Written Answers of 16 February 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court of Appeal
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) whether either or both of the parties in the case Martin v. Watson in the Court of Appeal on 21 January were in receipt of legal aid;

  (2) how much time was taken in the Court of Appeal on 21 January by the Martin v. Watson case.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the Martin v. Watson case in the Court of Appeal on 21 January, neither party was in receipt of legal aid. The judgment, which counsel had already seen, was handed down and the question of costs was dealt with. This occupied 10 minutes of court time.

  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost per hour of a case in the Court of Appeal.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The average cost per hour of a case in the Court of Appeal is not known. However, the average hourly cost of a bench in 1993 consisting of three Lord Justices of Appeal and necessary supporting court staff is estimated at £694 per hour. It does not include the costs of accommodation and other overheads.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Insolvency Rules Advisory Committee.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current membership of the Insolvency Rules Committee is: the hon. Mr. Justice Chadwick (Chairman), His Honour Judge Mosely QC, the Chief Bankruptcy Registrar (Mr. Registrar Pimm), M. Crystal QC, G. C. Stewart and C. G. Bird.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Family Proceedings Rules Committee.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current membership of the Family Proceedings Rules Committee is: Mr. Justice Thorpe, Senior District Judge Angel, Her Honour Judge Norrie, Her Honour Judge Downey, District Judge Andrew, J. Holman QC, J. M. Appleby and D. A. Salter.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the County Court Rule Committee.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current membership of the County Court Rule Committee is: His Honour Judge Frank White (Chairman), His Honour Judge Neil Butter, QC, Her Honour Judge
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  Paling, District Judge Wilby, District Judge Vincent, Peter Birts, QC, Henrietta Manners, Edward Gee and R. J. Winstanley.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Land Registration Rule Committee.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current membership of the Land Registration Rule Committee is: the honourable Mr. Justice Knox, J. R. Thomas, W. R. Stewart-Smith and P. Marsh.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Supreme Court Rule Committee.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current membership of the Supreme Court Rule Committee is: Lord Justice Leggatt, Mr. Justice Phillips, Mr. Justice Moffitt, S. J. Sher, QC, Miss J. Ritchie, QC, J. A. Wall and K. Gibson.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members currently appointed to the Crown Court Rule Committee.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 3 February 1994]: The current membership of the Crown Court Rule Committee is: Lord Justice Russell, Mr. Justice Rougier, His Honour Judge Henham, His Honour Judge Geoffrey Rivlin, QC, P. F. Guggenheim, JP, M. Kalisher, QC, D. A. Jeffreys, QC, Miss V. Garner.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and decisions taken at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 7 February.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 7 February.

  The Foreign Affairs Council began with an open session on Presidency priorities. A copy of the intervention by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be placed in the Library of the House as part of the new procedure of depositing video recordings of Presidency open sessions.

  The Commission introduced the draft work programme of follow up action on the growth White Paper. The Council noted that the group of personal representatives of Heads of Government, established to review work on trans-European networks, would decide on priority projects and discuss financial requirements, and would submit an interim report to ECOFIN on 8–9 April. The Council agreed the Commission's 19 nominations to the high level group on information infrastructures; the United Kingdom representatives are Peter Bonfield (ICL) and Peter Davis (Reed Elsevier). It was agreed that ECOFIN, and other Councils which have a role to play, would monitor progress of follow up activity.

  The Council approved the nominations of six members of the Court of Auditors.

  A ministerial meeting of the accession negotiations with Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden took place on 8

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  February. In preparation for this meeting, member states agreed a common position on agriculture and regional policy aspects of the negotiation.

  The Council agreed to a decision on the ombudsman, together with the text of a letter to the President of the European Parliament outlining the Council's concerns that the EP's rules of procedure on the ombudsman go further than the treaty. The Council also agreed a short statement on the Commission's legislative programme.

  In order to inform the Council's review in Janaury 1995 of the application from Cyprus to join the European Union, the Council agreed to appoint a Commission official, Mr. Serge Abou, as the Union's observer on Cyprus. He will report periodically to the Council on the implications of political developments in Cyprus for this 1995 review.

  Following a discussion of the latest events in the former Yugoslavia, the Council issued the following statement:
  "The European Union expresses its revulsion at the renewed brutal shelling of civilians in Sarajevo which has taken place in recent days.
  Bearing in mind the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, the decisions of the North Atlantic Alliance most recently reiterated at the NATO Summit of 11 January and the recent request of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, it supports a very early meeting of the North Atlantic Council. In concert with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the aim should be to bring about the immediate lifting of the siege of Sarajevo, using all means necessary including the use of airpower.
  The measures taken would be the first step in the implementation of the action plan of the European Union. The Council of the European Union reiterates its support for the efforts of the co-chairmen to place the administration of Sarajevo under the authority of the United Nations."

  A co-operation council with Algeria was held in the margins.

  The Council agreed the EC's negotiating mandate for the mid-term review of the fourth Lomé convention. The mandate contains provisions to strengthen the human rights elements of the convention, and to make the convention work more effectively. It includes a commitment to help the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries benefit more from the trading advantages available to them under the convention. Negotiations with the ACP countries will begin in May and must be finished by March of next year.

  The Council agreed by qualified majority a package of measures to implement parts of its 15 December decision on trade policy instruments. The United Kingdom voted against the package, as our concerns on imports of toys and shoes from China, and on changes to certain decision-making procedures were not met. But the package included some welcome features, notably the lifting of some 6,000 member state national quantitative restrictions on imports from third countries.

  The Council adopted a declaration reaffirming its desire to see Russia admitted to the Council of Europe as soon as the criteria for membership have been met.

  The Council adopted a statement welcoming the Ukrainian Parliament's approval of the tripartite agreement on nuclear weapons.

  The Council announced the European Union's willingness to facilitate an observer mission to the forthcoming elections in Ukraine on 27 March.

  The Council approved negotiating directives for EC free trade agreements with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

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

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg), made 20 official visits abroad to 33 countries during 1993 at a total cost of £27,667. Ten visits were for bilateral discussions, five for international conferences and five for European Community meetings.

  My right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones) made 11 official visits abroad to 17 countries during 1993 at a total cost of £20,550. Five visits were for bilateral discussions, three for European Community meetings, two for international conferences and one to the European Parliament.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) made 19 official visits abroad to 23 countries during 1993 at a total cost of £21,504. Ten visits were for European Community meetings, eight for bilateral discussions and one to the European Parliament.

  My right hon.Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), made eight official visits abroad to 14 countries during 1993 at a total cost of £46,090. These visits were primarily for bilateral discussions but included attendance at one international conference.

  I made eight official visits abroad to 11 countries during 1993 at a total cost of £29,147. Six visits were for bilateral discussions and two for international conferences.

  FCO Ministers are always accompanied by an official or officials whose costs are not included in these figures. Details of the overseas visits made in 1993 by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will be given in answer to the hon. Member's separate question on that subject.

  Paedophiles
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 123, when was the last occasion that Ministers or officials of his Department discussed with members or officials of the appropriate foreign Government the problem of British paedophiles visiting (a) Sri Lanka, (b) Thailand and (c) the Philippines to abuse children.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have a regular dialogue with Thailand and the Philippines on the problem of the sexual abuse of children.

  Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health discussed the problem when she visited Thailand in September 1993. Her Majesty's chargé d'affaires in the Philippines raised the issue with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Manila on 21 January 1994.

  We last discussed the issue with the Sri Lankan authorities in 1987—the year in which the latest known case involving a British citizen occurred.

  British Virgin Islands
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many companies were registered in the British Virgin Islands at 31 December 1993; and how many companies were registered there for the first time between 1 January and 31 December 1993.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  On 31 December 1993 there were approximately 110,000 companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, of which 30,000 were first registered between 1 January and 31 December 1993.

  External Relations Budget
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main heads and amounts of the other external relations budget of his Department; from which heads in this budget he is proposing to reduce expenditure in each of the next three years; and what criteria he has adopted in deciding to reduce expenditure in that budget.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The main heads and amounts of class II, vote 2 (Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Other External Relations) for 1993–94 (total provision, including supplementary estimates) are as follows:

  £ thousand

  Section A

  Grants and subscriptions, etc. to international organisations

  303,690

  Section B

  General expenses and grants, etc. to nongovernmental and statutory organisations

  7,274

  Section C

  General expenses

  37,409

  Section D

  Military assistance

  13,800

  Section E

  Unallocated

  0

  Other expenditure not included in the control total:

  Section F

  Reimbursement of certain duties, taxes and licence fees

  39,884

  TOTAL

  402,057

  Against the background of increased subscriptions to international organisations and higher priority claims on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's resources, I decided that the grant-in-aid to the Commonwealth Institute should cease after 1995–96.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's current policy on Kashmir.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Our current policy on Kashmir, reiterated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during his visit to India in November, consists of three points on which we believe there should be simultaneous progress—a dialogue between India and Pakistan as provided for under the Simla 768
  agreements; an improvement in human rights in Kashmir and a genuine political process there; and a clear cessation of external support for violence in Kashmir.

  Bananas
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what considerations underlie the differences between the treatment of Martinique and Guadeloupe as compared with Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean in respect of imports of bananas into the EC.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Martinique and Guadeloupe are Overseas Departments of France and are therefore part of the European Community. The Commonwealth countries of the Caribbean are not.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The following items of equipment have been reported stolen from the FCO and ODA in the past three years:

  Items

  £

  2 keyboxes (£245 each)

  490

  2 answering machines (£60)

  120

  1 mobile telephone

  200

  1 lap top computer

  3,500

  4 standard telephones (£22 each)

  88

  1 Superset telephone

  322

  TOTAL

  4,720

  Liberia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of the activities of the Economic Community of West African States ceasefire monitoring group have been undertaken by Her Majesty's Government in partnership with the United Nations, the European Commission or directly; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  ECOMOG is deployed in Liberia on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and is working in cooperation with the UN observer mission (UNOMIL). The UN Secretary General's special envoy for Liberia provides regular reports to the UN Security Council on the progress of the peace process. We support strongly all the efforts to achieve a peace settlement in Liberia.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation Her Majesty's Government have in Liberia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We closed our embassy in Monrovia in 1991 and we therefore have no resident representation. Non-resident coverage is provided by our embassy in Abidjan.
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  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to hasten a ceasefire in Liberia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have given strong political support to the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) to achieve a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Liberia.

  We have contributed US$1 million, earmarked for humanitarian purposes, to the trust fund which the UN has established to support the peace process. Since 1990 we have separately given some £8·8 million of humanitarian assistance to help mitigate the effects of the conflict.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held with representatives of Charles Taylor's forces in Liberia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We wish to see a settlement of the appalling conflict in Liberia, and have listened to views from a number of those most concerned. The last meeting with one of Mr. Taylor's representatives was in May 1993, when his then spokesman for Defence met FCO officials in London.

PRIME MINISTER

  Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister which advisers to his office since 28 November 1990 have been seconded from other organisations; and what were the organisations and the lengths of the secondments.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 4 February at column 970. In addition, Alan Rosling served on secondment in the policy unit, from Hanson plc, for the period 1991–93.

  European Funds
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the representations he has made to the European Union for funds and support in each of the last four years and state(a) how much was claimed for each project, (b) the programme under which the claim was being made and (c) the amount of funds received by the business;

  (2) if he will list the names of the chairman and directors of each company on behalf of which he has made representations for funds from the European Union, in each of the last four years;

  (3) how many representations he has made to the European Union for funds (a) for England as a whole and (b) for specific projects in the past four years.

  Place

  Purpose

  Date

  Cost (£)

  China Hong Kong

  Visit counterpart Minister of State for Disabled. Meeting with Mr. Patten. Visit to Rehabilitation Services for Disabled. Meeting with Secretary of State for Health and Welfare of Hong Kong.

  27 May to 6 June 1993

  13,926·30

  Brussels

  Informal meeting of Social Affairs Council.

  9 to 10 November 1993

  550·62

  770
  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  So far as I am aware, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made no representations to the European Union in relation to the structural funds.

  Cabinet Ministers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister which Cabinet Ministers have served in the armed forces.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  Five Cabinet Ministers have served in the armed forces.

  Upper Limb Deformities
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 736, concerning children born with upper limb deformities, what discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for Health about a national study of these defects; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's private secretary has written separately to the hon. Member on this subject, following my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's oral answer on 1 February at col. 736.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville) gave to the hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Cummings) on 11 February, Official Report, columns 537–38.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits (Administration)
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the impact on the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration of the privatisation of the assessment of benefits, Giro order book issue and national insurance contribution recording.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 8 February at column 212.

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

  Mr. Scott
  I made two journeys abroad.

  The details are in the table:

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 215, about applications to the Independent Living Fund turned down, in which local authority each of the applicants who were refused assistance reside.

  Mr. Scott
  I am informed by the director of the Independent Living (1993) Fund that the 11 individuals whose applications to the fund were unsuccessful on the grounds that their existing or proposed care package was valued in excess of £500, are resident in the following local authority areas (one person resident in each).

  Norfolk

  Essex

  Lambeth

  Brent

  Clwyd

  Tameside

  Hammersmith

  East Sussex

  Devon

  Barnet

  Bolton

  Incapacity Assessment
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has had from the Terrence Higgins Trust in regard to the Consultation Panel of 80 (Incapacity Benefit); what reply he is sending; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The Terrence Higgins Trust has written to me asking why no member of the assessment panel has experience of medical incapacity for work in relation to people with AIDS or symptomatic HIV infection. I have explained that the new medical incapacity test will assess the effects of all medical conditions. It is not based on particular diagnoses. The members of the panel have been selected for their individual expertise, not as representatives of particular organisations.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Hague
  This Department does not separately maintain centralised records of individual items stolen. Losses due to theft, fraud, arson or sabotage are recorded in a single category. The number of individual losses within this category, and the total value for each of the last three years for which information is available, is as follows:

  Financial year

  Number of individual cases

  Total value

  £

  1990–91

  364

  89,799

  1991–92

  411

  72,315

  1992–93

  94

  84,500

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Caerphilly may expect a reply to his letter of 23 August 1992 in respect of Mr. A. J. Silcox, of 3 Bryn Huelog, Penyrheol, Caerphilly.
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  Mr. Hague
  I have no trace of this outstanding correspondence. If the hon. Member will provide me with further details I will look into the matter.

  Child Maintenance Deductions
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many absent parents in receipt of income support are currently having deductions made from their benefit in respect of child maintenance.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) by the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency on 9 February at columns 377–80.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how many people the Child Support Agency has recently increased its staffing level; and for what reasons.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the Chief Executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 16 February 1994:

  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about staffing levels in the Child Support Agency.

  Recruitment of staff to the Agency has continued during 1993/94 in order to meet a projected staffing level of 5,220 by the end of March 1994. At 31 December 1993, there were 4,982·5 whole time equivalent staff in post.

  I hope you will find this reply helpful.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Indonesia
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 68, regarding the water projects funded by the Overseas Development Administration in Indonesia, which companies have won the contracts for work on the water projects.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The company which is implementing the general research programme into canal system maintenance in a number of countries, including Indonesia, is Hydraulics Research Limited, Wallingford. No companies are involved with village-based water schemes as they are being undertaken by local communities.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which water projects the Overseas Development Administration has funded in Indonesia over the last five years; which companies have won those contracts; what was the value of those contracts; and which of those projects were funded under the aid and trade provision.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The following water projects in Indonesia have been supported with bilateral aid over the last five years:
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  — Project management of the Madura Groundwater project. Company: Groundwater Development Consultants (International) Ltd. Value: £2·99 million (all but some £500,000 of this expenditure occurred before 1989).

  — Water Quality Improvement Planning Study for the Kali-Sunter River. Company: Binnie and Parners Ltd. Value: £0·60 million.

  — Lake Toba Water Level study. Company: Institute of Hydrology. Value: £0·10 million.

  — Research into canal system maintenance (part of a wider project involving a number of countries). Company: Hydraulics Research Ltd. Wallingford (covering all the countries involved). Value: £0·46 million.

  Eighteen projects were jointly funded with non-governmental organisations during this period at a total cost of £137,000. In addition, 11 small water projects were funded during this period at a total cost of £42,000. No companies were involved with these 29 projects as they were small, mainly village-based, schemes undertaken by local communities.

  None of the projects mentioned was funded under the aid and trade provision.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the eligibility of the proposed construction of a second airport at Kuala Lumpur for support under(a) the aid and trade provision and (b) the United Kingdom aid programme.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government are still considering the request from the Malaysian Government for grant finance from the aid and trade provision budget to develop a new airport at Sepang.

  Aid Targeting
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider targeting aid to countries which renounce the arms trade.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We target aid on countries which need it and can use it effectively in support of sound policies for economic and social development and the reduction of poverty. Most of our bilateral aid goes to countries with which we have close historical ties. It is for each country to assess and provide for its own legitimate defence needs.

  The United Kingdom actively supports the increased emphasis placed by the International Monetary Fund and the World bank on analysing the implications for economic and social development of the composition of public expenditure. We consider the setting of an appropriate level of military expenditure to be an important part of good government. It is one of the factors we take into account when deciding our allocations of bilateral aid.

  Russian Federation
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out details of the disbursements from the sum of £11,201,000 which was allocated to the Russian Federation during 1992–93.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A list of all know-how fund projects to date, including disbursements under the 774
  1992–93 programme for Russia, was recently placed in the Libraries of the House. Details of know-how fund activities are placed in the Libraries on a regular basis.

  Madagascar
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will allocate emergency relief for the people of Madagascar, following the cyclone resulting in deaths and homelessness.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In addition to a donation of 500,000 ECU by the EC, we have provided the non-governmental organisation CARE with a grant of £31,267 in support of its emergency programme of agricultural rehabilitation in Brickaville. We are ready to consider any further requests.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Cloisters (Allocation of Areas)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the policy and intention of the Committee on the allocation of areas in the Cloisters for(a) hon. Members and (b) secretaries.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The Accommodation and Works Committee has yet to reach firm decisions on the use of accommodation released by recent additions to the parliamentary estate. Proposals for the future of the Cloisters and other areas will be included in that consideration.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Newton
  There is no record of any equipment having been stolen from the Privy Council Office in the last three years.

TRANSPORT

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who are the members currently appointed to Trinity house.

  Mr. Norris
  The current membership of the board of the Trinity House Lighthouse Service is as follows:

  Captain P. M. Edge—Chairman, and Deputy Master of Trinity House

  Captain D. J. Orr—Chief Executive

  Captain N. MacD Turner RD

  Captain P. H. King

  Mr. W. A. C. Thomson

  Captain M. J. F. Rawlinson OBE, RN

  Mr. M. J. Faulkner

  Mr. K. W. Clark FCA

  Mr. D. A. S. Vennings BSc (Eng), C Eng, MICE

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  A further appointment is pending, following the retirement of Sir Michael Colman Bt.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Lighthouse Board.

  Mr. Norris
  The current membership of the Northern Lighthouse Board is as follows:

  Mr. J. Hann CBE (Chairman)

  Sheriff-Principal R. C. Hay CBE, WS

  Mr. T. Macgill

  Captain A. F. Dickson, OBE, RD, ERIN

  Mr. A J. Struthers

  Sheriff-Principal N. D. MacLeod QC

  The Rt. Hon. Lord Rodger of Earlsferry QC, Lord Advocate

  Mr. W. F. Hay CBE

  Sheriff-Principal C. G. B. Nicholson QC (Vice-Chairman)

  Sheriff-Principal J. J. Maguire QC

  Sheriff-Principal D. J. Risk QC

  Sheriff-Principal G. L. Cox QC

  Captain D. N. Cowell (Isle of Man)

  Mr. T. Dawson QC, Solicitor General

  The Rt. Hon. Norman Irons, Lord Provost of Edinburgh

  Mr. W. A. E. Fraser, Provost of Inverness

  The Rt. Hon. Robert Innes, Lord Provost of Glasgow

  Mr. J. Wyness MA, Lord Provost of Aberdeen

  Mr. G. McMillan, Chairman of Argyll and Bute District Council

  Air Misses
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many air misses there have been in each of the last five years involving aircraft taking off from or landing at each of(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) London City and (d) Birmingham airports.

  TV Advertising

  Radio Advertising

  Newspaper Advertising

  Other Promotional Campaigns

  Department of Transport

  Road Safety Campaigns

  Drink Drive

  None

  None

  Coastal Safety

  Kill Your Speed

  Marine Safety

  Rear Seat Belts

  Other Road Safety Topics Booklet to complement the BBC 'Drive' programme

  Department Agencies—DVLA

  Road Tax Evasion

  Road Tax Evasion

  Road Tax Evasion

  None

  Vehicle Registration Numbers

  Vehicle Registration Numbers

  Vehicle Registration Numbers

  None

  The objectives for road safety campaigns are to reduce road casualties by a third by the year 2000. Coastal and marine safety campaigns are designed to promote sea safety messages and awareness of coastguard services. The road tax and sale of vehicle registration numbers scheme campaigns are intended to encourage people to re-license their vehicles and to increase the sale of personalised numbers. The Department commissions independent research on all major campaigns to establish the effectiveness of its advertising.

  For 1994–95 the Department plans to run television advertising on Drink Drive and Kill Your Speed and promotional campaigns on other road safety topics.

  The Department's agencies plan to run television, newspaper and radio advertising on road tax evasion and sale of vehicle registration numbers and promotional campaigns on coastal and marine safety.
  776
  Mr. Norris
  According to the records of the Civil Aviation Authority, reports of air miss type incidents submitted by pilots and air traffic controllers over the past five years, involving aircraft taking off from or landing at the airports in question, are given in the table. These figures include all reports, including those which were subsequently judged to involve no risk of collision:

  Year

  Airport

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Heathrow

  3

  5

  8

  7

  4

  Gatwick

  3

  3

  4

  5

  1

  London City

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Birmingham

  1

  2

  1

  0

  2

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. Norris
  The following publicity campaigns costing more than £10,000 have been or are being carried out in the current financial year by the Department and its agencies.

  London Transport Projects
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the Government's principal proposals for new(a) rail, (b) underground, (c) road and (d) river projects in London; and on which of them progress is expected in 1994.

  Mr. Norris
  On Network SouthEast, work continues on the Kent link route modernisation at a total cost of £800 million, involving infrastructure upgrading and rolling stock replacement. On the London, Tilbury and Southend line, an £83 million contract for the major physical works on the line was signed with GEC Alsthom Signalling Ltd. in January last year. An £85 million re-signalling scheme on the Great Eastern is steadily being extended on lines out of Liverpool Street. We expect good progress to be made on all of these schemes in 1994, including the completion of the Kent link and much of the London, Tilbury and Southend work.
  777
  On the existing London Underground network, further progress is being made on a range of schemes in 1994 including the £750 million modernisation of the Central line and the train refurbishment programme. Construction of the Jubilee line extension is under way, and we expect the Crossrail Bill to continue its passage through Parliament, with a view to the project proceeding as a joint venture with a substantial private sector contribution. The DLR extension to Beckton is expected to open by the end of March, and the Lewisham extension is being taken forward as a private finance initiative.

  Progress with implementing the London trunk road schemes in "Trunk Roads, England: Into the 1990s" is continuing. The A406 Harrow road and A40 Long lane trunk road schemes will be completed this year. The Department has also let contracts for the advance and main works on the Al3 Thames avenue to Wennington scheme, two of the three main contracts have also been let for the A406 Silver street to Hall lane scheme and the main works contract has been let for the A406 east of Falloden way to east of Finchley road scheme. Implementation of the 315-mile red route network will begin later this year. We are conducting a review of the trunk road programme, and we shall make an announcement when the results of the review are known.

  The River Thames working group, which I chair, is examining the benefits and potential of maximising transport on the Thames. I hope to publish a report of the group's findings in the summer. The Thames festival is now being planned for 1995 by the London Arts Board and the London Council for Sport and Recreation, with Government support towards the planning stage. This will be a major cultural and recreational celebration embracing many events on the River Thames and its banks.

  A303 (Stonehenge)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he is giving to the proposal advanced by English Heritage, the National Trust and the Council for British Archaeology to tunnel the A303 trunk road under the Stonehenge world heritage site.

  Mr. Norris
  I am considering the proposal for a tunnel very carefully and the implications of its construction and future maintenance for the world heritage site. At more than 4 km, it would be the longest road tunnel in the United Kingdom by a substantial margin.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what objections he has received to his proposals to upgrade the A303 road at Stonehenge in respect of(a) the yellow route and (b) the grey route; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Our public consultation in 1993 has attracted many helpful comments which are now being analysed. The question of objections does not arise since no draft orders under the Highways and Acquisition of Land Acts have yet been published. The next step is the announcement of the preferred option on which further development work can take place.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many metres of tunnel there are on the channel tunnel rail link in Kent; what percentage of the channel tunnel rail 778
  link route length in Kent this represents; and if he will list, with their lengths, the channel tunnel rail link tunnels in Kent.

  Mr. Freeman
  The route of the channel tunnel rail link to be safeguarded very shortly has the following tunnels in Kent:

  Metres

  Thames tunnel (portion in Kent)

  1,505

  North Downs tunnel

  3,175

  Park Wood West tunnel (Boxley)

  330

  Hollingbourne tunnel (Eyhome Street)

  240

  Sandway tunnel (under Headcorn road)

  170

  Tunnel at Church Road, Mersham

  160

  Sandling Park tunnel

  90

  Decisions will follow on the route at Pepper Hill and Ashford which may involve further tunnels. The route for consultation issued last year had the following tunnels at these two locations:

  Metres

  Pepper Hill tunnel

  910

  Tunnel at Ashford Junction (Leacon Lane)

  205

  Tunnel at Ashford Junction (A20)

  450

  Sandyhurst Lane tunnel

  135

  Willesborough Lees tunnel

  1,150

  The total length of tunnels on the route in Kent, including the 1993 route for consultation at Pepper Hill and Ashford, is approximately 8,520 metres. This is 11.3 per cent. of the total length of the route in Kent.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the minimum length of a tunnel on the channel tunnel rail link is for it to be defined as a tunnel, rather than a bridge.

  Mr. Freeman
  The terminology chosen by Union Railways defines a tunnel as any structure over the railway longer than 50 metres. Shorter structures are defined as bridges.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations which made representations to his Department in support of the Boxley long tunnel on the channel tunnel rail link.

  Mr. Freeman
  The organisations which in response to an invitation for formal comments made representations to the Department in favour of a long tunnel in mid-Kent were as follows:

  Kent County Council

  Tonbridge and Mailing Borough Council

  Maidstone Borough Council

  Kent Association of Parish Councils

  Aylesford Parish Council

  Boxley Parish Council

  Detling Parish Council

  Thrunham Parish Council

  Bearsted Parish Council

  Bluebells Action Group

  Kits Coty Action Group

  North Aylesford Action Group

  Boxley and Penenden Heath Rail Concern

  Detling Rail Action Group

  Thumhan Action Group

  Sandling Residents' Association

  Cuxton and North Hailing Rail Action Group

  Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men

  779

  Kent Action Group

  Council for the Protection of Rural England (Kent Branch)

  Kent Trust for Nature Conservation

  Mid-Ken Long Tunnel Joint Committee

  Weald of Kent Preservation Society

  Public Transport (Financial Inducements)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to give travellers financial inducements to use public transport in line with Her Majesty's Government's policy.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not Government policy to offer travellers direct financial inducements to use public transport. The Government believe that the prices people pay for transport should reflect the costs and benefits of their use. However, local authorities have discretion to provide concessionary fares for pensioners and some other groups of people, which are funded with central Government assistance.

  There are also substantial grants and subsidies available to public transport operators. In 1992–93, British Rail received £1·15 billion in PSO grant, representing an increase of 40 per cent. in real terms on 1991–92. The 1993 autumn Budget settlement will provide nearly £3 billion in support to London Transport over the next three years. This includes funds for the Jubilee line extension.

  The bus industry will also benefit from fuel duty rebate. In 1993–94 this will total around £200 million. Bus operators can also reclaim all VAT paid on the pump price of fuel provided they are VAT registered. VAT on passenger transport is zero rated. The Government are also working with the bus industry and local authorities on ways to make bus travel more attractive, for example through traffic management measures to speed up journey times.

  The Government have also introduced other measures which should indirectly encourage the use of public transport services. These include the commitment in the 1993 autumn Budget to increase road fuel duties in future Budgets by at least 5 per cent. in real terms which should act as an incentive to road users to minimise their transport costs through the use of more fuel efficient vehicles and, where appropriate, the use of public transport alternatives.

  In addition, central Government and local authorities are carrying out research on the feasibility of city congestion charging. If implemented this could significantly improve the viability and attractiveness of public transport.

  London Underground
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he has had discussions with the chairman of London Underground on improving the service on the Central line.

  Mr. Norris
  I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with the Chairman of London Underground.

  Blackwall Third Crossing
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement about the Blackwall third crossing.

  Mr. Norris
  I will make an announcement once I have considered all the views put to me.

  East London Line
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further work he expects to be undertaken in the next year on plans for the extension of the east London line.

  Mr. Norris
  London Underground Ltd submitted an application to the Secretary of State for an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to grant it powers to construct the proposed northern extension to the East London line on 30 November 1993. If powers are granted, it is envisaged that the scheme would be taken forward as a joint venture with the private sector.

  Traffic Growth
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify the range of measures to reduce environmental impacts of transport and influence traffic growth that the Government are pursuing.

  Mr. Key
  In the November Budget speech, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an 8–10 per cent. increase in road fuel duties. He also announced that in future Budgets he will increase duty on all road fuels by at least 5 per cent. in real terms. This will encourage all motorists to use fuel more wisely.

  Tight new EC emission standards for both cars and lorries are coming in over the next few years. Most new cars have needed catalytic converters since the beginning of 1993. These reduce harmful emissions by about 80 per cent.

  The MOT emissions check introduced for cars in November 1991 is helping to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Since 1 September 1993 there has been a metered smoke test in the annual test for heavy diesels. Since 1 February 1994 there has also been a metered smoke test for diesel cars.

  Measures to reduce congestion in urban areas will also help—these involve a mix of traffic management, parking controls and better public transport. The Department is undertaking a programme of research on congestion, which includes an assessment of the possible role of road pricing.

  In London, for example, the Department is introducing a network of red routes designed to improve the movement of traffic. Journeys on these routes will be smoother with less stopping and starting. This will mean less pollution. Associated traffic management and parking guidance includes proposals for moderating traffic growth and the opportunities for parking in London which have a part to play in containing pollution.

  The introduction of the "package approach" encourages local authorities to develop a coherent strategy for dealing with urban traffic problems and provides more flexibility for funding between modes.

  Carbon Dioxide Emmissions
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives he is taking in the transport sector which, although primarily designed to achieve other ends including reducing traffic congestion or improving road safety, will have a beneficial effect on carbon dioxide emmissions.

  Mr. Key
  The most important measure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector is the commitment to raise fuel duties by at least 5 per cent. in real terms. This will save some 2·5MtC in the year 2000.
  781
  Other measures which will have a beneficial effect on carbon dioxide emissions include the introduction of an emissions check into the MOT test which encourages people to keep their engines in tune.

  We have required speed limiters for new heavy lorries since August 1992 and for many of the heaviest existing lorries from August 1993.

  We are also discussing with our partners in the European Union how best to encourage manufacturers to produce more fuel efficient cars.

  The Government are supporting high investment in rail and it is working with the bus industry and local authorities on ways to make bus travel more attractive eg through traffic management measures to speed up journey times.

  Together with the Department of the Environment, we are together looking at how planning controls can encourage new development to be located where it can reduce the need for car travel and increase transport choice.

  Civil Aviation Authority
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who are the members currently appointed to the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Mr. Norris
  The current members of the board of the Civil Aviation Authority are:

  Executive members

  The right hon. Christopher Chataway (Chairman)

  Mr. Thomas Murphy, CBE

  Mr. Michael Willett

  Mr. Cliff Paice

  Mr. Derek McLauchlan

  Non-executive members

  Mr. Raymond Birdseye

  Mr. Leslie Priestley

  Mr. Richard Sturt

  Mr. Peter Grant

  Captain Gilbert Gray

  Ms Ann Burdus

  Mr. Anthony Blackman, OBE

  Air Vice-Marshal Bertrand Brownlow, CB, OBE, AFC

  Mr. Frank Vibert

  Mr. Roderick Lynch

  Defendant/Appellant

  Offence

  Date

  Khan Hassan

  Robbery

  23 February 1990

  Edwards John

  Robbery

  2 November 1990

  Wellington Constantine

  Robbery

  25 March 1990

  Cheetham Geoffrey

  Conspiracy to rob

  30 July 1992

  Gall Ronald T.

  Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

  14 January 1992

  Gall Gerard

  Robbery

  14 January 1992

  Lynch Daniel

  Robbery

  14 January 1992

  Cooke Valentine P.

  Robbery

  14 January 1992

  Haughton Robert

  Conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm

  14 May 1992

  Hare Delroy

  Robbery

  19 May 1992

  Bromell Michael T.

  Unlawful wounding

  22 June 1992

  Binham Gary M.

  Theft

  28 January 1993

  Horobin Leslie B.

  Robbery

  1 April 1993

  Wilcox Kevin

  Robbery

  1 April 1993

  Fryer Raymond

  Robbery

  1 April 1993

  Francis Adolphus

  Robbery

  27 April 1993

  Jeffers Elvis

  Robbery

  27 April 1993

  Lindo Paul R.

  Grievous bodily harm

  12 October 1993

  Hinds George A.

  Theft

  2 December 1993

  Smith Patrick

  Robbery

  20 January 1994

  Williams Seymour

  Robbery

  20 January 1994

  London Underground
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing, separately for men and women and as an overall total, the number of incidents of(a) violent crime and (b) sexual assault on London Underground for 1992 and 1993.

  Mr. Norris
  [pursuant to his answer, 31 January 1994, col. 505]: There were some errors in the figures quoted for violent crimes and sexual offences on London Underground in 1992 and 1993. The correct figures are shown in the table.

  Violent crimes

  Sexual offences

  Year

  Robbery

  1Assault

  Male

  Female

  Overall total

  1992

  479

  636

  11

  251

  1,377

  1993

  495

  628

  7

  248

  1,378

  Source: British Transport Police figures supplied to London Underground.

  1Figure includes all assaults on passengers, staff and the police (not all of which in the latter category being necessarily of a violent nature).

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  West Midlands Serious Crime Squad
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the cases still pending before the Court of Appeal involving members of the West Midlands serious crimes squad.

  The Attorney-General
  Currently, there are five cases before the Court of Appeal. They are as follows:

  Martin P. Foran

  Roy Meads

  Anthony M. Jones

  Trevor McCalla

  Abdul Rasheed

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 3 February,Official Report, column 833, if he will list the cases involving members of the West Midlands serious crimes squad where convictions have been quashed on appeal.

  The Attorney-General
  The 23 appellants whose appeals have been allowed by the Court of Appeal are as follows:
  783

  Defendant/Appellant

  Offence

  Date

  Lewis George G.

  Robbery

  4 February 1994

  Tanochan

  Murder

  27 January 1994

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General how many documents, and how many pages, have now been submitted to the Scott inquiry by the legal secretariat to the Law Officers.

  The Attorney-General
  A total of 288 documents, amounting to 1,697 pages, have been submitted by the legal secretariat to the Law Officers.

  Combat 18
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions publications issued by Combat 18 which urge the public to make nuisance telephone calls to named individuals, with a view to prosecuting those responsible for publishing and printing such publications.

  The Attorney-General
  I understand that the police service, which is responsible for the investigation of alleged criminal offences, is aware of the activities of Combat 18, including the publications to which the hon. Member refers. The role of the Crown Prosecution Service, when involved at the investigation stage, is to provide legal advice to the police relevant to their inquiries, and thereafter to conduct any criminal proceedings which may be appropriate.

  Equipment Theft
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from the Law Officers' Departments in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  The Attorney-General
  No equipment has been stolen from my own office during the last three years. Equipment stolen from the Treasury Solicitor's department, the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service is listed in the table.

  Date

  Items

  Approximate value of items £

  July 1991

  1 Video recorder

  400

  October 1991

  1 Personal computer and 5 Printers

  8,300

  January 1992

  4 Personal computers

  7,250

  February 1992

  4 PC system boxes

  4,700

  March 1992

  1 Personal computer

  1,000

  May 1992

  1 Facsimile machine

  1,400

  July 1992

  2 Dictaphones

  100

  August 1992

  3 Printers and 1 Dictaphone machine

  3,009

  September 1992

  1 Laptop computer

  300

  December 1992

  11 Personal computers and 1 Printer

  17,250

  January 1993

  1 Personal computer, 1 Printer and 1 Telephone handset

  2,130

  February 1993

  1 Personal computer and 1 Printer

  2,000

  March 1993

  1 Personal computer, 2 Printers and 1 Video recorder

  3,450

  April 1993

  1 Computer monitor

  200

  May 1993

  1 PC system box

  600

  June 1993

  6 Dictaphones

  600

  784

  Date

  Items

  Approximate value of items £

  August 1993

  3 Calculators

  12

  December 1993

  4 Personal computers, 4 Printers and 1 Facsimile

  9,000

  January 1994

  4 PC system boxes

  2,400

  Total

  64,101

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who are the members currently appointed to the Agriculture and Food Research Council.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The current members of the Agricultural and Food Research Council are as follows:

  Sir Alistair Grant (Chairman)

  Professor T. L. Blundell, FRS

  (Secretary and Deputy Chairman)

  Dr. P. J. Bunyan

  Mr. C. R. Cann

  Professor E. C. D. Cocking, FRS

  Professor J. R. Coggins, FRSE

  Professor P. James, CBE

  Sir Sam Edwards, FRS

  Mr. D. F. R. George, OBE

  Mr. A. B. N. Gill

  Professor R. M. Hicks, OBE

  Professor G. Horn, FRS

  Mr. R. M. Knapman, MP

  Professor J. R. Krebs, FRS

  Professor C. J. Leaver, FRS

  Professor R. Leech

  Dr. T. Little

  Professor T. A. Mansfield, FRS

  >Mr. K. MacKenzie

  Mr. J. L. C. Provan

  Mr. G. T. Pryce

  Dr. D. W. F. Shannon

  Professor W. V. Shaw

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the various sources used to compile the public appointments unit central list, what categories are used by the public appointments unit to sort these names and if he will list them by percentage; and what per cent. of the names on the public appointments unit central list are self-nominated.

  Mr. David Davis
  The public appointments unit receives names of suitable candidates for registration on the central list in a number of ways including nominations from other Government Departments, professional and representative organisations, and recommendations from individuals including Members of Parliament from all parties, who know of the work of the unit. Self-nominations are also welcome and account for 38 per cent. of the names on the list. The categories used to sort the names are as follows:
  785

  Source of nomination

  Percentage of names on the central list (February 1994)

  Self-nomination

  38·3

  Departmental

  32·6

  Professional/representative organisations

  16·1

  Personal recommendation

  11·6

  Ministerial, MPs and political groups

  1·4

  Executive Agency Chief Executives
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all executive agency chief executives, their age on appointment, their current salaries, including bonuses, and the salaries of analogous civil service grades.

  Mr. David Davis
  A list of all agency chief executives is reproduced in the table. The national salary ranges of grades 1A to 6 are as follows:

  Grade 1A

  £82,925

  Grade 2

  £64,307–75,328

  Grade 3

  £51,360–59,599

  Grade 4

  £44,390–53,740

  Grade 5

  £36,019–53,740

  Grade 6

  £27,660–46,122

  Information on the age of chief executives on appointment and their current salaries is not held centrally.

  Agency Chief Executives

  EXISTING AGENCIES

  1. Accounts Services Agency: Michael Hoddinott

  2. ADAS: Dr. Julia Walsh

  3. Army Base Repair Organisation: Brigadier Jim Drew

  4. Building Research Establishment: Roger Courtney

  5. CADW: John Carr

  6. Central Office of Information: Mike Devereau

  7. Central Science Laboratory: Dr. Peter Stanley

  8. Central Statistical Office: Bill McLennan

  9. Central Veterinary Laboratory: Dr. Tony Little

  10. Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment: Dr. Graham Pearson CB

  11. Chessington Computer Centre: Bob Edwards

  12. Civil Service College: Miss Marianne Neville-Rolfe

  13. Companies House: David Durham

  14. Compensation Agency (N. Ireland): John Robinson

  15. Defence Accounts Agency: Mike Dymond

  16. Defence Analytical Services Agency: Paul Altobell

  17. Defence Animal Centre: Colonel Paul Jepson

  18. Defence Operational Analysis Centre: Dr. David Leadbeater

  19. Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency: Brigadier Michael Browne

  20. Defence Research Agency: John Chisholm

  21. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Stephen Curtis

  22. Driver and Vehicle Licensing (N. Ireland): Brendan Magee

  23. Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency: Brian Watson

  24. Driving Standards Agency: Dr. John Ford

  25. Duke of York's Royal Military School: Colonel Gordon Wilson

  26. Employment Service: Mike Fogden

  27. Fire Service College: Brian Fuller CBE

  28. Forensic Science Service: Dr. Janet Thompson

  29. Government Property Lawyers: Tony Osborne

  30. Her Majesty's Prison Service: Derek Lewis

  31. Historic Royal Palaces: David Beeton

  32. Historic Scotland: Graeme Munro

  33. HMSO: Dr. Paul Freeman CB

  34. Hydrographic Office: Rear Admiral John Myres

  35. Insolvency Service: Peter Joyce

  36. Intervention Board: Guy Stapleton

  37. Laboratory of the Government Chemist: Dr. Richard Worswick

  38. Land Registry: John Manthorpe

  786

  39. Medicines Control Agency: Dr. Keith Jones

  40. Meteorological Office: Professor Julian Hunt

  41. Military Survey: Major General Mike Wilson

  42. National Physical Laboratory: Dr. Peter Clapham CB

  43. National Weights and Measures Laboratory: Dr. Seton Bennett

  44. Natural Resources Institute: Anthony Beattie

  45. Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation: Captain David Symonds

  46. NEL: William Edgar

  47. NHS Estates: John Locke FRICS

  48. NHS Pensions Agency: Alec Cowan

  49. Northern Ireland Child Support Agency: Pat Devlin

  50. Occupational Health Service: Dr. Elizabeth McCloy

  51. Ordnance Survey: Professor David Rhind

  52. Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland: Michael Brand

  53. Patent Office: Paul Hartnack

  54. Paymaster: Keith Sullens

  55. Pesticide Safety Directorate: Geoff Bruce

  56. Planning Inspectorate: Stephen Crow

  57. Public Record Office: Mrs. Sarah Tyacke

  58. Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre: Marcus Buck

  59. Queen Victoria School: Julian Hankinson

  60. Radio communications Agency: Dr. Jim Norton

  61. RAF Support Command's Maintenance Group Defence Agency:

  62. Rate Collection Agency: David Gallagher

  63. Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency: Michael Geddes

  64. Registers of Scotland: James Barron

  65. Royal Mint: Roger Holmes

  66. Royal Parks Agency: David Welch

  67. Scottish Agricultural Science Agency: Dr. Robert Hay

  68. Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency: Andrew MacLeod

  69. Scottish Office Pensions Agency: Norman McLeod

  70. Scottish Prison Service: Edward Frizzell

  71. Scottish Record Office: Patrick Cadell

  72. Security Facilities Executive: John King

  73. Service Children's Schools (NWE): Ian Mitchelson

  74. Social Security Agency (Northern Ireland): Alec Wylie

  75. Social Security Benefits Agency: Michael Bichard

  76. Social Security Child Support Agency: Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite

  77. Social Security Contributions Agency: Miss Ann Chant

  78. Social Security Information Technology Services Agency: Ian Magee

  79. Social Security Resettlement Agency: Tony Ward

  80. Teachers' Pensions Agency: Mrs. Denyse Metcalfe

  81. The Buying Agency: Stephen Sage

  82. Training and Employment Agency: Julian Crozier

  83. Transport Research Laboratory: John Wootton

  84. UK Passport Agency: John Hayzelden

  85. Valuation and Lands Agency (N. Ireland): David Bell

  86. Valuation Office: Rex Shutler CB

  87. Vehicle Certification Agency: Derek Harvey

  88. Vehicle Inspectorate: Ron Oliver

  89. Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Dr. Mike Rutter

  90. Warren Spring Laboratory: Dr. Douglas Cormack

  91. Wilton Park Conference Centre: Richard Langhorne

  AGENCY CANDIDATES

  1. Highways Agency: Lawrence Haynes

  2. Marine Emergencies Organisation: Chris Harris

  3. Marine Safety Agency: Robin Bradley

  4. Medical Devices Directorate: Alan Kent

  5. Ministry of Defence Police: John Reddington

  6. Public Trust Office: Julia Lomas

  7. Royal Air Force Training: Air Vice-Marshal Chris Coville

  8. Social Security War Pensions Directorate: Peter Mathison

  9. Student Awards: Ken MacRae

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has for the expenditure incurred in administration and collection of insurance premium tax.

  Sir John Cope
  It is a priority in the implementation of insurance premium tax to minimise the compliance and administrative costs associated with it, recognising that there are a wide range of interests within the insurance sector. Discussions since the Budget between Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and representatives of the insurance industry have been very much directed toward this end. When firm conclusions have been reached on the actual operation of the tax, a revised compliance cost assessment will be issued. However, it is clear that in terms of the likely costs of administration by Customs the tax will be highly cost effective; whilst the compliance costs of the insurance industry should not in practice prove burdensome.

  Division of Telecommunications
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to respond to the claim presented by Civil Service Unions for Treasury underwriting of the severance terms for Home Office DTELS employees when that division is privatised; and if he will make it his policy that DTELS employees are offered the same severance and redundancy terms as PSA employees and Forward Catering employees have been offered.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I understand that my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has responded to the civil service unions' representations.

  On the second point, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 8 February 1994 at column 120.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pages of evidence have now been provided by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to the Scott inquiry.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs and Excise has to date supplied in the region of 15,100 pages of evidence to the Scott inquiry.

  Domestic Fuel Consumption
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the reductions in consumption of domestic fuel resulting from the imposition of value added tax.

  Sir John Cope
  It was estimated that over the next two years imposing VAT at the standard rate on domestic fuel and power would reduce consumption by around 3 per cent. overall.

  Public Appointments
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total number of public appointments which he makes.
  788
  Mr. Nelson
  Details of the number of public appointments which my right hon. and learned Friend makes are listed in the publication "Public Bodies", which is available in the Members' Library.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the takeover of British industry by foreign firms has on the exchange rate.

  Mr. Nelson
  The effect is uncertain. The purchase of British assets by foreign firms will tend to raise sterling. Similarly, when United Kingdom firms acquire overseas assets, this will tend to lower the exchange rate. In the 10 years to 1992, the most recent complete year for which data are available, direct investment overseas by United Kingdom residents has been £122 billion, while direct investment in the United Kingdom by overseas residents has been £91 billion.

  Caribbean (Offshore Companies)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reports(a) the Treasury and (b) the Bank of England have prepared in the last five years on banking, financial services or offshore companies operating in British dependent territories in the Caribbean; what recommendations were made in those reports; what action has been taken on the recommendations; and if he will ensure that a copy of each of those reports is placed in the Library.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has responsibility for offshore financial regulation in the Caribbean Dependent Territories. It published a Survey of Offshore Finance Sectors in the Caribbean Dependent Territories in 1990. A copy is in the House of Commons Library. Work is proceeding on enhanced regulation in the offshore finance sector to which both Her Majesty's Treasury and the Bank of England contribute.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the gross domestic product per head in each county for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Nelson
  Estimates for gross domestic product by county are only calculated for years when there is an Annual Census of Employment. The latest available information for GDP per head by county is for 1987, 1989 and 1991 which was published in the December 1993 issue of Economic Trends, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Inheritance Tax (Works of Art)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of those works of art which must be made available for public access by reason of inheritance tax exemption.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 28 January 1994 at column 454.

  Taxpayers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number and percentage of taxpayers who had incomes of(a) £5 million or more, (b) between £1 million

  789
  and £5 million, (c) between £500,000 and £1 million and (d) between £100,000 and £500,000 in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Reliable estimates are available only for the numbers of taxpayers with incomes in excess of £100,000 and are as follows:

  Total number of taxpayers

  Number of taxpayers with incomes1 in excess of £100,000

  Percentage of taxpayers with incomes1 in excess of £100,000

  Thousands

  Thousands

  Per cent.

  1991–92

  25,700

  100

  0·4

  1992–932

  25,100

  110

  0·4

  1 Total income for income tax purposes

  2 Provisional

  British Aerospace
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what United Kingdom tax regime will apply to any payment received by the chairman of British Aerospace as a result of the increased value of his shareholding with that company.

  Mr. Dorrell
  For reasons of confidentiality, I cannot make any comment on the specific tax affairs of any individual.

  Banks
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the legal restrictions governing the use of the term "bank".

  Mr. Nelson
  The statutory restrictions governing the use of banking names and descriptions, including the use of the term "bank", are contained in sections 67–73 of the Banking Act 1987, as amended by the Banking Co-ordination (Second Council Directive) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3218).

  Tax Changes
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each region the change in total tax in each year since 1978–79 as against the 1978–79 indexed regime broken down into the top 1 per cent., 5 per cent., 10 per cent., and bottom 70 per cent., 50 per cent., 30 per cent. and all taxpayers, giving the number of taxpayers in each category.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 14 February 1994]: Available information was provided in the answers which I gave to the hon. Member on 20 January at column 777 and to the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) on 29 November 1993 at columns 337–38. The analysis sought for the later years is not available and the analyses for the earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Pensioners
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to write to every pensioners group in the country giving details of the 790
  compensation package he announced in the Budget for all pensioners as a consequence of tax increases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: Efforts were made on Budget day to make the details available to pensioner groups.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to publicise the compensation package he announced in the Budget for all pensioners as a consequence of tax increases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: The package of assistance with fuel bills announced in the November Budget was the subject of a press release, and has received widespread publicity at the time of the Budget and since. All pensioners will have received notification of the increase in the state retirement pension by 1 April 1994.

  Leaflets offering information on the home energy efficiency scheme (HEES), which is to be extended to cover all pensioners, are supplied free of charge to local authorities, housing benefit offices, housing associations, citizens advice bureaux, the Benefits Agency, jobcentres, Age Concern and other organisations which have contact with HEES client group. The Energy Action Grants Agency (EAGA), which is responsible for administering the HEES, also encourages installers to promote HEES locally by means of advertising, press publicity and distribution of their own leaflets.

  The Department for National Savings ran advertisements in the national press for the new pensioners' guaranteed income bond between 21 January and 13 February. The prospectus for the bond is available from all post offices and on request from the DNS office in Blackpool.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) who are the members currently appointed to the Board of the Registrar of Public Lending Right;

  (2) who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee for the Public Lending Right.

  Mr. Sproat
  There is no PLR board, since the registrar (appointed by the Secretary of State) is a corporate sole. The current registrar is Dr. James Parker.

  The public lending right (PLR) advisory committee advises the Secretary of State and/or the registrar on PLR matters.

  The present members of the committee are:

  Philip Ziegler CVO (Chairman)

  Lee Langley

  Keith Crawshaw

  Clive Grenyer

  Janet Hurrell

  Gillian McClure

  Roger Palmer

  Lavinia Trevor

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

  Mr. Sproat
  The members of the board of trustees of the Wallace collection are:
  791

  Hon. Simon Sainsbury (Chairman)

  Lord Egremont DL

  Prof. Francis J. H. Haskell FBA

  James Joll Esq

  Dr. Jennifer I. R. Montagu FBA

  Lady Shaw-Stewart.

  Consultants
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the value of consultancy contracts awarded by his Department each year since 1992, both in current prices and at constant 1994 prices.

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department and its two agencies have awarded consultancy contracts to the value of £5·13 million in 1992–93 (£5·3 million at constant 1994 prices) and £3·15 million in 1993–94.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Sproat
  Since the establishment of the Department of National Heritage on 13 April 1992 we have had one lap top personal computer stolen. The approximate value was £2,500.

  British Library
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is the estimated completion date for the British library project;

  (2) if he will publish the report of his Department's consultants, Kennedy and Donkin, into the British library project.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 7 February at column 40.

  Royal Parks
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was his Department's total expenditure on the royal parks in each year from 1978–79 to 1991–92.

  Mr. Sproat
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Welch to Mr. Nick Raynsford, dated 11 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Question of 9 February 1994 about expenditure on the royal parks for the period 1978–879 to 1991–92, originally addressed to the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Prior to 1988–89 Royal Parks was not separately accounted for so expenditure figures before this date are not available. However, the figures for spend from 1988–89 to 1991–92 are as follows:

  £ million

  1988–89

  16·2

  1989–90

  16·0

  1990–91

  20·1

  1991–92

  25·4

  792
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was his Department's total expenditure on the royal parks in 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what is the budgeted expenditure for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Sproat
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Welch to Mr. Nick Raynsford, dated 11 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Question of 9 February 1994 about expenditure on the royal parks.

  The figures for spend on the Royal Parks are as follows:

  £ million

  1992–93

  122·80

  1993–94

  222·91

  1994–95

  323·87

  1995–96

  325·75

  1996–97

  325·75

  1 (Outturn).

  2 (Forecast outturn).

  3 (Planned).

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to commission a research study into useage of the royal parks from the University of North London; and what will be (i) the cost, (ii) the duration and (iii) the terms of reference of the research.

  Mr. Sproat
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. D. Welch to Mr. Nick Raynsford, dated 11 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Question of 9 February 1994 about a research study into usage of the Royal Parks.

  In December 1993 the Centre for Leisure and Tourism studies, University of North London, won a competitively tendered three year contract to undertake a market research study of people using The Royal Parks. This will cost £94,600 in year one. The terms of reference include estimation of visitor numbers, development of a questionnaire, interviews and production of reports. The volume of work to be ordered in years 2 and 3 of the commission will be influenced by the results obtained during the first year.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much his Department has spent on (i) consultancy and (ii) research relating to the royal parks in 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what is the budgeted expenditure for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Sproat
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  793
  Letter from Mr. D. Welch to Mr. Nick Raynsford, dated 11 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Question of 9 February 1994 about spend on consultancy and research.

  The Royal Parks figures for spend on consultancies, including market research, are as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1992–93

  1749

  1993–94

  2744

  1994–95

  3760

  1995–96

  3750

  1996–97

  3750

  Department of National Heritage—1992–93 prices

  £ million

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Outturn

  1992–93 Outturn

  1993–94 Provisional Outturn

  1994–95 Plans

  1995–96 Plans

  Executive Bodies

  Arts Council

  194·1

  212·9

  221·2

  218·5

  173·2

  167·8

  British Film Institute

  14·0

  14·6

  15·0

  14·5

  15·9

  15·3

  British Library (including St. Pancras)

  120·6

  127·6

  127·3

  104·7

  123·7

  116·8

  British Tourist Authority

  30·4

  30·3

  30·9

  31·0

  30·0

  30·5

  Broadcasting Complaints Commission

  0·0

  0·0

  0·5

  0·5

  0·6

  0·5

  Broadcasting Standards Council

  0·0

  0·0

  1·3

  1·4

  1·2

  1·2

  Crafts Council

  2·8

  2·9

  3·0

  3·3

  3·0

  3·0

  English Tourist Board

  16·7

  16·8

  13·9

  10·9

  9·3

  9·0

  Football Licensing Authority

  0·1

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  0·8

  0·8

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

  87·8

  94·7

  102·0

  96·9

  96·9

  95·0

  Museums and Galleries

  British Museum

  30·9

  32·6

  32·4

  33·0

  31·9

  30·1

  Geffrye Museum

  0·0

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

  1·9

  2·0

  2·2

  2·1

  2·1

  2·2

  Horniman Museum

  0·0

  2·4

  2·6

  2·8

  3·1

  3·0

  Imperial War Museum

  10·6

  11·2

  11·0

  10·5

  10·5

  10·0

  Museum of London

  3·8

  4·0

  4·1

  4·1

  4·1

  3·9

  National Gallery

  18·0

  17·8

  17·2

  17·6

  17·1

  16·5

  Natural History Museum

  27·9

  28·9

  28·9

  27·5

  25·7

  25·8

  National Maritime Museum

  12·0

  11·6

  11·6

  10·3

  10·2

  9·7

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  13·6

  13·1

  13·4

  13·5

  15·3

  12·1

  National Museum for Science and Industry

  20·4

  20·5

  21·9

  20·7

  20·4

  19·5

  National Portrait Gallery

  4·7

  6·4

  5·5

  4·6

  3·6

  4·6

  Sir John Sloane's Museum

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·7

  0·7

  0·6

  Tate Gallery

  15·2

  15·8

  16·0

  16·2

  16·0

  17·1

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  28·5

  29·3

  29·3

  30·2

  29·6

  28·4

  Wallace Collection

  2·1

  2·0

  1·9

  1·9

  1·9

  1·7

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  11·5

  11·8

  8·8

  8·7

  8·4

  8·1

  National Film and Television School

  1·9

  1·9

  1·9

  1·8

  1·7

  1·7

  National Film Development Fund

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  3·3

  12·5

  12·0

  11·6

  8·1

  7·9

  Registrar of Public Lending Right

  3·9

  4·9

  4·8

  4·8

  4·6

  4·4

  Royal Armouries

  4·0

  3·9

  5·4

  5·6

  3·6

  3·6

  Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

  0·9

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  1·0

  Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England)

  7·4

  8·3

  11·9

  14·0

  12·8

  10·3

  South Bank Theatre Board

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Sports Council

  49·4

  48·5

  48·6

  49·0

  46·4

  43·9

  Notes:

  i. From 1 April 1994 responsibility for the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils will be transferred from the Secretary of State for National Heritage to the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales respectively. Whilst the above figures take account of all three Arts Councils for the years prior to 1994–95, from that year they represent the Arts Council of England only.

  ii. The British Library figures include payments in relation to the building of the new British Library, St. Pancras.
  794

  1 Outturn.

  2 Forecast outturn.

  3 Planned.

  The Royal Parks do not currently intend to spend any moneys on research other than the £95,000 market research to be carried out by the University of North London during 1994. The response to your Question of the same date as this one refers.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish a table showing, in 1992–93 prices, the gross public spending for each year since 1990–91 and the projected expenditure for each year to 1995–96 for each executive non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department, as listed in "Public Bodies 1993".

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: The information requested is as follows:

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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 one the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department has conducted no advertising or other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 in the current financial year. For 1994–95, the Department is planning a programme of civilian events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-day landings on 6 June 1994.

  I have asked the chief executives of the Historic Royal Palaces and Royal Parks Agencies to write to the hon. Member about the position in their agencies.

  Letter from Mr. D. Welch to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 10 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Question of 8 February 1994 about advertising and promotional campaigns, in so far as the question relates to this Agency.

  Neither in the current financial year nor in our 1994–95 plans do we have any advertising or other promotional campaign that will cost over £10,000.

  Letter from Mr. D. Beeton to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 14 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage has requested me to reply to your Written Question as far as it affects my Agency.

  I am enclosing a schedule setting out the requested information. These promotional campaigns are aimed at protecting and enhancing our business income, which is forecast to total £28 million in 1994–95, having risen from £11 million on the establishment of the Agency in 1989–90.

  In answer to your written Parliamentary Question, please find below a list of all television advertising, newspaper advertising and other promotional campaigns for Historic Royal Palaces, with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 in the current financial year, and those planned for 1994–95

  1993–94

  TOWER OF LONDON

  To contribute towards target visitor numbers of 2·32 million;

  To continue to reposition the Tower to the domestic audience.

  Campaigns:

  1–30 April—cross track poster campaign on the London Underground; Total budget £100,000 (includes production).

  27 July—12 August: London radio campaign on Capital FM: Total budget £40,000.

  2 August—11 September; London television advertising campaign; Total budget £215,000.

  Evaluation:

  Advertising Track Study set up to evaluate the effectiveness of the television advertising against objectives by means of an omnibus survey. Conducted by BMRB Research.

  Analysis of visitor numbers.

  Annual Summer Visitor Survey comprising 300 on-site face-to-face interviews with visitors.

  1994–95

  TOWER OF LONDON

  To contribute towards achieving target visitor numbers of 2·5 million
  796
  Campaigns:

  12 July—30 August; London Television advertising campaign. Total budget £190,000.

  26–31 December; London Television advertising campaign. Total budget £36,000.

  Evaluation:

  Advertising Tracking Study set up to evaluate the effectiveness of the television advertising against objectives by means of an omnibus survey conducted by BMRB Research.

  Analysis of visitor numbers.

  Annual Summer Visitor Survey comprising 300 on-site face-to-face interviews with visitors.

  1994–95

  HAMPTON COURT PALACE

  Advertising objectives:

  To contribute towards achieving target visitor numbers of 586,000.

  Planned campaigns:

  10–28 August; London Television advertising campaign: £92,000. Please note: neither budget nor timing confirmed.

  Evaluation:

  Advertising Tracking Study set up to evaluate the effectiveness of the television advertising against objectives by means of an omnibus survey conducted by BMRB Research.

  Analysis of visitor numbers.

  Annual Summer Visitor Survey comprising 300 on-site face-to-face interviews with visitors.

  1993–94

  CORPORATE SALES PROMOTION—Total budget £100,000

  The corporate sales promotion activity comprised the Royal Pass, entitling visitors to entry to all the Palaces for £15, plus a souvenir guidebook, the joint Palaces leaflet promoting the Royal Pass and the Sovereign Trail competition.

  Evaluation:

  H H & S, the incumbent sales promotion agency, provide analysis of results based on targets agreed at the outset.

  1994–95

  CORPORATE SALES PROMOTION—Total planned budget £86,000

  Pitches yet to be received from competitive tendering exercise. However, plan to further consolidate the Royal Pass, improve the design and usefulness of the joint Palaces leaflet, i.e. multilingual and develop appropriate business partnerships.

  Evaluation:

  Selected consultancy will be asked to provide detailed evaluation of their campaigns against targets set at the outset.

  I do hope this answers your questions.

  Royal Palaces
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total rent rceived for accommodation provided at Kensington palace and St. James's palace.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: The total annual rent receivable at the present time from this accommodation is £26,348.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will place in the Library a list of all the tenants of the grace and favour accommodation in the occupied royal palaces and of the offices these tenants held or hold.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: I refer to the answer that I gave to the right hon. Member on 19 January at column 652 in response to a similar question.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (i) Government and (ii) Government-funded voluntary sector resources currently available for victims of sexual harassment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Government funding helps the victims of sexual harassment in a wide variety of ways.

  I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment that the Equal Opportunities Commission incurs legal expenses for the purpose of giving advice and assisting those who have been discriminated against on grounds of sex to seek redress in industrial tribunals. Some of the assistance goes towards sexual harassment cases. Examples of Government funding, where violence occurs, include the criminal injuries compensation scheme, victim support schemes and police and health service facilities.

  It is not, however, possible to identify separately the extent of Government funding, whether direct or through the voluntary sector, in support of victims of sexual harassment.

  Number of persons aged 10 to under 16 cautioned and found guilty at all courts of indictable sexual offences by type of offence 1987 to 1992 England and Wales

  Offence

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  16 Buggery

  33

  30

  30

  52

  26

  30

  17 Indecent assault on a male

  99

  98

  100

  123

  112

  102

  18 Indecency between males

  16

  14

  15

  27

  10

  9

  19 Rape

  17

  24

  20

  24

  11

  10

  20 Indecent assault on a female

  671

  847

  820

  728

  666

  674

  21 Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  41

  28

  55

  34

  29

  26

  22 Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  198

  211

  201

  145

  114

  91

  23 Incest

  16

  4

  13

  11

  11

  9

  24 Procuration

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  25 Abduction

  4

  2

  3

  —

  —

  4

  26 Bigamy

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  27 Soliciting by a man

  6

  1

  1

  —

  1

  4

  74 Gross indecency with children

  37

  39

  35

  55

  35

  27

  Total sexual offences

  1,140

  1,298

  1,294

  1,201

  1,015

  988

  Prison Food
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish the cost of food per prisoner week by prison in England;

  (2) what is (a) the cost of food per prisoner week at the Wolds private prison and (b) the cost standard required in repsect of Doncaster prison when that becomes privately managed.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Martin Redmond dated 16 February 1994:

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to continue funding projects currently in receipt of section 11 funding; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received with regard to the future of section 11 funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have received many representations about section 11 funding from local authorities and associations, teaching unions, ethnic minority communities and other interested parties, mainly supporting its continuation. Commitments to projects currently in receipt of section 11 funding will be honoured. In the future the particular needs of ethnic minorities will be met either through section 11 funds, or through wider regeneration programmes under the single regeneration budget.

  Sexual Offences
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sexual offences were committed by people under the age of 16 years in each year since 1987.

  Mr. Maclean
  The readily available information for 1987 to 1992 on the number of offenders aged under 16 years found guilty or cautioned for sexual offences is given in the table.

  Cost of food for prisoners

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your two recent Qeustions about the cost of food for prisoners at both publicly and privately managed prisons in England.

  The information requested in respect of prisons whose management has not been contracted out is given in the attached table.

  Contracts applying to those prisons managed by the private sector, including Wolds and Doncaster, do not directly specify the cost of food for prisoners. Contracts specify outputs and the requirements and standards which contractors much meet, rather than inputs which are left to contractors to determine.

  The requirements and standards laid down are set out in the operational specification and performance criteria contained in the invitation to tender (ITT) documents issued to each bidder and subsequently in the contracts themselves. A copy of the operational specification from the ITT for each prison whose management has been contracted out has been placed in the Library of the House.
  799
  The requirements include the provision of three meals a day, one of which must be hot; a choice of dish for the main meal of the day; a hot meal for all reception prisoners; and suitable refreshment for prisoners at court or on escort outside the prison. In addition, meals must meet the daily amounts of food, energy and nutrients, recommended by the Department of Health; modified diets must be provided as necessary for medical,

  Establishment

  Inmate cost per week

  Establishment

  Inmate cost per week

  £

  £

  Acklington

  9·03

  Albany

  9·24

  Aldington

  9·73

  Ashwell

  9·24

  Askham Grange

  9·52

  Aylesbury

  9·24

  Bedford

  10·01

  Belmarsh

  9·03

  Birmingham

  9·66

  Blantyre House

  9·94

  Blundeston

  10·57

  Brinsford

  9·17

  Bristol

  9·66

  Brixton

  9·17

  Brockhill

  9·31

  Bullingdon

  9·17

  Bullwood Hall

  9·59

  Camp Hill

  9·31

  Canterbury

  9·31

  Cardiff

  9·73

  Castington

  9·24

  Channings Wood

  9·17

  Chelmsford

  N/a

  Coldingley

  9·24

  Cookham Wood

  N/a

  Dartmoor

  9·45

  Deerbolt

  N/a

  Dorchester

  9·31

  Dover

  9·52

  Downview

  N/a

  Drake Hall

  9·52

  Durham

  9·31

  East Sutton Park

  N/a

  Elmley

  9·10

  Erlestoke

  9·73

  Everthorpe

  9·73

  Exeter

  9·38

  Featherstone

  9·17

  Feltham

  9·03

  Finnamore Wood

  10·50

  Ford

  9·31

  Frankland

  9·45

  Full Sutton

  10·57

  Garth

  9·52

  Gartree

  10·29

  Glen Parva

  9·10

  Gloucester

  9·66

  Grendon

  9·45

  Guys Marsh

  9·59

  Haslar

  9·24

  Hatfield

  9·31

  Haverigg

  9·59

  Hewell Grange

  9·38

  Highdown

  9·24

  Highpoint

  9·03

  Hindley

  9·10

  Hollesley

  9·52

  Holloway

  9·80

  Holme House

  9·17

  Hull

  9·31

  Huntercombe

  9·45

  Kingston

  10·78

  Kirkham

  9·10

  Kirklevington

  9·24

  Lancaster

  9·59

  Lancaster Farms

  N/a

  Latchmere

  12·11

  Leeds

  9·24

  Leicester

  9·66

  Lewes

  10·08

  Leyhill

  9·59

  Lincoln

  9·03

  Lindholme

  9·24

  Littlehey

  10·01

  Liverpool

  9·10

  Long Lartin

  10·99

  Low Newton

  9·17

  Maidstone

  10·36

  Manchester

  9·24

  Moorland

  9·17

  Morton Hall

  9·31

  Mount

  10·29

  New Hall

  9·59

  Northallerton

  9·24

  North Sea Camp

  10·50

  Norwich

  10·08

  Nottingham

  , 10·15

  Onley

  9·31

  Parkhurst

  9·59

  Pentonville

  9·10

  Portland

  9·10

  Preston

  9·38

  Pucklechurch

  9·38

  Ranby

  9·31

  Reading

  9·24

  Risley

  9·45

  Rochester

  9·87

  Rudgate

  9·24

  Send

  9·31

  Shepton Mallet

  9·24

  Shrewsbury

  9·73

  Springhill

  9·66

  Stafford

  9·10

  Standford Hill

  9·24

  Stocken

  9·38

  Stoke Heath

  9·10

  Styal

  10·36

  Sudbury/Foston

  10·01

  Swaleside

  9·24

  Swansea

  9·45

  Swinfen Hall

  9·24

  Thorn Cross

  9·31

  Thorp Arch

  9·38

  Usk

  9·24

  The Verne

  9·31

  Wakefield

  9·52

  Wandsworth

  9·31

  Wayland

  9·59

  Wellingborough

  10·29

  Werrington

  9·24

  Wetherby

  9·24

  Whatton

  9·17

  Whitemoor

  9·52

  Winchester

  9·31

  Woodhill

  10·01

  Wormwood Scrubs

  9·38

  Wymott

  9·10

  800
  religious or other reasons; and food must be prepared and served to high standards of food handling and hygiene to ensure proper temperature, appearance and palatability.

  Performance to the standards required is monitored by the on-site Prison Service Controller. Remedies for failure to deliver the required standards include withholding payment of part of all of the contractor's management fee. This is a powerful incentive for contractors to maintain standards and is one which is not available in the publicly managed part of the service.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his policing priorities for the Metropolitan police authority for 1994.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend's policing priorities for 1994 are reflected in the Metropolitan police corporate strategy priorities document which he announced on 7 February at col 22.

  Date

  Minister

  Cost

  Purpose

  £

  27–28 May

  Peter Lloyd

  1,703

  Italian ministerial conference on European drug trafficking routes, Rome.

  1–2 June

  Charles Wardle

  875

  TREVI/immigration ministerial meeting, Copenhagen

  28–29 September

  David Maclean

  441

  European ministers of justice meeting, Brussels.

  21–22 October

  David Maclean

  792

  Third European ministerial conference on equality between men and women, Rome.

  17–19 November

  Charles Wardle

  903

  5th conference of European ministers responsible for migration affairs, Athens.

  28–29 November

  Charles Wardle

  527

  Interior/Justice Council meeting, Brussels.

  Police Authority Members
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make it his policy that all members of a police authority shall be elected representatives.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No.

  Traffic Police
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to contract out any of the functions currently discharged by the traffic police.

  (2) what plans he has to contract out the convoy escort service for very heavy vehicles.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The possibility of using private escorts is being examined with the Association of thief Police Officers as one way of reducing the police's involvement in the escorting of abnormal loads of up to 150 tonnes. There are no current plans to change the escort arrangements for very heavy loads of over 150 tonnes. However, as part of the review of police core and ancillary tasks there is to be a review of traffic policing whose terms of reference are:To review the role of the police in enforcing the traffic laws and, taking account of the impact of new technology on the most cost effective use of resources, to consider what changes are desirable consistent with the maintenance of high standards of road safety and traffic management.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all television advertising, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and

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

  Mr. Howard
  The cost and purpose of each visit made by the Ministers of State for the Home Department during 1993 were as follows:

  other promotional campaigns with a budgeted cost in excess of £10,000 conducted by (a) the Home Office 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. Howard
  In the current financial year advertising campaigns for the Home Office costing in excess of £10,000 are:

  (a) HOME OFFICE

  Television

  Electoral Registration

  Smoke Alarms

  Crime Prevention

  Special Constables Recruitment

  Press

  Special Constables Recruitment

  Police Graduate Recruitment

  Crime Prevention

  Posters

  Special Constables Recruitment

  Crime Prevention

  Promotions

  Crime Prevention

  Radio

  Crime Prevention

  (b) AGENCIES

  Press

  Passport Agency

  Campaigns planned for 1994–95 are:

  Press

  Fire Safety

  Police Graduate Recruitment

  803

  Special Constables Recruitment

  Crime Prevention

  Television

  Special Constables Recruitment

  Table A lists campaign objectives:

  Ministerial Travel

    TABLE A
    Electoral Registration
    Increase awareness of the need to register in order to vote, especially among young people and ethnic minorities.
    Smoke Alarms
    Increase to 70 per cent. the number of households fitted with working smoke alarms.
    Car Crime Prevention
    Raise awareness among motorists of the need to take preventative measures; encourage a partnership approach to fight crime; stimulate business support; help encourage car manufacturers to improve vehicle security.
    Passport Renewal
    To encourage renewal of applications during the Autumn period.
    Special Constables Recruitment
    To increase the numbers of Specials.
    Police Graduate Recruitment
    To increase the numbers of recruits.
    With the exception of passport renewal and police graduate recruitment, campaign effectiveness is measured by independent survey research and a range of other relevant measures which demonstrate response to advertising.
    The effectiveness of the buying efficiency of television advertising is independently audited.

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

    Mr. Peter Lloyd
    The members of the Commission for Racial Equality are as follows:

    Chairman:

    Mr. H. Ouseley

    Deputy Chairmen:

    Mr. R. Sondhi

    Mr. T. Ward

    Members:

    Rev. E. Brown

    Dr. M. Chan

    Dr. R. Chandran

    Ms M. Cunningham

    Mr. M. Hastings

    Mr. T. Khan

    Dr. Z. Khan

    Ms Z. Manzoor

    Mr. D. Neil

    Mr. R. Purkiss

    Mr. A. Rose

    Mr. Kilfoyle
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who are the members currently appointed to the Gaming Board for Great Britain;

    (2) who are the members currently appointed to the Horserace Totalisator Board;

    (3) who are the members currently appointed to the Horserace Betting Levy Appeals Tribunal for England and Wales;
    804
    (4) who are the members currently appointed to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

    Mr. Peter Lloyd
    The information is as follows:

    GAMING BOARD FOR GREAT BRITAIN

    Chairman

    Lady Shirley Littler

    Members

    Sir Richard Barratt

    Mr. W. B. Kirkpatrick

    Lady Carolyn Trethowan

    Mr. M. H. Hogan

    HORSERACE TOTALISATOR BOARD

    Chairman

    Lord Wyatt of Weeford

    Members

    Mr. J. Sanderson

    Mr. B. M. McDonnell

    Mr. T. J. Phillips

    Hon. D. Sieff

    Hon. J. W. Deedes

    Mr. C. Sporborg

    HORSERACE BETTING LEVY APPEAL TRIBUNAL

    Chairman

    Hugh Bennett, QC

    Members

    Mr. B. W. Waters

    Mrs. R. Dean

    HORSERACE BETTING LEVY BOARD

    Chairman

    Sir John Sparrow

    Members

    Mr. J. W. Robb

    Mrs. A. McCurley

    Mr. Kilfoyle
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the members currently appointed to the Community Development Foundation.

    Mr. Peter Lloyd
    The current trustees of the Community Development Foundation are:

    Mr. Alan Haselhurst MP (Chairman)

    Ms Beverley Bernard

    Mr. Amir Bhatia

    Professor Walter James CBE

    Mr. Michael Meadowcroft

    Mr. Eddie O'Hara MP

    Mr. David Owen

    Mr. Gerry Wade

    Equipment Thefts
    Mr. Menzies Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

    Mr. Howard
    Equipment recorded as stolen from the Home Office during the past three years is as follows:

    Equipment

    Value £

    1991–92

    40 floppy disks

    20·00

    Various IT items

    2,050·00

    1 printer

    1,200·00

    Various tools

    3,500·00

    Gardening equipment

    480·00

    805

    Equipment

    Value £

    Electrical equipment

    1,935·00

    Cassette tape recorder and amplifier

    1,700·00

    Video camera and video recorder

    1992–93

    23 heat lamps

    7,050·00

    1 lawn mower

    250·00

    Various tools

    910·00

    3 strimmers

    500·00

    Rotary mower

    504·00

    2 motor mowers

    1,088·00

    Horsebox and tools

    6,500·00

    1 computer

    1,000·00

    Fax machine

    230·00

    1993–94 (to date)

    Trailer

    2,470·00

    3 strimmers

    740·00

    Power washer

    525·00

    Various tools

    2,400·00

    Various equipment

    410·00

    Combat 18
    Mr. Madden
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what reports he has received from the chief constable of West Yorkshire about police action being taken to stop Combat 18 from issuing publications inciting the public to make nuisance telephone calls;

    (2) what representations he has received about the activities and leadership of Combat 18; what complaints have been made under the Public Order Act or other legislation against Combat 18; what reports he has received about publications, issued by Combat 18, inciting the public to cause a nuisance against listed individuals and organisations; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Charles Wardle
    My right hon. and learned Friend has received no reports from the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police about Combat 18. I understand that the Chief Constable has received a letter from the hon. Member and that he will be investigating the complaint it contains. The West Yorkshire Police have received no other complaints. My right hon. and learned Friend has received 10 representations from hon. Members, and a number of letters from the general public about the undesirable activities of Combat 18.

    Fire and Civil Defence Authorities
    Mr. O'Hara
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what penalties are incurred by a fire and civil defence authority which exceeds its capping limit in the necessary pursuit of its statutory responsibilities;

    (2) what action he intends to take to ensure that the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority is financially able to fulfil its statutory duties;

    (3) what was (a) the budgetary requirement and (b) the provisional standard spending assessment for 1994–95 of the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Charles Wardle
    Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority's budgetary requirement for 1994–95 is a matter for the authority. Its standard spending assessment for next year is £46·116 million. It is for the authority to set its budget taking account of all appropriate considerations 806
    including its statutory duties. Under the provisional capping criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 2 December, Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority would be able to increase its budget by 1¼ per cent. Any major precepting authority which is required to set a substitute budget as a result of capping may be liable for any administrative expenses incurred by a billing authority as a consequence of that substitute budget.

    Mr. O'Hara
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the report of the inspection by Her Majesty's inspector of fire services of the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority which took place on 5 July 1993 was published; and if he will make a statement;

    (2) if he will make a statement on the value of annual inspections carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services when its findings can be reversed by another inspection team within a period of five months;

    (3) in what circumstances the findings of an annual inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services in respect of a particular authority may be reversed, following inspection by another team in the period before the next annual inspection; and if he will make a statement;

    (4) what representations he has received about the inspection carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services which reversed within five months his professional assessment of the establishment requirements of the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Charles Wardle
    The report of the special inspection of the Merseyside fire brigade which took place during the week commencing 5 July 1993 was published on 11 January. My right hon. and learned Friend does not accept that the report reverses the findings of Her Majesty's inspector of fire services' 1993 annual inspection of the Merseyside fire brigade. Annual inspections of fire brigades serve the purpose of reporting to my right hon. and learned Friend and informing the fire authority on how effectively the brigade concerned is carrying out its statutory functions.

    The 1993 annual inspection of the Merseyside fire brigade identified a number of concerns about the way in which the brigade was carrying out its functions, and about its financial position. The special inspection was carried out in the light of those concerns, and of the concerns of the Merseyside fire and civil defence authority itself about the brigade's financial position in the 1993–94 financial year. The special inspection was carried out by a team led by the inspector who had conducted the 1993 annual inspection. The detailed findings of the special inspection reflect the fact that the enlarged inspection team, which included independent financial and accountancy consultants, was able to examine the brigade's organisation and effectiveness in considerably greater detail than is possible in annual inspections of fire brigades. My right hon. and learned Friend has received correspondence from a number of hon. Members about the special inspection.

    Inspectorate of Fire Services
    Mr. O'Hara
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate a thorough audit of the role and functions of Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services; and if he will make a statement.
    807
    Mr. Charles Wardle
    No. My right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that the role and functions of Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services are appropriate and that the inspectorate carries them out effectively.

    Police Duties
    Sir Ivan Lawrence
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to define the core duties of the police service.

    Mr. Howard
    I have asked for a review of policing duties to be undertaken in consultation with the police service and police authority representatives. I share the concern of the police service that the extent of the burdens being placed on them needs examination. I have made it clear that I want to see a police service freed from non-essential tasks so that officers may have the time to concentrate on the tasks which really matter to the public. I shall want to listen very carefully to what the police have to say about the extent of the work they are asked to carry out, and how it might be organised differently.

    I expect to receive a report on this exercise in the autumn. I shall consider the impact of any changes proposed on operational efficiency and the quality of service that the police offer the community. I shall also wish to consider how best to consult the public if any changes are proposed that would affect the police interface with the public.

    Number of offenders, and percentage cautioned, for the offence of possession of cannabis, by police force area, United Kingdom,1 1989–92

    Offenders 1989

    Percentage cautioned

    Offenders 1990

    Percentage cautioned

    Offenders 1991

    Percentage cautioned

    Offenders 1992

    Percentage cautioned

    Avon and Somerset

    128

    20

    158

    18

    744

    88

    890

    82

    Bedfordshire

    76

    66

    219

    58

    297

    68

    217

    82

    Cambridgeshire

    94

    73

    251

    44

    193

    48

    200

    72

    Cheshire

    166

    45

    298

    12

    525

    46

    727

    64

    Cleveland

    47

    64

    139

    59

    230

    67

    236

    67

    Cumbria

    75

    23

    279

    10

    404

    28

    380

    37

    Derbyshire

    61

    66

    240

    40

    191

    45

    243

    60

    Devon and Cornwall

    255

    62

    849

    39

    659

    40

    781

    72

    Dorset

    29

    41

    139

    15

    159

    30

    292

    60

    Durham

    29

    38

    48

    27

    53

    25

    146

    48

    Essex

    335

    82

    717

    70

    889

    66

    850

    75

    Gloucestershire

    112

    71

    280

    66

    415

    71

    470

    82

    Greater Manchester

    476

    35

    1,035

    26

    1,104

    32

    1,066

    52

    Hampshire

    349

    86

    596

    77

    558

    86

    268

    81

    Hertfordshire

    77

    43

    337

    26

    603

    49

    518

    64

    Humberside

    160

    61

    358

    55

    335

    60

    370

    56

    Kent

    214

    85

    221

    76

    562

    67

    586

    87

    Lancashire

    180

    63

    546

    27

    520

    46

    600

    62

    Leicestershire

    68

    54

    239

    34

    342

    51

    284

    67

    Lincolnshire

    64

    64

    183

    32

    309

    44

    237

    38

    Merseyside

    795

    78

    1,745

    53

    1,971

    48

    1,593

    54

    City of London

    35

    86

    206

    75

    151

    75

    158

    86

    Metropolitan Police

    8,403

    88

    13,386

    69

    12,393

    70

    10,950

    75

    Norfolk

    93

    56

    365

    37

    412

    52

    497

    67

    Northamptonshire

    51

    86

    134

    66

    214

    67

    347

    73

    Northumbria

    142

    73

    209

    39

    227

    52

    364

    77

    North Yorkshire

    61

    75

    123

    35

    76

    18

    164

    57

    Nottinghamshire

    124

    65

    204

    56

    302

    56

    364

    59

    South Yorkshire

    251

    69

    529

    64

    756

    67

    817

    69

    Staffordshire

    52

    29

    226

    18

    287

    39

    280

    57

    Suffolk

    177

    68

    320

    53

    465

    64

    488

    76

    Surrey

    184

    80

    474

    41

    644

    63

    451

    79

    Sussex

    166

    28

    742

    15

    788

    18

    677

    52

    Thames Valley

    242

    62

    1,147

    39

    1,043

    55

    1,359

    68

    Warwickshire

    134

    76

    271

    56

    280

    66

    281

    73

    West Mercia

    46

    2

    250

    0

    450

    55

    507

    68

    West Midlands

    287

    46

    1,174

    17

    1,013

    40

    539

    58

    Remand
    Dr. Lynne Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for ihe Home Department for the latest year available, how many people were remanded in the west midlands area; and how many were(a) black males and (b) black females.

    Mr. Maclean
    [holding answer 15 February 1994]: Reliable information on the total numbers of defendants remanded in the west midlands is not available centrally. Neither is any regular information collected regularly on the ethnic origin of those proceeded against in court. Some information on the ethnic origin of those remanded in custody in the west midlands was given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lloyd) in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth) on 25 January at columns 155–56.

    Cannabis
    Mr. Tony Banks
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each police authority area, the number of people arrested for possession of cannabis in each year since 1989; and what percentage of those was(a) prosecuted and (b) cautioned.

    Mr. Maclean
    [holding answer 2 February 1994]: Information on the number of persons arrested for possession of cannabis is not collected centrally. Information on the total number of persons dealt with for the offence of unlawful possession of cannabis, and the percentage of those persons who were cautioned, from 1989 to 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, is given in the table.
    809

    Offenders 1989

    Percentage cautioned

    Offenders 1990

    Percentage cautioned

    Offenders 1991

    Percentage cautioned

    Offenders 1992

    Percentage cautioned

    West Yorkshire

    115

    12

    859

    11

    488

    19

    595

    22

    Wiltshire

    325

    92

    193

    66

    231

    68

    363

    75

    England—other

    140

    80

    269

    70

    148

    82

    286

    96

    Dyfed and Powys

    53

    79

    194

    34

    284

    55

    465

    77

    Gwent

    12

    8

    192

    49

    166

    69

    254

    78

    North Wales

    81

    26

    373

    20

    403

    53

    309

    59

    South Wales

    243

    22

    505

    11

    323

    7

    292

    40

    Wales—other

    0

    —

    2

    0

    4

    75

    10

    80

    RUC

    44

    41

    110

    53

    69

    38

    129

    33

    Northern Ireland—other

    0

    —

    0

    —

    0

    —

    1

    100

    United Kingdom

    15,620

    75

    33,753

    48

    35,622

    54

    34,705

    63

    1 There is no cautioning in Scotland

    Police Officers
    Mr. Hain
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the number of police officers per 100,000 population for each year since 1979 for the South Wales, Thames Valley, Kent, Lancashire, Avon and Somerset and Hampshire police authority areas; and what were the comparable totals for all non-metropolitan and Welsh non-metropolitan police authority areas.

    Mr. Peter Lloyd
    Information on ratios of police officers to population levels are contained in the appendices to the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, copies of which are in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Boundaries
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what submissions he has received on the local government boundaries for Somerset and Dorset.

  Mr. Curry
  We have received a large number of representations about the Local Government Commission's recommendations for Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire.

  Submissions about the boundaries for Dorset are at present a matter for the Local Government Commission, which began its review of the area on 13 December 1993.

  Council House Rents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have taken place since 1979 in real terms in the average rent per dwelling per week of council houses.

  Sir George Young
  The average weekly rent for local housing authority dwellings in England increased from £6·41 in April 1979 to £33·50 in April 1993, an increase of 98 per cent. in real terms.

  London Policy
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responses he has had to the consultation document on London policy.
  810
  Mr. Gummer
  Approximately 10,500 completed questionnaires from "London—Making the Best Better" have been returned and I have also received over 250 letters in response to the publication.

  City Challenge (Leicester)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the progress of the city challenge project in Leicester so far; and what communication he has received from board members or employees of city challenge which may cast doubt on its future success.

  Sir George Young
  My Department has monitored the progress of the Leicester city challenge action plan since it was approved last March. A mid-year progress review meeting in October identified a number of problem areas which required action. These issues will be discussed further at the formal annual review on 28 February with the sponsor Minister, my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and Technology. Future funding will depend on the outcome of the annual review.

  Cash Incentive Scheme
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the operation of the cash incentive scheme.

  Sir George Young
  Cash incentive schemes grants are a cost-effective measure which enable local authorities to improve the supply of affordable housing for rent to people in need. They also provide a boost to the housing market. Since its introduction in 1989 the cash incentive scheme has created over 8,000 vacancies by reletting, and enabled the same number of households to buy their own home.

  Building and Construction Industry Activity
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest assessment of activity in the building and construction sector and prospects for the short and medium term.

  Mr. Baldry
  There are some grounds for optimism in the construction industry. The fall in output has halted. New orders are enjoying their best period of growth for years, with figures for the three months to December up 34 per cent. against the previous year.

  Plymouth (Regional Sub-office)
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an integral regional sub-office in Plymouth; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  We will consider this and other possibilities for the location of the new integrated regional offices in the South West.

  EC Water Directives
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the future of the EC bathing and drinking water directives.

  Mr. Atkins
  The European Council in December asked the Commission to bring forward as soon as possible four framework directives to replace parts of existing Community water legislation. These would include replacements for the drinking and bathing water directives.

  I understand that the Commission today agreed the text of a proposal for a revision of the Bathing Water Directive. The United Kingdom fully supports the move towards updating Community water legislation. We will now be examining the proposal to ensure that it meets the requirements of subsidiarity, up-to-date science and cost-effectiveness, and that it reorients the new directive towards essential quality and health parameters.

  Social Housing Sector
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for extending shared ownership in the social housing sector.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme for 194–95, announced in December of last year, will provide £191·1 million for shared ownership schemes. This is expected to rise to £316·6 million in 1996–97. This will represent 21 per cent. of the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme compared with only 7 per cent. in 1992–93.

  The Housing Corporation estimate that this will enable them to provide between 8,500 and 10,500 new homes under shared ownership in 1994–95 rising to between 11,700 and 13,900 by 1996–97. In many cases existing housing association and local authority tenancies will be released for reletting to people in housing need.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority dwellings have been built in the last year, to the latest possible date; and what were the comparable figures for 1978.

  Sir George Young
  Provisional figures show that in England in 1993 there were 1,200 housebuilding completions for local authorities. The comparative figure in 1978 was 83,700.

  Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing. 57,600 units of new provision made available with Government help are forecast for 1993–94, compared with 23,800 in 1978–79. Local authorities also sponsor housing associations, and so far in 1993–94 4,400 units of new provision have been made available in this way.
  812
  The number of new local authority and housing association lettings in 192–93 was, at 321,000, almost the same as in 1978–79, when there were an estimated 323,000.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his proposals in the consultation document "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies" will help local authorities carry out their duties under the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Gummer
  As the consultation paper makes clear, providing suitable accommodation for families will remain a priority for housing authorities.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many organisations have been invited to respond to his Department's consultation paper, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies".

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Construction and Inner Cities gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 9 February at column 299.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the representations he has recently received from local authorities on the standard spending assessments.

  Mr. Curry
  During the recent period of consultation on the provisional revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95 we received representations on a wide range of issues from 142 local authorities. My right hon. Friend considered carefully all those representations and any other relevant information before taking his final decisions on the revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet the leaders of Liverpool city Council to discuss the standard spending assessment fix 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning met a delegation from Liverpool city council on 17 January to discuss their provisional standard spending assessment for 1994–95. My right hon. Friend considered carefully all the representations made to him, including those from Liverpool, before taking final decisions on the revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95, which was approved by the House on 3 February.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he intends to take to provide enhanced protection against removal of hedgerows.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government are committed to bringing forward measures for the protection of hedgerows when parliamentary time permits.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to encourage councils to extend compulsory competitive tendering to as wide a range of services as possible.
  813
  Mr. Baldry
  We have already announced a detailed programme for extension of CCT to local authorities' professional and corporate services, to housing management, and to three further blue-collar services. I would encourage authorities to open up their services to competition wherever possible, and I am gratified to see that an increasing number of authorities are voluntarily subjecting a wide range of services to competitive tendering, ahead of the statutory timetable.

  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his plans for the application of compulsory competitive tendering to housing management.

  Sir George Young
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 26 November 1993 at column 264; to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 15 December 1993 at column 733; and to my hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr. Willets) on 21 January 1994 at columns 872–73.

  Ofwat
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will next meet the Director General of Ofwat, to discuss water disconnections and compulsory metering of domestic households.

  Mr. Atkins
  I shall be having a meeting shortly with the Director General of Water Services to discuss matters of a current mutual interest.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives from Ofwat to discuss water charges.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met Mr. Byatt, the Director General of Water Services, on 26 July 1993 to discuss Mr. Byatt's periodic review of water price limits.

  Local Government Review
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Local Government Commission for England concerning the progress of the local government review.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular meetings with Sir John Banham, the chairman of the Local Government Commission, to discuss all local government reorganisation issues, including the commission's progress. My right hon. Friend last met Sir John formally on 18 January 1994. I last met Sir John on 8 February.

  Housing Association Houses
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's latest estimate of the number of new housing association houses to be completed in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Members for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) and for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) earlier today.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the landfill sites in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk where the pollution inspectorate or the National Rivers Authority have detected pollutants and dangerous chemical substances in nearby groundwater since 1991.

  Mr. Atkins
  Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the licensing and monitoring of landfill sites is the responsibility of waste regulation authorities, in this case Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk county councils. Where the NRA has carried out monitoring, relevant results are available on the public register for the NRA's Anglian region.

  Species Action Plans
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the basis of his estimate of a period of 10 years in order to complete and put into implementation the species action plans.

  Mr. Atkins
  The commitment to complete and put into implementation plans for at least 90 per cent. of the presently known globally threatened and threatened endemic species within the next 10 years was agreed with the territorial Departments and the statutory conservation agencies as a target which was achievable by the United Kingdom as a whole. It may prove possible for some countries, such as England, to improve upon this timescale.

  Biodiversity Action Plan
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes in Government energy policy will follow from the linkage of energy use and biodiversity conservation expressed in the biodiversity action plan.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government's energy policy aims are already pursued in the context of other Government policies and commitments including those relating to the environment. The biodiversity action plan will inform the further development of these policies.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received following his announcement on THORP on 15 June 1993.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations.

  Recycling
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities who(a) submitted and (b) did not submit to him a draft recycling plan by January 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  All English local authorities apart from Brent and Wolverhampton have submitted a draft recycling plan.

  The Secretary of State for the Environment is considering the use of his powers under section 49(7) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to require those authorities to produce a draft plan.
  815
  All Scottish and Welsh authorities apart from:

  Caithness

  Dunfermline

  Lochaber

  Motherwell

  Nairn

  Sutherland

  Western Isles

  Wigtown

  Alyn and Deeside

  Brecknock

  Radnorshire

  have submitted draft recycling plans. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are responsible for the submission of recycling plans in Scotland and Wales respectively.

  Sewage Discharge Consents
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in upgrading sewage treatment works were in breach of their discharge consents at the time of privatisation of the water industry.

  Mr. Atkins
  The water industry's investment programme is making good progress. The latest figures available demonstrate a continuing improvement in the operational performance of sewage treatment works. In 1992 the proportion of works complying with their consent standards was more than 95 per cent. compared with 83 per cent. in 1988.

  Miners' Welfare Schemes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what support has been provided to local authorities where they have taken over miners' welfare schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  No specific support has been provided to local authorities for this purpose. The support of miners' welfare schemes is a matter for British Coal and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation.

  Local Government Commission
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue further guidelines to the Local Government Commission.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no plans to issue further guidance to the Local Government Commission.

  Councillors (Directorships)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has about the number of authorities which appoint councillors as directors of companies who have contracted-out services for local authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department does not collate information on this subject.

  Local Authority Reorganisation Costs
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources will be made available to authorities in Cleveland and the Isle of Wight for reorganisation costs incurred by them in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.
  816
  Mr. Curry
  We propose, on the basis, inter alia, of information provided by the authorities themselves, the Government's public expenditure plans and progress on implementing the review of local government, to issue to authorities in Cleveland and the Isle of Wight Supplementary Credit Approvals, subject to a maximum, to enable them to borrow to meet certain start-up costs which will be incurred in 1994–95 before they are reorganised. Once reorganised, the Government expects that, in general, early revenue savings and capital receipts from reorganisation will significantly reduce the need for further transitional assistance and will provide resources to repay borrowing undertaken in reliance on these SCAs. For 1994–95 the maximum amounts proposed for authorities in Cleveland and the Isle of Wight are as follows:

  Authority

  SCA maximum amount

  £K (rounded)

  Isle of Wight

  Isle of Wight County Council

  1,370

  Medina Borough Council

  80

  South Wight Borough Council

  30

  Cleveland

  Cleveland Borough Council

  1,060

  Hartlepool Borough Council

  1,680

  Langbaurgh on Tees Borough Council

  2,000

  Middlesbrough Borough Council

  1,040

  Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

  1,740

  Total

  9,000

  Electrical Wiring
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents in the home each year result from faulty electrical wiring; and what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure high standards of electrical installation.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: Between 1988 and 1992 the average number of deaths in the home due to receiving an electrical shock were 28. Of these less than 3 per cent. resulted from faults in fixed electrical wiring.

  As a result of representations from: the deregulation task forces, the Electrical Contractors Association and others, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Health and Safety Executive, is looking at the desirability and practicability of including electrical safety within the Building Regulations. My Department has also recently accepted an invitation to join other Government bodies on the board of the National Inspection Council for electrical Installation Contractors. Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive and of local authorities enforce the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 which govern the safety of electrical installations in workplaces.

DEFENCE

  Defence Weapons Establishment
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if live horses have been used in the tests carried out at the defence weapons establishment at Porton Down into the efficacy of whips on horses;
  817
  (2) which organisation has commissioned the defence weapons establishment at Porton Down to conduct tests on the efficacy of whips on horses;

  (3) what is the purpose of testing of the efficacy of whips on horses at the defence weapons establishment at Porton Down;

  (4) on what date tests commenced at the defence weapons establishment at Porton Down on the efficacy of whips on horses; and on what date they finished or will finish.

  Mr. Hanley
  These are matters for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down—CBDE. I have asked the Chief Executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. G. Pearson to Mr. Edward O'Hara, dated 16 February 1994:

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking about the testing of whips involving the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down have been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. In June 1993 the Stewards of the Jockey Club established a Working Group to assess whether the current Rules of Racing were adequate to control whip abuse. The Terms of Reference of the Working Group are to promote and co-ordinate further research into the specifications and design of the whip together with methods of assessing possible injury. Because of CBDE's expertise in the development of protective equipment for Service personnel against impacts and explosive blast we were invited by the Animal Health Trust on behalf of the Jockey Club to advise the Whip Working Group on the probable biomechanical principles of impacts to skin by whips and to recommend a simple, objective and scientifically credible test method that can be used to rank whips submitted to the Jockey Club. The Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is acting in a purely advisory role and will not be undertaking the tests on the whips submitted to the Jockey Club. Live horses are not used in any of this advisory work being carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. The tests will be carried out by the Jockey Club or their agents.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the policy of the Royal Air Force towards officers and men who fall into debt as a result of increased maintenance payments set by the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 2 February 1994 at columns 713–14.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of booked low flying hours in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  The total number of hours booked at low level in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1993 was 107,220. This figure does not include the hours booked in the recently created low flying area 10 as this information is not yet available.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the southerly directional flow control for low flying aircraft was introduced between Penrhyndeudraeth and Trawsfynydd.
  818
  Mr. Hanley
  The flow control was introduced on 10 August 1992.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying sorties were undertaken in the United Kingdom low flying system in the years 1989, 1990 and 1993, calculated on the pre-1985 basis of estimating sorties from numbers of movements.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  The approximate number of sorties using the pre-1985 method

  1989

  121,088

  1990

  125,210

  1993

  1105,189

  1 This figure does not take account of movements flown within LFA 10 as this information is not yet available.

  In addition, I regret that the answer given to the hon. Member on 2 April 1993 at column 505 did not take account of the number of night movements flown in 1991 and 1992. Revised figures for the approximate number of sorties flown using the pre-1985 method in 1991 and 1992 are as follows:

  1991–102,460

  1992–115,573

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying movements were recorded over Wales in 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not our practice to publish detailed information on activity in individual low flying areas.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations and dates of currently planned presentations by the Ministry of Defence low flying presentation team.

  Mr. Hanley
  Presentations by the Ministry of Defence low flying presentation team are currently planned to take place on Thursday 24 February at Barnard Castle, County Durham and on Monday 28 February at Llandrindod Wells, Powys.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the impact of the concentration of RAF fast jet advanced flying training at RAF Valley on the amount of low flying in north Wales; and what research was carried out by his Department, prior to the decision to concentrate training at Valley, on(a) the effects on air traffic density and air safety and (b) the noise disturbance.

  Mr. Hanley
  Although every effort will be made to spread low flying sorties throughout the United Kingdom flying system, it is inevitable that with the concentration of fast jet advanced flying training at RAF Valley more use will be made of the airspace over north and mid Wales.

  Revision of procedures for the management of the local airspace will ensure that the effect of this increased air traffic is minimised and that air safety is not compromised.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about low flying were received by his Department from addresses in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland in each months since March 1993.
  819
  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of inquiries or complaints relating to military low flying training which my Department received during the period April 1993 to January 1994 from addresses in England, Wales and Scotland were as follows:

  Month

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  1993

  April

  263

  30

  84

  May

  404

  54

  118

  June

  541

  53

  105

  July

  666

  83

  92

  August

  566

  70

  108

  September

  403

  70

  70

  October

  259

  35

  94

  November

  164

  29

  73

  December

  193

  34

  49

  1994

  January

  237

  27

  31

  Aircraft Movements
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft movements(a) by Hawk aircraft and (b) by other types of aircraft were recorded at RAF Valley in each of the last four years; and what is the projected number of Hawk movements per annum at RAF Valley after the transfer there of all RAF fast jet advanced flying training.

  Mr. Hanley
  Records of aircraft movements at RAF Valley are designated as either fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter. It is therefore not possible to give a precise figure on the number of movements recorded solely by Hawk aircraft during the last four years, although in the figures shown in the table for fixed-wing movements, the majority were flown by Hawks:

  Movements

  1993

  46,007

  1992

  60,771

  1991

  66,469

  1990

  62,007

  The number of movements flown by helicopters at RAF Valley during the last four years were as follows:

  Movements

  1993

  5,410

  1992

  6,827

  1991

  12,813

  1990

  14,846

  When advanced Hawk training is transferred to RAF Valley, the projected number of Hawk movements per annum will be in the order of 65,000.

  Institute of Community and Occupational Medicine
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the titles of all survey and research reports produced by the Royal Air Force Institute of Community and Occupational Medicine since 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1989 the RAF Institute of Health and Medical Training (RAF IHNT), formerly known as the 820
  Royal Air Force Institute of Community and Occupational Medicine (ICOM), has issued about 280 reports covering an extensive range of occupational and public health issues affecting the Royal Air Force worldwide. They include classified, in-confidence or otherwise sensitive subjects. All were produced solely for internal use within my Department and it would not be appropriate to release a complete list of titles.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current and planned activities of the Royal Air Force Institute of Community and Occupational Medicine relating to aircraft noise.

  Mr. Hanley
  The RAF Institute of Health and Medical Training's current research activities include investigation of the noise levels surrounding helicopter landing sites and development of criteria for classifying the effect of night-time helicopter noise. The institute is undertaking research with Salford university into the noise effects of light aircraft operations. It also provides a member for a working group which is examining the feasibility of a study to investigate the possible effects on health of noise from low flying aircraft.

  The institute has a number of research tasks planned in addition to the routine surveys of the noise contours around operational airfields. Future tasks include incorporating helicopter noise data into the AIRNOISE computer model and the calculation of noise from Chinook auxiliary power supply engines.

  Nuclear Test Participants
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission a health study of British nuclear test participants and their families in order to compare health and genetic records with the general population; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department has no plans for further studies regarding the British nuclear test veterans. As the recent National Radiological Protection Board report indicated that there was no risk to test participants, any effect on their families is therefore extremely unlikely.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to ensure that cases of leukaemia and myeloma among British nuclear test participants are included in the studies of the National Radiological Protection Board.

  Mr. Hanley
  The recently published NRPB study took account of cases of leukaemia and myeloma among British nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he proposes to take following the recent publication of the National Radiological Protection Board report into mortality and incidence of cancer in British nuclear test participants.

  Mr. Hanley
  We have noted the recent NRPB report, which concluded that there was no health risk to test participants.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts have been undertaken to assess the health risk to persons(a) not wearing protective equipment, (b) with a blue book entry and (c) present at the

  821
  time of explosion, in connection with studies by the National Radiological Protection Board into British nuclear test participants.

  Mr. Hanley
  The recent NRPB report concluded that participation in the test programme had no detectable effect on participants' expectation of life or on their overall risk of developing cancer or other fatal diseases.

  United Kingdom regular forces

  Year

  Royal Navy services

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  Gurkhas

  Total including Gurkhas

  1979

  66,588

  92,899

  72,741

  742

  232,970

  1980

  65,631

  96,363

  76,066

  905

  238,965

  1981

  70,526

  96,653

  77,862

  1,258

  246,299

  1982

  66,727

  90,127

  75,102

  596

  232,552

  1983

  66,257

  88,977

  73,605

  1,167

  230,006

  1984

  62,644

  92,278

  75,523

  1,226

  231,671

  1985

  60,300

  93,021

  76,230

  1,226

  230,777

  1986

  59,899

  92,093

  76,285

  1,300

  229,577

  1987

  60,899

  90,616

  76,578

  1,201

  229,294

  1988

  58,704

  91,560

  75,902

  1,342

  227,508

  1989

  58,131

  88,481

  73,583

  1,170

  221,365

  1990

  54,957

  88,290

  72,668

  1,437

  217,352

  1991

  53,512

  82,392

  71,982

  1,373

  209,259

  1992

  53,884

  85,951

  70,835

  1,346

  212,016

  1993

  52,805

  82,605

  66,775

  1,397

  203,582

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  RAF Saxa Vord (Sewage Treatment)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much public money has been spent by the Ministry of Defence in maintenance, monitoring and repair of the sewage treatment works at RAF Saxa Vord since its completion in 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  Some £31,000 has been spent by the Ministry of Defence for the maintenance, monitoring and repair of the sewage treatment works at RAF Saxa Vord since its completion in 1989.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to the RAF of the installation of the sewage treatment plant at RAF Saxa Vord completed in November 1989.

  Mr. Hanley
  The cost to the RAF for the installation of the sewage treatment plant at RAF Saxa Vord was approximately £55,000.

  Noise Pollution (Compensation)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy with regard to compensation of residents living in close proximity to RAF bases in respect of increased or excessive noise pollution and if he will make a statement.

  Armed Services Personnel
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel there were, for each year since 1979, in each of the armed services operating in and from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hanley
  The numbers of United Kingdom regular forces and Gurkhas stationed in the United Kingdom (as at 1 July 1993) were as follows:

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1985, following a detailed examination of noise created by military aircraft, it has been my Department's policy to offer sound insulation grants to the owners/occupiers of houses in the vicinity of operational airfields which fall within certain scientifically defined noise contours. In cases where noise exceeds a higher level, the Department may offer to acquire the particular property concerned. There is also scope to provide compensation for the depreciation in value of property resulting from the bringing into use of new public works.

  The Department's compensation scheme is a voluntary one but follows closely statutory schemes of the Department of Transport at civil airports.

  To date, more than 30 such schemes have been introduced; these are reviewed at five-yearly intervals unless operational changes are such that an earlier review is warranted.

  Nuclear Defence Capability (Test)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the United Kingdom's nuclear defence capability, in money terms and as a percentage of his Department's budget, for(a) his Department as a whole, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Army and (d) the Royal Air Force.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Estimated financial year 1993–94 outturn £ million

  Relevant percentage of grouping/total budget

  Royal Navy

  11,200

  22·00

  Army2

  —

  —

  RAF

  320

  0·36

  Total

  41,820

  7·80

  823
  Notes

  1 Direct capital and operating costs of Trident and Polaris.

  2 The Army does not operate nuclear weapons.

  3 Non warhead equipment, security and operating costs of the WE177.

  4Includes RN and RAF costs as shown, plus £600 million which falls to the Procurement Executive and Research Grouping.

  Civil Defence Force (Medals)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether members of the Civil Defence Force, 1939–45, are entitled to wear the defence medal; and to which other medal they are entitled.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Anyone who undertook certain civilian service in one of 50 different categories in the United Kingdom for a period of not less than three years between September 1939 and May 1945 may qualify for the defence medal; and these categories include relevant service in a number of organisations with the words "civil defence" in their title. I am arranging for copies of leaflets giving full details of those who may qualify to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Service qualifying for the defence medal does not as such confer entitlement to the award of any other medal.

  Communications Satellite
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present position with regard to the United Kingdom military communications satellite; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  A contract worth some £300m has been awarded today for the development, production and delivery in orbit of two Skynet 4 stage 2 military communication satellites. These will replace the existing Skynet 4 stage 1 satellites as they approach the end of their operational life.

  British Aerospace is prime contractor for this work. The main sub-contractors are Matra Marconi Space (UK) for satellite communications payload work and McDonnell Douglas and Arianespace for the launch vehicles. This is an important contract which will ensure the well-being of the United Kingdom's space industry and contribute to its long-term future.

  Mr. Gordon Foxley
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark), of 26 November,Official Report, column 240, if he will publish, or place in the Library, a copy of his letter on Mr. Gordon Foxley.

  Mr. Aitken
  Copies are now available in the House Library.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were in temporary employment; and what percentage they represented of total employees, in each region in each year since 1979.
  824
  Miss Widdecombe
  For years 1984 onwards, this information is available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and can be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in receipt of unemployment benefit within the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow have been unemployed for(a) more than six months, (b) more than 12 months and (c) more than two years; and if he will give these figures for (i) men and (ii) women for each month since 1992.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A count of the numbers of people claiming unemployment related benefits, by duration, is available on the unadjusted basis only. Information for the months of January, April, July and October can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in(a) Lewisham and (b) London were in temporary employment at the latest available date; and how many of them were women.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Latest estimates from the Summer 1993 Labour Force Survey show that there were 196,000 people in temporary employment in Greater London, of which 109,000 were women. No information is available on the numbers in temporary employment in Lewisham.

  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his current estimate of the number of people in(a) full-time and (b) part-time employment.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is shown in the following table:

  Workforce in employment: Great Britain (Seasonally adjusted)

  Thousand

  Full time

  Part time

  September 1993

  17,427

  6,941

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many 16 to 18-year-olds were undergoing apprenticeship training in(a) Lewisham and (b) London during each calendar year from 1990.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information for the South East (which includes London) and for London separately on the estimated number of apprentices in spring of each year is given in the following table. No information is available for the Lewisham area.

  Number of 16 to 18-year-olds undergoing apprenticeship training ('000s)1

  Spring 1990

  Spring 1991

  Spring 1992

  Spring 1993

  South East (including London)

  45

  37

  38

  25

  London

  17

  12

  2—

  2—

  Source: Labour Force Survey

  1 This is based on the number of people reporting they were doing a recognised trade apprenticeship at the time they were interviewed.

  2 Less than 10,000 in cell; estimate not shown.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the trend
  825
  in the number of people in (a) Lewisham and (b) London availing themselves of youth training, including credits and training for work schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Participants on training (inc predecessor) programmes 1991–1993

  13 October 1991

  11 October 1992

  10 October 1993

  London

  Youth Training (including Youth Credits)

  16,900

  20,700

  19,500

  Employment Training

  12,700

  14,700

  —

  Employment Action

  1—

  4,000

  —

  High Technology National Training

  35

  2—

  —

  Training for Work

  —

  —

  19,000

  South Thames TEC

  Youth Training (including Youth Credits)

  1,900

  3,200

  2,800

  Employment Training

  2,200

  3,100

  —

  Employment Action

  0

  900

  —

  Training for Work

  —

  —

  3,500

  Source: TEC Operating Agreement (Annex J)

  1 Negligible number on Employment Action. Programme began operations on 1 October 1991.

  2 HTNT provision included in ET figures.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for the percentage of young people aged 16 to 19 years who are (i) in full-time education, (ii) in training schemes, (iii) employed and (iv) unemployed in(a) Lewisham and (b) London.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Latest estimates from the summer 1993 Labour Force Survey (LFS) show that of all 16 to 19-year-olds in Greater London: 59 per cent. were in full-time education; 4 per cent. were employed in Government employment and training programmes; 17 per cent. were otherwise employed and not in full-time education; and 13 per cent. were ILO unemployed and not in full-time education. The Labour Force Survey also estimates that 76 per cent. of 16 to 19-year-olds in the London borough of Lewisham were in full-time education. The numbers of 16 to 19-year-olds in Lewisham sampled in the Labour Force Survey are too small to provide a reliable breakdown of their economic activity.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people would be registered as unemployed in January if the figures were treated on the same basis as 1978.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No official estimate is available and to produce one would involve speculation about economic, demographic and social changes that would serve no useful purpose.

  Industrial Accidents, Injuries and Illness
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial accidents, injuries and illness were recorded as requiring admission to hospital in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not collected annually but a special study of accidents collected in the General Household Survey during 1986–89, published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys "Home and Leisure Accident Research, 1991 data" indicates that each year, in Great Britain, the accident
  826
  Miss Widdecombe
  The number of people on youth training and training for work including predecessor programmes in 1991, 1992 and 1993 is given in the following table:

  and emergency departments in hospitals treat around 1·6 million people who are injured during working activities, including driving to work. There is no information on the number of industrial illnesses requiring admission to hospital.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost due to accidents, injuries and illness, which were work related, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Current occupational injury reporting legislation does not require information on the actual length of absence from work to be reported. However, the Health and Safety Executive sponsored a supplement of questions on workplace injury and ill health to the 1990 Labour Force Survey. It is estimated that in Great Britain, workers were incapacitated for work for 23·2 million days in the year to spring 1990 due to workplace injury. Of these, 22·8 million were lost due to injuries reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrances Regulations. For work-related ill health, an estimated 750,000 workers were incapacitated for a total of 13 million days.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the annual cost, in lost production, benefit payments and lost revenue arising from industrial injuries, accidents and illness; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Estimates of annual costs in benefit payments and lost revenue arising from industrial injuries, accidents and illness are not available.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of job vacancies referred to jobcentres by employers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  On the seasonally adjusted basis there were 196,000 vacancies notified to United Kingdom jobcentres in January 1994. In the United Kingdom jobcentre vacancies account for about a third of the total.
  827
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of vacancies referred to jobcentres which are filled within(a) a day, (b) a week, (c) a month and (d) three months; and what significant regional variations there are in these average figures.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the proportion of vacancies at any one point in time held by jobcentres.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is estimated that nationally Jobcentre vacancies represent about one third of all unfilled vacancies.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes) on 3 November 1993 at column 268 and to my subsequent letter to him of 17 January 1994, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  The information given to the hon. Member for Newport, East included information up to and including 26 October 1993. Since then, I have undertaken two further engagements overseas. The first to deliver the keynote address and attend a Council of Europe meeting in Malta at a cost of £5,451; the second, to accompany my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to a Social Affairs Council meeting in Brussels at a total cost of £3,403. These figures include the costs of accompanying officials.

  Aero-generators
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs are currently supported by(a) aero-generator manufacture, (b) aero-generator construction and (c) aero-generator operation and maintenance in the United Kingdom.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available separately. However, the latest census of employment results show that there were 156,000 people employed in the aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing industry in the United Kingdom in 1991.

  EC Structural Funds
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the money aimed at long-term unemployment from the EC structural funds will be spent on.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  EC assistance for the long-term unemployed is provided by the European social fund under objective 3 (which also covers several other priority groups). Following the adoption in July 1993 of new structural fund regulations for the period 1994–1999, a plan on the proposed use of objective 3 funds in Great Britain over that period was submitted to the EC Commission at the beginning of November; the Commission has not yet given a formal response.
  828
  The plan recognises that as the needs of the long-term unemployed vary, a range of provision is required, including work experience vocational training, job search facilities, and advice on job-finding and interview techniques. The aim will be to raise the skill levels, motivation and confidence of long-term unemployed people to enable them to compete more effectively in the labour market and to find and retain jobs.

  Working Conditions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to improve working conditions and workers' rights.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The United Kingdom has a substantial body of employment and health and safety legislation. This is kept under regular review to ensure that it continues to strike the right balance between the essential interests of workers and the need to keep to a minimum the burdens on business. In general, terms and conditions of employment are for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees without Government intervention.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Engineering Technology Advisory Committee
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the Engineering Technology Advisory Committee.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Engineering Technology Research Committee was dissolved in October 1993.

  Hearing Aid Council
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the Hearing Aid Council.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Since 1 January 1994, membership of the Hearing Aid Council has been:

  Chairman: Mr. William McKinnon Fernie

  Members representing the interests of registered hearing aid dispensers and their employers:

  Mr. Roger Evans

  Mr. Frank Holden

  Mr. Nigel King

  Mr. Robert Rendell

  Members representing the interests of persons with impaired hearing:

  Miss Jackie Blount

  Mr. Stephen Lloyd

  Mrs. Christine Martin

  Mrs. Patricia Thompson

  Members with specialised medical knowledge of deafness or audiological technical knowledge:

  Dr. Valeria Cleaver

  Mrs. Margaret Excell

  Professor Linda Luxon

  Dr. Ewa Raglan

  National Consumers Consultative Committee
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the National Consumers Consultative Committee.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department is not aware of any body by this name.

  Estate Agents
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the Persons Hearing Estate Agents Appeals.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The following is the list of people from which panels are appointed to hear appeals from decisions by the Director General of Fair Trading prohibiting or warning persons from doing estate agency work.

  Professor G. Hornsey LLM

  G. B. L. Brown BA

  J. W. Browne

  M. G. Clarke MA LLB

  J. A. G. Fiddes FRICS FISVA

  E. C. Lowson MBE BSc

  Dr. R. A. McCreadie LLB PhD

  J. Compass

  R. A. S. Sisterson FRICS

  Ms S. K. Ward BA

  D. S. McDonald FISVA ARVA PPIBA

  P. B. Robinson JP FNAEA LRSM

  D. W. Hay

  M. E. Channon

  Mrs. L. A. Service JP MA

  P. Simmonds

  P. R. V. Watkins FRICS

  R. Davis DPA

  P. W. Wilson JP FRICS FISVA

  Professor J. T. Farrand LLB LLD

  P. M. Leonard

  E A. Goodbody

  G G. Buckley

  D. M. Magennis FISVA FRICS

  H. J. Smith FISVA

  O. Edwards MBE JP

  Professor E. J. Griew MA LLB

  Professor D. Thompson LLB PhD

  M. St G. Arrowsmith MA

  Mrs H. Scott OBE JP BA LLB

  Professor B. W. Harvey MA LLB

  Professor D. L. Foulkes JP BA LLM

  British Hallmarking Council
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the members currently appointed to the British Hallmarking Council.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The current members of the British Hallmarking Council are as follows:

  Mr. R. S. Burman—(Chairman)

  Mr. S. L. Batiste, MP

  Mr. J. R. Bettinson

  Mr. R. D. Buchanan-Dunlop

  Mr. M. Durst

  The Baroness Fisher of Rednal

  Mr. P. E. M. Fuller

  Mr. R. G. Gowland

  Mrs. D. M. H. Inches Carr

  Mr. D. B. Inglis

  Miss R. D. T. McRobert

  Mr. T. Murray

  Mrs. S. P. Payne

  Mr. C. H. Perry

  Mr. E. S. Poyser

  Mr. A. M. Stirling

  Mr. R. V. Wright

  Car Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what share imported cars took of the United Kingdom car market in 1973; what they take currently; what forecasts were made in 1973 of the effect of EC 830
  membership on the British car industry; and by how much output and employment in the industry has changed since 1973.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I am not aware of the forecasts to which the hon. Gentleman refers. A search of relevant literature would involve disproportionate cost.

  The available data are as follows:

  Year

  Imports as a percentage of UK car market

  Production (cars)

  Employment in motor vehicles and parts industry

  1973

  27

  1,747,321

  514,000

  1974

  28

  1,543,119

  500,000

  1975

  33

  1,267,695

  460,000

  1976

  38

  1,333,449

  451,000

  1977

  45

  1,327,820

  467,000

  1978

  49

  1,222,949

  474,000

  1979

  56

  1,070,452

  466,000

  1980

  57

  923,744

  437,000

  1981

  56

  954,650

  366,000

  1982

  58

  887,679

  318,000

  1983

  57

  1,044,597

  299,000

  1984

  58

  908,906

  281,000

  1985

  58

  1,047,973

  274,000

  1986

  56

  1,018,962

  266,000

  1987

  52

  1,142,683

  260,000

  1988

  56

  1,226,835

  271,000

  1989

  57

  1,299,082

  264,000

  1990

  57

  1,295,611

  249,000

  1991

  56

  1,236,900

  225,000

  1992

  55

  1,291,880

  234,000

  1993

  55

  1,375,200

  218,000

  Sources: Imports as a percentage of UK market and production figures are from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Employment figures are from the Department of Employment.

  Rover Group
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek assurances from BMW concerning its takeover of Rover.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the letter sent from BMW to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, a copy of the which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Timber and Pulp
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has as to the impact of timber and pulp imports into the United Kingdom on temperate rain forest areas in Canada; what quantity of timber and pulp originates from such sources; and if he will consider removing the favourable trade tariff awarded to imports of this kind from Canada.

  Mr. Needham
  In 1992 (the latest complete year for which data is available) the United Kingdom imported timber and pulp from Canada valued at £224,715,000. Imports from Canada do not receive any favourable tariff treatment. In any case, it is not open to the United Kingdom to alter the tariff on these products—that is a matter for the European Community, which has a common customs tariff. As for the impact of logging on temperature rain forest areas in Canada, that is a matter for the Canadian authorities, as principle 2 of the Rio declaration makes clear.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that any announcement about the future of Parcelforce will be made concurrently with announcements about the future of Royal Mail.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade makes announcements about policy. It is not his practice to make policies about announcements.

  Dress Sizes
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce a standard dress size in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Any new or revised British Standard is a matter primarily for the responsible Committee of the British Standards Institution. The Institution is independent of Government. I am advised that there are no plans to introduce a standard dress size in the United Kingdom. A British standard which provides for a system of designating the sizes of women's garments, BS3666 already exists. Except where special considerations such as safety apply, the Government's view is that the development, promotion and use of standards is best undertaken by industry itself, with the support of the British Standards Institution, in the light of consumer requirements in the market, on a voluntary basis.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the amount and reasons for unauthorised payments by the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. Needham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mrs. Browning) on 2 February at column 772.

  The payments made to exporters were irregular because, although they were made on what was considered to be an appropriate basis for sharing recoveries, they were in excess of what we are now advised is the exporters' strict entitlement under the terms of the guarantee, and because no Treasury approval had been obtained for making what were therefore in effect ex-gratia payments.

  Tin Mining
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment was made, and when, with the costs of closure of the South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall on(a) employment, (b) related industries, (c) the environment and (d) the National Rivers Authority operation at Wheal Jane (i) by his Department and (ii) in conjunction with other Departments; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what cross-departmental cost-benefit analysis was undertaken of the possible impact before refusing Carnon Consolidated a further loan; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what assessment was made of the impact on Carnon Consolidateds tin mining operation of refusing its request for a further loan; and what conclusions were reached.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  On 21 December 1993 Carnon's directors made a formal application to the Department for 832
  permission to draw additional monies from the existing loans, which had been made under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982; these loans were suspended in June 1990 on the grounds that the project was in jeopardy. When the application was made on 21 December 1993, the company's Directors were seeking an urgent decision in January 1994. Canon submitted financial and other information in support of its request.

  The decision to refuse further drawings from the loans was taken under the legal and financial criteria which apply to selective financial assistance under the 1982 Act, taking account of economic and employment considerations and the information available about the environmental implications. Assessment of the environmental issues is continuing.

  Because of the need to maintain commercial confidentiality, I cannot disclose the results of the Department's investigations. Discussions continue with the company on their plans and proposals.

  Enterprise Initiative
  Mr. Bates
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent on the enterprise initiative since its inception in the north-east region of England.

  Mr. Eggar
  Total payments on enterprise initiative consultancy projects in the North East from the launch of the consultancy scheme in 1988 to the end of 1993 amounted to £11·1 million.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the visits that have been made by Trade and Industry Ministers to(a) Ecuador, (b) India, (c) Indonesia, (d) Jordan, (d) Malaysia, (f) Nigeria, (g) Oman, (h) Pakistan and (i) Thailand since June 1987; and what was the purpose of each visit.

  Mr. Needham
  Information on all overseas visits by Trade and Industry Ministers to these markets for any purpose since June 1987 could be made available only at disproportionate cost. The following Trade and Industry Ministers made trade promotion visits (to the markets referred to) in the financial year 1993–94.

  Mr. Needham

  Thailand/Indonesia—June 1993

  Malaysia—September 1993

  Malaysia/Indonesia—November/December 1993

  India—November 1993

  Mr. Eggar

  Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia—September 1993

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

  Mr. Eggar
  During 1993 I made 12 visits abroad. The visits and their purposes are set out in the table, together with an estimate of the costs which covers travel and subsistence for me and those who accompanied me.

  Purpose/Place

  Cost

  £

  Energy Policy Seminar, Norway

  1,119·55

  Bilateral Discussions, France

  718·81

  Energy and Environment Council, Luxembourg

  1,802·52

  833

  Purpose/Place

  Cost

  £

  Offshore Technology Conference and Bilateral discussions, USA

  4,647·27

  Trade Promotion, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain

  5,950·38

  International Energy Authority and Bilateral discussions, France

  1,459·42

  Energy Council, Luxembourg

  3,187·95

  Trade Promotion, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand

  14,231·46

  Trade Promotion, Kazakhstan

  5,216·32

  Trade Promotion, Algeria

  1,851·33

  Energy Council, Belgium

  755·62

  Bilateral discussions, Norway

  884·00

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

  Mr. Sainsbury
  During 1993 I made 17 visits abroad. The visits and their purposes are set out in the table together with an estimate of the costs which covers travel and subsistance for me and those who accompanied me.

  Purpose/Place

  Cost

  £

  Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels

  912·00

  Steel Council, Brussels

  1,045·20

  Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels

  1,045·20

  Informal Industry Council, Denmark

  1,796·40

  Inward Investment Promotion and Aerospace Sector Sponsorship, USA and Canada

  13,205·05

  Industry Council, Brussels

  1,045·20

  Speech at the Inauguration Ceremony for the European Transonic Windtunnel, Germany

  653·74

  Inward Investment Promotion and competitiveness, Japan

  18,479·83

  Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels

  1,065·60

  Bilaterals with Commissioners Millan and Van Miert to discuss Structural Funds, the Assisted Area Map and the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund

  1,072·62

  Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels

  1,072·62

  Agriculture and Trade Council, Brussels

  1,289·20

  Visit to Airbus, France

  855·00

  Inward Investment Promotion, Germany

  1,106·26

  Industry Council, Brussels

  1,528·20

  Bilaterals with Commissioners Millan and Van Miert to discuss Structural Funds and the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund

  1,251·60

  Steel Council, Brussels

  2,350·20

  Industry (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what have been the administration costs of each of his Department's schemes of financial assistance to industry in each of the last five years(a) as a total cost and (b) as a proportion of the total individual scheme budget.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The information in respect of the period I have been President of the Board of Trade is contained in form O of the Department's MINIS returns, which were placed in the Library of the House last July. Data is not available for the earlier years.

  Steel Mills
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy concerning overcapacity in the steel mills of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.
  834
  Mr. Sainsbury
  State subsidies are a major cause of EC over-capacity. The agreement reached at the December Industry Council will ensure both worthwhile capacity reductions and a much improved framework for the control of state aids.

  British Coal
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if, when he next meets the chairman of British Coal, he will ask him to reply to the letters sent to him by the hon. Member for Normanton.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that the chairman of British Coal replied to the hon. Member's letters on 11 February 1994.

  North Sea Gas
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his estimates of the date when progressive exhaustion of United Kingdom supplies of North sea gas, over the rate of proven discovery, has been or will be reached and, on the current rate of consumption, the quantities of energy at such dates that will be required from other sources to fill the consequential deficits.

  Mr. Eggar
  The table shows that the rate of proven discovery of gas on the United Kingdom continental shelf (as measured by the increase in proven reserves between the end of 1991 and the end of 1992) exceeded gas production in 1992 by 70 billion cubic metres. This indicates progressive enhancement rather than exhaustion.

  Gas on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf1

  Billion cubic metres

  1991

  1992

  Increase

  Proven2 reserves at end of period

  1,345

  1,465

  +120

  Cumulative production

  805

  855

  +50

  Remaining proven gas reserves

  540

  610

  +70

  1 Includes onshore and offshore discoveries.

  2 Proven reserves are defined as those which on the available evidence are virtually certain to be technically and economically producible (i.e. those reserves which have a better than 90 per cent, chance of being produced).

  Source: Table 4, Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom 1993, DTI.

  Oil Pollution
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that operators granted exemption under section 23 from section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 comply with the PARCOM decision approved at a meeting at the Oslo and Paris Commissions on 22 September 1992.

  Mr. Eggar
  Exemptions issued under section 23 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 (POPA '71), have conditions attached to them which require operators to report the level and quantity of oil discharged with drill cuttings. The conditions specify the target level which is in accordance with the PARCOM Decision 92/2, approved at the meeting at the Oslo and Paris Commissions on 22 September 1992.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many operators are bound by section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971; how many have applied for exemption under section 23; and how many have made no application for exemption.
  835
  Mr. Eggar
  All 38 operators on the UKCS are bound by section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971.

  During 1993, 21 operators applied and were granted Exemptions under section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971.

  During 1993, 17 operators made no request for Exemption under section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been made by companies for exemption under section 23, from section 3 of the

  Company

  Year

  Total cuttings tonnes

  Average oil content—grammes of oil per kilogramme of cuttings

  Agip

  1993

  1,358·7

  86

  Amerada Hess

  1993

  5,549·5

  76

  Arco

  1993

  1,606

  84

  BP

  1993

  10,336·4

  83

  Chevron

  1993

  1,758

  69

  Conoco

  1993

  4,581·9

  72

  Fina

  1993

  751·1

  70

  Hamilton

  1993

  1,515·1

  10

  Keer McGee

  1993

  1,743·3

  93

  Lasmo

  1993

  672·8

  84

  Marathon

  1993

  1,459

  90

  Mobil

  1993

  1,586·9

  95

  MSR

  1993

  1,244·7

  89

  Phillips

  1993

  2,595·4

  77

  Shell

  1993

  2,919·1

  93

  Texaco

  1993

  1,247·9

  68

  TOTAL

  1993

  2,366

  57

  Oil Licensing
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria he used in deciding to exclude from the 14th licensing round 35 blocks identified as highly sensitive but nominated for inclusion by the oil industry; and if he will list the blocks.

  Mr. Eggar
  Decisions on whether to offer environmentally sensitive blocks for licence in the 14th Round were taken on the basis of the following criteria:whether the environmental sensitivities identified could be protected by imposing strict conditions on any licences awarded;
  whether there were objections to the licensing of the block from other Government Departments and the combination of restrictions would have made exploration impractical; and the degree of company interest in the blocks.

  Since other Departments' objections were provided in confidence, I am unable to list the blocks.

  Pension Plans
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what information he has as to the number of pension providers that have made provision for claims against them in respect of possible mis-selling of personal pension plans; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what advice he has given to pension providers to show in their accounts appropriate provision against possible claims in respect of alleged mis-selling of personal pension plans; and if he will make a statement;
  836
  Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971; how many applications have been granted; and how many have been refused.

  Mr. Eggar
  A total of 178 applications were made during 1993. All were granted.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each exemption granted under section 23 from section 3 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971, the operator, the year, the volume of discharged cuttings and the measured oil content of discharged cuttings.

  Mr. Eggar
  A list showing operators and the total volume of discharged cuttings and oil content for the year 1993 is as follows:

  (3) what information he has as to the total amount provided by the life assurance industry against claims in respect of alleged mis-selling of personal pension plans.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The Department has written to life offices to ask them to indicate their likely exposure to compensation in respect of mis-selling of personal pensions, and to provide guidance on how the Department expects life offices to reserve for any such exposure in future Companies Act accounts and DTI returns. The Securities and Investments Board are seeking to determine the extent of the mis-selling. The position will not be clear until that review is completed. However, where life offices consider that they are likely to have a liability or a contingent liability, the Department expects this to be recognised in the published accounts.

  Textile Tariffs
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his discussions with Sir Leon Brittan and others concerning the level of tariffs being levied on textiles by India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Korea.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 14 February 1994]: In contacts with the commission on the Uruguay round market access negotiations, United Kingdom ministers and officials have underlined our concern that the Commission should take every opportunity to press the Governments of India, Pakistan and Indonesia to improve their offers in respect of textiles and clothing. The European Commission

  837
  has made clear its determination to continue negotiations to improve market access offers, if necessary until ministers sign the GATT Final Act in April. As far as Korean tariff increases on wool fabrics are concerned, I have written to the Korean Finance and Trade Industry ministers to express my concern.

EDUCATION

  Surplus Places
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his latest assessment of the number of surplus places in each of(a) the London boroughs and (b) the Greater Manchester boroughs.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has not collected comprehensive information on surplus school places since the survey in 1991 from which were derived the figures given in reply to a similar question from the hon. Member on Wednesday 28 April 1993.

  We intend to make regulations later this year under section 21 of the Education Act 1993 requiring all LEAs and, where it has relevant responsibilities, the new Funding Agency for Schools, to submit information to the Secretary of State annually, beginning in 1994, on surplus places in LEA maintained and grant-maintained schools respectively.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the number of grant-maintained schools at(a) primary and (b) secondary level, set out by parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department does not at present hold a full list of locations of grant-maintained schools by parliamentary constituency. One is to be compiled shortly and I will send a copy to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish the cost of special purpose grants—transitional—to grant-maintained schools in England in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Total spending on transitional grants to self-governing—grant maintained—schools in each year since 1991–92 has been as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  11991–92

  5·3

  11992–93

  10·4

  21993–94

  23·0

  1 Outturn.

  2 Estimated outturn.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the current arrangements for funding grant-maintained schools in Essex; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Grant-maintained schools in Essex are receiving funding in 1993–94 based on their entitlement under the local education authority's local management of schools scheme, plus additional sums to reflect their 838
  additional responsibilities. My right hon. Friend announced on 14 February his intention to introduce a common funding formula for funding GM schools in Essex and four other LEAs in 1994–95.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the proportion of the total number of pupils in Essex at(a) primary school and (b) secondary school who are attending grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Essex has the highest percentage of primary school pupils being educated in grant-maintained schools at 12 per cent of the total, and the third highest proportion of secondary school pupils with 64 per cent.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) secondary and (b) primary schools in Essex have become grant maintained; and how many applications to become grant maintained are outstanding.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  There are 63 secondary and 55 primary schools operating with grant-maintained status in Essex. A further four secondary and 15 primary schools are currently approved to become grant-maintained on 1 April. Three secondary and two primary schools have published proposals following a yes vote and are awaiting a decision.

  Autism
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will make a statement about the provision made by each local education authority for children with autism; and what steps he is taking to ensure that children with such difficulties are identified and helped appropriately;

  (2) what information he has on the extent of under-identification of children with autism;

  (3) how many children have been diagnosed as having autism problems in each local education authority area; how many have had statements in each of the past five years; and what estimate he has made of the number of children with autism problems who have not been identified and provided for appropriately;

  (4) how many children have been diagnosed as having autism problems required special educational support in each local education authority area in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Under the Education Acts 1981 and 1993 it is the responsibility of schools and LEAs to identify, assess and make provision for children with special educational needs, including those with autism. The Secretary of State intends, subject to the approval of Parliament, to issue a code of practice which will give practical guidance to schools and local education authorities on the identification and assessment of all children with special educational needs.

  The Department for Education and the Department of Health are currently sponsoring a research project by the University of Nottingham into the education and treatment of children with autism in England and Wales. The researchers, assuming a prevalence rate of six per 10,000, estimate that there are in the region of 7,800 children with autism in England and Wales. Of these, approximately 1,000 children attend schools or units which specialise in

  839
  teaching children with autism. We await the report of the second stage of the research project which aims to evaluate the main types of provision for young autistic children.

  Bullying
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he has given to(a) bullying in school, (b) inadequate playground supervision of children and(c) the provision of appropriate training for all staff in schools on how to handle bullying; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Head teachers are responsible for maintaining discipline and good behaviour in schools. The Government expect them to deal firmly with bullying and to make appropriate arrangements for supervision of children and for staff training. To help them, the Department issued practical advice in the form of "Action Against Bullying" packs to all schools in England in July 1992. We are considering whether further advice would be helpful. Local education authorities have also had the opportunity to bid for support for whole-school action on bullying under the "Truancy and Disaffected Pupils" category of the Department's grants for education support and training, GEST, schemes for 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Further Education Colleges, Coventry
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much expenditure has been incurred by each of Coventry's further education colleges in legal costs since incorporation; and what are the comparable figures for the 1 April 1993.

  Mr. Boswell
  Neither the Department nor the Further Education Funding Council collects information on college expenditure at the level of detail necessary to enable the amounts spent on legal advice to be identified. In the year to 1 April 1993 legal costs incurred by Coventry's further education colleges were met by the city council, which is unable to disaggregate the information from overall costs.

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to,his answer of 8 February,Official Report, columns 168–69, if he will provide information showing the proportion of sixth form students in schools and colleges by local education authority area, in sixth forms with (a) fewer than 50 students, (b) 50 to 100 students and (c) 100 to 150 students.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Percentage of sixth form pupils in sixth forms by size in LEA-maintained secondary schools in each local education authority in England January 1993

  Sixth forms by size

  LEA

  Less than 50 pupils

  50–100 pupils

  101–150 pupils

  Corporation of London (1)

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  2

  0

  19

  Greenwich

  6

  20

  26

  Hackney

  0

  0

  100

  Hammersmith

  50

  50

  0

  Islington

  0

  61

  39

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  0

  0

  840

  Sixth forms by size

  LEA

  Less than 50 pupils

  50–100 pupils

  101–150 pupils

  Lambeth

  23

  0

  77

  Lewisham

  2

  50

  28

  Southwark

  0

  100

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  4

  32

  0

  Wandsworth

  10

  18

  0

  Westminster

  0

  8

  22

  Barking

  0

  30

  13

  Barnet

  0

  12

  23

  Bexley

  4

  16

  25

  Brent

  0

  25

  16

  Bromley

  0

  23

  53

  Croydon

  0

  0

  0

  Ealing

  25

  0

  0

  Enfield

  0

  7

  18

  Haringey

  0

  22

  58

  Harrow (1, 2)

  0

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  7

  43

  Hillingdon

  10

  13

  40

  Hounslow

  0

  4

  51

  Kingston upon Thames

  4

  19

  22

  Merton

  0

  0

  0

  Newham

  33

  0

  25

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  9

  Richmond upon Thames (1)

  0

  0

  0

  Sutton

  0

  26

  16

  Waltham Forest

  0

  0

  100

  Birmingham

  2

  8

  25

  Coventry

  1

  16

  36

  Dudley

  0

  0

  100

  Sandwell

  0

  26

  14

  Solihull

  0

  0

  26

  Walsall

  4

  26

  30

  Wolverhampton

  11

  30

  22

  Knowsley

  8

  28

  26

  Liverpool

  4

  20

  39

  St. Helens

  0

  7

  26

  Sefton

  0

  15

  19

  Wirral

  0

  20

  9

  Bolton

  5

  0

  13

  Bury (1, 2)

  0

  0

  0

  Manchester

  10

  25

  0

  Oldham

  15

  31

  13

  Rochdale

  0

  0

  19

  Salford (1, 2)

  0

  0

  0

  Stockport

  0

  26

  74

  Tameside

  0

  100

  0

  Trafford

  0

  10

  15

  Wigan

  0

  0

  0

  Barnsley

  0

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  0

  6

  14

  Rotherham

  0

  0

  18

  Sheffield

  2

  6

  15

  Bradford

  0

  8

  12

  Calderdale

  0

  23

  39

  Kirklees

  0

  0

  28

  Leeds

  7

  12

  18

  Wakefield

  0

  9

  13

  Gateshead

  0

  17

  17

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2

  24

  17

  North Tyneside

  0

  14

  46

  South Tyneside

  0

  0

  0

  Sunderland

  0

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly(1)

  0

  0

  0

  Avon

  4

  20

  22

  Bedfordshire

  0

  2

  8

  Berkshire

  1

  10

  31

  Buckinghamshire

  3

  10

  12

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  4

  3

  Cheshire

  1

  12

  40

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  28

  Cornwall

  0

  6

  11

  Cumbria

  6

  21

  47

  Derbyshire

  0

  2

  17

  Devon

  0

  5

  31

  Dorset

  1

  2

  10

  Durham

  0

  20

  30

  841

  Sixth forms by size

  LEA

  Less than 50 pupils

  50–100 pupils

  101–150 pupils

  East Sussex

  0

  0

  43

  Essex

  2

  4

  25

  Gloucestershire

  2

  14

  25

  Hampshire

  0

  15

  30

  Hereford and Worcester

  1

  11

  35

  Hertfordshire

  0

  26

  33

  Humberside

  2

  6

  37

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  13

  Kent

  6

  10

  9

  Lancashire

  0

  2

  28

  Leicestershire

  0

  2

  8

  Lincolnshire

  0

  17

  26

  Norfolk

  1

  2

  10

  North Yorkshire

  1

  3

  34

  Northamptonshire

  0

  17

  21

  Northumberland

  0

  3

  16

  Nottinghamshire

  3

  21

  49

  Oxfordshire

  0

  6

  40

  Shropshire

  0

  17

  41

  Somerset

  1

  7

  9

  Staffordshire

  1

  28

  31

  Suffolk

  0

  4

  16

  Surrey

  0

  10

  19

  Warwickshire

  0

  9

  21

  West Sussex

  0

  4

  17

  Wiltshire

  0

  3

  28

  England

  2

  11

  24

  (1) In January 1993 these LEAs did not maintain secondary schools with a sixth form.

  (2) In January 1993 these LEAs maintained sixth form colleges only.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Boswell
  The following information is recorded:

  Description of item

  Approximate value (£)

  1991

  Printer cable

  15

  RM Nimbus 386SX PC

  1,200

  Toshiba T1000 Portable PC

  800

  1992

  HP Deskjet Printer

  300

  Compaq Laptop PC

  2,000

  Portable PC (type not recorded)

  2,000

  Mitsubishi colour printer

  4,000

  Compaq LTE20 Portable PC

  2,000

  Compaq LTE20 Portable PC

  2,000

  HPII Laser printer

  1,000

  1993

  Compaq Portable PC

  2,000

  Compaq Contura Portable PC

  2,000

  Toshiba T3300SL Portable PC

  2,000

  In addition the following items belonging to the Department where stolen whilst on loan to Local Education Authorities.

  RM Nimbus PC CPU

  1,000 (December 1991)

  PC (type not recorded) x2

  2,000 (July 1992)

  RM Nimbus 386 PC

  1,000 (December 1993)

  Prospect School, Berkshire
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what undertakings have been given to Prospect school, Berkshire, in relation to funding under the technology college initiative.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Prospect school submitted an application for technology college status to the Department on 19 January. No undertakings have been given by the Department to the school in relation to the outcome of this application, nor to funding under the technology college initiative.

  Holdback Grant
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will outline the conditions for the release of holdback grant to further education colleges.

  Mr. Boswell
  Colleges within the further education sector will be required to give the FEFC an assurance that their governing body is satisfied that all contracts of employment entered into with newly employed staff on or after 1 April 1994 provide adequate flexibility for the college to make proper use of its resources, both human and material, throughout the week and year in accordance with the institution's and its customers' needs. In the case of colleges which, immediately prior to entering the further education sector, were maintained or assisted by a local education authority, this assurance will need to include confirmation that all contracts of employment entered into with newly appointed teachers or lecturers on or after 1 April 1994 are significantly different from those used by the maintaining or assisting LEA immediately before the college entered the further education sector. In both cases, the FEFC will ask colleges to sign a declaration that they have met the condition.

  Colleges Employers Forum
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what legal advice he has received on the contents of the letter from the Minister for Further and Higher Education to the Colleges Employers Forum of 8 February; and what plans he has to revise the letter in the light of legal advice and recent pay settlements.

  Mr. Boswell
  I wrote the letter on advice from my Department. The letter was sent five days after the Prime Minister's announcement of proposed pay increases for the review body groups, including school teachers, and in full knowledge of it. I have no intention or revising the letter.

  Education Bill
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received on the Education Bill[Lords] since 7 December; and what plans he has to amend or withdraw the proposals contained therein.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has had a variety of representations. As my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State made clear on 10 February,Official Report, House of Lords, column 133, we are holding discussions with the representative bodies of the further and higher education institutions.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to each of the regional flood defence committees.

  Mr. Jack
  Current ministerial appointees to regional flood defence committees in England are as follows:

  Anglian

  Mr. John S. Martin OBE, Mr. John C. Childs JP

  Mr. Hugh A. Duffield, Dr. Martin George OBE

  Mr. William E. Grant, Mr. David J. Riddington

  Mr. William H. R. Squier

  Northumbria

  Mr. Edward A. Wrangham, Mr. John W. Gibson

  Mr. Roger S. P. Howell, The Hon. Andrew H. Joicey

  Mrs. Alison J. Lough, Mr. David G. H. Stewart

  North West

  Mr. William M. Wannop OBE, Mr. Keith Bury

  Mr. Peter M. Entwhistle, Mr. Sidney D. Hill

  Mr. Rowland J. W. Slack

  Severn-Trent

  Mr. Charles G. Hawthorne, Mr. Jeremy R. Chamberlayne

  Mr. John Dainty OBE, Mr. Derwas A. Dale

  Mr. Andrew J. L. Fraser, Mrs Joyce Gilman

  Mr. John G. Markwick, Mr. Martin R. Prosser

  Southern

  Mr. Christopher D. Neame, Dr. Timothy J. H. Bines

  Mr. Ian R. F. Hammond, Mr. David G. L. Monnington

  Mr. Howard J. Richards, Mr. Timothy J. Sobey

  South West

  Mr. Gerald Manning OBE, Miss Deborah J. Clark

  Mr. Michael R. Hughes, Mr. Mark Robins

  Mr. Michael J. Stanbury, Mr. Richard A. Waller

  Thames

  Mr. Michael Davies OBE, Mrs. Clare E. Broom

  Dr. Yvonne O. Barton, Mr. Arnold Q. Hitchcock CBE

  Mr. Jeremy B. Joseph, Mr. John G. Peel

  Mr. Hugh Scantlebury, Mrs. Jean Venables

  Wessex

  Mr. Ralph H. Baker, Mr. John B. Bush

  Mr. Stanley H. Chedzoy, Mr. Roger J. A. Martin

  Mr. Roger Willis

  Yorkshire

  Mr. Thomas D. Collier, Mrs. Joan M. Burnett

  Mr. Barry R. Croft, Mr. John R. Welford

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales.

  Mr. Jack
  Current members, appointed by the Secretary of State for Wales and myself, are as follows:

  Professor J. S. Marsh (Chairman)

  Mrs. J. E. Thomas

  Sir John Wordie

  Mr. H. Hughes

  Mrs. J. Gove

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Food Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Soames
  Current membership of the Food Advisory Committee is:844

  Dr. E. S. Page (Chairman)

  Professor D. L. Georgala (Deputy Chairman)

  Dr. M. Ashwell

  Mr. R. Evans

  Mrs. A. J. Hardinge

  Professor R. M. Hicks

  Mr. R. Manly

  Miss P. Mann

  Mr. P. A. Martin

  Mrs. J. Moore

  Dr. R. Pugh

  Ms B. Saunders

  Dr. J. V. Stevens

  Dr. R. G. Whitehead

  Professor H. F. Woods

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Home-Grown Cereals Authority.

  Mr. Jack
  The full membership of the Home-Grown Cereals Authority is currently as follows:

  Independent Members

  Mr. Brian Nelson CBE (Chairman)

  Professor Gordon Dickson (Deputy Chairman)

  Mrs. Valerie Boakes

  Members Representing the Interests of Growers of Home-Grown Cereals

  Mr. James Atkinson

  Miss Helen Browning

  Mr. Richard Butler

  Mr. Jeremy Dillon-Robinson

  Mr. David George OBE

  Mr. John McKee

  Mr. Ian McLaren

  Mr. John Moor

  Mr. Michael Pearson

  Members Representing the Interests of Dealers and Processors of Home-Grown Cereals

  Mr. Michael Adams

  Mr. James Clark

  Mr. Ken Hairs

  Mr. Pat Lake

  Dr. Archie McFarquhar

  Mr. Bill Niven

  Mr. George Parker

  Mr. Robin Pirie

  Mr. Eric Ross

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Covent Garden Market Authority.

  Mr. Jack
  Members currently appointed to the Covent Garden Market Authority are:

  Mr. W. P. Bowman OBE, (Chairman)

  Mr. J. A. Harvey CBE

  Mr. P. J. Hunt

  Sir Peter Reynolds CBE

  Mr. R. Smith OBE

  Mrs. A. M. Vinton

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

  Mr. Jack
  The appointed members who act as chairmen of the Agricultural Land Tribunal in England are:

  Eastern Area

  Mr. C. H. Beaumont

  Mr. R. Ashton

  Mr. A. G Don

  Midlands Area

  His Honour Judge Lee QC

  845

  Mr. M. L. Brent QC

  Mr. M. Kingston

  Mr. J. E. Mitting

  Mr. P. Beasdale

  Northern Area

  Mr. K. J. Fisher

  Mr. W. H. R. Crawford QC

  Mr. B. E. Capstick QC

  South Eastern Area

  Mr. P. A. de la Piquerie

  Mr. P. P. Bowcock

  South Western Area

  Mr. G. L. Newsom

  Western Area

  Mr. W. D. Greenwood

  Mr. J. A. Hodgson

  His Honour Judge Harry Walker

  Yorkshire/Humberside Area

  His Honour Judge Robert Taylor

  Mr. D. W. Davy

  Mr. J. Hampton

  For each case heard by the tribunal, the chairman nominates two lay members. These are drawn from a landowners panel (116 members), a farmers panel (129 members) and/or a land drainage panel (28 members).

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Hill Farming Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is as follows:

  Advisory Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  Mr. Alun Evans, OBE (Deputy Chairman)

  Mr. Charles Armstrong

  Mr. Henry Bainbridge

  Mr. Philip Cornelius

  Mrs. Anthea Cowan

  Mr. John Dowson

  Mrs. Joyce Gilman

  Mrs. Gwenfair Jones

  Mr. Edmund Morphet

  Mrs. Rosemary Mudge

  Dr. Thomas Roskilly

  Mr. John Sayer

  Mr. John Tamplin

  Mr. Campbell Tweed

  Mr. John Vaughan

  Sub-Committee for Wales

  Mr. Alun Evans, OBE (Chairman)

  Mr. Henry Bainbridge

  Mr. Richard Howells

  Mrs. Gwenfair Jones

  Mr. Cyril Lewis

  Mr. William Lloyd

  Mr. John Price

  Mr. Colin Pugh

  Mr. John Tamplin, OBE

  Mr. John Vaughan

  The Chairman of the main committee is the Earl Howe, Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

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

  Mr. Jack
  Members currently appointed to the Horticultural Development Council are:

  Mrs. M. Charrington (Chairman)

  Mr. D. J. Barney

  Mr. E. J. Evans

  846

  Mr. R. T. Hillier

  Mr. M. G. Holmes

  Mr. H. B. Lowe

  Mr. T. P. Maxey

  Mr. P. J. Middlebrook

  Mr. R. Murdy

  Mrs. M. F. Regan

  Mr. P. H. Shephard, MBE

  Mr. T. P. M. Thomson

  Mr. N. Vrijland

  Mr. A. T. Wood

  Mr. Kifoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who are the members currently appointed to the Milk and Dairies Tribunal (England).

  Mr. Jack
  The members appointed to the Milk and Dairies Tribunal (England) are:

  Mr. James A. O. Aboaba

  Councillor Mrs. Doris Martyna Ansari JP

  Lady Elizabeth Audrey Anson (Chairman)

  Mr. Ronald B. Ballard

  Councillor Eric Bielby

  Councillor Jack Blakey

  Mrs. Claire Bushby

  Mr. Thomas H. Bradley

  Mr. David Brown

  Mrs. Margaret Elaine Carrington (Chairman)

  Mr. William Hugh Clements

  Mr. Laurence Stanley Crabtree

  Mr. Raymond Stephenson Cranfield

  Mr. Anthony Dixon

  Mr. Robert Domleo

  Mr. Peter Allen Duckworth

  Mr. Alexander Martin Dyke

  Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Eades

  Mr. G. H. Eggleston

  Mrs. Barbara Jean Ellerton JP

  Mr. George Roland Fawdry

  Mrs. Ann Golightly

  Mr. Francis John Gosling

  Mr. E. G. Harris

  Mr. Richard Harrison

  Mr. Francis Ivor Harvey

  Mrs. Elizabeth Hodder

  Councillor Mrs. Phyllis Margaret Hogarth

  Mr. Ronald Thomas Holland

  Mr. John Ray Horrell

  Mr. William Sidney Hounsell

  Mr. David John House

  Mr. Peter Gwynne Hutchinson

  Mr. Stanley Charles Jeanes

  Mr. Pryce William Jewell

  Mrs. Edna Dorothy Keen

  Mr. Albert V. Kerr

  Mr. Andrew Lammie

  Mrs. Jean Mary Lang

  Mrs. Susan Margaret Latter

  Mr Edward Lloyd

  Mrs. Susan Joy Marshfield JP

  Mr. George Rigby Mason

  Mr. John Edward Matthews

  Mrs. Mary M. McArdle

  Mr. Alastair David McCormack

  Mr. Anthony B. Merriman

  Mrs. Evelyn Mary Milton

  Councillor Mrs. Ann Mugford

  Mr. William Howard Organ

  Mrs. Jennifer Margaret Papadopulos JP

  Mr. Roger David Parkin

  Mr. Frank Richard Platts

  Mr. William Gordon Proud

  Mr. Gordon John Reynolds

  Mr. John Lydon Richards (Chairman)

  Mr. John Robert Richardson FIH ASVA

  Mr. David Ian Risk

  Mr. Peter C. W. Ritchie

  Mr. William Harold Robinson

  Mrs. Judith Round

  Mr. Andrew Henry Rutherford

  847

  Mr. Kevin Alfred Shaw

  Mrs. Mary Ross Shephard MBE

  Mr. John Anthony Siggs

  Mr. Basil J. Silver

  Mr. John Desmond Spence

  Mrs. Susanne Hilary Spence

  Councillor Mrs. Elizabeth Eleanor Still JP BA MPhil

  Mr. Peter Henry Thompson

  Mr. Thoman Anthony Twigg

  Mr. Charles W. Wharton

  Mrs. Sheila Kathleen Wormleighton

  Mr. John Barrett Wright

  Correspondence
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the hon. Member for Sherwood may expect a reply to his letters dated 16 December 1993 and 16 January 1994.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. Friend replied to the hon. Member's letters on 11 February 1994.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is responsible for ensuring the welfare provisions of animals being transported across the EC for slaughter are adhered to.

  Mr. Soames
  Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport requires each member state to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of agriculture, Fisheries and Food what instructions are given to her veterinary department for checking that (i) journey times for farm animals to be exported from the United Kingdom are properly completed, (ii) that such animals are fit to travel and (iii) animals being exported for slaughter in Spain are being sent to abbattoris which comply with the EU directive requiring animals to be stunned before slaughter; how many times since 1 January 1993 her veterinary department has failed to follow these instructions; and what steps she has taken to ensure that future failures will be avoided.

  Mr. Soames
  All farm animals sent to another member state are inspected for fitness to travel by a veterinary surgeon appointed by the Government. For journeys likely to take more than 15 hours the exporter is required to submit to the Department in writing the arrangements which have been made to rest, feed and water the animals.

  The Government lifted the restrictions on exports to Spain in January 1993 after an agreement had been reached with the Spanish authorities to send animals only to those abattoirs which they have confirmed to be applying Community welfare rules. In December the Government agreed further safeguards with the Spanish authorities. Details of all consignments are sent to Spain so the authorities may check that animals arrive at the destinations declared by British exporters. No consignments of animals have been sent to Spain for slaughter this year.

  On two occasions last year consignments were exported where the agreed procedures, to ensure that the slaughterhouses of destination were on the approved list, were not followed. This was due to a regrettable error. The procedures for authorising all export journeys have been reviewed and fresh instructions have been issued to the state veterinary service.

  Pig Meat
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what action she is taking in her communications with the European Commission to prevent the subsidies given by certain EC member countries on the production of pig meat; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) what representations she has received about the difficulties being experienced by United Kingdom pig producers due to the dumping of exported pig meat by France, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

  Mr. Jack
  We have received representations from hon. Members on behalf of constituents and from individual pig producers and their representative bodies. I will shortly be meeting the British Pig Association. They are all concerned about the state of the European Community pigmeat market and allegations of illegal national aids in some member states.

  The current low prices are caused by high levels.of supply on the pigmeat market resulting from industry expansion in most member states, including the United Kingdom. Prices are low throughout the single market.

  Although there are rumours of illegal aids to pig producers in other member states, we only have firm evidence in respect of a scheme in France. My right hon. Friend has written to the European Commission twice urging that an early decision be made on the legal status of this aid in accordance with article 93 of the treaty and that the appropriate action then be taken. She has also twice raised the matter in the Council of Ministers and the United Kingdom delegation has raised it at every pigmeat management committee from September.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research her Department has commissioned into the correlation between the incidence of BSE and the use of organophosphorous pesticides.

  Mr. Soames
  When BSE was first indentified in 1986 a detailed epidemiological investigation was carried out to identify possible sources of the disease. This included an examination of any possible correlation betweeen BSE and exposure of cattle to organophophorus compounds but it was concluded, on the basis of those studies, that there was no such correlation and that the only positive correlation to be found was in relation to animal feed which contained ruminant protein. This resulted in the ban on the feeding of ruminant protein to ruminants in July 1988 which has now resulted in a marked decline in the incidence of the disease in younger animals and an overall 15 per cent. decline in the number of cases reported compared with the same period last year.

  In January scientists from the Department, the Department of Health and the Agriculture and Food Research Council met Mr. Purdey to consider his views on the role of organophosphorus in the origins of the BSE epidemic and had a full discussion with him on the evidence that he put forward. Although it was agreed to consider some of the points covered in more detail, no formal research has been commissioned as a result of that very recent meeting.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many suspected cases of BSE
  849
  were placed under restriction by a Ministry veterinarian in respect of which the restrictions were subsequently cancelled by another Ministry veterinarian, for each month, from February 1992 to November 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The numbers of suspect cases of BSE in Great Britain which were placed under restrictions by Ministry veterinary officers, and from which restrictions were subsequently removed, from February 1992 to November 1993 are as follows:

  Month of report

  Number

  February 1992

  127

  March 1992

  146

  April 1992

  145

  May 1992

  153

  June 1992

  159

  July 1992

  125

  August 1992

  143

  September 1992

  173

  October 1992

  142

  November 1992

  119

  December 1992

  146

  January 1993

  118

  February 1993

  142

  March 1993

  202

  April 1993

  197

  May 1993

  181

  June 1993

  144

  July 1993

  128

  August 1993

  148

  September 1993

  153

  October 1993

  136

  November 1993

  133

  The information as to whether restrictions were lifted by a different Ministry veterinary officer to the one by whom they were served could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The annual fluctuations in the rate at which restrictions are lifted reflect farm management practices which precipitate the onset of diseases with some clinical signs that are similar to those of BSE, but where treatment results in recovery.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have died or been destroyed as a result of BSE since 1990.

  Mr.Soames
  From 1991 to 1993 inclusive, 111,878 cattle have been slaughtered in Great Britain because BSE was suspected. In the same period 963 cattle in which BSE was suspected died while under restrictions or between report to the Ministry and examination by a veterinary officer.

  Farm Animals (Export)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm animals were exported from the United Kingdom in 1993(a) for slaughter and (b) for further fattening.

  Mr. Soames
  Because of delays following the introduction of the Intrastat system details of the total numbers of live animals exported in 1993 are not yet available. It is not possible to say when they will become available, but when they do I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Fishermen
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures she is taking to ensure uniformity of treatment between British and French fishermen in the current market.
  850
  Mr. Jack
  I set out in a previous reply on 14 February at col.586 the steps that I and my hon. Friend have taken to help our fishermen and exporters maintain their access to the French market in the face of the disgraceful intimidation to which they have been subjected. I look to the European Commission to scrutinise the compatibility of the French government's new aid package with the rules on state aids.

  Whales
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many different species of whales currently exist; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the measures available to protect them.

  Mr. Jack
  There are at least 78 species of cetaceans currently in existence, of which 12 are commonly referred to as "great" whales. Under European Community legislation there is a de facto ban on commercial whaling within the Community. Globally, responsibility for the conservation of whales rests with the International Whaling Commission where the United Kingdom works actively to secure effective measures for the conservation and protection of all whale species and strongly supports the current moratorium on commercial whaling.

  Banana Producers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy to negotiate a transferable banana quota for the Windward Islands.

  Mr. Jack
  We have already pressed the Commission on the need for a transferable banana quota for the Windward Islands. This is not, however, provided for in the Council regulation establishing the EC bananas regime. If changes in that regulation become necessary we shall continue to seek quota transferability between the Windward Islands.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will press for the implementation of the guarantees enshrined in protocol IV, of Lomé IV for the banana producers of the Caribbean.

  Mr. Jack
  The EC bananas regime negotiated under the United Kingdom presidency already ensures access for imports of bananas from the Caribbean and from other African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) producers into the Community in accordance with the provisions of the Lomé convention.

  Organic Farming
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she last met representatives of the organic farming lobby to discuss the implementation of the organic aid scheme in England.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. Friend last met representatives of the organic farming movement on 15 November 1993. It was agreed that there should be further discussions with officials and another ministerial meeting in the spring concentrating on the role of organic farming in relation to reform of the European Community's common agricultural policy.

  Sea Mammal Research Unit (Guidelines)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when her Department received from the Department of the Environment draft guidelines prepared by the sea mammal research unit on precautions to minimise acoustic disturbance to small cetaceans; which bodies or organisations it has consulted or asked to comment on the guidelines; and what plans she has to consult non-governmental bodies on the guidelines.

  Mr. Jack
  A preliminary draft of the guidelines was made available to MAFF officials on 13 December 1993. A working party established by the Department of the Environment is currently preparing a further draft which will be discussed by other Government Departments with an interest in seismic testing and the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North sea. At that stage, as the Minister for the Environment and Countryside explained to the hon. Member on 28 January at column 341, a decision will be taken on whether to consult more widely.

  State Veterinary Service
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will place in the Library a copy of the Lebrecht report on the State Veterinary Service.

  Mr. Soames
  The Lebrecht review of the department's animal health and veterinary group, which includes the state veterinary service, is concerned with its management, and it is not appropriate to publish its recommendations. However, staff and other interested parties will be consulted about any consequential changes my right hon. Friend is minded to make.

  Poland (Spirits Quotas)
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to raise with the Polish Government their application of high tariff levels and restrictive quotas on imported spirits.

  Mr. Needham
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has a close working relationship with the drinks industry both through its trade associations and through many individual producers. The question of high tariff levels on certain spirits imported into Poland has been a concern of the industry—particularly Scotch whisky producers—for some time and it is an issue which we have raised with the Polish government on a number of occasions in the past. The issue of restrictive quotas is a relatively new one and my Department has asked the European Commission to take this up in the context of the EC/Poland association agreement. My Department will continue to give its full support to the industry in its representations to the Polish administration.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Central Services Agency
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency.

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Central Services Agency are as follows:
  852
  Chairman:

  J. G. Hunter

  Non-Executive Members:

  Mrs. A. Curran

  J. A. Doris

  T. J. Frawley

  Mrs. S.Hillen

  P. G. Kinder

  Dr. M. P. J. Kilbane

  P. B. Linehan

  D. D. Smyth

  Dr. J. Wilson

  Health and Social Services Councils
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to each of the health and social services councils.

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of each of the four health and social services councils are as follows:

  EASTERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL

  Chairman:

  Mr. P. Stout

  Members:

  Councillor Rev. W. J. Beattie

  Councillor D. Browne

  Mrs. Alderman B. M. Chambers

  Councillor R. Cleland

  Councillor D. Dow

  Councillor Mrs. D. E. Field

  Councillor K. McCarthy

  Councillor G. Morrison

  Councilor J. Ritchie

  Councillor J. Rodgers

  Councillor H. Smith

  Councillor R. T. Stewart

  Mrs. M. G. Bennett

  Rev. W. S. Callaghan

  Mr. C. Common

  Ms M. E. Connolly

  Mrs. D. M. Copeland

  Mrs. M. Horner

  Mr. J. J. Mallon

  Ms C. M. McCavana

  Mrs. M. McMullan

  Mr. B. O'Reilly

  Mr. M. Piggot

  Mr. E. P. Rafferty

  Mrs. E. A. Rea

  Dr. M. Swallow

  Mrs. E. Thompson

  Mr. M. B. Weir

  Miss M. Wilson

  NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL

  Chairman:

  Mr. R. Pinkerton

  Members:

  Mrs. Alderman P. E. A. Armitage

  Councillor A. F. Beggs

  Councillor Mrs. J. M. I. Drummond

  Councillor D. Haughey

  Mr. Alderman S. C. Henry

  Councillor D. Hollis

  Councillor R. F. Kerr

  Councillor W. J. Logan

  Councillor S. D. McClelland

  Councillor P. H. McErlean

  Mrs. M. Dodds

  Mr. J. A. Dougherty

  Mr. H. Ewing

  Mr. D. Francis

  Miss M. H. Gilmore

  Mrs. M. McCollum

  Mr. J. McA. Pollock

  Mrs. P. M. Probst

  Mr. A. Reynolds

  853

  Mrs. M. P. Sheriff

  Rev. C. G. Thompson

  Mrs. M. Yoxall

  one vacancy

  SOUTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL

  Chairman:

  Mrs. M. F. A. Cook

  Members:

  Councillor J. A. Agnew

  Councillor Mrs. R. S. J. Allen

  Councillor Mrs. K. J. Baird

  Councillor H. Casey

  Councillor J. Cavanagh

  Councillor B. Curran

  Councillor I. B. Hanna

  Mr. Alderman S. J. McCammick

  Councillor P. McElroy

  Councillor R. E. McWilliams

  Mrs. J. K. Allister

  Mr. H. Averly

  Mrs. M. P. Campbell

  Mr. R. G. Cummings

  Miss A. E. P. Dowd

  Mrs. A. C. Eames

  Mrs. A. A. B. Gray

  Mr. J. P. Loughran

  Mr. G. E. Mills

  Mr. E. W. Napier

  Mr. A. Reid

  one vacancy

  WESTERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL

  Chairman:

  Mr. F. G. Hughes

  Members:

  Councillor D. C. D. Anderson

  Mr. Alderman G. Campbell

  Supplementary Benefit and Income Support

  Number and proportion1 of children in families receiving Supplementary Benefit/Income Support

  Children aged under 5

  Children aged 5–10

  Children aged 11–15

  Year

  Type of benefit

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent

  1978

  Supplementary Benefit

  19,300

  15

  27,418

  16

  21,453

  14

  1979

  Supplementary Benefit

  18,708

  15

  23,071

  14

  19,843

  13

  Children aged under 11

  Children aged 11–15

  Year

  Type of benefit

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  21980

  Supplementary Benefit

  53,181

  18

  23,682

  16

  21981

  Supplementary Benefit

  63,209

  22

  25,580

  17

  21982

  Supplementary Benefit

  71,746

  25

  32,626

  22

  21983

  Supplementary Benefit

  77,108

  27

  33,768

  23

  Children aged under 5

  Children aged 5–10

  Children aged 11–15

  Year

  Type of benefit

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent.

  1984

  Supplementary Benefit

  39,439

  30

  39,291

  26

  31,800

  23

  1985

  Supplementary Benefit

  Data not available as Annual Statistical Enquiry not held

  1986

  Supplementary Benefit

  42,320

  32

  43,540

  28

  33,360

  25

  1987

  Supplementary Benefit

  44,526

  33

  44,482

  28

  35,408

  27

  1988

  Income Support3

  38,720

  29

  41,300

  26

  30,620

  24

  1989

  Income Support

  38,700

  29

  42,760

  27

  31,900

  26

  1990

  Income Support

  38,080

  29

  43,060

  27

  29,220

  23

  1991

  Income Support

  Data not available as Annual Statistical Enquiry not held

  1992

  Income Support

  42,360

  33

  49,040

  31

  35,650

  27

  1993

  Income Support

  Figures not yet available

  1 As percentage of the number of children for whom Child Benefit is received.

  2 Figures not available separately for children aged 0–4, 5–10.

  1 Income Support replaced Supplementary Benefit on 11 April 1988.

  854

  Councillor M. A. Coyle

  Councillor J. M. Durkan

  Councillor S. P. Gallagher

  Councillor C. O. McClaughrey

  Councillor L. McQuaid

  Councillor F. McQuillan

  Councillor Mrs. M. Nelis

  Councillor J. J. O'Kane

  Miss E. Bannon

  Mr. A. J. Dardis

  Mr. M. J. Falls

  Mrs. S. Harris

  Mrs. M. Harte

  Mr. S. J. Logue

  Miss C. Meehan

  Mr. W. T. Montgomery

  Mrs. A. M. Moore

  Mrs. M. D. Nicholl

  Mrs. M. Rolston

  Miss M. C. Timoney

  Mrs. S. S. G. White

  Income Support and Family Credit
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentages of children in Northern Ireland aged(a) under five years, (b) five to 11 years and (c) 12 to 15 years live in families receiving (i) income support and (ii) family credit; and what were the figures in each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Ancram
  The available information is provided in the tables below. For supplementary benefit/income support, the information requested is not collated in the age group 5–11 but in the age group 5–10. Separate figures are not available for the years 1980 to 1983. No age breakdown is available for children in families receiving family income supplement/family credit.
  855

  Family Income Supplement and Family Credit

  Number 1 and proportion2 of children in families receiving FIS/Family Credit

  Year

  Type of benefit

  Number

  Proportion (percentage)

  1978

  Family Income Supplement

  30,402

  6

  1979

  Family Income Supplement

  27,493

  6

  1980

  Family Income Supplement

  28,857

  6

  1981

  Family Income Supplement

  36,378

  8

  1982

  Family Income Supplement

  38,734

  8

  1983

  Family Income Supplement

  39,557

  8

  1984

  Family Income Supplement

  Figures not available

  1985

  Family Income Supplement

  42,613

  9

  1986

  Family Income Supplement

  41,322

  9

  1987

  Family Income Supplement

  40,399

  9

  1988

  Family Credit3

  34,897

  8

  1989

  Family Credit

  36,204

  8

  1990

  Family Credit

  35,073

  8

  1991

  Family Credit

  37,294

  8

  1992

  Family Credit

  42532

  9

  1993

  Family Credit

  Figures not yet available

  1 Includes dependent children up to 19 years of age.

  2 As percentage of the total number of children for whom Child Benefit is received.

  3 Family Credit replaced Family Income Supplement on 11 April 1988.

  NHS Private Facilities
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients have been treated in national health service hospitals private facilities in each year since 1987–88.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  1988–89

  1,796

  1,709

  1989–90

  1,636

  1,456

  1990–91

  1,983

  1,437

  1991–92

  1,971

  1,100

  1992–93

  1,938

  1,291

  Comparable information is not available for 1987.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications for wind turbine construction have been(a) accepted and (b) rejected since 1984; and how many wind turbines currently operate in the Province.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Since 1984 three planning applications have been made for turbines and all have been approved. There are a total of four wind turbines currently in operation in Northern Ireland.

  Child Support
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Child Support Agency applications have failed to be enforced because of the absent parent(a) leaving and (b) being outside the legal jurisdiction of the agency.

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Child Support Agency under its Chief Executive, Patrick Devlin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. P. Devlin to Mr. Clifford Forsythe, dated 16 February 1994:
  856
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about the number of Child Support Agency applications that have failed to be enforced because of the absent parent being outside the jurisdiction of the Agency.

  Information on the number of absent parents leaving the jurisdiction is not collected routinely and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Of the applications processed to date, 159 could not be pursued because the absent parent was outside the jurisdiction of the Agency.

  I hope you find this information useful.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, c. 782, what proportion of the vehicles licensed in Northern Ireland at December 1992 in each category had catalytic converters fitted.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland agency under its Chief Executive, Brendan Magee. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. B. Magee to Mr. Clifford Forsythe, dated 15 February 1994:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question regarding the proportion of vehicles licensed in Northern Ireland at December 1992 which had catalytic converters fitted.

  We do not hold such data on our records and therefore I am unable to provide the information requested.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing, in 1992–93 prices, the gross public spending for each year from 1990–91 and the projected expenditure for each of the Northern Ireland national health service bodies as listed in "Public Bodies 1993".

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: The information requested is as follows.
  857

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Health and Social Services Boards

  Eastern

  589

  577

  570

  544

  Northern

  204

  204

  264

  291

  Southern

  177

  179

  217

  225

  Western

  177

  175

  196

  208

  Health and Social Services Councils

  Eastern

  —

  0·.50

  0·155

  0·205

  Northern

  —

  0·015

  0·087

  0·091

  Southern

  —

  0·019

  0·115

  0·100

  Western

  —

  0·019

  0·067

  0·082

  Northern Ireland Central Services Agency

  7·0

  6·7

  7·0

  6·85

  Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency

  0·7

  1·34

  1·29

  1·23

  Health and Social Services Trusts

  —

  —

  —

  301·67

  Notes:

  1. The four health and social services councils were established with effect from 1 April 1991.

  2. The Health Promotion Agency was established on 1 October 1990. 1990–91 figures are for the six month period ended 31 March 1991.

  3. All figures shown are at 1992–93 prices. Figures for 1993–94 are estimated and deflated to 1992–93 prices.

  4. The figures for total spending by health and social services boards for the year 1992–93 are not directly comparable with those for earlier years as:

  (a) for the first time they include amounts in respect of capital charges; and

  (b) they reflect the purchaser/provider split and show the Boards primarily as purchasers of services; and

  (c) they reflect the movement towards capitation funding and take account of patient flows across boundaries.

  5. Six health and social services trusts were established on 1 April 1993. It should be noted that they obtain the greatest proportion of their income from boards and hence their expenditure will largely already be reflected in boards' expenditure figures.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Sir John Wheeler
  In addition to a variety of minor items, the following more substantial items were formally recorded as losses to the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments due to theft in the last three years.

  1990–91

  £

  Chainsaws, Gerrycan, Diesel, Drill Set and Cash

  1,551·58

  Window Guards and Padlocks

  427·18

  Dictaphones and Pentex Camera

  394·48

  Fencing Materials

  363·17

  Tools

  271·63

  Mower, Tools, fire Extinguishers and Keys

  258·22

  Road Signs and Traffic Cones

  257·76

  Batteries, Worklights and Bulbs

  183·24

  Trees

  160·00

  Fencing Wire

  152·29

  Tools and Safety Equipment

  124·75

  Weir Gate Winching Handles

  115·00

  Electric Fence Unit and Battery

  109·25

  Field Greaser, Grease and Gas Ring

  101·22

  Tarring Roller

  3,488·00

  Copper Lightning Conductor

  1,825·00

  Radio Telephone

  615·83

  10 Rolls of Chainlink Mesh

  665·00

  1 Ford Transit Pick-Up

  1,250·00

  Additionally there were 13 write-offs totalling £498·30 valued under £100·00.

  £

  1991–92

  Four video recorders

  1,196·00

  Wire and locks

  2,082·70

  858

  £

  Equipment from forest stores

  1,930·66

  Equipment and materials

  1,757·79

  Stuffed animals

  707·25

  Materials and lock

  586·50

  Chainsaws

  1,079·24

  Two cameras, lenses and flashguns

  434·81

  Fuel

  380·80

  Sheep wire and barbed wire

  325·68

  Chainsaws

  545·47

  Power washer

  257·89

  Excavator tracks

  250·00

  Outboard motor

  240·00

  Powersaw

  237·19

  Tools

  196·24

  Batteries, grease gun and airline hose

  193·01

  Locking diesel cap

  125·47

  Batteries

  116·98

  Vacuum cleaner

  103·50

  Fire extinguishers and fire blankets

  862·06

  Prism set

  631·50

  Outboard engine

  667·49

  Three camcorders

  1,760·00

  Various items used for training purposes (drills, trowels, paint/varnish brushes)

  462·00

  Additionally there were 16 write offs totalling £861·08 valued under £100·00.

  £

  1992–93

  Chainsaws

  2,405·83

  Computer hardware

  1,955·86

  Firefighting equipment

  869·45

  Computer, printer, camera, hammer and transformer

  575·00

  Pump, wheels and tyres

  540·00

  Equipment

  474·97

  Equipment from employee's car

  344·15

  Clearing saw

  336·37

  Brushcutter

  336·37

  Vehicle (assessed residual value only) and batteries

  290·53

  Chainsaw

  502·39

  Equipment and materials

  277·39

  Powerwasher

  225·00

  Theft from boat

  178·00

  859

  £

  Equipment from car

  175·07

  Materials

  111·20

  Tools

  105·66

  Overboard projector

  580·00

  Twin axle trailer

  1,109·75

  Plant fitters' tools

  698·62

  Public pay phone

  512·81

  Maestro van

  1,725·59

  Hazard warning lights

  648·60

  Two video players

  311·00

  One remote control TV

  170·00

  Two Mackintosh computers

  3,000·00

  Cannon 35 mm camera

  200·00

  Vacuum cleaner

  300·00

  Telephone switchboard

  2,000·00

  Computer desk

  500·00

  Welding plant

  800·00

  Machine tools and vice

  500·00

  1992–93

  £

  HP Vectra Computer

  6,000·00

  Various items used for Training Purposes (Drills, Trowels, Tools)

  4,348·00

  Additionally there were 15 write offs totalling £630·46 valued under £100·00.

  Local Authority Mental Illness and Elderly Mentally ill places

  Voluntary Mental illness and Elderly Mentally ill places

  Private Mental illness and Elderly Mentally ill places

  Private Hospital beds

  NHS other beds

  NHS hospital beds

  Total

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  (5)

  (6)

  1982

  4,173

  1,603

  764

  1,994

  15,145

  68,555

  92,234

  1983

  4,242

  1,693

  865

  2,394

  16,276

  65,795

  90,832

  1984

  4,363

  1,952

  1,219

  2,176

  16,969

  61,795

  88,474

  1985

  4,470

  2,134

  1,731

  2,340

  17,730

  57,967

  86,372

  1986

  7,549

  2,377

  4,151

  3,165

  18,771

  53,434

  89,447

  1987–88

  7,568

  2,640

  6,959

  4,507

  22,657

  44,287

  88,801

  1988–89

  7,916

  2,648

  7,680

  5,862

  19,712

  43,287

  87,105

  1989–90

  7,584

  3,080

  9,066

  7,693

  20,415

  38,875

  86,713

  1990–91

  7,715

  3,508

  9,724

  10,772

  21,246

  33,993

  86,958

  1991–92

  7,552

  4,303

  10,382

  12,653

  21,285

  28,993

  85,168

  Sources:

  (1) (2) (3) SD2 (tables 66 and 67); RAC5 (primary uses 02 and 08); RA 13A.

  (4) SD2-SBH212; K036.

  (5) (6) SH3 (to 1986); KH03 (from 1987–88). Column 6 figures from Inter Authority Comparison and Consultancy special data collection on main mental illness hospitals; column 5 by deducting these from totals for England.

  Health Service Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of net NHS current expenditure on (i) regional hospital boards and regional health authorities, (ii) the NHS Management Executive and (iii) NHSME regional outposts in each year since 1973–74 expressed in 1993–94 prices adjusted by(a) the gross domestic product deflator and (b) changes in input unit costs.

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Regional health authorities

  451,197,469

  442,878,613

  471,909,346

  454,704,050

  1,453,441,371

  1,681,077,632

  NHSME

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  34,124,495

  31,523,934

  44,277,025

  NHSME outposts

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2,713,410

  Source:

  Annual accounts of health authorities (England) 1985–86 to 1992–93.

  Annual accounts of the Department of Health.

HEALTH

  Indicative Prescribing
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of administering the indicative prescribing system in general practice in each of the last three years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Improving prescribing, including managing the indicative prescribing scheme, is a key function of national health service management and the administration costs are not identified separately.

  Psychiatric Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of psychiatric beds in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Bowis
  The available information is shown in the table compiled for the Mental Health Task Force "Survey of English Mental Illness Hospitals March 1993", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows total revenue expenditure at 1993–94 prices of regional health authorities, the National Health Service Management Executive and the NHSME outposts. Expenditure is not readily available prior to 1987–88. The index showing changes in input unit costs is not available for 1993–94 prices.

  Figures for regional health authorities (RHAs) for 1991–92 and 1992–93 are not comparable with those for earlier years. In particular, many RHAs were, in 1991–92 and 1992–93, involved in the purchase of healthcare and related services for their region.
  861
  Trent regional health authority records.

  Notes

  Figures for regional health authorities (RHAs) for 1992–93 are provisional.

  The figures cover the total revenue expenditure of the authorities including that incurred on headquarters administration and on the management and provision of services in the years concerned.

  Figures are not available for the NHSME prior to 1990–91.

  Figures for the NHSME are not directly comparable from year to year because of organisational changes between the NHSME and the rest of the Department.

  The figures shown for the NHSME are gross because although the Department of Health receives income in the form of Receipts, this income is not split between the separate divisions within the Department and it is therefore not possible to provide net figures for the NHSME.

  No information was collected for NHSME outposts prior to 1992–93.

  Smoking
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the information available to her on the years that other countries introduced bans on tobacco

  Country

  Final year of data before ban

  Smoking prevalence in that year

  Prevalence in most recent year for which data is available

  Percentage points by which smoking prevalence has fallen since ban

  Percentage points by which smoking prevalence has fallen in the United Kingdom over similar period

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Norway

  1975

  43

  35 (1992)

  8

  12

  Finland

  1977

  29

  26 (1985)

  3

  8

  Canada

  1989

  32

  30 (1990)

  2

  2 (1988–90)

  New Zealand

  1990

  28

  27 (1992)

  1

  2

  Bans on tobacco advertising came into effect in Australia in 1992 and France in 1993. It is too early to estimate the changes in smoking prevalence since these bans were introduced.

  The most recent available comparison of retail prices and levels of taxation for cigarettes in these countries is:

  Country

  Average retail price of 20 cigarettes (October 1992)

  Total taxes

  £

  £

  Norway

  3·46

  2·37

  Finland

  2·33

  1·72

  Canada

  2·68

  1·84

  New Zealand

  1·78

  1·20

  Australia

  1·53

  0·92

  France

  1·32

  0·94

  United Kingdom

  2·23

  1·69

  Parkinson's Disease
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement setting out details of the principal advances that have been made during the past 10 years in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

  Mr. Bowis
  Parkinson's disease is associated with a deficiency of a substance called dopamine which is essential for the transmission of nerve impulses. In recent years there have been developments in new variants of "dopamine agonist" drugs which assist in the maintenance
  862
  advertising with the change in their and our levels of smoking since then in each case with the present levels of tax and retail price.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows the estimated changes in prevalence of cigarette smoking in countries which have introduced bans on tobacco advertising, together with the changes over similar periods in the United Kingdom:

  of the body's level of dopamine. The use of self-administered injections of apomorphine, the usual drug prescribed for the condition, is becoming widespread. The use of brain tissue transplants remains experimental and is not currently being carried out in the United Kingdom.

  Safe Sex
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the role of the Health Education Authority in providing national public education campaigns to promote condom use following recent research into sexual attitudes and lifestyles.

  Mr. Sackville
  Since 1987, the Health Education Authority has had a continuing role in providing public education on HIV/AIDS and sexual health by delivering information about responsible sexual behaviour. The national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles showed the impact of public education, providing evidence of considerable awareness of HIV/AIDS among those reporting behaviour which carried a higher risk of infection, and of increased condom use both by those with more partners and by people under 24. It is important that the HEA and other agencies continue their national and local efforts to promote sexual health.

  Local Authorities (Charging Guidance)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance she has issued to local authorities regarding charging for home helps, day care and community alarms; what are the financial implications of this guidance; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Guidance about charging for nonresidential social services for adults was sent to local social services authorities in January, and copies of the circular (LAC(94)1) are available in the Library. Powers to charge are discretionary and so it is not possible to quantify precisely the financial implications of this guidance.

  Car Parking Charges
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy towards the charging of nurses to park their cars on NHS premises.

  Mr. Sackville
  Charges for car parking on national health service premises are a matter for local determination in the light of local circumstances, including the needs of patients, visitors and staff and the availability and cost of providing such facilities.

  Emergency Fees (Collection by NHS Trusts)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS trusts are required to collect emergency fees under the Road Traffic Acts.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health service hospitals, including those managed by national health service trusts, are empowered to collect the emergency treatment fee under section 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and it is Government policy that it should be collected. The fee, which must be covered by motor vehicle insurance policies, is payable by vehicle users in respect of each person given immediate treatment or examination arising from a road traffic accident.

  Bed Allocations
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evidence she has that health authorities use age as a criterion for allocating acute patients to different hospitals within their area;

  (2) what is her Department's policy on the use by health authorities of age as a criterion by which patients are allocated beds in specific hospitals.

  Mr. Sackville
  Health authorities are responsible for purchasing appropriate services for all age groups in their resident populations. Children and young people in hospital should be provided with accommodation, facilities and staffing appropriate to their age and development. Depending on local circumstances, hospitals may elect to admit people over the age of 75 to specifically designated wards to ensure they receive the most appropriate care.

  Reports (Costs)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to advise all health authorities and trusts to review the costs of producing, publishing, printing and distributing reports in order to maximise the proportion of funds spent on direct health care.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Communications about the services being purchased on behalf of patients and the way they are 864
  provided are an essential part of serving the public. National Health Service trusts are required to publish, as a minimum, an annual report, annual accounts, a summary business plan and a strategic direction document; health authorities are required to provide a range of information as part of their public accountability. We expect them to make the best, most cost-effective use of their resources.

  Paediatric Intensive Care
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail by region the(a) recommended and (b) actual number levels of paediatric intensive care beds; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are no nationally agreed levels for paediatric intensive care bed provision. The British Paediatric Association has recently published a report "The Care of Critically Ill Children" which recommends that there should be one bed per 48,000 children. The report, which is available in the Library, shows the regional distribution of paediatric intensive care beds. The National Health Service Management Executive, in its executive letter of 27 January 1994 has asked district health authorities to review the current level of paediatric intensive care beds in order to develop in collaboration with other district health authorities and hospitals, a strategic plan for the purchasing of paediatric intensive care which takes into account local needs and resources. Copies of the letter are available in the Library.

  Alternative and Complementary Medicine
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis has been made of potential cost savings to public funds if alternative and complementary medical treatments, with particular reference to osteopathy, chiropractic and homoeopathy, were more widely available on the national health service; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has commissioned a study by the medical care research unit of Sheffield university which will examine the impact complementary therapists—such as osteopaths, chiropractors, and homoeopaths—have on the prescribing patterns, cost of drugs, hospital referral practices, patient satisfaction and repeat attendances, within general practice. The study started last December and will take two years to complete.

  Ambulance Service, London
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the response times by the London ambulance service to 999 calls for each of the last five years; and what were the target times in each of those years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The target response time for emergency calls in each year was 95 per cent. responded to within 14 minutes. The percentage of calls responded to in the target time is shown in the table.
  865

  Year

  Percentage of ambulances responding within 14 minutes

  1988–89

  82·8

  1989–90

  78·8

  1990–91

  73·7

  1991–92

  64·0

  1992–93

  58·5

  The London ambulance service's performance against the patients charter standard of a 95 per cent. response within 14 minutes has been unacceptable. In December 1993 the Government announced £14·8 million additional investment for the London ambulance service in 1994–95. The additional funding will be used to replace 40 per cent. of the vehicle fleet; recruit and train 240 additional ambulance personnel; accelerate the paramedic training programme and improve their communications systems.

  In response to this investment, the London ambulance service has agreed with its managing agency, South West Thames regional health authority, interim targets of achieving an 80 per cent. response rate within 14 minutes by September 1994 and 85 per cent. by April 1995. When these targets have been met, the Government will expect the London ambulance service to establish an early date for the full achievement of the patients charter standard.

  South Yorkshire Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made as to whether the south Yorkshire ambulance trust meets patients charter standards; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is for local purchasers to ensure that contracts and actual performance meet patient's charter standards.

  Accident and Emergency Services, London
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with regard to the review of accident and emergency services in London; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There has been no special review of London's accident and emergency services. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 21 October 1993 at column 316.

  Mentally Disturbed Children
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mentally disturbed children were in adult wards in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is a matter for health authorities to determine what arrangements are made locally about admission of children to hospital. However, our advice to purchasers contained in the guidance the "Health of the Nation Key Area Handbook: Mental Illness", a copy of which is in the Library, refers to a range of services which they need to consider so as to meet the needs of children and adolescents and this includes designated in-patient and day patient facilities.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the risks to humans of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government receive advice on all matters relating to spongiform encephalopathies in humans and animals from an independent, expert committee, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), chaired by Dr. David Tyrrell FRS.

  The Government, on advice from SEAC, are satisfied that all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise further spread of spongiform encephalopathies in animals and to prevent any risk of transmission to humans.

  Scientific evidence has not revealed any link between bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle and incidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a human spongiform encephalopathy.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which agencies are employed by each(a) regional health authority, (b) district health authority and (c) trust to deal with public relations; and what are the estimated costs involved.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the individual health authorities or trusts. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen for details.

  Agency Nurses, Wandsworth
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of agency nurses who were employed by the Wandsworth health authority for the period 1 to 31 January.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for Wandsworth health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Dr. Enid Vincent, the chairman, for details.

  Sir James Ackers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to ask Sir James Ackers to repay the sum paid to him on his resignation as chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority;

  (2) if Sir James Ackers has repaid or offered to repay the sum paid to him on his resignation as chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir James Ackers has not repaid or offered to repay the sum paid to him on his resignation and we have no plans to ask him to do so.

  Mr. John Hoare
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out the detailed make-up of the £111,940 severance pay made to Mr. John Hoare, former Wessex regional health authority general manager.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Mr. Hoare received a compensationary payment of £119,940 calculated on the basis of his final salary of £53,970 multiplied by the period remaining on his contract (26·67 months). He was allowed to purchase his lease car at a cost of £8,000, leaving a payment of £111,940.

  NHS (Meetings)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will require all NHS authorities to publish the agendas of all meetings whether or not open to the public.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No. All national health service authorities are required by the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to supply the press, on request, with a copy of the agenda for all full meetings at which approval for specific action is required.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that persons appointed to be chairmen of hospital trusts record their financial and professional interests in a register of interest a copy of which should be placed in the Library.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are currently consulting on draft codes of conduct and accountability for national health service boards. In these we propose that where there is a potential for private interests to be material and relevant to NHS business, the relevant interests should be declared and recorded in the board minutes. We also propose that directorships and other significant interests held by NHS hoard members should be declared on appointment, kept up to date and set out in the annual report. The codes are to be implemented in all NHS trusts and authorities, subject to consultation, from 1 April 1994.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will be chairman on 1 April of(a) Trent regional health authority and (b) Sheffield community health trust.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Sir Michael Carlisle and Mrs. Kathryn Riddle respectively.

  Steroids
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce tests for diabetes before steroids are used on patients.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no plans to issue prescriptive guidance on such tests which are a matter for the clinical judgement of individual doctors.

  Steroids, which are powerful drugs, may cause side effects especially in high doses. Doctors are fully aware of this possibility and to minimise the risk the dose is reduced as quickly as possible to the lowest maintenance level. During this period the patient is monitored for side effects.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients died in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1991–92 from the use of steroids in (i) England, (ii) the west midlands and (iii) Coventry.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of deaths from the use of steroids, 1ICD E932·0, in England, West Midlands regional health authority and Coventry in 1991 and 1992.

  1991

  1992

  England

  1

  0

  West Midlands RHA

  0

  0

  Coventry

  0

  0

  868
  1 International Classification of Disease 9th revision

  Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will announce her decision regarding the future of Coventry and Warwickshire hospital.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a local matter for Coventry health authority. Coventry health authority has recently completed a consultation on the transfer of services from the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital to the Walsgrave Hospital. As the local community health council agreed the health authority's proposals, the authority is free to begin implementing its plans. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the authority, Mr. A Guy, for details.

  West Midlands Health Authority
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to satisfy herself(a) regarding the proper financial management of the West Midlands health authority and (b) that proper accountability procedures are in place.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We have proposed, and are consulting on, the introduction of a code of conduct for the NHS which will make explicit the standards of conduct expected of those in the most senior positions in the NHS and provide a basis for setting standards for their staff. The NHS Management Executive, which is responsible for ensuring that there is a strong accountability and management framework at all levels of the NHS, has taken a number of steps to strengthen financial management across the NHS. These include guidance on the role of the director of finance; revisions to standing orders, standing financial instructions and financial directions. Measures are also being taken to strengthen internal audit.

  In West Midlands regional health authority the new board has taken a range of measures to strengthen financial management and accountability procedures within the region. These actions have been closely monitored by the NHS Management Executive.

  Drug and Alcohol Dependence
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to local authorities and health authorities regarding responsibility for funding detoxification during the treatment and care of drug or alcohol dependence.

  Mr. Bowis
  Our guidance circular "Alcohol and Drug Services within Community Care" (LAC(93)2), which was sent to local authorities and health authorities in January 1993, makes it clear that health authorities continue to be responsible for the funding of the health care element of alcohol and drug services, this would include detoxification facilities. Copies of this guidance are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the imposition of time limits on the funding of residential care for the treatment of drug or alcohol dependence.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is for the local authority to decide, in the light of the assessed community care needs of the client
  869
  concerned and the programmes offered by treatment providers, how long to fund residential care for the treatment of drug and alcohol dependence.

  Health Expenditure (Southend)
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress she is making in increasing the health funds available in areas which are underfunded; and what are her proposals for improving the situation in Southend during the next three years.

  Mr. Sackville
  One of the most important aspects of the reforms of the national health service is the progress we have made in distributing resources fairly to regional health authorities who have previously been underfunded. It is for them to do the same for district health authorities who have not had a fair share of NHS funds taking account of their resident populations and particular local characteristics and circumstances.

  The allocation of funds to South Essex health authority is the responsibility of North East Thames regional health authority, and the hon. Member may wish to contact Sir William Staveley, the chairman, for details.

  Bexley Health Authority
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she has received in respect of the funding of Bexley health authority;

  (2) what representations she has received about thefunding of Queen Mary's hospital, Sidcup; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received representations from a number of people, including my hon. Friend in respect of the funding of Bexley health authority and Queen Mary's hospital, Sidcup.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to announce the appointment of a chairman for the new merged Bexley and Greenwich health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We expect to make a decision on the chairmanship of the new merged Bexley and Greenwich health authority shortly.

  Agency Services
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the expenditure on agency services for each year since 1990 for(a) regions, (b) districts and (c) NHS trusts;

  (2) if she will list for each year since 1990 the expenditure on external contract staffing and consultancy service for (a) regions, (b) districts and (c) trusts.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 14 December 19931: Since 1991–92 expenditure for agency services is defined as expenditure on external contract staffing and consultancy services which includes non-patient services provided by non-national health service bodies. Information for 1991–92 and 1992–93 is shown in the table. The figures are not comparable with those for earlier years but confirm the effectiveness of the government's policy of encouraging overall value for money in the NHS by using alternative sources to supply a range of services.
  870

  Expenditure on external contract staffing and consultancy services

  £ thousands

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Regional Health Authorities

  25,813

  26,372

  District Health Authorities

  34,591

  39,788

  NHS Trusts

  13,184

  38,957

  Source: Annual financial returns of regional health authorities, district health authorities and National Health Service trusts in England.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1992–93 are provisional.

  2. The number of NHS trusts increased from 57 in 1991–92 to 156 in 1992–93.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many task forces she has set up since becoming Secretary of State; if she will list them; and if she will provide a breakdown of their cost.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 24 January 1994]: Task forces on the following have been set up since April 1992. Information on expenditure could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Task Forces

  1. 'Health of the Nation' Accidents

  2. 'Health of the Nation' Workplace

  3. 'Health of the Nation' Physical Activity

  4. Review of Clinical Input into Contracts

  5. Mental Health Task Force

  6. Interdepartmental Task Force on Smoking

  7. Corporate Governance

  8. Community Care Support Force

  9. Norwich II

  10. Black and Ethnic Minority Health

  11. NHS Research

  12. A Strategy for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting Research

  13. Nutrition

  14. Chiropody

  15. St. Vincent's Task Force for Diabetes (Joint Department of Health and British Diabetic Association Task Force)

  16. Data Quality

  17. Day Surgery

  Child Abuse
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions of child abuse cases have been sent directly to the Crown court since October 1992.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information readily available centrally relates to trials completed at the Crown court following the issue of a notice of transfer, under either section 53 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (certain cases involving children) or section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (serious fraud cases). No cases were recorded in the period 1 October to 31 December 1992. Information for 1993 will be available in the autumn.

SCOTLAND

  Forestry
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes there have been in the Government's policy on forestry since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
  871
  Sir Hector Monro
  Our forestry policy was set out in September 1991 in the booklet "Forestry Policy for Great Britain". Last month we published "Sustainable Forestry: The UK Programme", which is a comprehensive statement of the action we are taking to promote sustainable management at home and in other countries, including the initiatives we have launched since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money, in the form of grants for private forestry owners, the Government receive from the EC annually; and what conditions are attached to these grants with respect to promoting public access and environmental concerns.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Government expect to receive £7·1 million from the European Community as co-financing of grant-aid for the afforestation of agricultural land and other forestry operations on farms in 1993–94. Agricultural land, for these purposes, includes all arable land and grassland.

  To qualify for co-financing, member states have to obtain approval from the European Commission for national programmes setting out the aid schemes for which reimbursement will be sought. In Great Britain, the principal aid schemes are the woodland grant scheme and the associated farm woodland scheme and farm woodland premium scheme. Participants in these schemes are required to follow the environmental guidelines published by the Forestry Commission. In addition, the community woodland supplement, introduced in 1991 as part of the woodland grant scheme, provides grants for the creation of new woodlands near towns and cities on condition that the woodlands are open for informal public recreation. Similar arrangements apply in the schemes operated in Northern Ireland.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the timetable for community forest initiatives has been affected by the Government's plans to privatise the Forestry Commission.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Ministers have asked the forestry review group to review the effectiveness of the current incentives for forestry investment, to review options for the ownership and management of Forestry Commission woodlands and to make proposals for changes which would improve the effectiveness of the delivery of the Government's forestry policy objectives, having regard to our other economic and environmental policies. Ministers will await the advice of the review group before considering what action, if any, should be taken in respect of the ownership and management of the commission's woodlands. The work of the review group has not affected the progress of the community forests initiative.

  (Average £/farm) Net farm income Projected

  Net farm income Actual

  Farm type

  Level

  Per cent. change

  Level

  Per cent. change

  LFA: Mainly sheep

  1989–90

  7,911

  -26

  9,350

  -7

  1990–91

  7,268

  -22

  9,252

  -3

  1991–92

  10,941

  +18

  9,573

  +15

  1992–93

  11,568

  +21

  10,946

  +34

  872
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the national forestry plan that was promised to the United Nations conference on environment and development in 1993 is due to be published.

  Sir Hector Monro
  This was published on 25 January, under the title "Sustainable Forestry: The UK Programme". A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to ensure that Britain implements the principles set out in the statement of forest principles endorsed at the UN Conference on Environment and Development.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) on 28 January,Official Report, column 461.

  Livestock Farms
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of the average number of(a) suckler cows and (b) ewes for (i) the average hill unit and (ii) the average upland unit and the gross margin based on the most recent market prices.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The table shows the average number of suckler cows and ewes on livestock farms in the less-favoured areas as represented in the farm accounts scheme, together with the estimated 1993–94 farm gross margins.

  Farm type

  Average number of stickler cows

  Average number of ewes

  Estimated 1993–94 farm gross margin

  £

  LFA: Specialist Sheep

  11

  684

  32,583

  LFA: Specialist Beef

  60

  112

  42,859

  LFA: Cattle and Sheep

  55

  467

  49,871

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the(a) projected and (b) actual levels of farm incomes, and the percentage increase/decrease which this represents with the previous year for (i) 1989–90, (ii) 1990–91, (iii) 1991–92, (iv) 1992–93, (v) 1993–94 and (vi) 1994–95.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The information requested as derived from the farm accounts scheme in Scotland, is set out in the table. No actual income levels are available for 1993–94 and neither actual nor projected income figures are available for 1994–95.
  873

  (Average£farm) Net farm income Projected

  Net farm income Actual

  Farm type

  Level

  Per cent, change

  Level

  Per cent, change

  LFA: Sheep and cattle

  1989–90

  9,838

  -18

  9,334

  -19

  1990–91

  6,803

  -27

  8,359

  -12

  1991–92

  8,932

  +7

  10,458

  +11

  1992–93

  11,308

  +8

  11,610

  +9

  LFA: Mainly cattle

  1989–90

  9,984

  -5

  8,457

  -12

  1990–91

  6,211

  -27

  8,424

  -4

  1991–92

  7,653

  -9

  7,066

  -13

  1992–93

  7,135

  +1

  9,464

  +31

  LFA: Mainly arable

  1989–90

  8,016

  -2

  14,019

  +34

  1990–91

  12,964

  -8

  16,895

  +14

  1991–92

  14,745

  -13

  12,414

  -22

  1992–93

  15,694

  +26

  —

  —

  Lowground cattle and sheep

  1989–90

  5,526

  -12

  8,758

  -12

  1990–91

  7,796

  -11

  9,819

  +22

  1991–92

  6,121

  -38

  8,458

  -32

  1992–93

  10,321

  +22

  15,308

  +60

  Cropping

  1989–90

  5,650

  +168

  19,214

  +191

  1990–91

  21,625

  +13

  15,592

  +6

  1991–92

  7,995

  -49

  6,930

  -57

  1992–93

  16,190

  +134

  17,186

  +105

  Dairy

  1989–90

  27,109

  +16

  27,414

  +17

  1990–91

  27,384

  —

  21,932

  -21

  1991–92

  18,068

  -18

  21,345

  -6

  1992–93

  23,529

  +10

  28,353

  +23

  (1) The system of farm classification changed in 1992–93. The actual levels and percentage changes shown are those for the nearest comparable type or combination of types except for LFA: Mainly arable farms wHere there is no comparable type.

  (2) Under the farm accounts scheme comparisons in income in one year compared with the previous one, both in the case of projected or actual figures, are calculated from data on exactly the same farms ie an identical sample. This sample changes between projected and actual and also between years. Hence the figures do not provide a precise comparison either between projected and actual or between years.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of Scottish farm units included in the calculations on annual farm incomes on which the level of hill livestock compensatory allowance is based for the years(a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1992–93, (e) 1993–94 and (f) 1994–95.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The information requested is set out in the table. No information is yet available for 1994–95.

  Income forecasts in respect of

  Number of businesses1 in sample employed to calculate income forecast

  1989–90

  180

  1990–91

  191

  1991–92

  186

  1992–93

  199

  1993–94

  220

  1 Each business in the sample can comprise a number of farm units.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the(a) projected and (b) actual members of farmers who received hill livestock compensatory allowances for (i) 1989–90, (ii) 1990–91, (iii) 1991–92, (iv) 1993–94 and (v) 1994–95.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The numbers of farmers who received hill livestock compensatory allowances under the schemes from 1989 to 1993 were:

  Scheme year

  Number

  1989

  18,206

  1990

  18,137

  1991

  17,904

  1992

  17,903

  1993

  17,382

  Projections of the numbers of farmers are made according to the previous year's scheme.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of farm incomes which are used to calculate the level of hill livestock compensatory allowances; and if she will make a statement.
  875
  Sir Hector Monro
  The latest farm income estimates used in considering the level of hill livestock compensatory allowances were lodged in the House of Commons Library on 30 November 1993.

  These estimates showed that incomes on livestock farms in the less favoured areas were expected to increase substantially in 1993–94. Subsequent estimates published on 31 January 1994 also show a similar level of increase overall despite the reduction in rates for hill livestock compensatory allowances.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) percentage and (b) number of hill livestock compensatory allowance claimants are estimated to have volunteered information to the colleges and universities responsible for collating information on which the calculations of farm incomes are based; and what (i) percentage and (ii) number of these claimants were from the severely disadvantaged areas for (1) 1989–90, (2) 1990–91, (3) 1991–92, (4) 1992–93, (5) 1993–94 and (6) 1994–95.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The information requested is set out in the table. It is not possible to split the farm accounts sample between severely disadvantaged and disadvantaged areas.

  Year

  Total number of claimants

  Number of claimants supplying incomes data

  Percentage of total supplying incomes data

  Per cent.

  1989

  18,206

  255

  1·4

  1990

  18,137

  294

  1·6

  1991

  17,904

  316

  1·8

  1992

  17,903

  318

  1·8

  1993

  17,382

  323

  1·9

  (1) Incomes data is supplied only for full-time businesses while the total number of claimants will include many small units.

  (2) The business supplying incomes data can comprise more than one unit.

  A1 (Dualling)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the dates for the commencement and completion of the dualling of the A1 trunk road between Meadowmill and Amisfield.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The construction of a dual carriageway between Tranent and Haddington, including Meadowmill to Amisfield, is the major priority on the Al. Draft orders for this scheme, published on 30 March 1993 were the subject of a public local inquiry in June 1993. Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, construction will be considered by the Secretary of State for inclusion within the trunk road programme for 1994–95. A specific date for the start and completion of the scheme cannot, however, be given at this time.

  North-West Sutherland
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what time limit he set for the feasibility study, "A Rural Framework for North West Sutherland", in respect of(a) presentation of the draft report, (b) consultation and(c) presentation of the final report.
  876
  Sir Hector Monro
  As a condition of its contribution to the funding of the feasibility study the Scottish Office Environment Department required that it be kept informed of progress on the study; have the opportunity to comment on the final draft report which was to be submitted by 31 March 1993; and receive a copy of the final report at least five working days prior to publication. These conditions were fulfilled.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State For Scotland what assessment he has made of whether the feasibility study, "A Rural Framework for North West Sutherland", meets the objective which he set out on page 5 of his document, "Rural Framework 1992".

  Sir Hector Monro
  A main purpose of "The Scottish Office Rural Framework" was to identify a number of themes to act as a focus for thought and action about the future of rural Scotland. It was a consultation paper and did not seek to prescribe the way forward or the activities of existing organisations. It is now for the North West Sutherland council of social service and the Scottish Crofters Union to decide on whether or how to take forward its feasibility study into the possibility of restructuring itself into a rural framework organisation, having regard to the particular circumstances of north-west Sutherland and to the views and wishes of interested parties.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions he attached to his part-funding of the feasibility study, "A Rural Framework for North West Sutherland".

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Scottish Office Environment Department contributed £1,500 towards the cost of a feasibility study into the possibility of restructuring North West Sutherland council of social service into a rural framework organisation. It did not, however, commission the study. The report of the study is the property of NWSCSS and the Scottish Crofters Union, and its implementation is a matter for them. Standard conditions were set requiring that the Scottish Office Environment Department be kept informed of progress on the study; be given the opportunity to comment on the final draft report and receive a copy of the final report prior to publication.

  Self-governing Schools
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be publishing the audit regulations covering self-governing schools.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A consultation document on the Self-Governing Schools Grant and Recovery (Scotland) Regulations 1994 was issued to a wide range of interested bodies and individuals on 17 January 1994. We have asked for responses by 18 February 1994. Once we have considered these responses, we shall bring forward final regulations as soon as possible.

  Criminal Justice
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further proposals he has for improving the Scottish criminal justice system.

  Mr. Lang
  I am today publishing a consultation paper entitled "Sentencing and Appeals", which seeks views on
  877
  a number of proposals for improving the ability of our system of justice to deal with crime effectively and fairly. The paper seeks views on possible changes of the system of fiscal fines and the sentencing powers of the sheriff courts and invites views on the case for introduction of sentencing guidelines. It proposes revised procedures for dealing with criminal appeals and invites views on whether there is a need for change to the criteria by which criminal appeals are determined. The paper also seeks views on whether the current arrangments for dealing with alleged miscarriages of justice in Scotland are satisfactory and sets out a number of possible options for change.

  The consultation paper is the fourth in a series seeking views on proposals for improving the delivery of justice in Scotland. We are inviting comments by 16 April. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the allocation of funds to each regional council for the provision of sheltered placement schemes in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: The grant-aided expenditure for sheltered employment for each regional authority for the years 1989–90 to 1993–94 is given in the table. GAE is the level of expenditure which is taken into account in distributing aggregate external finance to local authorities. It is, of course, for the authorities themselves to determine actual levels of expenditure on a particular service.

  Sheltered employment grant-aided expenditure

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Borders

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Central

  304

  317

  329

  407

  340

  Dumfries and Galloway

  23

  26

  26

  27

  24

  Fife

  611

  828

  1,144

  1,179

  1,186

  Grampian

  1,023

  1,161

  920

  825

  1,249

  Highland

  384

  420

  496

  512

  469

  Lothian

  755

  828

  940

  957

  1,260

  Strathclyde

  1,976

  2,352

  2,683

  2,677

  2,342

  Tayside

  560

  906

  1,018

  1,035

  1,080

  Disabled People
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of organisations representing disabled people to discuss comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State met the all-party disablement group on 24 February 1993.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People is taking forward his remit from the Prime Minister to identify areas where further action, without expenditure implications, can be taken to eliminate discrimination against disabled people, within the Government's policy of tackling the problem through a programme of education, persuasion and practical help backed up by targeted legislation, as necessary.

  Quarries
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he issues in respect of the establishment of new quarries; what plans he has to amend these guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: National planning guidelines on the working of aggregates in Scotland were issued in 1977. These guidelines which are still extant examines the various issues arising from quarry developments. The guidelines indicate that quarrying is essential to the national economy and that proposals for the extraction of aggregates and other minerals should be provided for in an environmentally acceptable manner. In the Environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance" (Cm 1200) a commitment was made to review all planning guidance. In July 1992, a draft national planning policy guideline entitled "Land for Mineral Working" was issued for consultation. The finalised version will issue in the near future and will provide the strategic context within which local authorities will provide up to date development plan policies for mineral working. Such policies will be developed in full consultation with the local community and with regard to the economic needs and environmental considerations of their area.

  Sporting Rates
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of representations he received calling for the abolition of sporting rates prior to his announcement of 3 November 1993; if he will list the individuals or organisations which made such representations; and if he will place copies in the Library.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 11 February 1994]: The current rating liability of sporting rights in Scotland dates from the Sporting Lands Rating (Scotland) Act 1886. Given the long period of years over which representations on this subject have been made, it is not practicable to identify all representations received prior to my right hon. Friend's announcement, on 3 November 1993, to exempt sporting rights from rating.

  Football Stadiums
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to take action to introduce a fairer system of rating of football stadiums in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 11 February 1994]: I propose to table shortly a draft order introducing a revised method of valuation for Scottish Football League club grounds.

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of chairpersons and board members of the local enterprise companies in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding 11 February 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 17 December, at col 884.

  Carbon Dioxide
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask sthe Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the full text of the advice he has received from Forestry Commission scientists about the extent to which boreal forests have driven global carbon dioxide fluxes during this century, and information about the relationships with tropical deforestation.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 14 February 1994]: I have arranged for a copy of the briefing to be placed in the Library.

  The Forestry Commission's research is focused on temperate rather than boreal or tropical forests. The Commission's scientists contribute to the intergovernmental panel on climate change, which was set up under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meterological Organisation, and the Commission has published a research information note, No. 189, on "Climate Change: The Contribution of Forestry to Response Strategies", which summarises some of the panel's main conclusions relating to forestry. The Comsmission has also published a research information note, No. 160, on "The Storage of Carbon in Trees and Timber", which describes preliminary calculations on the amount of carbon which can be stored in different tree species. I have arranged for copies of both notes to be placed in the Library of the House.

  New Towns
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are currently on the waiting lists for housing in each of Scotland's new towns.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: The information is as follows:

  New Town

  Number of people on waiting list as at 31 January 1994

  Cumbernauld

  1,351

  East Kilbride

  4,234

  Glenrothes

  1,323

  Irvine

  1,526

  Livingston

  1,367

  Property Lettings
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has issued to Scotland's development corporations relating to the continued letting of properties that become vacant in light of his decision to proceed with wind-up.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: The guidance issued to development corporations in August 1992 about the disposal of their housing stocks set out a number of measures designed to increase the choice of landlords available to tenants. These included the sale of vacant properties to housing associations. The hon. Member was sent a copy of the guidance on 31 August 1992.

  Housing, Irvine
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Irvine development corporation to begin transferring properties to the Irvine housing association.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 15 February 1994]: The corporation is negotiating the transfer of newly built homes and vacant properties to Irvine housing association. The negotiations will not be concluded until after Irvine housing association is registered as a housing association by Scottish Homes. It is not, therefore, possible to set a date for the first transfer.

  Planning Permission
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes are proposed to the Scottish Office's revised fee scales for applications for planning permission; how much additional revenue will be raised by the increased charges; which bodies will benefit from the increased charges; what representations he has received from local authorities relating to the charges; and what assessment he has made as to the level of the proposed charges.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 8 February 1994]: There are no proposals at present to change the revised fee scales approved by Parliament in December 1993 for introduction on 13 January 1994 and on 3 January 1995. However, the scales are kept under regular review.

  Based on the latest information available, and assuming receipt of similar numbers and types of application an additional £1 million may be raised in Scotland in 1994–95. The principal beneficiary of increased charges is the tax payer because the more income local authorities raise through fees and charges the less they need support from the Government in the form of aggregate external finance or from council tax payers.

  My right hon. Friend has not received any representations from local authorities in relation to the costs applicants for planning permission have to pay.

WALES

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible have been(a) abolished or (b) created since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 1 February at col.611.

  Environmental Education
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that within the schools' inspection framework that responsibility of schools for raising awareness and understanding of environmental and conservation issues is subject to inspection and comment.
  881
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  School inspections are a matter for the Office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales. Inspectors have to report on the quality and standards of education in accordance with OHMCI's framework for inspections. I have asked the chief inspector to write to the hon. Member.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to change the terms of the proposed Welsh Economic Council to take account of the United Kingdom strategy for sustainable development.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Welsh Economic Council will be able to take account of the strategy in its deliberations.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to work with the voluntary sector to promote sustainable development.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government's plans for involving the voluntary sector in working towards sustainable development are set out in the United Kingdom strategy for sustainable development published on 25 January. Within this the Welsh Office will be seeking to ensure that the voluntary sector in Wales is appropriately catered for in the United Kingdom round table and citizen's environment initiatives.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the number of local jobs that would be created in each of the travel-to-work areas adjoining the localities currently nominated for wind farm development and awaiting planning permission.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Heritage Trusts
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he will bring forward to increase the number of heritage trusts in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Government's response to the Welsh Affairs Committee report on the preservation of historic buildings and ancient monuments (Command 2416) emphasised our commitment to supporting voluntary sector activities in this area. The Department is assisting the architectural heritage fund in its efforts to encourage the establishment of further historic buildings preservation trusts in Wales. The Department's financial support in 1993–94 includes a contribution of £100,000 towards the AHF's loan fund and a grant of £11,300 towards the cost of a development officer. On 4 March I shall be addressing the AHF's conference "From Mansions to Mud-Walled Cottages", which is expected to generate further impetus.

  EU Council of Ministers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he has attended meetings of the EU Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Ministerial colleagues from the lead Departments covering the subject area concerned represent 882
  our interests at meetings of the Council of the European Union and my senior officials also attend to advise those Ministers when this is relevant. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Welsh Office represented the United Kingdom at the informal council on regional policy held in Liege on 12 and 13 November last year.

  Sheep Scab
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of sheep scab have been reported in Wales in 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Since controls on sheep scab were deregulated in June 1992, figures for the number of cases have not been collected and consequently the information is not available.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. Redwood
  Promotional advertising and other campaigns run by my Department in the current financial year and which have each cost over 10,000 are as follows:

  Advertising

  Television

  Newspapers

  Radio

  Outdoor1

  None

  None

  None

  Drink Drive

  1 Posters.

  Objectives for national drink drive advertising are set and measured on a United Kingdom wide basis by the Department of Transport. Additional research activity is currently being carried out in Wales specifically to evaluate advertising activity.

  Other Promotional Activity

  Caring for the Future

  Community Care

  Council Tax

  Education Charters

  How Is Your Child Doing At School?

  Planning Development Control

  Programme for the Valleys

  Sheep Annual Premium

  My Department's publicity programme for 1994–95 has not yet been finalised.

  Cadw is my Department's only executive agency. In 1993–94 it has undertaken no television advertising. Budgeted expenditure on other general promotional activity is £232,000, of which £95,000 is budgeted for general press advertising. For 1994–95 budgets and plans are not yet finalised. It is expected that expenditure of a broadly similar amount will be incurred, primarily directed towards the agency's "Makers of Wales" promotional campaign.

  Welsh House Condition Survey
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects his Department to publish the next Welsh house condition survey.
  883
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I expect the results of the survey to be published in the spring.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to exempt public bodies from being required to put out to competitive contract activities costing less than £100,000 a year.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. Purchasing by public bodies should be based on value for money. Goods and services should be acquired by competition unless there are good reasons to the contrary.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each public body for which he is responsible all activities costing less than £100,000 a year, together with the appropriate payments in each case, which they contracted out for competitive tender for the latest convenient financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally.

  Energy Efficiency Office
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to establish a Welsh Energy Efficiency Office on the lines of those that currently exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There has been a regional energy efficiency office in the Welsh Office since 1983.

  Industrial Aid
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much central Government money was spent on developing industry in Wales for each year since 1979 in(a) cash price and (b) 1993–94 prices.

  Mr. Redwood
  Expenditure through the Welsh Office's main schemes for business support is shown in the following table. The figures do not include grant-in-aid for development agencies in Wales, nor expenditure by DTI on United Kingdom-wide schemes.

  Cash prices1 000's

  1993–94 prices 000's

  1979–80

  55,417

  136,208

  1980–81

  111,500

  231,614

  1981–82

  134,198

  254,177

  1982–83

  131,766

  232,976

  21983–84

  85,359

  144,235

  1984–85

  49,939

  80,347

  1985–86

  105,090

  160,193

  1986–87

  117,128

  173,465

  1987–88

  76,726

  107,882

  1988–89

  93,287

  122,915

  1989–90

  68,542

  84,440

  1990–91

  57,806

  65,900

  1991–92

  74,147

  79,496

  1992–93

  70,927

  73,232

  31993–94

  77,188

  77,188

  1 Expenditure comprises regional development grant, regional selective assistance, regional enterprise giant, and exchange risk guarantee scheme.

  2 Figures for regional development grant up to 1983–84 are gross of receipts. All other figures are net of receipts.

  3 Latest provision.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much the Welsh Office has spent on the operation of the assisted places scheme in each year since 1981; how many pupils have been covered by the scheme since 1981; and if there was any overspend on the budget allocated in each of these years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Cost of assisted places scheme

  Number of pupils in assisted places scheme

  Overspend

  £

  £

  1981–82

  160,783

  114

  —

  1982–83

  274,777

  220

  —

  1983–84

  459,626

  318

  —

  1984–85

  626,876

  403

  —

  1985–86

  842,488

  495

  —

  1986–87

  1,519,772

  580

  429,772

  1987–88

  1,394,246

  622

  47,246

  1988–89

  1,359,681

  633

  —

  1989–90

  1,589,392

  631

  —

  1990–91

  1,756,283

  634

  —

  1991–92

  2,064,813

  662

  116,813

  1992–93

  2,457,230

  700

  57,230

  Wind Power
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his national policy for Wales for wind farms.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government's policy is to stimulate the development of renewable energy sources, including wind power, wherever they have prospects of being economically attractive and environmentally acceptable in order to contribute to diverse, secure and sustainable energy supplies.

  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many wind farms have so far been constructed, or have been approved; and for how many planning applications are pending.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As at the beginning of February 1994, the operational status of wind farms in Wales under the non-fossil fuel renewables orders 1 and 2 was:

  Number

  Generating

  6

  Under construction

  2

  Planning approved

  2

  Information on planning applications pending is not collected by the Welsh Office.

  Equipment Thefts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of the equipment stolen from his Department in the last three years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of each item.

  Mr. Redwood
  Details of equipment stolen from the Department during the last three financial years are set out in the following tables:
  885

  £

  Financial Year 1990–91

  Wax jacket

  780·30

  Camera

  780·30

  Financial Year 1991–92

  Desk top calculator

  25·00

  Office equipment

  70·00

  Radio/cassette player

  133·50

  1 generator

  1493·51

  1 microwave

  1 strimmer

  1 wheelbarrow

  Tools

  546·67

  1 microwave

  140·00

  Landrover wheel, tyre and padlock

  418·58

  Radio telephone and various lifejackets

  759·28

  3,586·54

  Financial Year 1992–93

  Radio/cassette player

  168·50

  Radio/cassette player

  168·50

  Laptop computer

  2,000·00

  Pallet truck

  150·00

  2,487·00

  A55 Conwy Tunnel
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the original tender price for the A55 Conwy tunnel project; what is his current estimate of the final cost of the contract; and how much of any estimated increase in cost is due to matters other than price inflation provisions within the contract.

  Mr. Redwood
  The tender price for the main contract for the A55 Conwy crossing project was £102 million. The final cost, excluding the price inflation provision within the contract, is of the order of £144·5 million. Most of the increase reflects the unforeseen circumstances encountered during the contruction of this large and complex scheme. Price inflation provision accounts for around a further £18 million.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that Welsh interests are represented on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Mr. Redwood
  Consideration is currently being given to appointing a suitable candidate from Wales.