Written Answers of 19 May 1993

PRIME MINISTER

  Biodiversity
  Ms Short
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments have been and continue to be involved in discussions over the negotiation, ratification and implementation of the convention on biological diversity.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government Departments mainly involved include the Department of the Environment, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—including the Overseas Development Administration—Her Majesty's Treasury, the Northern Ireland Office, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Law Officers' Department, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Decisions on these matters are taken collectively.

  Economic Recovery
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister from what month or quarter he estimates the economic recovery began; and if he will set out the evidence from output and trade statistics underlying his estimate.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: It is always difficult to pinpoint economic turning points accurately until some time after they have occurred. But total output has been rising since last summer, and there have been encouraging signs—in figures for gross domestic product, manufacturing output, retail sales and exports —that recovery is under way across a broad front.

TRANSPORT

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be created by the Birmingham northern relief road during construction in toll operation and in motorway service areas.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd., estimates that the road will generate well over 500 on-site jobs during each year of construction; 220 to 270 full-time jobs when the road is operating at capacity; and the equivalent of a further 200 to 250 full-time jobs when the motorway service area opens.

  Emissions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many copies of his Department's joint report with the Department of the Environment on reducing transport emissions through planning, published this year, have been published; at what cost; and to whom it has been distributed.
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  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The report for this research, "Reducing Transport Emissions through Planning", was published on 20 April by HMSO, price £12 (ISBN 0–11–752785–8). HMSO printed 1,300 copies. The Departments of the Environment and of Transport have bought copies for their own use and a limited number of complimentary copies have been sent to key bodies, such as the local authority associations. Members of the public can buy the report directly from HMSO, through their agents or through good booksellers.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has recently received regarding the hazards posed by the transport of plutonium.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  During this year, my Department has received a variety of letters from hon. Members and others, together with parliamentary questions from both Houses, about the transport of plutonium.

  M3
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the status of the M3 extension through Twyford Down, and the planned timetable; if the extension is currently on schedule; and if contracts include penalty clauses for a time delay.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The main works for the construction of the Bar End to Compton section of the M3 have been in progress since October 1992 and are due for completion in autumn 1994. A three-week extension of time has been granted to the contractor in respect of difficulties with the appointment of a steel work subcontractor for the Shawford railway bridge. The contract includes the normal provision for liquidated damages if the works are completed later than the contract completion date.

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect his recent circular 2/93 on transport policies and programme submissions has on(a) the threshold for highway schemes to qualify for TSG, (b) from minor schemes costing under £2 million and (c) from road safety schemes.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The circular explains that from 1994–95 the threshold for construction and improvement schemes to be accepted for TSG will be £2 million. Schemes costing under £2 million, including road safety measures, will be supported with credit approvals only.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Mediation Services
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration he has given to the potential for cost-saving advantages of funding more community mediation services as an alternative to litigation or, when the offence has arisen from an interpersonal dispute, to prosecution.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is in favour of disputants resorting to mediation or other private
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  dispute resolution processes where they do not need the compulsion, certainty or finality that only the court can provide. We are currently reviewing the ways in which the tangible benefits of alternative dispute resolution might be harnessed to contribute to our programme of reducing delay, cost and complexity in civil litigation.

  The potential of schemes involving mediation between offenders and victims to contribute to the process of cautioning as an alternative to prosecution is being considered by the Home Office.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement outlining the basis on which the Lord Chancellor visited northern Cyprus; and whom he met.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor visited Cyprus from 1 to 8 May where he was attending the 10th Commonwealth law conference and on 6 May attended a function at the British high commission in northern Nicosia to which the high commissioner had invited lawyers from northern Cyprus. While in northern Cyprus, the Lord Chancellor had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Denktash, leader of the Turkish Cypriots, and to put to him the British Government's serious concern about the arrival of Mr. Asil Nadir in northern Cyprus.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  British Antarctic Survey
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to complete the restructuring of the British Antarctic Survey; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  As part of the allocations of the science budget announced on 10 February, some £4 million over three years up to 1995–96 has been allocated to the Natural Environment Research Council towards the completion of the restructuring of the British Antarctic Survey's facilities in Antarctica. This will increase the opportunities for visiting scientists from our higher education institutions and will facilitate international collaboration.

  Over the past decade, the survey has undertaken a major capital replacement programme. It has rebuilt the Halley station as a centre for geospace and atmospheric research, including ozone destruction. It has replaced one of its two ships by a purpose-built dual research and logistics vessel, the RRS James Clark Ross, and it has greatly enhanced the air facilities at its Rothera station by the construction of a hard airstrip, the purchase of two further Twin Otters and a longer range DHC7 aircraft, which will improve access at the start of the Antarctic season.

  It will now consolidate its marine biology work from the RRS James Clark Ross and at Rothera, where new facilities will be built for biological research. Automated data collection systems will be developed and introduced to Faraday, which will remain as an unmanned station from 1995–96, and to the Signy station, where the present outdated accommodation will be replaced with modern facilities to support biological research during the austral summer.
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  A proportion of the funds will also be used to clean up abandoned former British bases in Antarctica, a requirement under the 1991 environmental protocol to the Antarctic treaty.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Witness Protection
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce a witness protection scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mates
  Arrangements for the safety and protection of Crown witnesses, in selected cases, are operational matters for the Chief Constable of the RUC. The RUC has had a witness protection scheme since the early 1980s.

  Playgroups
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of the amount of financial support granted by(a) each education and library board and (b) each health and social services board in Northern Ireland to pre-school playgroups in their respective areas; and what is the value of this funding expressed as an amount per pupil enrolled per session provided for a year.

  Mr. Hanley
  Education and library boards do not provide financial support for pre-school playgroups. In 1991–92, the latest financial year for which figures are available, the amount of grant aid provided by each health and social services board to registered playgroups in their respective areas was as follows:

  Board

  Amount of grant £

  Northern

  64,387

  Southern

  209,177

  Eastern

  822,140

  Western

  142,488

  Total

  1,238,192

  It is not possible to express the value of this funding as an amount per child enrolled.

  Medical Inquiries
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS hospital doctors and consultants are currently under suspension pending inquiries and disciplinary action.

  Mr. Hanley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Select Committee Recommendations
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Select Committee recommendations have been made about his Department since April 1989; and how many of them have been accepted.

  Mr. Mates
  I refer the hon. Member to the "Sessional Information Digest", a copy of which is held in the Library.
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  School Tests
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on future testing and assessment of pupils in Northern Ireland schools.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Northern Ireland Schools Examination and Assessment Council (NISEAC) is currently undertaking an evaluation of the pilot key stage 2 and key stage 3 assessments which took place recently. I have asked the council to let me have, by the end of May, preliminary advice on the main changes which will need to be made to the assessment arrangements next year. I have already given a firm commitment to respond to the findings of the evaluation and to make whatever changes
  I consider are necessary to make the arrangements workable and manageable. An announcement about the arrangements for next year will be made before the end of June.

  Jubilee Maternity Hospital
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what discussions he has had on the plans for the closure of the Jubilee maternity hospital with(a) the Royal College of Midwives, (b) Belfast city council, (c) the National Childbirth Trust, (d) the Christian Churches in Northern Ireland, (e) the medical, nursing and ancillary staff of the hospital, (f) local Members of Parliament, (g) pregnant mothers and (h) representatives of the welfare organisations serving police and military personnel;

  (2) what recent meetings he has held with representatives of the Jubilee Action Group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  None at this time. The Eastern health and social services board, in whose area the Jubilee maternity hospital is located, is currently engaged in the process of determining its strategy for acute services within the framework set in the Department of Health and Social Services' regional strategy. That process has involved the board in widespread consultation on its "Statement of Intent for general (Acute) Hospital Services within the Eastern Board Area". The consultation period ended on 14 May 1993 and the board, having regard to the comment and representations made during the consultative exercise, is expected to reach its decisions by September 1993. These decisions will, of course, be subject to ministerial endorsement.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many babies are currently delivered annually in the Jubilee maternity hospital; and what percentage of all hospital deliveries in Northen Ireland is represented by this figure.

  Mr. Hanley
  Of the 25,960 hospital deliveries in Northern Ireland in 1991–92—including live and still births—2,869 were at the Jubilee maternity hospital, representing 11 per cent. of the total.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration was given to issues of(a) security of access and (b) public transport accessibility by the Eastern health board in assessing the future of the Jubilee maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The board has recently concluded a consultation process on its plans for acute hospital services 160
  and has not yet completed its deliberations. It will be some time before it is in a position to submit its conclusions to my noble Friend the Earl of Arran for endorsement.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters he has so far received concerning the future of the Jubliee maternity hospital; and how many of those letters supported(a) retention and (b) closure of this facility.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend has so far received 138 letters concerning the future of the Jubilee maternity hospital, most of which supported the retention of the hospital.

  Eastern Health Board
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the members of the Eastern health board.

  Mr. Hanley
  The current members of the Eastern health and social services board are as follows:

  Chairman

  N. G. D. Ferguson

  Non-Executive Members

  J. C. Morton

  D. J. McGuinness

  Mrs. G. Loughran

  Mrs. J. Ferguson

  Prof. R. W. Stout

  P. J. McLachlan

  Executive Members

  P. Kinder—Chief Executive

  Miss A. Paisley—Director of Finance

  Ms A. Lynch—Director of Planning

  E. McCullough—Director of Operations

  B. Moore—Director of Social Services.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is responsible for the provision and maintenance of radio hearing aids for(a) pre-school children, (b) children at school and (c) students in further and higher education in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hanley
  The education and library boards.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the effect since 13 January 1987 in terms of the retail prices index of (i) privatisation, (ii) intervention by Government to raise the rate of return on sales and capital in the public sector and (iii) increases in indirect taxation excluding rates etc., and (iv) reduction of subsidies.

  Mr. Nelson
  It is not possible properly to isolate such effects.

  Foreign Holidays
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely change in the price of foreign holidays in 1993 and 1994 as
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  a result of the fall in nominal exchange rates since September 1992; and if he will exclude such changes from the retail prices index.

  Mr. Nelson
  An assessment of the effects of depreciation on all prices was built into my right hon. Friend's Budget forecast for underlying inflation. Changes in the price of foreign holidays have been included in the retail prices index from January this year, as recommended by the RPI Advisory Committee.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each year since 1970 and this year to date(a) the nominal and real rate of interest and (b) the change in the nominal and real rate of exchange based on relative unit values for manufactures based on the second half of 1973 = 100.

  Mr. Nelson
  Nominal rates of interest are published in the Central Statistical Office's "Economic Trends", table 41. There is no unique definition of real interest rates. For example, calculations based on yields on index-linked gilts are published montly in CSO's "Financial Statistics", table 13.4; alternative measures of real interest rates may be derived from nominal interest rates and the various price indices published in, for example, "Economic Trends". The sterling—nominal—exchange rate index is published in "Financial Statistics", table 13.1. Finally, calculations of United Kingdom relative manufacturers' exports prices, based on unit value indices, are published in "Economic Trends", table 25.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether domestic holidays are included under other recreations in the retail price index in table 18.2 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics"; and if he will publish separate figures for the increase in the price of domestic holidays to enable a comparison to be drawn with the newly published figures for foreign holidays.

  Mr. Nelson
  At present, no index measuring price changes in domestic holidays is compiled. However, the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee has recommended—Cm 2142, paragraph 122—that such an index, be developed as soon as practicable.

  Illegal Weapons
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many illegal weapons purchased through mail order catalogues have been seized by HM Customs and Excise in each of the last 10 years.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs records of total seizures do not specify those which relate to items purchased through mail order catalogues.

  European Parliament Pensions
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision is being made for the payment of improved death gratuities and dependants' benefits to beneficiaries under the European Parliament (United Kingdom Representatives) Pension Scheme.

  Mr. Portillo
  Parliamentary approval will be sought later this year in an order under the European Parliament 162
  (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979 to changes to the European Parliament (United Kingdom Representatives) Pension Scheme. These changes will bring the scheme's provisions for death gratuities and dependants' benefits into line with those introduced for the parliamentary contributory pension fund by the Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1991. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £1,100 will be met from repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund. Once the order has been approved, the Contingencies Fund will be repaid upon approval of the Contingencies Fund repayment vote in 1994–95.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Her Majesty's Government to the Croat Government following the attack by Croat forces on UN-protected Serbian positions in Krajina in January; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 9 February,Official Report, column 545.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the President of Croatia in relation to reports of forcible detention of Muslim civilians by Croat forces near Mostar.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg), on 17 May,Official Report, column 43.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's ambassador to Zagreb has been instructed to draw to the attention of the President of Croatia the establishment of a war crimes tribunal; and if Her Majesty's Government will make similar representations to the leader of the Bosnian Croats, Mr. Mate Boban.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  No such instructions have been given. We welcome the UN Secretary-General's draft for the statute of such an international tribunal.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requirements will be imposed on the(a) Serbian, (b) Montenegrin and (c) Yugoslav Governments as a requirement for the removal of economic sanctions.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The sanctions imposed under United Nations Security Council resolutions 757, 30 May 1992; 787, 16 November 1992; and 820, 17 April 1993, apply to Serbia and Montenegro which together constitute the so-called "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia".

  The measures adopted in these resolutions will apply until the UN Security Council decides that the authorities in Serbia and Montenegro have taken effective measures to fulfil the requirements laid down in UNSCR 752, which was adopted on 15 May 1992.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had
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  with the German Foreign Minister, Herr Klaus Kinkel, about Croatian aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The Croat/Muslim clashes in central Bosnia were discussed at the meeting of EC Foreign Ministers on 10 May. All partners expressed their concern over the renewed fighting between Bosnian Croats and Muslims in Mostar and agreed that the EC presidency should send a firm protest to President Tudjman of Croatia. Mr. Kinkel undertook to reinforce this message when he met President Tudjman on 14 May.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now urge his counterparts at the United Nations to consider a full range of economic and diplomatic sanctions against the Republic of Croatia in the event that Croat aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina continues.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The EC presidency sent a message to President Tudjman on 12 May making clear that unless Croatia used all its influence to stop the fighting between Croats and Muslims in central Bosnia, stronger measures would be considered.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for military intervention in the former Yugoslavia have been discussed with the United States State Department since 8 May; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are in regular contact with the United States Government on developments within the former Yugoslavia. We are agreed that the first objective must be to induce the parties to accept a lasting ceasefire and a negotiated settlement. We have taken a number of measures in the United Nations to maximise pressure on the parties, without excluding the possibility of stronger measures. No decision has been taken on the steps which might be taken if the Serbs continue to reject the will of the international community.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Croatian Government regarding the disruption of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees effort following Muslim-Croat fighting around the British Army base at Vitez.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham, to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Elletson) on 17 May,Official Report, column 43.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place at the last meeting of EC Foreign Ministers of the official visit to the Republic of Croatia on 14 May by the German Foreign Minister, Herr Klaus Kinkel.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Mr. Kinkel made it clear at the meeting of EC Foreign Ministers on 10 May that he would use his visit to Zagreb to press President Tudjman to use his influence to end the fighting between Croats and Muslims in Mostar and to reinforce the message to be sent by the EC presidency on this.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's164
  Government's representative to the United Nations Security Council will propose the establishment of safe havens in areas populated by the indigenous Serb community in the Republic of Croatia, following Croat Army attacks against these areas in January.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  There have been four United Nations protected areas (UNPAs) in Croatia since February 1992. There are no plans to designate safe areas in Croatia like those established in Bosnia by United Nations Security Council resolution 824. The co-chairmen of the international conference on the former Yugoslavia have brokered negotiations to establish a ceasefire following the Croatian army attacks in January, but the Krajina Serbs have so far failed to ratify the resulting agreement.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Croatian President following reports by the EC special envoy Jose Maria Mendiluce on the forecast of future numbers of Muslims who would be forced to move as a result of Croatian aggression; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham, on 17 May,Official Report, column 43. We have made no specific representations on the comments by UNHCR special representative Mr. Mendiluce.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the numbers of regular Croatian troops currently within the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Although there have been numerous reports of regular Croatian troops in Bosnia, we have no specific information on their numbers.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Croatia to dismantle the self-appointed Croat state of Herceg-Bosnia in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The London conference made it clear in its statement of principles that we upheld the fundamental obligation to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region. The Vance-Owen peace plan—which the Croats have accepted—insists that Croat areas in Bosnia should remain part of the sovereign Bosnian state. We reflect this in all our contacts with the Croatian Government.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the illegal supply of arms to the Bosnian Croats from the Republic of Croatia; and if he will put forward proposals to seal the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We are aware of numerous reports of arms supplies to the Bosnian Croats from the Republic of Croatia. We have pressed the Croatian Government to cease military support for the Bosnian Croats and to exert their influence to bring the fighting to an end.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pressure Her Majesty's
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  Government have put on the Croat Government to withdraw their forces from Bosnia-Herzegovina; what efforts Her Majesty's Government have made to persuade the Croat Government to stop supplying the republic they have declared there; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham, on 17 May,Official Report, column 43.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to recall Her Majesty's ambassador to Zagreb in the light of Croat aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We have no such plans.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list visa requirements for Croat citizens entering the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to review them in the event of changes in United Kingdom-Croat relations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Nationals of Croatia are not subject to a United Kingdom visa requirement, and there are no present plans to impose such a requirement.

  CSCE
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a comprehensive list of all the names and nationalities of the top officials of all the bodies, committees, ad hoc groups and structures of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The CSCE internal address list which I have placed in the Library of the House lists on pages 57 to 80 the names of the officials who staff the CSCE institutions. Meetings of participating states, whether of the Council of Ministers, Committee of Senior Officials or ad hoc groups formed to deal with a specific task, are chaired by the Chairman-in-Office, currently Sweden.

  The Council of Ministers has appointed a Secretary-General, Mr. Wilhelm Hoynck. He will take office in Vienna in June.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates of establishment, and of winding up if applicable, of all the bodies, committees, ad hoc groups and structures of the institutions of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Details have been placed in the Library of the House giving the dates of establishment of CSCE institutions, secretariats, steering and ad hoc groups.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a complete list of addresses of all the offices of the various structures of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the CSCE internal address list. Pages 57 to 80 include a full list of addresses of CSCE institutions and offices.
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  Human Rights
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assign a member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office human rights department to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office consular section to monitor the abuse of human rights outside the United Kingdom in consular and legal matters.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The consular department consults the human rights policy department as a matter of course for advice on cases where the human rights of British individuals are in question.

  Raymond Bickley
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the French authorities concerning the absence of access to legal representation for Raymond Bickley since his imprisonment in December.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  After learning that Mr. Bickley's court-appointed lawyer did not attend with him the examining magistrate's hearing on 30 March, Her Majesty's consul-general in Paris wrote to the batonnier, equivalent to the president of the local bar, expressing concern. The batonnier asked the lawyer to visit Mr. Bickley immediately, and undertook to act on any complaint from Mr. Bickley that his defence had suffered as a result of the lawyer's non-attendance at the hearing. The batonnier will report again to the consul-general.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 10 to 11 May.

  Mr. Hurd
  I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 May with the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones). The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg), represented the United Kingdom on 11 May.

  The Council approved the EC/United States agreement on Government procurement reached on 19 April. The Council also agreed a resolution on trade and the environment proposed by the Danish presidency in advance of the OECD ministerial meeting on 2 June.

  Lord Owen briefed Ministers on recent developments in the former Yugoslavia. They agreed on the importance of continued support for the Vance-Owen peace plan. The Twelve should maintain pressure for the closure of the Serb/Bosnia border and be ready to contribute to international monitoring of it. Other options should not be excluded. Ministers also agreed on the crucial importance of rigorous implementation of the sanctions regime.

  The Council agreed that the presidency should discuss with the European Parliament arrangements for an inter-institutional meeting on 7 June, with the aim of concluding an inter-institutional agreement on subsidiarity and of agreeing arrangements for the European parliamentary ombudsman. The Council also agreed that a paper presented by the Commission on access to

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  information held by the Community institutions was a good basis for further work. It asked the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) to take this forward.

  Over lunch, Ministers discussed progress in the enlargement negotiations with Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

  The Commission reported on the latest round of negotiations, held in St. Petersburg on 6 and 7 May, for a partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia.

  The Council discussed the Commission's paper for the Copenhagen European Council on strengthening relations with the central European associate countries. There will be further discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council on 8 June.

  An EC/GCC ministerial meeting was held in the margins of the Council on 11 May.

  No formal votes were taken at the Council.

EDUCATION

  Testing
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his statement of 11 May,Official Report, column 651, what investigations were carried out into the abortive costs involved in the changes to the system of testing announced in his statement; what is the total cost; and what are the projected costs of external marking by external examiners of the tests of 11 and 14-year-olds.

  Mr. Forth
  The cost of developing and distributing the non-mandatory tests for seven-year-olds in technology, history and geography is estimated at £1·7 million. The cost to date of development of history and geography tests for 14-year-olds is estimated at some £300,000. This expenditure has not been wasted. There will be a continuing obligation on schools to teach technology, history and geography at key stage I and to teach history and geography at key stage 3. It will continue to be good practice for teachers to assess pupils' progress against the national targets in these subjects.

  The non-mandatory tests in technology, history and geography which have already been delivered to primary schools are explicitly designed to support and inform teachers' own assessments. The work to date on history and geography tests for 14-year-olds will inform guidance to teachers on making their own assessments of pupils' progress and may contribute to the work of devising new tests in future. Lessons learnt from experience gained will be taken into account in Sir Ron Dearing's review of the curriculum and assessment framework.

  My right hon. Friend has asked Sir Ron Dearing to advise on the merits of external marking of tests for 11 and 14-year-olds, including the costs.

  Radio Hearing Aids
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education who is responsible for the provision and maintenance of radio hearing aids for(a) pre-school children, (b) children at school and (c) students in further and higher education.

  Mr. Forth
  Where a radio hearing aid is specified as special educational provision in the statement of special educational need of a pre-school child or a child attending 168
  a school, it is the duty of the responsible local education authority to arrange for the provision and maintenance of such aids.

  The Further Education Funding Council and local education authorities are under duties to secure further education provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. These duties require them to take account of students' additional learning support needs.

  Within higher education, it is for individual higher education institutions to consider the arrangements necessary to meet the additional learning support needs of such students. Eligible students in higher education may be entitled to three disabled students allowances as part of their mandatory award, including up to £3,325 for specialist equipment.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what progress he is making in developing national vocational qualifications for those working within the field of education;

  (2) if he will publish the report of the task group of Department for Education officials and representatives of employer and employee interests within education, which met last year to recommend an education lead body for teacher training; and if he will publish his response;

  (3) what lead bodies he has set up to look at the adoption of NVQs within education.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment are considering developing NVQs in the education sector and relevant lead body arrangements. They will shortly be consulting and taking into account recent developments in further education and training.

  Schools Inspection
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will list the criteria used to assess and select candidates to become school inspectors under the new schools inspection regime; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many people from non-educational backgrounds have been selected to go forward as lay inspectors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The selection of candidates for training as school inspectors under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 is a matter for the Office for Standards in Education.

  I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to my hon. Friend.

  "Testing: The Facts"
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the cost per pack of the information pack "Testing: The Facts"; how many have been circulated and to whom; and what was the total cost of production and distribution.

  Mr. Forth
  The cost of each pack was £1. About 3,600 have been distributed to date to the following:

  all Members of Parliament for England;

  the 1,000 top companies;

  Church leaders;

  training and enterprise councils;

  regional chairmen of the CBI and Institute of Directors;

  chambers of commerce;

  169

  regional directors of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Employment Department;

  trade unions;

  the national press;

  Vice Chancellors; and

  heads of information of Government Departments.

  The total cost of production and distribution is
  estimated at £9,100.

WALES

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what qualifications the hon. Robin Gibson Watt has which are relevant to his recent appointment to the board of the Development Board for Rural Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I give full consideration to all relevant factors in determining appointments for which I have responsibility.

  I have every confidence that the hon. Robin Gibson Watt will make a valuable contribution to the work of the board during his term of office.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many names he has on the list of potential nominees for places on non-departmental public bodies in Wales; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish the list of potential nominees for appointment to non-departmental public bodies in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  There are currently 2,851 names on the Department's register of candidates for public appointment, which is confidential.

  Drugs
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total number of registered drug addicts in each local authority area in Wales in each year from 1987 onwards.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers of drug addicts notified by medical practitioners to the chief medical officer at the Home Office are given in "Statistics of Drug Addicts Notified to the Home Office, UK, 1991" which is
  held in the Library of the House. Figures for each district health authority in Wales from 1987 to 1991 are found in table A8 of the "Area Tables" supplement.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has concerning the use of designer drugs within schools in each local education authority area in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts are currently made by his Department to collect information on the numbers of unregistered drug addicts in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh drug misuse database was set up in 1991 to provide regular national and local profiles on those drug users in contact with various services. Some of those drug users will be registered on the addicts index while others will be unregistered.
  170

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how much has been spent by the national health service in Wales in meeting claims for medical negligence in each year from 1987;

  (2) how much has been spent by each district health authority in Wales on litigation cases in each year from 1987; and how much was paid by each district health authority in litigation during claims for compensation on the grounds of medical negligence affecting children born with disabilities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  A494
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current position on plans for the improvement of the A494 Bala to Corwen road, between Merlyn Gwyn and Glanrafon; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A topographical survey has been completed and route improvement options identified; the environmental impact of each option will be investigated. Construction work could start before April 1996 subject to the satisfactory completion of engineering design, statutory procedures and the availability of resources.

  Radio Hearing Aids
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who is responsible for the provision and maintenance of radio hearing aids for(a) pre-school children, (b) children at school and (c) students in further and higher education in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local education authorities have a duty to arrange for the provision and maintenance of radio hearing aids for children in school or pre-school who have statements of special educational needs which specify such an aid as educational provision.

  The Further Education Funding Council and local education authorities are under duties to secure further education provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. These duties require them to take account of students' additional learning support needs.

  It is for individual higher education institutions to consider the arrangements necessary to meet the additional learning support needs of students in higher education. Eligible students in higher education may be entitled to three disabled students allowances as part of their mandatory award, including up to £3,325 for specialist equipment.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Heart of England Wood Carvers
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Heart of England Wood Carvers to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 14 to 18 June.
  171

  Fire Regulations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what(a) building, (b) fire and (c) health and safety regulations apply to the Palace of Westminster; which regulations in each category would apply to the Palace of Westminster if not for Crown immunity; and which officials are responsible for enforcement of each category of regulation.

  Mr. Beith
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is the policy of the Commission, notwithstanding immunities and exemptions provided for in legislation, to apply the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and all other relevant statutory provisions throughout the parliamentary estate, whether part of the Palace of Westminster or not. With regard to:

  (a) Building Regulations. Administrative procedures are in place in the parliamentary works directorate to ensure that all the technical requirements of the regulations are met.

  (b) Fire Regulations. The Home Office fire services' inspectorate is responsible in consultation with the parliamentary works directorate for ensuring the appropriate standards in the Fire Precautions Act 1971 are met.

  (c) Health and Safety Regulations. The statement of policy and organisation is set out in appendix C of the "House of Commons Staff Handbook". I have asked that a copy of the appendix referred to above to be sent to the hon. Lady.

  Heads of House departments are responsible for the operation of these policies in their areas of responsibility.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration
  Committee if he will estimate in relation to the Palace of Westminster how many (i) employees and (ii) members of the public are in the Palace of Westminster on weekdays when the House is sitting.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture,
  Fisheries and Food to what investigations his Department has been subject by the Data Protection Registrar in relation to a suspected breach of a data protection
  principle; if he will summarise the nature of each complaint and state when the complaint was made; and what remedial action was taken by his Department to ensure future compliance with the principle subject to the investigation.

  Mr. Curry
  In August 1989, the registrar investigated a complaint which alleged improper use of agricultural census information to compile a list of growers required to pay the Horticultural Development Council levy. The registrar was satisfied that no census material or computerised information had been disclosed to the Horticultural Development Council and no remedial action was necessary.

  There have been no other complaints.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Farm Commissioner to secure that the 172
  proposals set out by the Commission on potato production include a definition of new potatoes which will be applicable to potato producers in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  The definition of new potatoes contained in the Commission proposal will apply to potato producers throughout the European Community.

  Subsidised Meat (West Africa)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made, or has been made by the relevant Commissioner or director general within the European Community, of the effects of export of subsidised meat to west Africa on pastural agriculture there.

  Mr. Curry
  I am aware of the concern the effect of Community beef exports on local cattle production in certain west African countries. The agricultural directorate-general of the European Commission is at present carrying out an assessment of this. We will seek an early indication of its findings.

  Captive-bred Birds (Tanzania)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many licences were issued for the import into the United Kingdom of captive-bred birds from Tanzania in each year since 1989;

  (2) how many (a) captive-bred birds and (b) consignments of captive-bred birds were imported into the United Kingdom from Tanzania in each year since 1989;

  (3) how many applications for licences to import captive-bred birds from Tanzania have been received by his Department since March 1991; and how many are currently pending.

  Mr. Soames
  Information on the importation into the United Kingdom of captive birds from Tanzania is as follows:

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Number of import licences issued

  29

  30

  5

  Number of consignments imported

  21

  24

  5

  Number of birds imported

  38,472

  36,426

  14,439

  Notes:

  1. MAFF statistics do not differentiate between captive bred and wild caught birds.

  2. The issue of licences for import of captive birds from Tanzania was suspended in March 1991. It was subsequently agreed that licences could be issued with effect from 5 May 1993.

  Since March 1991 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has received three applications for import licences for captive birds from Tanzania. No import licences were issued.

  Integrated Administration and Control System
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture,
  Fisheries and Food how many IACS forms were received by 15 May; and what proportions of those were from(a) mostly arable and (b) mostly livestock farms.

  Mr. Gummer
  We received about 155,000 IACS application forms in the United Kingdom by 15 May. We are not able to provide a breakdown between arable and livestock farms.
  173
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proportion of IACS forms received were fully acceptable and will not involve any penalty for the farmer in whose name they were completed;

  (2) what proportion of forms completed by (a) mostly arable farmers and (b) livestock farmers will be liable to incur penalties.

  Mr. Gummer
  We have not yet carried out the detailed checking of IACS that will determine whether the applications are fully acceptable, or whether penalties will have to be applied.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what period of time arable and livestock farmers had to complete their IACS forms.

  Mr. Gummer
  Most farmers had a minimum of about six weeks between receiving the IACS documentation and the 15 May deadline for receipt of the completed applications.

ENVIRONMENT

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to establishing new planning guidelines for waste-to-energy incineration plants to give due weight to their environmental and economic value.

  Mr. Maclean
  In the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" the Government clearly stated that it would "promote the recycling of as much waste as possible, including the recovery of materials and energy".

  The environmental and economic implications of energy from waste, through incineration and other methods, are considered in waste management paper 1 "A Review of Options" and waste management paper 28 "Recycling". Guidance on the development control implications of various waste disposal options, including energy from waste incineration, will also be provided through a new planning policy guidance note on "Planning and Pollution Control" which is due for publication soon.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the likely impact on United Kingdom waste disposal activity of reductions in existing incineration capacity, due to new EC emissions standards, after 1996.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department has been in close contact with local authorities which operate municipal waste incinerators about the action needed to meet the requirements of directive 89/429/EEC. Some incinerators will have to close because it will not be cost-effective for them to be upgraded in order to achieve the necessary standards, others are to be upgraded and new plants are to be built. The directive itself is not thought likely to have a significant effect on the proportion of waste disposed of by incineration.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from waste regulation authorities as a result of his recent announcement of an indefinite postponement in the introduction of a waste management licensing system.
  174
  Mr. Maclean
  I have received a joint representation on behalf of the Institute of Wastes Management, the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors and certain bodies representative of waste regulators. I understand that the local authority associations concerned also wish to be associated with that. I hope to meet them soon. Officials have already commenced discussions on the matter with representatives of the local authority associations. As I said in my answer to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) of 29 April,Official Report, column 470, I shall give a revised date for waste management licensing as soon as I am in a position to do so.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been made to his Department on the proposals for a possible landfill levy; and what assessment he has made of its effect on the environmental standards at waste management facilities.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: The organisations listed below have commented on the report by consultants Coopers and Lybrand for my Department on "Landfill Costs and Prices: Correcting Possible Market Distortions", published in February 1993. We are still considering the report and responses to it.

  The new waste management licensing system which we are introducing under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will ensure that high environmental standards are maintained at waste management facilities.

  The organisations who responded to the report are:

  Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment

  Aluminium Federation Ltd.

  Associated Energy Products plc

  Biffa Waste Services Ltd.

  Black Country Development Corporation

  British Paper and Board Industry Federation

  British Plastics Federation

  Building Employers Confederation

  CAIRD Environment Ltd.

  Cambridge City Council

  Cardiff City Council

  Combined Heat and Power Association

  Community Recycling

  Confederation of British Industry

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  Cory Environmental Ltd.

  Council of Welsh Districts

  County Planning Officers' Society

  Cumbria County Council

  Erewash Borough Council

  Food and Drink Federation

  Friends of the Earth

  Gillingham Borough Council

  Hales Waste Control

  Haul—Waste Ltd.

  ICI

  Incpen

  Institute of Wastes Management

  Leigh Environmental Ltd.

  London Borough of Croydon

  London Waste Regulation Authority

  McKenna and Co.

  National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors

  National Association of Waste Disposal Officers

  National Association of Waste Regulation Officers

  Newspaper Society

  North Wales Waste Management Group

  Nottingham City Council

  Organic Reclamation and Composting Association

  Resource International Ltd.

  Rhone—Poulenc Limited

  Richards Engineering Ltd.

  Sand and Gravel Association Ltd

  Shanks and McEwan Group plc

  175

  South East London Combined Heat and Power

  Terry Adams Ltd.

  Tioxide Europe

  Waste Management International

  Waste Management International

  Waste Watch

  Yorwaste Ltd.

  Environmental Protection Act 1990
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what prosecutions have taken place to date of companies failing to apply for authorisations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, in the fields of(a) incineration, (b) glass and ceramic manufacture, (c) timber processing and (d) dye production.

  Mr. Maclean
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has prosecuted one company for operating a timber treatment process without being authorised to do so under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Information about prosecutions by local authorities under part I of the Act broken down by category of process regulated is not routinely collected and could be obtained now only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the level of awareness by companies of the duty of care requirements under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government conducted a substantial publicity campaign on the duty of care on its introduction in April 1992. This was well received and more than a million copies of a free explanatory leaflet, which is still available, were distributed to trade associations and companies. The Department employed MORI to review the effectiveness of this and other publicity campaigns. The results of its survey, carried out in December 1992, showed overall high levels of awareness of information on the duty of care. It was clear that awareness was greater among waste disposers than among waste producers. Subsequently, companies have become more aware of the requirements on inquiry from their waste disposal contractors and local authorities.

  EC Environment Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he plans to put forward at the EC Environment Council meeting in Aarhus on 14 to 16 May.

  Mr. Maclean
  The meeting in Aarhus, at which I represented the United Kingdom, was an informal Council. Ministers discussed three topics proposed by the Danish presidency: transport and the environment, the review of the structural funds regulations, and employment and the environment. No formal conclusions were adopted nor decisions taken.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department's Building Research Establishment published the report "An Interim Evaluation of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme" prepared by N. A. Oseland and D. D. Ward; and what are its principal conclusions.

  Mr. Maclean
  The report was placed in the Library of the House on 29 April 1993. The report concluded that 176
  improvements under the home energy efficiency scheme in 1991–92 gave mean potential fuel bill savings of £39 per annum, although 77 per cent. of the potential energy saving was taken as improved warmth. CO2 levels were potentially reduced by an average of 0·7 tonnes per household per annum, although the actual saving was 0·14 tonnes.

  The study also found significant improvements in warmth and comfort, and a significant reduction in condensation problems. Two thirds of those interviewed would not have carried out the work without the HEES grant. Half paid no client contribution, 14 per cent. thought the work had been funded by their local authority. The quality of work was rated as "good", and 75 per cent. of recipients were positive about the scheme overall.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information the United Kingdom gave the European Commission in its preparation- of COM(93)88 Final on the third report from the Commission on the present situation and prospects for radioactive waste management in the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom management of radioactive waste of the Commission report.

  Mr. Maclean
  The report updates and supplements the information presented in similar previous reports forwarded to the Council in 1983 and 1987. All the data relating to the United Kingdom were supplied by the relevant United Kingdom authorities.

  UV-B Radiation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to publish the results of the predictive modelling exercise of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation in the United Kingdom conducted by his Department.

  Mr. Maclean
  First results from the Department's prediction of stratospheric change project at the university of Cambridge are expected during 1994. Publication in the scientific literature will be encouraged, as it is for all the Department's research programmes. In addition, results will be available to the Department's stratospheric ozone review group and to the international scientific assessment of ozone depletion under the Montreal protocol.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the United Kingdom Government's policy on changing the EC standard of 50 mg/l for lead in drinking water to 10 mg/1.

  Mr. Maclean
  We expect that the European Commission will wish to consider proposing a change to the current standard for lead in the drinking water directive of 50 micrograms per litre (µg/l) in the light of the revised guideline for lead of 10µg/l announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The United Kingdom will play its full part in discussion of proposals for a revised directive.
  177

  Bottlenose Dolphins
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to undertake a census and research programme into the bottlenose dolphin population in United Kingdom waters.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are financing several research projects intended to provide information on what further measures may be needed to conserve populations of small cetacean species present in the United Kingdom coastal waters, including bottlenose dolphins. But much of the fundamental work—including population surveys—needs to be undertaken on a European scale.

  On 6 November 1992, my colleague, Lord Strathclyde, announced that the Government would contribute £110,000 over two years towards the costs of an international survey of the populations of small cetaceans in the North sea. This will establish authoritative baseline information upon which further research and conservation efforts can be built.

  Ozone Layer
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the draft EC proposal for a regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has received a number of representations about the draft proposal from the European Commission for a regulation, including ones from green groups and from industry. We have not yet received the draft proposal.

  Radioactive Inventory
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the joint DOE/Nirex United Kingdom radioactive inventory will be published; whether it will include full details of radioactive waste generated by the military nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The 1991 United Kingdom radioactive waste inventory was published on 7 May 1993. It gives full details of radioactive waste arising in the United Kingdom, including Ministry of Defence sites. A copy of the inventory is in the House Library.

  Fanfare for a New World Concert
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 348, on the Fanfare for a New World concert, when the Merseyside development corporation met Janet and Nic Corke, representing creditors; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A meeting was held with Merseyside development corporation on Tuesday 17 November 1992. This meeting was at the request of Mr. Corke, who asked for an informal discussion. Mrs. Corke informed the MDC of her concern with regard to the financial situation of the promoter of the Fanfare event and Mr. Corke explained the large financial losses incurred by himself which had affected his business adversely. While expressing sympathy, MDC stressed that it had no legal 178
  power to intervene in the situation. Neither Mr. Corke nor Mrs. Corke indicated they were representing the creditor as a body.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 384, on the Fanfare for a New World concert, what was known about the proven track-record of Rod Gunner, associate producer of Fanfare for a New World; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  MDC was aware at an early stage that Mr. Gunner had been the director of a company which had previously suffered financial difficulties. In relation to the Fanfare event, however, Mr. Gunner was to act as technical producer only and without involvement in the financial affairs of Carroll Promotions Ltd. Inquiries had revealed that Mr. Gunner had a successful track record in technical matters and it was known that he had successfully produced the Symphony for a Spire attended by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as well as a number of other complex outdoor events.

  Greenhouse Gases
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the scope and predicted magnitude of the additional administrative costs that will be incurred in implementing the European Commission proposal for a monitoring mechanism for Community carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, COM(93)125 as set out in the paragraph on financial implications of his departmental memorandum 5705/93 of 23 April on the Commission proposal.

  Mr. Maclean
  Once adopted, the proposed Council decision would require member states to submit periodically to the Commission details of their greenhouse gas emissions and programmes for limiting these. Since the framework convention on climate change already contains similar requirements, this should not represent a significant additional administrative burden for the United Kingdom.

  United Nations Commission on Human Settlements
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom proposals to the matters discussed and decisions taken at the 14th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements in Nairobi, 26 April to 5 May; and if he will place a copy of the conclusions in the Library.

  Mr. Maclean
  The 14th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements identified the issues to be taken up by the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) to be held in June 1996 and provided guidance for member states to follow in their preparations for the Conference.

  The Commission adopted a resolution that recommended that Habitat II should focus on two major themes:

  (a) Sustainable Human Settlements in an Urbanising World

  (b) Adequate Shelter for All.

  The United Kingdom supported this resolution and played a leading role in its drafting. The United Kingdom delegation also contributed to debate on the two special themes discussed at the session on appropriate,

  179
  intermediate, cost-effective building materials. technologies and transfer mechanisms for housing delivery, and the improvement of municipal management.

  A set of the resolutions adopted by the Commission will be placed in the Library when printed.

  Water Systems, Germany
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance United Kingdom experts have given the eastern Lander in Germany to improve the environmental standards of water systems in their region.

  Mr. Maclean
  United Kingdom water companies and environmental consulting engineers are making major efforts to increase their business in the new Lander. To publicise this country's experience in the water industry and the role of private capital, the British Water Industries Group has held seminars in Halle, Dresden and Berlin. I found the interest in the British water industry very encouraging when I attended the Berlin seminar and in meetings with German Environment Ministers I have drawn their attention to the wide-ranging expertise the industry has to offer.

  Environmental Legislation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the methods adopted by the European Commission to assess compliance with EC environmental legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for the European Commission to decide, within the framework of the relevant regulation or directive, how best to assess compliance with EC legislation. During our presidency the Commission agreed to present an annual report on implementation and enforcement to the Council of Environment Ministers; the first such report was produced in December. We continue to wish to see the European Environment Agency established as soon as possible and to press for the establishment of an audit inspectorate.

  Environmental Pollution
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which European Community member states have a formal provision for consultation with other EC member states on trans-border impacts of environmental pollution.

  Mr. Maclean
  Certain multilateral treaties and some Community directives on environmental issues contain provisions requiring formal consultation between the parties concerned where there are potential trans-border impacts. We do not hold records of bilateral arrangements between other member states.

  Bromley
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports he has received from the district auditor concerning financial irregularities by the London borough of Bromley between 1988 and 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. District auditors are independent of central Government; they make their 180
  reports to the bodies which they audit, and to the Audit Commission. I understand that the district auditor for Bromley is working closely with the police who are currently investigating an alleged fraud within the borough. He will decide what action he should take, if any, when the investigation is complete.

  Biological Diversity Convention
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's current timetable for the United Kingdom ratification of the biological diversity convention agreed in Rio.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are aiming to establish the basis for the ratification of the convention on biological diversity by the end of this year.

  International Oceanographic Council
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the ecological results of the 1992 International Oceanographic Council cruise in the Gulf.

  Mr. Maclean
  The results of the cruise are summarised in the report of the United Nations Environmental Programme executive director to the governing council on 10 to 21 May 1993 (UNEP/GC 17/1/9: 26 April 1993).

  Homelessness
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for homelessness in(a) the west midlands area and (b) the Coventry area.

  Mr. Baldry
  Local authorities in England report the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 in their quarterly PI return.

  The latest estimate for the west midlands appears in table 1 of "Households found accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act 1985: England. Statistics for the fourth quarter 1992"; the latest reported figure for Coventry appears in the supplementary table of the same publication, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the(a) causes and (b) level of homelessness within ethnic minority communities.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 26 April 1993,Official Report, columns 317–18. Two current research projects—one on single homelessness and one on the causes of homelessness among ethnic minorities.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how far the review of the system of standard spending assessments calculation has progressed; and when the review of SSAs will be completed.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We have so far received replies from 112 local authorities responding to our invitation to make
  181
  representations on the review of standard spending assessments and to provide evidence to support any proposed changes.

  There have been three meetings between my officials and representatives of the local authority associations to discuss technical issues.

  The review of SSAs will be completed in time for any changes to be incorporated in the revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95.

  Stock Transfers
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he took to satisfy himself that each authority to which he gave his approval on 20 April to proceed with stock transfer proposals could demonstrate that ultimately its proposal would be likely to be acceptable to the tenants affected.

  Sir George Young
  In deciding on the likely acceptability of an authority's transfer proposals to tenants, I considered the evidence given by the authority in its application for the programme and also its record in tenant involvement and consultation. Where tenants of particular local authorities had written to express their views on the proposals, these were also taken into account. Stock transfers will, of course, only go ahead where the ballot shows the majority of tenants to be in support of the idea.

  Housing Management Contracts
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have recently let, or propose to let, contracts for the management of part or all of their housing; and if he has been asked to give his consent as required by section 27 of the Housing Act 1985.

  Sir George Young
  Apart from cases of delegation of housing management to tenant management organisations, there is no reason why the Department should be informed that a local authority is working towards letting a management agreement or contract. Before an authority enters into a management agreement, the Secretary of State's approval is required under section 27 of the Housing Act 1985. Wandsworth borough council has recently asked the Secretary of State to give his approval to a management agreement.

  Housing Corporation
  Sir James Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Housing Corporation's latest estimate of the output from its approved development programme in 1992–93.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Housing Corporation estimates that in the last financial year its approved development programme will have funded the provision of at least 60,000 new homes. Final figures will be available next month. Together with the 6,000 homes which the corporation estimates have been provided by local authority housing association grants, this means that 182
  public funds enabled housing associations to make an estimated 66,000 extra homes available to new tenants last year.

  I regret that in recent answers to the House and in the Adjournment debate on 26 April, my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning and I said that the Housing Corporation's estimate was 80,000 homes. The corporation has since informed me that in making this estimate it miscalculated the output from its programme. I am grateful for the opportunity to inform the House of this correction. I have written separately to the hon. Members concerned.

  Liverpool Projects
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the Project Rosemary in Liverpool.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: Much has been achieved since the project began in 1990. The new women's hospital and Renshaw's factory expansion are the biggest developments of their type in inner Liverpool. Family housing for sale and rent is being built on four different sites, with local people closely involved in their layout and design. Eyesores are being removed and roads improved. The park at Crown street is soon to be extended and improved.

  As well as transforming the appearance of the area, new investment is being used to provide training opportunities, full-time jobs, and subcontracting work for local people and businesses. More will follow as the project proceeds.

  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Dean of Liverpool on his enterprising role in initiating this considerable success story alongside the other agencies involved, especially Liverpool city council, the Liverpool area health authority and the Housing Corporation.

  Dogs
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to widen the scope of byelaws for the control of dogs in public places.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: There are currently three main types of dog control byelaw—removal of dog mess, dogs on leads and dog bans—which local authorities can seek to apply to most types of public area, using a variety of enabling powers.

  Byelaws cannot be used to regulate matters which are addressed in primary legislation. Powers to control ferocious and dangerous dogs are already the subject of a number of statutes, including the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to establish pilot schemes for the licensing of dogs.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: None.
  183

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Self-employed People
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Social Security what are the total number of self-employed people in Wales; and what estimate he has of the number claiming(a) sickness benefit, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance, (d) income support, (e) attendance allowance, (f) mobility allowance, (g) invalid care allowance, (h) maternity allowance, (i) child benefit, (j) one-parent benefit, (k) widow's payment, (l) basic pension, (m) family credit and (n) housing benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 18 May 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, asking what are the total number of self-employed people in Wales; and what estimate he has of the number claiming (a) Sickness Benefit, (b) Invalidity Benefit, (c) Severe Disablement Allowance, (d) Income Support, (e) Attendance Allowance, (f) Mobility Allowance, (g) Invalid Care Allowance, (h) Maternity Allowance, (i) Child Benefit, (j) One Parent Benefit,
  (k) Widow's payment, (l) Basic Pension, (m) Family Credit and (n) Housing Benefit.

  It is not possible to give a valid estimate for the complete range of information requested. For several of these benefits self-employed status is not relevant to the determination of entitlement. Nor are relevant statistics routinely collected from which estimates of other benefits claimed by self-employed people in Wales could be devised.

  However, estimates are available for Sickness Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Family Credit. These were based on a sample collected from the Social Security Management Information Statistics. The sample also included Housing Benefit, but the figures obtained do not provide a basis for a reasonable estimate. The available estimates are appended.

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

  Estimated number of self-employed recipients in Wales

  Benefit

  Estimated number

  Sickness benefit

  13,700

  Invalidity benefit

  19,300

  Severe disability allowance

  1300

  Family credit

  24,000

  1 1 per cent, sample taken on 30 March 1991.

  2 5 per cent, sample taken on 31 October 1992.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to conduct publicity campaigns aimed at the self-employed in Wales to publicise(a) their obligation to pay national insurance contributions and (b) their social security benefit entitlements.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The provision of publicity and information on social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
  184
  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 18 May 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to conduct publicity campaigns aimed at the self-employed in Wales to (a) publicise their obligation to pay National Insurance contributions and (b) publicise their social security benefit entitlements.

  I have consulted with my colleague Ann Chant, Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, for the details on the National Insurance contribution aspect of your question and include this aspect in my reply.

  The Benefits Agency, in line with the Department of Social Security's bilingual policy for Wales, has set up a Welsh Language Unit which has responsibility for implementing the policy.

  All the leaflets giving information on social security benefits and NI contributions are available in Wales and there is a continuing programme to produce them in bilingual versions. Many of the most widely used leaflets (such as Which benefit?) are already in bilingual form and there are a number of widely used claim forms in Welsh. A bilingual poster advising customers of the new Quarterly Billing system for payment of NI contributions has been displayed recently in district offices.

  Evidently, the process of producing further bilingual material is a gradual one and we are committed to making continued progress in this work. One of the leaflets currently in bilingual production is FB 30 Self Employed? Also, there will shortly be bilingual material available on the Contributions Agency's charter and the service they provide.

  In addition, there is the Welsh Freeline telephone number —providing general information on benefits in Welsh to all customers, including the self employed.

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

  Immigrants and Refugees
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social
  Security how much has been spent on providing benefits to immigrants and refugees arriving in the United Kingdom without means of support in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Burt
  This information is not available. No separate departmental records are kept of benefit payments to immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers.

  Benefits Agency Staff
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the monthly budget for staffing of the Benefits Agency for each month since April 1992; and how much of this budget was spent in each month.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 18 May 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what was the monthly budget for staffing of the Benefits Agency for each month since April 1992; and how much of this budget was spent in each month.

  The Agency has to manage within a total allocation and it allows its managers the flexibility to move resources between

  185
  staff and other running costs in order to achieve their objectives in the most cost effective way. The attached table compares provisional expenditure on staff with managers' own plans. When accounts close, we expect to have spent about £6 million less than managers' plans over the year (0·6 per cent.). Individual monthly figures are significantly affected by factors such as the dates of pay awards and the processing of pay adjustments.

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

  £ million

  Salaries

  Managers' monthly plans

  Monthly spend

  Monthly variance

  April

  72·136

  72·136

  0·000

  May

  69·210

  70·350

  1·140

  June

  78·003

  77·894

  -0·109

  July

  73·049

  75·624

  2·575

  August

  81·657

  77·719

  -3·938

  September

  79·770

  78·286

  -1·484

  October

  81·135

  79·469

  -1·666

  November

  95·264

  88·570

  -6·694

  December

  83·108

  83·455

  0·347

  January

  85·307

  82·645

  -2·662

  February

  90·521

  88·060

  -2·461

  March

  94·039

  102·725

  8·686

  Total

  983·199

  976·933

  -6·266

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Number issued (million)

  32·056

  30·884

  34·484

  34·470

  36·190

  Value of issues (£ million)

  2,184

  2,366

  2,752

  3,083

  3,432

  Number reported missing/stolen

  104,854

  84,901

  89,176

  83,849

  86,004

  Percentage

  0.327

  0·275

  0·259

  0·243

  0·238

  Value of missing/stolen girocheques based on an average of

  (a) Issues each year (£ million)

  7·144

  6·504

  7·117

  7·499

  8·156

  (b) 1987–88 issue value (£ million)

  7·144

  5·783

  6·075

  5·712

  5·859

  The figures of missing or stolen girocheques are collated nationally; it is not possible to supply the information in a form relating to individual Benefit Offices or Benefit Groups. Additionally, the Employment Agency acts as our agent in the provision of girocheques to those who are unemployed and claiming Income Support. Data relevant to those issues cannot be separately identified and are, therefore, not included in the tables above.

  I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Benefits (Automatic Credit Transfer)
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the proposal to cease to pay pensions at post offices, and pay them instead into bank accounts or building society accounts; and what account he has taken of the effect of his proposal on the viability of smaller post offices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have made no such proposal.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social
  Security which geographical areas are covered by the trial currently being undertaken on payment of benefits and pensions by automatic credit transfer; how many
  186

  Missing Giro Cheques
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many giro cheques were issued by his Department in each year since 1987; how many and what percentage were reported stolen or missing in each of those years; what was the value of the stolen or missing giro cheques in cash terms and at constant prices; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures for each of his Department's offices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Marshall, dated 18 May 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many girocheques were issued by his Department in each year since 1987; how many and what percentage were reported stolen or missing in each of those years; what was the value of the stolen or missing girocheques in cash terms and at constant prices; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures for each of his Department's offices.

  The number of girocheques reported missing or stolen, after being issued by the Department of Social Security, in the years since 1987 are:

  payments have so far been made by ACT; how many of these payments were for retirement pensions; what is the expected cost of the exercise; and what consultations he has had with the chief executive of the Post Office about this project.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The payment of social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Peter Hain, dated 18 May 1993:

  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking which geographical areas are covered by the trial currently being undertaken on payments of benefits and pensions by automated credit transfer (ACT); how many payments have so far been made by ACT; how many of these payments were for retirement pensions; what is the expected cost of the exercise; and what consultations he has had with the Chief Executive of the Post Office about this project.

  Trial versions of the Retirement Pension claim form were issued between 1 and 11 March 1993. These forms were issued to people throughout the United Kingdom. The cost of the

  187
  claim form trial is expected to be around £22,000. No payments have been made to customers completing trial forms, as Retirement Pension claim forms are issued four months before retirement age.

  Details of consultations with the Post Office are contained in the Official Report, volume 224, columns 445–446.

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

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what considerations underlie his policy to encourage recipients of specific benefits to receive their benefits by way of bank accounts; which benefits are involved; what steps he has taken, and at what cost, to further this policy; and what assessment he has made of
  the advantages and disadvantages of effects of the success of such a policy.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Since automated credit transfer was introduced in 1982, our policy has always been to encourage people to take up the option of payment by this method, which is a more cost-effective, safer and easier way for them to receive their benefits.

  The benefits for which ACT is currently available are:

  Attendance Allowance

  Disability Living Allowance

  Disability Working Allowance

  Pensions/Widows Benefit

  Child Benefit

  One Parent Benefit

  Family Credit

  War Pensions

  The facility will be available to pay income support by ACT from October 1993; unemployment benefit through a rolling programme between May 1993 and October 1994; and sickness benefit, invalidity benefit and severe disablement allowance through a rolling programme between May 1993 and January 1994.

  For the steps taken, and the costs incurred, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) on 26 April at columns 313–14.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social
  Security what information he has on(a) those EC countries, besides the United Kingdom, that have contributory state retirement pension schemes and (b) those which place a geographical restriction on the payment of full retirement pensions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  State retirement pensions are contributory in every other EC member state apart from Denmark and the Netherlands, where pension entitlement is linked to residence rather than employment record. Information on pensions in EC countries can be found in the MISSOC tables, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Information on geographical restrictions on payment of retirement pensions is not available.

  Smoke Alarms
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy concerning the provision of smoke alarms to recipients of income support and other benefits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Social security benefits do not include any specific sum in respect of the provision of smoke alarms.
  188

  Industrial Injuries
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on bringing the self-employed in construction and agriculture into the industrial injuries scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The council's report was published today (Cm 2177) and copies are available in the Library. The report recommends that the industrial injuries scheme should be extended to include self-employed earners in the construction and agriculture industries. We have considered the report, which the council submitted to us last November, very carefully, but have not accepted the council's recommendation. Implementing IIAC's recommendation would represent a significant expansion of the scope of the scheme, which we do not consider would be justified in principle, or workable in practice.

  The industrial injuries scheme has always been intended for workers employed under a contract of service to an employer. In 1978, the Pearson commission recommended the inclusion of the self-employed in the scheme, but the Government rejected the recommendation on principle and because of the substantial operational difficulties involved. IIAC recently decided to reconsider the position of self-employed workers in the light of the increase in self-employment during the 1980s. The present recommendation to include self-employed construction and agricultural workers in the industrial injuries scheme is seen by the council as a possible first step towards extending the scheme to the self-employed generally.

  Those who undertake self-employment do so in the knowledge that provision against industrial injury will be their own responsibility, and that private insurance is available to them. The Government consider that this is right in principle and do not accept the need to alter the present well-established position. We also remain of the view that extending the industrial injuries scheme to self-employed workers would raise significant practical difficulties.

  Fraud
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 214, how many of the cases of social security investigations in (a) England and (b) Yorkshire and Humberside resulted in identified overpayments (i) inclusive of prosecutions for fraud and (ii) exclusive of prosecutions for fraud.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The administration of benefit fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 18 May 1993:

  I wrote to you on 20 April 1993 about your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 1993, Official Report, column 214, how many of the cases of social security investigations in (a) England and (b) Yorkshire and Humberside resulted in identified overpayments (i) inclusive of prosecutions for fraud and (ii) exclusive of prosecutions for fraud.
  189
  In that letter I gave you the figures for the year ending 31 March 1992 but indicated that I would send you the figures for the year ending 31 March 1993 when they became available. I am pleased to inform you that these figures are now to hand.

  In the year ending 31 March 1993 a total of 62,193 investigations in England resulted in an identified overpayment. Included in this figure are 8,443 identified overpayments in the Yorkshire and Humberside area.

  I hope you will find this information helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what investigations his Department has been subject by the Data Protection Registrar in relation to a suspected breach of a data protection principle; if he will summarise the nature of each complaint and state when the complaint was made; and what remedial action was taken by his Department to ensure future compliance with
  the principle subject to the investigation.

  Mr. Key
  None.

  Privacy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  National Heritage what proposals he is considering for protection in the media of the personal privacy of prominent persons.

  Mr. Brooke
  We intend to introduce legislation, on the lines recommended by Sir David Calcutt, to criminalise certain acts of physical intrusion into personal privacy with intent to obtain information or other material with a
  view to publication. We have also accepted Sir David's recommendations for further consideration to be given to four other measures bearing on privacy. We will set out our views on his recommendation for a statutory press complaints tribunal in responding to the National Heritage Select Committee's report on privacy and media intrusion.

  Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to encourage the development of museums and galleries in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Key
  The Department seeks to encourage the development of those national museums and galleries for which it has direct funding responsibility in a number of ways designed to increase public access to collections, encourage greater efficiency in the provision of services and to bring about the refurbishment of the buildings in which the national museums and galleries are housed.

  The Department also funds the Museums and Galleries Commission, a royal charter body. The aims of the commission include the development and maintenance of higher standards in museums and galleries and the commission also gives financial assistance for this purpose.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has for meeting the repair and refurbishment needs of museums and galleries.
  190
  Mr. Key
  The museums and galleries sponsored by the Department of National Heritage have submitted their corporate plans to the Department. The information contained in these plans, including information on proposed repair and refurbishment, will be considered in the course of the current public expenditure round. Spending plans will be announced in due course.

  Gambling
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if moneys spent on the national lottery will be classified as gambling.

  Mr. Key
  I refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) on 28 October 1992,Official Report, columns 687–88.

  National Lottery
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much per head of population he estimates will be spent on the national lottery in each year from 1994 to 1998.

  Mr. Key
  It is not possible to make such estimates, which depend upon the degree of success of the national lottery.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what specific guarantees were obtained from the GAH group of consultants that information contained in the report on the national lottery commissioned by his Department would not be sold to third parties by the group;

  (2) if he will publish the text of the contract agreed between his Department and the GAH group of consultants regarding his commissioned research on the national lottery, minus financial details which are regarded as commercial in confidence;

  (3) what was the length and word count of the report of the national lottery commissioned by his Department from the GAH group;

  (4) if he will list the subject and chapter headings contained in the report on the national lottery commissioned by his Department from the GAH group;

  (5) what guarantees were obtained from the GAH groups of consultants that, following their completion of the commissioned research from his Department, the company would not subsequently offer consultancy advice in respect of the national lottery to private individuals or companies;

  (6) which parts of the (a) text, (b) subject headings, (c) chapters and (d) tables contained in the report on the national lottery recently published by the GAH group are similar or identical to the (i) text, (ii) subject headings, (iii) chapters and (iv) tables contained in the report on the national lottery commissioned by his Department from the GAH group; and if he will list them;

  (7) what inquiries he has made with the GAH group of consultants regarding subsequent consultancy and advice work in respect of the national lottery which the group has given to private individuals and/or companies; and if he will publish a list of all such work subsequently undertaken by the GAH group;

  (8) on what date he was first made aware by the GAH group of consultants that they intended to publish a

  191
  commercial report on the national lottery; and what steps he took to obtain a copy of the report in advance of publication.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: The Department of National Heritage contract with the GAH consultancy is commercially confidential and I do not intend to publish it. The recent report "The UK National Lottery Report" published by the GAH group on 10 May 1993 is a different document from the report produced from the Government, and appears to be based on a synthesis of published sources and new and separate research. The publication of this report does not appear to constitute a breach of the contract between my Department and the GAH group. The GAH group did not inform the Department beforehand of its intention to publish such a report.

  Government contracts do not normally place restrictions on the future clients a contractor may take on—either particularly or generally. However, the GAH group has given a firm undertaking in honour not to work for potential bidders for the national lottery licence.

  Redundant Churches
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will enable denominations to dispose of redundant places of worship to the Historic Chapel Trust for less than full consideration.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have today made a direction to this effect under section 4(11) of the Redundant Churches and Other Religious Buildings Act 1969.

HEALTH

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure on(a) remuneration and (b) other expenses incurred by national health service trust board chairmen and members for each of the last two years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The summarised accounts of national health service trusts in England for 1991–92 record the total remuneration and emoluments of chairmen and members of NHS trust boards as some 15·5 million. This figure includes all fees, emoluments and pension contributions, but excludes travelling, subsistence and similar expenses which are not separately identifiable. Equivalent information for 1992–93 will be available later this year.

  Whooping Cough Vaccine
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent on the Wellcome manufactured whooping cough vaccine; what were the other vaccines on the market at the time that vaccine began to be used by the NHS; what has been the safety record of each of these vaccines; when it first came to the attention of her Department that there were suspected brain damage cases; when the Wellcome vaccine was withdrawn from prescription in England; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  For most of the period since whooping cough vaccine first became available, the vaccine has been 192
  ordered direct from the suppliers by district health authorities and by general practitioners. Details of total expenditure on the Wellcome product are therefore not available centrally. Other whooping cough vaccines, from Glaxo Laboratories and the Lister Institute, were available in the United Kingdom when immunisation began in 1957, but their manufacturers subsequently discontinued production. Information on the safety of these products is not available without considerable historical research, at disproportionate cost.

  Suggestions in the 1970s that serious complications following immunisation were occurring more frequently than previously thought led to the joint review by the Committee on the Safety of Medicines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The joint review reported in 1981. Its main conclusion was that the connection between permanent brain damage and whooping cough vaccine had not been established. More recently, an extensive study by the United States Institute of Medicine concluded that there is insufficient evidence to indicate a causal relationship between diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine and chronic neurological damage and other specified disorders.

  All vaccines are examined carefully before release for safety and efficacy and only vaccines which match exacting specifications are used. All adverse reactions to vaccines are carefully monitored both by the CSM and the JCVI which advise the United Kingdom health departments.

  The Wellcome whooping cough vaccine has not been withdrawn. It is now supplied by Evans Medical as a combined vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus, known as DTP, and supplied for the United Kingdom's childhood immunisation programme. More than 90 per cent. of infants receive DTP and reported cases of whooping cough in this country have fallen to exceptionally low levels, with only one death since 1990.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the budget of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  The provision for advances to and payments on behalf of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for 1993–94 is:

  £

  Current expenditure

  1,068,000

  Capital expenditure

  18,000

  The authority is required to recover 50 per cent. of its running costs through fees paid by licensed centres.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to ensure enforcement of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 in every laboratory capable of doing such work in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sackville
  All research projects using human embryos must be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Applications for a licence must have prior approval from a local research ethics committee and are subject to peer review before being considered by an HFEA licence committee. Research projects are monitored and the premises where the work is carried out are regularly inspected by the HFEA.
  193

  Human Cloning
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has that human cloning experiments have already taken place in the United Kingdom using techniques routinely used for cloning farm animals.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will extend the national survey of mental illness to be carried out on behalf of the Department by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to cover mental illness among people over the age of 65 years; and on what grounds it has been decided to limit the national survey on mental illness to the 16 to 64 age group.

  Mr. Yeo
  No. Establishing levels of mental illness in children and young adolescents and in people aged 65 and over requires a different methodology.

  Considerable data are already available on the prevalence of mental disorders in elderly people. These will shortly be supplemented by a study currently in progress by the Medical Research Council which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Cervical Cancer
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date departmental representatives will visit the Galton research laboratory at the university of London to see a demonstration of the HDA test for cervical cancer.

  Mr. Sackville
  Officials have already spoken to the founder of QUEST—developers of the hydrolised DNA assay test—to discuss the arrangements.

  Public Toilets
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has commissioned of the public health consequences of a reduction in the numbers of public toilets and an increase in the incidence of sleeping rough.

  Mr. Yeo
  None.

  Secure Accommodation
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received about allowing voluntary residential schools to provide secure accommodation; what plans she has to amend the Secure Accommodation Regulations under the Children Act 1989; and if she will make a statement.

  Estimated numbers of children resident in England and Wales, 1977–91.

  (Thousands)

  Ages (years):—

  Mid-year (30 June)

  Total children aged under 18

  0

  1–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–17

  1977

  13,272

  559

  2,492

  3,801

  4,091

  2,329

  1978

  13,093

  568

  2,371

  3,691

  4,071

  2,392

  1979

  12,936

  617

  2,309

  3,536

  4,023

  2,451

  1980

  12,776

  639

  2,317

  3,386

  3,941

  2,493

  1981

  12,591

  634

  2,371

  3,196

  3,889

  2,501

  194
  Mr. Yeo
  A number of organisations have recently made inquiries about the prospect of providing secure accommodation. On 2 March my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced our intention to amend regulations to enable private and voluntary providers to provide secure accommodation. We intend to issue a consultation document shortly.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has plans to amend the list of the items of data that comprise the contract minimum data set in view of the comments made in a recent report from the Data Protection Registrar; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The content of the contract minimum data sets is not in question, apart from one or two items of data. The need for these items is being reviewed by officials who will meet shortly with the registrar to agree how best to address his concerns.

  Pensioners (Discharge from Hospital)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning early discharge of pensioners from hospital because of the reduction in their pensions after six weeks if they reside in a nursing or residential home.

  Mr. Yeo
  Decisions about the discharge of patients from hospital and the type of care most appropriate to meet their individual care needs are for the professional staff involved and must be made on clinical grounds.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims were made for compensation in instances of medical negligence affecting children born with a disability in each year since 1987; how many(a) were settled or withdrawn prior to court hearings and (b) resulted in successful court hearings; and what was the average amount paid out in compensation.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Children
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children there were at the most convenient date in each year since 1977; and how many of them were aged on those dates(a) under one year, (b) between one and four years, (c) between five and nine years, (d) between 10 and 14 years and (e) between 15 and 17 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.
  195

  Ages (years):—

  Mid-year (30 June)

  Total children aged under 18

  0

  1–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–17

  1982

  12,369

  620

  2,443

  3,032

  3,791

  2,483

  1983

  12,148

  623

  2,496

  2,923

  3,680

  2,426

  1984

  11,954

  623

  2,510

  2,916

  3,528

  2,377

  1985

  11,823

  649

  2,502

  2,960

  3,388

  2,324

  1986

  11,730

  655

  2,528

  3,025

  3,214

  2,308

  1987

  11,635

  664

  2,562

  3,099

  3,060

  2,250

  1988

  11,581

  686

  2,602

  3,164

  2,957

  2,172

  1989

  11,512

  680

  2,666

  3,178

  2,951

  2,037

  1990

  11,496

  686

  2,694

  3,194

  2,993

  1,929

  19911

  11,552

  702

  2,725

  3,219

  3,057

  1,849

  1 The estimates for 1991 are provisional. Final 1991 population estimates (taking account of later 1991 Census results) will be published in June 1993, and estimates for the period 1982–90 will be revised slightly thereafter to make them fully consistent with these final 1991 figures.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken by her Department into the feasibility of developing a non-fault compensation scheme to deal with claims of medical negligence affecting children born with a disability.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will announce the new chairman of West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have appointed Mr. Bryan Baker, the former deputy chairman of Tarmac plc, as chairman of West Midlands regional health authority with effect from 16 July.

  Mr. Baker will succeed Sir Donald Wilson, who has been temporarily chairing the authority since January. Mr. Baker will carry forward the work begun by Sir Donald in implementing important management changes in the region.

  Sir Donald will return to his former role as chairman of Mersey regional health authority. Professor Alasdair Breckenridge, the present Mersey chairman, will resume his role as the university member on the Mersey regional health authority board.

  Mental Health
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to lay before Parliament a revised code of practice under section 118 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  Mr. Yeo
  We have today laid the revised code of practice and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Laboratory Technicians
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 356–57, on medical laboratory scientific officers, if the national health service employs laboratory technicians who are not required to have the MLSO qualification.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The national health service employs technicians to perform a range of functions in hospital departments with laboratories and the qualifications required depend upon the nature of the post.
  196

  Mid Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated by the Mid Essex hospital trust at(a) Broomfield hospital and (b) St. John's hospital in its first year as a trust; and what were the numbers treated in those hospitals each of the two previous years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The figures, which relate to finished consultant episodes in the general and acute specialities, are as follows:

  Number

  1990–91

  31,661

  1991–92

  32,567

  1992–93

  32,538

  All figures are aggregates relating to the same grouping of hospitals in the trust; it is not possible to give separate figures for Broomfield and St. John's because data on the individual hospitals are not available centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Citizenship
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the principal rights conferred on British citizens by virtue of their citizenship.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  British nationality legislation does not itself confer rights directly upon British citizens; and there is no definitive list of such rights.

  Relate
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the annual grant to Relate in each year since 1979 expressed in(a) cash terms and (b) 1993 values.

  Mr. Jack
  The Home Office grant in aid to Relate for each year from 1980–81 is set out below in cash terms and real terms using 1993–94 as the base year.

  Cash terms £

  Real terms £

  1980–81

  555,000

  1,152,887

  1981–82

  704,000

  1,333,611

  1982–83

  750,000

  1,326,275

  1983–84

  788,000

  1,331,839

  1984–85

  827,460

  1,331,010

  197

  Cash terms £

  Real terms £

  1985–86

  864,570

  1,318,717

  1986–87

  890,500

  1,315,933

  1987–88

  912,870

  1,278,715

  1988–89

  935,910

  1,222,010

  1989–90

  958,890

  1,174,790

  1990–91

  1,006,840

  1,142,092

  1991–92

  1,107,500

  1,177,782

  1992–93

  1,511,400

  1,552,960

  1993–94

  1,530,500

  1,530,500

  In real terms there has been an increase of 32·75 per cent. in the grant over the period in question.

  Gambling
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent per head of the population on gambling in each year since 1988; and what is his estimate for each year to 1996.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No estimate is readily available for the financial year 1988–89, and we have no forecasts for future years.

  Estimated figures for net consumer expenditure on gambling—amount staked less winnings—per head per annum in the four years from 1989–90 to 1992–93 inclusive are £58, £52, £54 and £55.

  Seized Assets
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by name, location and amount the projects which have shared in the £2·2 million distributed by the seized assets fund.

  Mr. Jack
  The projects which received a share of the £2·2 million in the seized assets fund during 1992–93 are listed in the table.

  Bids selected for funding from seized assets fund 1992–93

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise

  £

  1. Integrated intelligence system trials (trials for enhancements of HMCE's CEDRIC intelligence system)

  100,000

  2. Semi-inflatable boat and trailer (for use in patrolling and gathering intelligence on west coast of Scotland)

  29,000

  3. Links to traders' computers at Dover (giving Customs access to information on channel ferry operators' passenger and freight computers)

  50,000

  4. Links to traders' computers at London airports (giving access to principal airline computers at four London airports)

  43,000

  5. Links to traders' computers at East Anglian ports (giving access to computers of 11 shipping lines)

  37,000

  6. Links with DTI and traders' computers at Liverpool

  9,900

  7. Links with traders' computers at various ferry ports

  40,000

  8. Computer intelligence enhancement system

  125,000

  198

  £

  9. Computer links with Cavewood Hauliers

  15,000

  10. Publicity campaign to encourage use of drugs freephone facility

  150,000

  11. Computer links with Containerbase

  15,000

  Department for Education

  £

  1. National Association of Boys Clubs: publication and dissemination of report on three-year drugs programme

  15,000

  2. TACADE: four pilot "Caravan About Drugs" projects, enabling young people to make short anti-drug films for use with other groups of young people

  35,000

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  £

  1. Fast inshore patrol boat for Gibraltar Customs

  40,000

  2. Customs patrol boat for Thailand

  54,000

  Department of Health

  £

  1. Fire safety work at Clarendon project, north Bedfordshire

  3,000

  2. Refurbishment of counselling rooms. Drugs Concern, Barnet

  1,500

  3. Switchboard for new officers of substance misuse team, North Hertfordshire

  2,000

  4. Computer equipment for Gatehouse clinic, Ealing H. A.

  2,000

  5. Furniture and word processor for Tower Hamlets community drugs team

  13,200

  6. Harm reduction initiative, Bromley H. A.

  2,000

  7. Publicity materials for Milestones and HIV prevention programme, Bexley H. A.

  3,157

  8. Factline projects and prison outreach expenses, Brighton

  3,326

  9. Database for Croydon community health team

  3,805

  10. Mobile telephone for north-west Surrey needle exchange

  400

  11. Drug publicity for north-west Surrey

  300

  12. Kitchen extension to residential rehabilitation unit, Holy Cross, Haslemere

  6,800

  13. Staff training, Liverpool drug dependency clinic

  3,800

  14. Capital costs to establish New Start day centre, Manchester city council

  15,890

  15. Extension to needle exchange scheme, Newcastle FHSA

  6,000

  16. Development of minimal intervention/treatment package for primary health-care workers, North Tyneside

  5,500

  199

  £

  17. Purchases of clinical equipment, Bradford CDAS

  15,000

  18. Portable substance misuse health shop, Bassetlaw HA

  2,500

  19. Facilities for children and portable gym (to encourage drug misusers with children into services), Sheffield H. A.

  1,424

  20. Youth outreach Worker, Nottingham Drug Dependents Anonymous

  13,500

  21. Renovation of clinical room, North Staffordshire Substance Misuse unit

  12,980

  22. Drop-in cafe project, Birmingham

  25,000

  23. Regional solvent misuse seminar, East Gloucestershire

  2,000

  24. GP research project on drug misuse, Avon

  2,500

  25. Computer equipment, NACRO south-west regional drug training unit

  2,650

  26. Training material and courses in 1992, Coke Hole, Andover

  1,000

  27. Publicity for meedle exchange scheme, Salisbury

  1,100

  28. HIV prevention project among intravenous drug users, Cambridgeshire Health Authority

  20,500

  29. Portable office building, Ley community, Oxon

  25,000

  30. Research into reliability of on-site drug testing kits, Charing Cross and Westminster medical school

  9,000

  31. Counselling and treatment services expansion, Open road, Colchester

  8,300

  32. Prison education, Brighton

  1,150

  33. Refurbishment of therapy area, west Lambeth

  2,950

  34. Mobile phones, St. George's drug dependency unit

  1,500

  35. Database for drugs and AIDS counselling and advisory services, South West Thames regional health authority

  7,500

  36. Training package for voluntary sector staff, Bury

  1,200

  37. HIV needle exchange worker, Freshfield, Truro

  10,751

  38. Publicity materials, West Essex

  700

  39. Children's facilities, Phoenix house, Sheffield

  4,110

  40. Leicester Action for Youth Trust: Furnishing for new services for HIV-positive misusers

  8,000

  41. Hull and East Yorkshire community drug project: Needle disposal project

  3,600

  42. Furness Drug Concern: Training for volunteer counsellors

  1,500

  43. Eastbourne community drug team: Computers

  2,814

  44. Cambridgeshire LEA: Booklet for school children

  1,000

  45. Yeldall Manor Readin: Upgrading residential rehabilitation building

  9,571

  200

  £

  46. South-west Durham: Establishment of needle exchange scheme

  1,250

  47. Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster FHSA: training primary healthcare team

  1,000

  48. Pegasus, NE Thames: new residential facility

  20,000

  49. CADA (Campaign Against Drug Abuse) Old Kent Road: furniture and equipment

  5,000

  50. SW Thames Family Support Drugline: furniture and improvement to office

  4,390

  51. Association for Prevention of Addiction, Hastings; refurbishment

  2,000

  52. Harringay: needle exchange equipment

  6,500

  53. SHADO, Liverpool: telephone system

  2,621

  54. Manchester Mainline: volunteer training and development

  6,000

  55. Basingstoke Drug Service: information, education and training

  15,400

  56. Birmingham: Allens Croft project

  24,000

  57. Central Notts HA: syringe dispensing machine

  3,345

  58. NW Durham: needs assessment in Stanley area

  1,250

  59. Oxford Drug Dependency Team: extension to centre

  27,000

  60. Airedale voluntary drug and alcohol agency: staff training

  1,185

  61. Bridge project, Cambridge: extension to drop-in project

  30,000

  62. Brighton and Hove drug prevention team: Tabloid project

  22,172

  63. Blackburn solvent abuse group: training, capital, adminstration

  4,000

  64. Riverside community drug team, west London: methadone services

  30,000

  65. Lewisham Drugline: computer

  2,800

  66. Family support drugline, Wallington: computer

  2,950

  67. North Liverpool community drug team: creche, leisure equipment, Land Rover

  30,000

  68. Manchester FHSA: drug misuser support group

  15,000

  69. South Warwickshire drug advisory service: education and training resources

  1,995

  70. Durham HA: establishment of needle exchange

  4,000

  71. West Yorkshire Probation: drug education/ training for offenders

  3,000

  72. Northampton Council on Addictions: resources for young offenders

  9,000

  73. West Suffolk drug advisory service: mobile phones

  3,500

  74. Nottingham drug dependants anonymous: refurbishment

  10,000

  201

  £

  75. Portsmouth drug dependency service: refurbishment of interview rooms

  7,000

  76. Exeter drug project: residential development worker

  26,205

  77. Mid-Downs health authority: computers

  15,000

  78. Druglink, Hemel Hempstead: staff training

  2,195

  79. Kent Council on Addictions: prison outreach

  2,250

  80. Barking and Brentwood: resources to develop Havering base

  20,000

  81. St. Helens and Knowsley community drug team: expansion

  6,987

  82. Darlington health authority: publicity for needle exchange

  427

  83. Wakefield FHSA: training equipment for primary healthcare workers

  4,000

  84. Aylesbury Drugstop: phonelines

  744

  85. North Birmingham health authority: computer equipment, Slade Road centre

  1,992

  86. MIND, Barnsley: rental of premises

  10,000

  87. West Norfolk and Wishbech health authority: establishment of needle exchange

  16,500

  88. Lifeline Manchester: Women's magazine on drugs

  4,500

  89. Drug concern Watford: To establish training courses

  2,500

  90. Seaside centre, Eastbourne: Refurbishment

  500

  91. West Surrey and North-East Hants health authority: Portakabin extension for community drug team

  10,000

  92. South Sefton Advisory Committee on Drug and Solvent Abuse: drugs helpline service for families of drug misusers

  745

  93. Darlington health authority: training course for local GPs

  300

  94. Bromsgrove and Redditch health authority: additional facilities for tranquilliser withdrawal project

  3,130

  95. Scunthorpe health authority: needle exchange

  18,400

  Home Office

  £

  1. CLUE computer terminals for three sites (to retrieve operational data from collated information during operations), No. 9 regional crime squad

  78,000

  2. Computer software for drug profit confiscation, executive co-ordinator, regional crime squads

  3,500

  Encrypted radios for the following police forces:

  3. Greater Manchester police

  41,830

  4. Merseyside police

  50,000

  5. No. 5 regional crime squad

  25,000

  202

  £

  6. Northumbria police

  11,500

  7. Kent police

  30,000

  8. South Wales police

  29,000

  9. Derbyshire police

  31,000

  10. Nottinghamshire police

  45,041

  11. South Yorkshire police

  42,253

  12. West Midlands police

  9,930

  13. Hampshire police

  18,000

  14. Lancashire constabulary

  32,000

  15. Sussex police

  29,000

  16. Leicestershire constabulary

  30,000

  17. Holloway prison: drug/alcohol rehabilitation courses

  15,200

  Overseas Development Administration

  £

  1. Construction of carpentry workshop and provision of tools for children at risk from cocaine, Cochabamba, Bolivia

  27,000

  Scottish Office

  £

  1. Vehicle tracking equipment for Scottish crime squad (for use in operations against drug traffickers)

  16,000

  2. Surveillance vehicle for Scottish crime squad

  25,000

  3. Ferguslie Park partnership Paisley: one-year drug worker

  20,000

  4. Wester Hailes partnership Edinburgh: development of drug misuse educational project, Wester Hailes, Edinburgh

  6,000

  5. Equipment for drug reduction programme, Saughton prison, Edinburgh

  25,000

  6. Association of Nurses Against Substance Abuse: four-day summer school

  6,000

  7. Castlemilk partnership Glasgow; development of training course for Castlemilk families support group

  23,000

  8. Whitfield partnership Dundee: outreach worker for drugs project

  23,000

  9. Computer equipment for a drugs project to assist in the evaluation of effectiveness of drugs services

  6,000

  Welsh Office

  £

  1. Training courses for drug workers, Gwent DHA

  7,000

  2. Drug training for teachers, social workers, Dyfed

  3,000

  203

  £

  3. Training for generic and volunteer workers, Powys

  6,830

  4. Clwyd drug prevention services training programme

  6,000

  5. Enhanced facilities at Rhoserchan project (residential rehabilitation)

  5,000

  6. Ty Glyn Housing Society: accommodation and rehabilitation of ex-misusers

  10,000

  7. Gwynedd Drug Quarterly Newsletter

  1,500

  8. Prevalence study on amphetamine use in South Glamorgan

  8,000

  9. South Glamorgan small projects fund (to meet one-off bids from local voluntary groups)

  4,000

  10. Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations community and self-help development fund (to meet one-off bids from local voluntary groups)

  3,000

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the £1 million allocated to the police from the seized assets fund was spent.

  Mr. Jack
  The moneys allocated in 1992–93 to the central drugs fund from the seized assets fund were used to meet some of the additional costs of international drugs investigations by the police and HM Customs and Excise; and to make reward payments to individuals who had assisted the enforcement agencies in their investigations.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department last evaluated the merits of introducing universal photo identity cards in the United Kingdom; and if he will publish the results.

  Mr. Jack
  The introduction of a compulsory identity card was last considered in depth in 1988–89, when the Government concluded that the benefits of issuing identification cards did not outweigh the disadvantages and costs of doing so. The Government's views were given to the House by the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Mr. Patten), on 10 February 1989,Official Report, columns 1299–309.

  Although the matter is kept under review, the position remains as stated then.

  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the results of his Department's examination of the present experience of the operation in(a) Belgium, (b) Greece, (c) Germany, (d) Spain and (e) France of their national identity card schemes.

  Mr. Jack
  Earlier reviews have studied overseas practice in respect of identity cards in detail. These showed that possession of a national identity card was mandatory in Belgium, Greece, Germany and Spain. It was mandatory to carry an identity card in Belgium and Greece. Identity cards were voluntary in France but very widely used. This remains the position.

  In all these countries the police are empowered to require citizens to identify themselves, a process which
  204
  possession of an identity card obviously simplifies. No such general power exists in this country, where the police may only demand identification on reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed.

  Emergency Warning System
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation's national emergency warning system is still operational; and on what date he intends to have a new system fully operational.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation siren-based national air raid warning system was closed towards the end of last year. Alternative arrangements which are based on radio and
  television broadcasts exist. Studies are being carried out to see whether any enhancement of these facilities is required.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department what study has been made of the efficacy of the emergency national warning system in the Netherlands; and what plans he has to introduce a similar system in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are aware of the Netherlands system but have no plans to introduce similar arrangements here.

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

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question from him on 31 March,Official Report, column 220.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the United Kingdom's position to exclude manual files containing personal information is impeding harmonisation of the United Kingdom data protection legislation with that of other member states of the European Community.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The exclusion of manual files from the Data Protection Act 1984 is no impediment to harmonisation of data protection legislation across the European Community at the level of the Council of Europe convention. With regard to the draft EC data protection directive, the position of manual data is only one of a range of issues needing to be resolved before a common position can be reached. While it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the negotiating position of individual member states, a number of other countries share the United Kingdom's concern about the proposed application of the directive to manual files.

  Ecstasy
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seizures of the drug Ecstasy have occurred within the year from 1989; and what information he has on the percentage of seized Ecstasy which is domestically manufactured within the United Kingdom.
  205
  Mr. Jack
  Information on the number of seizures of MDA (Ecstasy) is given in the table.

  Number

  1989

  769

  1990

  399

  1991

  1,735

  None of the seized drugs are thought to have been manufactured in the United Kingdom.

  Witness Support Schemes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been undertaken by his Department into the adoption of witness support schemes in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  In association with a number of children's organisations in the voluntary sector, the Home Office and other Government Departments have helped to develop a "Child Witness Pack". This was published earlier this month. The pack builds on the major legislative reforms concerning the giving of evidence by children which were introduced by the Criminal Justice Acts of 1988 and 1991. The pack is intended to help children who may have to give evidence in court and their parents or carers.

  The child evidence reforms are being independently monitored over two years to assess their effectiveness. We are considering whether additional monitoring may be required specifically in relation to the "Child Witness Pack".

  A copy of the "Child Witness Pack" is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  In addition, the courts charter sets out service standards for the way all victims and witnesses are to be treated before and during any trial.

  Bail Support Schemes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been allocated to each local authority in Wales for bail support schemes for young people in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 4 February to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), columns 297–98. No further bail support schemes have become operational in Wales under Home Office funding arrangements. An application from West Glamorgan social services is under consideration.

  Escorted Prisoners
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have died while being transported under Prison Service escort for each of the last five years.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tony Blair, dated 17 May 1993:

  Deaths of prisoners under prison service escort

  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly
  206
  in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of prisoners who have died while being transported under Prison Service escort in each of the last five years.

  I am glad to say that in fact no prisoners have died since 1988 while under escort provided by the Prison Service. This excludes any cases in which prisoners who were already very seriously ill or injured (for example, due to an attempted suicide in the prison) may have died in an ambulance or other escort vehicle on the way to an outside hospital. Checking precisely how many deaths have occurred in these circumstances would require an extensive search of records and would be at disproportionate cost.

  You will of course be aware of the case of Mr. Ernest Hogg who was found unconscious in a cellular van while under escort by Group Four Escort Services and who later died in hospital. We in the Prison Service deeply regret Mr. Hogg's tragic death and I have ordered a full inquiry into the circumstances. Of course a full public inquiry will also take place in due course in the form of the Coroner's inquest.

  Mr. Ernest Hogg
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the journey leading up to the death of Ernest Hogg while in Group 4 custody, including details of the route taken and the time when he was first discovered in an inebriated state.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tony Blair, dated 17 May 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply directly to your Parliamentary Question about the death of Ernest Hogg.

  Since a police investigation is underway into the circumstances of Mr. Hogg's death, and I understand that an inquest is to be held, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

  Safer City Projects
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria that will be used to decide the location of the 20 new safer city projects announced on 7 January.

  Mr. Jack
  The new safer cities project will, as before, be based on London borough, metropolitan district or district council areas.

  For the first six projects, the criteria for selection include:

  high crime rates—normally a chosen area would be expected to have significantly higher crime rates than the average for England and Wales:

  the willingness of local agencies to participate in the programme;

  the area should be an urban priority area—excluding areas which have existing safer cities projects;

  the area should be targeted for other Government action.

  Account will also be taken of points made by local authorities and others who have written in support of their areas becoming safer cities.

  Consideration is also being given to including a candidate for Wales.

  For later projects, further appraisal will be given to the selection criteria.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total sum of money available(a) in this financial year and (b) in a full

  207
  financial year to the 20 safer city projects announced on 7 January; and what is the highest and lowest level of aid given to any individual project.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: It is not possible to give precise figures until the tendering process for the second phase of the safer cities programme referred to in the statement which I placed in the Library of the House on 11 January, Official Report, columns 601–2, is
  complete.

  Cardiff Prison
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the non-teaching functions which will be paid for in respect of Cardiff prison in a full year under the contract awarded to Bristol university and the number of staff hours under each heading in a full year, together with the total number of non-teaching hours allowed for;

  (2) if he will list the non-teaching functions paid for in respect of Cardiff prison in each of the past five years and the number of staff hours under each heading in each year, together with the total number of non-teaching hours in each year;

  (3) if he will list the subjects taught by the prison education service at Cardiff prison in each of the past five years and the total number of teacher hours provided in each subject in each year and the total number of teaching hours provided in each year at the prison;

  (4) if he will list the subjects that will be taught at Cardiff prison under the contract awarded to Bristol university, the number of teaching hours he estimates will be provided in respect of each subject in a full year and the total number of teaching hours that will be available at the prison in a full year;

  (5) what is the total cost of the prison education system for Cardiff prison under the contract awarded to Bristol university, and the proportion that will go to direct payment for teaching hours;

  (6) if he will give for each of the last five years the total cost of the prison education service at Cardiff prison, and the proportion in each year of direct teaching hours.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Alun Michael, dated May 1993:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the provision of education services at HM Prison Cardiff. Not all of the information which you have sought is held by the Prison Service in the form requested. The information that is available is set out below and in the enclosed tables.

  Table A provides an outline of the non-teaching duties previously required at the prison and which will initially be required of the new contractor. These are only indicative since requirements change, depending on the needs of the prison population. The Prison Service requires that these duties are undertaken but does not specify the number of hours allocated to them.

  Previously Local Education Authorities were reimbursed for the actual cost of providing teachers together with an additional 5 per cent. towards the cost of administration. The new contract prices will be based on teaching time (teacher contract hours). This unit of price includes all other costs.
  208
  Details of proportional costs are not held but it is estimated that over the past five years some 25 per cent. of the cost of providing teachers has been for non-teaching duties.

  An indication of the subjects required at HM Prison Cardiff in 1993–94 year is set out in Table B, together with the teaching hours for each subject. The details may be subject to change during the course of the year dependent upon the on-going requirements of the prison. Subjects provided in the last five years are shown at Table C together with average teaching hours. The cost of that provision and annual teaching hours in each year are shown in Table D. The cost for 1993–94 under the new contract will be the product of the total number of teaching hours required (estimated to be 6,776) and the teacher contract hour price agreed with the contractor. The contract price will be determined in negotiations with the successful tenderer, in the light of the outcome of the appeal against the High Court judgment of 24 March in the case of Kenny and Woodroffe v. South Manchester College.

  Table A

  Non-teaching duties undertaken by education staff

  Library management

  Conducting inmate interviews

  Preparing inmate records and reports

  Curriculum development

  Organising external courses

  Examination administration

  Marketing education

  Administering education competitions—Koestler awards, etc

  Maintaining up-to-date inmate class lists

  Attending establishment management meetings

  Maintaining staff attendance records and preparing payment sheets

  Equipment purchase

  Preparing inmate earnings

  Undertaking extra curriculum activities

  Table B Subjects to be taught at Cardiff prison—financial year 1993–94

  Subject

  Teaching hours

  Basic Education and Social Life Skills

  1,472

  Computers

  460

  Health Education

  644

  Cookery

  368

  First Aid

  152

  Art

  1,104

  Chess

  92

  Craft

  460

  Drama

  184

  Music

  368

  Photography

  92

  Woodwork

  184

  Welsh

  92

  General Education

  920

  Pottery

  184

  Total

  6,776

  Table C Subjects taught at Cardiff prison during last five years

  Subjects

  Years taught

  Average teaching hours

  1. Basic education and social life skills

  1988—present

  1,472

  2. Art

  1988—present

  825

  3. Basketry

  1988–1991

  92

  4. Calligraphy

  1988–1990

  92

  5. Chess

  1991—present

  92

  6. Computers

  1988—present

  552

  7. Cookery

  1990—present

  460

  8. Craft

  1988—present

  460

  9. Current affairs

  1988–1991

  92

  10. Drama

  1988—present

  92

  209

  Subjects

  Years taught

  Average teaching hours

  11. First aid

  1988—present

  184

  12. General education

  1988—present

  552

  13. Geography

  1988–1990

  184

  14. Health education

  1988—present

  368

  15. History

  1988–1990

  92

  16. Music appreciation

  1988–1990

  92

  17. Music practical

  1988—present

  368

  18. Photography

  1988—present

  92

  19. Plastering theory

  1988–1990

  92

  20. Pottery

  1988—present

  184

  21. Religious education

  1988–1991

  184

  22. Welsh

  1988—present

  92

  23. Woodwork

  1988—present

  276

  Table D Cost of education at Cardiff prison during last five years

  Financial Year

  £

  1988–89

  127,179

  1989–90

  144,189

  1990–91

  151,000

  1991–92

  164,400

  1992–93

  166,700

  Teaching hours provided in each of the last five years

  Academic Year

  Hours

  1988–89

  6,437

  1989–90

  6,196

  1990–91

  14,303

  1991–92

  6,449

  1992–93

  6,544

  1 Disturbances at the prison resulted in a temporary reduction in population and a resulting reduction in teaching hours required.

  Tenders (Employment Protection)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if future invitations to companies to tender for Home Office businesses will make it clear whether the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No. Invitations to tender will invite companies to make their own assessment of whether the regulations apply. The nature of their bid will determine whether they apply, and this cannot be determined in advance.

  Unit Fines
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for the failure of the unit fines system as implemented by his Department in England and Wales.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. and learned Friend concluded that it would be right to abolish the current unit fine system on the basis of experience of its working since its implementation on 1 October 1992. He took the view that under the maximum fine levels for magistrates courts approved by Parliament in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, the mechanistic application of the rules for fixing unit fines was producing results which were anomalous and disproportionate in certain cases and that the constraints 210
  of a statutory scheme had unacceptably limited the discretion of magistrates to impose fines which properly reflected all the circumstances of the particular case.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for the success of the unit fines system as implemented in the four pilot schemes.

  Mr. Jack
  I would refer the hon. Member to Home Office research and planning unit paper 59, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, which described and analysed the working of the four pilot schemes.

  Forensic Science Service
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for reviewing the future of the Home Office Forensic Science Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Home Office Forensic Science Service is now in its third year as an executive agency. During this period it has become more commercial, customer-focused and cost conscious and has improved its service to the criminal justice system as a whole. We are now undertaking a review on how best to build on this progress. The review will concentrate in particular on how to ensure the continuing independence and impartiality of the organisation and the high standards, scientific excellence and professionalism required of forensic science for criminal casework, while enabling it to operate in an increasingly business like way. It will also need to take account of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on criminal justice on the future development of forensic science.

  I hope to be able to report to the House on our conclusions before the summer recess.

  Police Duties (Private Contractors)
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to permit police duties to be carried out by private contractors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: There is no intention to contract out or place in private hands fundamental police duties which require the powers of a constable.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received a letter from Mr. Geoffrey F. Dowsett concerning the governorship of Hong Kong; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 10 May 1993]: No trace can be found in either Home Office or Foreign and Commonwealth Office records of the letter referred to by the hon. Member. However, questions relating to the governorship of Hong Kong would normally be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
  211

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal of central funding on those voluntary organisations from which his Department has withdrawn such funding.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 29 April 1993]: The considerations taken into account when a voluntary organisation applies for continued funding include: the needs of the organisation; its ability to attract funds from other sources; the basis on which existing funding was provided; and the extent to which its work contributes to the Department's strategic objectives and priorities and gives value for money.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is(a) the amount of Home Office grant aid received by each voluntary organisation in (i) 1991–92, (ii) 1992–93 and (iii) the amount offered to each in the current financial year and (b) the total amount of Home Office funding for voluntary organisations in each of these years;

  (2) if he will list the voluntary organisations to which his Department has agreed to give grant aid in the current financial year;

  (3) if he will list the voluntary organisations to which his Department has given grant aid in (a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 17–18 May 1993]: The information requested in respect of 1991–92 has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Information for 1992–93 and the current financial year is not yet available centrally and could be obtained only ad hoc and at disproportionate cost.

SCOTLAND

  Water Charges, Strathclyde
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the metered water charges imposed by Strathclyde regional council for each year from 1989–90 to 1993–94.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The metered water charges applied by Strathclyde regional council for each year from 1989–90 to 1992–94 are given in the table.

  Year

  Pence per cubic metre

  1989–90

  27·84

  1990–91

  30·19

  1991–92

  34·40

  1992–93

  33·20

  1993–94

  1 33·50

  1 Excluding standing charges which, if incorporated, would give an equivalent charge of 34·96 pence per cubic metre.

  Education Capital Grants
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the criteria for funding under the Scottish Office Education Department capital grants scheme.
  212
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The conditions applying to funding under the Department's capital grants scheme are set out in departmental circular No. 21/1990, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Housing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much on average was contributed by sources other than rent and the private sector to the management, repair, improvement and development of each dwelling unit in Renfrew district owned and managed by(a) Scottish Homes and (b) Renfrew district council in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Individual sources of revenue or capital income to Scottish Homes and Renfrew district council are not allocated to particular items of housing expenditure.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the oustanding capital debt attributable to the housing accounts of Renfrew district council; how much the repayments on this debt amount to in the current financial year; what percentage of the average annual dwelling-based rental charge made on council-owned houses is spent on these repayments; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The capital debt associated with the houses, buildings and land to which Renfrew district council's housing revenue account applies is estimated at 128·3 million on 1 April 1993. The council has budgeted for expenditure of some £1·8 million on the redemption of debt in 1993–94, which represents 4·6 per cent. of estimated total housing revenue account expenditure. Individual sources of revenue income to the council are not allocated to particular items of housing expenditure.

  Carpet Manufacturing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new measures he intends to introduce to ensure the continued survival and development of the carpet manufacture industry in west and central Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The carpet industry in west and central Scotland already has access to a wide range of advice and assistance from the Scottish Office, Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies. My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce any additional measures.

  Crown Office Building, Edinburgh
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much it costs to maintain and upkeep the Crown Office building, the old royal high school, in Edinburgh per annum;

  (2) how many times, in each of the last five years, the Crown Office building, the old royal high school, in Edinburgh has been used; by whom; and for what purpose;

  (3) how many staff are employed and at what cost to maintain and keep secure the Crown Office building, the old royal high school, in Edinburgh.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The old royal high school buildings presently house the office of my noble and
  213
  learned Friend the Lord Advocate and the Crown Office. The buildings are in daily use as the functioning headquarters of the public prosecution system in Scotland. Included in the complex is the debating chamber used for sittings of the Scottish Grand Committee and occasionally hired by outside agencies as listed in the table. Expenditure on maintenance and upkeep of the whole Crown Office complex in 1992–93 amounted to £76,000. A permanent security presence is maintained at an annual cost of £77,000. Separate figures for the cost of the debating chamber, which is in use on fewer than six days each year, are not kept.

  Use of the Debating Chamber:

  1990

  Royal Institute of Public Administration—meeting

  1991

  SALVO, Scottish Arts Lobby—conference

  Law Society of Scotland, European Lawyers Union—annual congress

  Oxford University Press—filming educational video

  Bank of Scotland—debate

  1992

  Energy Design Advisory Service—Scottish launch of Design Advice Scheme

  Lothian Regional Council—European Youth Summit

  Chambers Publishers—launch of new books

  1993

  BMA—meeting of General Medical Services Committee

  UK in Conference Ltd.—Franco-British Lawyers Society meeting

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of the sites of special scientific interest within(a) Renfrew district and (b) the Paisley, South constituency.

  Sir Hector Monro
  There are no sites of special scientific interest within the Paisley, South constituency. For Renfrew district the information is set out in the table. Some of these sites also lie within other districts as indicated.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest within Renfrew District

  Site

  Other districts containing part of site

  Barmufflock Dam

  Boylestone Quarry

  Castle Semple and Barr Lochs

  Clochodrick Stone

  Dargavel Burn

  Inverclyde

  Erskine Langbank

  Inverclyde

  Formakin

  Glen Moss

  Inverclyde

  Lock Libo

  Shovelboard

  Waulkmill Glen

  Glasgow and Eastwood

  Playgrounds
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place to ensure the supervision and safety of children in playgrounds in(a) nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary schools in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Education authorities have a common law duty to care for all pupils when under their charge. In addition, the Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 impose 214
  a specific statutory duty on education authorities to take reasonable care for the safety of pupils when under their charge. In primary schools with 50 or more pupils in attendance, and in special schools, the regulations require education authorities to ensure that pupils are supervised by at least one adult when in a playground during any break time.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Scotland if he will publish a list of listed buildings of all categories within(a) Renfrew district and (b) Paisley, South constituency.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The issue raised has been delegated to the chief executive of Historic Scotland and I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graeme Munro to Mr. Gordon McMaster, dated 19 May 1993:

  I refer to your recent written question to Sir Hector Monro, for answer on 12 May, regarding lists of listed buildings within (a) Renfrew District and (b) Paisley South constituency..

  Lists of listed buildings together with catergories are available for public inspection at all planning authority offices. Similarly, copies of the lists are kept for public inspection at Historic Scotland's headquarters in Edinburgh.

  I have enclosed copies of the lists for Paisley Burgh and the remainder of Renfrew District for your information. In addition, I have deposited copies of the lists in the House of Commons Library.

  Security, Renfrew
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the application for grant for the introduction of closed circuit television on the streets of central Renfrew district; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The only approach made concerning the matter has been from the hon. Member for Paisley, South in a letter to my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Local Government, which was answered by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State in a letter dated 21 August 1992.

  Edinburgh Dental School
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the text of the letter of 4 May from the principal and vice-chancellor of Edinburgh university concerning the closure of Edinburgh dental school and his reply to it.

  Mr. Lang
  It is for Sir David Smith to decide whether he wishes to publicise his correspondence. I will reply to his letter of 4 May shortly.

  Youth Centre, Paisley
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the application for grant for a proposed development of a youth drop-in centre in the Glenburn area of Paisley.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I am unable to make a statement because no application has, as yet, been received by the Scottish Office Education Department.
  215

  Council Tax
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will exclude people who were exempt from paying poll tax because of severe mental impairment from being part of the calculation in determining the number of persons in a house for council tax payments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  This is provided for at paragraph 2 of schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992. The qualifying conditions are prescribed at article 4 of the Council Tax (Discounts) (Scotland) Order 1992 which was laid before Parliament on 24 June 1992.

  Maternity Services
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what account was taken of the position and needs of maternity services in Scotland in the preparation of Cm 2018 on maternity services.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: None. Cm 2018 was the Government's response to the report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health, which did not cover Scotland.

  Maternity Services
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's proposals for the future development of maternity services in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: The Scottish Office Home and Health Department has recently completed a policy review of maternity service provision in Scotland and I shall be considering its findings shortly. In addition, a "Framework for Action" working group on maternity services was set up in April 1992 to develop strategies for raising standards in maternity services with particular emphasis on identifying good practice and developing networks.

  Buses
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which bus stations which were not sold as part of the Scottish Bus Group privatisation have subsequently been disposed of; on what terms; and to whom;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the ownership of St. Andrew's square bus station, Edinburgh and Buchanan street bus station, Glasgow, subsequent to the passing of the Transport (Scotland) Act 1990.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 17 May 1993]: Three bus stations were retained by the Scottish Transport Group and present positions on each is as follows:
  St. Andrew's Square Bus Station, Edinburgh—Negotiations are progressing with a prospective buyer.
  Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow—The lease of this property held by STG was recently sold to Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive.
  Berwick-upon-Tweed Bus Station—STG has separately marketed for sale its half interest in the property which is jointly owned with Northumbria Buses.
  216

  Environmental Protection Act 1990
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implementation in Scotland of notification of proscribed processes under part B block 1 authorisations of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: Part IV of schedule 3 of the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1991 SI 1991 No. 472, prescribes for "part B" processes in Scotland by reference to blocks of process descriptions, the dates from which application may be made for authorisation to carry on an existing process. Applications were to be submitted for the first block no earlier than 1 April 1992 and not later than 31 July 1992. Therefore, to carry out a block 1 process after 31 July 1992 without applying for an authorisation under section 6 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is an offence under the Act.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the change in full-time employment and unemployment in numbers and percentage terms since she assumed her present office; and what estimate she has made of the consequential effect on the Government's finances.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Employment estimates are produced quarterly for the months of March, June, September and December. Between March 1992 and December 1992 there was a fall of 735,000, or 4 per cent., in full-time employment in Great Britain.

  In the period April 1992 to March 1993 seasonally adjusted claimant unemployment in the United Kingdom increased by 251,000 or 9 per cent.

  There has been no assessment of the effects of the changes in full-time employment and unemployment on Government finances.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of unemployed people in March 1990; and what is it now.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In March 1990, on the seasonally adjusted basis, there were 1,597,800 claimant unemployed in the United Kingdom compared with 2,940,800 in March 1993.

  Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in rank order, the unemployment rates within travel-to-work areas in the United Kingdom during each of the last three quarters.

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

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications to add human genes to animals have been made to the Health and Safety Executive since 1987; from whom these applications were made; and whether permission was granted.
  217
  Mr. McLoughlin
  None. Some work of this type has undoubtedly taken place but has not fallen into categories which are specifically notifiable in advance or which require consent.

  COSHH Regulations
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 the number of informations laid, the number of progress notices and the number of improvement notices served by the local authorities under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Health and Safety Executive co-ordinates voluntary returns on health and safety enforcement action from local authorities. The number of informations laid by local authorities under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations was none in 1990–91 and 18 in the year 1991–92. The returns provide the total number of improvement and prohibition notices, but do not distinguish the topic of the notice.

  Career Development Loans
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information she has derived from the sample of trainees who have taken out career development loans on the proportion of them who secured employment within(a) three months and (b) six months.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Career development loan follow-up questionnaires are sent out to a 20 per cent. random sample of trainees three months after completing their training. Results from this follow-up show that, over the 1992–93 financial year, 69 per cent. had obtained jobs immediately following training. A further 4 per cent. went on to take further training.

  As no further questionnaires are sent out, it is not possible to provide information on those obtaining jobs after six months.

  Staff Regrading
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to regrade her Department's staff with resultant staff surpluses at certain grades; if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In the light of experience, certain aspects of advisory work in the Employment Service are being regraded. As a consequence, there will be a temporary surplus of some executive officer personnel. Pending their redeployment such staff that are surplus will undertake work of more junior grade on a temporary basis, albeit at their existing salary.

  Training Schemes
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were participating in(a) employment training, (b) employment action, (c) the
  218
  enterprise allowance scheme and (d) youth training in each region and for Great Britain as a whole in each month since December 1991; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  As the information is contained within a number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of employment training participants in March 1990 and at the latest available date.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In March 1990 there were 210,000 people on employment training in Great Britain and 135,000 in March 1993.

  Training Credits
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what research has been undertaken by her Department into the feasibility of offering Government-funded training credits to all persons aged 16 years to meet the learning costs of approved courses.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Youth credits are already available in 20 areas of Britain and the Government's aim is that in 1996 every 16 and 17-year-old leaving full-time education will have the offer of a credit. The Department has a programme of research to evaluate youth credits schemes, to help identify good practice emerging from operational experience, encourage continuous improvement, and inform consideration of any proposals to use a credits funding mechanism in other circumstances.

  Radiation ETmergencies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations she has received in regard to the implementation of SI, 1992, No. 2997, Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not received any representations recently on this matter.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what investigations her Department has been subject by the Data Protection Registrar in relation to a suspected breach of a data protection principle; if she will summarise the nature of each complaint and state when the complaint was made; and what remedial action was taken by her Department to ensure future compliance with the principle subject to the investigation.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In the Employment Department Group 16 cases of suspected breach of a data protection principle have been investigated by the Data Protection Registrar since November 1987 when rules on "subject access" came into force. The following table consists of a summary of the 16 cases giving details of dates, nature of complaint and remedial action taken.
  219

  Summary of investigations by the Data Protection Registrar

  Date and Part of EDG

  Nature of complaint

  Remedial action taken

  November 1987 (ED HQ)

  Subject access request answer not received within the 40 days time (Principle 7)

  New circular issued to staff placing more emphasis on time limit. Re-issue of instructions to staff to improve communications.

  9 February 1989 (ES)

  A client was visited at home by ES staff. Later he was handed a printout found by a neighbour which had on it his benefit record and written information of a sensitive nature, ie, he had been in prison (Principle 8)

  Case was upheld and an ex gratia payment was made to the client. Two internal investigations were carried out and the recommendations were accepted.

  (a) ES appointed a central DP co-ordinator with sole responsibility for DP issues;

  (b) A personal message on staff responsibilities under DP was sent to all staff by the Permanent Secretary;

  (c) Personal copies of a DP pamphlet were sent to all ES staff.

  6 April 1989 (ED HQ)

  Caller supplied telephone number to office so that officer could return her call. The number is ex-directory, but she received a call from another Department. Concerned that the number was being held on computer by departments as personal data (Principle 8)

  DE Data Protection Officer confirmed with offices concerned that no automated/paper means was used to keep information given. Written confirmation was sent to the Registrar's office to reply to the person making the complaint.

  1 February 1990 (ES)

  A client complained that ES did not respond to a subject access request within 40 days (Principle 7)

  Investigation showed that no request had been received. Arrangements were made to send details. No action required.

  3 May 1990 (ES)

  A client complained that the inclusion of his NINO in the details shown in the window of his Giro envelope warranted an unauthorised disclosure of personal information (Principle 8)

  The NINO information was removed from the windows of the envelopes.

  8 June 1990 (ES)

  A client complained that he did not receive an answer to a subject access request (Principle 7)

  Investigations showed that a reply had been sent within the required time. Further information was sent. No action required.

  23 November 1990 (HSE)

  A request for personal data was not immediately identified as a subject access request, and a breakdown in the administrative procedures within the personnel section delayed a response within the time limits (Principle 7)

  Apology and copy of personal data sent to complainant. System managers reminded of action and time scale for dealing with subject access requests. Personnel system instructed to make changes to their administrative procedures.

  24 January 1991 (ES)

  A client claimed that:

  Investigations showed that ES had responded to his requests within required limits and given him all information that was needed. No action required.

  (a) He did not receive a response to a subject access request;

  (b) The printout received after a "second" request was not within the 40 days;

  (c) He was not given all his personal information; and

  (d) Said that the printout was not accompanied by an explanatory note. (Principle 7)

  28 January 1991 (ES)

  (Same client as 24 January 1991) After another complaint the Register asked:

  Further investigations showed that ES had complied the Act. The Registrar was informed of details. No action required.

  (a) Are ES holding information for a specific period for the client?

  (b) Was this data sent to the client on request?

  (c) Why was the client given the information shown on the attached printout? (Principle 7)

  5 June 1991 (ES)

  A client complained that his benefit details had been disclosed to the tutor at his "Restart" course (Principle 8)

  No action required. ES were authorised to make this type of disclosure.

  12 September 1991 (ES)

  A client complained that an ES application form said that information would be given to "relevant organisations". This is vague. What is "relevant" and how do ES decide? (Principle 8)

  No action required. "Relevant organisations' were listed in registrations. ES decided on "relevance" by giving info to companies who notified them of vacancies.

  27 November 1991 (ES)

  A client complained that an ES employee had found his address through unauthorised use of the ES computer system (Principle 8)

  Complaint upheld - ES staff member given three-year disciplinary penalty. No action required as investigation showed that this was an isolated incident and staff were aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

  220 221

  Date and Part of EDG

  Nature of complaint

  Remedial action taken

  18 December 1991 (ES)

  That ES was asking on the subject access request form for the DP registration number. The Registrar thought that this could give the impression that ES were trying to "frustrate" rather than "facilitate" those making requests (Principle 7)

  Although it was on the form we did not require the information to process a request. If the client could say where the contact was with ES that was sufficient. The form has now been amended.

  6 February 1992 (ES)

  A client made a subject access request and then wrote to the Registrar claiming inaccuracies in the printout. The Registrar asked for details of the client so that the claims could be checked (Principle 7)

  ES sent the Registrar the requested details. Client's claims were unfounded. No action required.

  5 June 1992 (ES)

  A client alleged that the ES never replied to a subject access request although he was verbally told that it was being dealt with (Principle 7)

  Investigations showed that no request had been received. The Registrar and ES followed up with the client, but he never responded to the letters. No action required.

  23 December 1992 (ES)

  A client was dissatisfied with the information given on the data protection printout. He claimed that it was incorrect, ie, it showed he was paid benefit when he was not (Principle 7)

  Printout was correct. The dates concerned showed periods of signing on and not payment. No action required.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Textiles and Clothing
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next intends to meet representatives of the British textile and clothing industries to discuss the state of the industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has no immediate plans to do so. However, my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade met representatives of the Apparel, Knitting and Textile Alliance yesterday.

  One-stop Shops
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress with the one-stop shops initiative.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Six areas have been chosen to run the
  first pilots. The areas are Birmingham, Halton—north Cheshire—Hertfordshire, Manchester, south and east Cheshire and Tyneside. There are a further nine areas where plans are in an advanced stage. This will bring the number of one-stop shops to around 50.

  I am determined that we should build on the momentum which has already been achieved and move as quickly as possible towards a full one-stop shop network.

  Enterprise Initiative
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his Department's plans for the development of the enterprise initiative.

  Mr. Heseltine
  My officials are working with the training and enterprise councils and pilot one-stop shops to develop and trial a range of new services which will build on and ultimately succeed the consultancy scheme element of the enterprise initiative package.

  Heavy Electrical Goods
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the United Kingdom's principal export markets for heavy electrical goods.
  222
  Mr. Needham
  The United Kingdom's principal markets for such goods in recent years have been the USA, Germany and other countries within the European Community. I understand that several large contracts have also been concluded recently with countries in the Pacific rim area.

  Design Council
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work of the regional offices of the Design Council.

  Mr. Leigh
  The Design Council's regional network plays an important part in ensuring that both its services to industry and its educational activities are made more accessible to firms and institutions. The one-stop shops initiative recognises the need to simplify industry's access to a variety of services, including those offered by the council.

  Exports
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work of his Department in promoting the exports of British goods and services to particular markets.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of Trade and Industry, working jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is wholly committed to helping more United Kingdom companies to win in world markets. The changes announced last week by my right hon. Friend will reinforce our efforts, and provide a clearer focus to our export promotion work. The DTI is gearing up to provide its best ever service to exporters.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when financial assistance to offset the consequences of colliery closures will be available in Nottinghamshire.

  Mr. Eggar
  Details of the regeneration measures proposed for the Nottinghamshire coalfield areas were announced by the relevant Departments and agencies concerned on Thursday 13 May. The Secretary of State for
  223
  Transport also announced on 6 May support of £6·5 million from coal regeneration funds for the Robin Hood line.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the chairman of British Coal to discuss the effects of pit closures.

  Mr. Heseltine
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and I meet the chairman of British Coal as necessary to discuss a wide range of issues concerning the coal industry.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the latest situation regarding pit closures.

  Mr. Eggar
  Decisions on pit closures are a matter for British Coal, after consultation with the unions.

  British Coal Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the trustees of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

  Mr. Eggar
  I am meeting the trustees of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme tomorrow, Thursday 20 May.

  EC Product Safety Directive
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to implement the EC general product safety directive in full.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department intends to publish a consultation document on the implementation of this directive in the early autumn. The document will contain, and seek comments on, the draft implementing regulations. It will also contain guidance notes on the interpretation of the legislation. The timing of the next steps will depend on the outcome of the consultation, but I am confident that the United Kingdom will implement the legislation by the date laid down in the directive.

  Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in the level of imports over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Needham
  In 1992, the volume of imports increased by 5·9 per cent.

  With the completion of the single market at the end of 1992, routine border requirements and formalities were abolished for trade within the European Community. Customs declarations—the source of trade statistics until December 1992—are no longer required. A new system is being introduced but, at present, it is not possible to provide figures for trade with the European Community for January 1993 onwards.

  In the 12 months to March 1993, the volume of imports from non-EC countries increased by 8·9 per cent.

  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet his American counterpart to discuss further action to bring the current GATT round to a conclusion.
  224
  Mr. Heseltine
  I currently have no firm plans for a further meeting with United States trade representative Kantor whom I met on 31 March.

  Shareholders (Disclosure of Information)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has any plans to meet the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the current regulations relating to disclosure of information to shareholders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department has regular contact with the Confederation of British Industry on company law matters.

  Small Businesses (Banks' Policies)
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to meet representatives of the clearing banks to discuss their policies towards small businesses.

  Mr. Leigh
  Ministers in this Department have frequent meetings with representatives of the clearing banks to discuss their policies towards small businesses and we will continue to do so.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he plans to meet representatives of the clearing banks in order to discuss support for small businesses.

  Mr. Leigh
  Ministers in this Department have frequent meetings with representatives of the clearing banks to discuss their support for small businesses and we will continue to do so.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest balance of trade in manufactured goods.

  Mr. Needham
  In 1992, the United Kingdom deficit in manufactured goods was £7·6 billion.

  With the completion of the single market at the end of 1992, routine border requirements and formalities were abolished for trade within the European Community. Customs declarations—the source of trade statistics until December 1992—are no longer required. A new system is being introduced but, at present, it is not possible to provide figures for trade with the European Community for January 1993 onwards.

  In the 12 months to March 1993, the United Kingdom had a deficit in manufactured goods of £5·3 billion with non-EC countries.

  Non-United Kingdom Corporations
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many non-United Kingdom corporations operating branch plants in this country also operate major research and development establishments in this country.

  Mr. Leigh
  My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau is aware of 139 research and development facilities set up by overseas-owned companies in the United Kingdom. This figure is based on information provided by the
  225
  companies at the time of the announcement to invest. There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figure includes only those projects where the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. It takes no account of subsequent developments.

  Company Directors (Honours)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken to give recognition to the contributions to public life of chairmen and managing directors of companies.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My Department is among those which make recommendations to the Prime Minister for honours to be awarded to a wide range of individuals whose contributions in their main occupations and in voluntary service are particularly meritorious.

  EC Trade Deficit
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the EC's total deficit in trade with the rest of the world in 1992; and by what percentage this figure has increased or decreased over the previous five and 10 years.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The latest annual data are for 1991. For 1991, the EC had a trade deficit of £49·4 billion with exports of £296·9 million and imports of £346·3 million. This compares with a surplus of £4·9 billion in 1986 and a deficit of £29·3 billion in 1981. As the trade balance moves between deficit and surplus it is inappropriate to show percentage changes.

  Liverpool Airport
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to meet officials of the Liverpool airport to discuss developments at Speke.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The President of the Board of Trade has no current plans to meet officials of Liverpool airport. Nor has any such meeting been sought.

  Environmental Damage (Civil Liability)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the Council of Europe proposal for a convention on civil liabilities for environmental damage to be opened for signature in June.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply. We are currently considering this convention and will announce our policy towards it in due course.

  THORP
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if it is Government policy to await the establishment of an international plutonium store before the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield is granted a licence to operate.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. Strict controls operate over the shipment of plutonium from United Kingdom reprocessing plants. These arrangements are quite separate from the 226
  nuclear site licence and discharge authorisations that may be required by any nuclear site. No plutonium will be shipped from Sellafield unless the Government are satisfied that it will not be misused.

  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries his Department has undertaken into financial irregularities within British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.

  Mr. Eggar
  BNFL has recently passed a file of evidence about individuals benefiting from certain BNFL maintenance contracts to the Cheshire constabulary. Any further investigation is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc and the police.

  DEMOS
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total sum paid to businesses under the DTI's environmental management options scheme since its introduction; and what plans he has for its continuance.

  Mr. Eggar
  Since the introduction of DEMOS in October 1990, a total of £2,677,125 has been committed to businesses for projects approved under the scheme.

  The scheme was designed to run for three years and is due to end formally on 30 September 1993. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment are currently considering what future support might be appropriate to encourage innovation in environmental technology. However, at present it is too early to say what the outcome of these discussions will be.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many businesses have succeeded in their applications for funding under DEMOS 491; and how many have been refused grant.

  Mr. Eggar
  The DTI's environmental management options scheme (DEMOS) has attracted 602 initial first stage applications, of which 180 have been rejected, 184 withdrew their applications, eight transferred to other schemes and 28 were asked to provide further information, but did not reply.

  Two hundred and two projects have been invited to submit more detailed second stage proposals under DEMOS. Of the 66 that have submitted these proposals, 16 projects have been funded, with grants being committed to 31 businesses. In addition, some of these projects will involve the collaboration of organisations that will not receive DEMOS funding, such as local authorities. Forty-three of the projects which submitted second stage proposals were rejected.

  The remainder of those invited to the second stage have either withdrawn or transferred to other schemes.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the names of businesses funded under DEMOS 491 showing the amount of grant paid.

  Mr. Eggar
  Two hundred and two projects have been invited to submit a more detailed second stage proposal under DEMOS. Of those that have submitted these proposals, 13 projects have been funded, with grants being committed to the following business:
  227

  Companies awarded DEMOS gram

  Grant £

  British Textile Technology Group

  40,000

  Zinc Development Association

  7,250

  Textile Finishers Association

  10,686

  PW Greenhaulgh and Co. Ltd.

  33,578

  Tack Lea Works Ltd.

  33,578

  CV Woven Fabrics Ltd.

  33,578

  CV Home Furnishings Ltd.

  33,578

  Expitaxial Products International Ltd.

  42,476

  Edwards High Vacuum International Ltd.

  79,389

  Repak Ltd.

  258,281

  Yorkshire Electricity

  8,100

  Fosse Ltd.

  264,000

  T and D Ltd.

  15,000

  Bridgewater Paper Company Ltd.

  2,500

  Metal Finishers Association

  5,000

  Tame Valley Alloys Ltd.

  309,256

  Air Products plc

  28,570

  Environmental Air Filtration Ltd.

  16,835

  Drinkwater Sabey Ltd.

  283,000

  WS Atkins Consultants Ltd.

  245,300

  Motherwell Bridge Envirotec Ltd.

  141,786

  Environmental Energy Ltd.

  15,730

  South West Water plc

  409,000

  TOTAL

  2,325,471

  There are an additional three projects consisting of eight businesses which have also been offered grants amounting to £351,654. However, as the applicants have not yet formally accepted the offers, information on these companies is currently commercially confidential.

  National Consumer Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will meet the National Consumer Council to discuss its proposals relating to international trade.

  Mr. Needham
  I will be arranging a meeting with the National Consumer Council to discuss its proposals on international trade.

  Genetic. Engineering
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many patent applications have been received since 1985 for new microbes, plants and animals containing altered genes; what they were for; and which ones were approved.

  Mr. Leigh
  Patent applications in the field of genetic engineering invariably involve modification of the host. Microbes are, by far, the most common form of host, and it would be disproportionately expensive to ascertain the

  £ million

  Outturn

  Estimate

  Provision

  Plans

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  21995–96

  Technology Transfer

  DTI1

  96·4

  90·2

  103·4

  92·5

  94·2

  92·3

  85·9

  —

  Former DEn

  9·6

  9·0

  12·3

  10·5

  12·5

  14·3

  15·4

  —

  106·0

  99·2

  115·7

  103·0

  106·7

  106·6

  101·3

  —

  Industrial Innovation1

  94·3

  74·5

  67·6

  82·0

  85·9

  92·3

  104·5

  —

  1 Figures relate to DTI expenditure plans prior to April 1992 before the (partial) merger with the former Department of Energy.

  2 Figures for 1995–96 will be published in the 1993 annual review shortly.

  228
  precise number. The number of applications relating to plants and animals is far fewer. There have been six published applications relating to plants, on which patent have been granted for five. These relate to the introduction of self-pollinating characteristics, herbicide resistance, disease resistance and male sterility. There have been seven published applications relating to animals, patents having been granted on three. These relate to sheep which produce stronger wool, genetically identical cattle and the introduction of genes to produce therapeutic proteins. This investigation has been restricted to those applications filed under the Patents Act 1977 which have proceeded at least to publication.

  Benefits (Automatic Transfer)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many post offices his Department expects to close if DSS payments, including pensions, are changed to automatic credit transfer; and if he will make a statement on the trial currently being undertaken.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: Government policy is to encourage the take-up of ACT on a voluntary basis. We do not expect that this policy will lead to post office closures. Three different versions of the retirement pension claim form were piloted by the Benefits Agency and the results of their trial are being assessed at present.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the chief executive of the Post Office concerning future plans for payment of social security benefits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: Both my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I meet the chief executive of the Post Office from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Technology and Innovation
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide figures for expenditure for his Department for(a) technology transfer and (b) industrial innovation (i) for the past five years and (ii) as projected for the next three years.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 10 May 1993]: Details of expenditure by the Department of Trade and Industry in the categories requested are available from the Cabinet Office's annual review of Government-funded research and development 1991 and 1992. The figures are:
  229

  Vista UDM
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place between British Coal's head of mine service centres and Vista UDM regarding maintenance contracts for proposed recycling plants at Silverhill and Cotgrave collieries.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: This is a matter for the parties concerned.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed takeover of British Coal collieries by Vista UDM;

  (2) how his Department has been involved in discussions with Vista UDM or British Coal on the future of the mine service centres at Shafton, Bestwood, Tursdale and Ashington.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: This is a matter for British Coal. I welcome any serious proposals to take over collieries which British Coal no longer wishes to operate. I know that Vista UDM is in discussions with British Coal over the proposals and I have also met Vista UDM to hear about its proposals.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place between William Hayes, the head of British Coal's mine service centres, and Vista UDM regarding work for Bestwood and Tursdale mine service centres.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: This is a matter for the parties concerned.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive a copy of the report commissioned by British Coal on the future of the four mine service centres.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: This is a matter for British Coal.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received regarding the future of British Coal's mine service centres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 18 May 1993]: The Government have received a number of representations concerning the future of mine service centres.

DEFENCE

  Jungle Training
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to the British Army of jungle training in(a) Belize and (b) Borneo in the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Costs of jungle training in Belize are not separately identifiable from the overall costs of the garrison without disproportionate cost. No jungle training takes place in Borneo, but the costs of jungle training in Brunei, not including travel, were £2,300,000 in 1989–90, £1,900,000 in 1990–91 and £2,300,000 in 1991–92.
  230

  Armaments Orders
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has placed with SPEL and EXPRA in Portugal for armaments since 1979.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has no records of placing any contracts with either of these companies in the last three years. Records for previous years could be checked only at disproportionate cost.

  Consar
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has placed with Consar of Italy since 1979.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has no records of placing any contracts with this company in the last three years. Records for previous years could be checked only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to publish information relating to emergency contingency plans in the event of a nuclear weapons transport accident in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Such information was provided in December 1992 in a document entitled "Local Authority and Emergency Service Information on Nuclear Weapon Transport Contingency Plans" which has been distributed to all civil emergency services and local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Non-Proliferation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who his representatives are at the New York preparatory conference on 10 to 14 May for the 1993 international review of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department was represented at the preparatory committee for the 1995 conference of the parties to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by two officials from the defence arms control unit.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are to be made to enable all holders of the Atlantic Star to participate in the march past being held in Liverpool to commemorate the battle of the Atlantic.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Arrangements for the battle of the Atlantic march past in Liverpool have been co-ordinated by the Royal Naval Association—in conjunction with Army and RAF veterans' associations —in the case of ex-service personnel, and by the Chamber of Shipping, in the case of merchant seamen. Any veterans who have not been contacted by these or other veterans' organisations and who wish to join the march past may, either as individuals or as representatives of groups, apply to the "drop-in centre" at Cunard building, Liverpool during the mornings of 16 to 28 May. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis after fitness to march has been assessed.
  231

  Empty Properties, Biggin Hill
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, columns 457–58, on residential properties at Biggin Hill, what is the total housing stock belonging to his Department at Biggin Hill; and if those being sold have been offered to housing associations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department owns a total of 145 residential properties at Biggin Hill. A one-year lease on the 73 surplus properties was offered to housing associations but was not taken up. The properties are now being marketed and housing associations will be invited to bid for them.
  232

  Helicopters Landing Platform
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work to start on the recently ordered landing platform for helicopters; and when he expects the vessel to be in operation with the Royal Navy.

  Mr Aitken
  Design work on the LPH commenced with the award of contract. Fabrication of the vessel is due to begin in the middle of next year with acceptance from the shipbuilder due in 1997. The ship will become operational in early 1998 following a period of trials.

  IRAQ: ATTACKS ON AWENA VILLAGE
  IRAQ: ATTACKS ON AWENA VILLAGE
  ERITREA: INDEPENDENCE
  ERITREA: INDEPENDENCE
  ERITREA: BRITISH COUNCIL PROGRAMME
  ERITREA: BRITISH COUNCIL PROGRAMME
  IRAQ: CURRENCY CHANGES AND THE KURDISH POPULATION
  IRAQ: CURRENCY CHANGES AND THE KURDISH POPULATION
  FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE: FUTURE
  FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE: FUTURE
  MR. JAMES HOGG
  MR. JAMES HOGG
  GENERAL PRACTITIONERS: SCHOOL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
  GENERAL PRACTITIONERS: SCHOOL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
  BIRTHS IN THE NHS: AVERAGE COSTS
  BIRTHS IN THE NHS: AVERAGE COSTS
  RUSSIAN COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL
  RUSSIAN COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL
  AGENCIES: PENALTIES FOR UNMET TARGETS
  AGENCIES: PENALTIES FOR UNMET TARGETS
  FINES: RECEIPTS
  FINES: RECEIPTS