Written Answers of 12 April 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he proposes to publish the first annual report of the magistrates courts service inspectorate.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have done so today.

  Matrimonial Cases
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, column 608, concerning matrimonial cases, if he will list the measures he has taken to prevent any future arrangements being established similar to those mentioned in his answer.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The following measures have been taken:New written instructions have been issued, requiring that:
  all plans or proposals of this sort be referred to a senior official before any action is taken;
  any item intended for publication in the departmental journal 'Court Business'—through which instructions to courts are promulgated—be approved by a senior official.
  New arrangements have also been introduced requring that the final draft of "Court Business" be submitted to a senior official for approval, before publication.

  Care Centres
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the national review of the designation of care centres to be completed; why the national review has been delayed; what representations he has received to designate the Bradford combined court centre as a case centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The background work and consultation on the review of care centres is expected to be completed this month. A report to Ministers will follow thereafter. The commencement date of the review was put back because the level of work taken at the care centres under the Children Act 1989 has only recently stabilised. Representations have been received at the local circuit office or by my Department to designate Bradford combined court centre as a care centre from the local authority, local legal practitioners, the local panel of guardians ad litem and some local Members of Parliament.

  Small Claims Court
  Mr. French
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost to his Department of processing a small claim which receives a preliminary hearing and final hearing in the small claims court.
  2
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what expenditure his Department has allocated in its 1994–95 budget for the provision of information relating to personal injury claims for the small claims court.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor published a consultation paper on 29 October 1993, setting out a proposed new procedure which would bring small personal injury claims into the small claims court. This would be likely to involve the provision of both new standard forms and leaflets providing information to litigants. The Lord Chancellor is currently evaluating the large number of responses received to the consultation. The precise costs of providing information to litigants cannot be assessed until the details of the procedure have been finalised.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Injuries (Compensation)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of(a) applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, (b) payments by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and (c) those crimes of robbery with violence, rape and others which gave rise to compensation payments in 1992–93 as a percentage of the figures for 1987–88.

  Mr. Maclean
  In 1987–88 there were 43,054 applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the amount of compensation paid totalled £52.043 million. The corresponding figures for 1992–93 were 65,977 applications and £152.218 million, increases of 53 per cent. and 192 per cent. respectively.

  The board does not collate information about compensation payments in respect of crimes of robbery with violence, rape or other categories.

  Racial Hatred
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the number of prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936 and sections 17 to 23 of the Public Order Act 1986, and the number of convictions in each year since 1979; and if he will list the penalties for those convicted in each case.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 17 March 1994, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the laboratories licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to use non-purpose-bred greyhounds in research between 1979 to 1992;

  (2) if he will list the number of project licences issued from 1979 to 1992 under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which are still valid to use non-purpose-bred greyhounds in research.
  3
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To list the laboratories would be in breach of the requirement of section 24(1) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which provides for the protection of confidential information.

  No project licences were issued prior to the implementation of the 1986 Act on 1 January 1987. Of those issued since that date, only one is still valid for the use of non-purpose-bred greyhounds in research.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of scientific procedures performed on non-purpose-bred cats and dogs in 1993.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information collected from project licence holders and published annually in the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain" does not distinguish between purpose-bred and non-purpose-bred cats and dogs. In 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, 3,692 regulated procedures were performed upon cats and 9,085 upon dogs.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 843, if he will give the reason why an appropriate financial remedy is to be taken under the terms of the contract for Blakenhurst prison in connection with the incident on 24 February.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 12 April 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Blakenhurst prison.
  It is intended that an appropriate financial remedy under the terms of the contract be taken for the month of February as, in the light of the incident on 24 February, the Prison Service does not consider that UKDS fully delivered the required service during that month.
  In particular, during the incident, some parts of the prison were not fully in control, with consequent effects on regime delivery; and public relations and contingency arrangements were not satisfactory. Following the incident, the population was reduced to enable essential repairs to be carried out.

  Hunger Strikes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now publish details of the status of people held in detention centres under immigration law who are engaged in hunger strikes.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  On 11 April, 20 people detained under Immigration Act powers were refusing meals. Eight were detained in Immigration Service detention and 12 in Prison Service accommodation, including Haslar. Of these 20, 16 were illegal entrants, and four were passengers subject to removal following refusal of leave to enter. Seventeen of the 20 had applied for asylum at some stage and their position was as follows:
  4

  Number

  Asylum application under consideration

  5

  Appeals outstanding against refusal of asylum

  10

  Awaiting travel documents for removal

  2

  Of the remaining three non-asylum cases, two were subject to continuing inquiries and one was awaiting travel documentation to enable removal to be arranged.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the Home Office consultation exercise into wheel clamping by private companies; what is the timetable for the report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are still considering what action, if any, it would be appropriate to take in respect of wheel clamping on private land. We will make our conclusions known as soon as possible.

  Offences, London
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the total number of recorded offences, (b) the number of offences resulting in a caution and (c) the number of offences resulting in a conviction in the Metropolitan district for 1992.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of notifiable offences and the number of offenders cautioned and convicted in the Metropolitan police district during 1992 is published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary tables 1992, Volume 3". A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

  Safer Cities Programme
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those cities which are currently receiving, or which have in the past received, funding under the safer cities programme giving(a) the dates of commencement of the safer cities programme in each city, (b) the original planned completion date of each project as first announced and (c) the current planned or actual completion date of the programme for each city; and if he will show the amount of funding received by each city in each year since 1989 to the present date under the programme for (i) running costs, (ii) grants and (iii) other costs.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Twenty projects have been funded under phase 1 of the safer cities programme and 10 more have recently commenced under phase 2. A list of the projects with their start dates is shown in table A. When the phase 1 projects were set up, funding was guaranteed for a period of three years, after which decisions on alternatives, such as locally derived funding, would be made. Government funding for 16 of the phase 1 projects ceased in March 1994. The more recently established projects in Derby, Hammersmith and Fulham, Leicester and Middlesbrough will continue to receive funding until September 1995. The contracts with the managing agencies for the phase 2 projects run for three years.
  5
  The amounts of funding for each project in each year Date project since 1989 are set out in tables B, C and D. The figures for running and other costs are not readily available and are only approximate based on estimates.

  Table A

  Date project Commenced

  Phase 1

  Birmingham

  July 1989

  Bradford

  November 1988

  Bristol

  January 1990

  Coventry

  October 1989

  Derby

  October 1991

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  December 1991

  Hartlepool

  September 1989

  Hull

  October 1989

  Islington

  January 1990

  Leicester

  September 1991

  Lewisham

  July 1989

  Middlesbrough

  October 1991

  Nottingham

  April 1989

  Rochdale

  August 1989

  Salford

  February 1990

  Sunderland

  August 1989

  Table B

  Running costs (£'000)

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Birmingham

  17

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Bradford

  18

  27

  25

  30

  27

  Bristol

  8

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Coventry

  15

  27

  25

  30

  33

  Derby

  —

  —

  12

  30

  34

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  12

  30

  33

  Hartlepool

  16

  27

  25

  30

  35

  Hull

  15

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Islington

  8

  27

  25

  30

  33

  Leicester

  —

  —

  12

  30

  34

  Lewisham

  16

  27

  25

  30

  25

  Middlesbrough

  —

  —

  12

  30

  35

  Nottingham

  18

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Rochdale

  17

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Salford

  8

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Sunderland

  17

  27

  25

  30

  35

  Tower Hamlets

  8

  27

  25

  30

  32

  Wandsworth

  8

  27

  25

  30

  25

  Wirral

  16

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Wolverhampton

  18

  27

  25

  30

  34

  Table C

  Grants (£'000)

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Birmingham

  133

  287

  291

  242

  135

  Bradford

  290

  265

  295

  291

  131

  Bristol

  90

  321

  406

  270

  170

  Coventry

  133

  337

  385

  318

  240

  Derby

  —

  —

  2

  257

  270

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  258

  280

  Hartlepool

  122

  266

  309

  273

  186

  Hull

  74

  268

  290

  286

  145

  Islington

  88

  293

  362

  293

  169

  Leicester

  —

  —

  10

  267

  275

  Lewisham

  308

  375

  413

  287

  171

  Middlesbrough

  —

  —

  —

  291

  272

  Nottingham

  264

  268

  305

  236

  170

  Rochdale

  101

  276

  315

  242

  175

  Salford

  100

  264

  315

  269

  169

  Sunderland

  172

  268

  264

  215

  183

  Tower Hamlets

  64

  270

  367

  250

  177

  Wandsworth

  67

  203

  249

  241

  116

  Wirral

  152

  320

  320

  248

  165

  Wolverhampton

  241

  275

  276

  207

  170

  6

  Date Project commenced

  Tower hamlets

  December 1989

  Wandsworth

  January 1990

  Wirral

  September 1989

  Wolverhampton

  February 1989

  Phase 2

  Blackburn1

  1 April 1994

  Burnley1

  1 February 1994

  Greenwich1

  1 February 1994

  Lambeth1

  1 February 1994

  Leeds1

  1 February 1994

  Manchester1

  1 April 1994

  Merthyr Tydfil

  1 February 1994

  Newcastle1

  1 February 1994

  Plymouth1

  1 February 1994

  Sheffield1

  1 February 1994

  1 Funding for these projects is included in the single regeneration budget, administered by the Department of the Environment, from 1 April 1994.

  7

  Table D

  Other costs (£'000)

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Birmingham

  40

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Bradford

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Bristol

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Coventry

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Derby

  —

  —

  80

  95

  80

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  80

  95

  80

  Hartlepool

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Hull

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Islington

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Leicester

  —

  —

  80

  95

  80

  Lewisham

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Middlesbrough

  —

  —

  80

  95

  80

  Nottingham

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Rochdale

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Salford

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Sunderland

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Tower Hamlets

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Wandsworth

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Wirral

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Wolverhampton

  45

  85

  80

  95

  80

  Iran (Arms Sale Trial)
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what connection Mr. William Harper, Mr. John Taylor and their co-defendants, tried in 1988 in relation to the sale of arms to Iran, had with the intelligence services; and what public interest immunity certificates were signed in respect of their trial.

  Mr. Howard
  From time to time Mr. Taylor provided helpful information to the security and intelligence services between 1978 and 1985 on matters unrelated to the charges brought against him in 1988. His co-defendants have had no connection with the security and intelligence services. As far as can be ascertained, no public interest immunity certificates were signed in respect of their trial.

  Remand Statistics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the number, at the latest available date, of residents of each county in Wales who were held in remand centres in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) elsewhere.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 12 April 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking how many residents of each county in Wales were held in remand centres at the latest available date in (a) England or (b) Wales and (c) elsewhere.
  The available provisional information is for 31 December 1993 and is given in the attached table. It relates to the population in remand centres in England and Wales who were first committed to custody by a Welsh court.
  8

  Population in remand centres in England and wales on 31 December 1993 committed by courts in wales 1

  County of Welsh court first Committing

  Numbers held in remand centres from a welsh court

  England

  Wales

  Clwyd

  25

  0

  Dyfed

  0

  9

  Gwent

  0

  11

  Gwynedd

  16

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  1

  37

  South Glamorgan

  0

  24

  West Glamorgan

  0

  31

  Powys

  2

  23

  Total

  44

  135

  1 Provisional figures

  Road Tax Offenders
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were imprisoned in each of the last three years for non-payment of fines imposed for not having paid road tax on a motor vehicle.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 12 April 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking how many people were imprisoned in each of the last three years for non-payment of fines imposed for not having paid road tax on a motor vehicle.
  I am afraid that the information you have requested is not available centrally since the offence of non-payment of road tax is recorded under the general category of "other motoring offences".

  Police (Drug-related Incidents)
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been (i) injured and (ii) killed in drug-related incidents in each of the last 10 years.
  9
  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is not available centrally.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Local Government Legislation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the Acts of Parliament and Consolidation Acts affecting local government that have been introduced by her Department since 1990.

  Mr. Jack
  Only one Act introduced by the Ministry since 1990 affects local government—the Food Safety Act 1990.

  Eggs
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information is available on the average consumption per person per week of eggs in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Estimates of household consumption of eggs in Great Britain are provided by the Ministry's national food survey. The estimates, which are expressed in terms of average number of eggs per person per week, exclude eggs used in manufacturing or in catering and institutions.

  Number per person per week

  Egg consumption

  1984

  3.21

  1985

  3.15

  1986

  3.01

  1987

  2.89

  1988

  2.67

  1989

  2.29

  1990

  2.20

  1991

  2.25

  1992

  2.08

  1993

  1.92

  The long-term decline in the consumption of shell eggs in households reflects a number of factors. Some of these —more eating out, lower energy requirements due to the switch to more sedentary occupations—affect total household food consumption while others, such as reductions in cooked breakfasts, home baking and high teas, will have particularly affected household consumption of eggs. The use of eggs within processed food products is, however, increasing.

  Fisheries Guidance
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date she expects to announce which parts of the new regulation relating to the financial instrument for fisheries guidance will be implemented in the United Kingdom.

  Occupier's net income on wholly owner-occupied farms1

  Year2

  England

  Wales

  Indices 4

  Indices 4

  £'000 Per farm

  Current prices

  Real terms5

  £'000 Per farm

  Current prices

  Real terms5

  1986–87

  12.0

  96

  123

  5.4

  69

  88

  1987–88

  12.5

  100

  123

  8.2

  105

  128

  1988–89

  12.6

  99

  114

  14.7

  158

  183

  1989–90

  14.1

  105

  113

  10.2

  113

  121

  10
  Mr. Jack
  We shall make an announcement when we have drawn conclusions, in the light of our consultations with all interested parties, on what range of measures will represent the best use of taxpayers' money in this area.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost of official entertaining in her Department in each year since 1990–91; if she will list the receptions held each year at her Department's expense; and what was the cost of each reception.

  Mr. Jack
  The following amounts have been spent on official hospitality in each year since 1990–91:

  £

  1990–91

  65,229.48

  1991–92

  89,014.54

  1992–93

  80,314.80

  1993–941

  76,401.59

  1 To end of February 1994.

  The total cost of official entertainment is included in the running cost expenditure for my Department, which is published every year in the annual report; the entertainment budget is used for a variety of functions, including receptions. Separate figures are not kept for individual functions.

  The principal items included in this expenditure were given on 27 October, Official Report, column 659.

  Farming Incomes
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average net annual income of farm owners in the United Kingdom in real and cash terms in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 23 March 1994]: Information is not available on the total income of farm owners. However, in the farm business survey conducted in each country of the United Kingdom, data on incomes of farm businesses are collected from a sample of 3,900 farms which are classified as full-time holdings. Results are not readily available for the United Kingdom as a whole, but the table provides information on occupier's net income for wholly owner-occupied farms in each of our four home countries. Year-to-year comparisons can best be made by reference to the indices shown in the tables in both current prices and real terms. These are based on constant samples of farms between consecutive years. The method of farm classification has been changed and results are available only on the new classification from 1986–87 onwards.
  11

  Year2

  England

  Wales

  Indices4

  Indices4

  £'000 per farm

  Current prices

  Real terms5

  £'000 Per farm

  Current prices

  Real terms5

  1990–91

  12.9

  93

  92

  7.4

  81

  79

  1991–92

  14.4

  102

  95

  11.4

  107

  100

  1992–93

  19.1

  121

  110

  14.6

  146

  132

  Scotland3

  Northern Ireland

  1986–87

  7.2

  59

  75

  3.1

  65

  81

  1987–88

  11.6

  95

  117

  9.1

  192

  231

  1988–89

  12.3

  98

  113

  9.2

  188

  215

  1989–90

  13.0

  108

  116

  7.2

  149

  158

  1990–91

  14.0

  108

  106

  3.0

  64

  62

  1991–92

  10.1

  84

  78

  4.9

  87

  80

  1992–93

  16.7

  146

  131

  9.1

  165

  147

  1 Occupier's net income represents the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and investment in the farm business.

  2 Accounting years end on average in February.

  3 Includes holdings which are both wholly and mainly owner-occupied.

  4 Average of 1989–90—1991–92 = 100.

  5 Deflated by the Retail Price Index.

  Brixham and South Devon Inshore Fishing Fleet
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will publish the name, size, type and home port of all the Brixham and south-west Devon inshore fishing vessels accepted to date as being eligible for decommissioning.

  Mr. Jack
  I am not able to publish information on individual vessels. However, of the 135 vessels decommissioned under the 1993 scheme, five were from Brixham and four from Plymouth. They ranged from 10 to 20 m in length and from nine to 42 gross registered tonnes. The majority were demersal trawlers.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement setting out the view of Her Majesty's Government on enlargement of the European Union and its consequences for the Brixham and south Devon inshore fishing fleet.

  Mr. Jack
  I set out the satisfactory outcome of the negotiations on fisheries between the European Union and Norway in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) on 22 March,Official Report, column 120. In that reply I explained that the common fisheries policy rules applying within the waters of the Twelve generally, and the special rules applying to Spain and Portugal under their accession treaty are unchanged by the agreement. With reference to access for in-shore fishing, the Norwegian treaty will make no changes, but it will contain a joint EU-Norway declaration undertaking to pay special attention to the interests of coastal communities when the Council decides the arrangements on access to waters within the 12-mile limit which are to apply after the year 2002.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on access by the Spanish fleet to the English channel; and what assessments she has made of its consequences for the Brixham and south Devon inshore fishing fleet.

  Mr. Jack
  Adjustments to the current restrictions on Spanish and Portuguese access to the waters and fisheries of the other 10 member states are for decision by the 12
  Council of Ministers. A proposal setting out the broad principles for the adjustment of Spanish and Portuguese fishing arrangements is before the Fisheries Council meeting on 12 April. Subsequently, detailed proposals are expected from the Commission within the next few months. In negotiations on them, I shall continue to promote United Kingdom fishing interests, including those of Brixham and south Devon fishermen.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his United States counterpart made available to Her Majesty's Government the United States proposals to enhance nuclear non-proliferation on the Indian sub-continent before they were put to India in March.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are in frequent contact with the United States Government on a range of non-proliferation issues, including nuclear non-proliferation in south Asia.

  Malta
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 478, what are the institutional problems which were identified in respect of Malta's application to join the EC.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer my hon. Friend to page 19 of the Commission opinion on Malta's application for membership, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. This lists the institutional problems in respect of Malta's application to join the EC as: the small number of Maltese officials with sufficient international experience to play a full part in the decision-making and operational processes of the Community institutions; the small size of the diplomatic corps and its inexperience in co-operating with other European countries; the difficulties Malta might have in taking on the Presidency; and the more general institutional problems that would be posed by the accession of Malta or any other applicant of a similar size. The Council endorsed the opinion in October 1993.

  EU Qualified Majority Voting
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration was given, before Her Majesty's Government agreed to the Maastricht treaty, to the implications of that treaty for qualified majority voting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Before agreeing to the Maastricht treaty, we considered in detail the implications of the treaty for the use of qualified majority voting. In particular, we satisfied ourselves that in areas such as foreign policy, where supreme national interests are at stake, unanimity would continue to apply.

  East Timor
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he and the European Union have been making to the Indonesian Government about the future of East Timor leader Xanana Gusmao.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have made representations to the Indonesian Government about the importance of International Committee of the Red Cross access to Gusmao, and his humane treatment while in detention.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) of 28 March,Official Report, column 544, if he will set out the criteria he adopts to evaluate the reliability of information sources on the number of deaths that have taken place in East Timor since the Indonesian takeover.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We understand that none of those who have quoted figures for the numbers killed in East Timor support their estimates with detailed recorded statistics.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Lewisham, East of 29 March,Official Report, column 617, what considerations led him to conclude that sanctions against Indonesia over East Timor's occupation will not be either (a) appropriate or (b) effective.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Sanctions would not, in our view, bring about a change in the circumstances of East Timor. We believe that the current dialogue between Indonesia and Portugal under the United Nations Secretary-General's auspices offers the best prospect for reaching agreement on a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable settlement on the future of the territory.

  North Korea
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on moves to bring the North Korean nuclear weapon issue to the United Nations Security Council; and what is the likely timetable in respect of such moves.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 24 March, the International Atomic Energy Agency director general reported on the most recent round of IAEA inspections in North Korea to 14
  the United Nations Security Council. After subsequent discussions, the President of the Security Council issued a statement on 31 March in which he called upon North Korea to allow IAEA inspectors full access to all of its declared nuclear facilities. The President also declared that further Security Council consideration of the issue would take place, if necessary, in order to achieve full implementation of North Korea's safeguards agreement.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the United Nations Security Council meeting on 31 March in connection with nuclear matters and North Korea; and what stance he took.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 31 March the President of the United Nations Security Council made a statement on North Korea, in which he called upon North Korea to allow IAEA inspectors access to all of its declared nuclear facilities, as previously agreed by North Korea on 15 February. The President also declared that further Security Council consideration of the matter would take place, if necessary, in order to achieve full implementation of North Korea's safeguards agreement. All members of the Security Council supported the statement.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is China's position in relation to the North Korean nuclear arms crisis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  China participated fully in the discussions within the United Nations Security Council which led to the presidential statement on this subject issued by the Council on 31 March.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council special meeting of 29 March.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There was no special meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 March.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining his Department's policy concerning recruitment in the United Kingdom of mercenaries for a foreign army at war with another state friendly with the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The recruitment of mercenaries in this country is always deplorable, and in some cases unlawful by reason of the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 which prohibits the recruitment of persons to serve with the forces of a foreign state at war with another foreign state which is at peace with the United Kingdom. Moreover, if any evidence came to light that British citizens recruited as mercenaries were engaged in illegal activities themselves, that evidence would be referred to the prosecuting authorities.

  Local Government Legislation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Acts of Parliament and Consolidation Acts affecting local government that have been introduced by his Department since 1990.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Departmental Building Refurbishment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 7 March,Official Report, columns 38-40, what was the total cost of the refurbishment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building at King Charles street, London SW1.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Between 1978 and the planned completion date in early 1997, the estimated total cost at today's prices is £100 million.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Sri Lanka in the past year.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We are in frequent contact with the Sri Lankan authorities on a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the authorities in Sri Lanka about human rights violations.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We regularly discuss our human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan authorities, most recently at the 50th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in March.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British high commissioner to Sri Lanka last visited Jaffna.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The British High Commissioner last visited Jaffna on 18 February 1993.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts Her Majesty's Government have had with Tamil political organisations(a) in Sri Lanka and (b) elsewhere in the last year.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have had regular contacts with representatives of a wide range of Tamil political opinion both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

  Occupied Territories
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decisions were made at the Palestinian-Israeli talks in Cairo about the establishing of an international observer corps in the occupied territories; which nations will be represented; how large it will be; and how it will be armed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Israel and the PLO have agreed to deploy in Hebron an international presence of 160 observers composed of personnel from Norway, Denmark 16
  and Italy. The observers will be lightly armed for self-defence, and will operate for an initial period of three months.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have been arrested by the Israeli forces in the occupied territories since the Hebron massacre.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No exact figures are available for the number of people arrested since the Hebron massacre. We have no evidence to suggest that the number of arrests has risen in this period.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, after the Cairo talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Britain has been asked for, or has offered, any assistance to support the peace process in the occupied territories.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have not been asked to contribute observers for the temporary international presence in Hebron agreed upon in Cairo by Israel and the PLO. We remain ready, together with our EU partners, to contribute to an international presence in the rest of the occupied territories if requested to by the parties.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific pressue he is putting on(a) the Israeli Government and (b) the PLO in respect of the peace process in the occupied territories.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our EU partners have urged on both sides the necessity of a speedy conclusion of the negotiations on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho, most recently in statements condemning the attacks in Afula and Ashdod on 6 and 7 April.

  Palestinian Police Force
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on co-ordinating the international contributions to the creation of a Palestinian police force.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A co-ordinating committee for international assistance to a Palestinian police force has been set up in Cairo, chaired by Norway and with the participation of the European Union.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pledges were made by the EU and the United Kingdom in Cairo on 24 March about the creation of a Palestinian police force.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom stated that we were providing 200 sets of riot control equipment and training courses in the United Kingdom for senior police officers. The European Union pledged $250,000 for training for municipal police, to form the basis for a larger project later.

  Luxembourg Compromise
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether vital interests within the terms of the Luxembourg compromise were at stake in the issue of 23 or 27 vote at the Ioannina meeting.
  17
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Luxembourg compromise was not applicable to the issue of 23 or 27 votes at the Ionnina meeting. The Luxembourg compromise refers to the case of"decisions which may be taken by majority vote".

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Luxembourg compromise enables Britain to prevent a decision being made in any case which is vital to Britain's interests and where qualified majority voting applies.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  If the United Kingdom believed that, on an issue of very important national interest, it was in danger of being outvoted because qualified majority voting applied, it could invoke the Luxembourg compromise. In accordance with this, the members of the Council would then continue discussion until agreement was reached on a solution which could be adopted by all member states.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government's policy was in 1990 on the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspection of Iraq's nuclear installations; and what it is currently.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our policy in 1990 was to support IAEA inspection activities in Iraq under the terms of its fullscope safeguards agreement.

  Since the Gulf war and the adoption of Security Council Resolution 687 in April 1991, we have supported, and will continue to support, the United Nations Special Commission and the IAEA in their task of destroying or removing all of Iraq's nuclear weapons-usable material and ensuring that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programme cannot be regenerated.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the sending of United Nations inspection and observer teams to the marshlands of Iraq and southern Iraq to monitor human rights violations there.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Iraq is continuing to refuse access to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iraq and United Nations human rights monitors, contrary to resolutions on the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The Commission recently requested the Secretary-General to send human rights monitors to neighbouring countries. We will continue to press Iraq to allow monitors to enter the country.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest information about the transfer of the Moroccan civilian population to the Western Sahara; and what representations he is making at the United Nations on this matter.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no reliable information about such movement of the civilian population.

  We welcomed the Secretary-General's latest report. We fully support the proposal that the Identification Commission should complete the analysis of all
  18
  applications received and proceed with the identification and registration of all potential voters in the referendum on the Western Sahara, on the basis of the Secretary-General's compromise proposals.

  Military Nuclear Powers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries are military nuclear powers; which other countries are thought to have mastered the necessary technology; and which other countries are thought to be pursuing military nuclear power status.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The nuclear non-proliferation treaty, which came into force in 1970, recognises the existence of five nuclear weapon states: the United Kingdom, United States, France, China and the Russian Federation. The remaining 159 parties to the NPT are non-nuclear weapon states. We expect all of these states to abide by their treaty obligation not to develop nuclear weapons. We urge those 27 states which have yet to accede to the NPT to do so at the earliest possible date.

  Nuclear Capability
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the difference in meaning between the terms "sub-strategic" and "tactical" as used by his Department.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  When applied to the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons, both terms refer to a capability of carrying out an action more limited than a strategic strike, as a means of inducing an aggressor to cease aggression without triggering strategic nuclear exchanges.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the nuclear device exploded by India in 1974 is considered by Her Majesty's Government to be a strategic or sub-strategic nuclear capability.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no evidence on which to base a firm conclusion on the nature of the event in question.

  Nuclear Capability
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether North Korea is considered by Her Majesty's Government to be pursuing a strategic or sub-strategic nuclear capability.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no direct evidence that North Korea has developed a nuclear weapons capability. However, as a result of North Korea's consistent failure to co-operate fully with its IAEA safeguards agreement, the agency's director general has stated that he cannot conclude that nuclear material has not been diverted for military use in North Korea. We urge North Korea to respond positively to the statement issued by the President of the United Nations Security Council on 31 March and to comply fully with its safeguards agreement and affirm permanent commitment to the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the nuclear threat
  19
  posed by Israeli possession of nuclear weapons would be considered by Her Majesty's Government to be strategic or sub-strategic.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no direct evidence that Israel has developed a nuclear weapons programme, though we take seriously reports that Israel has such a programme. We believe that Israel should allay suspicions about her nuclear progamme by acceding to the non-proliferation treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state, and by concluding a full scope safeguards agreement with the IAEA.

  Biological Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits by the United Kingdom personnel to sites in Russia under the United States-United Kingdom-Russian trilateral agreement on biological weapons of September 1992.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Kingdom and United States experts have visited five non-military biological sites in Russia since the trilateral agreement between the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia was concluded in September 1992. The first visit was made in November 1992, followed by visits in September 1993 and January 1994.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what computer systems his Department has brought in, for what function and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case whether the computer system is still in use.

  Mr. Goodlad
  During the last five years the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has brought in computer systems to enable FCO staff at home and overseas to carry out their work more effectively. Typical uses are for political, management, aid, commercial, consular, accounts and information work. A large number of these systems are still in use but will be replaced in the normal computer replacement cycle of five to seven years as they become obsolete.

  The total cost for each of the last five years starting in financial year 1989–90 was—£'000—2,778, 7,078, 15,072, 19,063, and 17,526.

  European Agreements
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether all agreements between member state Governments of the European Communities and the European Commission require formal extension on the appointment of a new European Commission.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. The need to extend an agreement would depend on the nature of the agreement.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers in his Department were approached to sign public interest immunity certificates in connection with the Matrix Churchill trial and declined to do so.
  20
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones), the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, signed a public interest immunity certificate and a supplemental certificate in relation to the case Commissioners of Customs and Excise v. Henderson, Abraham and Allen. He was the only Minister in this Department invited to sign a certificate in this case.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries are represented, with what numbers of troops, in Somalia at the present time; what changes are planned for the rest of the current year; and in what parts of Somalia each of these military forces are serving.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  At 21 March 1994 UNOSOM II was made up of the following contingents:

  Country

  Strength

  Australia

  54

  Bangladesh

  978

  Belgium

  4

  Botswana

  342

  Canada

  5

  Egypt

  1,680

  Greece

  2

  India

  4,969

  Ireland

  83

  Italy

  788

  Korea

  3

  Kuwait

  120

  Malaysia

  1,065

  Morocco

  1,359

  Nepal

  313

  New Zealand

  49

  Nigeria

  659

  Norway

  26

  Pakistan

  5,697

  Romania

  231

  Saudi Arabia

  150

  Tunisia

  1

  UAE

  317

  USA

  7

  Zimbabwe

  1,082

  TOTAL

  19,883

  Most west European troop contributors, except Ireland, either withdrew their contingents or, in the case of Greece, scaled them down to a minimal presence before the end of March 1994. The Saudi Arabians have also withdrawn their contingents. In addition, Morocco and United Arab Republic are expected to withdraw their contingents by the end of April 1994.

  Some 1,550 additional Pakistani troops and 250 Indonesian troops are expected to deploy to Somalia by the end of April 1994, which will bring the total to 19,225. Given the current flux in troop movements, the United Nations is not able to give up-to-date details on the location of each contingent.

  Paul Goodall
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received regarding the detention and trial of Abdul Hadi al Gahtari currently held in jail in Zenica, central Bosnia for the murder of Paul Goodall, a driver working for the United Nations.
  21
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are aware of newspaper reports that Mr. al Gahtari has escaped from police custody. We have asked the Bosnian authorities to look into these allegations as a matter of urgency. We have raised this case with the Bosnian authorities on a number of occasions, most recently when a Foreign Office official visited Sarajevo on 29 March. We have also been in touch via the Bosnian embassy in London and our missions in Geneva. We have reminded the Bosnian Government of our concern that their investigations into the murder of Mr. Goodall should be taken forward quickly and those responsible brought to justice. The Overseas Development Administration has been in contact with the judicial authorities in Zenica and has engaged the services of a local lawyer to represent the interests of Mr. Goodall's family.

  Consultants
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information technology consultants his Department has employed, for what purpose and at what total cost for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Information technology consultants have been employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to provide expertise not available within the Department on a range of subjects. They have been used to give specialist advice on IT strategy development, communications, cabling, software development and support, project management, systems analysis, contingency planning, procurement and management information systems.

  The total cost for each of the past five years starting in financial year 1989–90 was—£'000—1,744, 2,964, 3,412, 4,688 and 5,156.

  European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state, in respect of each of the undertakings announced by the Prime Minister in his oral statement of 29 March,Official Report, columns 797-99, concerning the assent of Her Majesty's Government to the draft treaty on enlargement of the European Community and Union (a) in which document they are recorded and on whose authority, (b) where they may be obtained or examined, (c) if they are to be incorporated in whole or part in the draft treaty and (d) the nature of the additional post-statement communication from the European Commission to which he referred in his oral answer to the hon. Member for Newham, South of 30 March, Official Report, column 921.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The undertakings in the social field announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement of 29 March were oral assurances and are not recorded in a document. They will not therefore be incorporated, in whole or in part, in the draft treaty. The additional confirmation from the Commission to which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary referred in his oral answer on 30 March took the form of contacts between his office and the office of Mr. Delors.

  Lockerbie Air Crash
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the response of the Arab League to the Libyan proposal that the two suspects in the Lockerbie incident be tried before the International Court of Justice in the Hague with Scottish judges sitting on the bench applying Scottish law; and what is now his policy on the suggestion.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Following its ministerial meeting in Cairo on 26 to 27 March, the Arab League issued a resolution urging the Security Council to consider this proposal.

  Our policy on the suggestion was set out in a written reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 8 February 1994, Official Report, column 135.

  Morocco
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government will make to the Moroccan Government to urge them to continue the United Nations-sponsored dialogue begun on 17 July 1993.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We will continue to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General in the implementation of the United Nations settlement plan.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Moroccan Government concerning the disappearance of Saharawi people in the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We were pleased to note the appointment of a Minister for Human Rights in Morocco last November. The Moroccan Government are aware of the importance we attach to human rights and we, together with our European Union partners, will urge them to continue the process of reform.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money Her Majesty's Government have spent financing the United Nations monitoring organisation MINURSO—the mission for the referendum in Western Sahara; and what benefits this has brought to United Kingdom taxpayers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has paid $8,265,226—£5.5 million—in United Nations-assessed contributions to MINURSO since the operation began in September 1991. In addition, the costs of the United Kingdom military contribution, withdrawn in October 1993, were: financial year 1991–92: £71,600; financial year 1992–93: £815,000; financial year 1993–94: £310,000.

  A solution to the conflict in Western Sahara would enhance stability in the region, ease humanitarian suffering and offer potential international trade opportunities. All parties regard MINURSO's presence as instrumental to achieving an eventual settlement, hence the participation in the operation of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Venezuela and, until the United Kingdom withdrawal, all five permanent members of the Security Council.
  23
  United Nations peacekeeping is an international obligation of member states, and is resourced according to internationally recognised criteria based upon national income.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pressure Her Majesty's Government have put on the Moroccan Government since the ceasefire on 6 September.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Moroccan Government are aware of our wish to see progress towards the implementation of the United Nations settlement plan. We will maintain our position of strict neutrality in the dispute and continue to support the United Nations Secretary-General in his efforts to resolve outstanding problems, particularly those concerning identification and registration of those eligible to vote in the referendum.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government will be making to the Moroccan Government during the forthcoming signing of the GATT agreement concerning the abuse of human rights.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Reception, Santiago
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to Her Majesty's Government of the reception at the British embassy in Santiago attended by Lady Thatcher.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  About £1,400.

  "The European Elections"
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of production and distribution of the pamphlet now being sent to the electorate entitled "The European Elections"; and what contribution to the cost was made from European Community funds.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Production and initial distribution costs amounted to £35,281. This covered the design, the printing of 100,000 copies and the mailing of 38,230 copies. An existing freephone facility is being used to respond to requests for further copies. Each request incurs a postage and handling charge which varies according to the number of booklets involved. Due to demand, a reprint of 150,000 copies has now been ordered at a cost of £11,007. European Comunity funds were not involved.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times General Pinochet has visited the British embassy in Santiago since 1990; and how many other meetings he has held either with embassy staff and officials or at which the embassy was represented over the same period.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  General Pinochet attended a recent reception in honour of Lady Thatcher at our ambassador's residence, but has never visited the embassy.

  Our ambassador called on General Pinochet, who is commander in chief of the army, during his initial courtesy calls. His predecessor paid one similar call.
  24
  Our defence attaché has met General Pinochet twice in the course of routine duties.

  Stability Pact (Inaugural Conference)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a date has been fixed for the inaugural conference of the stability pact to be convened in Paris by the European Union according to the decisions taken at the European Council in Brussels on 10-11 December 1993; which Ministers will represent the United Kingdom; and what the agenda will be at that conference.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The inaugural conference of the stability pact will be held in Paris from 26 to 27 May 1994 at Foreign Minister level. All countries which participate in CSCE meetings will be invited. United Kingdom representation has still to be decided. The agenda for the conference has not yet been finalised; preparations are continuing in consultation with a wide range of countries.

  European Communities Act 1972
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask Parliament to ammend article 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to make inapplicable, in the United Kingdom, without consent of Parliament, any decision of the EEC to which the United Kingdom is opposed.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. To amend article 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in this manner would put the United Kingdom in breach of its international treaty obligations.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current military situation in Sierra Leone and its effect on displaced people and refugees and the work of aid agencies, with particular reference to British agencies in the country.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The recent intensification of attacks by rebels in the east and south-east of the country has forced the movement of rural inhabitants into larger towns and camps. On 12 March a convoy of clearly-marked Catholic mission and hospital vehicles was ambushed, and an Irish priest, a Dutch doctor and his family were killed. As a result, most British aid agencies have withdrawn expatriate workers from the area. At least one agency has withdrawn both expatriate and local staff.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a direct contribution to the funds of political parties in Mozambique for political training and the development of political structures.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: The Rome peace accords, endorsed by the international community, envisaged assistance to allow RENAMO to participate in the elections as an essential step towards democracy.

  We propose to help with the democratic process in Mozambique by contributing £500,000 to the United

  25
  Nations trust fund for the implementation of the peace process in Mozambique. Our contribution is subject to confirmation of the agreement of the Government of Mozambique. Several other major donors are already contributing.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Premature Mortality
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the latest studies funded by the Economic and Social Research Council of causes of premature mortality related to(a) environmental pollution, (b) deprived material conditions of work and (c) other forms of material deprivation.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The latest studies funded by the Economic and Social Research Council of causes of premature mortality related to(a) environmental pollution, (b) deprived material conditions of work and (c) other forms of material deprivation are as follows:

  a. Environmental Pollution
  The Effects of Warmer Winters on Morbidity and Mortality in Great Britain;
  Climate Change Melanoma Risk and Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation.
  Climate Change and Human Health: A Review;
  Climate Change and the Incidence and Costs of Food Poisoning in England and Wales.
  ESRC-funded Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (co-located at University College London and the University of East Anglia).

  b. Deprived Material Conditions of Work
  There are no projects specifically dealing with the relation between mortality and deprived conditions of work although employment is an aspect of much of the more general research on deprivation and mortality which is listed under (c).

  c. Other Forms of Material Deprivation
  The Health of an Invisible Minority: The Irish in Britain Liverpool University
  Income Distribution and National Mortality Rates
  Sussex University, Centre for Medical Research
  "Deprivation" Indicators: Stability and Reliability over Locality and Lifecycle
  City University
  Influence of Geographical Setting on Social Differences in Health
  University of London
  Limiting Long Term Illness: Geographical Inequalities and Their Associations
  University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences
  Health Inequalities Between Women and Their Families City University
  Health and Social Circumstances from Birth to Mid-Life London: Institute of Child Health
  The Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities Policy Studies Institute
  26
  A Comparison of Women's Health Concerns in Four Societies: A Feasibility Study.

  In addition to the above studies funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, further work is also being financed by the Medical Research Council on issues referred to in this parliamentary question. The Department of Health and the universities may also be funding some research which may be relevant.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the latest studies funded by the Medical Research Council of causes of premature mortality related to(a) environmental pollution, (b) deprived material conditions of work and (c) other forms of material deprivation.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The latest studies funded by the Medical Research Council of causes of premature mortality related to(a) environmental pollution, (b) deprived material conditions of work and (c) other forms of material deprivation are as follows:

  (a) Environmental Pollution
  The MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit in Southampton:

  (i) Carcinogenicity of pesticides and styrene.

  (ii) exposure to aluminium in drinking water and possible association with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

  The MRC Cell Mutation Unit (University of Sussex, Brighton, and the MRC Toxicology Unit in Leicester jointly):
  Mutant frequency in individuals exposed to petrochemicals as a result of the Braer oil spillage.

  (b) Deprived Material Conditions of Work

  The MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit in Southampton:

  (i) the possible association between the risk of leukaemia and lymphoma and father's occupational exposure to radiation.

  (ii) The possible link between papillomavirus and lung cancer in butchers.

  (iii) the relation of mortality to specific aspects of work in submariners.

  (iv) whether exposure to mineral acid mists poses an important risk to health.

  (v) incidence of cancer in molecular biology research workers.

  (vi) mortality and cancer incidence of workers from a paper mill.

  (vii) respiratory disease in radiographers.

  (viii) national analysis of occupational mortality.

  The MRC Cell Mutation Unit (University of Sussex, Brighton)Mutant frequencies in workers exposed to low levels of radiation in the nuclear industry.

  The MRC Radiobiology Unit The effects of alpha radiation on haemopoietic stem cells in the context of radiation leukaemogenesis.

  The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine Possible explanations for the observation that civil servants in the lowest grades have higher levels of heart disease, chronic bronchitis, diabetes and other illnesses.

  c) Other Forms of Material Deprivation

  The MRC Cell Mutation Unit (University of Sussex, Brighton)Mutant frequency in the parents of children who have developed leukaemia.

  MRC Medical Sociology Unit in Glasgow The differences in morbidity and mortality at the national level between areas of residence.

  Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Gibson Laboratories, Oxford An investigation of cancer mortality in the vicinity of nuclear establishments in England and Wales.

  The H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol—
  27
  MRC supported research

  Possible links between exposure to domestic radon and various non-lung cancers.

  In addition to the above studies funded by the Medical Research Council, further work is also being financed by the Economic and Social Research Council on issues referred to in this parliamentary question. The Department of Health and universities may also be funding some research which may be relevant.

  Charter Forums
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the dates and venues of meetings of the charter forums and the number of people who attended.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Date

  Venue

  1Attendance

  21 June 1993

  Manchester

  226

  5 July 1993

  Birmingham

  190

  12 October 1993

  Newcastle

  174

  15 October 1993

  Bristol

  163

  2 November 1993

  Nottingham

  144

  9 November 1993

  Cardiff

  163

  24 November 1993

  Southampton

  155

  20 December 1993

  Edinburgh

  286

  10 March 1994

  Leeds

  148

  1 Registered audience. Totals exclude forum organisers and Cabinet Office staff who attended.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration he gave to the implication for parliamentary questions in preparing his revised draft code of practice on Government information section XV.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The code of practice on access to Government information has no implications for the practice of the House concerning parliamentary questions. The draft code published in Cm 2290 included in exemption (xv) a reference to information which could not be sought in a parliamentary question. This has been dropped in the final version of the code, which I announced on 29 March Official Report, columns 608–9. Many members of the public using the code will not be familiar with parliamentary practice on admissibility of questions as described in "Erskine May". Furthermore, the code covers requests for information which may be addressed directly to non-ministerial departments and public bodies, in respect of which the rules on admissibility would be irrelevant.

  Civil Estate
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the results of the Efficiency Unit's multi-departmental scrutiny of the management of the Government's civil estate.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am currently considering the report of the scrutiny with my colleagues and will announce the Government's conclusions as soon as possible.

  NHS Estate
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the efficiency unit has to scrutinise the management of the NHS estate.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The efficiency unit has been consulted about the current three-year review of the NHS Estates Agency, but plans no efficiency scrutiny in this area.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total cost of official entertaining in his Department in each year since April 1992; if he will list the receptions held in each year at his Department's expense; and what was the cost of each reception.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Expenditure on official entertaining in 1992–93 and between April 1993 and February 1994 was as follows:

  1992–93 £

  April 1993 to February 1994 £

  Cabinet Office/Office of Public Service and Science (excluding the Prime Minister's Office)

  199,000

  47,300

  COI

  4,640

  5,680

  HMSO2

  16,000

  21,950

  1 Includes £59,000 relating to the launch of Chessington Computer Centre as an executive agency.

  2 Figures for HMSO cover the calendar years 1992 and 1993.

  The entertainment budget is used for a variety of functions including receptions. Separate figures for individual functions are not kept centrally.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what computer systems his Department have brought in, for what function, and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case if the computer system is still in use.

  Mr. David Davis
  My department has no computer systems which are common to the whole of OPSS and its associated agencies. Networked office automation systems are, however, widely implemented across the Department. Costs for these systems, for the last five years, are as follows:

  £ million

  1989–90

  0.9

  1990–91

  1.9

  1991–92

  2.3

  1992–93

  3.0

  1993–94

  1.2

  The figures above incorporate the total IT systems expenditure by OPSS Agencies. The cost of systems to support more specific business functions in the agencies, such as recruitment, training, financial management and payroll are therefore included.

  Approximate figures for the Central Office of Information are:
  29

  £

  1989–90

  464,000

  1990–91

  411,000

  1991–92

  95,000

  1992–93

  110,000

  1993–94

  79,000

  All of the above systems are still in use, although many have been upgraded and enhanced during the period in question.

  Costs for information technology systems for HMSO are not readily available because of the decentralised nature of their operations.

  Consultants
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information technology consultants his Department has employed in each of the last five years; for what purpose; and at what total cost.

  Mr. David Davis
  My department has placed a large number of information technology consultancy contracts during the last five years. It is impossible to give a brief summary; I will however write to the hon. Member.

  I regret that the costs of IT consultancy are not separately identifiable within my Department's overall expenditure on consultancy and related services.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Staff
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee (1) what is the limit on the number of passes hon. Members can have for their staff; when this was agreed; and if the Administration Committee will now review the number;

  (2) what appeal an hon. Member has if an additional staff pass is refused by the Serjeant at Arms.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  On 30 January 1989 the House agreed to recommendations contained in the Second Report from the House of Commons Services Committee of Session 1987–88 that, in general, no Member should be entitled to apply for a photo-identity pass for more than three individual members of their personal staff; and that those limits should not be transferable. Any appeal against those rules should be submitted to the Administration Committee. The Committee has no immediate plans to review these arrangements.

  Telephone Facilities
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee (1) if he will call for a report into why it was impossible to ring central Liverpool from the House on Tuesday 29 March; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) for how long the telephone connection between the House and central Liverpool was unavailable on Tuesday 29 March; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I have been asked to reply. This is a matter for the Communications Manager.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what were the 10 most expensive answers to parliamentary questions answered in the past 10 years for which calculations have been made; and what was their total cost.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 1 February 1994]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

PRIME MINISTER

  Birmingham
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit the city of Birmingham.

  The Prime Minister
  As part of my programme of regional tours to all parts of the country I had the pleasure of visiting Birmingham only yesterday.

  Efficiency Unit
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister how many hours per week his adviser on efficiency spends on matters(a) relating to work of the Efficiency Unit and (b) relating to competition and purchasing.

  The Prime Minister
  The time my adviser devotes to matters relating to efficiency scrutinies on the one hand and competition and purchasing on the other, and the split between the two, depends on the matters which arise or are referred to him for advice.

  European Community Treaties (Veto)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer following his statement on 29 March,Official Report, column 806, if he will list each of the extant treaties of the European Community and cite the relevant articles therein that provide Her Majesty's Government with veto powers other than those linked to the Luxembourg declaration.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom effectively has a veto in areas where decisions are taken by unanimity. Unanimity applies under the following articles of the treaty of Rome, as amended by subsequent treaties:

  Article

  8a

  99

  1091.5

  157

  198b

  8b

  100

  121

  159

  201

  8e

  100c

  128

  165

  209

  14.7

  103a.1

  130

  166

  217

  51

  103a.2

  130b

  168a.2

  223

  57.2

  104c.14

  130d

  168a.4

  227

  70

  105.6

  130i

  188

  228.2

  73c(2)

  106.5

  130o

  188b

  235

  75.3

  109.1

  130s

  189a

  —

  76

  109f.7

  136

  194

  —

  93.2

  1091.4

  145

  198a

  —

  Kashmir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what requests he has made in his recent dicussions with the Indian Prime Minister for an all-party delegation of hon. Members to be allowed to visit the Indian-administered area of Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
  31
  The Prime Minister
  I discussed the issue of access to Kashmir in general terms with the Indian Prime Minister when I met him on 14 March. I welcome the recent visit to Kashmir by some United Kingdom parliamentarians. We have frequently urged the Indian Government to allow visits by independent observers and human rights groups to Kashmir.

  Darwin Initiative
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of the funds so far allocated as part of his Darwin initiative meet the recommendation of his advisory committee that projects are carried out in co-operation with local people.

  The Prime Minister
  There are currently 53 projects being funded under the Darwin initiative in almost 40 countries. All the projects involve collaboration with local universities and institutions, conservation organisations or individuals.

  Lockerbie Air Crash
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the basis of evidence available to Her Majesty's Government in relation to alleged Libyan involvement in the destruction of Pan Am 103, which has provided the foundation on which the Secretary of State for Scotland has initiated legal action against the insurers of Pan Am in relation to alleged negligence at the Rhein-Main airport in Frankfurt.

  The Prime Minister
  The civil action is against Pan American World Airways Inc. for damage to the A74 at Lockerbie caused by the destruction of its aircraft. The action is concerned with alleged negligence by Pan American World Airways Inc. and not with alleged Libyan involvement in the destruction of the aircraft. The action is currently being settled.

  Tigris and Euphrates Valleys
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what medical advice has gone to Her Majesty's Government from agencies of the United Nations and Medecins sans Frontieres about malnutrition-related disease, the lack of pharmaceuticals and the shortage of water-pump and water-filter equipment in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

  The Prime Minister
  We receive general reports on the humanitarian needs in Iraq from the United Nations agencies and others, although not from Medecins Sans Frontieres. I understand that researchers' attempts to assess nutrition in Iraq have been hampered by a lack of reliable data.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 April.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 April.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Prime Minister how many political advisers were employed by Cabinet Ministers in each year since 1979; and what was the cost of these advisers in constant 1994 prices.

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested has not been collected centrally at regular intervals. Information available on the number of special advisers, including expert advisers' total pay bills and aggregate figures, is as follows:

  Table 1: Number of special advisers

  As at:

  March 1994

  39

  May 1993

  42

  November 1992

  38

  November 1991

  39

  October 1990

  33

  October 1989

  31

  July 1988

  30

  Table 2: Cost of special advisers

  As at:

  1Paybill £million

  21993–94 prices £million

  March 1994

  1.38

  1.38

  June 1993

  1.37

  1.42

  September 1992

  1.30

  1.37

  September 1991

  1.10

  1.23

  July 1990

  0.95

  1.12

  June 1989

  0.93

  1.22

  September 1988

  0.74

  1.02

  1 Not including ERNIC and other personnel overheads

  2 Calculated using the GDP deflator

  Lords Lieutenant
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, column 803, (1) how much is paid from public funds to lords lieutenant towards the cost of their ceremonial uniform;

  (2) how much is paid from public funds to lords lieutenant towards the cost of their ceremonial uniforms.

  The Prime Minister
  In 1993 the total contribution paid from public funds to lords lieutenant on appointment towards the cost of their ceremonial uniforms was £4,952.07. In 1992 the figure was £6,932.50.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to advertise vacancies as and when they arise for lords lieutenant and deputy lords lieutenant in the relevant regional and local press.

  The Prime Minister
  No. Lords lieutenant are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on my advice under Crown prerogative. The choice of deputy lieutenants lies in the hands of the lords lieutenant.

  Official Gifts
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report column 788, if he will give a breakdown of the £18,385 spent on official gifts in 1993 giving a description and the recipient.

  The Prime Minister
  A range of small gifts were given to a large number of individuals for official purposes.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) of 29 March,Official Report, column 794, who is the right hon. Friend to whom he makes reference.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister whether all documents requested by Lord Justice Scott from Ministers or departmental officials have now been provided to the inquiry.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes, although a number of oral hearings are scheduled to take place in May and the provison of further documents and material to the inquiry will continue.

  EU Rights and Objectives
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Foreign Office in asserting British interests in Europe and defending the British case in conflicts over EU rights and objectives.

  The Prime Minister
  I have every confidence in the ability of the Foreign Office to further British interests in Europe.

  British Manufacturing and Research Company
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Prime Minister which departments or Government agencies hold papers or records relating to the affairs of the British Manufacturing and Research Company.

  The Prime Minister
  Records of this company are held by Companies House, an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  General Election
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to ensure that a general election will occur if a Prime Minister resigns or is defeated in a party leadership contest.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  EC Commission
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement on 29 March,Official Report, columns 797–98, whether he will publish (a) the text of the oral or written assurances given by the Commission that proposals under the social chapter will not embrace in any way people or organisations in the United Kingdom and (b) the text of any Council of Ministers declaration that it is under a legal and binding obligation to seek agreement on the basis of a minority of at least 23 votes.

  The Prime Minister
  On(a), I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the hon.
  34
  Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 30 March. On (b), the text of the Council decision on qualified majority voting has already been deposited in the House.

TREASURY

  Listed Building Repairs (VAT)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter the rate of value added tax on repairs to listed buildings; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  We have no plans to change the present rate of VAT of 17½ per cent. on repairs to listed buildings.

  Bank Auditors
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times in 1990, 1991 and 1992 bank auditors notified the Bank of England of suspected fraud and irregularities.

  Mr. Nelson
  The term "suspected fraud and irregularities" is capable of being interpreted in different ways. But on the basis of a reasonable interpretation, the Bank of England advises that the number of notifications in those years was as follows:

  Number

  1990

  2

  1991

  3

  1992

  0

  I cannot, of course, comment on the details of any particular supervisory case as such information is covered by part V of the Banking Act 1987.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the organisations and individuals who have been asked, since June 1992, to submit names of individuals to be considered for appointments to paid and unpaid posts for which a Minister has to approve the
  person or shortlist for the appointment.

  Mr. Nelson
  The following organisations have been asked, since June 1992, to submit names of individuals to be considered for appointments to paid and unpaid posts for which a Minister has to approve the person or shortlist for the appointment:

  Public Appointments Unit

  Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee

  Royal Mint Advisory Committee

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

  Chartered Association of Certified Accountants

  Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

  Institute of Actuaries

  The Law Society

  The Law Society of Northern Ireland

  The Law Society of Scotland

  Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association

  Securities and Investments Board

  Bank of England

  Investment Management Regulatory Organisation

  Securities and Futures Authority

  Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation

  Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

  35

  Insurance Brokers Registration Council

  Cabinet Office

  UK Federation of Business and Professional Women

  City Women's Network

  National Federation of Independent Financial Advisers Ltd.

  Life Insurance Association

  Association of British Insurers

  British Insurance and Investment Brokers Association

  IFA Promotion

  Institute of Insurance Brokers

  Association of Unit Trusts and Investment Funds

  British Bankers Association

  Building Societies Association

  Building Societies Commission

  Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each appointment for which a Minister has to approve the appointment or shortlist for the appointment, showing for each appointment(a) which Minister exercises the responsibility, (b) the salary, if any, attached to the post, (c) the term of the appointment and (d) the person currently appointed to the post.

  Mr. Nelson
  The following list covers each appointment for which a Minister has to approve the appointment or shortlist for the appointment detailing(a) which Minister exercises the responsibility; (b) the salary; (c) the term of the appointment; and (d) the person(s) currently holding the post(s):

  Treasury Trove Reviewing Committee:

  (a) Chief Secretary;

  (b) No salary;

  (c) Five years;

  (d) Professor J. D. Evans

  Mr. D. Sellwood

  Mr. J. A. Och

  Mr. P. Finn

  Central Statistical Office Management Board:

  (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer;

  (b) £3,500 per annum;

  (c) Two years;

  (d) Mrs. M. Berg;

  Mr. P. Thornton

  Central Statistical Office Advisory Committee:

  (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer;

  (b) No salary;

  (c) 2 years;

  (d) Mr. D. Wroe

  Mr. D. A. Jones

  Mr. A. Armstrong

  Sir S. Brittan

  Mr. R. Brown

  Mr. J. Calder

  Mr. A. Chanbraine

  Dr. C. Cosgrove

  Mr. L. Cousins

  Mr. S. Jukes

  Mr. M. King

  Prof. D. Lievesley

  Prof. D. Mayes

  Mr. C. Mowl

  Mrs. B. Rosewell

  Dr. A. Sentance

  Dr. J. Whitley

  Mrs. A. Wright

  Royal Mint Management Board:

  (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer;

  (b) £4,500 per annum;

  (c) 3 years;

  (d) Mr. S. Cameron

  Mr. S. Taylor

  Ms G. Burg, CBE

  36
  Royal Mint Advisory Committee:

  (a) Her Majesty the Queen on the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recommendation in his capacity as Master of the Mint;

  (b) No salary;

  (c) 7 years;

  (d) HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

  Marchioness of Anglesey

  Professor E. Arthur Bell

  Mrs. Philomena Davison Davis

  Sir Hugh Casson

  Dr. Christopher Challis

  Mr. Mark Jones

  Sir John Hale

  Michael Harvey

  Professor Bryan Kneale

  John Porteous

  Dr. Conrad Swan

  National Savings Board:

  (a) Myself;

  (b) No salary;

  (c) 1 year;

  (d) Mr. R. Heape

  Mr. M. St. Giles

  Public Works Loan Board

  (a) Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister who is advised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer;

  (b) No salary;

  (c) 4 years;

  (d) Sir R. Dent, KCVO

  Miss F. M. Cook

  Miss V. J. Di Palma, OBE

  Mr. G. Ross Russell

  Mr. P. Brackfield

  Mr. D. Adams

  Mr. R. A. Chapman

  Mr. A. Morton

  Mr. G. G. Williams

  Mr. R. G. Tettenborn

  Mr. J. E. Scotford, CBE

  Mr. A. Gillespie

  Financial Services Tribunal:

  (a) Treasury appointments agreed by myself;

  (b) Daily rate of £291 for Chairmen and £215 for members;

  (c) 3 years;

  (d) Mr. J. M. Bowers

  Mr. D. Campbell

  Mr. P. E. Heim

  Mr. E. C. Woods

  Mr. A. Gordon

  Mr. J. E. Drummond Young

  Mr. K. A. Blundell

  Mr. W. M. Carson

  Mr. P. G. Green

  Mr. G. C. Grover

  Mr. J. L. Kirkpatrick

  Mr. A. F. Lamb

  Mr. H. G. Littlefair

  Sir James McKinnon

  Mr. A. W. Mallinson

  Mr. W. O'Farrell

  Mr. J. B. Page

  Mr. R. C. Ritchie

  Mr. R. P. Wilkinson

  Mr. G. Willetts

  Mr. P. D. Williams

  Mr. H. Woods

  Building Societies Commissioners:

  (a) Treasury appointments agreed by myself;

  (b) £17,750 per annum;

  (c) Normally 3 years;

  (d) Mr. H. R. C. Walden, CBE

  Mr. F. E. Worsley

  Mr. G. Sunderland

  Mr. N. Fox-Bassett

  Sir J. Birrell

  37
  Friendly Societies Commissioners:

  (a) Treasury appointments agreed by myself;

  (b) £12,700 per annum;

  (c) Normally 3 years;

  (d) Mr. A. Wilson

  Mr. J. A. Geddes

  Mr. P. E. Couse

  Dr. J. Dine

  Value Added Tax Tribunals:

  (a) Paymaster General;

  (b) £141 fee per day;

  (c) 3 years (1 year if over 70);

  (d) Mrs. E. R. Adams Mr. J. Adrian

  Ms Caroline S. De Albuquerque

  Mr. M. H. Allan

  Mr. G. K. Armstrong

  Mr. R. Asbridge

  Mrs. V. Ashcroft

  Mr. R. W. Atkinson

  Dr. Norma R. Ball

  Mr. J. D. D. Bates

  Mr. L. H. Berry

  Mr. R. S. Boddington

  Mr. R. Bridge

  Mr. V. R. V. Brindley

  Mr. A. B. Brown

  Mr. A. E. Brown

  Mr. G. Burnison

  Mrs. B. M. Burrell

  Mr. J. A. Byrne

  Mrs. M. A. T. Calvert

  Mr. F. E. T. Card

  Mr. J. Carew

  Mr. K. Chambers

  Mr. R. Chant

  Mr. A. H. Charlesworth

  Mr. R. E. Cockfield

  Mr. I. Condie

  Mr. B. Coode

  Mr. R. D. Corke

  Mr. A. N. Craven

  Mr. R. L. H. Crawford

  Mr. J. D. Crerar

  Mr. J. S. Cullen

  Mr. J. P. M. Denny

  Miss V. J. Di Palma

  Mr. K. S. Dugdale

  Mr. J. B. Dynes

  Mrs. S. Edmondson

  Mr. M. Farooq

  Mr. H. W. M. Fiske

  Mr. G. Gallon

  Mr. C. B. H. Gill

  Mr. J. M. Gilliat

  Mr. W. Graves

  Mr. R. G. Grice

  Mr. D. P. Harris

  Mr. C. V. Hasted

  Mr. F. Hazledine

  Mr. A. F. Hennessey

  Mr. W. E. Hesketh

  Mr. R. D. Hicks

  Mr. S. Hobson

  Mr. W. C. Hogg

  Mr. F. P. de Montezuma Horsey

  Mr. M. M. Hossain

  Mr. R. M. Ivison

  Ms J. M. Jacob

  Mr. M. James

  Mr. R. L. Jennings

  Mrs. R. S. Johnson

  Mr. I. A. H. Jordan

  Mr. A. Khan

  Mr. J. D. Kippest

  Mr. J. M. Lapthorne

  Mr. P. H. Lawson

  38

  Mr. P. D. Lewis

  Mr. G. J. C. Lockhart

  Miss K. B. Lockhart

  Mr. M. McCloy

  Mr. G. McCulloch

  Mr. E. M. McGahey

  Mrs. J. R. A. McGowan

  Mr. F. Mcllwee

  Mr. T. McKeag

  Mr. H. McMichael

  Mrs. R. J. Mackworth

  Mr. K. C. Manterfield

  Lt. Colonel T. Marsh

  Mr. J. N. Mendelssohn

  Mr. G. Miles

  Mr. H. W. Millar

  Mr. D. V. Mundy

  Mr. L. B. Oilier

  Mr. R. T. Parkinson

  Mrs. R. V. Penn

  Mr. T. M. Petherick

  Mr. N. H. Phillips

  Mr. R. J. Pickerill

  Mr. W. J. Pickup

  Mr. A. W. Potter

  Mrs. G. Pratt

  Mr. J. Pratt

  Mrs. G. Pritchard

  Dr. W. I. Pumphrey

  Mr. S. A. Rae

  Mr. J. B. Rees

  Mr. D. S. Richards

  Mr. S. P Riddell

  Mr. A. J. Ring

  Mrs. N. J. Roberts

  Mr. P. J. Roberts

  Mr. A. L. Robinson

  Mrs. M. J. R. Rogers

  Mr. D. T. S. Rutter

  Mrs. S. Sadeque

  Mrs. L. M. Salisbury

  Mr. G. K. B. Saxby

  Mr. P. J. Seward

  Mr. M. A. Sharp

  Mr. C. R. Shaw

  Mr. S. R. Sibley

  Mr. M. M. Silbert

  Mr. V. Sklar

  Mr. B. B. Smith

  Mr. F. Smith

  Mrs. J. M. Smith

  Mr. R. P. Sodagar

  Mr. J. T. B. Strangward

  Mr. R. S. Suri

  Mr. S. W. Telfer

  Mr. N. F. Townsend

  Mr. M. W. Trace

  Mr. W. R. Turner

  Dame Joan Fleetwood Varley

  Mr. A. W. B. Voge

  Dame Rachel E. Waterhouse

  Mr. H. E. Watkinson

  Mr. M. E. L. Weir

  Mr. R. Welch

  Mr. P. Whitehead

  Mr. L. G. Wilkinson

  Miss D. M. Wilson

  Mr. J. A Wright

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many, and what percentage of officers in each of grades 1 to 7 and overall in his Department are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled, respectively.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is set out in the table. Figures at(a) and (c) represent the position as at 1 January 1994. Figures for (b) refer to respondents to the

  39
  Department's ethnic monitoring survey. Figures for (c) are available only for those staff who are registered disabled. The Department employs a number of people with disabilities who have chosen not to register.

  (a) Women

  (b) Ethnic minorities

  Grade

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent

  1 and 1 A

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  17

  —

  —

  3

  3

  14

  —

  —

  4/5

  8

  11

  —

  —

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  34

  18

  4

  2

  All staff

  639

  43

  148

  10

  Proton Cars
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Proton cars were purchased by his Departments in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; and at what cost.

  Mr. Nelson
  None.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the net receipts for inheritance tax in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Nelson
  The net receipts for inheritance tax in each financial year since 1986–87 are:

  £ million

  1986–87

  995

  1987–88

  1,078

  1988–89

  1,071

  1989–90

  1,232

  1990–91

  1,262

  1991–92

  1,299

  1992–93

  1,211

  11993–94

  1,290

  1 Provisional estimate.

  The figures include receipts from capital transfer tax and estate duty.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 of exempting most family businesses from inheritance tax;

  (2) if he will estimate the value of inheritance tax revenues forgone by the Inland Revenue through exemptions and reliefs for (a) business property, (b) agricultural land, (c) woodlands, (d) works of art and (e) historic houses.

  Mr. Nelson
  The estimated costs of granting relief against inheritance tax for transfers in 1993–94 for the various categories are:

  £ million1

  (a) Business property

  55

  (b) Agricultural land

  70

  (c) Woodlands

  negligible

  1 Estimates rounded to nearest £5 million.

  40
  Separate estimates for relief for family business are not available: such relief is contained within the estimates for business and agricultural reliefs.

  The estimated annual cost of exemptions and reliefs from inheritance tax for heritage property shows significant fluctuations from year to year. Over the past decade the average annual cost has been:

  £ million1

  (d) Works of Art

  80

  (e) Land and Buildings

  10

  1Estimates rounded to nearest £5 million.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the value of inheritance tax revenues lost by the Exchequer through the use of(a) lifetime gifts and (b) offshore trusts.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested on these transfers is not kept because these transfers fall outside the inheritance tax charge.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of estates in the United Kingdom are liable to inheritance tax.

  Mr. Nelson
  It is estimated that of estates passing on death in the United Kingdom in 1993–94, about 3 per cent. are liable to inheritance tax.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the value of inheritance tax revenues lost by the Inland Revenue each year through the creation of discretionary trusts made during a donor's lifetime.

  Mr. Nelson
  Lifetime transfers into most discretionary trusts are subject to a charge to inheritance tax at half death rates, and a top-up charge should the donor die within seven years of such transfers. Most discretionary trusts are also subject to a further charge to inheritance tax every 10 years. The purpose of this regime is to ensure that the tax payable on property passing into discretionary trusts is broadly equivalent to the tax payable if it had passed on death. There is no evidence to suggest that, overall, any inheritance tax is lost through the creation of discretionary trusts.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 of raising the relief from inheritance tax from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent. for (i) shareholdings of 25 per cent. or less in unquoted companies, (ii) agricultural landlords, (iii) smaller shareholdings in unlisted securities market companies and (iv) controlling shareholdings in quoted companies.

  Mr. Nelson
  Under the Finance (No. 2) Act 1992, business assets and farmland which previously qualified for 30 per cent. relief from inheritance tax were granted 50 per cent. relief. Relief at 50 per cent. was also extended to holdings of 25 per cent. or less without control in unlisted securities market companies which previously did not qualify for relief. The combined costs of these changes are about £5 million in a full year. Separate costs for the different categories in terms of receipts in 1992–93 and 1993–94 are all negligible. No change was made to the 50 per cent. relief received by controlling holdings in fully quoted companies.
  41
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total value of all property that changes ownership in one year as a result of the death of the previous owner; and what proportion of this is subject to inheritance tax.

  Mr. Nelson
  For estates passing on death in 1989–90, the most recent year for which figures are available, the total value of property that changed ownership as a result of the death of the previous owner is estimated to be in the region of £25 to £30 billion. Inheritance tax was charged on about £3 billion of this value.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95 of raising the threshold for inheritance tax to £150,000.

  Mr. Nelson
  The estimated costs to the Exchequer of raising the threshold for inheritance tax to £150,000 in 1992–93, measured against an indexed base, are:

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  10

  1993–94

  15

  1994–95

  20

  Income Tax
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number and percentage of basic rate and higher rate taxpayers in(a) South Yorkshire, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) West Yorkshire, (d) Humberside and (e) the United Kingdom for the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The table provides estimates for 1991–92, the latest available year for which information can be provided below the United Kingdom level. Estimates of MIRAS are unreliable at county and regional level and have been excluded from the calculation of tax liability for the counties in the table, and for the United Kingdom for consistency.

  Taxpayers liable at only basic rate

  Taxpayers liable at higher rate

  000s

  Per cent

  000s

  Per cent

  South Yorkshire

  505

  97.2

  14

  2.8

  North Yorkshire

  359

  93.7

  24

  6.3

  West Yorkshire

  862

  95.9

  37

  4.1

  Humberside

  327

  94.8

  18

  5.2

  United Kingdom

  24,800

  93.9

  1,620

  6.1

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the total cost in 1994–95 of tax expenditures on(a) relief for occupational pension schemes, (b) contributions to personal pensions, (c) mortgage interest, (d) contracted-out rebate for occupational schemes and personal pensions, (e) married couple's allowance, (f) capital allowances for income tax and corporation tax and (g) inheritance tax transfers not exceeding £150,000.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Estimates for 1994–95 are as follows:
  42

  £ million

  Relief for:

  Occupational pension schemes

  17,100

  Contributions to personal pensions (including retirement annuity premia and FSAVCs)

  1,700

  Mortgage interest2

  3,400

  Contracted-out rebate for occupational schemes and personal pensions

  7,400

  Married couple's allowance

  3,500

  Capital allowances for income tax and corporation tax

  114,400

  Inheritance tax nil rate band for transfers not exceeding £150,000

  14,400

  1These figures are particularly tentative and subject to a wide margin of error.

  2This figure is based on the conventional assumption that mortgage interest rates remain at their current levels.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the average family's tax bill of the Budget changes in the married couple's income tax allowance and mortgage interest relief.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A basic rate taxpayer in receipt of the married couple's allowance will pay £86 more in income tax in 1994–95 following its restriction to 20 per cent. Mortgage interest relief does not in general depend on the income of the mortgagor. It is estimated that the average size of mortgages in the United Kingdom will be greater than the qualifying maximum of £30,000. Assuming current levels of mortgage interest rates, the reduction in relief on the mortgage of £30,000 or over will be £115.50 in 1994–95.

  Pension Schemes (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his estimates for 1993–94 and 1996–97 of the cost of tax relief for investment income of(a) occupational pension schemes and (b) personal pension schemes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A provisional cost of income tax relief, assuming relief at the basic rate of tax, for the investment income of occupational pension schemes is estimated to be about £5.1 billion in 1993–94. The cost for 1996–97 will depend on future levels of investment, rates of return and tax rates. It is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the cost of exemption for investment income related to retirement annuity contracts and personal pensions.

  Taxpayers (Age)
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers are aged over 64 years; and how many of them pay tax at the higher marginal rate.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The estimated number of taxpayers aged 65 or over in 1994–95 is about 3 million. Of these, about 150,000 will be liable at the higher rate.

  Local Government Legislation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Acts of Parliament and Consolidation Acts that affect local government which have been introduced by his Department since 1990.
  43
  Mr. Dorrell
  My Departments have not introduced any Acts of Parliament since 1990 which are specific to local government. They have, however, introduced Acts containing measures that have been general in their application and will consequently have affected local government in common with other organisations.

  Regulatory Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the statutory, professional, self-regulatory, trade associations and other organisations which are recognised as regulatory bodies under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Mr. Nelson
  The following are recognised by the Securities and Investments Board under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Self-regulating Organisations (SROs):

  Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association (FIMBRA)

  Investment Management Regulatory Organisation (IMRO)

  Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation (LAUTRO)

  The Securities and Futures Authority (SFA)

  Recognised Professional Bodies:

  Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) Institute of Actuaries

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

  Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland

  Insurance Brokers' Registration Council (IBRC)

  Law Society

  Law Society of Northern Ireland

  Law Society of Scotland

  Recognised UK Investment Exchanges:

  International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland Ltd

  London International Financial Futures Exchange (LIFFE)

  London Metal Exchange (LME)

  London Commodity Exchange (LCE)

  International Petroleum Exchange (IPE)

  OMLX London Securities and Derivatives Exchange (OMLX)

  Recognised Clearing Houses:

  London Clearing House (LCH)

  The following recognised overseas investment exchanges are recognised by the Treasury:

  Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)

  Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT)

  National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ)

  New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX)

  Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE)

  Mercado de Futuros Financieros Sociedad Rectora de Productos Financieros Derivados de Renta Fija (MEFF RF)

  Mercados de Futuros Financieros Sociedad Rectora de Productos Financieros Derivados de Renta Variable (MEFF RV)

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent fines imposed by regulatory bodies created by the Financial Services Act 1986 are deductible for tax; and what representations he has received on this point.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The general rule when calculating trading profits for tax purposes is that revenue expenditure incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade is an allowable deduction. Expenditure incurred on a fine imposed as a result of a trader committing an infraction would not be incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade.

  No representations have been received on this point.

  National Savings
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what restrictions apply to the use of Post Office National Savings accounts by people who cannot sign their names due to mental impairment; and what arrangements may be made for such people living in local authority care to have access to their savings in such accounts.

  Mr. Nelson
  National Savings ordinary and investment accounts can be opened for mentally disordered persons but only where a receiver has been appointed by the Court of Protection. The receiver will have full control over the management of the account.

  Where an account has been opened and the despositor subsequently becomes mentally disordered, National Savings will describe to the applicant the Court of Protection facility but explain that where the balance in the account is £3,000 or less the director of savings has discretion to allow withdrawals from the account where it is considered in the patient's interest and the payment is being made to a proper person.

  In cases where the account balance is greater than £3,000 the applicant will be referred to the Court of Protection but the director of savings will offer the facility of discretionary payments to meet immediate needs until a Court of Protection order is issued.

  Where there is any doubt in a particular case the matter can be raised with the Public Trust Office. The overriding consideration must be the interests of the patient.

  Derivatives and Swaps
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the tax revenues obtained from the derivatives and swaps markets in the United Kingdom; how those revenues are obtained; and whether he has the taxation of such markets under review.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is not possible to attribute amounts of tax to specific types of income or gain because tax is charged on each business's total profits, including income and capital gains.

  Proposals to reform the tax treatment of financial instruments used by companies for managing interest rate and currency risk were announced in the Budget in November and are included in the present Finance Bill. These proposals will replace the current complex rules with a simple and coherent regime for taxing the profits and losses associated with these instruments.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to review the need for regulation of markets in derivatives and swaps; and what steps he has taken to discuss these issues with the Government of the United States of America or with bank and securities regulators both in Britain and the United States of America.

  Mr. Nelson
  Regulation of markets in derivatives and of institutions involved in derivatives trading in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Securities and Investments Board and other bodies recognised under the Financial Services Act 1986, and of the Bank of England and the Building Societies Commission. Representatives of the United Kingdom authorities regularly meet and discuss derivatives trading with their counterparts from other countries, including the United States, in fora such as
  45
  the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, as well as on a bilateral basis as appropriate. In addition, the Securities and Investments Board recently agreed, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a coordinated approach to the regulation of over-the-counter derivatives.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what computer systems his Department have brought in, for what function and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case whether the computer system is still in use.

  Mr. Nelson
  At the end of financial year 1991–92 the Treasury bought a building and asset management system by Ground Modelling Systems for £87,000. First-year maintenance and installation were included in this price. Maintenance in 1993–94 cost £10,000. The system is operational and usage is expanding as more classes of data are entered into it.

  In 1992 the Treasury introduced a library system by Dynix. The capital cost of the system was £88,000; 80 per cent. was paid in 1991–92, and 20 per cent. upon completion in early 1992–93. Maintenance costs of the system were £4,000 in 1992–93 and £10,000 in 1993–94. The system is still fully operational and in use.

  At the end of the financial year 1993–94 the Treasury invested £50,000 in a DIP—document image processing —pilot project. This system, which required a mixture of purchasing, leasing and utilising existing assets, is operational and is being used to assess the potential uses of DIP technology for the Department.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many inspectors were employed on corporation tax technical review in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Excluding inspectors employed in specialist offices, the table sets out the total resource input into corporation tax technical review by inspectors working in the Inland Revenue's network of local offices for each of the years since 1991–92:

  Man years

  1991–92

  745

  1992–93

  780

  1993–94

  749

  The final figure for the year 1993–94 is not yet available. The figure quoted is based on resource usage for the nine months to January 1994 annualised. The final figure for the year is likely to be higher because the period from January to April tends to be a period when comparatively little annual leave is taken and more time is available for technical review.

  Credit for Tax Sparing
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of revenue forgone through the granting of matching credit for tax sparing for the latest year available.
  46
  Mr. Dorrell
  The information on which to base such an estimate is not available.

  Travellers Charter
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Her Majesty's Customs and Excise travellers charter cost to(a) print and (b) distribute; and what analysis he has made of the value for money of publishing this charter.

  Sir John Cope
  The total cost of designing and printing the charter has been some £60,000. Commercial distribution has cost some £3,000, but internal distribution costs cannot be calculated without disproportionate expense.

  The travellers charter sets standards of service to be provided and allows Customs to monitor and improve performance against those standards. The value of the charter cannot be measured in monetary terms. However, I consider it to make a worth while and effective contribution to our efforts to improve the standard of public services.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many collection staff were working for the Inland Revenue in each year since 1979, including 1993; and how many were working in the areas of(a) capital gains tax, (b) schedule D tax, (c) corporation tax, (d) PAYE and (e) national insurance contributions in each year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Figures relating to the number of staff employed by the Inland Revenue are compiled on a financial year basis and the most recent year for which information is available is 1992–93.

  Excluding staff employed on central administration, the table sets out the total numbers of Inland Revenue staff engaged on the collection of tax within the Department's accounts offices, local office network, and enforcement offices for each year from 1978–79 to 1992–93 inclusive and the numbers working in the areas of (a) capital gains tax, (b) schedule D tax, (c) corporation tax, and (d) PAYE in each year. Under (d) the figures include staff used in collecting PAYE from employers and a relatively small number of schedule E tax assessments. As resources usage on national insurance contribution work is incidental to mainstream tax collection it is not separately recorded.

  Year

  Total

  Capital gains tax

  Schedule D tax

  Corporation tax

  PAYE

  1978–79

  11,041

  135

  5,873

  560

  4,473

  1979–80

  10,648

  148

  5,701

  584

  4,215

  1980–81

  10,222

  143

  5,529

  597

  3,953

  1981–82

  10,124

  126

  5,747

  409

  3,842

  1982–83

  10,221

  116

  5,673

  390

  4,042

  1983–84

  10,171

  113

  5,570

  394

  4,094

  1984–85

  9,339

  92

  4,674

  557

  4,016

  1985–86

  8,443

  92

  4,596

  559

  3,196

  1986–87

  7,989

  85

  4,472

  530

  2,902

  1987–88

  7,795

  105

  4,250

  538

  2,902

  1988–89

  7,866

  121

  4,243

  571

  2,931

  1989–90

  7,879

  92

  4,243

  570

  2,974

  1990–91

  7,846

  79

  4,410

  549

  2,808

  1991–92

  8,187

  70

  4,376

  532

  3,209

  1992–93

  8,410

  69

  4,730

  492

  3,119

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts his Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 23 March 1994]: I regret that information going back beyond 1991 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The table gives the number and value of consultancy contracts awarded by HM Treasury by financial year from 1991–92 to date. Some information is only available from August 1991. In addition, the Department has also incurred expenditure on professional fees in connection with the privatisation programme. These are shown separately.

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  Staff in post

  Of Which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  part-time

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1a

  3

  —

  3

  —

  2

  6

  —

  6

  —

  Chief Accountancy Adviser

  1

  —

  1

  —

  3

  21

  3

  23

  11

  4

  3

  —

  3

  —

  5

  59

  9

  67

  11

  6

  23

  —

  23

  —

  7

  157

  37

  184

  210

  Senior Executive Officer

  61

  24

  77

  18

  Senior Scientific Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Information Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Librarian

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Higher Executive Officer (D)

  8

  5

  13

  —

  Senior Economic Assistant

  24

  3

  27

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  5

  —

  5

  —

  Higher Scientific Officer

  —

  2

  2

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  81

  41

  121

  11

  Librarian

  —

  4

  4

  —

  Administrative Trainee

  9

  3

  12

  —

  Economic Assistant

  12

  4

  16

  —

  Assistant Statistician

  3

  1

  4

  —

  Information Officer

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Graduate Trainee

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Executive Officer

  108

  55

  157

  36

  Assistant Librarian

  3

  2

  5

  —

  Administrative Officer

  102

  106

  192

  416

  Administrative Assistant

  37

  57

  89

  15

  Chief Typing Manager

  —

  2

  2

  —

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  16

  15

  11

  Typing Manager

  —

  3

  3

  —

  Personal Secretary

  2

  109

  97

  114

  Typist

  4

  45

  38

  111

  Support Manager Band 1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Support Manager Band 2

  5

  2

  7

  —

  Support Manager Band 3

  5

  2

  7

  —

  Support Grade Band 1

  38

  15

  53

  —

  Support Grade Band 2

  77

  36

  113

  —

  1 Female.

  2 Eight female, two male.

  3 Five female, one male.

  4 15 female, one male.

  Customs and Excise

  Of Which

  Grade

  male

  Female

  Fulltime

  Part-time

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  3

  —

  3

  —

  3

  6

  1

  7

  —

  48

  Consultancy Contracts

  Privatisation Contracts

  Year

  Number of contracts

  Value (excluding VAT)(£)

  Number of contracts

  Value (excluding VAT)(£)

  1991–92

  14

  1258,010

  10

  8,860,632

  1992–93

  92

  1,028,812

  14

  1,401,593

  21993–94

  70

  1,404,476

  12

  4,592,295

  1 August to March.

  2 To date.

  Civil Servants
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each civil service grade in his Departments the number of(a) male and (b) female, (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employees.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 28 March 1994]: The information requested is set out in the tables for each of the Chancellor's Departments.
  49

  Of Which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  4

  1

  —

  1

  —

  5

  59

  3

  62

  —

  Assistant Solicitor

  13

  3

  16

  —

  6

  89

  2

  91

  —

  6/Legal

  18

  10

  26

  12

  6/Scientific Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  7

  381

  30

  410

  11

  7/Legal

  26

  16

  41

  11

  Statistician

  —

  1

  1

  —

  7/Scientific Officer

  —

  2

  2

  —

  Economic Adviser

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  1,434

  155

  1,582

  17

  Senior Economic Assistant

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Scientific Officer

  2

  2

  4

  —

  Senior Information Officer

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Senior Legal Assistant

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  4,088

  1,315

  5,235

  2—

  Higher Executive Officer (D)

  7

  4

  11

  —

  Higher Scientific Officer

  4

  2

  6

  —

  Higher Professional and Technology Officer

  3

  —

  1

  —

  Higher Telecom Technical Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Librarian

  1

  1

  2

  —

  Information Officer

  3

  —

  3

  —

  Chief Typing Manager

  —

  2

  2

  —

  Legal Officer

  6

  6

  12

  —

  Sandwich Course Student

  3

  —

  3

  —

  Executive Officer

  5,562

  3,341

  8,494

  3—

  Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  2

  —

  Economic Assistant

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1

  9

  10

  —

  Scientific Officer

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Photographer

  4

  —

  4

  —

  Assistant Information Officer

  1

  1

  2

  —

  Assistant Librarian

  3

  5

  8

  —

  Legal Trainee

  2

  1

  3

  —

  Administrative Trainee

  2

  1

  3

  —

  Professional and Technical Officer

  5

  —

  5

  —

  Typing Manager

  —

  23

  23

  —

  Support Manager 2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Support Manager 3

  3

  7

  10

  —

  Personal Secretary

  —

  110

  106

  4

  Trainee Typist

  —

  3

  3

  —

  Typist

  3

  420

  315

  1108

  Administrative Officer

  2,412

  3,223

  5,192

  4—

  Administrative Officer Data Processor

  14

  34

  46

  12

  Support Grade Band 1

  80

  76

  149

  5—

  Administrative Assistant

  1,175

  1,979

  2,885

  6—

  Administrative Assistant Data Processor

  20

  144

  133

  131

  Support Grade Band 2

  378

  246

  503

  7—

  Support Grade 2

  1

  9

  —

  8—

  1 Female.

  2 155 (Female), 13 (Male).

  3 388 (Female), 21 (Male).

  4 432 (Female), 11 (Male).

  5 9 (Female), 1 (Male).

  6 245 (Female), 24 (Male).

  7 105 (Female), 16 (Male).

  8 9 (Female), 1 (Male).

  Government Actuary's Department

  Staff in post

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Government Actuary

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Directing Actuary

  3

  —

  3

  —

  Chief Actuary

  7

  —

  7

  —

  Actuary

  20

  3

  18

  15

  Trainee Actuary

  11

  5

  16

  —

  Grade 6

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Grade 7

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  —

  3

  3

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  4

  —

  4

  —

  Executive Officer

  2

  2

  4

  —

  Administrative Officer

  2

  4

  5

  21

  Administrative Assistant

  1

  —

  1

  —

  50 51

  Staff in post

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Personal Secretary

  —

  3

  3

  —

  Typist

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Support Grade Band 1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Support Grade Band 2

  2

  —

  2

  —

  1 Four male, 1 female.

  2 Female.

  Inland Revenue

  Of which

  Civil Service grade

  Equivalent Inland Revenue pay grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  17

  —

  17

  —

  4

  Band A1

  32

  1

  33

  —

  5

  Band A2

  200

  15

  213

  12

  6

  Band B1

  741

  75

  809

  27

  7

  Band B2

  1,503

  409

  1,844

  368

  Higher Executive Officer (D)

  Band B3

  265

  135

  391

  19

  Senior Executive Officer

  Band C1

  1,534

  265

  1,763

  436

  Higher Executive Officer

  Band C2

  4,167

  2,082

  5,956

  5293

  Executive Officer

  Band D

  6,363

  7,845

  12,426

  61,782

  Administrative Officer

  Band El

  5,366

  15,054

  16,780

  73,640

  Administrative Assistant/Typist

  Band E2

  4,416

  13,130

  14,188

  83,358

  1 Female.

  2 One male, six female.

  3 Eight male, 60 female.

  4 Four male, 32 female.

  5 23 male, 270 female.

  6 43 male, 1,739 female.

  7 73 male, 3,567 female.

  8 88 male, 3,270 female.

  Central Statistical Office

  Staff in post

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  1A

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  3

  3

  —

  3

  —

  4

  1

  —

  1

  —

  5

  17

  4

  21

  —

  6

  8

  —

  8

  —

  7

  62

  16

  72

  16

  Senior Executive Officer

  31

  16

  47

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  16

  10

  25

  21

  Assistant Statistician

  8

  6

  14

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  103

  72

  157

  318

  Executive Officer

  175

  179

  327

  427

  Administrative Officer

  162

  316

  418

  560

  Administrative Assistant

  31

  66

  87

  610

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  3

  3

  —

  Personal Secretary

  —

  28

  25

  63

  Other

  17

  37

  47

  67

  1 Two male, four female.

  2 Male.

  3 Two male, 16 female.

  4 Two male, 25 female.

  5 1 male, 59 female.

  6 Female.

  National investment and loans office

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  5

  1

  —

  1

  —

  7

  1

  1

  2

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  2

  —

  52 53

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Higher Executive Officer

  5

  1

  6

  —

  Executive Officer

  8

  4

  12

  —

  Administrative Officer

  2

  6

  8

  —

  Administrative Assistant

  —

  2

  1

  11

  Personal Secretary

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Typist

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Support Grade Band 1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Support Grade Band 2

  —

  2

  2

  —

  1 Female.

  Registry of friendly societies

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  3

  1

  —

  1

  —

  4

  3

  —

  3

  —

  5

  7

  —

  6

  11

  6

  5

  1

  6

  —

  7

  13

  8

  21

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  14

  3

  17

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  18

  9

  27

  —

  Executive Officer

  21

  16

  34

  23

  Administrative Officer

  11

  21

  30

  —

  Administrative Assistant

  6

  5

  11

  —

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  3

  3

  —

  Personal Secretary

  —

  8

  8

  —

  Specialist Typist

  —

  4

  4

  —

  Support Manager 3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Support Grade Band 1

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Support Grade Band 2

  11

  —

  11

  —

  1 Male.

  2 One male, two female.

  3 Female.

  Office of the Paymaster General

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full time

  Part time

  5

  1

  —

  1

  —

  6

  3

  —

  3

  —

  7

  7

  2

  9

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  23

  6

  29

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  52

  47

  91

  18

  Executive Officer

  57

  103

  139

  221

  Administrative Officer

  77

  298

  279

  396

  Administrative Assistant

  22

  142

  93

  471

  Typing Manager

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Typist

  —

  9

  3

  56

  PS

  —

  2

  2

  —

  Support Manager 3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Support Grade Band 1

  2

  9

  8

  53

  Support Grade Band 2

  10

  13

  17

  56

  11 Male, 7 Female

  22 Male, 19 Female

  34 Male, 92 Female

  44 I Male, 70 Female

  5Female

  Department for National Savings

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full time

  Part time

  3

  2

  —

  2

  —

  5

  5

  1

  5

  11

  6

  8

  —

  8

  —

  7

  38

  3

  41

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  101

  17

  118

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  200

  122

  319

  23

  54

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Executive Officer

  375

  478

  803

  350

  Administrative Officer

  604

  2,097

  2,206

  4495

  Administrative Assistant

  648

  1,626

  1,894

  5380

  Other

  126

  60

  —

  —

  1Female.

  21 Male, 2 Female.

  31 Male, 49 Female.

  410 Male, 485 Female.

  58 Male, 372 Female.

  55

  Royal Mint

  Of which

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Grade 3

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Grade 4

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Grade 5

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Grade 6

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Grade 7

  11

  —

  11

  —

  Senior Executive Officer (equivalent)

  11

  3

  14

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  14

  5

  19

  —

  Curator Grade F

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Executive Officer

  26

  20

  46

  13

  Administrative Officer

  31

  56

  87

  111

  Administrative Assistant

  —

  11

  11

  12

  Senior Personal Secretary

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Personal Secretary

  —

  5

  5

  —

  Typing Manager

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Typists

  —

  8

  8

  —

  Higher Photographic Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Photographic Officer

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Laboratory Assistant

  —

  1

  —

  11

  Senior Messenger

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Messenger

  1

  3

  4

  13

  Car Drivers

  2

  1

  3

  —

  Telephonists

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Cleaners

  —

  2

  2

  15

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer (equivalent)

  9

  —

  9

  —

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  21

  —

  21

  —

  Professional and Technical Officer

  72

  2

  74

  —

  Technical Grade 1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Process and General Supervisory Grade D

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Senior Scientific Officer

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Higher Scientific Officer

  2

  —

  2

  11

  Scientific Officer

  15

  1

  16

  —

  Engraver I

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Trainee Engraver

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Engraver II

  5

  —

  5

  —

  1 Female

  Accommodation (Tax)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the amount of the deduction or the market rental value of the accommodation is used to calculate the tax due when assessing the value for tax purposes of accommodation provided as part of salary.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 29 March 1994]: Employees who choose to spend part of the wages to which they are entitled on accommodation from their employer remain taxable on their full wages.

  Employees who have living accommodation provided by reason of their employment are liable to tax on the value of the accommodation, subject to certain statutory exemptions. The value of the accommodation for tax purposes is the annual value of the property or the rent paid for it if that is greater. Annual value is defined in the same way as the annual value which was formerly used for rating purposes and the figures taken for income tax purposes is usually the same as the gross value last used for rating purposes. There is an additional charge for certain properties which cost more than £75,000.

  The basis of valuation of living accommodation provided by reason of an employment is currently being reviewed to find a practical replacement for figures from rating lists.

  Inflation
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current annual rate of inflation; and in which year inflation was last lower.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: In February the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments was 2.8 per cent. higher than a year earlier. Other than in November and December 1993 the inflation rate was last lower in January 1968, when it was 2.6 per cent.

  International Monetary Fund (Russia)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the full terms of the latest agreement between the International Monetary Fund and Russia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: A joint communiqué was issued on 22 March by the managing director of the IMF and the Russian Prime Minister announcing that agreement would soon be reached on the terms for the disbursement of the second tranche of the systemic transformation facility—$1.5 billion. Those terms were to be outlined in a Russian Government memorandum of economic policy to be presented to the IMF. As yet, that memorandum has not been finalised.

  I very much welcome the progress made towards agreement between the Russian Government and the IMF.

  Income Statistics
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage change in real disposable income between February 1974 and May 1979; and what it has been since May 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: Figures for real personal disposable income are available only quarterly. The total increase in RPDI between the first quarter of 1974 and the second quarter of 1979 was nearly 11 per cent. The total increase in RPDI between the second quarter of 1979 and the fourth quarter of 1993 was 42 per cent.

  Forward Catering
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what price was paid for Forward Catering; and what provision was made in the sale agreement for financial responsibility for redundancies.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 15 February, column 703. The sale agreement provided for the purchaser to indemnify the Treasury from all costs arising from the termination of employment of employees after the transfer date.

  Bank Rate
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current bank rate of interest; and in which year it was last lower.
  Mr. Nelson[holding answer 31 March 1994]: Base rates now stand at 5¼ per cent. Base rates have not been lower since 1972.

  EU Growth Rate
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the growth rate in each EU country in the latest year for which figures are available; and what are the estimated growth rates for 1994.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: Estimates for 1993 are available in table 2 of the annual economic report of the European Commission. The most recent country-by-country Commission forecasts for 1994 were published in table 10 of "European Economy", edition No. 55. These figures show that the United Kingdom had the fastest growth rate in the Community in 1993 and is expected to grow faster than any other major EC country in 1994.

EMPLOYMENT

  Building Projects
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what major building projects valued at over £1 million are being or have been wholly or partly financed since 1989 in(a) Doncaster, (b) Barnsley, (c) Rotherham and (d) Wakefield by his Department; and what was the cost of each project to his Department.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None so far as the Department, the Health and Safety Executive and the Advisory,58
  Conciliation and Arbitration Service are concerned. In the case of the Employment Service agency, responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. A. G. Johnson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 12 April 1994:
  The Minister of State for Employment has asked me to reply to your question about major building projects valued at over £1m which are being, or have been, wholly or partly financed by the Employment Service since 1989 at Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Wakefield. I am replying in the Chief Executive's absence.
  The Employment Service (ES) has commissioned three projects which meet the criteria set out in your question. The details are:
  a. Doncaster—No projects.
  b. Barnsley—A private developer built the ES Jobcentre to our specification and it was subsequently rented. ES expenditure on fitting out the building was £423,000. The total value of the building is estimated at £2.25 million. The building was occupied on 5 October 1992.
  c. Rotherham—A private developer constructed a building housing three ES Jobcentres to our specification and it was subsequently purchased. The total cost of the project was £2,706,000 wholly funded by the ES. The building was occupied on 26 June 1992.
  d. Wakefield—A private developer built the ES Jobcentre to our specification and it was subsequently rented. ES expenditure on fitting out the building was £440,000. The total value of the building is estimated at £2.25 million. The building was occupied on 19 July 1993.
  I hope this is helpful

  Unemployment Benefit
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in each region were in receipt of unemployment benefit only(a) in total and (b) who had been unemployed for more than six months at the latest available date.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information is not available, by region, on the numbers of people claiming unemployment benefit only.

  The available information relates to the numbers of people claiming all unemployment-related benefits—that is, unemployment benefit, income support and national insurance credits. Unadjusted information by duration for the months of January, April, July and October can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Employment Schemes
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was(a) the total money spent, (b) the percentage of that money allocated according to decisions made by Ministers on competitive bids and (c) the percentage of that money allocated according to some statistical measure of need in the last available operational year of (i) Employment Service programme development fund, (ii) education business partnerships, (iii) teacher placement scheme, (iv) compacts, (v) business start-up scheme, (vi) local initiative fund and (vii) TEC Challenge.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Money spent on these programmes in the last available operational year—1992–93—was:
  59

  £ million

  (i) Programme Development Fund

  4.710

  (ii) Education Business Partnerships

  1.980

  (iii) Teacher Placement Scheme

  3.413

  (iv) Compacts

  5.356

  (v) Business Start-up Scheme

  62.018

  (vi) Local Initiative Fund

  49.700

  Expenditure for (i) was for Great Britain; expenditure for (ii) to (iv) was for England. Funding for TEC Challenge was not available in the 1992–93 operational year.

  Budgets for the programme development fund were allocated with the regional level of long-term unemployment as a key consideration.

  Budgets for TEC challenge were allocated in 1993–94 on the basis of competitive bids.

  Budgets for the remaining programmes were allocated on the basis of proposals by training and enterprise councils in their business plans, taking into account commitments arising from previously approved programmes, performance against previous plans, for the business start-up scheme and the local initiative fund, the size of working population in different areas, and for the teacher placement service, the number of teachers.

  Productivity Rewards
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 433, concerning rewards for productivity, to what extent the statistical series referred to have changed since 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The following changes in classification have taken place to the new earnings survey since 1979:

  1983
  Employees were classified by industry according to the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification, SIC 1980. The 1982 survey was classified by both the SIC, 1968, and SIC, 1980, versions and earlier surveys were classified by SIC, 1968;

  1984
  Employees were classified as to whether they were paid adult or non-adult rates. In previous surveys employees were classified as being adults if they were males aged 21 or over or females aged 18 or over. The 1983 survey was classified on both bases in 1983.

  1991
  The occupations of employees were coded using the Standard Occupational Classification, SOC. Previously classification has been to the list of Key Occupations for Statistical Purposes, KOS. The survey was classified on both bases in 1990. Note: employees in the survey are classified as either manual or non-manual by their occupation.

  Employees are classified to either the public or private sector in the following way: (a) those reported to be affected by a major collective agreement: to the sector in which the agreement mainly operates; (b) other employees: to the public sector—central Government, local government or public corporations—or to the private sector in accordance with the industrial classification of the firm.

  During the period mentioned in the question there were compositional changes to these sectors due to the movement of businesses from the public to the private sector.
  60
  There have been no substantive changes in the method of calculating the statistical series referred to, although the output series used in the calculation of productivity in manufacturing have been revised slightly in 1980 and 1992 to reflect revised SIC definitions of manufacturing industry.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the number of unfilled vacancies in Thorne and Doncaster jobcentres from 8 January.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In February 1994 the number of unfilled vacancies in Thorne and Doncaster Jobcentres were 66 and 426 respectively.

  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people apply for each vacancy advertised in United Kingdom jobcentres.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available.

  Unemployment (Doncaster)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the Doncaster area have been unemployed for more than two years; and what percentage of the unemployed in Doncaster this represents.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In the Doncaster travel-to-work area the number of people who had been claimant unemployed for over two years in January 1994 was 3,436 or 22.3 per cent. of the total number of unemployed claimants in the area. These figures are on the unadjusted basis.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were placed into employment by jobcentres in the Doncaster area in each month since April 1992; and what percentage of the unemployed in the Doncaster area this represents.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [pursuant to her reply, 17 March 1994]: I regret that due to a printing error, part of my original reply of 17 March 1994, Official Report, column 809, related to census of employment figures rather than the claimant unemployment figures for the Doncaster area. The correct reply follows:

  Information on monthly jobcentre placings and monthly claimant unemployment levels can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library. However, it is not meaningful to compare flow figures—placings—with stock figures—unemployment levels.

  Moreover, jobcentre placements represent only a quarter of all placings made nationally, and this proportion is likely to vary between different regions, different skills and different occupations. Furthermore, within any one area, there is not necessarily a strong match between the skills of the unemployed and the nature of the vacancies available.

  During 1993, jobcentres in the Doncaster area placed more than 400 people into employment each month.

  Local Government Legislation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the Acts of Parliament and Consolidation Acts that affect local government that have been introduced by his Department since 1990.
  61
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  One aspect of employment legislation since 1990 has been identified as having an effect on local government.

  The Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993, sections 45 and 46, amend the Employment and Training Act 1973 on the provision of the Careers Service.

  May Day Holiday
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) with what organisation he consulted in his 1993 discussions on the future of the May day holiday;

  (2) how may individuals or organisation not otherwise consulted wrote to him on the future of the May day holiday during his 1993 consideration of this issue.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Department consulted a wide range of organisations. These included organisations in the manufacturing and service industries, tourism and education sectors.

  A total of 1,557 copies of the consultation document were issued, 1,407 to organisations and 150 to individuals. Some 552 organisations and 433 individuals wrote to the Department in response to the consultation.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the staffing costs of his 1993 consultation on the future of the May day holiday.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Earnings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 433, concerning rewards for productivity, whether he will publish in Economic Trends and its annual supplement figures matching those in table 23 showing as in index the increase in real wages of manual and non-manual workers broken down as between the public sector, private sector services and private sector manufacturing.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Increases in real wages can be calculated by taking the average earnings index and adjusting it to take account of the retail prices index, both of which are published in Economic Trends.

  Monthly data on average earnings are not available for manual and non-manual workers in the public sector, private sector services and private sector manufacturing.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Roads
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last discussed with the Republic of Ireland the improvement of the road network within the Republic to facilitate access to the ports of Belfast and Lame in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  There are regular exchanges at official level with the Republic of Ireland about cross-border road issues. There have been no recent discussions at ministerial level.

  Transport Links
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last discussed transport links with(a) the Scottish Office and (b) the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement about transport communications from Northern Ireland to both Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  There are frequent contacts at official level with the Scottish Office and the Republic of Ireland authorities about transport links with Scotland and the Republic of Ireland respectively. The intergovernmental conference last discussed north-south transport issues on 27 April 1992. Transport links with Scotland have not involved recent ministerial contact.

  Income Support
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent active involvement of over 12 hours per week during normal working hours in the organisation and running of a political party is taken as sufficient ground for refusing an unemployed claimant income support on the basis that the person is not actively seeking work or available for work.

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. Wylie to Mr. Ken Maginnis, dated 30 March 1994:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the effect which active involvement in the work of a political party has on an unemployed person's entitlement to Income Support.
  Firstly, I should explain that entitlement to Income Support depends on the facts surrounding the individual's circumstances, decisions on which are taken by Adjudication Officers who are independent of the Department of Health and Social Services.
  Active involvement of over 12 hours a week in the organisation and running of a political party is not of itself sufficient grounds for refusing benefit. Much would depend on the individual's particular circumstances as to whether he or she fully satisfied the availability and actively seeking work conditions.
  I hope this explains the position for you.

  Society of Local Authorities
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions, in the past two years, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) has met the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Once. Following a recent invitation from the chairman of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, I met the society for a wide-ranging discussion on local government issues.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many budget-holding practices there are in Northern Ireland; and what percentage this is of the total number of GP practices.
  63
  Mr. Ancram
  There are 43 GP fundholding groups in Northern Ireland, comprising 61 GP practices. This represents 17 per cent. of the total number of practices.

  Company Records
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the company records of SRC Composites Ltd. and Camira Technical Corporation Ltd. are available in Companies House, Belfast.

  Mr. Tim Smith:
  These company records are available at the Registry of Companies, Department of Economic Development, IDB house, 64 Chichester street, Belfast, BT1 4JX.

  Emergency Housing
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensures that the Housing Executive continues to make special provision in providing houses in an emergency in Northern Ireland, following consultation on the access to local authority and housing association tenancies paper.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Housing Executive ensure that, in carrying out its responsibilities, priority is given to those in greatest housing need. The consultation paper "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies" describes the Government's proposals for ensuring fairer access to local authority and housing association tenancies in England. The views of interested parties in Northern Ireland are being sought prior to considering whether changes are needed to the arrangements operating in Northern Ireland.

  Health Boards (Rationalisation)
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effects on the health care of the population of Northern Ireland of the rationalisation plans introduced by each of the health boards.

  Mr. Ancram
  I am not aware of the rationalisation plans referred to. Health and social services boards are expected to produce area strategies every three years which set out how they intend to achieve the objectives set in the Government's regional strategy, the current edition of which covers the period 1992 to 1997. As part of the process of implementing the regional strategy, which is designed to improve the health and social well-being of the population of Northern Ireland, boards are required to assess health and social care needs; secure the provision of a range of services; and monitor outcomes. I am glad to say that, as a result, the health care of the people of Northern Ireland continues to improve, with, for example, more people than ever being treated in hospital, fewer people waiting for treatment, infant mortality rates at an all-time low and fewer people dying prematurely from heart disease or strokes.

  Rents
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect the increase in rents of the Northern Ireland Executive houses has had on the total amount of housing benefit paid to tenants in Northern Ireland for each of the years 1992, 1993 and 1994.
  64
  Mr. Tim Smith
  The total amount of housing benefit paid to Housing Executive tenants was £130.8 million in 1991–92, £144.1 million in 1992–93 and is projected to be £156.9 million in 1993–94. The increases in Housing Executive rents in those years were 8 per cent, 9.5 per cent. and 7.75 per cent. respectively. A number of factors affect the total amount of housing benefit paid to Housing Executive tenants and it is not feasible to isolate the impact of rent increases.

  Social Security
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his Department's policy in giving social security to those who are suspected of supporting terrorism.

  Mr. Ancram
  All claims for social security benefits are treated strictly in accordance with the law and awards where there is a valid entitlement.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review social security benefits to Mr. Gerry Adams and Mr. Tom Hartley.

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. Wylie to Lady Olga Maitland, dated 7 April 1994:
  I have been been asked to reply to your recent question on what plans there are to review social security benefits to Mr. Gerry Adams and Mr. Tom Hartley.
  I should first explain that information on a person's entitlement to social security benefits, including whether or not they are claiming or getting benefit, is confidential. I am therefore unable to comment on individual cases. However, I can assure you that all claims to benefit are assessed and regularly reviewed by independent adjudication officers, strictly in accordance with social security law and payment is made only where there is a valid entitlement.
  I hope this letter sets out the position for you.

  Irish-medium Education
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the review into Irish-medium education will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  Officials have had a number of discussions with Irish language interests over the last year on all aspects of provision for Irish-medium education. I will be carefully considering the issues raised, with a view to reaching decisions before the end of the present school year.

  Rented Accommodation
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of rented accommodation in Northern Ireland is provided by the private sector(a) in urban areas and (b) in rural areas.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  A total of 3.59 per cent. of total occupied housing stock in Northern Ireland is privately rented. A breakdown of this figure for urban and rural areas is not available.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the number of hospital beds available for use in Northern Ireland for each of the years 1991, 1992 and 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  The average number of available beds in Northern Ireland is shown in the table:

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Available beds in wards open overnight

  13,488

  12,600

  11,712

  Available beds in dedicated day case wards

  88

  87

  141

  Total available beds

  13,576

  12,687

  11,853

  Ill Health
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of initiatives taken by his Department to prevent ill health in the communities in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The regional strategy for the health and personal social services in Northern Ireland, published in November 1991, emphasises health promotion and disease prevention as the key to health gain. It sets a series of objectives and targets for a number of key areas and risk factors aimed at securing lasting improvements in the health and well-being of the population of Northern Ireland.

  Firearm Certificates
  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total sum received in Northern Ireland for(a) firearm certificates and (b) shotgun certificates during 1993 or the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Sir John Wheeler
  In Northern Ireland, the possession of any firearm, including a shotgun, requires a firearm certificate. In 1993, the total sum received for firearm certificates was £1,118,484.

  It would not be possible to provide a separate figure for the cost of those firearm certificates relating solely to shotguns without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Roads
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last discussed with the Scottish Office the road networks within Scotland leading to the Port of Stranraer and facilitating access to the ports of Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  There have over the years been several discussions with the Scottish Office at official level about the road networks in Scotland which provide access to the Scottish ports serving Northern Ireland. There has been no recent discussion at ministerial level.

WALES

  Departmental Spending
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate how much his Department spends in each parliamentary constituency in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  Expenditure by the Welsh Office is not held on this basis.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations led him to collect centrally information on hospital closures.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend needs to satisfy himself that public consultation on hospital closures takes place in accordance with current guidelines. To monitor this, health authorities in Wales are providing information on planned hospital closures and major service changes. All hospital closures objected to by community health councils are referred to my right hon. Friend for decision.

  Planning Policy Guidance
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy that PPG 13 applies to Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Planning policy guidance note 13, "Highways Considerations in Development Control", remains extant in Wales. It is under review and my right hon. Friend will be issuing revised guidance for Wales.

  Engagements
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many engagements he has fulfilled in Wales since he became Secretary of State; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Since I have been Secretary of State for Wales I have attended 222 events in Wales to date, which include official and political engagements.

  Staff Commission
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made for the establishment of the shadow staff commission for Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Local Government (Wales) Bill currently before Parliament provides for the creation of a Staff Commission to advise on the steps necessary to safeguard the interests of staff and other personnel implications of local government reorganisation in Wales.

  The Staff Commission has been set up in shadow form today. The members are:

  Sir Richard Lloyd Jones (Chairman)

  Peter Bennett

  Michael Roger Towers

  Eleri Wynne Jones

  Kevin Crowley

  The commission will be funded by grant-in-aid payments. Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the tourism, roads and transport, housing, other environmental services, including civil defence, arts and libraries and

  67
  health and personal social services, Wales vote—class XV, vote 5. Pending that approval, expenditure estimated at £150,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  M4 (Congestion)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce traffic management proposals to deal with congestion at the Tredegar Park interchange on the M4.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  An improvement scheme, jointly funded with Gwent county council, is programmed to commence in September this year, with completion by February 1995.

  Rents
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum of rents referred to the rent registration service for the last year for which figures are available and the total sum of rents determined as reasonable for housing benefit subsidy for the same period.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The total sum of rents referred in 1992–93 was £113.8 million. The total sum determined as reasonable for housing benefit subsidy was £98.9 million.

  School Closures
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the schools in each education authority which have been considered for closure under the Education Act 1933.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since 1 January 1994, local education authorities have published proposals under the Education Act 1980 to close the following schools:

  Tynyfelin Primary (Clwyd)

  Blaenau Primary (Dyfed)

  Llanddeusant Primary (Dyfed)

  Mynachlogddu Primary (Dyfed)

  St. Felix RC Primary (Gwent)

  Maendy Primary (South Glamorgan)

  Careers Service
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce his plans for the implementation of the new arrangements for the delivery of the careers service in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am publishing today a draft prospectus setting out the suggested approach to be taken in the provision of the careers service in Wales from April 1995. This is to inform those who may wish to provide the service about my intention to invite bids through open competitive tendering.

  A formal invitation to interested organisations to submit bids for the provision of the careers service will be issued shortly.

  Foresty Commission Land
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by county, hectarage and location the Forestry Commission land sold in Wales since 1 July 1993 where(a) access agreements have been concluded and (b) access agreements have not be concluded, and the price of each piece per hectare.
  68
  Mr. Redwood
  The areas of forest land in Wales sold by the Forestry Commission since 1 July 1993 are shown in the following table, which also includes those where an access agreement has been concluded. The price paid per hectare is only given where the purchaser has agreed that such information can be made public.

  County and name of property

  Area (hectares)

  Price (£S) per hectare

  Access agreement

  Clwyd

  Bryndethol

  7.00

  1,900

  —

  Bryn y Pys

  76.00

  —

  —

  Cambrian Quarry Wood

  19.00

  —

  —

  Coed Esgyufa

  6.00

  1,700

  —

  Coed Galltegfa

  2.00

  —

  —

  Crown Wood

  0.40

  —

  —

  Graig Wen

  13.00

  —

  —

  Llwyngelli

  10.00

  —

  —

  Maes Mynach

  10.00

  800

  —

  Rhydygasseg

  6.00

  —

  —

  Travellers Inn (road improvement)

  0.50

  4,300

  —

  Worlds End

  84.00

  1,300

  —

  Dyfed

  Allt Cae Ffynon Wen

  3.00

  1,600

  —

  Allt Cilfrychen and Goredig

  27.00

  —

  —

  Allt Cwm Tywyll

  5.50

  1,900

  —

  Allt Hafod Wen

  8.00

  1,500

  —

  Allt Penlan Fach

  4.00

  —

  —

  Allt Pistyll Dewi

  33.00

  —

  —

  Allt Pwll Priddog

  19.00

  —

  —

  Allt y Down and Allt Pant Lleuci

  16.00

  —

  —

  Allt y Gwydre

  14.00

  —

  1—

  Brist Coed

  5.00

  —

  —

  Cae Sarah

  4.00

  2,300

  —

  Careg Fadog Wood

  6.00

  —

  —

  Cefn Eithin

  7.00

  —

  —

  Coed Cae Sara

  5.00

  1,200

  —

  Coed Cwm Llwfog

  15.00

  —

  —

  Coed Newydd, Gwastad

  48.60

  —

  —

  Coed Weddus

  4.00

  2,800

  —

  Cresselly Big Wood

  48.00

  —

  —

  Cwm Bran Wood

  8.00

  4,100

  Cwm Croiddur Wood

  7.00

  —

  —

  Cwmfran Fawr

  3.00

  3,100

  —

  Cwmffrwd (pt)

  0.50

  —

  —

  Cwm Gwachel

  15.00

  —

  —

  Factory Wood

  3.00

  —

  —

  Gelli Cefn y Rhos

  7.00

  1,700

  —

  Glebe Farm Woods

  17.00

  1,600

  —

  Hafod Iwan

  32.00

  900

  —

  Llanerch Alder Carr

  2.40

  800

  —

  Maespant

  7.00

  2,100

  —

  North Wood

  27.00

  1,300

  —

  Quarry Wood

  7.00

  —

  —

  Rhosgeler

  9.00

  —

  —

  Taldrum

  5.00

  —

  1—

  Tan y Lan

  32.50

  —

  —

  Tan yr Allt

  7.00

  —

  —

  Wenallt Fawr

  17.00

  1,800

  —

  Ystrad Einion Lea Mine

  3.80

  —

  —

  Gwent

  Barbadoes Hill (land at)

  0.50

  8,000

  —

  Graig Syddi

  28.00

  —

  1—

  Luggas Wood and Youngs Grove

  15.00

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  Braich Blaen Tafolog

  28.10

  —

  —

  Bro Cymner (land at)

  0.02

  —

  —

  Conwy Falls Fish Pass

  0.70

  7,500

  —

  Irby Plantation

  4.00

  —

  —

  Parc Main

  5.00

  —

  —

  Tyn y Coed

  16.50

  500

  —

  69

  County and name of property

  Area (hectares)

  Price (£s) per hectare

  Access agreement

  Mid Glamorgan

  Fochriw to Deri (main sewer imp.)

  0.30

  1,700

  —

  Llanbradach (colliery road)

  0.01

  50,000

  —

  Powys

  Craig yr Henffordd

  7.50

  2,500

  —

  Cwmbach/Cwmcoch

  44.00

  —

  —

  Gribin

  21.00

  3,600

  —

  Gwern y Bwlch Fach

  2.00

  3,100

  —

  Nant Ffridd Fawr

  13.00

  3,100

  —

  Sprigs Wood

  6.00

  50

  —

  Stocking Wood

  8.00

  2,000

  —

  Waun Fawr

  18.00

  3,100

  —

  1 Areas of land where an access agreement has been concluded.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out his target for the sale of Forestry Commission land in Wales in the current year and for the next five years.

  Mr. Redwood
  As announced in Cm 2514, "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97 for the Departments of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Forestry Commission", table 13.12, the commission plans to sell 15,000 hectares of forest land in Britain in each of the next three years. The proportion of this that will be sold in Wales will depend on the state of the market, particularly the demand for forest land in different parts of Britain, but the commission estimates that it will be in the region of 15 per cent. As yet, no firm plans have been made for sales in future years.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Indonesia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what United Kingdom aid policy considerations underlie the changes in allocation of aid to Indonesia over the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The main considerations that have influenced allocations over the past 10 years include Indonesia's effective macroeconomic management and capacity to make good use of development assistance.

  Burundi
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current state of security in Burundi; and how it is affecting the delivery of aid by British relief organisations.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There have been outbreaks of fighting in and around Bujumbura. However, we understand that aid operations are continuing with relative freedom.

  Uganda
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Treasury about the development implications of the continuing debt crisis in Uganda.
  70
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  By long-standing convention, discussions of this nature between Departments are confidential.

  Iraq
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the amount spent on aid to Iraq(a) directly and (b) through international agencies in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The following is the information:

  United Kingdom bilateral and multilateral official development assistance to Iraqis 1984–93

  Multilateral agencies1 £ million

  Iraqi people2 £ million

  1984

  0.04

  —

  1985

  0.04

  —

  1986

  0.09

  —

  1987

  0.07

  —

  1988

  0.09

  —

  1989

  0.31

  —

  1990

  0.13

  —

  1991

  4.80

  30.35

  1992

  N/A

  2.33

  1993

  N/A

  5.24

  1 Estimates of United Kingdom share of official development assistance channelled through multilateral agencies. Such estimates are not yet available for 1992 and 1993.

  2 There is no bilateral official development assistance to the Govemment of Iraq. The amounts recorded as flows to Iraq are humanitarian assistance provided through United Nations agencies and NGOs to Iraqi citizens.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the project to develop a sustainable environment and development strategy for the island of St. Helena.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1993 a team comprising representatives from the royal botanic gardens, Kew and the International Institute for Environment and Development was contracted by the Overseas Development Administration to visit St. Helena with the objective of identifying and developing an environmental strategy for the island.

  Following the visit the consultants produced a report entitled "The St. Helena Sustainable Environmental and Development Strategy and Action Plan". The Government of St. Helena have been giving detailed consideration to the report's recommendations, and are expected to respond in the near future.

  Aid and Trade
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) of 24 February,Official Report, column 390, if he will list the total aid received by each country on a per capita basis.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The information requested is contained in table El of the Overseas Development Administration's British Aid Statistics 1988–89 to 1992–93. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Banana Producers
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what is his policy in respect of the EC providing a special package of aid to Latin American banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The United Kingdom has agreed to support some assistance to Latin American producers for diversification and development.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what discussions he has had with Directorate-General VIII about the possibility of the EC providing a special package of aid to Latin American banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have had discussions with Commission staff about how the Community should respond to the needs of all banana producers.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what representation he has received from other EC member states on the possibility of the EC providing a special package of aid to Latin American banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, if he will outline the amendments suggested by the United Kingdom to the EC proposal for aid to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The amendments suggested by the United Kingdom will ensure funds are used to help sustain the economic viability of the industry and to promote restructuring.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what discussions he has had with Directorate-General VIII on the amendments suggested by the United Kingdom to the EC proposal for aid to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific banana-producing countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The amendments suggested by the United Kingdom are under discussion with Commission staff.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what discussions he has had with (a) the Prime Ministers of the Windward Islands Governments, (b) the Windward Islands Banana Growers Association and (c) the four individual banana growers' associations of the Windward Islands on the amendments made by the United Kingdom to the EC proposal for aid to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey has had several discussions about the EC 72
  proposal and the proposed United Kingdom amendments to it with the Prime Minister of Dominica, who was speaking on behalf of the Windward Island Governments. Our development division in the Caribbean is in close contact with WINBAN and the Banana Growers' Associations. Indeed, the amendments we have proposed are based on such discussions.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what discussions he has had with other EC member states on the amendments suggested by the United Kingdom to the E2 proposal for aid to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  If the Commission agrees to incorporate the United Kingdom amendments, the revised proposal will be discussed by all member states in a working group of the EC council of Ministers.

  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 248, what discussions he has had with the Commission about the likely date on which the EC aid package will be available to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific banana-producing countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The ACP will be able to claim compensation for losses in the second half of 1993 as soon as the package is approved by the Council of Ministers.

  Aid (Military Sales)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to introduce legislation amending the Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980 to make explicitly illegal any direct or indirect linking of aid to sales of military equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980 sets out the legal basis for the aid programme. It does not cover any specific areas of aid policy. We do not see any need to amend the Act to cover arms sales links. It is the Government's clear policy not to link the aid programme to arms sales.

HEALTH

  Hospital and Community Health Services
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the per capita allocation to hospital and community health services to inner London health authorities for 1993–94; and what are the equivalent figures for(a) Birmingham, (b) Newcastle, (c) Manchester, (d) Liverpool and (e) Leeds.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is the responsibility of regional health authorities to allocate resources to districts and information held on the total resources allocated to district health authorities in 1993–94 is not available centrally.

  Expenditure Statistics
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is spent per capita in health services for residents in(a) London, (b) Birmingham, (c) Manchester,

  73
  (d) Liverpool, (e) Leeds, (f) Newcastle and (g) in England as a whole; and what proportion is spent on treatment (i) in hospital and (ii) by community services, excluding the element of cost which is attributable to medical education and research.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The table gives per capita spend for 1992–93, the latest year for which expenditure data are available. The figures include non-cash-limited family health services expenditure in addition to expenditure on cash-limited hospital and community health services. Expenditure by district health authorities as purchasers of hospital and community health services is not separately identifiable in the information collected by the Department.

  The figures will include some element of expenditure on research and medical education.

  District health authorities spend per capita £

  Family health services authorities spend per capita £

  Total spend per capita £

  London

  460

  124

  584

  Birmingham

  417

  132

  549

  Manchester

  654

  137

  791

  Liverpool

  487

  142

  629

  Leeds

  381

  140

  521

  Newcastle

  514

  135

  649

  TOTAL ENGLAND

  378

  132

  510

  Source:

  Expenditure—Annual accounts of health authorities (England).

  Population—Mid-year population estimates for 1992 (1991 Census based)

  Notes:

  1. There is additional hospital and community health services expenditure from national and regional top-sliced budgets.

  2. Figures exclude expenditure by the London Postgraduate Hospitals Special Health Authorities. London residents are the main users.

  Family Health Services Authorities
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) of 3 March, Official Report, column 851, what was the percentage increase of the(a) FHSA administration costs and (b) FHSA medicine costs in each of the last three years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The percentage increases in family health services authorities' administration expenditure for 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 over the previous year were 55.2, 30.8 and 19.1 respectively. The percentage increases in family health services drugs expenditure for 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 over the previous year were 7.1, 11.4 and 14 respectively.

  FHSAs manage the introduction of general practitioner fundholding, the monitoring of general practitioner prescribing, and the development of clinical audit in primary care—all initiatives to improve the effectiveness of patient care and value for money. In 1992–93 administration expenditure represented only 2.5 per cent. of the £6.5 billion of taxpayers' money spent on the FHS.

  Internal Market
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the principles driving the internal market; and what plans she has to regulate it.
  74
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The internal market enables district health authorities and general practioner fundholders to assess their patient's needs and purchase services more responsively. This means that money for services follows patient care to those hospitals and community units which provide high quality and cost effective care. Hospitals and community units therefore have an incentive to develop their services in an environment which encourages increasing efficiency through competition. We already have mechanisms in place to manage the market and these are constantly updated.

  NHS Budget
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the management overhead as a percentage of the total budget of the national health service in each year since 1990–91.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The gross salary costs of general and senior managers as a percentage of the total hospital and community health services revenue expenditure in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 was 1.7, 1.9 and 2.4 respectively. The figures need to be treated with caution. The number of managers has been deliberately increased since the mid 1980s—not just since the reforms—because the service was previously undermanaged. Much of the increase arises from the reclassification of existing staff, including many senior nurses, as managers. General and senior managers account for only 2 per cent. of the total national health service work force in England.

  NHS Trusts
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria she applies when considering proposals for mergers of NHS trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The same criteria area used to assess all applications for national health service trust status, including proposals for trust mergers. They are that the establishment of the trust will give clear benefits and improved quality of service to patients; that management has the necessary skills and capacity to operate independently; that senior professional staff, especially consultants, are involved in the management of the unit and that the trust will be financially viable.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the chief executives of the fourth wave of NHS trusts will receive remuneration of £80,000 per year or above; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about the individual remuneration of trust chief executives is not held centrally. The remuneration of trust chief executives is a matter for trust boards but information about their emoluments is published in annual accounts and annual reports available locally.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mergers of hospital trusts have taken place in London and in England since 1990; and how many hospital beds have closed as a result.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There have been three mergers of national health service trusts since 1990. Information on bed closures is not available centrally.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many shop fronts advertising tobacco products are currently covered by the voluntary agreement with the tobacco manufacturing companies; and how many she estimates are within(a) three miles, (b) two miles, (c) one mile, (d) three-quarters of a mile, (e) half a mile and (f) one-quarter of a mile of school premises.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  All cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco brand advertising material displayed on shop fronts is covered by the voluntary agreement, in that the advertising should comply with the cigarette code of the British code of advertising practice. In addition, all such material of 40 sq in or more must carry a health warning. Under the voluntary agreement the total number of external permanent cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco advertisements at retail premises is being reduced by 50 per cent. over five years from July 1991. Priority is being given to reducing the number of signs on shops clearly visible from school. Information on the number of shop fronts advertising tobacco products within different distances of school premises is not held centrally.

  Surplus Property
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 28 March,Official Report, column 594, when she last had occasion to comment adversely on the time taken to dispose of surplus national health service property.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional health authorities have been very successful in disposing of surplus national health service property. In the past 10 years, over £1 billion has been raised which has been reinvested in patient care.

  Some properties do prove to be hard to sell given the difficult property market of recent years. I see no reason to comment adversely on the regional health authorities' performance in this area.

  Mental Health
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will implement the 10-point plan for supervised discharge of mental health patients set out in the report of the mental health nursing review team.

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced our 10-point plan to reinforce community care for mentally ill people on 12 August 1993, following the Department's internal review of legal powers in this area.

  We have made substantial progress on the matters covered by the plan. Following wide consultation we shall be introducing legislation as soon as possible to give effect to the review team's proposals for a new power of supervised discharge and for extending the present Mental Health Act provision for leave of absence.

  The revised Mental Health Act code of practice was published at the end of August.

  Draft guidance on the discharge of psychiatric patients from hospitals, and their continuing care in the community, was issued for consultation on 12 January. We are now considering more than 250 comments received on the draft and will be issuing the definitive guidance shortly.
  76
  Guidance on the development of supervision registers for the most vulnerable patients was issued in February and health authorities were required to introduce these registers from 1 April.

  As part of our programme to improve training for key workers with mentally ill people, we held a successful conference in London on 3 March, at which I gave the keynote address.

  The clinical standards advisory group is on schedule with its review of standards of care for people with schizophrenia, on which it expects to report to Ministers in December.

  The mental health task force has been reinforced to carry out a special review of mental health services in the London implementation zone. This work is being jointly led by the head of the task force, Mr. David King, and Dr. Peter Kennedy who has been seconded from his post as chief executive of the York health services trust. The team will be working with district health authorities and other agencies to develop short and long-term action plans, and will be reporting to Ministers on progress against the plans and any issues requiring action in the longer term.

  We attach a very high priority to services for mentally ill people and will maintain the vigorous action we have been taking in these and other areas to develop and improve them still further.

  Community Care
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice her Department has given to local authorities and health authorities on consultation with users and carers in producing local purchasing plans for community care; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchcliffe) on 9 March,Official Report, column 307.

  Mentally Ill People (Homicide)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the first report of the confidential inquiry into homicides by mentally ill people is expected to be available.

  Mr. Bowis
  We expect to receive the first report later this year.

  Chinese Swabs
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she has received about Chinese swabs;

  (2) what advice her Department is giving to national health service supplies authorities on the purchasing of Chinese swabs.

  Mr. Sackville
  Two representations have been received. A defective product was withdrawn from use last year and the contract in question was terminated.

  No advice has been given on the purchase of divisions swabs from particular sources. The various purchasing of the National Health Service Supplies Authority are aware of the standards to be applied when purchasing surgical dressings, and that sterile dressings should be purchased from suppliers who operate recognised quality assurance systems.

  Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has given to the request from the Royal Victoria infirmary trust in Newcastle for extra paediatric intensive care provision.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Royal Victoria infirmary and associated hospitals national health service trust has made no request for additional resources for paediatric intensive care provision. The National Health Service Management Executive has asked all regional general managers and district general managers to ensure that levels of paediatric intensive care provision adequately meet the needs of the local population.

  Accountants
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the contracts currently being worked on for her Department by Coopers and Lybrand, Ernst and Young, Price Waterhouse, KPMG Peat Marwick, Grant Thornton, Robson Rhodes, Levy Gee, Hacker Young, BDO Binder Hamlyn, Pannell Kerr Forster and Stoy Hayward.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is as shown.

  KPMG Peat Marwick
  Support to Market Test (In-House bid) Prescription Pricing. Local Authority Systems Project.
  Support to Market Test (In-House bid) Main frame computer services.

  Coopers and Lybrand
  Review of Organisations in receipt of Section 64 Grants.
  Hospital Episode Statistics—Business case for redevelopment.
  BACS Payment system.
  Personal Social Services Information Strategy—Mental Illness Project.
  Hospital and Community Health Service Information Strategy Statement.
  Accruals Based Accounting.
  Health Service Indicators Technical Options.
  National Health Service Administrative Register—Benefits Evaluation.
  Development of Information Systems for Providers-Purchaser progress review.
  Investment Scrutiny process.

  Michael Buchanan
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 727, if she will increase the membership of the inquiry panel set up by the North West London mental health trust to investigate the care and treatment of Michael Buchanan, convicted of manslaughter after discharge from Shenley psychiatric hospital, to include two members of the public to ensure that it is as independent and objective as possible, as recommended in the Ritchie report.

  Mr. Bowis
  The panel of inquiry set up by the North West London mental health trust is an independent inquiry and not an internal one of the type referred to in the Ritchie report.

  St. Mary's Hospital
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will hold an investigation into the use by Neil Goodwin, chief executive of the St. Mary's hospital trust, of a private room in his hospital; what arrangements were made for payments; and if she will make a statement.
  78
  Mr. Sackville
  No. Mr. Goodwin was treated as a private patient at his own expense.

  Psychiatric Wards, London
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received about the need to increase the number of beds on psychiatric wards in London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department has received a number of representations about mental health services including the number of beds provided on psychiatric wards in London.

  IT Consultants
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information technology consultants her Department has employed, for what purpose and at what total cost for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Detailed information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The total expenditure on information technology consultants by the Department for each year since 1990–91, the earliest year for which figures are available was:

  £ million

  1990–91

  10.19

  1991–92

  12.50

  1992–93

  13.37

  1993–94

  12.55

  The services covered by this expenditure included advice on procurement and information strategies, the design, development and implementation of the office automation system and user support services. A very wide range of firms is used for this purpose.

  Pharmaceutical Investment
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the initial stage of the strategy to encourage inward pharmaceutical direct investment from the United States and Japan is expected to be completed; and what input has been given from the Board of Trade.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The initial stage of the inward investment strategy is expected to be completed in a few weeks. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Invest in Britain Bureau are represented on the working group set up to develop the strategy.

  Anthrax
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision she has made for the treatment bf, or vaccination against, penicillin-resistant anthrax.

  Mr. Sackville
  Anthrax vaccine creates protective immunity to the toxin produced by the anthrax bacillus. The vaccine is, therefore, effective against all strains of anthrax, irrespective of their antibiotic sensitivity.

  The anthrax bacillus is sensitive to a number of common antibiotics and these would be available for treatment in the rare event of penicillin-resistant strains.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the extent to
  79
  which naturally occurring strains of anthrax are resistant to penicillin; and if she will make a statement on penicillin-resistant anthrax.

  Mr. Sackville
  Only three cases of penicillin-resistant anthrax have been described in the world literature. One of these occurred in 1974 in the United Kingdom and this was verified at the Public Health Laboratory Service's centre for applied microbiology and research. The other two reports were from Bosnia and Japan, but it has been impossible to verify these. With these exceptions, natural strains of anthrax are not resistant to penicillin.

  Medical Certificates
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances general practitioners can charge a fee for issuing a medical certificate to a patient.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Under paragraph 37 of their terms of service, general practitioners are required to issue a defined list of medical certificates free of charge. They may charge a fee for issuing certificates not included on this list.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines there are to regulate the use of premises, equipment and staff, paid for from public funds, for the development of private dental practice.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Fees paid to general dental practitioners do not fund the development of private practice. Fees are set to take account of the average level of expenses incurred in the provision of national health service treatment.

  Wythenshawe Hospital
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with the Manchester Health Purchasing Consortium about the major improvements planned for Wythenshawe hospital; for what reason a new and more limited scheme will now have to be submitted to her Department; what effect an amended scheme will have on the running down of Withington hospital; what other hospitals in the city will be affected; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  When considering major capital proposals we need to be satisfied that schemes are cost effective and offer the best value for money. Officials support Ministers in this by meeting national health service staff and discussing new schemes in detail. The Wythenshawe hospital development is subject to this process. Further improvements to the scheme will deliver better services for less cost. It is too soon to detail the impact that the current revision will have upon the scheme or on other hospitals in the city, including Withington hospital.

  Hospital Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received alleging difficulties in recruiting hospital consultants in(a) anaesthetics, (b) accident and emergency, (c) ophthalmology, (d) paediatrics and (e) other specialties.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department of Health has received representations regarding recruitment of hospital 80
  consultants in anaesthetics and paediatrics. No specific concerns have been raised relating to recruitment in the accident and emergency area.

  In ophthalmology there are a number of senior registrars available to take up consultant appointments, but who, for personal reasons, are not submitting applications for posts.

  In paediatrics, concern regarding shortages of suitably qualified doctors available to take up consultant appointments is known to the Department. The British Paediatric Association has met separately with the then chief executive of the national health service management executive and me to express their concerns. Steps are being taken to alleviate these problems. Regions have indicated to the Department that they expect to fund the additional senior registrar posts they were allocated by the Joint Planning Advisory Committee after the 1992 review within the required time scale of March 1995 at the latest. The increased throughput of higher specialist trainees following the implementation of the Report of the Working Group on Specialist Medical Training, "Hospital Doctors: Training for the Future" should also be of assistance in making suitable candidates available to take up consultant appointments.

  In anaesthetics, a similar situation exists. The Department is fully aware of the Royal College of Anaesthetists' concerns over the availability of suitably trained candidates for consultant posts. Again, positive steps have been taken by the NHS executive to respond to these issues, including the introduction of innovative mechanisms to increase the number of doctors in training in the specialty. As with paediatrics, regions have indicated that they expect to be able to establish all senior registrar posts allocated to them within the required time scale, in this case of March 1996.

  Employing bodies may experience difficulties in recruiting consultants for a range of reasons. These include the nature of the post, its geographical location and the facilities offered at the hospital concerned.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is being made to ensure adequate provision of long-term beds in the NHS following the recent decision of the health service ombudsman; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The recommendations on the specific care instigated by the Commissioner have been accepted by the Leeds health authority. We are considering whether there are any wider implications to the Health Service Commissioner's report.

  Recruitment Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS has spent on employing recruitment consultants in the last year for which figures are available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Responsibility for recruitment of staff, and the procedures they use for doing so, are a matter for national health service employers.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent on recruitment consultant purposes in the last year.

  Mr. Sackville
  During 1993–94 the Department of Health, excluding its agencies, spent £259,659 on
  81
  recruitment, of which £204,606 was spent on work carried out by Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency, an executive agency of the Cabinet Office.

  Home Helps
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many home helps were employed by each local authority responsible for community care; and what was the ratio of home helps to population in each authority, at 30 September 1993.

  Mr. Bowls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 15 July 1993,Official Report, columns 624-26 for data in respect of the position at 30 September 1992. Information about the position at 30 September 1993 should be available shortly.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what computer systems her Department have brought in, for what function and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case whether the computer system is still in use.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has a large number of computer systems mainly for office support and statistics. It would not be possible fully to list these without incurring disproportionate costs.

  NHS Management Executive
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the costs associated with redesignating the NHS management executive as the NHS executive.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 31 March,Official Report, columns 1949–50.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings she has held with, and what representations she has received from, the Institute for Economic Affairs, Centre for Policy Studies, Adam Smith Institute and Institute of Directors regarding reform of the NHS.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Since late 1992, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has met only once with the Institute of Directors and once with the Institute of Economic Affairs. I am not aware, since then, of any written representations which have been received from these organisations on the subject of National Health Service reform.

  Surgical Operations
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports have been made to her of instances in which surgical operations have been conducted without an anaesthetic in NHS hospitals because of lack of supplies.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Care Orders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 29 March,Official Report, column 687, where those children aged 16 or 17 years
  82
  subject to care orders, were discharged to other than those placed with foster parents or become residents in community homes.

  Mr. Bowis
  The latest centrally available information relates to the position at 31 March 1992, when of the estimated 6,900 children aged 16 or 17 subject to care orders, 2,900 were in placements other than with foster parents or in community homes. Details of these are shown in the table.

  Number of children looked after by local authorities under care orders aged 16 or 17 years by placement at 31 March 1992, England, excluding children in foster placements and community homes

  Number

  England—Estimated Total

  2,900

  In lodgings, living independently of residential employment

  1,100

  Placed for adoption

  30

  Placement with parents regulations

  1,100

  In private registered homes

  50

  In schools for children with special needs, residential care and other schools and homes

  130

  In voluntary homes and hostels

  170

  Remaining placements1

  390

  1 Remaining placements include: youth treatment centres, mother and baby homes, national health service or other establishments providing medical and/or nursing care, young offender institution or prison establishment, children absent from agreed placement, and placements not specifically categorised.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 for estimates of a thousand or more and to the nearest 10 otherwise.

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 537, what was the average, maximum and minimum overspend by the 49 fundholders in 1991–92; and when she expects figures for 1992–93 to be available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Out of the 49 fundholders who overspent in 1991–92, the average overspend was £51,481. The maximum overspend was £158,988 and the minimum £1,236. We are not yet able to say when final audited information for 1992–93 will be available.

  Unwanted Pregnancies
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will bring forward proposals to help reduce unwanted pregnancies.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government have for some years been actively promoting initiatives to enable people to plan and space their families as they wish and avoid unwanted pregnancies. This activity has received renewed impetus with the publication of the "The Health of the Nation" White Paper which sets challenging targets, in particular to reduce unwanted conceptions amongst under 16s. I am today writing to the hon. Member with further details. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

  "Your Pocket Guide to Sex"
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of(a) commissioning, (b) printing, (c) distributing, (d) promoting and (e) recalling "Your Pocket Guide to Sex", written by Nick Fisher for the Health Education Authority, which was withdrawn on 23 March.
  83
  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 29 March 1994]: The Health Education Authority estimate the total cost of withdrawing "Your Pocket Guide to Sex" as £17,000. This should be seen in the context of estimated publication income generated by the HEA in 1993–94 of £700,000.

TRANSPORT

  New Roads
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new road schemes have attracted more than 17,500 representations in the past five years in England and Wales.

  Mr. Key
  Two.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the 10 new road schemes which have attracted the most representations in the past five years.

  Mr. Key
  The 10 new road schemes which have attracted the greatest number of representations arising out of public consultation over the last five years are as follows:

  Scheme

  Number of representations

  1. M1-M62 link road1

  26,700

  2. M62 relief road

  18,000

  3. M25 junctions 12-15 link roads

  11,800

  4. A453 Clifton lane

  7,200

  5. Greater Manchester western and northern relief road (M56-M62)1

  6,300

  6. Western orbital route/Kidderminster, Blakedown and Hagley bypass2

  6,000

  7. A3 Hindhead improvement

  5,000

  8. A418 west of Aylesbury to Wing

  5,000

  9. A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement

  4,300

  10. Gateshead western bypass

  3,900

  Included in the totals given are the numbers of signatures to petitions as well as those returning departmental questionnaires or other forms of pre-printed reply.

  1 Schemes have been withdrawn from the road programme.

  2 Schemes separated in May 1991.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the Driving Standards Agency for 1994–95.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend has set the following key targets for the Driving Standards Agency, which are contained in the agency's business Plan, a copy of which will be placed in the Library: to achieve, or better, unit costs of £24.50 for car tests; £59.03 for bus, coach and lorry tests; £32.66 for motorcycle tests; and £38.62 for overall approved driving instructor register activities; to recover full costs through fees and charges, including the recovery of accumulated deficits by 1995–96; to achieve a national average waiting time of no more than six weeks for car tests and no more than four weeks for motorcycle, bus, coach and lorry test; and to answer 90 per cent. of telephone calls to booking offices within one minute.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Institute of Professional Driving Examiners is a recognised trade union in the Driving Standards Agency for the purposes of negotiation or consultation.
  84
  Mr. Key
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive, Dr. John Ford. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dr. S. J. Ford to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 30 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked to reply to your question about recognition of the Institute of Professional Driving Examiners (IPDE) by this Agency.
  IPDF. has been recognised as a trade union in the Driving Standards Agency only for the purposes of consultation. I have no plans at present to recognise 1PDE for negotiation purposes.

  British Rail (Coal Tonnage)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was(a) the national figure and (b) the regional figures for the total coal tonnage carried by British Rail in 1993.

  Mr. Freeman
  The most recent national data can be found in table 1.12 of "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1993," a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Regional figures are not available.

  Roads (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect his review of the trunk roads programme in England will have on the availability of transport supplementary grant for the Worcester western orbital road and the Wyre Piddle by-pass.

  Mr. Key
  None. As my right hon. Friend made clear in answering a question following his statement in the House on 30 March on the trunk road programme review, the review does not affect local authority roads.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many health and safety inspectors were employed to cover each section of the transport industry in(a) 1978–79 and (b) 1992–93.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The definition and responsibilities of health and safety inspectors varies greatly from sector to sector of the transport industry. Details are as follows:Rail: HM Railway Inspectorate employed 21 inspectors in 1978 and 30 in 1992.
  Aviation: Responsibility for safety inspections rest with the Safety Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority which employed 777 people in 1992–93, not all of whom work as safety inspectors. Figures for 1978–79 are not available due to organisational changes.
  Shipping: The Surveyor General Organisation of the Department of Transport employed 186 marine surveyors involved safety inspection work in 1992–93. Comparable figures for 1978–79 are not available.
  Road transport: The Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency employs 925 staff in vehicle inspection and enforcement work. Figures for 1978–79 are not available.

  Roundabouts (Safety)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been conducted on the correlation between the diameter of roundabouts and the occurrence of vehicular accidents around them.

  Mr. Key
  An investigation into accidents at roundabouts, and which addressed the effects of roundabout
  85
  diameters, has been undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory and is reported in TRRL Laboratory report 1120. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

  Running Costs Review
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of running costs within his Department; and if he will make it his policy to inform the appropriate trade union as soon as surplus posts are identified.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Department or its agency will enter into consultation with the trade unions if a surplus staffing situation occurs which might result in the declaration of redundancies.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each meeting held by central Department of Transport management, since the announcement of the running costs review in his Department, to discuss this matter; and who was the senior manager present at each of these meetings.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I understand that running costs are discussed at many meetings of management within the Department. It is not normal practice to provide information of the sort which the hon. Lady requests about the internal management of a Government Department.

  Channel Tunnel Freight Lines
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that sound-proofing insulation is installed along the two south London rail lines to be used by channel tunnel freight traffic to protect local residents from increased noise levels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Steps being taken by British Rail (Railfreight Distribution) to reduce the effect of the international rail freight traffic include the introduction of new locomotives and rolling stock and continuously welded rail. In addition, BR (RfD) has agreed jointly funded schemes with local authorities, including the London borough of Bromley, for the provision of acoustic barriers alongside existing tracks expected to be most affected at night. BR (RfD) is willing to hold talks on a corresponding basis with any other local authority whose area is likely to be similarly affected.

  I have recently agreed to provide supplementary credit approval for £0.336 million to Bromley in this context. I and my colleagues will be prepared to consider TPP—transport policies and plans—applications for resources in 1995–96 from other authorities in London which agree schemes with BR (RfD). Such applications will be considered on their merits and in the light of the resources available.

  Staff Redundancies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will define(a) skills and (b) individual ability as used in his Department's "Establishment News", ENT 2/94; and how the criteria will be used to select staff for compulsory redundancy.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department's "Establishment News", ENT 2/94, set out the principles and procedures the 86
  Department or its agencies would follow in dealing with potential redundancy situations. The actual criteria adopted to deal with each situation and the way in which they would be used will he decided following consultation with the trade unions at the time.

  Staff, Newcastle
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the offices of his Department in the Newcastle upon Tyne travel-to-work area; and how many posts at each are covered by(a) casual, (b) agency or (c) fixed-term appointment staff.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 30 offices of varying size in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne travel-to-work area. At present, a total of 27 casual staff are employed at six of these offices, and one person is employed on a fixed-term appointment. Details are as follows.

  Building

  Casuals

  Agency

  Fixed term appointments

  Longbenton Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear

  —

  —

  —

  Government buildings Kenton Bar Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 2YY

  —

  —

  —

  Priory Grounds North Shields Tyne and Wear NE30 4DA

  —

  —

  —

  12-16 Woodlands Road Middlesbrough Cleveland TS1 3BE

  —

  —

  1

  Amble Morpeth Northumberland NE65 0AP

  —

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Broadway West Newcastle upon Tyne

  1

  —

  —

  Seahouses Northumberland

  —

  —

  —

  Wellbar House Gallowgate Newcastle upon Tyne

  —

  —

  —

  Bovis House Victoria Road Hartlepool TS24 7EA

  —

  —

  —

  Eagle Star House Regent Farm Road Gosforth NE3 3JN

  2

  —

  —

  Corporation House Albert Road Middlesbrough TS1 2BP

  3

  —

  —

  Maxwell Road Middlesbrough Cleveland TS3 8TE

  —

  —

  —

  St. Andrews House Industrial Trading Estate Haugh Lane Hexham

  —

  —

  —

  The Call Stand Low Quay Blyth Northumberland NE24 3EX

  —

  —

  —

  Banks Road Darlington Co. Durham DL1 1YE

  —

  —

  —

  Wyveston Lodge Sunderland Road South Shields

  —

  —

  —

  Crown House Surtees Street Hartlepool TS24 7AN

  —

  —

  —

  Westgate House Westgate Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1TW

  16

  —

  —

  Brus House Thornaby Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  McMullen Road Darlington Durham

  3

  —

  —

  Sandy Lane Gosforth Wideopen Newcastle upon Tyne

  —

  —

  —

  159 High Street Stockton on Tees Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  Station Approach Bishop Auckland Durham

  —

  —

  —

  5 Stanley Street Blyth Northumberland

  —

  —

  —

  87

  Building

  Casuals

  Agency

  Fixed term appointments

  Elvet House Hallgarth Street Durham

  —

  —

  —

  Mainforth Terrace Hartlepool Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  5 Albert Terrace Linthorpe Middlesbrough TS1 3PA

  —

  —

  —

  1 The Cloisters Stockton Road Sunderland Tyne-Wear

  2

  —

  —

  Corporation Road Darlington Durham

  —

  —

  —

  Seventh Avenue Team Valley Estate Tyne and Wear NE11 0NG

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  27

  —

  1

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold open all vacant posts currently covered by casual staff in the Newcastle vehicle registration office in order that staff declared surplus in the Driving Standards Agency can be redeployed.

  Mr. Norris
  It is the Department's practice to manage staffing so as to allow where possible for the redeployment into other posts of suitable staff who become surplus from their existing work. Firm plans for the posts referred to will not be possible until the current review of the vehicle registration office network, and market testing of work in the Driving Standards Agency, are complete.

  Permanent Secretary
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the objectives set by his Department for the Permanent Secretary for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Norris
  The permanent secretary supports my right hon. Friend in securing the aims and objectives set out in the Department's annual report.

  Child Care Schemes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the child care schemes operated by his Department and agencies and the number of places available on each scheme.

  Mr. Norris
  Child care schemes operated in the Department of Transport and its agencies are listed in the table:

  Location

  Child care scheme

  Number of places

  Swansea

  DVLA Nursery

  60

  Swansea

  DVLA Holiday Playscheme

  70

  Crowthorne

  TRL Summer Holiday Playscheme

  24

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the child care schemes with which his Department has an involvement excluding those run solely by the Department of Transport and the number of places offered on each scheme.

  Mr. Norris
  Child care schemes in which the Department of Transport has involvement are listed in the table:
  88

  Location and childcare scheme

  Number of places available overall

  Hastings

  Child Support Agency Nursery

  35

  Bristol

  Bristol Acorns Nursery

  25

  Bristol Civil Service Holiday Playscheme

  40

  Exeter

  Exeter Civil Service Holiday Playscheme

  30

  London

  Westminster Holiday Playscheme

  64

  Newcastle

  Newcastle City Council Holiday Playscheme

  100

  Nottingham

  Nottingham Inland Revenue Holiday Playscheme

  30

  Manchester

  Manchester Midland Bank Holiday Playscheme

  7

  Liverpool

  Ministry of Defence Holiday Playscheme

  3

  Bedford

  Bedford Civil Service Holiday Playscheme

  42

  Birmingham

  Ladywood Civil Service Holiday Playscheme

  40

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what authority the DVLA passes information about drivers to commercial organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  No information from the DVLA driver record is disclosed to any commercial organisation other than with the express consent of the driver concerned.

  Railway Stations (Safety)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Railtrack will spend in its first year of operation on measures to improve passenger safety at United Kingdom rail stations; how much it will spend at stations in south London; and how much British Rail spent on passenger safety improvements at stations in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Freeman
  Expenditure on safety is no longer recorded separately because it is impossible to identify precisely what proportion of expenditure on infrastructure and other improvements is related to safety as opposed to such things as quality of service or efficiency.

  Roads Expenditure, West Midlands
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the total expenditure in 1992–93 prices for all expenditure involved on new road construction and maintenance on all roads in the west midlands in each year from 1982–83 to 1992–93.

  Mr. Key
  The figures include expenditure on both new construction and maintenance on all roads—motorways,
  89
  trunk roads and local authority roads. Some estimation has been involved, particularly for 1992–93 where not all figures are yet available.

  £ million (1992–93 prices)

  1982–83

  370

  1983–84

  400

  1984–85

  410

  1985–86

  410

  1986–87

  410

  1987–88

  400

  1988–89

  520

  1989–90

  560

  1990–91

  460

  1991–92

  510

  1992–93

  490

  Redundancies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision has been made in the next financial year's budget for his Department or agencies to run an early retirement/redundancy scheme.

  Mr. Norris
  The position remains as in the reply on severance payments which I gave the hon. Lady on 24 March.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Driving Standards Agency management will consult the Institute of Professional Driving Examiners in line with the departmental redundancy arrangements in the event of any IPDE members becoming surplus.

  Mr. Key
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive, Dr. John Ford. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dr. S. J. Ford to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 30 March 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question about consultation with the Institute of Professional Driving Examiners (IPDE) in the event of any of their members becoming surplus.
  In accordance with the departmental redundancy arrangements the Agency will consult with IPDE, and any other Trade Union representing the staff involved, in the event of staff in the Agency becoming surplus.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that the relevant trades unions will be consulted at the earliest opportunity if staff within his Department are going to be made surplus.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department or its agency will, in seeking to address any surplus staffing situation which might result in the declaration of redundancies, consult the trades unions representing the staff concerned at the earliest opportunity.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider, when faced with a surplus staff situation or redundancies, redeploying staff elsewhere in the Department even if that means transferring staff from one agency to another.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department or its agency will consider the transfer of staff to other areas of work in the event of a surplus staffing or redundancy situation.
  90
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any of his staff are likely to become surplus as a result of the forthcoming move of the traffic area office in Edinburgh.

  Mr. Key
  As a result of the move of the Edinburgh traffic area office, two members of staff will become surplus to the traffic area office requirements. The traffic area office is working with the regional personnel unit to find alternative posts.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what access his Department has to European Union funds to retrain staff who are liable to be made redundant or who are made redundant.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that the European Union funds in question—the European social fund—may be used only for those who are already unemployed. The Employment Department administers the European social fund in Great Britain. Any retraining of staff still employed by the Department would therefore not be eligible for such funds.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the practice of his Department when faced with a potential need to declare redundancies of the type requiring consultation between his Department, and its agencies, and the recognised trade unions, regarding the seeking of agreement about the means of(a) avoiding redundancies, (b) reducing the numbers of redundancies or (c) mitigating the consequences of redundancies.

  Mr. Norris
  In seeking to address any surplus staffing situation which might result in the declaration of redundancies, the Department or its agency will at the earliest opportunity consult the trade unions representing the staff involved. Such consultation will be with a view to considering the ways and means of avoiding compulsory redundancies and with a view to meeting management needs and ending staff uncertainty as quickly as possible.

  Highways Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the objectives set by his Department for the newly appointed chief executive of the Highways Agency for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Key
  The Secretary of State has set the following objectives for the chief executive of the Highways Agency which are published in the Highways Agency framework document:to provide the best possible service both to road users and those affected by roads;
  to manage the new construction and maintenance programmes to secure the best value for money within the Government's overall strategy for trunk roads;
  to contribute to the Secretary of State's target of reducing road casualties by one third by the year 2000 compared with the annual average from 1981 to 1985;
  to give full weight to both the environmental and economic costs and benefits associated with the use, construction and maintenance of trunk roads and to strike a balance accordingly;
  to improve the efficiency of the Agency year on year.

  The chief executive has been set a number of key tasks and targets for the financial year 1994–95 which underpin these objectives. The key tasks and targets are published in the agency's 1994–95 business plan, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library.

  Taxi Drivers (Nottingham)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North of 21 February regarding Nottingham taxi drivers.

  Mr. Norris
  My reply to the hon. Member was sent on 7 March 1994. With receipt of the hon. Member's letter of 22 March, it became clear that he had not received my letter and my private secretary thereupon faxed him a copy of it.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the public inquiry on the Birmingham northern relief road will commence; how long it is expected to take; if he will set out the terms of reference for the public inquiry with particular reference to whether it is open to the public inquiry to reject the possibility of building the road; and if the terms of reference will be restricted to the line of the road.

  Mr. Key
  The inquiry will commence on 21 June. It will consider all the draft schemes and orders which have been published. If made, these would establish the route of BNRR, junction and side road arrangements, the compulsory purchase of the land needed for the scheme and ancillary features and the right to levy tolls. The inquiry could last several months.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the tolling design of the Birmingham northern relief road is consistent with the recommendations of his Department's Green Paper on motorway charging; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The Green Paper, "Paying For Better Motorways" suggested that while conventional tolling, with toll booths and barriers, had several advantages it would be impracticable to toll the entire motorway network by conventional methods. This is because existing motorways were not designed for tolling and land was therefore not set aside for the purpose; and because conventional tolling over the whole network would cause unacceptable traffic delays. These arguments do not apply to individual stretches of road, such as the Birmingham northern relief road, where provision for tolling is part of the design.

  Shipping Subsidies
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he is making to the French Government and the European Commission about the plans developed by the French Government to subsidise the state-owned shipping company Compagnie Generale Maritime.

  Mr. Norris
  The EC Commission has responsibility for initial consideration of these matters. My Department has made clear that we consider that a number of subsidies to shipping companies in the Community may represent illegal state aids within the terms of the treaty of Rome. We understand that the Commission is investigating whether subsidies paid by the French Government to Compagnie Generale Maritime, or proposed to be paid in the future, contravene the treaty.
  92
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessement he has made of the subsidy and tax concessions made available by member states of the European Union to their domestic shipping companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  We believe that some subsidies and tax concessions made available by member states to their domestic shipping industries may constitute illegal state aid within the terms of the treaty of Rome. We have presented detailed information to the EC Commission which has responsibility for the initial consideration of these matters, and we understand that it is currently investigating certain cases.

  Mersey Rail (Signalling)
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Southport and Merseyside relating to safety with the new signalling system on Mersey Rail; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which the travelling public are protected as a result of this new investment.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am not aware of any representations from Southport and Merseyside. Her Majesty's chief inspecting officer of railways has received representations from the general secretary of ASLEF.

  The safety assessment by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate of phase 1 of the new Mersey Rail signalling scheme is almost complete. Her Majesty's railway inspectorate has raised a number of questions with Railtrack. It is anticipated that approval of the works will be granted by the Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Secretary of State following a satisfactory response to the points raised and a site inspection.

  Vehicles (Blacked-out Windows)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) from what organisations he has received representations about vehicles with blacked-out windows;

  (2) what is his assessment of the effectiveness of regulation 32 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986;

  (3) how many prosecutions have been made under regulation 32 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Key
  We have received 15 representations about blacked-out windows from members of the public during the last three years.

  Regulation 32 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 makes the fitment of excessively dark glass illegal. The British and European standards to which this regulation refers requires not less than 70 per cent. light transmission through all window glass. We believe that all vehicle manufacturers comply with this regulation.

  Details of prosecutions for obscuration of windows are not available because prosecutions for all construction and use offences are recorded jointly. We understand that the police would be more likely to bring prosecutions under regulation 30 which relates to the driver's view of the road being unobscured. Some police forces have ordered darkened windows to be cleaned, or dark plastic film to be removed, under their vehicle rectification schemes.

  Traffic Warden Duties
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which local authorities have taken over traffic warden duties;

  (2) what plans he has to transfer traffic warden duties to local authority responsibility.

  Mr. Key
  Under the Road Traffic Act 1991, local authorities can apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for designation orders enabling them to use parking attendants to enforce most parking offences in their areas. At present, these offences are enforced by traffic wardens and the police.

  Nine London boroughs—Wandsworth, Bromley, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewisham, Camden, Hackney, Hounslow, Richmond and Southwark—are currently using parking attendants to enforce most parking offences in their areas. It is the Government's intention that all the London boroughs will be enforcing permitted parking by July this year; by that date, it is expected that the majority of the boroughs will also be enforcing most restricted parking. Enforcement on the red routes in London is to remain with the police and their traffic wardens.

  The Government are currently preparing guidance for the local authorities outside London which would like to enforce parking offences in their areas. Once the guidance has been published, local authorities outside London will be able to apply to the Secretary of State for designation orders giving them the necessary powers.

  Road Tax Offences
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the number of road tax offences reported by police to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Swansea in the past year; how many were brought to prosecution; and what was done with those cases not prosecuted.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 28 March 1994]: The number of vehicles reported to the DVLA by the police for alleged vehicle excise duty offences in 1992–93 was 1.8 million. Some 435,000 evaders were penalised, of which 242,000 settled out of court and 193,000 were successfully prosecuted. A further 180,000 evaders were encouraged to relicense their vehicles promptly as a direct result of enforcement activity. In a large proportion of the remaining cases, subsequent checks of the DVLA vehicle register revealed that the vehicles were in fact licensed and no offence had been committed. Other cases were not completed because of defects in offence reports, more than one report being received for the same offence, problems in tracking down offenders, difficulties in serving summonses and availability of resources.

  Air Passenger Safety
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the report by Edward James Trimble, the Principal Inspector of Accidents, entitled "The Management of Aircraft Passenger Survival in Fire."

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 30 March 1994]: The report referred to is the thesis by Dr. E. Trimble undertaken in his own time under the auspices of the faculty of management of Robert Gordon university, Aberdeen. The
  94
  conclusions of this thesis are therefore Dr. Trimble's and not necessarily those of the AAIB or the Department of Transport. The thesis carries a note to this effect. It is therefore not appropriate for copies to be deposited in the Library of the House.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the occasions on which the final approach separations used when there is no additional wake vortex separation requirement for Heathrow are less than the legal minima; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what were the reasons for the decision by the Civil Aviation Authority to authorise air traffic controllers employed by National Air Traffic Services who are qualified commercial pilots to undertake commercial AOC flying activities during their off-duty rest days; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is the purpose of the National Air Traffic Services Safety Regulation Group interface document; and if he will place a copy in the Library;

  (4) if the air traffic control separation monitoring function at London air traffic control centre, can respond to aircraft final approach separations applied by controllers at the Heathrow approach radar facility; what plans there are to re-programme the separation monitoring function; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 30 March 1994]: As these four questions all concern matters which are within the responsibility of the CAA, I am asking the chairman of the CAA to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for, and publish, a report from the Civil Aviation Authority as to its view on the research by Dr. E. J. Trimble, the Principal Inspector of Accidents, on the management of aviation passenger survival in situations of aviation fire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 30 March 1994]: the responsibility for the safety regulation of United Kingdom civil aviation, including the provision of passenger safety equipment, rests with the Civil Aviation Authority.

  The authority published its view on passenger survival in situations of aviation fire in CAP 586, "Improving Passenger Survivability in Aircraft Fires: A Review". The authority's position on the issue of smokehoods, which is the main issue addressed by Dr. Trimble in his private research, was last published in the civil aviation publication CAP 594. I do not have any plans to call upon the authority to publish a direct response to the research in question from Dr. Trimble. However, I shall bring the hon. Member's question to the attention of the authority and ask it to write to him direct to explain its position regarding the conclusions reached by Dr. Trimble.

  Vehicle Inspections
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, columns 106-7, which categories of vehicle other than public service were covered by his answer; and if he will give the corresponding figures for (a) goods vehicles and (b) other vehicles.
  95
  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 28 March 1994]: My answer of 21 March referred to public service vehicles only. the table attached to that answer shows in addition to the PSV figures, the annual roadworthiness sport checks for heavy goods vehicles, light goods vehicles, cars and motor cycles, as well as the traffic enforcement spot checks for heavy goods vehicles.

  Rail Expenditure
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what will be the level of Government funding to each of the PTEs, via the relevant district or regional councils, for payment of Railtrack charges for 1994–95.

  (2) what is the total section 20 spending for each PTA area for 1994–95 and that planned for 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Freeman
  Figures are not available for planned section 20 spending in each passenger transport authority area. It is for each passenger transport executive to determine the level of local rail services to be provided, in the light of PTA policies for its area.

  Assistance to local authority programmes is given through revenue support grant paid by the Department of the Environment in England and the Scottish Office in Scotland. An amount is provided within the all other services block for distribution to district councils in the six English metropolitan county areas in respect of their responsibility for supporting local rail services. For 1994–95 this element will be £112.9 million. In Scotland an amount is included in the aggregate external finance settlement, which for 1994–95 amounts to £35.2 million in respect of supported rail services in the Strathclyde region. These figures reflect estimates of the cost of maintaining services made on the basis of the railway charging principles applicable up to March 1994.

  Under the new railway charging systems introduced on 1 April 1994 we expect the headline cost to PTEs of maintaining their existing service levels to increase. We have undertaken to cover the increased cost in 1994–95 by making special grant payments to the six PTAs in England and through similar payments to Strathclyde regional council. These will be sufficient, when taken together with the sums provided through the local government finance system, to cover the full cost to PTEs of maintaining their service levels, including the access charges relating to their services. For 1994–95 the PTEs will not be making payments direct to Railtrack for the access charges attributable to their rail services, but will be paying the subsidy required by BR to run the trains. BR, in turn, will pay access charges to Railtrack.

  Thereafter, we intend to enhance the support provided through the local government finance system to reflect the net increase in the level of support required to maintain existing services in future years.

  School Minibuses
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children have been killed and injured in school minibuses in the last year.

  Mr. Key
  In 1992, the latest year for which data are available, it is estimated that 105 school children were slightly injured, and three children were seriously injured in minibuses in journeys to and from school. In addition 193 school children were slightly injured and 19 seriously 96
  injured in minibuses on journeys other than going to and from school. There were
  no child fatalities in minibuses in 1992.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that no school minibus is used without adequate seat belts being fitted.

  Mr. Key
  We are currently considering the full technical and cost implications of fitting seat belts in all minibuses and coaches. We hope to publish the conclusions shortly.

  Pelican Crossings
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what advice he gives to local authorities on the provision of pelican crossings where the criteria laid down by his Department are marginally above the traffic and road conditions; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he intends to relax the conditions and criteria for the provision of pelican crossings where a community or parish council consider that local conditions demand such a crossing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The current advice given to local authorities is that the provision of crossings should not rest solely on the volumes of vehicles and pedestrians but should also take into account local features. The advice is contained in departmental advice note TA 52/87 "Design Considerations for Pelican and Zebra Crossings". A copy is in the Library. This advice is non-mandatory and it is entirely a matter for local judgment whether crossings can be justified at specific sites. Revised advice will be published this year which will stress the importance of taking a broad range of local factors into account rather than relying on rigid arithmetic factors.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Consultants
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the consultants retained by him on the Post Office review have advised him of conflicts of interest.

  Mr. Heseltine
  On a number of occasions the consultants have approached the Department to determine whether work which they were contemplating undertaking for other clients would create a conflict of interest. Each such case has been considered and decided on its merits.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent on consultancies relevant to(a) the review of the Post Office and Parcelforce, (b) the review of the DTI research laboratories and the Atomic Energy Authority and (c) the review of the Accounts Services Agency, the Patent Office, Companies House and the Insolvency Service Agency in each of the calendar years 1992 and 1993; and how such expenditures are recorded in MINIS returns.

  Mr. Eggar
  Total expenditure on consultancy advice relating to the Post Office review and privatisation of Parcelforce amounted to £411,624.12 in the calendar year
  97
  1992 and £854,651.35 in 1993. On each of the other reviews a single company was appointed and the individual fees paid to these are commercially confidential. This expenditure is not recorded separately in MINIS. It can be found as part of the running costs or programme budget, as appropriate, in the form "0" of the relevant management unit's MINIS return.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether consultants continue to be employed on the review of Parcelforce and the Post Office; on what occasions such consultancies have been subject to renewal or renegotiations; and whether competitive tenders were sought on every such occasion.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  All appointments of consultants in connection with the Post Office review and the

  Current public expenditure period

  Past launch aid 1983–84 to 1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Payments—£ million cash

  British Aerospace

  696.4 (878.9)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Rolls Royce

  146.1 (234.4)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Westland

  87.5 (119.5)

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Shorts

  0

  0

  20

  2.5

  0

  Receipts—£ million cash

  British Aerospace

  173.5 (182.4)

  28.9

  34.0

  53.5

  53.5

  Rolls Royce

  240.9 (291.8)

  22.8

  34.8

  24.9

  24.9

  Westland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shorts

  0

  0

  5

  2.5

  0

  Notes:

  1. Constant/current prices are in brackets.

  2. Constant/current prices are deflated to 1992–93, most recent Treasury deflator index.

  Wind Power Station, Humble Hill
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to hold a public inquiry into the proposed Humble Hill wind power station, Northumberland.

  Mr. Eggar
  Discussions on the proposed windfarm are continuing. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will wish to take account of the outcome of those discussions before deciding whether to hold a public inquiry into the application.

  Monopoly Inquiries
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the cost to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission of its inquiry into(a) perfumes and fine fragrances and (b) ice cream supplies.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The MMC estimates that the cost to it of carrying out these inquiries was £559,000 for fine fragrances and £368,000 for ice cream.

  World Trade Organisation
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how often a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation will be called; and if he will make a statement.
  98
  privatisation of Parcelforce have been made after a competitive tendering process. The resulting contracts have been extended as appropriate, and some remain in force. Details of individual contracts are commercially confidential.

  Launch Aid
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing which companies have received launch aid; what the total receipts and expenditure in cash and current prices has been; and what receipts and expenditure in current prices are expected to be in the current public expenditure policy period.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information on launch aid is in the table:

  Mr. Needham
  The ministerial conference of the proposed World Trade Organisation is to meet every two years.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the voting arrangements for member nations of the World Trade Organisation.

  Mr. Needham
  Each member of the proposed World Trade Organisation will have one vote.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether measures to promote(a) sustainable development and (b) environmental protection are enshrined in the constitution establishing the World Trade Organisation.

  Mr. Needham
  A commitment to sustainable development is set out in the preamble of the proposed agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation. In addition, a work programme on trade and environment issues is to be agreed at the time of the Marrakech ministerial meeting. This will involve examination by the members of the WTO of a wide range of issues associated with the interaction of the rules of the trading system and environmental protection.

  Consorzio Ital Offshore
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, column 656, what further steps he now proposes to take to reschedule the visit to Ital Offshore by Offshore Supplies Office officials; if he will approach the EU Commission under the terms of the Single European Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The invitation to OSO to visit CIO's fabrication site was unsolicited and was subsequently cancelled by the yard. Despite extensive discussions in the United Kingdom and Sicily, the OSO, working with the consulate general Naples, has been unable to establish grounds for making a formal complaint to the EU Commission about the Judy award.

  Ethylene (Substitution)
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place between BP Chemicals and his Department, and between his Department and the European Commission regarding the substitution of ethylene now being produced at BP Chemicals Baglan Bay from alternative sources.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None. This is a matter for commercial decision by the company.

  Caparo Judgment
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for reversal of the Caparo judgment.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to seek to change the present state of the law.

  Supervisory Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for legislation under which the recognised supervisory bodies would owe a duty of care to individual shareholders.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to seek to change the present state of the law.

  Healthcall (MMC Referral)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will investigate whether there is a case for referring Healthcall to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Such investigations are a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading, and any concerns the hon. Member has should be directed to him.

  European Union Trade Policies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effects on United Kingdom sovereignty of the trade policies of the European Union.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Under article 113 of the treaty of Rome, the EC acts as a single party in most areas of trade policy. The Commission negotiates for the Community, in 100
  consultation with member states and subject to Council approval of resulting agreements. The United Kingdom remains a GATT contracting party, and will be an original member of the World Trade Organisation.

  Environmental Technology Exhibition
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what(a) Ministers and (b) staff attended the employment training "94 Environmental Technology" exhibition at Birmingham from 22 to 24 March.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Due to prior engagements no DTI Minister was able to attend the ET "94 Environmental Technology" exhibition. However, the DTI once again exhibited and also organised two seminars on the capabilities of United Kingdom environmental technology suppliers and export opportunities.

  Aerosol Sprays
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it a mandatory requirement that all aerosol sprays which carry a "Flammable" warning label should also carry the flame symbol.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The use of the flame symbol is governed by Commission directive 67/548/EEC as amended, which has been implemented in this country by the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993. The directive and these implementing regulations require the symbol to be used only where a product is labelled "Extremely Flammable" or "Highly Flammable" and not just "Flammable".

  Immovable Property Transactions Report
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reports other than the principal report by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens entitled "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers" have been commissioned by the European Commission in areas which might reasonably be expected to have an impact upon the detailed regulation of the United Kingdom's manufacturing and construction industries; if he will make it his policy in future to notify the House and industry of the commissioning of all such reports in future; and if he will make arrangements to ensure that British industry has the opportunity to be consulted in the preparation of all such reports.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The European Commission does not inform the United Kingdom Government of all the reports which it commissions.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has concerning the extent to which copies of the principal report by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens entitled "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers" are available in other member countries of the European Community; what consultation about the recommendations of the report has been undertaken with industry in those countries; and what preliminary conclusions have been reached by the European Commission on those recommendations.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Commission has not officially released the report, although we understand that some
  101
  copies are in circulation. It is understood that the Commission has no plans at present to take forward the recommendations in the report.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether Her Majesty's Government were approached or consulted by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens during the research which they recently undertook and which led to the production of a principal report entitled "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers".

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Office of Fair Trading and the Lord Chancellor's Department were approached during the research before the report was made.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost to the European Commission of the principal report by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens entitled "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers"; by whom, specifically, that report was commissioned; what is the status of that report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The European Commission has not disclosed the cost of the report which it commissioned. The status of the report is that it is an unreleased confidential report made to the European Commission.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to circulate copies of the principal report by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens entitled "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers" to the Confederation of British Industry, the National Association of Estate Agents, the Building Societies Association, the Building Employers Confederation, the Personal Investment Authority, the Law Society and all those financial services regulatory bodies whose members are involved in the provision of advice about lending in connection with immovable property purchase;

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 March, Official Report, column 204, whether he now intends to make available to industry copies of the principal report by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens entitled, "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers"; and if he will invite the comments of industry on the recommendations of that document;

  (3) what plans he has to bring forward proposals to change the law in any of those areas which are his responsibility and which were included in the recommendations of the principal report by Wilde Sapte and Maclay Murray and Spens entitled "Information and Protection of Transactions concerning Immovable Property Purchased by Consumers".

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Government are not entitled to make public the contents of a confidential report which is the property of the European Commission.

  Pergau Dam
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department was first approached under aid and trade provisions for support for the Pergau dam; by which firm he was approached; and if he will set out, the dates of each step in the main sequence of events in his Department's consideration of the application.

  Mr. Needham
  According to DTI records, DTI officials were in frequent discussions during the summer of 1988 with Balfour Beatty and GEC about the Ulu Jelai hydro-electric project, which these two companies had formed a consortium to pursue, and for which they had applied for ATP in July 1988. On 20 September representatives of these companies expressed to DTI officials their interest in Pergau and GEC indicated that it was intending to apply for ATP for that project, rather than for Ulu Jelai. Subsequently a formal application for ATP dated 11 November was submitted by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the United Kingdom consortium. The industrial and commercial benefits that ATP support would bring to the United Kingdom were then assessed by DTI officials. Following approval by the then Minister for Trade on 20 January the ATP case paper was circulated to other Government Departments for consideration on 24 January 1989.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the dates and give the actual changes that occurred in the costs of the Pergau dam project and the detailed reasons that were given for the changes in costs.

  Mr. Needham
  A formal ATP application with a contract value of £315 million was lodged by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the United Kingdom consortium on 11 November 1988. On 3 March 1989 the United Kingdom consortium submitted a revised price of £316 million broken down by its various elements. No reason was given for the increase but it was known that the United Kingdom consortium had been working on its price since November 1988. Information on the further price rises to £397 million and £417 million respectively is contained in the National Audit Office report on the Pergau hydro-electric project, dated 22 October 1993. Copies of this are available in the Library of the House.

  Technology Transfer Programmes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the projects approved under, and give the regional distribution of expenditure incurred within each of the technology transfer programmes relating to(a) advanced control technology, (b) biochemical engineering and (c) neural computing technology in each of the last five years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The details requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the compensation payments given to members of staff at the National Engineering laboratory and Warren Springs laboratory who have been made redundant in the last year.

  Mr. Heseltine
  There have been no redundancies at either the National Engineering laboratory or Warren Spring laboratory.

  At both laboratories, staff numbers have been reduced through voluntary early retirement, voluntary early severance and through placement in other posts in the Department.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) to what extent administrative delays have resulted in a delay in his Department making a decision about regional selective assistance grants to Stone Plastics Ltd. and Tape Seals Ltd. of Atherstone, Warwickshire;

  (2) whether his Department has investigated the effect on jobs and exports of delays in approving regional selective assistance grants for Stone Plastics and Tape Seals Ltd.

  Mr. Needham
  There have been no delays in reaching decisions on the regional selective assistance applications from Stone Plastics Ltd. and Tapeseals Ltd. Both cases are currently undergoing appraisal to determine whether the criteria for assistance are met.

  Electricity Tariffs
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the different domestic electricity tariffs throughout the United Kingdom, in descending order of price.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information is set out in the table:

  Domestic Electricity Tariffs 1 April 1994

  Standard tariff

  Economy 7

  Standing charge per quarter (£)

  P/kwh

  Standing charge per quarter (£)

  P/kwh (day)

  P/kwh (night)

  Public Electricity Supplier

  South Wales

  11.25

  8.08

  14.10

  8.66

  2.65

  Northern

  11.04

  7.95

  13.92

  8.37

  2.65

  Manweb

  11.55

  7.78

  14.80

  8.15

  2.81

  Northern Ireland

  13.95

  7.75

  18.55

  8.21

  2.68

  Eastern

  9.10

  7.42

  14.30

  7.42

  2.74

  East Midlands

  9.30

  7.34

  13.08

  7.34

  2.70

  Southern

  10.33

  7.27

  13.25

  7.90

  2.64

  Yorkshire

  10.13

  7.22

  13.21

  7.63

  2.83

  Seeboard

  10.84

  7.21

  13.92

  7.21

  2.68

  Midlands

  8.79

  7.18

  12.65

  7.75

  2.75

  Scottish Power

  10.11

  7.13

  15.22

  7.70

  2.93

  South Western

  11.45

  7.11

  15.00

  8.52

  2.84

  London

  12.22

  7.08

  15.31

  7.67

  2.76

  Scottish Hydro

  11.03

  6.78

  14.00

  7.18

  2.68

  Norweb

  10.84

  6.60

  14.27

  7.07

  2.61

  NB. Companies are listed in descending order of unit cost per kilowatt hour under the standard tariff.

  Other Notes:
  Manweb are giving a £10 rebate, Seeboard a £8 rebate and SWEB a £4.50 rebate.
  Most companies offer a set reduction for payments by direct debit. There are other tariffs by domestic consumers such as power key and special tariffs for storage heaters.

  Coal Privatisation
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 648, if he will update his list of consultants commissioned to provide advice on the privatisation of British Coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  Brodies WS was appointed on 22 March 1994 to provide legal advice in connection with Scottish aspects of the privatisation of British Coal.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to make further information available about coal privatisation.

  Mr. Eggar
  N. M. Rothschild will issue a preliminary memorandum on behalf of Her Majesty's Government on 13 April at 11 am. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  THORP
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has received from(a) British Nuclear Fuels and (b) Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution as to the awarding of licensing instruments by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in the commissioning process for THORP at Sellafield.

  Mr. Eggar
  The issuing of a licensing instrument—LI—is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate, the NII. I understand that the NII, on completion of its assessment of the results of uranium testing at the THORP plant at Sellafield, issued an LI on 25 March. Reprocessing at THORP subsequently started on 27 March.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what type, quantity and value of arms have been exported to south-east Asia in aggregate, without detailing country by country information, by the United Kingdom, in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Needham
  The available information is published regularly by the Ministry of Defence in "UK Defence Statistics" which is available from the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which banks backed the ECGD credits on the successive Government to Government arms deals with Jordan.

  Mr. Needham
  It has been the policy of successive Governments not to make public details of individual defence export orders or the related financing arrangements unless the relevant parties have agreed to this. No such agreement has been given in these cases.

  British Coal Superannuation Scheme
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if there will be an evaluation of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme prior to privatisation; and if the Government will provide funds to meet the costs;
  105
  (2) whether the three-year evaluation of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme will continue; when the next evaluation will take place; and if Her Majesty's Government will provide funds to meet the cost of such an evaluation.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is proposed that after the privatisation of British Coal the industry pension schemes should have valuations at intervals of not more than three and a half years. The possibility of a further valuation of the staff superannuation scheme before privatisation is a matter for the trustees. The costs of valuations will continue to be met from scheme funds.

  Electricity (French Interconnector)
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the ratio of United Kingdom imports to exports of electricity supply via the electricity supply link between the United Kindom and France in each year since 1986 on a quarterly basis and in the first quarter of 1994 expressed in gigajoules.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  106 gigajoules

  Electricity imported from France

  Electricity exported to France

  1986

  Q1

  0.39

  0.03

  Q2

  3.62

  0.01

  Q3

  2.95

  0.30

  Q4

  9.05

  0.35

  1987

  Q1

  7.96

  0.00

  Q2

  11.88

  0.10

  Q3

  10.12

  0.03

  Q4

  12.07

  0.00

  1988

  Q1

  11.16

  0.00

  Q2

  12.33

  0.04

  Q3

  12.61

  0.01

  Q4

  10.13

  0.00

  1989

  Q1

  11.35

  0.00

  Q2

  14.28

  0.00

  Q3

  12.68

  0.00

  Q4

  10.40

  3.23

  1990

  Q1

  0.17

  0.16

  Q2

  12.74

  0.00

  Q3

  14.75

  0.00

  Q4

  15.51

  0.01

  1991

  Q1

  15.46

  0.02

  Q2

  13.41

  0.02

  Q3

  14.81

  0.01

  Q4

  15.45

  0.00

  1992

  Q1

  15.53

  0.00

  Q2

  14.38

  0.02

  Q3

  14.79

  0.08

  Q4

  15.50

  0.02

  1993

  Q1

  15.43

  0.02

  Q2

  14.48

  0.00

  106

  Electricity imported from France

  Electricity exported to France

  Q3

  14.78

  0.00

  Q4

  15.49

  0.00

  Note
  Information for the first quarter of 1994 is not yet available.

  Coal Industry Bill
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the National Rivers Authority regarding the Coal Industry Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has received no representations from the National Rivers Authority on the Coal Industry Bill. The NRA has, however, provided comments in the context of the consultation exercise on the Coal Authority explanatory note and draft model licensing and leasing documents.

  New and Renewables Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the projects approved under the new and renewables programme since its inception, together with the geographical distribution of the expenditure incurred.

  Mr. Eggar
  The list of projects approved under the new and renewable energy programme since its inception is very long and I will write to the hon. Member with a full list of approved projects in due course. I will place that letter in the Library of the House.

  I regret that it will not be possible for this listing to provide a geographical distribution of the expenditure incurred. This information is not readily available and its presentation would entail disproportionate cost.

  Overseas Projects Board
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) of 9 February,Official Report, column 323, if he will list all the members of the Overseas Projects Board since 1984 with the terms and conditions of the appointment, including any recompense, expenses or remuneration.

  Mr. Needham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 21 February 1994,Official Report, columns 22-23.

  With regard to conditions of service, appointments are made by the Minister of Trade normally for a period of three years. Members are required to treat all commercially classified material which they may obtain during the course of their membership as strictly confidential. Members are reminded that Government information is subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act.

  Members are asked to provide the Department of Trade and Industry with a list of companies in which they hold directorships and/or have financial interests and to update the information as necessary. This list is treated in the strictest confidence and is not made available outside the Department.
  107
  The appointment does not carry rights to recompense, expenses or remuneration.

  I have placed a copy of the board's terms of reference in the Library of the House.

  Carrier Technology Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the projects approved under, and the regional distribution of expenditure incurred within, the carrier technology programme since its inception.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  One project on the application of chaos theory to the production of spring wire has been approved within the carrier technology programme. The project began in December 1993 and will last two years. It will cost £156,000 and has a DTI grant of £76,000. The Spring Research and Manufacturers Association of Sheffield, and the university of Warwick are the main collaborators.

  Space and Satellite Industry
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what review he is undertaking of the British space and satellite industry; and whether the retention of a directly owned British satellite manufacturing capability forms part of his strategy for competitiveness.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My officials are in regular contact with the British space and satellite industry, although no specific review is currently being undertaken. In encouraging the British satellite manufacturing industry to enhance its competitiveness, we work with the companies involved on the best means of achieving that objective.

  Manufacturing, Planning and Implementation Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the projects approved under, and the regional distribution of expenditure incurred, within the manufacturing, planning and implementation scheme since its inception.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  A list of projects approved under the manufacturing, planning and implementation scheme that have reached grant status is attached. The approximate distribution of expenditure by region is as follows:

  £ Thousand

  North, West

  900

  North East

  400

  South West

  550

  South East

  850

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  950

  East Anglia

  450

  West Midlands

  1,250

  Scotland

  500

  Wales

  300

  East Midlands

  800

  List of Supported Projects

  1 Platon International

  2 Skippingdale Paper

  3 Rainford Group

  4 Hinckley Mouldings

  5 CMK Treatments

  6 KM-Comark

  7 MDH Limited

  108

  8 Sanmex International

  9 Permoid Ind.

  10 Dalepak Foods plc

  11 Dewhursts plc

  12 Elkay Electrical

  13 Appor Limited

  14 Mulberry Co. Ltd.

  15 Bloxwich Engineering

  16 Kirpac Ltd.

  17 Helix

  18 Airedale International

  19 Gledhill Water Storage

  20 The Dane Group

  21 Hobart Rose

  22 Carlton Int

  23 Montan Group

  24 Federation Breweries

  25 Carver and Co.

  26 Hillary's Blinds

  27 Econ Engineering

  28 Pulsafe Safety Products

  29 Regent Belt Co.

  30 Kitchen Range Foods

  31 Hilden Manufacturing

  32 Cherub Ltd.

  33 Edward MacBean

  34 Ebac Ltd.

  35 Autonumis

  36 Oxley Developments

  37 Hocking NDT

  38 Ambi-Rad

  39 Safeline

  40 Simon Jersey

  41 Blowspeed Industrial Mouldings

  42 Albion Concrete products

  43 Hozelock

  44 Lewis Woolf Griptight

  45 M. R. Hadida Ltd.

  46 Unipack Ltd.

  47 Asme Lt.

  48 GFE Bartlett and Sons

  49 Craig and Rose

  50 Souplex Ltd.

  51 Weatherite Ltd.

  52 East Yorkshire Glass

  53 AM Paper Convertors

  54 Meridian Foods

  55 Regent Lock Ltd.

  56 Cooke Bros Ltd.

  57 Phostrogen Ltd.

  58 Grower Marketing Services

  59 MSP Ltd.

  60 Manchester Circuits

  61 Hayes Tubes

  62 Aulds (Foods) Ltd.

  63 Shering Weighing

  64 Crane Electronics

  65 Stemwest Produce Ltd.

  66 Servomex plc

  67 Silverscreen Print

  68 Darron Tool and Engineering

  69 Turner Brothers

  70 P. and L. Suswin

  71 Premier Pottery

  72 Cambridge Optical

  73 John Blackburn

  74 W. Karp and Sons

  75 Charles Walker

  76 Crabtree

  77 S. and A. Foods

  78 Nusteel Structures

  79 Redler

  80 Stewart Buchanan Gauges

  81 Leslie and Co. (Coventry) Ltd.

  82 Progenitive Services

  83 Circast Electronics

  84 Thompson Carmichael

  85 Chromalock

  86 Zincast Foundry

  87 Lancaster Glass Fibre

  109

  88 Self Serve Hygiene

  89 FERMEC

  90 Brookside Group (Meighs) Ltd.

  91 Cardinal Broach

  92 Foward Group plc

  93 George Ward

  94 Burall Plastec

  95 Ford Component Manufacturing

  96 Applied Security Design Ltd.

  97 Welbeck (UK) Ltd.

  98 Roberts Capsule Stopper

  99 Morgan Motor Company

  100 Porter Hopkins Ltd.

  101 Metalformers Ltd.

  102 CLF International

  103 Brooke Tool Engineering

  104 Reid Group plc

  105 Wild Country Ltd.

  106 Cranford Circuits

  107 Assembly and Automation Ltd.

  108 Concord Temperature Controls

  109 Unwins Seeds Ltd.

  110 Meteorway Ltd.

  111 Plastic Developments

  112 Blackburn Starling

  113 Kleeneze plc

  114 Swift

  115 Atreus plc

  116 HC Slingsby

  117 Vedonis

  118 Bode and Son Ltd.

  119 Newport Technology Group

  120 Fox Brothers and Co. Ltd.

  121 The Michelmersh Brick and Tile Co. Ltd.

  122 Langley Alloys Ltd.

  123 C. H. Branham Ltd.

  124 Envair Ltd.

  125 Dagless Ltd.

  126 Armeg Ltd.

  127 Gilberts

  128 Meridian House

  129 Poole Pottery Ltd.

  130 Storforth Engineering

  131 C. C. L. Group plc

  132 Eclipse Blinds

  133 ETAL

  134 Strathclyde Fabricators

  135 William Baker (Leicester) Ltd.

  136 Thwaites Ltd.

  137 Kembrey Wiring Systems

  138 Robor Cartons Ltd.

  139 Danline Int. Ltd.

  Postal Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library returns showing for each country of the OECD, for each country of the European Union and for Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia, the imports and exports of postal services as defined in the Standard International Trade Classification for each year between 1982 and 1993.

  Mr. Needham
  The only postal services recorded within the Standard International Trade Classification are SITC 911.0—mail not classified by kind. The information is not readily available for all the countries listed over the period requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information for some of the countries is published in the relevant country volumes of the "United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Environmental Best Practice Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the projects approved under, and the regional distribution of expenditure incurred within, the environmental best practice programme since its inception.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The environmental technology best practice programme is expected to be launched in June 1994. No expenditure under the programme has yet been incurred.

  Advanced Technology Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons for the closure of the advanced technology programme and support for innovation; and what evaluation of these programmes was carried out before their closure.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The support for innovation scheme was withdrawn as a result of the decision, announced in the 1988 White Paper, "DTI—the Department for Enterprise", Cm 278, to end DTI support for near-market research and development through grants to individual companies. An evaluation of the scheme was carried out in July 1987.

  The advanced technology programmes were closed in September 1993 following a further review of DTI's science and technology policy and programmes in the context of the White Paper on science, engineering and technology, "Realising our potential" (Cm 2250). The review decided that the balance of DTI's innovation support should be shifted away from generating new technology, on which DTI spend was less than 2 per cent. of industry's own research and development spend, towards technology transfer and exploitation and the promotion of innovation. Two programmes were evaluated; gallium arsenide in May 1991 and wealth from the oceans in December 1992.

  Fees (Export Credit Cover)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on granting export credit cover on long-term project costs which include(a) initial design and other fees preparatory to the award of any contract or (b) any commissions or brokerage fees; what written guidance on such matters is available to ECGD or exporters; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Needham
  Initial design and other preparatory fees can in principle be covered provided these are part of the overall export contract. Commissions and brokerage payments may also be eligible for export credit support if these form part of the exporter's overall costs of the contract.

  There are no specific internal instructions in ECGD on cover for design and other preparatory fees. The internal instructions on cover for commission payments have been placed in the Library of the House. There is no written guidance for exporters on either issue; advice is usually given in the context of the contract being considered for ECGD support. Copies of ECGD's information guides for exporters are also being placed in the Library of the House.

  "Good Government" Rule
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Exports Credits Guarantee Department observes any rules, or guidance similar, or equivalent to, the "good government" rule of the Overseas Development Administration.

  Mr. Needham
  The ODA's "good government" objective, alongside other objectives for the aid programme, is specifically designed to assist the ODA's decision making process.

  The ECGD's function is to support United Kingdom exporters bidding for commercial contracts overseas by providing insurance and guarantees against the risks of non payment. In assessing these risks ECGD takes account of the economic and political circumstances of the markets in question as well as the credit worthiness of the individual buyers and borrowers concerned. It is a condition of the ECGD's guarantees that the exporter must obtain all necessary licences and authorisations for the exports to proceed.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff the Export Credits Guarantee Department has seconded to the British offset office at the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Needham
  There are no ECGD staff seconded to the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount of Export Credits Guarantee Department cover(a) has been offered and (b) is outstanding in relation to the Saudi Arabia offset programme.

  Mr. Needham
  The answer is(a) Nil and (b) nil.

EDUCATION

  Further Education
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what will be the role, remit, funding and governance of the new development agency for further education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government have accepted the broad thrust of recommendations from the further education funding councils, to establish a new body to support and develop the quality and delivery of further education. This new body will supersede the further education unit and the Staff college, and will build on the valuable contributions that both have made. Arrangements for the transition to the new body will be finalised in the light of discussion with the funding councils, the further education unit and the Staff college.

  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of the costs of the new development agency for further education will be met by is Department in each of the first three years of its existence.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government intend that, over time, the new body should generate a substantial proportion of 112
  its income direct from colleges. It will be funded at the outset through a combination of block grant from the further education funding councils, and income from other sources including charges for services. The balance between these will depend on the needs and wishes of the customers, and the potential for attracting income.

  Local Management of Schools
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the reasons for not including heads and governors of grant-maintained schools in the consultative processes which set the local management of schools formula for their schools.

  Mr. Forth
  Since 1 January 1994, local authorities have been required by law to consult heads and governors of grant-maintained schools in their area, as well as those of the schools which they maintain, about proposed amendments to their schemes of local management where these amendments constitute "significant variations" which require the Secretary of State's approval.

  HMI/Ofsted Reports
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures his Department intends to take to ensure that HMI/Ofsted reports on private and independent schools which receive public funds are sent to parents of children at those schools.

  Mr. Forth
  All independent schools are monitored regularly as part of a programme of inspections by the Office for Standards in Education—Ofsted. Schools which are the subject of a published report are supplied with a stock of copies for distribution to parents, and are made aware that further copies may be obtained free from Ofsted. Ofsted also sends copies to the national and local press, thus alerting parents to the existence of the report and their right to obtain a copy.

  School Buses (Seat Belts)
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to provide adequate funding to ensure seat belts are fitted to minibuses used by schools for the transportation of children.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department of Transport is currently reviewing the full technical and cost implications of fitting seatbelts to all minibuses and coaches, including those used for the transportation of school children. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will be publishing his conclusions shortly.

  Student Income and Expenditure Survey
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when his Department's survey of student income and expenditure was published for 1990, 1991 and 1992; when he expects the survey for 1993 to be published; and what expenditure was incurred on the preparation of each of these surveys.

  Mr. Boswell
  The report of the student income and expenditure survey for the 1992–93 academic year was published by Research Services Limited on 16 December 1993. The cost of the survey funded by the Department for Education was £181,000. The previous survey covered the 1988–89 academic year. There were no such surveys in the intervening years.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 269, if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department and the number of contracts they have undertaken.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as listed:

  1989

  Contracts

  BIS Ltd.

  3

  Peat Marwick Mclintock

  3

  Coopers and Lybrand

  2

  CMG Ltd.

  1

  Digitus

  1

  Fearnhart

  1

  Illston and Crowcroft

  1

  Scoll Ltd.

  1

  TOTAL

  13

  VALUE

  £555,000

  1990

  Contracts

  Coopers and Lybrand

  6

  BIS Ltd.

  3

  ICL Ltd.

  3

  PE International

  3

  Butler Cox

  2

  KPMG

  2

  Oracle Ltd.

  2

  Peat Marwick Mclintock

  2

  Touche Ross

  2

  Amtec Consulting

  1

  CMC Ltd. CMG Ltd.

  1

  Elizabeth Braiden

  1

  Ernst and Young

  1

  F. Parrott

  1

  FI Group

  1

  Henley Consultants

  1

  Hoskyns Ltd.

  1

  Intac Ltd.

  1

  J. Broadbent

  1

  Kinesis Computing

  1

  Lalcrest Ltd.

  1

  LBMS Ltd.

  1

  Oxford Computer Training

  1

  Peter Pierce-Price

  1

  Radius Ltd.

  1

  RML Ltd.

  1

  SCOLL Ltd.

  1

  Tranrate Ltd.

  1

  Tunnock and Parish

  1

  Two B Ltd.

  1

  TOTAL

  47

  VALUE

  £974,000

  1991

  Contracts

  Coopers and Lybrand

  7

  Sema Systems

  6

  LBMS Ltd.

  5

  PE International

  4

  Touche Ross

  4

  Duhig Berry

  3

  Kinesis Computing

  3

  114

  Contracts

  Admiral Ltd.

  2

  BIS Ltd.

  2

  EIS Ltd.

  2

  Express Consultancy

  2

  Forvus Ltd.

  2

  Hugh Whiteside

  2

  Insight Consulting

  2

  Price Waterhouse

  2

  Thorn EMI

  2

  WS Atkins

  2

  BBT Ltd.

  1

  Brown Associates

  1

  CSL Ltd.

  1

  Dataflex

  1

  Derek Etherington

  1

  Ernst and Young

  1

  Howard Whiteside and Partners

  1

  Kingsley Lord

  1

  KPMG

  1

  London University

  1

  Mcneil Robertson Partnership

  1

  Michael Gill

  1

  Microsoft Ltd.

  1

  MSL Ltd.

  1

  MTA Ltd.

  1

  National Computing Centre

  1

  Neville Russell

  1

  Oracle Ltd.

  1

  Oxford Computer Training

  1

  PA Consulting

  1

  Peat Marwick Mclintock

  1

  Poplar Consultants

  1

  Radius Ltd.

  1

  Research Machines Ltd.

  1

  Robert Young

  1

  Robson Rhodes

  1

  ROCC Computing Ltd.

  1

  SC Scicon

  1

  SCS Ltd.

  1

  Software Sciences

  1

  Sybase Ltd.

  1

  TOTAL

  83

  VALUE

  £1,517,000

  1992

  Contracts

  KPMG

  4

  BIS Ltd

  3

  Coopers and Lybrand

  3

  Ernst and Young

  2

  Insight Consulting

  2

  Price Waterhouse

  2

  Admiral Ltd

  1

  Aid to Industry

  1

  Alan Marshall

  1

  Audit Consultancy and Training

  1

  BBT Ltd

  1

  Central Office of Information

  1

  CSL Ltd

  1

  Duhig Berry

  1

  Express Consultancy

  1

  Forvus Ltd

  1

  Granada Computer Services

  1

  Kinesis Computing

  1

  MFT Computer Systems

  1

  MSL Ltd

  1

  Oxford Computer Training

  1

  115

  Contracts

  Oracle Ltd

  1

  Peter Kemp

  1

  PE International

  1

  Richard Ellis

  1

  Saxton Bampfylde

  1

  Sema Systems

  1

  Shreeveport Ltd

  1

  Thomas Henley

  1

  Touche Ross

  1

  TOTAL

  40

  VALUE

  £1,994,000

  1993

  Contracts

  Coopers and Lybrand

  8

  KPMG

  5

  Ove Arup

  3

  PA Consulting

  3

  Price Waterhouse

  3

  Arden Business Consultants

  2

  Express Consultancy

  2

  Touche Ross

  2

  Uden Consulting Ltd.

  2

  Alan Wilkinson

  1

  AMP Systems

  1

  Barony Consulting

  1

  Beard Dove Ltd.

  1

  BIS Ltd.

  1

  BUPA Occupational Health

  1

  Capita Ltd.

  1

  CMG Ltd.

  1

  CSL Ltd.

  1

  David Medd

  1

  DEGW London

  1

  Dr. J. Haskell

  1

  Eric Granshaw

  1

  Ingres Ltd.

  1

  J. Holdsworth

  1

  J. Huskins

  1

  Kinesis Computing

  1

  Kingdom Technology

  1

  KPG Ltd.

  1

  Loretta Franklin

  1

  Lorraine Stout

  1

  Microsoft Ltd.

  1

  Morgan Harris Burrows

  1

  N. M. Rothschild

  1

  Oxford Computer Training

  1

  Peter Kemp

  1

  Sophie Jackson

  1

  Steven Jackson

  1

  Terry Kinnard

  1

  Trackit Systems

  1

  W. S. Atkins

  1

  TOTAL

  61

  VALUE

  £1,629,000

  GRAND TOTAL

  244

  VALUE

  £6,669,000

  Student Debts
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is the current average debt of students in England to the Student Loans Company Ltd;
  116
  (2) how many graduates became liable from 1 April to make repayments to the Student Loans Company Ltd.; what is the average debt; and what have been the changes in these figures since April 1993.

  Mr. Boswell
  These are matters for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Autism
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of educational support services provided for children with autism in England.

  Mr. Forth
  The effectiveness of educational provision in schools for pupils with special educational needs, including autism, which may include the effects of special educational needs support services, is inspected as part of the continuing inspection programme of the Office for Standards in Education.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many local education authority school inspections have so far been awarded, despite a cheaper bid from the private sector; if he will total the differences between the value of the contract and the level of the lowest private bid in each of those cases; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what was the total of the differences between the value of the private sector contract, and the local education authority sector contract lowest bids submitted to Ofsted for each school inspection to date; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) how many Ofsted inspections have currently been awarded to (a) the private sector and (b) the local education authority sector; and what was the amount of each bid.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The arrangements for inspecting schools under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 are a matter for Ofsted.

  I have asked Professor Sutherland to write to the hon. Member.

  Literary Programmes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 28 March,Official Report, columns 520-21, what evaluation he has made of the literacy programmes mentioned in his answer.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  As I said in my answer of 28 March, the reading recovery trial is still in progress, as is the independent research project sponsored by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority. We will evaluate the programme once the trial and the research project have been completed.

  Of the other GEST-funded literacy projects, some have only just been completed; others will not finish until March 1995. They will be evaluated in due course.

  The adult literacy and basic skills unit is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the family literacy initiative. The unit will report to my right hon. Friend when the initiative has concluded.

  The increased grant to the volunteer reading help—VRH—organisation is to help it expand its operation,

  117
  particularly in the north of England. The organisation provides regular information to the Department on numbers of volunteers trained and placed with schools. The evidence provided by VRH is that its work provides an effective contribution to the raising of reading standards.

  Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the level of funding by the Further and Higher Education Council to Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute in 1993–94; and what is the planned level in 1994–95.

  Mr. Boswell
  In 1993–94, the Further Education Funding Council made available funding of £15,855 for the Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute. In 1994–95, provisional funding from the council, excluding any additional money for growth, will be £98,576.

  Overseas Students (Fees)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a table showing the fees charged for overseas students for each of the last five academic years, including the current academic year; and what proposals he has for levels of fees over the future public expenditure planning period.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government do not set the level of fees charged to overseas students originating from outside the EC. Further and higher education institutions are expected to recover the full cost of the courses that they provide to overseas students. The establishment of fee levels therefore falls outside the public expenditure planning process.

  The tables show the illustrative minimum fee levels circulated by the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals and the Council of Local Education Authorities over the last five academic years as guidance to institutions in determining their fee levels.

  Higher Education Institution

  Arts degree

  Science degree

  Clinical years (medicine dentistry, veterinary science

  £

  £

  £

  1989–90

  4,300

  5,700

  10,500

  1990–91

  4,560

  6,050

  11,150

  1991–92

  5,000

  6,630

  12,210

  1992–93

  5,320

  7,055

  12,990

  1993–94

  5,550

  7,360

  13,550

  Further Education Institutions

  Arts degree

  Science degree

  FE courses

  £

  £

  £

  1989–90

  4,107

  no level set

  1990–91

  3,000 to 5,670

  no level set

  1991–92

  5,019

  2,778

  1992–93

  5,319

  2,946

  1993–94

  5,547

  3,072

  Reading Skills
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 28 March,Official Report, columns 520-21, what plans he has to develop the
  118
  existing specific programmes to improve reading skills among young children beyond 1995; and what plans he has to ensure that the expertise gained by those involved in reading recovery programmes will be utilised after 1995.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No decisions have been taken about specific programmes beyond 1995. As I said in my answer of 28 March, we will consider what further action might be taken on reading recovery in the light of evidence from the trial and the independent research project, both of which have yet to be completed.

  Dogs
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make a statement on the activities of commercial concerns in the promotion of dog ownership in primary schools;

  (2) how many educational visits to schools have been made by dog wardens and other agencies with interest in dogs since 1988;

  (3) what measures the Government intend to take to end the promotion of dog ownership to primary school children.

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not collected centrally. Individual schools and the parents of the pupils concerned will wish to take a responsible attitude to dog ownership.

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total cost of official entertaining in his Department in each year since 1990–91; if he will list the receptions held in each year at his Department's expense; and what was the cost of each reception.

  Mr. Boswell
  The information available is as follows:

  £ thousands

  1990–91

  57

  1991–92

  86

  1992–93

  96

  The cost of official entertainment in each of these years is included in the running cost expenditure for the Department which is published every year in the annual report; figures for 1993–94 are not yet available. The entertainment budget is used for a variety of functions including receptions. Separate figures are not kept for individual functions.

SCOTLAND

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of official entertaining in his Department in each year since 1990–91; if he will list the receptions held in each year at his Department's expense; and what was the cost of each reception.

  Mr. Lang
  Total expenditure on ministerial hospitality for the years in question was:

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  65,123

  1991–92

  62,800

  1992–93

  94,385

  1993–94

  49,805

  119
  Expenditure on hospitality is included within the running cost expenditure for my Department which is published each year in the annual report. The hospitality budget is used for a variety of functions including receptions but providing details of individual events would incur disproportionate costs.

  Highlands and Islands Veterinary Service
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which bodies he has consulted regarding possible changes to the Highland and Islands veterinary services schemes following the completion of consultants reports on the scheme; and when he issued any consultation guidelines.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: The following organisations were sent a copy of the consultant's report on 4 June 1991; and were invited to comment.

  British Veterinary Association

  Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

  Crofters Commission

  Scottish Crofters Union

  Highlands and Islands Enterprises

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  Strathclyde Regional Council

  Highland Regional Council

  Conservation Areas
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what proportion of the land area in(a) Scotland and (b) Highland region is covered by the proposed list of special areas of conservation which he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage;

  (2) what proportion of the sites of special scientific interest in (a) Scotland and (b) Highland region are included in the proposed list of special areas of conservation which he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: Scottish Natural Heritage, in conjunction with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, has submitted to the Government a preliminary and confidential list of sites from which candidate special areas of conservation under the EC habitats directive, 92/43/EEC, may be chosen. This list does not constitute a list of proposed special areas of conservation, but merely a contribution to the Government's consideration of what sites may be proposed as candidate special areas of conservation.

  The Government expect to publish for consultation later this year proposals for candidate special areas of conservation.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take advice from the local authorities on the economic and social needs of those areas contained in the proposed list of special areas of conservation he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage prior to its issue for public consultation.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: The preliminary advice received from Scottish Natural Heritage does not constitute a list of proposed special areas of conservation. The Government believe that when a list of candidate special areas of conservation has been prepared, the owners and occupiers of those sites should be the first to be informed. Nonetheless, the Scottish Office
  120
  would be interested in any advice which local authorities might care to give about areas which they consider suitable or unsuitable for proposal as special areas of conservation.

  Civil Servants (EC Matters)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give numbers, ranks and departments within Scottish Office of those civil servants who work exclusively on EC affairs; which are monitoring EC activities; and which are administering and advising on grants.

  Mr. Lang
  The number of staff from grade HEO to grade 5 who spend a significant proportion of their time on EC business in each of the departments of the Scottish Office is set out in the table. Figures are not available for grades other than those listed.

  The figures indicate the overall percentage of time which officers spend on EC work; information on the proportion of time spent on the different aspects of EC business is not available.

  Scottish Office officers involved in EC business

  Percentage of time spent on EC work

  Grade

  100-60 per cent.

  60-25 per cent.

  25-10 per cent

  The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department

  5

  4

  3

  1

  7

  13

  6

  2

  SEO

  3

  1

  1

  HEO(D)

  2

  —

  —

  HEO

  19

  8

  2

  Senior Prof Grades

  8

  2

  1

  The Scottish Office Education Department

  Senior Prof Grades

  2

  1

  1

  The Scottish Office Environment Department

  5

  —

  —

  2

  6

  —

  1

  1

  7

  —

  —

  5

  HEO(D)

  —

  —

  1

  HEO

  —

  1

  4

  Senior Prof Grades

  —

  7

  3

  The Scottish Office Home and Health Department

  HEO

  —

  —

  1

  The Scottish Office Industry Department

  5

  1

  —

  1

  6

  1

  —

  —

  7

  3

  —

  —

  SEO

  4

  1

  —

  HEO(D)

  1

  —

  —

  HEO

  7

  1

  1

  Senior Prof Grade

  —

  —

  3

  Central Services

  5

  —

  —

  1

  7

  —

  2

  —

  HEO

  —

  1

  —

  Lamb Losses
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what scientific evidence he has that fox destruction clubs are actually reducing lamb losses; how the extent of economic loss compares with expenditure on funding fox destruction clubs; and if he will make a statement.
  121
  Sir Hector Monro
  Studies carried out by the Scottish Office and others indicate that between 1 per cent. and 2 per cent. of viable lambs may be predated by foxes. Losses at the level of 1 per cent. would represent some £1.2 million per annm compared with grants amounting to £70,068 in 1993–94. If foxes are numerous, predation on lambs may increase. The fox destruction clubs have been successful in reducing the numbers of foxes by between 3,500 and 4,000 a year mainly before and during the lambing period. A further study of this matter is neither necessary nor would it be practicable at reasonable cost.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the geological survey reports relating to the Skye bridge.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A copy of the geological survey reports were lodged in the Library last year following a similar request from the hon. Gentleman on 8 February 1993.

  Skill Shortages
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he holds centrally about the specific skill shortages that Government training schemes are remedying.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information on specific skill shortages remedied by Government training schemes is not held centrally. It is the responsibility of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, through their respective networks of local enterprise companies, to deliver Governnment training schemes, with the aim of providing young people and unemployed adults with the skills, vocational qualifications and work experience to help meet the needs of local labour markets.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the contracts currently being worked on for his Department by Coopers and Lybrand, Ernst and Young, Price Waterhouse, BDO Binder Hamlyn, KPMG Peat Marwick, Grant Thornton, Robson Rhodes, Levy Gee, Hacker Young, Pannell Kerr Forster and Stoy Hayward.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department does not maintain a central record of all current contracts and it would be disporportionately costly to compile the information sought. Information is available for the 1993–94 financial year and the details are as follows.

  Name of company and contract

  PRICE WATERHOUSE

  1. Finance Group Review

  2. Milk Marketing Reorganisation

  3. Commercialisation review of a Development Corporation

  4. Computer System for FE Colleges

  COOPERS AND LYBRAND

  1. Financial Health Checks on FE Colleges

  2. IT Strategy Studies

  3. Computerised Financial and Management Information Systems Project for an Executive Agency

  4. Managing the migration of an Executive Agency's IT System to a new building

  5. Preparation of Annual Accounts for an Executive Agency

  122
  KPMG

  1. Community Care Database

  European Regional Development Trust
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the annual sums of money committed since the inception of the European regional development trust to each recipient local authority and each regional council and the annual amounts paid to each from the fund.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. Since 1975, local authorities in Scotland have received awards totalling almost £677 million which have resulted in payments to date totalling almost £576 million. The total awards and payments to each recipient local authority are as follows:

  £

  £

  District Councils

  Award

  Payment

  Angus

  1,328,797

  1,152,268

  Argyll and Bute

  759,245

  518,624

  Caithness

  153,000

  61,200

  City of Dundee

  9,277,976

  6,612,747

  Clackmannan

  1,389,900

  1,153,943

  Clydebank

  2,719,599

  2,607,408

  Clydesdale

  827,969

  789,187

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  1,651,443

  838,411

  Cunninghame

  5,978,945

  4,587,373

  Dumbarton

  1,063,271

  860,060

  Dunfermline

  2,754,280

  1,839,478

  East Kilbride

  3,271,456

  1,256,160

  East Lothian

  565,144

  318,097

  Eastwood

  55,000

  51,250

  Edinburgh

  1,014,146

  811,629

  Falkirk

  2,683,080

  2,026,781

  Glasgow

  20,626,470

  19,088,113

  Gordon

  193,000

  193,000

  Hamilton

  2,621,622

  1,845,712

  Inverclyde

  2,995,450

  1,375,888

  Inverness

  1,495,696

  1,126,923

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  2,374,200

  476,382

  Kirkcaldy

  2,542,336

  1,797,626

  Kyle and Carrick

  553,350

  215,336

  Lochaber

  531,600

  38,600

  Midlothian

  1,957,911

  824,423

  Monklands

  5,062,430

  4,419,117

  Moray

  59,640

  33,133

  Motherwell

  3,029,719

  2,930,359

  Nairn

  45,727

  27,318

  Nithsdale

  174,500

  165,988

  North East Fife

  189,300

  165,403

  Perth and Kinross

  16,406

  13,637

  Renfrew

  5,055,215

  4,192,037

  Ross and Cromarty

  1,256,509

  939,398

  Skye and Lochalsh

  55,000

  55,000

  Stewartry

  144,000

  144,000

  Stirling

  6,033,266

  3,496,497

  Strathkelvin

  1,290,835

  1,076,405

  Sutherland

  18,000

  18,000

  West Lothian

  3,608,214

  2,705,641

  Wigtown

  920,000

  834,542

  Regional Councils

  Borders

  2,551,288

  1,744,124

  Central

  27,363,430

  22,353,603

  Dumfries and Galloway

  12,868,995

  10,158,583

  Fife

  29,261,460

  23,388,543

  Grampian

  14,439,042

  13,601,252

  Highland

  64,744,265

  58,893,445

  Lothian

  39,450,238

  31,770,343

  Strathclyde

  277,464,202

  248,789,512

  Tayside

  32,583,733

  28,537,101

  123

  £

  £

  District Councils

  Award

  Payment

  Islands Councils

  Orkney

  18,844,047

  13,036,540

  Shetland

  29,790,829

  25,302,973

  Western Isles

  29,113,521

  24,304,728

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish Enterprise about its ability to respond to the training needs of existing work forces within Government guidelines.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has received no such representations from Scottish Enterprise. His officials in the Scottish Office Industry Department meet and discuss with Scottish Enterprise officials from time to time a range of issues affecting delivery of Government training programmes, including the application of the guidelines governing these programmes.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish Enterprise about the adequacy of the supply of serviced sites of differing sizes in the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Stewart
  Ensuring an adequate supply of suitable sites and premises for businesses, including inward investors, is a key function of the enterprise bodies; and it is a matter on which Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Office are in regular contact.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department and the number of contracts they have undertaken.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) of 21 February 1994,Official Report, columns 51-52 and to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) of 16 March 1994, Official Report, columns 659-60.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information technology consultants his Department has employed, for what purpose and at what total cost, for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) of 21 February 1994,Official Report, columns 51-52 and to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman), on 16 March 1994, Official Report, columns 659-60. These include details of information technology consultancy contracts.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Paris Commission's policy agreed in June 1993 will be used in deciding whether to allow the Dounreay reprocessing plant to increase levels of radioactive discharge.
  124
  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: Recommendations of the Paris Commission are not binding although the United Kingdom complies with those it accepts. The United Kingdom entered a reservation to recommendation 93/5 and takes the view that it is inappropriate for the Commission to have a role in the approval or rejection of individual projects. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom takes most seriously its commitments under the Paris convention and it is expected that the national competent authority will have full regard to these commitments in arriving at decisions in respect of the current applications for revised discharge authorisations at Dounreay.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the arrangements made for international scrutiny and consultation on allowing increased radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 7 March 1994]: All international obligations with respect to the current applications for a revised discharge authorisation for Dounreay will be complied with.

  Forestry Commission
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all Forestry Commission woods currently for sale in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England; and if he will give details of all current targets for the disposal of Forestry Commission land both by area and projected income.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 23 March 1994]: The areas of forest land currently being offered for sale by the Forestry Commission on the open market are given below.

  As set out in the Government's expenditure plans 1994–95 to 1996–97, the commission plans to sell about 15,000 hectares of forest land in each of the next three years, and expects to receive a total of about £61 million from the sale of forest land and surplus properties during that period.

  Region and Name

  Area (hectares)

  Scotland

  BORDERS

  Lumsdaine

  5

  DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

  Aldouran

  15

  GRAMPIAN

  Auchintoul Moss

  62

  Bithnie

  129

  Craigmuir Wood

  34

  Cruchie Wood

  7

  Haremoss

  19

  Lauchentilly Moss

  30

  Longhill

  120

  Moreseat of Hatton

  38

  Mormond Hill

  255

  New Pitsligo (2 lots)

  42

  Whitestones

  5

  HIGHLAND

  Ardelve

  26

  Balmore (Craskie)

  49

  Balmore (Glencannich)

  70

  Balmore (Main Road)

  40

  125

  Region and Name

  Area (hectares)

  Balmore (Muchrachd)

  29

  Clava and Craggie (Lot 1)

  33

  Croftdhu

  14

  Dundonnell

  312

  Eilean Darach

  110

  Faichem

  7

  Fain (Cpt 2038)

  22

  Fain South (Cpt 2037)

  4

  Gleann Mor

  17

  Old Calder

  40

  Score Farm and Roadside Strips

  17

  Storr (East)

  79

  STRATHCLYDE

  Auchindrain

  234

  Dalsmirren

  1,094

  High Ugdale

  21

  Inverneill

  102

  Loch Sween

  179

  Scoor and Beech (Lots 3, 4, 5, 6)

  1,784

  TAYSIDE

  Auchleeks

  358

  Keillour (part)

  11

  County and name

  Area (hectares)

  Wales

  DYFED

  Allt Cil y Llyn Fawr

  3

  Allt y Fergwm

  23

  Cilgwyn Wood

  11

  Coed Cefn Pwll Hen

  20

  Hafod Wood

  12

  Llwyn y Gwair

  14

  Penrallt Ddu

  13

  Ty'r Shyme

  7

  GWENT

  Llandafal Wood

  10

  Ty Fry Big Wood

  17

  POWYS

  Coed Llwydral

  3

  Coed Pen-yr-Herber

  4

  Cyfronydd

  8

  Dewis Gwyn

  6

  Dolarddyn Wood

  4

  Henllan

  5

  Henryhd Wood

  11

  Mod Groes Heol

  130

  Moydog Wood

  6

  Pen-y-Coed

  4

  WEST GLAMORGAN

  Bryn Llefrith

  26

  Nant y Stalwyn

  44

  County and name

  Area (hectares)

  England

  BERKSHIRE

  Lot Wood

  6

  CORNWALL

  Croft Pascoe

  45

  Haywood

  54

  Penance and Derry's

  7

  Port Elliot Estate

  108

  Prideaux

  24

  Treworgey

  17

  Wheal Par

  5

  126

  County and name

  Area (hectares)

  DERBYSHIRE

  Overton Wood (Part)

  23

  DEVON

  Bedpark

  8

  Brownsham Wood

  70

  Bucksmill

  24

  Chagford (5 Lots)

  33

  Deershill Wood

  11

  Hawkmoor

  22

  Knowle Wood

  8

  Little Silver/Crowball Wood

  8

  Northpark

  17

  Pulsworthy

  3

  HAMPSHIRE

  Fishers/Tiddles

  28

  Land at Bassett Green

  2

  ISLE OF WIGHT

  Long Lane

  9

  Woodhouse

  18

  KENT

  Cole Wood

  22

  LINCOLNSHIRE

  Black Plantation

  5

  Hallbush

  10

  Hungram Gorse

  6

  Pleasurehouse Wood

  10

  Square Wood

  2

  NORTHUMBERLAND

  Haydon Fell

  20

  NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

  Coombs Wood

  16

  SHROPSHIRE

  Coed Detton

  14

  SOMERSET

  Chantry

  6

  East Wood

  12

  Fry's Wood

  24

  Harridge Wood

  39

  Higher Bitcombe

  30

  Lower Bitcombe

  18

  Oaktrow Wood

  17

  Stowey Wood

  3

  The Thickets

  4

  Timbercombe (East)

  7

  West Wood

  9

  SOUTH YORKSHIRE

  Green Springs

  12

  The Old Park

  41

  WEST SUSSEX

  Hedgelands Copse

  11

  WILTSHIRE

  Roundway Hill Covert

  27

  Secondary School Teachers
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of graduates trained as secondary school teachers at each college in Scotland for the past 10 years and the subjects being studied; if he will list the number of new graduate teachers employed per
  127
  local authority in that time; if he will show what occupations each graduate qualifying in secondary school teaching has entered in the last 10 years; if he will list the cost of the training of graduate secondary school teachers in each year since 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 March 1994]: Information is not available in the precise form requested. The number of graduates trained as secondary school teachers by subject area is set out in statistical bulletins published by the Scottish Office in June 1992 and December 1993—reference numbers Edn/G1/ 1992/8 and Edn/G1/1993/11—copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Tables 1 and 2 following provide information about the number of newly qualified secondary teachers known to have been appointed to teaching posts in Scotland and the first destination of newly qualified teachers. Table 3 provides information about the cost of training secondary school teachers.

  Table 1

  Number of newly qualified secondary teachers known to have been appointed to teaching posts in Scotland at March of each year following graduation

  Qualified in June of

  Employer in Scotland

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Scotland total

  395

  369

  283

  404

  434

  602

  Borders

  5

  11

  6

  5

  7

  11

  Central

  17

  19

  4

  15

  23

  31

  Dumfries and Galloway

  26

  27

  9

  12

  15

  10

  Fife

  24

  25

  23

  35

  25

  34

  Grampian

  44

  48

  51

  35

  59

  80

  Highland

  20

  20

  15

  25

  18

  21

  Lothian

  21

  23

  24

  24

  24

  60

  Strathclyde

  174

  125

  116

  198

  204

  284

  Tayside

  45

  28

  12

  18

  26

  28

  Islands authorities

  16

  19

  10

  14

  10

  11

  Independent or other schools

  3

  23

  13

  23

  23

  32

  Outside Scotland

  61

  60

  53

  45

  74

  82

  TOTAL

  456

  429

  336

  449

  508

  684

  Table 2

  First destination of newly qualified secondary teachers in Scotland at March of year following graduation

  Qualified in June of

  Employed as teachers

  Employed (non-teaching)

  Unemployed

  Other

  Not known

  Total

  1987

  456

  57

  87

  11

  67

  678

  1988

  429

  50

  23

  8

  70

  580

  1989

  336

  45

  39

  9

  40

  469

  1990

  449

  35

  43

  6

  75

  608

  1991

  508

  47

  82

  13

  212

  862

  1992

  684

  46

  98

  7

  298

  1,133

  Notes:

  1. Information on the first destination of newly qualified teachers is obtained from a twice-yearly survey of graduates from the five colleges of education and former colleges of education. The first survey is taken at September following graduation; a follow-up survey takes place in March.

  2. There is a high level of non-response to this survey, so that currently the first destination of around 25 per cent. of newly qualified teachers is unknown. Direct comparison between years is complicated by the effect of varying degrees of non-response to the survey in different years.

  3. Figures are unavailable prior to 1987.

  4. Information on the nature of non-teaching employment is unavailable.

  5. The figures in both tables include an element of estimation in cases
  128
  where only partial, information is known.

  6. Information on Stirling University teacher training graduates is not available in this form.

  Table 3

  Course

  Estimated cost per student (£)

  Year

  BEd Secondary

  26,460

  1989–90

  (4-year course)

  31,320

  1990–91

  26,880

  1991–92

  PGCE Secondary

  6,610

  1989–90

  (one-year postgraduate course)

  7,600

  1990–91

  7,300

  1991–92

  Notes:

  1. Information for earlier years is unavailable.

  2. The information is based upon returns from teacher training institutions (other than the University of Stirling) detailing course costs. The figures include also an estimate of student support costs, assuming entitlement to full maintenance grant and loan at the "home" rates.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Taxes
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to permit the contracting out of local tax collection, including the exercise of discretion in granting discounts and initiating prosecutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have issued a consultation paper setting out my intentions, subject to the passage of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill. This was sent to interested parties and placed in the Library on 25 March.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase(a) the number of nitrogen dioxide pollution monitoring sites in London and (b) the number of London sites in the enhanced urban network of air quality monitoring stations; and what is the average cost of each pollution monitoring site.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government are committed to extending the enhanced urban monitoring network to cover all major cities by 1997. In addition the Government are currently considering responses to the recently published consultation paper on "The Future of Air Quality Monitoring Networks in the United Kingdom", in which proposals were made to develop a framework which draws local and national air quality monitoring together into a coherent quality assured network. Any expansion in the number of monitoring sites within the London area will be made in the context of these two initiatives.

  The average cost to establish an enhanced urban network site is of the order of £110,000 with an additional annual running cost of £75,000. The capital cost of establishing an automatic nitrogen dioxide monitoring site is about £30,000 with a subsequent annual running cost of an additional £25,000.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for co-ordinating the collection and assessment of air pollution data from local
  129
  authority environmental health department monitoring equipment and his Department's network of pollution monitoring stations.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government are considering responses to the recently published consultation paper on "The Future of Air Quality Monitoring Networks in the United Kingdom", which included proposals to develop a framework which draws local and national air quality monitoring together into a coherent quality assured network.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the OPSIS users group of local authority air pollution monitoring equipment users.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department is aware of the work of this group.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received to resite the Frederick street, Cardiff, air pollution monitoring station away from the pedestrian shopping precinct and to resite the Croft street monitoring station away from the traffic management scheme area; what guidelines he has issued as to the priority of(a) kerbside and (b) pedestrian congregation areas for measurement of vehicle exhaust emission levels as regards (a) PM10 and (b) benzene; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question on 30 March,Official Report, column 872, on siting criteria for air quality monitoring.

  I have received no representation on the siting of the Frederick street or Croft street monitoring stations. I have published no guidelines on the priority or otherwise of kerbside and pedestrian congregation areas for air quality monitoring purposes.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the guidelines pertaining to the siting requirements for air pollution monitoring stations; what proposals he has for ensuring that vehicle exhaust emission air pollution is measured by monitoring stations located in sites other than in pedestrian precincts; what representations he has received in relation to the location of the air pollution monitoring station at Frederick street, Cardiff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: The siting criteria of the Department of the Environment's enhanced urban network are given in the "Enhanced Urban Monitoring Network Site Operators Manual". A copy of the siting criteria have been placed in the Library of the House. Sites which are established to monitor compliance with an EC directive are located according to the requirements of the directive. Air quality is monitored at the kerbside monitoring station at Cromwell road, London within lm of the road.

  I have received no representation on the location of the air quality monitoring station at Frederick street, Cardiff.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water courses have been polluted through water from disused coal mines in the county of Durham; and if he will give their locations.
  130
  Mr. Atkins
  The National Rivers Authority is carrying out an assessment of water pollution from disused coal mines in the Durham coalfield and has identified a number of cases where there has been a localised impact. Details are available from the NRA's Northumbria and Yorkshire region.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) of 24 January,Official Report, column 32, which organisation or individual is doing the research into the operation of consents under the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990; what is its cost; on what date it was commissioned; what consultations were undertaken to determine the terms of reference of the research; when the report will be received; and if he will publish the research and its findings.

  Mr. Baldry
  Following competitive bids, the research contract was awarded to Staffordshire university. The project commenced on 1 November 1993 and is expected to be completed by the end of April. The cost of the project will be in the region of £30,000, including VAT. The normal consultations were carried out on the terms of reference of the research. It is the Department's usual practice to publish research reports.

  Waste Management
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he accepts recommendation 234 of the deregulation task force with regard to exempting recyclate from the waste management regime.

  Mr. Atkins
  The substantial deregulation action that my Department is taking in relation to all the task force recommendations to reduce unnecessary controls on business, including the metal recycling industry, while safeguarding environmental and public safety is fully set out in each of the three categories at pages 36 to 44 of the DTI publication, "Deregulation—Cutting Red Tape," which was issued on 19 January. A copy of this publication was placed in the Library on that date.

  Kirklees Council
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the debt of Kirklees council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The total external debt of Kirklees metropolitan council was £261 million at 31 March 1993.

  We shall continue to encourage authorities to reduce its indebtedness.

  London (Elected Authority)
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the responses to his consultation paper, "London, Making the Best Better", referred to the need for a democratically elected citywide authority for London.

  Sir George Young
  Some 17 per cent. of the people responding to the consultation exercise said they would like to see the creation of a single elected authority for
  131
  London and a further 6 per cent. made a specific reference to the GLC. In addition, 5 per cent. of respondents mentioned some form of single strategic planning authority for London, 1 per cent. an elected mayor, and 2 per cent. a combination of two or more of the suggestions.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to ensure that the single regeneration budget is fair and equitable to all sections of the community.

  Mr. Baldry
  The bidding guidance for the single regeneration budget, which will be issued shortly following extensive consultation, will make it clear that the budget is intended to benefit, among others, those sections of the community which are at a disadvantage, the young and ethnic minorities, and will help to promote equal opportunities. Monitoring arrangements will be put in place to ensure that support through the budget reaches those people it is intended to benefit.

  Habitats Directive
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines he will issue in relation to the implementation of the European Union habitats directive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  A planning policy guidance note—PPG—on nature conservation will be issued shortly before regulations transposing the habitats directive come into force. Guidance and advice on other aspects of the directive may be provided as appropriate to affected land owners and occupiers and others either by the Government or the statutory nature conservation agencies.

  River Pollution
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call for a report on pollution problems relating to Black Clough, Cliviger, Burnley, from the National Rivers Authority and North West Water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand that the National Rivers Authority has investigated water pollution of Black Clough from the closed Black Clough, Deerplay and Hilltop collieries. The consultation paper "Paying for our Past", published on 8 March, said that the justifiction for the special exemptions for abandoned mines should be reassessed in the light of the emerging conclusions of the review of contaminated land and liabilities, and invited views on the exemptions.

  Sewage Pumping
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue advice to water companies as to the desirability of reducing energy consumption expended in pumping of sewage towns and the countryside prior to treatment.

  Mr. Atkins
  The energy expended by companies in carrying out their business is a commercial matter for the individual companies concerned. However, the Department is concerned that energy is used as efficiently as possible and encourages companies to consider energy 132
  efficiency to reduce their consumption. Indeed, for many years my energy efficiency office has actively promoted the take-up of efficiency measures through initiatives such as the best practice programme. It offers advice and guidance on reducing energy consumption to industry, commerce and the domestic sectors. A number of publications aimed specifically at reducing energy consumption in the water industry are available from the Energy Efficiency Office and the water research centre. Some of the material from the EEO was produced in conjunction with the centre and with water companies such as South West Water.

  Combined heat and power is one element of the programme that the EEO encourages wherever it is cost-effective. This is a very efficient and environmentally friendly option and is particularly suited to the water industry as it can use the sewage gas produced as a by-product from the treatment of sewage to produce electricity and useful heat. Thus the sewage itself could produce the electricity required to pump the sewage prior to and after treatment.

  Subsistance Allowances
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure the subsistance and car allowances for elected representatives in local government are not lower then those provided for justices of the peace; and if he will discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the question of the taxation of councillors' subsistance allowances.

  Mr. Baldry
  We are currently reviewing the ceilings on councillors' travel and subsistence allowances in the light of the recommendations of the working party on internal management. The tax treatment of such allowances is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to determine.

  Consultation Papers (Responses)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of responses to the consultation paper, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies"; how many responses supported the proposals; and what is the highest number of responses received to a consultation paper of his Department.

  Sir George Young
  In total we have received over 9,000 responses to the consultation paper. Our proposals cover a range of issues, and the more considered the responses have addressed each separately; consequently there is no simple distinction between those supporting the proposals and the remainder.

  My Department has on occasions received substantially more representations on other matters of widespread interest.

  Cable Laying
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to investigate the effect of increased cable laying on street trees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The effects of cable laying on street trees will be illustrated in guidelines which should be published
  133
  later this year. With the assistance of my Department, these guidelines are being drawn up by the utility and arboricultural associations, and will provide constructive advice on how to ensure that cable laying results in the least possible damage to trees.

  Vacant Local Authority Houses, Leeds
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the most recent figures he has for the total number of local authority houses vacant in Leeds; and what proportion of these are management lets.

  Sir George Young
  The latest available information reported by Leeds city council shows that 1,454 of its dwellings were vacant at 1 April 1993; some 62 per cent. of these were management vacants—that is, dwellings available for letting immediately or after minor repairs.

  Metal Recycling
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made on the effect of forthcoming waste management regulations on the asset base of the metal recycling industry;

  (2) what representations he has received on the effect of the intended waste management regulations on the asset base of the metal recycling industry.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has received representations on this matter from the secondary metals industry. The waste management licensing regulations will require holders of waste management licences to remain responsible for discharging the conditions of the licence until the condition of the site, insofar as it arises from the handling of waste carried on at the site, is such that the licence may be surrendered. If a licensed metal recycler carries out his activities in such a way that the condition of the land is unlikely to cause pollution or harm to human health then there will be no bar to the surrender of a licence and the realisation of the asset value of a site. If pollution or harm is caused or is likely, that might be expected to affect the asset value of a site irrespective of the provisions of waste law.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each of the deregulation task force's recommendations as they affect the metal recycling industry indicating whether the Government have accepted the recommendations or not; and in the case of acceptance of the recommendations, what action the Government intend to take.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall).

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the application of article 11 of the EC framework directive on waste in exempting metal recycling from licence provision in each of the member states.

  Mr. Atkins
  Article 11 of the EC framework directive on waste permits member states to make exemptions from permits for activities involving the recovery of waste, including metal recovery, subject to provisos directed at the protection of the environment. It is for each member state to decide how to implement the provisions of the 134
  directive. My Department does not hold detailed information on relevant national law in other member states.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect of describing waste management licences issued to recyclers of non-ferrous metals as metal recycling licences; and how the conditions for the issue of metal recycling licences will differ from those attached to the issue of waste management licences.

  Mr. Atkins
  The waste management licensing regulations will require persons who recover waste, including waste non-ferrous metal, to do so under a waste management licence, except insofar as their activities may be exempted under the regulations. I have accepted the suggestion of the secondary metals industry that those waste management licences authorising the recovery of metal should be described as "metal recovery licences" to help to focus attention on the distinctive features of the industry. The Government will be issuing advice in a waste management paper on the conditions appropriate to licences for metal recovery.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what measures he has taken or will take to meet the obligation under the Basle convention article 4(2a) to ensure that the generation of hazardous waste within the United Kingdom is reduced to a minimum taking into account social, technological and economic aspects;

  (2) what measures he has taken or will take to meet the obligation under the Basle convention article 4(9a) to ensure that transboundary movement of hazardous waste will be allowed only if the United Kingdom does not have the technical capacity, necessary facilities or suitable disposal sites to dispose of the wastes in an environmentally sound manner;

  (3) how he will ensure that exporters of hazardous waste comply with the obligation under the Basle convention article 4(8) and article 4(10) to which the United Kingdom becomes a full party on 8 May, to ensure that hazardous waste exported for recycling before 31 December 1997 is managed in an environmentally sound manner; which United Kingdom authorities will be responsible; what guidance he plans to issue to exporters and the relevant authorities; who will carry the costs of meeting this obligation; what extra resources will be made available to the relevant authorities; and what action he will take to prevent waste shipments where the exporter has not yet demonstrated that he can meet the obligation;

  (4) what redress will be available in the United Kingdom from the date when the United Kingdom becomes a full party to the Basle convention to those harmed by hazardous waste exports from the United Kingdom before 31 December 1997 which are not managed in an environmentally sound manner, in contravention of the Basle convention article 4(8).

  Mr. Atkins
  On waste minimisation I would refer the hon. Member to chapter 23 of "Sustainable Development: the UK Strategy", Cm 2426, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  The hon. Member may have misinterpreted article 4(9) of the Basle convention. I would refer him to sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of that article, which are equal

  135
  in weight to sub-paragraph (a). Sub-paragraph (b) allows for the movement of wastes where they are required as a raw material for recycling or recovery industries in the state of import; and sub-paragraph (c) allows for waste movements which are in accordance with other criteria to be decided by the parties.

  The obligations of the Basle convention will be implemented in the European Community by council regulation EEC 259/93. As regards the hon. Member's reference to paragraphs (8) and (10) of article 4 of the Basle convention, I have nothing to add to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mr. Deva) on 2 March, Official Report, column 714, and my right hon. Friend's answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 30 March, Official Report, columns 866-67.

  The Government aim fully to comply with their obligations under the Basle convention to require that hazardous wastes or other wastes exported from the United Kingdom are managed in an environmentally sound manner.

  River Thames
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional funds he expects to be devoted to projects or events which he has so far publicised in respect of the River Thames in London; and under whose auspices they will be spent and managed.

  Sir George Young
  In relation to the Thames festival, a steering group which is chaired by Clive Priestley, chairman of the London Arts Board and includes representatives of London First, the London Council for Sport and Recreation, the Sports Council, the Department of the Environment and others will shortly be considering a feasibility study and business plan for the festival, including its funding and overall management.

  Announcements will be made shortly about the funding and management of the preparation of the Thames study and feasibility study for the Thames cycle route.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what specific matters in respect of the Thames in London he has consulted the London Rivers Association.

  Sir George Young
  The London Rivers Association was formally consulted in March 1993 on the Government's approach to the east Thames corridor. Officials have also met the association for a general discussion on Thames issues. In addition, the London Rivers Association has been formally consulted about a number of issues connected with the work of the Thames working group chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation he has already had concerning his suggestion for events relating to the Thames in 1995; and what statutory duties he or his Department have for the Thames in London(a) directly and (b) indirectly through statutory bodies.

  Sir George Young
  The Department of the Environment in association with the London Arts Board, the London Council for Sport and Recreation, London First, the National Rivers Authority and others is assisting with the preparation of a feasibility study for a Thames Festival in 1995.
  136
  Apart from any functions conferred by local enactments, the Secretary of State has the same direct responsibilities towards the Thames as for other rivers.

  The Department has an indirect statutory duty through the preparation of planning policy advice which the London boroughs have to take account of in preparing their unitary development plans and in exercising development control.

  The Department also has responsibility for determining applications under the town and country planning legislation that may come before my right hon. Friend on appeal or call-in.

  The Department of the Environment also sponsors the National Rivers Authority, which is responsible for pollution control, flood defence and water resources management of the River Thames in London. The NRA also has duties in relation to conservation and recreation and is responsible, upstream of Teddington lock, for navigation and fisheries management.

  Energy Savings Trust
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for funding the Energy Savings Trust.

  Mr. Atkins
  The intention is that funds for schemes sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust will continue to be derived principally from electricity and gas tariff consumers.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable for the promotion of energy conservation schemes by the Energy Savings Trust, as set out in paragraph 3.36 of "Climate Change, the UK Programme", Cm 2427.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand that the Energy Saving Trust is to announce its strategic plan shortly.

  County Hall, London
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, columns 661-62, what has been done with the balance of the capital receipt from the sale of county hall, London, which was not distributed to the London boroughs and the City of London.

  Mr. Baldry
  At the end of 1993, in accordance with the terms of the London Government Reorganisation (Capital Money) (Greater London) (Amendment) Order 1993, the London residuary body distributed to the London boroughs and the City of London all its capital money, including capital receipts received up to the end of November.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, columns 661-62, what reasons underlay his decision to refuse to disclose the sum received from the sale of county hall, London, on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government are not party to the sale of county hall. The terms of the sale—including the sale price—were and remain confidential between the London residuary body and the purchasers.

  North Sea
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library the quality status report on the North sea.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am placing copies in the Library today. Copies of six reports produced by the United Kingdom on sub-regions of the North sea are also being placed in the Library.

  HM Inspectorate of Pollution
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans have been made to close any of the regional offices of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Mr. Atkins
  No plans have been made to close any of the regional offices of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Energy Savings Trust
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Director General of Ofgas about the funding of the Energy Savings Trust.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am aware of the Director General of Gas Supply's views about the use of the E factor arrangements to fund incentive schemes facilitated by the Energy Savings Trust, and officials from my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry are currently reviewing the position with the Office of Gas Supply.

  Rent Levels
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library the average rent levels in local authority housing for 1994–95, broken down into separate authorities.

  Sir George Young
  This information is taken from local housing authorities' own returns, which are currently being sent to my Department. It will be placed in the Library at the earliest opportunity.

  Radioactive Waste (Dumping at Sea)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out an explanation for the inclusion at paragraph 14 of the description of vote 5 of class VII supply estimates for 1994–95 on central environmental services, of a potential expenditure arising from the indemnification by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority of certain ship owners in respect of third parties arising from dumping of radioactive waste at sea.

  Mr. Atkins
  Details of the potential expenditure were laid before the House in a minute dated 17 August 1978, Cmnd. 7316, a copy of which is in the Library. The liability, previously contained on a token subhead, has, since the minute was first presented, been replaced by the reference in paragraph 14 of the introduction to class VIII, vote 5. The reference relates only to potential claims form persons in countries which are not parties to the Paris convention on third party liability in the field of nuclear energy. The United Kingdom ceased sea dumping of radioactive waste in 1982.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement setting out the purposes of the single regeneration budget and those constituent schemes which it encompasses.

  Mr. Baldry
  The single regeneration budget is intended to improve local areas and enhance the quality of life of local people by tackling need, stimulating wealth creation and improving competitiveness. It will encourage local partners to come together to plan a strategic approach to these needs and priorities. The programmes which are included in the budget are as follows:

  From the Department of the Environment

  Estate Action

  Housing Action Trusts

  City Challenge/Urban Programme

  Urban Regeneration Agency

  Urban Development Corporations

  Inner City Task Forces

  City Action Teams

  From the Employment Department

  Programme Development Fund

  Education Business Partnerships

  Teacher Placement Service

  Compacts/Inner City Compacts

  Business Start-Up Scheme

  Local Initiative Fund

  TEC Challenge

  From the Home Office

  Safer Cities

  Section 11 Grants (part)

  Ethnic Minority Grant

  Ethnic Minority Business Initiative

  From the Department of Trade and Industry

  Regional Enterprise Grants

  (plus English Estates, to be subsumed into English Partnerships)

  From the Department for Education

  Grants for Education Support and Training (part)

  Lakes (Rescue Services)
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what rescue facilities exist on large lakes; and what support is offered by the Government to rescue services on large lakes.

  Mr. Norris
  I have been asked to reply.

  Rescue facilities on large lakes vary locally. My Department does not provide support to rescue services but marine district safety committees, which cover the whole of the United Kingdom, have been carrying out a wide-ranging review of the way in which responsibilities for safety, rescue and accident prevention are presently distributed.

  Water Filtering Equipment
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what chemicals involved in the production of water filtering equipment, referred to in his letter of 22 March to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, may be diverted to military use.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 28 March 1994]: I have been asked to reply.

  Possible military uses of the chemicals approved in the United Kingdom for addition to the water supply for the purposes of purfication are in the table:
  139

  Chemical

  Use in water purification

  Possible military use

  Calcium Hypochlorite

  Disinfectant

  None known

  Chlorine

  Disinfectant

  Historically this has been used as a 'poison gas'.

  Chlorine Dioxide

  Disinfectant

  None known

  Hydrogen Peroxide

  Disinfectant

  If the concentration is greater than 85 per cent. then it may be used as a fuel additive.

  Sodium Chlorite

  Disinfectant

  None known

  Sodium Hypochlorite

  Disinfectant

  None known

DEFENCE

  North Korea
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the impact of the situation in North Korea on British defence policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  We are monitoring the situation in the Korean peninsula closely, and share the concerns of the international community over North Korea's nuclear programme.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the role of British forces in Bosnia.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I continue to receive a wide range of representations from a variety of sources on this subject.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with General Sir Michael Rose regarding the situation in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  During his visit to Bosnia last month, my right hon. and learned Friend met Lieutenant General Sir Michael Rose and was fully briefed on the situation in Bosnia, and again subsequently. The achievements of the United Nations and General Rose in securing a ceasefire in Sarajevo for the first time in two years, and the subsequent ceasefire in central Bosnia, are to be highly commended.

  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next expects to visit Bosnia to discuss the need for the deployment of further forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced the deployment of a further 900 troops to Bosnia in his statement to the House on 10 March,Official Report, column 397. He has since visited the former Yugoslavia and had discussions with United Nations commanders there about a variety of issues, including troop deployments.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops and backup forces are currently involved in the United Nations operation in Bosnia; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are currently some 3,300 British service men deployed on the ground in the former 140
  Yugoslavia, with a further 3,000 based offshore and in Italy, engaged in operations in support of UN Security Council resolutions. The additional cost of their deployment is estimated to be around £125,000,000 for the financial year 1994–95, some of which is recoverable from the UN.

  D-day Anniversary
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparations are being made by his Department over the 50th anniversary of D-day.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department is organising the official military commemorations of the 50th anniversary of D-day under the chairmanship of my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence. These commemorations were announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 6 January and brief details have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Fleet Maintenance
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the amount of fleet maintenance work available to HM royal dockyards over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Aitken
  As my hon. Friend is aware, fleet maintenance involves work carried out on front line units during operational time and does not include refitting. Little such work is, therefore, undertaken at the royal dockyards. There are no plans to change this arrangement.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ban fox hunting in the defence forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although fox hunting is not a recognised sport in any of the three services, certain hunts have licences to hunt over MOD land.

  Army (Size)
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the size of the British Army.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 8 February 1994,Official Report, column 134.

  Defence Capability
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the United Kingdom defence capability is sufficient to safeguard the realm and to respond to NATO obligations and United Nations demands.

  Mr. Hanley
  The assessment of the balance between commitments, capabilities and resources is a continuous activity within the Ministry of Defence. "Defending Our Future", the 1993 statement on the Defence Estimates (Cm 2270), set out our assessment of the tasks our armed forces are called upon to undertake and the capabilities we deploy. The Government remain confident that the armed forces are able to carry out the broad spectrum of
  141
  operations which they currently undertake: for our own protection, contributing to collective defence with our allies through NATO, and promoting our wider security interests through support for the maintenance of international peace and stability.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet his Western European Union counterparts to discuss future policy relating to the middle east.

  Mr. Hanley
  Whilst my right hon. and learned Friend regularly meets his WEU counterparts, future policy relating to the middle east is not currently on the agenda for the next planned meeting.

  Aero Engine Capability
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on national defence of maintaining an independent aero engine capability in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Aitken
  A viable and effective aerospace industry makes an important contribution to the defence interests of this country. The implications of any proposed change in the ownership of any substantial defence industry capability would be considered if and when it arose.

  Grade1

  Registered disabled2

  Per cent. of staff in grade

  Non-registered disabled2

  Per cent. of staff in grade

  Ethnic Minority3

  Per cent. of staff in grade

  Women

  Per cent. of staff in grade

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  2

  4.4

  —

  —

  2

  4.4

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  4.3

  5

  —

  —

  4

  1.4

  13

  4.4

  16

  5.4

  6

  —

  —

  9

  1.8

  10

  1.0

  20

  4.0

  7

  3

  0.2

  63

  3.2

  32

  1.6

  123

  6.2

  TOTAL STAFF4

  1,352

  1.1

  2,986

  2.4

  1,956

  1.6

  39,173

  32.0

  1Grades 1-7 and equivalent grades.

  2Figures based on responses to voluntary disability surveys.

  3Figures based on response rate of 93 per cent. non-industrial and 84 per cent. industrial to voluntary ethnic origin survey.

  4Non-industrial and industrial staff.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Greville fanner, dated 12 April 1994:

  Grades 2-5

  Grade 6

  Per cent.

  Grade 7

  Per cent.

  All grades

  Per cent.

  (a) Women

  0

  2

  (4)

  9

  (6)

  458

  (18)

  (b) From ethnic minorities

  0

  0

  —

  1

  (0.7)

  23

  (0.9)

  (c) Disabled

  0

  0

  —

  2

  (1.4)

  24

  (1.0)

  Note:

  Only those registered as disabled are included in line (c).

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Greville Janner, dated 12 April 1994:

  Grade

  Registered disabled1

  Percentage of staff in grade

  Non-registered disabled1

  Percentage of staff in grade

  Ethnic minority2

  Percentage of staff in grade

  Women

  Percentage of staff in grade

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  20.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dedicated Attack Helicopter
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had recently concerning the acquisition of a dedicated attack helicopter.

  Mr. Aitken
  When appropriate, I have discussed our current plans for the acquisition of the attack helicopter with colleagues and officials. The assessment of the bids received last November in reply to the attack helicopter invitation to tender is currently under way and detailed consultations would not be appropriate at this stage.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many, and what percentage of officers in each of grades 1 to 7 and overall, in his Department are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled, respectively.

  Mr. Aitken
  The number of women, disabled and ethnic minority staff in grade levels 1 to 7, and overall, are given in the table. These figures exclude casual staff and our executive agencies, the Defence Research Agency and the Meteorological Office. I have asked the chief executives to write to the hon. and learned Member.

  The figures below give the information for the Meteorological Office, as requested in your recent Parliament Question:

  In his written reply to your Parliamentary Question on the numbers of women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people working in MOD, the Secretary of State for Defence informed you that I would be replying directly to you in respect of the Defence Research Agency. The information you request is as follows:
  143

  Grade

  Registered disabled1

  Percentage of staff in grade

  Non-registered disabled1

  Percentage of staff in grade

  Ethnic minority2

  Percentage of staff in grade

  Women

  Percentage of staff in grade

  5

  —

  —

  1

  2.5

  —

  —

  1

  2.5

  6

  —

  —

  7

  3.2

  —

  —

  3

  1.6

  7

  —

  —

  24

  2.7

  14

  1.6

  35

  4.0

  TOTAL NON-INDUSTRIAL

  53

  0.7

  187

  2.5

  108

  1.4

  2,054

  27.5

  1 Based on responses to voluntary disability surveys.

  2 Based on responses to voluntary ethnic origin surveys.

  Statistics on the 1,878 Industrial staff cannot be obtained without
  disproportionate cost and administrative effort.

  Nuclear Test Victims
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met ex-British service personnel nuclear test victims to discuss compensation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  I met nuclear test veteran representatives on 17 January 1994. My Department would consider compensation for any British test veteran whose death or illness had been caused by radiation from the atmospheric nuclear tests. The report of the National Radiological Protection Board published in December 1993 did not however find any overall excess of death or malignant disease among test veterans, and concluded that participation in the nuclear test programme has had no effect on life expectancy or on the risk of developing cancer or other fatal diseases.

  Defence Staff, Washington
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 571, if he will place in the Library a detailed breakdown by grade and function of the support staff to the British defence staff, Washington; and if he will give details of posts lost since April 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Annex A

  British Defence Staff (Washington) Support Costs

  Rank

  Service

  Posts

  Function

  Grade 7

  CIV

  1

  PS

  CIV

  1

  Atomic Coordination Office

  EO

  CIV

  1

  AO

  CIV

  1

  SQN LDR

  RAF

  1

  WG CDR

  RAF

  2

  CDR

  Navy

  1

  SRO

  CIV

  1

  Defence Intelligence Liaison

  SGT

  RAF

  1

  CPL

  RAF

  1

  AO

  CIV

  2

  PS

  CIV

  1

  CPL

  Army

  2

  MAJ

  Army

  3

  W01

  Army

  1

  British Army Staff

  Typist

  CIV

  1

  US3

  LEC

  1

  SGT

  Army

  1

  CDR

  Navy

  7

  CPL

  MAR

  1

  PS

  CIV

  2

  British Navy Staff

  AO

  CIV

  2

  Typist

  CIV

  1

  US4

  LEC

  1

  144

  Rank

  Service

  Posts

  Function

  CPL

  RAF

  3

  PS

  RAF

  1

  SGT

  RAF

  1

  Typist

  CIV

  1

  Royal Air Force Staff

  US4

  LEC

  1

  WG CDR

  RAF

  4

  WO

  RAF

  1

  Grade 7

  CIV

  13

  CDR

  Navy

  2

  WG CDR

  RAF

  1

  FS

  RAF

  1

  US4

  LEC

  7

  LT COL

  Army

  2

  MAJ

  Army

  1

  Defence, Science and Equipment Staff

  PS

  CIV

  2

  Typist

  CIV

  1

  LT CDR

  Navy

  1

  AO

  CIV

  1

  SEO

  CIV

  1

  SEC

  CIV

  2

  US4

  LEC

  2

  Defence Sales

  SPS

  CIV

  1

  Driver

  LEC

  1

  PS

  CIV

  2

  LT CDR

  Navy

  1

  SPS

  CIV

  1

  SGT

  RAF

  2

  PS

  CIV

  1

  Central Staff

  LT COL

  Army

  1

  LT COL

  MAR

  1

  MAJ

  Army

  1

  WG CDR

  RAF

  1

  CAPT

  MAR

  1

  AO

  CIV

  1

  Total

  101

  Posts Disestablished since April 1990

  Rank

  Service

  Posts

  Function

  Typist

  CIV

  1

  Atomic Coordination Office

  SPTO

  CIV

  1

  Atomic Coordination Office

  EO

  CIV

  1

  British Navy Staff

  SEO

  CIV

  1

  Defence Sales

  US5

  LEC

  1

  Defence Sales

  Typist

  CIV

  1

  Central Staff

  Total

  6

  Belize
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when 2 Gurkha Rifles will leave Belize; and where the battalion will be based when this regiment withdraws from Belize.

  Mr. Hanley
  2 Gurkha Rifles completed its tour in Belize at the end of March 1994 as originally planned. The
  145
  battalion has returned to Cassino Lines Hong Kong and will merge in June-July 1994 with 6 Gurkha Rifles to form 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making to maintain helicopter support from the Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force for the jungle warfare training which will continue to be conducted by British Army units in Belize.

  Mr. Hanley
  The three Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopters currently in Belize will be used in support of the jungle training of British Army units when the British Army training support unit is established on 1 October 1994.

  Anti-tank Helicopter
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent invitation to tender for the British Army anti-tank helicopter requirement was extended to the South African Atlas Denel corporation and the involvement of Her Majesty's Treasury; and what effect he expects this to have on the date of final selection.

  Mr. Aitken
  Atlas Aviation, part of the Denel Corporation, submitted an unsolicited bid last November in response to my Department's invitation to tender for the Attack Helicopter. After preliminary assessment, and discussions with the company, it was decided that it should have access to the invitation to tender to allow them to put its bid on the same footing as the five solicited bids. This was a matter for MOD and Her Majesty's Treasury was not involved. Steps have been taken to minimise the effect on programme timescales, including strict conditions on the timing and quality of the Denel-Atlas bid. The impact on the date of final selection should be minimal.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in what way, and at what time, the fact that items exported to Saudi Arabia as part of the Al Yamamah agreements were not subject to export licence controls was made known to Parliament;

  (2) in what way, and at what time, the fact that items exported by Royal Ordnance as part of Defence Sales Export Organisation deals were not subject to export licence controls since 1981 was made known to Parliament.

  Mr. Aitken
  The fact that the Crown cannot licence itself is self-evident.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government of Saudi Arabia were made aware that items exported to that country as part of the Al Yamamah agreements would not be subject to export licence controls.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Government of Saudi Arabia are aware that defence equipment supplied under the Al Yamamah arrangement is subject to the normal foreign policy and defence criteria.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the items covered by the Al Yamamah contracts were subsequently exported.
  146
  Mr. Aitken
  All the items covered by the Al Yamamah contracts have been or will be exported.

  Anthrax Vaccine
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he maintains stocks of anthrax vaccine, including penicillin-resistant anthrax vaccines.

  Mr. Hanley
  Details relating to all vaccines giving protection against biological warfare agents are classified.

  Ferranti International plc
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether new orders have been placed by his Department with Ferranti International plc since it went into receivership.

  Mr. Aitken
  Yes.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the countries of destination of items sold by Royal Ordnance as part of the Defence Sales Export Organisation's contracts with Crown status since 1981.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our policy to provide details of defence exports.

  Housing Trust
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of reference and the funding provision for his Department's housing trust.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Household Division Officers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers in the Household Division received their secondary education in the public sector.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give as a percentage defence expenditure compared to gross domestic product for the period 1979 to 1983 and for the period 1989 to 1993; and if he will make a statement on the implications for the long-term defence of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  Percent

  1977–78

  4.6

  1978–79

  4.5

  1979–80

  4.6

  1980–81

  4.9

  1981–82

  5.0

  1982–83

  5.2

  1983–84

  5.2

  1989–90

  4.0

  147

  Percent

  1990–91

  4.0

  1991–92

  4.2

  1992–93

  3.9

  1993–94

  (forecast) 3.7

  Notes:

  1. Figures include exceptional expenditure on Falklands/Gulf conflict but exclude Gulf burdensharing contributions from other Governments

  2. Figures from 1978–79 take account of the technical changes in the treatment of Armed Forces and civilian pensions.

  The Government does not consider any fixed percentage of GDP as being appropriate for defence expenditure. As we demonstrated in "Defending Our Future" the 1993 Statement on the Defence Estimates, defence spending is set at a level which balances commitments, capabilities and the availability of resources.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, column 132, what action he has taken to reconsider evidence in relation to the alleged destruction of marsh Arab settlements, since the film of aerial observation of Iraq was shown by his Department to the hon. Member for Linlithgow.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest information about the scale of Iraqi Government military action in southern Iraq; and what response he is making.

  Mr. Hanley
  We are monitoring the situation closely with our coalition allies, taking account of new information as it becomes available. We believe that the evidence shows that the systematic destruction of the settlements and habitat of the marsh Arabs is continuing, in contravention of United Nations Security Council resolution 688.

  Royal Yacht
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which commercial bodies or organisations representing commercial interests have had use of the royal yacht since 1990; on what grounds; on whose authority; and at what cost.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1990 the royal yacht has been used by commercial bodies and by non-governmental bodies representing commercial interests by, singly or jointly, the following organisations:

  British Gas

  British Invisibles

  General Council of British Shipping

  Indo-British Partnership Initiative

  London Forum

  London First

  Scottish Financial Enterprise

  Scotch Whisky Industry

  The royal yacht may be used to promote British exports and attract inward investment to the United Kingdom, on the authority of Buckingham palace and the Cabinet Secretary. All additional costs were paid for by the organisations concerned.

  Service Children's Education
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about action the Service Children's Education Association intends to take regarding critical HMI/Ofsted reports on private and independent schools benefiting from the service children's boarding school allowance scheme.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Service Children's Education Authority will send copies of HMI/Ofsted reports to parents with children at the schools concerned.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many pupils at private and independent schools are benefiting from the service children's boarding school allowance;

  (2) how much the service children's boarding school allowance scheme has cost his Department in 1993–94; and if he will give his estimate for 1994–95;

  (3) if he will list the amount of money being spent by his Department under the service children's boarding school allowances scheme and each of the private and independent schools benefiting from the scheme;

  (4) if he will list the names and location of the private and independent schools receiving moneys from the service children's boarding school allowance.

  Mr. Hanley
  For the spring term 1994, boarding school allowance—BSA was claimed in respect of a total of 13,608 service children. Some of these attend schools in the state sector and numbers of just those attending private and independent schools could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure on BSA for the financial year 1993–94 is currently estimated at £133,360,000. It is not possible to provide an estimate for financial year 1994–95 at this stage as total expenditure will reflect both the rate of BSA and the total number of children in respect of whom it is claimed. A list of schools attended by the children of BSA claimants is not compiled annually. I am arranging, however, for a copy of the most recent version which was compiled in 1992, to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Service Children's Education Association to send to parents of the children at Finborough, Rodney and Lime House schools the recent HMI/Ofsted reports on that school.

  Mr. Hanley
  I expect the Service Children's Education Authority to send the reports on Finborough and Lime House schools to parents before the end of April. It is not intended to distribute the report on Rodney school which relates to an inspection that took place in 1991, and is regarded by the Department of Education as being out of date.

  Defence Land Agency

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the circumstances which led to the arrest of Charles Ellis and Roger Pannell from the Defence Land Agency, by his Department's police; and on what date the arrest took place.

  Mr. Hanley
  I confirm that the Ministry of Defence police are investigating certain activities concerning
  149
  disposal of MOD property in south-west England. Several arrests were made in August and September 1993 but as yet no charges have been laid. An MOD employee has been suspended from duty while inquiries continue. As the MOD police have yet to complete their investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) of 31 January,Official Report, column 551, if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department and the number of contracts they have undertaken in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information requested can be provided only for the last two years; information for earlier years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I will write accordingly to the hon. Member in the near future.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information technology consultants his Department has employed; and for what purpose and at what total cost for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department does not centrally maintain the details sought on information technology consultants; the answer to this question could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Jordan
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total gross value of exports to Jordan under successive memoranda of understanding regarding Government to Government special export deals.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our practice to give the value of orders placed under such Government agreements.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many main battle tanks formed part of the exports to the Kingdom of Jordan under the memorandum of understanding arms export deals with the Kingdom of Jordan.

  Mr. Aitken
  It has been the established practice of successive Governments not to release information about individual defence exports.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if 155 mm shells were exported under the memorandum of understanding with the Kingdom of Jordan.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our practice to comment on detailed matters concerning individual defence exports. However, certain information about the contracts placed under the Jordan defence package has been made public during oral evidence given to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry. Exceptionally, therefore, I can provide the information the hon. Gentleman requests. No 155 mm shells were exported under the memorandum of understanding with Jordan.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantity of artillery fuses and propellant were exported under the memorandum of understanding on arms export deals with the Kingdom of Jordan.
  150
  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our practice to comment on detailed matters concerning individual defence exports. However, certain information about the contracts placed under the Jordan defence package has been made public during oral evidence given to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry. Exceptionally, therefore, I can provide the information the hon. Gentleman requests. No artillery fuses were exported under the memorandum of understanding with Jordan.

  International Military Services Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff or employees of International Military Services Ltd. have been transferred to other companies.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for the company.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which contracts formerly held by International Military Services Ltd. have been sold, disposed of, or transferred, to other companies.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for the company.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received that arms or arms related exports by International Military Services Ltd. or the Defence Export Sales Organisation have been passed to countries or destinations other than the stated end-user.

  Mr. Aitken
  It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the existence of any such reports.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which assets formerly held by International Military Services Ltd. have been sold, disposed of, or transferred to, other British companies.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for the company. All shares in IMS Ltd. remain the property of the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the affairs of International Military Services Ltd. were subject to scrutiny by the defence internal audit teams.

  Mr. Aitken
  No. Its accounts are audited by Price Waterhouse which is appointed on an annual basis. The National Audit Office has access to the books and records of the company.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which years since 1981 the global provision for statutory liabilities in respect of IMS Ltd. was drawn down; and in respect of what sums.

  Mr. Aitken
  There has been no such draw down.

  Anti-tank Missiles
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he placed the most recent orders for anti-tank missiles; and what studies are being undertaken into the design, availability and performance of future anti-tank missiles.

  Mr. Aitken
  The most recent orders for anti-tank guided missiles were placed as follows:SWINGFIRE final follow-on order; contract placed November 1987. TOW OTA (Overhead Top Attack) modified missiles; contract placed October 1987.
  151
  The United Kingdom continues to participate in the development of third generation anti-tank guided missile programmes—both medium range and long range—known as TRIGAT, in collaboration with European partners. Proposals for the United Kingdom's future attack helicopter are being evaluated which include a long-range anti-tank missile system. In addition, studies are being undertaken into future technologies for anti-tank missiles beyond the turn of the century.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the benefits or privileges extended to arms or arms related exports as a result of Crown status.

  Mr. Aitken
  Arms or arms related exports having Crown status are all subject to exactly the same foreign and defence policy considerations as exports carried out under an export licence.

  Defence Sales
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 470, whether Royal Ordnance or Defence Export Services Organisation were asked to supply information as to end-users in respect of arms or arms-related exports having Crown status.

  Mr. Aitken
  Yes.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what computer systems his Department have brought in, for what function and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case if the computer system is still in use.

  Mr. Aitken
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers in his Department were approached to sign public interest immunity certificates in connection with the Matrix Churchill trial and declined to do so.

  Mr. Aitken
  No Minister in my Department has declined to sign a public interest immunity certificate in connection with the Matrix Churchill trial.

  Polaris Missiles
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what method his Department will dispose of the propellant inside Polaris missiles when they are scrapped.

  Mr. Aitken
  Propellant contained within surplus Polaris components is already being disposed of, by burning, in an environmentally safe manner.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments have been made in(a) South Yorkshire, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) West Yorkshire and (d) Humberside since October 1993.

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

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what are the estimated costs to his Department of abolishing the qualifying benefit rules for disability working allowance.

  Mr. Hague
  This information is not readily available. The cost would depend on the nature of any alternative qualifying test, the way in which any such test was applied, the number of people who decide to take up work or change their pattern of work, and the levels of earnings and other income.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disability working allowance claims have been disallowed for reasons of income higher than the appropriate level; how many of these claims had weekly incomes above this level of (i) up to £1, (ii) between £1 and £2, (iii) between £2 and £5, (iv) between £5 and £10, (v) between £10 and £15 and between £15 and £20.

  Mr. Hague
  Since March 1992, 3,371 claims have been disallowed because income is in excess of the appropriate level.

  The remaining information is not available in the form requested.

  Family Credit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of those couples in Scotland who were in receipt of family credit in 1993–94, received family credit for(a) 26 weeks only, (b) 52 weeks only and (c) more than 52 weeks;

  (2) what percentage of those lone parents in Scotland who were in receipt of family credit in (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94, received family credit for (i) 26 weeks only, (ii) 52 weeks only and (iii) more than 52 weeks;

  (3) what percentage of those couples in Scotland who were in receipt of family credit in 1992–93, received family credit for (a) 26 weeks only, (b) 52 weeks only and (c) more than 52 weeks.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested for 1992–93 is in the table. The figures for 1993–94 are not available.

  Awards of family credit in Scotland for 1992–93, broken down by family type and the percentage who received family credit for (a) 26 weeks only, (b) 52 weeks only and (c) more than 52 weeks.

  Number of weeks

  Couples Per cent.

  Lone parents Per cent.

  26 weeks only

  60.57

  51.19

  52 weeks only

  27.11

  32.64

  More than 52 weeks

  12.32

  16.17

  TOTAL

  100

  100

  153
  Notes:

  1. The figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of family credit recipients as at 1992–93.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many and what percentage of all Scottish children aged(a) under five years and (b) five to 15 years from two-parent families were in families which were in receipt of family credit in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) 1993–94;

  (2) how many and what percentage of all Scottish children aged (a) under five years and (b) five to 15 years from lone-parent families in Scotland were in families which were in receipt of family credit in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) 1993–94.

  Mr. Hague
  The information for 1992 is in the table. Figures for 1993–94 are not available.

  Children in Scotland in families in receipt of family credit1

  Two parent families

  One parent families

  All families

  Number

  Aged under 5 years

  16,260

  8,940

  25,200

  Aged 5 to 15 years

  34,220

  30,320

  64,540

  Percentage

  Aged under 5 years

  6.0

  16.8

  7.7

  Aged 5 to 15 years

  5.7

  29.4

  9.2

  Total children in Scotland2

  Aged under 5 years

  273,147

  53,194

  326,341

  Aged 5 to 15 years

  595,818

  103,253

  699,071

  1 Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of family credit recipients as at June 1992.

  2 Figures obtained from the General Register Office for Scotland as at June 1992.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many couples in Scotland claimed family credit in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94;

  (2) how many lone parents in Scotland claimed family credit in (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not available. Information on the number of recipients of family credit in 1992 and 1993 is in the table.

  Number of Family Credit cases in Scotland

  Two parent families

  One parent families

  All families

  May 1992

  21,860

  25,100

  46,960

  May 1993

  24,660

  32,180

  56,840

  Notes:

  These figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of family credit recipients as at May 1992 and May 1993. Information on claims is not available.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the take-up rate by women claiming family credit enhanced payments of £28 for the purpose of child care payments in respect of working mothers.

  Mr. Hague
  We expect that the take-up rate of those eligible for the maximum help with child care costs of £28 a week in family credit will be virtually 100 per cent.

  Pensioners (Fuel Bills)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will tabulate the financial assistance available to each category of retirement pensioner in respect of value added tax on fuel bills.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table.

  Category of pension

  Weekly amount of extra help towards VAT on fuel1

  A

  0.50

  B

  0.50

  B (lower rate)

  0.20

  C

  0.20

  D

  0.20

  1 Relates to standard rates of pension.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new applications for invalidity benefit have been(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in the Doncaster district in each of the last 12 months.

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

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the transitional arrangements for people who are receiving invalidity benefit will also apply to people who do not receive benefit but have an underlying entitlement to invalidity benefit at the point of change.

  Mr. Hague
  There will be transitional arrangements for those people entitled to invalidity benefit when it is replaced by incapacity benefit in April 1995. The arrangements will apply to people entitled to, but not receiving, invalidity benefit at the point of change.

  Local Government Legislation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the Acts of Parliament and Consolidation Acts affecting local government that have been introduced by his Department since 1990.

  Mr. Hague
  The following Acts of Parliament affect local authorities either as employers or as administrators of social security benefits:

  Social Security Act 1990

  Social Security (Contributions) Act 1991

  Statutory Sick Pay Act 1991

  The Social Security and Benefits Act 19921

  The Social Security Administration Act 19921

  Disability (Grants) Act 1993

  Social Security Act 1993

  Pension Schemes Act 19931

  Statutory Sick Pay Act 1994

  Social Security (Contributions) Act 1994

  1 These Acts were Consolidated Acts and were handled by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated costs to his Department of bringing forward entitlement to long-term incapacity benefit to the first day of incapacity for people who are terminally ill.
  155
  Mr. Hague
  We estimate that this would cost around £3 million per annum.

  Notes:
  Estimate expressed in 1993–94 prices, and net of offsetting changes in income related benefit expenditure.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he intends to take to ensure appropriate assessment of the needs of people with mental illness who may be eligible for incapacity benefit.

  Mr. Hague
  We are seeking the advice of a number of experts in mental illness in designing the new, more objective medical test as it relates to the particular problems of people with mental illness. The proposed arrangements will be evaluated over the summer. When the new test is applied to a person with a diagnosis of mental illness, information and advice will be sought from the claimant's doctors. This will include the claimant's psychiatrist, if one is involved in the case.

  Claimant Families
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of claimant families in Scotland in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94.

  Mr. Hague
  Information is not available in the precise form requested as it is only available on a regional basis for certain benefits. Information on benefit recipients for 1993 is not yet available for some benefits. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Further information on the numbers claiming social security benefits for Great Britain as a whole can be found in the Social Security Departmental Report, Cm 2513, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Benefit

  Number to nearest thousand

  Year ending

  (a) 1992–93

  Child benefit

  619,000

  December 1992

  Community charge benefit

  142,000

  May 1992

  Family credit

  47,000

  May 1992

  Guardians allowance

  1239

  December 1992

  Housing benefit

  145,000

  May 1992

  Income support

  143,000

  2May 1992

  Invalidity benefit

  16,000

  4 April 1992

  Maternity allowance

  2,000

  4 April 1992

  One parent benefit

  92,000

  December 1992

  Retirement pension

  1,000

  March 1992

  Severe disablement allowance

  1,000

  4 April 1992

  Widows benefit

  7,000

  March 1992

  (b) 1993–94

  Disability working allowance

  1115

  May 1993

  Family credit

  57,000

  May 1993

  Guardians allowance

  1247

  December 1993

  Income support

  146,000

  3May 1993

  Retirement pension

  1,000

  March 1993

  Widows benefit

  7,000

  March 1993

  1 Exact figures.

  2 Annual enquiry.
  156
  3 Quarterly enquiry.

  Notes:

  1. Claimant families have been interpreted as families with dependent children.

  2. Housing benefit and community charge benefit recipients may receive other benefits. Families include dependents under age 17.

  3. Income support families include dependents under age 19.

  4. Invalidity benefit and severe disablement benefit only include families with child dependency increase in payment.

  Asylum Seekers
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to the Exchequer of giving social security and benefits and other benefits to those who are also seeking political asylum.

  Mr. Hague
  The estimated annual cost of paying income support to asylum seekers is £102 million. Records are not held on their claims to other benefits.Source: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1993.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applicants there are currently seeking political asylum; and how many are also successfully claiming social security.

  Mr. Hague
  At the end of February 1994 the estimated number of applications for asylum outstanding was 47,100.1 The number of asylum seekers claiming income support was 37,000 in May 1993, the latest month for which statistics are available.2
  Source: 1Home Office
  2Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1993

  Pensioner Households
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's estimate of the number of households containing both individuals of pensionable age and other individuals not of pensionable age.

  Mr. Hague
  In 1990–91—the latest year for which information is available—an estimated 680,000 households contained both persons over pension age and persons under pension age.

  This estimate derives from the 1990–91 family expenditure survey.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the exclusion from payments by the social fund with respect to medical, surgical, optical, oral or dental items.

  Mr. Hague
  The social fund does not provide for these items which are primarily the responsibility of the national health service. There are no plans to review the current arrangements.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people over the age of 60 years receive(a) the higher rate and (b) the lower rate mobility component of the disability living allowance; and what is the latest estimate of the number of people aged over 60 years entitled to claim the mobility component of disability living allowance who do not do so.

  Mr. Hague
  The numbers of people over the age of 60 years who receive the higher and lower rate mobility components of disability living allowance are 424,000 and 19,000 respectively.

  Information is not available on the number of people aged over 60 who are entitled to claim the mobility component of disability living allowance but do not do so.

  Note:
  Source: DSS Analytical Services Division. Based on a 5 per cent. extract of payload at 30 November 1993.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what proportion of people over the age of 60 in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance use it under the motability scheme towards the cost of hiring or buying a car.

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

  Departmental Expenditure
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what year rate rebates, community charge benefit and statutory sick pay started to be counted as part of the public DSS departmental expenditure.

  Mr. Hague
  Expenditure on rate rebates, community charge benefit and statutory sick pay have been included in DSS departmental expenditure figures since 1982–83, 1989–90 and 1990–91 respectively.

  Pensioners' Income
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioner couples receive income of at least(a) £30 and (b) £89.90 a week from (i) an occupational pension, (ii) income from savings and (iii) both occupational pension and income from savings.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table:

  Income

  £30 or more Per cent.

  £56.10 or more Per cent.

  Occupational pension

  42

  20

  Income from savings

  31

  13

  Occupational pension and income from savings

  58

  33

  Notes:

  Estimates are based on data drawn from the Family Expenditure Survey for 1990–91 and the Government Actuary's Department's Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of recently retired single pensioners receive income of at least(a) £20 and (b) £56.10 a week from (i) an occupational pension, (ii) income from savings and (iii) both occupational pension and income from savings.
  158
  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the table:

  Income

  £20 or more Per cent.

  £56.10 or more Per cent.

  Occupational pension

  42

  18

  Income from savings

  27

  14

  Occupational pension and income from savings

  57

  34

  Note:

  1. Estimates are based on data drawn from the Family Expenditure Survey for 1990–91 and the Government Actuary's Department's Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes.

  2. Recently retired single pensioners are defined as women aged 60–64 and men aged 65–69.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of single pensioners receive income of at least(a) £20 and (b) £56.10 a week from (i) an occupational pension, (ii) income from savings and (iii) both occupational pension and income from savings.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the table:

  Income

  £20 or more Per cent.

  £56.10 or more Per cent.

  Occupational pension

  31

  13

  Income from savings

  21

  10

  Occupational pension and income from savings

  46

  24

  Note: Estimates are based on data drawn from the Family Expenditure Survey for 1990–91 and the Government Actuary's Department's Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of recently retired pensioner couples receive income of at least(a) £30 and (b) £89.90 a week from (i) an occupational pension, (ii) income from savings and (iii) both occupational pension and income from savings.

  Mr Hague
  The information requested is in the table:

  income

  £30 or more Per cent.

  £89.90 or more Per cent.

  Occupational pension

  47

  23

  Income from savings

  35

  14

  Occupational pension and income from savings

  63

  37

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on data drawn from the Family Expenditure Survey for 1990–91 and the Government Actuary's Department's Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes.

  2. Recently retired pensioner couples are defined as those in which the husband is aged 65–69.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the proportion of pensioners receiving income from savings identified as(a) all pensioners, (b) single male pensioners aged under 75 years, (c) single female pensioners aged under 75 years, (d) pensioner couples aged under 75 years, (e) single female pensioners aged 75 years or over, (f) single male pensioners aged 75 years or over and (g) couples where at least one partner is aged 75 years or over, and the median amount received.
  159
  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the table:

  Pensioner group

  Proportion receiving income from savings

  Median weekly amount received by those in receipt

  percentage

  £

  (a) all pensioners

  75

  9.00

  (b) single male pensioners under 75

  69

  13.50

  (c) single female pensioners under 75

  71

  5.10

  (d) pensioner couples under 75

  83

  11.20

  (e) single female pensioners, 75 or more

  71

  4.70

  (f) single male pensioners, 75 or more

  75

  9.60

  (g) couples where at least one is 75 or more

  84

  9.20

  Notes:

  1. These estimates derive from the Family Expenditure Survey for 1990–91. The amounts are at January 1991 prices.

  2. Pensioner couples are those where the husband is over state pension age.

  Rent Rebates
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest proportion of total expenditure on rent rebates, in percentage and cash terms, paid to tenants with weekly rents of (i) £20 and under, (ii) up to £30, (iii) up to £40, (iv) up to £50, (v) up to £60, (vi) up to £70 and (vii) £70 and over.

  Mr. Hague
  The latest available information is in the table.

  Rent rebate ranges of eligible rent (£ per week) May 19921

  Proportion of housing benefit expenditure

  Per cent.

  250p–£20

  4

  £20.01–£30

  41

  £30.01–£40

  34

  £40.01–£50

  11

  £50.01–£60

  5

  £60.01–£70

  2

  Above £70

  3

  Data source: The housing benefit management information system annual 1 per cent sample of May 1992.

  Notes:

  1. Details of rent paid are not available, therefore, the information relates to the amount of rent eligible for housing benefit.

  2. Housing benefit is not payable below 50 pence per week.

  3. The percentages cannot be correctly applied to expenditure figures to produce cash amounts.

  Annual average real growth rates in benefit expenditure1 1978–79 to 1992–93

  1978–79 to 1992–93

  1978–79 to 1983–84

  1983–84 to 1986–87

  1986–87 to 1989–90

  1989–90 to 1992–93

  Total benefit expenditure

  3.5

  4.8

  3.5

  -2.3

  7.6

  Contributory

  1.6

  2.2

  2.3

  -1.9

  3.5

  Non-contributory

  6.4

  9.3

  5.2

  -3.0

  12.8

  1 Based on table 2 in "The Growth of Social Security" excluding rate rebates and community charge benefit, and including the cost of child tax allowances.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 334, if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department and the number of contracts they have undertaken.

  Mr. Hague
  I have arranged for such information as is available to be placed in the Library.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what computer systems his Department has brought in for what function, and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case whether the computer system is still in use.

  Mr. Hague
  The Department meets its information technology requirements through the services of the Information Technology Services Agency.

  The key systems brought in during the last five years were delivered under the framework of the operational strategy. The cost of individual operations cannot be accurately disaggregated.

  Information on the work carried out by ITSA is available in its business plans which are held in the Library.

  Savings Disregard
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Eastham) of 14 March,Official Report, column 479, if he will now raise the savings disregard to £4,000.

  Mr. Hague
  The level of the capital disregard is kept under review, but there are no current plans to increase it.

  Turker Ahmet
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford will receive a reply to her letter of 7 March concerning Turker Ahmet.

  Mr. Hague
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 8 April.

  "The Growth of Social Security"
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will recalculate table 2 of "The Growth of Social Security", excluding rate rebates and community charge benefit, and including the cost of child tax allowances in 1978 to 1989.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the table.

  Service Pay
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the Child Support Agency justifies including the X factor in service pay when assessing serving personnel.

  Mr. Hague
  The X factor forms part of the basic pay for all members of the armed forces, irrespective of rank or location. The Child Support Act 1991 defines earnings as any remuneration or profit received from employment, including any bonus, commission, royalty or fee. This clearly includes the X factor, which is, therefore, taken fully into account in the calculation.

  Income Support
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients in each age group will become eligible for top-up payments to bring them up to the income support level after 11 April; and what will be the cost to public funds.

  Mr. Hague
  As income support is an income-related benefit, which provides financial help to people who are not in full-time work to bring their income up to a level prescribed by Parliament, it is often paid to top up other income received by claimants. More than half those claiming income support have other income—such as benefits, maintenance, part-time earnings, notional income from capital—taken into account when assessing their entitlement to benefit.

  The most recent information that is available is in the table. Only the recipient's income has been used to produce the table. Income from partners or dependants has not been counted.

  Income support recipients average IS by age Recipients with other income brought to account

  Age of recipient

  Number of cases

  Total weekly IS (£)

  Average weekly IS (£)

  16–19

  52,000

  2,800,000

  52.77

  20–29

  523,000

  35,600,000

  67.97

  30–39

  462,000

  36,900,000

  80.00

  40–49

  232,000

  18,600,000

  79.98

  50–59

  124,000

  8,700,000

  70.21

  60–69

  296,000

  10,500,000

  35.61

  70–79

  505,000

  15,000,000

  29.74

  80 and above

  676,000

  37,000,000

  54.75

  All cases

  2,871,000

  165,100,000

  57.52

  Notes:

  1. Numbers of cases have been rounded to the nearest thousand, total IS amounts to the nearest hundred thousand pounds. Average amounts of IS are correct to the nearest penny.

  2. Figures may not sum to the totals given due to rounding.

  3. An IS recipient may have a partner's or dependent's income taken into account in the assessment. Such income has not been used in compiling the table above; only the recipient's income has been counted.

  4. Source: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1993.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support who were studying less than 21 hours per week had benefit withdrawn under(a) availability for work criteria or (b) actively seeking work criteria in the latest year for which he has information; and how many such students had benefit restored after appeal.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available.

  Rents
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of expenditure on rent allowances, in percentage and cash terms, was paid to tenants with weekly rents of(a) £20 and under, (b) up to £30, (c) up to £40, (d) up to £50, (e) up to £60, (f) up to £70, (g) up to £80, (h) up to £90, (i) up to £100 and (j) £100 and over.

  Mr. Hague
  The latest available information is in the table.

  Rent allowance ranges of eligible rent (£ per week) May 19921

  Proportion of housing benefit expenditure Per cent.

  50p to £202

  3

  £20.01 to £30

  14

  £30.01 to £40

  23

  £40.01 to £50

  18

  £50.01 to £60

  11

  £60.01 to £70

  8

  £70.01 to £80

  5

  £80.01 to £90

  5

  £90.01 to £100

  3

  Above £100

  9

  Data source:

  The Housing Benefit Managment Information System Annual 1 per cent. sample of May 1992.

  Notes:

  1. Details of rent paid are not available, therefore, the information relates to the amount of rent eligible for housing benefit.

  2. Housing benefit is not payable below 50p per week.

  3. The percentages cannot be correctly applied to expenditure figures to produce cash figures.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total sum of rents determined as reasonable for housing benefit subsidy for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Scott
  The total sum of rents determined as reasonable by the rent officer service for housing benefit subsidy for the 1992–93 financial year for England and Wales is £2.245 billion.

  The information in the form requested is not readily available for Scotland.
  Note: Figure quoted rounded to nearest million.
  Source: Rent officer statistics (first quarter 1993 and financial year 1992–93) Department of the Environment.

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account the Child Support Agency takes of the earnings of a second wife in respect of a father's maintenance payments for children of his first marriage where the second wife has young children of her own first marriage for whom she does not receive maintenance from their father.

  Mr. Hague
  The calculation of the amount of maintenance an absent parent is required to pay is based on his own income and essential expenditure. The assessment takes account only of a new partner's income to the extent that she is able to contribute to the costs associated with
  163
  bringing up children of the new relationship, which are otherwise taken into account in full against the absent parent's allowable expenses.

  The only other way the income of a new partner affects the assessment is in the calculation of protected income. This calculation looks at all of the income and outgoings of the new family to ensure that the payment of maintenance does not reduce their resources below a prescribed level.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to require the Child Support Agency to take account of child-minding fees when assessing maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  Under the formula which the agency uses to calculate maintenance, the basic maintenance level for children already includes an amount to recognise their need to be cared for by an adult. This amount depends on the age of the youngest child to be maintained and reduces as that child grows older.

  There is no specific allowances for child-minding fees against the income of an absent parent who is bringing up children, but the formula is designed to ensure that all absent parents keep a substantial proportion of their net income after paying maintenance so that they can meet essential expenditure.

  Country

  Expenditure on Social protection (millions) in national currency

  Expenditure per thousand population (millions)

  Expenditure on Social Protection (millions) converted to pounds sterling at March 1994 exchange rates

  Expenditure per thousand population (millions) converted to pounds sterling at March 1994 exchange rates

  Canada

  127,481

  4.8

  62,216

  2.3

  USA

  832,000

  3.3

  559,140

  2.2

  Japan

  50,944,000

  412.3

  331,106

  2.7

  Australia

  49,187

  2.9

  23,367

  1.4

  Austria

  450,327

  58.3

  25,791

  3.3

  Denmark

  240,898

  46.8

  24,581

  4.8

  Finland

  39,166

  7.9

  4,765

  1.0

  France

  1,822,000

  32.3

  214,353

  3.8

  Germany

  654,750

  10.6

  263,258

  4.3

  Italy

  314,896,000

  5,453.0

  129,480

  2.2

  Netherlands

  165,206

  11.0

  59,135

  3.9

  Norway

  191,559

  45.0

  17,688

  4.2

  Portugal

  1,446,275

  146.7

  5,623

  0.6

  Spain

  10,525,000

  270.2

  51,135

  1.3

  Sweden

  462,359

  54.0

  39,383

  4.6

  United Kingdom

  126,757

  2.2

  126,757

  2.2

  Sources: Quarterly National Accounts No. 4, 1993, OECD.

  Social Protection Expenditure and Receipts 1980–1991, Eurostat.

  Note: Figures are only available for OECD countries compiling national accounts on a quarterly basis and are based on countries' own national accounts data without adjustment for national definitions to System of National Accounts standards. No direct comparisons should therefore be made between the countries as the data provides only an approximate indication of magnitude.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what legal advice has been obtained concerning proposals to introduce regulations applying an habitual residence test to the payment of benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The Department's legal advisers have been consulted on the proposals.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the amount of money spent on social security per thousand of population and the total amount spent on social security in the United Kingdom and in each of the other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 21 March 1994]: The table provides information for selected OECD countries and the United Kingdom on the amount of money spent on social protection per thousand of population and the total amount spent on social protection. It is customary to use social protection, which includes public health care costs, personal social services and compulsory occupational pensions as well as social security for international comparisons.

  MAGISTRATES" COURTS SERVICE INSPECTORATE: ANNUAL REPORT
  MAGISTRATES" COURTS SERVICE INSPECTORATE: ANNUAL REPORT
  PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE: PEDESTRIANISATION AND THE DISABLED
  PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE: PEDESTRIANISATION AND THE DISABLED
  EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND VOLUNTARY SECTOR BUDGET
  EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND VOLUNTARY SECTOR BUDGET
  SHEEP DIP USERS: HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
  SHEEP DIP USERS: HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
  EUROPEAN COMMISSION SECONDMENTS
  EUROPEAN COMMISSION SECONDMENTS
  PARAQUAT
  PARAQUAT
  PUBLIC INTEREST IMMUNITY CERTIFICATES
  PUBLIC INTEREST IMMUNITY CERTIFICATES
  COAL PRIVATISATION: PRELIMINARY MEMORANDUM
  COAL PRIVATISATION: PRELIMINARY MEMORANDUM
  DRIVING LICENCE APPLICATION: DATE OF BIRTH REQUIREMENT
  DRIVING LICENCE APPLICATION: DATE OF BIRTH REQUIREMENT
  SHIPPING: BRITISH OPEN REGISTER PROPOSAL
  SHIPPING: BRITISH OPEN REGISTER PROPOSAL
  PRALIDOXIME
  PRALIDOXIME
  FOURTEEN YEAR-OLDS: RECONVICTION FOLLOWING DISCHARGE FROM CUSTODY
  FOURTEEN YEAR-OLDS: RECONVICTION FOLLOWING DISCHARGE FROM CUSTODY
  EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ACCESS
  EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ACCESS
  ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION: MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT CONVENTION
  ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION: MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT CONVENTION
  CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS: MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT CONVENTION
  CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS: MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT CONVENTION
  THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION
  THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION
  COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS: VISA PROPOSAL
  COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS: VISA PROPOSAL
  LIFE IMPRISONMENT
  LIFE IMPRISONMENT
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS
  MAFF ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICE: NANCEKUKE
  MAFF ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICE: NANCEKUKE
  SHEEP DIP "FLU
  SHEEP DIP "FLU
  ORGANOPHOSPHATES: TOXICITY RESEARCH
  ORGANOPHOSPHATES: TOXICITY RESEARCH