Written Answers of 27 April 1994

TREASURY

  Inland Revenue Unit Costs
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give his best estimate of the Inland Revenue's main unit costs for dealing with the tax affairs of(a) employees on PAYE liable at the basic rate and the higher rate, (b) the self-employed and (c) occupational pensioners.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information in the precise form requested is not available. The Inland Revenue's management plan, which will be published shortly, will give the unit costs for all schedule E taxpayer records, including PAYE taxpayer and occupational pensioners; all schedule D records, including the self-employed.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he expects that the Inland Revenue will have issued tax codes incorporating the new company car benefit charges for 1994–95 to the majority of company car users;

  (2) what proportion of tax codings issued to taxpayers by the Inland Revenue for the tax year 1994–95 have included the benefit charge for use of a company car in 1994–95 as announced in the Budget in November 1993.

  Mr. Dorrell
  By now, all employees and employers should have received 1994–95 PAYE codes based on the most up to date information about car benefits and other matters held by the Revenue.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give(a) the number of cases and (b) the average amount of tax involved where capital gains tax was remitted because the taxpayer had left the country for each year since 1984.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The number of cases and the average amount of tax involved where capital gains tax was remitted because the taxpayer has left the country for each year since 1984 is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  Average amount in £

  1984

  207

  8,662

  1985

  194

  7,431

  1986

  177

  27,381

  1987

  177

  15,506

  1988

  238

  8,737

  1989

  204

  10,048

  1990

  218

  8,444

  1991

  345

  13,401

  1992

  448

  14,932

  162
  Figures for 1993 are not sufficiently complete to allow the necessary comparison to be made and consequently the information is not available in the form requested.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost of tax relief on income and capital gains from shareholdings held in PEPs for the year 1996–97, assuming that the uptake of PEPs continues at its present rate and that there is no change in income or capital gains tax legislation.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This would depend on rates of return from PEP investments in 1996–97.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional proposals he has to reduce tax avoidance.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The 1994 Finance Bill contains a number of important new anti-avoidance measures which are expected to yield almost £2 billion over the next three years. The Government will be considering whether further measures will be announced in the next Budget.

  Payment of Accounts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends taking action to make it a criminal offence for companies deliberately to delay payment of accounts.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government's consultation exercise on late payment ended on 31 March 1994. We are currently considering the responses and the Government will announce their decision in due course.

  VAT
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the contribution to the change in level of imports from Europe in the first half of 1993 of evasion of value added tax following the abolition of the request for imports declared at customs.

  Sir John Cope
  This change provided no new opportunities for VAT evasion, so the question of assessing the amount does not arise.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of VAT repayment cheques stolen in each of the last five years.

  Sir John Cope
  The value of VAT payable orders which have been fraudulently encashed in each of the last five years is as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  25,052

  1990–91

  161,235

  1991–92

  85,246

  1992–93

  11,194,650

  1993–94

  20,327

  1Includes a payable order for £1,156,806 stolen en route to Haringey borough council.

  Excluding the Haringey case, £230,956 of the total of
  £329,704 misappropriated has been recovered.
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  The sums still outstanding continue to be subject to any further recovery action that is practically possible.

  Import Duties
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much duty was collected on imports of(a) alcoholic beverages and (b) tobacco in the first half of 1993 and the first half of 1992; and what is his estimate of the revenue lost from the new system of recording the trade figures.

  Sir John Cope
  Estimates for the amount of duty paid on imported products are calculated only on an annual basis. The figures for 1992 are £1,620 million for alcoholic beverages and £620 million for tobacco. A breakdown between imports and domestic sales is not yet available for 1993. The new system of recording the trade figures has no effect on the amount of duty collected.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what negotiations have been taking place between the International Monetary Fund over Mozambique.

  Sir John Cope
  The Mozambican authorities have recently completed discussions with IMF staff on an extension of the three-year enhanced structural adjustment fund programme which ended in 1993. They have also been negotiating an economic recovery package with the World bank. The Mozambican authorities, the fund, and the bank will now collaborate to produce a policy framework paper which will identify Mozambique's macroeconomic and structural policy objectives, Mozambique's strategy to achieve them, and the associated financing requirements, during the fourth year of its ESAF programme. The details of discussions between fund and bank staff of a member's policies are confidential to them.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all categories of public service employees who will receive pay rises above 1.5 per cent. in the current year; and what are the percentage rises in each case.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government expect pay in the public sector in 1994–95 to be considered in accordance with the approach which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor announced in his statement of 14 September 1993 and which he confirmed in the Budget. I expect that public sector groups will be subject to a variety of pay settlements.

  Regulatory Bodies
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the regulatory bodies set up since 1979 to regulate industries or public services which have been privatised since that date; and if he will set out in each case how much it costs to run and how many people it employs.

  Mr. Portillo
  The relevant bodies and their planned cost and staff numbers for 1994–95 are as follows:
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  Organisation

  Cost (£ million)

  Staff numbers

  Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL)

  8·6

  171

  Office of Gas Supply (OFGAS)

  4·4

  63

  Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER)

  10·9

  234

  Office of Electricity Regulation (Northern Ireland)

  0·9

  16

  Office of Water Services (OFWAT)

  9·5

  150

  Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR)

  6·5

  90

  D-day Commemoration
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the involvement of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the appointment of Lowe Bell Communications as consultants for the D-day commemoration.

  Mr. Portillo
  None.

  Retail Prices Index
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the individual components of the retail prices index; what are the prices for each item in the latest monthly survey; and what were the corresponding figures(a) 12 months and (b) 24 months earlier.

  Sir John Cope
  A list of the price indicators used for the retail prices index was published in the April 1993 Retail Prices Index Business Monitor MM23. A new list will be published shortly.

  The purpose of the RPI is to measure price change rather than price levels. For many of the items, which are heterogeneous, the data are not suitable for the calculation of average prices.

  Those average prices that can be calculated are published in the RPI Business Monitor MM23 since February 1993 and also in the Employment Gazette.

  Edinburgh Summit
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the assumption made at the Edinburgh summit with regard to increases in own resources related to cohesion and other aspects; and if he will set out the extent to which those assumptions have been fulfilled.

  Sir John Cope
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]:The Edinburgh European Council agreed the following own resources ceilings:

  Own resources ceiling (percentage of European Community GNP)

  Year

  Percentage

  1993

  1·20

  1994

  1·20

  1995

  1·21

  1996

  1·22

  1997

  1·24

  1998

  1·26

  1999

  1·27

  The own resources ceiling is an upper limit on the Community's own resources, not a target. The ceilings for 1995 to 1999 will be included in a new own resources decision, which will be put before the House for approval once a text has been agreed by the Council of Ministers.
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  Definitive outturn figures for the level of own resources called up for the 1993 Community budget are not yet available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Weapons Sales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs visited Rio; what weapons he was attempting to sell; which country he was attempting to sell them to; and which companies he was assisting.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have made no ministerial visits to Brazil.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for how many regular publications he was responsible in 1993–94 or the latest year for which figures are available; what was their circulation; and how many were obtainable by subscription.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department publishes a regular "Guide for Business" available free on request to United Kingdom firms with a current print run of 75,000 and the yearly "Expenditure Plans" report—DTI's annual report—which is a sale publication via Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Two regular magazines are also distributed free of charge: "Overseas Trade" with a circulation of 32,000, with copies available to exporting firms, and "Review" with a circulation of 30,000 and available to those interested in renewable energy.

  A number of other annual reports, regular bulletins and newsletters on various business, energy and consumer issues are published. A comprehensive list is not held centrally but some of the main publications are listed in the "Guide for Business" and the "Expenditure Plans" report.

  Company Invoices
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expect to respond to the consultation exercise on the late payment of company invoices.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The late payment of commercial debt consultation concluded on 31 March 1994. A decision will be announced as soon as possible.

  Departmental Laboratories and Agencies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of employment in whole-time equivalents in each of his Department's laboratories and agencies in each of the last three years and at the latest available date.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Number of permanent staff (whole-time equivalent)

  April 1991

  April 1992

  April 1993

  April 1994

  Accounts Services Agency

  86

  88·5

  88·5

  91

  Companies House

  1,081·5

  1,093

  983·5

  967

  Insolvency Service

  1,483·5

  1,549

  1,572·5

  1,600

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  340

  330·5

  313·5

  301

  166

  April 1991

  April 1992

  April 1993

  April 1994

  National Engineering Laboratory

  389

  388·5

  363·5

  285·5

  National Physical Laboratory

  827·5

  808

  767·5

  698·5

  National Weights Measures Laboratory

  42·5

  47·5

  48

  43·5

  Patent Office

  1,194

  1,037

  1,009

  954

  Radiocommunications Agency

  501·5

  517

  524·5

  528

  Warren Spring Laboratory

  310

  302·5

  266·5

  1*

  1* Warren Spring Laboratory has now merged with the Atomic Energy Authority to form the National Environmental Technology Centre. Staff in post on 1 March 1994 was 203·5.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provisions he has made for the substantial restructuring costs indicated by his consultants' review of DTI research laboratories; and where that provision will be found in his Department's accounts.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Following the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 14 April,Official Report, columns 251–53, in respect of my Department's research laboratories, the process of restructuring the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the National Engineering Laboratory and the National Physical Laboratory has now started. The financial provision that each laboratory will require for restructuring has yet to be finalised. The relevant sums will be published in my Department's Supply Estimates class IV vote 1 in due course.

  Condom Manufacture
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what effect the increase in the nominal exchange rate against the lira and the peseta since February 1993 has had on the profitability of condom manufacture in the United Kingdom; and if he will publish the increase in producer prices in terms of the ecu in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Italy and (c) Spain since February 1993 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Since February 1993, the nominal exchange rate of the lira against the pound has increased by 9 per cent. and the nominal exchange rate of the peseta against the pound has increased by 22 per cent. The Department is not in a position to assess the effect of exchange rate changes on the profitability of condom manufacture in the United Kingdom. Changes in producer prices in terms of the ecu can be readily derived from "Industrial Trends Monthly Statistics", published by EuroStat, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Internal Air Flights
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to order an investigation into the fare structure and prices charged for United Kingdom internal air flights.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Such investigations are a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority, and any concerns that the hon. Member has should be referred to the authority.

  Pyramid Selling
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will amend the regulations relating to pyramid selling to encompass all companies involved in transactions away from business premises.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Pyramid Selling Schemes Regulations are irrelevant to many transactions carried out away from business premises, including sales by a company where the sales force consists of its employees.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will amend the regulations regarding pyramid selling to provide an unlimited right for participants to return goods for a full refund regardless of condition within 90 days from commencement of their business.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No. Such a right would impose unwarranted compliance costs on trading which is subject to the regulations. This would put this method of trading at an unjustified competitive disadvantage.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will bring forward legislation to outlaw any business scheme of pyramid selling requiring payments purely for the benefit of registration where there is no supply of goods and services to consumers outside the scheme;

  (2) if he will bring forward proposals to enable trading standards officers to be responsible for enforcement of regulations regarding pyramid selling.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have, at present, no plans to amend the Fair Trading Act 1973 in this way.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the limit of purchases by those involved in pyramid selling within the first seven days of business.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Although this was not raised by anyone in response to our deregulation consultation over this legislation, I have since received one such representation. In addition, I have had many representations on behalf of one company that considers this limit to be ineffective in providing protection to participants.

  Coal Authority
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria will be used to select members of the coal authority; when he will announce members of this body; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Coal Industry Bill, which provides for the establishment of the Coal Authority, would require my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in appointing members of the Coal Authority, to have regard to the desirability of appointing people with experience of, and who have shown capacity in, matters relevant to the authority's functions. My right hon. Friend would hope to indicate in the coming weeks who he would have it in mind to appoint in due course.

  Coal Industry Pensions
  Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what agreement has been reached between the Government and the trustees of the British Coal pension schemes on future arrangements for pensions from these schemes after privatisation.
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  Mr. Eggar
  Comprehensive agreements have been reached between the Government and the trustees of the mineworkers' pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme on future arrangements for the MPS and SSS after the privatisation of British Coal. The main elements of the agreement are as follows:

  (i) all pensioners and deferred pensioners of the MPS and SSS and all contributing members will be able to leave their past-service entitlements in the scheme at privatisation, if they so choose; the MPS and SSS will be closed to new members at privatisation and the new private-sector owners of the industry will not participate in the schemes;

  (ii) the schemes will be given a Government solvency guarantee that will ensure that pensions and deferred pensions are increased annually after privatisation in line with the retail price index by reference to their level at privatisation; MPS and SSS beneficiaries will in addition be able to benefit from any fund surpluses through bonus enhancements over and above RPI-linked levels; surpluses after 31 March 1994, and bonus enhancements paid from them, will not be guaranteed by the Government but the Government will guarantee that, in the event of a deficiency in the MPS or SSS which results in bonus enhancements being reduced, pensions—RPI-linked pension plus bonus enhancement—will not fall in cash terms;

  (iii) an investment reserve will be established in each scheme fund on which the first call will be made if a deficiency arises; the reserve will comprise British Coal's unused shares of the September 1993 surplus in the MPS and of the April 1992 surplus in the SSS; the investment reserve will therefore act as a measure of protection for bonus augmentations; the first use of any surplus following a deficiency will be to make up the investment reserve to the level that it would have been at had no deficiency payment been made;

  (iv) the investment reserve will be run down over a period of not less than 25 years by transfers to the Government as guarantor; at each valuation the scheme actuary will recommend the level of reserve to be maintained, taking prudent account of total liabilities and the smooth running of fund management, and the scale of any transfer; it is likely that transfers will be skewed towards the second half of the period; and individual transfer could be spread, on the advice of the scheme actuary, over a period of three years;

  (v) scheme beneficiaries and the Government as guarantor, will receive equal shares of any distributable surpluses from valuations after 31 March 1994; any share of such a surplus that becomes payable to the Government will be receivable in equal instalments over 10 years; deficiency payments due under the guarantee will also be payable over ten years;

  (iv) existing obligations on British Coal to make additional contributions in respect of early and enhanced pensions will be honoured in full by the Government;

  (vii) there will normally be triennial valuations of the schemes and if a valuation subsequent to a deficiency reveals a surplus, or vice versa, there will be a settling of balances before further payments by or to Government are determined, including a safeguard to ensure that beneficiaries and Government have received equal shares of any surplus distribution;

  (viii) the Government will propose amendments to the Coal Industry Bill, currently under consideration in another place, which would make the Secretary of State's powers to modify the MPS and SSS subject to a time limit of two years from the commencement of the solvency guarantee and would focus the Secretary of State's powers to direct the trustees on the twin objectives of avoiding and minimising fund deficiencies and maximising the potential for fund surpluses.

  The agreement will necessitate amendments to the draft modified MPS and SSS schemes and rules and draft MPS and SSS guarantee deeds that have been placed in the Library of the House.

  As a result of the restructuring and closure of the MPS and SSS it will be necessary to review the schemes' investment strategy. The appropriate strategy for the modified schemes will be developed by the trustees, in consultation with Government, in the light of advice from the schemes' actuary and from their investment advisers.

  169
  The aim of the investment strategy review will be to achieve a strategy which reflects the twin objectives of minimising the risk and extent of a call on the guarantee and maximising investment returns.

  I know that the MPS and SSS trustees attach particular importance to understanding how the Secretary of State might use the powers that the Coal Industry Bill would confer on him to secure that the trustees take account of the twin objectives of minimising the risk and extent of a call on the guarantee and maximising investment returns. I can assure the trustees that the Secretary of State, as guarantor, would only expect to exercise the powers conferred on him under the schemes to intervene in the day-to-day management of the scheme funds in the most exceptional circumstances. Any use of his powers would, therefore, normally only arise in the context of strategic investment policy or strategic investment decisions. He would intend only to use his powers in circumstances—which one hopes would be rare—where he considers it is necessary to do so to secure either of the twin objectives of minimising the risk and extent of calls on the guarantee or maximising surpluses. The schemes will also provide that he would, in any event, only exercise his powers after consultation with the trustees, unless in exceptional circumstances such consultation is impractical. The Secretary of State would also consult the trustees before changing the policy stated above. It may assist the trustees if I also point out that this of course does not preclude the Secretary of State having regard to other factors including the interests of beneficiaries to the extent that he considers appropriate.

  There has been concern about the appointment of "Government" trustees, including the chairman, to the modified MPS and SSS. I should therefore like to confirm that the Government-appointed trustees will act as normal trustees, guided by their fiduciary duties. I should also like to make clear that future chairmen of the modified MPS and SSS will not be Crown servants or members of the schemes and will be appointed by the Secretary of State only after consultation with the respective trustees. In practice, no proposed chairman will be acceptable unless supported by a clear majority of the trustees.

  I am pleased to announce that the Government intend to offer the current chairmen of the MPS and SSS, Mr. James Cowan and Sir Norman Siddall, re-appointment as chairmen for the first six months of operation of the modified schemes. I believe that their acceptance would greatly assist the transition to the new arrangements and would provide considerable reassurance to scheme members.

  The arrangements outlined here concern the future of the past service pension entitlements in the MPS and SSS of employees and former employees of British Coal and its subsidiaries. The Coal Industry Bill also provides for the creation of two new industry-wide pension schemes, one following on from the MPS and one from the SSS, for the future service entitlements of employees of British Coal and it subsidiaries who are transferred to employment in successor companies. The Government's proposals for these new industry-wide schemes, including protected person status for transferred employees, are not affected by the arrangements set out in this answer.

  Mr. Harold Bolter
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what position Harold Bolter currently holds for British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Yorkshire Rider
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice he has received from the Director General of Fair Trading concerning any reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the takeover of Yorkshire Rider by Badgerline; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has not received any advice from the Director General of Fair Trading on the proposed acquisition by Badgerline of Yorkshire Rider. The DGFT's view on the information he has received is that the transaction does not appear to qualify for investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the mergers provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the re-equipment costs, in actual and marginal terms, to the consumer of replacing existing analogue television sets and video recorders resulting from any Government decision to compel a move from analogue terrestrial television broadcasting to a digital system.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]:There has been no decision to compel a move from analogue terrestrial television broadcasting to digital systems. Neither is any form of compulsion on consumers envisaged for the future. The last precedent of a change of TV standard was the 405-line to 625-line change. This was achieved by natural replacement of television sets. Studies are being undertaken by the Radiocommunications Agency to see whether enough frequency channels exist to allow near national coverage of a digital terrestrial broadcasting service sometime in the future. This would be a prerequisite for eventually being able to switch off the analogue television networks. But in the short to medium term any move to digital terrestrial broadcasting is likely to be an opportunity both for broadcasters and viewers and not a requirement. As such there are no costs falling on consumers from compelling a move from analogue to digital. The United Kingdom network and consumer equipment market for digital video broadcasting is expected to be worth £5 billion to £10 billion over 15 years.

  European Funds
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list at current prices the total amount of funds which England received from the European Union structural fund in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]:There are no comprehensive figures for allocations to England from the structural funds, as the European agricultural

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  guidance and guarantee fund, guidance section, and parts of the European social fund are not allocated regionally. Allocations to England from the European regional development fund have been:

  Year

  £ million, current prices

  1979

  58

  1980

  80

  1981

  74

  1982

  114

  1983

  112

  1984

  197

  1985

  195

  1986

  190

  1987

  230

  1988

  172

  1989

  151

  1990

  208

  1991

  199

  1992

  296

  1993

  310

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list at current prices the total amount of funds available under each of the European structural funds for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: The total amounts allocated from each of the structural funds from 1979 to 1993 have been as follows:

  Total EC structural funds allocations

  Million ecu, current prices

  Year

  ERDF

  ESF

  EAGGF

  Total structural funds

  1979

  962

  775

  460

  2,197

  1980

  1,138

  1,015

  625

  2,778

  1981

  1,637

  996

  721

  3,354

  1982

  1,845

  1,510

  757

  4,112

  1983

  2,127

  1,878

  866

  4,871

  1984

  2,383

  1,854

  796

  5,033

  1985

  2,495

  2,189

  853

  5,537

  1986

  3,328

  2,523

  854

  6,705

  1987

  3,662

  3,524

  941

  8,127

  1988

  3,827

  2,871

  1,180

  7,878

  1989

  4,666

  3,478

  1,462

  9,606

  1990

  5,227

  3,505

  1,925

  10,657

  1991

  7,162

  4,787

  2,640

  14,589

  1992

  8,903

  5,881

  3,471

  18,255

  1993

  10,437

  6,408

  3,769

  20,614

  Note: Greece benefited from 1981 and Spain and Portugal from 1986.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 13 April,Official Report, column 171, if he will list the Community initiatives under which European funds have been made available since 1989.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: Community structural funds initiatives launched since 1989 have been ENVIREG, INTERREG, PRISMA, RECHAR, REGEN, REGIS, STRIDE, TELEMATIQUE, LEADER, EUROFORM, NOW, HORIZON, RETEX and KONVER.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what budgets have been allocated for each of the European Community initiatives launched since 1989.
  172
  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: Allocations to each of the Community initiatives launched since 1989 have been:

  Community initiatives

  million ecu, 1994 prices

  ENVIREG

  590

  INTERREG

  970

  PRISMA

  120

  RECHAR

  390

  REGEN

  390

  REGIS

  280

  STRIDE

  480

  TELEMATIQUE

  240

  LEADER

  470

  EUROFORM

  300

  NOW

  148

  HORIZON

  220

  RETEX

  100

  KONVER

  130

  Pubic Appointments
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions he has used his power to overturn appointments recommended by the regulators of utilities or other non-elected public bodies over the last five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 25 April 1994]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade does not have powers to overturn these appointments. Where regulators and others are required to consult the President of the Board of Trade, they do so, and take account of the response. The question of overturning appointments does not therefore arise.

PRIME MINISTER

  State Property, Downing Street
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) who maintains the inventory of state property at Downing street;

  (2) who is the appointed auditor responsible as part of his duties for checking the Downing street inventory; when the inventory was last checked; and what was the result of that check.

  The Prime Minister
  There is no single inventory of state property at No. 10. Separate inventories are maintained for differing purposes. Those responsible for maintaining them are also responsible for making periodic checks of the items against inventory. Cabinet Office internal auditors are free to check the inventories at any time they wish.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Civil Servants (Dismissal)
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants who have been the subject of adverse published reports have been dismissed during the past 12 months.

  Mr. David Davis
  Civil servants, like other employees, can be dismissed only if personal culpability is established
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  in the course of properly constituted disciplinary or criminal proceedings. A number of such proceedings have resulted in dismissal during the last 12 months, although details are not held centrally and I am not aware of any such civil servants who have been named in adverse published reports.

  Forward Look
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the first Forward Look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology will be published.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The first Forward Look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology is being published today. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I am also placing in the Libraries copies of the advice we have received from outside bodies on the Forward Look.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Leytonstone Fire Station
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will clarify the London fire and civil defence authority's proposals for reducing the effect of diesel exhaust emissions from fire appliances turning out from Leytonstone fire station on that fire station's personnel.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I am informed by the chief fire officer that provision has been made in the minor improvements programme for 1994–95 for the staircase at Leytonstone fire station to be altered and enclosed.

  Police Authorities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state by police authority in England(a) the cost of police per unit D of council tax,
  (b) the number of police per square mile and
  (c) expenditure per head of population.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is given in the table. Police coverage by area is normally expressed as hectares per officer.

  Cost of police per unit D of council tax, hectares covered per police officer and expenditure on the police per head of population

  Police force

  Cost per unit D of council tax1 (£)

  Hectares covered per officer2

  Expenditure per head of population3 (£)

  Avon and Somerset

  263

  155

  90

  Bedfordshire

  268

  105

  89

  Cambridgeshire

  265

  275

  86

  Cheshire

  245

  121

  83

  Cleveland

  395

  39

  113

  Cumbria

  317

  574

  103

  Derbyshire

  273

  142

  85

  Devon and Cornwall

  254

  351

  89

  Dorset

  238

  204

  91

  Durham

  330

  175

  92

  Essex

  254

  122

  91

  Gloucestershire

  273

  223

  98

  Greater Manchester

  397

  18

  116

  Hampshire

  236

  127

  83

  Hertfordshire

  223

  88

  87

  Humberside

  347

  173

  100

  174

  Police force

  Cost per unit D of council tax1 (£)

  Hectares covered per officer2

  Expenditure per head of population3 (£)

  Kent

  273

  119

  98

  Lancashire

  325

  95

  99

  Leicestershire

  270

  138

  83

  Lincolnshire

  290

  490

  91

  Merseyside

  494

  14

  139

  Norfolk

  248

  371

  82

  Northamptonshire

  300

  199

  94

  Northumbria

  363

  154

  104

  North Yorkshire

  246

  586

  87

  Nottinghamshire

  324

  92

  96

  South Yorkshire

  345

  51

  96

  Staffordshire

  283

  123

  87

  Suffolk

  247

  308

  82

  Surrey

  229

  88

  98

  Sussex

  219

  126

  85

  Thames Valley

  241

  151

  90

  Warwickshire

  275

  194

  97

  West Mercia

  235

  361

  80

  West Midlands

  397

  13

  113

  West Yorkshire

  382

  39

  111

  Wiltshire

  273

  295

  97

  City of London

  19,979

  0·34

  12,772

  Metropolitan

  522

  7

  207

  1 Based on estimated expenditure for 1993–94 and 1993–94 taxbase.

  2 Based on police force establishment at 31 December 1993.

  3 Based on estimated expenditure for 1993–94 and population as at June 1992.

  Prison Sentences
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require criminals convicted of murder or serious physical offences against police officers to be sentenced to a fixed period of imprisonment to which only special limited rules of remission would apply; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Life imprisonment is already the mandatory sentence for murder of a police officer. There are no plans to introduce mandatory sentences for other offences committed against police officers or to introduce special release arrangements for offenders convicted of such offences.

  Physical Restraints
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the prison governor and doctor are always informed when a prisoner is put into physical restraint; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 27 April 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prisoners put into physical restraints. In a prison, if a prisoner is put into physical restraints, other than the temporary application of ratchet handcuffs, the governor and medical officer must be informed.
  Where a prisoner is escorted outside the prison, for example to attend court, the medical officer need not be told if handcuffs are to be used, since it is the normal presumption that they will be used. If any other form of restraint is to be used outside the prison, the medical officer must be informed.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female officers there were in each constabulary and at each rank per constabulary in England and Wales in (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1993.

  Table 1 Police service in England and Wales Strength for ordinary duty return for 31 December 1990 Male ranks

  Police force name

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief

  Assistant Chief

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total Male ranks

  Total police ranks

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  1

  3

  13

  38

  67

  149

  463

  2,034

  2,769

  3,059

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  15

  20

  50

  138

  689

  920

  1,064

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  12

  24

  59

  189

  772

  1,064

  1,186

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  2

  6

  22

  33

  105

  270

  1,235

  1,675

  1,898

  City of London

  1

  1

  1

  6

  11

  20

  53

  118

  494

  705

  796

  Cleveland

  1

  1

  2

  6

  17

  26

  86

  230

  959

  1,328

  1,485

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  1

  7

  19

  24

  69

  188

  749

  1,059

  1,189

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  25

  33

  92

  251

  1,155

  1,567

  1,751

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  1

  2

  13

  35

  47

  131

  446

  1,910

  2,586

  2,867

  Dorset

  1

  1

  1

  5

  16

  22

  69

  187

  826

  1,128

  1,272

  Durham

  1

  1

  2

  4

  17

  28

  78

  209

  913

  1,253

  1,364

  Essex

  1

  1

  3

  11

  31

  59

  122

  423

  1,911

  2,562

  2,884

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  14

  20

  56

  165

  786

  1,050

  1,158

  Greater Manchester

  1

  1

  6

  26

  92

  127

  395

  1,024

  4,458

  6,130

  7,010

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  3

  11

  36

  53

  132

  466

  2,146

  2,849

  3,170

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  22

  31

  87

  240

  1,032

  1,423

  1,659

  Humberside

  1

  1

  2

  8

  23

  36

  106

  312

  1,341

  1,830

  1,989

  Kent

  1

  1

  3

  12

  36

  46

  171

  413

  1,934

  2,617

  2,988

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  3

  13

  39

  72

  159

  507

  2,065

  2,860

  3,199

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  1

  7

  22

  30

  102

  274

  1,141

  1,579

  1,784

  Lincolnshire

  1

  1

  0

  4

  10

  24

  64

  194

  788

  1,086

  1,205

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  3

  18

  60

  79

  256

  727

  2,967

  4,112

  4,679

  Metropolitan Police

  6

  14

  31

  153

  249

  502

  1,428

  4,181

  18,046

  24,610

  28,152

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  6

  17

  22

  65

  194

  972

  1,279

  1,394

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  13

  22

  71

  165

  752

  1,032

  1,144

  Northumbria

  1

  1

  3

  13

  49

  61

  189

  508

  2,361

  3,186

  3,528

  North Yorkshire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  14

  25

  76

  203

  917

  1,246

  1,379

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  28

  32

  128

  329

  1,604

  2,133

  2,342

  South Yorkshire

  1

  1

  3

  11

  38

  43

  163

  440

  1,964

  2,664

  2,984

  Staffordshire

  1

  1

  2

  11

  31

  49

  121

  328

  1,367

  1,911

  2,193

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  1

  6

  17

  18

  56

  177

  795

  1,072

  1,195

  Surrey

  1

  1

  2

  7

  22

  24

  90

  244

  1,055

  1,446

  1,654

  Sussex

  1

  1

  3

  10

  32

  39

  175

  441

  1,984

  2,686

  2,984

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  3

  11

  35

  47

  174

  481

  2,461

  3,214

  3,706

  Warwickshire

  1

  1

  0

  5

  14

  16

  61

  155

  651

  904

  1,014

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  2

  11

  27

  40

  126

  290

  1,277

  1,775

  2,022

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  4

  25

  78

  118

  375

  1,034

  4,256

  5,892

  6,881

  West Yorkshire

  1

  1

  5

  19

  69

  79

  279

  793

  3,416

  4,662

  5,276

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  16

  24

  58

  182

  752

  1,041

  1,157

  Dyfed Powys

  1

  1

  1

  7

  13

  21

  36

  152

  615

  847

  936

  Gwent

  1

  1

  1

  5

  14

  17

  46

  154

  668

  907

  1,001

  North Wales

  1

  1

  2

  7

  25

  27

  66

  203

  868

  1,200

  1,339

  South Wales

  1

  1

  3

  14

  39

  62

  175

  528

  2,028

  2,851

  3,123

  Total all forces

  48

  56

  118

  548

  1,452

  2,209

  6,549

  18,616

  81,114

  110,710

  125,060

  Police service in England and Wales Strength for ordinary duty return for 31 December 1990 Female ranks

  Police force name

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief

  Assistant Chief

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total female ranks

  Total police ranks

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  12

  273

  290

  3,059

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  8

  132

  144

  1,064

  Cambrideshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  5

  115

  122

  1,186

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  22

  196

  223

  1,898

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  10

  78

  91

  796

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  8

  7

  140

  157

  1,485

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  125

  130

  1,189

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  8

  6

  167

  184

  1,751

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  14

  263

  281

  2,867

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  3

  7

  132

  144

  1,272

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  4

  105

  111

  1,364

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  7

  23

  291

  322

  2,884

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  105

  108

  1,158

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  13

  47

  815

  880

  7,010

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  12

  305

  321

  3,170

  176
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information for 1990 and 1993 is provided in tables 1 and 2. Information for 1980 and 1985 in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Tables 3 and 4 show police strength by rank for those years. Information on overall proportions of male and female officers in each force is contained in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, copies of which are in the Library.
  177

  Police force name

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief

  Assistant Chief

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total female ranks

  Total police ranks

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  11

  222

  236

  1,659

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  6

  149

  159

  1,989

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  21

  345

  371

  2,988

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  6

  17

  313

  339

  3,199

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  13

  185

  205

  1,784

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  4

  109

  119

  1,205

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  6

  36

  519

  567

  4,679

  Metropolitan Police

  0

  0

  0

  3

  8

  13

  29

  261

  3,228

  3,542

  28,152

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  7

  106

  115

  1,394

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  107

  112

  1,144

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  16

  319

  342

  3,528

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  10

  121

  133

  1,379

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  9

  198

  209

  2,342

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  13

  300

  320

  2,984

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  14

  265

  282

  2,193

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  5

  115

  123

  1,195

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  12

  194

  208

  1,654

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  19

  276

  298

  2,984

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  4

  21

  462

  492

  3,706

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  3

  103

  110

  1,014

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  11

  233

  247

  2,022

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  15

  58

  912

  989

  6,881

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  10

  27

  574

  614

  5,276

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  7

  107

  116

  1,157

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  85

  89

  936

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  87

  94

  1,001

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  8

  129

  139

  1,339

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  15

  253

  272

  3,123

  Total all forces

  0

  0

  1

  9

  30

  52

  181

  819

  13,258

  14,350

  125,060

  Table 2 Police service in England and Wales Strength for ordinary duty return for 31 December 1993 Male ranks

  Police force name

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief

  Assistant Chief

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total male ranks

  Total police ranks

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  1

  3

  9

  29

  51

  159

  452

  1,993

  2,698

  3,034

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  4

  13

  15

  56

  148

  754

  993

  1,168

  Cambrideshire

  1

  1

  1

  2

  13

  23

  60

  189

  823

  1,113

  1,266

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  1

  4

  19

  29

  104

  269

  1,219

  1,647

  1,873

  City of London

  0

  1

  0

  5

  9

  18

  54

  124

  556

  767

  884

  Cleveland

  1

  1

  2

  0

  11

  20

  83

  204

  926

  1,248

  1,414

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  1

  6

  15

  21

  70

  182

  734

  1,031

  1,185

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  2

  5

  21

  30

  92

  258

  1,171

  1,581

  1,790

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  1

  3

  9

  37

  47

  134

  444

  1,879

  2,555

  2,908

  Dorset

  1

  1

  1

  6

  17

  24

  70

  191

  821

  1,132

  1,292

  Durham

  1

  1

  1

  5

  16

  20

  76

  208

  906

  1,234

  1,389

  Essex

  1

  0

  3

  10

  31

  53

  131

  431

  1,888

  2,548

  2,947

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  4

  11

  22

  57

  161

  746

  1,004

  1,140

  Greater Manchester

  1

  1

  5

  22

  76

  112

  403

  996

  4,443

  6,059

  7,047

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  3

  5

  37

  42

  143

  484

  2,132

  2,848

  3,270

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  2

  5

  20

  32

  87

  236

  1,033

  1,417

  1,679

  Humberside

  1

  1

  2

  8

  15

  35

  98

  290

  1,362

  1,812

  2,028

  Kent

  1

  1

  3

  10

  26

  45

  178

  420

  2,034

  2,718

  3,182

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  3

  9

  34

  63

  165

  484

  1,977

  2,737

  3,140

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  17

  25

  103

  267

  1,169

  1,590

  1,838

  Lincolnshire

  1

  0

  1

  4

  12

  19

  62

  185

  779

  1,063

  1,203

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  3

  17

  58

  71

  252

  705

  2,904

  4,012

  4,663

  Metropolitan Police

  5

  13

  28

  113

  212

  452

  1,362

  4,262

  17,286

  23,733

  27,605

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  5

  14

  23

  65

  203

  970

  1,283

  1,434

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  1

  4

  14

  22

  68

  161

  772

  1,044

  1,181

  Northumbria

  1

  1

  2

  10

  36

  57

  168

  500

  2,402

  3,177

  3,589

  North Yorkshire

  1

  0

  2

  4

  11

  23

  69

  195

  876

  1,181

  1,333

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  2

  6

  24

  27

  123

  323

  1,549

  2,056

  2,337

  South Yorkshire

  1

  1

  3

  12

  35

  43

  160

  430

  1,945

  2,630

  3,015

  Staffordshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  23

  40

  117

  330

  1,352

  1,874

  2,202

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  1

  5

  16

  18

  63

  178

  779

  1,062

  1,216

  Surrey

  1

  1

  1

  6

  19

  18

  82

  249

  1,062

  1,439

  1,667

  Sussex

  1

  1

  2

  6

  28

  36

  172

  430

  1,952

  2,628

  2,977

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  2

  9

  35

  43

  185

  486

  2,565

  3,327

  3,894

  Warwickshire

  1

  1

  1

  3

  14

  16

  55

  152

  641

  884

  1,025

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  2

  7

  24

  36

  128

  284

  1,308

  1,791

  2,056

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  4

  20

  76

  95

  363

  978

  4,295

  5,833

  6,968

  West Yorkshire

  1

  1

  4

  8

  49

  70

  258

  728

  3,227

  4,346

  4,988

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  11

  20

  65

  185

  825

  1,114

  1,273

  Dyfed Powys

  1

  1

  1

  3

  13

  20

  41

  150

  617

  847

  966

  Gwent

  0

  1

  1

  4

  11

  14

  44

  149

  649

  873

  989

  North Wales

  1

  1

  1

  7

  21

  26

  67

  215

  845

  1,184

  1 341

  South Wales

  1

  1

  3

  7

  32

  51

  165

  496

  2,098

  2,854

  3,142

  178 179

  Police force name

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief

  Assistant Chief

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total Male ranks

  Total police ranks

  Total all forces

  45

  52

  108

  407

  1,255

  1,967

  6,457

  18,412

  80,264

  108,967

  125,538

  Police service in England and Wales Strength for ordinary duty return for 31 December 1993 Female ranks

  Police force name

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief

  Assistant Chief

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total Female ranks

  Total police ranks

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  17

  312

  336

  3,034

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  11

  159

  175

  1,168

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  10

  141

  153

  1,266

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  24

  196

  226

  1,873

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  6

  105

  117

  884

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  12

  148

  166

  1,414

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  147

  154

  1,185

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  7

  195

  209

  1,790

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  19

  328

  353

  2,908

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  12

  145

  160

  1,292

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  7

  146

  155

  1,389

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  11

  23

  364

  399

  2,947

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  128

  136

  1,140

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  17

  65

  899

  988

  7,047

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  19

  396

  422

  3,270

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  13

  247

  262

  1,679

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  11

  203

  216

  2,028

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  36

  423

  464

  3,182

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  7

  24

  370

  403

  3,140

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  4

  14

  226

  248

  1,838

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  10

  125

  140

  1,203

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  3

  11

  53

  581

  651

  4,663

  Metropolitan Police

  0

  0

  0

  4

  7

  8

  39

  297

  3,517

  3,872

  27,605

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  7

  141

  151

  1,434

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  7

  128

  137

  1,181

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  7

  16

  386

  412

  3,589

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  4

  143

  152

  1,333

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  9

  267

  281

  2,337

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  1

  25

  354

  385

  3,015

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  12

  311

  328

  2,202

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  7

  144

  154

  1,216

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  19

  204

  228

  1,667

  Sussex

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  3

  32

  312

  349

  2,977

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  2

  8

  30

  522

  567

  3,894

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  2

  135

  141

  1,025

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  17

  245

  265

  2,056

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  20

  76

  1,033

  1,135

  6,968

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  13

  28

  597

  642

  4,988

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  9

  146

  159

  1,273

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  112

  119

  966

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  108

  116

  989

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  7

  146

  157

  1,341

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  4

  23

  260

  288

  3,142

  Total all forces

  0

  0

  3

  11

  27

  54

  237

  1,044

  15,195

  16,571

  125,538

  Police Service strength by rank in England and Wales as at 31 December 1980

  Police Force

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Totals

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  1

  3

  13

  38

  70

  148

  465

  2,223

  2,962

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  15

  17

  51

  140

  732

  963

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  15

  24

  52

  177

  810

  1,086

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  22

  31

  105

  282

  1,381

  1,833

  Cleveland

  1

  1

  2

  7

  20

  28

  89

  229

  1,077

  1,454

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  1

  7

  17

  24

  69

  172

  812

  1,104

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  28

  34

  101

  254

  1,403

  1,832

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  1

  3

  15

  32

  56

  134

  444

  2,035

  2,721

  Dorset

  1

  —

  1

  5

  14

  22

  61

  179

  884

  1,167

  Durham

  1

  1

  2

  8

  19

  29

  69

  208

  1,008

  1,345

  Dyfed Powys

  1

  1

  1

  7

  10

  25

  36

  155

  693

  929

  Essex

  1

  1

  3

  11

  28

  60

  113

  416

  1,976

  2,609

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  14

  20

  57

  170

  849

  1,119

  Greater Manchester

  1

  1

  6

  29

  93

  150

  421

  1,083

  5,139

  6,923

  Gwent

  1

  1

  1

  6

  10

  22

  14

  147

  741

  973

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  3

  14

  30

  65

  127

  433

  2,384

  3,058

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  2

  9

  22

  31

  82

  246

  1,124

  1,518

  180 181

  Police Force

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Totals

  Humberside

  1

  1

  2

  10

  27

  38

  103

  315

  1,454

  1,951

  Kent

  1

  1

  4

  11

  33

  54

  167

  418

  2,182

  2,871

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  4

  16

  44

  70

  159

  513

  2,312

  3,120

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  25

  36

  91

  282

  1,275

  1,720

  Lincolnshire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  15

  29

  63

  181

  884

  1,183

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  5

  20

  61

  72

  234

  709

  3,488

  4,591

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  7

  15

  25

  65

  191

  943

  1,249

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  1

  7

  12

  25

  54

  149

  722

  971

  Northumbria

  1

  1

  3

  13

  50

  60

  190

  504

  2,518

  3,340

  North Wales

  1

  1

  1

  7

  18

  29

  62

  205

  966

  1,290

  North Yorkshire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  18

  30

  80

  201

  1,012

  1,352

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  2

  9

  35

  42

  132

  319

  1,668

  2,209

  South Wales

  1

  1

  2

  13

  42

  62

  179

  521

  2,247

  3,068

  South Yorkshire

  1

  1

  3

  11

  38

  44

  150

  428

  2,166

  2,842

  Staffordshire

  1

  1

  2

  10

  26

  46

  102

  329

  1,554

  2,071

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  1

  5

  11

  28

  55

  165

  855

  1,122

  Surrey

  1

  —

  2

  7

  22

  29

  78

  245

  1,205

  1,589

  Sussex

  1

  1

  3

  13

  39

  44

  155

  460

  2,107

  2,823

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  3

  12

  41

  63

  139

  460

  2,323

  3,043

  Warwickshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  12

  19

  56

  140

  680

  916

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  2

  10

  30

  38

  119

  268

  1,470

  1,939

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  6

  20

  80

  111

  355

  1,019

  4,946

  6,539

  West Yorkshire

  1

  1

  6

  26

  71

  88

  287

  808

  3,752

  5,040

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  11

  23

  48

  148

  793

  1,032

  City of London

  11

  21

  31

  7

  12

  18

  61

  141

  601

  843

  Metropolitan

  16

  216

  354

  193

  219

  431

  1,236

  3,789

  17,618

  23,562

  TOTALS

  47

  56

  151

  623

  1,434

  2,262

  6,179

  18,108

  87,012

  115,872

  1Includes ranks of assistant commissioner and above in Metropolitan police, and commissioner in City of London police.

  2 Includes deputy assistant commissioner in Metropolitan police, and assistant commissioner in City of London police.

  3Includes commanders in Metropolitan police and City of London police.

  Table 4 Police service strength by rank England and Wales as at 31 December 1985

  Police force

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Totals

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  1

  3

  13

  38

  69

  152

  464

  2,224

  2,965

  Bedfordshire

  1

  —

  1

  5

  15

  19

  52

  139

  750

  982

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  14

  25

  57

  182

  855

  1,141

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  22

  28

  103

  279

  1,359

  1,803

  Cleveland

  1

  1

  2

  6

  19

  27

  93

  235

  1,077

  1,461

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  1

  7

  17

  25

  71

  173

  824

  1,120

  Derbyshire

  1

  —

  1

  8

  26

  37

  102

  258

  1,332

  1,765

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  1

  3

  13

  36

  49

  133

  431

  2,080

  2,747

  Dorset

  1

  1

  1

  6

  17

  22

  66

  177

  911

  1,202

  Durham

  1

  1

  2

  8

  19

  27

  76

  212

  947

  1,293

  Dyfed Powys

  1

  1

  1

  7

  12

  24

  34

  153

  691

  924

  Essex

  1

  1

  3

  11

  28

  60

  121

  427

  2,026

  2,678

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  15

  18

  58

  174

  877

  1,151

  Greater Manchester

  1

  1

  6

  28

  93

  135

  405

  1,064

  5,046

  6,779

  Gwent

  1

  1

  1

  4

  14

  15

  49

  143

  743

  971

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  3

  12

  31

  56

  126

  437

  2,401

  3,068

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  2

  9

  25

  32

  93

  254

  1,167

  1,584

  Humberside

  1

  1

  1

  8

  24

  38

  107

  319

  1,437

  1,936

  Kent

  1

  1

  3

  12

  33

  48

  176

  427

  2,158

  2,859

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  4

  10

  42

  66

  156

  513

  2,211

  3,004

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  24

  36

  98

  282

  1,299

  1,750

  Lincolnshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  12

  22

  66

  179

  854

  1,141

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  3

  19

  61

  77

  248

  739

  3,405

  4,554

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  7

  16

  21

  68

  195

  953

  1,263

  Northamptonshire

  1

  —

  1

  6

  13

  22

  61

  152

  761

  1,017

  Northumbria

  1

  1

  3

  14

  49

  62

  193

  505

  2,540

  3,368

  North Wales

  1

  1

  1

  7

  21

  27

  65

  210

  918

  1,251

  North Yorkshire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  17

  29

  77

  205

  1,014

  1,353

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  —

  2

  8

  33

  31

  125

  320

  1,694

  2,214

  South Wales

  1

  1

  2

  13

  43

  63

  182

  526

  2,233

  3,064

  South Yorkshire

  1

  1

  3

  11

  37

  44

  160

  446

  2,147

  2,850

  Staffordshire

  1

  1

  2

  11

  30

  48

  116

  329

  1,564

  2,102

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  1

  6

  18

  20

  56

  174

  854

  1,131

  Surrey

  1

  1

  2

  7

  23

  26

  92

  244

  1,231

  1,627

  Sussex

  1

  1

  2

  12

  37

  42

  160

  420

  2,115

  2,790

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  2

  13

  41

  57

  166

  464

  2,538

  3,283

  Warwickshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  15

  17

  62

  139

  698

  939

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  2

  10

  30

  39

  128

  298

  1,415

  1,924

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  6

  21

  78

  120

  364

  1,043

  4,921

  6,555

  West Yorkshire

  1

  1

  4

  22

  69

  87

  284

  810

  3,771

  5,049

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  15

  20

  54

  157

  773

  1,028

  182 183

  Police force

  Chief Constable

  Deputy Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Chief Superintendent

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Totals

  City of London

  11

  21

  31

  6

  11

  19

  56

  129

  558

  782

  Metropolitan

  16

  217

  340

  185

  249

  491

  1,398

  4,387

  19,886

  26,659

  Totals

  48

  55

  127

  594

  1,482

  2,240

  6,509

  18,814

  89,258

  119,127

  1 Includes ranks of assistant commissioner and above in Metropolitan police, and commissioner in City of London police.

  2 Includes deputy assistant commissioner in Metropolitan police, and assistant commissioner in City of London police.

  3 Includes commanders in Metropolitan in Metropolitan police and City of London police.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many regular publications he was responsible in 1993–94; what was their circulation; and how many were obtainable by subscription.

  Mr. Howard
  There are around 60 such publications, details of which are included in the Home Office annual report 1994, Cm 2508, pages 95–101, available in the Library of the House. No central record is maintained of the circulation of these publications, but all regular publications may be obtained on standing order from the Home Office or from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

  Crime Statistics, Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported instances of crime there were in Wales in 1993; what percentage this represents of the same statistic for each of the five preceding years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on notifiable offences recorded by the police in Wales is given in the table.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in Wales

  Year

  Number of offences

  Percentage change over previous year

  1988

  196,457

  +1

  1989

  195,885

  —

  1990

  229,248

  +17

  1991

  271,038

  +18

  1992

  287,258

  +6

  1993

  279,018

  -3

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recruitment procedures were followed leading to the appointment of Sir Peter Woodward as the prisons ombudsman;

  (2) what will be the remit and powers of the prisons ombudsman; and if he will publish his job description;

  (3) how many staff will be appointed to the office of the prisons ombudsman;

  (4) what training his Department will provide for the prisons ombudsman and his staff.

  Concerted Acts of Indiscipline

  1993

  1994

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Total

  Acklington

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  Belmarsh

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  7

  Birmingham

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Blakenhurst

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  8

  Bristol

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Bullingdon

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  11

  184
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The recruitment of the prisons ombudsman was conducted by the Civil Service Commission, using public advertisement and an executive search agency.

  Sir Peter Woodhead will consider grievances from prisoners who have failed to obtain satisfaction from the Prison Service's internal complaints system, and he will, where necessary, make recommendations to the Director General of the Prison Service or to the Home Secretary. His full job description was published when the post was advertised and a copy is available in the Library.

  The prisons ombudsman will be supported by 12 staff, including three assistant ombudsmen. An induction programme will be arranged to include visits to prisons and consultations with Prison Service staff.

  Prison Statistics
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department plans to publish information on the reconviction of people released from custody, as stated in "Prison Statistics England and Wales 1991" Cm 2157.

  Mr. Maclean
  The main reconviction results for prisoners discharged in 1987 were given in my reply to the hon. Member on 18 October 1993 at column 133. A full analysis of the results will be published shortly.

  Prison (Indiscipline)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many concerted acts of indiscipline have taken place at each prison in England and Wales in each of the 12 months to March.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 27 April 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many concerted acts of indiscipline have taken at each prison in England and Wales in each of the 12 months to March 1994.M
  The information is given in the attached table.
  185

  1993

  1994

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Total

  Canterbury

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Channings WD

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Chelmsford

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Dartmoor

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Dorchester

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Elmley

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Erlestoke

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Everthorpe

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Exeter

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Featherstone

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Frankland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Full Sutton

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  7

  Garth

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Glen Parva

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Haslar

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Haverigg

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Highdown

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  Highpoint

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  Holloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Holme House

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Hull

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Lancaster Farms

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Lindholme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  3

  Long Lartin

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  Low Newton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  The Mount

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Northallerton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Nottingham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Parkhurst

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  Portland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Preston

  3

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Pucklechurch

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Risley

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Rochester

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Shepton Mallet

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Shrewsbury

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Stoke Heath

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Standford Hill

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Styal

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Swaleside

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  The Verne

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  2

  10

  Wayland

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Wetherby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Whitemoor

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  1

  2

  —

  11

  Winchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  The Wolds

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Woodhill

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Wormwood Scrubs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Wymott

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Total

  18

  10

  18

  7

  8

  18

  15

  9

  14

  10

  10

  10

  147

  Young Homeless
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to offer revised guidance concerning checks on those who provide emergency accommodation for the homeless in respect of the effect of the Children Act 1989 on the accommodation of those aged 16 and 17 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None. There is no statutory requirement for police checks to be carried out on those caring for children and the Children Act 1989 made no change to the statutory position.

  Immigration (Yugoslavia and Somalia)
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many individuals from Somalia have been granted visas to enter Britain as students since January 1991; and in how many instances a time limit has been set on their right to remain in Britain;

  (2) how many individuals from Somalia have been granted visas to enter Britain as visitors since January 1991; and in how many instances a time limit has been set on their right to remain in Britain;

  (3) how many individuals from the former Yugoslavia have been granted visas to enter Britain as visitors since January 1991; and in how many instances a time limit has been set on their right to remain in Britain;

  (4) how many individuals from the former Yugoslavia have been granted visas to enter Britain as students since January 1991; and in how many instances a time limit has been set on their right to remain in Britain.
  187
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The available information relates to nationals of Somalia and the former Yugoslavia given leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors and students, and is given in the table. Visitors are admitted for a period not exceeding six months. Students can be admitted for a longer specific period depending on their course of study.

  Nationals of Somalia and the former Yugoslavia given leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors and students

  Number of journeys

  Nationality/category

  1991

  1992

  1193

  Somalia:

  visitors

  1,340

  1,080

  1,370

  students

  20

  40

  30

  Former Yugoslavia:

  visitors

  40,900

  32,000

  26,400

  students

  4,920

  2,080

  3,430

  1 Figures are provisional.

  Probation Officers
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the recruitment and qualifying training of probation officers.

  Mr. Maclean
  A review of the recruitment and qualifying training of probation officers will begin on 3 May. It will be carried out by Miss Vivienne Dews.

  The terms of reference are as follows:
  Having regard to the probation service statement of purpose, responsibilities and operational goals; the Government's public spending plans and the likely future recruitment needs of the probation service; the competences appropriate for different grades of probation service staff; the need to secure maximum value for money from Home Office expenditure on or in connection with the probation service; the need to secure equality of opportunity for entry to the service; and relevant developments in higher education and vocational training generally;

  (a) to review the present qualification requirements governing appointment as a probation officer, and to consider how they might be changed and entry routes into the service enlarged in order to attract those with relevant experiences while maintaining a skilled and balanced workforce; and

  (b) in the light of (a) to review the present scheme for Home Office sponsorship of students undertaking qualifying training and to consider the extent to which and alternative methods by which funding should support probation service qualifying training.

  Independent Monitor (Immigration)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a report will be made available of the work done by the independent monitor appointed by him under section 3AA of the Immigration Act 1971, as amended by section 10 of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for Lady Anson, who must make her report by 30 November of this year.

EMPLOYMENT

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the annual rent of the jobcentre at Barnsley and the jobcentre at Wakefield occupied on 5 October 1992 and 19 July 1993.
  188
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. Fogden to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 April 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the annual rents of the Jobcentres at Barnsley and Wakefield.
  The annual rent of the Barnsley Jobcentre at 15 October 1992 was £237,133.
  The annual rent of the Wakefield Jobcentre at 19 July 1993 was £175,770.
  I hope this is helpful.

  HIV
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he or his ministerial colleagues have had with officials representing any retail establishments, regarding the legal and ethical considerations of screening for the HIV virus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Employment Ministers have had no such discussions. The Department's policy is set out in our booklet "AIDS and the Work Place—A guide for employers", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. There is no risk to fellow workers or the public from normal work contact—for example, in retail establishments—with an HIV-infected person.

  Advisers
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) claimant advisers and (b) new client advisers were in post for each year since these posts were established.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]:Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. Fogden to Mr. Frank Field, dated 27 April 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on the number of Claimant Advisers and New Client Advisers employed by Employment Services (ES) since the introduction of these posts.
  Our records only go back to the launch of the ES as an Agency in 1990 and the available information is shown below:—

  New client advisers

  Claimant advisers

  1990–91

  2,121

  2,803

  1991–92

  2,529

  3,372

  1992–93

  3,594

  3,122

  1993–94

  3,288

  3,139

  The fluctuations, year on year, are due to two main factors. First, the number of clients who attend our offices affects the number of advisers needed to help them; secondly, changes to the nature of advisory work itself—for instance, the introduction of the new Unified Advisory Service in 92/93—result in variations in the number of staff required.
  I hope this is helpful.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many letters sent by Mr. Simon Godfrey of Warwick in recent months have been lost by the Hastings office of the Child Support Agency; and how many of them were sent by recorded delivery and had been signed for by CSA staff;

  (2) how many complaints about lost correspondence have been received by the Child Support Agency since it began operations; and how many of those letters had been sent by recorded delivery.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Sir Dudley Smith, dated 27 April 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about lost correspondence, particularly in relation to Mr. Simon Godfrey of Warwick.
  Mr. Godfrey wrote to the Child Support Agency Centre at Hastings requesting a review of his maintenance assessment. He was mistakenly informed that this, and a number of subsequent letters, had not been received. The appeals and review manager at the Hastings Centre has written to Mr. Godfrey apologising for the mistake and answering the concerns raised in his letters.
  I hope you will convey to Mr. Godfrey my sincere apologies for the errors made in his case.
  You also asked about the number of complaints the Agency has received about lost correspondence. I am sorry that the Agency does not collect information in the form requested.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many non-resident parents so far assessed for maintenance by the Child Support Agency are on income support.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive of the Child Support Agency, to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 22 April at column 71.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) to what extent the income of the partner and stepchildren of the father of children of a previous relationship is taken into account by the Child Support Agency when a maintenance assessment is made;

  (2) why the income of the partner and stepchildren of a woman applicant is not taken into account by the Child Benefit Agency when a maintenance assessment is made in respect of her former husband or partner.

  Mr. Burt
  Child maintenance assessments are made by the Child Support Agency, using a formula which applies irrespective of whether the father or the mother is the absent parent.

  The agency needs details of the income of an absent parent's new partner for two reasons: first, to assess whether the partner can afford to contribute towards the upkeep of his or her own children of the new relationship, or whether the costs of those children should be allowed in full in the absent parent's exempt income; secondly, to determine whether the amount of maintenance the absent
  190
  parent has been assessed to pay should in fact be reduced, under the protected income provisions. Protected income is calculated for the whole family, so a stepchild's income is taken into account up to the amount included in that calculation for his or her personal needs.

  Where the parent with care can afford to contribute to the upkeep of a child of the previous relationship, the absent parent's maintenance payments may be reduced. Since parents with care do not make payments, no protected income calculation is necessary in respect of their new family. But a partner's income is taken into account where he or she can contribute to the upkeep of children of the new relationship.

  Benefits Agency Applications
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases there were of applicants to the Benefits Agency seeking help with funeral bills in Scotland in 1993; and of these how many were refused on the grounds that the applicant already had repayments to make for a social fund loan or loans.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mrs. Maria Fyfe, dated 26 April 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about requests for help with funeral bills in Scotland in 1993.
  I should explain that help with funeral bills can be provided from the Social Fund (SF) in the form of a Funeral Payment (FP). Applications for SF FPs are recorded when a decision (an award or refusal) is made. The number of decisions made in Scotland for the financial year 1993–94 was 11,395.
  With regard to the number of FP claims refused on the grounds that the customer was already repaying a SF loan, I should point out that the SF scheme is made up of two distinct and separate parts. The regulated part of the Fund is made up of Funeral Payments, Maternity Payments and Cold Weather Payments. The discretionary part of the Fund comprises Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans. The qualifying conditions for the regulated SF are quite specific. Repayment of a loan from the discretionary part of the SF does not affect an application for a regulated payment. SF FPs are only recovered if there are sufficient funds in the deceased's estate. They are not recoverable from the person to whom they are awarded. Therefore, no FP claims were refused because the applicant was repaying a SF loan.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of lone parents in Scotland were living on income support each year since 1979.

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

  Scotland

  Year

  Lone parents on benefits

  All lone parents

  Percentage %

  1979

  34,000

  —

  —

  1980

  35,000

  —

  —

  1981

  40,000

  93,000

  43

  1982

  47,000

  —

  —

  1983

  53,000

  —

  —

  1984

  52,000

  —

  —

  191

  Year

  Lone parents on benefit

  All lone parents

  Percentage %

  1986

  67,000

  —

  —

  1987

  76,000

  —

  —

  1988

  81,000

  —

  —

  1989

  88,000

  —

  —

  1990

  94,000

  —

  —

  1991

  102,000

  132,000

  77

  1992

  106,000

  —

  —

  1993

  106,000

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. Sources: Supplementary Benefit Statistics Annual Enquiries 1979–1987; Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries 1988–1992; Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1993. Census 1981 and 1991, General Register Office for Scotland.

  2. The answer has been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. Supplementary benefit data is not available for 1985.

  4. Information on the number of lone parents living in Scotland is only available for census years.

  5. 1981 census figures include unmarried parents living with children.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland have been refused income support.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested in respect of all claims from people aged 16 and 17 is not available. However, the success rate for those 16 and 17-year-olds who claimed under the severe hardship provision in Scotland was 82 per cent. in March 1994.

  State Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, for each of the member states of the European Union, the level of state retirement pensions at the most recent available dates in terms of(a) each country's currency, (b) ecus, (c) percentage of each country's average earnings and (d) in annual terms as a percentage of each country's gross domestic product per capita; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  Comparable figures on the level of state retirement pensions are not available in terms of national currency or ecus, or as a percentage of average earnings, for all European Union countries. This is because most have wholly earnings-related pension schemes, unlike the United Kingdom. In addition, information is not available on each member state's average level of earnings.

  Information on pensions in the EU can be found in "MISSOC Social Protection", a copy of which is in the Library. In the United Kingdom information is published about levels of earnings from data collected in the New Earnings Survey; few countries have comparable surveys.

  Child Benefit

  Method of payment

  Period

  Number of new claims

  Automated credit transfer

  Four-weekly order-book

  Weekly order book

  Quarter ending wc 30 March 1993

  106,424

  36,991

  34,882

  34,551

  Quarter ending wc 30 June 1993

  98,371

  34,449

  32,070

  31,852

  Quarter ending wc 28 September 1993

  105,943

  37,190

  33,996

  34,757

  Quarter ending wc 30 December 1993

  99,755

  36,588

  31,520

  31,647

  Quarter ending wc 29 March 1994

  107,718

  40,946

  32,884

  33,888

  192
  Information for (d) is not available in the form requested. The following Eurostat publications contain information on expenditure on the elderly in EU countries and copies are held in the Library:
  Digest of Statistics on Social Protection in Europe, Volume 1: Old Age.
  Social Protection Expenditure and Receipts 1980–1991.

  Claimants
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much information is readily available to new claimants on what benefits they are entitled to and the processes involved; and what estimates are available as to how many people do not claim everything to which they are entitled.

  Mr. Burt
  This Department produces more than 130 leaflets, many in a number of languages, which provide information on the full range of social security benefits and details of how to claim. Leaflets are readily available at all Benefits Agency offices and post offices and are also supplied to many intermediary organisations such as the citizens advice bureaux. Information is also available in other formats such as Braille, audio cassette and video.

  In addition, the Benefits Agency undertakes a wide range of initiatives to increase awareness of entitlement such as exhibitions, liaison with customers and their representatives and the operation of multilingual freelines.

  The numbers taking up their entitlement are not uniform among benefits available. For most of the main contributory benefits such as widows' benefit, retirement pension, unemployment benefit and for child benefit, take-up is thought to be close to 100 per cent. The latest estimates for the take-up of income related benefits indicate that around £9 of every £10 of available benefit is claimed by more than four out of every five eligible to claim. These estimates are for 1991 and were published on 25 March 1994 in "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take-up in 1990 and 1991", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claimants of child benefit there were in each quarter of 1993 and the first quarter of 1994; and which payment methods were taken up by such claimants.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table:

  Overpayments
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total losses recorded in the 1992–93 accounts of Government-administered social security
  193
  benefits and other payments in class XIV, vote 1, as a result of overpayments; and if he will publish a breakdown of overpayments for each category of benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  The table details the cash losses due to irrecoverable overpayments of pension benefits, war pensions, disability benefits, industrial injury benefits, income support and family benefits as recorded in the class XIV, vote 1, 1992–93 appropriation account.

  Benefit

  Amount £

  Attendance allowance

  896,498

  Invalid care allowance

  795,139

  Mobility allowance

  101,153

  Disability living allowance

  68,053

  Industrial injury benefits

  1,371

  Severe disablement allowance

  153

  War pensions

  239,019

  Child benefit

  2,791,928

  Family credit

  277,526

  Income support

  29,275,520

  Total

  34,446,360

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the Independent Living Fund (1993) annual budget was spent at the end of its first year; what plans he has in regard to the exclusion of people who are terminally ill from help from the fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I am informed by the director of the Independent Living Fund (1993) that the fund spent £841,858 in its first year of operation. The fund estimates that the full year costs of the case load taken on in its first year will be around £6.28 million in this financial year, assuming current trends.

  People who are terminally ill are free to apply to the fund. The trustees consider all applications on their individual merits.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women aged 60 years or more have had the suspension of invalidity benefit lifted following Social Security Commissioner Skinner's decision in the case of Mrs. Rose Graham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The latest available information relates to 31 August 1993, at which time the suspension of increases of benefit awarded as a result of the commissioner's decision had been lifted in 773 cases.Source: 100 per cent. clerical count by Benefits Agency offices in Great Britain.

EDUCATION

  Grant-maintained Schools (Advertising Campaign)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's response to the Advertising Standards Authority investigation into the recent grant-maintained school status advertising campaign.
  194
  Mr. Robin Squire
  To make the Department's response public at this time could undermine the role of the ASA, which is investigating the complaints made under conditions of confidentiality. The outcome of the ASA's investigations will be published in the authority's monthly reports, copies of which are available free of charge from the ASA.

  Discretionary Awards
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the annual expenditure in 1992–93 and 1993–94 on discretionary awards by each local authority at current prices and at 1983–84 prices.

  Mr. Bosweell
  Returns made to the Department by local authorities about their expenditure on discretionary awards for the academic year 1992–93 will not be available for publication until later this summer. Data for 1993–94 have not yet been collected.

  Home Repossessions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children changed schools last year as a result of home repossessions.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Students (Maternity Leave)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what provision is made for the support of students who have to break their studies for reasons of maternity.

  Mr. Boswell
  Where a student holds a mandatory award and is absent from his or her course, local education authorities have discretion to make payments up to the amount that would otherwise have been due under the Mandatory Awards Regulations. For students in receipt of discretionary awards, it is up to LEAs to decide whether to continue paying the award, in the light of their own policies.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to exempt any grant-maintained schools from the national curriculum.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to exempt any self-governing schools from the national curriculum, except in so far as he is considering a number of applications from state schools, including some self-governing schools, to teach an alternative to the present statutory programme for national curriculum technology.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the incidence of cholera in Somalia; and what action is planned by Britain and the international community to counteract outbreaks.
  195
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  At 12 April, 7,477 cases, including 285 deaths, had been reported, mostly in the north-eastern, central and southern zones. Somali professionals, non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies have established a cholera task force to co-ordinate the response to the recent outbreak. Britain has provided more than £297,000 since March in support of NGO cholera prevention and treatment work in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Afgoy and Hargeisa.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the terms of the draft humanitarian statement worked out under IGADD—the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development—auspices in Nairobi from 6 to 12 April for transporting relief supplies and humanitarian assistance in Sudan; and whether the terms of the statement were agreeable to the Government of Sudan and both SPLA factions.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No agreement on access was reached at the IGADD talks from 6 to 12 April. The terms of the draft under consideration at the talks were not made public.

  Nigeria and Cameroon
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon about the future of United Kingdom aid to the Bakassi peninsula.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are no United Kingdom aid projects in the Bakassi peninsula.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom will ratify article 13 of the European convention on human rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom ratified the European convention on human rights, including article 13, on 8 March 1951.

  Giant Tortoises, Galapagos Islands
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make immediate resources available to assist in the rescue of the giant tortoises currently threatened by fires on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are most concerned about the fire on Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago and the threat that it poses to giant tortoises and other unique species of flora and fauna. We have donated $50,000 to the immediate relief effort being co-ordinated by the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs. Our ambassador is closely monitoring the situation and we have informed the Ecuadorean authorities that we are ready to consider any request to assist with the evacuation of the tortoises, if necessary.

  Social Charter
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the workings of the Council of Europe social charter and its mechanism for enforcement; and what proposals the United Kingdom Government have to reform those mechanisms.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  At the start of 1991, the Council of Europe established a committee charged with making proposals on updating the European social charter and improving its operation. The United Kingdom has played a full and constructive part in the deliberations of that committee, which is due to complete its work at the end of this year.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases from the United Kingdom are currently being considered within the machinery of the Council of Europe social charter.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The governmental committee of the European social charter is currently considering the reports of both the committee of experts and the United Kingdom Government on 11 possible cases.

  Azerbaijan
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the outcome of his investigations into the reports of the supply of arms and mercenaries from British sources in support of Azerbaijan in the conflict over Nagorno-Kharabakh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin) on 13 April at column 206. I have nothing further to add.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contact he has had with the German Government regarding their policy on the export of anti-personnel land mines.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has had no personal contact with the German Government on this matter. However, Foreign Office officials are in frequent contact with their counterparts in all European Union partner countries, and the subject was most recently discussed at a common foreign and security policy working group meeting on 7 April.

  Nigeria and Cameroon
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to safeguard the security of British nationals living on the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Contact with British nationals in both Nigeria and Cameroon is maintained through the warden system. We are not aware of any concerns about their safety in the disputed border area.
  197
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with his French counterpart the question of trade with Cameroon.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There are no plans to do so.

  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to reduce armed conflict on the border between Cameroon and Nigeria.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have urged both sides to seek a peaceful, negotiated, mutually acceptable solution to the dispute, and have made available to both Governments historical documents relating to the area.

  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for Her Majesty's Government policy of the boundary dispute between the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is a matter of great concern that there should be a dispute between two countries with which we maintain close relations. We have urged both sides to seek a peaceful solution.

HEALTH

  Nurses
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the present level of nursing staff in the national health service with particular reference to the west midlands.

  Mr. Sackville
  Local managers have responsibility for staffing levels and determine, in consultation with professional service heads, the type and number of staff required to deliver nursing care to patients and clients. These arrangements apply throughout England.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had from organisations or members of the public regarding the recruitment of nurses from the west midlands.

  Mr. Sackville
  During the last six months we have received four such representations from members of the public.

  Radiotherapy Equipment
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the quality of radiotherapy equipment.

  Mr. Sackville
  The performance of radiotherapy equipment should be defined, as part of the specification, when the equipment is purchased from the manufacturers. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that performance is maintained to meet current treatment requirements.

  All medical devices should be purchased from manufacturers who manufacture to a recognised quality assurance system. Such QA systems include those which comply with BS 5750, ISO 9000, BS EN 29000. The Department's medical devices directorate operates a manufacturers registration scheme to register manufacturers whose QA systems have been audited by MDD.
  198
  The Department recommends that all medical devices are managed according to the principles of the document Health Equipment Information 98 "Management of medical equipment and devices", November 1990. This gives advice on, selection, acceptance testing, training, servicing and replacement, amongst other things. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  From 1 January 1995, the medical devices directive takes effect for new medical devices placed on the market. All medical devices covered by the directive will need to carry a CE mark to denote compliance with the essential requirements as defined in the directive by 1997.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what levels of alcohol intake have been recommended as a maximum by her Department; what recent research her Department has commissioned as to healthy levels of alcohol intake; and what plans she has to issue revised guidelines.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government do not recommend maximum levels of alcohol intake. Our advice to people who wish to drink alcohol is that drinking less than 21 units per week by men or 14 units per week by women is unlikely to damage health. Drinkers are also advised that consuming more than 50 units of alcohol a week for men or 35 for women is definitely dangerous to health. The Department have not commissioned any recent research into healthy levels of alcohol intake, but the results of research nationally and internationally are monitored by our medical and scientific staff. We have no plans at present to change our advice to drinkers. In the light of recent research findings, however, the Government have decided to consider whether the sensible drinking message needs any modification or qualification. Details of action proposed will be announced shortly.

  Programme Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish an updated table of hospital and community health service programme expenditure by age group on the lines of that for 1986–87 supplied to the Social Services Select Committee in 1988 and printed as House of Commons Paper No. 548 of Session 1987–88 but using the reported changes of 1989–90 in cash terms and cash adjusted for NHS pay and prices for each year since 1989–90.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  House of Commons Paper No. 548 of Session 1987–88 did not include a table giving hospital and community health service programme expenditure by age group.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pension entitlements and other benefits, including subsistence and travelling allowances, are paid to non-executive directors of national health service trusts; and when these will be revised.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Non-executive directors of national health service trusts receive annual remuneration of £5,000. In addition, they receive subsistence and travelling expenses at the rates set out in appendix 4 of "Financial
  199
  Matters", May 1993, copies of which are available in the Library. These rates are under review. Non-executive directors are not entitled to receive any additional benefits.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what salaries, remuneration, pensions entitlement and other benefits, including subsistence and travelling allowances, are payable to(a) non-executive members and (b) chairs of district and regional health authorities; and when these will be revised.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The annual rate of remuneration payable to non-executive members of regional and district health authorities and family health services authorities is £5,000. The remuneration of the chairmen of regional and district health authorities and family health services authorities is calculated in accordance with the table:

  RHA, DHA, FHSA and trust chairmen: Remuneration rates per year

  £

  RHA chairmen

  20,925

  DHA chairmen

  Band 1

  19,285

  Band 2

  17,145

  Band 3

  15,125

  FHSA chairmen

  Band 1

  12,605

  Band 2

  11,720

  Band 3

  10,845

  Banding Criteria:

  Band

  DHA Chairmen

  DHA Revenue budget 1985–86

  Teaching

  £45 million or more

  1

  Non-teaching

  £60 million or more

  1

  Teaching

  Under £45 million

  2

  Non-teaching

  £30 million to £60 million

  2

  Non-teaching

  Under £30 million

  3

  FHSA Chairmen

  FHSA population Mid-1985

  Over 750,000

  1

  250,000–750,000

  2

  Under 250,000

  3

  The current rates of payment of subsistence and travelling allowances are set out in appendix 4 of "Financial Matters", January 1993, a copy of which is held in the library. The rates are currently under review. Chairmen and non-executive members are not entitled to receive any additional benefits.

  Medical Treatment (Definition)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the definition of medical treatment used for the purpose of deciding whether a patient should have a bed paid for fully by the NHS in a private nursing home.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is the responsibility of the national health service to provide long-term care for those who require it for reasons of ill health. It is for local health care purchasers to determine the level and type of services provided, including full-time care funded by the NHS in hospital or in an appropriate facility in the independent sector. In doing so, they will need to take account of the range of local circumstances, needs, resources and clinical practice.

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu NHS Trust
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will publish the audit report for 1992–93 in respect of the Doncaster royal infirmary and Montagu NHS trust;

  (2) if she will publish the 1992–93 audit report in respect of the Doncaster health care trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received no statutory audit reports on Doncaster healthcare national health service trust or on Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital NHS trust for 1992–93. However, auditors produce an annual management letter for each audit client which is not published. It is for the auditor to decide whether any matter requires a public report.

  Community Pharmacists
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is paid to a community pharmacist for each NHS prescription dispensed.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Community pharmacists are paid a professional fee of £1.35 per prescription for the first 1,700 prescriptions they dispense each month and a fee of 94.5p per prescription for the remainder. They can also receive additional fees, for example if an item is dispensed urgently or extemporaneously.

  HIV Screening
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she or her Ministers have had with the Department of Employment regarding the circumstances in which an employer may seek to have employees screened for HIV and the need to ensure informed consent and counselling for any such test.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Employment has set out its policy regarding screening employees for HIV infection in its booklet "AIDS and the Workplace—A Guide for Employers", copies of which are available in the Library. The policy is a long-standing one which reflects interdepartmental discussion.

  Medical Audits
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical audits have been carried out of the quality of treatment being received by(a) patients of fund holding general practitioners practices and (b) patients of non-fundholding general practitioner practices; and what plans she has to commission further such studies.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Our view is that audit priorities are best determined locally by individual general practitioner practices, in the light of local requirements. To assist this, we have made funds available through family health services authorities to enable all practices—including fundholding practices—to participate in medical audit.

  Amyl Nitrate
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received regarding amyl nitrate; and if she will now invite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to initiate research on the effects of amyl nitrate on children and young people.
  201
  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has received a number of representations regarding amyl nitrate since the beginning of this year.

  We are aware of concerns about its use among children and young people and we are keeping the matter under review, including the need for any research.

  Medicines Policy
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy in respect of printing the retail price recommended by the manufacturer on all packs of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have no plans to show the price of national health service prescription medicines on the label. The sale of over the counter medicines is governed by retail price maintenance and is a matter for the suppliers.

  Nurse Practitioner Training
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what resources have been devoted to the training of nurse practitioners in each of the last five years;

  (2) what was the number of nurse practitioners practising in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health authorities commission education and training to meet demand forecasts for qualified nursing staff. Information on the resources devoted to the training of nurse practitioners and the number in post is not available centrally.

  Temazepam
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will indicate the level of intravenous abuse of Temazepam capsules.

  Mr. Bowis
  The information available is contained in the drug misuse statistics for the six months to March 1993 published by the Department last month. This includes some information on drug misusers reporting benzodiazepine misuse, including injecting misuse, of which temazepam is one such drug. Copies of the drug misuse statistics are available in the Library.

  Pharmacists
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of state for Health (1) how much is paid by patients to the community pharmacist over and above the cost of the prescribed medicine for a private, non-NHS, prescription;

  (2) if her Department will consider laying down firm fees which pharmacists can charge for dispensing private prescriptions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Guidance on the dispensing of private prescriptions is a matter for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Information on charges levied by community pharmacists for dispensing private prescriptions is not collected by the Department.

  Junior Doctors
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors are employed in each of London's regional health authorities; and how many were employed in each year since 1990–91.
  202
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Junior doctors in the London regional health authorities: 30 September 1990, 1991 and 1992

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Total

  7,240

  7,290

  7,270

  North West Thames

  2,030

  2,070

  1,840

  North East Thames

  2,170

  2,170

  2,270

  South East Thames

  1,800

  1,770

  1,840

  South West Thames

  1,240

  1,280

  1,320

  Source: Medical and Dental Manpower Census September 1992.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what current NHS rules and practice enable the age of a patient to be taken into account by a general practitioner or a general practitioner practice when determining whether to accept a new patient on to their lists; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had from the Pensioners Liaison Forum North-west, in regard to equal access to health care for elderly people; what reply she is sending; what action she is taking; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a letter from the Pensioners Liaison Forum North-west on this subject. Our reply will reaffirm that it is the duty of the national health service to provide health services for all, regardless of age, on the basis of clinical need.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish guidelines for general practitioner fundholders in relation to taking patients off their lists; and what plans she has to investigate any fundholding GP practices which remove patients from their list on the basis of the patients' age.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None. The requirements for general practitioner fundholders are exactly the same as for other GPs in this respect.

  Paracetamol-Methionin Product
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make a paracetamol-methionin product available on NHS prescription.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Luton and Dunstable Trust Hospital
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 163, whether her Department is conducting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Mrs. Avril Dongworth, chief executive at Luton and Dunstable trust hospital.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to add to the patients charter rights for children damaged by vaccines.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  The Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 provides a scheme of one off, lump sum payments where it can be shown on the balance of probability that damage has resulted from vaccination. Receipt of a payment does not prejudice the individual's right to pursue a private claim for damages through the courts.

  Sleeping Drugs
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what restrictions are in place on advertising drugs available without prescription which are designed to aid sleep; what checks are carried out to ensure that addictive or potentially harmful drugs are not advertised for mass consumption; what health warnings should be given in such advertisements; in what ways regulations or guidelines on the advertisement of such drugs have been amended or relaxed within the past five years; what plans she has to introduce new legislation, statutory orders or guidelines to regulate the promotion of aids to sleep which are available without prescription; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Licensed medicines may be advertised only under the stringent controls of the Medicines Act 1968 and supporting regulations. These ensure that the advertising is in accordance with the product licence and is not misleading. Products which are available without prescription may be advertised to the public, in compliance with the Medicines (Labelling and Advertising to the Public) Regulations 1978. These regulations prohibit the advertising of a treatment for sleeplessness or insomnia, advertising for the relief of temporary sleeplessness is not prohibited.

  Medicines which we consider to be addictive or potentially harmful when used without medical supervision are only available on prescription and may not be advertised to the public. Proposed legislation to amend the 1978 regulations in order to implement Council directive 92/28/EEC is currently under consideration.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Hincliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if any new local authority established, following the review of local government, will be required by statute to establish a social services committee and to appoint a director of social services adequately qualified to perform the responsibilities of that position.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 requires all social services authorities to establish social services committees and appoint directors of social services. It also allows for these to be joint appointments or arrangements.

  The Act does not make any provision as regards the qualifications of directors of social services. That is a matter for individual authorities.

  Unregistered Residential Homes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the fees of residents in unregistered residential homes may be met from public funds.

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authorities may purchase services from homes which are not required to register under the Registered Care Homes Act 1984, where that would be appropriate for the individual user concerned.

  Health Services, Leeds
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP practices participated in the fundholding initiative in the area covered by the Leeds family health services authority in 1993–94; and how many it is estimated will participate in 1994–95.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Regional health authorities manage the general practitioner fundholding scheme in their areas. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority for local details.

  Exercise Diver Mist
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many personnel from her Department were involved in Exercise Diver Mist; in what capacities they serve; and what was the cost to her Department of this involvement.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  District Ethical Committees
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility there is for general practitioners to seek permission from district ethical committees prior to embarking on research in primary care; and what is the composition of these committees.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Local research ethics committees should be consulted about any research proposal involving national health service patients or their records. This applies to proposals from general practitioners in the same way as it does to all others. Departmental guidance states that the committees should have eight to 12 members, including hospital medical staff, nurses, general practitioners, and two or more lay people. Copies of the guidance, "Local Research Ethics Committees", are available in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Benzene
  Sir Malcolm Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the findings of his Department's expert panel on air quality standards on the proportion of benzene in the air that is emitted from petrol engine exhausts; what action he will take to reduce this source of pollution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  In the first report of my Department's expert panel on air quality standards, a copy of which is in the Library, it was estimated that petrol engine exhausts contributed about 78 per cent. of the total 1991 national
  205
  emissions of benzene, the bulk of which were derived from non-catalyst equipped vehicles. Since December 1992, regulations have been in place which effectively require all new petrol-engined passenger cars to be fitted with catalytic convertors which reduce emissions of benzene by around 80 per cent.

  Further regulations are already in place which will also extend the catalyst requirement to new petrol-driven car-derived vans from 1 October 1994. A new European Parliament and Council Directive, 94/12/EC, OJ L100/42 of 19 April 1994 has been adopted which will require further reduction in emissions from new cars from 1 January 1997, necessitating additional improvements in catalyst efficiency which will also further reduce benzene emissions. An estimated 2.5 million cars are already fitted with these devices and, as the decade advances, there will be a natural progression towards an almost total catalyst equipped fleet by the year 2003.

  Vacant Housing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of local authority housing is left vacant; and what proportion of this is marked either in need of renovation, repairs or unfit, or for rehousing for clearance purposes for each local authority in England; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I have today placed in the Library a table giving the available information reported on the 1993 housing investment programme—HIP1—returns by local authorities about their own dwellings which were vacant at 1 April 1993.

  Renovation Grants
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how widely distributed is information given to promote the availability and procedures for obtaining mandatory renovation grants; and what estimate he has of the number of home owners or private landlords who are not aware of such availability or the procedures involved.

  Sir George Young
  Copies of a joint Department of the Environment and Welsh Office booklet, "House Renovation Grants", are freely available on application to the Department. Local authorities, home improvement agencies, citizens advice bureaux and similar bodies have the function of informing potential applicants about these grants.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to announce his decisions arising from the consultation on renovation grants; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans there are for the future development of mandatory home improvement grants;

  (3) what plans he has to move to the prioritisation of mandatory home improvement grants on to unfit privately rented properties; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  We will announce our conclusions on the future of private sector renewal programmes, following last year's consultation exercise, in due course.

  Local Government
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that any new local authorities established as a result of the current review of local government have a population of at least 200,000; and what estimate he has made as to the population base that will normally be required for the effective delivery of social services in more rural areas.

  Mr. Curry
  Our policy guidance to the Local Government Commission makes it clear that there need be no maximum or minimum size for the area or population covered by a unitary authority. As to the delivery of social services, population size does not determine effectiveness; we will look at each set of final recommendations by the commission on its merits. There are various ways in which local authorities can work together, if necessary, to provide specialist services.

  Housing Associations
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals following their access to local authority housing association tenancies consultation.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answers I gave on 12 and 21 April respectively to the hon. Members for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) and for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes),Official Report, columns 132 and 587.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the expected staff and administration costs and gross expenditure of the Leeds UDC and the Central Manchester UDC.

  Mr. Baldry
  The staff and administration costs and gross expenditure of these UDCs are contained in the Supply Estimates, 1994–95, class VII—Environment.

  Record Offices
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the record offices in England, (b) the number of people they employ, both paid and voluntary and (c) the number of people that use the service annually and the amount of revenue they receive.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]:Records of central Government are the responsibility of the Public Record Office, for which my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor is responsible. Local authority record offices are listed in the table. Their staffing and operation are the responsibility of the individual local authorities, and information on employees and users is not held centrally. In their 1992–93 expenditure returns local authorities recorded income from achive services totalling around £3.5 million.

  Local Authority Record Offices in England

  County councils

  Cornwall

  Bedfordshire

  Cumbria

  Berkshire

  Derbyshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Durham

  Cambridgeshire

  Essex

  Cheshire

  Gloucestershire

  Cleveland

  Hampshire

  207

  Hereford and Worcester

  Oxfordshire

  Hertfordshire

  Shropshire

  Humberside

  Somerset

  Isle of Wight

  Staffordshire

  Kent

  Suffolk

  Lancashire

  Surrey

  Leicestershire

  Warwickshire

  Lincolnshire

  West Sussex

  Norfolk

  Wiltshire

  Northamptonshire

  Northumberland

  North Yorkshire

  London boroughs

  Haringey

  Barking and Dagenham

  Hounslow

  Barnet

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Bexley

  Kingston upon Thames

  Brent

  Southwark

  Bromley

  Tower Hamlets

  Corporation of London

  Waltham Forest

  Enfield

  Westminster

  Greenwich

  Hackney

  Metropolitan district councils

  Tyne and Wear

  Bolton

  Wakefield

  Bury

  West Yorkshire archive

  Calderdale

  service (comprises Bradford,

  Coventry

  Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds

  Doncaster

  and Wakefield)

  Dudley

  Walsall

  Kirklees

  Wigan

  Liverpool

  Wirral

  Manchester

  Wolverhampton

  Rotherham

  St. Helens

  Salford

  Sheffield

  Stockport

  District councils

  Poole

  Bath

  Portsmouth

  Bristol

  Ribble Valley

  Canterbury

  Rochester upon Medway

  Chester

  Southampton

  Epsom and Ewell

  Thurrock

  Glanford

  York

  Hull

  North Wiltshire

  Peterborough

  Lead Water Pipes
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make grants available for replacement of lead water pipes to council house tenants.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]:Local housing authorities are issued with housing investment programme allocations, reflecting the relative need for housing capital expenditure in their areas. It is for each authority to decide how to use its housing capital resources.

  Wetlands
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those wetland areas that would be affected by a national management plan for the habitats of redshank and dunlin requested by the European Environment Commissioner.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 28 April 1994]:The great majority of inter-tidal mud flats in United Kingdom estuaries provide over-wintering habitat for redshank and dunlin and, as such, would be taken into account in measures to maintain a favourable conservation status for these species.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the planned spending on(a) inner city task forces, (b) regional enterprise grants, (c) safer cities, (d) section II grants, (e) ethnic minority grants, (f) ethnic minority business initiative, (g) grants for education support and training, (h) the programme development fund, (i) education business partnerships, (j) teacher placement schemes, (k) compacts, (l) the business start-up scheme, (m) local initiative fund schemes under the single regeneration budget for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Baldry
  Planned spending by my Department on each of these component items within the single regeneration budget in 1994–95 is as follows:

  £ million

  Inner city task forces

  16

  Regional enterprise grants

  9

  Safer cities

  4

  Section 11—urban

  60

  Ethnic minority grants

  6

  Ethnic minority business initiative

  1

  Grants for education support and training—GEST19

  5

  Programme development fund

  3

  Education business partnerships

  2

  Teacher placement service

  3

  Compacts

  6

  Business start-up scheme

  70

  Local initiative fund

  29

  For 1995–96 and beyond, English partnerships, housing action trusts and urban development corporations will, as now, receive specific allocations; and the rest of the Budget, including items (a) to (m), will be combined.

  On current plans, expenditure under the single regeneration budget will be worth some £1.3 billion in each of 1995–96 and 1996–97. The Department of the Environment's 1994 annual report provides more detailed information.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what changes he is proposing in relation to the urban priority areas; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what he projects the financial implications will be for the urban priority areas, arising from the single regeneration budget; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Regeneration programmes that have previously been targeted on the existing list of 57 urban priority areas now form part of the single regeneration budget. Since the budget is available throughout England, and proposals for funding will be locally driven, the existing list will not be used to direct budget resources and is being discontinued after 1994–95.

  In assessing proposals for funding from the budget which aim mainly at relieving deprivation, the Government offices for the regions will take account of detailed information about local conditions based on the 1991 index of local conditions and other data, including Employment Service information on labour market needs and gaps. The index will be published shortly.

  Existing commitments under the programmes which have been combined to form the budget will be honoured.

  Repossessions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties purchased under the right-to-buy initiative have been repossessed; and what percentage of this figure comprises households who were unable to meet the service charges levied by their local authority.

  Sir George Young
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Clifton-Brown) of 29 March,Official Report, column 663, if he will list the local authorities involved in the 122 cases referred to; and if he will list the authorities in respect of which statutory follow up action was taken in relation to compulsory competitive tendering.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Secretary of State took statutory action in a total of 122 cases during 1993, serving 99 notices and giving 23 follow-up directions. The authorities to which the statutory action related, and the services concerned, are as follows:

  Statutory notices and directions relating to anti-competitive behaviour

  Authority and date

  Service concerned

  NOTICES IN RELATION TO ALLEGED ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOUR (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  Adur DC

  1 September 1993

  Other cleaning

  Arun DC

  7 May 1993

  Sport and leisure management

  Birmingham City Council

  22 April 1993

  Building maintenance

  Bradford MDC

  13 May 1993

  Building maintenance

  10 September 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Calderdale MBC

  23 December 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Chester City Council

  1 April 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Dudley MBC

  22 April 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Harrow LB

  20 October 1993

  Other catering

  Langbaurgh on Tees BC

  10 September 1993

  Street lighting

  21 December 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Leeds City Council

  10 September 1993

  Refuse collection

  Oldham MBC

  6 April 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Oswestry BC

  10 September 1993

  Sport and leisure management

  Portsmouth City Council

  30 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  South Somerset DC

  30 March 1993

  Sport and leisure management

  210

  Authority and date

  Service concerned

  South Tyneside MDC

  1 February 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Staffordshire Moorlands DC

  11 January 1993

  Sport and leisure management

  Stockton-on-Tees BC

  8 March 1993

  Other cleaning

  Warrington BC

  10 June 1993

  Ground maintenance

  DIRECTIONS RELATING TO ANTI-COMPETIVE BEHAVIOUR (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  Birmingham City Council

  13 July 1993

  Building maintenance

  8 October 19931

  Building maintenance

  Bolton MBC

  1 April 1993

  Building maintenance

  Bradford MDC

  14 December 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Chester City Council

  24 June 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Mole Valley DC

  24 March 19932

  Sport and leisure management

  Portsmouth City Council

  10 September 1993

  Building maintenance

  Sefton MBC

  23 April 19933

  Highways and sewers

  South Tyneside BC

  27 July 19934

  Ground maintenance

  Stockton-on-Tees BC

  19 February 19935

  Refuse collection

  27 July 1993

  Other cleaning

  Warrington BC

  14 December 1993

  Ground maintenance

  1 Variation to direction given on 13 July 1993.

  2 Variation to direction given on 15 July 1992.

  3 Variation to direction given on 2 December 1992.

  4 Variation to direction given on 23 December 1993.

  5 Replacement for direction given on 12 November 1992.

  Statutory notices and directions relating to financial failure

  Authority and date

  Service concerned

  NOTICES RELATING TO FINANCIAL FAILURE (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  Ashford BC

  1 September 1993

  Ground maintenance

  1 September 1993

  Refuse collection

  Barking and Dagenham LB

  1 September 1993

  Refuse collection

  Bedfordshire CC

  29 September 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Blackburn BC

  11 May 1993

  Building maintenance

  11 May 1993

  Construction <£50,000

  11 May 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  Bournemouth BC

  15 June 1993

  Highways and sewers

  211

  Authority and date

  Service concerned

  Brent LB

  11 May 1993

  Building maintenance

  11 May 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  11 May 1993

  Ground maintenance

  11 May 1993

  Building cleaning

  11 May 1993

  Other catering

  Brighton BC

  1 September 1993

  Other catering

  Cambridgeshire CC

  15 June 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Camden LB

  25 March 1993

  Building maintenance

  11 May 1993

  Highways and sewers

  11 May 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  11 May 1993

  Construction <£50,000

  11 May 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  Caterbury City Council

  7 April 1993

  Building maintenance

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  7 April 1993

  Other catering

  7 April 1993

  Sport and leisure management

  7 April 1993

  School and welfare catering

  Castle Point DC

  1 September 1993

  Ground maintenance

  1 September 19931

  Other cleaning

  Colchester BC

  1 September 1993

  Building maintenance

  Corby DC

  1 September 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  Crewe and Nantwich BC

  15 June 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Daventry DC

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Devon CC

  11 May 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  11 May 1993

  Other cleaning

  Epsom and Ewell BC

  15 June 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Exeter City Council

  15 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  Hammersmith and Fulham LB

  7 April 1993

  Building maintenance

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Hampshire CC

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Harborough DC

  15 June 1993

  Refuse collection

  Harrow LB

  1 September 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Hereford and Worcester CC

  7 April 1993

  Building maintenance

  Hillingdon LB

  1 September 1993

  Building cleaning

  1 September 1993

  School and welfare catering

  1 September 1993

  Other catering

  Kennet DC

  15 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  212

  Authority and date

  Service concerned

  Kerrier DC

  11 May 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Kingston upon Hull City Council

  1 September 1993

  Other catering

  Kingston upon Thames LB

  1 September 19931

  Other cleaning

  Leicestershire CC

  1 September 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Liverpool City Council

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Luton BC

  11 May 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Manchester City Council

  15 June 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  Mansfield DC

  15 June 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  Northavon DC

  1 September 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  Peterborough City Council

  15 June 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Plymouth City Council

  11 May 1993

  Highways and sewers

  11 May 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Reading BC

  15 June 1993

  Sport and leisure management

  Redditch BC

  15 June 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Richmond upon Thames LB

  1 September 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Rother DC

  11 May 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Sandwell DC

  7 April 1993

  Building maintenance

  Sheffield City Council

  11 May 1993

  Ground maintenance

  South Bedfordshire DC

  29 September 1993

  Refuse collection

  Southwark LB

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  7 April 1993

  Ground maintenance

  7 April 1993

  Refuse collection

  7 April 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  St. Albans City Council

  15 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  Stevenage BC

  11 May 1993

  Highways and sewers

  Stoke on Trent DC

  25 January 1993

  Building maintenance

  7 April 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  7 April 1993

  Highways and sewers

  7 April 1993

  Other cleaning

  7 April 1993

  Refuse collection

  Tameside MBC

  15 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  213

  Authority and date

  Service concerned

  Tamworth BC

  15 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  Waltham Forest LB

  7 April 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Warwick DC

  15 June 1993

  Building maintenance

  DIRECTIONS RELATING TO FINANCIAL FAILURE (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  Bedfordshire CC

  9 December 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Camden LB

  3 August 1993

  Vehicle maintenance

  3 August 1993

  Building maintenance

  3 August 1993

  Single direction covering the following activities: Highways and sewers Construction <£50,000 Construction >£50,000

  Castle Point BC

  9 December 1993

  Ground maintenance

  Hammersmith and Fulham LB

  23 July 1993

  Highways and sewers

  23 July 1993

  Building maintenance

  Hillingdon LB

  9 December 1993

  Other catering

  Manchester City Council

  9 December 1993

  Construction >£50,000

  South Bedfordshire DC

  9 December 1993

  Refuse collection

  Waltham Forest LB

  23 July 1993

  Ground maintenance

  1 Revised 2 September.

  EC Waste Shipments Regulation
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will lay before Parliament regulations to supplement the provisions of the EC Waste Shipments Regulation which applies from 6 May.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1994, laid before Parliament on Monday 25 April, will come into force on 6 May when Council Regulation EEC No. 259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community—the "Waste Shipments Regulation"—applies. The Waste Shipments Regulation implements the obligations of the Basel convention which, together with the EC, the United Kingdom ratified on 7 February and to which it will become a party on 8 May. The EC regulation is directly applicable, but additional domestic legislation is required to give full effect to some of its provisions. For the United Kingdom, this additional legislation is contained in the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1994.

  The regulations designate waste regulations authorities in Great Britain and district councils in Northern Ireland as the competent authorities of dispatch and destination, for imports and exports to and from the United Kingdom, and designate the Secretary of State as competent authority for transit shipments, and as "correspondent" for the purposes of the EC regulation. Other provisions include conferring
  214
  powers on customs officers to assist competent authorities in carrying out their functions by detaining shipments where appropriate; and specifying offences and penalties relating to compliance with the regulation. The regulations also provide for the preparation of a waste management plan, in accordance with the waste framework directive.

  Public consultations were carried out in March on a draft of the regulations and of the accompanying guidance. The regulations have been modified to reflect the concerns and interests of industry, local authorities and the public in response to those consultations. The Government are satisfied that these regulations will enable the United Kingdom to fulfil its obligations under the Basel convention, and contribute significantly towards securing the environmentally sound management of waste movements to and from the United Kingdom.

  Public Housing
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new houses have been built to replace houses with defective concrete in(a) Cornwall, (b) Devon, (c) Somerset and (d) Dorset; and how much public money has been made available by the Government for repairs and maintenance of public housing in these four counties since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 12 April 1994]: The Department collects information about total housebuilding by local authorities, but not about the reasons for it.

  Figures for housing revenue account subsidy for repair and maintenance by local authorities on their own dwelling stock are only available since 1990–91. The following levels of subsidy were given to authorities in the four counties:

  HRA subsidy paid for repairs and maintenance by local authorities:

  1990–91 to 1993–94: £ million

  Cornwall

  141·9

  Devon

  102·0

  Dorset

  47·7

  Somerset

  58·3

  1 Excluding subsidy paid to Carrick BC in 1990–91.

  The actual expenditure by local authorities on repair and maintenance will differ from the subsidy paid by the Government.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Aquarium, London
  Mr. Dickens
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what the Government's policy is towards the building of a major new aquarium in London.

  Mr. Sproat
  I would greatly welcome the establishment of a major new aquarium in London. This would be a valuable new educational and tourist attraction. While the responsibility, including the financing, for taking such a project forward would rest wholly with its promoter, I would be interested to hear from any group or individual who can help to establish such an aquarium. Any promoter may wish to consider an association with the natural history museum.

  English Heritage (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much was spent by English Heritage on properties and activities in North Yorkshire in 1993–94; and how much is budgeted for such activities in 1994–95.

  Mr. Brooke
  In 1993–94, English Heritage spent £4.3 million on its historic properties and other activities in North Yorkshire. The other activities relate to conservation grants, marketing, and research and professional services. Assuming a similar level of expenditure on grants, which are dependent on demand, a further £4.3 million is expected to be spent in 1994–95.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government Reform
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on the reform of local government in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend continues to receive a range of representations about the Government's proposals for local government reform in Scotland. Since January I have met 24 hon. Members who accompanied delegations.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the provisions of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill allowing Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee to become single-tier authorities again.

  Mr. Lang
  I have received a number of representations supporting the proposal to establish Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee as single-tier authorities. The proposal has been widely welcomed.

  Rural Community Hospitals
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what priority he attaches to rural community hospitals in Scotland as part of the care in the community initiative and the NHS reforms.

  Mr. Stewart
  Our main priority is to provide high quality health care which is easily accessible to local communities. We will continue to examine the role which rural community hospitals have to play in achieving this.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent in each of the past three years on upgrading trunk roads in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The figures for new construction and improvement of motorways and trunk roads in Scotland for 1991–92 was £175 million, for 1992–93 was £198 million and for 1993–94 was £196 million.

  "Setting Forth"
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the result of his consultation on the document, "Setting Forth"; and if he will make a statement.
  216
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We issued our response to the consultation on "Setting Forth" on 1 February 1993, following which a range of feasibility studies on aspects of the proposed road bridge across the Forth and associated road and rail links were put in hand. These studies are nearing completion and the results will be published as soon as possible.

  Forestry Policy
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce a decision on his future forestry policy.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Clarke) and my hon. Friend the Member for Cirencester and Tewksbury (Mr. Clifton-Brown) earlier this afternoon.

  Water Services
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the membership of the water authorities.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Membership of the new water authorities will include persons knowledgeable about the industry, and persons with proven business skills. We will also expect to see a significant number of local councillors taking up appointments. No individual members have yet been considered.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many water authorities he has visited in Scotland this year to discuss with them his proposals for removing water and sewerage services from local authority control.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has made no such visits. Discussion with local authorities has been prevented by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities campaign of non-co-operation.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the future of water services in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend last discussed water and sewerage with COSLA on 9 July 1993. Subsequent discussion has been prevented by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities boycott.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the new water board to be set up in Scotland has autonomy to sell off land and property without consultation.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Local Government Etc. (Scotland) Bill provides for new water authorities to dispose of land and property as they see fit. They may not, however, dispose of land for a consideration less than the best expected value on the open market without the consent of the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited a local authority-run water treatment works.
  217
  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has not made an official visit to a water treatment works.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he intends to take to safeguard concessionary travel for pensioners following local government reorganisation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  After local government reform, the new councils will retain the discretionary powers currently available to regional and islands councils under section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 which allows local authorities to establish a concessionary travel scheme for eligible categories of person. The Strathclyde passenger transport authority will also have the power to establish a scheme for its area.

  Acute Beds
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairs of the health boards to discuss acute beds in hospitals.

  Mr. Stewart
  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State met health board chairmen on 25 February 1994.

  Health Provision, Glasgow
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet the chairman of the Greater Glasgow health board to discuss health provision in the Glasgow area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State regularly meets representatives from all health boards to discuss health provision issues. There are no immediate plans for a further meeting at present.

  Businesses Support
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to support businesses.

  Mr. Stewart
  A wide range of measures are in place, and continue to be evolved, to support businesses in Scotland. These include support through central Government, local authorities, the Scottish enterprise bodies and others. Examples of recent initiatives include the Clydebank business creation centre, which I opened formally on 15 April, and the Scottish business shop network launched by my right hon. Friend on 18 April and involving a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and its local enterprise companies, local authorities, enterprise agencies and chambers of commerce.

  NHS Doctors
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many doctors were employed in the NHS in Scotland in 1979; and how many currently.

  Mr. Stewart
  The number of doctors employed in the NHS hospital and community health services in Scotland, whole-time equivalent, was 5,613.3 in 1979 and 6,405.6 in 1993. In addition, the number of general medical practitioners, as a head count, was 3,190 in 1979 and 3,824 in 1993. The figures for 1993 are provisional.

  Heavy Goods Vehicle Licences
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Department of Transport to discuss the proposed increase in charges for heavy goods vehicle licences and their extension to Scottish islands.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has had no meetings with the Department of Transport to discuss changes to the heavy goods vehicle licensing regime.

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to redraw the boundaries of local enterprise companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to redraw the boundaries of local enterprise companies. Should he receive representations in favour of any adjustments once the Local Government Etc. (Scotland) Bill, which alters local authority boundaries, has received Royal Assent, he would of course consider these.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of the Scottish tourist board to discuss tourism in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend regularly discusses tourism matters with the chairman of the Scottish tourist board.

  Cottage Hospitals
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the chairmen of the three Tayside health hospital trusts to discuss the future of cottage hospitals.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to meet the chairmen to discuss the future of cottage hospitals.

  Mountain Climbers
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice the Scottish tourist board gives to mountain climbers about safety.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish tourist board's "Walk Scotland" brochure provides general advice on safety and is available on request to anyone wishing information on Scotland's hills and mountains. This advice complements that which is issued by the Scottish Mountain Safety Group and other such organisations.

  NHS Pay Levels
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on pay levels for national health service staff in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government have accepted in full the recommendations of the review bodies on the pay of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, health visitors and the
  219
  professions allied to medicine in 1994–95. Negotiations on the pay of other staff on national terms and conditions are in progress in the Whitley councils. NHS trusts are free to negotiate locally on the pay of staff on trust terms and conditions of service.

  Health Board Budgets
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the health board chairmen to discuss their budgets.

  Mr. Stewart
  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State meets health board chairmen regularly to discuss a wide range of strategic matters affecting the management of the NHS in Scotland, many of which have implications for budgets. The next meeting will take place on 24 June 1994.

  Scottish Economy
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss employment and the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend and I have frequent contacts with the STUC on matters concerning the Scottish economy. We look forward to a continuing exchange of views.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many abattoirs are currently operating in Scotland; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  There are 51 licensed red meat abattoirs currently operating in Scotland, 19 of which received assistance totalling £410,256 over the past 12 months from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

  Travel Concessions
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the groups of two or more local authorities which are jointly operating travel concession schemes under section 93 of the Transport Act 1985.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  From the information we have available, there are no joint concessionary travel schemes currently operating in Scotland.

  Further Education
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to publish his report on the discharge of his duties for further education in Scotland as required under section 1 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I am pleased to say that the report entitled "Further Education in Scotland 1993: Report by the Secretary of State for Scotland" has been published today and has been laid before each House of Parliament. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
  220
  On 1 April 1993, 43 further education colleges transferred from education authority management and funding to incorporated status, grant-aided by the Scottish Office. Preparations for incorporation were undertaken vigorously and enthusiastically and the transition went smoothly. A great deal of credit for this goes to college boards of management and staff.

  The report shows that the first year of incorporation has been a successful one for the colleges and I look forward to working in partnership with them in the future.

  Monklands District Council
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the dealings of Monklands district council with Lowlands Building Services (Scotland) Ltd., now in liquidation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  A copy of a letter sent to the hon. Member on 14 April 1994 by a shareholder of the company has been brought to my attention. I have asked my officials to look into the matter. I shall write to my hon. Friend in due course.

  Fox Hunting
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the location of land and estates owned by his Department for which he has granted permission for fox hunts; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 21 Apri11994]: The Forestry Commission has issued a permit for fox hunting to take place on land at Clatto, Pitmedden and Weddersbie in Fife region and Torloisk in Tayside region. Fox hunts also occasionally use commission land at Carskeoch in Strathclyde region; at Craik, Newcastleton, Priesthaugh, and Wauchope in the Borders region; and at Cullendoch, Murrayton and Tinnisburn in the Dumfries and Galloway region.

  Glanders and Farcy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of cases of glanders and farcy in each year since 1985.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 25 April 1994]: There have been no recorded cases of glanders or farcy in Scotland over this period.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Estate
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the relationship between the remit and responsibilities of the House of Commons Commission and of the domestic committees in respect of the provisions of services and facilities on the parliamentary estate.

  Mr. Beith
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25 May 1993 at column 486.

TRANSPORT

  Transport Research Laboratory
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give full details of all past and current collaborative research undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Key
  I have placed in the Library a list of collaborative research projects undertaken by TRL since 1 April 1991. Information in this form for prior years can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list and give full details of all assets, including intellectual property rights, currently owned by the Transport Research Laboratory.

  Mr. Key
  As the information requested by the hon. Member relates to operational matters of the Transport Research Laboratory I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Wootton to Ms Joan Walley, dated 25 April 1994:
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic has asked me to reply to your Question about the assets of the Transport Research Laboratory.
  I enclose a copy of the TRL Asset Register which lists all assets valued at more than £5,000 and a further list of the licences issued since April 1991 for the use of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) held by TRL.
  Under the terms of Framework Document TRL holds the IPR on behalf of the Secretary of State on research carried out for DOT and is responsible for exploitation of the IPR. When TRL contracts for work from other bodies, the ownership of the IPR is a matter of agreement between the parties.

  London Heliport
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the members of the London heliport working group, indicating the date they joined the group and the organisation they represent.

  Mr. Norris
  The London heliport study was set up on 3 February 1992 and the working group members are as follows:

  Department of Transport

  H. B. Wenban-Smith (Chairman)—March 1993

  Ms A. Monro—November 1992

  M. C. Mann—February 1992

  M. Wright—January 1993

  A. Thorning—February 1993

  M. Jackson—January 1993

  T. J. Wellburn—March 1993

  A. G. Jefreys—August 1993

  Department of the Environment

  R. Dickens—February 1992

  Department of Trade and Industry

  J. Daniels—March 1993

  P. Novak—February 1992

  Civil Aviation Authority

  T. Bass—February 1992

  S. Abrahams—February 1992

  British Helicopter Advisory Board

  Lord Glenarthur—February 1992

  J. P. W. Friedberger CB, CBE—May 1992

  222

  G. R. J. Holder—February 1992

  London Planning Advisory Committee

  K. Gardner—February 1992

  D. Dash—February 1992

  Westland London Heliport

  B. P. Cater—February 1992

  British Merchant Fleet
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new measures he now proposes to assist the British merchant fleet.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Lady to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 21 April at columns 1077–78.

  Glasgow Airport
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce measures to regulate or reduce the level of aircraft under the flight path of Glasgow airport, specifically in relation to Paisley, Johnstone and Elderslie; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  None. Responsibility for noise mitigation measures lies with the airport's anagers.

  Overflying
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which western European capitals airlines are permitted to overfly in the normal course of commercial aviation.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 25 April 1994]: Airlines from all states which are signatories to the 1944 Chicago convention and the 1944 international air services transit agreement or which otherwise possess bilaterally agreed overflying rights, are normally permitted to fly over western European capital cities. Such overflights will be subject to the air traffic control provisions of each state.

  Buses, London
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of(a) London Transport buses and (b) London Transport bus routes are crew operated in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the following table shows the percentage of total miles operated by crewed buses on London Transport bus routes since 1979.

  Percentage of miles operated by crewed buses

  Year

  Per cent.

  1979

  56

  1980

  55

  1981

  52

  1982

  52

  1983

  48

  1984

  46

  1985

  45

  1986

  33

  1987

  25

  1988

  15

  1989

  11

  1990

  8

  223

  Year

  Per cent.

  1991

  10

  1992

  7

  1993

  7

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) number and (b) percentage of bus routes operated by London Transport have had the length of their route (i) shortened and (ii) extended since 1979; and what was the average length of a bus route, in miles, in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Railtrack Colours
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those stations where signs have been repainted or renewed in the colours of Railtrack; and what was the cost.

  Mr. Freeman
  Signs have been renewed at the following stations:

  London: Victoria

  Liverpool Street

  Euston

  Waterloo

  King's Cross

  Charing Cross

  Paddington

  London Bridge

  Glasgow Central

  Edinburgh

  Leeds

  Birmingham New Street

  Manchester Piccadilly

  The total cost amounted to £87,921·23.

  Travel Concessions
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the groups of two or more local authorities which are jointly operating travel concession schemes under section 93 of the Transport Act 1985.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested for England is as follows. Data are based on a survey carried out by the Department of Transport in March 1992.

  (a) London

  A joint scheme is operated by all the London boroughs.

  (b) Metropolitan areas

  No joint schemes as such. The six passenger transport authorities—Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands and West Yorkshire—each operate schemes across the whole of their area.

  (c) Shire areas

  The following county councils each operate a scheme jointly with all their district/borough councils
  Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire and Suffolk.ln addition, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and

  Surrey
  county councils each operate country-wide schemes, but with little direct involvement of their district councils.

  The following councils operate joint schemes:
  Bucks County Council and Milton Keynes Borough council.
  Aylesbury Vale, South Bucks and Wycombe District councils.
  224
  Durham County Council jointly with Easington, Chesterle-Street, Derwentside, Durham city, and Sedgefield District councils.
  The seven district councils in Norfolk.
  South Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse district councils.
  Newcastle under Lyme borough council and Stoke on Trent city council.
  Six of the seven—not Crawley—district councils in West Sussex.

  In addition:
  Avon county council operates a scheme for blind people in Bristol and Bath.
  Cleveland county council provides support towards some of its district council schemes.

  Hazardous Cargoes
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to introduce a system of mandatory reporting and monitoring for ships with hazardous cargoes in the seas around the United Kingdom coast similar to the system introduced by France and Italy in the straits of Bonifacio.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 25 April 1994]: The International Maritime Organisation approved in November 1993 a number of routing and reporting measures around the United Kingdom coast which are similar to those introduced for the strait of Bonifacio.

  Shipping Industry
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in the plans he announced on 15 December to assist the British shipping industry; and what plans he has(a) to publish the results of his consultation on proposals to allow non-United Kingdom officers to serve on British ships and (b) to increase the financial help available to British junior officers studying for higher certificates of competency.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: We have received a few letters about my right hon. Friend's announcement of 15 December, mostly about the proposals to allow a greater use of non-United Kingdom officers on United Kingdom registered ships. Consultation on these proposals will be completed by the end of May. Individual comments will subsequently be available for inspection in the Department unless the respondent requests otherwise.

  My right hon. Friend's announcement on 15 December last explained that assistance will be available for a pilot scheme lasting three years for junior officers studying for a second certificate of competency. A total of £1.5 million is available for this scheme in the first year, 1994–95.

  Mr. Peter Gerosa
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the nature and cost of consultancy contracts awarded by his Department in which Mr. Peter Gerosa is involved.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: Mr. Gerosa is not involved in any current consultancy contract. However, Mr. Gerosa was contracted by the Department from 10 January to 31 March 1994 to carry out a review of primary and secondary legislation on vehicle standards. He was paid a total of £5,240.47 for that consultancy work.

  Civil Aviation
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the procedure for members of the public to object to the Civil Aviation Authority about the re-issuing of an air tours operator's licence to a particular firm.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: There is no formal procedure, but the hon. Member is free to write to the CAA at any time.

  M25
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sites of special scientific interest which are at risk as a result of Government plans to widen the M25.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 25 April 1994]: This question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. L. Haynes to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 26 April 1994:
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the effect of M25 widening on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
  The Government's plans for widening the M25 are not currently expected to require any land from SSSI except possibly for a small area which may be needed from the Ockham and Wisley Commons SSSI which surround Junction 10.

DEFENCE

  Rugby League
  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in extending official recognition to rugby league as a sport in the armed forces.

  Mr. Hanley
  I am pleased to announce that rugby league is now on the same footing as other sports in the services. If a sport is to be able to compete for public and non-public funds it needs to have a properly constituted and recognised association. I am pleased to be able to say that both the Army and RAF Rugby League Associations have sought, and been granted, such recognition.

  Glen Fruin Road, Dumbarton
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for Glen Fruin road, Dumbarton, when it is no longer required for use by his Department's construction traffic to the Clyde submarine base.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although my Department has agreed with the local planning authority and the landowner concerned to carry out work to remove the road and to reinstate the land when no longer required for construction traffic, it is now proposed with their agreement and that of the roads authority, to retain the road and meet the costs of bringing it up to adoptable standards for use by the public. As the proposed expenditure for this work is less than the estimated reinstatement costs, parliamentary approval to this new service has been sought in class I vote 3 of the 1994–95 main estimate. Pending that approval urgent expenditure estimated at £2,800,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingency fund.

  Military Survey Defence Agency
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has begun the review of the Military Survey Defence Agency.

  Mr. Hanley
  A review of the agency status of military survey is now under way. As a Defence Agency, the performance of Military Survey will be evaluated and military survey activities will be subjected to the prior options review set out in the 1993 "Next Steps Review" —Cm 2430.

  Comments and contributions from those with an interest in military survey and its work will be welcomed and should be sent by 31 May 1994 to military survey review team, Ministry of Defence, Room 257, Old War Office building, Whitehall, London SW1 2EU.

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key performance targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Operational Analysis Centre in 1994–95.

  Mr. Aitken
  The chief executive of the defence operational analysis centre at West Byfleet is responsible for providing the Ministry of Defence with advice on formulation of defence policy, military operational capability and future equipment requirements; this advice being derived from operational analysis studies and field trials. He has been set the following challenging key performance targets for 1994–95.

  Service to customers

  a. To complete 90 per cent. of the planned studies for customers within agreed timescales, and to seek progressive improvements in future years.

  b. To complete 85 per cent. of the planned sites for customers within planned cost, and to seek progressive improvements in future years.

  c. To complete 80 per cent. of studies within agreed time and cost.

  d. To subject 100 per cent. of new major studies to a formal quality process, which will require peer review and measures of customer satisfaction, and to conduct a trial of a "total quality target" for studies for implementation in future years.

  e. To respond to 90 per cent. of requests from customers for unplanned urgent advice within timescales negotiated at the outset, and to seek progressive improvements in future years.

  Management systems
  f. To implement a management information system linked to the full cost accounting system introduced last year and publish auditable accruals based accounts.

  Efficiency
  g. In 1994–95, to increase overall efficiency by 3 per cent. This includes a programme of market testing.

  Royal Naval Stores Depot, Eaglescliffe
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent in the last five years on refurbishing the computer room at RNSD Eaglescliffe.

  Mr. Hanley
  The air conditioning system in the computer building was replaced in 1993 at a cost of £251,000. Other maintenance carried out during the last five years has been of a routine and minor nature and the costs are not separately identifiable from the overall maintenance costs of the depot.
  227
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much is being spent on the construction of a new gatehouse at RNSD Eaglescliffe.

  Mr. Hanley
  A new gatehouse is being constructed at a cost of some £262,000, to replace the old police gatehouse which has been declared structurally unsound.

  South Africa (Defence Force)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his military representatives are going to play in the integration of the new national defence force in South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Transitional Executive in South Africa has made a formal request to the United Kingdom to provide a military team to assist with the integration of the new national defence force, which will be formed from all the existing forces in South Africa after the elections. Urgent consideration is being given to this request.

  Mozambique Army
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with his Department's involvement in training for the new unified Mozambican army; and if he will make a statement on any future involvement.

  Mr. Hanley
  In January this year the United Kingdom deployed a short-term training team to Mozambique to follow up earlier training of instructors from the new unified Mozambican army, FAMD, undertaken at Nyanga, Zimbabwe. Assistance provided by the United Kingdom currently takes the form of monitoring and advising the instructors in the training of their own troops. The Mozambican authorities have suffered some delay in the preparation of training camps and the arrival in them of trainees. A second SITT has now taken over from the first, whose personnel have other commitments, and full training commenced on 25 April.

  United Kingdom imports of sheep

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  11994 (January)

  Whole world of which:

  119,217

  98,032

  234,487

  72,939

  3

  Republic of Ireland

  118,382

  96,666

  204,230

  72,935

  France

  527

  400

  261

  0

  Netherlands

  135

  90

  392

  4

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  69

  213

  59

  0

  Germany

  13

  0

  5

  0

  0

  Iceland

  58

  0

  0

  0

  0

  New Zealand

  21

  662

  0

  0

  0

  Canada

  12

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Australia

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Nicaragua2

  0

  0

  730

  0

  0

  Iran

  0

  0

  340

  0

  0

  Japan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1 No INTRASTAT data available for January 1994.

  2 Sheep import data estimated on reported weight of animals concerned.

  Source:Her Majesty?s Customs and Excise.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tonnage of lamb and sheep is

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under which budget the Territorial Army's non-regular permanent staff are paid; and what is their cost.

  Mr. Hanley
  Territorial Army non-regular permanent staff are paid from three different budgets. They are(a) Commander In Chief United Kingdom Land Forces, CinC UKLF; (b) Assistant Chief of the General Staff, and (c) Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, VCDS. The total annual cost is some £27,000,000.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) men and (b) women were members of the Territorial Army in England and Wales at the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 31 March 1994, there were 47,046 male and 8,018 female members of the Territorial Army in England and Wales.

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are members of the Army's long-term reserve.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 1 March 1994, the membership of the Army's long-term reserve was 104,722.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sheep and Lamb
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) from which countries sheep have been imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1990, and in the current year to date;

  (2) what has been the total number of sheep imported into the United Kingdom in each year from 1990 and in 1994 to date.

  Mr. Soames
  Final date for years 1990 to 1992 are shown in the table. Data on numbers of live animals imported during 1993 are provisional and subject to change.

  reared in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; what proportion of the total United Kingdom production is accounted for by each country; what tonnage of lamb and

  229
  sheep reared in each country is exported (a) live and (b) dead; and what proportion of total British lamb and sheep exports, live and dead, is accounted for by each.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: The table provides estimates of the tonnage of lamb and sheep production for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1993, together with the proportion of the United Kingdom total.

  Both live and dead export figures are only available for the United Kingdom as a whole, and are not available separately for each country.

  United Kingdom home fed sheep and lamb production 19931 Estimate of breakdown by country

  '000 tonnes

  Proportion of United Kingdom per cent.

  England

  197

  52

  Wales

  79

  21

  Scotland

  73

  19

  Northern Ireland2

  31

  8

  United Kingdom

  380

  100

  1 Includes meat equivalent of live exports.

  2 Includes an estimate of unrecorded in live exports to Ireland.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a new fisheries derogation will be required before January 2003 to avoid equal access by all EU countries to British waters.

  Mr. Jack
  The provision for member states to retain sovereignty or jurisdiction out to 12 miles from baselines is in article 6 of regulation 3760/92. The provision expires on 31 December 2002 unless new arrangements are put in place.

  Article 14 of the same regulation provides for the Commission to report on its implementation by 31 December 2001, and for the Council to take a decision by 31 December 2002 on any necessary adjustments, in particular with reference to the provisions which could follow the arrangements referred to in article 6.

  The importance of the exclusive zone to all member states was again recognsied in the recently concluded Norwegian accession negotiations when it was agreed that the special interests of coastal communities dependent on fishing in the member states would be paid special attention when reviewing the present regime in 2002.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what definition of ecological risk will be used by the European Commission when deciding whether to allow a further derogation on the 2.5 km drift net limit for the French fishing fleet.

  Mr. Jack
  Under EC Council Regulation 3094/86, as amended, the derogation for certain French vessels 1:o use drift nets of up to 5 km in length expired at the end of 1993. Any further derogation can only be proposed by the Commission, and adopted by the Council by qualified majority,"in the light of scientific evidence showing the absence of any ecological risk linked thereto".
  The United Kingdom will be pressing the Commission to state how this absence of risk can be demonstrated.
  230
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she has put to the European Fisheries Commissioner on days at sea limitations.

  Mr. Jack
  None.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what specific steps he intends to take to protect salmon and seatrout in the Irish sea, the Irish box, and other waters adjacent to the United Kingdom when Portuguese and Spanish vessels are allowed to fish in these areas.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 April 1994]: There is no need for any additional measures to protect salmon and sea trout stocks as a result of changed access arrangements for Portuguese and Spanish fishing vessels. Article 6 of EC Council Regulation 3094/86 already effectively prohibits fishing for salmon and sea trout in waters beyond 12 miles from member states' baselines, and Spanish and Portuguese fishing vessels have no access rights within 12 miles of United Kingdom baselines.

  Epidemic Diseases in Livestock
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she has to prevent increased epidemic disease in livestock; what warnings she has received from the British Veterinary Association of the threat of corridors of diseases from eastern Europe; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government consider the maintenance of this country's high animal health to be a matter of the utmost importance.

  Ministry veterinary officials maintain close links with the British Veterinary Association and are aware of the concerns in relation to the introduction of disease by animals imported into the Community from eastern Europe. We are taking a number of measures to help prevent the introduction and spread of disease by imported farm livestock and equine animals. These are set out in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) on 1 December 1993, Official Report, column 590. Such measures are kept under constant review and the level of checks are intensified in the light of perceived disease risks.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance she has given to the private sector to facilitate research into the development and use of bovine somatotropin.

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps she is taking to achieve equity on the application of milk quota controls in all European Union member states.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government are always concerned to ensure that member states comply with their EC obligations. The Commission has direct responsibility for ensuring that the Community rules are observed. If there is
  231
  evidence that other member states are not applying milk quota controls, we are always ready to take the matter up with the Commission. Indeed, we have challenged the Commission's latest proposal to award additional quota to Italy, Spain and Greece.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on 25 and 26 April; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This meeting of the Council, at which I represented the United Kingdom, again discussed the Commission's proposals for farm support prices for 1994–95 and related measures. I made it clear that I continued to have a number of objections to the proposals, in particular to the suggested 1 per cent. cut in milk quotas. No decisions were reached and the Council will return to the subject at its May meeting.

  There was a brief discussion, initiated by the German Minister, on bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. Steichen, supported my view that current control measures fully safeguarded public health. The Commissioner and several member states also endorsed my insistence that any further measures must be consistent with scientific advice. He confirmed that it would be unacceptable for a member state to take unilateral measures which interfered with infra-Community trade.

  The Council adopted a proposal to continue assistance to transporters of Greek fruit and vegetables affected by the war in ex-Yugoslavia. Denmark voted against and France abstained.

WALES

  Local Government
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received prior to the publication of the White Paper, "Local Government in Wales: A Charter for the Future",(a) in favour of the exclusion of Llanelly from the then proposed Heads of the Valley unitary authority and (b) in favour of the inclusion of Llanelly in the proposed unitary authority of Powys.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Health Authority Appointments
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) who are the members currently appointed to the Health Promotion Authority for Wales;

  (2) who are the members currently appointed to national health service trusts;

  (3) who are the members currently appointed to the district health authorities;

  (4) who are the members currently appointed to the Welsh Health Common Service Authority;

  (5) who are the members currently appointed to the family health service authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is included in the list of public appointments in Wales, which is held in the Library of the House, and is regularly updated.

  EC Additionality Rule
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his office's interpretation of the European Commission's rule on additionality following the issuing of advice to local authorities that their permitted capital spending has been reduced because of receipts of European regional development fund grants during 1992–93.

  Mr. Redwood
  No such advice has been issued. The Government place no limit on total capital spending by local authorities. All European regional development fund capital grants to local authorities on expenditure since 1 April 1993 are accompanied, automatically and in full, by an equal amount of supplementary credit approval. This accords with the Government's agreement with the European Commission.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the representations he received prior to his White Paper, "Local Government in Wales: A Charter for the Future", and the dates he received them, in favour of the inclusion of Wick, St. Bride's Major and Ewenny in the proposed unitary authority of the Vale of Glamorgan;

  (2) if he will list the representations he received prior to his White Paper, "Local Government in Wales: A Charter for the Future", and the date he received them, in favour of the inclusion of Llanelly in the proposed unitary authority of Powys.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Voluntary Bodies (Government Funding)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total amount of Government funding disbursed by each voluntary body for the latest available financial year in respect of each district council area in Wales and for Wales as a whole;

  (2) what was the total amount of Government funding disbursed by each voluntary body for the latest available financial year in respect of each county council area in Wales and for Wales as a whole.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Bodies (Government Funding)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of Government funding received by each public body to which he makes appointments in respect of each district council area in Wales and for Wales as a whole.

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

  The amount of Government funding received by executive non-departmental bodies, advisory bodies, tribunals and NHS bodies is shown in "Public Bodies 1993" which is available in the Library of the House.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for the future of the Forestry Commission in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Ministers are considering the report of the Forestry Review Group and will make an announcement in due course.

  Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet representatives of council tenants in Drury and Buckley to discuss damp, rotten windows and the need for central heating; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have no plans to do so. It is for the local authority to deal with repairs and improvements to its housing stock.

  Travel Concession Schemes
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the groups of two or more local authorities which are jointly operating travel concession schemes under section 93 of the Transport Act 1985.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:

  South Glamorgan
  South Glamorgan county council and Cardiff city council.
  South Glamorgan county council and the Vale of Glamorgan borough council.

  Mid Glamorgan
  Mid Glamorgan county council and the borough councils of Cynon Valley, Merthyr Tydfil, Ogwr, Rhondda, Taff Ely and the district council of Rhymney Valley.

  West Glamorgan
  West Glamorgan county council, Swansea city council and the borough councils of Lliw Valley, Neath and Port Talbot.

  Dyfed
  Dyfed county council, the district councils of Ceredigion, Preseli Pembrokeshire, South Pembrokeshire and the borough councils of Llanelli and Dinefwr.

  Gwent
  Gwent county council and the borough councils of Monmouth Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Islwyn.

  Health Promotion Authority
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the budget for the Health Promotion Authority for Wales in 1994–95.

  Mr. Redwood
  Subjecct to parliamentary approval in 1994–95, £3,573,000 will be made available to the Health Promotion Authority for Wales, which includes £325,000 for national health promotion projects and £5,000 to fund the authority's capital expenditure.

  The allocation will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of an annual performance review.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what resources he has given to each of the housing authorities in the county of Clywd, borough and district, to combat homelessness.
  234
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Supplementary credit approvals for specific homelessness schemes have been made available as follows:

  £

  1991–92

  Alyn and Deeside

  153,000

  Rhuddlan

  182,000

  1992–93

  Alyn and Deeside

  30,000

  Delyn

  155,000

  Rhuddlan

  30,000

  1993–94

  Wrexham Maelor

  300,000

  This does not include spending on homelessness from within the general provisions for these councils.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the transitional costs of local government reform in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 25 April,Official Report, column 49.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Executive Agencies
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about possible executive agency status for the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Department.

  The Attorney-General
  I announced on 6 December 1993 that consideration will be given to whether the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Department should become executive agencies under the "next steps" initiative. Prior options studies are being undertaken to establish whether agency status or other options would be appropriate. I would welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 1 July 1994 to:

  Mr. S. Guy

  Crown Prosecution Service 50,

  Ludgate Hill

  Room 323

  London

  EC4M 7EX

  Mr. A. Hollis

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Queen Anne's Chambers

  28, Broadway

  London

  SW 1H 9JS

  Ms J. Rowe

  Serious Fraud Office

  10–16, Elm Street

  London

  WCI X OBJ

  MR. CHARLES REDMAN
  MR. CHARLES REDMAN
  BOSNIA: AIR POWER USE, 10 APRIL
  BOSNIA: AIR POWER USE, 10 APRIL
  NATO UNITY
  NATO UNITY
  SUDAN
  SUDAN
  PUBLIC INTEREST IMMUNITY CERTIFICATES
  PUBLIC INTEREST IMMUNITY CERTIFICATES
  PRESCRIPTION CHARGE INCREASE
  PRESCRIPTION CHARGE INCREASE
  ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: EOC PROPOSALS
  ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: EOC PROPOSALS
  PROTECTION MONEY: TAX RELIEF
  PROTECTION MONEY: TAX RELIEF
  SERVICEWOMEN: PREGNANCY
  SERVICEWOMEN: PREGNANCY
  BRITISH COAL PENSIONS: AGREEMENT
  BRITISH COAL PENSIONS: AGREEMENT