Written Answers of 14 February 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Legal Aid Advisory Committee and legal services conference.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The members of the Legal Aid Advisory Committee are Elizabeth Filkin (chairman), Dr. Bill Bishop, Rosemary Day, district judge Greenslade, Jan Luba, Mavis Maclean, Graham McGrath, June O'Dell OBE, Christine Thornton, Anna Turnbull-Walker and Nick Warren. From time to time the committee holds conferences, for which there is no formal membership.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to each of the advisory committees on the Juvenile Court Lay Panel for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: There is only one advisory committee on the Juvenile Court Lay Panel for Northern Ireland and it is not the Lord Chancellor's policy to disclose its membership due to the possible security implications for the individuals concerned.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to each of the advisory committees on justices of the peace for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: It is not the Lord Chancellor's policy to disclose membership of advisory committees on justices of the peace in Northern Ireland due to the possible security implications for the individuals concerned.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Legal Aid Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current members of the Legal Aid Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland are:

  His Honour Judge Petrie QC (Chairman)

  V. Chambers

  Mrs. L. A. Gilbert

  Miss L. Lundy

  J. I. Meehan

  J. C. Morton

  L. McBrinn

  J. P. McGrath

  Master J. C. Napier

  Mrs. A. P. O'Donoghue

  R. Wilson

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Council on Tribunals.
  552
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The members currently appointed to the Council) on Tribunals are as follows:

  The Lord Archer of Sandwell, PC, QC. Chairman

  T. Norman Biggart, Esq, CBE, WS, Chairman of Scottish Committee

  Mrs. Annie Anderson

  G. A. Anderson, Esq, CA, FCMA

  M. B. Dempsey, Esq

  Professor D. L. Foulkes, JP

  Mrs. S. Friend, JP

  T. R. H. Godden, Esq, CB

  Christopher Heaps, Esq

  B. Hill, Esq, CBE, DL

  Professor M. J. Hill

  W. N. Hyde, Esq

  R. H. Jones, Esq, CVO

  Dr. Carole Kaplan

  L. F. Read, Esq, QC

  W. K. Reid, Esq, CB

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Serbia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to initiate investigations into allegations that United Kingdom-registered companies have(a) built armanent manufacturing factories in the former Yugoslavia and (b) provided arms and military equipment to Serbia contrary to internationally agreed embargoes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no information concerning allegations that United Kingdom companies have been involved in the construction of armaments factories in the former Yugoslavia.

  Investigation of alleged breaches of internationally agreed embargoes on the supply of arms and military equipment to Serbia and Montenegro is a matter for the commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. They will decide what, if any, action would be appropriate in the light of available information.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the British Government are taking to prevent British arms being sold to the Indonesian Government for use against the population of East Timor; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  All applications for export licences in respect of Indonesia, as elsewhere, are subject to strict controls and scrutinised on a case-by-case basis. Any application for equipment likely to be used for repressive purposes against a civilian population would be rejected.

  China
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government will take to urge the Government of the People's Republic of China to repeal recent religious laws increasing state controls on Chinese and foreign religious adherents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are aware of the recent publication of two new regulations on religious activity. Any action which further restricts freedom of choice, or which results in further harassment or ill treatment of religious believers
  553
  is of serious concern. We regularly raise questions of human rights, including the persecution of religious believers, with the Chinese authorities, urging them to conform to internationally approved standards. We will continue to do so.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government will take to urge the Government of the People's Republic of China to release from imprisonment Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo, Bishop Johannes Han Dingxiang, Auxillary Bishop Shi Hong-Zhen, and other Christians recently imprisoned for their faith.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We and our European Union partners have often urged the Chinese authorities to conform to internationally approved standards of behaviour in the human rights arena, including cases of detention without trial. We have also raised with them lists of specific cases, including some cases of individuals detained in connection with their religious beliefs. We will continue to to so.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 January,Official Report, column 468, what conclusions his officials have come to about the allegations published in The Independent on 24 January regarding British mercenary involvement in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what action he is taking.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We take seriously the allegation that British citizens and companies are attempting to procure arms and mercenaries for Azerbaijan, and investigations continue. Investigations to date suggest that there may be truth in the allegation that these attemps have been made, but as yet we have no evidence that they have succeeded. If evidence of illegality is found the matter will be put in the hands of the custom or police, as appropriate. We remain committed to supporting the CSCE's voluntary arms embargo.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government are taking to bring about a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 31 January 1994 at column 481.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by his Office(a) in the current financial year and (b) planned for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Both the diplomatic and ODA wings of the FCO use newspaper advertising for recruitment. During the financial year 1993–94 recruitment campaigns with a budget in excess of £10,000 will have been held for grades DS9, executive assistant, administrative assistant and research analysts. Similar recruitment 554
  advertising will be undertaken in the financial year 1994–95. The ODA recruit specialists via advertisements throughout the year: cumulatively this costs more than £10,000. Effectiveness is measured in levels of response.

  Other promotional campaigns costing more than £10,000 are as follows:
  FCO TV advertising offering advice to British travellers overseas including what consular services are available. This comprises short consular "filler" films screened free of charge at off-peak hours, and teletext inserts. There are no plans yet for further films in this series in 1994–95. Feedback on screening and estimated viewing figures is provided by the handling agency.
  An FCO leaflet offering advice to overseas travellers which is distributed with British visitors passports by the Post Office and travel agents.
  A booklet called "The European Community: Facts and Fairytales" designed to explain popular misconceptions about European regulations has been distributed during the financial year 1993–94. Effectiveness was measured through demand.

  The FCO has not advertised on radio during 1993–94 and has no plans yet to do so in the next financial year.

  Antarctic Conference on Tourism
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account he has taken of the representations by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators in preparing his proposals for putting forward in Japan at the Antarctic conference on tourism.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have received no representations from the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators. We look forward to a full discussion on tourism at the Antarctic treaty consultative meeting in Japan. We believe that Antarctic tourism can be regulated through the environmental protocol to the Antarctic treaty. Tourism is explicitly referred to in the protocol.

  UN Peacekeeping Operations
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the United Kingdom paid for United Nations peacekeeping operations in 1993(a) in Namibia, (b) in the Western Sahara, (c) in Iraq-Kuwait, (d) in Cambodia and (e) in Cyprus.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There were no United Nations assessed contributions for UNTAG—Namibia—and MINURSO—Western Sahara—in 1993. UNTAG closed down in March 1990. 1993 costs for MINURSO were met from existing United Nations resources. 1993 United Kingdom assessed contributions to UNIKOM—Iraq-Kuwait—totalled $3,003,584, UNTAC—Cambodia—$39,817,868, and UNFICYP—Cyprus—$538,081. UNFICYP was only brought onto United Nations assessed contribution funding in June 1993.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the United Kingdom paid for United Nations peacekeeping operations in 1993.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom paid a total of $165,225,559 in United Nations assessed contributions to peacekeeping operations in 1993.
  555

  Cook Islands
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to regulate banking deposits by United Kingdom citizens in bank accounts registered in the Cook islands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. The regulation of banking services in the Cook islands is a matter for the Cook islands authorities.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with his opposite number in the European Union in relation to the regulation of the trade in financial services between the United Kingdom and the Cook islands.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. The marketing of financial services in the United Kingdom is regulated under United Kingdom and European Community law.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United nations and the Government of Morocco concerning the proposed referendum on the future of the Western Sahara.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We maintain regular contact with the United Nations through our permanent representative in New York and with the Government of Morocco through the British embassy in Rabat.

  Morocco
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Morocco concerning the continued imprisonment of Abdelhaq Rouissi; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The British embassy in Rabat has raised the case of Abdelhaq Rouissi with the Moroccan authorities and recently drew it to the attention of the newly appointed Moroccan Minister for Human Rights.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Morocco concerning their record on human rights.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We regularly take up human rights issues bilaterally and with our European Union partners. We welcome the Moroccan Government's agreement to recent visits by Amnesty International and the decision to establish a Ministry for Human Rights.

  European Constituencies
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that new boundaries for Euro-constituencies shall be drawn only after a decision that any new building for the European Parliament shall not be in Brussels.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. A Council decision of 1 February 1993 calls for member states to complete the necessary procedures to bring into effect the agreement reached at the Edinburgh European Council increasing the number of MEPs in time for the elections in June this year.
  556
  The legislative procedures required to fulfil this obligation in the United Kingdom are expected to be completed shortly.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had during his recent visit to Turkey with representatives of the Kurdish community.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had wide ranging discussions in Ankara with senior politicians, business men and journalists but he did not meet representatives from Kurdish political parties.

  EC Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) Commission personnel and (b) direct European Council staff are involved with the European Community foreign and security policy; if he will set out their relative responsibilities and duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The section in the Commission which deals with the common foreign and security policy of the European Union is staffed by 125 Commission officials of all grades. The new CFSP unit in the Council secretariat is being developed from the former EPC secretariat. It is headed by a seconded ambassador and staffed by 11 seconded diplomats from member states—a 12th is expected to join the unit at a later date. It is envisaged that 12 permanent Council secretariat staff will join the unit in the future. The Commission personnel are responsible for advising Mr. van den Broek, the Commissioner for External Political Relations. The CFSP Unit in the Council secretariat works to the presidency.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 124, if he will give details of that section of the protocol between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Government of Malaysia relating the value of aid to amounts of arms purchased.

  Mr. Goodlad
  No. It is established practice that details of Government-to-Government exchanges are confidential.

  We will co-operate fully in the inquiry announced by the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Remand Prisoners (Police Cells)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the daily average number of remand prisoners and convicted prisoners held in police cells in each year since 1980 and in the current year to the latest available date.

  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.
  557
  Letter from A. J. Butler to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking what was the daily average number of remand prisoners and convicted prisoners held in police cells in each of the years 1980 to 1993 inclusive, and in the current year to the latest available date.
  The information you have requested is available for annual averages, calculated from the population figures for the last day of each month, which are given in the attached table. In 1981–1987 all prisoners held in police cells are assumed to be remand prisoners. For other years estimates have been made of the numbers held on remand and under sentence. Statistics on the number of prisoners held in police cells are published in table 1.5 of "Prison statistics, England and Wales".

  Average population in police cells by type of custody 1980–19941

  Year

  Remand

  Sentenced

  Total

  1980

  645

  195

  845

  1981

  125

  —

  125

  1982

  47

  —

  47

  1983

  310

  —

  310

  1984

  54

  —

  54

  1985

  45

  —

  45

  1986

  119

  —

  119

  1987

  537

  —

  537

  1988

  982

  95

  1,077

  1989

  103

  7

  110

  1990

  465

  196

  661

  1991

  682

  406

  1,088

  1992

  715

  383

  1,098

  1993

  13

  1

  14

  21994

  9

  0

  9

  1 In 1981 to 1987 all prisoners held in police cells are assumed to be remand prisoners. For other years estimates have been made of the numbers held on remand and under sentence. Averages are calculated using the population figures for the last day of each month.

  2 31 January.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average cost by police force of keeping a prisoner in police cells, per night.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question requesting information about the current average cost by police force of keeping a prisoner in police cells, per night.
  As prisoners have only been held by the Greater Manchester police during November and December, and more recently by two additional forces, Humberside and South Yorkshire in February, not accounts have been received. I am therefore unable to provide this information at present.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost incurred by his Department for keeping prisoners, both sentenced and remand, in police cells for the financial year 1992–93.

  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.
  558
  Letter from A. J. Butler to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question requesting information about the total cost incurred by the Prison Service for keeping prisoners, both sentenced and remand, in police cells for the financial year 1992–93.
  The total expenditure on keeping prisoners, both sentenced and remand, in polce cells for the financial year 1992–93 was £9,974,035. Further accounts relating to 1992–93, totalling £1,217,763 are under consideration.

  Cook Islands (Bank Accounts)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with his opposite numbers in the European Union concerning the security implications of access by United Kingdom citizens to bank accounts registered in the Cook Islands; and what provisions exist under the protocols of the Trevi Group to restrict access to such bank accounts for the proceeds of crime.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None. The regulations of banking services in the Cook Islands is a matter for the Cook Islands' authorities.

  Police Codes of Conduct
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether anything exists in police codes of conduct to forbid officers passing on confidential information to third parties, including the media, whether for payment or not, during investigations into suspicious deaths; how often these codes have been breached in this respect in the last five years; how many officers have been disciplined or suspended; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the codes in this regard.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The police discipline code is contained in schedule 1 of the Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985—S.1.1985/518. Paragraph 6 of the code creates a disciplinary offence of improper disclosure of information which occurs, inter alia, when a member of a police force without proper authority communicates to any person, any information which he has in his possession as a member of a police force. Punishments for breaching the code include dismissal from the force. I have no reason to think that the provisions of the code are inadequate in this regard. Where money or other consideration has been accepted, the possibility would also arise that the common law offence of bribery had been committed.

  Figures are not collected centrally about the categories of offences leading to disciplinary proceedings.

  Police Body Armour
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make special separate funds available to inner city police forces for adequate provision of covert body armour for police constables working in hazardous duties on foot patrol, and for officers engaged on mobile duties, especially when operating road blocks.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No. Police protective equipment is purchased out of normal polce funds. It is for chief officers of police to decide how to equip their officers.
  559

  Prisoners (Searches)
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in relation to the powers of civilian staff in prisons to search prisoners.

  Mr. Howard
  Civilian staff in prisons conducting activities involving prisoners—for example, workshop instructors or catering staff—should be able to conduct non-intimate "rub-down" searches for unauthorised items such as concealed knives or sharp tools. This would make it unnecessary to bring in uniformed staff solely for that purpose and gives prison governors greater flexibility in their use of staff. In order to put the legal position beyond doubt, a clause is being tabled today for inclusion in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill which will enable civilian staff authorised by the governor to conduct these searches. Only suitably trained or experienced staff regularly involved in the custody or supervision of prisoners would be authorised to use the power. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will bring forward similar measures for Scotland.

  Lenient Sentences
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the Attorney General's right to appeal against lenient sentences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 10 February at columns 441–42.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish for the latest convenient year the number of(a) male, (b) female and (c) all prisoners sentenced to imprisonment by courts within Wales; and how many of these spent part or all of their sentences in prisons outside Wales.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking if he will publish for the latest convenient year the number of (a) male, (b) female and (c) all prisoners sentenced to imprisonment by courts within Wales; and how many of these spent part or all of their sentences in prisons outside Wales.
  According to the records held centrally, some 2,876 prisoners, excluding fine defaulters, were first received into Prison Service establishments under sentence from courts in Wales during 1993. Of these 2,755 were male and 121 were female. Information on the numbers who spent part or all of their sentence in Prison Service establishments outside Wales could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The available information is for the establishment of first reception; of those sentenced by courts in Wales in 1993, 690 males and 121 females were first received under sentence into Prison Service establishments outside Wales. There are no female Prison Service establishments in Wales.

  560

  Hoax Fire Calls
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the county fire authorities in order of number of hoax calls received in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will also show in each authority the number of hoax calls as a percentage of the population.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Information on malicious false alarm incidents attended by local authority fire brigades in order of the number in 1992 is shown in the following table, which also shows the number expressed per 100 population.

  Table showing, for 1992, the number of malicious false alarms for each fire authority and the number of malicious false alarms per 100 population

  Fire authority

  Malicious false alarms1

  Malicious false alarms per 100 population2

  Greater London

  22,384

  0·33

  Strathclyde

  16,349

  0·71

  Greater Manchester

  11,972

  0·47

  West Midlands

  10,747

  0·41

  West Yorkshire

  7,999

  0·39

  Tyne and Wear

  6,949

  0·62

  Merseyside

  6,451

  0·45

  Lancashire

  4,745

  0·34

  South Yorkshire

  4,630

  0·36

  Cleveland

  4,346

  0·78

  Northern Ireland

  3,397

  0·21

  Humberside

  3,104

  0·35

  Essex

  2,957

  0·19

  Kent

  2,678

  0·17

  Durham

  2,574

  0·43

  Staffordshire

  2,164

  0·21

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,160

  0·40

  Gwent

  2,109

  0·47

  Lothian and Borders

  2,107

  0·25

  Derbyshire

  1,920

  0·20

  Avon

  1,837

  0·19

  Devon

  1,724

  0·17

  South Glamorgan

  1,638

  0·40

  Leicestershire

  1,615

  0·18

  West Glamorgan

  1,543

  0·42

  Cheshire

  1,457

  0·15

  Nottinghamshire

  1,446

  0·14

  Berkshire

  1,350

  0·18

  Surrey

  1,320

  0·13

  Cambridgeshire

  1,232

  0·18

  Tayside

  1,136

  0·29

  Fife

  1,108

  0·32

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  1,067

  0·16

  Buckinghamshire

  1,036

  0·16

  Clwyd

  1,024

  0·25

  Cumbria

  1,013

  0·21

  Hertfordshire

  989

  0·10

  Oxfordshire

  986

  0·17

  Norfolk

  984

  0·13

  Gloucestershire

  867

  0·16

  Lincolnshire

  862

  0·15

  Dyfed

  806

  0·23

  East Sussex

  793

  0·11

  Hampshire

  779

  0·05

  Wiltshire

  737

  0·13

  Bedfordshire

  724

  0·14

  Shropshire

  701

  0·17

  Dorset

  693

  0·10

  561

  Fire authority

  Malicious false alarms1

  Malicious false alarms per 100 population2

  Northumberland

  688

  0·22

  West Sussex

  687

  0·10

  Warwickshire

  681

  0·14

  Suffolk

  632

  0·10

  Grampian

  616

  0·12

  Northamptonshire

  616

  0·10

  Central

  567

  0·21

  North Yorkshire

  555

  0·08

  Somerset

  555

  0·12

  Cornwall and Scilly

  366

  0·08

  Highlands and Islands

  346

  0·13

  Gwynedd

  309

  0·13

  Dumfries and Galloway

  255

  0·17

  Powys

  120

  0·10

  Isle of Wight

  100

  0·08

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Based on 1991 mid-year estimates.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Chairman of the Commission is the Speaker of the House of Commons. The deputy chairman is the hon. Sir John Knox. The members are Miss Sheila Cameron QC and Mr. David Macklin CBE.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend has appointed me as the chairman of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. He has appointed the following as members for the period until 31 July 1994:

  Mr. S. G. Bennett (Association of Metropolitan Authorities)

  Mr. A. E. Best (Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association)

  Mrs. E. S. Brett (Association of County Councils)

  Mr. K Cameron (Fire Brigades Union)

  Mr. B. T. A. Collins (Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services)

  Mr. M. I. Davies (National Association of Fire Officers)

  Mr. D. T. Davis (Institution of Fire Engineers)

  Mr. M. R. Fordham (Fire Brigades Union)

  Mr. T. L. Glossop (Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association)

  Mr. C. Grenyer (Association of County Councils)

  Mr. W. J. A. Innes (Home Office)

  Mr. D. Matthews (Fire Brigades Union)

  Mr. G. Newton (National Association of Fire Officers)

  Mr. D. Punshon (Association of County Councils)

  Mr. A Ritchie (Association of Metropolitan Authorities)

  Mr. B. G. Robinson (Chief Fire Officer, London Fire Brigade)

  Mr. R. Scott (Fire Brigades Union)

  Mr. G. Setterfield (National Association of Fire Officers)

  Mr. J. Tiplady (Association of Metropolitan Authorities)

  Mr. F. Walker (Association of Metropolitan Authorities)

  Mr. M. Warner (Association of County Councils)

  Mr. R. G. Williams (National Association of Fire Officers)

  Dr. W. D. Woolley (Director, Fire Research Station)

  562
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The current membership is as follows:

  Sir Leonard Peach (Chairman)

  Mr. Peter Moorhouse (Deputy Chairman)

  Mr. John Cartwright (Deputy Chairman)

  Mr. Karamjit Singh

  Mr. Gordon Marsh

  Mr. Edward Wignall

  Brigadier Anthony Vivian CBE

  Miss Beryl Wallis

  Mrs. Linda Cawsey

  Mr. Mark Chapman CVO

  Mr. William McCall

  Miss Linda Haye

  Lt. Col. Anthony Williams

  Mr. Linbert Spencer

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the(a) approved establishment and (b) actual numbers of uniformed police constables for each of the Metropolitan police divisions for each month from January to December 1993 and the projected numbers for each month from January to April 1994.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner that information relating to divisions is not held centrally. A table of figures showing uniform police constable strength and establishment at area level for each month of 1993 is shown. Projected figures for 1994 are not available.

  Divisional uniform police constable establishment and strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  1 January 1993 to 1 February 1993

  1 Area

  1,884·00

  1,827·90

  2 Area

  1,824·00

  1,779·50

  3 Area

  1,919·00

  1,931·24

  4 Area

  1,520·00

  1,569·40

  5 Area

  1,411·00

  1,356·40

  6 Area

  1,918·00

  1,876·21

  7 Area

  1,689·00

  1,643·41

  8 Area

  1,288·00

  1,309 ·31

  TOTAL

  13,453·00

  13,293·37

  PC variation

  —

  -159·63

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +155·40

  2 February 1993 to 1 March 1993

  1 Area

  1,875·00

  1,804·90

  2 Area

  1,819·00

  1,802·50

  3 Area

  1,914·00

  1,918·80

  4 Area

  1,532·00

  1,553·90

  5 Area

  1,407·00

  1,349·70

  6 Area

  1,913·00

  1,862·61

  7 Area

  1,682·00

  1,633·41

  8 Area

  1,375·00

  1,297·31

  TOTAL

  13,517·00

  13,223·13

  PC variation

  —

  -293·87

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +178·03

  2 March 1993 to 31 March 1993

  1 Area

  1,890·00

  1,811·90

  2 Area

  1,836·00

  1,809·10

  3 Area

  1,960·00

  1,915·80

  4 Area

  1,655·00

  1,545·90

  5 Area

  1,331·00

  1,362·70

  563

  Establishment

  Strength

  6 Area

  1,910·00

  1,865·01

  7 Area

  1,656·00

  1,643·41

  8 Area

  1,306·00

  1,306·31

  TOTAL

  13,544,00

  13,260·13

  PC variation

  —

  -283·87

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +162·03

  April 1993 to 4 May 1993

  1 Area

  1,890·00

  1,811·90

  2 Area

  1,836·00

  1,809·58

  3 Area

  1,960·00

  1,914·80

  4 Area

  1,655·00

  1,544·90

  5 Area

  1,331·00

  1,363·70

  6 Area

  1,910·00

  1,864·01

  7 Area

  1,656·00

  1,642·41

  8 Area

  1,306·00

  1,306·31

  TOTAL

  13,544·00

  13,257·61

  PC variation

  —

  -286·39

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +161·03

  5 May 1993 to 2 June 1993

  1 Area

  1,890·00

  1,845·90

  2 Area

  1,836·00

  1,831·68

  3 Area

  1,960·00

  1,909·93

  4 Area

  1,655·00

  1,530·90

  5 Area

  1,331·00

  1,432·85

  6 Area

  1,910·00

  1,902·11

  7 Area

  1,656·00

  1,672·10

  8 Area

  1,290·00

  1,306·50

  TOTAL

  13,528·00

  13,431·97

  PC variation

  —

  -96·03

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +150·13

  3 June 1993 to 5 July 1993

  1 Area

  1,891·00

  1,846·90

  2 Area

  1,836·00

  1,830·43

  3 Area

  1,961·00

  1,915·93

  4 Area

  1,656·00

  1,517·50

  5 Area

  1,332·00

  1,445·85

  6 Area

  1,911·00

  1,918·21

  7 Area

  1,656·00

  1,660·10

  8 Area

  1,291 ·00

  1,299·90

  TOTAL

  13,534·00

  13,442·82

  PC variation

  —

  -91·18

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +154·13

  6 July 1993 to 2 August 1993

  1 Area

  1,890·00

  1,860·90

  2 Area

  1,836·00

  1,846·43

  3 Area

  1,961·00

  1,913·38

  4 Area

  1,656·00

  1,520·49

  5 Area

  1,332·00

  1,468·95

  6 Area

  1,911·00

  1,932·20

  7 Area

  1,656·00

  1,674·90

  8 Area

  1,291·00

  1,301·90

  TOTAL

  13,534·00

  13,519·15

  PC variation

  —

  -14–85

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +153·33

  1 August 1993 to 6 September 1993

  1 Area

  1,899·00

  1,871·70

  2 Area

  1,857·00

  1,840·43

  3 Area

  1,970·00

  1,908·88

  4 Area

  1,663·00

  1,523·29

  5 Area

  1,338·00

  1,472·95

  6 Area

  1,918·00

  1,935·20

  7 Area

  1,664·00

  1,663·90

  8 Area

  1,295·00

  1,323·90

  564

  Establishment

  Strength

  TOTAL

  13,604·00

  13,540·25

  PC variation

  —

  -63·75

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +129·56

  7 September 1993 to 4 October 1993

  1 Area

  1,904·00

  1,873·70

  2 Area

  1,861·00

  1,834·56

  3 Area

  1,974·00

  1,920·48

  4 Area

  1,667·00

  1,534·69

  5 Area

  1,341·00

  1,464·95

  6 Area

  1,921·00

  1,927·63

  7 Area

  1,660·00

  1,657·90

  8 Area

  1,297·00

  1,326·50

  TOTAL

  13,633·00

  13,540·41

  PC variation

  —

  -92·59

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +116·80

  5 October 1993 to 1 November 1993

  1 Area

  1,907·00

  1,867·70

  2 Area

  1,864·00

  1,824·56

  3 Area

  1,977·00

  1,926·93

  4 Area

  1,670·00

  1,530·69

  5 Area

  1,343·00

  1,457·95

  6 Area

  1,924·00

  1,922·63

  7 Area

  1,670·00

  1,654·90

  8 Area

  1,299·00

  1,323·20

  TOTAL

  13,654·00

  13,510·56

  PC variation

  —

  -143·44

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +102·90

  2 November 1993 to 6 December 1993

  1 Area

  1,907·00

  1,868·76

  2 Area

  1,864·00

  1,816·36

  3 Area

  1,977·00

  1,929·93

  4 Area

  1,670·00

  l,553·69

  5 Area

  1,343·00

  1,453·65

  6 Area

  1,924·00

  1,918·36

  7 Area

  1,670·00

  1,648·20

  8 Area

  1,299·00

  1,328·20

  TOTAL

  13,654·00

  13,517·15

  PC variation

  —

  -136·85

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +90·93

  7 December 1993 to 31 December 1993

  1 Area

  1,913·00

  1,891·76

  2 Area

  1,870·00

  1,823·36

  3 Area

  1,984·00

  1,948·93

  4 Area

  1,675·00

  1,568·69

  5 Area

  1,340·00

  1,456·65

  6 Area

  1,929·00

  1,9211·36

  7 Area

  1,676·00

  1,640·60

  8 Area

  1,302·00

  1,326·20

  TOTAL

  13,697·00

  13,577·55

  PC variation

  —

  -119·45

  Sergeant variation

  —

  +79·93

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish information giving details of the capital provided in the Budget for(a) Teesside and (b) Tyne and Wear for the provision of housing for each year since 1987.

  Sir George Young
  Capital for the provision and maintenance of housing is provided to English local authorities through housing investment programme—HIP—allocations, which are issued annually by the Department.

  Information on HIP allocations made to each local authority in England for each year from 1979–80 to 1993–94 is available in the Library.

  Information on HIP allocations for 1994–95 will be placed in the Library shortly. Information on 1994–95 allocations for those local authorities within the county of Cleveland, and within the former county of Tyne and Wear, are given in the table:

  1994–95 HIP allocations

  Local authority

  (£ thousand)

  Hartlepool

  3,522

  Langbaurgh-on-Tees

  4,305

  Middlesbrough

  3,542

  Stockton-on-Tees

  3,926

  Gateshead

  5,921

  Newcastle

  8,779

  North Tyneside

  8,811

  South Tyneside

  3,896

  Sunderland

  8,746

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those that were consulted on the formation of the single regeneration budget.

  Mr. Baldry
  To date about 8,500 copies of the draft bidding guidance on the single regeneration budget have been distributed to a wide range of organisations and individuals, including local authorities, business organisations, training and enterprise councils and voluntary and community groups.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those who will be responsible for making the decisions in the regional offices of the single regeneration budget on how the budget is spent.

  Mr. Baldry
  The integrated regional offices and the single regeneration budget do not come into operation until April 1994. The bidding arrangements for the single regeneration budget for 1995–96 are currently the subject of consultation. Decisions on the bids will be made towards the end of this year. It is therefore too early to determine what detailed arrangements will be made within integrated regional offices for dealing with decisions on the single regeneration budget.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total budgets for which each regional director of the single regeneration budget is responsible and the amount of funding each is able to provide for regeneration in their respective areas.
  566
  Mr. Baldry
  In its first year, the single regeneration budget will largely operate through the arrangements in place for the 20 contributing programmes and will honour existing commitments. Planned provision in 1994–95 is £1·442 billion and the expected regional distribution is:

  £ million

  South East

  15

  Eastern

  15

  South West

  42

  East Midlands

  68

  West Midlands

  175

  Merseyside

  103

  North West

  159

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  156

  North East

  159

  London

  369

  1,261

  English Partnerships

  181

  Total

  1,442

  Notes:

  1. These figures are provisional and are net of expected receipts. Where firm data is not yet available expenditure has been apportioned on the basis of the pattern of spend in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  2. For Department of Trade and Industry and Employment Department programmes transferring, Merseyside figures are included in those for the north west.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he proposes to make in relation to council tax for the mentally impaired living alone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Where all the residents of a dwelling are severely mentally impaired a 50 per cent. council tax discount applies. In many cases the residents will be able to have all or part of the remaining liability met by council tax benefit.

  We have received a number of representations to the effect that such dwellings should be exempt from the council tax. We are presently considering those representations: I shall let the hon. Member know when we have reached a conclusion.

  European Funding Schemes
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the European funding schemes for which local authorities can apply, the total budget of each scheme, the percentage that each local authority can apply, the total amount of each budget that is designated to England, and the total amount claimed by local authorities in each year from 1980.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Rhinoceroses
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with other parties to the convention on international trade in endangered species on how to clamp down on the illegal trade in rhinoceros.
  567
  Mr. Atkins
  At the most recent meeting of the Standing Committee of the convention, held in Brussels in September, it was decided to put further pressure on consumer countries, especially China and Taiwan, to end all internal trade in rhino products and to bring stocks under Government control. The United Kingdom has observer status on the committee and played an active part in the discussions leading to the decisions. In addition the United Kingdom, together with our European partners, fully supported the discussion of the CITES Standing Committee to send technical and high-level delegations to rhino-horn consuming countries to assess the effectiveness of their efforts to combat illegal trade in rhino horn and to offer advice and assistance. We have contributed £5,000 towards the costs of the high-level delegation which has recently visited China and Taiwan. The Government will be represented at the Standing Committee meeting next month which will consider what further action should be taken in the light of the delegations reports.

  The United Kingdom Government have taken a leading role in encouraging greater efforts to conserve rhinos. On 3 February my Department announced a grant of £60,000 towards a project co-funded by the European Commission and the Worldwide Fund for Nature to appoint a scientific officer to co-ordinate rhino conservation activities throughout Africa.

  Waveney District Council
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to relax spending restrictions to permit Waveney district council to match, pound for pound, the money recently awarded to parts of Waveney under structural funds, objective 5b; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  No. For an explanation of the Government's policy on matching funding for European regional development fund grants, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 11 January 1994,Official Report, columns 3–4.

  Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his decision on the Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty designation order submitted to him by the Countryside Commission.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today confirmed the order which will designate Nidderdale as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The designation covers an area of 603 sq km in north Yorkshire. Nidderdale is important for its natural beauty and unspoilt rural character which the designation will help to secure.

  Housing Action Trust, Brent
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further progress has been made with the proposal for a housing action trust in Brent.

  Sir George Young
  I am pleased to announce, after further consultation with the tenants, that a postal ballot will be held from 14 to 27 March 1994. This will enable the 568
  tenants of the Stonebridge estate to vote on whether they are in favour of the establishment of a housing action trust for their estate.

  The housing action trust proposal represents a major opportunity to improve the estate and the quality of life within it, but the final decision must rest with the tenants. I very much hope that they will use their vote to decide the future of the estate.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Biwater Group
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the Overseas Development Administration's water and sewerage sector budget has supported contracts won by the Biwater Group in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development Administration does not have a separate water and sewerage sector budget. Since 1985 Biwater Group has been awarded contracts under our bilateral aid programme spending as follows. Two contracts supported under the aid and trade provision, that is, a rural water supply scheme in Malaysia which commenced in 1986 with ATP support of £59·46 million and a hill country water project in Sri Lanka which commenced in 1988 with ATP support of £2·129 million.

  Under our regular country programme—excluding ATP which is centrally managed—we maintain central records on contracts undertaken direct by ODA with United Kingdom firms as part of technical co-operation. These show that a contract, valued at £1·5 million as part of the Cairo waste water project, was placed with the Biwater Group and began in 1992.

  For aid other than technical cooperation, contracts are placed with United Kingdom firms by overseas Governments or their institutions and not by ODA; our financial aid is made to the recipient country Government as a contribution to the cost of these contracts. Information on which United Kingdom firms received these contracts is not maintained centrally in ODA. Such information could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

  Brazil
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by value each British aid project in Brazil; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Overseas Development Administration—ODA—is currently funding 15 projects in Brazil. These are:

  1. Anglo-Brazilian Climate Observation Study (£2·9 million)

  2. Rainforest Silviculture Research Project (£2·4 million)

  3. Caxivana Research Station (£1·9 million)

  4. Forest Biomass and Nutrient Research Project (£1·7 million)

  5. Lake Mamiraua Ecological Research Station (£1·6 million)

  6. Rain Forest Pilot Programme Trust Fund (£1·5 million)

  7. Tocantins Forestry and Rural Development Project (£1·1 million)

  8. Tapajos National Forest Management Project (£0·8 million)

  9. Aromatic Plants Developments Project (£0·7 million)

  10. Central Amazonia Flora and Vegetation Project (£0·6 million)

  11. Recife Environmental Control Project (£0·4 million)

  569

  12. Floodplain Forest Ecology and Management Project (£0·3 million)

  13. Sao Paulo State Water and Sewerage Project (£0·2 million)

  14. Assistance to the Brazilian Indian Agency, FUNAI (£0·2 million)

  15. Yanomami Health Project (£0·2 million)

  The United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding on environmental co-operation with the Government of Brazil in July 1989. This provides the main focus for the programme which is the United Kingdom's largest in Latin America.

  In addition to these bilateral projects, we provide some £1·8 million per annum to finance post graduate and technical training awards for Brazilian students in the United Kingdom. Also, ODA's joint funding scheme is presently supporting 53 small projects in Brazil, managed by British non-government organisations, at a cost of more than £0·7 million. Other small projects are supported by the British ambassador's discretionary scheme, including a £55,000 grant to the Sao Martinho shelter for street children in Rio de Janeiro.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to make grants from the know-how fund available for Vietnam; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The know-how fund provides specialist skills and training for the former Soviet Union and eastern and central Europe. We are providing £10 million worth of similar technical co-operation for Vietnam under our aid programme to that country.

  Commonwealth Institute
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other Commonwealth Governments about the increasing their funding of the Commonwealth Institute; and what discussions he has had with the Commonwealth Secretariat about improving links between the Secretariat and the Commonwealth Institute, and expanding financial support from the Commonwealth to the Commonwealth Institute.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  All Commonwealth high commissioners in London and the Commonwealth Secretary-General are, ex-officio, governors of the institute's board. Through them, the assessors on the board, appointed by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to represent Government Departments in the United Kingdom, maintain a continuing dialogue on the level of funding and support provided by Commonwealth Governments and the Commonwealth secretariat, in addition to the direct contacts between the institute's staff and high commissions and the secretariat.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what purpose the Commonwealth Institute building would be put if the Commonwealth Institute closes or virtually closes in 1996; and what representations have been made to him by the appropriate local authority about the planning implications of the closure of the Commonwealth Institute, or about acceptable alternative uses for the building.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The board, the director-general and staff of the institute are developing a re-launch strategy to 570
  ensure that the institute does not close in 1996. Any alternative use to which the institute's building could be put would have to take account of the building's grade II* listed status and the terms of the 999 year lease governing the use of the site and building.

  On 13 October 1993, the Council of the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea adopted the following resolution:
  "That this Council notes with dismay the proposal to withdraw funding from the Commonwealth Institute and regrets that should the Institute close, its valuable role in promoting inter-cultural awareness will be lost."

  In conveying the resolution to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the Leader of the council argued that since it occupies a grade II* listed building the Commonwealth Institute was unique in the borough and that alternative uses for the building would be very hard to find if the institute had to leave.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received urging his Department to continue grant in aid to the Commonwealth Institute beyond 1996; what were the main conclusions of the inquiry, carried out by Lord Armstrong, into the Commonwealth Institute; if he will place a copy of Lord Armstrong's report in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have received many representations from MPs and members of the public.

  In his review of the Commonwealth Institute, Lord Armstrong identified four options for the institute:

  (i) a larger grant in aid

  (ii) a continuation of the status quo

  (iii) the transfer of the Institute's collection elsewhere, and look separately at the buildings

  (iv) the closure of the Institute.

  In his conclusions, Lord Armstrong advised against closure; assumed increased Government funding to be unlikely; and recommended that the institute should be enabled to continue to run as at present, while the feasibility of transferring the collection of objects to another institution was examined. He judged that if there was no prospect of a significant increase in Government funding it would be unsatisfactory for all concerned to keep the institute ticking over indefinitely at the present level.

  I have placed a copy of Lord Armstrong's review in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Departments for Education and for National Heritage and other Government Departments from his Department about spreading or switching funding of the Commonwealth Institute; and what discussions he has had with private sector interests about private sponsorship of the work of the Commonwealth Institute.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My Department consulted other Government Departments, including the Departments for Education and National Heritage, before the decision to cease funding in 1996 was announced on 21 September 1993. No other Government Department was able to assist financially.

  The outlines for a relaunch plan were presented by the board of governors to the institute's annual general meeting on 16 November 1993. The detailed implementation including the financing of this plan is under preparation by the director-general.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the Post Office users councils for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The members of the Post Office users councils for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as at 21 January 1994 are as follows:

  Scotland

  Mr. Andrew O. Robertson (Chairman)

  Mr. Richard J. Ardern

  Dr. Tom N. A. Begg OBE JP

  Lady Jane Forbes

  Mrs. Vivian B. Greenhill

  Mr. D. G. Marnoch

  Mrs. Elizabeth A. Packard

  Mr. Alastair J. Turnbull

  Mr. Peter Wilson JP

  Mr. Edward Young

  Wales

  Dr. Eleanor M. James (Chairman)

  Mr. Gordon Donaldson

  Mr. Donald R. Dutton JP

  Mr. Graham S. Hall

  Mr. C. F. Hay

  Mrs. Margaret M. Kerridge

  Mr. Huw Ifor Lewis

  Mr. Lawrence Murphy

  Miss Meryl Pike

  Mr. Ellis Roberts

  Mr. Neville W. Simms MBE

  Mr. Anthony D. White

  Northern Ireland

  Mrs. Gwen Savage (Chairman)

  Mr. Ralph G. Bauer

  Mrs. R. P. M. Goldie

  Mrs. Olive M. Marshall

  Mr. James O. McDonald MBE

  Deaconess Hilary M. McDowell

  Mr. Albert J. Sherrard

  Mr. John D. Thompson

  Mr. George B. Turkington

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

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The members of the English Advisory Committee on Telecommunications as at 21 January 1994 are:

  Miss Moira E. Black (Chairman)

  Ms Anne Ballard

  Mrs. Diana C. Banks OBE

  Mr. Harry Branchdale

  Mr. Iain R. Bryce

  Mr. Samuel J. Cooper

  Mr. John D. Green

  Mr. Robert F. Little

  Mr. Brian M. Love

  Ms Claire B. Milne

  Mr. Douglas R. Oram

  Dr. Joyce M. Wood

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's assistance to the British aerospace industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Since 1979 the Department has provided over £1·5 billion of support for major civil 572
  aerospace projects in the form of launch aid and support for research and technology. The DTI also helps the industry to sell its products and services abroad, in co-operation with other Departments, and ECGD has provided over £735 million of export credit cover to support these sales over the last three years.

  Ferrous Scrap
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is his assessment of the impact of increased demand and price for ferrous scrap internationally on the United Kingdom industry; and what steps he intends to take to help the United Kingdom industry;

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of (a) demand and (b) price of ferrous scrap in the current year and in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government have been closely monitoring recent developments. Ferrous scrap is an internationally traded commodity and as such will vary in price according to the level of supply and demand.

  I have agreed to meet a delegation from the steel and foundry industries. We have also discussed these matters with the European Commission, which is currently undertaking an in-depth study of the international scrap market. We will be studying the results carefully.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of export of ferrous scrap(a) in terms of tonnage and (b) in terms of value in each of the past 10 years; and what is his projection for 1994.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is published in the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, Central Statistical Office", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies (i) in the current financial year and (ii) planned for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department's publicity advertising in the current year has included the following:

  Export Services

  Objective: to encourage firms to make use of Overseas Trade Services in tackling markets abroad.

  Assessment: responses and take up of information and services.

  Business in Europe

  Objective: to encourage United Kingdom firms into other European markets, and to provide information and help.

  Assessment: responses and take up of information and services.

  Small firms merit award for research and technology

  Objective: promotion of the SMART scheme to stimulate technological innovation in small firms.

  Assessment: responses and applications.

  Firework safety

  Objective: to alert the public to the need to enjoy fireworks safely.

  573

  Assessment: injury statistics are published annually.

  Inward investment

  Objective: to promote the United Kingdom as the preferred European location for foreign investment.

  Assessment: awareness and monitoring of the number and quality of responses.

  Queen's awards

  Objective: to attract applicants for the Queen's Awards for Export, Technological and Environmental Achievement.

  Assessment: responses and applications.

  The Department has many other promotional programmes, most of which have involved little or no advertising expenditure in the current year. Each has its own objectives and evaluation arrangements. Examples of topics covered are: DTI services to business; export promotion; small firms and business link; innovation and technology services; consumer affairs; industry sponsorship; business and the environment; deregulation; renewable energy; United Kingdom space interests; assisted areas; manufacturing and management best practice; and United Kingdom offshore supplies expertise.

  Most of these activities will continue in 1994–95, and media allocations will be made during the year according to need.

  Details of advertising and other promotional activities by the Department's agencies are not held centrally.

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the reprocessing of a final load of pressure for the reactor fuel was authorised following the termination of the fast reactor programme.

  Mr. Eggar
  Reprocessing the spent fuel represents the best value for money, based on both technical and economic grounds.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the implications for the frequency of plutonium nitrate shipments from Dounreay to Sellafield of plans to increase the rate of prototype fast reactor spent fuel reprocessing over the next three or more years.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) on 22 June 1993,Official Report, column 134.

  Research and Development
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on United Kingdom industrial research and development spending, by sector, in each of the past five years; what these figures are as a percentage of(a) sales, (b) profits and (c) dividends; and what comparison his Department has undertaken with the top 200 companies world wide.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Data on United Kingdom business enterprise research and development expenditure by detailed product group for 1988–1992 were published in table 2 of the Central Statistical Office "First Release" (CSO(93)188) a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Research and development expenditure as a percentage of sales is given in table 3 of the same publication.
  574
  Research and development expenditure as a percentage of sales, profits, and dividends for individual United Kingdom companies is published in "The 1993 UK R&D Scoreboard" a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. This publication also contains similar data for the 200 international companies spending most of research and development. The data in the scoreboard are drawn from annual reports and accounts and are not directly comparable to the data published by the Central Statistical Office.

  Net Book Agreement
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Office of Fair Trading report of the inquiry into the net book agreement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  This is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading who announced on 23 November 1993 that he would consider again the case for applying to the restrictive practices court for leave to have its decision in respect of the net book agreement reviewed.

  Charter Markets
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has consulted the Secretary of State for the Environment on the environmental effect of his proposals to change the legislation regarding charter markets; and what assessment he has made of the compatibility of those proposals with recent planning guidance on out-of-town shopping developments.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Consultations have, of course, taken place between myself and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, on all these matters and the Government's proposals in the Deregulation Bill take due account of all the relevant issues.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list of all initiatives that are currently planned or operating which will exploit tidal power.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department's tidal energy programme is now being completed. Remaining work consists mainly of generic studies of the impact of tidal barrages on the environment.

  Specific studies are being completed on steel-concrete sandwich composite for use in tidal barrages, mud transport in shallow water, fish deterrence, estuary sediment prediction, bird populations and mesocosm studies.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the non-fossil fuel obligation fund is allocated to(a) nuclear power, (b) wind power, (c) geothermal power, (d) tidal power and (e) other renewable energy sources.

  Mr. Eggar
  The level of payments to the individual technologies contracted under the non-fossil fuel obligation, and financed by the fossil fuel levy, depends on the contracts which the regional electricity companies sign in fulfilment of the NFFO orders, on the amounts of electricity generated under these contracts, and the market price of electricity. The Director General of Electricity Supply has estimated that in 1993–94 around 6 per cent. of the amount raised by the fossil fuel levy will go to renewables generators.

  Mr. Asil Nadir
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the Official Receiver has taken against Mr. Asil Nadir under the Insolvency Act 1986.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Official Receiver has discharged his usual functions under the Insolvency Act, 1986 in relation to the bankruptcy of Mr. Nadir.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Mr. Asil Nadir will be eligible to be discharged as a bankrupt; and if he will give an assurance that he will not automatically be discharged.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Under section 279 of the Insolvency Act, 1986 most bankrupts are automatically discharged on the third anniversary of their bankruptcy. In Mr. Nadir's case the third anniversary of his bankruptcy is 25 November 1994. However, the court may, on the application of the Official Receiver, suspend the discharge of any bankrupt who fails to comply with any of his obligations under the Act, for example to co-operate with his trustee.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, columns 522–23; what qualifications the Committee of Selection ascertained under the terms of paragraph 2 of Standing Order No. 86 in respect of the nomination of the hon. Members for Stroud (Mr. Knapman), for Hexham, (Mr. Atkinson), for Leeds, North-East (Mr. Kirkhope), for Swindon (Mr. Coombs) and for Blackpool, North (Mr. Elletson) to serve on the First Scottish Standing Committee in respect of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill.

  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  It is not the practice of the Committee of Selection to comment upon its private deliberations.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, pursuant to his answer of 31 January, Official Report, columns 522–32, what documents the Committee of Selection had before it in ascertaining the qualifications of hon. Members nominated to serve on the First Scottish Standing Committee in respect of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill.

  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  It would not be appropriate to disclose the material the Committee of Selection uses during its private meetings.

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 museum of science and industry.

  Mr. Sproat
  The members of the board of trustees of the science museum are:

  Sir Austin W. Pearce CBE (Chairman)

  Professor Sir Eric Ash CBE FEng FRS

  576

  Dr. Mary D. Archer

  The Lord Brabourne CBE

  The Viscount Downe DL

  Miss Mary S. Goldring OBE

  Mrs. Anita Higham BA Lesl Med

  Mrs. Joanna Kennedy CEng

  HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO ADC

  Dr. Bridget Ogilvie FI Biol

  Sir Michael Quinlan GCB

  Sir Dennis E. Rooke CBE ERS FEng

  Leopold de Rothschild Esq CBE

  Professor Sir John M. Thomas FRS

  Sir Christopher S. Wates FCA

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the Board of the Greater Manchester museum of science.

  Mr. Sproat
  The members of the board of trustees of the Manchester museum of science and industry are:

  John Lee Esq. (Chairman)

  Michael Bailey Esq.

  Louis Brennan Esq.

  Mrs. Joan Brown

  Ms Gayle Broughall

  Michael Dyble Esq.

  Professor Michael Gordon Gibbons BSc BEng MSc PhD

  Mrs. Virginia Halliwell

  Ben F. Hurren Esq.

  Ms Sue Runyard

  Sir Gilbert Thompson

  Dr. John Thynne

  Col. John Timmins

  Anthony Wilson Esq.

  F. D. Wilson Esq.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the board of the national portrait gallery.

  Mr. Sproat
  The members of the board of trustees of the national portrait gallery are:

  Rev. Professor Owen Chadwick, OM, KBE, DD, PPBA (Chairman)

  Sir Anthony Acland

  Mrs. Jane Benson

  Sir Roger de Grey (ex officio)

  Henry N. L. Keswick, Esq, MA

  Professor Norbert C. Lynton, BA

  Sir Oliver N. Millar, KCVO, FBA

  Lord Morris, MA, DPhil

  The Rt. Hon. Tony Newton, OBE, MP (ex officio)

  Professor Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi

  Professor John M. Roberts, MA, DPhil

  Sir David Scholey, CBE

  Mrs. Claire Tomalin

  Mrs. Winifred Tumin

  John Tusa, Esq

  Lord Weidenfield

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the board of the British library.

  Mr. Sproat
  The present members of the British library board are:

  Sir Anthony Kenny FBA (Chairman)

  Full-Time Members

  Brian Lang (Chief Executive)

  Michael Smethurst (Director, General Humanities and Social Sciences)

  David Russon (Director General, Science Technology and Industry)

  Part-Time Members

  Penelope Lively

  David Peake

  The Hon. Edward Adeane, CVO

  John Forty, CBE, PhD, DSc

  577

  Ronald Utiger, CBE

  Michael Griffith, CBE, DL

  Dame Ann Warburton, DCVO

  Henry Heaey, FLA

  Timothy Rix

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who are the members currently appointed to the Library and Information Services Council.

  Mr. Sproat
  The present members of the Library and Information Services Council (England) are:

  Sir Peter Swinnerton-Dyer KBE, FRS (Chairman)

  Peter Cox

  Philip Holmes

  Nigel Macartney

  Sally Marshall

  Michael Messenger

  Nigel Oxbrow

  Sheila Pantry

  Keith Crawshaw

  Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey

  Duncan Turner

  Christopher Heinitz

  David Leadbeater

  Brian Burch

  John Hicks

  Attendance in 1992–93

  Forecasts of attendance in 1993–94

  Provisional percentage increase/decrease over the previous year

  (million)

  (million)

  Imperial War Museum

  1·148

  1·150

  +0·2

  National Gallery

  4·200

  3·700

  -12·0

  National Maritime Museum

  0·541

  0·510

  -5·8

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  1·207

  1·200

  -0·6

  National Portrait Gallery

  0·563

  0·600

  +6·6

  Natural History Museum

  1·729

  1·750

  +1·2

  Science Museum

  2·579

  2·635

  +2·2

  Tate Gallery

  2·185

  2·550

  +16·7

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  1·454

  1·435

  -1·0

  Wallace Collection

  0·198

  0·165

  -16·7

  Total2

  15·804

  15·695

  -0·7

  British Museum1

  6·725

  6·209

  -7·7

  1 British Museum figures are for calendar years 1992 and 1993.

  2 Excluding British Museum attendances.

  It is not possible to identify the number of visitors to the Royal Armouries which at present forms part of the Tower of London.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who are the members currently appointed to the court of the Bank of England.

  Mr. Nelson
  The current members of the Bank of England court are as follows:

  Edward George, Esq (Governor)

  Rupert Pennant-Rea, Esq (Deputy Governor)

  Sir George Cadbury

  Anthony Coleby, Esq

  Sir Colin Corness

  Mrs. Frances Heaton

  Sir Christopher Hogg

  Sir Martin Jacomb

  Pendarell Kent, Esq

  Mervyn King, Esq

  Gavin Laird, Esq, CBE

  Sir David Lees

  578

  Robert McKee

  Brian Lang

  Gillian Cross

  John Sumsion OBE

  Rosemary Gray

  Museums and Galleries (Attendances)
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the attendance figures for 1993 reported by the national museums and galleries in England for which he is responsible, broken down into the individual institutions, but including their outstations, with figures in each case of the percentage increase or decrease on the attendance figures for 1992.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 18 January 1994]: Except for the British museum these attendance figures are now provided for financial years not for calendar years.

  I list forecasts for the number of visitors to the 11 national museums and galleries in England for which I am responsible for the current financial year and the actual figures for the financial year 1992–93. More accurate figures for 1993–94 will be available later in July.

  Sir Christopher Morse, KCMG

  Sir David Scholey, CBE

  Professor Sir Roland Smith

  Sir Colin Southgate

  Brian Quinn, Esq

  Ministers (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 (1) internal and (2) overseas travel by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1992–93 after 11 April 1992 and in 1992–93.

  Mr. Nelson
  There was no specific budgetary provision for travel by the Chief Secretary in 1992–93. Expenditure on foreign travel was £660, all of which was incurred after 11 April 1992 attending ministerial meetings at the request of the Chancellor. There was no expenditure on internal travel.

  International Monetary Fund
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the policy of the IMF to publishes only general economic data and not specific policy advice.
  579
  Mr. Nelson
  Discussions between IMF staff and country authorities are confidential. The IMF publish its assessment of the world economy in the "World Economic Outlook" which is published twice a year.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department ever asked British Nuclear Fuels plc for a copy of the Touche Ross report on the economic prospects for THORP; and whether his Department has seen a copy of the report.

  Mr. Portillo
  My Department has neither seen nor asked for a copy of the Touche Ross report. We have received all the information we required on the economics of THORP from the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Minimum Lending Rate
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table giving the minimum lending rate of the Bank of England on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October in each year from 1 January 1990; what is the average mortgage interest rate for the leading building societies at each of these dates; and what is the differential between them.

  Mr. Nelson
  The minimum lending rate was not in use on any of the dates specified. The table gives the clearing banks' base rates on those dates, and the average mortgage interest rate of all building societies.

  Base rate

  Mortgage rate

  Differential

  1990

  January

  15·0

  14·44

  -0·56

  April

  15·0

  15·24

  0·24

  July

  15·0

  15·25

  0·25

  October

  15·0

  15·25

  0·25

  1991

  January

  14·0

  14·34

  0·34

  April

  12·5

  14·24

  1·74

  July

  11·5

  12·75

  1·25

  October

  10·5

  11·82

  1·32

  1992

  January

  10·5

  11·39

  0·89

  April

  10·5

  10·96

  0·46

  July

  10·0

  10·82

  0·82

  October

  9·0

  10·60

  1·60

  1993

  January

  7·0

  8·98

  1·98

  April

  6·0

  8·04

  2·04

  July

  6·0

  8·01

  2·01

  October

  6·0

  8·00

  2·00

  1994

  January

  5·5

  8·00

  2·50

PRIME MINISTER

  Consultancies
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Prime Minister how much the Government spent on employing private sector consultants for each year from 1979.
  580
  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with any of his EU counterparts on the environmental and proliferation implications of THORP.

  The Prime Minister
  I meet my European Union counterparts from time to time, when we discuss a range of issues.

  Sir Peter Levene
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the report of Sir Peter Levene into the Government's use of external consultants.

  The Prime Minister
  At this early stage of the scrutiny no specific decision to publish has been taken but it is the normal practice for efficiency unit reports to be published.

  Northern Region
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the results of the Government's policies in the northern region since 1983; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will list, by Government Departments, the principal aid given to the northern region in each year since 1983.

  The Prime Minister
  Since 1983, Government policy and programmes have helped with the transition of the economy of the north-east region to its present more diversified base.

  This process has been substantially helped by overseas investment of over £2 billion. The Department of Trade and Industry has also committed over £1 billion in assisting industrial and commercial projects, helping to create or safeguard around an estimated 50,000 jobs. Unemployment in the north-east has fallen from a peak of 19·6 per cent. in 1986 to 12·7 per cent. now.

  Visits, Scotland
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 28 January,Official Report, column 406, what were the dates and locations of each of his 13 visits to Scotland.

  The Prime Minister
  In 1991, I made five visits to Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow—twice—Perth, and Deeside.

  In 1992, I also made five visits to Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, Strathclyde and Deeside.

  In 1993, I made three visits to Scotland, including, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Deeside.

  Railway Manufacturing
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the representations made to him by the Design Council about the future of the British railway manufacturing industry and a copy of his response to the Design Council.
  581
  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, I have received no such letter.

  Car Industries
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will urge the German, French and Italian Prime Ministers to encourage the sale of their indigenous car industries.

  The Prime Minister
  The commercially-driven trend towards more cross-border, joint ventures and strategic alliances is expected to continue in the European car industry. I am sure that my German, French and Italian opposite numbers will not stand in the way of this process, which will strengthen Europe's global competitiveness.

  I am delighted that the French Government are following the United Kingdom's example and going ahead with their plan to privatise Renault.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the President of Cyprus on the talks now taking place under the role of the Secretary General of the United Nations.

  The Prime Minister
  I discussed United Nations efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem with President Clerides during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting last October. I have not had any discussions with him about the talks due to begin on 17 February. However my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, has been in close touch with the parties. He met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michaelides, on 2 February.

  Biodiversity Convention
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he is taking to co-ordinate the policy of the FCO and the Department of the Environment in relation to the ratifaction of the biodiversity convention to include the land and marine environments of Ascension Island, British Indian Ocean territory, the Cayman Islands, Chagos Archipelago, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Island, St. Helena, South Georgia and the south Sandwich Islands, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos Islands and Virgin Islands.

  The Prime Minister
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has overall responsibility for the administration, and direct responsiblity for certain external relations, of the United Kingdom's 14 dependent territories and two dependencies.

  Policy towards the territories is co-ordinated through an inter-departmental group, including the Department of the Environment, chaired by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. That group has endorsed a strategy for consultation with the dependencies on whether they wish to be included in the United Kingdom's ratification of the biodiversity convention and, if not, whether they envisage the convention being extended to them at a later date.

  As part of that process dependent territory Governments need to consider taking on the new commitments arising from Rio. The FCO is helping the dependent territories to assess the costs and benefits to them of any new legislation required.

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the procedure for recording the use of ministerial cars; and what arrangements are made to allow inspection of it by hon. Members.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  The procedure is that car log sheets are maintained for recording the use of all ministerial cars. The log sheets are retained as internal documents.

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 Spongiform Encephalopathy advisory committee.

  Mr. Soames
  The members currently appointed to the Spongiform Encephalopathy advisory conmmittee are:

  Dr. D. A. J. Tyrrell, FRS, Chairman

  Professor I. V. Allen

  Professor F. Brown, FRS

  Dr. R. H. Kimberlin

  Mt. D. B. Pepper

  Dr. W. A. Watson

  Dr. R. G. Will

  Dr. W. D. Hueston

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Veterinary Products committee.

  Mr. Soames
  The current membership of the Veterinary Products committee is as follows:

  Chairman

  Professor J. Armour, CBE

  PhD, Dr. hc (Utrecht), MRCVS, FRSE

  Members

  Dr. D. N. Bateman

  BSc, MB BS, Fian CV MRCS, MD, FRCP

  Professor P. M. Biggs, CBE

  DSc, Dr. hc (Liege), DVM (hc) Munich, FRC Path, CBiol,

  FIBiol, FRCVS, FRS

  Professor J. W. Bridges

  DSc, PhD, MRC Path, CChem, FRSC, CBiol, FIBiol, M Inst Env

  Sci, FIOSH

  Professor J. R. Brown

  BSc, MSc, PhD, FRPharmS, CChem, FRSC, CBiol, FIBiol

  Mr. D. S. Collins

  MVB, CBiol, MIBiol, DVPH(MH), MRCVS

  Dr. A. Cooke

  BSc, PhD, CBiol, MIBiol

  Dr. R. Gaskell

  BVSc, PhD, MRCVS

  Professor G. Gettinby

  BSc, PhD

  Miss K. Gibson

  BVMS, MRCVS

  Dr. R. J. Heitzman

  BSc, PhD

  Dr. M. H. Jepson

  583

  BPharm, MSc, PhD, FRPharmS, MlnstPkg, MIInfSc, MCPP

  Professor G. E. Lamming OBE

  DSc, PhD, MA, BSc, BSc (Agric), FIBiol, NDA BSc, Hon Assoc

  RCVS

  Professor P. Lees

  BPharm, PhD, Hon Assoc RCVS, CBiol, FIBiol, Dr hc (Gent)

  Dr. K. A. Linklater

  BVMS, PhD, FRCVS

  Dr. Q. McKellar

  BVMS, PhD, MRCVS

  Dr. C. J. Powell

  BSc, MSc, PhD, DipRCPath, MRCPath

  Professor R. H. Richards

  BA, MA, VetMB, PhD, MRCVS

  Professor I. K. M. Smith

  MSc, PhD, MRCVS

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to each of the agricultural wages committees (England).

  Mr. Jack
  The following persons are appointed to the agricultural wages committees in England:

  Northern region—Carlisle

  Mr. D. Hill

  The Rev. Cannon R. W. Grayson

  Mr. J. Brandwood

  Mr. C. H. Saunders

  Mr. J. N. Anthony

  North Mercia region—Crewe

  Mrs. J. Bond

  Mr. G. Horey

  Mr. S. W. Martin

  Mr. G. B. Carvell

  North east region—Northallerton

  Mr. I. Potter

  Mr. A. Nilson

  Dr. W. Belfield

  Mrs. M. Law

  Mr. C. Oakley

  East midlands region—Nottingham

  Mr. I. D. McKinnell

  Mr. R. W. Tinn

  Anglia region—Cambridge

  Mr. D. S. King

  Mr. J. R. Leishman

  Mr. K. S. John

  Mr. E. J. Peskett

  Wessex region—Bristol

  Mrs. M. R. Sellers

  South Mercia region—Worcester

  Mr. H. Band

  Mr. S. R. Haswell

  South east region—Reading

  Dr. W. T. Jackson

  Miss P. Thorne

  Mr. H. Pollins

  Mr. A. J. Olson

  South west region—Exeter

  Mr. A. C. Gregson

  Wing Commander G. W. E. Newby

  584
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the agricultural dwelling house advisory committees.

  Mr. Jack
  Agricultural dwelling house advisory committees are not standing committees but are set up as required, with a membership drawn from panels of representative and independent members. The panels of independent members for England are appointed as follows:

  Northern region—Carlisle

  Mr. T. H. Richardson

  The Rev. Cannon R. W. Grayson

  Mr. D. Hill

  Mr. J. Brandwood

  Mr. C. H. Saunders

  Mr. J. N. Anthony

  Anglia region—Cambridge

  Mr. C. Gillot

  Mr. N. J. Mills

  Ms J. I. Firrell

  Mr. E. T. Kirby

  Mr. M. J. Harrison

  Mr. A. F. Felstead

  Mr. K. S. John

  Mr. E. J. Peskett

  Mr. C. J. Barker

  Mr. M. J. Coles

  Mr. P. G. Scates

  Mr. J. L. Fielding

  Mr. D. S. King

  Mr. D. P. Scarle

  Mr. A. W. J. Langford

  Mr. J. R. Leishman

  Wessex region—Bristol

  Mrs. M. R. Sellers

  Mr. G. N. Sellers

  Mr. W. H. Spray

  Mr. G. F. Vincent

  Wing Commander N. Rollin

  South Mercia region—Worcester

  Mr. H. Bank

  Mr. S. R. Haswell

  Mr. A. Druitt

  Mr. C. P. Love

  Mrs. E. M. Milton

  Mr. G. Nicholas

  Mrs. J. Thomas

  South East region—Reading

  Mr. M. R. Alden

  Mr. A. L Rowley

  Mr. B. Brownsey

  Group Captain J. Richardson

  Mr. H. Pollins

  Mr. P. J. Longhurst

  Mr. A. J. Olson

  Ms D. Thornton

  Mr. D. M. Saunders

  Dr. W. T. Jackson

  Mr. A. Basford

  Miss P. Thorne

  Mr. G. B. Miller

  Mr. R. Colling

  Mr. M. G. Lang

  Mrs. E. Slade

  Mr. D. W. A. Stevens

  Mr. A. T. R. Fletcher

  Mr. R. Baden-Smith

  North Mercia region—Crewe

  Mr. R. D. Durrand

  Mr. E. Lloyd

  Mr. G. Horey

  585

  Mr. J. Waterhouse

  Mr. J. M. Darlington

  Mrs. M. M. Carpenter

  Mr. H. Harland

  Mr. S. W. Martin

  Mr. G. V. Covell

  North East region—Northallerton

  Mr. I. Potter

  Mr. I. Nelson

  Dr. W. Belfield

  Mrs. M. Law

  Mr. C. Oakley

  East Midlands region—Nottingham

  Mr. R. J. Arnold

  Mr. B. J. Clayton

  Mr. R. W. Tinn

  Mr. T. A. Twigg

  Mr. A. W. Wilde

  South West region—Exeter

  Mr. A. C. Gregson

  Mrs. S. Weston

  Mr. B. K. Milner

  Mr. P. M. Tresidder

  Mrs. J. Thompson

  Wing Commander S. W. E. Newby

  International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she is taking to allow the United Kingdom through the EC to join the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The European Community applied to join the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna—ICCAT—in the mid-1980's. Since ICCAT's constitution did not allow for regional organisations to become members, an amendment was necessary before the EC's application could be progressed.

  The EC's application has now to be ratified by all the members of ICCAT before it can be accepted. Currently, ratification is still required from two member states; Morocco and Gabon, who have both indicated that they will be ratifying in due course.

  The EC currently holds observer status with ICCAT whilst France, Spain and Portugal are members in their own right.

  Farmers' Early Retirement Scheme
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which EU member states have implemented a farmers' early retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  Under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2079/92 the farmers' early retirement scheme is optional for all member states. The following countries have implemented the scheme: France, Ireland and Belgium.

  The United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Luxembourg, Spain and the Netherlands have to date not implemented the EC early retirement scheme. The scheme is not suited to the structure of farming in the United Kingdom and if
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  implemented the cost required to come from national resources could be provided only by reducing expenditure on existing United Kingdom programmes.

  Livestock Premium Scheme
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the due payment date for each livestock premium scheme for each year since 1985; what percentage has been paid for each after this date; and what representations she has received on late payment.

  Mr. Jack
  For the suckler cow premium scheme, European Community rules specified payment within 12 months of the opening of the scheme for 1985 to 1988, within 15 months of the opening of the scheme for 1989, and within 20 months of the opening of the scheme for 1990 to 1992. For the 1993 scheme, payments must be completed by 30 June 1994. Nearly all payments are made before the deadline.

  There was no payment due date for the beef variable premium scheme which operated until March 1989. For its successor, the beef special premium scheme, European Community rules required payment to be made within nine months of a claim between 1989 and 1992. For the 1993 scheme, payments must be completed by 30 June 1994. Between 1989 and 1992, less than 0·1 per cent. of claims were paid after the due date. Figures for 1993 are not yet available.

  European Community regulations specify that sheep annual premium payments must be paid by 15 October—31 December for the 1992 and earlier schemes—of the year following that to which the scheme relates. Nearly all payments are made before the deadline. There is no payment due date for the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme.

  Representations are received from time to time about late or delayed payments. Every effort is made to pay premium as quickly as possible consistent with the need to ensure that applications meet the conditions of the schemes.

  Fish Exporters
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to compensate fish exporting merchants and others who suffer financially as a consequence of action by French fishermen; if she will seek compensation from the French Government; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. Friend has been in touch with the French Minister, Mr. Puech, and left him in no doubt that we expect him to ensure that the deplorable behaviour of some French fishermen is brought to an end as soon as possible.

  We have secured the co-operation of the French authorities in providing police protection for fish consignments on arrival in France upon prior notification, via MAFF, of transport plans. A number of consignments have already passed through this system, which remains available to help trade continue.

  We have also secured the French Government's assurance that compensation will be available, from the regional authorities in France, to those who suffer direct losses as a result of acts of vandalism. MAFF officials can advise and assist exporters on the construction of claims.
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  It is totally unacceptable that people going about their lawful business should be subjected to violence and intimidation. We shall maintain our pressure on the French authorities to restore normality.

  Sheep Dipping
  Mr Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will now make sheep dipping compulsory; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  I have no plans to do so.

  Fishing Fleets (Monitoring)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been made available by the EU to improve monitoring of fishing fleet activity; and how it will be spent.

  Mr. Jack
  Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the common fisheries policy rests with individual member states. Under the terms of Council decision 89/631 EEC the Commission may contribute up to 50 per cent. of the costs of the acquisition or modernisation of capital equipment for use in fisheries enforcement. This scheme runs from 1991 to 1995 and provision is made for expenditure of up to 22 million ECUs in each calendar year. To the end of 1992 a total of 32 million ECUs had been spent.

EDUCATION

  Learning Disabilities
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps have been taken during the implementation of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 to ensure the continuation and expansion of non-vocational courses for students with learning disabilities.

  Mr. Boswell
  The duties on the Further Education Funding Council and LEAs under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 require them to ensure that adequate further education provision, including non-vocational courses, is available for students with learning difficulties or disabilities. We have promoted, through guidance to the Council and LEAs, the maintenance and development of provision for these students. The Government funds the FEFC to enable it to meet its responsibilities, and the local authority grant settlement takes account of all local authority responsibilities, including provision of non-vocational further education for students with learning difficulties or disabilities.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by his Department(a) in the current financial year and (b) planned for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In 1993–94, the campaigns listed included newspaper advertising but did not include radio or television advertising:
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  The 1993 school testing campaign
  The objective was to advertise the availability of an information leaflet for parents summarising tests and assessments at seven, 11 and 14 in the national curriculum.GM schools campaign The objective is to advertise the availability of publications giving factual information about grant-maintained status.The 1994 school testing campaign The objective is to advertise the availability of an information leaflet for parents which summarises tests at seven, 11 and 14 in the national curriculum.
  The following campaign included both press and radio advertising:

  The Charters for Further Education and Higher Education

  The objective was to publicise the charters to allow as many students, potential students, parents, employers and others to obtain copies.

  All of the above advertising campaigns offered individuals the opportunity to order their own copy of the relevant information leaflet. In each case, providing the public with a mechanism for directly obtaining information was an important objective of the campaign.

  The following campaign did not include advertising:

  The DFE roadshow—A Sound Education

  The roadshow visited a number of venues around the country with the objective of updating parents on the Department's education policies and explaining how they can become more involved in their children's education.

  Campaigns are evaluated by pre- and post-campaign market research into their effectiveness, the number of coupon and telephone responses and the number of leaflets issued.

  Publicity activities for 1994–95 have not yet been decided.

  Capital Programmes
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he has given to changing place cost multipliers in assessing capital programme allocations to take into account real costs incurred by local authorities.

  Mr. Forth
  The cost-multipliers used in the calculation of cover for basic need projects are derived from analysis of actual costs incurred by local education authorities through projects to provide new places. They represent a challenging but achievable target.

  My right hon. Friend will consider carefully any representations he receives about changing the means by which cover is provided to meet basic need.

  Examinations
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the extent of anomalies in the published tables of school examination results arising from pupils entering for GCSE a year early; and what proposals he has for rectifying the figures for the overall performance of schools for pupils at the age of 16 years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend is well aware of the arguments concerning the basis on which GCSE information should be presented in school performance tables, and has considered them carefully on several occasions. He continues to believe that the case for publishing data which reflect pupils' achievements before or during the year in which they reach the age of 16 has much to commend it, since it provides a clear and consistent record of results gained by the end of compulsory schooling. He will however shortly be
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  consulting about the basis on which the 1994 tables should be published. Final decisions will be taken in the light of that consultation.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement concerning the validity of comparing results in different areas when they are based on examinations of different boards.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Such comparisons should be generally valid since national examinations have built-in safeguards to ensure consistency in examining standards. All GCE A/AS level and GCSE syllabuses must satisfy criteria set by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority—SCAA. GCSE examinations must be conducted in accordance with the code of practice which my right hon. Friend introduced last year. The Office for Standards in Education has reported that the GCSE code has had a beneficial effect on examining and awarding standards at that level in 1993, and my right hon. Friend has now commissioned SCAA to develop a similar code for GCE. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications requires the awarding bodies for general national vocational qualifications to comply with a code of practice on external testing.

  School Governors
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he has given to introducing a scheme for payment of loss of earnings for members of school governing bodies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  No such scheme has been considered. There is little difficulty in recruiting people to school governorship, which is part of the long tradition of unpaid voluntary service in this country.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 4 February,Official Report, column 933, if he will provide details as to the way in which the £300,000 for research into dyslexia is being spent; and what plans exist for additional spending into the early identification of this condition.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department has provided £250,000 for a research project based at Harris city technology college which is examining ways in which information technology can assist dyslexic pupils; and £74,500 for joint research being carried out by the Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association and the University of Birmingham into phonological awareness in pre-school children and ways in which teachers can identify and teach children with dyslexia. The latter amount includes £43,500 which the Department has recently agreed to provide to enable the research to continue for a further two years until 1996. The Department is currently considering further requests for funding research into dyslexia.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children are estimated to suffer from dyslexia in England and Wales; what is the trend in numbers; and how the figures are collected.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department does not collect such statistics.
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  The British Dyslexia Association estimates that approximately 300,000 children in England and Wales have dyslexia. There is no discernible trend in the number of children with dyslexia.

SCOTLAND

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times the sites of special scientific interest appeals committee has met; and what decisions have been taken on each occasion.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The advisory committee on sites of special scientific interest has met five times. Those meetings have been used to put in place the procedures under which the committee will consider any cases referred to it by Scottish Natural Heritage. SNH is required to receive and consider the advice of the committee on the matters that have been referred to it. To date no cases have been referred to the committee. A copy of the committee's report for 1992–93 has been placed in the Library.

  Astronomer Royal
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to reach conclusions about the appointment of an Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Advice will be given in due course to Her Majesty the Queen on an appointment to the office of Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the maximum, (b) the minimum and (c) the average amount paid out under the arable area payments scheme in Scotland in the latest available year; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 January 1994]: In 1993, the maximum payment made to a Scottish producer under the arable area payments scheme was just over £340,000. The minimum AAPS payment cannot be identified at this time because of the need to update the computer system for recording individual claims under the simplified element of AAPS. The average AAPS payment in Scotland in 1993 was £8,100, although this figure does not take into account the final oil seeds payment due to be paid by the end of March.

  Diabetics
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of insulin-dependent diabetics in Scotland; and how many of them live alone.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 4 February 1994]: The number of insulin-dependent diabetics in Scotland is not recorded. However, in 1986 a working group of the National Medical Consultative Committee estimated that there were some 50,000 diabetics in Scotland, and that some 35 per cent. of them were insulin-dependent. On that basis the number of insulin-dependent diabetics in Scotland would be about 17,500, of whom perhaps 25 per cent. live alone.

  Environmental Sponsorship
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests for environmental sponsorship have been received by Scottish Natural Heritage; and if he will list those granted and those rejected.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 4 February 1994]: Details of grants made in 1992–93 will be given in SNH's annual report for that year which will be published later this month.

  Holyrood House
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what accommodation is designated for members of the royal family excluding Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip at Holyrood house; what accommodation is available for their staff; and how costs are allocated between the occupants and his Department.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend is responsible for the entire cost of the maintenance of the fabric of the palace, for security and for the cost of utilities such as fuel and telephones. All other costs are met by the royal household, which is also responsible for the allocation of accommodation within the palace. I understand that no accommodation is allocated to any particular member of the royal family.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will visit the west Dykebar area of Paisley to discuss with residents the provision of local government services.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 9 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the west Dykebar area. The hon. Member will, of course, have the opportunity to raise the issue of the provision of local government services in west Dykebar and other parts of Scotland during the passage of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill.

  Local Authorities (Applicants)
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to make regulations governing the vetting of qualifications, claimed by applicants to senior and promoted posts in local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the arrangements made by local authorities to vet the qualifications of applicants for professional posts in local government; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what advice he has given to local authorities on the vetting of professional qualifications claimed by applicants for promoted posts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: It is for local authorities, as independent corporate bodies, responsible for the appointment of staff, to arrange to vet the qualifications of job applicants as they consider necessary. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has no locus in this matter.

  After School Care Initiative
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money was given to each local enterprise council in 1993–94 for the after school care initiative; and what is the estimated outturn expenditure by each LEC in 1993–94 in that area of activity.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: The allocation of resources to the local enterprise companies is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the chairmen of those bodies to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Scottish Arts Council
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the organisations or individuals in receipt of awards from the Scottish Arts Council; if he will give details of the funding of the Scottish Arts Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, will assume responsibility for the Scottish Arts Council from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for National Heritage, on 1 April 1994. The Scottish Arts Council's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library, list the organisations and individuals in receipt of Scottish Arts Council funding. Subject to Parliamentary approvals, funding for the Scottish Arts Council in 1994–95 will be £23·777 million.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  [holding answer 9 February 1994]: 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".

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many properties have been sold by Scottish Homes in the parliamentary constituency of Cunninghame, South during each of the last five years; and how much money has been raised from these sales;

  (2) how many Scottish Homes properties there are in each of the parliamentary constituencies in Scotland; and what is the current valuation of the Scottish Homes' properties in each.

  Lord James Dougas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Training
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much Scottish Office and European Community money has been spent on training(a) unemployed youths aged 16 to 18 years, (b) 18 to 24 years and (c) the long-term unemployed in the parliamentary constituency of

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  Greenock and Port Glasgow; how many such trainees subsequently found employment; and which organisations were so financed to (i) commission and (ii) conduct the training programme in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: Responsibility for the delivery of Government training programmes in Scotland was transferred from the training agency to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in April 1991. The information on expenditure requested by the hon. Member is not available at parliamentary constituency level.

  Old Royal High School
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to put the former Crown Office building, the Old Royal high school in Edinburgh on the market.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  Detailed consideration has been given to the future use of the Old Royal high school in conjunction with the Scottish Office and the House authorities. An announcement on that will be made shortly.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Science and Engineering
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what initiatives he is taking to promote a greater interest by young people in science and engineering.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of encouraging young people to take an interest in science and engineering. This campaign which I launched last month includes a range of activities aimed at young people. In particular, the Office of Science and Technology is providing grants of £150,000 for projects involving school children.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many scientists and engineers there are employed in Britain in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the work force; and what is the average for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

  Mr. David Davis
  The spring 1993 labour force survey indicated that of just over 24 million employees, just over 1·5 million, or 6·7 per cent., held a higher education qualification in a science, engineering or technological subject. According to OECD figures, which are based on 25 to 34-year-olds only, in 1991 there were about 770 science and engineering graduates per 100,000 of the United Kingdom labour force. This compares with a mean for the OECD of 633 per 100,000.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the costs of the citizens charter, to the latest possible date.

  Mr. David Davies
  The citizens charter applies to all public services, and this is reflected in their individual expenditure programmes. Centrally, the cost of the charter unit between the inception of the citizens charter and 31 December 1993 was £6,870,549.
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  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further plans he has to make the citizens charter justiciable.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The strength of the citizens charter lies in raising the standard of public services. We have no plans to make it legally enforceable. However, where necessary, specific charter provisions are backed by legislation.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has had from staff organisations regarding his plans to introduce changes to the civil service.

  Mr. David Davis
  The Government keep in touch with the civil service unions on key issues as they arise.

  Science White Paper
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what response he has received from industrialists and academics for the technology foresight proposals set out in the science White Paper.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Industrialists and academics have welcomed the technology foresight proposals set out in the White Paper. Well over 3,000 individuals, representing companies, academic institutions, Government Departments and other organisations have been consulted.

  Research Programmes
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research programmes he has authorised directly connected to his Government's commitments at the United Nations conference on environment and development.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The research councils already make a major contribution to the strategic areas addressed by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development through established and developing research programme, which are reviewed annually. The Government's commitments post-Rio did not include an undertaking to commission new research programmes in any particular area.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil service posts have now been included in executive agencies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Over 346,000 civil servants, 60 per cent. of the total, are now working in 91 executive agencies and other organisations operating on next steps lines. Functions covering over a further 88,000 civil servants are under consideration for agency status.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration he has given to the establishment of a national register of members of appointed public bodies and authorities; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government have no proposal to establish a United Kingdom-wide register of members of appointed public bodies and authorities. It is normal practice for the names of members of public bodies to appear in the individual body's annual report. Public bodies should always be ready to provide a list of their membership and the organisation's postal address at which members may be contacted.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what requirements are made in respect of members and appointed public bodies and authorities as to the availability to the public to their names, addresses, telephone numbers, occupations, political affiliations and financial interests.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Because of the diversity in the nature and functions of these bodies, there are no general requirements. "Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs): A Guide to Departments" states that Departments are responsible for ensuring that appropriate rules of conduct are brought to the attention of candidates for membership; that the legislation founding NDPBs with trading or other financial objectives should include safeguards against conflicts of financial interest; that Departments considering restrictions on business appointments by NDPB board members should seek legal advice; and that members of NDPBs are expected to follow the long-standing rules on participation in political activities. For those bodies which are not NDPBs, Departments are expected to make separate provisions.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who are the members currently appointed to the Natural Environment Research Council.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The current members of the Natural Environment Research Council are:

  Mr. R. Malpas, CBE, FEng (Chairman)

  Dr. Eileen Buttle (Acting Chief Executive)

  Professor J. R. L. Allen, FRS

  Professor G. S. Boulton, FRS

  Dr. P. J. Bunyan

  Dr. M. J. Carter

  Professor W. G. Chaloner, FRS

  Lord Chorley

  Dr. D. J. Fisk

  Dr. I. J. Graham-Bryce

  Mr. E. R. Hassall

  Professor M. P. Hassell, FRS

  Professor B. J. Hoskins, FRS

  Professor H. E. Huppert, FRS

  Professor P. S. Liss

  Dr. R. J. Pentreath

  Professor D. A. Ritchie, FRSE

  Dr. G. W. Robinson

  Professor J. I. Sprent, FRSE

  Professor S. A. Thorpe, FRS

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Board for Research Councils.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Advisory Board for the Research Councils was abolished on 31 December 1993.

  Roads
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 698, how may private citizens obtain information relating to local authorities cost-benefit analysis calculations in respect of local highway schemes.
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  Mr. Waldegrave
  Private citizens should write to the director of transport within the relevant local authority.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what provisions of the citizens charter assist private citizens wishing to ascertain the background assumptions and method of calculation for cost-benefit analysis prepared by local authorities in respect of local road schemes.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There are no such provisions within the citizens charter. However, local authorities have discretion to disclose what information they see fit. There are also statutory requirements within the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 which requires local authorities to provide members of the public with information of this type.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 698, regarding cost-benefit analysis carried out by local authorities in respect of bypass schemes, what powers he has to compel local authorities to disclose this information to citizens.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Ministers do not have such powers over local authorities.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of those covered by personal pensions at the rebate-only level are entitled only to the minimum benefits needed to contract out of state earnings-related pensions.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Bates) on 30 November 1993 at column 433.

  National Insurance Rebate
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions on the reconsideration of the national insurance rebate for those contracted out of state earnings-related pensions and in particular the possibility of changing an age-related rebate.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government are committed to considering options for a new system of rebates related to age for personal pension holders and possibly other contracted-out schemes. A consultation exercise was conducted between 10 December 1993 and 15 January 1994. We are now considering the responses received.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps the Chancellor has taken to promote the citizens charter in respect of the Child Support Agency and discrimination against men.

  Mr. Burt
  The Child Support Agency is committed to the principles of public service set out in the citizens charter. This commitment is underpinned by its own client charter, published in April 1993 at the agency's launch.
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  The agency's charter sets out the standards of service that clients using its services are entitled to expect, and is freely available from agency offices. A leaflet explaining these standards is sent out automatically with every child support maintenance application or enquiry pack.

  A basic principle of the Child Support Act is that parents should provide financial support for their children whenever they can afford to do so, whatever their relationship may be with each other. Child maintenance is calculated using a formula which assesses the ability of both parents to contribute towards the upkeep of their children, irrespective of which parent has day-to-day care of them.

  Income Support
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to monitor the circumstances of income support claimants resident in care or nursing homes to ensure that the placement being funded is appropriate to their particular circumstances.

  Mr. Burt
  Under the community care scheme people who need financial help to enter residential care or nursing homes have their care needs assessed by their local authority who are also responsible for placement and funding. Responsibility for monitoring the new scheme rests with the Department of Health.

  For claimants with preserved rights to the special limits of income support payment is made depending on the registration category of the home.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if people eligible for income support disability premium on the grounds of incapacity, but not receiving severe disablement allowance or incapacity benefit, will be eligible from April 1995 for payment of that premium from the 53rd week of incapacity.

  Mr. Burt
  From April 1995, for those who have no other means of entitlement to the disability premium, the period of incapacity needed to qualify will be 52 weeks.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if people eligible for income support disability premium only by reason of receipt of severe disablement allowance will be entitled from April 1995 to payment of the premium from the 53rd week of incapacity.

  Mr. Burt
  Severe disablement allowance will continue to be payable after 28 weeks incapacity, and receipt of severe disablement allowance will continue to bring entitlement to the disability premium.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if people claiming the income support disability premium on grounds of incapacity, but not in receipt of severe disablement allowance or incapacity benefit, will undergo the new incapacity test after the first 28 weeks of incapacity.

  Mr. Burt
  People receiving income support because of their incapacity will be expected to undergo the new incapacity test in the same way as anyone else who is claiming a social security benefit on the basis of being incapable of work.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were taken off invalidity benefit in Fife in 1993 and in(a) the first three months and (b) the last three months of 1993.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if existing claimants of invalidity benefit who pass the new incapacity test will continue to receive benefit at the rate of their previous invalidity benefit if(a) they start therapuetic work, (b) they start voluntary work, (c) they go abroad for fewer than eight weeks or (d) they go into hospital for fewer than eight weeks.

  Mr. Scott
  Existing claimants of invalidity benefit whose incapacity benefit is paid at their previous rate of invalidity benefit will continue to be entitled to incapacity benefit at that rate for as long as their period of incapacity for work continues unless an adult dependency increase ceases to be payable for more than eight weeks. In this case the new rules governing that increase will then apply.

  Benefit would continue at the invalidity benefit rate for people who start working and satisfy the new therapeutic work rules or voluntary work rules. It would also continue for a period abroad of less than eight weeks, except in some exceptional circumstances when payment may cease. Where a person is in hospital for a period in excess of six weeks the normal hospital downrating rules will apply. At the end of that period in hospital, or a period of less than eight weeks abroad, the previous rate of benefit would again apply.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if existing claimants of invalidity benefit who pass the new incapacity test will continue to receive the same level of allowances for adult and child dependants as their previous invalidity benefit; and under what circumstances these allowances could be reduced or lost.

  Mr. Scott
  The replacement of invalidity benefit by incapacity benefit will make no difference to provision for child dependants for those people on invalidity benefit at the point of change. The rules on adult dependants will change but all those transferring from invalidity benefit will be protected, including those who are required to satisfy the new incapacity test. The Government propose, however, that the new rules should apply if an adult dependency increase ceases to be paid for more than eight weeks, or two years in the case of people who receive disability working allowance or undertake training for work.

  Disability Premium
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated saving to his Department from delaying entitlement to the disability premium in(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table.

  Benefit

  1995–96

  1996–97

  £ million

  £ million

  Income Support

  20

  25

  Housing Benefit

  *

  *

  Council Tax Benefit

  *

  *

  599

  Benefit

  1995–96

  1996–97

  £ million

  £ million

  Total

  20

  25

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are expressed in constant 1993–94 prices and are rounded to the nearest £5 million. "*" denotes savings of less than £2·5 million.

  2. Estimates show the savings that would arise if the policy of extending the qualifying period for the disability premium paid with the income-related benefits were introduced in isolation.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the value of the Christmas bonus in the next financial year if it had increased in line with(a) prices and (b) earnings since 1979.

  Mr. Hague
  Value of Christmas bonus in 1994–95 if increased in line with prices—£22·35. Value of Christmas bonus in 1994–95 if increased in line with earnings—£32·00.

  Notes:

  1. Prices revaluation based on movement in the Retail Prices Index.

  2. Earnings revaluation based on movement in the New Series Index (Whole Economy) Unadjusted.

  3. Amounts rounded to the nearest 5p at each uprating.

  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to extend the length of the qualifying period of incapacity for severe disablement allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  None.

  Station closures—including non attributable causes between 3 January 1993 and 1 January 1994

  Period

  Line

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Total

  (a) Closures over 20 minutes

  Bakerloo

  7

  11

  6

  7

  10

  8

  8

  15

  13

  5

  4

  6

  12

  112

  Central

  24

  21

  30

  22

  29

  19

  34

  22

  27

  21

  26

  57

  43

  375

  Circle/H&C

  12

  14

  0

  2

  2

  1

  2

  3

  6

  1

  12

  0

  6

  61

  District

  7

  16

  10

  11

  5

  6

  4

  1

  6

  9

  15

  9

  9

  108

  Jubille/Ell

  2

  7

  9

  5

  13

  1

  1

  2

  3

  1

  4

  5

  5

  58

  Metropolitan

  13

  22

  29

  17

  8

  10

  9

  3

  9

  10

  10

  15

  5

  160

  Northern

  17

  23

  15

  20

  7

  14

  14

  12

  20

  5

  13

  21

  53

  234

  Piccadilly

  15

  25

  16

  1

  12

  12

  4

  7

  12

  13

  6

  6

  10

  139

  Victoria

  4

  9

  10

  9

  9

  14

  3

  8

  3

  1

  11

  10

  6

  97

  Total

  101

  148

  125

  94

  95

  85

  79

  73

  99

  66

  101

  129

  149

  1,344

  (b) Closures over 1 hour

  Bakerloo

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1

  2

  3

  3

  7

  1

  3

  0

  1

  1

  22

  Central

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  7

  9

  9

  6

  0

  5

  1

  2

  8

  1

  48

  Circle/H&C

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  District

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  5

  Jubilee/Ell

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  6

  Metropolitan

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  Northern

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  3

  2

  3

  3

  5

  2

  0

  2

  3

  0

  23

  Piccadilly

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  1

  7

  Victoria

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  6

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  16

  18

  17

  14

  14

  9

  6

  6

  17

  4

  121

  Notes:

  1. Data is not available for the length of time of each individual station closure.

  2. Data on one hour closures has only been collected since the beginning of this financial year.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton tabled for answer on 27 January regarding the appointments he makes to public bodies.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 9 February 1994 at column 364–65, 10 February 1994 at column 392–93, and 11 February 1994 at column 497–98.

TRANSPORT

  London Underground
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for the period January to December 1993, the number and length of station closures(a) exceeding 20 minutes during usual period for passenger travel, (b) exceeding one hour during usual period for passenger travel, (c) exceeding one day, (d) exceeding one week and (e) exceeding one month; which stations closed during the above period have yet to be re-opened; when each closed station will re-open; arid if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  None of this information is held by the Department on a station-by-station basis. Line-by-line data for closures over 20 minutes and one hour are shown on the table. Longer station closures over the period in question have included Cannons Park station—closed between 9 August 1993 and 13 September 1993—Mornington Crescent station—closed since 24 October 1992—and a number of stations on the Central line which were open for ticket issue only between 24 and 29 November 1993.
  601
  3. Period 11 commenced on 3 January 1993; each period is 4 weeks long.

  H&C=Hammersmith & city; Ell=East London line.

  Source: London Underground Limited.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for the past 12 months and as a total over the same period, the number of fire and smoke incidents.

  London Underground: Fire and Smoke incidents between 3 January 1993 and 1 January 1994

  Period

  Line

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Total

  Category A

  Bakerloo

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  11

  Central

  0

  2

  4

  1

  5

  2

  4

  5

  2

  3

  0

  3

  1

  32

  Circle/H&C

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  District

  2

  5

  5

  3

  2

  7

  4

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  33

  Jubilee/Ell

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  5

  3

  0

  0

  1

  13

  Metropolitan

  0

  0

  3

  1

  3

  5

  4

  4

  5

  1

  1

  2

  1

  30

  Northern

  2

  2

  1

  3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  16

  Piccadilly

  0

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  11

  Victoria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  5

  Total

  5

  11

  17

  14

  17

  19

  16

  11

  15

  11

  5

  8

  6

  155

  Category B

  Bakerloo

  2

  0

  2

  3

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  4

  1

  3

  1

  18

  Central

  8

  9

  5

  8

  9

  8

  11

  4

  9

  7

  3

  2

  6

  89

  Circle/H&C

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  2

  1

  13

  District

  1

  5

  6

  6

  2

  8

  1

  3

  5

  2

  3

  2

  4

  48

  Jubilee/Ell

  1

  1

  3

  3

  4

  2

  2

  0

  3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  23

  Metropolitan

  4

  3

  7

  2

  6

  7

  6

  7

  4

  2

  5

  7

  2

  62

  Northern

  4

  1

  6

  5

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  3

  2

  1

  33

  Piccadilly

  4

  4

  1

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  2

  5

  2

  1

  3

  27

  Victoria

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  8

  Total

  26

  25

  32

  27

  27

  32

  24

  16

  25

  28

  19

  20

  20

  321

  Overall Total (A and B)

  31

  36

  49

  41

  44

  51

  40

  27

  40

  39

  24

  28

  26

  476

  Notes:

  1. Category A incidents are where the presence of LFCDA or other fire brigade is required; Category B incidents are those dealt with by London Underground staff themselves.

  2. Period 11 commenced on 3 January 1993; each period is 4 weeks long.

  3. H&C=Hammersmith & city.

  4. ELL=East London Line.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for each of the past

  London underground lost time injuries between 3 January 1993 and 1 January 1994

  Period

  Line

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Total

  Bakerloo

  2

  3

  2

  3

  2

  3

  6

  7

  3

  6

  5

  3

  5

  50

  Central

  7

  5

  4

  5

  9

  6

  5

  9

  9

  8

  6

  7

  4

  84

  Circle/H&C

  0

  1

  2

  2

  4

  0

  5

  1

  3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  22

  District

  5

  8

  2

  2

  8

  3

  8

  3

  5

  6

  3

  6

  3

  62

  Jubilee/ELL

  1

  1

  1

  4

  2

  1

  0

  2

  1

  1

  0

  2

  2

  18

  Metropolitan

  3

  4

  2

  4

  3

  3

  5

  5

  2

  3

  5

  1

  4

  44

  Northern

  8

  6

  4

  11

  6

  17

  3

  5

  7

  5

  15

  9

  9

  105

  Piccadilly

  3

  3

  3

  5

  2

  1

  2

  5

  6

  8

  4

  7

  3

  52

  Victoria

  5

  5

  6

  1

  0

  2

  1

  0

  7

  3

  2

  0

  2

  34

  Total

  34

  36

  26

  37

  36

  36

  35

  37

  43

  41

  41

  36

  33

  471

  Note

  Period 11 commenced on 3 January 1993; each period is 4 weeks long.
  602
  Mr. Norris
  Figures on a line-by-line basis are shown in the table. The Department does not hold this data on a station-by-station basis.

  12 months and as a total over the same period, the number of employee lost time injuries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Figures on a line-by-line basis are shown in the table. The Department does not hold this data on a station-by-station basis.
  603

  London Underground
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for each of the past 12 months and as a total over the same period, the number of non-violent crimes broken down into(a) theft from the person, (b) theft from the vehicle and (c) sexual offences; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for each of the past 12 months and as a total over the same period, the number of violent crimes broken down into (a) assault and (b) robbery; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department does not hold this information in exactly the form requested. The table breaks

  Percentage of escalators out of service between 3 January 1993 and 1 January 1994

  Period

  Line

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Average

  Bakerloo

  4·2

  4·3

  4·2

  6·7

  10·5

  7·9

  8·6

  6·5

  5·6

  3·7

  3·9

  6·0

  3·9

  5·8

  Central

  12·4

  13·2

  10·8

  13·1

  1·6

  14·8

  13·7

  13·0

  12·4

  10·3

  9·1

  10·4

  7·9

  11·0

  Circle/H&C

  50·0

  50·0

  32·5

  10·8

  0·0

  8·7

  28·7

  1·2

  5·3

  0·0

  1·2

  3·7

  0·0

  14·8

  District

  3·9

  2·3

  0·7

  2·4

  6·6

  5·1

  3·2

  1·2

  9·3

  5·2

  6·3

  7·0

  5·3

  4·5

  Jubilee/ELL

  1·2

  5·4

  11·6

  2·2

  1·8

  3·1

  0·8

  9·6

  6·6

  6·2

  11·2

  0·4

  14·8

  5·8

  Metropolitan

  10·4

  7·8

  6·0

  3·6

  5·2

  9·8

  6·2

  7·4

  7·9

  7·6

  7·1

  0·3

  0·3

  6·1

  Northern

  11·8

  16·7

  14·3

  12·6

  13·9

  17·0

  16·1

  12·3

  11·0

  9·8

  10·3

  7·1

  7·8

  12·4

  Piccadilly

  14·0

  16·0

  17·6

  17·3

  16·2

  16·4

  18·2

  17·7

  14·0

  14·1

  15·0

  14·4

  12·9

  15·7

  Victoria

  11·0

  14·0

  12·6

  14·4

  14·7

  9·9

  7·5

  5·5

  1·0

  3·8

  3·5

  3·4

  4·8

  8·2

  Notes:

  1. Figures show the percentages of scheduled escalator hours out of service. Each four week period contains 80 peak hours.

  2. Period 11 commenced on 3 January 1993; each period is 4 weeks long.

  3. H&C=Hammersmith & City; ELL=East London line.

  Source: London Underground Limited.

  London Underground: Crime figures 1993

  Line and type of crime

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Bakerloo

  Crimes of violence

  1

  3

  3

  3

  2

  4

  3

  5

  6

  5

  2

  6

  43

  Robbery

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  0

  3

  2

  1

  5

  2

  4

  33

  Other offences

  59

  53

  55

  63

  57

  66

  61

  50

  47

  58

  54

  46

  669

  Central

  Crimes of violence

  3

  7

  4

  8

  4

  5

  7

  11

  11

  5

  4

  7

  76

  Robbery

  7

  3

  5

  6

  4

  7

  2

  6

  2

  2

  2

  6

  52

  Other offences

  202

  155

  221

  195

  224

  220

  236

  182

  168

  173

  250

  179

  2,405

  Circle/H&C

  Crimes of violence

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  3

  14

  Robbery

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  3

  1

  0

  2

  0

  9

  Other offences

  24

  19

  35

  22

  30

  37

  23

  28

  21

  17

  42

  27

  325

  District Line

  Crimes of violence

  8

  3

  10

  7

  10

  8

  8

  13

  6

  6

  3

  7

  89

  Robbery

  9

  6

  3

  6

  9

  4

  10

  7

  2

  8

  2

  3

  69

  Other offences

  125

  108

  141

  159

  190

  163

  134

  128

  92

  155

  123

  130

  1,648

  Jubilee/ELL

  Crimes of violence

  1

  3

  1

  4

  5

  1

  3

  2

  4

  1

  1

  5

  31

  Robbery

  0

  1

  0

  0

  5

  1

  3

  4

  6

  2

  2

  3

  27

  Other offences

  34

  37

  37

  42

  41

  29

  33

  36

  39

  32

  26

  27

  413

  Metropolitan

  Crimes of violence

  7

  4

  2

  7

  6

  5

  2

  3

  4

  9

  3

  4

  56

  Robbery

  5

  5

  2

  4

  4

  4

  6

  10

  5

  6

  6

  3

  60

  Other offences

  110

  87

  95

  94

  125

  110

  108

  111

  91

  93

  93

  82

  1,199

  Northern

  Crimes of violence

  10

  9

  9

  12

  12

  13

  8

  15

  6

  4

  9

  18

  125

  Robbery

  8

  19

  11

  7

  8

  16

  6

  11

  10

  8

  10

  5

  119

  Other offences

  197

  174

  209

  193

  189

  176

  161

  140

  104

  129

  174

  126

  1,972

  604
  down the 1993 crime figures on a line-by-line basis between crimes of violence—including assaults—robbery and other crimes.

  London Underground
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London underground line, for each of the past 12 months and as a total over the same period, the number and percentage of escalators out of service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not available in exactly the form requested. The table shows the percentage of escalators which were not in customer service throughout each peak hour—morning and evening—between January and December 1993.
  605

  Line and type of crime

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Total

  Piccadilly

  Crimes of violence

  9

  9

  8

  4

  5

  3

  7

  8

  10

  13

  7

  15

  98

  Robbery

  4

  6

  2

  10

  13

  3

  8

  8

  2

  3

  10

  5

  74

  Other offences

  316

  290

  327

  310

  307

  249

  239

  245

  182

  291

  347

  251

  3,354

  Victoria

  Crimes of violence

  7

  10

  8

  1

  6

  5

  5

  8

  7

  5

  4

  6

  72

  Robbery

  9

  3

  1

  6

  3

  1

  4

  7

  2

  2

  9

  2

  49

  Other offences

  100

  99

  126

  114

  84

  129

  136

  88

  80

  87

  107

  83

  1,233

  Total

  1,260

  1,117

  1,319

  1,282

  1,346

  1,262

  1,216

  1,131

  910

  1,120

  1,298

  1,053

  14,314

  Notes:

  1. H&C = Hammersmith & City Line.

  2. ELL = East London Line.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for each of the past 12 months and as a total over the same period, the number of major customer injuries, broken down into(a) accident,

  London underground: major customer injuries between 3 January 1993 and 1 January 1994

  Line

  Period

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Total

  (A) Accidental

  Bakerloo

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Central

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  5

  Circle/H&C

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  District

  4

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  7

  Jubilee/Ell

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Metropolitan

  —

  1

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1

  10

  Northern

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Piccadilly

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Victoria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Total

  6

  2

  5

  5

  6

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1

  3

  4

  36

  (B) Crime-Related

  Bakerloo

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Central

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Circle/H&C

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  District

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Jubilee/Ell

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Metropolitan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Northern

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Piccadilly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Victoria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Total

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  1

  5

  (c) Suspected suicide

  Bakerloo

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Central

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Circle/H&C

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  District

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Jubilee/Ell

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Metropolitan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Northern

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —.

  1

  —

  —

  5

  Piccadilly

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Victoria

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Total

  4

  1

  2

  1

  1

  4

  2

  2

  2

  0

  2

  1

  1

  23

  606
  (b) crime related, (c) suspected suicide, (d) reckless behaviour and (e) medical condition; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Figures on a line-by-line basis are shown in the table. The Department does not hold this data on a station-by-station basis.
  607

  Period

  Line

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Total

  (D) Reckless behaviour

  Bakerloo

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  Central

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Circle/H&C

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  District

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Jubilee/Ell

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Metropolitan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Northern

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Piccadilly

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Victoria

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Total

  2

  1

  2

  1

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  11

  (E) Medical condition

  Bakerloo

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Central

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Circle/H&C

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  District

  2

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  10

  Jubilee/Ell

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Metropolitan

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Northern

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  6

  Piccadilly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  3

  Victoria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Total

  5

  1

  0

  1

  5

  1

  1

  2

  4

  2

  1

  3

  2

  28

  Overall Total

  17

  5

  10

  8

  12

  7

  4

  5

  9

  4

  6

  7

  9

  103

  Note:

  Period 11 commenced on 3 January 1993; each period is 4 weeks long.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing for each London underground station and line, for the past 12 months and as a total over the same period, the number and length of incidents, including cancellations, which resulted in a headway of more than 20 minutes.

  Train service incidents resulting in a headway of more than 20 minutes—including non-attributable causes between 3 January 1993 and 1 January 1994

  Line

  Period

  Total

  11

  12

  13

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Bakerloo

  15

  22

  16

  13

  8

  9

  13

  15

  8

  15

  17

  12

  12

  175

  Central

  40

  27

  61

  33

  35

  37

  35

  26

  32

  28

  29

  49

  36

  468

  Circle/Hammersmith and City

  15

  28

  19

  9

  6

  5

  6

  7

  5

  6

  11

  9

  11

  137

  District

  21

  27

  19

  17

  15

  21

  20

  8

  12

  9

  21

  21

  11

  222

  Jubilee/East London Line

  10

  27

  20

  13

  15

  10

  7

  3

  9

  5

  6

  8

  4

  137

  Metropolitan

  32

  36

  36

  26

  22

  26

  26

  22

  24

  22

  28

  34

  20

  354

  Northern

  13

  26

  23

  17

  10

  11

  17

  14

  12

  18

  20

  22

  15

  218

  Piccadilly

  15

  25

  18

  5

  14

  11

  10

  14

  20

  13

  15

  8

  19

  187

  Victoria

  3

  11

  8

  8

  7

  9

  5

  8

  4

  5

  10

  17

  9

  104

  Total

  164

  229

  220

  141

  132

  139

  139

  117

  126

  121

  157

  180

  137

  2,002

  Notes:

  1. Headway is the timed interval between trains.

  2. Period 11 commenced on 3 January 1993; each period is four weeks long.

  Source: London Underground Limited.

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if franchise agreements for shared rail routes following privatisation will require mandatory inter-availability and common pricing for(a) full fare standard, (b) first class and (c) discounted tickets.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is our intention to include the following paragraph in the Secretary of State's formal guidance to the franchising director:
  608
  Mr. Norris
  The Department does not hold information about headways on a station-by-station basis, or details on the specific length of incidents, including cancellations, which have resulted in a headway of more than 20 minutes. Line-by-line data showing the number of headways over 20 minutes are shown in the table.

  "In considering the need for tickets to be inter-available between franchisees, you should consider whether the benefits outweigh the likely benefits of price competition and service diversity. You should encourage appropriate arrangements for co-operation between operators on the pricing of tickets and apportionment of revenues."

  In many cases, private operators will make arrangements to ensure that ticket inter-availability continues because it will be in their own interests to do so. However, the franchising director has said that he expects inter-availability normally to be a requirement of franchise agreements for season and full-fare standard and first class tickets on routes over which two or more franchisees operate. At the same time, there would be freedom for

  609
  operators to introduce differential pricing and validity restrictions on discounted tickets in order to attract customers to their particular services.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he was first made aware by Eurotunnel that commencement of freight and passengers services through the channel tunnel would be delayed beyond 7 March and 6 May; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what information was supplied to him by Eurotunnel about possible delays in opening the tunnel by its published deadlines of 7 March for freight and 6 May for passengers, before he agreed to extend the channel tunnel concession period for a further 10 years; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will list the commissioning programmes and commissioning tests which have to be repeated or rescheduled before opening of the channel tunnel can take place; what information Eurotunnel has supplied to him about the likely additional time which will be needed for commissioning locomotives; what plans he has to meet with Eurotunnel to discuss the further delays in opening of the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The probability of delay became clear at meetings between United Kingdom and French officials and Eurotunnel in January. Those contacts are continuing to cover the timing and content of outstanding commissioning tests for fixed equipment and rolling stock. Public statements about the programme can have commercial importance and financial consequences, and I think it should continue to be for Eurotunnel to make them.

  Trains, Glasgow
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a list of all correspondence between his Department and(a) Strathclyde passenger transport executive and (c) Lombard Tricity Finance regarding operational leasing for new trains in the Glasgow commuter network area; what assessment he has made of the implications of local government organisation for the immediate future of such operational leasing deals; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish a list of all meetings held by Ministers or officials in his Department with Ministers or officials in any other Government Departments regarding operational leasing for new trains in the Glasgow commuter network area, giving (a) the dates of each meeting, (b) a full list of those attending and (c) the outcome of each meeting; whether any further such meetings are planned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  There have been no exchanges of correspondence between the Department and(a) Strathclyde passenger transport executive and (b) Lombard North Central about the Strathclyde rolling stock leasing deal. I wrote to Councillor Waugh on 5 November saying that I was aware of nothing in the Government's proposals for local government reform in Scotland that would alter the Accounts Commission's view that it would be in order for the regional council to conclude the leasing deal.

  My officials and I attended meetings in November and December 1993 with Scottish Office Ministers and officials, present at which were representatives of Strathclyde region and Strathclyde passenger transport
  610
  executive. These meetings discussed a range of issues including the leasing deal and concluded that that issue was primarily a matter for the local authority to resolve. A further meeting is planned for later this month at which representatives of Lombard North Central will be present.

  Probationary Drivers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a "P" sign for probationary drivers.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 9 February by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend, the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) at column 270.

  British Rail
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has held with British Rail concerning the operation and funding of the Barking to Gospel Oak line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly have meetings with British Rail management. None has been held specifically to discuss the Barking to Gospel Oak line.

  Commuter Car Traffic
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average volume of commuter car traffic entering(a) Greater London and (b) central London per day for each of the last 10 years; and what are his predictions for the next five years.

  Mr. Norris
  The available information is given in the following table:

  Cars entering London daily between 7 am and 10 am

  Thousands

  London boundary cordon

  Central London cordon

  1983

  231

  1—

  1985

  1—

  127

  1986

  235

  1—

  1987

  1—

  123

  1989

  249

  127

  1991

  1—

  123

  1992

  259

  1—

  1 Not available.

  No predictions have been made of traffic five years ahead but over the longer term growth is expected to continue broadly in line with previous trends. This would give an increase of around one per cent. a year in the number of cars entering Greater London during the morning peak but no change in the number entering central London.

  M25
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost per mile at 1994 prices of the construction of the M25; and what will be the cost at 1994 prices of the construction of a widened M25.

  Mr. Key
  The cost of building the M25 was nearly £1,000 million which gives a price of approimately £6·85 million per mile. The price base in 1986 when the M25 was
  611
  completed, was similar to the current level according to the road construction price index. Using current prices the estimated cost of widening the M25 to four lanes is £7·59 million per mile. The estimated costs of the link roads proposed between junctions 12 and 16 work out at £15·45 million per mile. Proposals for other sections considered to need capacity beyond dual four-lane carriageways have not been assessed in sufficient detail to give comparative figures.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the widening of the M25; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The plans for the further development of the M25 were announced by my right hon. Friend last July. Subject to anything that might emerge from the review of the national road programme, I have no reason to reconsider that strategy.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many visits abroad the Minister of State for Public Transport made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Freeman
  I made four trips abroad during 1993.

  Place and purpose

  Cost (£)

  Bonn/Berlin

  To meet the German Transport Ministry and Deutsches Bundesbahn for discussions on Rail Privatisation in Germany and to promote British Railway supply industry in Germany

  826·97

  Paris

  To meet the French Transport Ministry for discussions on Channel Tunnel security issues and to visit GEC'S factory in Ayte to review progress on Eurostar trains

  320·20

  China

  To meet Chinese Ministry officials for discussions on railway issues

  1268,000

  Paris

  To meet the French Transport Ministry for discussions on Channel Tunnel security issues

  242·00

  1 Engagement undertaken during private holiday.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many visits abroad the Minister for Transport in London made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Norris
  I made five trips abroad during 1993.

  Place and purpose

  Cost(£)

  Chicago

  To study parking enforcement and adjudication systems

  1,274·12

  Paris

  To attend the Paris Air Show

  813·89

  Brazil

  To deliver a paper and chair a session on alcohol, drugs and traffic safety as part of the annual conference of the International Disciplinary Group of Studies on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

  3,099·58

  612

  Place and purpose

  Cost (£)

  Berlin

  To address Initiative Haupstadt's Capital Club, on traffic problems and solutions in London

  438·40

  Hong Kong/Singapore

  To study public transport operations and congestion charging systems

  5,029·57

  Belfast International Airport
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what broad criteria his Department requires operators to meet when applying for a licence to operate services out of Belfast international airport; what applications he has received to run(a) transatlantic routes and (b) other routes from Aldergrove; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The criteria for the grant of an operating licence are laid down in EC Council Regulation 2407/92. The criteria relate principally to the adequacy of financial resources, fitness and insurance. In addition holders of operating licences must be majority owned and effectively controlled by EC member states or their nationals.

  Holders of EC operating licences do not need formal permission to operate scheduled or charter services within the EC provided that traffic rights are available under Council Regulation 2408/92. Carriers planning scheduled services outside those allowed by EC regulations will in most cases need to be formally designated by their authorities under the relevant bilaterial air services agreements.

  The Secretary of State for Transport gave exceptional permission outside the terms of the United Kingdom/ United States air services agreement in April 1993 for American Trans Air to operate services between New York and Belfast, to enable Northern Ireland to have direct services to the United States which until then it did not have. The Department currently has a further application from American Trans Air for permission to operate fifth freedom services between Belfast and Riga.

  Within Europe, the Civil Aviation Authority is considering two licence applications for services from Belfast international to the Isle of Man and Reykjavik respectively.

  Stansted Airport
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last visited London Stansted airport.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I last visited London Stansted airport on Sunday, 20 June 1993, when I returned from Luxembourg to Stansted following a special EC Transport Council meeting.

  Lorries
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in response to his proposed changes to the London night-time and weekend lorry ban.

  Mr. Norris
  I have received various representations from hon. Members, noble Lords, Members of the European Parliament, London borough councillors, the
  613
  London Boroughs Transport Committee, the Freight Transport Association and members of the general public. Many of these are seeking clarification of the proposals. Pensioners

  Executive Agencies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the effect on each executive agency within his Department of the recently announced £25 million reduction in running costs.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The recently announced reduction in running costs compared to the PES 1992 baseline applies to the Department's gross running cost control total. Of the Department's five executive agencies, only the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's running costs fall within the control total. DVLA will reduce running costs in 1994–95 by efficiency savings that were already planned as part of its target setting and planning arrangements.

  Foreign Airlines
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing regulations for the safety of foreign airlines flying into and from British airports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Minimum safety standards for foreign aircraft are set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The United Kingdom is bound to recognise certificates of airworthiness issued according to these standards. Where there are indications of failure to meet ICAO standards, the Department asks the aeronautical authorities of the country concerned to investigate urgently and identify whether ICAO standards have been breached and, if so, to detail what measures have been taken to rectify the position. The Civil Aviation Authority also has powers to detain foreign aircraft where they consider there has or could be a serious breach of safety. It is also open to the United Kingdom to refuse operating permission for a non-EC carrier failing to meet ICAO standards.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who are the members currently appointed to the traffic commissioners/licensing authorities.

  Mr. Key
  The names and traffic areas of the traffic commissioners/licensing authorities are as follows:

  Traffic commissioner/Licensing authority

  Traffic area

  Air Vice-Marshal Ronald Ashford, CBE (Senior Traffic Commissioner)

  Western Traffic Area

  Mr. Martin Albu

  North Western Traffic Area

  Mr. Michael Bens

  Scottish Traffic Area

  Brigadier Compton Boyd

  Eastern Traffic Area

  Mr. John Pugh

  South Wales Traffic Area and West Midland Traffic Area

  Brigadier Michael Turner

  South Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Area

  Mr. Keith Waterworth

  North Eastern Traffic Area

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Pensioners
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people of pensionable age in Northern Ireland are currently also receiving income support; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information which is available shows that at 30 November 1993, there were 61,382 income support claimants in receipt of pensioner premiums in Northern Ireland.

  Shipyards
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide the same level of assistance to Harland-Wolff Ship Repair Division Northern Ireland as is available to German and Dutch shipyards in 1994.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  It is the practice of the Government to provide intervention funding within the limits set by the European Commission in respect of eligible shipbuilding projects in the United Kingdom. The Government have consistently taken the view that priority should be given to protecting the builders of new ships, rather than those who repair or refit them. At the request of the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers Association the Government recently reviewed this policy but have decided that it should remain unchanged.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will investigate assistance available to shipyards and ship repairers in other European Union countries and provide an equal level of support in Northern Ireland to make tendering for major refitting work a realistic option.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Assistance available for shipbuilding and conversion projects in other European Community countries is a matter for the relevant authorities in the country concerned. It is not the policy of the United Kingdom Government to provide direct aid towards ship conversion. In certain circumstances alterations to ships carried out by United Kingdom yards can be considered for support under the home shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme. The seventh directive on aid to shipbuilding does not permit the granting of assistance for shiprepair.

  Company Records
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when and why the company records of SRC Components Ltd. and Canira Technical Corporation Ltd. were removed from Companies house, Belfast.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The company records of SRC Composites Ltd. and Canira Technical Corporation Ltd. are, and always have been, held by the Registry of Companies, Department of Economic Development, IDB House, 64 Chichester street, Belfast, BT1 4JX. There is no record of a company called SRC Components Ltd.

  Scottish Interconnector
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the actual cost of the proposed interconnector link project between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
  615
  Mr. Tim Smith
  Northern Ireland Electricity plc estimates the total cost of the project to be £175 million at December 1992 prices.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he has had with regard to the contract and costs of the arrangement between Northern Ireland Electricity and Scottish Electric in respect of the interconnector project.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  None. This is a matter for the two parties concerned, NIE plc and Scottish Power plc.

  Social Security Offices
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the social fund budget for each social security office in Northern Ireland in each of the last four years, the numbers of(a) loans and (b) community care grants applied for, the numbers awarded and their total values.

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

  Letter from A. Wylie to Mr. John Hume, dated 10 February 1994:
  As Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on Social Fund budgets, applications and awards.
  The information is not held in the form you have requested but I have set out the available data in the attached tables. Details for each Social Security Office can only be supplied for the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1991. From April 1991 the Social Fund has been managed on a District basis and I am therefore providing information from that date for each District.
  You may be interested to know that information about the budget allocations, the number of crisis loans, budgeting loans and community care grants applications processed, the number of awards and the amount paid is available in the Library under Social Fund Data. The figures are updated on a monthly basis.

  Whole-time equivalent nursing staff employed in Northern Ireland health and personal social services and nurses in training

  Nurse type

  September 1988

  September 1989

  September 1990

  September 1991

  September 1992

  September 1993

  Registered Nurses

  12,222·72

  12,199·94

  12,158·44

  12,217·62

  12,098·54

  11,930·78

  Unregistered Nurses

  2,777·05

  2,832·26

  2,947·19

  3,190·92

  3,274·22

  3,343·23

  Student Nurses

  2,865·37

  2,711·00

  2,649·60

  2,050·60

  1,153·56

  351·80

  Project 2000

  —

  —

  —

  466·00

  1,098·00

  1,664·00

  Notes:

  1. Figures include Midwives

  2. Project 200 are not employees

HEALTH

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who are the members currently appointed to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The current members of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration are:

  C. Brandon Gough, Esq. (Chairman)

  Douglas T. Boyd, Esq.

  Ms Tina Boyden

  Ms Sally Field

  Dr. Elizabeth Nelson

  Professor George F. Thomason, CBE

  616
  As the tables accompanying this letter are too long to be printed in the Official Report, arrangements will be made for a copy to be deposited in the Library.

  I hope you will find this information helpful.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available about social fund budgets in each of the past four years to indicate the pattern of priority categorisation constraints for each social security office in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. However, I understand that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evaluation and comparative analysis has been conducted by the Department of Health and Social Services or the Social Security Agency of the distribution of the social fund budget with regard to equality of treatment and need targeting across all districts; and if he will publish that research.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Health and Social Services and the Social Security Agency regularly monitor and evaluate the working of the social fund and information of the relative levels of need is one of the factors taken into account in allocating budgets to districts. Details of the basis of allocation and district allocations for 1993–94 have been placed in the Library.

  Nurses
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of(a) whole-time equivalent registered nurses, (b) whole-time equivalent unregistered nurses and (c) whole-time equivalent nurses in training in Northern Ireland for each year from 1988 onwards.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  There are currently two vacancies as the terms of Mr. Anthony J. P. Vineall and Mr. Dennis Fredjohn expired with the publication of the 23rd report.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who are the members currently appointed to the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine.

  Mr. Sackville
  The current members of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine are:

  Mr. Michael Bett, CBE (Chairman)

  Mr. Jan Hildreth

  Miss Anne Machie, OBE

  Dr. Gillian Raab

  Professor George F. Thomason, CBE

  Miss Diana Wittingham

  617
  There are currently two vacancies as the terms of Dame Anne Mueller, DCB and Mrs. Rachel Pickavance expired with the publication of the 11th report.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Mathew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure by her 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. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's travel costs are not budgeted separately from those of other Ministers. The travel and subsistence figures, excluding the cost of services provided by the Government car service, for all Ministers and their private office staff and those in the parliamentary relations unit are as follows:

  Travel and Subsistence

  Financial Year

  Domestic £

  Overseas £

  1992–93

  planned

  151,619

  actual

  49,296

  11,085

  1993–94

  planned2

  70,000

  50,000

  actual3

  46,138

  57,641

  1 No specific sum allocation for domestic or overseas expenditure.

  2 Funds increased to take account of price increases, the addition of an extra Minister and private office and for commitments to visits overseas.

  3 To December 1994.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits abroad the Minister of State made during 1993; and what was(a) the cost to public funds and (b) the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State made three overseas visits at an estimated cost of £5,526. Two of these visits were to attend meetings of Ministers of the European Community Health Council, while the third was a fact finding visit to the United States of America in connection with his ministerial responsibilities.

  Pacing
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals carry out pacing and pacing follow-up in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sackville
  According to the national pacemaker database there are 133 centres providing pacing and pacing follow-up in the United Kingdom. A list of these centres will be placed in the Library.

  Contraceptive Pill
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to limit the national health service prescribing of the contraceptive pill and make it available in pharmacies without NHS prescription; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Junior Doctors
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has for freedom of speech by junior hospital doctors.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The management executive advice "Guidance for staff on relations with the public and the media" was issued to national health service employers under cover of executive letter (93)51 on 8 June 1993. The guidance provides a framework within which local procedures can be developed to enable all NHS employees to raise concerns about health care issues. Copies of the executive letter and accompanying guidance are available in the Library.

  Hepatitis B
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage carrier rate for hepatitis B among pregnant women in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  These data are not collected routinely but studies have shown carrier rates between on in 2,000–0·05 per cent.—in rural areas and 1 in 100–1 per cent.—in some inner city areas.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which EC countries have a hepatitis B universal vaccination strategy in place.

  Mr. Sackville
  We understand that only Italy has a universal vaccination strategy in place; in addition, seven of the autonomous regions of Spain have introduced universal adolescent vaccination. All other European Union countries have a selective strategy aimed at particularly higher risk groups.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the carrier rate of hepatitis B in England per 1,000 population.

  Mr. Sackville
  The prevalance of hepatitis B carriage in the United Kingdom is low. Recent data from analysis of blood donations suggest that it is in the order of one in 1,500–0·07 per cent.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of acquisition of hepatitis B by blood products in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Confirmed cases of hepatitis B infection reported to the public health laboratory service's communicable disease surveillance centre—England and Wales—where the patient had a history of receiving blood or blood products within the United Kingdom during the previous six months, and where no other risk factors were present were:

  Number

  1988

  8

  1989

  4

  1990

  3

  1991

  3

  1992

  2

  Figures for 1993 are still being received.

  Infectious Diseases
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, measles, rubella, tuberculosis, haemophilia influenzae and meningitis were reported in England in 1991 and 1992.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of cases notified for polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, measles, rubella, tuberculosis, haemophilus influenzae and meningitis in England for 1991 and 1992

  1991

  1992

  Polio

  3

  3

  Diphtheria

  2

  8

  Whooping Cough

  4,908

  2,171

  Tetanus

  8

  6

  Hepatitis B

  471

  481

  Mumps

  2,828

  2,333

  Measles

  9,126

  9,801

  Rubella

  6,917

  6,024

  Tuberculosis (all forms)

  5,726

  6,149

  Haemophilus Influenzae

  396

  451

  Meningitis (all forms)

  2,558

  2,361

  Tobacco
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates she has made of decreases in consumption of tobacco as a result of the voluntary code on tobacco advertisements.

  Mr. Sackville
  In October 1992 the Department of Health published a discussion document, the "Effect of Tobacco Advertising on Tobacco Consumption", a copy of which is available in the Library, reviewing the evidence on the effects of tobacco advertising on tobacco consumption. The review did not identify any studies which seek to quantify the reduction in smoking that can be attributed to the voluntary agreement on tobacco advertising and promotion.

  Lung Cancer
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) male and (b) female lung cancer deaths occurred in each region in 1993.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table for 1992, the latest year for which data are available:

  Numbers of deaths from cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 1621) for males and females by regional health authority, 1992

  Regional Health Authority

  Males

  Females

  Northern

  1,780

  918

  Yorkshire

  1,656

  867

  Trent

  2,166

  946

  East Anglian

  828

  337

  North West Thames

  1,303

  686

  North East Thames

  1,682

  807

  South East Thames

  1,674

  786

  South West Thames

  1,163

  631

  Wessex

  1,228

  517

  Oxford

  880

  413

  South Western

  1,382

  665

  West Midlands

  2,448

  1,012

  Mersey

  1,198

  700

  North Western

  1,903

  1,031

  Wales

  1,324

  653

  1 International classification of disease, ninth revision

  620

  Hospital Beds, London
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds here were in each of the last live years in the area covered by the London implementation group.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about the average daily bed availability in London for 1988–89 to 1992–93 is shown in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1988–89

  43,997

  1989–90

  41,947

  1990–91

  38,793

  1991–92

  36,045

  1992–93

  34,811

  Source:

  KHO3 return

  During the same period there was a 4–49 per cent. increase in the number of in-patients treated.

  Referrals and Readmissions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how second referrals and readmissions are recorded within the NHS patient volume record system; and what percentage of finished consultant episodes are second referrals and readmissions;

  (2) pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) of 31 January, Official Report, column 531, how readmissions are recorded in finished consultant episode statistics.

  Mr. Sackville
  All admissions to national health service hospitals are recorded as consultant episodes, reflecting the use of resources by consultant specialists. Readmissions from any source are included in the count but cannot be separately identified. On admission to hospital, a patient commences a hospital spell which may include periods of care under more than one consultant. There are about 103 consultant episodes for every 1100 spells in hospital. Patients referred to hospital consultants by general practitioners are usually seen in out-patients clinics. New referrals, including second referrals for the same condition, are recorded as new attendances, subsequent attendances are recorded as consultant initiated attendances. Second referrals to out-patient clinics cannot be identified separately.

  Mental Health Legislation
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received since April 1992 suggesting amendments in the mental health legislation providing for trustees to manage a person's financial affairs if two doctors certify that this is required.

  Mr. Bowis
  None. The Law Commission is currently reviewing the law and procedures relating to decision making on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults and will publish its report later this year.

  Nurses
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of newly qualified nurses completed their training in NHS hospitals(a) in London

  621
  and (b) in England in the 12-month period ended in December 1993; and what percentage of them found full-time permanent employment (i) in London and (ii) in England in NHS hospitals.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance will be given to managers to measure the productivity of nurses in the NHS.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department is currently drawing up guidance on the basic principles for local performance-related pay schemes.

  Hospital Sales
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she is aware of to sell NHS hospitals to private health care providers.

  Mr. Sackville
  I am not aware of any.

  Former Military Hospitals
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are in each region to invest in extending or adapting former military hospitals for NHS use; and how much it is planned to spend on each such hospital.

  Mr. Sackville
  There are currently discussions between the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health about the future use of one hospital, the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich which is due to close by 1998. Further details will be available later this year.

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing the average time patients currently wait for the results of cervical smear tests in each health authority area in England and Wales.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 9 December 1993 at column 325–26.

  Community Health Sheffield Trust
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when and by whom a final decision will be made as to the land and buildings in the Sheffield area that will transfer to Community Health Sheffield trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  Trent regional health authority together with Sheffield District health authority and representatives of the proposed trust, will determine which land and buildings will transfer to Community Health Sheffield trust. Discussions are in progress and it is expected that a final decision will be reached by the end of March 1994.

  AIDS
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the organisations involved in AIDS counselling, advice and information and the amount of grant each received from Government for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for 1993–94 is shown in the table. Each of these voluntary organisations includes HIV/AIDS counselling advice and information among its activities to a greater or lesser degree.
  622

  Name

  Amount (£)

  Aids and Housing Project

  29,000

  ACET (AIDS Care Education and Training)

  150,000

  Barnardo's

  9,375

  Black HIV/AIDS Network

  40,000

  Blackliners

  40,050

  Body Positive

  50,000

  CARA1

  15,000

  Globe Centre

  29,000

  Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence

  73,400

  Landmark

  60,000

  London East AIDS Network

  25,000

  London Voluntary Services Council

  24,000

  London Lighthouse

  300,000

  Mainliners

  40,000

  Mildmay Mission Hospital

  150,000

  National AIDS Trust

  275,000

  The NAZ Project

  27,000

  Positively Women

  70,000

  Streetwise Youth

  20,000

  Strutton Housing

  12,000

  Terrence Higgins Trust

  450,000

  Turning Point—Griffin Project

  33,200

  1 Care and resources for people affected by AIDS and HIV.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those hospitals and medical research facilities undertaking research of AIDS; and if she will list the amount of central Government grant each attracts.

  Mr. Sackville
  The main agency through which the Government support research into HIV and AIDS is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  In the current financial year it is estimated that the Government will fund research on HIV/AIDS to a value of £26,209,000.

  The annual report of the MRC and "The Health and Social Care of People with HIV Infection and AIDS", which list the hospitals and medical research facilities currently undertaking AIDS/HIV research for the Department and for the MRC, are available in the Library.

  Special Transitional Grant
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the reasons for the delay in announcing how much of the special transitional grant was to be spent on non-local authority services; what assessment has been made of the impact of this delay on local authorities and other care providers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The decision was announced as soon as we had considered all the relevant factors. Local authorities should always be committed to value for money through the mixed economy of care.

  Health Authorities (Capital Receipts)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 116, whether any restrictions are placed on health authorities with regard to the use of capital receipts.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 24 January at column 116.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 January,Official

  623
  Report, column 116, what Treasury guidelines have been issued to health authorities, or health trusts, as to the use of capital receipts.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by(a) her Department and (b) her agencies (i) in the current financial year and (ii) planned for 1994–95, showing for each one the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for 1993–94 will be placed in the Library. Decisions have not been made on the use of advertising for 1994–95.

  Special Health Authorities
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the revenue and capital expenditure for each of the special health authorities within the four London regional health authorities' areas for 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information for the London postgraduate special health authorities is shown in the table.

  Special health authority

  Revenue Expenditure £

  Capital Additions £

  The Hospitals for Sick Children

  65,197,843

  19,392,220

  The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

  33,819,688

  11,945,668

  Moorfields Eye Hospital

  27,622,311

  1,881,459

  The Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospital

  53,325,496

  2,038,647

  The Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospitals

  59,771,478

  2,361,637

  The Royal Marsden Hospital

  37,593,200

  2,059,054

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's Hospitals

  76,963,054

  12,952,118

  The Eastman Dental Hospital

  9,844,379

  1,424,633

  Source: Annual accounts special health authorities—London postgraduate teaching hospitals—England 1992–93.

  Notes:

  (a) Total additions of fixed assets purchased is used as the capital expenditure figure. Capital charges are included within revenue expenditure.

  (b)Figures are provisional.

  Mr. Fred Hoult
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leeds Central (Mr. Fatchett),Official Report, 31 January, column 536, if he will name the companies of which Mr. Fred Hoult is a director.

  Mr. Sackville
  The directorships held by Mr. Hoult are:

  Hoults Holdings Ltd.

  Hoults Ltd.

  Hoults Estate Ltd.

  Hoults (London) Ltd.

  Hoults (South West) Ltd.

  Hoults (Cumberland) Ltd.

  Wheelers of Gosforth Ltd.

  Wheelers of Cramlington Ltd.

  Lock N Store Ltd.

  624

  William Patterson Ltd.

  G. F. Ryan and Co. Ltd.

  Northumbria and Tyneside Residential Property Trust Ltd.

  2nd Northumbria and Tyneside Residential Property Trust Ltd.

  Lindisfarne Properties Ltd.

  Super Janet Computer Network
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of the academic computer network Super Janet to patient care; and what steps she is taking to preserve the confidentiality of any patient information transferred to such a network, and to ensure the security and integrity of any NHS system to which an external network might. be connected.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department is monitoring the work currently being undertaken at the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's hospitals to assess the potential benefits and problems associated with the use of the Super Janet network.

  As regards the confidentiality of information, any person controlling personal health data who proposes to put them onto a computer network must abide by the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1984. In addition, the national health service-wide networking programme is addressing the security implications of connections to external networks including Super Janet.

  Emergency Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what proportion the number of emergency admissions to hospitals in each health authority changed between 1992 and 1993.

  Mr. Sackville
  Nationally, the proportion of admissions to hospital which are non-elective has marginally declined. These account for some 47 per cent. of total recorded consultant episodes for the last three years, arid it is estimated that over 80 per cent. of non-elective admissions are emergencies. Proportions of the total number of finished consultant episodes that are non-elective admissions by regional health authority for 1992–93 and 1993–94—forecast and subject to revision—are shown in the table.

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94 (forecast)

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Northern

  45·8

  45·3

  Yorkshire

  47·3

  45·7

  Trent

  47·8

  46·6

  East Anglian

  49·1

  46·0

  North West Thames

  45·8

  43·6

  North East Thames

  50·2

  49·3

  South East Thames

  47·8

  48·0

  South West Thames

  46·5

  46·2

  Wessex

  45·6

  44·9

  Oxford

  45·7

  45·0

  South Western

  43·7

  44·2

  West Midlands

  47·6

  48·5

  Mersey

  51·0

  49·6

  North Western

  45·3

  44·3

  England

  47·0

  46·3

  625

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the general practices in each health authority were fundholding on(a) January 1993 and (b) 1 January 1994.

  Region

  Number of funds

  Number of practices

  Number of groups

  Number of GPs

  Population cover 000s

  Percentage population covered by Fundholding Practices

  1st and 2nd Wave

  Northern

  38

  38

  0

  321

  460

  15·0

  Yorkshire

  55

  61

  3

  338

  693

  18·9

  Trent

  54

  57

  2

  311

  659

  13·8

  East Anglia

  13

  13

  0

  85

  168

  8·0

  North West Thames

  43

  49

  3

  235

  493

  14·2

  North East Thames

  23

  23

  0

  107

  266

  7·1

  South East Thames

  29

  29

  0

  147

  339

  9·2

  South West Thames

  38

  39

  1

  225

  463

  15·8

  Wessex

  32

  34

  2

  197

  392

  13·3

  Oxford

  46

  48

  1

  279

  570

  21·9

  South Western

  38

  42

  0

  244

  386

  11·0

  West Midlands

  58

  59

  1

  410

  659

  12·6

  Mersey

  44

  50

  5

  227

  459

  19·1

  North Western

  29

  34

  3

  161

  347

  8·7

  ENGLAND

  540

  576

  21

  3,197

  6,354

  13·0

  3rd Wave

  Northern

  31

  34

  3

  161

  303

  9·9

  Yorkshire

  54

  57

  2

  249

  509

  13·9

  Trent

  84

  102

  9

  420

  835

  17·5

  East Anglia

  35

  38

  2

  193

  362

  7·2

  North West Thames

  45

  46

  1

  223

  437

  12·6

  North East Thames

  25

  29

  1

  122

  256

  6·8

  South East Thames

  48

  59

  5

  227

  480

  13·0

  South West Thames

  28

  30

  2

  135

  267

  9·1

  Wessex

  22

  23

  1

  128

  253

  8·6

  Oxford

  28

  28

  0

  152

  269

  11·3

  South Western

  31

  33

  2

  170

  271

  7·7

  West Midlands

  73

  80

  7

  357

  719

  13·7

  Mersey

  40

  51

  7

  196

  379

  15·8

  North Western

  37

  49

  6

  168

  344

  8·6

  England

  581

  659

  48

  2,901

  5,711

  11·9

  Brain-damaged Patients
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will respond to the report of the health service committee "Failure to Provide Long Term NHS Care for a Brain Damaged Patient"; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The report to which the hon. Member refers was produced by the health service commissioner, not the health service committee. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 9 February at column 328.

  Asthma (Road Traffic)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies are being made by her Department about the link between road traffic and child asthma; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department is currently studying the effects on health from air pollutants from all sources. The Advisory Group on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollution Episodes, set up in 1990, and the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, which was established in 1992, are examining the evidence with a view to estimating the likely effects of air pollution in the
  626
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information available centrally relates to the proportion of the population covered by fundholding practices in each regional health authority area. The figures for the first, second and third wave fundholders are shown in the tables.

  United Kingdom and to recommend research needed. The advisory group produced reports on ozone in 1991 and on sulphur dioxides, acid aerosols and particulates in 1992, and on the effects of oxides of nitrogen—one of the main pollutants from motor vehicles—at the end of 1993. Asthma is an important health issue and the Department is concerned about the rise in its incidence among all age groups. Further research is needed to help identify the underlying causes of this rise in incidence. Air pollution is one possibility, but investigation is also under way into other factors, such as the indoor environment, smoking habits and diet. The newly formed Medical Research Council institute for environment and health, funded by the Department and by the Department of the Environment, has made research into the health effects of air pollution its first priority. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 20 October 1993 at column 236.

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are currently on the waiting list for organ transplant of kidneys, liver and heart-lung respectively; how many were added to the list in each category in the most recent 12-month period for which
  627
  figures are available; how many had transplant operations; and how many died while waiting for a suitable donor organ.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The figures give are for the United Kingdom and are provisional. They have been supplied by the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority.

  At 31 December 1993 there were 3,947 patients awaiting kidney transplants—including 29 kidney and pancreas transplants—111 awaiting livers and 409 awaiting hearts—including 172 heart and lungs. During the year to 31 December 1993 there were 1,701 kidney transplants—including 125 transplants from live donors and 14 kidney and pancreas transplants—520 liver transplants and 336 heart transplants—including 35 heart and lungs transplants.

  The latest year for which information on patients joining the list and those who died while waiting for a suitable donor organ is available is 1992. There were 1,992 added to the waiting list for kidneys—including 22 kidneys and pancreas—537 for hearts—including 124 for heart and lungs—and 419 for livers. One hundred and thirty patients died while waiting for a suitable donor heart transplant—including 60 heart and lungs—and 53 died while waiting for livers.

  Children (Waiting Lists)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by region the number of children on waiting lists for medical treatment for each year since 1990.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on waiting lists for in-patient and day case treatment by regional health authority and specialty is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England". This is published twice yearly and copies are available in the Library. Information is given on waiting lists for various paediatric specialties, but the numbers of children and adults on waiting lists for other specialties are not counted separately.

  NHS Employees
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS in the last financial year of salary payments for NHS employees suspended on full pay.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

WALES

  Health Provision
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of health provision in West Glamorgan.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend will announce his decision following the period of public consultation currently underway in the county.

  Departmental Efficiency
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of his Department.
  628
  Mr. Redwood
  The Welsh Office is already an efficient organisation successfully administering a very wide range of central Government functions throughout Wales. I am, nevertheless, continually looking for ways in which to improve its efficiency including, for example, through market testing and close controls on its running costs.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) males and (b) females were unemployed in Wales at the latest available date; and what are the figures in percentage terms.

  Mr. Redwood
  Seasonally adjusted, there were 99,600 males and 26,500 females who were claimant unemployed in Wales in December 1993. These represent workforce-based unemployment rates of 13·6 per cent. and 4·9 per cent. respectively.

  Tir Cymen
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what appraisal there has been of the take-up rate and the general success of the Tir Cymen pilot schemes in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A pilot scheme was launched in July 1992 and is planned to run for five years. A full appraisal will take place towards the end of the period. The target for take-up of the scheme is to have 50 per cent. of eligible land entered within five years. To date some 25 per cent. has been entered. The indications are that the scheme is proving to be successful.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the review of the management structure of the Welsh Development Agency.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Parliamentary Boundaries
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had concerning the re-distribution of parliamentary boundaries in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Whilst my right hon. Friend has responsibility for the appointment of one of the members of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales, overall responsibility for the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England and Wales rests with my right hon. and learned Friend, the Home Secretary. My right hon. Friend has received two representations in respect of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales' latest proposals.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consult the Welsh Language Board regarding proposed changes to the national curriculum in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales, which supersedes the Curriculum Council for Wales on 1 April, will undertake consultations
  629
  this year on proposals for revised national curriculum orders. I shall ensure that the authority consults the Welsh Language Board on revisions to the National Curriculum Order for Welsh.

  M4 Relief Road
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he received during the consultation period on the proposal to extend the M4 relief road through the Gwent levels; how many of these representations approved of the Welsh Office proposal; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  A report on the results of the consultation and the issues raised is in preparation. The information requested will be made public when a decision is taken on whether or not to proceed with any of the published routes.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to promote sustainable development following the United Nations conference on environment and development.

  Mr. Redwood
  A number of important measures in support of sustainable development objectives are already underway in Wales, for example the Welsh Development Agency's major land reclamation programme which is returning derelict and contaminated land to beneficial use. Welsh Office Ministers are also keen to ensure that Wales makes an appropriate contribution to the follow up action planned on the recently published "UK Strategy on Sustainable Development", copies of which have already been distributed to key Welsh interests.

  Quangos
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applicants for posts in Welsh quangos have notified the Secretary of State of their connections with the Tory party within the last two years.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information supplied by nominees to the register of candidates for public appointment is confidential.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he is making in the elimination of bureaucracy, waste and mal-administration in the conduct of non-Governmental public bodies in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have impressed upon the chairmen of non-departmental public bodies the need for the highest standards of propriety in the conduct of public affairs in Wales. Steps have been taken to tighten up procedures and I am introducing new arrangements for monitoring and controlling the performance of bodies in Wales. I will make sure that both the number of bodies and appointments to them are strictly controlled.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the planning guidelines issued by his Department on the siting and construction of wind farms in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
  630
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Guidance is contained in the annex to planning policy guidance note "Renewable Energy", which was published jointly by the Welsh Office and the Department of the Environment in February 1993.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what have been the total credit approvals for capital spending for all the local authorities in Wales in the years 1986–87, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 at 1993–94 prices.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Total credit approvals used to finance local authority capital expenditure in Wales at 1993–94 prices are:

  Year

  £m

  1991–92

  326·803

  1992–93

  331·376

  1993–94

  1311·430

  1 Forecast

  A comparable figure for 1986–87 is not available. A credit approval system was introduced in 1990–91: the previous system placed controls on authorities' total capital expenditure.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what rate support grant Clwyd county council would receive in 1993–94 if it were treated for standard spending assessment purposes as the average within Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  An authority's revenue support grant, share of redistributurbed non-domestic rates and council tax income at a standard level, together equal its standard spending assessment. The standard spending assessment per head of population for county councils in Wales for 1993–94 is £675. For Clwyd it is £644, 95·4 per cent. of the Wales average.

  Education
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new initiatives he intends to take to improve education in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have a comprehensive programme of reforms to improve standards in education and to provide improved opportunities for all. We are currently implementing the wide-ranging provisions of the Education Act 1993 and have introduced further legislative proposals on teacher training matters. We announced on 5 January the changes that will be made as a result of the review of the national curriculum. These changes will be implemented promptly and fully. They will remove bureaucracy and over-prescription and substantially ease the burden on teachers.

  Housing
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking in relation to the recent housing policies of the Development Board for Rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Public Accounts Committee, at a hearing on 24 January, took evidence from the
  631
  accounting officer of the Welsh Office and the chief executive of the Development Board for Rural Wales about matters raised in the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the board's 1992–93 annual accounts. The Committee will report in due course on the results of its inquiry. I do not wish to anticipate or pre-empt that report. The DBRW introduced revised rules and procedures for housing allocations in September 1993 which meet the statutory requirements.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the development of national health service trusts in Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are currently 14 operational NHS trusts in Wales and my right hon. Friend announced on 19 November 1993 that he was establishing a further eight trusts with an operational date of 1 April 1994.

  Additionally, public consultation on applications received from north unit—Morriston hospital—in West Glamorgan and Taff Ely health unit—East Glamorgan hospital—Mid Glamorgan has now ended. In the light of representations received, and taking account the individual merits of both applications, my right hon. Friend has decided to establish these units as NHS trusts also to become operational from this April. The orders giving effect to these decisions have been signed today. I will announce shortly the details on the chairmen and non-executive directors of these further NHS trusts.

  This announcement today means that, from april 1994, some 90 per cent. of acute services and 85 per cent. of community services in Wales will be delivered by NHS trusts.

  Pupil-teacher Ratio
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the pupil-teacher ratio in Welsh in each local education authority for pupils preparing for key stage 4.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is not available.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with Clwyd education authority and the Welsh Language Board the refusal by the Associated Examinations Board to translate A-level physical exercise examination papers into the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The translation of the A-level physical education paper offered by the Associated Examinations Board is a matter for the board to consider. Discussions are continuing between the individual school concerned, AEB and the Welsh Joint Education Committee to make appropriate arrangements for pupils to take the 1994 examinations in the language of their choice.

  Welshpool Bypass
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any specific proposals for safety improvement on the Welshpool bypass; and if he will make a statement.
  632
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Action has already been initiated as a result of driver behaviour on the bypass and, as is normal practice with newly improved sections of trunk road, the situation is being closely monitored.

  A detailed review has been completed and the opinions of the local highway authority and the police have been obtained. Works already undertaken to improve driver awareness include the relocation and modification of some direction signs and the provision of additional warning signs; the introduction of ladder hatched centre lines to discourage overtaking and reduce speeds; the addition of white hatching to hard strips through each junction to emphasise the carriageway edges and to reduce speeds; the provision of extra chevron plates at roundabouts and the re-positioning of tourist information signs away from junctions.

  Further measures are being considered including the banning of right turn manoeuvres from Salop road.

  Housing Subsidy
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of housing revenue account subsidy paid per council house to each district council in Wales for the years 1992–93 and 1993–94, showing the percentage increase or decrease in each case.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A wide range of factors affect subsidy calculations. Subsidy is not paid on a per dwelling basis alone.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the level of notional rent set by his office for the purposes of calculating housing subsidy for each district council in Wales, and for Wales as a whole, for each financial year since 1991–92 and for 1994–95.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Authorities calculate guideline rents according to a formula within the housing revenue account subsidy determination for the relevant year. The guideline rents calculated by each authority for the years 1991–92 to 1993–94 are given in the following table. The figures shown for Wales have been derived from these figures.

  The Department's estimate of guideline rents for 1994–95 were given to the hon. Member in my reply on Friday 4 February 1994.

  Notional rent per dwelling

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £ p

  £ p

  £ p

  Aberconwy

  24·25

  25·67

  26·94

  Alyn and Deeside

  20·40

  23·81

  26·56

  Arfon

  23·08

  25·88

  27·88

  Blaenau Gwent

  27·25

  28·38

  29·63

  Brecknock

  24·62

  27·15

  29·10

  Cardiff

  27·88

  30·87

  33·23

  Carmarthen

  24·67

  27·29

  29·56

  Ceredigion

  25·58

  28·13

  29·87

  Colwyn

  23·50

  24·81

  26·27

  Cynon Valley

  24·88

  26·02

  28·17

  Delyn

  24·19

  25·65

  27·69

  Dinefwr

  21·77

  24·17

  26·04

  Dwyfor

  21·79

  25·19

  26·31

  Glyndwr

  22·37

  24·94

  26·77

  Islwyn

  23·88

  25·88

  27·94

  Llanelli

  23·48

  24·62

  25·87

  Lliw Valley

  25·79

  26·92

  28·17

  Meirionnydd

  23·42

  24·75

  25·81

  Merthy Tydfil

  23·52

  24·65

  25·90

  633

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £ p

  £ p

  £ p

  Monmouth

  28·77

  32·17

  34·92

  Montgomeryshire

  24·69

  28·10

  30·85

  Neath

  23·62

  24·75

  26·00

  Newport

  27·62

  31·02

  33·62

  Ogwr

  27·65

  28·79

  30·04

  Port Talbot

  24·87

  26·19

  27·54

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  22·62

  25·88

  27·90

  Radnorshire

  24·71

  27·58

  29·85

  Rhondda

  28·67

  29·81

  31·06

  Rhuddlan

  20·81

  24·04

  26·58

  Rhymney Valley

  27·56

  28·69

  29·94

  South Pembs

  25·46

  28·87

  31·52

  Swansea

  24·48

  26·00

  27·25

  Taff Ely

  24·79

  25·92

  27·17

  Torfaen

  26·83

  29·73

  32·13

  Vale of Glam

  25·81

  29·21

  31·96

  Wrexham Maelor

  19·75

  23·15

  25·50

  Ynys Môn

  24·65

  26·06

  27·31

  Wales

  25·05

  27·24

  29·11

  Source:

  (a) Audit Final Subsidy claims for 1991–92.

  (b) Audit Final Subsidy claims for 1992–93 (except for Cardiff where information has been taken from the 1992–93 Advance Final claim).

  (c) Second Advance Subsidy claims for 1993–94.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of housing revenue account subsidy for 1992–93 and 1993–94 for each district council in Wales, and for Wales as a whole, showing the percentage change in each case.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The amount of housing revenue account subsidy claimed by local authorities is set out in the following table:

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Percentage

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Local Authority

  £

  £

  Aberconwy

  1,584,274

  1,613,843

  1·9

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,520,527

  2,566,612

  1·8

  Arfon

  2,942,801

  2,860,306

  -2·8

  Blaenau Gwent

  10,775,958

  10,967,070

  1·8

  Brecknock

  715,009

  759,755

  6·3

  Cardiff

  19,343,579

  23,291,119

  20·4

  Carmarthen

  2,513,450

  2,348,352

  -6·6

  Ceredigion

  1,895,725

  1,932,664

  1·9

  Colwyn

  2,109,823

  2,194,617

  4·0

  Cynon Valley

  4,947,233

  4,914,395

  -0·7

  Delyn

  3,620,231

  2,957,483

  -18·3

  Dinefwr

  1,246,634

  1,486,992

  19·3

  Dwyfor

  840,681

  958,012

  14·0

  Glyndwr

  827,842

  803,215

  -3·0

  Islwyn

  5,369,027

  5,242,264

  -2·4

  Llanelli

  7,044,582

  7,501,220

  6·5

  Lliw Valley

  4,308,923

  4,157,709

  -3·5

  Meirionnydd

  1,061,048

  1,238,429

  16·7

  Merthyr Tydfil

  6,869,166

  7,588,053

  10·5

  Monmouth

  3,789,654

  3,815,493

  0·7

  Montgomeryshire

  666,527

  496,002

  -25·6

  Neath

  4,776,019

  4,921,454

  3·0

  Newport

  11,244,593

  10,363,902

  -7·8

  Ogwr

  7,692,875

  7,702,537

  0·1

  Port Talbot

  4,749,752

  4,668,643

  -1·7

  Preseli Pemrokeshire

  2,755,958

  2,848,229

  3·3

  Radnorshire

  555,486

  525,905

  -5·3

  Rhondda

  8,623,018

  8,301,654

  -3·7

  Rhuddlan

  1,324,330

  1,276,569

  -3·6

  Rhymney Valley

  10,884,002

  11,347,929

  4·3

  South Pembrokeshire

  1,642,291

  1,427,901

  -13·1

  634

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Percentage

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Local Authority

  £

  £

  Swansea

  16,023,302

  17,353,927

  8·3

  Taff Ely

  6,938,835

  6,816,221

  -1·8

  Torfaen

  13,023,578

  13,076,949

  0·4

  Vale of Glamorgan

  3,751,049

  3,612,705

  -3·7

  Wrexham Maelor

  6,998,218

  7,839,056

  12·0

  Ynys Mon

  4,311,794

  4,438,990

  2·9

  Wales

  190,287,794

  196,216,176

  3·1

  Source:

  (a) Audit Final Subsidy claims for 1992–93 except for Cardiff where information has been taken from the 1992–93 Advance Final claim

  (b) Second Advance Subsidy claims for 1993–94

  Unemployment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are unemployed in Wales and in Clwyd.

  Mr. Redwood
  In December 1993, the unadjusted numbers of claimant unemployed in Clwyd and Wales were 15,866 and 128,299 respectively.

  Cardiff Bay
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation in relation to its consultancy contract with Quadrant public relations.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what communications he has received from the European Commission on the future of the Cardiff bay site of special scientific interest; and if he will place the relevant correspondence in the Library.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government have had various contacts with the Commission about the issue of Cardiff bay. In accordance with long-standing convention, the substance of the correspondence on this matter is confidential.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the complaint by the World Wide Fund for Nature to the European Commission in relation to the future of the Cardiff bay site of special scientific interest; and if he will place these representations in the Library.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received a number of representations about the complaint by the World Wide Fund for Nature to the EC Commission. Some appear to have been inspired by the fund's "Factsheet" of September 1993 which contained acknowledged errors.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of Cardiff Bay development corporation in relation to the corporation's public relations agents soliciting the names of companies employed by the city council from council employees.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have had none personally and have not raised the issue with others.

  Health Promotion Authority
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales in relation to(a) the advertising of the vacant post of executive director, (b) additions or subtractions in respect of the membership of the board and (c) completion of the management reorganisation plan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The appointment of a new chief executive is a matter for the chairman and the board of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales. However, I would expect the chairman to keep the Welsh Office fully informed of the actions that are being taken.

  I have had no consultations with the chairman about any membership issues.

  The management reorganisation of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales was fully implemented on 17 January 1994.

  Quango Guidelines
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue new guidelines to the Welsh quangos on the conduct of public relations consultancy contracts so as to debar the interference with commercial printing contracts let by third parties.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has given to the chairman of(a) all quangos in Wales and (b) Cardiff bay development corporation on the conduct of public relations consultants to whom they give contracts.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have issued no such guidelines to non-departmental public bodies in Wales.

  Health Board Rights
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he will issue in relation to the rights of members of health authority or trust boards with respect to the principles of open government and its applicability to the operations of those authorities and trusts.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend wrote to health authorities and NHS trusts about corporate governance matters on 27 January and indicated that the Department of Health was undertaking further work on open government. It will be consulting on their recommendations in early summer and we propose to undertake parallel consultation in Wales.

  A copy of the letter is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Nurses
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number of(a) whole time equivalent registered nurses, (b) whole time equivalent unregistered nurses and (c) whole time equivalent nurses in training in Wales for each year from 1988 onwards.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information available, which relates to nursing and midwifery staff, is given in the following tables:636

  Directly employed NHS nurses1

  Registered2

  Unregistered3

  Learners4

  1988

  17,507

  7,076

  3,337

  1989

  17,849

  7,070

  3,118

  1990

  17,986

  7,032

  3,075

  1991

  18,009

  7,019

  2,934

  1992

  18,096

  7,355

  1,970

  1993

  17,986

  7,220

  1,033

  Nurses employed by general medical practitioners5

  Number

  1988

  198

  1989

  268

  1990

  459

  1991

  524

  1992

  519

  1993

  544

  Nurses employed in private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics6

  Registered nurses and midwives

  Unregistered nurses and midwives

  1988

  1,157

  1,888

  1989

  1,541

  2,838

  1990

  1,927

  3,634

  1991

  2,298

  4,575

  1992

  2,623

  5,274

  1 Staff in post (whole-time equivalents as at 30 September). Includes staff employed by the Welsh Health Common Services Authority. The use of locally devised payscales from 1991 onwards may affect the comparability of figures as these staff cannot be allocated centrally to a specific staff group and are not, therefore, included in the table.

  2 Enrolled nurse and above in 1988, grade C and above thereafter.

  3 Nursing auxiliaries and nursery nurses in 1988, grades A and B thereafter.

  4 Pupil and student nurses. Since the autumn of 1991 student nurses have been classified as students and are no longer included in the NHS staff figures. Staff included here are students finishing courses begun before this date. However at 1 October 1993 there were about 1,900 Project 2000 nursing students in Wales.

  5 Staff in post as at 1 October (whole-time equivalents). All these staff are registered nurses.

  6 Staff in post as at 31 March (whole-time equivalents) as notified by the individual premises.

  Health Service
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received with respect to the suitability for appointment, reappointment or continuation in office of the chairmen of present health authorities or health trusts and trusts-designate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Over the last 18 months I have received around 20 representations on these matters.

DEFENCE

  Engagements (Extension)
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  Too ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the available figures for each year since 1990–91 on the numbers and proportions of those officers and other ranks in each service who have applied for extension of their original engagement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The figures as requested for the Royal Air Force are set out in the tables. The Royal Navy and Army
  637
  could provide this information in the exact form requested only at disproportionate cost; details on extensions granted are, however, set out in the tables.

  Royal Air Force: applications for extension of service

  Financial year

  Officers

  Airmen/women

  Total

  Total trained strength at 31 March

  Proportion of trained strength who applied for extension (Per cent.)

  1990–91

  520

  1,971

  2,491

  82,621

  3·0

  1991–92

  573

  3,848

  4,421

  81,973

  5·4

  1992–93

  339

  4,262

  4,601

  78,863

  5·8

  Royal Naval Services: extensions of service granted

  Financial year

  Officers

  Ratings

  Total

  Total trained strength at 31 March

  Proportion of trained strength who were granted an extension (Per cent.)

  1990–91

  92

  933

  1,025

  57,078

  1·8

  1991–92

  22

  703

  725

  56,052

  1·3

  1992–93

  33

  437

  470

  56,064

  0·8

  Army: extensions of service granted

  Financial year

  Officers

  Soldiers

  Total

  Total trained strength at 31 March

  Proportion of trained strength who were granted on extension (Per cent.)

  1990–91

  876

  944

  1,820

  137,240

  1·3

  1991–92

  1,002

  929

  1,931

  136,514

  1·4

  1992–93

  818

  827

  1,645

  133,366

  1·2

  Notes:

  1. Figures include non-commissioned personnel who have applied for/been granted, an extension beyond their 22 year point.

  2. Figures exclude personnel who have converted from Short Service Commissions to longer commissons and those whose service is extended automatically upon reaching a certain rank.

  Premature Voluntary Release
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the latest available figures for each service, by rank and length of service, of applications for premature voluntary release, together with any available information on the reasons given.

  Mr. Hanley
  The breakdown by rank and service of the numbers of applications for premature voluntary release in

  Applications for premature voluntary release in the 12 months ended 1 October 1993

  NATO rank code1

  Royal Naval Services

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  Officers

  OF7

  —

  —

  2

  OF6

  —

  7

  3

  OF5

  2

  21

  11

  OF4

  9

  36

  15

  OF3

  23

  58

  38

  OF2

  25

  82

  58

  OF1/OD

  —

  15

  7

  TOTAL

  59

  219

  134

  Non-Commissioned Personnel

  OR9

  32

  44

  50

  638
  the 12 months ended 1 October 1993, the latest date for which figures are available, is given in the table. Details of the length of service of applicants for premature voluntary release could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The reasons most frequently give for asking to leave prematurely are:

  Civilian job offer

  Disillusionment with service life

  Lack of opportunities for promotion

  Family/compassionate reasons

  639

  NATO rank code1

  Royal Naval Services

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  OR8

  1

  65

  —

  OR7

  273

  78

  105

  OR6

  207

  196

  125

  OR4

  285

  685

  164

  OR3

  —

  1,229

  —

  OR2/OR1

  892

  3,369

  679

  TOTAL

  1,690

  5,666

  1,123

  1 NATO Rank Codes equate to United Kingdom Service Designations as shown in the following table.

  NATO Rank Codes equaling to United Kingdom Service Designations

  Royal Naval Services

  NATO rank code

  Royal Navy

  Royal Marines

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  OF–7

  Rear Admiral

  Major General

  Major General

  Air Vice Marshall

  OF–6

  Commodore

  Brigadier

  Brigadier

  Air Commodore

  OF–5

  Captain

  Colonel/Lieutenant Colonel

  Colonel

  Group Captain

  OF–4

  Commander

  Major

  Lieutenant Colonel

  Wing Commander

  OF–3

  Lieutenant Commander

  Captain

  Major

  Squadron Leader

  OF–2

  Lieutenant

  Lieutenant

  Captain

  Flight Lieutenant

  OF–1

  Sub-Lieutenant

  —

  Lieutenant/2nd Lieutenant

  Flying Officer/Pilot Officer

  OF(D)

  Officer Designate

  Officer Designate

  Officer Designate

  Officer Designate

  OR–9

  Warrant Officer

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  Warrant Officer

  OR–8

  —

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  —

  OR–7

  Chief Petty Officer

  Colour Sergeant

  Staff Sergeant

  Flight Sergeant/Chief Technician

  OR–6

  Petty Officer

  Sergeant

  Sergeant

  Sergeant

  OR–4

  Leading Rate

  Corporal

  Corporal

  Corporal

  OR–3

  —

  —

  Lance Corporal

  —

  OR–2

  Able Rate

  Marine (1st Class)

  Private (Classes 1 to 3)

  Junior Technician/ Senior Aircraftman/ Leading Aircraftman

  OR–1

  Ordinary Rate/Junior

  Marine (2nd Class)/Junior

  Private (Class 4)/Junior

  Aircraftman

  NATO rank code (Officers)

  QARNNS

  NATO rank code (Non-commissioned personnel)

  QARNNS

  OF–6

  Commandant Nursing Officer

  OR–9

  Warrant Officer RGN/Warrant Officer EN(G)

  OF–5

  Principal Nursing Officer

  OR–7

  Chief RGN/Chief EN(G)

  OF–4

  Chief Nursing Officer

  OR–6

  Petty Officer RGN/Petty Officer EN(G)

  OF–3

  Superintending Nursing Officer

  OR–4

  Leading RGN/Leading EN(G)

  OF–2

  Senior Nursing Officer

  OR–2

  Student Nurse/Pupil Nurse EN(G)

  OF–1

  Nursing Officer

  OR–1

  Probationary Nurse

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is held by his Department on the proportion of low flying complaints which are made by persons who have not previously complained about low flying.

  Mr. Hanley
  Records are not maintained of the proportion of low flying complaints received from those who have not complained about the training before.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if details of complaints about low flying are held on a computer database by his Department.

  Mr. Hanley
  Yes.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are made available to Royal Air Force strike/attack/reconnaissance aircrew deployed on operational duties to(a) Italy, (b) Turkey and (c) Saudi Arabia, for low flying training at less than 250 ft above ground level.
  640
  Mr. Hanley
  All necessary training is undertaken prior to deployment.

  Colonel Edward S. Cowan
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State For Defence if he will list the official dates and engagements of Colonel Edward S. Cowan since July 1992 in regard to his position at the Ministry.

  Mr. Hanley
  Colonel Angus Edward Frances Cowan retired early from the Army on 12 August 1990 at his own request.

  Royal Navy (Fishing Protection)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps is is taking to instruct the Royal Navy to protect British fishing activities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron conducts fishery protection duties on behalf of
  641
  the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency under a contract arrangement.

  Laser-guided Bombs
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the award of the contract for the low-level laser-guided bomb.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) on 3 February 1994 at column 907.

  Defence Procurement Tender List
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines he ha issued with respect to the validity of ISO9001 quality assurance systems certificates issued by Bureau Veritas UK for the purposes of the defence procurement tender list; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  Bureau Veritas UK does not issue ISO9001 quality assurance systems certificates; neither does it hold national accreditation to do so.

  Service Women (Pregnancy)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take measures to withdraw from any liability for compensation to dismissed service women whose dismissal related to pregnancy at a time when such a dismissal was public policy.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department accepted at a High Court hearing in December 1991 that the policy of discharging service women on grounds of pregnancy was in breach of the EC Equal Treatment Directive 76/207 which came into effect on 9 August 1978. Consequently the Department has accepted liability to pay compensation to service women dismissed on pregnancy between that date and August 1990 when the policy was discontinued and maternity leave was introduced.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Statistics
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were placed in employment by Lewisham's job centres in each month since April 1992.

  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 Mrs. Bridget Prentice, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of people placed into employment by Lewisham Jobcentres in each month since April 1992.
  There are two Jobcentres in close proximity in the Lewisham district. Lewisham and Catford. Jobseekers from Lewisham also use the Catford Jobcentre so I have shown the information required for both of these offices on the tables attached.
  I hope this is helpful.

  642

  Placings achieved by Lewisham and Catford Jobcentres April 1992 to March 1993

  Month

  Lewisham jobcentre

  Catford jobcentre

  Total

  April 1992

  98

  137

  235

  May 1992

  89

  207

  296

  June 1992

  97

  218

  315

  July 1992

  128

  237

  365

  August 1992

  76

  155

  231

  September 1992

  122

  180

  302

  October 1992

  113

  168

  281

  November 1992

  133

  178

  311

  December 1992

  82

  122

  204

  January 1993

  126

  236

  362

  February 1993

  111

  183

  294

  March 1993

  110

  183

  293

  Placings achieved by Lewisham and Catford Jobcentres April 1993 to January 1994

  Month

  Lewisham Jobcentre

  Catford Jobcentre

  Total

  April 1993

  98

  189

  287

  May 1993

  81

  170

  251

  June 1993

  127

  189

  316

  July 1993

  112

  188

  300

  August 1993

  105

  162

  267

  September 1993

  132

  203

  335

  October 1993

  110

  198

  308

  November 1993

  194

  208

  402

  December 1993

  104

  117

  221

  January 1994

  119

  200

  319

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has made or is planning to make to the European Commission in response to the Commission's review of the employee acquired rights directive; whether he sought the views of the trade unions whose members are affected by the directive; and if he will publish the representations he has made.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government welcome the review of the acquired rights directive. The European Commission has not yet published any results of the review and the Government have not, therefore, made any representations in response to it. Any response will accordingly depend on any proposals that the Commission may bring forward following its review. The normal practice is for the Commission to consult social partners on any proposed changes to a directive, and for the Government to present an explanatory memorandum to Parliament. It is expected that this will be done in due course.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies (i) in the current financial year and (ii) planned for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  The Department is undertaking the following campaigns in 1993–94 budgeted to cost in excess of £10,000:
  643

  Campaign

  Objective

  Evalutation

  Make It Your Business

  To increase awareness of Investors in People and National Vocational Qualifications among senior managers

  Pre- and post-campaign market research, measurement of direct response to the campaign (ie requests far further information)

  1993 National Training Awards

  To invite entries for the competition and to publicise the winners

  Post-campaign market research, number of requests for entry packs to the competition

  Career Development Loans

  To invite enquiries about Career Development Loans

  Market research and assessment of the number of enquiries received

  Careers Service

  To announce the availability of the Careers Service prospectus

  Post-campaign market research

  New Horizons for Women

  To encourage women to diversify their participation in the workforce and in public life

  Assessment of the number of people attending the New Horizons events

  Just the Job/New Measures

  To raise awareness of Employment Service programmes among long-term unemployed people

  Tracking research and take up of publications

  Employer Campaign

  To raise awareness and encourage the use of Jobcentre services among employers

  Tracking research

  Disability

  To raise the awareness of disabled people and employers of the help available to disabled workers

  Tracking research

  Workstart

  To promote the Workstart programme to employers in its pilot areas

  Number of responses from employers

  Jobfinders Grant

  To launch the Jobfinders grant in its pilot areas

  Number of people who take up the grant

  Work Trials

  To promote Work Trials to employers and the long-term unemployed

  Number of places offered by employers and take up by unemployed people

  Community Action

  To launch Community Action to employers and the long-term unemployed

  Numbers taking part in the programme

  Note:

  It is planned that the above campaigns will continue in 1994–95. New campaigns are planned to form the relevant groups about the modern apprenticeships programme and the new small firms training loan scheme.

  Objective 3 Funding
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications have been submitted for EC funding under objective 3 for funds to assist with retraining in parts of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Until the negotiations on the objective 3 plan to use European social fund resources throughout Great Britain have been concluded, it is not possible for the Employment Department to approve any applications for ESF assistance. The Government submitted the objective 3 plan at the beginning of November 1993, and there have been a number of discussions since then. We continue to press upon the Commission the need for an urgent decision so that essential training for the unemployed is not disrupted.

  Access to Work
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies applied for grants under the access to work scheme in each region during 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Access to work is not yet operational.

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people took part in the job interview guarantee scheme in each region and in Great Britain as a whole in 1993; how many participants secured full-time or part-time employment with their sponsoring employers; and if he will make a statement.

  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. Alex Carlile, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the Job Interview Guarantee Programme.
  The table attached shows the number of unemployed people who took part in or who were assisted by the Job Interview Guarantee in 1993. It also shows regional figures and Great Britain as a whole.
  The information relating to numbers of people gaining employment includes those placed into both part-time and full-time jobs. Separate statistics are not collected on those going into part-time work.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Job interview guarantee January to December 1993

  Number of people assisted

  Number of people placed into jobs

  North

  21,275

  7,301

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  56,368

  17,202

  East Midlands and Eastern

  23,120

  9,047

  645

  Number of people assisted

  Number of people placed into jobs

  London and South East

  105,922

  44,775

  South West

  32,564

  12,918

  Wales

  22,741

  10,255

  West Midlands

  26,607

  14,307

  North West

  42,198

  19,848

  Scotland

  24,284

  17,917

  Great Britain

  355,079

  153,570

  Income Support
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in each region and Great Britain as a whole were refused income support in 1993 because they were deemed to be not actively seeking work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Department does not hold information about the number of income support claimants who are refused benefit on that ground.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each region and for Great Britain as a whole how many people who received unemployment benefit for 12 months were refused income support after being means-tested in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of disabled people out of work in each region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The following table shows the number of ILO unemployed people who, in response to questions in the summer 1993 labour force survey, said that they had a short-term or long-term disability or health problem which limited the kind of paid work that they could do.

  Economically inactive persons

  Standard region

  Men aged 16+

  As percentage of all men aged 16+

  All persons aged 50+

  As percentage of all persons aged 50+

  Men aged 50–64

  As percentage of all men 50–64

  (Thousands)

  (Per cent.)

  (Thousands)

  (Per cent.)

  (Thousands)

  (Per cent.)

  South East

  1,612

  24·1

  3,295

  64·0

  275

  21·4

  Greater London

  655

  25·5

  1,196

  65·1

  117

  25·3

  Rest of South East

  957

  23·1

  2,099

  63·4

  157

  19·2

  East Anglia

  204

  24·8

  442

  65·8

  33

  20·6

  South West

  495

  27·2

  1,072

  66·8

  89

  24·4

  West Midlands

  521

  26·0

  1,067

  65·8

  107

  25·8

  East Midlands

  403

  25·8

  816

  65·1

  80

  25·7

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  512

  27·1

  1,053

  68·7

  112

  29·9

  North West

  683

  28·7

  1,356

  69·4

  159

  32·7

  North

  360

  31·0

  707

  72·8

  94

  39·2

  Wales

  360

  32·8

  701

  73·6

  91

  39·9

  Scotland

  512

  27·0

  1,060

  68·7

  125

  32·8

  Great Britain

  5,662

  26·5

  11,569

  67·1

  1,166

  27·5

  Source: Labour Force Survey—summer 1993 (not seasonally adjusted).
  646

  ILO unemployed amongst those with health problems or disabilities Great Britain—summer 1993

  thousands

  Standard region

  Numbers ILO unemployed with health problems or disabilities

  South East

  121

  Greater London

  57

  Rest of South East

  64

  East Anglia

  15

  South West

  28

  West Midlands

  38

  East Midlands

  27

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  46

  North West

  44

  North

  23

  Wales

  20

  Scotland

  36

  Great Britain

  397

  Source: Labour force survey (not seasonally adjusted).

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people and what percentage of the labour force in each region and for Great Britain as a whole were classified as being in temporary employment in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  For the years from 1984 onwards, this information is available from the labour force survey and can be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest estimates from the labour force survey, for each region, of the number and percentage of(a) all males, (b) all adults over 50 years of age and (c) all males between 50 and 65 years of age who are recorded as economically inactive; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Latest estimates from the summer 1993 labour force survey are given in the following table. The numbers who are economically inactive relate to those who are neither in employment nor ILO unemployed, and will therefore include, for example, all those who are looking after a home or are retired.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each standard occupational
  647
  and industrial classification (a) the numbers employed, (b) the numbers unemployed and (c) the numbers of long-term unemployed under the International Labour Organisation classification where previous occupation or employment fell within each classification for each region and Great Britain as a whole at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information is available from the summer 1993 labour force survey and can be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list for each region(a) the number of people unemployed, (b) the percentage of the total number who are unemployed and (c) the percentage of the labour force unemployed for 12 months or more for each month since January 1991; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list for each region (a) the number of people unemployed, (b) the percentage of the total number who are unemployed and (c) the percentage of the labour force unemployed for six months or more for each month since January 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is available from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Training
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many people were participating in(a) employment training, (b) employment action, (c) the enterprise allowance scheme and (d) youth training in each region and in Great Britain as a whole in 1992–93 and 1993–94 to date; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will publish a table showing, for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, the destination of leavers from employment action, giving the most recent figures available and figures for each year since the scheme began, broken down by (a) full-time employment with their work experience employer, (b) full-time employment with another employer, (c) employment in their own business, (d) part-time employment,(e) voluntary employment, (f) another Government training programme, (g) full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) job club and (k) other; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will publish a table showing for each region and for Great Britain as a whole the destination of leavers from youth training, giving the most recent figures available and figures for each year since the scheme began, broken down by (a) full-time employment with their work experience employer, (b) full-time employment with another

  Region

  Employment Training 1992–93 Fees1

  Employment Training 1992–93 Allowances2

  Employment Action 1992–93 Fees1

  Employment Action 1992–93 Allowances2

  Training for Work planned provision 1993–943

  South East

  26,103,435

  —

  5,297,520

  —

  58,546,358

  London

  48,829,069

  —

  9,615,545

  —

  121,994,814

  Eastern

  11,377,369

  —

  3,107,496

  —

  47,941,033

  South West

  25,130,165

  —

  4,824,910

  —

  63,155,516

  West Midlands

  38,046,222

  —

  5,906,981

  —

  85,352,355

  East Midlands

  25,278,836

  —

  5,083,041

  —

  55,034,206

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  43,622,900

  —

  7,264,185

  —

  98,032,276

  Greater Manchester

  26,772,290

  —

  4,685,380

  —

  44,923,749

  North West

  29,343,048

  —

  4,952,157

  —

  77,470,576

  Northern

  48,888,393

  —

  4,163,560

  —

  79,474,1588

  648
  employer, (c) employment in their own business, (d) part-time employment, (e) voluntary employment, (f) another Government training programme, (g) full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) job club and (k) other; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if he will publish a table showing for each region and for Great Britain as a whole the destination of leavers from employment training, giving the most recent figures available and figures for each year since the scheme began, broken down by (a) full-time employment with their work experience employer, (b) full-time employment with another employer, (c) employment in their own business, (d) part-time employment, (e) voluntary employment, (f) another Government training programme, (g) full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) job club and (k) other; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) if he will publish a table showing for each region and for Great Britain as a whole during 1993 how many unemployed disabled people participated in (a) employment training, (b) restart and (c) training and enterprise council schemes and the destinations of those participating; and if he will make a statement;

  (6)if he will list for each training and enterprise council the total number of leavers from training courses and the number and percentage who went on to (a) full-time employment, (b) part-time employment, (c) further training, (d) a further course, (e) further education, (f) unemployment and (g) other destinations in each quarter of 1993; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) if he will list for each training and enterprise council (a) the number of participating trainees who are over 40 years old, (b) the male to female ratio and (c) the number of disabled trainees; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  As the information is contained in a large number of tables, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total expenditure on(a) employment training, (b) employment action, (c) the enterprise allowance scheme and (d) youth training in each region and in Great Britain as a whole in 1992–93 and 1993–94 to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is in t he following tables for each of the Employment Department regions.

  The information for Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.
  649

  Region

  Employment Training 1992–93 Fees1

  Employment Training 1992–93 Allowances2

  Employment Action 1992–93 Fees1

  Employment Action 1992–93 Allowances2

  Training for Work planned provision 1993–943

  Total

  323,391,727

  303,067,713

  54,900,775

  65,573,569

  727,926,071

  National

  326,418,091

  303,067,713

  461,604,106

  475,673,568

  781,826,600

  1 Employment Training and Employment Action superseded by Training for Work on 1 April 1993.

  2 Employment Training and Employment Action allowances were not allocated regionally.

  3 Training for Work planned provision includes both fees and allowances.

  4 National figures for Employment Action include Scotland.

  Region

  1Business Start Up Scheme 1992–93

  BSUS planned provision for 1993–94

  South East

  6,965,460

  8,579,810

  London

  7,430,643

  11,552,288

  Eastern

  2,542,104

  5,719,354

  South West

  6,949,773

  9,342,602

  West Midlands

  7,485,364

  9,930,889

  East Midlands

  6,136,123

  7,418,052

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  8,743,013

  11,199,176

  Greater Manchester

  6,023,815

  6,682,285

  North West

  6,158,712

  8,113,344

  Northern

  3,789,207

  5,290,509

  Total

  62,224,214

  83,828,309

  National

  62,224,214

  92,792,000

  1Enterprise Allowance Scheme superseded by Business Start Up Scheme on 1 April 1991.

  Region

  Youth training 1992–93

  Youth training planned provision for 1993–941

  South East

  78,638,773

  73,530,796

  London

  53,642,580

  67,791,627

  Eastern

  37,803,269

  62,900,706

  South West

  53,295,224

  60,607,999

  West Midlands

  78,281,944

  85,848,948

  East Midlands

  61,528,473

  61,255,629

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  78,747,999

  87,356,769

  Greater Manchester

  47,177,959

  49,755,760

  North West

  58,099,250

  82,823,343

  Northern

  55,879,335

  60,242,404

  Total

  603,094,806

  692,113,981

  National

  617,021,080

  704,363,000

  1 Youth training planned provision excludes bridging allowance.

  Earnings
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the average total weekly earnings in(a) each travel-to-work area and (b) Great Britain as a whole in (i) cash and (ii) current prices for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information by each travel-to-work area is not available. The following tables provide details of average earnings by area at April of each of the last five years. The information on the retail prices index, all items, at April, to convert 1989 figures to 1993 prices is published in table 6.4 of the Employment Gazette and in table 26 of the annual supplement to "Economic Trends" for April of earlier years.

  The majority of areas show a positive change in real earnings over the five-year period. Outside London and the
  650
  south-east there is little evidence of any great disparity in earnings. Any differences that do exist result from the concentration of industries and occupations with relatively lower earnings in certain regions.

  Average gross weekly earnings of full time adults—pay unaffected by absence: at April

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Great Britain

  239·7

  263·1

  284·7

  304·6

  316·9

  England and Wales

  241·5

  265·0

  286·6

  306·4

  319·0

  England

  242·7

  266·7

  288·3

  308·1

  320·9

  Wales

  215·9

  232·1

  252·2

  270·9

  281·2

  Scotland

  221·4

  244·0

  265·3

  286·7

  296·8

  South East Region

  275·0

  303·6

  326·7

  348·6

  365·5

  Greater London

  304·6

  336·3

  361·1

  385·3

  408·0

  City of London

  408·5

  455·1

  486·0

  510·4

  543·3

  Barking

  271·8

  296·5

  322·4

  340·9

  363·2

  Barnet

  272·6

  308·4

  305·0

  318·0

  345·4

  Bexley

  257·5

  281·1

  317·1

  354·7

  339·0

  Brent

  265·4

  295·4

  316·4

  336·3

  364·1

  Bromley

  257·9

  285·4

  288·0

  305·8

  321·5

  Camden

  317·0

  346·9

  368·7

  390·6

  404·2

  Croydon

  265·2

  296·0

  321·8

  339·8

  342·0

  Ealing

  270·9

  307·2

  336·1

  356·3

  361·9

  Enfield

  252·6

  270·1

  298·8

  326·0

  339·4

  Greenwich

  254·6

  268·8

  292·4

  310·6

  330·1

  Hackney

  310·4

  353·9

  374·0

  —

  —

  Hammersmith

  289·3

  316·2

  352·4

  373·2

  393·6

  Haringey

  242·1

  272·0

  283·7

  303·0

  323·1

  Harrow

  267·6

  286·0

  322·7

  335·4

  349·8

  Havering

  239·1

  258·6

  292·2

  315·5

  319·3

  Hillingdon

  280·6

  309·4

  327·1

  382·6

  422·8

  Hounslow

  311·2

  345·0

  354·8

  365·3

  357·9

  Islington

  290·2

  330·1

  360·0

  388·4

  425·3

  Kensington and Chelsea

  284·6

  311·9

  335·2

  358·3

  371·9

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  269·0

  292·1

  324·6

  364·9

  361·4

  Lambeth

  310·9

  340·2

  370·9

  381·6

  418·5

  Lewisham

  252·7

  266·4

  299·5

  325·1

  336·3

  Merton

  269·4

  294·6

  316·2

  332·9

  366·0

  Newham

  255·8

  280·4

  313·5

  338·5

  358·8

  Redbridge

  240·5

  274·2

  287·1

  319·1

  339·9

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  274·6

  299·6

  332·7

  347·1

  350·0

  Southwark

  315·0

  344·4

  367·5

  396·7

  412·4

  Sutton

  279·5

  321·1

  319·5

  335·8

  340·1

  Tower Hamlets

  319·3

  351·1

  382·7

  423·9

  474·3

  Waltham Forest

  235·9

  263·2

  283·1

  304·7

  305·0

  Wandsworth

  260·9

  294·1

  307·9

  332·9

  372·5

  City of Westminster

  329·9

  365·1

  397·8

  415·7

  447·3

  Remainder of South East region

  248·5

  274·0

  295·3

  315·6

  328·7

  Bedfordshire

  244·4

  269·3

  287·4

  314·9

  324·3

  Berkshire

  276·1

  299·3

  326·6

  349·1

  370·0

  Buckinghamshire

  261·2

  290·4

  307·1

  326·1

  330·6

  East Sussex

  220·3

  238·6

  260·9

  272·7

  287·8

  Essex

  242·9

  268·4

  287·2

  305·5

  316·7

  Hampshire

  241·7

  266·9

  285·6

  306·6

  322·5

  Hertfordshire

  259·8

  290·3

  314·2

  326·7

  342·1

  Isle of Wight

  217·6

  225·5

  255·2

  270·8

  259·9

  Kent

  235·7

  256·3

  280·4

  298·6

  308·3

  Oxfordshire

  237·6

  264·1

  285·5

  307·9

  327·6

  Surrey

  266·0

  299·6

  322·2

  346·0

  362·4

  West Sussex

  248·3

  270·6

  287·8

  314·4

  320·9

  651

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  East Anglia Region

  227·3

  249·6

  268·9

  288·4

  292·2

  Cambridgeshire

  236·2

  261·8

  280·7

  299·6

  306·9

  Norfolk

  220·3

  239·5

  259·1

  280·5

  281·4

  Suffolk

  224·9

  246·4

  266·0

  283·9

  286·8

  South West Region

  225·0

  246·8

  265·5

  283·1

  298·4

  Avon

  241·3

  263·0

  283·9

  296·1

  315·0

  Cornwall

  196·3

  214·2

  219·9

  239·5

  252·4

  Devon

  203·6

  227·1

  243·4

  263·9

  280·4

  Dorset

  225·4

  247·5

  261·1

  278·4

  292·0

  Gloucestershire

  230·1

  251·4

  276·9

  294·8

  306·7

  Somerset

  226·3

  236·2

  256·3

  272·6

  287·2

  Wiltshire

  234·0

  262·0

  281·2

  306·1

  319·4

  West Midlands Region

  220·4

  240·6

  261·1

  279·9

  291·9

  West Midlands MC

  225·2

  247·7

  268·1

  287·8

  301·3

  Hereford and Worcester

  208·0

  227·6

  246·1

  262·8

  279·8

  Shropshire

  202·1

  222·9

  242·5

  263·0

  275·4

  Staffordshire

  215·6

  230·9

  251·7

  268·7

  273·6

  Warwickshire

  230·7

  246·6

  270·8

  290·8

  299·9

  East Midlands Region

  216·3

  241·6

  261·3

  276·1

  285·7

  Derbyshire

  217·2

  250·9

  269·5

  281·0

  288·9

  Leicestershire

  212·0

  237·5

  257·9

  169·9

  285·0

  Lincolnshire

  207·7

  226·6

  244·9

  263·7

  270·5

  Northamptonshire

  224·0

  250·6

  265·3

  286·6

  298·7

  Nottinghamshire

  220·3

  241·6

  263·4

  277·5

  283·7

  Yorkshire/Humberside Region

  219·7

  239·6

  257·9

  277·3

  287·4

  South Yorkshire MC

  224·8

  242·7

  263·6

  280·3

  287·2

  West Yorkshire MC

  217·1

  241·1

  257·9

  278·3

  288·9

  Humberside

  222·4

  237·6

  252·5

  275·9

  286·3

  North Yorkshire

  215·6

  231·0

  253·1

  270·2

  283·3

  North West Region

  283·6

  244·5

  267·1

  285·5

  298·8

  Greater Manchester MC

  223·1

  243·0

  267·1

  285·8

  297·2

  Merseyside MC

  222·9

  242·9

  265·0

  282·0

  297·2

  Cheshire

  237·8

  261·4

  284·0

  303·1

  325·6

  Lancashire

  214·1

  235·7

  254·8

  274·5

  281·7

  North Region

  216·1

  236·7

  258·0

  282·3

  288·6

  Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Council

  212·7

  234·2

  257·4

  282·3

  287·0

  Cleveland

  234·4

  246·3

  267·1

  291·6

  297·9

  Cumbria

  220·1

  246·7

  270·1

  287·0

  299·2

  Durham

  206·3

  230·5

  245·2

  272·7

  279·9

  Northumberland

  206·1

  221·1

  247·0

  273·6

  276·3

  Wales

  215·9

  232·1

  252·2

  270·9

  281·2

  Clwyd

  215·2

  236·7

  253·0

  271·9

  281·6

  Clywd, West

  200·1

  223·3

  231·5

  254·1

  262·2

  Clwyd, East

  222·0

  242·3

  262·1

  280·2

  290·6

  Dyfed (excluding Llanelli)

  205·0

  220·3

  236·2

  250·6

  274·8

  Gwent

  212·2

  226·6

  250·6

  263·6

  273·1

  Gwynedd

  215·3

  225·5

  246·3

  259·7

  264·1

  Mid-Glamorgan

  220·0

  232·7

  249·9

  270·7

  278·5

  Powys

  206·2

  210·1

  226·8

  251·6

  262·5

  South Glamorgan

  224·4

  245·0

  265·4

  282·2

  299·3

  West Glamorgan (including Llanelli)

  213·4

  230·5

  253·7

  281·1

  283·0

  Scotland

  221·4

  244·0

  265·3

  286·7

  296·8

  Borders

  187·9

  205·7

  242·9

  258·2

  262·5

  Central

  220·0

  238·5

  257·7

  281·8

  295·5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  207·6

  226·5

  239·4

  255·1

  264·7

  Fife

  206·2

  228·7

  251·9

  273·4

  280·6

  Grampian

  2253·8

  287·6

  318·8

  336·9

  336·2

  Highland

  211·6

  229·2

  253·2

  269·3

  273·7

  Lothian

  223·9

  244·8

  2263·2

  290·8

  306·2

  652

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Strathclyde

  219·7

  243·1

  260·6

  279·3

  293·3

  Tayside

  204·5

  222·4

  248·1

  269·3

  280·2

  Orkney, Shetlands, Western Isles

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  Highlands and Islands

  219·7

  232·3

  261·5

  280·2

  280·5

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  Note: ".." denotes sample too small and/or standard error too large for reliable estimate.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing for each region and for Great Britain as a whole during 1993(a) the number of job clubs in operation, (b) the number participating in job clubs and (c) the destinations of those participating, broken down by (i) full-time employment, (ii) part-time employment, (iii) self-employment, (iv) further participation in job club, (v) full-time education or training course, (vi) unemployment and (vii) other options; and if he will make a statement.

  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. Alex Carlile, dated 14 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Jobclubs.
  The attached table shows the number of Jobclubs open in December 1993, the number of people who joined Jobclub from 1 January to 31 December 1993 and the number who left during the same period to go into jobs, other positive outcomes and for other reasons.
  Details of the number who joined Jobclub during the year have been given on the table as records of the number participating on the programe at any one time are not kept.
  As the primary focus of Jobclub is on getting people into work we do not keep detailed statistics on the different destinations of Jobclub leavers. Included in the "other positive outcomes" category are those leaving to go into full-time education, training (including Training for Work), self-employment, or to join a temporary work programme. The "other leavers" category includes people who are still unemployed on leaving the Jobclub and those leaving for other reasons such as health problems, or taking up part-time education. There are no figures available to show how many people subsequently re-join a Jobclub.
  A more detailed examination of the destination of Jobclub leavers was carried out in January 1991. This was based on a postal survey of individuals who joined in Autumn 1989. At that time 43 per cent. of respondents went into full-time employment, 10 per cent. into part-time employment, 2 per cent. into self employment, 14 per cent. joined Employment Training, 2 per cent. went into full-time education or training and the remaining 29 per cent. left for other reasons.
  The Employment Service is planning a wide ranging evaluation of its programmes and services which lead to jobs. This should begin in spring 1994 and will, amongst other things, allow us to update our information abut the destination of leavers.
  Jobclubs continue to be an effective and popular programme. We are now helping more people than ever before and almost half of those who join leave with a job to go to.
  I hope this is helpful.

  653

  Jobclub information

  1993

  Number of Jobclubs

  Number of entrants

  Number into jobs

  Number into other positive outcomes

  Number of other leavers

  Northern

  99

  14,316

  5,739

  7,134

  1,258

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  120

  20,509

  9,154

  2,724

  7,811

  East Midlands and Eastern

  125

  20,945

  9,603

  2,660

  7,670

  London and South East

  429

  80,354

  32,003

  10,086

  32,302

  South West

  121

  17,646

  7,905

  2,246

  6,078

  Wales

  84

  13,555

  7,129

  1,790

  4,002

  West Midlands

  156

  20,870

  9,606

  3,275

  7,504

  North West

  184

  32,593

  14,312

  3,595

  14,429

  Scotland

  138

  21,718

  10,222

  2,727

  8,133

  Great Britain

  1,456

  242,506

  105,673

  36,237

  89,187

  JobCentres
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the number of vacancies in jobcentres that were(a) temporary and (b) permanent in each quarter since December 1990 in each region; and if he will make a statement.

  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. Alex Carlile, dated 14 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the numbers of vacancies in Jobcentres.

  Tables showing the number of temporary and permanent vacancies notified to Jobcentres by region were published in Hansard on 8 December 1993, column 212 refers. The information covers the period from April 1987 to 8 October 1993.

  I enclose a table which gives similar information for the latest available period, from 11 October 1993 to 7 January 1994.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Details of permanent and temporary notified vacancies 11 October 1993 to 7 January 1994

  Period

  11 October 1993 to 7 January 1994

  Region

  Permanent vacancies notified

  Temporary vacancies notified

  Northern Region

  15,619

  5,769

  Yorkshire and Humberside Region

  28,980

  8,466

  East Midlands and Eastern Region

  35,125

  12,076

  London and South East Region

  99,996

  30,770

  South West Region

  28,889

  9,637

  Office for Wales

  20,909

  13,155

  West Midlands Region

  32,415

  9,240

  654

  Period

  11 October 1993 to 7 January 1994

  Region

  Permanent vacancies notified

  Temporary vacancies notified

  North West Region

  54,348

  22,229

  Office for Scotland

  42,347

  16,614

  National Total

  358,628

  127,956

  Early Retirement
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many men took early retirement in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 February 1994]: 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". Also, it is not this Department's practice to reply on matters that are "in confidence" or "commercial in confidence".

  RUSSIA: PRIME MINISTER'S FORTHCOMING VISIT
  RUSSIA: PRIME MINISTER'S FORTHCOMING VISIT
  THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT: US ATTITUDE
  THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT: US ATTITUDE
  TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT APPOINTMENTS HELD BY MPS' SPOUSES
  TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT APPOINTMENTS HELD BY MPS' SPOUSES
  GATT: BENEFIT TO BRITISH MARITIME INDUSTRIES
  GATT: BENEFIT TO BRITISH MARITIME INDUSTRIES
  A.12 TRUNK ROAD: FATAL ACCIDENTS
  A.12 TRUNK ROAD: FATAL ACCIDENTS
  Al2: WICKHAM MARKET-SAXMUNDHAM IMPROVEMENT
  Al2: WICKHAM MARKET-SAXMUNDHAM IMPROVEMENT
  CLIMBERS AND HILL WALKERS: RESCUE STATISTICS
  CLIMBERS AND HILL WALKERS: RESCUE STATISTICS
  ORAL HEALTH STRATEGY
  ORAL HEALTH STRATEGY
  HEALTH EDUCATION AUTHORITY: ROLE
  HEALTH EDUCATION AUTHORITY: ROLE
  HEALTH EDUCATION AUTHORITY: HIV/AIDS PREVENTION ROLE
  HEALTH EDUCATION AUTHORITY: HIV/AIDS PREVENTION ROLE
  ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED BY RELIGIOUS METHODS
  ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED BY RELIGIOUS METHODS
  MAFF AND DoH INSPECTORATES: COSTS
  MAFF AND DoH INSPECTORATES: COSTS
  ACCUMULATED CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL
  ACCUMULATED CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL
  SSA: BASIS OF CALCULATION
  SSA: BASIS OF CALCULATION
  WESTMINSTER COUNCIL: HOUSING POLICY
  WESTMINSTER COUNCIL: HOUSING POLICY
  NIDDERDALE AONB
  NIDDERDALE AONB
  DTI: COST OF MOVE
  DTI: COST OF MOVE
  DTI HEADQUARTERS: REFURBISHMENT COST
  DTI HEADQUARTERS: REFURBISHMENT COST
  SENTENCE DISCOUNTS
  SENTENCE DISCOUNTS
  PRISONERS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND: PRE-RELEASE ASSISTANCE
  PRISONERS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND: PRE-RELEASE ASSISTANCE
  PRISONS OMBUDSMAN
  PRISONS OMBUDSMAN
  EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ACCESS
  EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ACCESS
  PRISONS: OVERCROWDING
  PRISONS: OVERCROWDING
  METROPOLITAN POLICE: COMPLAINTS
  METROPOLITAN POLICE: COMPLAINTS