Written Answers of 9 February 1994

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Children (Northern Ireland) Order
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will defer the introduction of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order, pending the outcome of the review of the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Ancram
  No. The Government are not undertaking a review of the Children Act 1989 although its provisions are monitored and some changes have been made since its enactment.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure by his Department on (1) internal and (2) overseas travel by the Secretary of State in 1992–93 after 11 April 1992 and so far in 1993–94.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  There is no specific budget for my travel costs. The amounts spent on travel on Government business are:

  1992–93

  11993–94

  Internal travel

  £621,241

  £430,540

  External travel

  £ 36,935

  £ 17,300

  1 To 4 February.

  Electricity
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which companies or organisations were invited to compete for the supply of electricity to Northern Ireland Electricity ultimately won by Scottish Power to supply it over the proposed interconnector; what was the procedure for this tender; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  I understand that NIE initially approached a number of generating companies including National Power plc, PowerGen plc, Electricite de France, Scottish Hydro Electric plc in addition to Scottish Power plc before entering into detailed negotiations with the latter.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a copy of the Ove Arup report on the commercial assessment of the electricity interconnector with Scotland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  No. This report, which contains information supplied in confidence by two privately owned companies, was commissioned by and is the property of the European Commission.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will request the Northern Ireland Electricity 240
  Regulator to take account of the results of a proper independent cost benefit analysis for the Province as a whole, prior to reaching a decision on the most economic source of electric power for Northern Ireland and making any future announcement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  No. Under the terms of its licence Northern Ireland Electricity plc is required to purchase its power requirements as economically as possible and must satisfy the Director General of Electricity Supply that it has done so.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many citizens living overseas have applied to be registered to vote in elections in each parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Ancram
  Records of the number of applications from British citizens overseas are not held. The numbers of overseas electors included on the electoral register for 1993–94, and the expected figures for 1994–95, are given in the table.

  Overseas electors

  Constituency

  1993–94 register

  1994–95 register (anticipated)

  Belfast East

  10

  9

  Belfast North

  8

  5

  Belfast South

  9

  4

  Belfast West

  1

  —

  East Antrim

  3

  3

  East Londonderry

  9

  7

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  6

  7

  Foyle

  2

  1

  Lagan Valley

  3

  2

  Mid Ulster

  6

  5

  Newry and Armagh

  4

  2

  North Antrim

  6

  7

  North Down

  21

  19

  South Antrim

  3

  2

  South Down

  2

  3

  Strangford

  10

  9

  Upper Bann

  5

  6

  Total

  108

  91

  Co-operatives
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to encourage the development of retail, wholesale and manufacturing co-operatives.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  LEDU, Northern Ireland's small business agency, plans to continue to encourage such activities through its community business programme which provides a package of grant aid as well as loan funding.

  In addition, the Northern Ireland Co-operative Development Agency (NICDA), which is funded by Government, encourages the development of worker co-operatives, service co-operatives, community enterprises and employee share ownership plans, through a range of services.
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  Proxy Votes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make the application form to vote by post or proxy due to disability or physical incapacity available in braille.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no plans to do so.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which appointments since 1979 to public bodies or posts for which he is responsible have included candidates nominated by the Chief Whip's Office; if any nominees by this source have been appointed; and if he will give details.

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 1 February 1994 at column 633.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Sir John Wheeler
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who are the members currently appointed to the Royal Mint advisory committee.

  Mr. Nelson
  The members of the Royal Mint advisory committee are as follows:

  HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (President)

  Roger de L. Holmes, Deputy Master of the

  Performance against Maastricht convergence criteria

  Latest inflation1

  Budget balance2

  General government debt3

  Long-term bond yield4

  Belgium

  2·4

  -7·4

  139·1

  6·6

  Denmark

  1·5

  -4·4

  80·2

  6·2

  France

  2·1

  -5·9

  58·3

  5·9

  Germany5

  3·4

  -4·2

  50·8

  5·9

  Greece

  11·1

  -15·4

  111·3

  n/a

  Ireland

  1·5

  -3·0

  93·7

  6·4

  Italy

  4·0

  -10·0

  116·2

  8·4

  Luxembourg

  3·6

  -2·5

  8·9

  6·6

  Netherlands

  1·7

  -4·0

  83·4

  5·8

  Portugal

  6·6

  -8·9

  65·8

  9·1

  Spain

  4·9

  -7·2

  53·8

  8·0

  United Kingdom

  1·9

  -7·6

  51·8

  6·5

  1 Latest percentage change in consumer prices on year ago.

  2 Estimate of 1993 general government financial balance (as a percentage of GDP).

  3 Estimate of 1993 gross debt of general government (as a percentage of GDP).

  4 Yield on 10 year government securities on 7 February 1994.

  5 Inflation figures are for western Germany.

  Source: OECD and European Commission.

  The convergence criteria are:

  a high degree of price stability, as measured by consumer price inflation over one year being within 1½ percentage points of, at most, the three lowest inflation countries;
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  Royal Mint (Chairman)

  Marchioness of Anglesey

  Professor E. Arthur Bell

  Dominic Cadbury

  Sir Hugh Casson

  Dr. Christopher Challis

  Vincent Duggleby

  Sir John Hale

  Michael Harvey

  Professor Bryan Kneale

  John Porteous

  Dr. Conrad Swan

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure by Her Majesty's Treasury on (i) internal and (ii) overseas travel by the Chancellor of the Exchequer since 27 May 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  Expenditure and budgets for the Chancellor's United Kingdom and overseas travel since 27 May 1993 is as follows:

  Item

  Budget (£)

  Actual (£)

  Overseas travel

  38,531

  24,613

  United Kingdom travel

  1,087

  556

  Economic Convergence
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in table form those EC countries conforming to the economic convergence criteria of the treaty of Maastricht.

  Mr. Nelson
  The table shows the state of progress of EC member states with respect to the convergence criteria as set out in the Maastricht treaty. Definitions of the indicators of convergence have not yet been fully standardised and the figures are therefore only indicative at this stage.no "excessive" budget deficit, as judged by ECOFIN. (A Commission report to ECOFIN might be triggered by a budget deficit above 3 per cent. of GDP or a ratio of public debt to GDP above 60 per cent. of GDP);

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  average long-term nominal interest rates over one year within two percentage points of rates in, at most, the three lowest inflation countries;
  respecting the normal fluctuation margins in the ERM without severe tensions for at least the last two years. In particular, the member state shall not have devalued its currency's bilateral rate against any other member state's currency on its own initiative for the same period.

  Currently Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain are members of the ERM. On 2 August 1993 the fluctuation margins of the ERM were temporarily widened to 15 per cent.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated per capita average rate of economic growth in each of the industrial countries in real terms(a) between 1964 and 1973, (b) between 1973 and 1979, (c) between 1979 and 1988 and (d) between 1988 and 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  The relevant statistics are published in the OECD National Accounts Main Aggregates volume 1 and in the OECD Main Economic Indicators.

  £ per year

  1993–94 tax regime

  Assuming no married couple's allowance

  Income net of tax and national insurance contributions, plus child benefit

  Equivalised net income

  Income net of tax and national insurance contributions, plus child benefit

  Equivalised net income

  (a) Single people earning £30,000

  21,296

  21,296

  21,296

  21,296

  (b) Single wage married couples earning £30,000

  21,984

  13,405

  21,296

  12,985

  (c) Two-wage married couples each spouse earning £15,000

  22,610

  13,787

  22,180

  13,524

  (d) Single-wage couples plus two children aged 4 and 10 earning £30,000

  22,925

  9,924

  22,237

  9,626

  Single-wage couples plus four children aged 4, 10, 13 and 15 earning £30,000

  23,768

  7,428

  23,080

  7,212

  (e) Two income couples plus two children as above each spouse earning £15,000

  23,551

  10,195

  23,121

  10,009

  Two-income couples plus four children as above each spouse earning £15,000

  24,394

  7,623

  23,964

  7,489

  EC Funding
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the expected receipts from each of the European Community's funds to the United Kingdom in the current year.

  Sir John Cope
  Details of the United Kingdom's public sector receipts by Government Department and EC fund, for the current United Kingdom financial year, will be published in March in the Chancellor's 1994 departmental report. The forecast of United Kingdom public sector receipts by calendar year for 1994, that is the current EC Budget year, will be published in the spring in the White Paper, "Statement on the 1994 Community Budget".

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what value of receipts he expects from the
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  Incomes
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for the current tax year, showing incomes net of income tax and national insurance contribution, plus child benefit for(a) single people earning £30,000 a year, (b) single-wage married couples earning £30,000 a year, (c) two-wage married couples each spouse earning £15,000, (d) single-wage couples plus two children aged four and 10 years and plus four children aged four, 10, 13 and 15 years, again with £30,000 per family per year and (e) two-income couples plus two children and plus four children, ages as above, each spouse with £15,000; if, in each case, he will equivalise the families' net incomes, using the equivalence ratios used by the Department of Social Security in their households below average incomes analysis, but taking single people as the reference point; and if he will recalculate both sets of figures assuming that married couple's allowance had been phased out.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Information is given in the table. The calculation of income tax liability assumes that no reliefs or allowances other than the personal and married couple's allowance are available. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay class 1 national insurance at the contracted-in rate. The equivalence scales used are before housing costs are deducted.

  European Community's structural fund for each of the fund's objectives in the calendar year 1994, divided into payments to (a) central Government, (b) local government, (c) other public sector bodies and (d) the private sector.

  Mr. Portillo
  The structural funds are implemented by multi-annual programmes and the Commission has announced the United Kingdom's allocations under objectives 1, 3, 4 and 5(b) for the years 1994–1999 and under objective 2 for the years 1994–1996. The breakdown of those allocations between years will be a matter for negotiation with the Commission on the community support framework which lay down how the funds will be used.

  It is not possible to say how much any sector will receive in advance of applications, for support being received from the funds and decisions taken.
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  Trustee Investments Act Review
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he is making to ensure that a wide range of charities, investment management companies and other interested parties are invited to make representations to the Treasury in connection with the current review of the Trustee Investments Act 1961; and if he will list the names of organisations which have been invited individually to submit views.

  Mr. Nelson
  A number of changes to the Trustee Investments Act 1961 are currently being drafted. These are largely technical in nature and are either necessary to comply with European obligations or result from amendments to other statutes. The Treasury has undertaken a limited consultation on these changes, seeking the views of other Departments (including the Charity Commission), the Law Society, the Unit Trust Association and a small number of law firms who have expressed a desire for technical changes.

  The Government are also considering the case for wider reform. If it is decided that there are grounds for such reform, we will ensure that bodies of the type mentioned are fully consulted.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effect on the tax relief on payments required by the Child Support Agency of the use of collection services.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Where tax relief is available for maintenance payments made under Child Support Agency assessments it is unaffected by the use of the agency's collection services.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken or intends to take to secure extension of the derogation permitting the continuation of VAT zero rating in the United Kingdom beyond 1996.

  Sir John Cope
  At ECOFIN on 24 June 1991, all member states agreed that, under transitional agreements to last until at least the end of 1996, member states which at 1 January 1991 applied zero rates of VAT to certain goods and services in accordance with the provisions of Community law then in force would have the option of retaining them.

  The Sixth VAT Directive 77/388/EEC, as amended, provides that the transitional period will continue beyond the end of 1996 if there is not unanimous agreement of the definitive VAT system to operate from that date. The United Kingdom has made it clear that one of the conditions for such an agreement must be our right to continue with zero rates.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Nelson
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".
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  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors will be taken into account in setting levels of vehicle excise duty; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  As with other taxes, the Chancellor takes account of a wide range of factors in setting the structures and rates of vehicle excise duty (VED). These include the need to raise revenue while minimising economic distortions; the impact of the tax on inflation; the transport costs of British industry and the competitive position of United Kingdom hauliers relative to their continental counterparts; and the costs of other forms of transport. In general the Chancellor will seek to ensure that, through a combination of VED and fuel duty, road users at least cover the economic costs they impose, though further work is required to estimate these costs accurately. When direct charges for motorway use are introduced the Government will take these into account in setting motoring taxes.

  Policy in the past has been that road vehicles should, through VED and fuel duty, at least cover their annual "track costs".

  However, the Government made clear in their Green Paper, "Paying for Better Motorways", that this measure has limitations as a basis for setting motoring taxes. For example, it takes account only of the cash costs of capital expenditure on road construction, and of current expenditure on road maintenance and makes no allowance for a return on capital. Publication of the annual Road Track Costs Bulletin will therefore be discontinued. The Government intend to produce better measures of the costs of road use including, where these can be valued, wider costs such as noise and other environmental costs.

  Fraud
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees were judged to be guilty of fraud in his Department in each year since 1989; and how many were dismissed.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 1 February 1994]: Except for minor cases (eg misuse of stationery, postal services and sick certificates), staff found guilty of fraud have been dismissed. The number each year since 1989 is:

  Guilty of fraud

  Dismissed

  1989–90

  0

  0

  1990–91

  1

  0

  1991–92

  2

  2

  1992–93

  9

  4

  11993

  2

  1 To date.

  The figures given exclude the Central Computer Telecommunications Agency and Chessington computer centre as these businesses were transferred to the Cabinet Office in 1992.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy for dealing with employees found guilty of fraud.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 1 February 1994]: Where evidence appears sufficient to obtain a conviction, cases are considered for referral to the police for further

  247
  investigation and possible prosecution. All cases of fraud are also considered under the Treasury's disciplinary procedures.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court Information
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 719, what representations he has received about human rights in respect of the arrangement for passing information from the courts to central Government.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have received no such representations.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 719, on matrimonial cases, when the decision to set up the arrangement in question was made; by whom that decision was taken; what representations he has received concerning the arrangement; who made the decision to discontinue it; what reasons led to its discontinuance; when that decision was taken; what its estimated cost was; and in how many cases and by how many courts the information was requested under the second heading by the Home Office supplied.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The arrangement came into effect on 1 November 1993, following discussions between junior officials in the civil business division of my Department and officials of the Home Office between July and October. I have received no representations other than those from the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng). The matter became known to senior officials on 18 January 1994. Legal advice was sought which stated that the arrangement had no statutory authority. The decision to discontinue the arrangement was taken by the head of the civil business division on that day. Arrangements have been made to ensure that legal advice will be sought in all future cases of this type. The cost of each notification made under the arrangement is estimated at £1·16 for the inner London area and £1·06 for the remainder of the courts. I am informed by the Home Office that they received approximately 30 notifications between 1 November and 18 January, which have all been destroyed. It is not therefore possible to say how many separate courts provided information.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 719, on matrimonial cases, how many arrangements currently exist or have existed within the last five years by which information from the courts is disseminated to (a) the Home Office or (b) other central Government Departments.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The following arrangements currently exist or have existed within the last five years by which information from the courts is or has been disseminated to central Government Departments:

  To the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  Information about divorce decrees absolute (in accordance with the senior district judges' direction of 20 January 1992).

  To the Child Support Agency

  As required by the Child Support (Information, Evidence and Disclosure) Regulations 1992.
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  To the Inland Revenue

  Information about small maintenance orders in accordance with the requirements of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 (this was discontinued on 6 April 1989).

  To the Home Office (Immigration and Nationality Department):

  Information about divorce cases where the parties were married in the United Kingdom and separated on the same day (this was discontinued on 18 January 1994).

  In addition to this information, various pieces of statistical information which do not identify particular cases or parties are supplied by the courts for use, for example, in the Judicial Statistics.

  Writs
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current charge for the issue of a writ; what it was 12 months ago; when it was last changed; what considerations underlay the scale of the change; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Under the Supreme Court Fees (Amendment) Order 1993 the writ fee was increased from £70 (set in 1990) to £100. In setting the level of these fees, the Department has sought to begin closing the gap between the present level of cost recovery and its target of full cost recovery from court users by 1996–97.

  Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions have taken place between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Home Office concerning possible changes to the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill[Lords].

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary regularly discuss matters which are of interest to both of their departments, including the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has in respect of the appointment of chief justices' clerks to magistrates courts committees.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government's intention is that every magistrates courts committee should appoint a legally qualified head of service and that the Lord Chancellor's approval should be required for each such appointment.

  Such an appointment will provide clearer lines of accountability within the service, and also yield improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the service's management.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to empower the Lord Chancellor to enforce the amalgamation of magistrates courts committee areas.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill currently before Parliament proposes that the Lord Chancellor should have the power to initiate amalgamations between magistrates courts committee areas. An amalgamation order may only be made after consultation with the local magistrates, the magistrates courts committees concerned and all local authorities in the affected area.
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  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to change the proposed requirement that the Lord Chancellor should approve the appointment of chairmen of magistrates courts committees.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As announced in this House on 2 February, the Lord Chancellor has listened to the criticism of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill voiced in the House of Lords on 18 January. He proposes to move an amendment when the Bill next comes before Parliament, the effect of which will be to remove the proposed requirement that the Lord Chancellor approve the appointment of magistrates courts committee chairmen.

  Justices' Clerks
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor has to require that all justices' clerks be put on fixed-term contracts.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As announced in this House on 2 February, the Lord Chancellor has listened to the criticism of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill voiced in the second reading debate in the House of Lords on 18 January. He proposes to move an amendment when the Bill next comes before Parliament, the effect of which will be to remove the proposed power of the Lord Chancellor to require that any contract of service made between a magistrates court committee and a chief justices' clerk or justices' clerk must contain such provision as my be specified in the order.

  Crown Courts (Racial Bias)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints he has received in his last recorded year over alleged racial bias by(a) Crown court judges, (b) Crown court recorders and (c) Crown court magistrates.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  According to the information which is readily available, during 1993 no complaints were received in which a specific allegation of racial bias by individual members of the judiciary or magistracy sitting in the Crown court formed the sole or substantive grounds of complaint (but two such complaints, one against two circuit judges and one against a recorder, initially received in 1992, were dealt with in 1993). This does not include any complaints received in 1993 about proceedings in the Crown court in which imputed or alleged racial prejudice by the courts may have been an element in, or seen as relating to, the grounds of complaint, but which cannot be separately identified or quantified.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".
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HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hostels, West Midlands
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are expected to be made redundant in the event of the closure of hostels in the west midlands area; and what would be the financial costs.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff will be made redundant in the event of the closure of hostels in the west midlands area; and what would be the financial costs.

  Mr. Maclean
  It will be for the probation committee as employer to decide how to manage the consequences of closures in terms of staff redeployment or redundancy; we have not yet received full accounts of their conclusions.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the occupancy rate of hostels in the west midlands area for each of the last 10 quarters.

  Mr. Maclean
  Occupancy figures for the period April 1991 to March 1992 are not readily available on a quarterly basis. The occupancy figures for the most recently available six quarters and for December 1993 are as follows:

  Per cent.

  April—June 1992

  78

  July—September 1992

  74

  October—December 1992

  74

  January—March 1993

  79

  April—June 1993

  60

  July—September 1993

  71

  December 1993

  79

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department following the proposed closure of hostels in the west midlands area, what advice will be given to the magistrates courts regarding any future bail hostel remands.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice will be given to the magistrates courts regarding any future bail hostel remands following the closure of bail hostels in the west midlands.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are alternative hostel facilities in the west midlands and in neighbouring probation areas; and it will be for the probation service to bring them to the attention of the courts.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will be consulted about the proposed closure of hostels in the west midlands area.

  Mr. Maclean
  The west midlands probation service was notified on 1 December of our closure proposals and given the opportunity to comment.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average cost of a weekly place in hostels in the west midlands area, (b) the average length of stay and (c) the average cost of a prison remand place in the west midlands area.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average cost of a

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  weekly place in hostels in the west midlands area, (b) the average length of stay and (c) what was the average cost of a prison remand place in the west midlands area.

  Mr. Maclean
  (a) The average weekly cost in 1993–94 is £243; (b) this information is not readily available in the form requested; (c) costs for remand prisoners are not kept separately. For 1992–93, the average weekly net operating cost per prisoner at Birmingham prison, the only prison in the west midlands, was £383. Remand prisoners represent just over 40 per cent. of these prisoners.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what capital expenditure was planned for hostels in the west midlands area prior to his Department's statement of 30 November.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any capital expenditure was planned for hostels in the west midlands area prior to the Home Office statement of 30 November.

  Mr. Maclean
  A number of proposals for capital expenditure on west midlands hostels had been received prior to the 30 November statement, but none had or have yet been approved.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many residents of hostels in the west midlands area were(a) aged under 17 years, (b) 17 to 21 years and (c) 21 years and over at the most recent available date.

  Mr. Maclean
  For the period January to December 1993,(a) none, (b) 368, (c)

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what capital and revenue expenditure will be available for hostel provision in the west midlands area for 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what capital and revenue expenditure will be available for hostel provision in the west midlands area for 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Maclean
  Revenue grant for approved bail and probation/bail hostels in the west midlands for 1994–95 and 1995–96 will be approximately £1·5 million a year. The amount of capital grant available for hostels in this area will depend on the strength of bids submitted by the probation committee in comparison to those for hostels in other areas.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he expects to be the annual saving as a result of the closure of hostels in the west midlands area.

  Mr. Maclean
  We expect the saving to be in the order of £0·2 million in 1994–95 and £0·4 million in 1995–96.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were(a) re-arrested and charged or (b) breached for failure to comply with requirements at hostels in the west midlands area for the latest period for which statistics are available.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were either re-arrested and charged or breached for failure to comply with requirements at hostels in the west midlands area for the latest period for which statistics are available.
  252
  Mr. Maclean
  For the period January to December 1993, the information requested is as follows:

  Number

  Re-offended

  54

  Absconded and breached

  210

  Breached for failure to comply with hostel rules

  219

  Bewsey Street Hostel, Cheshire
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any capital expenditure was planned for the Bewsey street hostel prior to his Department's statement of 30 November 1993.

  Mr. Maclean
  A proposal for capital expenditure on the Bewsey street hostel had been received prior to the 30 November statement, but it had not and has not since been approved.

  Youth Custody
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1989 the total number of young people serving youth custody sentences.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Bill Etherington, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking if he will list for each year since 1989 the total number of young people serving youth custody sentences.
  The information you have requested is given in the following table.

  Average population1 of sentenced young offenders in Prison Service establishments, England and Wales: 1989 to 1993

  Year

  Average population

  1989

  7,232

  1990

  6,264

  1991

  5,859

  1992

  5,469

  1993

  5,131

  1 Includes a small number held in police cells in some years.

  Source: Table 1.5, Prison Statistics, England and Wales, 1991, (Cm 2157) and Home Office Statistical Bulletin 7/93, Table 1 for figures 1989–92.

  Domestic Homicides
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homicides involving(a) shotguns and (b) other firearms have taken place as a result of domestic incidents in each police force area in each of the last 10 years; and how many of the victims in each case were women.

  Mr. Maclean
  The following tables give the information.
  253

  Offences currently recorded as homicide (1) in which the relationship between the suspect and victim was domestic (2) and where a shot gun was used—England and Wales, 1983 to 1992

  Police force area

  1983

  1984

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  2

  2

  —

  1

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  1

  2

  2

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Leicestershire

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Northumbria

  1

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  —

  2

  West Midlands

  —

  2

  —

  1

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Wiltshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  2

  2

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  10

  11

  9

  15

  Police force area

  1985

  1986

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Bedfordshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Greater Manchester

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  254

  Police force area

  1985

  1986

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Metropolitan Police District

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  2

  2

  —

  1

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  1

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Surrey

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  2

  1

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  6

  10

  10

  13

  Police force area

  1987

  1988

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Durham

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Lincolnshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Sussex

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  1

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  1

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  1

  —

  —

  1

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  1

  England and Wales

  5

  10

  2

  10

  255

  Police force area

  1989

  1990

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Kent

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  1

  1

  —

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  1

  1

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Wiltshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  1

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  2

  9

  6

  11

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  —

  —

  —

  —

  256

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  1

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  1

  —

  1

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Gwent

  —

  2

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  2

  9

  2

  6

  Offences currently recorded as homicide1 in which the relationship between the suspect and victim was domestic2 and where a firearm was used—England and Wales, 1983 to 1992.

  Police force area

  1983

  1984

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  —

  —

  3

  —

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  1

  —

  1

  3

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  1

  2

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  1

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  2

  4

  4

  5

  257

  Police force area

  1985

  1986

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  3

  3

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  2

  2

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  4

  4

  —

  2

  Police force area

  1987

  1988

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  1

  2

  —

  1

  258

  Police force area

  1987

  1988

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  1

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  1

  4

  —

  4

  Police force area

  1989

  1990

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  1

  —

  1

  —

  259

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  London, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Metropolitan Police District

  1

  —

  —

  2

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  2

  —

  —

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sussex

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  3

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England and Wales

  3

  6

  1

  8

  (1) Offences currently recorded as homicide as at 27 August 1993.

  (2) 'Domestic' includes the following relationships of victim to suspect: son or daughter; parent; spouse; cohabitant or former spouse or cohabitant; other family; lover or former lover including spouse's lover or lover's spouse or other associate.

  (3) Information for 1993 is not yet available.

  Parole
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to chief constables concerning approaches by the police to prisoners in respect of responsibility for crimes other than those for which they were convicted, in respect of resistance to parole.

  Mr Charles Wardle
  None.

  Firearms
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many occasions a licensed firearms or shotgun holder has committed(a) homicide or (b) serious injury with a gun in each of the last 10 years.
  260
  Mr. Maclean
  No information is available centrally on whether a licensed firearm or shotgun holder has used his weapon to kill or injure.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Police Advisory Board.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The constitution of the board stipulates that the board shall consist of:

  (a) the Secretary of State, who shall be the Chairman thereof, and such persons as he may from time to time direct to serve thereon;

  (b) the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers of England and Wales, the Police Superintendents's Association of England and Wales, and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  It is for the authorities and bodies listed above to decide who should represent them on the board.

  The membership of the board is currently as follows:

  Secretary of State

  Mr. Trefor Morris—Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary

  Mr. I. Burns—Deputy Under Secretary, Home Office

  Mr. C. Scoble—Assistant Under Secretary, Home Office

  Mrs. P. G. W. Catto—Police Department, Home Office

  Mr. I. Smith—Police Department, Home Office

  Miss M. Barton—General Secretary ACPO

  Mr. B. Skitt—ACPO (Chief Constable, Hertfordshire)

  Mr. T. Speed—Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police

  Mr. D. Clark—Superintendents' Association

  Mr. V. Jones—Superintendents' Association

  Mr. R. Coyles—Chairman, Police Federation

  Mr. L. Williams—Secretary, Police Federation

  Mr. J. Moseley—Police Federation

  Mr. S. Cadmore—Police Federation

  Mr. G. Hyde—Police Federation

  Mr. D. Bellotti—Association of County Councils

  Mr. J. Collins—Association of County Councils

  Mr. R. G. Owen—Association of County Councils

  Mr. S. Murphy—Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Mr. R. W. Gillies—Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Tribunals comprise three members selected from the following panels:

  Chairmen

  His Honour Christopher Beaumont MBE

  Mr. T. G. Field-Fisher QC

  Mr. G. Flather QC

  Mr. M. Vere-Hodge QC

  Mr. R. Grey QC

  His Honour Robert Leech

  Mr. D. C. Lovell-Pank QC

  Mr. T. M. E. Nash

  Sir Max Williams

  Mr. J. G. Boal QC

  Miss A. J. Rafferty QC

  Mrs. L. Stern QC

  Mr. V. B. A. Temple QC

  Mr. H. A. D. De Silva

  Second Members

  Mr. R. F. Broome OBE QPM

  Mr. J. Brownlow CBE QPM

  Mr. G. Charlton CVO CBE QPM

  Mr. S. W. Crump QPM

  Mr. F. L. Jordan CBE OStJ QPM CBIM

  Mr. C. Payne CBE QPM DL CBIM

  Mr. A. O. Smith QPM OStJ

  Mr. S. L. Whiteley CBE QPM

  261

  Mr. P. Wright CBE CBIM

  Sir Stanley Bailey CBE QPM DL CBIM

  Sir James Anderton CBE QPM DL

  Mr. D. Hall CBE QPM

  Sir Peter Imbert QPM

  Sir John Woodcock CBE QPM CBIM

  Third Members

  Mr. P. Astles

  Mr. T. Grinter

  Mr. A C. Turner

  Mr. P. A. Cripps BEM

  Mr. J. D. Thompson

  Miss V. G. Neild QPM Dip NEBSS

  Mr. R. Ellis

  Mr. B. T. Turrell

  Miss M. Henderson

  Mr. P. M. Heaton

  Mr. C. McIlwrick MBE

  Mr. A. Eastwood

  Mr. E. Day

  Mr. P. Wall

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Service Candidates.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The current list of members is as follows:

  Anthony Cripps, QC (Chairman)

  Muir Hunter, QC (Vice Chairman)

  Rt. Hon. The Lord Barnett

  Baroness Birk

  Baroness David

  Rt. hon. the Earl Ferrers

  Lord Kilmarnock

  Baroness Macleod of Borve

  Rt. hon. the Lord Renton

  Rt. hon. the Baroness Seear

  Baroness Sharples

  Lord Wigoder, QC

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Alcohol Education and Research Council.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The current members of the Alcohol Education and Research Council are:

  The rt. hon. Christopher Chataway (Chairman)

  Dr. Ann Cartwright

  Mr. Alan Croston

  Mr. Anthony Fuller

  Dr. Ellish Gilvarry

  Professor Ray Hodgson

  Mr. Tim Hulbert

  Mr. Ian MacKenzie

  Professor Phyllida Parsloe

  Dr. Diana Patterson

  Dr. Jeremy Queenborough

  Dr. Bruce Ritson

  Mr. Arnold Tasker

  Ms Gill Williams

  Anthony Robert Madden
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place a copy of the report into the death of Anthony Robert Madden in Armley prison on 26 June 1993 in the Library;

  (2) if he will provide family access to the medical records regarding the late Anthony Robert Madden.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  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.
  262
  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Bob Cryer, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about Anthony Robert Madden, who killed himself in Leeds prison on 26 June 1993.
  As in all cases of death in Prison Service custody, an investigationi was carried out into the very sad death of Mr. Madden. A report was submitted by the Governor of Leeds prison to Prison Service Headquarters. It is not, however, our practice to publish reports of internal investigations, the disclosure of which might undermine their effectiveness.
  A full and open inquest into Mr. Madden's death was conducted by the West Yorkshire Coroner on 29 and 30 November 1993. After hearing all the relevant evidence relating to Mr. Madden's death, the jury recorded the verdict that he killed himself. Transcripts of Coroner's notes of evidence are not routinely made, but can be requested from the office of the Coroner concerned on payment of a fee.
  If you or Mr. Madden's family have any specific questions about the death of their son which they feel were not answered at the inquest, please let me know.
  Under the Access to Health Records Act 1990 Mr. Madden's next of kin are entitled to request the disclosure of a copy of his prison medical record. If they would like to make such a request to me in writing, I will arrange for a copy of the record to be sent to them.

  Deportees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects his Department's investigation of the complaints alleging excessive force by Airline Securities Consultants Ltd. against two deportees to report; and whether there is any independent element to those investigations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I expect these investigations to be completed shortly. Complaints against members of the Immigration Service or private security firms engaged in detaining or escorting immigration detainees are investigated by a senior officer of at least inspector level who has no involvement in the matter under complaint. An independent complaints audit committee has recently been established with a remit to satisfy itself as to the effectiveness of the procesures for investigating complaints, to draw to the attention of management any weakness and to make an annual report to the Home Secretary.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces provided in-flight escorts for deportees in 1993.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The answer is as follows:

  Cambridgeshire

  Devon and Cornwall

  Durham

  Greater Manchester

  Leicestershire

  Metropolitan Police

  Norfolk

  Nottingham

  West Mercia

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  South Wales.

  263

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Howard
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Police Resources
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the criteria used for the allocation of resources for police authorities by urban and rural classification.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary wrote to chief officers of police on 5 November 1991 with details of the criteria used for allocating additions to force establishments. A copy of his letter is in the Library.

  South Wales Police Authority
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the next expenditure of the South Wales Police Authority for(a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91 and (c) 1992–93.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information is in the following table:

  South Wales constabulary

  1989–90 £ million1

  1990–91 £ million

  1992–93 £ million

  Total expenditure2

  97·275

  108·599

  132·913

  Expenditure net of 51 per cent. Home Office police grant

  47·665

  53·214

  65·127

  1 Comparisons with future years affected by changes in the funding of capital projects from 1990–91.

  2 Includes capital expenditure and loan charges.

  Forensic Science Service
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the result of his review of the Home Office forensic science service.

  Mr. Howard
  I announced the review of the Forensic Science Service, an executive agency of the Home Office, on 19 May 1993. This review is now complete. The Government have decided that the service should remain as an executive agency for the present and move to trading fund status when appropriate. This will allow the agency to continue to build on the progress it has made so far.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Malaysia
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there was any further correspondence reiterating promises of civil aid between Her Majesty's Government and the Government 264
  of Malaysia following the letter dated 28 June 1988 from the then Secretary of State for Defence to the Malaysian Finance Minister.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: Yes. We have kept in close touch with the Malaysian Government about the provision of development aid.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  The Attorney-General
  It is not possible to provide a definite and exhaustive list of questions which I might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. Each question will continue to be answered on its merits, but examples which would fall into this category would be questions about:

  (i) The propriety of decisions given in individual cases by courts of law, administrative tribunals and similar bodies;

  (ii) Details of investigations by or on behalf of the Departments for which I am responsible in connection with prosecutions or civil actions and confidential information relating to such proceedings or possible proceedings; and

  (iii) Legal advice given to or by the Law Officers.

EDUCATION

  Universities (Staff and Students)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) undergraduates, (b) postgraduates, (c) teaching staff and (d) professors there are at each university in the United Kingdom; and what are the salary scales at each institution for (i) professors, (ii) readers, (iii) senior lecturers and (iv) lecturers.

  Mr. Boswell
  Information on the number of students and staff at former UFC funded United Kingdom universities is published by the Universities' Statistical Record in "University Statistics: Volume 1 Students and Staff'. Student data for the universities formerly funded by PCFC are contained in "Statistics of Education, Further Education, Higher Education in polytechnics and colleges 1991–92" published by DFE. Staff information is published in "The Academic Staff of Polytechnics and Colleges: 1991". Copies of these publications are in the House Library. The nationally agreed pay scale bands for academic and research staff in the former UFC and PCFC sectors are as follows:

  Former UFC Universities: Pay bands as at 1 April 1993

  £

  Lecturers A

  12,828–18,855

  Lecturers B

  19,642–25,107

  Senior Lecturers

  26,359–32,202

  Professors

  Minimum 30,398

  Research Grade 1B

  12,828–15,186

  Research Grade 1A

  12,828–20,442

  Research Grade II

  18,855–25,107

  Research Grade III

  23,782–32,202

  265

  All Former PCFC Funded HE Institutions: Pay band as at 1 September 1993

  £

  Lecturer

  11,067–20,745

  Senior Lecturer

  19,362–25,584

  Principal Lecturer

  24,198–30,426

  Researcher A

  8,988–12,444

  Researcher B

  13,140–20,052

  Head of Department

  Minimum 26,304

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Boswell
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  National Curriculum Council
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the carpets incorporating the initials NCC in the National Curriculum Council's York office cost to purchase; when they were purchased; and what has happened to them.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The carpet was purchased in 1990, when the National Curriculum Council was fitting out its offices in York. No information on the cost of the carpet is held centrally, and the cost is not separately identifiable from the published accounts of the NCC. The council was dissolved on 1 January 1994 and its former York office (with the carpet still in place) has been transferred to the Secretary of State. It will become the headquarters of the new Funding Agency for Schools from April this year.

PRIME MINISTER

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  The Prime Minister
  The general practice of this and previous Administrations is described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

TRANSPORT

  Road Lighting
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on lighting trunk roads and motorways in each of the last five years; and how much it is budgeted to spend in the current financial year and 1995.

  Mr. Key
  The table shows the amount spent on lighting in 1992–93, in 1993–94 to date, and the budget for 1994–95. Figures for earlier years are unavailable.
  266

  £ million

  1992–93 (actual)

  23·911

  1993–94 (to date)

  28·793

  1994–95 (budget)

  27·248

  Cycle Lanes
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost of a mile of cycle lane on the average road if it is constructed on the current road surface and does not involve extending the road.

  Mr. Key
  The estimated cost of providing signing and white-lining for a mile of cycle lane on the current road surface is approximately £3,000. In addition there are costs which will be site-specific, for example for provisions at junctions and traffic management during installation, but these items cannot be estimated.

  Mandatory cycle lanes can only be marked on the carriageway when the remaining width is sufficiently wide for existing traffic flows and when waiting and loading can be effectively restricted.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which new policy commitments and initiatives in the field of transport, announced in "Sustainable Development: The U.K. Strategy", have not already appeared in previous Government documents and ministerial speeches.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 8 February,Official Report, column 149.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what EC funds are available to ensure additional environmental protection on the route of the channel tunnel rail link; when he applied for them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am not aware of any EC funds specifically for this purpose, but the channel tunnel rail link is already in receipt of funds from the EC's transport infrastructure programme, and my Department is in discussion with European Commission officials about further support.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which appointments since 1979 to public bodies or posts for which he is responsible have included candidates nominated by the Chief Whip's Office; if any nominees by this source have been appointed; and if he will give details.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 2 February at col.758.

  Rail Travel
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what comparative date he has on the cost per kilometre of rail travel to passengers in each European Community country; and if he will provide separate figures for the cost per kilometre to passengers on inter-city rail routes.
  267
  Mr. Freeman
  Comparative data of the kind requested is not available to the Department.

  Road Safety
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which local authorities no longer employ road safety officers;

  (2) what is his estimate of the overall number of road safety officers employed in 1993–94 (a) in total and (b) for each local authority.

  Mr. Key
  No central record is kept of the numbers of road safety officers either in total or in any one authority. It is for individual local authorities to assess their own requirements for road safety officers, having regard to the needs of the local community.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have submitted road safety plans accompanying the transport supplementary grant plans under the national road safety plan; and if he will make a statement as to the use made of these plans.

  Mr. Key
  All local traffic authorities have submitted road safety plans. These are used to provide advice on the allocation of funds for local safety schemes. More importantly, they are used by the authorities themselves to focus and monitor road safety activity within the authority.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is currently responsible for the co-ordination and monitoring of road safety policy.

  Mr. Key
  Mr. right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for the Government's road safety policy.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account is taken of road accidents in the determination of road safety policy.

  Mr. Key
  The reduction of road accidents is the fundamental objective of road safety policy, and the yardstick by which its success is measured.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the requirements within the Road Traffic Acts relating to road safety; and what enforcement measures in each case are required of the police.

  Mr. Key
  The main provisions of road traffic law relating to road safety are set out on pages 67 to 72 of the Highway Code. The police have a duty to enforce all laws and it is for each chief constable to decide how best to fulfil that responsibility.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibility he expects the Highways Agency to have for road safety.

  Mr. Key
  The Highways Agency will be required to support the Department's road safety policy and to contribute to the Secretary of State's target of reducing road casulaties by one third by the year 2000 compared with the annual average from 1981 to 1985.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the overall budget spent on road safety by local authorities.
  268
  Mr. Key
  The local roads settlement for 1994–95 includes provision of £50 million for expenditure on local safety schemes, maintaining the level of provision for the current year. In addition, local authorities spend money on education, training, publicity, street lighting, road maintenance, gritting and snow clearing, crossing patrol officers and many other safety related activities. No central record is kept of total expenditure.

  Departmental Headquarters
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce details of his Department's new headquarters accommodation.

  Mr. MacGregor
  On 12 November 1992 at columns 963–64 I announced that the Department of Transport would remain in Marsham street for around three years, with suitable accommodation being sought for the longer term.

  I am now able to announce my Department's new headquarters will be Great Minster, Horseferry road. After the building is fitted out staff will relocate there from 2 Marsham street, probably in autumn 1995. The Department will retain some space in Romney house nearby to provide overspill accommodation when required.

  Driver Safety Consultation Paper
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responses he has received to the new driver safety consultation paper; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Some 5,200 copies of the consultation document wer1e distributed and about 400 responses were received from organisations and individuals. There was very widespread support for the four main proposals in the document and many interesting and helpful comments were made on points of detail. In the light of these responses. The Government propose to proceed as follows.

  A1. Retesting for new drivers convicted of offences: The document proposed that a driver convicted of certain offences within a specified period of passing the driving test would be debarred from holding a full licence, reverting to "learner" status, until passing a further test. There was very strong support for this measure. A number of different views were expressed on the detailed questions asked in the consultation document, and a further exercise is being set in hand to consider how such a scheme could work in practice. Any such scheme will require the approval of Parliament either in the form of a statutory instrument requiring affirmative resolution or (for some variants) primary legislation.

  A2. Separate theory testing: Consultees were asked whether a separate theory test should be introduced to fulfil the requirement of the Second EC Driving Licence Directive (91/439/EEC). Almost all consultees were in favour of a separate mandatory theory test. I am setting in hand detailed developmental work to ensure that such a test, and the organisation to operate it, is fully in place by 1 July 1996, the date on which the directive comes into effect.

  This will be the most important change in the car driving test since its introduction in 1935, and we shall be aiming to devise a form of test that makes a significant contribution to reducing the accident rate among newly qualified drivers, in particular by improving hazard perception. We shall be carefully monitoring the effect of

  269
  the separate theory test during the first five years of its operation and it will be rigorously evaluated to ensure that it is achieving the desired effect of reducing accidents. I shall make appropriate adjustments if it fails to do so. We are also anxious to obtain the fullest advantage from technological improvements that are likely to occur in this period.

  A3. Post-test driver training: The document proposed the development of voluntary schemes in which insurers would offer financial incentives to newly qualified drivers to take further training. A number of insurers and driving schools have expressed strong interest in this proposal, and my officials are working towards the setting up of a voluntary scheme.

  A4. Road safety education: The document proposed the development of educational programmes of the 16-plus age group targeted at potential drivers and new drivers. Again there was strong support and we shall be working with the private and voluntary sectors to prepare suitable material for use in schools and colleges. We are already targeting this age group with the current "Drive" TV series, produced in conjunction with the BBC.

  We also consulted on two other measures on which we were doubtful but prepared to keep an open mind:

  B1. Probationary plates: We received a mixed response on this issue. Members of the public who commented were almost all in favour of the introduction of probationary ("P") plates for newly qualified drivers, but the main representative organisations were more guarded. In the Government's view, the case for introducing "P" plates is still not proven, though we are prepared to consider it further when the full results are available of a study into "Restricted" plates in Northern Ireland.

  B2. Increasing age for full licence to 18: Only a minority of consultees supported this, and a number of disadvantages were highlighted. We shall not take this proposal further.

  The consultation document also described 10 further possible measures which the Government had considered but were not minded to pursue. While some of these attracted a fair measure of support, particularly from individuals who responded, the majority of consultees accepted our reasons for rejecting them.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. MacGregor
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what authority and under what regulation his Department advised the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust that the conditions laid down in enclosure statutes were only of permissive character; and if he will make it his policy that his Department will not disregard such statutory requirements.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 1 February 1994]: Because of the legal complexities involved in this issue, I will write
  270
  to the hon. Member with an answer to his question as soon as possible. I will arrange for a copy of that reply to be placed in the Library.

  Projects and Contracts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list all contracts awarded by his Department to(a) financial, (b) political and (c) other consultants without competitive bidding (i) for each of the past five years and (ii) as a total the number, and the cost over the same period;

  (2) if he will publish a list of all contracts or projects which are planned to be the subject of competitive bids by (a) financial, (b) political or (c) other consultants, the nature of each contract or project and the date envisaged by his Department for inviting bids; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 19 January 1994]: I am placing the information in the Library.

  Competitive bids are normally sought in awarding consultant commissions. The main reasons for awards without competitive bidding are; specialist nature of work, need for continuity by extending an existing contract, urgency, and the small-scale nature of some projects. Fee bidding was introduced as normal policy for road schemes consultancies in 1991.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the consumer panel.

  Mr. Soames
  Currently the members are:

  Mr. Phillip Bell

  Mrs. Judy Brander

  Mrs. Dorothy Craig

  Mrs. Hariet Kimbell

  Ms Suzi Leather

  Mrs. Jean McVitty

  Mr. Gareth Morgan

  Mrs. Karen Powell

  Mrs. Maeve Robinson

  Mrs. Noel Whamond

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Consumers Committee for England and Wales under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958.

  Mr. Soames
  The members of the committee are:

  Mrs. Janet Lawrence (chairman)

  Miss Beata Brookes

  Mrs. Marjorie Grimes

  Mrs. Barbara Hawkins

  Mr. John Murphy

  Mrs. Evelyn Rose

  Mr. John Tracy

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis.

  Mr. Soames
  The members currently appointed to the consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis are:

  Mr. M. T. Thomasin-Foster (chairman)

  Mr. R. Baker

  271

  Lady Bolitho

  Mr. C. P. Booty

  Mr. H. V. Thompson

  Dr. A. J. Mitchell-Jones

  Professor H. E. M. Kay

  Dr. D. W. Macdonald

  Dr. W. Cresswell

  Dr. Hans Kruuk

  Mr. P. J. de Vries

  Dr. J. L. Stanford

  Mr. J. Sterry

  Mr. E. R. Thomas

  Professor S. Harris

  Dr. M. J. M. Rowland

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Farm Animal Welfare Council.

  Mr. Soames
  The current membership of the Farm Animal Welfare Council is as follows.

  Professor Sir Colin R. W. Spedding CBE—chairman

  Mr. C. B. Atkinson

  Mr. R. H. Baker

  Dr. M. Baxter

  Mr. G. Berry

  Rev. A. L. Birbeck MBE

  Dr. W. J. M. Black JP

  Professor D. M. Broom

  Mr. H. A. R. Dewhirst

  Mr. T. Harris

  Mrs. F. F. Hodgson

  Mr. C. Hollands

  Mrs. J. A. MacArthur Clark

  Mr. R. Macpherson

  Miss C. A. Milburn

  Dr. M. Pattison

  Mr. F. E. Sheidls MBE

  Mr. P. F. Staines

  Mr. J. G. Thomas

  Mrs. J. Turnbull JP

  Mr. A. Watkins

  Mrs. T. Wickham

  Dr. A. C. Winter

  Tobacco
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the United Kingdom contribution to common agricultural policy expenditure on tobacco subsidies in the last three years.

  Mr. Jack
  The United Kingdom contributes to the EC budget as a whole, not to particular parts of it such as CAP expenditure on tobacco. We do not produce or store tobacco and therefore have no receipts. Our contributions would benefit in full from the abatement agreed at Fontainebleau and in effect, our net contribution to the tobacco regime could be estimated to be at around six per cent. of EC expenditure. Community expenditure on tobacco amounted to 1,330 mecu (£931 million) in 1991, 1,223 mecu (£873 million) in 1992 and 1,165 mecu (£917 million) in 1993. Budgetary ecu rates: 1991 £1=1·4291 ecu; 1992 £1=1·4131 ecu; 1993 £1=1·2700 ecu.

  The effect on expenditure on tobacco resulting from the reform of the regime agreed in 1992 will not begin to show in expenditure figures until at least 1994 and the regime is to be reviewed again in 1996. Nevertheless, tobacco is still the most heavily subsidised CAP crop per hectare and we will continue to press for greater reforms.
  272

  Quarantine
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she considers animal quarantine regulations a suitable subject for subsidiarity.

  Mr. Soames
  The principles of subsidiarity apply to this area, as in all Community activity. Moreover, the Government do not consider that animal health measures fall within the Community's exclusive competence. We accept, however, that the harmonisation of animal health controls on the movement of animals between member states, which are designed to further the single market, is appropriate.

  I am satisfied that the current harmonised EC animal health trade rules provide adequate safeguards against the introduction of disease and that post-import quarantine of farm livestock imported from other member states is not necessary.

  Scrapie
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the number of cases of scrapie in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Soames
  Scrapie was made a notifiable disease on 1 January 1993 to meet the requirements of EC directive 91/68 on animal health conditions governing intra-community trade in sheep and goats.

  The following cases of scrapie in Great Britain have been confirmed by laboratory analysis in the period requested (to 31 January 1994):

  Sheep

  Goats

  1985

  143

  N/R

  1986

  153

  N/R

  1987

  176

  N/R

  1988

  211

  N/R

  1989

  246

  6

  1990

  334

  15

  11991

  896

  12

  11992

  589

  6

  21993

  282

  3

  21994

  22

  0

  N/R = not recorded.

  1 In 1991 and 1992 voluntary reporting of cases of scrapie in sheep was encouraged to obtain material for spongiform encephalopathy research.

  2 Further laboratory analysis of suspect cases of scrapie is not usually carried out for two years after the disease has been confirmed in a flock. These figures therefore indicate the number of flocks confirmed to be infected, but give no indication of the number of cases of scrapie in those flocks.

  Pig Producers
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations she has made to the French Government and the European Commission on the subject of financial assistance given to Danish, Belgian and German pig farmers;

  (2) what action she is taking to determine the legality of French Government aid to their pig producers;

  (3) what consideration has been given by her Ministry to the introduction of a scheme to compensate British pig producers who are disadvantaged by unfair competition from European Union pig producers;

  (4) what measures she is considering introducing to improve the economic prospects for British pig producers;
  273
  (5) if she will summarise the evidence she has prepared for the European Commission on state aids given to pig producers in other EU states.

  Mr. Jack
  The support measures available to pig producers under the CAP are very limited and pigmeat producers are dependent on the market for their returns.

  Aid programmes paid for by national governments are only permitted with the approval of the European Commission. Rumours of aids to pig producers in other member states are widespread, but we have firm evidence only in respect of a scheme in France. My right hon. Friend has already pressed the Commission to determine the legal status of the aids in accordance with article 93 of the treaty and to take whatever action is necessary. She has also raised the matter on numerous occasions in the Council of Agriculture Ministers.

  The Government legitimately help the pig industry through the funding of research and development. Spending by the Agriculture Departments on the pig sector in the current year amounts to £14 million. A further sum is spent by the Agriculture and Food Development Council on animal science, some of which is of direct benefit to the pig industry.

  Organophosphorous Sheep Dips
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she expects to be able to announce the names and past relevant experience of all the members of the panel to evaluate research into reports of long-term effects arising from exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips; and whether they have past or present declarable interests in the manufacture of such sheep dips.

  Mr. Soames
  I announced the appointment of Dr. D. N. Bateman, medical director of the Northern region drug and therapeutic centre, as chairman of the Veterinary Products Committee's medical panel, in my reply to the hon. Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Butler) on 3 February at column 817–18. Prospective members of the panel are currently being approached with a view to establishing their willingness to serve. A further announcement about the membership of the panel, and any declarable interests which members may have, will be made as soon as possible.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of the extent to which the Government are fulfilling their obligations under EU legislation with respect to the safe disposal of organophosphate sheep dips.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The Government's obligations with respect to the disposal of sheep dip under EU legislation are implemented through the Water Resources Act 1991 in England and Wales and the Control of Pollution Act 1974, as amended by schedule 23 of the Water Act 1989, in Scotland. These controls are further supplemented by detailed guidance in the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice published by the Ministry and the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

  The Government are also undertaking a review to assess whether any further measures might be necessary to ensure the safe disposal of sheep dips.
  274

  Goosanders
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether English Nature has given its approval for the issuing of licences to kill goosanders on the river Wharfe on the Bolton Abbey estate, north Yorkshire; how many goosanders have been approved to be shot; what evidence has been submitted to her Department in support of this application; and if she will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Soames
  As a licensing authority under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Ministry is responsible for the issue of these licences and they must not be unreasonably withheld.

  On receipt of the applications from the Bolton Abbey estate, ADAS, the Ministry's wildlife advisers followed their usual practice and notified English Nature of the applications and invited them to comment. The views of English Nature were made known in its press release of 14 January 1994, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Those views were given full weight in making the licensing decision.

  The applicant must provide sufficient evidence of serious damage being caused to the fishery and show that other methods of non-lethal scaring are ineffective or impractical and not just difficult to implement. The Ministry cannot disclose to third parties information provided in support of a licence application which is commercial in nature, such as the extent of any financial loss being suffered by the fishery.

  Two licences have been issued for the Bolton Abbey estate to shoot goosanders as an aid to scaring; one licence, covering a 7·5 mile stretch of the River Wharfe, is to shoot up to 10 birds between 1 October 1993 and 28 February 1994; the other is to shoot up to four birds on the Bolton Abbey trout hatchery between 1 January to 28 February 1994.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research work has been carried out on the river Wharfe to examine the impact on fish stocks of breeding goosanders.

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry has not conducted any formal research studies on the river Wharfe. However, on receipt of the applications from the Bolton Abbey estate, an officer of ADAS, the Ministry's wildlife advisers, visited the applicants to assess their case. English Nature was advised of the applications and were invited to comment. The Ministry's own fisheries experts at Lowestoft were also asked for their comments. ADAS then provided a report on the visit with recommendations to the Ministry.

  Once the licences were issued, ADAS began making monitoring visits and have been providing reports to the Ministry. They will continue to do this during the period of validity of the licence. The licensees are also required to provide a report to the Ministry of the action taken under their licence and, where possible, to retain the carcases of birds shot. These will be collected by ADAS and sent to our fisheries laboratory at Lowestoft where the contents of the gut will be examined. All of this information collected as part of the licensing arrangements will enable the Ministry to keep under review its policy on the issue of such licences.
  275

  Milk Marketing Scheme
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the last date for the ending of the milk marketing scheme.

  Mrs. Shephard
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have made an order under section 1(3) of the Agriculture Act 1993. The order extends the deadline for the revocation of the England and Wales milk marketing scheme from 1 October 1994 to 1 January 1995. This will enable the Milk Marketing Board to proceed with its intention to propose a new vesting date of 1 November 1994.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list those topics on which it is not her practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if she will list any recent changes in the practice of her Department.

  Mr. Jack
  This Department's practice is as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Less-favoured Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answers of 17 December,Official Report, column 1068 and 11 January, Official Report, column 63, what is the average number of (a) hill cows and (b) hill sheep eligible for hill livestock compensatory allowances she considers necessary for a less-favoured area farm to be considered a full-time commercial business for the purposes of the farm business survey; and what hectarage and acreage she considers to be a very small farm.

  Mrs. Shephard
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: To be classified as a full-time commercial farm in the less-favoured areas of England, a farm must have at least a minimum level of agricultural activity. On the assumption that, apart from grass, there are no other crops or livestock on the farm, this minimum is currently equivalent to either 30 hill cows, or between 200 and 250 hill ewes.

  In practice, almost all farms have other crops or livestock so that many with fewer than 30 hill cows or fewer than 200 to 250 hill ewes will exceed the minimum and will therefore be classified as full time.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Car Parking (Orange Badge Holders)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what action he plans to take to ensure that car parking spaces associated with the House of Commons and parliamentary buildings which are reserved for orange badge holders are not misused by other drivers.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  Although there are no places specifically set aside for orange badge scheme holders, there are 12 parking spaces in Star Chamber Court and three in the Norman Shaw car park reserved for vehicles driven or used by photo-identity pass holders who have disabilities and have registered with the Serjeant at Arms.
  276
  Those who use the other parking spaces in Star Chamber Court have recently been reminded not to use the spaces reserved for disabled people. The area is checked on a random basis and the Serjeant at Arms has been requested to draw any case of continuing misuse to the attention of the Administration Committee.

  Data and Video Network
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the parliamentary data and video network to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 14 March to Friday 18 March.

  Child Care
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will name the consultants engaged to carry out the survey into child care needs in the House; and what has been the total cost incurred to date.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The survey of potential demand for child care services for the House was conducted by Research Services Ltd. The fee paid is a matter of commercial confidentiality.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee when he expects to announce the results of the questionnaire on child care facilities sent out last year; what was the total number of hon. Members, Members' staff and staff of the House who were sent a questionnaire, listed by(a) females and (b) males; how they were selected; and what proportion of those sent a questionnaire returned it.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The Administration Committee expects to receive the consultants' report on the survey of potential demand for child care facilities in the very near future. It intends to examine the results and will then consider what recommendations to make in respect of future policy.

  The questionnaire was sent to 4,105 Members, Members' staff, staff of the House and other support staff who work for both Houses. It is not possible to determine how many of that number were male or female.

  Results of the survey itself will be made known once they have been considered by the Committee and the Commission.

  Plain English Campaign
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Plain English Campaign to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 21 March to Friday 25 March.
  277

  Souvenir Kiosk
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what was the turnover of the kiosk run by the Refreshment Department for the most recent financial year; and what was the turnover for the months of November and December in(a) 1992 and (b)

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  [holding answer 31 January 1994]: The turnover from all sources for souvenirs in financial year 1992–93 was £652,087 excluding VAT. On the same basis the other information requested is as follows:

  1992 £

  1993 £

  November

  95,642

  80,445

  December

  175,735

  212,260

  Total

  271,377

  292,705

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish for each service that has been market tested in his Department in 1993(a) the cost of the testing process, including consultancy costs, (b) the result of the test, (c) the name of the successful contractor, (d) the value and duration of the contract, (e) the number of staff involved, (f) estimated annual cost reductions and (g) whether the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 were deemed to apply.

  Mr. Newton
  No service in the Privy Council Office has been market tested.

WALES

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many names there are on the register of appointees to non-departmental public bodies in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  An updated list of appointments at 1 December is available in the Library of the House. There are 784 appointments and 14 vacancies.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many names there were on the list of potential appointees to non-departmental public bodies in Wales in(a) 1992 and (b) 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The departmental register of candidates for appointment is a running list to which names are

  Local authority

  Actual rent 1993–941 £.p

  Estimated average weekly notional local authority rent in 1994–952 £.p

  Percentage difference: notional rent, 1994–95 on actual rent, 1993–94

  Aberconwy

  28·93

  29·07

  0·5

  Alyn and Deeside

  26·06

  29·46

  13·0

  Arfon

  29·80

  30·65

  2·8

  Blaenau Gwent

  32·81

  31·13

  -5·1

  Brecknock

  28·34

  31·22

  10·2

  Cardiff

  34·63

  36·13

  4·3

  278
  frequently added. Information is not available on a calendar year basis. Currently there are 4,421 names on the register.

  Hunting Hounds
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to raise with the Masters of Foxhounds Association the practice of feeding of uncooked meat and offal from fallen and casualty stock to hunt hounds.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have no plans to discuss this matter with the Masters of Foxhounds Association.

  Executive Appeals
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the subjects on which his Department formerly answered parliamentary questions but which are now referred by him to an executive agency.

  Mr. Redwood
  Next steps agency chief executives are usually asked to reply to parliamentary questions about the day-to-day operational matters of their agency and on subjects for which they have delegated responsibility, as set out in their agency's framework document.

  Temporary Employment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were in temporary employment at the latest available date; and what is the proportion of those in temporary employment as a percentage of the total number registered for employment for each employment travel-to-work area and for Wales as a whole.

  Mr. Redwood
  According to latest estimates from the summer 1993 Labour Force Survey there were 84,000 employees in temporary employment in Wales. This represents 8·5 per cent. of all employees in employment. Comprehensive data are not available on numbers registered for employment. Estimates are not available for travel-to-work areas.

  Council Rents
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the proposed notional rent for 1994–95 for each district council in Wales, together with the average for Wales; and what is the percentage difference for each council and for Wales, between these notional rents and the corresponding actual rents in 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is set out in the following table:
  279

  Local authority

  Actual rent 1993–941 £. p

  Estimated average weekly notional local authority rent in 1994–952 £. p

  Percentage difference: notional rent, 1994–95 on actual rent, 1993–94

  Carmarthen

  31·06

  32·03

  3·1

  Ceredigion

  32·30

  31·70

  -1·9

  Colwyn

  28·24

  28·57

  1·2

  Cynon Valley

  29·48

  29·67

  0·7

  Delyn

  29·05

  30·27

  4·2

  Dinefwr

  23·78

  28·33

  19·1

  Dwyfor

  27·35

  28·24

  3·3

  Glyndwr

  25·40

  29·67

  16·8

  Islwyn

  33·18

  30·84

  -7·0

  Llanelli

  34·65

  27·37

  -21·0

  Lliw Valley

  28·50

  29·67

  4·1

  Meirionnydd

  30·07

  27·63

  -8·1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  30·85

  27·40

  -11·2

  Monmouth

  35·72

  37·82

  5·9

  Montgomeryshire

  30·69

  33·75

  10·0

  Neath

  30·95

  28·01

  -9·5

  Newport

  35·06

  36·31

  3·6

  Ogwr

  32·12

  31·80

  -1·0

  Port Talbot

  32·36

  29·43

  -9·1

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  28·69

  30·17

  5·2

  Radnorshire

  33·48

  32·75

  -2·2

  Rhondda

  32·38

  32·56

  0·5

  Rhuddlan

  26·55

  29·48

  11·0

  Rhymney Valley

  34·75

  31·44

  -9·5

  South Pembrokeshire

  31·00

  34·06

  9·9

  Swansea

  31·10

  28·75

  -7·6

  Taff Ely

  33·19

  28·67

  -13·6

  Torfaen

  39·25

  35·03

  -10·7

  Vale of Glamorgan

  35·73

  34·86

  -2·4

  Wrexham Maelor

  26·09

  27·86

  6·8

  Ynys Mon

  29·44

  28·81

  -2·1

  Wales

  31·84

  31·30

  -1·7

  Source: 1 Local authority subsidy claims.

  2 Welsh Office estimates.

  Science and Engineering Graduates
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has of the number of graduates with professional science and engineering qualifications employed in industry in Wales at the latest available date.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Reliable estimates are not available.

  Housing
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many houses for renting(a) Tai Cymru and (b) other housing associations in Wales have developed on mainly private estates in each year since 1991–92;

  (2) what are the figures for underspending by housing associations in Wales for each year since 1991–92;

  (3) how many houses from the private sector have been bought by housing associations in Wales for renting in each year since 1991–92 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is primarily a matter for Housing for Wales. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member and I shall place a copy of his reply in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the guidelines to housing associations on buying houses from the private sector; what assessment he has 280
  made as to whether they are sufficiently flexible to ensure that there is a balance of rented accommodation and privately owned houses provided in communities.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Purchases from the private sector need the approval of Housing for Wales. In determining a particular application Housing for Wales will take into account both the economic and the social implications

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the housing allocation policies of Welsh local housing authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have received 31 responses to the Department's consultation exercise on allocation of council housing, policies and procedure. I have asked the housing management advisory panel for Wales to prepare a good practice guide for local authorities taking account of those responses. Responses to the Department's consultation paper, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies", have been invited by 18 March.

  Police Reforms
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how the Government will determine the share which the new police authorities proposed for Wales in the White Paper on police reforms—Cm 2281—will have of non-domestic rate revenues.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I am still considering the arrangements for distributing non-domestic rate resources
  281
  to the new police authorities. I will discuss my proposals with the Home Secretary and the Welsh local authority associations through the forum of the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance. Currently non-domestic rates are distributed amongst local authorities on the basis of resident population.

  Hospital Staff (Redundancies)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of redundancies among national health service hospital staff(a) by grade and (b) by reason for each year since 1988–89.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Sheltered Accommodation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many units of sheltered accommodation have been provided by(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) health trusts for people with mental and physical disabilities in Wales; and if he will give these statistics for each local authority for each year since 1991–92.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on newly built sheltered accommodation is not held centrally.

  Wind Power
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what circulars or other guidance have been published by his Department to assist local planning authorities when considering applications for wind power installations.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Guidance is contained in the annex to Planning Policy Guidance Note 22, "Renewable Energy", which was published jointly by the Welsh Office and the Department of the Environment in February 1993.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much additional finance has been provided to teach Welsh as a second language to students of constituent colleges of the university of Wales for each year since 1988.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales has made £314,500 available to colleges of the University of Wales in 1993–94 for the provision of Welsh courses for adults. Information for earlier years, when the University of Wales was funded by the Universities Funding Council, is not held centrally.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he is making within the Welsh Office to submit a Welsh language scheme as required by the Welsh Language Act 1993; on what date he will submit the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  It is too early to indicate on what date a scheme might be submitted to the Welsh Language Board. The Department's scheme will need to take into account the statutory guidelines which the board will be preparing. A comprehensive internal review of the Department's policy and practice regarding the use of Welsh is currently being conducted. This will be of considerable benefit in formulating our language scheme.
  282

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Redwood
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  National Health Service
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria are used for allocating NHS resources to areas of high deprivation in Wales; and what resources are available to those areas which meet the criteria.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The current formula for assessing the distribution of revenue resources to health authorities in Wales was introduced in 1991. This takes into account the higher levels of sickness that are associated with socially deprived areas by the morbidity weighting within the formula.

  Quangos (Membership)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has concerning the number of active Conservative party members currently sitting as members of quangos in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: I do not know how many people currently holding public appointments to non-departmental public bodies in Wales are active Conservative party members.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Indonesia
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Indonesian military personnel and Indonesian state employees working on defence-related matters received support through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the past 10 years to study in Britain; and through which programmes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Indonesian military personnel have over the years attended a range of developmental and technical training courses in the United Kingdom. Details of the training, including numbers involved, are regarded as confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Indonesia.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Indonesian military personnel have been funded to study in Britain since 1975; through which Government Departments they have been funded; and what subjects they have been studying.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Indonesian military personnel have, over the years, attended a range of developmental and technical training courses in the United Kingdom. Details of the training, including numbers involved, are regarded as confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Indonesia.
  283
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring he is undertaking as to the use to which Hawk aircraft supplied by the United Kingdom to Indonesia are being or have been put; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  It would be impracticable on a regular basis to monitor, after transfer, equipment which we have licensed for export. We are, however, ready where necessary to ask recipient countries, on a confidential basis, about the location and use of defence equipment we have supplied. We have no evidence that Hawk aircraft are being or have been used for repressive purposes against the civil population in Indonesia and East Timor. Nor do we believe that Hawk, or any other items of British equipment, have been or are likely to be used against the civilian population in Indonesia and East Timor. The Indonesian Government have given us assurances that Hawk aircraft will not be used for internal security purposes.

  Military Personnel (Scholarships)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many military personnel have been funded to study under Foreign and Commonwealth Office scholarships from(a) Indonesia, (b) Jordan, (c) Ecuador, (d) Malaysia, (e) Nigeria, (f) Oman and (g) India in the past 10 years; and what subjects they have been studying.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Military personnel are attending a range of developmental and technical training courses in the United Kingdom. Details of the training, including numbers involved, are regarded as confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments concerned.

  Appointments
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria were used in the appointments of(a) Pauline Neville-Jones to the post of political director of the Foreign Office and (b) Paul Lever as chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The selection board's criteria were the same as those used in any other apointments for officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—namely, their skills, experience and qualities as measured against the requirements of the job in question and the field of available candidates.

  Statements (Translation)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide an English translation when he deposits in the Library statements made by other states speaking on behalf of Her Majesty's Government in other languages.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It is not our usual policy to deposit statements in the Library that are not in English.

  When documents in other languages are deposited they are used to provide a translation and such translations are deposited as soon as they are available.
  284

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agenda of the 1994 session of the conference on disarmament in Geneva; and how the quantity of work to be done in the conference on disarmament in 1994 has changed from that of previous years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The agenda of the conference on disarmament remains the same as in 1993, and the following ad hoc committees have again been established: nuclear test ban; effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons; transparency in armaments; and prevention of an arms race in outer space. The overall quantity of work has not changed.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that all statements made by representatives of Her Majesty's Government at the conference on disarmament are placed in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The working documents of the conference on disarmament contain verbatim texts of the statements of the delegates of all governments represented at the Conference, including those of Her Majesty's Government. Copies of these documents are normally placed in the Library.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving to offering an additional voluntary financial contribution to the costs of the 1995 non-proliferation treaty review and extension conference and the preparatory arrangements thereof.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Arrangements as to how costs for administration relating to the non-proliferation treaty extension and review conference are to be shared by states party to the treaty are currently being considered. However, as a co-depositary of the treaty, and in accordance with past practice, we have made clear our willingness to contribute significantly more to conference costs than would be the case under the regular United Nations budget scale.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the costs of the conference on disarmament; and what consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving to offering an additional voluntary financial contribution towards these costs.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom contributes to the costs of the conference on disarmament through its contribution to the United Nations regular budget from which the conference is fully funded. No voluntary contributions are made to the conference on disarmament.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of Her Majesty's Government on the appointment of Miguel Marin Bosch of Mexico to be chair of the ad hoc committee on a nuclear test ban at the conference on disarmament.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We shall work constructively in the committee, under Senor Marin Bosch's chairmanship, for an effective comprehensive test ban treaty.
  285

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration has been given to the use of tactical air support for the opening of the humanitarian aid route between Split and Sarajevo; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  An aid route linking Split and Sarajevo via Gornji Vakuf is in regular use. Air support to open the route is thus not required.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to withdrawal of British forces from Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British forces will continue through the winter to support the UN in carrying out its humanitarian mandate. No decisions have yet been taken about the deployment of British forces thereafter.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what opportunities have arisen during recent NATO meetings to discuss the possible use of air strikes against Bosnian Croat forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The NATO summit on 10–11 January reaffirmed the readiness of the alliance to provide close air support for UNPROFOR throughout Bosnia.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis the decision was taken not to use air support for the protection of the United Nations safe haven at Mostar; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  NATO has undertaken to make air power available to the UN Secretary General should he require it in support of the UNPROFOR mandate. The UN has not so far requested the use of this facility.

  India (Human Rights)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received over human rights offences and disappearances in India; and what representations he has made to the Indian High Commissioner.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received various representations of human rights in India from a number of sources. We regularly raise our concerns with the Indian Government, including with the Indian high commissioner.

  Canada (Environmental Protest)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Governments of Canada and British Columbia over the arrest of Cornelia Durrant, a British national, last November in connection with protests at Clayoquot Sound.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  None.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department are covered by statutory sick pay.
  286
  Mr. Goodlad
  All staff in the Department are covered by statutory sick pay. FCO staff number 6,220 and ODA staff number 1,128: a total of 7,348.

  Dual-use Machine Tools
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to raise at the next Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union the role of the Dresdner Bank in financing the export of dual-use machine tools from the European Communities to various countries in the middle east in breach of EC agreements on export control restrictions.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. Bilateral channels exist to take up such matters as appropriate.

  Colombia
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received over human rights offences and disappearances in Colombia; and what representations he has made to the Colombian ambassador.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We receive frequent representations. During my recent visit there I made clear to President Gaviria and his Government the concern felt in this country about human rights. We support the Colombian Government's efforts to tackle human rights abuses.

  India
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva to express its concern at the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and to send a fact-finding mission to investigate and report on the situation.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are concerned by the human rights situation in Kashmir, and shall continue to express our views clearly to the Indian Government. Our approach to Kashmir at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva will be closely co-ordinated with our European partners.

  Land Mines (Export)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EC counterparts to prevent the export of land mines.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There have been no discussions.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".
  287

  Government Communications Headquarters
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to involve the private sector in the work of GCHQ; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  For many years GCHQ has used private sector contractors to provide various support services. There are no plans to change this practice.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards establishing a new scheme for St. Helenians to enable them to come to the United Kingdom for training and work experience.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have been asked to reply.

  In order to mitigate the effects on the economy of St. Helena of the ending of the dependent territories quota scheme and in recognition of its unique position in being the only dependent territory in receipt of budgetary aid, the Government have decided to introduce a special arrangement, on a pilot basis, which will enable St. Helenians to come to this country to undertake training or work experience at a lower level than is normally permitted. The new arrangement will allow citizens of St. Helena to spend up to four years training towards vocational qualifications or up to two years gaining valuable work experience, while working with British businesses or other organisations. The Government hope that the new arrangement, which has been welcomed by the St. Helena Government, will benefit individuals and contribute to the economy of the island.

EMPLOYMENT

  Fraud
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many civilians were found guilty of fraud in his Department in each year since 1989; and how many were dismissed.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  One employee was convicted of fraud in 1990. The person concerned was dismissed.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy for dealing with employees found guilty of fraud.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 1 February 1994]: Employees convicted of fraud would be subject to internal disciplinary proceedings. Each case would be treated on its merits, but in serious cases the normal penalty would be dismissal.

  Unemployed Benefit
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of Employment Service claimants were paid the correct sum within three working days of signing on in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  288
  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the proportion of Employment Service claimants who were paid correctly and within three working days of signing in the last year for which figures are available.
  The Employment Service (ES) monitors both the accuracy of awards of benefit and the promptness of all payments made. However, our definition and measurement of promptness of payment is "the despatch of a payment on the day entitlement is established". We do not, I am afraid, collect information about payments in the terms requested by your question.
  In 1992–93 we paid 96·7 per cent. of our clients accurately, and 97·5 per cent. of our clients promptly.
  This exceeded both our Annual Performance Agreement and internal management targets.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of clients of the Employment Service are offered the option of having money sent direct to a bank or building society account rather than receiving a girocheque.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the proportion of clients offered the option of being paid directly into a bank or building society account.
  It may be helpful if I explain that automated credit transfer facilities for the payment of benefits is a feature of a new computer system (NUBS2). The system is being installed into our offices on a rolling programme, due to be completed in September 1994.
  Currently about 70 per cent. of clients are served by the new system, all of whom can chose to have their money paid direct into a bank or building society account. At the moment approximately 42,000 clients receive their payment in this way.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when his Department published national citizens charter targets.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have not published any national citizens charter targets for the Department as a whole. However, individual services across the Employment Department group which deal directly with the public have set and published their standards and targets in charters or charter statements of service standards. They include:

  Employment Service's job seeker's charter—published December 1991 and currently being revised.

  Redundancy payments service charter—second edition published January 1993.

  Advisory, Conciliatory and Arbitration Service commitment—published May 1992.

  The Health and Safety Executive's booklets "HSE and You" and "HSE—Working for Employers"—published January 1994.

  289

  Customer Survey
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when his Department last carried out its most recent annual national customer survey; and how many local customer surveys were carried out in 1992–93.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have not carried out a national customer satisfaction survey for the Department as a whole.

  However, individual services within the Department carry out annual surveys to get their customers' views about the services they provide. They include the following:

  Employment Service

  Redundancy payments service

  Health and Safety Executive

  Skills and enterprise network

  Statistical services division

  In addition, the Employment Service will be carrying out local customer surveys in all ES jobcentres in the spring.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of jobcentres displayed local targets as at July 1993 on(a) waiting times, (b) telephone answering, (c) promptness and accuracy in benefit payments and (d) information on local labour markets; and in how many cases these targets were being met;

  (2) what proportion of jobcentres displayed at July 1993 (a) the name of the local manager and (b) the name of the area manager.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Hugh Bayley dated 9 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about how many Employment Service local offices displayed standards and targets, how many local offices met the standards, and how many local offices displayed the name and address of the local manager and area manager in July 1993.
  The Jobseeker's Charter sets out our aim for our local offices (1,300 July 1993) to display standards of service. Between July and September 1993, 92 per cent. of local offices displayed standards and targets.

  The information you have asked for is as follows:

  WAITING TIME:

  Clients waiting no longer than the 10 minutes standard: 1,170 offices; 90 per cent.

  TELEPHONE ANSWERING TIME:

  Calls answered within the 30 seconds standard: 1,170 offices; 90 per cent.

  PROMPTNESS OF PAYMENTS:

  98 per cent. of payments were made on time; on accuracy of payments of benefit you will wish to know that in the quarter July to September 1993 96·9 per cent. of payments were accurate. This is against a national target of 96·5 per cent.

  LOCAL LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION:
  Each local office has a target for the number of vacancies and number of placings they must achieve. We do not collect information about how many offices reach their target, but nationally, in the first six months of the operating year 1993–94, we placed over 859,000 people. This is 10 per cent. above our profiled target for this period.
  Turning to your second question, this information is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate
  290
  cost. However, I can assure you that all our local offices have been instructed to display the name and address of the local area managers.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of people attending jobcentres for advisory interviews in July 1993 saw the same person as they saw on their previous visit.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M.E. G. Fogden to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what proportion of people attending advisory interviews in July 1993 were seen by the same person as they saw on their previous visit.
  Unfortunately this information is not available in the form you request it. My local offices now deliver advisory interviews through teams of five or six people who focus their activities on particular sections of the unemployed register. This allows more continuity of contact to make sure the service we offer our clients is structured and co-ordinated.
  When they attend for an interview, clients are seen by someone from the same team and, wherever possible, by the same person.
  We do not collect statistics about what proportion are seen by the same person. However, I can assure you that we do believe that the arrangements we have in place represent the best available levels of service and that we are continually looking for further improvements.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Earnings
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers have earnings(a) above the national insurance contributions maximum payments ceiling and (b) below the lower earnings limit; and how many of these are women.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is estimated that in April 1993 there were 2·9 million employees earning above the national insurance upper earnings limit and 3·2 million employees earning below the national insurance lower earnings limit. The corresponding numbers for women were 400,000 and 2·3 million respectively.

  Sources: New earnings survey 1993—Employment Department.

  Survey of personal income-Inland Revenue.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are in employment classified by standard industrial category.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The labour force survey asks people of working age if they currently have any health problem or disability which limits the kind of paid work they can do. Estimates based on answers to this question will include people with short-term health problems and disabilities as well as those registered as disabled.

  The latest labour force survey estimates of the number of such people in employment by industry are given in the table:
  291

  People with health problems or disabilities in employment Great Britain

  Thousands

  Agriculture, forestry and fishing

  37

  Energy and water supply

  15

  Manufacturing

  296

  Construction

  94

  Distribution, hotels and repairs

  288

  Transport and communication

  97

  Banking, financial and business services

  131

  Other services

  428

  TOTAL all industry sectors1

  1,406

  1 Total includes people with work place outside Great Britain and those who did not state industry.

  Source: Labour force survey, summer 1993—not seasonally adjusted.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are employed in(a) companies with between 20 and 99 employees, (b) companies with between 100 and 999 employees and (c) companies with over 1,000 employees.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not available.

  Brixham Jobcentre
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff are employed by his Department in the Fish Quay office at Brixham, providing administrative support for the jobcentre; and what assessment he has made of the cost to public funds of relocating them together with another jobcentre into a single location.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 9 February 1994 The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of staff employed in the Brixham Jobcentre and the assessment of the cost of relocating them together with another Jobcentre to a single location.
  Within the Fish Quay office, eight staff are providing administration support to the Jobcentre. The decision to rehouse them into a single site has been taken in principle only. Until all suitable options have been explored the costings cannot be determined.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration was given to the future relocation of the Brixham jobcentre in Fore street before public funds were used on refurbishing it; and how much was spent on the refurbishment in the last two years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 9 February 1994 292
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the consideration given to the future relocation of Brixham Jobcentre prior to the public funds being spent on refurbishment, and how much was spent on refurbishment in the last two years.
  The refurbishment of the Brixham Jobcentre was completed in October 1991, as part of the National Employment Service Integration Programme. Subsequently, an increase in the number of people using the office has prevented a full service from being offered. It has been decided, in principle, to rehouse the Jobcentre in order to offer a better service to people, locally. No funds have been spent on refurbishment in the last two years.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which appointments since 1979 to public bodies or posts for which he is responsible have included candidates nominated by the Chief Whip's Office; if any nominees by this source have been appointed; and if he will give details.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 2 February,Official Report, column 725.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who are the members currently appointed to the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Health and Safety Executive has three members:

  Director General

  J. D. Rimington CB

  Appointed by the Health and Safety Commission with the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Deputy Director Generals:

  Miss J. H. Bacon and Mr. D. C. T. Eves

  Appointed by the Health and Safety Commission with the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and after consultation with the director general.

  Docks and Ports (Deaths)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many deaths have occurred in docks or ports in each year from 1989; and what was the name of the deceased and the date and place of death in each case.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows:

  Fatal injuries occurring within the docks and harbours industry (a) Reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations, 1985 (RIDDOR), 1988–89–1992–931

  Year

  Number of deaths

  1988–89

  10

  1989–90

  11

  1990–91

  2

  1991–92

  7

  11992–93

  8

  (a) As defined by (i) standard industrial classification 1968 minimum list headings 70S and 706 for the year 1988–89, (ii) standard industrial classification 1980 class 74 and activity heading 7630 for subsequent years.

  1 provisional.

  It is not the policy of the Health and Safety Executive to disclose other information concerning fatalities without the knowledge and consent of the families concerned.
  293

  Community Action Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the distribution of expenditure and places under the community action scheme in each standard region; and what are each region's figures as a percentage of the total.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Community Action.
  It may help if I explain that in the current financial year, £31·5 million has been made available to the Employment Services in order to set up and run Community Action. Of this £8·5 million has been allocated for programme expenditure, i.e., the money paid to providers contracted to deliver the programme. The attached table shows the regional breakdown of resource and allocation of places. This has been allocated to the nine Employment Service regions in direct proportion to the percentage of 12 months plus long-term unemployed people within each region.
  A further £19 million of the budget allocation is used to cover the allowance payments to participants. Each participant on Community Action receives an allowance equivalent to their benefit entitlement plus £10 each week. This budget is held centrally. The remaining £4 million has been set aside to cover the costs of the Employment Service of setting up and running Community Action, the majority of this budget has been allocated to Employment Service regions on the same basis as the programmes money. A small proportion has, though, been retained centrally to cover Head Office running costs and the costs of producing forms and national publicity materials.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Table showing 1993–94 programme budget allocation and places for community action by employment service region

  Region

  Programme allocation £

  Number of places

  Per cent. of total

  Northern

  473,000

  1,120

  5·58

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  767,000

  1,810

  9·05

  East Midlands and Eastern

  761,000

  1,800

  8·98

  London and South East

  2,672,000

  6,310

  31·55

  South West

  613,000

  1,450

  7·24

  Wales

  400,000

  940

  4·72

  West Midlands

  929,000

  2,190

  10·97

  North West

  1,114,000

  2,630

  13·15

  Scotland

  742,000

  1,750

  8·76

  Great Britain Total

  8,470,000

  20,000

  100

  Notes

  1. The average length of stay on community action is four months, therefore, 20,000 programme places would provide a total of 60,000 opportunities in a full year.

  2. Additional amounts of £19 million to cover allowance payments to participants, and £4 million to cover ES running costs, arc held centrally.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-Fast will receive a reply to the letter he wrote on the Employment Service and enterprise councils on 28 July 1993, which was followed up by a reminder on 1 November 1993.
  294
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Regrettably, no trace can be found of the hon. Member's letter of 28 July, nor his reminder of 1 November. I have written to the hon. Member offering a meeting at his earliest convenience.

  Working Conditions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all proposed EC/EU measures of the past 10 years regarding working conditions which Her Majesty's Government(a) opposed and (b) supported.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: Since 1983, the Council of Ministers, including the UK, has agreed to over 50 measures relating to working conditions—covering measures in the field of employment law, social security arrangements and health and safety at work. The UK plays a full and constructive part in all negotiations on social affairs matters, adopting an approach on particular proposals or on individual parts of them, based on the Government's view of their merits, the need to achieve a sensible balance between social protection, competitiveness and employment growth, and the question of whether action is best taken by the Community or by member states. The UK has not voted against a single legislative proposal in the current EC social action programme and has one of the best implementation records of any member state. Details of measures adopted by the Council are contained in the "Directory of Community Legislation in Force", published by the, Official Journal of the European Communities, the 22nd edition of which is available in the Library.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all current effective legislation affecting health and safety matters.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 4 February 1994]: I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Library and will send a personal copy to the hon. Member.

  Paper Shredders
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many paper shredding machines there are(a) in his private office and (b) in his Department.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: There is one shredding machine in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's office. Information is not held centrally for the numbers in the Department as a whole.

ENVIRONMENT

  Empty Housing
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the proportion of residential housing stock owned by(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations, (c) private owners and (d) Government Departments, which were empty in each year from 1979.

  Sir George Young
  The numbers of their own dwellings reported by local authorities and housing associations in England as vacant on 1 April in each year from 1979 to 1993 were as follows:
  295

  Local authorities1 at 1 April

  Management vacants (000s)2

  Other vacants (000s)

  Total vacants (000s)

  Total as a percentage of all LA dwellings

  1979

  n/a

  n/a

  100

  2·2

  1980

  n/a

  n/a

  100

  2·1

  1981

  n/a

  n/a

  97

  2·0

  1982

  n/a

  n/a

  100

  2·1

  1983

  n/a

  n/a

  114

  2·4

  1984

  n/a

  n/a

  113

  2·5

  1985

  n/a

  n/a

  117

  2·6

  1986

  n/a

  n/a

  113

  2·6

  1987

  54

  59

  112

  2·5

  1988

  51

  52

  103

  2·4

  1989

  51

  50

  101

  2·4

  1990

  51

  48

  99

  2·5

  1991

  43

  40

  83

  2·1

  1992

  40

  34

  74

  1·9

  1993

  40

  31

  71

  1·9

  1 The figures for the years up to 1986 exclude vacant dwellings owned by authorities situated outside their own area.

  2 Available for letting immediately or after minor repairs.

  Source: Annual HIP1 returns.

  Housing associations1 at 31 March:

  Management vacants (000s)2

  Other vacants (000s)

  Total vacants (000s)

  Total as a percentage of all HA dwellings

  1979

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1980

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1981

  n/a

  n/a

  28

  6·9

  1982

  n/a

  n/a

  32

  7·7

  1983

  n/a

  n/a

  31

  7·1

  1984

  n/a

  n/a

  27

  5·5

  1985

  n/a

  n/a

  26

  5·5

  1986

  n/a

  n/a

  26

  5·2

  1987

  n/a

  n/a

  24

  4·8

  1988

  n/a

  n/a

  24

  4·7

  1989

  8

  14

  22

  4·2

  1990

  7

  13

  20

  3·5

  1991

  7

  9

  16

  2·7

  1992

  7

  9

  16

  2·5

  19933

  7

  10

  17

  2·4

  1 The figures for 1981 to 1988 are for England and Wales.

  2 Available for letting immediately or after minor repairs.

  3 Excludes some 10,500 dwellings that were purchased under the November 1992 Housing Market Package and were management vacants on 31st March 1993

  Source Annual HAR10/1 returns.

  n/a = not available.

  In addition to providing information on those of their own dwellings that are vacant, local authorities in England are also asked to provide estimates of the numbers of private sector and other public sector vacant dwellings in their area on their annual housing investment programme returns. Estimates of the proportions of private sector dwellings that are vacant, based on these data and including estimates for those authorities which did not provide the information, are set out in the table. These proportions should be treated with care as there are doubts about the quality of some of the estimates provided by authorities.

  Data on vacant Government Department-owned dwellings have been collected from Departments in recent years and the proportions reported as vacant are set out in the table. Corresponding figures for earlier years are not available. Most of the Government Departments' voids are Ministry of Defence properties. External consultants
  296
  advised MOD that in order to meet the demand for married accommodation from entitled service personnel an overall 9 per cent. management margin of vacant properties, excluding those held vacant for major works or deployment, should be maintained. The task force on Government Departments' empty houses was set up to help bring this property back into use, and it is expected to present its final report to Ministers shortly.

  Private sector (other than housing associations)

  Government Departments

  percentage

  percentage

  1979

  4·0

  n/a

  1980

  4·1

  n/a

  1981

  4·1

  n/a

  1982

  4·3

  n/a

  1983

  4·2

  n/a

  1984

  4·2

  n/a

  1985

  4·1

  n/a

  1986

  4·1

  n/a

  1987

  4·1

  n/a

  1988

  4·1

  n/a

  1989

  4·1

  18

  1990

  4·0

  15

  1991

  4·2

  13

  1992

  4·6

  12

  1993

  5·0

  15

  Housing Co-operatives
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of organisations representing housing co-operatives to discuss funding and strategy; what is his policy regarding the development of housing co-operatives; what criteria he applies when determining financial assistance to housing co-operatives; what plans he has to encourage the development of housing co-operatives; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Arrangements for the development and funding of housing association co-operatives in England are the responsibility of the Housing Corporation and are set out in the corporation's housing co-operative strategy, which was published in March 1993. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House. In the field of local authority housing, my Department is currently providing grant support for the development of 85 tenant management organisations including co-operatives. Details of the criteria for grants to such organisations will be made available in the near future, in the context of the new right-to-manage legislation.

  Housing
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to repeal any part of subsection (i) of section 2 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 12.1 of the consultation paper "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies", which states that we: have no plans to alter the categories of priority need.
  297
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the consultees to whom the consultation paper on access to local authority and housing association tenancies has been sent.

  Sir George Young
  Approximately 4,000 copies of the consultation paper have been sent out. Recipients include all English local housing authorities, the local authority associations, each hon. Member of this House with an English constituency, the Housing Corporation, the 200 largest housing associations operating in England, and a wide range of organisations with an interest in housing in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of(a) owner-occupiers, (b) council tenants, (c) housing association tenants and (d) private sector tenants, including (i) protected tenancies and (ii) other tenancies; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  The most recent information on the main tenure breakdown is from the 1992 Labour Force Survey. It shows that in England in 1992 there were an estimated:

  13,200,000 owner occupiers

  3,800,000 council tenants

  600,000 housing association tenants

  1,800,000 private sector tenants

  My reply to my hon. Friend on 18 January 1994, Official Report, column 578, gave a provisional estimate from the first half year of data collection from the new survey of English housing of about 350,000 protected tenancies in England in 1993. This remains the current estimate. An equivalent figure for 1992 is not available.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for 1978–79 and each subsequent year for which data are available, the total number of dwellings let to new tenants by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations, and of these, in each case, the number let to (i) homeless applicants and (ii) applicants from the waiting list, and the number which were first lettings of (iii) newly built and (iv) newly modernised buildings.

  Sir George Young
  The numbers of local authority lets to new tenants in England and the numbers of these lets which were to(a) households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 or the Housing Act 1985 and (b) applicants from the waiting list are given in the table. No information is collected centrally on lettings of newly built or newly modernised local authority dwellings.

  Thousands

  Local authority lettings

  New lettings

  Of which to homeless households

  Of which to waiting list applicants

  1978–79

  289

  38

  185

  1979–80

  275

  41

  171

  1980–81

  275

  44

  174

  1981–82

  251

  45

  167

  1982–83

  256

  49

  173

  1983–84

  246

  49

  161

  1984–85

  240

  54

  156

  1985–86

  247

  63

  153

  1986–87

  244

  67

  149

  1987–88

  242

  74

  142

  1988–89

  236

  73

  139

  298

  Local authority lettings

  New lettings

  Of which to homeless households

  Of which to waiting list applicants

  1989–90

  229

  80

  125

  1990–91

  240

  97

  126

  1991–92

  239

  109

  112

  1992–93

  230

  104

  111

  Source HIP1 returns.

  The available information on housing associations lettings to new tenants in England is set out in the table. The figures for new lettings in the years before 1989–90 are estimates.

  Housing association lettings

  (000s)

  New lettings1

  Of which to households accepted as homeless by local authorities

  First lettings to new tenants

  newly built

  newly rehabilitated

  1978–79

  34

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1979–80

  37

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1980–81

  42

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1981–82

  43

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1982–83

  45

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1983–84

  47

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1984–85

  49

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1985–86

  51

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1986–87

  52

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1987–88

  54

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1988–89

  57

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1989–90

  60

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  63

  9

  14

  3

  1991–92

  71

  15

  20

  3

  21992–93

  91

  23

  29

  3

  1Figures for the number of housing association new lets in years before 1989–90 are estimates based on the data for England and Wales available for these years.

  2Information on the number of first lettings of newly built and newly rehabilitated properties in 1992–93 that were to new tenants is provisional.

  Sources New lettings and new lettings to homeless applicants—

  Housing Corporation HAR10/1.

  First lettings of newly built/rehabilitated dwellings—National Federation of Housing Associations CORE database.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the actual numbers of dwellings which were(a) privately-owned, (b) rented from local authorities, (c) rented from housing associations and (d) rented from the private sector for 1970, 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available.

  Sir George Young
  Estimates of the stock of dwellings in England by type of tenure appear in "Housing and Construction Statistics, Great Britain". Figures for December 1970 appear in the 1970–1980 annual edition, table 107, those for 1979 are in the 1979–1989 edition, in table 9.3 and those for 1992, with provisional June 1993 figures, are in part 2 of the June 1993 quarterly edition, table 2.23.

  Copies of these publications are in the Library.
  299

  Water Quality
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reached agreement with the European Commission on changes to the requirements imposed on the United Kingdom by European Community laws on water quality; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The European Council in December asked the Commission to bring forward as soon as possible four framework directives to replace parts of existing Community laws on water quality. We welcome this decision to make water legislation consistent with subsidiarity and up-to-date science. The Commission and the Council must now ensure that the new and revised directives meet these criteria and are confined to essential quality and health parameters. Existing directives will remain in place until the Commission has brought forward its proposals and substitute directives have been agreed by the Council after consultation with the European Parliament.

  Landfill Sites
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated reduction in waste sent to landfill sites in 1992–93 and 1993–94 because of the changes made by the packaging industry(a) throughout England and (b) in west Yorkshire.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not available. However, the producer responsibility group, in its report "Real Value, from Packaging Waste", presented to Ministers on 7 February, indicated that it would monitor this in future. A copy of the report is in the Library.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated saving of waste to landfill sites because of recycling of waste materials and incineration by west Yorkshire for the period 1 April 1992 to 1 April 1993 to 1 April 1994.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not currently available. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy produces an annual report on waste disposal statistics for local authorities and data for 1992–93 are due to be published by the end of this financial year. I have asked the institute to notify the hon. Member when the report is published. Provided the appropriate authorities reply to the institute's request for information, the information sought by the hon. Member should be provided by the report.

  "London: Making the Best Better"
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses his Department received to the consultation paper "London: Making the Best Better".

  Sir George Young
  Responses are still coming in, but a total of 10,000 completed questionnaires had been received by the end of January 1994.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to(a) analyse and (b) publish the results of the consultation on his Department's publication "London: Making the Best Better".
  300
  Sir George Young
  Analysis of the responses to "London: Making the Best Better" is in progress and we aim to publish a digest of the results in March.

  Benzene
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of which are the main sources of exposure to benzene vapour in the environment; and if he will quantify the contribution made by each of those sources.

  Mr. Atkins
  The main sources of exposure to benzene vapour in the environment arise from the benzene content of ambient air and, in smokers, from cigarette smoke. Of the former, the greater proportion arises from the use, production and distribution of petrol. The recent report of the expert panel on air quality standards estimated that 78 per cent. of benzene emissions in the United Kingdom in 1991 arose from petrol engine exhausts. Cigarette smoke contains benzene and this may be the main source of exposure for a heavy smoker.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has given to the letter from the president of the Nuclear Control Institute in regard to the economic viability of reprocessing at THORP; and when he received the letter.

  Mr. Atkins
  The President of the Nuclear Control Institute's letter was received on 2 February. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be replying shortly.

  North Yorkshire County Council
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were employed by the education department of North Yorkshire county council in the year before the implementation of the local management of schools; and what is the current level of employment in the department.

  Mr. Baldry
  North Yorkshire county council education department employed 7,763 full-time and 9,617 part-time staff in June 1989 and 6,521 full-time and 8,685 part-time staff in June 1993. The figures for June 1993 exclude staff in institutions which transferred to the Further Education Funding Council in April 1993.

  Local management of schools was introduced in April 1990. Staff in locally managed schools remain employees of the local authority.

  New Towns
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the contributions made by the Commission for New Towns to each former new town local authority for promotional activities each year since 1988.

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been no contributions by the commission to local authorities for promotional activities since 1988 although various promotion agencies, which include local authority representation, have received such contributions.
  301

  Inner City Areas
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been made to institutions of the European Communities regarding the application of community funds to the social and infrastructural re-invigoration of inner-city areas.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government promoted a powerful case for increased assistance from the structural funds for inner city areas. As a result, Merseyside has gained objective 1 status from January 1994. Other inner city areas, including for the first time parts of London, have gained objective 2 status. We were disappointed that some urban areas proposed by the Government were omitted from the list of eligible areas agreed by the Commission. However, at 76 per cent. of our original bid for objective 2 funding, the United Kingdom has done better than almost every other member state.

  Sponsor Ministers
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who is the sponsor Minister for(a) Birmingham Sandwell and Walsall, (b) Wolverhampton, (c) Nottingham, Rugby and Leicester, (d) Sheffield and Hull, (e) Newcastle, Tyne and Weir, (f) Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees, (g) Bristol, (h) Plymouth and (i) Stoke on Trent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The list of sponsor Ministers was placed in the Library of the House on 4 November 1993, and a copy of the list has been sent to the hon. Member. There has been one change to the list since 4 November; following the move of Lady Denton to the Northern Ireland Office, her responsibilities as sponsor Minister for Leeds, Bradford and Batley have been taken over by the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. Curry).

  Public Bodies
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number of appointments he makes to those non-departmental agencies he has responsibility for and their budgets.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is published annually in"Public Bodies", the latest edition of which was issued in December and is available in the Library.

  Homelessness, Dewsbury
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are homeless in the parliamentary constituency of Dewsbury.

  Sir George Young
  The available data relate to local authority areas. The reported number of households accepted as homeless by Kirklees metropolitan council are given in the supplementary table to the quarterly Information Bulletin "Households found accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England"; copies of both are in the Library. The latest statistics are for the third quarter of 1993.

  Environmental Trusts
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider providing core funding for existing environmental trusts providing the same services as groundwork trusts.
  302
  Mr. Atkins
  Existing environmental voluntary organisations can apply for core funding under the Department's environmental action fund.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to encourage the efficient use of energy.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of the Environment's Energy Efficiency Office budget has been increased to more than £100 million for 1994–95, over 17 times the level of expenditure in 1979–80. It runs a comprehensive range of programmes and initiatives to encourage the efficient use of energy. In addition, the Department is taking a variety of initiatives with regard to publicly owned housing and, as set out in the answer given on 19 January to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) by my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry)Official Report, columns 671–72, is considering proposals to strengthen the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations. The Department's programmes, and their contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and protecting the environment generally, are set out in the United Kingdom's report under the framework covention on climate change and in the United Kingdom's strategy for sustainable development, both of which ere launched by the Prime Minister on 25 January 1994.

  Coastal Marine Environment
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to improve the quality of the coastal marine environment.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government's policies for protecting and enhancing the marine environment were summarised within "This Common Inheritance" in 1990 and reported upon in the 1991 and 1992 reports (Cm. 1655 and Cm. 2068 respectively). A further report is to be published shortly.

  Halons
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the Government propose to phase out the use of halons more rapidly than required by the Montreal protocol following the decision to establish a halon recycling scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is not Government policy to phase out the use of halons. Our policy, in line with that of the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, and subsequent EC regulations, is to control the production and supply of halons, not their use. Production of halon was phased out by 1 January 1994.

  The halon bank has been set up to enable recycled halons to be made available to service those halon users with a continuing need. The establishment of the bank is in accordance with decision IV/26 of the parties to the protocol agreed in November 1992 to encourage recovery, reclamation and recycling of halons. The UK halon bank was the first in the world and has helped to ensure that production of halon will not be necessary during 1994.
  303

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Baldry
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Small Cetaceans
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publicise the United Kingdom's activities implementing the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas.

  Mr. Atkins
  The summary of action taken by the United Kingdom to implement the agreement has been published today. A copy has been placed in the House Library.

  Recent activities have built on our already extensive range of laws intended to protect dolphins and other marine and land-based animals, and their habitats.

  A co-ordinating committee has been established to ensure the objectives of the agreement were understood and acted upon by Government agencies. This has resulted in extensive co-operation between Government Departments, agencies, universities and voluntary bodies to identify priorities for action, set up a secretariat to run the agreement and begin vital research work.

  Action taken by the Government to support the agreement includes financial contributions for a number of research projects: a two-year international survey of populations and distributions of porpoises and dolphins in the North sea and English channel, research into ways of deterring cetaceans from swimming into fishing nets, recording of beached animals and analysis of cause of death, and investigation of the problems presented by acoustic disturbance.

  Taken together, these projects will provide a sound basis for future policies and programmes for effective and appropriate protection of these species on an international scale.

  Canadian Rain Forest
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made, in accordance with the objective of global conservation set out in the United Kingdom action plan for biodiversity, to the Governments of Canada and British Columbia over the logging of substantial areas of Canada's temperate rainforest.

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

  None. The Canadian Government and British Columbia authorities are well aware of public concern in the United Kingdom about logging.
  304

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his policies for increasing the competitiveness of the Post Office.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is for the Post Office Board to ensure the competitiveness of the Post Office and for the Government to set the framework within which it does so. That framework is under consideration within the Post Office review, which is still continuing.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of post offices as at July 1993 displayed posters giving information on service targets and performance against them.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  As at July 1993 information about service targets and performance displayed on posters in post offices was as follows:

  Royal Mail
  All Crown, franchise and modified sub post offices displayed posters giving 1st class letter targets and performance on a quarterly basis for their local postcode area.

  Post Office Counters Ltd.
  All Crown offices displayed posters giving annual national targets for customer queuing times and performance of the individual office on a quarterly basis. In 1993–94 a rolling programme to introduce posters displaying queuing time targets is being implemented in the largest 5,000 agency offices.

  Parcelforce
  All Crown, franchise and modified sub post offices displayed posters, for a period of one month after the Post Office annual report and accounts for 1992–93 were published, giving national delivery targets and performance for inland services for that year.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the service targets set by the Post Office as at July 1993; and what was the performance against them.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  As at July 1993 the service targets set by the Post Office businesses were as follows:

  Royal Mail
  The 1993–94 annual targets for 1st class letter delivery—nationally and for each postcode area—are set out in detail in the Post Office's 1992–93 annual report and accounts. For 1993–94 the overall national target is to deliver 92 per cent. of 1st-class letters on the next working day after posting. For the April-June 1993 quarter in the York postcode area the overall performance for 1st class letter delivery by the next working day was 91 per cent. against a local annual target of 92 per cent.

  Post Office Counters Ltd.
  For all Crown and franchise offices an annual target of 96 per cent. of all customers to be served within 5 minutes was set for 1993–94. For the quarter 22 April-14 July 1993 performance against this target was 97·8 per cent. In addition, this target is being extended during 1993–94 under a rolling programme to 5,000 of the largest sub post offices.

  Parcelforce
  National annual delivery targets for 1993–94 and performance for the quarter April-June 1993 are as follows:

  Target

  Performance April-June '93

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Parcelforce Datapost 10

  99·0

  96·9

  Parcelforce Datapost 12

  99·0

  97·5

  Parcelforce 24

  99·0

  95·7

  Parcelforce 48

  98·0

  93·9

  Parcelforce Standard

  94·0

  95·0

  305

  Electricity
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to refer PowerGen and National Power to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to refer PowerGen and National Power to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to refer PowerGen and National Power to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Director General of Electricity Supply has said that he will decide shortly whether to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Space Launch Agreement
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the agreement between the EC and the Russian Federation on space launch services.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  A draft agreement has been negotiated by the European Commission and the Russian Space Agency governing Russian access to the international market for space launch services between 1995 and 2000. Conclusion of the agreement is still being considered both by the member states of the European Union and by the Russian Government.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has held with members of the aerospace industry about the prospects for the industry.

  Mr. Orme
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met representatives of the British aerospace companies to discuss future prospects for the industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department maintains a close and continuing dialogue with aerospace industry on a wide range of issues.

  Chinaware
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department is giving to promote British chinaware in United Kingdom embassies and high commissions overseas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The full range of overseas trade services are avilable to the British chinaware industry for their export campaigns. In addition, I hope shortly to be able to announce formally the establishment of a DTI tabletop advisory group. This will include manufacturers of china, glass, cutlery and table linen. The group will work with the DTI, manufacturers and retailers to promote the sectors' competitiveness and sales both at home and overseas.
  306

  Gas
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade by how much the price of gas to the domestic consumer has fallen since privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Domestic gas prices for all consumers have fallen by 22 per cent. in real terms since privatisation.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many domestic gas consumers use (i) 100 therms, (ii) 200 therms, (iii) 300 therms, (iv) 500 therms, (v) 1,000 therms and (vi) 2,000 therms a year; and what is the forecast percentage change in cost of those levels of consumption as a result of the abolition of the monopoly control over the domestic gas tariff.

  Mr. Eggar
  British Gas estimates of the number of domestic gas consumers in different ranges of consumption are as follows:

  Analysis of British Gas domestic tariff sales (September 1992 estimate)

  Range therms per year

  Number of customers

  0–100

  1,325,311

  101–200

  964,173

  201–300

  1,392,542

  301–500

  3,871,768

  501–1,000

  8,121,502

  1,001–2,000

  1,965,922

  over 2,000

  152,482

  17,793,700

  Source: Monopolies and Mergers Commission, Gas and British Gas plc, Volume 2, Appendix 4.1, Table 2.

  Abolition of the monopoly will expose British Gas to competition which should lead to reduced prices to domestic consumers. A joint DTI/OFGAS public consultation document, to be published soon, will discuss the operation of the competitive market and the arrangements for regulating the transition to full competition.

  Recycling
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to encourage industry to increase the use of recycled materials; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We have been encouraged by the recycling rates achieved in recent years. Around 30 per cent. of container glass, for example, was recycled in 1993, compared with only 20 per cent. in 1990.

  The producer responsibility initiative that we launched in July 1993 is aimed at encouraging commerce and industry to increase recycling rates further.

  West Midlands (Regeneration)
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what practical steps he is taking to encourage commercial regeneration in the west midlands.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government are committed to regeneration throughout the United Kingdom. In the west midlands there is a wide range of Government-funded support services available.
  307

  Insolvency
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many investigations are currently being carried out by the Insolvency Service; and how many were carried out during(a) 1980 and (b)

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Under the Insolvency Act 1986 the Official Receiver has a duty to investigate the affairs of each company wound up by the courts and the conduct and affairs of every bankrupt except where an order for summary administration has been made.

  There were 6,910 winding-up and receiving orders made in 1980 and 12,477 made in 1985. In 1993 there were 8,361 winding-up orders and 31,025 bankruptcy orders including 5,357 summary cases.

  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Government policy towards insolvency.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Government believe that it is important to have a civilised, orderly and equitable method for dealing with financial failure of individuals and businesses and for tackling fraud and malpractice where they occur. The insolvency legislation seeks to achieve this end. It is kept under continual review.

  Defence Technology Transfer
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to assist with technology transfer from defence based industries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A number of my Department's schemes assist technology transfer, including transfer from defence-based industries.

  Electrical Equipment
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further representations he has received from business or consumer organisations about banning the sale of electrical equipment without pre-fitted plugs.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Representations from business and consumer organisations were received during the formal consultation on the proposed regulations last year. Also, a number of meetings were subsequently held with officials. There was general support for the proposed regulations.

  However, the European Commission is still seeking clarification on a number of points which is delaying the progress of the proposed regulations. I am hopeful that these matters will be resolved shortly.

  Nuclear Review
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the terms of reference of the nuclear review.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government will announce the terms of reference for the review and how it will be conducted as soon as possible.
  308

  South East (Growth)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives his Department has taken in the past 12 months to stimulate growth and job creation within the South East.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government are committed to stimulating growth and job creation throughout the United Kingdom. Assisted area status and objective 2 status have been granted to parts of the South East in the past 12 months.

  International Competitiveness
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further assessment he has made of Britain's international competitiveness; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Government have announced that they will publish a White Paper on competitiveness later this year.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many directors have been disqualified during the years(a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c)

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The number of directors disqualified in 1980 was 62; in 1985 it was 120; and in the financial years 1990–91 and 1991–92 was 420 and 460 respectively.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of fixtures and fittings in his Department's new offices.

  Mr. Eggar
  In the last and current financial years my Department has not moved into any new offices in central London.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has had any recent discussions with representatives of the motor industry concerning future exports.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has not discussed this subject with industry representatives recently, but my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade met representatives from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on 1 February to discuss, among other matters, issues relating to the export of automotive products.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next plans to visit Ilford to discuss the economic situation.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has no current plans to do so.

  Arms Trade
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the value of(a) British and (b) Japanese arms exports in the most recent years for which comparable figures are available; and what proportion this represents of total exports from those countries.

  Mr. Needham
  Information on United Kingdom defence exports can be found in table 1.11 of UK Defence
  309
  Statistics 1993 edition, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. For 1992, United Kingdom exports of identified defence equipment amounted to £1,506 million, representing 1·4 per cent. of total visible exports. Comparable figures for Japan are not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People Committee
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Appointments to the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People are the responsibility of the Director General of Telecommunications. However, I understand that the current members are:

  Chairman

  Mrs. Jean Gaffin

  Members

  Mrs. Sheila Barrows, MBE

  Mr. David Dunsmuir

  Mr. Michael Godfrey

  Mr. Wally Herbert, OBE

  Mr. David Hyslop

  Mr. Colin Low

  Mr. Michael Martin, OBE

  Dr. Eric Midwinter, OBE

  Mrs. Sheila Porter

  Mrs. Nancy Robertson

  Dr. Eleanor Steiner

  Area Transport Users Committees
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the area transport users consultative committees.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There are eight area transport users' consultative committees. The committees and their members at 21 January 1994 are as follows:

  The transport users' consultative committee for southern England:

  Miss Angela M. Hooper, CBE (Chairman)

  Mr. John A. Bigny

  Mr. Chris John Campbell

  Mr. Peter Catchpole

  Miss Suzanne Davis

  Mr. John G. Doctor

  Mr. John V. Foster

  Mrs. Jennifer Hinton

  Mr. Peter J. Lee

  Mrs. Elizabeth Macdonald-Brown

  Miss Alison M. R. Penn

  Mrs. Fiona M. G. Ross

  Mr. Alan E. J. Shorter

  The transport users' consultative committee for eastern England:

  Mr. David Bertram (Chairman)

  Mr. Dennis A. Adams

  Mrs. Jill Allen-King, MBE

  Mr. Robert E. Bone

  Councillor Peter R. Chappell

  Mrs. Charlotte E. M. Clark

  Mr. Brian M. Cooke

  Mr. Bryan M. W. Frost

  Mrs. Elizabeth B. Gard

  Mrs. Jennifer M. Honisett

  Mr. Rodney Hughes

  Mr. John R. Legg

  Sir Graham A. M. Macmillan

  Mr. Peter R. Pennington

  Mrs. Elizabeth Purdy

  310

  Mr. Richard Ramage

  Mr. Derek J. Stevens

  Mr. Richard E. West

  The transport users' consultative committee for north western England:

  Mr. Frank F. Dolphin (Chairman)

  Mr. Mark Andrew

  Mrs. Jennifer S. Borer

  Mr. Harold Combs

  Mr. Morris Dickie

  Mrs. Geraldine P. Evans

  Mr. Paul Fawcett

  Mr. Robert Gale

  Mrs. Nora Gleave

  Mrs. Valerie Godfrey, JP

  Mrs. Phyllis M. Hardman

  Ms Christine S. Jackson

  Mr. Robin Morris

  Mr. Walter H. Neve

  Mr. John M. Richardson

  Mr. Donald R. Wignall, BA, MSC

  The transport users' consultative committee for north eastern England are:

  Mr. Alan Paul, MBE (Acting Chairman)1

  Mrs. S. J. Adams

  Mrs. Christine J. H. Clubley

  Mr. Garnet G. Dore

  Mr. Geoffrey Egglestone

  Mrs. Sylvia D. Greenwood

  Mrs. Gloria V. E. Havenhand

  Mr. David Heseldin

  Mrs. Joan Johnson, OBE

  Mr. Geoffrey E. Meikle

  Mr. John T. Middleton, OBE

  Major David M. Naylor, CB, MBE

  Mr. Eric Davis Pepper

  Mrs. Shirley Shaw

  Sir Reginald Sheffield

  Dr Robin W. J. Sisson

  Mrs. Ruth S. Studholme

  Mr. Dennis M. Walsh

  1 Mr. Paul is Acting Chairman in the absence of Professor Paul Fairest, the permanent chairman, who has temporarily stood down to undertake research.

  Professor Fairest will resume duties as chairman on 1 April 1994.

  The transport users' consultative committee for western England:

  Sir Robert W. Wall, OBE (Chairman)

  Mr. Peter C. Blackburn

  Councillor Geoffrey J. P. Browne

  Councillor G. L. J. (Toby) Bruce-Morgan

  Councillor John M. Chapman

  Mr. William H. Davey

  Councillor Rosaleen A. Day

  Mr. Paul A. Eward

  Dame Margaret J. Fry

  Lady Elizabeth P. A. Gass

  Dr. K. Melissa Hardie

  Mr. Chris C. Irwin

  Mrs Abigail A. Kirby-Harris, JP

  Dr. Robin L. D. Rees

  Mr. Peter W. Simmonds

  Mrs. Elizabeth A. Smith

  Councillor Betty J. Topham

  The transport users' consultative committee for the Midlands area:—

  Dr. P. Pritchard Jones (Chairman)

  Mrs. Sarah A. Bennett

  Mr. D. G. Bullock

  Mrs. H. Byford, OBE

  Mr. Stuart I. Edwards

  Mr. John M. Everitt

  Dr. John P. Fletcher

  Mr. Gyde Horrocks

  Mr. Robert M. S. Lincoln

  311

  Mr. Arthur E. R. Manners

  Mrs. Sandra M. Meredith-Vulja

  Mr. Robert Miller

  Mr. D. J. Pett, MA

  Mr. Barry Picken, JP

  Mr. J. O. Pugh

  Mr. Mark A. Sullivan

  Mrs. Jean H. Thornton

  Mr. Percy J. Tinson

  The transport users' consultative committee for Scotland are—

  Mr. John A. Corrie (Chairman)

  Mrs. Eleanor Brownlee

  Miss Pamela Clough

  Ms Deirdre Forsyth

  Mr. Stephen C. Gibbs

  Miss Cecily E. Giles, CBE

  Mr. Lawrence Kemp

  Captain Roderick Mackinnon, JP

  Mrs. Jeanette M. Mason

  Mr. Alan T. Rees

  Dr. Douglas G. Williamson

  Mr. John Wilson, JP

  The transport users' consultative committee for Wales:

  Mr. Charles A. Hogg, JP (Chairman)

  Mrs. Margaret A. Brown

  Mr. Ashley M. D. Clay

  Mr. H. Mansel Davey, JP

  Mr. Martin R. Davies

  Mr. David B. T. Deere

  Mr. Phillip C. Evans

  Mr. Robert L. Griffin

  Mrs. Gillian M. G. Jones

  Dr. William P. Race

  Miss Kathleen J. Smith

  Mr. Robin C. Smith

  Councillor John D. A. Thompson

  Councillor William J. Williams

  Mr. Owen P. Williams

  Malaysia (Exports)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) of 1 February, Official Report, column 612, if he will list exports to Malaysia under standard international trade classifications(a) 792, (b) 793 and (c) 981·29 for 1982 to 1993.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is given in the table.

  Value of exports to Malaysia

  (£000's)

  Year

  SITC 792

  SITC 793

  SITC 981.29

  1982

  6,976

  338

  NA

  1983

  8,054

  2,318

  NA

  1984

  8,712

  192

  NA

  1985

  CC

  CC

  NA

  1986

  3,785

  228

  NA

  1987

  2,461

  2,077

  NA

  1988

  CC

  CC

  CC

  1989

  CC

  CC

  CC

  1990

  CC

  CC

  0

  1991

  6,174

  789

  0

  1992

  CC

  CC

  0

  1993

  CC

  CC

  CC

  Notes:

  SITC—Standard International Trade Classification.

  792—Aircraft and associated equipment; spacecraft (including satellites) and spacecraft launch vehicles; and parts thereof.

  793—Ships, boats (including hovercraft) and floating structures.

  981.29—Munitions of war and parts thereof, not elsewhere specified.

  CC—Figures not available due to commercial confidentiality.

  NA—The SITC was revised in 1988. As a result, exports prior to 1988 corresponding to the current heading 981·29 cannot be separately identified.

  Source: HM Customs and Excise.
  312

  Disqualification Unit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the full complement of staff in his Department's disqualification unit; and how many are currently in post.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The complement of permanent staff of the disqualification unit is currently 50·5. There are 47·5 staff in post, in addition to which there is a total of 11 staff seconded from the private sector, on loan from other Government Departments or employed on a casual basis.

  Mr. Roger Levitt
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will review the bankruptcy laws in the light of Roger Levitt's discharge from bankruptcy.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I have no plans to do so.

  Competitiveness Unit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list each subdivision of his competitiveness unit; together with an outline of their work programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the Minis 93 returns, and the DTI functional directory, both of which are in the Library of the House. A new branch is being established to spread best purchasing practice in both the public and private sectors. The Minis 94 returns will set out its work programme.

  Coal
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he takes to ensure that coal imported to the United Kingdom from Colombia is mined under conditions which do not breach international standards on the use of child labour; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received assurances from the Colombian authorities that none of the United Kingdom' s coal imports from Colombia are produced by child labour, and that their Government are attempting to eliminate the practice where it does occur in illegal family-run mines. Most of the coal produced in Colombia for the United Kingdom comes from the El Cerrejon mine which is run by Exxon to high standards. Representatives of the United Kingdom's two major coal importers have been to that mine to inspect conditions and are satisfied that no children are employed there.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to safeguard the environment in areas likely to be affected by the granting of compulsory rights orders by the local authority after privatisation of the coal industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government have announced a review of the regime for compulsory access to land for minerals extraction contained in the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966, which applies to all minerals including, coal. The intention of this review is to produce an integrated regime for access to minerals that will be appropriate for the next century. As a transitional measure during the review, the Government intend to retain the compulsory rights order (CRO) provisions of the Opencast Coal Act 1958, but only until the end of 1999.
  313
  It is the Government's intention that CROs should be available to opencast operations as a matter of last resort only. The Coal Industry Bill would transfer to the Coal Authority the power to make CROs, but it is intended that the authority should not exercise this power unless it is satisfied that the applicant has made all reasonable efforts to secure the rights by agreement, but this has not been possible because: the owners of the land are too numerous, or cannot be identified; or the owner(s) do not have power to grant the rights sought; or the owner(s) have unreasonably refused to negotiate, or sought unreasonable terms. To come into force, a CRO must be confirmed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, or for Scotland or Wales as appropriate. My right hon. Friends will confirm a CRO only if they are satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.

  As now, CROs will only be used in exceptional circumstances. There is no reason at this stage to think that the use of CROs will more or less likely in any area of Britain's coalfields.

  All new opencast development proposals will of course require planning permission and will continue to be scrutinised by planning authorities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has recently issued draft revised guidelines, which set demanding environmental tests for the industry.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards and compensatory arrangements he plans after privatisation of the coal industry to protect local communities and individuals from pollution of rivers and streams by old coal workings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government will ensure that all British Coal's current responsibilities will continue to be discharged following privatisation. The Coal Authority will be responsible for water pollution from abandoned mines, except to the extent that any part of the responsibility may be passed to the private sector through leases.

  All discharges into controlled waters, including any from abandoned mines, will continue to be subject to the pollution control regime of the Water Resources Act 1991. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is currently reviewing the legal framework governing discharges from abandoned mines in general.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to offer to the private sector further pits closed by British Coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government are committed to ensuring that any closing pits are made available to the private sector.

  To date, 28 pits have been made available by British Coal for lease/licence. Decisions on lease/licence are a matter for British Coal.

  British Coal has indicated that the corporation is unlikely to offer any further closing pits for lease/licence. It is the Government's intention, therefore, to offer such pits in parallel to the privatisation regional packages. Such pits would meanwhile be kept on care and maintenance basis. Detailed arrangements will be announced within the next few weeks when expressions of interest are invited from potential bidders.

  The chairman of British Coal has assured me that no equipment will be removed from the pits proposed for
  314
  closure at general review meetings last week unless it is essential for safety reasons or the reserves of any of the pits are reallocated to adjacent mines.

  Clothing and Textiles
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the latest progress on the final discussions on the clothing and textile section of the GATT round.

  Mr. Needham
  The final GATT Uruguay round textiles and clothing agreement sets out the methodology for the phase-out of the multi-fibre arrangement (MFA) over a 10-year period which will commence once the detail of the complete GATT package has been agreed.

  The MFA phase-out will be in four stages, each consisting of the liberalisation of some quotas and an increase in the level of those quotas not eliminated. Detailed work on the content of each stage of the phase-out phase-is not yet completed although it has been agreed that smaller supplying countries will benefit sooner than the larger suppliers.

  The phase-out of the MFA will be balanced by improved GATT rules to deal with unfair trading practices, better intellectual property rights and lower tariffs in many export markets. We have pressed the European Commission to seek improvements in the tariff reductions offered by some countries and it is currently continuing negotiations with India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Hong Kong with a view to achieving greater concessions than those offered at present. Negotiations will if necessary continue until Ministers sign the final GATT act in April.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences have been granted in the last 10 years for self-neutralising or self-destructing anti-personnel land mines.

  Mr. Needham
  It has been the policy of successive administrations not to disclose details about export licences that have been issued. In this case, in addition, the information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Scotch Whisky (Chile)
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Her Majesty's Government intends to request the European Commission to initiate GATT proceedings against the Chilean Government on account of their failure to respond to Her Majesty's Government's representations about their discriminatory taxation treatment of Scotch whisky.

  Mr. Needham
  My Department is in close touch with the Scotch Whisky Association about discriminatory taxation in Chile. Once it is clear what effect the outcome of the Uruguay round has had on this problem, all the options for future action including action by the European Commission in the GATT, will be considered.
  315

  Alcohol (Taxation)
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations have been made to the Japanese Government about the need for the outstanding liquor tax discrimination within the spirits sector to be eliminated this year.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government have made a number of high level representations to the Japanese Government in recent months regarding the continuing tax discrimination against foreign liquors in that country. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the issue with the Japanese Prime Minister both in person during his visit to Tokyo in September 1993 and subsequently by letter. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade raised the issue with Japanese Ministers during his visit to Tokyo in January. I have also lobbied the Japanese Government, and the European Commission is actively pursuing the matter. This is an issue which concerns us greatly and one on which we are regularly in touch with the Scotch whisky industry.

  Power Transmission Lines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will meet the chairman of the National Grid Corporation to discuss the allegations of ill health caused by electro-magnetic radiation fields given off from overhead transmission cables and electricity sub-stations.

  Mr. Eggar
  I meet the Chairman of National Grid Corporation from time to time to discuss a range of issues.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has given to the letter from the President of the Nuclear Control Institute in Washington DC in regard to the economic viability of reprocessing at THORP; and when he received the letter.

  Mr. Eggar
  The letter arrived on 2 February 1994. I shall be replying in due course.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he received the annual report and accounts for British Nuclear Fuels for 1992–93; and if he will make a statement on the delay in completing these accounts.

  Mr. Eggar
  The annual report and accounts for British Nuclear Fuels plc for 1992–93 were published on 2 February 1994 and, in accordance with section 14 of the Atomic Energy Authority Act 1971, laid before both Houses of Parliament. On the question of timing, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 16 December 1993,Official Report, column 756.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the basis of his decision of 27 January not to refer the joint venture proposal involving British Nuclear Fuels plc, Ultra-Centrifuge Nederland NV, Uranit GMBH and Urenco Ltd. to the Monopolies Commission under the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  In accordance with advice from the Director General of Fair Trading, I decided not to refer the 316
  proposed joint venture between British Nuclear Fuels plc, Ultra-Centrifuge Nederland NV, Uranit GMBH and Urenco Ltd. to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) because it did not in my view raise competition or other relevant concerns warranting scrutiny by the MMC.

  Oil Sales
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the monthly sale of oil in(a) monetary value and (b) tonnage from the United Kingdom to Greece in each month since 1984.

  Mr. Eggar
  Data on monthly exports of oil by the United Kingdom to Greece since 1984 are available from the monthly Central Statistical Office publication "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom". From July 1992 the exports are as follows:

  United Kingdom oil1 exports to Greece

  £ million

  Tonnes2

  1992

  July

  0·3

  388

  August

  0·2

  348

  September

  0·8

  3,310

  October

  0·4

  662

  November

  0·4

  479

  December

  12·5

  129,039

  1993

  January

  0·2

  —

  February

  3·7

  —

  March

  0·8

  —

  April

  0·4

  —

  May

  3·5

  —

  June

  0·5

  —

  July

  0·2

  —

  August

  0·7

  —

  September

  0·3

  —

  1 Petroleum, petroleum products, and related materials; i.e. Division 33 of the Standard International Trade Classification.

  2 Monthly details of tonnage for Intra-EC trade under the Division 33 heading from January 1993 onwards are not yet available.

  Source HM Customs and Excise.

  UN—Iran Joint Commission
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 644, if he will list the (a) United Kingdom and (b) Iraqi participants at the UN-Iraq Joint Commission of 27 to 30 November 1989.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a)

  The right hon. Lord Trefgarne, Minister for Trade

  Mr. M. Petter, Head of Middle East Branch Department of Trade and Industry

  Mr. J. Gallaher, Middle East Branch, Department of Trade and Industry

  Mr. R. Higgins, Middle East Branch, Department of Trade and Industry

  Dr. J. Warren, Head of Overseas Technical Information Unit, Department of Trade and Industry

  Mr. S. Lawrence, Overseas Technical Information Unit, Department of Trade and Industry

  Mr. R. Wild, Director Project of Group, Export Credit Guarantee Department

  Mr. D. Coombe, Head of Project Division, Export Credit Guarantee Department

  Mr. I. Foster

  Project Division, Export Credit Guarantee Department

  317

  Mr. A. Brown

  First Secretary Commercial, British Embassy, Baghdad

  Mr. P. Sullivan

  Head of Industrial Training, British Council

  Mr. M. Edwards

  Ministry of Agriculture

  Mr. T. Crawley

  Department of Health

  Mr. R. Mackintosh

  National Health Service, Overseas Enterprises

  (b)

  Dr. Mohammed Mehdi Saleh

  Minister for Trade

  Mr. Abdul Sahib Sattar Aziz

  Protocol Division, Ministry of Trade (PS to Minister)

  Mr. Farouk Al-Obaidi

  Director General Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Trade

  Mr. Bourhan Abdullah Ramadhan

  Foreign Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Trade

  Mr. Hashim Ali Obeid

  Under-Secretary, Ministry of Finance

  Dr. Azmi Al-Slihi

  Iraqi Ambassador to United Kingdom

  Mr. Sadaam Z. Hasan

  Commercial Attache, Iraqi Embassy London

  Mr. Rajaa Hssan Ali

  Director General, Economic and Administrative Department, Ministry of Industry and Military Manufacturing

  Mr. Yahya Abdul Amir Al Dojaili

  Director General, Ministry of Industry and Military Manufacturing

  Mr. Khalid Hussain Ahmed

  Head of Economic Planning Commission, Ministry of Planning

  Mr. Sabeeh Jalal

  Central Bank of Iraq

  Mr. George Z. George

  Rafidain Bank

  Mr. Haitham A. Khalil

  Research Department, General Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and Industry

  Motor Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect of the takeover of Rover by BMW on the share of the United Kingdom car market taken by imports.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We would expect the acquisition of Rover by BMW to strengthen Rover's competitiveness still further, thus increasing the ability of United Kingdom-based manufacturers to increase their share of the United Kingdom market.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made as to the effect on United Kingdom car manufacturers of being taken over by foreign companies.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The effect on car manufacturers being taken over by foreign-owned companies will vary from case to case.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made as to the effect of United Kingdom membership of the EC on United Kingdom car plants being owned by foreign companies.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.
  318

  Manufacturing Assets (Foreign Companies)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the proportion of the value of manufacturing assets owned by foreign companies in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Italy.

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

  Indonesia
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total Export Credits Guarantee Department exposure outstanding in Indonesia.

  Mr. Needham
  At 31 March 1993 the total Export Credits Guarantee Department exposure outstanding on Indonesia was £1,177·2 million.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what levels of export credit guarantees have been provided to Indonesia in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department's annual report details the value of guarantees issued for capital goods and projects each year for the main markets. The value of such guarantees for Indonesia in each of the last five years is as follows:

  £ million

  1988–89

  67·0

  1989–90

  52·3

  1990–91

  149·6

  1991–92

  126·8

  1992–93

  448·8

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of Export Credits Guarantee Department credit for Indonesia has been allocated to defence contracts in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  Of the guarantees issued by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in support of capital goods and project exports to Indonesia, the following proportion has related to exports of defence equipment in each of the last five years:

  Per cent.

  1988–89

  4·2

  1989–90

  0·0

  1990–91

  1·7

  1991–92

  1·7

  1992–93

  97·3

  Company Voluntary Arrangements
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress being made in the consultations with outside interested parties on the company voluntary arrangements document issued by the Insolvency Service in October 1993.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The deadline for responses to the document has been extended to 31 March 1994. More than 40 have been received so far and many more are expected. The views expressed will be carefully considered.
  319

  Management Bids
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the management bids under each of the Minis rounds by each agency chief executive and departmental head together with the current staff-in-post numbers.

  Mr. Eggar
  The process of resource allocation within the Department is an internal matter for the Department. The final allocation to each management unit is published annually in Minis.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tenders were received for the contract for the review of the Insolvency Service which was awarded to Stoy Hayward.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Three tenders were received and all three parties were interviewed before the contract was awarded.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much the Stoy Hayward report cost.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  This information is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library the minutes of the Department's resources management group held on 13 July 1993 relating to the staffing needs of the Insolvency Service.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No, the discussions of the Department's Resource Management Group are an internal matter for the Department.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints have been received under the Insolvency Service published standards by(a) the inspector general and chief executive, (b) official receivers and (c) the President of the Board of Trade for each of the last two years.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Insolvency Service Standard, published in March 1993, has been in place for less than a year. In that time no letters have been received under it by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The Inspector General and Agency Chief Executive has received letters relating to 23 cases under its terms. Complaints made to official receivers which are satisfactorily dealt with at that level are not recorded centrally.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place the Stoy Hayward report into the Insolvency Service in the Library.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  As announced on 7 February, a summary of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tenders were received for the second stage review of the privatisation of the Insolvency Service.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  A letter of invitation to bid for the second phase of the review was issued on 4 February 1994.
  320
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the projected budgets and staffing levels for the Insolvency Service for the next three years.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The allocation of budgets and manpower to the Insolvency Service for 1994–95 has yet to be made. Budgets and staffing levels for future years will depend on the outcome of future Public Expenditure Surveys.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will detail moneys paid into the Insolvency Service account in respect of interest on the money received by liquidators and invested for each of the past five years, together with details of the amounts paid to the commissioners of the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The details are as follows:

  Year ended 31 March

  Interest paid (net of tax) £'000

  Amounts paid to Inland Revenue £'000

  1989

  1,887

  662

  1990

  2,030

  677

  1991

  1,700

  499

  1992

  1,949

  562

  1993

  1,946

  804

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many temporary staff were employed by the Insolvency Service in January 1993, April 1993 arid January 1994; and how many he estimates will be in post in April.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The number of casual staff employed by the Insolvency Service in January 1993, April 1993 and January 1994 was as follows:

  Number

  1 January 1993

  164·5

  1 April 1993

  190·5

  1 January 1994

  241

  The level of resource for the Insolvency Service for 1994–95 has not yet been decided upon.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he defines the term, mechanical processing work, used in his announcement of the review into the future of the Insolvency Service.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The term is used loosely to describe those activities routinely involved in case administration as opposed to investigation.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will highlight the areas market tested in the Department, the cost of each market test; and how many tests were awarded in-house.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has completed market tests in the following areas; office and financial management service, internal consultancy, and oil and gas support
  321
  programmes. Within these area, in 11 individual tests service delivery was retained in house. Market test costs are being finalised for publication in the "Citizen's Charter Second Report".

  Overseas Project Board
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how the members of the Overseas Project Board are chosen; and what criteria are used for their selection;

  (2) who are the present members of the Overseas Projects Board; when they were appointed; what are their occupations; which firms employ them; what were the reasons for their selection; and what is their term of office;

  (3) what is the role of the Overseas Projects Board; and when it was established.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answers 8 February 1994]: The Overseas Projects Board (OPB) provides expert advice to DTI Ministers and their officials on issues affecting UK industry's ability to complete effectively for major projects overseas and services as a focal point for industry to communicate its views to Government. Appointments are made by the Minister for Trade usually for three years. The aim is to have on the OPB senior businessmen and others who have experience of major projects overseas. The names of the current members, their occupations, employers, and the dates of their appointments are as follows:

  Overseas Project Board

  Members

  Sir Alan Cockshaw

  Chairman

  AMEC plc

  (Appointed 1 September 1991)

  Mr. C. H. Brown

  Chief Executive, British Gas plc

  (Appointed 31 March 1993)

  Mr. B. P. Dewe Mathews

  Director J. Henry Schroder Wagg and Co. Limited

  (Appointed 30 June 1989)

  Professor G. Fleming BSc PhD

  Professor of Civil Engineering

  Department of Civil Engineering

  University of Strathclyde

  (Appointed 30 June 1991)

  Mr. R. T. Fox CBE

  Vice Chairman, Kleinwort Benson Group Plc

  (Appointed 30 June 1987)

  Mr. S. Gillibrand CBE

  Vice Chairman, British Aerospace plc

  (Appointed 30 June 1989)

  Mr. D. O. Lloyd

  Director, Sir William Halcrow and Partners Ltd.

  (Appointed 31 August 1990)

  Mr. I. W. Reeves

  Chairman, High Point plc

  (Appointed 31 July 1992)

  Mr. A. White CBE

  Chairman, Biwater Ltd.

  (Appointed 31 July 1992)

  Mr. P. Hills

  Executive Director

  Samuel Montagu

  (Appointed 4 November 1993)

  Mr. F. Kennedy

  Executive Board Director

  George Wimpey plc

  (Appointed 4 November 1993)

  322

  Sir Wilfrid Newton

  Chairman

  London Regional Transport

  (Appointed 4 November 1993)

  Mr. D. Jefferies

  Chairman, National Grid Company

  (Appointed 4 November 1993)

  Sir Desmond Pitcher

  Chairman

  North West Water Group

  (Appointed 26 November 1993)

  Mr. P. L. Lock ton CBE

  Managing Director

  Rolls Royce India Ltd.

  (Appointed 26 October 1987)

  Mr. K. A. Bray

  Managing Director

  GEC Asthom

  (Appointed 12 January 1994)

  Mr. R. Beresford

  Managing Director

  Mott McDonald

  (Appointed 12 January 1994)

  Mr. I. Robinson

  Chairman and Managing Director

  John Brown plc

  (Appointed 28 January 1994)

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff in his Department are covered by statutory sick pay.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: Approximately 12,700 staff in the Department are eligible to receive statutory sick pay. This total includes Departmental staff on loan or secondment out of the Department.

HEALTH

  Hormone Replacement Therapy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing the total expenditure on(a) hormone replacement therapy and (b) etidronate prescribed by general practitioners in each family health services authority area and NHS region for each of the last two complete years; and if she will also express this as an expenditure figure per head of the total population in each area, and also as an expenditure figure per head for women aged 45 years and over.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The net ingredient cost for products used for hormone replacement therapy in each family health services authority area and national health service region for 1991 and 1992 will be placed in the Library. Information for the drug disodium etidronate cannot be supplied as it is commercially confidential.

  Opticians
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last discussed form AG3 with opticians; what assessment she has made of form AG3 with respect to the optical section in particular; whether people likely to need this form are likely to be able readily to understand it; and what assessment she has made of whether opticians find the form to be simple and straightforward.
  323
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Planned changes to form AG3 are discussed periodically with the optical profession, most recently as part of a wider review of national health service forms and leaflets. In addition, family health services authorities provide comprehensive guidance to opticians about the national health service low-income scheme and form AG3 in order that they may give effective advice to patients. There are no grounds for believing that the form is other than simple and straightforward to use.

  Advisers
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the advisers to her Department for each of the professions allied to medicine, stating in each case whether they are full-time appointments, for what duration the appointments have been made and the method by which the appointees were selected; and if she will outline her policy on the future of such appointments.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department obtains advice in relation to the professions allied to medicine from professional staff employed within the Department and from a variety of outside expert sources, depending on the nature of the advice required. It is not our practice to publish details of individual appointments.

  Electric Power Lines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been(a) sponsored or (b) undertaken within her Department on the potential risks of overhead power cables and electricity transmission stations; and in what form these have been published.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department funds the National Radiological Protection Board which undertakes a programme of research into the effects on health of electromagnetic radiation. This includes sources of EM radiation such as power lines and electrical equipment. The board publishes its work in various documents, reports and other scientific forms.

  Patients' Views
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the companies commissioned by her Department to carry out polling and market research about patients' views in the year to 1 April 1993; and if she will list the areas of research, the questionnaires to be used and the groups to be questioned.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department of Health commissioned four market research projects about patients' views in the year to April 1993. These were:

  Subject

  Questionnaires

  Groups

  Pregnancy Booklet

  Omnibus Survey

  Pregnant Mothers

  Oral Syringe

  Group discussions/interviews

  Parents of children having treatment/had treatment

  NHS Waiting Lists

  Group discussions/interviews

  Sample of general public

  Health Information Service

  Group discussions/interviews

  Sample of general public

  The companies commissioned to carry out these projects were Research Surveys of Great Britain, the Qualitative Consultancy, Counterpoint Research and Craig Ross Davidson.
  324
  Since 1990 the Department has contributed towards the cost of the British social attitudes survey carried out by social and community planning research, which monitors trends in social attitudes towards a range of issues including health and health services.

  The Department has also had questions included in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys general household survey on general practitioner attendances, hospital in-patient stays, out-patient visits and day cases.

  Care Plans
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of national health service patients had written community care plans at the time of their discharge from hospital in 1992–93.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mentally Ill People
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the changes in the number of places in staffed residential care homes catering primarily for people who are mentally ill or have learning disabilities(a) in the South Birmingham health authority area, (b) in the West Midlands health authority area and (c) in England in each of the last five years divided into publicly owned, privately owned and voluntary sector owned.

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

  Number of places in staffed residential care homes catering primarily for people who are mentally ill or have learning disabilities by sector, at 31 March 1988 to 31 March 1992

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  South Birmingham district health authority1

  Local authority

  168

  164

  190

  150

  206

  Voluntary

  109

  124

  113

  135

  152

  Private

  57

  66

  74

  72

  104

  West Midlands regional health authority

  Local authority

  2,265

  2,275

  2,222

  2,173

  2,184

  Voluntary

  971

  1,015

  1,107

  1,276

  1,466

  Private

  1,500

  1,470

  1,674

  1,796

  1,825

  England

  Local authority

  19,650

  20,130

  19,770

  19,500

  18,960

  Voluntary

  8,150

  9,490

  10,970

  13,010

  15,500

  Private

  13,090

  15,270

  17,450

  19,110

  20,420

  1On 1 April 1991 South Birmingham merged with Central Birmingham to produce the single district health authority. South Birmingham. To reflect this, the combined figures have been given for each year prior to the merger.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each health authority in England as at July 1993, whether it had published a guaranteed maximum waiting time for patients seeking(a) hip and knee replacements and (b) cataract removals; and what waiting times were guaranteed by each authority that had done so.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Under the patients charter, local health authorities are expected to make available detailed information on health services, including quality standards and maximum waiting times. Local standards are not
  325
  monitored separately, but as a minimum all must meet the national guarantee that all patients waiting for a hip or knee replacement or a cataract operation are treated within 18 months.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the subjects on which her Department or its predecessors formerly answered parliamentary questions but which are now referred by her to an executive agency.

  Mr. Sackville
  Next steps agency chief executives are usually asked to reply to parliamentary questions about day-to-day operational matters of their agency and on subjects for which they have delegated responsibility, as set out in their agency's framework document.

  Whooping Cough
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about any recent change in the incidence of whooping cough; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Although the current winter is one in the epidemic cycle when increases would have been expected in whooping cough notifications, they have remained at exceptionally low levels.

  Provisional notifications in 1993 were 4,030 against 11,663 in 1989, the comparable year in the epidemic cycle. These very low notifications reflect the very high immunisation coverage of 93 per cent. at November 1993.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she has taken to ensure that all those children who were not vaccinated for whooping cough but who, following the change in medical advice, might be considered suitable for vaccination, have been contacted and given the opportunity to receive the vaccination.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is for individual general practitioners to identify children who in the past did not complete their whooping cough immunisation.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what directions she has issued, following the change in medical advice given three years ago on the use of the whooping cough vaccination for children with a family history of fits.

  Mr. Sackville
  Advice on whooping cough immunisation was issued to all doctors in the United Kingdom in July 1992 in the memorandum "Immunisation against Infectious Disease", copies of which are available in the Library. This provides guidance for doctors, practice nurses and health visitors on the use of the vaccine in children with a variety of family or personal histories.

  Orthodontic Treatment
  Ms. Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many practising orthodontists work in the NHS in each health authority area in England.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Any dentist who has the necessary facilities, experience or expertise may provide orthodontic treatment.
  326
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the average waiting time for orthodontic treatment for each health authority area in England.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A full comparison of average in-patient and day case waiting times for the orthodontic specialty is not possible because health authorities may record orthodontic treatment under different categories, for example, out-patient activity or general surgery.

  Benzene
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her Department's assessment of the health hazard posed by benzene vapour releases from petrol.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Ms Jackson) on 26 January at columns 297–98.

  Leeds Healthcare
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that the circumstances identified in the health service commissioner's report on Leeds healthcare failure to provide long-term health care to a patient seriously incapacitated after a stroke are not repeated elsewhere; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  As part of the new community care arrangements we have required health and local authorities to agree their respective responsibilities for long-term care. This should be done in the light of their assessment of the best way to provide a comprehensive service to meet the needs of their local populations. We have also required them to agree co-ordinated hospital discharge arrangements. In addition, the chief executive of the National Health Service Management Executive wrote to all health authority managers, trust chief executives and unit general managers on 20 January 1994, EL(94)8, to remind them of the importance of having in place explicit and comprehensive discharge procedures which should be reviewed regularly. Copies of the letter are available in the Library.

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many live births there were in 1993.

  Mr. Sackville
  A provisional estimate of the number of live births occurring in England and Wales in 1993 is 674,000.

  West Midlands Patient Transport Service
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the West Midlands health authority received a request for arbitration concerning the patient transport service; and from whom.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for West Midlands Health. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Bryan Baker, chairman of that authority, for details.

  Pharmaceutical Industry
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the prospects of the pharmaceutical industry.
  327
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The pharmaceutical industry has a long record of success in the United Kingdom. The industry employs about 80,000 people in the United Kingdom and has a positive balance of trade—estimated at about £1·5 billion for 1993, the second largest contribution to the United Kingdom balance of trade. We expect the industry to continue to be successful in the years to come.

  James Paget Hospital, Gorleston
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the guarantees she has given on the presumption that following the dismantling of the Great Yarmouth and Waveney district health authority on 1 April, the James Paget hospital, Gorleston, shall be deemed the local hospital for the people of north Suffolk; and what qualifications to these guarantees she now expects to make.

  Mr. Sackville
  The East Anglian regional health authority has given a comprehensive package of guarantees to the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney. Ministers would expect the guarantees to be honoured or to have explained, in clear terms, why that was not possible. Copies of the guarantees will be placed in the Library.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those topics on which it is not her practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if she will list any recent changes in the practice of her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

SCOTLAND

  Mr. Douglas Mason
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what way Mr. Douglas Mason has been commissioned, employed or retained by his Department, or any agency, organisation, company or body appointed or funded by his Department, at any time during the last three years; what were his functions, responsibilities and duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Mr. Douglas Mason has been a member of Glenrothes development corporation board since 1 January 1985, when he was appointed as a local authority member; he was last reappointed on 1 January 1992 and his current period of office is expected to run until 31 December 1995 when the corporation is due to be wound up. The duties involved are attendance at the corporation's meetings, which are normally held once a month, and any such tasks as may from time to time be allotted to individual members. The responsibilities of the development corporation are laid out in section 3 of the New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 and the constitution and proceedings of development corporations covered by schedule 2 of the Act. Appointees to a development corporation also receive a copy of the code of conduct for board members. I have arranged for a copy of that code of conduct to be placed in the Library of the House. Mr. Mason has not been commissioned, employed or retained otherwise by my 328
  Department or any of its agencies. I am not aware if he has been so engaged by any other body funded by my Department.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure by his Department on (1) internal and (2) overseas travel by the Secretary of State in 1990–91 after 28 November 1990, 1991–92, 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94.

  Mr. Lang
  My ministerial colleagues and I have a single travel budget so I am unable to provide a budgetary figure. Details of actual expenditure from the use of public transport for the period 28 November 1990 until 31 January 1994 are as follows:

  Internal (£)

  Overseas (£)

  28 November 1990 to 31 March 1991

  3,180

  375

  1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992

  8,066

  5,636

  1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993

  6,495

  5,045

  1 April 1993 to 31 January 1994

  5,144

  11,406

  Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the terms of reference of the public inquiry on the electricity interconnector with England.

  Mr. Stewart
  The application by ScottishPower to upgrade the existing 275 KV transmission line between Strathaven and Harker to 400 KV was referred to a public inquiry in 1991. This was conducted by a reporter from the Scottish Office inquiry reporters unit. His minute of appointment required him to report to my right hon. Friend on the placing above ground of transmission lines in certain defined areas for the reason that the proprietors had refused to give consent to the placing thereover of the said lines and to consider the objections to the erection of the said lines.

  Children in Hospital
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the number of children at present inappropriately placed in long-stay hospitals.

  Mr. Stewart
  Excluding those on respite care, there are currently 21 children aged 15 or under who are long-term residents in NHS facilities, of which only five are located in a hospital. It is for individual health boards, as purchasers of health care, together with the other care agencies to assess whether continuing in-patient care is appropriate to an individual child's needs.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what target date he has set for the discharge of those children with disabilities who are being inappropriately cared for, at present, in long-stay hospitals; and what progress has been made since the publication of the White Paper, "Scotland's Children", on finding appropriate accommodation and support for such children.

  Mr. Stewart
  We have established that there is only a small number of children under 16 who are long stay

  329
  residents in national health service facilities. Many have complex needs and we will be discussing with health boards and social work departments the best form of facilities for them.

  Renfrew Health Care Trust
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the responsibilities of the Renfrew Health Care Trust; if he will list the members of the trust; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Renfrewshire Healthcare was established as an NHS trust on 6 December 1993 and as a "shadow" trust has the limited functions of entering into NHS contracts and other contracts including contracts of employment, acquiring or disposing of land and other property, and doing such other things as are necessary to prepare the Trust for full operation from 1 April 1994. From that date the Trust's functions will be to own and manage Dykebar, Hawkhead, Bridge of Weir, Merchiston, Johnstone and Ravenscraig hospitals and any establishments, facilities and support services associated with those hospitals. In so doing the Trust will be responsible for achieving such financial objectives as are set for it by the Secretary of State.

  The members of the Trust are:

  Chairman

  Dr. John Moffat

  Non-executive Directors

  Mr. Basil Baird

  Mrs. Margaret Foggie

  Mrs. Jean Goldie

  Mr. John Hornibrook

  Mr. David McNiven

  Chief Executive

  Mr. Ken Brewer

  Medical Director

  Dr. John McCurley

  Director of Finance

  Mrs. Lyn Hollis

  Director of Personnel

  Mr. Malcolm Dickinson

  Director of Nursing

  Still to be appointed.

  Exports
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the value of exports which derive from each local authority district in Scotland, expressed both in cash terms and as a percentage of the total; if he will also show the estimated per capita value of these exports for each district; and if he will make a statement on the variations between districts.

  Mr. Stewart
  This information is not available. However, the Scottish Council Development and Industry, which produces the Annual Survey of Scottish Manufactured Exports, also compiles reports commissioned by a number of local enterprise companies. These reports are published and are available from SCDI.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the executive agencies which are responsible to his Department.

  Mr. Lang
  I am responsible for five executive agencies in the Scottish Office. These are:330

  Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Historic Scotland

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  In addition, I am responsible for two independent departments which are also executive agencies. These are the Registers of Scotland and the Scottish Record Office.

  I have announced that the student awards branch of the Scottish Office will become an executive agency from 5 April 1994. The fisheries research service and roads directorate of the Scottish Office and the Scottish Court Service, part of the Scottish Courts Administration, are currently under consideration for executive agency status.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of Alzheimer's disease have been identified within Scotland; how many of those affected are(a) hospitalised, (b) in residential care and (c) being cared for in the community; and what further assistance he proposes to provide to carers.

  Mr. Stewart
  The figures requested are not available. However, there were 4,666 patients with dementia in mental illness hospitals and psychiatric units at the end of 1992. There were 4,145 people in residential homes for the elderly reported by the homes as being mentally confused at 31 March 1992. Estimates suggest that there are up to about 90,000 people suffering from some form of dementia. An estimated 60 per cent. of these suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

  Local authorities have lead responsibility for assisting carers. It is for authorities to decide the particular services which they provide, drawing on the substantial resources provided for the implementation of community care.

  Stoddard's Carpet Factory
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited Stoddard's carpet factory in Elderslie; what plans he has to make a ministerial visit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend visited Stoddard's factory in 1987 as the Scottish Office Minister with responsibility for industry and home affairs. He has no plans to re-visit the factory. There have been more recent visits to the factory by our officials.

  Fox Hunting
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ban fox hunting on all land over which he has jurisdiction.

  Sir Hector Monro
  No.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department now recognises the classification of myalgic encephalomyelitis as a disease by the World Health Organisation; what plans he has to give health boards guidance on the treatment of this disease; what funds he will make available for research into its prevention and cure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The version of the international classification of diseases currently in operation in Scotland
  331
  is the ninth revision, ICD9, which does not have a specific code for myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME, although it can be recorded under "unspecified encephalopathy". The next revision, ICD10, which has a code for "Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis", is expected to come into operation in Scotland in spring 1996.

  As a matter of principle, the Government do not issue clinical guidance, since that is the responsibility of the medical profession.

  The chief scientist office of the Scottish Office Home and Health Department is always prepared to give consideration to applications for scientifically bases research projects related to ME.

  CPC (United Kingdom) Ltd.
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of CPC (United Kingdom) Ltd., to discuss the continuance and development of their food manufacturing operation in Paisley; when he next plans to meet them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has had no meeting with representatives of CPC (United Kingdom) Ltd. to discuss the future of the company's operation in Paisley, and he has no plans for such a meeting. Our officials in Locate in Scotland, however, have met representatives of the company and are maintaining contact.

  Co-operative Movement
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans Her Majesty's Government have to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the co-operative movement by the Rochdale pioneers.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government have no such plans.

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the places which are being considered as future venues for meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee.

  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Grand Committee is a Committee of the House of Commons and accordingly responsibility for arranging meeting venues lies with the authorities of the House.

  OPEN Project, Paisley
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide funding which will allow the one person employment network project in Paisley,

  Scottish Ambulance Service Operational Staff Establishment 1984–1994—Whole Time Equivalents

  1984–85

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  168

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  219

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  418

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  268

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  125

  Greater Glasgow

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  303

  Highland and Western Isles

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  95

  Tayside

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  124

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,720

  332
  operated by ENABLE from urban aid funding services, to extend its catchment area beyond areas of priority treatment; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The area covered by the OPEN project was defined in the application for urban programme support submitted by Strathclyde regional council in November 1991. Extending the project's boundaries would be a matter for the regional council. Urban programme support is available only in those areas designated as eligible for such funding.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the shortfall of provision of sheltered housing to meet known needs in Renfrew district; how long it will take at current expenditure levels to match provision to need; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A comparison between the actual number of sheltered housing units in Renfrew district notified by the district council and the guideline figure of need estimated in accordance with the Scottish Office Environment Department circular 8191 "Housing and Community Care" suggests that there may be a shortfall of 466 units in the district. It is, however, for the local authority to make its own estimate of the level of need and set targets for meeting that need based on its knowledge of local circumstances and other competing priorities for investment.

  Local Housing authorities are not expected to provide all sheltered housing in their district, but to work with other housing agencies, including Scottish Homes, to meet local needs. Renfrew District Council should take into account the contribution of Scottish Homes and other housing providers when setting targets for meeting their estimated need for sheltered housing.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number and grades of the operational staff employed by the Scottish ambulance service in each area or division in each year since 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information requested is shown in the following table. The whole-time equivalent number of operational staff has risen from 1,720 in 1984 to 2,195 in 1994—an increase of nearly 28 per cent.
  333

  1985—–86

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  167

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  225

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  433

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  267

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  130

  Greater Glasgow

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  302

  Highland and Western Isles

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  97

  Tayside

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  130

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,751

  1986–87

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  13

  147

  10

  170

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  13

  201

  10

  224

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  16

  331

  91

  438

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  8

  252

  14

  274

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  14

  107

  10

  131

  Greater Glasgow

  18

  201

  91

  310

  Highland and Western Isles

  15

  82

  —

  97

  Tayside

  8

  103

  20

  126

  Total

  105

  1,424

  246

  1,775

  1987–88

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  12

  121

  42

  175

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  11

  173

  49

  233

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  12

  301

  129

  442

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  8

  189

  76

  273

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  15

  104

  22

  141

  Greater Glasgow

  11

  159

  122

  292

  Highland and Western Isles

  16

  85

  1

  102

  Tayside

  8

  101

  21

  130

  Total

  93

  1,233

  462

  1,788

  1988–89

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Baric grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  10

  96

  64

  170

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  13

  142

  88

  243

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  19

  243

  191

  453

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  8

  151

  111

  270

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  14

  82

  46

  142

  Greater Glasgow

  11

  96

  176

  283

  Highland and Western Isles

  15

  70

  21

  106

  Tayside

  8

  78

  55

  141

  Total

  98

  958

  752

  1,808

  1989–90

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  6

  135

  36·6

  177·6

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  8

  190

  39·1

  237·1

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  16

  321

  99·4

  436·4

  334 335

  1989–90

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  7

  196

  43·2

  246·2

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  4

  117

  24·6

  145·6

  Greater Glasgow

  14

  151

  117·9

  282·9

  Highland and Western Isles

  8

  95

  10·0

  113·0

  Tayside

  9

  93

  44·0

  141·0

  Total

  72

  1,298

  414·8

  1,784·8

  1990–91

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  6

  134

  38·8

  178·8

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  9

  187

  50·1

  246·1

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  17

  327

  109·6

  453·6

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  9

  196

  71·5

  276·5

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  4

  128

  32·4

  164·4

  Greater Glasgow

  15

  153

  107·6

  275·6

  Highland and Western Isles

  7

  98

  14·7

  119·7

  Tayside

  9

  94

  40·8

  143·8

  Total

  76

  1,317

  465·5

  1,858·5

  1991–92

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  6

  140

  56·9

  202·9

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  8

  197

  79·5

  284·5

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  15

  380

  131·1

  526·1

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  7

  195

  74·6

  276·6

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  3

  137

  48·7

  188·7

  Greater Glasgow

  14

  160

  91·4

  265·4

  Highland and Western Isles

  7

  126

  20·5

  265·5

  Tayside

  7

  101

  43·7

  151·7

  Total

  67

  1,436

  546·4

  2,049·4

  1992–93

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  28

  125

  56·6

  209·6

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  48

  171

  69·5

  288·5

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  70

  319

  142·3

  531·5

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  43

  157

  81·4

  281·4

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  25

  125

  46·7

  196·7

  Greater Glasgow

  25

  135

  122·7

  282·7

  Highland and Western Isles

  27

  110

  19·0

  156·0

  Tayside

  22

  88

  45·2

  155·2

  Total

  288

  1,230

  583·4

  2,101·4

  1993–94

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  27

  127

  57·4

  211·4

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  49

  171

  76·5

  296·5

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  70

  325

  159·8

  554·8

  Forth Valley and Lanarkshire

  43

  162

  82·4

  287·4

  Grampian, Orkney and Shetland

  25

  131

  45·9

  201·9

  336 337

  1993–94

  Area

  Leading ambulance person

  Qualified ambulance technician

  Basic grade

  Total

  Greater Glasgow

  32

  159

  125·8

  316·8

  Highland and Western Isles

  27

  122

  18·8

  167·8

  Tayside

  22

  88

  48·6

  158·6

  Total

  295

  1,285

  615·2

  2,195·2

  n/a denotes not available.

  The figures relate to vehicle crews.

  Carpet Manufacturing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the state of the carpet manufacturing industry in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  The latest full year figures show that the output of the Scottish carpet industry increased by almost 6·5 per cent. between 1991 and 1992. However this was against the background of a downward trend in output since 1989. Employment in the industry has been broadly stable since 1991 at around 1,500 employees.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote on the international market carpets designed and manufactured in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Scottish carpet industry can benefit from a wide range of advice and assistance available from Scottish trade international, including the Government's overseas trade services. These include support for participation in industry specific overseas trade fairs. The Scottish Enterprise-funded Scottish textile design development scheme places design graduates with Scottish textile companies to assist in improving their design awareness and capabilities. The Scottish carpet industry has benefited from this scheme.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the precise duties and responsibilities of each Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested by the hon. Member is included in the Cabinet Office publication "List of Ministerial Responsibilities". Copies are distributed to hon. Members by the Vote Office.

  Councillors (Expenses)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the(a) special responsibility payments, (b) allowances, (c) subsistence allowances and (d) travelling expense rates of elected members of Scottish local authorities in the forthcoming financial year.

  Mr. Stewart
  The system of councillors' allowances and the travel and subsistence allowances scheme are currently under review.
  338

  Coylton-Ballantrae Power Line
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the organisations which have submitted objections to the proposal by Scottish Power to construct a power line from Coylton to Ballantrae, and the total number of members of the public and hon. Members of both Houses of Parliament who have submitted objections by the final date designated for the submission by such non-statutory bodies and individuals.

  Mr. Stewart
  The 17 organisations listed below have submitted objections to the proposals.

  Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland

  Ayrshire Tourist Board

  Barr Community Council

  Barhill Community Council

  Burns Country Tourist Association

  Coylton Branch SNP

  Coylton Community Council

  Crosshill, Straiton and Kirkmichael Community Council

  The Grey Man Hillwalking Club

  Leitrum Stop the Pylons Movement (Republic of Ireland)

  National Farmers Union—Ayr Area

  Pinwherry Community Association

  Pinwherry Community Council

  Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd.

  Scottish Landowners Federation

  Scottish Wildlife Trust

  Stonehouse Heritage Group

  In addition, approximately 5,500 representations have been received from members of the public and hon. Members of both Houses of Parliament.

  Scottish Co-operative Development Company
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Co-operative Development Company in economic development; what support is offered by his Department and by Scottish Enterprise; what guidelines he has issued to local enterprise companies on their relationships with the Scottish Co-operative Development Company; and if he will allocate additional funding to the Scottish Co-operative Development Company for the development of a phoenix unit.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government acknowledge that the Scottish Co-operative Development Company has performed a valuable role in helping to establish business co-operatives. One of the company's main sources of income is the urban programme, which is funded by the Scottish Office. The company currently receives no funding from Scottish Enterprise. It is open to local enterprise companies to contract with the Scottish Co-operative Development Company as they see fit; my right hon. Friend has issued no guidelines on this matter.

  The question of funding for a phoenix unit will be considered when the company submits its proposals to the Scottish Office.
  339

  Co-operatives
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to encourage the development of retail, wholesale and manufacturing co-operatives.

  Mr. Stewart
  Co-operatives have benefited and will continue to benefit from the range of Government policies designed to encourage the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Scottish Office funding for a number of co-operative projects has been made available through the urban programme, and applications for funding for other such projects can still be made.

  Patients
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many patients have been treated in national health service hospitals' private facilities in each year since 1987–88;

  (2) how much income has been generated by private patient facilities in national health service hospitals in each year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Stewart
  The number of private patients and the income generated are as follows:

  Financial year

  Number

  Income £

  1987–88

  1,300

  1,060,660

  1988–89

  1,139

  1,078,452

  1989–90

  1,301

  1,224,720

  1990–91

  1,430

  1,354,542

  1991–92

  1,567

  1,935,616

  1992–93

  11,209

  1,357,570

  1 Provisional figure.

  Dementia
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds are provided for people with dementia by each health board in Scotland and expressed as a percentage of the elderly population.

  Mr. Stewart
  The number of patients in psychogeriatric beds in hospital with a diagnosis of dementia as at 31 March 1993, the latest date for which complete information is available is shown in the following table.

  As at 31 March 1993

  Patients in hospital with a diagnosis of dementia

  Percentage of population 65+

  SCOTLAND

  5,364

  0·7

  Argyll and Clyde

  393

  0·6

  Ayrshire and Arran

  298

  0·5

  Borders

  157

  0·8

  Dumfries and Galloway

  188

  0·7

  Fife

  430

  0·8

  Forth Valley

  223

  0·6

  Grampian

  658

  0·9

  Greater Glasgow

  1,003

  0·7

  Highland

  217

  0·7

  Lanarkshire

  417

  0·6

  Lothian

  716

  0·6

  Orknéy

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  Tayside

  599

  0·9

  Western Isles

  65

  1·2

  340
  These figures exclude those in geriatric units with diagnosis of dementia for whom separate information is not centrally held.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish targets for the reduction of NHS continuing care provision for elderly people and people with dementia for each health board by(a) 1996 and (b) 2001; and if he will explain the criteria on which these targets are based.

  Mr. Stewart
  There are no set targets for the reduction of NHS continuing care provision. It is for individual health boards to determine future in-patient bed numbers, based on assessment of patients who are likely to require continuing specialist medical and nursing supervision.

  The scale and pace of any patient transfer programme is subject to local negotiation and agreement between the health and local authorities and founded on the basis of individual patient assessment.

  Hospital Staff Redundancies
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of redundancies among national health service hospital staff(a) by grade and (b) by reason for each year since 1988–89.

  Mr. Stewart
  Statistics on the redundancies in the NHS in Scotland are not collected centrally other than in respect of staff who are both over 50 years of age and have at least five years' reckonable service for superannuation purposes where a benefit is immediately payable under the National Health Service (Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Scotland) Regulations 1981. The total number of such premature retirement awards for the years since 1988–89 is as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases

  1988–89

  354

  1989–90

  1,040

  1990–91

  480

  1991–92

  625

  1992–93

  759

  A breakdown by hospital staff only and by grade and by reason of redundancy is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Homicides (Firearms)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many homicides involving(a) shotguns and (b) other firearms have taken place as a result of domestic incidents in each police force area in each of the last 10 years; and how many of the victims in each case were women.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information held on homicides gives details of the relationship between the victim and the accused but does not separately identify incidents involving shotguns from those involving other firearms.

  The available information is given in the table:

  341

  Total victims of homicide where the method of killing was shooting and the victim was a sibling, parent, spouse, whether separated or otherwise, cohabitee, lover or boyfriend etc., 1983–921

  Police force area

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Northern

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Tayside

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Fife

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Lothians and Borders

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Central

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  2

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  5

  —

  2

  2

  1 Information as at 4 February 1994. The number of incidents identified as homicides may change as a result of subsequent court proceedings.

  Female victims of homicide where the method of killing was shooting and the victim was a sibling, parent, spouse, whether separated or otherwise, cohabitee, lover or boyfriend etc., 1983–921

  Police force area

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Northern

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Fife

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothians and Borders

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Central

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Strathclyde

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  3

  —

  2

  —

  1 Information as at 4 February 1994. The number of incidents identified as homicides may change as a result of subsequent court proceedings.

  Local Government Pensions
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has to give to local authorities on enhancing the pensions of senior local government officers who choose to retire early; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The arrangements under which local authorities can make compensation payments to enhance the pensions of staff who retire prematurely on redundancy or in the interests of the efficiency of the service are set out in the Local Government (Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Scotland) Regulations 1979, as amended.

  These arrangements are currently being reviewed, in consultation with the local authorities.

  Cumbernauld Airport
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the sum realised from the sale of Cumbernauld airport.

  Mr. Stewart
  The airport was advertised for sale by Cumbernauld development corporation in 1993. Two formal offers were received and the development corporation sold the airport at a price of £71,000 to the existing operator and sitting tenant. The new owner is legally bound for the next 10 years to repay to the corporation any financial gains achieved from a change in use of the airport or 50 per cent. of any financial gains if the new owner extends at his cost the runway within five

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Berwickshire

  1·264

  0·860

  0·705

  0·824

  0·988

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  1·686

  1·631

  1·020

  0·936

  1·018

  Roxburgh

  2·225

  1·626

  1·184

  1·401

  1·260

  342
  years from the date of sale. These conditions are intended to ensure that the new owner continues to operate and develop the airport for the benefit of the Cumbernauld area.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of constructing Cumbernauld airport.

  Mr. Stewart
  A grass-surfaced airstrip was constructed by Cumbernauld development corporation in the 1950s. Information about the costs of construction and minor improvements in the period to 1986 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In 1987 the corporation constructed an asphalt runway, apron and taxi-ways, hangarage and terminal buildings at a cost of £2·27 million, £0·97 million of which was provided by the European regional development fund.

  Council House Sales
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total income received by each district council from the sales of council houses in each of the past five years; what percentage of these have been reclaimed by his Department, and what is the projected figure, from each council, for the building of new council housing in the next financial year.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The following table gives details of district council receipts from the sale of council houses for the years 1988–89 to 1992–93. The Department does not reclaim any such receipts.

  Information on the numbers of new council houses which district councils plan to build in the next financial year is not held centrally.
  343

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–95

  Tweeddale

  0·532

  0·581

  0·346

  0·315

  0·527

  Clackmannan

  3·668

  3·889

  2·762

  2·461

  3·273

  Falkirk

  11·963

  10·241

  8·301

  8·302

  10·604

  Stirling

  4·716

  5·714

  4·748

  4·691

  5·678

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1·891

  2·418

  1·796

  1·762

  2·193

  Nithsdale

  3·824

  2·876

  1·953

  1·890

  2·288

  Stewartry

  0·861

  0·950

  0·675

  0·931

  0·988

  Wigtown

  1·249

  1·003

  1·054

  1·233

  2·367

  Dunfermline

  8·187

  7·993

  6·186

  5·517

  5·261

  Kirkcaldy

  6·752

  7·515

  6·982

  7·247

  6·991

  North East Fife

  2·901

  3·958

  2·224

  2·778

  2·529

  Aberdeen

  8·328

  7·964

  9·596

  10·047

  18·989

  Banff and Buchan

  3·465

  3·275

  2·729

  4·007

  4·919

  Gordon

  1·073

  1·709

  1·897

  2·683

  2·984

  Kincardine and Deeside

  0·860

  0·718

  0·853

  1·442

  2·048

  Moray

  4·238

  4·693

  3·196

  3·933

  3·813

  Badenooh and Strathspey

  0·612

  0·807

  0·390

  0·516

  0·471

  Caithness

  0·819

  0·452

  0·505

  0·487

  0·812

  Inverness

  1·985

  3·111

  2·705

  2·446

  3·839

  Lochaber

  1·389

  1·858

  1·700

  1·266

  1·348

  Nairn

  0·245

  0·277

  0·367

  0·453

  0·470

  Ross and Cromarty

  1·353

  1·346

  1·633

  2·469

  3·135

  Skye and Lochalsh

  0·346

  0·199

  0·400

  0·334

  0·398

  Sutherland

  0·420

  0·362

  0·327

  0·706

  0·730

  East Lothian

  10·633

  8·239

  5·545

  6·849

  6·271

  Edinburgh

  21·016

  27·512

  23·952

  18·923

  13·956

  Midlothian

  7·123

  6·585

  5·854

  3·951

  3·855

  West Lothian

  5·904

  9·709

  6·293

  5·608

  7·471

  Argyll and Bute

  1·635

  2·369

  2·898

  3·818

  3·226

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0·605

  0·943

  1·319

  1·057

  0·820

  Clydebank

  4·355

  4·689

  5·964

  4·539

  4·855

  Clydesdale

  3·742

  4·415

  2·191

  2·180

  2·287

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  1·787

  1·744

  1·130

  1·348

  1·439

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  2·624

  2·043

  1·589

  1·945

  2·243

  Cunninghame

  7·714

  9·658

  6·458

  5·724

  4·917

  Dumbarton

  4·775

  6·915

  4·758

  2·802

  4·319

  East Kilbride

  1·028

  0·881

  0·645

  0·625

  0·774

  Eastwood

  0·895

  0·787

  0·731

  0·334

  0·720

  Glasgow

  29·199

  45·912

  46·957

  41·513

  39·163

  Hamilton

  7·870

  10·427

  9·317

  6·473

  10·166

  Inverclyde

  2·510

  3·138

  2·922

  3·498

  5·000

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  6·184

  7·317

  3·850

  4·059

  4·037

  Kyle and Carrick

  8·015

  8·195

  5·983

  5·395

  6·921

  Monklande

  6·452

  10·853

  8·306

  6·256

  9·661

  Motherwell

  9·531

  11·530

  12·600

  9·383

  10·415

  Renfrew

  13·306

  15·964

  11·584

  10·432

  11·984

  Strathkelvin

  5·513

  4·474

  3·358

  3·808

  4·228

  Angus

  4·096

  3·837

  2·999

  3·809

  3·306

  Dundee

  8·120

  14·661

  18·405

  11·007

  9·392

  Perth and Kinross

  4·999

  6·147

  5·369

  5·537

  5·835

  Torness (Spent Fuel)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 December,Official Report, column 1025, when he expects to make an announcement on the public inquiry into the spent fuel store at Torness.

  Mr. Stewart
  I have nothing to add to my earlier answer.

  Boundary Commission
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the present members of the Boundary Commission for Scotland; and for what terms they have been appointed.

  Mr. Lang
  The members of the Boundary Commission for Scotland are:

  Madam Speaker, ex-officio, Chairman.

  The Hon. Lord Davidson—appointed as deputy chairman by the Lord President of the Court of Session on 25 September 1985 and subsequently re-appointed.

  Professor Urlan A. Wannop—appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 6 June 1983 and subsequently re-appointed.

  Mr. Adam R. Napier-appointed by the Secretary of State on 2 May 1985 and subsequently re-appointed.

  344
  The appointed member's terms of office expire on 31 December 1996.

  Community Action Volunteers Scheme
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if child care provision or payments for the cost of child care or care of infirm relatives will be made available for participants on the community action volunteers scheme.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mrs. Maria Fyfe, dated 9 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Employment has asked met to reply to your question to the Secretary of State for Scotland about Community Action as this programme is being delivered by the Employment Service.

  345
  In line with other Employment Service programmes, there are no specific arrangements to provide child care or expenses to cover the cost of child care or care of infirm relatives for Community Action participants.
  Community Action is, though, a part-time programme consisting of a minimum of 18 hours work experience and three hours jobsearch activity each week. This allows some flexibility in participation and programme providers are encouraged to exercise this flexibility in order to allow people with caring responsibilities to attend. At their discretion, providers are able to make child care facilities available to participants. A part of the payment made to providers can be used as a contribution for this purpose.
  Participation in the programme is, though, in all cases, voluntary.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Business Bureaucracy
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives his Department have undertaken to reduce bureaucracy for businesses in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: The Scottish Office, in common with all Government Departments, actively pursues the objectives of the deregulation initiative. These include the removal or streamlining of regulations which add to business costs and threaten competitiveness. It is intended that the regulatory burden on business be as light as possible without reducing important standards of protection for individuals, business or the environment. The current main elements of the deregulation initiative include the publication of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill. Details of other measures are contained in a variety of booklets published by, and available from, the Department of Trade and Industry deregulation unit. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many landowners in Scotland are receiving annual payments under the arable area payments scheme in the latest financial year of(a) up to £100,000, (b) between £100,000 and £500,000, (c) between £500,000 and £1,000,000 and (d) over £1,000,000; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: Under the arable area payments scheme in the current financial year, 9,401 payments of up to £100,000 were made to Scottish producers and a further seven payments of between £100,000 and £500,000. There have been no payments in excess of £500,000.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases payments to farmers and landowners under the arable area payments scheme have been withheld or recovered in Scotland; what is the amount of money withheld or recovered in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: Every case in which payments have to be withheld or recovered, for whatever reason, is examined very carefully and applicants have an opportunity to comment before a final decision is taken. This means that it is only possible to provide very provisional figures at this stage. Over 20
  346
  cases have so far been reduced or withheld entirely but there are further cases still under consideration. These figures exclude penalties for late applications and adjustments made following corrections notified by the applicant under the special arrangements which applied in 1993 for dealing with genuine errors in the completion of the IACS forms. The total amounts withheld in individual cases vary considerably.

  Abortion
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures for the number of terminations of pregnancies occurring in Scotland in 1992(a) by age, (b) by district health authority and (c) by gestation and the numbers being carried out within and outside the national health service.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: The information requested is published in "Scottish Health Statistics 1993", which is available in the Library of the House.

  Roman Catholic Schools
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Archbishop of Glasgow, in respect of a meeting to discuss the implications for Roman Catholic schools of local government reorganisation; and what response he has made.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend and I have corresponded on a number of occasions with the Roman Catholic Church authorities, including the Archbishop of Glasgow, about representations which the Church has made about local government re-organisation and we have indicated our willingness to meet to discuss matters further.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who are the members currently appointed to the Security Commission.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The members of the Security Commission are:

  The right hon. the Lord Lloyd of Berwick (Chairman)

  The right hon. Lord Justice Butler-Sloss (Alternative Chairman)

  Sir John Blelloch, KCB

  Lieutenant General Sir Derek Boorman, KCB

  Sir Christopher Curwen, KCMG

  Lord Tombs of Brailes

  Sir Patrick Wright, GCMG

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Advertising.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The current membership of the Advisory Committee on Advertising is:

  Mr. Brian Nicholson (Chairman)

  Mr. Charles Auld

  Mrs. Anne Ferguson

  347

  Mr. Howard Mann

  Mr. John Mellon

  Mr. Eric Nicoli

  Mr. Nick Phillips

  Mr. Richard Spelman

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the subjects on which the Office of Public Service and Science or its predecessors answered parliamentary questions but which are not referred by him to an executive agency.

  Mr. David Davis
  Next steps agency chief executives would usually be asked to reply to parliamentary questions about the day-to-day operational matters of their agency and on subjects for which they have delegated responsibility, as set out in their agency's framework document.

  Bills (Drafting)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consider allowing hon. Members to seek advice from parliamentary counsel on the drafting of parliamentary Bills which have been duly presented to the House.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent him on 10 January.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Fraud
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many employees were judged to be guilty of fraud in his Department in each year since 1989; and how many were dismissed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the Departments and agencies for which I am responsible, and in other areas which fall to the Cabinet Office vote, the figures are:

  Employees judged to be guilty of fraud

  Employees dismissed

  1989

  Nil

  —

  1990

  1Nil

  —

  1991

  2

  1

  1992

  Nil

  —

  1993

  2

  2

  1Two loaned officers were included in the response of their parent Department.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his Department's policy for dealing with employees found guilty of fraud.
  348
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Employees found guilty of fraud in my Departments are dealt with under their disciplinary procedures and where appropriate the criminal code. The disciplinary procedures provide for a range of penalties including dismissal.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the board of the National Film and Television School.

  Mr. Brooke
  The current governors of the board of the National Film and Television School are:

  Mr. David Puttnam (Chairman)

  Mr. Andy Allan

  Ms Moria Armstrong

  Lord Brabourne CBE

  Ms Barbara Grigor

  Ms Linda James

  Ms Sue Lawley

  Mr. Gus MacDonald

  Mr. Frank McGettigan

  Mr. Jonathan Powell

  Ms Sarah Radclyffe

  Mr. Alan Sapper

  Ms Noella Smith

  Mr. Brian Tesler CBE

  Ms Christine Walker

  Mr. Charles Wesoky

  Mr. Michael William-Jones

  Mr. Euryn Ogwen Williams

  Mr. Will Wyatt

  Mr. Alan Yentob

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the regional councils for sport and recreation.

  Mr. Brooke
  I appoint seven members of each of the regional councils for sport and recreation, including the chairman and one vice-chairman. The current appointees are:

  Northern

  Sam Stoker (Chairman)

  Michael Berry (Vice-Chairman)

  Steve Cram MBE

  Mrs. Joan Harrison

  Ms Irene Lucas

  Bobby Moncur

  Ted Wrangham

  North West

  Jim Cochrane CBE (Chairman)

  Richard Greenwood (Vice-Chairman)

  Councillor Marie Birkenhead

  Tony Cann

  Alan Pearson

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  David Oxley OBE (Chairman)

  Brigadier Dennis Shuttleworth (Vice-Chairman)

  John Cornwell

  Roger Greenwood

  Brian Hayhurst

  Mrs. Stephanie Park

  Professor Margaret Talbot OBE

  East Midlands

  Andrew Hancock (Chairman)

  Chris Simpson (Vice-Chairman)

  Ms Eileen Langsley

  Cohn Rains

  349

  James Rawson

  Peter Wright

  Eastern

  Trevor Brooking MBE (Chairman)

  Mike Turner (Vice-Chairman)

  Dr. Thomas Crisp

  Peter Edwards

  Ms Liz Hobbs MBE

  Tom McNab

  Ms Fatima Whitbread MBE

  London

  Fred Smallbone (Chairman)

  John Lelliott (Vice-Chairman)

  Peter Nathan

  Andy Ripley

  Reverend Theo Samuel

  Reg Scarlett

  Raman Subba Row CBE

  South East

  Geoffrey Dunn (Chairman)

  Dr. Ida Webb (Vice-Chairman)

  John Barclay

  Miss Suzanne Law

  Roger Quinton

  Ms Dinah Simmons

  Mike Whittingham

  Southern

  Mrs. Phyllis Avery (Chairman)

  David Duckham MBE

  Brian Hall

  John Leaning

  Mrs. Rosalie Monbiot OBE

  Steven Redgrave MBE

  South Western

  Don Perry (Chairman)

  Professor Neil Armstrong (Vice-Chairman)

  Mrs. Linda Bishop-Bailey

  Mrs. Christina Cahill

  Robert Reeves

  Dr. Ann Trotman MBE

  West Midlands

  Jim Munn MBE (Chairman)

  David Moorcroft (Vice-Chairman)

  Richard Callicott

  Mrs Zabida Choudhry

  Roger Pask

  Harry Wrublewski

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the board of the Crafts Council.

  Mr. Brooke
  The current members of the Crafts Council are as follows:

  Sir Nigel Broakes (Chairman)

  Tony Doggart (Vice-Chairman)

  Brian Asquith

  Polly Binns

  Michaela Butter

  Elizabeth Esteve-Coll

  Janet Fitch

  Ewen Henderson

  Luke Hughes

  Jonathan Lane

  Jeremy Newton

  Professor Eric Spiller

  Lady Vaizey

  Professor David Vaughan

  Moria Vincentelli

  350
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the board of the Arts Council.

  Mr. Brooke
  The current members of the Arts Council of Great Britain are as follows:

  Lord Palumbo of Walbrook (Chairman)

  Denys Hodson (Vice Chairman)

  Beverley Anderson

  William Brown

  Professor Christopher Frayling

  Peter Gummer

  Sir Ernest Hal

  Michael Holroyd

  Thelma Holt

  Clare Mulholland

  Mathew Prichard

  Clive Priestley

  Stella Robinson

  Prudence Skene

  Anthony Smith

  Robert Southgate

  Professor Colin St. John Wilson

  Television Licence Fee
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the reduction in the television licence fee for registered blind persons was first introduced; when it was set at £1·25; and what plans he has to increase it.

  Mr. Brooke
  The reduction in the television licence fee for registered blind people dates from the introduction of combined television and radio licences in 1946, when registered blind people became entitled to a reduction equivalent to the amount of the radio licence fee. This reduction replaced free radio licences for registered blind people, a concession believed to have been first introduced in 1926. Radio licences were abolished in 1971. The reduction in the television licence fee for registered blind people has remained at £1·25 ever since. The Government have no plans at present to increase the value of the concession.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he proposes to take to ensure that tickets for the national lottery are not sold to children, or in inappropriate places.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have today laid before this House regulations under section 12 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 to establish a number of restrictions on the manner in which national lottery tickets may be sold. Specifically, these regulations prohibit:

  the sale of tickets to any person under the age of 16;

  the sale of tickets in the street or at a person's home;

  sales of tickets in licensed betting offices, at racetracks, in amusement arcades, and in any bingo or gaming club;

  the sale of tickets by unattended vending machines.

  These regulations will ensure that the sale of national lottery tickets is properly controlled without creating unnecessary restrictions which would interfere with the selected operator's ability to make the lottery the great success we all expect.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made as to the adequacy of the administrative arrangements for the Arts Council as a channel for distributing money flowing from the proposed national lottery.
  351
  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: The Arts Council has been selected as a channel for distributing national lottery money, because of its experience and expertise in arts funding. The council is currently setting in place the necessary administrative arrangements, which I have no doubt will be adequate to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Brooke
  There has been no change in this Department from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Royal Palaces
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, columns 513–14, regarding accommodation at the occupied royal palaces, on what basis and by whom it is determined which staff pay rent, how it is assessed and reviewed and by whom; to whom it is paid; and how many pay rent for accommodation relating to each of the households.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: As a general rule, more senior staff pay rent and more junior staff have the benefit of accommodation taken into account in determining wage levels. The postholders who pay rent were determined in discussion with the Treasury some years ago.

  Rent, referred to as official accommodation deduction, is paid by 35 of the 220 employees to whom accommodation is provided. The rent or OAD is set at 8·5 per cent. of pre-tax salary, as notified by the Treasury. The amount deducted therefore increases automatically in line with salary increases. Those who pay rent are all employees of the Queen's household. The benefit of paying the reduced salary—the gross salary less the OAD -accrues to the account from which the salary is paid, principally the Queen's civil list or the grant in aid.

  For other employees, the value of accommodation is taken into account in determining wage salary levels. In the past, this was not done on a consistent basis for all employees. However, since the revised civil list arrangements were entered into with effect from 1 January 1991, the household has undertaken a complete review of its grading and salary structure, including the introduction of performance-related pay, and pay levels for each post now take into account the value of the benefit of accommodation on a formalised basis. For the majority of the residences, which are modest flats or cottages, the value is taken as the local authority rent for a similar-sized property. The account from which the salary is paid again benefits from the reduced salary cost.
  352

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the maximum permitted speeds and minimum permitted altitudes for Royal Air Force Vulcan aircraft, prior to their withdrawal from the strike/attack role, during low-level sorties while deployed to Nellis air force base, Nevada, for Red Flag exercises.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although records of heights and speeds flown by RAF Vulcan aircraft overseas are not available, inquiries indicate that the maximum permitted speed of 350 knots and minimum height of 300ft, which applied in the United Kingdom low-flying system, were also observed by Vulcan aircrew participating in red flag exercises; where appropriate aircraft would, however, have been authorised to fly down to 100ft to allow them to take full advantage of the weather conditions and facilities offered by these exercises.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of recording the noise level generated by Hawk aircraft flying at 150ft during Exercise Luce Belle.

  Mr. Hanley
  A recording of the noise generated by the Hawk aircraft at 150ft was taken during Exercise Luce Belle on the basis that the minimum authorised altitude for the aircraft is 100ft above ground level as explained in my answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 819, to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-level sorties were flown over the United Kingdom by each specified foreign air arm in each month since September 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of sorties flown by aircraft of foreign air forces in the United Kingdom low-flying system in each month since September 1993 to December 1993, the most recent month for which figures are available, were as follows:

  October

  November

  December

  Netherlands

  —

  —

  —

  France

  —

  2

  —

  Italy

  —

  8

  —

  Denmark

  —

  —

  3

  United States of America

  —

  —

  —

  Germany

  —

  —

  —

  Belgium

  —

  —

  —

  Canada

  —

  —

  —

  Spain

  —

  —

  —

  Portugal

  2

  —

  —

  Turkey

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  2

  10

  3

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying sorties carried out by each aircraft type in each month since June 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of low-flying sorties by aircraft type carried out in the United Kingdom for the period July 1993 to December 1993, the most recent month for which figures are available, were as follows:
  353

  Aircraft Type

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Buccaneer

  100

  139

  115

  137

  74

  54

  Harrier

  733

  406

  388

  543

  486

  471

  Hawk

  1,793

  1,400

  1,474

  1,101

  1,137

  486

  Jaguar

  625

  505

  444

  617

  301

  390

  Jet Provost

  76

  69

  50

  43

  —

  —

  Tornado

  2,045

  1,953

  1,893

  1,958

  1,504

  1,280

  Tucano

  871

  939

  801

  636

  468

  380

  F-15

  235

  325

  352

  178

  279

  288

  F-111

  266

  205

  130

  62

  34

  5

  Other Aircraft (including helicopters)

  4,887

  3,712

  4,871

  3,613

  3,984

  2,315

  Total

  11,631

  9,653

  10,518

  8,888

  8,267

  5,669

  The figures in the table do not include the number of sorties flown within LFA 10 as the information is not yet available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information was available to his Department on the frequency of night low flying over the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland when the decision was made not to include those areas in the system of numbered night low-flying areas; and if he will make a statement on the means used(a) to deconflict aircraft flying at low level at night over these areas and (b) to identify the aircraft involved in the event of a public complaint about military low flying at night over these areas.

  Mr. Hanley
  Information available to my Department indicates that only a small amount of night low flying is carried out in these areas, the majority of which is conducted during exercises. Deconflicting arrangements are made during the planning and briefing for such exercises. No complaints about night low flying over these areas have been received in the last five years.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of complaints received from addresses in each of the low flying areas in the United Kingdom in 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Low flying area

  Numbers of complaints or inquiries

  1

  278

  2

  836

  3

  19

  4

  368

  5

  516

  6

  374

  7

  556

  8

  232

  9

  69

  10

  14

  11

  388

  12

  230

  13

  25

  14

  459

  16

  583

  17

  531

  18

  205

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current minimum annual number of low-level flying hours required for combat ready Tornado GR1 pilots to maintain their currency to fly at 250ft; and 354
  what is the specified period of time beyond which pilots who have not flown at 250ft are required to carry out requalification.

  Mr. Hanley
  A Tornado GR1 pilot is required to complete a minimum of 80 low level sorties during annual training. Each low level sortie must include a minimum of 20 minutes of low flying at 250ft. There is no specified period of time beyond which re-qualification becomes necessary. However, if a combat ready pilot is unable to fly at low level for a period of time his squadron will implement a programme of workdown training prior to authorising him to resume unrestricted low flying at 250ft.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which document contains the regulation requiring that fixed low-flying routes are(a) used as little as possible and (b) replaced are regular intervals; and what maximum interval between such replacements is stipulated.

  Mr. Hanley
  The regulation requiring fixed routes to be used as little as possible and to be replaced at regular intervals is contained in the United Kingdom military low flying handbook. The stipulation is that fixed routes must be replaced at least twice a year.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the maximum permitted speeds and minimum permitted altitudes for Royal Air Force Vulcan aircraft, prior to their withdrawal from the strike/attack role, while conducting low-level training from Goose Bay, Canada; and if any such training was conducted outside fixed low level training routes.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although records of heights and speeds flown by RAF Vulcan aircraft overseas are not available, inquiries indicate that the maximum permitted speeds of 350 knots and the minimum height of 300ft, which applied to the United Kingdom low flying system, were also observed at Goose bay, apart from rare occasions when Vulcans were permitted to fly down to 100ft in preparation for red flag exercises. None of these sorties would have taken place outside fixed low-level training routes.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the operating authorities of low flying areas 2P, 3, 9 and 10 are permitted to allow fast jet aircraft to enter their low flying area when helicopters are also operating in the area at low level.

  Mr. Hanley
  Yes, the co-ordinating authorities of low-flying areas 2P, 3, 9 and 10 may, at their discretion, authorise fixed wing aircraft to enter the areas when helicopters are operating at low level.
  355
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of low-flying movements in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of low-flying movements carried out in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1993 was 262,973. These figures do not include the number of movements flown within the newly created low-flying area 10. Statistics for this area are not yet available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were flown over the United Kingdom by (a) Hercules aircraft and(b) all types of helicopters during 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of low-flying sorties carried out in the United Kingdom by Hercules aircraft and helicopters during 1993 were as follows:

  Year

  Hercules

  Helicopters

  1993

  2,242

  41,493

  These figures do not include the number of sorties flown within low-flying area 10 as this information is not yet available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to restricting the low flying avoidance area status of gliding sites on weekdays to those locations whose operators have been advised by his Department of specific weekday activity.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Civil Aviation Authority provide the location and operating times of all glider sites to the headquarters, military air traffic operations. Sites operating on a weekday are granted avoidance status on the basis of the information provided.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current minimum annual number of flying hours required for combat-ready Tornado GR1 pilots to maintain their currency to fly using terrain-following radar in instrument meteorological conditions(a) in daylight and (b) at night; what is the specified period of time beyond which a qualification to fly in these conditions lapses; and what changes have taken place in these requirements since 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  A combat ready Tornado GR1 pilot is required to complete a minimum of eight hours automatic terrain following radar—T14R—flying per year. No distinction is made between TFR flying in instrument meteorological conditions—IMC—by day or night. IMC TFR currency lapses if no qualifying sortie has been flown in the last 30 days. Once a pilot's TFR currency has lapsed he is required to complete a single 20 minute TFR sortie in visual meteorological conditions—VMC—prior to recommencing IMC training. Since 1989 the currency requirement for IMC TFR flying has reduced from 60 days to 30 days.

  USAF F-15E
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on the recent noise measurement trial involving the US air force F-15E aircraft.
  356
  Mr. Hanley
  A final analysis of the results of the F-15E noise trial is not yet available. A copy of the report of the trial will be placed in the Library of the House when it has been completed.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the date, location, aircraft type involved, altitude and joint airmiss working group determination of risk category and cause, for each air miss involving a military aircraft in 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will arrange for a copy of the list of all airmiss reports involving military aircraft in 1993, and which have been investigated to date by the joint airmiss working group, to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint airmiss working group report on the air miss between an RAF Tornado and a Jet Ranger helicopter over Caithness on 8 April 1992.

  Mr. Hanley
  A copy of the report is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Salisbury (Disturbance)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement in respect of the disturbance caused by troops from the 22 Royal Engineers and the 1 Battalion Irish Guards in Salisbury.

  Mr. Hanley
  On the night of 20–21 January in Salisbury two groups of soldiers were involved in a fight near a taxi rank. The military authorities are taking appropriate disciplinary action.

  No civilians were involved in the incident, no serious injuries were sustained and there was no damage to property.

  HMS Birmingham (Sabotage)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the results of the investigations carried out in respect of the suspected sabotage on HMS Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The investigations into the alleged sabotage onboard HMS Birmingham are continuing. I will write to the hon. Member once these have been completed.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure by his Department on (1) internal and (2) overseas travel by the Secretary of State in 1992–93 after 11 April 1992 and so far in 1993–94.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence is not allocated his own individual budget for travel purposes.

  From our records, the costs of his internal and overseas travel from 11 April 1992 to 31 January 1994 can be assessed as follows:

  Internal £

  Overseas £

  1992–93 (from 11 April 1992)

  37,146

  222,464

  1993–94 (to date)

  43,365

  187,153

  357
  Figures are approximate and cover the costs of Royal Air Force and civil flights. The 'internal' column includes some flights to Europe which it has not possible to identify separately in the time available.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ministerial visits have been made by representatives of his Department, over each of the last three years to(a) Indonesia, (b) Jordan, (c) Oman, (d) Nigeria, (e) Ecuador, (f) Malaysia and (g) India; and what was their main purpose in each case.

  Mr. Hanley
  Official visits by Ministers to the countries listed have been as follows:

  Indonesia

  Secretary of State—1991, 1993

  Under-Secretary of State (Armed Forces)—1991

  Jordan

  None

  Oman

  Secretary of State—1992, 1994

  Minister (Defence Procurement)—1991, 1992, 1993

  Nigeria

  None

  Ecuador

  Minister (Defence Procurement)—1992

  Malaysia

  Secretary of State—1991, 1993

  Minister (Defence Procurement)—1991

  Under-Secretary of State—1992, 1993

  Under-Secretary of State (Armed Forces)—1991

  India

  Under-Secretary of State—1993

  Ministerial visits are generally made to maintain and improve our defence relations with the host country. In each case a broad range of issues was discussed.

  RAF Chivenor
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of all refurbishment, upgrading and new build work carried out at RAF Chivenor over the last five years.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 16 December 1993,Official Report, columns 918–19.

  HMS Britannia
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates and places visited by HMS Britannia during its 1993 Mediterranean, Gulf and Indian ocean tour; which United Kingdom companies used the tour to promote their wares; what was the total cost of the tour; and what percentage of this cost was met by the companies.

  Mr. Hanley
  During HM Yacht Britannia's 1993 tour of the Mediterranean, Gulf and Indian ocean, port visits were made on the following occasions:

  Gibraltar—20–21 September

  Malta—24 September-1 October

  Souda Bay—3 October

  Istanbul—5–9 October

  358

  Piraeus—11–14 October

  Cyprus—16–25 October

  Djibouti—1 November

  Dammam—7–9 November

  Abu Dhabi—10–12 November

  Bombay—15–19 November

  Aden—24–25 November

  Suez—30 November

  Souda Bay—2 December

  Gibraltar—6 December

  Opportunities were taken to promote British business during the vists to Istanbul and Bombay. At Istanbul the following companies attended, under the auspices of British invisibles:

  Barclays de Zoete Wedd

  Barings International Finance

  Barings PLC

  Barings Security Ltd

  Clyde and Co

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Hill Samuel Bank

  Kleinwort Benson PLC

  McKenna and Co

  SG Warburg and Co Ltd

  SG Warburg Group PLC

  At Bombay, the royal yacht hosted 95 British companies; I shall place a copy of the list of these companies in the Library of the House.

  We do not maintain information on the costs of individual tours. Companies are required to pay additional costs associated with the hospitality afforded them.

  Belize
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are currently in Belize: and what plans there are to change this level in the next three years.

  Mr. Hanley
  Plans to evolve the British garrison in Belize into a training presence were announced to Parliament on 13 May 1993 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford at column 561. The draw-down of the garrison accordingly began on 1 January 1994 and there are currently around 1,300 service and civilian personnel in Belize. The draw-down will be completed by the end of September 1994. Thereafter, we plan to begin a programme of jungle training deployments from the United Kingdom, hosted by a resident training team in Belize.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent assessment has been made of persistence in the oceanic environment of chemical weapon agents used in(a) Operation Harness, (b) Operation Ozone and (c) Operation Negation in the Bahamas in the 1940s and 1950s;

  (2) what recent assessments have been made by his Department into the persistence in the environment of chemical pathogens used in Operation Cauldron in Scottish waters off Stornaway in 1952 and Operation Hesperus in Scottish waters in 1953.

  Mr. Hanley
  These are matters for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment—CBDE—under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham S. Pearson to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 9 February 1994:
  359
  Parliamentary Questions 26 and 519, Order Papers 2 and 3 February 1994

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what assessment has been made of the persistence in the environment of the biological agents used in Operations HARNESS, OZONE and NEGATION in the Bahamas in the 1940s and 1950s and in Operations CAULDRON and HESPERUS in the Scottish waters in 1952 and 1953 have been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The biological agents in these trials were disseminated from point sources either instantaneously or for a few minutes. As soon as the agents began their down-wind travel as an aerosol, the living microorganisms started to die naturally as a result of exposure to such factors as solar radiation. In addition, the agent would be diluted continuously to an increasing extent in the atmosphere so that the concentration rapidly dropped below one that might present any danger. Finally, gravitational forces would cause agent particles to be deposited on the sea. Any agent particles falling into the sea would be massively diluted as well as killed by the bactericidal and virucidal effects of the sea water.

  3. Thus dilution into the atmosphere, deposition of particles into the sea and the progressive decay of the microorganisms with ensuing loss of viability and infectivity meant that the biological agent aerosols have a finite life. In effect, the biological agents ceased to exist after some period of time and distance down-wind.

  4. Conditions were selected for these trials and downwind safety areas delineated from which shipping was kept away to ensure that there was no hazard to the public or to the environment.

  Service Personnel (Scotland)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing the numbers of service personnel stationed in Scotland during each of the last 15 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of United Kingdom regular forces stationed in Scotland, as at 1 July 1993, were as follows:

  Number

  1979

  19,016

  1980

  18,088

  1981

  18,943

  1982

  19,005

  1983

  18,732

  1984

  20,646

  1985

  20,108

  1986

  19,701

  1987

  19,627

  1988

  19,288

  1989

  20,035

  1990

  19,253

  1991

  18,246

  1992

  18,760

  1993

  19,000

  Gulf War (Foreign Government Payments)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what payments the British Government received from foreign Governments following the conclusion of the Gulf war; on what conditions the money was paid out; and on what it was spent;

  Total dwellings

  London

  Birmingham

  Lancashire

  Berkshire

  Service married quarters

  3,764

  102

  425

  1,245

  MOD Civilian Houses

  0

  0

  0

  219

  Total

  3,764

  102

  425

  1,464

  Vacant Dwellings

  Service married quarters

  567

  40

  46

  71

  360
  (2) if he will list the items on which the £660 million donated by the Kuwaiti Government to the British Government following the conclusion of the Gulf war was spent;

  (3) whether any of the £660 million paid by the Kuwaiti Government to the British Government following the conclusion of the Gulf war was given on the understanding that it would be paid to British service men as a bonus; and what amount was so paid;

  (4) what conditions were attached to the payment by the Kuwaiti Government to the British Government of £660 million following the conclusion of the Gulf war.

  Mr. Hanley
  Cash contributions made by other Governments towards the cost of the Gulf conflict are detailed in the answer given my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Mr. Hamilton) on 16 November 1992,Official Report, columns 46–47. These contributions, including that of the Government of Kuwait, were made unconditionally, save for those from Japan and Norway, who requested that their contributions be for logistical costs.

  Apart from £25,000,000 contributed by Japan taken as an appropriation-in-aid of the Defence Budget in 1990–91, cash contributions were accounted for as consolidated fund extra receipts in the defence appropriation accounts, and thus offset the Government's increased expenditure arising from the conflict. Details of the Government's additional costs are listed in the minutes of evidence, pages 2 and 3, of the fifty-fifth report of the Committee of Public Accounts.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".

  Dwellings
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number and location of(a) dwellings and (b) vacant dwellings by his Department in (i) London, (ii) Birmingham, (iii) Lancashire and (iv) Berkshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 31 December 1993 the Ministry of Defence owned the following dwellings and vacant dwellings in London, Birmingham, Lancashire and Berkshire.
  361

  Total dwellings

  London

  Birmingham

  Lancashire

  Berkshire

  MOD Civilian Houses

  0

  0

  0

  44

  Total

  567

  40

  46

  115

  The majority of the vacant married quarters were either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation or were already allocated to Service families who were due to move in shortly. In addition 229 vacant married quarters in London and 206 tenanted civilian houses in Berkshire were in the process of being sold.

  Service Pay Award
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings will result from the decision to award pay rises to service personnel in two stages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The cost in 1994–95 of implementing in full the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body from 1 April 1994, which were higher than for any other of the report groups, would be some £206,000,000. Staging of the award with all personnel receiving an increase of 2·7 per cent. on 1 April and the balance of the award on 1 January 1995, is estimaed to cost £166,000,000 in 1994–95. The saving is therefore £40,000,000.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to review pay, allowances, and terms of employment for service personnel; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has for the appointment of an independent body who will review pay, allowances, and terms of employment for service personnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the light of changes in military commitments and deployment patterns, plans are in hand for a major independent review of service career and manpower structures and terms and conditions of service, to ensure that we have arrangements which are appropriate to the early part of the 21st century. We envisage that a review team comprising an independent Chairman and some three or four independent members should undertake such a study, which is expected to last about a year. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, hopes to make appointments to the team shortly. The Armed Forces Pay Review Body will separately make recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the normal way on the levels of service pay in 1995–96.

  Performance Pay
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which management consultants have been appointed to examine performance pay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The MOD like other Government Departments, has introduced a system of performance related pay for its civilian staff based on overall annual staff report markings. This has been entirely achieved by the effective use of my Department's manpower and expertise, as well as through consultation with other 362
  Government Departments undergoing the same process. The use of external management consultants was unnecessary.

  Paper Shredders
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many paper shredding machines there are(a) in his private office and (b) in his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has one paper shredding machine in his private office. Records of the number of such machines in my Department are not held centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  RAF Expenditure (Curtains)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure by the RAF on curtains in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: In common with many other Defence accommodation stores, curtains are purchased on a tri-service basis; expenditure on those bought for the RAF is not recorded separately and could not be made available without disproportionate cost.

  RAF Innsworth (Accommodation)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on improving accommodation assigned to(a) commanding officers, (b) other officers and (c) other ranks at RAF Innsworth in each year for the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: At RAF Innsworth, in financial year 1992–93 some £38,000 was spent on improving accommodation assigned to commanding officers and some £7,000 on improving accommodation assigned to other officers; there was no such expenditure on accommodation assigned to other ranks. There was no expenditure on improving accommodation in financial year 1991–92 and there has been no such expenditure in financial year 1993–94.

  Haymes Garth
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what money has been spent on new curtains for Ministry of Defence property near Cheltenham known as Haymes Garth in each of the last three years;

  (2) how much money has been spent on improving Ministry of Defence property near Cheltenham known as Haymes Garth in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: Expenditure at Haymes Garth in financial year 1991–92 comprises some £3,000 on maintenance; in financial year 1992–93 comprised some £250,000 on maintenance,

  363
  fittings and improvements, which included some £33,000 on new curtains and window treatments and some £31,000 on improvements to the property. There has been no such expenditure in Financial Year 1993–94.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security who are the members currently appointed to the Occupational Pensions board.

  Mr. Hague
  Members currently appointed to the Occupational Pensions Board are:

  Mr. Peter D. Carr, CBE—chairman

  Miss Harriet Dawes—deputy chairman

  Mr. Ron Amy

  Mrs. Rosemary Brown

  Mr. Robin Ellison

  Mr. Alan Herbert

  Mr. Andrew Lyburn

  Mr. Alan Pickering

  Mr. William Ramsay

  Mr. Martin Slack

  Mr. Ken Thomas

  Miss Patricia Triggs

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security who are the members currently appointed to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.

  Mr. Scott
  The current members of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council are:

  Professor J. M. Harrington CBE, chairman—Professor of occupational health, university of Birmingham.

  Mr. P. E. Arscott OBE—Health and safety consultant.

  Dr. J. Asherson—Head of health and safety and land use, CBI.

  Miss J. C. Brown—Independent researcher in social policy.

  Mrs. J. Carter—Member of TUC general council.

  Professor M. J. Cinnamond—Professor of otorhinolaryngology, Queen's university of Belfast.

  Dr. D. N. M. Coggon—Reader in occupational and environmental medicine, MRC environmental epidemiology unit.

  Professor A. D. Dayan—Professor of toxicology, St. Bartholomews hospital medical college.

  Dr. C. P. Juniper—Senior medical adviser, Unilever plc.

  Mr. T. Mawer—Lawyer.

  Professor A. J. Newman Taylor OBE—Consultant physician, National Heart and Lung Institute.

  Mr. R. Pickering—National president, GMB.

  Dr. L. Rushton—Senior lecturer in medical statistics, university of Nottingham.

  Dr. C. Taylor—Chief medical officer, British Steel.

  March 1992

  June 1992

  September 1992

  December 1992

  March 1993

  June 1993

  September 1993

  Total references cleared

  222,000

  201,000

  219,000

  227,000

  225,000

  210,000

  262,000

  Where examinations took place

  76,000

  76,000

  75,000

  78,000

  72,000

  65,000

  87,000

  Capable of alternative work

  15,000

  14,000

  15,000

  15,000

  18,000

  19,000

  28,000

  Capable of normal occupation

  9,000

  10,000

  9,000

  11,000

  8,000

  6,000

  6,000

  Incapable of work after examination

  52,000

  51,000

  51,000

  51,000

  46,000

  40,000

  52,000

  No examination

  146,000

  125,000

  144,000

  149,000

  153,000

  145,000

  176,000

  Incapable of work—not examined

  128,000

  106,000

  125,000

  130,000

  134,000

  127,000

  152,000

  Failed to attend examination

  15,000

  16,000

  16,000

  16,000

  16,000

  15,000

  20,000

  Claim terminated before examination

  4,000

  4,000

  3,000

  2,000

  3,000

  3,000

  4,000

  Notes:

  1. Based upon a 100 per cent. count of cases, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures for England and Wales include severe disablement allowance references.
  364

  Mr. O. D. Tudor—Assistant secretary, TUC.

  Mrs. M. Twomey—Member of TUC.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security who are the members currently appointed to the Central Adjudication Services.

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appoints the chief adjudication officer, CAO, and the chief child support officer, CCSO. Mr. Ken Bellamy CBE, a full-time civil servant, is currently appointed as both CAO and CCSO. He heads Central Adjudication Services and is responsible for the recruitment of his support staff, who are also civil servants.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure by his Department on (1) internal and (2) overseas travel by the Secretary of State in 1992–93 after 11 April 1992 and so far in 1993–94.

  Mr. Hague
  The travel and subsistence budget for all Department of social security Ministers and their private office staff was set at £364,817 for 1992–93 and £381,234 for 1993–94. There is not a separate allocation for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State within that.

  Actual expenditure on the Secretary of State's travel within this country was £512·50 between 11 April 1992 and 10 April 1993 and £349·30 from 11 April 1993 to date. The expenditure on overseas travel for the same periods was £4,788·51 and £184·54 respectively.

  In addition, the Secretary of State has the use of a car from the Government car service. The cost of this service was £48,642·40 for 1992–93 and £37,425·50 for 1993–94 up to the end of December 1993.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for sickness and incapacity benefits were referred to the regional medical services in each quarter since January 1992; how many of these cases resulted in medical examinations; and what were the outcomes(a) where examinations took place and (b) where they did not.

  Mr. Scott
  Latest available figures are in the table.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to receive and respond formally to letters from right hon. and hon. Members
  365
  marked for his personal attention; if he will make it his policy to ensure that letters to him are not referred to the chief executives of executive agencies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Next steps agency chief executives are asked to reply on operational matters of their agencies and on subjects for which they have delegated responsibility, as set out in the agency's framework document. Before letters are transferred to chief executives they are always seen by Ministers to decide whether or not a ministerial response is appropriate.

  Retirement Pensions (Women)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of women who could have received 25 per cent. retirement pension for some years before their husbands retired if they had revoked their election timeously and paid modest class 1 contributions.

  Mr. Hague
  Records are not kept in a way which would enable a reliable estimate to be made.

  Benefits Agency
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in what circumstances the Benefits Agency informs citizens of gaps in their contributions; and if it is practice to inform citizens in time to make up these contributions before the year in which they reach pensionable age;

  (2) what policy or guidelines his Department has laid down for the executive agency on advising married women who have elected to pay reduced contributions about the state of their contribution record;

  (3) if he will issue new instructions that married women or widows paying reduced contributions are advised about their records several years before reaching pensionable age in order to be in time to make a choice on changing to full contributions.

  Mr. Hague
  Approximately 18 months after the end of each tax year the Contributions Agency issues statements to those people who, according to their records, have paid insufficient national insurance contributions for that year to count towards entitlement for the basic state retirement pension or widows pension.

  The statement gives details about the amount of voluntary contributions the person needs to pay to make up the deficiency for that year. Voluntary contributions must be paid within six years of the end of the tax year in question, but in any case they should be paid before the date of claim to retirement pension in order to maximise benefit entitlement.

  The statements are targeted towards those who are most likely to benefit from information about the deficiency in their contribution record. There are therefore a number of circumstances where the statements are not issued, for example where the person is aged 59 or over for a woman or aged 64 or over for a man, where no currrent address is held or the person is known to be abroad or where no contributions were received for the year in question and the preceding year. Even so, the latest issue entailed some 3·5 million statements.

  Married women who have elected to pay reduced rate contributions were exercising a free choice, no longer
  366
  available, and would usually expect to rely on their husband's national insurance contribution record in order to qualify for a basic retirement pension. The implications of that choice were set out in an explanatory leaflet accompanying the election form.

  This Department does not inform such women of deficiencies in their contribution record because they have exercised a choice not to pay standard rate contributions. It is however open to any person, including women who have elected to pay reduced rate contributions, to request information about their contribution record or a forecast of their expected state retirement pension from the Benefits Agency. If a woman has elected to pay reduced rate contributions, the pension forecast will tell her that if she wishes to improve her benefit position by paying more years of full contributions, she will have to cancel her election to pay reduced rate contributions. From then on she would be able to pay contributions which do count towards retirement pension, subject always to her achieving a minimum entitlement of 25 per cent.

  The Department is continually looking at ways of developing procedures to make information even more readily available to people about benefits and contributions.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, for each year since 1989, by institution or individual the total level of award, all research grants awarded by the DSS/DHSS which have involved research into occupational diseases.

  Mr. Scott
  Since 1989 this Department has commissioned one piece of research into occupational diseases, a study of lung cancer risk in pottery, refractory and sandstone workers. The value of the award is £36,400 to the department of occupational medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute, and the centre for occupational health at the university of Manchester. Further details are in the Department's research yearbook, for 1992–93, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the industrial injuries benefit scheme.

  Mr. Scott
  Last year, the Government announced a long-term review of social security expenditure. Under the long-term review, each part of the social security programme will be examined to ensure that the objectives are right for the 1990s. Nothing is exempt from that review.

  Christmas Cards
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 628, how many Christmas cards he and his Ministers sent out in 1993; and at what cost.

  Mr. Hague
  Seven hundred and ten cards were obtained from the Charity Christmas Card Council at a cost of £282·49. Most of the cards were sent out by second-class post.
  367

  Disablement Benefits
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the results of studies carried out in the course of developing the new incapacity for work test for incapacity benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 31 January,Official Report, columns 583–84.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy that attendance at rehabilitation courses will be regarded as a period of incapacity to work in relation to eligibility for disability working allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration his Department has given to defining unemployment benefit as a passport for disability working allowance for otherwise eligible people.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Alfred Moris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to increase the margin above family credit to provide an incentive for appropriate persons to claim disability working allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the difference between the current number of disabled people receiving the disability working allowance and his Department's original forecast; and how he accounts for the difference.

  Mr. Scott
  The current caseload is 3,405. The original estimate was that about 50,000 people might be entitled to disability working allowance, which was introduced as a completely new benefit in April 1992 and can, of course, be expected to take a number of years to become established. We have commissioned extensive independent research to help evaluation and this is expected to be completed in 1996.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his present estimate of the number of people now receiving invalidity benefit who will not qualify for the benefit by which it is being replaced;

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of people now receiving invalidity benefit who will not qualify for the proposed new incapacity benefit and who, being unable to work full time, will have to seek income support.

  Mr. Scott
  Our current estimate is that around 200,000 people receiving invalidity benefit in April 1995 may be excluded from receiving incapacity benefit by the proposed new medical test during the first two years. It is not possible to give an accurate assessment of how many will have to seek income support.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has had from 368
  national organisations of and for disabled people about his proposal to discontinue invalidity benefit; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We have received a large number of comments on our proposals, mainly in response to the consultation document on the proposed new medical incapacity test. We will be publishing a report on the outcome of the consultation exercise, which ends on 11 February. The national disability organisations which have responded include the following:

  Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund

  The Churches Council for Health and Healing

  The Disabled Living Foundation

  The Disability Alliance

  The Disability Benefits Consortium

  The Disablement Income Group

  Ileostomy Association of Great Britain and Ireland

  The Mental Health Foundation

  Mobility Trust

  The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  Pensioners and Disabled Alliance

  National Back Pain Association

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship

  National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  The Neurofibromatosis Association

  The Pain Society

  Scottish Association for Mental Health

  The Stroke Association

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for each of the administrative regions of the Benefits Agency in the United Kingdom, how many women have(a) had an increase of invalidity benefit suspended, (b) applied for that suspension to be lifted and (c) had the suspension lifted;

  (2) for each of the Benefits Agency district offices in Wales, how many women have (a) had an increase of invalidity benefit suspended, (b) applied for that suspension to be lifted and (c) had the suspension lifted.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Ron Davies, dated 8 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about women in receipt of invalidity Benefit (IVB) in the United Kingdom, and more specifically Wales, who, at age 60, have had an increase of IVB suspended.
  The information is not available in the exact format requested. This is because the statistics provided are for Great Britain rather than the United Kingdom (the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland). I have therefore appended the information that is available for the United Kingdom which has been collated into Benefits Agency Area Directorates, within which there are a number of District and Benefit Offices. The information for Wales has been broken down by Benefit Agency District, each District comprising of a District Office and one or more Benefit Offices.
  The information given is that available at the last working day of August 1993, the last for which detailed information is, at present, held.
  369

  Benefits Agency Scotland and Northern Territory

  Benefits Agency area directorate

  Number of IVB cases suspended

  Applications for suspension to be lifted

  Number of cases where suspension lifted

  Tyne Tees

  3,237

  258

  230

  South Yorkshire and Humberside

  997

  33

  29

  North and West Yorkshire

  1,604

  28

  20

  Scotland and Northern

  2,585

  37

  1

  North, Central and West Scotland

  4,151

  267

  218

  East of Scotland

  1,630

  18

  12

  Totals

  14,204

  641

  510

  Benefits Agency Wales and Central Territory

  Benefits Agency area directorate

  Number of IVB cases suspended

  Applications for suspension to be lifted

  Number of cases where suspension lifted

  East Midlands

  855

  28

  18

  Midlands South West

  637

  9

  3

  West Mercia

  1,843

  20

  7

  Wales

  2,906

  44

  19

  Merseyside

  1,779

  81

  71

  Greater Manchester

  1,590

  63

  18

  Lancashire and Cumbria

  2,244

  34

  21

  Totals

  11,854

  279

  157

  Benefits Agency southern territory

  Benefits Agency area directorate

  Number of IVB cases suspended

  Applications for suspension to be lifted

  Number of cases where suspension lifted

  Anglia

  580

  16

  8

  Chilterns

  1,146

  12

  7

  South London and West Sussex

  658

  16

  12

  West Country

  811

  31

  9

  East London and Essex

  508

  3

  1

  South East

  548

  20

  10

  Wessex

  960

  5

  0

  TOTALS

  5,211

  103

  47

  Wales area directorate

  District

  Number of IVB cases suspended

  Applications for suspension to be lifted

  Number of cases where suspension lifted

  Gwyneddigion

  176

  9

  5

  North Wales Coast

  307

  13

  3

  Mid Wales and Maelor

  9

  2

  1

  West Wales

  0

  0

  0

  Swansea

  0

  0

  0

  Ogwr Afan Nedd

  405

  4

  0

  South Glamorgan

  434

  6

  1

  South Gwent and Islwyn

  254

  8

  8

  Cynon, Merthyr and Rhymney Valley

  687

  0

  0

  Taff Rhonda

  282

  1

  0

  North Gwent and Brecon

  352

  1

  1

  TOTALS

  2,906

  44

  19

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what basis he will assess extreme hardship in individual cases of women over 60 years whose invalidity benefit increase is being suspended;

  (2) what discretion he has to lift the suspension of invalidity benefit increase for women over 60 years in
  370
  Wales in cases of extreme hardship; and what are the limits on the lifting of the suspension in terms of the income of the women concerned.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's discretion to take account of extreme hardship in deciding whether to impose or lift suspension of benefit is exercised on his behalf by Benefits Agency staff. Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency will write to the hon. Member with further information.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Ron Davies, dated 8 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Services has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about women in receipt of Invalidity Benefit (IVB), who at age 60 have had an increase of IVB suspended.
  Regulation 37A of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations provides that where a decision by a Social Security Commissioner is being appealed to the Courts, payment of benefit in any cases affected by the decision may be suspended by the Secretary of State (SoS) pending the outcome of the appeal. Payments of Invalidity Benefit to women over 60 are currently being suspended under this regulation pending the resolution of a case which is before the Court of Appeal.
  The power to suspend is discretionary. The SoS therefore also has discretion not to susped if it would be inappropriate to do so, for example if it would cause exceptional hardship in an individual case. This discretion is exercised on the SoS's behalf by Benefits Agency (BA) staff.
  There are no set criteria for lifting suspensions. Each case is considered in relation to the personal circumstances of the customer. However, the BA, conscious of the requirement to treat all customers fairly, has recently issued guidelines on the question of hardship to all local offices. They stress that cases have to be looked at individually and that, while it is not possible to state in hard and fast terms what constitutes exceptional hardship, a number of factors need to be borne in mind by staff considering hardship applications.
  These include the fact that hardship will arise only in exceptional circumstancses; that prior to the Commissioner's decision IVB would have been reduced to the rate of the Retirement Pension that would otherwise have been payable; that Income Support and Social Fund are available to meet financial hardship; and that the onus is on the customer to prove that hardship exists rather than on the Agency Department to disprove hardship.
  The guidance also gives two examples of circumstances in which exceptional hardship might be considered. These are:—

  (i.) where it is already known or suspected that a customer has a terminal illness and is likely to die before the outcome of the appeal is known; and

  (ii.) where the customer has been led to believe that benefit will continue at the higher rate and has entered into a financial commitment on that basis.

  It is not inevitable that exceptional hardship would be found to exist in these sort of situations. Nor are they the only situations in which exceptional hardships would be considered. Nevertheless they provide examples of what "exceptional hardship" might mean and indicate that such cases can be expected to arise only rarely.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any recent changes in the practice of his Department.

  Mr. Scott
  There has been no change from the practice of this and previous Administrations, as described on page 292 of the current edition of "Erskine May".
  371

  Overseas Pensions
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many United Kingdom citizens are entitled to overseas pensions not exceeding £500 per annum to which contributions were made before 1970 and which are not remitted to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hague
  The Department does not hold this information.

  Benefits Office, Paisley
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the planned operational opening date of the new Benefits Agency office in Paisley; how many staff will be deployed to this office; how many new(a) full-time and (b) part-time jobs will be created; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The opening of a new Benefits Agency office in Paisley is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Gordon McMaster, dated 8 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the new Benefits Agency office in Paisley.
  The planned operational opening date of the new office is Spring 1995. At this stage I cannot give a more specific date as work on the site commenced in November 1993 and we have assumed approximately 18 months for a new building from start to finish.
  As the 1995/96 resource allocations are not yet known it is not possible to be precise about the number of staff in the new office. However, on current projections, the new office is expected to house around 245 staff in total—around 220 Benefits Agency staff (including Sector Fraud), around 15 Contributions Agency staff and around 10 Child Support Agency staff.
  It is not anticipated that any new jobs, either full time or part time, will be created in Benefits Agency, Contributions Agency or Child Support Agency. This is a move of an existing organisation from a very poor and inadequate building to a new custom built premises to provide improved quality services for customers and staff alike.
  The Renfrew District Manager, Colin Wright, will be happy to provide you with any further progress reports should you require them.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more precise with the information I have provided at this stage, but I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Local Offices
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many Benefits Agency local offices displayed information on their local performance in July 1993; and what indicators were used;

  (2) what new national targets for benefit services were published in 1992–93; and what reports were published by the Benefits Agency on how it performed against existing targets;

  (3) how many Benefits Agency districts had published local performance targets by July 1993; and to what extent they were being met.

  Mr. Burt
  Performance targets within the Benefits Agency are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the agency's chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
  372
  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 8 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking about local and national performance targets within the Benefits Agency (BA).
  I am pleased to say that by the end of January 1993 all BA districts had published Local Charter Standard Statements which included local performance targets. Information as to how individual districts performed against these targets is not available as it is not collated centrally. I have, however, provided at appendix A the national year to date performance against targets, as at December 1993, for District benefits.
  Local Charter Standard Statements are displayed in all local offices and contain local standards of service. As many local standards are focused on the specific needs of the local customer population it is not possible to give a complete list of all indicators used. However, in general, Income Support clearance targets, Social Fund clearance targets, and waiting times are the most likely, and most usually displayed.
  From April 1994 we will be collecting centrally information on how districts are performing against national targets.
  Details of the new national targets for benefit services published in 1992–93 are provided at appendix B. These include targets for new benefits introduced, and new targets for existing benefits. The Benefits Agency Annual Report and Account published in July 1993 provides details on how the Agency performed against existing targets.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Appendix A

  Field operations—year to date performance 1993–94

  Target

  Achievement to December 1993

  Income support

  Claims

  71 per cent. in 5 days

  74·3

  90 per cent. in 13 days

  89·9

  Accuracy

  96 per cent.

  90·8

  Changes

  65 per cent. in 2 days

  91·3

  95 per cent. in 6 days

  96·2

  Appeals

  68 per cent. in 28 days

  72·1

  95 per cent. in 90 days

  94·5

  Social Fund

  Crisis Loans

  on the day the need arises

  96·3

  Community Care Grants

  65 per cent. in 7 days

  78·7

  95 per cent. in 20 days

  96·7

  Budget Loans

  65 per cent. in 6 days

  75·3

  95 per cent. in 20 days

  97·3

  Incapacity Benefits

  Sickness Benefit/Invalidity Benefit Claims

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  72·2

  95 per cent. in 30 days

  94·2

  Accuracy

  96·5 per cent.

  96·1

  Retirement Pension

  Claims

  65 per cent. in 60 days

  68·7

  95 per cent. in 60 days

  94·5

  Changes

  65 per cent. in 5 days

  83·4

  95 per cent. in 15 days

  96·1

  Appendix B

  New Target Areas—1992–93—Plus improvements to 1991–92 Targets

  Benefit Area

  Per cent.

  Target Days

  Retirement Pension Post Award System Activity

  65

  5

  (PASA)

  95

  15

  Disability Living Allowance Claims

  60

  30

  95

  55

  Disability Living Allowance Accuracy

  96

  —

  Disability Living Allowance Special Rules Cases

  80

  10

  90

  15

  Disability Living Allowance Reviews

  60

  55

  95

  75

  373

  Benefit Area

  Per cent.

  Target Days

  Disability Working Allowance Claims

  95

  5

  Disability Working Allowance Accuracy

  95

  —

  Disability Working Allowance Renewal Claims—

  60

  15

  Employed

  75

  25

  Disability Working Allowance Renewal Claims—

  60

  20

  Self Employed

  90

  30

  Disability Working Allowance Reviews

  75

  10

  90

  20

  Disability Working Allowance Appeals

  30

  15

  60

  25

  90

  35

  Attendance Allowance 65+ Claims

  60

  35

  95

  60

  Attendance Allowance 65+ Reviews

  60

  61

  95

  81

  Attendance Allowance 65+ Special Rules Cases

  80

  10

  90

  15

  Income Support Claims

  —

  4

  Income Support Accuracy

  94

  —

  Family Credit Claims

  60

  13

  Family Credit Accuracy

  94

  —

  Social Fund Budget Loans

  —

  5

  Invalid Care Allowance Claims

  60

  29

  95

  129

  Legal Aid Applications

  80

  20

  Central Pensions Branch Appeals

  65

  30

  Overseas Branch Appeals

  55

  30

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of local offices have been refurbished since June 1991.

  Mr. Burt
  The refurbishment of DSS local offices is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 8 Feburary 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the proportion of local offices which have been refurbished since June 1991.
  All local offices will undergo some form of refurbishment in the course of the year. This can range from simple redecoration, through the upgrading of specific areas, to large scale works involving the decanting of staff whilst major structural work is carried out.
  Minor refurbishment (costing less than £5,000), to improve both staff and public areas as part of general building management, is carried out at the discretion of local management. Records of this type of work are not collated centrally, and it is not therefore possible to give details of this work since June 1991.
  However, figures for refurbishment projects costing more than £5,000, ie the refurbishment of a public caller area, are collated centrally, and are available. Records of these projects indicate that since the start of the 1991–92 financial year 68 per cent. of DSS local offices have been refurbished in some way or another since April 1991.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Visits to Employers
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many special educational visits to employers were made by the Contributions Agency for the year 1 July 1992 to 30 June 1993.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of national insurance is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
  374
  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 8 February 1994:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency I am responsible for answering questions about relevant operational matters. I have been asked to reply to your question about how many educational visits the Agency made to employers between 1 July 1992 and 30 June 1993.
  The Agency makes two types of visits to employers for educational purposes—educational visits and educational surveys. An educational visit is normally undertaken at an employer's request to provide assistance and advice on any aspects of the National Insurance (NI), Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) schemes. An educational survey, in addition to providing such assistance and advice, also includes a detailed examination of the employers NI, SSP and SMP records. Educational surveys are usually initiated by the Agency and are undertaken where employers are considered, in the light of the Agency's experience, likely to be at a greater risk of making mistakes in fulfilling their NI, SSP or SMP responsibilities. They can also be undertaken in response to an employer's request.
  In the year between 1 July 1992 and 30 June 1993 the Agency made 2,318 educational visits and 27,569 educational surveys.

  Service by Telephone
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what new measures the Benefits Agency took in 1992–93 to improve service by telephone.

  Mr. Burt
  Measures to improve the standard of telephone service within the Benefits Agency are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the agency's chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 8 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about measures taken by the Benefits Agency took in 1992–93 to improve service by telephone.

  On 9 September last year the Secretary of State announced a national programme whereby all Benefits Agency District Offices will provide a One Place service by July 1994, and part of this service includes customers being able to obtain, by telephone, advice and information on Benefit Agency benefits from their local office.
  The National Customer Service Definition issued to all managers states the minimum hours that local office switchboards must be open, and offices are required to publish these hours. Offices will also make provision for dealing with customers who contact the office outside normal switchboard hours.
  The Benefits Agency is committed to improving accessibility for all our customers, including those who are hard of hearing. All offices/units have been encouraged to install the Minicom and/or Typetalk facilities (both are text telephone services).
  The Department has, for some years, operated a policy of replacing old and new inadequate telecommunications equipment. In April 1992 this was turned into a formal roll out programme which identified and replaced ageing and substandard switchboards in offices, with modern, digital switchboards. These replacement switchboards provide the technical platform and facilities to support the customer services and organisational initiatives developed in other areas of the Benefits Agency.
  In April 1993 this roll out programme was integrated with Benefits Agency Estates' programme and the implementation of IT equipment, to provide a comprehensive technical base from which to provide a uniform service. This integrated programme is ongoing and will continue for the next 3–5 years.
  At the Fylde Benefit Directorate there has been an enhancement to the telephone service provided during 1992–93. Measures undertaken include an increase in the number of consoles on the Fylde switchboard together with requisite staffing, and also the introduction of Direct Dial IN (DDI) to the 8,000 or so telephone extensions located on sites occupied by the directorate lines. The Central Inquiry Handling Service (CEHS),

  375
  renamed Customer Care Helpline in early October 1993, has had line capacity increased from 120 to 192 with staffing to match. Additionally opening hours were extended in March 1993 to cover the timeband 07.30 to 18.30.
  The Family Credit helpline launched in April 1993 deals with an average of 35,000 calls per week and on average 85 per cent. of those calls are answered within five rings.
  The Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) was also extended in April 1993 to provide a form completion service for a range of incapacity and disability benefits. Its opening hours were extended to cover the time band 8.30–18.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00–13.00 Saturday. The equipment was further enhanced in March 1993 and now has the capacity to cope with over 100 work stations. In April 1992 40 advisers were employed with the number rising to 81 by March 1993. During 1992–93 approximately 17,000 customers telephoned BEL and used the Forms Completion Service.
  The Child Benefit Centre ran a pilot study last year offering a more personalised and complete service for its customers. Following the success of this pilot, the Centre embarked on a major overhaul of its internal structure, and widely publicising a list of direct dial numbers. The Child Benefit Centre is now handling three times as many calls compared to this time last year.
  Following a review of the Freeline service, a project manager was appointed last year to take forward a programme of improvements aimed at making the service more widely available to customers. Five Freeline centres have installed Automatic Call Distribution (ACD), which allocates calls to lines on a strictly first come first served basis. The indications are that the ACD has been effective in reducing call waiting times. It is hoped to install ACD equipment in the remaining five centres, and to open an 11th Freeline centre later this year, which will improve the service still further.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 15, regarding firms which do not comply with his department's guidelines over privatisation bids, what plans he has to disqualify CNN Data Company from tendering for the DSS Longbenton national insurance computor processing contract.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of national insurance is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Nicholas Brown, dated 8 February 1994:

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Total

  Offset of occupational pension against unemployment benefit

  -15

  -63

  -66

  —

  —

  —

  -173

  Unemployment benefit rules changes

  —

  -21

  -49

  -55

  —

  —

  -141

  Widows benefit measures

  —

  22

  13

  13

  13

  —

  69

  Abolition of pensioners earnings rule

  —

  190

  386

  401

  412

  —

  1,529

  Statutory sick pay measures

  —

  —

  -72

  -86

  -92

  —

  -269

  New RMO procedures

  —

  —

  —

  -8

  -8

  -8

  -25

  Statutory sick pay: 80 per cent, reimbursement

  —

  —

  —

  -181

  -190

  -197

  -587

  Statutory sick pay higher rate freeze

  —

  —

  —

  -109

  -119

  -125

  -365

  Statutory sick pay/child benefit measures

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  3

  9

  Statutory sick pay standard rate freeze

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -20

  -21

  -42

  Carer's package

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Invalidity benefit: new medical control procedures

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -108

  -108

  Statutory sick pay higher rate freeze

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -21

  -21

  Notes:

  (a) All figures are expressed in millions. They are in cash terms except for the totals which are expressed in real terms (1993–94 prices).

  (b) It should be noted that only the costs/savings to National Insurance benefits have been shown. The figures therefore should not be regarded as the actual costs/savings arising from individual policy measures.

  376
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency I am responsible for answering questions about relevant operational matters. I have been asked to reply to your question about possible plans to disqualify CCN Datacom BV from tendering for the computer processing of National Insurance records.
  When I wrote to you on 24 January 1994 in response to your earlier question I explained the procurement policy adopted by this Agency in its Market Testing (not privatisation) activities. CCN Datacom BV were invited to tender for the Contributions Agency's Data Entry operation along with the current In-House service provider and 3 other private sector companies. As part of that process, everyone invited to tender is entitled to seek clarification of the Agency's requirements.
  A representative of CCN Datacom BV, apparently acting on her own initiative, telephoned an ex-colleague who now works within the data Entry Group of this Agency, seeking information about the current operations. This approach was not in accord with the Agency's requirements for the supply of information. The incident was immediately and thoroughly investigated. It was concluded that no evidence exists that any information of a confidential nature or which could give the company an unfair advantage had been disclosed.
  CCN Datacom BV has stated that it was unaware of the action of the employee and has apologised for the breach of procedure.
  After a careful review of the facts it was decided that there were insufficient grounds for excluding the company from the tender exercise. The 2 key issues in reaching this decision were that the approach was at a level where information of any significance was unlikely to be forthcoming and in fact no information of any importance was passed over to the company. Nevertheless, CCN Datacom are now well aware of the Agency's view on the matter, and that even relatively minor breaches of the correct procedure will be taken extremely seriously.
  I hope that I have clarified the facts of the matter but if you do have any further queries I would be pleased to discuss them with you.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make an estimate of the cumulative spending and savings made on the various changes to national insurance benefits since 1979, in the format of his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth) of 6 July 1992,Official Report, columns 85–86.

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 25 January 1994]: Such information as is readily available is given in the table. Meaningful estimates of the cumulative expenditure effects of earlier policy measures could not be derived; except at disproportionate cost.
  377

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what rate the Child Support Agency charges interest on arrears.

  Mr. Burt
  Where an absent parent does not within 28 days enter into an arrears agreement or where he does not keep to the terms of the agreement interest is charged on the arrears of child maintenance at a rate of 1 per cent. above the base rate current at the time. Where an agreement is entered into and for as long as its terms are adhered to no interest is payable.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many of the applications to the Child Support Agency between April and December 1993 involved absent parents on income support; and how many of these absent parents on income support are now having £2·20 deductions made from their benefit;

  (2) how many section 18 reviews of child support officers' decisions had been requested by the end of 1993; how many of these had been resolved by that date; in how many of those the decision had been advised; and what is the average number of weeks that the outstanding reviews have been awaiting decision in each Child Support Agency centre;

  (3) how many section 6 child support applicants have argued that they are at risk of harm or undue distress to date; in how many of these cases the reasons were accepted by the Child Support Agency; in how many of those cases the reasons were accepted by the Secretary of State without the need for an interview, by the Secretary of State after interviewing the parent with care, or by the child support officer; how many parents with care subsequently gave the authorisation or information; and how many reduced benefit directions have been issued in the first nine months of the Child Support Agency's activity;

  (4) how many maintenance applications had been terminated without a maintenance assessment by the end of 1993; and if he will give a breakdown of these cases, in particular giving the numbers due to section 6 applicants withdrawing claims for income support and family credit;

  (5) how many child support accounts had been set up by the Child Support Agency by 31 December 1993; how many of these accounts had arrears outstanding at that point; how many arrears notices had been issued; and how many deductions of earnings orders had been issued by the Child Support Agency by the same date;

  (6) how many maintenance application forms have been issued to family credit claimants to date; how many of these have resulted in a maintenance assessment to date; and of those how many of the accounts are in arrears;

  (7) what proportion of the existing income support parent with care caseload has been taken on by the Child Support Agency by the end of 1993; and what proportion he estimates will be taken on by April 1994;

  (8) how many maintenance assessments had been issued by the end of December 1993; how many of these were category A interim assessments; how many category B interim assessments; and how many were nil assessments;

  (9) how many of the letters requesting appeals against child support officers' decisions to child support appeal tribunals have been received within the 28-day limit; and how many of those received after the 28-day limit were accepted because of special reasons;
  378
  (10) how many appeals had been made to child support appeal tribunals by the end of 1993; how many of these appeals have been heard by that date; and in how many of those the child support officer's decision has been overturned.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Adam Ingram, dated 8 February 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security on a number of aspects about the operations of the Child Support Agency.
  The number of maintenance assessments made in the period from 5 April 1993 to 31 December 1993 involving absent parents who were in receipt of income support was 24,300. I understand that to the quarter ending 30 November 1993, the Benefits Agency had made deductions from income support in 6,330 cases.
  From 5 April 1993 to 31 December 1993, section 18 reviews had been requested in 12,000 cases. 2,100 of these had been cleared and the decision revised in 1,100, of them. The 9,900 cases in action reflects a rise in numbers in recent weeks. Information on clearance times is being collected but, because of relatively low volumes of cleared cases, is not yet statistically valid.
  From 5 April 1993 to 31 December 1993, the cases of 35,600 parents with care were considered in relation to the requirement to cooperate. Of cases so far completed, good cause was accepted in 20,500, the absent parent was named in 7,100, and 160 were referred to the Benefits Agency to consider implementation of a Reduced Benefit Direction. No information is kept as to the numbers of cases where good cause was accepted without any interview of the parent with care by a member of the Agency's staff.
  From 5 April 1993 to 31 December 1993, 79,800 cases were cleared without a maintenance assessment. Of these, 32,600 were withdrawn. As, to date, 96 per cent. of parents with care have been in receipt of a prescribed benefit, it can be assumed that this will apply to nearly all the withdrawn applications.
  From 5 April 1993 to 31 December 1993, 183,000 maintenance application forms were issued to parents with care on family credit. You also asked how many of these have resulted in a maintenance assessment, and how many of the accounts are in arrears. I am afraid that we do not collect information that breaks down maintenance assessments or account activity according to the benefit status of the parent with care.
  At 31 December 1993 the Agency had taken on 275,700 existing income support cases. It is estimated that by April 1994, around 290,000 cases will have been taken on.
  At 31 December 1993, a total of 121,600 maintenance assessments had been completed. Of these 41,000 were interim maintenance assessments, where the Agency did not have sufficient information to make a full assessment, and 28,300 were assessments where the absent parent was assessed as having insufficient income to pay any maintenance other than the £2·20 deduction from benefit. It is not possible to provide separate figures for Category A and Category B interm maintenance assessments.
  At 31 December 1993, I understand that the Child Support Appeal Tribunal Central Office (CSATCO) had received 577 valid letters of appeal within the 28 days time limit. A total of 81 letters of appeal had been received that were outside the 28 day time limit, and all of these were accepted as valid by the resident chairman of the Child Support Appeals Tribunal.
  At 31 December 1993, the Agency had received 535 appeals from CSATCO and 48 resulted in tribunal hearings. Of those heard, 10 resulted in the Child Support Officer's decision being overturned.
  You also requested information on child support accounts, arrears and deductions from earnings orders. I regret that the information is not currently available.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful.
  379
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of replies issued by the Child Support Agency in response to individual inquiries from right hon. and hon. Members are in standardised format; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
  380
  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Gordon McMaster, dated 9 February 1994:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the use of standardised replies from the Child Support Agency to Members' letters.
  The Agency does not issue standardised replies to Members although standard paragraphs may be included, for example, to explain the provisions of legislation or to give some background to the Agency's operations. Where correspondence concerns an individual client, the Agency seeks to address the specific concerns raised by the Member on behalf of the constituent.
  I hope that you find this reply useful.

  ROHINGYA REFUGEES
  ROHINGYA REFUGEES
  KNOW HOW FUND
  KNOW HOW FUND
  PUBLIC BODIES: APPOINTMENTS
  PUBLIC BODIES: APPOINTMENTS
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS SERVICE
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS SERVICE
  NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION INITIATIVE
  NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION INITIATIVE
  FUNDHOLDING PRACTICES
  FUNDHOLDING PRACTICES
  FUNDHOLDING PRACTICES: SAVINGS
  FUNDHOLDING PRACTICES: SAVINGS
  DRIVING LICENCE PHOTO CARDS
  DRIVING LICENCE PHOTO CARDS
  DRIVER NUMBER SYSTEM
  DRIVER NUMBER SYSTEM