Written Answers of 24 November 1993

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Shop Leases
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to modernise the law regarding shop leases in particular with regard to original tenant liability.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As I announced in my answer on 31 March to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Hendry),Official Report, column 197, the Government have, after careful consideration, decided to implement the recommendations in the Law Commission's report on Landlord and Tenant Law: Privity of Contract and Estate (Law Com. No. 174), for future leases but not for existing leases. The necessary legislation, which will apply to all leases including shop leases, will be introduced as soon as there is a suitable opportunity.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Review
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the remit of the Local Government Commission includes making recommendations on changes in intervals for elections and on the creation of single-member wards; and whether such proposals could be implemented by statutory order alone.

  Mr. Baldry
  The policy guidance to the Local Government Commission for England, revised November 1993, invites the Commission, where it recominends structural changes, also to make recommendations about future electoral arrangements, including warding, number of councillors and electoral cycles.

  Such proposals could be implemented only by statutory order.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to base local authority debt charge standard spending assessments on 1990–91 adjusted credit ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the discrepancies between the current notional debt figure and actual debt charge spending.

  Mr. Baldry
  We are at present considering the various representations which have been received in the course of the review of SSAs, including those for changes to the capital financing SSA, which were also discussed with the local authority associations.

  The Secretary of State will announce his proposals for the distribution of revenue support grant for 1994–95 shortly. The announcement will include any proposals for
  44
  the calculation of the capital financial element of SSAs for 1994–95. There will follow, as in previous years, a period of consultation.

  Local Authorities (Management)
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he plans to take following the publication of the report of the working party on the internal management of local authorities in England, entitled "Community Leadership and Representation: Unlocking the Potential".

  Mr. Baldry
  We are continuing to discuss the issues constructively with local government and will announce decisions as they are taken.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new initiatives he is taking to promote energy efficiency for(a) households and (b) businesses; and what is his latest estimate of the expenditure involved in each of the above.

  Mr. Yeo
  On 26 July, my right hon. Friend announced the Government's proposals for completing Britain's CO, programme. The main energy efficiency elements include strengthening the Energy Efficiency Office's programmes of advice and information aimed at business, increasing the target for combined heat and power to 5,000 MW by the year 2000, increasing the resources devoted to the provision of information and encouragement to house-holds, and reinforcing the work of the Energy Saving Trust. The EEO's budget to run its existing programmes and take forward these proposals in 1993–94 is £69·1 million.

  Empty Property Purchases
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent of the £750 million made available by the Treasury at the time of the November 1992 autumn statement to buy up empty owner-occupied properties before the end of the financial year 1992–93; how much of the total was spent by local authorities and how much by housing associations; and how much of this money has subsequently been clawed back by the Treasury through reductions in funds made available by central Government for investment in housing.

  Sir George Young
  On 12 November 1992 the Secretary of State announced a £627 million programme to boost the housing market. Housing associations in England spent £577·14 million to purchase new, empty and repossessed homes to use for families in housing need and £19·86 million by giving cash incentives to associations' tenants to buy homes on the open market. Local authorities in England spent a total of £29·94 million for similar cash incentives for their own tenants.

  These funds were made available and fully spent in 1992–93; the resources available for future years are determined annually in the public expenditure survey discussions.

  A further £123 million was divided between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for similar housing measures and other capital projects, for which respective Secretaries of States were responsible.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Civil Service College
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Civil Service college.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have now completed an evaluation of the Civil Service College as a next steps executive agency and considered its future. I have today placed a copy of the evaluation report in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The college has had four very successful years since becoming an agency in 1989. Agency status within central Government has helped the college to provide top quality senior management and professional training focused on the particular needs of the civil service at a time of considerable change. We have concluded that this remains the best approach for a further period.

  We shall continue to seek improvements in the college's operation and will review it again in four years under the normal procedures for executive agencies. In particular, we have decided to put the college on to a fully commercial footing by phasing out the central payment of £1·8 million a year from the Office of Public Service and Science. From 1995–96 the college will be required fully to cover its costs by revenue from its operations. In addition we are mounting a study of the college's suitability for trading fund status.

  We are now reviewing the framework document of the college. When this is complete, it will then be presented to Parliament in the usual way.

EDUCATION

  School Admissions (Appeals)
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give figures, in total and by local education authority, on the number of parental appeals on school admission for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In the 1991–92 academic year 37,676 appeals were lodged by parents against the non-admission of their children to the maintained school of their choice. The figures requested, by LEA area, are given in the table. In many cases appeals were withdrawn or settled before being heard by an appeals committee.

  Local Education Authority Area—Number of appeals lodged

  Secondary

  Primary

  Total

  City

  —

  4

  4

  Camden

  218

  167

  385

  Greenwich

  196

  236

  432

  Hackney

  152

  154

  306

  Hammersmith

  150

  83

  233

  Islington

  132

  140

  272

  Kensington and Chelsea

  19

  24

  43

  Lambeth

  155

  349

  504

  Lewisham

  364

  275

  639

  Southwark

  132

  433

  565

  Tower Hamlets

  326

  219

  545

  Wandsworth

  108

  64

  172

  Westminster

  177

  7

  184

  Barking

  151

  72

  223

  Barnet

  477

  326

  803

  Bexley

  158

  258

  416

  Brent

  104

  29

  133

  Bromley

  399

  82

  481

  46

  Secondary

  Primary

  Total

  Croydon

  —

  —

  —

  Ealing

  43

  198

  241

  Enfield

  739

  186

  925

  Haringey

  76

  143

  219

  Harrow

  75

  418

  493

  Havering

  369

  96

  465

  Hilingdon

  71

  78

  149

  Hounslow

  230

  29

  259

  Kingston upon Thames

  58

  57

  115

  Merton

  76

  80

  156

  Newham

  329

  31

  360

  Redbridge

  223

  156

  379

  Richmond upon Thames

  141

  66

  207

  Sutton

  237

  111

  348

  Waltham Forest

  181

  32

  213

  Birmingham

  825

  1,126

  1,951

  Coventry

  235

  224

  459

  Dudley

  274

  55

  329

  Sandwell

  1,140

  149

  1,289

  Solihull

  249

  32

  281

  Walsall

  117

  17

  134

  Wolverhampton

  65

  10

  75

  Knowsley

  0

  3

  3

  Liverpool

  584

  171

  755

  St Helens

  57

  37

  94

  Sefton

  50

  54

  104

  Wirral

  492

  60

  552

  Bolton

  70

  71

  141

  Bury

  319

  318

  637

  Manchester

  437

  985

  1,422

  Oldham

  346

  60

  406

  Rochdale

  139

  120

  159

  Salford

  6

  54

  60

  Stockport

  118

  63

  181

  Thameside

  48

  48

  96

  Trafford

  83

  90

  173

  Wigan

  161

  90

  251

  Barnsley

  4

  24

  28

  Doncaster

  27

  13

  40

  Rotherham

  75

  48

  123

  Sheffield

  152

  170

  322

  Bradford

  848

  118

  966

  Calderdale

  97

  49

  146

  Kirklees

  90

  68

  158

  Leeds

  594

  1,560

  2,154

  Wakefield

  52

  47

  99

  Gateshead

  36

  42

  78

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  26

  84

  110

  North Tyneside

  9

  5

  5

  South Tyneside

  0

  5

  5

  Sunderland

  78

  50

  128

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  Avon

  262

  621

  863

  Bedfordshire

  76

  84

  160

  Berkshire

  570

  179

  749

  Buckinghamshire

  344

  56

  400

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  1

  1

  Cheshire

  47

  26

  73

  Cleveland

  70

  14

  84

  Cornwall

  0

  26

  26

  Cumbria

  69

  38

  107

  Derbyshire

  368

  134

  502

  Devon

  334

  45

  379

  Dorset

  153

  100

  253

  Durham

  69

  142

  211

  East Sussex

  114

  148

  262

  Essex

  224

  49

  273

  Gloucestershire

  331

  51

  382

  Hampshire

  24

  22

  46

  Hereford and Worcester

  131

  19

  150

  Hertfordshire

  702

  156

  858

  Humberside

  197

  211

  408

  Isle of Wight

  26

  1

  27

  Kent

  1,580

  42

  1,622

  Lancashire

  705

  1,353

  2,058

  Leicestershire

  299

  15

  314

  Lincolnshire

  185

  20

  205

  Norfolk

  124

  111

  135

  47

  Secondary

  Primary

  Total

  North Yorkshire

  175

  70

  245

  Northamptonshire

  66

  44

  110

  Northumberland

  8

  6

  14

  Nottinghamshire

  85

  190

  275

  Oxfordshire

  130

  46

  176

  Shropshire

  77

  110

  187

  Somerset

  75

  165

  240

  Staffordshire

  139

  37

  176

  Suffolk

  54

  35

  99

  Surrey

  185

  198

  383

  Warkwickshire

  50

  36

  86

  West Sussex

  33

  42

  75

  Wiltshire

  36

  24

  60

  Total

  22,286

  15,390

  37,676

  1 Figures based on incomplete data.

  2 No LEA return for 1991–92 year. The figures relate to the GM sector only.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give figures for the amount of transitional grant paid to date to each grant-maintained school in each local education authority area.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list for each grant-maintained school which became grant maintained in September or October, the full-year value of(a) direct annual maintenance grant and (b) the central annual maintenance grant; and what is (b) as a percentage of (a) in each case.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is given in the table.

  School

  (a)Full year direct

  (b)Full year central

  Per cent. of (b) to (a)

  Abbey Grange CE VA High School

  2,085,428

  233,568

  11·2

  Appleby County Primary School

  325,710

  48,856

  15·0

  Astley High School

  1,356,315

  127,494

  9·4

  Our Lady of Fatima RC High School

  1,048,668

  102,770

  9·8

  St. Paul's CE Junior School

  167,698

  25,154

  15·0

  The Bishop Challoner RC School

  1,099,412

  152,818

  13·9

  Abraham Darby School

  2,189,160

  192,646

  8·8

  Albany School

  2,393,684

  246,549

  10·3

  Alder Coppice Primary

  530,300

  95,454

  18·0

  Aldridge School

  2,284,644

  281,011

  12·3

  All Saints CE Primary School

  283,699

  40,853

  14·4

  All Saints CE Primary School

  308,882

  46,951

  15·2

  All Saints RC School

  1,724,127

  168,965

  9·8

  Allington County Primary School

  276,143

  45,564

  16·5

  Alperton High School

  2,200,481

  195,843

  8·9

  Andoversford Primary School

  143,061

  19,742

  13·8

  Anglo European School

  2,260,111

  205,670

  9·1

  Applemore Technology School

  1,598,270

  163,024

  10·2

  Ashley County Junior School

  399,874

  61,980

  15·5

  Ashmole School

  2,230,959

  290,025

  13·0

  Ashton St. Peters Lower

  234,182

  42,855

  18·3

  Barnham Broom (VC) Primary School

  134,710

  16,839

  12·5

  Barton Court Grammar School

  1,047,520

  114,180

  10·9

  Beanfield Junior School

  471,819

  58,034

  12·3

  Beverley School

  1,524,617

  157,036

  10·3

  Bexley Erith Technical Boys

  1,481,498

  139,261

  9·4

  Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School

  1,345,022

  151,987

  11·3

  Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic High

  1,167,610

  120,264

  10·3

  48

  School

  (a) Full year direct

  (b) Full year central

  Per cent. of (b) to (a)

  Brampton Junior School

  261,608

  39,241

  15·0

  Branston School and Community College

  2,173,630

  313,016

  9·8

  Bromsgrove CE Middle School

  703,620

  79,509

  11·3

  Broomfield GM School

  2,370,832

  244,196

  10·3

  Brushwood Middle School

  276,431

  46,717

  16·9

  Cardinal Griffin RC School

  1,336,057

  150,974

  11·3

  Cardinal Hinsley High School

  1,632,572

  145,299

  8·9

  Cartmel Priory CE School

  566,799

  56,114

  9·9

  Castlefield Combined School

  736,771

  124,514

  16·9

  Castleview Combined School

  493,312

  58,704

  11·9

  Cecil Jones High School

  2,281,202

  207,589

  9·1

  Chadwell Heath High School

  2,393,551

  301,587

  12·6

  Chapel St. Leonards County Primary School

  264,050

  40,136

  15·2

  Charlton School

  1,326,665

  116,746

  8·8

  Charville Primary School

  624,501

  103,042

  16·5

  Chasetown High School

  1,471,129

  166,238

  11·3

  Chaucer Technology School

  2,557,253

  280,921

  10·9

  Chellaston Junior School

  367,563

  57,707

  15·7

  Cheltenham Bournside School and 6th Form

  2,561,407

  297,123

  11·6

  Cheyne Middle School

  1,206,923

  131,555

  10·9

  Chingford School

  1,772,433

  260,548

  14·7

  Cirencester Deer Park School

  1,584,917

  183,850

  11·6

  Cirencester Kingshill School

  1,109,923

  128,751

  11·6

  Clacton High School

  2,337,765

  212,737

  9·1

  Colbayns High School

  2,880,641

  262,138

  9·1

  Colchester Royal Grammar School

  1,540,825

  140,215

  9·1

  Collingtree CE Primary School

  100,320

  12,339

  12·3

  Coppins Green Primary

  539,422

  77,677

  14·4

  Cranwell County Primary School

  288,570

  43,863

  15·2

  Deanery Infant School

  298,524

  63,286

  21·2

  Deanery Junior School

  326,273

  69,170

  21·2

  Ditton CE Primary School

  286,742

  47,312

  16·5

  Dollis Junior School

  564,170

  104,935

  18·6

  Downton CE VC Primary School

  254,906

  50,726

  19·9

  Elmstead County Primary

  200,597

  28,886

  14·4

  Fairfield High School for Girls

  1,300,768

  139,182

  10·7

  Finchley Catholic High

  1,963,430

  255,246

  13·0

  Friesland School

  1,516,150

  150,099

  9·9

  Goffs School

  2,051,393

  217,448

  10·6

  Hassenbrook School

  1,225,225

  111,495

  9·1

  Herne Bay High School

  1,346,942

  146,817

  10·9

  Herne Bay Junior School

  467,864

  77,198

  16·5

  Hillside Infant School

  285,023

  47,029

  16·5

  Hillside Junior School

  315,323

  52,028

  16·5

  Hillview School for Girls

  1,257,027

  137,016

  10·9

  Holland Haven Primary

  274,328

  39,503

  14·4

  Holland Park Primary

  475,469

  68,468

  14·4

  Hollinsclough CE Primary School

  55,615

  8,787

  15·8

  Holly Hall School

  1,084,447

  139,894

  12·9

  Holy Cross CE Junior School

  362,580

  49,673

  13·7

  Holy Trinity CE Middle School

  420,392

  63,900

  15·2

  Holywell School

  693,674

  93,646

  13·5

  Hordle CE GM Primary School

  337,141

  52,257

  15·5

  Huttoft County Primary School

  115,580

  17,568

  15·2

  Jews Free School

  3,238,315

  352,977

  10·9

  John Bentley School

  2,156,780

  269,598

  12·5

  Killinghall First School

  376,187

  54,923

  14·6

  Kingsdown School

  1,758,422

  219,805

  12·5

  Knowles Hill School

  1,814,534

  166,937

  9·2

  La Sainte Union Convent School

  2,240,494

  244,214

  10·9

  Lady Elizabeth Hastings EC Primary School

  105,304

  15,164

  14·4

  Lady Manners School

  2,737,401

  271,003

  9·9

  Linton Primary School

  289,860

  45,508

  15·7

  Lowbourne GM Infants School

  345,922

  68,838

  19·9

  Lowbourne Junior School

  290,559

  57,821

  19·9

  Marlborough School (GM)

  1,616,827

  171,384

  10·6

  Millbrook Infant School

  400,500

  49,262

  12·3

  Millbrook Junior School

  500,050

  61,507

  12·3

  Millfields Primary School

  267,664

  38,544

  14·4

  Motram St. Andrew Primary

  116,296

  15,583

  13·4

  Newington Junior School

  469,075

  77,397

  16·5

  Nicholas Breakspear RC School

  1,781,133

  188,800

  10·6

  49

  School

  (a)Full year direct

  (b)Full year central

  Per cent. of (b) to (a)

  Ninestiles School

  2,074,119

  288,303

  13·9

  Notre Dame High School

  1,288,407

  256,393

  19·9

  Notre Dame School

  1,626,473

  159,394

  9·8

  Oakington Manor Primary School

  818,130

  110,447

  13·5

  Oaklands RC Comprehensive School

  2,033,314

  207,398

  10·2

  Orton Longeuville

  2,185,282

  181,378

  8·3

  Osidge Primary School

  591,954

  110,103

  18·6

  Park Mead County First School

  266,045

  40,439

  15·2

  Parkview School

  1,554,009

  153,847

  9·9

  Pewley Down County First School

  231,054

  35,120

  15·2

  Pewsey Vale School (GM)

  878,033

  109,754

  12·5

  Pittville School

  1,161,975

  134,789

  11·6

  Prince Henrys GM High School

  1,805,771

  204,052

  11·3

  Purbrook Park School

  1,166,797

  119,013

  10·2

  Queen Elizabeth School, Corby

  1,307,690

  109,846

  8·4

  Queen Elizabeth's School

  1,259,416

  137,276

  10·9

  Queen Mary's Grammar School

  1,184,918

  145,745

  12·3

  Queen Mary's High School

  1,143,987

  140,710

  12·3

  Rochester Grammar School for Girls

  1,181,334

  128,765

  10·9

  Rodings Central Primary School

  231,775

  33,376

  14·4

  Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School

  1,550,752

  176,786

  11·4

  Salvatorian College

  1,071,349

  132,847

  12·4

  Sheldon School

  2,118,329

  264,791

  12·5

  Sir Charles Lucas School

  1,841,183

  167,548

  9·1

  Soham Village College

  1,808,674

  150,120

  8·3

  South Benfleet Primary School

  449,489

  64,726

  14·4

  Southend High School for Boys

  1,754,115

  159,624

  9·1

  Southfields School

  1,138,478

  124,-94

  10·9

  Spalding County Primary School

  280,220

  42,593

  15·2

  St. Andrew's CE Primary school (Hill)

  333,278

  54,991

  16·5

  St. Andrew's CE Primary School (Linc)

  274,950

  41,792

  15·2

  St. Anselm's RC School

  1,709,390

  186,324

  10·9

  St. Benedict's RC School

  932,427

  108,161

  11·6

  St. Botolph's CE Primary School

  293,401

  48,441

  16·5

  St. Catherines RC for Girls

  1,380,420

  129,759

  9·4

  St. Clare's RC Primary School

  280,632

  40,411

  14·4

  St. Edmunds RC Comprehensive School

  1,273,522

  138,814

  10·9

  St. Francis RC Primary School

  352,697

  58,195

  16·5

  St. George's CE High School

  1,698,320

  185,117

  10·9

  St. George's RC School

  1,185,240

  120,894

  10·2

  St. Giles CE Primary School

  156,419

  23,932

  15·3

  St. Helena School

  1,645,598

  149,750

  9·1

  St. Ignatius College

  2,163,709

  222,862

  10·3

  St. John Fisher RC (VA) Primary School

  250,655

  35,593

  14·2

  St. John Fisher RC Comprehensive

  1,334,060

  110,727

  8·3

  St. John the Evangelist Infant

  205,733

  24,482

  11·9

  St. John's School

  2,670,824

  333,853

  12·5

  St. Joseph's College

  2,363,832

  238,747

  10·1

  St. Katherine's CE VA Primary School

  295,975

  42,620

  14·4

  St. Laurence CE Junior School

  309,705

  51,101

  16·5

  St. Martin In The Field High School

  1,315,154

  230,151

  17·5

  St. Mary's CE High School

  2,125,520

  276,318

  13·0

  St. Mary's CE Primary School

  242,936

  34,983

  14·4

  St. Michael's Catholic Grammar School

  1,346,080

  174,990

  13·0

  St. Michael's RC School

  1,567,839

  166,191

  10·6

  St. Michael's School

  1,237,106

  246,183

  19·9

  St. Osyth CE Aided Primary School

  324,202

  46,685

  14·4

  St. Paul's RC Primary School

  435,331

  67,476

  15·5

  St. Peter and St. Paul RC High School

  895,570

  87,766

  9·8

  St. Peter's RC Primary School

  446,694

  69,238

  15·5

  St. Peter's RC School

  2,937,264

  331,911

  11·3

  St. Thomas More High School for Boys

  1,103,345

  100,404

  9·1

  St. Thomas More RC Primary School

  255,036

  36,725

  14·4

  St. Thomas the Apostle School

  1,314,406

  261,567

  19·9

  50

  School

  (a)Full year direct

  (b)Full year central

  Per cent. of (b) to (a)

  St. Wilfred's CE High School

  2,706,391

  278,758

  10·3

  St. Wulfram's CE High School

  845,120

  82,822

  9·8

  St. Gregory's RC High

  2,216,968

  197,310

  8·9

  St. Peter's School

  2,314,888

  192,136

  8·3

  Stropsley High School and College

  1,459,162

  196,987

  13·5

  Studley High School

  882,790

  89,162

  10·1

  Takeley Primary School

  237,592

  34,213

  14·4

  Testbourne Community School

  1,155,808

  117,892

  10·2

  The Bramston School

  2,274,506

  206,979

  9·1

  The Cottesloe School

  855,240

  99,208

  11·6

  The Fairfax School

  2,242,625

  311,726

  13·9

  The Frank Montgomery School

  1,136,151

  123,840

  10·9

  The Gilberd School

  1,570,611

  142,925

  9·1

  The High Arcal School

  1,417,413

  182,846

  12·9

  The Holy Family RC School

  272,506

  44,964

  16·5

  The John Henry Newman School

  1,209,224

  128,178

  10·6

  The Latymer School

  2,538,209

  261,436

  10·3

  The Leventhorpe School

  1,917,438

  203,248

  10·6

  The Pingle School

  2,458,745

  243,416

  9·9

  The St. Thomas Becket School

  1,400,862

  163,900

  11·7

  The Thomas Aveling School

  1,805,498

  196,799

  10·9

  Thomas More GM School

  1,288,054

  136,534

  10·6

  Thorpedene Infant School

  312,638

  45,020

  14·4

  Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls

  1,873,718

  204,235

  10·9

  Warwick Bridge Primary School

  254,769

  38,215

  15·0

  Washingborough School

  390,870

  59,412

  15·2

  West Park Community School

  2,657,619

  263,104

  9·9

  Westgate School

  1,000,908

  79,072

  7·9

  Wibsey School

  645,232

  74,846

  11·6

  William Gilbert Endowed

  250,114

  39,268

  15·7

  William Robertson School

  702,370

  68,832

  9·8

  Winchcombe Community School

  644,254

  74,734

  11·6

  Windsor High School

  1,675,956

  216,198

  12·9

  Wirral Grammar School for Boys

  1,723,730

  155,136

  9·0

  Woodville Primary School

  539,523

  77,691

  14·4

  Yattendon Middle School

  414,375

  62,985

  15·2

  Sex Education
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will arrange for his letter in answer to the questions listed in the Official Report, 5 November, column 493, to be published in the Official Report.

  Mr. Forth
  The text of the letter was as follows:"I promised to write to you in response to two recent Parliamentary Questions about sex education. I am sorry that the strict timetable imposed by prorogation of Parliament meant that I was unable to answer fully at the time.
  In Question No 296 you asked whether (a) abortion and (b) contraception will be considered as biological or other aspects of human sexual behaviour in our planned guidance to schools on sex education. That guidance will make clear that with effect from the beginning of the Autumn term 1994, the Order for National Curriculum science will require pupils at key stage 3 (aged 11-14) to study:
  "life processes … growth, reproduction … particularly as they relate to human beings;" and
  the physical and emotional changes that take place during adolescence".
  It follows that discussion of contraception or abortion will not be a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum in science. These topics would be candidates for inclusion instead in the programmes of sex education which all secondary schools will be required to provide. The detailed content of those programmmes will, however, be for the schools themselves to decide, in the light of the guidance we will be offering.
  Turning to Question 297, you asked what definition will be given in our planned guidance to schools to help teachers distinguish between biological and other aspects of human sexual behaviour. As I have already explained, the Circular will remind schools of the statutory requirements of National Curriculum

  51
  science. It will also offer schools advice and models of good practice to help them draw up their programmes of sex education. We will shortly be issuing a draft of the Circular for consultation.
  I hope this is helpful."

  Corporal Punishment
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what cases are pending before the European Court of Human Rights regarding the inflicting of corporal punishment in private schools.

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  Refugees
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he is taking to increase the places for refugees in English as a second language classes.

  Mr. Boswell
  The provision of tuition to improve the knowledge of English of refugees and others for whom English is not the language spoken at home is a matter for individual further education colleges, schools and local education authorities. The Further Education Funding Council has a duty to secure the provision of adequate facilities for the education of part-time students over compulsory school age and for full-time students aged 19 or over in respect of such courses.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list for each civil service grade in his Department(a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the total number of women employed.

  Mr. Boswell
  The figures are as follows:

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Grade 1

  0

  1

  1

  Grade 2

  0

  3

  3

  Grade 3

  0

  11

  11

  Grade 4

  0

  3

  3

  Grade 5

  16

  34

  50

  Grade 6

  3

  14

  17

  Grade 7

  47

  108

  155

  SEO and Equivalent

  38

  73

  111

  HEO and Equivalent

  173

  182

  355

  EO and Equivalent

  293

  189

  482

  AO and Equivalent

  460

  153

  613

  AA and Equivalent

  231

  111

  342

  Total

  1,261

  882

  2,143

  These figures reflect the number of staff in post and include 360 staff in the Teachers Pensions Agency.

PRIME MINISTER

  Queen's Speech
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister how many copies of the background note on the Queen's Speech have been sold to the press.

  The Prime Minister
  The background notes on the Queen's Speech are available free of charge to the press.

  As part of the Government's drive to make information more available to the public, a system operated on behalf
  52
  of the Central Office of Information was initiated this year to enable individuals and organisations to obtain the background notes by facsimile transmission. Over 1,000 calls were made to the system.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make available to the hon. Members the background note to the Queen's Speech which was made available to the press before the Queen's Speech.

  The Prime Minister
  The notes have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Security Services
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to change the vote accounting arrangements for the security and intelligence agencies, following the announcement of the intention to introduce new statutory arrangements for the secret intelligence service and GCHQ.

  The Prime Minister
  As part of its policy towards greater openness in security and intelligence matters, the Government intend to bring on to a single published vote the aggregate expenditure of all three agencies, much of which, including all the expenditure of GCHQ, has previously been carried on MoD and FCO Votes.

  The new single intelligence vote will be fully open to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General, apart from limited restrictions to protect the identities of certain sources of information and the details of particularly sensitive operations.

  The first main estimate for the new vote will cover expenditure in 1994–95, and will be presented to Parliament in March 1994.

WALES

  Housing Association Rents
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning rents for housing associations in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It continues to be our policy to subsidise housing association rents by very considerable capital grants.

  Farm Holdings
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farm holdings were registered with his Department in September.

  Mr. Redwood
  In September 1993 there were some 37,000 names and addresses on the farm holdings list maintained by the Welsh Office.

  Agriculture Agencies
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were employed within his Department and within agencies accountable to him dealing with agriculture in September.

  Mr. Redwood
  At 30 September 1993 the number of staff dealing with agriculture in my Department and agencies was 808, including ADAS staff in Wales.

  Historic Buildings and Monuments
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish the Government's response to the second report from the Welsh Affairs Committee of Session 1992–93, House of Commons paper 403, on the preservation of historic buildings and ancient monuments.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I am pleased to announce that a response to the Welsh Affairs Committee report on the preservation of historic buildings and ancient monuments has been published today as Command Paper 2416. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

  Valleys Programme
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the evaluation of the programme for the valleys.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have today published the report of the evaluation of the programme for the valleys 1988 to 1993 carried out by Victor Hausner and Associates, along with a statistical profile of the valleys produced by the Welsh Office. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  1992

  Key: E = Establishment; S = Supernumerary posts.

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  Avon and Somerset

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  2

  Bedfordshire

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  Cheshire

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  City of London

  798

  24

  798

  24

  798

  24

  798

  24

  798

  24

  798

  24

  798

  60

  798

  60

  798

  60

  Cleveland

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  Cumbria

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  Derbyshire

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  5

  Dorset

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  Durham

  1,389

  2

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  Dyfed Powys

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  Essex

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  Gloucestershire

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  Greater Manchester

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  Gwent

  1,010

  0

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  Hampshire

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  Hertfordshire

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  Humberside

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  Kent

  3,096

  1

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  3,096

  28

  Lancashire

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  Leicestershire

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  Lincolnshire

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  Merseyside

  4,706

  6

  4,706

  4

  4,706

  4

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  Metropolitan Police

  28,276

  0

  28,297

  0

  28,304

  0

  28,279

  0

  28,279

  0

  28,260

  0

  28,260

  0

  28,240

  0

  28,240

  0

  Norfolk

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  North Wales

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  North Yorkshire

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  Northamptonshire

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  Northumbria

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  1

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  0

  2,344

  13

  South Wales

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  South Yorkshire

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  Staffordshire

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  Suffolk

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  1,233

  0

  Surrey

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  Sussex

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  Thames Valley

  3,812

  14

  3,812

  14

  3,812

  14

  3,812

  14

  3,812

  15

  3,812

  15

  3,812

  15

  3,812

  15

  3,812

  70

  Warwickshire

  1,020

  21

  1,020

  21

  1,020

  21

  1,020

  21

  1,020

  21

  1,020

  21

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

NORTHERN IRELND

  Sinn Fein
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means his Department apprises itself of the policies and views of Sinn Fein.

  Mr. Ancram:
  The main sources of information about the policies and views of Sinn Fein are public ones such as written documents and reports of interviews. The Department will also, from time to time, receive unsolicited second-hand accounts relevant to Sinn Fein's policies and views from members of the community, some of whom may have had contact with members of that party. Constituency matters from Sinn Fein councillors are dealt with on the same basis as inquiries from other elected representatives. There have been occasions when Ministers and/or officials have met council delegations which have included a Sinn Fein councillor to discuss constituency matters.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Establishment
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the police establishment for each police force area in England and Wales for April 1992 and for each month thereafter, including details of supernumerary posts.

  Mr. Wardle
  The information requested is set out in the tables.
  55

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  West Mercia

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  West Midlands

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  8

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  1

  West Yorkshire

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  Wiltshire

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  1,181

  97

  Total

  126,977

  268

  126,998

  295

  127,005

  295

  126,980

  294

  126,980

  295

  126,961

  295

  126,961

  335

  126,941

  327

  126,941

  395

  1993

  Key: E = Establishment; S = Supernumerary posts.

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  E

  S

  Avon and Somerset

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  2

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  3,087

  3

  Bedfordshire

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  1,178

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  1,241

  38

  Cheshire

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  1,920

  3

  City of London

  798

  60

  798

  60

  798

  60

  798

  63

  798

  63

  798

  63

  798

  90

  798

  90

  Cleveland

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  1,502

  0

  Cumbria

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  1,187

  1

  Derbyshire

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  1,850

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  5

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  2,928

  4

  Dorset

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  1,302

  2

  Durham

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  1,389

  1

  Dyfed Powys

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  969

  1

  Essex

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  2,950

  0

  Gloucestershire

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  1,184

  0

  Greater Manchester

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  7,077

  0

  Gwent

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  3

  1,010

  2

  1,010

  2

  Hampshire

  3,269

  2

  3,269

  2

  3,269

  2

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  3,269

  1

  Hertfordshire

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  1,684

  0

  Humberside

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  1

  2,034

  0

  2,034

  0

  Kent1

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  28

  3,136

  38

  Lancashire

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  4

  3,229

  3

  3,229

  3

  3,229

  3

  Leicestershire

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  4

  1,853

  1

  1,853

  1

  1,853

  1

  1,853

  1

  1,853

  1

  Lincolnshire

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  1,206

  0

  Merseyside

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  4,706

  3

  Metropolitan Police

  28,225

  0

  28,211

  0

  28,118

  0

  27,835

  0

  27,851

  0

  27,837

  0

  27,839

  0

  27,839

  0

  Norfolk

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  1,446

  1

  North Wales

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  1

  1,369

  2

  1,369

  2

  1,369

  2

  1,369

  2

  1,369

  2

  1,369

  2

  North Yorkshire

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  1,418

  0

  Northamptonshire

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  1,190

  1

  Northumbria

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  3,613

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  2,344

  13

  South Wales

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  3,168

  3

  South Yorkshire

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  3,031

  0

  Staffordshire

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  2,215

  2

  Suffolk

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  1,233

  1

  Surrey

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  1,673

  17

  Sussex

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  3,014

  1

  Thames Valley

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  70

  3,812

  71

  Warwickshire

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  1,020

  25

  West Mercia

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  2,053

  3

  West Midlands

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  1

  6,977

  0

  6,977

  0

  West Yorkshire

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  3

  5,295

  2

  5,295

  2

  5,295

  2

  Wiltshire

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  1,181

  108

  Total

  126,966

  408

  126,952

  408

  126,859

  409

  126,576

  408

  126,592

  408

  126,578

  406

  126,580

  430

  126,580

  441

  1 40 reimbursable posts approved for Channel Tunnel on 1 January 1993.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 on the number of asylum seekers whose claims he considers to be bogus.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is too early to assess the effect of the Act, but we are monitoring progress carefully.

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number of kerb-crawling prosecutions and cautions under the Sexual Offences Act 1985, for each year since it came into operation;
  56
  (2) if he will list the number of prosecutions for street soliciting by prostitutes in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is given in the tables.

  Number of males cautioned and prosecuted at magistrates' courts for kerb crawling offences1 1985–19922

  England and Wales

  Year

  Cautions

  Prosecutions

  1985

  17

  19

  1986

  46

  191

  1987

  ..

  307

  1988

  ..

  574

  1989

  243

  992

  1990

  227

  1,360

  1991

  149

  1,314

  19922

  331

  1,003

  57
  1 An offence under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985 which came into force on 16 September 1985.

  2 Provisional.

  .. Not available.

  Number of females cautioned and prosecuted at magistrates' courts for street soliciting by prostitutes1 1985–19922

  England and Wales

  Year

  Cautions

  Prosecutions

  1985

  4,191

  9,401

  1986

  4,855

  9,393

  1987

  ..

  8,474

  1988

  ..

  9,183

  1989

  5,014

  10,484

  1990

  4,187

  10,459

  1991

  3,840

  10,165

  19922

  3,653

  9,449

  1 An offence under Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959.

  2 Provisional.

  .. Not available.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government support the proposal that the European Community should become a signatory to the European convention of human rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  All member states of the European Community are parties to the European convention on human rights. We see no need for the European Community, as a legal entity, to accede separately to the convention. The European Court of Justice applies the convention in cases coming before it which raise issues of human rights.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  EC Cultural Affairs Council
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Cultural Affairs Council on 5 November.

  Mr. Brooke
  EC Ministers of Culture met on 5 November 1993 in Brussels. They designated Stockholm as European City of Culture for 1998 and Weimar for 1999. Ljubljana and Nicosia were chosen to host the European cultural month in 1995.

  Ministers held an exchange of views on the economic and job-creating aspects of culture. The Belgian Presidency made an oral report of the informal meeting of Culture Ministers in Antwerp on 19-20 September, and noted that the Commission would be looking again at the issue of fixed book pricing with the aim of finding pragmatic solutions for cross-border transactions within the same linguistic zone. It also noted that the Commission intended to set up an ad hoc group of representatives of the member states to assist it in inventorying the situation of the artist. Ministers also received information from the Commission about the campaign "Reading for Pleasure".

  The Council adopted a resolution concerning the first century of European cinema. It adopted conclusions noting the Commission's communication of 23 July on the subject of the evaluation report on the MEDIA programme. It also
  58
  held an exchange of views on GATT as it affected the audiovisual sector, after hearing information from the Commission about the most recent state of negotiations.

  Ministers agreed a communiqué expressing their concern that artists in Sarajevo continue to express themselves and take part in European cultural exchanges. They invited the Commission to make a financial contribution to the 10th Sarajevo winter festival, as well as noting with approval the intention of some member states to engage in cultural and artistic initiatives as an expression of solidarity with Sarajevo.

  Broadcasting Act 1990
  Mr. James Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to amend the Broadcasting Act 1990.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have today announced that, following careful consideration of the representations that I have received, I have concluded that the present regulations on the ownership of ITV companies should be relaxed. Subject to parliamentary approval, I propose to make an order to amend the rules, so that an ITV company could hold two regional licences in areas with the largest advertising revenue, except in London. No one would be able to own more than two ITV regional licences and the limits on other holdings would continue.

  The statutory provisions on regional broadcasting and the conditions on regional programmes attached to the Independent Television Commission's licences remain in force, even if there are changes in ownership. These provisions safeguard the interests of viewers and, in particular, regional programming, including news and current affairs, which will remain a valuable aspect of the ITV system.

  For the longer term, we shall keep the ownership restrictions under review, and look at the wider questions of cross-media ownership.

  Indemnity Undertakings
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given by Departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six-month period ended 30 September; and what was the value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and which remained outstanding at 30 September.

  Mr. Brooke
  The information my hon. Friend requests is as follows:

  In the six-month period ended 30 September 1993 the following undertakings to indemnify were given by the relevant Departments for items on loan to national and non-national institutions.

  Number

  Department of National Heritage

  601

  Scottish Office Education Department

  64

  Welsh Office Education Department

  26

  Department of Education Northern Ireland

  15

  The value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and outstanding at 30 September 1993 are:

  59

  £

  Department of National Heritage

  1,669,460,665

  Scottish Office Education Department

  34,314,647

  Welsh Office Education Department

  30,467,604

  Department of Education Northern Ireland

  12,487,361

TRANSPORT

  West Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has given to the report of the independent auditors in relation to the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  I expect to receive Hambros' report shortly on the scope for using private finance to renew the infrastructure of the west coast main line.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the director of the west coast main line to discuss investment and infrastructure requirements; and what was the outcome of these talks.

  Mr. Freeman
  I last met the director at the end of October. The study by consultants on the scope for using private finance to renew the infrastructure of the west coast main line was among the subjects discussed. Any decision on the way forward will be made in the light of Hambros' report, which I expect to receive shortly.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each civil service grade in his Department(a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the total number of women employed.

  Mr. Norris
  The current total staff and the number of women in the central Department and its executive agencies is summarised in the table.

  London Underground Limited: Service performance since January 19921 2

  Trains in customer service (Percentage of scheduels trains running at peak hours3)

  Train service headways (Timed interval between trains)

  Train delays over 20 minutes (London Underground Limited attributable and non-attributable causes)

  Four weeks ending

  Performance Per cent.

  Target Per cent.

  Performance Per cent.

  Target Per cent.

  Performance

  Target

  31 January 1992

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  29 February 1992

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  28 March 1992

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  N/a

  25 April 1992

  98·6

  97·5

  95·5

  91·0

  126

  146

  23 May 1992

  97·3

  97·5

  95·4

  91·0

  114

  146

  20 June 1992

  98·0

  97·5

  95·9

  91·0

  140

  146

  18 July 1992

  98·4

  97·5

  95·9

  91·0

  131

  146

  18 August 1992

  98·2

  97·5

  96·5

  91·0

  91

  146

  12 September 1992

  98·4

  97·5

  95·9

  91·0

  107

  146

  10 October 1992

  98·3

  97·5

  96·6

  91·0

  105

  146

  7 November 1992

  97·7

  97·5

  95·0

  91·0

  128

  146

  5 December 1992

  97·9

  97·5

  95·0

  91·0

  149

  146

  2 January 1993

  97·8

  97·5

  94·4

  91·0

  177

  146

  30 January 1993

  97·6

  97·5

  95·0

  91·0

  137

  146

  27 February 1993

  97·0

  97·5

  93·5

  91·0

  162

  146

  31 March 1993

  97·2

  97·5

  94·8

  91·0

  172

  146

  24 April 1993

  97·7

  98·0

  95·2

  95·0

  458

  471

  22 May 1993

  97·8

  98·0

  95·5

  95·0

  57

  71

  19 June 1993

  98·0

  98·0

  95·4

  95·0

  71

  71

  17 July 1993

  98·1

  98·0

  95·7

  95·0

  86

  71

  60

  Administration staff

  Specialist staff

  Grade equivalents

  Total

  Women

  Total

  Women

  Grade 1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 2

  4

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 3

  20

  3

  5

  0

  Grade 4

  3

  0

  13

  0

  Grade 5

  78

  6

  42

  2

  Grade 6

  26

  0

  114

  6

  Grade 7

  292

  52

  495

  23

  Senior Executive Officer

  314

  63

  689

  22

  Higher Executive Officer

  866

  294

  519

  41

  Executive Officer

  1,670

  872

  2,225

  165

  Administrative Officer

  3,619

  2,552

  537

  36

  Administrative Assistant

  3,389

  2,695

  201

  68

  Others

  7

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  10,289

  6,537

  4,840

  1,363

  A418
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect which the EC's Tern programme will have on his Department's proposals for the east-west route and the A418 west of Aylesbury-Wing bypass.

  Mr. Key
  The east-west route was accepted as part of the trans-European road network, TERN, by the Council of Ministers on 29 October. The A418 west of Aylesbury-wing bypass forms part of the route.

  Inclusion in the TERN has no effect on the standards we propose for the route.

  Targets
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing the targets and performance against targets in respect of(a) punctuality and (b) reliability of each of the divisions of British Rail serving the London area, and of London Underground and London Buses, in each month from January 1992.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  61

  Trains in customer service (Percentage of scheduled trains running at peak hours3)

  Train service headways (Timed interval between trains)

  Train delays over 20 minutes (London Underground Limited attributable and non-attributable causes)

  Four weeks ending

  Performance Per cent.

  Target Per cent.

  Performance Per cent.

  Target Per cent.

  Performance

  Target

  14 August 1993

  98·2

  98·0

  95·6

  95·0

  63

  71

  11 September 1993

  98·1

  98·0

  96·4

  95·0

  62

  71

  9 October 1993

  97·9

  98·0

  96·3

  95·0

  66

  71

  Notes:

  1 Source: London Underground Performance Check.

  2 Current series of targets goes back only as far as April 1992. Direct comparison with other targets is not possible. The targets were revised in April 1993, for achievement by 31 March 1994.

  3 Peak measurement times: A.M.—08.50 and P.M.—17.30.

  4 From 24 April 1993 onwards, London Underground Limited attributable causes only.

  London Transport bus service performance since January 199212

  Low frequency services

  4 weeks ending

  Per cent. mileage operated (excluding miles lost due to traffic congestion)

  Target (per cent.)

  High frequency services (excess waiting time (minutes) a new target)

  Target (mins.)

  Per cent. on time3

  Target

  Per cent >2 mins. early

  Target

  1 February 1992

  98·8

  98·0

  n/a

  n/a

  68·8

  65

  8·0

  6·0

  29 February 1992

  99·0

  98·0

  n/a

  n/a

  69·3

  65

  7·4

  6·0

  28 March 1992

  98·1

  98·0

  n/a

  n/a

  68·0

  65

  7·4

  6·0

  25 April 1992

  99·1

  >98·5

  n/a

  n/a

  69·8

  >67

  6·9

  <5·5

  23 May 1992

  99·0

  >98·5

  n/a

  n/a

  68·7

  >67

  7·2

  <5·5

  20 June 1992

  98·9

  >98·5

  n/a

  n/a

  69·6

  >67

  6·9

  <5·5

  18 July 1992

  98·9

  >98·5

  1·58

  <1·75

  70·8

  >67

  7·1

  <5·5

  15 August 1992

  98·9

  >98·5

  1·39

  <1·75

  71·0

  >67

  7·0

  <5·5

  12 September 1992

  99·0

  >98·5

  1·43

  <1·75

  70·0

  >67

  6·9

  <5·5

  10 October 1992

  99·1

  >98·5

  1·71

  <1·75

  67·9

  >67

  6·0

  <5·5

  7 November 1992

  99·0

  >98·5

  1·81

  <1·75

  68·8

  >67

  5·6

  <5·5

  5 December 1992

  99·1

  >98·5

  1·96

  <1·75

  65·6

  67

  5·7

  <5·5

  2 January 1993

  99·1

  >98·5

  2·08

  <1·75

  62·9

  67

  5·4

  <5·5

  30 January 1993

  99·1

  >98·5

  1·60

  <1·75

  68·5

  67

  5·6

  <5·5

  27 February 1993

  99·2

  >98·5

  1·47

  <1·75

  7<1·6

  >67

  5·2

  <5·5

  27 March 1993

  494·1

  >98·5

  1·75

  <1·75

  69·0

  >67

  5·4

  <5·5

  24 April 1993

  595·2

  >98·5

  1·81

  <1·6

  68·9

  >68

  5·9

  <4·5

  23 May 1993

  93·9

  >98·5

  1·99

  <1·6

  >68·3

  >68

  5·5

  <4·5

  19 June 1993

  96·9

  >98·5

  1·94

  <1·6

  68·7

  >68

  4·7

  <4·5

  17 July 1993

  97·1

  >98·5

  1·94

  <1·6

  68·2

  >68

  5·4

  >4·5

  14 August 1993

  97·5

  >98·5

  1·80

  <1·6

  67·6

  >68

  5·6

  <4·5

  11 September 1993

  97·5

  >98·5

  1·78

  <1·6

  65·4

  >68

  5·9

  <4·5

  9 October 1993

  97·9

  >98·5

  2·12

  <1·6

  59·3

  >68

  5·7

  <4·5

  1 Figures are based on London Transport's 4 weekly financial periods.

  2 Previous targets were set in December 1989 for achievement by April 1992 at the latest. All current targets were set on 29 June 1992 and are to be achieved by March 1994.

  3 Defined as no more than 2 minutes early or 5 minutes late.

  4 Mileage operated figures relate to period ending 31 March 1993.

  5 Mileage operated figures exclude four days at the beginning of this period which are included in preceding period.

  British Rail—Network SouthEast: Service performance since January 1992

  Chiltern Line

  Great Eastern

  Great Northern

  Kent Coast

  Kent Link

  London Tilbury Southend

  North London Lines

  Northampton Line

  Solent and Wessex

  South London Lines

  South Western Lines

  Sussex Coast

  Thames Line

  Thameslink

  West Angila

  Punctuality (Percentage of trains arriving within 5 minutes of scheduled times)

  Target

  88·0

  86·0

  90·0

  82·0

  88·0

  85·0

  85·0

  90·0

  86·0

  88·0

  88·0

  83·0

  80·0

  89·0

  88·0

  Four weeks ending:

  31 January 1992

  88·0

  85·0

  93·0

  65·5

  78·0

  88·0

  88·5

  90·5

  82·5

  84·0

  86·5

  84·0

  82·0

  93·5

  89·5

  29 February 1992

  93·0

  87·0

  92·5

  75·0

  81·0

  94·5

  80·5

  91·0

  76·5

  87·5

  87·5

  85·0

  76·5

  90·5

  92·5

  28 March 1992

  93·0

  84·5

  94·0

  73·5

  83·5

  88·0

  87·5

  91·5

  88·5

  84·0

  92·0

  82·5

  89·5

  91·0

  92·5

  25 April 1992

  95·1

  91·6

  94·0

  83·3

  89·1

  87·6

  91·7

  94·8

  93·1

  91·2

  95·1

  88·1

  90·4

  86·1

  92·0

  23 May 1992

  90·7

  89·6

  94·3

  79·6

  86·8

  91·0

  95·3

  86·2

  92·3

  84·4

  92·2

  82·6

  85·2

  86·0

  89·2

  20 June 1992

  96·2

  91·0

  93·2

  78·4

  83·5

  88·1

  93·4

  88·5

  88·0

  89·9

  92·1

  89·2

  88·4

  89·3

  92·5

  18 July 1992

  97·9

  90·1

  95·1

  86·5

  86·4

  91·6

  91·1

  91·0

  83·9

  89·5

  88·3

  85·3

  84·4

  77·7

  89·0

  18 August 1992

  96·6

  93·4

  90·8

  83·3

  90·1

  92·7

  94·3

  89·6

  91·8

  89·4

  92·5

  89·6

  83·6

  89·7

  93·6

  12 September 1992

  98·2

  93·4

  94·5

  88·3

  92·6

  91·7

  98·6

  94·7

  97·1

  92·8

  96·7

  92·3

  86·9

  90·2

  95·1

  10 October 1992

  95·7

  93·2

  88·2

  80·3

  91·4

  90·3

  98·6

  94·7

  97·1

  92·8

  96·7

  92·3

  86·9

  90·2

  95·1

  7 November 1992

  84·7

  89·3

  86·7

  66·4

  77·8

  89·4

  87·5

  90·3

  84·3

  78·3

  86·2

  77·7

  69·1

  76·4

  89·2

  5 December 1992

  86·9

  85·7

  90·1

  68·8

  76·6

  85·6

  87·5

  89·6

  84·2

  82·3

  85·7

  78·7

  72·5

  79·8

  88·5

  2 January 1993

  94·3

  84·1

  89·1

  81·3

  85·3

  93·3

  89·5

  82·7

  85·4

  87·6

  91·1

  78·6

  84·4

  87·1

  89·9

  30 January 1993

  94·0

  88·3

  90·6

  83·5

  86·0

  90·7

  89·5

  89·2

  86·0

  91·4

  92·4

  85·0

  76·5

  87·8

  90·5

  62 63

  Chiltern Line

  Great Eastern

  Great Northern

  Kent Coast

  Kent Link

  London Tilbury Southend

  North London Lines

  Northampton Line

  Solent and Wessex

  South London Lines

  South Western Lines

  Sussex Coast

  Thames Line

  Thameslink

  West Angila

  27 February 1993

  93·4

  91·2

  93·0

  76·5

  78·8

  94·3

  91·4

  91·4

  90·9

  94·4

  95·5

  89·2

  85·9

  90·6

  93·9

  31 March 1993

  95·2

  92·6

  95·3

  63·5

  82·5

  95·2

  91·8

  91·7

  90·3

  91·7

  93·0

  91·3

  74·1

  89·1

  93·2

  New target

  90·0

  86·0

  90·0

  82·0

  88·0

  85·0

  87·0

  90·0

  86·0

  88·0

  88·0

  83·0

  85·0

  89·0

  90·0

  24 April 1993

  96·3

  93·4

  94·4

  84·0

  89·2

  93·8

  92·2

  97·3

  88·3

  95·1

  95·0

  92·3

  83·0

  96·4

  93·5

  22 May 1993

  97·1

  91·8

  93·8

  86·4

  88·5

  89·7

  91·4

  93·2

  88·9

  92·6

  93·3

  88·5

  84·6

  93·4

  93·7

  19 June 1993

  95·9

  89·0

  93·8

  78·4

  88·3

  94·4

  87·3

  89·9

  86·7

  93·0

  92·2

  87·9

  78·0

  92·4

  90·8

  17 July 1993

  97·8

  94·7

  93·8

  87·3

  88·8

  97·9

  91·7

  94·7

  93·1

  93·2

  94·0

  84·6

  68·6

  92·0

  96·0

  14 August 1993

  97·3

  94·2

  93·7

  83·1

  85·8

  96·9

  94·2

  91·7

  91·3

  96·2

  94·1

  95·7

  80·3

  95·2

  98·2

  11 September 1993

  96·2

  90·5

  96·0

  85·4

  86·9

  94·4

  94·3

  93·8

  92·0

  96·0

  97·5

  92·2

  84·1

  92·7

  99·0

  9 October 1993

  97·2

  94·7

  93·9

  85·1

  85·5

  89·0

  90·8

  92·9

  90·7

  88·2

  95·1

  83·0

  84·8

  90·4

  95·9

  5 November 1993

  93·3

  87·1

  88·8

  79·9

  78·2

  90·4

  86·0

  88·9

  76·2

  85·8

  88·1

  84·5

  81·9

  85·1

  93·6

  Reliability (percentage of trains run on weekdays)

  Target

  99·0

  99·0

  99·0

  98·0

  98·0

  97·0

  97·0

  99·0

  98·0

  97·0

  98·0

  99·0

  98·0

  99·0

  98·0

  Four weeks ending:

  31 January 1992

  98·2

  99·4

  99·2

  99·0

  98·6

  97·2

  97·4

  99·6

  99·7

  99·2

  99·7

  99·9

  99·1

  98·7

  98·7

  29 February 1992

  98·9

  98·3

  98·9

  99·3

  98·7

  97·7

  97·5

  99·3

  99·5

  99·0

  99·0

  99·8

  98·4

  98·9

  98·8

  28 March 1992

  99·4

  98·8

  99·5

  98·9

  98·2

  97·8

  97·6

  99·1

  99·7

  98·4

  99·6

  99·9

  98·8

  98·5

  98·9

  25 April 1992

  98·7

  99·0

  99·5

  99·5

  98·7

  95·9

  95·6

  99·6

  99·6

  98·4

  99·5

  99·8

  98·6

  96·3

  98·0

  23 May 1992

  98·7

  99·1

  99·4

  99·3

  98·9

  98·0

  97·8

  99·4

  99·5

  97·4

  99·6

  99·5

  98·8

  98·5

  99·1

  20 June 1992

  98·7

  99·2

  99·1

  99·5

  98·3

  98·3

  98·2

  98·4

  99·6

  98·0

  99·7

  99·6

  99·1

  99·7

  98·8

  18 July 1992

  99·1

  99·0

  99·3

  99·3

  98·2

  95·8

  96·4

  99·5

  99·6

  97·5

  99·1

  99·3

  98·7

  98·2

  98·7

  18 August 1992

  99·7

  98·9

  98·4

  99·4

  98·8

  96·7

  95·7

  99·6

  99·7

  97·4

  99·3

  99·5

  98·1

  98·7

  99·0

  12 September 1992

  99·5

  99·3

  98·7

  99·4

  98·6

  98·2

  97·9

  99·9

  99·5

  96·1

  99·7

  99·4

  97·6

  98·8

  99·2

  10 October 1992

  99·4

  99·2

  97·8

  99·5

  97·9

  97·5

  96·6

  99·8

  99·7

  97·0

  99·7

  99·7

  98·9

  98·8

  98·7

  7 November 1992

  97·9

  98·8

  99·3

  99·5

  98·1

  98·5

  96·8

  99·1

  99·2

  96·7

  99·5

  99·1

  95·5

  99·4

  99·0

  5 December 1992

  99·3

  98·6

  99·4

  98·4

  96·2

  97·8

  97·0

  99·7

  99·4

  97·8

  99·2

  99·6

  98·6

  98·9

  99·2

  2 January 1993

  99·7

  98·5

  98·7

  99·4

  96·5

  98·2

  95·7

  99·3

  98·6

  97·6

  98·3

  99·8

  97·9

  99·4

  98·7

  30 January 1993

  99·2

  99·3

  98·9

  99·6

  98·6

  98·1

  97·1

  98·8

  99·3

  99·0

  99·6

  99·8

  98·4

  99·4

  98·9

  27 February 1993

  99·3

  99·1

  99·1

  99·6

  96·1

  98·2

  96·2

  99·7

  99·6

  98·7

  99·5

  99·5

  98·5

  98·9

  98·9

  31 March 1993

  99·8

  99·6

  99·6

  99·6

  97·5

  98·1

  93·5

  98·1

  99·6

  98·4

  99·6

  99·9

  97·0

  99·3

  99·1

  24 April 1993

  99·5

  99·6

  99·4

  99·7

  98·4

  98·4

  95·6

  100·0

  99·5

  99·0

  99·7

  99·9

  198·5

  99·5

  99·2

  22 May 1993

  99·6

  99·3

  99·3

  99·8

  97·8

  97·8

  96·0

  99·7

  99·8

  98·6

  99·8

  99·8

  98·9

  99·6

  99·2

  19 June 1993

  99·5

  99·1

  98·3

  99·4

  97·4

  98·7

  95·4

  98·7

  99·3

  99·1

  99·6

  99·3

  95·1

  97·5

  98·3

  17 July 1993

  99·5

  99·6

  98·9

  99·7

  97·4

  99·3

  98·8

  99·3

  99·8

  99·2

  98·0

  99·7

  97·8

  99·4

  98·7

  14 August 1993

  99·4

  99·5

  98·6

  99·8

  98·5

  99·4

  96·6

  99·8

  99·4

  99·4

  99·6

  99·8

  98·8

  99·2

  99·5

  11 September 1993

  99·7

  99·1

  99·4

  99·0

  97·1

  99·2

  98·3

  99·7

  99·6

  99·2

  99·5

  99·7

  98·6

  99·3

  99·5

  9 October 1993

  99·8

  99·6

  99·5

  99·7

  97·9

  97·9

  97·0

  99·4

  99·7

  98·5

  99·6

  99·7

  98·3

  98·5

  99·4

  5 November 1993

  99·2

  99·1

  98·7

  99·5

  97·8

  97·6

  97·4

  99·6

  99·4

  98·3

  99·5

  99·7

  97·8

  98·7

  98·5

  Note:

  1 New target of 98·5 per cent, set in April 1993.

  Road Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to improve control and project management of road contracts.

  Mr. Key
  A number of initiatives is in hand ranging from training in the techniques necessary for effective project management to the wider use of design and build forms of contract.

  Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the seventh annual report of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Freeman
  The report has now been formally received by my right hon. Friend. Copies have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Marine Safety
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive from Lord Donaldson the report of the inquiry set up by him into aspects of marine safety.
  64
  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend expects to receive the report of the inquiry chaired by Lord Donaldson in the early part of next year.

  MV Braer
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet received the report from the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau on the grounding of the MV Braer off Shetland on 5 January; and when he expects the publication of the report.

  Mr. Norris
  The Secretary of State has not yet received the report of the chief inspector of marine accidents into the grounding of the Braer, but expects to do so before the end of the year. Publication will follow as soon as practicable thereafter.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she expects to be able to make a response to the Veterinary Products Committee report on organophosphorus sheep dips; and if she will make a statement.
  65
  Mr. Soames
  The Veterinary Products Committee met on 21 October to consider the future authorisation of organophosphorus sheep dip products. A statement will be made shortly about the committee's advice and the Government's response.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list for each civil service grade in her Department(a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the total number of women employed.

  Mr. Jack
  The information set out as at 22 November 1993 relates to non-industrial staff in MAFF and its agencies.

  Total staff

  Total number of women

  Grade 1

  1

  0

  Grade 2

  6

  1

  Grade 3

  27

  2

  Grade 4

  12

  0

  Grade 5

  119

  12

  Grade 6

  163

  16

  Grade 7

  927

  162

  SEO

  983

  177

  HEO

  1,923

  575

  EO

  1,942

  890

  AO

  2,798

  1,796

  AA

  2,768

  1,960

  Total

  11,669

  5,591

  The figures are given by grade equivalent and include all permanent staff, casuals and staff on temporary release. Part-time staff are counted as 1·0.

  Live Animals (Transport)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions she is having to ensure a maximum eight-hour journey for the transport of live animals.

  Mr. Soames
  Negotiations are proceeding on Commission proposals for additional rules for the protection of animals during transport. The Commission examined the case for journey limits but concluded that they would be unenforceable.

  Whales
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on progress towards a southern ocean sanctuary for whales.

  Mr. Jack
  At the 45th meeting of the International Whaling Commission, held in Japan in May this year, the United Kingdom made clear its support for the concept of a whale sanctuary in the Southern ocean. A number of the IWC contracting parties argued that they needed more time to study some of the detailed aspects of the sanctuary approach, such as the definition of boundaries, matters of jurisdiction and future research plans for such a sanctuary. The Commission decided to endorse the concept of the sanctuary and agreed to work to resolve outstanding issues at a special intersessional working group with a view to taking a final decision at the 46th meeting of the 66
  Commission next May. The intersessional working group is to take place in Australia in February next year. The United Kingdom will attend and will play a full and positive part in the group's deliberations.

  Farms
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm holdings were registered with her Department in September.

  Mr. Jack
  A total of 194,000 farms, names and addresses were on the farm holdings list maintained by the Department in 1993.

  Agriculture Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff were employed in her Department and within agencies accountable to her dealing with agriculture in September.

  Mr. Jack
  Approximately 8,000 of the staff employed by the Department and its agencies deal with agriculture-related matters. This figure excludes ADAS staff working in Wales who are covered by the Welsh Office Agricultural Department's reply.

  Farm-saved Seeds
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received on liability for royalty payments for farm-saved seeds in preparation for the November meeting of the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 23 November 1993]: I have received a number of representations both from individual farmers and from some local branches of the National Farmers Union. The question of farm-saved seed is under current consideration as part of the draft EC proposal for a European plant variety rights scheme. The current proposals include a five-year, renewable, derogation that will enable farmers to continue saving seed of the varieties they use in this way at present without the payment of any royalty. For farm-saved seed of varieties not saved at present by individual farmers, a sensibly lower royalty will apply. Our aim in the negotiations will be to ensure that this principle is retained in the final regulation.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Welfare Benefits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the taxation of welfare benefits, with particular reference to invalidity benefit.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It remains the Government's intention to bring invalidity benefit into taxation at a suitable opportunity.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each member state of the European Economic Community the rates levied by value added tax on food in shops, household fuel,
  67
  children's clothing, books, newspapers and magazines, public transport, water and sewage services, newly constructed homes, second-hand homes and the standard of

  VAT rates on various supplies in the EC

  Rate of VAT

  Household purchase

  Country

  Food in shops4

  Household fuel

  Children's clothing

  Books18

  Newspapers and magazines18

  Public transport

  Water and sewage supplies

  New34

  Second-hand

  Standard rate

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Belgium

  6

  12, 1119·5

  19·5

  6

  0, 206

  6

  296, 19·5

  6,12,19·5

  36Exempt

  19·5

  Denmark

  25

  25

  25

  25

  0,2125

  22Exempt, 25

  30Exempt, 25

  25

  Exempt

  25

  France1

  5·5, 518·6

  5·5, 1218·6

  18·6

  5·5

  2·1

  230, 5·5

  18·6, 315·5

  18·6

  Exempt

  18·6

  Germany

  7

  15

  15

  7

  7

  247, 15

  7, 2915

  36Exempt

  36Exempt

  15

  Greece2

  8 (6)

  8 13(6), 18, (13)

  18 (13)

  4 (3)

  4 (3)

  8 (6)

  18 (13), 8 (6)

  18, 36(13)

  36Exempt

  18 (13)

  Ireland

  0, 612·5

  12·5

  0

  0

  12·5

  Exempt

  21

  12·5

  Exempt, 4112·5

  21

  Italy

  4, 9, 712

  9, 12, 1419

  12

  4

  4

  25Exempt, 9,12,19

  19

  4, 3719

  4, 3719

  19

  Luxembourg

  3

  6,1512

  3

  3

  3

  15

  32Exempt, 15

  36Exempt

  36Exempt

  15

  Netherlands

  6

  17·5

  17·5

  6

  6

  266, 17·5

  6, 2917·5

  3617·5

  36Exempt

  17·5

  Portugal3

  5 (4), 16 8(12)

  5 16(4), 16(12)

  16 (12)

  5 19(4)

  5 19(4)

  270,5

  5 (4), 16 29(12)

  36Exempt, 5 38(4)

  36Exempt

  16 (12)

  Spain

  3, 96

  15

  15

  3

  3

  6

  6

  3, 6, 3915

  Exempt

  15

  United Kingdom

  0,1017·5

  0,1717·5

  0

  0

  0

  280, 17·5

  330, 17·5

  0, 4017·5

  Exempt, 420

  17·5

  Notes to table showing VAT rates applied to various supplies in the EC

  1. The following rates apply generally in Corsica: 0·9 per cent., 2·1 per cent., 8 per cent. and 13 per cent.

  2. The rate in brackets applies in the departments of Lesbos, Chios, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades, and in the island of Thasos, the Northern Sporades, Samothrace and Skyros. These special rates do not apply to goods sold from the rest of Greece to the Dodecanese, industrial-tobacco products, ready petroleum products, electricity or the supply of services.

  3. The rates in brackets apply in the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores Archipelagoes.

  4. Excluding luxury foods.

  5. Sweets, ice-cream and margarine are subject to the standard rate of 18·6 per cent.

  6. Cakes, crackers and wafers as well as biscuits and chocolate biscuits are subject to the reduced rate of 12 per cent. Alcohol and soft drinks other than fruit juices are subject to 21 per cent. VAT in all circumstances, as is all food and drink supplied through a vending machine.

  7. The lowest rate applies to essential foodstuffs such as bread and pasta. 12 per cent. applies to lobsters and oysters, lobster and oyster preserve, puffed cereal, meat extracts and meat juices, sauces, condiments, soup and broth.

  8. The lower rate applies to unprepared foodstuffs.

  9. 3 per cent applies to ordinary bread, breadmaking flour and cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables.

  10. Food such as ice-cream, chocolate and confectionery, alcoholic and soft drinks, potato crisps are subject to the standard rate of 17·5 per cent.

  11. The reduced rate applies coal and peat.

  12. The standing charge is subject to <5·5 per cent and the actual supply of heating to 18·6 per cent.

  13. Wood is subject to the reduced rate.

  14. The following are subject to 9 per cent.: wood; electricity and gas for domestic and some industrial uses (excluding gas for domestic heating) and oil. Coal is subject to 12 per cent.

  15. The 6 per cent. rate applies to gas and electricity; wood, oil and coal are subject to 12 per cent.

  16. 5 per cent. applied to electricity and oil.

  17. Fuel for business use is subject to the standard rate of 17·5 per cent. Domestic fuel will be subject to a temporary rate of 8 per cent. from 1 April 1994 and then to the standard rate from 1 April 1995.

  18. Obscene and pornographic material is generally standard rated except in Portugal, where the increased rate applies (30 per cent. in the mainland and 21 per cent. in the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores archipelagoes).

  19. Providing they are considered in the legislation covering these items to be of a cultural, education, recreational or sporting nature.

  20. Magazines and newspapers which appear at least 50 times a year and whose aim is to educate or entertain the general public are subject to the zero rate.

  21. 25 per cent. applies to magazines; 0 per cent. to newspapers.

  22. Transport on regular services is exempt, but on chartered buses is taxable at 25 per cent.

  23 0 per cent. applies to transport in one of the French overseas departments, including Corsica, or overseas territories, by ship or plane.

  24. 7 per cent. applies to transport by rail (excluding funicular railways), in overhead system electric coaches in licensed passenger road transport services and taxis, and on ferries, provided that such transport either takes place within a town or does not exceed 50 kilometres in length. The reduced rate also applies to the transport of employees between their home and work place by employers in their own name and for their own account.
  68
  tax most recently adopted together with notes that outline the most important distinctions where different rates are charged within each category.

  Sir John Cope
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  69
  25. Exemption applies to transport between towns and less than 50 kilometres apart; 9 per cent. applies to transportation in certain vehicles; 12 per cent. applies to air passenger transport.

  26. 6 per cent. applies to transport by rail, tramway or trolleybus, or on ships or ferries, as well as by means of taxi, and aircraft (if the place of departure and arrival are both in the Netherlands).

  27. 0 per cent. applies to transport between Madeira, the Azores and mainland Portugal.

  28. 0 per cent. applies to the following passenger transport: in any vehicle, ship or aircraft designed or adapted to carry not less than twelve passengers; by the Post Office; or on any scheduled flight.

  29. The reduced rate applies to the supply of water; the standard rate to sewage services.

  30. Exempt applies to supplies of water in connection with the letting of a house or premises.

  31. The standard rate applies to the supply of water; the reduced rate to sewage services.

  32. Exemption applies if supplied to joint owners or lessees of apartment buildings by a union of joint owners for the management of property.

  33. 17·5 per cent. applies to supplies made to industry.

  34. In general, sales of new housing are exempt except where they are sold by a building contractor.

  35. 6 per cent. applies to housing for the handicapped; 12 per cent. applies to social housing.

  36. There is the option to tax under certain conditions.

  37. 4 per cent. applies to certain social housing.

  38. 5 per cent. applies to certain constructions of housing by housing associations or local government bodies.

  39. 3 per cent. applies to certain buildings defined as having official protection status; 6 per cent. applies to the joint supply dwellings and their garages and outbuildings.

  40. The zero rate applies if sold by the constructor.

  41. 12·5 per cent. applies if the property was developed since 31 October 1972 and if the input tax was entitled to be reclaimed.

  42. The zero rate applies providing the building is listed and has been substantially reconstructed.

  Charities
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has made to the report of the Charities Tax Reform Group regarding the tax paid by charities in 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  The hon. Member would not expect me to make a statement on taxation matters at this time.

  Community Duties
  Mr. Kinnock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards encouraging employers to allow employees paid time off from work to permit them to fulfil elected and non-elected public and community duties on statutory bodies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Employees who serve in a public capacity as specified in section 29 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 are generally entitled to reasonable time off work to carry out their duties. Whether they should be paid for such time off is for employers and employees to agree between themselves. However, we encourage employers who are able to assist employees to undertake these important duties by whatever means are appropriate to their circumstances.

  Tax Fraud
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions were brought in each of the last five years as the result of tax fraud; and how many of these related to false accounts and income returns.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the annual report of the board of Inland Revenue for 1992–93·Appendix 1, table 6·copies of which were laid before Parliament on 29 September 1993.

  Manufacturing
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest gross domestic product figures for manufacturing in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Mr. Nelson
  Gross domestic product figures for manufacturing for England, Scotland and Wales for 1991 were published in the December 1992 issue of "Economic Trends".
  70
  More recent figures for United Kingdom manufacturing are available from the CSO database and can be accessed by the House of Commons Library.

  The Scottish Office and Welsh Office publish their own quarterly series for manufacturing output. The latest Welsh figures were published on 13 October in a news release "Welsh Index of Production and Construction 2nd quarter 1993". Scottish figures were published on 10 November in a news release "Index of Production and Construction for Scotland for the second quarter 1993". These are also available from the House of Commons Library.

  Similar information for England is not available.

  Capital Allowances
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the increase in first-year capital allowances for investment in plant and machinery which was announced in the autumn statement of 1992 to cover the period 1 November 1992 to the end of October 1993 cost in 1992–93; and how much it has cost so far in 1993–94.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 23 November 1993]: Available estimates of the direct revenue effects of enhanced capital allowances announced in the 1992 autumn statement are as follows:

  £ million

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96 (yield +ve/cost -ve)

  nil

  -200

  -700

  +50

  The effects include enhanced allowances for industrial and agricultural buildings but the majority is accounted for by allowances for plant and machinery. The estimates are provisional. Information is not yet available from tax assessments for the relevant period.

EMPLOYMENT

  Disabled People
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans the Government have to improve the employment prospects of disabled people.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government will continue to seek improved employment prospects for disabled
  71
  people through a programme of educating and persuading employers as well as by providing wide-ranging and effective practical help. Specific plans include the introduction of "Access to Work" on 1 April 1994, which will provide more flexible employment help for a greater range of disabled people, for example, communication support for deaf people, and support workers for people with severe physical disabilities, mental illness or learning disabilities. We have also published a consultation document with proposals for improving the way in which the sheltered employment programme can help severely disabled people.

  London University (Redundancies)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those colleges which are full schools of the university of London and have declined to pay redundant employees statutory redundancy pay in 1992 and 1993; and what action he proposes to take against colleges which have refused to reimburse his Department.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Disputes about entitlement to statutory redundancy payments are matters for the employer and employee(s) concerned, for determination by an industrial tribunal if necessary.

  A statutory redundancy payment was made by the Department to a former employee of Goldsmiths' college in March 1993 following an award by an industrial tribunal. The provisions of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 enable the Department to seek recovery of the payment from the employer. The Department takes all reasonable steps to recover such debts.

  ABB Transportation Ltd.
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people made redundant by ABB Transportation Ltd. in York in the past three months have(a) claimed unemployment benefit, (b) been paid unemployment benefit, (c) had their unemployment benefit suspended and (d) had their unemployment benefit reinstated without loss of benefit.

  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 M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 24 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 people made redundant by ABB Transportation Ltd. who had claimed unemployment benefit, been paid unemployment benefit, been suspended from payment of unemployment benefit, and whose unemployment benefit had been reinstated. This is something which falls within the responsibilities he has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Unfortunately, the information is not available. No records are kept on the number of clients claiming benefit who have been made redundant from a particular firm, or about the status of their claim. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  I am sorry I cannot be of help on this occasion.
  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.

  Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Duncan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Social Affairs Council held on 23 November.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I and the Minister of State for Employment attended the meeting of the Labour and Social Affairs Council held on 23 November.

  Final agreement was reached on the draft directive on working time. The agreement retains all the key changes which the United Kingdom had secured in the earlier common position. In particular:
  the right for individual workers to work more than 48 hours a week if they wish;
  that Sunday working should remain a matter for national law; and
  provision to allow company and plant agreements to derogate from the main provisions of the directive.

  In the Government's view, however, the directive represents a misuse of the health and safety provisions of the Single European Act and accordingly the Government will be challenging the legal base of the directive in the European Court of Justice.

  Final agreement was also reached on the draft directive on the protection of workers on board fishing vessels, following consideration of the European Parliament's comments.

  The Council also reached a common position on the draft directive on the protection of young workers on which a political agreement to meet our concerns had been reached at the last Council. The common position confirms the United Kingdom's renewable option not to implement the key parts of articles 8 and 9 of the draft directive dealing with daily and weekly hours of work and restrictions on night work for 16 and 17-year-olds and ensures that young people below school leaving age can continue, as now, to undertake light work such as newspaper deliveries from the age of 13 on the same basis as at present.

  The Council also discussed the draft directives on parental leave and on the burden of proof in the area of equal pay and equal treatment for women and men. On neither was an agreement reached. A number of member states, including the United Kingdom, continue to have difficulties with the proposals.

  The Council also heard presentations from the Social Affairs Commissioner on his Green Paper on European social policy and on progress with the Commission's draft White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment. He also reported that, on the draft directive on European works councils, the Commission had initiated the process of consultation under the agreement of the Eleven set out in the protocol to the Maastricht treaty. The Council was also given brief progress reports on the draft directives on non-standard employment and the posting of workers.

  There was also a discussion on a proposed Community programme on social exclusion, to follow the current Poverty 3 programme. Opinions were divided on the timing of any new programme and the size of its budget.

  Finally a declaration was agreed to mark the end of the European Year of Older People and Solidarity between Generations.

SCOTLAND

  Farm Holdings
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm holdings were registered with his Department in September.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Including common grazings, the total of farm holdings recorded with the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department on the agricultural census file on 22 November 1993 is 52,383. Since this file is continuously updated it is not possible to provide figures as at September. However, the September total is unlikely to be significantly different from the above quoted figure.

  Agriculture Agencies
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff were employed within his Department and within agencies accountable to him dealing with agriculture in September.

  Education authority schools (including nursery and special schools)

  1992

  1993

  Number

  As percentage of pupils present

  Number

  As percentage of pupils present

  Pupils present on census day

  695,201

  —

  687,081

  —

  Pupils taking school meals

  —on payment

  227,740

  32·8

  238,493

  34·7

  —free

  107,186

  15·4

  107,709

  15·7

  —Total

  334,926

  48·2

  346,202

  50·4

  Pupils bringing their own food to school 1

  132,263

  19·0

  122,812

  17·9

  1 A number of pupils took neither school meals nor brought food to school. These pupils would generally either have gone home for lunch or have eaten out locally.

  A detailed statement of the returns from education authorities from which these national figures are derived is being placed in the Library.

  Primary

  Secondary

  11992 Per cent.

  21993 Per cent.

  31992 Per cent.

  41993 Per cent.

  Pupils taking school meals

  52·9

  55·2

  46·1

  47·8

  Pupils bringing own food

  27·6

  26·9

  8·4

  6·2

  1Includes 14 special departments where data have been included in primary school figures.

  2Includes 3 special and 3 nursery departments where data has been included in primary school figures.

  3Includes 17 special departments where special data have been included in secondary school figures.

  4Includes 1 primary and 9 special departments where data has been included in secondary school figures.

  Sixty seven per cent. of all meals served are cafeteria style:

  1992

  1993

  Paid

  Free

  Total

  Percentage of pupils present

  Paid

  Free

  Total

  Percentage of pupils present

  Pupils taking fixed meals

  71,824

  35,260

  107,084

  15·4

  77,690

  37,047

  114,737

  16·7

  Pupils taking cafeteria meals

  155,916

  71,926

  227,842

  32·7

  160,803

  70,662

  231,465

  33·7

  Council Tax
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals against liability for the council tax have been made this year in Scotland; what is the average length of time taken to hear these appeals; and what proportion of appeals was successful.
  74
  Mr. Lang
  At 1 October 1993 the number of staff employed within my Department and executive agencies dealing with agriculture was 1,046.

  School Meals
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of the annual census of school meals in Scotland held in January 1993; and what were the corresponding 1992 results.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table. The number of pupils taking school meals has continued to increase, despite a fall in the number of pupils present on census day. Just over half the pupils present on census day took school meals with a further estimated 17·9 per cent. bringing their own food to school. Free meals formed 31 per cent. of the total meals provided. Cafeteria style meals remain more popular than two-course fixed meals.

  The following table shows, as a percentage of pupils attending their respective sectors, those primary and secondary pupils taking meals or bringing their own food.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 23 November 1993]: Scottish local authority finance departments have notified the Scottish Office of a total of six appeals against liability for the council tax, lodged in the period up to September 1993. All these appeals were withdrawn by the appellants.

  Amkor Anam Europe Ltd.
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his Department has recovered in grant assistance from Amkor Anam Europe Ltd. following the closure of its Irvine plant in November 1992.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 23 November 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 5 November, c. 241.

  Maternity Benefits
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will extend the provision of statutory maternity benefits to adoptive mothers.

  Mr. Hague
  I have been asked to reply.

  Statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance provide a measure of earnings replacement to help working women give up work around the time of the birth in the interests of their own and their unborn baby's health. There are no plans to extend maternity benefits to mothers of adopted children.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to place on the agenda of the meeting between the European Community Foreign Affairs Council and the United States Government the proliferation consequences for global security policies of the planned expansion of reprocessing capacity at nuclear facilities in the EC.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The date and the agenda for the next meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and the United States Government have not yet been fixed.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pressure was exerted by United Kingdom representatives at the United Nations on delegates of the non-aligned movement in order to dissuade them from supporting that movement's resolution of November on the legality of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None. We spoke to representatives of various countries about the proposed resolution and put to them our arguments against it.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means his Department keeps under review the prospects for entering British strategic nuclear weapons into multilateral disarmament negotiations.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  This is a matter primarily for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. Our policy takes continually into account developments in the strategic environment, the effectiveness of measures designed to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the need to maintain force levels sufficient to provide a credible minimum deterrent.
  76
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is his Department's position on the adoption of a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons by the United Kingdom;

  (2) what consideration his Department is giving to the implications for (a) the United Kingdom and (b) NATO of the declaration of a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons by the United States of America.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said in a speech on 16 November, we are deeply sceptical about the value of any such declaration, the implication of which would be that conventional aggression could be undertaken without fear of crossing the nuclear threshold.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the prospects of the Government entering British strategic nuclear weapons into multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We see no immediate prospect of United Kingdom strategic nuclear weapons being entered into multilateral disarmament negotiations.

  European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish a consolidated version of the treaty of Rome, as amended by the treaty of European Union, either together with or separate from the remaining parts of that treaty.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  A consolidated text of the treaty of Rome incorporating the amendments made by the treaty on European Union was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (C244 Volume 35) on 31 August 1992. It has been available through HMSO outlets since that time. We have no present plans ourselves to publish a consolidated version of the treaty.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ways in which the United Kingdom has sought to honour its obligations under article VI of the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have already announced significant reductions in our sub-strategic nuclear capability, including ending our role in deployment of Lance missile and nuclear artillery in Europe, ending our maritime tactical nuclear capability and a reduction of about 50 per cent. in the number of our nuclear free-fall bombs. In addition my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 16 November that each Trident submarine would carry no more than 96 warheads compared with the previous intention to carry no more than 128, and that the actual number might be significantly fewer. We believe that a comprehensive test ban and a convention prohibiting the production of fissile material for weapons purposes could, if widely applicable and effectively verifiable, make a valuable contribution to non-proliferation and we have made clear that we are prepared to work for the conclusion of such agreements.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards countries seeking to develop and deploy nuclear weapons for their own national self-defence.
  77
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 157 countries have already committed themselves to non-nuclear weapon status by acceding to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as non-nuclear weapon states. We look to these states to honour their obligations under the treaty. We continue to urge the remaining 28 non-parties to the treaty to accede at the earliest possible date.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's attitude to the non-aligned movement's resolution on the legality of nuclear weapons submitted this month to the Disarmament Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The resolution was, in the end, not put to a vote. We believe anyway that the use of nuclear weapons would have to be judged as lawful or not in the light of the particular circumstances in which they were used and that therefore it would be wrong to burden the International Court of Justice with this hypothetical question.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means the declaration on the entry into force of the treaty on European Union made by the General Council of the European Community has been officially published and publicised in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  A copy of the declaration made by the European Council on the entry into force of the treaty on European Union has been deposited in the Library of the House, as has a copy of the report of the General Affairs Council on implementation of the treaty.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Scretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he intends to implement the common foreign and security policy of the European Union in the interest of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We will work with other member states to build on European political co-operation and ensure that intergovernmental co-operation under the common foreign and security policy works effectively. We will continue to press for an active common foreign and security policy in areas in which member states have important interests in common.

  Argentina
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received from(a) overseas Governments and (b) commercial companies with regard to the relaxation of the embargo on the sale of military equipment to Argentina.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Any discussions that take place with overseas Governments on the question of the sale of military equipment to Argentina are confidential. We are not aware of any approaches to the Department from commercial companies about a relaxation of the embargo on the sale of military equipment to Argentina.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further information he has received about Mr. Ghazanfer Ali in prison in Pakistan.
  78
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I wrote to the hon. Member for Bradford, West on 27 October with information on the three cases involving two murder charges and an illegal possession of firearms charge against Ghazanfer Ali. The cases have been further adjourned until 23 November, 7 and 11 December.

  Government Communications Headquarters
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation at GCHQ arising from his recent meeting with civil service union leaders.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have had no such meeting. On 10 November, officials, including Sir Robin Butler, had a further meeting with the civil service unions. Various suggestions from both sides were discussed, but no agreement was reached.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Saudi Government to allow the same freedom of religion internally as that enjoyed by Saudi nationals in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our European Community partners consistently seek opportunities to discuss human rights, including freedom of worship, with the Saudi authorities, who can be in no doubt of the strength of our views on this issue. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last did so during his visit to Saudi Arabia in September this year.

  India
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the Indian Foreign Minister to discuss human rights in India.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last met the Indian Foreign Minister in New Delhi on 15 November, when he discussed bilateral issues. There are no definite plans for their next meeting. He discussed human rights during meetings with the Indian Prime Minister and Home Minister in New Delhi on 15 November.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will give their support for the establishment of an endangered species task force in Hong Kong, under the auspices of the police and customs, to enforce domestic and international bans on trade in rhinoceros products; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As a result of a recent review, the Hong Kong Government have decided to establish an endangered species protection liaison group with responsibility for information gathering, planning and co-ordination of enforcement operations and co-ordinating liaison with national and international agencies including non-governmental organisations.
  79
  We fully support these efforts by the Hong Kong Government to improve the enforcement of their endangered species legislation which includes a ban in trade in rhino products.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to issue his five-yearly report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee on British human rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom is due to submit its next report to the Human Rights Committee in August 1994.

  European Institutes
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give estimates for the number of jobs which will be created directly by each of the European institutes whose location was agreed at the European summit on 29 October.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Reliable estimates do not exist for staffing levels of all the institutions in question, although staff numbers will be constrained by budgetary limits. Jobs will not in all cases be fitted by new staff. We understand the position to be as follows:

  European Environment Agency

  The agency's first work programme will be agreed in mid-1994 and organisations will then be chosen as topic centres to carry out specific projects. Until then, it is not possible to estimate the number of jobs which could be created by the agency.

  European Training Foundation

  There is no information currently available about the likely staffing level of the European Training Foundation.

  Office for Veterinary and Plant-health Inspection and Control

  There is no information currently available about the likely staffing level of the Office for Veterinary and Plant-Health Inspection and Control.

  European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

  The Commission anticipates that the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction will create approximately 30 posts.

  European Medicines Evaluation Agency

  A report prepared for the Commission by independent consultants estimated that staffing levels would be up to 150 full-time staff in 1995 when the EMEA begins business, rising to some 250 by 1999.

  Agency for Health and Safety at Work

  There is no information currently available about the likely staffing level of the Agency for Health and Safety at Work.

  European Monetary Institute/European Central Bank

  It will be for the Council of the European Monetary Institute to decide on the number of staff employed in the Institute. The EMI's Council has not yet met to consider its staffing level.

  Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market

  In 1990 the Commission, based on a study by consultants, estimated staff numbers at about 300.
  80
  Europol (and Europol Drugs Unit)

  The Europol Drugs Unit is the pre-convention phase of Europol. Staffing numbers are still only estimates and cannot be clarified until 1 April 1994 when the Europol Drugs Unit moves out of its start-up phase. Estimates are that the Unit will start with about 30 members of staff, including support staff. This will be augmented by additional analysts, liaison officers and support staff as the work demands but is not expected to go beyond 60 to 70 in the pre-convention phase.

  European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)

  Seventy six people are currently employed in CEDEFOP's Berlin seat. At the European Council on 29 October 1993 it was decided that CEDEFOP's seat should move to Thessaloniki. No change in staffing level is envisaged as a result of the move.

  Plutonium Smuggling
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from his German counterpart on the evidence held against British citizen Albert Derbyshire on trial in Flensburg for smuggling plutonium from Russia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Evidence against Mr. Derbyshire is available only to the prosecuting authorities and his defence lawyer. It is not available to foreign Governments. Mr. Derbyshire's guilt or innocence is a matter for the German courts and Mr. Derbyshire's lawyer.

  COCOM
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the future of COCOM;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the co-ordinating committee on multilateral export controls held in The Hague on 16 November.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Representatives of the Governments participating in COCOM met in The Hague on 16 November. They agreed that COCOM should be terminated as soon as possible, but no later than 31 March 1994. There was also broad agreement that at the same time, new arrangements should be established to promote transparency and responsibility in the transfer of armaments and related dual use goods: the details of the new arrangements remain to be decided.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for each civil service grade in his Department(a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the total number of women employed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As at 1 April 1993, the number of persons and the number of women employed in each grade within this Department, including agencies, was:

  Total number of persons employed

  Total number of women employed

  Open structure

  Grade 1

  1

  —

  Grade 2

  2

  —

  81

  Total number of persons employed

  Total number of women employed

  Grade 3

  14

  1

  Grade 4

  2

  —

  Grade 5

  8>4·5

  <5·5

  Grade 6

  102

  9

  Grade 7

  373

  53

  Occupational groups

  Senior Executive Officer

  217

  26

  Higher Executive Officer (D)

  9

  3

  Higher Executive Officer

  536·5

  109

  Executive Officer

  1,10<5·5

  322

  Administrative Officer

  928

  55>4·5

  Administrative Assistant

  318

  171·5

  Senior Economic Assistant

  13

  —

  Economic Assistant

  2

  1

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2

  1

  Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  Senior Information Officer

  14

  9

  Information Officer

  33

  21

  Assistant Information Officer

  12

  7

  Senior Librarian

  4

  4

  Librarian

  7

  7

  Assistant Librarian

  21·5

  15·5

  Museum Curatorial Grade D

  3

  3

  Museum Curatorial Grade E

  1

  1

  Museum Curatorial Grade F

  2

  —

  Senior P and T Officer

  51

  2

  Higher P and T Officer

  51

  1

  P and T Officer

  22

  —

  Technical Grade 1

  8

  —

  Higher Mapping and Charting Officer

  1

  —

  Mapping and Charting Officer

  1

  —

  Mapping and Charting Officer Technical Grade 1

  1

  1

  Senior Research Officer (R)

  10

  1

  Typing Manager

  4·5

  4·5

  Senior Personal Secretary

  7·5

  7·5

  Personal Secretary 142·5

  142·5

  Typist

  76

  75

  Senior Scientific Officer

  7>4·5

  1>4·5

  Higher Scientific Officer

  53

  18

  Scientific Officer

  33

  11

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  18·5

  9·5

  Catering Manager 1

  1

  —

  Catering Manager 2

  1

  —

  Catering Manager 3

  2

  —

  Higher Photographic Officer

  1

  —

  Photographic Officer

  1

  —

  P and GS Grade B

  3

  —

  P and GS Grade C

  5

  —

  P and GS Grade D

  11

  —

  P and GS Grade E

  16

  —

  Stores Officer Grade B

  1

  —

  Stores Officer Grade C

  3

  —

  Stores Officer Grade D

  6

  1

  Support Manager 1

  5

  —

  Support Manager 2

  10

  6

  Support Manager 3

  45

  20

  Support Grade Band 1

  225

  85

  Support Grade Band 2

  324

  140·5

  Senior TTO

  21

  —

  Higher TTO

  78

  1

  TTO

  105

  1

  Assistant TTO

  98

  3

  Trainee TTO

  18

  2

  Communications Officer IV

  1

  1

  Industrial grades

  56

  23·5

  Departmental Groups

  Senior Grade

  145

  5

  Diplomatic Service Grade 4

  275

  10

  Diplomatic Service Grade 5

  439·5

  55

  Diplomatic Service Grade 6

  272·5

  29

  82

  Total number of persons employed

  Total number of women employed

  Diplomatic Service Grade 7M

  414

  94

  Diplomatic Service Grade 7D

  122·5

  37·5

  Diplomatic Service Grade 8

  45

  11

  Diplomatic Service Grade 9

  792·5

  397·5

  Diplomatic Service Grade 10

  558

  227

  Legal Adviser

  1

  —

  Second Legal Adviser

  1

  —

  Deputy Legal Adviser

  2

  —

  Legal Counsellor

  7

  3

  Senior Assistant Legal Adviser

  8

  2

  Assistant Legal Adviser

  7

  3

  Research Counsellor

  3

  —

  Senior Principal Research Officer

  13

  3

  Principal Research Officer

  27·5

  13·5

  Senior Research Officer

  10·5

  1·5

  Research Officer

  2

  2

  Diplomatic Service Grade 6C

  1

  —

  Diplomatic Service Grade 8C

  21

  —

  Diplomatic Service Grade 9C

  14

  —

  Diplomatic Service Grade 5T

  1

  —

  Diplomatic Service Grade 6T

  1

  —

  Diplomatic Service Grade 7T

  26

  —

  Diplomatic Service Grade 8T

  50

  1

  Diplomatic Service Grade 9T

  17

  1

  Secretary 1

  120

  120

  Secretary 2

  465·5

  464·5

  Secretary 3

  7·5

  6·5

  Chief Overseas Security Officer

  40

  —

  Overseas Security Officer

  171

  2

  Nurse

  4

  4

  Doctor

  5

  1

  Senior Lecturer

  10

  7

  Senior Field Investigating Officer

  1

  —

  Field Investigating Officer 2

  16

  3

  Translator 1

  1

  —

  Translator 2

  3·5

  3·5

  Translator 3

  3

  3

  Chief Cypher Superintendent

  3

  —

  Cypher Superintendent

  19

  —

  Cypher Supervisor

  45

  3

  Telecommunications & Cypher Officer

  118

  10

  Operator Technician

  1

  —

  Queen's Messenger

  29

  —

  Queen's Messenger Escort

  3

  —

  El Salvador
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring his Department is undertaking of the election process in El Salvador.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have appointed Dr. David Browning as the British Government's observer of the elections in El Salvador in March. He is there now, observing preparations, and will return for the elections. Our ambassador continues to monitor all aspects of the electoral process.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is undertaking to ensure the compliance of the relevant parties to the United States resolutions on the western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We will continue to urge both sides to co-operate with the UN Secretary-General in implementing the UN settlement plan.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Indonesia concerning human rights in East Timor.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  In our contacts with the Indonesian authorities, and in the relevant international bodies, we and our European Community partners have, on numerous occasions, underlined our concern that human rights should be respected in East Timor. The matter was raised most recently on 23 November with the Indonesian Minister for Research and Technology during his visit to the United Kingdom.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to bring forward legislation to repeal the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989 and to ratify the Antarctic environmental protocol; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We intend that a provision to repeal the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989 should be included in a Bill to give effect to the environmental protection protocol to the Antarctic treaty. We hope that this Bill can be introduced at an early opportunity.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give(a) the number of staff engaged in his Department on fraud prevention work, (b) the amount of money saved as a result, (c) the unit cost ratio of cost to benefit and (d) the number of cases in which fraud was detected and the number of prosecutions which resulted in each of the last 10 years;

  (2) if he will give (a) the number of people arrested for DSS fraud or abuse, (b) the number of cases where no further action was taken, (c) the number cautioned, (d) the number of people charged by the police, (e) the number of cases sent to the Crown prosecution service, (f) the number of cases discontinued by the Crown prosecution service, (g) the number of cases completed in the magistrates court,
  (h) the number of convictions and (i) the number acquitted at court, for each year since 1979;

  (3) what is the target for fraud savings in his Department for 1993–94 and 1994–95; how these figures are arrived at; if he will break them down into amounts of (a) sector fraud and (b) organised fraud, and give the amounts for each of the main benefits, the multiplier used and any other relevant factors contributing to the target figure; and what percentage and amount of the figure will come from housing benefit payments;

  (4) if he will give details of the various multipliers used by his Department in calculating fraud savings and the circumstances in which these are applied.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of benefit fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
  84
  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 24 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 Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking about benefit fraud.
  The full range of information requested is not available in every instance but I hope that you will find the following helpful. It may be helpful if I deal with each question in turn.
  Your first question asks about the number of staff employed on fraud prevention and the results achieved.
  From October this year I have established a new security Branch in Leeds with a responsibility to ensure a co-ordinated and strategic approach to fraud and security matters, and to protect programme expenditure against fraud and abuse.
  The Department of Social Security's strategy for combatting fraud is based on three principles:
  PREVENTION minimising/eliminating opportunities for Fraud
  DETECTION catching those who try to cheat the system
  DETERRENCE persuading potential fraudsters that it is wrong and not worth the risk.
  Along with their other duties, staff in many parts of the Department and its Agencies are concerned with fraud prevention. For example, the way in which claims for benefit are processed, or payments are made, can help to protect the system against abuse. Resources devoted to this general anti-fraud work are not separately identified.
  However, figures for the specialist fraud commands within the Benefits Agency are available. As at 31 March 1993 Sector Fraud employed 2,837 staff in the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse. Organised Fraud, a specialist unit set up to investigate suspected organised fraud, employed about 240.
  In the year ending 31 March 1993 sector Fraud recorded total savings of £516 million, made up of weekly benefit savings of £491 million, and instrument of payment savings of £25 million, at a cost of £64·7 million. In the same period Organised Fraud recorded total savings of £42 million and cost £7·7 million.
  The fraud organisation was set up in its present form only in January 1991 and although it is constantly refining the way in which statistics are maintained, figures for the number of cases in which fraud was detected. However, I am able to tell you from the sector fraud figures available that in the year ending 31 March 1992 approximately 250,000 cases were successfully investigated and resulted in a saving of public funds. In the same year 4,379 prosecutions were undertaken. In the year ending 31 March 1993 the figures were approximately 270,000 investigations and 5,239 prosecutions.
  The prosecutions undertaken in the last ten years are as follows:

  Number

  1983–84

  8,997

  1984–85

  6,702

  1985–86

  6,679

  1986–87

  6,603

  1987–88

  7,231

  1988–89

  8,222

  1989–90

  8,671

  1990–91

  7,911

  1991–92

  14,379

  1992–93

  5,814

  1 Figures are not available for organised fraud for 1991–92.

  The Department operates a selective and humane prosecution policy. It is felt that it is more important to check the abuse of the system than to mount expensive prosecutions where, having full regard to the nature of the offence and the debt involved, it would not be cost effective to do so. Steps are being taken to strike a better balance between the benefit savings achieved and the prosecutions undertaken.
  Your second question asks about cases which were considered for prosecution by the Department or the Police.
  In the year ending 31 March 1993 Organised Fraud's activities led to the arrest of 1,400 people, of whom 575 were subsequently

  85
  prosecuted. Of these 575 prosecutions, 556 (97 per cent.) were successful with over 200 receiving custodial sentences ranging from six months to eight years.
  Police arrest is a very extreme measure normally used only in dealing with criminals involved in organised fraud, and has little or no relevance to the work of sector fraud and the customers of the Benefits Agency with whom they come into contact in the course of their investigations.
  The Department's policy towards fraud is to detect it rapidly, investigate it efficiently and to prosecute offenders where appropriate. Prosecutions are handled by the laying of information and summons. I have quoted our prosecution figures since 1983–84 above.
  I regret that statistics on arrests are not kept in a way which would enable me to answer your detailed enquiry.
  Your third and fourth questions ask about the targets set for fraud savings, how these figures have been arrived at and details of the multipliers used in calculating them.
  Instrument of Payment savings are not subject to any multiplier and all such savings are recorded at face value.
  A multiplier of 32 weeks is applied to the amount of weekly Benefit Savings recorded as a result of other successful fraud investigations or interventions. This single multiplier is currently applied to all benefits payable by the Department and reflects the anticipated average period for which claims could be expected to run in the absence of a successful fraud intervention.
  Given the nature of the work of Organised Fraud, no formal target is set for that organisation. Although Organised Fraud do achieve and record benefit savings its role has a large element of prevention and a target in monetary terms is not appropriate.
  The target set for the Sector Fraud organisation is based mainly on previous years' achievements using empirical data and is set by the Secretary of State taking into account the resources which are available for the anti-fraud effort.
  The target for 1993–94 is £557 million and early indications are that the target will be achieved. The target for 1994–95 has not been finalised but is likely to be higher than this year.
  The targets are set as a global figure and are not broken down into the various benefits.
  I would draw your attention to the Report "Fighting Fraud in 1992–93" which gives fuller detail of the fraud effort for that year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Maxwell Insolvency Practitioners
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Government will respond to the Fourth Report of the Social Security Select Committee of Session 1992–93 on the work of the Maxwell insolvency practitioners, HC 835; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government's response to the Select Committee's report is published today. We welcome the Committee's continued interest in the Maxwell affair and share its view that this is an exceptional case. We also welcome the Committee's recognition of the value of the measures we have taken in response to the plight of the Maxwell pensioners, which have ensured that pensions have been kept in payment while work to recover the missing pension fund assets continues.

  The Government recognise that the pension scheme trustees and the liquidators of Bishopsgate Investment Management Ltd. have had to undertaken a vast amount of work in unravelling the huge amount of complex information surrounding pension scheme transactions in order to establish claims against employers and others. This work has now been largely completed. Writs have been issued against some financial institutions.

  The Government strongly support the initiative taken by the Maxwell Pensioners Trust to promote an overall settlement to the disputes. A speedy settlement must be in everyone's best interests, especially the pensioners.

  Chief Adjudication Officer
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the ninth annual report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if he will make a statment.

  Mr. Lilley
  The report is being published today. The report's findings point to an improvement in some areas of adjudication, particularly on many of the benefits administered in Benefits Agency districts. Standards of adjudication within the child benefit centre, the Newcastle pensions directorate and the overseas benefit directorate remain high. The report also acknowledges the contribution that the Employment Service's quality control package has made to initiatives aimed at improving adjudication.

  But in other areas standards are disappointing. I have accordingly sought assurances from the chief executives of the Employment Service Agency and the Benefits Agency that work is in hand urgently to address the weaknesses identified. I am pleased to note that numerous initiatives are already in place, including, in the Employment Service, a working group on the evidence needed to establish entitlement and, in the Benefits Agency, the requirement that district business plans are specific about adjudication standards.

  I am satisfied that both the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency are committed to better standards of adjudication and the increased emphasis on quality in agency business plans for 1993–94 and I look forward to progress in coming years. The chief adjudication officer has commented in his report on the commitment of senior management to improving adjudication standards and welcomes all measures designed to effect such improvements.

  Eleven recommendations to address certain of the problems identified in the report have been made by the chief adjudication officer. These recommendations are being considered and a formal response will be made in due course.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Nominal Rental Charges
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what consideration has been given to calculating nominal rental charges for hon. Members' offices and for the rifle range; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  None.

  Members' Rooms
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many hon. Members have more than one room in the parliamentary precincts.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Five.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Business (Ethnic Minorities)
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to help ethnic minority business.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  All the schemes and support funded by my Department to assist businesses are available to ethnic minority businesses.

  Exports
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the Confederation of British Industry to discuss exports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  When my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade addressed the CBI's annual conference on 15 November he outlined the major improvements he has been making to the Department's export promotion efforts.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of his deregulation proposals.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Hendry).

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many officials are employed in deregulation duties in his Department.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  At present 50 people, including secondees from the private sector, are employed in the deregulation unit. In addition, officials in all Government Departments are reviewing regulations for which they are responsible.

  Exports (Japan)
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current level of exports to Japan.

  Mr. Needham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers).

  Paper Recycling
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals his Department has for supporting the recycling paper and cardboard industry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The producer responsibility initiative launched by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and myself is beginning to result in actions which should help to sustain the recycling infrastructure for paper and board. We are continuing to press the EC Commission to expedite consideration of industries' complaints concerning the German packaging ordinance.

  Steel Subsidies
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has had with his EC counterparts with a view to eliminating state subsidies throughout the steel industry.
  88
  Mr. Sainsbury
  At the Industry Council on 18 November, I stressed the importance of eliminating operating cost subsidies throughout the EC steel industry. The Council was unable to reach agreement on six requests for derogations from the steel state aids code. The formal conclusions of the 21 September Industry Council had confirmed the obligation to apply this code, and made particular reference to eliminating cost subsidies.

  Trade (Eastern Europe)
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new measures he is proposing to take to increase trade between the United Kingdom and eastern Europe.

  Mr. Needham
  My Department already provides a range of services to encourage greater trade between the United Kingdom and eastern Europe, including the former Soviet Union. The measures include support for outward missions—sometimes led ministerially—and participation in overseas trade fairs as well as the provision of general and specific information and advice about the markets and the opportunities in them.

  The major reorganisation of DTI export services earlier this year has enhanced the services provided by the Department. Each of the six major markets in eastern Europe—those in the United Kingdom's list of the top 80 United Kingdom export markets—is now served by a dedicated desk officer. In addition, five of the export promoters—private sector secondees—taken on by the Department are already working closely with the relevant market branch to help United Kingdom companies find business in the region.

  A detailed list of all DTI assistance to exporters is included in the British Overseas Trade Board annual report 1992–93. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to meet the Engineering Employers Federation to discuss policies designed to improve capital investment in manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I met representatives of the EEF earlier this year to discuss their proposals for improving the competitiveness of United Kingdom manufacturing. The federation continues to have frequent contact with Ministers and senior officials in my Department.

  Recession
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's assessment of the effects of the recent recession on business and employment in south-east England.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The recession affected all parts of the country, including the south-east. Its impact on the service sector was noticeable in the south-east where service industries are a significant element in the regional economy.

  Exports (Non-tariff Barriers)
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to protect British companies against non-tariff barriers to their exports.

  Mr. Needham
  A prime objective of the current GATT Uruguay round market access negotiations is the substantial reduction or elimination of non-tariff barriers by all participants. The Government fully support this objective and the European Commission, which negotiates on behalf of the European Community, continues to press trading partners for major concessions on non-tariff barriers.

  Small Businesses (Regulation)
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment has been made of the damage to small companies by excessive regulation.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  This is impossible to quantify at the moment. Our analysis of existing regulations is not yet complete. We have, however, received a great deal of evidence showing that the cumulative burden of regulation diverts the money and time of small firms management into unproductive channels.

  Business Link
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with business link; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Business links are open in Birmingham and Leicester, where local companies have a single point of access to a wide range of business support services. Plans have been approved in principle for the development of business links in 17 areas which will lead to a further 50 business link outlets. By the end of this Parliament I expect to see in place a national network of more than 200 business links.

  Telecommunications Licences
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the issue of new licences for telecommunications operations.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government's policy on the issue of new licences for telecommunications operations continues to be based on the 1991 White Paper "Competition and Choice: Telecommunications Policy for the 1990s" (Cm 1461). Class licences, which do not require an individual application, cover the provision of a wide range of telecoms services, while applications for individual licences are considered on their merits.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to achieve open and fair markets for the British aerospace industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department is liaising actively with the Commission, our European partners, and the United Kingdom aerospace industry on the GATT civil aerospace negotiations in order to bring about a more open international market for civil aircraft, engines, and equipment.

  Single Market
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Confederation of British Industry about progress of the single market.

  Mr. Needham
  The President of the Board of Trade attended and addresed the CBI national conference on 15 November. Officials have frequent and intensive discussions with the CBI about ensuring the proper functioning of the single market.

  Foam-filled Furniture
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received further representations from firms manufacturing foam and foam-filled furniture about the dangers of low-quality imports.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had from United Kingdom furniture manufacturers about the risks from imported foam-filled furniture.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Three identifiable businesses responding to the recent consultation on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, as part of my Department's deregulation initiative review alleged that some imported foam-filled furniture does not comply with the regulations. The regulations apply to all domestic upholstered furniture intended for supply to the United Kingdom market, and accordingly local authority trading standards officers, who have day-to-day responsibility for enforcement of the legislation, have powers to deal with any non-complying furniture, whatever its country of manufacture.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes his Department is considering to existing legislation on the use of fire-retardant foam in furniture.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 23 November 1993]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, which include requirements for the use of fire retardant foam in domestic upholstered furniture, are being considered as part of the overall review of legislation under the deregulation initiative announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in February this year. In considering whether any changes to these regulations are necessary my Department will take account of the responses to the recently completed consultation with individual businesses, trade associations, local authorities, fire prevention, medical and consumer interests.

  RECHAR 2
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to Rechar 2.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The European Commission circulated a Green Paper in June this year on the "Future of European Structural Funds Community Initiatives". We anticipate discussion will take place on this in a forthcoming Council of Ministers.

  Gas (Competition)
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the Director General of Gas Supply to discuss competition in the gas industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  I last met the new Director General on 28 October to discuss a range of issues.

  Car Dealing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the trading practices of car manufacturers with regard to car dealerships and car retailing were last reviewed by his Department; what conclusions were reached; and when he next proposes to review this matter again.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  These matters were investigated by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its report on the supply of new motor cars within the United Kingdom, published in February 1992.

  The report concluded, inter alia, that a complex monopoly situation existed, arising from the selective and exclusive distribution system used by most car suppliers in the United Kingdom. The MMC identified a number of restrictions imposed by suppliers in their agreements with dealers which might be expected to operate against the public interest.

  The Director General of Fair Trading and Department of Trade and Industry have negotiated with the major car suppliers with a view to concluding an undertaking on the MMC's recommendations. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is currently considering options for taking forward action on this report.

  Anthrax Vaccine
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the volume and value of anthrax vaccine exports each year from 1987.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is not available from official sources because the United Kingdom trade classification does not separately identify anthrax vaccines. The manufacturers of anthrax vaccines in the United Kingdom report no exports during the last five years. Information prior to that could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department received a copy of the environmental statement for the proposed Sellafield mixed oxide nuclear fuel plant from British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department receives communications from British Nuclear Fuels plc on a wide range of issues. These have included a copy of the published environmental statement for the proposed plant referred to by the hon. Member.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech on energy policy made to a conference in London on 17 November by the Minister of Energy.
  92
  Mr. Eggar
  I have today placed a copy of my speech of 17 November in the Library of the House.

  EC Internal Market Council
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Internal Market Council of 11 November.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and the decisions taken, indicating the voting record of member states, at the European Trade Council on 11 November.

  Mr. Needham
  My noble Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms attended the second Internal Market Council of the Belgian Presidency in Brussels on 11 November.

  The Council formally adopted without change all three food additive common positions—colours, additives and sweeteners—agreed at the Internal Market Council on 27 September. It also agreed a common position on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres.

  A common position was adopted unanimously on the amendment to directive 83/189/EEC on the provision of information on technical standards and regulations.

  A common position was adopted on the footwear labelling directive which will allow manufacturers a choice between pictograms and textual labelling. Germany voted against and the Netherlands abstained.

  A resolution for a more global approach to the problems of small and medium-sized enterprises was agreed in principle. The resolution also commits the Council to hold an annual debate on enterprise policy in the Community, particularly with regard to SMEs. A wide-ranging televised open debate included discussion on improving SMEs' access to finance and Community R and D programmes.

  The Council was unable to reach agreement on a Presidency compromise proposal on the language regime for the Community Trade Mark Office to implement the European Council decision on a five language regime. The Presidency is to reflect further on the matter.

  The Commission presented a proposal for a new regulation laying down improved measures to prohibit the import, transit or export of counterfeit or pirated goods. The Presidency agreed that the regulation would, if possible, be discussed at the 16 December Internal Market Council.

  The Commission circulated new implementation figures and highlighted the overall improvement in implementation of single market measures this year. The United Kingdom is in second place with implementation of 91·5 per cent., two points behind Denmark.

  The next formal meeting of the Council will take place on 16 December.

  Wind Power
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how his Department's energy technology support unit was represented at the conference on wind power development in rural areas held in Stoneleigh on 11 November.

  Mr. Eggar
  The "Wind Energy On Your Farm" conference, held at Stoneleigh on 11 November 1993, was sponsored by the energy technology support unit on behalf of this Department.
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  One of the presentations to the conference was given by an ETSU representative.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each civil service grade in his Department(a) the total number of persons employed and (b) the total number of women employed.

  Mr. Eggar
  The figures for the Department, including its executive agencies and the former Department of Energy, as at 2 October 1993, are:

  Grade level

  Total number of employees

  Total number of women

  Grade 1

  2

  0

  Grade 2

  13

  0

  Grade 3

  54

  6

  Grade 4

  15

  2

  Grade 5

  284

  38

  Grade 6

  384

  44

  Grade 7

  1,155

  168

  SEO

  1,073

  170

  HEO

  2,028

  586

  EO

  2,324

  1,004

  AO

  3,187

  2,035

  AA

  2,573

  1,755

  Industrial

  157

  10

  Total

  13,249

  5,818

  Copper
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table to show the volume and value of(a) copper tubing and (b) copper pipe connectors imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Needham
  The available information is given in the following table.

  United Kingdom imports of copper tubing and copper pipe connectors

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Copper tubing1

  Volume (thousand metric tonnes)

  41·4

  40·6

  40·5

  Value (£ million)

  104·8

  93·0

  87·9

  Copper pipe connectors2

  Volume (thousand metric tonnes)

  3·5

  3·7

  3·9

  Value (£ million)

  15·6

  18·6

  18·1

  1 Copper tubes and pipes, defined as item 682.71 of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC).

  2 Copper tube or pipe fittings, defined as item 682.72 of the SITC.

  Source: Business Monitors MA20, Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, CSO.

  National Newspapers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the concentration of ownership of national newspapers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No. The Director General of Fair Trading recently considered the structure and characteristics of the market for newspapers in the context of allegations of predatory pricing and abuse of market power by News International. He announced on 14 October that he would not be initiating formal action under the competition legislation.

  Fireworks
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of fireworks sold in Britain was manufactured abroad for each year since 1980; and which countries are the main exporters of fireworks to Britain.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is not available.

  Bills (Payment)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations have been received by his Department urging him to legislate for the payment of bills by fixed dates.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This information is not available. Representations have been received from individual small businesses and from other interested organisations seeking action to reduce the incidence of late payment, including legislation for a statutory maximum credit period, a statutory right to interest on overdue commercial debt or a combination of these.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the current growth areas in manufacturing industry; what volume of business is involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Manufacturing output in the third quarter of 1993 was <1·6 per cent. higher than in the same period of 1992. The performance of individual broad sectors, and their relative sizes, is shown in the table.

  Sector

  Weights in Index of Production1

  Change in output Q3/92 to Q3/93 (Per cent.)

  DF:

  Coke, ref petrol and nuclear fuels

  23

  -0·4

  DG:

  Chemicals and manmade fibres

  86

  3·5

  DJ:

  Basic metals and metal products

  74

  -2·4

  DK DM:

  Engineering and allied industries

  302

  2·5

  DA:

  Food, drink and tobacco

  110

  -1·0

  DB DC:

  Textiles, leather and clothing

  47

  0·7

  DD DN:

  Other manufacturing

  202

  2·9

  D:

  ALL MANUFACTURING

  844

  <1·6

  1 An indicator of the relative size of each sector.

  Source: Central Statistical Office, press release CSO(93)167 and amendment (93)172.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes his Department is considering to existing legislation on the need for children's nightwear to be fire retardant.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 23 November 1993]: The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985, which include requirements for children's nightwear to be fire retardant, are being considered as part of the overall review of legislation under the deregulation initiative announced by

  95
  my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in February this year. In considering whether any changes to these regulations are necessary my Department will take account of the responses to the recently completed consultation with individual businesses, trade associations, local authorities, fire prevention, medical and consumer interests.

DEFENCE

  Equipment Contracts
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all orders for fuses, ammunition and other equipment placed by or on behalf of his Department with Gebruder Junshans of Germany, A. S. Raufoss of Norway, Fratelli Borletti of Italy and the royal ordnance factory, Blackburn, from 1975 to date, giving in each case the value of the order, the type of fuse, ammunition, or other equipment concerned whether the order had been subject to competitive tendering, allocation or negotiation without competitive tendering, the dates on which the orders were placed, when they were completed and if any part of the order has still to be delivered.

  Mr. Aitken
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken by his Department to cancel contracts and otherwise to discipline suppliers and manufacturers of equipment where there is evidence that such contracts have been gained by bribery, corruption or other breaches of procurement rules.

  Mr. Aitken
  If it is proven that the award of any MOD contract has resulted directly from bribery, corruption or other irregular practices, my Department has the legal right to cancel it if it is still in existence, and would normally do so. My Department would also take any other action against the contractor concerned which was appropriate to the circumstances of the case, including seeking full financial restitution and considering the basis of any future dealings with them.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the posts held by Mr. Gordon Foxley, with dates and the responsibilities which each post entailed.

  Mr. Aitken
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia in regard to the restrictions on movement of indigenous people imposed by the Indonesian authorities prior to and during the visit by the United Kingdom military attaché in Jakarta to East Timor in early November.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply.

  We are not aware of any restrictions on movement of the indigenous people imposed in connection, with the recent visit to East Timor of defence attachés based in Jakarta.

HEALTH

  NHS Estate
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of acres owned by the national health service estate for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table:

  Estimated acres owned by the national health service

  Land area Acres

  1988–89

  41,654

  1989–90

  41,617

  1990–91

  41,296

  1991–92

  40,508

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total value of the national health service estate for each year since 1979 at 1993 prices.

  Mr. Sackville
  The following valuations for the total value of the national health service estate are the only figures available, based on exercises undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency. Figures for 1987 and 1989 have been converted to price levels prevailing at the time of the 1 April 1992 valuation.

  Valuation date

  Amount £

  25 June 1987

  22,260,000,000

  31 December 1989

  22,770,000,000

  1 April 1992

  21,447,463,000

  Source: Valuation Office Agency.

  Note: Figures for 1987 and 1989 are represented at 1992 prices.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients for each of the four regional health authorities covering the Greater London area have been waiting for over 12 months, 18 months and 24 months for in-patient hospital treatment at the latest available date.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on waiting times for the four Thames regional health authorities which cover the London area is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", published twice yearly. The latest published figures are for March 1993. In addition provisional figures for the quarter ending 30 September 1993 were published on 1 November, in press release H93/1036. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

  Midwives
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from the Royal College of Midwives about midwives travelling alone at night to clients' houses; and what steps are being taken to ensure that employing health authorities adopt safe working procedures.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received no such representations.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether regulations on food safety are being reconsidered under the Government's new proposals for deregulation.

  Mr. Sackville
  Yes. As part of the Government's deregulation initiative and in conjunction with the Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issued the "Food Law Deregulation Plan" on 14 September, copies of which are available in the Library. The plan was drawn up following consultation with industry, enforcers and consumers. Its aim is to move to a less regulatory system of food law by removing from business, requirements that are no longer justified, whilst maintaining essential standards of food safety and consumer protection.

  Bureaucracy
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she intends to take to reduce bureaucracy within NHS hospitals and trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is expected that after 1 April 1995 virtually all national health service hospital care will be provided by trusts. As trusts have to compete for contracts from purchasing authorities for the provision of care, their management should have the most cost-effective structure possible which is compatible with the proper discharge of their function.

  Creuzfeldt Jakob Dementia
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will establish a scheme of no fault compensation for those who have contracted Creuzfeldt Jakob disease as a result of human growth hormone treatment, and for their families; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Sir R. Moate) on 27 May at column 671.

  "Making London Worse"
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she proposes to take in respect of the publication "Making London Worse" by the Greater London Association of Community Health Councils.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Greater London Association of Community Health Councils recently published a report. We welcome the views of any informed contributor such as the association on the process of developing London's health services through positive change. The Government policy framework is set out in "Making London Better."

  Adoptive Mothers
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to extend the provision of statutory maternity benefits to adoptive mothers.

  Mr. Hague
  I ahve been asked to reply. Statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance provide a measure of earnings replacement to help working women give up work around the time of the birth in the interests of their own and their unborn baby's health. There are no plans to extend maternity benefits to mothers of adopted children.

  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 8th-9th NOVEMBER
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 8th-9th NOVEMBER
  INDEPENDENT TELEVISION COMPANIES: OWNERSHIP RULES
  INDEPENDENT TELEVISION COMPANIES: OWNERSHIP RULES
  DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
  DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
  AGRICULTURE COUNCIL, 16th-17th NOVEMBER
  AGRICULTURE COUNCIL, 16th-17th NOVEMBER
  LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF COMMISSION: FURTHER GUIDANCE
  LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF COMMISSION: FURTHER GUIDANCE