Written Answers of 25 October 1993

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Birkenhead Precinct
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, how the proceeds of selling the commissioners' holding in the Birkenhead precinct have been reinvested.

  Mr. Alison
  Proceeds from sales of commissioners' property are, generally speaking, applied towards the consolidation of the investment portfolio. Recent sale proceeds, including those from Grange precinct, have been used mainly to fund the remainder of the commissioners' development programme and to reduce borrowings.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Voting Procedures
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has any plans to change the House's voting procedures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no such plans.

  Parliamentary Television Feed
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on securing direct television feeds to hon. Members' offices from the Chamber.

  Mr. Newton
  Until recently the only Members authorised by the Broadcasting Committee to receive a clean television feed from the Chamber in their offices within the House were the Speaker and the Chairman of Ways and Means. However, at its meeting on 19 July, the Committee agreed that for the purposes of facilitating the management of the business of the House, the following additional Members' offices should be supplied with a clean television feed: the Prime Minister; the Leader of the Opposition; the Leader of the House; the Shadow Leader of the House; the Leader of the Liberal Democrats; and the Whips Offices of the Government, the Official Opposition and the Liberal Democrats. The installation of the necessary cabling and television sets was carried out during the summer recess.

  So far as individual hon. and right hon. Members are concerned, the hon. Gentleman will be aware from previous answers on this subject that the Committee has approved in principle the supply of a feed to all Members' offices, provided that the service is available to all parts of the Parliamentary estate simultaneously. The Committee has also accepted, however, that because of the complexity and cost of the cabling work involved in such an undertaking, further progress must await decisions on the broader question of the provision of a parliamentary data and video network to Members' offices. Proposals on this
  406
  subject, which are currently under consideration by the Information Committee, are not expected to come before the House until the beginning of 1994 at the earliest.

  Members' Employees
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many employees of hon. Members are paid out of the office costs allowance; and how many hon. Members have given their employees a contract of employment.

  Mr. Newton
  At 30 September 1993, 1,656 employees of hon. Members were directly paid salaries which were charged to the employing Members' office costs allowance. A total of 617 hon. Members have given one or more of their employees a contract of employment.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many individuals currently in receipt of employee payments from the office costs allowance are married or otherwise related to current hon. Members.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members have not yet given any of their staff a contract of employment; how many individual staff do not have contracts; what action he is taking to ensure contracts are provided; what sanction he has against hon. Members who refuse to issue contracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  Twenty-four Members have not lodged a copy of the contract of employment in respect of any of their staff who are classified as employees.

  Copies of contracts have not been sent to the Fees Office in respect of 264 employees of Members. The Fees Office continually monitors the position and periodically reminds hon. Members of their obligation to provide contracts.

  I am not aware of any Members who have refused to issue contracts and I have no plans to make a statement.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many parliamentary questions have been answered in the last 12 months with the statement that the required figures are not available.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not in a readily available form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Inhumane Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many states have made representations to his Department with regard to the holding of a conference to review the inhumane weaspons convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are in touch with EC and NATO partners about the proposal to convene a review conference on the United Nations weaponry convention, but no states have so far made representations to us on this issue.
  407
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those states that have(a) signed and (b) ratified the 1977 additional protocols to the Geneva convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The following states have ratified, accepted or acceded to additional protocol I to the Geneva conventions:

  Albaia

  Algeria

  Angola

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Argentina

  Armenia

  Australia

  Austria

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belgium

  Belize

  Benin

  Bolivia

  Botswana

  Brazil

  Brunei Darussalam

  Bulgaria

  Burkina

  Burundi

  Byelorussia

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Central African Republc

  Chile

  China

  Colombia

  Comoros Islands

  Congo

  Costa Rica

  Croatia

  Cuba

  Cyprus

  Czechoslovakia

  Denmark

  Djibouti

  Ecuador

  E1 Salvador

  Equatorial Guinea

  Finland

  Gabon

  The Gambia

  Germany

  Georgia

  Ghana

  Greece

  Guatemala

  Guinea

  Guinea Bissau

  Guyana

  Holy See

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Italy

  Ivory Coast

  Jamaica

  Jordan

  People's Democratic Republic of Korea

  Kuwait

  Kyrgyzstan

  Laos

  Latvia

  Liberia

  Libya

  Liechtenstein

  Luxembourg

  Macedonia

  Madagascar

  Malawi

  408

  Maldives

  Mali

  Malta

  MauritaniaMauritius

  Mexico

  MoldovaMozambique

  Namibia

  The Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Niger

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Oman

  Paraguay

  Peru

  Poland

  Portugal

  Qatar

  Romania

  Russia

  Rwanda

  Samoa

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Solomon Islands

  Spain

  St. Kitts and Nevis

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent and the Grenadine

  Suriname

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Syria

  Tanzania

  Togo

  Tunisia

  Turkmenistan

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  United Arab Emirates

  Uruguay

  Uzbekistan

  Vanuatu

  Vietnam

  Western Samoa

  Yemen Arab Republic

  Yugoslavia

  Zaire

  The following states have signed but not ratified additional protocol I:

  Egypt

  Honduras

  Iran

  Ireland

  Mongolia

  Morocco

  Nicaragua

  Pakistan

  Panama

  Philippines

  San Marino

  United Kingdom

  United States.

  The following states have ratified, accepted or acceded to additional protocol II:

  Albania

  Algeria

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Argentina

  Armenia

  Australia

  Austria

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  409

  Barbados

  Belgium

  Belize

  Benin

  Bolivia

  Botswana

  Brazil

  Brunei Darussalam

  Bulgaria

  Burkina

  Burundi

  Byelorussia

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Central African Republic

  Chile

  China

  Comoros Islands

  Congo

  Costa Rica

  Croatia

  Czechoslovakia

  Denmark

  Djibouti

  El Salvador

  Equatorial Guinea

  Finland

  France

  Gabon

  The Gambia

  Germany

  Georgia

  Ghana

  Greece

  Guatemala

  Guinea

  Guinea Bissau

  Guyana

  Holy See

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Italy

  Ivory Coast

  Jamaica

  Jordan

  Kazakhstan

  Republic of Korea

  Kuwait

  Kyrgyzstan

  Laos

  Latvia

  Liberia

  Libya

  Liechtenstein

  Luxembourg

  Macedonia

  Madagascar

  Malawi

  Maldives

  Mali

  Malta

  Mauritania

  Mauritius

  Moldova

  Namibia

  The Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Niger

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Oman

  Paraguay

  Peru

  Philippines

  Poland

  Portugal

  Romania

  Russia

  Somoa

  Senegal

  410

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Solomon Islands

  Spain

  St. Kitts and Nevis

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent and the Grenadines

  Suriname

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Tanzania

  Togo

  Tunisia

  Turkmenistan

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  United Arab Emirates

  Uruguay

  Uzbekistan

  Vanuatu

  Western Samoa

  Yemen Arab Republic

  Yugoslavia

  The following states have signed but not ratified additional protocol II:

  Egypt

  Honduras

  Iran

  Ireland

  Mongolia

  Morocco

  Nicaragua

  Pakistan

  Panama

  San Marino

  United Kingdom

  United States

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those states that have(a) signed and (b) ratified the inhumane weapons convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The following states have ratified, accepted or acceded to the convention:Australia, Austria, Benin, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Byelorussia, China, Cuba, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Japan, Latvia, Laos, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine and Yugoslavia.

  The following states have signed but not ratified the convention:
  Afghanistan, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Iceland, Ireland, Italy. Luxembourg, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sudan, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on how many states have made representations to the United Nations Secretary-General with regard to the holding of a conference to review the inhumane weapons convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our information is that only France has made representations to the United Nations Secretary General to request the convening of a review conference on the United Nations weaponry convention.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects that the United Kingdom will ratify the 1981 inhumane weapons convention.
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  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As I told the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) in my reply to his question on 22 October at column 371, we hope to reach a decision soon on ratification of the 1981 UN weaponry convention.

  High Commission, Nairobi
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the construction of the new British High Commission office in Nairobi, Kenya; and when this work is expected to be completed.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The estimated outturn construction cost is £5.3 million and the High Commission is programmed to move into the new premises in summer 1995.

  European Movement
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the European Movement continues to receive funds from his Department.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave the European Movement a grant of £30,000 in 1992 to fund a series of regional conferences on the Maastricht treaty. The European Movement will receive a grant of £10,000 this year. No commitment has been given for future years.

  Gul Masih
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the case of Gul Masih, a Christian sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws in Pakistan; and what action he has taken.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There has been considerable parliamentary and public interest in this case. While an appeal is pending and the case is sub judice, we have not taken any formal action. We have however on several occasions made clear informally to the Pakistani authorities the strength of feeling this case has aroused in the United Kingdom. We will consider what action we should take when the appeal has been heard.

  Human Rights Week
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he has given to Amnesty International's Human Rights Week; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We take every opportunity to promote respect for human rights. We recognise Amnesty International's important role in identifying human rights abuses and bringing pressure to bear on governments which commit them. We welcome Amnesty International's efforts to highlight the obnoxious practices of political killings and disappearances.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have taken place in the procedures of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Commission of Human Rights since the Vienna declaration; and if he will make a statement.
  412
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There have been no changes because discussions on reform of the procedures of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights are still in progress. The Vienna declaration called for the work on reform to be completed, and a draft protocol amending the European Convention on Human Rights to be finalised, in time for the Council of Europe ministerial meeting in May 1994. The United Kingdom will contribute fully to this process.

  Chinese Regional Laws
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the texts of regional law in China are available to his Department.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The texts of most Chinese regional laws are now published in Chinese and are freely available.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom will support the United States resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling for a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are in touch with the United States about their draft resolution but we will not be able to take a final position on it until we see the final text.

  Israel Trade Boycott
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions with the Arab States on moves to rescind the secondary and tertiary aspects of the Arab trade boycott of Israel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the progress towards the relaxation of the secondary and tertiary boycotts. We hope that further progress can be made soon in light of recent developments in the peace process. We continue to urge Arab states to lift the boycott.

  European Union
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances and when the style European Community will be replaced by the style European Union.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The European Communities, that is to say the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and Euratom, will remain in being after the Maastricht treaty enters into force. They are not replaced by the European Union. No decisions have yet been taken on where it may be appropriate to replace "European Communities" by "European Union" as a descriptive title.

  Fee-paying Schools
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department have(a) children in fee-paying schools for whom Her Majesty's Government meet the bill because the officials are posted abroad and (b) children in fee-paying schools for whom Her Majesty's Government meet the bill

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  after the officials have returned because their children remain in the school; and if he will detail the cost for the last 15 years for each of these two categories.

  Mr. Goodlad
  In the time available it has not been possible to retrieve all of the information requested. I shall write to the hon. Member in due course with the balance of the information.

  In academic year 1992–93:

  (a) 313 officials of the Diplomatic Service serving overseas had children in fee-paying schools in the United Kingdom, plus an unquantifiable number who had children educated locally at post. The cost was £3.9 million in the United Kingdom and £2 million overseas.

  (b) 182 diplomatic service officials serving in the United Kingdom had children in fee-paying schools. The cost was £3·93 million.

  The comparable figures for the three previous years, are as follows:

  1991–92

  (a) 340, £3·91 million, £1·78 million

  (b) 200, £3·75 million

  1990–91

  (a) 374, £3·88 million, £1·67 million

  (b) 223, £3·65 million

  1989–90

  (a) 390, £3·55 million, £1·57 million

  (b) 240, £3·54 million

  This breakdown does not exist for earlier years, in which the total cost for (a) boarding school allowance and (b) local education was:

  (a) Boarding school allowance (£ million)

  (b) Local education (£ million)

  1988–89

  7·08

  1·53

  1987–88

  7·03

  1·5

  1986–87

  6·81

  1·3

  1985–86

  6·44

  1·19

  1984–85

  6·24

  1·22

  1983–84

  5·94

  1

  The Overseas Development Administration has five officials serving overseas who have children in fee-paying schools in the United Kingdom. The cost in 1992–93 was £45,228·77. One official serving in the United Kingdom has children in a fee-paying school and the cost was £15,620·00. For earlier years the costs were:

  United Kingdom (£)

  Overseas (£)

  1991–92

  2,093

  63,170·81

  1990–91

  nil

  65,879·69

  1989–90

  38,694·67

  86,247·82

  We do not "meet the bill" for schools in the United Kingdom. Her Majesty's Government make a contribution towards the basic fees, up to a ceiling which is based on the average fee of headmasters' conference schools.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement reached between Mr. Ekeus as special representative for the United Nations Security Council and the Iraqi Government on 22 July in regard to implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions in Iraq.
  414
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Security Council members, including the United Kingdom, have expressed support for Mr. Ekeus's actions. The Security Council, and UNSCOM, will continue to press for sustained Iraqi implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

  Population Control, China
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he expects the citizens of Hong Kong to be forced to comply with Chinese legislation implementing or specifying(a) the need to obtain permission to marry, (b) the one-child policy, (c) the legal obligation to have an intra-uterine device inserted in the woman after one child, (d) the obligation for one of the partners in a marriage to be sterilised after the birth of a second child and (e) the obligation to abort any subsequent pregnancy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  No. The Sino-British joint declaration, a legally binding agreement registered at the United Nations, provides that Hong Kong's present rights and freedoms, including the freedom to marry and the right to raise a family freely, will be maintained. In general Chinese laws will not be applied to Hong Kong.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if China is a signatory to any United Nations statement guaranteeing freedom to marry and the right to raise a family freely; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Yes. China has signed the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, which is a legally binding document. We have consistently urged the Chinese authorities to sign other relevant conventions and covenants, including the international convention on civil and political rights (ICCPR) and the international covenant on economic and social rights (ICESR), and to improve their human rights performance generally.

ENVIRONMENT

  Bears
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many import permits have been allowed over the last three years for products derived from(a) Asiatic black bears, (b) any other bear listed under appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and (c) any bear listed under appendix 2 of CITES.

  Mr. Yeo
  No import permits have been issued in the last three years for products derived from the Asiatic black bear —Selenarctos thibetanus—or any other species of bear listed in appendix I of CITES. Seventy-four import permits have been issued for products derived from species of bears listed in appendix II of CITES.

  Living Space
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average domestic living space available for each individual in the United Kingdom; what are the comparable figures for other EC countries, for the latest year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures 10 years earlier.
  415
  Sir George Young
  Our most recent estimate, based on the 1991 census, the 1991 English, Scottish and Northern Ireland house condition surveys and the 1986 Welsh house condition survey, is that the average domestic living space available to each individual in the United Kingdom is 32 sq. m. Comparable figures for other EC countries and for 10 years earlier are not available.

  Landlords
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many private sector landlords are approved landlords.

  Sir George Young
  None: my Department has no power to approve landlords.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call for a report from the National Rivers Authority as to how many staff are employed at its Northumbria office; what their functions are; what plans there are for reductions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  No. The questions raised by the hon. Member concern the internal management of the NRA, and are a matter for the board.

  PSA (Civil Servants)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants, previously employed by the Property Services Agency, have now taken redundancy following the sale of PSA Noreast; and what was the cost of the redundancies.

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been eight redundancies to date as a result of the sale of PSA BM Noreast. The estimated cost of these redundancies is £212,000.

  A further seven members of staff employed by PSA BM Noreast, who had earlier agreed to leave on voluntary redundancy terms, have left since 1 October 1993 at an estimated cost of £378,000.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the environmental impact of wind-farms on beautiful landscapes; and if he will withdraw the subsidy for the generation of electricity by wind turbines situated on high ground.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government's policy is to encourage the development of renewable energy wherever it has the prospect of being economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. Planning policy guidance note 22 sets out the Government's planning policies on renewable energy in more detail and advises that local planning authorities must always weigh the desirability of exploiting a clean, renewable energy resource against the visual impact which wind turbines may have on the landscape. We believe it is better to leave it to the local planning authority to determine the suitability of different sites for wind turbines rather than to build site-related provision into the non-fossil fuel obligation arrangement.

  Local Government Review
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice or guidance has been given to the Local Government Commission concerning the possible creation of new local authorities which straddle the commission's review areas.

  Mr. Baldry
  In drafting its final report to my right hon. Friend, in respect of a particular review, the Commission should make recommendations only in respect of the area specified by him in his direction to it.

  The procedure guidance issued to the Commission in July 1992 provides that:
  "where the Commission judges it necessary, at any stage of a review, to make recommendations concerning localities bordering on that area, it should make a formal request to the Secretary of State, with reasons, for a variation in the direction requiring the review to be conducted."

  Military Bases (Closures)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he is giving to local planning authorities on how to deal with the closure of large military bases in their areas; what plans he has to introduce a planning policy guidance not on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Local planning authorities should take account of such bases in preparing their development plans, and consider producing site development briefs where appropriate. Circular 18/84 advises on the disposal of surplus Crown land.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by his Department to date in developing a national plan for waste.

  Mr. Yeo
  The Government have indicated the need for some form of national waste policy summary when the Environment Agency has been established, to replace the waste disposal plans currently drawn up by waste regulation authorities. We are considering the timing and content of such a policy summary.

  Ordnance Survey
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial profit or loss to the Ordnance Survey will arise from its three-year contract with Her Majesty's Land Registry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information is commercial-in-confidence. However, the pricing of the bid complied with Her Majesty's Treasury and Cabinet Office guidance and was compiled on a fully commercial basis.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what permission has been given to interested foreign organisations and individuals to submit their response to the second consultation on the thermal oxide reprocessing plant authorisations in their native language, and on what dates; in what foreign languages submissions have been received; what arrangements have been made to
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  translate these submissions; how long this has taken; at what cost; and if he will summarise the foreign submissions in regard to whether they expressed support or opposition to Thorp.

  Mr. Yeo
  Foreign organisations or individuals have not sought permission to submit responses in their native language. Responses to the consultation are being counted and assessed. Information about the responses will be made available once they have all been considered.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each local authority in south-east Northumberland the number of persons accepted as homeless in each year since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  For the information for the years 1979 to 1991 inclusive, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 17 June 1992 at columns 569–70

  The information for 1992 for local authorities in south-east Northumberland is as follows:

  Households accepted as homeless in 19921

  Number

  Blyth Valley

  330

  Castle Morpeth

  224

  Wansbeck

  317

  1 Excluding intentionally homeless households.

  2 Castle Morpeth only reported figures for two quarters.

  City Challenge
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many current city challenge authorities have developed exit strategies.

  Mr. Yeo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 July 1993 at column 347.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals are currently outstanding regarding the council tax.

  Mr. Baldry
  As at 30 September 1993, 580,721 proposals for the alteration of the valuation list were outstanding in England.

  Housing, Lancashire
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions have been made to assist authorities with clearance procedures for new housebuilding; and if he will list what help has been given to each local authority in Lancashire.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 October 1993]I shall write to the hon. Member following my meeting with him and other members of the Bishop of Burnley's delegation on Monday 25 October to discuss the Lancashire housing inquiry panel's recent report on housing in Lancashire.

  Sour Gas
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the power stations in England and Wales which have been authorised to use sour gas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  Section 14(2) of the Energy Act 1976 requires that notice be given to me of any proposals to enter into contractual or other arrangements to obtain a supply of gas as fuel for a power station. I am empowered under section 14(3) to direct that any proposal of which I am notified should not be carried out, or should be carried out in accordance with specified conditions.

  There is no requirement for the notice to distinguish between sour and other gas. However, the following proposals have been notified under section 14(2) which may involve sour gas. I have not given any directions under section 14(3) preventing or modifying them.

  Peterhead (North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board)—1,550 Mw

  Kelt, Ryedale (Kelt (UK) Limited)—50 Mw

  Connah's Quay, Clwyd (PowerGen)—1,350 Mw

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Yugoslavia
  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
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 October 1993, c. 103 ]The total of Britain's financial commitments for humanitarian aid to the former Yugoslavia is £141 million, not £152 million as stated.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Justices' Clerks
  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the judicial responsibilities currently performed by the holders of the office of justices' clerk.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Justices' clerks, or upon delegation, any court clerks, have certain quasi-judicial functions in relation to family cases. In criminal cases, some essentially administrative functions formerly exercised by a single justice have been delegated to justices' clerks or on their delegation to court clerks.

  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what assessment he has made of the effects of the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" on the independence of justices' clerks when advising magistrates in relation to their judicial duties otherwise than in individual cases;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effects of the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice" on the independence of justices' clerks in the performance by them of their judicial responsibilities.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and I have considered carefully the implications of the White Paper,
  419
  studied the views put forward by various bodies, and taken note of the effects of the reforms in those areas where the changes have already been introduced. We are satisfied that the changes will not interfere with judicial independence and we shall emphasis this by including in legislation a provision which makes clear that justices' clerks and other court staff are not liable to direction in respect of the legal advice given to magistrates in court.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the legal position of Alzheimer's disease sufferers who are unable to grant power of attorney to relatives or who have no close relatives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Law Commission is reviewing the law and procedures relating to decision-making on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults.

  Probate Registry
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Probate Registry, Cardiff-road, Llandaff, Cardiff, subsequent to the removal of the registry to the new county court complex.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There are no plans to change in any way the status or operation of Llandaff district probate registry following its relocation at the new county court complex currently being built.

  Courts and Legal Services Act
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to bring into force section 13 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is intended to bring section 13 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 into effect at the end of 1994.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Whiskies
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people and/or jobs are involved directly or indirectly in(a) the whisky and (b) the whiskey industry in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nelson
  I regret the information is not available. The standard industrial classification does not separately identify the whisky or whiskey industries from other industries involved in spirit distilling and compounding.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage per capita consumption of(a) all alcoholic drinks and (b) whisky or whiskey has changed in the United Kingdom since 1979.

  Sir John Cope
  The following figures relate to expenditure by domestic consumers and exclude business expenditure. Consumption per capita of all alcoholic drinks declined in real terms by 6 per cent. between 1979 and 1992. Figures relating to whisky and whiskey are unavailable for years prior to 1984. Consumption per 420
  capita for whisky and whiskey combined fell in real terms by 21 per cent. between 1984 and 1992. Separate figures for whisky and whiskey are unavailable.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sale of whisky and whiskey in the United Kingdom at the last date for which figures are available expressed as a percentage of the figure for 1979.

  Sir John Cope
  Figures for sales of whisky and whiskey for years prior to 1984 are unavailble. Between 1984 and 1992 sales of whisky and whiskey combined rose from £1,561 million to £2,053 million at current market prices. This represents an increase of 32 per cent. Expressed in terms of constant 1990 prices, expenditure on whisky and whiskey combined fell by 19 per cent. from £2,105 million in 1984 to £1,704 million in 1992. These figures relate to expenditure by domestic consumers and exclude business expenditure.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average retail cost of a 70 cl bottle of Scotch whisky in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) each of the other EC states and (c) the United States of America.

  Mr. Nelson
  In September 1993 the retail prices index sample gave an average price £10.94 for a 70 cl bottle of whisky in the United Kingdom. Scotch whisky is not specified in the RPI sample which is mainly made up of blended brands. The information for(b) and (c) can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total earnings from export of(a) whisky and (b) whiskey, distilled in Northern Ireland for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  I regret that trade figures are not available for production from different parts of the United Kingdom, and whiskey distilled in Northern Ireland is therefore not separately distinguished. The value of exports of whisky from the United Kingdom as a whole in each year is as follows.

  £ million

  1979

  710

  1980

  748

  1981

  787

  1982

  875

  1983

  864

  1984

  937

  1985

  1,001

  1986

  1,075

  1987

  1,142

  1988

  1,298

  1989

  1,480

  1990

  1,727

  1991

  1,853

  1992

  1,981

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the actual and percentage change in the duty imposed on a 70 cl bottle of whisky since 1979.

  Sir John Cope
  The following is the information:

  Date of change

  Alcohol duty on 70 cl spirits (40 per cent. above)£

  Per cent. change from previous rate

  27 March 1980

  3·32

  13·7

  11 March 1981

  3·81

  14·6

  4·05

  6·4

  10 March 1982

  421

  Date of change

  Alcohol duty on 70 cl spirits (40 per cent·above)£

  Per cent· change from previous rate

  16 March 1983

  4·25

  5·0

  14 March 1984

  4·33

  1·9

  20 March 1985

  4·42

  1·9

  20 March 1990

  4·86

  10·0

  19 March 1991

  5·31

  9·3

  10 March 1992

  5·55

  4·5

  Total change in duty since 1979 is 90 per cent. as compared with 135 per cent. in the general RPI.

  Wine
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the volume of wines imported from(a) countries within the EC and (b) countries outside the EC at the last year for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of the figure for 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  The available information on the physical volume of trade in wines, separately distinguishing countries which are now members of the European Community, is as follows:

  Volume in 1992 as percentage of volume in 1979

  EC members

  148

  Other countries

  225

  Alcohol Duties
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to basing the excise duty on wine, beers and spirits on alcohol content and not category of beverage; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  No Government have ever accepted that relative alcoholic strength should be the sole determining factor for setting duty rates. Unitary taxation would greatly limit my right hon. and learned Friend's room for manoeuvre on fiscal policy, by removing the flexibility to take account of other factors.

  Alcohol Contents
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the alcohol contents of(a) a single measure of whisky or whiskey and (b) a glass of wine as sold in public houses in England and Wales; and what is the excise duty imposed in each case.

  Sir John Cope
  Following is the information:

  Alcohol content (millilitres)

  Excise duty (pence)

  Spirits measure (1/6 gill at 40 per cent· abv)

  9·5

  18·8

  Glass of wine (12·5 cl at 11·5 per cent· abv)

  14·4

  16·5

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of contributions made to the Exchequer by companies involved in wheel clamping.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that information is not available. The classification of companies for direct and indirect taxation does not permit wheel clamping companies to be identified separately.

  VAT
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how his Department has calculated the effect on carbon dioxide emissions of the imposition of VAT on fuel; and what proportion of the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions will fall on(a) domestic fuel supplies and (b) industrial and other supplies.

  Sir John Cope
  I refer the hon. Member to the memorandum submitted by Her Majesty's Treasury to the House of Commons Treasury and Civil Service Committee's inquiry into the March 1993 Budget—TCSC 4th Report, 1992–93 session, March 1993 Budget, Cmnd 5788.

  EC Contributions
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what provisions the United Kingdom is required to increase its gross national product percentage contribution to the EC; and by what date any necessary legislation is required to be passed.

  Sir John Cope
  The Edinburgh European Council agreed, as part of its conclusions on the Community's finances over the period to 1999, that the current ceiling of 1.2 per cent. of EC GNP on the Community's own resources should remain in force until 1994; and that the ceiling should then rise to 1.21 per cent. of EC GNP in 1995 and by gradual steps thereafter to 1.27 per cent. in 1999. In order to give effect to this agreement from 1 January 1995, it will be necessary to amend the Community's own resources decision—88/376/EEC, Euratom—and for the amended decision to be adopted by the member states. In the case of the United Kingdom, adoption would mean amending section 1(2) of the European Communities Act, 1972. The member states' actual contributions to the EC budget are determined in the annual budgetary procedure, within the ceiling in force.

  Income Tax
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue raised by(a) an increase of 1p on income tax across all bands of income tax and (b) the sums resulting from such an increase on each individual band of income tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  At 1994–95 levels of income and assuming statutory indexation of allowances and the basic rate limit with the lower rate band set at £3,000 as announced in the March 1993 Budget the full-year yields are as follows:
  423

  £ million1

  1p increase in the lower rate

  100

  1p increase in the basic rate

  1,800

  1p increase in the higher rate

  450

  1p increase in each rate

  2,350

  1 The figures include consequential effects on the yield from capital gains tax and the figure for the lower rate includes the effects of the change on advance corporation tax and on consequent liability to mainstream corporation tax.

  Taxation
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the sums of money actually collected by the Inland Revenue for the fiscal years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92, in(a) capital gains tax, (b) inheritance tax, (c) corporation tax and (d) dividend withholding tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information on tax receipts by head of tax can be found in table 1·2 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1993". There is no dividend withholding tax.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the sums of money reclaimed and paid to foreign trusts, persons and companies, from dividend withholding tax for the fiscal years(a) 1988–89, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1990–91 and (d) 1991–92.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The United Kingdom does not have a dividend withholding tax.

  Bankruptcies
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum of money owed to the Treasury as a result of personal and corporate bankruptcies and liquidations for each of the fiscal years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The total sum of money owed to the Treasury as a result of personal and corporation bankruptcies and liquidations covering the fiscal years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 is as follows:

  (£ thousand)

  Year

  Inland Revenue

  Customs and Excise

  1988

  469,500

  173,800

  1989

  375,540

  151,800

  1990

  393,946

  190,300

  1991

  631,698

  514,200

  1992

  1,308,826

  751,700

  The figures for the Inland Revenue are for the accounts year which ends on 31 October each year and the figures for Customs and Excise are for the calendar year.

  Taxation
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to examine the tax position of unincorporated bodies receiving funds from bank accounts in offshore tax havens; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  An unincorporated body which is resident in this country is liable to United Kingdom tax on its 424
  worldwide income, on which it makes returns. The Inland Revenue subjects a proportion of total returns to detailed inquiry, which may involve the examination of foreign source income.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the number of United Kingdom persons, individual and corporate, who have set up trusts and companies offshore since 1980; and if he will place all such estimates in the Library.

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

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases which have been investigated by the Inland Revenue and are currently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office and by the Metropolitan police and regional fraud squads, involve the use of offshore tax havens in the perpetration of the suspected fraud.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Figures are not available.

  Jet Engine Fuel
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to impose taxation upon jet engine fuel.

  Sir John Cope
  Decisions on changes in taxation are a matter for the Budget statement.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list, by date, each study into tax avoidance via offshore ownership made by the Inland Revenue or the Treasury, or on behalf of his Department, since 1984; and if he will place all such studies and reports in the Library;

  (2) what reports have been compiled by the Treasury and the Board of the Inland Revenue into tax avoidance and evasion via offshore trusts and companies since 1985; and if he will place those reports in the Library.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Whilst developments in this area are kept under constant review, no reports or studies have been produced for publication.

  Foreign Landowners
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the acreage of land in England and Wales owned by foreign companies and trusts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No figures are held on which such an estimate could be based.

  Composting Plants
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to offer tax incentives to encourage investment in commercial composting and anaerobic digestion plants.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The hon. Member would not expect me to make a statement on taxation matters at this time of year.

  Prime Ministers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to change the severance payments for Prime Ministers under the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Section 4 of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 excludes Prime Ministers from receiving a severance payment under the Act.

  There are no proposals to change this arrangement.

  Foreign Trusts
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of persons, trusts or corporations resident in the United Kingdom, who are the beneficiaries of trusts set up abroad; and if he will place in the Library all reports by his Department into the above matter since 1983.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that information on which to base the estimate requested in the first part of the question could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No reports have been published on matters concerning the second part of the question.

  Offshore Sterling Deposits
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average level of sterling deposits, governmental and cash, held in(a) Switzerland, (b) Luxembourg, (c) Liechtenstein, (d) Monaco, (e) Jersey, (f) Guernsey, (g) the Isle of Man, (h) Bermuda, (i) Bahamas, (j) the British Virgin Islands and (k) the Cayman Islands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The most recent published figures for sterling deposits in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands are as follows:

  £ billion

  Jersey

  21·9

  Guernsey

  9·2

  Isle of Man

  8·0

  British Virgin Islands

  nil

  Cayman Islands

  3·1

  Figures for Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Bermuda and the Bahamas are not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for the volume of cash transferred to tax havens abroad from the United Kingdom which appears to be associated with fraud, for each year since 1988.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Reliable estimates cannot be made.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has for capital remittances made for profits and gains in the United Kingdom, to companies and trusts in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Bermuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco and Switzerland, for each of the fiscal years since 1985.
  426
  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that information on which to base such an estimate is not available.

  Jet Engine Fuel
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have to impose taxation upon jet engine fuel.

  Sir John Cope
  Decisions on changes in taxation are a matter for the Budget statement.

  National Savings
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of national savings.

  Mr. Nelson
  I meet the Director of Savings regularly. National Savings continues to play an important role in the Government's funding programme, and in providing opportunities for the public to invest in savings products.

  Privatised Utilities
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, for each privatised utility, he will publish information, for the latest year available, in respect of(a) total Government holding, expressed as a percentage of the utilities' share, and (b) the current value of the Government holding.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 October 1993]: The table shows the ordinary shares held by the Government in the privatised utility companies as a percentage of issued share capital and by market valuation.

  Government shareholdings in privatised utility companies

  Company

  Shareholding as a proportion Per cent

  Value of shareholding (£ million)

  British Gas

  0·0

  0·2

  BT

  1·1

  304·9

  Anglian Water

  0·9

  14·4

  Northumbrian Water

  0·4

  1·8

  North West Water

  0·8

  15·3

  Severn Trent

  1·0

  20·3

  Southern Water

  0·7

  7·4

  South West Water

  0·1

  0·7

  Thames Water

  0·9

  20·0

  Welsh Water

  0·7

  6·6

  Wessex Water

  0·5

  4·1

  Yorkshire Water

  0·8

  8·7

  Eastern Electricity

  1·7

  26·9

  East Midlands Electricity

  1·1

  14·6

  London Electricity

  1·1

  14·9

  Manweb

  1·8

  14·1

  Midlands Electricity

  1·4

  18·5

  Northern Electric

  1·7

  13·1

  Norweb

  1·6

  17·7

  Seeboard

  2·0

  17·0

  Southern Electric

  1·2

  20·4

  South Wales Electricity

  1·4

  9·2

  South Western Electricity

  1·9

  14·2

  Yorkshire Electricity

  1·3

  16·4

  National Power

  39·3

  2,063·9

  PowerGen

  40·7

  1,430·6

  Scottish Hydro-Electric

  3·4

  53·4

  Scottish Power

  3·6

  118·3

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  3·8

  20·0

  Note: Values of shareholdings calculated at close, 19 October.

  Low Incomes
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 October,Official Report, column 14, how many of the 23·2 million persons who have incomes of less than£100 per week are (a) students, (b) persons between 18 and 65 years of age, (c) pensioners and (d) males between 18 years and 65 years; and what is his estimate of the loss in revenue if none of these persons paid income tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 October 1993]: of the estimated 23·2 million people who have incomes below £100 per week in 1993–94 about 1·2 million are aged 16 or 17, 15·7 million are aged between 18 and 65, of whom 5·2 million are males, and 6·3 million are aged 65 or over.

  The loss in revenue if none of these people paid income tax would be about £400 million.

PRIME MINISTER

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Prime Minister who is responsible for deciding the maximum permissible cost of answering a written parliamentary question; if that cost is different for different Departments; and how often that amount is reviewed.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  If an answer to any written question is likely to cost more than £450—the current cost threshold, calculated by the Treasury—the answering Minister will decide whether to refuse to answer on the ground of disproportionate cost, or whether to answer it whole or in part regardless of cost. This threshold, which applies to all Departments, is reviewed annually.

  Cabinet Committees
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next proposes to issue the list of ministerial committees of the Cabinet.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  An updated list of the ministerial committees of the Cabinet, with their terms of reference and membership, will be published shortly.

  Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister what meetings the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People has had with the sponsors of the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill and representatives of the all-party disablement group in the House about the Government's response to the Bill and their alternative proposals since the Prime Minister's meeting with the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) and supporters of his Bill on 23 February; what was the date and duration of each meeting; and if he will publish the papers tabled for discussion at the meetings.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  There have been two meetings, on 25 March and 17 May, each lasting about an hour. No papers were tabled at either meeting.

  Child Migrant Scheme
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will consider moving total responsibility for funding the Child Migrant Trust from the Department of Health in such a way as to ensure that the various Departments with present or previous responsibility for the child migrant scheme contribute towards to the cost of the trust's work.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for child welfare transferred in 1971 from the Home Office to the Department of Health and the territorial Departments. We can see no advantage in changing the Government's responsibilities for funding this kind of activity in the way suggested.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on official hospitality in his Department in the financial year 1992–93.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 20 October 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  The expenditure by the Office of my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, on official hospitality in the financial year 1992–93 was £30,023. This is a reduction of £10,953 or 27 per cent. compared with 1991–92.

TRANSPORT

  Speed Control
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 175, when he now expects the village speed control working group to publish its final report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Monitoring results from the individual trial sites are all expected to be received before the end of the year, and analysis is under way. A final report will now be made in spring 1994. In advance of the report, valuable lessons are already being learnt as the trials progress. The messages in the report will be disseminated widely to local highway authorities and other groups who have an interest in this area. To follow on from the village speed working group—VISP—I am planning a further series of trials of traffic calming measures for villages on trunk roads next year, starting with Thorney in Cambridgeshire.

  Leasing Funds
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used in the decision to allocate £150 million of leasing funds to British Rail; and what were the reasons that the money was allocated to Network SouthEast.

  Mr. Freeman
  The purpose of the £150 million leasing concession was to encourage the development of a leasing market for passenger trains. The decision to lease trains for Network SouthEast was made by British Rail on the ground that the business case for doing so was superior to that for trains for the west coast main line.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has for any further financing or leasing deals for British Rail similar to that recently awarded to Network Southeast;
  429
  (2) if he will permit British Rail to seek private financing for the leasing of rolling stock for the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  I will support further leasing proposals for the west coast main line, or any other route, provided they meet the Treasury's criteria for classification as an operating lease and they are good value for money.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he will be taking, in conjunction with British Rail, to improve services on the west coast main line; and what plans he has for the modernisation of track and signalling on that route;

  (2) if he will guarantee the future of the west coast main line as a high-speed route between London, Warrington and Glasgow.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government fully appreciate the importance of modernising the west coast main line. British Rail has set aside funds for design work to renew the infrastructure. From April next year, following our reform of the railways, responsibility for infrastructure will pass to Railtrack. In the meantime, the Government have taken the initiative in appointing Hambros bank to devise proposals for a joint venture to renew the infrastructure on the west coast main line. This is a new departure in the private finance initiative for railways. Instead of waiting for the private sector to come forward with proposals which may or may not be acceptable to the Government, Hambros has been tasked to find a solution which meets the Government's guidelines and will be attractive to the private sector. Hambros will be reporting later in the autumn.

  Toll Roads
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue guidelines for the development of toll road proposals.

  Mr. Key
  Privately financed toll roads can be provided only in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, or by individual legislation. Guidelines on the Act were contained in a circular that was issued to local authorities by the Department of Transport and the Welsh Office in March 1992. Evaluation of a prospective concessionaire's proposals will be a matter for the highway authority, but under the 1991 Act, a statement must be published with a draft toll order, setting out the key points of a concession agreement.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that toll road proposals are subject to adequate consultations on and evaluation at all key stages.

  Mr. Key
  Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 the procedures for authorisation of a toll road are similar to those of the Highways Act 1980 that apply to publicly financed roads; there will therefore be a similar approach to public consultation and public inquiry. Any scheme which is taken forward by means of individual legislation would be subject to detailed scrutiny by Parliament.

  Birmingham North Relief Road
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the results of the public consultation undertaken by Midland Expressway Ltd. in respect of the Birmingham north relief road.

  Mr. Key
  The results of the official public consultation exercise held in autumn 1991 are contained in the preferred route statement which was published on 3 March 1992, at the same time as the announcement of the signing of the concession agreement between the Secretary of State for Transport and Midland Expressway Ltd. The results of subsequent consultations with local authorities and other interested groups were included in the environmental statement which was published in June 1993.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he proposes with Staffordshire local authorities in respect of those parts of the concession relating to the Birmingham north relief road agreement which deal with non-tolling matters.

  Mr. Key
  As with all major highway schemes there has been and will continue to be regular consultation with all affected local authorities throughout the development of the scheme.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that the Birmingham north relief road would be available free of charge for traffic diverted to it.

  Mr. Key
  I have no such proposals. I see no possibility of road users being compelled to use the Birmingham northern relief road rather than the various alternative routes with which it will compete.

  Disposable Nappies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage parents to dispose hygienically of disposable nappies at lay-bys or motorway stops.

  Mr. Key
  My Department co-operates with the Tidy Britain Group in publicity to encourage the safe disposal of litter of all kinds.

  South Coast Road Expenditure
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent over the last 10 years on maintenance and improvement of the A26 between Lewes and Newhaven, the A27 between Lewes and Polegate and the A259 between Newhaven and Seaford.

  Mr. Key
  Definitive figures for some elements of expenditure in the earlier part of the period in question cannot now be provided without substantial research of archived files. However, our records indicate that about £0.4 million was spent on maintenance and £0.3 million on improvement of this length of the A26. For the A27 trunk road between Lewes and Polegate, the figures are about £5.5 million for maintenance and £2.3 million for improvement. The A259 between Newhaven and Seaford is not a trunk road, and responsibility for it rests with East Sussex county council.

  Motorway Surfaces
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the results of studies into the effectiveness of porous asphalt for motorway surfaces.

  Mr. Key
  Compared with other road surfacings currently in use, porous asphalt offers lower traffic noise and less spray from vehicles in wet conditions. The material has not so far proved as durable as conventional surfacings, there is an increased maintenance requirement and at present its use on roads carrying large numbers of heavy lorries is not advised.

  Vehicle Safety
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances it is the policy of traffic examiners not to issue prohibition notices on vehicles with only one defect; and what is the rationale for this policy.

  Mr. Key
  The vehicle inspectorate (VI) is responsible for enforcing roadworthiness standards. Prohibitions are issued by VI examiners in accordance with a published categorisation of defects guide. There is no VI policy to waive a prohibition where only one defect has been found during an examination.

  National Travel Survey
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to include journeys of one mile or under within the national travel survey.

  Mr. Key
  Information on journeys of under one mile have been collected on national travel surveys since they began in 1965. Only a few tables in the 1989–91 report exclude such journeys.

  Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of heavy goods vehicles currently licensed in the 1·5 to 6 tonne range.

  Mr. Key
  For the purpose of vehicle excise duty (VED), a heavy goods vehicle is regarded as being a vehicle weighing more than 3·5 tonnes, VED rates for heavy goods vehicles are set in bands relating to the vehicle weight and axle configuration with the lowest band covering vehicles between 3·5 and 7·5 tonnes. At the time of the last vehicle census, in December 1992, there were 146,507 vehicles licensed in this band.

  A1, Northumberland
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans to upgrade the A1 road in Northumberland to dual carriageway standard, giving the timetable for dualling each section, and the target date for completion of dualling the English section;

  (2) if he will make a statement on further schemes for dualling or improving overtaking opportunities on the A1 road north of Morpeth.

  Mr. Key
  Two sections of dual carriageway have been completed and opened to traffic at Marshall Meadows and Brownieside this year. Two schemes to complete the 432
  dualling of the Alnwick bypass are in preparation and a scheme to complete the continuous dualling between Newcastle and north of Alnwick is in the road programme.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced a review of the road programme in August. Further progress on the upgrading of the A1 will depend on potential schemes meeting environmental, economic and safety objectives, the overall availability of resources, and the relative claims of potential schemes elsewhere in the county.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been allocated to date in upgrading the A1 in Northumberland; and if he will make a statement on the progress.

  Mr. Key
  Since 1970, in excess of £60 million at current prices has been spent on a comprehensive programme of upgrading the A1 in Northumberland. Currently there are three schemes in the programme valued at £25 million to complete the continuous dualling between Newcastle and north of Alnwick.

  In addition two sections of dual carriageway have been completed and opened to traffic at Marshall Meadows and Brownieside this year.

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details and amounts of money paid by the DVLA to the vehicle inspectorate.

  Mr. Key
  In financial year 1992–93 DVLA paid £4,976 to the vehicle inspectorate, for inspections of vehicles involved in applications to transfer cherished vehicle registration marks.

  Overseas Staff and Premises
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost for the current financial year of his Department having(a) premises and (b) personnel overseas; and what were the comparable figures for (a) 12, (b) 24, (c) 36 and (d) 48 months ago.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is not readily available in respect of personnel overseas before 1991–92 due to changes in the Department's accounting arrangements. The latest available figures are as follows:

  Costs arising from premises overseas

  Year

  £

  1989–90

  75,000

  1990–91

  73,000

  1991–92

  79,000

  1992–93

  84,000

  1993–94 outtum to September 1993

  47,000

  Costs arising from personnel overseas

  Year

  £

  1991–92

  421,700

  1992–93

  463,700

  1993–94 outtum to September 1993

  256,000

  In addition, some Department of Transport staff are on loan to the FCO to serve overseas, but the costs are borne by the FCO: others are seconded to overseas Governments, but the costs are covered by those Governments.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecast he has made of how many passenger operating companies will operate, under his proposals for the privatisation of British Rail, through Brixton, Loughborough Junction, Herne Hill, West Norwood, Tulse Hill and Gipsy Hill.

  Mr. Freeman
  Each of these stations will be served by one franchisee, except for Herne Hill and Tulse Hill which will be served by two.

  Lewes Link Lines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on maintenance and improvement over the last 10 years on the Lewes to London, Lewes to Seaford and Lewes to Eastbourne railway lines.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for British Rail to decide priorities for expenditure on maintenance and improvements to the network. In addition to routine maintenance, in April 1991 re-signalling and track improvements were carried out around Eastbourne station at a cost of £2 million, and the station refurbished at a cost of £840,000. Other major projects on the Sussex coast line in the last 10 years have included the renovation of the preserved station buildings at Lewes at a cost of £245,000, which is nearing completion; the recently completed installation of a new electrical control room at Brighton at a cost of £342,000; and the relaying of track lost in a landslide at Glynde in April 1991 at a cost of £10,000.

  Bicycles (Carriage on Trains)
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the numbers of cycles carried by regional railways following the introduction of the £3 cycle fee.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. My Department does not hold detailed information of this nature.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mining Industry
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how soon after the closure of the consultation period on the future of the mineworkers' pension scheme he will make a public statement as to that future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government will give very careful consideration to all responses received on the consultation paper on British Coal pensions after privatisation. It is too early to say how soon conclusions will be reached but Parliament will of course be informed as soon as possible of the Government's proposals.

  Nuclear Power Industry
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the timetable and terms of reference for the Government's review of policy for the future of the nuclear power industry; which Department will take the lead in this review; and what will be the role of the Scottish Office.
  434
  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Wednesday 20 October to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) at column 245.

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the total amount of coal available for opencasting in Northumberland and Durham.

  Mr. Eggar
  British Coal has informed me that, as at March 1993, total reserves of coal estimated to remain unworked in approved opencast sites in Northumberland, Durham and Tyne and Wear were 16,696 million tonnes.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to require the nuclear installations inspectorate to publish full safety reports upon the Bradwell, Hinkley A, Dungeness A and Sizewell A power stations.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate's findings on the long-term safety reviews for Bradwell, Hinkley Point A, Berkeley, Hunterston A, Calder Hall, and Chapelcross have already been published. Reports of the principal findings of the LTSRs for the remaining Magnox power stations will be published in due course. The NII also intends to publish a report on the generic issues arising out of the LTSRs early in 1994.

  Coal Investment
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount of the £20 billion authorised investment by the Government in the coal industry since 1979 was invested in collieries which have since been closed or which are under threat of closure.

  Mr. Eggar
  The figure of £20 billion funding referred to represents deficiency and social grants to British Coal and payments under the redundant mineworkers payments scheme. The Government have authorised British Coal to spend nearly £8 billion on capital investment over the same period.

  Investment at individual collieries is normally a matter for British Coal although grant approval is needed where capital expenditure exceeds £50 million on a single project. In the period concerned the only projects which came into this category were Selby—capital expenditure to date is about £1,500 million—and Asfordby—capital expenditure to date is about £250 million.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount has been invested since 1979 in the collieries at(a) Taf Merthyr, (b) Deep Navigation, (c) Merthyr Vale, (d) Trelewis Drift and (e) Betws.

  Mr. Eggar
  Investment in individual collieries is a matter for British Coal.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many civil servants are working at the offices of his Department in Victoria street, London.
  435
  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has 2,215 civil servants working at our offices in Victoria street.

  Conversion Loans
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the continued appropriateness of his Department's covering of the exchange risks of companies that take European Coal and Steel Community conversion loans in foreign currencies rather than sterling.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have, in conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, thoroughly reviewed the exchange risk guarantee scheme, which is run jointly by my Department, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office. This review has been based on the findings of independent evaluators who assessed the extent to which the scheme achieved its objectives at an acceptable cost. The evaluators found in the scheme no substantial benefits to set against its cost. The DTI, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office will therefore cease to offer exchange risk cover on any new global loans made by the Commission to United Kingdom financial intermediaries from today.

  Termination of the exchange risk guarantee scheme will not affect the availability of the ECSC conversion loans themselves, nor of the associated interest rate rebates related to job creation. The loans will continue to be available to United Kingdom firms, either in foreign currency at their own exchange risk or in sterling on similar terms. Existing global loans will continue to be eligible for cover to the extent that they are drawn down in foreign currencies.

  I have today placed in the Library of the House copies of the independent evaluators' reports on the scheme.

  South Africa
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the EC code of conduct for companies with interests in South Africa.

  Mr. Needham
  The EC Foreign Affairs Council announced on 4 October that the requirement for companies to report under the code has been discontinued. EC heads of mission will, however, be required to report annually on developments in the area of labour conditions with particular attention to equality of opportunity.

  British Coal (Redundancies)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to extend the present enhanced redundancy arrangements for British Coal employees beyond 31 December 1993.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 20 October 1993:] I announced on 20 October that the Government had informed British Coal that they were prepared to extend its funding for the current redundancy terms for miners until 30 April 1994.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to establish an Anglo-Irish bilateral agreement with the Irish Republic for the transmission of information subsequent to a nuclear accident as proposed by European Commission opinion of 30 April 1992 on the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield, as published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. L138, 36–37, 21 May 1992.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have been asked to reply.

  In addition to existing nuclear incident notification arrangements with the Irish authorities, a more formal bilateral agreement is being explored at regular meetings of United Kingdom and Irish officials.

EDUCATION

  Outdoor Education Centres
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from the Central Council of Physical Recreation on the impact of education reforms on local education authority outdoor education centres.

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  Schools
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils are now being educated in grant-maintained schools; what is the number of grant-maintained schools in England and Wales; what is the percentage of secondary schools in England and Wales that are grant-maintained; and how many applications for grant-maintained status are outstanding and being considered by his Department.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Grant-maintained schools in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. The figures in this answer relate to England only.

  About 480,000 pupils are now being educated in 693 self-governing (GM) schools. Fourteen per cent. of secondary schools are now self-governing. A further 61 schools have been approved for self-governing status but are not yet operating.

  One hundred and thirty-six applications for self-governing status are under consideration in the Department, and proposals are awaited from a further 31 schools who have voted yes to self-governing status.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is(a) the total number of schools, (b) the number of county schools, (c) the number of voluntary-aided schools, (d) the number of grant-maintained schools which were formerly county schools and (e) the number of grant-maintained schools which were formerly voluntary-aided schools within the (i) primary and (ii) secondary sectors in each local education authority area.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 21 October 1993]: The latest information on the status of maintained primary and secondary schools in each local education authority in England is shown in the table.
  437

  Maintained schools in each local education authority in England October 1993

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Self-governing

  Self-governing

  Local education authority

  All schools1

  County schools

  Voluntary aided schools

  Formerly County

  Formerly Voluntary aided

  All schools1

  County schools

  Voluntary aided schools

  Formerly County

  Formerly Voluntary aided

  Corporation of London

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  41

  20

  21

  0

  0

  12

  5

  5

  0

  2

  Greenwich

  79

  62

  17

  0

  0

  15

  10

  4

  0

  0

  Hackney

  70

  54

  16

  0

  0

  10

  6

  4

  0

  0

  Hammersmith

  39

  25

  14

  0

  0

  10

  4

  5

  0

  1

  Islington

  57

  41

  16

  0

  0

  9

  6

  3

  0

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  27

  12

  15

  0

  0

  5

  1

  2

  0

  1

  Lambeth

  77

  55

  21

  0

  1

  10

  4

  0

  1

  4

  Lewisham

  72

  50

  21

  1

  0

  14

  8

  4

  0

  0

  Southwark

  76

  52

  23

  0

  1

  14

  7

  3

  1

  3

  Tower Hamlets

  74

  53

  21

  0

  0

  15

  9

  3

  0

  1

  Wandsworth

  72

  51

  19

  2

  0

  11

  4

  1

  4

  2

  Westminster

  42

  15

  27

  0

  0

  8

  3

  4

  0

  0

  Barking

  55

  49

  6

  0

  0

  8

  7

  1

  0

  0

  Barnet

  89

  58

  29

  2

  0

  21

  10

  4

  4

  3

  Bexley

  65

  51

  10

  2

  0

  17

  12

  1

  1

  3

  Brent

  65

  45

  19

  1

  0

  14

  6

  0

  5

  1

  Bromley

  78

  61

  10

  1

  1

  17

  6

  0

  9

  2

  Croydon

  98

  80

  13

  0

  0

  22

  13

  5

  2

  2

  Ealing

  92

  78

  12

  2

  0

  13

  6

  2

  5

  0

  Enfield

  70

  52

  18

  0

  0

  17

  9

  3

  2

  2

  Haringey

  77

  56

  20

  0

  0

  9

  7

  2

  0

  0

  Harrow

  54

  46

  8

  0

  0

  11

  8

  2

  0

  1

  Havering

  74

  64

  9

  0

  0

  20

  12

  4

  2

  2

  Hillingdon

  74

  54

  10

  7

  2

  17

  5

  1

  10

  1

  Hounslow

  63

  54

  9

  0

  0

  14

  9

  1

  0

  2

  Kingston upon Thames

  36

  21

  14

  0

  0

  10

  6

  0

  1

  1

  Merton

  49

  39

  10

  0

  0

  12

  7

  3

  0

  0

  Newham

  67

  56

  9

  0

  0

  15

  11

  3

  1

  0

  Redbridge

  56

  47

  9

  0

  0

  14

  11

  1

  1

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  39

  24

  15

  0

  0

  8

  7

  1

  0

  0

  Sutton

  43

  34

  8

  0

  1

  14

  6

  0

  5

  3

  Waltham Forest

  61

  51

  8

  0

  0

  18

  15

  1

  2

  0

  Birmingham

  336

  251

  68

  0

  2

  84

  56

  10

  6

  6

  Coventry

  111

  81

  25

  0

  0

  19

  15

  3

  0

  0

  Dudley

  83

  64

  11

  1

  0

  23

  14

  2

  5

  1

  Sandwell

  112

  94

  13

  0

  0

  21

  18

  1

  1

  0

  Solihull

  70

  46

  19

  1

  0

  14

  12

  2

  0

  0

  Walsall

  106

  83

  13

  0

  0

  21

  13

  2

  3

  3

  Wolverhampton

  101

  71

  14

  0

  0

  20

  15

  3

  2

  0

  Knowsley

  68

  32

  35

  0

  0

  11

  7

  3

  0

  1

  Liverpool

  198

  105

  84

  0

  0

  37

  17

  18

  0

  2

  St. Helens

  73

  31

  33

  0

  0

  13

  8

  4

  0

  0

  Sefton

  94

  43

  45

  0

  0

  23

  16

  5

  0

  0

  Wirral

  106

  74

  27

  0

  0

  23

  18

  3

  2

  0

  Bolton

  105

  55

  38

  1

  0

  18

  11

  3

  1

  1

  Bury

  71

  34

  24

  0

  0

  15

  11

  4

  0

  0

  Manchester

  175

  103

  54

  0

  0

  31

  19

  11

  0

  0

  Oldham

  104

  62

  34

  0

  0

  16

  12

  4

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  76

  40

  22

  2

  0

  14

  10

  3

  1

  0

  Salford

  88

  44

  29

  0

  0

  21

  14

  6

  0

  0

  Stockport

  110

  81

  20

  0

  0

  18

  14

  3

  0

  0

  Tameside

  82

  50

  22

  0

  0

  20

  14

  3

  3

  0

  Trafford

  78

  54

  23

  0

  0

  16

  11

  1

  3

  0

  Wigan

  125

  38

  74

  0

  0

  23

  14

  6

  0

  0

  Barnsley

  96

  73

  15

  0

  0

  15

  13

  0

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  128

  106

  17

  0

  0

  34

  32

  2

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  115

  96

  16

  0

  0

  19

  16

  1

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  165

  141

  19

  0

  1

  32

  30

  0

  0

  2

  Bradford

  167

  117

  32

  1

  0

  88

  72

  8

  5

  1

  Calderdale

  92

  61

  22

  1

  0

  16

  11

  1

  1

  1

  Kirklees

  160

  104

  23

  0

  0

  38

  31

  1

  2

  0

  Leeds

  249

  178

  49

  0

  1

  47

  38

  8

  0

  1

  Wakefield

  130

  102

  17

  0

  0

  39

  32

  3

  0

  0

  Gateshead

  82

  62

  19

  0

  0

  13

  11

  2

  0

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  82

  59

  23

  0

  0

  22

  19

  3

  0

  0

  North Tyneside

  61

  47

  14

  0

  0

  27

  26

  1

  0

  0

  South Tyneside

  59

  40

  12

  0

  0

  11

  9

  2

  0

  0

  Sunderland

  106

  87

  18

  0

  0

  17

  14

  3

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Avon

  368

  234

  42

  0

  0

  61

  50

  5

  2

  0

  438 439

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Self-governing

  Self-governing

  Local education authority

  All schools1

  County schools

  Voluntary aided schools

  Formerly County

  Formerly Voluntary aided

  All schools1

  County schools

  Voluntary aided schools

  Formerly County

  Formerly Voluntary aided

  Bedfordshire

  218

  168

  28

  1

  2

  72

  54

  6

  8

  0

  Berkshire

  275

  172

  42

  4

  1

  59

  39

  6

  9

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  290

  203

  33

  6

  0

  45

  29

  2

  7

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  267

  182

  30

  6

  0

  46

  26

  1

  13

  2

  Cheshire

  455

  291

  106

  1

  0

  72

  56

  10

  3

  0

  Cleveland

  203

  148

  47

  0

  0

  53

  40

  11

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  249

  199

  41

  0

  0

  31

  31

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  311

  158

  81

  3

  2

  44

  27

  3

  5

  2

  Derbyshire

  451

  309

  54

  5

  1

  61

  39

  5

  11

  0

  Devon

  443

  292

  75

  0

  0

  65

  55

  4

  4

  1

  Dorset

  201

  97

  59

  0

  1

  56

  31

  5

  8

  1

  Durham

  298

  223

  52

  0

  0

  44

  39

  5

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  221

  130

  42

  0

  0

  38

  34

  3

  0

  0

  Essex

  582

  401

  83

  20

  7

  108

  46

  7

  48

  2

  Gloucestershire

  264

  140

  49

  3

  1

  43

  19

  1

  16

  2

  Hampshire

  584

  430

  57

  6

  3

  109

  86

  6

  12

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  288

  140

  64

  0

  0

  81

  58

  5

  1

  4

  Hertfordshire

  433

  308

  85

  1

  4

  94

  62

  11

  11

  5

  Humberside

  354

  259

  29

  1

  0

  64

  55

  5

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  46

  25

  9

  0

  0

  21

  17

  2

  0

  0

  Kent

  578

  361

  77

  5

  4

  151

  78

  8

  39

  8

  Lancashire

  605

  242

  300

  0

  1

  111

  69

  20

  2

  4

  Leicestershire

  335

  210

  42

  0

  0

  83

  69

  4

  5

  0

  Lincolnshire

  299

  159

  37

  9

  0

  67

  35

  3

  12

  2

  Norfolk

  398

  256

  43

  8

  1

  54

  38

  2

  10

  0

  North Yorkshire

  394

  201

  58

  0

  0

  61

  49

  8

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  274

  168

  35

  7

  0

  66

  46

  7

  12

  0

  Northumberland

  143

  99

  34

  0

  0

  62

  52

  4

  1

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  426

  339

  51

  0

  0

  85

  68

  10

  3

  0

  Oxfordshire

  241

  98

  51

  0

  1

  44

  37

  3

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  215

  106

  30

  0

  0

  41

  30

  2

  4

  1

  Somerset

  229

  101

  38

  1

  0

  40

  31

  1

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  415

  251

  74

  0

  0

  88

  69

  8

  3

  1

  Suffolk

  255

  153

  28

  0

  0

  77

  68

  4

  0

  0

  Surrey

  376

  243

  88

  6

  0

  58

  37

  6

  9

  3

  Warwickshire

  244

  132

  40

  0

  0

  39

  23

  6

  8

  0

  West Sussex

  246

  154

  44

  0

  0

  44

  31

  9

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  297

  131

  61

  3

  0

  49

  31

  2

  4

  1

  ENGLAND

  18,971

  12,232

  3,740

  121

  39

  3,831

  2,688

  418

  361

  97

  1 Includes county, voluntary aided, voluntary controlled, special agreement and self-governing (GM) schools.

  National Curriculum
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will give a breakdown of the membership of each of the committees which have been established to advise his Department about the national curriculum and associated matters; and if he will indicate in each case those representatives which have been appointed to represent the primary school sector;

  (2) if he will make a statement giving details of his policy in connection with the level of representation of (a) the primary school sector and (b) the secondary school sector upon those committees which provide advice to his Department about the national curriculum and associated matters.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, under the chairmanship of Sir Ron Dearing, has the main responsibility for advising my right hon. Friend on the national curriculum and associated matters.

  My right hon. Friend announced the authority's membership on 14 September. All 14 members have been appointed on the basis of their individual expertise and experience rather than as representatives. They include a
  440
  teacher and a headteacher from the primary school sector, a college principal with wide experience of primary education, the headmaster of a seven to 18 school, three secondary heads and the headteacher of a special school.

  Older Adult Learners
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to place specific obligations upon the further education funding councils, further education colleges and local authorities concerning provision for older adult learners.

  Mr. Boswell
  Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the further education funding councils and local education authorities are between them responsible for securing the provision of all kinds of further education for adults. The educational opportunities secured by the new structure of duties are available to all adult learners, including older adults, and earlier this year the Department for Education was pleased to sponsor a conference on older adults as part of Adult Learners' Week.

  Primary Schools
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that the primary school sector is fully and adequately represented on all committees established to advise his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The main criterion for choosing the members of advisory bodies is the experience and expertise which they can contribute. When it is appropriate to do so my right hon. Friend will ensure that an advisory body includes members who have experience of primary education.

  Opting Out
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if his Department will fund the organisation, Parents Opposed to Opting-Out; and if he will make a statement.
  442
  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has received an approach from Parents Opposed to Opting-Out, and will be responding shortly.

  Grant-maintained Schools Centre
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff are employed at the grant-maintained schools centre; and what plans he has to extend the size or role of the centre.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  There are currently 29 staff employed by the grant-maintained schools centre. The centre is a company limited by guarantee, which receives grant from the Department for certain specified purposes. The overall size of the centre is a matter for its directors. My right hon. Friend announced on 16 March at column 143 that additional grant would be made available to the centre to support the dissemination of factual information about grant-maintained status. For this purpose, regional advice centres are planned for Bolton, Kirklees, Birmingham and London, which will be grant-aided by the Department.

EDUCATION

  Social Science and Arts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students embarked on a higher education social science or arts course in 1992; and how many have done so in the current year.

  Mr. Boswell
  In the academic year 1992–93 there were 56,000 students commencing post-graduate arts courses and 13,000 social science courses in England. A further 244,000 embarked on undergraduate courses, of these 197,000 were studying an arts subject and 47,000 social science. Comparable figures for 1993–94 are not yet available.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the sum of money that each local authority spent on special educational needs in 1991–92 in the further education sector.

  Unit cost per pupil 1992–93 prices

  1978–79

  1991–92

  Nursery and Primary £

  Secondary £

  Nursery and Primary £

  Secondary £

  ILEA

  1,678

  2,280

  —

  —

  Corporation of London

  —

  —

  2,609

  0

  Camden

  —

  —

  1,943

  2,432

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  1,830

  2,296

  Hackney

  —

  —

  2,176

  2,799

  Hammersmith

  —

  —

  2,047

  2,739

  Islington

  —

  —

  2,328

  2,938

  Kensington

  —

  —

  2,287

  3,200

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  2,083

  2,978

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  1,717

  2,376

  Southwark

  —

  —

  1,828

  2,460

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  2,253

  2,946

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  2,212

  3,275

  Westminster

  —

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  Barking

  1,175

  1,754

  1,550

  2,254

  Barnet

  1,180

  1,748

  1,674

  2,326

  Bexley

  1,018

  1,552

  1,371

  2,058

  Brent

  1,424

  1,919

  1,670

  2,490

  Bromley

  1,085

  1,659

  1,443

  2,442

  Croydon

  1,122

  1,639

  1,593

  2,373

  Ealing

  1,371

  1,818

  1,754

  2,836

  Enfield

  985

  1,385

  1,636

  2,321

  Haringey

  1,390

  1,793

  1,927

  2,650

  Harrow

  1,387

  1,863

  1,661

  2,373

  Havering

  1,116

  1,636

  1,396

  2,255

  Hillingdon

  1,127

  1,692

  1,661

  2,625

  Hounslow

  1,166

  1,653

  1,567

  2,161

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1,136

  1,575

  1,543

  2,473

  Merton

  1,239

  1,564

  1,723

  2,622

  Newham

  1,393

  1,759

  1,671

  2,470

  Redbridge

  1,049

  1,656

  1,489

  2,308

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,169

  1,591

  1,738

  2,114

  Sutton

  1,040

  1,510

  1,437

  2,161

  Waltham Forest

  1,192

  1,894

  1,625

  2,622

  Birmingham

  1,007

  1,524

  1,370

  2,151

  Coventry

  1,068

  1,496

  1,300

  2,116

  Dudley

  881

  1,351

  1,411

  2,126

  Sandwell

  1,024

  1,533

  1,540

  2,277

  Solihull

  957

  1,435

  1,352

  2,126

  Walsall

  1,021

  1,485

  1,400

  2,108

  Wolverhampton

  1,099

  1,564

  1,554

  2,354

  Knowsley

  1,018

  1,600

  1,432

  2,296

  Liverpool

  1,164

  1,673

  1,386

  2,356

  St. Helens

  934

  1,499

  1,341

  2,104

  Sefton

  965

  1,421

  1,313

  2,017

  Wirral

  951

  1,440

  1,325

  2,113

  Bolton

  929

  1,415

  1,380

  2,132

  Bury

  973

  1,396

  1,302

  1,900

  444
  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Spending Statistics
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was spent per(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in each of the local authorities in England and, on average, in England as a whole in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in 1978–79 at constant prices.

  Mr. Forth
  Figures for expenditure on nursery and primary pupils are not collected separately. Spending per pupil by each English LEA and on average in nursery and primary schools combined and in secondary schools in 1978–79 and 1991–92 at 1992–93 prices is as shown in the table.
  445

  1978–79

  1991–92

  Nursery and Primary £

  Secondary £

  Nursery and Primary £

  Secondary £

  Manchester

  1,250

  1,846

  1,421

  2,285

  Oldham

  948

  1,393

  1,582

  2,261

  Rochdale

  1,057

  1,591

  1,310

  2,134

  Salford

  982

  1,505

  1,299

  2,192

  Stockport

  926

  1,398

  1,319

  2,135

  Tameside

  1,001

  1,466

  1,419

  2,100

  Trafford

  1,038

  1,396

  1,281

  2,107

  Wigan

  954

  1,485

  1,257

  2,288

  Barnsley

  1,082

  1,519

  1,374

  2,043

  Doncaster

  1,275

  1,382

  1,323

  1,997

  Rotherham

  1,001

  1,468

  1,465

  2,151

  Sheffield

  1,136

  1,589

  1,476

  2,181

  Bradford

  1,175

  1,387

  1,652

  1,796

  Calderdale

  1,043

  1,502

  1,570

  2,010

  Kirklees

  965

  1,343

  1,423

  2,056

  Leeds

  1,166

  1,225

  1,642

  1,979

  Wakefield

  1,052

  1,371

  1,494

  2,113

  Gateshead

  1,102

  1,496

  1,562

  2,117

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,326

  1,762

  1,646

  2,066

  North Tyneside

  1,130

  1,519

  1,402

  2,075

  South Tyneside

  1,253

  1,569

  1,435

  2,041

  Sunderland

  1,063

  1,522

  1,427

  2,047

  Isles of Scilly

  1,499

  3,133

  1,849

  4,161

  Avon

  1,068

  1,513

  1,435

  2,048

  Bedfordshire

  1,217

  1,541

  1,511

  2,036

  Berkshire

  1,021

  1,488

  1,506

  2,156

  Buckinghamshire

  1,018

  1,608

  1,358

  2,095

  Cambridgeshire

  1,001

  1,508

  1,417

  2,023

  Cheshire

  1,013

  1,527

  1,364

  2,106

  Cleveland

  1,060

  1,471

  1,271

  2,111

  Cornwall

  940

  1,496

  1,403

  1,957

  Cumbria

  1,049

  1,547

  1,460

  2,175

  Derbyshire

  976

  1,457

  1,452

  2,199

  Devon

  951

  1,452

  1,394

  2,004

  Dorset

  1,035

  1,471

  1,410

  1,922

  Durham

  1,113

  1,485

  1,386

  2,020

  East Sussex

  1,010

  1,550

  1,421

  2,018

  Essex

  948

  1,485

  1,261

  2,274

  Gloucestershire

  990

  1,449

  1,425

  1,757

  Hampshire

  943

  1,494

  1,457

  2,132

  Hereford and Worcester

  962

  1,421

  1,473

  1,961

  Hertfordshire

  1,105

  1,670

  1,482

  2,237

  Hurnberside

  1,057

  1,457

  1,422

  2,065

  Isle of Wight

  1,043

  1,393

  1,488

  1,937

  Kent

  957

  1,491

  1,263

  2,075

  Lancashire

  923

  1,452

  1,535

  2,225

  Leicestershire

  979

  1,496

  1,498

  2,253

  Lincolnshire

  979

  1,550

  1,348

  2,081

  Norfolk

  1,032

  1,513

  1,465

  2,116

  North Yorkshire

  1,063

  1,508

  1,442

  2,152

  Northamptonshire

  934

  1,432

  1,355

  1,970

  Northumberland

  1,088

  1,494

  1,477

  1,964

  Nottinghamshire

  985

  1,480

  1,625

  2,492

  Oxfordshire

  1,060

  1,485

  1,635

  2,108

  Shropshire

  934

  1,505

  1,497

  2,349

  Somerset

  926

  1,387

  1,349

  1,951

  Staffordshire

  1,068

  1,544

  1,397

  2,045

  Suffolk

  1,054

  1,373

  1,250

  1,698

  Surrey

  1,029

  1,659

  1,460

  2,202

  Warwickshire

  948

  1,466

  1,338

  2,090

  West Sussex

  934

  1,435

  1,338

  2,085

  Wiltshire

  965

  1,463

  1,408

  1,947

  ENGLAND AVERAGE

  988

  1,429

  1,469

  2,145

  Note:

  1. N/a—Figures currently being reviewed by City of Westminster local education authority.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average per-capita grant to grant-maintained schools in each year since 1989.
  446
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The average per-capita recurrent grant to grant-maintained schools in each year since 1989 is as follows:
  447

  Financial year

  Primary £

  Secondary £

  1989–90

  Nil

  1,970

  1990–91

  Nil

  2,250

  1991–92

  1,800

  2,400

  1992–93

  1,900

  2,450

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the level of funding from his Department to the grant-maintained schools centre for each financial year from 1988–89 to 1993–94; and for what purpose this funding is intended to be used.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Since the establishment of the grant-maintained schools centre in 1988 the following grant has been provided by the Department:

  Grant(£000's)

  1988–89

  25

  1989–90

  250

  1990–91

  425

  1991–92

  600

  1992–93

  577

  1993–94

  1198

  1 Grant paid to date in 1993–94.

  Grant is provided: to enable the GMSC to offer factual information and advice to schools about GM status (since March 1993); to support information and advice services for existing GM schools; and to underpin the work of the standing advisory committee for GM schools.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the aggregate budget for grant-maintained schools in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The total amount of grants paid for grant maintained schools in 1991–92 and 1992–93 is as follows:

  1991–92

  1992–93

  £181,900,000

  £482,500,000

  The bulk of this expenditure is annual maintenance grant which is recouped from the former maintaining authority.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what plans he has to compensate grant-maintained schools for the extension of value added tax on fuel;

  (2) what is his Department's estimate of the proportion of the total budget for grant-maintained schools which will be spent on value-added tax after April 1994.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is the Government's policy that special purpose grant should compensate self-governing (grant maintained) schools for the VAT costs they incur. These are currently estimated at 2.5 per cent. of total annual maintenance grant. We will review the estimates in the light of any additional VAT costs placed on self-governing schools. If necessary we will adjust the rate of grant to ensure that self-governing schools are not disadvantaged in comparison with local education authority schools.
  448
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total amount spent on fuel by grant-maintained schools in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has to fund regional offices of the grant-maintained schools centre; where these offices will be based; what criteria are to be used in deciding the location of regional offices; and how much is it proposed to spend on establishing them.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend is making grant available to the grant-maintained schools centre to establish and operate regional advice centres to disseminate factual information about grant-maintained status, in accordance with his reply of 16 March to the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) at column 143. The first advice centres are planned for Bolton, Kirklees, Birmingham and London. These locations were identified by the grant-maintained schools centre as the most suitable for the purposes of ensuring access to an advice centre for a majority of schools. The cost of establishing and operating the advice centres in 1993–94 is exptected to be approximately £140,000.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total amount of value added tax paid to the Treasury by grant-maintained schools in the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Funding Cuts
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment his Department has made of the effect which the Government's decision to cut section 11 funding will have on the education of children for whom English is a second language.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The assessment of local pupil needs is primarily a matter for schools and local education authorities although the Department continues to monitor, using the services of OFSTED, the education of children for whom English is a second language. Section 11 funding in 1993–94 should be sufficient to support existing projects in the 1993–94 financial year at the current grant rate of 75 per cent. of salary costs. For the subsequent two years, it will be a matter for local authorities and other grant recipients to decide to what extent the shortfall can be offset from within their budgets and where any reductions need to be made.

  National Curriculum Testing
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information his Department has gathered on what loss of pay or other consequences have been enforced by local education authorities against those head teachers, teachers, officials and school governors who supported the boycott last term of national curriculum testing.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has not gathered any such information.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many civil servants are working at his Department's offices at Sanctuary buildings, Great Smith street, London.

  Mr. Boswell
  At present, there are 1,123 civil servants located at Sanctuary buildings.

  Outdoor Activity Centres
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he intends to make a statement about safety in outdoor activity centres following the Lyme bay canoeing accident.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement shortly.

  Pupils1 in maintained primary and secondary schools in each Local Education Authority in England

  LEA

  Pupils in Primary Schools

  Pupils in Secondary Schools2

  All schools

  Self-Governing Schools3

  All schools

  Self-Governing Schools3

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Corporation of London

  221

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  10,515

  0

  0

  10,241

  2,314

  23

  Greenwich

  20,748

  0

  0

  13,955

  0

  0

  Hackney

  16,324

  0

  0

  7,788

  0

  0

  Hammersmith

  8,851

  0

  0

  6,001

  1,197

  20

  Islington

  14,533

  0

  0

  7,732

  0

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  6,186

  0

  0

  3,150

  622

  20

  Lambeth

  18,727

  233

  1

  6,233

  3,325

  53

  Lewisham

  20,085

  198

  1

  10,525

  0

  0

  Southwark

  20,429

  413

  2

  9,065

  2,106

  23

  Tower Hamlets

  19,864

  0

  0

  10,941

  879

  8

  Wandsworth

  16,906

  530

  3

  8,803

  6,196

  70

  Westminster

  9,023

  0

  0

  7,240

  0

  0

  Barking

  15,370

  0

  0

  9,164

  0

  0

  Bamet

  23,442

  774

  3

  17,898

  6,594

  37

  Bexley

  18,091

  448

  2

  14,350

  2,850

  20

  Brent

  21,773

  583

  3

  11,675

  7,637

  65

  Bromley

  19,836

  878

  4

  16,021

  10,187

  64

  Croydon

  25,390

  0

  0

  14,228

  3,656

  26

  Ealing

  27,462

  512

  2

  11,102

  4,789

  43

  Enfield

  22,551

  0

  0

  16,739

  4,388

  26

  Haringey

  18,616

  0

  0

  8,779

  0

  0

  Harrow

  18,927

  0

  0

  7,640

  486

  6

  Havering

  19335

  0

  0

  15,114

  3,848

  25

  Hillingdon

  19,673

  2,502

  13

  13,394

  10,055

  15

  Hounslow

  19,225

  0

  0

  13,380

  2,090

  16

  Kingston upon Thames

  10,288

  0

  0

  7,324

  2,780

  38

  Merton

  14,802

  0

  0

  6,896

  0

  0

  Newham

  24,065

  0

  0

  13,621

  574

  4

  Redbridge

  18,300

  0

  0

  14,277

  1,090

  8

  Richmond upon Thames

  10,358

  0

  0

  7,171

  0

  0

  Sutton

  12,625

  2203

  2

  10,627

  6,293

  59

  Waltham Forest

  19,204

  0

  0

  10,740

  1,839

  17

  Birmingham

  107,102

  511

  0

  60,864

  11,253

  18

  Coventry

  29,353

  0

  0

  18,191

  0

  0

  Dudley

  27,538

  399

  1

  17,227

  4,291

  25

  Sandwell

  31,479

  0

  0

  17,839

  652

  4

  Solihull

  19,065

  495

  3

  12,870

  0

  0

  Walsall

  27,811

  0

  0

  18,696

  5,505

  29

  Wolverhampton

  24,139

  0

  0

  15,600

  1,777

  11

  Knowsley

  18,360

  0

  0

  8,906

  720

  8

  Liverpool

  50,325

  0

  0

  28,977

  1,452

  5

  St. Helens

  17,551

  0

  0

  11,549

  0

  0

  Sefton

  26,908

  0

  0

  18,159

  0

  0

  Wirral

  30,966

  0

  0

  20,313

  1,907

  9

  Bolton

  26,906

  441

  2

  16,335

  2,726

  17

  Bury

  16,500

  0

  0

  9,711

  0

  0

  Manchester

  46,141

  0

  0

  21,080

  0

  0

  Oldham

  24,113

  0

  0

  15,834

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  20,999

  903

  4

  12,539

  1,010

  8

  Salford

  22,666

  0

  0

  11,246

  0

  0

  Stockport

  24,507

  0

  0

  14,515

  0

  0

  Pupil Numbers
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is(a) the total number of pupils, (b) the number in grant-maintained schools and (c) the percentage in grant-maintained schools within (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in each local education authority area.

  Mr Robin Squire
  [holding answer 21 October 1993]: The number of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools and the number and percentage of pupils in schools currently operating as self-governing (GM) in each local education authority in England is shown in the table. However, pupil numbers shown relate to January 1992, the latest date for which final information is available. Pupils in sixth form colleges have been excluded from the secondary totals.
  451

  LEA

  Pupils in Primary Schools

  Pupils in Secondary Schools2

  All schools

  Self-Governing Schools3

  All schools

  Self-Governing Schools3

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Tameside

  22,414

  0

  0

  12,655

  2,309

  18

  Trafford

  19,634

  0

  0

  11,028

  2,822

  26

  Wigan

  29,619

  0

  0

  18,823

  0

  0

  Barnsley

  21,261

  0

  0

  12,091

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  29,364

  0

  0

  20,670

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  24,360

  0

  0

  17,256

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  45,763

  255

  1

  23,871

  1,802

  8

  Bradford

  39,598

  293

  1

  44,877

  4,876

  11

  Calderdale

  19,311

  76

  0

  12,806

  3,095

  24

  Kirklees

  35,563

  0

  0

  24,804

  1,192

  5

  Leeds

  56,027

  44

  0

  51,082

  1,138

  2

  Wakefield

  28,719

  0

  0

  20,238

  0

  0

  Gateshead

  18,090

  0

  0

  11,558

  0

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  22,291

  0

  0

  16,498

  0

  0

  North Tyneside

  16,160

  0

  0

  14,187

  0

  0

  South Tyneside

  15,433

  0

  0

  9,052

  0

  0

  Sunderland

  29,598

  0

  0

  18,568

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  173

  0

  0

  112

  0

  0

  Avon

  77,726

  0

  0

  52,833

  1,455

  3

  Befordshire

  40,969

  666

  2

  43,043

  8,178

  19

  Berkshire

  59,999

  2,093

  3

  45,144

  7,280

  16

  Buckinghamshire

  60,985

  2,259

  4

  34,556

  8,468

  25

  Cambridgeshire

  57,696

  1,868

  3

  39,357

  14,781

  38

  Cheshire

  87,769

  73

  0

  61,760

  2,314

  4

  Cleveland

  64,699

  0

  0

  35,226

  0

  0

  Cornwall

  39,336

  0

  0

  28,397

  0

  0

  Clumbria

  42,304

  1,087

  3

  30,194

  7,860

  26

  Derbyshire

  82,860

  1,564

  2

  56,326

  13,893

  25

  Devon

  77,342

  0

  0

  56,161

  3,687

  7

  Dorset

  43,963

  391

  1

  39,103

  8,364

  21

  Durham

  55,446

  0

  0

  36,227

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  49,084

  0

  0

  31,851

  0

  0

  Essex

  120,648

  7,518

  6

  93,421

  50,443

  54

  Gloucestershire

  42,010

  1,330

  3

  31,849

  18,032

  57

  Hampshire

  127,473

  2,974

  2

  74,056

  12,398

  17

  Hereford and Worcester

  47,442

  0

  0

  46,168

  3,448

  7

  Hertfordshire

  81,379

  860

  1

  65,907

  15,807

  24

  Humberside

  82,367

  76

  0

  54,603

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  7,066

  0

  0

  10,194

  0

  0

  Kent

  123,557

  3,467

  3

  98,781

  42,991

  44

  Lancashire

  126,477

  270

  0

  81,133

  5,825

  7

  Leicestershire

  78,840

  0

  0

  57,712

  3,088

  5

  Lincolnshire

  47,909

  3,731

  8

  36,014

  15,242

  42

  Norfolk

  61,337

  2,268

  4

  39,257

  8,338

  21

  North Yorkshire

  56,951

  0

  0

  41,931

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  49,369

  2,758

  6

  43,906

  9,001

  21

  Northumberland

  21,019

  0

  0

  28,656

  597

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  89,724

  0

  0

  61,423

  1,814

  3

  Oxfordshire

  39,423

  75

  0

  33,274

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  34,552

  284

  1

  24,482

  3,430

  14

  Somerset

  34,620

  221

  1

  27,114

  391

  1

  Staffordshire

  91,015

  26

  0

  66,767

  4,191

  6

  Suffolk

  42,666

  0

  0

  46,845

  0

  0

  Surrey

  75,157

  1,524

  2

  38,035

  8,669

  23

  Warwickshire

  45,156

  0

  0

  24,049

  4,526

  19

  West Sussex

  50,685

  0

  0

  37,866

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  44,964

  987

  2

  32,931

  6,150

  19

  England

  4,089,536

  49,061

  I

  2,818,993

  424,985

  15

  1 Pupil numbers in schools in January 1992. Pupils in schools which are now self-governing appear in the self-governing columns of the table.

  2 Including pupils in schools operating as self-governing in October 1993.

  3 Excluding Sixth Form Colleges.

WALES

  Water Disconnections
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider collecting and holding centrally information on the number of industrial water disconnections made by water companies; and if he will make a statement.
  452
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No. The collection of statistics on water disconnections is a matter for the Director General of Water Services.

  Hill Farming
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hill farmers in Wales have not yet received their hill livestock compensatory allowances in respect of 1993.
  453
  Mr. Redwood
  Eight hundred and forty-six of the 14,662 claims remain to be paid. Most are held up while queries are resolved, or field inspections are carried out.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total central Government expenditure for the Welsh Office for the financial year 1992–93.

  Mr. Redwood
  Net central Government supply expenditure by the Welsh Office in 1992–93 was £5,973 million.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of applications in each county in Wales under the(a) main arable area payments scheme and (b) the simplified scheme in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Three hundred applications were made under the main arable area scheme and 2,177 applications under the simplified scheme in Wales. The following table indicates the counties in which the applicants had their main agricultural holdings, although it is possible that the land for which they claimed aid is spread between more than one county.

  County

  Main scheme

  Simplified scheme

  Total

  Clwyd

  36

  258

  294

  Dyfed

  85

  1,050

  1,135

  Mid Glamorgan

  16

  31

  47

  South Glamorgan

  28

  65

  93

  West Glamorgan

  2

  75

  77

  Gwent

  63

  197

  260

  Gwynedd

  18

  178

  196

  Powys

  52

  323

  375

  Total

  300

  2,177

  2,477

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Offences (Analysis)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he plans to publish his Department's research document "Analysing Offending"; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when the document "Analysing Offending" was completed; and for what reason publication has been delayed.

  Mr. Maclean
  "Analysing Offending" was published in July of this year by HMSO and has been publicly available from HMSO bookshops and accredited agents since then.

  Mr. George Long
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received a submission from solicitors acting on behalf of George Long—B25147; and when he expects to reach a decision.

  Mr. Maclean
  Representations about Mr. Long's convictions for murder in 1979 were received from his 454
  solicitors on 24 June 1993. Further inquiries have been made, and my right hon. and learned Friend expects that he will soon be in a position to decide whether there is any action he should take in Mr. Long's case.

  Probation Committees
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary, of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about how probation committees are constituted; and who are the present members of those covering Kent and Suffolk.

  Mr. Maclean
  1 have been asked to reply.

  The regulations governing the constitution of probation committees are set out in schedule 3 to the Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973, as amended.

  At present the Home Office does not maintain lists of probation committee members; and my hon. Friend may therefore wish to write to the secretaries of the Kent and Suffolk committees. With effect from this financial year, probation committees will be required to include in their annual reports the names of committee members and the official address at which they may be contacted.

  Rape
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to abolish the crime of rape.

  Mr. Maclean
  No.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide anonymity for men charged with rape unless and until they are convicted.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are currently reviewing the law relating to anonymity in cases involving sexual offences and will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Parole Board
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make public his full-time appointments to the Parole Board; and if he will make a statement on why full-time appointments are necessary.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  After full consideration, the Parole Board was informed on 3 August this year that six full-time members were to be appointed to the board. A press statement about the appointments was issued on 27 August, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Full-time members will bring valuable managerial and training experience to the work of the board and they will have the time to assist the chairman in long-term planning and the development of policy and procedures.

  Departmental Offices
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants are working in the Home Department offices at Queen Anne's gate, London.

  Mr. Howard
  On 21 October there were 1,455 civil servants working in the Home Office's Queen Anne's gate building.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long the disturbance at Blakenhurst prison on 17 October lasted; what was the cause; how many prisoners were involved; what damage to prison installations resulted from the protest; and what injuries to inmates or officers resulted from the protest.

  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 to Mr. Doug Hoyle from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the disturbance at Blakenhurst prison.
  Two prisoners on Houseblock 3 damaged the structure and fittings of their cell during the evening of 17 September 1993. There were no injuries to staff or prisoners. The incident lasted approximately thirty minutes. Houseblock 3 had restricted association that evening which may have been the cause of this incident.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of prison officers at Blakenhurst; and how many resignations of prison officers there have been since(a) the prison opened and (b) 17 October.

  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 to Mr. Doug Hoyle from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prison officers at Blakenhurst; and how many resignations of prison officers there have been since (a) the prison opened and (b) 17th November.
  There are now 271 certificated prisoner custody officers at Blakenhurst. Eleven officers have resigned since the prison opened on 26 May. I will write to you again once the figures for 17 November are available.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports have been made of the use of the drug LSD at Blakenhurst 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 to Mr. Doug Hoyle from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the use of the drug LSD at Blakenhurst prison.
  One small square of paper was found during a cell search on 17 September, which was believed to be LSD. It has been sent for police forensic examination, but the results of that examination are not yet available.
  On 3 September inmates reported that the drink of a staff member had been adulterated with LSD. The staff member concerned felt no ill-effects, but, as a precaution she was medically examined. It is doubted whether the report was true. I understand that a rumour about the alleged adulteration is circulating outside the establishment.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the role of the American employees of the prison operators at Blakenhurst.
  456
  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 to Mr. Doug Hoyle from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the role of the American employees of the prison operators at Blakenhurst.
  One American board member of United Kingdom Detention Services (UKDS) is based at Blakenhurst. He is the Operations Director for UKDS.
  One consultant on secondment from the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) is working at Blakenhurst.
  In the past a small number of trainers from CCA have been used by UKDS at Blakenhurst.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers at Blakenhurst are fully trained in control and restraint procedures.

  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 to Mr. Doug Hoyle from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many prison officers at Blakenhurst are fully trained in control and restraint procedures.
  All prisoner custody officers at Blakenhurst are trained in control and restraint techniques, 64 are trained to C & R level III.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work is carried out by the prisoners in Blakenhurst prison; what is the nature of the contracts under which they work; how much is paid to the prisoners; and what happens to the profits made.

  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 to Mr. Doug Hoyle from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to respond to your recent Question about work at HMP Blakenhurst.
  Prisoners are currently engaged in kitchen, wing servery, domestic cleaning, works, maintenance, garden, orderlies, light assembly and laundry work. Current pay scales average £6.50 per week, but rates vary according to the work undertaken. Revenue accruing from work is used for prisoner pay or to enhance facilities for prisoners.

  Liquor Licensing
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has had to his consultation on the possible reform of the liquor licensing system in England and Wales; and if he will place in the Library the names of organisations submitting views.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  By 22 October, we had received 621 written responses to the consultation paper. That total excludes responses concerned only with the proposed abolition of the Welsh Sunday opening polls sent to the Welsh Office. A list of the organisations which have provided responses to the Home Office will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Criminal Law (Equal Treatment)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the criminal law to eliminate any instances of unequal treatment between men and women.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are no general plans to amend the few areas of the criminal law in which there are differences in the way that men and women are treated. We are, however, reviewing the law relating to anonymity in cases involving sexual offences which in practice, although not in principle, may affect men differently from women.

  Prisoners (Esapes)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have escaped since 1 April while in the custody of(a) prison officers, (b) police officers and (c) Group 4 officers.

  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 to Mr. Martin Redmond from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners who have escaped since 1 April 1993 whilst in the custody of (a) prison officers; (b) police officers; and (c) Group 4 officers.
  The total number of prisoners who have escaped from prison custody since 1 April 1993 to date is 215. Of this 108 escaped from within establishments and 107 from escort.
  The following table shows in whose custody the prisoners were when the escapes took place:

  Number

  Prison officers (within prison service establishments)

  108

  Prison officers (escorts)

  92

  Group 4 custody officers (within HMP The Wolds)

  —

  Group 4 custody officers (escorts) (HMP The Wolds)

  1

  Group 4 custody officers (court escort service)

  13

  UKDS custody officers (within HMP Blankenhurst)

  —

  UKDS custody officers (escorts) (HMP Blankenhurst)

  1

  TOTAL

  215

  The number of prisoners who have escaped from police custody is not recorded centrally.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial penalty has been imposed on Group 4 in respect of prisoners who have escaped while in its custody; 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 to Mr. Martin Redmond from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about escapes of prisoners from the custody of Group 4.
  No financial penalty has been imposed on Group 4 in respect of such escapes. Past experience of both the police and the Prison Service has shown that it is not possible to eliminate escapes from escort, other than at unacceptable cost and with the use of unacceptable methods. Group 4 has faced the same difficulties.

  Asylum
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently being detained in Her Majesty's prison establishments awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications; what is the average length of time they are held in prison; and what are the comparable figures for (i) 12, (ii) .24, (iii) 36 and (iv) 48 months ago.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, on 21 October 1993, 225 asylum seekers had been detained for one month or more in prison establishments including the Home Office holding centre, Haslar. Of these, 76 had been held for between one and three months; 70 for between three and six months; and 79 for over six months.

  Interview Tapes
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidelines or regulations are applicable to the police for the retention of tapes used to record routine interviews in the homes of people as to(a) where the tapes are to be stored and (b) for how long such tapes should be retained; and if he will make a statement ;

  (2) to what guidelines or regulations the police are subject in respect of first advising people, where discussions with the police are to be tape recorded, that such a recording is to be made; what specific provisions are applicable where the interview takes place in the interviewee's home; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  These are operational matters which are the responsibility of chief officers.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of Her Majesty's prison establishments the key objectives reported by the Prison Service for the year 1993–94; and what they were for the year 1992–93.

  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 to Mr. Martin Redmond from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:

  KEY TARGETS FOR THE PRISON SERVICE
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about key objectives for prison establishments in 1993–94, and 1992–93.
  The Prison Service's key targets for 1993–94 are set out in its Business Plan, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. The Service's objectives, targets and performance indicators for 1992–93 were set out in its Statement of Objectives and Resources, which is also in the Library. Local targets and objectives are agreed by prison governors and Area Managers in the annual establishment "contracts". These are internal management documents which it is not our practice to publish; and to extract from each the individual objectives and targets could only be done at disproportionate cost.

  Telephone Surveillance Warrants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone surveillance warrants have been signed in each of the past 24 months.
  459
  Mr. Howard
  Statistics on the number of interception warrants issued by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland each year are published in the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985. To give a more detailed breakdown would not be in the interests of national security or the prevention or detection of serious crime.

  Juvenile Prisoners
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by Her Majesty's prison establishment the number of juveniles held in adult prisons currently and(a) 12, (b) 24, (c) 36 and (d) 48 months ago.

  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 to Mr. Martin Redmond from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:

  JUVENILES HELD IN ADULT PRISONS
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many juveniles are held in adult prisons currently and (a) 12, (b) 24, (c) 36 and (d) 48 months ago.
  I attach tables showing the population of untried, convicted unsentenced and sentenced juvenile inmates held in adult Prison Service establishments on 30 June in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and on 31 August 1993.

  Persons aged under 17 (remand) and under 18 (sentenced) held in adult prisons in England and Wales on 31 August 1993: by establishment

  Establishment

  Number1

  Gloucester

  1

  Holloway

  1

  New Hall

  1

  Pucklechurch

  1

  All adult prisons

  4

  1 Provisional figures.

  Persons aged under 17 held in adult prisons in England and Wales on 30 June 1992: by establishment

  Establishment

  Number1

  Lewes

  1

  Low Newton

  1

  New Hall

  1

  Askham Grange

  2

  All adult

  5

  1 Provisions.

  Persons aged under 17 held in adult prisons in England and Wales on 30 June 1991: by establishment

  Establishment

  Number1

  Birmingham

  2

  Holloway

  1

  Hull

  7

  Lincol

  1

  Pentonville

  1

  All adult prisons

  12

  1 Provisional figures

  460

  Persons aged under 17 held in adult prisons in England and Wales on 30 June 1990: by establishment

  Establishment

  Number1

  Askham Grange

  2

  Durham

  1

  Hull

  17

  Lincoln

  1

  All adult prisons

  21

  1 Provisional figures

  Persons aged under 17 held in adult prisons in England and Wales on 30 June 1989: by establishment

  Establishment

  Number1

  Askham Grange

  2

  Bedford

  1

  Birmingham

  3

  Chelmsford

  4

  Durham

  1

  Lincoln

  1

  Manchester

  6

  New Hall

  1

  All adult prisons

  19

  1 Provisional figures

  Isle of Man (Driving Disqualifications)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 October,Official Report, c.146, concerning enforcement of Isle of Man driving disqualifications in the United Kingdom, what consideration he has given to introducing such a policy; and for what reason he has decided not to do so.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None, but we understand that the Isle of Man authorities are considering whether the Isle of Man should seek a system of reciprocal recognition of driving disqualifications with the United Kingdom. We are ready to consider any proposals which they put to us.

  Overseas Staff and Premises
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost for the current financial year of his Department having(a) premises and (b) personnel overseas; and what were the comparable figures for (a) 12, (b) 24, (c) 36 and (d) 48 months ago.

  Mr. Howard
  The estimated cost in the current financial year of the Department having premises overseas is nil. The estimated cost of having personnel overseas is £3 million.

  Detailed information for previous years is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Prison Assaults
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many assaults by staff on inmates were reported in 1991, 1992 and to date in 1993; and in which prisons they took place.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 19 October 1993]: 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.
  461
  Letter to Ms Joan Ruddock from Derek Lewis, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many assaults by staff on inmates were reported in 1991, 1992 and to date in 1993.
  The following allegations of assault were reported to the Incident Management Support Unit at Prison Service Headquarters.

  1991

  One allegation at HMP Belmarsh

  1992

  One allegation at HMP Shepton Mallet

  1993 to date

  One allegation at HMP Manchester

  One allegation at HMYOI Onley

  One allegation at HMYOI & RC Feltham

  One allegation at HMP Belmarsh

  One allegation at HMYOI Northallerton

  Number of 15-year-olds sentenced to immediate custody at all courts for all offences England and Wales
  19921

  1 week or less

  Over 1 to 2 weeks

  Over 2 to 4 weeks

  Over 4 to 8 weeks

  Over 8 weeks to 3 months

  Over 3 to 6 months

  Over 6 to 12 months

  Over 12 months

  Total

  Magistrates Court

  Indictable

  Males

  1

  —

  19

  37

  136

  171

  —

  —

  364

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Summary Non-MOTG

  Males

  —

  —

  1

  7

  42

  31

  —

  —

  81

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Summary MOTG

  Males

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  5

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All Offences

  Males

  1

  —

  21

  44

  179

  205

  —

  —

  450

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Crown Court

  Indictable

  Males

  1

  —

  5

  2

  6

  19

  36

  —

  69

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Summary Non-MOTG

  Males

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Summary MOTG

  Males

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All Offences

  Males

  1

  —

  5

  2

  6

  19

  36

  —

  69

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  All Courts

  Indictable

  Males

  2

  —

  24

  39

  142

  190

  36

  —

  443

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  4

  Summary Non-MOTG

  Males

  —

  —

  1

  7

  42

  31

  —

  —

  81

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Summary MOTG

  Males

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  5

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All Offences

  Males

  2

  —

  26

  46

  185

  224

  36

  —

  519

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  4

  1 Provisional

  Young Offenders
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many 15-year-olds sentenced to prison in 1993 to the latest date available received terms of(a) up to one week, (b) one to two weeks, (c) two to four weeks, (d) four to eight weeks, (e) eight weeks to three months, (f) three to six months, (g) six to. 12 months and (h) over 12 months;

  (2) how many 15-year-olds sentenced to prison in 1992 received terms of (a) up to one week, (b) one to two weeks, (c) two to four weeks, (d) four to eight weeks, (e) eight weeks to three months, (f) three to six months, (g) six to 12 months and (h) over 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 19 October 1993]: The table shows for 1992 in England and Wales the number of 15-year-olds sentenced to immediate custody at all courts for all offences by sex, type of court and type of offence. 1993 data will not be available until the autumn of 1994.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which residential homes the Eastern health and social services board proposes to close down; what is the reason; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Eastern health and social services board's four community units of management are currently in the process of consulting publicly on proposals which involve the closure of nine residential homes for elderly people. The homes are Warren house and Drumlough house, Lisburn; Ardview house, Ardglass; The Banks,

  Statutory residential homes registered with the Eastern health and social services board

  Name and address of home

  Category of care

  Number of places

  South and East Belfast unit of management

  Brae Valley Residential Home, 23 Breda Terrace, Belfast

  Elderly Mentally

  30

  Infirm

  Breda Park Hostel, 6–12 Breda Park, Belfast

  Mental Handicap

  30

  Enter House, Craiglieth Drive, Dundonald

  Old and Infirm

  47

  100 Holywood Road, Belfast

  Mental Disorder

  10

  James Dixon House, Rugby Parade, Belfast

  Old and Infirm

  30

  Elderly Mentally

  10

  Infirm Respite

  Killynure House, Church Road, Carryduff, Belfast

  Old and Infirm

  34

  Elderly Mentally

  10

  Infirm Respite

  Laird House, 7 Glenluce Walk, Belfast

  Elderly Mentally

  33

  Infirm

  80 Malone Road, Belfast

  Mental Handicap

  14

  Marlborough House, 80 Marlborough Park South, Belfast

  Elderly Mentally

  27

  Infirm

  Mertoun Park Hostel, 17 Mertoun Park, Knocknagoney, Holywood

  Mental Handicap

  14

  Minnowburn House, 61 Old Milltown Road, Belfast

  Old and Infirm

  49

  Trauma Counselling
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many trauma counselling specialists are currently employed by the Department of Health and Social Services;

  (2)if he will make a statement on the availability of immediate and expert post-trauma counselling services for people affected by terrorism.

  Mr. Ancram
  No counselling specialists are currently employed by the Department of Health and Social Services. However, in each of the four health and social services boards, social work staff are available to provide immediate and post trauma counselling services for people affected by terrorism. These counselling services are mainly provided by volunteer social workers with special skills and training. The Voluntary Bereavement Counselling Agency—CRUSE—also offers help to people affected by terrorism.
  464
  Bangor; and Cairns house, Old See house, Enler house, James Dixon house, and Marlborough house, all of which are in Belfast.

  The Government's strategy is to build up domiciliary services so that a greater proportion of elderly people can remain in their own homes if they so wish. The Government also wish to achieve a new balance between services provided directly by the statutory sector and those offered by independent providers.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at what locations there are residential homes controlled by the Eastern health and social services board; and how many residents each of these homes accommodate.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans has he to introduce respite care for multiple sclerosis sufferers in the Down section of the Down and Lisburn unit of management; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  This is primarily a matter for the Eastern health and social services board. Respite care for multiple sclerosis sufferers in the Down area is provided at the multiple sclerosis centre in Dalriada hospital, Ballycastle, and at Thompson house in Lisburn. In addition, the Down and Lisburn unit of management intends to purchase a locally provided package of respite care for multiple sclerosis sufferers and I understand that negotiations to procure this are presently under way.

  Armagh Health Centre
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many offers have been received for the purchase of Armagh health centre; and if he will now consider offering the public the opportunity to purchase it.

  Mr. Ancram
  The general medical practitioners working in Armagh health centre have expressed an interest in buying the premises, and their proposal is being considered by the Southern health and social services board.

  A separate offer has been received from the private sector. This is not being pursued, nor is the property being advertised on the open market, because Armagh health centre is not surplus to the requirements of the health and personal social services.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what capital expenditure has been allocated for the Armagh health centre for the present financial year by the Southern health and social services board.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Community Care
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implementation of the Government's community care policy in the constituency of South Down; and what further action he proposes to take to improve the provision of care in the community.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Health and Social Services and health and social services boards have put in place comprehensive arrangements for the monitoring of the community care reforms, introduced on 1 April 1993, with the three local units of management of the Eastern and Southern boards, which together serve the constituency of South Down, monitoring their community care activity and expenditure on a monthly and quarterly basis. This information contributes to the Department's overall evaluation of the implementation of community care policy and will inform decisions on the provision of community services within the constituency. 'The Department is currently undertaking the first six month performance review of the new community care arrangements which will be completed later this year.

  Housing Executive
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of Housing Executive properties(a) demolished and (b) replaced in each of the Province's district electoral areas for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 October 1992 at cols. 290–92. The chief executive of the Housing Executive has advised me that the information which is readily available for 1992–93 is as follows:

  District Council Area

  Demolished

  Replaced

  Antrim

  17

  —

  Ards

  —

  16

  Armagh

  7

  2

  466

  District Council Area

  Demolished

  Replaced

  Ballymena

  —

  9

  Ballymoney

  —

  —

  Banbridge

  1

  —

  Belfast

  514

  322

  Carrickfergus

  69

  —

  Castlereagh

  —

  —

  Coleraine

  —

  —

  Cookstown

  —

  —

  Craigavon

  54

  20

  Deny

  3

  63

  Down

  —

  13

  Dungannon

  2

  —

  Fermanagh

  —

  —

  Larne

  59

  3

  Limavady

  —

  —

  Lisburn

  4

  —

  Magherafelt

  —

  —

  Moyle

  —

  —

  Newry and Mourne

  —

  15

  Newtownabbey

  152

  —

  North Down

  —

  —

  Omagh

  —

  7

  Strabane

  1

  —

  Note:

  This does not cover the Housing Executive's total new-build programme but relates mainly to the replacement of dwellings in redevelopment areas and of unfit dwellings in housing action areas. It also includes replacement dwellings for obsolete purpose-built stock such aas Orlit dwellings, aluminium bungalows and rural cottages.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the closing date for applications for decommissioning payments for fishing vessels; how many applications were received; when the applicants will receive a decision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The closing date for receipt of applications under the Fishing Vessel (Decommissioning) Scheme 1993 was 31 July. Sixty-eight applications were received from Northern Ireland, of which 28 were successful. All applicants were informed on 22 September of the outcome of their applications.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many undergraduates there were at each of the campuses of the Ulster university in the academic year 1992–93; and how many were from the Republic of Ireland at each location.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Campus

  Total Number of Undergraduates1

  Number of Undergraduates from Republic of Ireland

  Belfast

  667

  55

  Coleraine

  3,485

  614

  Jordanstown

  7,028

  508

  Magee

  1,576

  329

  TOTAL

  12,756

  1,506

  1 includes part-time undergraduates.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what matters in regard to Sellafield and the new thermal oxide reprocessing plant were raised at the intergovernmental conference on Ireland held on 10 September.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The areas of discussion at meetings of the intergovernmental conference are listed in the communiqués issued afterwards; copies of which are placed in the Library. Details of these discussions are confidential between the two Governments.

  Prisons
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of Her Majesty's prison establishments in the Province the key objectives reported for the year 1993–94; and what they were for the year 1992–93.

  Sir John Wheeler
  All prison establishments in Northern Ireland operate from year to year with the following key objectives:

  (a) to keep in custody, with the degree of security and control considered appropriate by staff, each individual person committed to custody by the courts and to produce or release them as required;

  (b) to provide for all prisoners the necessities of life; including accommodation, food, exercise, health care and freedom to practice religion, and to provide them with the opportunity to engage in constructive activities, such as work, education, training, hobbies and sport, to fill at least the working day;

  (c) to enable all prisoners to retain links with their families and to assist sentenced prisoners in their preparation for release into the community;

  (d) to treat prisoners as individuals regardless of their religious beliefs or political opinions and to offer them the opportunity to serve their sentences free from paramilitary influence, and

  (e) to manage resources economically and efficiently and, in particular, to enhance the morale and abilities of staff by providing the appropriate conditions of service, management structures and training.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will itemise the cost of establishing national health service trusts;

  (2) how much has been spent in each health and social service board on (a) printing and publication costs, (b) publicity and public relations costs, (c) consultation and public meetings and (d) other costs connected with the proposed establishment of NHS trusts in 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what is the expected spending in 1993–94.

  Mr. Ancram
  Health and social services boards are not required to meet costs of this nature. The Department of Health and Social Services has set aside additional resources to meet the cost of mounting applications for trust status and, where they are successful, other neccesary transitional expenses. Approximately £185,000 is set aside for each successsful applicant to cover the cost of developing and publishing a formal application, remuneration of non-executives during the shadow period and a range of measures to prepare the trust for operational independence.
  468
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the revenue grant to national health service trusts during their shadow running period is calculated.

  Mr. Ancram
  The financial assistance which the Department of Health and Social Services gives to trusts during their shadow period is a one-off payment calculated to meet expenditure on areas essential to the trust becoming operationally independent. The level of assistance is based on that available in other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be his Department's total expenditure on the establishment of national health service trusts since their first introduction to the end of the current financial year.

  Mr. Ancram
  To date a total of around £1.9 million has been spent on the establishment of health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland. Decisions are awaited on two further applications for trust status. Were both of these applications to be successful, this figure would increase by £370,000 making the total expenditure to the end of the current financial year £2,270,000.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost of employing management consultants and private agencies to assist in the preparation of national health service trust applications in the Province, and in each health and social services board.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Health and Social Services has employed consultants from the Institute of Health Services Management to assist in its assessment of applications for trust status. The average cost of this consultancy for each application has been £2,000. Information on other consultancy is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much each national health service trust has spent on(a) shadow board costs, (b) legal expenses, (c) employment of staff and (d) miscellaneous expenses; and if he will define what costs are included under miscellaneous expenses.

  Mr. Ancram
  During the shadow period between establishment and operational independence trusts do not have funds of their own to meet these expenses and therefore costs are covered directly by the non-recurring assistance made available by the Department of Health and Social Services. Shadow board costs will vary from trust to trust depending on turnover but the average figure is around £20,000 per trust. Legal services for conveyancing etc. are provided by the Department at no cost to the trust. Details of individual costs for the employment of staff are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Miscellaneous expenses might include such items as new signs for buildings and vehicles, new stationery, organisational and management development, induction of chairmen and non-executive directors and consultants fees. Details of spending under individual headings are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of applications in each county in Northern Ireland under the(a) main arable areas payments scheme and (b) the simplified scheme in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of applications by county under the arable area payments scheme are as follows:

  County

  Main scheme

  Simplified scheme

  Antrim

  12

  678

  Armagh

  8

  251

  Down

  66

  1,050

  Fermanagh

  —

  2

  Londonderry

  33

  671

  Tyrone

  7

  335

  Total

  126

  2,987

  Advance payments for oilseed applications have already been made and payments for cereals, proteins and set-aside will be made during the months of November and December.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on how local communities can help provide recreational facilities for their communities under the national lotteries provisions.

  Mr. Brooke
  It is our hope that the national lottery will provide new recreational facilities right across the country. Local communities with projects or schemes in the fields of charities, sports, arts and the heritage will be able to apply to the appropriate distributors of lottery funds.

  Built Heritage
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what role is played by English Heritage in the conservation of the built heritage.

  Mr. Brooke
  English Heritage is the Government's principal expert adviser on the historic environment. In addition to maintaining an historic estate of some 400 properties, it gives advice to the general public on conservation issues and gives grants for the repair of buildings of outstanding architectural and historic interest.

  Anti-doping Controls
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to intensify the anti-doping controls for all sports in the United Kingdom and introduce common penalties for all offenders following the recent recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.

  Mr. Sproat
  I welcome the decision taken in June by the IOC and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations to accelerate the unification of their anti-doping rules and procedures. The Sports Council 470
  requires all governing bodies in receipt of grants and services to implement acceptable anti-doping regulations and the council will continue to work with the governing bodies to achieve greater harmonisation.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he has any plans to meet the chairman of the Arts Council to discuss the funding of the council.

  Mr. Brooke
  I meet the chairman of the Arts Council from time to time to discuss a range of issues.

  Tourism
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received regarding the signposting of tourism sights.

  Mr. Sproat
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Kent (Mr. Rowe).

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions he has had regarding the Coopers and Lybrand report on the English tourist board.

  Mr. Sproat
  I have had meetings with the chairman, some board members and senior staff of the English tourist board to discuss this report. I have also sought the views of the regional tourist boards and other industry representatives.

  Television
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has had from the chairman of the Independent Television Commission over the workings of the Broadcasting Act 1990.

  Mr. Brooke
  Since January 1993, when the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1990 came fully into effect, I have had four exchanges with the chairman of the Independent Television Commission, mainly to explain how the commission intended to carry out its responsibilities under the Act.

  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he next intends to meet the chairman of the Independent Television Commission to discuss regulation of the industry.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have no present plans for a further meeting with the chairman of the Independent Television Commission whom I last met on 19 October.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Independent Television Commission to discuss programme quality.

  Mr. Brooke
  I last met the chairman of the ITC on 19 October, but I would not plan to meet him to discuss programme quality, since this is a matter for the ITC, not for me.

  Arts Spending
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State: for National Heritage by how much Government spending on the arts has changed since 1979.
  471
  Mr. Brooke
  Government funding for the arts has increased by over 45 per cent. in real terms since 1979. The Arts Council's grant-in-aid this year is £225.6 million.

  Sports Grounds
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for visiting the new Den to discuss safety of sports grounds.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have no plans at present to visit the new Den. But I congratulate Millwall football club on being among the first clubs to meet the Government's deadline of August 1994 for all-seating stadia in the top two divisions.

  Heritage Buildings (Insurance)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on representations about costs of insurance for heritage buildings, including churches, in the City of London.

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend has received various representations about the cost of insuring listed churches against terrorist damage. Officials are investigating whether there is any practical way of easing the position.

  BBC
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when his Department expects to make a statement regarding the future funding of the BBC.

  Mr. Brooke
  I announced on 21 June at column 27 the appointment of Touche Ross to assess the BBC's progress in achieving efficiency and revenue gains; to advise on the scope for further gains; and to advise whether RPI linkage was appropriate for the licence fee increases due in the next three years. I have received and am considering the Touche Ross report, and I plan to announce the Government's conclusions later this autumn. The longer-term funding of the BBC will be considered as part of the review of the BBC's royal charter.

  South East Arts
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last discussed with South East Arts encouragement of local performing arts, including music; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brook
  I met the chairman of South East Arts along with the chairmen of the other regional arts boards on 27 September, when a number of matters were discussed.

  Old Monuments
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to preserve old monuments.

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend has a duty to compile and maintain a schedule of monuments the purpose of which is to provide them with statutory protection. English Heritage's monuments protection programme is identifying monuments of national importance and it is expected that within the next 10 years 70 to 80 per cent. of the monuments identified by the programme will have been 472
  scheduled. English Heritage also intends over the next two to three years to carry out work to identify those monuments most at risk, so that they can be given priority for scheduling during the remainder of the programme.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress his task force has made on the future of hospitals which are listed buildings.

  Mr. Sproat
  The task force was established by the Department of Health and English Heritage in autumn 1992 to provide a forum to identify and assist in resolving problems concerning historic buildings and conservation matters in the NHS. It has reviewed a number of specific cases, commissioned the preparation of good practice guidance for NHS managers in respect of both listed hospitals that will continue in use, and those that will close, and is embarking on a review of the listing of redundant NHS institutions.

  Regional Theatres
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received from regional theatres fearing closure following the Arts Council decisions on the distribution of funding for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have received a large number of representations from the staff and supporters of regional theatres. Decisions on the allocation of funding are a matter for the Arts Council.

  Brodsworth Hall
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the. Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what will be the location of the marble statues, greyhounds and urns to be temporarily removed from Brodsworth hall, Brodsworth, South Yorkshire, by English Heritage; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what was the original estimate given by English Heritage of the restoration of Brodsworth hall, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire; what is the current estimate; when it will be fully open to the public; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will list the items that have been stolen or lost to date during the restoration by English Heritage of Brodsworth hall, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire; how many have been recovered; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if he has visited Brodsworth hall, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, or intends to visit during the next 12 months in connection with its restoration by English Heritage.

  Mr. Brooke
  The original estimate by English Heritage of the cost of the restoration of Brodsworth hall was £3 million, at 1991 prices. The current estimate is £3.5 million at 1993 prices. The house is expected to be fully open to the public during the summer of 1995.

  One of the notable features of the house and gardens is the Italian marble statuary which was placed in the main areas of the house, and also in the garden. Two of the garden statues, valued at £2,000 each, were stolen around the time of English Heritage's acquisition of the house and

  473
  since then the garden statuary, which includes large numbers of greyhounds, has been stored at a secret location for security reasons. The stolen statues have never been recovered. The garden statuary will be replaced in situ, with suitable security precautions, when the hall is opened to the public.

  I have not yet visited Brodsworth hall, although I should like to do so at some stage in the future to see the restoration work carried out by English Heritage.

  Royal Parks Constabulary
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what joint consultation procedure exists between the police committee of the Royal Parks constabulary 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;

  (2) who serves on the police committee of the Royal Parks constabulary; and how often it has met over the past five years;

  (3) to what extent Home Office police regulations are applied to members of the Royal Parks constabulary;

  (4) if a Minister from his Department will meet representative organisations of constables, sergeants, and inspectors of the Royal Parks constabulary 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. Sproat
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its chief executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay from David Welch, dated 18 October 1993
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Mr. Iain Sproat, has asked me to reply to your Written Parliamentary Questions asking:
  "To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what joint consultation procedure exists between the Police Committee of the Royal Parks Constabulary 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 has it met in the last five years."
  "To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who serves on the police committee of the Royal Parks Constabulary; and how often has it met over the past five years."
  "To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent Home Office Police Regulations are applied to members of the Royal Parks Constabulary."
  "To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if a Minister from his Department will meet representative organisations of constables, sergeants and inspectors of the Royal Parks Constabulary to discuss the ramifications of (a) the Sheehey 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."
  Prior to the inauguration of the Royal Parks Agency, the Department of the Environment and subsequently the Department of National Heritage, ensured the management of an efficient and effective Royal Parks Constabulary by a Police Committee. No arrangements existed for consultation between that Committee and the Staff Association.
  Following the formation of the Royal Parks Agency and the appointment of a Chief Executive, an Advisory committee was formed to generally oversee the running of the Agency. One of its
  474
  members is Sir Peter Imbert, Q.P.M., ex Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. The Chief Executive has, nonetheless, retained the services of the former Deputy Assistant Commissioner as professional consultant on policing matters.
  In Home Department Forces the Staff Association ie Police Federation and Superintendents Association, meet with their Chief Constables to discuss welfare and other issues. To the best of my knowledge these Associations do not meet directly with their Police Committees. In the Royal Parks Constabulary identical arrangements prevail.
  The membership of the Royal Parks Constabulary Police Committee comprised the Director of Heritage and Royal Estate (Grade 3) as Chairman, with the Head of Division (Grade 5) as his Deputy, a representative from the Parks Management, a Councillor from Westminster and Richmond, together with a professional police consultant. The Home Office were also represented.
  The Committee met three times each year over the past five years. The Chief Officer and his Deputy also served as members and reported at each meeting.
  The Royal Parks Constabulary is a non-Home Department Police Force and is therefore not subject to the Police Act 1964. Nonetheless, it has an agreement under Section 96 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, with the Home Office and Police Complaints Authority, for the handling and supervision of the police complaints and discipline procedures. In a similar manner, although the Police Regulations do not apply, the spirit of the Regulations—with particular reference to overtime etc., entitlements—are applied in a like manner to Home Department Forces.
  The Chief Officer and his Deputy have met with the Assistant Secretary of the National Union of Civil and Public Servants to provisionally discuss the recommendations of the Sheehy Report, and they will meet again once the Government announces its plan of implementation. No discussion has yet taken place or been asked for on the White Paper on Police. The Chief Officer and his Deputy are always available to the Staff Association to discuss matters of general concern to its members. The Chief Executive is likewise available to discuss similar issues with the Chief Officer or the membership as desired.

  Licence Fees
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if it is his policy that the retail prices index formula for adjusting the BBC licence fee will continue in the years immediately ahead; and if he will make a statment.

  Mr. Brooke
  I announced on 21 June that I had commissioned Touche Ross to review the BBC's progress in achieving the efficiency and revenue gains identified by Price Waterhouse in 1990, and to advise whether the licence fee should remain linked to the retail prices index until the renewal of the BBC's royal charter. I have now received Touche Ross's report, and will announce the Government's conclusions shortly.

EMPLOYMENT

  Smoking
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 56, if he will publish the independent legal advice that his Department has received on which he based his statement that section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provides legal protection for employees at risk from passive smoking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Department is advised on matters relating to health and safety at work by the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE's advice on the application
  475
  of health and safety law to passive smoking in the workplace is set out in its guidance booklet, "Passive Smoking at Work", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 56, if he will publish the results of the recent surveys which indicate progress towards realising the aim of having the large majority of employees covered by a no smoking policy by 1995; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Summaries of surveys carried out in 1992 for the Health Education Authority and for the Health and Safety Executive have already been published. Further analysis of data from the HEA survey indicated that 52 per cent. of employees worked for organisations which took some action on smoking, and that 49 per cent. of the work force are in workplaces with a formal written smoking policy.

  EC Social Fund
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when plans for the operation of European social fund objectives 3 and 4 will be submitted to the EC.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Following a round of consultation we expect to submit the final version of the European social fund objective 3 plan by the end of this month. A copy will be placed in the Library. The use of objective 4 is still being considered.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to implement objective 4 of the European social fund for January 1994 in respect of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A final decision on the use of objective 4 has yet to be taken. Meanwhile, we are waiting to hear from the European Commission how much money will be allocated to each member state, including the United Kingdom, under objectives 3 and 4. It remains our view that the European social fund should continue to focus first and foremost on helping unemployed people.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much European social fund resourcing the United Kingdom is expected to receive from(a) objective 3 and (b) objective 4 under the new European structural funds.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We are waiting to hear from the European Commission how much money will be allocated to each member state, including the United Kingdom, for the European social fund under objectives 3 and 4.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many civil servants are working in the Employment Department offices in Caxton house, Tothill street, London.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are currently 736 civil servants working in Employment Department offices in Caxton house.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to develop a code of practice for public sector employers concerning age discrimination in employment.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Age discrimination is wasteful and short sighted. Our policy is to persuade employers in both the public and private sector to recruit and develop staff on merit regardless of age.

  The civil service abolished age limits on recruitment to service-wide grades in 1990.

  Recently I launched "Getting On"—a drive to combat ageism which offers employers a five point plan to do just this. It urges all employers to follow the lead of the best and drop age bars from job adverts; welcome applications from older people; select on ability; offer flexible arrangements; develop and train all staff, regardless of age.

  Wages
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average(a) public sector and (b) private sector weekly wage for each year since 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Over this period, there have been changes in the composition of the public and private sectors due to privatisations and the contracting out of some jobs. The information available from the new earnings survey given in the table is for the sectors as constituted in April of each year.

  Average gross weekly earnings of full time employees on adult rates— pay unaffected by absence: at April

  Public Sector £

  Private Sector £

  1979

  90.9

  87.9

  1980

  114.2

  106.8

  1981

  131.7

  118.7

  1982

  142.6

  131.5

  1983

  154.3

  143.1

  1984

  163.2

  157.0

  1985

  172.1

  170.3

  1986

  186.1

  183.9

  1987

  197.3

  199.7

  1988

  216.0

  219.5

  1989

  235.6

  241.4

  1990

  256.4

  265.8

  1991

  283.0

  285.4

  1992

  307.8

  303.3

  1993

  321.0

  315.3

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  Training
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to require training and enterprise councils to set targets for training those aged over 50 years and monitor their implementation.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to do so. The Government remain committed, through their contract with training and enterprise councils, to equality of opportunity for all eligible people on training and enterprise programmes.

  Pay Rates
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to require the Employment Service to retain information on rates of pay for job vacancies.

  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 Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 25 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 Employment Service retaining information on rates of pay for job vacancies. This is something which falls within the responsibilities he has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Jobcentres do have information on rates of pay in their area. This is taken from details given by employers when they notify vacancies and from vacancies advertised in local newspapers. The information, which is rather generalised in nature, is used to advise employers and jobseekers who seek guidance on prevailing pay rates in a locality.
  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.

  Wages Underpayments
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions for underpayment of wages were made in each year since 1979; and what number of employees were involved.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 22 October 1993]: The information requested is provided in the table. The policy of the wages inspectorate under all Governments has been to seek compliance with wages council orders by advice and persuasion. Prosecution is usually considered only where an offence is deliberate or repeated and the evidence is considered sufficient.

  Year

  Number of prosecutions for underpayment

  Number of workers involved

  1979

  9

  26

  1980

  8

  43

  1981

  8

  40

  1982

  4

  4

  1983

  2

  8

  1984

  2

  5

  1985

  2

  2

  1986

  2

  6

  1987

  4

  10

  1988

  10

  23

  1989

  9

  21

  1990

  7

  15

  1991

  15

  31

  1992

  12

  41

SCOTLAND

  Parliamentary Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.

  Mr. Lang
  Dover house, Whitehall is the only Scottish Office building which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber of the House. The total cost of the service is £17,600 per annum, including VAT and maintenance.

  Toll Roads
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue guidelines for the development of toll road proposals.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Privately financed toll roads can be provided only in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, or by individual legislation. Guidelines on the Act were contained in a circular that was issued to Scottish local authorities by the Scottish Office in March 1992. Evaluation of a prospective concessionaire's proposals is a matter for the roads authority, but a statement is published with a draft toll order, under the 1991 Act, setting out the key points of an assignation agreement.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to ensure adequate consultations on and evaluation of toll road proposals at all key stages.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 the procedures for authorisation of a toll road are similar to those of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 that apply to publicly financed roads; there is therefore a similar approach to public consultation and public inquiry. Any scheme which is taken forward by means of individual legislation is subject to detailed scrutiny by Parliament.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to arrangements for the appointment, operation and co-ordination of justices of the peace in his plans for reorganisation of local government in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend intends to maintain the present arrangements for justices of the peace in the context of any amendments to the District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 required to transfer responsibility for the district courts to the new local authorities proposed in paragraph 3.38 of "Shaping the New Future—The new Councils" (Cm 2267, July 1993).

  Transport, Stranraer
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans there are to improve transport links from Stranraer to the main road and railway routes in the vicinity of Scotland's border with England.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The recent review of Scotland's key roads confirmed that the upgrading of the
  479
  A75, linking Stranraer to the A74, has substantially eliminated the operating difficulties on the route. However, there are minor schemes within the trunk roads programme for further improvements which emphasise safety and overtaking opportunities. The financing of these schemes will begin once projects of greater priority have been completed. With regard to rail links I understand that ScotRail and Dumfries and Galloway regional council are investigating the possibility of restoring a short section of track at Ayr to allow the Stranraer-Carlisle service to run via Mauchline. This could reduce the present journey time between Stranraer and Carlisle by around 25 minutes.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the setting up of a staff commission and a property commission to make recommendations in relation to the transfer of staff and property to the new authorities in his local government reorganisation.

  Mr. Stewart
  I have already announced that an independent staff commission will be set up to oversee the transfer of staff to the new councils. The Scottish Office will shortly be consulting the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and staff representatives on the remit and membership of such a body. My right hon. Friend also proposes to take powers to enable him to establish a property commission to oversee the transfer of property to the new councils. It is intended that the need for such a body should be the subject of discussions with local government in due course.

  Scottish Cancer Trials Office
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future of the Scottish Cancer Trials Office.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what functions are performed by the Scottish cancer trials office; what funding has been available since 1980; what funding will be available in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement regarding the future of the Scottish trials office.

  Mr. Stewart
  None. The Scottish Cancer Trials Office is an independent organisation which, faced with withdrawal of funding by the Medical Research Council, is closing in August next year. The chief scientist office of the Scottish Office is, through its Scottish cancer therapy network, in close contact with the trials office about its closure arrangements. In addition the chief scientist office itself is always prepared to consider applications for the funding of soundly based research projects in this as in other health-related subjects.

  Tourism
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of(a) local authority and (b) other public contributions made in 1993 to (i) the East Lothian tourist board and (ii) the Scottish Borders tourist board.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total value of contributions to be made by(a) local authorities and (b) the
  480
  Scottish tourist board to East Lothian tourist board and Scottish Borders tourist board during 1993–94 is set out in the table.

  SBTB £

  East Lothian £

  Local Authorities

  204,500

  271,200

  Scottish Tourist Board

  85,000

  54,000

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tourists visited(a) East Lothian and (b) Berwickshire, and how many visitor bed-nights were recorded, in the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Estimates of tourism volume are available only at the Scottish regional level and relate only to overnight stays of one or more nights. The information in respect of Lothian region and Borders region is as follows:

  United Kingdom residents

  Overseas residents

  Bednights in Lothian (1992)

  4,200,000

  5,500,000

  Bednights in Borders (1992)

  1,000,000

  300,000

  Sources: The United Kingdom Tourism Survey (UKTS) 1992.

  International Passenger Survey (IPS) 1992.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in(a) the Haddington travel-to-work area and (b) Berwickshire are employed in the tourism and leisure industries; and what proportion of the total work forces those figures represent.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Figures indicating employment in the tourism and leisure industries alone are not available. The information set out in the table incorporates the categories of tourism, leisure, distribution, hotels and catering and repairs.

  TTWA

  Year

  Number Employed

  Percentage of TTWA Workforce

  Haddington

  1991

  2,540

  22.5

  Berwickshire

  1991

  1,194

  23.0

  Source: Census of Employment.

  Travellers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to review the current policy on travelling people in respect of Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The advisory committee on Scotland's travelling people will be consulted in reviewing current policy on travelling people during the course of 1994.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the target number of caravan pitches set by central Government for each local authority in
  481
  Scotland for use by travelling people together with the number of pitches provided in each local authority area to date.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The pitch targets set for each district and the pitches provided are listed in the table.

  Pitch Targets

  No. of pitches provided

  Region and District

  Target

  Local Authority

  Private

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  15

  —

  —

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  6

  —

  6

  Roxburgh

  10

  —

  —

  Tweeddale

  10

  10

  —

  Central

  Clackmannan

  20

  16

  —

  Falkirk

  28

  15

  —

  Stirling

  42

  *13

  —

  (temp)

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  12

  —

  12

  Nithsdale

  18

  18

  —

  Stewartry

  3

  —

  3

  Wigtown

  17

  —

  3

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  8

  —

  —

  Kirkcaldy

  18

  —

  —

  North East Fife

  20

  20

  —

  Grampian

  City of Aberdeen

  36

  20

  —

  Banff and Buchan

  20

  20

  —

  Gordon

  —

  —

  —

  Kincardine and Deeside

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  20

  20

  —

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  7

  —

  —

  Inverness

  24

  24

  —

  Lochaber

  27

  27

  —

  Nairn; Caithness Ross and Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh, Sutherland

  20

  —

  20

  Lothian

  City of Edinburgh

  40

  20

  —

  East Lothian; Midlothian

  20

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  43

  23

  20

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  38

  32

  6

  Cunninghame

  24

  24

  —

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  12

  —

  —

  Kyle and Carrick

  8

  8

  —

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  6

  6

  —

  Dumbarton

  20

  20

  —

  Clydebank

  —

  —

  —

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  12

  —

  —

  Strathkelvin; Cumbemauld and Kilsyth

  20

  —

  —

  Glasgow

  50

  30

  —

  Monklands

  32

  16

  —

  Motherwell

  56

  14

  36

  Hamilton

  42

  22

  20

  East Kilbride

  6

  6

  —

  Clydesdale

  15

  —

  —

  Eastwood

  —

  —

  —

  Renfrew

  16

  16

  16

  Inverclyde

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  Angus

  37

  15

  7

  City of Dundee

  20

  20

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  85

  20

  45

  482

  No. of pitches provided

  Region and District

  Target

  Local Authority

  Private

  Total-Scotland

  983

  495

  194

  There is no identifed demand for travellers' sites in the areas of the Islands Councils.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of all pitches available to travelling people are now provided by local authorities in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Seventy-two per cent.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the current membership of the advisory committee on travelling people setting out the qualifications of each existing member; when each member's term of service ends; and what is the level of remuneration paid to each member who receives any remuneration.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The committee's membership and qualifications are listed in the table. Their current term of office expires on 31 December 1994. The chairman and members are unpaid but they are eligible for travel and subsistence expenses.Mr. H. M. Garland MBE—Chairman—Retired. Former Director of Social Work, Central Regional Council.
  Mr. J. E. D. Cornie OBE—Deputy Chairman—Recently retired
  Chief Executive, Perth and Kinross District Council.
  Mrs. J. Cameron JP MBE—Councillor, Bearsden and Milngavie District Council. Former Provost.
  Mr. P. Collier MBE—Retired. Former Environmental Health Adviser in the Communicable Diseases Unit at Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow.
  Mr. C. Douglas MBE—A founder member of the Committee in 1971 and a leader of Scotland's travelling people.
  Mr. A. Harper BEM—Former manager of local authority travelling people's site at Double Dykes, Perth.
  Miss M. Hendry—Project Manager of the Signpost project at Woodlands Teachers Centre, Glasgow which is involved in traveller education. Settled traveller.
  Mr. R. A. J. Moodie—Recently retired Depute Director of Planning, Lothian Regional Council.
  Mr. J. Pollock—Part-time Housing Consultant and former Director of Housing Services, Dumbarton District Council.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the statutory authority for the: setting up of the advisory committee on travelling people; and what plans he has to review its remit.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The advisory committee on Scotland's travelling people is a non-statutory body. Its remit will be reviewed before the current: three-year term of office expires at the end of 1994.

  Sheep
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the situation facing sheep producers who have been denied quota following the recent changes in the EC sheepmeat regime.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Until all the allocations of sheep annual premium quota have been completed, including those from the national reserve, I will not be in a position to say whether any producers will be left without quota. Quota is, however, transferable and it is open to sheep producers, including newcomers, to buy or lease quota within the prescribed transfer periods.
  483
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the size of the national sheep reserve available for distribution under the new EC sheepmeat regime.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The legislation provides for separate national reserves in the less-favoured and non less-favoured areas of the country. In both cases the size of the reserve depends in part on the amount of quota siphoned from sales of quota in the 1993 marketing year, since that quota is added to the respective reserve. As transfers of quota are still being processed, a final figure for the size of the reserves is not yet available.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on official hospitality in his Department in the financial year 1992–93.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 October 1993]: My Department spent £94,385 on official hospitality during 1992–93. This figure includes expenditure on official hospitality in connection with events in Scotland arising from the United Kingdom presidency of the European Community.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the percentage of ambulances in each service in Scotland that responded within(a) eight minutes and (b) 14 to 20 minutes to emergency calls in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) the first half of 1993–94;

  (2) what was the number of ambulance staff in Scotland employed by the NHS in each year since 1990, using whole-time equivalents.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 October 1993]: There is only one ambulance service for the whole of Scotland. The information is as follows:

  Performance

  Responses

  0–8 minutes Per cent

  14–20 minutes Per cent

  1992–93

  51

  95

  April to August 19931

  53

  96

  Range

  Equipment

  Ammunition

  Remarks

  M1A

  Mortars

  Illumination

  Up to 120mm

  1A

  Guided Weapons

  Swingfire TOW

  Limited

  30mm Aircraft Helicopter

  30mm APDS

  Up to 120mm

  Milan

  150C

  Mortars

  Up to 120mm

  IC

  30mm

  All types

  3

  30mm

  All types

  Arc restrictions

  5A

  120mm, 30mm

  Practice only

  No HESH

  5B

  120mm

  Practice only

  5C

  120mm

  No HESH

  6

  120mm

  No HESH

  7A

  120mm

  All types

  7B

  120mm

  All types

  No HESH

  7C

  120mm

  All types

  Limited use

  8A

  120mm

  All types

  Limits Range 9

  8B

  120mm

  All types

  484

  Number of staff2

  Year

  Ambulance-men/Women

  Ambulance Officers and Control Assistants

  Total

  1990

  1,802.7

  220.0

  2,022.7

  1991

  1,963.9

  223.0

  2,186.9

  1992

  2,093.6

  221.0

  2,314.6

  Notes:

  1 The latest dates for which information is available.

  2 The figures exclude administrative and clerical staff and other support staff employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

  Plastic Cigarettes
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policy his office has regarding the sale of simulated plastic cigarettes to children; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 October 1993]: It is understood that simulated plastic cigarettes are occasionally sold as novelties. Their intrinsic safety is a matter for trading standards officers to assess. The Government deplore any activity which encourages children to think that smoking is a safe or desirable habit.

DEFENCE

  Menwith Hill Monitoring Station
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current arrangements with the United States National Security Agency for the operation of the Menwith Hill monitoring station in Yorkshire.

  Mr. Hanley
  Menwith Hill station near Harrogate is a Ministry of Defence site which has been made available to the US Department of Defence for use as a defence communications facility. It operates with the full knowledge and agreement of Her Majesty's Government.

  Bergen-Hohne Firing Ranges
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of(a) weapon and (b) ammunition which are authorised for firing by British Army units on each of the firing ranges of the Bergen-Hohne ranges.

  Mr. Hanley
  The following types of weapon and ammunition are authorised for firing on each of the Bergen-Hohne ranges:
  485

  Range

  Equipment

  Ammunition

  Remarks

  8C

  30mm

  APDS

  Stops Range 9

  9

  120mm

  All types

  No HESH

  10

  30mm

  APDS

  Stops Range 9

  10A

  10B

  Anti Tank

  Practice only

  Limited use

  10C

  Anti Tank

  Live

  Limited use

  11

  120mm

  Reduced use

  11A

  Hand Grenade

  Limited use

  11B

  Rifle Range

  7.62mm 5.56mm

  11C

  12

  120mm

  No HESH

  No night fire

  13

  Demolitions

  PE4 ANFO

  Max 30 Kgs

  Anti tank mine

  19

  120mm

  APFSDS

  Limited use

  20

  120mm MLRS

  No HESH

  21

  120mm

  Not used

  22

  7.62mm

  ETR

  HESH —High Explosive Squish Head.

  APDS —Armour Piercing Discarded Sabot.

  APFSDS —Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarded Sabot.

  PE4 —Plastic Explosive 4.

  ANFO —Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (plastic explosive).

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the arrangements for clearance of expended and unexploded ordnance on the Bergen-Hohne ranges.

  Mr. Hanley
  Clearance of expended and unexploded ordnance is the responsibility of the Bundeswehr who administer the ranges.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types and amounts of ammunition expended by British Army units on each firing range on the Bergen-Hohne ranges in 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  The types of ammunition fired by the British Army on the Bergen-Hohne training ranges are as follows:

  120mm MBT ammunition

  a. High Explosive Squish Head

  b. Squish Head Practice

  c. Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarded Sabot

  d. Discarded Sabot Trace

  30mm Scimitar Warrior Fox

  a. Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarded Sabot

  b. Practice

  c. High Explosive

  Miscellaneous Ammunition

  a. Inert Giant Viper

  b. Swingfire Anti-Tank Missile Practice

  c. 7.62mm Ball and Trace

  d. 81mm illuminating mortar

  e. MILAN

  f. 3kg Aircraft bombs

  g. MLRS

  h. TOW

  Details of the actual quantities expended could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide figures showing the extent of use made by British Army units of the Bergen-Hohne ranges in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Hanley
  British Army units have made use of the Bergen-Hohne ranges as follows since 1985:
  486

  Year

  Weeks

  1985

  8

  1986

  8

  1987

  4

  1988

  12

  1989

  9

  1990

  9

  1991

  10

  1992

  5

  1993

  110

  1 Planned

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on informing(a) hon. Members and (b) local media when changes are made in the directional flow control measures in the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Mr. Hanley
  When significant changes are made to the United Kingdom low flying systems, hon. Members whose constituencies are affected are given appropriate notification as are the local media. The United Kingdom low flying system is, however, under continuous review and changes to arrangements such as directional flow control measures are made when necessary. It is not our practice to notify hon. Members and the local media of all such changes.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the map showing the general structure of the night low flying system.

  Mr. Hanley
  A copy of a map of the United Kingdom night low flying system is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which aircraft types in British military service are classified as light propellor-driven aircraft for the purposes of the low flying regulations.

  Mr. Hanley
  The aircraft types in British military service which are classified as light propellor-driven aircraft for the purposes of the low flying regulations are the Bulldog, the Chipmunk and the Islander aircraft.
  487
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if light propellor-driven aircraft and helicopters flying at altitudes between 500 and 2,000 ft above ground level are obliged to comply with the directional flow regulations in the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Mr. Hanley
  All military aircraft, including helicopters and light propellor-driven types, flying at altitudes between 500 and 2,000 ft above ground level are required to comply with the directional flow arrows in the United Kingdom low flying system, whether they are booked into the system or not.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the minimum authorised altitude for Nimrod aircraft flying over the sea.

  Mr. Hanley
  The minimum authorised altitude for Nimrod aircraft flying over the sea within three nautical miles of the United Kingdom coastline is 250 ft. Beyond three nautical miles from the coastline, the Nimrod is authorised to fly down to 200 ft during the day.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if low flying military jet aircraft seeking permission to enter class D airspace during the course of a low flying sortie are required to meet the regulations for such airspace in respect of(a) not exceeding an indicated airspeed of 250 knots and (b) maintaining a vertical separation from cloud of 1,000 ft.

  Mr. Hanley
  Low flying military jet aircraft seeking permission to enter class D airspace are not required to comply with the airspeed limit of 250 knots, which applies only to civil aircraft. They do, however, have to maintain a vertical separation from cloud of 1,000 ft if flying under visual flight rules.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which commanders in the Royal Air Force currently hold the authority to approve or decline unit requests to fly at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the procedures in force for requests for and authorisations of such flying.

  Mr. Hanley
  Commanders-in-chief or officers of equivalent status may authorise flying at less than 250 ft, but not less than 100 ft in the tactical training areas in the United Kingdom. In practice, this authority is delegated to the air officer commanding of the group concerned. Units wishing to carry out operational low flying submit requests to group headquarters where they are scrutinised to ensure the activity represents the minimum necessary before authorisation is given.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used in determining whether an environmentally sensitive location is granted Provost Marshal Prohibited or Provost Marshal Restricted area status, as opposed to low flying avoidance area status; and what are the differences between Provost Marshal areas and other types of low flying avoidance area, in terms of available sanctions on aircrew breaching these areas.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the majority of cases where it is agreed to grant avoidance status, a permanent, seasonal, or temporary low flying avoidance area will be declared, thus providing protection from military aircraft conducting low flying training. Exceptionally, if it is necessary to exclude 488
  all military aircraft including, wherever possible, those on operational tasks, a provost marshal prohibited or restricted area will be created. There is no difference between a provost marshal area and a low flying avoidance in terms of the available sanctions on aircrew breaching these areas.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the radius of provost marshal prohibited area PMP 103.

  Mr. Hanley
  Provost marshal prohibited area PMP 103, which applied to the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust, is no longer in force. It was replaced in April 1987 by a seasonal avoidance which is in effect between 1 September and 15 April each year. It is not our practice to release detailed information on the dimesions of such avoidances.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if individual Royal Air Force flying units maintain their own lists of features for use as simulated targets; and what is the procedure for pre-surveying the areas surrounding these locations in order to ensure their suitability on environmental and safety grounds.

  Mr. Hanley
  Royal Air Force units maintain locally produced simulated target lists and these are reviewed regularly. Targets are carefully selected and account is taken of the location of nearby habitation and the environmental and safety factors involved.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities for overland low flying at less than 250 ft were made available to (1) Royal Navy Sea Harrier pilots and (2) Royal Air Force Harrier pilots prior to deploying to the south Atlantic for combat operations during the Falklands war.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1979 fixed-wing flying below 250 ft in the United Kingdom low flying system has been restricted to three sparsely populated areas in northern Scotland, central Wales and the Borders which are designated as tactical training area. There is no record of any aircraft having been authorised to fly training sorties below 250 ft outside these areas in preparation for deployment to the Falklands.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to authorise fixed-wing low flying at night at less than 250 ft.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no such plans.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the towns specified for avoidance in the United Kingdom Military Low Flying Handbook are also marked as locations requiring avoidance on the pre-printed low flying charts used by aircrew.

  Mr. Hanley
  Military pilots are instructed to avoid flying low over major conurbations and towns and to avoid all other populated areas wherever possible whether they are listed for avoidance in the United Kingdom Low Flying Handbook or not. The boundaries of the avoidance areas around major conurbations are shown on the low flying charts used by aircrew. In addition, towns sufficiently large to qualify for formal avoidance status are shown as built up areas on the charts, together with some smaller towns, and aircrew will therefore be reminded of their location when planning sorties. The only towns specifically marked as
  489
  sites to be avoided are a number of small communities within tactical training areas, which are too small to show as built up areas but are to be avoided by aircraft carrying out operational low flying.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the low flying areas in which there is an upper limit on the number of aircraft which can operate within the area at one time; what is the numerical limit in each case; and what was the date of introduction of the limit in each case.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Low Flying Area

  Number of aircraft

  Date of Introduction

  LFA 7

  30

  October 1987

  LFA 12

  15

  November 1990

  LFA 17

  20

  October 1987

  These limits apply to military fixed-wing aircraft, and do not include helicopters.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many formed Royal Air Force Vulcan flight crews held qualifications to fly at 100 ft above ground level in each year from 1977 to 1982.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to carry out a radar surveillance of low flying by military jet aircraft in the Barnsley/ Doncaster/Rotherham/Sheffield low flying transit area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no plans at present to carry out a radar surveillance of the transit area.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of low-flying sorties conducted by each type of Royal Air Force aircraft from Canadian forces base Goose Bay during the 1993 flying season.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of low flying sorties carried out by Royal Air Force aircraft at Canadian forces base Goose Bay during the 1993 season was as follows:

  Sorties

  Tornado GR1

  574

  Harrier GR7

  5

  Tornado F3

  2

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the highest speed achieved by the USAF F-16 aircraft during noise measurement runs at RAE West Freugh in June 1990; and what plans he has for further measurements of the noise levels generated by this type of aircraft.

  Mr. Hanley
  The highest speed the F-16 achieved during the noise measurement trials at RAE West Freugh in June 1990 was 453 knots. There are no plans at present for further noise trials of the F-16 aircraft, which is not based in the United Kingdom.
  490
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 July, Official Report, column 466, what was the result of the rearranged tests analysing the noise generated by the F-15E aircraft at low level; at what location the tests were held; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The trial to measure the noise generated by the F-15E rearranged for July did not take place, again due to the poor weather conditions. The trial was however conducted successfully at RAE West Freugh during September. The results are at present being analysed.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the conventionally armed stand-off missile programme.

  Mr. Aitken
  We are currently revising and updating our requirement paper. We expect to issue a formal request for proposals against a cardinal points specification to interested United Kingdom and overseas companies early in the new year.

  Tornado
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft will be converted to GR1b for the maritime role; and how many of that number will be on the front-line strength of operational squadrons.

  Mr. Hanley
  We plan to modify a total of 26 Tornado aircraft to GR1b standard for the maritime role. Of these, 24 will be on the front-line strength of operational squadrons.

  Ministry Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements will be made for providing substantive answers to parliamentary questions relating to the Ministry of Defence police after it becomes an agency.

  Mr. Hanley
  All chief executives of defence agencies are encouraged to reply to Members of Parliament direct, where the parliamentary question covers matters falling within their area of responsibility. The same will be true for the chief constable, Ministry of Defence police. In such cases, the MP will receive a standard reply from the Minister which states that the chief executive will be replying. The Minister's reply, together with the chief executive's letter, will be published in Hansard.

  Goose Bay
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the amounts paid to the Canadian Government each year since 1987 for Royal Air Force use of Canadian forces base, Goose Bay.

  Mr. Hanley
  The amounts paid to the Canadian Government for the Royal Air Force use of the Canadian forces base, Goose Bay are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1987–88

  4,269,000

  1988–89

  5,262,000

  1989–90

  5,482,000

  491

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  9,468,000

  1991–92

  12,309,000

  1992–93

  15,492,000

  Jobs
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs are dependent on defence exports(a) as reported in this year's statement on the defence estimates and (b) according to the United Kingdom defence statistics in 1993; how the two sets of figures are calculated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1993" gives a figure of in excess of 100,000 jobs directly or indirectly dependent on defence exports. The 1993 edition of "UK Defence Statistics" gives in table 2.24 for the 1991–92 financial year figures of 75,000 for direct employment, and 70,000 for indirect employment dependent on defence exports. There is only one set of figures, which are those given in "UK Defence Statistics". These are calculated by comparing estimates of the value of defence exports based on data provided by HM Customs and Excise and the Society of British Aerospace Companies, with estimates of sales per employee for the main industries concerned based on data provided by the Central Statistical Office. More details of the methods used to obtain these employment estimates are given in an article in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988", volume 2.

  RAF Sea Kings
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when RAF Sea Kings dedicated to search and rescue will begin to use a satellite-based navigation system; and when he expects all search and replace aircraft to be using the system.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is planned to equip Mk3 RAF Sea Kings with a global positioning system—GPS—a satellite-based navigation system. The Sea King Mk3a helicopter scheduled to be delivered to the RAF in 1996 will be fitted with GPS, and it is expected the whole RAF fleet will be equipped with GPS by late 1997. Royal Navy search and rescue helicopters are expected to be fitted with GPS within the next two years.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what navigation system is currently used by RAF Sea Kings dedicated to search and rescue.

  Mr. Hanley
  The main navigation systems used by the RAF search and rescue Sea Kings comprise a Decca Mk19 hyperbolic navigation system, a doppler radar, an air data system and a tactical navigation system. These are supported by VHF omni-range, instrument landing system equipment, a VHF and UHF homing system and automatic direction finding equipment. In addition, a horizontal situation indicator at each pilot station displays navigational steering information.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed within the Defence Export Services Organisation; and what is the breakdown of those posts.

  Mr. Aitken
  The following is a breakdown of the staff employed within the Defence Export Services Organisation:

  Office

  Staff numbers

  London Based

  263

  Overseas

  25

  Directorate General Saudi Armed Forces Projects (1)

  221

  Malaysian Project Office (1)

  33

  Kuwait Programme Office (1)

  21

  Directorate of Sales (Disposals) British Forces Germany

  43

  Army Sales Team

  60

  Total

  666

  (1) Self funding.

  Personnel Statistics
  Mr. John Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of(a) uniformed personnel and (b) MOD civil servants on 1 Janaury 1988; and what are the latest figures.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  1 January 1988

  1 September 1993

  United Kingdom Regular Forces

  317,300

  267,200

  MOD Civil Servants (Full-time equivalents)

  144,800

  (1) 128,000

  Note:

  (1) Of these some 33,000 are in the administration group, some 54,000 are specialist non-industrial staff and some 41,000 are industrial staff.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants are working at his Department's offices in Whitehall.

  Mr. Aitken
  On I September 1993, there were some 3,400 full-time and part-time MOD civil servants working in the Whitehall area.

  Pregnancy (Dismissals)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the negotiations on subsidiarity with the EC will enable him to adopt a policy of not paying compensation to women dismissed from the services on account of pregnancy.

  Mr. Hanley
  Liability of the Government to pay compensation to women dismissed from the armed forces on account of pregnancy between August 1978 and August 1990 was established following an agreed order of the High Court applying EC directive 76/207—the equal treatment directive. The Government believe that this directive is consistent with the principle of subsidiarity.
  493
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women were dismissed from the services as a result of pregnancy between 1978 and 1990; and on what authority the policy of dismissing such women was based up to 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  Some 5,600 women were dismissed from the services on pregnancy between August 1978, when the EC equal treatment directive came into force, and August 1990, when the services discontinued the practice of dismissing women on pregnancy and introduced maternity leave.

  The basis for the policy of dismissing service women on pregnancy prior to August 1990 was the exemption granted to the armed forces in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated amount to be spent in 1993–94 in rent and other associated costs with the offices of his Department in Whitehall.

  Mr. Hanley
  The estimated amount to be spent in 1993–94 in rent and other associated costs on MOD headquarters offices in Whitehall will be about £58 million. This includes £30 million in rental charges payable to the Department of the Environment under the property repayment services scheme.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Freemasons
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received regarding disclosure by freemasons in public life; and what action he has taken.

  Mr. David Davis
  Apart from representations by the hon. Member, my office has received six letters on this subject. The civil service management code has been amended to identify freemasonry as a possible conflict of interest. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  "Realising Our Potential"
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about action so far implemented following publication of his White Paper on science technology and engineering "Realising Our Potential".

  Mr. David Davis
  Progress in implementing the White Paper has been excellent. We have established a new Council for Science and Technology to provide high-level advice. We have embarked on a technology foresight programme, aimed at achieving new working partnerships between industry, academia and Government. We have made preparations for the new research council structure, including appointing the first of the new part-time chairmen. We have announced a number of initiatives to promote public understanding of science, engineering and technology.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the effect of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 on market testing in the civil service.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government issued guidance in March this year which set out a framework for considering questions raised by the regulations. I am happy to say that Departments have made good progress in their market-testing programmes.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what analysis his Department has made regarding the likely outcome of a subsequent review of market testing within a given department.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Departments have made good progress in their market-testing programmes. My officials in the efficiency unit are currently undertaking an analysis of the outcome of the market-testing programme for 1992–93, ending on 30 September. They will be reviewing their findings with Departments. I shall report on the results of their analysis when it has been completed.

  Wildlife
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research he has commissioned into development of natural wildlife in pocket parks.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. For my part, I have not commissioned any research on this topic. I understand, however, that the Ground Work Foundation and English Nature, bodies funded by his Department, are active in the development of such schemes.

  Science White Paper
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further plans he has to implement plans outlined in his White Paper on science published earlier this year.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Since the White Paper was published, I have established the new Council for Science and Technology which meets for the first time on 9 November, launched the technology foresight programme and appointed the first of the new part-time chairmen of research councils. I will shortly be appointing the director general of research councils and the remaining chairmen and chief executives. We have launched a new grants scheme to aid small-scale initiatives in the public understanding of science. Finally, the first Forward Look on publicly funded science and technology will be published next April.

  Citizens Charters
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those charters and the specific targets where financial compensation is a remedy for failure to meet the charter's standards.

  Mr. David Davis
  There are seven charters containing provision for financial compensation. They are the British Rail passengers charter; London Underground customers
  495
  charter; Northern Ireland railways passengers charter; Contributions Agency contributors charter; Contributions Agency employers charter; and the Benefits Agency customer charter.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the effectiveness of the citizens charter.

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. Friend has received numerous representations about the effectiveness of the citizens charter, most recently at a series of regional forums where local public service managers have been discussing how they are putting charter principles into practice.

  Nuclear Test Programme
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has, following his recent statement on open government in relation to documents which continue to be withheld from public scrutiny beyond 30 years, to release documents having a bearing upon the health and safety of participants in Britain's nuclear test programme.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The White Paper on open government (Cm 2290) published on 15 July 1993 states, in paragraph 9.28, that all Departments will, as resources can be made available:

  Trust applications in the South East Thames region

  Applications

  Approved

  Rejected

  Deferred

  Withdrawn

  1st wave

  5

  1

  3

  0

  1

  2nd wave

  13

  10

  3

  0

  0

  3rd wave

  13

  11

  2

  0

  0

  4th wave

  12

  7

  0

  15

  0

  1 Secretary of State will announce her decisions on these five applications at the turn of the year.

  Medical Complaints Appeals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure equality of access to appropriate legal advice for patients and practitioners at medical complaints appeals; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Professor Alan Wilson of Leeds university is chairing a full review of national health service complaints systems. He is due to report at the turn of the year.

  Non-urgent Surgery
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the names of hospitals and health authorities who had ceased non-urgent surgery on 30 September.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally. Early evidence indicates that most hospitals are managing their workload effectively. Guidance was issued by the national health service management executive to ensure that effective monitoring systems are in place so that local managers can identify problems early and take action to maintain a balanced activity throughout the year. A copy of the guidance EL(93)10 is available in the Library.
  496
  "re-review all material currently withheld for longer than 30 years to see whether its sensitivity has passed and to release it if possible".

  Records relating to Britain's nuclear test programme are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence who will be arranging for these records to be reviewed as part of this undertaking.

HEALTH

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for trust status have been made to the South East Thames regional health authority; how many have been approved; how many rejected; and what evaluation has been made of the performance of the trusts which have been approved against the prospectuses issued at the time of their applications.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is shown in the table. The business planning process and financial performance of national health service trusts are monitored by the NHS management executive outposts. The main accountability tools for this purpose are a business plan, a strategic direction, annual accounts and an annual report.

  Fund Holding
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances fund-holding general practitioner practices are permitted to pool budgets for extra-contractual referrals with their local district health authority so as to ensure equity of treatment for patients of fund-holding and non-fund-holding general practitioners.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  General practitioner fund holders do not have a separate budget for extra-contractual referrals. All purchases made by general practitioner fund holders are subject to contracts. In their budgets, fund holders receive only their patients' fair share of national health service resources.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what criteria funds are awarded to fund-holding general practitioner practices(a) in their initial year of operation and (b) in subsequent years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The criteria for awarding funds to general practitioner fund holders are set out in "General Practice Fundholding: Guidance on Setting Budgets for 1993–94", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, geographically by district health authority area, the name and address of each fund-holding general practitioner practice, the date upon which the practice achieved fund-holding status, the amount of money awarded to the practice in 1993–94 for the purchase of
  497
  services covered by the fund-holding regulations, the number of patients on the practice's list on the day that its funding was allocated, and the amount of funding per capita awarded to each practice for services covered by the fund-holding regulations.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what average level of funding per capita was allocated in 1993–94 to fund-holding general practitioner practices in(a) England, (b) each regional health authority area and (c) each district health authority area to enable fund-holding practices to purchase those services covered by the fund-holding regulations.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The average level of funding allocated to general practitioner fund holders per capita in England in 1993ߝ94 was £152.

  The average level of funding allocated to GP fund holders per capita by regional health authority in 1993–94 is shown in the table.

  £

  Northern

  166

  Yorkshire

  163

  Trent

  141

  East Anglia

  156

  North West Thames

  156

  North East Thames

  128

  South East Thames

  154

  South West Thames

  139

  Wessex

  153

  Oxford

  134

  South Western

  169

  West Midlands

  156

  Mersey

  163

  North Western

  143

  The average level of funding allocated to GP fund holders per capita by district health authority is not available centrally.

  Private Nursing Homes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider holding centrally information of bed numbers in newly registered private nursing homes and residential care homes; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  We have no plans to do so.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she is currently considering for changing the name of community health councils; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is currently considering in respect of the future status and influence of community health councils in respect of NHS trusts; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The role of community health councils is to represent the interests of the public. Many CHCs have developed effective working relationships with trusts which they use to carry out this role. We are interested in the spread of this good practice.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by(a) regional health authority and (b) district health authority the number of extra-contractual referrals that were refused for (i) the last 12 months and (iii) 24 months; on what grounds each was refused; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally. The grounds on which an extra-contractual referral can be refused are clearly laid out in "Guidance on Extra-Contractual Referrals" (EL(92)60), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Overseas Staff and Premises
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost for the current financial year of her Department having(a) premises and (b) personnel overseas; and what were the comparable figures for (a) 12, (b) 24, (c) 36 and (d) 48 months ago.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department does not hold data relating to the cost of staff based overseas for the financial years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92. However, during 1992–93 the Department spent a total of £215,362 on overseas personnel. During the current financial year the Department has spent a total of £118,386 to date. These figures relate to the salary and travel and subsistence costs of staff to overseas postings. The Department does not have seconded premises overseas.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to monitor the provision of community care services for homeless people.

  Mr. Bowis
  The social services inspectorate is currently carrying out a study in a sample of local authority areas on the way in which community care and housing policies are being co-ordinated. This will specifically address the provision of services for homeless people.

  Patients (Spending)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the revenue spending on in and out-patients by each authority in England in 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally on a purchaser basis.

  Assessment Process
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to provide new guidelines to local authorities on their duties under the assessment process outlined in section 47 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

  Mr. Bowis
  Guidance setting out the legal framework within which authorities work has already been issued. Copies of the guidance, CI(92)34, are available in the Library.

  Deaths (Inquiry)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will now set up a public inquiry into the mismanagement of patients at Birmingham orthopaedic, Stafford and Doncaster maternity hospitals and the resultant deaths.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no plans to do so.

  Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish monitoring information collected during her Department's review of drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

  Mr. Bowis
  The report carried out for the Department by Goldsmith's college was published on 28 July and a copy was placed in the Library.

  Caesarean Operations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider having the numbers of caesarean operations to deliver babies collated centrally; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The numbers of caesarean operations have been collected centrally since 1973. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Connarty) on 1 March at columns 29–30 for the latest available figures.

  Charitable Trust Funds
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she intends to take to ensure that the charitable trust funds held by regional health authorities by reason of the distribution of the national fund in 1974 are passed over to hospitals for the benefit of patients.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. This is a matter for the trustees of the charitable funds concerned.

  Family Planning Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide details of the costs of family planning services in England in each year since 1990–91.

  Mr. Sackville
  Estimated total expenditure on national health service family planning services in England was £109.2 million in 1990–91 and £136.2 million in 1991–92, the latest year for which figures are available. The two figures are not directly comparable because of new reporting arrangements following the national health service reforms.

  Rampton Hospital
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement in respect of the conditions and environment of patients at Rampton special hospital after her visit to the hospital on 3 August.

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State did not visit Rampton hospital on 3 August but I did so on 30 September. I was impressed with the advances which have been made in the care and treatment of patients and 500
  with the commitment and dedication of the members of the staff and management whom I met. The refurbished ward which I opened, providing accommodation for 20 mentally ill men in individual rooms with their own washing and toilet facilities, represents a significant improvement in the living conditions of these patients.

  With the Special Hospitals Service Authority we are committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of care at Rampton and the other two special hospitals, and to strengthening their professional links with local and regional national health service psychiatric services. Staff education has a key part to play in this and I was glad to have the opportunity following my visit of speaking at the signing of the agreement between Ashworth and Rampton hospitals and Sheffield Hallam university to designate the hospitals as joint colleges of the university.

  Hospital Treatment (Bosnia)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what central Government funds were used for the cost of hospital treatment of Bosnian war victims; what is the total cost to date; what other uses the funds have been put to during the current financial year; what is the total amount of the reserves left; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  These costs have been met from moneys voted by Parliament for the national health service, out of the Department of Health budget for paying provider units the costs of treatments to all overseas visitors exempt from NHS charges. The total budget, the use of which is restricted to this specific purpose, is £12 million for this financial year of which about £6.1 million has been spent. To date, costs of treating Bosnians amount to £517,000 in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Top Ten Hospitals
  Mr. Milligan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the top 10 hospitals in Britain measured by their success rate in(a) general surgery and (b) heart surgery.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on surgical success rates in hospitals is not available centrally. A system of medical audit is in place in every hospital, which provides confidential peer review by doctors of clinical standards and practices.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is her policy to receive delegations from community health councils which have formally objected to hospital closures.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Formal objections to hospital closures should be made to the district health authority.

  Where the regional health authority supports the district health authority, it will refer the matter to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for a final decision.

  Whether we receive a delegation from the community health council will depend on the view we take of the particular closure, taking account of all the relevant facts.

  Capital Allocation
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to change the system of capital allocation.

  Mr. Sackville
  A steering group has been developing a new system for allocating captial to respond to changes in the new national health service. The group's proposals will need further development in the light of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement on 21 October. Allocations for 1994–95 will be based on existing arrangements.

  Anencephaly
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of preventable cases of anencephaly and spina bifida caused by insufficient folic acid in the diet.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available. An expert advisory group report on folic acid and the prevention of neural tube defects, published in December 1992, confirmed evidence that women who increase their intake of folic acid when planning a pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defect. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  Hearing Loss
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which units in this country provide psychiatric services for people with hearing loss; and what plans she has to continue supraregional funding for these units.

  Mr. Bowis
  Mental health services for deaf people are provided at Springfield hospital, London, Prestwich hospital, Manchester and Queen Elizabeth psychiatric hospital, Birmingham. The units at Springfield and Prestwich hospitals have received supraregional funding for seven years through to 1994 to give the units time to establish referral patterns for subsequent years.

  "Patients Charter News"
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated cost of production and circulation of the "Patients Charter News"; and if she will list its print total and number of editions each year; what is its purpose; to whom it is circulated; and who is responsible for its content.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The patients charter has stimulated many innovative ideas and much good practice throughout the national health service. The patients charter news, published every other month, aims to share ideas with NHS staff to stimulate improved performance on the charter.

  Forty-four thousand copies are printed of each edition. Copies are distributed to all parts of the NHS, including health authorities and hospitals.

  The estimated annual cost of patients charter news for this financial year is £30,000. The patients charter unit of the NHS management executive has responsibility for the content of the newsletter.

  NHS Premises (Tobacco Sales)
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 618, if she will publish the data on which she based the statement that the ending of sales of tobacco products on NHS premises has now largely been achieved.

  Mr. Sackville
  The reply was based on advice from regional health authorities. As the information provided varied in format, publication is unlikely to prove useful but the results showed that, on all but a handful of sites, sales of tobacco products had ceased. Action continues to ensure the remaining outlets comply with the policy as soon as possible.

  South and East Cheshire Health Authority
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement setting out the conditions of service and remuneration of the appointment as executive directors of the South and East Cheshire health authority of Mr. Simon Cussons, Christine Hannah, Hilary Blumer, Neil Campbell, Paul Harvey, Dr. Leslie Klein and Mr. Gary Lucking.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Mr. Simon Cussons is the non-executive part-time chairman of South and East Cheshire health authority, and was appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for a term of office commencing 1 October 1993 until 31 March 1997. Chairmen of health authorities are remunerated within the range £15,125 to £19,285 per year, according to the district revenue budget. The appointment of non-executive members to district health authorities is a matter for regional health authorities. The annual remuneration of non-executive members of district health authorities is £5,000. The chief executive of a district health authority is appointed by the chairman and non-executive members, and the other executive members are appointed by the chairman, non-executive members and the chief executive of that authority. The remuneration and conditions of service of the chief executive and other executive members are a matter for the authority, within guidelines laid down centrally, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the burns and plastic surgery units will remain at Queen Victoria hospital, East Grinstead; and whether she will be able to attend the opening ceremony for the new burns unit at that hospital early in 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  The burns and plastics services provided by Queen Victoria hospital were included in the specialty reviews which were carried out following the Tomlinson report and "Making London Better". The recommendations of the specialty review are available to inform the South East Thames regional health authority together with the Kent and Sussex purchasing agencies when deciding upon the provision of burns and plastic services for their residents. The Queen Victoria Hospital will become an independent national health service trust in April 1994, a decision which reflects the hospital's justified reputation as a centre of excellence.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision her Department is making over the next five years for the younger sufferers from Alzheimer's disease; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The arrangements for assessing and meeting the needs of younger sufferers from Alzheimer's disease are decided by local health and social services authorities.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the aims and methods of assessing Alzheimer's disease sufferers' needs; and if she will make it her policy to allow more weight in assessment to be given to the views of family carers.

  Mr. Bowis
  The introduction of the health checks on patients aged 75 and over in general practitioners' contracts provides an opportunity for the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease to be detected. Under the new community care arrangements care managers are responsible for assessing the needs of sufferers from Alzheimer's disease and for arranging for their needs to be met. Guidance emphasises that carers views' should be taken into account and, where appropriate, carers should be offered a separate assessment.

  Child Migrants
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions she had during her recent visit to Australasia on her policy towards British child migrants; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) pursuant to the announcement of the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Yeo) of 19 May regarding the Child Migrants Trust, what progress has been made in discussions with the Australian Government regarding the child migrant scheme.

  Mr. Bowis
  Correspondence between myself and the Australian Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs was already in train before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's visit to Australia in September. It was not therefore a matter for my right hon. Friend to raise during her visit.

  Officials in Australia have, through the British high commission in Canberra and the consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, written to officials in my Department providing details of the activities, to date, of the Child Migrants Trust in Australia. Both Governments are funding the Child Migrants Trust in support of their record tracing and advisory activities.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to arrange financial assistance and retrospective payments to former child migrants who have incurred expenditure in returning to Britain to locate and be reunited with their natural families.

  Mr. Bowis
  The migration schemes for children from the United Kingdom in the care of voluntary and statutory agencies, were run mainly by voluntary bodies. The Government are funding the Child Migrants Trust to assist it in record tracing and in providing an advisory service,504
  and continue to support constructive contacts between the trust and the voluntary bodies which ran the schemes. The Government did not deal with individual cases. We do not consider that it would be appropriate to provide financial assistance directly to former child migrants.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each family health services authority since July 1992(a) the number of patients seeking emergency dental treatment from their general practitioners, (b) the number of courses of dental treatment given by general practitioners and (c) the number of patient referrals of dental emergency cases referred to accident and emergency departments.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 21 October 1993]: Information about the number of patients seeking emergency dental treatment from their dentists and the number of patients referred to accident and emergency departments for emergency dental treatment is not available centrally.

  The number of courses of dental treatment for England for the period July 1992 to September 1993 is shown in the table. Since October 1990, the majority of treatment for children has been carried out under capitation arrangements where courses of treatment are not identified separately. Figures for adults and children, therefore, are not comparable.

  General Dental Service—England

  Number of courses of dental treatments July 1992—September 1993

  FHSA

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  Cleveland

  369,555

  73,630

  443,185

  Cumbria

  338,625

  36,281

  374,906

  Durham

  337,890

  51,994

  389,884

  Northumberland

  184,219

  23,283

  207,502

  Gateshead

  120,675

  12,995

  133,670

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  166,550

  24,226

  190,776

  North Tyneside

  131,660

  13,003

  144,663

  South Tyneside

  82,757

  10,490

  93,247

  Sunderland

  160,977

  19,461

  180,438

  Humberside

  542,782

  72,620

  615,402

  North Yorkshire

  541,998

  51,774

  593,772

  Bradford

  324,423

  34,536

  358,959

  Calderdale

  143,770

  13,557

  157,327

  Kirklees

  252,634

  27,671

  280,305

  Leeds

  537,280

  66,272

  603,552

  Wakefield

  216,434

  27,187

  243,621

  Derbyshire

  575,467

  66,015

  641,482

  Leicestershire

  609,115

  65,521

  674,636

  Lincolnshire

  413,594

  34,405

  447,999

  Nottinghamshire

  719,506

  90,378

  809,884

  Barnsley

  124,232

  15,911

  140,143

  Doncaster

  186,843

  29,499

  216,342

  Rotherham

  137,179

  22,534

  159,713

  Sheffield

  378,459

  42,302

  420,761

  Cambridgeshire

  465,092

  43,629

  508,721

  Norfolk

  568,956

  49,615

  618,571

  Suffolk

  539,891

  44,508

  584,399

  Bedfordshire

  275,019

  30,472

  305,491

  Hertfordshire

  671,651

  80,738

  752,389

  Barnet

  123,839

  27,158

  150,997

  Brent and Harrow

  244,065

  38,931

  282,996

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  321,604

  36,907

  358,511

  Hillingdon

  149,341

  16,970

  166,311

  Kensington Chelsea and Westminster

  150,662

  9,032

  159,694

  Essex

  872,921

  112,339

  985,260

  Barking and Havering

  197,066

  26,323

  223,389

  Camden and Islington

  204,662

  13,547

  218,209

  505

  FHSA

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  City and East London

  244,619

  39,207

  283,826

  Enfield and Haringey

  221,331

  29,543

  250,874

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  228,490

  36,775

  265,265

  East Sussex

  541,721

  40,802

  582,523

  Kent

  846,171

  96,875

  943,046

  Greenwich and Bexley

  237,794

  38,914

  276,708

  Bromley

  107,670

  25,650

  133,320

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  384,435

  29,593

  414,028

  Surrey

  676,006

  71,844

  747,850

  West Sussex

  555,669

  51,331

  607,000

  Croydon

  201,671

  28,365

  230,036

  Kingston and Richmond

  137,557

  24,103

  161,660

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  305,412

  37,063

  342,475

  Dorset

  577,023

  41,248

  618,271

  Hampshire

  1,200,796

  93,460

  1,294,256

  Wiltshire

  401,007

  33,612

  434,619

  Isle of Wight

  104,149

  5,867

  110,016

  Berkshire

  434,168

  51,775

  485,943

  Buckinghamshire

  364,331

  39,991

  404,322

  Northamptonshire

  374,080

  35,003

  409,083

  Oxfordshire

  332,881

  31,362

  364,243

  Avon

  779,511

  70,834

  850,345

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  324,227

  25,192

  349,419

  Devon

  788,370

  67,626

  855,996

  Gloucestershire

  385,755

  32,351

  418,106

  Somerset

  406,295

  34,695

  440,990

  Hereford and Worcester

  509,949

  52,321

  562,270

  Shropshire

  303,768

  31,680

  335,448

  Staffordshire

  634,179

  74,833

  709,012

  Warwickshire

  337,708

  30,487

  368,195

  Birmingham

  630,222

  77,623

  707,845

  Coventry

  173,549

  19,402

  192,951

  Dudley

  201,674

  18,780

  220,454

  Sandwell

  177,813

  13,620

  191,433

  Solihull

  120,997

  13,558

  134,555

  Walsall

  137,287

  19,251

  156,538

  Wolverhampton

  162,244

  10,732

  172,976

  Cheshire

  696,882

  79,348

  776,230

  Liverpool

  277,480

  47,775

  325,255

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  187,891

  26,659

  214,550

  Sefton

  208,859

  21,530

  230,389

  Wirral

  230,016

  26,954

  256,970

  Lancashire

  879,956

  112,147

  992,103

  Bolton

  179,255

  20,511

  199,766

  Bury

  118,302

  15,275

  133,577

  Manchester

  291,239

  33,669

  324,908

  Oldham

  139,932

  21,931

  161,863

  Rochdale

  123,937

  14,882

  138,819

  Salford

  138,175

  20,060

  158,235

  Stockport

  249,835

  25,285

  275,120

  Tameside

  130,644

  21,181

  151,825

  Trafford

  179,255

  22,745

  202,000

  Wigan

  196,855

  28,142

  224,997

  ENGLAND

  31,160,435

  3,469,176

  34,629,611

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the health detriment to the United Kingdom population of the BNFL proposal of retaining intermediate and low-level wastes and return of high-level wastes.

  Mr. Yeo
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since 1976, all BNFL's contracts for reprocessing overseas spent fuel included provision for the return of wastes. Under its proposals for waste substitution, BNFL would offer to return to customers, with whom it has such
  506
  contracts, an equivalent amount in radiological terms of high-level radioactive waste in place of intermediate and low-level waste arising from reprocessing.

  We have asked the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee for further advice on the integrated radiological toxic potential system, which BNFL proposes as the basis for determining radiological equivalence.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the lone parents claiming one-parent benefit are aged(a) under 16 years, (b) 16 to 19 years, (c) 20 to 24 years, (d) 25 to 29 years, (e) 30 to 34 years, (f) 35 to 39 years or (g) 40 years and over; and what percentage of mothers in each of those age groups are married or have previously been married.

  Mr. Burt
  Information about the age of one-parent benefit recipients is not held in all cases and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on recipients' marital status is not available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the lone parents claiming family credit benefit are aged(a) under 16 years, (b) 16 to 19 years, (c) 20 to 24 years, (d) 25 to 29 years, (e) 30 to 34 years, (f) 35 to 39 years or (g) 40 years and over; and what percentage of mothers in each of those age groups are married or have previously been married.

  Mr. Burt
  The numbers of lone parents in receipt of family credit analysed by age are in the table.

  Age band

  Number of lone parents in receipt of family credit

  Under 16 years

  n/a

  16 to 19 years

  1,240

  20 to 24 years

  17,820

  25 to 29 years

  37,040

  30 to 34 years

  48,360

  35 to 39 years

  46,840

  40 years and over

  54,520

  Total

  205,820

  Notes:

  1. These figures include both lone mothers and lone fathers.

  2. Information is not available on the marital status of lone parents receiving family credit.

  Source: 5 per cent, of sample of family credit recipients at 30 April 1993.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the lone parents claiming income support benefit are aged(a) under 16 years, (b) 16 to 19 years, (c) 20 to 24 years, (d) 25 to 29 years, (e) 30 to 34 years, (f) 35 to 39 years or (g) 40 years and over; and what percentage of mothers in each of those age groups are married or have previously been married.

  Mr. Burt
  The figures requested are in the tables. The figures in both tables include both female and male lone parents.
  507

  Table 11

  Income Support Recipients: Lone Parents by age group2

  Age of Recipient

  Number of Cases3

  Under 164

  Nil

  16 to 19

  42,000

  20 to 24

  201,000

  25 to 29

  248,000

  30 to 34

  201,000

  35 to 39

  136,000

  Table 21 Lone Parents2 receiving Income Support by Age and Marital Status

  Never Married

  Marital Status Previously Married4

  Currently Married3

  Total Cases3

  Age of Lone Parent

  Cases

  Per cent.

  Cases

  Per cent.

  Cases

  Per cent.

  Under 16

  Nil

  0·0

  Nil

  0·0

  Nil

  0·0

  Nil

  16–19

  38,000

  91·0

  Less than 500

  0·5

  4,000

  8·6

  42,000

  20–24

  162,000

  80·9

  7,000

  3·2

  32,000

  15·9

  201,000

  25–29

  139,000

  56·2

  32,000

  13·0

  76,000

  30·8

  248,000

  30–34

  67,000

  33·1

  57,000

  28·1

  78,000

  38·8

  201,000

  35–39

  31,000

  22·5

  53,000

  38·7

  53,000

  38·8

  136,000

  40 and over

  21,000

  13·1

  81,000

  51·0

  57,000

  35·9

  158,000

  Total

  458,000

  46–5

  229,000

  23–2

  299,000

  30–4

  985,000

  1 Source: Income support statistics annual enquiry, May 1992.

  2 Includes both male and female lone parents.

  3 Numbers may not sum due to rounding. All numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Percentages are correct to one decimal place.

  4 "Previously Married" refers to lone parents who are widowed or divorced.

  5 "Currently Married" refers to lone parents who are separated from their partners, or prisoners' partners.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents claiming housing benefit are aged(a) under 16 years, (b) 16 to 19 years, (c) 20 to 24 years, (d) 25 to 29 years, (e) 30 to 34 years, (f) 35 to 39

  Lone parents in receipt of Housing Benefit by age and marital status:

  With Income Support

  Never Married

  Previously Married4

  Currently Married3

  Total 000s

  Age

  Cases

  Percentage

  Cases

  Percentage

  Cases

  Percentage

  Under 16

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16–19

  16

  89

  *

  1

  2

  10

  18

  20–24

  122

  81

  5

  4

  23

  16

  151

  25–29

  115

  57

  27

  14

  58

  29

  200

  30–34

  54

  34

  47

  30

  54

  35

  155

  35–39

  24

  24

  39

  39

  37

  37

  100

  40 and over

  15

  14

  54

  51

  37

  35

  105

  Total

  345

  47

  173

  24

  211

  29

  729

  Lone parents in receipt of housing benefit without income support—details of marital status not available

  Age

  Total (000s)

  Under 16

  —

  16 to 19

  *

  20 to 24

  7

  25 to 29

  18

  30 to 34

  21

  35 to 39

  18

  40 and over

  22

  Total

  87

  Source:Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample, May 1992

  Notes:

  1. Total number of lone parents includes men, but 95 per cent. are female.

  2. * indicates more than zero but fewer than 500.

  3. "Married": indicates that the recipient has a partner.

  4. "Previously Married": refers to recipients who are widowed or
  508

  Age of Recipient

  Number of Cases3

  40 and over

  158,000

  Total

  985,000

  1 Source: Income support statistics annual enquiry, May 1992.

  2 Includes both male and female lone parents.

  3 All numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4 Young persons aged less than 16 cannot claim income support.

  years or (g) 40 years and over; and what percentage of mothers in the above age groups are married or have previously been married.

  Mr. Burt
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  divorced.

  5. "Currently Married": refers to recipients who are permanently separated from their partners because their partner is in prison.

  Maxwell Pensioners
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with the Maxwell pensioners trust on arbitration on disputes between pension funds and financial bodies, as a means of reducing legal and accountancy fees; and if he will make a statement on developments to date.

  Mr. Hague
  The trustees of the Maxwell pensioners trust have taken an initiative to promote an overall settlement to the many disputes relating to missing Maxwell pension scheme assets. The Government welcome this initiative, which is being taken forward on behalf of the trust by Sir Peter Webster, a retired High Court judge.
  509
  Although the details of Sir Peter's work must necessarily remain confidential to him and those directly involved, I and my right hon. Friend stay in touch with overall progress through Sir John Cuckney, chairman of the trust.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of beneficiaries, and the total amounts paid, for housing benefit among(a) income support claimants, (b) family credit claimants and (c) others.

  Mr. Burt
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Table 1

  Housing benefit recipients

  Number of cases (thousands)

  With Income Support

  2,593

  With Family Credit Others

  197

  Others

  1,645

  Total

  4,334

  Notes:

  1. 1Due to the 26 week entitlement of family credit, approximately 12,000 customers are in receipt of both family credit and income support.

  2. Figures show housing benefit recipients in Great Britain in May 1992.

  Source: Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample.

  Housing Benefit Expenditure

  £ million

  Estimated outturn 1992–93

  7,348

  Notes:

  It is not possible to apportion expenditure between income support, family credit and other recipients.

  Source: Departmental report.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reducing the taper for withdrawal of housing benefit from 65p in the pound to 50p in the pound.

  1988–89 Per cent.

  1989–90 Per cent.

  1990–91 Per cent.

  1991–92 Per cent.

  1992–93 Per cent.

  Income Support

  1·6

  1·5

  1·6

  2·0

  2·4

  Invalidity Benefit

  0·7

  0·7

  0·8

  0·9

  1·0

  Attendance Allowance

  0·2

  0·2

  0·2

  0·3

  0·2

  Disability Living Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0·3

  Notes:

  1. The information requested on item c is not a matter that is dealt with by this department.

  2. Disability living allowance commenced in April 1992.

  Adjudication Cases
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases are considered by adjudicating officers in an average month; and what number of cases is considered by each officer during an average working day.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available.
  510
  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding) on 13 July 1993 at column 478.

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful claims have been made for disability working allowance; what is the total number of applications made; and if he plans to amend the current regulations governing this benefit.

  Mr. Hague
  By 30 September 1993, 34,958 applications had been received and 7,917 claims had been successful. We have commissioned the Policy Studies Institute to carry out research to help us evaluate disability working allowance. Until we have completed the evaluation, we do not envisage making any major structural changes to the benefit.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures for waiting times from application for appeal to appeal hearing for(a) attendance allowance, (b) mobility component disability living allowance, (c) care component disability living allowance and (d) disability working allowance.

  Mr. Burt
  In the year ending December 1992, the last period for which figures are available, the average time taken from application to clearance was:

  (a) attendance allowance—33·2 weeks

  (b) disability living allowance—17·9 weeks

  Figures for disability living allowance are not broken down into the components.

  No appeals on disability working allowance were received.

  Source: Annual Social Security Appeal Tribunal Statistics 1992, published by the Government Statistical Service.

  Benefits and Allowances
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of gross domestic product, annually, was spent on(a) income support, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) mortgage interest tax relief, (d) attendance allowance and (e) disability living allowance, for each year since 1988.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested on items,a, b, d and e is given in the table.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many civil servants are working at the Adelphi, 1–11 John Adam street, London.

  Mr. Burt
  There were 758 staff working for the Department at the Adelphi on 1 October 1993, the latest date for which figures are available.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for industrial disablement benefit for a prescribed industrial disease were received by the Benefits Agency in the period since January 1991; how many of those claims resulted in medical examinations; what were the outcomes of the medical examinations; how many appeals were received from claimants against the examinations; and what were the results of any subsequent medical appeal tribunal hearings.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. David Clelland, dated 26 July 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many claims for industrial disease were received by the Benefits Agency in the period since January 1991; how many of those claims resulted in medical examinations; what were the outcomes of the medical examinations; and what were the results of any subsequent medical appeal tribunal hearings.
  Information on the number of prescribed claims and the outcomes of such claims since January 1991 is not available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, it may be helpful if I set out such information as is available below.
  Information on Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit—Prescribed Disease new awards is only available from October 1992, prior to this date new awards were not identified separately. In the period October 1992 to June 1993 there were 3,354 new awards. The information is based on a 100 per cent. count of the number of new awards of Disablement Benefit in benefit offices and is subject to amendment.
  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit—Prescribed Disease new claims for the same period were 35,324. However some claims made during this period will not have been assessed yet and therefore the figures are not directly comparable. The information is again based on a 100 per cent. count of claims received in benefit offices and is subject to amendment.
  I hope you find this information helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sweeteners
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will publish the annual review of the markets for intense and bulk sweeteners as considered by the Food Advisory Committee in November 1992.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This would not be appropriate since the commercially sensitive data for this review were obtained on assurances of confidentiality. However, some information on the development of the United Kingdom market in recent years has been made available by my Department in food surveillance paper No. 37 "Dietary Intake of Food Additives in the UK" and in papers presented by my officials in the course of scientific proceedings.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals her Majesty's Government intend to put forward at the convention of contracting parties on the sea disposal of wastes, to be held in London on 8 to 12 November, in regard to the permanent ban on disposal of radioactive wastes at sea.

  Mr. Jack
  Any proposals the United Kingdom may make to the 16th consultative meeting of the London convention 1972 on the sea disposal of radioactive wastes will be made in the light of discussions at that meeting on the final report of the convention's intergovernmental panel of experts on radioactive waste disposal at sea (IGPRAD).

  Lobster Creels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on damage done to lobster creels by seals.

  Mr. Jack
  I am not aware of any proven instances of damage to lobster creels by seals. If the hon. Member has any such evidence I would be glad to receive it.

  Animal Transport
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will support the German proposal in the Council of Agricultural Ministers working group that an overall limit be placed on the journey time of animals being transported for slaughter.

  Mr. Soames
  In submitting proposals for further rules to protect animals in transport, the Commission drew attention to the difficulties of enforcing overall journey limits for particular categories of animals. In the negotiations we are seeking strong and enforceable welfare safeguards for all types of animals, including appropriate feeding and watering intervals, based on the high standards which we are applying in this country.

  Coppice Schemes
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has for supporting short-term coppice schemes for alternative fuels; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Short-rotation coppice has the potential to become an important alternative crop as a source of renewable energy. The Government are supporting it already. Short-rotation coppice is eligible for establishment grants of between £975 and £1,575 per hectare under the woodland grant scheme and for the better land supplement of £600 per hectare except when grown on land under the arable area payments scheme.

  We have, however, secured agreement in Brussels that short-rotation coppice can be grown on non-rotational set-aside land, where it will be eligible for annual set-aside payments of around £320 per hectare in England from 1994. We are pressing for changes to facilitate its establishment on set-aside land. Electricity generated from short-rotation coppice will be able to benefit from the provisions of the third Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Renewables Order, announced by my hon. Friend the

  513
  Minister for Energy on 21 July 1993, and the Government are funding work on the growing of short-rotation coppice and its conversion to energy.

  Set Aside
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to include trees in set-aside schemes; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  We have been pressing for the EC rules of the arable area payments scheme to be amended to enable land which is taken out of production under forestry schemes to count against set-aside. My right hon. Friend the Minister raised this most recently at the Council of Agriculture Ministers this week, and we will continue to argue in favour of establishing this important link between set-aside and forestry.

  Seed and Plant Breeders
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the future of farm-sowed seeds, royalties, older United Kingdom seed varieties and plant breeders' rights for the next five years.

  Mr. Jack
  I touched on most of these issues in my scrutiny debate speech on EC plant variety rights on June 23 this year—Official Report of European Standing Committee A of 23 June 1993. In particular, we are anxious to promote a healthy and competitive United Kingdom plant breeding industry which will provide farmers with a flow of new, improved plant varieties. We are therefore anxious to see a Community solution to the farm-sowed question which balances the breeders' and the farmers' interests and will provide breeders with the necessary funding to develop new varieties. We fully support the introduction of Community plant variety rights which will not only simplify the process of obtaining protection for new plant varieties across the whole EC, but will also propose some controls on farm-sowed seed. This aspect is under debate at the moment. We intend to ratify the revised UPOV convention at the earliest opportunity to provide breeders with the increased protection this affords. We are also pressing the Community to reduce the regulation of traditional vegetable varieties used by the amateur gardener.

  Brucellosis
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long it took to discover the link between the Cheshire and Anglesey brucellosis infected herds; what was the reason for the time taken; and if she will make a statement on difficulties which may have arisen in the training exercise to obtain comprehensive information as early as possible on livestock movements affecting the herd where the outbreak was first discovered.

  Export refunds expenditure

  £ million

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Cereals

  2,271

  2,091

  1,742

  1,774

  2,612

  2,323

  Rice

  71

  52

  39

  27

  63

  72

  Sugar

  1,090

  1,062

  950

  657

  878

  929

  Olive oil

  17

  43

  61

  97

  78

  34

  Oilseeds

  46

  17

  4

  0

  0

  0

  514
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Brucellosis was officially confirmed on a farm in Anglesey on 1 October on the basis of preliminary laboratory tests completed on 30 September. Also on 30 September the herd in Cheshire was restricted and testing set in hand. This is normal procedure and there was no delay nor particular difficulty in tracing the animals concerned.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information she has on the original source of the recent outbreak of brucellosis; and what assessment has been made of whether it is likely to have been imported from overseas.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Some of the cattle now affected with brucellosis were imported. Investigations are under way to determine the source of infection and it would be premature to speculate at this stage. The last confirmed case of brucellosis in Great Britain was in 1990.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the recent outbreaks of brucellosis in herds in Anglesey and Cheshire.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  On 1 October brucellosis was confirmed in a dairy herd on a farm in Anglesey. All animals in that herd were slaughtered by 5 October with compensation. All the cattle which had left that herd since 26 June are being traced and slaughtered.

  All the animals which came on to the premises since 26 June have been traced back to the place of origin arid testing undertaken there. This has shown a further three positive reactors to brucellosis in a herd in Cheshire. These three animals have been slaughtered. All other animals on these premises have been tested and are negative at this time but the herd remains under restriction and will be retested in due course. We are currently tracing all the animals, over 500 on 130 premises, which have left these premises since 17 June and the animals which were in contact with the three reactors before they came on to the premises. Further action may be necessary as the investigations continue.

  Levies and Refunds
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the amounts in pounds sterling paid in the EC for(a) import levies and (b) export refunds since 1987 by product up to the latest available date; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The following table provides details of EC expenditure on export refunds by product, and the total amount of agricultural import levies, from 1987 to 1992. No breakdown by product is available for the agricultural import levies.
  515

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Fruit and vegetables

  48

  43

  51

  58

  66

  83

  Wine

  14

  30

  29

  39

  39

  54

  Tobacco

  31

  29

  41

  44

  45

  40

  Milk

  1,746

  2,091

  1,913

  1,382

  1,622

  1,499

  Beef

  632

  522

  879

  788

  897

  943

  Sheepmeat

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Pigmeat

  81

  117

  130

  123

  139

  92

  Eggs and poultry

  109

  132

  153

  126

  118

  137

  Fisheries

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-Annex II products

  424

  408

  361

  363

  493

  495

  TOTAL

  6,580

  6,637

  6,353

  5,478

  7,050

  6,701

  Import levies collected

  1,170

  1,021

  840

  833

  1,134

  969

  Sources:

  Export refunds; 1987–1991: Financial reports on the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund.

  1992: Draft financial report.

  Import levies; 1987–1991: 1991 European court of auditors report.

  1992: 1993 Budget.

  Beef Premium Scheme
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has had regarding the administration of the beef special premium scheme.

  Mr. Jack
  I have received correspondence from hon. Members and others: representations have declined as the new arrangements have become more familiar to the livestock industry.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans she has to review the beef special premium scheme to make it simpler to operate, fairer to rearers and finishers without distorting the market and capable of securing the existing compensation for reduced intervention support;

  (2) what discussion she has had regarding the National Farmers Union proposals to simplify and improve the beef special premium scheme; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  My officials have had two meetings with representatives of the livestock industry, including the National Farmers Union, to review the beef special premium scheme. We are continuing to examine ways of simplifying the scheme in consultation with the industry within the constraints of the European Community legislation.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the number of applications in each country in England under(a) the main arable area payments scheme and (b) the simplified scheme in 1993; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  A total of 27,705 applications were made under the main arable area payments scheme and 18,789

  Third country export refund expenditure 1987 to 1992

  19871

  19882

  19893

  19904

  19914

  19924

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  Cereals

  296,299,293

  3,919,160

  201,966,824

  3,129,304

  202,628,790

  4,861,005

  199,980,565

  5,470,636

  134,543,908

  1,589,879

  206,383,276

  3,080,216

  Sugar

  26,519,571

  97,533

  48,018,765

  153,770

  28,986,981

  117,264

  26,290,260

  145,837

  37,656,947

  122,953

  46,610,553

  146,895

  Processed fruit and vegetables

  960,933

  16,372

  1,848,406

  23,587

  1,309,927

  20,935

  821,434

  24,381

  2,706,192

  33,198

  2,694,951

  31,453

  Milk and milk products

  106,444,089

  171,020

  88,876,550

  123,610

  97,080,697

  163,824

  83,637,776

  179,361

  97,906,686

  159,290

  108,987,872

  164,433

  516
  applications under the simplified scheme in England. Because applicants had to submit a single area aid application in respect of all their land, some applications will cover a number of holdings which may be situated in more than one county. In such cases the application will be linked to the county in which the applicant's main holding is situated. I will publish information on this basis as soon as it is available.

  Export Refunds
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the amounts in pounds sterling paid out in the United Kingdom on export refunds in each of the last six years by product; what were the amounts exported in each case; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Responsibility for this matter is delegated to the Intervention Board Executive Agency and I have asked the chief executive to reply to the hon. Gentleman direct.

  Letter to Mr. Eric Martlew from Guy Stapleton, dated 25 October 1993:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your priority written Parliamentary Question tabled for answer on 25 October 1993:
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if she will list the amounts in pounds sterling paid out in the United Kingdom on export refunds in each of the last six years by product, and what were the amounts; and if she will make a statement.
  The export refunds paid out in the United Kingdom and quantities exported in respect of those refunds paid are detailed in the attached schedule. The figures have been obtained from the EAGGF Accounts, for the last six available years, which are submitted to the EC Commission on an annual basis to support the funding claim.
  I am sending a copy of this letter to the House of Commons Library and the Public Information Office.
  517

  19871

  19882

  19893

  19904

  19914

  19924

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  Beef and veal

  21,508,927

  33,400

  22,456,333

  29,045

  21,455,967

  23,459

  23,743,843

  22,921

  13,913,038

  13,655

  29,797,349

  22,801

  Pigmeat

  962,125

  4,708

  809,419

  3,555

  1,475,978

  5,683

  2,646,176

  10,330

  2,201,868

  8,399

  1,725,045

  6,767

  Eggs5

  406,652

  1,593

  554,021

  2,126

  529,491

  1,923

  651,964

  3,455

  387,740

  2,513

  412,416

  2,462

  Poultry5

  1,977,596

  8,613

  2,702,788

  12,182

  2,874,545

  18,398

  2,441,917

  18,071

  2,571,468

  20,900

  2,220,936

  16,522

  Whisky

  34,621,910

  678,347

  30,386,772

  378,255

  19,702,438

  982,522

  29,626,579

  1,105,847

  50,622,074

  1,133,763

  39,484,203

  1,013,320

  Processed goods

  45,374,159

  288,216

  32,153,843

  210,146

  51,815,158

  404,370

  38,976,367

  429,889

  49,664,432

  377,141

  54,186,929

  457,642

  Other commodities6

  53,504

  367

  35,342

  276

  70,046

  433

  113,478

  1,773

  103,987

  1,292

  88,404

  1,138

  Total

  535,028,659

  5,219,329

  429,809,063

  4,065,856

  427,930,018

  6,599,816

  408,830,359

  7,412,501

  392,278,340

  3,462,983

  492,591,934

  4,943,649

  1 The EAGGF year for 1987 ran from 1 January to 13 November 1987.

  2 The EAGGF year for 1988 ran from 14 November 1987 to 15 October 1988.

  3 The EAGGF year for 1989 ran from 16 October 1988 to 16 October 1989.

  4 The EAGGF years 1990, 1991 and 1992 ran for the same duration as 1989.

  5 The quantity figures for eggs and poultry do not include eggs for hatching or live chicks, which are recorded as numbers rather than tonnage.

  6 Includes rice, olive oil, oil seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables, wine and fish.

  Forestry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution the United Kingdom has made to the steering committee of the joint Food and Agriculture Organisation/Economic Commission for Europe/International Labour Organisation committee on forest technology, training and management in 1993.
  518
  Sir Hector Monro
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Forestry Commission has been an active participant in the work of the joint committee on forest technology, management and training, although the United Kingdom is not currently represented on the steering committee. The objectives and operation of the joint committee are being reviewed at present by the parent bodies, including the European Forestry Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, one of whose vice-chairmen is an official of the British Forestry Commission.

  SOUTH EAST ASIA: SEX TOURISM
  SOUTH EAST ASIA: SEX TOURISM
  KUWAITI CITIZENS DETAINED IN IRAQ
  KUWAITI CITIZENS DETAINED IN IRAQ
  SALMAN RUSHDIE: BRITISH AIRWAYS' DECISION
  SALMAN RUSHDIE: BRITISH AIRWAYS' DECISION
  TIBET
  TIBET
  RUSSIA: WESTERN AID
  RUSSIA: WESTERN AID
  CHINESE TERRITORIAL SEA: PASSAGE BY BRITISH SHIPS
  CHINESE TERRITORIAL SEA: PASSAGE BY BRITISH SHIPS
  MAASTRICHT TREATY AND THE CORONATION OATH
  MAASTRICHT TREATY AND THE CORONATION OATH
  SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS: INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
  SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS: INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
  NORTHERN IRELAND: UK SUBVENTION
  NORTHERN IRELAND: UK SUBVENTION
  CAR NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION: CRIME DETECTION
  CAR NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION: CRIME DETECTION
  MAASTRICHT TREATY: MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
  MAASTRICHT TREATY: MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
  CANCER TREATMENT OUTCOME: STUDY
  CANCER TREATMENT OUTCOME: STUDY
  RAILWAY PRIVATISATION: DRAFT AGREEMENTS AND LICENCES
  RAILWAY PRIVATISATION: DRAFT AGREEMENTS AND LICENCES
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, LUXEMBOURG, 20th OCTOBER
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, LUXEMBOURG, 20th OCTOBER
  STUDENT GRANTS
  STUDENT GRANTS
  FORESTRY COMMISSION: SALE OF WOODLANDS
  FORESTRY COMMISSION: SALE OF WOODLANDS
  COT DEATHS IN SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
  COT DEATHS IN SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

  MENWITH HILL STATION: COMMUNICATIONS SURVEILLANCE
  Lord Jenkins of Putney
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether American communications facilities at Menwith and elsewhere record telephone conversations originating in this country and received here from other countries; and whether it is the case that Her Majesty's Government has no control over, or knowledge of, the details of these and other activities, which were alleged (in the Channel 4 programme of 6th October) to include industrial espionage.
  WA 77
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)
  Menwith Hill Station is an integral part of a worldwide defence communications network. We are not prepared to comment further on its operational role. The station operates with the full knowledge and agreement of Her Majesty's Government.

  NUCLEAR WASTE: STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
  NUCLEAR WASTE: STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
  PLANNING INSPECTORATE EXECUTIVE AGENCY AND WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT
  PLANNING INSPECTORATE EXECUTIVE AGENCY AND WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT
  EC EMPLOYMENT MINISTERS' COUNCIL: FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
  EC EMPLOYMENT MINISTERS' COUNCIL: FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS