Written Answers of 18 October 1993

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Information
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the application of the first objective of the draft code of practice on government information on page 72 of his recent publication "Open Government" (Cm 2290) to the proposals contained in the European Union (Public Information) Bill.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The commitments to extend publication and availability of government information in the White Paper on open government, Cm 2290, do not require that information should be sent to every household in the country, which is a central purpose of the European Union (Public Information) Bill.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the commitment to receipt of information in confidence, set out in paragraph XIV of part II of the draft code of practice on government information published in his White Paper on open government (Cm 2290), refers solely to a commitment entered into in writing.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give examples of the kind of information disclosure of which would increase the likelihood of damage to the environment, which would be exempted from disclosure under the draft code of practice on government information, included in his White Paper on open government (Cm 2290).

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There is a similar exemption in the Environmental Information Regulations 1992, which is based in turn on article 3 of EC directive 90/313/EC. Guidance notes issues in December 1992 by the Department of the Environment give the following examples of possible harm:"In some cases the dissemination of environmental information could in fact harm or pollute the environment. For example, information about the location of nesting sites, rare habitats or endangered/protected species should be withheld to avoid the risk of damage. And information about possible Sites of Special Scientific Interest should not be made available until a formal notice is served; making information available prematurely could run the risk of preemptive damage being caused to the site before it was protected. Bodies will need to exercise careful judgement when restricting information in this way."

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the criteria adopted to judge governmental information or records whose sensitivity is such that no date can be put on their potential release, to which reference is made at paragraph 9.23 of his White Paper on open government (Cm 2290).
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  Mr. Waldegrave
  The criteria adopted in respect of records whose sensitivity is such that no date can be put on their potential release are, first, that they are required by the Department either because they are in use or are awaiting review and, secondly, that they fall into one or other of the categories listed in paragraph 9.23 of the White Paper on open government (Cm 2290) for which the Lord Chancellor has given "blanket" approval to retain under section 3(4) of the Public Records Act 1958. Individual records may also be retained under this section if they meet the first criterion for extended closure under section 5(1)—exceptionally sensitive records containing information, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest—but the date on which the sensitivity is likely to pass is not known.

  Although no date can be put on their potential release, such records are subject to regular review—at least every 10 years—and they are subject to the test of actual damage caused by release; when the sensitivity has passed, the records will be released.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the exemption of information under section XV of part II of his draft code of practice on government information contained in his White Paper on open government (Cm 2290) will include information which cannot be sought in a parliamentary question arising from precedent created by Ministers to block acceptance of all questions that fall within certain categories; and how members of the public are to be informed as to which information cannot be sought in a parliamentary question.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The code of practice is not intended to make information available to the public which could not normally be obtained by hon. Members. Matters on which Ministers have refused to answer questions will often be covered by a specific exemption, and in some cases difficulties may be avoided by addressing the question correctly—for example, to a public body rather than to a Minister who would not normally answer questions on matters within the day-to-day responsibility of an independent public body. When information is refused under the code of practice, reasons will be given including any exemption considered relevant.

  Parliamentary Ombudsman
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what additional resources will be made available to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to carry out the new tasks conferred upon the Office of Parliamentary Ombudsman, as set out at paragraph 1.12 of the White Paper on open government (Cm 2290); and what criteria he has used to judge the likely resource demands upon the parliamentary ombudsman arising from the White Paper.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The resources available to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are determined through the public expenditure survey in the usual way. The commissioner puts proposals directly to the Treasury.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Records
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued to Departments by the Public Record Office on the appraisal of personal records.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A copy of the guidance will be placed in the Library. In addition the chief executive of the Public Record Office, the Keeper of Public Records, who is best placed to provide specific information about the guidance, will be writing direct.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what documentation is available about the extent and completeness of records transferred from various sources on any particular topic for keeping at the Public Record Office.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member's question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive, the Keeper of Public Records, to reply direct.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidelines issued by the Public Record Office on the documentation of the selection and transfer of records to the office.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have done so today. In addition the chief executive of the Public Record Office, the Keeper of Public Records, will reply direct with comments on the guidelines.

  Letter from S. Tyacke to Dr. John Marek, dated 14 October 1993:
  As part of his reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions, as set out below, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to write to you direct.
  Parliamentary Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidance issued by the Public Record Office to departments on the appraisal of personal records.
  Date appeared: 27 July 1993. For written answer: 18 October 1993. PQ Reference No. 132. LCD PQ Reference No. 93/493.
  The guidance issued by the Public Record Office to departments on the appraisal of personal records is included in the Manual of Records Administration, issued to departments, and other organisations covered by the Public Records Acts, by our Government Services Department (paragraphs 3.5.18–3.5.21). I am arranging for a copy of the Manual to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons in response to a later question put down by you.
  Parliamentary Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what documentation is available about the extent and completeness of records transferred from various sources on any particular topic for keeping at the Public Record Office.
  Date appeared: 27 July 1993. For written answer: 18 October 1993. PQ Reference No. 133. LCD PQ Reference No. 93/494.
  When records are transferred to the Public Record Office, they are accompanied by lists, describing the contents of the transfer item by item, and these lists are made available in multiple sets in the reading rooms of the Public Record Office, as the records they describe become open to public inspection. Currently each set of lists of records transferred by modern departments, and made available in the reading rooms at Kew, contains upwards of half a million pages.
  The records are arranged in classes, each representing an original series of documents created in relation to a particular
  4
  activity or function of a department of court of law. The items in each class are described in the sets of lists, which are added to if and when further records are transferred and accessioned to a class. Nearly two thousand new pages of lists are added to each set every year.
  The Current Guide to the contents of the Public Record Office forms the central means of reference to its holdings, and describes the individual classes of records in the Office, giving readers the information they need to proceed to the correct class list, so that they can order items described in the lists.
  The class lists describe only those records that have been selected for transfer. The processes of selection involve, in the 35 largest departments alone, the file by file inspection of nearly 35 miles of records each year. As I have commented in an answer to a later question put down by you, it is a major current objective of the Public Record Office to improve the documentation of these processes of selection, in order that our own responsibility to co-ordinate and supervise them may be made more effective.
  Parliamentary Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will place a copy in the Library of the guidelines issued by the Public Record Office on the documentation of the selection and transfer of records to the Office. Date appeared: 27 July 1993. For written answer: 18 October 1993. PQ Reference No. 135. LCD PQ Reference No. 93/496.
  I am arranging for a copy of the Manual of Records Administration, issued to government departments and other organisations covered by the Public Records Acts, by our Government Services Department, to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons. It includes, at paragraph 3.5.18–3.5.21, the guidance on personal records, which is the subject of an earlier question put down by you.
  The intention of the Manual is to give guidance to departments on every aspect of work carried out under the Public Records Acts, and to indicate the division of responsibilities between departments and the Public Record Office. Although in this respect it should be a practical tool, it is not possible for it to cover every eventuality, and the need for day to day consultation between departments and the Public Record Office continues.
  A completely revised edition of the Manual was issued to departments in March 1993, and further amendments and additions were distributed in July this year. Chapter 5, on access to public records transferred to the Public Record Office, has been revised to take account of the new arrangements set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper on Open Government (Cm. 2290), which covered the handling of public records. The revised text of Chapter 5, which is in the process of being distributed to departments, is included in the copy of the Manual in the Library.
  The Manual contains, in Chapter 3 on Selection and Destruction, in Chapter 6 on Preparation for Transfer and in Part 7.1 on Transfer of Records, guidance from the Public Record Office on the documentation of these activities. It is a major current objective of our Government Services Department to improve the documentation of the processes of appraisal—the determination of the value of records—and of selection.
  If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask me.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guarantees were sought relating to standards to be maintained and professional ability available at the Royal Free NHS trust before it was designated as a place of deposit by the Public Record Office.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member's question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive, the Keeper of Public Records, to reply direct.

  Letter from S. Tyacke to Dr. John Marek, dated 14 October 1993:
  As part of his reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, as set out below, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to write to you direct.

  5
  Parliamentary Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what guarantees were sought relating to standards to be maintained and professional ability available at the Royal Free NHS Trust before it was designated as a place of deposit by the Public Record Office. Date appeared: 27 July 1993. For written answer: 18 October 1993. PQ Reference No. 134. LCD PQ Reference No. 93/495.
  Places of deposit for public records are appointed under s. 4 (1) of the 1958 Public Records Act by the Keeper of Public Records, acting under powers delegated by the Lord Chancellor. Appointments are effected by an annual Lord Chancellor's (Places of Deposit) Instrument, issued each October, 247 such places of deposit being appointed in 1992.
  When an institution, such as the Royal Free NHS Trust, wishes to hold public records, such as hospital records, which have been selected for permanent preservation, and which are over 30 years old, it must apply to the Public Record Office for appointment as a place of deposit. The Public Record Office Liaison Officer is responsible for discussing with the institution the standards of storage and public access (where appropriate) it is expected to reach and to inspect the facilities that are ultimately provided before an appointment may proceed. As respects storage conditions, places of deposit are expected to house records in premises which follow as nearly as possible the recommendations in BS 5454: 1989 Recommendations for storage and exhibition of archival documents (BSI, 1989). The principal requirements are that:

  1. The storage accommodation should be large enough to take not only the existing archive collection but also future accruals over a considerable number of years.

  2. There must be strict precautions against unauthorised entry, to keep out the potential thief or vandal. The building should, therefore, be protected by an intruder alarm system, any doors should be strongly constructed, with thief proof locks, and ideally there should be no windows in the storage area.

  3. Fire precautions should be of a very high standard, because of the unique nature of archives. At least there must be a smoke detection and alarm system, a suitable number of portable fire extinguishers, and appropriate fire resistances.

  4. There must be no risk of flooding from internal or external sources.

  5. It must be possible to control the atmospheric conditions within the approved ranges of temperature (16 C to 18 C) and relative humidity (55 per cent. to 65 per cent.).

  Places of deposit are expected to provide access, under constant supervision, at reasonable hours depending on the nature of the institution. Furthermore, it is expected that the records in places of deposit should be managed by a qualified archivist.
  The processes which led to the first appointment in 1992 and subsequent monitoring of the Royal Free Hospital are common to all places of deposit. Officials at the hospital were in close contact with the Liaison Officer through the life of the project to set up the hospital archive, and advice was given on the feasibility of conversion of the Hoo (the actual building which was appointed a place of deposit), on the plans and specifications produced for that conversion and on the future management of the records. This enabled the PRO to ensure that appropriate standards were being adhered to throughout the conversion. As soon as the conversion work was completed, the building was inspected and assessed against the standards appropriate to a place of deposit and was formally appointed in the 1992 Lord Chancellor's Places of Deposit Instrument on the recommendations of the Liaison Officer.
  The Instrument is renewed annually and an institution's appointment may be rescinded if standards drop below an acceptable level. The Liaison Officer is responsible for inspecting not only proposed new places of deposit but also existing places of deposit on a regular basis to ensure that standards of professional care for the records are being maintained. Unless circumstances warrant a visit before then, The Hoo will be due for reinspection in 2000.
  If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask me.

  Crown Court Sittings
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in 1993 scheduled individual sittings of separate courts 6
  within the Snaresbrook crown court complex have been unable to sit due to the absence of a judge or recorder; what was the specific reason for each such cancellation; what was the date of the maximum number of cancellations occurring on any single day; and what was the estimated cost to public funds on that day, and the total for the year so far.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information requested is not readily available; I will reply as soon as possible.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what method of funding is used to ensure that posts of judge and recorder for crown courts are filled; and what action is being taken to ensure that scheduled court sittings are not cancelled due to absence of a judge or recorder.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Judges in the crown court are paid direct from the Consolidated Fund and not via the departmental vote ensuring that sufficient funds are available to meet their salaries. The departmental vote includes moneys to pay the fees of recorders and assistant recorders. The budget received by the court service is based on the planned number of sitting days for recorders and assistant recorders. Scheduled sittings are based upon the known availability of judges, recorders and assistant recorders. In the event of a judge, recorder or assistant recorder being unavailable for a scheduled sitting every attempt is made to book a member of the part-time judiciary.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Parliamentary Answers (Cost)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of preparation of his answer to the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) of 22 July 1993,Official Report, columns 296–301.

  Mr. Nelson
  Preparation of the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford re the report of the Director General of Fair Trading on the marketing and sale of investment-linked insurance products, made under section 122(4) and (5) of the Financial Services Act 1986, was an integral part of the evaluation carried out by officials. It is not possible to isolate the specific costs of its preparation.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 8 July 1993,Official Report, columns 227–28, if he will publish details of the proposals for rebalancing the composition of the Securities and Investments Board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  An announcement of new appointments will be made shortly.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under which paragraphs of treaty articles and consequential directives obligations are placed on Her Majesty's Government to make VAT charges in respect of(a) building repairs, (b) items of safety equipment hitherto

  7
  exempt and (c) non-domestic building and civil engineering projects; in each case what communications he received from the Commission or the European Court in relation to these or similar obligations; and in what manner the purport of each communication was reported to Parliament.

  Sir John Cope
  Article 99 of the treaty of Rome—treaty establishing the European Economic Community —allows for the EC Council of Ministers to adopt provisions for the harmonisation of legislation concerning VAT and other indirect taxes. The sixth Council VAT directive (77/388/EEC), which was adopted in accordance with this article, provides the framework for the application of VAT in all EC member states, including the United Kingdom's zero rates.

  The vires for the retention of the United Kingdom's zero rates of VAT are contained in article 28.2 of the EC sixth VAT directive, which refers to article 17, last indent of the EC second VAT directive (67/228/EEC). This states:
  "Such measures may only be taken for clearly defined social reasons and for the benefit of the final consumer".

  The European Commission began infraction proceedings against the United Kingdom in 1981 alleging that some of the United Kingdom's zero rates did not comply with these conditions. The European Court of Justice supported the Commission where the supplies were made to businesses, but rejected the Commission's argument where the supplies were made direct to individuals.

  Item (a) Building repairs have never been subject to the zero rate, and their taxation was not affected by the result of this judgment.

  For items (b) and (c) listed above the correspondence between the Commission/European Court of Justice and the United Kingdom on this matter is as follows:

  19 October 1981:
  the Commission informed the United Kingdom that its zero rates did not in its opinion conform to the provisions of the EC sixth VAT directive under the provisions of article 169 of the treaty of Rome;

  25 February 1982:
  the United Kingdom defended its zero rates in a letter to the Commission;

  4 September 1984:
  the Commission sent a reasoned opinion to the United Kingdom;

  2 December 1987:
  the Advocate General's opinion was published on the case; and

  21 June 1988:
  the Court issued its judgment.

  Pleadings in infraction proceedings are strictly confidential to the parties in dispute. This point was discussed by the then Secretary of State for Employment, Lord Young of Graffham, in response to a question from Lord Stoddart of Swindon in October 1986, Official Report, House of Lords, 16 October 1986, columns 910–13.

  The content of the judgment itself was communicated to Parliament in a speech made by the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for St. Albans (Mr. Lilley), on the date of the judgment, Official Report, 21 June 1988, columns 969–87.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the guidance which has been given by the Commission of the European Community as to the degree to which current variation in the rate of VAT charged between its member states constitutes an obstruction to the 8
  establishment or functioning of the Common Market together with the findings of the European Court of Justice relating to interpretation of this part of the article.

  Sir John Cope
  The Commission has given no guidance, nor has the European Court of Justice issued any findings about the harmonisation of VAT rates with the Community with regard to the establishment or functioning of the Common Market.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will set out a table showing for each group of commodities for which VAT is, or can be, chargeable by member states of the European Community, the prevailing rates charged by each member state in respect of each group of commodities for a latest practicable date, with footnotes for main variations in the figure or figure range, shown together with a concise statement, with references, of the treaty and consequential directive obligations placed on the United Kingdom to vary, or refrain from varying, such VAT rates(a) until 31 December 1996 and (b) thereafter;

  (2) if he will publish a table for each principal item of commodities for which VAT is charged by any member state of the European Community the amount of which would be raised at rates of (a) 8.5 and (b) 17 per cent.

  Sir John Cope
  Rates of VAT applied in member states of the European Community on a range of commodities are set out in a document produced by the Commission of the European Communities which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The title of the document is "The Evolution of VAT Rates applicable in the Member States of the Community" and the document number is XXI/158/93-EN. It shows the position at 1 May 1993.

  Article 99 of the treaty of Rome allows for the EC Council of Ministers to adopt provisions for the harmonisation of legislation concerning VAT and other indirect taxes. EC VAT rates are governed by the sixth VAT directive (77/388/EEC) as amended (91/680/EEC), and the VAT rates and structures directive (92/77/EEC). The directives set out the exemptions from VAT and the rates of VAT which are to apply to taxable goods and services in the EC from 1 January 1993.

  For most goods and services a standard rate of at least 15 per cent. is to be applied. Member states may also apply one or two reduced rates of not less than 5 per cent. to a specified list of goods and services. The United Kingdom's right to maintain its existing zero rates is protected by the sixth VAT directive and reinforced by the more recent VAT rates directive, at least until 31 December 1996 and without prejudice to what happens thereafter. The United Kingdom may apply a reduced rate—or the standard rate—to any goods or services that are currently zero-rated. The rates directive makes no provision for higher—luxury—rates of VAT.

  The scope and coverage of the reduced rate list will be reviewed before the end of 1994. The minimum VAT standard rate is legally binding until 31 December 1996. If by then the Council has not agreed a new minimum rate to apply from 1 January 1997, the minimum standard rate will lapse on that date.

  Table 9 of the tax ready reckoner and tax reliefs published by HM Treasury in July 1993 sets out the cost of applying a zero rather than a standard rate of VAT to the main zero rated items, in 1993–94. These figures can be adjusted pro rata to arrive at a rough estimate of the

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  revenue yield from applying a rate of 8.5 per cent. A table showing figures for each principal item for which VAT is charged by any member state of the European Community is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Marine Search Equipment
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the cost to HM Customs and Excise to charter the Milbrook Surveyor used to attempt to locate bales of cannabis off south Wales;

  (2) if the Customs and Excise intend to repeat the operation to attempt to locate cannabis bales on the sea bed off south Wales;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to improve co-ordination between HM Customs and Excise, HM Coastguard and the Royal Navy over the sharing of marine equipment.

  Sir John Cope
  The cost to HM Customs and Excise of chartering the Milbrook Surveyor in the attempt to locate bales of cannabis off south Wales was £17,375.70.

  Length of time necessary to work1 to pay for selected food commodities

  Minutes

  1971

  1979

  1984

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1 Ib of sugar

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  1 ib of back bacon

  30

  33

  26

  21

  20

  21

  20

  20

  21

  1 Ib of beef sirloin2

  49

  56

  52

  42

  41

  40

  37

  33

  34

  1 Ib of fresh cod fillets

  23

  32

  24

  27

  26

  27

  28

  28

  23

  14 Ib of potatoes

  24

  25

  37

  23

  22

  26

  23

  23

  18

  800 gm sliced loaf (white)

  9

  9

  7

  6

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  1 Ib of butter

  19

  23

  15

  12

  13

  12

  10

  10

  11

  1 pint of fresh milk

  5

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  1 dozen eggs (55–60 gramme)

  23

  18

  16

  13

  11

  12

  10

  9

  9

  1 Ib of pork

  34

  32

  24

  18

  19

  19

  20

  17

  15

  1 Married couple with husband only working.

  2 From 1989 this refers to rump steak.

  Tax Repayments
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sum of tax repaid to(a) pension funds, (b) insurance companies, (c) oil companies and (d) other companies in each year since 1986–87.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Available information is as follows:

  Income tax repayments and tax credits to:

  £ million

  Pension funds

  Insurance companies

  Other companies

  1986–87

  1,187

  553

  270

  1987–88

  1,799

  803

  476

  1988–89

  1,826

  1,021

  336

  1989–90

  2,126

  988

  403

  1990–91

  2,294

  1,417

  437

  1991–92

  2,199

  1,841

  529

  1 1992–93

  2,000

  1,800

  650

  1 Provisional.

  These estimates are based on a sample survey of income tax repayments and payments of tax credits.

  Petroleum revenue tax repayments to oil companies:

  £ million

  11986–87

  19

  1987–88

  253

  1988–89

  666

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  A further recovery operation was mounted by Customs over the period 25 September to 1 October 1993 and another is planned.

  Customs is committed to inter-agency co-operation and already works closely with other Government services, including both the Royal Navy and HM Coastguard. Such co-operation includes joint operational activities, together with the use of vessels and other equipment.

  Incomes and Food Prices
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for 1971, 1979, 1984 and each year since 1988 for a married man with two children earning average male annual earnings, showing the length of time, after taking into account income tax, liability and national insurance contributions, necessary to pay for(a) one lb of sugar, (b) one lb of back bacon, (c) one lb of beef sirloin, (d) one lb of fresh cod fillets, (e) 14 lb of potatoes, (f) 800 gm of sliced loaf, (g) one lb of butter, (h) one pint of fresh milk, (i) one dozen eggs, and (j) one lb of pork.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  £ million

  1989–90

  440

  1990–91

  578

  1991–92

  1,607

  1992–93

  941

  1 Includes repayments of advance petroleum revenue tax.

  Figures for corporation tax repayments were given in my reply of 28 June 1993 at column 372. A breakdown in the form requested is not available centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Investment Income
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been(a) the total investment income of individuals and (b) the tax revenues on investment income in each financial year since 1990–91, together with an estimate for the current year; and what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in each year of the exemption from tax of the investment income of old people.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Available information is given in the table. Estimates of income are based on information reported to tax offices and collected through the annual survey of personal incomes. It is therefore not possible to provide estimates for all individuals and so the table relates to taxpayers only. Figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are
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  based on projections of the 1991–92 survey and are therefore provisional. For 1990–91, the figures are calculated using the taxpayers' marginal rate and are therefore not directly comparable with receipts data which reflect the application of the composite rate on bank and building society interest. There is no general exemption from tax of the investment income of old people but the third row of the table shows the estimated cost to the Exchequer in terms of liabilities if investment income paid to people aged 65 or over were exempt from income tax.

  £ billion

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Total investment income of taxpayers

  41·9

  38·7

  35·0

  29·0

  Tax liability on investment income

  11·0

  10·7

  9·6

  7·9

  Cost of exempting the investment income of the aged

  3·6

  3·2

  2·8

  2·3

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what examinations have been made to check that that first issue premium bonds have been winning in ways consistent with the laws of probability; and what has been the result of such examination.

  Mr. Nelson
  Each month the bond numbers generated by ERNIE, and the results of the prize draw, are subjected to a series of statistical tests by the Government Actuary, who is wholly independent of national savings. These tests have never given any reason to doubt ERNIE's randomness, or that each eligible bond number has an equal chance of being drawn for a prize, regardless of when it was issued.

  Older bond numbers, including those of the earliest issue, do not appear as often as newer numbers in the prize lists simply because there are relatively fewer of them as over the years many of these bonds have been cashed in.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the number of valid premium bonds held by members of the public and (b) the total number of prizes available for premium bonds in each of the years since the establishment of the premium bond scheme.

  Mr. Nelson
  The number of eligible bonds and prizes issued in each year since the start of the premium bond scheme are shown below.

  Number of Eligible Bond Units as at 1 December (millions)

  Number of Prize issued in year (thousands)

  1957

  70·0

  62·5

  1958

  152 9

  149·0

  1959

  214·7

  210·2

  1960

  272·2

  257·1

  1961

  319 6

  372·9

  1962

  359·6

  424·3

  1963

  403·0

  476·2

  1964

  453·4

  532·7

  1965

  500 1

  595·3

  1966

  551 6

  657·8

  1967

  598·3

  710·3

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  Number of Eligible Bond Units as at 1 December (millions)

  Number of Prizes issued in year (thousands)

  1968

  646·7

  769·6

  1969

  721·7

  863·9

  1970

  765·7

  932·1

  1971

  845·1

  971·9

  1972

  924·0

  1,033 6

  1973

  987·4

  1,117·4

  1974

  1,016·7

  1,158·5

  1975

  1,070·7

  1,203·5

  1976

  1,145·0

  1,276·9

  1977

  1,210·6

  1,309·7

  1978

  1,294·4

  1,405·3

  1979

  1,374·4

  11,125·8

  1980

  1,404·6

  2890·5

  1981

  1,455·7

  1,142·2

  1982

  1,497·7

  1,221·2

  1983

  1·595 8

  1,229·4

  1984

  1,683·6

  1,337·7

  1985

  1,756·0

  1,884·3

  1986

  1,839·1

  1,962·2

  1987

  1,935·8

  2,059·4

  1988

  2,133·9

  2,232·5

  1989

  2,269·2

  2,418·7

  1990

  2,271·5

  2,483·5

  1991

  2,313·2

  2,491·1

  1992

  2,454·0

  2,599·1

  1993

  32,714·0

  41,847·2

  1 A temporary truncated prize structure was introduced for the September to December 1979 prize draws, to allow speedier recovery from industrial action.

  2 A new prize structure was introduced from 1 January 1980 when the minimum prize was increased from £25 to £50.

  3 As at 1 October.

  4 Up to 1 October.

  Corporation Tax
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the cost to the Exchequer of making the first £50,000 or the first £100,000 of retained profits of small companies free of corporation tax with suitable safeguards to prevent the concession applying to associated companies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Exchequer cost of making the first £50,000, or £100,000, of taxable profits free of corporation tax for companies normally liable at the small company rate would be about £½ billion, or £1 billion, respectively per annum. It is assumed that companies' liability to account for advance corporation tax and the rules for setting it against corporation tax are unaffected.

  European Community
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net payment made to the European Community by the United Kingdom for each year since 1979; and in each case what was the net payment to European Economic Community institutions as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Nelson
  Details of the United Kingdom's net contribution to European Community institutions both in absolute terms and as a percentage of gross domestic product are given in the following table:
  13

  Year

  Net contribution to EC institutions £ million

  Net contribution as a percentage of GDP per cent.

  1979–80

  839

  0·40

  1980–81

  168

  0·07

  1981–82

  117

  0·04

  1982–83

  589

  0·21

  1983–84

  834

  0·27

  1984–85

  977

  0·29

  1985–86

  819

  0·22

  1986–87

  1,074

  0·27

  1987–88

  1,661

  0·38

  1988–89

  1,006

  0·21

  1989–90

  2,316

  0·44

  1990–91

  2,027

  0·37

  1991–92

  705

  0·12

  11992–93

  1,769

  0·29

  1 Estimated outturn.

  Sources:

  Figures for net contribution to EC institutions are as in the Government's expenditure plans, and therefore exclude contributions to the EC budget which are attributed to the aid programmme. Figures for 1987–88 to 1992–93 are taken from the departmental report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departments (Cm 2217); for earlier years, figures are taken relevant public expenditure plans or departmental reports.

  GDP: CSO Economic Trends.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr.John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the latest estimate of the number of PEPs; and what is the associated cost to the Exchequer;

  (2) how many PEPs were taken out during each of the last five years; and what has been the cost to the Exchequer of the consequential tax relief;

  (3) how many tax exempt special savings accounts have been opened since the scheme was introduced; and what has been the cost to the Exchequer of the consequential tax reliefs.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The available information is as follows;Since PEPs began in 1987, 2,880,000 general plans have been taken out, and since 1 January 1992, 250,000 single company plans have been taken out.

  Personal Equity Plans

  Number of plans taken out (thousands)

  Estimated total cost of income tax relief (£ million)

  General

  Single company

  1988

  120

  —

  15

  1989 and first quarter of 1990

  580

  —

  20

  1990–91

  500

  —

  45

  1991–92

  640

  110

  90

  1992–931

  770

  140

  120

  1 Provisional.

  TESSAs

  There were about 3.75 million live TESSA accounts as at 30 June 1993. The estimated cost of tax relief for TESSAs for 1992–93 was £250 million.

  Income Tax Threshold
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer of raising the income tax threshold to £100 per week for each person liable to pay income tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Compared with statutory indexation of allowances and thresholds by 1.8 per cent, the estimated full year cost of raising the personal allowance to £5,200 at 1994–95 income levels would be about £10 billion.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people had incomes of less than £100 per week at the latest date for which figures are available; how many of these paid income tax; and what proportion of the national average wage is represented by £100 per week.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The latest estimates for 1993–94 are that about 23.2 million people aged over 16 have incomes below £100 per week, of whom about 2.5 million are taxpayers. The sum of £100 is about 28 per cent. of average earnings for full-time adult males.

  Unemployment Costs
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has as to the effect of a reduction in unemployment of 1 million people on local expenditure on(a) free school meals, (b) temporary accommodation for homeless families, (c) the element of benefits payments in respect of rents and council tax borne by local authorities and (d) the element of mandatory education awards borne by local authorities.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have no such estimate, and to produce one would require so many assumptions as to render the result almost meaningless.

  Ministerial Salary Payments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial arrangements for further salary payments ensue when a Minister resigns or is sacked.

  Mr. Dorrell
  When a Minister leaves office for whatever reason, he is entitled to a severance payment, the terms of which are governed by the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

  Long-term Care Insurance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to regulate the development of long-term care insurance and of schemes which use the value of the owner's home to fund long-term care.

  Mr. Nelson
  I am not aware of any such cases. If the hon. Gentleman is aware of particular difficulties with such insurances and schemes, he should bring them to my attention.

  VAT
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what items of manufactured or non-manufactured foodstuff VAT is currently chargeable in the United Kingdom; how much was received in tax for each grouping of such items for the financial year 1992–93; and what is his estimate of income for the year 1993–94.
  15
  Sir John Cope
  Most items of food are relieved from VAT. The exceptions liable to tax at the standard rate include: ice cream and similar frozen products; confectionery; manufactured beverages including alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, fruit juices and bottled waters; potato crisps and similar snack foods. In 1992–93 VAT on these items is estimated to have raised around £1.6 billion and in 1993–94 it is expected to raise around £1.7 billion.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meeting of European Finance Ministers.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  European Community Finance Ministers and central bank governors held an informal meeting in Genval, Belgium on 8 to 10 October.

  There was a general discussion of the economic situation in the Community and the White Book on a medium-term strategy for growth, competitiveness and employment that the Copenhagen European Council invited the Commission to prepare in time for its meeting in December. Against this background, there as a preliminary discussion of the broad guidelines for economic policy which will be established under article 103 of the Maastricht treaty. I agreed with a number of other member states that we should avoid an excessively prescriptive approach. The next step will be for the Commission to prepare a draft recommendation which will be discussed by Finance Ministers before being put to the European Council in December.

  Ministers discussed a package of draft Commission proposals designed to ensure that certain treaty provisions relating to stage II of EMU are consistently applied. Discussion will now continue in official working groups before returning to the Council later in the year.

  There was also some discussion of the Community's programme of macro-economic assistance for the former Soviet Union and central and eastern Europe. There was general agreement on the importance of linking EC support to a full IMF International Monetary Fund stand-by arrangement and of stimulating private finance.

  Finally, Finance Ministers endorsed the political agreement reached in the Foreign Affairs Council the previous week on a new inter-institutional agreement on budget discipline. The European Parliament is still considering whether it can accept the agreement.

  Informal meetings cannot take formal decisions or votes.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail, London
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the level of investment in British Rail local services in London for each year from 1990–91 to 1993–94; what is the planned figure for 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Figures for BR investment in Network SouthEast are set out in the table. The figures do not include prepayments.
  16

  Investment in Network SouthEast

  £ million

  Year

  Number

  1990–91

  340

  1991–92

  396

  1992–93

  524

  1993–94

  426

  The figure for 1993–94 is subject to revision and should be regarded as indicative only. A figure for 1994–95 has yet to be announced.

  Roads (Greenwich Mean Time)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the net change in road casualties that is associated with the present winter arrangements of using Greenwich mean time.

  Mr. Key
  Based on casualty statistics for 1991, the Transport Research Laboratory estimated that putting the clocks back for 22 weeks in the winter resulted in an increase in road casualties of some 100 fatalities, 400 serious casualties and 1,000 slight casualties.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to issue a warning to the public about road risks following the change of the clocks to Greenwich mean time.

  Mr. Key
  There are no plans to issue a specific warning to the public about road risks following the change of the clocks to Greenwich mean time. The Department does however distribute leaflets on safe winter driving and on pedestrian and cyclist/motor cyclist conspicuity.

  Driving Licences
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ordinary driving licences are revoked each year on the basis that the holder's mental ill health is, or may become, likely to cause that person to be a source of danger to the public if he or she drives, pursuant to section 93(1) and section 93(2) of the Road Traffic Road Act 1988; and how many individuals each year are granted ordinary driving licences for a limited period of time on the basis that the applicant's mental ill health is, or may become, likely to cause that person to be a source of danger to the public if he or she drives, pursuant to section 99(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

  Mr. Key
  Each year around 600 ordinary driving licences are revoked and about the same number refused on the basis that the mental health of the holders or applicants was or might become likely to cause that person to be a source of danger to the public. Statistics on the number of restricted period licences issued are not broken down into the type of medical condition/disability that the driver suffers from.

  Fishing (Submarines)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he made to the proposals delivered to him by the Clyde Fishermen's Association concerning communication of submarine movements to the fishing fleet in inshore waters off Scotland.
  17
  Mr. Norris
  Arrangements for the broadcasting of information about submarine movements—Subfacts—are still under discussion with the fishing industry and others.

  Farm Vehicles
  Mr. Salmond
  To' ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the requirement for road tax discs, number plates, lights, and directional indicators to be available and in working order will be applied to all farm vehicles ; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The only mechanically propelled farm vehicles which are exempt from vehicle excise duty are those not used on the public road, or used for distances not exceeding 6 miles in any calendar week when the journey is for travelling between land in the occupation of the registered keeper.

  When used on the road, agricultural machines and trailers are required by the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971—SI 1971/450—to display a registration mark. All agricultural vehicles used on the road must be fitted with front and rear position lamps and rear reflectors. Tractors manufactured since 1 April 1986 must also have dipped headlamps, direction indicators and a hazard warning signal device. Any vehicle with a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph, including tractors, must also display an amber warning beacon when travelling along an unrestricted dual carriageway. We strongly recommend their use on other roads as well. All lamps and reflectors must be kept clean and in good working order. We have no plans to require additional lighting equipment to be fitted on older vehicles.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to limit the width of farm vehicles using public roads in the same manner as commercial road transport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 1979 regulate the dimensions of agricultural vehicles used on public roads. These regulations require notification to be given to the police of the date, time and route of the journey before vehicles over 2.9 m width are used on the road and in the case of vehicles over 3.5 m width an attendant is required to give warning to other road users. Vehicles over 4.3 m width can be used only under individual authorisation and the need for the journey must be justified. I see no need for additional regulation of these vehicles.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of accidents caused as a result of farm vehicles leaving dirt on the road in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  This information is not collected by central Government.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken to ensure the enforcement of laws relating to dirt on the road without prejudice; how many farmers have been prosecuted in each of the last five years for leaving dirt on roads; and if he will make a statement.
  18
  Mr. Key
  My Department's highway responsibilities are confined to England. In England, it is for individual highway authorities to take action under the Highways Act 1980, at common law, or under specific local byelaws, to deal with dirt on roads which they consider to be a hazard or obstruction.

  Information on the numbers of such prosecutions could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the duties of his Department's roadside inspection of commercial vehicles to farm vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Vehicle Inspectorate's examiners have and use the power to make roadside inspections of farm vehicles and to prohibit their use if they are unroadworthy. We have no plans, however, to make farm vehicles a specific priority for roadside inspection. Farm vehicles are also subject to spot checks by the Health and Safety Executive, which has powers to prohibit the use of vehicles if they are in an unsafe or improperly maintained condition.

  M25
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the proposed widening of the M25; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  We have received numerous comments and suggestions in connection with the widening of the M25. These have all been carefully considered and taken into account in reaching our conclusions about the future strategic needs for this motorway. We will of course continue to listen to any further views that are expressed.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what cost-benefit analysis or studies have been made in respect of the M25 duplication or widening schemes(a) already authorised, (b) under active study and (c) currently contemplated; and where such studies are available to the public.

  Mr. Key
  The following cost-benefit analyses or studies have, are being, or will be undertaken in connection with increasing the capacity of the M25:Junctions 30(A13)–3 (M20): no information yet. The future requirements are under review following the opening of the Queen Elizabeth H Bridge.
  Junctions 3–5(M26)—rapid widening: no information yet. It is anticipated that consultants will be appointed to prepare detailed proposals later this year or early next.
  Junctions 5–7(M23)—rapid widening: no information yet. Proposals are being prepared for widening to dual four lanes and information from the cost-benefit analysis, together with studies into air quality, noise, ecology etc will be made available when the environmental statement is published next spring.
  Junctions 7–8 (Reigate)—rapid widening: details of the proposal to widen this section to dual four lanes, including the information on the results of the cost-benefit analysis as well as other information from other studies were included in the environmental statements made available at public exhibitions earlier this year.
  Junctions 8–10(A3)—rapid widening: no information published yet. Proposals are being prepared for widening this section to dual four lanes. Information from the cost-benefit analysis and other studies will be made available when the environmental statement is published in the near future.
  Junctions 10–11(Chertsey)—rapid widening: details of the proposal to widen this section to dual four lanes, including the

  19
  information on results of the cost-benefit analysis and other studies was included in the environmental statements made available at public exhibitions earlier this year.
  Junctions 10–12(M3)—widening beyond four lanes: no information has been published yet. Consultants have been appointed to investigate the options for increasing capacity beyond four lanes. If it is decided to go ahead the results of the cost-benefit analysis and ether studies will be made available at public consultation stage.
  Junctions 12–15(M4)—widening beyond four lanes: information from the cost-benefit analysis and other studies undertaken was available to the public during the public consultation exhibitions held in July 1992. A copy of the technical appraisal report for the scheme, which included information on the cost-benefit analysis was placed in the House of Commons Library last autumn. Further information will be made available in the environmental statement when draft orders are published, probably later this year.
  Junctions 15–16(M40)—rapid widening: details of the proposal to widen this section to dual four lanes, including information on the results of the cost-benefit analysis and other studies were included in the environmental statement made available at public exhibitions in 1991.
  Junctions 15–16—widening beyond four lanes: a public consultation assessment report containing the results of the cost-benefit analysis and other studies, was available at the public exhibitions held in July and September this year.
  Junctions 16–19(Watford)—rapid widening: no information yet. Proposals are being prepared for widening to dual four lanes and information from the cost-benefit analysis and other studies will be made available when the environmental statement is published towards the end of the year.
  Junctions 19–23(A1)—rapid widening: no information yet. Proposals are being prepared for widening to dual four lanes within the existing highway boundary and information from the cost-benefit analysis and other studies will be made available when the environmental statement is published in 1995.
  Junctions 16–21(M1)—widening beyond four lanes: no information yet. It is anticipated that consultations will be appointed later this year or early next.
  Junctions 23–26(Al21)—rapid widening: no information yet. Proposals are being prepared for widening to dual four lanes and information from the cost-benefit analysis and other studies will be made available when the evironmental statement is published towards the end of the year.
  Junctions 26–28(Al2)—rapid widening: no information yet. Proposals are being prepared for widening to dual four lanes within the existing highway boundary and information from the cost-benefit analysis and other studies will be made available when the environmental statement is published in 1995.
  Junctions 28–30(A13)—widening: no information yet. Consultants will be appointed at some future date.

  Traffic, London
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has sought from the City of London Corporation on the changes in traffic speed, congestion and casualties to non-car occupants and to car occupants since 3 July; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  None, but if the City corporation wishes to make permanent its experimental traffic measures it will need to obtain the approval of the Traffic Director for London and to consult adjacent boroughs and other interests. In doing so, the corporation would need to explain the effects of the experimental measures.

  Barking to Gospel Oak Line
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports he has received on the future investment programme of the Barking to Gospel Oak line: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for British Rail to decide which projects to take forward and what priority it should be 20
  given until our plans for the privatisation of rail services can be implemented. However, I understand that Network SouthEast is looking at ways of improving the service on the north London lines, including that between Gospel Oak and Barking.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who serves on the police committee of the British Transport police; and how often it has met over the past five years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The members of the British Transport police committee as at 30 September 1993 are:

  Chairman:

  D. Rayner Esq.

  Members:

  D. Tunnicliffe Esq.

  C. J. D. Driver Esq.

  A. P. Watkinson Esq.

  Sir Lawrence Byford CBE, OBE, MC, DL

  Major-General Lennox Napier CB, OBE, MC, DL

  J. G. Nelson Esq.

  Mrs. Diana Lamplugh OBE

  The committee meets on a quarterly basis.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has reached a decision on the future employer of the British Transport police; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have decided that Railtrack should become the employer of the BTP for as long as it remains in the public sector. When Railtrack is transferred to the private sector the British Transport police committee will become the employer. In the interim, until appropriate legislation can be drafted and introduced the BR board will continue as employer of the BTP.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what joint consultation procedure exists between the police committee of the British Transport police, and that force's Police Federation, and the representative bodies of other ranks at which matters relating to police pay and conditions of service are discussed; what is the membership of the joint body; and on how many occasions it has met in the past five years.

  Mr. Freeman
  In common with Home Department forces, the police committee does not meet with staff representative bodies. A joint consultative committee, comprising the chief and deputy chief constable; assistant chief constable (support services); chairman and secretary of the Superintendents Association; and the chairman and secretary of the British Transport Police Federation, meets twice a year, and as necessary, and any concerns are referred to the police committee for consideration.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent Home Office police regulations applied to members of the British Transport police.

  Mr. Freeman
  The chief constable has a statutory duty to control and direct the force, which includes following, wherever possible, any guidance or instructions on police matters given by the Home Secretary and the Director of Public Prosecutions, and their counterparts in Scotland.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if a Minister from his Department will meet
  21
  reresentatives of the British Transport Police Federation to discuss the ramifications of (a) the Sheehy report, (b) the White Paper on police and (c) matters of general concern to Police Federation members, which are not operational matters reserved for the chief constable.

  Mr. Freeman
  Ministers regularly meet representatives of the British Transport Police Federation and their parliamentary representative to discuss a wide range of matters. The last such meeting took place on 8 September.

  Skippers' Licences
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to revoke or suspend the master's ticket of skippers of British-registered fishing vessels found guilty of having a secret fish room on board, fishing with undersize mesh nets, landing undersized fish and related offences.

  Mr. Norris
  No. Certificates of competency for officers on fishing vessels remain valid for as long as the individuals holding them can comply with the appropriate standards and conditions of medical fitness and competence. Infringements of fisheries legislation are matters for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Car Parking (Disabled Persons)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimate of car parking spaces currently reserved for orange badge holders.

  Mr. Key
  The provision of parking spaces reserved for orange badge holders is the responsibility of individual local authorities. Information on the number provided by each authority is not held centrally.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received about the inadequacies of car parking facilities for disabled people in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Key
  The Department has received representations about the difficulties experienced by orange badge holders where local authorities operate their own local schemes of parking concessions for the disabled and about the fact that the orange badge scheme does not apply in central London. No analysis is available of how many letters mention these points. Of the 2,600 letters on the orange badge scheme received over the last 12 months, most have been requests for general information.

  Cycling
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the total length of cycle routes in Greater London in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Responsibility for the provision of cycle routes in London rests primarily with the 33 London boroughs. The information requested is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. We are supporting the 1,000 mile cycle network for London now being developed by the London Cycling Forum. Approximately a third of the network is in existence or in preparation.
  22
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many schools in England and Wales have specific instruction on cycle safety; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  No figures are available to show how many schools in England and Wales have specific instruction on cycle safety. There are, however, around 300,000 children who take part in cycle training schemes each year—just over 20 per cent. of children in the eligible age range.

  Car Parking (Pavements)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding parking on pavements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  I have received numerous representations on this subject, mainly suggesting that there should be a complete ban on pavement parking.

  Responses to the consultation document "Curbing An Abuse", which we issued in 1987, showed that a complete ban would not be practical. It would create severe difficulties for many local traffic authorities, and the police do not have the resources that would be necessary to enforce it effectively.

  While there is a general ban on parking heavy goods vehicles on the pavement, parking other kinds of vehicles there is illegal only where it is prohibited by a local Act of Parliament, as in London, where it contravenes a traffic order made by the local traffic authority, or if the vehicle is parked in a dangerous or obstructive position. I accept that the current situation is not entirely satisfactory. Last July, I decided to explore with the local authority associations whether the present legislation might be used more effectively and whether it could be improved in any way short of imposing a national ban.

  Motorway Driving
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding instruction for motorway driving; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  We have recently issued a consultation paper on measures to reduce accidents involving new drivers. A number of those responding have made representations about motorway instruction. All responses, will be taken into account before any final decisions are reached.

  Buses
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he intends to publish a response to the results of the recent consultation on the operation of local bus services outside London;

  (2) what response he has received to the recent consultation on the operation of local bus services outside London.

  Mr. Freeman
  Some 160 responses were received from bus operators, local authorities and other interested parties. I am considering these and expect to announce the results shortly.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the working party on the promotion of the bus will be reconvened.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have in mind to reconvene the working party in 1994 to take stock of progress.

  Parliamentary Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations of the television sets in his Department which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber of the House; and what is the total cost to his Department of this service.
  24
  Mr. Norris
  The Department has 13 television sets capable of receiving live television feed from the Chamber of the House. They are all located in the Department's headquarters building in 2 Marsham street.

  The cost of this service, which is provided by the Central Office of Information, is £14,900 plus VAT for 1993–94.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that drivers of heavy goods vehicles subject to limitation of driving hours by tachograph examination are not employed on duties prior to driving which are likely to impair their health or public safety.

  Mr. Key
  The rules on drivers' hours and tachographs are set by EC regulations which prescribe maximum limits on driving time and minimum limits on breaks and rest periods. The regulations are designed to ensure that drivers have adequate rest provisions in the interest of road safety.

  The current requirement to take a daily rest period of at least 11 hours, combined with the daily driving limit of nine hours, already effectively limits the number of hours available for work.

  The Department's traffic examiners and the police have wide-ranging powers to deal with road haulage companies and drivers who break the law.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the currently expected timetable for the construction of the east London river crossing; what studies he is making of alternatives to that earlier proposal under Oxleas Wood and the construction of new cross Thames railway links east of Wapping.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department will award a commission early next year for a traffic study into a new east London river crossing which will take into account public transport issues. This will be followed later next year by a design commission to work up alternative proposals. The timetable for construction will depend on the form of the proposals and the statutory procedures required. I am considering separately the interaction of this scheme with other road and rail crossings.

  Rail Privatisation (Pricing Policies)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking, as part of his policy for privatisation of the operation of some railway trains, to avoid duplication of pricing on any one route and associated restrictions of choice of passengers using all operators' trains on those routes offering a standard class of vehicle; and if he will instruct the British Railways Board to eliminate any such practice currently operated by it on any route.

  Mr. Freeman
  A balance has to be struck between the benefits to customers of interavailable tickets and common fare levels on the one hand and competitive ticket pricing and product offers on the other hand. This was reflected in the draft guidance from the Secretary of State to the franchising director which was made available to the House in February ; that guidance is being developed and will be finalised when the Bill completes its passage through Parliament and the franchising director is appointed.

  With the introduction this month of shadow running by the InterCity Gatwick Express franchise, Network SouthEast is being allowed to compete over the route. Fares for the slower, NSE stopping service from Victoria to Gatwick will be reduced and the availability of this
  26
  choice of alternative services will be advertised to passengers. Hitherto, only the Gatwick Express service has been promoted by BR. Gatwick Express tickets will be valid on NSE trains; as will NSE tickets on Gatwick Express, subject only to supplementary payment of the difference in price—£1.10 for a single journey.

  I believe that passengers will welcome these changes. They offer greater choice of service without loss of flexibility or convenience, and the opportunity of purchasing a cheaper ticket than was available before.

  Heathrow-Paddington Rail Link
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of the capital cost, at 1993 prices, of each main element in the construction of the Heathrow-Paddington rail link, and its rolling stock and depot cost; what proportion of the total is being borne by(a) British Rail, (b) other United Kingdom public funds, (c) private capital from the United Kingdom and (d) capital from abroad, respectively; and what are the amounts of and details of each respective source of funds.

  Mr. Freeman
  The overall cost of the project has been estimated at around £300 million at 1993 prices. Details of the cost estimates and of the funding arrangements are a matter for the joint venture partners.

  Roads (Expenditure)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the amount and percentage of his expenditure on roads that are the responsibility of his Department on(a) maintenance, (b) cleansing, (c)improvements to existing routes, including bridge rebuilding, (d) bypasses around urban or residential areas, (e) capital expenditure on new motorways, (f) new construction of other roads and (g) other expenditure.

  Mr. Key
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. The table shows the information that is available.

  Planned expenditure on National Roads, England: 1993–94 (rounded to nearest £ million)

  £ million

  Per cent.

  Renewal of roads

  400

  16 5

  Renewal of bridges

  150

  6·2

  New construction

  1,509

  62·4

  Current maintenance of roads and bridges1

  183

  7·6

  Other

  178

  74

  Total gross expenditure

  2,420

  100

  1 Includes cleansing.

  Further details can be found on pages 7 to 11 of the "Supply Estimates, 1993–94", class VI, Department of Transport, 495-VI—March 1993.

  Heavy Commercial Vehicles
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of staff in his Department, or under contract to them, engaged in the random checking of weights of heavy commercial vehicles(a) at the latest date for which figures are available and (b) 10 years previously.

  Mr. Key
  The Vehicle Inspectorate is responsible for the weighing of heavy commercial vehicles. This work is
  27
  carried out by traffic examiners—TEs—responsibility for whom was transferred to the inspectorate from the Department in April 1991. The inspectorate currently employs 168 full-time TEs; on 1 November 1983 the figure was 157.

  London Crossrail Link
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed London crossrail link on the growth of road traffic in Greater London.

  Mr. Norris
  Our assessment shows that, over a 30-year period, crossrail would generate road decongestion benefits with a present value worth over £500 million in March 1990 prices.

  Derailment, Maidstone East
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information has been made available to his Department by British Rail on the content of the containers on the train involved in the derailment accident at Maidstone East station on 6 September; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the investigation into the accident.

  Mr. Freeman
  The train involved in the accident was formed entirely of air-braked ferry wagons. The first was a bogie van containing chipboard, the following six wagons were carrying metal products. The remaining eight wagons were a mix of four-wheel flats and bogie vans, all of which were empty.

  Her Majesty's railway inspectorate is continuing its investigation into the accident. I understand that the British Transport police has instituted criminal proceedings. The hearing commenced on 15 October at Maidstone magistrates court.

HEALTH

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance her Department has given to general practitioners involved in appointments procedures to draw their attention to their responsibilities under the Race Relations Act 1965, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and her Department's initiatives; and what is being done to require general practitioners involved in such procedures to undergo equal opportunities training in selection and recruitment.

  Mr. Sackville
  General practitioners are independent self-employed contractors to the national health service and are themselves responsible for the appointment of their staff. As with any employers, it is their duty to inform themselves of, and have regard to, their responsibilities under employment law and equal opportunities legislation. Advice on such matters is available to general practitioners through their family health service authority.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is being done to ensure that managers involved in appointments procedures receive the full support of their own management in respect of their obligations towards equal opportunities;
  28
  (2) what is being done to ensure that managers from health authorities and self-governing trusts involved in appointments procedures are aware of their obligations with respect to equal opportunities; what steps are taken to report any refusal by general practitioners to observe their obligations with respect to equal opportunities in appointments procedures (a) to their own manager and (b) to any applicant seeking the reasons for failure to obtain a post sought;

  (3) what guidance has been given to ensure that equal opportunities policies are monitored.

  Mr. Sackville
  All national health service managers are expected to comply with national legislation on sex and race discrimination and to implement their health authority's or trust's equal opportunities policy, which should include appointments procedures.

  General practitioners are independent contractors.

  Current guidance to the NHS on priorities and planning includes a requirement that corporate contracts and business plans specify targets to improve equal opportunities for ethnic minority and disabled staff. Current guidance on monitoring gender issues is contained in "Women in the NHS: an implementation guide to Opportunity 2000", a copy of which is available in the Library. In addition, there is detailed guidance on operating fair recruitment and selection procedures for doctors and dentists in the hospital and community health service.

  Medical Students
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer, to the hon. Member for Westbury (Mr. Faber) of 21 April 1993,Official Report, column 126, what will be the cost of training the additional medical students; and what will be their impact on national health service costs when they become (i) trainees and (ii) consultants/general practitioner principals.

  Mr. Sackville
  The United Kingdom medical student target intake has been increased by 240 places each year in order to meet the forecast service needs of the national health service.

  The first report of the Medical Manpower Standing Advisory Committee (MMSAC), a copy of which is available in the Library, indicated that the total recurrent funding from the Department of Education and the NHS was some £180,000 per medical student over five years at 1992–93 levels. Funding for the new intake targets will be determined by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the NHS as part of their 1994–95 funding allocations in due course. It is unlikely that the marginal cost of increasing medical school intake will be as high as the current average costs of training.

  The subsequent impact of the additional medical graduates on NHS costs will depend on a wide range of factors, including future service development priorities, salary levels and the career choices of the doctors themselves. In the hospital and community health services the demand for doctors depends on the decisions made by purchasers and providers on how best to use the funding allocated to them to meet local health care needs; an increase in the available supply of doctors will not in itself add to costs. In the general medical services, admission to practice reflects decisions of the Medical Practices Committee which will among other things take into

  29
  account the available supply of potential general practitioners, but there is no automatic linkage between additional supply and additional NHS costs.

  Dentistry
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines her Department issued to national health service dentists on the sterilisation of all dental equipment;

  (2) what regulations cover the sterilisation of national health service dental equipment.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has issued guidance to dentists by means of circulars, booklets and letters from the Chief Dental Officer, in 1986, 1988, 1990 and most recently in July 1993, advising them of the need to sterilise equipment adequately. It was made clear in 1988 that dental handpieces should be sterilised in an autoclave. There are no regulations which specifically cover the sterilisation of dental equipment. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Broadmoor Hospital
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the report of the inquiry into the death of Orville Blackwood in Broadmoor hospital was delivered to the Special Hospitals Service Authority ; and when it will be published.

  Mr. Bowis
  The report was published on 31 August and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Optical Services
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year end waiting list for(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each district health authority and for England in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on waiting times for in-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each district health authority in England is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England". This has been published twice yearly since September 1987 and copies are available in the Library. Information on the number of people waiting for out-patient appointments is not available centrally.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average value of help received through NHS vouchers for glasses, by adults requiring new frames and lenses, in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  The estimated value of the average adult voucher fully paid for by family health services authorities in 1992–93 was £31.901.

  1The average value quoted is based on vouchers paid for by FHSAs in 1992–93, excluding those vouchers paid for in 1992–93 at 1991–92 values. It also excludes supplements in respect of prisms and tints, small frame supplements, and vouchers in respect of repairs to and replacements of optical appliances.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys her Department has carried out or commissioned on the amount of contribution which individuals make to supplement the help they receive through NHS vouchers for glasses; and what is the average amount of the customer contribution towards the cost of glasses which is made in addition to the value of the voucher, in each voucher band.
  30
  Mr. Sackville
  None. The average amount of the customer contribution towards the cost of glasses which is made in addition to the value of the voucher band, in each voucher band is not available centrally.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount of financial help for glasses including lenses given through the voucher system in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  The cost of national health service vouchers for glasses and lenses, including help with the cost of repairs, was £99.9 million in 1992–93.

  Grading
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many nurses, midwives and health visitors have accepted "buy-outs" for clinical grading appeals by(a) each professional and (b) each region;

  (2) how many nurses, midwives and health visitors have agreed to forgo their clinical grading appeal to date, as a result of the clinical grading "buy-out" scheme;

  (3) what the cost of "buy-outs" for clinical grading appeals has been to date.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of appeals which has been "bought out" by 30 September 1993 in England is shown in the table.

  Information on the number of appeals bought out by profession and the cost is not available centrally.

  Buy-outs of Nurse Clinical Grading Appeals: Situation as at 30 September 1993

  Region

  Appeals bought out

  North Western

  2,580

  Mersey

  1,708

  West Midlands

  2,032

  Trent

  1,358

  South Western

  505

  North West Thames

  523

  Yorkshire

  855

  North East Thames

  381

  Wessex

  429

  South West Thames

  —

  South East Thames

  600

  Oxford

  —

  East Anglian

  299

  Northern

  1,824

  Total

  13,094

  Source: Regional health authority reports. Data for some regions have still to be validated.

  Psychiatric Care
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many admissions for acute psychiatric treatment were made to hospitals in London during each year since 1989;

  (2) how many acute psychiatric beds were available in London in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is shown in the table:

  Mental illness—finished consultant episodes and average daily number of available short stay beds (acute psychiatric) in London

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  Average daily number of beds

  1988–89

  37,586

  47

  4,030

  1989–90

  36,401

  25

  4,206

  1990–91

  36,912

  29

  4,047

  31

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  Average daily number of beds

  1991–92

  37,903

  123

  3,983

  1992–93

  39,002

  401

  3,931

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the future of mental illness specific supplementary credit approvals.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is our intention that both the mental illness specific grant and the supplementary credit approvals will continue, in order to support the improvement of social care services which local authorities provide for mentally ill people in the community.

  Smoking
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action has been taken by her Department over the last year towards the objectives stated in the Government White Paper "The Health of the Nation" to reduce smoking prevalence among British adults to 20 per cent. by the year 2000 and the level of smoking among 11 to 15-year-olds by 33 per cent. by 1994; and what further action her Department intends taking.

  Mr. Sackville
  Action to reduce smoking prevalence in adults and young people is tackled through a cross governmental approach. Measures taken this year include: a real increase of 4.7 per cent. in the total tax on cigarettes in the March 1993 Budget; the strengthening of laws on the labelling of tobacco products; full implementation of the new legislation on illegal sales of tobacco products to children; the continued development of anti-smoking health education campaigns; continuing progress to be made through voluntary means to encourage the introduction of policies on smoking in public places and workplaces; and the introduction of new arrangements so that all general practitioners wishing to receive payments for health promotion will need to provide advice and support to smokers.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of 11 to 15-year-olds who currently smoke in the United Kingdom are girls.

  Mr. Sackville
  The 1992 Office of Population Censuses and Surveys survey of smoking among secondary schoolchildren shows that for England, Wales and Scotland the following percentages of 11 to 15-year-olds who smoke on a regular basis are girls:

  England—53 per cent.

  Wales—51 per cent.

  Percentage of regular smokers1 aged 11–15 for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland4

  1982

  1984

  1986

  1988

  1990

  1992

  England

  11

  13

  10

  8

  10

  10

  Wales

  2—

  11

  8

  5—

  10

  9

  Scotland

  15

  16

  12

  5—

  12

  11

  Northern Ireland

  5—

  314

  11

  5

  12

  5—

  Notes:

  1 "Regular Smokers" is defined as usually smoking at least one cigarette a week.

  2 Data are only available for England and Wales combined.

  3 Northern Ireland survey first carried out in 1983.

  4 The data are in respect of secondary schoolchildren aged 11 to 15—in the first to fifth form—in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and aged 12 to 15—in the first to fourth form—in Scotland.

  5 not available.

  32
  Scotland—56 per cent.

  A separate survey has been carried out in Northern Ireland entitled "Smoking and Drinking Amongst 11–15 year olds in Northern Ireland". The latest survey, which was carried out in 1990, found that 53 per cent. of 11 to 15-year-olds who smoke on a regular basis are girls.

  Copies of both reports are available in the Library.

  Notes:

  1. Caution is needed in interpreting these percentages as they are based on a relatively small sample.

  2. "Regular smokers" are defined as usually smoking at least one cigarette a week.

  3. The data are in respect of secondary schoolchildren aged 11 to 15—in the first to fifth form—in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and aged 12 to 15—in the first to fourth form—in Scotland.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women died in the United Kingdom from smoking-related diseases, in each year from 1980.

  Mr. Sackville
  The statistics available are those for 1988, published in the Health Education Authority's report "The Smoking Epidemic", a copy of which is available in the Library. This estimated that in the United Kingdom about 79,000 men and 32,000 women died from smoking-related diseases.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of 11 to 15-year-olds in the United Kingdom currently smoke; and what was the percentage of 11 to 15-year-olds who smoked in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Sackville
  The 1992 Office of Population Censuses and Surveys survey of smoking among secondary schoolchildren provides the following figures for 11 to 15-year-olds who currently smoke in England, Wales and Scotland:

  England—10 per cent.

  Wales—9 per cent.

  Scotland—11 per cent.

  A separate survey has been carried out in Northern Ireland entitled "Smoking and Drinking Amongst 11–15 year olds in Northern Ireland". The latest survey which was carried out in 1990, found that 12 per cent. of 11 to 15-year-olds in Northern Ireland were regular smokers.

  Copies of both reports are available in the Library.

  The following data show the percentage of 11 to 15-year-olds who smoke since 1982—when the biennial OPCS survey began. The Northern Ireland survey began in 1983 and a further survey took place three years later. Since 1986 the surveys have been carried out every four years.

  Operation Vacancy Schemes
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities ran media or press advertising schemes for vacant operation slots at the latest date for which figures are available; which ran such schemes(a) six and (b) 12 months previous to that; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. However, Sunderland district health authority is to be congratulated for developing an innovative local scheme to maximise the number of patients treated for minor surgery.

  Counselling Services
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken since the publication of "Disasters: Planning for a Caring Society" to improve the counselling service to those affected by large-scale disasters and terrorism.

  Mr. Bowis
  Post-traumatic stress disorder is a recognised psychiatric condition. General practitioner services are increasingly able to respond to this condition and provide counselling or drug therapy as necessary. Cases may also be referred to the specialist psychiatric services. The Department is supporting from central funds the creation of a new unit at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Group specialising in post-traumatic stress, including research. We are also funding continuing work at the traumatic stress unit at the Middlesex hospital. These centres constitute an additional national source of expertise in this condition. The role of local authorities in providing social and psychological support for disaster victims is addressed in the report "Planning for a Caring Response" and associated "Guidelines for an Action Plan", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Parliamentary Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the locations of the television sets in her Department which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber of the House; and what is the total cost to her Department of this service.

  Mr. Sackville
  There are 12 sets in the Department which can receive live television broadcasts from the Chamber. They are situated in ministerial and press offices in Richmond house, Whitehall and cost approximately £14,000 a year.

  Health Costs (Assistance)
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her best estimate of the average number of prescription items issued each year to people over state pension age;

  (2) how many people received help with health costs through certificate AG2 in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of these were over state pension age.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table.
  34

  Average number of prescribed items per head of population for women aged 60 and over and men aged 65 or over dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in England in 1992; number of courses of adult dental treatment obtained free of charge by people entitled to full remission of charges under the national health service low income scheme1, number of free sight tests obtained by people covered by AG2 certificates and numbers of optical vouchers used by people covered by AG2 or AG3 certificates in England in 1992–93.

  Number

  Prescribed items

  218.9

  Courses of adult dental treatment3

  4,356,963

  Sight tests3

  278,000

  Optical vouchers3

  4317,910

  1 People receiving income support or family credit or covered by AG2 certificates.

  2 People over state retirement pension age are exempt from NHS prescription charges. A total of 167.8 million prescribed items were dispensed free of charge to this group by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in 1992.

  3 Includes people over state pension age but data for these age groups are not collected separately.

  4 Figure derived from 2 per cent. sample of all vouchers reimbursed by family health services authorities.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people benefited from the help with health costs scheme for(a) glasses, (b) dentistry and (c) the cost of eye tests, in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the number of people who benefited from help with the costs of glasses, dentistry and eye tests is not available. The number of sight tests and vouchers paid for by family health services authorities in 1992–93 is as follows:

  Number

  Vouchers1

  3,184,970

  National Health Service Sight Tests

  5,527,590

  Domiciliary Visits

  152,260

  Private sight tests where partial help was given

  56,020

  Private Domiciliary Visits where partial help was given

  2,090

  1 It is not possible to distinguish between those who have had partial help towards the cost of glasses and those who have had full help.

  The number of courses of dental treatment for adults provided with full or partial remission of charges in 1992–93 was 4,492,979. This represents approximately 18 per cent. of adult courses of treatment. A further 5 per cent. of courses of treatment were provided to exempt adults.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average value of help received with the cost of glasses including lenses through NHS vouchers, full or partial value, in each voucher band in the last two years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available in the form requested, since the Department does not hold figures on the number of people who get partial help with spectacle costs, or how much they get. The value of each type of voucher is shown in the table.

  £

  1991–92

  Voucher A

  19 70

  Voucher B

  31·15

  Voucher C

  49·00

  Voucher D

  37·80

  Voucher E

  62·30

  35

  £

  1992–93

  Voucher A

  23·70

  Voucher B

  37·40

  Voucher C

  51·00

  Voucher D

  100·00

  Voucher E

  41·00

  Voucher F

  54·00

  Voucher G

  65·00

  Voucher H

  110·00

  Workplace Health Promotion Programmes
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to promote health promotion programmes in the workplace; and whether there are any particular initiatives aimed specifically at older workers.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have recently embarked on a programme of initiatives in response to the recommendations of a "Health of the Nation" task force, whose report will be placed in the Library. The aim is to build on the great amount of workplace health promotion that already exists, and to encourage it further, by giving advice to employers, by encouraging evaluation to demonstrate the benefits to employers and employees alike, and by promoting contact locally between the various organisations and professions concerned. The programme will be overseen by a small steering group comprising key Departments, agencies, including the Health Education Authority, and organisations at national level.

  In addition, the Department, in consultation with the Department of Social Security, is responsible for the management in the United Kingdom of the European Year of Older People and Solidarity Between Generations which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched last December. Health promotion needs of older people in the workplace and elsewhere has been one of the many themes and issues upon which the year has concentrated.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary for State for Health if she will publish a list of all district health authorities in England indicating which authorities provided for NHS patients(a) in vitro fertilisation treatment and (b) other treatments to assist conception (i) before the introduction of the NHS internal market and (ii) currently.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. It is the responsibility of the purchasers and providers of health services to determine the services to be provided in the light of their knowledge of local needs and the availability of resources.

  Quality Initiatives Guide
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of producing 25,000 copies of "The A-Z of Quality: a Guide to Quality Initiatives in the NHS".

  Mr. Sackville
  The total estimated cost of producing 25,000 copies of "The A-Z of Quality" is £368,000. This cost represents £1 for every £100,000 spent on the national health service.

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for health how many schizophrenics have killed during the past five years.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not held centrally.

  Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost to the NHS of maintaining the Dreadnought seamen's hospital in Greenwich for each year since 1986.

  Mr. Sackville
  There are legal constraints on the use of the Dreadnought seamen's hospital site in Greenwich, for which South East Thames regional health authority have responsibility. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Peter Barker, chairman of the South East Thames regional health authority for details.

  Casualty Beds
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the availability of casualty beds, in each London health district for each year since 1990–91; what she expects the figure to be for the current year and planned for 1994–95 and subsequent years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information collected centrally on bed availability is classified according to broad speciality groups. Casualty beds are not identified separately. Each authority or trust decides whether to designate beds as casualty beds in the light of local needs and experience. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen of the four Thames regional health authorities for detailed information.

  Social Security Medical Reports
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out the charter provisions which ensure consultants and other doctors respond to requests for medical reports by DSS agencies for awarding benefits and deciding appeals within a reasonable time.

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no provisions in the patients charter relating to the time taken by consultants and doctors to respond to such requests.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out, for each ambulance service in England and Wales for either a one or a three-month period in 1993, the number and percentage of responses to emergency incidents which were made within(a) eight minutes, (b) 14 minutes and (c) more than 25 minutes; what targets were set out under the patients charter; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the terms of the charter are complied with in 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested on the number and percentage of responses to emergency incidents is available only on an annual basis, figures for 1992–93 will be available shortly and these will be placed in the Library. The patients charter requires 95 per cent. of
  37
  emergency calls to be answered within 14 minutes in urban areas and 19 minutes in rural areas. Within the national health service internal market it is for purchasers of services to set the standards required of service providers and to ensure that the standards are met. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Maternity Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations she has had with professional bodies representative of gynaecologists, midwives and health visitors concerning proposals for division of responsibilities between bodies in the health service for pre-natal, maternity and post-natal care.

  Mr. Sackville
  A comprehensive review of national health service maternity care has recently been completed by the Expert Maternity Group. Professional and other organisations were consulted as part of that exercise. All those with an interest, including general practitioners, midwives and obstetricians, have been invited to give written comments on the group's report "Changing Childbirth" by 29 October. Ministers will study carefully all comments received and then decide on future action.

  "Changing Childbirth" is available in the Library.

  Nurses
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) district nurses and (b) community midwives were employed in the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 June 1993, c. 59]: I regret that there was an error in my previous answer. The correct figure for community midwifery staff for England at 30 September 1991—whole-time equivalents —is 4,100.

SCOTLAND

  Smoke Alarms
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received, and from whom, concerning Government financial assistance for hearing-impaired individuals in the purchase of special smoke alarms for the home.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend received one representation from Mr. Colin Collie, Strathblane, Glasgow about the cost of smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing. Several hon. Members also brought the points made by Mr. Collie to my right hon. Friend's attention. The Scottish Office Home and Health Department advised Mr. Collie and the hon. Members concerned that local authority powers in the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 could extend to the provision of smoke detection systems subject to assessment being made of an individual's needs, and to the authority determining its own priorities and allocating the resources available as it sees fit.

  Environmental Charters
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish local authorities have adopted environmental charters; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  This information is not held centrally. However, we are aware that a growing number of authorities are publishing charters covering environmental services. I hope that the model local environment charter for Scotland which I launched on 5 October will encourage more authorities to follow suit.

  Salmon Farms
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make representations to the Crown Estate Commissioners to charge similar rents to Scottish salmon farms as are charged.in other producer countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to make representations to the Crown Estate Commissioners on the question of rents for salmon farms. Rentals payable for marine fish farms in Scotland were reviewed with effect from 1 January 1992 by the Valuation Office acting in an independent and impartial capacity. In making its determination, the Valuation Office considered the extensive written and oral representations made on behalf of the fish farming industry. Rental arrangements are a management issue for the Crown Estate and not one where it would be appropriate for Ministers to intervene.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research aimed at improving anti-predator devices and structure of salmon farm cages is being supported by the Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  In the past the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department's marine laboratory has been involved in research into anti-predator devices. It is not currently doing research in this area, or into the structure of salmon farm cages, as there is already a wide range of equipment on the market.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details of the salmon farming rents charged per annum by the Crown Estate Commissioners for salmon farms producing 500 tonnes annually; and what information he has on annual rent charges for salmon farms with similar production levels in(a) Norway, (b) Ireland, (c) the Faroes, (d) eastern Canada, (e) western Canada and (f) New Zealand.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The rents payable to the crown estate for marine salmon farms are linked annually to salmon price movements at Billingsgate market. The rental payable for salmon farms producing 500 tonnes from 1 January 1993 is £16,500 for mainland Scotland and £14,850 for the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland. These charges will be adjusted to take account of price movements between 1 December 1992 and 1 December 1993 in accordance with the established rent formula.

  The arrangements for charges in other countries are not made in a directly comparable way and they reflect the different constitutional and fiscal circumstances applying in each country.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of household waste in Scotland is recycled; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Returns made by Scottish waste regulation authorities suggest that 2.9 per cent. of reported household waste arisings were collected for recycling in 1991. Recycling plans so far received from Scottish waste collection authorities indicate that it is the intention of many of these authorities to achieve significant increases in the quantities of household waste collected for recycling in their area.

  Authorities

  *Aberdeen

  *East Kilbride

  Moray

  Angus

  *East Lothian

  Motherwell

  Annandale and Eskdale

  Eastwood

  *Nithsdale

  *Argyll and Bute

  *Edinburgh

  *North East Fife

  *Badenoch and Strathspey

  *Ettrick and Lauderdale

  *Orkney Islands

  *Banff and Buchan

  *Falkirk

  *Perth and Kinross

  *Bearsden and Milngavie

  *Glasgow

  *Renfrew

  *Berwickshire

  *Gordon

  *Ross and Cromarty

  Caithness

  *Hamilton

  *Roxburgh

  *Clackmannan

  *Inverclyde

  *Shetland Islands

  *Clydebank

  Inverness

  *Skye and Lochalsh

  *Clydesdale

  *Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  *Stewartry

  *Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  Kincardine and Deeside

  *Stirling

  *Cumnock and Doon Valley

  *Kirkcaldy

  *Strathkelvin

  *Cunninghame

  *Kyle and Carrick

  Sutherland

  *Dumbarton

  Lochaber

  *Tweeddale

  *Dundee

  *Midlothian

  Western Isles

  Dunfermline

  *Monklands

  *West Lothian Wigtown

  Forty-two of the above authorities (*) have completed draft waste recycling plans. These plans give details of recycling initiatives designed to fit the geographic and financial circumstances that apply in particular local authority areas. They provide for either bring systems or kerbside collection systems as appropriate and between them the plans provide for the collection for recycling of newspapers, magazines, packaging paper, office paper, computer paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass, aluminium and steel cans, scrap metal, textiles and old clothes, used furniture, chlorofluoro carbons; batteries, used cars, garden waste, vegetable waste from kitchens and vegetable and mineral oils. Authorities are required to make waste recycling plans available for public inspection and to supply a copy to anyone who requests one on payment by that person of a reasonable charge.

  Scottish local authorities were allocated close to £3.6 billion in revenue support grant in 1993–94 to be used to finance the provision of all local services including the collection of waste for recycling.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial provisions have been made in his Department's estimate of the cost of local government reorganisation for staff relocation and additional travel expenses as a result of transfer to one of the new authorities.

  Mr. Stewart
  Costs and travel expenses were both taken into account in the preparation of the costs estimates included in the White Paper "Shaping the Future—The
  40
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Scottish local authorities currently operate recycling schemes; if he will provide details of the kind of recycling programmes in operation in each local authority; how much central funding is available to assist with the financing of these recycling projects; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The following 55 authorities have reported to the Department that they were participating in public sector recycling operations.

  New Councils". In preparing these estimates the Government had regard to the evidence of the Touche Ross report on the costs and savings of reform and of other commentators on that report. The exact level of these costs will, however, ultimately depend upon decisions taken by individual local authorities.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the names of those respondents who referred to joint arrangements in their submissions to "The Structure of Local Government in Scotland: Shaping the New Councils"(a) in total and (b) who were (i) in favour of them and (ii) opposed to them; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (2) if he will list the names of those organisations whose submissions to the consultation paper "The Structure of Local Government in Scotland: Shaping the New Councils" whose preferred local government structure for Scotland as a whole was (a) 15, (b) 24, (c) 35 and (d) 51 units; and if he will provide a breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (3) if he will list the names of those respondents who referred to (a) local loyalties or community links, (b) local authority functions and (c) links with other bodies in their submissions to the consultation paper "The Structure of Local Government in Scotland: Shaping the New Councils"; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area;

  (4) if he will publish a list of the (a) voluntary organisations, (b) community councils, (c) local authorities, (d) business interests, (e) political associations, (f)

  41
  trade unions and (g) individuals who submitted responses to the consultation paper "The Structure of Local Government in Scotland: Shaping the New Councils":, and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority of origin;

  (5) if he will list the names of those respondents to the consultation paper "The Structure of Local Government in Scotland: Shaping the New Councils" who were supportive of the proposal to reorganise Scottish local government into unitary authorities (a) at this time and (b) only in the context of a Scottish parliament; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of this information by regional, district and island authority area.

  Mr. Stewart
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what time scale he envisages for the publication of guidance of local authorities on the requirement by them to devise plans showing how they will devolve responsibility within their organisations as part of the reorganisation of Scottish local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has to consult (a) local authorities, (b) trade unions, (c) community groups, (d) tenants' organisations and (e) the general public prior to the publication of guidance to local authorities on the requirement by them to devise plans showing how they intend to devolve responsibility within their organisations as a consequence of the reorganisation of Scottish local government.

  Mr. Stewart
  No final decisions have yet been taken on the timetable for the publication of guidance on decentralisation schemes. I propose to consult interested groups prior to issuing such guidance and I intend also that the legislation will require the new councils to consult widely during the preparation of their schemes.

  Inverclyde Enterprise Zone
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his role in regard to the granting of planning consent for the proposed development of the Parklea site in the Inverclyde enterprise zone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The planning application for the proposed development at Parklea has been notified to my

  Ophthalmology—Mean waiting time (Days)

  In-patient/Day cases, discharges1

  Out-patients2

  Health board treatment

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Scotland

  96·7

  93·9

  103·5

  114·7

  101·9

  101·5

  104·2

  110·7

  56·8

  Argyll and Clyde

  111·7

  124·6

  136·2

  148·9

  100·2

  108·0

  114·3

  75·6

  38·0

  Ayrshire and Arran

  64·1

  70·2

  68·2

  88·3

  117·7

  162·2

  183·8

  203·3

  58·8

  Borders

  —

  —

  —

  —

  159·8

  176·8

  206·5

  136·9

  110·2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  93·5

  63·9

  88·2

  87·7

  102·3

  111·6

  151·3

  160· 8

  38·0

  Fife

  67·4

  67·0

  72·1

  42·8

  60·0

  59·9

  73·2

  87·5

  50·2

  Forth Valley

  55·0

  58·8

  59·9

  76·5

  74·1

  54·1

  63·3

  80·5

  51·7

  Grampian

  195·4

  135·7

  138·2

  107·5

  65·3

  58·6

  47·6

  53·3

  45·0

  Greater Glasgow

  91·9

  90·6

  98·8

  120·6

  122·6

  136·7

  123·8

  119· 7

  79·2

  Highland

  106·4

  135·2

  100·7

  91·4

  88·1

  105·3

  86·3

  96·4

  56·7

  Lanarkshire

  59·4

  62·0

  68·5

  83·8

  91·0

  99·0

  110·8

  130·5

  45·3

  Lothian

  101·4

  134·0

  173·0

  193·2

  142·0

  95·2

  101·5

  157·5

  916

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  28·0

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  83·4

  122·1

  76·0

  42
  right hon. Friend to consider whether he should call it in for his own decision. In view of his possible future involvement, I am unable to comment further.

  Environmental Education
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the provision for environmental education in Scottish primary and secondary schools.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Education has an essential part to play in ensuring public awareness of the environment and environmental issues which are at stake. The 5–14 programme, which covers primary and early secondary schooling in Scotland, gives specific recognition to environmental education, both as a permeating influence throughout the curriculum and more specifically within the environmental studies area of the curriculum. The national guidelines 5–14 seek to develop informed attitudes and values relating to the care and conservation of the environment.

  In the later years of secondary education, opportunities for environmental education occur in standard grade subjects and there is also a range of SCOTVEC units and modules related to environmental education.

  As with other areas of the curriculum, inspections by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools address the level and quality of environmental education.

  The report "Learning for Life", produced by the Secretary of State's working group on environmental education in Scotland, is being carefully considered, alongside the responses made to the report during the recent public consultation exercise.

  Ophthalmology
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year end waiting list for(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each health board and for Scotland in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information is set out in the tables. The mean waiting times information relates to those admitted from both in-patient and day case waiting lists.

  The out-patient waiting times figures shown relate to the nine-month period ending Rine 1993, the first period for which out-patient waiting times information has been collected.
  43

  In-patient/Day cases, discharges1

  Out-patients2

  Health board treatment

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Tayside

  97·5

  69·6

  82·1

  85·9

  93·0

  82·6

  74·1

  68·9

  28·7

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  41·3

  Source: SMRO, SMR1.

  1 Admitted from waiting list during calendar years shown.

  2 Based on referrals seen at out-patient clinics during nine months ending June 1993.

  NHSiS—Ophthalmology list1 by health board area of treatment from 31 March 1985 to 31 December 1992 Health Board of Treatment

  Scotland

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Borders

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Forth Valley

  Grampian

  Greater Glasgow

  Highland

  Lanarkshire

  Lothian

  Orkney

  Shetland

  Tayside

  Western Isles

  'Old basis' waiting list

  31 March 1985

  4,676

  474

  203

  —

  51

  115

  73

  1,111

  1.142

  154

  85

  826

  —

  —

  442

  —

  31 March 1986

  4,922

  574

  206

  —

  61

  131

  100

  1,084

  1,046

  246

  54

  1,206

  —

  —

  214

  —

  31 March 1987

  5,500

  703

  259

  —

  88

  180

  112

  925

  1,205

  166

  100

  1,419

  —

  —

  343

  —

  In-patients

  31 March 1988

  5,207

  629

  214

  —

  80

  72

  155

  621

  1,527

  172

  104

  1,313

  —

  —

  320

  —

  31 March 1989

  4,745

  360

  446

  —

  116

  155

  204

  267

  1,590

  179

  141

  938

  —

  —

  349

  —

  31 December 1989

  5,796

  471

  609

  202

  145

  159

  102

  349

  1,936

  235

  234

  977

  —

  —

  377

  —

  31 December 1990

  5,949

  577

  671

  301

  220

  210

  87

  244

  1,798

  192

  200

  1,101

  —

  —

  348

  —

  31 December 1991

  6,903

  422

  812

  279

  240

  308

  99

  331

  1,872

  212

  459

  1,552

  —

  —

  317

  —

  31 December 1992

  6,527

  449

  820

  94

  251

  263

  186

  316

  1,386

  276

  489

  1,601

  —

  18

  379

  —

  Day cases

  31 March 1988

  290

  21

  15

  —

  —

  11

  —

  58

  22

  —

  14

  125

  —

  —

  24

  —

  31 March 1989

  390

  28

  30

  —

  4

  8

  18

  52

  86

  —

  38

  111

  —

  —

  15

  —

  31 December 1989

  505

  42

  34

  —

  5

  19

  6

  63

  126

  47

  32

  122

  —

  —

  9

  —

  31 December 1990

  514

  36

  24

  1

  4

  21

  1

  47

  110

  21

  28

  220

  —

  —

  1

  —

  31 December 1991

  548

  98

  73

  2

  14

  22

  18

  61

  83

  41

  36

  99

  —

  —

  1

  —

  31 December 1992

  811

  133

  31

  1

  7

  36

  43

  45

  174

  30

  35

  266

  —

  2

  8

  —

  1 From 1988 figures relate to true waiting list. Waiting list figures prior to 1988 (known as the 'old basis' waiting list) are not strictly comparable with the in-patient true waiting list because of changes in definition and recording practice. Day case waiting lists were not separately identified prior to 1988.

  Source: ISD(S)t, SMR3.

  Historic Gardens
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the Scottish applicants for European Commission financial assistance under this year's awards for the conservation of gardens of historic value and (b) details of the reasons for their failure to secure such funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  A list of Scottish applicants for European Commission financial assistance under the 1993 pilot projects scheme to conserve European architectural heritage, is set out in the table below.

  Decisions as to whether to provide financial support or not are taken by the Commission on the advice of an international panel of experts. Historic Scotland advised the Commission about the merit of each Scottish application for the 1993 competition; it is not the Commission's practice, however, to comment on why any of the applications failed to receive an award.

  Applicant and Garden

  The Earl of Morton—Aberdour Castle Garden

  The Ellar Christie Trust—Cowden Japanese Garden, Dollar

  Ross Associates—Bystone House Garden, Thorntonhall

  Scottish Woodlands Ltd.—Crarae Forest Garden, Inveraray

  National Trust for Scotland—Culross Palace Garden

  Dinanean Estate—Dirnanean Estate Garden, Moulin

  Formakin Estate Trustees—Formakin Estate Garden, Bishopton

  City of Edinburgh District Council—Hopetoun Crescent Gardens, Edinburgh

  Mr. Thomas Christie—Kellas Garden, by Elgin

  A. G. Laing's 1961 Discretionary Settlement—Logie House Gardens, Forres

  The Mellerstain Trust—Mellerstain House Garden, by Gordon

  The Mount Stuart Trust—The policies (Grounds) of Mount Stuart, by Rothesay

  Strathclyde Regional Council—Overtoun Estate Gardens, Dumbarton

  Sir Islay Campbell—Poltalloch Garden, Inveraray

  City of Edinburgh District Council—Princes Street Gardens,
  44
  Edinburgh

  Mr. George Gray—Smeaton-Hepburn Policies and Gardens, Inveresk

  Dunbartonshire Enterprise—Strathleven House Garden, Balloch

  P. A. and J. J. Kidston—Westerton Gardens, Elgin

  Royal Botanic Garden—Younger Botanic Garden, Benmore

  Children's Panels
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by his Department on(a) advertising for members of children's panels or (b) on other aspects of the panels, in each year since 1979; what advertising agencies were involved in each case; and how decisions are arrived at regarding the strategy for advertising.

  Mr. Stewart
  Since 1982 the Scottish Office has commissioned advertising agencies to assist with national campaigns to recruit members for children's panels. Expenditure is as follows:

  Agency

  Year

  Cost (£)

  Hall Advertising

  1982

  24,000

  Hall Advertising

  1983

  22,000

  1984

  2—

  Ogilvie and Mather

  1985

  21,900

  Ogilvie and Mather

  1986

  18,700

  Faulds Advertising

  1987

  26,000

  Faulds Advertising

  1988

  30,000

  Faulds Advertising

  1989

  45,000

  Faulds Advertising

  1990

  46,900

  Faulds Advertising

  1991

  65,800

  Faulds Advertising

  1992

  81,400

  Faulds Advertising

  1993

  181,000

  1 Estimate.

  2 No campaign.

  The agencies were selected by the Scottish Office information directorate on the basis of tendered bids.

  45
  Faulds Agency won the 1993 "Best Recruitment Advertisement" award in the Scottish advertising competition organised by the "Scotmedia" campaign.

  A small planning group comprising representatives of local children's panel advisory committees—who have statutory responsibility for selecting persons suitable to be panel members—advises the agency on the form of advertisement to be used. Decisions about which newspapers and magazines should carry advertisements are taken on the advice of the advisory committees and the agency taking account of the circulation of publications in the various regions.

  The other main expenditure incurred by the Scottish Office on the children's hearings system relates to the training of children's panel members and related agencies. This work is underpinned by tutor-organisers based at four Scottish universities and the Scottish Office has funded their salaries and associated expenses since 1979. Total Scottish Office expenditure on training is as follows:

  Year

  Cost £

  1979–80

  41,000

  1980–81

  48,500

  1981–82

  51,000

  1982–83

  59,000

  1983–84

  81,000

  1984–85

  99,000

  1985–86

  90,000

  1986–87

  109,000

  1987–88

  131,000

  1988–89

  152,000

  1989–90

  178,000

  1990–91

  218,000

  1991–92

  245,000

  Scottish Enterprise

  Salary from

  Name

  Period of appointment

  1 October 1990 £

  1 April 1991 £

  1 April 1992 £

  1 April 1993 £

  Sir David Nickson, KBE, DL,

  Chairman

  1 October 1990–17 January 1993

  43,000

  46,440

  48,483

  —

  Professor Donald MacKay,

  Chairman

  18 January 1993— to date

  —

  —

  47,552

  47,552

  Ronald Garrick,

  Member

  1 October 1990–7 May 1991

  6,000

  6,450

  —

  —

  Deputy Chairman

  8 May 1991—to date

  —

  9,855

  10,250

  10,545

  Crawford Beveridge,

  Chief Executive and ex-officio Member

  7 January 1991— to date

  Paid as Chief Executive (not paid as Board Member)

  Professor Andrew Bain

  11 April 1991—to date

  —

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Tom Farmer, CBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Ann Gloag

  1 October 1990–30 October 1990

  6,000

  —

  —

  —

  Charles Gray, JP

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Sir Graham Hills

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Glenda Hogarth-Coull, MBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Barbara Kelly, CBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Gavin Laird, CBE

  1 October 1990–6 February 1992

  6,000

  6,450

  —

  —

  Cameron McLatchie, OBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Professor John C. Shaw, CBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  46

  Year

  Cost £

  1992–93

  275,000

  1993–94

  1300,000

  1 Estimate

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

  Mr. Stewart
  The following tables set out the names and periods of appointment of the chairmen and board members of Scottish Enterprise and of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and of their predecessor bodies, the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands Development Board. The salaries payable at 1 April in each of the last five years are set out in the tables. Details of precise payments made including expenses are not readily available.

  There are no other economic development agencies in respect of which my right hon. Friend is responsible for the appointment and remuneration of board members. In particular, the Scottish Office does not keep systematic records of the board membership of local enterprise companies. The board members of local enterprise companies receive no remuneration in respect of their membership. Reimbursement of expenses incurred by board members in connection with their membership is a matter for the companies themselves.
  47

  Salary from

  Name

  Period of appointment

  1 October 1990 £

  1 April 1991 £

  1 April 1992 £

  1 April 1993 £

  Yvonne Strachan

  7 February 1992—to date

  —

  6,450

  6,833

  7,030

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Salary from

  Name

  Period of appointment

  1 October 1990 £

  1 April 1991 £

  1 April 1992 £

  1 April 1993 £

  Sir Robert Cowan

  1 October 1990–31 August 19921

  57,105

  61,390

  65,030

  —

  A. Fraser Morrison, CBE,

  Member

  1 October 1990–31 August 1992

  6,000

  6,430

  6,830

  —

  Chairman

  1 September 1992—to date

  —

  —

  26,012

  26,762

  Iain A. Robertson,

  Chief Executive (ex-officio Member)

  1 October 1990—to date

  50,000

  53,750

  56,940

  58,580

  Philip Hamilton Grierson

  1 October 1990–30 April 19931

  52,650

  56,600

  59,960

  —

  Mrs. Patricia Grant, OBE

  1 October 1990–2 March 19932

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  —

  John A. D. Harrison, OBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  Dr. James Hunter

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  Angus S. MacDonald, CBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  Mrs. Valerie Maclver

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  John D. M. Robertson, OBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  Peter Timms, MBE

  1 October 1990—to date

  6,000

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  John Angus Mackay

  1 April 1991—to date

  —

  6,450

  6,830

  7,030

  1 Retired.

  2 Resigned.

  Scottish Development Agency

  Salary from

  Name

  Period of appointment

  1 April 1989 £

  1 April 1990 £

  Sir David Nickson, KBE, DL

  Member

  1 January 1988–31 December 1988

  35,870

  40,602

  Chairman

  1 January 1989–31 March 1991

  Sir Douglas Hardie, CBE, JP

  Member

  15 December 1978–2 February 1981

  18,550

  19,665

  Deputy Chairman

  3 February 1981–31 March 1991

  Iain Robertson,

  Chief Executive and ex-officio Member

  1 September 1987–16 April 1990

  Paid as Chief Executive (not paid as Board Member)

  James Scott, CB, LVO

  Chief Executive and ex-officio Member

  15 April 1990–31 March 1991

  Paid as Chief Executive (not paid as Board Member)

  Sir Graham Hills

  1 January 1988–31 March 1991

  5,065

  5,370

  Gavin Laird, CBE

  1 January 1987–31 March 1991

  5,065

  5,370

  Sir Robert Cowan

  1 February 1982–31 March 1991

  Paid as Chairman of HIDB (not paid as Board Member)

  Sir Peter Main

  1 January 1986–31 March 1991

  5,065

  5,370

  Councillor Jean McFadden

  1 January 1989–31 March 1991

  5,065

  5,370

  48 49

  Salary from

  Name

  Period of appointment

  1 April 1989 £

  1 April 1990 £

  George Robertson, FRICS

  1 January 1987–31 March 1991

  5,065

  5,370

  Ian Wood, CBE

  1 April 1984–30 June 1990

  5,065

  5,370

  James F. Gordon, CBE

  1 January 1981–30 June 1990

  5,065

  5,370

  Note: Individuals who held overlapping appointments on the Scottish Development Agency and the Scottish Enterprise boards between 1 October 1990 and 1 April 1991 received one salary only in respect of both appointments.

  Highlands and Islands Development Board

  Salary from

  Name

  Period of appointment

  1 April 1989 £

  1 April 1990 £

  Full-time Members

  Sir Robert Cowan, Chairman

  1 February 1982—continued as Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  53,340

  56,540

  Philip Hamilton-Grierson

  1 May 1988—continued as Member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  49,180

  52,130

  Robin A. Lingard

  1 January 1988–31 March 1991

  44,054

  46,695

  J. A. MacAskill

  1 January 1990–31 March 1991

  39,149

  41,500

  Part-time Members

  Angus S. MacDonald, CBE

  1 November 1988—continued as a Member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  7,663

  8,123

  Calum A. MacLeod

  1 December 1983–31 March 1991

  7,663

  8,123

  Colin D. R. Whittle

  1 January 1988–31 March 1991

  7,663

  8,123

  Note: Individuals who held overlapping appointments on the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise boards between 1 October 1990 and I April 1991 received one salary only in respect of both appointments.

DEFENCE

  Foreign Aircraft (Accidents)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those accidents to foreign military aircraft in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years for which summaries of the official accident report have been released by his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  Such summaries are not published by the Ministry of Defence. The responsibility for the publication of any such reports or summaries lies with the parent air force or Government.

  Number of Aircraft Sorties by type May 1992 to December 1992

  Aircraft type

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Buccaneer

  118

  130

  197

  171

  177

  116

  118

  74

  1,101

  F4

  67

  184

  187

  66

  63

  29

  1

  0

  597

  Harrier

  803

  723

  936

  355

  501

  611

  514

  389

  4,832

  Hawk

  1,802

  1,515

  1,826

  1,536

  1,443

  1,610

  1,198

  648

  11,578

  Jaguar

  347

  549

  594

  401

  485

  674

  543

  311

  3,904

  Jet Provost

  665

  526

  795

  611

  387

  758

  442

  254

  4,438

  Tornado

  2,215

  2,247

  2,409

  1,849

  1,687

  2,375

  1,676

  1,079

  15,537

  Tucano

  354

  324

  462

  407

  315

  697

  403

  254

  3,216

  A10

  635

  424

  336

  255

  170

  133

  124

  98

  2,175

  F15

  9

  18

  54

  73

  123

  168

  161

  92

  698

  F1ll

  749

  612

  638

  584

  361

  510

  324

  227

  4,005

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying sorties over the United Kingdom by each type of aircraft in each month since May 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of low-flying sorties by aircraft type carried out in the United Kingdom for the period May 1992 to June 1993, the most recent month for which figures are available, are as follows:
  51

  Aircraft type

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Other aircraft (including helicopters)

  4,512

  4,853

  4,671

  3,695

  5,579

  3,377

  4,180

  2,446

  33,329

  Monthly total sorties

  12,276

  12,105

  13,105

  10,003

  11,291

  11,058

  9,684

  5,872

  85,394

  Number of Aircraft Sorties by type January 1993 to June 1993

  Aircraft type

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  Total

  Buccaneer

  105

  165

  198

  129

  56

  166

  819

  Harrier

  591

  750

  1,114

  255

  533

  649

  3,892

  Hawk

  954

  1,399

  1,364

  916

  1,862

  1,467

  7,962

  Jaguar

  458

  458

  653

  609

  328

  469

  2,975

  Jet Provost

  356

  347

  458

  381

  320

  183

  2,045

  Tornado

  1,850

  1,748

  2,169

  1,458

  1,674

  2,192

  11,091

  Tucano

  430

  428

  714

  508

  625

  876

  3,581

  A10

  155

  46

  0

  0

  0

  0

  201

  F15

  206

  280

  349

  286

  263

  367

  1,751

  F1ll

  283

  338

  332

  342

  294

  321

  1,910

  Other aircraft (including helicopters)

  2,744

  4,162

  5,658

  3,755

  4,639

  5,140

  26,098

  Monthly total sorties

  8,132

  10,121

  13,009

  8,639

  10,594

  11,830

  62,325

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current and projected requirements for night low-flying training by Harrier GR7 aircraft, in terms of numbers of sorties per year; in what months of the year this training will take place; what proportion of this training will take place(a) in Germany, (b) in the United Kingdom and (c) from Goose Bay, Canada; and if he will list the other countries where this training will take place with the proportion in each case.

  Mr. Hanley
  Night low-flying is usually conducted between September and April. It is estimated that the Harrier night flight will conduct around 500 night low-flying sorties in 1993–94. The figure is expected to rise to some 750 sorties by the end of the 1995–96 night low-flying season as further squadrons commence training. In 1993–94 it is planned that some 77 per cent. of Harrier GR7 night flying will be conducted in the United Kingdom night low-flying system, and some 16 per cent. in the United States of America and some 7 per cent. in Norway. At present, the Harrier GR7 does not conduct night low-flying training in Germany or Goose Bay.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are taken to ensure that fixed low-flying routes in the United Kingdom low-flying system in use by different units do not follow similar routes or use the same turning points.

  Mr. Hanley
  No specific measures are required as the only fixed low-flying routes flown in the United Kingdom are the small number needed for training units to ensure common training standards. These routes are used as little as possible and replaced at regular intervals in accordance with low-flying regulations.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring is undertaken of the frequency of use, and frequency of alteration or amendment, of fixed low-flying routes in the United Kingdom which are in use by(a) Royal Air Force units and (b) United States air force units.

  Mr. Hanley
  Fixed low-flying routes are not flown by Royal Air Force operational squadrons as aircrew are required to plan their sorties individually. A small number 52
  of fixed low-level routes are however, needed for training units to ensure common training standards. These routes are monitored locally as a normal low-flying management function; they are varied as much as possible and are in any case replaced at regular intervals. United States air force units do not fly fixed routes in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints have been received by each of the Royal Air Force community relations officers responsible for low-flying complaints in each year since their establishment; and what proportion of these complaints have been referred to the Secretariat (Air Staff) in London.

  Mr. Hanley
  Regional community relations officers (RCRO) for Cumbria and the Borders were established in January 1992 and for Wales in August 1993. RCRO Wales received four complaints during that month, three of which were referred to the Secretariat (Air Staff) for further action.

  RCRO Cumbria

  RCRO Borders

  1992

  11993

  1992

  11993

  Number of complaints received

  478

  342

  281

  266

  Number of complaints referred to the Secretariat (Air Staff) for further action

  154

  230

  101

  177

  1 To the end of August 1993, the latest month for which figures are available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the required horizontal avoidance distances by military fast jet aircraft of(a) helicopter lifting operations, (b) helicopter crop spraying operations, (c) fixed-wing crop spraying operations and (d) aerial photo survey work, which have been notified under the civil aircraft notification procedure.

  Mr. Hanley
  Civil pilots notifying these types of low-level aerial activity under the civil aircraft notification procedure must specify the location *and horizontal dimensions of the area in which they will be operating together with the maximum height of their activities. The horizontal dimensions of the temporary avoidance area notified to pilots of military fixed wing aircraft flying in excess of 140 knots coincide with those specified by the civil pilot.
  53
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current minimum altitude flown by United States air force(a) F15E and (b) F111 aircraft in the Highlands restricted area (i) during automatic terrain-following radar flights in instrument meteorological conditions and (ii) during automatic terrain-following radar flights at night.

  Mr. Hanley
  The minimum altitude flown by the F111 in the Highlands restricted area (HRA) at all times is 1,000 ft. The F15E has not flown in the HRA.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of aircraft are currently permitted to use the Highlands restricted area for night or instrument low-flying training.

  Mr. Hanley
  Aircraft fitted with a terrain-following radar suite may be permitted to fly in the Highlands restricted area (HRA). Aircraft that currently use the HRA are Tornado GR1 and USAF F111 and C130s.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying sorties carried out over the United Kingdom by(a) Dominie aircraft, (b) Hercules aircraft and (c) all types of helicopter in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of low-flying sorties carried out in the United Kingdom by Hercules aircraft and helicopters in each year since 1985 is as follows:

  Date

  Location

  Type

  Circumstances

  26 November 1990

  Scotland

  RAF Tornado

  Wirestrike

  1 February 1991

  Northern Ireland

  RAF Wessex

  Wirestrike

  18 February 1991

  Norway

  AAC Lynx

  Blades struck power cables

  25 May 1991

  Northern Ireland

  RAF Puma

  Wirestrike

  28 June 1991

  Northern Ireland

  RAF Puma

  Possible wirestrike

  9 January 1992

  Middle Wallop

  AAC Gazelle

  Tail struck ground during hover

  25 March 1992

  Germany

  AAC Gazelle

  Rotor struck tree foliage while low-flying

  1 June 1992

  Germany

  AAC Lynx

  Tail rotor blades contacted tree foliage

  1 July 1992

  7nm SE of Flambrough Head

  RAF Sea King

  Winch cable struck yacht boom

  8 August 1992

  Salisbury Plain

  AAC Gazelle

  Hover blades struck tree branches

  21 October 1992

  Germany

  AAC Gazelle

  While low-flying, blades struck power cables

  13 November 1992

  Netheravon

  AAC Gazelle

  Hit ground

  8 March 1993

  Canada

  AAC Gazelle

  Strong crosswind caused tail flange to hit ground

  16 March 1993

  Germany

  AAC Gazelle

  Hover blades struck tree branches

  31 March 1993

  Germany

  AAC Gazelle

  Forward aerials struck ground during hover

  7 May 1993

  Salisbury Plain

  AAC Gazelle

  Tail flange struck ground in deceleration

  24 May 1993

  Norfolk

  AAC Lynx

  While hovering near trees, recirculation encountered. No indication of blade strike although blade tips found damaged on landing

  21 June 1993

  Germany

  AAC Gazelle

  Blades struck tree branches

  Note: Records of Royal Navy aircraft incidents are not held and therefore the list only covers Royal Air Force and the Army Air Corps.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties are required to maintain the currency of night low-flying qualifications for Tornado GR1 and GR1A aircrew.

  Mr. Hanley
  To maintain currency of night low-flying qualifications Tornado GR1 and GR1A aircrew are required to fly a minimum of eight night low-flying sorties per year.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the minimum requirements in terms of(a) number of flying hours experience on the aircraft type concerned, (b) number of flying hours experience on fast jet aircraft as a whole, (c) length of service and (d) current
  54

  Hercules

  Helicopters

  1985

  3,501

  35,345

  1986

  2,724

  38,847

  1987

  3,106

  40,457

  1988

  2,787

  44,608

  1989

  3,105

  40,353

  1990

  2,052

  38,844

  1991

  1,733

  37,750

  1992

  2,357

  41,859

  Central records are not kept separately of the number of low-flying sorties carried out by Dominie aircraft.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) new simulated targets have been added to and (b) existing simulated targets have been withdrawn from, the Strike command list of simulated targets for dive or toss attack, since 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  A list of changes is not held. Once a new list is issued, approximately every six months, the old one is destroyed.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates, locations, type of aircraft and circumstances of all incidents since November 1990 in which military aircraft have made unintentional contact with the ground or with ground features such as trees or power lines.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  minimum altitude qualifications, for Royal Air Force aircrew to commence training at 100 ft minimum separation distance on (i) the Harrier, (ii) the Jaguar and (iii) the Tornado; and what changes have been made to these requirements since 1979.

  Mr Hanley
  The minimum number of flying hours experience required on fast jet aircraft before RAF aircrew can commence training below 250 ft down to a height of 100 ft minimum separation distance on Harrier, Jaguar and Tornado aircraft is 300 hours of which 250 hours must have been conducted on the aircraft type concerned. In 1979 the minimum requirement was 275 hours on fast jet of which 200 hours had to be flown on the aircraft type concerned. Aircrew must be qualified to fly at 250 ft
  55
  minimum separation distance before they commence training below that height. The criteria for personnel engaged on flying below 250 ft do not include a qualifying length of service.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on the night low-flying activity survey carried out in the north east of England in 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department is unaware of any such survey and report.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current minimum altitude flown by Royal Air Force Tornados in the Highlands restricted area(a) during automatic terrain-following radar flights in instrument meteorological conditions and (b) during automatic terrain-following radar flights at night.

  Mr. Hanley
  Five hundred feet in both cases.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many night low-flying sorties were carried out over the United Kingdom by USAF F15E aircraft in 1992; and what changes in this activity are projected for 1993 and 1994.

  Mr. Hanley
  Figures for night low-flying sorties by aircraft type are not available. Figures are, however, held for the number of night low-flying movements conducted by aircraft type over the United Kingdom. During 1992 the USAF F15E aircraft, which commenced night low-flying in October of that year, carried out 252 night low-level movements. It is estimated that in 1993 the F15E will conduct around 1,900 night low-level movements. The USAF requirement for night low-flying in 1994 has not yet been determined.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the addresses and telephone numbers of those Royal Air Force community relations officers whose principal role is to act as a local point of contact for complaints about low-flying.

  Mr. Hanley
  The addresses and telephone numbers of the RAF regional community relations officers, who act as a focal point for complaints about low-flying in areas remote from RAF stations, are as follows:

  Ministry of Defence

  RAF Regional Community Relations Officer (Cumbria)

  Inglewood Road

  Penrith

  Cumbria

  CA11 8QN

  Telephone: 0768–891391

  Ministry of Defence

  RAF Regional Community Relations Officer (Borders)

  Tormore House

  Nithbank

  St Michael Street

  Dumfries

  Telephone: 0387–57512

  Ministry of Defence

  RAF Regional Community Relations Officer (Wales)

  New Dolanog House

  Severn Road

  Welshpool

  Powys

  SY21 7DA

  Telephone: 0938–556363

  56
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total number of low-flying movements recorded in the United Kingdom low-flying system in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Number of movements

  1989

  302,721

  1990

  313,026

  1991

  256,149

  1992

  288,933

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the minimum equipment requirements for aircraft carrying out night or instrument low-flying in the Highlands restricted area.

  Mr. Hanley
  Aircraft conducting manual terrain-following training in the Highlands restricted area must have a fully serviceable terrain-following radar suite which, as a minimum equipment requirement, includes a terrain-following radar, a radar altimeter and a position-fixing aid. For automatic terrain following, the suite must also include a coupled autopilot.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the dates, locations, and type and nationality of aircraft involved in each of the breaches of low-flying regulations detected by Skyguard radar during covert monitoring of the United Kingdom low-flying system since June 1989; and what disciplinary action was taken in respect of each incident.

  Mr. Hanley
  Details of the apparent breaches of low-flying regulations detected by Skyguard during covert monitoring of the United Kingdom low-flying system are as follows:

  Date

  Location

  Type

  Aircraft Nationality

  28 June 1989

  Knaresborough

  Jaguar

  RAF

  29 June 1989

  Knaresborough

  Harrier

  RAF

  29 June 1989

  Knaresborough

  Tornado

  RAF

  29 June 1989

  Knaresborough

  Jaguar

  RAF

  2 October 1990

  East Leyton, Richmond

  Tornado

  RAF

  16 July 1991

  Eshott, Northumberland Airfield

  F4

  German Air Force

  16 July 1991

  Eshott, Northumberland Airfield

  F4

  German Air Force

  16 July 1991

  Eshott, Northumberland Airfield

  F4

  German Air Force

  2 July 1992

  Beverly/Linley Hill Aerodrome

  Tornado

  RAF

  These apparent breaches of low-flying regulations were not the subject of court martial or summary disposal proceedings under the service discipline Acts. Any other action lies with the commanding officer of the RAF station concerned. It is not our policy to release details of action taken by commanding officers in such cases.

  Breaches of low-flying regulations by non-United Kingdom-based foreign aircrew are notified to the air attaché of the country concerned for appropriate action.

  RAF Training
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and type of aircraft involved, and the dates, of Royal Air Force training deployments to(a) Morocco and (b) Egypt, since 1984.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although records are not held centrally to cover the period in question, the following RAF aircraft are known to have been involved in deployments to Morocco and Egypt since 1989:

  (a) Morocco:

  (i) May 1989:

  Four Tornado GRIs and four Chinooks plus Hercules and tanker support.

  (ii) June 1989:

  Two Jaguars.

  (iii) April 1990:

  Two Tornado GRIAs.

  (b) Egypt:

  (i) April 1990:

  Four Tornado F3s and five Buccaneers based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus flew a number of sorties in Egyptian airspace.

  (ii) October 1991:

  Ten Tornado F3s, six Buccaneers, one Nimrod and one VC10 tanker based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus flew a number of sorties in Egyptian airspace.

  Dates

  Number and type of aircraft

  Low-level sorties

  Squadrons deployed

  1 May to 14 May

  7 Tornado GR1

  GR1/1A 114

  GR1/1A 27 Squadron

  2GR1A

  F3 115

  43 Squadron

  8 Tornado F3

  Dates

  Number and type of aircraft

  Low level stories

  Squadron deployed

  17 April to 1 May

  7 Tornado GRI

  GRI/1A 99

  GRI/1A 13 Squadron

  2 GRIA

  F3 99

  F3 29 Squadron

  8 Tornado F3

  C-130 18

  C-130 47 Squadron

  1 C-130

  Only crews from the squadrons indicated deployed on these exercises.

  Tornado
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the factors determining whether a Tornado GR1/GR1A squadron deploys to Goose Bay for training for two weeks or for three weeks.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no specific reasons which determine whether a Tornado squadron deploys to Goose Bay for two weeks or three. Two-week deployments are generally the norm, as this is the usual period between the other north American exercises for which the aircraft are working up. If any further weeks become available however, they will be allocated, subject to other commitments, to whichever squadrons are considered likely to derive most benefit from them.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total number of hours flown by Tornado GR1 and GR1A aircraft in each year since 1980.
  58
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for future tactical training developments by Royal Air Force aircraft to Eielson air force base, Alaska; and what effect such training provision will have on the nature and frequency of RAF training deployments to Goose Bay.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans to change the nature of the RAF's training deployments to Alaska from the two to three exercises in which they currently participate each year. This commitment has no effect on either the nature or the frequency of deployments to Goose Bay, as the two types of training are complementary.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the dates of the Royal Air Force distant frontier training deployment to Alaska in 1993; how many aircraft, and of what types, took part; how many low-level sorties were flown by each type of aircraft; and how many squadrons sent crews for training on this deployment.

  Mr. Hanley
  Details of RAF participation in 1993 distant frontier exercises are as follows:

  In addition, the RAF also took part in exercise Cope Thunder in Alaska. The details are:

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Flying Hours

  1980

  135

  1981

  2,623

  1982

  8,377

  1983

  16,481

  1984

  27,104

  1985

  35,199

  1986

  44,570

  1987

  42,859

  1988

  48,035

  1989

  46,561

  1990

  48,954

  1991

  41,700

  1992

  39,392

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the provisions for quick reaction alert of Royal Air Force Tornado GR1 aircraft based in Germany since 1990.
  59
  Mr. Hanley
  The NATO requirement for quick reaction alert of Tornado GR1 in Germany ceased in November 1986.

  Dive/Toss Attack
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those units still using the Strike Command list of simulated targets for dive/toss attack.

  Mr. Hanley
  The units continuing to use this list for training purposes are:

  RNAS Yeovilton

  RAF Alconbury

  RAF Bruggen

  RAF Chivenor

  RAF Coltishall

  RAF Cottesmore

  RAF Finningley

  RAF Honington

  RAF Laarbruch

  RAF Lakenheath

  RAF Lossiemouth

  RAF Marham

  RAF Scampton

  RAF Upper Heyford

  RAF Valley

  RAF Wittering

  RAF Wyton

  T and EE Boscombe Down

  T and EE Farnborough

  Note:

  RNAS—Royal Naval Air Station.

  T and EE—Test and Evaluation Establishment.

  Quick Reaction Forces
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the provisions for quick reaction alert air defence forces in the United Kingdom since 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1990, as a result of the reduced number of Soviet/Russian aircraft movements, the number of stations involved in quick reaction alert has been reduced from two to one and the number of aircraft reduced from four to two Tornado F3s. In addition, the reaction time has been extended.

  Unidentified Aircraft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the average weekly number of interceptions of unidentified or unauthorised aircraft in the United Kingdom air defence region by British military aircraft in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Year

  Weekly average

  1987

  3–4

  1988

  2–3

  1989

  1–2

  1990

  0–1

  1991

  0–1

  1992

  0

  1993

  0

  Foreign Air (Accidents)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all accidents to foreign military aircraft on British territory for which a safety investigation committee has been established under the terms of NATO STANAG 3531, paragraph 11.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although NATO STANAG 3531 allows both the operating nation and host nation to participate in the joint investigation of an accident, in practice, if an accident occurred in the United Kingdom, we would normally permit the operating nation to investigate its own accident unless United Kingdom agencies had been involved. If requested by the operating nation, the United Kingdom would provide assistance. As a result, a complete record of such accidents is not maintained by the Ministry of Defence.

  RAF Inspectorate of Flight Safety
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the titles and names of contractors for all externally commissioned research work on behalf of the Royal Air Force inspectorate of flight safety since 1985.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Contractor and Study Title

  Plessey Avionics

  Feasibility study into retrofitting Accident Data Recorders to certain in-service aircraft.

  Normalair-Garrett

  Feasibility and costing study into the visual display of Accident Data Recorder information.

  British Aerospace RAE Bedford

  Trial of a Ground Proximity Warning System.

  SD-Sicon EASAMS

  Electronic Collision Warning System:

  Study of Technologies

  Proof and Demonstration of Concept

  ICL (TOPIX)

  Study to replace the IFS(RAF) Accident/Incident Statistical and Associated Databases.

  ALFENS
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his current estimated dates for the(a) initial and (b) full operating capability of the automated low-flying flight planning inquiry and notification system; what period of delay these dates represent over the original completion date agreed in the production contract; and what are the causes of the delays.

  Mr. Hanley
  The programme for completion of the ALFENS project is under review. It is likely that there will be some delay beyond the date specified in the production contract. We are not yet in a position to provide a revised completion date.

  RAF East Camp, Hendon
  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of the 36 acre site at RAF East Camp in Hendon; what was its estimated value six years ago; and what effect his Department expects further delays in its disposal to have on the return on the sale of the site.
  61
  Mr. Hanley
  This information is commercial in confidence and it would be prejudicial to current and future negotiations for the sale of the site to release it. The effect of further delays in the disposal of the site on the financial return from sale is dependent on the movement of property values in general.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent listed buildings of a national heritage calibre are being vandalised and are falling into disrepair at the 36 acre site at RAF East Camp in Hendon; and when he estimates that work to develop this section set aside for the RAF museum will be started.

  Mr. Hanley
  The listed buildings at the former East Camp of RAF Hendon are being protected against vandalism and the weather as far as possible, but as the buildings are not in use, they can be expected to deteriorate. Negotiations over the area set aside for the RAF museum continue and we aim to conclude them as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long the 36 acre site at RAF East Camp in Hendon has been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in disposal of the site.

  Mr. Hanley
  The former East Camp of RAF Hendon has been vacant for 5.5 years. A downturn in the property market, inadequate infrastructure for alternative uses, listed building constraints and an inability to reconcile local planning aspirations with developer demand have contributed to the delay in disposal of the site.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to develop the 36 acre site at RAF East Camp in Hendon ; when he estimates that they will be implemented; and if he will give an estimate of the effect on the revenues to his Department of the length of time during which this property has been left vacant.

  Mr. Hanley
  It remains our aim to bring about the development of the former East Camp of RAF Hendon as soon as practicable. Two acres have been sold to the Metropolitan police and an offer for a further five acres of the site including the former officers mess is under consideration. My Department is unable to secure the viable reuse of the majority of East Camp and optimise the potential financial return while wider planning issues remain unresolved.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set up a public inquiry to establish the circumstances that have led to a delay in the development of the RAF East Camp in Hendon and to the state of listed buildings on the site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  No such inquiry is planned.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems his Department has encountered relating to planning permission from the borough of Barnet in disposing of the 36 acre site at RAF East Camp in Hendon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Negotiations with the London borough of Barnet have been protracted and there remains a fundamental difference of opinion between the borough council, the Ministry of Defence and our professional 62
  consultants regarding the ways in which the site might be redeveloped. In particular, the borough council's planning brief has not generated any viable commercial interest when tested in the marketplace, given the constraints upon the site and the generally depressed state of the property market. We are, however, maintaining a constructive dialogue to try to resolve the difficulties as quickly as possible.

  Piers
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location and number of piers previously owned by his Ministry which have been sold in Scotland in the past 10 years; and if he will give details of the purchaser and the selling price in each case.

  Mr. Hanley
  Details of the piers in Scotland formerly owned by my Department which have been sold in the past 10 years and the purchaser in each case are set out below. The sale prices are commercial in confidence.

  Location

  Purchaser

  Date sold

  Arrochar

  Clydebank Developments

  21 January 1993

  Invergordon

  The Bannerman Company

  31 May 1993

  Inveraray

  I. Turner

  2 June 1993

  Holy Loch (Ardnadam)

  G. R. Thompson

  11 June 1993

  In addition, offers for the purchase of two further piers at Holy Loch (Sandbank) and Gourock are at an advanced stage of consideration by my Department.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) of 22 July,Official Report, column 353, if he will set out the reason for the confidentiality of the Aldermaston Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning Document to which he refers; and whether he applies the harm test to the refusal to disclose information, as set out at paragraph 3.7 of the White Paper on open government (Cm 2290).

  Mr. Aitken
  The decommissioning plan is a classified document and the waste management plan contains commercially sensitive information. The information contained in these two documents is such that the harm test, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the White Paper on open government (Cm 2290), is applicable.

  Anthony Evans
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action has been taken to discipline those soldiers identified as being involved in the racial abuse and harrassment of Anthony George Evans, a former private in the first battalion of the Royal Regiment of Wales.

  Mr. Hanley
  The soldiers were dealt with summarily by their commanding officer. It is not our practice to comment on the disciplinary action taken by commanding officers in such cases.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1993,Official Report, column 80, whether the testing of depleted uranium-tipped shells is covered by his policy of not revealing the costs of nuclear testing.

  Mr. Aitken
  No. Depleted uranium (DU) is not a fissile material and is used for armour-piercing projectiles because of its high density and mechanical properties. Ammunition natures which incorporate DU cannot be regarded as nuclear weapons, do not form part of the defence nuclear programme, and it is not sensible to link their testing with the testing of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received since 28 July from(a) serving members of the armed forces, (b) retired service people and (c) members of the public who fear they are suffering (i) from the alleged Desert Storm syndrome or (ii) from the effects of testing missiles tipped with depleted uranium at sites in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 28 July my Department have received one representation from an ex-soldier who alleges he is suffering from Desert Storm syndrome. He has been advised to consult his general practitioner in the first instance with a view to referring the case to the defence medical services.

  Fylingdales
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the electromagnetic radiation levels around the Fylingdales monitoring station in Yorkshire.

  Mr. Hanley
  I am writing to the hon. Member and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Ammunition
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines are issued on the use of(a) dum-dum bullets and (b) Frag 12 exploding ammunition in the United Kingdom by the armed forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  No such ammunition is held by our armed forces.

  MOD Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent Home Office police regulations are applied to members of the Ministry of Defence police.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence police force (MDP) is constituted in accordance with the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987. This Act, from which the independent MDP force derives its authority, sets out where and how far the MDP powers and privileges of constable operate in the United Kingdom.

  In addition to the 1987 Act, Home Office guidelines have been drawn up to assist in defining the respective responsibilities of the MDP and local police forces. These have been agreed by the Association of Chief Police Officers for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and by the chief constable MDP.
  64
  As with the Home Department Police Forces, the MDP operates in accordance with all appropriate legislation and in particular the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  As well as holding the office of constable, the MDP are non-industrial civil servants and their terms and conditions of employment being covered by both departmental and police regulations reflect this unique position. Those areas of employment specifically drawn from police regulations encompass:

  Appointment Qualifications

  Probation

  Discipline

  Conditional Allowances

  Pay

  Overtime

  "Police" Allowances, e.g.:

  Housing

  Plain Clothes

  Detective Duty

  Detective Expenses

  Leave

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a Minister from his Department will meet representatives of the Ministry of Defence Police Federation to discuss the ramifications of(a) the Sheehy report, (b) the White Paper on police and (c) matters of general concern to federation members which are not operational matters reserved for the chief constable.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government have yet to complete their deliberations on the way forward in implementing the recommendations of the Sheehy report and the White Paper on police and it is too early to say how far these initiatives will apply to the Ministry of Defence police. A review team is to be appointed under the chairmanship of Sir John Blelloch, to examine how these and other matters may affect the future structure, organisation and conditions of service of the Ministry of Defence police. The review team will consult widely and seek among others the views of the MOD police staff associations including the Defence Police Federation. These matters will also be considered in accordance with the normal consultative procedures and a special meeting of the Ministry of Defence police joint consultative committee (JCC) is to be convened for this purpose.

  Under the terms of the consultative agreement the MOD police staff associations are allowed access to Ministers, but matters raised should normally have been first considered within the joint consultative committee forum. At this stage therefore it would be premature for Ministers to meet representatives of the Defence Police Federation, but should their representatives have continuing concerns following the special JCC meeting, it would be open for them to seek discussions at ministerial level.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who serves on the police committee of the Ministry of Defence police; and how often it has met over the past five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  The current membership of the Ministry of Defence police committee is as follows:

  Second Permanent Under Secretary of State—Chairman

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff—Vice Chairman

  Deputy Under Secretary of State (Civilian Management)

  Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff1—(Operations/Security)

  Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff

  Assistant Chief of the General Staff

  Assistant Chief of the Air Staff1

  Assistant Under Secretary of State (Security and Counter

  65
  Terrorism)—Clerk

  Such other persons as the Secretary of State may from time to time appoint.

  In addition, the following who are not members attend the meetings on a regular basis:

  Chief Constable Ministry of Defence Police—accompanied by the Deputy Chief Constable MDP and Head of MDP Secretariat as required)

  Police Adviser

  Scottish Police Adviser

  The number of times the police committee has met over the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1989

  4

  1990

  3

  1991

  4

  1992

  4

  1993

  3

  Total

  18

  1 ACDS (Ops/Sy) and ACAS replace Assistant Under Secretary for Research and Development Establishments and Research Administration, AUS(ER), a defunct post and Commodore General and Director General of Security for the Royal Air Force (CG and DG SY(RAF)). The latter posts are at present included in statutory instrument 1988 No. 1098 which promulgates the police committee membership, but a new statutory instrument in the course of preparation will reflect the updated changes in composition.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint consultation procedure exists between the police committee of the Ministry of Defence police, and that force's Police Federation, and the representative bodies of other ranks at which matters relating to police pay and conditions of service are discussed; what is the membership of the joint body; and on how many occasions it has met in the past five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Ministry of Defence police pay and conditions of service are discussed in accordance with the memorandum of agreement on the consultative machinery between the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Police Federation (DPF) and the Chief Police Officers Association (CPOA). The means of implementing this agreement is the Ministry of Defence police joint consultative committee (JCC). The membership of this joint consultative committee is as follows:

  Official Side Representation

  2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State—Chairman

  Deputy Under Secretary of State (Civilian Management)—

  Deputy Chairman

  Vice Chief of The Defence Staff

  Chief Constable Ministry of Defence Police

  Head of Ministry of Defence Police Secretariat

  Staff Side Representation

  Chairman of the Chief Police Officers' Association

  Chairman of the Defence Police Federation

  Vice-Chairman of the Defence Police Federation

  General Secretary of the Defence Police Federation

  Secretariat

  Civilian Management (Ministry of Defence Police)

  The JCC normally meets twice a year and there have been nine meetings in the past five years.

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missions have been flown by search and rescue helicopters at each RAF and naval search and rescue base in the United Kingdom in each year since 1986; and how many of these missions were military and how many civilian.
  66
  Mr.Hanley
  The information requested is given below:

  1986

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  90

  14

  104

  Brawdy

  87

  11

  98

  Chivenor

  98

  12

  110

  Coltishall

  65

  10

  75

  Leconfield

  74

  18

  92

  Leuchars

  109

  11

  120

  Lossiemouth

  151

  16

  167

  Manston

  98

  2

  100

  Valley

  123

  5

  128

  Aldergrove

  6

  0

  6

  RAF Total

  901

  99

  1,000

  RN

  Culdrose

  75

  3

  78

  Lee-on-Solent

  115

  4

  119

  Portland

  5

  0

  5

  Prestwick

  53

  5

  58

  RN Total

  248

  12

  260

  1987

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  104

  16

  120

  Brawdy

  117

  17

  134

  Chivenor

  107

  21

  128

  Coltishall

  89

  18

  107

  Leconfield

  81

  12

  93

  Leuchars

  103

  10

  113

  Lossiemouth

  134

  19

  153

  Manston

  117

  4

  121

  Valley

  137

  15

  152

  Aldergrove

  18

  0

  18

  RAF Total

  1,007

  132

  1,139

  RN

  Culdrose

  116

  38

  154

  Lee-on-Solent

  131

  5

  136

  Portland

  1

  0

  1

  Prestwick

  49

  6

  55

  RN Total

  297

  49

  346

  1988

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  116

  9

  125

  Brawdy

  141

  13

  154

  Chivenor

  169

  19

  188

  Coltishall

  79

  14

  93

  Leconfield

  103

  10

  113

  Leuchars

  134

  18

  152

  Lossiemouth

  128

  18

  146

  Manston

  144

  3

  147

  Valley

  158

  9

  167

  Aldergrove

  16

  1

  17

  RAF Total

  1,188

  114

  1,302

  RN

  Culdrose

  143

  27

  170

  Lee-on-Solent

  67

  3

  70

  Portland

  104

  9

  113

  Prestwick

  70

  12

  82

  RN Total

  384

  51

  435

  67

  1989

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  112

  13

  125

  Brawdy

  143

  5

  148

  Chivenor

  176

  13

  189

  Coltishall

  74

  23

  97

  Leconfield

  128

  14

  142

  Leuchars

  114

  19

  133

  Lossiemouth

  126

  10

  136

  Manston

  157

  8

  165

  Valley

  179

  13

  192

  Aldergrove

  19

  0

  19

  RAF Total

  1,228

  118

  1,346

  RN

  Culdrose

  204

  11

  215

  Lee-on-Solent

  0

  0

  0

  Portland

  105

  16

  121

  Prestwick

  80

  6

  86

  RN Total

  389

  33

  422

  1990

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  127

  10

  137

  Brawdy

  163

  9

  172

  Chivenor

  145

  12

  157

  Coltishall

  74

  24

  98

  Leconfield

  125

  16

  141

  Leuchars

  119

  6

  125

  Lossiemouth

  154

  15

  169

  Manston

  175

  5

  180

  Valley

  160

  16

  176

  Aldergrove

  9

  0

  9

  RAF Total

  1,251

  113

  1,364

  RN

  Culdrose

  213

  24

  237

  Lee-on-Solent

  0

  0

  0

  Portland

  97

  12

  109

  Prestwick

  126

  7

  133

  RN Total

  436

  43

  479

  1991

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  108

  10

  118

  Brawdy

  155

  7

  162

  Chivenor

  139

  10

  149

  Coltishall

  60

  10

  70

  Leconfield

  99

  12

  111

  Leuchars

  154

  7

  161

  Lossiemouth

  208

  16

  224

  Manston

  141

  7

  148

  Valley

  155

  11

  166

  Aldergrove

  19

  2

  21

  RAF Total

  1,238

  92

  1,330

  RN

  Culdrose

  172

  34

  206

  Lee-on-Solent

  0

  0

  0

  Portland

  97

  9

  106

  Prestwick

  143

  8

  151

  RN Total

  412

  51

  463

  68

  1992

  Civilian

  Military

  Total

  RAF

  Boulmer

  125

  9

  134

  Brawdy

  151

  7

  158

  Chivenor

  163

  11

  174

  Coltishall

  103

  3

  106

  Leconfield

  146

  14

  160

  Leuchars

  118

  13

  131

  Lossiemouth

  227

  14

  241

  Manston

  157

  5

  162

  Valley

  179

  8

  187

  Aldergrove

  20

  2

  22

  RAF Total

  1,389

  86

  1,475

  RN

  Culdrose

  204

  29

  233

  Lee-on-Solent

  0

  0

  0

  Portland

  126

  12

  138

  Prestwick

  153

  15

  168

  RN Total

  483

  56

  539

  Jetstream Aircraft
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions he has had with British Aerospace about possible orders to be placed by his Department for new Jetstream aircraft; what the outcome has been; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations or request he has received concerning the relaunch of the ATP aircraft as Jetstream 61; what action he has taken as a result; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what representations he has received concerning the replacement of the Jetstream aircraft currently operated by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force with new aircraft; what discussions or action have followed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  A number of representations concerning the replacement of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Jetstream aircraft have been received. My officials maintain a regular dialogue with British Aerospace to discuss future requirements. However, there is currently no requirement for turbo-prop aircraft to replace those in-service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Should a future requirement emerge, British Aerospace would have every opportunity to compete.

  NATO
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what projects in the United Kingdom have been in receipt of infrastructural funding from NATO in the last 10 years for which information is available; and how much such funding there has been in each case.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of projects in the United Kingdom funded in the past 10 years and the amount funded is as follows:

  Year

  Amount (£)

  Total Projects

  1982

  57,842,282

  22

  1983

  26,284,008

  18

  1984

  72,720,315

  27

  1985

  84,590,421

  42

  1986

  107,233,047

  47

  1987

  78,669,515

  48

  69

  Year

  Amount (£)

  Total Projects

  1988

  92,685,963

  69

  1989

  75,262,451

  64

  1990

  85,506,958

  64

  1991

  33,049,156

  73

  1992

  34,219,482

  59

EMPLOYMENT

  Offshore Oil Workers
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of his Department when dealing with claims for unemployment benefit by those formerly employed in offshore oil and gas fields.

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Michael Bates, dated 18 October 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 policy of his Department when dealing with claims for unemployment benefit by those formerly employed in offshore oil and gas fields. This is something which falls within the responsibilities he has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  All claims for unemployment benefit, including those from people formerly employed in offshore oil and gas fields, are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Social Security legislation. Unemployed people who have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions, are available for and actively seeking employed earners employment in GB, and are not disqualified from receiving benefit for any reason, may receive unemployment benefit.
  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.

  Oil Industry
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on the application of the International Labour Organisation conventions on(a) freedom of association and protection of the right to organise and (b) application of the principles of the right to organise and bargain collectively, to United Kingdom workers (i) generally and (ii) in the oil industry.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is the Government's firm policy to honour their obligations under the international labour conventions they have ratified. Workers in the oil industry are covered in the same way as those in any other occupation or industry.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from employees of the oil industry concerning the right of freedom of association at their place of work; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State receives representations from employees 70
  on a variety of issues, but none has been identified in this form. Our employment law is consistent with international treaties ratified by the United Kingdom on freedom of association.

  Southend
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will rename the Southend travel-to-work area as the South Essex travel-to-work area or the Southend/Thurrock travel-to-work area.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A review of all travel-to-work areas is currently being undertaken. New boundaries will be drawn using information on commuting patterns from the 1991 census of population special workplace statistics. These are due to be released by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys at the end of November this year. Revised travel-to-work areas, including maps, will be circulated for comment six to nine months after this date. All comments received, regarding boundaries and names, will be considered at this time.

  EC Labour Markets
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the labour market participation rates in each EC country at the last date for which figures were available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest available economic activity rates, comparable across all EC countries, are for spring 1991 and are shown in the table:

  Per cent

  Denmark

  67·1

  United Kingdom

  61·8

  Portugal

  59·5

  FR Germany

  58·7

  Netherlands

  56·9

  France

  54·5

  Ireland

  51·9

  Luxembourg

  51·2

  Italy

  49·9

  Belgium

  48·5

  Greece

  47·4

  Spain

  47·2

  Europe 12

  55·1

  Source: Eurostat, labour force survey results 1991.

  Older Workers (Health Care)
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to encourage employers to undertake initiatives to promote preventive health care among older workers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides employers with a wealth of advice and guidance on occupational health, which applies to all persons exposed to health risks at work including older workers. Both the Employment Department and HSE are members of the workplace task force and have been active in supporting "The Health of the Nation" initiatives designed to encourage employers to promote health in the workplace.

  EC Unemployment
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of unemployment in each EC country(a) in January 1993 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available; and what was (b) as a percentage of (a).

  Miss Widdecombe
  Up-to-date and internationally comparable unemployment figures are available only in the form of rates and are based on the ILO definition of unemployment. These figures are published by EUROSTAT in its monthly "Unemployment Bulletin", copies of which are available in the Library. The table shows the latest available information.

  Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in EC countries January 1993 and latest month

  January 1993

  Latest Month

  Change

  Belgium

  8·8

  29·5

  0·7

  Denmark

  10·0

  210·6

  0·6

  Germany1

  5 0

  25·7

  0·7

  Greece

  –

  –

  –

  Spain

  20·0

  221·2

  1·2

  France

  10·3

  210·9

  0·6

  Ireland

  18·4

  218·2

  –0·2

  Italy

  10·6

  210·9

  0·3

  Luxembourg

  2·0

  22·6

  0·6

  Netherlands

  7·2

  27·9

  0·7

  Portugal

  5·0

  25·0

  n/c

  United Kingdom

  10·5

  210·3

  –0·2

  EC Average

  9·9

  210·4

  0·5

  1 This figure only relates to the former West Germany.

  2 August.

  3 July.

  Parliamentary Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the locations of the television sets in his Department which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber of the House; and what is the total cost to his Department of this Service.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There are seven television sets in the Department's headquarters which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber of the House. There is one in each of the four Ministers' private offices; one in the permanent secretary's office; one in the parliamentary branch; and one in the press office. The annual cost of the service is £17,900.

  Training
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the job entry rate for employment training leavers in the west midlands.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Latest information shows that three months after leaving employment training in the west midlands during September 1992, 29 per cent. were in a

  Expenditure on Diocesan Bishops' Residences

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Bath and Wells

  55,906

  51,980

  47,414

  48,841

  37,480

  106,937

  19,104

  67,109

  53,336

  58,315

  Birmingham

  12,499

  13,094

  5,830

  21,335

  45,001

  13,817

  30,187

  70,240

  76,667

  70,808

  Blackburn

  16,880

  7,282

  4,274

  7,301

  13,317

  9,771

  38,333

  15,776

  25,755

  18,888

  Bradford

  8,196

  17,208

  27,710

  55,938

  30,869

  58,425

  15,571

  18,029

  18,009

  62,705

  72
  job and a further 15 per cent. were undertaking activities including training, full-time education, work experience or voluntary work.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest information he has on the number of people who are participating on training courses which are supported by the European social fund; how many are operated by(a) training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies, (b) local authorities and further education colleges and (c) voluntary organisations; how many people will benefit from ESF training courses in the current operational year; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [pursuant to her reply, 27 July 1993, c. 785]: I regret that the numbers of participants on European social fund (ESF) courses in 1993 in Great Britain given in my reply of 27 July 1993, Official Report, column 785, was incorrect. The number of beneficiaries given for the training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies—including departmental programmes to help the unemployed—included beneficiaries from another sector. The correct information is given below:

  Sector

  Beneficiaries

  Training and Enterprise Councils, Local Enterprise Companies (including Departmental programmes to help the unemployed)

  320,000

  Local Authorities/Further Education Colleges

  438,000

  Voluntary sector

  106,000

  Overall we currently expect some 1,308,000 people to benefit from ESF-funded training during 1993. This figure is likely to rise as further projects continue to be approved.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Bishops' Residences
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list the expenditure for each of the last 10 years on the residences of each bishop, diocesan area and suffragan.

  Mr. Alison
  The following figures for diocesan bishops' houses, which include both a chapel and office accommodation for the bishops' staff, show the total expenditure—capital and revenue—on each. The figures include expenditure on furnishings and gardens, but are net both of rental income for accommodation not occupied by the bishop and of sale proceeds of any surplus property.

  Suffragan, area and full-time assistant bishops' houses also incorporate office accommodation. The figures include total expenditure borne by dioceses on periodical outgoings, e.g., rates, insurance and repairs, half of which are met by grants from the commissioners. Full details of all capital expenditure is not available, but capital grants made by the commissioners are included.
  73

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Bristol

  5,036

  16,196

  19,997

  43,488

  15,492

  10,050

  22,709

  31,050

  21,187

  25,176

  Canterbury:

  Lambeth Palace

  201,248

  178,073

  27,868

  113,760

  (70,938)

  173,367

  164,979

  270,726

  272,680

  176,812

  Old Palace

  144,140

  35,439

  15,987

  21,830

  37,402

  8,629

  12,286

  19,545

  117,777

  14,233

  Carlisle

  19,319

  17,038

  30,486

  11,474

  37,693

  35,503

  94,167

  29,163

  22,210

  27,976

  Chelmsford

  20,991

  10,001

  20,716

  40,721

  36,622

  22,395

  25,212

  23,460

  15,849

  26,841

  Chester

  14,503

  35,505

  13,556

  15,803

  36,573

  20,028

  22,968

  16,795

  36,739

  25,907

  Chichester

  26,492

  37,488

  24,505

  20,902

  27,531

  18,055

  32,877

  27,760

  28,111

  37,167

  Coventry

  (61,272)

  11,263

  65,574

  37,346

  15,326

  14,136

  12,818

  63,458

  50,898

  35,270

  Derby

  52,241

  (15,678)

  9,643

  6,767

  10,807

  29,182

  19,649

  13,158

  20,062

  11,399

  Durham

  157,103

  71,114

  82,840

  13,549

  19,228

  44,653

  59,232

  113,813

  60,910

  53,852

  Ely

  5,131

  7,596

  15,221

  8,867

  15,042

  9,283

  42,069

  200,622

  100,633

  68,019

  Exeter

  18,713

  9,669

  25,314

  18,145

  (915)

  13,867

  22,960

  21,312

  7,229

  12,563

  Gloucester

  6,130

  6,039

  6,489

  25,431

  8,492

  8,400

  16,709

  36,673

  85,981

  58,532

  Guildford

  34,613

  13,483

  37,592

  37,253

  2,552

  20,684

  27,002

  28,458

  37,264

  24,437

  Hereford

  7,866

  32,762

  78,358

  55,803

  7,222

  3,138

  7,550

  52,083

  16,166

  20,123

  Leicester

  8,836

  8,181

  10,512

  15,533

  1,848

  12,162

  8,146

  11,904

  70,684

  9,270

  Lichfield

  8,813

  18,591

  16,584

  20,573

  11,960

  12,341

  21,323

  27,488

  49,858

  26,342

  Lincoln

  15,428

  58,669

  4,511

  10,305

  19,766

  61,534

  91,428

  12,382

  24,001

  8,358

  Liverpool

  9,271

  12,796

  28,743

  24,067

  21,512

  44,279

  18,628

  38,239

  38,703

  24,179

  London

  3,970

  4,821

  11,009

  15,698

  7,437

  27,977

  22,913

  4,576

  66,134

  7,187

  Manchester

  14,567

  7,548

  13,515

  22,685

  268,597

  10,223

  11,518

  9,620

  20,145

  14,341

  Newcastle

  12,146

  5,049

  6,365

  3,004

  5,684

  3,674

  9,422

  8,000

  6,297

  7,698

  Norwich

  19,318

  8,123

  16,528

  40,777

  31,228

  22,861

  23,419

  34,575

  32,848

  63,591

  Oxford

  8,471

  3,122

  5,626

  3,657

  31,501

  6,037

  15,533

  23,107

  20,114

  11,714

  Peterborough

  20,126

  21,988

  11,759

  19,123

  54,008

  92,439

  18,257

  42,097

  28,371

  25,651

  Portsmouth

  12,758

  13,923

  48,248

  12,347

  46,759

  5,274

  34,372

  39,796

  41,473

  37,530

  Ripon

  18,643

  8,313

  22,301

  20,260

  103,016

  23,450

  43,178

  33,984

  28,553

  27,709

  Rochester

  7,635

  6,481

  8,766

  7,936

  17,359

  146,142

  28,406

  37,840

  39,948

  52,836

  St Albans

  22,931

  8,419

  23,425

  15,177

  11,111

  25,524

  9,930

  19,839

  26,008

  10,764

  St Eds and Ips

  7,985

  7,005

  21,425

  10,338

  111,447

  25,828

  11,485

  40,862

  29,640

  28,454

  Salisbury

  (274,297)

  28,024

  5,159

  15,490

  5,164

  15,324

  20,406

  14,245

  20,248

  18,524

  Sheffield

  10,054

  33,159

  8,022

  7,694

  16,368

  13,971

  28,238

  24,425

  18,039

  32,267

  Sodor and Man1

  599

  285

  0

  0

  0

  0

  14,233

  24,756

  417

  3,687

  Southwark

  16,425

  33,271

  20,434

  9,005

  24,068

  8,648

  13,767

  38,315

  90,939

  79,835

  Southwell

  21,175

  45,644

  219,607

  107,576

  20,141

  46,232

  10,284

  27,983

  22,946

  8,112

  Truro

  14,034

  8,277

  12,594

  18,232

  16,054

  14,318

  11,219

  28,180

  42,371

  14,624

  Wakefield

  27,784

  15,780

  39,688

  13,870

  13,830

  11,731

  15,317

  27,675

  20,116

  75,821

  Winchester

  23,988

  9,559

  46,537

  26,269

  1,885

  10,921

  13,653

  30,868

  48,642

  49,535

  Worcester

  41,976

  31,112

  17,563

  14,245

  11,701

  8,104

  46,140

  83,657

  36,711

  36,874

  York

  87,980

  62,268

  89,387

  74,967

  69,083

  19,126

  32,116

  34,588

  113,040

  30,838

  Europe

  2,209

  5,943

  2,209

  8,367

  8,353

  1,872

  3,622

  14,614

  12,487

  3,481

  1 The See house is owned by the commissioners of the Isle of Man

  Expenditure on suffragan, area and full-time assistant bishops houses

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Bath and Wells

  Taunton

  4,024

  2,847

  2,110

  4,326

  1,275

  7,511

  959

  17,171

  3,089

  9,133

  Birmingham

  Aston

  1,453

  5,984

  2,033

  2,186

  1,292

  1,338

  1,188

  0

  0

  90

  Blackburn

  Burnley

  1,087

  2,165

  1,260

  824

  1,926

  6,368

  74,275

  40,263

  19,268

  3,227

  Lancaster

  1,802

  1,758

  732

  1,245

  3,160

  1,023

  2,513

  6,841

  5,083

  4,081

  Bradford

  Asst Bishop

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  89,747

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bristol

  Malmesbury

  540

  3,603

  3,471

  3,740

  10,854

  9,784

  4,936

  15,086

  4,622

  4,669

  Canterbury

  Dover

  707

  644

  709

  962

  2,821

  3,601

  1,032

  1,160

  791

  9,226

  Maidstone

  15,628

  702

  922

  946

  2,825

  1,360

  1,517

  4,115

  973

  3,466

  Carlisle

  Penrith

  399

  240

  515

  393

  2,604

  6,113

  5,189

  1,724

  1,660

  3,102

  Chelmsford

  Barking

  27,648

  1,358

  2,556

  1,310

  1,373

  6,233

  2,644

  925

  1,484

  578

  Bradwell

  14,378

  2,915

  1,015

  4,109

  1,422

  10,567

  17,954

  1,680

  813

  771

  Colchester

  905

  618

  1,343

  1,041

  739

  241,155

  2,568

  1,304

  572

  2,575

  74 75

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Chester

  Birkenhead

  4,007

  3,992

  739

  1,915

  3,884

  10,690

  980

  1,382

  9,086

  1,670

  Stockport

  1,465

  1,236

  1,424

  1,254

  1,353

  1,035

  2,770

  5,757

  3,187

  954

  Chichester

  Lewes

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,178

  27,622

  4,776

  4,574

  Horsham

  2,535

  7,025

  1,011

  1,291

  5,941

  1,792

  2,071

  650

  6,115

  3,484

  Coventry

  Warwick

  3,271

  1,574

  1,319

  65,783

  20,883

  12,929

  1,780

  652

  1,022

  7,442

  Derby

  Repton

  617

  648

  1,302

  2,289

  2,283

  1,810

  1,680

  2,298

  9,632

  4,758

  Durham

  Jarrow

  5,089

  2,690

  2,899

  2,103

  3,166

  14,295

  3,291

  67,661

  31,911

  6,907

  Ely

  Huntingdon

  544

  2,913

  808

  949

  1,092

  3,034

  218,688

  1,039

  1,166

  1,593

  Exeter

  Crediton

  5,644

  1,328

  5,654

  2,041

  5,386

  3,209

  1,967

  1,267

  7,911

  1,674

  Plymouth

  481

  3,842

  536

  1,591

  807

  695

  832

  50,325

  586

  3,329

  Gloucester

  Tewkesbury

  2,877

  1,010

  1,907

  25,920

  1,074

  706

  786

  889

  3,616

  866

  Guildford

  Dorking

  771

  906

  1,674

  1,422

  1,355

  1,238

  1,307

  19,951

  1,707

  894

  Hereford

  Ludlow

  0

  0

  0

  0

  63,896

  445

  902

  2,361

  3,883

  682

  Leicester

  Asst Bishop

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  33,498

  8,245

  1,246

  9,510

  2,238

  Lichfield

  Shrewsbury

  1,178

  4,661

  898

  5,234

  3,841

  4,107

  1,348

  4,685

  899

  8,141

  Stafford

  1,823

  1,477

  1,492

  644

  4,097

  5,031

  1,832

  4,338

  773

  727

  Wolverhampton

  5,361

  5,055

  2,928

  1,343

  2,227

  1,135

  1,590

  552

  2,793

  650

  Lincoln

  Grantham

  2,404

  2,773

  2,020

  2,896

  65,976

  7,128

  1,558

  6,307

  2,054

  862

  Grimsby

  902

  1,140

  2,674

  1,418

  788

  2,846

  1,409

  76,245

  6,168

  602

  Liverpool

  Warrington

  1,962

  2,495

  8,306

  1,995

  1,584

  3,059

  6,870

  6,520

  2,444

  2,754

  London

  Fulham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  506

  11,033

  5,769

  1,067

  30,340

  Kensington

  2,363

  3,652

  11,518

  6,263

  15,089

  17,944

  46,564

  7,835

  2,928

  7,345

  Stepney

  2,867

  1,185

  16,195

  8,883

  2,787

  2,057

  1,133

  1,612

  1,514

  18,710

  Willesden

  3,945

  2,411

  18,332

  1,842

  1,318

  6,790

  23,171

  9,851

  1,268

  15,754

  Edmonton

  484

  519

  2,838

  519

  519

  610

  223,964

  3,177

  13,722

  3,626

  Manchester

  Hulme

  692

  52,776

  1,324

  2,066

  1,112

  2,019

  7,695

  1,225

  764

  1,774

  Middleton

  13,938

  1,501

  870

  3,462

  3,118

  1,449

  1,772

  921

  1,683

  547

  Bolton

  0

  744

  520

  1,511

  2,630

  863

  2,078

  937

  9,251

  5,754

  Newcastle

  Asst Bishop

  770

  1,653

  2,174

  9,958

  3,139

  1,520

  2,040

  815

  861

  6,379

  Norwich

  Lynn

  4,494

  4,658

  5,592

  4,554

  23,550

  3,010

  8,960

  23,179

  15,607

  906

  Thetford

  1,513

  778

  12,714

  2,430

  1,243

  1,905

  6,639

  709

  999

  83,641

  Oxford

  Buckingham

  1,225

  1,449

  3,495

  4,532

  2,094

  1,845

  2,125

  2,376

  2,740

  1,432

  Dorchester

  1,199

  2,783

  1,891

  2,346

  1,505

  5,940

  7,132

  6,640

  3,102

  1,180

  Reading

  8,270

  3,130

  3,635

  2,986

  4,161

  1,952

  6,608

  8,381

  2,649

  1,036

  Peterborough

  Brixworth

  2,068

  933

  589

  429

  138,000

  302

  5,649

  3,170

  3,957

  1,334

  Ripon

  Knaresborough

  1,830

  498

  1,053

  1,917

  2,906

  3,905

  1,431

  1,020

  1,097

  2,750

  76 77

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Rochester

  Tonbridge

  4,693

  2,487

  2,213

  2,263

  2,312

  2,715

  2,912

  6,689

  2,024

  4,880

  St Albans

  Bedford

  782

  823

  997

  1,849

  1,180

  1,270

  1,708

  1,478

  4,014

  989

  Hertford

  1,227

  996

  1,016

  1,182

  1,563

  1,823

  4,442

  1,195

  3,414

  1,037

  St Edmunds and Ipswich

  Dunwich

  1,233

  809

  1,515

  1,432

  37,944

  910

  1,247

  (16,782)

  1,903

  4,480

  Salisbury

  Sherborne

  2,658

  2,698

  2,194

  3,185

  533

  42,651

  1,216

  705

  4,121

  782

  Ramsbury

  261

  227

  691

  2,334

  1,498

  4,399

  2,685

  1,718

  3,965

  4,219

  Sheffield

  Doncaster

  1,886

  775

  3,356

  2,951

  2,183

  489

  1,137

  11,421

  1,500

  777

  Southwark

  Kingston

  206

  3,356

  1,217

  1,598

  1,412

  1,089

  5,327

  6,027

  1,870

  20,690

  Woolwich

  1,915

  1,403

  4,432

  1,486

  3,782

  1,826

  8,888

  2,811

  442

  1,946

  Croydon

  726

  906

  792

  736

  1,377

  14,698

  13,278

  1,981

  1,272

  1,129

  Southwell

  Sherwood

  8,750

  1,282

  1,653

  1,579

  2,724

  1,558

  1,200

  2,307

  9,894

  10,746

  Truro

  St Germans

  7,724

  260

  278

  632

  378

  435

  476

  3,741

  3,080

  4,767

  Wakefield

  Pontefract

  0

  5,948

  10,825

  2,127

  4,530

  2,079

  3,808

  1,812

  3,230

  1,561

  Winchester

  Basingstoke

  15,425

  782

  782

  2,173

  50,476

  11,729

  607

  0

  3,531

  1,312

  Southampton

  842

  4,558

  3,499

  487

  721

  997

  7,487

  1,053

  1,652

  836

  Worcester

  Dudley

  1,200

  1,933

  1,203

  4,790

  1,418

  2,930

  3,943

  1,054

  11,634

  1,673

  York

  Hull

  1,898

  2,223

  3,641

  4,279

  2,041

  4,124

  2,476

  676

  1,021

  1,338

  Selby

  875

  1,069

  1,260

  731

  912

  2,923

  1,060

  881

  1,012

  2,003

  Whitby

  849

  885

  1,943

  755

  7,407

  772

  4,618

  477

  4,433

  868

  Europe

  Europe

  3,903

  4,522

  5,103

  5,585

  5,910

  7,909

  7,414

  13,477

  6,714

  11,301

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of all animal products confiscated by the Hong Kong authorities at(a) ports of entry and (b) in restaurants and shops during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the past 12 months—from 1 August 1992 to 31 July 1993—the Hong Kong authorities made 198 seizures of suspected endangered animals and animal products at ports of entry and 14 seizures in restaurants and shops. Court proceedings for 89 of the above cases have been concluded and the related animals/animal products confiscated. The remaining cases are either under investigation or awaiting court proceedings. The local legislation provides for mandatory forfeiture of the animals/animal products upon conviction.

  Interpreters
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what training is given to interpreters at overseas British missions in respect of entry clearance officers.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Those appointed as interpreters should already be fluent in the languages concerned, so no linguistic training will normally be necessary. Appropriate training, including on the job, in office practices and procedures will be given after recruitment.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what training is given to interpreters employed by the British embassy in Ankara; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The British embassy in Ankara does not employ any interpreters, but does employ two translators, one in the information section and one in the defence section. Both were required to demonstrate their competence on recruitment. Additional training has not been needed.

  European Treaties
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects a publication of consolidated text of the treaty on European union incorporating all the amendments, which it, and other treaties, have made to the treaty of Rome and the treaties establishing the coal and steel, and Euratom communities respectively; and if he knows of any impediment to such a document being printed and published by Her Majesty's Government in the Command series prior to October.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A consolidated text of the treaty of Rome incorporating the amendments which would be made by the treaty on European union was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (C 224 Vol. 35) on 31 August 1992. It has been available through HMSO outlets since that time. There are no plans, either by the European Community or by ourselves, to produce similar consolidated texts of the treaties establishing the European coal and steel and Euratom communities in advance of entry into force of the treaty on European union.

  E1 Salvador
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring is taking place of the electoral registration process in El Salvador; and if Her Majesty's Government will send a delegation to monitor the process.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The UN observer mission in El Salvador, ONUSAL, is supervising preparations for next year's elections. We expect to send an observer.

  Israel
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Israel concerning the plight of Mordechai Vanunu; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have raised with the Israelis concerns over humanitarian aspects of this case. They assured us earlier in the year that the conditions under which Mr. Vanunu is detained have improved. We have no formal locus to intervene.

  Sudan
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the United Kingdom Government are taking to ensure that human rights are respected in Sudan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We were active at the last sessions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights in highlighting the human rights situation in Sudan, and in particular in securing the appointment of a public UN rapporteur. The rapporteur has just visited Sudan, and we await his report.

  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to further the peace progress in the Sudan and to bring fighting to an end.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have welcomed the initiative of the Kenyan, Ugandan, Ethiopian and Eritrean Presidents to 80
  try to encourage dialogue between the Government of Sudan and the factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Army. With our EC partners, we are addressing ways of putting further pressure on the parties to respond positively to mediation efforts.

  French Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what tests the French Government have reported to(a) European political co-operation or (b) the European Foreign Affairs Council under the provisions of article 34 of the Euratom treaty on nuclear tests conducted on any of its overseas territories since 1963.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are not aware of any such notifications having been made under article 34 of the Euratom treaty.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current support for the UN MINORSO team in the western Sahara; what plans there are to continue this; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Kingdom has contributed 14 military observers and the chief of staff to the MINORSO operations since September 1991. We keep all UN commitments under review as operations' mandates develop, and informed the UN in March this year that we were considering the withdrawal of our personnel. We confirmed to the UN the decision to withdraw in August 1993, and the United Kingdom military contribution to the force is now running down. All 15 British military personnel will have withdrawn by the end of October. The UN has so far identified Malaysian, Ghanaian and Bangladeshi replacements for 12 of the departing British observers and expects to fill the remaining three positions in the near future.

  China
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Chinese Government about the prisoners of conscience(a) Li Jiayao in Chek Li prison near Guangzhou, (b) Pastor Pei Zhongxun (Chun Chul) imprisoned in Shanghai and (c) Xu Guoxing, leader of the Protestant House Church in Shanghai; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No specific representations have been made. We have, however, raised human rights and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's list of cases of concern on a number of occasions with senior Chinese leaders, most recently during my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's meeting with Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen in New York on 1 October.

  India
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of India concerning human rights abuses in Punjab and Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
  81
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have regularly raised our concerns about human rights with the Indian Government, most recently during a discussion between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Indian Foreign Minister, Dinesh Singh, in New York in September.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1992,Official Report, column 86, when he now proposes to bring forward legislation to repeal the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989.

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

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are taken to enforce the moratorium on mining activity in Antarctica.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Measures to enforce the moratorium require the introduction of legislation. We intend that a provision to repeal the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989 should be included in a Bill to give effect to the environmental protection protocol to the Antarctic treaty. We hope this Bill can be introduced at the earliest opportunity.

  Until the new legislation is in force, the United Kingdom will do all it can by administrative means to implement the provisions of the environmental protocol, including the prohibition of mineral activities. The other Antarctic treaty consultative parties are doing likewise.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the creation of a world natural park in Antarctica; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Antarctica is a special conservation area under the 1964 agreed measures for the conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora. It is also designated a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science, by the 1991 environmental protection protocol to the Antarctic treaty. We believe that this and the stringent environmental protection measures in the protocol adequately reflect the concept of a world park.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart over the American initiative launched in July to assist Asian countries to develop policies to control regional nuclear proliferation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  To the best of my knowledge no specific American initiative aimed at controlling nuclear proliferation in Asia has been launched.

  EC Measures
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of the EC measures which it was agreed at the Anglo-French summit on 26 July should be(a) amended and (b) withdrawn.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is not our intention to publish the Anglo-French subsidiarity list. We have fed ideas into the Commission at several stages as a contribution to the report on subsidiarity that it is preparing for the Brussels European Council in December. The Commission report will, of course, be published.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many mining companies have offices in the Falkland Islands; and what cases cif mining exploration licences have been sought for.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The only company with interests in mining which has offices in the Falkland Islands is the Falkland Islands Company. It is a subsidiary of Anglo United plc.

  Since 1982 the Falkland Islands Government have twice authorised exploratory surveys of one farm. Before Anglo United plc sold its farmlands in the Falkland Islands in 1991, it carried out a preliminary geological survey of those lands.

  Secret Intelligence Service Headquarters
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost for the internal equipping of the new Secret Intelligence Service headquarters at Vauxhall cross; and if he will indicate the budgets drawn upon to cover the costs to date.

  Mr. Hurd
  The programme provision for the total cost of fitting out and equipping the new Secret Intelligence Service headquarters is £86 million. This sum has been included in the programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth office, and we expect the final cost to be within this total. A revised figure will be published in next year's estimates.

  European Parliament
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many buildings the European Parliament rent in(a) Brussels, (b) Luxembourg and (c) Strasbourg; and what is the total rent paid in each city.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The European Parliament rents nine buildings in Brussels—some of which are physically linked—five buildings in Luxembourg and five buildings in Strasbourg—three of which are linked extensions to the original building.

  The rents paid in each city for 1993 are as follows:

  Brussels: 27.258 million ECU (approx £21.264 million);

  Luxembourg: 12.212 million ECU (£9.527 million);

  Strasbourg: 13.254 million ECU (£10.339 million);

  The detailed appropriations are given in section 1, chapter 20 of the general budget of the European Community, published in Official Journal No. L31, Vol. 36 of 8 February 1993, copies of which are available in the House.
  83
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the allowances payable to Members of the European Parliament.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The European Parliament's allowances for Members in 1993 are as follows:

  Subsistence
  Subsistence allowance of 199 ecu (approx £155) per day for attending official meetings within the European Community plus the cost of overnight accommodation, etc. for attending official meetings outside the Community.

  Travel
  Flat rate travel allowance of 0.73 ecu (57p) per kilometre for the first 800km and 0–37 ecu (29p) for each additional kilometre for travel within the Community to attend official meetings. Reimbursement of the return air fare by the most direct route for travel outside the EC to attend official meetings. Travel allowance of up to 3,000 ecu (£2,340) per annum for travel on official business other than to attend official meetings.

  Office and Secretarial Assistance
  Secretarial assistance allowance of up to 7,468 (£5,826) ecu per month. General expenditure allowance of 2,732 ecu (£2,131) per month for office management costs, telephone, postage and travel within member states. (Halved in respect of Members who, for no valid reason, have failed to attend at least half the number of plenary sittings.)

  Data Processing
  Data processing allowance of up to 1,000 ecu (£780) per annum for purchase or rent of equipment.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost of the European Parliament each year since 1989–90.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Expenditure under the European Parliament's budget for each year since 1989 has been as follows:

  Expenditure net of receipts

  Year

  Million ECU

  £ million

  1989

  349.451

  2272.607

  1990

  393.346

  306.849

  1991

  450.441

  351.389

  1992

  538.241

  419.882

  11993

  585

  456.358

  1 Estimate

  2 Approximate

  Bosnia
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 July to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Elletson),Official Report, column 86, regarding the reported no-fly zone of 13 March, for how long the aircraft were observed over Gladovici; whether the border is visible from the village of Gladovici; what is the minimum time required to reach the border from Gladovici; what further information has since come to light about the incident; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We understand that the Serbian border is not visible from Gladovici, but that an aircraft or helicopter could fly between Gladovici and the border in under a minute. No further information has come to light about the incident there on 13 March.
  84
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made as to the accuracy of information surrounding the alleged breach of the no-fly zone over Gladovici on 13 March; if his Department has contacted any international agency or body regarding the details of this alleged breach during the past four weeks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are satisfied with the standard of UN reporting on the observance of the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzogovina, including the information provided about the breach over Gladovici on 13 March. We have not contacted any international agency concerning the details of the breach in the past four weeks.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the evidence now available on the reported no-fly zone violation on 13 March over Gladovici, Bosnia-Herzegovina, has produced proof as to the nature of the mission, the identity of the aircraft operators or the location of the aircraft operating base; who Her Majesty's Government now regard as being responsible for this violation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  No new information has been received concerning the breach of the no-fly zone over Gladovici. The aircraft observed there on 13 March were never definitely attributed to any party. However, the flight pattern of the aircraft would be consistent with the use of Serbian airspace to lose altitude before landing at an airstrip near the border.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names, rank and national origin of UN personnel present in Gladovici on 13 March; what role they were fulfilling there; when reports were first received by these personnel of a breach of the no-fly zone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are unable to give detailed information on UN personnel. Those in Gladovici on 13 March were carrying out duties pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 781 of 9 October 1992. Information on the breach released by the UN on 16 March made it clear that the UN personnel concerned observed the incident themselves.

  Cyprus
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost of the new wall being built along the frontage of the high commission property at Shakespeare avenue, Lefkosa, northern Cyprus; why this wall is necessary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The estimated cost of rebuilding the wall is £35,000. The new wall is necessary because the old one had been undermined by a culvert and was in danger of collapsing and endangering passers by.

  Iran
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received regarding the human rights position of the Baha'i community in Iran.
  85
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received representations from several Members of Parliament and from the National Spiritual Assembly of Baha'is of the United Kingdom about the human rights of the Baha'i community in Iran. We and our EC partners have raised specific alleged cases of human rights abuses affecting the Baha'i community with the Iranian authorities. We have also co-sponsored resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights urging the Iranian authorities to improve their human rights record, and drawing attention to the treatment of Baha'is in Iran.

  Thailand
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications for entry into the United Kingdom have been made from applicants from Thailand in the latest year for which figures are available; and how many were(a) accepted and (b) rejected.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, 28,316, visa applications for entry into the United Kingdom were received at the British embassy in Bangkok, of which 27,329 were granted and 927 refused.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the current backlog in each of the queues at the following posts(a) Bombay, (b) New Delhi, (c) Islamabad, (d) Karachi, (e) Dacca. (f) Nairobi and (g) Dar-es-Salaam; and what is the average length of time in each queue from application to interview.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [pursuant to his answer, 22 October 1992, c. 341 ]As I have already explained to the hon. Member, the figures quoted for Islamabad were incorrect. They should have read:

  Islamabad

  Queue

  Number

  1

  51

  2

  1,470

  3

  237

  4

  557

  Total

  2,315

  Gulf War
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the health risks passed to Iraqi children as a result of the use during the Gulf war by United Kingdom armed forces of depleted uranium ammunition.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have been asked to reply.

  During the Gulf conflict, British forces used small quantities of depleted uranium ammunition in sparsely populated desert areas of Iraq. This is not considered to have constituted a significant risk to the health of Iraq's civilian population.

ENVIRONMENT

  Jobs, Walsall
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the jobs created within the Walsall borough area covered by the Black Country development corporation for each year since it is establishment.

  Mr. Baldry
  The jobs created in the Walsall borough area covered by the Black Country development corporation—and related to its activities—for each year since designation are as follows:

  Financial Year

  Jobs

  1987–88

  10

  1988–89

  25

  1989–90

  70

  1990–91

  450

  1991–92

  104

  1992–93

  320

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 25 March,Official Report, column 712, if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of standard spending assessments.

  Mr. Baldry
  Work on the review of standard spending assessments for 1994–95 is proceeding in consultation with the local authority associations. A substantial programme of work remains and we have not yet reached any conclusions.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hostel spaces for the homeless in London have been supported by his Department in 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and for the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Under the rough sleepers initiative in central London, my Department funds voluntary organisations and housing associations to provide temporary hostels for homeless people. The total number of bed spaces made available in each of the specified years is as follows.

  Year

  Number

  1990–91

  87

  1991–92

  485

  1992–93

  834

  1993–94

  806

  In addition, my Department allocates resources, through the Housing Corporation, to housing associations for the provision of bedspaces in shared housing/hostels for the single homeless in central London. New units provided by the Housing Corporation in each of the specified years are as follows.
  87

  Year

  Number

  1990–91

  587

  1991–92

  1,782

  1992–93

  738

  1993–94

  443

  The Housing Corporation also continues to provide support for 7,381 places for homeless people in London that were approved before the introduction of a new funding system in 1991.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on what monitoring has been undertaken of the controlled experiment in nuclear waste discharges to the Irish sea from the Windscale plant; and if he will set out in(a) historic and (b) current prices the costs incurred in carrying out the monitoring.

  Mr. Yeo
  Although historical discharges to the Irish sea from Sellafield may once have been described as a"controlled experiment in nuclear waste discharges",
  this has certainly not been the case in recent times. Strict discharge limits have been set and British Nuclear Fuels —BNF—plc has been required to satisfy Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution—HMIP—and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—MAFF—inspectors that best practicable means are being applied to minimise discharges.

  BNF plc publishes an annual report on radioactive discharges and monitoring of the environment relating to its nuclear licensed sites, including Sellafield—formerly Windscale. In addition, HMIP and MAFF each publish annual reports on monitoring of radioactive substances. The reports of both official bodies include monitoring information relevant to historical discharges to sea from Sellafield. The costs of monitoring by BNF plc are a matter for the company. The costs of monitoring by HMIP and MAFF are recovered from the company through the levy of fees and charges in accordance with section 43 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

  The monitoring information shows a substantial and continuing reduction in environmental radioactivity from the peak levels in the 1970s.

  Travellers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make available in the Library copies of the responses received to the consultation on planning guidance on gipsy sites;

  (2) if he will publish an analysis of the responses received to the consultation on planning guidance on gipsy sites; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Copies of the responses to the draft planning guidance on gipsy sites are available for public inspection in the Library of my Department. A list of respondents has been placed in the Library of the House. We are not proposing to publish an analysis of responses.

  A joint DOE/Welsh Office circular will be published as soon as the views of respondents have been fully considered. The circular will guide local planning authorities in assessing gipsies' accommodation needs in their areas, making suitable policies in their development plans, and determining applications for gipsy sites.
  88
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to co-ordinate policies between Government Departments on the subject of gipsy sites; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Our proposals for reform of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, which were set out in the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Sir C. Onslow) on 31 March,Official Report, column 291, were prepared in close consultation with other interested Government Departments. We will continue to liaise closely with these Departments and, in particular, when we bring forward legislation to implement these proposals.

  Metropolitan Districts
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he plans to issue to the review of the electoral boundaries in metropolitan districts; and whether he will consult local authorities and the local authority associations before finalising.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has not yet reached a view on whether to issue separate guidance to the Local Government Commission on the conduct of either boundary and electoral reviews of metropolitan areas, or the commission's statutory periodic electoral reviews of all areas. My right hon. Friend will consult on any proposed guidance before issuing it to the commission.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the Local Government Commission prepares and consults local authorities and their associations on a statement of the principles it will use in carrying out the review of electoral boundaries in metropolitan districts prior to the review being undertaken.

  Mr. Baldry
  In undertaking reviews, the Local Government Commission must have regard to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1992 and to any guidance which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has issued to it. Otherwise, the conduct of reviews is a matter for the commission itself. The Secretary of State has as yet issued no guidance on electoral reviews in metropolitan areas.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the terms of reference of the review of electoral boundaries in metropolitan districts extend to changes requiring legislation.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Local Government Act 1992 makes provision for my right hon. Friend to direct the commission to undertake reviews of the structure, boundaries and electoral arrangements of local government in areas of England. The commission also has a statutory duty to undertake periodic reviews of local government electoral arrangements in all areas.

  Any changes recommended by the commission, whether as a consequence of a review undertaken at the direction of my right hon. Friend or of the commission's statutory responsibilities, can be implemented only by means of an order made by statutory instrument.

  Bedsitting Rooms
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received to alter legislation in respect of local authority powers to inspect and register bedsitting rooms.
  89
  Mr. Baldry
  Several local authorities have requested from time to time that a mandatory system of licensing for houses in multiple occupation—HMOs—should be introduced. However, the Government consider that the powers currently available to local authorities under the Housing Act 1985 to register and inspect HMOs are adequate and have no plans to amend them.

  Multiple Occupation Homes
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to alter the statutory duty of local authorities to inspect multiple occupation houses.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no plans to alter the statutory powers of local authorities to inspect houses in multiple occupation. They have a duty to ensure that houses in multiple occupation—HMOs—with at least three stories and a combined floor area over 500 sq m are provided with adequate means of escape from fire, and have powers to inspect all HMOs.

  Sporting Clubs
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities grant 80 per cent. discretionary rating relief to all private sporting clubs; and what would be the cost to the Exchequer if all authorities did so.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is not available. The cost to the Exchequer of authorities' decisions to grant relief is 75 per cent. of the sum granted.

  Capital Receipts
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much local authorities have received in capital receipts since his announcement in the last autumn statement of a relaxation of the rules which govern their use;

  (2) what plans he has to extend the relaxation of the rules governing the use by local authorities of capital receipts beyond 31 December; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no plans to extend the relaxation in the capital receipts rules. Recent information provided by most local authorities in England indicates that around £1.3 billion of usable receipts were obtained during the period 13 November 1992 to 31 July 1993, of which about £0.7 billion represented additional spending power as a result of the relaxation. This information also suggests that local authorities currently expect to obtain around £2.3 billion of usable receipts during the whole period of the relaxation—13 November 1992 to 31 December 1993 —of which about £1.3 billion represents extra spending power arising from the relaxation.

  Liverpool
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the Housing Minister to Liverpool.

  Sir George Young
  I visited Liverpool on 4 October. I had a very full and interesting day. I visited the Project Rosemary site where I was impressed by the physical 90
  regeneration of the area. I delivered the opening speech at the Housing Corporation's conference on "Housing and Partnership". I opened an exhibition set up by Wimpeys which will show the options available to tenants as part of the redevelopment of housing stock in Islington under the vacant dwelling initiative. I attended the ceremony where Councillor Rimmer, on behalf of Liverpool city council, handed over ownership of 67 tower blocks to the Liverpool housing action trust. I also had a useful visit to the Buying Agency. Finally, I met a deputation of tenants from the Dovecot residents association.

  Environment Council
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 5 October.

  Mr. Yeo
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 5 October. The Council discussed a lengthy agenda, including a number of waste issues. No formal vote was taken on any of the items under discussion.

  The Council reached political agreement, pending, receipt of the opinion of the European Parliament, on a proposal to amend annex I to regulation 2455/92. That regulation established a system of prior informed consent whereby non-EC countries which import chemicals banned or severely restricted in the EC are: notified of the potential dangers; informed of the necessary safety precautions; and advised of the restrictions on those products in force in the Community. The amendment will add 15 chemicals and groups of chemicals substances to the existing annex.

  The Council discussed a proposed new regulation on ozone-depleting substances which will enable the Community to ratify the Copenhagen amendments to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, relating to hydrochlorofluorocarbons—HCFC—sand methyl bromide. Good progress was made and the Council referred the proposal to the Committee of Permanent. Representatives—COREPER—for further discussion. I reaffirmed the United Kingdom's commitment to going further than was agreed in Copenhagen on both methyl bromide, and on HCFCs where I supported the Commission's proposal for phase-out by 2015. I also urged those member states that had put forward the servicing of existing refrigeration equipment as essential use for chlorofluorocarbons—CFCs—to withdraw their nominations.

  The Council held a substantive policy debate on the proposed packaging and packaging waste directive. This focused on six issues suggested by the presidency, in particular the hierarchy of waste management options, the principle of prevention, and the scope, level and time scale of recovery targets. Ministers also briefly discussed collection systems, the question of marking packaging and the essential requirements it must meet. The Council referred the proposal to COREPER for further discussion.

  The Council considered substantively for the first time a proposed directive on waste landfill. I made clear the United Kingdom's view that the proposal fails to meet the guidelines on subsidiarity agreed at the Edinburgh European Council. In the event that the directive proceeds, I also spoke strongly in favour of a proposal from the presidency which would allow for co-disposal of waste albeit with the possibility of individual member states banning this practice within their own countries. Some

  91
  member states shared our concern over subsidiarity, at least in respect of the level of technical and administrative detail in the current draft. The discussion on co-disposal left the door open to the directive allowing this landfill practice which I had explained was environmentally sound when properly controlled. Our views on co-dispersal were set out in a brochure on landfill which we had published in September and had circulated to other member states and the Commission.

  The Council held a first discussion of a proposal to amend directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste. Problems have arisen over the implementation of this directive, due to be completed by December this year, since the Commission has not produced the list of hazardous waste required by the directive. The Council recognised this by reaching a consensus on the Commission's proposal to prolong the existing directive on toxic and hazardous waste—78/319/EEC—to 31 December 1994 and to aim to establish the list by 30 June 1994. COREPER will continue its deliberations on the Commission's proposal.

  The Council also considered a proposed directive on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls—PCBs—and polychlorinated terphenyls. The Council invited COREPER to discuss the proposal further on the basis of a revised text that had just been issued by the presidency after consultation with the Commission. The United Kingdom is committed under the North sea conference to phasing out PCBs by 1999 at the latest.

  The Commissioner introduced to the Council new proposals for a directive concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market; and for a directive on integrated pollution prevention and control. There was a general welcome for both proposals. The latter proposal is broadly in line with the United Kingdom system of IPC. The presidency indicated that discussion of both proposals would begin at working level before the end of the year.

  Halon
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he considers that there are any essential uses of halon for which the United Kingdom will seek continued production in 1995; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government are today issuing a consultation paper seeking nominations for potential candidates for "essential uses" which might need production of halons in 1995 under the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and EC regulation 3952/92.

  All applications for halon production in 1995 have to meet the stringent criteria agreed by the parties to the protocol. Uses must be necessary for the health and safety of society or critical for its functioning. There must be no technically and economically feasible alternatives available which are acceptable on health and environmental grounds. And finally, a particularly important point for halons, there must be insufficient recycled material available for the use. All these criteria must be met.

  The availability of recycled material through the Halon Users National Consortium made it possible for the United Kingdom to withdraw the nominations we had made to the
  92
  UN Environment Programme—UNEP—for halon production in 1994. However, in withdrawing those nominations the United Kingdom stressed that further production might be needed in subsequent years.

  I understand that nominations for 1995 have to be with the protocol secretariat by 31 December 1993. The closing date for the Government's consultation exercise is therefore 30 November 1993. All applications will be considered, but the Government are committed to keeping essential uses to a minimum. A list will be published of those candidate uses, if any, that the Government nominate to UNEP for 1995.

  Dovecot Residents Association
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Housing Minister's recent discussions with the Dovecot residents association in Liverpool; what representations were made to him; and what actions he proposes to take in response to those representations.

  Sir George Young
  I met representatives .the Dovecot residents association in Liverpool on 4 October. They explained their concerns about the poor conditions in their area and I have written to the leader of Liverpool city council.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Widgery Inquiry
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received in the past three months concerning the Widgery inquiry into Bloody Sunday; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have received none.

  The Government have stated and continue to believe that it would not be right, after a tribunal of inquiry has reported, to set in train a further examination of events that occured 21 years ago.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on future planning for waste disposal in the Greater Belfast area.

  Mr. Atkins
  Waste disposal planning is a matter for the district councils. Under article 4 of the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, councils are required to prepare—and update from time to time—plans for the disposal of waste.

  Proposals for changes in the legislation dealing with waste were recently announced in a consultation paper dated March 1993. These proposals do not include any changes in the responsibility for planning for waste disposal.

  Ophthalmology
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the (i) average waiting times and (ii) the year end waiting list for(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each health and social services board and for Northern Ireland in each year since 1985.
  93
  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is provided in the tables:

  Median waiting time by months waiting—In-patients

  At 31 March

  Eastern Board

  Western Board

  Northern Ireland

  1985

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  1986

  3–5

  0–2

  0–2

  1987

  3–5

  0–2

  3–5

  1988

  3–5

  3–5

  3–5

  1989

  3–5

  3–5

  3–5

  1990

  6–8

  6–8

  6–8

  1991

  6–8

  6–8

  6–8

  1992

  6–8

  3–5

  6–8

  1993

  3–5

  6–8

  3–5

  Median waiting times by months waiting—Out-patients

  At 31 March

  Eastern board

  Northern board

  Southern board

  Western board

  Northern board

  1985

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  1986

  0–2

  0–2

  0–5

  0–2

  0–2

  1987

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  1988

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  0–2

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  n/a

  0–2

  0–2

  3–5

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. In-patient treatment in the ophthalmology specialty is only available in the Eastern and Western boards.

  2. Information relating to waiting times for out-patient treatment was not collected centrally between 1 April 1988 and the introduction of the corporate monitoring system on I April 1992.

  3. The information requested on out-patients in the Eastern board area is not available for 1993 and so no figure for Northern Ireland as a whole is available.

  Numbers Waiting—In-patients

  At 31 March

  Eastern Board

  Western Board

  Northern Ireland

  1985

  1,256

  113

  1,369

  1986

  1,188

  259

  1,447

  1987

  1,421

  249

  1,670

  1988

  1,610

  562

  2,172

  1989

  2,572

  616

  3,188

  1990

  3,083

  768

  3,851

  1991

  3,752

  922

  4,674

  1992

  3,639

  801

  4,440

  1993

  3,552

  973

  4,525

  Note:

  In-patient treatment in the ophthalmology specialty is only available in the Eastern and Western health and social services boards.

  Numbers Waiting—Out-patients

  At 31 March

  Eastern Board

  Northern Board

  Southern Board

  Western Board

  Northern Board

  1985

  1,264

  364

  All

  464

  2,519

  1986

  1,102

  387

  791

  213

  2,493

  1987

  1,899

  440

  879

  345

  3,563

  1988

  991

  591

  957

  525

  3,064

  1993

  1—

  899

  694

  780

  1—

  1 Not available.

  Notes:

  1. Information detailing the number of people waiting for first out-patient appointment was not collected centrally from 1 April 1988 until the introduction of the corporate monitoring system on I April 1992.

  94

  2. Information on the numbers of out-patients waiting for their first appointment in the Eastern board area in 1993 is not presently available and so no figure is available for Northern Ireland as a whole.

  Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what joint consultation exists between the police committee of Northern Ireland police and that force's police staff assocation, and the representative bodies of other ranks at which matters relating to police pay and conditions of service are discussed; what is the membership of the joint body; and on how many occasions it has met in the past five years.

  Sir John Wheeler
  There is no police committee of Northern Ireland police. The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom provides a forum for the consideration of questions relating to police pay and conditions of service for the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Membership of the Police Negotiating Board includes representatives of the RUC staff associations and the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. The Police Negotiating Board meets on a regular basis.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if a Minister from his Department will meet representatives of the Northern Ireland Airport police to discuss the ramifications of(a) the Sheehy report, (b) the White Paper on police and (c) matters of general concern to federation members, which are not operational matters reserved for the Chief Constable.

  Mr. Atkins
  I met with representatives from the Belfast Airport Police Association on Tuesday 7 September 1993, when there was a wide-ranging discussion on the arrangements for the future policing of Belfast international airport. The Sheehey report and the White Paper on police do not affect the Northern Ireland Airport police.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who serves on the police committee of the Northern Ireland Airport police; and how often it has met over the past five years.

  Mr Atkins
  Northern Ireland Airport police do not have a police committee. The constabulary is under the direct control of the airport management.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent Home Office police regulations, or those applicable to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, are applied to members of Northern Ireland Airport police.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Nothern Ireland Airport constabulary are subject to regulations established by the management of Northern Ireland Airports Ltd., who have at their discretion implemented similar regulations to those of the RUC.

  Rural Housing
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he proposes to take in relation to rural unfitness as reported in the house condition survey 1991.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies I gave him on 16 July and 27 July,Official Report, column

  95
  602 and columns 841–49. The chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that the measures outlined in those replies are kept under review and are currently considered to be the best means of dealing with rural unfitness as indicated by the house condition survey 1991.

  Mr. Billy Gorman
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to make a substantive reply to the letter of 28 May from the hon. Member for Falkirk, West about the case of Mr. Billy Gorman.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I replied to the hon. Member on 3 September 1993.

  Vehicles (Testing)
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to implement European Council directive 88/449/EEC in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Atkins
  As Northern Ireland law already incorporated the requirements of Council directive 88/449/EEC, no action was necessary.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amendments have been made to(a) primary or (b) secondary legislation in Northern Ireland, pursuant to (i) Council directive 77/143/EEC and (ii) Council directive 88/449/EEC.

  Mr. Atkins
  The only change made was in primary legislation. Article 34 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 was amended to provide for the testing of an ambulance one year after its first use rather than seven years after its first use.

  Public Service Vehicles
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to assimilate Northern Ireland road traffic legislation in respect of public service vehicle regulation with that of Great Britain.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no such proposals.

PRIME MINISTER

  Correspondence
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the target reasonable period for replies to ministerial correspondence; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Each Department and agency has set its own target for replying to correspondence from hon. Members. The nature of correspondence and case load varies between Departments and between agencies and targets are set to reflect the particular circumstances of each. A table showing performance against targets for 1992 was published on 23 March 1993,Official Report, columns 551–52.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 13 June,Official Report, column 317, when he now expects to be able to reply to letters of 8 February, 31 March, 4 May and 21 June from the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford.
  96
  The Prime Minister
  I have done so.

  Human Rights (Jamaica)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, he will raise the question of human rights in Jamaica with specific reference to men held on death row.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs visited Jamaica from 6 to 10 September and discussed capital punishment with Jamaican Ministers, who are aware of our concern.

  Business Opportunities
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government since the Earth summit in June 1992 to work with industry to create business opportunities from environmental protection and enhancement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government established the joint DOE/DTI environmental markets unit in late 1992 in response to a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment. The unit's objective is to increase awareness among United Kingdom firms of the huge and growing markets for environmental goods and services and to help and encourage United Kingdom firms to exploit such opportunities.

  In March the United Kingdom launched a technology partnership initiative aimed at encouraging greater co-operation in technology between businesses in the United Kingdom and those in newly industrialising countries. This will include technology for environmental protection and will open up commercial opportunities for United Kingdom companies.

  Nuclear Trade
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters in regard to nuclear trade and the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield were discussed during his visit to Japan in September.

  The Prime Minister
  During my visit to Japan I discussed a wide range of bilateral trade issues.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has had or plans to have with officials of the Institute of Refrigeration regarding the phase-out of CFC use in refrigeration.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to meet the institute. However, I understand that my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside is arranging a meeting with refrigeration industry representatives, including the Institute of Refrigeration, in order to discuss all aspects of ozone-depleting substances.

EDUCATION

  Visual Impairment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers are to be seconded for training leading to a recognised qualification in visual impairment during the year 1993–94.
  97
  Mr. Forth
  The Department has completed a survey of local education authorities' use of grant 12—training for special educational needs—of the grants for education support and training programme in 1993–94. The 95 authorities which responded to the survey were supporting a total of 130 teachers on courses leading to qualifications approved by my right hon. Friend for teachers of children who are visually impaired.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the level of earmarked grants made available to support the training of teachers in recognised courses of visual impairment for each year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not available for all of the years requested. In 1991–92 and 1992–93, £1.2 million and £1.3 million respectively was made available to support the training of teachers in recognised courses of visual impairment, under the grants for education support and training (GEST) programme. In the GEST programme for 1993–94, special needs training is no longer confined to specific areas and the programme has been extended to cover all areas of special needs training. To accommodate this extension, the amount of eligible expenditure to be supported was increased from £7.2 million in 1992–93 to £10 million in 1993–94.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his Department's estimate of the number of teachers who should be qualified in visual impairment during each academic year to maintain the required level of qualified personnel.

  Mr. Forth
  Under the Education Acts, ;oval education authorities and schools have responsibility for securing special educational provision for pupils who have special educational needs. It is for the LEAs and schools themselves to decide, taking account of local needs and priorities, exactly what form this provision should take, and what levels of staffing are needed to deliver it.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers who received a recognised qualification to teach visually impaired children in each academic year since 1987–88 attended(a) a full-time course, (b) a part-time course or (c) distance courses.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much grant he estimates is to be allocated in support of visual impairment training towards a recognised qualification in 1993–94.

  Mr. Forth
  Under the grants for education support and training (GEST) programme for 1993–94, local education authorities are free to choose which areas of special needs training to support, according to local needs and priorities. A recent survey by the Department, of LEAs' use of GEST funding for special needs training, received information from 95 LEAs. It is estimated that these 95 LEAs intend to allocate in 1993–94 at least £915,000 in support of courses for training teachers of the visually impaired, including those which lead to a qualification approved by my right hon. Friend for the purposes of the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1993.

  Special Needs Training
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his response to the survey inspection of specialist training courses in England and Wales for teachers intending to teach hearing impaired pupils, visually impaired pupils and pupils with severe learning difficulties 1990–91 Ref. 64/92/NS; and what assessment he has made of the effects of the reduction in the supply of specialist trained teachers on the quality of education provision for hearing-impaired pupils.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend is aware of the findings of the survey, and is monitoring the situation carefully in respect of training for teachers in all areas of special education.

  DNA Technology
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the introduction to schools of courses involving DNA technology.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The National Curriculum Order for science includes study of DNA and genetics in attainment —target 2 life and living processes for pupils aged 14 to 16. It is compulsory for pupils in maintained schools in England and Wales.

  Teacher Training
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many places were available in universities and other institutions of higher education for educating and training(a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers in each of the academic years from 1989–90.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Data showing the number of places available are not collected by the Department. The table shows the number of students enrolled at higher education institutions in England on primary and secondary phase initial teacher training courses for the academic years 1989–90 to 1992–93.

  Enrolments on initial teacher training courses1

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–932

  PRIMARY

  1st year

  11,300

  12,000

  14,400

  15,900

  2nd year

  5,900

  6,500

  7,300

  8,800

  3rd year

  4,600

  5,200

  6,000

  6,800

  4th year

  3,800

  4,600

  5,300

  6,100

  Total

  25,600

  28,200

  33,000

  37,600

  SECONDARY

  1st year

  7,700

  8,500

  11,100

  11,900

  2nd year

  1,600

  1,800

  2,300

  3,000

  3rd year

  1,100

  1,100

  1,200

  1,700

  4th year

  1,000

  1,100

  1,100

  1,100

  Total

  11,400

  12,500

  15,700

  17,700

  1Figures are full-time equivalents to the nearest hundred for higher education institutions in England.

  2Provisional.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answers of 17 May,Official Report, column 23, and 7 July, Official Report, column 137, what other studies on the impact of class size on educational attainment have been considered by his Department.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department monitors work generally in this field.

  STAR Project
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 14 July,Official Report, column 511, if he will place a copy of the report on the STAR project in the Library.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A copy of the final executive summary report of June 1990 has been placed in the Library.

  Parliamentary Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the locations of the television sets in his Department which can receive live television feed from the Chamber of the House; and what is the total cost to his Department of this service.

  Mr. Forth
  The television sets utilising the live feed from the Houses of Parliament are located in Ministers' offices and the press office—a total of nine sets—in Sanctuary buildings. The net annual cost of this service is £14,458.

  Student Unions
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed reform of student union membership and funding on student community action projects.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about student community action projects, which are being considered very carefully during the current consultations on the implementation of the Government's proposals for student union reform.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will identify all the specific purpose grants given to grant-maintained schools in Cumbria for each financial year since 1991–92 including the current year; and if he will state the purpose of each grant.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following self-governing schools in Cumbria have received special purpose grants (SPGs):

  Amount paid (£) for each financial year

  School

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  APPLEBY GRAMMAR SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  21,558

  23,772

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  21,718

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  10,832

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  —

  6,727

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  5,925

  100

  School

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  BRAMPTON JUNIOR SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  —

  27,250

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  5,331

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  1978

  BROUGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  —

  18,000

  CARTMEL PRIORY SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  —

  38,610

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  7,116

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  19,159

  DALLAM SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  30,225

  19,245

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  27,583

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  34,659

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  —

  4,741

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  4,371

  HARRABY SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  —

  43,276

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  23,800

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  12,886

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  6,000

  HAYTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  10,326

  12,314

  —

  SPG (Development)

  —

  4,936

  5,000

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  2,463

  2,679

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  598

  754

  KIRBY STEPHEN SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  24,688

  15,542

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  14,493

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  3,594

  KIRKBIE KENDAL SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  57,600

  —

  —

  SPG (Development)

  22,245

  37,953

  37,953

  SPG (VAT)

  25,358

  54,091

  50,756

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  9,253

  36,131

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  4,127

  4,678

  SPG (Emergency)

  —

  22,000

  —

  PARKVIEW SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  —

  45,078

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  19,460

  QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  45,000

  —

  —

  SPG (Development)

  5,295

  21,388

  22,865

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  11,815

  15,587

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  10,020

  —

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  4,250

  3,978

  THE QUEEN KATHERINE SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  60,000

  —

  SPG (Development)

  —

  26,651

  49,300

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  18,598

  —

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  5,528

  SCOTBY SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  36,030

  —

  SPG (Development)

  —

  5,529

  8,373

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  3,089

  7,355

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  2,717

  —

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  1,065

  ST. AIDANS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  1,600

  43,100

  —

  SPG (Development)

  —

  20,825

  22,100

  SPG (Restructuring)

  —

  —

  16,086

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  5,651

  6,000

  ST. PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND JUNIOR SCHOOL

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  12,434

  101

  School

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  TRINITY SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  3,400

  56,600

  —

  SPG (Development)

  —

  70,890

  74,205

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  14,868

  10,306

  SPG (Restructuring)

  3,459

  15,878

  SPG (Premises)

  —

  —

  6,000

  WARWICK BRIDGE SCHOOL

  Transitional Grant

  —

  —

  25,340

  SPG (Development)

  —

  —

  4,412

  SPG (VAT)

  —

  —

  1719

  1 Provisional figures to be finalised.

  The purpose of each of the SPGs is as follows:

  Transitional Grants
  Available to help with the costs incurred as a result of the school's acquisition of self-governing status.

  Special Purpose Grant (Development)
  Available to fund management training, staff development and implementation of the national curriculum.

  Special Purpose Grant (VAT)
  Compensates for the payment of VAT on supplies and services, which self-governing schools may not claim back.

  Special Purpose Grant (Restructuring)
  Available to help with essential staff restructuring which involves costs arising from premature retirement, redundancy or voluntary severance of teaching staff.

  Special Purpose Grant (Premises)
  Assists self-governing schools with the additional cost of school premises insurance.

  Special Purpose Grant (Emergency)
  To meet any urgent need occasioned by circumstances outside the control of the governing body.

  Literacy Problems
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment has been made of the estimated annual cost to business and industry, including small firms, of poor basic literacy.

  Mr. Boswell
  A recent survey by the Government-funded adult literacy and basic skills unit estimated the annual cost to British industry of poor basic skills—both literacy and numeracy—among the work force as almost £5 billion. This figure takes account of the cost of cancelled orders, rectifying incorrect orders, lost custom and the additional recruitment and staffing required.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to ensure that(a) all pupils both in public and private sector schools receive sex education and (b) teachers are sufficiently trained to deal with the issues involved.

  Mr. Forth
  Under the Education Act 1993, all maintained secondary schools will from autumn 1994 be required to provide sex education for all their pupils, while at maintained primary schools it will remain discretionary. At all maintained schools, parents will have the right to withdraw their children from part or all of the sex education offered. We plan to issue detailed guidance to schools next spring on the operation of these arrangements and the content of sex education. These statutory 102
  arrangements do not apply to independent schools. The grants for education support and training programme has provided support for relevant in-service teacher training.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  BBC
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress the BBC has made in its programme for building new FM radio transmitters to extend the coverage of its national services.

  Mr. Brooke
  By September this year, I understand that the BBC had 185 national network radio transmitter sites in operation, including seven built since 1 April 1993. Transmissions from a further 15 sites are due to begin before 1 April 1994.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid and Trade
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on overseas aid decisions and trade implications for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We aim to expand trade opportunities for British firms in the future by promoting economic growth.

  Forest Management and Conservation
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government are giving to forest management and conservation in developing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have around 200 projects in progress or under consideration, at an expected cost to the aid programme of over £150 million.

  Southern Sudan
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet European counterparts to discuss the situation in the southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey has regular discussions, most recently on 6 October during her visit to Tokyo to attend the International Conference on African Development. We expect Sudan to be discussed at the EC Development Council on 2 December.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the ODA convoy drivers in the former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  British supplies to central Bosnia and the UN protected areas total some 47,000 tonnes in 600 convoys to date. I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of our drivers and mechanics and also their local interpreters.
  103
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest position regarding humanitarian aid to the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We remain most concerned about the large number of people at risk in the former Yugoslavia over the coming winter. Britain's financial commitments for humanitarian aid are now £152 million, including our share of EC expenditure. We shall continue to do all we can to support the UN international relief effort, as long as security conditions are tolerable.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking(a) domestically and (b) internationally to ensure that the target of the emergency appeal launched by the UNHCR is reached.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  UNHCR has 18 special program-mes around the world for which funding is sought, in addition to its general programmes. Britain's contributions to UNHCR so far this year, including the value of our assistance to the UNHCR-led operation in former Yugoslavia, amount to £48 million. This is more than we contributed in the whole of 1992. If the value of our contributions through the European Community are also taken into account, Britain is the second largest national donor to UNHCR this year.

  We regularly encourage other Governments to contribute to UNHCR, most recently associating ourselves with an appeal for support at this month's executive committee of UNHCR.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of the aid programme of the aid to Nicaragua is taking place; and if he will make a statement on the administration of the aid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Our small bilateral aid programme to Nicaragua is administered by the Overseas Development Administration and our embassy in Managua, and is monitored through regular project visits by British embassy staff.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Young Offenders
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received over young offenders not being prosecuted when a guilty plea has been made in a statement to the police; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Where an offence is admitted the police will consider cautioning the offender, following cautioning guidelines issued by the Home Office, usually without reference to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Mr. Asil Nadir
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the latest position regarding attempts to secure the return of Mr. Asil Nadir.
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  The Attorney-General
  Asil Nadir remains in northern Cyprus whose administration is not recognised by the United Kingdom and with which we do not have any extradition arrangements. There is a warrant for his arrest should he return to the United Kingdom. Interpol have been notified of the warrant.

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent consideration he has given to the work of the Serious Fraud Office with regard to prosecutions for fraud; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Attorney-General what new proposals he has to improve the prosecution of crimes of fraud.

  The Attorney-General
  I am today announcing a review of the distribution of casework between the Serious Fraud Office and the fraud divisions of the Crown Prosecution Service in accordance with recommendation No. 36 of the Royal Commission on criminal justice.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the work of the Serious Fraud Office in the light of recommendation 36 of the report of the Royal Commission on criminal justice.

  The Attorney-General
  The distribution of casework between the Serious Fraud Office and the fraud divisions of the Crown Prosecution Service at present gives rise to substantial differences in the manner of their handling and the powers available which were highlighted by the Royal Commission on criminal justice. I have therefore decided that there should be a review of the handling of serious fraud and this is now under way.

  This review will examine relative workloads and the criteria for allocating cases between the two departments; the organisation and management of investigation and prosecution work taking into account the role of the police in fraud investigations and of the DTI in company matters generally; and bearing in mind the need to secure timely and cost-effective prosecutions; and to examine the effect of the extended powers available to the SFO.

  The outcome of the review will be material to the government's attitude to recommendation 36 of the Royal Commission on criminal justice.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General how many of his staff are now seconded to the Scott inquiry.

  The Attorney-General
  Two lawyers from the Treasury Solicitor's Department have been assigned on a full-time basis to work in the secretariat to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what proposals he has for improving the career prospects of non-legally qualified civil servants in the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Attorney-General
  The restructuring of the Crown Prosecution Service over the last 12 months has led to a reappraisal of its administrative structure.
  105
  Each CPS area now has a new senior post to co-ordinate administrative functions and each assistant chief crown prosecutor (operations) has a senior non-lawyer at the head of his support team. In addition, development centres will be open to non-lawyers to identify those with the potential to become senior managers in the future.

  The CPS continues to sponsor a number of staff to obtain the necessary legal qualifications to enable them to become Crown prosecutors.

  Prison Officers
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Attorney-General how many assaults on prison officers have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service each year since it was set up; how many of those referrals were proceeded with; and how many resulted in a conviction.

  The Solicitor-General
  The information sought by the honourable Member is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) staff assaults and (b) prisoner-on-prisoner assaults have taken place at Her Majesty's prison Blackenhurst since it opened.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of (a) staff assaults and (b) prisoner-on-prisoner assaults that have taken place at Her Majesty's Prison Blakenhurst since it opened.
  Central records of proven adjudications at Her Majesty's Prison Blakenhurst (including any attempted offences) show that provisionally in the six months April to September 1993 there were 16 assaults on staff and others plus 3 assaults on prisoners by prisoners.

  Life Prisoners
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of life sentence prisoners have been released immediately on completion of their tariff in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information in the form requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, examination of the records of the 87 life sentence prisoners released on life licence for the first time in 1992 show that 9 per cent. of them were released either before, on, or within one month after, expiry of tariff.
  106
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of persons serving life sentences of imprisonment in England and Wales, the sub-totals for men and women prisoners and the proportion who are serving mandatory sentences for murder.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many persons are serving life sentences of imprisonment, the sub-totals for men and women prisoners and the proportion who are serving mandatory sentences for murder.
  The latest available information is for 31 May 1993 when there were 3,108 prisoners in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales serving life sentences, of whom 3,002 were men and 106 were women.
  Of these some 81 per cent. of the total life sentence population were serving mandatory sentences for murder.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are now being made to select a prisons ombudsman.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Following the Home Secretary's decision not to appoint from the previous competition, the post of prison ombudsman is to be readvertised in the national press next month. An executive search agency will also be used.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of advertising the posts of prisons ombudsman and assistant prisons ombudsman.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The cost of both advertisements in the national press was £31,689.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the original timetable for the appointment of a prison ombudsman ; how many candidates were short-listed; when he now expects to announce an appointment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The original intention was to announce an appointment in spring this year and to have the new office operating by January 1994. Six applicants for the post were interviewed in June, but after careful thought my right hon. and learned Friend decided that he needed to consider candidates from a wider range of backgrounds before agreeing an appointment. The post will therefore be re-advertised shortly and the aim is to announce the appointment of a prisons ombudsman by March 1994.

  Prison Workshops
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison workshops have been closed in the last 10 years; at which prisons they were closed; and when they were closed.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prison workshop closures in the last 10 years.
  I am afraid it is not possible to provide all of the information you are seeking in precisely the form you have requested, but I hope the following may be of help.
  In 1983 there were over 300 prison workshops. In 1985 Home Office Ministers approved proposals for a review of prison workshops that were under-utilised. This resulted in the closure of about 50 workshops. Since 1985 other workshops have closed (some of which have re-opened doing other work), some prisons which had workshops have been closed, and some new prisons with workshops have opened. At present there are 238 prison workshops in operation, a net reduction of around 60 on the 1983 figure.
  Comprehensive details about the location and timing of all closures over the past 10 years could, I am afraid, only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many workshops there are in each prison in England and Wales.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of workshops in each prison in England and Wales.
  I enclose a list of all prisons in England and Wales having workshops, arranged by Prison Service Area. There are 238 workshops in all, at 99 prison establishments. A further 26 have no workshops but do have a Farms and Gardens enterprise; three have neither.

  Area: East Anglia Establishment and workshop

  Blundeston

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Printing

  Bullwood Hall

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Chelmsford

  Laundry

  Highpoint

  Tailoring

  Contract Services

  Norwich

  Laundry

  Printing

  Wayland

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Area: Kent Establishment and workshop

  Aldington

  Contract Services

  108

  Canterbury

  Combined textiles

  Cookham Wood

  Tailoring

  Maidstone

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Printing

  Rochester

  Laundry

  Standford Hill

  Light textiles

  Swaleside

  Combined textiles

  Contract Services

  Elmley

  Laundry

  Area: London North Establishment and Workshop

  Littlehey

  Interlock

  Shoes

  Contract Services

  Grendon

  Laundry

  Spring Hill

  Contract Services

  Holloway

  Light Textiles

  Whitemoor

  Tailoring

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Oxford

  Laundry

  Heavy textiles

  Pentonville

  Tailoring

  Wellingborough

  Laundry

  Wormwood Scrubs

  Tailoring

  Tailoring (cutting)

  Laundry

  Engineering assembly

  Contract Services

  Area: London South Establishment and Workshop

  Albany

  Tailoring

  Woodwork joinery

  Woodwork brushmaking

  Camp Hill

  Heavy textiles

  Light textiles

  Engineering fabrication

  Feltham

  Laundry

  Parkhurst

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Wandsworth

  Tailoring

  Clothing repairs

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Woodwork joinery

  Woodwork brushmaking

  Belmarsh

  Contract Services

  Area: South Coast Establishment and workshop

  Ford

  Tailoring (shirts)

  109

  Engineering fabrication

  Contract Services

  Contract Services

  Kingston-Portsmouth

  Printing

  Drawing Office

  Lewes

  Contract Services

  Winchester

  Tailoring

  Contract Services

  Contract Services

  Downview

  Contract Services

  Highdown

  Laundry

  Area: Central Establishment and workshop

  Ashwell

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Shoes

  Birmingham

  Laundry

  Heavy textiles

  Heavy textiles

  Featherstone

  Interlock

  Interlock

  Interlock

  Engineering fabrication

  Gartree

  Knitwear

  Shoes

  Plastics

  Glen Parva

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Contract Services

  Leicester

  Contract Services

  Long Lartin

  Laundry

  Light textiles

  Engineering fabrication

  Stafford

  Tailoring

  Tailoring (cutting)

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Contract Services

  Area: Mercia Establishment and workshop

  Drake Hall

  Laundry

  Interlock

  Contract Services

  Shrewsbury

  Interlock

  Stoke Heath

  Laundry

  Engineering Assembly

  Sudbury

  Laundry

  Shoes

  Slippers

  Contract Services

  Woodwork joinery

  Area: The Chilterns Establishment and workshop

  Aylesbury

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Coldingley

  Laundry

  Engineering fabrication

  Engineering (signs)

  Onley

  Contract Services

  110

  Contract Services

  The Mount

  Engineering fabrication

  Bullingdon

  Laundry

  Area: Wales and the West Establishment and workshop

  Bristol

  Tailoring

  Heavy textiles

  Cardiff

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Erlestoke

  Sewing machine repair

  Leyhill

  Laundry

  Woodwork joinery

  Printing

  Swansea

  Tailoring

  Light textiles

  USK

  Concrete

  Area: Wessex Establishment and workshop

  Channings Wood

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Woodwork (furniture)

  Dartmoor

  Laundry

  Light textiles

  Engineering fabrication

  Woodwork (furniture)

  Dorchester

  Heavy textiles

  Exeter

  Contract Services

  Guys Marsh

  Laundry

  Portland

  Laundry

  Woodwork joinery

  Shepton Mallet

  Tailoring

  The Verne

  Contract Services

  Woodwork joinery

  Area: East Midlands Establishment and workshop

  Lincoln

  Laundry

  Heavy textiles

  Interlock

  Interlock

  Lindholme

  Tailoring

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Nottingham

  Tailoring

  Ranby

  Contract Services

  Plastics

  Woodwork joinery

  Whatton

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Stocken

  Heavy textiles

  Sewing machine repair

  Moorland

  Heavy textiles

  Contract Services

  Area: North East Establishment and workshop

  Acklington

  Tailoring

  111

  Laundry

  Heavy textiles

  Durham

  Heavy textiles

  Light textiles

  Light textiles

  Frankland

  Laundry

  Woodwork (furniture)

  Low Newton

  Light textiles

  Castington

  Heavy textiles

  Full Sutton

  Tailoring

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Clothing repairs

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Contract Services

  Holme House

  Laundry

  Contract Services

  Area: North West Establishment and workshop

  Haverigg

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Laundry

  Heavy textiles

  Weaving—hand

  Weaving—machine

  Sewing machine repair

  Contract Services

  Hindley

  Weaving—hand

  Concrete

  Kirkham

  Laundry

  Weaving—machine

  Sizing and beaming

  Contract Services

  Woodwork joinery

  Lancaster

  Heavy textiles

  Light textiles

  Preston

  Heavy textiles

  Light textiles

  Wymott

  Tailoring

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Laundry

  Weaving—machine

  Engineering fabrication

  Garth

  Tailoring

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Weaving—machine

  Contract Services

  Area: Trans Pennine Establishment and workshop

  Leeds

  Heavy textiles

  Light textiles

  Light textiles

  Contract Services

  Liverpool

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Laundry

  Shoes

  Contract Services

  Woodwork joinery

  Contract Services

  112

  New Hall

  Light textiles

  Risley

  Laundry

  Light textiles

  Contract Services

  Styal

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Wakefield

  Tailoring

  Laundry

  Heavy textiles

  Heavy textiles

  Light textiles

  Engineering fabrication

  Engineering

  Contract Services

  Area: Yorkshire Establishment and workshop

  Deerbolt

  Laundry

  Everthorpe

  Woodwork joinery

  Hull

  Light textiles

  Light textiles

  Contract services

  Contract services

  Northallerton

  Light textiles

  Rudgate

  Tailoring (shirts)

  Laundry

  Sizing and beaming

  Sewing machine repair

  Thorp Arch

  Tailoring

  New Prisons
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will name the construction firms which were hired to build each prison that has come on stream in the last 15 years;

  (2) what are the projected capital costs, and over what period, of the new private prisons announced on 6 October;

  (3) whether the proposed new prisons announced on 6 October are in addition to the prison building programme currently nearing completion.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the prison building programme and the proposals to build six new prisons.
  I attach a table listing the construction firms employed to build the new prisons which have opened in the last 15 years.
  The six new prisons to which the Home Secretary referred on 6 October are in addition to the current new prison building programme which will be completed when Doncaster prison opens next year. The construction of the first two of these prisons was announced in the Autumn statement last year. On 2 September 1993 the Home Secretary announced that the design, construction, management and potentially financing of the new prisons would be contracted out to the private sector. I expect that the further four prisons which were announced on 6 October will be procured in the same way. It is too early to indicate the cost of these prisons which will be assessed on the basis of value for money obtained for the complete financial package comprising

  113
  both capital and operating costs. Outline proposals and expressions of interest in the first two prisons will be invited shortly.

  Prison

  Location

  Date of Opening

  Main Construction Contractor

  Wymott

  Leyland Lancashire

  April 1979

  Alfred McAlpine

  Frankland

  Frankland Durham

  April 1982

  Fairclough

  Wayland

  Thetford Norfolk

  January 1985

  Carters of Norwich

  Stocken

  Oakham Leicestershire

  June 1985

  Miller Construction

  Thorn Cross

  Warrington Cheshire

  July 1985

  Shepherd Construction

  Full Sutton

  Full Sutton York

  September 1987

  Monk Construction

  Littlehey

  Huntingdon Cambridgeshire

  January 1988

  Bovis Construction

  Mount

  Bovingdon Hertfordshire

  March 1988

  Wimpey Construction

  Garth

  Leyland Lancashire

  July 1988

  Tarmac

  Swaleside

  Isle of Sheppey Kent

  May 1990

  Mowlem

  Belmarsh

  South East London

  April 1991

  Wimpey Construction

  Moorland

  Hatneld Woodhouse South Yorkshire

  July 1991

  Higgs and Hill

  Whitemoor

  March Cambridgeshire

  September 1991

  Monk Construction

  Brinsford

  Featherstone Staffordshire

  November 1991

  Taylor Woodrow

  Elmley

  Isle of Sheppey Kent

  February 1992

  Mowlem

  Bullingdon

  Bicester Oxon

  March 1992

  Kier Construction

  Wolds

  Brough North Humberside

  April 1992

  UK Detention Contractors (Consortium: Mowlem and Sir Robert McAlpine)

  Holme House

  Stockton-on-Tees Cleveland

  May 1992

  Sir Robert McAlpine

  Woodhill

  Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire

  July 1992

  Higgs and Hill

  High Down

  Banstead Surrey

  August 1992

  Alfred McAlpine

  Lancaster Farms

  Lancaster

  March 1993

  AMEC

  Blakenhurst

  Redditch Worcestershire

  May 1993

  Tarmac

  Doncaster

  South Yorkshire

  April 1994

  Shepherd Construction

  Wymott Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were transferred out of Wymott; and to which establishments they were sent following the riots at Wymott prison.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the transfer of prisoners from Wymott following the riots.
  A total of 696 prisoners were transferred to the following establishments:
  114

  Belmarsh

  Birmingham

  Blundeston

  Chelmsford

  Elmley

  Full Sutton

  Garth

  Gloucester

  Highdown

  Highpoint

  Holme House

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Norwich

  Pentonville

  Preston

  Shewsbury

  Wakefield

  Wandsworth

  Wayland

  Whitemoor

  Winchester

  Wormwood Scrubs

  115
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Chief Inspector of Prisons to report on the causes of the recent riots at Wymott prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I received HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' report of his inquiry into the recent riot at Wymott prison on 30 September. The report is being carefully studied. I expect to publish it shortly.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the latest estimate of the cost of refurbishing Wymott prison in the wake of the recent riots.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of refurbishing Wymott prison following the disturbances there at the beginning of last month.
  If we were to reinstate the prison, which had an operational capacity of 768 places, as far as possible to its condition before the riot took place the cost would be in the region of £9 million. For the present, two of the four living units are being repaired and control measures strengthened so that they can be brought back into use for vulnerable prisoners. Work to A Wing was completed so that it could be re-occupied by prisoners within 14 days of the disturbance and work on B Wing is currently underway and should be finished by 1 November. Additional work to repair other essential parts of the prison affected by the riot is being undertaken at the same time. The repair work currently being undertaken is likely to cost approximately £6 million.
  We are currently reviewing the future of C and D Wings, which were more severely damaged.

  Prison Dog Service
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of drawing up plans to market test the prison dog service.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of drawing up plans to market test the prison dog service.
  I estimate this to be approximately £7,000, mainly the cost of the time of two staff members temporarily allocated to the project.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the prison dog service.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the future of the prison dog service.
  116
  There are no current plans for any major changes to the dog service.

  Wolds Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners from the Wolds prison have been treated at outside hospitals as the result of attacks on them in prison; and how many prisoners have been treated by medical services within the prison as a result of attacks since the prison opened.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the numbers of prisoners from the Wolds remand prison who have been treated at outside hospitals and by medical services within the prison as a result of attacks since the prison opened.
  Between 6 April 1992, when the prison opened, and 11 October 1993, ten prisoners have received treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary and 24 at the prison's Health Care Centre for injuries sustained in attacks on them by other prisoners.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who represents the Wolds prison on the local criminal justice committee.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about who represents Wolds remand prison on the local Criminal Justice Committee.
  Wolds, like all prisons in the locality, is represented on the Committee by the governor of HMP Hull.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Director of the Wolds prison currently receives copies of all relevant Prison Service instructions and advice to governors.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about whether the Director of the Wolds prison currently receives copies of all relevant Prison Service instructions and advice to governors.
  All instructions and advice to governors which are relevant to the Wolds are passed to the Director.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to integrate the Wolds prison into the rest of the Prison Service.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  117
  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about what steps he intends to take to integrate Wolds prison into the rest of the Prison Service.
  The first step was taken on 1 April this year, when the Prison Service Agency became responsible for all prisons, both directly managed and contracted. Since than a number of further steps to integrate the Wolds have been taken, including incident reporting, mutual support on difficult prisoners and performance measurement. It is also intended that the Area Manager will assume part of the supervisory role in relation to the Wolds.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to designate part of the Wolds prison for sentenced prisoners.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about what plans he has to designate part of Wolds prison for sentenced prisoners.
  We consider that there would be advantages if some sentenced prisoners were introduced to Wolds, and have reached agreement in principle with Group 4. Both the Prison Service and the contractor are considering how best this should be implemented.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether working copies of the consolidated agreement between the Home Office and the contractor, Group 4, for the running of the Wolds prison are held on site by the controller and the director.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about copies of the consolidated agreement for the management of Wolds remand prison.
  Both the Director and Controller have consolidated copies of the agreement.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners at the Wolds prison are currently held at their own request under rule 43.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the percentage of prisoners at Wolds remand prison currently held at their own request under Rule 43.
  On 14 October 0.6 per cent. of prisoners (2 prisoners out of 323) were held at their own request under Rule 43.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalties are provided for in the contract with Group 4 to manage the Wolds prison in 118
  respect of failure to provide a library service and a bail unit; if these services are in operation; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about penalties in the contract with Group 4 for the management of Wolds prison, and about the library service and the bail unit.
  The contract with Group 4 permits the Prison Service to withhold in whole or in part the agreed monthly fee for any month in which the management of the prison was unsatisfactory in any respect. The library at Wolds is in operation, and a probation officer for the bail information scheme is in post.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made in the chain of command at Wolds prison since Group 4 took over running it; and what assessment he has made of its effectiveness in the event of a serious incident.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the management of serious incidents at Wolds remand prison.
  Incidents at contracted prisons, like those at directly managed prisons, are now routinely reported to the Incident Management Suite Unit at Prison Service Headquarters. It is intended that the suite should be used in the future for the management of serious incidents at all prisons.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the deputising arrangements at the Wolds prison for use in the absence of the controller were last reviewed.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the deputising arrangements for the Controller at Wolds remand prison.
  These are currently under review.

  Prison Population
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the Department's projections for the size of the prison population in each of the years 1994 to the year 2000.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Projections of long-term trends in the prison population to 2001 were published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin 6/93 on 30 March 1993, on the basis of the legislation then in force. These projections have been revised on an interim basis, reflecting the

  119
  changes introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1993 and taking account of the most recent data. The revised projections for 1994 onwards are:

  Number

  1994

  48,800

  1995

  50,500

  1996

  51,100

  1997

  52,100

  1998

  53,200

  1999

  54,300

  2000

  55,400

  2001

  56,600

  These projections are based on an estimate of the effect of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 and are therefore subject to a considerable margin of uncertainty. Further revised projections will be published next March following the full annual updating exercise.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the(a) certified normal accommodation and (b) actual population at each prison in England and Wales; and what were the total figures, at the latest available date.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Prison Service accommodation and population.
  I attach a table showing the certified normal accommodation (CNA) and actual population in each establishment in England and Wales on 11 October 1993.

  Establishment CNA and population on 11 October 1993

  Establishment

  CNA

  Population

  Acklington

  676

  643

  Albany

  313

  297

  Aldington

  133

  105

  Ashwell

  404

  392

  Askham Grange

  129

  106

  Aylesbury

  241

  238

  Bedford

  170

  226

  Belmarsh

  841

  688

  Birmingham

  638

  719

  Blakenhurst

  523

  523

  Blantyre House

  95

  94

  Blundeston

  410

  322

  Brinsford

  446

  451

  Bristol

  374

  432

  Brixton

  518

  615

  Brockhill

  156

  124

  Bullingdon

  635

  610

  Bullwood Hall

  125

  106

  Camp Hill

  406

  342

  Canterbury

  128

  194

  Cardiff

  328

  426

  Castington

  300

  278

  Channings Wood

  594

  546

  Chelmsford

  217

  326

  Coldingley

  222

  237

  Cookham Wood

  120

  116

  Dartmoor

  560

  506

  Deerbolt

  432

  347

  Dorchester

  136

  204

  Dover

  316

  185

  Downview

  287

  283

  Drake Hall

  255

  193

  Durham

  364

  526

  120

  Establishment

  CNA

  Population

  East Sutton Park

  85

  76

  Elmley

  635

  590

  Erlestoke

  206

  203

  Everthorpe

  228

  224

  Exeter

  317

  413

  Featherstone

  599

  580

  Feltham

  874

  797

  Finnamore Wood

  112

  81

  Ford

  536

  459

  Frankland

  339

  317

  Full Sutton

  604

  522

  Garth

  512

  508

  Gartree

  258

  246

  Glen Parva

  854

  741

  Gloucester

  207

  254

  Grendon

  190

  170

  Guys Marsh

  300

  173

  Haslar

  145

  142

  Hatfield

  180

  179

  Haverigg

  345

  331

  Hewell Grange

  136

  163

  High Down

  549

  521

  Highpoint

  679

  650

  Hindley

  317

  309

  Hollesley Bay

  425

  299

  Holloway

  517

  492

  Holme House

  649

  586

  Hull

  269

  417

  Huntercombe

  240

  164

  Kingston

  104

  96

  Kirkham

  620

  589

  Kirklevington

  74

  68

  Lancaster

  186

  261

  Lancaster Farms

  260

  324

  Latchmere House

  131

  117

  Leeds

  700

  1,111

  Leicester

  194

  343

  Lewes

  267

  333

  Leyhill

  410

  410

  Lincoln

  444

  591

  Lindholme

  622

  608

  Littlehey

  543

  525

  Liverpool

  931

  1,273

  Long Lartin

  362

  333

  Low Newton

  199

  250

  Maidstone

  513

  524

  Manchester

  291

  308

  Morland

  641

  629

  Morton Hall

  168

  169

  The Mount

  484

  464

  New Hall

  205

  157

  North Sea Camp

  204

  191

  Northallerton

  146

  22

  Norwich

  463

  440

  Nottingham

  218

  209

  Onley

  456

  458

  Parkhurst

  286

  232

  Pentonville

  559

  651

  Portland

  424

  340

  Prescoed

  40

  33

  Preston

  324

  550

  Pucklechurch

  56

  66

  Ranby

  331

  329

  Reading

  182

  167

  Risley

  773

  693

  Rochester

  303

  169

  Rudgate

  300

  262

  Send

  113

  111

  Shepton Mallet

  158

  181

  Shrewsbury

  168

  290

  Spring Hill

  210

  206

  Stafford

  532

  511

  Standford Hill

  384

  308

  Stocken

  396

  389

  Stoke Heath

  300

  266

  Styal

  180

  199

  Sudbury

  509

  425

  Swaleside

  504

  500

  121

  Establishment

  CAN

  Population

  Swansea

  213

  277

  Swinfen Hall

  167

  166

  Thorn Cross

  240

  187

  Thorp Arch

  166

  164

  Usk

  201

  187

  The Verne

  552

  538

  Wakefield

  662

  649

  Wandsworth

  838

  811

  Wayland

  580

  556

  Wellingborough

  284

  279

  Werrington

  110

  106

  Wetherby

  120

  139

  Whatton

  217

  213

  Whitemoor

  534

  495

  Winchester

  361

  392

  The Wolds

  320

  321

  Woodhill

  492

  493

  Wormwood Scrubs

  527

  732

  Wymott

  110

  78

  TOTAL

  46,361

  46,471

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held(a) two to a cell and (b) three to a cell, on the most recent date for which figures are available.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about cell sharing.
  On 30 September 1993, the number of prisoners held two to a cell intended for one person was 7,740, and the number held three to a cell was 93.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the expected capacity of prisons in England and Wales in the years 2000, 2005 and 2010.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the expected capacity of prisons in England and Wales into the next century.
  Our current projection indicates that the Certified Normal Accommodation of prisons in England and Wales will be 54,000 places in the financial year 2000–01, assuming that a small proportion of accommodation will be out of use for essential building and repair work. This projection reflects the plans for additional capacity included in the 1992 Public Expenditure Survey. It therefore includes only two of the six new prisons announced by the Home Secretary earlier this month.
  We have not made any projection of accommodation levels beyond that year. A revised projection should be available early next year and this will include all years up to 2001–2.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the change in the prison population for each month of 1993.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has 122
  been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about monthly changes in the prison population in 1993.
  The table below gives monthly changes based on the population on the last Friday of each month.

  Month

  Change

  January

  +884

  February

  +1,249

  March

  +368

  April

  +116

  May

  +659

  June

  +301

  July

  +926

  August

  +489

  September

  +533

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average monthly change in the prison population in the years 1988 to 1992.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about monthly changes in the prison population in recent years.
  The following table gives the average monthly change in the prison population for the years 1988 to 1992.

  Month

  Average change 1988 to 1992

  January

  1,044

  February

  692

  March

  124

  April

  -130

  May

  -220

  June

  66

  July

  176

  August

  -98

  September

  -112

  October

  -276

  November

  -220

  December

  -2,194

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) sentenced prisoners and (b) people on remand were held in prisons in England and Wales each month in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 up to the latest date available.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:

  123
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the population of (a) sentenced and (b) remand prisoners in Prison Service establishments for each month in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
  The information for 1991 is published in Prison statistics England and Wales (Table 1.2 from the 1991 edition, Cm 2157)

  Table 1.2

  Population in custody: by sex and type of custody, annual averages and month end figures, 1986–91

  England and Wales: Males and Females

  Number of persons

  Males

  Females

  Males and females

  Remand prisoners

  Sentenced

  Non-criminal

  Population in custody

  Remand prisoners

  Sentenced

  Non-criminal

  Population in custody

  Population in custody

  Untried

  Convicted unsentenced

  Young offenders

  Adults

  Untried

  Convicted unsentenced

  Young offenders

  Adults

  Prison service estabs.

  Police cells1

  Prison service estabs.

  Police cells1

  Annual averages

  1986

  8,210

  78

  1,362

  8,949

  26,409

  233

  45,241

  320

  41

  70

  237

  976

  5

  1,648

  46,889

  1987

  8,743

  469

  1,479

  8,557

  27,677

  266

  47,191

  331

  68

  72

  205

  1,092

  4

  1,772

  48,963

  1988

  8,395

  1951

  1,587

  8,156

  28,850

  221

  48,160

  403

  127

  77

  190

  1,086

  6

  1,789

  49,949

  1989

  8,204

  1100

  1,727

  7,056

  29,543

  214

  46,843

  372

  13

  93

  176

  1,117

  6

  1,767

  48,610

  1990

  7,324

  1447

  1,749

  6,121

  28,201

  197

  44,039

  300

  —

  84

  143

  1,066

  4

  1,597

  45,636

  1991

  7,254

  1669

  1,845

  5,723

  28,551

  294

  44,336

  291

  11

  97

  136

  1,030

  6

  1,561

  45,897

  Month end figures

  1989 January

  8,594

  1275

  1,681

  7,298

  29,343

  211

  47,402

  380

  126

  88

  186

  1,096

  9

  1,785

  49,187

  February

  8,436

  1195

  1,726

  7,386

  29,787

  226

  47,756

  364

  17

  105

  183

  1,131

  16

  1,806

  49,562

  March

  8,545

  71

  1,678

  7,227

  29,721

  235

  47,477

  394

  —

  82

  178

  1,111

  9

  1,774

  49,251

  April

  8,407

  1108

  1,689

  7,218

  29,784

  234

  47,440

  375

  2

  94

  172

  1,134

  8

  1,785

  49,225

  May

  8,120

  1131

  1,675

  7,117

  29,612

  227

  46,882

  374

  —

  102

  175

  1,121

  4

  1,776

  48,658

  June

  7,943

  226

  1,845

  6,997

  29,737

  254

  47,002

  378

  4

  98

  173

  1,106

  1

  1,760

  48,762

  July

  8,102

  64

  1,870

  7,045

  29,887

  214

  47,182

  377

  —

  99

  175

  1,115

  6

  1,772

  48,954

  August

  8,389

  20

  1,833

  6,952

  29,255

  229

  46,678

  395

  —

  79

  173

  1,153

  3

  1,803

  48,481

  September

  8,287

  68

  1,781

  6,965

  29,531

  220

  46,852

  366

  —

  102

  196

  1,159

  2

  1,825

  48,677

  October

  8,190

  32

  1,784

  6,922

  29,633

  172

  46,733

  382

  —

  100

  156

  1,111

  6

  1,755

  48,488

  November

  7,840

  4

  1,676

  6,979

  29,740

  184

  46,423

  350

  —

  94

  203

  1,086

  2

  1,735

  48,158

  December

  7,593

  —

  1,486

  6,559

  28,483

  160

  44,281

  336

  —

  70

  144

  1,087

  —

  1,637

  45,918

  1990 January

  8,033

  —

  1,727

  6,359

  28,636

  177

  44,932

  359

  —

  84

  134

  1,117

  2

  1,696

  46,628

  February

  8,041

  —

  1,772

  6,338

  28,892

  186

  45,229

  325

  —

  90

  144

  1,105

  2

  1,666

  46,895

  March

  7,970

  —

  1,822

  6,391

  28,890

  188

  45,261

  304

  —

  98

  132

  1,089

  4

  1,627

  46,888

  April

  7,565

  1392

  1,602

  6,103

  28,105

  175

  43,942

  303

  —

  81

  123

  1,067

  2

  1,576

  45,518

  May

  7,154

  1662

  1,679

  6,127

  27,964

  187

  43,773

  280

  —

  67

  153

  1,090

  2

  1,592

  45,365

  June

  7,033

  1628

  1,726

  6,252

  28,027

  187

  43,853

  280

  —

  77

  154

  1,099

  3

  1,613

  45,466

  July

  7,121

  1458

  1,707

  6,297

  28,249

  208

  44,040

  284

  —

  47

  152

  1,095

  3

  1,581

  45,621

  August

  7,134

  1844

  1,748

  6,114

  28,013

  212

  44,065

  296

  —

  85

  143

  1,052

  8

  1,584

  45,649

  September

  7,174

  1752

  1,824

  5,967

  27,965

  205

  43,887

  306

  —

  89

  153

  1,044

  9

  1,601

  45,488

  October

  6,968

  1691

  1,909

  5,940

  28,230

  218

  43,956

  301

  —

  105

  151

  1,036

  4

  1,597

  45,553

  November

  6,823

  1634

  1,962

  5,940

  28,096

  213

  43,668

  297

  —

  97

  146

  1,031

  5

  1,576

  45,244

  December

  6,878

  1299

  1,515

  5,619

  27,344

  204

  41,859

  267

  —

  83

  136

  966

  3

  1,455

  43,314

  1991 January

  7,180

  1423

  1,868

  5,577

  27,709

  303

  43,060

  291

  —

  94

  138

  985

  2

  1,510

  44,570

  February

  7,246

  1443

  1,999

  5,776

  28,054

  271

  43,789

  261

  —

  105

  146

  1,022

  —

  1,534

  45,323

  March

  7,072

  1523

  1,771

  5,787

  28,147

  273

  43,573

  272

  —

  94

  136

  1,029

  2

  1,533

  45,106

  April

  7,329

  1366

  1,796

  5,730

  28,160

  299

  43,680

  282

  —

  88

  128

  1,024

  2

  1,524

  45,204

  May

  7,385

  1400

  1,818

  5,761

  28,310

  315

  43,989

  322

  —

  90

  116

  1,020

  5

  1,553

  45,542

  June

  7,074

  1605

  1,811

  5,693

  28,531

  368

  44,082

  286

  —

  101

  110

  1,038

  9

  1,544

  45,626

  July

  6,964

  1829

  1,848

  5,757

  28,922

  317

  44,637

  298

  —

  100

  136

  1,084

  10

  1,628

  46,265

  August

  7,134

  1925

  1,901

  5,696

  28,788

  268

  44,712

  308

  —

  89

  130

  1,055

  16

  1,598

  46,310

  September

  7,462

  11,040

  1,829

  5,798

  28,910

  272

  45,311

  311

  —

  112

  134

  1,034

  11

  1,602

  46,913

  October

  7,514

  1966

  1,894

  5,755

  29,198

  278

  45,605

  291

  18

  124

  144

  1,043

  5

  1,615

  47,220

  November

  7,302

  1985

  1,970

  5,827

  29,401

  286

  45,771

  291

  14

  102

  161

  1,033

  7

  1,598

  47,369

  December

  7,380

  1520

  1,635

  5,520

  28,487

  278

  43,820

  284

  —

  62

  154

  992

  7

  1,499

  45,319

  1 Up to 1987 all those in police cells are assumed to be untried remand prisoners. For 1988 onwards estimates have been made of the numbers convicted unsentenced and included with the corresponding prison service establishment figures (see table 1.4). In 1988 the average total population in police cells was 1,047 males and 30 females, in 1989 107 males and three females, in 1990 661 males and in 1991 1,086 males and two females.

  Prison population1 by type of custody: England and Wales—January 1992–August 1993

  Untried

  Convicted Unsentenced

  Total Remand

  Sentenced

  Total2

  1992

  January

  8,583

  2,078

  10,661

  35,585

  46,566

  February

  8,679

  2,068

  10,747

  36,540

  47,590

  March

  8,626

  2,052

  10,678

  36,751

  47,746

  April

  8,638

  2,008

  10,646

  36,721

  47,738

  May

  8,299

  1,995

  10,294

  36,057

  46,696

  June

  8,381

  2,023

  10,404

  36,065

  46,832

  July

  8,029

  1,913

  9,942

  36,603

  46,875

  August

  8,207

  1,921

  10,128

  35,929

  46,350

  September

  8,123

  1,897

  10,020

  35,589

  45,835

  124
  and I enclose a copy of the table. Information on the monthly population in Prison Service establishments for 1992 up to August 1993 (the latest date for which information is available) is given in the attached table.
  125

  Untried

  Convicted Unsentenced

  Total Remand

  Sentenced

  Total2

  October

  7,436

  2,169

  9,605

  34,019

  43,905

  November

  7,190

  2,269

  9,459

  33,333

  43,064

  December

  6,718

  1,772

  8,490

  31,845

  40,606

  1993

  January

  7,175

  2,258

  9,433

  31,793

  41,561

  February

  7,435

  2,498

  9,933

  32,461

  42,882

  March

  7,289

  2,707

  9,996

  32,661

  43,195

  April

  7,472

  2,525

  9,997

  32,796

  43,391

  May

  7,586

  2,595

  10,181

  32,805

  43,585

  June

  7,857

  2,775

  10,632

  33,046

  44,246

  July

  7,810

  2,762

  10,572

  33,653

  44,830

  August

  8,603

  2,804

  11,407

  33,616

  45,633

  1 Includes prisoners held in police cells.

  2 Includes non-criminals.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what forecast has been made of the change in the size of the prison population relative to the total capacity of prisons in England and Wales.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the prison population and the total capacity of prisons in England and Wales.
  The table below compares projections of average population with estimates of the average number of certified normal accommodation (CNA) places available for use to the year 2000–01.

  Population

  CAN

  1993–94

  46,000

  48,900

  1994–95

  49,400

  50,300

  1995–96

  50,700

  52,200

  1996–97

  51,300

  52,500

  1997–98

  52,300

  53,100

  1998–99

  53,400

  53,800

  1999–00

  54,500

  53,800

  2000–01

  55,700

  53,800

  The population figures reflect projections which have been revised on an interim basis, reflecting the changes introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1993. The accommodation figures assume that a small proportion of accommodation would be out of use for essential building and repair work. The current projections reflect plans for additional capacity included in the 1992 Public Expenditure Survey. They therefore include only two of the six new prisons announced by the Home Secretary earlier this month.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the projected capacity of prisons in England and Wales for each of the years 1994 to the year 2000.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  126
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the projected capacity of prisons in England and Wales.
  Our current projections for the financial years up to 2000–01 are as follows:

  Capacity

  1993–94

  48,900

  1994–95

  50,300

  1995–96

  52,200

  1996–97

  52,500

  1997–98

  53,100

  1998–99

  53,800

  1999–2000

  53,800

  2000–2001

  53,800

  The figures shown are for average certified normal accommodation places, and assume that a small proportion of accommodation would be out of use for essential building and repair work. The projections reflect plans for additional capacity included in the 1992 Public Expenditure Survey. They therefore include only two of the six new prisons announced by the Home Secretary earlier this month.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations he is making to deal with potential prison overcrowding; and what plans there are to use(a) police cells, (b) temporary buildings or portakabins and (c) prison ships or barges.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about preparations to deal with prison overcrowding.
  The Prison Service is making every effort to deal with the increasing prison population without recourse to police cells. There are no immediate plans to use temporary buildings or accommodation barges, although both have been actively considered. The approach currently being taken is to seek to use: existing Prison Service capacity to the fullest extent possible, having close regard to the safety of staff and inmates. This approach includes work to reclaim, where possible, inmate accommodation currently being used for other purposes.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers of inmates of the Wolds and Blakenhurst prisons, respectively; and what plans he has to bring them up to their full complement.
  127
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of inmates at Wolds and Blakenhurst prisons.
  Group 4 are contracted to hold a maximum of 320 prisoners in Wolds remand prison. The roll at unlock on 14 October was 323.
  Blakenhurst has a target to fill at the rate of approximately 100 prisoners per month, giving a current target of 500 by 26 October. Despite difficulties with the water supply which caused a delay in taking prisoners in August and September, the roll at unlock on 14 October was 531.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the prison population in March 1990; what is the population now; what is the current monthly level of change; and what plans he has to use police cells.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the prison population and police cells.
  The prison population on 30 March 1990 was 47,304 and on 15 October 1993 was 46,935. The monthly change (on the basis of last Friday in the month figures) so far this year has been as follows:

  Number

  January

  +884

  February

  +1,249

  March

  +368

  April

  +116

  May

  +659

  June

  +301

  July

  +926

  August

  +489

  September

  +533

  We are making every effort to avoid any recourse to police cells. To this end we are making adjustments to the way the Prison Service's estate is used and we are taking action to ensure that all possible inmate accommodation is made operational.

  Grendon Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for a further prison run on the lines of Grendon.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about plans for a further prison run on the lines of Grendon.
  128
  Proposals for a second therapeutic community run on Grendon lines have in the past received endorsement from both HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and Lord Justice Woolf. We are giving careful consideration to these proposals and the Director of Health Care, Dr. Rosemary Wool, is chairing a task force the terms of reference of which are:
  to determine the strategy for treating/managing those prisoners who are suffering personality disorder and the need for further "Grendon style" therapeutic regimes.
  The task force has a membership drawn from the Department of Health, Home Office, special hospitals and independent specialists and has been giving careful consideration to the type of facilities required, the category of prisoners to be provided for, the physical location of any additional facilities and whether another facility wholly dedicated as a therapeutic community is required, or alternately whether units in a number of other prisons would be a more suitable option.
  The task force is due to report in January 1994 and until their report is received it would be premature for me to comment further.

  Prison Escort Services
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who have been transported by the Group 4 prison escort service have arrived late at their destinations.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many prisoners who have been transported by Group 4 Court Services Ltd have arrived late at their destination.
  Of the prisoners delivered by Group 4 Court Services Ltd in the East Midlands and Humberside by the end of September, 1,690 had arrived late at their destinations. To that date Group 4 had been responsible for 42,658 prisoner movements. Of the late deliveries, the majority were late for reasons beyond the control of the Contractor.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoner escorts are carried out by private hire coach and private hire taxi.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the proportion of prisoner escorts carried out by private hire coach and private hire taxi.
  The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received about the Group 4 prison escort service since Group 4 took over the service in the east midlands and Humberside in April.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:

  129
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of complaints received about Group 4 Court Services Ltd since they took over the court escort and custody service in the East Midlands and Humberside in April.
  By 7 October a total of 141 complaints had been received; 13 by the Prisoner Escort Monitor, and 128 by Group 4 Court Services Ltd. Of the latter, 82 were from prisoners and 46 from other sources. By that date Group 4 had been responsible for 50,352 prisoner movements. The number has steadily declined as the service has settled down from a peak of 36 complaints in April. In September only seven complaints were received.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the security arrangements for escorting each category of prisoner between prisons; and what are the average costs per mile.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about security arrangements for escorting each category of prisoner between prisons and the average costs per mile.
  In general terms prisoners may be escorted between prisons using a variety of vehicles including contract taxis, coaches, mini-buses, cellular vehicles and secure vans and accompanied by an appropriate number of officers. Category B prisoners, those on remand and category C prisoners may be handcuffed. Handcuffs are not used when category D inmates are escorted to open prisons and are not used routinely on women prisoners.
  Other security arrangements include searching of inmates and vehicles, depending on the analysis of the escape risk of each individual prisoner. Special arrangements, including police support, are made for transferring category A prisoners.
  Given the wide variety of arrangements for escorts between prisons there is no central record of average costs per mile. This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many legal actions are pending against Group 4 in relation to its prison escort service.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of legal actions pending against Group 4 in relation to the court escort and custody service.
  I am not aware of any such action.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff Group 4 employs to operate the court escort service for the Hull and east midlands region.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of staff employed by Group 4 in the court escort and custody service in the East Midlands and Humberside.
  130
  Group 4 Court Services Limited employ 359 staff to operate the court escort and custody service in the East Midlands and Humberside.

  Prison Offences
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers have been seriously assaulted in 1993; and if he will provide details.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of officers who have been seriously assaulted in 1993.
  Central records provisionally show that in the first nine months of 1993 there were 1,915 cases proved at adjudication where the charge was an actual assault on a member of staff or other person (not including an inmate). There were a further 166 cases proved of attempted assault. No other relevant details are held centrally.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alleged offences in prisons have been referred to the police, and in how many cases prosecutions have ensued, since the abolition of boards of visitors adjudications.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the referral to the police of alleged offences by prisoners.
  The full information you request is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In a survey for the year starting in April 1992, 98 prisons gave the following information:

  547 alleged offences by prisoners were referred to the police

  121 were still current at the time of the survey

  176 had gone to court

  187 had not been pursued by the police

  54 had not been pursued by the CPS

  9 cases had no information recorded on the outcome.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the numbers of assaults on prison officers per 100 prisoners at each prison in England and Wales for each quarter since 1986.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the numbers of assaults on prison officers per 100 prisoners at each prison in England and Wales for each quarter since 1986.
  The available information is for the number of assaults proved at adjudication under the prison discipline system. Data are not available prior to April 1989 as assaults on prison officers, staff,

  131
  inmates and others (other than gross personal violence to an officer) were grouped together in a single category. The information for April to December 1989, for 1990 and 1991 was published in successive volumes of "Statistics of offences against prison discipline and punishments, England and Wales" (Cm. 1236 for 1989, Cm. 1651 for 1990, Cm. 2066 for 1991). For convenience I enclose copies of the relevant tables.
  Provisional information for 1992–93 and for the six months April to September 1993 is enclosed. I regret that more detailed information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of prison discipline occurred(a) in the 12 months before and (b) in the 12 months after the abolition of boards of visitors adjudications.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about breaches of prison discipline in the twelve months before and after the abolition of boards of visitor adjudications.
  The disciplinary role of the boards ceased with effect from 1 April 1992. In the twelve months from April 1992 to March 1993 there were 89,163 proven offences compared with 89,050 in the previous twelve months.

  Market Testing
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what management consultants have been used to advise on market testing and privatisation in the Prison Service; for what purposes; and at what cost.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what management consultants have been used to advise on market testing and privatisation in the Prison Service; for what purposes; and at what cost. Since the launch of the White Paper "Competing for Quality" the following consultants have been used to assist in our market testing work:

  Coopers Lybrand
  Identification of potential Home Office and Prison Service candidates for testing.

  Handley-Walker PLC
  Technical and evaluation advice for the market test of warehousing and distribution.

  Further Education Staff College
  Advice on competitive tendering of prison education.

  PDP
  Review of the operational specification used in the tendering of prisons management.

  PA
  Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Blakenhurst and Manchester prisons.

  LEK
  Development of an analytical framework for the selection of prisons for market testing.

  Government Actuaries Department
  Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Manchester prison.

  Mr. L Massey
  Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Blakenhurst and Manchester prisons.
  132
  Mr. G. Lister
  Analysis and evaluation of tenders for the management of Manchester prison.
  The total cost of these contracts was £263,000.

  Mentally Ill and Addicted Prisoners
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current estimate of the number of people who are(a) mentally ill, (b) drug misusers and (c) alcohol addicted in prisons in England and Wales.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the numbers of mentally ill, drug misusers and alcohol addicted prisoners.
  A study by Professor J. Gunn, Dr. T. Maden and Dr. M. Swinton1 of the Institute of Psychiatry, completed in 1991, suggested that of the sentenced population 19.2 per cent. had some form of psychiatric disorder and 19.6 per cent. had been substance misusers prior to corning into prison.
  A parallel research study has recently commenced to provide a psychiatric profile of the unsentenced prison population.
  1Gunn, Maden and Swinton, "Mentally Disordered Prisoners", Home Office, 1991.

  Short Prison Sentences
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in prisons in England and Wales have a sentence of six months or less; and what proportion of those are fine defaulters.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many people in prisons in England and Wales are serving a sentence of six months or less and what the proportion of those are fine defaulters.
  The latest available provisional information is for 31 August 1993 when there were 3,642 prisoners in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales serving sentences of six months or less.
  Fourteen per cent. of the population serving up to six months were fine defaulters.

  Penal Change Programme
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the Prison Officers Association concerning the practicability and cost of his programme for penal changes, announced in Blackpool in October.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend has agreed to meet representatives of the Prison Officers Association next month, but the conduct of industrial relations in the Prison Service is a matter for the director
  133
  general. It will be for the latter to arrange for Prison Service trade unions to be consulted about any matters arising from the implementation of the policies he announced in so far as they may affect the Prison Service and are appropriate for consultation.

  Penal Costs
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost per person per month of(a) keeping someone in prison and (b) sentencing someone to community-based penalties.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In 1991–92, the most recent year for which figures are available, the average monthly net operating cost of holding a person in prison establishments was £1,915 and the cost of community sentences was between £95 and £110 per month.

  Reoffenders
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of (i) adult and (ii) juvenile offenders who reoffend within two years of receiving(a) a custodial sentence and (b) a non-custodial sentence.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available in the form requested. The latest available information on reconvictions is shown in the table:

  Percentage of offenders given probation or community service orders in 1987 and those discharged from prison in 1987 who were reconvicted of a 'standard list' within two years.

  Offender

  Those discharged from prison service establishments per cent.

  Those commencing a probation order1 per cent.

  Those commencing a community service order1 per cent.

  All males

  57

  56

  55

  All females

  40

  37

  41

  Males aged under 21

  71

  66

  65

  Females aged under 21

  51

  41

  43

  1 Source "Reconvictions of those given Probation and Community Service Orders in 1987"—Home Office Statistical Bulletin 18/93.

  Fine Defaulters
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are in prison in England and Wales as a result of fine defaults.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about population of fine defaulters in Prison Service establishments.
  On 31 August 1993 there were 500 fine defaulters (477 males and 23 females) in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.

  Prison Custody Officers
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison custody officers work at(a) the Wolds prison and (b) Blakenhurst prison.
  134
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoner custody officers at Wolds and Blakenhurst.
  There are 122 certificated prisoner custody officers at Wolds remand prison and 266 at HMP Blakenhurst.

  Woolf Report
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list progress made to date on each of the recommendations of the Woolf report and timetables for future implementation.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the progress made on the recommendations of the Woolf Report and timetable for future implementation.
  You will know that Lord Chief Justice Woolf made twelve major recommendations and each of these have been a key priority for the Prison Service. A summary of the progress made is set out below.

  Improve Security
  The Prisons Security Act is now in force.
  The long-term programme for refurbishing prisons to improve security standards is underway.
  Many of the recommendations from the Lakes Hadfield Report have now been implemented.
  Security audits have been instituted in prisons.
  X-ray machines have been installed in all prisons holding category A prisoners.
  Revised guidance on procedures for escorting prisoners has been distributed to all establishments.
  A new style escort chain is being trialled.
  The anti-bullying strategy for the Prison Service was launched in July of this year.
  A standardised intelligence system is now in place in every prison security department.

  Improve co-operation between Services
  A Criminal Justice Consultative Council has been created.
  A Criminal Justice Liaison Committee has been set up in each of the 15 prison areas. The links between the Probation Service and the Prison Service are being strengthened with the development of contracts between governors and chief probation officers.
  Measures have been taken to reduce the use of remanding purely for psychiatric assessment.
  There has been an increase in the number of prisoners transferred as in-patients to hospital for the treatment of mental disorder.

  Increase delegation and improve accountability
  From 1 April 1993 I have been personally responsible for the day to day management of the Prison Service.
  The Prison Service's Framework Document sets out our goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The Service is given specific targets by Ministers every year in relation to each of the KPIs.
  Much greater delegation to governors has taken place this year with budgetary and personnel responsibilities already devolved.
  On 1 April 1994 governors of prison establishments will have a new contract which in essence is a specification detailing standards of service delivery.

  135
  The strategy for involving the private sector in managing some of our prisons is established with the Wolds and Blakenhurst being fully operational. Manchester has been market tested and further prisons will be named for future market testing.

  Improve quality of jobs
  A Better Jobs Programme has been initiated throughout the Service.
  A comprehensive review of prison officer induction training and development training for existing staff has been undertaken.
  There has been significant progress in involving prison officers in suicide awareness, induction, sentence planning and personal officer schemes.

  Recognise status and requirements of unconvicted prisoners
  A model regime for local prisons and remand centres was issued in November 1992.
  New guidance on prison bail schemes was issued in August 1992 and there has been an extension of bail schemes and hostel provision.

  Provide active and relevant programmes
  There are now 500 NVQ schemes in place in establishments throughout England and Wales. This number is to be extended to 700 during the course of 1994. There are 180 construction industry training courses running in establishments throughout England and Wales. 80 prison establishments have now run pre-release courses. During the remainder of this year and into next year 48 establishments will have job search courses running with job clubs in 10 establishments.
  15 establishments are running sex offender programmes and about 400 prisoners benefit from these programmes each year.
  All female establishments have received new regime guidance.
  Every establishment has received guidance on the nature and balance of regime activities.
  A review of personal officer schemes has been undertaken.
  Many establishments now offer anger management courses and cognitive skills programmes are currently being developed.
  The regime monitoring system which measures inmate activity has been extended and improved.
  In November 1992 an admissions guide on reception and induction arrangements was issued to all establishments. All prisoners who were sentenced to 4 years or more after October 1992, and sentenced category A prisoners now have sentenced plans prepared for them. By the end of 1993 sentenced planning will be extended to all newly sentenced prisoners serving one year or more.
  In October 1992 new guidance was issued for establishments holding juvenile offenders.

  Provide Code of Standards
  The Prisons Board aims to approve a Code of Standards for the Prison Service by the end of 1993.

  Table A

  Persons sentenced at magistrates courts for all offences by month, type of offence and type of sentence England and Wales 19921

  Total sentenced

  Custodial sentences

  Non-custodial sentences

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Indictable offences

  January

  23,544

  100

  1,341

  6

  22,203

  94

  February

  20,673

  100

  1,172

  6

  19,501

  94

  March

  22,047

  100

  1,255

  6

  20,792

  94

  April

  20,117

  100

  1,157

  6

  18,960

  94

  May

  17,867

  100

  975

  5

  16,892

  95

  June

  20,402

  100

  1,040

  5

  19,362

  95

  July

  20,295

  100

  1,067

  5

  19,228

  95

  August

  18,301

  100

  1,017

  6

  17,284

  94

  September

  20,454

  100

  1,035

  5

  19,419

  95

  October

  20,699

  100

  483

  2

  20,216

  98

  November

  19,886

  100

  609

  3

  19,277

  97

  December

  17,131

  100

  645

  4

  16,486

  96

  136
  Improve relationships with prisoners
  A prisoners' information pack has been issued.
  The Board of Visitors' role has changed with their responsibility for adjudications being removed.
  A Prison Ombudsman will be appointed.
  A series of measures has been taken to improve standards of diets and food distribution in establishments.
  A major research project has been commissioned to examine how racial incidents are recorded and dealt with.
  A model prisoner compact has been approved by the Board and will be issued to all establishments.

  Provide access to sanitation
  During 1993–94 £17.5 million will be spent on simple sanitation schemes. This is in addition to other funding for refurbishment schemes.
  More than 80 per cent. of places now have access to sanitation.

  End overcrowding
  Twelve new prisons have been opened since 1991 providing 6,994 places.
  Approval has recently been given for a further six new prisons.

  Divide large wings into smaller units wherever possible
  Whenever major wing refurbishment schemes are considered the requirment to create smaller units is considered.

  Develop community prisons
  Work has commenced on selecting suitable areas where the clustering of prisons can be piloted.
  The opportunities for prisoners to maintain their family ties has been improved with an increase in the frequency and flexibility of duration of visits; further extension of financially assisted visit schemnes is projected for early 1994; and the provision of cardphones has now been extended to all prisons.
  The Prison Service remains committed to the policies set out in the White Paper. Further progress will be made as quickly as possible.

  Sentences
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of people sentenced in the courts who received(a) a custodial sentence and (b) a non-custodial sentence each month from January 1992 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on sentencing for both the magistrates court and the crown court for 1992—which is provisional—is given in the tables A to C. Data provided by the Lord Chancellor's Department for committals for trial at the crown court are given in table D.
  137

  Total sentenced

  Custodial sentences

  Non-custodial sentences

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Total

  241,416

  100

  11,796

  5

  229,620

  95

  Summary non-motoring offences

  January

  41,146

  100

  438

  1

  40,708

  99

  February

  35,672

  100

  359

  1

  35,313

  99

  March

  40,817

  100

  380

  1

  40,437

  99

  April

  37,268

  100

  314

  1

  36,954

  99

  May

  36,018

  100

  266

  1

  35,752

  99

  June

  42,138

  100

  336

  1

  41,802

  99

  July

  41,937

  100

  322

  1

  41,615

  99

  August

  36,881

  100

  300

  1

  36,581

  99

  September

  41,214

  100

  277

  1

  40,937

  99

  October

  39,647

  100

  143

  0

  39,504

  100

  November

  39,799

  100

  187

  0

  39,612

  100

  December

  32,540

  100

  164

  1

  32,376

  99

  Total

  465,077

  100

  3,486

  1

  461,591

  99

  Summary non-motoring offences

  January

  61,977

  100

  612

  1

  61,365

  99

  February

  54,875

  100

  536

  1

  54,339

  99

  March

  61,195

  100

  593

  1

  60,602

  99

  April

  57,310

  100

  496

  1

  56,814

  99

  May

  52,930

  100

  436

  1

  52,494

  99

  June

  62,771

  100

  494

  1

  62,277

  99

  July

  64,265

  100

  545

  1

  63,720

  99

  August

  58,781

  100

  507

  1

  58,274

  99

  September

  63,925

  100

  450

  1

  63,475

  99

  October

  61,495

  100

  306

  0

  61,189

  100

  November

  59,806

  100

  368

  1

  59,438

  99

  December

  50,443

  100

  355

  1

  50,088

  99

  Total

  709,773

  100

  5,698

  1

  704,075

  99

  All offences

  January

  126,667

  100

  2,391

  2

  124,276

  98

  February

  111,220

  100

  2,067

  2

  109,153

  98

  March

  124,059

  100

  2,228

  2

  121,831

  98

  April

  114,695

  100

  1,967

  2

  112,728

  98

  May

  106,815

  100

  1,677

  2

  105,138

  98

  June

  125,311

  100

  1,870

  1

  123,441

  99

  July

  126,497

  100

  1,934

  2

  124,563

  98

  August

  113,963

  100

  1,824

  2

  112,139

  98

  September

  125,593

  100

  1,762

  1

  123,831

  99

  October

  121,841

  100

  932

  1

  120,909

  99

  November

  119,491

  100

  1,164

  1

  118,327

  99

  December

  100,114

  100

  1,164

  1

  98,950

  99

  Total

  1,416,266

  100

  20,980

  1

  1,395,286

  99

  1 Provisional.

  Table B

  Persons sentenced at the Crown Court for all offences by month, type of offence and type of sentence England and Wales 19921

  Total sentenced

  Custodial sentences

  Non-custodial sentences

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Indictable offences

  January

  7,990

  100

  3,622

  45

  4,368

  55

  February

  7,623

  100

  3,412

  45

  4,211

  55

  March

  8,094

  100

  3,742

  46

  4,352

  54

  April

  6,490

  100

  3,000

  46

  3,490

  54

  May

  6,554

  100

  2,960

  45

  3,594

  55

  June

  7,035

  100

  3,202

  46

  3,833

  54

  July

  7,919

  100

  3,637

  46

  4,282

  54

  August

  5,495

  100

  2,468

  45

  3,027

  55

  September

  6,496

  100

  2,889

  44

  3,607

  56

  October

  5,802

  100

  2,273

  39

  3,529

  61

  November

  6,268

  100

  2,538

  40

  3,730

  60

  December

  5,351

  100

  2,210

  41

  3,141

  59

  138 139

  Total sentenced

  Custodial sentences

  Non-custodial sentences

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Total

  81,117

  100

  35,953

  44

  45,164

  56

  Summary non-motoring offences

  January

  315

  100

  79

  25

  236

  75

  February

  273

  100

  54

  20

  219

  80

  March

  300

  100

  68

  23

  232

  77

  April

  240

  100

  52

  22

  188

  78

  May

  190

  100

  41

  22

  149

  78

  June

  266

  100

  52

  20

  214

  80

  July

  294

  100

  68

  23

  226

  77

  August

  176

  100

  43

  24

  133

  76

  September

  221

  100

  50

  23

  171

  77

  October

  218

  100

  36

  17

  182

  83

  November

  197

  100

  30

  15

  167

  85

  December

  161

  100

  34

  21

  127

  79

  Total

  2,851

  100

  607

  21

  2,244

  79

  Summary motoring offences

  January

  141

  100

  43

  30

  98

  70

  February

  117

  100

  43

  37

  74

  63

  March

  142

  100

  49

  35

  93

  65

  April

  91

  100

  36

  40

  55

  60

  May

  123

  100

  52

  42

  71

  58

  June

  112

  100

  38

  34

  74

  66

  July

  131

  100

  50

  38

  81

  62

  August

  105

  100

  36

  34

  69

  66

  September

  127

  100

  40

  31

  87

  69

  October

  104

  100

  18

  17

  86

  83

  November

  111

  100

  25

  23

  86

  77

  December

  83

  100

  18

  22

  65

  78

  Total

  1,387

  100

  448

  32

  939

  68

  All offences

  January

  8,446

  100

  3,744

  44

  4,702

  56

  February

  8,013

  100

  3,509

  44

  4,504

  56

  March

  8,536

  100

  3,859

  45

  4,677

  55

  April

  6,821

  100

  3,088

  45

  3,733

  55

  May

  6,867

  100

  3,053

  44

  3,814

  56

  June

  7,413

  100

  3,292

  44

  4,121

  56

  July

  8,344

  100

  3,755

  45

  4,589

  55

  August

  5,776

  100

  2,547

  44

  3,229

  56

  September

  6,844

  100

  2,979

  44

  3,865

  56

  October

  6,124

  100

  2,327

  38

  3,797

  62

  November

  6,576

  100

  2,593

  39

  3,983

  61

  December

  5,595

  100

  2,262

  40

  3,333

  60

  Total

  85,355

  100

  37,008

  43

  48,347

  57

  1 Provisional.

  Table C

  Persons sentenced at all courts for all offences by month, type of offence and type of sentence England and Wales 19921

  Total sentenced

  Custodial sentences

  Non-custodial sentences

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Indictable offences

  January

  31,534

  100

  4,963

  16

  26,571

  84

  February

  28,296

  100

  4,584

  16

  23,712

  84

  March

  30,141

  100,

  4,997

  17

  25,144

  83

  April

  26,607

  100

  4,157

  16

  22,450

  84

  May

  24,421

  100

  3,935

  16

  20,486

  84

  June

  27,437

  100

  4,242

  15

  23,195

  85

  July

  28,214

  100

  4,704

  17

  23,510

  83

  August

  23,796

  100

  3,485

  15

  20,311

  85

  September

  26,950

  100

  3,924

  15

  23,026

  85

  October

  26,501

  100

  2,756

  10

  23,745

  90

  November

  26,154

  100

  12

  23,000

  88

  December

  22,482

  100

  2,855

  13

  19,627

  87

  Total

  322,533

  100

  47,749

  15

  274,784

  85

  140 141

  Total sentenced

  Custodial sentences

  Non-custodial sentences

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Summary non-motoring offences

  January

  41,461

  100

  517

  1

  40,944

  99

  February

  35,945

  100

  413

  1

  35,532

  99

  March

  41,117

  100

  448

  1

  40,669

  99

  April

  37,508

  100

  366

  1

  37,142

  99

  May

  36,208

  100

  307

  1

  35,901

  99

  June

  42,404

  100

  388

  1

  42,016

  99

  July

  42,231

  100

  390

  1

  41,841

  99

  August

  37,057

  100

  343

  1

  36,714

  99

  September

  41,435

  100

  327

  1

  41,108

  99

  October

  39,865

  100

  179

  0

  39,686

  100

  November

  39,996

  100

  217

  1

  39,779

  99

  December

  32,701

  100

  198

  1

  32,503

  99

  Total

  467,928

  100

  4,093

  1

  463,835

  99

  Summary motoring offences

  January

  62,118

  100

  655

  1

  61,463

  99

  February

  54,992

  100

  579

  1

  54,413

  99

  March

  61,337

  100

  642

  1

  60,695

  99

  April

  57,401

  100

  532

  1

  56,869

  99

  May

  53,053

  100

  488

  1

  52,565

  99

  June

  62,883

  100

  532

  1

  62,351

  99

  July

  64,396

  100

  595

  1

  63,801

  99

  August

  58,886

  100

  543

  1

  58,343

  99

  September

  64,052

  100

  490

  1

  63,562

  99

  October

  61,599

  100

  324

  1

  61,275

  99

  November

  59,917

  100

  393

  1

  59,524

  99

  December

  50,526

  100

  373

  1

  50,153

  99

  Total

  711,160

  100

  6,146

  1

  705,014

  99

  All offences

  January

  135,113

  100

  6,135

  5

  128,978

  95

  February

  119,233

  100

  5,576

  5

  113,657

  95

  March

  132,595

  100

  6,087

  5

  126,508

  95

  April

  121,516

  100

  5,055

  4

  116,461

  96

  May

  113,682

  100

  4,730

  4

  108,952

  96

  June

  132,724

  100

  5,162

  4

  127,562

  96

  July

  134,841

  100

  5,689

  4

  129,152

  96

  August

  119,739

  100

  4,371

  4

  115,368

  96

  September

  132,437

  100

  4,741

  4

  127,696

  96

  October

  127,965

  100

  3,259

  3

  124,706

  97

  November

  126,067

  100

  3,757

  3

  122,310

  97

  December

  105,709

  100

  3,426

  3

  102,283

  97

  Total

  1,501,621

  100

  57,988

  4

  1,443,633

  96

  1 Provisional.

  Table D

  Proportionate use of immediate custody for defendants sentenced at the Crown Court following committal for trial Crown Court following committal for trial

  England and Wales 1992–1993

  Month

  1992

  1993

  January

  48

  42

  February

  48

  46

  March

  49

  47

  April

  50

  49

  May

  49

  50

  June

  49

  51

  July

  48

  52

  August

  48

  54

  September

  48

  October

  42

  November

  42

  December

  43

  Right to Silence
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions accused persons in criminal cases have exercised their rights to silence in each six-month period over the three years; and if he will list such information he has available on the last dates, courts, and charges when verdicts of not guilty have been given in such cases over that period.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the five categories of crime that have(a) increased and (b) decreased most since 1979, excluding consequences of criminalisation and decriminalisation.
  143
  Mr. Maclean
  The five largest increases in recorded crime, i.e. notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, between 1979 and 1992 were:

  Per cent.

  Perverting the course of justice

  +915

  Theft or unauthorised taking from mail

  +531

  Aggravated burglary in a building

  +377

  Other criminal damage value £20+ not endangering life

  +338

  Robbery or assault with attempt to rob

  +324

  The five largest decreases in recorded crime were:

  Per cent.

  False accounting

  -67

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl over 12 but under 16

  -56

  Theft by an employee

  -54

  Abstracting electricity

  -49

  Indecency between males

  -33

  Classifications with small numbers of offences and those largely affected by legislation and definitional changes have been excluded.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of changes in the incidence of crimes against the person and of crimes against property since 1979.

  Mr. Maclean
  Recorded crimes against the person and crimes against property both increased by 120 per cent. between 1979 and 1992.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of crimes committed in the London borough of Lewisham in each year since 1985 were crimes related to(a) theft from residential property, (b) theft from commercial property, (c) theft from vehicles, (d) murder and (e) drugs.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information relates to notifiable offences recorded by the police and is contained in the table:

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police—certain offences as a percentage of all offences in Lewisham

  Percentages

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Burglary in other building

  Theft from a vehicle

  Homicide

  Drug trafficking

  1985

  16

  8

  16

  0.03

  0.2

  1986

  18

  6

  19

  0.04

  0.1

  1987

  15

  7

  21

  0.05

  0.1

  1988

  19

  6

  19

  0.01

  0.2

  1989

  20

  6

  19

  —

  1—

  1990

  21

  7

  15

  0.03

  0.2

  1991

  19

  7

  16

  0.02

  0.2

  1992

  20

  7

  14

  0.04

  0.1

  1 Not available

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were reported to police in the London borough of Lewisham in each year since 1985; and what percentage in each year resulted in a conviction.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information relates to notifiable offences recorded by the police and is given in the table. It is not possible to link recorded crime statistics with convictions, as the information collected on convictions is compiled on a different basis.
  144

  Number

  Offences recorded

  1985

  25,943

  1986

  27,005

  1987

  26,384

  1988

  25,210

  1989

  26,002

  1990

  27,959

  1991

  29,775

  1992

  31,380

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes were committed in(a) south-east London as a whole and (b) Lewisham, for each year since 1985.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in the table:

  Offences of violent crime1 recorded by the police

  Number

  South-east London (No. 3 Area)

  Lewisham

  1985

  5,792

  1,326

  1986

  6,039

  1,444

  1987

  6,776

  1,728

  1988

  7,060

  1,689

  1989

  8,058

  1,961

  1990

  9,163

  2,224

  1991

  10,980

  2,821

  1992

  11,199

  2,646

  1 Includes violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

  War Crimes Act 1991
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are being investigated under the War Crimes Act 1991; what is the cost of these investigations to date; what prosecutions have been brought; how many prosecutions are likely to be brought; and if he will consider abandoning these investigations and/or prosecutions in whole or in part.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Forty-four cases are currently under investigation by the Metropolitan police war crimes unit. The cost of investigations to date is estimated at £3.8 million. No prosecutions have yet been brought under the Act, and I cannot anticipate when, or if, sufficient evidence will be available for any prosecutions to be brought. However, the police and prosecution authorities cannot ignore evidence of war crimes which has been and may be uncovered.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate changes in the incidence of drink driving, over the limit drink driving and deaths associated with over the limit drink driving since 1979.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information available relates to the incidence of drink driving when a driver is over the prescribed alcohol limit.

  Estimates of fatal casualties involving illegal alcohol levels are published by the Department of Transport. The

  145
  table give the number of positive or refused breath tests and revised estimates of the number of fatal casualties in accidents involving illegal alcohol levels:

  Positive/Refused Breath tests England and Wales (Thousands)

  Fatal casualties Great Britain1 (Numbers)

  1979

  84.4

  1,640

  1980

  89.2

  1,450

  1981

  80.6

  1,420

  1982

  88.6

  1,550

  1983

  98.4

  1,110

  1984

  87.6

  1,170

  1985

  95.7

  1,040

  1986

  97.8

  990

  1987

  111.4

  900

  1988

  111.7

  790

  1989

  108.0

  810

  1990

  102.4

  760

  1991

  90.3

  660

  1992

  87.1

  2610

  1 Department of Transport figures

  1 Provisional

  Exclusion Orders
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals against exclusion orders are outstanding.

  Mr. Howard
  There are none.

  Daylight Saving
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the gains and losses of continuing the practice of returning to Greenwich mean time from autumn to spring;

  (2) on what issues he has received representations on the use of Greenwich mean time in winter.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The 1989 Green Paper "Summer Time—A Consultation Document" (Cm 722) considered possible losses and gains from returning to Greenwich mean time in winter, in particular as to: the incidence of road traffic accidents; crime; leisure pursuits; energy consumption; communications; travel; trade; agriculture; the construction industry; and tourism. Representations we have received since the Green Paper have focused on that range of issues.

  Table A1 Number of juveniles aged 10 to under 17 cautioned and prosecuted and committed for trial at magistrates' courts within the Metropolitan Police District1 and the Lewisham area by type of offence 1990

  Committed for trial

  Area/type of offence

  Cautioned

  Prosecuted (=100 per cent.)

  Number

  Per cent.

  Metropolitan Police District1

  Indictable offences

  8,583

  4,221

  327

  8

  Summary non-motoring offences

  3,234

  1,468

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  11,817

  5,689

  327

  6

  Lewisham juvenile court

  Indictable offences

  2—

  112

  —

  —

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  35

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  147

  —

  —

  Greenwich juvenile court

  South African Citizens
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many South African citizens have enetered the United Kingdom in each of the past five calendar years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The number of admissions of South African citizens into the United Kingdom were 123,000 in 1988, 132,000 in 1989, 150,000 in 1990, 138,000 in 1991, and 156,000 in 1992.

  Driving Disqualifications
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if disqualifications from driving imposed by(a) courts in the United Kingdom and (b) in courts of other member states of the European Community are enforced in the Isle of Man.

  Mr. Maclean
  No. Disqualifications imposed by courts in the United Kingdom, or by courts in other member states of the European Community, are not recognised in the Isle of Man.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation that provides for disqualifications from driving, imposed by courts in the Isle of Man, being enforced in the United Kingdom; if he will seek to extend such disqualifications to member states of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans at present to introduce such legislation.

  Young Offenders
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many juveniles were(a) cautioned and (b) prosecuted by the police in (i) London and (ii) Lewisham for each year since 1990; and how many of those prosecuted were committed by the courts;

  (2) how many juveniles convicted of a crime in (a) London and (b) Lewisham had committed an offence which was drug related, in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information available centrally on juveniles aged 10 to under 17 years in the Metropolitan police district—including the City of London—and courts within the Lewisham area is given in the table.

  It is only possible to distinguish centrally offenders who have committed drug offences as opposed to drug-related offences.
  147

  Committed for trial

  Area/type of offence

  Cautioned

  Prosecuted (=100 per cent.)

  Number

  Per cent.

  Indictable offences

  2—

  238

  —

  —

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  66

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  304

  —

  —

  Greenwich Petty Sessional Division

  Indictable offences

  2—

  21

  12

  57

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  2

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  23

  12

  52

  Woolwich Petty Sessional Division

  Indictable offences

  2—

  10

  5

  50

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  10

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  20

  5

  25

  1 Includes the City of London.

  2 Not applicable.

  Table A2 Number of juveniles aged 10 to under 17 cautioned and prosecuted and committed for trial at magistrates' courts within the Metropolitan Police District1 and the Lewisham area by type of offence 1991

  Committed for trial

  Area/type of offence

  Cautioned

  Prosecuted (=100 per cent.)

  Number

  Per cent.

  Metropolitan Police District1

  Indictable offences

  8,092

  4,050

  310

  8

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2,733

  1,310

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  10,825

  5,360

  310

  6

  Lewisham juvenile court

  Indictable offences

  2—

  76

  4

  5

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  18

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  94

  4

  4

  Greenwich juvenile court

  Indictable offences

  2—

  210

  —

  —

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  57

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  267

  —

  —

  Greenwich Petty Sessional Division

  Indictable offences

  2—

  45

  14

  31

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  11

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  56

  14

  25

  Woolwich Petty Sessional Division

  Indictable offences

  2—

  11

  4

  36

  Summary non-motoring offences

  2—

  3

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  2—

  14

  4

  29

  1 I Includes the City of London.

  2 Not applicable.

  Table A3 Number of juveniles aged 10 to under 17 cautioned and prosecuted and committed for trial at magistrates' courts within the Metropolitan Police District1 and the Lewisham area by type of offence 19922

  Committed for trial

  Area/type of offence

  Cautioned

  Prosecuted (=100 per cent.)

  Number

  Per cent.

  Metropolitan Police District1

  Indictable offences

  8,644

  3,823

  269

  7

  Summary non-motoring offences

  3,065

  1,254

  1

  0

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  11,709

  5,077

  270

  5

  Lewisham juvenile court

  Indictable offences

  *

  107

  3

  3

  Summary non-motoring offences

  *

  24

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  *

  131

  3

  2

  Greenwich juvenile court

  Indictable offences

  *

  188

  1

  1

  Summary non-motoring offences

  *

  102

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  *

  290

  1

  0

  Greenwich Petty Sessional Division

  Indictable offences

  *

  28

  4

  14

  Summary non-motoring offences

  *

  6

  —

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  *

  34

  4

  12

  148 149

  Committed for trial

  Area/type of offence

  Cautioned

  Prosecuted (=100 per cent.)

  Number

  Per cent.

  Woolwich Petty Sessional Division

  Indictable offences

  *

  8

  2

  25

  Summary non-motoring offences

  *

  3

  *

  —

  All offences (excluding summary motoring)

  *

  11

  2

  18

  1 Includes the City of London.

  2 Provisional.

  * Not applicable.

  Table B

  Number of juveniles aged 10 to under 17 years convicted of drug offences in the Metropolitan Police District1 and Lewisham area 1985 to 19922

  Year

  Metropolitan Police District1

  Lewisham Juvenile Court

  Greenwich Juvenile Court

  Greenwich Petty Sessional Division

  Woolwich Petty Sessional Division

  1985

  114

  8

  4

  —

  —

  1986

  116

  8

  3

  1

  1

  1987

  67

  1

  3

  —

  —

  1988

  80

  1

  3

  —

  —

  1989

  108

  6

  6

  —

  —

  1990

  107

  1

  7

  1

  —

  1991

  86

  3

  3

  —

  —

  19922

  67

  3

  3

  —

  —

  1 Including City of London.

  2 Provisional.

  Prison Dental Services
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for the provision of dental care in each of Her Majesty's prisons; and how this service is monitored.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to the Parliamentary Question on this subject which you tabled for written answer on Monday 18 October.
  Dental surgeons are appointed to provide dental treatment at each establishment by the Prison Service. The surgeon undertakes work as part of the services he or she provides for the Family Health Services Authority (FHSA) as part of the NHS commitment. The dental surgeon remains subject to General Dental Services Regulations and the FHSA's powers to inspect and monitor performance. The head of health care at each establishment is responsible to the governor for the routine supervision of the service.

  Risley Training Prison
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of Risley as a training prison, with particular reference to the integrated regime.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 18 October 1993:
  150
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the future of Risley as a training prison and in particular its integrated regime.
  You may be aware of the decision to accommodate 384 vulnerable prisoners in refurbished blocks at Wymott. This was announced by the then Home Secretary in Autumn 1992, in accordance with recommendations made by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. The change was scheduled for November 1993, but is being implemented slightly earlier as a consequence of the recent riot. The transfer of vulnerable prisoners will create additional accommodation in prisons in the north west and midlands. A significant proportion of these prisoners will be drawn from Vulnerable Prisoner Units at Liverpool and Risley.
  The integrated regime at Risley has been successful in allowing Vulnerable Prisoners to share daytime activities with selected prisoners from the main prison. Clearly, the future development of the integrated regime will depend on the number of vulnerable prisoners remaining at Risley. The Prison Service intends to provide a full regime for those prisoners transferred to Wymott based on a core programme for sex offenders to address their offending behaviour.
  For the present Risley will continue in its present role as a training prison. The development of its future role as a local prison serving the courts is being discussed and plans are being considered for a multi-functional community prison along the lines envisaged in the Woolf Report. Such plans will aim to provide decent conditions and a regime of purposeful activity for all prisoners.

  Inland Revenue (Information)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances the immigration and nationality divisions of his Department disclose information to the Inland Revenue without the consent of the individual concerned.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  When the Inland Revenue requests it in accordance with procedures agreed with the Inland Revenue.

  Hull Prison
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose the special unit at HMP Hull created to house category A inmates was built; when it opened and how many inmates it was designed to hold; how many inmates it held at opening; how many it has held to date; how many it held 12 months ago and how many it holds at present.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the Special Unit at Hull Prison.
  The Special Unit opened in 1988 to hold long-term adult male prisoners in category A and B who have a history of disruptive and aggressive behaviour.
  The Unit is located on A Wing in Hull which can accommodate 20 prisoners under normal prison conditions. However, given the special role of the Unit, the number of prisoners held would not normally exceed ten.
  On opening, the Unit held four prisoners. To date 47 prisoners have been located in the Unit, for varying lengths of time and some prisoners have left and returned for a further period. In October of last year, ten prisoners were held on the Unit and the Unit currently holds five prisoners.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what monitoring has taken place of the workings of the special unit for category A inmates at HMP Hull, what evaluation has been made of its success; and what plans he has for the future of the unit.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 18 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the Special Unit at Hull Prison.
  A report evaluating the Hull Unit was completed at the end of 1991. It was prepared by Professor Norman Jepson and the late Mr. Kenneth Elliott, formerly of Leeds University. The report covers the first 2½ years of the Unit. A further assessment, to study whether the existence of this Unit and the other Special Units have had a beneficial effect on the management of long-term prisoners who present persistent control problems in the context of the long-term prison system as a whole, is currently being undertaken by Professor Keith Bottomley. His report is due at the end of the year and will subsequently be published. He will draw on all previous work which has been undertaken and will also have access to work carried out by the Unit's psychologist.
  We will wish to consider Professor Bottomley's report before making an informed judgement on the long-term future of Hull and the other Special Units.

  Sheehy Report
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he now intends to take following publication of the Sheehy report.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.

  Fire Hazards
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) killed and (b) injured in bedsitter fires in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The number of casualties in fires, attended by local authority fire brigades in the United Kingdom, which started in bedsitting rooms of dwellings in multiple occupation, is given in the table for the years 1987 to 1991.

  Fire-related deaths and injuries from fires starting in bedsitting rooms of dwellings in multiple occupancy, attended by local authority fire brigades, United Kingdom.

  Year

  Fire related deaths

  Fire related injuries

  1987

  40

  254

  1988

  41

  261

  1989

  37

  229

  1990

  36

  305

  1991

  28

  252

  Source: Home Office Fire Statistics, based on reports from local authority fire brigades.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to implement EC fire regulations in respect of offices and businesses;

  (2) what discussions he has had with EC institutions with regard to EC fire regulations in respect of offices and businesses during the last year.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We are presently considering revised proposals for Fire Precautions (Places of Work) Regulations to implement the fire safety requirements of European Council directives 89/391/EEC and 89/654/EEC in the light of the recent efficiency scrutiny report on the implementation and enforcement of EC law in the United Kingdom. Those regulations, if implemented, will apply to most places of work with one or more employees.

  The Home Office has had no discussions with EC institutions about those proposals or the fire safety provisions of other health and safety directives during the last year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Licence Applications
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of his Export Control Organisation's time is taken up by(a) licence applications for sensitive destinations and (b) licensing for individual goods for non-sensitive destinations.

  Mr. Needham
  There are no figures setting out the proportion of time taken up by licensing in different areas and they could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I would refer my hon. Friend to chapter 9 of the Export Control Organisation's annual report for 1992 in the House Library. This gives a breakdown of the work carried out by each of the licensing sections.

  Within these sections the number of staff at grades AA-SEO is as follows:
  153

  Number

  Sensitive Destinations Section (SDS)

  11

  COCOM Licensing Section (CLS)

  6

  Military and Atomic Licensing Section

  13

  Industrial Free World Licensing

  5

  These sections are managed by two G7 officers.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has received from British Nuclear Fuels in regard to(a) the volume of radioactive waste that will be created from facility contamination and (b) the proposed disposal strategy for the decommissioning waste arising as a result of provisional commissioning of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant with uranium nitrate feedstock, in the event that consent for fuel commissioning of THORP is not subsequently granted.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, acting jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to assist the European Commission in its preparation of its reports on(a) re-evaluation of the requirements for reprocessing and (b) the preparation of an inventory of nuclear waste holdings in each member state of the European Community.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has received no such request for assistance from the European Commission.

  AEA Information
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future arrangements for the provision of information services by the AEA library to hon. Members and the general public.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a management matter for the Atomic Energy Authority.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to implement his Department's interest in implementation of the British Nuclear Fuels-Nuclear Electric fixed price contracts.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 9 March 1993,Official Report, column 500.

  Environmental Awareness
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on how his Department plans to meet its target to promote environmental awareness and best practice as set out in his departmental MINIS 93, part Four, environmental section, page 15.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Plans for achieving my Department's environmental objectives are shown on pages 3 to 9 of the environmental section, part 4 of the departmental MINIS 93.
  154
  The Department has published a number of practical guides on matters relevant to the environmental performance of business, including waste minimisation, alternatives to ozone-depleting substances and export opportunities, and more are planned. A more general booklet, "The environment—a business guide" endorsed by the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (ACBE) was launched on 13 October with the aim of helping smaller firms in particular to improve their environmental performance. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Department supports or participates in a wide range of seminars and exhibitions to raise awareness of environmental issues and continues to operate a telephone environmental inquiry point—freephone 0800 585794—which provides a comprehensive information and signposting service to business. It is also supporting a number of local environmental self-help initiatives including five local business and environment clubs established under a programme recommended by ACBE.

  Together with the Department of the Environment, my Department is also funding the development and administration in the United Kingdom of the European Community eco-labelling scheme, which aims to encourage environmentally sound product and process design, and the European Community eco-management and audit scheme which will encourage the adoption of best environmental management practice.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the role played by his Department in co-ordination of United Kingdom participation in negotiating in EC instruments relating to export controls and an export licensing policy compatible with single market obligations.

  Mr. Needham
  My Department is co-ordinating the United Kingdom's contribution to the continuing negotiations on the proposed EC regulation covering export controls on certain dual-use goods and technologies. Other Government Departments and agencies which have an interest in export control matters have also participated fully.

  The Government's aim in the negotiations is to enhance enforcement of export controls in the context of the single European market, to ensure that the United Kingdom's ability to apply export controls in line with national foreign and security policy is maintained, and to protect the interest of United Kingdom exporters. The House will be informed of the outcome of the negotiations.

  Nuclear Safeguards
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to implement policies to put into effect obligations entered into on nuclear safeguards on United Kingdom facilities since 1979; and how he has ensured such policies have not put the United Kingdom at an unnecessary disadvantage in regard to competitor countries.

  Mr. Eggar
  Arrangements for the application of International Atomic Energy Agency and Euratom safeguards in the United Kingdom have been negotiated pursuant to the terms of INFCIRC/263 and the Euratom
  155
  treaty. These site-specific inspection arrangements are confidential to the operator, HM Government and the international inspectorates.

  Judgments on what are considered to be appropriate inspection procedures for United Kingdom facilities take into account, as far as possible, accepted international practice at similar plants in other countries. In furtherance of this goal of maintaining common standards, the United Kingdom has played an important role in developing internationally accepted approaches for safeguarding major nuclear facilities, for example at centrifuge enrichment plants and large-scale reprocessing plants.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response Her Majesty's Government have made to the Commission proposal for a Council decision approving the amendment by the Commission of Commission regulation (Euratom) No. 3227/76 of 19 October 1976 concerning the application of the provisions on Euratom safeguards, Corn (93) 294 final of 24 June.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to my answers given to him on 31 March,Official Report, columns 210–11, and 21 May, Official Report, column 344, concerning the original Commission proposal to amend regulation (Euratom) 3227/76 of 19 October 1976. A revised version of the proposal detailed in Com(93) 294 final of 24 June, was approved by the Council with United Kingdom support. The text of the amendment was published in EC Official Journal No. L 191/75, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Dr. Tom Thorpe
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the reasons for the departure of Dr. Tom Thorpe from the energy technology support unit at Harwell.

  Mr. Eggar
  Mr. Tom Thorpe has not departed from the energy technology support unit but continues to work in the unit's strategic studies department, which he joined in June 1989.

  Insurance
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to meet officials of the Association of Insurance and Risk Managers in Industry and Commerce.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have accepted an invitation to meet members of the association to discuss matters such as insurance related to terrorism, environment and employment.

  Assisted Areas Status, Southend
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will extend to all hon. Members whose constituencies are included in the Southend travel-to-work area, an invitation to meet him regarding assisted area status for south-east Essex.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Decisions on the new assisted areas map were made after the careful consideration of each area's circumstances and are not subject to appeal. I received seven submissions from Southend during the review, all of which were given full consideration. I am not, therefore, meeting any delegations to discuss assisted area status.

  Atomic Energy Authority Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what joint consultation procedure exists between the police committee of the Atomic Energy Authority police, and that force's Police Federation, and the representative bodies of other ranks at which matters relating to police pay and conditions of service are discussed; what is the membership of the joint body; and on how many occasions it has met in the past five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested was provided in my answer to the hon. Member of 28 June 1993,Official Report,columns 369–70.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who serves on the police committee of the Atomic Energy Authority police; and how often it has met over the past five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The police committee of the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary (AEAC) is chaired by the AEA's managing director for corporate services and includes senior managers from AEA and British Nuclear Fuels sites and in particular those sites protected by the AEAC. The AEAC chief constable and deputy chief constable also attend meetings of the police committee. The committee has met twice a year during the past five years.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a Minister from his Department will meet with representatives of the Atomic Energy Authority Police Federation to discuss the ramifications of(a) the Sheehy report, (b) the White Paper on police and (c) matters of general concern to federation members which are not operational matters reserved for the chief constable.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. Regular meetings take place between representatives of the Atomic Energy Police Federation and AEA management through the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary joint consultative committee to discuss matters affecting the force.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent Home Office police regulations are applied to members of the Atomic Energy Authority police.

  Mr. Eggar
  Home Office regulations do not apply to members of the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary (AEAC). Their conditions of service are governed by the UKAEA staff conditions memoranda. However, these include many special provisions which apply only to members of the constabulary and which are based on the Home Office police regulations. Broadly, these provisions cover such matters as pay and allowances, duty, overtime, leave, housing, uniform and equipment.

  Clean Coal Technology
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of research(a) current and (b) planned to begin within the next 12 months in respect of clean coal technology; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Over 80 projects with a value of £144 million are currently under way in my Department's coal research and development programme. My Department is
  157
  contributing £28 million to this project portfolio. Over the next 12 months we expect to initiate at least 30 projects on clean coal technology involving British Coal, United Kingdom industry, universities and overseas organisations such as the European Community and United States Department of Energy. Since the end of May of this year we have announced the start of 34 projects committing £7.2 million of Government funding.

  To ensure there is adequate support for R and D on clean coal technology the Government announced in the coal White Paper increased support for coal R and D rising from approximately £3 million per annum to £7 million per annum for the period 1993–94 to 1995–96. This will enable research in developing advanced power generation technology and other coal science activities to continue at the Coal Research Establishment, universities and in industry and help ensure that full advantage can be taken of international collaboration.

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to(a) publish and (b) consult on the study by SRU Ltd. on the future of Companies House; what assessment he has made on the impact on employment in Wales of any major alteration in the status of Companies House itself as the primary registrar of companies.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The SRU Ltd. report represents advice to Ministers, and I have no plans to publish it at present. During the preparation of the report, there was consultation on a number of issues with Companies House staff and with users of the registry's services, and there will be further consultation when we come to a view on the options before us.

  Until a clear picture emerges of what Companies House would look like, no accurate assessment can be made of the impact on employment.

  Timeshares
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken on the Office of Fair Trading report on timeshare of June 1990; and if he proposes to press for EC regulations on the subject.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Timeshare Act 1992 provides a mandatory cooling-off period for timeshare contracts entered into in the United Kingdom or under United Kingdom law.

  The United Kingdom Government consider that regulation at Community level is also required. The EC Commission submitted a draft timeshare directive to the Council of Ministers in July 1992. Negotiation of the draft directive is continuing and a common position is hoped for in the near future.

  Trade Regulation
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the nature of the evidence he has received concerning statutory regulation of trade, manufacture, or commerce that constitutes obstruction to their success: and what is the purpose of each respective instrument currently available to him.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  A wide variety of evidence on the impact of regulation on business has been received from a158
  number of sources in business, local authorities, pressure groups and academia. The purpose and effect of all regulatory instruments having an impact on business are currently being examined as part of the Government-wide review of all such regulation. The review aims to establish whether regulation is achieving what it was intended to and how necessary protections can be assured in a way that is least obstructive to trade and industry.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the approximate base load in thermal units of gas he expects to be generated by gas-burning electricity power stations from 1994 onward, the consequential depletion rate of known gas reserves in percentage of those known supplies, and the period he expects such supplies to be available.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's coal review, published in March 1993 as Cm 2235 "The Prospects for Coal", contains a range of estimates of electricity generation frorn gas-fired power stations over the period 1993–94 to 1997–98 (table 11.3). The Department's Energy Paper No. 59 contains projections of the use of gas in power stations over a longer period up to 2020 (table 4.4). Drawing on these projections, the coal review contains estimates of the period over which United Kingdom gas reserves might meet overall gas demand (paras 7.12 to 7.14).

WALES

  National Health Service Provider UN0
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the numbers of provider units which have not made price lists for treatments available to purchaser units for the present financial year; what sanctions against late provision of treatment price lists he has authorised; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The provision of contract price lists is a matter for commissioners and providers within a timetable agreed for the national health service in Wales as a whole.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has in regard to the areas of land in Wales contaminated by asbestos wastes; what representations he has received from owners of small businesses or domestic properties erected on land now found to be contaminated by asbestos; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The 1988 Welsh Office survey of contaminated land in Wales identified three former asbestos waste tips covering, in total, 3.5 hectares. Remedial work has already been carried out at two of these sites.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has received no representations from owners of small businesses or domestic properties.

  Building regulations require precautions to be taken to avoid danger to health and safety caused by substances found on, or in, the ground to be covered by buildings.

  Ophthalmology
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year end waiting list for(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each health authority and for Wales in each year since 1985.

  Median waiting time (days) for in-patients admitted from the waiting list during the calendar year1

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  21991–92

  Clwyd

  80

  63

  49

  46

  56

  55

  114

  East Dyfed

  34

  38

  43

  85

  83

  158

  4—

  Gwent

  196

  124

  97

  117

  155

  203

  4—

  Gwynedd

  65

  58

  47

  66

  82

  97

  86

  Mid Glamorgan

  39

  76

  34

  47

  53

  56

  48

  Pembrokeshire

  (26)

  (33)

  (29)

  (36)

  (33)

  (36)

  126

  Powys'

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  77

  86

  92

  111

  112

  106

  129

  West Glamorgan

  167

  170

  121

  192

  213

  135

  4—

  Wales

  71

  75

  51

  72

  77

  89

  94

  1 For patients admitted from the waiting list during the calendar year. A median waiting time is such that approximately half the patients waited less than this time to be admitted and half waited longer; median waiting times based on fewer than 50 cases are given in parentheses.

  2 A new information system for collation of hospital activity data was introduced from 1 April 1991. Figures for 1991–92 financial year are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years. Only districts for which reliable information has been received from hospitals have been included for 1991–92.

  3 There are no in-patient ophthalmology services provided by hospitals in Powys.

  4 Denotes not available.

  Notional time (days) to clear out-patient waiting list at 31 March

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Clwyd

  30

  61

  54

  76

  71

  52

  81

  80

  43

  East Dyfed

  54

  40

  24

  56

  28

  35

  54

  69

  52

  Gwent

  46

  58

  19

  37

  42

  27

  20

  47

  54

  Gwynedd

  41

  73

  44

  64

  109

  57

  50

  65

  102

  Mid Glamorgan

  163

  122

  101

  74

  119

  77

  67

  93

  98

  Pembrokeshire

  18

  15

  19

  20

  24

  22

  32

  78

  92

  Powys

  31

  49

  45

  45

  105

  117

  146

  50

  120

  South Glamorgan

  31

  18

  33

  38

  68

  68

  84

  129

  167

  West Glamorgan

  215

  164

  103

  125

  92

  37

  82

  203

  208

  Wales

  74

  70

  50

  62

  73

  51

  62

  94

  100

  Provider Based Waiting Lists as at 31 March

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  In-patients:

  Clwyd

  744

  425

  260

  284

  356

  429

  626

  907

  1,126

  East Dyfed

  201

  181

  158

  418

  674

  1,080

  1,738

  1,370

  1,016

  Gwent

  746

  659

  572

  767

  868

  1,307

  1,081

  1,196

  1,247

  Gwynedd

  90

  181

  251

  390

  611

  654

  568

  633

  500

  Mid Glamorgan

  548

  718

  510

  359

  397

  397

  587

  617

  996

  Pembrokeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  17

  6

  —

  Powys1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  372

  421

  399

  552

  633

  550

  769

  875

  641

  West Glamorgan

  382

  512

  624

  738

  964

  1,190

  1,382

  902

  842

  Wales

  3,083

  3,097

  2,774

  3,508

  4,503

  5,613

  6,768

  6,506

  6,368

  Out-patients:

  Clwyd

  421

  790

  728

  1,074

  1,043

  753

  1,114

  1,255

  846

  East Dyfed

  503

  399

  272

  606

  360

  440

  625

  950

  810

  Gwent

  858

  1,113

  386

  662

  864

  620

  451

  1,081

  1,309

  Gwynedd

  332

  616

  452

  711

  1,302

  646

  596

  648

  1,010

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,979

  1,590

  1,302

  1,098

  1,787

  1,569

  1,371

  1,928

  2,203

  Pembrokeshire

  44

  39

  62

  75

  84

  96

  146

  394

  487

  Powys

  47

  73

  76

  72

  186

  243

  297

  108

  239

  South Glamorgan

  660

  383

  739

  925

  1,523

  1,564

  1,896

  2,440

  3,440

  West Glamorgan

  2,533

  2,142

  1,392

  1,766

  1,377

  621

  1,195

  2,624

  3,263

  Wales

  7,377

  7,145

  5,409

  6,989

  8,526

  6,552

  7,691

  11,428

  13,607

  1 There are no in-patient ophthalmology services provided by hospitals in Powys.

  160
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information is given in the following tables, which relate to hospital providers in each area. For in-patients median waiting times are available and for out-patients the notional time to clear the out-patient waiting list is given. Further information is available from the Welsh Hospital Waiting List Bulletin 1993 No. 2, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  The notional time to clear a waiting list is calculated by dividing the total waiting list at 31 March each year by the average daily number of new out-patients seen during the previous 12 months.

  Drawing Office
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with staff in the Welsh Office Drawing Office in relation to market testing in-house bids, the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and management reviews of the Drawing Office operation.

  Mr. Redwood
  My officials have had substantial consultations both with staff and their trade union side representatives about these issues.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on public access to the central register of air photography for Wales following the market-testing exercise in respect of the Welsh Office Drawing Office.

  Mr. Redwood
  The central register of air photography for Wales is not included in the market test of the Drawing Office and public access to the register is not affected.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with contractors and their representative organisations in relation to the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 to private contractors tendering for the Welsh Office Drawing Office functions via the market-testing procedure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the tender specifications for the market testing of the Welsh Office Drawing Office.

  Mr. Redwood
  The tender specifications will be issued to those invited to bid, including the in-house team, in the near future.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future location of Welsh Office land use records in the light of the market-testing procedure for the Drawing Office.

  Mr. Redwood
  The land use records unit is not included in the market test of the Drawing Office.

  Urban Safety Management
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received in relation to the designation of the canton urban safety management study as a pilot urban safety management scheme for Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  South Glamorgan county council has submitted a proposal and my right hon. Friend has received the hon. Member's letter of support of 20 September.

  Cardiff Bay
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what communications he has received from the Wales regional office of the National Rivers Authority with respect to the classification of the proposed impoundment 162
  at Cardiff bay as a sensitive water in the at risk of eutrophication category, under the urban waste water directive of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Rivers Authority has yet to submit to my right hon. Friend its proposed list of candidate sensitive areas for Wales in connection with the implementation of the EC urban waste water treatment directive. The NRA has provided its current working list of candidate eutrophic sensitive areas which includes Cardiff bay, assuming the barrage is constructed. A copy of the list has been placed in the Library of the House pursuant to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for the the Environment and Countryside gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) on 27 July, column 905.

  Wales Engineering Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Wales engineering centre proposal; what consultations he has undertaken; and if he will place a copy of the Brodie report in the Library.

  Mr. Redwood
  The initiative to establish the Engineering Centre for Wales was taken in response to the need to raise the image and status of science, engineering and technology and to create awareness of the important contribution these subjects make to wealth creation. It is being driven forward by the Engineering Council, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency.

  At an early stage, the views of about 100 representatives of industry, academia, various agencies and professional institutions were sought at a workshop held in March 1992. Since then, the views of the centre's key customers have continually been canvassed for consideration in the planning process.

  I have arranged for a copy of my Department's engineering skills consultation paper to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Welsh Church Act Funds
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had in relation to the administration of Welsh Church Act funds in the light of his local government reorganisation proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have consulted the two local authority associations and the Church in Wales. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action has submitted a proposal about the future of the funds: I have yet to reach a decision on this.

  Radioactive Sulphur, Wylfa
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the leak of radioactive sulphur 35 from the Wylfa nuclear plant on 31 July andl 1 August.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Sulphur-35 was released to the atmosphere on 2 August 1993 during shutdown of reactor 1 following equipment failure during refuelling on 31 July. The release was in excess of the weekly authorised limit and was graded as a category 1 incident on the international nuclear event scale—anomaly beyond the authorised operating regime.
  163
  The authorising departments considered the release to have resulted in negligible off-site consequences and monitoring of foodstuffs found no activity above European Commission maximum permitted levels. The authorising departments are conducting an extensive investigation into the incident.

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the source and scope of the fund that is providing the expenditure for a revolving door at the Wrexham Maelor hospital.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The revolving door at Wrexham Maelor hospital is included within the expansion of the hospital currently under way, which is funded from the major capital building programme for hospital and community health services.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the West Wales training and enterprise council in relation to(a) the deadline for publication of all TEC accounts and (b) the latest estimate for the publication date of the 1992–93 accounts for West Wales TEC.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My officials wrote to all TECs on 24 June 1993 to remind them of their contractual obligations under the TEC operating agreement for the submission of annual reports and audited accounts. This letter was subsequently followed up informally by officials.

  A copy of the TEC's 1992–93 annual accounts is available in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Credit
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual spending on family credit; and what was the spending on family income supplement in 1979.

  Mr. Burt
  Family credit expenditure for 1992–93 was £864 million. This is 13 times more in real terms than the £24 million spent on family income supplement in 1978–79.

  Fraud
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress his Department has taken to reduce the level of fraudulent claims for social security benefits.

  Mr. Lilley
  Record fraud savings of £558 million were made last year when the Benefits Agency caught over 270,000 people cheating the system. Through a range of measures already introduced or planned for the future we are cracking down on opportunities for fraud.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra investment in anti-fraud work his Department is making over preceding years.

  Mr. Milligan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra investment in anti-fraud work his Department is making.
  164
  Mr. Burt
  To help step up the fight against fraud we have allocated an extra £10 million to the Benefits Agency this year, to be continued in succeeding years. We have also introduced new incentives to encourage local authorities to crack down on housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud.

  Pensioners (Incomes)
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioner households had an income below half of the contemporary average in 1990–91.

  Mr. Hague
  In 1990–91, an estimated 34 per cent. of pensioners had income below half the national average before housing costs; and estimated 37 per cent. after housing costs.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioners have some form of second income to add to the basic state pension.

  Mr. Hague
  Eighty-five per cent. of pensioner units had income on top of state benefits in 1990–91, the latest year for which information is available. State benefits include both basic state pension and income-related benefits.

  Benefits
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to promote a debate on the balance between selective and universal benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  Through my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security's Mais lecture in June and "The Growth of Social Security" published in July we have fuelled a widespread debate on the British social security system. In due course, we will put forward specific proposals for reform. These will be subject to extensive debate in Parliament and elsewhere.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of recipients of(a) housing benefit, (b) income support, (c) family credit and (d) invalidity benefit by region and the percentage of the eligible regional population receiving this benefit in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Burt
  [holding answer 22 July 1993]: I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 August 1993. The information is as follows:
  Pursuant to my reply of 22 July in which I said I would let you have such information as is available. I am now pleased to be in a position to give you a reply.
  Information on the eligible population for each benefit on a regional basis is not available. Such information as is available is in the tables attached.

  Housing Benefit Recipients without Income Support

  (000)

  Region/year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Northern

  171

  151

  140

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  143

  126

  158

  East Midlands

  104

  99

  117

  East Anglia

  50

  53

  59

  South East

  445

  451

  458

  South West

  118

  107

  112

  South Midlands

  91

  181

  181

  North West

  260

  194

  182

  Scotland

  238

  239

  237

  165

  Region/year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Wales

  89

  84

  86

  Great Britain

  1,709

  1,685

  1,730

  Income Support Recipients

  (000)

  Region/year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  North Eastern

  674

  688

  753

  London North

  638

  735

  891

  South Western

  274

  310

  357

  Wales

  248

  257

  287

  Midlands

  665

  699

  800

  North Western

  643

  669

  731

  Scotland

  481

  487

  519

  London South

  558

  641

  749

  Great Britain

  4,180

  4,487

  5,088

  Family Credit Recipients

  (000)

  Region/Year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  North Eastern

  59

  63

  82

  London North

  35

  38

  52

  South Western

  26

  28

  37

  Wales

  22

  22

  29

  Midlands

  59

  66

  84

  North Western

  56

  58

  74

  Scotland

  40

  43

  54

  London South

  29

  32

  45

  Great Britain

  327

  350

  457

  Invalidity Benefit Recipients

  (000)

  Region/Year

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Northern

  110

  117

  126

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  107

  118

  125

  East Midlands

  61

  66

  74

  East Anglia

  24

  26

  29

  South East

  192

  205

  219

  South Western

  60

  66

  72

  West Midlands

  90

  97

  106

  North Western

  185

  200

  220

  Scotland

  158

  169

  181

  Wales

  132

  137

  147

  Overseas

  7

  7

  7

  Great Britain

  1,126

  1,209

  1,306

  Sources:

  Housing Benefit/Community Charge Benefit annual 1 per cent. sample, May 1990–1992.

  Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry, May 1990–1992.

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards, October 1990–1992.

  Invalidity Benefit 1 per cent. sample of claimants, April 1989, March 1990–1991

  Notes:

  1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. The regions given for Income Support and Family Credit are the Social Security Administrative Regions used by the Department prior to 1988. The regions given for Housing Benefit and Invalidity Benefit are the Standard Statistical Regions.

  3. Figures are given for each benefit. People receiving one benefit may also receive one or more of the others.

  4. Figures come from "Point in time" surveys carried out on different dates; care should be taken in comparing figures between benefits.

  5. Invalidity Benefit figure includes overseas recipients.

  6. Figures for the eligible regional population for each benefit are not available.

  Goode Report
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the findings of the Goode committee report on occupational pensions.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government will be giving careful consideration to the committee's detailed recommendations.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the first three months operation of the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The Child Support Agency is a new business operating under new legislation.

  In its first three months of operation the agency issued 177,000 maintenance application forms to parents with care of children, sent 38,500 maintenance inquiry forms to absent parents and made 4,000 maintenance assessments.

  We are closely monitoring its performance and I am satisfied that the start it has made in introducing these new arrangements will ensure that parents meet their responsibilities for child maintenance whenever they can afford to do so.

  "The Growth of Social Security"
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has had about his Department's publication of "The Growth of Social Security"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  "The Growth of Social Security" was intended to stimulate and inform public debate on the social security programme. The Department has received a substantial number of comments and representations reflecting a wide range of opinion.

  Incomes
  Mr. Boyce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the incomes of the poorest and richest 10 per cent. of households have changed in real terms, after housing costs, between 1979 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Ms Corston) on 26 July 1993,Official Report, column 460.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the percentage change in income during the period 1979 to the latest date for which information is available before and after housing costs, of each percentile group in the population.

  Mr. Burt
  [pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1993, c. 1010]: I am advised that a figure was omitted from the table included in my reply. The correct information is:
  Real increases in income between 1979 and 1990–91 for each decile group in the income distribution are provided in the table; greater disaggregation would not give statistically reliable results. These figures relate to the United Kingdom and are based on income equivalised for household size and composition.
  167

  Percentage changes in real income by decile group 1979–1990–91

  Decile Group Medians

  Income before housing costs

  Income after housing costs

  Decile 1

  -1

  -14

  Decile 2

  6

  0

  Decile 3

  11

  7

  Decile 4

  17

  16

  Decile 5

  23

  22

  Decile 6

  27

  28

  Decile 7

  31

  33

  Decile 8

  36

  38

  Decile 9

  43

  45

  Decile 10

  58

  62

  Note: All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Pensions
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people currently contribute to(a) a final salary occupational pension scheme, (b) a money purchase occupational pension scheme and (c) a personal pension; and what is his estimate of the corresponding figures in five years' time.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government Actuary provisionally estimates that in 1991, 8.4 million people made personal contributions to final salary occupational pension schemes; and 0.7 million made personal contributions to money purchase occupational pension schemes. Figures on the number of people who are making additional voluntary contributions to occupational pensions schemes are not available.

  In the financial year 1991–92, 2 million people made personal contributions to appropriate personal pensions in place of the state earnings-related pension scheme, and a further 3 million made contributions to other personal pensions.

  The information on the corresponding position in five years time is not available.

  Sources:
  Occupational Pension Schemes: The Provisional Results of the 1991 Government Actuaries Department Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes.
  Personal Pensions: Inland Revenue, Statistics and Economics Office.

  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioners currently have an occupational pension; and how many had one in 1979.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the table.

  Percentage of pensioners with income from occupational pensions

  1979

  1990–91

  Pensioner couples

  65

  70

  Single pensioners

  32

  56

  All pensioner units

  43

  61

  Source:

  Family expenditure survey and GAD survey of occupational pension schemes.

  Notes:

  1. Pensioners units are defined as single people above state pension age and couples in which the husband is above state pension age.

  2. 1990–91 denotes estimates from a combined sample of the 1990 and 1991 family expenditure surveys (FES). One quarter of the 1991 FES sample has been omitted because of inadequate data on community charge benefit receipt following the delayed issue of community charge bills in April 1991. As a result the sample size in that year is too small to provide reliable estimates of pensioners' incomes. For this reason the remaining data for 1991 have been combined with that for 1990.

  Pension Age
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost to public funds would be of equalisation of the state pension at 60 years.

  Mr. Hague
  Equalising the state pension at 60 would cost, at today's prices, over £4.5 billion by 2025.

  Income Support
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support there are in the Cunninghame, North constituency.

  Mr. Burt
  Information of this kind is not collected for individual parliamentary constituencies. However, I understand from the Benefits Agency that there are 65,441 income support recipients recorded by offices located within Cunninghame, North.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men aged between 60 and 65 years were claiming income support in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Burt
  The latest available figures show that there were 176,000 men aged between 60 and 65 years successfully claiming income support.

  Notes:

  1. Source: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Inquiry, November 1992.

  2. The figure has been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. The figure includes men aged 60 but excludes those aged 65 and does not include men receiving income support as partners.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he has given to reducing the taper for housing benefit assessment.

  Mr. Burt
  I have no plans, at this time, to cut the housing benefit taper.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the number of people currently in receipt of invalidity benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  The estimated average number of people who will be receiving invalidity benefit at any one time during the year 1993–94 is 1,585,000.

  Source: The departmental report, 1993.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men aged between 60 and 65 years were claiming invalidity benefit in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Scott
  On 4 April 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 285,000 men aged between 60 and 65 receiving invalidity benefit.

  Notes: Based on a 1 per cent. sample of claimants, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Pensioners (Shares)
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has as to the number of pensioners who own shares.
  169
  Mr. Hague
  We estimate that in 1990–91, the latest year for which figures are available, 1.5 million pensioner units received income from stocks and shares.

  Expenditure, North Yorkshire
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were his Department's capital and total expenditures in North Yorkshire for the last financial year and for each of the previous three years.

  Mr. Burt
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table. The figures are for administrative spending in the North Yorkshire district by the Benefits Agency and the Contributions Agency since they were established in 1991.

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  Capital spending

  30,953

  47,128

  Total administrative expenditure

  4,427,095

  5,029,952

  Child Benefit
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has as to the level of child benefit or equivalent paid to the mother of one child in each other EC country.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table.

  Comparison of weekly rate of child benefit in EC Member States—For first child at age:

  £

  4

  11

  16

  Belgium

  9·39

  12·66

  14·65

  Denmark

  10·53

  7·93

  7·93

  France1

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Germany

  4·94

  4·94

  4·94

  Greece2

  0·76

  0·76

  0·76

  Ireland

  3·54

  3·54

  3·54

  Italy3

  —

  —

  —

  Luxembourg

  7·69

  9–57

  1332

  Netherlands

  6·75

  9·42

  12·10

  Portugal

  2–78

  2·78

  2·78

  Spain4

  3–92

  3·92

  3·92

  UK

  9·65

  9·65

  9·65

  Source: MISSOC 1992.

  The conversion to sterling has been calculated using the OECD averages of purchasing power parities during 1992.

  1 Child benefit paid only for second and subsequent children.

  2 Progressively reduced to £0.52 per week if gross family income is more than £6,796 per annum.

  3 No specific amount; child benefit is means-tested.

  4 No benefit if family income is more than £5,661 per annum.

  Family Resources Survey
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what purposes his Department has commissioned a family resources survey; by whom the questions were devised; by whom the data gathered will be analysed; and how and when it will be published.

  Mr. Burt
  The new family resources survey (FRS) has been commissioned to provide better information about the characteristics and finances of households. The improved data will enable better monitoring of the social security 170
  programme and expenditure forecasting. In particular, it will be better geared to provide information on low-income households as the basis for households below average income statistics than the family expenditure survey which is currently used.

  The questionnaire content was agreed in consultation with DSS analysts and other interested Departments and finalised with the survey's field contractors after pilot studies.

  The field contractors began collecting data for the new FRS last October. After the removal of information identifying individual respondents by the contractors, the data are passed to the analytical services division of DSS.

  It is envisaged that a summary statistical bulletin with provisional data will be published, as a publication of the Government Statistical Service, in the second half of 1994.

  Absent Fathers
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women have been asked to name an absent father at benefit offices in(a) Edinburgh and (b) Scotland as a whole; how many have demurred; and how many have had income support deducted as a penalty.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive, who has written further to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. Hepplewhite to Mr. Malcolm Chisholm, dated 16 August 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency I wrote to you on 26 July in response to your Parliamentary Question about the number of women in Edinburgh who had been asked to name an absent father and how many had demurred.
  My letter said that between 5 April and 30 June 1993, 37 parents with care of children had been interviewed in Edinburgh in connection with their applications for child maintenance. I also said that, of these, 24 had declined without good cause to co-operate in providing details of the absent parent. However, I have subsequently established that of the 37 interviewed, 12 named the absent parent and only one parent declined without good cause to co-operate. The other figures given are unchanged.
  I am sorry for any confusion my earlier reply may have caused.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful prosecutions have taken place of self-employed individuals found to be evading national insurance contribution payments; and what has been the value of the revenue recovered in each year since 1984–85(a) in each region and (b) nationally.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of national insurance is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from A. Chant to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 27 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency I ant responsible for answering questions about relevant operational matters. I have been asked to reply to your question about how many self-employed individuals have been successfully prosecuted for the evasion of National Insurance contributions (NICs), and the value of the revenue recovered in each year since 1984–85.

  171
  When arrears of self-employed (Class 2) contributions are discovered it is the aim of the Agency to obtain current compliance and payment of the arrears at the smallest cost to public funds. If necessary, the Agency will pursue unpaid Class 2 NICs by either civil or criminal prosecution. In my answer to your other separate question about the self-employed I have supplied, in annexes which will be tabled in the Library, details of the number of proceedings undertaken by the Agency and the amounts involved.
  We do not keep separate figures for the number of successful prosecutions nor for amounts of money collected in relation to these proceedings, because some cases are resolved before litigation has run its full course or alternatively the money may be collected by instalments. These cases are regarded as an effective part of the litigation process.
  I regret that I have been unable to give you the precise information that you requested in your question but I hope that my reply has proved helpful.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the names, occupations and current employers of those who currently hold positions in each public body to which he makes appointments; if he will make a statement on the considerations taken into account when making such appointments and if he will list details of the posts and salaries or allowances payable which have changed since the publication of "Public Bodies 1992."

  Mr. Burt
  [pursuant to his reply, 25 June 1993, c. 322–23]: The earlier reply contained incorrect information. The correct information is in the table.

  Chair

  Members

  Disability Appeal Tribunals

  325 male

  908 male

  79 female

  677 female

  Social Security Appeals Tribunals

  479 male

  2,269 male

  122 female

  1,252 female

  Medical Appeal Tribunals

  88 male

  464 male

  8 female

  9 female

  Disability
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide statistics on the basis of the latest analysis of households below average income, for the long-term sick and those on disability benefit to correspond with statistical data for pensioners, recipients of income support and unemployment given in tables A4 and A5 in the latest households below average income report.

  Mr. Burt
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 July 1993, c. 71–72]: I am advised that the reply contained incomplete information. The correct information is as follows:
  The households below average income (HBAI) dataset, the family expenditure survey (FES), does not identify all long-term sick or disabled people, and its identification of receipt of disability benefits is imperfect. The estimates are susceptible to these imperfections as well as sampling errors. The results reported in the tables may, therefore, reflect changes in the categories of long-term sick or disabled people identified in the FES, as well as changes in the incomes of such people.
  Where figures are particularly uncertain due to sampling error and where the confidence intervals exceed pre-determined limits the estimates are bracketed or omitted. Further information about the effects of sampling errors can be found in appendix 5 of HBAI, a copy of which is in the Library.
  The figures in the tables are presented in line with tables A4 and A5 in Households Below Average Income 1979 to 1990–91.
  172

  Changes in real income for long-term sick and those on disability benefits

  Real changes in median incomes 1979 to 1990–91 (Percentage) Income before housing costs

  Bottom quintile

  Second quintile

  Third quintile

  Whole group (mean)

  Before housing costs

  Long-term sick or receiving disability benefits

  (4)

  (14)

  (*)2

  26

  Income after housing costs

  Long-term sick or receiving disability benefits

  (*)3

  (14)

  (*)4

  30

  Notes:

  1 People who reported receipt of invalidity benefit, severe disablement allowance, attendance allowance or mobility allowance or people not in work who reported long-term sickness or disability.

  2. 95 per cent. confidence interval is +9 to +30.

  3. 95 per cent. confidence interval is -7 to +15.

  4. 95 per cent. confidence interval is +12 to +36.

  Money values of quintile medians for long-term sick and those on disability benefits in April 1993 prices (£ per week equivalised)

  Bottom quintile

  Second quintile

  Third quintile

  Whole group (mean)

  1979

  Before housing costs

  Long-term sick or Receiving disability benefits

  92

  113

  135

  148

  1990–91

  Long-term sick or Receiving disability benefits

  96

  129

  162

  186

  1979

  After housing costs

  Long-term sick or Receiving disability benefits

  76

  96

  117

  128

  1990–91

  Long-term sick or Receiving disability benefits

  79

  109

  144

  166

  Note:

  1. All estimates are subject to sampling error—see table on income growth.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Wheat
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average ex-farm price of wheat received by farmers in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) Germany in pounds sterling in 1979 and each year since 1984.

  Mr. Jack
  Information for Great Britain, France and Germany is set out in the following table. Comparable information for the United Kingdom is not available.
  173

  Ex-farm price of wheat

  £ per tonne

  Great Britain1

  France2

  Germany2

  1979–80

  98·13

  91·51

  117·70

  1983–84

  124·33

  98·48

  123·90

  1984–85

  111·26

  96·06

  111·25

  1985–86

  112·20

  114·74

  129·24

  1986–87

  112·67

  113·82

  134·74

  1987–88

  111·20

  100·32

  116·40

  1988–89

  114·19

  105·57

  113·67

  1989–90

  112·23

  106·28

  116·26

  1990–91

  119·56

  107·19

  112·50

  1991–92

  122·31

  107·53

  122·66

  1 Source: Home Grown Cereals Authority—Actual prices (Years are from July-June).

  2 Source: Eurostat—by calendar year—1979 and 1984–92.

  Blind and Partially Sighted People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements her Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by her Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

  Mr. Jack
  MAFF aims to respond positively and helpfully to all requests for information from blind and partially sighted people. The Department has recently set up a telephone helpline to offer callers unfamiliar with MAFF a clear route into the Department and the information it can provide. Helpline staff would welcome enquiries from visually impaired people at any time. As well as providing a new focal point for information from the Department, the helpline is an additional means of putting callers rapidly in touch with officials who can deal with enquiries on specialist issues. The Department has an equal opportunities unit which provides central advice on meeting special needs.

  Computer Consultancies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list all the computer consultancies employed by her Department and agencies, since November 1991, the tasks for which they were engaged, and the total cost to her Department.

  Mr. Jack
  There follows a list giving details of the computer consultancies employed by the Department since November 1991 and the tasks on which they were engaged.

  I am unable to provide precisely the total cost of consultancies in that period, since that would involve the officials in considerable effort. However, in recent years the annual budget for computer consultancies has varied between £5 million and £7 million.

  Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food list of computer consultants employed since November 1991.

  CONSULTANT AND TASK

  Admiral—Development of computer systems for CAP Reform schemes.

  AIMS Systems—Technical advice on Structured Design Methodology.

  Ampersand—Development of computer systems for CAP Reform schemes.

  Amtec—Advice on quality management.

  Amtec—Support to market testing programme for IT Services.

  Asterisk Systems—Development of computer systems for CAP reform schemes.

  174

  BIS—Technical advice on Strucutred Design Methodology at the Central Veterinary laboratory.

  Brandt Computers—Development of Resource Management Strategy.

  Bristol University—Development of computer system for National Food Survey.

  Brook Systems—Project Management of Sample Mangernent System.

  Capita—Support to market testing programme for IT Services.

  CCTA—Development of IT Strategy for National Institute of Agricultural Botany and National Meat Hygiene Service.

  CCTA—Support to IT procurements.

  Chris Cole Associates—Advice on strategy for structured cabling.

  Cooper and Lybrand—Support to market testing programme for IT Services.

  Cooper and Lybrand—Development of computer systems for CAP Reform schemes.

  Corporate Computers—Advice on computer systems for National Food Survey.

  CSS Trident—Implementation of Resource Management Strategy.

  Digital Equipment Corp. —Advice on configuration management.

  D M Shaw Associates—Advice on management of change.

  D M Shaw Associates—Development of standards for post implementation review of computer projects.

  D M Shaw Associates—Advice on quality management standards.

  D P P International—Implementation of Resource Management Strategy.

  Duhig Berry—Advice on project management techniques.

  Electronic Facilities Design—Audit of Sample Management System project.

  Electronic Facilities Design—Development of IT training strategy.

  Ernst and Young—Development of Resource Management Strategy.

  Exclusive Software—Conversion of programs to Ingres.

  Exeter University—Development of computer systems for ADAS.

  FI Group—Quality assurance of development of computer system for National Food Survey.

  FI Group—Data conversion for Agricultural Census.

  FI Group—Facilities management of Agricultural Census computer system.

  Forvus Ltd. —Development of National Food Survey system.

  Gateway Systems—Advice on data communications cabling.

  Harwell Computers—Advice on IT system for licence identifications and management.

  Hayes-Davies—Advice on quality management, customer satisfaction surveys.

  Hoskyns—Development of computer system for Farm Woodlands Scheme.

  Hoskyns—Assistance with Ingres database conversion project.

  Hoskyns—Advice on project management tools.

  Inference Ltd. —Implementation of computer system for relocation expenses.

  Intersect Ltd. —Development of IT maintenance strategy.

  ISM Consultants—Assistance with data communications strategy.

  John Guest Ltd. —Advice on data management in the Fisheries Group.

  Kermon Associates—Technical assurance on implementation of office systems.

  Kermon Associates—IT security reviews.

  LBMS—Development of computer system for CAP reform schemes.

  LBMS—Business analysis/feasibility studies/system design.

  LBMS—Advice on standards.

  Logica—Development of knowledge based system in the Animal Health Group.

  Midsummer Computing—Advice on geographical information systems.

  MMT Ltd. —Development of computer system for Licensed Veterinary Inspections, Horticultural Inspection Recording.

  MMT Ltd.. —Advice on relational database management systems.

  175

  MMT Ltd—Project management for National Food Survey system.

  Mouncey & Partners—Development of computer systems for emergencies planning, meat plant monitoring.

  Mouncey & Partners—Development of IT sub-strategy for Fisheries Group.

  Mouncey & Partners—Assistance with market testing programme of IT Services.

  Mouncey & Partners—Technical assurance on accommodation planning IT project.

  Mouncey and Partners—Feasibility study on milk quotas system.

  Mouncey and Partners—Development of Grants and Subsidies Management System.

  OFICE—Assistance with building cabling projects.

  Opal Ltd. —Conversion of office systems.

  Oracle-Development and implementation of Resource Management Strategy.

  PA Consulting—IT sub-strategy studies.

  PA Consulting—Advice on project costing and management for ADAS.

  PA Consulting—Development of Animal Tracking Project for the Animal Health Group.

  PA Consulting—ADAS Accounting Project.

  PA Consulting—Development of Food Related Database Shells Project.

  PACTUM Ltd. —Ingres program development for the Horticulture Inspection Recording System.

  Perspective—Advice on quality audit.

  Premier Computing—Implementation of Office Systems.

  Price Waterhouse—Development of Resource Management Strategy.

  Price Waterhouse—Development of IT strategy for Central Science Laboratories.

  Prime Computer Systems—Advice on capacity planning. Quanta Learning Systems—Development of IT training guides.

  Reading University—Advice on relation of statistical software.

  Ricardo Ltd. —Advice on end user support documentation.

  SAC Ltd. —Advice on end user support methods.

  Sapphire Ltd. —Support for IT systems in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

  Sema Group—Development of Farm Survey System.

  Sequent Computer Systems-Capacity planning.

  Sherwoods Ltd.—Development of computer system for CAP reform schemes.

  Shreeveport—Development of IT strategy for National Meat Hygiene Service.

  Siemens Nixdorf—Implementation of office systems (Project Maiden).

  South-West Health Authority—Implementation of Resource Management Strategy.

  Touche Ross—IT security reviews.

  Touche Ross—Project management for development of IT accounting system in National Institute of Agricultural Botany.

  Touche Ross—Development of IT strategy for personnel management.

  Triad Ltd.—Development of computer systems for CAP reform schemes.

  Triad Ltd.—Development of computer system for Import Licence Identification and Management.

  Triad Ltd.—Development of computer system for administration of pesticide approval applications.

  Triad Ltd.—Implementation of Resource Management Strategy.

  Zergo Ltd.—Security review of data communications network.

  Stock-proof Fencing
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to introduce legislation compelling adjoining landowners to maintain stock-proof fencing against commons.
  176
  Mr. Jack
  I see no need to introduce such legislation, since there is a general duty on landowners, whether adjoining common land or not, to contain their livestock and to ensure against straying.

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those services or functions contracted out in her Department and agencies, since November 1991, in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were not applied.

  Mr. Jack
  The application of TUPE depends on the nature of the work awarded and the contractors' own proposals for carrying out the work.

  Since publication of the White Paper "Competing for Quality, Buying Better Public Services", the Department's market-testing programme has included the activities listed which have been contracted out under contractual arrangements which did not need to incorporate the 1981 regulations:

  Building and Estates Management (Part)

  General Recruitment (Up to Grade 7)

  Library Services (Books and Journals)

  Royal Navy Surface Surveillance (Fisheries Protection Contract)

  Relocation Work (Central Science Laboratory)

  Information relating to services or functions which are not on the Department's market-testing programme but which have been contracted out since November 1991 cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Houses
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the member states in the European Community which currently designate agricultural animal status or its equivalent to horses; and if she will make it her policy to adopt such a designation in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  The practice of designating horses as agricultural animals varies among member states. The Government have no plans to adopt a comprehensive designation since this would, in itself, have no significance. What is significant is how horses are treated in specific pieces of national legislation.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the achievements of(a) her policies and (b) her Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if she will publish the performance indicators by which her Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government continue to help small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

  This Department has continued to contribute significantly to the process. The completion and implementation of the common agricultural policy reform agreement

  177
  provides a framework for the development of a competitive agricultural industry for future years. It gives farmers the stability to plan ahead.

  In other areas of its work also the Department continues to offer help and assistance. For example:

  (i) special rules to enable small producers to claim arable area payments under simplified arrangements that do not require them to set aside land;

  (ii) specific arrangements to enable meat from low-throughput abattoirs to be supplied to wholesalers as well as retailers and final consumers;

  (iii) the group marketing grant which can assist individual farmers to band together to market their produce more effectively;

  (iv) the prospective easing of salmonella controls for poultry producers with small breeding flocks; and

  (v) the establishment of small business panels to enable Ministers to hear at first hand the views of small businessmen on the regulatory burden.

  All the schemes operated by this Department are closely monitored. Reports on particular schemes are published from time to time.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been undertaken by her Department into the relationship between instances of pesticide contamination of humans and symptoms of depression amongst the farming community.

  Mr. Soames
  I would advise any farmers suffering symptoms of depression to seek the advice of their doctor in the first instance. Specialist advice on farming issues can be obtained through the nearest Ministry regional service centre.

  Fur Farms
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures are required by his Department for mink farmers to follow when mink are moved from one fur farm to another.

  Mr. Soames
  The Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975, as amended, require that no mink shall be transported from place to place except in closed cages or other containers constructed in such manner and of such materials as to prevent their escape. There is no requirement to inform the Ministry of the transportation of mink.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information she has about the mink transported from Halifax to Appin in Scotland in September and October 1992; when her Department became aware of the movement; and what action was taken.

  Mr. Soames
  I have no information on this. There is no requirement to inform the Ministry of the transportation of mink.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessments she has received from(a) the Agricultural Development Advisory Service, (b) the National Rivers Authority and (c) English Nature as to whether the Isle of Wight is free from an established feral mink population; and what assessment her Department has made.

  Mr. Soames
  Although sightings of mink on the isle have been reported in the press, ADAS has not been 178
  presented with evidence to support any claims of a feral mink population, nor has it received any complaints of small animals and poultry, which are easy prey for mink, being taken. Its overall assessment is that, at present, there is no feral mink population on the isle.

  A 15-month study of otters and mink in south-eastern Britain, including the Isle of Wight, carried out on behalf of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust and the National Rivers Authority, found no evidence of mink on the isle in late 1991 or again in 1993.

  In its response to the Ministry's public consultation exercise, reviewing the Mink (Keeping) Order 1987, English Nature said:
  "Although the mink is now well established in England, it is not yet established on the Isle of Wight."

  A number of mink farms existed on the isle prior to the introduction of controls on the keeping of mink in 1962. Escapes from these farms could have led to the establishment of a feral mink population many years ago, although there is no evidence that this occurred. Hampshire has a well-established feral mink population and mink are capable of swimming the distance from the mainland. Therefore, there is always the possibility that mink could reach the isle and in the absence of adequate control by the owners and occupiers of land responsible for such control, establish a feral mink population.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give details of the numbers of mink farms which have existed on the Isle of Wight since controls on mink keeping were introduced, with the size of such establishments.

  Mr. Soames
  Mink keeping controls were introduced in 1962. Since then only one mink farm owner has been licensed to keep mink at premises on the island. Details of mink farms provided in support of licence applications are confidential between the Ministry and the applicant.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information she has on outbreaks of botulism on mink factory farms; and how many resulting mink deaths have occurred on individual mink farms.

  Mr. Soames
  Botulism in animals is not compulsorilly notifiable and therefore complete data are not available. We are aware of an outbreak on one mink farm in September 1992 which resulted in around 1,000 mink deaths.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink were(a) reared and (b) killed on fur farms in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Soames
  The Mink (Keeping) Order 1992, which requires that mink farms be licensed by Agriculture Departments, does not require returns of numbers of mink reared and killed to be made. Therefore no official figures are available.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is she will give details of the size of mink cages most often found by officers of the state veterinary service when inspecting mink farms.

  Mr. Soames
  The majority of mink cages inspected by officers of the state veterinary service were of dimensions being greater than 38 cm in depth, 23 cm in width and 30.5 cm in height.
  179
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what work has been carried out to assess the impact on wildlife of the Isle of Wight were a feral mink population to become established; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  No studies have been carried out by the Ministry to assess the possible impact were a feral mink population to become established on the Isle of Wight. Experience in other parts of Britain has shown that feral mink can have a significant effect on local populations of birds and water voles if adequate measures are not taken by landowners and occupiers to control the feral mink.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment officers of the state veterinary service have been made of the extent to which the current cages used for fur farming meet the ethological needs of mink.

  Mr. Soames
  In monitoring welfare standards on fur farms the state veterinary service operates to the guidelines laid down in the relevant recommendations adopted by the Council of Europe.

  Officers of the SVS note any signs of abnormal behaviour in the mink which may indicate that the cages do not meet the ethological needs of the animal. Such abnormal behaviour was observed in only a very small proportion of animals and on no occasion was it considered by officers to be associated with unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give details of reports of feral mink on the Isle of Wight of which her officials were aware in 1983, 1987, 1992 and February 1993.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry is aware of press reports and claims, from time to time, of feral mink on the Isle of Wight. In 1983 a dead mink was reported on the road at Chale and collected by a Ministry official and in 1992 a report was made to the Ministry of a mink being shot at Porchfield. Officials are aware of the recent reports in 1993 of evidence of mink on the River Medina. Their presence has not been confirmed. ADAS has advised the working group, set up by the Isle of Wight county council this year in response to these reports, on appropriate methods of capture and humane despatch of feral mink which can be employed by land occupiers and owners if this proves necessary.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional security precautions her officers have advised in order to ensure that mink are securely held in the mink farm on the Isle of Wight in addition to the general provisions of the Mink (Keeping) Orders.

  Mr. Soames
  The Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975, as amended, set out the requirements for keeping mink under licence and allow for modifications to the requirements to be made where local conditions may make these appropriate.

  The conditions of the licence issued to the Isle of Wight mink farm were drawn up on ADAS advice following inspection of the premises and with regard to the local conditions and the need to prevent mink escaping into the surrounding area. The details of particular licences to keep mink are confidential between the Ministry and the licensee.
  180
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the annual cost of(a) animal welfare inspections of mink farms by officers of the state veterinary service, (b) the administration of the Mink (Keeping) Orders by her Department and (c) annual inspections of mink farms by her officials over the last five years to ensure compliance with the security provisions of the Mink Keeping Orders.

  Mr. Soames
  Information on the annual cost of animal welfare inspections is not separately available.

  The costs for administration and annual inspections for compliance with the Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975, as amended and the issue of licences are as follows:

  MAFF Administration £

  Annual Inspections £

  1988–89

  840

  2,270

  1989–90

  910

  2,920

  1990–91

  700

  1,000

  1991–92

  520

  1,710

  1992–93

  220

  1,600

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is taken by her officials when Arctic foxes are found to be present on licensed mink factory farms to ensure that the foxes cannot escape into the countryside.

  Mr. Soames
  The keeping of Arctic foxes is not subject to control. Ministry officials visiting licensed mink premises confine their security checks to the arrangements for the keeping of mink.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on how many occasions in each of the last five years welfare inspections of Arctic fox farms were carried out by her officials;

  (2) if she will make a statement on the accommodation for Arctic foxes witnessed by her officials during welfare inspections of fur farms.

  Mr. Soames
  In monitoring welfare standards on fur farms, the state veterinary service operates to the guidelines laid down in the relevant recommendations adopted by the Council of Europe.

  Welfare inspections of Arctic fox farms were carried out by officers of the SVS on four occasions in 1989 and once in 1990. Of the two farms visited, the accommodation in one was found to be well constructed and in good condition. On the other farm improvements to flooring were recommended and this was satisfactorily carried out. I understand that both farms have since ceased to operate.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the last five years officers of the state veterinary service monitored or observed the slaughter of Arctic foxes in fur farms; and if she will give details of the various methods of killing used.

  Mr. Soames
  Officers of the state veterinary service monitored the slaughter of Arctic fox once in the last five years. The method of slaughter used was by lethal injection.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether officers of the state
  181
  veterinary service have witnessed (a) the gassing of mink on fur farms and (b) the gassing of mink via a box connected to car or tractor exhausts; and if she will give details of precautions taken in the latter case to ensure that the mink die humanely;

  (2) what assessment her officials have made of the humaneness of carbon monoxide gassing of mink; and what is the average time to unconsciousness and death noted by officials of the state veterinary service when observing the gassing of mink on fur farms.

  Mr. Soames
  Officers of the state veterinary service have witnessed the gassing of mink on fur farms by a variety of methods. Killing by exhaust gases from a car or tractor was not observed on any occasion.

  The Department has carried out no specific research into the gassing of mink. However, research and observation in other countries have concluded that gassing by carbon monoxide as practised in Britain is humane.

  Very few data are available on the average time to unconsciousness and death, but in the cases observed the time has varied between one and a half to seven minutes to unconsciousness with death supervening between three to 15 minutes later. No evidence of undue stress was observed prior to unconsciousness.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been conducted into the areas recommended by the Farm Animal Welfare Council for research to determine the optimum enclosure for mink and fox in 1989.

  Mr. Soames
  The Farm Animal Welfare Council review of fur farming recommended that the industry should carry out research to determine the optimum enclosure for mink and fox. However, the fur farming industry in this country, being one of the smallest in Europe, has so far been unable to support such research and development.

  The Council of Europe recommendation on fur farming also contains a recommendation that research should be undertaken in the area of, inter alia, the development of husbandry systems to improve the health and welfare of the animals. Such research is being carried out in other countries such as Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands, whose industries are large enough to bear the costs involved.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken by her Department in respect of the report by the Institute of Fisheries Ecology of evidence of a feral mink population on the River Medina in the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Soames
  ADAS has advised the working group set up by the Isle of Wight county council this year in response to the institute's report on the methods of capture and humane despatch of feral mink. The county ecology officer is to hold courses for local landowners and occupiers who are responsible for feral mink control, to ensure that they are able to identify signs of mink and the ways of controlling them.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times the mink farm on the Isle of Wight was inspected by his officials in each year since 1988 in connection with the security provisions of the Mink (Keeping) Orders.
  182
  Mr. Soames
  The number of inspections made by ADAS on behalf of the Ministry was as follows:

  Number

  1988

  1

  1989

  1

  1990

  2

  1991

  1

  1992

  2

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual income over each of the past five years from mink farm licence fees.

  Mr. Soames
  The annual income, on a financial year basis, from mink farm licences in England is as follows:

  £

  1988–89

  6,267

  1989–90

  4,715

  1990–91

  3,220

  1991–92

  2,530

  1992–93

  2,185

  School Milk
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has made to the Council of Ministers to retain the subsidy for school milk;

  (2) what representations he has made to ensure the continuation of the subsidy for school milk.

  Mr. Jack
  At the Agriculture Council on 20–21 September the United Kingdom, supported by several other member states, argued that the Commission's proposal for a 50 per cent. cut in the rate of school milk subsidy was too drastic a measure for achieving budgetary savings and would threaten the viability of a popular scheme which had played an important role in encouraging consumption of milk and milk products. In the light of these representations the Council agreed to limit the reduction in subsidy to 25 per cent. and to find the balance of the necessary savings by making technical adjustments aimed at improving the cost-effectiveness of the scheme. The Government are satisfied that this represents a sensible compromise which safeguards the viability of the scheme while at the same time taking account of the severe pressure on the Community budget.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the throughput in British abattoirs in each month since January 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  The throughput of abattoirs in the United Kingdom is published each week in a press notice entitled "United Kingdom Slaughter Statistics". Historical monthly figures, including those since January 1992, are given on the reverse of this press notice.

  Agriculture Expenditure
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the overall expenditure on agriculture, fisheries and food, as shown in the public
  183
  expenditure White Paper is attributable to (a) agriculture, (b) fisheries, (c) food, (d) forestry, (e) coast defence and (f) all other non-agricultural activities including civil defence for each year since 1985–86.

  Mr. Jack
  The information available is contained in the 1991, 1992 and 1993 editions of the MAFF/IB departmental report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Lupin Seed
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information she has received from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods about the toxic components of lupin seed.

  EC Cereals Production 1986–87 to 1991–921

  ('000 tonnes)

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Belgium

  2,345

  1,920

  2,207

  2,243

  1,996

  1,979

  Denmark

  7,968

  7,271

  8,067

  8,808

  9,606

  9,169

  Germany

  25,590

  23,770

  27,112

  26,113

  37,580

  39,289

  Greece

  5,263

  5,071

  4,587

  4,534

  4,042

  5,607

  Spain

  15,974

  19,814

  23,146

  19,346

  18,230

  18,851

  France

  50,100

  52,242

  55,866

  57,310

  55,118

  60,232

  Ireland

  1,831

  1,992

  1,979

  1,872

  1,970

  2,093

  Italy

  17,796

  17,436

  16,563

  16,207

  16,286

  18,202

  Luxembourg

  48

  61

  124

  124

  126

  138

  Netherlands

  1,261

  1,145

  1,217

  1,363

  1,388

  1,296

  Portugal

  1,593

  1,563

  1,295

  1,643

  1,200

  1,543

  United Kingdom

  24,511

  21,676

  21,110

  22,725

  22,566

  22,635

  Total

  154,280

  153,960

  163,273

  162,289

  170,108

  181,035

  Source: EC Commission's Cereals Bilans.

  1 Cereals marketing year runs from I July to 30 June.

  Total EC payments of cereals co-responsibility levy (Basic and Additional) (Thousand ECU)

  19861

  19872

  19883

  19894

  19904

  19914

  Belgium

  5,203

  18,958

  15,538

  14,932

  11,602

  14,527

  Denmark

  1,841

  12,081

  14,621

  40,509

  29,315

  50,376

  Germany

  16,749

  77,866

  148,822

  104,688

  87,409

  151,123

  Greece

  877

  4,592

  9,204

  13,918

  9,189

  7,686

  Spain

  —

  33,765

  33,971

  71,743

  80,204

  59,073

  France

  10,337

  103,625

  315,827

  329,104

  273,701

  390,911

  Ireland

  766

  5,106

  9,434

  10,816

  7,540

  11,851

  Italy

  10,074

  37,430

  33,589

  66,053

  60,661

  62,174

  Luxembourg

  69

  419

  325

  476

  352

  704

  Netherlands

  769

  22,110

  21,249

  7,872

  7,951

  11,454

  Portugal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  United Kingdom

  9,745

  62,752

  74,924

  139,151

  147,166

  166,154

  Total

  56,430

  378,704

  677,504

  799,262

  715,090

  926,033

  Source: EAGGF—payments represent amount of cereals co-responsibility levy paid in each EAGGF financial year.

  1 1 January—31 December.

  2 1 January 1987—31 October 1987.

  3 1 November 1987—15 October 1988.

  4 16 October—15 October.

  Cereals co-responsibility levy net rate 1986–87 to 1991–921

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Intervention price (ecu/tonne)

  179·44

  179·44

  179·44

  174·06

  168·55

  168·55

  Net rate2 (ecu/tonne)

  5·38

  5·38

  8·25

  5·22

  7·59

  8·43

  1 1 July to 30 June.

  2 Net rate of levy includes both basic and, where appropriate, additional levies. The basic co-responsibility levy was calculated as 3 per cent. of the

  184
  Mr. Soames
  None. The committee is unable to report on this matter pending the completion of additional studies necessary for the safety assessment of two applications to use lupin products in food.

  Cereals
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was(a) the total amount paid by each member state of the EEC in cereals co-responsibility levy for each year since the co-responsibility levy has been operative and (b) the total tonnage of cereals produced in each member state of the EEC, showing in each case how much per tonne the co-responsibility levy represented.

  Mr. Jack
  Information on the total amount paid by each member state in cereals co-responsibility levy, the total tonnage of cereals produced in each member state and the rate of the co-responsibility levy per tonne of cereals each year since 1986 is provided in the following tables.
  185
  common wheat intervention price (5 per cent in 1991–92). The additional levy was charged in cases where the Maximum Guaranteed Quantity was exceeded. The basis of calculation was not consistent throughout this period.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the tonnage and average price of grain exported from the United Kingdom(a) generally and (b) separately for each country to which grain was exported in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Jack
  The information sought cannot be produced without disproportionate cost to the Department. However, details for each type of grain covering total trade in volume and value, as well as a list of the major trading countries involved and their respective trade, can be found in the annual volumes of the "Overseas Trade Statistics for the United Kingdom" (MA 20) for 1989–91, while figures for 1992 can be found in the December 1992 issue of the monthly version (MM 20) of the same publication. Copies of these publications are in the House of Commons Library.

  Details of grain classification within the Standard Industrial Trade Classification Division 04 are shown in the "Guide to Classification for Overseas Trade Statistics" (MA 21), which is also in the House of Commons Library. All the data itself can be found within table VI, section 0, 041–045.99 of the MA and MM 20s.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the size of the United Kingdom harvest in(a) tonnes and (b) value, at actual and at 1989 prices in each year since 1979;

  (2) if she will list the quantity and value of grain produced in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979 giving value in real and 1990 prices.

  Mr. Jack
  I assume that my hon. Friend's first question refers to the cereals harvest. As values are not available at 1989 prices, I have answered both questions together showing values in actual, 1990 prices and as deflated by the index of retail prices (1990=100). The information is set out in the table.

  United Kingdom Cereal Production and Value of Output

  Quantity (thousand tonnes)

  Value (£ million)

  Value at 1990 prices (£ million)

  Value deflated by RPI (1990=100)

  1979

  17,415

  1,184

  1,300

  2,635

  1980

  19,480

  1,463

  1,548

  2,758

  1981

  19,621

  1,693

  1,648

  2,853

  1982

  21,910

  2,062

  1,888

  3,200

  1983

  21,307

  1,996

  1,670

  2,963

  1984

  26,602

  2,420

  2,319

  3,421

  1985

  22,466

  2,281

  2,279

  3,041

  1986

  24,489

  2,153

  2,139

  2,776

  1987

  21,681

  1,990

  1,983

  2,463

  1988

  21,162

  1,821

  1,907

  2,148

  1989

  22,729

  2,052

  2,134

  2,246

  1990

  22,583

  2,055

  2,055

  2,055

  1991

  22,635

  2,165

  2,081

  2,044

  1992

  22,063

  2,221

  2,050

  2,022

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give the average price of imported wheat into the United Kingdom for each year since 1979, showing the quantity of all imported wheat in each of these years.

  Mr. Jack
  The information sought on United Kingdom imports of wheat is as follows:
  186

  Weight 000's Metric Tonnes

  Value £ million

  Average Price Per Metric Tonnes £

  1979

  2,601

  257

  98·63

  1980

  2,256

  233

  103·12

  1981

  1,772

  208

  117·51

  1982

  1,554

  182

  117·12

  1983

  1,326

  180

  135·86

  1984

  1,123

  168

  149·90

  1985

  1,614

  230

  142·60

  1986

  1,708

  236

  138·32

  1987

  1,719

  224

  130·16

  1988

  1,641

  222

  135·08

  1989

  859

  124

  144·80

  1990

  873

  109

  124·65

  1991

  746

  96

  128·98

  1992

  1,276

  182

  142·83

  Source: Central Statistical Office.

  Agricultural Support
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total of moneys received from the European Economic Community, in connection with agricultural support, subsidies or intervention payments of any kind, in each year since accession; and what has been the net cost of agricultural support, both national and community, after allowing for the moneys received from the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Jack
  Figures showing receipts from the EC budget and total United Kingdom public expenditure on agriculture in each year since 1972–73 are given in the table. The figures on total public expenditure include spending on the common agricultural policy; this is funded in the first place by the Exchequer and subsequently reimbursed, partly or in full, from the EC budget. The United Kingdom contributes to this reimbursement through its payments to the EC budget; as a net contributor the United Kingdom contributes more to the EC budget than it receives back.

  Financial year

  United Kingdom receipts from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guidance and Guarantee Fund1 £ million

  Public expenditure in the United Kingdom under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies £ million

  1972–73

  0·3

  267

  1973–74

  77

  392

  1974–75

  170

  495

  1975–76

  260

  512

  1976–77

  169

  378

  1977–78

  169

  460

  1978–79

  329

  537

  1979–80

  412

  677

  1980–81

  606

  1,012

  1981–82

  742

  972

  1982–83

  805

  1,433

  1983–84

  1,221

  1,729

  1984–85

  1,203

  1,712

  1985–86

  1,282

  2,165

  1986–87

  1,481

  1,449

  1987–88

  1,128

  1,630

  187

  Financial year

  United Kingdom receipts from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guidance and Guarantee Fund1 £ million

  Public expenditure in the United Kingdom under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies £ million

  1988–89

  1,597

  1,380

  1989–90

  1,229

  1,258

  1990–91

  1,636

  1,910

  1991–92

  1,810

  1,959

  21992–93

  1,683

  2,066

  Sources: Annual review of agriculture 1972 to 1987; Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1988 to 1992.

  1 Receipts do not always relate to expenditure in the year to which they are received.

  2 Forecast.

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Expenditure £ million

  £/head1

  Expenditure £ million

  £/head1

  Expenditure (estimate) £ million

  £/head1

  Exchequer expenditure on the CAP in the United Kingdom

  1,849

  32

  1,871

  32

  1,993

  34

  Receipts from the EC in relation to agriculture2

  1,636

  28

  1,810

  31

  1,683

  29

  Total Exchequer expenditure on agricultural grants and subsidies (EC and National)

  1,910

  33

  1,959

  34

  2,066

  36

  Cost to the Exchequer of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the total Community budget (all EC expenditure including agriculture)3

  2,185

  38

  943

  16

  2,100

  36

  Sources:

  Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1992.

  1992 Departmental Report of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Department.

  OPCS 1993 Annual Abstract of Statistics and Monthly Digest of Statistics (July 1993).

  1 1990–91 population based on the OPCS 1990 population figure, 1991–92 and 1992–93 based on the OPCS 1991 population figure.

  2 Receipts do not always relate to expenditure in the year to which they are received.

  3 The bulk of contributions (excluding duties and levies) are based on estimates of domestic GNP, agreed well before the start of the year in question.

  A difference invariably arises between estimates and outtum figures, and adjustments to contributions are made in following year to correct over/under payments; this leads to consequential correction to the abatement in the year after that. The net contribution is subject to considerable variation as a result of this process.

  Food Prices
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price paid to producers for(a) wheat, (b) beef, (c) milk, (d) eggs and (e) pork in 1960, 1979, 1980 and in each year since 1990, in actual prices, at constant 1960 prices and at constant 1990 prices.

  Mr. Jack
  The following table shows the average price paid to producers for wheat in the years 1960, 1979, 1980 and each year since 1990. The actual prices and the prices deflated by the retail prices index are given.

  Year

  Average price (£/tonne)

  RPI (January 1987½:100)

  Price deflated by RPI

  1960

  27·43

  12·6

  217·34

  1979

  96·06

  56·6

  169·58

  1980

  99·30

  66·8

  148·57

  1990

  109·77

  126·1

  87·04

  1991

  116·46

  133·5

  87·24

  1992

  121·52

  138·5

  87·75

  188
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give the total net cost to the Exchequer of support for agriculture and the common agricultural policy, after deducting any relevant refunds and grants received in each year since 1990–91; and if she will also show the amount per head of the population of the United Kingdom which this net figure represents.

  Mr. Jack
  Figures showing the cost to the Exchequer of total agricultural support and of the CAP in the United Kingdom, since 1990–91, globally and per head of population, are shown in the table. Expenditure on the CAP is funded in the first place by the Exchequer and subsequently reimbursed, partly or in full, from the EC budget. The United Kingdom contributes to this reimbursement through its payments to the EC budget; as a net contributor the United Kingdom contributes more to the EC budget than it receives back.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the price of(a) bread and (b) wheat in each year since 1988, with the annual increases in actual terms and real terms.

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

  Average price

  Percentage change from previous year

  (actual)

  (in real terms)1

  Bread—large white sliced loaf

  (pence/loaf)

  1988

  46

  +6.3

  +1·3

  1989

  49

  +5·0

  -2·5

  1990

  50

  +2·6

  -6·3

  1991

  53

  +6·3

  +0·4

  1992

  54

  +0.9

  -2·7

  Breadmaking wheat

  (£/tonne ex-farm)

  1988

  115·00

  -9·7

  -13·9

  1989

  110·50

  -3·9

  -10·8

  1990

  114·50

  +3·6

  -5·3

  1991

  126·40

  +10·4

  +4·3

  1992

  135·40

  +7·1

  +3·3

  1 Deflated by All Items RPI.

  189
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price to the consumer of(a) a pint of milk, (b) a 21b loaf of bread and (c) a pint of beer in 1970, 1980 and in each year since 1990.

  Mr Jack
  The annual averages of the prices used for calculating the retail prices index are given in the table.

  Annual average price (pounds)

  Bread (800g white sliced loaf)

  Milk (1 pint pasteurised)

  Beer (1 pint draught beer)

  1970

  0·090

  0·047

  10·145

  1980

  0·330

  0·160

  10·550

  1990

  0·500

  0·310

  1·090

  1991

  0·530

  0·320

  1·240

  1992

  0·540

  0·340

  1·310

  1 Bottled beer

  Food and Agricultural Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how her Department was represented at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe study group meeting on food and agricultural statistics in Europe held in Geneva on 5 to 9 July.

  Mr. Jack
  The Ministry was represented by two officials from its economics and statistics group.

  Fishing Offences
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the names, port of registry, offence and penalties imposed on Spanish-registered ships found guilty in British courts of fishery offences in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Jack
  Since 1991 there have been six successful prosecutions against Spanish-registered fishing vessels. The details are as follows:

  Vessel

  Port of Registry

  Offence

  Penalty

  1992

  Cantero Cuadrado

  Gijon

  Fishing without authority within British Fishery limits

  £30,000 fine plus £60,000 for the value of the catch

  Pakea Laurean

  La Corufia

  Fishing without authority in British Fishery limits Use of undresize net

  £20,000 fine plus £2,900 for the value of catch £2,000 fine and forfeiture of net £1,000 fine

  1993

  Vieirasa Neuve

  Vigo

  Undersize net

  £750 fine

  Illegal net construction

  £750 fine

  Home do Mar

  Vigo

  Retaining cod1

  £225 fine

  Failure to record cod in logbook

  £90 fine

  Retaining undersized hake

  £135 fine

  Retaining undersized megrim

  £360 fine and £2,000 for the value of the catch plus costs of £1,000

  190

  Vessel

  Port of Registry

  Offence

  Penalty

  Capredi Dos

  San Sebastian

  Retaining haddock1

  £450 fine

  Retaining cod1

  £450 fine

  Retaining saithe1

  £150 fine and £500 for the value of the fish plus costs of £200

  Playa de Aldan

  Vigo

  Illegal net attachment

  £480 fine and forfeiture of net

  Retention of Undersized megrim

  £480 fine plus £1,000 for the value of the fish

  Retention of cod1

  £600 fine plus £482 for the value of the fish

  Failure to record cod in EC logbook

  £600 fine

  Under recording of megrim

  £300 fine

  Under recording of hake

  £300 fine

  Under recording of anglers

  £300 fine

  Other

  £600 for costs

  1 Spain does not have quotas for these species in the area of capture.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is she will make it her policy to revoke or suspend British fishing licences on vessels found guilty in British or Irish courts of having a secret fish room, using undersized mesh nets, landing undersize fish or related offences.

  Mr. Jack
  Powers to revoke or suspend fishing licences under the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992 can be used only in respect of breaches of licence conditions, for example, overfishing, or the failure to carry a logbook. The infringements mentioned in the question would not breach the conditions in any existing UK licences.

  Agricultural Products
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the level of United Kingdom self-sufficiency in all agricultural products in 1979, 1985 and each year since 1990.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is set out in the following table.

  Self-sufficiency

  Per cent.

  All food and feed

  All indigenous food and feed

  11979

  56·9

  71·4

  11985

  60·1

  79·3

  21990

  56·5

  72·1

  21991

  57·9

  73·7

  21992

  56·5

  72·1

  Source:

  1 Annual Review of Agriculture 1981 and 1987.

  2 Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1992.

  Northmoor Pumping Station
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cost-benefit assessment of the proposal to replace the pumps at Northmoor pumping station has been carried out; what options were assessed and what was the benefit-cost ratio of each of the options.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 July 1993]: The National Rivers Authority Wessex region carried out a cost-benefit assessment of its proposals to replace the pumps at Northmoor pumping station in accordance with prevailing Ministry guidelines. The three main options considered by the NRA were: installation of single speed pumps in the existing station; construction of a new station; and installation of new variable speed pumps in the existing station. The implications of taking no action were also considered. The quantifiable benefit: cost ratios of the three options were as follows:
  192

  ratios

  Single speed pumps in existing station

  1·5:1

  New station

  1·2:1

  Variable speed pumps in existing station

  1·3:1

  The last-mentioned option was the one put forward by the NRA as this gave the added gain of environmental benefits, by eliminating extreme fluctuations in controlled water levels.

  Sugar
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price in pound per tonne of raw bulk sugar in the United Kingdom in each month since August 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 27 July 1993]: Raw beet sugar is not generally traded. Raw cane sugar is imported at about the intervention price for raw sugar, which was 439·40 ecu per tonne for 1992–93—equivalent to £412 at current exchange rates.

  GIBRALTAR MOORISH CASTLE: HM PRISON
  GIBRALTAR MOORISH CASTLE: HM PRISON
  SENEGAL: INVESTMENT BY COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
  SENEGAL: INVESTMENT BY COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
  CONSTRUCTION DEREGULATION TASK FORCE
  CONSTRUCTION DEREGULATION TASK FORCE
  MEPs: PAY AND EMOLUMENTS
  MEPs: PAY AND EMOLUMENTS
  ECOFIN: DRAFT BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
  ECOFIN: DRAFT BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
  BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE
  BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE
  M.20 MOTORWAY ROADWORKS
  M.20 MOTORWAY ROADWORKS
  EC TOBACCO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
  EC TOBACCO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
  HSE GUIDANCE NOTE MS17: AVAILABILITY
  HSE GUIDANCE NOTE MS17: AVAILABILITY
  ARMED FORCES: OPERATIONAL GALLANTRY AWARDS
  ARMED FORCES: OPERATIONAL GALLANTRY AWARDS
  SUB-STRATEGIC NUCLEAR CAPABILITY
  SUB-STRATEGIC NUCLEAR CAPABILITY
  RN AND RAF VOLUNTEER RESERVES
  RN AND RAF VOLUNTEER RESERVES
  ROYAL DOCKYARDS, DEVONPORT AND ROSYTH
  ROYAL DOCKYARDS, DEVONPORT AND ROSYTH
  LOW COST RURAL HOUSING: OCCUPANCY CONDITIONS
  LOW COST RURAL HOUSING: OCCUPANCY CONDITIONS
  POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION: ENFORCEMENT
  POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION: ENFORCEMENT
  ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL, 5th OCTOBER
  ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL, 5th OCTOBER
  HALON
  HALON