Written Answers of 19 April 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Child Witnesses
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which courts in Staffordshire have child liaison officers to protect child witnesses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is a designated child liaison officer for every Crown court centre, including the combined court centres at Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent.

  Judges
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the expenditure on salaries of all(a) full-time district judges and (b) part-time district judges in the 1993–94 financial year.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  During the 1993–94 financial year, the total amount paid to full-time district judges was £18,427,591. The figure for part-time district judges is not yet available for the whole financial year, but for the 11-month period from April 1993 to February 1994, the fees amounted to £4,870,627.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the planned increase for the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 in(a) full-time district judges and (b) part-time district judges.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The number of full-time district judges in post on 1 March 1994 was 289. The planned number of full-time district judges for the three forthcoming financial years is:

  Number

  1994–95

  305

  1995–96

  309

  1996–97

  314

  There are no plans to increase the number of deputy district judges from the present level of 750.

  Small Claims Court
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many leaflets his Department distributed in 1993 explaining the processes of the small claims courts.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A series of seven leaflets explains the small claims procedure in county courts. The total number distributed in 1993 was approximately 1·5 million. The leaflets are distributed by Her Majesty's Stationery Office to court offices, trading standards offices, citizens advice bureaux and other advice agencies.
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  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many actions were commenced through the small claims court in each year from 1990.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The term "small claims court" refers to the arbitration procedure in the county court. The number of arbitrations heard—which mainly, but not exclusively, consist of cases below the small claims limit—in England and Wales since 1990 were:

  Number

  1990

  52,360

  1991

  161,919

  1992

  80,341

  1993

  105,843

  1 On 1 July 1991 the maximum sum claimable through the small claims procedure increased from £500 to £1,000.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 275, if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department in each of the last five years and the number of contracts they have undertaken.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Firms of consultants employed in 1992–93 on projects costing more than £20,000 and the number of contracts that they undertook were as follows:

  Consultants

  Number of Contracts

  Price Waterhouse

  6

  Grasshopper Computers Ltd.

  3

  TRIAD Special Systems Ltd.

  1

  WS Atkins

  2

  KPMG

  2

  Coopers & Lybrand

  2

  Ernst & Young

  2

  University of Westminster

  1

  PE International

  1

  Compucare

  1

  Baz Services Ltd.

  1

  LBMS

  1

  Comshare

  1

  CSC

  1

  Aims Systems

  1

  Sapphire Consultancy Services

  1

  Clark Whitehill

  1

  Enviroplan

  1

  Benford Associates

  1

  Clarkson Goff Management

  1

  John Garnett

  1

  There were also some 70 projects each costing less than ·20,000 in 1992–93. As I said in my answer of 23 March, comparable information for earlier years is not available.

  Lawyers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current number of(a) Queen's Counsel and (b) barristers; and how many of each are (i) women and (ii) members of ethnic minorities.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department does not have statistics on practitioners in the
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  legal profession. However, I am informed by the Bar Council that as at 1 October 1993 there were 7,735 practising barristers, of whom 1,593 were women. At the same date there were 797 practising Queen's Counsel, of whom 41 were women. I am also informed by the Bar Council that of a total of 7,660 practising banisters on 6 September 1993, 347 had declared a non-white ethnic origin. Of these, nine were Queen's Counsel. Seventy-seven new practising Queen's Counsel have been appointed this year. Of these, nine were women and one was of non-white ethnic origin.

  Advice Services
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the Government's policy towards the provision of a network of independent advice and law centres throughout the country; and what response he has made to the Advice 2000 initiative launched by the Advice Services Alliance.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's objectives for legal aid and the Legal Aid Board make it clear that he wishes to encourage law centres, citizens advice bureaux and others to take on an increasing proportion of work which it is appropriate for them to handle. The Legal Aid Board is currently undertaking two projects: the first is designed to ascertain whether methods of delivering legal services other than on a case-by-case basis would have benefits and the second to enable the board to set standards applicable to non-solicitor agencies. Information from these projects should assist consideration of how to achieve the above objective.

TREASURY

  Taxes Management Act 1970
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to consult interested parties regarding any future amendment of section 20A of the Taxes Management Act 1970; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Inland Revenue is at present consulting the accountancy and legal professions over its draft guidance notes on the use of section 20A. The Government will be considering how to take the matter forward in the light of any responses to the draft guidance notes and the points made in Committee.

  European Monetary Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation and preparation work is being carried on by which European Union institutions, committees and organisations about monetary union, the reconstruction of the exchange rate mechanism, the restoration of the coinage clearing systems and the institutional arrangements for monetary union; what part Britain is playing in both of these processes and organisations; how many British officials and committees are working on this issue(a) in the EU structures and (b) domestically; and what consultations are being held with British banks and financial institutions by EU officials and his own officials about monetary union.

  Mr. Nelson
  Monetary co-operation in the European Union is regularly discussed by the Council of the 424
  European Monetary Institute, the Monetary Committee and the Council of Finance Ministers. In all those forums, the United Kingdom plays a full and constructive part.

  The Commission has announced its intention of setting up a study group of independent experts to advise on some of the practical issues which would arise on implementation of a single currency.

  A number of United Kingdom and Bank of England officials are concerned with European monetary issues. The Government and the bank are represented on the Monetary Committee; the bank is represented on the EMI council.

  British banks and financial institutions are also consulted as necessary by both British and Commission officials.

  There have never been EC coinage clearing systems, so the question of their restoration does not arise.

  Customs and Excise (Cheques)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the practice of Customs and Excise in respect of sending large denomination cheques through the post;

  (2) what security procedures are adopted to protect cheques sent by post by Customs and Excise.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs continually encourages businesses to provide it with bank account details so that repayments can be electronically transferred. However, not all traders yet take advantage of that facility and almost 1 million payable orders, with a total value in excess of £7 billion, are issued each year by first-class post.

  In conjunction with Her Majesty's Treasury, customs has been taking steps to increase even further the security measures for payable orders. These include higher levels of security printing so as to make alteration of the payee's name more difficult.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement regarding the repayment of £1 million to the London borough of Haringey by Customs and Excise;

  (2) what steps are being taken by Customs and Excise to recover £1 million misappropriated en route to the London borough of Haringey.

  Sir John Cope
  The payment of £1 million to Haringey borough council was in respect of a claim by it for a lost payable order of £1,156,806·10, plus interest and repayment supplement. Settlement of the claim was made on the basis of advice from counsel and the full agreement of the parties involved.

  Inquiries into the case, by the police and customs, are still continuing.

  Petrol
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total excise and revenue raised from petrol sales in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93.

  Sir John Cope
  Information on the excise duty and VAT revenue raised from petrol sales in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93 is provided in the table:

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  £ billion

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Excise duty

  7·0

  8·0

  8·2

  VAT (estimated)

  1·3

  1·5

  1·6

  Total tax revenue

  8·3

  9·6

  9·7

  Note: Components do not necessarilyt sum to the total due to rounding.

  No direct figures are available for the VAT raised on petrol. An estimate has been made using national accounts data; it covers only consumers' expenditure—the yield from business is highly uncertain because the majority of businesses can reclaim the VAT paid as in-put tax.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total income to the Treasury from value added tax on petrol in 1992–93.

  Sir John Cope
  The total income to the Treasury from value added tax on petrol in 1992–93 is estimated at £1·6 billion.

  No direct figures are available for the VAT raised on petrol. An estimate has been made using national accounts data; it covers only consumers' expenditure—the yield from business is highly uncertain because the majority of businesses can reclaim the VAT paid as in-put tax.

  Fuel (VAT)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the effect of pre-payment by large-scale gas and electricity users to avoid value added tax on domestic fuel from 1 April; and what assessment he has made of the scheme of pre-payment and its effect on(a) the revenue expected from the tax and (b) the level of savings held in building societies.

  Sir John Cope
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 13 April,Official Report, column 171.

  Child Maintenance
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what impact the recent tax changes will have on the Child Support Agency assessments for child maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  To the extent that they affect the net incomes of absent parents, the recent direct tax changes will alter the assessments.

  Pensioner Certificates
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to ensure that the age limit is reduced from 65 years to 60 years for women to be able to invest in pensioner certificates.

  Mr. Nelson
  There are no plans to change the present age limit for purchase of the National Savings pensioners guaranteed income bond.

  Central Statistical Office
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what key targets have been set for the Central Statistical Office for 1994–95.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Central Statistical Office's key targets for 1994–95 are set out in the "CSO Programme Strategies 426
  1994–97", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. As before, the targets cover the timeliness of published statistics, the size of revisions, the coherence of key economic statistics, the response rates for statistical inquiries, action to minimise the load on respondents, response times to public requests for information and the CSO's running costs, efficiency improvements and receipts. A number of the targets have been tightened for 1994–95 in recognition of the continuing improvements in the CSO's performance.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic properties in England and Wales have been re-banded on sale and repurchase; and, of these, how many have had their banding increased and how many decreased.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Valuation Office Agency does not keep a record of how many bandings are increased or decreased in England and Wales as a result of a sale.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what criteria are used to decide the rebanding of domestic properties on sale and repurchase;

  (2) what steps are taken by the Inland Revenue to review the banding for council tax purposes on the sale and repurchase of domestic properties.

  Mr. Nelson
  A listing officer is required to alter the banding of a property following the sale or other relevant transaction if the banding does not reflect the value added by improvements carried out by the previous taxpayer. Otherwise, the listing officer will review a banding following sale of the property only if the sale price is significantly different from the figure that would reasonably have been expected at that date for a property with that banding. In such cases, he will consider all the evidence available to him of the value of the property as at the valuation date of 1 April 1991, including any relevant sale prices at or around that date, in order to establish whether there is any inaccuracy that requires to be remedied.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to reband other similar properties in the same area where a property is rebanded for council tax purposes on sale and repurchase.

  Mr. Nelson
  Where a property is reviewed and rebanded following a sale or other relevant transaction because the band does not reflect the value of the improvements carried out by the previous taxpayer, the banding of other similar properties in the locality is not reviewed. Where a property is reviewed and rebanded following a sale which indicates that the original entry in the compiled valuation list was incorrect and the listing officer is aware that similar properties in the locality may be incorrect, the banding of those properties is reviewed.

  Tiger Products
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, column 640, if he will give details of the countries of origin of the tiger products seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and in each case what was the ultimate destination of the products.
  427
  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: It is not always possible to determine the origin—as opposed to country of consignment—of goods, but the following additional information may be of help in connection with the seized tiger derivatives listed in my previous answer:

  Item

  Country of consignment

  Handbag

  Australia

  Skin (whole and piece); two claws

  India

  Pair of shoes

  Saudi Arabia

  50 boxes pills; 12 packets plasters

  Hong Kong

  20 packets plasters

  USA

  Item

  Country of origin

  All other goods

  China

  In all cases customs seized the goods; there is no information on their intended ultimate destination other than the declared United Kingdom address of the importer.

  Trading Profits (Midlands)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of change in profit margins has been reported in(a) the west midlands and (b) Coventry in each quarter since April 1991.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 13 April 1994]: Information on profit margins is not available but gross trading profits in the west midlands standard region are estimated at £4,903 million in 1991 and £5,266 million in 1992. No estimates have yet been made for 1993. There are no quarterly estimates and none for Coventry separately.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Tobacco (Sponsorship)
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the amount spent in each year since 1985, by tobacco manufacturing companies on sponsorship of each sport, under the terms of the voluntary agreement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Records are not kept of the amount of sponsorship money spent on each individual sport. The voluntary agreement on sponsorship requires tobacco manufacturers represented on the Tobacco Advisory Council to inform the Government of the expenditure incurred each year on sports sponsorship in the United Kingdom. These amounts are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1985–86

  8,252,000

  1986–87

  7,699,000

  1987–88

  5,911,000

  1988–89

  5,329,000

  1989–90

  7,253,000

  1990–91

  7,630,000

  1991–92

  8,981,000

  Broadcasting Directive
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he was notified by the European Community Commission of its intention to take the United Kingdom to court over the broadcasting directive; and what particular issue is being pursued.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: I refer to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 13 April, Official Report, column 190. I was informed on 23 March by the United Kingdom's representative in Brussels, though I have yet to receive a formal communication from the Commission.

  All-seater Stadiums
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to announce changes in the proposals for all-seater stadiums to be installed at premier league and first division football clubs before the end of 1994.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 15 April 1994]: I have no such plans. The 1 August deadline for all-seating at premier league and first division clubs remains unchanged.

EDUCATION

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parliamentary questions to his Department have not been answered because of disproportionate costs or because the information requested was not held centrally over the last five years; how many could be answered now due to computerisation and/or more effective operational systems; and if he will list each such question along with the name and constituency of the hon. Member who tabled it.

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of answers given to parliamentary questions by the Department for Education—and the Department of Education and Science prior to April 1992—between January 1987 and December 1993 recorded in the POLIS database as including a reference to part or all of the information being available only at disproportionate cost was 260. Details of each of these questions can be obtained from the POLIS database, access to which is available in the Library. The further information requested is not currently available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Grant-maintained Status
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many copies of the GM pack, "Going GM", including, "How to become a GM School", "Experiences During the First Year", "Questions Parents Ask", "Questions Staff Ask" and "Funding Worksheet", have been sent to school heads and governors; and what is the total cost of the information sent, including postage costs.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A composite Department for Education information pack on grant-maintained status was first issued in September 1992. Its contents have varied a little for particular purposes over time. Numbers issued fall into the following categories:
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  a. circulation of updated publications following the Education Act 1993, to chairmen of governors of all maintained schools in December 1993 (22,531 copies at a total cost of some £63,000, including also DFE Circular 18/93 "Grant-Maintained Schools: Acquisition, Transfer and Governance");
  b. accompanying invitations to attend the Department's regional "Going GM" conferences, sent to headteachers and chairmen of governors in batches between September 1992 and December 1993 (57,092 copies at an estimated total cost of some £127,000). A further mailing has taken place within the last week of 10,118 invitations with packs; figures on the cost of this mailing are not available yet;
  c. in response to requests, some of which were from headteachers and governors, between September 1992 and December 1993 (approximately 78,000 copies at an estimated cost of £110,000, exclusive of postage). Since January 1994 the contents of the individual packs have been specifically tailored to the needs of individual enquirers.

  Cost estimates reflect the variation in pack contents over time.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the total cost of each of the "Going GM" conferences held in Darlington on 3 February, Manchester on 18 February, Newcastle on 4 March and Huddersfield on 14 March; how many school heads and how many governors attended each conference; how many speakers were paid by the Department; and how many civil servants attended in each case.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The numbers attending and the costs of the Darlington, Manchester, Newcastle and Huddersfield "Going GM" conferences are set out in the table:

  Conference

  Cost12 £

  Delegates3

  Civil Servants4

  Darlington

  13,335

  94

  25

  Manchester

  15,697

  114

  10

  Newcastle

  14,131

  77

  13

  Huddersfield

  15,151

  102

  10

  1 Includes venue hire and catering, equipment costs, and pro rata conference support costs (secretariat, production, and conference management), and expenses payments to GM headteachers who spoke at the conferences and who have submitted an expenses claim.

  2 Does not include the cost of mailing invitations for these conferences, or related travel and subsistence costs for civil servants.

  3 The Department's records do not identify separately headteachers and governors attending "Going GM" conferences.

  4 Attendance at a "Going GM" conference is often part of the

  Participation in Pre-primary Education(Full and Part-time)by age group,1991

  Percentage of age group

  Age at which Compulsory schooling starts

  Education

  Percentage of preprimary provision which is within the
  private sector 11991

  3 to 5

  3 to 4

  France

  6

  100

  100

  12

  Germany

  6

  63

  53

  1267

  United Kingdom34

  5

  68

  52

  6

  568

  553

  United States of America

  66-8

  60

  45

  137

  1 1990 for Germany and 1989 for United States of America.

  2 In Germany, some providers of private sector provision receive some public subsidy.

  3 Participation rates of those in school at start of calendar year with ages at that point.

  4 Age 3 includes some children age 2.

  5 1992 data.

  6 Varies between states

  Sources: Table AA: Education Statistics for the United Kingdom, 1993 edition; UNESCO Statistical Year Book 1993.
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  induction process for Department officials new to grant-maintained schools policy. In particular, most of the civil servants at the Darlington conference were observers.

  Each conference was also attended by six head teachers from grant-maintained schools who spoke about their experiences in the GM sector. The Department reimburses head teachers for expenses incurred in speaking at "Going GM" conferences, but does not pay them a fee. To date, the Department has made payments totalling £857 in response to expenses claims from GM head teachers for the four conferences listed. These payments are included in the table.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his estimate of the cost of the freephone calls in response to the recent advertisements in the national press on GM status and his most recent figure of the number of calls received.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  To date, more than 1,100 of the responses to the advertising campaign were calls to the freephone number. To disaggregate the cost of these calls from that of other calls received by the Department's GM publications centre would involve disproportionate expense.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) the USA have nursery places provided by (i) the Government sector and (ii) the non profit-making private sector.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information is not centrally available in the form requested. The table below shows the latest available information on combined public and private participation rates in pre-compulsory schooling. Separate participation rates are not available. There are also some differences between countries in the distinction drawn between education and day care. If the United Kingdom figures are defined to include nursery schools, nursery classes, infant classes, pre-school play groups and group day care, the participation rates for both three to four and three to five-year-olds increase to over 90 per cent.

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his latest estimate of the average cost per surplus pupil place in respect of(a) a secondary pupil and (b) a primary pupil.

  Mr. Forth
  The average premises-related cost of maintaining a school place is estimated at £179 a year for a primary school place and £298 a year for a secondary school place at 1994–95 prices. The actual cost and the scope for realising savings from removal of surplus places in practice will depend on local circumstances.

  Parental Choice
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the figures, in total and for each local education authority, on the number of parents who secured the primary or secondary school of their first choice for their child for 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Data on the number of parents securing their first choice of school are not collected centrally. However, the most recent evidence—from surveys commissioned by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities in 1992 and The Times in 1993—shows that some 90 per cent. of parents gain a place at their first choice of secondary school.

  Hanover Insurance Brokers
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what payments his Department has made, either directly or indirectly, to Hanover Insurance Brokers for their work in advising grant-maintained schools on issues concerning insurance.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Hanover Insurance Brokers is one of a number of companies that advise grant-maintained schools on their insurance requirements. The Department has made no direct payment to Hanover Insurance Brokers in respect of this work. Arrangements for paying brokers in respect of advice on insurance is a matter for individual grant-maintained schools.

  Grant-maintained Schools Foundation
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education who are the directors of the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation Ltd; who has been appointed as chief executive; and what was the Department's involvement in the appointments.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The directors of the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation Ltd. are Sir Robert Balchin, chairman, Mr. John Spiers, Sir Christopher Lawson, Mr. David Allan, OBE, Mr. Lawrence Norcross, OBE and Mr. Thomas Savage. The company's chief executive is Mr. Andrew Turner. The Department was not involved in the appointment of the directors or the chief executive.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much grant aid the new Grant-maintained Schools Foundation Ltd. has applied for in 1994–95; and what level of grant has been granted.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation Ltd. is currently in discussion with the Department about grant aid for 1994–95. Decisions on the total level of grant have yet to be taken.

  Funding Agency for Schools
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to investigate the potential conflict of interests arising from other chairmanships held by the chairman of the Funding Agency for Schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. I do not accept that any conflicts arise. It will be for the funding agency to keep a register of chairman's and members' interests and for individual members to disclose any private interest in a matter to be considered by the board in the normal way.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in the last 10 years he has used powers to call in planning applications after they have been approved by local authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  None.

  Water Quality Objectives
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce the system of statutory water quality objectives under the Water Resources Act 1991.

  Mr. Atkins
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I have today laid before Parliament the Surface Waters (River Ecosystem) (Classification) Regulations 1994. These regulations, together with an accompanying document specifying procedures to be used by the National Rivers Authority, prescribe for the first time a statutory system for classifying the overall quality of rivers in England and Wales. This builds on the previous informal river classification system, and follows extensive consultations. The regulations will allow the process of introductory statutory water quality objectives to begin.

  Water quality objectives will provide a stable framework for the NRA to maintain and, where appropriate, improve river quality; they will build on the major programmes of investment that are already planned or under way. My hon. Friend and I will, after advice from the NRA, consult on proposals for the first water quality objectives to be set on the basis on these regulations.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Advisory Committee on Human Genome Research
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the Advisory Committee on Human Genome Research.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I established an Advisory Committee on Human Genome Research, early last year, to advise me on how best to build on the existing strengths of United Kingdom human genome research and secure the benefits it promises for human welfare, health care and United Kingdom industry.

  The committee convened an independent expert working group of leading geneticists, to review the area

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  and identify priorities for investment in the United Kingdom to benefit both basic science and commercial opportunities. Its report, "The Human Genome Mapping Project—Priorities and Opportunities in Genome Research", was published this morning. I believe that it will be of interest to all those concerned with genome research in the United Kingdom. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 31 March,Official Report, column 1018, if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department and the number of contracts they have undertaken.

  Mr. David Davis
  The information requested is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Research Establishments
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total amount of spending in 1993 in Wales by the Natural Environment Research Council in pounds million at 1994–95 prices net of spending on the research vessels services in Barry and the British geological survey, Aberystwyth, together with the corresponding percentage spending by the Natural Environment Research Council in Wales as a proportion of spending the United Kingdom net of spending on the above two establishments.

  Mr. David Davis
  The estimated expenditure by the Natural Environment Research Council in Wales in 1993–94 was £3·4 million at 1994–95 prices, net of the research vessel services at Barry, and the British geological survey's district office at Aberystwyth. This amounts to approximately 2 per cent. of the NERC's total United Kingdom spend.

PRIME MINISTER

  European Union (Qualified Majority Voting)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now seek written confirmation, by means of an exchange of letters, of the undertakings he announced in his oral statement of 29 March, Official Report, columns 797-98, and place copies in the Library.

  The Prime Minister
  I see no need for this, in the light of the undertakings given.

  Parliamentary Counsel Office Staff
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister how many people, of what grade, are employed by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

  The Prime Minister
  The number of staff and their grades currently employed in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, excluding those on loan to the Law Commission and the Home Office, is:

  Number

  First Parliamentary Counsel (grade 1)

  1

  Second Parliamentary Counsel (grade 2)

  1

  Parliamentary Counsel (grade 2)

  8

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  Number

  Deputy Parliamentary Counsel (grade 3)

  3

  Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (grade 5)

  3

  Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (grade 7)

  12

  Grade 7

  1

  Executive Officer

  1

  Senior Personal Secretary

  7

  Administrative Officer

  5

  Support grade band 2

  2

  Total

  44

  The following Parliamentary Counsel Office staff are on loan to the Law Commission:

  Number

  Parliamentary Counsel (grade 2)

  1

  Deputy Parliamentary Counsel (grade 3)

  1

  Principal Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (grade 4)

  1

  Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (grade 5)

  1

  Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (grade 7)

  1

  Total

  5

  The following Parliamentary Counsel Office staff are on loan to the Home Office:

  Number

  Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (grade 7)

  1

  Total

  1

  Stephan Adolphus Kock (Duties)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Prime Minister what official duties have been carried out by Stephan Adolphus Kock since 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 April.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 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.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Fire Safety Scrutiny Initiative
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the organisations and individuals who have submitted evidence to the interdepartmental fire safety scrutiny initiative; and if he will make a statement on the timetable for the review.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The team conducting the review of fire safety legislation and enforcement has consulted widely among more than 100 organisations with a known interest in the subject. These have included, inter alia,
  435
  representatives of fire service bodies, the insurance industry, fire and other safety organisations, the Confederation of British Industry and groups representing small businesses, organisations representing retail, manufacturing and other business interests, consumer bodies, organisations representing property interests, fire equipment manufacturers, groups representing the disabled, local authorities, unions, the construction industry, surveyors, building control officers, architects and planners.

  Many such organisations have responded by supplying written evidence and some have also met the review team. Evidence has also been received from a number of individuals interested in this important matter.

  The review team are still receiving representations. They will include the final list of all those who submitted evidence in their report to Ministers which is due before the end of May. We will then need to consider their recommendations and any changes that they may propose. The Government are committed to consulting all interested parties before making any legislative changes.

  Deregulation Task Forces
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the reports of the eight deregulation task forces will be deposited in the Library.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) on 30 March 1994,Official Report, column 766, which stated that the working papers of the seven business task forces were placed in the Library of the House on 30 March.

  The eighth task force, which is looking at legislation affecting charities and voluntary organisations, has now completed its work and is due to report shortly.

  Aluminium
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received regarding dumping of aluminium from the former Soviet Union.

  Mr. Needham
  None.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the imports of aluminium have been from the former Soviet Union in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is provided in the table:

  Imports of Aluminium from the former Soviet Union

  Year

  Volume (Metric Tonnes)

  Value (£000's)

  1989

  0

  0

  1990

  4,552

  4,297

  1991

  22,387

  16,981

  1992

  17,355

  11,291

  1993

  229,305

  180,432

  Notes:

  Aluminium is classified as heading 684 of the Standard International Trade Classification.

  The former Soviet Union comprises Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

  Source: HM Customs and Excise.

  Regional Challenge
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, columns 647-49, if he will consider making it a duty for authorities to consult local communities for the purposes of regional challenge; if he will publish rules indicating that the consultation should enable local communities to have an impact on decisions; and if he will ensure that the rules of this new competition do not allow for unnecessary competition between deprived communities.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have nothing to add to my reply of 29 March.

  Coal Industry Privatisation
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who will be responsible for consumer protection and safety in respect of domestic coal consumers when the Domestic Coal Consumers Council ceases to exist after Royal Assent is given to the Coal Industry Bill.

  Mr. Eggar
  A substantial body of general consumer protection legislation will continue to apply to coal as well as to other products. Discussions are taking place in the coal trade on voluntary complementary arrangements following the privatisation of British Coal. The Domestic Coal Consumers Council is an advisory body. No date has been set for its abolition, although the Coal Industry Bill provides for that in due course.

  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has in respect of(a) "Complete Heat" and (b) British Coal domestic consumers database after the Coal Industry Bill receives Royal Assent.

  Mr. Eggar
  Decisions on the future of "Complete Heat" and British Coal's database of domestic consumers are a matter for the Corporation.

TRANSPORT

  Sea (Safety)
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the ratification of the 1988 protocol to the 1974 international convention on the safety of life at sea.

  Mr. Norris
  The 1988 protocol to the 1974 international convention on the safety of life at sea will be ratified upon completion of the work in consolidating the Merchant Shipping Acts. This is scheduled for later this year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many holders of his office have had advice from the Landscape Advisory Committee since 1964.

  Mr. Key
  All.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why he no longer needs advice from the Landscape Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Key
  The reasons are given in paragraph 8.11 of "Trunk Roads in England: 1994 Review", copies of which are in the Library of the House.
  437
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the advice and publications from the Landscape Advisory Committee in the past 10 years.

  Mr. Key
  Copies of each of the committee's annual reports were placed in the Library. The reports list the schemes on which the committee has advised.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he decided to abolish the Landscape Advisory Committee;

  (2) when he first (a) considered abolition of and (b) made known his intention to abolish the Landscape Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend and I considered the future of the Landscape Advisory Committee as part of the Government's review of the road programme, announced in August 1993. My right hon. Friend announced the results of the review on 30 March 1994.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he advised the Select Committee for Transport on his proposal to abolish the Landscape Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Key
  The decision to disband the Landscape Advisory Committee was announced in "Trunk Roads in England: 1994 Review", published on 30 March 1994. My right hon. Friend wrote to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Transport drawing his attention to that document on the day of publication.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who have been the members of the Landscape Advisory Committee since 1964.

  Mr. Key
  A list of members since 1970 is set out in alphabetical order. Information on members between 1964 and 1969, if available, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Members of Landscape Advisory Committee since 1970

  Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher

  Prof. M. Benwell

  Dr. J. A. Bergg

  Prof. G. E. Cherry

  Miss E. Chipchase

  Mr. L. J. Clark

  Prof. M. M. Cole

  Mr. G. P. Crow

  Mr. C. S. Darvill

  Mr. B. de Hamel

  The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Rosse

  Sir Basil Engholm

  Mr. J. V. S. Evans

  Ms E. A. O. Evans

  Mr. C. R. Ferens

  Prof. P. J. Fowler

  Mrs. E. J. Garland

  Mr. H. J. R. Geddes

  Mr. A. D. Gill

  Mr. D. R. Greig

  Prof. J. L. Harper

  Col. F. M. Hill

  Mr. E. Hodgkin

  Mrs. J. Jack

  Prof. D. K. C. Jones

  Sir Laurence Kirwan

  The Hon. Trevor Lewis

  Sir Giles Loder

  Mr. D. Lovejoy

  Mrs. P. E. Lunn

  Dr. S. MacGregor

  438

  Prof. M. MacKeith

  Mr. J. M. McCluskey

  Mr. M. R. Porter

  Miss W. E. Powell

  Miss K. M. Powell

  Mr. J. F. W. Rathbone

  Ms V. J. Russell

  Mr. M. O. Slocock

  Sir Henry Abel Smith

  Mr. J. St. Bodfan-Gruffydd

  Mr. M. E. G. Taylor

  Sir George Taylor

  Mrs. V. Wakefield

  Mr. F. R. Waley

  Prof. A. E. Weddle

  Mr. E. R. Wheatley-Hubbard

  Mr. N. Whittaker

  Mr. R. Winter

  Prof. M. J. Wise

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost of the Landscape Advisory Committee in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Key
  Over the last 10 years, expenditure incurred by Landscape Advisory Committee members on travel, subsistence and accommodation in connection with Committee meetings and site visits has been as follows:

  Year

  Cost (£)

  1984–85

  17,532

  1985–86

  21,520

  1986–87

  19,475

  1987–88

  19,810

  1988–89

  18,555

  1989–90

  28,974

  1990–91

  52,062

  1991–92

  47,155

  1992–93

  53,898

  1993–94

  48,593

  In addition, the Committee was supported throughout this period by a secretariat consisting of two full-time staff whose costs including salaries and accommodation amounted to around £60,000 in 1993–94. Substantial costs were also incurred by officials and consultants attending meetings and site visits and preparing briefing material. These costs are not held centrally.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the three rolling stock companies will tell passenger railway service operators how much they will be charged for using their rolling stock in the current financial year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The timing of this is a matter for the British Rail board. I understand from British Rail that the rolling stock companies intend to issue indicative prices within the next two or three weeks.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the terms of the shadow franchise agreements for the six railway shadow franchises which came into operation on 1 April will be finalised; and whether the terms of the agreements including the minimum service specification and the performance standards will be made public.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is the franchising director's intention to finalise the details of the shadow franchise agreements for the first six franchises within the next few months. These will be made public except in so far as that might damage the commercial interest of the businesses concerned.

  Cyclists (Protective Headgear)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the possibility of requiring all cyclists to wear protective headgear on public roads.

  Mr. Key
  The benefits of cycle helmets are well established, particularly for children and young adults who are most at risk of injury when cycling. Research shows that good standard cycle helmets reduce the chance of head injury by 85 per cent. and brain injury by 88 per cent. We actively promote helmet wearing but are not minded to regulate to make it a criminal offence to ride a bicycle without a helmet.

  Road Bridge Repairs
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of(a) his Department's annual spending on and (b) the annual grant to local authorities for repairs to road bridges for each year since 1985 and in each of the years of the current public expenditure White Paper.

  Mr. Key
  The figures are:

  Year

  Department of transport Capital expenditure on trunk road structures

  Local authority expenditure accepted for transport supplementary grant(TSG)

  £ million

  £ million

  1985–86

  7

  —

  1986–87

  37

  —

  1987–88

  51

  —

  1988–89

  31

  —

  1989–90

  66

  —

  1990–91

  87

  —

  1991–92

  120

  91

  1992–93

  116

  111

  1993–94

  129

  137

  1994–95

  150

  137

  1995–96

  155

  —

  1996–97

  155

  —

  Notes:
  1. Department of Transport Expenditure on Trunk Road Structures:

  a. figures up to and including 1992–93 are actual outturn expenditure;

  b. the figure for 1993–94 is estimated outturn expenditure;

  c. figures for 1994–95 onwards are planned expenditure by the Highways Agency.

  2. Local Authority expenditure accepted for TSG:

  a. grant is paid at a rate of 50% of accepted expenditure;

  b. resources for local authority bridge maintenance were transferred from Revenue Support Grant (RSG—paid by DOE) to TSG in 1991–92. The Department of Transport has no details of allocations to local authorities for this purpose in earlier years;

  c. levels of support for bridges for 1995–96 onwards have not yet been determined.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to require local authorities to divest their interests in bus companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is our policy that all the remaining local authority-owned bus companies should be transferred to the private sector. We have been encouraging their voluntary sale. I am pleased that 28, including most 440
  recently Greater Manchester Buses, have already been sold. Measures to require the sale of local authority bus companies will be introduced when a suitable legislative opportunity occurs.

  Airspace
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many unauthorised penetrations of controlled or regulated airspace were reported in each year since 1988; and what proportion of the number in each year were by military aircraft.

  Mr. Norris
  As this is a matter within the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority, I am asking the chairman of the CAA to write to the hon. Member.

  School Minibuses (Accidents)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children have been killed or injured in accidents involving school minibuses in each region in each of the last five years.

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

  Minibus1 casualties: Number of school pupils2 killed or injured: Great Britain 1988–92

  Departmental regions

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Northern

  10

  9

  10

  9

  16

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  18

  10

  25

  22

  20

  East Midlands

  9

  16

  37

  36

  34

  Eastern

  49

  38

  41

  47

  41

  South-East

  34

  35

  50

  26

  38

  Greater London

  10

  9

  18

  0

  32

  South West

  24

  31

  28

  7

  29

  West Midlands

  24

  26

  12

  21

  10

  North West

  56

  28

  54

  21

  13

  England

  234

  202

  275

  189

  233

  Wales

  24

  33

  14

  40

  45

  Scotland

  51

  36

  48

  23

  42

  Total

  309

  271

  337

  252

  320

  1 Includes motor caravans.

  2 Aged 0-15.

  London Heliport Study Group
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current membership of the London heliport study group; and when it is expected to report.

  Mr. Norris
  The membership of the London heliport study working group comprises representatives of the Department of Transport, Department of the Environment, Department of Trade and Industry, Civil Aviation Authority, British Helicopter Advisory Board, London Planning Advisory Committee, and Westland London heliport. The group expects to report by summer 1994.

  River Thames Working Group
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the objectives of the River Thames working group; and when the group will report to him.

  Mr. Norris
  The River Thames working group, which I chair, is reviewing current transport uses of the River Thames and possible constraints on those uses. It will
  441
  establish the potential for the development of the river for transport, particularly freight, alongside other river interests, and identify and encourage private sector-led initiatives. My Department has recently engaged Wootton Jeffreys Consultants Ltd. to assist it in analysing the information that the group has received following a wide-ranging consultation exercise which I launched last year. The working group is aiming to complete its report in July.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles have suffered shattered windscreens during trial runs through the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  Commissioning of the tunnel system is a matter for Eurotunnel. I understand that no vehicle windscreens have been shattered.

  Motorcycles (Leg Protectors)
  Mr. Hoon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department is planning into leg protectors for motor cycles.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 March to a question tabled by the late hon. Member for Bradford, South,Official Report, column 107.

  Marine Safety Agency
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of setting up the new Marine Safety Agency.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: The additional cost for setting up the Marine Safety Agency was approximately £253,000.

  Coastguard Service
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of setting up the new Coastguard Agency and replacing the National Coastguard Service.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: The cost of setting up the Coastguard Agency, comprising Her Majesty's Coastguard and the marine pollution control unit was £231,000.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the recently published joint National Air Traffic Service and International Air Transport Association recommendation leaflet concerning runway occupancy times and the need for pilots of landing aircraft to ensure expeditious clearance of the runway has been approved by the safety regulation group of the regulatory authority; and whether the associated air traffic procedures have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority's air traffic control standards department;

  (2) what are the reasons for establishing a runway hourly movement monitor to compare actual movement rates achieved with the declared runway capacity and for the requirement of air traffic controllers at Manchester to submit to an internal management investigation if they fail to achieve the declared hourly movement rate.
  442
  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: As these two questions concern matters that are within the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority, I am asking the chairman of the CAA to write to the hon. Member.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to meet the chairman of Railtrack to discuss the tendering timetable for retail developments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the chairman of Railtrack to discuss a range of issues, including opportunities for retail developments on Railtrack property. We expect Railtrack to report during the summer on the prospects for retail and development opportunities at certain major stations.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Welfare
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all sheep exported from the United Kingdom to Spain for slaughter and for further fattening(a) have been and (b) will be slaughtered in abattoirs which are guaranteed by the Spanish Government as complying with directive 74/577/EEC requiring the stunning of animals before slaughter.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The answer given to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 16 February,Official Report, column 847, set out the arrangements for ensuring that animals for immediate slaughter in Spain would be sent only to slaughterhouses that the Spanish authorities had confirmed as meeting Community welfare rules. These arrangements do not apply to animals for further fattening. The Government have, however, agreed further safeguards with the Spanish authorities under which they will carry out checks to ensure that consignments for slaughter or further fattening are correctly described.

  Norwegian Fisheries Regime
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will outline the conservation and control regime for fisheries allowed to Norway under the entry agreement with the EEC in(a) northern waters and (b) the rest of Norwegian fishing grounds; and in which ways this departs from the common fisheries policy as applied in British waters;

  (2) what proposals she has for extending the Norwegian management and control regime for fisheries permitted under the entry agreement with the EU to British waters; and what plans she has to urge that such a regime be extended to other national waters.

  Mr. Jack
  In waters north of 62 deg. north, for a transitional period of three years from accession, Norway is authorised to maintain:

  (a) national control measures which involve, for example, making rendezvous with inspectors at sea, and

  (b) the ban on discarding fish at sea and the system for opening and closing fisheries in biologically sensitive zones, neither of which policies is applied by the CFP.

  443
  Norway is also authorised to maintain the existing technical conservation measures—national mesh size rules, for example—applicable north of 62 deg. north for one year.

  South of 62 deg. north, for a transitional period of one year from accession, Norway is authorised to maintain national control measures, the discard ban and the existing technical conservation measures applying in these waters.

  Before the end of these transitional periods the Council will decide on future arrangements with the objective of incorporating Norwegian practices into the CFP where appropriate. The discussions in the Council will provide an opportunity to consider the applicability of these measures outside existing Norwegian waters.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she last met members of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations to discuss the Norwegian accession.

  European Community Foodstuffs held in Public Intervention Storage ('000 tonnes)

  Commodity

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  Butter

  271

  128

  9

  100

  692

  841

  Skimmed Milk Powder

  227

  230

  286

  567

  990

  617

  Wheat

  1,821

  4,914

  2,978

  6,300

  6,857

  8,782

  Barley

  69

  1,086

  740

  1,625

  1,102

  1,845

  Rye

  549

  513

  321

  293

  249

  426

  Durum

  143

  157

  307

  771

  714

  858

  Total Cereals

  2,582

  6,670

  4,346

  8,989

  8,922

  11,911

  Beef

  275

  302

  181

  203

  372

  610

  Wine Alcohol (million litres)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2

  Note:
  n/a = not applicable (no Public Intervention Storage arrangements).

  Animals (Transport)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she has taken to raise awareness of issues of welfare in the transportation of live animals with the Governments of other member states.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government take every opportunity in the Council of Agriculture Ministers and elsewhere to press for our high standards of animal welfare during transport to be applied throughout the European Community.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what animal identification methods will be acceptable under the EU directive 92/65/EEC on the import and export of animals.

  Mr. Soames
  The current arrangements for identifying animals for import and export are not altered by directive 92/65 except in the case of cats and dogs imported into the United Kingdom. From 1 July 1994 traded cats and dogs imported under the directive will have to be identified with an implanted microchip.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether Ministers of her Department have supported in meetings of the Council of Ministers a maximum journey time of eight hours for livestock.

  Mr. Soames
  In Community negotiations the United Kingdom is taking full account of the case for journey limits and how they could be enforced.
  444
  Mr. Jack
  I briefed representatives of the NFFO and of other fishermen's organisations fully on the outcome of the Norwegian accession negotiations on 22 March.

  Reserve Stocks
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current size in terms of(a) weight and (b) volume of the European Communities' reserve stocks of (a) cereals, (b) beef, (c) grain, (d) butter, (e) milk and (f) wine; and how these have varied since 1979.

  Mr. Jack
  Tables showing current levels of all produce held in intervention within the European Community are deposited in the Library of the House at monthly intervals, most recently on 8 April. The information currently held in the House Library goes back to January 1985; figures for earlier years were not prepared on the same basis, but the table gives intervention stocks as at 31 December for the years 1979–84.

  European Directives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions(a) the European Commission and (b) other member states can take against member states that do not enforce implementation of European directives.

  Mr. Jack
  Where the European Commission considers that a member state has failed to fulfil a Community obligation it may, in accordance with article 169 of the treaty of Rome, deliver a reasoned opinion, after giving the member state the opportunity to submit its observations. If the member state does not comply with the opinion, the Commission may bring the matter before the European Court of Justice. Similarly, if a member state considers that another member state has failed to fulfil a Community obligation it may, under article 170 of the treaty of Rome, bring the matter before the European Court of Justice. Before it does so, however, it must give the Commission an opportunity to consider the dispute.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the outcome of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 12 April.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 13 April 1994,Official Report, columns 183-84.

  Premium Payments
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the budget, in real and nominal terms, for England in (i) 1991, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1993

  £ million

  Scheme

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94 forecast

  1994–95 estimate

  Sheep annual premium

  Nominal

  117

  139

  208

  183

  At 1991–92 prices

  117

  135

  198

  n/a

  Suckler cow premium

  Nominal

  34

  34

  31

  56

  At 1991–92 prices

  34

  33

  29

  n/a

  Beef special premium

  Nominal

  26

  20

  49

  69

  At 1991–92 prices

  26

  20

  47

  n/a

  Fruit and Vegetables
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the total amounts of fruit and vegetables destroyed by the European Community in 1991–92; what was the purpose of such destruction; and when comparable figures will be produced for 1992–93.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: The information, produced by the Commission, on the destruction of fruit and vegetables withdrawn from the market in 1991–92 is as follows:

  Product

  Quantity destroyed (tonnes)

  Cauliflowers

  40,503

  Apricots

  93,653

  Tomatoes

  49,370

  Aubergines

  543

  Nectarines

  36,362

  Peaches

  336,992

  Lemons

  13,445

  Pears

  634

  Grapes

  291

  Apples

  26,134

  Satsumas

  1—

  Mandarins

  2,723

  Clementines

  1,654

  Oranges

  154,943

  1—No withdrawals.

  The EC fruit and vegetable regime provides growers with compensation for withdrawing produce from the market when prices fall below a certain level. This produce may be disposed of by several means with destruction being a last resort once all other alternative uses have been exhausted. The Government consider that the system sustains overproduction and are therefore pressing the Commission for a radical reform of the arrangements.

  We expect the Commission to produce comparable figures for 1992–93 shortly.
  446
  and (iv) her estimate for 1994 for (a) the sheep annual premium, (b) the suckler cow premium and (c) the beef special premium.

  Mr. Jack
  The table shows expenditure by financial year under the sheep annual premium, the suckler cow premium and the beef special premium schemes in nominal terms and at constant 1991–92 prices.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Accommodation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cost of the refurbishment of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office accommodation at 11 Belgrave road, London SW1.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for 11 Belgrave road, London SW1.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cost of the refurbishment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building, Marlborough house.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for Marlborough house.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cost of the refurbishment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building, Depot, Chadwick street, London SW1.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for Depot, Chadwick street, London SW1.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cost of the refurbishment of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building, Thames house, Millbank, London SW1.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for Thames house, Millbank, London SW1.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cost of the refurbishment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building, 1 to 19 Victoria street, London SW1.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for 1 to 19 Victoria street, London SW1.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what administrative framework the IGADD nations have set up to ensure the implementation of the recent agreement in Nairobi between the participants in the Sudanese civil war.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to his written question on 13 April at column 206.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to appointing a full-time Nairobi-based diplomat to monitor both political and aid issues particularly in southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Staffing requirements at all overseas posts are kept under regular review. We are currently satisfied with the coverage of southern Sudan which we receive from our missions in Khartoum and Nairobi.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in Sudan to introduce zones of tranquility in line with the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development agreement in Nairobi.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A sub-committee has been set up to implement the agreements reached at the recent IGADD talks. It is still too early to establish what progress this sub-committee can make.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is being done by Britain and the European Union to give practical support to the IGADD talks on Sudan in Nairobi; and what action is now planned by(a) the international community and (b) the United Kingdom to assist the special rapporteur to be effective following the extension of his appointment.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Discussions are taking place with EU partners and the United Kingdom will be making a bilateral contribution.

  Britain co-sponsored the resolution for the extension of the United Nations special rapporteur's mandate, and we will consider any request for assistance which he might make.

  European Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 922, and his written answer of 12 April, Official Report, column 20, if he will now seek by letter to obtain a written confirmation of the assurances he received during the contacts between his office and that of Mr. Delors and place copies of the correspondence in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No, the undertakings in the social field to which my hon. Friend the Minister of State referred in his answer of 30 March were oral assurances.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals have recently been living in Rwanda; and what has been done to ensure their safety.
  448
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Seventy-eight nationals were registered with our honorary consul in Rwanda.

  From early morning on Sunday 10 April, through the BBC World Service and our honorary consul in Kigali, British nationals were advised to leave the country. By the evening of Wednesday 13 April all those who wished to leave had done so. We liaised closely with the Belgian and French authorities who co-ordinated the evacuation of British nationals from Rwanda. Most travelled by air to Belgium, France and Kenya. British missions in those countries met the evacuees and, when necessary, helped with onward travel.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Russian Government about the adequacy of its plans to counter the consequences of radioactive infection after Chernobyl and to prevent any future radioactive accident.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since the break-up of the former Soviet Union, responsibility for Chernobyl has fallen to the Ukrainian Government. A number of representations have been made in particular to the Russian and Ukrainian Governments by western Governments on the need to avoid a recurrence of the Chernobyl accident and to improve the levels of safety in Soviet-designed nuclear power reactors. The United Kingdom is engaged both bilaterally and multilaterally in providing both countries with substantial technical and other assistance to that end.

  Russia-European Union Agreement
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the major contents of the proposed agreement between Russia and the European Union.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The main features of the draft partnership and co-operation agreement under negotiation between Russia and the European Union are:

  (a) Regular political dialogue (including at Head of Government level).

  (b) Limited trade concessions. These consist of the granting of most favoured nation treatment and the abolition of quantitative restrictions accompanied by safeguard provisions. It sets the eventual goal of a possible free trade area between Russia and the EU. Progress towards this goal will be reviewed in 1998.

  (c) Sectoral cooperation in areas such as the approximation of laws, funded by technical assistance through the TACIS scheme.

  (d) The draft also allows for future evolution of the agreement and for its suspension in the event of either side failing to fulfil its obligations.

  Nuclear Weapons, South Asia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives he is considering to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the south Asia region.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our objective remains to secure India and Pakistan's accession to the non-proliferation treaty as non-nuclear weapon states. We continue to encourage both countries to engage in dialogue on regional security, and we support United States proposals to establish a multilateral forum on regional security in south Asia. We have also voted in favour of a resolution at the United Nations which calls for the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in south Asia.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent President Yeltsin is consulted over all strategic decisions relating to UNPROFOR operations in Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Regular consultations in the Security Council and bilaterally take place between Ministers and officials of nations closely involved in the former Yugoslavia, of which Russia is one.

  Economic Community of West African States
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to provide advice and assistance to the Economic Community of West African States in order to help develop its peacekeeping and peacemaking roles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has no plans to provide advice or assistance to ECOWAS in the field of peace keeping, although we supported the establishment of the United Nations operation in Liberia in which ECOMOG troops work alongside United Nations military observers.

  Intelligence Services Bill
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the source of funding for compensation payments to complainants as provided for in the Intelligence Services Bill.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Under the provisions of the Bill, the tribunal may direct my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to pay to a complainant such sum by way of compensation as may be specified either by the tribunal or by the commissioner. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary would consider all the individual circumstances of a case before determining from which budget any compensation award would come. Any payments would have to come out of existing provisions.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Proton Cars
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Proton cars were purchased by his Department in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; and at what cost.

  Sir John Wheeler
  None.

  Health and Social Services Trusts
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations have been consulted over the membership of the proposed Down and Lisburn unit trust and Craigavon and Banbridge unit trust; and which organisations were invited to nominate members to the trusts.

  Mr. Ancram
  My noble Friend Baroness Denton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State advises me that her 450
  predecessor did not consult on the membership of the Down and Lisburn and Craigavon and Banbridge Health and Social Services Trust boards.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he or his colleagues had with the Eastern and Southern health and social services boards regarding the membership of the boards of the Down and Lisburn unit trust and Craigavon and Banbridge trust.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who were the lay helpers or assessors who were involved in the creation of the Down and Lisburn and Craigavon and Banbridge trusts; and what was their role.

  Mr. Ancram
  The lay helper for the Down and Lisburn trust was Mrs. Gillian Shaw and the lay helper for Craigavon and Banbridge community trust was Mr. David Cook.

  The position of lay helper in any trust is informal—voluntary and unpaid. Normally the role of lay helper is to assist in drawing up the formal appliction, and to support the sponsors of the application by giving potential trusts access to the types of skills and experience that non-executive members are expected to bring to the trust board. They are also expected to identify potential candidates for appointment as non-executive directors on the board of the trust.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what appointments were made to the boards of the Craigavon and Banbridge and Down and Lisburn unit trusts; when they took office; and what is their remuneration.

  Mr. Ancram
  On 1 September 1993 the following appointments were made to the board of the Down Lisburn Health and Social Services Trust:

  Chairman

  Mr. Gillian Shaw

  Non-Executive Directors

  Mrs. Denise Fitzsimons

  Mr. Albert Baird

  Mr. Alfie Linehan

  Mrs. Ann Colgan

  Mr. Mark Ennis

  Mr. David Cook was appointed chairman of the Craigavon and Banbridge Community Health and Social Services Trust on 23 November 1993. On 1 March 1994 the following non-executive directors were appointed:

  Mr. John Fairleigh

  Mr. Cyril McElhinney

  Ms Roisin McDonough

  Mr. Michael Morrow

  Remuneration for chairmen is based on the revenue spending of the trust. On that basis, Mrs. Shaw receives £19,285 per annum and Mr. Cook receives £17,145. All non-executive directors receive £5,000 per annum.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations took place with the district councils in the Eastern and Southern board area, with members of the Southern and Eastern health boards, with members of the Southern and Eastern health and social services councils, or with hon. Members with
  451
  constituencies covering the Southern and Eastern boards, regarding the membership of the Down and Lisburn and Craigavon and Banbridge trusts.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the social fund system in respect of regional differences in applications and awards, the removal of budgetary considerations, clearer definitions of the circumstances in which an award is made, clarification of the priority groups and a wider remit for those the fund assists.

  Mr. Ancram
  The operation of the discretionary social fund is monitored routinely. We believe that the basic principles of the fund are right and working well. Nevertheless, we continue to monitor its effectiveness and to introduce operational improvements as required.

  Details of the basis of allocation and district allocations for 1994–95 are in the Library.

  Dental Services
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to undertake a review into the funding of children's dentistry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr.Ancram
  There are no plans, at present, to undertake a review specifically into the funding arrangements for children's dentistry. The Government are, however, currently formulating proposals in relation to the future of national health service dentistry as a whole, and those proposals will take account of child dental health.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount spent annually per child under 18 years on general dental services in Northern Ireland, irrespective of registration with a general dental practitioner.

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Rochdale (Ms Lynne), on 11 March,Official Report, columns 436-37.

  Overgrazing
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures are in place to monitor whether meetings between his officials and producers to discuss ways of reducing overgrazing have led to reductions in overgrazing.

  Mr. Ancram
  County agriculture development officers have instructions to satisfy themselves that any measures agreed with farmers to reduce overgrazing are sufficiently monitored.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures are in place to reduce

  Table 1—Nominal Terms

  Financial Years (£)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  11994–95

  Sheep Annual Premium

  30,763,195

  28,653,416

  42,066,430

  34,938,000

  Suckler Cow Premium

  16,578,500

  17,023,513

  15,401,150

  36,614,000

  Beef Special Premium

  7,226,097

  6,226,618

  14,655,469

  38,499,000

  1Estimated

  452
  environmental damage caused through overgrazing consequent on that damage continuing after hill livestock compensatory allowances are withheld as a result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no overgrazing provisions in the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme beyond the withholding of allowances. A consultation paper has, however, recently been issued on a proposal to introduce similar overgrazing provisions with other livestock subsidy schemes.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers have had hill livestock compensatory allowances withheld in 1992, 1993 and 1994 as a direct result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers have been approached by his officials to discuss ways of reducing overgrazing in each year since the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  None. The overgrazing provisions are designed to ensure that farmers are informed of concern about changes in the condition of vegetation. Only a very small minority of farmers is likely to be affected.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures are in place to monitor whether overgrazing has reduced following the withholding of hill livestock compensatory allowances as a direct result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause.

  Mr. Ancram
  No hill livestock compensatory allowances have been withheld.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hill livestock compensatory allowances he has withheld in 1992, 1993 and 1994 as a direct result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Livestock Allowances
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the budget, in real and nominal terms, for Northern Ireland in (i) 1991, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1993 and (iv) his estimate for 1994 for(a) the sheep annual premium, (b) the suckler cow premium and (c) the beef special premium.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is in the table:
  453

  Table 2—Real Terms

  Financial Years (£)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  11994–95

  Sheep Annual Premium

  30,763,195

  27,785,774

  40,111,274

  N/A

  Suckler Cow Premium

  16,578,500

  16,508,031

  14,685,339

  N/A

  Beef Special Premium

  7,226,097

  6,038,072

  13,974,314

  N/A

  1Estimated

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Car Crime
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the rate of car crime in each year since 1990;

  (2) how many thefts from vehicles were reported in each year since 1990;

  (3) how many vehicles were reported stolen in each year since 1990;

  (4) how many incidents of joyriding were reported in each year since 1990;

  (5) what is the clear-up rate of vehicle crime, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of reported cases by the police (a) nationally and (b) in Lancashire in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information relates to offences recorded by the police and is published annually in chapter 2 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"; copies of which are available in the Library. Information for 1993 is not yet available.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of hijacking of cars were reported in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Braille Ballot Papers
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide Braille ballot papers at polling stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans to do so.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racial incidents were reported to police forces in England and Wales in 1993.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Police forces are required to provide this information at the end of the fiscal year rather than the calendar year. The number of racial incidents recorded by each police force in England and Wales for the year April 1993 to March 1994 will be published once all the figures have been received and collated.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many European Union citizens from other member states have registered to vote as per 454
  their entitlements under the Maastricht treaty; if he will provide a breakdown by parliamentary constituency; and what advice he gave to local registration officers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about the number of Union citizens registering to vote at the forthcoming European parliamentary elections will not be available until the special supplementary register is published on 9 May. We intend to make the information public as soon as possible after that. Guidance has been issued to electoral registration officers on all matters relating to the registration of Union citizens.

  Prosecution Limitation Rule
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases he is aware of in each of the last 10 years where a prosecution for murder or manslaughter has not been possible because of the 366 day rule.

  Mr. Maclean
  Such information is not collected centrally. I understand, however, that the Crown Prosecution Service is aware of five cases in the last four years where the year and a day rule may have been a factor in a decision not to bring a prosecution for murder or manslaughter in England and Wales.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a breakdown of asylum seekers held in detention on 21 March(a) by nationality, (b) by gender, (c) by length of detention, (d) by place of detention and (e) by immigration status at the time of application.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested on the number of asylum seekers detained on 21 March is not available. The information available relates to people detained under Immigration Act powers on 15 April, who had applied for asylum at some stage and is as follows:

  Number

  (a) Nationality

  Algeria

  51

  Albania

  1

  Angola

  15

  Bangladesh

  7

  Brazil

  1

  Cameroon

  1

  China

  7

  Columbia

  7

  Congo

  1

  Cyprus

  3

  Djibouti

  1

  Egypt

  3

  Eritrea

  1

  Ethiopia

  12

  Ecuador

  1

  455

  Number

  Guinea Bissau

  1

  Ghana

  78

  Haiti

  1

  India

  141

  Iran

  2

  Iraq

  3

  Israel

  1

  Ivory Coast

  16

  Jamaica

  1

  Kenya

  19

  Liberia

  3

  Libya

  3

  Malawi

  1

  Nationality Doubtful

  4

  Morocco

  1

  Niger

  4

  Nigeria

  88

  Pakistan

  21

  Peru

  1

  Philippines

  1

  Poland

  2

  Romania

  13

  Russia

  3

  Sierra Leone

  8

  Singapore

  1

  Sri Lanka

  25

  Slovenia

  2

  Somalia

  3

  South Africa

  3

  Sudan

  1

  Tanzania

  1

  Togo

  2

  Turkey

  49

  Uganda

  7

  United States of America

  1

  Zaire

  26

  Zambia

  1

  Zimbabwe

  1

  Total

  651

  Number

  (b) By gender

  Males

  608

  Females

  43

  Total

  651

  Number

  (c) By length of detention

  Over 12 months

  114

  6 to 12 months

  131

  2 to 6 months

  1188

  1 to 2 months

  153

  Under 1 month

  183

  Total

  1369

  1 These figures do not include the 282 illegal entrants detained, for whom no breakdown as to length of detention is readily available.

  (d) By place of detention

  Immigration Service

  Number

  Campsfield House

  136

  Harmondsworth

  87

  Gatwick Beehive

  12

  Queens Building

  13

  Stansted

  6

  Port Detention

  8

  Newhaven

  3

  456

  Prison Service

  Number

  Bedford

  1

  Belmarsh

  1

  Blakenhurst

  21

  Brinsford RC

  4

  Bristol

  1

  Bullingdon

  1

  Brixton

  5

  Canterbury

  22

  Camp Hill

  1

  Cardiff

  1

  Chelmsford

  1

  Dorchester

  1

  Dover

  13

  Dumfries

  5

  Durham

  1

  Elmley

  1

  Exeter

  4

  Feltham

  5

  Gateshead

  2

  Glen Parva

  2

  Gloucester

  3

  Greenock

  2

  Haslar1

  82

  High Down

  14

  Holloway

  2

  Hull

  2

  Leeds

  1

  Leicester

  1

  Lewes

  2

  Norwich

  5

  Pentonville

  13

  Reading

  2

  Risley

  2

  Rochester

  1

  Saughton

  1

  Shrewsbury

  3

  Strangeways

  3

  Walton

  2

  Wandsworth

  2

  Wellingborough

  1

  Winchester

  5

  Winson Green

  29

  Wormwood Scrubs

  4

  Police Cells

  111

  Total

  651

  1 Haslar holding centre is primarily an Immigration Service detention centre, although managed by the Prison Service.

  (e) By immigration status at the time of application

  Application made at port following arrival in the United Kingdom

  Illegal Entrants

  Subject to deportation action

  312

  282

  57

  Voluntary Advice Services
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the level of funding from his Department for voluntary advice services for the financial year 1993–94 and each of the previous 10 years; and how many schemes received funding in each year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Figures for 1993–94 are not yet available. Figures for the financial years 1989–90 to 1992–93 are given in the table. These indicate the number of schemes run by voluntary organisations where the main
  457
  aims included the provision of advice and information and show the level of Home Office funding. Figures for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Financial year

  Number of schemes

  Level of funding £

  1989–90

  7

  333,584

  1990–91

  23

  474,160

  1991–92

  22

  663,635

  1992–93

  51

  721,606

  Immigration Detainees (Hunger Strike)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what surveillance has been carried out of hunger strikers at Campsfield detention centre.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Detainees who claim to have refused meals for more than three days are placed in a separate unit at Campsfield house so that their medical condition can be closely monitored by qualified medical staff.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees, held under the Immigration Acts, are currently on hunger strike; for what length of time each has been on hunger strike; and where they are currently held.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  On 15 April, 20 people detained under Immigration Act powers in the following locations were claiming to have refused meals since the dates shown:

  Places of detention

  Number of detainees refusing meals

  Date

  Campsfield house

  7

  11 March (1),

  12 March (1),

  13 March (1),

  14 March (2),

  28 March (2)

  Brixton

  1

  30 March

  Canterbury

  2

  8 March,

  15 March

  Exeter

  1

  7 April

  High Down

  4

  9 April (3),

  13 April (1)

  Rochester

  1

  20 March

  Winchester

  1

  8 March

  Winson Green

  1

  19 March

  Alexandra hospital

  1

  30 March

  Epsom general hospital

  1

  8 March

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the hunger strikers in detention centres; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards them.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have received representations and inquiries from 20 hon. Members, as well as from noble 458
  Lords, representatives of the clergy, members and former members of Oxford university, organisations and members of the public.

  It has been made clear to those detainees refusing food that we will not be pressurised into granting release as a result of this action. Equally, we are concerned to ensure that they understand the medical implications for themselves and that their medical condition is closely monitored. In addition, all detention is reviewed regularly and at an increasingly senior level. This review seeks to ensure that everything possible is being done to resolve the detainee's position so that he or she can be released or removed from the United Kingdom without unnecessary delay.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total cost of transferring prisoners from Blakenhurst prison to other prisons following the incident at Blakenhurst on 24 February;

  (2) whether the inquiry into the incident at Her Majesty's Prison Blakenhurst on 24 February has yet been completed; and if the results will be made public.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for these matters have 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 18 April 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the incident at Blakenhurst prison on 24 February, and the total cost of transferring prisoners from Blakenhurst to other prisons following that incident.
  United Kingdom Detention Services (UKDS) bore all the costs of transporting the prisoners after the incident and thus the Prison Service have not incurred additional expenditure.
  The report of the inquiry into the disturbance at Blakenhurst prison was submitted on 7 March 1994. Reports of such inquiries are internal management documents which we do not publish for the reasons given in my letter to you of 10 March [Official Report: Col. 360 10 March 1994].

  Legal Advice
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the provision of a network of independent advice and law centres throughout England and Wales; and what response he has made to the Advice 2000 initiative launched by the Advice Services Alliance.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to his question to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Police Discipline
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals have been made to him by police officers in each of the last five years and how many such cases involved disciplinary proceedings which had resulted in(a) dismissal, (b) the officer being required to resign and (c) reduction in rank; how many such appeals in each category were decided in each of the last five years; in how many cases the appeals were (i) upheld or (ii)

  459
  varied; and where reduction in rank was involved what was the reduction originally proposed and what was imposed after the appeal.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Statistical information relating to police disciplinary appeals is prepared on the basis of cases completed in each calendar year. Figures for the last five years are as follows:

  Appeals completed

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total number of appeals

  42

  45

  43

  58

  35

  Total appeals against dismissal,

  4

  12

  8

  14

  8

  of which:

  appeal allowed

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  punishment varied

  3

  6

  3

  1

  —

  Total appeals against requirement to resign,

  26

  21

  21

  20

  19

  of which:

  appeal allowed

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  punishment varied

  5

  4

  1

  4

  4

  Total appeals against reduction in rank,

  7

  6

  2

  12

  3

  of which:

  appeal allowed

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  punishment varied

  4

  2

  1

  2

  2

  Analysis of reductions in rank

  Original punishment

  Result of appeal

  1989

  Chief inspector to constable

  Reduced to sergeant

  Inspector to sergeant

  Varied to financial punishment

  Inspector to Constable

  Appeal dismissed

  Sergeant to Constable

  Varied to financial punishment

  Sergeant to Constable

  Varied to reprimand

  Sergeant to Constable (two cases)

  Appeal dismissed

  1990

  Inspector to sergeant

  Allowed

  Inspector to Constable

  Appeal dismissed

  Sergeant to Constable

  Varied to financial punishment

  Sergeant to Constable (three cases)

  Appeal dismissed

  1991

  Chief inspector to inspector

  Varied to reprimand

  Sergeant to Constable

  Appeal dismissed

  1992

  Chief inspector to inspector

  Appeal dismissed

  Inspector to Sergeant (three cases)

  Appeal dismissed

  Sergeant to Constable (two cases)

  Varied to financial punishment

  Sergeant to Constable (six cases)

  Appeal dismissed

  1993

  Chief inspector to inspector

  Varied to financial punishment

  Inspector to Constable

  Appeal dismissed

  Sergeant to Constable

  Varied to financial punishment

  European Court
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's current policy towards the right of 460
  individuals automatically to take cases to the European Court and the other reforms proposed by the Council of Europe.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Reforms of the machinery of the European convention on human rights are provided for in the draft 11th protocol to the convention. The United Kingdom proposes to sign the protocol at the meeting of Council of Europe Ministers on 11 May, and to ratify it in due course.

  The United Kingdom has made a major contribution to the reforms, under which the European Commission and Court of Human Rights will be replaced by a single court. We have, for example, taken the lead in securing within the protocol effective and valuable provision for the friendly settlement of cases, for the re-hearing of cases brought by individual application and, in the final negotiations at Strasbourg on 21 to 25 March, for the re-hearing of "inter-state" cases.

  As we explained in those negotiations, there are good reasons why the right of individual petition to the new court should be optional and renewable, whereas the protocol provides for this to be mandatory. We have decided to accept this in order to allow the institutional reforms to which we have made such a contribution to come into effect.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to the last letter, dated 1 February, concerning Mr. A. Benton, reference 30817/93.

  Mr. Maclean
  The West Midlands police are continuing to make detailed inquiries into Mr. Benton's representations of wrongful conviction. I understand from the chief constable that certain lines of inquiry are still outstanding, but that he hopes to submit a report of his inquiries shortly. Once that report is to hand and I have had a chance to consider all the evidence in the round, I will write to the hon. Member to say whether any grounds have been disclosed which would justify referring Mr. Benton's conviction back to the Court of Appeal.

  Campsfield Detention Centre
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what other companies, or subsidiaries, of Group 4 have been used to provide security staff at Campsfield detention centre.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Security at Campsfield house is provided under contract by Group 4 Total Security Ltd., which has, on occasions, called on assistance from staff employed by Group 4 Securitas, including "Euroguard".

  Coroner Peter Brunton
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when his Department plans to assess new evidence relating to Coroner Peter Brunton; and if he will take evidence from Mr. Geoffrey Turner;

  (2) when he expects the investigation into the conduct of the coroner of Ceredigion in the case of Mr. Jeremy Turner to be completed.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  All representations received are being taken into account; any further written representation from Mr. Turner will be considered. We expect to
  461
  report the outcome of the investigation into the conduct of Coroner Peter Brunton, in the case of Mr. Jeremy Turner, to the Lord Chancellor's Department by the end of May.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in appointing a prisons ombudsman.

  Mr. Howard
  I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Sir Peter Woodhead KCB as the prisons ombudsman. Sir Peter plans to take up the post in May, and our intention is that his new office will be established and will start to receive and investigate prisoners' complaints in the autumn. I welcome this as a significant step in providing a further safeguard for the fair and just treatment of prisoners.

WALES

  Dental Services
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many family health authorities have been unable to provide emergency dental services in the period since December 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Emergency dental service clinics currently operate in all Welsh family health services authority areas except Dyfed. There was a period up to May 1993 when Gwynedd family health services authority was also unable to arrange such a clinic.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients have contacted each family health services authority asking for help in finding a dentist in the period since December 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information provided by Welsh family health services authorities since 4 December 1992 is as follows:

  Number

  Clwyd

  2,029

  Dyfed

  1,645

  Gwent

  1,292

  Gwynedd

  10,816

  Mid Glamorgan

  437

  Powys

  1,264

  South Glamorgan

  2,935

  West Glamorgan

  205

  This information was provided for management purposes only and has not been statistically validated.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dentists have given written notice to have their names removed from dental lists since 4 December 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information provided by Welsh family health services authorities indicates that 44 dentists have given written notice to have their names removed from dental lists since 4 December 1992.

  This information was provided for management purposes only and has not been statistically validated.
  462
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many continuing care dental patients have been de-registered; and how many dentists have de-registered patients in the period since December 1992.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information provided by Welsh family health services authorities indicates that 12,190 patients were de-registered in the period since 4 December 1992.

  During that period the number of dentists de-registering patients has not exceeded 20 in any fortnightly period.

  This information was provided for management purposes only and has not been statistically validated.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many replies he has given since April 1992 to questions from hon. and right hon. Members stating that the information requested is already on the public record.

  Mr. Redwood
  Since April 1992, my predecessor and I received over 5,500 parliamentary questions. It is not possible to identify information in the form requested.

  Orthopaedics
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of South Glamorgan health authority concerning the provision and funding of additional Midas-Rex drills for revision orthopaedic surgery and other purposes at the Cardiff Royal group of hospitals;

  (2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the treatment centre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar, near Cardiff.

  Mr. Redwood
  While I have had no consultations with the chairmen, earlier today my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State announced funding for the treatment centre initiative for 1994–95. This includes £945,051 to provide 291 hip/knee replacements at the Rhydlafar centre, including £99,705 as a special measure to tackle waiting lists. Further funding, of £178,000 in 1994–95, is being made available for the extension of the initiative to provide a four-year programme of joint revision surgery within the Cardiff Royal group, including provision for the purchase of a Midas-Rex drill and other essential medical equipment.

  Strategic Development Scheme
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each county and district council what allocation of funding has been made under the strategic development scheme and its predecessor schemes, including the urban programmes, rural initiative, projects of national and regional importance and special projects, for the last three years and for 1994–95.

  Mr. Redwood
  Allocations made to local authorities in Wales under the urban programme, rural initiative, projects of regional and national importance and special project schemes between 1991–92 and 1993–94 and the strategic development scheme in 1994–95 are set out in the table.
  463

  Local authority urban programme (UP), rural initiative (RI) project of national and regional importance/special projects (PRNI/SP) and strategic development scheme (SDS) allocations between 1991 and 1995

  Local authority

  Programme

  1991–92

  1992–935

  1993–941

  1994–954

  Clwyd CC

  RI

  165,000

  170,000

  279,000

  —

  UP

  1,904,020

  1,777,985

  804,817

  —

  PRNI/SP

  2,390,000

  2,361,000

  2,000,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,297,237

  Alyn and Deeside CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  1,297,237

  UP

  257,613

  100,000

  337,500

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,337,527

  Colwyn DC

  RI

  40,000

  —

  32,000

  —

  UP

  315,707

  133,000

  70,000

  —

  PRNUSP

  —

  —

  580,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,447,000

  Delyn

  RI

  120,000

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  810,141

  756,658

  337,998

  —

  PRNI/SP

  650,000

  2,000,000

  1,950,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  728,758

  Glyndwr DC

  RI

  180,000

  270,000

  174,540

  —

  UP

  298,987

  225,237

  118,131

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,186,956

  Rhuddlan BC

  RI

  147,000

  —

  27,000

  —

  UP

  687,000

  1,125,000

  1,137,554

  —

  PRNUSP

  840,000

  825,000

  1,200,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  820,867

  Wrexham Maelor BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,436,703

  549,559

  246,401

  —

  PRNI/SP

  1,350,000

  200,000

  2,085,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,487,336

  Dyfed CC

  RI

  553,000

  2,312,700

  838,500

  —

  UP

  1,010,538

  303,683

  351,184

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,289,6532

  Carmarthen DC

  RI

  557,650

  126,500

  120,000

  —

  UP

  694,088

  17,865

  17,865

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  183,9333

  Ceredigion DC

  RI

  140,000

  240,000

  302,000

  —

  UP

  277,127

  107,163

  76,781

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  500,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  975,1943

  Dinfwr BC

  RI

  78,000

  125,000

  236,000

  —

  UP

  762,731

  1,080,375

  427,830

  —

  PRNI/SP

  900,000

  600,000

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,443,915

  Llanelli BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  434,327

  1,103,627

  764,057

  —

  PRNI/SP

  1,000,000

  1,095,627

  1,500,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,224,300

  Preseli Pembrokeshire DC

  RI

  33,450

  347,104

  1,021,460

  —

  UP

  316,530

  112,439

  140,000

  —

  PRNI/SP

  650,000

  700,000

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  927,015

  South Pembrokeshire DC

  RI

  60,000

  146,000

  678,340

  —

  UP

  274,247

  193,000

  221,792

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  1,000,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,481,272

  Gwent CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  5,479,696

  2,234,987

  1,355,759

  —

  PRNI/SP

  1,054,000

  500,000

  500,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,389,256

  Blaenau Gwent BC

  RI

  9,800

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  5,883,525

  1,680,885

  915,728

  —

  PRNI/SP

  1,055,000

  700,000

  655,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,752,723

  Islwyn BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,058,884

  840,476

  722,920

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,256,908

  Monmouth DC

  RI

  236,000

  211,000

  56,911

  —

  UP

  264,683

  29,724

  203,306

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  57,873

  Newport BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  678,392

  815,426

  1,034,386

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,153,335

  464 465

  Local authority

  Programme

  1991–92

  1992–935

  1993–941

  1994–954

  Torfaen BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  801,739

  464,436

  345,344

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  640,075

  Gwynedd CC

  RI

  410,000

  208,000

  641,000

  —

  UP

  1,069,774

  1,495,728

  1,460,011

  —

  PRNI/SP

  248,000

  —

  806,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,778,897

  Aberconway BC

  RI

  —

  617,983

  440,000

  —

  UP

  260,900

  190,900

  170,450

  —

  PRNI/SP

  759,000

  2,185,000

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,170,000

  Arfon BC

  RI

  300,000

  94,500

  590,000

  —

  UP

  807,403

  656,932

  381,854

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,126,060

  Dwyfor DC

  RI

  250,000

  156,400

  501,300

  —

  UP

  250,000

  150,000

  121,475

  —

  PRNI/SP

  1,400,000

  1,900,000

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  787,464

  Meirionnydd DC

  RI

  —

  100,000

  526,100

  —

  UP

  399,539

  221,029

  157,595

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  622,576

  Ynys Mon BC

  RI

  52,000

  135,000

  390,000

  —

  UP

  583,406

  318,282

  127,071

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,019,198

  Mid Glamorgan CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  2,163,187

  2,419,309

  2,195,545

  —

  PRNI/SP

  7,430,000

  2,374,309

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,595,176

  Cynon Valley BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  2,272,621

  2,322,765

  1,775,532

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,936,880

  Merthyr Tydfil BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,059,184

  1,487,581

  987,046

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  892,769

  Ogwr BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,185,108

  1,353,902

  1,165,412

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  1,102,278

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rhondda BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,823,311

  1,896,285

  2,804,766

  —

  PRNI/SP

  900,000

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  4,450,290

  Rhymey Valley DC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  642,858

  1,161,266

  744,720

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  800,000

  Taff-Ely BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  665,850

  1,084,591

  533,282

  —

  PRNI/SP

  350,000

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  420,789

  Powys CC

  RI

  277,122

  500,000

  317,000

  —

  UP

  763,280

  114,640

  90,566

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  774,738

  Brecknock BC

  RI

  360,000

  —

  110,000

  —

  UP

  385,000

  250,000

  —

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  1,316,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,330,000

  Montgomeryshire DC

  RI

  580,000

  196,826

  262,000

  —

  UP

  560,000

  —

  —

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  125,790

  Radnor DC

  RI

  420,000

  31,000

  —

  —

  UP

  604,686

  15,836

  15,836

  —

  PRN/SP

  805,000

  250,000

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  182,918

  South Glamorgan CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,136,343

  1,624,470

  1,339,602

  —

  PRNI/SP

  400,000

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,227,698

  Cardiff CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,206,534

  1,076,683

  1,310,492

  —

  466 467

  Local authority

  Programme

  1991–92

  1992–935

  1993–941

  1994–9544

  PRNUSP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  988,961

  Vale of Glamorgan CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  288,710

  577,677

  760,882

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  1,189,632

  West Glamorgan CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  1,072,526

  1,358,844

  1,632,821

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  300,000

  1,879,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,281,353

  Port Talbot BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  622,700

  183,047

  330,809

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  249,797

  Lliw Valley BC

  RI

  —

  —

  8,344

  —

  UP

  302,300

  432,078

  338,504

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  281,758

  Neath BC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  816,520

  679,811

  310,285

  —

  PRNI/SP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  347,311

  Swansea CC

  RI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  UP

  554,307

  544,277

  964,804

  —

  PRNI/SP

  1,239,000

  —

  165,000

  —

  SDS

  —

  —

  —

  2,625,245

  1Includes additional in-year allocations.

  2 Includes £0·5 million available to any local authority within the West Wales Task Force area.

  3 Does not include £1·9 million set aside for projects supported in principle for Carmarthen DC and Ceridigion DC.

  4 Includes slippage on schemes carried forward from 1993–94.

  5 Figures updated since Mr. Elfyn Llwyd's question (PQ 934/93/94) answered on 3 March 1994.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what method his Department calculates the index used to determine funding for strategic development schemes in local councils; what method is used to allow for sparsity of population; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Funding under the strategic development scheme is allocated according to the quality of the bids which local authorities submit. In reaching decisions I have regard to the needs reflected in the index of socio-economic conditions. The composition of the index was agreed with the local authority associations and is compiled using eight factors largely derived from census information. The factors are measured in terms of both scale—that is, actual numbers—and intensity—that is, proportion of the population. The data are statistically transformed to make each factor comparable, weighted and combined to give an overall score for each electoral ward. The eight factors are:

  a. Unemployment

  b. Economically active population

  c. Low socio-economic groups

  d. Population loss in the 20 to 59 years age group

  e. Permanently sick

  f Overcrowding in housing

  g. Level of basic housing amenities

  h. Standard mortality rate (relatives values only).

  Sparsity of population is not a factor in the index.

  School Admission Appeals
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the figures, in total and for each local education authority, of admission appeals by parents failing to obtain a place for their child in the school of their choice; and, of this total, how many(a) were withdrawn before committee stage, (b) were settled to mutual satisfaction before
  468
  committee stage, (c) were rejected by committee and (d) were decided in the parents' favour by the committee for each year since 1989–90.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Advice Services
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy towards the provision of a network of independent advice and law centres throughout Wales; and what response he has made to the aims of the Independent Advice Services in Wales initiative and the Advice 2000 initiative launched by the Advice Services Alliance.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department.

  I cannot comment on the aims included in the reports, "Independent Advice Services in Wales" or "Advice 2000", as I have yet to receive copies.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the level of funding from the Welsh Office for voluntary advice services for the financial year 1993–94 and each of the previous 10 years; and how many schemes received funding in each year.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Figures for 1993–94 are not yet available. Figures for the financial years 1989–90 to 1992–93 are given in the table. These indicate the number of schemes run by voluntary organisations where the main aims included the provision of advice and information, and show the level of Welsh Office funding. Figures for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  469

  Financial year

  Number of schemes

  Welsh Office funding £

  1989–90

  15

  533,025

  1990–91

  14

  673,196

  1991–92

  24

  797,456

  1992–93

  47

  1,990,406

  Table 1

  Cash (£'000s)

  Outturn

  Expected outturn

  Provision

  Scheme

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Sheep annual premium (including LFA supplement)

  78,196

  95,101

  137,201

  133,832

  Suckler cow premium (including extensification 1994–95)

  10,686

  11,428

  9,042

  21,167

  Beef special premium (including extensification 1994–95)

  0

  0

  5,156

  11,604

  Table 2

  1994–95 prices (£'000s)

  Scheme

  Outturn

  Expected outturn

  Provision

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Sheep annual premium (including LFA supplement)

  87,190

  102,119

  142,689

  133,832

  Suckler cow premium (including extensification 1994–95)

  11,915

  12,271

  9,404

  21,167

  Beef special premium (including extensification 1994–95)

  0

  0

  5,362

  11,604

  Notes

  1. The figures in table I for 1991–92 and 1992–93 can be found in the respective appropriation accounts.

  2. The figures in table 2 for 1993–94 will be finalised in the appropriation accounts which will be published later this year.

  3. The figures for 1994–95 are available in the 1994–95 main supply estimate class XV vote 1.

  4. Prior to 1993–94, beef special premium expenditure was the responsibility of the Intervention Board Executive Agency.

  Overgrazing
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers have been approached by his officials to discuss ways of reducing overgrazing in each year since the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  None. Claimants for the hill livestock compensatory allowances are warned that if the land on which the stock is kept is found to be overgrazed the payment will be reduced. There have been no cases so far where this has been necessary.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many farmers have had hill livestock compensatory allowances withheld in 1992, 1993 and 1994 as a direct result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause;

  (2) how many hill livestock compensatory allowances he has withheld in 1992, 1993 and 1994 as a direct result

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the budget, in real and nominal terms, for Wales in (i) 1991, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1993 and (iv) his estimate for 1994 for(a) the sheep annual premium, (b) the suckler cow premium and (c) the beef special premium.

  Mr. Redwood
  The budgets for the sheep annual premium, the suckler cow premium and the beef special premium schemes are set out by financial year in the tables. Table 1 shows the expenditure and provision in 1994–95 and table 2 shows the figures at 1994–95 prices adjusted using the current GDP deflator.

  of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what procedures are in place to monitor whether meetings between his officials and producers to discuss way of reducing overgrazing have led to reductions in overgrazing.

  Mr. Redwood
  There have been no such meetings in Wales. However, my officials would satisfy themselves that any measures agreed with graziers to reduce overgrazing in the future are adequately monitored.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what procedures are in place to monitor whether overgrazing has reduced following the withholding of hill livestock compensatory allowances as a direct result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Agriculture Department has arrangements with ADAS to undertake monitoring of the
  471
  growth, quality and species composition of the vegetation on land which is considered to be overgrazed, to establish trends and to report on whether the measures taken have been sufficient to arrest further deterioration.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what procedures are in place to reduce environmental damage caused through overgrazing consequent on that damage continuing after hill livestock compensatory allowances are withheld as a result of the introduction of the hill livestock compensatory allowance overgrazing clause.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Department has arrangements with the Agricultural Development Advisory Service to undertake monitoring of the growth, quality and species composition of the vegetation on land which is considered to be overgrazed, to establish trends and to report on whether the measures taken have been sufficient to arrest further deterioration.

HEALTH

  Dental Services, North Warwickshire
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in practice in north Warwickshire(a) take national health services patients and (b) take private patients only, but took national health service patients until 1990.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At September 1993 the number of dentists providing general dental services in the Warwickshire family health services authority area, which includes North Warwickshire, was 149. The comparable number at 30 September 1990 was 146. Dentists are independent contractors who make their own decisions about whether to accept patients under national health service arrangements.

  Nitrites
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence exists to connect the use of nitrites as aphrodisiac drugs with AIDS.

  Mr. Sackville
  Two studies published in 1993 investigated a relationship between the use of alkyl nitrites and the development of AIDS in homosexual men. One study followed up 812 homosexual and bisexual men in San Francisco for eight years. The second study followed 715 homosexual men in Canada for an average of 8·6 years. Both observed that AIDS-associated diseases occurred only in men who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Further, use of alkyl nitrites had no effect on the rate at which AIDS developed in HIV-infected men. Significant numbers of HIV-negative men used alkyl nitrites but these men did not develop AIDS-associated diseases. Smaller studies in the United Kingdom have found similar results.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is being or has been conducted into the effect of nitrites, with particular reference to amyl nitrite, on the immune system; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no evidence that use of amyl nitrite causes severe, prolonged or progressive immunosuppression. A study of 715 homosexual men in 472
  Canada followed for an average of 8.6 years investigated the effect of amyl nitrite use on the CD4 cells of the immune system. The loss of circulating CD4 cells is observed in all patients with AIDS. The use of amyl nitrite inhalers had no effect on the number of circulating CD4 cells either in HIV-negative or HIV-positive men.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Sherman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will establish a high-level inquiry into the present level of deaths from breast cancer;

  (2) when she will next meet representatives of general practitioners to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer;

  (3) what steps she is taking to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer;

  (4) when she last met the Royal College of Surgeons to discuss the level of deaths from breast cancer in the United Kingdom;

  (5) what action she is taking to spread best practice from the best health authorities and hospitals in the diagnosis, treatment and care of breast cancer to those areas and hospitals which perform badly.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no plans to establish a specific inquiry into breast cancer deaths in this country. The Chief Medical Officer's expert advisory group on cancer is currently preparing advice for general practitioners and health authorities on the organisation of cancer services. These recommendations will be put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and will be followed by consultation with relevant professional bodies.

  Psychiatric Services
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average annual amount per capita spent on psychiatric services in East Anglia.

  Mr. Sackville
  My hon. Friend may wish to contact Dr. Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Anglia and Oxford regional health authority, for details.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the level of annual spending per capita on psychiatric services in(a) West Suffolk, (b) East Suffolk and (c) North Lincolnshire.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on annual spending per capita on psychiatric services is not available centrally. However, information on annual spending per capita in 1992–93 on mental health services, which includes psychiatric services by district health authority is available in the Library.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young doctors left the health service this year; and what were the figures for 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals now have no junior doctors working more than 72 hours per week; what percentage this is of the
  473
  total; if she will name the hospitals which have junior doctors working more than 72 hours per week; what plans she has to reduce the maximum weekly hours worked by junior doctors; and what considerations underlay the decision to apply quotas in respect of junior doctors to NHS trust hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on individual hospitals is not available centrally.

  In England, there were 11,205 junior doctors and dentists contracted for more than 72 hours a week at 30 September 1993—43 per cent. of the total. Of these, 7,889 were in hard-pressed posts, a fall of 22 per cent. on the previous six months. Our priority is to eliminate all hard-pressed posts contracted for more than an average of 72 hours a week by the end of 1994. This is in accordance with the timetable in "The New Deal", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Regional task forces monitor and support implementation locally. I announced in March further central funding to support reductions in hours. This will mean that since "The New Deal" was launched in 1991 we have funded an extra 600 consultant and 150 staff grade posts to help reduce hours. Overall we have spent more than £115 million since 1991 to support the new deal. This is a clear indication of our commitment to tackle this problem.

  Our medical staffing policy is set out in "Achieving a Balance: Plan for Action, 1987", a copy of which is also available in the Library. Its major objectives are to improve patient care by increasing the amount of care provided by fully trained hospital doctors and to safeguard the career opportunities of junior doctors.

  Under "Achieving a Balance", arrangements exist to relate the number of United Kingdom and European Community doctors entering the registrar and senior registrar grades in all national health service hospitals to predicted consultant opportunities while continuing to allow overseas graduates access to the training grade. This aims to minimise the possibility of over or under-provision of training places in each specialty and the concomitant waste of resources. Regional task forces have responsibility for changing the number and distribution of senior house officers where this is needed to achieve new deal hours targets.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what level the decision as to the quota of junior doctors allocated to a trust hospital is taken.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At senior and career registrar levels, the joint planning advisory committee is responsible for advising the national health service executive as to overall targets for all the medical and dental specialties. These targets are then allocated to regions, the special health authorities and Wales. Exact locations of posts within each region are then a matter for local decision, in discussion with postgraduate deans and specialty advisors to ensure the educational appropriateness of training facilities.

  Control of senior house officer numbers has been devolved to the regional office task forces, in consultation with regional postgraduate deans.

  Sex-Enhancing Drugs
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to warn people about the possible adverse effects of the use of sex-enhancing drugs, and in particular nitrates, and the possible impact of such substances on the immune system.

  Mr. Sackville
  Recently the Department ran a £2·6 million television and press campaign to inform parents in the fight against drugs and solvent misuse. We are also running a competition for schools "Acting for Health—Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol Abuse", which aims to encourage young people to think about the consequences of substance misuse and how it affects the individual, his or her family and friends and community. As part of our strategy to reduce substance misuse we are keeping the position regarding alkyl nitrites under close review.

  Drug and alcohol abuse, including the use of sex-enhancing drugs, may increase the likelihood of indulgence in risky sexual behaviour which could lead to infection with sexually transmitted diseases. This message, including mention of alkyl nitrite inhalants, is included where appropriate in sexual health promotion material prepared for homosexual men.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence exists and what research has been or is being conducted into the link between the use of sex-enhancing drugs, with particular reference to nitrites, and cancer, with particular reference to Kaposi's sarcoma.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no clear evidence that use of alkyl nitrites causes cancer in humans. Some studies reported an association in homosexual AIDS patients between development of Kaposi's sarcoma and prior use of alkyl nitrites. However, later studies have not confirmed this association. The epidemiology of Kaposi's sarcoma suggests the involvement of an infectious agent that can be transmitted sexually. It is possible that use of alkyl nitrites is associated with higher number of sexual partners and thus greater risk of infection with this agent. As well as the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma as a manifestation of AIDS, a less aggressive form of the disease is seen in elderly men of mediterranean origin and in Africa. Use of alkyl nitrites is likely to be rare in these populations.

  High-alcohol Beers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she proposes to take to discourage young people from drinking high alcohol content beers.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government are committed to encouraging everyone who drinks alcohol to do so sensibly including young people. The effects of alcohol are included in the national curriculum, and the Department, the Health Education Authority and the industry-sponsored Portman Group have all produced materials for young people. It is important that alcohol consumers should be aware of the strength of their drinks and in "The Health of the Nation," we announced we would seek agreement with alcohol trade associations for the display of this information at points of sale.

  Homeless People
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has of the percentage of homeless people who have had a care order at some time in the past or at present.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department does not collect information about the whereabouts of children once they have ceased to be looked after by a local authority and no figures are currently available about homeless children subject to court orders.

  Press Officers
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time taken for one of her press officers to answer a telephone call.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a copy of Strachan Heppell's letter dated 6 September 1993 to the president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry about how the new version of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme will be implemented.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Edgware General Hospital
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will announce her response to the public representations against the proposed closure of Edgware general hospital sent to her Department since the beginning of the year.

  Mr. Sackville
  Any proposal for a major change in services would be subject to a period of public consultation. The matter comes to Ministers if there are objections. All factors are taken into account including public representations.

  Condoms
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Minister for Consumer Affairs following the lifting of price controls on condoms.

  Mr. Sackville
  There has been no formal meeting of Health and Consumer Affairs Ministers following the lifting of price control on condoms. The decision to accept the recommendation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission was taken by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs in the light of the fact that the Department of Health had given evidence to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, and in liaison with the Minister responsible for consumer affairs.

  Health Education Authority
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to publish the report of the Leigh review of the Health Education Authority.
  476
  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 11 March at column 445.

  Vacant Consultant Posts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 12 April,Official Report, column 79, what information has become available to her Department as a result of representations received about the number of hospital consultant posts that are currently vacant as a result of recruitment difficulties in (a) anaesthetics, (b) ophthalmology and (c) paediatrics.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No new information has been made available as a result of representations received in the specialties mentioned.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that district hospital management committees and hospital trusts do not discriminate against the elderly by refusal to provide, or withdrawal of, treatment; and what further action she proposes to take;

  (2) how many administrators and medical staff have been found to have used age as a means of determining access to treatment or physiotherapy facilities in the last five years; and what disciplinary measures have been taken in respect of them.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is the duty of all health authorities to ensure that people of all ages have access to acute care and that specialist care is available to those who suffer with chronic conditions due to the aging process. We are satisfied that we have mechanisms in place for monitoring the performance of health authorities in this respect.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will lay down a streamlined procedure for patients who allege they have been discriminated against because of their age in the medical treatment they receive.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is the duty of all health authorities to ensure that people of all ages have access to acute care, and that specialist care is available to those who suffer with chronic conditions due to the aging process. The patient's charter establishes a charter right to have any complaint about national health service services—investigated and to receive a full and prompt written reply. If patients think that they have been, or were likely to be, denied one of their national charter rights, they should write to the chief executive of the national health service executive who will investigate the matter. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently received a report on NHS complaints procedures and is considering its recommendations.

  Wythenshawe Hospital Development Scheme
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 12 April,Official Report, columns 78-79, what is her estimate of the total cost saving expected for the revision of the Wythenshawe hospital development scheme; if she will provide a breakdown of her calculations; and when she expects to be able to give details of the impact of the revision on the scheme as originally proposed and on Withington and other Manchester hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The revision of the Wythenshawe
  477
  scheme is not yet finalised, and we are not therefore yet in a position to give further details.

  Private Patient Units
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has received regarding proposals to convert NHS wards to dedicated private patient units.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Regional Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the revised funding formula for the allocation of resources to regional health authorities will be published;

  (2) how long the consultation period will be on the new funding formula for the allocation of resources to regional health authorities; and which groups and organisations will be included in the consultation process.

  Mr. Sackville
  The results of the review of the weighted capitation formula, which is used to allocate resources to regional health authorities, are currently being evaluated. When the report has been presented to Ministers we shall consider the arrangements for circulation, and extent of the consultation required.

  Adult Placement Services
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health wat evaluation she has undertaken of the impact of the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 on the regulation of adult placement services; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowls
  Following representations from the national organisations concerned with adult placement schemes, the social services inspectorate asked local authorities for information about how they intended to apply the guidance issued on implementation of the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authorities(a) directly regulate adult placement services through registration officers and (b) allow adult placement services themselves to regulate the services under the supervision of registration officers.

  Mr. Bowls
  There is no legislation requiring the registration of adult placement schemes as such. However, where residential accommodation, board and personal care are provided for up to three residents, registration of the home concerned is required under the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991, in the same way as for other small residential care homes.

  No information is available centrally about the extent to which local authorities, in carrying out their responsibilities under the Act, rely on checks on individual carers made by the adult placement schemes rather than make checks directly themselves.

  Temporary Ward Closures
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will monitor health authorities and trusts in order to establish whether temporary closure of long-stay elderly wards is used as a means to permanent closure; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  No. District health authorities have a478
  statutory duty to consult the relevant community health council on proposals they are considering that would result in substantial changes to local services.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that temporary closure of hospital wards is subject to full consultation procedures where this results in the break-up of specialist medical and nursing teams.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regulations specify that health authorities must consult where a substantial closure, development or variation of service is proposed. No distinction is made between permanent and temporary closure. A specialist medical and nursing team would normally only be changed for service reasons.

SCOTLAND

  Conservation Areas
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the list of possible special areas of conservation will be moderated by him on economic, social, cultural and local characteristics before a list is issued for public consultation.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Yes.

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has had to increase the openness and accountability of Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government and the Scottish Enterprise network keep under review the scope for increasing the existing openness and accountability of Scottish Enterprise and its local enterprise companies. My right hon. Friend recently invited Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies to consider how the already high level of accountability and openness in the network might be further developed to secure greater transparency and wider participation.

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the existing contract for local enterprise companies comes to an end; and what procedure will be followed in choosing the successor companies.

  Mr. Stewart
  The local enterprise companies' operating contracts with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are renegotiated and renewed annually. Selection procedures, in the case of competing bids for a particular area, are an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when an announcement on the rotational set-aside for non-LFA farmers not in less-favoured areas is to be made.

  Sir Hector Monro
  As I announced on 25 March, the EC Commission has agreed the regulation stipulating that
  479
  the uncompensated set-aside requirement this year in respect of the 1993 overshoot in the Scottish non-LFA arable sector has been reduced to 0.54 per cent. My Department is now making arrangements for additional compensatory payments to be made to the farmers concerned; these will issue as soon as the Commission regulation comes into force.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many private landlords have been visited by rent officers in each year since 1990;

  (2) how many private landlords were prevented by rent officers from providing accommodation for benefit claimants in each year since 1990;

  (3) how many private landlords provided accommodation for benefit claimants in each year since 1990.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Rent officers register fair rents for regulated tenancies, and determine reasonable rents for the purposes of housing benefit subsidy on request from local housing authorities, who decide whether to award housing benefit in individual cases. Rent officers are not required to visit landlords for either function, although they may inspect individual dwellings; and when registering a fair rent the rent officers may hold a consultation to which the landlord is invited, but which he need not attend. Figures are therefore not available for landlords as requested, but the figures for rent determinations for fair rent and housing benefit purposes are as follows:

  Year

  Fair rent

  Housing benefit

  1990

  17,309

  37,034

  1991

  15,554

  39,670

  1992

  12,411

  45,690

  1993

  12,163

  50,231

  Note:

  These figures may include more than one determination relating to the same person.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 March 1994]: It is estimated, on the basis of a 90 per cent. sample of cases recorded for 1993, that the total sum of rents referred to the rent registration service for housing benefit purposes was around £145 million and the total sum of rents determined was around £131 million.

  Concessionary Travel Schemes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission a comparative study of the concessionary travel scheme in operation in the Greater London area and those currently in operation by regional authorities in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No. Regional and islands councils have discretionary powers under section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 which allow any local 480
  authority, or any two or more local authorities acting jointly, to establish a concessionary travel scheme for eligible categories of person. After local government reform the new councils will retain these powers and the Strathclyde passenger transport authority will have the power to establish a scheme for its area. Decisions on the extent and administration of such schemes are entirely for the local authorities concerned to consider, taking account of local needs and circumstances, and the Government do not propose to change these arrangements. Concessionary travel arrangements in London are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Construction Group Collapse
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what investigations were carried out following the collapse of the Lafferty construction group; what action resulted from these investigations; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Lafferty Construction Ltd. went into receivership on 18 August 1988, and into liquidation on 7 August 1989. Receivers are required by statute to report any unfit conduct by directors to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The joint receivers submitted an adverse conduct report on 7 August 1990, the liquidator on 8 August 1990. Applications to the court must be made within two years of the insolvent event. In this case the reports were not received until the 23rd month after the event and proceedings were not issued.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what investigations were carried out following the collapse of the Lilley construction group; what action resulted from these investigations; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Lilley plc, and group companies, went into receivership on 7 January 1993. Receivers are required by statute to report any unfit conduct by directors to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The joint receivers have complied with their statutory reporting obligations and the documentation provided is under consideration.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the arrangements for the transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock to other landlords; if the transfer price will reflect the market value of the stock; what discounts will be offered to landlords; what financial guarantees he will seek from purchasers to ensure that the rights of tenants are secure; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under section 2(3A) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988, the transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock requires the consent of my right hon. Friend, who issued guidance to Scottish Homes in February 1989 and February 1991. An independent valuer will assess the market value of the stock, taking into account the conditions attaching to the sale and this valuation will be used as a benchmark against which final decisions will be taken. The question of specific safeguards intended to protect tenants' rights is a matter for Scottish Homes as owners of the stock to consider. However, all
  481
  disposals of stock must be in accordance with the guidance which has been issued and which provides for substantial safeguards for tenants. My right hon. Friend will withold his consent to any disposal if he is not satisfied that the interests of tenants have been fully protected.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of houses owned by Scottish Homes in each district council area in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations will govern ballots arranged by Scottish Homes on the transfer of housing stock; how many options will be put before tenants in the ballots; if tenants will retain the right to opt for Scottish Homes as existing landlord; if tenants will have a right to choose district councils as their landlord; what rules will govern management buy-out options; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In terms of Scottish Homes' published procedures for the transfer of its stock, an independent teller will be commissioned to undertake a postal ballot of tenants in the proposed transfer area. For operational reasons Scottish Homes has decided that the ballot paper will contain two options, the status quo or a move to a specified alternative landlord. However, the tenants' independent advisor will be able to feed tenants' views into Scottish Homes' consideration of the preferred alternative landlord. The guidance which has been issued to Scottish Homes by my right hon. Friend makes it clear that it will be for Scottish Homes to decide whether there are special circumstances relating to particular houses which would make the local authority an appropriate alternative landlord. He would however expect this to arise only in exceptional circumstances and where such disposal did not compromise the Government's objective of promoting diversity of choice. Scottish Homes has established a code of conduct to govern management buy-outs, which will be open to competition from other landlords.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if members of staff of Scottish Homes who are involved in the development of management takeover bids in relation to the disposal of their employer's housing stock are being, or will be, granted permission to do so during working hours or given equivalent time off from routine duties.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes and I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.

  Tourist Signs
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what rules and regulations govern the erection of directional signage on or near public highways by businesses to assist drivers to locate hotels and tourist attractions; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The erection of advertisements on or near a public road is controlled under 482
  provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 and the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984 and to the extent that they may represent an obstruction, under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. Where the advertisements are intended to give directions to motorists they are also subject to the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

  Road signs giving directions to hotels and tourist attractions may be erected by traffic authorities. Such road signs are subject to the provisions of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981 and to any relevant directions made by the Secretary of State. Circular No. 3/1992 "Tourist Signposting", a copy of which has been placed in the Library, provides advice and guidance to local authorities on the circumstances in which such direction signs may be appropriate.

  Denominational Education
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Roman Catholic Education Commission to discuss the continued provision of denominational education in Scotland; what aspects of the subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the Catholic Education Commission on 25 February 1994. At that meeting a range of issues relating to denominational education was discussed, including school transport and catchment areas. Archbishop Winning, who was present at the meeting, has since publicly welcomed the positive progress made in the Government's discussions with the commission.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current outstanding loan debt of Scottish local authorities in relation to(a) housing and (b) general services; how much in each case and in (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms this debt accounts for in relation to (1) rents and (2) council tax bills; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The available information is set out in the table.

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Housing revenue account

  Outstanding debt at 31 March 1993

  —

  3,823

  Loan charges 1993–941

  —

  2500

  Income from standard rents 1993–94

  —

  2926

  Loan charges as percentage of standard rental income in 1993–94

  54

  —

  General fund services

  Outstanding debt at 31 March 1993

  —

  4,624

  Loan charges 1993–943

  —

  4730

  Budgeted income from council tax 1993–945

  —

  912

  Loan charges as percentage of budgeted income from council tax in 1993–94

  80

  —

  1Repayment of principal, interest on debt and loans fund expenses.

  2Provisional outturns.

  3Repayment of principal and interest on debt.

  4Local authority budget estimates for 1993–94.

  5Income which authorities budgeted to raise from the council tax for 1993–94.

  483
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the application of the annuality principle to local authority revenue budgets; what studies have been undertaken into the cost-effectiveness of fixed annual budgeting on the provision of services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has no evidence that annuality creates any difficulty for local authority revenue budgets and has no plans for such a review. However, to assist local authorities in their financial planning, he announced for the first time last December the plans he had made for both Government-supported expenditure and aggregate external finance for the two forward years of the 1993 public expenditure survey. My right hon. Friend plans to take similar action in future years.

  Youth Unemployment, Renfrew
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people under 18 years of age there were in Renfrew district on the latest date for which figures are available who were not employed and had not had a youth training opportunity offered to them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information in the form requested is not available.

  Domestic Utilities
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of privatised utility companies to discuss the abolition of standing charges on domestic bills; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Ministers and officials meet senior managers of the privatised utility companies from time to time to discuss a range of issues. Standing charges, like all tariff issues, are the responsibility of the utilities themselves and their regulators.

  Economic Initiative Area, Renfrew
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to establish an economic initiative area in any part of Renfrew district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  There have already been established in Renfrew district the Ferguslie Park Partnership and a smaller urban renewal initiative in Barrhead. My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to establish further economic initiative areas in Renfrew district. The local authority, local enterprise companies and others are, however, free to decide to target their activities and resources on particular areas of perceived need or opportunity. The Glasgow airport initiative is an example of such an initiative established to take advantage of economic development opportunities in the area.

  Monklands District Council
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to whom the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has written seeking evidence about alleged corruption at Monklands district council; if he will list their names and offices; and if he will make a statement.
  484
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 March 1994]: None of the Scottish Office Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, in their position as Scottish Office Ministers, has written to anyone in Monklands district council seeking evidence about the alleged corruption of Monklands district council.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of full-time undergraduates in Scottish higher education institutions are on four-year courses.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 12 April 1994]: In 1992–93, the percentage of full-time undergraduates in Scottish higher education institutions registered for four-year courses was 62·4 per cent. and for courses of four years and over was 73·4 per cent.

  Rural Enterprise Programme
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the rural enterprise programme on marketing.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: A baseline study was undertaken in 1991 to provide a benchmark against which to measure the effects of the rural enterprise programme, including the marketing element of the scheme. This provides a basis for a full evaluation of the impact of the programme, which we plan to commission in 1995.

  Islands Shipping Subsidies
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when KPMG Management Consultants was instructed to prepare a report on the operation of the tariff rebate subsidy scheme and shipping services to the Scottish islands.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: On 4 August 1993.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has yet received the report from KPMG Management Consultants in respect of its inquiries into the tariff rebate subsidy scheme and shipping services to the Scottish islands.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: No. I expect to receive KPMG's report in the near future.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total level of financial support for shipping services to Orkney and Shetland under the tariff rebate subsidy scheme in 1993–94.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: Financial support for shipping services to Orkney and Shetland in 1993–94 totalled £7·833 million.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the operating subsidies to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd., P and 0 Scottish Ferries and Coastal Shippers for 1993–94, estimated outturn, and 1994–95 plans, in the same form as table 3.39 of his Department's "Statement of Expenditure Plans Serving Scotland's Needs 1993".

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  485

  Support to shipping services

  £ million

  1993–94 outturn

  1994–95 plans

  Operating subsidies

  Caledonian MacBrayne

  110·6

  5·7

  P and O

  6·1

  6·8

  Coastal Shippers

  3·0

  3·1

  Total

  119·7

  15·6

  1Includes an additional £3·4 million to eliminate the deficit which would otherwise have been incurred in the period January to March 1994, that is the transitional period between the company's old calendar year accounting period and the new fiscal year accounting period.

  Overgrazing
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what involvement Scottish Natural Heritage has had in operating the measures introduced to prevent overgrazing under the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: The Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, the predecessor body to Scottish Natural Heritage, and a range of environmental organisations were consulted about the introduction of this measure.

  Undeclared Fish Catches
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to stop the landing of unlogged fish around the coast; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 Apri11994]: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency attaches a high priority to curbing clandestine landings, which are damaging to the conservation of fish stocks and to the future prosperity of the fishing industry. Substantial resources are targeted towards the detection and prevention of this activity. Regular out of hours patrols are undertaken by fishery officers and fishery protection vessels are deployed at harbours where there is a known risk of undeclared landings.

  Rosyth Naval Base
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the employment implications to Fife and Scotland of a possible closure of Rosyth naval base; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: There are currently some 1,600 civilians working in Rosyth naval base and some 2,700 Navy personnel either working in the naval base and the immediate vicinity or based on ships operating from Rosyth. Under present plans, stemming from decisions taken in 1992, the number of civilian employees will be reduced to 1,300 and the number of Navy personnel to around 2,300 by 1 April 1995.

  As the Secretary of State for Defence has made clear, all relevant factors will be taken into account before any decisions are made on recommendations arising from the naval infrastructure study and other defence costs studies. It is too early to speculate on the outcome for Rosyth or any other naval base.

  Economy, Fife
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the proportion of Fife's economy which is dependent on defence.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: The Scottish Office Industry Department's current assessment is that between 8 per cent. and 13 per cent. of civilian employment in Fife is directly employed in defence-related work, depending on whether or not armed forces personnel are included in the calculation.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to deal with any further loss of jobs; and what are his proposals for strengthening the Fife economy.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 April 1994]: It is for the local enterprise company, Fife Enterprise, in collaboration and partnership with others in the public and private sectors, to decide in the first instance on the strategy and appropriate measures to tackle the employment and economic development needs and opportunities in the region. I am sure the local enterprise company would be happy to discuss its plans with the hon. Member should she find that helpful.

  For those who are, unfortunately, made redundant or become unemployed, the full range of measures available through the local enterprise company or the Employment Service will, of course, remain available.

  Prison Capacity
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about capacity limits for prison accommodation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 13 April 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 19 April 1994:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about capacity limits for prison accommodation.
  As at 1 April 1994, the design capacity of the prisons estate in Scotland was 5,736, largely in the form of single cell accommodation. Allowing for cells not available because of redecoration or damage repair work, refurbishment (including in some cases to provide night sanitation) or for other policy reasons (including being retained in the event of an emergency), a total of 5,159 places were in use at that time.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of(a) all pensioners, (b) pensioners aged 75 years or over, (c) pensioners aged 80 years or over and (d) pensioners aged 85 years or over were in receipt of income support at (i) the latest date for which figures are available, (ii) five years earlier, (iii) 10 years earlier and (iv) 15 years earlier.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the table.
  487

  Pensioners receiving income support/supplementary benefit as a Percentage of the Great Britain population

  Year

  60 and over

  75 and over

  80 and over

  85 and over

  1993

  14·7

  25·4

  31·2

  35·8

  1988

  14·8

  23·7

  27·5

  30·4

  1983

  16·7

  25·3

  27·0

  27·1

  1978

  18·2

  25·9

  27·0

  27·8

  Notes:
  1. Sources: Supplementary Benefit Statistical Annual Enquiries, 1978 and 1983.

  Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry, May 1988.

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1993.

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Government Actuaries Department.

  2. For Income Support purposes, pensioners are defined as cases where the claimant and/or partner is aged 60 or over.
  3. For Supplementary Benefit purposes, pensioners are defined as

  Geographical area1

  Tenants with Housing Benefit (Thousands)2

  As a percentage of all dwellings3

  Local Authority

  Private

  Local Authority

  Private

  North (including Cumbria)

  232

  74

  65

  49

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  304

  106

  64

  45

  East Midlands

  188

  75

  61

  42

  East Anglia

  82

  48

  59

  34

  London

  408

  267

  60

  47

  South East (excluding London)

  347

  243

  58

  42

  South West

  168

  120

  62

  43

  West Midlands

  312

  94

  65

  43

  North West (excluding Cumbria)

  379

  176

  69

  58

  Wales

  152

  68

  70

  54

  Scotland

  460

  84

  57

  41

  Great Britain

  3,032

  1,355

  62

  45

  Data Sources: the Housing Benefit Management Information System quarterly caseload count4 November 1992 and the Housing and Construction Statistics for December 1992.

  1 Standard regions. Information for individual local authorities for the whole of Great Britain is not available.

  2 The figures are for benefit units, not individuals. A benefit unit may be a couple or a single person.

  3 Includes unoccupied dwellings.

  4 Includes estimates for non-responding authorities.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the budgeted expenditure for the disability working allowance in 1993–94; and how much of that has actually been taken up.

  Mr. Scott
  The Government's expenditure plan for disability working allowance for 1993–94 was £16* million and the estimated outturn will be £10* million.Source: * Social Security Departmental Report published in February 1993 and March 1994 respectively.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received that the operation of the Child Support Agency is increasing the number of legal contests over child custody;

  (2) what representations he has received indicating that (a) a clean break settlement involving capital payments not yet finalised may be reconsidered and (b) future such clean break settlements will not take place as a result of the operations of the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what representations he has received (a) asking that travel costs by absent parents to visit children be included in the assessments for maintenance payments by the Child
  488
  claimants over pensionable age. This definition excluded certain cases (particularly men aged 60-64) who would be counted as pensioners under Income Support.

  4. Percentages have been calculated from the resident population of Great Britain of the appropriate age group.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many tenants in(a) the public and (b) the private sectors are in receipt of housing benefit; what percentage this is of the total number of tenants in each sector; if he will provide a breakdown of these figures into district council areas or other geographical area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The available information is in the table.

  Support Agency and (b) indicating that the contact with such children by absent parents will be diminished by the present system of assessing maintenance payments;

  (4) what representations he has received indicating that the work of the Child Support Agency is prompting some persons into voluntarily giving up work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  Ministers have received representations from hon. Members, organisations and members of the public about various aspects of the child support scheme. Information about which representations refer to a particular aspect is not available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Families (Statistics)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proportion of children of single parent families live in families where no maintenance payments are made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) the USA;

  (2) what proportion of parents under the age of 18 years were (a) married, (b) divorced, (c) separated and (d) never married in 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1994 in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) France, (iii) Germany and (iv) the USA;
  489
  (3) what proportion of children of lone parent families live in families where the non-custodial parent is unknown in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) the USA.

  Mr. Hague
  This information is not available.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women contesting invalidity benefit appeals on the grounds of European sex equality legislation have had a benefit award from a social security appeals tribunal or an adjudication officer suspended under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987, regulation 37 and 37A, that is, suspension in individual cases and in identical cases, respectively; what percentages of the total number of awards these represent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The latest available information about the number of payments suspended relates to 31 August 1993, at which time increased payment was being suspended in 33,442—97·86 per cent.—of the 34,175 cases considered. Separate information for cases being appealed individually and other cases where the issues are identical but no appeal has been made is not available.Source: 100 per cent. clerical count by Benefits Agency offices in Great Britain.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 10 March concerning a constituent, 6/3644/74.

  Mr. Hague
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 18 April.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 7 December 1993 and 14 March 1994 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. M. Hussain.

  Mr. Hague
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the right hon. Member on 22 December 1993 and 18 April 1994.

  Benefits, North Warwickshire
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently receiving(a) attendance allowance, (b) disability allowance, (c) family credit, (d) income support, (e) invalidity benefit and (f) sickness benefit in each of the Benefits Agency districts which fall within the north Warwickshire area; and what proportion of each figure represents persons resident in the north Warwickshire area.

  Mr. Scott
  This is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Mike O'Brien dated 18 April 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about benefit recipients in the North Warwickshire area.
  490
  The full range of information requested is not available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics are only available by Benefits Agency District for the locally administered benefits, Income Support, Invalidity Benefit, and Sickness Benefit and, of the centrally administered benefits, Family Credit. Unfortunately, the computer systems used to administer Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance do not identify recipients by Benefits Agency District, and to obtain figures for these benefits would require an exercise examining each individual claim, which could only be undertaken at a disproportionate cost.
  I have therefore shown below figures for the Benefits Agency's Warwickshire District which deals with the North Warwickshire area. As the Warwickshire District also deals with areas other than North Warwickshire it is not possible to say what proportion of these figures relate to persons actually resident in North Warwickshire.
  It should be noted that statistical data for each of the benefits is collected and collated over different periods and timescales. The latest available figures show that the Agency's Warwickshire District on the last working day of February 1994 there were 35,222 people claiming Income Support; on the last working day of March 1994 there were 10,924 people claiming Invalidity Benefit and 2,021 people claiming Sickness Benefit, and at 18 March 1994 there were 3,430 people claiming Family Credit.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

EMPLOYMENT

  Minimum Wage Legislation
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his assessment of the effect of the abolition of the minimum wage legislation on youth employment prospects in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The introduction of a minimum wage would result in widespread job destruction.

  Part-time and Temporary Workers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people at the latest date for which figures are available were in part-time or temporary employment.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At the end of last year there were 6.9 million part-time jobs in Great Britain and 1·4 million of all persons employed held temporary contracts.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries at work.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Responsibility for ensuring work-place health and safety rests with employers and others most directly involved. The Health and Safety Commission's priorities for promoting improvements in health and safety at work will be set out in its plan of work for 1994–95.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how often, on average, a workplace can expect to be visited by officials inspecting health and safety standards.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is no fixed period between inspections of workplaces. When planning visits, health and safety inspectors give priority to premises that are known to pose a higher risk to employees and the public. The highest-risk sites are inspected once a year. In addition
  491
  to planned inspection, visits to workplaces are made for a variety of other purposes, for example to give advice and guidance and to investigate accidents, incidents or complaints.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement regarding the outcome of recent meetings he has held regarding health and safety issues.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's most recent meeting specifically to discuss issues of health and safety was with the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) to discuss the Health and Safety Executive's investigation of an incident in his constituency. My hon. Friend the Minister of State has particular responsibility for health and safety, and conducts the majority of meetings on that topic.

  Older Workers (Training)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives his Department has taken to improve the training prospects of older workers.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have raised the upper age limit of training for work to 63 years from this month. This is in accord with my "Getting On" campaign, in support of older workers.

  Youth Unemployment, West Midlands
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the west midlands between the ages of 18 and 25 years are unemployed.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The figure was 84,000 in autumn 1993, which is a fall of 7,000 on the previous autumn.

  Part-time Workers
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when his Department intends to respond to the House of Lords judgment on part-time workers' rights by giving them the same rights as full-time workers.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are carefully considering that judgment to ascertain its full implications and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of jobs in railway engineering in the United Kingdom; and what was the figure on 31 March 1992.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There were 14,400 employees in the railway industry in Great Britain in September 1991. Reliable estimates of change since then are not available.

  Ellington Colliery
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what additional employment creation measures he plans following the redundancies resulting from the closure of Ellington colliery.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have made available an additional £2·8 million to Northumberland training and enterprise council and the Employment Service for additional employment and training measures, as a consequence of the closure of Ellington colliery.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to develop a national strategy to counter the effects of domestic violence on women.

  Mr. David Hunt
  A wide range of initiatives across Government has been taken in recent years to tackle domestic violence. These are directed towards ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice; that victims receive the necessary material and emotional support and that steps are taken towards prevention in the long term. The ministerial group on domestic violence, which is led by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office, will be meeting to consider how proposals for further action can be taken forward.

  Employer-employee Relations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on employer-employee relations.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government believe that employer-employee relations are a matter for the employers and workers concerned. Our step-by-step reform of employment law has been a principal factor in achieving the dramatic improvement of this country's industrial relations record and reputation since 1979.

  Unemployment (Rochdale)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to visit Rochdale to discuss unemployment in that area.

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State currently has no plans to visit Rochdale.

  Access to Work
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has had to Government proposals for the "Access to Work" scheme for the employment of people with disabilities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I announced details of "Access to Work" on 28 February 1994,Official Report, column 534. The changes have received an enthusiastic welcome.

  Jobs Summit
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received regarding the G7 jobs conference; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Before attending the G7 jobs conference I had meetings with the director general of the CBI and the general secretary of the TUC.

  The G7 conference was a valuable conference about policies to achieve sustainable reductions in unemployment and increases in employment. The conference underlined the importance for all our countries of sound macro-economic policies to achieve sustainable growth, open and competitive economies to encourage innovation and enterprise, more flexible labour markets, improved education and training, and active employment policies to help and encourage unemployed people to get back to

  493
  work. The jobs conference has ensured that each Government will learn more about the employment and training programmes of the others. Policies to reduce unemployment will be discussed by Heads of Government at the forthcoming G7 economic summit in Naples.

  Maximum Working Week
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the costs to United Kingdom industry of a statutory maximum working week of 35 hours.

  Mr. David Hunt
  A compulsory 35-hour maximum working week would cost United Kingdom industry up to £20 billion in the first year alone. It would be disastrous for competitiveness, jobs and the economic recovery.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met small business representatives to discuss the working of TECs.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I regularly discuss training and enterprise councils with people from small businesses.

  Airport Workers (Hearing)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to ensure that all airport workers are covered by health and safety legislation which adequately protects their hearing;

  (2) what categories of airport workers are not covered by legislation to protect them against deafness, tinnitus and other industrial diseases involving their hearing.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Noise at Work Regulations 1989, which came into effect on 1 January 1990, oblige employers to take steps to protect the hearing of all employees at work, including airport workers.

  Multinational Companies
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the EU's draft legislation to make EU multinationals set up cross-border machinery for informing employees of closures, collective redundancies and shifts of production from one country to another will apply to multinationals based in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham., Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 15 April 1994,Official Report, column 346.

  Year

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Crown Prosecution Service

  Serious Fraud Office

  1989–90

  —

  Asterisk Design Systems Ltd.

  Aims Systems Ltd.

  COI

  BDL Marketing Services

  Cumulus Software Ltd.

  Digitus

  Kinesis Computing Ltd.

  Stothers and Hardy

  PA Management Consultants (2)

  The Human Science and Advanced Technology Research Centre

  Yale Data Management

  Number

  —

  2

  7

  3

  Working Hours
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current average hours of work of(a) blue collar workers, (b) white collar workers, (c) executives and (d) directors of firms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on the average hours paid at basic and overtime rates for full-time employees is published in table X3 of part A of the 1993 new earnings survey report. A copy of the report is available in the Library. The table provides information for manual and non-manual occupations. Executives and directors are classified as managers.

  The result of the new earnings survey show that the average basic hours of full-time employees have been around 37·5 hours for the last three years. On average, the basic hours of work of manual employees are just under two hours more than those of non-manual workers.

  In 1993, over two thirds of employees worked no paid overtime and the average was 2·3 hours a week.

  Jobs Summit
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received during the G7 jobs summit in favour of measures which would increase non-wage labour costs.

  Mr. David Hunt
  At the end of the G7 jobs conference, United States Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen noted that we have to create the climate in which the corporate world has jobs for people. One of many encouraging features of this conference was the clear consensus that non-wage labour costs must be controlled, and where possible reduced, to improve employment prospects and help reduce unemployment.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 336, if he will list the firms of consultants employed by his Department in each of the last five years and the number of contracts they have undertaken.

  The Attorney-General
  The firms of consultants to which contracts have been awarded are listed in the table. Where more than one contract has been awarded to any firm this is indicated.
  495 496

  Year

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Crown Prosecution Service

  Servious Fraud office

  1990–91

  —

  Not known

  Hunterskill

  ACT

  Isis

  COI

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Digitus

  Scoll

  Stothers and Hardy

  Shapes

  TDA Consulting Group Ltd.

  Touche Ross

  Number

  —

  —

  7

  4

  1991–92

  —

  CCTA Consultancy Services (3)

  Art of Management

  Digitus

  P. Hurst Esq., Property

  Bull

  Stothers and Hardy

  Holdings

  CS college

  Integrated Project Support

  P. A. Consulting Group

  Lighting FX

  M. L Taylor, Esq.

  Oracle(2)

  PE International

  Shapes

  TDA Consulting Group Ltd.

  Verity

  Yale

  Number

  —

  6

  12

  2

  1992–93

  —

  Axsis Consultants Ltd.

  Axsis(2)

  ACT

  B. D. O. Consulting

  Bull

  Admiral

  J. Blair, Esq.

  CCTA Consultancy Services

  Digitus

  CCTA Consultancy Services

  Cs College

  Headra

  Recruitment and Assessment

  DoE Fuel Branch

  Morgan Lovell

  Consultancy Services

  DoE Special Services Group

  SISL

  M. L. Taylor, Esq.

  ECD Architects

  Stothers and Hardy

  Telecome Capita

  Forward Catering

  Systemhouse (2)

  B. D. Yates, Esq.

  Infact(2)

  Impact

  Lamp Associates

  MCL

  Mouncey

  Price Waterhouse

  PSA BM NorEast

  Sequelogic

  Shapes (2)

  Shreeveport

  Tim Hodder Associates

  Touche Ross

  Number

  —

  8

  24

  9

  1993–94

  —

  Axsis Consultants Ltd.

  Amtec

  ACT

  BDO Consulting (3)

  Axsis

  Hedra

  G. H. Beetham, Esq.

  Bull

  Hoskyns

  J. Blair, Esq.

  Butler and Young Associates (2)

  Inaight

  CCTA Consultancy Services

  Calibre Training

  Rand

  P. Cooper, Esq.

  Comshare

  Stothers and Hardy

  Lamb Associates

  D. E. G. W. Consultants

  N. F. Ledsome, Esq.

  DoE Special Services Group

  J. D. Montgomery, Esq.

  Hoskyns

  Recruitment and Assessment

  Hunterskil

  Consultancy Services

  Images

  Touche Ross

  Infact

  Triad Special Systems Ltd.

  Kaliber Training

  Lighting FX

  MCL

  NIFES

  Olivetti

  Oscar Faber

  P.E. International

  Plain English Campaign

  Projectlink

  Quadratron

  Sequelogic (2)

  Shapes (3)

  497

  Year

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  Treasury Solicilor's Department

  Crown Prosecution Service

  Serious Fraud Office

  Simdell

  Tim Hodder Associates

  Touche Ross (2)

  WTI

  Number

  —

  14

  33

  6

  Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate more than one contract.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Liberia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about military activity in Liberia; and how it is affecting the peace process and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15 April at column 330. Aid deliveries from Cote d'Ivoire and from Monrovia to the surrounding regions are uninterrupted, but interfactional fighting is affecting deliveries to south-east and south-western Liberia.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps UNDO in Somalia has taken to conduct a strategic appraisal of the infrastructure needs of Somaliland.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The framework for planning Somalia's long-term reconstruction and development, prepared in December 1993 under World bank leadership and with United Nations development office participation, identified broad infrastructure needs throughout the country. UNDO has begun the detailed needs assessment process and carried out a preliminary assessment mission to Woquooyl Galbeed region in the north-west in March. The report will be discussed by the Somali aid co-ordinating body on 18 and 19 April.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans UNOSOM 2 has to devolve decision making to its office in Hargeisa; and how and when it proposes to deliver services and resources to north-west Somalia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  UNOSOM's Hargeisa office acts primarily as a liaison point for UNOSOM II operations in north-west Somalia. UNOSOM is mandated to assist with the development of programmes on demobilisation and disarmament, demining and the development of justice systems in north-west Somalia. Salaries for police and local mine clearance amounting to US$730,800 have been paid during the period January to April. We intend to raise the question of devolution of decision making to UNOSOM's Hargeisa office at the Somali aid coordinating body meeting on 18 and 19 April.

  Natural Resources Institute
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his current plans for the future of the Natural Resources Institute.
  498
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 26 January at columns 272-73. The study of ownership options is continuing and no decision has yet been reached. Meanwhile, restructuring is in train.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) in which programmes staff, proposed for redundancy by the Natural Resources Institute in the course of 1994, are currently involved; and what the effect on these programmes of the proposed redundancies is expected to be;

  (2) what aid projects and which developing countries benefit from the work done at the Natural Resources Institute on (a) oilseeds and (b) mycotoxins;

  (3) how many staff at each grade the Natural Resources Institute proposes to make redundant in the course of 1994;

  (4) what programmes of research are currently undertaken by the Natural Resources Institute; and how each programme will be affected by his plans for the institute's future development.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Natural Resources Institute under its chief executive, Mr. Anthony Beattie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. Beattie to Mr. Tom Clarke, dated 18 April 1994:
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd has replied to the first of the five questions about NRI which you put down for written reply on 14 April. I have been asked to reply to the remainder. If I might take your questions in a slightly different order to that in which they were asked, dealing first with No. 79, the Institute is engaged in programmes of applied and adaptive research which, in line with the objectives of the Aid Programme and of ODA's Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy, seek to help developing countries to improve the productivity and sustainable management of their natural resources. The Institute is presently undertaking research in some 13 programme areas as listed at Enclosure 1.
  As an executive agency, NRI undertakes research on a customer-contractor basis and its activities are accordingly shaped by the requirements of its clients, notably ODA and other major aid agencies. The priorities of these clients are bound to change over time and this will be reflected in the pattern of demand for the Institute's services. Thus it is not so much a question of how plans for future development will affect a pre-determined set of research activities, but rather how the Institute can best be adapted to respond flexibly and effectively to the changing requirements of its clients.
  You have asked specifically (No. 72) what aid projects and which developing countries benefit from work done here on oilseeds and mycotoxins. Details are provided in Enclosure 2.
  More generally, you have asked (No. 78) how many staff, by grade, are proposed for redundancy in 1994, which areas of work they are involved in and what the effect on existing programmes will be.
  Under a programme of staff reductions announced earlier this year a total of 49 posts have been abolished. A breakdown by grade is at Enclosure 3. As individual members of staff are likely to contribute to more than one programme of research I have

  499
  provided a breakdown by a broad strategy area rather than specific research programme. Details in response to question No. 70 are also at Enclosure 3. In all but six cases, this reduction in staff numbers has been achieved by voluntary means. It is likely that further reductions will be needed in due course, but the scale and timing of these have still to be determined.
  The staff reduction programme is based on a careful analysis of the skills available at NRI and developing patterns of demand for these skills. As mentioned above our concern is with adapting the skill-base to match demand. This is essential if we are to continue to meet the needs of our clients and to maintain the Institute's reputation as a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence in a competitive and evolving field of activity.
  I should of course be glad to provide any further information you may require.

  Areas of research in which NRI is presently engaged, grouped by strategy area:

  Resource Assessment and Farming Systems

  Resource assessment

  Agronomy and cropping systems

  Livestock production

  Forestry

  Socio-economics

  Integrated Pest Management

  Pest management for annual and perennial crops

  Component technologies for pest management

  Adaptive research in integrated pest management

  Biological systems and functional variability

  Food Science and Crop Utilisation

  Horticulture and tree crops

  Food security in cereals and pulses

  Fisheries and aquatic resources

  Forest products, oilseeds, edible nuts and fibres

  NRI's work on oilseeds and mycotoxins

  INTRODUCTION
  NRI's work on oilseeds and mycotoxins spans a wide range of activities and benefits, both directly and indirectly, many developing countries. It is principally funded by ODA's Natural Resources Research Department and feeds into bilateral and multi-lateral development programmes. The following is a synopsis of activities which have been carried out over the last year or so.

  Oilseeds
  The focus of work has been principally on the two priority commodities of ODA's Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy: groundnuts and coconuts. Total expenditure in 1993–94 from all funding sources was approximately £325,000.

  Advisory and representation
  In the last year over 240 inquiries were received from 36 countries on oilseeds processing and utilisation, mainly from Latin America. Africa and Asia. Several international conferences were attended and research and development findings disseminated.

  Training
  In 1993 eight personnel from Ghana, Indonesia, Morocco, Peru, The Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkey were trained in various aspects of oilseeds, oils and fats.

  PROJECT ACTIVITIES

  Agronomic, pest control and plant pathology:
  assisting in improving oilseeds production at the Lumle

  Analysis of (job) redundancies by grade and strategy area

  Enclosure 3

  Grade

  Resource assessment and farming systems

  Integrated pest management

  Food science and crop utilisation

  Social sciences group

  Corporate services

  Grade total

  Grade 6

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Grade 7

  1

  —

  5

  —

  —

  6

  Senior Scientific Officer

  1

  3

  6

  —

  2

  12

  Higher Scientific Officer

  2

  —

  3

  —

  —

  5

  Scientific Officer

  1

  1

  5

  —

  —

  7

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Higher Executive Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Administrative Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Personal Secretary

  —

  1

  1

  2

  1

  5

  500

  and Pakribas Agricultural Centres in Nepal;
  a study on oilseeds in mixed cropping systems in lowland tropical forest margins;
  a pest control manual for groundnuts (China, India and other producing countries);
  work on lethal yellowing and wilt disorder of coconuts (Zanzibar and West Africa);
  collaboration with CGIAR in India on groundnut rosette virus and vector control.

  Processing and development:
  stemming from socio-economic, marketing and technical studies, the introduction of new and improved methods of small-scale processing of oilseeds mainly in rural areas, with particular emphasis on smallholder farmers, traders and gender issues (Tanzania, The Gambia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Indonesia, Solomon Islands). This work is part-funded by the United Nations' Common Fund for Commodities;
  development of analytical techniques, and training in product analysis and quality control, including trade assessments.

  Mycotoxins
  Over the past year the control of mycotoxins in foods and feeds has been pursued at NRI through some nineteen projects. The range of commodities studied includes cereals, oilseeds, edible nuts, spices and livestock feeds from numerous countries. Total expenditure from all funding sources in 1993–94 was approximately £375,000.

  Advisory and representation
  Over 130 enquiries were received from 30 countries on mycotoxins over the last year, mainly from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Staff attended several international conferences to disseminate information and served on several United Kingdom and EC Committees dealing with mycotoxins.

  Training
  In 1993 four analysts from Brazil, Philippines and Saudi Arabia were trained in mycotoxin analysis.

  PROJECT ACTIVMES
  The Institute's mycotoxins work involves the establishment, of Mycotoxin Centres in developing countries, with fully equipped and trained personnel; and the utilisation of these Centres in the identification and control of mycotoxin contamination, using multi-disciplinary teams.
  Centres have been established in Pakistan, India, Thailand and Philippines. This approach is supported by a research programme which focuses upon the development of methods (sampling and analysis) for the surveillance of mycotoxins and the development and testing of control (including chemical detoxification) procedures.

  Work carried out over the last year includes:
  studies on sampling procedures for monitoring bulk shipments of livestock feed ingredients and on methods for the analysis of moulds and mycotoxins in a variety of foods and feeds. The findings assist in the formulation of quality standards and legislation. This work has been partly funded by the EC and MAFF;
  a study of the effect of commercial chemical detoxicification procedures on the transmission of mycotoxins into milk;
  setting up a Mycotoxin Centre in Bangladesh;
  establishing a strategy for the quality control of pistachio nuts in Turkey;
  surveillance studies in Honduras, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
  501

  Grade

  Resource assessment and farming systems

  Integrated pest management

  Food science and crop utilisation

  Social sciences group

  Corporate services

  Grade total

  Typist

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  Support Grade Band 1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Support Grade Band 2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Strategy area total

  7

  6

  23

  2

  11

  49

  Gambia
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken either bilaterally by the Overseas Development Administration or multilaterally through the European Union to promote the development of coastal fishing resources in the Gambia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Between 1979 and 1991 the European development fund provided 5·66 mecu—£4·4 million, of which the United Kingdom share was £0·72 million to develop marine artisanal fisheries in six Atlantic coastal villages.

  Multilateral Agencies (Aid)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms are in place to influence the deployment of funds provided by the United Kingdom to(a) the European bank for reconstruction and development, (b) the European Union, (c) the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and (d) the World bank; and what further steps are planned to increase the accountability of those organisations to the United Kingdom Government.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  For the European bank for reconstruction and development, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World bank, the United Kingdom participates actively in meetings where overall policy priorities and work programmes are discussed. For the European Union we play a full part in discussion of development policy issues in the Council of the Union, and in discussion of project proposals in European Commission management committees. We also maintain regular contact with the senior management of all these institutions. We will continue to work through these mechanisms to strengthen their efficiency and accountability.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Sir Malcolm Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to continue to support economic and political reform in Africa under the third phase of the special programme of assistance for sub-Saharan Africa co-ordinated by the World bank.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have pledged to commit up to £300 million under the World bank's SPA III programme over the three years 1994–95 to 1997–98. These funds will be available to poor, debt-distressed African countries, selected by Her Majesty's Government, which are adhering to an IMF/IBRD-endorsed economic reform programme, and are pursuing good government policies.

DEFENCE

  Battle Tank Khalid
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which year the battle tank Khalid was first marketed; and if he will make a statement on its application.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for the company concerned.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent of 25 March,Official Report, columns 471-72, regarding protection against chemical and germ warfare, if he will estimate the cost of (a) protective clothing and equipment, (b) anti-contamination equipment and (c) medical counter measures against chemical and biological attacks during the period April 1990 to April 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  The expenditure incurred on clothing and equipment to protect against chemical and biological attack during the period April 1990 to April 1992 is set out in the table.

  £million

  Protective clothing

  265

  Protective equipment

  18·4

  Detection equipment

  24·6

  Decontamination equipment

  0·9

  Total

  70·4

  As previously advised in response to the hon. Member's questions of 12 July 1993, Official Report, column 366, 19 July 1993, Official Report, column 87 and 26 July 1993, Official Report, column 744, details relating to medical counter-measures against chemical and biological attacks are classified.

  PINDAR Bunker
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the equipment installed in the PINDAR bunker.

  Mr. Hanley
  The cost of the equipment installed in the PINDAR bunker was approximately £60,000,000. The cost of the systems includes hardware, software development, software, documentation, testing and installation.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual running cost of the PINDAR bunker.

  Mr. Hanley
  The average cost of the PINDAR bunker including staff costs, maintenance and support is £7,320,000.

  Submarine Nuclear Reactor Cores
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications he has had with the nuclear transport licensing authorities regarding the temporary use of commercial containers to transport used submarine nuclear reactor cores.

  Mr. Aitken
  The contract to procure two commercial containers to transport used submarine nuclear reactor cores requires the contractor to provide the containers fully licensed for the purpose required. As such the request and approval of a licence is a matter between the contractor and the nuclear licensing authority.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what functions the A45 building at Aldermaston will carry out once the A90 building is fully operational.

  Mr. Aitken
  It is not our general policy to disclose details of the role and function of individual buildings at Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston. Howevever, manufacture of a variety of components and assemblies not being transferred to building A90 will continue to be produced in A45.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the radiation leak at AWE Aldermaston on 24 March.

  Mr. Aitken
  On 24 March 1994 during planned maintenance in a laboratory a quantity of radioactive material was disturbed. Monitoring of protective clothing worn by the two individuals involved revealed that there was slight radioactive contamination on their overshoes. Subsequent monitoring by AWE medical staff has confirmed that the two individuals received radiation dose levels equivalent to a small fraction of the annual permissible dose limit. External monitoring outside the building has confirmed that there was no release of radioactive material into the environment. As part of normal procedure the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last full safety assessment of the A45 building at Aldermaston was made.

  Mr. Aitken
  The safety of all buildings at AWE Aldermaston, including A45, is under constant review. A full safety assessment of building A45 was conducted in late 1988 and further safety reviews of the facility have been carried out at regular intervals.

  Ammunition
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use has been made by United Kingdom forces since 1981, of 155 mm ammunition rounds.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are two types of 155 mm ammunition currently in use with the British Army. They are the United States designed M107 and the European designed—United Kingdom/Germany/ Italy—L15. Although records of usage are not available for the period in question, it is estimated that some 44,000 L15 rounds have been used since 1990 and some 223,000 M107 rounds since 1985.
  504
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British tank forces use 105 mm and 120 mm rounds.

  Mr. Hanley
  No, to the former; yes, to the latter.

  Service Pensions
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the cost to public funds which would be incurred by uprating all service pensions in payment to the level of such pensions awarded today.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information which would be necessary to make this calculation is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at inordinate cost.

  Optical Surveillance Technology
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether satellite and related optical surveillance technology represents a strategic national security interest.

  Mr. Hanley
  Yes.

  David Hart
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether David Hart has any access to(a) confidential papers and (b) facilities and resources of his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  Mr. David Hart is one of a number of advisors from outside the Ministry of Defence who provide informal advice to the Secretary of State, and who are involved in the work of the defence cost study. These outsiders may see classified papers under strictly controlled arrangements where this is directly relevant to the work they are doing. Such advisors have no independent call on the facilities and resources of the Department, although they do discuss matters with Departmental officials.

  Offset Programme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if projects approved as part of the offset programme are subject to export licence, COCOM and missile technology control regime controls.

  Mr. Aitken
  Yes.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates delegations to Saudi Arabia were organised by the Offset Office; and if he will list the members of those delegations.

  Mr. Aitken
  The British Offset Office has arranged two high-level visits to Saudi Arabia to promote Al Yamamah Offset. The members of the first delegation, which visited from 16-21 February 1990, were:

  Mr. Roy Allen

  ICI

  Mr. Cedric Brown

  British Gas

  Sir James Craig

  Saudi British Bank

  Mr. Alec Daly

  GKN

  Sir Ronald Grierson

  GEC

  Mr. George Moody-Stuart

  Booker Tate

  Mr. Alan Nickalls

  NEI International Ltd.

  Mr. Gilbert Phillips

  Pilkington

  Mr. Michael Rouse

  British Aerospace

  Mr. Richard Turner

  STC

  The second delegation visited from 3 to 9 May 1991. Its members were:

  505

  Mr. Richard Barnes

  British Aerospace

  Mr. Tony Belisario

  Dowty Defence and Air Systems

  Mr. Antony Bruce

  John Brown

  The Hon. David Douglas-Home

  Morgan Grenfell International

  Mr. John Elliott

  Burmah Castrol

  Mr. John Hill

  Wessex Water

  Mr. John Lawrence

  Thorn Security

  Mr. Jake Stewart

  British Steel

  Dr. Brian Tempest

  Glaxo

  Mr. Damien Turner

  British Aerospace

  Mr. Peter Usher

  Vosper Thomycroft UK

  In addition the British Offset Office organises ad hoc visits to Saudi Arabia for companies as required.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the membership of the British Offset Committee in each year that committee has existed, together with the principal business interest of the private sector members.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Al Yamamah Offset Committee met for the first time in March 1987. Its members were:

  Chairman

  Sir Colin Chandler—Head of Defence Export Services, MOD

  Members

  The Hon. David Douglas-Home—(Morgan Grenfell International Ltd) representing COMET—Mr. Alan Titchener

  DTI—Dr. Maurice Dixson—British Aerospace

  Dr. David Mitchell—Rolls Royce.

  Mr. Philip Curry—MOD

  The following changes to membership took place at subsequent meetings.

  December 1987

  Mr. John Weston (British Aerospace) replaced Dr. Dixson.

  Mr. Colin Craig (Schroder Asseily) joined the Committee; Mr. Curry (MOD) left the Committee.

  September 1988

  Mr. Ian Dixon (DTI) replaced Mr. Titchener.

  Mr. Richard Spink (FCO) joined the Committee.

  February 1990

  Sir Alan Thomas (MOD) replaced Sir Colin Chandler.

  The Hon. David Gore-Booth (MOD) joined the Committee.

  Mr. Michael Rouse (BAe) replaced Mr. Weston.

  Mr. Petter (DTI) replaced Mr. Dixon.

  May 1991

  Mr. Michael Janner (MOD) replaced Mr. Richard Spink.

  April 1992

  Mr. Damien Turner (British Aerospace) replaced Mr. Rouse.

  September 1992

  Mr. John Hill (Saudi British Bank) replaced The Hon. David Douglas-Home as representative of COMET.

  May 1993

  Dr. Noel Brehony (Rolls Royce) replaced Dr. Mitchell.

  December 1993

  Mr. Ian Cliff (DTI) replaced Mr. Petter.

  Mr. David Hewitson (British Aerospace) replaced Mr. Turner.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the projects(a) approved and (b) commenced under the offset office programme.

  Mr. Aitken
  Projects currently approved, but not yet commenced, under the Al Yamamah offset programme are:

  Missile Engineering Facility

  Rolls Royce participation in the Middle East Propulsion Company

  Oil seed manufacture

  506

  Materials handling systems

  Lightweight marble and granite manufacture

  Water treatment equipment

  In addition, the following projects have commenced implementation:

  Glaxo pharmaceutical plant

  Tate and Lyle sugar refinery

  Vocational training facility

  British Aerospace participation in Aircraft Accessories and Components Company (AACC)

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what links exist between the Offset Office and the Export Credits Guarantee Department; and whether approval under the offset programme is always accompanied by Export Credits Guarantee Department approval.

  Mr. Aitken
  No special links exist between the Al Yamamah Offset Office and the Export Credits Guarantee Department. Cover arrangements are a matter for ECGD and participants in individual projects.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department set up an Offset Office for Saudi Arabia; and what the costs of this office have been in each succeeding year.

  Mr. Aitken
  The British Offset Office was set up in 1987. It forms part of the Saudi Armed Forces Project Office in the Ministry of Defence, the costs of which are met by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

  Falkland Islands Flights
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the flights on which seats were for sale to civilians to and from the Falkland Islands in 1992 and 1993 and to date in 1994, and which arrived either at RAF Mount Pleasant or at RAF Brize Norton more than two hours late.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is available only for flights into RAF Mount Pleasant, and is as follows:

  1992

  1993

  11994

  Number of flights with seats for sale to civilians

  92

  80

  21

  Number delayed by two hours or more

  23

  13

  5

  1To date.

  Information on the number of flights from the Falkland Islands arriving at RAF Brize Norton more than two hours late is not recorded centrally and figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Because of the length of the route, the unpredictable weather in the Falkland Islands and the limitations of en-route services such as air traffic control, a greater level of delays can be expected on the United Kingdom to Falkland Islands route than on many more widely used routes.

  IMS Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are maintained of the business activities of former employees of International Military Services Ltd.

  Mr. Aitken
  None.

  Conditions and Allowances Review
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings he envisages will be made through the review of conditions and allowances in the armed forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  As is made clear in the terms of reference for this independent review, set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes) on 30 March,Official Report, columns 752-53, the primary purpose is not cost cutting but to ensure that we have structures appropriate to the needs of the services in the 21st century. No estimate has therefore been made of the scope for any savings but the independent review is, naturally, also required to identify the resource implications of its proposals and to seek to contribute to the reduction over the longer term of the overall resource cost of manpower.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what external consultancies will be assisting in the review of conditions and allowances in the armed forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  A minor consultancy to advise on the scope of the independent review of service career and manpower structures and terms and conditions of service, and on the interrelationships between the different aspects of the review, has already reported. The matter of what further consultancy assistance may be required is primarily one for the review chairman, but my Department is making arrangements to ensure that such assistance can be commissioned at short notice as and when requirements are identified.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunities will exist for United Kingdom citizens including serving or former members of the armed forces involved in Operation Granby in the Gulf war in 1991, to claim for damages for deleterious health effects from the United Nations Compensation Committee.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Nations Compensation Commission—UNCC—will consider, against established criteria, claims from United Kingdom citizens suffering from deleterious health effects directly caused by Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait between 2 August 1990 and 2 March 1991. It will require evidence to show that there is a direct causative link between the symptoms of the claimant and the Gulf conflict.

  This right to claim extends to members of the allied coalition armed forces, who were prisoners of war and whose loss or injury resulted from mistreatment in violation of the international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Most of the British prisoners of war held captive during the Gulf conflict have put in claims, as have members of the British liaison team, and their dependents, who were in Kuwait at the time of the invasion.

  Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to reply to the letter from CND which was handed in following the demonstration on 15 March at Porton Down; and if he will place a copy of his reply in the Library.
  508
  Mr. Hanley
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Ken Livingstone, dated 19 April 1994:

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking when he intends to reply to the letter from CND which was handed in following the demonstration on 15 March 1994 at Porton Down has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. There was no demonstration at Porton Down on 15 March 1994 when two representatives of the Salisbury Branch of CND visited the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment on 16 March 1994 to mark the anniversary of the use of chemical weapons on the civilian population of Hallabja. They were invited into the Establishment and handed over a letter dated 16 March 1994 addressed to myself as Director General.

  3. I replied to the letter on 8 April 1994 and am making arrangements for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Gulf Trust
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current amount of money in the Gulf Trust; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what criteria are used to determine whether or not payments are made from the Gulf Trust; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) how much money was received and paid out by the Gulf Trust in (a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c 1992–93 and (d) 1993–94; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what consideration he has given to seeking to alter the criteria under which payments are made from the Gulf Trust; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Contractors
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan),Official Report, columns 473-74, if he will list those contractors that have quality management system certifications which have been (a) subject to assessment by his Department or (b) can be shown to be acceptable to the corresponding ministry in another NATO country.

  Mr. Aitken
  Approximately 1,000 United Kingdom defence contractors hold quality system certification following assessment by MOD. They are listed in the "United Kingdom Register of Quality Assessed Companies" maintained and issued by the Department of Trade and Industry. The DTI register also identifies those United Kingdom contractors who hold quality system certification granted by third party certification bodies holding appropriate accreditation from the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies.

  Each NATO MOD is responsible for identifying contractors with acceptable quality management systems, details of which are available to United Kingdom MOD, on request.

  Rwanda
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent his staff have been involved in United Nations contingency planning for United Nations sanctioned operations in Rwanda; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Ministry of Defence staff have not been involved in United Nations contingency planning sanctioned operations in Rwanda.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with(a) his NATO counterparts, and (b) his UN counterparts relating to the situation in Rwanda; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has not had any discussions with either his NATO or UN counterparts relating to the situation in Rwanda.

  Airworks plc
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have arisen in the contract awarded to Airworks plc to fit defensive systems to Hercules aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  Varying degrees of minor repairable damage was caused to 11 Hercules aircraft; rectification will be complete shortly, at the contractor's expense, and no long-term operational or airworthiness concerns are likely to arise from this problem.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number and nature of current contracts his Department has with Airworks plc; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department currently has some 41 contracts with Airworks plc. Details of the subject matter of all those contracts are not held centrally. However, the company is recognised as a supplier of a wide range of services, such as repair, maintenance, modification and ancillary tasks, in support of aircraft, rotorcraft, simulators and training aids, radio, radar, electronics, avionics and test equipment.

  Recruitment Targets
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out for each service the annual targets for recruitment in 1993–94 of officers and other ranks and the extent to which these targets have been achieved.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 14 February 1994]The recruiting targets for the year ending 5 April 1994, and achievements in recruitment up to January 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:

  Target

  Achieved

  Percentage achieved

  Royal Navy Officers

  Officers

  478

  285

  60

  Other ranks

  1,439

  928

  64

  Army

  Officers

  1,005

  664

  65

  Other ranks

  8,992

  6,702

  75

  Royal Air Force

  Officers

  328

  235

  72

  Other ranks

  696

  537

  77

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Braizier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the Territorial Army to contribute to operational commitments undertaken by the regular Army.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Further to my announcement of 17 June 1993,Official Report, columns 1009-11, we plan to deploy a Territorial Army platoon in support of the regular Army in the Falkland Islands from July to November this year and a TA company as part of the Falkland Islands garrison from March to July next year. Both deployments will represent a pilot scheme to test the use of the TA in this way and will, if successful, facilitate the wider use of our volunteer reserves in circumstances short of war.

  SHEEP-DIP EXPOSURE: RESEARCH PROJECT
  SHEEP-DIP EXPOSURE: RESEARCH PROJECT
  ALKYL NITRITES and AIDS
  ALKYL NITRITES and AIDS
  DRUGS BUDGET: PROPOSED CUTS
  DRUGS BUDGET: PROPOSED CUTS
  DISPENSING BY DOCTORS
  DISPENSING BY DOCTORS
  DISPENSING: CLOTHIER COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
  DISPENSING: CLOTHIER COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
  TERRITORIAL ARMY OPERATIONAL ROLE
  TERRITORIAL ARMY OPERATIONAL ROLE
  AFRICA: ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORM ASSISTANCE
  AFRICA: ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORM ASSISTANCE