Written Answers of 4 November 1993

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy, when considering publicly releasing documents submitted to the Scott inquiry by officials or former Ministers of his Department, on consulting Lord Justice Scott.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is the policy of this Department that all relevant papers from FCO files are submitted to Lord Justice Scott on request from the inquiry. The Department has also volunteered additional relevant papers.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of fighting in and around Sarajevo during the past month; how many breaches of the ceasefire there have been during that period; and if he will list the identities of parties who initiated the breach of ceasefire on each occasion where such information is available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The level of fighting in Sarajevo continues to fluctuate. Both the Bosnian Government forces and the Bosnian Serbs have initiated attacks. There are no precise details on the numbers of ceasefire breaches and which party was responsible for them.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attempts have been made by the United Nations to maintain or repair the electricity supply installations around Sarajevo during the past fortnight; what was the result; what representations have been made about hindrance to the work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations protection force and the parties to the conflict are in constant touch about repairing utilities in Sarajevo. UNPROFOR engineers work hard to repair and maintain utilities, including electricity, when local conditions permit and the warring parties allow safe access.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment is made on a daily or weekly basis of the level of fighting throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina; which areas are currently under the most intense conflict; which areas have been under the most intense conflict during the past month; which of the ethnic communities are principally involved in military clashes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We receive regular reports of the situation on the ground in Bosnia from a number of sources, including the United Nations, British 302
  UNPROFOR troops and the European Community monitor mission. The conflict remains widespread in many areas in Bosnia. The most intense fighting in recent months has taken place in central Bosnia between Bosnian Government forces and the Bosnian Croats. We also remain particularly concerned about continued fighting between the Bosnian Government and the Bosnian Serbs around Sarajevo and the Muslim enclaves in eastern Bosnia.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions are required from(a) the Belgrade Government to ensure removal, or part removal, of United Nations and European Community sanctions and (b) the Croatian Government to avoid the implementation of either United Nations or European Community sanctions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Nations Security Council resolution 820 envisages a review of sanctions after the Bosnian parties have reached a peace settlement and the Bosnian Serbs are judged to be co-operating in good faith with its implementation. EC Foreign Ministers also declared on 5 April that there could be gradual lifting of sanctions if the Bosnian Serbs met these conditions. Croatia remains on notice that it faces the threat of withdrawal of preferential EC trading benefits unless it co-operates with international efforts to resolve the conflicts in Bosnia and Croatia and uses its influence with the Bosnian Croats to ensure that they also co-operate.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans have been made for a new round of peace talks in London concerning the current conflict in the fomer Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the possibility of another international conference in separate meetings with Dr. Boutros Ghali and Mr. Stoltenberg on 25 October. There was agreement that a conference, probably in Geneva, may be useful in guiding the parties towards a settlement once significant further progress has been made, but that it would be premature to hold such a conference now.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the circumstances surrounding the attack on United Nations aid personnel near Novi Travnik on 25 October; what were the circumstances of the attack; and what casualties were sustained.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Three convoys, two carrying United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees aid and one resupplying UNPROFOR, came under fire south of Novi Travnik while negotiating passage through an HVO checkpoint. One Danish UNHCR employee was killed and eight United Nations aid personnel were wounded. The United Nations is investigating the circumstances and its report will be available soon. In the meantime, the UNHCR has suspended convoys in central Bosnia.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions of the situation in the former Yugoslavia he had with the Secretary-General of the United Nations during their recent meeting; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary- General of the United Nations, Dr. Boutros Ghali, discussed a wide range of issues covering the peace prospects in Bosnia, plans to hold a further international conference, sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro and the humanitarian situation in former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the guidelines issued to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees airlift operations cell Geneva to cover the humanitarian airlift to Sarajevo.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The policy guidelines for movement into and out of Sarajevo by air are issued by UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. I have arranged for the hon. Member to receive a copy of the latest guidelines issued by UNHCR on 12 September.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he had with the authorities in Sarajevo before formulating the guidelines issued to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees airlift operations cell Geneva to cover the humanitarian airlift to Sarajevo.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The guidelines are formulated by UNHCR (Air Operations Cell) in consultation with UNPROFOR.

  Belgrade (Ambassador)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what date is envisaged for the return of the British ambassador to his post in Belgrade; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no plans at present to reappoint an ambassador to Belgrade.

  Montenegro
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement following his meeting with the Montenegrin Foreign Minister, Mr. Lekic.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I separately met the Montenegrin Foreign Minister on 25 October he assured us that his Government were trying to promote internal democracy and support efforts to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. Mr. Lekic also asked for a limited exemption from sanctions to help relieve a shortage of humanitarian supplies in Montenegro for refugees and the needy local population. We made it clear that the sanctions regime had to be rigorously enforced. We would, however, continue to support the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout former Yugoslavia, including Montenegro, whose humanitarian problems we recognised, on the basis of need.

  Armenia
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conclusions he has drawn from his recent visit to the Transcaucasus about the prospect of the economic blockade of Armenia being lifted.
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  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During my visit to the Transcaucasus I concluded that the humanitarian suffering caused by the conflicts in the region was growing worse. This points to the urgent need to resolve all disputes by negotiation.

  The blockade of Armenia is contributing to the hardship. We want to see it lifted just as we want to see the Armenian blockade of Nakichevan lifted. Both steps are essential if lasting peace is to be secured.

  EC Directives
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 663, if he will set out the considerations underlying the decision not to publish a list of EC directives that the Government believe should be amended or repealed as a result of the application of subsidiarity.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  In discussions with the Commission and other member states over recent months about putting the principle of subsidiarity into effect, we have put forward a number of suggestions of directives, in force or proposed, which we believe should be amended, repealed or withdrawn on subsidiarity grounds. We shall continue to develop our ideas. It would be misleading to publish a list which implied that we had reached the limit of suggestions which we have to contribute, nor would this help to achieve our negotiating objectives. Ministers regularly make clear to the House their views on particular directives and proposals.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community's Council of Ministers, 1993–94.

  Mr. Heathcoat Amory
  The following meetings are planned:

  5 November: Culture Council

  8 November: Education Council

  8–9 November: Foreign Affairs Council

  11 November: Internal Market Council

  15 November: Budget Council

  16–17 November: Agriculture Council

  18 November: Industry Council

  19 November: Consumer Council 22 November: ECOFIN Council

  22 November: Fisheries Council

  23 November: Social Affairs Council

  29–30 November: Transport Council

  29–30 November: Justice Council

  The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

  (a) Culture Council—5 November

  European City of Culture

  The economic aspects of culture and its role in creating employment

  Fixed book price and status of the artist: report by presidency on the informal meeting of Ministers

  Centenary of the cinema

  Evaluation of the media programme

  Information from the presidency on the Mons seminar of audio-visual Ministers followed by an exchange of views on the audio-visual sector and the GATT negotiations

  (b) Education Council/Meeting of Education Ministers—8 November

  Student mobility and access to higher education in the Community (9324/93)

  Green Paper on European dimension in education (COM(93)457 Final)

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  (c) Foreign Affairs Council—8–9 November

  Follow-up to 29 October European Council

  Access to information

  EP committees of inquiry

  Access negotiations: preparation of ministerial negotiating sessions

  Relations with Turkey: agreement on Community position for association council

  Stability Pact

  Ex-Yugoslavia

  South Africa

  Trade policy questions

  Uruguay round

  Trade policy instruments

  Relations with Switzerland

  Austria: state aid (possible)

  Relation with Russia: revision of negotiating mandate for partnership agreement

  Relation with Bulgaria: conclusion of interim agreement Relations with Morocco: negotiating mandate

  Relations with Israel: negotiating mandate (possible)

  (d) Internal Market Council—11 November

  Operation of the internal market (possible)

  Data protection (possible)

  Equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (possible) Personal protective equipment (possible)

  Motor cycle type approval directives (possible)

  Trans-European networks: declarations of European interest (possible)

  Directive 83/189 on technical standards and regulations (10898/92) (possible)

  Resolution on small and medium-sized enterprises

  European company statute (possible)

  (e) Budget Council—15 November

  1994 draft budget

  (f) Agriculture Council—16–17 November

  Agenda unavailable

  (g) Industry Council—18 November

  Steel Restructuring

  Possible decision on article 95 ECSC steel state aid cases ECSC funding

  Competition policy: annual competition report Commission presentation

  General follow-up to resolutions—aeronautics, automobiles, textiles and IT

  SPRINT—strategic programme for innovation and technology transfer

  (g) Consumer Council—19 November

  Timeshare directive—possible common position

  Distance selling directive—orientation debate

  Commission consumer action plan

  Amendment to directive 79/112/EEC on food labellingTransparency of cross-frontier payments

  Green Paper on access to justice (possible)

  Green Paper on guarantees and after-sales service

  (h) ECOFIN Council—22 November

  Preparation of the Brussels European Council (possible)

  EMU secondary legislation:

  consideration of EP opinions

  establishment of common positions on privileged access and monetary financing

  Commission White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment

  Broad guidelines of economic policy

  Community participation in the European investment fund (4382/93 COM(93)3)

  Relations with central and eastern Europe

  BCCI directive (8365/93 COM(93)363)

  UCITS (4901/93 COM(93)37)

  7th VAT directive (possible)

  (i) Fisheries Council-22 November

  Agenda unavailable

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  (j) Labour and Social Affairs Council—23 November

  Agenda unavailable

  (k) Transport Council—29–30 November

  Proposal for a "CARE" road safety data base

  Council conclusions on the Commission's road safety communication

  Transport to and from Greece

  Presentation of proposals on railway licensing and access to the network (possible)

  Relations with Switzerland

  Road haulage external relations mandate (possible)

  Inland waterways "Tour de Role" (possible)

  Presentation of proposal on transport of dangerous goods (possible)

  Air accidents investigation (plus possible follow-up to 27 September "Aviation Crisis" meeting)

  Training for seafarers

  Classification societies

  Relations with west Africa

  (1) Justice Council—29–30 November

  Various immigration/asylum items

  Extraction

  Europol and other TREVI items

  EC accession to ECHR

  The Cultural Affairs Council will meet on 5 November. Discussions will be on the European City of Culture and the economic aspects of culture and its role in creating employment. There will be a report by the Presidency on the informal meeting of Ministers on fixed book price and status of the artist. Ministers will discuss the centenary of the cinema and carry out an evaluation of the media programme. There will be information from the presidency on the Mons seminar of audio-visual Ministers followed by an exchange of views on the audio-visual sector and the GATT negotiations.

  The Education Council will meet on 8 November. There will be discussions and an exchange of views on student mobility and access to higher education in the Community, and on the Green Paper on the European dimension in education.

  There will be a Foreign Affairs Council on 8 and 9 November. The Council will discuss a Commission paper on the development of trade relations in a number of sectors with Switzerland, following its decision not to participate in the European economic area. Subject to the progress of talks with Austria, the Council may be asked to approve Commission proposals for action against state aids granted by Austria to two industrial projects. The FAC will discuss the lifting of some of the remaining sanctions imposed by the EC on South Africa. The Council will also consider the policy to be adopted towards South Africa between now and the establishment of a democratic government there, including a contribution to monitoring of the first full elections there next year. The Council will consider further the proposed pact on stability in Europe, and proposals to amend the current negotiating directives of an EC/Russia partnership and co-operation agreement. The Council will discuss conclusion of the EC/Bulgaria interim agreement. The agreement is intended to give early effect to those provisions of the EC/Bulgaria association agreement—signed 8 March 1993—that fall within the sole competence of the Community.

  The Internal Market Council will meet on 11 November. Discussions will be on TENS and the resolution on small and medium-sized enterprises. Also listed on the agenda for possible discussion is: operation of the internal market; data protection equipment for use in

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  explosive atmospheres; personal protective equipment; technical standards and regulations and European company statute.

  The Budget Council will meet on 15 November to consider the European Parliament's proposed amendments and modifications to the draft budget of the European Community for 1994.

  The Industry Council will meet on 18 November. The Council will be dominated by a discussion of the Spanish, Italian and German applications for aid for their steel industries under article 95 ECSC. Commissioner van Miert will give his annual report on competition matters.

  At the Consumer Affairs Council of 19 November, the Commission will give a presentation on its consumer action plan. It is possible that a common position on the timeshare directive will be reached at this Council. Issues to be discussed will be duration of cooling-off period, provisions for the protection of prohibition of deposit moneys, and provisions for purchasers to withdraw from timeshare contracts without penalty. Applicable law issues may also be discussed. As for the distance selling directive, it is not clear whether the original Council intention to have an orientation debate on policy issues arising from the latest text of the directive—submitted to Council on 13 October—will be carried over to 19 November. It may settle for a report on progress. The United Kingdom also wishes to discuss proposed ban on prepayment, and provision for cancellation of credit card transactions.

  The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 22 November. It is expected to consider preparation for the Brussels European Council discussion on economic issues; the question of Community participation in the European investment fund; the directive to make changes to existing EC financial services legislation in response to the collapse of Bank of Credit and Commerce International and the Maxwell affair; the amending directive on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS); and possibly Community financial assistance to central and eastern Europe and former Soviet Union. The Council may also consider a report from the Commission on progress with economic convergence and implementation of the single market legislation.

  The Fisheries Council will meet on 22 November. The agenda is not yet available.

  The Social Affairs Council will meet on 23 November. The agenda is not yet available.

  The Transport Council will meet on 19/30 November. Ministers will discuss the proposal for a "CARE" road safety data base and the Council conclusions on the Commission's road safety communication. Transport to and from Greece, relations with Switzerland, training for seafarers, classification societies and relations with west Africa will be discussed. There will possibly be a presentation of proposals on railway licensing and access to the network, and discussion on road haulage external relations mandate, inland waterways "Tour de Role" and air accidents investigation. There may also be a presentation of the proposal on transport of dangerous goods.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Brodsworth Hall
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the items of value to date that English Heritage has removed from Brodsworth hall, Brodsworth, near Doncaster, south Yorkshire, and placed in secure storage prior to them being replaced after the hall's renovation.

  Mr. Brooke
  Approximately 17,000 objects of historic importance, valued at around £3.5 million, have been inventoried and are in store. Producing a list of this size for publication is impractical in the time available. However, I understand that English Heritage has invited the hon. Member to visit Brodsworth hall, and that it would be happy to extend its invitation to cover the store and the work in progress at both sites.

  Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many public libraries of(a) more than 8,000 sq m, (b) between 2,000 and 8,000 sq m and (c) less than 2,000 sq m have been built in (i) the last three years, (ii) the last 10 years and (iii) the last 20 years.

  Mr. Sproat
  Information about new library openings is not collected centrally. Statistics collected by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy go back 20 years and include information on numbers of service points but do not include information on library size. The total number of mobile, central and branch libraries in England, open more than 10 hours a week, in 1991–92—the latest year for which figures are available—1982–83 and 1972–73 was 3,650, 3,598 and 3,486 respectively.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans Her Majesty's Government have to use public libraries to give the public access to(a) Government papers and (b) Government information.

  Mr. Sproat
  The responsibility for providing public library services, and for choosing their stock, rests with local library authorities. Official publications are clearly likely to be an important element of the comprehensive library and information service which library authorities must provide, and most of them stock an extensive range. Public libraries are also frequently used by Departments for disseminating official information.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many public libraries are open for 60 hours or more a week in(a) England and (b) London.

  Mr. Sproat
  The number of service points open for 60 hours or more a week in England and London at 31 March 1992—the latest date for which figures are available—was 14 and three respectively.

  Access is maximised by a pattern of libraries which are open where and when people wish to use them, not simply by aggregate hours.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what ways the views and experiences of(a) library users and (b) librarians are being (i) represented and (ii) canvassed in his review of libraries.

  Mr. Sproat
  The terms of reference of the public library review were drawn up following wide consultation of
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  professional librarians. Further extensive consultation during the course of the review will include the views of librarians and of users and non-users of the library service. In undertaking the review, the Department will be advised by an expert group of librarian members of my statutory advisory council—the Library and Information Services Council (England).

  Television Licence Fees
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the level of the television licence fees.

  Mr. Brooke
  Following a recommendation of the Peacock committee in 1986, the television licence fee was increased annually in line with retail prices index for the three years, April 1988 to April 1990. In 1990, independent consultants, Price Waterhouse, identified potential savings of £203 million which they believed could be achieved by the BBC over the five-year period, 1991 to 1996, without any reduction in service.

  In the light of the consultants' report, the Government adopted a five-year licence fee strategy. This involved an increase of 3 per cent. below RPI in April 1991, followed by annual increases at RPI over the next four years, but with a commitment to reassess the position before the fee increase due in April 1994.

  On 21 June this year, I announced the appointment of independent consultants, Touche Ross, to advise me on the BBC's progress in achieving the efficiency and revenue gains identified by Price Waterhouse in 1990; on the scope for further, additional savings; and, on whether the RPI linkage continued to be appropriate for the next three years.

  Touche Ross reported to me at the end of August, and a management summary of its report is being published today by HMSO. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The full report will not be published because it contains material which is commercially sensitive to the BBC.

  The good news for licence payers is that the consultants concluded that the BBC had done well to manage its financial position during a time of considerable change. The consultants found that the BBC has pursued opportunities to make savings and efficiency improvements in a rigorous and effective manner, and I congratulate the BBC on the progress it has made.

  Touche Ross put forward a range of options for setting the level of the licence fee over the next three years, including setting the fee below RPI in two of the next three years. Its report welcomed the introduction of the "Producer Choice" initiative on 1 April this year, but noted the need for caution in setting the licence fee, because the full impact of the initiative on the BBC's costs was riot yet known.

  The Government have decided, in the light of the report, that for the next three years changes in the licence fee should continue to be set at the level of RPI changes. This will enable the BBC to channel savings into programmes and, over the next three years, allow the BBC steadily to reduce and largely eliminate its annual borrowing.

  The licence payer will benefit directly from the additional and better programmes which this settlement will allow, and the BBC will benefit from being able to plan on a sound base before the expiry of the present. Royal
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  charter at the end of 1996. We are considering how the BBC should be financed in the longer term, as part of our review of the corporation's future.

  In recent years, the April licence fee increase has been based on the RPI figures published in the preceding September. This means that the television licence fee will rise by 1.8 per cent. from 1 April 1994. The colour licence will therefore increase from £83 to £84.50, and a black and white licence will now cost £28, a rise of 50p. The necessary regulations giving effect to the increase will be laid before the House in due course.

  Transfrontier Television
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he intends to submit his report to the European Commission on the implementation of articles 4 and 5 of the European directive on transfrontier television; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The report is being submitted today, and I am placing a copy in the House Libraries. It shows that the great majority of television programming seen in the United Kingdom is of European origin. In particular, the terrestrial channels have each broadcast around 70 per cent. European material and have met in full the requirement to broadcast a proportion of programming independently produced within the Community. These channels continue to account for over 90 per cent. of viewing as assessed by television ratings.

  Many of the new satellite channels licensed in the United Kingdom have also reached the targets set in the directive both for European content and for independently produced material. This is very encouraging and vindicates our efforts to encourage diversity and choice in the United Kingdom broadcasting market.

  The report also shows, however, that a number of other broadcasters have yet to meet the targets for European and independently produced material referred to in the directive. While it may not be practicable for all of these broadcasters to meet these levels, I am particularly disappointed by the performance of some broadcasters who have fallen well short. All broadcasters licensed in the United Kingdom are bound by the requirements of the directive. As a first step, we shall be writing to all the relevant broadcasters to ask why they have not met the requirements of the directive, what level of European and independently produced material it would be practicable for them to transmit, and over what period of time they could progressively achieve these levels.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions have taken place in Wales since 1988 under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts in respect of vessels that fish for profit.

  Mr. Jack
  Since 1988, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's sea fisheries inspectorate has not undertaken any prosecutions in Wales under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts in respect of vessels fishing for profit while unregistered.
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  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of his Department's fishery officers of the inspectorate of fisheries are responsible for enforcement work on licences around the coast of Wales.

  Mr. Jack
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's sea fisheries inspectorate currently has five officers based in Wales—two at Milford Haven and three at Caernarvon—whose responsibilities include licensing of the fishing vessels and related enforcement.

  Cattle Diseases
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase there has been in incidents of(a) brucellosis and (b) warble fly infection in cattle since 1 January; to what extent these incidents have been caused by imported cattle; and if she will make a statement on the measures she is taking.

  Mr. Soames
  Brucella abortus has been isolated from cattle on one farm this year and serological evidence of infection found on a further nine farms up to the end of October. This is the first isolation of brucella abortus in Great Britain since 1990 but positive serological reactions, which may have been caused by cross reaction with another organism, were found on 12 farms in 1992. The origin of the last outbreak is still under investigation. Action is being taken to trace any animals which have been in contact with the infected cattle and to prevent the spread of infection.

  Clinical cases of serological evidence of warble fly were recorded on 107 premises in Great Britain in 1993 compared with none in 1992. All the cases recorded in 1993 were directly linked to imported cattle. Seventy-one of the premises have been released from all controls following satisfactory treatment. The remaining 36 premises will be released from controls when compulsory autumn treatment has been completed. We have been in touch with the French authorities and have received assurances from them that they will not certify for export animals showing clinical signs of warble fly infestation. We are also seeking further safeguards from the Community to prevent the importation of cattle in which the infestation is not yet clinically evident and are reassessing the role of compulsory post-import treatment.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cattle diseases have reappeared in the United Kingdom since 1 January; how this has come about; and what action is being taken to prevent the importation of cattle diseases from other parts of the EC.

  Mr. Soames
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 3 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson).

  Ewe Annual Premium
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in England are currently eligible for ewe annual premium payments; how many claims for payment have been received; how many have been paid; and when any outstanding claims will be paid.

  Mr. Jack
  I have no figures regarding the number of sheep farmers who are eligible to apply. some 42,700 312
  claims have been received under the 1993 scheme and about 29,600 have been paid the first and second advances and less-favoured area supplement where appropriate. Outstanding eligible claims will be paid as soon as possible.

  Prairie Dogs
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what are the current regulations on the control of prairie dogs; and what assessment she has made of whether they are adequate to contain their spread;

  (2) what is the estimated United Kingdom population of prairie dogs living in the wild.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry is not aware of any populations of prairie dogs outside captivity within the United Kingdom, other than the small and undetermined numbers reported on the Isle of Wight. Those on the Isle of Wight are reported to be escapees from a wildlife park. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, to release or allow prairie dogs into the wild. Prairie dogs which have escaped from zoos or similar establishments are not protected under wildlife legislation and can be controlled by landowners or occupiers using any method not prohibited by the 1981 Act. Shooting or cage trapping and humane dispatch are two methods that could be used.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice she will give Isle of Wight farmers about controlling prairie dogs.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry has received no complaints of prairie dog damage from farmers or landowners on the Isle of Wight. Landowners and occupiers are free to use any legal method of control to deal with prairie dogs on their land. ADAS, the Ministry's wildlife advisers will, on request, give advice on the legal methods available and its services are being made available to the Medina borough council.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated annual cost of the damage caused by prairie dogs.

  Mr. Soames
  No reports of damage have been received by the Ministry and, therefore, no assessment can be made of the estimated annual cost of any such damage.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experience her Ministry has of controlling the spread of prairie dogs in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry has not been involved with the control of the spread of prairie dogs in this country as this is the responsibility of landowners and occupiers. Nevertheless, ADAS, the Ministry's wildlife advisers, has experience in dealing with a variety of animal species where these have posed problems to farmers and others and it will draw on this experience in offering any advice.

  Organophosphorus Dips
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent site has had advice from the Veterinary Products Committee on the continued use of organophosphorus dips.
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  Mr. Soames
  The Veterinary Products Committee provides independent scientific advice to the licensing authority—the United Kingdom Agriculture and Health Ministers—on matters concerning the licensing of veterinary medicinal products, including organophosphorus sheep dips. Such advice, however, is not given to individual sites at which veterinary medicines may be used.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether she intends to discuss the use of drift nets over 2.5 km long at the Council of European Community Fisheries Ministers on 22 November.

  Mr. Jack
  The agenda for the November Council of Fisheries Ministers has not yet been settled by the Belgian presidency and so at this stage we are not certain if the issue will be discussed. Currently, no proposal for an extension of the derogation has been received.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many breaches of the United Nations ban on drift nets over 2.5 km long there have been in(a) United Kingdom territorial waters and (b) international waters during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Jack
  We are not aware of any cases of United Kingdom vessels breaching the drift net rules in any water. We have no information on infringements by vessels from other countries, European or otherwise.

  Waste Dumping at Sea
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 1 November,Official Report, column 42, what plans she has to publish further details of Her Majesty's Government's position in relation to issues to be considered at the London convention on 8 to 12 November in advance of the convention.

  Mr. Jack
  We have no plans to publish any further details in advance of this meeting.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice the Food Advisory Committee has given on the labelling of foods produced by genetically modified organisms.

  Mr. Soames
  The Food Advisory Committee has carefully considered possible criteria for the labelling of foods produced using genetically modified organisms—GM foods—and has consulted widely on the matter. It has also considered the report of the Committee on the Ethics of Genetic Modification and Food Use, chaired by the Reverend Dr. John Polkinghorne, 'which was published in September. It has now submitted its advice, a copy of which I am putting in the Library of the House.

  The Food Advisory Committee takes the view that it would be unrealistic to label every food whose product has involved genetic modification. It has however accepted that there should be provision for choice in relation to those foods which raise real concerns for a significant proportion of the population. It has therefore proposed that a GM food should be labelled if it:
  314

  (a) contains a copy gene originally derived from a human;

  (b) contains a copy gene originally derived from an animal which is the subject of religious dietary restrictions; or

  (c) is a plant or microbial material and containing a copy gene originally derived from an animal.

  These rules would not apply if the inserted copy gene had been destroyed by processing and was not, therefore, present in the food.

  I am grateful to the committee for its careful and thorough examination of the issues. It is continuing its work, in particular in the form of labelling that might be used. Meanwhile, its advice coincides very closely with that of the Polkinghorne committee and I propose to accept it. The Government will therefore seek provisions on these lines in the proposed novel foods regulation which is currently under discussion in Brussels. Since very few GM foods have yet come on the market and public understanding of the technique is still limited, we shall also seek a provision for a review in a few years' time.

  Cattle and Badgers
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has taken advice on the scientific work under way on cattle tuberculosis and badgers in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Soames
  Yes. We organised a scientific seminar on 3 November when scientists from Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Repulic of Ireland were able to present a report on the current state of their work to both the Ministry and the consultative panel on badgers and bovine TB.

  I was present at the meeting and found it extremely useful. I am sure that it will make an invaluable contribution to developing our future approach to this complex area. We will continue to keep a close eye on the results of this highly important work.

  Wheat
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is her estimate of the reduction in acreage and wheat tonnage equivalent output of each EC country between the 1991–92 and 1992–93 growing seasons; and what plans she has to prevent further disadvantage to the United Kingdom in both acreage and tonnage terms.

  Mr. Jack
  A table showing the area planted and tonnage produced for wheat (excluding durum wheat) in each member state during the growing seasons 1991–92 and 1992–93, together with the percentage difference is attached. The figures provided are based on the United Kingdom Agricultural Departments' first estimate of the 1993 United Kingdom cereals harvest and the most recent EC Commission forecasts for all other member states.

  I shall continue to seek a fair deal for British cereal producers in the same way that achieved a defeat for the CAP reform proposals which would have resulted in 60 per cent. of our set-aside land being uncompensated compared to 34 per cent. in the rest of the Community. More recently, we negotiated an 18 per cent. non-rotational set-aside requirement for the United Kingdom compared to 20 per cent. in other member states.
  315

  EC wheat area and production—1991–92 and 1992–93 growing seasons

  Country

  Area (1,000 hectare)

  Per cent, change

  Production (1,000 tonnes)

  Percent, change

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Belgium and Luxembourg

  219

  200

  -8·7

  1,442

  1,300

  -9·8

  Denmark

  581

  610

  +5·0

  3,583

  4,392

  +22·6

  Germany

  2,582

  2,390

  -7·4

  14,473

  15,475

  +6·9

  Greece

  332

  307

  -7·5

  940

  900

  -4·3

  Spain

  1,669

  1,469

  -12·0

  3,197

  3,899

  +22·0

  France

  4,698

  4,397

  -6·4

  30,889

  28,909

  -6·4

  Ireland

  93

  70

  -24·7

  650

  500

  -23·1

  Italy

  988

  918

  -7·1

  4,632

  4,117

  -11·1

  Netherlands

  127

  118

  -7·1

  1,020

  920

  -9·8

  Portugal

  301

  265

  -12·0

  381

  495

  +29·9

  United Kingdom

  2,067

  1,762

  -14·8

  14,100

  12,900

  -8·5

  EC

  13,657

  12,506

  -8·5

  75,307

  73,807

  -2·0

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy in the restructuring of the Crown Prosecution Service that it should not result in the use of legally qualified personnel in purely administrative or supervisory functions.

  The Attorney-General
  A primary aim of the Crown Prosecution Service restructuring is to ensure that the skills of its lawyers are concentrated on those tasks that require the attention of legally qualified staff.

  A small number of lawyers may be employed for limited periods in administrative functions where this will contribute to their career development or where their experience as lawyers can make a helpful contribution to the management, administration or recruitment of legally qualified staff.

  Discontinued Court Cases
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Attorney-General how many criminal cases have been discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service(a) in the magistrates court and (b) in the Crown court, in the last available year.

  The Attorney-General
  During the 12 months ending June 1993, the CPS did not proceed with cases in respect of 191,622 defendants in magistrates courts, and 8,500 defendants in the Crown court.

  These figures comprise all such cases in the 13 CPS areas, but do not include the specialised casework undertaken by the headquarters of the service.

  War Crimes Act 1991
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement when a decision is taken as to the bringing of charges under the War Crimes Act 1991.

  The Attorney-General
  No. The Crown Prosecution Service is presently considering interim reports from the Metropolitan police relating to several individuals and further inquiries are being made. Inquiries are not yet complete and the question of possible prosecution cannot be considered until they are concluded. In accordance with the requirements of the War Crimes Act 1991, my consent would be sought in any case where the Crown Prosecution Service considers that proceedings are appropriate.
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  Decisions about prosecution will be communicated to the prospective defendant and other interested parties by the Crown Prosecution Service and the police in the usual manner.

  Offences Against the Person
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) how many charges under(a) section 18 and (b) section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 were (i) received by the Crown Prosecution Service from police, (ii) discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service and (iii) completed in court for each year since the establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service;

  (2) how many offences listed for trial under (a) section 18 and (b) section 20, (c) section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and (d) section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 resulted in a caution in court, in a bind over, or in no evidence being offered by the prosecution for each year since the establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service;

  (3) how many cases which were passed by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service had their original police charges down graded to a lesser offence before the court case was completed, for each year since the establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service;

  (4) how many charges of (a) occasioning actual bodily harm, (b) common assault under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and (c) assault on a constable under section 51(1) of the Police Act 1964 were (i) received by the Crown Prosecution Service from police, (ii) discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service and (iii) completed in court for each year since the establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service;

  (5) how many cases charged with actual bodily harm by the police under section 47 of the Public Order Act 1861 resulted in (i) a charge of assault on a constable in the magistrates court under section 51(1) of the Police Act 1964 and (ii) a charge of common assault and battery in the magistrates court under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, for each year since the establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Attorney-General
  The information sought by the hon. Member is recorded only on the files relating to individual defendants and is not collected or collated centrally. The information requested could therefore be collected only at disproportionate cost.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Class Actions
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals the Lord Chancellor has for the bringing of class actions before the civil courts.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The regulation of class actions in the courts is an extremely complex subject, not least because of the wide variety of such actions. The Lord Chancellor is currently considering how best to investigate the options in this area.

  Crown Courts
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what provision is being made for improvements to accommodation and facilities at Crown courts for victims of crime.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In court buildings currently under construction, separate waiting rooms are provided for defence and prosecution witnesses, and there is a witness waiting room with direct acccess into the courtroom, adjacent to the witness box. Since a high proportion of victims of crime are also witnesses, they would receive assistance from the Crown Prosecution Service or from voluntary agencies such as Victim Support in the larger Crown court centres. Some court centres are able to provide special witness waiting rooms equipped with closed circuit television equipment (CCTV) which enable vulnerable witnesses to give evidence remote from the courtroom.

  Existing Crown court centres are subject to building constraints, and it is not always feasible to incorporate desired improvements. However, operational arrangements are made to assist vulnerable witnesses who made themselves known to court staff, and to seat relatives of victims of crime within the courtroom wherever possible.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases were dealt with in the Crown court in each year since 1980 and in the last month for which figures are available.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The table shows the number of committals for trial, committals for sentence and appeals dealt with in the Crown court in each year since 1980 and in the month of September 1993. The latter figures are provisional and liable to revision to take account of any late amendments.

  Cases committed for trial, for sentence and appeals dealt with in the Crown court 1980–1993

  Committals for trial

  Committals for sentence

  Appeals

  1980

  57,271

  14,973

  17,859

  1981

  61,929

  15,223

  17,573

  1982

  66,184

  14,544

  20,775

  1983

  72,567

  11,521

  18,775

  1984

  74,777

  9,141

  20,350

  1985

  82,788

  9,427

  21,059

  1986

  86,426

  7,581

  18,925

  1987

  96,197

  7,867

  17,053

  1988

  104,773

  8,485

  15,849

  1989

  101,232

  8,267

  16,860

  1990

  100,005

  8,656

  17,557

  1991

  101,999

  9,943

  18,433

  318

  Committals for trial

  Committals for sentence

  Appeals

  1992

  100,742

  9,543

  19,765

  September 1993

  6,855

  928

  2,073

  "A New Framework for Local Justice"
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the total number of representations received by the Lord Chancellor in regard to the White Paper, "A New Framework for Local Justice", and how many were from serving magistrates, whether stipendiary or lay.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In addition to 964 responses to the consultation documents issued by his Department, the Lord Chancellor has received in the region of 650 representations on the White Paper, comprising approximately 350 letters from hon. Members and approximately 300 letters from members of the magistrates courts service and other interested bodies, the majority of which were from serving magistrates. He has also received personal representations from 10 magistrates.

  Vocational Training
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will be making representations to the Council for Legal Education's inquiry into vocational training for the bar of England and Wales.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This is an inquiry into allegations of racial discrimination at the Inns of Court School of Law which is run by the Council for Legal Education on behalf of the Bar Council. The administration of the inquiry is a matter for the profession itself, but the Lord Chancellor awaits the results with interest.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if a full cost-benefit analysis has been conducted by the Lord Chancellor into the cuts in eligibility for legal aid.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has set out clearly the forecast effects of the eligibility changes introduced in April 1993—in particular, in his evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee earlier this year. On these assessments, the Lord Chancellor has no doubt that the everall effect of the eligibility measures will be to reduce significantly over the next three years the level of public expenditure that would have occurred in the absence of these measures.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the conclusions of the Lord Chancellor's analysis of the reasons for the rise in demand for legal aid and for the increase in costs per case.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The reasons for the rise in the demand for legal aid and for the increase in costs per case are many and complex. Among the factors which have an impact on legal aid expenditure are the propensity to litigate, police detection rates and cautioning policy, and
  319
  the impact of new legislation, all of which are, by their nature, difficult to quantify. The Lord Chancellor's Department is currently considering how it can improve the methodology it uses in forecasting legal aid expenditure.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the initial findings of the Lord Chancellor's monitoring of the effects of the eligibility cuts in legal aid.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The changes were expected to affect mainly the civil legal aid scheme and the advice and assistance scheme. It is still too soon to draw firm conclusions, but the changes appear to be having broadly the effect which was anticipated.

  Recorders
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many representations the Lord Chancellor has received as to the adequacy of the Budget for(a) recorders and (b) assistant recorders.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Following the reduction in planned sittings by part-time judges because of a decrease in the number of cases received, the Lord Chancellor received two inquiries as to the adequacy of the budget for recorders and assistant recorders.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will provide estimates for the cost of(a) the trial of the six people charged with the Birmingham pub bombings, (b) their 1976 appeal, (c) their civil action against the west midlands and Lancashire police, (d) their 1987 appeal, (e) their 1991 appeal, (f) their prosecution of the police officers involved in the Birmingham Six case and (g) the 1977 prosecution of 14 prison officers from Winson Green in connection with injuries inflicted on the six defendants.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I regret that it has not proved possible to provide an answer before prorogation since the information requested is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what supplementary credit approvals are being made available for housing purposes to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  The following supplementary credit approvals are being made available for housing purposes in 1993–94:Estate action—to improve rundown local authority housing estates—£1852 million.
  Housing partnership fund—to support housing projects which will bring lasting benefit to local communities and industry, particularly in authorities with relatively low access to capital receipts—£30 million.
  320
  Flats over shops—to bring empty or underused accommodation over shops back into residential use—£10 million.
  Green house programme—to promote energy efficiency in local authority housing, by establishing energy efficiency demonstration projects—£5 million.
  Defective ex-new town stock—to assist local authorities which have received defective property from new towns—£0–35 million.
  Admissible basic credit approval supplement—to enable certain authorities to qualify for housing subsidy up to the limit of their basic credit approval—£0.157 million.

  In addition, some £391.813 million of supplementary credit approval resources are being made available to local authorities as credit cover for specified capital grant allocations for private sector renewal.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 339, if he will update the table on housing capital spending by region for 1992–93.

  Mr. Baldry
  The available information is given in the table. The provisional outturn for local authority housing capital expenditure for 1992–93 is £2.7 billion.

  Local authority housing capital expenditure by region, 1992–93

  £million

  Current prices

  1981 prices1

  North (excluding Cumbria)

  118

  63

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  216

  114

  East Midlands

  180

  96

  Eastem

  228

  121

  Greater London

  492

  261

  South East

  282

  149

  South West

  189

  100

  West Midlands

  310

  164

  North West

  383

  203

  Unallocated

  252

  133

  2,650

  1,404

  1 Current price figures have been converted to 1981 prices by excluding the effect of general inflation as measured by the gross domestic product market prices deflator.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the figures for gross public investment in England and Wales in the provision of housing, both new build and renovated, by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations for each year since 1979–80 with the projected investment for both categories up to 1995–96, in 1992–93 prices; and if he will publish this information in the form of a table.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 2 November 1993]: The available information is given in the tables. Expenditure levels in future years are for local authorities to determine in the light of available resources. The forecasts shown in the Housing Corporation's published 1993 approved development programme for 1994–95 and 1995–96, expressed in 1992–93 prices, are £1,729 million and £1,588 million respectively. These figures exclude any private financed investment by housing associations.

  For information about Wales, I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for Wales.
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  Local authority gross housing capital expenditure for new house building and renovation, England, 1979–80 to 1992–93

  £ million

  New house building

  Renovation

  Totals

  Year

  Cash

  1992–93 prices

  Cash

  1992–93 prices

  Cash

  1992–93 prices

  1979–80

  1,065

  2,547

  723

  1,730

  1,788

  4,277

  1980–81

  965

  1,951

  670

  1,354

  1,635

  3,305

  1981–82

  720

  1,327

  620

  1,144

  1,340

  2,470

  1982–83

  685

  1,179

  962

  1,656

  1,647

  2,835

  1983–84

  682

  1,122

  1,148

  1,889

  1,830

  3,010

  1984–85

  730

  1,142

  1,280

  2,004

  2,010

  3,147

  1985–86

  579

  859

  1,315

  1,951

  1,894

  2,812

  1986–87

  458

  658

  1,521

  2,187

  1,979

  2,846

  1987–88

  457

  623

  1,742

  2,375

  2,199

  2,998

  1988–89

  578

  734

  1,904

  2,419

  2,482

  3,154

  1989–90

  705

  841

  2,953

  3,520

  3,658

  4,362

  1990–91

  447

  493

  1,721

  1,900

  2,168

  2,393

  1991–92

  252

  261

  1,448

  1,499

  1,700

  1,760

  1992–931

  116

  116

  1,486

  1,486

  1,602

  1,602

  1 Provisional figures are available only for 1992–93.

  Housing Corporation gross capital expenditure, England 1979–80 to 1992–93

  £ million

  Year

  Cash

  1992–93 prices

  1979–80

  400

  957

  1980–81

  508

  1,027

  1981–82

  521

  961

  1982–83

  755

  1,299

  1983–84

  734

  1,207

  1984–85

  697

  1,091.

  1985–86

  711

  1,055

  1986–87

  715

  1,028

  1987–88

  752

  1,025

  1988–89

  791

  1,005

  1989–90

  935

  1,115

  1990–91

  1,063

  1,174

  1991–92

  1,586

  1,642

  1992–931

  2,369

  2,369

  1 Provisional figures are available only for 1992–93.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the total gross public spending for each year since 1985–86 and the projected expenditure for each year to 1995–96, in 1992–93 prices for the Housing Corporation.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 2 November 1993]The main element of the Housing Corporation's expenditure is its approved development programme (ADP) which is funded by grant and loans from the Government, as well as the corporation's receipts. Gross capital expenditure on the ADP in England since 1985–86 has been as follows:

  £ million

  In 1992–93 prices

  1985–86

  711

  1,055

  1986–87

  715

  1,028

  1987–88

  752

  1,025

  1988–89

  791

  1,005

  1989–90

  935

  1,115

  1990–91

  1,063

  1,174

  1991–92

  1,586

  1,642

  1992–93

  2,369

  2,369

  1993–94

  1,842

  1,793

  The forecasts shown in the Housing Corporation's published 1993 approved development programme for
  322
  1994–95 and 1995–96, expressed in 1992–93 prices, are £1,729 million and £1,588 million respectively. In addition, since 1989 some £2 billion of private finance has been levered in to support the Housing Corporation's programme.

  Cancer Clusters
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representation his Department had at the conference organised by the European Commission on Cancer Clusters held at the Westlakes research institute in Cumbria in early October.

  Mr. Yeo
  None.

  Rough Sleepers Initiative
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he proposes to make to the rough sleepers initiative.

  Sir George Young
  The Government have made £86 million available over 1993–94 to 1995–96 to continue the rough sleepers initiative. On 18 January this year my Department issued a discussion paper, "The Rough Sleepers Initiative: The Next Three Years", setting out proposals aimed at ensuring closer targeting of these resources on the initiative's client group. After considering the responses to that paper, I issued a strategy document on 16 June which set out the Government's intentions for the next phase. I have no plans to make further changes to the initiative. Copies of the discussion paper and the strategy document are in the Library.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the future of the rough sleepers initiative; how many people are currently accommodated by the scheme; and what will become of them when the scheme ends.

  Sir George Young
  The sum of £96 million has been spent over the past three financial years, 1990–91 to 1992–93, under the Government's rough sleepers initiative (RSI) to provide up to 3,450 places in permanent and temporary accommodation for people who would otherwise have slept rough on the streets of central London. Independent research, funded by my Department,
  323
  found that several thousand people with a history of sleeping rough had been found accommodation through this initiative.

  The Government have made £86 million available from 1993–94 to 1995–96 to continue the RSI. We will continue to concentrate resources on providing at least 1,500 further places in permanent housing. The temporary hostels and leased accommodation will be phased out over the next three years, but 3,300 places in permanent housing association homes provided under the RSI will continue to be available after the initiative ends in March 1996.

  Valuation Appeals
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time from appeal against the valuation list to settlement by the local valuation tribunal.

  Mr. Baldry
  A meaningful figure cannot yet be given, since few council tax appeals have been dealt with by valuation tribunals. A great many cases are in any event being settled by agreement between the Valuation Office agency and the taxpayer, rather than by a tribunal decision.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what mechanisms there are whereby a successful appellant against the valuation list for council tax can recover appeal costs or the interest on tha prepaid council tax which is subsequently to be returned.

  Mr. Baldry
  None. Tribunal hearings are intended to be as informal as possible, and the costs to appellants should therefore be low. Interest is not payable on any council tax payment refunded as a result of a successful appeal, as the sums involved are likely to be modest.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given by him to the local valuation tribunal on the time taken to decide appeals.

  Mr. Baldry
  None, since valuation tribunals are statutorily independent judicial bodies and it is for them to conduct their own proceedings as they see fit.

  However, we expect the overwhelming majority of appeals to have been settled by the Valuation Office agency and the valuation tribunals by the end of 1994, and a high proportion well before then.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against the valuation list have been lodged to date; how many have been decided since the local valuation tribunal, commenced receiving appeals relating to the council tax valuation basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  At at 30 September 1993, 658,546 proposals for the alteration of the valuation list in England had been received by the Valuation Office agency, of which 77,825 had been settled by agreement between the agency and the taxpayer. Proposals are not normally transmitted to valuation tribunals as formal appeals until six months after receipt, unless it has become clear in the meantime that the prospects of agreement are remote.

  Community Charges
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representation he has received regarding grants payable to local authorities under the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act 1991; what changes he now proposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am currently considering representations from a number of authorities proposing the extension of the community charge grant scheme to include community charges payable for the financial year 1991–92 which are received after 31 March 1994.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution his Department made to the international symposium on nuclear waste management, held at Sellafield in mid-October, in terms of personnel in attendance and papers presented.

  Mr. Yeo
  I am not aware of any such meeting.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on ministerial responsibility for establishing a policy for long term disposal routes for radioactive waste as envisaged in paragraph 6 of the Government memorandum in reply to the seventh report of the Defence Committee of Session 1992–93, on the royal dockyards, and his answer of 1 November,Official Report, column 6.

  Mr. Yeo
  The radioactive wastes to which the question refers are those arising from the decommissioning of nuclear-propelled submarines. As stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 1 November,Official Report, column 6, these are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. Responsibility for civil radioactive waste management policy lies with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Scotland and for Wales. Issues needing wider collective consideration can be put to the relevant Cabinet Committee.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment what progress he has made in his review of local authorty standard spending assessments and the area cost adjustment mechanism; and whether it will be concluded before the standard spending assessment and revenue support grant figures are announced for 1994–95.

  Mr. Baldry
  The technical work on the review of local authority standard spending assessments (SSAs), including the area cost adjustment, has been cmpleted and discussed with the local authority associations. Proposed SSAs for 1994–95 will be announced later this year at the same time as the provisional revenue support grant settlement.

  Local Authority Capital Receipts
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the level of accumulated capital receipts by each local authority.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am arranging for the latest information on the level of local authorities' usable capital receipts at 31 March 1993 to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to ensure that adequate consultation is given by managing agents of sheltered accommodation to leaseholders before major repairs to property are undertaken and before the property is transferred from one group of managing agents to another;

  (2) what further plans he has to ensure that managing agents of privately owned sheltered accommodation are accountable to their leaseholders;

  (3) what plans he has to introduce further statutory protection for leaseholders in sheltered accommodation;

  (4) what plans he has to ensure that leaseholders in sheltered accommodation receive full and regular access to audited accounts;

  (5) what plans he has to make the sheltered housing code of the National House Building Council compulsory for all developers; and what plans he has to make it legally enforceable;

  (6) what plans he has to introduce an ombudsman service to offer protection to leaseholders in sheltered accommodation where the managing agents are not a registered housing association;

  (7) how many cases since April 1989 have been brought by leaseholders in sheltered accommodation against their managing agents, under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, or under the terms of the lease; and what information he has on the results of such cases.

  Sir George Young
  All leaseholders are protected by the contractual terms of their leases, which define the rights and duties of landlords and tenants and the basis of the service charges. In addition, the Landlord and Tenant Acts of 1985 and 1987 give tenants additional statutory rights. They impose duties on landlords to consult before undertaking work above defined thresholds and—in certain circumstances—over the appointment of managing agents, and to provide information about costs and make available supporting accounts and documents.

  The Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 gives leaseholders additional rights. It enables qualifying tenants to jointly purchase the freehold of their flats and also gives tenants the right to a management audit of their landlord by an independent accountant or surveyor.

  It also enables the Secretary of State to approve codes of management practice governing property management. It is for outside bodies to submit any such codes to him for approval. The Association of Retirement Housing Managers yesterday published a draft code. He has no plans to make the sheltered housing code of the NHBC compulsory for all developers.

  The Government have no plans to make further legislative changes to leaseholders rights in relation the management of their homes and is not persuaded of the case for an ombudsman scheme for privately owned sheltered housing nor of the practicality of this approach.

  The Department has no information available to it on the number of cases brought before the courts by leaseholders in sheltered accommodation against their managing agents.

  Local Authority Building Control
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to review the fees to be charged by local authority building control departments to reflect the size, work type and the demography of the local authority; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will allow local authorities to meet the cost of providing services through building control charges compatible with charges made on the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  It remains the Government policy that the setting of building control fees should be devolved to local authorities when adequate private sector competition is in place. To further this aim, the Department issued a consultation document on 29 October—a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House—which seeks to increase the number of private sector inspectors exercising building control. Meanwhile, in conjunction with representatives of the local authority associations and the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, the Government are proposing:

  (i) to introduce next year a revision and consolidation of the prescribed fees regulations which will tailor fees more appropriately to the type of building application involved; and

  (ii) to explore the scope for introducing greater flexibility within the prescribed fees scheme.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the market testing of local authority building control fees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  None. We have taken the view for the time being that it is not appropriate to subject regulatory services such as building regulation enforcement to compulsory competitive tendering. However, local authorities may choose to market test this work on a voluntary basis having regard to their obligations under statute.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the performance indicators which are available in the building control sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department does not publish performance indicators for building control. Under the terms of the Local Government Act 1992 it is the Audit Commission which is charged with the responsibility to decide, in consultation with the Department, on what indicators it may select for publication. Although the commission collects a wide range of information on local services, there are, at present, no plans for including the building control service. However, with the Department's encouragement, the local authority associations have drawn up a levels of service document on a voluntary basis and appropriate publication is currently under consideration.

  Strychnus Potatorum Tree
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has commissioned on the use of the strychnus potatorum tree for cleaning up readioactively contaminated land.
  327
  Mr. Yeo
  No such research has been commissioned.

  Housing Ombudsman (Reports)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make report recommendations of the housing ombudsman legally enforceable.

  Sir George Young
  A housing association tenants' ombudsman has recently been appointed and the new service will be fully operational next month. The Housing Corporation will use its statutory powers to issue management guidance to housing associations so that they will be expected to co-operate with the ombudsman and to carry out his recommendations in relation to specific cases. If an association did not co-operate or comply, this would be reported by the ombudsman to the Housing Corporation, which would then be able to use its statutory powers of regulation to address any issues of mismanagement.

  Bathing Beaches
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the use of EC cohesion funds by member states to clean up bathing beaches to meet standards required under EC directives.

  Mr. Yeo
  The cohesion fund assists the poorest member states to improve their transport and environment infrastructure, including sewerage systems. We contribute only 5 per cent. of the cohesion fund, substantially less than France, Germany or Spain. We benefit from the EC structural funds and expect to receive about £10 billion from 1994–99. Investments in sewerage improvements can be supported by these funds.

  Countryside Survey
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the results of the countryside survey 1990.

  Mr. Yeo
  The countryside survey 1990 will be published on 17 November. The countryside survey is one of the most comprehensive surveys of the British countryside that has ever been carried out. It is also the first survey to be based on the integration of information from satellite imagery and traditional field survey methods. The United Kingdom is the first country to undertake a national survey of this kind.

  The primary aims of the survey were to provide information on the stock of land cover, landscape features and habitats in Great Britain in 1990, to identify change in these by reference to earlier data, and to establish a new baseline for the measurement of future change. The main focus was on the rural environment. The survey was undertaken by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and the Institute of Freshwater Ecology. The main funding was provided by the Department of the Environment, the Natural Environment Research Council and the Department of Trade and Industry through the British National Space Centre.

  The survey is a testament to the Government's commitment to reporting on the state of the countryside. The survey data will now be available for further research on the causes and consequences of countryside change.

  Urban Regeneration Agency
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the urban regeneration agency will be established.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 gave statutory authority for the establishment of the urban regeneration agency. The agency will be launched on 10th November. Parliamentary approval to the new expenditure will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate for the urban aid and derelict land reclamation, England vote (class VII, vote 3). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £9 million will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

  Swinden Quarry
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he is making for ministerial decisions relating to Swinden quarry.

  Mr. Gummer
  Swinden quarry is in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning. In these circumstances, I will take responsibility for all ministerial decisions.

  Legal Services
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the Government's proposals for a de minimis threshold for compulsory competitive tendering of legal services.

  Mr. Baldry
  Competition provides many benefits to local authorities, including better managed services, higher quality work and significant financial savings. However, the Government recognise that it also brings with it additional administrative requirements which need to be taken into account.

  My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning told the House on 15 June 1993, in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Clifton-Brown), Official Report, column 543, that the Government intended to apply the principle of a de minimis threshold to corporate and construction-related services as part of their decision to implement CCT for these services. He made it clear that, for the white collar services, an authority also needs to retain a satisfactory number of good quality staff to carry out work which is not suitable for compulsory competitive tendering. He indicated that we would discuss with local authority representatives the most appropriate threshold for each of the white collar services.

  Following discussions on the threshold for legal services, the Government have concluded that local authorities should be permitted to carry out up to £300,000 of legal work a year using their own staff without being required to award that work through competition. This is broadly equivalent to the cost of employing six qualified legal staff, and will ensure that all authorities continue to have the legal skills necessary to serve local people effectively.

  Those authorities exempted from CCT will nevertheless be free to tender services voluntarily. Many will, no doubt, take the opportunity to improve services and reduce costs by giving private sector legal services the chance to tender for work.
  329
  The Government intend to consult on the proposed competitive regime for local authority legal services, including details of this proposed de minimis threshold. Consultation will begin in December, and the Government will make final decisions in spring next year.

  Housing, Lancashire
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to encourage the renovation of property in those areas of Lancashire where house prices are so low as to make renovation uneconomic.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 October 1993]: It is for local authorities to determine the most satisfactory course of action for dealing with unfit properties. Exchequer subsidy is available to help the costs associated with the option of reduction, clearance and closure.

  Council Housing (Replacement)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total expenditure provided in direct grant from central Government to local authorities for council house replacement since the introduction of the right to buy.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 26 October 1993]: The provision of new social housing is now mainly the responsibility of housing associations, with local authorities increasingly concentrating on the management of their existing stock and on their broad enabling role. Central Government support to local authorities for these activities is provided through credit approvals. The amounts provided since 1981–82 are given in the table below. The figures for 1990–91 and subsequent years are not directly comparable with those for earlier years because of the revisions to the capital finance system introduced in April 1990. Local authorities can supplement these resources with spending from usable capital receipts and from revenue.

  Local authority credit approval allocations1

  Numbers

  1981–82

  1,795

  1982–83

  2,192

  1983–84

  2,233

  1984–85

  1,852

  1985–86

  1,605

  1986–87

  1,459

  1987–88

  1,400

  1988–89

  1,331

  1989–90

  1,095

  1990–91

  1,561

  1991–92

  1,705

  1992–93

  1,538

  1993–94

  1,375

  1 Allocations for the years up to and including 1989–90 are final allocations, i.e. the initial allocation plus any increases made in-year. The allocation figures for 1990–91 and subsequent years are the credit approval provision figures for those years.

  Rented Public Housing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of gross domestic product was dedicated to building, public sector houses for rent, annually, for each year since 1979.
  330
  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 26 October 1993]: The provision of new social housing is now mainly the responsibility of housing associations, although the houses they build are not public sector. Local authorities, on the other hand, are increasingly concentrating on the management of their existing stock and on their broad enabling role. To reflect this, gross capital expenditure through the Housing Corporation on new provision for rent rose from £484 million in 1981–82 to £2,231 million in 1992–93.

  Reliable outturn information on housing expenditure by local authorities is available only on a financial year basis. Estimates of gross domestic product in England are not available for financial years. The cash figures are given:

  Expenditure by local authorities and new towns on houses built for rent

  England cash value £ million

  1978–79

  1,674

  1979–80

  1,214

  1980–81

  1,121

  1981–82

  816

  1982–83

  710

  1983–84

  692

  1984–85

  748

  1985–86

  586

  1986–87

  466

  1987–88

  462

  1988–89

  S80

  1989–90

  705

  1990–91

  447

  1991–92

  252

  1992–93

  116

  Packaging
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to place a legal obligation upon companies not to mislead consumers about their environmental performance on packaging.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have been asked to reply.

  Most environmental claims are already within the scope of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. We intend to amend the Act in a number of respects as soon as parliamentary time permits, and have made it clear that environmental claims will be addressed.

  Improvement and Repairs Grants
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each year since 1979 the number of improvement or repairs grants made, the number of applications unmet, the value of each grant and total spending thereon in cash in contract prices.

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

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he makes, and from what source, of the cost of the backlog of repairs and maintenance required to bring(a) private housing and (b) public rented housing to an acceptable standard.

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

  Forests
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the analysis in, and conclusions of, the latest annual EC-United Nations report on the state of Europe's forests(a) in so far as it relates to United Kingdom forests and (b) in regard to pollution arising from the United Kingdom affecting forests abroad.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Forestry Commission assessed the condition of nearly 9,000 trees of five tree species—oak, beech, Scots pine, Norway spruce and Sitka spruce—in 1992, as a contribution to the 1993 report on forest condition in Europe produced jointly by the Commission of the European Communities and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (EC/UN-ECE).

  In Britain, Scots pine and oak showed a decline in crown density compared with that in the previous year, the crown condition of Norway spruce was little changed, while that of Sitka spruce and beech had improved. In contrast, the EC/UN-ECE report concluded that, in Europe as a whole, all five species showed a decline in crown density.

  The EC/UN-ECE report made no comment on the effect of air pollution from the United Kingdom on forests in Europe. However, there has been a significant reduction in emissions in the United Kingdom since the European Community's large combustion plants directive was implemented and, in comparison with 1980, we are committed to reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide by 60 per cent. over the next 10 years and of oxides of nitrogen by 30 per cent. over the next five years.

WALES

  Ewe Premiums
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers in Wales are currently eligible for ewe annual premium payments; how many claims for payment have been received; how many have been paid; and when those outstanding claims will be paid.

  Mr. Redwood
  We estimate from the pattern of claims usually received that about 17,500 farmers in Wales are eligible for sheep annual premium; 17,445 eligible claims were received in 1993 of which 8,603 have been paid. All outstanding claims will be paid as soon as possible.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the completion of payments for the ewe premium scheme for 1993–94.

  Mr. Redwood
  The combined payment of the first and second instalments are well advanced and should be virtually completed this month. The final payment will be made in the spring of 1994 when the full rate of premium for the year has been calculated.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons were listed in the Welsh Office register for public appointments in each of the last five years; how many in each year were below 40 years of age; and how many in each year were women.
  332
  Mr. Redwood
  The departmental register of candidates for public appointment is a running list to which names are frequently added. Information is not available on a calendar year basis, nor is information on the age of candidates recorded centrally. Currently there are 4,096 names on the register, of which 1,135, 27.7 per cent., are women.

  Morriston Hospital, Swansea
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the membership of the project board established to manage the development of cardiac services at Morriston hospital, Swansea; and when a detailed timetable for the project will be finalised.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The project board comprises three representatives from Morriston hospital, including the unit general manager, and one each from West Glamorgan health authority and my Department. The timetable will be finalised shortly.

  Magor to Castleton Relief Road
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the Magor to Castleton M4 relief road; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Many views have been received about proposals for the M4 Magor to Castleton relief road. An announcement will be made in due course following completion of the detailed consideration of all comments.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each NHS trust in Wales with the date when it first became operational.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The details are as follows:

  Trust

  Operational date 1 April

  1.Pembrokeshire NHS Trust

  1992

  2.Glan C1wyd District General Hospital NHS Trust

  1993

  3.Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  1993

  4.Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  1993

  5. Powys Health Care NHS Trust

  1993

  6.Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  1993

  7. Gwent Community Health NHS Trust

  1993

  8. Llandough Hospital NHS Trust

  1993

  9. Bridgend and District NHS Trust

  1993

  10. Swansea NHS Trust

  1993

  11. Llanelli Dinefwr NHS Trust

  1993

  12. Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  1993

  13. Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  1993

  14. South and East Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  1993

  Home Helps
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish a standard scale for the means testing of clients by county councils in Wales for home help.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter for local authorities. I am, however, considering whether further guidance to local authorities on the principles to be applied in determining discretionary changes for home care services is necessary.

  Schools Technology Initiative
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money his Department has allocated to each secondary school for the schools technology initiative for(a) grant-maintained 11 to 18 schools, (b) grant-maintained 11 to 16 schools, (c) local authority 11 to 18 schools and (d) local authority 11 to 16 schools.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Strategies have been approved for the following schools in each of the categories as follows:

  (a) Grant-maintained 11–18 schools

  £245,000 to Bishop Vaughan Grant Maintained School

  (b) Grant-maintained 11–16 schools

  None

  (c) LEA-Maintained 11–18 schools

  £1,403,000 for 6 schools as follows;

  (1) £250,000 to Bedwas Comprehensive School

  (2) £210,000 to Morriston Comprehensive School

  (3) £244,000 to Queen Elizabeth Maridunum School

  (4) £237,000 to Ysgol David Hughes

  (5) £223,000 to Cynffig Comprehensive School

  (6) £239,000 to Ysgol Morgan Llwyd

  (d) LEA-Maintained 11–16 schools

  £245,000 to Risca Comprehensive School

  In addition to the above, £212,000 was approved for Denbigh technological and vocational education centre within Clwyd education authority.

  Grant-maintained school strategies are funded by capital grant and LEA maintained schools by local authority capital credit approvals.

  Llandudno General Hospital
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement regarding the future of the acute unit of Llandudno general hospital.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Llandudno general hospital is an integral part of the Gwynedd acute health unit which has applied for NHS trust status from April 1994. The application explicitly notes a commitment to maintaining and developing the services provided at Llandudno general hospital. My right hon. Friend expects to announce his decision on the application very shortly.

  Special Education Schools, Powys
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement regarding the future of Cyfronydd and Bryn Llywarch special education schools in Powys.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The proposals by Powys county council to close Cyfronydd and to change the character of Brynllywarch school are before my right hon. Friend for determination. A decision will be issued as soon as possible.

  Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many public libraries in Wales are open for 60 hours a week or more.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Public Library Statistics for 1991–92, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many special advisers are currently employed by his Department; at what cost; what is the duration of their appointment; and what are their qualifications and duties in each case.

  Mr. Redwood
  I appointed Mr. Hywel Williams from 18 October 1993 to advise on a range of subjects for as long as is considered necessary.

  He is the only such adviser employed by the Welsh Office. We do not reveal the salary nor the costs of an individual appointment.

  I issued a press notice on October 21 with information about Mr. Williams and enclose a copy.

  Estuarial Crossings
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which estuarial crossings have received central Government assistance in the form of grant, loan or debt write-off or suspension; and how much assistance has been given, and in what form, in each case.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Dyfed county council received a £4 million interest-free loan from the Government in 1979 to assist with the capital costs of the Cleddau bridge. Some £2¼ million of transport grant has been made available to West Glamorgan county council and Dyfed county council since 1987–88 towards the cost of the Loughor bridge. Prior to this, the scheme was financed largely by the authorities under the then transport supplementary grant block arrangements.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which estuarial crossings are the responsibility of(a) central Government, (b) local authorities and (c) private owners; and which of these are (i) subject to tolls and (ii) not subject to tolls.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Available information is as follows:

  Estuarial crossings

  Responsibility

  Tolled

  Conwy Crossing

  Central Government

  No

  Cleddau Bridge

  Local Authority

  Yes

  Loughor Bridge

  Local Authority

  No

  Penmaenpool Bridge (Dolgellau)

  Local Authority

  Yes

  Porthmadog Cob

  Private Owner

  Yes

  Briwet Bridge (Penrhyndeudraeth)

  Private Owner

  Yes

  Barmouth Bridge (Footbridge)

  Private Owner

  Yes

  Suicide
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many suicides were reported of patients receiving(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient psychiatric care in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the south Glamorgan health authority regarding the Health Advisory Service report on mental health services in South Glamorgan; and what advice he has given on the guidelines for publication of HAS reports.
  335
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Health Advisory Service review was commissioned by South Glamorgan health authority following discussion with the Welsh Office. The final report of the review, conducted jointly with the social services inspectorate (Wales), is currently awaited. The report will be published in the usual way, that is the health authority and county council will have available printed copies supplied by the Health Advisory Service. Copies will also be available from the health advisory service and the social services inspectorate (Wales).

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 640–42, if he will provide similar figures for capital allocations for local authorities in 1993–94 with an explanation of the effect of (a) the transfer-out of further education and (b) the revised presentations of Welsh Office credit approval support for European regional development fund related schemes.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is giving in the following tables. The effect in 1993–94 of the transfer of provision for further education to the Further Education Funding Council was to transfer Government support of £8.9 million from local authorities. In addition to the sums shown and in accordance with the Government's agreement with the European Commission, supplementary credit approvals will be issued to local authorities to cover all expenditure funded by ERDF grants.

  Table 1: Basic Credit Approvals (BCA) issued to counties for 1993–94

  (£ million)1

  BCA

  Clwyd

  10·0

  Dyfed

  10·3

  Gwent

  11·0

  Gwynedd

  6·4

  Mid

  Glamorgan

  14·6

  Powys

  5·3

  South

  Glamorgan

  9·9

  West

  Glamorgan

  9·6

  Total counties

  77·1

  1 Covering education, personal social services, fire, sheltered employment, "other services" and certain elements of transport (principally smaller road schemes and capitalised administration).

  Table 2: New Control Total (NCT) and Assumed Gross Expenditure (AGE) for 1993–94

  (£ million)1

  NCT

  AGE

  Education

  40·1

  48·9

  Personal Social Services

  12·2

  14·5

  Transport

  96·1

  107·0

  Other Local Services

  41·4

  114·4

  Housing

  263·9

  305·5

  Urban Programme2

  29·9

  29·9

  Total

  483·5

  620·1

  1 Excluding Law and Order.

  2 Including Rural Initiative.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of children with special educational needs that have been statemented for every local education authority in Wales for each year since 1990.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The numbers of children for whom statements of special educational needs were made for the first time during each calendar year since 1990 are given in the following table:

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Clwyd

  318

  251

  251

  Dyfed

  225

  272

  397

  Gwent

  402

  480

  497

  Gwynedd

  130

  205

  178

  Mid Glamorgan

  490

  545

  583

  Powys

  120

  134

  55

  South Glamorgan

  184

  215

  274

  West Glamorgan

  358

  354

  415

  Cattle Identification Documents
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost of administering the cattle identification document scheme in Wales for the year 1993–94.

  Mr. Redwood
  The costs of staffing the permanent posts created to administer the beef special premium scheme will amount to about £353,000 in the 1993–94 financial year. Staff have also been redeployed from other work for varying periods, and some casual staff employed, to help with the one-off tasks of establishing the scheme.

  Teachers
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students qualified to be teachers left the University of Wales and the teacher training colleges of Wales at the end of each academic year since 1985; how many were qualified in each of the main subjects; and how many were qualified to teach their subject through the medium of Welsh.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  [holding answer 23 July 1993]: I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

TRANSPORT

  Railtrack
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people he expects Railtrack to employ; and in what occupations.

  Mr. Freeman
  Railtrack will be responsible for railway infrastructure, and for deciding how many employees it will need, and in what capacities, to fulfil that responsibility in the most efficient manner.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures Railtrack will be able to use in order to carry out its role of safety validation for train operators.
  337
  Mr. Freeman
  Railtrack's safety validation role will be governed by the Health and Safety Commission's Railways (Safety Case) Regulations published in draft for consultation purposes in July 1993.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the resources in terms of staffing and money he expects Railtrack to need to carry out its role of safety validation for train operators.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a matter for Railtrack. Railtrack will need to demonstrate in its safety case to the satisfaction of the Health and Safety Executive that sufficient staff and resources are available.

  Railways Funding
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been made of the Swedish model of public funding of the railways and of charging costs to operators.

  Mr. Freeman
  I visited Sweden last year and discussed the Swedish Government's policy for funding, restructuring and liberalising access to their national railway system, with Ministers, representatives of the Swedish state railway, and private sector rail operators. We have continued to monitor the development of Swedish railway policy.

  Goods Vehicle Operators Licences
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks are carried out by his staff to ensure that negative answers to question 22, relating to criminal convictions, on form GV79 "Application for a Goods Vehicle Operators Licence" are truthful.

  Mr. Key
  Full records of criminal convictions are not available to the licensing authorities or traffic area offices. However, all applications for goods vehicle operator licences are published in advance of the grant of a licence and circulated to the police, who have a statutory right to make a formal objection to a licence being granted. In some cases, checks may also be made of any records held by the Vehicle Inspectorate on the applicant.

  Vehicle Testing Stations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Vehicle Inspectorate has to carry out an inspection of all VI testing stations to determine whether they meet all the relevant safety standards required by similar workplaces in the private sector.

  Mr. Key
  The Vehicle Inspectorate already carries out a comprehensive range of regular inspections of its properties, and associated equipment, with the intention of ensuring compliance with all relevant safety standards. Some inspections are carried out to conform with "best practice" where this exceeds legal requirements.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sick leave days were taken by(a) male and (b) female staff employed in the Vehicle Inspectorate in 1992.

  Mr. Key
  As at June 1992 the Vehicle Inspectorate employed 1,389 male and 607 female staff on a part and full time basis. 10,651 and 8,144 days were lost through 338
  sick absence by male and female staff respectively during the year. The sick absence figures include weekends where they occurred during a period of sickness.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about noise mitigation measures on the proposed channel tunnel rail link in relation to trains travelling(a) at 185 mph and (b) at other speeds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The possible noise impact of high speed trains features in a number of representations received on the proposed channel tunnel rail link. Mitigation measures such as screens and banks will be provided so that as far as practically possible the noise design aims set by Union Railways are not exceeded for homes and other sensitive receptors. The noise predictions used in planning mitigation measures take account of the assumed speeds for each part of the route. Any homes not benefiting sufficiently from mitigation measures may qualify for noise insulation.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give his reasons for limiting international stations on the proposed high speed rail link from London to Folkestone to one additional station between King's Cross-St. Pancras and Ashford; and what is his policy on the provision of other stations to serve regional and national purposes.

  Mr. Freeman
  No maximum number of international stations has been set. The limitation is financial viability bearing in mind that public subsidy for international stations is forbidden. The provision of both international and domestic stations is addressed in Union Railways' recent report and the Government are considering this and the bids received from the promoter groups for the potential stations.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the full consultation period on all the Union Railways options was expected to expire; and when the Union Railways report on proposals for a high speed channel tunnel link was submitted to him.

  Mr. Freeman
  Comments from local authorities, action groups and other bodies affected by the route and station options have been sought by 12 November. Comments from the public should be sent by then or very soon afterwards. Union Railways' report was submitted to the Government on 29 October.

  A1-M1 Link Road
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement about the A1-M1 link road.

  Mr. Key
  The public inquiry into this scheme was held in January-February this year.

  A decision on the way forward will be made as soon as practicable after the joint Secretaries of State for Transport and the Environment have given full and careful consideration to the inspector's recommendations.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy regarding building roads through sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Government have a long-standing policy of keeping roads away from protected areas such as sites of special scientific interest wherever possible. In cases where it is impossible to avoid such sites the greatest care is taken to design the road sensitively and, where practicable, to preserve or recreate habitats, to relocate plant and animal species and to screen the road by the extensive use of planting and landscaping.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps towards the construction of North Greenwich station are included in contract JLE 110.

  Mr. Norris
  JLE contract 110 has not yet been awarded, and final decisions have not yet been taken on what should be included in it.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the private sector contributions to the Jubilee line extension, to be paid over the next 20 years, will be £300 million at current values or uprated to keep up with inflation.

  Mr. Norris
  Olympia and York Canary Wharf Limited has undertaken to pay London Underground Limited £300 million cash over a 24-year period starting one year after the first day of operation of the Jubilee line extension. The funding agreement under which these payments are to be made implements the understanding reached in 1989 between my Department and Olympia and York Canary Wharf Limited.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he plans to fund the construction of North Greenwich station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  London Underground Limited is reponsible for the construction of the Jubilee Line Extension funded by grants from Government and private sector contributions, notably the £400 million pledged by Olympia and York Canary Wharf Limited. British Gas has also promised a contribution in connection with the decision to locate a station at North Greenwich.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contracts for the Jubilee line extension are concerned with the construction of North Greenwich station.

  Mr. Norris
  The civil engineering work on the station will be carried out under contract 110; the electrical and mechanical work will be carried out under various E and M contracts.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are required to be taken to ensure the construction of a Jubilee line station at North Greenwich, above ground and providing a full service to the public from the first day of operation of the Jubilee line extension in terms of(a) negotiations between London Underground
  340
  and third parties, (b) decontamination of contaminated land, (c) clearing of derelict land, (d) construction of new roads and other access routes to the station and (e) any other work or negotiations concerning the proposed site of the station and surrounding area.

  Mr. Norris
  London Underground Limited is preparing to let a contract for the construction of the station at North Greenwich. However, if that contract is to make full provision so that the station can open, there must first be a satisfactory conclusion to the negotiations between British Gas and London Regional Transport about the financial contribution which BG undertook to make in 1990 when it was agreed to take the line through their property in North Greenwich. The allocation of financial responsibility for specific matters such as land decontamination, derelict land clearance, road access, car parking, and bus facilities is for agreement between BG and LRT.

  Rail Franchising, Isle of Wight
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how safety validation for railways will work on the vertically integrated franchise system planned for the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Health and Safety Executive will be responsible for examining and validating the safety case of an operator of a vertically integrated franchise on the Isle of Wight.

  Bromford Viaduct
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the holding down bolts of the central crash barrier of the Bromford viaduct of the M6 midland links motorway were last tested; what were the results; and on what date they are due to be tested again.

  Mr. Key
  The last tests on the holding down bolts were some limited pull-out tests in 1985. The results were generally below the level in the current specification but this was not applicable when the barrier was originally erected. The performance to date of the central reservation barriers on Bromford viaduct has been satisfactory.

  We have no proposals for further tests on the holding down bolts, but the barrier, including the holding down arrangements will be replaced as part of two major maintenance contracts. These are presently programmed for 1994–95 and 1995–96 and will involve resurfacing, concrete repairs and other works on the viaduct.

  Estuarial Crossings
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which estuarial crossings have received central Government assistance in the form of grant, loan or debt-write-off or suspension; and how much assistance he has been given, and in what form, in each case.

  Mr. Key
  Central Government grants were given towards the first Mersey crossing which opened in 1934 (£2.5 million) the first Dartford-Thurrock tunnel which opened in 1963 (£2.6 million) and the Tyne tunnel which opened in 1967 (£3 million). Since then central Government finance for estuarial crossings has been in the form of loans. In 1992 the debts outstanding were £359 million on the Humber bridge, £112 million on the Mersey
  341
  tunnels, £13 million on the Tyne tunnels and £4 million on the Severn bridge. The most recent estuarial crossing, at Dartford-Thurrock and Severn, were or are being built with private finance. The Government have accepted that loans to the Humber bridge cannot be serviced and repaid from toll revenue alone and, to date, grants totalling £72 million have been paid.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which estuarial crossings are the responsibility of(a) central Government, (b) local authorities and (c) private owners; and which of these are (i) subject to tolls and (ii) not subject to tolls.

  Mr. Key
  Apart from the bridge carrying the M2 over the Medway and the Avonmouth bridge carrying the M5, both of which are the responsibility of the Department of Transport, tolls are charged at all estuarial crossings in England. Central Government are responsible for the Dartford-Thurrock crossings and the Severn bridge, though operational responsibility rests with private concessionaries. Local authorities are responsible for the Tyne and Mersey tunnels and the Tamar and Humber bridges. No estuarial crossings are privately owned.

  Eastern Relief Road, Lowestoft
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement detailing crossing points for pedestrians over the eastern relief road being built in Lowestoft.

  Mr. Key
  Crossing facilities for the road were discussed locally as the scheme was being developed by Suffolk county council and details of the proposed provision were included in consultation and briefing meetings.

  There will be a signal controlled crossing to the west of the relief road's intersection with London Road North. This will replace the existing crossing on the opposite side of London Road North, across Old Nelson street.

  There will also be uncontrolled crossing points using the splitter islands at the roundabout junction of the relief road with St. Peters street and Jubilee way.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about how pedestrians are to cross the new eastern relief road being built in Lowestoft, from the northern ends of Tennyson road and Arnold street northwards, and return.

  Mr. Key
  The existing uncontrolled pedestrian crossing at the northern end of Tennyson road is not affected by the new road. Arnold street is truncated at its boundary with the relief road and a footway will be provided on the western side of the relief road. This will join with the uncontrolled crossing point at the splitter islands at the St. Peters street/Jubilee way roundabout, some 50 metres north of Arnold street.

  Bus Fuels
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funds he has allocated for trials of clean fuels on local bus services.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have today allocated funds totalling £100,000 in 1993–94 to local authorities for four such trials. The projects to be supported are as follows:
  342

  Local authority/bus operator

  Fuel

  £000s

  Number of buses

  Hampshire/Southampton Citybus

  CNG

  42·5

  6

  Avon/Badgerline

  LPG

  16

  2

  Warwickshire/Midland Red South

  LPG

  16

  2

  Berkshire/Reading Buses

  CNG

  25·5

  4

  Notes:

  CNG—compressed natural gas

  LPB—liquefied petroleum gas

  A27, Worthing
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to give a full reply to letters from Worthing borough council of 13 July, 23 September, 1 October, 14 October, 19 October and 22 October on the compulsory purchase orders issued by his Department in connection with the development of the A27 in the Worthing area; why replies have been delayed; on what specific legislation his Department has relied in the procedure it has adopted to deal with mistakes in the compoulsory purchase orders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Department has no record of receiving a letter from Worthing borough council dated 13 July until a copy was enclosed with the Council's letter of 1 October. A reply was sent on 7 October. A reply to the letter of 23 September was sent on 24 September. Replies to the letters of 14, 19 and 22 October were sent on 3 November.

  Where discrepancies in land ownership details in the draft compulsory purchase order have been drawn to the Department's attention, they have followed the procedure laid down in schedule 1 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to give notice of proposed amendments to those concerned.

  Radioactive Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 November,Official Report, column 8, if he will list the four bodies from which his Department has received letters on the transport of radioactive materials.

  Mr. Norris
  The four bodies are:

  University of Reading;

  City of Nottingham;

  Tonbridge and Malling borough council;

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Flights to Warsaw
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) why Lot Airlines has been forbidden to land at Heathrow with effect from 1 November;

  (2) what intergovernmental agreements govern flights between London and Warsaw;

  (3) when and in what circumstances agreement was made between Her Majesty's Government and the Polish Government and Lot Airlines on the winter flights schedule; and what is his policy on the number of British Airways flights between London and Warsaw;

  (4) on what occasions over the last 10 years a dispute has occurred between British Airways and the national carriers of other countries about the increase in the number of flights from London to the other country's principal

  343
  airports where (a) Her Majesty's Government have been involved and (b) the sanction of removing the permit for the other national carriers to land at Heathrow has been imposed;

  (5) when and on what basis Ministers were involved in negotiations with their Polish counterparts, and representatives of Lot Airlines, during October;

  (6) what is the policy underlying Her Majesty's Government's support for British Airways to increase the frequency of their winter flights between London and Warsaw; and what impact he expects the increase to have on translantic flights made by United Kingdom and Polish air carriers;

  (7) what representations the Government have received from Lot Airlines or the Polish Government on the number of winter flights to Warsaw by British Airways originating in (a) London and (b) north America, and on the summer schedules.

  Mr. Norris
  As talks are currently taking place to resolve the difficulty over the operation of air services between the United Kingdom and Poland, I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Ragwort
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to prevent the spread of ragwort on land owned by his Department.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 29 October 1993]: A departmental working group is examining all aspects of grassland management, including the control of injurious weeds such as ragwort. I expect to announce decisions, based on the conclusions of this group, in the new year.

  M62
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of vehicles on the M62 motorway at junction 17 have an origin or destination within the Greater Manchester area.

  Mr. Key
  In 1992 the annual average daily traffic flow on the section of M62 between junctions 15 and 17 was 123,400 vehicles, of which 77 per cent. had either an origin or destination within the Greater Manchester area. This figure includes traffic travelling within the Greater Manchester conurbation, including Bolton, Bury, Stockport, Oldham and Rochdale, and traffic between the Greater Manchester area and the wider road network giving access to areas outside the conurbation.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of vehicles on the M62 motorway at junction 17 are travelling between Merseyside and Yorkshire.

  Mr. Key
  Seven per cent. of vehicles travel between Merseyside and Yorkshire—including Humberside. This is just one of a series of long-distance strategic trips which are made using the M62. Others include trips between Cheshire, south-west, Wales and Shropshire to Yorkshire.

  Air Carriers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criterion is used by his Department to define a United Kingdom air carrier; and if he will make a statement.
  344
  Mr. Norris
  The criteria for the grant of operating licences to air carriers are laid down in EC Council regulation 2407/92 on the licensing of air carriers. The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority may grant an operating licence only to carriers whose principal place of business and registered office is in the United Kingdom. The regulation further requires that holders of operating licences should at all times be majority owned and effectively controlled by EC member states or their nationals.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  GPA-General Electric (Merger)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the European Commission the transfer of assets from GPA to General Electric of the United States of America for consideration under the merger control regime.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The purchase of certain assets of GPA by General Electric did not fall within EC merger control jurisdiction. Following the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, based on the information available to him, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced that he had decided not to refer this merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 20 October.

  EC Law
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will complete the scrutiny report on the operation of EC law in the United Kingdom; who is engaged in the review; when it will be published; and what action he is proposing to take to eliminate over-zealous interpretation by Whitehall officials of EC directives.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The scrutiny report on the implementation and enforcement of EC law in the United Kingdom, which was undertaken by an inter-departmental team of officials, was published on 20 July of this year. The period for consultation elapsed on 30 September. The Government are preparing an action programme in the light of consultation. We shall be publishing our response by the end of the year. This will include guidance on the negotiation and implementation of EC law in the United Kingdom, aimed at eliminating over-zealous interpretation.

  Deregulation Task Forces
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many task forces into deregulation have now been established; what has been the cost of servicing the task forces; how many reports have been published; and if they will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Eight task forces have been established, supported by a small secretariat of civil servants and secondees from the private sector. It is not possible to calculate the costs of that support in the time available. The task forces have not yet reported.

  Enforcement Agencies
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish his paper on "Working with Business: A Code for Enforcement Agencies"; how many copies will be published; to whom it will be distributed; and what policing arrangements there will be to see that the code for enforcement agencies is enforced.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  "Working with Business: A Code for Enforcement Agencies" was published on 2.0 July; 70,000 copies have been published to date and copies distributed through enforcement agencies, local offices of the Department of Trade and Industry, British chambers of commerce, the Confederation of Business Industry, and the British Retail Consortium. More than 70 enforcement agencies are aiming to publish their own codes of practice by 1 January 1994 stating how they are putting into practice the principles set down in the code. Departmental deregulation Ministers are responsible for ensuring that this is done.

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the excess of the bid for objective 2 status based on EC target population; what discussions will take place with the EC to reduce the list to meet the target population specified by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what criteria is used by the European Commission to reduce the list of proposed objective 2 areas to meet the target population as specified by the Commission;

  (2) what is the total population of the proposed objective 2 areas; and what is the amount by which that total exceeds the target population for objective 2 areas in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The procedure is governed by article 9 of Council Regulation 2081/93, which

  (a) sets out various statistical criteria for objective 2 areas;

  (b) requires each member state to "propose" a list of areas;

  (c) requires the Commission to "establish" the list taking into account the national priorities and situations, in close consultation with the Member State concerned, arid after consulting an advisory committee of all member states; and

  (d) stipulates that assistance should be genuinely concentrated on the areas most seriously affected

  The last is known as the "principle of concentration". A recital of the regulation, which is not legally binding, says that objective 2
  "could cover up to 15 per cent. of the Community population".
  The previous regulation contained a similar recital, but the actual coverage was then 16 per cent.

  I understand that the proposals of all member states together amount to 22 per cent. of the Community population. Neither the Council regulation nor the Commission specifies target populations in individual member states.

  I shall shortly be meeting the Commissioner responsible. Our consultation will be governed by article 9 of the Council regulation.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 22 July,346
  Official Report, column 366, with which Governments and on what dates intergovernmental letters on nuclear waste have so far been exchanged.

  Mr. Eggar
  All contracts since 1976 for reprocessing overseas spent fuel in the thermal oxide reprocessing plant have been covered by inter governmental letters on the return of wastes arising. These have been exchanged with the authorities in Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Switzerland, normally before or shortly after the contracts to which they apply were signed.

  British Gas
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those individuals and organisations who have responded to his consultation on the Monopolies and Mergers report on British Gas; if he will summarise those views; and if he will place copies of all the submissions received in the Library.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  As at 1 November, my Department had received some 91 representations from a variety of companies, organisations, and individuals, covering a wide range of views. As the representations were made in confidence, it is not appropriate to give details, but I expect to be able to indicate the range of views in due course, once they have all been fully assessed and a decision has been taken.

  Regional Aid (South Yorkshire)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much of the EC funds committed to regional aid have been allocated to south Yorkshire; how much has already been claimed by local authorities in south Yorkshire; and how much is yet to gain approval for projects in south Yorkshire.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  South Yorkshire has been allocated approximately £180 million from the European regional development fund and the European social fund for the period 1989–93.

  Projects have so far been approved to the value of £150 million, nearly half of which has been for projects undertaken by local authorities.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on discussions he has had with(a) Nuclear Electric and (b) British Nuclear Fuels over the transfer of liabilities for nuclear waste and decommissioning costs arising from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield.

  Mr. Eggar
  I meet Nuclear Electric and British Nuclear Fuels regularly to discuss a range of issues.

  Crown Post Offices
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Crown post offices there were in(a) Pendle and (b) Lancashire and (c) England for each year since 1987.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The numbers of Crown post offices in Pendle, in Lancashire and in the United Kingdom for each year since 1987 were as follows:
  347

  Pendle

  Lancashire

  United Kingdom

  1987–88

  3

  23

  1,499

  1988–89

  3

  23

  1,493

  1989–90

  3

  20

  1,339

  1990–91

  1

  17

  1,167

  1991–92

  1

  16

  1,019

  1992–93

  1

  15

  917

  October 1992

  1

  14

  881

  The numbers of Crown post offices in England in these years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Materials (Exports)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 21 October,Official Report, column 303, if he will list the intergovernmental nuclear co-operation agreements which facilitate the export of nuclear materials.

  Mr. Eggar
  The United Kingdom has concluded bilateral intergovernmental nuclear co-operation agreement with Australia, Belgium, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. These agreements have been laid before the House and published in the treaty series.

  North Korea
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the report made by the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the United Nations general assembly on the attempts by the agency to complete nuclear safeguards arrangements with North Korea, pursuant to obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Eggar
  The United Kingdom commends the IAEA for its efforts to implement safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). In this connection we fully support the report of the Director General to the United Nations General Assembly and approve the report's emphasis on the need for full nuclear transparency. We urge the DPRK to act on the concerns expressed in the report and comply fully with its IAEA safeguards agreement immediately, and confirm its commitment to the non-proliferation treaty permanently.

  Refuse-to-Energy Plant, Belvedere
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has received the inspector's report in respect of the public inquiry dealing with the proposed Cory refuse-to-energy plant in Belvedere;

  (2) when he expects to be able to make a statement on the proposed Cory refuse-to-energy plant in Belvedere.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade received the inspector's report yesterday.

  My right hon. Friend will give timely and careful consideration to the report and will announce his decision on the application at the earliest possible opportunity after having considered the report.

  Northern Region
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the state of the economy in the Northern region.

  Mr. Eggar
  The economy of the Northern Region has undergone a transition over the last decade and now has a broader manufacturing base. This process has been helped substantially by overseas investment worth some £2 billion.

  A regional survey of business confidence compiled and published by the Northern Development Company recorded high levels of business confidence throughout the Northern region during the third quarter of 1993 with levels of investment, turnover and profit all continuing to rise.

  Company Law
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of the implications of the European Court of Justice decision Penete Corni and others v. Administrazione dello Finanzo Dello Stato and others ref C-71/91 and C-179/81 upon the options for changing the operation and role of Companies house including (a) full privatisation, (b) partial privatisation and (c) contracting out some of the activities of Companies house;

  (2) what consultations he has had about the effect of the ruling by the European Court of Justice in Ponente Corni and Others v Administrazione dello Finanzo Dello Stato and others ref. C-71/91 and C-179/81, on charging a registration fee to companies in excess of the actual cost of procedure; what representations he has had on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I am studying the judgment of the European Court of Justice on these cases. I have not received any representations and there has been no consultation with outside bodies.

  Forged Stamps
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what warnings have been issued by the Post Office and the Government about the sale of forged stamps in private retail outlets.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This is an operational matter for the Post Office, but I understand that the Post Office issued no warnings because it judged that the attendant publicity would cause unnecessary panic and also prejudice investigations. The investigations have led to the arrest of 24 people in the London area.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the impact on Post Office revenue of recent stamp forgeries.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This is an operational matter for the Post Office, but I understand that recent sampling of mail at major sorting offices in London indicates that the loss of revenue is unlikely to exceed £1 million, or less than 0.03 per cent. of total annual revenue in 1992–93.

  Konver Programme
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the membership of the national committee co-ordinating the Konver programme, together with the organisation each represents.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I expect to take a decision shortly on which bodies should be invited to nominate a representative to serve on the national Konver programme monitoring committee.

  Office of Telecommunications
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes he has to announce to the cash limit and gross running costs limit for the Office of Telecommunications.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 10, Office of Telecommunications, will be increased by £223,000 from £8,233,000 to £8,456,000.

  The gross running costs limit for the Office of Telecommunications will also be increased by £223,000 from £7,861,000 to £8,084,000. The increase will enable the Office of Telecommunications to pay for personnel services provided by DTI in full. There is also a take-up of the end-year flexibility entitlement (£50,000) as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1993 at columns 512–517.

  The increase will be offset by additional VAT refunds of £60,000, by a transfer from DTI (class IV, vote 1) a charge to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Departmental Offices
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of 1–19 Victoria street.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department of Trade and Industry and Property Holdings have concluded an agreement with Legal and General Property for the refurbishment of 1–19 Victoria street for reoccupation by DTI as its headquarters building.

  Work on site will start shortly and will take approximately 27 months.

  When DTI returns to 1–19 Victoria street, it will give up Ashdown house—the building at 123 Victoria street—and other central London buildings, which account for considerably more space than 1–19 Victoria street.

  Warship Yards
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the date of future meetings arranged between himself and Commissioner van Miert to discuss intervention funding for warship yards.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: There is no date arranged at the moment; Vice President van Miert is currently in Japan. I shall be speaking to him by telephone on his return and will meet with him thereafter as necessary.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the results of his meeting with 350
  Commissioner Van Miert on intervention funding for warship yards on 25 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: The negotiations which took place on 25 October between my officials and officials in the EC Commission were useful and constructive. I will continue to maintain a close interest in this issue.

  Post Office
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the return on capital employed in the Post Office in 1992–93; and what is that projected for 1993–94.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: The financial targets set for Royal Mail and Post Office Counters are to achieve respectively an annual average return on capital employed of 16 per cent. and 9.3 per cent. over the three years 1992–93 to 1994–95. In 1992–93 the actual returns on capital employed achieved by Royal Mail and Post Office Counters were respectively 16.3 per cent. and 9.6 per cent.

  Parcelforce was set the financial target of achieving at least break-even in 1992–93 and 1993–94. In 1992–93, Parcelforce incurred a small loss, giving a negative return on capital employed of –5.7 per cent.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was(a) the planned and (b) the outturn expenditure on capital investment in the Post Office in 1992–93; what was the planned capital investment in 1993–94 in last year's autumn statement; what is that currently planned; and if he will express the figures for 1993–94 both in cash and on a common price base with 1992–93.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: Planned capital expenditure by the Post Office in 1992–93 was £344 million; outturn expenditure was £343 million. The Post Office's capital expenditure limit for 1993–94 set in last year's autumn statement was £321 million and remains at that figure; in 1992–93 prices this equates to £312 million.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the external financing limit targets for the Post Office for 1992–93 and 1993–94 in cash and standard price terms.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: The EFL targets set for the Post Office for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are as follows:

  £ million

  Cash

  1992–93 prices

  1992–93

  1-66

  -66

  1993–94

  -181

  -176

  1 The EFL outturn for 1991–93 was —00A3;80 million

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the direct actual and whole-time equivalent employment in the Post Office and each of its subsidiaries as at 1 April 1992, 1 October 1992, 1 April 1993 and 1 October 1993.
  351
  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: The direct actual and whole-time equivalent employment in the Post Office and each of its subsidiaries as at 1 April 1992, 1 October 1992, 1 April 1993 and 1 October 1993 were as follows:

  Post Office

  Post Office Counters Ltd

  SSL Ltd

  Total Post Office group

  Direct Actual

  1 April 1992

  191,800

  16,900

  1,400

  210,100

  1 October 1992

  189,100

  16,800

  1,400

  207,300

  1 April 1993

  184,600

  16,400

  1,400

  202,400

  1 October 1993

  183,900

  15,100

  1,300

  200,300

  Wholetime equivalent

  1 April 1992

  181,700

  15,400

  1,400

  198,500

  1 October 1992

  178,900

  15,100

  1,400

  195,400

  1 April 1993

  174,300

  14,700

  1,400

  190,300

  1 October 1993

  173,100

  13,400

  1,300

  187,800

  Note: The above figures are to the nearest hundred. Direct actual employment represents all full-time staff plus part-time staff counted as 1; whole-time equivalent employment represents all full-time staff plus part-time staff counted as ½.

  Name

  Position

  Date Appointed

  Other Directorships

  Mr. K. F. Whittle CBE

  Chairman

  30 June 19931

  Chairman BEAB

  Mr. J. Pearcy

  Financial

  30 June 19931

  Director BEAB

  Mr. G. D. Clarke

  Managing Director and Secretary

  1 January 1987

  Director, Surrey TEC

  Mr. J. F. Barrett

  Director

  24 November 1992

  Director, Digital Equipment UK

  Mr. R. P. Boardman

  Director

  30 June 19931

  Mr. K. E. Clarke

  Director

  7 August 1992

  Director, BT (CPB) Ltd.

  Mr. D. G. Hyde

  Director

  11 October 1990

  Oftel, (Nominated by Secretary of State)

  Mr. H. Peltor CBE

  Director

  17 January 1991

  Director, BREMA, Director, BEAB

  Mr. N. A. Perrin

  Director

  1 January 1988

  Director, EEA

  Dr. D. A. Leakey

  Director

  1 June 1989

  Dr. A. O'Dochartaigh

  Director

  17 January 1991

  Director of Communication-Bass plc

  1 Date of re-election

  Public Rights
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing whether the public have a statutory right to(a) attend all board or committee meetings, (b) inspect the minutes of meetings, (c) inspect the annual reports, (d) inspect the annual accounts and (e) inspect a register of members' interests of each executive non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 2 November 1993]: A list of executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by my Department is set out in "Public Bodies 1992" a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  With one exception, none of the executive NDPBs sponsored by DTI is required by statute to give the public rights to attend all board of committee meetings, inspect the minutes of meetings or inspect a register of members interests. The exception in the National Consumer Council which is required under company law to file details of members' interests.

  The following NDPBs are either required by statute to publish their annual report or lay them before Parliament:

  Advisory Committees on Telecommunications

  Area Transport Users' Consultative Committees

  British Hallmarking Council*

  Central Transport Consultative Committee

  Domestic Coal Consumers' Council

  English Industrial Estates Corporation*

  Gas Consumers' Council

  British Approvals Board for Telecommunications
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the membership of the British Approvals Board for Telecommunications together with their date of appointment, remuneration and other allowances, other public appointments and directorships.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: The British Approvals Board for Telecommunications (BABT) is a private company without share capital, limited by guarantee. As a registered company, it is required to lodge a copy of its audited accounts and directors' details with Companies House. These show that the composition of the board (emoluments during 1992, if any, follow in brackets) is: the chairman (£8,500), the managing director and secretary (£62,304), the finance director (less than £5,000) and eight non-executive directors.

  Their details are given as follows:

  London Regional Passengers' Committee

  National Consumer Council*

  Policyholders' Protection Board*

  Post Office Users' National Council

  Post Office Users' Councils for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority*

  The bodies marked with an asterisk, together with the Hearing Aid Council, are also either required to publish their annual accounts or lay them before Parliament.

  Refrigerant Containers
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association about the terms of the draft Environmental Protection (Non-Refillable Refrigerant Containers) Regulations 1993.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: My Department has received representations from BAMA expressing concern that aerosol sprays for freezing purposes would be banned under the terms of these Regulations. I understand from my colleagues at the Department of the Environment that the regulation was not designed to include aerosols and the definitions have been revised to ensure that the regulation affects only refrigerants in disposable containers which are supplied for servicing refrigeration equipment.

  Royal Mail International
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of Royal Mail International traffic is classified as concessionary printed paper rate—under 100 g; and if he will make a statement concerning its withdrawal.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: Concessionary printed paper rate items weighing less than 100 g represent 2.5 per cent. of total Royal Mail International traffic volume. The recent tariff changes for international printed paper traffic were necessary to ensure that the prices properly reflect the costs of providing the service.

  Electrical Installations
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department intends to introduce regulations requiring electrical installations affected by BS7671, IEE wiring regulations, to be installed by registered contractors in a manner similar to that used for gas installations under the Confederation of Registered Gas Installers registered contractor scheme.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  Electric wiring is already controlled through the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, as amended in 1990, and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. I am also considering the desirability of incorporating relevant electric wiring work into the Building Regulations, but the Government have no proposals to require all electrical installations to be installed by registered contractors.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes will be made to his Department's cash limits and running costs limit for 1993–94.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [pursuant to the reply, 1 November 1993, c. 58]: The Department's gross running cost limit as shown in table 2 of the original Estimate booklet (HC 495-IV) was overstated by £566,000 and should have been £327,424,000 as shown on the face of the Estimate for class IV, vote 1 at subheads CI and CZ(6). The increase of £875,000 from £327,424,000 to £328,299,000 sought in the Winter Supplementary remains unchanged.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Integrated Education
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he proposes to offer opportunities for integrated education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government remain committed to maximising the opportunities for parents to opt for integrated schools for their children. Support and advice is available from the NI Council for Integrated Education to any group from the community who wish to establish an integrated school, with the Integrated Education Fund providing assistance with early capital costs. The Department of Education provides 100 per cent. recurrent funding for new schools from day one, and 100 per cent. capital grants as soon as a school's viability is confirmed.354
  These measures have enabled rapid growth in the number of integrated schools: there are now 21 schools with a combined enrolment of some 4,000 pupils.

  Commercial and Industrial Development
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on commercial and industrial development in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  After law and order, strengthening the economy is the second highest priority of the Government in Northern Ireland. Our economic development strategy aims to achieve higher levels of employment opportunities. This depends on Northern Ireland industry becoming internationally competitive and the economic development agencies have been working towards this aim by encouraging inward investment and by helping with activities which will improve business performance.

  The annual report of the Industrial Development Board (IDB), published in September, recorded a year of considerable achievement for the organisation. There were 10 new inward investment projects offering almost 2,000 new jobs—IDB's second most successful year ever. Several of these projects, including Texmaco and Seagate Technology, will not only create employment but also introduce new products and technologies to Northern Ireland. In addition 2,800 new jobs were created during 1992–93 in IDB client companies which received financial assistance towards investment projects in 59 established companies with the aim of improving their international competitiveness.

  The Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU), the small business agency, also had a successful year in 1992–93. During the year there was a net increase in employment of 1,020 in LEDU client companies, a significant reversal of the previous year's results which showed a net decrease in employment of 650. There was also a marked rise in activity levels across the range of LEDU's activities, including 3,716 individuals receiving enterprise training and 1,429 new business start ups.

  During 1992–93 the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) played a significant role in the development of Northern Ireland's research and development capabilities through the provision of a range of financial and other support to industry. Particular emphasis was placed on encouraging collaboration between industry, government and other organisations engaged in research.

  Development in the commercial sector continues to be buoyant and numerous projects have been started or completed in the last year. Major projects completed include developments in Belfast such as a 10-screen multiplex cinema and associated multi-storey car park, and a number of significant office developments including a major development in the Laganside area, which will be a priority area for commercial development over the next 15 years. In Londonderry a £10 million development known as Quayside has recently been completed. Projects currently under way in Belfast include further development of sites within Laganside, together with prestige office developments on other sites. In Londonderry work has started on a £65 million retail and office development to be known as Foyleside.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what way journey times by ambulance between Lame and the new Antrim hospitals have been recorded; and what is the estimated journey time by ambulance for patients between Lame and the Antrim hospital.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Northern health and social services board has carried out "trial runs" using three different methods, to calculate the travel time from Larne to the Antrim hospital site.

  The first method involved an ambulance travelling at high speed on a normal day but without the use of the emergency blue light. The recorded time was 20 minutes. The second method involved travelling by car at normal speed and on a normal day. The time recorded was 25 minutes. The third method involved using a computer model which simulated a journey by ambulance in poor travel conditions. The time calculated was also 25 minutes.

  The board estimates that in a real emergency, even in rush-hour traffic, the journey could be completed by ambulance in approximately 20 minutes. In normal traffic conditions a reduction of three of four minutes in that time would be possible.

  Religious Tolerance
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to encourage religious tolerance in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government are committed to ensuring that there is full equality of opportunity and equity of treatment for all sections of the Northern Ireland community and that every opportunity is taken to encourage greater contact between the communities, thereby increasing mutual understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity. Over the past four years the Government have facilitated a wide range of measures to encourage better community relations and has committed more than £23 million towards community relations programmes in Northern Ireland, including over £7 million in this financial year. From September 1993 all pupils of compulsory school age are required to be taught two cross-community themes—education for mutual understanding, and cultural heritage—which are intended to foster greater understanding and improved relationships between people of different cultural traditions.

  Democratic Structures
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to develop further democratic structures in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The Government would like to see greater responsibility for the affairs of Northern Ireland exercised by locally elected representatives, under a system attracting wide support across the entire community. I continue to believe that the best hope of achieving this lies in the talks process involving the British and Irish Governments and the four main constitutional parties in Northern Ireland. The Government are actively engaged in discussions aimed at taking this process forward.

  Community Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the level of knowledge, skill and experience of community psychiatric nurses in promoting and maintaining mental health in the community in deciding whether to include them as eligible as approved applicants for compulsory admission to a psychiatric hospital in the proposed amendments to the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no proposals at present to amend the substance of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and no consideration is currently being given to include community psychiatric nurses as persons who may make application for assessment under the compulsory admission to hospital procedures contained in the order.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 20 October,Official Report, column 235, if he will state the reason for the increase in entertainment costs in his Department from 1991–92 to 1992–93.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The previously published figures on hospitality in 1991–92 related only to the Department of Finance and Personnel. The total amount spent on official hospitality in that year by all the Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office was £559,220.

  Out-of-school Child Care
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what department in Northern Ireland is to be responsible for the allocation of the out-of-school grants as agreed by the Department of Employment; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish the amount of money to be made available to Northern Ireland for child care provision under the out-of-school child care grant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is not always possible for grants available from GB Departments to be immediately replicated by Northern Ireland Departments. The out-of-school child care grant has not been extended to Northern Ireland. The possibility of introducing a scheme of this kind is currently being examined by an inter-departmental group which will advise Ministers. If it is decided that a scheme is feasible or can be funded, then a decision will be made about assigning departmental responsibility for it.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision is made for grants to those organisations and individuals who organise out-of-school arrangements in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  In the health and personal social services field, funding of local day care projects is the responsibility of the four area health and social services boards. These projects are aimed at looking after children who might be at risk of being harmed or becoming delinquent. Support
  357
  can be provided on a once only basis towards a project's start-up costs and for equipment, and on a recurring basis towards annual running costs. In addition, the Department of Health and Social Services can support the central administrative expenditure of regional voluntary child care organisations whose work advances the Department's strategic objectives.

  Security Statistics
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the security statistics for 1992 are now available, together with details of persons charged with terrorist-type offences and convictions for scheduled offences for the year.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Security statistics for 1992 are as follows. Statistics for earlier years can be obtained from the Library.

  Statistics on security for the period January to December 1992

  Contents

  Page number

  Table 1:

  a. Shooting incidents

  1

  b. Explosions-estimated weight

  1

  c. Bombs neutralised-estimated weight

  1

  d. Armed robberies

  1

  e. Amount stolen

  1

  f. Malicious fires

  1

  g. Deaths

  1

  h. Injuries

  1

  Table 2:

  a. (i) Dwellings searched by the Army

  2

  a. (ii) Dwellings searched by the RUC

  2

  b. Finds

  2

  c. Persons charged with terrorist-type offences

  2

  Table 3:

  Tables of convictions and sentences for scheduled offences

  3–5

  Table 1: statistics of terrorist activity

  Figures

  a. Shooting incidents1

  439

  b. Explosions

  222

  Estimated weight in kilograms

  7,207

  c.Bombs neutralised

  149

  Estimated weight in kilograms

  4,143

  d. Armed robberies

  642

  e. Amount stolen

  £1,665,863

  f. Malicious fires

  419

  g. Deaths:Civilian

  76

  Table 3

  convictions and sentences for scheduled offences tried on indictment at Belfast Crown Court 1992

  Custodial sentences (January-December 1992)

  Offences

  Persons convicted

  Noncustodial sentence

  Young offenders centre/ training school

  Less than 5 years

  5 year and less than 7 years

  7 years and less than 10 years

  10 years and less than 15 years

  15 years and less than 20 years

  20 years and over

  Detained S.O.S

  Life

  Murder

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  Aiding and abetting murder

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Attempted murder

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  3

  0

  0

  Conspiracy to murder

  9

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  2

  3

  0

  0

  Assault1

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

  8

  7

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent

  18

  2

  5

  1

  3

  5

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  358

  Figures

  Regular Army

  4

  Royal Irish Regiment

  2

  RUC

  2

  RUC Reserve

  1

  Total

  85

  f. Injuries:

  Civilian

  598

  Regular Army

  302

  Royal Irish Regiment

  18

  RUC

  123

  RUC Reserve

  25

  Total

  1,066

  1 Excludes shots heard

  Table 2: Statistics of security forces activity

  Figures

  a. (i) Dwellings searched by the Army:

  Occupied

  507

  Unoccupied

  129

  Derelict

  115

  TOTAL

  751

  a. (ii) Dwellings searched by the RUC:

  Occupied1

  —

  Unoccupied1

  —

  Derelict1

  —

  TOTAL

  3,415

  b. Finds:

  Weapons

  243

  Ammunition (rounds of)

  29,131

  Explosives (weight in Kgs)

  2,166

  c. Persons charged with terrorist-type offences:

  Murder

  34

  Attempted murder

  63

  Firearms offences

  79

  Explosives offences

  38

  Armed robbery

  32

  Others

  159

  TOTAL

  405

  1 Breakdown into occupied, unoccupied or derelict not provided by the RUC.

  Note: Searches of dwellings frequently involve both the Army and the RUC and are registered in their respective records. The totals should therefore not be aggregated and are shown separately to avoid an element of double counting.
  359

  Custodial sentences (January-December 1992)

  Offences

  Persons convicted

  Noncustodial sentence

  Young offenders centre/ training school

  Less than 5 years

  5 years and less than 7 years

  7 years and less than 10 years

  10 years and less than 15 years

  75 years and less than 20 years

  20 years and over

  Detained S.O.S.

  Life

  Wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kidnapping and false imprisonment

  4

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Arson

  12

  8

  1

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Petrol bomb offences

  7

  6

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hijacking

  19

  8

  4

  5

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Robbery

  120

  34

  21

  33

  16

  8

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Burglary (aggravated)

  10

  4

  2

  2

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Blackmail

  2

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Impeding apprehension

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Membership

  4

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possessing items for terrorist purposes

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Causing a bomb hoax

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Withholding information

  4

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Recording information

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possession of information useful to terrorists

  8

  3

  0

  2

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Making property available

  13

  5

  0

  5

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Withholding information about an arrestable offence

  18

  17

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Carrying firearm with intent

  3

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possession of firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances

  6

  5

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Possession of firearm with intent

  27

  6

  2

  7

  3

  4

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Explosives offences

  24

  2

  2

  0

  4

  5

  8

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Intimidation

  2

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Threats to kill

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Handling1

  4

  1

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Theft1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Breach of suspended sentence

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Making or receiving contributions

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  TOTAL

  354

  131

  37

  73

  37

  26

  26

  6

  8

  0

  10

  Notes

  1. Non-scheduled offences (1) are included in table 3 where a defendant and/or co-defendants were charged with scheduled offences, and where the charge was 'reduced' (e.g. from robbery to handling stolen goods), or where a defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

  2. Breach of suspended sentences are included where the orders were made on scheduled offences. They are also included where the breach of conditions for non-scheduled offences are heard along with other scheduled offences.

  3. Where a person has been convicted of more than one offence, only that offence which received the longest sentence is recorded in the statistics.

  Authorised Investigators
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the statutory code of practice in respect of authorised investigators to come into operation.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Yesterday I laid before Parliament the draft code of practice in connection with the exercise by authorised investigators of the powers conferred by schedule 5 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991, as I am required to do by paragraph 7(3) of that schedule. I intend also to make an Order which will bring the code into operation from midnight on 31 December 1993. This short delay is to enable authorised investigators and those who may have to advise persons to be interviewed by them to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the draft code before it comes into operation.

  The draft code provides guidance to authorised investigators on how they should exercise their powers and contains a number of valuable stafeguards for those who may be interviewed by them.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Chamber (Live Feed)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list all those organisations and individuals(a) within and (b) outside the precincts of the Palace of Westminster who currently receive the live feed from the Chamber of the House of Commons.

  Mr. Newton
  Within the Palace of Westminster and its outbuildings, the following organisations or individuals receive a clean television feed from the Chamber: Madam Speaker; the Speaker's Secretary; the Chairman of Ways and Means; the Prime Minister; the Leader of the Opposition; the Leader of the House; the shadow Leader of the House; the Leader of the Liberal Democrats; the Whips Offices of the Government, the Official Opposition and the Liberal Democrats; the Supervisor of Parliamentary Broadcasting; and the Press Gallery, within which some individual broadcasters have made their own separate arrangements.

  In addition, the Votes and Proceedings Office and the Committee Office at No. 7 Millbank receive a clean sound feed. The Editor and Deputy Editor of the Official Report enjoy a similar facility, as does the Hansard training division at No. 7 Millbank.
  361
  Outside the House, a number of Government Departments have arranged through the Central Office of Information to take a clean television feed. In addition, all the main broadcasters within the United Kingdom—the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and BSkyB—are entitled under the terms of the first report of Session 1988–89 of the Select Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House to receive the clean feed. The live feed is also retransmitted in the form of the Parliamentary Channel, which is carried by various local cable networks throughout the United Kingdom. Finally, the Press Association has access to a live feed for the production of still photographs, for which purpose it has been licensed by Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Ltd., PARBUL.

  There are a further 25 organisations, mainly in broadcasting or the press, which are already authorised to take a clean sound feed and which on the basis of a policy decision by the Select Committee, are also entitled, without the need to seek separate permission, to take a clean television feed if they wish. I understand that very few of these organisations have in fact exercised their right to receive the television feed, although precise information about their identity is not readily available since, as indicated, they do not need the approval of the Select Committee to do so. The full list of 25 is as follows:

  British Forces Broadcasting Service

  Manx Radio

  South Africa Broadcasting Corporation

  National Public Radio (USA)

  Radio stations affiliated to the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations

  Scandinavian Broadcasting (Danish (DR), Finnish (YLE), Norwegian and Swedish radio and television)

  Voice of America

  Falkland Islands Broadcasting

  Associated Press Ltd.

  IBS News Ltd.

  Radio Television Hong Kong

  Radio Basildon

  London Broadcasting Co. Ltd. (who are authorised to supply the feed to national newspapers)

  Israel Broadcasting Authority

  Norddeutscher Rundfunk Hamburg

  Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln

  Deutsche Welle, Köln

  Wall Street Journal London Bureau Reuters Ltd.

  Sound Productions (Overseas Promotions) Ltd.

  TV Asahi

  Christian Science Monitor

  Tolerate Europe/Gulf

  Bank of England

  New York Times London Bureau

  The supply of a clean sound feed has also been authorised to BBC Audiocall, TIM Ltd. and IRN for the purpose of providing a premium rate live telephone relay of proceedings.

  Sittings of the House
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what progress he has made in preparing proposals for the House on the hours of sitting arising from the report from the Select Committee on Sittings of the House.

  Mr. Newton
  I have met the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) since the House reassembled to consider how best we might make further progress in taking forward the proposals from the report.

  EC Visits
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members used the new facility in the last financial year to visit Brussels or Strasbourg on parliamentary business.

  Mr. Newton
  During the financial year ended 31 March 1993, a total of 88 Members claimed expenses under the terms of the Resolution of the House of 6 December 1991, in respect of visits to European Community institutions.

  Sixty-one Members claimed for a visit to Brussels, 26 for a visit to Strasbourg and one for a visit to Luxembourg.

  Members' Rooms
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many hon. Members have single rooms(a) in total and (b) by party.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Four hundred and forty-five hon. Members have single rooms as follows: 243 Conservatives, 185 Labour, 10 Liberal Democrats, 2 Scottish National party, 2 Ulster Unionist party, 2 Plaid Cymru, 1 Ulster Popular Unionist party. These figures include office holders' rooms.

  Receptions
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee how many receptions have taken place at the House sponsored by(a) Conservative hon. Members and (b) hon. Members of other parties since 9 April 1992; and for what organisations in each case.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  It is not the practice to disclose details of bookings made by Members.

  Catering Facilities
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley), of 22 October,Official Report, columns 347–8, if he will seek to arrange for the impending review of private dining facilities to consider a requirement that hon. Members sponsoring functions in the House should confirm to the Director of Catering Services that they have checked the bona fides of any organisation for which they have agreed to sponsor a function.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  The impending review of private dining facilities will include consideration of the existing regulations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Gambling
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the revenues raised from, and the total turnover of, gambling and gaming, including pools, gaming machines, bingo, casinos, on-course betting, off-course betting and lotteries in each year since 1989; and what is his Department's analysis of the changes in these statistics.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information relating to the revenue raised from betting and gaming is contained in tables J1-J3 of the annual reports of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, copies of which are in the Library.
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  Reliable information on total turnover from the various forms of betting and gaming is not collected centrally.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 640, if he will break down into categories the 51 per cent. of all prisoners in Britain not convicted of violence against the person, robbery or for a sexual offence.

  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 D. Lewis to Mr. David Alton, dated November 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question pursuant to my Answer of 27 October, asking for a breakdown into categories of the 51 per cent. of all prisoners convicted of non-violent offences i.e. offences other than violence against the person, robbery or sexual offences.
  The information you have requested is given in the attached table.

  Population1 held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales under sentence on 30 June 1993

  Offence Group

  Percentage of the sentenced prison population

  Burglary

  16

  Theft and handling

  10

  Fraud and forgery

  3

  Drugs

  11

  Other offences

  11

  All non-violent offences

  51

  1 Provisional figures. Excludes those committed in default of payment of a fine and those for whom no offence is recorded.

  Overseas Domestic Servants
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new measures Her Majesty's Government are proposing in order to prevent abuse and exploitation of domestic servants from overseas.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We introduced in May 1991 tighter controls on the arrangements whereby in certain circumstances domestic servants from abroad may accompany their employer to the United Kingdom.

  These arrangements are kept under review but there are no plans at present to introduce further measures.

  British Summer Time
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of British summer time.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We expect to bring our consideration of policy on future summer time arrangements to a conclusion soon. We shall take into account the possible outcomes of negotiations on the recent draft 7th EC directive on the start and end dates of summer time, including its proposal that from 1997 all member states should adopt the October end date currently used in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  Police Cautions
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cautions were issued each year since 1990 in the Peterlee sub-division.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information collected centrally shows only the police force area in which a caution is given. The table gives cautioning data for the Durham constabulary for 1990 to 1992—which is provisional. 1993 information will not be available until autumn 1994.

  Number of offenders cautioned in Durham police force area by type of offence 1990, 1991 and 19921

  Type of offence

  1990

  1991

  11992

  Indictable

  1,235

  1,152

  1,377

  Summary (excluding motoring)

  766

  704

  688

  Total

  2,001

  1,856

  2,065

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what additional resources will be made available to the police service as a whole, and for each police force area, to implement the draft circular on cautioning;

  (2) how many additional police officers he estimates will be needed to implement the draft circular on cautioning;

  (3) what additional resources will be made available to the Crown Prosecution Service to implement the draft circular on cautioning;

  (4) what will be the cost to the legal aid budget of the draft circular on cautioning;

  (5) what is his estimate of the additional workload for the Crown Prosecution Service of his draft circular on cautioning;

  (6) what is his estimate of the additional workload for the police service as a whole, and for each police force, of his draft circular on cautioning;

  (7) how many extra staff he estimates will be needed by the Crown Prosecution Service to implement the draft circular on cautioning.

  Mr. Maclean
  The resource implications of the new draft guidance are still being examined while consultation is in progress, but since it is not expected to do more than return the number of cautions to the level that was current in 1991, I do not expect significant additional resources to be required.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the impact on the average length of time from charge or summons to completion of a case in the youth court of his announcement on cautioning;

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of additional prosecutions which will result from his draft guidance on cautioning;

  (3) what is his estimate of the impact on the average length of time from first appearance of a case in a youth court to completion of his announcement on cautioning;

  (4) what is his estimate of the number of additional cases that will be dealt with (a) in the youth court, (b) in magistrates courts and (c) in the Crown court as a result of his draft circular on cautioning.

  Mr. Maclean
  Responsibility for deciding whether or not to caution an offender in any particular case will
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  continue to rest with the police who will make their own judgments as to what action it would be appropriate to take in particular circumstances. But we have estimated that the effect of the guidance which has just been issued for consultation might be to increase the number of prosecutions by some 25,000 to 30,000. The vast majority of these cases would be heard in the youth court or magistrates courts; it is too soon to estimate reliably the effect, if any, on court waiting times.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average length of time from offence to the administering of a police caution nationally and in each police force area;

  (2) what is the average cost of a caution.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available.

  Falklands War Crimes
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure has hitherto been incurred in investigating the alleged war crimes by British soldiers in the Falklands; and what estimate he has for the cost of the total investigation.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the commissioner that the estimated additional cost of the investigation to date is £98,000 and that future additional costs are estimated at £3,800 per month.

  Vehicle Security
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to ensure the introduction of secure and visible vehicle identification numbers to improve vehicle security.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office and the police have for some years been encouraging motor manufacturers to introduce visible vehicle identification numbers on all new cars.

  This is preferably done by the number being displayed on a permament tamper-proof plate bonded to the nearside windscreen pillar or dashboard of the vehicle, and I am pleased to say that a number of manufacturers are now responding positively to our representations.

  Fines (Defaulters)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners have been imprisoned for defaulting on payment of fines.

  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 D. Lewis to Mr. David Alton, dated November 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the percentage of prisoners imprisoned for defaulting on a fine in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.
  The latest available provisional information is for 31 August 1993 when fine defaulters accounted for some 1.5 per cent. of the total sentenced prison population.

  Mrs. Joy Gardner
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the INDECS record of Mrs. Joy Gardner.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No. It is not our practice to make public immigration records relating to individuals.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide estimates for the annual cost of imprisoning a category A prisoner for each year since 1974.

  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 D. Lewis to Mr. Chris Mullin, dated November 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question concerning the annual cost of holding category A prisoners, since 1974.
  Costs are collected by the type of establishment, rather than the category of prisoner.
  All convicted category A prisoners are held in one of six dispersal prisons. The average annual cost of holding an inmate in a dispersal prison (at 1993–94 prices) is given for the years 1983–84 to 1992–93. Prior to 1983 the dispersal prisons were not costed separately.

  Average annual cost (at 1993–94 prices) of holding a prisoner in a dispersal prison

  Year

  £

  1983–84

  42,010

  1984–85

  40,435

  1985–86

  37,279

  1986–87

  35,885

  1987–88

  40,570

  1988–89

  36,730

  1989–90

  35,294

  1990–91

  36,333

  1991–92

  44,627

  1992–93

  143,599

  1 Provisional.

  Dispersal prisons hold all categories of inmates and we are unable to isolate those costs which relate directly to the category A prisoners.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from the appropriate chief constable to provide estimates for the cost including police wages of(a) the inquiry by Mr. David Owen into the injuries inflicted on the six people convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings during the first few days in custody, (b) the inquiry carried out by the City of London police in 1988 into alleged contacts between Dr. Frank Skuse and Mr. George Reade, (c) the first inquiry conducted by the Devon and Cornwall police into the pub bombings convictions and (d) the second inquiry conducted by the Devon and Cornwall police.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No. These are matters for the chief constable of the West Midlands police.

  Wymott Prison
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to implement the recommendations made in the report of Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons on the disturbance at Her Majesty's prison, Wymott.

  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 D. Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated November 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the plans to implement the recommendations made in the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on the disturbance at Wymott prison. The report makes a total of 47 recommendations. Whilst some of these recommendations are specific to Wymott there are others concerning the management of Category C prisoners and the handling of major incidents. At this stage 42 of the Chief Inspector's recommendations have been accepted or accepted in principle, whilst the remaining five recommendations are currently being evaluated. Several of the accepted recommendations have already been implemented.
  The recommendations still under evaluation are:
  Recommendation 7.03, that the Certified Normal Accommodation for each house at Wymott should be reduced to make them more manageable;
  Recommendation 7.23, 7.24 and 7.25, which concern themselves with general management and tactical management issues for the Category C prisoner population;
  and Recommondation 7.29, which proposes measures to not hold active drug dealers in establishments with cubicular or dormitory accommodation.
  This overall response to the Chief Inspector's Report effectively constitutes a broad programme of action to establish and maintain safety at Wymott. The outcome of the evaluation of the wider recommendations contained in 7.23, 7.24, 7.25 and 7.29 should contribute further to this both at Wymott and in other establishments, whilst the local recommendations for a reduction in house unit Certified Normal Accommodation will be considered in the light of proper experience of the establishment's new vulnerable prisoner population.
  The timetable for implementation of this overall response to the Chief Inspector's Report will vary in accordance with the implications and demands of particular individual recommendations. Several of the local recommendations and those for the handling of major incidents have already been implemented. A decision has now been taken to demolish the two most severely damaged house units at Wymott and to replace this accommodation with new cellular blocks similar to those recently opened at the establishment in your own constituency, HM Prison Risley. This building programme will take somewhere in the region of 2 years to complete. Consideration still needs to be given to some of the broader issues concerning the Category C prisoner population, as the Chief Inspector's recommendations have a number of implications for other principles and regime priorities such as the Prison Service's desire to develop community prisons on the lines proposed in the Woolf report. Detailed work will be required to formulate a proper response which effectively balances these varying demands.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to continue the sex offender treatment programme for prisoners sent to Her Majesty's prison, Wymott;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on individual prisoners' progress through the sex offender treatment programme as a result of their compulsory transfer from Her Majesty's prison, Wymott.

  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.
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  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated November 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the sex offender treatment programme at Wymott.
  No prisoner who has participated in the sex offender treatment programme at Risley prison has been moved to Wymott on a compulsory basis, although four prisoners who had completed the formal treatment have so far chosen to go there on voluntary transfer. Staff from Risley have to date undertaken the necessary post-course assessment of these prisoners. It is intended that any similar further requirements in these cases will at this stage be primarily maintained from Risley.
  At this time and for the immediately forseeable future, Risley is maintaining its existing programme for this form of group work. Wymott intends to start similar initiatives early in the new year. No prisoner who has started this kind of course at Risley, either at the present time or in the future, would be considered for any transfer to Wymott until they had completed their course. Any prisoner selected for future attendance on a course at Risley would only be transferred to Wymott if a suitable course place was available in the latter setting.
  Once this form of groupwork has become fully established at Wymott the two establishments will work together on arrangements for the post-course assessment and support of all prisoners who have completed the formal treatment programme. This will ensure that a consistent level of care and assessment of progress is maintained for all the individual prisoners concerned.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has come to on the conclusion of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons regarding the safety of the accommodation at HMP Wymott; and on what basis the accommodation has been certified for use by prisoners.

  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 D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated November 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the safety of the accommodation at Wymott prison, and on what basis the accommodation has been certified for use by prisoners.
  HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' Report into the Disturbance at HM Prison Wymott on 6 September 1993 makes a total of 47 recommendations. Whilst some of these recommendations are specific to Wymott there are others concerning the management of Category C prisoners and the handling of major incidents. Many of this broader range of recommendations also have implications for safety at Wymott. At this stage 42 of the Chief Inspector's recommendations have been accepted or accepted in principle, whilst the remaining five are currently being evaluated. Several of the accepted recommendations have already been implemented.
  The recommendations still under evaluation are:
  Recommendation 7.03, that the Certified Normal Accommodation for each house at Wymott should be reduced to make them more manageable;
  Recommendation 7.23, 7.24 and 7.25, which concern themselves with general management and tactical management issues for the Category C prisoner population;
  Recommendation 7.29, which proposes measures to not hold active drug dealers in establishments with cubicular or dormitory accommodation.
  This overall response to the Chief Inspector's Report effectively constitutes a broad programme of action to establish and maintain safety at Wymott. The outcome of the evaluation of the wider recommendations contained in 7.23, 7.24, 7.25 and 7.29 should contribute further to this both at Wymott and in other establishments, whilst the local recommendations for a reduction in house unit Certified Normal Accommodation will be considered in the light of proper experience of the establishment's

  369
  new vulnerable prisoner population. This total response must be considered as part of the context for decisions now taken about the continuing and future use of accommodation at Wymott. These measures also in themselves contribute significantly to the maintenance and promotion of a safe environment for prisoners within this establishment.
  The Chief Inspector's Report makes two particular recommendations about the existing accommodation at Wymott:
  Recommendation 7.01, that the houses at Wymott should be redesigned and rebuilt or strengthened and converted to locked cellular accommodation; and
  Recommendation 7.02, that integral sanitation and an emergency call bell system should be installed throughout following the conversion to locked cellular accommodation.
  A decision has now been taken to demolish the two most severely damaged units (C and D Houses) and to replace this accommodation with cellular accommodation with integral sanitation and an emergency call bell system. The long term future of the remaining A and B Houses is being reviewed, and decisions on this should be reached in the early part of 1994.
  At this stage, however, work is well underway for the full refurbishment of these houses and the division of their existing 24 place accommodation units in half. The Chief Inspector's proposed means of creating cellular accommodation with integral sanitation within the refurbished house units were noted. This would involve difficult technical issues for the services supplied to the buildings, and is not considered to be essential.
  The implementation of several of the Chief Inspector's other recommendations, the further division of the existing accommodation units and changes already made to the daytime regime, night routines and the frequency of staff patrols together contribute significantly to the safety of Wymott's prisoner living areas. Such small cubicular accommodation with its access to night time sanitation is comparable with that found in several other establishments within the estate. This accommodation at Wymott has been certified for use in accordance with normal requirements of Section 14 of the Prison Act 1952 and Rule 23 of the Prison Rules 1964.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vulnerable prisoners are now held at Wymott prison.

  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 D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about vulnerable prisoners at Wymott prison.
  On 2 November 1993, 129 vulnerable prisoners were located at Her Majesty's Prison Wymott.

  Police White Paper
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of the organisations and individuals who have responded to or commented on the police White Paper; and if he will place a copy of each comment and submission in the Library.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Since the White Paper on police reform was published on 28 June, representations have been received from the 263 organisations set out in the following list. In addition, 95 letters have been received from individuals in response to the proposals.

  An additional 91 letters have been received from organisations and individuals in response to the specific proposals set out in the White Paper about possible adjustments to the boundaries of the Metropolitan police.

  Some organisations who have written may already have published their comments. But those commenting were not warned that their names or comments might be published
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  and I do not therefore think it right to name private individuals who have written, or to place copies of any of the letters in the Library.

  List of Organisations from whom responses to the White Paper on police reform have been received

  Alnwick District Council

  Arun District Council

  Assembly of Welsh Counties

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Association of County Councils

  Avon and Somerset police authority

  Aylesbury Vale District Council

  Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

  Bedfordshire Constabulary

  Bedfordshire police authority

  Bedfordshire County Council

  Belgrave Road local consultative committee

  Bidford on Avon Parish Council

  Blyth Valley Borough Council

  Bournemouth Town Council

  Bournville Lane police local consultative committee

  Bradford on Avon and District Crime Prevention Panel

  Brecknock police liaison Committee

  Brentwood Borough Council

  Bridlington police community liaison committee

  Bridlington Crime Prevention Panel

  Brighton Borough Council

  British Transport Police Federation

  Broadbury and Bishopsworth police and community consultative group

  Cambridgeshire police authority

  Camden Community and police consultative group

  Carmathen District Council

  Cheshire police authority

  Cheshire County Council

  Chester-le-Street district council

  Chester-le-Street police community consultative group

  Chesterfield Borough Council

  Chiltern District Council

  Christchurch Borough Council

  Chute Parish Council

  Clwyd County Council

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Conservative Party West Midlands Area

  Coventry City Council

  Craven District Council

  Crigglestone Parish Council

  Cumbria police authority

  Dalton le Dale Parish Council

  Darlington police community consultative group

  Denby Dale Parish Council

  Derbyshire County Council

  Derwentside police community consultative group

  Devon and Cornwall police authority

  Dinefwr Borough

  Dorset County Council

  Durham police community consultative group

  Durham County Council

  Durham Association of Parish and Town Councils

  Dyfed Powys police authority

  Easington police community consultative group

  East Lindsey District Council

  East Sussex County Council

  East Birmingham Pensioners

  Eastbourne Borough Council

  Ecclesfield community and police liaison forum

  Epping Town Council

  Epping Forest District Council

  Essex police authority

  Featherstone Town Council

  Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

  Gloucestershire police authority

  Gloucestershire County Council

  Great Grimsby Borough Council

  Greater Manchester police authority

  Greater Manchester Superintendents' Association

  Gwent police authority

  Hampshire Superintendents' Association

  Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group

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  Hart District Council

  Hastings and St. Leonards police community consultative group

  Hastings Borough Council

  Healeyfield Parish Council

  Hebden Royd Town Council

  Hereford and Worcester County Council

  Hertfordshire police authority

  Hertfordshire Police Federation joint branch board

  Hertfordshire Magistrates' Courts Committee

  Hertsmere Borough Council

  Hornsea Crime Prevention panel

  Hove Borough Council

  Hull Chamber of Commerce and Shipping

  Humberside police authority

  Ilkley Parish Council

  Isle of Anglesey Borough Council

  Isle of Wight County Council

  Kennet District Council

  Kent police authority

  Kirkburton Parish Council

  Kirklees Magistrates' Courts Committee

  Lancashire County

  Ledsham Parish Council

  Leeds City Council

  Leicestershire police authority

  Lewes police community consultative group

  Lichfield Police and Community Consultative Group

  Lincolnshire police authority

  Little Clacton Parish Council

  Macclesfield District Council

  Mere Parish Council

  Merseyside police authority

  Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale

  Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham

  Metropolitan Borough of Sefton

  Mid-Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

  Montgomeryshire police liaison committee

  National Associaton of Local Councils

  Neath Borough Council

  Netherlands State Police

  Norfolk County Council

  Norfolk police authority

  North Yorkshire Branch of the Association of District Councils

  North Eastern Regional District Councils Association

  North Wiltshire District Council

  North Staffordshire police consultative committee

  North Yorkshire police authority

  North Wales police authority

  North Wiltshire District Council

  Northampton Borough Council

  Northamptonshire police authority

  Northern Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

  Northumberland County Council

  Nottinghamshire County Council

  Nottinghamshire police authority

  Odiham Parish Council

  Oxfordshire County Council

  Pelton Fell village action group

  Police Federation of England and Wales

  Police Superintendents' Association

  Port Talbot Borough Council

  Radnorshire police liaison committee

  Radwinter Parish Council

  Redditch Borough Council

  Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  Rotherham Chamber of Trade

  Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

  Ryhill Parish Council

  Scarcroft Parish Council

  Seaham Town Council

  Seaton with Slingley Parish Council

  Sharleston Parish Council

  Sheffield City Council

  Shropshire County Council

  Shropshire Association of Parish and Town Councils

  Skipsea Parish Council

  Slough Borough Council

  Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

  Somerset County Council

  South Yorkshire Constabulary

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  South Yorkshire police authority

  South Kesteven District Council

  South Tyneside Metropolitan Council

  South Trafford police community consultative group

  Southwater Parish Council

  Spelthorne Borough Council

  St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council

  St. lye Parish Council

  Staffordshire police authority

  Staffordshire County Council

  Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

  Staffordshire Superintendents' Association

  Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council

  Suffolk police authority

  Suffolk County Council

  Sunderland City Council

  Surrey County Council

  Sussex police authority

  Sutton Borough Council

  Sutton Benger Parish Council

  Teesdale police and community consultative group

  Thames Valley police authority

  Thamesdown Racial Equality Council

  Todmorden Town Council

  Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

  Walkers Heath and District Residents' Association

  Warwickshire County Council

  Warwickshire police authority

  Watford Council

  Wednesbury police consultative committee

  Welwyn Hatfield Council

  West Bretton Parish Council

  West Midlands police consultative committee (F Division)

  West Yorkshire police authority

  West Lindsey District Council

  West Mercia police authority

  West Midlands police authority

  West Bretton Parish Council

  Wetherby Town Council

  Wickersley Parish Council

  Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

  Wiltshire police authority

  Woodspring District Council

  Wootton Bassett Town Council

  Worthing Police Community Consultative Group

  Worthing Borough Council

  Worthing police community consultative group

  Wythenshawe police and community consultative group

  Wythenshawe Homewatch Committee

  Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Association

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  Police White Paper

    Juvenile Offenders
    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the number and percentage of cases dealt with at first appearance at the juvenile court and subsequently youth court for each of the last five years(a) in England and Wales and (b) in each region for England and Wales;

    (2) what was the average length of time from offence to charge or summons for juveniles in each of the last five years (a) in England and Wales and (b) in each region of England and Wales;

    (3) what was the average length of time from first appearance to completion of a case at the juvenile court and subsequently youth court for each of the last five years (a) in England and Wales and (b) in each region for England and Wales;

    (4) what was the average length of time from charge or summons to first listing in the juvenile and subsequently youth court for each of the last five years (a) in England and Wales and (b) in each region for England and Wales.

    Mr. Maclean
    The readily available information, which is collected in selected sample weeks in February, June and
    373
    October of each year for indictable offences—including either way—is given in the table. Information from the 1993 samples will be available in early 1994.

    Average time taken for indictable proceedings1 in juvenile courts2 by stage of proceedings and area, 1989 to 1992

    Drugs/percentage

    Area/year

    Average number of days from

    Offence to charge or summons

    Charge or summons to first listing

    First listing to completion

    Offence to completion

    Percentage completed on first listing

    Numbers of defendants in sample

    London

    1989

    42

    18

    68

    128

    13

    363

    1990

    44

    19

    87

    150

    10

    326

    1991

    45

    19

    76

    141

    11

    292

    1992

    54

    18

    66

    137

    20

    323

    Other Metropolitan districts

    1989

    42

    21

    60

    123

    16

    543

    1990

    48

    20

    75

    143

    13

    582

    1991

    42

    21

    73

    136

    13

    610

    1992

    44

    20

    72

    135

    13

    651

    Non-Metropolitan Counties

    1989

    55

    25

    58

    137

    17

    1,054

    1990

    50

    24

    55

    130

    15

    998

    1991

    53

    25

    61

    139

    17

    895

    1992

    43

    24

    57

    123

    15

    1,028

    England and Wales

    1989

    49

    22

    60

    132

    16

    1,960

    1990

    49

    22

    67

    138

    13

    1,906

    1991

    48

    23

    67

    138

    15

    1,797

    1992

    45

    22

    63

    129

    15

    2,002

    1 Based on all indictable proceedings completed in sample weeks in February, June and October of each year.

    2 Youth courts from 1 October 1992.

    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to set targets for completion of each stage of the criminal justice process from offence to caution or completion of the court case in relation to juvenile offenders.

    Mr. Maclean
    Following implementation of recommendations from the pre-trial issues working group, a number of such targets applying to the court process are already in place for adults as well as juveniles. In addition, there are statutory limits governing the length of time that defendants can be held in custody while on remand. I do not intend to set time limits for the issuing of cautions.

    Burglaries
    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries in the 12 months ended June 1993(a) in England and Wales and (b) in each police force area in England and Wales were (i) burglary of a home and (ii) other burglaries.

    Mr. Maclean
    The information requested is given in the table.

    Notifiable offences of burglary recorded by the police by police force area—12 months ending June 1993

    England and Wales

    Police force area

    Burglary in a dwelling

    Burglary in a building other than a dwelling

    Avon and Somerset

    24,095

    21,293

    Bedfordshire

    7,256

    8,806

    Cambridgeshire

    7,571

    8,706

    Cheshire

    10,929

    12,241

    374

    Police force area

    Burglary in a dwelling

    Burglary in a building other than a dwelling

    Cleveland

    12,426

    7,159

    Cumbria

    4,922

    7,032

    Derbyshire

    9,456

    15,212

    Devon and Cornwall

    14,608

    16,689

    Dorset

    5,859

    4,390

    Durham

    7,618

    6,422

    Essex

    10,325

    16,809

    Gloucestershire

    8,936

    8,861

    Greater Manchester

    66,263

    38,361

    Hampshire

    16,865

    18,854

    Hertfordshire

    5,627

    7,788

    Humberside

    18,789

    27,636

    Kent

    19,423

    12,288

    Lancashire

    18,823

    11,526

    Leicestershire

    14,046

    11,324

    Lincolnshire

    6,697

    5,535

    City of London

    33

    803

    Merseyside

    23,018

    12,395

    Metropolitan police district

    124,732

    63,063

    Norfolk

    6,340

    12,178

    Northamptonshire

    6,788

    6,670

    Northumbria

    31,652

    32,833

    North Yorkshire

    7,551

    9,047

    Nottinghamshire

    22,322

    17,760

    South Yorkshire

    23,274

    25,594

    Staffordshire

    13,562

    17,257

    Suffolk

    3,879

    5,615

    Surrey

    6,025

    7,322

    Sussex

    15,849

    14,054

    Thames Valley

    21,520

    17,928

    Warwickshire

    4,417

    8,794

    West Mercia

    8,340

    9,847

    West Midlands

    53,960

    50,717

    West Yorkshire

    56,624

    37,812

    Wiltshire

    4,492

    4,832

    England

    724,912

    621,453

    375

    Police force area

    Burglary in a dwelling

    Burglary in a building other than a dwelling

    Dwfed-Powys

    1,584

    3,297

    Gwent

    3,639

    4,083

    North Wales

    4,210

    8,270

    South Wales

    14,844

    24,726

    Wales

    24,277

    40,376

    England and Wales

    749,189

    661,829

    Disclosure Requirements
    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to cut the amount of police time and time of civilian employees of police authorities to meet requirements of disclosure while allowing the necessary access on behalf of defendants.

    Mr. Charles Wardle
    My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the recommendations of the Royal Commission on criminal justice for simplifying the obligations for disclosure and reducing the burdens on the police. Any new provisions must be workable and fair.

    Prison, Doncaster
    Ms Ruddock
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the levels of overcrowding on which tenders for the new prison at Doncaster have been invited.

    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 D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated November 1993:
    The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about levels of overcrowding at Her Majesty's Prison Doncaster. The Invitation to Tender stated that, in accordance with the current procedures for opening new prisons, it was not envisaged that Her Majesty's Prison would be overcrowed.
    In recognition of the population pressure, however, and of the importance of having the value of competitive pressure in setting performance outputs and prices, all tenderers have subsequently been asked for their proposals for operating the prison at above the Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA) figure, including the impact on regime offerded on prisoner care.

    Courts
    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) indictable offences, (b) summary motoring offences and (c) summary non-motoring offences were dealt with in the magistrates courts in each years since 1980 and in the last year for which figures are available;

    (2) how many (a) indictable offences, (b) summary motoring offences and (c) summary non-motoring offences were dealt with by the juvenile court and latterly by the youth court in each year since 1980 and in the last month available.

    Mr. Maclean
    Readily available information on the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts by age group and type of offence is published 376
    annually in the Command Paper "Criminal statistics England and Wales". Table 6.1 of the 1990 and 1991 editions refers. Copies of these publications are available in the Library. 1992 data—which are provisional—are given in the table. 1993 data will not be available until autumn 1994.

    England and Wales 19921

    (Thousands)

    Type of offence

    Persons aged 10 and under 17

    All defendants

    Indictable

    35

    490

    Summary non-motoring

    11

    601

    Summary motoring

    3

    938

    Total

    49

    2,030

    1 Provisional.

    Prosecution Costs
    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of a prosecution(a) in the magistrates courts, (b) in the youth court and (c) in the Crown court.

    Mr. Maclean
    Comparative information on the costs of proceedings for either way offences in the magistrates and Crown court was included in "Costs of the Criminal Justice Systems 1992", published in December 1992 under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. No separate data are available in respect of the youth court.

    Fire and Rescue Services
    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the standard spending assessment and planned budget for each fire and rescue service during the current financial year.

    Mr. Howard
    Standard spending assessments relate to fire and civil defence expenditure; and the table provides the information requested on that basis.

    (£ million)

    1993–94 Fire and Civil Defence SSA

    1993–94 Fire and Civil Defence budgeted spending

    County Fire Authority

    Avon

    20·473

    21·829

    Bedfordshire

    11·073

    11·780

    Berkshire

    16·601

    15·798

    Buckinghamshire

    12·360

    12·318

    Cambridgeshire

    12·039

    13·795

    Cheshire

    20·103

    21·002

    Cleveland

    19·464

    20·128

    Cornwall

    7·181

    10·146

    Cumbria

    8·753

    11·813

    Derbyshire

    17·067

    18·272

    Devon

    19·557

    22·240

    Dorset

    12·065

    13·748

    Durham

    12·973

    13·914

    East Sussex

    14·891

    16·600

    Essex

    31·445

    34·667

    Gloucestershire

    9·605

    10·285

    Hampshire

    31·585

    27·823

    Hereford and Worcester

    12·116

    12·025

    Hertfordshire

    20·328

    19·547

    Kent

    2·229

    3·396

    Humberside

    21·322

    22·168

    Isle of Wight

    30·998

    35·138

    377

    1993–94 Fire and Civil Defence SSA

    1993–94 Fire and Civil Defence budgeted spending

    Lancashire

    32·276

    33·320

    Leicestershire

    16·924

    14·878

    Lincolnshire

    9·583

    11·641

    Norfolk

    13·010

    14·999

    Northamptonshire

    11·260

    11·460

    Northumberland

    5·823

    8·433

    North Yorkshire

    12·001

    14·718

    Nottinghamshire

    21·087

    20·784

    Oxfordshire

    11·284

    11·326

    Shropshire

    7·839

    8·040

    Somerset

    7·693

    9·349

    Staffordshire

    19·345

    18·577

    Suffolk

    11·023

    12·770

    Surrey

    22·133

    26·288

    Warwickshire

    8·993

    11·574

    West Sussex

    14·836

    16·122

    Wiltshire

    10·054

    10·267

    Isles of Scilly

    0·053

    0·088

    Fire and Civil Defence Authority

    London

    247·910

    247·749

    Greater Manchester

    72·754

    70·516

    Merseyside

    48·327

    47·429

    South Yorkshire

    29·683

    30·104

    Tyne and Wear

    35·357

    33·803

    West Midlands

    69·070

    66·728

    West Yorkshire

    50·752

    52·392

    Note: The SSAs shown for county fire authorities take no account of capital financing costs.

    Police Authority Budgets
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are for an increase in police authority budgets for policing costs in the second half of 1993–94.

    Mr. Charles Wardle
    Police authorities will have taken account of the level of Government support for policing when setting their budgets for 1993–94. Any changes to these budgets would be a matter for the local authorities concerned.

    Car Crime
    Mr. Michael
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing(a) for England and Wales and (b) for each police force area in England and Wales for the 12 months ended June 1993 (i) the total number of car crimes, (ii) the number of thefts from a vehicle and (iii) the number of thefts of vehicles.

    Mr. Maclean
    The requested information is given in the table.

    Notifiable offences of vehicle crime recorded by the police by police force area—12 months ending June 1993

    England and Wales

    Police force area

    Total vehicle crime

    Theft from a vehicle

    Theft of a vehicle

    Avon and Somerset

    67,561

    39,896

    27,665

    Bedfordshire

    20,860

    11,954

    8,906

    Cambridgeshire

    19,190

    12,538

    6,652

    Cheshire

    23,795

    14,247

    9,548

    Cleveland

    23,953

    10,632

    13,321

    Cumbria

    12,310

    9,033

    3,277

    Derbyshire

    27,111

    17,358

    9,753

    378

    Police force area

    Total vehicle crime

    Theft from a vehicle

    Theft of a vehicle

    Devon and Cornwall

    33,298

    24,483

    8,815

    Dorset

    12,741

    8,893

    3,848

    Durham

    18,702

    9,341

    9,361

    Essex

    31,549

    20,092

    11,457

    Gloucestershire

    19,483

    14,916

    4,567

    Greater Manchester

    119,051

    59,865

    59,186

    Hampshire

    40,362

    29,566

    10,796

    Hertfordshire

    18,871

    12,476

    6,395

    Humberside

    32,424

    21,207

    11,217

    Kent

    45,658

    26,001

    19,657

    Lancashire

    37,968

    24,430

    13,538

    Leicestershire

    30,509

    18,439

    12,070

    Lincolnshire

    11,110

    7,354

    3,756

    City of London

    1,023

    888

    135

    Merseyside

    34,577

    18,252

    16,325

    Metropolitan police district

    243,218

    163,650

    79,568

    Norfolk

    18,455

    13,559

    4,896

    Northamptonshire

    15,778

    9,085

    6,693

    Northumbria

    56,538

    26,125

    30,413

    North Yorkshire

    14,086

    9,342

    4,744

    Nottinghamshire

    43,666

    26,331

    17,335

    South Yorkshire

    44,889

    24,101

    20,788

    Staffordshire

    29,511

    17,436

    12,075

    Suffolk

    9,194

    6,528

    2,666

    Surrey

    15,512

    10,614

    4,898

    Sussex

    31,656

    22,855

    8,801

    Thames Valley

    64,820

    41,793

    23,027

    Warwickshire

    14,435

    9,200

    5,235

    West Mercia

    22,641

    14,176

    8,465

    West Midlands

    96,889

    55,530

    41,359

    West Yorkshire

    89,446

    51,204

    38,242

    Wiltshire

    9,984

    7,026

    2,958

    England

    1,502,824

    920,416

    582,408

    Dyfed-Powys

    4,466

    3,098

    1,368

    Gwent

    10,392

    6,563

    3,829

    North Wales

    12,622

    9,002

    3,620

    South Wales

    54,131

    30,796

    23,335

    Wales

    81,611

    49,459

    32,152

    England and Wales

    1,584,435

    969,875

    614,560

    Prisons Ombudsman
    Ms Ruddock
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the post of prisons ombudsman to be readvertised; which personnel recruitment agencies were asked to tender for the contract to head-hunt potential candidates for post; and what is the anticipated cost of(a) advertising and (b) headhunting for the post.

    Mr. Howard
    The post of prisons ombudsman is being readvertised in the national press in the period 4 to 11 November 1993.

    Three firms were invited to tender for the contract to headhunt: Coopers and Lybrand Executive Resourcing Ltd., Goddard Kay Rogers and Associates Ltd. and SSI.

    The anticipated cost of advertising is £12,500. I am not able to provide details of the amount charged by the appointed headhunter since this information must be treated as commercial-in-confidence.

    Ms Ruddock
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date interviews were held for the post of prisons ombudsman; on what date the unsuccessful candidates were informed of the outcome; and if he will make a statement.
    379
    Mr. Howard
    Interviews for the post of prisons ombudsman were held on 21 June 1993.

    Unsuccessful candidates were informed of the outcome on 2 August and on 10 September 1993.

    The post is now being readvertised.

    Youth Organisations (Funding)
    Ms Armstrong
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the level of grant in aid for all youth bodies in the United Kingdom for the last five years; and what plans there are for the funding of these organisations over the next five years.

    Mr. Peter Lloyd
    Information listing grants made by each Government Department directly to voluntary organisations, and showing the broad area of work for which the grant was given, is available for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92. Copies of these lists are in the Library of the House. Prior to 1989–90 this information was not collected centrally.

    It is not possible to say what the level of funding of voluntary organisations will be over the next five years.

    INFORM
    Sir Ivan Lawrence
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further grants he intends to make to INFORM, the information network focus on new religious movements.

    Mr. Peter Lloyd
    Funding was originally provided to INFORM for a period of three years from 1987. This was extended for a further three years in 1990. Given competing bids for assistance from other voluntary sector groups, and the pressures on public expenditure generally, the Government have decided not to provide any additional funding for INFORM beyond the existing provision. Nor do the Government intend to fund any other groups working in this field.

    Smart, Pegg, Doody and Pierson
    Sir Ivan Lawrence
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 27 July,Official Report, columns 863–65, if he will make a further statement about his proposals for implementing the House of Lords judgment of 24 June in the case of Smart, Pegg, Doody and Pierson.

    Mr. Howard
    The judgment is concerned with the disclosure to prisoners serving mandatory life sentences of information about the minimum period of custody that they will be required to serve in order to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. Inter alia, it requires that the prisoner should be told the gist of the judicial advice which the Secretary of State receives on this subject, the Secretary of State's decision and the reasons for any departure from the judicial view.

    In my reply to my hon. and learned Friend on 27 July, I announced that I was consulting the Lord Chief Justice about the precise way in which the judgment would be implemented in respect of those prisoners who had already been sentenced. Those consultations have now been
    380
    completed. Disclosure of the matters required by the judgment has already been given to four prisoners immediately affected by the judgment and to another four, in respect of whom there were extant judicial review proceedings.

    Following this consultation, I propose now to commence a programme of disclosure to all mandatory life sentence prisoners. There are two categories of such prisoners. First, there are approximately 100 prisoners who were sentenced either shortly before, or after, the House of Lords judgment, for whom a minimum period of detention has not yet been considered by a Minister. In accordance with my previous answer, they will, as soon as is practicable, be informed of the relevant judicial recommendations in their cases so that they may, if they wish, submit written representations before that period is set. Any such representations will be considered by me or by a Minister acting on my behalf; and the prisoner will be informed of the decision with reasons for any departure from the judicial view.

    Secondly, there is a much larger number of some 2,600 prisoners whose cases have already been considered by Ministers, often some years ago, and who have already been notified of the date when their case would be first reviewed by the local review committee prior to consideration by the Parole Board. My officials will now begin the process of disclosure to them of the gist of the relevant judicial recommendations and advice, and of the decision by the Secretary of State of the day as to the minimum period which must be served for retribution and deterrence together, in appropriate cases, with a statement of the reasons why a recommendation from the judiciary was not followed. These prisoners will also be able to submit written representations. They will be considered and a response will be provided.

    It will inevitably take some time to clear the "backlog" of cases represented by this second group, given the limited resources available in my Department for the task. Taking account of the need to consider and respond to prisoners' representations, it will probably be some 12 months before every mandatory life sentence prisoner has been considered. Priority will be given to prisoners who have first local review committee dates in the calendar years 1994 to 1996 inclusive, in the order of those dates. In fairness to all, and to ensure maximum efficiency, cases will not normally be taken out of turn.

    Political Violence (Wales)
    Mr. Wigley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now set up an independent inquiry into the activities of an agent provocateur in cases of alleged political violence in Wales in the late 1960s; and if he will make a statement on the recent acknowledgement by a retired special branch officer of the existence of such an agent.

    Mr. Howard
    [holding answer 22 October 1993]: I have asked for a report from the North Wales police on the interview to which the hon. Member refers and shall write to him once I have considered it.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Low Incomes
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people live on income below the appropriate benefit level for their circumstances.

  Mr. Burt
  The latest estimates for the take-up of income-related benefits are for 1989 and show that there were around 2.2 million people who were eligible for income support, housing benefit or family credit who had not claimed. Many of these would have been eligible only for small amounts of the relevant benefit.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the answer of 4 December 1992,Official Report, column 421–22 on national insurance rebates for personal pensions, giving estimates for 1994–95 in addition to earlier years.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the tables.

  Table 1

  Tax Year

  National insurance fund income (£ million)

  Percentage

  1988–89

  29,825

  1·1

  1989–90

  30,446

  8·5

  1990–91

  34,490

  6·3

  1991–92

  34,679

  7·4

  1992–93

  35,660

  7·7

  Housing benefit in new towns in Scotland and Scottish Homes

  (a) Number of occupied tenancies

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  7,222

  6,684

  5,957

  5,516

  4,979

  East Kilbride (DC)

  12,818

  11,320

  10,467

  10,516

  9,769

  Glenrothes (DC)

  6,820

  6,285

  5,914

  5,604

  5,384

  Irvine (DC)

  4,214

  4,006

  3,818

  3,774

  3,724

  Livingston (DC)

  8,834

  8,107

  7,849

  7,599

  7,351

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  66,860

  64,306

  60,496

  57,253

  Total

  2—

  103,262

  98,311

  93,505

  88,460

  (b) Number of cases in receipt of rent rebate

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  3,900

  3,800

  3,500

  3,400

  3,300

  East Kilbride (DC)

  6,000

  5,900

  5,300

  5,200

  5,200

  Glenrothes (DC)

  3,500

  3,300

  3,200

  3,200

  3,200

  Irvine (DC)

  2,000

  2,000

  1,900

  1,900

  1,900

  Livingston (DC)

  3,900

  3,800

  3,500

  3,600

  3,600

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  34,800

  33,500

  37,400

  36,300

  Total

  2—

  53,600

  50,900

  54,700

  53,500

  (c) Percentage in receipt of rent rebate

  Per cent.

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbemauld (DC)

  54

  57

  59

  62

  66

  East Kilbride (DC)

  47

  52

  51

  49

  53

  Glenrothes (DC)

  51

  53

  54

  57

  59

  382

  Table 2

  Tax year

  Estimated national insurance fund income (£ million)

  Percentage

  1993–94

  44,357

  6·4

  1994–95

  45,353

  4·4

  Note. The projected fall in percentage for 1994–95 is due to the drop in the rebate from 5.8 per cent. to 4.8 per cent. from April 1993, the ending of the 2 per cent. incentive payment from April 1993 and the onset of the 1 per cent. additional rebate for personal pension holders aged 30 or over from April 1993. These changes are not reflected in the amounts paid out of the National Insurance fund until 1994–95 year.

  Housing Payments, Scotland
  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each new town corporation in Scotland and Scottish Homes, for each available year since 1987–88(a) the number of tenancies in their stock, (b) the number of these tenants in receipt of rent rebate, (c) the number of tenants in receipt of rent rebate as a percentage of the overall number of tenants, (d) the total amount of housing benefit expenditure, (e) the numbers and amounts of housing benefit overpayments and the amount as a percentage of the overall housing benefit expenditure, (f) the numbers and amounts of housing benefit backdated awards under Regulation 72(15) and the amount paid as a percentage of the overall housing benefit expenditure and (g) the numbers and amounts of discretionary payments under Exceptional Circumstances Regulation 69(8) and their percentage in relation to total housing benefit expenditure.

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is in the tables.
  383

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Irvine (DC)

  47

  50

  50

  50

  51

  Livingston (DC)

  44

  47

  45

  47

  49

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  52

  52

  62

  63

  Total

  2—

  52

  52

  58

  60

  (d) Total Housing Benefit expenditure (£)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  3,386,708

  3,562,957

  3,616,865

  3,798,328

  4,173,769

  East Kilbride (DC)

  4,437,371

  4,666,748

  4,972,683

  5,535,231

  6,405,684

  Glenrothes (DC)

  2,924,230

  3,078,029

  3,220,484

  3,578,474

  4,137,078

  Irvine (DC)

  1,707,373

  1,815,819

  1,879,451

  2,055,093

  2,362,064

  Livingston (DC)

  3,449,244

  3,619,755

  3,740,551

  4,249,920

  4,999,275

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  34,141,686

  37,288,386

  41,853,626

  (+)45,752,720

  Total

  2—

  50,884,994

  54,718,420

  61,070,672

  22,077,870

  (e) Number of cases of overpayment

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  5

  7

  118

  77

  85

  East Kilbride (DC)

  85

  48

  42

  258

  611

  Glenrothes (DC)

  373

  391

  432

  627

  1,805

  Irvine (DC)

  519

  1,262

  838

  636

  379

  Livingston (DC)

  10

  77

  82

  57

  90

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  6,390

  4,217

  4,632

  2—

  Total

  2—

  8,175

  5,729

  6,287

  2—

  (e) Amount of overpayment (£)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  1,802

  1,090

  42,432

  18,391

  18,102

  East Kilbride (DC)

  11,894

  16,854

  13,491

  39,461

  70,959

  Glenrothes (DC)

  26,793

  22,958

  27,017

  42,635

  104,544

  Irvine (DC)

  29,161

  64,332

  38,648

  42,959

  17,094

  Livingstone (DC)

  3,609

  27,156

  22,529

  17,606

  27,405

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  1,098,802

  956,231

  953,108

  2—

  Total

  2—

  1,231,192

  1,100,348

  1,114,160

  2—

  (e) Overpayment as percentage of total expenditure

  1988–89 Per cent.

  1989–90 Per cent.

  1990–91 Per cent.

  1991–92 Per cent.

  1992–93 Per cent.

  Cumbemauld (DC)

  0·05

  0·03

  1·17

  0·48

  0·43

  East Kilbride (DC)

  0·27

  0·36

  0·27

  0·71

  1·11

  Glenrothes (DC)

  0·92

  0·75

  0·84

  1·19

  2·53

  Irvine (DC)

  1·71

  3·54

  2·06

  2·09

  0·72

  Livingston (DC)

  0·10

  0·75

  0·60

  0·41

  0·55

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  3·22

  2·56

  2·28

  2—

  Total

  2—

  2·42

  2·01

  1·82

  2—

  (f) Number of cases of backdated payment

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  16

  20

  13

  30

  36

  East Kilbride (DC)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Glenrothes (DC)

  0

  0

  2

  2

  3

  Irvine (DC)

  18

  25

  35

  30

  32

  Livingston (DC)

  5

  6

  16

  12

  19

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  263

  211

  194

  2—

  384 385

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Total

  2—

  314

  277

  268

  2—

  (f) Amount of backdated benefit (£)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  4,320

  6,293

  2,646

  11,576

  15,159

  East Kilbride (DC)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  371

  Glenrothes (DC)

  0

  0

  376

  584

  1,670

  Irvine (DC)

  2,216

  2,147

  3,822

  7,767

  4,386

  Livingston (DC)

  1,048

  1,612

  4,572

  3,467

  5,053

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  50,819

  37,872

  40,864

  2—

  Total

  2—

  60,871

  49,288

  64,258

  2—

  (f) Backdated amount as percentage of total expenditure

  Per cent.

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbemauld (DC)

  0·13

  0·18

  0·07

  0·30

  0·36

  East Kilbride (DC)

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·01

  Glenrothes (DC)

  0·00

  0·00

  0·01

  0·02

  0·04

  Irvine (DC)

  0·13

  0·12

  0·20

  0·38

  0·19

  Livingston (DC)

  0·03

  0·04

  0·12

  0·08

  0·10

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  0·15

  0·10

  0·10

  2—

  Total

  2—

  0·12

  0·09

  0·11

  3—

  (g) Amounts of discretionary payments (£)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Cumbemauld (DC)

  260

  106

  2—

  305

  0

  East Kilbride (DC)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Glenrothes (DC)

  *

  0

  0

  0

  893

  Irvine (DC)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Livingston (DC)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  16,021

  36,474

  49,962

  2—

  Total

  2—

  16,027

  36,474

  50,267

  2—

  (g) Discretionary amounts as percentage of total expenditure

  1988–89 Per cent.

  1989–90 Per cent.

  1990–91 Per cent.

  1991–92 Per cent.

  1992–93 Per cent.

  Cumbernauld (DC)

  0·01

  0·00

  2—

  0·01

  0·00

  East Kilbride (DC)

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Glenrothes (DC)

  2—

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·02

  Irvine (DC)

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Livingston (DC)

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Scottish Homes

  1—

  0·05

  0·10

  0·12

  2—

  Total

  2—

  0·03

  2—

  0·08

  2—

  Notes:

  1 Indicates that Scottish Homes did not exist in 1988.

  2 Not available.

  1. Scottish Homes figure for total expenditure in 1992–93 is from the mid-year estimate.

  2. Information on the number of discretionary payments is not available.

  Sources:

  Tenancies: Scottish Office.

  Cases: Housing Benefit Management Information System.

  Expenditure: Final Subsidy claim forms.

  Benefits
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of indexation for all social security benefits in 1994–95; and what would be the
  386
  net costs in addition to indexation of (a) raising all income-related benefits by 0.8 per cent., (b) raising all income-related benefits and the basic retirement pension by 0.8 per cent., (c) raising all benefits by 0.8 per cent., (d) giving all households on income support an extra £1 a week, (e) giving all households on income-related benefits

  387
  an extra £1 a week, (f) giving pensioners over 80 years of age on income support an extra £1 a week and (g) giving all households on income-related benefit and all retirement pensioners an extra £1 a week.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table.

  The costs in 1994–95 of increases to the income-related benefits and the basic state pension

  (£ million pa, 1994–95)

  Option

  Cost

  Full cost for all benefits of indexation in line with RPU/Rossi increases

  1,820

  (a) increase all income-related benefits (IRBs) by extra 0.8 per cent.

  250

  (b) increase all IRBs and RP/linked benefits by extra 0·8 per cent.

  430

  (c) increase all benefits by extra 0.8 per cent.

  570

  (d) increase IS personal allowances by £1 per week

  410

  (e) increase personal allowances in all IRBs by £1 per week

  430

  (f) increase IS higher pensioner premium by £1 per week

  60

  (g) increase all IRB personal allowances and RP/linked benefits by £1 per week

  840

  Notes:

  1. All estimates are at 1994–95 levels. They are based upon results from the 1993–94 policy simulation model, and should therefore be regarded as provisional.

  2. Changes to the basic state pension have also been applied to those benefits that are statutorily linked (invalidity and widows' benefits).

  3. It is assumed that the current links between benefit rates in IS and other income-related benefits are maintained. Thus, changes to IS allowances and premia have been assumed to feed through into HB/CTB and, where appropriate, FC.

  4. In part (f), an extra £1 has been given to IS cases aged 80 and above by means of an increase in the higher pension premium.

  5. Where RP and linked benefits are increased by £1 per week, it is assumed that the related rates of category B pension and adult dependency increases rise by 60p per week.

  6. RPI/Rossi upratings in April 1994 are assumed to be 1.8/3.5 per cent.

  Post Office Fees
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place a paper in the Library outlining the fee payment system to(a) sub-post offices and (b) the Post Office for benefit transactions, setting out all volume-related variable fees.

  Mr. Hague
  The system of fees to be paid by the Department of Social Security to Post Office Counters Limited for encashment of order books and other services in 1993–94 is still being negotiated.

  In earlier years the fee has included a fixed charge; a variable charge to cover costs which vary with changes in volume; a financial charge to cover the costs of activities necessary to ensure the supply of adequate quantities of notes and coin to pay pensions and allowances and other outpayments; and a publicity charge relating to the cost of providing display of posters and leaflets.

  The system for remunerating individual sub-post offices is a commercial agreement between Post Office Counters Ltd. and the National Federation of Sub-postmasters.

  Index-linked Benefits
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the impact of a 1 per cent. rise in the retail prices index upon the cost of index-linked social security and unemployment benefits.
  388
  Mr. Hague
  A total of £710 million in 1994–5.

  Crisis Loans
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown of reasons for applications for crisis loans, including alignment payments based on the latest available information.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund 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 Mr. M. Bichard to Ms Ann Coffey, dated 3 November 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 if he will give a breakdown of reasons for applications for crisis loans, including alignment payments based on the latest available information.
  Statistical information about the reason for a Crisis Loan application is not held. I have, therefore, provided details of the number of Crisis Loans awarded nationally and the purpose of the award. The information is attached at Annex A for the period 1 April 1993 to 30 September 1993 (latest available data).
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Annex

  A Number of crisis loan awards and reason for the award, 1 April 1993 to 30 September 1993 (latest available data)

  Purpose of the award

  Number of awards

  Bed

  13,235

  Bedding

  8,045

  Clothing and footwear

  4,879

  Cooker

  14,204

  Floor covering

  2,000

  Home improvement and maintenance

  472

  Living expenses alignment

  135,137

  Living expenses general

  165,901

  Household items

  20,467

  Others

  3,995

  Removal expenses

  1,122

  Rent in advance

  5,100

  Travelling expenses

  4,888

  Washing machine

  1,613

  Total

  381,058

  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time he estimates for the administrative proceedings, including reception, social fund payment section, finance and social fund administrative recovery section, to be completed for an application for a crisis loan because of an alignment payment and the average length of time to administer a benefit payment.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund 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.
  389
  Letter from Mr. M. Bichard to Ms Ann Coffey, dated 3 November 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions raised about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, asking what is the average length of time he estimates for the administrative proceedings, including reception, social fund payment section, finance and social fund administrative recovery section, to be completed for an application for a crisis loan because of an alignment payment and the average length of time to administer a benefit payment.
  Unfortunately, figures are not available which relate specifically to a Crisis Loan because of an "alignment payment". I can, however, give you figures for the administrative procedure you request for Crisis Loans in general:

  Minutes

  Reception time

  4·6

  Time to process a Crisis Loan

  88·4

  Social Fund Loan Recovery and Transfer Action

  59·9

  Prepare and issue payment

  40

  Total time

  156·9

  I have given a figure for the time taken to prepare and issue a Crisis Loan payment, as it is part of the administrative procedures you are enquiring about. However, if you require details about the time taken to administer the payment of a specific benefit I would be happy to supply you with further information.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Benefits Agency
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the efficient use of staff time in the Benefits Agency.

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

  Letter from Mr. M. Bichard to Ms Ann Coffey, dated 3 November 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions raised about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the efficient use of staff time in the Benefits Agency.
  The Benefits Agency, as part of the Civil Service, is required to provide to Treasury improved efficiency of 2 per cent. each year. The savings are part of a rolling programme of efficiencies required under the Public Expenditure Survey.
  With the introduction of new technology and other improvements in organisation, current measurement shows that, between 1989–90 and 1992–93, staff efficiency in respect of output improved by around 20 per cent.
  The Benefits Agency seeks at all levels of the organisation improvements in service and efficiency through reviews of current methods and implementation of staff suggestions.
  The Benefits Agency also has in place an Efficiency Review Unit responsible for seeking improvements in efficiency and achieving savings in administration costs.
  As a result of the improvements in efficiency and working methods staff resources are more effectively used in delivering the service.
  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.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what targets the Child Support Agency has set itself to ensure maintenance payments in cases of parents flouting any order made by the courts;

  (2) what proportion of staff and resources of the Child Support Agency is being directed to the cases of parents who are already making maintenance payments as a result of a court order;

  (3) how many cases of fathers not making any maintenance payments the Child Support Agency is pursuing; and if he will make a statement about its success in such cases.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the right hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Ms R. Hepplewhite to Mr. Paul Channon, dated 4 November 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking a number of questions about the Agency's operations.
  You ask about parents who fail to comply with orders made by the courts and action taken by the Agency where fathers fail to pay maintenance. I should explain that the Agency is concerned only with pursuing maintenance in those cases for which we have accepted responsibility under the take on arrangements which are being phased in over a period of four years. We will pursue all those cases where we have made an assessment and the absent parent has subsequently failed to pay maintenance. Individual cases where payments are not made timeously are identified for follow up action but information on payments and arrears for the Agency as a whole is not yet available in a form which can be summarised.
  I am sorry that the precise information about previous court orders for which you ask is not available as the Child Support Computer System, upon which the work of the Agency is based, records the information which is relevant to the calculation of a maintenance assessment. Information on previous court orders is not therefore collected. Under the take on arrangements, we have already issued 527,000 Maintenance Application Forms and have made assessments in over 36,000 cases. Among those will be clients who already receive maintenance but we cannot separately identify what resources are applied specifically in such cases.
  I am sorry I cannot be more helpful but I hope you will find this explanation useful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated reduction in expenditure on each social security benefit resulting from the operation of the Child Support Agency in 1993–94; and what proportion this represents, in total, of the maintenance payments resulting from the agency's assessments.

  Mr. Burt
  It is estimated that Child Support Agency operations in 1993–94 will reduce income support expenditure by £500 million. This includes an amount for parents with care who cease to claim income support due to maintenance related activity of the agency. Family credit and disability working allowance expenditure is estimated to reduce by £30 million.

  The proportion of total maintenance assessed by the Child Support Agency which is estimated to be recovered through reduced benefit payments is 90 per cent.

  Benefits, Lewisham
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are registered as self-employed in the London borough of Lewisham; and what estimate he has of the number claiming(a) sickness benefit, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) severe disability allowance, (d) family credit and (e) housing benefit.

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

  Teenage Lone Parents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 October,Official Report, column 504, on what statistical analysis he has based his policy towards teenage lone parents claiming one-parent benefit; and if he will now make it his policy to collect details of the number of such parents.

  Mr. Burt
  One-parent benefit is an increase of child benefit which is available to all lone parents who fulfil the qualifying conditions, regardless of age. Statistical information on the ages of lone parent income support recipients is contained in the Annual Statistical Enquiry. In addition, further information on teenage lone parents is available through a number of surveys and research projects commissioned by the Department, but very detailed tabulations are not always available due to small sample sizes and prohibitive costs.

EDUCATION

  Student Grants
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had with the university vice chancellors on the level of student grants.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend and I last met the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals on Monday 25 October. We had a useful and interesting exchange of views on a number of current issues in higher education.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what procedures are being adopted to monitor the numbers of parents exercising their right to withdraw

  Expenditure on discretionary awards (£000 in current and 1983–84 prices3

  1983–84

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Current prices

  Current prices

  1983–84 prices

  Current prices

  1983–84 prices

  City of London

  1—

  205·9

  139·1

  25·5

  16·0

  Camden

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  746·9

  469·9

  Greenwich

  —

  353·7

  239·0

  770·4

  484·8

  Hackney

  —

  1,166·3

  788·0

  1,275·2

  802·4

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  3,043·2

  2,056·2

  728·5

  458·4

  Islington

  —

  57·0

  38·5

  1,088·8

  685·1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  452·9

  306·0

  683·7

  430·2

  Lambeth

  —

  984·7

  665·3

  572·5

  360·2

  Lewisham

  —

  808·2

  5486·1

  1,058·8

  666·2

  Southwark

  —

  709·1

  479·1

  795·2

  500·4

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  860·9

  581·7

  550·2

  346·2

  Wandsworth

  —

  3,676·5

  2,484·1

  2n/a

  n/a

  City of Westminster

  —

  244·0

  164·9

  1,221·2

  768·4

  ILEA/LRB4

  13,637·4

  6,254·8

  4,226·2

  —

  —

  Barking

  231·0

  248·5

  167·9

  453·8

  285·6

  392
  their children from sex education lessons; to what extent these procedures will be based on the precedent created by the parental right of withdrawal of children from religious education; how many parents exercised this right in 1992 in relation to religious education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend will look to the Office of Standards in Education (OFSTED) to monitor and advise on the quality and effectiveness of sex education, as part of OFSTED's overall responsibilities for school inspections. We have no plans separately to monitor centrally the extent to which parents choose to withdraw their children from sex education. This information is not collected centrally in relation to religious education and collective worship.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the target date for the implementation of the parental right to withdraw children from sex education; what is the timetable for consultation on the departmental guidelines relating to sex education; which groups and individuals will be consulted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The new arrangements for sex education introduced under section 241 of the Education Act 1993, including the parental right of withdrawal, will come into effect from the start of the autumn term 1994. We plan to issue detailed guidance to schools next spring about these arrangements, in the light of responses to the consultative draft which will issue shortly to local authority associations, local education authorities and other interested parties.

  Discretionary Awards
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the annual expenditure or discretionary awards by each local education authority in 1978–79, 1990–91 and 1991–92 at current prices and at 1978–79 prices.

  Mr. Boswell
  Data on expenditure for the academic year 1978–79 for each local education authority are not held centrally. The earliest year for which data for each authority are available is 1983–84. The information for 1983–84, 1990–91 and 1991–92 is included in the table, which shows expenditure in both current prices for those years and also 1983–84 prices.
  393

  1983–84

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Current prices

  Current prices

  1983–84 prices

  Current prices

  1983–84 prices

  Barnet

  788·6

  497·5

  336·1

  866·3

  545·1

  Bexley

  410·0

  397·6

  268·7

  628·7

  395·6

  Brent

  2,148·8

  831·0

  561·5

  1,083·1

  681·5

  Bromley

  444·2

  928·4

  627·3

  1,268·5

  798·1

  Croydon

  515·7

  698·7

  472·1

  813·9

  512·1

  Ealing

  556·5

  1,2484

  843·5

  1,668·1

  1,049·6

  Enfield

  347·4

  531·4

  359·0

  420·6

  264·7

  Haringey

  587·5

  105·8

  71·5

  0·0

  0·0

  Harrow

  346·6

  371·7

  251·2

  138·4

  87·1

  Havering

  399·7

  626·7

  423·5

  662·5

  416·9

  Hillingdon

  437·8

  327·8

  221·5

  386·7

  243·3

  Hounslow

  260·8

  349·8

  236·3

  105·1

  66·1

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  148·3

  435·9

  294·5

  730·4

  459·5

  Merton

  130·5

  487·2

  329·2

  420·7

  264·7

  Newham

  372·3

  886·3

  598·9

  1,021·8

  642·9

  Redbridge

  396·6

  907·7

  613·3

  633·5

  398·6

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  366·6

  617·4

  417·1

  1,058·1

  665·8

  Sutton

  283·1

  348·4

  235·4

  475·5

  299·2

  Waltham Forest

  510·2

  909·7

  614·7

  1,003·3

  631·3

  Birmingham

  975·8

  2,708·9

  1,830·3

  2,925·3

  1,840·7

  Coventry

  591·5

  731·3

  494·1

  728·7

  458·5

  Dudley

  484·6

  673·0

  454·7

  698·2

  439·3

  Sandwell

  322·2

  897·8

  606·6

  1,010·9

  636·1

  Solihull

  147·0

  356·1

  240·6

  424·6

  267·1

  Walsall

  329·4

  1,608·5

  1,086·8

  2,265·5

  1,425·5

  Wolverhampton

  0·0

  279·2

  188·7

  180·2

  113·4

  Knowsley

  921·3

  1,179·2

  796·8

  1,498·4

  942·8

  Liverpool

  1,518·3

  6,025·8

  4,071·5

  5,064·2

  3,186·4

  St· Helens

  508·7

  710·1

  479·8

  834·9

  525·3

  Sefton

  313·9

  1,209·8

  817·4

  1,237·7

  778·8

  Wirral

  1,330·6

  1,709·1

  1,154·8

  2,021·4

  1,271·9

  Bolton

  703·1

  1,381·8

  933·7

  1,048·8

  659·9

  Bury

  585·1

  982·4

  663·8

  1,183·2

  744·5

  Manchester

  1,413·0

  2,020·5

  1,365·2

  2,174·9

  1,368·5

  Oldham

  398·1

  808·2

  546·1

  740·8

  466·1

  Rochdale

  442·3

  821·5

  555·1

  975·0

  613·5

  Salford

  670·5

  577·1

  389·9

  390·4

  245·6

  Stockport

  779·9

  856·7

  578·8

  923·9

  581·3

  Tameside

  380·7

  465·0

  314·2

  532·0

  334·8

  Trafford

  172·6

  0·0

  0·0

  748·9

  471·2

  Wigan

  705·6

  680·5

  459·8

  614·3

  386·5

  Barnsley

  412·8

  1,387·1

  937·2

  945·6

  595·0

  Doncaster

  505·5

  869·6

  587·5

  878·1

  552·5

  Rotherham

  493·8

  861·2

  581·9

  1,264·4

  795·6

  Sheffield

  2,040·8

  2,403·3

  1,623·8

  2,166·7

  1,363·3

  Bradford

  1,582·7

  1,942·0

  1,312·2

  2,115·2

  1,330·9

  Calderdale

  349·7

  547·7

  370·1

  453·8

  285·6

  Kirklees

  1,356·1

  2,953·0

  1,995·3

  2,563·8

  1,613·2

  Leeds

  1,113·5

  2,501·4

  1,690·1

  2,899·3

  1,824·3

  Wakefield

  638·9

  1,236·5

  835·4

  1,319·6

  830·3

  Gateshead

  198·0

  710·6

  480·1

  639·0

  402·1

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  736·7

  1,011·0

  683·1

  1,010·4

  635·8

  North Tyneside

  631·1

  932·0

  629·7

  1,213·9

  763·8

  South Tyneside

  245·2

  471·7

  318·7

  531·9

  334·7

  Sunderland

  774·8

  n/a

  n/a

  1,094·6

  688·7

  Avon

  2,456·5

  n/a

  n/a

  5,750·1

  3,618·0

  Bedfordshire

  933·3

  1,214·6

  820·7

  1,252·9

  788·3

  Berkshire

  1,402·9

  n/a

  n/a

  1,962·7

  1,234·9

  Buckinghamshire

  927·4

  1,257·0

  849·3

  997·7

  627·7

  Cambridgeshire

  990·5

  1,774·0

  1,198·7

  1,641·0

  1,032·5

  Cheshire

  2,452·0

  5,730·2

  3,871·8

  7,372·5

  4,638·9

  Cleveland

  1,382·4

  2,141·9

  1,447·2

  2,698·3

  1,697·8

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  1,060·3

  2,474·9

  1,672·2

  3,116·7

  1,961·0

  Cumbria

  1,841·5

  3,882·2

  2,623·1

  6,824·2

  4,293·9

  Derbyshire

  2,201·5

  4,789·9

  3,236·5

  5,052·1

  3,178·8

  Devon

  3,008·1

  5,148·4

  3,478·6

  6,664·6

  4,193·4

  Dorset

  1,836·5

  3,332·9

  2,252·0

  4,767·4

  2,999·7

  Durham

  1,016·0

  1,879·7

  1,270·1

  3,274·2

  2,060·2

  East Sussex

  1,918·1

  1,282·2

  866·4

  1,620·7

  1,019·8

  Essex

  4,066·1

  6,364·8

  4,300·6

  7,581·4

  4,770·3

  Gloucestershire

  2,000·4

  2,828·5

  1,911·2

  3,166·0

  1,992·1

  Hampshire

  4,818·4

  6,468·5

  4,370·6

  5,987·4

  3,767·3

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,063·9

  1,456·5

  984·1

  1,770·1

  1,113·7

  Hertfordshire

  2,096·2

  3,412·3

  2,305·6

  3,158·6

  1,987·4

  Humberside

  2,798·0

  5,336·0

  3,605·4

  6,175·8

  3,885·9

  Isle of Wight

  315·0

  367·0

  248·0

  523·5

  329·4

  394 395

  1983–84

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Current prices

  Current prices

  1983–84 prices

  Current prices

  1983–84 prices

  Kent

  5,017·6

  5,799·1

  3,918·3

  6,398·5

  4,026·0

  Lancashire

  4,110·7

  9,764·9

  6,597·9

  14,419·2

  9,072·7

  Leicestershire

  2,494·3

  5,791·1

  3,912·9

  6,906·9

  4,345·9

  Lincolnshire

  1,382·8

  1,776·4

  1,200·3

  2,202·5

  1,385·9

  Norfolk

  1,465·0

  2,881·4

  1,946·9

  3,296·1

  2,073·9

  North Yorkshire

  3,385·0

  8,668·8

  5,857·3

  9,005·5

  5,666·4

  Northamptonshire

  912·3

  1,605·0

  1,084·5

  1,555·7

  978·9

  Northumberland

  864·9

  2,256·8

  1,524·9

  2,446·2

  1,539·2

  Nottinghamshire

  1,672·9

  3,012·7

  2,035·6

  2,532·2

  1,593·3

  Oxfordshire

  629·4

  1,255·4

  848·3

  1,249·5

  786·2

  Shropshire

  1,047·8

  1,721·1

  1,162·9

  2,280·1

  1,434·7

  Somerset

  791·4

  1,705·8

  1,152·5

  1,319·2

  830·1

  Staffordshire

  1,422·4

  1,754·0

  1,185·2

  1,943·0

  1,222·6

  Suffolk

  1,626·2

  3,059·8

  2,067·4

  3,348·7

  2,107·0

  Surrey

  1,621·2

  1,963·6

  1,326·7

  2,492·1

  1,563·1

  Warwickshire

  1,209·8

  1,136·9

  768·2

  625·1

  393·3

  West Sussex

  862·3

  1,419·6

  959·2

  705·5

  443·9

  Wiltshire

  1,150·6

  1,764·9

  1,192·5

  2,042·0

  1,284·8

  Clywd

  973·0

  1,948·7

  1,316·7

  4,348·8

  2,736·3

  Dyfed

  1,227·9

  2,445·1

  1,652·1

  2,159·2

  1,358·6

  Gwent

  1,744·2

  827·1

  558·9

  1,089·7

  685·7

  Gwynedd

  714·8

  1,059·8

  716·1

  1,384·4

  871·1

  Mid-Glamorgan

  402·4

  1,480·0

  1,000·0

  4,462·6

  2,808·0

  Powys

  597·1

  947·3

  640·1

  1,127·2

  709·3

  South Glamorgan

  1,063·0

  1,508·0

  1,018·9

  1,511·3

  950·9

  West Glamorgan

  865·0

  1,039·1

  702·1

  1,318·6

  829·7

  All English and Welsh LEAs5

  127,932·4

  209,325·9

  141,436·4

  239,696·3

  150,819·7

  1 Not applicable.

  2 n/a LEAs unable to provide appropriate information.

  3 Using March 1993 GDP deflator.

  4 ILBs took over responsibility from ILEA for most awards in 1990–91; some awards were made by the London Residuary Body.

  5 Total expenditure is grossed to compensate both for complete non-returners and partial returners and does not necessarily represent sum of constituent data.

  Student Loans
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is the projected cost of the student loans scheme for each financial year from 1992–93 to 2022–23;

  (2) during which financial year he currently expects the student loans scheme to break even.

  Mr. Boswell
  The student loans scheme produced public expenditure savings, when compared to previous policies, in the first year of its operation, 1990–91.

  Actual United Kingdom expenditure on student loans in 1992–93—net of gross repayments—was £230 million (£183 million in 1990 prices). The table attached gives projections of net United Kingdom expenditure on loans in each financial year from 1993–94 to 2022–23.

  Projected net expenditure on student loans scheme

  United Kingdom, £ million 1990 prices

  Year

  Cost

  1993–94

  222

  1994–95

  271

  1995–96

  305

  1996–97

  338

  1997–98

  393

  1998–99

  473

  1999–2000

  579

  2000–2001

  685

  2001–2002

  724

  2002–2003

  723

  2003–2004

  716

  2004–2005

  713

  2005–2006

  709

  2006–2007

  709

  396

  Year

  Cost

  2007–2008

  698

  2008–2009

  678

  2009–2010

  628

  2010–2011

  580

  2011–2012

  524

  2012–2013

  494

  2013–2014

  465

  2014–2015

  442

  2015–2016

  422

  2016–2017

  402

  2017–2018

  384

  2018–2019

  369

  2019–2020

  355

  2020–2021

  344

  2021–2022

  329

  2022–2023

  316

  Notes:

  1. Figures are for total United Kingdom outlay on student loans, net of repayments of principal and interest.

  2. Underlying assumptions are consistent with the projections of net expenditure on loans in England and Wales for 1993–94 to 1995–96 set out in Cm 2210.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to abolish the student loans scheme.

  Mr. Boswell
  None.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many copies of the booklet entitled "Technology Colleges: Schools for the Future" were printed; what fee was paid for editorial services on the
  397
  booklet; what was the fee paid to Graphic Impressions of London for the design; what was the total cost of the printing; and what was the cost of the addition of the spot ultra-violet dried gloss varnish on the cover half-tone and title text.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Initially, 15,000 copies of the booklet were printed. In response to demand from schools and others, a further 10,000 copies were printed. No fees were paid for external editorial services. The fee paid to Graphic Impressions of London for the design is commercial in confidence, as is the cost of printing and the spot ultra-violet varnish. The total cost including mailing was less than £1 per copy.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the actual expenditure in the financial year 1992–93 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is his latest estimate for for 1993–94.

  Mr. Boswell
  The actual expenditure figures for advertising and other promotional materials by the Department for the financial year 1992–93 and the latest estimate for 1993–94 are given in the table.

  £000s

  1992–93

  1993–94 (estimate)

  Television advertising

  0

  0

  Radio advertising

  0

  29·2

  Newspaper advertising

  1,086·4

  1,105·8

  Other promotional material

  5,800·1

  7,639·6

  Schools Inspection
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the standards of probity with which the new tendering arrangements for schools inspection are being conducted.

  (£000's)

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Expenditure on books and equipment in 1989–90 to 1991–92 by LEA in secondary schools

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Corporation of London

  5

  2

  7

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Camden

  —

  —

  —

  140

  456

  596

  219

  715

  934

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  —

  142

  794

  936

  196

  305

  501

  Hackney

  —

  —

  —

  3

  394

  397

  153

  208

  361

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  62

  127

  189

  8

  301

  309

  Islington

  —

  —

  —

  102

  504

  606

  137

  568

  705

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  —

  162

  350

  512

  132

  538

  670

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  69

  140

  209

  88

  86

  174

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  —

  121

  355

  476

  91

  259

  350

  Southwark

  —

  —

  —

  0

  399

  399

  0

  726

  726

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  151

  839

  990

  203

  917

  1,120

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  —

  131

  1,377

  1,508

  157

  904

  1,061

  City of Westminster

  —

  —

  —

  43

  549

  592

  47

  753

  800

  Barking

  206

  867

  1,073

  199

  876

  1,075

  291

  736

  1,027

  Bamet

  319

  828

  1,147

  302

  874

  1,176

  394

  1,284

  1,678

  Bexley

  228

  991

  1,219

  223

  913

  1,136

  365

  1,235

  1,600

  Brent

  0

  1,262

  1,262

  0

  668

  668

  153

  971

  1,124

  Bromley

  240

  1,225

  1,465

  318

  880

  1,198

  307

  884

  1,191

  398
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The arrangements for inspecting schools under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 are a matter for Ofsted. I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to the hon. Member.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what further plans he has to remove responsibilities for education provision from local education authorities in addition to those announced already or which have been the subject of existing legislation.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.

  Books
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total spent by each local education authority on(a) primary school books, (b) secondary school books, (c) other books, (d) the total book expenditure on schools and (e) the total expenditure on books for each of the financial years 1987–88 until 1992–93.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is not available in the form requested. Information on local education authorities' spending on books and equipment in primary (including nursery) schools and secondary schools from 1989–90 to 1991–92, the latest year for which figures are available, is shown in the tables. Figures for 1987–88 and 1988–89 are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The tables give information on books and equipment both separately and combined. This is because LEAs do not distinguish on a consistent basis between the two headings in their returns of expenditure due to differing local accounting practices. The figures shown for expenditure on books alone therefore do not provide a sound basis for comparisons between LEAs.
  399

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Expenditure on books and equipment in 1989–90 to 1991–92 by LEA in secondary schools

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Croydon

  336

  1,196

  1,532

  305

  993

  1,298

  313

  1,032

  1,345

  Ealing

  77

  651

  728

  269

  710

  979

  201

  894

  1,095

  Enfield

  229

  635

  864

  189

  1,025

  1,214

  253

  1,058

  1,311

  Haringey

  159

  690

  849

  48

  71

  119

  35

  61

  96

  Harrow

  101

  601

  702

  115

  1,008

  1,123

  152

  885

  1,037

  Havering

  0

  1,712

  1,712

  0

  1,509

  1,509

  0

  1,933

  1,933

  Hillingdon

  223

  771

  994

  26

  650

  676

  205

  493

  698

  Hounslow

  230

  418

  648

  165

  987

  1,152

  229

  1,165

  1,394

  Kingston upon Thames

  123

  805

  928

  141

  463

  604

  132

  685

  817

  Merton

  252

  874

  1,126

  30

  744

  774

  6

  514

  520

  Newham

  180

  699

  879

  212

  685

  897

  338

  957

  1,295

  Redbridge

  347

  1,129

  1,476

  157

  1,569

  1,726

  436

  1,371

  1,807

  Richmond upon Thames

  93

  502

  595

  85

  483

  568

  112

  514

  626

  Sutton

  166

  565

  731

  162

  520

  682

  149

  430

  579

  Waltham Forest

  155

  864

  1,019

  141

  616

  757

  152

  613

  765

  Birmingham

  807

  4,342

  5,149

  927

  6,352

  7,279

  1,025

  4,099

  5,124

  Coventry

  60

  1,527

  1,587

  508

  1,448

  1,956

  241

  905

  1,146

  Dudley

  59

  1,062

  1,121

  240

  759

  999

  223

  677

  900

  Sandwell

  24

  1,630

  1,654

  26

  182

  208

  27

  287

  314

  Solihull

  17

  1,087

  1,104

  7

  1,231

  1,238

  0

  1,418

  1,418

  Walsall

  15

  195

  210

  39

  1,677

  1,716

  261

  1,521

  1,782

  Wolverhampton

  194

  607

  801

  184

  224

  408

  255

  1,082

  1,337

  Knowsley

  95

  628

  723

  106

  895

  1,001

  138

  932

  1,070

  Liverpool

  86

  1,214

  1,300

  199

  1,048

  1,247

  245

  1,386

  1,631

  St. Helens

  123

  579

  702

  98

  563

  661

  47

  821

  868

  Sefton

  605

  772

  1,377

  269

  165

  434

  337

  1,566

  1,903

  Wirral

  268

  2,468

  2,736

  410

  1,583

  1,993

  345

  1,353

  1,698

  Bolton

  198

  935

  1,133

  168

  784

  952

  5

  1,657

  1,662

  Bury

  161

  563

  724

  99

  477

  576

  104

  529

  633

  Manchester

  109

  1,305

  1,414

  128

  1,658

  1,786

  374

  1,741

  2,115

  Oldham

  150

  944

  1,094

  5

  1,114

  1,119

  202

  926

  1,128

  Rochdale

  131

  1,044

  1,175

  129

  688

  817

  145

  802

  947

  Salford

  3

  1,197

  1,200

  0

  1,098

  1,098

  116

  831

  947

  Stockport

  216

  1,491

  1,707

  244

  1,670

  1,914

  257

  2,062

  2,319

  Tameside

  253

  713

  966

  254

  589

  843

  312

  650

  962

  Trafford

  36

  820

  856

  39

  727

  766

  50

  931

  981

  Wigan

  49

  1,618

  1,667

  47

  1,684

  1,731

  44

  1,977

  2,021

  Barnsley

  123

  731

  854

  109

  517

  626

  182

  882

  1,064

  Doncaster

  274

  466

  740

  81

  189

  270

  0

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  169

  1,011

  1,180

  162

  444

  606

  251

  666

  917

  Sheffield

  172

  790

  962

  165

  1,327

  1,492

  412

  1,574

  1,986

  Bradford

  0

  2,534

  2,534

  0

  2,522

  2,522

  0

  2,971

  2,971

  Calderdale

  161

  566

  727

  176

  825

  1,001

  221

  659

  880

  Kirklees

  552

  1,004

  1,556

  482

  986

  1,468

  89

  169

  258

  Leeds

  236

  282

  518

  454

  2,041

  2,495

  759

  2,326

  3,085

  Wakefield

  419

  917

  1,336

  213

  955

  1,168

  327

  1,280

  1,607

  Gateshead

  112

  517

  629

  50

  834

  884

  3

  1,221

  1,224

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  970

  508

  1,478

  195

  1,011

  1,206

  129

  1,250

  1,379

  North Tyneside

  206

  504

  710

  311

  663

  974

  294

  839

  1.133

  South Tyneside

  106

  759

  865

  56

  638

  694

  122

  482

  604

  Sunderland

  216

  1,205

  1,421

  163

  949

  1,112

  78

  2,030

  2,108

  Isles of Scilly

  10

  11

  21

  4

  16

  20

  1

  0

  1

  Avon

  753

  2,407

  3,160

  148

  4,155

  4,303

  48

  5,365

  5,413

  Bedfordshire

  1,025

  2,563

  3,588

  973

  2,604

  3,577

  1,116

  3,484

  4,600

  Berkshire

  1,124

  2,000

  3,124

  1,071

  3,295

  4,366

  534

  4,773

  5,307

  Buckinghamshire

  594

  2,275

  2,869

  563

  2,102

  2,665

  674

  2,022

  2,696

  Cambridgeshire

  881

  2,337

  3,218

  959

  2,571

  3,530

  718

  3,173

  3,891

  Cheshire

  1,396

  2,925

  4,321

  1,247

  3,420

  4,667

  1,266

  4,066

  5,332

  Cleveland

  195

  2,822

  3,017

  454

  1,207

  1,661

  716

  2,975

  3,691

  Cornwall

  563

  1,302

  1,865

  413

  1,793

  2,206

  490

  1,581

  2,071

  Cumbria

  464

  1,225

  1,689

  377

  1,443

  1,820

  490

  1,255

  1,745

  Derbyshire

  350

  6,203

  6,553

  514

  4,025

  4,539

  9

  5,282

  5,291

  Devon

  1,417

  3,856

  5,273

  1,331

  3,514

  4,845

  1,364

  4,004

  5,368

  Dorset

  400

  2,627

  3,027

  629

  2,538

  3,167

  822

  3,118

  3,940

  Durham

  486

  2,891

  3,377

  438

  2,827

  3,265

  691

  3,165

  3,856

  East Sussex

  620

  2,855

  3,475

  629

  2,332

  2,961

  925

  2,726

  3,651

  Essex

  1,289

  7,223

  8,512

  1,647

  5,270

  6,917

  2,195

  8,254

  10,449

  Gloucestershire

  643

  1,747

  2,390

  521

  2,120

  2,641

  521

  1,911

  2,432

  Hampshire

  431

  8,743

  9,174

  488

  5,330

  5,818

  542

  8,328

  8,870

  Hereford and Worcester

  615

  2,418

  3,033

  540

  4,381

  4,921

  1,086

  3,851

  4,937

  Hertfordshire

  1,364

  4,297

  5,661

  1,368

  5,011

  6,379

  688

  1,158

  1,846

  400 401

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Expenditure on books and equipment in 1989–90 to 1991–92 by LEA in secondary schools

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Humberside

  913

  2,372

  3,285

  3,909

  1,376

  5,285

  4,484

  2,275

  6,759

  Isle of Wight

  129

  515

  644

  165

  518

  683

  181

  731

  912

  Kent

  843

  4,400

  5,243

  10,074

  0

  10,074

  1,739

  6,784

  8,523

  Lancashire

  984

  5,715

  6,699

  929

  4,598

  5,527

  1,260

  6,716

  7,976

  Leicestershire

  988

  4,655

  5,643

  1,104

  5,787

  6,891

  1,434

  6,666

  8,100

  Lincolnshire

  670

  673

  1,343

  734

  1,852

  2,586

  765

  3,256

  4,021

  Norfolk

  585

  2,264

  2,849

  643

  1,757

  2,400

  1,057

  2,166

  3,223

  North Yorkshire

  292

  3,155

  3,447

  392

  3,886

  4,278

  453

  4,278

  4,731

  Northamptonshire

  853

  2,843

  3,696

  734

  3,431

  4,165

  887

  3,931

  4,818

  Northumberland

  426

  1,962

  2,388

  526

  1,318

  1,844

  573

  1,306

  1,879

  Nottinghamshire

  1,228

  3,359

  4,587

  1,290

  3,414

  4,704

  1,477

  5,291

  6,768

  Oxfordshire

  628

  2,800

  3,428

  946

  2,372

  3,318

  676

  2,663

  3,339

  Shropshire

  532

  2,130

  2,662

  528

  2,275

  2,803

  656

  2,610

  3,266

  Somerset

  401

  2,670

  3,071

  313

  1,070

  1,383

  381

  1,038

  1,419

  Staffordshire

  72

  6,726

  6,798

  1,136

  4,656

  5,792

  1,247

  6,221

  7,468

  Suffolk

  655

  5,821

  6,476

  634

  3,903

  4,537

  103

  7,617

  7,720

  Surrey

  556

  2,750

  3,306

  553

  2,649

  3,202

  578

  3,512

  4,090

  Warwickshire

  377

  1,661

  2,038

  377

  1,590

  1,967

  568

  1,400

  1,968

  West Sussex

  718

  3,493

  4,211

  640

  2,425

  3,065

  674

  2,509

  3,183

  Wiltshire

  1,385

  1,261

  2,646

  188

  2,413

  2,601

  160

  2,858

  3,018

  TOTAL

  40,831

  187,053

  227,884

  51,085

  174,289

  225,374

  47,523

  212,816

  260,339

  (£000's)

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Expenditure on books and equipment in 1989–90 to 1991–92 by LEA in nursery/ primary schools

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  ILEA

  2,457

  7,838

  10,295

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Corporation of London

  41

  15

  56

  2

  4

  6

  6

  5

  11

  Camden

  —

  —

  —

  253

  285

  538

  122

  515

  637

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  —

  194

  741

  935

  189

  229

  418

  Hackney

  —

  —

  —

  0

  15

  15

  270

  408

  678

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  77

  409

  486

  100

  363

  463

  Islington

  —

  —

  —

  179

  435

  614

  231

  855

  1,086

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  —

  145

  397

  542

  201

  519

  720

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  211

  185

  396

  208

  106

  314

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  —

  153

  413

  566

  134

  161

  295

  Southwark

  —

  —

  —

  0

  973

  973

  0

  1,068

  1,068

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  307

  1,217

  1,524

  347

  1,396

  1,743

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  —

  166

  1,303

  1,469

  239

  969

  1,208

  City of Westminster

  —

  —

  —

  103

  444

  547

  144

  752

  819

  Barking

  184

  737

  921

  150

  546

  696

  237

  572

  809

  Barnet

  287

  561

  848

  293

  591

  884

  392

  860

  1,252

  Bexley

  88

  479

  567

  78

  579

  657

  92

  685

  777

  Brent

  0

  1,009

  1,009

  0

  719

  719

  109

  993

  1,102

  Bromley

  212

  656

  868

  205

  571

  776

  246

  607

  853

  Croydon

  269

  745

  1,014

  239

  1,022

  1,261

  260

  1,010

  1,270

  Ealing

  114

  854

  968

  81

  939

  1,020

  64

  1,192

  1,256

  Enfield

  172

  540

  712

  134

  965

  1,099

  179

  782

  961

  Haringey

  203

  837

  1,040

  158

  81

  239

  172

  81

  253

  Harrow

  152

  628

  780

  189

  1,086

  1,275

  288

  1134

  1,422

  Havering

  0

  770

  770

  0

  832

  832

  0

  1,097

  1,097

  Hillingdon

  233

  464

  697

  305

  515

  820

  383

  402

  785

  Hounslow

  166

  523

  689

  142

  694

  836

  184

  1,060

  1,244

  Kingston upon Thames

  101

  501

  602

  109

  369

  478

  94

  472

  566

  Merton

  210

  403

  613

  19

  681

  700

  5

  619

  624

  Newham

  229

  630

  859

  216

  552

  768

  349

  1,109

  1,458

  Redbridge

  246

  577

  823

  251

  908

  1,159

  297

  1,009

  1,306

  Richmond upon Thames

  89

  352

  441

  70

  376

  446

  93

  575

  668

  Sutton

  165

  276

  441

  188

  249

  437

  209

  340

  549

  Waltham Forest

  90

  599

  689

  54

  354

  408

  118

  479

  597

  Birmingham

  680

  2,609

  3,289

  1,555

  4,812

  6,367

  1,088

  2,242

  3,330

  Coventry

  58

  921

  979

  227

  572

  799

  287

  901

  1,188

  Dudley

  0

  856

  856

  247

  718

  965

  294

  677

  971

  402 403

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Expenditure on books and equipment in 1989–90 to 1991–92 by LEA in nursery/ primary schools

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Sandwell

  73

  888

  961

  78

  106

  184

  84

  366

  450

  Solihull

  18

  526

  544

  269

  531

  800

  0

  917

  917

  Walsall

  5

  542

  547

  172

  1,031

  1,203

  38

  1,143

  1,181

  Wolverhampton

  161

  454

  615

  156

  92

  248

  259

  887

  1,146

  Knowsley

  173

  400

  573

  165

  451

  616

  237

  788

  1,025

  Liverpool

  125

  920

  1,045

  359

  987

  1,346

  325

  1,182

  1,507

  St. Helens

  126

  581

  707

  79

  267

  346

  147

  544

  691

  Sefton

  192

  605

  797

  192

  44

  236

  231

  823

  1,054

  Wirral

  262

  1,306

  1,568

  239

  1,030

  1,269

  171

  665

  836

  Bolton

  263

  772

  1,035

  183

  852

  1,035

  226

  1,231

  1,457

  Bury

  144

  457

  601

  149

  384

  533

  142

  474

  616

  Manchester

  101

  842

  943

  151

  1,197

  1,348

  596

  1,544

  2,140

  Oldham

  137

  625

  762

  5

  1,160

  1,165

  210

  964

  1,174

  Rochdale

  172

  561

  733

  187

  468

  655

  204

  636

  840

  Salford

  4

  762

  766

  31

  680

  711

  67

  828

  895

  Stockport

  259

  650

  909

  290

  1,127

  1,417

  179

  1,386

  1,565

  Tameside

  243

  609

  852

  236

  528

  764

  252

  576

  828

  Trafford

  143

  655

  798

  156

  630

  786

  211

  876

  1,087

  Wigan

  46

  877

  923

  42

  914

  956

  44

  1,382

  1,426

  Barnsley

  102

  475

  577

  179

  475

  654

  317

  974

  1,291

  Doncaster

  199

  388

  587

  102

  202

  304

  0

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  174

  612

  786

  141

  438

  579

  265

  601

  866

  Sheffield

  229

  874

  1,103

  197

  934

  1,131

  447

  1,366

  1,813

  Bradford

  0

  1,367

  1,367

  0

  1,232

  1,232

  0

  1,777

  1,777

  Calderdale

  172

  461

  633

  173

  776

  949

  320

  979

  1,299

  Kirklees

  226

  676

  902

  284

  684

  968

  336

  910

  1,246

  Leeds

  118

  221

  339

  371

  1,121

  1,492

  480

  1,702

  2,182

  Wakefield

  398

  644

  1,042

  227

  557

  784

  353

  891

  1,244

  Gateshead

  94

  442

  536

  2

  589

  591

  2

  994

  996

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  620

  326

  946

  552

  131

  683

  141

  822

  963

  North Tyneside

  137

  318

  455

  212

  317

  529

  168

  339

  507

  South Tyneside

  105

  322

  427

  56

  401

  457

  123

  486

  609

  Sunderland

  162

  592

  754

  201

  1,021

  1,222

  96

  2,248

  2,344

  Isles of Scilly

  1

  7

  8

  2

  12

  14

  2

  13

  15

  Avon

  779

  1,615

  2,394

  127

  2,930

  3,057

  15

  4,515

  4,530

  Bedfordshire

  365

  799

  1,164

  562

  1,155

  1,717

  642

  1,783

  2,425

  Berkshire

  791

  925

  1,716

  895

  2,167

  3,062

  808

  3,303

  4,111

  Buckinghamshire

  956

  1,688

  2,644

  1,012

  1,905

  2,917

  1,068

  2,135

  3,203

  Cambridgeshire

  669

  1,764

  2,433

  656

  1,667

  2,323

  977

  2,134

  3,111

  Cheshire

  767

  1,572

  2,339

  1,199

  1,957

  3,156

  1,409

  2,952

  4,361

  Cleveland

  58

  1,679

  1,737

  433

  654

  1,087

  552

  1,987

  2,539

  Cornwall

  466

  984

  1,450

  215

  948

  1,163

  313

  1,089

  1,402

  Cumbria

  529

  855

  1,384

  250

  753

  1,003

  451

  945

  1,396

  Derbyshire

  379

  2,833

  3,212

  109

  3,028

  3,137

  2

  3,074

  3,076

  Devon

  1,100

  2,006

  3,106

  1,362

  1,827

  3,189

  1,734

  3,897

  5,631

  Dorset

  259

  1,586

  1,845

  547

  1,801

  2,348

  717

  1,849

  2,566

  Durham

  457

  1,679

  2,136

  453

  1,741

  2,194

  816

  2,247

  3,063

  East Sussex

  453

  1,084

  1,537

  542

  1,414

  1,956

  931

  2,337

  3,268

  Essex

  1,237

  3,903

  5,140

  943

  2,977

  3,920

  1,230

  5,184

  6,414

  Gloucestershire

  535

  1,163

  1,698

  445

  1,419

  1,864

  369

  1,637

  2,006

  Hampshire

  293

  3,912

  4,205

  332

  4,059

  4,391

  368

  10,290

  10,658

  Hereford and Worcester

  564

  1,178

  1,742

  446

  3,916

  4,362

  932

  2,480

  3,412

  Hertfordshire

  1,304

  2,536

  3,840

  1,461

  2,889

  4,350

  1,139

  468

  1,607

  Humberside

  829

  1,871

  2,700

  2,610

  753

  3,363

  4,152

  1,842

  5,994

  Isle of Wight

  83

  142

  225

  86

  185

  271

  112

  299

  411

  Kent

  559

  2,487

  3,046

  4,501

  0

  4,501

  1,135

  5,759

  6,894

  Lancashire

  1,471

  3,976

  5,447

  1,559

  4,058

  5,617

  2,237

  5,171

  7,408

  Leicestershire

  1,000

  2,823

  3,823

  1,184

  2,981

  4,165

  1,554

  4,671

  6,225

  Lincolnshire

  591

  262

  853

  631

  1,431

  2,062

  954

  2,289

  3,243

  Norfolk

  546

  1,571

  2,117

  425

  1,831

  2,256

  825

  2,032

  2,857

  North Yorkshire

  331

  1,867

  2,198

  368

  1,863

  2,231

  618

  2,713

  3,331

  Northamptonshire

  431

  1,765

  2,196

  494

  2,187

  2,681

  686

  2,468

  3,154

  Northumberland

  208

  461

  669

  245

  494

  739

  241

  697

  938

  Nottinghamshire

  963

  2,127

  3,090

  1,028

  2,027

  3,055

  1,368

  3,266

  4,634

  Oxfordshire

  320

  1,333

  1,653

  351

  1,353

  1,704

  275

  2,006

  2,281

  Shropshire

  352

  1,080

  1,432

  386

  1,243

  1,629

  553

  1,644

  2,197

  Somerset

  242

  1,389

  1,631

  1,019

  1,321

  2,340

  941

  1,059

  2,000

  Staffordshire

  407

  2,923

  3,330

  864

  2,920

  3,784

  940

  3,649

  4,589

  Suffolk

  398

  1,635

  2,033

  305

  1,608

  1,913

  106

  6,569

  6,675

  Surrey

  418

  703

  1,121

  461

  1,069

  1,530

  592

  4,303

  4,895

  Warwickshire

  403

  751

  1,154

  364

  913

  1,277

  240

  994

  1,234

  West Sussex

  698

  2,394

  3,092

  557

  2,369

  2,926

  488

  2,736

  3,224

  404 405

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1991–92

  Expenditure on books and equipment in 1989–90 to 1991–92 by LEA in nursery/ primary schools

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Text and library books

  Education equipment stationery and materials

  Books and equipment

  Wiltshire

  1,394

  687

  2,081

  485

  2,032

  2,517

  711

  2,289

  3,000

  Total

  35,435

  111,145

  146,580

  42,450

  118,766

  161,216

  47,505

  168,320

  215,825

  Notes:

  1. n/a indicates that the LEA has no secondary schools.

  2. Doncaster LEA submitted a nil return on books and equipment on their expenditure returns to the DoE for 1991–92.

  3. Figures are derived from LEAs' returns of their spending to the Department of the Environment.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the amount spent on books by each local education authority(a) per primary school pupil, (b) per secondary school pupil and (c) per school pupil.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on local education authorities' spending per pupil on books and equipment in primary (including nursery) schools and secondary schools in

  1991–92 Unit cost per FTE pupil (£)

  Text and library books

  Equipment, stationery and materials

  Combined books and equipment

  (a) Nursery and primary schools

  (b) Secondary schools

  (c) Total

  (a) Nursery and primary schools

  (b) Secondary schools

  (c) Total

  (a) Nursery and primary schools

  (b) Secondary schools

  (c) Total

  Corporation of London

  28

  n/a

  28

  24

  n/a

  24

  52

  n/a

  52

  Camden

  12

  22

  17

  50

  71

  60

  62

  92

  77

  Greenwich

  9

  14

  11

  11

  22

  16

  21

  36

  27

  Hackney

  17

  20

  18

  26

  27

  26

  43

  47

  44

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  11

  2

  8

  41

  62

  48

  52

  64

  56

  Islington

  16

  18

  17

  60

  75

  65

  76

  93

  82

  Kensington and Chelsea

  32

  44

  36

  83

  178

  114

  115

  221

  149

  Lambeth

  11

  15

  12

  6

  15

  8

  17

  30

  20

  Lewisham

  7

  8

  8

  8

  24

  14

  15

  32

  22

  Southwark

  0

  0

  0

  54

  82

  63

  54

  82

  63

  Tower Hamlets

  18

  20

  18

  71

  89

  77

  89

  109

  96

  Wandsworth

  18

  20

  16

  60

  115

  78

  74

  136

  94

  City of Westminster

  16

  7

  12

  85

  105

  94

  101

  112

  106

  Barking

  16

  32

  23

  40

  82

  56

  56

  114

  78

  Barnet

  17

  24

  20

  38

  79

  55

  55

  103

  75

  Bexley

  5

  26

  14

  39

  87

  60

  44

  112

  75

  Brent

  5

  15

  8

  47

  93

  62

  52

  107

  71

  Bromley

  13

  27

  18

  31

  77

  48

  43

  104

  66

  Croydon

  10

  21

  14

  40

  69

  51

  51

  90

  65

  Ealing

  2

  18

  7

  45

  81

  56

  48

  99

  63

  Enfield

  8

  15

  11

  36

  64

  48

  44

  80

  60

  Haringey

  10

  4

  8

  5

  7

  5

  14

  11

  13

  Harrow

  16

  19

  17

  62

  110

  76

  77

  129

  93

  Havering

  0

  0

  0

  59

  122

  88

  59

  122

  88

  Hillingdon

  21

  24

  22

  22

  57

  33

  43

  81

  55

  Hounslow

  10

  17

  13

  59

  88

  71

  69

  106

  85

  Kingston upon Thames

  10

  18

  13

  49

  94

  68

  59

  113

  82

  Merton

  0

  1

  1

  46

  71

  55

  47

  72

  56

  Newham

  15

  26

  19

  49

  73

  58

  64

  99

  77

  Redbridge

  17

  31

  23

  57

  98

  75

  74

  129

  98

  Richmond upon Thames

  10

  16

  12

  60

  72

  65

  70

  88

  78

  Sutton

  18

  17

  17

  29

  50

  37

  46

  67

  55

  Waltham Forest

  6

  13

  9

  26

  54

  37

  33

  67

  46

  Birmingham

  10

  17

  13

  21

  69

  38

  32

  86

  51

  Coventry

  10

  13

  11

  32

  50

  39

  42

  63

  50

  Dudley

  11

  13

  12

  25

  40

  31

  36

  54

  43

  Sandwell

  3

  1

  2

  12

  16

  14

  15

  17

  16

  Solihull

  0

  0

  0

  50

  101

  72

  50

  101

  72

  Walsall

  1

  14

  7

  43

  82

  59

  45

  96

  66

  Wolverhampton

  11

  18

  14

  39

  77

  53

  50

  95

  67

  Knowsley

  14

  15

  14

  46

  105

  66

  60

  120

  81

  Liverpool

  7

  9

  8

  25

  50

  34

  32

  59

  41

  St. Helens

  9

  4

  7

  32

  67

  47

  41

  70

  54

  Sefton

  9

  18

  13

  32

  84

  54

  41

  102

  66

  Wirral

  6

  16

  10

  22

  64

  40

  28

  81

  50

  Bolton

  9

  0

  5

  47

  100

  68

  56

  100

  73

  Bury

  9

  10

  9

  30

  51

  38

  39

  61

  48

  Manchester

  13

  16

  14

  34

  73

  48

  48

  88

  62

  Oldham

  9

  13

  11

  41

  59

  49

  50

  72

  59

  Rochdale

  10

  12

  10

  30

  64

  43

  40

  76

  53

  Salford

  3

  9

  5

  36

  64

  46

  39

  73

  51

  406
  1991–92, the latest year for which figures are available, is shown in the table. The table gives information on books and equipment both separately and combined. This is because LEAs do not distinguish on a consistent basis between the two headings in their returns of expenditure due to differing local accounting practices. The figures shown for expenditure on books alone therefore do not provide a sound basis for comparisons between LEAs.
  407

  Text and library books

  Equipment, stationery and materials

  Combined books and equipment

  (a) Nursery and primary schools

  (b) Secondary schools

  (c) Total

  (a) Nursery and primary schools

  (b) Secondary schools

  (c) Total

  (a) Nursery and primary schools

  (b) Secondary schools

  (c) Total

  Stockport

  7

  14

  10

  56

  116

  81

  64

  130

  92

  Tameside

  12

  24

  16

  27

  49

  35

  39

  73

  52

  Trafford

  11

  5

  9

  47

  85

  61

  58

  90

  70

  Wigan

  2

  2

  2

  48

  96

  68

  50

  98

  70

  Barasley

  16

  15

  16

  49

  73

  58

  65

  88

  74

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  11

  14

  13

  26

  37

  31

  37

  52

  43

  Sheffield

  10

  17

  13

  31

  66

  44

  42

  83

  56

  Bradford

  0

  0

  0

  48

  68

  59

  48

  68

  59

  Calderdale

  17

  19

  18

  53

  56

  54

  70

  74

  72

  Kirklees

  10

  4

  7

  27

  7

  18

  37

  10

  26

  Leeds

  9

  15

  12

  33

  45

  39

  42

  60

  51

  Wakefield

  13

  16

  14

  33

  62

  46

  46

  78

  60

  Gateshead

  0

  0

  0

  58

  106

  77

  58

  106

  77

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6

  8

  7

  37

  76

  54

  44

  84

  61

  North Tyneside

  11

  20

  15

  22

  56

  39

  33

  76

  55

  South Tyneside

  8

  14

  10

  32

  54

  40

  40

  67

  50

  Sunderland

  3

  4

  4

  77

  110

  90

  81

  114

  94

  Isles of Scilly

  12

  9

  11

  77

  0

  46

  88

  9

  57

  Avon

  0

  1

  0

  58

  103

  76

  59

  104

  77

  Bedfordshire

  16

  26

  21

  45

  80

  64

  62

  106

  85

  Berkshire

  14

  13

  13

  56

  116

  80

  69

  129

  94

  Buckinghamshire

  18

  21

  19

  36

  64

  46

  54

  86

  65

  Cambridgeshire

  17

  18

  17

  37

  78

  54

  55

  96

  72

  Cheshire

  16

  20

  18

  34

  64

  47

  51

  84

  65

  Cleveland

  9

  18

  13

  33

  76

  50

  42

  94

  63

  Cornwall

  8

  17

  12

  29

  55

  40

  37

  72

  52

  Cumbria

  11

  16

  13

  23

  42

  31

  34

  59

  44

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  39

  97

  63

  39

  98

  63

  Devon

  23

  25

  24

  51

  72

  60

  74

  97

  84

  Dorset

  17

  22

  20

  44

  85

  63

  62

  107

  83

  Durham

  15

  19

  16

  41

  86

  59

  56

  105

  76

  East Sussex

  20

  27

  23

  so

  80

  62

  69

  107

  85

  Essex

  10

  23

  16

  43

  87

  63

  54

  110

  79

  Gloucestershire

  9

  18

  13

  39

  66

  50

  48

  84

  63

  Hampshire

  3

  7

  4

  82

  103

  90

  85

  109

  94

  Hereford and Worcester

  20

  23

  21

  53

  81

  67

  73

  104

  89

  Hertfordshire

  15

  11

  13

  6

  19

  12

  21

  30

  25

  Humberside

  52

  78

  63

  23

  39

  30

  76

  117

  93

  Isle of Wight

  16

  18

  17

  43

  72

  60

  59

  90

  77

  Kent

  9

  19

  14

  48

  76

  60

  57

  95

  74

  Lancashire

  18

  16

  17

  41

  84

  58

  59

  99

  75

  Leicestershire

  20

  24

  22

  61

  112

  83

  81

  136

  105

  Lincolnshire

  20

  25

  22

  49

  107

  72

  69

  133

  94

  Norfolk

  14

  27

  19

  34

  55

  42

  48

  82

  61

  North Yorkshire

  11

  10

  11

  49

  99

  71

  60

  109

  82

  Northamptonshire

  14

  21

  18

  51

  95

  71

  65

  116

  89

  Northumberland

  12

  20

  17

  35

  46

  42

  48

  66

  58

  Nottinghamshire

  16

  24

  19

  39

  85

  59

  56

  108

  78

  Oxfordshire

  7

  20

  13

  51

  81

  65

  58

  101

  78

  Shropshire

  16

  25

  20

  49

  100

  71

  65

  126

  91

  Somerset

  28

  14

  21

  31

  38

  34

  59

  52

  56

  Staffordshire

  10

  18

  14

  40

  92

  62

  51

  110

  76

  Suffolk

  3

  2

  2

  160

  163

  162

  162

  165

  164

  Surrey

  8

  15

  10

  58

  88

  69

  66

  103

  79

  Warwickshire

  5

  24

  12

  22

  59

  35

  28

  83

  47

  West Sussex

  10

  17

  13

  54

  63

  58

  64

  80

  71

  Wiltshire

  16

  5

  11

  52

  88

  67

  68

  93

  78

  Notes:

  1. n/a indicates that the LEA has no secondary schools.

  2. Doncaster LEA submitted a nil return on books and equipment on their expenditure returns to the DoE.

  3. Figures are derived from LEAs' returns of their spending to the Department of the Environment and of their pupil numbers to the Department for Education.

  Middle School (Lowestoft)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to announce a decision on Suffolk county council's application to build a fourth middle school for north Lowestoft.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Suffolk's proposals are currently under consideration. My right hon. Friend will announce a decision on them as soon as possible.

  School Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he will list the local education authorities(a) who fund school library service, (b) who subcontract school libraries services to an outside organisation and (c) who have no school library service.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department does not keep this information centrally.

  Opting Out (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what complaints he has received from parents in Nottinghamshire about the conduct of the county council during the opting out process of schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has not received any complaints from parents about the conduct of Nottinghamshire county council in relation to ballots for grant-maintained status since the Department's exchange of correspondence with the Director of Education about information circulated in connection with the ballots at Eastwood comprehensive school and George Spencer school at the end of last year.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he intends to take to ensure that schools are able to send teachers for training in child protection matters.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Schools are already able to send teachers for training in child protection matters.

  Capital allocations by standard English region (£000s)

  Region

  1982–83

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  South East

  114,968

  124,079

  159,364

  136,804

  South West

  38,364

  31,745

  38,347

  45,205

  East Anglia

  15,438

  11,756

  16,193

  16,545

  West Midlands

  43,661

  36,038

  39,150

  35,253

  East Midlands

  33,186

  28,481

  32,967

  29,859

  Northwest

  56,202

  59,129

  76,676

  69,516

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  40,988

  34,546

  49,032

  41,330

  Northern

  23,480

  24,447

  30,269

  30,172

  Region

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  South East

  191,185

  225,893

  244,759

  185,615

  South West

  60,886

  48,854

  60,990

  47,695

  East Anglia

  24,528

  21,794

  30,990

  20,328

  West Midlands

  50,707

  61,351

  62,733

  41,391

  East Midlands

  45,933

  54,921

  52,953

  42,183

  Northwest

  102,502

  112,214

  115,492

  72,187

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  51,383

  66,368

  88,896

  59,511

  Northern

  31,674

  39,809

  46,912

  38,032

  Notes:

  1. Tables are in £000s and in cash terms.

  2. Tables represent combined totals of:

  (a) voluntary aided and special agreement schools—approved levels of governors' expenditure eligible for 85 per cent. grant (there are no VA schools in the Scilly Isles);

  (b) LEA capital allocations and, from 1990–91, Annual Capital Guidelines, together with Supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs).

  3. Allocations for self-governing (GM) schools are not included.

  4. Figures for 1979–80 are not available.

  5. Figures for 1993–94 include SCAs issued up to 3 November 1993.

  6. Figures prior to 1993–94 include allocations for FE/sixth form colleges.

  7. The following groups of LEAs have been used to define regions:

  South East: City of London, Inner London Boroughs, Outer London Boroughs, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex;

  South West: Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Isles of Scilly;

  East Anglia: Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk;

  West Midlands: Hereford and Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton;

  East Midlands: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire;

  North West: Cheshire, Lancashire, Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, Knowsley, Liverpool, St. Helens, Sefton, Wirral;

  Yorkshire and Humberside: Humberside, North Yorkshire, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield;

  Northern: Cleveland, Curnbria, Durham, Northumberland, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland.

  Repairs and Maintenance
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he makes, and from what source, of the cost of the backlog of the repairs and maintenance of schools in England.

  Mr. Forth
  An estimate based on the 1986 survey of school buildings suggested that some £2 billion at 1990 prices was required to remedy deficiencies in school buildings. Over £5 billion will have been spent on schools since, including the current financial year, much of it in meeting the deficiencies identified.

  Capital Allocations
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the regional total of capital allocations for education to the local authorities in England for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1982–83, (c) 1985–86 and (d) each year since 1988–89 for each standard English region.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 28 October 1993]: Figures for 1979–80 are not available. The table gives figures for the other years as requested.
  411
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the national total of capital allocations for education to local authorities in England for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1982–83, (c) 1985–86 and (d) each year since 1988–89; and if he will give the breakdown of the total

  Capital allocations by type of authority

  (£ thousands)

  1982–83

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  (i) Non-metropolitan district councils1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (ii) County councils

  212,200

  208,070

  253,953

  242,373

  321,970

  361,380

  406,358

  301,306

  (iii) Metropolitan district councils

  103,967

  88,896

  128,710

  110,262

  146,430

  178,176

  196,631

  122,987

  (iv) London boroughs

  50,120

  53,255

  59,335

  52,049

  90,396

  91,647

  100,736

  82,649

  (v) City of London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  2

  0

  0

  National Total

  366,287

  350,221

  441,998

  404,684

  558,797

  631,205

  703,725

  506,941

  1 Allocations are not made to non-metropolitan district councils.

  Notes:

  1. Tables are in £ thousands and in cash terms.

  2. Tables represent combined totals of:

  (a) Voluntary aided and special agreement schools—approved levels of governors' expenditure eligible for 85 per cent. grant (there are no VA schools in the Scilly Isles);

  (b) LEA capital allocations and, from 1990–91, Annual Capital Guidelines, together with Supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs).

  3. Allocations for self-governing (GM) schools are not included.

  4. Figures for 1979–80 are not available.

  5. Figures for 1993–94 include SCAs issued up to 3 November 1993.

  6. Figures prior to 1993–94 include allocations for FE/sixth form colleges.

  7. Figures for the City of London (v) prior to 1990–91 are included in the total London boroughs (iv).

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the capital allocation for education for each local authority in England for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1982–83, (c) 1985–86 and (d) each year since 1988–89.

  Capital allocations by LEA (£000s)

  LEA Name

  1982–83

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  City of London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Camden

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Greenwich

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Hackney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Islington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Lewisham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Southwark

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Wandsworth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London Borough of Westminster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  ILEA

  18,926

  18,557

  20,106

  14,324

  London Borough of Barking

  3,126

  967

  1,654

  245

  London Borough of Barnet

  3,864

  4,974

  3,109

  2,388

  London Borough of Bexley

  761

  546

  1,851

  1,087

  London Borough of Brent

  2,124

  1,937

  2,999

  982

  London Borough of Bromley

  1,065

  839

  433

  668

  London Borough of Croydon

  382

  2,215

  1,635

  1,008

  London Borough of Ealing

  2,002

  2,792

  2,145

  552

  London Borough of Enfield

  538

  1,586

  1,701

  1,978

  London Borough of Haringey

  3,253

  2,070

  2,580

  2,606

  London Borough of Harrow

  598

  844

  1,668

  700

  London Borough of Havering

  414

  347

  762

  2,199

  London Borough of Hillingdon

  1,779

  588

  1,268

  950

  London Borough of Hounslow

  2,287

  2,390

  1,268

  529

  London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames

  1,990

  2,202

  1,695

  337

  London Borough of Merton

  733

  2,395

  1,023

  5,543

  London Borough of Newham

  2,501

  2,583

  3,246

  3,605

  London Borough of Redbridge

  1,124

  2,025

  3,779

  2,603

  London Borough Richmond-upon-Thames

  659

  379

  277

  898

  412
  between (i) non-metropolitan district councils, (ii) county councils, (iii) metropolitan district councils, (iv) London boroughs and (v) the City of London.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 28 October 1993]: Figures for 1979–80 are not available. The table gives figures for the other years as requested.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 28 October 1993]: Figures for 1979–80 are not available. The table gives figures for the other years as requested.
  413

  LEA Name

  1982–83

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  London Borough of Sutton

  233

  659

  627

  817

  London Borough of Waltham Forest

  1,761

  2,360

  5,509

  8,030

  Birmingham

  10,603

  4,765

  6,392

  7,210

  Coventry

  4,116

  3,164

  6,308

  3,242

  Dudley

  2,803

  3,337

  2,230

  3,707

  Sandwell

  1,682

  1,939

  1,148

  2,138

  Solihull

  750

  717

  1,338

  1,169

  Walsall

  3,306

  1,354

  998

  983

  Wovlerhampton

  3,224

  2,377

  2,090

  528

  Knowsley

  809

  1,413

  2,351

  2,268

  Liverpool

  6,490

  6,950

  3,528

  2,667

  St. Helens

  3,794

  1,890

  4,094

  5,415

  Sefton

  1,713

  1,723

  2,018

  2,400

  Wirral

  3,197

  1,631

  2,640

  4,642

  Bolton

  3,369

  1,148

  4,844

  1,536

  Bury

  856

  843

  1,519

  1,826

  Manchester

  4,228

  9,552

  12,199

  6,610

  Oldham

  1,186

  1,087

  5,185

  4,088

  Rochdale

  2,475

  1,927

  3,452

  3,364

  Salford

  1,491

  1,680

  4,445

  4,096

  Stockport

  1,540

  1,680

  2,928

  1,564

  Wigan

  4,885

  2,094

  3,893

  1,879

  Tameside

  1,879

  605

  806

  776

  Trafford

  676

  1,634

  476

  2,911

  Barnsley

  703

  1,090

  487

  270

  Doncaster

  1,664

  519

  506

  692

  Rotherham

  2,051

  527

  1,127

  840

  Sheffield

  4,990

  3,912

  8,187

  5,364

  Bradford

  5,226

  8,619

  11,158

  8,807

  Calderdale

  1,028

  981

  3,619

  2,882

  Kirklees

  4,492

  4,134

  1,726

  813

  Leeds

  7,327

  3,355

  5,036

  8,339

  Wakefield

  2,762

  1,563

  3,643

  3,365

  Gateshead

  567

  1,440

  2,977

  1,841

  Newcastle-U-Tyne

  2,200

  1,934

  4,619

  2,149

  North Tyneside

  1,127

  2,664

  2,758

  2,351

  South Tyneside

  1,931

  1,524

  2,793

  3,572

  Sunderland

  2,827

  3,124

  5,192

  3,958

  Isles of Scilly

  —

  —

  139

  149

  Avon

  6,886

  4,342

  4,713

  4,587

  Bedfordshire

  4,314

  1,665

  1,630

  2,022

  Berkshire

  6,522

  8,002

  6,059

  7,000

  Buckinghamshire

  7,372

  5,989

  8,469

  7,797

  Cambridgeshire

  5,656

  4,474

  4,659

  6,050

  Cheshire

  7,220

  5,872

  5,406

  5,076

  Cleveland

  7,987

  4,693

  3,945

  5,527

  Cornwall

  5,353

  3,495

  6,558

  7,216

  Cumbria

  1,919

  4,331

  5,287

  7,312

  Derbyshire

  9,066

  7,614

  12,232

  12,070

  Devon

  9,028

  7,877

  9,053

  14,403

  Dorset

  6,136

  5,600

  5,473

  4,167

  Durham

  2,456

  3,443

  1,565

  2,179

  East Sussex

  5,191

  5,785

  11,906

  10,088

  Essex

  7,750

  12,146

  21,748

  17,231

  Gloucestershire

  3,205

  5,618

  5,838

  7,152

  Hampshire

  10,005

  12,404

  16,838

  8,867

  Hereford and Worcester

  2,631

  2,273

  3,258

  3,104

  Hertfordshire

  3,728

  6,169

  6,332

  5,505

  Humberside

  8,127

  4,158

  9,506

  7,640

  Isle of Wight

  493

  1,253

  2,502

  1,928

  Kent

  7,816

  5,516

  7,974

  9,544

  Lancashire

  10,394

  17,400

  16,892

  18,398

  Leicestershire

  8,979

  8,546

  9,223

  7,245

  Lincolnshire

  4,477

  4,342

  4,519

  3,026

  Norfolk

  6,039

  3,247

  4,274

  4,177

  North Yorkshire

  2,618

  5,688

  4,037

  2,318

  Northamptonshire

  5,126

  4,536

  3,322

  4,066

  Northumberland

  2,466

  1,294

  1,133

  1,283

  Nottinghamshire

  5,538

  3,443

  3,671

  3,452

  Oxfordshire

  4,320

  3,763

  5,355

  3,822

  Shropshire

  3,557

  4,208

  4,874

  5,063

  Somerset

  3,090

  1,273

  3,323

  4,594

  Staffordshire

  9,266

  9,956

  8,424

  5,749

  Suffolk

  3,743

  4,035

  7,260

  6,318

  Surrey

  4,902

  4,433

  6,519

  8,146

  Warwickshire

  1,723

  1,948

  2,090

  2,360

  West Sussex

  2,435

  3,699

  4,697

  2,805

  414 415

  LEA Name

  1982–83

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Wiltshire

  4,666

  3,540

  3,250

  2,937

  City of London

  0

  2

  0

  0

  London Borough of Camden

  2,518

  1,111

  2,653

  507

  London Borough of Greenwich

  1,649

  712

  1,198

  1,647

  London Borough of Hackney

  1,161

  2,187

  2,669

  3,164

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,499

  3,261

  4,756

  1,889

  London Borough of Islington

  417

  1,183

  1,345

  665

  Kensington and Chelsea

  6,920

  4,486

  4307

  3,625

  London Borough Lambeth

  991

  1,222

  2,127

  1,823

  London Borough of Lewisham

  1,434

  2,577

  3,052

  1,685

  London Borough of Southwark

  2,615

  2,119

  3,435

  3,684

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  18,261

  19,637

  13,685

  12,440

  London Borough of Wandsworth

  1,303

  1,423

  2,857

  2,310

  London Borough of Westminster

  575

  948

  1,007

  1,164

  ILEA

  London Borough of Barking

  2,425

  2,528

  1.326

  949

  London Borough of Barnet

  1,800

  1,852

  2,395

  3,914

  London Borough of Bexley

  1.679

  2,196

  3.492

  2,443

  London Borough of Brent

  1,081

  1,268

  1,941

  1,681

  London Borough of Bromley

  1,764

  3,854

  2,671

  2,353

  London Borough of Croydon

  2,127

  3,865

  4,205

  1,413

  London Borough of Ealing

  982

  1,548

  4,038

  6,387

  London Borough of Enfield

  1,659

  2,273

  4,117

  3,139

  London Borough of Haringey

  3,468

  2,246

  1,872

  2,944

  London Borough of Harrow

  1,073

  1,057

  3,795

  4,078

  London Borough of Havering

  6,238

  2,092

  2,196

  1,060

  London Borough of Hillingdon

  1,372

  1,025

  1,819

  1,652

  London Borough of Houslow

  539

  1,569

  4,135

  4,918

  London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames

  294

  1,303

  686

  838

  London Borough of Merton

  4,057

  1,727

  1,806

  990

  London Borough of Newham

  6,461

  8,721

  6,420

  1,509

  London Borough of Redbridge

  1,891

  868

  1,720

  2,790

  London Borough of Richraond-upon-Thames

  1,895

  1,149

  613

  491

  London Borough of Sutton

  3,586

  5,718

  3,945

  1,396

  London Borough of Waltham Forest

  6,661

  3,924

  4,253

  3,099

  Birmingham

  11,666

  12,196

  13,325

  8,852

  Coventry

  2,882

  3,549

  6,122

  1,740

  Dudley

  5,415

  11,514

  10,627

  2,098

  Sandwell

  1,823

  1,460

  2,054

  2,720

  Solihull

  2,752

  1,938

  1,542

  2,729

  Walsall

  1,419

  1,410

  1,285

  1,115

  Wolverhampton

  936

  2,128

  3,119

  3,418

  Knowsley

  2,249

  1,744

  2,769

  1,397

  Liverpool

  14,229

  10,256

  11,439

  8,639

  St. Helens

  5,194

  5,002

  2,630

  1,035

  Sefton

  5,703

  5,958

  5,374

  2,940

  Wirral

  3,658

  4,010

  2,866

  2,139

  Bolton

  939

  1,335

  2,993

  664

  Bury

  1,456

  1,828

  1,485

  1,223

  Manchester

  4,391

  6,314

  10,985

  9,165

  Oldham

  6,126

  8,696

  4,115

  2,972

  Rochdale

  4,947

  8,567

  9,076

  1,254

  Salford

  4,288

  7,126

  2,988

  2,700

  Stockport

  1,972

  2,210

  2,001

  1,085

  Wigan

  5,077

  8,570

  5,966

  2,507

  Tameside

  1,490

  2,029

  3,506

  1,987

  Trafford

  9,740

  4,398

  3,195

  1,703

  Barnsley

  1,933

  1,053

  2,970

  2,883

  Doncaster

  1,075

  556

  910

  974

  Rotherham

  1,589

  1,284

  3,040

  1,730

  Sheffield

  2,948

  1,798

  6,951

  2,346

  Bradford

  10,881

  10,485

  11,405

  7,246

  Calderdale

  1,718

  2,105

  2,328

  1,379

  Kirklees

  1,360

  4,015

  6,525

  6,783

  Leeds

  10,653

  28,660

  29,775

  10,160

  Wakefield

  5,539

  2,645

  6,691

  11,780

  Gateshead

  1,139

  2,904

  2,074

  1,385

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  2,161

  4,130

  3,326

  2,075

  North Tyneside

  2,730

  1,105

  2,778

  4,473

  South Tyneside

  1,945

  2,009

  2,286

  958

  Sunderland

  2,409

  3,188

  6,111

  4,733

  Isles of Scilly

  221

  66

  116

  40

  Avon

  7,964

  5,564

  5,368

  5,954

  Bedfordshire

  2,424

  2,666

  5,040

  3,408

  416 417

  LEA Name

  1982–83

  1985–86

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Berkshire

  4,938

  4,025

  6,110

  4,631

  Buckinghamshire

  7,207

  9,914

  9,564

  7,964

  Cambridgeshire

  13,287

  8,615

  15,151

  8,072

  Cheshire

  7,550

  7,254

  12,229

  13,348

  Cleveland

  4,929

  3,377

  5,430

  5,192

  Cornwall

  7,723

  7,215

  9,534

  3,069

  Cumbria

  8,584

  10,788

  13,015

  10,097

  Derbyshire

  15,875

  22,219

  18,187

  14,374

  Devon

  13,449

  8,659

  13,679

  11,527

  Dorset

  8,700

  6,590

  8,043

  8,739

  Durham

  5,201

  7,629

  8,661

  6,618

  East Sussex

  10,338

  17,826

  19,277

  11,942

  Essex

  14,424

  23,220

  22,304

  12,466

  Gloucestershire

  8,840

  7,671

  9,367

  9,979

  Hampshire

  16,989

  18,443

  16,009

  11,538

  Hereford and Worcester

  7,329

  8,130

  5,756

  3,307

  Hertfordshire

  6,728

  8,180

  8,546

  4,986

  Humberside

  9,512

  8,417

  10,406

  7,326

  Isle of Wight

  1,999

  2,473

  2,100

  1,983

  Kent

  18,966

  26,610

  28,409

  18,144

  Lancashire

  23,494

  26,916

  31,875

  17,428

  Leicestershire

  11,613

  8,440

  10,040

  7,046

  Lincolnshire

  7,512

  10,292

  13,366

  11,616

  Norfolk

  3,064

  2,845

  3,667

  4,531

  North Yorkshire

  4,174

  5,350

  7,894

  6,905

  Northamptonshire

  6,182

  8,668

  5,142

  5,878

  Northumberland

  2,576

  4,681

  3,231

  2,501

  Nottinghamshire

  4,752

  5,302

  6,217

  3,269

  Oxfordshire

  5,671

  9,127

  8,784

  4,309

  Shropshire

  6,439

  6,820

  4,655

  4,554

  Somerset

  6,966

  7,048

  8,485

  5,636

  Staffordshire

  7,443

  9,623

  11,220

  8,095

  Suffolk

  8,177

  10,334

  12,172

  7,725

  Surrey

  4,947

  6,377

  13,376

  16,869

  Warwickshire

  2,604

  2,583

  3,028

  2,765

  West Sussex

  6,160

  5,383

  4,504

  4,725

  Wiltshire

  7,023

  6,041

  6,398

  2,752

  Notes:

  1. Tables are in £000s and in cash terms.

  2. Tables represent combined totals of:

  a. voluntary aided and special agreement schools—approved levels of governors' expenditure eligible for 85 per cent. grant (there are no VA schools in the Scilly Isles);

  b. LEA capital allocations and, from 1990–91, Annual Capital Guidelines, together with Supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs).

  3. Allocations for self-governing (GM) schools are not included.

  4. Figures for 1979–80 are not available.

  5. Figures for 1993–94 include SCAs issued up to 3 November 1993.

  6. Figures prior to 1993–94 include allocations for FE/sixth form colleges.

PRIME MINISTER

  Nuclear Testing
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans the Government have to declare a moratorium on British nuclear testing.

  The Prime Minister
  We have no such plans, but we have made it clear that we will carry out no nuclear tests while the United States moratorium continues.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussion he has had with the Government of the United States of America on making representations to the Government of China with a view to dissuading them from conducting an underground nuclear test; and what action he took as a result.

  The Prime Minister
  The United States Government informed us in September of their intention to seek to dissuade China from conducting a nuclear test. In the 418
  event, the Chinese conducted a test on 5 October. We have expressed our regret at this, given the background of restraint on testing by the other nuclear powers.

  Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the United States Government on the prospects for concluding a comprehensive test ban treaty by 1996; and what plans the Government have to announce a date by which they hope such a treaty may be concluded.

  The Prime Minister
  In our exchanges with the United States Government on approaches to a comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT), the time scale for concluding such a treaty is one of a number of issues we have discussed. We do not believe that setting a deadline for the treaty's conclusion will necessarily help the conduct of negotiations.

  Cyprus
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the United Nations Security Council the continued Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  We hope that direct talks between the parties, under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General, will resume after next month's elections in northern Cyprus. We stand ready, together with other Security Council members, to consider alternative ways to promote the effective implementation of United Nations resolutions on Cyprus should there be no further progress by the time of Mr. Boutros Ghali's next report.

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

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Agency for Health and Safety
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the costs and benefits to the United Kingdom in financial and administrative terms of the establishment of the Agency for Health and Safety.

  The Prime Minister
  It is too early to say, but we believe that the agency should be beneficial if it can facilitate the use of risk assessment as a basis for prioritising commission proposals; if it can avoid duplication of research; and if it can contribute to more consistent standards of enforcement.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister in what circumstances the Government would recommend a referendum in the United Kingdom over constitutional proposals for Northern Ireland based on an agreement reached with the Government of the Irish Republic.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are fully committed to seeking a comprehensive political settlement with the four main Northern Ireland constitutional parties and the Irish Government, which addresses all three main relationships: those within Northern Ireland; those within the island of Ireland; and those between the British and Irish Governments. The Government believe that the best way forward lies with the talks process and the question of how any such agreement is subsequently endorsed is a matter for discussion between all the participants in this process.

  European Monetary Union
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Prime Minister what is meant by the full use of EMU as set out in the presidency conclusions.

  The Prime Minister
  The presidency conclusions of the European Council on 29 October recorded all member 420
  states' commitment to the full implementation of the second stage of economic and monetary union. In addition to the establishment of the European Monetary Institute, this will mean strengthened co-operation between member states on their economic and monetary policies to facilitate economic convergence.

  Maastricht
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Prime Minister how the mechanisms for co-ordinating economic policies laid down in the Maastricht treaty will strengthen the process of convergence with the aim of returning to growth and reducing unemployment.

  The Prime Minister
  The provisions in the Maastricht treaty relating to multilateral surveillance of member states' economic policies and the excessive deficits procedure will enable the Council to monitor progress with economic convergence. The Council's discussions on these issues will inform national Governments as they frame their economic policies.

  Policy Unit
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Central Policy Review Staff staff were absorbed into the No. 10 policy unit in 1983–84; at what cost; and what was the cost of the policy unit in that year and at the latest available date.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 November 1993]: Two staff were absorbed into the No. 10 policy unit from the Central Policy Review Staff; the cost involved was negligible.

  The cost of the policy unit in 1983–84 was £154,923 and the estimated cost for 1993–94 is £615,000. Both figures include the costs of unit members and secretarial support staff.

  National Portrait Gallery
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Prime Minister how many nominations he received in appointing the new director of the national portrait gallery; and to what extent the views of trustees were presented to him.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: As is required by law, the board of trustees of the national portrait gallery submitted to me for my approval their proposal for the new director of the gallery. In the knowledge that the trustees had conducted an open competition for the post, I was content to approve their choice of appointee on the basis of their recommendation.

EMPLOYMENT

  Restart Programmes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list contractors approved for the running of restart programmes and the number of places they are contracted for in the current financial year; and what is the standard length of contract periods for such courses.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  421
  Letter from Mr. M. Fogden to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 4 November 1993
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about Restart Courses. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Restart Courses aim to help those people who have been unemployed for a long time and are having the most difficulty in getting back to work. Attending a course complements regular job search by providing people with the opportunity to explore all the options open to them arid give them confidence to take the next step back to work. They normally last a week.
  We currently have around 180 Restart course contracts with organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. These contracts are normally awarded as a result of a full competitive tendering exercise. Full details about each contract are held locally by the Area Manager who awarded the contract. I attach a list of contractors which was last compiled In April 1993.
  Contracts normally run for 2 years. In some cases contracts may be either extended or shortened where changes to the programme are anticipated. In the current financial year we aim to provide up to 140,000 Restart Course places.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Accents

  Park House

  63 Park Street

  Bridgend

  Advantage Enterprises

  290 Stanton Road

  Stanton

  Burton on Trent

  DE15 9SQ

  Aintree training Services

  Merseyside Centre for the Deaf

  Queens Drive

  West Derby

  Liverpool

  L13 OAR

  London Connection

  12 Adelaide Street

  London WC2

  Aintree Training Services

  44 Eastgate

  Leeds

  LS2 IAA

  Al-Falah

  Richmond Road

  Bradford

  BD7 1DR

  Alan Honnor Associates Ltd.

  2 The Square

  Wimbourne Dorset

  BH21 1JA

  Apex Trust

  Northfield School

  Tinkes Farm Road

  Birmingham

  B31 1RR

  Arrow training

  School Hill Trading Estate

  Chepstow

  422

  Arun District council

  Arun Civic Centre

  Maltravers Road

  Littlehampton

  Sussex

  BN17 5LF

  Astra Training

  Leeholme Road

  Billingham

  Cleveland

  Bath City Council

  Saw Close

  Bath

  Bexley Training Group

  17 Upland Road

  Bexley Heath

  Kent

  DA7 4NR

  Birmingham Rathbone Society

  19–20 Tenby Street North

  Hockley

  Birmingham

  B1 3EN

  Boston College

  Rowley Road

  Boston

  Lincs

  PE21 6JF

  Bournville CFE

  Bridge Centre

  Bristol Road South

  Birmingham

  B31 2AJ

  Bromley Adult Education

  Princes Plain

  Church Lane

  Bromley

  Kent

  BTG Training and Consultancy

  27 Stafford Street

  Hanley

  Stoke on Trent

  ST1 1JU

  Business 2 Business

  14 Melton Road

  Leicester

  LE4 5EA

  Cambridge Jobsearch Ltd.

  25 Gwydir Street

  Cambridge

  CB1 2LG

  Capital Trading

  343A Kilburn High Road

  London

  NW6 7QB

  Cathedral Training

  42 Hartlepool Road

  Vauxhall

  London SE11 5AY

  Chamber of Commerce

  Industry House

  Summer Lane

  Barnsley

  CHET

  Oaklands College

  423

  Hatfield Campus

  Woods Avenue

  Hatfield

  CICT

  Hamilton House

  Cargo Fleet Lane

  Middlesbrough

  Cleveland

  City Trading

  39–41 Chapel Street

  Bradford

  BD1 5BY

  Combined Training Services

  8 Rolle Street

  Exmouth

  EX8 1HE

  Community Education Project

  1st Floor, YMCA

  North View

  Ashington

  NE63 9EQ

  Computer Insight

  159 High Street

  Penge

  London

  SE20 7DS

  Convergence Systems

  5th Floor West

  Niel House

  3–15 Whitechapel Road

  London E11

  CTC

  139 Southchurch Road

  Southend

  SS1 2NW

  DCC

  Community Education Service

  Area Education Office

  St. Thomas Green

  Haverfordwest

  Antur Teifi

  Midland Bank Chambers

  Newcastle Emlyn

  Dyfed

  Di-Bacc

  Old Bank Buildings

  Porth

  Mid-Glamorgan

  Dial Training

  51 Cardiff Road

  Caerphilly

  Direct Training Services

  2nd Floor

  Grosvenor House

  Anlaby Road

  Hull

  Dunstable College

  Finbar House

  Dunstable College

  21–24 Vernon Place

  Dunstable

  East Birmingham College

  Garretts Green Lane

  Birmingham 33

  424

  East Yorkshire College

  St. Mary's Walk

  Bridlington

  YO16 5JW

  East Lindsey Training Services

  Meripian House

  Eastgate

  Louth

  Lincs

  EKTA

  Victoria Road

  Margate Kent

  Emp-Tech

  18 Devon Square

  Newton Abbot

  TQ12 2HR

  EMRMC

  Management House

  Daleside Road

  Nottingham

  Families Housing and Welfare Services

  4801 Horne Road

  Catterick Garrison

  North Yorks

  DL9 4JJ

  Fernly Business Services

  The Derwent Business Centre

  Clarke Street

  Derby

  DE1 2BU

  Filton College

  Filton Avenue

  Bristol

  GMCS

  91 Brick Lane

  London

  E1 6QN

  Gordon Franks

  7 Freedom Street

  Birmingham 5

  Grand Met Trust

  Suite 4, Thrift House

  12/15 Wellington Place

  Hastings

  TN34 1NY

  Grand Met Trust

  Two Rivers Industrial Estate

  Braunton Road

  Barnstaple

  EX31 IJY

  Grand Met Trust

  Parkside Chambers

  Parkside Road

  Paignton

  TQ4 6AE

  Grand Met Trust

  681 Holloway Road

  London N19

  Grand Met Trust

  64–65 North Road

  Brighton

  BN1 1YD

  Grand Met Trust

  1st Floor

  425

  The Pithay

  Bristol

  BS1 2NQ

  Grand Met Trust

  38 Rumbridge street

  Totton

  Hants

  SO4 4DS

  Greenwich Training Co

  Ferranti Close

  Westminster Industrial estate

  Woolwich

  London SE18

  Gwynedd Local Education Authority

  County Offices

  Caernarfon

  Gwynedd

  Harrogate Training Services

  1 Prospect Crescent

  Harrogate

  HG1 1RH

  Headwey (UK) Ltd

  14–16 Carlton Road

  South 1

  Weymouth

  DT4 7PJ

  Hotel and Catering

  International House

  High Street

  Ealing

  London

  Humberside County Council

  Boothferry Adult Education

  Parkside

  Weston Road

  Goole

  Humberside Business Training

  Globe House

  Modder Street

  Ashby

  Scunthorpe

  DA16 2SH

  Incomm Business Services

  7th Floor, Albany House

  Hurst Street

  Birmingham

  Instant Muscle Ltd

  13 Market Street

  Pontypridd

  CF37 2ST

  Instant Muscle Ltd

  Carmelite House

  Posterngate

  Hull

  Intec Business Colleges

  Garmston Court

  18 St. Martin's Lane

  Lincoln

  Invicta Training

  17 Garden Road

  Tunbridge Wells

  Jasmire Ltd

  6 Trafalgar Road

  Kettering

  NN16 8DA

  426

  Jay Training Services

  Masters House

  1 Marlborough Hill

  Harrow

  Middlesex

  HA1 1TJ

  JDA

  194 Kingrosia Park

  Clydach

  Swansea

  SA6 5PF

  JEG Group Ltd

  Dennis House

  Hawley Road

  Hinckley

  Leics

  JHP Training Ltd

  Sutherland House

  Matlock Road

  Foleshill

  Coventry

  CV1 4JQ

  JHP

  2nd Floor, Sutherland House

  Matlock Road

  Foleshill

  Coventry

  CV1 4JQ

  JHP Training

  Sutherland House

  Matlock Road

  Foleshill

  Coventry

  CV1 4JQ

  JHP Training

  Estdale Centre

  Mill Street

  Slough

  SL2 5DP

  JIL Training

  The Effective Learning

  15 The Butts

  Rochdale

  OL16 1FS

  Joblink Trust

  1st Floor, Victoria Station House

  191 Victoria Street

  London

  SW1E 5NE

  Jobworld

  Suite 6

  Walker Building

  49 Whitechapel

  Liverpool

  L1 6DT

  John Christopher associates

  3 Gwynfaes

  Tanrallt

  Llanllyfni

  Gwynedd

  Johnstoane Wintrip Associates

  Glendale House

  Washington

  KADTAL

  New Devonshire House

  427

  Devonshire Street

  Keighley

  BD21 2AU

  Kennedy Scott

  1 Penn Place

  Rickmansworth

  Herts WD3

  Kennedy Scott Ltd.

  Oakwood

  Marriotts Gate

  Lutton

  Spalding

  Lincolnshire

  Key Training

  Granville Chambers

  Midland Road

  Wellingborough

  NN8 1HA

  Y Training Services

  19 Sturton Street

  Cambridge

  CB1 2QB

  LBC

  Llanelli

  Borough Training Centre

  North Dock

  Llanelli

  LCHE

  Park Square

  Luton

  LU1 3JU

  Leeds Chamber Training Services

  2nd Floor

  7 Eastgate

  Leeds

  LS2 7LY

  Lewisham African Organisation

  53 Deptford Broadway

  Deptford

  London SE8

  Lynne Bier

  60 Lyndhurst Road

  London N22

  Mantech Training Ltd

  4th Floor

  The Arbour

  87 Lord Street

  Liverpool

  L2 6PG

  Mantech Training

  The Arbour

  87 Lord Street

  Liverpool

  L2 6PG

  Merthyr College

  Ynysfach

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Michael Carter Associates

  Malt House Studio

  30 New Road

  Crickhowell

  Powys

  Microcom

  Inverclyde House

  428

  6 Orchard Avenue

  Bothwell

  G71 8NF

  Mid Kent AEC

  9 Sittingbourne Road

  Maidstone

  Kent

  Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

  Commerce House

  Wakefield Road

  Aspley

  Huddersfield

  HD5 9AA

  Mr. S. Goldman

  St. James House

  108 Hampstead Road

  London

  NW1 2LS

  MSS

  The Cottage

  Linden Road

  The Pludds

  Ruarden

  Gloucestershire

  MYCC

  New Commerce House

  168 Westgate

  Wakefield

  WF2 9FR

  NACRO

  Maesgwyn Road

  Wrexham

  Clwyd

  NACRO

  Bowden House

  210–216 Newhall Road

  Sheffield

  S9 2QL

  NACRO NCT

  Colton House

  2–4 Colton Street

  Leicester

  LE1 1QB

  Nechells Employment Resource Agency

  42 Revesby Walk

  Nechells

  Birmingham

  B7 4LG

  NNCFE

  Carlton Road

  Worksop

  Notts

  Norfolk Training Services

  Harford Centre

  Hall Road

  Norwich

  Norfolk and Waveney Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  10 Castle Meadow

  Norfolk

  NORTEC

  8 White Lion Walk

  Banbury

  OX16 8UD

  429

  North Kent AEC

  College Road

  Sittingbourne

  Kent

  North West Kent College

  Miskin Road

  Dartford

  Kent

  North West Kent AES

  Victoria Centre

  Darnley Road

  Gravesend

  North Devon College

  Old Sticklepath Hill

  Barnstable

  Devon EX31 2BQ

  North Avon Training

  Canningford House

  38 Victoria Street

  Bristol

  North Hertfordshire College

  Broadway

  Letchworth

  Herts

  NYCC

  Fresh Options

  6 Zetnad Street

  Northallerton

  OTR

  22 Queen Street

  Mansfield

  Partnership Services Ltd

  North Oxon College of Further Education

  Broughton Road

  Banbury

  OX16 9QA

  PCS Ltd

  2 Christina Street

  Swansea

  SA1 4EW

  PDC

  24–26 Barclay Road

  Croydon

  Peter Yaxley

  Tipota

  Lansmead

  Blindly Heath

  Lingfield

  Surrey

  Peterlee College

  Peterlee

  Co Durham

  POC Associates

  10–12 Fore Street

  Trowbridge

  Portals Engineering Ltd

  259 Greenstead Road

  Colchester

  Powys Adult Guidance Service

  Spa Road East

  Llandrindod Wells

  Gwynedd

  Powys Adult Guidance Service

  Powys County Hall

  Llandrindod Wells

  Powys

  430

  Prospect Training

  Prospect House

  48 Doncaster Road

  Mexborough

  Prospects

  3 The Broadway

  Lace Market

  Nottingham

  PTS

  257–259 Commercial Road

  Portsmouth

  PO1 4BP

  Quantum Business Services

  Thornton House

  Cemetery Road

  Shelton

  Stoke on Trent

  ST4 2NL

  RDA Management Services

  3 Usk View

  Glangrwyney

  Crickhowell

  Powys

  Read Enterprises

  Poppy Pastures

  10 School Lane

  Ropsley

  Grantham

  NG33 4BT

  Ridgemond Training

  Ridgemond Park

  Telford Avenue

  Stevenage

  Rite Associates

  Trebarvah Woon

  Seworgan

  Constantine

  Falmouth

  TR11 5QL

  Roger Worth Training

  Vanguard House

  90 Bank Street

  Wakefield

  WF1 1EH

  Roger Worth

  CMA House

  Castle Square

  Sheffield

  SACES

  The Oasthouse

  Kingston Road

  Staines

  Middlesex

  Scout Enterprises

  The Old Gas Works

  Dovercourt Road

  Horfield

  Bristol

  BS7 9SL

  SEETEC

  Main Road

  Hockley

  SS5 4RG

  Selby Training Centre

  St. Mary's Old School

  431

  Brook Street

  Selby

  YO8 OHD

  SFMA

  Uxbridge College

  Hayes Centre

  Central Avenue

  Hayes

  UB3 2DD

  Skills Training 2000

  1 Rosedale Terrace

  Dalling Road

  London W6

  Smith's Personnel House

  Robertstown House

  Robertstown

  Aberdare

  Solihull Training Group

  Cranmore Avenue

  Shirley

  Solihull

  B90 4LE

  Solihull College of Technology

  Blossomfield Road

  Solihull

  South West Management Ltd

  10 Beach Road

  Weston-super-Mare

  South Bristol College

  Markesbury Road

  Bedminster Bristol

  B53 5JL

  South Glamorgan County Council

  Adult Education Centre

  The Friary

  Cardiff

  Specialised Technical Services

  2–4 Broadway West

  Ennis Square

  Dormastown

  Redcar

  Strategic Consultants

  5 East Bank Road

  Sheffield

  S2 3PZ

  STS

  21 Parkway

  Burnt Oak

  Edgeware

  HA8 5EY

  Surrey Heath Adult Education Institute

  France Hill Drive

  Camberley

  Surrey

  GU15 3QA

  SWIM

  Swale Training Centre

  10 Crown Quay Lane

  Sittingbourne Kent

  Tarka Training

  1 Bridge Chambers

  The Square

  Barnstable

  EX31 1HB

  432

  TED Training Services Ltd

  91 St Ann's Road

  Tottenham

  London

  N15 6NU

  TEIFI Counselling Services

  Crib-y-Gwynt

  Verwig

  Cardigan

  The Training Factory

  Kirkdale House

  Kirkdale Road

  London

  E11 1HF

  The Course Centre

  13 Lorraine Road

  London

  N7 6EZ

  Thurrock College

  Woodview

  Grays

  RM16 4 YR

  Training Advice Centre

  47050 Nile Street

  Sunderland

  Training Network

  196 Great Cambridge Road

  Enfield

  Middlesex

  Training in Rural Areas

  Training Division

  Kilnwell Road

  Market Rasen

  Lincoln

  LN8 3BL

  Training and Management Wales

  15 Pendragon House

  Cwmbran

  Training Network

  547 Leabridge Road

  London

  E11 7RB

  Trent Valley Business College

  Trent House

  28 High Street

  Long Eaton

  Notts

  NG10 1LL

  TTS Ltd

  19a Westgate

  Huddesfield

  HD1 1NP

  TVBC

  28 High Street

  Long Eaton

  Nottingham

  Tynedale Business Centre

  14 Gilesgate

  Hexham

  NE46 3NJ

  Wandsworth Training Services

  79 Wandsworth High Street

  Wandsworth

  London

  SW18 4LQ

  433

  WEA

  Martins Gate

  Bretonside

  Plymouth

  PL4 OAT

  Westcountry Training

  Central House

  New North Road

  Exeter EX4 4HF

  WGCC

  Job Review Unit

  YMCA

  Kingsway

  Swansea

  Wiltshire Training

  Education Department

  County Hall

  Bythesea Road

  Trowbridge

  Workshop 6

  82 Countess Road

  Sheffield

  S1 4TE

  Workskills and Latymer Training

  59 Fulham High Street

  London SW6

  Workskills

  1 Holly Terrace

  Highgate West Hill

  London N6 6LX

  WTS

  79 Wandsworth High Street

  Wandsworth

  London

  SW18 4LQ

  Y Training Services

  54 Hollybush Lane

  Sevenoaks

  Kent

  TN13 3TL

  Y Training Services

  The Stables

  77 Hallgarth Street

  Durham

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of the Health and Safety Executive in regard to the commissioning process for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant under condition 21(2) of the Sellafield site licence.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  When granting nuclear site licences under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the power to attach such conditions as may appear to them to be necessary or desirable in the interests of safety. The Health and Safety Executive has developed a set of standardised nuclear site licence conditions with the aim of producing consistent nuclear safety requirements which are non prescriptive and flexible. This allows a nuclear site licensee to exercise responsibility for safety and develop arrangements particular to the circumstances of the operation.

  The Health and Safety Executive has satisfied itself that British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) has made and implemented
  434
  adequate arrangements under condition 21(1) of the Sellafield site licence for the commissioning of plants or processes which may affect safety, and in particular for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant. There has been no requirement for HSE to exercise its powers under condition 21(2).

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the level of unemployment in the Bentley and Darlaston North and Darlaston South wards of Walsall for each year since 1986.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Unadjusted data on claimant unemployment levels by ward can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been unemployed for over a year in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In July 1993, the latest available date, the unadjusted number of people who have been claimant unemployed for over one year stood at 1,081,165 compared to 1,356,521 in April 1986.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs have been created in the London borough of Lewisham to date by schemes associated with the South East Thames training and enterprise council.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. The main role of training and enterprise councils is not direct job creation but the delivery of Government training programmes, business start-up and such special initiatives as individual TECs see fit.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies notified in each of the last six months in the London borough of Lewisham were(a) full time, (b) part time, (c) permanent and (d) temporary.

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

  Letter from Mr. M. Fogden to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 4 November 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the number and type of vacancies notified to the Employment Service in the London Borough of Lewisham in each of the last six months. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  As we do not record statistical information on a Borough basis, I have produced a "best fit" by using figures from four of my offices within Lewisham namely, Catford, Deptford, Forest Hill and Lewisham. The information is shown in the attached table.
  The table shows that total number of vacancies notified to Jobcentres in each of the last six months. We only provide an indept breakdown of the figures on a quarterly basis.
  I hope this is helpful.

  435
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Vacancies notified to employment service offices in Catford, Deptford, Forest Hill and Lewisham

  Month

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Permanent

  Temporary

  Notified vacancies

  —

  1,507

  150

  1,627

  30

  April

  536

  —

  —

  —

  —

  May

  627

  —

  —

  —

  —

  June

  494

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,705

  178

  1,820

  63

  July

  626

  —

  —

  —

  —

  August

  613

  —

  —

  —

  —

  September

  644

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shipping Industry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been employed in the shipping industry in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The number of employees in employment in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry in the United Kingdom is shown in the following table:

  Employees in employment in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry: United Kingdom

  Numbers

  September 1981

  127,000

  September 1984

  93,000

  September 1987

  62,000

  September 1989

  54,000

  September 1991

  49,000

  Employee estimates at detailed industry level for the United Kingdom are available only from the census of employment.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to introduce specific legislation to end age discrimination in employment recruitment; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We are well aware that some employers discriminate on age grounds. This is wasteful and short-sighted. However, legislation does not offer a satisfactory solution. If this country is to prosper employers must, as far as possible, be free to manage their own affairs. Legislation to regulate their behaviour can only be appropriate, therefore, if:(a) it would solve a problem, and (b) it is the only solution. Experience from abroad confirms that legislation against age discrimination meets neither of these criteria.

  The right approach is to persuade employers of the benefits of treating people on merit, regardless of age. Through the work of our advisory group on older workers this is just what we are doing. The recent launch of "Getting On", offering employers a five-point plan to avoid agism, demonstrates our commitment to promoting the interests of older people at work.

  Community Action Schemes
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many community action schemes have been approved by his Department for each county area in Wales; and how many extra jobs have been created by each scheme.

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

  Letter from Mr. M. Fogden to Mr. Gareth Wardell, dated 4 November 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the number of Community Action schemes which have been approved for each county area in Wales and the number of extra jobs created by each scheme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Unfortunately, I am unable to provide the information you have requested on Community Action for eachWelsh County Area as statistics of this nature are collected through my four Area Offices in Wales. The attached table shows the number of contracts which have been awarded to providing organisations and the number of Community Action places these contracts will create.
  Community Action is a new programme of help for people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. It enables them to gain recent work experience by working on projects of benefit to local communities. An important feature of the programme is structured help in looking for work.
  Community Action is not employment but work experience, and the programme will be carefully monitored to ensure that job substitution does not take place. I am confident that the help offered through Community Action will significantly increase participants' chances of finding paid employment.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Community Action Wales

  Area

  Number of contracts

  Places

  Mid South

  5

  259

  North Wales

  8

  197

  South East

  8

  242

  South West

  7

  240

  TOTAL

  938

  Workstart Pilot Schemes
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to expand the workstart pilot schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We will evaluate the performance of the existing workstart pilots before deciding whether to extend them.

  Miniing Safety
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many violations of the dust regulations are known or suspected to have occurred in British mines in each of the last three years and so far in 1993.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  According to the Health and Safety Executive's inspectorate of mines, violations of the Respirable Dust Regulations 1975 have occurred at three British mines, one in financial year 1991–92 and two in 1993–94.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of consistency between independent sampling of dust in British mines and the official monitoring carried out by British Coal; and what action he proposes to take.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Respirable Dust Regulations 1975 require mine owners to put in place arrangements to collect and analyse dust samples. The regulations do not require independent sampling of dust to take place in British mines, but British Coal has voluntarily put in place an additional procedure to check on its own statutory dust sampling arrangements, to evaluate the continuing effectiveness of its systems. Some results of such check sampling have been higher than those taken under routine sampling and therefore, in addition to the action that British Coal is taking to establish the reasons for the variation in sample checks, the Health and Safety Executive's inspectorate of mines will be carrying out a full investigation of the procedures for statutory and check samples.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the action taken by Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines in regard to dust sampling in British mines and by granting exemption for working under unsupported roofs and the use of roof bolts.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) inspectorate of mines are responsible for the enforcement of the statutory health and safety regulations which apply in British mines. They have advised me that the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in British coal mines has dropped progressively throughout the last 30 years, and they are satisfied that the Respirable Dust Regulations have been appropriately applied and wish to see the continuance of the downward trend in this disease. The HSE's inspectorate of mines will continue to work with mine owners to ensure compliance with the regulations.

  I understand that no exemptions have been issued which allow men to work under unsupported ground. HSE's inspectorate of mines advise me that a district inspector of mines will grant an exemption for the use of rockbolts only
  438
  after thorough scrutiny of the proposed system by an inspector of mines, and only if he is satisfied that the health and safety of the work force will not be jeopardised.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action was taken by Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines in regard to the under-reporting of dust counts in British mines which was referred to the inspectorate earlier this year; and when the inspectorate was first aware of the under-reporting.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Dust levels are not routinely notified to the Health and Safety Executive's inspectorate of mines unless they are in excess of the statutory limits. Managers have to record the results of statutory sampling and these are examined by the inspectorate. I understand that the inspectorate first became aware of differences between statutory samples and British Coal's check samples in August. The Chief Inspector of Mines has advised me that these differences are being investigated.

  Railway Inspectorate
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total establishment of the railway inspectorate part of the Health and Safety Executive; and how many staff are in post.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The total establishment of the railway inspectorate is 75. There are 69 staff in post; including one seconded to another division in the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the staff of the railway inspectorate part of the Health and Safety Executive are deployed on work related to(a) the channel tunnel and (b) overseas projects.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Four staff are involved in channel tunnel work. The inspectorate is involved only intermittently in overseas projects. When required, three inspectors undertake this work.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total establishment of the railway inspectorate part of the Health and Safety Executive deployed on safety on Network SouthEast, London Underground and the docklands light railway; and how many are in post.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is difficult to reply precisely to the question since a number of the inspectors involved in the operational and staff safety of these railways have similar responsibilities for other railway businesses.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a forecast of expenditure on youth training and training for work in 1993–194; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am not able to give forecasts of programme expenditure in year. Planned expenditure by training and enterprise councils (TECs) on youth training (YT) and youth credits in England this year is £704 million. At the end of September £269 million had been spent by TECs which was £69 million less than the anticipated level at that stage of the year.
  439
  I expect the rate of spend on YT and youth credits to increase towards the end of the year, although expenditure has been affected by larger numbers of young people staying on at school and college than had been anticipated.

  The Government's guarantee of a place on YT stands. At 14 October only 3,322 young people had been waiting for a place for more than eight weeks. This compares with a figure of over 27,000 a year ago.

  Planned expenditure on training for work in England this year is £782 million. At the end of September, £313 million had been spent which was £32 million less than the anticipated level.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Parliamentary Feed
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to accept requests from hon. Members to the Central Office of Information to pay for and receive the same live feed from the Chamber as the Central Office of Information provides for Government Departments.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The authority for providing live feed from the Chamber rests with the Select Committee on Broadcasting and is not at the discretion of the Central Office of Information, which acts as agent on behalf of the Select Committee.

SCOTLAND

  Greenwich Mean Time
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 682, in estimated deaths and injuries arising from the use of Greenwich mean time, what is the population (i) in and (ii) not in the northern half of the United Kingdom; if he will estimate the actual number (i) overall and (ii) not in the northern half who may not be killed or injured; and what steps his Department has taken to reconcile their estimates with those of the Policy Studies Institute.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The estimated population of Scotland in mid-1991 was 5,107,000 and for the northern half of the country, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member on 27 October at column 682, the corresponding figure is 1,806,000. That answer also indicated that road accident casualty savings for all Scotland from the adoption of central European time might amount to just over 1 per cent. This represents a possible saving of between 260 and 310 casualties based on 1992 figures. These recent estimates of casualty changes arising from adoption of CET are not sufficiently robust as to permit a separate estimate for the northern half of Scotland but the Transport Research Laboratory Report No. 228 indicated an increase in fatal and serious casualties and a decrease in all casualties in the northern half of Scotland during the winter of 1968–70 when British summer time was retained experimentally. Discussions have already taken place between the Scottish Office, the Transport Research Laboratory and the Policy Studies Institute on
  440
  possible methods of estimating casualty changes from CET. Further work is being undertaken to provide more comprehensive estimates for Scotland but is not yet complete. The results so far obtained are being provided to the Transport Research Laboratory and the Policy Studies Institute to allow them to comment.

  Beef Premium Scheme
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the practical difficulties involved in the operation of the beef special premium scheme at auction marts.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend and I have received correspondence from hon. Members, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, individual auction marts and a number of farmers.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to review the practical difficulties being encountered in the operation of the beef special premium scheme at auction marts;

  (2) if he will set up an inquiry into the additional administration involved in the operation in the beef special premium scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I am well aware of the burdens the new arrangements for the beef special premium scheme impose on the industry. The United Kingdom, however, had no choice but to implement the scheme according to the EC regulations in order that the beef sector in this country could benefit from the increased rates and coverage of the premium. The Government have no plans to set up an inquiry, but we are pressing the European Commission to look at the future operation of the scheme with a view to its simplification.

  Health Boards
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by Argyll and Clyde health board including the successful tenderer and the value of the contract;

  (2) if he will list the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by Ayrshire and Arran health board including the successful tenderer and the value of the contract;

  (3) if he will list the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by Highland health board including the successful tenderer and the value of the contract;

  (4) if he will list the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by Greater Glasgow health board including the successful tenderer and the value of the contract;

  (5) if he will list the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by Grampian health board including the successful tenderer and the value of the contract.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information in the table is in respect of contracts awarded between 1988 and 31 October 1993.
  441

  Service type and hospital

  Contractor

  Tender value £'000s

  ARYLL AND CLYDE HEALTH BOARD

  Catering

  Dumbarton Group

  In-house

  580

  Argyll and Bute, Mid Argyll, Lochgilphead

  In-house

  308

  Domestic

  Rankin Maternity/Inverclyde

  In-house

  143

  Dumbarton Hospitals and Community

  In-house

  748

  Renfrew Community

  In-house

  172

  Hotel

  Merchiston, Edlerslie and Johnstone

  In-house

  526

  Oban

  In-house

  423

  Ravenscraig

  In-house

  495

  Dykebar, Hawkhead, Barshaw, Gilmour, Westward, Paisley

  In-house

  1,383

  Lochgilphead

  In-house

  440

  Royal Alexandra

  Mediguard

  1,627

  Inverclyde Royal

  In-house

  1,000

  Inverclyde Community

  In-house

  121

  Dunoon General

  In-house

  283

  Portering

  Dumbarton and Helensburgh

  In-house

  189

  Inverclyde Royal

  In-house

  384

  Royal Alexandra

  In-house

  482

  Transport

  Argyll and Dumbarton

  In-house

  138

  Renfrew and Inverclyde

  In-house

  227

  Painterwork

  Dumbarton

  John Miller & Son

  34

  Argyll

  In-house

  48

  Dumbarton

  John Miller & Son

  —

  Argyll

  Capital Decorator

  —

  Renfrew Acute Unit

  In-house

  46

  Renfrew Acute Unit

  John Miller & Son

  —

  Renfrew Priority

  In-house

  84

  Renfrew Priority

  John Miller & Son

  —

  Inverclyde, Cowal and Bute

  Trident Maintenance Services

  49

  Inverclyde, Cowal and Bute

  Capital Decorator

  —

  Ground Maintenance

  Rothesay, Dunoon, Inverclyde

  In-house

  106

  Renfrew Acute Unit

  In-house

  44

  Renfrew Priority Unit

  In-house

  84

  AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN

  Catering

  Crosshouse

  In-house

  779

  Ayrshire Central

  In-house

  516

  Domestic

  Crosshouse

  In-house

  765

  Ayrshire Central

  In-house

  401

  Hotel

  North Clinics and Health Centres

  In-house

  55

  Kirklandside

  In-house

  401

  Ballochmyle/Holmhead

  In-house

  1,142

  Ailsa

  In-house

  1,399

  Ayrshire Central/Ravenspark

  In-house

  947

  Biggart/Thornyflat

  In-house

  537

  Davidson Cottage

  In-house

  100

  Crosshouse

  In-house

  692

  South Clinics and Health Centres

  In-house

  43

  Painterwork

  All Board

  Moss Painting

  195

  Baxter & Gillespie

  56

  Baxter & Gillespie

  28

  Vehicle Maintenance

  All Board

  In-house

  121

  442 443

  Service type and hospital

  Contractor

  Tender value £'000s

  Laundry

  All Board

  In-house

  945

  HIGHLAND

  Catering

  Mental Health Unit

  In-house

  486

  Raigmore/Royal Northern

  In-house

  639

  Domestic

  Royal Northern

  In-house

  75

  Mental Health Unit

  In-house

  483

  Inverness Clinic

  In-house

  32

  Hotel

  Caithness Unit

  In-house

  387

  Sutherland Unit

  In-house

  204

  Southern Unit

  In-house

  1,109

  Laundry

  Northern Unit

  John O'Groat

  42

  GREATER GLASGOW

  Catering

  Gartnavel Royal/General

  In-house

  1,376

  Parkside/Duke Street

  In-house

  326

  Glasgow Royal

  Sodexho

  1,552

  RHSC Yorkhill/Queen Mother's

  In-house

  468

  Canniesburn/Drumchapel

  In-house

  449

  Southern General/Darnley

  In-house

  1,303

  Leverndale/Cowglen

  In-house

  775

  Ruchill/Birdston/Broomhill/Lenzie

  In-house

  654

  Stobhill

  In-house

  1,204

  Glasgow Royal/Rutherglen Maternity

  In-house

  309

  Woodilee/Stoneyetts

  In-house

  419

  Victoria/Royal Samaritan

  In-house

  841

  Knightswood

  In-house

  331

  Gartloch

  In-house

  448

  Mearnskirk/Philipshill

  In-house

  424

  Belvidere/Lightburn

  In-house

  429

  Western Infirmary

  In-house

  746

  Domestic

  Stobhill

  Hospital Hygiene

  820

  Victoria Group

  Hospital Hygiene

  592

  Gartloch/Parkhead

  In-house

  460

  Belvidere/Duke Street/Lightburn

  In-house

  432

  Gartnavel Royal

  Sunlight

  360

  Royal Maternity and Rutherglen Maternity

  Initial

  266

  Mearnskirk/Philipshill

  In-house

  291

  Western Infirmary

  In-house

  548

  Gartnavel General

  Initial

  312

  Canniesburn/Drumchapel

  Initial

  249

  Woodilee/Stoneyetts

  Initial

  332

  Royal Infirmary

  Hospital Hygiene

  954

  Gartnavel General

  Initial

  315

  Ruchill/Birston/Broomhill/Lenzie

  In-house

  416

  Knightswood/Blanarthill/Duntocher

  In-house

  190

  Southern General/Cowglen/Darnley

  In-house

  857

  RHSC Yorkhill/Queen Mother's

  In-house

  426

  Leverndale

  In-house

  502

  Community

  South Sector

  Olscot Ltd.

  96

  North East Sector

  Olscot Ltd.

  86

  North West Sector

  Olscot Ltd.

  95

  Hotel

  Lennoxcastle/Waverley Park

  In-house

  1,598

  Portering

  Glasgow Royal

  Mediguard

  511

  Western Infirmary

  In-house

  477

  Mearnskirk/Philipshill

  In-house

  140

  Southern General

  Sunlight

  708

  Knightswood

  In-house

  89

  Gartnavel Royal

  Hospital Hygiene

  164

  Leverndale

  Mediguard

  175

  444 445

  Service type and hospital

  Contractor

  Tender value £'000s

  Stobhill

  Hospital Hygiene

  527

  RHSC Queen Mother's

  Sunlight

  258

  Woodilee/Stoneyetts

  In-house

  150

  Royal Maternity/Rutherglen Maternity

  Hospital Hygiene

  185

  Ruchill

  Sunlight

  253

  Canniesbum/Drumchapel

  In-house

  307

  Belvidere, Duke Street/Lightburn

  Sunlight

  378

  Victoria Group

  In-house

  339

  Community Care Unit

  In-house

  237

  Gartloch/Parkhead

  In-house

  209

  Painterwork

  Community Primary Care Unit

  Hat Painting Ltd.

  60

  Yorkhill Hospitals

  MacLean & Speirs

  39

  Mental Health Unit

  Hat Painting Ltd.

  304

  Royal Infirmary Unit

  MacLean & Speirs

  111

  Care of the Elderly Unit

  Fitzroy Building

  63

  Stobhill

  Hat Painting Ltd.

  150

  Southern General

  MacLean & Speirs

  91

  Ground Maintenance

  Royal Infirmary

  CBC Lands Division

  29

  Stobhill

  P & D Services

  70

  Community Primary Care

  OCS Cleanmaster

  39

  Western Infirmary/Yorkhill

  In-house

  29

  Victoria Infirmary

  CBC Lands Division

  34

  Southern General

  CBC Lands Division

  57

  Mental Health Unit

  In-house

  201

  Care of the Elderly

  CBC Lands Division

  57

  Boiler Maintenance

  All Board

  In-house

  1,428

  Laundry and Linen

  Southern General

  In-house

  1,269

  Knightswood

  In-house

  1,568

  Ruchill

  In-house

  1,701

  GRAMPIAN

  Catering

  Geriatric and Specialist Services Unit

  In-house

  879

  Mental Health Unit

  In-house

  940

  West Unit

  In-house

  541

  Community Unit

  In-house

  564

  Domestic

  Geriatric and Specialist Services Unit

  Mediguard

  805

  Mental Health Unit

  Mediguard

  885

  West Unit

  In-house

  468

  Community Unit

  Mediguard

  473

  Hotel

  Foresterhill

  In-house

  3,475

  Community Health Services

  In-house

  2,253

  West Unit

  In-house

  123

  Portering

  Mental Health Unit

  In-house

  146

  Transport

  All Board

  In-house

  396

  Painterwork

  Foresterhill

  In-house

  742

  Ground Maintenance

  West Unit

  In-house

  28

  Foresterhill

  In-house

  129

  Management of Care

  City Hospital/Geriatric Unit

  CHS Tender

  2,356

  446

  Nursery Education
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the provision of nursery education in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The Government have no plans to impose a statutory duty on education authorities to provide nursery education. In our view local authorities are best able to decide the most appropriate level of nursery school provision in their areas, taking into account local needs and circumstances. The Government provide local authorities with resources to fund education through the aggregate external finance settlement. Under these arrangements, local authorities have the opportunity to increase nursery education spending where they view this as a priority.

  Rannoch Moor
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the outcome of his action relating to the denial of public access to part of the public footpath across Rannoch moor referred to in his letter to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North of 30 June.

  Sir Hector Monro
  In Scotland the duty to assert, protect and keep open any public rights of way lies with regional and district planning authorities, in this case Highland regional council. I understand that the regional council is seeking to reach agreement with the landowner over the creation of an alternative route to the existing right of way. When such an agreement is reached, the regional council will require to make a public path diversion order, in terms of section 35 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. Until such an order is made by the local authority and confirmed by the Secretary of State, an existing public right of way will continue to exist.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department holds a register from which appointments are made to non-departmental public bodies in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes. The Scottish Office public appointments list is one source of names for appointments to non-departmental public bodies.

  Ewe Premium
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers in Scotland are currently eligible for ewe annual premium payments; how many claims for payment have been received; how many have been paid; and when those outstanding claims will be paid.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I have no figures regarding the number of sheep farmers who are eligible to apply. Some 17,000 claims have been received under the 1993 scheme and about 11,500 have been paid the first and second advances, together with the less favoured area supplement where appropriate. Outstanding eligible claims will be paid as soon as possible.

  Lobster Creels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the damage done to lobster creels by seals.
  448
  Sir Hector Monro
  While I am aware of reports from Scottish fishermen that seals have damaged their creels, my scientists at the marine laboratory in Aberdeen have not investigated them in view of the practical difficulties of obtaining firm evidence of how the damage was caused.

  Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many public libraries in Scotland are open for 60 hours a week or more.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Scottish Office does not collect this information. However, according to the Library Statistics 1993 published by the library and information statistics unit at Loughborough university of technology, 36 public libraries in Scotland were open for 60 hours a week or more in the year 1991–92.

  Estuarial Crossings
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which estuarial crossings have received central Government assistance in the form of grant, loan or debt write-off or suspension; and how much assistance has been given, and in what form, in each case.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The majority of estuarial crossings in Scotland have been financed directly by central government as elements of the trunk road programme, including the tolled road bridge at Erskine. The Forth road bridge, which opened in 1964, attracted a grant from central government of £4.65 million towards initial capital expenditure and a loan of £14.5 million on which interest payments of some £1.66 million were waived during construction; and additional £7.1 million of unpaid interest between 1964 and 1984 was capitalised and added to the loan. It is expected that the full outstanding debt will be repaid by May 1995. The Tay road bridge, which opened in 1966, received loans from central government totalling £3.97 million; the sum of these loans outstanding in May 1993 was £3.36 million.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which estuarial crossings are the responsibility of(a) central Government, (b) local authorities and (c) private owners; and which of these are (i) subject to tolls and (ii) not subject to tolls.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The majority of estuarial crossings in Scotland are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland as part of the trunk road network, and are not subject to tolls. Tolls are charged on the Erskine, Forth and Tay road bridges where the responsible authorities are as follows:

  Erskine road bridge—Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Forth road bridge—Forth road bridge joint board (Fife and Lothian regional councils).

  Tay road bridge—Tay road bridge joint board (Fife and Tayside regional councils).

  Arable Crops
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which EC countries have overshot the regional base areas for arable crops; and what action they have taken regarding this matter.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Comprehensive statistics on claims made in other EC member states under the arable payments
  449
  scheme as part of the integrated administration and control system have not yet been made available by the EC Commission.

  A1 (Speed Cameras)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of speed cameras on the A1 road; and at what vehicle speeds the cameras are triggered on(a) single and (b) dual carriageway sections.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Since the introduction of speed detection cameras on the A1 on 30 August this year initial monitoring of traffic flows indicates a very encouraging trend. The number of cars exceeding the speed limit has been approximately halved while the number of HGVs exceeding speed limits has dropped by one third.

  The police are responsible for the setting of speed detection cameras and their day to day operation. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose the threshold speed above which photographs of offending vehicles are taken. Furthermore, these thresholds can be varied at short notice.

  Farming Census Forms
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of farmers, who(a) received and (b) returned the 4 June statistical census forms in (i) 1989, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1991.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The June agricultural census relates to main holdings only. The number of forms issued and received was:

  Year

  Issued

  Received

  1989

  26,760

  24,803

  1990

  27,166

  25,003

  1991

  30,902

  28,652

  Note: In addition to the June census, an annual minor holdings sample survey is conducted in May. The classification of holdings into main or minor is regularly reviewed.

  Housing Association Tenants Ombudsman
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers will be afforded the Housing Association Tenants Ombudsman for Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The main role of the independent Housing Association Tenants Ombudsman for Scotland, to be appointed by Scottish Homes with effect from 1 December, will be to investigatge complaints from individual tenants covering allegations of maladministration in all registered housing associations in Scotland. The appointment will be non-statutory, and the Ombudsman himself will have no specific powers, but findings in favour of tenants can be followed up by Scottish Homes under its existing powers of supervision. The non-statutory basis of the appointment will be kept under review.

  Hospital Waste Incinerators
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many hospitals in Scotland have their own waste incinerators;
  450
  (2) what plans he has to allow NHS hospitals to incinerate commercial waste;

  (3) whether NHS trust hospitals which have incinerators will be allowed to burn commercial waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the signed letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing, for each of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department, whether the public have a statutory right to(a) attend all board or committee meetings, (b) inspect the minutes of meetings, (c) inspect the annual reports, (d) inspect the annual accounts and (e) inspect a register of members' interests.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 2 November 1993]: I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Travellers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the definition of travelling people used for the purposes of the guidance given to local authorities.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 25 October 1993]: Section 13 of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 defines travellers as
  "persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin".

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total amount awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years; what was(a) the average award concerning violent criminal acts against the person and (b) the average award to victims of rape;

  (2) how many cases were judged by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years; and what was the average waiting time for the completion of an application.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answers 1 November 1993]: The latest available information is summarised in the table. This is taken from the published annual reports of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, copies of which are held in the Library of the House. The board does not collate details of the average time taken to complete claims, but percentages of cases resolved within various periods of time are given in the board's annual reports. All awards made by the board are in respect of crimes of violence, but information about the average award made to victims of rape is not recorded centrally.

  Financial year

  Cases resolved

  Compensation paid (£ million)

  Average award (£)

  1987–88

  29,153

  52·043

  2,479

  1988–89

  38,830

  69·381

  2,500

  1989–90

  38,620

  72·722

  2,604

  451

  Financial year

  Cases resolved

  Compensation paid (£ million)

  Average award (£)

  1990–91

  53,384

  109·330

  3,107

  1991–92

  60,113

  143·660

  3,660

  Ambulance Staff
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of ambulance staff employed by the NHS in 1990, 1991 and 1992, expressed as a whole-time equivalent.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 1 November 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 25 October at column 482.

  Victim Support
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the level of funding for victim support in the current financial year; what plans he has to increase the sum in future financial years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 1 November 1993]: Scottish Office funding to the Scottish Association of Victim Support Schemes has risen from £600 in 1984–85 to £764,000 for the current financial year.

  Decisions have not yet been made regarding funding for 1994–95 of future years.

  These will be taken in the light of competing priorities but in line with the Government's continuing policy to improve services to victims of crime.

HEALTH

  Eating Disorders
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is being undertaken into the causes, treatment and cure for bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

  Mr. David Davis
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology, is currently supporting a research project into eating disorders by the department of clinical pharmacology at Oxford university. In addition, the MRC recently funded a controlled trial of psychological treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa, based at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and a study of the outcome of bulimia nervosa, at the university of Oxford. The MRC is also supporting a considerable amount of basic research which may have some relevance to bulimia and anorexia nervosa, and the council is always willing to consider scientifically sound proposals for research in competition with other applications. No information is held centrally on other relevant work which the universities' medical schools or medical research charities may be supporting.

  Drug Withdrawals
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a list of licensed drugs which have been found to be harmful to human health and subsequently withdrawn from the market in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  This subject has been reviewed in the literature by Spriet-Poulla and Auriche in a book called Drug Safety published in 1988 by PJB publications. Copies of the relevant information will be placed in the Library. This covers the period from 1961 to 1987. Since that time the principal drugs withdrawn in the United Kingdom on safety grounds have been as follows:

  L-tryptophan (Optimax, Pacitron)

  Metipranolol (Glauline)

  Prostaglandin E2 pessary (Propess)

  Terodiline (Micturin)

  Triazolam (Halcion)

  Temafloxacin (Teflox)

  Human monoclonal anibody (Centoxin)

  Flosequinan (Manoplax)

  Primary Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what geographical inequalities she has identified in primary care expenditure in England; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about the pattern of family health services authority expenditure on primary care services is published annually in Health Service Indicators, copies of which are available in the Library. The same volume also includes some data on the community health services. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 1 November at column 60.

  VAT (Domestic Fuel)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what planning the NHS Management Executive has undertaken in light of the proposed increase in VAT on fuel.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave her on 2 November and 3 November.

  Tobacco-related Illnesses
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost of treating tobacco-related illness.

  Mr. Sackville
  Treatment costs to the national health service are estimated to be £437 million annually. This figure is for hospital costs only and does not include the costs of the care given by general practitioners or at health clinics or other care in the community.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost of working days lost through tobacco-related illness.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Minister for Health gave to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 26 January at column 697.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 25 October,Official Report, columns 494–95, whether a general practitioner's fund-holding practice is permitted to pool part of its budget with (a) other fund-holding practices or (b) the local district health authority to enable one-off or extra-contractual referrals to be purchased in such a way as to ensure equity of treatment for patients of fund-holding and non fund-holding general practitioners.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  General practitioner fund holders and district health authorities are funded in as similar a way as possible, allowing for different population sizes. They do not therefore need to pool their budgets. But both fund holders and districts should be working to achieve the highest quality of care for their patients and can jointly agree common standards in contracts for hospital treatment.

  Geriatric Patients
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many geriatric patients were admitted to hospital as a result of iatrogenic disease in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Repetitive Strain Injury
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the available evidence about the medical background to repetitive strain injury.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no medical consensus on whether repetitive strain injury is a single syndrome or a collection of differing conditions; nor is there general agreement on its cause or treatment.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical research has been conducted by her Department into repetitive strain injury.

  Mr. Sackville
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. I understand that the MRC is not currently supporting any research specifically into repetitive strain injury (RSI), but is always willing to consider scientifically based sound proposals for research. The prospects for funding of research into RSI will, therefore, depend on the nature of any applications received.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the statistics for each year from 1987 relating to the number of people who having been detained in a mental institution for any period longer than a week since 1980, either(a) took their own lives or (b) were subsequently convicted of murder or manslaughter.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Heart Pacemakers
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines were given to hospitals in recalling patients fitted with pacemaker models 1010T, 1050T and Prototype 93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The guidelines given to hospitals in recalling patients fitted with pacemaker lead models 1010T, 1050T and the Prototype T93, were set out in the Department of Health's Pacemaker Technical Note No. 48, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in(a) Lewisham, (b) London and (c) nationwide have had pacemaker models 1010T, 1050T and Prototype 93 removed and replaced;

  (2) how many patients in (a) Lewisham, (b) London and (c) nationwide were fitted with pacemaker models 1010T, 1050T and Prototype 93.

  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 4,429 pacemaker leads of models 1010T, 1050T and Prototype T93 have been fitted in the United Kingdom and 235 replaced. Individual patient information is not available centrally.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Siemens, the manufacturers of pacemakers 1010T, 1050T and Prototype 93, warned her Department that these models had faults.

  Mr. Sackville
  On 22 January 1993.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in(a) Lewisham, (b) London and (c) nationwide have died since being fitted with pacemaker models 1010T, 1050T and Prototype 93; and what has been the cause of death in each case.

  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 314 patients nationwide have died since being fitted with pacemaker lead models 1010T, 1050T and Prototype T93. The cause of death in less than I per cent. of these patients has been identified as being related to the pacemaker lead. The residue were due to a variety of pacemaker-unrelated causes. Individual patient information is not held centrally.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the banning of tobacco and cigarette advertisements.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government believe that the imposition of a ban on all forms of advertising of a product which it is legal to sell would be a major change of principle which would need to be justified in terms of the likely size of any effect. The Government remain to be convinced that sufficient evidence is presently available to provide such justification, although it is considering the responses received to the Department of Health report on the effect of tobacco advertising on tobacco consumption.

  Child Migrant Trust
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on what she found out about the work of the Child Migrant Trust during her visit to Sydney in September.
  455
  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 October at columns 501–2.

  Bogus Marriages
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) of 28 April,Official Report, columns 448–49, on marriages for immigration purposes, how many of the cases in the London borough of Lewisham which were reported to the Registrar General were passed on to the Home Office; and how many of those complaints were proven.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Registrar General passed on to the Home Office 27 of the cases reported to him in the London borough of Lewisham.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has provided the following information about the 27 cases passed to his office:
  11 cases: No further action taken immediately.
  14 cases: Information referred to case working groups to be taken into account in the consideration of outstanding applications for further leave to remain.
  2 cases: Referred for immediate enforcement action; one case involved the subject of a deportation order and the other an illegal entrant.

  Working Days Lost
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of working days lost through sickness, ill health and injury in 1992–93 and the estimated total cost of that absence from work.

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

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of working days lost through problems of mental health in 1992–93 and the estimated total cost of that absence from work.

  Mr. Bowis
  I understand that there were some 105,849,000 days of certified incapacity for sickness/invalidity benefit caused by mental disorders in the period 1 April 1991 to 4 April 1992; the latest year for which statistics are available.

  No estimate has been made of the total public expenditure or the costs to employers associated with this absence.

  Neo-natal Intensive Care
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to respond to the report of the clinical standards advisory group on neo-natal intensive care.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health, on behalf of the United Kingdom Health Departments, published the Government's response to the reports of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group on Access to and Availability of Specialist Services, including Neonatal Intensive Care, on 6 July. Copies of the response and of the reports are available in the Library.

  Lister Hospital, Stevenage
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps she has taken to guarantee that the privatisation of pathology services at Lister hospital in Stevenage has no detrimental impact upon the availability of those services to local patients;
  456
  (2) what representations she has received regarding the privatisation of pathology services at the Lister hospital in Stevenage.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received several letters about the decision announced by the North Herts Trust that its pathology services will be provided by the independent sector. It is for trusts to assess and make decisions on the nature of their pathology provision to meet the requirements of their purchasers. We understand that the North Herts Trust expects the new arrangement to improve services for its patients.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from hypothermia took place in each region in 1992 among(a) men aged 65 years and over and (b) women aged 60 years and over.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Numbers of deaths with mention of hypothermia on the death certificate for men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over by regional health authority of usual residence for 1992

  Regional health authority

  Men aged 65 years and over

  Women aged 60 years and over

  Northern

  6

  16

  Yorkshire

  7

  19

  Trent

  14

  15

  East Anglian

  8

  12

  North West Thames

  11

  12

  North East Thames

  13

  22

  South East Thames

  11

  9

  South West Thames

  9

  15

  Wessex

  5

  13

  Oxford

  5

  6

  South Western

  9

  19

  West Midlands

  18

  20

  Mersey

  3

  9

  North Western

  11

  15

  Wales

  8

  11

  Child Protection
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how local authorities should fund the work of area child protection committees.

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authorities should allocate funds to Area Child Protection Committees in accordance with the guidance contained in "Working Together under the Children Act 1989". Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if young people accommodated under section 20(3) of the Children Act 1989 are entitled to housing benefit.

  Mr. Bowis
  Matters relating to entitlement to housing benefit are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will issue guidance to advise local authorities as to the membership of area child protection committees following the changes to the health service.

  Mr. Bowis
  "Working Together under the Children Act 1989", the Government guide to arrangements for
  457
  inter-agency co-operation for the protection of children from abuse, gives guidance on area child protection committees including membership.

  Copies of the guide are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to monitor the effect of changes to the health service and education on inter-agency working in child protection.

  Mr. Bowis
  A multi-disciplinary group in the Department of Health has undertaken a study in a representative sample of district health authorities in England to examine the way in which child protection services are being contracted and provided in the light of the national health service reforms. The Department will consider the findings of this study and those of various research studies which will provide information on inter-agency working in child protection.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent evidence she has(a) commissioned and (b) received on the causes of salmonella food poisoning.

  Mr. Sackville
  A number of research/surveillance projects have been commissioned which will aid surveillance and throw further light on the sources of human salmonella infection. The largest is a study of infectious intestinal disease in England being carried out on behalf of the steering group on the microbiological safety of food which will provide more information on the sources and true incidence of salmonella infection. Initial results from the study are expected in 1994–95. Other steering group surveillance studies across the food chain specifically look for salmonella, with a view to identifying where contamination occurs and can be controlled.

  The advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food (ACMSF) has assessed the contribution made by eggs to human foodborne salmonellosis. The ACMSF report on salmonella in eggs was published on 9 February 1993: copies will be placed in the Library. The ACMSF is currently reviewing hygiene practices in the poultrymeat industry. Such a review will include an assessment of the possible links between poultrymeat and human foodborne disease. The ACMSF expects to report to the United Kingdom Health and Agriculture Ministers in mid-1994.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what health evidence recommendations for the storage and handling of eggs are based; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) on what specific evidence it was concluded in cases of salmonella food poisoning where foods containing eggs were found to be the source that the source of salmonella in the food was eggs rather than any other potential source; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The role of eggs in human salmonellosis was considered in depth by the advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food, whose report "Salmonella in Eggs" was published on 9 February 1993, and included recommendations about the storage and handling of eggs. Copies of the report and the Government's response which endorsed these recommendations are available in the Library.
  458
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what specific evidence the Chief Medical Officer bases the health warnings given on eggs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The then Chief Medical Officer issued advice, 88/285, to the public on the safe handling of eggs on 26 August 1988.

  This advice was endorsed by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food in their report "Salmonella in Eggs", published on 9 February 1993.

  Copies of the advice and report will be placed in the Library.

  Intensive Care, Manchester
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many recent cases in Greater Manchester people with life-threatening conditions and in need of intensive care have been referred to hospitals outside the conurbation; to which hospitals they were referred; what assessment she has made as to the adequacy of intensive care provision in the conurbation for the coming winter months; what actions she will be taking; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We are aware of four such cases. Three were referred to Blackpool Victoria hospital, the other to Burnley general hospital.

  Purchasers of health care are responsible for ensuring the availability of a comprehensive range of services, within available resources. It is for them to decide, in discussion with providers, how best to meet the need for intensive care facilities.

  The Government are currently funding a study by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, in consultation with the Intensive Care Society and other royal colleges, into access to intensive care.

  Intensive Care (Children)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish the Government's survey on children's intensive care, drawn up by the British Paediatric Association.

  Mr. Bowis
  Publication of the report is a matter for the British Paediatric Association, which carried out the survey.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases infants in need of intensive care have been referred to intensive care units for adults; what steps she is taking to ensure more availability of paediatric intensive care facilities; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of(a) administrative and clerical staff, (b) managerial staff and (c) nursing and midwifery staff employed in each region in 1992.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  459

  Nurses and midwives (excluding agency), general/senior managers and administrative and clerical staff by region in England at 30 September 1992 in whole time equivalents

  Region

  Nurses and midwives

  General/senior managers

  Admin and clerical

  Northern

  25,120

  710

  7,590

  Yorkshire

  27,560

  1,350

  9,020

  Trent

  35,790

  1,040

  10,900

  East Anglian

  15,390

  650

  4,290

  North West Thames

  24,770

  940

  9,500

  North East Thames

  31,250

  1,560

  10,370

  South East Thames

  28,570

  1,090

  9,880

  South West Thames

  22,380

  520

  7,470

  Wessex

  22,170

  970

  6,540

  Oxford

  16,370

  760

  5,910

  South Western

  26,160

  840

  8,360

  West Midlands

  41,320

  1,730

  13,010

  Mersey

  19,390

  860

  6,240

  North Western

  35,290

  1,250

  11,200

  SHAs

  7,210

  460

  2,600

  Others

  50

  1,940

  12,120

  England

  378,790

  16,690

  134,990

  Source: Department of Health form KM49.

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Notes:

  1. The figures for all regions include those in National Health Service trusts.

  2. "Others" include the London Ambulance Service, family health service authorities and other statutory authorities.

  3. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  4. The number of administrative staff and clerical staff has increased over the past few years—reflecting both the strengthening of administrative functions such as information technology and personnel together with increased support to clinical services.

  5. General and senior managers numbers have grown over the past few years—reflecting the planned introduction of management posts in a series of phased implementations since 1986.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) managers and (b) clerical and administrative staff have been employed by each regional health authority in each year since 1989.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the estimated capital cost of £1,300,000 for the fluoridation of water referred to in the press release issued by the Northern regional health authority on 26 October will be centrally funded; and what proportion will come from funds already committed to the regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is not possible to say at this stage what part, if any, of the estimated costs will be met by the Department.

  Suicide
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many suicides were reported of patients receiving(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient psychiatric care in each of the last five years for which figures are available, in each region.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have(a) succeeded and (b) failed to meet each of the targets in the patients charter in each region in each quarter since they were introduced.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Data on performance by individual hospitals against patients charter rights and standards is not available centrally, although a package of key data is collected about the performance of district health authorities. Information about the performance of individual hospitals in this area during 1992–93 has recently been published by district health authorities in the form of patients charter annual reports. Copies of reports can be obtained from the district health authority concerned.

  Sessional Fees (Benefits)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the scheme agreed with the British Medical Association for the payment of sessional fees to medical practitioners for providing information relating to benefits which require medical assessment, including details of the fee agreed and those participating; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Hospital consultants may charge a fee for examinations and reports for third parties which do not form part of their normal contractual national health service duties relating to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness. The determination of that fee is a matter for the practitioner and the third party concerned. Fees for any such examinations or reports provided to the Benefits Agency are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Influenza Vaccine
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made as to the adequacy of stocks of influenza vaccine for the coming winter months; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government are making every effort to ensure the adequacy of stocks of influenza vaccine for the forthcoming winter, and is being assisted in this by the vaccine manufacturers. Supplies already issued this year are close to the level reached for the entire programme last year and further supplies are likely to be available shortly. However, it is essential that the vaccines that are used routinely have been licensed by the Medicines Control Agency and have met recognised standards for potency and purity.

  Patient Complaints
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many formal complaints were made by patients in each region in each year since 1987; and what were the major categories of complaints received;

  (2) how many patient complaints were (a) received and (b) investigated by her Department from each of the health regions in each of the last five years; and what were the major categories of complaints.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 28 October 1993]: The Department of Health does not deal with complaints

  461
  directly from patients. The table sets out the number of formal complaints made in the hospital and community health services by patients for each of the national health service regions. Information about the number of formal complaints made to family health services authorities is not

  Number of written complaints, 1987–88 to 1991–92, for each regional health authority and England

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Region

  Hospital

  Community

  Hospital

  Community

  Hospital

  Community

  Hospital

  Community

  Hospital

  Community

  England

  29,956

  5,030

  28,935

  4,338

  31,470

  4,700

  32,996

  4,307

  44,680

  6,399

  Northern

  1,346

  387

  1,226

  320

  1,460

  290

  1,892

  149

  2,236

  369

  Yorkshire

  2,068

  247

  1,805

  210

  2,040

  193

  2,169

  215

  2,466

  313

  Trent

  2,191

  454

  2,109

  289

  2,729

  241

  2,395

  377

  3,328

  444

  East Anglian

  885

  80

  1,019

  85

  1,002

  205

  1,345

  159

  1,718

  159

  North West Thames

  2,565

  371

  2,382

  242

  2,965

  383

  3,154

  379

  4,038

  467

  North East Thames

  3,739

  545

  3,763

  354

  3,858

  492

  3,766

  441

  5,553

  479

  South East Thames

  2,997

  301

  2,753

  323

  2,047

  209

  2,247

  268

  4,878

  594

  South West Thames

  2,115

  891

  2,124

  819

  2,464

  746

  2,552

  297

  3,172

  893

  Wessex

  1,497

  448

  1,632

  210

  1,735

  374

  1,687

  375

  2,649

  377

  Oxford

  991

  72

  1,301

  70

  1,379

  92

  1,502

  320

  1,489

  239

  South Western

  1,592

  218

  1,335

  282

  1,689

  375

  1,971

  277

  2,321

  210

  West Midlands

  3,375

  476

  2,708

  533

  3,378

  516

  3,246

  612

  4,054

  1,046

  Mersey

  1,333

  176

  1,566

  237

  1,423

  231

  1,281

  224

  2,216

  91

  North Western

  2,718

  364

  2,667

  364

  2,703

  351

  3,020

  214

  3,763

  712

  SHAs

  544

  0

  545

  0

  598

  2

  769

  0

  799

  6

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Value Added Tax
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact that widening VAT would have on the spending power of those whose earnings are below the basic rate income tax threshold.

  Sir John Cope
  The impact would depend on the precise categories of goods to which VAT was extended and the rate of tax chosen.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in the last month concerning value added tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  A number of representations have been received about value added tax. It would not be appropriate to make a statement before 30 November.

  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increase to the average family's tax bill that will occur following the VAT changes outlined in the March Budget.

  Sir John Cope
  Standard rate VAT on domestic fuel and power applied to the average household's existing fuel bill would cost about £2.30 per week.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the possible imposition of VAT on books, newspapers and other publications.

  Sir John Cope
  Ministers have received a number of representations from all sectors of the publishing industry
  462
  available centrally. National figures of the number of formal investigations concluded by FHSAs are in the publication "Health and Social Services Statistics", copies of which are in the Library.

  and from various educational establishments about VAT and reading matter. These will be carefully considered in the run-up to the budget.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the items currently zero rated for VAT.

  Sir John Cope
  Not before 30 November.

  Mr. Wiliam O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the changes in the rates of VAT since the beginning of 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  At the beginning of 1979 there were two positive rates of VAT, 8 and 12–5 per cent. On 18 June 1979 these were replaced by a single rate of 15 per cent. which was increased to 17.5 per cent. on 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from how many businesses Customs and Excise has withdrawn use of the VAT cash accounting scheme in each of the last five years for which statistics are available; how many businesses entering the scheme in each year have withdrawn from it at the order of Customs and Excise; how many businesses in total were taken on to the scheme in each of the last five years, including new registrations and re-registration; and against how many times in each of the last five years Customs and Excise has been party to bankruptcy proceedings on account of poor VAT payments.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 1 November 19931]: Figures are not available for the number of businesses from whom Customs and Excise has withdrawn use of the VAT cash accounting scheme or how many businesses entering the scheme in each year have withdrawn from it at the order of Customs and Excise. Formal approval for entry to

  463
  the scheme is no longer required. The number of businesses approved to start using cash accounting in each of the last five years was:

  Year to 31 March

  Take-up

  1989

  21,674

  1990

  26,097

  1991

  33,778

  1992

  23,782

  11993

  19,485

  1 Figures from February onwards are not available.

  Figures on bankruptcies are available for the last three financial years only:

  Year to 31 March

  Number of bankruptcy petitions presented by Customs and Excise

  Number of bankruptcy orders made

  1991

  4,674

  1,394

  1992

  5,601

  3,025

  1993

  9,245

  4,006

  Housing
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures he proposes to stimulate the housing market.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out our fiscal plans in the Budget statement on 30 November.

  Business Taxation
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has on the effects of the business taxation regime on inward investment into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  In 1992 the United Kingdom was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment of all the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

  Life Assurance
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the need for reform of the taxation of life assurance.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government are evaluating the changes to life assurance taxation introduced in 1989. Interested bodies have been invited to contribute.

  Public Spending
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to control public spending.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier reply to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick).

  Taxation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on tax levels.

  Mr. Dorrell
  General government tax and royalty receipts are expected to be £166.5 billion in 1993–94.
  464
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money is expected to be raised from(a) income tax, (b) corporation tax and (c) VAT in the current year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The forecast yields from these taxes in 1993–94, set out in table 1.2 of the 1993–94 "Financial Statement and Budget Report", are as follows:

  (a) £57.5 billion

  (b) £14.6 billion

  (c) £39.9 billion

  Updated estimates will be presented in the Budget on 30 November.

  Consumer Expenditure
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage change since 1979 of(a) consumer expenditure and (b) gross domestic product.

  Mr. Nelson
  Between 1979 and 1992 real consumer expenditure rose by 370 per cent. and real GDP, at factor cost, rose by 24 per cent.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to take fiscal measures to improve the competitiveness and capacity of Britain's manufacturing industries.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government's fiscal plans will be set out in the Budget statement on 30 November.

  Small Firms
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement of the effect of recent fiscal and interest rate measures on the profitability of small firms.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a number of measures in his March Budget of particular assistance to small firms and we now have the lowest interest rates for over 15 years. Small firms are therefore well placed to show renewed growth and to take advantage of sustained economic recovery, based on low inflation, sound public finances and improved competitiveness.

  Inflation
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current annual rate of inflation; what was the rate in(a) 1988, (b) 1976 and (c) 1975; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The table gives the information based on the changes in the retail prices index:

  Percentage change over 12 months

  September 19931

  1·8

  1988 annual average

  4·9

  1976 annual average

  16·6

  1975 annual average

  24·2

  1 The latest month for which data are available.

  Beer
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the present rates of duty on beer in each of the EC member states; and what monitoring is
  465
  carried out by the European Commission of the effect of disparities in duty on the cross-border or cross-channel trade in beer for personal consumption.

  Sir John Cope
  The present comparative rates of excise duty on beer in each of the EC member states are as follows:

  United Kingdom pence per pint at 5 per cent. alcohol by volume

  Pence

  Belgium

  7·7

  Denmark

  20·0

  Germany

  3·8

  Greece

  12·3

  Spain

  3·4

  France

  4·2

  Ireland

  46·4

  Italy

  7·9

  Luxembourg

  12·6

  Netherlands

  8·7

  Portugal

  5·9

  United Kingdom

  29·7

  1Before implementation of Council directive 92/84/EEC.

  No monitoring is currently being carried out by the European Commission of the effect of disparities in duty on the cross-border or cross-channel trade in beer for personal consumption. However, the Commission is obliged every two years to review the rates of duty in force in member states and report to the Council taking into account the proper functioning of the internal market, competition between the different categories of alcoholic drinks, the real value of the rates of duty and the wider objectives of the treaty. The first such review is due not later than 31 December 1994.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been prosecuted in each standard region of the United Kingdom for illegally reselling beer imported for domestic consumption since 1 January.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: Customs and Excise has prosecuted four individuals for illegally reselling beer which has not borne United Kingdom duty and VAT. The areas of the country concerned are Hampshire, Kent and Yorkshire. There are 108 other cases involving excise goods generally—alcoholic liquors and tobacco products—for which prosecution proceedings have been instituted but not yet brought to a conclusion.

  VAT (Domestic Fuel)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of imposing VAT on domestic fuel for overall Government expenditure.

  Mr. Portillo
  The public expenditure cost of extending VAT to domestic fuel will depend on the measures we take to help those on low incomes. Measures will be announced in the Budget.

  Businesses, Lewisham
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new businesses have registered for VAT in the London borough of Lewisham since 1992.

  Sir John Cope
  Separate figures are not held for VAT registrations in individual London boroughs. Lewisham,466
  with several other boroughs, was until early 1993 in the catchment area of Kennington local VAT office (LVO). In early 1993 with three other LVOs it formed the South Bank LVO. The number of new VAT registrations for the two offices since 1992 is as follows:

  January 1992—December 1992 Kennington LVO 2,205

  January 1993—September 1993 South Bank LVO 8,629

  House Prices/Earnings Ratio
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 249, if he will publish figures for the average house price to earnings ratio for each region for each available quarter of 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  Estimates for the first and second quarters of 1993 are given in the table. For the reason explained in the answer given on 27 January 1993,Official Report, column 746, figures for Northern Ireland are available in the second quarter of each year only.

  Average house price to earnings ratio:

  Region

  Q1 1993

  Q2 1993

  United Kingdom

  —

  3·67

  Great Britain

  3·70

  3·69

  North

  3·04

  3·29

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3·80

  3·41

  East Midlands

  3·45

  3·53

  East Anglia

  3·69

  3 87

  South East

  Greater London

  3·78

  3·72

  Rest of South-east

  4·31

  4·30

  South-west

  3·79

  3·81

  West Midlands

  3·95

  3·64

  North-west

  3·56

  3·41

  England

  3·78

  3·73

  Wales

  3·58

  3·61

  Scotland

  2·79

  3·40

  Northern Ireland

  —

  2·54

  Offshore Banking Centres
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of United Kingdom Government debt now held in offshore banking centres.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual sum in interest paid by his Department to holders of United Kingdom Government debt in offshore banking centres; and if he will list the payments paid to each offshore centre for each year from 1989 to 1992.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is not available.

  London and Bishopsgate International Investment Management plc
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what information was sought by his Department from Companies house on the controlling interests of London and Bishopsgate International Management plc when the company applied for a principal's licence under the provisions of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958;
  467
  (2) what review he has made of the extent to which his Department undertook all the necessary checks to assure itself that the controlling interests and directors of London and Bishopsgate International Management plc were fit and proper persons in order to be granted a principal's licence.

  Mr. Nelson
  The usual checks carried out under the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958 were made before a licence was issued.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what information London and Bishopsgate International Investment Management plc provided to his Department in respect of its application for a principal's licence on(a) the names and addresses of all past and present shareholders who had held at any time individually more than 25 per cent. of the capital of the company, (b) the names of the beneficial owners of shares held by nominees and (c) where these names were corporations, the controlling interests in those corporations;

  (2) what information London and Bishopsgate International Investment Management plc provided in its application for a principal's licence on any person not disclosed elsewhere in the application who had, or intended to have, any measure of control over the company's business;

  (3) what reference was made to Mr. Robert Maxwell in London and Bishopsgate International Investment Management plc's application for a principal's licence.

  Mr. Nelson
  Under the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958 a company applying for a principal's licence to carry on the business of dealing in securities was obliged to inform the Department of the names of all directors, controllers and managers of the company. The directors, controllers and managers of London and Bishopsgate International Management plc were notified as Andrew Smith, Kevin Maxwell and Larry Trachtenberg.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what checks his Department made with the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation that London and Bishopsgate International Investment Management plc had applied for membership of the SRO when his Department was considering the company's application for a principal's licence; and what information was exchanged between his Department and IMRO on the company and its controlling interests.

  Mr. Nelson
  The usual checks carried out under the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958 were made before a licence was issued. Exchanges of information amount regulators are confidential.

  Privatisation Fees
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the fees paid to each financial institution used in each privatisation since 1982;

  (2) if he will list the fees paid to each firm of accountants used as advisers in each privatisation since 1982;

  (3) what amounts of fees were paid to each advertising agency used in each privatisation since 1982;

  (4) if he will list the fees paid to each solicitors partnership and company used as advisers to each privatisation since 1982.
  468
  Mr. Dorrell
  No. Fees paid to specific firms or individuals are treated as commercially confidential. However, privatisation expenses are open to scrutiny by the National Audit Office and, where the Comptroller and Auditor General publishes a report, the sale costs are summarised within.

  EC Cohesion Funds
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount he expects to be paid to each EC country for each year between 1993 and 1999 arising from cohesion; and how much each non-recipient country would pay in each case based on(a) current projections and (b) on EC growth rates of (i)¼ per cent., (ii)½ per cent., (iii) 1 per cent. and (iv) 2 per cent. per annum less than those envisaged at the time of the Edinburgh summit.

  Sir John Cope
  Following the decisions of the European Council at Edinburgh on 11 and 12 December 1992, EC expenditure commitments in respect of cohesion are planned to be:

  million ecu

  Structural funds

  Cohesion funds

  1993 prices

  1993

  20,627

  1,575

  1994 prices

  1994

  21,323

  1,853

  1995

  22,747

  2,118

  1996

  24,082

  2,383

  1997

  25,444

  2,648

  1998

  27,206

  2,700

  1999

  29,017

  2,753

  The European Council also agreed the following indicative allocation of the cohesion fund:

  Per cent.

  Spain

  52–58

  Greece

  16–20

  Portugal

  16–20

  Ireland

  7–10

  All member states are expected to benefit from some cohesion spending. It is not possible to say yet exactly how these commitments will be allocated between member states because detailed programmes for the structural funds are still being discussed.

  Member states' contributions to the Community budget are, in general, to the budget as a whole, rather than in respect of specific policies. Member states' contributions to the Community budget depend upon a number of factors, including the size and composition of the Community budget—which may affect the abatement of the United Kingdom's contribution—and relative growth —which may affect the VAT and GNP-based contributions. Member states' shares of total gross contributions in the 1993 adopted budget after taking account of the United Kingdom abatement, were:

  Per cent.

  Belgium

  4·0

  Denmark

  2·0

  Germany

  29·0

  Greece

  1·0

  469

  Per cent.

  Spain

  9·0

  France

  18·0

  Ireland

  1·0

  Italy

  16·0

  Luxembourg

  0·2

  Netherlands

  6·0

  Portugal

  2·0

  United Kingdom1

  12·0

  1 The cost of additional spending within the Community would normally be met by the GNP-based resource, at a cost to the United Kingdom of about 5 per cent. after abatement.

  While these figures could be used to illustrate the cost of different policies, the effect of different growth patterns on spending on particular policies, and hence member states' contributions in respect of those policies, cannot be predicted. The effect would depend upon decisions which would be taken in the annual budgetary procedure to ensure respect for the own resources ceiling.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing capital expenditure on(a) roads, (b) schools, (c) railways, (d) housing, distinguishing between new build and repair and (e) health, for each year since 1978, in cash, in constant prices and on a constant price index where 1978=100.

  Mr. Portillo
  Figures for public sector asset creation spending on roads, education, British Rail, housing and health and personal social services for the years 1987–88 to 1992–93 are shown in cash terms in table 8.2 of the statistical supplement to the 1992 "Autumn Statement (Cm 2219). Figures prior to 1987–88 are shown at a more aggregated level in table 8.3. The figures can be converted to real terms using the GDP deflator published in table 2.1.

  Longer-term series for capital spending on roads and transport, central government spending on health and personal social services, local authority spending on education and housing, and capital spending by British Rail and London Transport, are shown in the article published in Vol. 3, issue 1 of the Treasury bulletin on "Trends in public sector capital spending".

  Payments of tax credit to foreign residents under double taxation agreements

  £ thousand

  1992–93

  1991–92

  1990–91

  1989–90

  1988–89

  1987–88

  1986–87

  1985–86

  Totals of which

  172,469

  174,263

  146,526

  182,098

  95,147

  105,578

  86,278

  83,851

  Australia

  943

  1,032

  802

  791

  473

  582

  552

  560

  Belgium

  1,331

  2,220

  345

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Canada

  7,785

  7,355

  11,284

  11,748

  6,117

  7,928

  9,435

  9,655

  Denmark

  1,168

  1,308

  1,394

  663

  272

  1,063

  2,094

  138

  France

  2,763

  3,596

  3,225

  1,401

  1,167

  1,456

  985

  1,090

  Ireland

  12,479

  10,086

  7,232

  5,705

  4,110

  4,873

  4,907

  4,584

  Italy

  572

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Japan

  11,238

  8,114

  3,093

  2,392

  1,517

  658

  1,324

  385

  Luxembourg

  104

  84

  138

  440

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Malta

  160

  78

  61

  74

  1—

  60

  98

  112

  Netherlands

  17,819

  11,991

  8,898

  11,155

  7,127

  6,238

  2,530

  1,753

  New Zealand

  666

  577

  380

  316

  282

  306

  331

  335

  Norway

  632

  194

  98

  122

  118

  257

  328

  118

  Singapore

  124

  85

  445

  8

  1—

  164

  1—

  86

  Spain

  259

  88

  75

  83

  72

  59

  76

  59

  Sweden

  3,027

  1,582

  975

  490

  417

  172

  538

  455

  Switzerland

  4,262

  5,239

  4,180

  3,775

  5,801

  5,879

  8,148

  4,528

  United States of America

  107,289

  119,218

  102,552

  142,430

  53,488

  75,357

  44,075

  59,488

  1 Less than £50,000.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of corporation tax receipts derive from unquoted companies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that information is not available in precisely the form requested. However, about 8 per cent. of corporation tax is paid by the 300,000 companies charged at the small companies rate; these are likely to include a high proportion of unquoted companies.

  Business Cycle
  Dr. Berry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the United Kingdom last entered an upswing in the business cycle with a current account deficit of 2 per cent. of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: Figures for the current account and gross domestic product are published in "Economic Trends".

  Foreign Investors
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what are his Department's estimates for the level of cash repayments by the Inland Revenue to foreign investors on the basis of tax credits on dividends for 1993 and 1994;

  (2) how much cash was paid out by the Inland Revenue to foreign investors on the basis of dividend tax credits for each year since 1985;

  (3) if he will list by country the cash repayments made by the Inland Revenue to foreign investors on the basis of tax credits on dividends, for each year since 1985.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: Estimates of payments of tax credits to foreign residents under double taxation agreements are given in the table. They exclude, for example, payments to sovereign immune bodies which are not separately identified for repayment of other taxes. The table only identifies countries where payments of tax credits in 1992–93 were greater than £100,000. Forecasts of the levels of payments in future years are not available.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the total volume of tax credits issued by dividend paying companies in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: The following is the information:

  Tax credits available on dividends paid by United Kingdom companies

  £ billion

  1985

  3·8

  1986

  4·5

  1987

  4·9

  1988

  6·2

  1989

  7·3

  1990

  7·7

  1991

  7·9

  1992

  8·7

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much cash was repaid to domestic investors by the Inland Revenue on the basis of dividend tax credits in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 3 November 1993]: Payments of tax credits to United Kingdom residents cannot be separately identified from repayments of income tax. Total income tax repayments and payments of tax credits are given in table 2.10 of "Inland Revenue Statistics" 1993.

DEFENCE

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish for the last two years for which figures are available, the figures for defence spending as a proportion of gross domestic product in each NATO member country.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Country

  Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  1991

  1992

  Belgium

  2·3

  1·9

  Canada

  2·0

  2·0

  Denmark

  2·1

  1·9

  France

  3·5

  3·4

  Germany

  2·3

  2·2

  Greece

  5·5

  5·5

  Italy

  2·1

  2·0

  Luxembourg

  1·2

  1·2

  Netherlands

  2·5

  2·5

  Norway

  3·1

  3·4

  Portugal

  3·1

  2·9

  Spain

  1·7

  1·7

  Turkey

  3·8

  3·9

  United Kingdom

  4·3

  4·1

  United States

  5·1

  5·2

  Belize
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he expects to be saved by a partial withdrawal from Belize; and how this sum was arrived at.

  Mr. Hanley
  The decision to withdraw the Belize garrison was taken in the light of the improved security situation in Belize and the improved relations with Guatemala and not for financial reasons. The withdrawal will however, save some £4,038,000 in 1994–95 and some £7,587,000 in each year thereafter. The savings come from a reduction of the "in-country" costs on manpower (overseas allowances for United Kingdom personnel and locally employed civilian costs), travel, fuel and utilities, communications, casualty evacuation, local purchase, hirings and works services.

  SA80
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all difficulties in each theatre with the SA80 have now been resolved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  With the modifications we have developed, and proper maintenance, we are confident that the SA80 will perform satisfactorily in all theatres where it is deployed. However, all small arms can have difficulties operating in extreme environmental conditions.

  Army Act Executions
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters and representations the Government have received in support of pardons for soldiers in the great war who were found guilty of charges under the Army Acts who subsequently were executed.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1989 the Ministry of Defence has received some 189 requests from Members of Parliament and members of the public for pardons for the soldiers who were executed during the first world war.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF low-flying sorties were carried out in the last year for which figures are available in(a) the Netherlands, (b) Italy, (c) Denmark and (d) Belgium; down to what minimum level in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have nothing further to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Member on 22 October 1993 at column 369.

  Civilian Staff
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a breakdown, by top level budget holder area, agency, where appropriate, and principal category, of United Kingdom-based industrial civilian staff.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information requested, as at 1 April 1993, is as follows:
  473

  MOD United Kingdom-based Industrial civilians by top level budget holder

  Number

  (Full-time equivalent) MOD total

  41,341·0

  Navy total

  14,137·5

  2nd Sea Lord

  296·0

  Chief of Fleet Support

  6,547·0

  CinC Naval Home

  4,895·5

  CinC Fleet

  2,316·0

  Unallocated

  83·0

  Army total

  15,082·5

  CinC UK Land Forces

  7,459·5

  CinC BAOR

  7·0

  Adjutant General

  273·5

  Quartermaster General

  5,563·0

  Assistant Chief of the General Staff

  1,779·5

  RAF total

  7,248·0

  Air Member for Supply and Organisation

  13·5

  Air Member for Personnel

  5·0

  AOCinC Strike Command

  2,691·0

  AOCinC RAF Support Command

  4,538·5

  Centre total

  761·5

  Vice Chief of Defence Staff

  109·0

  2nd PUS

  224·0

  Chief Scientific Adviser

  188·0

  Chief of Defence Intelligence

  95·5

  Meteorological Office

  27·5

  Vice Chief of Defence Staff (Commitments)

  117·5

  PE total

  4,111·5

  Chief of Defence Procurement

  1,508·5

  Chief Executive Defence Research Agency

  2,603·0

  MOD United Kingdom-based industrial civilians employed within MOD agencies (full-time equivalents)

  Number

  MOD agencies total

  9,638·5

  Army Base Repair Organisation

  2,669·0

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment

  177·0

  Defence Animal Centre

  21·5

  Director General of Defence Accounts

  7·0

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre

  11·0

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  20·0

  Defence Postal and Courier Service

  19·0

  Defence Research Agency

  2,603·0

  Hydrographic Office

  35·0

  Meteorological Office

  27·5

  Military Survey

  54·0

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation

  1,067·0

  Queen Victoria School

  13·0

  RAF Maintenance Command

  2,914·5

  Information by principal category is not available without disproportionate cost.

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a breakdown by grade, location and occupational group of the United Kingdom-based civilians shown in table 2.3 of Defence Statistics 1993 as employed in(a) Army doctrine and training, (b) each of the five Army districts, (c) naval policy and advice to the Chief of Naval Personnel, (d) non-military advice and financial management for the Chief of Fleet Support and (e) non-effectives and other staff of the second permanent under-secretary.

  Mr. Aitken
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the cosmetic works being done to the Whitehall frontage of his Department's main building and the works being undertaken in the car parking area to the west of the building.

  Mr. Hanley
  No cosmetic works are being undertaken but a works programme is in progress to improve the security of the south car park of MOD main building, at an estimated cost of £620,000. The movement of the statues and the associated works on Raleigh Green are being managed by the Department of the Environment. The total cost of this work is approximately £164,000, a proportion of which will be met by the MOD.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures the Government are presently taking to stop the proliferation and indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines.

  Mr. Aitken
  We believe that our current stringent controls on the export of defence equipment, including mines, are sufficient to stop the sales of these weapons to countries which may use them in an irresponsible manner. The United Kingdom fully adheres to the principles of the 1981 United Nations weaponry convention, protocol II, which contains strict rules governing the use of mines.

  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution the United Kingdom is making to anti-personnel mine clearance overseas.

  Mr. Hanley
  British service men are not at present involved in mine-clearance operations, other than those necessary for the passage of aid convoys in the former Yugoslavia. Until UNTAC's mandate ended in August however, a British Army mine clearance training team participated in the United Nations operation in Cambodia.

  AWE Sites
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methods he will use to ensure the monitoring of safety of the older facilities at AWE sites, as described at paragraph 14 of annex B of the Government's memorandum of reply to the Defence Committee's sixth report of Session 1992–93, published in the fifth special report, HC 917.

  Mr. Aitken
  Methods to ensure the monitoring of safety of all facilities, including older ones, at AWE sites involve the use of inspections, reviews and audits carried out by a number of bodies, including the compliance office and the regulatory authorities concerned with the environmental, health and safety aspects of the sites. These arrangements are in addition to the detailed management, monitoring and audit responsibilities carried out by the contractor (Hunting-BRAE) under the requirements laid down in the term contract.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1979 when a submarine commander has failed to notify the requisite
  475
  authorities within the mandatory time of an accident involving a United Kingdom nuclear submarine; and what action has been taken on such occasions.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1979 there has only been one such incident. The commanding officer of the submarine concerned was the subject of a recent court martial.

  Chemical Weapons (Vaccines)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on medical prophylactic measures taken to protect British service men who served in Operation Granby in Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia against chemical weapons attack; and what assessment has been made of the deleterious health effects arising from these protection measures.

  Mr. Hanley
  The only medical prophylactic agent employed against chemical weapon attack was the drug pyridostigmine bromide. It was issued in tablet packs called nerve agent pre-treatment sets (NAPS). One tablet containing 30 mg of the drug was taken every eight hours while the threat of chemical attack remained. NAPS has undergone trials at CBDE Porton Down and the drug pyridostigmine bromide has been used for many years in the treatment of the nerve disorder myasthenia gravis. Apart from the temporary minor side effects, the trials revealed that NAPS produced no deleterious health effects. Occasional minor side effects were reported during Operation Granby but these ceased as soon as NAPS was stopped.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist for keeping records of protective vaccines administered to British service men; and whether such records are available for inspection by(a) serving members of the armed forces, (b) former members of the armed forces and (c) general practitioners or hospital doctors treating former members of the armed forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  Standard procedures involve records of vaccines administered being kept in an individual's service medical documents. In operational situations these procedures may need to be modified to meet the circumstances existing at the time. During Operation Granby, for logistic reasons, individual service medical documents were not held locally. Any vaccines given were entered on a nominal roll for later transfer to individual records. Given the rapid repatriation and demobilisation of personnel at the end of the conflict it is possible that some individual records were not annotated with vaccination details. I have placed a copy of an internal Ministry of Defence report on the vaccines used for Operation Granby in the Library of the House.

  Individual medical documents have the privacy marking "Medical in Confidence". Access to them is therefore restricted to members of the medical professions or to the patient concerned in accordance with the provisions of the Access to Health Records Act 1990. When a Service person leaves the Armed Forces, their Service medical documents remain the property of the MOD. Civilian GPs or hospital specialists will be provided, upon request and with the patient's consent, with any further information, or copies of records, they require to assist in the management of individual patients.
  476
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of nerve agent pre-treatment vaccines are held by his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  Nerve agent pre-treatment vaccines are not held by the MOD. Protection for Her Majesty's forces against nerve agent poisoning is achieved by the use of NAPS. Sufficient stocks are held to meet the operational requirements of all three services. It is not the Department's practice to disclose stock levels.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the British Society for Allergy and Environmental Medicine in regard to service men or former service men who are suffering deleterious health effects having served in Operation Granby in the Gulf war.

  Mr. Hanley
  We have received no representations from the British Society for Allergy and Environmental Medicine. One member of the society has, however, written to the Department in his capacity as a medical practitioner in relation to one of his patients. For reasons of medical confidentiality, I am unable to give further details.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 705, what representations he has received from the general public regarding concerns over the storage of depleted uranium at his Department's establishments.

  Mr. Aitken
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has received no such representations. Officials have received a small number of inquiries on this subject from the general public.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the storage sites which have been authorised for storage or handling of his Department's raw stocks of depleted uranium prior to manufacture into ammunition.

  Mr. Aitken
  Depleted uranium (DU) for the production of DU projectiles is procured direct by the manufacturers and handling and storage are a matter for them. The Defence Research Agency holds some stocks of raw DU at Fort Halstead for research purposes.

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the last assessment of the level of risk facing British forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina from(a) Croat, (b) Muslim and (c) Serb forces; how often such levels of risk are assessed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  British forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina face considerable risks in carrying out their task of escorting humanitarian aid. The principal threat is posed by fighting between Bosnian factions in the vicinity of British bases, rather than by deliberate targeting. We keep the level of danger under continuous review; assessments are made daily both in the United Kingdom and in theatre.

  Overseas Forces
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are currently stationed overseas; what is the total expenditure incurred; and if he will provide a breakdown of this information by individual country and location.

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

  EC Defence Spending
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing the level of defence spending in each of the European Community member states as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Hanley
  Defence expenditure in 1992 for all EC countries other than the Republic of Ireland is set out in the 1993 Statement on the Defence Estimates (Cm 2270). The Republic of Ireland is expected to devote around 1.2 per cent. of its GDP to defence in 1992–93.

  Flying Training
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedure he intends to adopt in making decisions following the review of RAF flying training.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will consider carefully the proposals and recommendations emanating from the review. These proposals will then be the subject of consultation with the MOD trades unions and other interested parties before any final decisions on the future organisation of RAF flying training are taken.

  Mr. David Hart
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times and on what dates Mr. David Hart has visited his Department or any other MOD installation in the last six months.
  478
  Mr. Hanley
  The number of occasions Mr. Hart has visited the MOD over the last six months has not been centrally recorded. Mr. Hart visited RAF Strike Command at High Wycombe on 27 May 1993.

  Terrain Mobile Platforms
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 October,Official Report, column 728, if he will set out the arrangements under which the all terrain mobile platforms are available for the use of 5 Airborne Brigade; which unit has peacetime control of these vehicles; what plans he has to authorise a formal establishment of such vehicles for 5 Airborne Brigade; what similar vehicles are available to 24 Airmobile Brigade; what plans he has to provide a formal establishment of such vehicles for 24 Airmobile Brigade; whether it will be possible for both brigades to be operationally deployed simultaneously; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  5 Airborne Brigade has first priority use of 39 all terrain mobile platforms from a central operational pool of equipment. They are currently held and maintained by 5 Airborne Brigade, although the holding is not established and there are no current plans to establish it. Routine replacement of these vehicles is planned. We are considering the future requirement for additional all terrain mobile platforms, including for 24 Airmobile Brigade. Both brigades could be operationally deployed simultaneously now if necessary.

  Pregnant Women
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the sums required to be paid in compensation to pregnant women will have on the size of the defence budget in each year from 1992–93 to 1995–96.

  Mr. Hanley
  At the present time, it is not possible to estimate the total cost of the compensation.

  LIFE IMPRISONMENT: TARIFF DISCLOSURE
  LIFE IMPRISONMENT: TARIFF DISCLOSURE
  SALE OF GOODS ACT 1893, SECTION 26: EFFECT
  SALE OF GOODS ACT 1893, SECTION 26: EFFECT
  MAASTRICHT TREATY AND THE CORONATION OATH
  MAASTRICHT TREATY AND THE CORONATION OATH
  FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: AID PLANS FOR FORTHCOMING WINTER
  FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: AID PLANS FOR FORTHCOMING WINTER
  KENYA: SECURITY SITUATION
  KENYA: SECURITY SITUATION
  OVERSEAS AID ALLOCATION
  OVERSEAS AID ALLOCATION
  OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
  OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
  MEPs AND COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ALLOWANCES
  MEPs AND COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEMBERS: ALLOWANCES
  NATO ROLE IN PEACE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALS
  NATO ROLE IN PEACE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALS
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 4th–5th OCTOBER: STATEMENT ON RUSSIA
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 4th–5th OCTOBER: STATEMENT ON RUSSIA
  RUSSIA: PRINCESS OF WALES'S VISIT
  RUSSIA: PRINCESS OF WALES'S VISIT
  RUSSIA: DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT AND SUSPENSION OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
  RUSSIA: DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT AND SUSPENSION OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
  RUSSIA: CONDITION OF UK SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT YELTSIN
  RUSSIA: CONDITION OF UK SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT YELTSIN
  RUSSIA: PROPOSED PEACEKEEPING FUND
  RUSSIA: PROPOSED PEACEKEEPING FUND
  RUSSIA: ELECTION OBSERVATION ARRANGEMENTS
  RUSSIA: ELECTION OBSERVATION ARRANGEMENTS
  ARTS COUNCIL GRANT
  ARTS COUNCIL GRANT
  CROSSRAIL: PLANNING GAIN
  CROSSRAIL: PLANNING GAIN
  HIGHWAYS AGENCY: POLICY
  HIGHWAYS AGENCY: POLICY
  ROAD SCHEMES: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES
  ROAD SCHEMES: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES
  ROADS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT: BALANCE OF FUNDING
  ROADS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT: BALANCE OF FUNDING
  HEROIN AND COCAINE SEIZURES
  HEROIN AND COCAINE SEIZURES
  TWH MANAGEMENT LTD: DISSEMINATION OF LICENSED DEALERS TRIBUNAL REPORT
  TWH MANAGEMENT LTD: DISSEMINATION OF LICENSED DEALERS TRIBUNAL REPORT
  BRITISH FORCES EQUIPMENT EXHIBITIONS: INVITATIONS
  BRITISH FORCES EQUIPMENT EXHIBITIONS: INVITATIONS
  SINGLE PEOPLE: INCOME SUPPORT AND HOUSING BENEFIT COSTS
  SINGLE PEOPLE: INCOME SUPPORT AND HOUSING BENEFIT COSTS
  ORGANOPHOSPHOROUS EXPOSURE: BENEFIT CRITERIA
  ORGANOPHOSPHOROUS EXPOSURE: BENEFIT CRITERIA
  REDHILL AERODROME: PLANNING APPLICATION
  REDHILL AERODROME: PLANNING APPLICATION
  AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES
  AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES
  HOUSING ACTION TRUST, BRENT, PROPOSAL
  HOUSING ACTION TRUST, BRENT, PROPOSAL
  GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICES: VALUE OF CERTIFICATION
  GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICES: VALUE OF CERTIFICATION
  CONTINENCE WEEK
  CONTINENCE WEEK
  PESTICIDE POISONING: GUIDANCE PUBLICATIONS
  PESTICIDE POISONING: GUIDANCE PUBLICATIONS
  EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
  EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND