Written Answers of 29 November 1993

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Marsh Arabs
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had regarding the plight of the Marsh Arabs; what discussions have taken place between his Department and the United Nations over their future; what efforts his Department are making over their continued security; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received numerous representations about events in southern Iraq.

  We frequently raise the plight of the Marsh Arabs at the United Nations, most recently during the review of sanctions on 18 November. We drew the attention of the United Nations weapons inspectors to reports that chemical weapons were used against civilians. We support the call of the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights for the deployment of monitors in Iraq.

  In addition, British aircraft are deployed over southern Iraq in support of United Nations Security Council resolution 688.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations have been carried out between his Department and the BBC in respect of the BBC World Service lease at its headquarters in Bush house; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The current lease on Bush house was signed in 1990 and expires in 2005. Discussions with the BBC World Service have already taken place, and it has been agreed that the question of future location will be discussed again in due course.

  Miss Patience Ikeazota
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the refusal of a tourist visa for a limited stay in Britain to Miss Patience Ikeazota by the entry clearance officer in Lagos.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following an interview at the high commission in Lagos on 9 April 1992, Miss Ikeazota's application for a visit visa was refused, as was her previous application in April 1991, because the entry clearance officer was not satisfied that she was genuinely seeking entry to the United Kingdom for the period of the visit stated by her.

  Azerbaijan
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to assist in implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Azerbaijan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We maintain high-level contacts with the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis and urge them to adhere to United Nations Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884.

  We are actively supporting the efforts of the Minsk group whose efforts to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict have been fully endorsed by the United Nations.

  In the past year we have provided almost £1·9 million of humanitarian aid to the region.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence and minutes of meetings between his Department and Gerald Bull between 1987 and 1990.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As far as we have been able to establish, there is no record of any correspondence or record of any meeting between this Department and Dr. Gerald Bull.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what exemptions have been sought by Norway under the EC convention on international trade in endangered species regulation and habitats directive.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Norwegian Government are seeking exemptions from the habitats directive and the CITES regulation for a wide variety of species. These include several species of fish, terrestrial mammals, seals and whales.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attempts Norway has made to secure opt-outs from EC regulations covering the killing and trade in whale and seal products; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Norwegian Government are requesting exemptions from the EC habitats directive in respect of five seal and three whale species. We shall be discussing the Norwegian request with other member states.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what current sanctions are being applied against the military Government of Nigeria; and what new ones are being considered.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  On 24 June, we announced our decision to withdraw all offers of new military training courses provided for members of the Nigerian armed forces in the United Kingdom; to suspend all assistance to
  277
  the National War College in Lagos and withdraw the British military advisory team; to suspend issue of visas for members of the Nigerian armed forces and their dependents; to withdraw special treatment of visa applications from Nigerian officials; and to consider all new aid to Nigeria on a case-by-case basis. These measures remain in force.

  Our response to the latest developments is currently being discussed with our partners in the European Union and the wider donor community.

  Mr.Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to discuss the new military takeover in Nigeria with his European Union counterparts; and what Proposals he will be taking to that meeting.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The European Union issued a statement on 19 November condemning the fact that the democratic process in Nigeria has been interrupted through

  1991

  19921

  Total fire calls

  Malicious false alarms

  Per cent. malicious of all calls

  Total fire calls

  Malicious false alarams

  Per cent. malicious of all calls

  United Kingdom

  859,522

  148,112

  17·2

  874,343

  160,327

  18·3

  England and Wales

  726,015

  125,790

  17·3

  742,840

  134,421

  18·1

  England

  683,997

  118,388

  17·3

  697,720

  124,712

  17·9

  England-Non-Met

  349,015

  49,579

  14·2

  362,234

  53,580

  14·8

  Avon

  11,840

  1,643

  13·9

  12,737

  1,837

  14·4

  Bedfordshire

  5,245

  580

  11·1

  5,646

  724

  12·8

  Berkshire

  8,504

  1,170

  13·8

  9,097

  1,350

  14·8

  Buckinghamshire

  6,511

  840

  12·9

  6,636

  1,036

  15·6

  Cambridgeshire

  7,744

  1,091

  14·1

  7,954

  1,232

  15·5

  Cheshire

  13,053

  1,548

  11·9

  12,203

  1,457

  11·9

  Cleveland

  13,237

  4,418

  33·4

  14,150

  4,346

  30·7

  Cornwall and Scilly

  4,197

  305

  7·3

  4,817

  366

  7·6

  Cumbria

  6,029

  807

  13·4

  6,721

  1,013

  15·1

  Derbyshire

  9,570

  1,490

  15·6

  11,030

  1,920

  17·4

  Devon

  11,936

  1,749

  14·7

  12,484

  1,724

  13·8

  Dorset

  6,715

  825

  12·3

  6,476

  693

  10·7

  Durham

  9,827

  2,397

  24·4

  10,745

  2,574

  24·0

  East Sussex

  6,922

  780

  11·3

  7,472

  793

  10·6

  Essex

  15,872

  2,462

  15·5

  16,886

  2,957

  17·5

  Gloucestershire

  5,552

  804

  14·5

  5,666

  867

  15·3

  Hampshire

  14,423

  1,019

  7·1

  15,408

  779

  5·1

  Hereford and Worcester

  6,863

  962

  14·0

  6,862

  1,067

  15·5

  Hertfordshire

  9,346

  967

  10·3

  9,987

  989

  9·9

  Humberside

  14,773

  2,956

  20·0

  14,162

  3,104

  21·9

  Isle of Wight

  1,125

  94

  8·4

  1,147

  100

  8·7

  Kent

  15,783

  2,476

  15·7

  16,992

  2,678

  15·8

  Lancashire

  24,574

  4,305

  17·5

  25,271

  4,745

  18·8

  Leicestershire

  9,696

  1,722

  17·8

  9,904

  1,615

  16·3

  Lincolnshire

  5,829

  869

  14·9

  5,495

  862

  15·7

  Norfolk

  8,081

  714

  8·8

  7,626

  984

  12·9

  North Yorkshire

  7,145

  544

  7·6

  7,132

  555

  7·8

  Northamptonshire

  6,723

  619

  9·2

  6,493

  616

  9·5

  Northumberland

  4,021

  538

  13·4

  4,850

  688

  14·2

  Nottinghamshire

  13,559

  1,532

  11·3

  12,445

  1,446

  11·6

  Oxfordshire

  6,440

  790

  12·3

  7,011

  986

  14·1

  Shropshire

  5,199

  766

  14·7

  4,951

  701

  14·2

  Somerset

  4,752

  578

  12·2

  5,033

  555

  11·0

  Staffordshire

  11,312

  1,778

  15·7

  11,608

  2,164

  18·6

  Suffolk

  5,591

  408

  7·3

  5,951

  632

  10·6

  Surrey

  11,497

  1,215

  10·6

  11,885

  1,320

  11·1

  Warwickshire

  5,534

  502

  9·1

  5,684

  681

  12·0

  278
  the resumption of power by a military dictatorship. It strongly urged the Nigerian military authorities to re-establish democratic institutions.

  As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 17 November,we are now consulting with our partners in the European Union on what further actions we should take in response to the new military takeover.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Calls
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of fire calls in(a) 1991 and (b) 1992 for each fire authority area and in total; if he will identify the number of hoax calls in each year on a similar basis; and if he will express hoax calls as a percentage of total calls.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information for fire calls attended by local authority fire brigades is shown in the table.
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  1991

  19921

  Total fire calls

  Malicious false alarms

  Per cent. malicious of all calls

  Total fire calls

  Malicious false alarms

  Per cent. malicious of all calls

  West Sussex

  8,035

  655

  8·2

  8,635

  687

  8·0

  Wiltshire

  5,960

  661

  11·1

  6,982

  737

  10·6

  England-Met

  334,982

  68,809

  20·5

  335,486

  71,132

  21·2

  Greater Manchester

  58,439

  13,191

  22·6

  57,306

  11,972

  20·9

  Merseyside

  39,689

  6,562

  16·5

  34,286

  6,451

  18·8

  South Yorkshire

  19,079

  3,853

  20·2

  19,527

  4,630

  23·7

  Tyne and Wear

  30,228

  6,891

  22·8

  32,628

  6,949

  21·3

  West Midlands

  41,727

  9,398

  22·5

  44,199

  10,747

  24·3

  West Yorkshire

  38,075

  7,164

  18·8

  41,521

  7,999

  19·3

  Greater London

  107,745

  21,750

  20·2

  106,019

  22,384

  21·1

  Wales

  42,018

  7,402

  17·6

  45,120

  9,709

  21·5

  Clwyd

  5,475

  733

  13·4

  5,677

  1,024

  18·0

  Dyfed

  3,816

  559

  14·6

  4,231

  806

  19·0

  Gwent

  6,033

  1,409

  23·4

  7,246

  2,109

  29·1

  Gwynedd

  3,268

  258

  7·9

  3,355

  309

  9·2

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,487

  1,843

  19·4

  9,467

  2,160

  22·8

  Powys

  1,061

  94

  8·9

  1,130

  120

  10·6

  South Glamorgan

  6,575

  1,279

  19·5

  7,222

  1,638

  22·7

  West Glamorgan

  6,303

  1,227

  19·5

  6,792

  1,543

  22·7

  Northern Ireland

  29,425

  3,844

  13·1

  26,568

  3,397

  12·8

  Scotland

  104,082

  18,478

  17·8

  104,935

  22,509

  21·5

  Strathclyde

  55,973

  11,370

  20·3

  58,295

  16,349

  28·0

  Highland and Islands

  4,932

  394

  8·0

  4,565

  346

  7·6

  Grampian

  6,400

  613

  9·6

  6,611

  616

  9·3

  Tayside

  7,619

  1,023

  13·4

  8,133

  1,136

  14·0

  Lothian and Borders

  17,245

  3,206

  18·6

  15,540

  2,107

  13·6

  Fife

  5,710

  997

  17·5

  6,011

  1,108

  18·4

  Central

  4,067

  592

  14·6

  3,869

  567

  14·7

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,136

  283

  13·2

  1,911

  255

  13·3

  1Provisional.

  Police Equipment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are laid down by his Department in respect of being informed of police equipment that is either lost or stolen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The loss or theft of police equipment is a matter for individual police forces and authorities. The Home Office would not become involved unless the scale of such losses was such as to call into question management procedures or the efficiency of the force in question. Nor has the Home Office any plans to introduce monitoring of losses of police equipment.

  Carl Bridgewater
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police inquiries into the Carl Bridgewater convictions and the outcome in each case.

  Mr. Maclean
  Since the conviction in 1979 of those concerned, there have been seven police inquiries into the case, involving four separate police forces, as follows:

  Police force

  1980 and 1981

  Cheshire Constabulary

  1983, 1984 and 1985

  Greater Manchester Police

  1986

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  1991

  Merseyside Police

  280
  Following the inquiries by Warwickshire constabulary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd), then Home Secretary, decided in 1987 to refer to the Court of Appeal the convictions of Michael and Vincent Hickey and James Robinson. Their appeals were dismissed. in 1989.

  None of the other inquiries to which I have referred disclosed grounds to take action in respect of the convictions. As part of our consideration of the latest representations in this case, we are arranging for further police inquiries to be carried out into some of the matters raised.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on which dates since 1988 he has received submissions from solicitors representing the men convicted of killing Carl Bridgewater and say what action he has taken in each case.

  Mr. Maclean
  Solicitors for those convicted of killing Carl Bridgewater have made a number of submissions to the Home Office since 1988. Those which relate most directly to the allegations of wrongful conviction were made on 17 Septemberr 1990, 7 June 1991, 2 August 1991, 13 August 1991, 17 October 1991, 26 May 1992 and 19 January 1993. The matters raised there were carefully considered but as my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), then Home Secretary, announced on 3 February, they provided no grounds for action to be taken in respect of the convictions.
  281
  Further submissions from the solicitors were made on 8 June, 13 July, 10 November and 15 November 1993 and we understand that more are to follow. As part of our consideration of these allegations of wrongful conviction we are arranging for further police inquiries to be carried out into some of the matters raised.

  Parish Constables
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the locations of the 20 pilot schemes for parish constables he intends setting up by Christmas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  It is for police forces and local communities to decide—through consultation—where the pilot schemes for parish constables should be. A number of forces are currently engaged in such consultation. A further announcement will be made nearer the time about the pilot schemes which are being set up. I am pleased with the progress made so far.

  Football Matches
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was received by the Metropolitan police from London's professional football clubs for policing services in the season 1992–93 and 1993 to date.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand that the Metropolitan police received £2,076,781 for the 1992–93 season. The amount received so far during the 1993–94 season is £424,515.

  Racial Harassment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation in his next criminal justice Bill that every tenancy for(a) homes and (b) shops contains a condition prohibiting racial harrassment, binding on landlords as well as tenants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Current landlord and tenant legislation already gives local authorities powers to take action against tenants who racially harass other tenants. The Public Order Act 1986 created a new low-level offence of offensive conduct which is relevant to all forms of harassment. There are no plans to introduce additional legislation.

  The Commission for Racial Equality has produced codes of practice for both rented and non-rented housing, which were approved by Parliament in 1990 and 1992 respectively. These include practical steps to deal with, and pre-empt, racial harassment.

  Police Sirens
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to the Commissioner of Police regarding the use of police sirens in the Metropolitan area.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner that guidance on the use of sirens is included in the training given to drivers at the Metropolitan police driving school.

  Lunar House
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the backlog of work at Lunar house, Croydon.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information for the end of October 1993 on the main areas of work is given in the table.

  Immigration and asylum work items1 in the Immigration and Nationality Department at 31 October 1993

  Number

  Cases in the general immigration caseworking groups2

  22,430

  Cases in the EC caseworking group2

  1,190

  Cases in the asylum and special cases division

  51,400

  Items in the post room and registry3

  12,420

  1Including referred enty clearance applications and appeals awaiting preparation of statements.

  2The majority of these were under consideration or the subject of further inquiries.

  3Mainly passports and letters, being sorted and allocated to caseworkers.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will being forward proposals to make it illegal to wheel-clamp orange badge holders on private car parks or other private land; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  In the consultation paper on wheel-clamping on private land, issued earlier this year, we acknowledged the need to consider the particular position of orange badge holders. In the light of that consultation, we are still considering what action it might be appropriate to take.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current waiting time for consideration of immigration appeals by the immigration appeals tribunals and independent applellate authorities for nationals of each country; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  The immigration appellate authorities—IAA—list cases for hearing once the parties have indicated readiness to proceed to a hearing. The nationality of the appellant does not affect when a case is heard. The first available hearing date at each of the IAA's centres as at 22 November 1993 is set out in the table:

  Centre

  Long appoinment

  Short appointment

  Hatton Cross, West London

  31 January 1994

  4 January 1994

  Thanet House, London1

  As Hatton Cross

  26 January 1994

  Birmingham

  21 December 1993

  21 December 1993

  Manchester

  15 March 1994

  15 March 1994

  Leeds

  7 February 1994

  17 January 1994

  Glasgow

  March 1994

  February 1994

  1Hearings are offered at Hatton Cross, but where this is not accepted by the appellant, cases are listed at Thanet House for May 1994.

  In proceedings before the immigration appeal tribunal, if leave to appeal is granted, a hearing currently takes place within four weeks of the record of proceedings being prepared by the adjudicator who originally heard the case.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Wigs
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the wearing of wigs by lawyers.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The standard of court dress requires wigs to be worn by barristers but not by solicitors.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many Queen's Counsel there are; and how many are(a) women, (b) black and (c) Asian.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  On 1 October 1993 there were 797 Queen's Counsel in private practice, of whom 41 were women. The ethnic origin of applicants for the office of Queen's Counsel was not recorded prior to the autumn of 1991, and the formal records in respect of ethnic origin are therefore incomplete. I believe that on 1 October 1993 there were three black and five Asian Queen's Counsel.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Kinnock
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many justices of the peace fail to achieve attendance for the requirement minimum of 26 sittings of their respective benches a year.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This information can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Kinnock
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his policy on the continuation of a magistrate system which includes members of the public from a wide spectrum of occupations and experience; and if he will make it his policy to encourage employers to co-operate with arrangements for their employees to meet the minimum requirements for justices of the peace.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor remains wholeheartedly committed to the concept of summary justice provided by lay people drawn from their local community and from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. In the past, the Lord Chancellor has written to the chairmen of major firms and organisations to encourage them to make employees available to serve as justices; on a local basis, his advisory committees from time to time make similar contacts.

  Mr. Kinnock
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of those justices of the peace who have been officially recorded as being unable to meet the annual minimum attendance have signified that their absences were due to pressures of work or inability to secure release from work for the purpose of fulfilling their duties as magistrates; and how many of these people are civil servants.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This information can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr Kinnock
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many civil servants are justices of the peace;
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  (2) how many civil servants who are justices of the peace are not allowed 18 days paid leave in order to permit them to fulfill their duties as magistrates;

  (3) what are the civil service grades of those civil servants who are justices of the peace.

  Mr John M. Taylor
  This information can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  High Court Judges
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many High Court judges there are; and how many are(a) black, (b) Asian and (c) women.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As at 1 November there were 95 High Court judges including six women. The ethnic origin of those appointed as High Court judges has not been recorded in the past, but none is black or Asian.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. John M. Taylor
  Details of the numbers of staff employed in each civil service grade are set out in the table. In column two of the table the total number of staff employed in each grade appears; column three shows the total number of women in each grade.

  Civil Service Grades in Post as at 22 November 1993

  Substantive Grade

  Staff in Post

  Number of Women in Grade

  Grade 1

  1

  0

  Grade 2

  2

  0

  Grade 3

  9

  1

  Grade 4

  5

  0

  Grade 5

  20

  3

  Grade 5 Solicitor

  14

  3

  Grade 6 Senior Principal

  36

  8

  Grade 6 Legal

  35

  13

  Senior Legal Assistant

  9

  2

  Grade 7 Principal

  143

  37

  Grade 7 Legal

  51

  33

  Legal Assistant

  2

  0

  Legal officer

  2

  2

  SEO

  322

  108

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2

  0

  Senior Information Officer

  1

  0

  HEO

  1,066

  550

  Information Officer

  2

  1

  Assistant Statistician

  1

  0

  Chief Typing Manager

  3

  3

  Librarian

  8

  4

  HEO D

  7

  5

  Administration Trainee

  6

  1

  EO

  2,060

  1,346

  Assistant Information Officer

  1

  1

  Senior Personal Secretary

  15

  15

  Typing Manager

  34

  34

  Assistant Librarian

  9

  9

  Support Manager 1

  1

  1

  Support Manager 2

  5

  0

  Support Manager 3

  30

  20

  AO

  4,447

  3,933

  Personal Secretary

  66

  66

  Inerpreter

  2

  2

  AA

  652

  466

  Support Grade Band 1

  156

  95

  285

  Substantive Grade

  Staff in Post

  Number of Women in Grade

  Support Grade Band 2

  1,404

  827

  Typist

  754

  752

  Specialist Typist

  1

  1

  Trainee Typist

  4

  4

  TOTAL

  11,388

  7,806

  In office

  Black

  Asian

  Women

  Full time District Judges (County Court)

  279

  —

  1

  22

  Full time District Judges (Principal Registry of the Family Division of the High Court)

  17

  —

  1

  5

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Poland
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many British companies in the last two years have been refused permission by the Polish authorities to sell their products in Poland; what products these British companies have been seeking to export to Poland; what reasons the Polish authorities have given to justify refusal of permission; and what efforts his Department has made on behalf of these companies to overturn the decision of the Polish authorities.

  Mr. Needham
  No comprehensive record has been kept in the last two years but my Department has received complaints from about half a dozen British companies concerning the application to their products of Polish technical specifications and health and safety regulations. In each case where the company has been unable to resolve the difficulties my Department has intervened in close collaboration with our embassy in Warsaw. One such case has recently been resolved entirely to the satisfaction of the British company concerned; two others are under discussion.

  If the hon. Member would like to discuss any individual case, I should be pleased to hear from her. She will, no doubt, be aware that British exports to Poland have increased very rapidly over the period in question and it would perhaps be surprising if we did not encounter a few difficulties with a legal framework for business which is still evolving.

  Regional Industrial Policy
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent on regional industrial policy in each year since 1974–75; and what the expected expenditure will be in the current financial year, at constant prices.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The exact amount spent on regional industrial policy since 1974–75 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Most of the expenditure under regional industrial policy was on regional development grants and regional selective assistance. Information on the spend of these two schemes in Great Britain since 1974–75 is set out in the table together with expenditure on European Community

  District Judges
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many district judges there are; and how many are(a) black, (b) Asian and (c) women.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information requested, as at 1 November 1993, is as follows. Records are not held on the ethnic origins of all office holders, but the numbers relating to those of black and Asian origin are believed to be as given.

  schemes, regional enterprise grants and some residual spend on investment grants. The information is at 1992–93 constant prices.

  FY

  Total £ million

  1974–75

  1,407·5

  1975–76

  1,606·8

  1976–77

  1,604·6

  1977–78

  1,360·7

  1978–79

  1,458·9

  1979–80

  1,022·9

  1980–81

  1,170·9

  1981–82

  1,319·2

  1982–83

  1,371·3

  1983–84

  924·7

  1984–85

  869·6

  1985–86

  777·0

  1986–87

  1,007·6

  1987–88

  650·3

  1988–89

  653·6

  1989–90

  501·8

  1990–91

  389·6

  1991–92

  290·3

  1992–93

  248·2

  1993–94

  1325·7

  1Estimates provision.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many statutory instruments have been introduced by his Department in each year since accession to the EEC.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Records for statutory instruments introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry since accession to the EC are not readily available before 1979. Accordingly the information requested is provided from that year onwards and is as follows:

  Number of Sls which came into operation

  Year

  Number

  1979

  153

  1980

  201

  1981

  141

  1982

  118

  1983

  94

  1984

  69

  1985

  130

  1986

  92

  1987

  77

  1988

  114

  1989

  132

  1990

  137

  287

  Year

  Number

  1991

  161

  11992

  96

  21993

  91

  1Figures from this year forward include Sls relating to the former Department of Energy. Figures for Sls introduced in earlier years by the Department of Energy are not readily available.

  2 As at 24 November 1993.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the organisations consulted over his proposed deregulation Bill and indicate which were broadly in favour of greater deregulation and which were broadly satisfied with the status quo.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  A wide range of organisations are beign consulted on proposals for deregulation including those which will be dealt with in the deregulation Bill. Details of measures to be dealt with in the Bill will be announced when the Bill is published. Since consultations cover a large number of specific issues they cannot be classified as for or against deregulation in general.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will review the terms of reference and the guidelines within which the Monopolies and Mergers Commission are required to operate and their operation following in the case of their recent decision on distribution arrangements for perfumes; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will institute an investigation into the workings of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in order to ensure that mechanisms exist to ensure that no sectional commercial interest is allowed to overrule consumers' interests.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In reaching conclusions as to the public interest, the Monoplies and Mergers Commission are required by schedule 84 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 to take into account all matters which appear to them in the particular circumstances to be relevant. These matters include the desirability of maintaining and promoting effective competition in the United Kingdom and promoting the interests of consumers. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has no plans to review these provisions in the Act.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of whether protectionist trade practices approved by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission fall within the regulations of the competitions policy of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In conducting its inquiries, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission takes account of the possible application of European competition law and discuss this with the EC Commission in specific cases where this seems appropriate. Enforcement of European competition law is a matter for the EC Commission or national courts.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many visits abroad he has made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost of each visit to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I have made three visits abroad during 1993, one to Brussels, one to Argentina and Mexico, and one to Germany.

  The visit to Brussels was for discussions with EC Commissioners and cost £2,185. The visit to Argentina and Mexico was for trade promotional purposes and cost £27,901. The visit to Germany was to attend the Anglo-German summit and cost £1,071.

  NCM
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade from what date his Department will extend NCM's transitional reinsurance cover.

  Mr. Needham
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department's transitional reinsurance support to NCM will be extended beyond its originally envisaged expiry date of December 1994 until at least the end of 1997. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 June 1993,Official Report, columns 265–66.

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the projects or localities that have been or will be assisted through the use of objective 2 funds from the European Community.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 November 1993]. The areas at present eligible for European structural funds grants under objective 2 are listed in full in two Commission decisions dated 21 March 1989 and 3 May 1990—Official Journal No. L 112/19 and 206/26. They include areas in central Scotland, the north-east, west Cumbria, the north-west, Yorkshire and Humberside, the west and east midlands, and north-east and south Wales. A very large number of infrastructure, training and other economic development projects have received, or are receiving, objective 2 grant in these areas in the current, 1989–93, programme period.

  Objective 2 areas for the period 1994–96 are under review at present; and the Government put proposals to the Commission in October. A full list of areas proposed is available in the Library of the House. The final decision on these proposals is expected in December.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what share and how much EC objective 2 funding has been allocated to the United Kingdom; and, of this sum, what proportions have now been received or committed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 November 1993]For the period 1989–93 some 3,200 mecu—1992 prices —has been allocated to the United Kingdom under objective 2. This represents 38 per cent. of the total allocated to this objective. To date, over 85 per cent. of the United Kingdom's allocation has been committed to projects.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Historic Gardens Awards
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the applicants for European Community financial assistance under this year's awards for the conservation of gardens of historic value; what were the reasons in each applicable case for a garden not receiving such funding and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The EC pilot projects grant scheme makes awards annually to conservation work within certain themes. The 1993 theme was the conservation of gardens of historic value and the English applicants were:

  Gibraltar

  Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

  Avon

  Royal Victoria Park

  Prior Park

  Buckinghamshire

  Canes

  Hughenden Manor

  Stowe—The Lamport Garden

  Cheshire

  Haughton Hall

  Tushingham Hall

  Cornwall

  Penjerrick

  Heligan

  Prideaux Place

  Cumbria

  Brantwood

  Naworth Castle

  Kirkby Lonsdale, Ruskin's View

  Devon

  Castle Hill

  Aileron

  Hill House Nursery and Garden

  Derbyshire

  Melbourne Hall

  Dorset

  Mapperton

  Essex

  Marks Hall

  Cressing Temple, Walled Garden

  Greater London

  Victoria Embankment Gardens

  Ham House Avenues

  Hogarth House

  York House Gardens, Twickenham

  William Barefoot Gardens, Greenwich

  Priory Gardens, Orpington

  Norwood Grove, Norbury

  The Privy Garden, Hampton Court

  Greater Manchester

  Smithills Hall

  Hampshire

  Laverstoke Park

  Sir George Staunton Country Park

  Dean Garnier Garden, Winchester

  The Wakes, Selbourne

  Hereford and Worcester

  Hanbury Hall

  Hewell Park Garden

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  Hertfordshire

  Temple Dinsley

  Humberside

  Burton Constable Hall

  Kent

  Chatham Dock Yard

  Merseyside

  Birkenhead Park

  Sefton Park

  Norfolk

  Norwich Parks

  Elgood Brewery Garden, Wisbech

  North Yorkshire

  Hackfall

  Allerton Park

  Newby Hall

  Harewood House

  St. Saviour's and St. Crux Churchyards, York

  Oxfordshire

  Oxford Botanic Gardens

  Blenheim Park

  Staffordshire

  Hulton Abbey

  Suffolk

  Ickworth Park

  Surrey

  Roysted

  Painshill Park

  Gosden House School, Bramley

  East Sussex

  Exceat Farmhouse, Walled Garden

  Brunswick Square and Royal Pavilion

  Glynde Place

  St. Leonards Subscription Garden

  Herstmonceaux Place

  Great Dixter

  West Sussex

  High Beeches

  Hammerwood Park

  West Dean

  West Yorkshire

  People's Park

  Kirkstall Abbey Monastery Gardens

  Wiltshire

  Hazelbury Manor

  An independent group of experts advises the Commission on the selection of those schemes to be awarded grants; it is not Commission practice to release reasons for non-selection. I congratulate the English applicants chosen by the Commission to receive assistance under the scheme, which were Painshill park, Cobham; Harewood terrace, Leeds; Brantwood garden, Coniston; Hanbury Hall garden, Droitwich; and Prior park, Bath.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether a new director-general of the Sports Council has been appointed; and if he will make a statement.
  291
  Mr. Brooke
  A final decision on the appointment of a new director-general has not yet been made. The selection process is continuing.

  Tourist Attractions
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many visitors were recorded at(a) the Tower of London, (b) Hampton court, (c) the Cutty Sark, Greenwich and (d) the national maritime museum, Greenwich in 1992.

  Mr. Sproat
  The number of visitors in 1992 were:

  Numbers

  Tower of London

  2,235,199

  Hampton Court Palace

  580,440

  Cutty Sark, Greenwich

  304,124

  National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

  550,608

  BBC
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the effect on the cultural heritage of Northern Ireland of changes in the funding of the BBC.

  Mr. Brooke
  Licence payers in all parts of the United Kingdom will benefit from the licence fee settlement I announced on 4 November, which will allow additional and better programmes.

  The BBC is responsible for deciding how to allocate its revenue under the terms of its present royal charter and licence and agreement.

  Dame Daphne Park
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what were the qualifications that led to Dame Daphne Park being appointed a governor of the BBC.

  Mr. Brooke
  It is not normal practice to comment on the reasons for appointing particular individuals to public bodies. The role of the BBC board of governors is to protect the public interest, and its membership reflects the experience and diversity of the country at large.

  Arts and Disability
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals the Arts Council has to abolish the arts and disability unit; what advice it received from the Arts Council's arts and disability monitoring committee on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Arts Council intends to integrate the work of the units within the council responsible for implementing strategic policy in the fields of cultural diversity, disability, and women in the arts, with the art form departments. Such structural changes are matters for the Arts Council to decide.

  Cliveden House
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action his Department is taking over preserving Cliveden house; and if he will make a statement.
  292
  Mr. Brooke
  Cliveden is owned by the National Trust. I understand that the house, which is let as an hotel, has been admirably restored and refurbished by Cliveden Hotel Ltd., which has invested some £10 million in bringing this fine building to its present excellent condition. Sympathetic new uses such as this are essential to bring in the resources needed to preserve the best of our heritage.

  Some other parts of the estate require major works and for these the National Trust has launched a public appeal. Works to the clock tower have been included in the priority repair programme agreed between English Heritage and the National Trust for 1993–94 and English Heritage expects to offer substantial grant aid. The National Trust proposes to carry out further works as soon as the success of its appeal allows.

  Bush House
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for National Heritage what consultations have been carried out between his Department and the BBC in respect of the BBC World Service lease at its headquarters in Bush house; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  None. This is not a matter on which the Department of National Heritage would expect to be consulted.

EDUCATION

  Schools, Chelmsford
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the schools in the Chelmsford parliamentary constituency that(a) are grant maintained, (b) have had grant-maintained status approved which is yet to come into force and (c) have not yet sought grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on schools by parliamentary constituency is not collected centrally. Relevant information held by the department for schools in Essex local education authority has been placed in the Library.

  The benefits of self-government are becoming increasingly clear to governors and parents. This is particularly true in Essex, which already has 114 self-governing schools—more than any other LEA in the country.

  Students
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he has taken since incorporation of further education colleges to ensure that student financial support matches the needs of students.

  Mr. Boswell
  Local education authorities have the power under the Education Act 1962 to make discretionary awards to students on courses of further education in the light of local needs and priorities. They also have duties and powers under the Education Act 1944, as amended by the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, to provide free transport and assistance with travel costs to post-16 students.

  My right hon. Friend has made it a condition of grant that colleges in the further education sector may not charge tuition fees to home and EC students aged 16 to 18 on

  293
  full-time courses. Many colleges operate concessionary fees for other students. Access funds are disbursed by colleges to help eligible full-time students who are in particular financial difficulties.

  Students may apply for career development loans from the Employment Department; and those in employment can look to their employers for assistance.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the drop-out rate from further education colleges; and what representations he has received that dropping out is being caused by financial constraints on support for meals and travel.

  Mr. Boswell
  Information on drop-out rates is not currently collected centrally for colleges in the FE sector. The Audit Commission and Ofsted report "Unfinished Business" estimated that for schools and colleges the drop-out rate for 16 to 18-year-olds on full-time courses was 13 per cent. on courses leading to academic qualifications and 18 per cent. on those leading to vocational qualifications.

  We are seeking to reduce drop-out from colleges in a variety of ways: by providing more information to young people to help them make the right choices at 16; by improving the range and choice of courses available, including new GNVQs and NVQs which offer high-quality alternatives to GCE A levels; and by ensuring that funding mechanisms provide an incentive to colleges not only to recruit but to retain more students.

  My right hon. Friend has received a number of letters about the duties and powers of LEAs to provide free transport and assistance with travel costs to post-16 students. He has told LEAs that he expects them to monitor the effects of transport policies on participation rates overall and that he will himself keep this aspect of the new arrangements under review.

  LEAs' responsibilities to provide free meals do not extend to students in colleges in the new FE sector.

  Examination League Tables
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons the school examination league tables, published on 17 November, include information about special schools, including those for children with severe learning difficulties.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Special schools are included in secondary school performance tables on the grounds that parents have a right to information on any relevant results, and on rates of unauthorised absence. In successive consultation exercises, last year and this, no organisation representing special needs groups argued that they should be excluded.

  Examination Results
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the precise cost of collating the information published on 17 November about school examination results and unauthorised attendance; and on what dates this information was dispatched from his Department to(a) the national press, (b) schools and (c) local education authorities.
  294
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The cost of collecting, processing and collating the comparative information on school and college performance published on 17 and 24 November is estimated at £458,000. The data on secondary school performance were sent to the national press on 15 November, under embargo until 1 am on 17 November, so that they could make the necessary preparations for publication; and to schools and local education authorities on 16 November so that they would receive it on the day in question.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the cost of providing nursery places for all three and four-year-olds whose parents want it.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The cost would depend on the types of provision, the balance between full-time and part-time attendance and the numbers of parents who chose to take up a nursery place. Currently, some 53 per cent. of three and four-year-olds in England are in some form of full-time or part-time schooling. We estimate that the average annual recurrent unit cost for a full-time equivalent pupil aged under five in the maintained sector is £1,770 at 1993–94 prices. In addition, there would be capital and teacher training costs.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what response he has made to the report on sustainable development prepared by the Education for Sustainability Forum as part of Her Majesty's Government's consultation on the United Kingdom strategy for sustainable development.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department is taking account of the education for Sustainability Forum's consultation document "The Role of Education for Sustainability" when preparing its contribution to the Government's overall strategy for sustainable development.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Police Evidence
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to simplify the procedure by which the police have to present evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Attorney-General
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary recently announced his acceptance of all 16 of the recommendations of a report by outside consultants designed to reduce and streamline police paperwork. The Crown Prosecution Service and the Home Office are now working together to implement these recommendations.

  Cautions
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Attorney-General what advice has been given to police authorities about cautions by his Department and the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Solicitor-General
  The police exercise their discretion to caution in accordance with guidelines issued
  295
  by the Home Office and administer the vast majority of cautions without reference to the Crown Prosecution Service whose function is limited to advising the police on individual cases of difficulty.

  Asil Nadir
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding legal proceedings against Asil Nadir.

  The Attorney-General
  Mr. Asil Nadir remains in northern Cyprus with which the United Kingdom does not have extradition arrangements. There is a warrant for his arrest should he return. Interpol has been notified.

  War Crimes
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about progress under the War Crimes Act 1991.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service is presently considering interim reports from the Metropolitan police relating to several individuals and further inquiries are being made. Inquiries are not yet complete and the question of possible prosecution cannot be considered until they are concluded. In accordance with the requirements of the War Crimes Act 1991, my consent would be sought in any case where the Crown Prosecution Service considers that proceedings are appropriate.

  "Juliette"
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Attorney-General what prosecutions have been brought in connection with the publication of the book "Juliette" by the Marquis de Sade.

  The Solicitor-General
  No prosecutions have been brought.

HEALTH

  Steroids
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Medicines Control Agency's enforcement policy relating to the investigation of reports of the illegal sale or supply of anabolic steroids.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the policy of the Medicines Control Agency to investigate all reports concerning the illegal sale or supply of all drugs including anabolic steroids and to take legal action where it is appropriate to do so.

  Hospital activity: Beds and finished consultant episodes

  Specialty group

  Available beds

  Per 1,000 population

  Finished consultant episodes

  Per 1,000 Population

  All specialties

  231,000

  4·8

  9,636,000

  199·2

  Acute

  113,000

  2·3

  7,775,000

  160·7

  Geriatric

  40,000

  0·8

  529,000

  10·9

  General and acute1

  153,000

  3·2

  17,770,000

  160·6

  Mental illness

  47,000

  1·0

  234,000

  4·8

  Cigarettes
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to collect statistics on the number of fires, fire deaths and fire injuries caused by cigarettes.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on fires caused by smokers' materials is already collected and published in the Home Office statistics bulletins by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Copies of the bulletins are available in the Library.

  Still Births
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been done into the causes of stillbirths in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The national perinatal epidemiology Unit—NPEU—which is recognised both nationally and internationally as a centre for research on maternity and perinatal services, is funded by the Department of Health through its research and development division—RDD. The NPEU's publication "Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth" lists research carried out into many aspects of care during pregnancy including circumstances where stillbirth occurs. A copy is available in the Library.

  The nationwide confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy is currently collecting its first full year of data. The first annual report on the work of the inquiry was published on 15 November 1993, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Hospital Administrators
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy on(a) salary levels and (b) 1994 pay increases for top hospital administrators.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  National health service salaries are set at levels sufficient to recruit, retain and motivate staff of the right calibre within what is affordable. The Government are committed to delegating responsibility for pay to local managers within robust controls on total pay costs, and to establishing closer links between rewards and performance.

  In 1994–95 pay increases will need to be funded from within efficiency improvements.

  Treatment Activity
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list for 1992–93 the number of beds and patient activity by broad specialty or departmental group;

  (2) if she will list for 1992–93 the number of beds and patient activity per thousand population by broad specialty group.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.
  297

  Specialty group

  Available beds

  Per 1,000 population

  Finished consultant episodes

  Per 1,000 population

  Mental handicap

  18,000

  0·4

  56,000

  1·2

  Maternity

  13,000

  0·3

  1,042,000

  21·5

  1 Excludes "Well Babies", includes geriatric cases.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by(a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in ophthalmology;

  (2) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in haematology;

  (3) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in vascular surgery;

  (4) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in ear, nose and throat;

  (5) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in neonatology;

  (6) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in urology;

  (7) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in obstetrics;

  (8) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in genito-urinary medicine;

  (9) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in pain management;

  (10) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in general surgery;

  (11) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and
  298
  (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in dermatology;

  (12) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in gynaecology;

  (13) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in oral surgery;

  (14) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in paediatrics;

  (15) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in rheumatology;

  (16) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in general practice maternity;

  (17) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in general-geriatric medicine;

  (18) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patient and (z) in-patient treatment in endoscopies;

  (19) if she will list by year for the last five years and this year to date and by (a)regional health authority and (b) district health authority (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year-end waiting list for (y) out-patients and (z) in-patient treatment in (i) trauma and (ii) orthopaedics.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on waiting times for out-patient treatment is not currently available centrally. The information available centrally on waiting times for in-patient treatment by district health authority and specialty is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", published twice yearly since 1987. Copies are available in the Library.

  Perinatal Epidemiology Unit
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when her Department will reach a decision about a new contract for the national perinatal epidemiology unit; how this will take account of the recommendation by the second report of the Health Select Committee of Session 1991–92,
  299
  on "Maternity Services", HC 29, that funding be guaranteed for sufficient time to ensure the recruitment and retention for the NPEU of high quality staff;

  (2) what steps her Department is taking to set in train the recruitment of a new director of the national perinatal epidemiology unit.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department's director of research and development wrote to the national perinatal epidemiology unit—NEPU—on 24 November, stating that he had started discussions with Sir David Weatherall, Regius Professor of Medicine at the university of Oxford, about the appointment of a new director of the NPEU. The firm expectation following this is that the Department will let a new contract with the university of Oxford in regard to the NPEU.

  The Department fully intends to follow the recommendation by the second report of the Health Select Committee of Session 1991–92, on maternity services, HC 29.

  Low-income Scheme
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the review into the health benefits—low—incomescheme was begun; when it was ended; and when its conclusions will be made public.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many AGI forms are administered each year; and how much per form is spent on administration.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The review was announced to Parliament on 22 May 1991,Official Report, column 530. Since then, a number of internal measures to improve operational efficiency have been implemented, including the transfer of the responsibility for operating the scheme to the Prescription Pricing Authority, a special health authority within the national health service. Other proposals remain under consideration including those resulting from an examination of forms and leaflets. Any changes to the scheme itself will be announced if and when it is agreed that they should be implemented. The NHS low-income scheme remains an essential part of Government policy ensuring that only those who can afford to pay NHS charges are required to do so. In 1992–93, 1.129 million claims to the scheme were processed at an average administrative cost of £6.30 per claim.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are in place to allow immediate payment for emergency dental treatment for those on low incomes.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Recipients of income support, family credit, or holders of national health service low-income scheme AG2 certificates for full remission of NHS charges do not pay for NHS dental treatment. Remission certificates are valid for a period of six months and may be sought as a protection by those on a low income before the need for treatment arises. These arrangements ensure that those who cannot afford to contribute towards the cost of dental services should not be deterred from seeking treatment at any time.

  Pharmacies
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure of average population per pharmacy in each EC country.
  300
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The latest available information is contained in the reply I gave the hon. Member on 6 May 1993 at column 221.

  General Practitioners
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the average earnings of general practitioners, broken down by the smallest available geographical area.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about the geographical distribution of general practitioners' earnings is not available. The intended average net income for an unrestricted principal providing general medical services in Great Britain in 1993–94 is £40,610. Payments for achieving higher levels of coverage for childhood immunisations and cervical screening, and for administering Hib meningitis vaccine are made in addition. These are currently estimated to add £3,200 to the average GP's remuneration in 1993–94.

  Footwear
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost to the national health service of treating patients with problems that could have been prevented by healthy footwear.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued by her Department in relation to children's footwear.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Health Education Authority's publication "Birth to Five", copies of which are available in the Library, includes a section on feet and first shoes. The book is given free to all first-time mothers in England.

  Geriatric Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the latest available figures for the numbers of geriatric(a) units, (b) beds and (c) consultants;

  (2) what plans she has to increase the number of geriatric units, beds and consultants.

  Mr. Bowis
  The provision of such facilities and services are a matter for local health authorities who have the responsibility for assessing and meeting local health needs.

  Specialist Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the correlation between the degree of specialisation of consultants and the levels of morbidity and mortality in their patients following treatment.

  Mr. Sackville
  Confidential audit work supported' by the Department of Health, and international studies, indicate that consultants with specialist skills and experience achieve better outcomes, bearing in mind that specialised consultants may need to deal with more complex problems.

  Breast Screening
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each year since 1989–90 the percentage of women invited for breast screening who attended, by regional health authority.
  301
  Mr. Sackville
  The breast screening programme is achieving its average uptake target rate of 70 per cent. We do not have central statistics for 1990–91 but unvalidated data are available from the national health service breast screening programme. Validated central figures are currently available only for the year 1991–92. Both are shown in the table.

  Percentage uptake rate

  Regional Health Authority

  1990–91

  1991–92

  England

  71

  71

  Northern

  75

  75

  Yorkshire

  68

  74

  Trent

  76

  77

  East Anglian

  74

  81

  North West Thames

  60

  58

  North East Thames

  60

  61

  South East Thames

  70

  71

  South West Thames

  70

  67

  Wessex

  76

  78

  Oxford

  81

  77

  South Western

  69

  74

  West Midlands

  69

  72

  Mersey

  73

  69

  North Western

  74

  73

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities and trusts have chief executives who are foreign nationals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Suicides
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets she has set to decrease the suicide rate.

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to "The Health of the Nation, A Strategy for Health in England", Cm 1986, published in July 1992.

  Perioperative Death
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that all consultants who could take part in the national confidential inquiry into perioperative death are required to do so.

  Mr. Sackville
  We strongly support the participation of all clinicians in medical audit and in national confidential inquiries, but to be effective we believe that this must be done on a voluntary basis. All surgeons and anaesthetists are encouraged by their respective royal colleges to take part in the national confidential inquiry into perioperative deaths.

  Physicians
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure for the number of practising physicians per 1,000 of population in each EC country.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  As at 30 September 1992, there were 1·6 practising physicians per 1,000 of population in England. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the 302
  Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Equivalent information for other European Community countries is not available.

  Consultants' Hours
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures available for the number of hours consultants worked per week, on their feet, on call and total.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  NHS Charges
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all the items for which recipients are charged in the NHS and give the amounts raised in each category.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Charged National Health Service items and revenue from charges in England 1992–93

  Service

  Charge Revenue

  Family Health Services Prescriptions

  242·0

  Family Health Services Dental Treatment

  394·8

  All NHS sight tests are free of charge. People who are entitled to help with the cost of spectacles receive this in the form of a spectacle voucher; the sale of spectacles is always a private transaction between patient and practitioner, even when an NHS voucher is used. Information about hospital prescriptions, the hospital eye service, and hospital orthotic services is not available centrally.

  Hepatitis B
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the results of her Department's investigations into the case of a young mother who contracted hepatitis B while undergoing a caesarian operation at Whipps Cross hospital, Leyton; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  An investigation is being carried out jointly by Forest healthcare national health service trust and Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority with advice from the communicable disease surveillance centre. The hon. Member may wish to contact Lord Jenkin of Roding, the trust chairman, for details.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the turnover of each NHS trust.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The total income of first and second wave trusts in England for 1992–93 will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how the start-up grant for NHS trusts is calculated;

  (2) what guidance she has issued to shadow NHS trusts on the use of their start-up grants.
  303
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The amount allocated for top-sliced funding to meet start-up costs is divided on an equal basis between successful trusts in each wave. The uses towards which start-up costs may be put are set out in letters from the national health service management executive notifying the shadow trust of the amount to be allocated.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts(a) met and (b) failed to achieve a 6 per cent. return on assets.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  According to 1992–93 annual accounts 106 national health service trusts have made a pre-interest rate of return of 6 per cent. or greater. Fifty

  National health service staff employed in each region (whole-time equivalents)

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Northern

  53,610

  52,970

  53,110

  51,800

  Yorkshire

  58,060

  58,320

  58,470

  57,800

  Trent

  75,280

  75,650

  75,810

  73,910

  East Anglia

  31,020

  31,490

  31,770

  31,120

  North West Thames

  51,100

  50,910

  50,170

  49,330

  North East Thames

  66,300

  66,440

  66,540

  63,420

  South East Thames

  59,690

  60,220

  59,940

  58,520

  South West Thames

  43,080

  42,090

  42,310

  44,800

  Wessex

  43,750

  44,410

  44,940

  43,230

  Oxford

  33,040

  33,540

  32,670

  32,860

  South Western

  51,050

  51,900

  52,770

  52,410

  West Midlands

  83,570

  83,840

  83,980

  85,160

  Mersey

  41,660

  40,610

  40,040

  39,370

  North Western

  71,950

  70,780

  71,890

  70,400

  SHAs and others

  24,020

  24,980

  29,880

  35,870

  England total

  787,170

  788,140

  794,280

  789,990

  Notes:

  1. Some totals for 1990 and 1991 differ from those given in my reply on 20 November 1992 at column 435 where the medical and dental figures were at that time provisional and have now been revised.

  2. The validation of the 1992 data for ambulance staff uncovered an error in the statistics for ambulance staff in Northern region in 1991. The error has been corrected in this table and so staff totals for 1991 differ from figures previously published.

  3. "SHAs and others" includes those in special health authorities, family health services authorities and other statutory authorities. Staff in special hospitals are included in "SHAs and others" from 1991 onwards.

  4. The total number of staff given includes both medical and non-medical staff but excludes locum doctors and agency nurses.

  5. All figures are independently rounded to the nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

  6. Whole-time equivalents are calculated by aggregating the total number of hours worked by staff in a grade and dividing by the standard hours for that grade. In this way, numbers of part-time staff are converted into an equivalent number of whole-time staff.

  Influenza Vaccine
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that adequate supplies of influenza vaccine are being made available to doctors in(a) the north-western region and (b) Chorley.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has kept in close touch with influenza vaccine manufacturers who are producing additional supplies to replace those which did not gain a licence. The manufacturers have said that they intend to complete delivery of all outstanding orders no later than 7 December.

  Bromley DHA
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much of the HIV/AIDS funds was ring-fenced for Bromley district health authority for 1991–92 and 1992–93; and if the relevant accounts have been published and audited;

  (2) what are the South East Thames regional health authority South East Thames regional health authority
  304
  NHS trusts have made a pre-interest rate of return of less than 6 per cent. The rate of return is calculated as the percentage that operating surplus bears to the average relevant net assets.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of NHS staff employed in each region for each of the last four years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The requested information is shown in the table.

  HIV/AIDS funds budgets for each year since 1991–92; and what proportion of the SETRHA HIV/AIDS funds went to each of the district health authorities;

  (3) when the 1991–92 and 1992–93 Bromley district health authority's overall accounts were published and audited.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested has been published in the AIDS (Control) Act reports for South East Thames regional health authority, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The external auditor cert:ified the accounts of Bromley health authority on 30 October 1992 and 29 October 1993 for the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93 respectively. The accounts are made pub]Iicly available following the audit certification.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the names of the members of Bromley district health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The chairmanship of Bromley health authority is vacant due to the recent death of Mr. Alan Cumming.

  At the next meeting of the district health authority on 14 December, the members will select an acting chairman from among the non-executive members.
  305
  The non-executive members are Mr. C. Ilsley, Mrs. E. Giles, Ms M. Theobald and Dr. R. Kirby.

  The executive members are Ms C. Perry, Mr. P. Lloyd, Mr. K. Barton, Mr. R. Lorimer and Dr. J. Spilby.

  Domiciliary Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps are being taken to monitor the impact of the requirement to spend 85 per cent. of the special transitional grant in the independent sector on domiciliary care; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what mechanisms exist to monitor local authorities' compliance with the requirement to spend 85 per cent. of the special transitional grant for domiciliary care in the independent sector.

  Mr. Bowis
  Prior to 1993, all the resources transferred from the Department of Social Security to social services departments, via the community care transitional grant, went to the independent sectors. Local authorities are required to spend at least 85 per cent. of the social security transfer element of the special transitional grant on independent sector community care services. We have established an extensive programme of monitoring and evaluation which is considering all the key aspects of the implementation of the community care reforms. The district audit service will verify compliance with the requirement.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a table showing those district health authorities that are over their capitation targets indicating(a) the percentage that they are over capitation and (b) the cash amount that this represents of current budgets.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information for 1993–94 has been placed in the Library.

  General Practitioners
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners' surgeries there are in Liverpool, South Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens and Wirral health authorities; how many of these are single general practitioner's practices; and what is the average list size of practices in each authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  Family services health authority

  Number of practices

  Number of single handed practices

  Average list size

  Liverpool

  103

  41

  2,041

  Sefton

  55

  21

  2,010

  St. Helens and

  Knowsley

  77

  26

  2,034

  Wirral

  68

  17

  1,874

  The data relate to April 1993.
  The practice information provided relates to the number of partnerships. Some of these partnerships may practise from more than one surgery.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners have moved from working outside London to inner London under the provisions of "Making London Better".
  306
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Data are not available centrally showing the movement of general practitioners from one family health services authority to another. It is too early to assess the impact of "Making London Better" on GP manpower. Available information on the numbers of unrestricted GPs in the 12 complete FHSAs which fall wholly or partly within the London initiative zone as at 1 April 1993 is shown in the table:

  FHSA

  Unrestricted GPs

  Brent and Harrow

  272

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  372

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  189

  Barking and Havering

  182

  Camden and Islington

  218

  City and East London

  355

  Enfield and Haringey

  277

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  225

  Greenwich and Bexley

  213

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  419

  Croydon

  160

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  323

  TOTAL

  3,205

  Sight Tests
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the costs to optometrists of carrying out a GOS sight test in 1992; and what was the GOS sight test fee paid to optometrists for the corresponding period.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department has recently received a report commissioned by the staff side of Whitley committee C in support of their claim for an increase in the level of the national health service sight test fee. This report, which we are now studying, suggests that optometrists' unit costs in 1992 were £18·42 per sight test. The NHS sight test fee was £.12·75 in 1992.

  Emergency Admissions
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency admissions have been made through accident and emergency units at the Royal Liverpool university hospital, Broadgreen hospital, Fazakerley hospital, and Whiston hospital during(a) April 1992 to April 1993 and (b) April 1993 to date.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen of the relevant national health service trusts for details.

  Registered Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appeals to registered homes tribunals have been heard in each year since the implementation of the Registered Homes Act 1984, and what were(a) the categories of case/section of the Act which appellants appeared, (b) whether the hearings concerned care, nursing homes, or joint registered homes and (c) the outcome of hearings.

  Mr. Bowis
  The numbers of appeals heard by registered homes tribunals in each year since they began to operate in 1985 were:
  307

  Number

  1985

  11

  1986

  36

  1987

  26

  1988

  30

  1989

  25

  1990

  26

  1991

  32

  1992

  33

  The further information requested by the hon. Member could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered homes have been deregistered since the implementation of the Registered Homes Act 1984; in each year how many of those were(a) charitable or not-for-profit homes, (b) private care homes, (c) private nursing homes and (d) joint registration homes; and under which provisions of the Act the deregistration took place.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department does not hold information about the numbers of homes which have been deregistered.

  Oxendon House
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with Bedfordshire county council about the future of Oxenden house, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  [pursuant to his reply, 25 November 1993, c. 136]: I regret that there was an error in my previous reply which should have read:
  "The Department has been kept informed about recent developments in relation to Bedfordshire county council's children's home, Oxendon house. I understand that the acting principal of the home has been arrested by the police and that four other members of staff have been suspended. Following advice from the social services inspectorate, the county council is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate therapies and restraint techniques and the general culture of the home. Meanwhile the home has been closed, the children relocated and 45 members of staff have been given leave of absence.
  The social services inspectorate is continuing to monitor the situation."

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the United Kingdom aid budget the Government plan to give to non-governmental organisations in the next two years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The policy of enhancing the role that NGOs play in delivering our aid will continue. I cannot anticipate the public expenditure plans that will be announced tomorrow.

  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Overseas Development Administration is supporting the work of non-governmental organisations in helping to meet the long-term needs of the poorest communities in developing countries.
  308
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1992–93 the ODA gave grants totalling over £77 million to support the long-term development programmes of British non-governmental organisations in their efforts to alleviate poverty among the poorest groups in developing countries.

  Aid Spending
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations have been received by his Department urging him to increase aid spending to 0·7 per cent. of national income.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Many hon. Members have written to Ministers.

  Bosnia
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to help the victims of the war in Bosnia during the winter.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government have committed over £152 million for aid to victims of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. We also contribute substantially to the Sarajevo airlift and through our 2,300 troop contribution to the United Nations protection forces.

  Burundi
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has received of the number of refugees from Burundi into neighbouring countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  According to latest estimates we have received from the United Nations, a total of some 700,000 refugees have fled Burundi—including 375,000 into Rwanda, 245,000 into Tanzania and 50,000 in Zaire.

  World Bank (Loans)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what evaluation studies have been undertaken by the Overseas Development Administration of the impact and effectiveness of World bank project loans and structural adjustment programmes; which non-governmental organisations have been consulted in these studies; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what evaluation studies have been done by the Overseas Development Administration of World bank project loans and structural adjustment programmes; which non-governmental oganisations were consulted; and what measures are being taken to forward these reports to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee or the executive director of the World bank.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Evaluations of completed World bank projects are the responsibility of the bank's independent operations evaluation department. Summaries of evaluation reports will be among the expanded list of documents to be made publicly available under the bank's revised disclosure of information policy.

  The ODA has produced a number of evaluations where we have co-financed with the bank. Details of how reports or summaries can be obtained are set out in ODA' s "Catalogue of Evaluation Studies", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  World Bank Projects
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what evaluations were made of the environmental effects and effects on indigenous peoples of the World bank-funded Pangue dam project in Chile by the Overseas Development Administration; what were the results; what guidance was given to the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank as to voting on the project; and how the United Kingdom executive director voted;

  (2) what evaluations were conducted by the Overseas Development Administration concerning the displacement effects of the World bank's Daguangba Hainan project in China; what were the results; which local groups were consulted; what guidance was given to the United Kingdom executive director as to voting; and how the United Kingdom executive director voted;

  (3) what studies were conducted by the Overseas Development Administration on the environmental effects of the World bank-funded National Thermal Power Corporation's project in India; what were the results; which groups were consulted; what guidance was given to the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank as to voting on the issue; and how the United Kingdom executive director voted;

  (4) what environmental studies were conducted on the Kureimat thermal power plant in Egypt by the Overseas Development Administration; what were the results of any such study; which groups were consulted in the evaluation; what advice was given to the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank as to voting on the issue; and how the United Kingdom executive director voted;

  (5) what studies were conducted of social consequences and displacement of population by the Overseas Development Administration on the Ertan hydroelectric plant in China; what were the results of any such study; which local groups were consulted; what guidance on voting in respect of the plant was given to the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank; and how the United Kingdom executive director voted.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  ODA does not commission studies of individual project proposals presented to the World bank's board of directors for approval except where we are considering co-financing. This has not arisen in the cases specified.

  Project appraisal reports and such supporting documents as summary environmental assessments which are sent to the board are reviewed by our executive director's office and, on a selective basis—mainly adjustment operations or environmentally sensitive projects—within ODA. Comments received from time to time from interested NGOs are taken into account. It is not our practice to reveal instructions to our executive director, nor to disclose the position he takes in board discussions, the proceedings of which are confidential.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the results of the World bank studies of the Narmada dam project in India initiated at the time that the loan was cancelled.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A number of environmental and hydrological studies which were initiated before cancellation of the balance of the bank loan for the Sardar Sarovar dam project in the Narmada valley, India, were financed 310
  under a technical assistance grant from ODA to the bank. The Indian authorities have recently agreed that these reports can be made available publicly. A set of the reports is being placed in the Library of the House. We have not yet seen other studies arising from the action programme agreed between the Indian authorities and the bank in October 1992.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what World bank projects are currently being evaluated by the Overseas Development Administration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  ODA's evaluation unit is not currently undertaking any evaluation of completed bank projects.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies have been conducted by(a) the Overseas Development Administration and (b) the World bank on the Pak Mun World bank project; what were the results of such studies; which social and environmental experts from the area were consulted; what advice was given to the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank in respect of voting on the project; and how the United Kingdom executive director voted.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have not commissioned any studies of this project. When the World bank's board approved the loan in December 1991, we asked the bank to undertake a mid-term review given the concerns expressed at the time about the environmental impact and resettlement aspects of the project. The board is currently considering the report of a bank mission which concluded that the Thai authorities were complying with agreements reached with the bank on the resettlement and environmental aspects of the project, although much more needed to be done to improve communications with the affected population and NGOs.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank will be attending the non-governmental organisations meeting in Washington on 19 November concerning the environmental impact of the Pak Mun project in Thailand; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Our executive director was represented at the briefing meeting held in Washington on 19 November when presentations were made by a Thai NGO and academics about the potential environmental impact of the Pak Mun dam.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the United Kingdom executive director has made to the World bank to ensure that energy efficiency should be encouraged in developing countries rather than increasing the number of power plants.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Our executive director played a full part in board discussion of a bank policy paper on energy efficiency and conservation in 1992. The report on the 10th replenishment of the International Development Association—IDA-10—which was approved by the board
  311
  in January 1993, noted the importance of promoting end-use energy efficiency alongside increases in supply. It also underlined the need for IDA to expand its least cost planning analysis to take account of both demand side and alternative supply side options employing proven technologies in energy conservation and renewable energy sources.

  Policy Information Markers
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what are the policy information markers going to consist; and when they will be established.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development Administration's policy information marker system—PIMS—has been operational since 1 October 1993. It is a computer based system which allows ODA's commitments of aid to be marked against one or more of 19 policy markers. The markers include ODA's seven priority objectives already announced by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development in her speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs on 18 October. PIMS will provide a means of closer monitoring of ODA's performance against the objectives set for the aid programme.

  Initial data from PIMS will appear in the ODA section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office departmental report 1994.

  Russia
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluations his Department has conducted of the quality of World bank lending to Russia; and what has been the level of lending in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  World bank lending to Russia began in August 1992 with a $600 million rehabilitation loan. In the bank's fiscal year ended June 1993—FY93—commitments totalled $760 million. Approvals in the current year—FY94—include a $610 million loan to the oil sector.

  Further details of the bank's activities are contained in its 1993 annual report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  It is too early to assess the impact of bank lending to Russia, but we have been impressed by the preparatory work they have undertaken in support of its lending programme.

  Arun-3 Project
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies of the social and environmental effects of the Arun-3 project in Nepal have been conducted by the Overseas Development Administration; what were the results and which groups in Nepal were consulted; and what is the current status of the project.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  ODA has made no bilateral financial commitment to the Arun-3 dam project in Nepal, and has commissioned no studies. The Nepalese authorities have prepared an environmental assessment. The World bank, together with other co-financiers,312
  initiated its appraisal of the project in May; and has stated that it intends to disseminate information about the project to NGOs and other interested parties to facilitate informed discussion.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the ODA has given recently to humanitarian crises in the emerging countries of the former Soviet Union.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Over the last two years we have provided over £8 million in humanitarian assistance to countries of the former Soviet Union. Details are as follows:

  Bilateral aid

  £'000s

  Financial year 1992–93 (expenditure)

  Financial year 1993–94 (commitments to date)

  Armenia

  227

  270

  Azerbaijan (Inc. Nagorno-Karabakh)

  533

  1,541

  Georgia

  498

  456

  Khazakhstan

  —

  33

  Kyrgyzstan

  27

  67

  Russian Federation

  475

  —

  Tajikistan

  100

  140

  Ukraine

  —

  24

  TOTAL

  1,860

  2,531

  United Kingdom share of EC aid

  £'000s

  Calendar 1992

  Calendar 1993 (to date)

  Armenia

  182

  768

  Azerbaijan

  182

  1,088

  Georgia

  —

  934

  Russian Federation

  —

  64

  Tajikistan

  97

  576

  TOTAL

  461

  3,430

  Cyprus
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the per capita income of Greek Cypriots living in southern Cyprus; and what considerations underlie the giving of United Kingdom aid to Cyprus.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Information on the per capita income of the two communities in Cyprus is not available. The figure for Cyprus as a whole was $8,640 in 1991. The considerations underlying our small aid programme to Cyprus are our historical relationship and an even-handed approach towards both communities.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Official Information
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the statutory provisions which(a) restrict the disclosure of official information and (b) provide legal rights of access to official information.
  313
  Mr. Waldegrave
  A list of some 200 statutory provisions which have been identified as restricting the disclosure of official information can be found in the "Open Government" White Paper—Cm 2290—published earlier this year.

  Statutory provisions which provide legal rights of access include: the Data Protection Act 1984; the Access to Personal Files Act 1987; the Education Reform Act 1988; the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988; the Access to Health Records Act 1990; the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985; the Health Service Joint Consultative Committees (Access to Information) Act 1986; the Community Health Councils (Access to Information) Act 1988; the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; and the Education (School Records) Regulations 1989.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the amount spent on official hospitality by each Department, including the Prime Minister's Office, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The expenditure on official hospitality by those Departments for which I have responsibility is as follows:

  OPSS

  COI

  £

  £

  1984–85

  17,618

  3,911

  1985–86

  45,707

  4,121

  1986–87

  26,595

  4,802

  1987–88

  13,514

  4,499

  1988–89

  29,775

  2,895

  1989–90

  37,276

  3,267

  1990–91

  32,689

  530

  1991–92

  48,642

  3,187

  1992–93

  45,154

  3,042

  The figures for Office of Public Service and Science include expenditure by the Prime Minister's Office. In addition to the amount shown under OPSS for 1991–92, a further £234,126 was spent in that year in respect of official hospitality for the 1991 economic summit.
  Expenditure by HMSO on official hospitality in 1992 was £15,984. Figures for hospitality were not recorded centrally by HMSO before 1992.
  Expenditure records prior to financial year 1984–85 do not provide information in the form requested.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what instructions have been given to Departments of State concerning requests to them from the Scott inquiry for confidential documentary material.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Departments have been instructed to make available to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry all material upon request, irrespective of classification, and have not been issued with specific instructions concerning requests for classified material.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many magistrates in Lancashire have resigned this year citing as a reason dissatisfaction with the Government's policies on the administration of justice.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The total number of resignations in Lancashire this year, less those retiring for reasons of age, has been 40. Only a small proportion of these have given dissatisfaction with the administration of justice as a reason for their resignation.

  British Geological Survey Laboratory
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council concerning the proposed closure of the British geological survey laboratory and office, Aberystwyth;

  (2) what consultations he has had with the quarrying, mining, civil engineering and academic research interests in Wales concerning the proposed closure of the British geological survey laboratory and office, Aberystwyth;

  (3) what representations he has received in relation to the proposed closure of the British geological survey laboratory and office, Aberystwyth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  These are matters for the British geological survey—BGS—and the Natural Environment Research Council—NERC—of which the BGS is a constituent part. I have received no representations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Brussels
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will consider proposals for hon. Members to be allowed to visit Brussels more than once each year on parliamentary business up to the maximum of the overall allocated budget; and if he will make a comment.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no plans to do so.

  Parliamentary Broadcasting
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will propose to the Select Committee on Broadcasting that the Central Office of Information should supply the live television feed for hon. Members in their offices.

  Mr. Newton
  No purpose would be served by my placing this matter before the Broadcasting Committee at this juncture. As I have explained in my previous answers to the hon. Gentleman's questions, the factors influencing the time scale within which Members can be supplied with the clean feed in their offices are the complexity and cost of the comprehensive cabling exercise involved and their relationship to decisions yet to be taken by the House on the proposed parliamentary data and video network. This remains the case whatever agency or organisation might eventually be employed to carry out the necessary work.

  Child Care
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what is the cost to public funds for arranging for a comprehensive survey of potential demand for a
  315
  parliamentary child care facility; how much Research Services Ltd. is being paid to prepare a questionnaire; to how many people the questionnaire has been sent; and when he hopes to make a statement as to the conclusions.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  Following deliberations in the Administration Committee, the Department of Finance and Administration commissioned the preparation and circulation of the questionnaire on parliamentary child care facilities to some 4,100 recipients who work in the parliamentary estate. The Committee expects to report the results of the suvey to the House of Commons Commission early in the new year. For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not appropriate to publish the cost of the exercise.

  Vote Bundle
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if his Committee will send a questionnaire to hon. Members about the Vote bundle to ascertain what use hon. Members make of the Vote bundle, what ideas they may have for improving the service and what suggestions they have for reducing the amount of public money currently spent on the bundle.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  As I mentioned in reply to my hon. Friend's similar question on this matter on 3 November in the last session of Parliament at column 198, the form and content of the Vote bundle remain under review by the Committee. I therefore see no reason for any survey of the kind suggested. Members are, however, always free to submit specific suggestions to the Committee.

  Note Taking
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what are the current restrictions applied to note taking in the Strangers' Gallery.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The Administration Committee has agreed for an experimental period of six months that the taking of informal notes of the proceedings of the House for personal purposes should be allowed in the Strangers' Gallery. These arrangements will not extend to any kind of formal reporting from that Gallery, for which the current prohibition will remain.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Working Allowance
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many current awards of disability working allowance there are; what is the total number of claims for disability working allowance received in the last six months for which statistics are available; how many claims were adjudicated upon in those six months; what proportion of those claims adjudicated in the last six months resulted in an award; and what were the reasons for unsuccessful claims with numbers and percentage for each ground for disallowance.

  Mr. Scott
  As of 31 October 1993 there were 3,176 current awards of disability working allowance.

  The total number of claims for DWA in May to October 1993 was:
  316

  Number

  New claims

  4,688

  Repeat claims

  2,256

  Total

  6,944

  The number of claims adjudicated upon in the last six months is 6,547.
  The proportion of adjudicated claims which resulted in an award is 54·06 per cent.
  The reasons for unsuccessful claims with numbers and percentages for each ground for disallowance in the last six months are in the table.

  Reason

  Number

  Percentage

  Capital exceeds £16,000

  8

  0·26

  Not in remunerative work

  1,108

  36·83

  Income exceeds DWA level

  443

  14·73

  No qualifying benefit

  1,264

  42·02

  Disability test

  4

  0·14

  Other reasons

  181

  6·02

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently claiming disability working allowance; what is the average payment to a person receiving disability working allowance; and how many people were expected to receive disability working allowance at any one time when it was launched.

  Mr. Scott
  There are 3,176 people currently in receipt of disability working allowance. The average payment for October 1993 was £40·63. Our original estimate was that once the benefit was fully established about 50,000 people might be entitled to disability working allowance based on the surveys of disabled people carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Pensions Law Review Committee
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of producing and printing the report of the Pensions Law Review Committee under the chairmanship of Professor Roy Goode.

  Mr. Hague
  The Pensions Law Review Committee—PLRC—report was published as two separate volumes. The cost, which was met by this Department, of producing these volumes to final art work was £73,375. As a priced publication, the printing costs of £42,737 were borne by HMSO and will be recovered from sales via HMSO.

  In addition, a summary version of volume one of the report was produced at a cost of £18,640 and copies of the summary are available free of charge.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) lone mothers and (b) lone fathers were in receipt of social security benefits by type in (i) Lancashire and (ii) the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Benefits Agency district in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Benefit Fraud
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the extent of benefit fraud.

  Mr. Hague
  The full extent of social security fraud is not know but ways of producing statistical estimates are being considered by the Benefits Agency. Last year the Benefits Agency caught over 270,000 people defrauding the system which resulted in benefit savings of £558 million.

  Maintenance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the income ceiling at which an absent parent, having met the maintenance payment at 50p in the pound, no longer has to contribute at 25p in the pound.

  Mr. Burt
  The 25 per cent. rate of deduction from assessable income, which applies to income left after the absent parent has met the basic maintenance requirement, applies until a maximum amount is reached. For each child, the maximum additional amount is equivalent to three times the total of the income support personal allowance for the child plus the income support family premium.

  The parent with care of the children may apply to the courts for additional maintenance once the maximum is reached.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many visits abroad he has made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Hague
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made two trips abroad on departmental business during 1993. The details are in the table.

  £

  Event

  Cost to public funds

  World Economic Forum

  735·00

  Meeting with Mme. Veil (the senior French Minister for Social Affairs) in Paris

  160·00

  Suicide
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many suicides he has estimated have occurred in the last five years as a result of decisions taken by his Department about benefit entitlement;

  (2) if he will commission research to establish whether the rate of incidence of suicides is higher among those on benefits and whether suicides have been caused by his Department's benefit decisions.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the reasons for suicides is not collected. There are no plans to commission research on the rate of suicides among people receiving social security benefits.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the total sum of money being withheld from women as a result of the suspension of payment of the increased award for invalidity benefit, pending the result of the court case concerning Council directive (EEC) 79/7.

  Mr. Scott
  Benefits Agency records show that around 30,000 women are having increased benefit suspended pending the outcome of this case. Statistics concerning the amount of money involved are not routinely kept and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Income Support
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what it would cost to introduce a £5 and £10 disregard on income support for parents with care in receipt of maintenance from an absent parent for a child or children but still receiving income support assuming that this involved(a) one third, (b) one half or (c) two thirds of lone parents on income support.

  Mr. Burt
  The latest estimates in costs are in the table.

  Cost £ million

  Cost of (a)

  Cost of (b)

  Cost of (c)

  £5 disregard

  90

  130

  170

  £10 disregard

  170

  260

  350

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the number of lone parents in receipt of income support as at February 1993.

  2. Costs given are full year costs and rounded to the nearest £10 million.

SCOTLAND

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  The number of staff and the number of women in post in the Scottish Office and associated departments as at 1 October 1993—but excluding the Scottish prison service—are shown by grade equivalent in the table:

  Grade (and equivalents)

  Women

  Total Staff

  1

  —

  1

  2

  —

  8

  3

  4

  28

  4

  3

  19

  5

  18

  133

  6

  35

  199

  7

  85

  492

  Senior Executive Officer

  60

  500

  Higher Executive Officer

  294

  995

  Executive Officer

  507

  1,188

  Administrative Officer

  951

  1,396

  Administrative Assistant

  902

  1,408

  Industrial Staff

  18

  491

  TOTAL

  2,877

  6,858

  Equal Opportunities
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department operates an equal opportunities policy of recruitment to all departments for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes. In common with other civil service employers my departments and agencies have in place equal opportunities policies based on the principle of fair and open competition for recruitment.

  Number of 3 and 4-year-olds attending education authority nursery schools/departments at September

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1989–87

  Scotland

  31,037

  31,531

  32,231

  32,913

  34,411

  36,356

  37,601

  n/a

  38,851

  40,204

  41,785

  43,274

  44,488

  46,144

  Borders

  299

  313

  301

  363

  387

  394

  359

  n/a

  390

  438

  447

  470

  484

  481

  Central

  1,399

  1,512

  1,681

  1,858

  1,960

  2,166

  2,210

  n/a

  2,492

  2,568

  2,744

  2,732

  2,733

  2,818

  Dumfries and Galloway

  253

  257

  266

  247

  271

  287

  316

  n/a

  428

  550

  625

  630

  825

  1,204

  Fife

  3,192

  3,235

  3,280

  3,142

  3,439

  3,805

  3,993

  n/a

  4,193

  4,402

  4,329

  4,388

  4,552

  4,538

  Grampian

  2,233

  2,196

  2,222

  2,244

  2,235

  2,425

  2,433

  n/a

  2,678

  2,985

  3,171

  3,391

  3,867

  4,686

  Highland

  331

  455

  484

  519

  567

  580

  618

  n/a

  617

  645

  622

  730

  835

  891

  Lothian

  6,718

  6,529

  6,795

  6,799

  7,045

  7,477

  7,966

  n/a

  7,965

  8,064

  7,969

  8,457

  8,709

  8,819

  Strathclyde

  14,501

  14,768

  14,841

  15,406

  16,071

  16,793

  17,376

  n/a

  17,551

  17,828

  18,683

  18,911

  18,799

  18,695

  Tayside

  1,841

  1,933

  2,007

  2,014

  2,097

  2,112

  2,136

  n/a

  2,344

  2,516

  2,975

  3,326

  3,357

  3,565

  Orkney

  78

  96

  93

  74

  85

  89

  92

  n/a

  83

  97

  101

  102

  89

  192

  Shetland

  32

  86

  99

  91

  85

  82

  102

  n/a

  110

  1ll

  119

  137

  238

  255

  Western Isles

  160

  151

  162

  156

  169

  146

  0

  n/a

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Percentage of 3 and 4-year-olds attending education authority nursery schools-departments at September

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  Scotland

  22·9

  23·8

  25·6

  27·8

  27·9

  28·0

  25·2

  Borders

  12·2

  12·8

  13·7

  17·1

  17·5

  16·6

  15·2

  Central

  19·3

  21·4

  25·2

  28·8

  29·3

  31·2

  31·2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  7·0

  7·4

  8·4

  8·0

  8·1

  7·9

  8·7

  Fife

  35·4

  36·3

  38·3

  39·3

  40·8

  42·2

  42·8

  Grampian

  18·2

  18·0

  18·7

  19·4

  18·3

  18·6

  18·6

  Highland

  6·3

  8·5

  9·1

  10·2

  10·7

  10·3

  10·5

  Lothian

  36·0

  36·6

  40·4

  43·0

  43·3

  43·8

  45·3

  Strathclyde

  22·2

  23·2

  24·7

  27·7

  27·8

  27·7

  27·6

  Tayside

  18·5

  20·4

  22·1

  23·2

  23·5

  23·0

  22·6

  Orkney

  16·8

  19·4

  19·3

  14·9

  16·5

  17·9

  18·3

  Shetland

  4·5

  11·7

  13·2

  12·1

  12·1

  11·1

  13·6

  Western Isles

  19·2

  16·8

  18·4

  19·3

  19·7

  16·2

  0·0

  1985–86

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1986–87

  Scotland

  n/a

  30·8

  31·9

  32·2

  33·0

  33·8

  35·4

  Borders

  n/a

  16·6

  18·7

  19·2

  19·5

  19·5

  19·6

  Central

  n/a

  37·8

  39·2

  40·7

  41·4

  40·1

  42·2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  n/a

  12·7

  15·8

  17·4

  17·8

  22·4

  33·2

  Fife

  n/a

  48·5

  50·4

  48·4

  47·6

  49·3

  49·7

  Grampian

  n/a

  21·2

  24·0

  25·0

  26·1

  29·0

  34·9

  Highland

  n/a

  11·6

  12·3

  11·8

  13·6

  15·5

  16·9

  Lothian

  n/a

  47·8

  47·9

  44·5

  45·9

  46·9

  47·4

  Strathclyde

  n/a

  29·6

  30·1

  30·7

  30·9

  31·1

  31·3

  Tayside

  n/a

  25·1

  26·5

  31·0

  34·2

  34·9

  37·3

  Orkney

  n/a

  18·3

  20·7

  20·9

  20·4

  16·4

  34·8

  Shetland

  n/a

  17·7

  18·1

  19·3

  20·5

  34·4

  39·2

  Western Isles

  n/a

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Revenue Support Grant
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the amount of revenue support grant allocated to each district council in

  Nursery Education
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of children aged three and four years were in receipt of nursery education in each region and islands area of Scotland in each school year from 1978–79.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table. The numbers of three and four-year-old pupils shown are those attending education authority nursery schools and departments as at September in each school year. The percentages shown are based on the relevant mid-year estimate of the three and four-year-old population.

  Scotland in the current financial year on a per capita basis; if he will explain the formulae applied in calculation of these grants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is set out in the table. An explanation of how the amount of RSG
  321
  payable to each authority in 1993–94 was determined is set out in the report to the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 1993, copies of which are in the Library.

  1993–94 RSG 1Per Capita £

  Berwickshire

  112·89

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  104·32

  Roxburgh

  116·04

  Tweeddale

  100·78

  Clackmannan

  143·29

  Falkirk

  130·11

  Stirling

  162·54

  Annandale and Eskdale

  100·99

  Nithsdale

  112·66

  Stewartry

  98·10

  Wigtown

  136·10

  Dunfermline

  121·12

  Kirkcaldy

  127·51

  North East Fife

  122·71

  Aberdeen

  145·41

  Banff and Buchan

  118·48

  Gordon

  112·44

  Kincardine and Deeside

  99·49

  Moray

  126·92

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  103·12

  Caithness

  131·37

  Inverness

  102·12

  Lochaber

  150·65

  Nairn

  102·14

  Ross and Cromarty

  162·06

  Skye and Lochalsh

  186·57

  Sutherland

  166·31

  East Lothian

  135·56

  Edinburgh

  177·42

  Midlothian

  133·34

  West Lothian

  137·70

  Argyll and Bute

  214·65

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  100·88

  Clydebank

  170·36

  Clydesdale

  138·55

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  122·33

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  141·02

  Cunninghame

  150·31

  Dumbarton

  128·43

  East Kilbride

  107·04

  Eastwood

  81·85

  Glasgow

  230·24

  Hamilton

  138·35

  Inverclyde

  159·73

  Kilmamock and Loudoun

  129·12

  Kyle and Carrick

  131·65

  Monklands

  175·72

  Motherwell

  154·17

  Renfrew

  147·98

  Strathkelvin

  125·58

  Angus

  113·99

  Dundee

  173·69

  Perth and Kinross

  126·69

  1 The per capita figures have been calculated using the Registrar General for Scotland's mid-1992 estimates of total population.

  Johnstone
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will visit the town of Johnstone to evaluate the need for a generation strategy similar to that in place in Barrhead.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The method of selecting areas for regeneration initiatives is one of the issues raised in the consultation document "Progress in 322
  Partnership" which my right hon. Friend and I published on 4 October. We look forward to receiving responses by the deadline of 14 January 1994.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each of the sources his Department uses for names from which to make appointments to non-departmental public bodies.

  Mr. Lang
  As can be seen from the current edition of "Public Bodies", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House, I make appointments to more than 160 different non-departmental public bodies which differ widely in nature and remit. The sources of names for appointment are equally diverse. I am always pleased to receive names for public appointment from any source.

  Civil Servants (Dismissal)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the grounds for summary dismissal of civil servants in each Department.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 25 November 1993]: It is Scottish Office policy to dismiss staff only after agreed internal procedures have been followed and, in serious disciplinary cases, after a full investigation of the circumstances has taken place. Where appropriate, staff may be suspended from duty while these investigations are being carried out.

PRIME MINISTER

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister how many visits abroad he has made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost of each visit to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  The Prime Minister
  I have made 11 overseas visits involving 16 countries. The cost and purpose of each visit was as follows:

  Destination

  1993

  Purpose

  Cost£

  India

  23-28 January

  Republic Day celebrations

  179,512·00

  Oman

  28 January

  Bilateral

  Saudi Arabia

  28 January

  Bilateral

  USA

  23-25 February

  Bilateral

  46,696·00

  Switzerland

  5-6 April

  Bilateral

  7,246·00

  Austria

  6 April

  Bilateral

  France (Paris)

  27-28 May

  Bilateral

  4,421·00

  Denmark

  20-22 June

  European Council

  11,690·001

  Japan (Tokyo)

  7-9 July

  G7 Economic Summit

  68,500·001

  Sweden (Stockholm)

  11-13 August

  Bilateral

  31,724·00

  Portugal (Lisbon)

  22-23 August

  Bilateral

  5,296·00

  Japan

  17-21 September

  Bilateral

  173,907·00

  Malaysia

  21-22 September

  Bilateral

  Monaco

  23 September

  Manchester 2000

  Cyprus

  21-25 October

  CHOGM

  43,873·00

  Belgium (Brussels)

  29 October

  Special European Council

  4,243·00

  Germany (Bonn)

  25 November

  Bilateral

  Not yet available

  323
  1 Costs also include those of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

  Official Residences
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the last year's annual fuel bill for each of the official residences at his disposal; and out of which Government budget they were paid;

  (2) if he will list the official residences at his disposal for the use of Ministers in the Government.

  The Prime Minister
  Fuel costs at Chequers, Dorneywood and Chevening are met by independently administered trusts. The cost of utilities at those parts of Nos. 10, 11 and 12 Downing street used as residences, and of flats in Admiralty house, are not separately identifiable.

  Ministers Abroad
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish in the Official Report the rules governing Ministers' activities and conduct abroad.

  The Prime Minister
  Guidance covering Ministers' visits overseas is contained in paragraphs 63-81 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Local Government
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he has given to the Minister for Local Government, the hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry), on the propriety of making public statements indicating his own preferred structure for local government for the area including his own constituency.

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning has the guidance given to all Government Ministers entitled "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". My hon. Friend has made it clear that decisions on local government reorganisation affecting his constituency will be taken by other Government Ministers.

  10 Downing Street
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if(a) Mr. John Latsir, (b) Mr. Y. K. Pao, (c) Mr. Octav Botnar and (d) Mr. Lika-Shing have attended functions at 10 Downing street since 1980.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes, except, as far as I am aware, Mr. Botnar.

  Irish Republic
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to meet the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic in December.

  Legislation (Local Representatives)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy on consulting and negotiations leading to agreement with local elected political representatives before undertaking legislation affecting each part of the United Kingdom.
  324
  The Prime Minister
  This will depend on the nature of the legislation in question.

  GATT
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made by the Commonwealth mission on GATT in bringing forward a successful conclusion to the Uruguay round.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1993]: I met members of the Commonwealth on 17 November at the end of their programme which included visits to Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, France, the United States, and Japan. The mission has brought home to the major participants in the negotiations that not only the developed world but a wide range of other countries have an interest in the success of the Uruguay round. The mission was able to speak on behalf of a third of the world's nations and a quarter of the world's people.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister what further action he will be taking to assist the achievement of a successful outcome of the Uruguay round of GATT talks before the 15 December deadline; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1993]: Completion of the GATT Uruguay round by the 15 December deadline is currently the Government's top trade priority. My colleagues and I take every opportunity to stress to Governments both within and outside the European Community the importance of a satisfactory conclusion, and the need for all parties to bring this about. We are also doing all we can to support the European Commission, which negotiates on behalf of the European Community.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Greece on the policies to be followed by the new Greek Government regarding Cyprus.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1993]: None.

  Commonwealth Games
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister what financial and other help from Her Majesty's Government the city of Manchester can expect if its bid to host the Commonwealth games in 2002 is successful.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1993]: The Commonwealth Games Council for England will decide next February whether an English bid will be made for the 2002 Commonwealth games. It would therefore be premature for me to comment on the nature or scale of Government support in advance of that decision.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many establishments in Northern Ireland can carry out research which requires experimentation on live animals; and if he will make a statement regarding the legal guidelines which are laid down for such experimentation.

  Mr. Ancram
  Nineteen establishments can carry out research on live animals in Northern Ireland. The use of animals in experiments is regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  Home Civil Servants

  Grade

  Number employed

  Number of Women

  Grade 1

  1

  —

  Grade 2

  2

  —

  Grade 3

  4

  —

  Grade 4

  2

  —

  Grade 5

  10

  —

  Grade 6

  4

  —

  Grade 7

  26

  6

  Senior Executive Officer

  4

  3

  Senior Information Officer

  1

  —

  Senior Research Officer

  1

  —

  Higher Executive Officer (Development)

  4

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  20

  12

  Administration Trainee

  2

  1

  Research Officer

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  28

  15

  Senior Personal Secretary

  7

  7

  Typing Manager

  1

  1

  Administrative Assistant

  19

  11

  Personal Secretary

  15

  15

  Administrative Assistant

  9

  5

  Typist

  16

  16

  Catering Manager 1

  1

  —

  Catering Manager 3

  1

  —

  Support Manager 3

  1

  —

  Chef 1

  4

  2

  Support Grade Band 1

  6

  —

  Support Grade Band 2

  7

  3

  Industrials (Non-craft)

  16

  12

  TOTAL

  213

  111

  Northern Ireland Civil Servants Non-industrial

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Head of Service

  0

  1

  1

  Permanent Secretary (G2A)

  0

  6

  6

  Under Secretary (G3)

  0

  31

  31

  Unified Grade 4 (G4)

  0

  3

  3

  Assistant Secretary (G5)

  12

  104

  116

  Senior Principal (G6)

  0

  31

  31

  Principal (G7)

  56

  348

  404

  Accountant Grade 7

  1

  1

  2

  Deputy Principal

  165

  500

  665

  Accountant Deputy Principal

  0

  4

  4

  Staff Officer

  427

  581

  1,008

  Staff Officer (A)

  2

  9

  11

  326

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Staff Officer (Accountant)

  3

  17

  20

  Administration Trainee

  1

  5

  6

  Executive Officer 1

  800

  599

  1,399

  EO1 (Accountant)

  2

  3

  5

  Auditor (SO) MIIA or BATS

  2

  8

  10

  Auditor (SO) MIIA and BATS

  6

  16

  22

  Auditor Deputy Principal MIIA or BATS

  0

  1

  1

  Auditor Deputy Principal MIIA and BATS

  1

  11

  12

  Social Security Officer 1

  626

  280

  906

  Executive Officer 2

  1,004

  499

  1,503

  Administrative Assistant

  2,399

  819

  3,218

  Administrative Officer

  2,544

  982

  3,526

  Social Security Officer 2B

  1,304

  505

  1,809

  Social Security Officer 2A

  246

  129

  375

  Administrative Assistant

  1

  1

  2

  Accommodation Manager/ess

  0

  2

  2

  Assistant Accommodation Manager/ess

  1

  1

  2

  Accommodation Manager (Enniskillen)

  1

  0

  1

  Chief Executive

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Agricultural Economist (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy Chief Agricultural Economist (G6)

  0

  2

  2

  Principal Agricultural Economist (G7)

  2

  3

  5

  Senior Agricultural Economist

  0

  3

  3

  Agricultural Economist

  0

  3

  3

  Assistant Agricultural Economist

  1

  0

  1

  Chief Executive Valuation and Lands Agency

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Executive

  0

  3

  3

  Senior Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer (G5)

  0

  2

  2

  Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer (G6)

  0

  3

  3

  Agricultural Inspector Grade I

  1

  22

  23

  Agricultural Inspector Grade II

  7

  65

  72

  Agricultural Inspector Grade III

  48

  110

  158

  Inspector Group 4

  0

  84

  84

  Agricultural Inspector Grade IV

  1

  3

  4

  Inspector Group 5

  0

  7

  7

  Post-Mortem Room Attendant

  0

  4

  4

  Inspector Group 3

  0

  34

  34

  Inspector Group 2

  2

  105

  107

  Inspector Group 1

  12

  121

  133

  Food Technology Technician

  1

  5

  6

  Chief Alkali and Radiochemical Inspector

  0

  1

  1

  Alkali and Radiochemical Inspector

  0

  4

  4

  Director of Works Service DOE (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Architect (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  SUPT Architect (G6)

  0

  2

  2

  PPTO (Architect) (G7)

  0

  23

  23

  SPTO (Architect)

  2

  20

  22

  HPTO (Architect)

  2

  3

  5

  SPTO (Architectural Assistant)

  0

  23

  23

  HPTO (Architectural Assistant)

  0

  27

  27

  PTO (Architectural Assistant)

  2

  45

  47

  HPTO (Maint Tech Architect)

  0

  1

  1

  PTO (Maint Tech Architect)

  0

  8

  8

  DIR Estate Services (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Executive (1DB)

  0

  1

  1

  Divisional Director

  0

  3

  3

  Principal Auditor (G7)

  0

  2

  2

  Snr Auditor H and SS (Acc)

  0

  2

  2

  Auditor H and SS (Acc)

  3

  2

  5

  Assistant Auditor

  0

  2

  2

  Audit Assistant DHSS

  3

  1

  4

  Asst Divisional Director

  0

  3

  3

  Chief Auditor (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Principal Auditor LG (G7)

  0

  2

  2

  Auditor LG

  0

  4

  4

  Assistant Auditor LG

  0

  2

  2

  Senior Audit Assistant LG

  1

  2

  3

  PPTO (Building Surveyor) (G7)

  0

  1

  1

  SPTO (Building Surveyor)

  0

  4

  4

  HPTO (Building Surveyor)

  0

  3

  3

  PTO (Building Surveyor)

  0

  3

  3

  Career Adviser

  1

  3

  4

  Senior Careers Officer

  9

  7

  16

  Careers Officer

  63

  42

  105

  327

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Catering Adviser

  1

  0

  1

  Catering Manager 2

  1

  0

  1

  Catering Manager 3

  1

  0

  1

  Div Manager Belfast (G5)

  0

  2

  2

  Chief Civil Engineer (G5)

  0

  3

  3

  Divisional Manager (G6)

  0

  8

  8

  OPS Director Water (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Supt Civil Engineer (G6)

  0

  8

  8

  PPTO Civil Engineer

  0

  73

  73

  SPTO (Civil Engineer)

  3

  180

  183

  HPTO (Civil Engineer)

  6

  85

  91

  Grad Trainee Civil Engineer

  4

  19

  23

  SPTO (Civil Eng Asst)

  1

  42

  43

  HPTO (Civil Eng Asst)

  5

  197

  202

  PTO (Civil Eng Asst)

  20

  505

  525

  TG1 Tmee Civil Eng Asst

  0

  8

  8

  O Level Trnee Civil Eng Asst

  5

  56

  61

  Chief Clerk of Works (SPTO)

  0

  4

  4

  Clerk of Works 1 (HPTO)

  0

  20

  20

  Clerk of Works 2 (PTO)

  0

  88

  88

  Manager/Warden

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant Manager Warden

  0

  1

  1

  Director of Conservation

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO (Senior Warden)

  0

  2

  2

  PTO Warden

  0

  11

  11

  TGI (Assistant Warden)

  3

  9

  12

  Chief Dental Officer

  0

  1

  1

  Dental Officer

  0

  4

  4

  Dental Surgery Assistant

  3

  0

  3

  Development Executive

  5

  9

  14

  Deputy Development Executive

  1

  1

  2

  Assistant Development Executive

  0

  2

  2

  Assistant Secretary Statistician (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Senior Principal Statistician (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  Principal Statistician (G7)

  5

  12

  17

  Deputy Principal Statistician

  17

  14

  31

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  5

  12

  17

  Assistant Statistician

  3

  9

  12

  Assistant Secretary Economist (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Special Economist (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  Principal Economist (G7)

  1

  7

  8

  Deputy Economist

  2

  5

  7

  Senior Assistant Economist

  2

  5

  7

  Assistant Economist

  3

  4

  7

  Director Environmental Services (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Director Environmental Protection (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Environmental Health Officer (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  Senior Environmental Health Officer (G7)

  0

  2

  2

  Environmental Health Officer

  1

  1

  2

  Estates Superintendent HPTO

  0

  1

  1

  Controller (CTO) (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Examiner (CTO)

  0

  2

  2

  Senior Examiner

  1

  0

  1

  Deputy Crown Solicitor (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Chief Inspector (Health and Safety) (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy Chief Inspector (Health and Safety)

  0

  2

  2

  Principal Inspector (Health and Safety)

  0

  10

  10

  Inspector (Health and Safety)

  1

  6

  7

  Inspector 2 (Health and Safety)

  0

  3

  3

  Fire Officer 1

  0

  2

  2

  Senior Fire Officer

  0

  1

  1

  Fire Officer

  0

  4

  4

  Fire Officer 2 (PTO)

  0

  2

  2

  PTO4 Drilling Rig Supervisor

  0

  2

  2

  Chief Fisheries Officer

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer

  0

  2

  2

  Senior Fisheries Officer

  0

  3

  3

  Fisheries Officer 1

  0

  12

  12

  Fisheries Officer 2

  0

  10

  10

  Area Foreman (PTO)

  0

  6

  6

  Technical Grade 1 (DANI)

  0

  26

  26

  Chief Forest Officer (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Forest Operations Officer

  0

  1

  1

  Divisional Officer (G7)

  0

  2

  2

  Forest Officer I

  0

  11

  11

  Forest Officer II

  0

  11

  11

  Forest Officer III

  0

  21

  21

  328

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Forest Officer IV

  23

  24

  Area Forest Engineer

  0

  3

  3

  General Manager TC (G7)

  0

  1

  1

  Senior Instructional Officer

  0

  41

  41

  Higher Instructional Officer—NIO

  0

  2

  2

  Higher instructional officer

  2

  47

  49

  Instructional officer 1

  13

  262

  275

  SPTO graphic designer

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO graphic designer

  0

  1

  1

  Audio visual technician

  0

  1

  1

  PTO graphic designer

  0

  5

  5

  Training service manager

  4

  27

  31

  Principal inspector

  1

  0

  1

  Senior inspector

  2

  5

  7

  Principal photographer

  0

  1

  1

  PTO supervisor (historic monuments)

  0

  1

  1

  PTO senior supervisor (historic monuments BD. B.)

  0

  1

  1

  Senior photographer

  0

  1

  1

  Custodian (historic monuments)

  0

  1

  1

  Photographic officer

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant draughtsman illustrator

  0

  1

  1

  Photographer

  0

  1

  1

  Field monument warden

  1

  2

  3

  Senior imports inspector

  0

  4

  4

  Imports inspector

  0

  12

  12

  Senior industrial accountant

  0

  2

  2

  Industrial accountant (G7)

  2

  7

  9

  Management accountant

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant industrial accountant

  0

  2

  2

  Deputy director information services (GR 5)

  0

  1

  1

  SP information officer (G6)

  0

  2

  2

  Principal information officer (G7)

  0

  6

  6

  Deputy principal information officer

  5

  6

  11

  Information officer

  3

  2

  5

  Chief inspector (G3)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy chief inspector (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Staff inspector (G5)

  1

  5

  6

  Inspector (G6)

  15

  34

  49

  Senior housing inspector (HPTO)

  0

  1

  1

  Housing inspector 2 (PTO)

  0

  1

  1

  Investigation officer

  0

  4

  4

  PTO (interior designer)

  0

  1

  1

  PPTO (landscape architect)

  0

  3

  3

  SPTO (landscape architect)

  1

  1

  2

  SPTO landscape architect

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO (landscape architect's assistant)

  0

  1

  1

  PTO (landscape architect's assistant)

  3

  4

  7

  PTO development control inspector

  0

  10

  10

  PTO senior photographers

  1

  0

  1

  TG I photographer

  0

  1

  1

  Chief law clerk

  1

  5

  6

  Registrar lands tribunal

  0

  1

  1

  Senior law clerk

  8

  6

  14

  Law clerk 1

  22

  18

  40

  Law clerk 2

  3

  2

  5

  1st legislative draftsman (G2B)

  0

  1

  1

  2nd legislative draftsman (G3)

  1

  1

  2

  Librarian

  0

  2

  2

  Assistant librarian

  4

  1

  5

  Deputy director MGT training

  0

  1

  1

  Senior MGT training adviser

  0

  1

  1

  Management training adviser

  0

  1

  1

  Chief mapper

  1

  1

  2

  Superintendent mapper

  2

  3

  5

  Senior mapper

  7

  6

  13

  Technical grade 1

  37

  48

  85

  Mapper

  24

  17

  41

  Technical grade 2

  9

  15

  24

  HPTO ferry manager

  0

  1

  1

  Ship's captain

  0

  1

  1

  DDEE harbour master/foreman works

  0

  1

  1

  Ship's engineer

  0

  2

  2

  Ship's mate

  0

  1

  1

  Director of OSNI

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy director ordinance survey (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  PR mapping and charting of (G7)

  0

  3

  3

  329

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Senior map and charting officer

  0

  6

  6

  Higher map and charting officer

  0

  17

  17

  Mapping and charting officer

  8

  120

  128

  Map and charting technical grade 2

  1

  9

  10

  Map and charting technical grade 1

  6

  23

  29

  Map and charting technical grade 1

  0

  2

  2

  Senior meat inspector

  0

  12

  12

  Meat inspector

  9

  82

  91

  Poultry meat inspector

  6

  20

  26

  PTO electrical engineer assistant

  0

  10

  10

  G/T electrical engineer

  0

  1

  1

  Trainee electrical engineer assistant

  1

  6

  7

  Superintendent M+E engineer (G6)

  0

  2

  2

  PPTO (M&E engineer) (G7)

  0

  20

  20

  SPTO (M&E engineer)

  0

  12

  12

  HPTO (M&E engineer)

  2

  7

  9

  Grad TR M&E engineer

  0

  3

  3

  TR mechanical engineer assistant

  0

  2

  2

  SPTO (M&E engineering assistant)

  0

  33

  33

  HPTO (M&E engineer assistant)

  0

  56

  56

  PTO (M&E engineer assistant)

  0

  110

  110

  PT04 (M&E engineer assistant)

  0

  1

  1

  PTO (service engineer)

  0

  3

  3

  SPTO (superintendent of works)

  0

  2

  2

  HPTO (superintendent of works)

  0

  1

  1

  POT (superintendent of works)

  0

  6

  6

  Chief medical officer

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy chief medical officer

  1

  1

  2

  Principal medical officer

  0

  4

  4

  Senior medical officer

  4

  5

  9

  Medical officer

  5

  11

  16

  Medical officer (PT-time)

  0

  3

  3

  PTO materials testing TH

  0

  2

  2

  Chief nursing officer

  0

  1

  1

  Principal nursing officer

  0

  1

  1

  Nursing officer

  3

  1

  4

  Nursing grade G

  1

  0

  1

  Nurse grade F

  1

  0

  1

  Nurse grade C

  2

  0

  2

  Senior assistant director DPP

  0

  2

  2

  Superintendent office machines

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant supervisor office machinery

  0

  1

  1

  Support manager 2

  3

  1

  4

  Support manager 3

  18

  20

  38

  Support grade band 1

  316

  245

  561

  Support grade band 2

  290

  393

  683

  Chief pharmaceutical officer (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Senior principal pharmaceutical officer

  0

  1

  1

  Principal pharmaceutical officer

  0

  2

  2

  Pharmaceutical officer

  0

  1

  1

  Director T and C planning (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  DV planning officer (G5) BF

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant director planning (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  DV planning officer (G6)

  0

  5

  5

  Superintendent planning officer (G6)

  0

  2

  2

  PPTO planning officer

  4

  13

  17

  SPTO (planning officer)

  5

  42

  47

  HPTO (planning officer)

  13

  26

  39

  GRAD TR planning officer

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO (planning assistant)

  7

  34

  41

  PTO (planning assistant)

  12

  42

  54

  Trainee planning assistant

  7

  5

  12

  Chief education and training officer (G7)

  1

  0

  1

  Education officer HOD2

  0

  1

  1

  Education officer HOD1

  1

  2

  3

  Senior teacher

  1

  1

  2

  DC ED and training officer (N10)

  0

  1

  1

  Teacher

  6

  6

  12

  HPTO prison industries

  0

  3

  3

  PTO (prison industries)

  0

  1

  1

  Chief examiner (G7)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy chief driving examiner

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy chief examiner (SPTO)

  0

  3

  3

  Supervising examiner

  0

  2

  2

  District examiner

  0

  14

  14

  PTO vehicle driving examiner

  0

  119

  119

  Senior driving examiner

  0

  3

  3

  Driving/traffic examiner

  0

  9

  9

  330

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Chief psychologist (GR6)

  1

  0

  1

  Senior psychologist

  0

  1

  1

  Higher psychologist

  0

  2

  2

  Principal psychologist

  1

  0

  1

  Curatorial grade A (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Curatorial grade B (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  Curatorial grade C (G7)

  2

  2

  4

  Curatorial grade E

  4

  10

  14

  Curatorial grade F

  1

  4

  5

  Superintendent quantity surveyor (G6)

  0

  5

  5

  PPTO (quantity surveyor) (G7)

  0

  14

  14

  SPTO (quantity surveyor)

  1

  10

  11

  HPTO (quantity surveyor)

  0

  6

  6

  GRAD TR quantity surveyor

  0

  1

  1

  SPTO (quantity surveying assistant)

  0

  11

  11

  HPTO (quantity surveying assistant)

  0

  13

  13

  PTO (quantity surveying assistant)

  1

  9

  10

  Senior enforcement officer

  0

  2

  2

  Enforcement Officer

  1

  5

  6

  PTO Supervisor (Roads)

  0

  41

  41

  Director of Roads Service (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy Chief Scentific Officer (G5)

  0

  2

  2

  SP Scientific Officer (G6)

  0

  17

  17

  Principal Scientific Officer (G7)

  6

  68

  74

  Senior Scientific Officer

  27

  109

  136

  Higher Scientific Officer

  32

  110

  142

  Scientific Officer

  62

  114

  176

  Brucella Tester

  9

  4

  13

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  101

  128

  229

  PT04 Supervisor

  0

  6

  6

  Security Guard

  0

  7

  7

  Security Officer

  0

  7

  7

  SPTO Health and Safety Adviser

  0

  3

  3

  HPTO Safety Advisory Officer

  0

  15

  15

  Chief Inspector (SSI)(G4)

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant Chief Inspector

  0

  3

  3

  Inspector(SSI)

  5

  8

  13

  Head Legal Services (G3)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy Head of Legal Service

  0

  1

  1

  Assistant Solicitor (G5) NS

  0

  24

  24

  Deputy Resistar Land Reg

  0

  1

  1

  Senior Legal Assistant

  34

  49

  83

  Legal Assistant

  26

  6

  32

  SPTO (Supplies)

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO (Supplies)

  0

  4

  4

  PTO Supplies

  0

  15

  16

  Stores Officer (Grade c)

  0

  5

  5

  PTO Stores Liaison Officer

  0

  6

  6

  Chief Structural Engineer UN GR 5

  0

  1

  1

  Superintendant Structural Engineer (G6)

  0

  1

  1

  PPTO Structural Engineer

  0

  4

  4

  SPTO (Structural Engineer)

  0

  11

  11

  SPTO (Structural Engineering Assistant)

  0

  2

  2

  HPTO (Structural Engineering Assistant)

  0

  7

  7

  PTO (Structural Engineering Assistant)

  0

  13

  13

  Superintendent Systems Analyst (G7)

  0

  7

  7

  Senior Systems Analyst

  12

  59

  71

  Systems Analyst

  32

  119

  151

  Programmer/Analyst

  41

  111

  152

  Programmer

  28

  96

  124

  SW Course Student (IT)

  8

  13

  21

  Assistant Programmer

  2

  5

  7

  Principal Transport Manager

  0

  1

  1

  Area Transport Manager

  0

  2

  2

  Fleet Centre Manager

  0

  1

  1

  PTO Workshop Supervisor

  0

  4

  4

  Chief Typing Manager

  11

  0

  11

  Typing Manager

  110

  0

  110

  Typist

  1,132

  1

  1,133

  Senior Personal Secretary

  36

  0

  36

  Personal Secretary

  196

  0

  196

  Assistant Commissioner

  0

  3

  3

  Direct Valuer (G6)

  0

  10

  10

  Senior Valuer (G7)

  0

  26

  26

  331

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Valuer 1

  0

  63

  63

  Valuer 11

  14

  40

  54

  Senior valuation assistant

  0

  12

  12

  Valuation assistant

  4

  37

  41

  DC veterinary officer (G5)

  0

  2

  2

  SP veterinary officer (G6)

  1

  4

  5

  Divisional veterinary officer

  1

  23

  24

  Veterinary officer (G7)

  22

  58

  80

  Chief veterinary research officer (G5)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy chief veterinary officer

  0

  2

  2

  Senior veterinary research officer 1 (G6)

  0

  3

  3

  Senior veterinary research officer 2

  1

  5

  6

  Veterinary research officer (G7)

  2

  13

  15

  PTO water supervisor M&E

  0

  7

  7

  Director water service (G4)

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO (water supervisor)

  0

  4

  4

  PTO (water supervisor)

  0

  141

  141

  Assistant supervisor water (personnel)

  0

  3

  3

  HPTO projects officer

  0

  1

  1

  Chief inspector trading standards (G7)

  0

  1

  1

  Deputy chief trading standards officer

  0

  2

  2

  Area inspector

  0

  7

  7

  Senior inspector

  0

  1

  1

  Trading standards inspector

  0

  15

  15

  Principal (work study) (G7)

  0

  1

  1

  HPTO (work study officer)

  0

  1

  1

  Senior work study officer

  0

  2

  2

  PTO (work study officer)

  0

  14

  14

  Senior telecommunications engineer (SPTO)

  0

  2

  2

  Telecommunications technical engineer I

  0

  12

  12

  Telecommunications technical engineer II

  0

  19

  19

  Telecommunications engineering technician

  0

  76

  76

  PTO

  0

  4

  4

  PTO model maker

  0

  1

  1

  Under secretary (personnel appointments)

  0

  1

  1

  Director management training (PA)

  0

  1

  1

  Management training adviser

  0

  2

  2

  Temporary veterinary officer

  5

  19

  24

  Investigation officer (PA)

  0

  6

  6

  Principal librarian (PA)

  0

  1

  1

  TOTAL NON-INDUSTRIALS

  12,748

  12,147

  24,895

  Industrials:

  Craft

  1

  628

  629

  Non-craft

  67

  3,731

  3,798

  TOTAL INDUSTRIALS

  68

  4,359

  4,427

  OVERALL NICS TOTAL

  12,816

  16,506

  29,322

  Royal Victoria Hospital
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Royal Victoria hospital has obtained in revenue from health authorities in the Irish Republic through the sale of bed space and theatre time for the treatment of patients from the Irish Republic; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the sale on the treatment of patients from within Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Royal group of hospitals has won a contract to carry out hip replacement operations for Eire patients. Under this arrangement some 300 patients will undergo surgery at the Royal. This has now commenced. The contract involves a half million pounds deal in a major bid by the Cork regional hospital to reduce its waiting list. No Northern Ireland people will suffer because of the Royal's arrangement with Cork. The Royal group remains committed to fulfilling obligations to patients through existing contracts with Northern Ireland health and social services boards. These contracts do not at present include hip replacement procedures.

  Adoptive Mothers
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will extend the provision of statutory maternity benefits to adoptive mothers.

  Mr. Ancram
  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 the provisions to mothers of adopted children.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Incomes
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average income per head by the smallest available geographical areas for which information is available for the most recent available year.

  Mr. Nelson
  The latest available estimates for household income, by standard region for 1991, and by county for 1990, were published in the May 1993 issue of "Economic Trends", available in the House of Commons Library. These estimates provide a breakdown of household gross and disposable income in pounds-million and per head of resident population.

  Intra-EC Trade
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Intrastat system for measuring intra-EC trade.

  Sir John Cope
  The current system of collecting intra-EC trade—Intrastat—which was introduced as a result of the implementation of the single market on 1 January 1993 is radically different to the previous one which was based on customs documentation. Intrastat relies on a declaration by the larger traders of the details of their EC trade. A change of this magnitude has required constant assessment of all aspects of the new system.

  A range of performance indicators is being monitored, including both the response levels of businesses required to complete the special returns and the error rates on returns. Both indicators have shown a continuous improvement with targets set for the new system prior to its introduction being met. Currently there is a compliance rate of 95 per cent.; amongst the highest in the EC. Some commentators have suggested there may be a discontinuity in the figures based on past trends and customs is carrying out additional checks and audits. But overall the Instrastat system is meeting operational objectives and is expected to provide timely and reliable statistics. A more general assessment of Intrastat in the context of the single market changes has been conducted by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and will form part of a policy evaluation review to be published shortly.

  EC Contributions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest assumption for United Kingdom net contributions to the EC in the 1994 calendar financial year; and what assumptions have been made on
  333
  the level, in the period, of the United Kingdom's gross domestic product and the exchange rate between the pound sterling and the ecu.

  Sir John Cope
  The latest forecast of the United Kingdom's net contribution to EC institutions by United Kingdom financial year, for the years to 1996–97, together with relevant economic assumptions, will be published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" on 30 November. The 1994 EC budget is expected to be adopted by the European Parliament in December. Following its adoption, the Government will publish a White Paper, "Statement on the 1994 Community Budget". The statement will include a calendar year forecast for the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC budget in 1994.

  Meanwhile the position remains as set out in the explanatory memorandum on the draft 1994 EC budget submitted by Her Majesty's Treasury on 22 November 1993.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has further to support the development of credit unions in communities and workplaces.

  Mr. Nelson
  The credit union sector continues to expand steadily. There are now 316 community-based and 57 workplace credit unions in Great Britain. Three bodies exist to promote the further growth of the credit union movement: the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd., the Forum of Credit Unions Salford—FOCUS—and the National Federation of Savings and Co-operative Credit Unions. Funds have been made available through the DOE's urban programme to assist with the development of credit unions. Grants totalling £500,000 supported 20 projects in 1992–93.

  Independent Forecasters
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the qualifications of his current panel of independent forecaster advisers to his Department; when their term of office is due to expire; what plans he has for replacements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The panel members are all highly-respected economists, and experienced forecasters, who represent a range of views on how the economy works and a variety of forecasting institutions.

  Appointment to the panel was for a renewable two-year period. I will review membership of the panel towards the end of this period, at the end of 1994.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of(a) individuals and (b) trusts that have gains falling below the capital gains tax annual exempt amount for the latest year available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that precise estimates are not possible, but the number of individuals and trusts with total net chargeable gains below the capital gains tax annual exempt amount and above £1,000 in 1992–93 could be in the order of half a million.
  334
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for 1994–95 or the latest year available an estimate of the yield and the number of taxpayers affected by restricting the capital gains tax allowance to relief at the(a) 25p rate and (b) 20p rate.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Under current rules, net chargeable gains below the capital gains tax annual exempt amount are totally exempt from tax. The effects of restricting this relief at the 25 per cent. and 20 per cent. rates are given in the table based on 1992–93 liabilities. The estimates assume the restriction would affect only individuals with gains above the annual exempt amount and do not allow for any consequential change in their behaviour.

  Number of taxpayers affected

  Capital gains tax yield (£ million)

  Restricting the relief to

  (a) 25 per cent. rate

  50,000

  40

  (b) 20 per cent. rate

  75,000

  60

  Pensionable Earnings
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax is expected to be raised from capping pensionable earnings in(a) 1993–94, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2013–14.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available.

  Share Offers
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure of his Department on advertising and promoting share offers in(a) gas, (b) electricity, (c) water and (d) telecommunications.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table shows the cost to the Government of marketing the privatisations and secondary offers within the sectors specified. The marketing expenses include the costs of advertising. The costs of the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity plc will shortly be reported to Parliament.

  Marketing costs of privatisations and secondary offers

  Share offer

  Year

  £ million

  BT

  1984

  14

  British Gas

  1986

  40

  Water

  1989

  136

  Electricity (England and Wales)

  1990–91

  1222

  Electricity (Scotland)

  1991

  16

  BT

  1991

  40

  BT

  1993

  31

  1 Excluding VAT.

  2 Costs to 31 December 1991.

  Mortgage Tax Relief
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated total value of mortgage income tax relief for the United Kingdom, and for each standard region, for the latest available financial year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Estimates for 1993–94 based on a projection of the 1992 family expenditure survey are given in the table.
  335

  Cost of Mortgage Interest Relief

  Region

  £ million

  North

  190

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  350

  North West

  450

  East Midlands

  350

  West Midlands

  390

  East Anglia

  170

  Greater London

  500

  South East

  1,000

  South West

  380

  England

  3,780

  Wales

  180

  Scotland

  280

  Northern Ireland

  60

  United Kingdom

  4,300

  The figures are based on current interest rates as it is not yet known what reductions mortgage lenders will make following the recent reduction in the base rate.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has of the tax revenues lost to the Government through residence in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man for the purpose of tax avoidance.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that information on which to base such an estimate is not available.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals paid income tax in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage were liable for the higher rate of tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The latest estimate of the number of taxpayers in 1993–94 is 24·8 million. Of these, about 7·4 per cent. will be liable at the higher rate.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money would be raised by(a) a top tax rate of 50 per cent. for income over £35,000 and (b) a top tax rate of 50 per cent. for income over £50,000.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Higher rate income tax is charged on taxable income—that is gross income for tax purposes less those allowances and reliefs which are available at the taxpayers's marginal rate—in excess of the basic rate limit.

  At 1994–95 income levels, the yield in a full year from the introduction of a 50 per cent. rate on taxable incomes over £35,000 would be about £2·8 billion and the yield from the introduction of a 50 per cent. rate on taxable incomes over £50,000 would be about £1·9 billion. These estimates do not allow for any behavioural effect that might result from such changes to the tax system and do not include capital gains tax.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the change in income tax in each year since 1978–79 as against the 1978–79 indexed regime broken down into the top 1 per cent., 5 per cent., 10 per cent. and bottom 70 per cent., 50 per cent. and 30 per cent. and all taxpayers, giving the number of taxpayers in each category.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer November 1993]: Readily available information on the annual reduction in income
  336
  tax liability for the years 1989–90 to 1993–94, compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime is given in the tables. The 1978–79 regime has been indexed by reference to the statutory formula and allowing for independent taxation from 1990–91 onwards. For 1989–90 married couples are counted as one unit. For the purpose of these calculations the indexed regime of 1978–79 is applied directly to the later income base. In practice, retention of the regime, indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.

  1989–90

  Quantile group of taxpayers under the 1978–79 indexed regime

  Numbers of taxpayers

  Reduction in tax

  (Per cent.)

  (Thousands)

  (£ million)

  Top 1

  200

  7,100

  Top 5

  1,100

  11,000

  Top 10

  2,300

  13,400

  Bottom 70

  15,900

  6,700

  Bottom 50

  11,400

  3,500

  Bottom 30

  6,800

  1,400

  All taxpayers

  22,700

  25,300

  1990–91

  Quantile group of taxpayers under the 1978–79 indexed regime

  Numbers of taxpayers

  Reduction in tax

  (Per cent.)

  (Thousands)

  (£ million)

  Top 1

  300

  8,500

  Top 5

  1,400

  13,000

  Top 10

  2,800

  15,800

  Bottom 70

  19,600

  7,200

  Bottom 50

  14,000

  3,600

  Bottom 30

  8,400

  1,400

  All taxpayers

  28,000

  29,100

  1991–92

  Quantile group of taxpayers under the 1978–79 indexed regime

  Numbers of taxpayers

  Reduction in tax

  (per cent.)

  (thousands)

  (£ million)

  Top 1

  300

  9,500

  Top 5

  1,400

  13,900

  Top 10

  2,800

  16,600

  Bottom 70

  19,300

  7,300

  Bottom 50

  13,800

  3,600

  Bottom 30

  8,300

  1,400

  All taxpayers

  27,600

  30,000

  1992–93

  Quantile group of taxpayers under the 1978–79 indexed regime

  Numbers of taxpayers

  Reduction in tax

  (per cent.)

  (thousands)

  (£ million)

  Top 1

  300

  9,600

  Top 5

  1,300

  14,000

  Top 10

  2,700

  16,700

  Bottom 70

  18,800

  8,700

  Bottom 50

  13,400

  4,500

  Bottom 30

  8,000

  1,800

  All taxpayers

  26,800

  32,000

  337

  1993–94

  Quantile group of taxpayers under the 1978–79 indexed regime

  Numbers of taxpayers

  Reduction in tax

  (Per cent.)

  (Thousands)

  (£ million)

  Top 1

  300

  9,300

  Top 5

  1,300

  13,100

  Top 10

  2,600

  15,600

  Bottom 70

  18,500

  8,700

  Bottom 50

  13,200

  4,500

  Bottom 30

  7,900

  1,700

  All taxpayers

  26,400

  31,000

  Registrations

  Collection

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  11993

  Belfast

  3,413

  3,952

  4,373

  4,226

  3,607

  3,674

  3,173

  Birmingham

  13,973

  16,550

  18,169

  16,297

  14,044

  13,291

  11,670

  Dover

  6,186

  7,795

  7,552

  7,104

  6,575

  5,859

  5,134

  East Anglia

  7,874

  9,474

  9,625

  8,475

  8,564

  8,061

  6,735

  East Midlands

  10,591

  12,799

  14,354

  12,100

  10,592

  9,429

  8,308

  Edinburgh

  7,423

  7,808

  8,228

  7,873

  6,667

  6,604

  5,375

  Glasgow

  5,460

  5,757

  8,297

  7,477

  6,728

  6,188

  5,118

  Leeds

  10,515

  12,821

  14,124

  12,496

  11,035

  10,256

  7,837

  Liverpool

  9,866

  12,246

  13,239

  12,548

  10,724

  9,815

  7,769

  London Central

  5,492

  5,214

  5,346

  5,290

  4,614

  4,772

  4,455

  London North and West

  11,681

  13,517

  15,901

  14,305

  11,447

  10,956

  8,927

  London Port

  7,851

  9,064

  10,252

  8,187

  6,980

  6,682

  5,355

  London South

  13,028

  14,482

  16,573

  14,875

  12,455

  11,699

  10,901

  Manchester

  10,827

  12,382

  14,013

  13,577

  12,099

  11,259

  8,962

  Northampton

  15,518

  18,390

  19,060

  17,345

  13,229

  12,087

  10,015

  North England

  6,345

  7,854

  8,409

  7,290

  5,942

  5,756

  4,425

  Southampton

  12,194

  13,807

  16,261

  12,903

  10,744

  9,658

  8,432

  South West and Borders

  10,404

  13,535

  14,624

  12,942

  10,582

  9,629

  7,700

  South West England

  13,376

  16,839

  16,972

  13,803

  11,681

  10,965

  9,300

  Thames Valley

  16,027

  19,230

  21,141

  20,223

  17,639

  16,615

  13,207

  1To September.

  Deregistrations

  Collection

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  11993

  Belfast

  2,920

  7,498

  3,224

  3,113

  3,783

  3,595

  2,391

  Birmingham

  11,580

  12,571

  12,637

  12,519

  16,963

  17,002

  11,419

  Dover

  4,403

  5,784

  4,952

  5,736

  9,765

  8,915

  5,519

  East Anglia

  5,814

  10,125

  9,625

  8,475

  8,564

  8,061

  7,339

  East Midlands

  8,726

  11,104

  9,753

  10,026

  13,258

  12,235

  8,247

  Edinburgh

  6,108

  9,562

  6,042

  6,065

  7,440

  6,757

  5,158

  Glasgow

  4,494

  5,095

  6,279

  6,178

  8,035

  7,033

  4,864

  Leeds

  8,985

  10,522

  10,041

  10,284

  13,621

  12,383

  8,761

  Liverpool

  8,645

  9,837

  10,061

  10,002

  13,207

  12,991

  8,364

  London Central

  4,071

  4,867

  4,232

  4,453

  4,677

  4,839

  4,154

  London North and West

  8,421

  8,568

  9,938

  10,687

  13,765

  15,070

  10,312

  London Port

  5,722

  6,741

  6,457

  5,913

  10,275

  10,048

  6,909

  London South

  8,384

  9,394

  10,515

  10,832

  15,038

  14,613

  10,113

  Manchester

  9,670

  9,822

  10,248

  9,641

  13,571

  13,387

  9,399

  Northampton

  10,157

  15,446

  11,777

  12,857

  16,451

  15,143

  9,622

  North England

  5,354

  6,283

  5,998

  6,357

  7,686

  7,242

  5,088

  Southampton

  8,484

  12,220

  10,411

  9,739

  14,476

  13,783

  9,525

  South West and Borders

  8,156

  14,380

  10,296

  10,437

  14,394

  11,902

  8,898

  South West England

  10,525

  16,687

  11,716

  11,751

  16,461

  15,811

  10,320

  Thames Valley

  11,214

  15,057

  13,865

  14,722

  21,431

  19,824

  13,276

  1to September.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will be taxing the DVLA staff's receipt of charter mark bookmarks, coasters and vehicle licence holders as a work-related benefit.

  VAT
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown by region and county of the number of businesses that have registered and de-registered for value added tax since 1981.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs holds registration and deregistration information by local office and groups these offices to form collections. It is only able to provide this information, by collection, for the period from January 1987 to September 1993. This is as follows:

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 26 November 1993]: The cost of these items was 90p per employee. The Inland Revenue will deal with these tiny amounts as it would with similar benefits for other employees.

  Agency Chief Executives
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the chief executives of national agencies set up by the Government in the past 14 years are on performance-related pay; and if he will name the agencies concerned.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 November 1993]: Seventy-three of the 84 chief executives appointed to next steps agencies—excluding those in Northern Ireland agencies for which I am not responsible—are eligible for performance-related pay and the agencies concerned are as listed:

  Next steps—Executive Agencies—Chief Executives eligible for performance-related pay

  Accounts Services Agency

  ADAS

  Building Research Establishment

  Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments)

  Central Office of Information

  Central Science Laboratory

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment

  Chessington Computer Centre

  Civil Service College

  Companies House

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre

  Directorate General of Defence Accounts

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  Driving Standards Agency

  DVOIT

  Employment Service

  Fire Service College

  Forensic Science Service

  Government Property Lawyers

  Her Majesty's Prison Service

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Historic Scotland

  HMSO

  Insolvency Service

  Intervention Board

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  Land Registry

  Medicines Control Agency

  Meteorological Office

  National Physical Laboratory

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  Natural Resource Institute

  NEL

  NHS Estates

  NHS Pensions Agency

  Occupational Health Service

  Ordnance Survey

  Patent Office

  Paymaster General's Office

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  Planning Inspectorate

  Public Record Office

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  Radiocommunications Agency

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  Registers of Scotland

  Royal Mint

  Royal Parks

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Record Office

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  Social Security Child Support Agency

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  340

  Teachers' Pensions Agency

  The Buying Agency

  Transport and Security Services

  Transport Research Laboratory

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  Valuation Office

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  War Pensions Agency

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  Wilton Park Conference Centre

TRANSPORT

  Road Construction
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the total cost of proposed budget for new roads over the next five years; and by how much it has been reduced as a result of recent discussions with the Treasury.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I expect to spend over £1·3 billion in 1993–94 on new construction of national roads in England. As for future years, I cannot, of course, pre-empt tomorrow's unified Budget statement.

  Buses, London
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to develop an overall strategic policy for London following the decision not to proceed with deregulation of bus services in London.

  Mr. Norris
  Our strategy for transport in London focuses on three priorities: improving the management of the road, rail and bus networks; modernising and where necessary expanding the provision of transport infrastructure; and making greater use of private sector resources and skills. The policies for buses which we announced earlier this month are fully consistent with that approach.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers are transported on London area buses on an average day; what was the figure five years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  In 1992–93 the number of passenger journeys on LT buses was 1,127 million—3·09 million per day. In 1987–88 there were 1,211 million—3·31 million per day.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the net receipt which his Department expects for the privatisation of each of the subsidiary companies of London Buses Ltd.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department's estimate of the net receipts from the sale of the London Buses Ltd. subsidiary companies is commercially confidential and thus cannot be made publicly available.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the timetable for tendering all the London Transport bus routes which have not yet been put out to tender.

  Mr. Norris
  The timetable for tendering the remaining London Transport bus routes which have not been put out to tender is currently under consideration.
  341
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implications of the proposed privatisation of the subsidiary companies of London Buses Ltd. for the pension fund of current and former London Transport employees.

  Mr. Norris
  The proposed privatisation of the London Buses Ltd. subsidiary companies will not affect the pensions of former employees of the subsidiary companies. The pension position of current employees of those companies is now under consideration. I recognise the concerns of employees about their pension arrangements, and will soon give London Transport guidance on the treatment of these in the privatisation.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the minimum subsidy requirement in 1994–95 for London Transport bus services; and what comparable level of subsidy has been required for each year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Norris
  The total of revenue grant support for London Transport bus services, including tendered bus services, for the years 1987–88 to 1992–93, was as follows:

  £ million

  1987–88

  83·0

  1988–89

  79·3

  1989–90

  67·7

  1990–91

  88·3

  1991–92

  101·9

  1992–93

  100·6

  The current forecast for 1993–94 is £52·1 million. The amount of revenue grant support for 1994–95 will be determined in due course in consultation with London Transport.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to specifying a minimum reserve price for each of the subsidiary companies of London Buses Ltd. which he is proposing to privatise.

  Mr. Norris
  There are no plans to specify a minimum reserve price for the subsidiary companies of London Buses Ltd.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current book value of(a) the vehicles, (b) the garages and (c) all other assets of each of the subsidiary companies of London Buses Ltd.

  Mr. Norris
  At 31 March 1993, the net book value of the vehicles within the London Buses Ltd. group was £164 million; the net book value of the property was £143 million; and the net book value of the remaining assets was £21 million. These valuations reflect the current value or replacement cost of the assets, reduced by the proportion of the life of the asset which is already expired, in line with normal public sector accounting practice.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet with the chairman of British Rail to discuss investment in the west coast line.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend regularly meets both the chariman of British Rail and the chairman 342
  designate of Railtrack to discuss current railway issues. Further announcements about investment in the west coast main line will follow the outcome of the public expenditure survey.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the Hambros study into possible joint public/private sector financing initiatives for the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  I expect to be able to do so very shortly.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the detailed terms of reference of the Hambros research project into joint private sector/public sector alternatives for financing the west coast main line project; when the Hambros report was received by his Department; when it will be made public; and what amount was paid to Hambros for the research work.

  Mr. Freeman
  Hambros's remit is to examine the scope for using private finance to modernise the infrastructure of the west coast main line. We expect to receive the Hambros report shortly, but no decision has yet been taken concerning publication. Hambroc'c final invoice has yet to be received

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary a State for Transport when he next intends to make an official journey on the InterCity train between London and Carlisle.

  Mr. Freeman
  I last travelled to Carlisle on the west coast main line on Monday 14 June. I intend to repeat the journey again in the coming months.

  Airport Privatisation
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what incentives he intends to give local authorities to privatise their airports.

  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on encouraging local authorities to privatise their airports.

  Mr. MacGregor
  BAA has proved that the private sector is ready and willing to provide capital investment for airports. I have therefore reduced the amount allocated to local authority airports to the level necessary for safety and security measures. The local authority owners, therefore, have every incentive to consider privatisation.

  Railway Electrification
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on railway electrification.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under our plans for restructuring the railway, it will be for Railtrack, in the first instance, to consider the case for the electrification of any particular line.

  M27
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the appointment of consultants to study the widening of the M27 motorway.

  Mr. Key
  The widening is being considered within the review of scheme priorities announced by my right hon. Friend in August. Any decision about the appointment of consultants will have to await the outcome.

  London-Colchester Railway Line
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures will be pursued to improve services for travellers on the London-Colchester line.

  Mr. Freeman
  The bulk of London to Colchester services are provided by the Great Eastern route group of Network SouthEast, which is already one of the best performing lines.

  In addition, the route is currently undergoing a major resignalling scheme, at a cost of £100 million. When this is completed I expect to see performance improve even further.

  Hazardous Freight
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to subsidise the Trainload Freight division of British Rail in order to arrest the switch towards road transport of flammable petroleum based products.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under the Railways Act 1993, a new environmental grant is to be introduced next April to help marginal rail freight flows with the payment of track access charges. In addition, all freight operators, including BR, will be eligible for the enhanced freight facilities grants scheme.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure fair play in the allocation of Jubilee line construction contracts.

  Mr. Norris
  The award of contracts for the Jubilee line extension (JLE) is entirely a matter for London Underground Ltd. LUL has a duty to secure competitive tenders in a proper, legal fashion, having regard for EC directives, and to secure best value for taxpayers' money.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects construction of the channel tunnel fast link to commence.

  Mr. Freeman
  Construction commencement depends on the progress of a hybrid Bill through Parliament. We expect that a Bill will be ready for introduction to Parliament next autumn.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make mandatory the installation of seat belts in buses and coaches in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Key
  The Department is currently looking at the circumstances surrounding the recent tragic coach and minibus accidents and is reviewing the full technical and cost implications of the compulsory fitment of seat belts in minibuses and coaches. It would not be right to take any decisions before this work has been completed.

  Transport Expenditure, London
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of public spending on transport in London is spent on roads; and what proportion on public transport.

  Mr. Norris
  In 1992–93 public investment in London Transport, Network SouthEast and docklands light railway amounted to around £1,400 million, while expenditure by central Government and local authorities on roads in London, excluding M25, was about £400 million. Expenditure on Network SouthEast benefited a broader area than London alone.

  Socially Necessary Railway Lines
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how many years a subsidy for socially necessary rail lines can be guaranteed under current Treasury rules; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It will be for the franchising director to negotiate contracts with franchisees, and to make such subsidy payments as are specified in those contracts from within his budget. In doing so he will be in no different a position from any other public sector body in entering into contracts which may run beyond the normal annual period for which Parliament votes expenditure.

  A5
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had recently concerning improvements to the A5, Watling street from the A5-M69 junction to the Nuneaton Longshoot junction.

  Mr. Key
  The Department has recently met landowners who may be affected by a possible improvement of the A5-Nutts lane junction at Hinckley. Any scheme would be aimed at reducing congestion and the number of accidents which presently occur at, and in the vicinity of, the junction.

  Toll Roads
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position regarding the development of toll roads funded by the private sector.

  Mr. Key
  The new Dartford-Thurrock river crossing was completed in October 1991, and work has begun on the second Severn crossing. Draft orders for the Birmingham northern relief road were published in June this year; the public inquiry is expected to start next spring. We shall be considering further the possibility of involving private finance in the planned Birmingham western orbital route after we have announced our conclusions on the possibility of direct charging for existing motorways in the light of responses to the Green Paper "Paying for Better Motorways".

  Roads, South-East Essex
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve road communication in south-east Essex.

  Mr. Key
  With regard to the trunk road network in south-east Essex, my Department is pressing ahead with its plan to improve the Al27 between M25 and the new two-level junction at Rayleigh Weir.
  345
  In respect of local roads, Essex county council has identified three major schemes as a result of their south-east East Essex traffic study. The county council has bid for transport supplementary grant funding to start work on improving the northern section of the A130, between Al2 and A132, in 1994–95. It has also bid for advance design costs on the eastern section of the Al27 Southend-Rochford bypass and credit approval for a third major project in the area, the B1013 access to Southend.

  A decision on TSG funding will be announced in December.

  East Coast Main Line
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held with ScotRail management relating to the electrification of the east coast main line between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

  Mr. Freeman
  I discussed Edinburgh and Aberdeen electrification matters with ScotRail management and Grampian regional council during my visit to Aberdeen in September.

  I understand that ScotRail and a consortium of local authorities are jointly funding a study of the feasibility of the scheme. A report on the first phase of the study is expected in spring 1994.

  M1
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans to improve the M1 in the coming year.

  Mr. Key
  Our construction programme for 1994–5 has still to be settled.

  Trans-Pennine Study
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to give the Government's response to the trans-Pennine study.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 29 October 1993,Official Report, column 807.

  Commuter Trains
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of trains on Network SouthEast commuter services into London were late in the latest 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Freeman
  For the 12-month period to 5 November 1993, 89 per cent. of Network SouthEast's morning and evening peak services trains arrived within five minutes of the advertised time. This includes some trains which did not begin or end their journeys in central London. The comparable figure for the previous 12 months was 85·6 per cent. There has therefore been a significant improvement in the quality of service for passengers.

  NAO and PAC
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office eyes" are held by his Department; and how many are marked "Not for Public Accounts Committee eyes".

  Mr. Norris
  There are 684 files in my Department—out of a total of 1,331,002—marked "Not to be seen by NAO 346
  without reference to the appropriate Head of Division", sometimes abbreviated to "Not for NAO eyes". These figures refer to individual jackets—file parts. For each NAO study, a number of divisions in different locations may be involved and each may possess a file with a number of parts.

  The marking "Not for NAO eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and PAC are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  There is no marking "Not for PAC eyes".

  London Underground
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that London Underground has sufficient resources to ensure the efficient running of the capital's underground system and the safety of passengers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  I cannot comment on the Government's expenditure proposals for London Transport in advance of the unified Budget on 30 November.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement in respect of the derailments on the Central line at(a) Loughton on 8 November and (b) Epping on 1 November of the London underground.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter on which London Underground Ltd., LUL, is best placed to comment. I understand from it that the immediate cause of these derailments was very rapid rail wear on sections of the Central line. LUL's engineers have now replaced the worst affected section of track. They are also investigating why it has worn so quickly. The interface between rails and wheels of trains is a complex technical issue, but track lubrication may be an important factor.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the lines affected and estimate the number of train services delayed as a consequence of the power failure on the London underground on 24 November.

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked London Transport for an urgent, full report on the circumstances of the power failure, to include what actions it proposes to ensure that there is no recurrence.

  M65
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been made to him regarding implications on jobs and investment prospects in north-east Lancashire arising from an eastwards extension of the M65.

  Mr. Key
  Some of the many responses to our consultation on the trans-Pennine study indicated that any extension of the M65 eastwards should help to stimulate economic activity in the east Lancashire area generally.

  Pension Funds
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the exact sums remaining in the railway pensions fund; and what is the actuarial assessment of the amount needed to meet the pension benefits of past and present employees.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a matter for the British Rail Pension Trustee Company and the individual management committees of the various BR pension schemes, as appropriate.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he has made for adjudication in the case of a dispute between actuaries working for the railway pension fund and actuaries working for the Government.

  Mr. Freeman
  In the unlikely event of a difference of opinion between the actuaries, it will be for the trustees, or my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State where he is involved, to reach their own views after taking whatever advice they consider appropriate.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the measures he is taking to safeguard pension funds in cases where privatised transport industries become insolvent.

  Mr. Freeman
  Where transport industries have been privatised, measures have been taken to safeguard the accrued rights of pensioners and active members of the industries' pension schemes up to the point of privatisation. When employees move into the private sector, any pension scheme operated by their new employer will continue to be subject to the general legal framework which applies to all such occupational pension schemes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has responsibility for such matters and announced in the House, on 3 November, that he will be issuing discussion papers as a basis for detailed exchanges with interested parties on matters arising from recommendations of the Pensions Law Review Committee.

  VAT (Bus Fares)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what study he has made, or proposes to make, of the effects of VAT on bus fares in relation to bus use; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have received representations from the Bus and Coach Council, and others, which estimate the effect on bus fares and patronage of imposing VAT. Decisions on taxation are a matter for the Chancellor but in reaching these he will be aware of the likely transport implications.

  A51 Bypass
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make an announcement of his decision on the A51 Burford and the Green proposed bypass.

  Mr. Key
  I hope to be able to announce the preferred route next spring.

  Private Bus Operators
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Transport if he will list the private bus operators which operate more than 100 buses.

  Mr. Freeman
  For licensing purposes, bus operators are not distinguished from coach operators. According to records held centrally in October 1993, the following private bus and coach operators, listed alphabetically, are licensed to operate more than 100 vehicles in Great Britain:

  Badgerline Ltd.

  Barton Buses Ltd.

  Bayline Ltd.

  Beeline Buzz Co. Ltd.

  Bluebird Buses Ltd.

  A. E. and F. R. Brewer Ltd.

  Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Co. Ltd.

  Bristol Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  British Airways plc

  Busways Travel Services Ltd.

  Cambus Ltd.

  Capital Citybus Ltd.

  Capital Coaches Ltd.

  Cheltenham and Gloucester Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  Chesterfield Transport Ltd.

  City of Oxford Motor Services Ltd.

  Cleveland Transit Ltd.

  Clydeside 2000 plc

  County Bus and Coach Co. Ltd.

  T. Cowie plc (Grey-Green)

  Crosville Wales Ltd.

  Derby City Transport Ltd.

  Devon General Ltd.

  East Kent Road Car Co. Ltd.

  East Midland Motor Services

  East Yorkshire Motor Services Ltd.

  Eastern Counties Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  Eastern National Ltd.

  Eastern Scottish Omnibuses Ltd.

  Fife Scottish Omnibuses Ltd.

  Gateshead and District Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  Grampian Regional Transport Ltd.

  Highland Scottish Omnibuses Ltd.

  Keighley and District Travel Ltd.

  Kelvin Central Buses Ltd.

  Kentish Bus and Coach Co. Ltd.

  Lincolnshire Road Car Co. Ltd.

  London Coaches Ltd.

  London and Country Ltd.

  owland Omnibuses Ltd.

  Luton and District Transport Ltd.

  Maidstone and District Motor Services Ltd.

  Mainline Group Ltd.

  Merseyside Transport Ltd.

  Midland Bluebird Ltd.

  Midland Fox Ltd.

  Midland Red (North) Ltd.

  Midland Red (South) Ltd.

  Midland Red (West) Ltd.

  North Western Road Car Co. Ltd.

  Northern General Transport Co. Ltd.

  Northumbria Motor Services

  O K Motor Service Ltd.

  PMT Ltd.

  Preston Bus Ltd.

  Provincial Bus Co. Ltd.

  Q Drive Buses Ltd.

  Red and White Services Ltd.

  Ribble Motor Services Ltd.

  Shearings Ltd.

  South Coast Buses Ltd.

  South Wales Transport Co. Ltd.

  Southern National Ltd.

  Southern Vectis Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  Stagecoach (Northwest) Ltd. (Cumberland Motor Services)

  Stagecoach (Scotland) Ltd.

  349

  Stagecoach (South) Ltd.

  Stevensons of Uttoxeter Ltd.

  Strathclyde Buses Ltd.

  Strathtay Scottish Omnibuses Ltd.

  Sunderland and District Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  Sussex Coastline Buses Ltd.

  Tayside Public Transport Ltd.

  Tees and District Transport Co. Ltd.

  Thames Transit Ltd.

  Thamesway Ltd.

  Trent Motor Traction Co. Ltd.

  United Automobile Services Ltd.

  United Counties Omnibus Co. Ltd.

  Wallace Arnold Coaches

  West Midlands Travel Ltd.

  West Riding Automobile Co. Ltd.

  Western National Ltd.

  Western Scottish Buses Ltd.

  Wilts and Dorset Bus Co. Ltd. Yorkshire Rider

  Yorkshire Traction Co. Ltd.

  Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co. Ltd.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the number of private bus operators and (b) the estimated number of bus users in major conurbations.

  Mr. Freeman
  (a) For licensing purposes, bus operators are not distinguished from coach operators. In March 1993, there were an estimated 1,300 private bus and coach operators based in London and the English metropolitan areas, out of a total of 6,800 in Great Britain
  as a whole. Of these, about 300 operated local bus services during 1992–93, out of a total of about 1,900 in all Great Britain.

  (b) The number of bus users is not available; however, it is estimated that passengers made a total of 2,514 million local bus journeys during 1992–93 in London and the English metropolitan areas, out of a total of 4,483 million local bus journeys in Great Britain.

  Motorways
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for major motorway works in 1994–95 and for lighting schemes and additional service areas.

  Mr. Key
  There will be an announcement about major motorway works in the new year. It is expected that about 16 miles of motorway will be equipped with lighting for the first time during 1994–95. Following a change of policy in August 1992, proposals for new motorway service areas —MSAs—are now a matter for the private sector. Nevertheless, three MSAs proposed by the Department before the change in policy are expected to open during 1994–95: they are at Birchanger on the M11 and Barn Hill and Cherwell Valley on the M40.

  Motor Cycles
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to vote at the EC Council of Ministers against the proposal for a 100 brake horse power limit on motor cycles.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Council of Ministers is expected to convene a conciliation meeting on this issue with the European Parliament. The United Kingdom's position is that there is no evidence to link motor cycle power with the level of accidents. We hope that a conciliation meeting will successfully resolve the issue.

  Motorway Lavatories
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will state the number of lavatories adjacent to motorways in Britain in October 1992 and the number at the present date distinguishing between male, female and disabled:

  (2) if he will list new toilets adjacent to motorways in Britain on which building work has commenced since October 1992 and those for which planning permission has been given, distinguishing between male, female and disabled.

  Mr. Key
  In October 1992 there were 44 motorway service areas—MSAs—in England and a further one, Clacket Lane on the M25, has opened since. All are required to provide free lavatories 24 hours a day. At present, the minimum number of lavatories for males, females and disabled people is specified in the leases of the MSAs, but operators are free to provide more. We do not keep records of the number currently available. Pending the provision of full MSAs, the Department also maintains temporary lavatories with facilities for the disabled alongside the M26, M40—two sites—and M56.

  Motorway services in Wales and Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animals (Exports)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what control she has on the live export of lambs to prevent them being misleadingly described as being produced in another country.

  Mr. Jack
  Animals exported live from the United Kingdom are accompanied by documentation which identifies the country of origin. The descriptions applied to lambs or meat derived from them in another country after export from the United Kingdom are the responsibility of the authorities in that country.

  Declaration on Environment and Development
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken by her Department to implement each of the principles of the Rio declaration on environment and development, agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992, in so far as they apply to the matters for which her Department has responsibility.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government will shortly publish the United Kingdom's strategy for sustainable development, together with reports on climate change, biodiversity and forestry. This Department is contributing fully to all of these.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the June census set-aside figures for England for 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  The June census set-aside figures for England for 1990 and 1991 are as follows: for 1989 the census recorded set-aside land in the category "All other land on agricultural holdings".
  351

  Land Use ('000 ha)

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Set-aside scheme land

  —

  72

  97

  All other land on agricultural holdings

  398

  375

  382

  Set-aside was introduced as a census category only in 1990. Since it was a new category there was some uncertainty as to whether all set-aside land would have been declared as such. Some set-aside land may have been declared as bare fallow or other land. Therefore, for the purposes of determining the base area for the arable area payments scheme, the set-aside areas submitted to the EC Commission were based on actual set-aside agreements reached with farmers for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, which gave the precise areas in set-aside.

EMPLOYMENT

  Disabled People
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what evidence he has that legislation requiring employers to contribute towards the cost of employing people with disabilities, under the access to work scheme, will benefit the disabled work force, and not be a disincentive to the employment of such workers;

  (2) when he will announce the maximum level of aid which people with disabilities can receive over a five-year period under access to work;

  (3) when he will specify the maximum contribution an employer will be expected to make over any five-year period under access to work;

  (4) what estimates his Department has made of the number of people with disabilities to receive assistance under the access to work scheme in its first year of operation;

  (5) how many people with disabilities received assistance from the adaption of premises and equipment, special aids to employment, personal reader service and the fares to work schemes, in the last year for which statistics are available;

  (6) who will assess eligibility for assistance under access to work;

  (7) what differences he proposes in the eligibility conditions for access to work compared to adaption of premises and equipment, special aids to employment, personal reader service and the fares to work schemes.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement about access to work to the House on 22 June 1993,Official Report, column 102. Access to work will replace and extend four of the Department's current special schemes and enable us to help more disabled people and meet a much wider range of their employment-related needs. To help fund the extra costs we will expect employers to contribute 50 per cent. of the cost of help, up to a ceiling, to employees who enter the scheme after working for them six months or more. Both recent and earlier research suggests that employers would be willing to make a reasonable contribution. They already do in the current adaptations to premises and equipment scheme.

  There are a number of issues on access to work on which we have still to make decisions. In addition to the
  352
  limits on individual entitlement and employer contributions, these include transitional arrangements for existing beneficiaries of the current special schemes, for how long those helped as new recruits will remain exempt from the employer contributions and whether there will be special arrangements for certain types of firm. My right hon. Friend is currently listening to the views of a number of interested parties and individuals and hopes to make decisions as soon as possible. Once my right hon. Friend has taken decisions on these areas it is intended to make an announcement to the House.

  The numbers helped through each of the four special schemes which will be replaced and extended by access to work were: adaptations to premises and equipment—284; special aids to employment—5,255; personal reader service—796; fares to work—1,789. We hope to help around 9,000 people in the first year of operation of access to work; each person will have access to a wider range of individual items of help.

  Eligibility for access to work will be assessed by disability employment advisers, who are part of the Employment Service's network of placing assessment and counselling teams—PACTs. Eligibility will be based on registrability under the terms of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944. Formal registration will not, however, be required. Formal registration under the 1944 Act is required for the special aids to employment and fares to work schemes. For the personal reader service, beneficiaries must be registered as blind or partially sighted, but need not be registered as disabled under the 1944 Act. Formal registration under the 1944 Act is not required for the adaptations to premises and equiprnent schemes.

  Fares-to-interview Scheme
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the exclusions which apply on the fares-to-interview scheme; and what plans he has to remove them.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The exclusions which apply on fares to interviews are published in the "Travel to Interview Scheme" leaflet which I will arrange to have placed in the Library.

  The scheme has been reviewed and we are now considering what changes should be made and how quickly they can be implemented.

  North Norfolk Action
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will estimate the savings on benefits incurred due to persons leaving the unemployment register after interviews to persons obtaining employment after participating in North Norfolk Action stating the number in each case;

  (2) what was the overall expenditure on North Norfolk Action up to 31 October; and how much expenditure has been incurred on (a) provider fees, (b) allowances, (c) fares to work, (d) publicity, (e) evaluation and (f) employment service running costs.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  353
  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Sir Ralph Howell, dated 29 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 Questions about overall expenditure on North Norfolk Action up to 31 October; how much expenditure has been incurred on: provider fees; allowances; fares to work; publicity; evaluation; Employment Service running costs; and an estimate of the savings on benefits incurred due to persons leaving the unemployment register after interviews to persons obtaining employment after participating in North Norfolk Action stating the number in each case. These are matters which fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The total expenditure on North Norfolk Action up to 31 October 1993 is £205,182, incurred on:

  £

  (a) Provider fees

  87,349

  (b) Allowances

  85,178

  (c) Fares to work

  2,455

  (d) Publicity

  1,500

  (e) Evaluation by external contractors

  1—

  (f) Running costs

  28,700

  1 Work to start in 1994.

  The numbers of those starting work following participation on the North Norfolk Action programme is 16. The numbers of clients leaving the register to go into work following Supportive Caseload interviews is 120.
  An evaluation exercise is being considered by my Research and Evaluation Branch to estimate the register effect of supportive caseload. A final report will be available early in 1994. Until we have the evaluation it is not possible to estimate savings on benefit as the effect of "deadweight" and "substitution" cannot be taken into account. Further evaluation will involve measuring the improvements in clients' jobsearch, attitude to work and motivation due to participation in North Norfolk Action. This will be done by external providers next year.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements he made to endure the monitoring of the standards of employment training schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Training and enterprise councils —TECs—are responsible for delivering employment training schemes. Relations between TECs and the Employment Department are governed by the TEC operating agreement. Under the 1993–94 agreement TECs are required to contract only with training providers that: obtain and maintain approved training organisation status uner criteria published by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, —a copy of which is in the Library; or, have an alternative system approved by my right hon. Friend, as of equivalent or greater assurance and effectiveness.

  From April 1994, the Employment Department will require TECs to operate new arrangements in the way they contract for and manage services and products which the Department funds. The new requirements have been approved by my right hon. Friend and a copy can also be found in the Library.

  Vocational Courses
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many long-term unemployed people have taken up the education allowance to enable them to study on full-time vocational courses which the Chancellor announced in his Budget statement in March; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The education allowance announced in March became available in September and is called learning for work. There were approximately 5,000 people participating on 14 October 1993.

  Business Start-up Scheme
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many places were offered on the business start-up scheme in 1992–93; how many places have been taken up in the current financial year; how many of the additional 10,000 places the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget statement he now expects will come on stream; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In 1992–93 there were 35,337 places available on the programme in England. Latest information for 1993–94 shows that, to 10 October 1993, there were 18,254 programme entrants. Of the additional 10,000 starts on the programme 8,580 were allocated to England. Of those 8,580, a total so far of 5,850 have been contracted with training and enterprise councils to be taken up in this financial year. Information for Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.

  Community Action Programme
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many places have been taken up in the new community action programme announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement on 16 March; and if he will make a statement.

  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 Ms Diane Abbott, dated 29 November 1993:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the number of Community Action places currently taken up. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  It may help if I explain the background to Community Action and our plans for the provision of the announced places.
  Community Action is a programme to help long-term unemployed people back into work, by providing work experience on projects of benefit to local communities. In the Spring Budget the then Chancellor committed £113·5m, sufficient to provide 20,000 places and help 60,000 people in a full year. Following extensive consultation and development of this new programme, to ensure quality and value for money, the first places became available at the end of July.
  Community Action opportunities will be delivered, in the main, by voluntary/charitable organisations and my people in Regional Offices were given responsibility for contracting with them. The contracting round is now almost complete and 165

  355
  contracts have, so far, been awarded. At the end of October there were 1,200 long-term unemployed people participating in the programme and numbers are increasing steadily. The programme is planned to build to 20,000 filled places by the end of March.
  I hope this is helpful.
  As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  Pilot Schemes
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many pilot schemes have been launched, under which payments are made to employers who recruit the long-term unemployed, as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement of 16 March; where are these pilot schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In his spring Budget, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Lamont), announced the introduction of a pilot scheme called workstart which offers a financial incentive to employers who recruit eligible long term unemployed people. There are four pilots, two run by the employment service in south London and east Kent, and two by training and enterprise councils in Tyneside and Devon and Cornwall.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the new £25 million fund for training and enterprise councils announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement of 16 March; when he will invite applications for this fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A prospectus inviting training and enterprise councils to bid for TEC challenge funds was issued on 13 April and the successful bids were announced on 13 July. Copies of both the prospectus and a list of winning bids have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the training and enterprise councils which have designated specific budgets to assist with student hardship in the further education sector.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department does not allocate specific funds to training and enterprise councils to assist with student hardship in the further education sector. TECs would be able to use their own resources to do this if they

  Great Britain (not seasonally adjusted)

  Percentage of total ILO unemployed

  Duration of ILO unemployment (per cent.)

  All

  Over six months

  Over one year

  Black

  4

  100

  78

  53

  Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi

  4

  100

  77

  48

  White

  90

  100

  75

  42

  Others1

  2

  100

  77

  36

  All ethnic groups

  100

  100

  75

  42

  2 Includes those of mixed origin and other Asian groups not elsewhere specified.

  356
  chose, but information is not held by the Department on those that may have set aside specific budgets for this purpose.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of employment in the Rugby-Daventry travel-to-work area in 1992 and at the latest available date.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Employment estimates for travelto-work areas are available only from the periodic censuses of employment. The latest estimates are for September 1991 when the total number of employees in employment in the Rugby and Daventry travel-to-work area was 50,600.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were in employment, broken down for full time and part time, in(a) April 1989, (b) April 1993 and (c) the latest date for which figures are available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The work force in employment estimates are available only for March, June, September and December of each year. The numbers in full-time and part-time employment were:

  Work force in employment: Great Britain (seasonally adjusted)

  Full-time

  Part-time

  March 1989

  19,637,000

  6,341,000

  March 1993

  17,480,000

  6,774,000

  June 1993

  17,529,000

  6,769,000

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average length of time(a) black men, (b) black women, (c) Asian men, (d) Asian women, (e) white men and (f) white women remain unemployed.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the unemployed are(a) black, (b) Asian and (c) white; and in each case what percentage is unemployed for more than (i) six months and (ii) one year.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest estimates from the spring 1993 labour force survey according to the international standard—International Labour Organisation —definition of unemployment are given in the following table:

WALES

  Value Added Tax (Books)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimates he has made of the impact upon local education authority budgets in Wales of VAT upon books; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Taxation policy is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I cannot comment on speculation about possible Budget measures.

  Plough Lane Link Road
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will visit Wepre Park and Aston, Deeside, to consider the line of route for the Plough lane link road;

  (2) if he will permit a public inquiry into the proposed Plough lane link road, Deeside.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. This is a Clwyd county council scheme and the line of the route has already been determined by it. The county has submitted a compulsory purchase order and a side roads order for my right hon. Friend's consideration. The objection period for the orders expires on 17 December after which time a decision will be taken as to whether or not a public inquiry will be held.

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to secure that payments made under the European Community regional development fund objective 3 and 4 programmes to projects in Wales are administered on an all-Wales basis.

  Mr. Redwood
  Payments made under the European regional development fund—ERDF—to projects in Wales

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Hectares base area (3-year average)

  Set-aside

  697

  1,229

  1,591

  1,172

  Proteins

  1,004

  925

  1,009

  979

  Oilseed rape

  554

  744

  1,094

  797

  Cereals

  61,621

  56,016

  53,068

  56,902

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the June census set-aside figures for Wales for 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Redwood
  There were 582 hectares of set-aside land in Wales recorded in the June 1989 agricultural census. This figure is not regarded as reliable and so comparable data were not collected in Wales in 1990 and 1991. More complete data, collected for the administration of the set-aside scheme, based on all land in the scheme during the year, are shown in the following table.

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Set-aside Scheme land (hectares)

  697

  1,229

  1,591

  358
  are administered in Wales. Objectives 3 and 4 come under the European social fund and not ERDF, and future administrative arrangements are being considered.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the figures for expenditure in the last financial year on(a) urban development corporations, (b) higher education, (c) grant-maintained schools, (d) further education, (e) care in the community, (f) district health authorities and (g) training and enterprise councils.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information is set out in the following table:

  £ million

  (a) Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (net)

  36,038

  (b) Higher Education

  44·546

  (c) Grant Maintained Schools

  5·132

  (d) Further Education1

  2·100

  (e) Care in the Community2

  245·300

  (f) District Health Authorities3

  1,384,000

  (g) Training and Enterprise Councils

  107·260

  1 Information on expenditure on further education in 1992–93 under the control of local education authorities is not held centrally. Expenditure by the Welsh Office in respect of adult continuing further education in 1992–93 was £2·1 million.

  2 This figure is approximate and is based on outtum estimates provided by county councils.

  3 Includes Welsh Health Common Services Authority. (Excludes FHSAs).

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the figures in hectares for(a) set-aside, (b) pulses, (c) oil seed rape and (d) cereals for 1989, 1990 and 1991 which were used to calculate the base area in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  The figures used to calculate the base area in Wales are as follows:

  A465
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now announce the start date for work on the A465 between Aberdulais and Glynneath.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  An announcement will be made shortly.

  Cardiff International Arena
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with Cardiff city council in relation to the release of urban development grant funds to Brent Walker with respect to the Cardiff international arena; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 26 November 1993]: Cardiff city council is party to the urban development grant

  359
  agreement drawn up with Brent Walker and responsible for monitoring the Cardiff international arena project. The Welsh Office receives written quarterly progress reports from the council and frequent informal contact is also maintained. These arrangements are no different from those which apply to other UDG projects.

  The CIA project is now almost complete and final payment of grant, £256,000, will be made when a certificate of final completion has been issued and approved.

  British Gas Wales
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he was consulted about the proposed closure of British Gas Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 26 November 1993]: I understand that British Gas is considering restructuring to become more efficient and competitive and that it has not yet reached a final decision. The future of British Gas Wales is a matter for the company to decide.

  Local Government Finance
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will specify for each local authority the amount of accumulated capital receipts.

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

  Usable cash backed accumulated capital receipts at 31 March 1993.

  £'000

  Alyn and Deeside

  0

  Colwyn

  452

  Delyn

  0

  Glyndwr

  350

  Rhuddlan

  634

  Wrexham Maelor

  110

  Carmarthen

  1,120

  Ceredigion

  371

  Dinefwr

  761

  Llanelli

  0

  Preseli Pembs

  1,910

  South Pembroke

  1,741

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,406

  Islwyn

  648

  Monmouth

  2,248

  Newport

  5,250

  Torfaen

  1,634

  Aberconwy

  1,223

  Arfon

  141

  Dwyfor

  144

  Meirionnydd

  0

  Ynys Mon

  71

  Cynon Valley

  0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  781

  Ogwr

  3,453

  Rhondda

  0

  Rhymney Valley

  949

  Taff Ely

  91

  Brecknock

  996

  Montgomeryshire

  1,016

  Radnorshire

  125

  Cardiff

  2,601

  Vale of Glamorgan

  5,659

  Lliw Valley

  1,794

  Neath

  1,778

  Port Talbot

  77

  Swansea

  1,514

  Clwyd

  0

  Dyfed

  549

  Gwent

  5,877

  Gwynedd

  382

  360

  £'000

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,266

  Powys

  213

  South Glamorgan

  328

  West Glamorgan

  1,140

  TOTAL DISTRICTS

  41,048

  TOTAL COUNTIES

  9,755

  TOTAL WALES

  50,803

DEFENCE

  Forces (Resignations)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's forces leave before the end of their contract; and what is the ethnic breakdown.

  Mr. Hanley
  In 1992–93, the latest year for which figures are available, 24,616 service personnel left the armed forces before the end of their commission or engagement. This figure includes those who left on redundancy terms, but excludes those who died or left for medical or compassionate reasons.

  Information on the ethnic origins of those leaving the armed forces is not available.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of members of Her Majesty's forces from ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not available at present. My Department will however shortly be undertaking a survey of the ethnic origins of serving personnel as part of our implementation of in-service ethnic monitoring.

  Skyguard
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capacity the Skyguard system has for passive monitoring of the height and speed of low-flying aircraft; and what use is made of this capacity when the system is used for covert monitoring of low flying.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Skyguard radar system is an active system which has no capacity for passive monitoring of the height and speed of low-flying aircraft.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what surveys have been conducted of the actions taken by military aircrew when they become aware of the location or presence of a Skyguard radar monitoring low flying.

  Mr. Hanley
  No such surveys have been conducted.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on which nations possess the Skyguard-Oerlikon anti-aircraft system.

  Mr. Hanley
  Nations which possess this system include: Argentina, Austria, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

  Minehunting
  Mr. James Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's minehunting capability; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he expects to achieve a flotilla of 25 mine counter measures vessels;

  (3) when he expects to issue an invitation to tender for a further batch of Sandown minehunters.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Government are committed to retaining a capable and effective mine counter measures fleet. We therefore intend to continue over the next decade with our modernisation programme, which will entail the procurement of further Sandown class single-role minehunters and a mid-life update for the Hunt class. As we made clear in this year's Statement on the Defence Estimates, it is our intention to build up to a 25-strong fleet, consisting solely of highly capable Hunt and Sandown class vessels. The timing of this build-up will be dependent on the in-service dates of further Sandown class vessels. We expect to make an announcement on future orders for the Sandown class shortly.

  Forces Pay
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the rates of pay of British forces serving in central Bosnia and Germany; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  United Kingdom service personnel are paid the same rates of,basic pay irrespective of where they are serving.

  Total remuneration will however vary depending on a range of factors including the allowances to which personnel are entitled. Personnel in Germany receive local overseas allowance— LOA—paid to compensate for the additional costs of living there compared to the United Kingdom. No LOA is payable in the former Yugoslavia but personnel deployed to the former Yugoslavia from Germany continue to receive a significant element of their LOA in recognition of their continuing financial commitments in Germany—70 per cent. for married personnel, 40 per cent. for single personnel.

  In addition, married personnel in the former Yugoslavia are entitled to separation allowance and all personnel receive the United Nations set allowances to cover incidental expenses and rest and recreation leave. Food and accommodation charges have been waived for all personnel in the former Yugoslavia in recognition of the conditions under which they are serving.

  United Nations
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to his counterparts in NATO, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Western European Union in seeking to gain support for strengthening the United Nations, as indicated in paragraph 50 of the Government's reply to the fourth report of the Defence Committee of Session 1992–93, House of Commons Paper 988.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government see a clear role for organisations such as NATO, the CSCE and WEU in supporting the conflict management and prevention 362
  activities of the United Nations. All three are already providing such support, in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere. Considerable work is also under way within these organisations on how they might best contribute to and support United Nations activities in the future. The United Kingdom is a full and active participant in this work.

  Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether high alumina cement was used in the construction of the Queen Elizabeth military Hospital at Woolwich.

  Mr. Hanley
  An inspection of available information shows no specific evidence of high alumina cement being used in the construction of this hospital.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total annual maintenance expenditure on the Queen Elizabeth military hospital at Woolwich for each year since 1982; and what is the budgeted expenditure in the current year.

  Mr. Hanley
  The budgeted expenditure for works maintenance at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich in 1993–94 is £1,990,000. Corresponding figures for 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 were £1,030,000, £2,040,000 and £2,430,000 respectively. Prior to 1990, works maintenance expenditure was the responsibility of the Property Services Agency and my Department does not hold any recorded information.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been introduced to improve the geographical spread of low flying in the United Kingdom low-flying system since the report by the National Audit Office in 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  In 1992, a fast jet turn-round facility was established at RAF Leuchars to enable low-flying training in the United Kingdom by RAF aircrews based in Germany to be carried out in the relatively lightly used northern half of Scotland. In addition, a continuous review of the United Kingdom low-flying system is carried out which ensures that avoidances, which tend to channel activity, only continue to apply where absolutely necessary.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the maximum permitted speeds for each type of aircraft during(a) the run-up to simulated targets and (b) practice interceptions and fighter evasion, during low-level sorties at (i) 250 ft and (ii) 100 ft, in the United Kingdom low-flying system; and if he will indicate the date on which each specified limit was introduced.

  Mr. Hanley
  For military aircraft operating in the United Kingdom low-flying system at 250 ft above ground level, the maximum speed permitted overland during run-up to simulated targets or during practice interceptions is 550 knots, except for F111 and FI5E aircraft which are limited to 520 knots and Hawk aircraft which are limited to 500 knots. The maximum speeds for military aircraft flying at 100 ft above ground level are as follows:
  363

  Military aircraft

  Knots

  Jaguar

  520

  Tornado

  500

  Hawk

  480

  Harrier GR5/7

  420

  Speed restrictions for most of the aircraft concerned were introduced in January 1991, although further restrictions were introduced for Jaguar and F15E aircraft in April 1992.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force fast jet pilots currently hold a qualification to fly at 100 ft above ground level.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operational low-flying sorties were authorised in(a) the Borders tactical training area, east, and (b) the Borders tactical training area, west, in each month from January 1991 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Hanley
  Figures showing the number of operational low-flying sorties flown in the borders tactical training area are not available. However, the number of operational low-flying movements authorised into the borders tactical training area, east, and borders tactical training area, west, in each month from January 1991 to the latest available date are as follows:

  LFA2OT (East)

  LFA2OT (West)

  1991

  January

  113

  67

  February

  72

  55

  March

  203

  121

  April

  0

  0

  May

  4

  4

  June

  0

  0

  July

  0

  0

  August

  0

  0

  September

  5

  4

  October

  15

  23

  November

  103

  85

  December

  226

  156

  1992

  January

  76

  65

  February

  162

  199

  March

  146

  117

  April

  96

  91

  May

  52

  37

  June

  79

  72

  July

  74

  50

  August

  98

  75

  September

  39

  29

  October

  139

  104

  November

  87

  49

  December

  70

  61

  1993

  January

  149

  130

  February

  105

  74

  March

  396

  321

  April

  212

  200

  May

  138

  102

  June

  34

  23

  July

  0

  0

  August

  104

  46

  September

  28

  16

  364
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been collected since the Royal Air Force Strike Command trial in 1988–89, on the amount of actual low flying carried out by Royal Air Force aircrew.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since mid-1989 information has been collected showing the amount of time spent in different height bands by Royal Air Force Strike Command aircraft while operating in the United Kingdom low-flying system. Collection of the information continues.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the first operational low-flying sortie took place in the Borders tactical training area, west..

  Mr. Hanley
  Operational Low Flying was first carried out in the borders tactical training area, west, on 29 June 1988.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are held of low flying between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am.

  Mr. Hanley
  Records of low-level sorties flown between these times will be held on the flight authorisation sheets held by flying stations and on the low-level booking sheets held by the tactical booking cell at RAF West Drayton. Such sorties are not, however, separately identified in the statistics maintained for central management purposes.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been adopted since 1989 to achieve a more even distribution throughout the working week of low-flying training over the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hanley
  Every effort is made to ensure as even as possible a distribution of activity throughout the working week, subject to the constraining factors of aircraft availability, support and engineering staff availability, range opening times, normal operating hours of the United Kingdom low-flying system and suitable weather conditions.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions are placed on low flying in low-flying area 16; and what advice is given to aircrew booking into that area, when low-flying area 20 is active.

  Mr. Hanley
  Low flying is normally permitted down to a minimum height of 250 ft minimum separation distance within the whole of low-flying area 16. When low-flying area 20T—the borders tactical training area—is active, aircraft not conducting operational low flying are not permitted to operate below 500 ft in that part of LFA 16 which overlays LFA 20T. Aircrew are notified of the times when LFA 20T is active by means of notices to airmen.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the March 1989 report on the Royal Air Force Strike Command investigation of the amount of low flying carried out by aircrew.

  Mr. Hanley
  The document requested is classified and cannot be released.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operational low-flying sorties were
  365
  authorised in the area covered by the Borders tactical training area in each year between 1979 and the formal incorporation of the training area in 1984.

  Mr. Hanley
  No operational low flying was conducted in the area now covered by the Borders tactical training area between 1979 and November 1983, when a six-month trial of operational low flying was begun in the area prior to its formal incorporation into the United Kingdom low-flying system in 1984. During this period, a total of 373 movements were authorised into the borders tactical training area.

  Civil Aircraft (Interception)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the regulations governing the practice interception of non-co-operating civil aircraft by Royal Air Force fighters.

  Mr. Hanley
  Royal Air Force regulations specifically state that no practice interceptions are to be made on civilian aircraft.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what winter apparel has been issued to date to British forces serving in central Bosnia; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when the British forces serving in central Bosnia will be issued with Arctic kit including special warm clothing during the winter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Issues of winter clothing to British troops in central Bosnia commenced on 14 November 1993. The majority of troops have been issued with winter clothing items including cold weather caps, arctic gloves, wristlets, arctic socks, face masks, Norwegian shirts, wet weather boots and cover-ails. A delay in issuing winter clothing to a small percentage of the troops has been experienced due to the closure of the route between Split and Vitez. The route has now been reopened and all troops have now been issued with the full complement of winter clothing.

  IMS Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were employed by IMS Ltd. at each location in each year between 1987 and 1991.

  Mr. Aitken
  IMS is a private limited company, which ceased trading in July 1991 and is in the process of rundown. Internal management matters are the responsibility of the company. However, figures from the company's published annual accounts are available as follows:

  1987

  160 employees (114 United Kingdom based)

  1988

  132 employees (102 United Kingdom based)

  1989

  96 employees (65 United Kingdom based)

  1990

  61 employees (42 United Kingdom based)

  1991

  29 employees (three United Kingdom based)

  Tornado
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have taken place in the requirements for competency in medium and/or high altitude weapons delivery for operational Tornado aircrew over the past four years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1991, crews are required to complete two medium-level weaponry profiles prior to 366
  being awarded combat ready status. They are then required to complete 12 medium-level weapons profiles as part of the aircrew annual training syllabus. In addition, designated thermal imaging and laser designator crews are afforded extra sorties as are those on specific operational duties. Weapon delivery can only be undertaken at low and medium level by Tornado aircraft.

  Live Weapons (Carriage)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the regulations governing the carriage of live weaponry on military aircraft using civil airports in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hanley
  Military aircraft carrying live weapons plan not to use civil airports in the United Kingdom. Where, for safety reasons, an aircraft has to land as a matter of urgency however, an approach and landing may be made to a civil airport. In such cases the airport authorities are informed that weapons are being carried before the aircraft lands. On landing, all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the public and surrounding area.

  Arms Transfers
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends to take to encourage international responsibility in arms transfers.

  Mr. Aitken
  The United Kingdom is an active participant in a number of multilateral export control regimes covering weapons of mass destruction. These include the missile technology control regime, Nuclear Suppliers Group and Australia Group—which deals with chemical and biological weapons. Through our membership of the EC and P5 we have agreed harmonised criteria concerning the export of defence equipment. We are also involved in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and negotiations among COCOM partners, the latter relating to replacing COCOM controls with an arrangement to cover conventional arms and dual-use equipments more generally. The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of moves to promote greater transparency in conventional arms transfers through the United Nations register of conventional arms.

  Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans Her Majesty's Government have to discuss with non-governmental organisations the present status of instruments of verification, as part of the policy announced in the Queen's Speech to take part in negotiations towards a verifiable and comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

  Mr. Hanley
  We are currently considering how best to establish cost-effective and sufficient verification measures as part of our policy to move towards a verifiable and comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. We will consult non-governmental bodies as necessary.

  Forces (Suicides)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of suicides recorded in Her Majesty's forces in each of the last five years, and the ethnic breakdown of these.
  367
  Mr. Hanley
  According to our records, the number of deaths in the armed forces recorded as suicide in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Numbers

  1988

  42

  1989

  36

  1990

  48

  1991

  43

  1992

  35

  Of the 43 personnel who committed suicide in 1991, two were Gurkhas. No further information in respect of the ethnic origins of those who committed suicide is available.

  Desert Storm Syndrome
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many current or former service men have contacted his Department since August indicating they believed themselves to be suffering from Desert Storm syndrome arising from toxic poisoning or uranium contamination during the Gulf war.

  Mr. Hanley
  Three former members of the armed forces have contacted my Department since the beginning of August believing themselves to be suffering from medical conditions which they attribute to exposure to oil fire smoke—one individual—or to depleted uranium—two individuals. In the same period, a further two former service men have contacted my Department believing themselves to be suffering from symptoms connected to their service in the Gulf, but without specific reference to the possible causes. There have been no such approaches in the period from serving armed forces personnel.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to monitor the congressional hearings currently being held into claims that service men involved in the Gulf war, including

  Full-time staff

  Part-time staff

  Total FTE

  Grades within the Open Structure and Occupational Groups

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Open Structure Grade 1 (including 1A)

  4

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  4·0

  0·0

  4·0

  Open Structure Grade 2

  9

  0

  9

  0

  0

  0

  9·0

  0·0

  9·0

  Open Structure Grade 3

  47

  2

  49

  0

  1

  1

  47·0

  2·5

  49·5

  Open Structure Grade 4

  32

  2

  34

  0

  0

  0

  32·0

  2·0

  34·0

  Open Structure Grade 5

  272

  8

  280

  1

  1

  2

  272·5

  8·5

  281·0

  Open Structure Grade 6

  712

  15

  727

  3

  0

  3

  713·5

  15·0

  728·5

  Open Structure Grade7

  2,618

  104

  2,722

  15

  10

  25

  2,625·5

  109·0

  2,734·5

  Senior Executive Officer

  1,056

  151

  1,207

  1

  3

  4

  1,056·5

  152·5

  1,209·0

  Higher Executive Officer (D)

  12

  7

  19

  0

  0

  0

  12·0

  7·0

  19·0

  Higher Executive Officer

  2,112

  885

  2,997

  0

  36

  36

  2,112·0

  903·0

  3,015·0

  Administration Trainee

  5

  1

  6

  0

  0

  0

  5·0

  1·0

  6·0

  Executive Officer

  2,941

  2,679

  5,620

  7

  144

  151

  2,944·5

  2,751·0

  5,695·5

  Administrative Officer

  4,253

  9,845

  14,098

  16

  807

  823

  4,261·0

  10,248·5

  14,509·5

  Administrative Assistant

  1,612

  5,110

  6,722

  21

  882

  903

  1,622·5

  5,551·0

  7,173·5

  Senior Economic Assistant

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  1·0

  2·0

  Assistant Statistician

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Senior Information Officer

  27

  2

  29

  0

  0

  0

  27·0

  2·0

  29·0

  Information Officer

  33

  19

  52

  1

  0

  1

  33·5

  19·0

  52·5

  Assistant Information Officer

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  1·0

  2·0

  Senior Librarian

  9

  7

  16

  0

  0

  0

  9·0

  7·0

  16·0

  Librarian

  19

  29

  48

  0

  1

  1

  19·0

  29·5

  48·5

  Assistant Librarian

  16

  26

  42

  0

  6

  6

  16·0

  29·0

  45·0

  Museum Curatorial Group Grade D

  5

  0

  5

  0

  0

  0

  5·0

  0·0

  5·0

  Museum Curatorial Group Grade E

  4

  2

  6

  0

  0

  0

  4·0

  2·0

  6·0

  Museum Curatorial Group Grade F

  8

  1

  9

  0

  0

  0

  8·0

  1·0

  9·0

  368
  United States service men on joint operations with United Kingdom service men, are suffering from Gulf war syndrome.

  Mr. Hanley
  Members of the British embassy and defence staff in Washington have attended the recent congressional hearings and have forwarded to my Department comprehensive details of the discussions which have taken place. They are also actively liaising with the Department of Defence, Health Service and Veterans Affairs officials to ensure that the United Kingdom is kept fully up to date with current developments, including any further congressional hearings which may take place.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current radius of the avoidance area around the town of Lockerbie.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not our practice to release detailed information on flying restrictions in individual areas.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those countries he knows to possess depleted uranium bullets or shells.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom, the United Slates and Russia have publicly acknowledged that they have depleted uranium ammunition.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. Aitken
  The following information relates to staff employed at 1 April 1993, and shows full-time, part-time and full-time equivalent numbers, which count part time as half.
  369

  Full-time staff

  Part-time staff

  Total FTE

  Grades within the Open Structure and Occupational Groups

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Museum Curatorial Group Grade G

  2

  4

  6

  0

  0

  0

  2·0

  4·0

  6·0

  Museum Conservation Group Grade F

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Chief Constable

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Deputy Chief Constable

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2·0

  0·0

  2·0

  Assistant Chief Constable

  5

  0

  5

  0

  0

  0

  5·0

  0·0

  5·0

  Chief Superintendent

  12

  0

  12

  0

  0

  0

  12·0

  0·0

  12·0

  Superintendent

  27

  0

  27

  0

  0

  0

  27·0

  0·0

  27·0

  Chief Inspector

  63

  3

  66

  0

  0

  0

  63·0

  3·0

  66·0

  Inspector

  141

  8

  149

  0

  0

  0

  141·0

  8·0

  149·0

  Sergeant

  621

  34

  655

  0

  0

  0

  621·0

  34·0

  655·0

  Constable

  3,228

  278

  3,506

  0

  0

  0

  3,228·0

  278·0

  3,506·0

  Senior Professional and Technology Officer

  2,317

  14

  2,331

  10

  0

  10

  2,322·0

  14·0

  2,336·0

  Higher Professional and Technology Officer

  3,950

  49

  3,999

  9

  1

  10

  3,954·5

  49·5

  4,004·0

  Professional and Technology Officer

  5,350

  82

  5,432

  4

  3

  7

  5,352·0

  83·5

  5,435·5

  Professional and Technology Officer IV

  6

  0

  6

  0

  0

  0

  6·0

  0·0

  6·0

  Technical Grade 1

  264

  134

  398

  0

  8

  8

  264·0

  138·0

  402·0

  Technical Grade 2

  15

  13

  28

  1

  3

  4

  15·5

  14·5

  30·0

  Graduate Trainee

  124

  19

  143

  0

  0

  0

  124·0

  19·0

  143·0

  Trainee Incorporated Engineer

  23

  1

  24

  0

  0

  0

  23·0

  1·0

  24·0

  Senior Mapping and Charting Officer

  95

  19

  114

  1

  5

  6

  95·5

  21·5

  117·0

  Higher Mapping and Charting Officer

  197

  36

  233

  0

  2

  2

  197·0

  37·0

  234·0

  Mapping and Charting Officer

  374

  100

  474

  2

  39

  41

  375·0

  119·5

  494·5

  Mapping and Charting Technical Grade 1

  131

  74

  205

  1

  12

  13

  131·5

  80·0

  211·5

  Mapping and Charting Technical Grade 2

  42

  42

  84

  1

  7

  8

  42·5

  45·5

  88·0

  Senior Graphics Officer

  12

  1

  13

  0

  0

  0

  12·0

  1·0

  13·0

  Higher Graphics Officer

  54

  3

  57

  0

  0

  0

  54·0

  3·0

  57·0

  Graphics Officer

  187

  30

  217

  0

  1

  1

  187·0

  30·5

  217·5

  Marine Service Officer Grade 1

  15

  0

  15

  0

  0

  0

  15·0

  0·0

  15·0

  Marine Service Officer Grade 2

  92

  0

  92

  0

  0

  0

  92·0

  0·0

  92·0

  Marine Service Officer Grade 3

  176

  0

  176

  0

  0

  0

  176·0

  0·0

  176·0

  Marine Service Officer Grade 4

  108

  0

  108

  0

  0

  0

  108·0

  0·0

  108·0

  Senior Research Officer (R)

  38

  6

  44

  1

  0

  1

  38·5

  6·0

  44·5

  Research Officer (R)

  14

  6

  20

  0

  0

  0

  14·0

  6·0

  20·0

  Chief Typing Manager

  0

  16

  16

  0

  0

  0

  0·0

  16·0

  16·0

  Typing Manager

  0

  199

  199

  0

  1

  1

  0·0

  199·5

  199·5

  Senior Personal Secretary

  0

  95

  95

  0

  0

  0

  0·0

  95·0

  95·0

  Personal Secretary

  3

  812

  815

  0

  21

  21

  3·0

  822·5

  825·5

  Typist

  8

  2,958

  2,966

  0

  732

  732

  8·0

  3,324·0

  3,332·0

  Trainee Typist

  0

  3

  3

  0

  3

  3

  0·0

  4·5

  4·5

  Senior Scientific Officer

  1,516

  126

  1,642

  15

  21

  36

  1,523·5

  136·5

  1,660·0

  Higher Scientific Officer

  1,421

  234

  1,655

  3

  28

  31

  1,422·5

  248·0

  1,670·5

  Scientific Officer

  1,210

  258

  1,468

  2

  14

  16

  1,211·0

  265·0

  1,476·0

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  599

  126

  725

  0

  10

  10

  599·0

  131·0

  730·0

  Senior Instructional Officer

  66

  0

  66

  0

  0

  0

  66·0

  0·0

  66·0

  Higher Instructional Officer

  296

  1

  297

  0

  0

  0

  296·0

  1·0

  297·0

  Instructional Officer I

  1,071

  9

  1,080

  2

  0

  2

  1,072·0

  9·0

  1,081·0

  Instructional Officer II

  229

  4

  233

  1

  1

  2

  229·5

  4·5

  234·0

  Catering Manager 3

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Chef 1/Chief Cook 1

  11

  1

  12

  0

  0

  0

  11·0

  1·0

  12·0

  Chef 2/Chief Cook 2

  23

  1

  24

  0

  0

  0

  23·0

  1·0

  24·0

  Chief Fire Service Officer

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Senior Fire Service Officer

  12

  0

  12

  0

  0

  0

  12·0

  0·0

  12·0

  Fire Service Officer 1

  34

  0

  34

  0

  0

  0

  34·0

  0·0

  34·0

  Fire Service Officer 11

  57

  0

  57

  0

  0

  0

  57·0

  0·0

  57·0

  Fire Service Officer III

  59

  0

  59

  0

  0

  0

  59·0

  0·0

  59·0

  Senior Investigating Officer

  12

  0

  12

  0

  0

  0

  12·0

  0·0

  12·0

  Investing Officer 1

  60

  1

  61

  0

  0

  0

  60·0

  1·0

  61·0

  Investigating Officer 2

  225

  3

  228

  0

  0

  0

  225·0

  3·0

  228·0

  Museum Technician Grade 2

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Museum Technician Grade 3

  2

  1

  3

  0

  0

  0

  2·0

  1·0

  3·0

  Museum Support Grade 1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  0·0

  1·0

  Museum Support Grade 2

  3

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3·0

  0·0

  3·0

  Museum Support Grade 3

  22

  1

  23

  0

  0

  0

  22·0

  1·0

  23·0

  Museum Support Grade 4

  5

  0

  5

  0

  0

  0

  5·0

  0·0

  5·0

  Museum Support Grade 5

  7

  0

  7

  0

  0

  0

  7·0

  0·0

  7·0

  Senior Photographic Officer

  9

  0

  9

  0

  0

  0

  9·0

  0·0

  9·0

  Higher Photographic Officer

  53

  2

  55

  0

  0

  0

  53·0

  2·0

  55·0

  Photographic Officer

  155

  9

  164

  0

  1

  1

  155·0

  9·5

  164·5

  Process and Supervisory Group Grade A

  7

  0

  7

  0

  0

  0

  7·0

  0·0

  7·0

  Process and Supervisory Group Grade B

  33

  0

  33

  0

  0

  0

  33·0

  0·0

  33·0

  Process and Supervisory Group Grade C

  116

  1

  117

  0

  0

  0

  116·0

  1·0

  117·0

  Process and Supervisory Group Grade D

  301

  8

  309

  0

  2

  2

  301·0

  9·0

  310·0

  Process and Supervisory Group Grade E

  127

  8

  135

  0

  0

  0

  127·0

  8·0

  135·0

  Senior Psychologist

  10

  11

  21

  0

  0

  0

  10·0

  11·0

  21·0

  Higher Psychologist

  7

  16

  23

  0

  0

  0

  7·0

  16·0

  23·0

  Psychologist (Graduate Trainee)

  1

  6

  7

  0

  0

  0

  1·0

  6·0

  7·0

  370 371

  Full-time staff

  Part-time staff

  Total FTE

  Grades within the Open Structure and Occupational Groups

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Stores Officer Grade A

  20

  0

  20

  0

  0

  0

  20·0

  0·0

  20·0

  Stores Officer Grade B

  130

  1

  131

  0

  0

  0

  130·0

  1·0

  131·0

  Stores Officer Grade C

  359

  12

  371

  0

  0

  0

  359·0

  12·0

  371·0

  Stores Officer Grade D

  719

  61

  780

  1

  1

  2

  719·5

  61·5

  781·0

  Support Manager 1

  7

  2

  9

  0

  0

  0

  7·0

  2·0

  9·0

  Support Manager 2

  22

  18

  40

  0

  0

  0

  22·0

  18·0

  40·0

  Support Manager 3

  87

  121

  208

  0

  0

  0

  87·0

  121·0

  208·0

  Support Grade Band 1

  338

  808

  1,146

  5

  54

  59

  340·5

  835·0

  1,175·5

  Support Grade Band 2

  507

  481

  988

  5

  55

  60

  509·5

  508·5

  1,018·0

  Senior Telecommunication Technical Officer

  50

  0

  50

  0

  0

  0

  50·0

  0·0

  50·0

  Higher Telecommunication Technical Officer

  166

  0

  166

  0

  0

  0

  166·0

  0·0

  166·0

  Telecommunication Technical Officer

  381

  3

  384

  6

  1

  7

  384·0

  3·5

  387·5

  Assistant Telecommunication Technical Officer

  462

  13

  475

  0

  0

  0

  462·0

  13·0

  475·0

  Trainee Telecommunication Technical Officer

  44

  9

  53

  0

  0

  0

  44·0

  9·0

  53·0

  Communications Officer I

  15

  I

  16

  0

  0

  0

  15·0

  1·0

  16·0

  Communications Officer II

  43

  4

  47

  0

  0

  0

  43·0

  4·0

  47·0

  Communications Officer III

  99

  33

  132

  0

  0

  0

  99·0

  33·0

  132·0

  Communications Officer IV

  245

  116

  361

  1

  4

  5

  245·5

  118·0

  363·5

  Total staff in Open Structure and Occupational Groups

  44,965

  26,446

  71,411

  136

  2,921

  3,057

  45,033·0

  27,906·5

  72,939·5

  Total staff in Departmental Non-Industrial Grades

  12,159

  2,563

  14,722

  75

  371

  446

  12,196·5

  2,748·5

  14,945·0

  Industrial staff

  34,343

  6,218

  40,561

  161

  1,399

  1,560

  34,423·5

  6,917·5

  41,341·0

  Total non-industrial and industrial staff

  91,467

  35,227

  126,694

  372

  4,691

  5,063

  91,653·0

  37,572·5

  129,225·5

  There are some 500 departmental grades and some 850 industrial grades used in the Ministry of Defence, most of which are managed locally. A detailed breakdown of these could only be provided at disproportionate cost and effort.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his policies discourage non-nuclear countries from developing nuclear weapons of their own.

  Mr. Hanley
  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 extend to all of them our standard security assurances which remove the fear that nuclear weapons might be used to coerce non-nuclear states. We play an active part in defusing regional tensions which might fuel proliferation. We continue to urge the remaining 28 non-parties to the treaty to accede at the earliest possible date. We have demonstrated our readiness to reduce our own nuclear force levels wherever we can. We are ready to participate fully and constructively in negotiating a verifiable comprehensive test ban treaty.

  Pindar Project
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations he has conducted into cost overruns on the Pindar project.

  Mr. Hanley
  Pindar project costs have been the subject of a number of thorough reviews and the lessons learnt are being implemented.

  Aircraft Interceptions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the regulations governing the conduct of practice interceptions by aircraft carrying live air-to-air missiles.

  Mr. Hanley
  The regulations are: prior to a specific alert state, only designated United Kingdom quick reaction alert—(Interceptor) QRA(I)—aircraft, with a properly constituted crew may carry out interceptions with an aircraft armed with missiles or gun and missiles. During QRA(I) scrambles, a live armed QRA(I) aircraft may intercept its designated target provided the aircraft captain ensures that:Airways traffic is avoided
  The firing trigger is not operated
  The sighting system aiming point is not placed on the target Before closing below 10 nautical miles with the target aircraft, the fighter pilot is to confirm with the intercept controller that the "armament safety check is complete."

  The only exception to this regulation is training undertaken by air defence aircraft in the Falkland Islands where practice interceptions with armed aircraft are permitted but against other military aircraft only.

  Ministerial Speech
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of his speech to the Centre for Defence Studies on 16 November in the Library.

  Mr. Hanley
  Yes.

  WE177 Nuclear Bomb
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the future of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb in relation to the introduction of the Trident submarine.
  373
  Mr. Hanley
  We plan on exploiting the flexibility and capability of the Trident system to provide the vehicle for our sub-strategic deterrent when the WE 177 eventually leaves service.

  Trident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the factors taken into account by his Department when determining the size of the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear capability deployed on Trident.

  Mr. Hanley
  We will deploy on Trident only the minimum nuclear capability which we judge necessary to provide effective deterrence, presenting any potential aggressor with the prospect of unacceptable damage.

  Minehunting
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's minehunting capability.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government are committed to retaining a capable and effective mine counter measures fleet. We therefore intend to continue over the next decade with our modernisation programme, which will entail the procurement of further Sandown class single role minehunters and a mid-life update for the Hunt class. The 1993 statement on the Defence Estimates makes clear our intention to build up to a fleet of 25 of these highly capable vessels. We expect to make an announcement on future orders for the Sandown class shortly.

  Mr. David Hart
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis he has employed Mr. David Hart to work in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Mr. Hart is not an employee of the Ministry of Defence. He is one of several people who provide informal and unpaid advice to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence from time to time.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of loan debt for each local authority in England in its capital account, excluding debt related to trading services, for the year 1992–93, together with his estimate of the amount of capital expenditure not authorised by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Baldry
  Statistics on loan debt excluding trading services debt are no longer collected by the Department. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy publishes figures for most local authorities. The most recent publication is "Capital Payments, Financing and Debt Statistics 1991–92".

  The amount of capital expenditure undertaken by local authorities is entirely for them to determine within the resources available to them. Central Government support for authorities' capital expenditure is set out in the
  374
  statistical supplement to the "Autumn Statement"—"Public Expenditure Analyses to 1995–96: Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Her Majesty's Treasury 1993, Cm 2219.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify for each local authority the amount of accumulated capital receipts.

  Mr. Baldry
  I am arranging for information on the usable receipts held by each local authority in England at 1 April 1993 to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Amusement Arcades
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times the planning inspectorate has overruled local authorities and allowed the establishment of amusement arcades opposite the entrances to secondary schools since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held in the inspectorate's records.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many overseas visits he has made since his appointment; and if he will list the places visited, the costs of the visits and the cost to public funds.

  Mr. Gummer
  Since my appointment I have made four overseas visits. They are:

  Places Visited and Purpose

  Cost of Visit £

  New York

  To address the UN Commission on Sustainable Development

  9,321·50

  Luxembourg

  Meeting of the Environment Council

  1,013·12

  Brussels

  Bilateral with the EC Commissioner

  870·30

  Monte Carlo

  To support Manchester's bid to host the Olympic games

  2,517·55

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many visits abroad he has made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Gummer
  Since January 1993 either I or my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State have made 10 overseas visits. They are:

  Places Visited and Purpose

  Cost of Visit £

  Washington

  Discussions with the relevant members of the new Administration

  12,024·37

  India

  Discussions on international environmental issues of importance to both India and the United Kingdom

  5,586·36

  Brussels

  375

  Places Visited and Purpose

  Cost of Visit £

  Informal Environment Council

  822·93

  Canada

  International Environment Ministers Conference

  6,689·13

  Lucerne

  European Environment Ministers Conference

  1,162·58

  Nairobi

  Meeting of the United Nations Enviroment Programme Council

  7,916·32

  New York

  To address the UN Commission

  9,321·50

  Luxembourg

  Meeting of the Enviroment Council

  1,013·12

  Brussels

  Bilateral with the EC Commissioner

  870·30

  Monte Carlo

  To support Manchester's bid to host the Olympic Games

  2,517·55

  Rents
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the average cost rent will be for social housing produced at(a) current and (b) projected housing association grant levels for (a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96.

  Sir George Young
  The cost rent of any housing association development will vary depending on the nature of the particular development and the circumstances of the individual association.

  Local Government Review
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities he has visited since his appointment; and what is the total number of representations and correspondence he has received concerning the local government review.

  Mr. Gummer
  Since my appointment, I have visited the following local authorities:

  Monday 14 June — Manchester city council

  Wednesday 14 July — Liverpool city council

  Friday 16 July — Nottinghamshire county council

  Wednesday 8 September — Derby city council

  Wednesday 29 September — Southend-on-Sea borough council

  Wednesday 29 September — Thurrock borough council

  Wednesday 13 October — London borough of Tower Hamlets

  Friday 15 October — South Cambridgeshire district council

  Tuesday 19 October — London borough of Newham

  Friday 22 October — Gloucester city council

  Monday 8 November — Kent county council

  Gravesham borough council

  Dartford borough council

  Gillingham borough council

  Thursday 11 November — Leicester city council

  Friday 12 November — Peterborough city council

  A total figure for the number of items of correspondence I have received on the Local Government Commission's reviews is not available, except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place with the Local Government Commission concerning the possible creation of a new unitary authority straddling the Yorkshire and Lancashire border.
  376
  Mr. Baldry
  The Local Government Commission has discretion, where it judges it necessary, to make a formal request to my right hon. Friend that the area of review be extended to include localities bordering on that area. The commission has not made such a request in respect of either the Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire or the Lancashire review areas.

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decisions he has reached oil the Local Government Commission's reports on Derbyshire and on Cleveland and Durham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have today written to Sir John Banham, chairman of the Local Government Commission, about the commission's reports "Final Recommendations on the Future Local Government of Derbyshire" and "Final Recommendations on the Future Local Government of Cleveland and Durham".

  Having considered the commission's recommendations for Derbyshire and County Durham, together with representations made to me, I am not at present satisfied that the proposals in respect of those areas meet the criteria in section 13(5) of the Local Government Act 1992. I am still considering the commission's recommendations for Cleveland.

  I have therefore, under section 15(6) of the Local Government Act 1992, directed the commission to conduct further reviews of Derbyshire and County Durham, having regard to the revised policy and procedure guidance issued to it on 2 November and 22 November respectively.

  As with the other reviews which I announced on 22 November, I have directed the commission to start on 13 December 1993 and to report on or before 30 December 1994. I will be discussing target dates for final reports with the commission when it has consulted local authorities in these two areas.

  These two reviews were conducted in accordance with the original policy guidance which I issued to the commission in July 1992. The revised policy guidance which I issued on 2 November clarified the Government's views on a number of issues, including unitary authorities and the importance of local consensus. Representations have been made to me by local authorities in Derbyshire and Durham that they should be given the opportunity to make fresh proposals on the basis of the new guidance. I consider that the local authorities and people of these areas ought to be given that chance.

  A copy of my letter to Sir John Banham has been placed in the Library.

  GATT
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications for(a) the United Kingdom environment and (b) the environment of the United Kingdom's trading partners of the implementation of the proposals in the Uruguay round of the general agreement on tariffs and trade.

  Mr. Yeo
  A successful outcome to the Uruguay round of the general agreement on tariffs and trade will bring lower tariffs on goods and a significant liberalisation of trade in services from which all countries will benefit. This
  377
  should increase the resources available to finance environmental improvements and should help to promote sustainable development.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to implement paragraph 22.4 of chapter 22 of the Agenda 21 report from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, on the minimisation of generation of radioactive wastes.

  Mr. Yeo
  Paragraph 22.4 of the Agenda 21 report from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development reflects current United Kingdom policies and practices.

  Inner-city Initiative
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will name each urban programme authority and state the amount of aid they have received under each Government inner-city initiative since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  Several Government Departments contribute to urban regeneration through a wide range of programmes. The total support provided by my Department's targeted urban group of programmes since 1981 is as follows:

  Outturn prices £ million

  1981–82

  160

  1982–83

  283

  1983–84

  326

  1984–85

  449

  1985–86

  437

  1986–87

  428

  1987–88

  516

  1988–89

  598

  1989–90

  817

  1990–91

  970

  1991–92

  987

  1992–93

  987

  1993–94

  1927

  1 provision

  Comprehensive information for all eligible areas is not readily available. Further information by programme is set out in the relevant departmental annual reports and public expenditure White Papers.

  Planning Inspectorate
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the workings of the planning inspectorate and list the number of occasions on which it has overruled local authorities in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is listed.

  Section 78 Planning Appeals

  Year

  Appeals allowed

  1979

  2,602

  1980

  4,044

  1981

  4,721

  1982

  4,003

  378

  Year

  Appeals allowed

  1983

  3,633

  1984

  3,773

  1985

  5,477

  1985–86

  5,581

  1986–87

  6,208

  1987–88

  6,955

  1988–89

  7,734

  1989–90

  8,852

  1990–91

  8,871

  1991–92

  7,590

  1992–93

  5,979

  Household Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the applicability of the German household waste management system to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Yeo
  The approach taken in Germany to household waste management, as epitomised by the recent German packaging ordinance, has resulted in the collection of large quantities of recyclable material, without a corresponding increase in domestic processing capacity or market demand. The resulting imbalance between supply and demand has depressed prices for recyclable material across Europe. This approach proved very costly to German consumers and industry and has put at risk the recycling infrastructure in other EC member states.

  The lessons which we have learned are the importance of setting realistic targets for the recycling and recovery of waste; of gearing those targets to the development of processing capacity and markets; of involving local authorities in the collection rather than insisting on separate waste collection systems; and of giving energy recovery from waste a role where recycling is not practicable or environmentally beneficial.

  We believe that industry is in the best position to devise the most efficient and cost-effective means of achieving high recovery levels. That is why, in our producer responsibility initiative, we have challenged the packaging industry to devise a plan by Christmas to secure recovery of between 50 per cent. and 75 per cent. of all packaging waste by the end of the decade.

  London Pensions Fund Authority
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people are employed by the London Pensions Fund Authority; and what is its total annual salary expenditure;

  (2) what is the total area of office accommodation occupied by the London Pensions Fund Authority; what is the rent per square foot; and what is the total annual cost of its accommodation.

  Mr. Baldry
  In its annual report and accounts for the year 1992–93, the London Pensions Fund Authority reported that there were 99 members of staff at the financial year end. The annual report also indicated that salary expenditure for the year was £2,359,000 and premises costs were £1,276,000. The total area of the office accommodation and the rent per squre foot are questions for the authority to consider and I have written to the chairman asking him to reply direct to the hon. Gentleman on these points.

  1 Victoria Street, London
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the building contract in respect of work at 1 Victoria street, London SW1 to commence; and what is the total cost incurred to date by his Department in respect of these premises since they were vacated in September 1991.

  Mr. Gummer
  Property Holdings and DTI have concluded negotiations with the freeholders. DTI has now commenced work on the refurbishment of this building. The total cost incurred during the period the building has been empty is £4·4 million up to 9 November 1993.

  Toxics Release Inventory
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a toxics release inventory for pollution management along the lines of the system used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

  Mr. Yeo
  As announced in April this year, an annual inventory of releases of polluting substances, from processes subject to regulation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the integrated pollution control system introduced by part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and under radioactive substances legislation, is being established. Detailed information will be available through the public register arrangements under both regimes and the first inventory data will be published in due course.

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme to discuss the United Nations treaty on biodiversity.

  Mr. Yeo
  I met Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the executive director of UNEP, earlier this month when she was on a short visit to the United Kingdom. We discussed a number of issues of common interest including the convention on biological diversity.

  National Recycling Forum
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at what level his Department was represented at the National Recycling Forum's annual meeting on 24 and 25 November.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department maintains a wide range of contacts on recycling with businesses, trade associations, local authorities and voluntary bodies but was not represented at the National Recycling Forum's annual meeting in November.

  Development Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the development agencies together with their directors; and how much has been paid to each director, including expenses, in each of the past five years and this year to date.

  Mr. Gummer
  Information about the remuneration of chairmen, deputy chairmen and members appointed to 380
  non-departmental public bodies for which I am responsible is contained in the annual HMSO publication "Public Bodies", copies of which are held in the House of Commons library. "Public Bodies 1993" will be published shortly. I shall write with a list of current board members. Similar lists for the past five years are not available. Information on expenses is not held within the Department.

  Dioxin Emissions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received from the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers regarding the proposals arising from its recent study on dioxin emissions from VCM and PVC plants.

  Mr. Yeo
  My Department is not aware of having received any information from the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers regarding its recent study on "dioxin" emissions from VCM and PVC plants.

  Housing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council properties in England is unfit to rent.

  Sir George Young
  Local authorities report the numbers of their own dwellings that are unfit, whether occupied or not, in their annual housing investment programme—HIP 1— returns.

  Some 150,000 council properties in England, 4 per cent. of the total number of local authority dwellings, were reported as unfit at 1 April 1993.

  Waste Management Licences
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects waste disposal licences under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to convert automatically to waste management licences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Yeo
  It is the Government's intention to bring the waste management licensing provisions of part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 into force on 1 May 1994. Waste disposal licences will convert automatically to waste management licences on that day.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against banding under the council tax have been made in the current year; what is the average length of time taken to hear those appeals; and how many were successful.

  Mr. Baldry
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) on Friday 26 November,Official Report, column 259.

  A meaningful figure cannot yet be given on the average length of time taken to hear appeals, since a great many cases are being settled by agreement between the taxpayer and the Valuation Office agency, and only a few have been transmitted as appeals to valuation tribunals.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he has received written representations from the European Commission or any EC member states concerning an environmental impact assessment of THORP under EC directive 85/337/EEC;

  (2) if he will list those countries which have written to his Department concerning an environmental impact assessment of THORP under EC directive 85/337/EEC; and what his reply was, placing copies of all correspondence in the Library, including copies of any correspondence with the Commission.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the European Commission inquiry into the legality of the THORP project.
  382
  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 24 November 1993]: The United Kingdom has received a letter from the Commission seeking information in relation to the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield in Cumbria. Since the start of the second consultation period on the revised draft authorisations for Sellafield, letters referring to directive 85/337/EEC have been received from Ministers of the Republic of Ireland and Denmark, and Ministers of Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands have written about environmental impact assessments in connection with Parcom recommendation 93/5. Correspondence between the United Kingdom and the Commission or foreign Governments is treated in confidence.

  RIGHTS OF THE CHILD CONVENTION: EDUCATION PROVISIONS
  RIGHTS OF THE CHILD CONVENTION: EDUCATION PROVISIONS
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, 22nd NOVEMBER
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, 22nd NOVEMBER
  OXFORD REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
  OXFORD REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
  FAMILY PLANNING: UK FUNDING
  FAMILY PLANNING: UK FUNDING