Written Answers of 8 December 1994

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Innovation Advisory Board
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the number of meetings held, the secretarial and advisory arrangements, the budgeted and actual expenditure and the subjects of any reports and submissions produced by the innovation advisory board in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The innovation advisory board was wound up in September 1993. No formal successor arrangements have been put in place, but the Department's innovation unit, which contains 15 industrial secondees, is taking forward much of the board's work. The secretariat of the IAB was provided by staff of the Department of Trade and Industry; independent external members were appointed by the Secretary of State on the basis of their pre-eminence in relevant subjects rather than as representatives of particular businesses. The board advised the Department on various aspects of innovation policy, providing advice to the Secretary of State or senior officials as appropriate. The board gained a reputation, externally and internally, as a strong and effective champion of innovation and a valuable source of advice to DTI.

  In the financial year 1991–92, the board met six times and in 1992–93 four times. It did not meet in 1993–94. The focus of its work during these periods was the interface between industry and financial institutions and between industry and education. The style of working was to prompt action by others. The board did not produce many reports or submissions. Those produced during these periods were:

  Reports

  1991–92

  First United Kingdom Company R and D Scoreboard

  "Innovation Plans Handbook" providing guidance to companies on how to present their innovation plans to investors and guidance to investors on how to examine such plans.

  1992–93

  Guidance on a modular masters degree in the management of technology Second R and D Scoreboard.

  Submissions

  1991–92

  Submission to the Cadbury Committee on the Financial Aspects of Corporate Governance. Submission to the Accountancy Standards Board of Financial Reporting Exposure Draft.

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  Programme Expenditure for these periods was:

  £

  1991–92

  124,068.35

  1992–93

  5,000.74

  1993–94

  0

  Staff costs were also incurred, but since these were an integral part of other related activities it would be disproportionately costly to identify these separately or to search for budgeted spend in the same periods.

  Defence Procurement
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which section of is Department is assessing the industrial policy issues involved in RAF procurement of long-range transports.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Department's aerospace division is working with the Ministry of Defence and other interested Departments on the industrial implications of the Hercules replacement programme.

  Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what has been the total cost to date to public funds of the Office of Fair Trading's inquiry into the complaint made against the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre;

  (2) who advises the Director General of Fair Trading in relation to Scottish law;

  (3) from how many Edinburgh solicitors the Office, of Fair Trading sought views on the complaint brought against the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre;

  (4) on how many occasions officials from the Office of Fair Trading have visited Scotland in the course of their inquiry into the complaint made against the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre;

  (5) on whose authority a press release was issued by the Office of Fair Trading on 22 November regarding the referral of the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre to the restrictive practices court, Scotland; and what is the usual practice of putting such information into the public domain before the subject of the press release has been informed of the action being taken;

  (6) what representations have been received by the Director General of Fair Trading concerning the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre; and how many were from members of the public;

  (7) when the Solicitor's Office informed the Office of Fair Trading that it would be issuing a notice of referral to the restrictive practices court (Scotland) to the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre; when this referral was issued; and whether the issue preceded or succeeded the publication of a press release by the Office of Fair Trading referring to the office's action in this matter.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Director General of Fair Trading, Sir Bryan Carsberg, is responsible for administering the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976. I have today asked Sir Bryan to consider the questions that the hon. Member has put about the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre and he will write to him in due course.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many officials and at what grades in(a) his Department and (b) the Office of Fair Trading have been

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  involved in investigating a complaint against the Edinburgh solicitors' property centre.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Department of Trade and Industry officials have not been involved. I am asking Sir Bryan Carsberg to write to the hon. Member about the involvement of his officials.

  Property Sales, Edinburgh
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the competitive position of the estate agents seeking instructions for the sale of properties in the Edinburgh area.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None.

  Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions he or his predecessors have made an order under section 11 or 12 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 in relation to services provided by solicitors.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Services provided by solicitors in their capacity as such are excluded by paragraph 1 of schedule 1 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976. Any other services provided by solicitors are brought under section 11 by the Restrictive Trade Practices (Services) Order 1976—SI 1976 No.98. That order has been amended three times: 1985 No.2044, 1986 NO.2204 and 1989 No.1082. No order has been made under section 12.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to a Government contribution to the support costs of the future large aircraft project; and when he expects to complete it.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The development of military aircraft is a matter for the Ministry of Defence, but the Department is closely involved in considering the industrial implications of the proposed project.

  Civil Air Transports
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies his Department is(a) undertaking directly or (b) has commissioned into new long-range civil air transports; and when he expects to make their conclusions available to Parliament.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No such studies have been undertaken or commissioned, but the Department is in regular contact with the United Kingdom aerospace industry on market projections and plans for new projects.

  Telephones
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he intends to take to ensure that the sound levels in telephone receivers are at a level which will not disadvantage the deaf and hard of hearing.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My Department is reviewing the technical requirements for United Kingdom approval of telecommunications terminal equipment, including telephones. The identified essential requirements are being consolidated into draft national technical regulations and these are being made available for a296
  statutory consultation with interested parties, including organisations representing people with hearing difficulties. There are no proposals to reduce sound levels in telephone receivers.

  Disqualification Reports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of initial unfit conduct reports received during the past six years from insolvency practitioners, pursuant to the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 were received within the time limits specified in the Act;

  (2) if he will make a statement of what measures he has taken to ensure that insolvency practitioners fulfil their statutory requirement in relation to the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 requires an insolvency practitioner to report forthwith when it appears to him that the conduct of a director makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a limited company. Where he has not so reported, he is required to submit a return no later than six months after his appointment as officeholder.

  Statistics are not available for the past six years, but the National Audit Office examined a representative sample of 102 initial reports submitted between April and June 1992, which showed that 22 per cent. were received within six months.

  In March 1993, the Insolvency Service issued guidelines to insolvency practitioners to assist them in complying with their obligations to report unfit conduct in a timely way but without sacrifice to quality. These guidelines have been re-enforced by newsletters to insolvency practitioners.

  In addition, insolvency practitioners are subject to monitoring visits either by their authorising bodies or by the joint insolvency monitoring unit, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with insolvency legislation including the requirements of the Company Directors Disqualification Act.

  In 1995, separate visits will be undertaken by the Insolvency Service to practitioners who have demonstrated poor compliance with the Act. If there is no subsequent improvement in performance, the practitioner will face possible licensing action or in extreme cases prosecution.

  Public Telephones (Unauthorised Displays)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will propose legislation to make it lawful for a supplier of telephone services to disconnect lines advertised by unauthorised displays at public telephones.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have no plans to do so. Although I recognise my hon. Friend's concern about this matter, it would not be appropriate to seek to regulate the placing of advertisements in unauthorised places through telecommunications legislation.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the plans of his Department to make information available on the Internet
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  and the documents which he intends to be made available on the Internet over the next year which will be accessible via the world wide web server "open.gov.uk" or any specific departmental server.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In line with a recent Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency initiative, my officials are actively considering how the facilities of the Internet might add value to current arrangements for the distribution of departmental information. This consideration includes the use of the world wide web server, "open.gov.uk."

  As previously stated, the Command Paper "Developing Broadband Communications in the UK" was placed on the CCTA Government service Internet server a few days after publication and there have been around 1,750 accesses to date.

  Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 November,Official Report, column 583, what has been the change in United Kingdom exports of finished manufactures to (a) the EEC and (b) non-EEC countries since 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  From 1984 to 1993, the value of United Kingdom exports of finished manufactures increased by 198 per cent. to the EC and by 77 per cent. to non-EC countries.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when Her Majesty's Government will introduce legislation to ratify the chemical weapons convention;

  (2) what preparations his Department has made for the implementation of the chemical weapons convention and for the establishment of the national authority.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Primary legislation is required to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the chemical weapons convention. This will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time and other Government legislative priorities permit.

  My Department has a section dedicated to preparing for the implementation of the CWC, including the establishment of a national authority. These preparations are now at an advanced stage. We have been liaising closely with other Government Departments which have an interest in the CWC and with industry representatives. My Department will be issuing a discussion document early in the New Year, to canvass industry views on the implementation of the CWC in industry in the UK.

  Mortgage Insurance
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to limit the costs of premiums of mortgage insurance policies.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None. The Secretary of State's powers under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 are primarily concerned with the solvency of insurance companies and, except where such matters are concerned, he does not intervene in their day-to-day business.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to make it a requirement for 298
  providers of mortgage insurance to make full disclosure of management and similar costs at the point of sale of mortgage insurance.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No. This would not be appropriate. The United Kingdom general insurance market is already highly competitive. In addition, the Association of British Insurer's general business code of practice requires insurance intermediaries not to impose any charge in addition to the premium required by the insurer without disclosing the amount and purpose of such charge and to disclose, on request, the commission.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure that mortgage insurance policies allow those individuals claiming under their policies to take short-term employment without losing their right to continue to claim under their policies when that period of employment concludes;

  (2) what action he is planning to take to ensure that providers of mortgage insurance limit increases in premiums for those individuals who have previously suffered a period of unemployment;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to require insurers to provide mortgage insurance to the self-employed, to those on fixed contracts and to those in part-time work.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No. This is a matter for the underwriting judgment of individual insurance companies.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the total annual cost in premiums if all mortgages taken out after October 1995 were to be covered by mortgage insurance for the financial year 1995–96 and each of the following four financial years.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  It is not possible to provide a realistic estimate because mortgage lending in the period in question cannot be predicted.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the total amount paid out on mortgage insurance policies in the last full financial year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Association of British Insurers estimates that claims paid in 1993 amounted to £156 million.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the total premiums paid in mortgage insurance for the last full financial year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Association of British Insurers estimates that premiums paid for mortgage protection insurance in 1993 amounted to £220 million.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the number of mortgage insurance policies currently in operation which cover(a) 50 per cent. or more and (b) less than 50 per cent. of the full cost of the associated mortgage for (i) one year or less, (ii) two years or less, (iii) three years or less and (iv) more than .three years.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Association of British Insurers estimates that some 1.1 million policies are in force. Generally, policies cover 100 per cent. of the cost of the associated mortgage. The ABI estimates that 90 per cent. of the policies will pay up to one year and 10 per cent. up to two years. The ABI is not aware of any policies that pay for more than two years.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any British oil exploration contracts in the East Timor gap have been approved by the Government of Indonesia.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand that one United Kingdom company is licensed to explore for oil and gas in this region.

  Energy Advisory Panel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what requests he has received from external bodies to use the collective expertise on his energy advisory panel to assist them in energy assessment; and what reports he has received to date from the energy advisory panel.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 2 December 1994]: I have received no such requests. The panel has not produced specific reports.

  Capital
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 November,Official Report, column 583, what has been the change in net capital employed in manufacturing in real terms since 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: Figures on net capital stock by sector are published in table 14.7 in the Central Statistical Office Blue Book—United Kingdom national accounts—which is available in the Library of the House. Net capital stock figures by industry are not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the increase in real terms in net capital employed in(a) United Kingdom manufacturing and (b) commercial and industrial firms other than manufacturing since 1979; and to what extent he ascribes the difference to the Government's fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policies.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: Figures on net capital stock by sector are published in table 14.7 in the Central Statistical Office Blue Book—United Kingdom national accounts—which is available in the Library of the House. Net capital stock figures by industry are not available. The capital employed by a firm is influenced by a number of factors including expected demand and rates of return.

  Export Credits
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list export credits to Oman since 1979, by year, and state the percentage increases or decreases each year.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: ECGD support for capital goods and project business in Oman and the percentage increase or decrease each year is given in the table:

  Business (£ million)

  Percentage Increase/Decrease

  1980–81

  305.7

  n/a

  1981–82

  65.94

  -78.39

  1982–83

  415.06

  +529.45

  300

  Business (£ million)

  Percentage Increase/Decrease

  1983–84

  305.54

  -26.39

  1984–85

  40.65

  -86.70

  1985–86

  77.19

  +89.89

  1986–87

  65.67

  -14.92

  1987–88

  0.00

  -100.00

  1988–89

  0.06

  n/a

  1989–90

  0.35

  +483.33

  1990–91

  349.51

  +99,760.00

  1991–92

  0.10

  -99.97

  1992–93

  44.48

  +44,380.00

  1993–94

  413.39

  +829.38

  Reliable comparative data is not available prior to 1980–81.

  The figures for 1993–94 remain provisional pending publication of ECGD's Trading Accounts for the 1993–94 financial year.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list export credits to India since 1979, by year, and state the percentage increases or decreases each year.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: ECGD support for capital goods and project business in India and the percentage increase or decrease each year is given in the table:

  Business (£ Million)

  Percentage Increase/Decrease

  1980–81

  51.73

  n/a

  1981–82

  42.44

  -17.96

  1982–83

  626.57

  +1,376.37

  1983–84

  224.15

  -64.23

  1984–85

  74.52

  -66.75

  1985–86

  35.97

  -51.73

  1986–87

  86.37

  +140.12

  1987–88

  83.35

  -3.50

  1988–89

  5.03

  -93.97

  1989–90

  79.65

  +1,483.50

  1990–91

  69.84

  -12.32

  1991–92

  12.81

  -81.66

  1992–93

  101.97

  +696.02

  1993–94

  208.54

  +104.51

  Reliable comparative data is not available prior to 1980–81.

  The figures for 1993–94 remain provisional pending publication of ECGD's Trading Accounts for the 1993–94 financial year.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list export credits to Turkey since 1979, by year, and state the percentage increases or decreases each year.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: ECGD support for capital goods and project business in Turkey and the percentage increase or decrease each year is given in the table:

  Business (£ million)

  Percentage Increase/Decrease

  1980–81

  16.12

  n/a

  1981–82

  3.94

  -75.56

  1982–83

  0.23

  -94.16

  1983–84

  75.24

  +3,2613.04

  1984–85

  7.93

  -89.46

  1985–86

  165.42

  +1,986.00

  1986–87

  38.14

  -76.94

  1987–88

  49.42

  +29.58

  1988–89

  125.09

  +153.12

  1989–90

  54.66

  -56.30

  1990–91

  51.02

  -6.66

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  Business (£ million)

  Percentage Increase/Decrease

  1991–92

  175.41

  +243.81

  1992–93

  130.32

  -25.71

  1993–94

  111.85

  -14.17

  Reliable comparative data is not available prior to 1980–81.

  The figures for 1993–94 remain provisional pending publication of ECGD's Trading Accounts for the 1993–94 financial year.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list export credits to Indonesia since 1979, by year, stating percentage increases or decreases each year.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: ECGD support for capital goods and project business in Indonesia and the percentage increase or decrease each year is given in the table:

  Business (£ million)

  Percentage Increase/Decrease

  1980–81

  9.31

  n/a

  1981–82

  149.94

  +1,510.53

  1982–83

  566.35

  +277.72

  1983–84

  301.08

  -46.84

  1984–85

  248.75

  -17.38

  1985–86

  139.75

  -43.82

  1986–87

  72.74

  -47.95

  1987–88

  47.92

  -34.12

  1988–89

  67.36

  +40.57

  1989–90

  52.29

  -22.37

  1990–91

  149.59

  +186.08

  1991–92

  124.11

  -17.03

  1992–93

  450.40

  +262.90

  1993–94

  100.14

  -77.77

  Reliable comparative data are not available prior to 1980–81.

  The figures for 1993–94 remain provisional pending publication of ECGD's Trading Accounts for the 1993–94 financial year.

LORD CHANCELLOR' S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates, Teesside
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will consider appointing at least one stipendiary magistrate at Teesside.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is pleased to consider the appointment of stipendiary magistrates following requests from the local advisory committees. No request has been received from the South Cleveland advisory committee.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many lay magistrates are currently needed to bring the Teesside bench up to full strength.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The required strength of any bench is determined by the number of magistrates needed to deal with the work without the annual number of half-day sittings for individual magistrates being excessive. The strength of the Teesside bench on 1 December was 274, and a further 23 people are being recommended to the Lord Chancellor for appointment. The current and projected annual average number of sittings per magistrate is 43, which is a little high but is not regarded by the Lord Chancellor as excessive.

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what occasions since 1979 civil servants in his Department have been asked to draft speeches of a constituency nature for use in a Minister's own constituency.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None. Civil servants may provide briefing of a factual nature for Ministers on matters relating to their own Departments. In addition, Ministers, in preparing for a constituency speech, can draw on material produced by their Department during the normal course of business.

  Building Refurbishment
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will itemise the refurbishment works undertaken on buildings housing departmental staff in the last three years, indicating the costs involved and the nature of the refurbishments.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Maintenance and refurbishment works carried out in 1992–93 totalled £18,444,000 and in 1993–94, £21,094,000. The figures for 1991–92 are not readily available, nor are details of schemes in 1992–93. Details of expenditure on major court refurbishment schemes during 1993–94 was as follows:

  £

  Lewes Combined Court

  3,118,000

  Lincoln Castle Crown Court

  482,000

  Nottingham Combined Court

  642,000

  Plymouth Combined Court

  364,000

  Royal Courts of Justice

  3,233,000

  The balance was expended by regional budget holders on a variety of works, a proportion of which would be in respect of refurbishment schemes. However, the detailed information could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of people of the United Kingdom were eligible for free legal aid in each year from 1990 to 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department estimates the percentage of households qualifying for civil legal aid without a contribution as follows:

  1990: —29 per cent.

  1991: —25 per cent.

  1992: —27 per cent.

  1993: —21 per cent.

  The figures are based on the family expenditure survey reports for the years in question.

DEFENCE

  Joint Service Command and Staff College
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the location of the proposed joint service command and staff college.
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  Mr. Rifkind
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, North-West (Sir M. Grylls).

  Staff Colleges
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the staff colleges with particular reference to the staff college, Camberley, Surrey.

  Mr. Rifkind
  In my statement on 14 July 1994, I announced that further work was in hand to examine whether the joint service command and staff college should be located at Camberley or Greenwich and whether junior command and staff training should take place on the same site. This work has now been concluded and I am satisfied that Camberley is by far the most appropriate and cost-effective site for both activities, and that staff training at Bracknell and Greenwich should cease. I have decided that this proposal should be the basis for consultation. A consultative document will be issued in the next few weeks.

  I recognise the need to ensure that fitting occupants are found for such an important site as the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. We are now considering a number of potential candidates to occupy these buildings, including a restructured defence school of languages, for which Wilton Park, Beaconsfield is unlikely to remain an appropriate home. Work is continuing to determine which would provide the best balance of suitability and compatibility. I hope to be in a position to announce a proposal for the future of Greenwich early next year, on which we will consult separately.

  Unless there is an alternative defence use for the RAF staff college at Bracknell, my intention would be to dispose of it. Similarly, if work in hand at present determines that there is no longer any need to retain Wilton Park, Beconsfield, that will also be disposed of.

  Further work is under way to determine the effect on staff numbers of these proposals. Once final proposals for Greenwich can be made, we shall consult separately on the specific staffing impact on Greenwich, Beaconsfield and any other site affected. Every effort will be made to minimise the need for redundancies.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the development of plans for transfer of the married quarters estate to the private sector.

  Mr. Soames
  It is too early to be confident that such a transfer will be possible on terms which will satisfy our requirements. Nonetheless, the initial work undertaken for us by NatWest Markets, the investment bank, has been productive and encouraging. We therefore now intend to progress to development of comprehensive proposals aimed at achieving the transfer in financial year 1995–96. A decision on whether to proceed will not be taken until worked-out proposals are available in the first part of next year. Meanwhile, however, following completion of the initial study, we are proceeding to competitive selection of financial and other advisers to help us prepare for and effect the transfer.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the defence medical services.

  Mr. Soames
  During the "Front Line First" medical study consultation period, my Department received more than 230 responses to our proposals for the future of the defence medical services.

  All of these responses have received careful and sympathetic scrutiny. Understandable local concerns and support have been expressed for fine military facilities with a proud history of service to their civilian communities. No significant new defence-related arguments have, however, emerged, nor have any new suggestions bee made which have caused us to alter our original proposals.

  I can therefore confirm that we shall now move to develop our plans, working closely with the relevant NHS authorities, along the lines indicated in "Front Line First". We shall establish a single tri-service core hospital to provide the future secondary care needs for the armed forces in the United Kingdom. I can conform that we have decided that this facility will be established at the current royal naval hospital Haslar in Gosport. This hospital will be supported by a continuing presence at the Duchess of Kent military hospital at Catterick and by Ministry of Defence medical staff working in three Ministry of Defence hospital units. One of these will be located at the Derriford district general hospital in Plymouth; the remaining two sites will be chosen over the next three months. All secondary care will be managed by a tri-service Defence Agency, which will continue to develop increasingly close links with the NHS, and will be headed by a chief executive reporting through the surgeon general to the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff responsible for personal matters.

  The Princess Mary's RAF hospital Akrotiri in Cyprus will also form part of the tri-service secondary care agency. The future of the two service hospitals in Germany will be considered further following the completion of the current market testing programme. We are also examining the case for market testing the defence services medical rehabilitation unit at RAF Headley Court, and shall be examining the need for the RAF's central medical establishment to be in central London and the scope for alternative uses of the Royal Army medical college at Millbank. We shall be bringing dentists from all three services into a single, tri-service agency and subsequently submitting the business to a market test.

  Primary care will be provided by the most cost-effective combination of the NHS, the private health care sector, and MOD military and civilian staff, to the greatest extent consistent with providing peacetime employment for those uniformed personnel required to deploy for operations and war.

  The reorganisation of defence medical services, including the closures of the Cambridge military hospital and the Princess Alexandra's RAF hospital, is intended to be complete by April 1996. Because of this, the closure of the Queen Elizabeth military hospital at Woolwich will be brought forward to the spring of 1995, at which time we expect to transfer the hospital to the NHS although a service presence may remain for some months afterwards. The closure date for the Princess Mary's RAF hospital at Halton has also been brought forward to March 1996.
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  Much work needs to be done before the full reorganisation of defence medical services can become effective and we have therefore put in place a team to effect all elements of the implementation process. We shall continue to consult the trade unions on the details of our plans as they unfold.

  Minor War Vessels, Rosyth
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his statement of 14 July,Official Report, columns 1171–2, if he has reached a decision on the future of minor war vessels based at Rosyth.

  Mr. Freeman
  Having given full and careful consideration to the representations made on the proposals promulgated on 14 July, we have decided to proceed with the redeployment of minor war vessels from Rosyth to Faslane and Portsmouth by April 1996 and the change in the role of Rosyth from a minor war vessel operating base to a Royal Navy support establishment within a similar time frame. In the same time scale, the non-operational functions of flag officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland will transfer to Faslane from Pitreavie. We will continue to consult with staff and the trade unions about the detailed implementation of these measures and their implications. My officials will also work closely with the Scottish Office, local authorities and other agencies to enable those areas of the base no longer required by the Department to be redeveloped for alternative economic use. Constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Office is already under way with a view to securing co-ordinated disposal strategy for the site aimed at promoting the continuing economic development and diversification of the area.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what independent research he has commissioned into the possible after effects of inoculations against anthrax, yellow fever, hepatitis, plague, polio and cholera, given singly or together or within a few day of each other to personnel serving in the Gulf war.

  Mr. Soames
  None. All known vaccine interactions are published in standard medical textbooks and the British national formulary. Short-term side-effects—sore arm, malaise—are very common after any vaccination procedure but there is no scientific or medical evidence to suggest that vaccines can interact to produce long-term adverse health effects. Furthermore, it is not unusual, in normal medicine practice, for a number of separate vaccines to be administered at the same time or over a short period.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will issue regimental part I orders to all current service personnel requiring those who served in the Gulf war and who believe they may have suffered ill-effects to report to their medical officer.

  Mr. Soames
  Personnel from all three services who believe that they are suffering from ill health, for whatever reason, have been encouraged to report to their medical officer. The armed forces medical services have already established a medical assessment programme for those who believe their ill health is a result of their Gulf service. The existence of this assessment programme is well known in the services and the issuing of orders is not therefore considered necessary.
  306
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what independent research he has commissioned into possible birth defects in children born to the families of service personnel who served in the Gulf war.

  Mr. Soames
  We are aware of no scientific or medical evidence to suggest that the incidence of genetic defects among babies born into the families of British Gulf veterans is any higher than that found among the civilian population. Given the lack of evidence, there are no grounds for commissioning independent research.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been commissioned into leishmania tropica infection in service personnel who served in the Gulf war, with particular reference to viscerotropic leishmaniasis.

  Mr. Soames
  Tests for leishmaniasis are routinely performed on United Kingdom armed forces personnel whose service and personal history, symptoms and signs are suggestive of this disease. No case of any species of leishmania has been found in British armed forces personnel who served in the Gulf, and we have not therefore commissioned any additional research into the disease. We are aware, however, that the United States authorities have to date identified 31 cases of leishmaniasis among their personnel who served in the Gulf, including 12 cases of a disseminated disease not previously associated with the species leishmania tropica, which has been labelled viscerotropic leishmaniasis. The armed forces medical services will continue to monitor developments in the United States.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the troops who served in Operation Granby(a) are still serving in the armed forces and (b) have been invalided out since.

  Mr. Soames
  Around 45,0000 service personnel were deployed to the middle east in support of operation Granby. Details of the number still serving are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. According to central medical records, one Royal Navy, 44 Army and three Royal Air Force personnel have, to date, been discharged on medical grounds as a result of injuries or illness sustained as a result of incidents during Operation Granby. All were discharged for recognised medical conditions.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has commissioned into possible nerve end damage, whether permanent or temporary, in service men and women as the result of exposure to various agents during the Gulf war.

  Mr. Soames
  None. Any service man or woman whose medical history, symptoms and signs are suggestive of neurological—including nerve end damage—is thoroughly investigated in accordance with normal clinical practice. None of the 65 individuals so far assessed under the Gulf medical assessment programme have neurological damage, and we therefore see no reason to commission specific research into this matter.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what checks have been carried out to establish whether service personnel with a history of asthma or hay fever may be particularly susceptible to nerve agent pre-treatment set or other products used for their protection during the Gulf War.

  Mr. Soames
  There is no evidence that normal seasonal hay fever sufferers are particularly susceptible to any of
  307
  the protective measures used during Operation Granby. Individuals with a history of asthma could be susceptible to one of the protective measures, NAPS, the active constituent of which is pyridostigmine bromide. The administration of pyridostigmine bromide is not contra-indicated for known asthmatics, but caution is advised because the drug may exacerbate asthma symptoms. However, asthma is generally not compatible with service in the armed forces and potential recruits with a history of this condition would not be accepted for service. Furthermore, those already serving who develop asthma are required to be referred to a service consultant who assesses their suitability to be retained in the services. Those retained would normally serve in a reduced medical category which would preclude operational service.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make available to ex-service personnel who served in the Gulf war their full medical records, including details of all injections and other protective measures given.

  Mr. Soames
  Service medical records are the property of the Department and can be released only to the patient concerned in accordance with the Access to Health Records Act 1990, which came into force on 1 November 1991. Under the provisions of this Act, which is not retrospective, medical records are normally released only to the individual whom they concern if they were compiled after 1 November 1991. For records compiled before this date, however, it has long been my Department's policy to release them on request to a former service person's GP or solicitor where they may be required for the management of a particular case.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what independent research he has commissioned into the possible after-effects of exposure to a combination of two or more of inoculations against infectious diseases, NAPS tablets, organo-phosphorus pesticides and airborne pollution.

  Mr. Soames
  None. We are aware of no scientific or medical evidence which suggests that the combination of preventative medical procedures and individually non-harmful levels of other substances presents any increased risk to health which would warrant the commissioning of specific research.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gulf war veterans have presented themselves with illnesses since their return; and how many have, in the judgment of his Department, been suffering from identifiable complaints, whether or not linked to their service in Operation Granby.

  Mr. Soames
  The information is not available in the form requested as no central record is maintained of visits by armed forces personnel to service primary health case facilities, and responsibility for the health of those Gulf veterans who have left the services rests with the national health service. One hundred and eighty-five Gulf war veterans with concerns about their health have, however, come forward at our request for medical assessment by the armed forces medical services. Of these, 65 have so far been examined under the medical assessment programme and all have been found to be suffering from identifiable complaints, none of which are peculiar to service in the Gulf.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the annual budget of the Defence Export Services Organisation in each of the last 15 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 22 November,Official Report, column 139.

  Closures
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions during each of the last four years the proposed closure of a Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force base was made the subject of formal consultation; and in how many cases the proposed closure was subsequently reversed.

  Mr. Soames
  All proposals by my Department which affect civilian staff are subject to formal consultation with trade unions and other interested parties before final decisions are taken. As consultation is undertaken locally for all proposals affecting fewer than 25 staff, central records are not maintained, and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For those cases where records are held centrally, one proposal was altered, and two others are subject to fresh study. In other cases, alternative defence uses were found for some sites.

  Airfields
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department's airfields are now surplus to requirements; and what is the timetable for their disposal.

  Mr. Soames
  The following airfields are surplus to requirement and are in disposal or earmarked for disposal:

  Airfields

  Expected disposal timetable

  DRA Bedford (Thurleigh Airfield)

  Completion of sale anticipated June 1995.

  RAF Bentwaters

  Disposal projected for FY 95/96.

  RAF Binbrook

  Disposal projected for FY 95/96.

  RAF Greenham Common

  Sale of airfield anticipated summer 1995.

  Old Sarum Airfield

  Freehold of airfield expected to be sold in February/March 1995.

  St. David's Airfield, Dyfed

  Completion of sale anticipated 31 December 1995.

  RAF Sculthorpe

  Disposal projected for FY 95/96 subject to confirmation of no further Defence use.

  RAF Swinderby

  Disposal projected for FY 95/96 subject to confirmation of no further Defence use.

  RAF Upper Heyford

  No timetable available at present as the method of disposal is still to be decided.

  Wroughton Airfield

  To be transferred to the National Museum of Science & Industry 31 March 1995

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  The table below gives details of airfields that have been declared surplus to requirements but which are still in use and/or under consideration for alternative Defence use.

  Airfields

  Status

  RAF Alconbury

  USAF to vacate by September 1995. Disposal projected for FY 96–97.

  RAF Binbrook

  Projected disposal dated FY 96–97.

  RAF Chivenor

  Under consideration for alternative Defence use.

  HMS Daedalus

  Due to close in April 1996. Disposal is projected for FY 96–97.

  DRA Farnborough

  Currently operational but expected to be accepted for disposal in April 1995. The disposal of the airfield is linked to that of the "factory area" which is not expected to become surplus until early 1997.

  RAF Newton

  Under consideration for alternative Defence use.

  RAF Swanton-Morley

  To be released 1995. Disposal projected for FY 96–97.

  RAF Upwood

  USAF Contingency Hospital. Site (minus Clinic) to be handed back to. MOD in September 1995. Disposal projected for FY 96–97 subject to confirmation of no further Defence use.

  RAF West Raynham

  Closed Autumn 1994. Under consideration for alternative Defence use.

  RAF Woodbridge

  Station closed. Under consideration for alternative Defence use.

  Defence Appointments
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total number of approvals given per officer rank in the armed forces since 1984 to take up appointments with companies in the defence industry.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is as follows:

  Approvals

  Admiral of the Fleet

  1

  Admiral

  30

  Vice Admiral

  5

  Rear Admiral

  54

  Commodore

  8

  Captain

  88

  Commander

  258

  Lieutenant Commander

  287

  Lieutenant

  89

  Field Marshal

  2

  General

  16

  Lieutenant General

  6

  Major General

  65

  Brigadier

  77

  Colonel

  71

  Lieutenant Colonel

  125

  Major

  159

  Captain

  32

  Lieutenant

  6

  Marshal of the RAF

  1

  Air Chief Marshal

  13

  310

  Approvals

  Air Marshal

  19

  Air Vice-Marshal

  49

  Air Commodore

  51

  Group Captain

  92

  Wing Commander

  187

  Squadron Leader

  174

  Flight Lieutenant

  48

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions since 1979 civil servants in his Department have been asked to draft speeches of a constituency nature for use in a Minister's own constituency.

  Mr. Freeman
  None.

  Ministry of Defence Houses
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence houses are currently vacant in each county of Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  Houses

  County Antrim

  5

  County Armagh

  3

  County Down

  110

  County Fermanagh

  —

  County Londonderry

  55

  County Tyrone

  8

  Of these houses, all but 18 are either being refurbished or are being held vacant in preparation for the arrival of replacement units in early 1995.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department is taking to review the requirements for service residential and social accommodation in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Soames
  We keep the requirement for accommodation under continual review in Northern Ireland, as elsewhere.

  Royal Engineering Camp, Antrim
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the requirement for additional accommodation at the Royal Engineers camp in Antrim in the event of other suitable alternative accommodation becoming available in the Antrim area.

  Mr. Soames
  The option of building on another site rather than rebuilding Massereene barracks was investigated, but no suitable alternative was found.

  Gordon Foxley
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reforms his Department has adopted following the Gordon Foxley case.

  Mr. Freeman
  Our investigations into the Gordon Foxley case continue. It is, however, already apparent that
  311
  a number of changes in practice, in areas such as competition and contracting procedures, made since the period in which Foxley was active had reduced the risk of a recurrence. We have also taken steps to reduce the time for which individuals serve in commercially sensitive posts. Further changes will be considered in the light of the progress of our investigation.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusions his Department has drawn from the Gordon Foxley case.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) of 23 November,Official Report, column 146–47.

  Eurocorps
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to British membership of the Eurocorps.

  Mr. Soames
  There are no plans for the United Kingdom to join the Eurocorps.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his French and German counterparts concerning the Eurocorps.

  Mr. Soames
  There have been no recent substantive discussions with France and Germany on the Eurocorps, although in the course of normal bilateral exchanges French and German Ministers generally inform their UK opposite numbers of significant developments concerning the corps.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft have been lost in accidents in each of the last five years; and what has been the total cost of these accidents.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  1990—5

  1991—4

  1992—0

  1993—1

  1994—6

  No replacement costs arise for these aircraft since there is an attrition reserve from which aircraft are taken to replace those lost. Records are not maintained centrally of other costs that may arise from an accident, such as aircraft salvage or third party claims.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the safety records of Tornado F3s and GR1s.

  Mr. Soames
  The safety of aircraft in service is monitored continually by the RAF. The safety record of the Tornado compares favourably with other fast-jet types operated in a similar environment. Overall, the Tornado has had a low loss rate since it entered service.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department has taken to remedy any technical problems which have caused Tornado accidents in the past five years.

  Mr. Soames
  One of the completed RAF boards of inquiry into Tornado accidents in the past five years has identified a technical problem as the cause. As a result of 312
  the accident on 30 April 1990 in Canada, modifications were made to the Tornado's RB 199 engine to improve fire protection.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the RAF's inspectorate of flight safety report into Tornado crashes will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF inspectorate of flight safety has not been tasked to produce a specific report on Tornado crashes. All RAF aircraft accidents are subject to an RAF board of inquiry, which conducts a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of each accident. Summaries of boards of inquiry findings are placed in the Library of the House. The safety of all RAF aircraft types are, however, kept under constant review.

  LSD Experiments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the LSD experiments called Moneybags carried out at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down; in which years the Moneybags experiments were conducted; how many service volunteers were tested under the Moneybags experiments; what were the lowest and highest doses administered to service volunteers during the Moneybags experiments; what were these volunteers required to do under these Moneybags experiments; how many animals were tested under the Moneybags experiments and what type of animals were used; what was the conclusion of the Moneybags experiments; and with which countries the results of these experiments were shared.

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down to consider under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 8 December 1994:

  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about work carried out with LSD at Porton Down known as Moneybags has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) is to carry out work to ensure that the UK Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. As part of that programme, evaluation is carried out of chemicals that may be utilised by an aggressor as a chemical warfare agent.

  3. Moneybags was one in a series of studies carried out in the 1960s to assess the effects of LSD on troops in a military setting where the behaviour of those volunteers who had been given LSD could be compared with those control volunteers who had not been given LSD. The aim of Moneybags was to determine how this psychotomimetic drug affected the military performance of men under simulated operational conditions. Some 20 Service Volunteers participated but not all were given LSD; 4 were screened out as being unsuitable to receive LSD. Of the others, some received no LSD whilst the lowest and highest doses were 75 and 200 vg respectively. This was given orally in water. No animals were involved.

  4. Moneybags was designed to reproduce a military exercise of an internal security nature, the scenario being that an "enemy" force had sought refuge on the Porton Down range. The volunteers were tasked to clear the relevant area and to capture prisoners and stores from the "enemy".

  5. Moneybags showed that the effects of LSD were manifest within 10 minutes and within 15 minutes the efficiency of the volunteer unit was impaired. After 70 minutes the levels of

  313
  incapacitation and the breakdown of communication between sections of the unit was such that all activity was terminated. Two days after their exposure to LSD the volunteer unit showed no ill effects and a repeat of the exercise, in which an inactive placebo was given, was perfectly executed.

  6. It was concluded that men given a drug such as LSD would be incapable of effective military action. However, the drug had been administered orally and it as far from clear whether it could be disseminated effectively as an aerosol and thus whether it would present a significant battlefield hazard.

  7. The results from Moneybags formed part of the technology database held by the Establishment in the area of evaluation of the potential hazard to Service personnel from possible chemical warfare agents. This information was drawn upon during the 1960s and 1970s in the agreements with our NATO allies to exchange information and so promote collaboration and cooperation in areas such as research and development in chemical and biological defence. The agreements with the United States at that time included:

  a. The Technical Cooperation Programme involving UK, US, Canada and Australia which had subsumed the earlier trilateral UK/US/Canada meetings.

  b. America, British, Canadian and Australian Armies (ABCA) agreement Quadripartite Working Group (QWG) on NBC defence.

  c. The NATO Panel VII on chemical and biological defence.

  Hercules Fleet
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies have put in bids to refurbish the present Hercules fleet; and if he will now instigate a competition for this work.

  Mr. Freeman
  Competitive bids for refurbishment of the Hercules fleet will be sought formally if the Government decide, on the basis of the current detailed assessment, that there is an operational and value for money case in favour of pursuing refurbishment.

  Military Bases
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the present number of(a) Navy, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Army military bases within the United Kingdom.

  Mr Soames
  Data held on the defence property list does not differentiate between minor sites and major locations. The total number of facilities attributed to single services are as follows:

  (a) NAVY = 223

  (b) RAF = 276

  (c) ARMY = 447

  These figures include facilities such as training areas and ranges, but exclude facilities such as married quarters, career information offices, and facilities for the reserve forces.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bosnia
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to propose the complete demilitarisation of the safe areas in Bosnia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We welcome the United Nations Secretary-General's report of 1 December to the Security Council on safe areas. The report includes proposals on 314
  the demilitarisation of the safe areas. It is now being studied by the Security Council.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the UN-declared safe areas are occupied by armed Bosnian Muslim troops; and what are the reasons for their presence.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Bosnian Government troops are present in all the safe areas in Bosnia: Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zepa, Gorazde, Srebrenica and Bihac.

  The Security Council resolutions relating to the designation of safe areas—819, 824 and 836—do not require that Bosnian Government troops be withdrawn from these areas.

  Management Information System
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce a full management information system encompassing the activities of his staff in London and overseas.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Work is in hand to replace the Foreign Office's present management information system with a new financial and management accounting system from 1 April 1996. It will be compatible with the Department's integrated manpower and personnel system and will provide a comprehensive system covering all its activities at home and overseas.

  The ODA has an office-wide system providing management information for all staff, including those overseas, responsible for managing expenditure. This system came into operation in April 1987.

  Embassy Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 November,Official Report, columns 165–66, what are the reasons for the size of his Department's staff establishment in Ankara.

  Mr. David Davis
  The staffing level of diplomatic service posts overseas is determined by the Foreign Office's political and economic objectives, which are published in the departmental report for 1994. Staffing and resource levels at individual posts reflect the depth of bilateral relations, the requirements of British exporters, the growing number of British citizens travelling abroad; and United Kingdom immigration, aid and domestic policies.

  EU Council
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 December,Official Report, column 949–52, what factors have led to the non-availability of the agenda of the Council of the European Union in Essen.

  Mr. David Davis
  There are no formal agendas for European Councils although the President of the Council circulates his suggested themes for discussion a few days in advance. The likely subjects for discussion were set out in the memorandum by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which was sent to the Committee on 24 November.

PRIME MINISTER

  Honours System
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) peerages and (b) knighthoods have been awarded since May 1979 to (i) local authority members, (ii) civil servants, (iii) business men, (iv) business women, (v) Conservative hon. Members, (vi) ex-Conservative hon. Members, (vii) Liberal hon. Members, (viii) ex-Liberal hon. Members, (ix) Social Democrat party hon. Members, (x) ex-Social Democrat party Members, (xi) Labour hon. Members and (xii) ex-Labour hon. Members.

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Department of Trade and Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what considerations led to the current ministerial staffing of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  The Prime Minister
  Ministerial staffing levels are determined according to the responsibilities of each Department.

  Engagements
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the purposes of his engagements today.

  The Prime Minister
  To carry out my duties and responsibilities as Prime Minister.

  Lockheed
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received from the general public in connection with the Hercules C-130 replacement; how many of these supported Lockheed; and how many have asked for the decision to be delayed until the future large aircraft feasibility study has been completed.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received numerous representations on this subject.

ENVIRONMENT

  Green Belt Land
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what releases of green belt land over 100 hectares in size have been agreed to in structure or unitary plans since 1986.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No releases of green belt land over 100 hectares in size have been agreed to in the north-east in structure or unitary plans since 1986. Information is not available nationally, except at disproportionate cost.

  Research that the Government published last year showed that boundary alterations in development plans and affected less than 0.3 per cent. of green belts over the last eight years in the areas studied.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the occasions since 1987 when he or his predecessors have called in a development plan 316
  or issued a holding direction to prevent the release of areas of green belt land over 100 hectares in size.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Three article 14 directions have been made on green belt sites in excess of 100 hectares in the north-east since 1987. Information on holding directions is not available nationally, except at disproportionate cost. No development plans have ever been called in on green belt grounds.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision is made in guidance or draft guidance on green belts for the release of green belt land to halt out migration from local authority areas.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Planning policy guidance note 2 on green belts states:"Once the general extent of a green belt has been approved it should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. If such an alteration is proposed the Secretary of State will wish to be satisfied that the authority has considered opportunities for development within the urban areas contained by and beyond the green belt. Similarly, detailed green belt boundaries defined in adopted local plans or earlier approved development plans should be altered only exceptionally."

  A draft revision of PPG2, which was issued for consultation earlier this year, maintained the point that "exceptional circumstances" were required to justify boundary changes. A final version has not yet been published.

  Nickel and Vanadium Emissions
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has carried out into the health effects of nickel and vanadium emitted from large combustion plants; what conclusions have been reached; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of Environment has not carried out any research into the health effects of nickel and vanadium. The World Health Organisation has published an air quality guideline for vanadium of 1 vg/m3 daily average. The data available for the United Kingdom suggest that this is unlikely to be exceeded in urban areas.

  The WHO has not produced an air quality guideline for nickel. Advice from the Department of Health is that there is no reason to suppose that ambient levels of nickel pose a significant threat to health in the United Kingdom.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the United Kingdom is making towards meeting its target of reducing total annual carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2000.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 30 November 1994,Official Report, column 1200.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will identify the amount and source of the extra funds for the single regeneration budget outlined in the latest Budget; and whether those extra funds will be available for all local authorities to compete for.

  Mr. Curry
  An extra £25 million has been added, for each of the three years 1995–96 to 1997–98, to the resources for projects successful in the first bidding round
  317
  of the single regeneration budget. This brings the amount available for the 201 successful bids announced on 6 December to £125 million in 1995–96 and to £225 million in both 1996–97 and 1997–98.

  A second bidding round will be launched next year and will build up to a full spend of £200 million in 1997–98, with £40 million available in 1996–97 for early funding of successful projects.

  Resources for these new SRB projects are being released from the programmes which were brought together to form the SRB, as their existing commitments come to an end.

  Detailed guidance for the second round will be issued next spring. As in round 1, local authorities, training and enterprise councils and private and voluntary sector interests will be encouraged to form partnerships and put forward comprehensive bids that meet local regeneration needs and priorities.

  Departmental Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will supply further figures to those set out at tables A and B of page 60 of the Department of Environment's annual report 1994 so as to bring those figures up to date to expenditure plans for the year 1997–98.

  Approved Estate Management Boards in England as at 1 April 1994

  Region

  Authority

  EMB

  Units

  London

  Camden

  Maiden Lane

  479

  London

  Islington

  Hornsey Lane

  173

  London

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Lancaster West

  829

  London

  Tower Hamlets

  Samuda

  505

  North East

  Langbaurgh-on-Tees

  South Bank

  865

  North West

  Blackburn

  Shadsworth

  n/a

  North West

  Burnley

  West End Estates

  1,200

  North West

  Manchester

  Hollin

  1,200

  North West

  Oldham

  Higginshaw Village

  339

  North West

  Oldham

  Holts Village

  925

  North West

  Rochdale

  Freehold

  n/a

  North West

  Rossendale

  Bacup and Stacksteads

  1,184

  North West

  Rossendale

  Haslingden

  1,461

  North West

  Wanington

  Blackbrook

  809

  North West

  West Lancashire

  Digmoor

  n/a

  North West

  West Lancashire

  Tanhouse

  1,063

  North West

  West Lancashire

  Whitworth

  827

  North West

  Wyre

  West View

  843

  South West

  Plymouth

  Pembroke Street

  153

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  Bloomsbury

  n/a

  West Midlands

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Chell Heath

  n/a

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  Kirklees

  Staincliffe

  628

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  Leeds

  Belle Isle North

  n/a

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  Leeds

  Halton Moor

  1,319

  Note:

  n/a: information not held centrally.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current financial provision made for estate management boards; and what is that planned for 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  There is no separate provision for funding development of estate management boards.
  318
  Mr. Curry
  The updated figures for planned urban and regeneration expenditure to 1997–98, including the single regeneration budget, are given in the table:

  Urban and regeneration expenditure

  1995–96 plans

  1996–97 plans

  1997–98 plans

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  Housing Action Trusts

  90.0

  90.0

  90.0

  Urban Development Corporations/DLR

  238.7

  214.7

  209.7

  English Partnerships (URA)

  211.6

  221.7

  221.7

  Other SRB

  791.2

  797.8

  802.8

  Total SRB

  1,331.5

  1,324.2

  1,324.2

  Other Urban

  2.3

  1.4

  1.3

  SRB and Urban Total

  1,333.8

  1,325.6

  1,325.5

  Updated figures for outturn expenditure in 1993–94 and estimated outturn in 1994–95 will be given in the Department's 1995 Annual Report.

  Estate Management Boards
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region, area and title those estate management boards presently in operation giving their date of commencement and the number of residents and homes within their areas.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information available to the Department on estate management boards approved by the Secretary of State before 1 April 1994 is as follows:

  They are funded from the section 16 programme, for which the current provision for 1994–95 is £6.4 million. Planned provision for 1995–96 and 1996–97 is £6 million for each year.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual cost to public
  319
  funds of each of the estate management boards by region, area and title since their commencement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Information on the annual cost of individual estate management boards which have entered into a management agreement with a local authority is not held centrally.

  County Hall
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who owns the freehold of County hall, London SE1.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The London residuary body.

  Selector Europe
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contracts have been awarded by his Department or organisations responsible to it to Selector Europe since 1 January 1990; and what has been the value of the contracts.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 2 December 1994]: No contracts have been awarded to Selector Europe by the Department or its executive agencies during the period in question.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Accounts
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners if he will publish details of the companies and undertakings owned by the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Alison
  In common with normal practice, and as required by the Companies Act 1985, the commissioners give the names of their significant subsidiary undertakings, and their proportionate interest in each, in the financial statements which form part of their published annual report and accounts. This report is transmitted to the Home Secretary, distributed to other interested persons and is freely available to the public.

EDUCATION

  Higher Education Lecturers
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the salary of higher education lecturers at each salary grade in each year since 1979 at current prices and as a percentage of average earnings.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is not readily available in the form requested. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Opted-out Schools
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which London schools have opted out of national wage negotiations.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The London Oratory school is the only grant-maintained school for which an order has been made exempting the school from sections 2(6) and 2(7) of the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991 so that it can put its own pay scales and conditions of service in place.

  Pre-school Education
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what comparative assessment she has made of provision of the proportion of children in publicly funded pre-school education in the United Kingdom and in each other EU country.

  Mr. Forth
  The United Kingdom is one of only three countries in the European Union where universal state education starts at the age of five; elsewhere, it is at the age of six or seven. Although data exist for participation rates in most of the countries of the European Union, they do not compare like with like because they do not, for example, clearly distinguish between education and child care, or take account of whether parents are required to contribute towards the cost.

  The Secretary of State has set up a task force to plan the implementation of the Prime Minister's commitment to provide, over time, good quality pre-school places for all four-year-olds whose parents wish them to take up. Comparative assessment of international provision is part of their work.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Disabled Access
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidelines he has issued to museums, galleries, theatres, and other artistic venues in receipt of public funds as to expected practice in relation to access for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People announced on 24 November a package of measures to tackle discrimination against disabled people, including a right of access to goods and services. This includes provisions for the removal of physical and communication barriers.

  It has not been my Department's role to issue guidelines. However, most of my Department's sponsored bodies have policies on facilities for people with disabilities and some of them issue guidelines. In addition, when giving directions under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, my predecessor reminded those bodies responsible for the distribution of proceeds from the lottery that those who are disadvantaged, including people with disabilities, should be able to benefit from lottery funds in the same ways as others in the community, and that it was important that access to facilities which receive lottery funding should be as wide as possible.

  Libraries
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, if he will list the five local authorities which spend(a) most and (b) least per head

  Name

  Offences on the warrants

  Date first sent

  Outcome

  McCall, Kenneth

  [Two warrants] Two separate warrants for theft.

  25 July 1991

  Extradited to the Republic of Ireland on 2 March 1994 following difficulties in locating the subject of the warrants and after resolution of various queries.

  Brady, Patrick

  [Four warrants] Two separate warrants for having possession of illegal drugs with intent to supply.

  4 October 1991

  Extradited to Republic of Ireland on 10 May 1994 after resolution of outstanding criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland and various queries, and following difficulties in locating the subject of the warrants.

  Greer, John McGregor

  Two separate warrants for unlawful importation of drugs.[22 warrants] Possession of articles with intent to rob. Entering a building as a trespasser with intent to steal. Escape from lawful custody. Nine separate warrants for unlawful assault. Ten separate warrants for handling stolen goods.

  29 April 1993

  Extradited to the Republic of Ireland on 17 July 1993 after his release from prison in Northern Ireland.

  Conway, Thomas Desmond

  [Five warrants] Two warrants for unlawful and malicious infliction of grievous -bodily harm. Two warrants for assault occasioning a action bodily harm. Assault on police officers.

  20 January 1994

  Extradited to the Republic of Ireland on 27 January 1994

  Morgan, Terence Anthony

  [One warrant] Unlawful possession of drugs.

  9 July 1994

  Extradited to the Republic of Ireland on 29 July 1994

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  of population on library book provision; for the year 1992–93, together with the sums they spent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 November 1994, c. 606.]: I regret to inform the House that the answer given was incorrect. The correct reply is as follows:

  The five local authorities in England spending the most per head of population on library book provision in 1992–93 were—source CIPFA:
  City of London, £129.54; Westminster, £4.34; Kensington and Chelsea, £3.75; Hounslow, £3.21 and Sutton, £3.20.

  The five spending least were:
  Sheffield, £0.89; Barnsley, £0.87; Hillingdon, £0.78; Wakefield, £0.72, and Brent £0.34.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Extradition
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of extradition warrants served in the last three years by the authorities in the Irish Republic for non-terrorist offences against persons living in Northern Ireland; and what has been(a) the outcome, (b) the time taken to effect each extradition and (c) the difficulties which required any application to be referred specifically to the Attorney General.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is listed in the schedule, with the exception of that relating to persons for whom warrants have been issued but who have not yet been arrested by the RUC. The Attorney-General is not directly concerned with applications for extradition from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. No application was referred to him.
  323

  Name

  Offences on the warrants

  Date first sent

  Outcome

  McHugh, Patrick

  [Two warrants] Robbery. Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

  20 September 1994

  Extradited to the Republic of Ireland on 26 October 1994

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those warrants, stating persons and offences concerned, which were sent by the RUC to the Irish Republic in connection with extradition for non-terrorist offences during the past three years; and what has been(a) the outcome, (b) the time taken to effect each extradition and (c) the difficulties which required

  Name

  Offences on the warrants

  Date sent

  Outcome

  Moran, James Joseph

  [Two warrants sent] Murder contrary to Common Law. Conspiracy to murder.

  17 February 1993

  Awaiting High Court Appeal in Dublin.

  Quigley, Philip Andrew

  [One warrant sent] Murder contrary to Common Law.

  17 February 1993

  Awaiting High Court Appeal in Dublin.

  Larkin, Daniel Francis

  [One warrant sent] Murder contrary to Common Law.

  17 February 1993

  Awaiting judgment of the Supreme court in Dublin.

  Smyth, John Gerard Brendan

  [Nine warrants sent] Eight separate warrants alleging indecent assault against male persons.

  29 April 1993

  Warrants not backed. Smyth voluntarily returned to Northern Ireland January 1994.

  One warrant alleging indecent assault against a female

  McNamee, William Patrick

  [One warrant] Rape

  14 January 1994

  Extradited to Northern Ireland 18 January 1994.

  Walsh, Christopher Patrick

  [Four warrants] Four separate warrants for handling stolen goods

  10 February 1994

  Awaiting High Court Appeal in Dublin.

  Donnell, James Edward

  [Two warrants] Theft. Robbery.

  24 February 1994

  Extradited to Northern Ireland 14 March 1994

  Stewart, Samuel Mervyn Noel

  [One warrant] Rape.

  26 May 1994

  Extradited to Northern Ireland 27 May 1994.

  Bell, Garnet Seabrooke

  [Eight warrants] Three separate warrants for attempted murder. Three separate warrants for unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm. Two separate warrants for criminal damage.

  21 June 1994

  Extradited to Northern Ireland 18 August 1994.

  Valliday, Stephen Charles

  [Two warrants] Murder, Unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm.

  7 July 1994

  Extradited to Northern Ireland 8 September 1994.

  Wilson, John Robert Henry

  [One warrant] Reckless driving, causing grievous bodily harm.

  1 September 1994

  Extradited to Northern Ireland 17 October 1994.

  Friel, Patrick Martin

  [Three warrants] Three separate warrants for indecent assault on a female

  13 October 1994

  Arrested 16 November 1994 case presently before the District Court in Dublin.

  Staffing
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average qualified nurse to patient ratio in each of the last five years by region.

  Mr. Moss
  The information is as follows:

  Qualified Hospital Nurse: Patient Ratio (Whole-time Equivalent)

  Ratio

  1990–91

  1:24.8

  1991–92

  1:25.5

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  any application to be specifically referred to the Irish Republic's Attorney-General.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is listed with the exception of that relating to those persons for whom warrants have been issued, but who have not yet been arrested. All warrants sent by the RUC to the Garda Siochana are referred to the Irish Attorney-General's office as a matter of course.

  Qualified Hospital Nurse: Patient Ratio (Whole-time Equivalent)

  Ratio

  1992–93

  1:26.4

  1993–94

  1:29.3

  Notes:

  Information prior to 1990, is unavailable.

  The patient ratio was calculated using deaths and discharges and excludes day cases, regular day/night admissions and outpatients.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of redundancies among national health service staff(a) by grade and (b) by reason for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Moss
  The information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the costs of redundancy payments to staff in each of the last five years.

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Operating Theatres
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many operating theatre sessions have been cancelled in each region in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Moss
  The number of scheduled operating theatre sessions cancelled in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years are set out in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1989–90

  3,022

  1990–91

  3,257

  1991–92

  3,021

  1992–93

  2,445

  1993–94

  1,732

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by name the start-up costs for each national health service trust hospital, by region.

  Mr. Moss
  Since regional health authorities do not exist in Northern Ireland, it is not possible to present the information exactly as requested. Prior to their operational dates, the following contributions were made towards the cost of establishing health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland.

  Establishment costs of HSS trusts in Northern Ireland

  £

  Operational date 1 April 1994

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital Trust

  218,000

  Belfast City Hospital Trust

  188,000

  Green Park Trust

  192,000

  Ulster North Down and Ards Hospitals Trust

  191,000

  Craigavon Area Hospital Trust

  205,000

  Eastern Ambulance Service Trust

  215,000

  Operational Date 1 April 1994

  North Down and Ards Community Trust

  211,000

  North and West Belfast Trust

  223,000

  South and East Belfast Trust

  204,000

  Down Lisburn Trust

  192,000

  Newry and Mourne Trust

  185,000

  Craigavon and Banbridge Community Trust

  185,000

  Mater Infirmorum Hospital Trust (includes further development costs following deferral of first application)

  227,000

  Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fishing boats are being decommissioned in each of the registered ports in Northern Ireland; and what is the total estimated cost.

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of fishing vessels accepted for decommissioning under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 1994 at Northern Ireland ports is as follows:

  Ardglass: 2

  Donaghadee: 1

  Kilkeel: 5

  Portavogie: 5

  The total cost of decommissioning the 13 vessels is anticipated to be £890,680.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the plans of his Department to make information available on the Internet and the documents which he intends to be made available on the Internet over the next year which will be accessible via the world wide web server "open.gov.uk" or any specific departmental server.

  Sir John Wheeler
  In line with the open government code of practice published in April 1994, the Northern Ireland civil service has plans in the next year, in liaison with the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, the Government centre for information systems, to examine the potential of using Internet as an effective medium to make information available to the public domain. When this exercise is completed, the NICS will address the issue of what information it would be appropriate to make available. The NICS has already registered Internet addresses with the relevant authority in order to facilitate future use.

  Emergency Provisions Act (Review)
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has yet received the report of Mr. J. J. Rowe's fundamental review of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have received the report and am giving it careful consideration.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  3 Dean's Yard
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee for what reasons building works were carried out in 3 Dean's yard outside the recess; and what representations he has received from hon. Members and their staff about illnesses caused by these works.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  There was an obligation under the terms of the lease on 3 Dean's yard, to carry out repairs this year, and the opportunity was taken to make some improvements. The internal work to Members' and secretaries' offices was completed during the recess and the remainder of the project to upgrade the roof and
  327
  external areas is on schedule to finish by Christmas. It was not possible to complete both internal and external works during the recess period. No representations other than those made by the hon. Member have been received on this matter from hon. Members or their staff.

  Great Clock
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans there are to modernise the lighting behind the four faces of the Great Clock; how long the work will take; and what resulting change he expects in the annual cost.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  It is planned to replace the existing lighting behind the four faces of the Great Clock with energy-saving lamps. The lighting on one face of the clock at a time will be shut down and converted. The work will be completed by the beginning of February. The energy savings resulting from this work will amount to some £1,000 per annum. All four faces of the clock will be illuminated on New Year's eve.

TREASURY

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Campbell Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what occasions since 1979 civil servants in his Department have been asked to draft speeches of a constituency nature for use in a Minister's own constituency.

  Mr. Nelson
  None. Civil servants may provide briefing of a factual nature for Ministers on matters relating to their own Departments. In addition, Ministers in preparing for a constituency speech can draw on material produced by their Department during the normal course of business.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional contributions that the United Kingdom will have to make to the EC as a result of the imposition of VAT on domestic fuel and power; and how much the United Kingdom contributions will increase due to the imposition of VAT on domestic fuel and power under(a) the third resource and (b) the fourth resource.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The introduction of VAT on fuel and power has no effect on the VAT base which is used to calculate our third resource contributions since this is harmonised across member states. There may be a small effect on gross national product at market prices, but that depends on what alternative policies would have been followed instead.

  In any case, there would be no overall effect on the size of our contribution to the EC budget since, after abatement, our gross contribution is the same as it would have been under the pre-1988 Community financing system—before the introduction of the GNP resource. Changes in our GNP base, which are not mirrored in our harmonised VAT base, do not affect the size of our contribution after abatement.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the savings from taxing child benefit as part of the women's income if taxed at the rates of 20 per cent., 25 per cent., 30 per cent., 35 per cent., 40 per cent. and 60 per cent.

  Sir George Young
  This would depend on how such a tax was to be calculated, and, in particular, on the relationship between the current marginal tax rate on the women's income and the rates specified by the hon. Member.

  Tax Allowances
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the cost of the main personal and non-personal tax allowances and the revenue saved from restricting them to the rates of(a) 25 per cent., (b) 20 per cent. and (c) 15 per cent.

  Sir George Young
  Estimates for 1995–96 based on information about individuals on Inland Revenue records in 1992–93 projected in line with the forecast published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1995–96 are given. These costs exclude the value of personal allowances to some individuals whose income is below the tax threshold. No estimates for restricting the married couple's and related allowances are shown since these are given at 15 per cent. in 1995–96.

  £ billion

  Personal allowance1

  Married couple's and related allowances2

  Total revenue cost

  27.7

  3.13

  Yield from restricting allowances

  a) to the basic rate

  1.6

  not applicable

  b) to 20 per cent.

  5.9

  not applicable

  c) to 15 per cent.

  10.9

  not applicable

  1 Including the age-related personal allowance

  2 Including the age-related married couple's allowance, the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance

  3 The costs assume that the personal allowance remains in place. If the personal allowance were abolished, the cost of the married couple's and related allowance would be substantially greater.

  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of including BNFL within the public sector borrowing requirement on BNFL's ability to raise capital and on the manner in which such capital is invested.

  Mr. Aitken
  No such estimate has been made. BNFL's external financing requirements will be subject to annual discussions between the company and the Government. BNFLs' inclusion on the PSBR statistics should not affect decisions on the allocation of funds to capital projects.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy that, following BNFL's inclusion within the public sector borrowing requirement, its payments to the Treasury will not be increased to a higher level than its dividend payments of recent years.
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  Mr. Aitken
  BNFL's dividend payments are related to the company's profitability, according to a formula agreed between BNFL and the Government. There are no plans to change this formula.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whom he consulted before the decision was made to include BNFL within the public service borrowing requirements; what advice they gave; and on what basis the decision was made.

  Mr. Aitken
  The decision to include BNFL within public sector statistics and hence score its borrowing against the PSBR was taken by the director of the Central Statistical Office, who is responsible, within the framework of international agreement and conventions, for the definitions and methodology of statistics covered by the CSO.

  "Financial Statement and Budget Report"
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the reasons for the accounting adjustments of £9.5 billion, £10.7 billion, £12.5 billion and £12.7 billion in public spending for 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 shown in table 1.5 the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1995–96.

  Mr. Aitken
  The accounting adjustments include various items within general Government expenditure but outside the control total—other than central Government debt interest and cyclical social security, which are shown separately. The larger items are non-trading capital consumption, refunds of VAT, teachers' and NHS pensions increase payments, the difference between civil service and armed forces pensions payments and accruing superannuation liability charges, the element of NHS trusts' charges to health authorities which goes to remunerate debt to the Exchequer, and the spending of the proceeds of the national lottery.

  The net market and overseas borrowing of nationalised industries and other public corporations is, on the other hand, in the control total but outside GGE such that net repayments add to the magnitude of the accounting adjustments. Debt interest paid from local authorities to central Government reduces the accounting adjustments. This is removed to avoid double counting between local government debt interest payments—which are shown inside local authority expenditure—and central Government debt interest. Fuller details of the national accounting adjustments will appear in the statistical supplement to the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", along the lines of appendix B of last year's supplement—Cm 2519.

  Foreign Exchange
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of a fall in the rate of foreign exchange; and what is his policy on whether the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

  Mr. Nelson
  Movements in the exchange rate are considered as part of the general assessment of monetary conditions in setting monetary policy. The Government recognise the value of a stable exchange rate, but do not have a target rate for sterling.

  Finance Bill
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be published; and if he will make available to hon. Members the customary notes on the Bill's clauses.

  Sir George Young
  The Finance Bill will be published on Wednesday 4 January 1995. The notes on the Bill's clauses will be placed in the Vote Office and the Library of the House that day. In addition, the Treasury will be making the notes available to the public.

  Anti-smuggling Staff
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many front-line anti-smuggling staff are currently deployed at each port on the south coast.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: The numbers of front-line anti-smuggling staff currently deployed are as follows:

  Number

  Ramsgate

  29

  Dover

  235

  Southampton

  88

  Portsmouth

  88

  Newhaven

  49

  Poole

  53

  Plymouth

  81

  Value Added Tax, Southampton
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the increase in the amount of VAT which will remain uncollected as a result of the proposed reduction in Customs and Excise staff in the area covered by the Southampton local VAT office.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The recently announced reductions in staff result from a package of measures designed to improve overall departmental efficiency and are not expected to increase the amount of uncollected VAT.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the current amount of uncollected VAT arrears in the area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise office;

  (2) what was the total amount of uncollected VAT debt owing from businesses covered by the Southampton local VAT office area that was written off from each year since 1983;

  (3) what is his estimate of the total number of Customs and Excise officers engaged in VAT inspections in the area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise office in each year since restructuring of local VAT office boundaries, and in each of the forthcoming two years;

  (4) what is his estimate of the total number of VAT inspections carried out in the area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise office in each six-months period since restructuring of local VAT office boundaries, and in each of the next four six-month periods;

  (5) what is his estimate of the amount of uncollected VAT outstanding at (a) the end of the current financial year and (b) the end of the financial year 1995–96 in the

  331
  area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise office;

  (6) what was the total amount of uncollected VAT debt owing from businesses covered by the Southampton local VAT office area written off from each year since 1983;

  (7) what is his estimate of the current amount of uncollected VAT arrears in the area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise office;

  (8) how many VAT inspections were carried out in the area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise Office in each six-month period since restructuring of local VAT office boundaries, and in each of the next four six-month periods;

  (9) what is his estimate of the total number of Customs and Excise officers engaged in VAT inspections in the area covered by the Southampton Customs and Excise office in each year since restructuring of local VAT office boundaries, and in each of the forthcoming two years;

  (10) what is his estimate of the total amount of uncollected VAT debt owing from business covered by the Southampton local VAT office that will be written off for the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 7 December]: For the years to March 1993 and March 1994, Southampton local VAT office assigned 43 and 45 officers respectively to VAT visiting duties. For the year to March 1995, Southampton LVO plans to assign 46 officers to such duties. Planning figures are not available for the year to March 1996.

  Using those staff the number of visits carried out in each six month period were:

  Number

  April 92–September 92

  1,940

  October 92–March 93

  2,022

  April 93–September 93

  1,691

  October 93–March 94

  1,978

  April 94–October 94

  1,876

  October 94–March 95

  12,127

  1 number of visits planned.

  Planning figures are not available for periods beyond March 1995. The number of visits is not, of itself, an indicator of the efficacy of the visiting programme as businesses are selected in accordance with their risk profile which may vary from year to year.

  In October 1994, the outstanding local VAT debt of registered businesses, within the Southampton LVO area, was £7.3 million.

  For the year ending March 1995, Southampton LVO estimates the debt on hand will be some £6.5 million. Planning figures are not available for 1995–96.

  Because of the restructuring of local VAT office boundaries and other operational changes, figures for VAT debt written off are not available for die whole period requested. For the years to March 1993 and March 1994, Southampton LVO wrote off £1.1 million and £2.1 million of debt respectively.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he gave to accepting lower tenders received for the management of Buckley Hall prison than that he accepted; and what was the gap between the tender accepted and the lowest one made.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  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. Martin Redmond, dated 8 December 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the letting of the contract for Buckley Hall.
  The Evaluation Panel considered a number of factors when assessing all bids. These included how well the tenderers met the requirements of the invitation to tender; the level of realism and innovation in the bid; the quality of the programmes offered; security; staffing levels; deliverability and implementation; the Panel's confidence in the management teams and the corporate approach; and value for money. The Prisons Board then considered and decided to accept the recommendation of the Evaluation Panel that the contract be awarded to Group 4.
  Over the five years of the contract the lowest bid was approximately £5 million or 15% less than Group 4's bid. The Evaluation Panel considered that the proposals in the lowest bid lacked substance and was not satisfied that the bidder was capable of implementing its proposals.
  In the opinion of the Evaluation Panel and the Prisons Board, Group 4's bid offered the best combination of quality and price, as well as confidence in delivery, thus providing the taxpayer with the best overall value for money.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries of prisoners held at Doncaster prison there have been since the present private management contract began;

  (2) what inspections of Doncaster prison by Home Office staff have taken place since the contract with Premia Prison Services began; and when the contract will next be reconsidered;

  (3) if he will hold an independent inquiry into the death of Lee Bowen, held in Doncaster prison;

  (4) what were the numbers of (a) inmates and (b) staff at Doncaster prison on 1 November.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 8 December 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Doncaster prison.
  Since the prison opened on 20 June this year, two prisoners held there have died. Eleven prisoners have suffered injuries which required immediate transfer to hospital. These include acts of deliberate self harm and drug related incidents, as well as assaults by other prisoners.
  An inquest into the death of Lee Bowen will be held shortly. It would be wrong for me to comment further until the inquest is

  333
  complete, but I will write to you again after the inquest's findings are known.
  On 1 November there were 452 staff and 740 prisoners at the prison.
  The prison is subject to continuous inspection by the on-site controller, a senior prison governor, who ensures that the contractual obligations set for Premier Prison Services are met. A Prison Service area manager recently also spent some time at the prison to monitor the operation of the prison. Visits to the prison have been carried out at regular intervals by other Prison Service personnel, including the area manager. As for all prisons, there is a Board of Visitors whose independent members visit prison regularly. The Prison will also be subject to inspection by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.
  The contract for Doncaster is next due for review in June 1999.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what appeals procedure exists for those individuals who believe they have been unfairly excluded from working in the Prison Service;

  (2) if he will make a statement of his policy on employing at prisons individuals with criminal records incurred as minors;

  (3) whether a higher level of screening is applied to permanent Prison Service staff rather than the staff of contractors and agencies working within prisons; and what are the reasons for this;

  (4) if he will list the convictions which disqualify individuals from working in prisons.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Peter Luff, dated 8 December 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about recruitment to the Prison Service.
  The Prison Service is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 for spent convictions. Candidates for employment in prisons must declare all offences.
  There is no definitive list of convictions which disqualify individuals. Where candidates have criminal records, including records as minors, each case is treated on its merits according to the nature of the record and the type of post for which a candidate is applying. For prison officers, establishments are advised that any applicant who has committed a serious crime or served a period of detention should be rejected.
  Where they believe they have been unfairly excluded, candidates for employment in the Prison Service may appeal in writing. In line with Civil Service policy, specific reasons for rejection are not normally divulged, except where basic eligibility criteria have not been met.
  Where the staff of contractors and agencies working within prisons are employed on a regular basis or for a long period they are subject to the same level of screening as permanent prison staff. Those employed for a short period are still subject to criminal record checks and are escorted within the prison.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the number of employees at Blakenhurst prison who have a criminal record;
  334
  (2) what inquiries are made about the criminal records of staff employed at Blakenhurst prison (a) on permanent contracts and (b) as temporary employees of subcontractors.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  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. Peter Luff dated 8 December 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about security checks on staff at Blakenhurst prison.
  All people who work at contracted prisons and for the contracted court escort service are subject to routine enquiries about their suitability to work with prisoners. These enquiries are similar to those made in relation to applicants for Prison Service employment.
  Candidates who apply for employment, either in the public or the private sector of the Prison Service, in custodial duties are exempted from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by the Rehabilitation Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and therefore convictions ordinarily regarded as "spent" are taken into account.
  Security audits are carried out at regular intervals for all contracted prisons and court escort services to ensure all staff have undergone such clearance. The last audit at Blakenhurst did not reveal any employees with a criminal record.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reinstate Mr. Tony Urosevic to his position as a nurse at Her Majesty's prison Blakenhurst.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  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. Peter Luff, dated 8 December 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Mr. Tony Urosevic.
  As you know from Michael Forsyth's letter to you of 2 September, the Prison Service reviewed Mr. Urosevic's case but decided that it was not possible to clear Mr. Urosevic for employment at Blakenhurst and that it was not, therefore, possible for him to be reinstated.

  Building Refurbishment
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will itemise the refurbishment works undertaken on buildings housing departmental staff in the last three years, indicating the costs involved and the nature of the refurbishments.

  Mr. Michael Howard
  The following refurbishment projects, excluding routine maintenance and the replacement of plant and equipment, have been carried out in Home Office buildings in the last three financial years.
  335

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  London

  Windows (Queen Anne's Gate)

  139,134.00

  —

  53,187.00

  Toilets (Queen Anne's Gate)

  —

  38,968.00

  83,331.00

  Hot water points (Queen Anne's Gate)

  —

  —

  18,989.00

  Toilets (Abell House)

  —

  11,713.00

  —

  Hot water points (Abell House)

  —

  6,004.00

  —

  Hot water points (Horseferry House)

  —

  1,034.00

  —

  Toilets (UKPA, Clive House)

  —

  73,000.00

  —

  Installation of ceiling fans (UKPA, Clive House)

  —

  2,500.00

  —

  Office/toilet areas (UKPA, Hayes)

  111,000.00

  21,000.00

  —

  Provinces

  Office/workshop/laboratory (PSDB, Sandridge)

  459,846.00

  —

  —

  Workshop (PSDB,Sandridge)

  —

  13,222.00

  —

  Laboratories (PSDB,Sandridge)

  —

  167,019.00

  —

  Offices (UKPA, Liverpool)

  12,000.00

  —

  —

  Kitchen/restroom (UKPA,Liverpool)

  16,500.00

  1,500.00

  —

  Ceiling fans (UKPA,Liverpool)

  —

  3,500.00

  —

  Toilets (UKPA. Newport)

  —

  78,000.00

  —

  Wall fans (UKPA, Newport)

  3,000.00

  —

  —

  Offices (Supply and Transport, Branston)

  —

  8,000.00

  —

  Total

  741,480.00

  425,460.00

  155,507.00

  HIV
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the review of the Prison Service's policy on HIV to be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 8 December 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the review of the Prison Service's policy on HIV.
  The review of HIV in prisons carried out by the Prison Service AIDS Advisory Committee has been completed and its recommendations are being considered.

  Empty Property
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make use of his Department's empty residential property.

  Mr. Michael Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight on 30 November 1994,Official Report, column 732. My Department will study the proposed guidance for Government Departments on how to secure better use of their empty residential property and make every effort to achieve the targets set.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases he is aware of involving asylum seekers who have absconded after being granted temporary admission; and in what time period these cases arose.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not available.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost in the financial year 1993–94 to the Home Office of detaining asylum seekers under Immigration Act powers; and if he will provide a breakdown of these costs.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available information does not identify separately those costs which relate to asylum seekers.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who have been refused asylum have been removed or deported in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  In the period 1 November 1993 to 31 October 1994, 1,860 asylum seekers were removed or voluntarily departed.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum made after 26 July 1993 are still awaiting an initial decision.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  At 31 October 1994—the latest date for which information is available—an estimated 16,790 applications which were lodged after the implementation of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 on 26 July 1993 were outstanding.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how asylum seekers are detained in prison establishments other than the designated prisons for that purpose;

  (2) how many different asylum seekers have been detained over the last 12 months at (a) HMP Birmingham, HMP Haslar, HMP Rochester, HMP Doncaster and HMP Holloway and (b) Campsfield detention centre, Harmondsworth, Gatwick Beehive, Queen's building Heathrow, Stansted airport and Dover docks.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 23 November 1994,Official Report, column 159–61.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the proportion of the 50,000 asylum applicants whose claims are still under consideration by the Home Office are liable to detention under Immigration Act powers.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  It is not possible to say whether individual applicants are liable to be detained until their cases have been considered. However, only a tiny proportion of people who have sought asylum are currently detained.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of transporting and escorting an asylum seeker detained under Immigration Act powers to an appeal or bail hearing before the Immigration Appeals Authority.
  337
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Separate records are not maintained of the costs of escorting people who have sought asylum to appeal and bail hearings and the information sought is therefore not available.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who are held in detention under Immigration Act powers have appealed against refusal of asylum in the last 12 months; and how many of those have been withdrawn.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Of those currently held in detention who had sought asylum, it is estimated that just over 60 per cent. had lodged an appeal in the last 12 months. Less than 1 per cent. of these appeals had been withdrawn.

  Immigration
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the Immigration Service in the financial year 1993–94 of carrying out reviews of decisions to detain under Immigration Act powers.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not available.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly or monthly cost of detaining someone under Immigration Act powers at(a) a detention centre or (b) a prison service establishment.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The average cost in 1993–94 of detaining someone under the Immigration Act at an Immigration Service detention centre is estimated at just

  Police Authority Expenditure (£ million)

  Table A

  Expenditure 1992–93

  Per cent, change on previous year

  Expenditure 1993–94

  Per cent, change on previous year

  Estimated exp 1994–95

  Per cent, change on previous year

  Dyfed-Powys

  current

  38.896

  +10.7

  41.518

  +6.7

  43.378

  +4.5

  capital

  1.982

  +1.2

  3.242

  +63.6

  1.445

  -55.4

  Total

  40.878

  +10.2

  44.760

  +9.5

  44.823

  +0.1

  Gwent

  current

  38.965

  +6.2

  41.406

  +6.3

  43.430

  +4.9

  capital

  3.882

  +4.4

  1.280

  -67.0

  2.141

  +67.3

  Total

  42.847

  +6.1

  42.686

  -0.4

  45.571

  +6.8

  North Wales

  current

  55.897

  +10.3

  58.387

  +4.5

  62.780

  +7.5

  capital

  1.617

  -3.1

  2.604

  +61.0

  1.688

  -35,2

  Total

  57.514

  +9.8

  60.991

  +6.0

  64.468

  +5.7

  South Wales

  current

  127.300

  +7.4

  130.885

  +2.8

  134.485

  +28

  capital

  4.420

  +29.3

  5.018

  +13.5

  5.873

  +17.0

  Total

  131.720

  +8.0

  135.903

  +3.2

  140.358

  +3.3

  All Wales

  current

  261.058

  +8.3

  272.196

  +4.3

  284.073

  +4.4

  capital

  11.901

  +10.5

  12.144

  +2.0

  11.147

  -8.2

  Total

  272.959

  +8.3

  284.340

  +4.2

  295.220

  +3.8

  338
  over £800 per week. The Prison Service normally holds detainees in local prisons or remand centres, where the average cost per place in 1993–94 was £411 per week.

  Police Authorities, Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish for each police authority in Wales, and for Wales as whole, for the last available two years, and with an estimate for the next available two years(a) the total expenditure and (b) the percentage change from the previous year indicating in each case what proportion of expenditure is met by central Government provision.

  Mr. Maclean
  Table A lists the total current and capital expenditure, together with percentage increases, by each police authority in Wales in each of the last two years for which outturn figures are available. Estimated expenditure for 1994–95 is also shown. Fifty-one per cent. of this expenditure is met by Home Office grants to police authorities. Revenue support grant is also paid by the Welsh Office to the constituent county councils of police authorities in Wales.

  From 1995–96, the police authorities will be free standing, precepting bodies with their own standard spending assessment. Police specific grant will be paid as a cash-limited sum not as a proportion of expenditure.

  Table B shows the proposals for allocation of police grant to Welsh police authorities for current expenditure, and also the police standard spending assessments proposed by my right hon. Friend. the Secretary of State for Wales. Allocations of capital grant have not yet been determined.
  339

  Table B—Police authority provisional expenditure allocations 1995–96

  £ Million1

  Grant £

  SSA £

  Total £

  Dyfed-Powys

  22.557

  21.66

  44.217

  Gwent

  24.136

  23.26

  47.396

  North Wales

  32.211

  30.64

  62.851

  South Wales

  74.775

  71.46

  146/235

  All Wales

  153.679

  147.02

  300.699

  1 Excluding capital grant.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation he has received from Welsh police authorities regarding their budgets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Ferrers met a delegation from the South Wales police authority to discuss its financial situation on 1 February 1994. I have received no subsequent representations from Welsh police authorities about police budgets. It is the responsibility of each police authority to set the budget of its police force.

  Passport Office
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to report his proposals for the future of the Passport Office.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) on 23 November 1994,Official Report, column 163–64.

  Police Operation, Alexandra Palace
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of the police operation at Alexandra palace, north London on 2 to 3 December; how many officers were involved; and if the organisers of the event being held at Alexandra palace at the time of the police operation have made a contribution towards the costs.

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 151 officers were involved in the operation to police the demonstration outside Alexandra palace, north London on 2 December. The additional manpower costs of the operation are estimated at £6,500.

  I understand that the organisers of the event held at Alexandra palace did not request the provision of special police services and that there was no question of chargeable services being provided. A police presence would not have been necessary but for the fact that a demonstration was organised to disrupt a private event. The policing costs were therefore occasioned by the demonstrators, who have not made a contribution towards the costs.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what appointments he has recently made to the Animal Procedures Committee.
  340
  Mr. Micheal Howard
  I have appointed the following Persons to be members of the Animal Procedures Committee for four years with effect from 1 December:

  Professor Ronald S. Anderson

  Professor of Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool.

  Professor Margaret Boden

  Professor of Philosophy and Psychology, University of Sussex.

  Dr. Yvonne Cripps

  Director of Studies in Law, Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

  Dr. David Christopher

  Director of Laboratory Sciences, Huntingdon Research Centre.

  Dr. John Flack

  Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hazleton Laboratories.

  Dr. Paul Flecknell

  Director, Comparative Biology Centre, the Medical School, University of Newcastle.

  Mrs. Judy MacArthur-Clarke

  Recent past President, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

  Dr. Ian Purchase

  Director Central Toxicology Laboratories, Zeneca.

  Police Authorities (Membership)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) former Conservative councillors or candidates and (b) other persons known to be supporters of the Conservative party have been included in the lists of names submitted by him to local selection panels for membership of the new police authorities.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 6 December 1994]: Information about the political affiliation of candidates was not sought on the application forms for these appointments.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many names of people from ethnic minorities have been included in the lists he has so far returned to local selection panels as approved by him for membership of the new police authorities.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 6 December 1994]: Shortlists have been received from the local selection panels in respect of 39 of the 41 new police authorities. The Home Secretary has considered 38 of these. The total number of nominations made by the Home Secretary is 374, of whom 23 are from ethnic minorities.

EMPLOYMENT

  Bedfordshire TEC
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress Bedfordshire TEC is making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence.

  Mr. Paice
  I am pleased to announce that Bedfordshire training and enterprise council has now completed the progress of meeting the rigorous standard we set for the award of the new three-year licences. Its licence will be effective from April 1995.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to publish the findings of the evaluation of the Employment Service carried out in 1993.

  Miss Widdecombe
  An evaluation of the effects of agency status on the Employment Service was carried out during 1993 as part of the systematic periodic review to which all agencies are subject. A report on the findings has now been published today and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current estimate of the reduction of staff numbers during 1996–97 of those employed within the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service as a result of the introduction of jobseeker's allowance; what are the expected financial savings which will result during 1996–97 and the following year; what functions of the Employment Service are currently subject to market testing; and what plans there are to market test, subcontract or privatise the job-broking functions of the Employment Service.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We expect the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance in April 1996 to result in efficiency savings. However, it is too early to estimate the impact on staffing in the Employment Service and Benefits Agency.

  The level of financial savings resulting from jobseeker's allowance will depend on the level of unemployment at the time of implementation. Our current assumptions are for a reduction in expenditure on benefits by around £140 million in 1996–97 and by about £270 million in 1997–98. Further net administrative savings are expected.

  The Employment Service is currently undertaking a full programme of market tests of support services. There are currently no plans to market test, subcontract or privatise the job-broking functions of the Employment Service.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Employment how many people are(a) employed on fixed-term contracts, (b) self-employed and (c) employed in part-time jobs; and what is the total in these groups.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Estimates from the spring 1994 labour force survey for Great Britain show that there were 732,000 employees on fixed-term contracts, 3,208,000 people who were self-employed, and 6,006,000 employees and self-employed working part-time. In total, there were 9,076,000 people who belonged to one or more of these categories.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the work force is currently(a) employed on fixed-term contracts, (b)

  Grade 3 and above(or equivalent)

  Other grades

  Structure

  up to 2 hours

  over 2 hours

  up to 2 hours

  over 2 hours

  First/economy

  Economy

  First

  Economy

  Economy

  Business/economy (or equivalent

  Business

  Business

  Economy

  Business

  First/club/economy (or equivalent)

  Business1

  Business

  Economy

  Business

  1 Ministers and grades 1 and 1A may travel first class.

  342
  self-employed and (c) employed in part-time jobs; and what is the total in these groups.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Estimates from the spring 1994 labour force survey for Great Britain show that of all people in employment, 3 per cent. were employed on fixed term contracts, 13 per cent. were self-employed, and 24 per cent. worked part-time as employees or self-employed. In total, 36 per cent. of all people in employment belonged to one or more of these groups.

  Training
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the percentage figures for achievement of national vocational qualifications(a) in the pilot areas for output-related funding with the major payment of training for work funding at the end of the training period and (b) the non-pilot areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Paice
  In 1993–94, 48 per cent. of those leaving training for work achieved national vocational qualifications or their equivalents in the areas where training and enterprise councils were piloting output related funding. In the non-pilot TEC areas of England the figure was 35 per cent. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently announced that all TECs in England will move to a starts and outcomes funding regime for training for work from April 1995.

  Unemployment
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current estimates of the effects on the monthly claimant count of the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance and the introduction of incapacity benefit.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) on 14 April 1994,Official Report, column 345. Current estimates suggest that the relevant figure for the jobseeker's allowance would be approximately 25,000.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 November,Official Report, column 518, about Overseas Development Administration spending on air travel, what categories of people travel (a) economy, (b) business or club class and (c) first class when on Overseas Development Administration business.

  Mr. Baldry
  The class of travel for ODA staff is determined by the length of journey and their grade as follows:

  Samarinda Power Station
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the aid-funded Samarinda power station in east Kalimantan, giving details of monitoring visits by Overseas Development Administration staff; what assessment he has made whether the technology provided is going to be suitable; and if he will place in the Library a copy of judgments that have been made on the environmental implications of the project.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Samarinda project consists of the provision of a 60MW gas fired combined cycle power station and associated transmission facilities. Work on the power station has just commenced while the transmission line contract is presently being negotiated.

  There have not so far been any monitoring visits by Overseas Development Administration staff. These do not usually commence until the project is under way. We envisage such visits will take place at six-monthly intervals.

  The project is part of an extensive Indonesian programme to bring power to the more remote areas of the country. Power at present is generated by a number of disparate, oil-fuelled diesel engines, some of which are old and inefficient. The new facility will utilise a cleaner resource, natural gas, which Indonesia has in abundance. The emissions from the gas turbines will meet United Kingdom/EU environment standards. The technical case for the project is sound.

  Outstanding Dept—1990–91-1999–2000

  Country

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  1997–98 £

  1998–99 £

  1999–2000 £

  Antigua and Barbuda

  1,980

  784,859

  1,290,309

  2,006,893

  2,006,893

  2,006,893

  1,828,323

  1,471,183

  1,114,043

  756,903

  Barbados

  445,670

  406,970

  368,270

  329,578

  290,870

  252,170

  213,470

  174,770

  136,070

  97,370

  Belize

  13,698,963

  14,064,634

  15,181,814

  16,585,152

  15,089,336

  13,588,492

  12,121,434

  10,662,986

  9,204,538

  7,746,090

  Bolivia

  141,276

  141,276

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Brazil

  2,808,941

  3,501,297

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  3,297,008

  British Virgin Islands

  15,340

  10,655

  5,554

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambodia

  63,748

  45,498

  27,248

  8,998

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cameroon

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  66,776

  Cayman Islands

  719,120

  625,958

  561,398

  496,838

  432,278

  367,718

  303,158

  238,598

  174,038

  111,367

  Colombia

  2,053,678

  1,784,729

  1,515,780

  1,426,831

  977,882

  708,933

  439,985

  221,642

  169,867

  144,667

  Costa Rica

  3,214,041

  4,616,928

  5,195,615

  4,785,023

  3,930,839

  2,857,531

  1,952,789

  1,294,770

  921,332

  547,895

  Cyprus

  293,974

  273,574

  253,174

  232,774

  212,374

  191,974

  171374

  151,174

  130,774

  110,374

  Dominica

  8,616,757

  9,025,407

  9,170,735

  9,068,579

  8,527,579

  7,986,579

  7,445,579

  6,904,579

  6,363,579

  5,822,579

  Ecuador

  7,539,901

  7,539,901

  7,221,935

  7,973,382

  6,913,579

  5,872,564

  4,765,863

  3,638,659

  2,774,240

  2,154,469

  Egypt

  7,020,961

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Falkland Islands

  146,426

  124,126

  101,826

  79,526

  57,226

  34,926

  16,226

  0

  0

  0

  Fiji

  1,415,886

  1,179,889

  943,911

  707,533

  471,955

  235,978

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gibraltar

  710,293

  620,158

  529,001

  453,722

  378,443

  303,164

  227,889

  154,319

  89,869

  42,323

  Grenada

  3,856,949

  4,241

  5,196,703

  5,009,023

  4,383,823

  3,758,623

  3,133,423

  2,508,223

  1,883,023

  1,257,823

  Guyana

  24,340,689

  36,470,598

  36,470,598

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Honduras

  3,994,211

  3,994,211

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  India

  138,205,024

  112,949,901

  89,955,926

  68,743,326

  50,159,026

  35,100,147

  21,196,647

  10,179,819

  2,432,000

  0

  Ivory Coast

  3,556,463

  3,666,006

  3,690,430

  3,690,430

  3,480,615

  3,364,283

  3,053,352

  2,836,353

  2,619,492

  2,403,787

  Jamaica

  49,237,837

  58,962,199

  51,910,458

  55,047,129

  49,850,365

  43,904,538

  37,409,651

  31,476,168

  26,104,092

  22,241,857

  Jordan

  39,985,758

  40,808,280

  42,021,022

  43,728,451

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Laos

  27,983

  27,983

  27,983

  27,983

  25,313

  22,643

  19,973

  17,303

  14,633

  13,358

  Liberia

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  77,750

  Malaysia

  11,005,518

  10,045,084

  8,640,416

  6,791,514

  5,386,846

  3,983,525

  3,467,325

  2,951,125

  2,434,925

  1,418,725

  Malta

  7,845,531

  7,776,133

  7,765,525

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mauritius

  6,050,066

  5,187,896

  4,182,619

  3,289,311

  2,517,512

  1,888,812

  1,260,112

  631,412

  247,712

  0

  Nicaragua

  584,705

  584,706

  584,706

  584,706

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nigeria

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  4,905,084

  Paraguay

  4,102,707

  3,868,107

  3,281,607

  3,047,019

  2,812,419

  2,577,819

  2,343,219

  2,108,619

  1,874,019

  1,639,419

  Peru

  4,194,609

  4,194,609

  4,193,122

  4,193,122

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Philippines

  5,481,635

  5,481,535

  5,908,639

  5,612,306

  5,063,014

  4,595,569

  4,001,425

  3,306,680

  2,745,480

  2,184,280

  Seychelles

  10,631,662

  9,487,477

  8,913,204

  8,243,187

  7,582,878

  6,920,953

  6,259,836

  5,598,719

  4,937,602

  4,276,486

  Singapore

  5,208,316

  4,166,648

  3,124,980

  2,083,312

  1,041,664

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Solomon Islands

  4,744,848

  4,738,148

  4,734,699

  4,684,985

  4,402,485

  4,120,429

  3,842,629

  3,564,829

  3,287,029

  3,009,229

  St Kitts-Nevis

  844,065

  1,363,409

  264,641

  2,813,090

  2,361,550

  1,910,010

  1,480,670

  1,097,836

  740,696

  383,356

  St Lucia

  3,142,091

  4,156,065

  4,388,070

  4,166,496

  3,833,096

  3,499,696

  3,166,296

  2,832,896

  2,499,496

  2,166,196

  St Vincent

  839,509

  1,272,576

  1,505,594

  2,390,440

  2,127,240

  1,864,040

  1,600,840

  1,337,640

  1,074,440

  811,040

  Swaziland

  8,193,097

  7,344,324

  6,155,191

  5,159,977

  4,194,576

  3,278,266

  2,430,291

  1,598,028

  837,292

  158,725

  Thailand

  772,892

  564,392

  425,392

  286,392

  147,392

  8,392

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tonga

  1,367,533

  1,219,061

  1,073,549

  930,708

  787,867

  645,029

  502,703

  371,303

  240,203

  157,803

  Tunisia

  255,902

  213,942

  171,982

  130,022

  88,062

  54,461

  26,661

  0

  0

  0

  Turkey

  55,572,641

  50,082,626

  45,056,525

  40,634,159

  36,607,270

  32,733,668

  29,324,867

  25,956,365

  22,388,355

  19,255,409

  Turks and Caicos Island

  0

  0

  1,883,408

  1,883,408

  1,817,462

  1,751,517

  1,685,571

  1,619,625

  1,353,680

  1,487,734

  344
  The potential environmental risks have been considered fully. Amongst other things, an ODA team investigated the risk of an enhanced power supply leading to plywood factories in the project area using more timber and therefore having an adverse impact on forests and plantations in east Kalimantan. The team's conclusion was that the project was unlikely to have such an impact. Social impacts have also been studied and found to be positive. An environmental impact assessment was undertaken as part of the feasibility study. A copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House shortly.

  Third World Debt
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what discussions he has had with his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding third world debt.

  Mr. Baldry
  By long-standing convention, discussions of this nature between Departments are confidential.

  Concessional Aid Debt
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by country the total stock of existing estimated and outstanding concessional aid debt owed to the United Kingdom by developing countries for each year from 1990 to 2000.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 6 December 1994]: The amount of concessional aid debt outstanding by country at the end of each financial year from 1990 to 2000 was and is estimated as follows:
  345

  Outstanding Dept—1990–91-1999–2000

  Country

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  1997–98 £

  1998–99 £

  1999–2000 £

  Vanuatu

  86,100

  71,840

  57,580

  36,190

  21,930

  14,800

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Vietnam

  196,798

  196,798

  196,798

  196,798

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Yemen

  4,162,900

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Zambia

  45,262,252

  52,086,348

  52,056,548

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Zimbabwe

  21,485,121

  20,055,804

  18,394,889

  17,136,249

  13,677,609

  12,218,964

  10,760,629

  9,301,689

  7,843,049

  6,384,409

  Total

  519,191,977

  505,176,616

  465,357,392

  343,241,780

  250,005,886

  210,969,724

  175,199,028

  142,354,330

  115,382,186

  95,130,691

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General on what occasions since 1979 civil servants in his Department have been asked to draft speeches of a constituency nature for use in a Minister's own constituency.

  The Attorney-General
  None. Civil servants may provide briefing of a factual nature for Ministers on matters relating to their own department. In addition, Ministers in preparing for a constituency speech can draw on material produced by their Department during the normal course of business.

  Building Refurbishment
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will itemise the refurbishment works undertaken on buildings housing departmental staff in the last three years, indicating the costs involved and the nature of the refurbishment.

  The Attorney-General
  The following refurbishment works were undertaken and funded by the Crown Prosecution Service at headquarters buildings. In each case, the refurbishments included painting and decorating, carpeting, partitioning, screening and the provision of blinds and other equipment. Further refurbishment works have been undertaken in Crown Prosecution Service Areas but the information is not recorded centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Building

  Cost £

  Details

  1991–92

  10 Furnival street, London

  72,000

  Refurbishment for a new training branch

  1992–93 and 1993–94

  United house, York

  80,000

  Refurbishment of a newly acquired building

  50 Ludgate hill, London

  1,808,000

  Refurbishment of a newly acquired building

  1993–94

  50 Ludgate hill, London

  204,000

  New security installation for the entrance to the building

TRANSPORT

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of a journey by rail from(a)
  346
  Gospel Oak to Barking, (b) Enfield Town to Liverpool Street and (c) Peckham Rye to London Bridge, giving prices for (i) off-peak return, (ii) standard rate return and (iii) standard rate single for each year from 1979 to the present, and at current and 1994 prices.

  Mr. Watts
  The information requested is not held centrally by either the Department or British Rail and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Automated Registrations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the introduction of automated first registration and licensing involves a transfer of an undertaking from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to motor dealers within the meaning of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Mr. Norris
  The application of the regulations in this case is being considered and I will ask the chief executive, Mr. Curtis, to write to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich about this shortly.

WALES

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by name the start-up costs for each national health service trust hospital, by region.

  Mr. Richards
  Prior to their operational date, the contribution made available for the shadow running period of established NHS trusts in Wales was as follows:

  1992

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust—£104,000

  1993—£215,000 to:

  Glan Clwyd District General Hospital NHS Trust

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust

  Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  Gwent Community Health NHS Trust

  Bridgend and District NHS Trust

  Powys Health Care NHS Trust

  Llandough Hospital NHS Trust

  Swansea NHS Trust

  £300,000 to South and East Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  1994—£275,000 to:

  Derwen NHS Trust

  Nevill Hall and District NHS Trust

  Gwynedd Community Health NHS Trust

  Gwynedd Hospitals NHS Trust

  East Glamorgan NHS Trust

  Rhondda Health Care NHS Trust

  347

  Velindre NHS Trust

  Morriston Hospital NHS Trust

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance NHS

  Trust North Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish(a) the out-turn figure for lending to NHS trusts in Wales in 1993–94, (b) the capital projects to which it corresponds, (c) the latest estimated out-turn figure for lending to NHS trusts in Wales in 1994–95 and (d) the capital projects to which it corresponds.

  Mr. Redwood
  The out-turn figure for lending to NHS trusts in Wales in 1993–94 was £26.690 million. The latest estimate of out-turn for 1994–95 is £87.521 million which includes provision of £20 million for short term loans. For information on capital projects in the capital programme for 1993–94 and 1994–95, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my predecessor on 4 March 1993,Official Report, columns 252–58 and my reply of 16 March 1994, Official Report, column 698.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provisions he is making to establish a task force to promote nursery education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend and I intend to consult all the main interest in Wales about how to fulfil the Government's commitment to provide places for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take them up.

  Green Belts
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to produce draft strategic planning guidance with particular reference to green belts.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am currently considering my response to the advice of the Assembly of Welsh Counties on strategic planning guidance in Wales including that on green belts.

  Health Promotion Authority
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will decide about the future of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales once the present review of health promotion has been completed.

  Mental Handicap
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call for a report into the decision and its implementation by Powys NHS trust whereby three elderly mentally handicapped women were moved from Brynhyfryd hospital to Llys Maldwyn hospital; and what assessment he has made as to whether the trust followed the community care guidelines and the all-Wales strategy for people with a learning difficulty.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: In accordance with the all-Wales mental handicap strategy, the number of residents at both Brynhyfryd and Llys Maldwyn hospitals is in decline. With the great majority of patients already resident in Llys Maldwyn, the Powys NHS trust decided to concentrate the nursing resources on
  348
  one site and transfer patients requiring permanent nursing care from Brynhyfryd hospital.

  The trust board sought professional advice and was assured that there would be no adverse medical effects on their patients.

  Following the transfer to Llys Maldwyn, the hospital's director of medical services and the chairman of Powys Health Care NHS trust have both visited the three patients concerned and have confirmed that they are all well and have settled in their new surroundings.

  I have made clear that the patient's needs must be the overriding factor in determining where he or she receives care. I expect all trust and health authorities to be guided by this advice.

  Trawsfynydd Power Station
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the precautions taken to ensure that the environment in Mid Wales is safe from damage as a result of the operation and closure of the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: All operations at Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, including decommissioning, are regulated by Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate to ensure that public health and safety are protected. Discharges and disposal of waste from decommissioning are subject to strict authorisation conditions imposed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Welsh Office under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. These conditions include a requirement for environmental monitoring to evaluate radiation exposure and to ensure compliance with national and international guidelines. The results of the environmental monitoring are published annually by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Welsh Office.

  NHS Fraud
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his policy towards combating fraud in the NHS in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: All health bodies in Wales are required to maintain appropriate systems of financial control in order to combat fraud in the NHS.

SCOTLAND

  Building Refurbishment
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will itemise the refurbishment works undertaken on buildings housing departmental staff in the last three years, indicating the costs involved and the nature of the refurbishments.

  Mr. Lang
  Property Holdings is responsible for much of the major refurbishment work in premises occupied by the Scottish Office. The Scottish Office carries out a considerable amount of small-scale refurbishment throughout its estate; individual projects costing more than £50,000 are set out in the following table:
  349

  Building

  Cost £

  Nature of refurbishment

  1991—92

  Cameron House, Oban

  75,000

  Provision of new carpeting, furniture and blinds

  Pentland House, Edinburgh

  60,000

  New furniture

  Saughton House, Edinburgh

  50,000

  Recarpeting corridors

  St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh

  60,000

  Recarpeting fourth floor

  1992–93

  Brandon Street, Edinburgh

  107,700

  Reorganisation and new furniture for 200 staff

  Brandon Street, Edinburgh

  122,000

  New IT furniture to comply with legislation and new storage units

  Longman Road, Inverness

  140,000

  New IT furniture to comply with legislation; new storage units and recarpeting

  Longman Road, Inverness

  100,000

  Contributions towards refurbishment of building by Property Holdings

  Pentland House, Edinburgh

  65,000

  Uprating of entrance and public reception areas

  Brooms Road, Dumfries

  50,800

  New furniture

  1993–94

  Dover House, London

  59,000

  Resiting radio studio and converting space to office use

  James Craig Walk, Edinburgh

  51,000

  Contribution towards rewiring of building by Property Holdings

  Broom Road, Dumfries

  52,000

  New IT and storage furniture and recarpeting

  James Craig Walk, Edinburgh

  140,000

  Upgrading of work processing training centre

  Reported Offences
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases have been reported by the police to procurators fiscal in each procurator fiscal area in Scotland in each of the last five years broken down by offence category; how many of such cases have been marked for no further proceedings; and what percentage of each total this represents.

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  The Scottish Office

  —

  5,313

  6,839

  645,933

  193,835

  Scottish Prison Service

  —

  —

  —

  —

  63,000

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the plans of his Department to make information available on the Internet and the documents which he intends to be made available on the Internet over the next year which will be
  350
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information is not available on the offence categories reported to individual procurator fiscal offices, or on the offence categories in respect of which no proceedings were taken. The Crown Office collects information on the total number of reports submitted to individual offices by all reporting agencies, and on the number of cases in which no proceedings were taken. The figures for Scotland as a whole are detailed below. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate will write to the hon. Member with a breakdown of the figures for individual offices.

  Total reports received

  Total marked "No Proceedings"

  Per cent.

  1989

  374,685

  45,092

  12.03

  1990

  381,492

  40,813

  10.70

  1991

  389,731

  35,326

  9.06

  1992

  387,293

  35,587

  9.19

  1993

  317,848

  35,590

  11.20

  Overseas Students
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislative proposals to allow colleges to charge overseas students fees for those studying part-time who have no permanent United Kingdom connection; and if he will make refugees and asylum seekers exempt from such legislation.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department is currently consulting further and higher education institutions about the possibility of allowing them to charge part-time students from overseas a different rate of fees from home students. It is not our intention to change how individuals granted refugee status are treated. Institutions have specifically been asked as part of the consultation if they are likely to offer concessions to students who have applied for refugee status. Their responses will be taken into account in taking any proposals forward.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the costs of redundancy payments to staff in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lang
  Staff reductions are largely being achieved by natural wastage and voluntary early retirement. Costs of redundancy payments to staff in the Scottish Office and its associated departments and agencies are therefore relatively low and are detailed. Figures for the Scottish Prison Service are shown separately.

  accessible via the world wide web server "open.gov.uk" or any specific departmental server.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department's press releases are already available via the Internet. My officials are considering the provision of further selected information.

  Insolvency
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of processing individual insolvencies for the past seven years in terms of(a) payments to insolvency practitioners and (b) direct administrative expenses.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The net cost of processing individual insolvencies in Scotland was as follows:

  Year

  Payments to insolvency practitioners £ million

  Administrative expenses £ million

  1987–88

  0.42

  0.09

  1988–89

  2.41

  0.50

  1989–90

  7.52

  0.73

  1990–91

  12.25

  1.11

  1991–92

  18.50

  1.20

  1992–93

  26.31

  1.62

  1993–94

  24.60

  1.64

  From 1 April 1993, the administrative expenses include the costs of the Accountant in Bankruptcy acting as interim and permanent trustee under the provisions of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1993.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost per case of processing individual insolvencies in Scotland in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94; what was the percentage change; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the change.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The average annual costs per live sequestration were £1,189 and £904 respectively in 1992–93 and 1993–94, a reduction of 24 per cent. Under the provisions of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1933, which were brought into effect on 1 April 1993, the costs of administering new sequestrations have been reduced and the costs of concluding existing cases also fell.

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is(a) the average indebtedness of hill farmers and (b) the resultant loan servicing charges for each year since 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 7 December 1994]: The information requested for livestock farmers in the Scottish less favoured areas is set out in the following table.

  Total liabilities

  At start of year £

  At end of year £

  Interest paid £

  1988–89

  26,983

  38,967

  2,881

  1989–90

  30,187

  31,172

  3,782

  1990–91

  31,528

  33,075

  4,149

  1991–92

  33,169

  32,805

  4,215

  1992–93

  38,060

  36,343

  3,594

  Source:

  Scottish Farm Accounts Scheme.

  The sample of farms changes slightly from year to year and caution is therefore needed when comparing absolute levels between one year and the next but the average
  352
  level of indebtedness has remained broadly constant over recent years.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken by the Ministry to restrict BIV-infected livestock from entering the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government have considered this very carefully, commissioning research and consulting not only independent scientific experts in this country but leading researchers in North America and Europe. There is no scientific evidence relating to BIV which would justify placing restrictions on livestock to be imported into the United Kingdom, and we are not aware that such restrictions have been imposed by any other country.

  Greater Thames Estuary
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responsibilities his Department has to protect habitats, flora and fauna within the flood plains of the Greater Thames estuary.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  As Minister, I have a duty under the Agriculture Act 1986 to balance the interests of conservation with agricultural efficiency, the socio-economic interests of rural areas and public enjoyment of the countryside. In carrying out my flood defence responsibilities, I am subject to the provisions of the Land Drainage Act 1991, as amended, and the Water Resources Act 1991 so far as the furtherance of conservation is concerned. Finally, I am also bound by the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 to comply with the requirements of the EC habitats and birds directives.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest research on BSE.

  Mrs. Browning
  The Ministry has a wide-ranging BSE research programme, costing £5.4 million for 1994–95, based on the recommendations of the consultative committee on research into spongiform encephalopathies. The research is regularly reviewed by the Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee and all results of conducted research are published.

  A new progress report on BSE in Great Britain will be made available shortly.

  Sugar
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to defend British interests in the forthcoming discussion on the reform of the EU sugar regime.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Commission has recently issued its proposals to make adjustments to the sugar regime. We well understand the various concerns of the sugar sector. We will strongly defend the interests of the United Kingdom in the forthcoming negotiations.

  Environmental Programmes
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made with his Department's environmental programmes.

  Mr. Jack
  Progress in the Department's environmental programmes in reported annually in the environment White Paper—"This Common Inheritance"—and the MAFF-IB departmental report. Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Food and Drink Industry
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he intends to help develop export opportunities for the United Kingdom's food and drink industry.

  Mr. Jack
  We are giving the fullest support to Food From Britain which, since last year, has as its main task assisting our food and drink companies to export. Developing export opportunities in the most promising export markets—the EU countries and north America—is central to FFB's work, and there are plans to extend these efforts into further markets in Asia, central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the middle East. This financial year, FFB expects to provide services to 250 firms, including 50 that are completely new to exporting.

  Hill Farming
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received regarding hill farming incomes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  We have received a number of written and oral approaches from hill farmers and their representatives and hon. Members on hill farming incomes in the context of this year's autumn review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. All these views were carefully considered before we came to a decision on the rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances which will apply for the 1995 scheme.

  Horse Exports
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that the minimum value rule for horses exported to continental Europe has been implemented.

  Mrs. Browning
  The current directive on the welfare of animals during transport permits national rules on the protection of horses—which include the United Kingdom's minimum values system—to continue, and this we shall fight to retain. The rules have been in force in this country for many years and are fully implemented by Ministry staff.

  Marketing Development Scheme
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many grants have been approved under the marketing development scheme.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  At 29 November 1994, 34 grant applications had been approved under the marketing development scheme.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors he will take into account in determining the levels of hill livestock compensatory allowance payable next year.

  Mr. Jack
  Rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances for the 1995 scheme were announced on 29 November. As in previous years, we took into account those factors which affected the net farm incomes of hill farmers this year, including the levels of support which hill farmers receive from the other livestock subsidy schemes and the returns from livestock markets. The decision was taken against the background of continuing pressure to reduce public expenditure.

  Compassion in World Farming Trust
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the report from the Compassion in World Farming Trust entitled "For Their Own Good" published in October; and what response he has given.

  Mrs. Browning
  We are studying the report carefully, and will be responding shortly.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives his Department is pursuing to assist United Kingdom farmers who export live animals; what representations he has made to the European Union authorities on the subject; when he last attended a meeting of the Council of Ministers, and what was the outcome of the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Browning
  Departmental officials are scrutinising urgently and fully all detailed proposals for alternative routes to transport food animals to mainland Europe, following the withdrawal of the main cross-channel ferry companies. The Department takes very seriously its responsibility for ensuring that only proposals which provide adequate welfare safeguards are allowed to proceed, but also recognises that legitimate proposals which meet these requirements should be permitted to start up with a minimum of delay.

  My right hon. Friend has impressed on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers the importance of restoring public confidence by adopting at the Community level strict welfare controls and explicit enforcement arrangements: the last discussion in the Council of Ministers was in October when, regrettably, a number of member states successfully maintained their resistance to the kind of measures that we consider necessary.

  We shall continue to press for the highest possible Community welfare standards for animals in transit. However, in the light of the continuing absence of agreement at the Community level, we are pressing ahead with the implementation of the proposals we circulated for comment in September for tighter national controls and a code of practice.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received during the last six months on the subject of the export of live animals from England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
  355
  Mrs. Browning
  We have received a very large number of representations, the majority expressing dissatisfaction at the export of live animals for slaughter or further fattening.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reassessment he has made of the benefits accrued to the United Kingdom from the contributions made to the EU common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Jack
  The European Union, of which the common agricultural policy is an integral part, offers widespread benefits to the United Kingdom. In this context, we continually reassess our policies with a view to reducing the cost of the CAP.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the plans of his Department to make information available on the Internet and the documents which he intends to be made available on the Internet over the next year which will be accessible via the world wide web server, "open.gov.uk", or any specific departmental server.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer given to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) on 1 December 1994,Official Report, column 892. The Department is considering the use of Internet to provide further information from its range of published material.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now seek to renegotiate the concessions made to Spain and Portugal on the common fisheries policy in respect of Norwegian accession to the European Union.

  Mr. Jack
  The Norwegian chapters of the treaty of accession of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Austria, including those dealing with fisheries matters, will now be deleted following the outcome of the Norwegian referendum.

  Apples
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) Worcester Pearmain and (b) Discovery apples were estimated to have been eaten in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the past year; by how many people; at what average cost and what was the average cost 10 and 20 years ago in real terms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  It is estimated that about 52 million Worcester Pearmain and 60 million Discovery apples were marketed in the United Kingdom in 1993. It is not possible to estimate how many individuals ate them, or the average retail cost.

  Anti-rabies Controls
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food when he will introduce anti-rabies controls based on vaccination and blood testing as an alternative to quarantine for pet dogs and cats.
  356
  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 1 December 1994,Official Report, column 892.

HEALTH

  Primary Health Care
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the adequacy of funding and facilities at primary health care level to support her policy of changing the delivery of health care from secondary to primary locations.

  Mr. Malone
  Funding for the demand-led family health service programmes is up by 2.5 per cent. on last year's plans; in addition the cash-limited allocations to health authorities, announced Tuesday, include a special uplift of 2 per cent. in real terms for funding to support general practitioners' expenditure on staff, premises and computers.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table which breaks down the data in table 17 of the Department of Health statistical bulletin 12/94, "NHS Hospital Activity Statistics: England 1983 to 1993–94", by regional health authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  A table setting out the information has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table which breaks down the data in table 15 of the Department of Health statistical bulletin 12/94, "NHS Hospital Activity Statistics: England 1983 to 1993–94", by regional health authority; and if she will also show the results in terms of finished consultant episodes by leading diagnosis per 100,000 population in each age group in each region.

  Mr. Sackville
  Tables setting out the information have been placed in the Library.

  Community Care
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has to demonstrate that transfer of funding to Lancashire for care in the community is keeping pace with the transfer of responsibilities.

  Mr. Bowis
  Since 1990–91, Lancashire's total resources for social services, including community care, have risen from £92.9 million to £169.9 million. This is an increase of 56 per cent. in real terms compared to the national average of 49 per cent. Lancashire received a special transitional grant allocation of £19.8 million to meet its new responsibilities for community care in 1994–95. In addition, its resources for all social services, including the 1993–94 tranche of special community care grant, rose by 15.4 per cent. For 1995–96 Lancashire total resources for social services including community care will be increased to £185.4 million. It is for Lancashire county council to allocate these substantial resources efficiently and effectively to meet local needs and priorities.nb

  Consultants
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library the activity rate overall,
  357
  and by speciality, in finished consultant episodes in each English NHS region for 1992–93; and if she will show in each case the volume change since 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93 is contained in "Ordinary admissions and day case admissions for England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Operating Theatres
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operating theatre sessions have been cancelled in each region in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional tables setting out information on cancelled operating theatre sessions for the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93—the latest available—are contained in the publication "NHS Operating theatres availability and use, England—Year Ending 31 March 1993". Information for 1989–90 and 1988–89 is set out in "NHS Operating theatres availability and use—England" for the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  Herbal Medicines
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her recent statement about the availability of herbal products in which she referred to section 28 of the Medicines Act 1968 also covers the provisions of section 56 of that legislation; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Yes. The exemptions, together with the public health safeguards which are provided by section 56 of the Act for retail sale and supply of certain categories of herbal medicines will continue to apply.

  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters she has now received from right hon. and hon. Members concerning the future availability of herbal medicines; and how many of those letters opposed the imposition of restrictions on the availability of such products.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received over 1,000 letters from right hon. and hon. Members who were concerned about the possible effect of proposed regulations on herbal medicines. Our confirmation that the exemption from product licensing requirements for certain categories of herbal medicines under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 will be retained when the new regulations come into force has been generally welcomed.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each national health service trust in England the number of meetings that were held in public and in private for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Malone
  The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 requires NHS trusts to have one public meeting per year. Many NHS trusts have more. The number of such additional meetings and of those held in private is not available centrally.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Federation of National Health Service Trusts about the rise in emergency admissions to trust hospitals; and if she will make a statement.
  358
  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the Federation of National Health Service Trusts concerns about emergency admissions during the course of a meeting with it on 3 November.

  Medicines Regulations
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations Order originally was expected to be(a) laid and (b) passed by the House; and when she now expects these events to occur.

  Mr. Sackville
  These regulations are due to come into force on 1 January 1995. We expect to lay them before the House shortly.

  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement indicating precisely the definition of the term "industrially produced" which she intends to adopt in connection with the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations; and how this definition differs from other definitions of the term in European directives and domestic legislation.

  Mr. Sackville
  The term "industrially produced" is not defined in pharmaceutical legislation. We are satisfied that herbal medicines currently exempt from product licensing requirements fall outside the meaning of "industrially produced" as they are made by traditional processes or supplied on a small scale, and this will be reflected in the new regulations.

  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that all organisations representing practitioners of alternative and complementary medicines are in future properly consulted about proposed regulations affecting them and their clients; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Our aim is to consult, wherever practicable organisations representing interests likely to be substantially affected by proposed regulations.

  GP Fundholding
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has received the survey by Dr. Colin Francome into general practitioner fundholding; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  London Ambulance Service
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide figures for the number of emergency calls to the London ambulance service for each six-month period between October 1992 and October 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  The London ambulance service have provided the information in the table.

  Six-month period

  Number of emergency calls received

  October 1992–March 1993

  310,461

  April 1993–September 1993

  351,573

  October 1993–March 1994

  370,916

  April 1994–September 1994

  389,189

  Hospital Admissions
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide figures for the number of emergency admissions to London hospitals for each six-month period from October 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994.

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

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which London hospitals were restricting elective admissions in August, September and October 1994 because of pressure of emergency workload.

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairmen of the London health authorities for information.

  Cancer
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will issue guidance to national health service authorities covering minimum standards in purchasing cancer and palliative care;

  (2) what plans she has to cope with the estimated increase of people living with cancer within the next 20 years;

  (3) what plans she has to issue minimum standards covering the provision of cancer care services.

  Mr. Sackville
  Last year, the chief medical officers of England and Wales established an expert advisory group on cancer to consider the provision of cancer services. The EAGC has already published a consultative report "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" on the organisation of cancer services, copies of which are available in the Library. A number of current initiatives are producing guidelines with the aim of improving standards and quality of care including cancer and palliative care.

  Hospital Maintenance
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by region the hospital maintenance backlog as at 31 March.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 30 November 1994]: Information is collected on the estimated backlog maintenance cost for all buildings in the national health service. Separate figures for hospital backlog maintenance are not readily available.

  The figures shown in the table are the estimated costs of clearing outstanding repairs and upkeep required to bring all buildings on the NHS estate up to a satisfactory condition irrespective of whether they have a long term use. They include work to meet statutory and safety standards.

  A substantial reduction in the size of the estate is anticipated over coming years, along with a continuing ambitious programme of capital investment. These initiatives are expected, over time, to substantially reduce the backlog problem.
  360

  Figures including buildings scheduled for closure or due for replacement or upgrading as part of the capital investment programme.

  Region

  Cost of Backlog Maintenance at 31 March 1994 £,000

  Anglia and Oxford

  243,135

  West Midlands

  382,500

  South and West

  230,419

  Northern and Yorkshire

  321,103

  North Thames

  503,381

  South Thames

  378,527

  Trent

  132,983

  North West

  198,950

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to enable invalidity benefit claimants becoming members of health authorities to retain their right to invalidity benefit rather than claiming members' emoluments; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  I have been asked to reply. It is an established principle of the social security benefit system that earnings are taken into account in full, whether or not the claimant chooses to waive receipt. There are no plans to alter this arrangement.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what occasions since 1979 civil servants in his Department have been asked to draft speeches of a constituency nature for use in a Minister's own constituency.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which public bodies, currently meeting in private, he proposes should in future meet in public.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  It is for the boards of public bodies to exercise their discretion as to whether or not they wish to hold meetings in public, except in the cases where there is a specific statutory obligation to do so.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many parliamentary questions tabled in the last Session of Parliament were not answered on the grounds that the information sought was not held centrally by the Department.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  During the last Session of Parliament, there were 40 occasions when parliamentary questions tabled to my Department received the answer that all or part of the information requested was not held centrally. This represents 5.18 per cent. of the total questions asked.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  House Owners
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to revise payments to house owners to protect them from lenders repossessing their homes for trivial debts.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  In 1991, the Council of Mortgage Lenders gave an undertaking that lenders will not seek possession in cases where mortgage interest pàyments are fully covered by income support.

  Last week, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced proposals for changes to the help that income support provides for the housing costs of home owners. Most of the changes will be introduced in October 1995 after consultation. The lenders will be included in the consultation process.

  Income Support
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claimants who have lost their benefit books have been refused an immediate replacement in the past three years; and, where there has been a previously lost book, how many had been subject to unauthorised encashments.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 7 December 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of customers who have, in the past 3 years, been refused an immediate replacement after losing their Income Support order book; and, the number of unauthorised encashments where there had been a previous loss.
  The information you have requested about the refusal of replacement payments is not available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. However, there was an omission in the details provided in response to your previous Question on this matter (Official Report Vol.218, Co1.694) as one category of loss had not been included. I have taken this opportunity to correct that and, at the same time, to bring it up to date. The revised figures are attached as an appendix to this letter. I am sorry for any inconvenience you may have been caused.
  For the reason given in the earlier reply, the present payment system does not allow us to identify accurately the number of unauthorised encashments of order books which had previously been reported as lost. Plans to automate benefit payments made at post offices are expected to provide for full reconciliation of transactions.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Number of order books issued

  6,472,016

  7,599,276

  9,117,392

  Number reported lost or stolen

  66,954

  89,919

  108,484

  Number reported lost or mislaid after receipt

  28,004

  42,072

  52,931

  362

  Income Support

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Number reported stolen after receipt1

  7,418

  10,267

  13,357

  1 Omitted from figures supplied previously

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what categories of people with disabilities will be excluded from his plans to limit income support assistance with mortgage interest payments after October 1995;

  (2) if people over the age of 60 will be excluded from his plans to limit income support assistance with mortgage interest payments from October 1995;

  (3) if lone parents will be excluded from his plans to limit income support assistance with mortgage interest payments from October 1995;

  (4) when he proposes to issue a consultation paper setting out his plans to limit income support assistance with mortgage interest payments from October 1995.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Changes to the level of income support assistance with mortgage interest payments were announced in the uprating statement. Pensioners will be protected and the position of other groups will be considered during the consultation process. The consultation paper will be issued in the spring.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to scale back income support assistance with mortgage interest payments for existing borrowers.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Proposals for changes to income support help with mortgage interest payments for existing borrowers who make claims for income support from next October were contained in the uprating statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 30 November.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures giving a breakdown of expenditure on income support assistance with mortgage interest payments by claimant group and for all claimants showing for each(a) total expenditure on interest payments for the first nine months of a claim and (b) total expenditure on interest payments over nine months from the start of a claim, giving the most recent available figures.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Details are available only for the weekly amount of mortgage interest in payment at the time the survey was carried out. Details are set out in the table below.

  Income support claimants with mortgage interest payments

  Weekly expenditure on mortgage interest-claimants on IS less than 9 months £ million

  Weekly expenditure on mortgage interest-claimants on IS 9 months or more £ million

  Pensioners

  0.2

  1.6

  Sick/Disabled

  0.4

  2.2

  Lone Parent

  0.9

  4.2

  Unemployed

  3.4

  6.3

  Other

  0.4

  1.2

  All cases

  5.3

  15.5

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry February 1994.
  363
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many existing recipients there are of the disability premium of income support, housing benefit and council tax rebate in(a) Scotland, and (b) Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The figures for income support for August 1994, the latest information available, are:

  Scotland (total)

  Strathclyde

  AD4

  AD5

  78,732

  51,588

  31,105

  26,690

  Source:

  Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics. Data is subject to amendment.

  The information about housing benefit and council tax benefit is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

  Housing benefit

  Council tax benefit

  Scotland

  75,000

  68,000

  Strathclyde

  48,000

  Information not available

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information Systems, annual 1 per cent. samples with and without Income Support taken at the end of May 1993.

  Notes:

  1 The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2 The figures are for benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the effect of his decision to remove the right to income support covering the first nine months of mortgage interest on the rate of house repossessions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The proposals announced strike a careful balance between the need to stimulate the insurance market, and the need to protect owner occupiers. There is no reason to suppose the withdrawal of income support entitlement for new borrowers for the first nine months will adversely affect the rate of repossessions.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions has he had with(a) mortgage companies and (b) insurance companies regarding his proposals to remove the right to income support covering the first nine months of mortgage interest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Officials hold regular meetings with lenders and insurers to discuss issues of mutual interest. Ministers intend to meet the Council for Mortgage Lenders and the Association of British Insurers in the new year as part of the consultation process on these proposals.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the savings to his Department that will accrue from proposed changes to the level and availability of income support to cover mortgage interest in each of the next five years.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We propose to consult widely on the precise detail of the changes. The financial effects will depend on the outcome of the consultation and the final details of the scheme.
  364
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his proposals to remove the right to income support covering the first nine months of mortgage interest for all mortgages taken out after October 1995 apply to(a) those re-mortgaging existing properties and (b) second mortgages taken out to cover necessary structural repairs.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  These matters will be considered during the consultation process.

  Benefits
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all forms of benefit that can be obtained through his Department stating for each benefit(a) when it was first introduced and (b) if it was an entirely new benefit or superseded an earlier payment.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table.

  Year introduced

  Benefit/s replaced

  Retirement pension

  1948–49

  Christmas bonus—contributory

  1973–74

  New

  Widows benefit

  1948–49

  Unemployment benefit

  1948–49

  Sickness benefit

  1948–49

  Invalidity benefit

  1971–72

  New

  Industrial disablement benefit

  1948–49

  Industrial death benefit

  1948–49

  Other industrial injuries benefits

  1948–49

  Existed prior to 1948–49.

  Maternity allowance

  1948–49

  Guardians allowance

  1948–49

  Non-contributory retirement pension

  1970–71

  New

  Christmas bonus—non-contributory

  1973–74

  New

  War pension

  1948–49

  Introduced in 1914–15.

  Attendance allowance

  1971–72

  New

  Invalid care allowance

  1976–77

  New

  Severe disablement allowance

  1984–85

  Replaced non—contributory invalidity pensions.

  Disability living allowance

  1992–93

  Replaced and extended mobility allowance as well as attendance allowance to the under 65s.

  Disability working allowance

  1992–93

  New

  Income support

  1988–89

  Replaced supplementary benefit, which in turn replaced national assistance and non contributory old age pension in 1968–69.

  Child benefit

  1977–78

  Replaced family allowance.

  One parent benefit

  1981–82

  Replaced child benefit increase.

  Family credit

  1988–89

  Replaced family income supplement.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimate of the likely increased level of appeals under the new test for incapacity benefit; and what extra resources are being allocated to the independent tribunal service to deal with that increase.

  Mr. Hague
  Current planning assumptions are that the number of appeals which will be lodged on the question of incapacity will be in the region of 140,000 in 1995–96. As it will take several months to prepare each appeal for hearing, not all these appeals will be cleared during the year. The Independent Tribunal Service will be allocated sufficient funds to deal with as many appeals as they expect to have available for hearing.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to channel extra resources to(a) local enterprise companies, (b) local authorities and (c) the Employment Service for retraining, rehabilitation and other strategies in respect of current invalidity benefit recipients who will lose entitlement following the introduction of incapacity benefit.

  Mr. Hague
  I have no such plans.

  The function of incapacity benefit is to help those incapable of work because of their condition. The provision of services supporting those seeking employment is primarily a matter for the Employment Department.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimate of the number of current recipients of invalidity benefit in Scotland, Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

  Mr. Hague
  Estimates by region are not available. Estimates of the number of existing invalidity benefit recipients in Great Britain expected to be found capable by the new medical test of incapacity are in the table.

  Year

  Number of recipients (thousands)

  1995–96

  140

  1996–97

  80

  1997–98

  20

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimation of the rate at which current recipients will be medically examined by Benefits Agency medical service doctors under the new test in Scotland, Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.

  Mr. Hague
  From 13 April 1995, and over the following two to three years, the new test will be applied to all current recipients in those areas not in the exempt categories.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on repayments of overpayments made to the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Doncaster, North (Mr. Hughes) on 25 October,Official Report, column 560.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors cause alterations in Child Support 366
  Agency maintenance payments when the child being supported reaches the age of 16 years.

  Mr. Burt
  Alterations in liability for child support maintenance when a child reaches the age of 16 depend on the circumstances of the case.

  If the child ceases non-advanced full-time education, liability ceases unless the termination date for child benefit has not been reached.

  The maintenance requirement—the amount calculated to represent the basic maintenance needs of a child—can be affected by two factors at age 16. First, the personal allowance for the child increases in line with income support allowances. Secondly, if the child is the youngest or only child to be maintained by the absent parent, then the carer element of the maintenance requirement is removed.

  However, many absent parents cannot in any case meet the full amount of the maintenance requirement and their maintenance assessment is a lower amount. In these cases a change in the maintenance requirement will not necessarily lead to a change in the maintenance assessment.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to appoint an ombudsman or inspectorate to oversee the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  Complaints about the handling of cases by the Child Support Agency already fall for investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  The Government do not have any plans to establish a separate ombudsman or inspectorate with responsibility solely for the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the reduction in work for the Child Support Agency which would result if clean-break amicable arrangements were exempted from the scope of the agency.

  Mr. Burt
  The very limited data available about divorces involving a clean break settlement suggest that less than 10 per cent. of parents with care receiving income support, and up to 20 per cent. of parents with care not receiving income support, may have such a settlement. There is no information about the proportion of cases in which the parties regard the settlement as amicable.

  If such cases were to be exempted from the scope of the Child Support Act, the conclusion is that well under 10 per cent. of benefit cases would be excluded. Non-benefit cases in this position are not due to be taken on by the Child Support Agency until 1996–97 and application will be voluntary ex-partners with an amicable settlement will therefore presumably not apply.

  Housing Benefit
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of administering the housing benefit system for the last financial year available.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Local authorities estimate that they spent £255 million on administering the housing benefit scheme for the 1992–93 year.

  Source:
  Social Security Department Report 1994.
  367
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average expenditure on housing benefit per claimant for(a) council tenants, (b) housing association tenants and (c) private sector tenants, for each year since 1979 in constant prices.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the table:

  Average amount of housing benefit Real terms 1994–95 prices (£)

  Private tenants

  Great Britain

  Local authority tenants

  All private tenants

  Housing association tenants

  Other private tenants

  May 1988

  21.28

  25.21

  N/A

  N/A

  May 1989

  21.78

  26.43

  N/A

  N/A

  May 1990

  23.00

  29.57

  N/A

  N/A

  May 1991

  24.88

  35.60

  N/A

  N/A

  May 1992

  27.80

  40.42

  33.89

  42.76

  May 1993

  29.53

  44.48

  36.47

  47.74

  Source:

  HBMIS

  Notes:

  1 All figures in the tables have come from the Housing Benefit Management Information System (HBMIS) 1 per cent. samples.

  2 Information for earlier years is not available.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the cost of housing benefit after the changes introduced in the Budget for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This information will be published in the Social Security departmental report in the normal way.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit review boards were held in each English and Welsh local authority in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested is not collected.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals were received by each housing benefit review board in England and Wales in each year since 1986; of these, how many were heard and determined at a hearing; and what was the number of successful appeals.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the estimated cost to a local authority of administering, hearing and determining a review board appeal.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Responsibility for operating review boards lies with individual local authorities. It is not possible to make a representative estimate of these costs to an individual authority since detailed information is not collected about particular aspects of their operating costs. In addition, review board costs could vary widely depending upon the arrangements made by individual authorities.

  In-work Benefits
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make a statement on the introduction of the new in-work benefits for single people and childless couples;
  368
  (2) what is his Department's estimate of the annual gross and net costs of introducing on a national basis the in-work benefit for single people and childless couples; how many single people and childless couples would be eligible; and what proportion these form of the totals in these groups.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We shall be publishing a consultation document in April 1995 giving details of our proposals for the new in-work benefit.

  Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average cost of a social security appeal tribunal appeal determination in 1993–94.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  It is estimated that the average cost of an appeal to a social security appeal tribunal for the Independent Tribunal Service in 1993–94 was £265. The Benefits Agency's costs in preparing and submitting these appeals are not included.

  Mortgage Insurance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the average cost to new borrowers of taking out insurance against unemployment and sickness to cover their mortgage interest payments as a result of the decision to limit income support assistance with new mortgages from October 1995.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  According to the Association of British Insurers, the current average cost of mortgage protection policies is about £7 per month for every £100 of cover.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the plans of his Department to make information available on the Internet and the documents which he intends to be made available on the Internet over the next year which will be accessible via the world wide web server "open.gov.uk" or any specific departmental server.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) on 30 November,Official Report, column 751.

  Pensions Bill
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what significant policy developments since the publication of the White Paper will be reflected in the forthcoming Pensions Bill.

  Mr. Lilley
  Since the publication of the White Paper, "Security, Equality, Choice: The Future for Pensions", the Government have refined their proposals in respect of a statutory minimum solvency requirement and age-related rebates following further detailed analysis and consideration of comments received on the original proposal.

  In relation to the proposed statutory minimum solvency requirement, I now propose that there should be an adjustment to the valuation basis in respect of very large schemes, to allow an equity component in the calculation of their pensioner liabilities; that the time limits for restoring schemes' funding levels to at least 90 per cent.

  369
  and 100 per cent. of the statutory minimum solvency requirement should be extended to one year and five years respectively; and that the statutory minimum solvency requirement calculation should be smoothed over a period of months rather than being based on market values on a particular day. With these changes the statutory minimum solvency requirement should deliver an appropriate level of security for members' pension entitlements, without imposing unnecessary burdens on business.

  The White Paper announced our intention to introduce age-related rebates for appropriate personal pensions and contracted-out money purchase occupational pension schemes in April 1997. This will ensure that money purchase pensions remain attractive across a broader age range. To help phase in this policy, I intend to introduce a 9 per cent. cap on the age related rebates when they are brought in. This should enable the vast majority of existing appropriate personal pension scheme holders to continue with their scheme until they reach state pension age. It will also mean that younger employees can continue to take out new appropriate personal pensions. Details of the illustrative rates of the age-related rebates will be published by the Government Actuary in his report on the forthcoming Pensions Bill.

  Further details are set out in a letter of 8 December to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Mr. Butterfill) which is in the Library.

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to propose that(a) the amount of child maintenance paid by an absent parent will be taken into consideration when other benefits are calculated and (b) those parents who can afford less than £2.30 a week in maintenance payments should be zero rated.

  Mr. Burt
  We have no such plans.

  If an absent parent's maintenance liability were to be deducted from his income before his entitlement to income-related benefits was assessed, this would mean that his benefit entitlement was higher and was, in effect, contributing towards the maintenance payment. Also, since maintenance is assessed on the basis of an absent parent's income including any income-related benefits, the higher benefit entitlement should lead to a higher maintenance liability, producing a circular effect.

  The Government believe that it is right that absent parents should normally make some contribution towards the support of their children. The minimum amount, currently £2.30 a week, is payable where assessed maintenance is less than £2.30 or where the absent parent is on income support. However, absent parents who should pay the minimum amount are exempted where, for example, they are sick or disabled or are themselves bringing up a child; most of those on income support, and all those on family credit, are exempted.

  Nursery Provision
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide support for single parents to use existing nursery provision in addition to existing benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  Lone parents already use a wide range of informal and formal methods of child care including day 370
  nurseries. The help with child care costs from October 1994 in family credit, disability working allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit, is payable in respect of day nursery provision where charges are made for this.

  Along with child benefit and one-parent benefit, lone parents can qualify for a range of extra assistance within the income related benefits such as the lone parent premium, a higher earning disregard and a maintenance disregard.

  Child Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for Education about(a) short and (b) long-term provision for child care.

  Mr. Burt
  There is a continuing discussion across Government at ministerial and official level on a wide range of issues affecting the family, including child care.

  Computerisation Programme
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the lead company awarded the contract for the computerisation programme at his Department.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This Department uses a wide range of computer organisations in the development, implementation and maintenance of its computer operations.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was(a) the estimated cost and (b) the actual cost of the computerisation programme at his Department.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The actual cost of computerisation in 1993–94 was £450,322,000. This was within the estimated cost for the year, at £450,357,000.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes), on 1 December 1994,Official Report, columns 884–85, regarding the benefit rights available to British citizens under present habitual residence rules, if he will make a statement on the basis by which such citizens have a right to claim under existing rules relating to the social fund.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes) on 30 November,Official Report, column 747.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1994,Official Report, columns 424–25, concerning the application of the habitual residence test in Lewisham, Deptford; how the test is being applied; what are the guidelines issued to adjudication officers; and what is the length of time clients are having to wait for habitual residence test interviews.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  371
  Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 7 December 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for details of the application of the habitual residence test in Lewisham, Deptford.
  The habitual residence test is applied to all Income Support customers who satisfy the normal conditions of entitlement of Income Support and have indicated on their claim form that they have come to live in the UK in the last 5 years. Relevant information is gathered by officers acting as the Secretary of State, normally by interview, to establish the reasons and intentions for coming to the UK. This information is then considered by an adjudication officer who decides if the customer is habitually resident in the UK. The customer is informed in writing of the decision and of their right of appeal.
  Before the habitual residence test regulations became effective the Central Adjudication Services provided adjudication guidance (Adjudication Officers Guide (AOG) Memo Vol 3/69), offering an interpretation of the term "habitual residence" using existing European social security legislation where the concept of habitual residence is mainly to be found. The Benefits Agency (BA) also issued procedural instructions to offices on the handling of claims when the habitual residence test is to be applied (Income Support Guide (ISG) Circular 15/94). Copies of the ISG Circulars are available in the House of Commons library. I have enclosed a copy of the AOG Memo and a copy will be placed in the Library.
  Initially, Lewisham caller office had a problem with the number of cases that required an interview and appointments were delayed for up to 4 weeks. This problem has now been addressed and personal callers with an urgent claim can usually be seen the same day. Non urgent and postal claims are generally seen within one week.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes, if any, are proposed to the existing £15 weekly disregard available to couples where the claimant's unemployment duration exceeds two years under the proposed arrangements for a back-to-work bonus available to jobseeker's allowance recipients; what is the proposed maximum accumulation period during which a claimant or claimant's partner in part-time work may have benefit deducted to be set aside; under what circumstances a claimant's partner who obtains full-time work will be eligible for receipt of the back to work bonus; and how the back to work bonus income will be treated for the purposes of pay-as-you-earn or national insurance contributions.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Under our proposals for jobseeker's allowance the £15 earnings disregard for long-term unemployed couples will be abolished. A £10 disregard will apply for all couples in place of the usual £5 per person under current income support rules. Where a person is receiving income-related jobseeker's allowance, or income support, a partner's earnings will help to build up a bonus, which can be paid if the partner obtains work of 24 or more hours a week. No decision has yet been made on whether there should be a maximum accumulation period. The back to work bonus will not be subject to income tax and national insurance contributions.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the best estimates of the numbers of unemployed people who are currently receiving income support at the reduced rate on grounds of hardship who would not qualify under the proposed jobseeker's allowance arrangements; under the new arrangements, in 372
  what circumstances entitlement to either housing benefit or assistance with payment of mortgage interest payments continue if an unemployed claimant is under sanction but cannot demonstrate that a household member would suffer hardship; and what arrangements are envisaged under the jobseeker's allowance for the treatment of unemployed claimants who are judged to be voluntarily unemployed on grounds of misconduct or voluntary leaving; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  A total of 2,779 hardship payments were made in the year to March 1994 to unemployed people who were found not available for or actively seeking work. The arrangements for access to hardship payments under the proposed jobseeker's allowance will broadly follow those which apply for actively seeking work in income support. Payments are made at the discretion of an adjudication officer on a case-by-case basis. Estimates of those who would not receive payments under the jobseeker's allowance are not available.

  Sanctioned claimants not in receipt of hardship payment in a given week will be able to claim housing benefit on income grounds. During the period of the sanction they will not be entitled to jobseeker's allowance, including any elements in respect of help with mortgage interest payments.

  People who leave work voluntarily without just cause, or through misconduct, will not receive jobseeker's allowance for up to 26 weeks unless they can demonstrate that a member of their household would suffer hardship. Hardship payments will be made under income-related jobseeker's allowance and will be equivalent to a reduction of 40 per cent. or 20 per cent. of the personal allowance. Such payments will not be available for the first two weeks of a benefit sanction except to people with children, with caring responsibilities, who are pregnant or have a pregnant partner, or who are sick or disabled or who have a partner who is sick or disabled.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimate, based on the most recent information for income support recipients, of the number people likely to become eligible for jobseeker's allowance as a result of extending the threshold of a partner's weekly working hours from 16 to 24; what is the estimated cost from payment of income support to those brought into eligibility; and what changes, if any, will be made to eligibility for either housing benefit or assistance with mortgage interest payments to jobseeker's allowance recipients with a partner employed for less than 24 hours per week.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information on the costs of, and the number of people who will benefit from, the change in the partner's hours threshold is given in the table.

  Those entitled to either income support or income-related jobseeker's allowance as a result of the increase in the partner's hours threshold will continue to be entitled to maximum help with their rent, subject to any deductions for non-dependants or ineligible service charges. Had the hours threshold not been increased, housing benefit could still have been claimed on income grounds where the partner was working 16 hours or more per week. In these cases where net income, including partner's earnings, exceeds income support levels, the amount of help from housing benefit will reduce as

  373
  income rises, as now. Help with mortgage interest payments will also continue where the partner is working for less than 24 hours per week. If the partner's hours threshold had not been increased no help with mortgage

  Increase in the numbers eligible

  Increase in the number of claimants

  Cost of IS/JSA (IR) £ million

  FC Saving£ million

  Total net cost£ million

  JSA (income related) (IR)

  25,000

  15,000

  35

  25

  10

  Income Support (IS)

  5,000

  5,000

  5

  —

  5

  Total

  25,000

  20,000

  40

  25

  15

  Notes:

  JSA—Jobseekers allowance

  FC—Family credit

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Modelled on the PSM using the 1990–91–92 FES and the 1994–95 benefit system.

  All caseload figures rounded to the nearest 5,000 and savings/costs to the nearest £5 million.

  Estimates do not include any tax or behavioural impacts.

  Costs/savings are given in 1997–98 prices and assume 2.4 million unemployed.

  Couples are assumed to claim IS/JSA only if they are better off on IS/JSA than they would be on FC.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under the proposed arrangements for the jobseeker's allowance, what will be the taper for reducing the allowance above the £50 weekly ceiling for those unemployed claimants whose payment will be abated on the ground of their receipt of occupational pension income; and what are the best estimates available of the total numbers of unemployed claimants who would be affected by this abatement and the number who would lose the entirety of the jobseeker's allowance payment, in both cases for those aged over 55 years and those aged 55 years and under giving separate figures.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  As is currently the case with unemployment benefit, there will be a 100 per cent. taper. The precise mechanism is still under consideration. However, current broad estimates of the numbers of people who will be affected by the occupational pension abatement rules in jobseeker's allowance as well as the numbers of unemployed claimants who will not receive any jobseeker's allowance because their pensions are too large is set out in the table.

  Aged less than 55

  Aged more than 55

  Estimated number of unemployed claimants who receive no JSA because of pension

  5,000

  5,000

  Estimated number of JSA recipients with pensions of more than £50 per week

  5,000

  5,000

  Estimated number of JSA recipients with pensions of less than £50 per week

  5,000

  10,000

  Notes:

  (1) All caseload estimates rounded to the nearest 5,000; as a result the figures do not sum.

  (2) All estimates assume that JSA has been introduced and the length of entitlement is set at six months. Estimates assume that any occupational pension above £50 per week is abated against
  374
  interest payments would have been available if the partner worked for 16 hours or more per week, as entitlement to income-related jobseeker's allowance would have been extinguished.

  benefit. Estimates assume that there is no age limit under which occupational pensions are abated.

  (3) Estimates assume 2.4 million unemployed claimants and 500,000 UB cases.

  (4) Estimates use the 1993 and 1994 Unemployment Benefits Statistics, the 1993 Annual Statistical Enquiry, and the policy simulation model using 1990–91–92 data.

  (5) Estimates do not include tax or behavioural implications.

  (6) Estimates assume that those claimants aged less than 55 who currently receive UB and who will not be eligible for any contributory JSA continue to claim benefit.

  VAT on Fuel
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out details of the new rates of benefit proposed from April 1995, revised in the light of the decision not to proceed with the second phase of VAT on domestic fuel.

  Mr. Lilley
  The revised benefit rates are in the schedule which has been placed in the Library. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the number of unemployed people, listing figures for men and women and separately for those aged under 25 years and those aged 25 years and over who would not qualify for unemployment benefit if the period of entitlement were reduced from 12 months to six months showing the number of claimants(a) likely to be affected over a full operational year and (b) likely to be affected at any one point in an operational year; how many would be eligible for income support; how many are expected to apply for credits of national insurance contributions; what the net saving to the Exchequer would be; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information on the numbers affected at any one point in time is in the table. Estimates of the number who are likely to be affected over an operational year are not available. We estimate that
  375
  approximately 45,000 people who would have no entitlement to unemployment benefit or income support would decide to sign on in order to be credited with national insurance contributions. Our current

  All

  Men

  Women

  Under 25

  Over 25

  A. Estimated number who lose entitlement to unemployment benefit

  165,000

  115,000

  45,000

  30,000

  135,000

  B. Of numbers in A the estimated number entitled to income support

  95,000

  75,000

  20,000

  25,000

  70,000

  C. Of numbers in A estimated number entitled number entitled to neither unemployment benefit nor income support

  70,000

  45,000

  25,000

  5,000

  65,000

  Notes:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  All costs/savings estimates rounded to the nearest £10 million. All caseload estimates rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  All estimates in 1994–95 prices.

  Estimates assume 2.4 million unemployed claimants and 500,000 UB cases.

  Estimates do not include tax or behavioural implications, except for the estimate of those who will continue to sign to claim NI credits. In this case we have assumed that the same number will continue to sign if UB exhausts after six months as currently continue to sign when UB exhausts after 12 months.
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  unemployment assumptions setting the length of entitlement to unemployment benefit at six months rather than 12 months is estimated to result in net savings of £170 million.

  IRAQ: TROOP DEPLOYMENTS
  IRAQ: TROOP DEPLOYMENTS
  UKRAINE: ACCESSION TO NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
  UKRAINE: ACCESSION TO NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
  UKRAINE: SECURITY ASSURANCES
  UKRAINE: SECURITY ASSURANCES
  NON-NUCLEAR STATES: SECURITY ASSURANCES
  NON-NUCLEAR STATES: SECURITY ASSURANCES
  US NUCLEAR WEAPONS: REMOVAL FROM SOUTH KOREA
  US NUCLEAR WEAPONS: REMOVAL FROM SOUTH KOREA
  RWANDA: EU AID
  RWANDA: EU AID
  EMERGENCY PROVISIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) ACT 1991: REVIEW REPORT
  EMERGENCY PROVISIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) ACT 1991: REVIEW REPORT
  MARRIED QUARTERS ESTATE: PRIVATISATION STUDY
  MARRIED QUARTERS ESTATE: PRIVATISATION STUDY
  OPERATION GRANBY: PROTECTION AGAINST BOTULINUM
  OPERATION GRANBY: PROTECTION AGAINST BOTULINUM
  FUMING NITRIC ACID
  FUMING NITRIC ACID
  MUSTARD GAS
  MUSTARD GAS
  PROTECTIVE VACCINES AND DRUGS: REFUSAL BY SERVICE PERSONNEL
  PROTECTIVE VACCINES AND DRUGS: REFUSAL BY SERVICE PERSONNEL
  STUDENT LOANS
  STUDENT LOANS
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: UNAUTHORISED PURCHASERS
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: UNAUTHORISED PURCHASERS
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: ADVERSE REACTIONS
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS SHEEP DIPS: ADVERSE REACTIONS
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDES: LOWLEVEL EXPOSURE
  ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDES: LOWLEVEL EXPOSURE
  SHEEP ANNUAL PREMIUM AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS SCHEMES
  SHEEP ANNUAL PREMIUM AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS SCHEMES
  NATIONAL LOTTERY
  NATIONAL LOTTERY