for the refugees are being prepared and the United Kingdom has already offered to provide additional aid to help meet the needs of the expected refugees.

  Serbia and Montenegro
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to improve the enforcement of sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are providing material assistance to help the customs authorities of Serbia's neighbours to improve sanctions enforcement. We are also contributing to international sanctions assistance missions to those states, and welcome the recent appointment by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe of a sanctions co-ordinator.

  European Assembly
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, he will bring forward proposals at the next intergovernmental conference of the European Community, to put the European Assembly on a more representative basis.
  600
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have no present plans to do so.

  Balkans
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Balkans.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our European Community partners have made clear our full support for the international conference for the former Yugoslavia. It is vital to achieve settlements in Bosnia and Croatia, and to prevent the conflict spreading into Kosovo or Macedonia. We are devoting considerable resources to the provision of humanitarian relief to those caught up in the fighting.

  Yemen
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Yemen.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have good relations with Yemen. I made a worthwhile visit there in December. I was able to demonstrate British support for Yemen's move towards establishing a democratically elected government, and to support British aid and trade initiatives in Yemen.

  Visas
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 30, concerning Shenaz Begum, Afsar Khan and Shaira Begum, what consideration is being given to the submission of further evidence dated 10 February by the representative of the children's father; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The British high commission at Islamabad considered that the further evidence submitted by Mr. Ismail Ghani on 10 February tended to support the passport applications of Shenaz Begum, Afsar Khan, and Shaira Begum but some doubts still remained. As the hon. Member knows, the case was subsequently referred to the Home Office on 2 March. Once the outcome of its inquiries is known, the passport applications will be considered again.

  Minority Languages
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have signed, or have declared an intention to sign, the European charter for regional or minority languages; and which languages each country has specified or expressed an intention to specify, under article 3 of the charter.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The following countries have signed the Charter:

  Austria

  Cyprus

  Denmark

  Finland

  Germany

  Hungary

  Liechtenstein

  Luxembourg

  Malta

  Netherlands

  601

  Norway

  Spain

  No countries have declared an intention to sign and none has specified or expressed an intention to specify a language.

  Poland
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the timetable for negotiations on Poland's application to join the EC.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We support Poland's accession to the EC when she is ready. The Edinburgh European Council endorsed this objective. There is no precise timetable. The United Kingdom will work to use the association agreement to prepare Poland for the earliest membership possible.

  E1 Salvador
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Government representatives in El Salvador concerning human rights abuses and the pursuit of the perpetrators of such crimes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Her Majesty's ambassador reports on human rights and other issues. The end of the armed conflict has led to an improvement in human rights observance, but we remain concerned by continuing reports of abuses. We will continue to support UN monitoring of implementation of all aspects of the peace accords in E1 Salvador.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government concerning the conduct of the proposed referendum in western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have been fully involved in consultations in the Security Council on western Sahara which led to the adoption of resolution 809 on 2 March on the proposed referendum.

EMPLOYMENT

  Industrial Accidents
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many safety reports required under the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations have been submitted to the Health and Safety Executive for each of the last four years; how many have been accepted as complying with CIMAH provisions in each year; and if she will list those companies whose submissions have not yet been accepted as complying.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  By 30 September 1992, the latest date for which information is centrally available, a total of 668 safety reports required by the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards—CIMAH—Regulations 1984 had been received by the Health and Safety Executive—HSE—since the regulations came into force on 1 April 1985.
  602
  Of these, the HSE considers that 207 reports provide sufficient and suitable information but that 109 do not. The remaining reports are still subject to the HSE's multi-discipline assessment.

  It is not the HSE's policy to publish the names of those companies whose reports do not meet the requirements of CIMAH.

  Family Perspective and Life Cycle
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) in which publication, speech or statement her Department has described how it takes account of the family perspective and the life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of her Department;

  (2) if she will make a statement on how her Department takes account of the family perspective and the family life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of the Department.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The objectives, activities and expenditure plans of the Department are set out in the latest departmental report, Cm 2205. Full account is taken of the implications for the family in developing and operating policies and programmes. For example, this January, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched a booklet entitled, "Rising to the Challenge", which encourages employers and individuals to consider the advantages of women achieving their full potential in the workplace. In April 1993, a new out-of-school child care grant will be introduced, which will make it easier for parents of school-age children to participate fully in the labour market.

  Training
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are taken by training and enterprise councils to ensure that proper training is given by placements with employers.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  All training and enterprise councils are aiming for employer placements, which form an integral part of youth training. The terms of their contract with us require that they satisfy quality criteria and provide each trainee with an individual training plan which specifies the work experience element.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment she has made of the performance of job clubs in the south-east of England.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Hartley Booth, dated 10 March 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question about the performance of Jobclubs in the South East of England. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  A national study carried out by my Research and Evaluation Branch in 1989 concluded that nationally,

  603
  attending a Jobclub increased an individual's chalice of finding a full-time job by about 50% This study was followed by a nationwide review of the performance of Jobclubs, carried out by my Consultancy and Management Services in August 1991, which confirmed the effectiveness of the Jobclub programme for the long-term unemployed. Several locations in the South East of England were visited during the fieldwork for the review.
  Information is collected monthly to measure the performance of individual Johclubs. The information is collated to give area, regional and national totals. Between April 1992 and January 1993, 41% of people leaving Jobclubs in London and the South East Region left to go into jobs. This compares with a national figure of 45%. Overall, in the London and South East Region some 56% went into jobs, further education, training or self-employment compared with 59% nationally. However, these figures have been achieved against a background of a 23% rise in unemployment in the Region over the last year, compared with a 15% rise nationally. London and the South East Region still achieves 27% of all our Jobclub placings into jobs.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Potato Processing Industry
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the potato processing industries five years ago and at the latest available date.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Estimates for the potato processing industries are not available separately. The figures are aggregated with data for other food processing industries.

  Self-employment
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her estimate of the number of people who are simultaneously employed and self-employed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The latest estimate for Great Britain from the summer—June to August—1992 labour force survey, is that there are 250,000 such people, not seasonally adjusted. This total comprises 189,000 people who were employees in their main job and self-employed in their second job, and 61,000 people who were self-employed in their main job and employees in their second job.

  Unemployment, Tottenham
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the relative position of Tottenham as regards unemployment levels; what assessment she has made of the extent of structural unemployment; and what consideration has been given to its designation as an assisted area.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Meaningful comparisons of unemployment between areas with different sized work forces can be based only on unemployment rates. However, official unemployment rate estimates are not available at the level of parliamentary constituencies.

  The criteria for designating assisted areas are published in the consultation paper "Regional Policy—Review of the Assisted Areas of Great Britain", which is available in the Library.
  604
  All areas are being considered in the assisted areas review, the results of which will he announced as early as possible taking account of the outcome of the coal review and after necessary clearance from the European Commission.

  Training Places
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is her assessment of the impact on the providers of training places of her policy that training and enterprise councils and the Training, Enterprise arid Education Directorate should withhold 30 per cent. until job placement has been secured.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In 1993–94 the majority of TECs will receive between 25 and 40 per cent. of their training for work funding in the form of output-related payments for job placements and national vocational qulifications. Payment to providers is a matter for the TECs and they are not required to pass on to providers their funding arrangements with TEED.

  National Training Partnership Ltd.
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a further statement on the establishment of the National Training Partnership Ltd. and the scope of its intended operations.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The National Training Partnership Ltd. is a non profit-making company, limited by guarantee, whose board of directors is made up of individuals drawn from TECs, national organisations and independent bodies such as the CBI. Its primary business function is to provide a central contracting service to national providers of training and TECs. The company is currently involved in contract negotiations and plans to become fully operational in April 1993.

  Women's Issues
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the decisions of the ministerial sub-committee on women's issues which have been made known to Parliament and the public since it began its work.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to her on 5 March 1993,Official Report, column 310.

  Clean Bake Ltd.
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she expects her Department to pay the outstanding start-up grant to Clean Bake Ltd. of Southport and Skelmersdale.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 8 March 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  Although the terms of the offer of regional selective assistance to Clean Bake Ltd. provided that the second and final payment would not fall due until 19 August 1993, the Department exceptionally agreed to the applicant's request to submit an earlier claim for payment. A claim was received on 4 March, but without the necessary supporting documentation. When this is received, the Department will proceed without delay to consider

  605
  whether the normal criteria for payment have been met. Grant is usually payable on a fully documented and eligible claim within 30 working days of receipt.

HEALTH

  Prescriptions
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost of prescriptions written by doctors who are(a) fund holders and (b) non-fund holders.

  Net ingredient cost per head £

  Non-fund holders

  54·31

  Fund holders

  48·52

  Notes:

  1. NIC is the basic cost of drugs without the discount, VAT or container costs.

  2. This information is derived from data provided by the Prescription Pricing Authority.

  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of prescriptions written by family doctors per annum; and what is the average number of prescriptions written per patient, per annum by doctors who are members of a fund holding practice.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally. However, in 1991–92, the average number of prescription items dispensed per head was 8·6.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all medicines and treatments which are available on a prescription-only basis, whose cost price is lower than £4·25; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is contained in the drug tariff and the British National Formulary, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Family Perspective and Life Cycle
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which publication, speech or statement her Department has described how it takes account of the family perspective and the life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of her Department.

  Mr. Yeo
  The role of the family is discussed in a range of departmental publications, speeches and statements. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health discussed the role of the family at length in the National Childrens Homes George Thomas Society lecture in 1992.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on how her Department takes account of the family perspective and the family life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of her Department.

  Mr. Yeo
  Family perspective and life cycle are considered in relation to a wide range of departmental 606
  activity, including: many aspects of the implementation of the Children Act 1989 and of care in the community policies; improving parental awareness of drug and alcohol abuse; grant aid for United Kingdom voluntary organisations providing help and support for families and children, and for the United Kingdom Association for the United Nations Year of the Family (scheduled for 1994) and support for family members in their role as carers. Statistics collected by the Department also reflect this emphasis, for example: statistics on local authority services to children identify family placements. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys also collects information on a variety of aspects of family life; for example: the General Household Survey, the Family Resources Survey, the Labour Force Survey and the census.

  Diabetics
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has finished its evaluation of the case for providing injection pens and special needles for availability on general practitioner prescription for diabetics; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We continue to consider the financial case for authorising general practitioners to prescribe insulin injection pens and needles for diabetics. Their inclusion in the GP prescribable list must, like other new additions to the list, be subject to the availability of resources.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of(a) conventional syringes and needles for the injection of insulin, (b) the cost of insulin, (c) the cost of insulin injection pen systems and (d) the cost of needles for injection pen systems; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Prescribable disposable syringes with needles cost £10·70 per 100. Disposable needles for use with syringes cost £2·20 per 100. A published cost is available for three makes of reusable pen injectors—£13·96, £18·40 and £23·86 each. The most commonly used pen needles cost £7·35 per 100, and retail at a recommended price of £9·80 per 100.

  Insulin costs vary according to type and presentation. Insulin in vials for use with disposable syringes costs £0·67-£0·95 per ml; in cartridges £1·03-£1·13 per ml, for reusable pens and £1·80 per ml if the pen is disposable.

  Doctors
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of ethnic minority and non-ethnic minority hospital doctors and general practitioners at the latest available date.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Consultant to Patient Ratio
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the consultant to patient ratio in each EC country.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Data on the number of practising physicians per 1,000 of population for all countries in the EC are available from the Organisation for Economic
  607
  Co-operation and Development (OECD). This covers all qualified doctors. Data specifically about consultants are not available.

  The table gives the available information:

  Number

  United Kingdom

  1·4

  France

  2·6

  Germany

  2·9

  Belgium

  3·3

  Netherlands

  2·4

  Italy

  11·3

  Spain

  3·6

  Luxembourg

  1·9

  Portugal

  2·7

  Denmark

  2·7

  Greece

  3·2

  Ireland

  1·5

  11 Hospital doctors only.

  The OECD does not guarantee consistency of information between member states. The data are not directly comparable as training, career structure and nomenclature of medical staff and the organisational structure of health services vary greatly between the states.

  Data on consultant-to-patient ratios in other EC countries are not available.

  Estimated number of Dental Care Payments made—1991–92

  Number of patients registered 31 March 1992

  FHSA

  Adult items of service

  Child items of service

  Estimated adult continuing care payments1

  Estimated Child capitation payments1

  Total

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  Cleveland

  276,106

  56,430

  2,258,382

  901,384

  30,099,913

  229,213

  85,905

  315,118

  Cumbria

  269,702

  34,855

  2,041,609

  685,424

  25,610,943

  203,308

  62,898

  266,206

  Durham

  257,089

  42,430

  2,333,957

  757,440

  27,746,581

  232,595

  71,424

  304,019

  Northumberland

  138,489

  19,878

  1,086,726

  412,129

  14,063,106

  108,345

  38,025

  146,370

  Gateshead

  89,774

  10,972

  749,113

  252,810

  9,542,858

  77,014

  24,276

  101,290

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  128,077

  19,886

  1,034,862

  332,676

  14,064,309

  104,737

  31,108

  135,845

  North Tyneside

  96,218

  11,517

  790,857

  262,493

  10,038,337

  80,133

  24,774

  104,907

  South Tyneside

  61,698

  8,701

  560,095

  184,954

  7,189,026

  57,550

  18,342

  75,892

  Sunderland

  113,728

  18,732

  981,473

  339,021

  12,890,484

  102,240

  33,084

  135,324

  Humberside

  417,783

  63,663

  3,373,413

  1,231,311

  42,100,030

  336,053

  115,281

  451,334

  North Yorkshire

  428,967

  43,407

  3,326,025

  1,058,349

  40,958,062

  318,673

  96,343

  415,016

  Bradford

  248,150

  31,091

  1,909,005

  624,302

  25,195,211

  191,172

  58,626

  249,798

  Calderdale

  110,424

  12,472

  866,219

  293,513

  11,547,961

  86,477

  27,688

  114,165

  Kirklees

  186,937

  23,308

  1,577,981

  532,589

  19,623,282

  157,737

  50,240

  207,977

  Leeds

  418,067

  56,463

  3,170,625

  1,054,618

  42,534,112

  310,929

  97,022

  407,951

  Wakefield

  141,589

  25,468

  1,201,004

  434,597

  15,959,154

  120,963

  40,854

  161,817

  Derbyshire

  449,240

  60,145

  3,580,326

  1,271,166

  45,769,104

  355,251

  118,338

  473,589

  Leicestershire

  475,150

  62,972

  3,647,635

  1,301,579

  45,184,275

  358,302

  120,094

  478,396

  Lincolnshire

  317,209

  33,023

  2,518,570

  818,750

  28,509,819

  247,045

  75,120

  322,165

  Nottinghamshire

  540,624

  78,538

  4,226,314

  1,486,211

  53,391,108

  415,693

  137,392

  553,085

  Barnsley

  88,054

  15,138

  717,366

  283,327

  10,020,381

  75,612

  27,007

  102,619

  Doncaster

  135,019

  24,439

  1,102,516

  482,032

  15,180,650

  113,657

  45,761

  159,418

  Rotherham

  100,693

  20,893

  852,383

  355,771

  11,325,621

  84,774

  32,406

  117,180

  Sheffield

  284,390

  35,552

  2,222,692

  714,149

  28,691,154

  221,461

  65,798

  287,259

  Cambridgeshire

  366,111

  40,708

  2,720,922

  992,660

  34,237,413

  266,149

  90,802

  356,951

  Norfolk

  448,303

  43,045

  3,332,811

  1,266,549

  41,856,407

  330,179

  107,759

  437,938

  Suffolk

  420,708

  41,152

  3,064,745

  1,002,392

  37,526,389

  295,243

  90,759

  386,002

  Bedfordshire

  207,416

  23,906

  1,666,796

  542,290

  23,100,552

  176,270

  53,071

  229,341

  Hertfordshire

  506,844

  72,325

  3,957,412

  1,624,633

  58,573,425

  401,642

  150,469

  552,111

  Barnet

  96,257

  23,253

  762,598

  356,262

  12,482,808

  80,258

  34,109

  114,367

  Brent and Harrow

  181,557

  36,696

  1,567,166

  526,423

  24,605,059

  165,113

  51,074

  216,187

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  244,653

  32,413

  2,077,167

  609,433

  34,266,868

  227,086

  61,058

  288,144

  Hillingdon

  114,499

  12,349

  928,903

  266,512

  12,938,068

  94,322

  25,749

  120,071

  Nurses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number of nurses currently leaving nurse training schools who wish to serve in the national health service but find no post to go to; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional health authorities are responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient trained nurses to meet local requirements. With around 390,000 full-time nursing posts in the national health service in England, the matching of newly qualified nurses to vacancies is best handled at local level.

  The Department does not routinely collect information on nursing vacancies or newly qualified nurses seeking employment.

  Establishment and Finance Officer
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the qualifications by examination held by her Department's principal establishment and finance officer.

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

  Dental Treatment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by family health service authority in England(a) the number of dental care payments made and (b) the number of dental patients registered in 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is given in the table.
  609

  Estimated number of Dental Care Payments made—1991–92

  Number of patients registered 31 March 1992

  FHSA

  Adult items of service

  Child items of service

  Estimated adult continuing care payments1

  Estimated Child capitation payments1

  Total

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  Kensington, Westminster and Chelsea

  114,807

  9,951

  956,851

  179,584

  16,587,234

  107,346

  18,444

  125,790

  Essex

  665,284

  94,600

  5,493,058

  2,075,240

  75,868,173

  558,786

  194,210

  752,996

  Barking and Havering

  148,117

  21,165

  1,206,954

  430,768

  17,848,177

  124,950

  40,798

  165,748

  Camden and Islington

  156,825

  10,899

  1,315,667

  261,986

  20,682,080

  145,231

  26,215

  171,446

  City and East London

  183,535

  33,884

  1,581,032

  469,000

  27,472,337

  179,826

  48,786

  228,612

  Enfield and Haringey

  170,480

  26,448

  1,419,410

  541,371

  22,704,926

  152,969

  52,475

  205,444

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  169,164

  27,526

  1,446,632

  558,081

  22,401,958

  155,947

  53,720

  209,667

  East Sussex

  427,242

  38,553

  3,306,972

  965,719

  43,685,096

  323,717

  87,771

  411,488

  Kent

  744,547

  96,144

  5,669,905

  2,078,051

  78,323,687

  572,359

  192,728

  765,087

  Greenwich and Bexley

  186,316

  31,186

  1,446,118

  560,410

  22.033,639

  152,406

  54,562

  206,968

  Bromley

  96,731

  21,852

  735,069

  378,513

  11,673,322

  75,191

  33,537

  108,728

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  301,056

  27,720

  2,651,357

  657,559

  40,750,530

  281,425

  64,662

  346,087

  Surrey

  544,417

  63,117

  4,017,106

  1,510,572

  55,961,553

  400,541

  138,681

  539,222

  West Sussex

  447,295

  49,230

  3,207,955

  1,155,259

  42,863,962

  314,166

  106,065

  420,231

  Croydon

  157,121

  25,144

  1,222,438

  404,774

  19,644,355

  129,146

  38,632

  167.778

  Kingston and Richmond

  104,248

  22,342

  789,427

  391,963

  12,894,157

  83,482

  36,719

  120,201

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  234,286

  33,590

  2,007,443

  602,011

  30,599,781

  211,972

  57,587

  269,559

  Dorset

  460,225

  37,158

  3,267,024

  993,878

  40,680,508

  320,241

  91,996

  412,237

  Hampshire

  954,260

  83,816

  6,989,684

  2,333,108

  89,046,671

  682,960

  213,617

  896,577

  Wiltshire

  307,569

  30,133

  2,245,288

  843,223

  26,962,649

  220,085

  78,529

  298,614

  Isle of Wight

  85,685

  5,410

  573,108

  176,344

  7,436,472

  55,212

  15,734

  70,946

  Berkshire

  341,147

  45,759

  2,632,586

  1,098,626

  37,819,286

  270,228

  102,364

  372,592

  Buckinghamshire

  303,404

  37,000

  2,351,843

  1,042,737

  32,500,019

  236,777

  96,962

  333,739

  Northamptonshire

  279,654

  31,717

  2,184,967

  836,334

  27,496,376

  219.323

  77.577

  296,900

  Oxfordshire

  289,872

  32,031

  2,108,898

  859,875

  28,924,106

  211,650

  78,612

  290,262

  Avon

  613,002

  63,441

  4,449,310

  1,515,796

  55,764,637

  434,462

  137,747

  572,209

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  262,771

  26,810

  2,141,735

  710,372

  26,154,938

  212,731

  65,795

  278,526

  Devon

  633,749

  63,506

  4,992,863

  1,609,815

  61,507,050

  484,243

  146,954

  631,197

  Gloucestershire

  355,705

  31,500

  2,570,817

  844,853

  31,974,693

  252,190

  77,116

  329,306

  Somerset

  309,893

  31,371

  2,248,702

  765,079

  27,753,221

  219,739

  69,887

  289,626

  Hereford and Worcester

  391,128

  45,081

  2,866,073

  1,045,949

  35,538,641

  282,192

  95,511

  377,703

  Shropshire

  238,133

  28,656

  1,917,301

  665,386

  22,469,182

  186,335

  60,237

  246,572

  Staffordshire

  497,744

  68,789

  3,889,168

  1,528,116

  49,744,297

  389,920

  141,970

  531,890

  Warwickshire

  267,530

  24,484

  2,015,782

  711,697

  24,538,764

  198,392

  65,184

  263,576

  Birmingham

  482,213

  63,780

  3,928,422

  1,306,134

  52,730,969

  398,631

  125,006

  523,637

  Coventry

  140,645

  18,151

  1,324,696

  371,733

  17,196,550

  132,337

  34,920

  167,257

  Dudley

  156,316

  17,165

  1,190,534

  385,215

  15,818,598

  118,148

  35,606

  153,754

  Sandwell

  134,445

  13,748

  1,104,582

  308,395

  14,472,543

  112,445

  29,077

  141,522

  Solihull

  93,780

  11,775

  701,674

  263,202

  10,091,105

  70,498

  24,650

  95,148

  Walsall

  102,427

  16,409

  820,475

  324,391

  12,150,240

  85,171

  31,158

  116,329

  Wolverhampton

  122,738

  10,504

  938,021

  245,373

  11,282,021

  94,906

  23,180

  118,086

  Cheshire

  537,862

  72,366

  4,205,310

  1,497,414

  53,686,156

  417,884

  139,018

  556,902

  Liverpool

  208,059

  44,389

  1,764,607

  625,556

  26,137,149

  182,790

  60,559

  243,349

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  139,561

  25,899

  1,257,667

  477,320

  17,197,682

  129,536

  45,788

  175,324

  Sefton

  158,045

  19,688

  1,241,704

  463,012

  16,568,357

  124,666

  42,762

  167,428

  Wirral

  178,510

  24,651

  1,457,665

  490,610

  18.705,649

  146,531

  45,925

  192,456

  Lancashire

  698,124

  103,440

  5,604,512

  2,099,337

  75,273,474

  561,565

  195,598

  757,163

  Bolton

  134,227

  18,262

  1,018,596

  399,893

  13,334,049

  99,666

  36,965

  136,631

  Bury

  93,211

  12,913

  713,442

  270,684

  10,123,593

  70,222

  24,780

  95,002

  Manchester

  219,681

  34,076

  1,839,908

  644,362

  29,049,017

  189,924

  59,812

  249,736

  Oldham

  103,779

  18,206

  800,495

  355,464

  11,860,279

  80,770

  33,239

  114,009

  Rochdale

  91,643

  14,046

  797,740

  314,615

  10,427,777

  79,537

  29,747

  109,284

  Salford

  105,766

  18,273

  900,558

  437,441

  13,602,036

  91,388

  36,552

  127,940

  Stockport

  191,586

  22,109

  1,448,489

  508,009

  18,163,896

  138,210

  45,379

  183,589

  Tameside

  101,041

  19,443

  802,127

  341,879

  11,586,466

  81,554

  32,454

  114,008

  Trafford

  137,064

  17,783

  1,099,798

  395,080

  14,359,559

  107,268

  36,417

  143,685

  Wigan

  139,909

  25,906

  1,207,737

  501,392

  16,368,778

  121,056

  46,553

  167,609

  ENGLAND

  24,273,099

  3,098,815

  190,314,970

  67,086,309

  2,545,314,894

  19,106,039

  6,239,185

  25,345,224

  1 Continuing care and capitation payments are paid monthly. This means that each dentist receives 12 such payments per year per patient registered.

  610

  Secure Accommodation
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the oral statement by the Home Secretary of 2 March,Official Report, columns 139–42, if she will list the measures to be taken within her Department in relation to secure accommodation, care and control.

  Mr. Yeo
  We are proposing to implement a range of measures to strengthen existing policies. These will include:

  issuing guidance on measures of control in secure and other forms of children's residential accommodation;

  ensuring that social services departments, working with others, take a consistent approach towards the control of juvenile offenders;

  reinforcing the social services inspectorate's role in upholding rigorous standards in all forms of secure accommodation, including the new secure training centres;

  amending regulations to enable private and voluntary providers to provide secure accommodation;

  charging the Central Council for the Education and Training of Social Workers with ensuring that issues of control and standards of supervision of offenders are properly addressed in the training of social workers.

  We will implement our commitment that local authorities provide an additional 60 to 65 secure places by 1995–96 for juvenile remands.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between her Department and the city of Newcastle upon Tyne director of social services about the provision of additional local authority secure unit accommodation.

  Mr. Yeo
  There has been no such correspondence.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers and occupancy rate of local authority secure unit places in each region over the last five years; how many children were in such accommodation each year; and what was the cause of their admission.

  Mr. Yeo
  Information held centrally about local authority secure units is published in "Children accommodated in secure units during the year ending 31 March 1991, England". The information published includes numbers accommodated in each secure unit at 31 March in total and by the legal status on admission, the number of places at 31 March in each unit and occupancy levels. The number of children accommodated in each former social services inspectorate region is also published.

  Information is not collected about the circumstances of admission, other than the legal status.

  Copies of the publication are held in the Library.

  NHS Trust Hospitals
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what purposes a hospital transferred to an NHS trust continues to be treated as Crown property.

  Mr. Sackville
  A hospital transferred to a national health service trust continues to be treated in the same way as Crown property in respect of developments notified to the local planning authority before 1 April 1991 whilst the trust has an interest in them; in respect of any building work approved before 1 April 1991 until such time as the work is completed; and in respect of tenancies entered into before 1 April 1991 in which the trust is landlord and 612
  which would otherwise be assured tenancies under the Housing Act 1988 or protected tenancies under the Rent Act 1977. NHS trusts are exempt from the need to carry insurance under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 (equivalent arrangements under NHS (Injury Benefit) Regulations 1974 cover NHS staff); from the need for motor vehicle taxation under the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971; from the need to effect third party insurance for ambulances under the Road Traffic Act 1988; from most taxation in line with the arrangements for other public bodies, and there are exemptions in certain circumstances in relation to licences under the Medicines Act 1968. In respect of section 48 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, NHS trusts are deemed to be Crown bodies in relation to material communicated to the Crown for a particular purpose in the course of public business, and thereby are entitled to copy and issue copies of the material to the public for that purpose without infringing copyright therein.

  GP Patients
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, by family health service authority in England, the number of patients registered with general medical practitioners in 1991–92.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested at 1 October 1991 is shown in the table.

  Numbers

  Avon

  996,744

  Barking and Havering

  386,641

  Barnet

  365,675

  Barnsley

  229,821

  Bedfordshire

  568,123

  Berkshire

  788,771

  Birmingham

  1,066,156

  Bolton

  268,742

  Bradford

  495,476

  Brent and Harrow

  588,944

  Bromley

  307,557

  Buckinghamshire

  662,534

  Bury

  186,179

  Calderdale

  197,575

  Cambridgeshire

  661,842

  Camden and Islington

  451,537

  Cheshire

  975,865

  City and East London

  690,802

  Cleveland

  573,720

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  478,820

  Coventry

  330,840

  Croydon

  335,033

  Cumbria

  496,765

  Derbyshire

  970,100

  Devon

  1,040,918

  Doncaster

  300,464

  Dorset

  658,142

  Dudley

  315,298

  Durham

  600,626

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  821,049

  East Sussex

  744,022

  Enfield and Haringey

  573,930

  Essex

  1,578,918

  Gateshead

  212,408

  Gloucestershire

  537,955

  Greenwich and Bexley

  439,871

  Hampshire

  1,588,935

  Hereford and Worcester

  678,320

  Hertfordshire

  1,050,750

  Hillingdon

  244,967

  Humberside

  883,672

  Isle of Wight

  128,281

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  422,713

  613

  Numbers

  Kent

  1,559,873

  Kingston and Richmond

  329,576

  Kirklees

  366,653

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  851,622

  Lancashire

  1,427,797

  Leeds

  730,806

  Leicestershire

  914,793

  Lincolnshire

  595,419

  Liverpool

  503,204

  Manchester

  499,955

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  677,591

  Newcastle

  293,550

  Norfolk

  744,796

  Northamptonshire

  589,843

  North Tyneside

  193,148

  Northumberland

  305,017

  North Yorkshire

  719,661

  Nottinghamshire

  1,013,546

  Oldham

  199,256

  Oxfordshire

  584,002

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  476,785

  Rochdale

  205,954

  Rotherham

  246,799

  Salford

  244,249

  Sandwell

  318,230

  Sefton

  292,127

  Sheffield

  528,948

  Shropshire

  401,245

  Solihull

  222,639

  Somerset

  474,313

  South Tyneside

  160,807

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  363,875

  Staffordshire

  1,018,355

  Stockport

  296,313

  Suffolk

  640,394

  Sunderland

  294,236

  Surrey

  1,073,544

  Tameside

  218,044

  Trafford

  220,118

  Wakefield

  331,452

  Walsall

  260,976

  Warwickshire

  500,556

  West Sussex

  741,841

  Wigan

  307,621

  Wiltshire

  551,339

  Wirral

  343,470

  Wolverhampton

  256,827

  NHS Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider setting up arrangements whereby NHS employees transferred to non-NHS employers under planned schemes involving the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 can continue in membership of the NHS superannuation scheme.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. The national health service pension scheme is intended only for those people who are directly employed by NHS employing authorities.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that the present range of oral contraceptives will continue to be available to women free of charge under the national health service; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have asked the advisory committee on national health service drugs to ensure that 614
  contraceptives to meet all real clinical needs will continue to be available free of charge on NHS prescription. There is no change in policy on family planning and we remain committed to the aim that the full range of NHS family planning services, however provided, should be appropriate, accessible and comprehensive.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of direct employees of each regional health authority; and what estimate she has made of the effect on staff requirements of the proposed reorganisation of the regional health authorities.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 4 March at column 221 about the numbers of regional health authorities' employees.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in her speech to the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts (NAHAT) on 23 February that there would be a rigorous review of the manpower and functions of the intermediate tier; with the view that regions should typically employ a maximum of 200 people against the current average of 560.

  Local Authority Homes
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to require local authority homes caring for the aged to meet the same registration standards as those met by the voluntary and private sector.

  Mr. Yeo
  All residential care homes, including those run by local authorities, are inspected regularly by reference to common inspection standards and criteria. We expect authorities to act on inspection reports which identify shortcomings in their own care homes.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to ensure that women users of mental health services have the choice of a woman worker.

  Mr. Yeo
  The "Health of the Nation" key area handbook on mental illness published in January advises purchasers that when considering local needs they should take into account women's particular concerns. This may include the choice of a female professional including a female key worker.

  Music Therapy
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time music therapists are currently employed in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The number of full-time music therapists in England at 30 September 1991, the latest date for which information is available centrally, is 40 (rounded to the nearest ten whole number). Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Deployment of staff, including the number employed is a matter for trusts and directly managed units.
  615
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local authorities use music therapy as a way of treating autistic children; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  This information is not held centrally. The Department is currently funding Professor Newson of Nottingham university to undertake an evaluation and comparative study of current interventions for children with autism.

  Community Care
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a copy of the NHS management executive's report "Care for the Community in the 21st Century".

  Mr. Yeo
  The document referred to is not a national health service management executive document but a discussion paper which represents the output from a "learning set" of professionals drawn from the NHS and from local government and does not represent Government policy, nor the official view of any of the organisations who employ the members of the group.

  The establishment of the set was supported through the resource management unit of the NHS management executive to enable an exchange of views between experienced senior people from different backgrounds but with a common interest in community and priority care services on a topic of their choice.

  The "learning set" decided to distribute their piece of work widely within health organisations as a contribution to the debate on the future of community and priority care services, as one might with a piece of academic research. In the same spirit arrangements were made for distribution to Health Select Committee members and for copies to be available in the Library.

  Medical Advisers
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical advisers employed by family health services authorities have had their performance assessed; and how many were deemed effective on the criterion laid down to assess their performance.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally. All family health service authorities (FHSAs) are expected to have medical advisers. Individual FHSAs are responsible for salary costs of medical advisers and for setting in train any procedures for monitoring their effectiveness.

  Guy's and Lewisham Trust
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish the report of the inquiry into allegations about patient deaths at Guy's and Lewisham NHS trust; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The report was commissioned by the Guy's and Lewisham NHS trust and publication is a matter for it.

  Hospital Charges
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce a system of(a) billing or (b) charging patients for any elements of their stay in NHS hospitals; and if she will make a statement.
  616
  Mr. Sackville
  We have no such plans.

  Children's Homes, Islington
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports she has received concerning the operation of children's homes in Islington; what proposals are being made for future changes; and what aspects she has asked the social services inspectorate to examine.

  Mr. Yeo
  An interim report by the independent inquiry into allegations of mismanagement in Islington's children's homes has been received by the Department. The inquiry team is being strengthened by the addition of a former director of social services. The inquiry will complete its investigation into the management and practice of the children's homes, the management of child care cases by the Islington neighbourhood services department and a range of associated personnel matters. The social services inspectorate will also conduct a full inspection of the children's homes service shortly.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints she has received about children in care in England in the past year; and on how many occasions she has ordered a social services inspectorate inquiry.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have received a number of representations, some contain complaints but others seek advice or express opinions. The social services inspectorate does not undertake "inquiries" as such. However, on the instructions of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State it has undertaken an inspection of children's homes in Southwark and inspections will be carried out in Lambeth and Islington in the near future.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further research is planned on the causes of child asthma and bronchial conditions and its relationship to air pollution; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. As stated in my reply on 8 June, 1992, the MRC is sponsoring some research into factors contributing to the rise of asthma and has set up a working party to examine the aetiology of asthma under the chairmanship of Professor A. J. Newman Taylor. It is considering a range of possible contributory factors to current levels of asthma, including air pollution. The Department is represented on the working party and on the MRC committee on toxic hazards in the workplace and the environment, both of which will consider areas of need for further research.

  In addition, the committee on the medical effects of air pollutants (COMEAP) which was established by the Chief Medical Officer last year has set up a sub-group on asthma which will make recommendations on research relating to asthma and air pollution.

  Whittington Hospital
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the deficit of the Whittington hospital for 1991–92; what is the projected deficit for 1992–93; and how this will be paid.

  Mr. Sackville
  The balance on the audited income and expenditure account of the Whittington hospital for 1991–92 showed a breakeven operating position. This was after a temporary increase of £600,000 in the cash limit from the regional health authority (RHA) under the brokerage arrangements operated by them.

  The projected unaudited net income and expenditure deficit for 1992–93 is presently £70,000 after regional support. The RHA is currently in discussion with the hospital to identify ways in which the deficit can be covered.

  Primary and Community Care
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for grant for the commissioning of primary and community care under the new purchasing arrangements for general practitioner fund holders have been made(a) nationally and (b) in Stockport; how much each individual application has been for; and which applications have been granted.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 25 February 1993]: General practitioner fund holders do not apply for grants for primary and community care.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what areas of food production within the United Kingdom currently fall(a) within and (b) outside of arrangments made under the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Curry
  Within the United Kingdom, all primary food production falls within the common agricultural policy with the exception of potatoes and honey. A Commission proposal to bring potatoes within the CAP is currently under discussion.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was spent on official entertainment in his Department in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to date.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is as follows:

  £

  1991–92

  89,014·54

  11992–93

  53,884·91

  1 To 31 January.

  Bananas
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom's618
  traditional suppliers in the Commonwealth Caribbean on the agreement in the Agriculture Council on the Community arrangements for bananas.

  Mr. Curry
  The Agriculture Council agreed, at its meeting in February, a regulation setting up harmonised arrangements for the Community banana market. The negotiations were long and difficult but the final text of the regulation reflects the agreement reached at the December Council on the basis of a United Kingdom presidency compromise.

  The new arrangements needed to satisfy a number of objectives: completion of the single market in bananas, compatibility with GATT, the needs of consumers and the Community's legal and moral obligations to the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries under the Lomé convention. Until now, those obligations have been met by the United Kingdom and a small number of member states and we were careful, during the negotiations, not to lose sight of the crucial importance of the banana industry to our traditional suppliers in the Commonwealth Caribbean. The common organisation of the EC banana market which will now be introduced will share the burden of the Lomé obligations among all 12 member states. The agreement will ensure that banana producers in the Caribbean can maintain a viable industry and it has been widely welcomed by them.

  Ministers' Homes
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent from public funds on approved work on Ministers' private residences arising from their ministerial duties other than in respect of security.

  Mr. Gummer
  None, but I refer the hon. Member to the Second Report of the Committee on Members' Interests —HC 469, Session 1992–93.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Young People (Benefits)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many 16 and 17-year-olds in Walthamstow are in receipt of benefits; and what percentage this is of the age group.

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

  Family Perspective and Life Cycle
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in which publication, speech or statement his Department has described how it takes account of the family perspective and the life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of his Department;

  (2) if he will make a statement on how his Department takes account of the family perspective and the family life cycle in the targets, activities and statistics of his Department.

  Mr. Burt
  A substantial proportion of the activities of the Department of Social Security is aimed at supporting
  619
  families, through the benefit system and through the proposed child support arrangements. Numerous speeches and statements have set out the Department's views on the family perspective and the needs of families featured prominently in the deliberations leading up to the 1988 social security reforms, as well as the 1990 White Paper "Children Come First".

  The structure of the benefit system now provides two clear and distinct paths for the provision of help to families with the cost of bringing up children. The first is to provide help for families generally, while the second is to provide extra help for low-income families, both in and out of work.

  Child benefit is designed to meet the needs of families generally and the Government remain committed to the principle of giving financial support to those who bear the extra responsibility of bringing up children.

  The introduction of income support to replace supplementary benefit enabled us to tackle many of the deficiencies and complexities of the old system. Through the system of personal allowances and premiums reflecting the needs of particular client groups, such as the family premium for families with children, we are now able to direct help specifically towards low-income families not in work.

  The cornerstone of our approach to help low-income working families is family credit. This now provides a tax-free weekly cash payment to boost the incomes of almost 450,000 working families, payable in nearly every case to the mother. Family credit is designed to:

  (i) provide extra support to these families in accordance with their needs and ensure as far as possible that they are better off in work;

  (ii) ensure that those who are able to work harder or for longer hours do not lose all or more of the extra money earned because of the withdrawal of income related benefits.

  In our manifesto we promised:
  "We will set up a new Family Credit telephone advice service to support working families".

  The new family credit helpline will be set up from April 1993 to help potential, as well as existing customers.

  Families both in and out of work qualify for housing benefit and for community charge benefit, to be replaced next month by the council tax benefit. Both benefits, like income support, feature a family premium and a structure of allowances to take account of family needs.

  There is a need for social policy to reinforce and encourage parents' acceptance of their responsibility for providing for their children. Our new Child Support Agency, to be launched on 5 April, will take over the task of assessing, collecting and enforcing payments of child maintenance. By setting up a purpose-built agency charged with all aspects of maintenance, rather than the current fragmented system, we expect to see big gains in the extent to which absent parents contribute towards the support of their children. The new system should also bring greater predictability and regularity in the payment of maintenance—so that maintenance will contribute to creating a stable basis of income on which parents caring for children can build.

  The Department also commissions research to analyse the situation of single people and families receiving benefit of various stages of life. All benefit statistics give a breakdown of the numbers and characteristics of the people receiving them. The departmental report—
  620
  Cm 2213, February 1993—provides an analysis of social security expenditure and includes a bibliography; a copy is in the Library.

  Fire, Banbury Office
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claimants' records were destroyed in the fire at his Department's office in Banbury, Oxfordshire; and if he will make a statement as to the probable cause of the fire;

  (2) what action he is taking to see that claimants whose records were destroyed in the fire at his Department's office in Banbury, Oxfordshire, do not suffer undue delay in having their claims processed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  There was no fire at the Department's premises in Banbury—media reports were misleading. It is understood that the fire in question was at the local authority social services office in Banbury.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by year for the last five years(a) the number of persons employed by grade and (b) the annual cost of (i) the disablement benefit section, (ii) the contributory benefits (appeals) section, (iii) the social fund section, (iv) the income support (appeals) section, (v) the income support section, to cover all aspects of income support including housing benefit, (vi) the section dealing with income support for persons aged 16 and 17 years, (vii) the section dealing with direct payments to third parties in respect of fuel costs etc., (viii) the Child Support Agency, (ix) the Contributions Agency section, (x) the fraud and special investigations section and (xi) the reception area of his Department's offices in Castle house, Doncaster.

  Mr. Burt
  Figures are available only for 1991–92 and 1992–93 since the Benefits Agency was formed except for details from the Contributions Agency where 1990–91 information is held.

  Such information as is available is tabled.

  Staffing and costs of Doncaster district office Department of Social Security 1991–92

  Benefit

  LO1

  Grades LO2

  AA

  Cost £

  Disablement

  1

  3

  0·5

  53,000

  Contributions (Appeals)

  1

  0

  0

  15,000

  Social Fund

  12

  9

  5

  327,000

  Income Support (Appeals)

  1·5

  0

  0

  23,000

  Income Support Section

  4·5

  18

  6

  322,000

  Income Support 16–17 year olds

  0·5

  0

  0

  8,000

  Direct Payments

  1

  2·5

  0

  43,000

  Child Support Unit

  5

  3

  0

  110,000

  Contributions Agency

  3

  2·5

  0

  74,000

  (90–91 details available)

  3

  3

  1

  88,000

  Fraud and Special Investigation

  4

  1

  1

  81,000

  Reception

  1

  7·5

  0

  99,000

  Note: All salary costs at 1991–92 rates.
  621

  Staffing and costs of Doncaster district office Department of Social Security –93

  Benefit

  LO1

  Grades LO2

  AA

  Cost £

  Disablement

  1

  3

  0·5

  54,000

  Contributions (Appeals)

  1

  0

  0

  16,000

  Social Fund

  10

  12

  5

  331,000

  Income Support (Appeals)

  1·5

  0

  0

  24,000

  Income Support Section

  5·5

  20·5

  6·5

  369,000

  Income Support 16–17 year olds

  0·5

  0

  0

  8,000

  Direct Payments

  1

  6

  1

  91,801

  Child Support Unit

  4

  3

  0

  97,382

  Contributions Agency

  3

  2·6

  0

  77,000

  Fraud and Special Investigation

  4

  1

  1

  82,000

  Reception

  1

  9·5

  0

  125,000

  Note: All salary costs at 1992–93 rates.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will abolish the regulation by which unemployment benefit is reduced by 10p for every 10p over £35 received in occupational pension for those aged 55 years.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the conditions in which persons over the age of 55 years lose unemployment benefit arising from interaction with pension entitlement.

  Mr. Burt
  Unemployment benefit is reduced by 10p for every 10p by which an occupational or personal pension payable to a claimant aged 55 years or over exceeds £35 a week.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he intends to review the benefit rules as set out in NI 230 in so far as they discriminate against persons aged over 55 years; how many persons are in receipt of a reduced level of unemployment benefit arising out of the rules; and what is the reason for the different treatment of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit arising out of the rules.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no plans to revise these rules.

  The number of people whose entitlement to unemployment benefit is reduced or extinguished due to the receipt of an occupational or personal pension is 26,400.

  The abatement rules are in line with the Government's policy to target help to those in greatest need, particularly those who do not have the support which an occupational or personal pension provides. The reduction of the age threshold from 60 to 55 years was made to reflect changing patterns of retirement. Since the introduction of the original rule, increasing numbers of people have been retiring before the age of 60 with an occupational or personal pension.

  Source: Half Yearly Analysis of Unemployed Claimants, May 1992.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people lose all their entitlement to unemployment benefit because of an occupational pension; and are such people still counted on the official register of number of unemployed;
  622
  (2) how many people lose some amount of unemployment benefit because of receipt of an occupational pension.

  Mr. Burt
  The number of people who lose some amount of unemployment benefit because of receipt of an occupational or personal pension is 26,400. In 9,200 of these cases entitlement to unemployment benefit is extinguished.

  Source: Half Yearly Analysis of Unemployed Claimants: May 1992.

  People whose entitlement to unemployment benefit is extinguished due to the receipt of an occupational or personal pension may continue to register unemployed for the purpose of obtaining national insurance credits. Those who do so will be included in the unemployment statistics. No figures are held for people who decide not to pursue a claim for credits and they could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will raise the age at which receipt of occupational pension affects unemployment benefit from 55 to 60 years of age.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no plans to do so.

  Income Support
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 201–2, if he will (a) make it his policy to end the arrangements on the deprivation of capital for benefit purposes and (b) place in the Library of the House a copy of the adjudication officers' guide; and when benefits agency officers were last reminded of the provision of existing legislation and guidance on this matter.

  Mr. Burt
  There are no plans to change the present rules. Copies of the adjudication officers guide have been in the Library for some time. I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the most recent reminder to agency staff was issued in January 1993.

ENVIRONMENT

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has, following the United Kingdom's commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emission levels in 2000 to the level in 1990 for the emission levels beyond 2000.

  Mr. Maclean
  The United Nations framework convention on climate change contains provision for further commitments to be agreed for limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the period beyond 2000. The commitments in the convention must be reviewed at the first meeting of the convention's conference of parties, again not later than the end of 1998, and periodically thereafter.

  For the present, the Government have no specific objectives for emissions beyond 2000. However measures taken as part of the programme to limit emissions by 2000 are likely to have a continuing effect on emissions thereafter. And, given that there is likely to be a continuing*************************************

  623
  need to restrain emissions, the Government are looking at the options for containing emissions in the longer term and are carrying out research where necessary. Interim advice has already been given to local planning authorities on how land use planning might influence the need to travel and choice of travel mode, and hence affect CO2 emissions from transport in the longer term.

  Packaging Directive
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to secure amendments to the EC directive on packaging and packaging waste in order to(a) set targets for reducing the overall amount of packaging used and (b) introduce measures to increase the use of refillable containers.

  Mr. Maclean
  We believe that limiting the amount of packaging to be produced in the Community would be an unacceptable constraint on economic growth. Such a limit would be very difficult to enforce and is not necessary to achieve the environmental objective of reducing the amount of packaging waste going to final disposal. We believe the approach proposed by the Commission of setting targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste is more appropriate. We will explore in negotiation whether those targets can reflect the contribution made by refillable containers without creating barriers to trade or competition.

  Catalytic Converters
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the projected decrease in emissions of nitrogen dioxide resulting from the introduction of catalytic converters takes into account the effects of cold starts and short journeys within urban areas; and what are the implications of these factors for future urban air quality.

  Mr. Maclean
  Projections of emissions of oxides of nitrogen published by Warren Spring Laboratory take account both of the introduction of catalytic converters on cars and of the fact that these do not control emissions effectively until the engine has warmed up. The introduction of catalytic converters is expected to result in a decline both in emissions of oxides of nitrogen and in average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. However, peak wintertime concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in urban areas will be less affected because of the preponderance of short car journeys and of low ambient temperatures in winter.

  Energy Efficiency Office
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the publicity budget of the Energy Efficiency Office(a) for 1986–87 and (b) for 1992–93, expressed in constant money terms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Energy Efficiency Office's publicity outturn in 1986–87 was some £18 million in 1992 prices, and the estimated outturn for 1992–93 is £8 million. The higher level of expenditure on publicity in 1986–87 reflects the short-term "Monergy" campaign undertaken at that time to raise general awareness of the economic benefits of energy efficiency. The EEO continues to run general 624
  publicity campaigns such as "Helping the Earth Begins at Home", but in addition is now giving greater emphasis to helping specific groups of consumers make energy efficiency improvements by providing them with advice and information.

  Noise Abatement Zones
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he now proposes to take arising from the Building Research Establishment's report on noise abatement zones; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received on noise abatement zones; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department is currently considering the findings of a review of noise abatement zones in England and Wales 1976–1992. We will announce our conclusions in due course. We have received no representations on noise abatement zones, other than from the hon. Member.

  Pollution
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many public complaints, broken down by region and by county, have been received in each of the last four years by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; and if he will provide the same information identified for each installation complained about.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information can be provided in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. However, the figures for public complaints against processes are included in the HMIP annual report which is placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Landfill Sites
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many landfill sites in the United Kingdom have gas control plant with flarestacks; how many of these have licence conditions incorporating the recommendations for combustion temperature contained in waste management paper 27; and what action has been taken against site operators who do not maintain flarestacks to a satisfactory standard.

  Mr. Maclean
  Waste disposal licensing is the responsibility of the waste regulation authorities and these authorities maintain public records of licensed activities in their areas. The information is not held centrally.

  In considering applications for licences, suitable conditions are set by authorities to ensure that operations do not lead to pollution or danger to public health. Conditions are set on a site specific basis taking account of the guidance given by the Department in waste management papers. Waste management paper 27 explains that all landfill sites should be considered as having the potential to generate landfill gas and all should be monitored for gas evolution and migration. Sites should, where necessary, have control systems installed to prevent uncontrolled gas migration.

  Authorities have a duty to monitor activities at licensed sites. They are able to revoke licences if licence holders fail to comply with the conditions attached to the licence and take appropriate remedial action if a hazard arises.

  Radioactive Discharges
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the levels of radioactive discharges into(a) the sewerage system and (b) rivers, in the United Kingdom, for each of the last three years.

  Mr. Maclean
  Discharges of radioactive waste to the public sewerage system and to watercourses are strictly regulated by means of authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution—HMIP. Authorisations are issued only after a careful radiological assessment and impose strict conditions and maximum activity limits which ensure proper protection from such disposals for all members of the public, including sewer workers. Discharges in excess of the set limits would be an offence and could render an operator liable to prosecution.

  Results of a research study conducted on behalf of HMIP by the National Radiological Protection Board into the exposure of sewer workers associated with radioactive discarges from hospitals was published in June 1991. It found that doses of radiation to those sewer workers with long exposure near to hospital discharge points are approximately 100th that of natural back-ground levels.

  Further research conducted on behalf of HMIP by St Bartholomew's medical college into the levels of Iodine 125 in drinking water show that actual radiation exposure to the public is less than 100th that of natural background levels. I-125 is a principal component of discharges from hospitals. Both these reports (DOE/HMIP/RR/91/030 and 031) are in the Library of the House. The studies form part of an HMIP-commissioned programme of research into the environmental behaviour of radionuclides.

  A programme for monitoring radioactivity in public water supplies in England and Wales has operated for many years. Results from this programme are published in the Department's "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" a copy of which is in the Library. Selective monitoring of private water supplies is also undertaken under contract to this Department.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those services or functions that have been contracted out from his Department since November 1991 without market testing an in-house bid against external competition, with, in each instance, the successful contractor and the reasons for the decision to exclude an in-house bid.

  Mr. Howard
  None of the projects in my Department's market-testing programme which involves exposing in-house functions to competition has yet reached the stage where a contract or service level agreement has been awarded. In-house bids are being encouraged in every case.

  Housing Subsidy
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the formula for arriving at the housing element allowed to local authorities under the housing subsidy application; and if he will make a statement.
  626
  Mr. Baldry
  My Department publishes, annually, two general determinations setting out how each local housing authority's entitlement to housing revenue account subsidy for the forthcoming financial year shall be calculated. These determinations are placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The most recent determinations were published on 17 December 1992 in respect of the financial year starting on 1 April 1993.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the rate of inflation included in the housing element of the housing subsidy(a) nationally and (b) for Wakefield district council.

  Mr. Baldry
  Our policy is to target housing revenue account subsidy according to the relative needs of each authority. This is done by targeting the two main components of the housing element of the subsidy calculation, guidelines rents and management and maintenance allowances, according to the relative value and characteristics retrospectively of each authority's stock. For 1993–94, we are increasing guideline rents nationally by 7.75 per cent.—5 per cent. above the underlying rate of general inflation—compared with a 7·1 per cent. increase for Wakefield district council. Management and maintenance allowances are to be increased by 3·75 per cent. overall but Wakefield district council's allowance will be increased by only 1·25 per cent. because the council's existing allowance is already very close to our assessment of the council's relative need to spend.

  House Conditions Survey
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the reasons for the delay in publishing the English house conditions survey.

  Sir George Young
  There is no delay. The data are being analysed now and the results will be published as soon as they are available.

  Housing Association Lettings
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total of new lettings made by housing associations in England for each year since 1979; and what proportion of new lettings were made to tenants receiving housing benefits.

  Sir George Young
  Information on the number of housing association lettings in England is available from 1988–89, and information on lettings to tenants qualifying for housing benefit from 1990–91. The information is as follows:

  New lettings1 made by housing associations (England)

  Number

  1988–89

  56,800

  1989–90

  60,400

  1990–91

  62,600

  1991–92

  70,500

  Source: Housing Corporation HAR10/1 returns.

  1 Excludes transfers within an association and accommodation in almshouses and Abbeyfields.

  627

  Proportion of new lettings1 to tenants qualifying for housing benefit (England)

  Per cent

  1990–91

  56

  1991–92

  64

  Source: National Federation of Housing Associations "CORE" database.

  1 Excludes transfers within an association and accommodation in almshouses and Abbeyfields.

  Leighton Hospital Incinerator
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the timetable for the construction of additional road facilities to accommodate waste transport to the proposed waste incinerator at Leighton hospital in Crewe.

  Mr. Maclean
  This is a matter for Cheshire county council.

  Hazardous Substances
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 and the 1992 regulations made under it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  This legislation came into force in June 1992. My Department has been closely monitoring the operation of the new controls since then and will continue to do so. We will shortly be asking local authorities to provide detailed information about all applications for hazardous substances consent received up to 31 March this year.

  Service Pesonnel (Housing)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with local authority associations concerning the housing needs of personnel leaving the services; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Advice to local authorities about housing for people leaving the services is given in Department of the Environment circular 54/75 "Housing for Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Service Women". Much of that guidance remains relevant, but the circular needs updating to reflect, for example, the third—1991—edition of the homelessness code of guidance, Ministry of Defence housing innitiatives announced in 1992, and the increasing role of housing associations in the provision of social housing. We will consult the local authority associations and other interested parties on the draft text of a replacement circular shortly.

  Northumbria Water Laboratory
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will intervene to halt the transfer of the Northumbria River Authority laboratory from Washington to Leeds.

  Mr. Maclean
  This is a management matter for the National Rivers Authority.

  Satellite Dishes
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the planning laws concerning the number of satellite dishes allowed on blocks of flats without planning permission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Revised planning rules affecting satellite TV dishes on flats came into force in July 1991, following a review. When the 1991 rules were introduced, the Minister for Housing and Planning made clear that they would be considered again should the Independent Television Commission license another significant direct broadcasting by satellite provider or should another major satellite service emerge that cannot be received by means of an Astra aerial.

  Housing Association Grant
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the organisations which have made representations to him concerning the effect of reduced housing association grant rates on rent levels for housing association tenants; and if he will give the proportion of these organisations which expressed concern about increased rent levels.

  Sir George Young
  Ministers receive representations throughout the year on rates of housing association grant and rent levels, and on the relationship between the two. There is no analysis available of which bodies have made what type of representation, but the organisations which have expressed views on this subject include the National Federation of Housing Associations and other national bodies, as well as individual housing associations and local bodies.

  Council Homes
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the first-year revenue cost in England of providing a two-bedroomed council home for rent

  Sir George Young
  The majority of new house building for rent is undertaken by housing associations and consequently the information requested by the hon. Member is not collected by my Department.

  National Parks
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the future funding and organisation of the national parks.

  Mr. Maclean
  Our policy statement on the national parks, published in January 1992, promised legislation to create independent authorities for the eight national parks in England and Wales currently run as county council committees. I fully recognise the importance of introducing national park legislation at the earliest opportunity and I have repeatedly said that we will do so. We cannot commit ourselves to a specific level of resources for the parks, but I believe that our record of funding should give confidence that the new authorities will be able to discharge their various responsibilities.

  Dumplington Development
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, column 189, on the proposed development at Dumplington, when he now proposes to announce his decision to the House.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State's decision to grant planning permission for the development of a sub-regional shopping centre at Dumplington, was issued on Thursday, 4 March.

  "Helping the Earth Begins at Home"
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many telephone complaints have been received about the "Helping the Earth Begins at Home" campaign.

  Mr. Maclean
  Since the "Helping the Earth Begins at Home" campaign began in November 1991, one telephone complaint has been received by my Department.

  Homeless People (Deaths)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless people have been found dead on the streets of London in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held centrally.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in each year(a) at year-by-year prices and (b) at current prices the total amount of moneys made available to the travel-to-work areas included in the assisted areas map since 1984.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Monday 8 March,Official Report, column 412.

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

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Statutory notices under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988 were served on 35 local authorities between July and September of last year in respect of financial failure in 1990–91. I announced on 2 December 1992,Official Report, column 209 and 4 March, Official Report, column 265 decisions in respect of 26 authorities. The Secretary of State has now considered the responses of a further nine authorities on whom notices were served on 11 September 1992.

  He has decided to take no further action in respect of financial failure in 1990–91 by Boston borough council —highways and sewerage: Carlisle city council—new construction in excess of £50,000 and highways and sewerage; Chorley borough council—highways and sewerage; Gosport borough council—building maintenance; London borough of Newham—new construction of less than £50,000 and building maintenance; Newcastle
  630
  upon Tyne city council—building maintenance; Southend on Sea borough council—highways and sewerage; and London borough of Southwark—building maintenance.

  In all these cases the authority:

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

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

  Derelict Land Survey
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the next derelict land survey in England to be carried out.

  Mr. Redwood
  The next derelict land survey is being undertaken this year, with a base date of 1 April. The survey forms were sent out to the local authorities in England in February and I hope that they will all be able to take part. The previous survey was in 1988 and now we need more up-to-date information to enable the Department to allocate grant for land reclamation and to provide a starting point for the urban regeneration agency's work. The survey is being managed for the Department by the consultants, Arup Economics and Planning, and the results of the survey should be published in the summer of 1994.

  Street Lighting
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average emission of lighting above horizontal, as a proportion of output in(a) trunk road lighting and (b) other street lighting; if he will estimate the amount of electricity used per annum in lighting above horizontal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have been asked to reply.

  About 12 per cent. of the light output from most road lighting lanterns on trunk and other roads is reflected upwards from the road surface. It is this reflected light which provides safe visual conditions for drivers. It is estimated that about 2 per cent. of the light output from lanterns is reflected upwards by impurities in the air before it reaches the road surface and about the same proportion goes directly upwards.

  It is estimated that some 2,000 million units of electricity are used each year for road lighting in Great Britain.

  British Waterways Bill
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of the British Waterways Bill on commercial shipping.

  (2) if he will list the British Waterways docks planned to be closed as a result of the Waterways Bill.

  Mr. Maclean
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1993 c. 524]: British Waterways now advises me that a small amount of commercial shipping continues to use Weston Point docks for discharging and loading at facilities leased by a third party. I, and British Waterways Board, apologise for the error in earlier reply. It remains the case that the British Waterways Bill does not prevent the future operation of the docks for commercial traffic.

  Countryside Commission
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names of members of the Countryside Commission, when they were appointed, the

  Commissioner

  Date appointed

  Date current term expires

  Number of meetings held in past 12 months

  Number of meetings attended in past 12 months

  Sir John Johnson (Chairman)

  1 April 1991

  30 March 1994

  6

  6

  Antony Jarvis

  1 July 1986

  30 June 1993

  6

  6

  Professor Bryn Green

  8 May 1984

  30 June 1993

  6

  6

  Earl of Swinton

  1 July 1987

  30 June 1993

  6

  6

  Rachel Thomas

  1 October 1987

  30 June 1993

  6

  6

  David Fletcher

  1 July 1988

  30 June 1994

  6

  6

  Sarah Ward

  1 August 1991

  30 June 1994

  6

  6

  Sir Richard Carew Pole

  26 September 1991

  30 June 1994

  6

  5

  Professor Allen Patmore

  22 September 1992

  30 June 1995

  6

  13

  1 Professor Patmore has attended the three Commission meetings held since his appointment.

  Enterprise Zone, Barrow
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards establishing an enterprise zone in the Barrow in Furness travel-to-work area; and if he will make a statement.
  632
  number of meetings held, the number of meetings attended by each member and when each term of office is to be completed.

  Mr. Maclean
  [ holding answer 8 March 1993]: The information is as follows:

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 9 March 1993]: I am aware of the case made by Barrow in Furness for a new enterprise zone. It remains Government policy that enterprise zones should be designated only in exceptional circumstances and where they can be most effectively deployed. Decisions on future designations of enterprise zones await the outcome of a review of the assisted areas map now being undertaken by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  PLUTONIUM STOCKS, SELLAFIELD: SAFETY
  PLUTONIUM STOCKS, SELLAFIELD: SAFETY
  NHS SPECIALTY REVIEWS
  NHS SPECIALTY REVIEWS
  INCOME TAX COMPARISON
  INCOME TAX COMPARISON
  GREATER MANCHESTER BUSES
  GREATER MANCHESTER BUSES
  DEFINITIVE MAP ORDERS; INSPECTORS' REPORTS
  DEFINITIVE MAP ORDERS; INSPECTORS' REPORTS
  FLOATING HELIPORTS: PLANNING CONTROL
  FLOATING HELIPORTS: PLANNING CONTROL
  HOUSING REQUESTS FROM HIV POSITIVE APPLICANTS
  HOUSING REQUESTS FROM HIV POSITIVE APPLICANTS