Written Answers of 23 February 1994

DEFENCE

  Army (Redundancies)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about planned redundancies in the Army.

  Mr. Hanley
  As indicated in my answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 20 July 1993,Official Report, column 191, the Army invited applications from volunteers for the third phase of its redundancy programme which implements the reduction in the size of the Army under proposals first announced in 1990. These applications have now been considered against the requirement to achieve the required size of the Army for the nineties while retaining the right age and skill structure for the future, taking account of the manpower addback announced by the Secretary of State on 1 December last year. A total of 720 officers and 6,295 soldiers have now been selected for redundancy in 1994–95. Some 85 per cent. of these have volunteered for redundancy, but it will be necessary to select 142 officers and 953 soldiers for compulsory redundancy. All those selected for redundancy will be notified on 24 February 1994.

  Belize
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to gift equipment to the Belize defence force as part of the future plan for British forces in Belize.

  Mr. Hanley
  As part of our continuing programme of assistance in Belize, my Department has identified a substantial package of equipment which we plan to hand over to the Government of Belize, once it is no longer needed by British forces based there. We expect the provision of this equipment will greatly assist in the development of the Belize defence force. In accordance with normal practice, my Department has today laid before the House a departmental minute giving notice of our intention to make this gift.

  Landing Platform Dock Replacements
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will invite tenders for the landing platform dock replacements; and when he expects to place the contract.

  Mr. Aitken
  Project Definition studies for the landing platform dock—replacement—are due to complete this spring when we will make a decision on the issue of an invitation to tender for the design and build of the first of class. A contract has recently been awarded for further project definition work on the command system for the vessel.

  Frigates
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many common new generation frigates he plans to order.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Government plan to replace the type 42 destroyer with the common new generation frigate around the turn of the century and intend to replace fully the capability currently provided by the type 42 destroyers.

  Aircraft Carrier Replacements
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to commence the project definition phase for the replacement of the Invincible class aircraft carriers; and when these replacements will come into service.

  Mr. Aitken
  Under current plans, the Royal Navy's Invincible class aircraft carriers will continue in service well into the next century. Although concept studies for a replacement have commenced, project definition work is unlikely to begin before the end of the decade.

  HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the present locations of HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid.

  Mr. Hanley
  HMS Fearless is currently engaged in amphibious exercises off the Scottish coast. HMS Intrepid is at present held in a state of extended readiness at Portsmouth.

  Fleet Auxiliary Vessels
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the(a) RFA O class, (B) T class and (c) Rover class fleet auxiliaries have been in service with the Royal Navy; and what plans he has to procure new fleet auxiliary vessels.

  Mr. Aitken
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The RFA 0 class consists of two fleet tankers, one of which came into service in 1965, the other in 1966;

  (b) The RFA T class are no longer in service with the Royal Navy;

  (c) The RFA ROVER class consists of three fleet tankers, one of which came into service in 1970, the other two came into service in 1974.

  In addition to the two new auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, Fort George and Fort Victoria, which are due to enter service in the next few months, we expect to invite tenders shortly for a feasibility study for the replacement of the O class front-line tankers. The study will look at a wide range of procurement options, with the replacement ships currently planned to enter service around the turn of the century. Additionally, a suitable tanker taken up from trade is planned to enter service before the end of the decade.

  HMS Ark Royal
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Ark Royal will commence refit.

  Mr. Aitken
  HMS Ark Royal is not scheduled for her next refit for some years.

  Operational Vessels
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the vessels in the Royal Navy that are currently operational, including fleet auxiliaries; and what was the date of construction of each vessel.

  Mr. Hanley
  As construction dates are not readily available, the attached list of vessels currently operational gives either the date vessels were accepted from builders by the Royal Navy or the royal fleet auxiliary—new build vessels—or the date ships were commissioned—vessels taken up from trade.

  Ship

  Date of acceptance

  Invincible Class Carrier (CVS)

  Invincible

  March 1980

  Illustrious

  June 1982

  Ark Royal

  June 1985

  Assault Ship (LPD)

  Fearless

  November 1965

  Intrepid

  March 1967

  Type 42 Destroyer

  Birmingham

  November 1976

  Newcastle

  February 1978

  Glasgow

  March 1979

  Cardiff

  September 1979

  Exeter

  August 1980

  Southampton

  August 1981

  Nottingham

  December 1982

  Liverpool

  May 1982

  Manchester

  November 1982

  Gloucester

  May 1985

  Edinburgh

  July 1985

  York

  March 1985

  Leander Class Frigate

  Andromeda

  December 1968

  Type 21 Frigate

  Active

  June 1977

  Avenger

  April 1978

  Type 22 Frigate

  Broadsword

  February 1979

  Battleaxe

  December 1979

  Brilliant

  April 1981

  Brazen

  June 1982

  Boxer

  September 1983

  Beaver

  July 1984

  Brave

  February 1986

  London

  February 1987

  Sheffield

  March 1988

  Coventry

  July 1988

  Cornwall

  February 1988

  Cumberland

  November 1988

  Campbeltown

  February 1989

  Chatham

  November 1989

  Type 23 Frigate

  Norfolk

  November 1989

  Argyll

  April 1991

  Lancaster

  November 1991

  Marlborough

  March 1991

  Iron Duke

  July 1992

  Monmouth

  April 1993

  Montrose

  September 1993

  Westminster

  November 1993

  Resolution Class SSBN

  Resolution

  October 1967

  Repulse

  October 1968

  Renown

  February 1969

  Vanguard Class SSBN

  222

  Ship

  Date of acceptance

  Vanguard

  September 1993

  Valiant Class SSN

  Valiant

  July 1966

  Swiftsure Class SSN

  Sovereign

  July 1974

  Superb

  November 1976

  Sceptre

  March 1978

  Spartan

  October 1979

  Splendid

  May 1981

  Trafalgar Class SSN

  Trafalgar

  July 1983

  Turbulent

  August 1984

  Tireless

  October 1985

  Torbay

  March 1987

  Trenchant

  February 1989

  Talent

  May 1990

  Triumph

  November 1991

  Upholder Class SSK

  Upholder

  December 1990

  Unseen

  July 1991

  Ursula

  June 1992

  Unicorn

  July 1993

  Hunt Class MCMV

  Brecon

  December 1979

  Ledbury

  March 1981

  Cattistock

  March 1982

  Cottesmore

  May 1983

  Brocklesby

  October 1982

  Middleton

  July 1984

  Dulverton

  October 1983

  Bicester

  February 1986

  Chiddingfold

  July 1984

  Atherstone

  November 1986

  Hurworth

  June 1985

  Berkeley

  November 1987

  Quorn

  January 1989

  Sandown Class MCMV

  Sandown

  March 1989

  Inverness

  February 1991

  Cromer

  November 1991

  Walney

  August 1992

  Bridport

  June 1993

  Island Class OPV

  Orkney

  January 1977

  Shetland

  May 1977

  Guernsey

  September 1977

  Lindisfarne

  January 1978

  Anglesey

  April 1979

  Alderney

  August 1979

  Castle Class OPV

  Leeds Castle

  August 1981

  Dumbarton Castle

  March 1982

  Bird Class Patrol Craft

  Red pole

  August 1967

  Kingfisher

  October 1975

  Cygnet

  July 1976

  Peacock Class Patrol Craft

  Peacock

  October 1983

  Plover

  April 1984

  Starling

  June 1984

  River Class Patrol Craft

  Blackwater

  June 1985

  Itchen

  June 1985

  Orwell

  November 1985

  Spey

  April 1986

  Arun

  May 1986

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  Ship

  Date of acceptance

  Ton Class Patrol Craft

  Wilton

  June 1973

  Archer Class Patrol Craft

  Archer

  August 1985

  Example

  September 1985

  Explorer

  January 1986

  Biter

  February 1986

  Smiter

  February 1986

  Pursuer

  February 1988

  Blazer

  March 1988

  Dasher

  June 1988

  Express

  February 1988

  Puncher

  July 1988

  Charger

  July 1988

  Exploit

  July 1988

  Ranger

  August 1988

  Trumpeter

  February 1988

  Survey Flotilla

  Hecla

  September 1965

  Herald

  October 1974

  Bulldog

  March 1968

  Beagle

  March 1968

  Roebuck

  August 1986

  Gleaner

  December 1983

  Britannia

  January 1954

  Endurance

  2November 1991

  RFA

  Landing Ships Logistic

  Sir Bedivere

  May 1967

  Sir Geraint

  June 1967

  Sir Tristram

  September 1967

  Sir Percivale

  March 1968

  Sir Galahad

  November 1987

  Aviation Training Ship

  Argus

  2March 1988

  Fleet Replenishment Ships

  Resource

  June 1967

  Fort Grange

  April 1978

  Fort Austin

  June 1979

  Fort Victoria

  March 1993

  Fort George

  March 1993

  Large Fleet Tankers

  Olwen

  October 1965

  Olna

  April 1966

  Small Fleet Tankers

  Grey Power

  April 1970

  Gold Rover

  March 1974

  Black Rover

  August 1974

  Support Tankers

  Brambleleaf

  2April 1980

  Bayleaf

  1March 1982

  Orangeleaf

  1May 1984

  Oakleaf

  1August 1986

  Forward Repair Ship

  Diligence

  2March 1984

  1 Vessel on long-term charter—date given is commissioning date.

  2 Vessel taken up from trade—date given is commissioning date.

  Contracts
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts were placed by his Department in the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93; and how many were subject to increases in cost caused by delays.

  Mr. Aitken
  The number of headquarters contracts placed by my Department is as follows:

  Financial year

  Number

  1991–92

  73,326

  1992–93

  79,593

  Information as to the numbers of contracts subject to increases in cost caused by delays is not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Arctic Warfare Exercise
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the annual Royal Marine arctic warfare exercise is not to be held in Norway this year; where it will be held: at what saving to public funds; whether he plans to resume Royal Marine exercising in Norway in 1995; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The annual Royal Marine arctic warfare training exercise is currently taking place in north Norway: 42 Commando Group is participating, with Sea King helicopters from 846 Naval Air Squadron, and the royal fleet auxiliary ships, Sir Tristram, Sir Galahad and Sir Bedivere. The training will culminate in 42 Commando Group participating in the Norwegian Brigade North exercise Arctic Express. On current plans, the annual training will continue in 1994.

  Adriatic Operations
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 112, what further delay has arisen to the deployment of HMS Birmingham to the Adriatic as a result of the failure of her Sea Dart system; what are the operational implications for the carrier group of the continued detachment of HMS Coventry to embargo operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  HMS Birmingham's departure for the Adriatic was delayed by a further six days because of problems relating to her Sea Dart missile system. HMS Coventry will continue to fulfil her Stanavforlant duties until HMS Birmingham's imminent arrival in theatre. HMS Coventry's continuing detachment has no operational implications for the carrier group as she would be released for national tasks if required.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 112, what has been the outcome of the discussions between the United Nations, Croatian customs authorities and the master of RFA Sir Geraint over the error in the ship's manifest relating to munitions; whether any costs fall to be paid by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Hanley
  This matter was resolved following discussions between United Nation's officials and the Croatian Government; no blame has ben attributed to the Master of RFA Sir Geraint. The incident did not result in any costs being incurred by Her Majesty's Government.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to send additional British troops to Vitez; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no. current plans to send additional British Troops to Vitez.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to discuss the deployment of additional military forces in Bosnia with his NATO and UN counterparts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will continue to discuss the possible deployment of additional forces in Bosnia with his NATO and UN counterparts. It remains our view that contributions to the United Nations force in Bosnia should be drawn from a wide range of countries.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 519, what requests he has received from the United Nations for the provision of mortar-locating radar; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom, together with a number of other nations, has received a request from the UN to provide military personnel and equipment to help support the demilitarisation of Sarajevo. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 17 February 1994, the British Government has agreed, a part of its assistance package, to provide a 60-strong Cymbeline mortar-locating troop. The troop deployed from the United Kingdom, through Vitez to arrive in Sarajevo on 22 February 1994.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 519, what detailed information he has relating to the deployment of Dutch, Malaysian and Pakistani forces in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  We understand that the Dutch, Malaysian and Pakistani troop deployments in support of UNPROPOR in the former Yugoslavia are as follows:

  (a) Dutch
  1 x Signals Battalion at HQ Bosnia-Herzegovina Command, Kiseljak, Bosnia.
  Role: Communications and HQ Support.
  1 x joint Dutch/Belgian transport battalion at Santici near Vitez, Bosnia.
  Role: Secondary Distribution of humanitarian aid.
  50 x UN Military Observers.
  TOTAL=632.

  Plus1:
  2 x Companies and Battalion HQ at Srebrenica, Bosnia.
  1 x Company at Zepa, Bosnia.
  1 x Logistic Support Company at Lukavac, Bosnia.
  Role: Monitoring safe areas and supporting the provision of humanitarian aid.
  ADDITIONAL TOTAL= 1,020.
  1 The deployment of these troops is due to commence on 24 February and should be complete by 15 March. An advance party is already in place.
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  (b) Malaysian
  1 x Company at Sarajevo, Bosnia.
  1 x Company at Konjic, Bosnia.
  1 x Company and Battalion HQ at Medugorje, Bosnia.
  Role: Support for provision of humanitarian aid.
  20 x UN Military Observers.
  TOTAL = 858.

  (c) Pakistani
  30 x UN Military Observers1.
  1 Pakistan is planning to send a battalion group in support of UNPROFOR in April/May. Details of numbers and locations are still to be confirmed.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 519, if he will give details of all of the contacts he has had with his NATO counterparts relating to the situation in Bosnia in the last 14 days; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had a number of contacts with his counterparts during the last 14 days to discuss the situation in Bosnia. In particular, on 21 February he met the Defence Ministers of the United States, France, Italy, and the Netherlands in Aviano, Italy, to review the operational readiness of their forces, the rules of engagement, and the plans for co-ordination between NATO air units and UNPROFOR ground units.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date and at what time he first learned of the offer by the Russian Government to deploy additional troops to the Sarajevo area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  During the visits of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to Russia, they held discussions with Mr. Yeltsin and Mr. Grachev at which the Russian administration indicated its willingness to co-operate with the United Nations and assist UNPROFOR in its task. The possibility of contributing Russian troops to maintain the ceasefire and assist with the demilitarisation of Sarajevo was also discussed, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was informed of these discussions on their return.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any weapons-grade nuclear material is stored or stockpiled at any defence establishment on behalf of an overseas ally.

  Mr. Hanley
  No weapons-grade nuclear material is stored or stockpiled at any defence establishment in the United Kingdom on behalf of an overseas ally.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Lenient Sentences
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Attorney-General how many appeals have been made concerning unduly lenient sentences on people convicted in race-related cases.

  The Attorney-General
  Sentences imposed for offences involving the incitement of racial hatred contrary to part III of the Public Order Act 1986 are not subject to my power of review under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimates his Department has made of the money saved by the recent changes to eligibility for legal aid.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It was estimated that in the current year expenditure would be £43 million lower than it otherwise would have been as a result of the eligibility changes. Volumes of legal aid certificates issued and green form bills paid are in line with estimates.

  Children
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many children aged nine years or above were represented in proceedings by the Official Solicitor in the latest year for which figures are available; how many of them are known to have requested alternative representation; and what were the results of their requests.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Between 1 January and 31 December 1993 the Official Solicitor represented 537 children aged nine years or above in family proceedings. Although the precise number who sought alternative representation could be established only at disproportionate cost, it is known that 15 children made such requests. Of these, eight were accepted and separate representation approved by the court, four were not proceeded with, two are still pending and one was rejected by the court on the grounds that the child was not competent to instruct his own solicitor.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 21 February; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting of the Agriculture Council, which concluded its business on 21 February.

  The Council had a first discussion of the 1994 farm price proposals. The discussion was televised and relayed direct to representatives of the press. I expressed the United Kingdom's initial reaction to the proposals, noting in particular the need for the Council's decisions to accord with budgetary discipline. The Council will examine the proposals in greater detail at its next session.

  The Council adopted unanimously two decisions permitting France and Italy to pay national aids for wine distillation in the 1993–94 marketing year. I took the opportunity to obtain confirmation from Commissioner Steichen that the Commission had initiated the procedure to confirm that one of the French national aids to the pig sector was incompatible with the treaty, and I pressed him to act quickly on the other.

  Special Conservation Areas
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to ensure that additional resources will be made available to the nature conservation agencies for monitoring the special interest of special areas of conservation under the EC habitats and species directive.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21 February, Official Report, column 77.

  Comfrey
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of poisoning from(a) comfrey and (b) comfrey products have occurred for each year since 1983 and until the end of 1992; and if she will list the number of cases of poisoning reported each month during 1993 and the latest available figures for 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have been asked to reply.

  There have been no reports of poisoning attributed to comfrey or comfrey products in England. However, comfrey contains substances known to cause liver damage and there have been reports in international literature of disease associated with its consumption. The national poisons information service has recorded 16 inquiries about the possible effects of exposure to comfrey or its products since 1983.

EMPLOYMENT

  Financial and Business Sector
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the financial and business sector in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each region in each year between 1983 and 1993.

  Miss Widdecombe
  This information can be obtained from the NOMIS database which is accessible in the Library.

  Employment Protection
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect on companies in receivership of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The regulations give effect to the EC acquired rights directive. The directive and the regulations are both capable of applying to transfers of businesses or parts of businesses in receivership as well as to solvent undertakings. Insolvency practitioners have made many representations about the adverse effect of the regulations on the prospects for the sale of all or part of an insolvent business, whereby businesses which might otherwise have been rescued have been liquidated and jobs have been lost. The Government believe that this is a clear example of EC legislation having a detrimental effect on employment and have brought this to the attention of the European Commission.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what studies his Department has undertaken of the scope and effect of minimum wage legislation in the United States of America.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None. In the United States of America individual states are free to set minimum wage rates above those provided under the Fair Labor Standards Acts 1938. This arrangement has resulted in a range of different minimum rates being set. Therefore, there is no single statutory minimum rate in the United States of America.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Coal Privatisation
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the 1990 Rothschild report on coal privatisation.

  Mr. Eggar
  The contract with N. M. Rothschild and Sons Ltd. for the provision of financial advice on coal privatisation commenced in May 1991. On grounds of commercial confidentiality, the cost of individual pieces of work in not released. Total expenditure by the Department of Energy in connection with the privatisation of the coal industry in 1991–92 was £3.3 million.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated total cost of preparing the coal industry for privatisation.

  Mr. Eggar
  Expenditure in connection with the privatisation of the coal industry in 1991–92 and 1992–93 was £3·3 million, including VAT, and £3·5 million, including VAT, respectively. Provision for 1993–94 is £14·3 million, including VAT. The privatisation budget for 1994–95 has still to be decided.

  British Coal Redundancy Scheme
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of the British Coal redundancy scheme from October 1992 to date.

  Mr. Eggar
  The cost of redundancy arrangements is a matter for British Coal.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the enhanced redundancy payments currently paid by British Coal will continue beyond the end of March 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: I have informed British Coal that the Government are prepared to fund the current redundancy terms for miners until 30 April 1994 and, where redundancies are proposed before 30 April, for so long as the consultations with the unions on any such proposal continue.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the prospects for the British steel industry.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The United Kingdom steel industry is now one of the most efficient in the world. Strict 230
  implementation of the state aids package and monitoring arrangements agreed at the 17 December Industry Council is essential to eradicate illegal subsidies and to ensure the prosperity and growth of efficient EC producers, including the United Kingdom industry.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning price fixing in the steel industry in the European Union as it affects the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave in the House to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 16 February 1994, Official Report, column 945.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the ending of the iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme arrangements for redundant steel workers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: I received representations from a range of interested parties including the steel industry and its representative bodies, trades unions, local authorities and hon. Members and Members of the European Parliament. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the then hon. Member for Eastleigh on 27 January 1994, Official Report, column 369.

  Overseas Investment
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the level of overseas investment into the United Kingdom for each year since 1970 at constant prices.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Reliable price deflators for overseas investment are not available. Figures for gross investment into the United Kingdom are also not available. Information is available only for net investment at current prices.

  This information up to 1991 is contained in the Pink Books 1973, 1983 and 1993, United Kingdom balance of payments, published by the Central Statistical Office; copies are available in the Library of the House.

  The information for 1992 and the first nine months of 1993 is as follows:

  Net overseas investment in the United Kingdom1 current prices

  £ million

  Direct

  Portfolio

  Total

  1992

  10·3

  20·5

  230·9

  31993

  8·5

  29·1

  37·6

  1 Net of disinvestment in the United Kingdom by overseas investors.

  2 Discrepancy between total and its constituent elements due to rounding.

  3 January to September.

  Source: Balance of payments press release, CSO (93) 190, 20 December 1993.

  Electrical Appliances (Plugs)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what study he has made of(a) excessive costs to consumers, (b) costs to the plug manufacturers and (c) safety problems arising from the imposition in Britain of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation—CENELEC—standards for electrical plugs and wiring.
  231
  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department has commissioned an independent analysis of the costs and benefits for the United Kingdom, including consumers and plug manufacturers, of the proposed harmonisation. The final report from the consultants will be published shortly to form a basis for wider consultation. My Department is participating in the CENELEC discussions to ensure that United Kingdom consumer safety is not compromised.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to revise plug and socket safety regulations; what representations he has received from the EC Commission about the proposal to require all electrical appliances to be sold with plugs; what evidence he has of safety hazards if they are not so sold; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The announcement last year by the then Minister for Consumer Affairs of the intention to introduce regulations that would require most domestic appliances to be fitted with a plug before they are supplied to a consumer has been welcomed, although the European Commission has sought clarification on the possible impact on intra-Community trade. I am hopeful that these matters will be resolved shortly.

  Each year an average of three people die because of an incorrectly fitted plug and 300 people require hospital treatment for injuries received from fitting plugs to electrical appliances.

  Motor Cars
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what effect the change in the terms of trade for finished manufactures has had on (i) imports and exports of motor cars and (ii) output and unemployment in the United Kingdom car industry since 1973; and what has been the import penetration into the United Kingdom car market in(a) 1973, (b) 1979 and (c)

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There is no detailed information on the effect that the change in terms of trade for finished manufactures has had on the motor car industry. Information on the terms of trade and overseas trade is regularly published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 16 February 1994,Official Report, columns 829–30.

  Enterprise Initiative (London)
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent in the Greater London region on the enterprise initiative since its inception.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Total payments on enterprise initiative consultancy projects in the London region from the launch of the consultancy scheme in 1988 to the end of 1993 amounted to £24·9 million.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of domestic manufacturing industry was owned by foreign companies, in each year since 1979.
  232
  Mr. Sainsbury
  The percentages of United Kingdom manufacturing industry owned by overseas companies are given in the table. It shows the percentages of industry accounted for by overseas registered companies and by United Kingdom subsidiaries of overseas registered companies. Such subsidiaries are defined as companies where the composition of the board of directors is controlled by an overseas registered company or where an overseas company holds more than 50 per cent. of the equity share capital.

  Gross value added at factor cost

  Total sales and work done

  Employment

  1979

  21·4

  22·8

  15·1

  1980

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1981

  18·3

  19·4

  14·9

  1982

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1983

  18·6

  20·4

  14·5

  1984

  20·2

  21·3

  14·8

  1985

  18·7

  20·3

  14·0

  1986

  17·3

  19·4

  13·0

  1987

  18·8

  21·0

  13·4

  1988

  18·2

  20·7

  13·1

  1989

  21·1

  24·1

  14·9

  1990

  21·8

  25·2

  16·1

  1991

  21·7

  25·5

  17·2

  1 Prior to 1984 these data were collected biennially: consequently, information for 1980 and 1982 is not available.

  Sources: Derived from table 18—table 19 in 1979—of the annual summary volumes of the report on the census of production—Central Statistical Office—"Business Monitor" PA 1002.

  Household Insurance
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the number of people who have been refused insurance or reinsurance because of claims arising from river flooding.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  None. This is a matter for the commercial judgment of insurance companies, with which the Government cannot interfere. However, I understand that the Association of British Insurers, to which the hon. Member has also written, is investigating these concerns.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of the document deposited in the Vote Office of the House entitled "Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill—An Explanatory Guide" were printed; where else it was sent or made available; what information this document contained which was not also printed as part of the explanatory and financial memorandum on the face of the Bill; why this guide contained no source of authorisation, date, printer, publisher, or official catalogue number; and by whom and for what reason it was authorised for publication.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  Since publication of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill, the document "Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill—An Explanatory Guide" has been available in the Vote Office and from the Department.

  Approximately 4,000 copies of the document were made. Of these, approximately 3,500 have been distributed. Approximately 500 were made available in the Vote Office. The remainder were given, after the Bill was

  233
  published, to the press and to individuals and organisations known to have an interest in the Bill, or have been given, on request, to members of the public, consumer and business organisations.

  It is normal practice to publish such a document for long or complex Bills. The document contained a fuller explanation of the provisions of the Bill than the explanatory and financial memorandum, giving background information which would not have been appropriate for inclusion in the EFM, such as the Government's proposals for parliamentary scrutiny of orders made under chapter 1 of the Bill. The source and date of the document were omitted by an oversight. However, all copies distributed, other than through the Vote Office, were accompanied by material which made clear the source of the document.

  Staff Loans
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the schemes his Department operates to assist staff facing financial hardship following a transfer, showing(a) the particular criteria and rules applying to each one, including the circumstances under which any loans can be written off, (b) the total amount loaned or granted under the schemes in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94 and (c) the number of staff assisted in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department has a number of discretionary arrangements, delegated from Her Majesty's Treasury, which it can use in cases where a staff transfer in the public interest would lead to proven financial hardship. These arrangements include interest-bearing and interest-free loans; in highly exceptional cases there is provision for write-off. The arrangements are administered bearing in mind the cost to the taxpayer.

  To provide the details requested would entail disproportionate cost.

  Coal Mining
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many deep mines were in production in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) the United Kingdom in each year since 1964.

  Mr. Eggar
  The numbers of British Coal deep mines in production at 31 March in each year since 1964 were as follows:

  Year

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  1964

  386

  103

  87

  578

  1965

  365

  92

  77

  534

  1966

  334

  82

  67

  483

  1967

  305

  75

  58

  438

  1968

  263

  66

  47

  378

  1969

  223

  57

  37

  317

  1970

  213

  54

  32

  213

  1971

  207

  53

  32

  292

  1972

  204

  53

  32

  289

  1973

  199

  53

  29

  281

  1974

  185

  50

  24

  259

  1975

  178

  46

  22

  246

  1976

  176

  45

  21

  241

  1977

  174

  44

  20

  238

  1978

  172

  40

  19

  231

  1979

  167

  39

  17

  223

  1980

  165

  38

  16

  219

  234

  Year

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  1981

  160

  36

  15

  211

  1982

  149

  35

  14

  198

  1983

  143

  35

  13

  191

  1984

  131

  30

  9

  170

  1985

  130

  30

  9

  169

  1986

  105

  19

  9

  133

  1987

  89

  15

  8

  110

  1988

  78

  12

  4

  94

  1989

  74

  10

  2

  86

  1990

  65

  7

  1

  73

  1991

  59

  5

  1

  65

  1992

  45

  4

  1

  50

  1993

  37

  2

  1

  40

  Source: British Coal.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of coal production expressed in million tonnes from deep mines in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) the United Kingdom for each year since 1964.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is as follows:

  Coal production (million tonnes)1

  Year

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  1964

  151·9

  21·8

  16·1

  189·8

  1965

  14·1

  19·3

  15·7

  183·1

  1966

  137·6

  18·6

  14·9

  171·1

  1967

  135·2

  17·9

  14·6

  167·7

  1968

  130·5

  16·1

  13· 1

  159·7

  1969

  120·2

  14·3

  12·0

  146·6

  1970

  109·3

  16·1

  11·3

  136·7

  1971

  111·2

  12·6

  12·7

  136·5

  1972

  89·1

  9·9

  10·0

  109·1

  1973

  99·3

  10·1

  10·6

  120·0

  1974

  83·1

  8·1

  8·8

  100·0

  1975

  98·5

  8·9

  10·1

  117·4

  1976

  92·0

  8·7

  9·6

  110·3

  1977

  90·1

  8·3

  8·7

  107·1

  1978

  90·6

  8·6

  8·3

  107·5

  1979

  90·9

  8·7

  8·2

  107·8

  1980

  95·5

  8·8

  8·2

  112·4

  1981

  94·4

  8·6

  7·5

  110·5

  1982

  91·0

  8·2

  6·9

  106·2

  1983

  87·6

  8·0

  6·2

  101·7

  1984

  32·5

  1·8

  1·0

  35·2

  1985

  65·7

  6·0

  3·6

  75·3

  1986

  78·8

  7·7

  3·9

  90·4

  1987

  76·7

  6·3

  2·9

  86·0

  1988

  76·1

  5·5

  2·1

  83·8

  1989

  72·8

  4·7

  2·1

  79·6

  1990

  66·0

  4·6

  2·3

  72·9

  1991

  68·0

  3·0

  2·4

  73·4

  1992

  61·0

  2·6

  2·2

  65·8

  21993

  46·6

  2·0

  1·9

  50·5

  1 Includes production from licensed deep mines.

  2 Provisional figures.

  United Kingdom Exports
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will produce a table to show what proportion of United Kingdom exports, including services and invisibles, was exported to the rest of the EC single market in each of the last 10 years and a similar table in respect of each of the last 12 months.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: Information for 1982 to 1992 is given in the table. A

  235
  breakdown of invisible exports to other EC countries is only available annually. Information for 1993 is not yet available.

  Credits on United Kingdom transactions with the EC as a proportion of total credits on the current account of the balance of payments.

  Year

  Per cent.

  1982

  36·1

  1983

  37·3

  1984

  37·2

  1985

  38·1

  1986

  37·8

  1987

  38·5

  1988

  38·5

  1989

  38·6

  1990

  41·1

  1991

  44·1

  1992

  45·5

  Note: Includes trade in goods and services, flow of interest profits and dividends, and financial transfers.

  Source: The Pink Book 1993: United Kingdom balance of payments.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals there were against invalidity benefit being removed in(a) Lewisham and (b) London in 1993.

  Mr. Scott
  This is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mrs. Bridget Prentice, dated 22 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about appeals against removal of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) in Lewisham and London.
  The information is not available in the exact format requested. This is because Benefits Agency District boundaries do not correspond with county or borough boundaries. The Benefit Agency's Lewisham District Office is responsible for Lewisham postal addresses but also for some adjacent areas. However, benefits work appropriate to Lewisham DO and a number of other Districts within the London area is dealt with by the Belfast Benefits Centre.
  Statistics maintained by the Benefits Centre are available to show numbers of appeals received appropriate to each District. Within these figures it is possible to identify the numbers of appeals against removal of IVB. As figures cannot be further broken down geographically, the figure for Lewisham District may include appeals received from people living outside the Lewisham postal district.
  In 1993, the number of appeals received against removal of IVB, appropriate to Lewisham District, was 31.
  Although a number of the Agency's Districts within the London area have their benefits work dealt with at Benefit Centres, others process work within the District. Districts generally comprise a District Office and one or more Branch Offices. In some instances Districts have offices both inside and outside the London postal area. In addition, some Districts deal with IVB appeals at one site within that District. Statistics held by Districts regarding numbers of appeals could not therefore give a reliable figure for those appropriate to London.
  For this reason the statistics below are those provided by the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) for their London North and London South regions; and show the numbers of appeals received concerning IVB in the quarter ended March 1993 to be as follows:—

  London North—427

  London South—349

  236
  As these statistics represent all IVB appeals received, they will include cases where IVB is removed, or reduced. In addition, as the ITS regions include additional areas to the London postal area, the figures will include appeals received from people living outside that area.

  The statistics provided are the latest supplied by ITS.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, from data taken from the annual statistical inquiry in 1991, 1992 and 1993, how many households in Tower Hamlets are having weekly deductions made from their income support as appropriate, for(a) electricity and (b) gas of (i) under £2 per week and (ii) in each £1 band above £2 per week up to £40 per week.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Ms Mildred Gordon, dated 22 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the number of households in Tower Hamlets who are having deductions made from their Income Support to meet fuel costs.
  The information is not available in the format requested this is because statistics are not kept which are specific to Tower Hamlets. However, I have placed in the attached appendix information which has been obtained from the Annual Statistical Enquiry, which is based on a 1 per cent, sample of Income Support claimants. The information is for the South East of England which comprises of the London North and London South administrative regions which cover the area of Tower Hamlets but cannot be broken down to a local level. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 500.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix

  Number of Income Support recipients in South East England with deductions from benefit in respect of fuel costs

  £

  Deductions for electricity

  Deductions for gas

  1991

  0·01– 2·00

  —

  —

  2·01– 3·00

  500

  —

  3·01– 4·00

  1,000

  500

  4·01– 5·00

  1,000

  1,000

  5·01– 6·00

  1,000

  2,500

  6·01– 7·00

  1,500

  3,500

  7·01– 8·00

  1,000

  2,500

  8·01– 9·00

  1,000

  4,500

  9·01–10·00

  1,500

  3,500

  10·01–11·00

  1,500

  4,000

  11·01–12·00

  1,500

  2,500

  12·01–13·00

  1,000

  1,500

  13·01–14·00

  1,000

  1,500

  14·01–15·00

  500

  1,500

  15·01–16·00

  500

  500

  16·01–17·00

  500

  —

  17·01–18·00

  500

  —

  18·01–19·00

  —

  —

  19·01–20·00

  —

  —

  20·01–21·00

  —

  —

  21·01–22·00

  500

  —

  22·01–23·00

  —

  —

  23·01–24·00

  —

  —

  24·01–25·00

  —

  —

  25·01–26·00

  —

  —

  26·01–27·00

  —

  —

  27·01–28·00

  —

  —

  28·01–29·00

  —

  —

  29·01–30·00

  —

  —

  30·01–31·00

  —

  —

  237

  £

  Deductions for electricity

  Deductions for gas

  31·01–32·00

  —

  —

  132·01–33·00

  —

  —

  33·01–34·00

  —

  —

  34·01–35·00

  —

  —

  35·01–36·00

  —

  —

  36·01–37·00

  —

  —

  37·01–38·00

  —

  —

  38·01–39·00

  —

  —

  39·01–40·00

  —

  —

  40·01 and over

  —

  —

  Total

  16,000

  30,500

  1992

  0·01– 2·00

  —

  —

  2·01– 3·00

  500

  —

  3·01– 4·00

  —

  1,000

  4·01– 5·00

  500

  1,500

  5·01– 6·00

  1,000

  3,500

  6·01– 7·00

  1,000

  5,000

  7·01– 8·00

  1,500

  5,000

  8·01– 9·00

  1,000

  6,500

  9·01–10·00

  2,000

  5,500

  10·01–11·00

  1,500

  5,000

  11·01–12·00

  1,000

  4,500

  12·01–13·00

  1,000

  3,000

  13·01–14·00

  1,000

  2,000

  14·01–15·00

  500

  1,500

  15·01–16·00

  500

  1,000

  16·01–17·00

  500

  —

  17·01–18·00

  500

  —

  18·01–19·00

  —

  500

  19·01–20·00

  500

  500

  20·01–21·00

  —

  500

  21·01–22·00

  —

  500

  22·01–23·00

  —

  500

  23·01–24·00

  —

  —

  24·01–25·00

  —

  —

  25·01–26·00

  —

  —

  26·01–27·00

  —

  —

  27·01–28·00

  —

  —

  28·01–29·00

  —

  —

  29·01–30·00

  —

  —

  30·01–31·00

  —

  —

  31·01–32·00

  —

  —

  32·01–33·00

  —

  —

  33·01–34·00

  —

  —

  34·01–35·00

  —

  —

  35·01–36·00

  —

  —

  36·01–37·00

  —

  —

  37·01–38·00

  —

  —

  38·01–39·00

  —

  —

  39·01–40·00

  —

  —

  40·01 and over

  —

  —

  Total

  15,000

  47,500

  Benefits Agency, Ilford
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claiming income support at the Ilford office of the Benefits Agency in 1992 and 1993 were refused benefit by an adjudication officer; how many appealed; how many of those who appealed subsequently had their claim for income support allowed; and how many of those concerned had children.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
  238
  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Mike Gapes, dated 22 February 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about persons refused income support at the Benefits Agency's Ilford Office.
  The full range of information you request is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics relating to the refusal of Income Support and those which would identify children are not routinely collected. To obtain all the relevant information would require a physical examination of all Income Support records at the Ilford Office, which are in excess of 50,000.
  I am, however, able to provide records which show the number of income support appeals which are for January to December for each year and are shown below:—

  1992

  1993

  Appeals received

  503

  459

  Appeals allowed

  40

  54

  Appeals partially allowed

  10

  9

  This information has been obtained from the Income Support Management Information Statistics.

  I am sorry that I am unable to be of more help on this occasion but I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many objections have been made to the Child Support Agency over its investigations into the arrangement of maintenance(a) where a court order for maintenance was already in operation and (b) where the agency proposed the setting up of maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Women's Pensions
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the number of married women who revoke the election to pay reduced rate contributions in the latter years of their working life, in the belief that there may be some significant gain, yet still have to rely on category B retirement pension or an addition paid to their husband;

  (2) how many of women claiming a category B retirement pension in each of the last five years had revoked their election to pay reduced contributions either five, four, three, two or one year before retiring; and if he will estimate the value of the contributions they paid;

  (3) in how many cases an adult dependant addition paid with invalidity benefit has been adjusted to take account of a category A retirement pension which is being paid to a wife who revoked her election to pay reduced contributions within five years before retiring; and what is the value of contributions paid by these married women.

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

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he has issued to the Contributions Agency and the Benefits Agency concerning advice to be given to women considering revoking the election to pay reduced contributions in the latter years of their working life; and what reference is made to the impact which the husband's benefit circumstances may have on the financial benefits available.
  239
  Mr. Hague
  It is open to any person, including women who have elected to pay reduced rate contributions, to request information about their contribution record or a forecast of the expected state retirement pension from the Benefits Agency. If a women has elected to pay reduced rate contributions, the pension forecast will tell her that if she wishes to improve her benefit position by paying more years of full contributions, she will have to cancel her election to pay reduced rate contributions. From then on, she would be able to pay contributions which do count towards retirement pension, subject always to her achieving a minimum entitlement of 25 per cent.

  If a women seeks advice about the advantages of cancelling her election, Contributions Agency staff have instructions to recommend she obtains a pension forecast. They will also give her as much information as she wants about her national insurance position but without influencing her decision in any way. Taking account of her own circumstances, a women should decide for herself whether to keep or cancel her election.

  If approached, the CA will suggest that she bears the following points in mind:

  (i.) the relevant costs of paying full rate and reduced rate contributions;

  (ii.) whether she will qualify for a basic pension and how that will compare with the pension she will receive on her husband's insurance when he reaches pension age and retires;

  (iii.) how long she will have to wait to receive a pension on her husband's insurance;

  (iv.) whether she will qualify for an additional pension and, if so, how much;

  (v.) the effect of contracted-out deductions on the additional pension if she is paying towards an occupational pension scheme;

  (vi.) if she anticipates qualifying for short-term benefits, the contribution conditions for the award of such benefits and the relevance of cancelling her election from the beginning of a tax year.

  Additional information is available in leaflet NI1— national insurance choices for married women, available from local Social Security offices. This explains to women that they can qualify for a basic pension on either their own or their husband's contributions but they cannot get two pensions.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People has received from Nicole Davoud in relation to the disability working allowance; what reply he is sending; what action he will take; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I have recently received representations from Mrs. Davoud and will be replying in the next few days.

  Benefits Offices, Liverpool
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the total amount of money allocated to each benefit office in Liverpool for 1993–94 that is so far unclaimed for(a) family credit and (b) disability working allowance; and how many people he estimates are failing to take up their entitlement to the above benefits of each such benefit office;

  (2) what is the total amount of money allocated to each benefit office in Liverpool for 1993–94 for (a) family credit
  240
  and (b) disability working allowance; and what is the planned allocation to each benefit office in Liverpool for each benefit for (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96.

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available. Benefit expenditure on family credit and disability working allowance is not planned or allocated on a regional basis.

WALES

  Dental Services
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what progress has been made by the health intelligence unit, in collaboration with district health authorities and family health service authorities, to develop measures of consumer satisfaction with dental services;

  (2) whether a baseline has been determined in 1993 for the purpose of assessing progress on the reduction in the proportion of 12-year-old children who have sustained dental injuries; and whether definitive criteria for this baseline have been published;

  (3) which family health service authorities and district health authorities (a) have submitted to the Welsh Office a programme for the involvement of the resident population of their areas in the planning, provision and improvement of dental services and (b) not submitted such a programme by 31 December 1993;

  (4) whether the protocol for investment in health care-oral health remains the basis of dental health policy objectives in Wales; and what assessment he has made of progress towards achieving those objectives;

  (5) whether a baseline was determined during 1993 against which dental health gain targets for people without equal opportunity for good oral health can be assessed, based on local dental planning areas; and whether the definitive criteria of this baseline have been published.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  All health authorities and family health services authorities in Wales have developed action plans to improve the health of their local population by the turn of the century. These are currently being assessed by the Department.

  The development of the local strategies for oral health has been guided by the advice issued by the Welsh health planning forum in November 1992. Responsibility for establishing the necessary baseline information and measuring progress towards locally set targets, including those relating to patient satisfaction, rests mainly with health authorities.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress was made during 1993 on achieving the service targets for the proportion of the population registered for capitation for dental purposes in the nought to two years age group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is as follows:

  1992 Per cent.

  Position as at 30 September 19931

  Percentage of 0 to 2-year-olds in Wales registered with a dentist

  17·0

  21·0

  1 Latest date for which information is available from the Dental Practices Board.

  241
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made by the Welsh Office over the past two years in establishing a framework to encourage primary care dental practitioners to become involved in clinical audit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Last October, the Department announced its plans for developing clinical audit in Wales. An important part is the proposal to appoint a dental audit adviser whose first task would be 'to strengthen the present arrangements for dental audit and their integration with audit spanning a range of related professional groups.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) of 3 February,Official Report, column 865, if he will list the 17 local authorities in Wales that registered representations on THORP; and if he will indicate those in favour and those against.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The 17 Welsh authorities were Clwyd, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan county councils; Ceredigion district council, Colwyn borough council, Isle of Anglesey borough council, Llanelli borough council, Meirionnydd district council, Pembrokeshire district council, Port Talbot borough council, Radnor district council, Rhuddlan borough council, Swansea city council, Taff Ely borough council, and Wrexham Maelor borough council.

  All submitted representations against THORP.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each district council and county council and in total for Wales as a whole in constant prices(a) the estimated actual spending for 1993–94 net of community care, (b) the standard spending assessments for 1994–95 net of community care, (c) the amounts by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a) and (d) the percentage by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Standard spending assessments net of provision for care in the community are given in the table. Budgeted revenue expenditure information on community care is not collected centrally, and comparisons with 1993–94 spending levels cannot be provided.

  Standard spending assessments for 1994–95, net of care in the community

  £000

  1994–95 SSAs1

  Alyn and Deeside

  10,125

  Colwyn

  8,253

  Delyn

  9,262

  Glyndwr

  5,501

  Rhuddlan

  8,717

  Wrexham Maelor

  16,372

  Carmarthen

  7,762

  Ceredigion

  9,979

  242

  1994–95 SSAs1

  Dinefwr

  5,866

  Llanelli

  12,868

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  11,273

  South Pembrokeshire

  7,740

  Blaenau Gwent

  15,185

  Islwyn

  11,534

  Monmouth

  9,765

  Newport

  22,472

  Torfaen

  13,702

  Aberconwy

  8,740

  Arfon

  9,826

  Dwyfor

  5,996

  Meirionnydd

  6,068

  Ynys Mon

  11,248

  Cynon Valley

  13,374

  Merthyr Tydfil

  12,226

  Ogwr

  20,598

  Rhondda

  17,746

  Rhymney Valley

  15,882

  Taff Ely

  14,644

  Brecknock

  6,257

  Montgomeryshire

  7,132

  Radnorshire

  3,283

  Cardiff

  45,765

  Vale of Glamorgan

  15,257

  Port Talbot

  8,896

  Lliw Valley

  8,827

  Neath

  10,148

  Swansea

  32,781

  Clwyd

  265,919

  Dyfed

  242,614

  Gwent

  294,362

  Gwynedd

  161,038

  Mid Glamorgan

  375,273

  Powys

  90,024

  South Glamorgan

  269,937

  West Glamorgan

  243,519

  Total Districts

  461,071

  Total Counties

  1,942,687

  Total Wales

  2,403,758

  1 Excludes £86 million of county SSA for care in the community.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each district council and county council and in total for Wales as a whole in constant prices(a) the estimated actual spending for 1993–94, (b) the standard spending assessments for 1994–95, (c) the amounts by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a) and (d) the percentage by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on 1993–94 revenue expenditure budgets and 1994–95 standard spending assessments is given in the table. Outturn expenditure information for 1993–94 is not yet available. Budgeted expenditure includes spending financed through the use of reserves and spending above SSAs within capping limits and is not directly comparable with SSAs. The 1993–94 budgets have been inflated by 4 per cent.—the 1994–95 GDP deflator. This does not necessarily reflect the changes in the costs of local authority services between the two years.
  243

  Local authority estimates of revenue expenditure for 1993–94 and 1994–95 SSAs

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Adjusted 1993–94 budgeted net revenue expenditure

  1994–95 SSAs

  Increase between 1993–94 budgets and 1994–95 SSAs

  1£000

  £000

  £000

  Per cent.

  Alyn and Deeside

  10,650

  10,125

  -524

  -5

  Colwyn

  8,215

  8,253

  38

  0

  Delyn

  11,901

  9,262

  -2,639

  -22

  Glyndwr

  6,805

  5,501

  -1,304

  -19

  Rhuddlan

  9,147

  8,717

  -430

  -5

  Wrexham Maelor

  17,124

  16,372

  -751

  -4

  Carmarthen

  9,481

  7,762

  -1,718

  -18

  Ceredigion

  10,253

  9,979

  -274

  -3

  Dinefwr

  5,920

  5,866

  -53

  -1

  Llanelli

  14,723

  12,868

  -1,855

  -13

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  11,370

  11,273

  -97

  -1

  South Pembrokeshire

  7,638

  7,740

  102

  1

  Blaenau Gwent

  16,998

  15,185

  -1,813

  -11

  Islwyn

  12,431

  11,534

  -897

  -7

  Monmouth

  10,225

  9,765

  -460

  -5

  Newport

  22,733

  22,472

  -261

  -1

  Torfaen

  14,363

  13,702

  -661

  -5

  Aberconwy

  9,246

  8,740

  -506

  -5

  Arfon

  10,576

  9,826

  -750

  -7

  Dwyfor

  7,216

  5,996

  -1,220

  -17

  Meirionnydd

  6,420

  6,068

  -352

  -5

  Ynys Mon

  13,097

  11,248

  -1,849

  -14

  Cynon Valley

  13,743

  13,374

  -369

  -3

  Merthyr Tydfil

  12,465

  12,226

  -239

  -2

  Ogwr

  21,427

  20,598

  -829

  -4

  Rhondda

  17,706

  17,746

  40

  0

  Rhymney Valley

  16,465

  15,882

  -584

  -4

  Taff Ely

  17,559

  14,644

  -2,915

  -17

  Brecknock

  6,626

  6,257

  -369

  -6

  Montgomeryshire

  7,403

  7,132

  -270

  -4

  Radnorshire

  3,413

  3,283

  -131

  -4

  Cardiff

  48,690

  45,765

  -2,924

  -6

  Vale of Glamorgan

  16,620

  15,257

  -1,363

  -8

  Port Talbot

  9,483

  8,896

  -586

  -6

  Lliw Valley

  8,984

  8,827

  -156

  -2

  Neath

  13,046

  10,148

  -2,898

  -22

  Swansea

  35,326

  32,781

  -2,544

  -7

  Clwyd

  287,086

  280,306

  -6,780

  -2

  Dyfed

  264,490

  253,355

  -11,135

  -4

  Gwent

  314,900

  306,932

  -7,968

  -3

  Gwynedd

  173,533

  169,002

  -4,531

  -3

  Mid Glamorgan

  402,047

  388,857

  -13,190

  -3

  Powys

  95,438

  93,656

  -1,782

  -2

  South Glamorgan

  279,846

  280,920

  1,074

  0

  West Glamorgan

  266,549

  255,622

  -10,927

  -4

  Total Districts

  495,485

  461,071

  -34,414

  -7

  Total Counties

  2,083,889

  2,028,650

  -55,239

  -3

  Total Wales

  2,579,374

  2,489,721

  -89,653

  -3

  1 Net revenue expenditure budgets as reported by local authorities, inflated by the 1994–95 GDP deflator. Includes £19·2 million—at 1994–95 prices—of expenditure funded through the use of reserves and £69·3 million of spending over SSAs within capping limits.

PRIME MINISTER

  School Teachers Review Body
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the current membership of the School Teachers Review Body.

  The Prime Minister
  The membership of the School Teachers Review Body is as follows:

  First appointed

  Expiry date

  John Gardiner (Chairman)

  1993

  1995

  Mrs. Brigita Amey

  1991

  1995

  Alan Cox CBE

  1991

  1995

  244

  First appointed

  Expiry date

  Philip Halsey CB LVO

  1991

  1995

  Mrs. Gill Rostron

  1993

  1996

  Mrs. Anna Vinton

  1992

  1996

  Mr. Michael Harding

  1993

  1997

TRANSPORT

  M27
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that any proposals to widen the M27 motorway are subject to a full public inquiry.
  245
  Mr. Key
  As indicated in an earlier answer to the hon. Member,Official Report, column 345, consultants have yet to be appointed for the widening, and future progress on the scheme depends on the outcome of the review of scheme priorities announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport last August. It is too early to say whether a public inquiry will be held.

  Buses
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that the provision of low-floor buses is included in the consultations his Department is having with the European Commission Directorate-General III on its draft directive on special provisions for buses and coaches.

  Mr. Freeman
  The United Kingdom has proposed amendments to the Commission draft which are a significant improvement in terms of first step height and technical requirements and which, if adopted, will improve accessibility. Discussions are continuing.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what incentives he is considering for private operators in the deregulated bus industry to provide access for disabled people on public transport routes.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department has funded a low-floor bus demonstration project in north Tyneside. A similar, but larger, project funded by London Transport was launched on 11 January. Both schemes are being monitored by my Department and the results will be made available to operators to help them assess the costs and benefits of such vehicles.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place within his Department and with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Northern Ireland Office regarding the development of the full potential of the United Kingdom's lead in low-floor bus technology.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department has worked closely with the manufacturers on design features for low-floor buses.

  Land Use
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment as to the integration of transport and land use planning plans under recent Department of the Environment planning policy guidance.

  Mr. MacGregor
  A consultation draft of the revised planning policy guidance note on transport—PPG13—was issued in April 1993. My Department has worked closely with the Department of the Environment both in the preparation of the consultation draft and in producing the final text of the PPG, following the consultation. PPG13 should be published shortly.

  Vehicle Accidents
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the accident rates, including fatalities, for(a) cars, (b) heavy goods vehicles and (c) public service vehicles in each year since 1991–92.
  246
  Mr. Key
  The rate of injury road accidents per 100 million vehicle kilometres for these vehicle types are shown in the table.

  Accident rates, by vehicle type and severity: Great Britain 1991–92

  Rate per 100 million kms

  1991

  1992

  Car1

  HGV2

  PSV3

  Car1

  HGV2

  PSV3

  Fatal

  1

  2

  4

  1

  2

  3

  Serious

  11

  19

  33

  11

  10

  32

  Slight

  49

  35

  197

  50

  34

  205

  Total

  61

  47

  234

  61

  46

  240

  1 Includes invalid tricycle, other three-wheeled car, taxi, car and minibus-motor caravans.

  2 Heavy goods vehicle-goods vehicle over 1·52 tonnes unladen weight.

  3 Public service vehicle.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the last financial year the number of sick days taken by(a) men and (b) women working for the DVLA.

  Mr. Key
  For 1992–93 the figures are(a) 12,213 and (b) 43,714.

  Satnam/Tesco Application, Stockport
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his reasons for giving a direction to refuse Satnam/Tesco, Tiviot way, Stockport, application No. 58636: if he intends to review his decision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  We directed refusal because additional traffic generated by this proposed development could interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the M63, particularly at junction 13.

  We shall review the direction if the applicants provide evidence to demonstrate that our concerns can be overcome.

  Road Programme
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what priorities his Department has established for the road programme.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: The review of the trunk road programme is still in progress. No final decisions have been taken on the priorities to be allocated to schemes within the revised programme. An announcement will be-made shortly.

  Public Service Obligation Grant
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the public service obligation grant to British Rail in the year to 31 March 1992 was fully taxable; whether the amount subsequently categorised as capital grant had been subject to tax; how much tax was paid in each case; and what policy had been applied in previous years to the taxation of public obligation grant.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 18 February 1994]: The public service obligation grant is not taxable.

  Traffic Cones (Security)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, column 763, if he will ask the police scientific development branch to study the use of standard traffic cones to conceal bombs in a recent attack in Northern Ireland and what other cases have been reported of concealing explosive devices in standard traffic cones.

  Mr. Howard
  I have been asked to reply.

  The police are aware of no cases involving the concealment of terrorist devices in traffic cones in Great Britain. They have information about six such cases in Northern Ireland since 1976, the most recent of which, on 12 February, was the first not to have been safely defused. In the light of this new development I have asked for a further assessment to be made, in consultation with those responsible for security arrangements in Northern Ireland, of the case for publicly funded research on transparent cones and will write to my hon. Friend once this has been completed.

HEALTH

  Lister Hospital
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made as to the maintenance of clinical standards in pathology services at the Lister hospital following any decision to award a contract to a private company which takes clinicians out of the management arrangements; and what steps she will take to monitor the quality of these services.

  Mr. Sackville
  When placing contracts for pathology services, it is for trusts to specify the quality standards to be met, and to monitor compliance with those standards.

  Asthma
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been undertaken by or for her Department on correlations between atmospheric pollution and the incidence of asthma and respiratory illnesses.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health is advised on the effects on health of air pollutants by two committees of independent experts, the Advisory Group on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollution Episodes and the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants.

  MAAPE advises on the short-term health effects of episodic exposure to air pollutants and has produced three reports, on ozone, sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. All are available in the Library.

  COMEAP advises Government on the effects upon health of pollutants in outdoor and indoor air, liaises with other relevant bodies, and assesses existing scientific data, new discoveries and the need for further research. Two sub-groups of COMEAP established in 1993 advise on, respectively, the link between exposure to air pollutants and asthma, and the health effects of particulates.

  One research project on the effects of air pollution is being funded directly by the Department of Health. Professor Ross Anderson HR, of St. George's hospital medical school, is currently carrying out research into the air pollution episode in London in December 1991, and its effects on public health.
  248
  There are also a number of studies currently being undertaken in connection with asthma, but which are not solely concerned with atmospheric pollution. The social medicine and health services research unit, which is funded by the Department, is currently undertaking two research projects, due to be completed in 1994, into the incidence of asthma in the United Kingdom and the European Community.

  Mental Health
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the special training package for doctors seeking approval under section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983, or already approved, has been finalised.

  Mr. Bowis
  Discussions with the Royal College of Psychiatrists about this are continuing.

  Milk Substitutes
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice she has given to dentists on milk substitutes and tooth decay;

  (2) what research her Department has undertaken into the link between milk substitutes and tooth decay.

  Mr. Sackville
  Only infant formula provides a substitute for breast milk in ensuring a sole source of nutrition for the newborn. The Government published the report from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food "Dietary Sugars and Human Disease" in 1989, copies of which are available in the Library, which concluded that lactose in milk and milk products is a negligible cause of tooth decay. Lactose is the carbohydrate in the majority of infant formulas retailed in this country.

  Infant formulas based on soya protein are available for infants allergic to cow's milk. Some soya-based products are formulated with carbohydrates other than lactose, which are more cariogenic. These products are suitable for infants who cannot digest lactose or for those being reared on a vegan diet.

  The proper use of infant formulas is a central feature of long-running programmes of education about feeding babies. These are directed both at parents and at health professionals including dentists. The importance of supervised bottle feeding and the change from bottle to cup feeding are all stressed as part of satisfactory weaning practices which contribute to dental health.

  The Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, through the national diet and nutrition survey programme commissioned a survey of children aged one and a half to four and a half years which has included a dental component. Results from this work will be available later this year.

  Home Visits (Fees)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will remind general practitioners that it remains her policy that fees for home visits are not permitted; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Fees that may be claimed by general practitioners are adequately set out in the "Statement of Fees and Allowances payable to General Medical Practitioners in England and Wales" and the "Statement of
  249
  Fees and Allowances payable to General Medical Practitioners in Scotland", copies of which are available in Library.

  Munchhausen's Syndrome by Proxy
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children were returned to their parents from local authority care subsequent to a diagnosis of Munchhausen's syndrome by proxy in each of the last five years;

  (2) how many children were taken into local authority care after their mothers were diagnosed as suspected or suffering from Munchhausen's syndrome by proxy in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  NHS Internal Review
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the results of the internal review into whistle blowing in the NHS; and how many organisations and individuals were consulted.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The management executive has not undertaken such a review.

  Methadone
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy considerations underlie the authorisation of doctors to prescribe methadone; how they receive a licence to do so; and how doctors prescribing methadone are monitored.

  Mr. Bowis
  Methadone is prescribed to opiate users for a range of treatments including detoxification, stabilisation and longer-term treatments. It can be a useful tool in helping to change the behaviour of some drug users towards abstinence and intermediate goals, such as reduction in injecting and the sharing of injecting equipment. "Drug Misuse and Dependence Guidelines on Clinical Management", issued by the Department of Health, includes advice to doctors on the prescribing of methadone. Copies of the guidelines are available in the Library.

  Any doctor may prescribe methadone, for which no licence is required. Monitoring of the prescribing of all controlled drugs, including methadone, is carried out by the Home Office drugs inspectorate and is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial arrangements are being made for the five NHS trusts dissolved on 31 March 1993.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Pursuant to the dissolution of five national health service trusts on 31 March 1993, and their reconfiguration with parts, or all, of other trusts or directly managed units, I propose to create new originating capital debt for the six new trusts equal to the assets transferred to them and therefore to remit the outstanding debt of the five dissolved trusts.

  These operations involve no loss to the Exchequer. Her Majesty's Treasury has today presented a minute to the House giving the particulars and circumstances of the proposed remission which it has approved in principle.

  Population Census
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will publish details on the coverage and quality achieved by the 1991 population census.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the coverage of the 1991 census has been brought together in a 1991 census user guide—No. 58—copies of which have been placed in the Library. One of the methods used to assess the level of coverage was the 1991 census validation survey. The CVS report on coverage will be published before the summer recess.

  Information on the quality of answers to census questions will be given in a monitor to be published by the census offices in March. A full report will be published before the end of 1994.

  Creuztfeldt-Jakob dementia
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures available for the incidence of Creuztfeldt-Jakob dementia and related medical conditions in humans; and what age ranges are involved.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 2 February at column 722.

  British Health Care Association
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what donations from the British Health Care Association have been made to the NHS in the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 February at column 212.

  Climagest Tablets
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons two prescription charges are payable for Climagest tablets.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A prescription charge is payable in respect of each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed, unless the patient is entitled to charge exemption or remission. Climagest contains two separate preparations, differentiated by colour, and two prescription charges are, therefore, due when these items are dispensed. The fact that for convenience, and as an aid to patient compliance, the two preparations are supplied in one pack does not alter the patients' liability for prescription charges.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will instruct NHS trusts to release information relating to chief executive and managerial pay increases and levels of staff working within the trust; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  National health service trusts are required to publish in annual accounts certain information about the average number of employees by main staff group and the emoluments of their chairmen and board members. From 1 April they will also be required to publish in their annual reports information about the total remuneration of chairmen, executive and non-executive directors.

  Policy Decisions
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in the parliamentary year 1992–93 her Department has used(a) statements, (b) a press release alone, (c) a press conference or (d) an answer to a written question as the primary means for a policy decision to be made public.

  Mr. Sackville
  Major policy decisions are announced to Parliament in the first instance with press conferences or press releases or both used to explain the development and implementation of these policies. Apart from three formal statements to Parliament in 1992–93, it is not possible to determine accurately from our records the other information being sought.

  Registered and unregistered nurses and nurses in training in England 1988–92 as at 30 September for each year

  Whole-time equivalents1

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Registered

  241,920

  244,220

  242,340

  243,250

  246,570

  Unregistered

  92,980

  91,730

  93,560

  90,550

  90,850

  Nurses in training

  62,950

  62,100

  58,800

  47,340

  34,740

  Project 2000 nurses in training2

  0

  0

  3,000

  10,500

  18,300

  Practice nurses3

  3,480

  4,630

  7,740

  8,780

  9,120

  Others4

  0

  0

  0

  11,050

  6,630

  Source: NHS non-medical work force census.

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

  2 The figures for Project 2000 nursing students are approximate.

  3 Practice nurses are employed by general practices and do not therefore appear in hospital and community health services statistics.

  4 Due to a change in classification of nursing and midwifery staff in 1991 another category of "Others" was created. This category was for those staff whose pay scale did not allow them to be classified as either qualified, unqualified or as a learner.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton tabled for answer on 24 January regarding the appointments he makes to public bodies.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have replied to all the hon. Member's questions.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total number of listed buildings; and how many were listed since his Department was set up.

  Mr. Brooke
  At 31 December 1993, there were 443,470 entries in the statutory lists. Between April 1992 and December 1993, 4,293 entries were added to the lists.

  About 500,000 individual buildings are estimated to be protected.

  Shalfleet Bridge
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will set out the reasons for the hold up in granting permission for the rebuilding of Shalfleet bridge; and when this bridge was scheduled.

  Mr. Brooke
  Shalfleet bridge was listed on 20 January 1994 on the basis of English Heritage's advice that it is a building of special architectural or historic interest.

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

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 14 February 1994]: The information available is shown in the table. The definition of registered is both registered and enrolled nurses and midwives in hospitals and the community. This gives all qualified nurses, includes senior nurses, but excludes those nurses who have transferred to senior management terms and who cannot be identified separately from other senior managers.

  The bridge is included in the draft revised list for South Wight and, on 20 January, the Isle of Wight joint planning technical unit, which has a copy of the draft list, drew my Department's attention to a planning application for the demolition and rebuilding of the bridge. The unit requested an immediate decision on whether or not the bridge was to be listed.

  The effect of listing is that listed building consent is now required, in addition to planning permission, before the bridge can be altered or demolished. An application for listed building consent is at present being considered by the Department of the Environment.

  Battersea Power Station
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last visited Battersea power station; and if he will make a statement on the present general condition of this building.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have not visited the building myself, but my Department receives regular reports on its condition from English Heritage. I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 31 January at column 516.

  Broadcasting Standards Council
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the annual cost of the Broadcasting Standards Council in each year since it was established.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Broadcasting Standards Council was established in May 1988. Grant-in-aid paid to the council in each year since then is as follows:
  253

  Year

  £ million

  1988–89

  0·465

  1989–90

  1·080

  1990–91

  1·272

  1991–92

  1·439

  1992–93

  1·275

  11993–94

  1·465

  1 Allocation

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional support he plans to provide for the long-term development work of British non-governmental organisations in 1994–95.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government's main channels of assistance to the long-term development work of British non-governmental organisations are the joint funding scheme and the British volunteer programme. In 1994–95 the joint funding scheme will increase by almost 14 per cent. to £33 million and the volunteer programme by 8 per cent. to £21 million.

  These substantial increases reflect the Government's high regard for the work of voluntary agencies which are helping to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged people in developing countries.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional assistance he is providing to alleviate the plight of those affected by the recent outbreak of fighting around Kabul, Afghanistan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. and noble Friend, the Minister for Overseas Development has approved a further package of assistance for Afghanistan amounting to £2·5 million. This is in addition to a total pledge of £7·5 million earlier this financial year. The new money will be provided (a) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees —£1 million—for the urgent needs of the newly displaced for shelter materials etc.; (b) to the International Committee of the Red Cross—£500,000—for the maintenance of hospital supplies and convoys to Kabul; (c) to UNICEF—£500,000—for work on water supplies and sanitation in camps and (d) to various United Kingdom non-governmental organisations—£500,000— for a variety of projects also in the camps, providing basic assistance, for example blankets, tents, shelter materials and cooking sets.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Duchy Council
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what is the quorum for meetings of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster;

  (2) how many meetings of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster have been inquorate since 1987.
  254
  Mr. Waldegrave
  The council's function is advisory and no quorum is required.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the attendance record of each member of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster since 1987 or from the date of his appointment, if later.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Members of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster are available to give advice to the Chancellor of the Duchy.

  The advice sought may not require the attendance of all members at any one time.

  However, the record of attendance since 1987 or their later date of appointment at full meetings of the council of those who form its present membership is:
  Attorney General, 100 per cent. Receiver General, 94 per cent. Vice Chancellor, 67 per cent. (otherwise in Court): Sir Michael Bunbury Bt, 100 per cent. Professor Christopher Howes, 100 per cent. Mr. J. R. Sclater, 81 per cent.

  Staff
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff are employed by the Duchy of Lancaster; and where they are located.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The average number of staff employed on the Duchy's estates outside London was 35 in 1993.

  The average number of staff employed in the Duchy office engaged in the management of the Duchy's assets was 13 in 1993.

  The administration of Bona Vacantia is carried out by the Duchy solicitor assisted by two members of the Duchy staff full time and three part time in 1993.

  The Duchy's duties in connection with the appointment of magistrates in the County Palatine, appointments to church livings and the administration of the benevolent fund were discharged by two members of staff in 1993.

  All staff members other than those employed on the estates are located in the Duchy office at Lancaster place.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton tabled for answer on 26 January regarding the appointments he makes to public bodies.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have answered all 15 of the questions tabled to me by the hon. Member on 26 January 1994.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set out what information he has on the political allegiance of the members of the magistrates bench in (i) Oldham, (ii) Rochdale and (iii) Manchester.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Candidates are asked to give their political allegiance when they apply to become magistrates. Figures available for the three benches are:

  Numbers

  Oldham

  Conservative

  70

  Labour

  46

  255

  Numbers

  Liberal Democrat

  34

  Independent/Not Known

  55

  Rochdale

  Conservative

  31

  Labour

  41

  Liberal Democrat

  36

  Independent/Not Known

  21

  Manchester

  Conservative

  119

  Labour

  113

  Liberal Democrat

  62

  Independent/Not Known

  88

  Market Testing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which departments have been subject to market testing; in each case what percentage of contracts have been awarded(a) outside and (b) inside the department; and what has been the cost of the process.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  All the main Government Departments have taken part in the "Competing for Quality programme. I expect to publish aggregate information on contract awards, and the cost of the process, in the citizens charter second report.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what savings have been achieved by market testing after taking into account(a) the cost of redundancy payments and (b) the cost of unemployment pay and other benefits in respect of civil servants rendered unemployed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The savings figures, to be published in the citizens charter second report, take account of the cost of redundancy payments. Information on the cost of unemployment pay and other benefits in respect of civil servants rendered unemployed is not available.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what monitoring arrangements exist in respect of outside contractors successful following market testing exercises.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Guidance has been issued on the monitoring of contracts and can be found in the Government's guide to market testing, which has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what circumstances successful bidders in market testing exercises may withdraw from contracts; and how many have done so.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Contacts generally include clauses which allow for the termination of the contract by either side, after a given period of notice. The circumstances under which this may happen will be described in the contract. Information on contracts awarded following a market testing exercise which have subsequently been terminated is not held centrally.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants have had their terms and conditions of employment and pension rates altered following a market testing exercise.
  256
  Mr. Waldegrave
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants have been transferred to successful contractors following market testing exercises; and to how many of these the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 applied.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I expect to publish this information in the citizens charter second report.

EDUCATION

  Adult Education (London)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list for each year since 1990 the number of enrolments of students aged 19 years and over in adult education institutions and further education colleges maintained by the inner London boroughs or funded through Inner London education authority successor bodies.

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of enrolments by students aged 19 years and older on further education courses in adult education centres and further and higher education colleges in inner London which are maintained by an inner London borough or funded through an ILEA successor body are shown in the following table:

  The number of enrolments as at 1 November of the appropriate year by students aged 19 and over on further education courses in adult education centres and HE and FE colleges in inner London

  Academic year

  Number of enrolments (thousands)

  1990–91

  233

  1991–92

  212

  1992–93

  217

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much(a) capital and (b) revenue money has been spent by grant-maintained schools each year since the first grant-maintained school opened; and how many pupils attended a grant-maintained school in each of those years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is as follows:

  Financial year

  (a) Capital1 (£ million)

  (b) Revenue1 (£ million)

  Pupil numbers2

  1989–90

  2

  16

  15,100

  1990–91

  7

  63

  38,100

  1991–92

  10

  182

  109,000

  1992–93

  28

  479

  236,000

  1 The information on capital and revenue expenditure has been compiled from returns made by the schools, and includes expenditure financed from income other than grant.

  2 Pupil numbers have been derived from the Department's annual January census, for the schools which were self-governing by the end of each financial year. The totals therefore include some pupils whose schools were self-governing for only part of the financial year.

  School Numbers
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many primary and secondary pupils are in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in the last year for which figures are available and five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The numbers of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in January of each year are shown in the table.

  Pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England

  Primary (millions)

  Secondary (millions)

  1973

  4·90

  3·16

  1978

  4·64

  3·85

  1983

  3·84

  3·74

  1988

  3·84

  3·07

  1993

  4·17

  2·96

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase the number of nursery places in voluntary-aided schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Sir D. Knox) on 1 February,Official Report, col. 726.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many new nursery projects have been approved by his Department in each year since 1989 in(a) voluntary-aided schools and (b) grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Numbers of proposals published under section 13 of the Education Act 1980 by the governing bodies of voluntary-aided schools for a significant change of character by the addition of a nursery which have been approved are as follows:

  Number

  1989

  14

  1990

  15

  1991

  20

  1992

  17

  1993

  26

  1994

  12

  Total

  94

  1 To date.

  No statutory proposals have been approved for the addition of nurseries to grant-maintained schools.

  Grant Aid
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will set out the criteria used by his Department in assessing priorities for grant aid for major projects at(a) voluntary-aided and (b) grant-maintained schools for 1994–95;

  (2) if he will list (a) the schools and (b) the amounts awarded in grant aid for major projects at (i) voluntary-aided and (ii) grant-maintained schools in each education authority in England in 1994–95.
  258
  Mr. Forth
  The following criteria were applied in determining how capital resources should be allocated for major projects at voluntary-aided and grant-maintained schools in 1994–95:Voluntary-aided schools
  Commitments arising from projects allowed for in previous capital allocations;
  New projects to provide additional school places in areas of population growth (basic need);
  New projects to implement cost-effective schemes to remove surplus places; and
  Improvement work to the extent that the remaining resources allowed.
  Grant-maintained schools
  Commitments arising from projects allowed for in previous capital allocations;
  Major repairs and other work required on priority health and safety grounds;
  Bids for projects involving work required to implement the national curriculum;
  New projects to provide additional school places in areas of population growth (basic need);
  Work involving access for the disabled.

  The amounts awarded in grant aid for major projects to voluntary aided and self-governing schools in each education authority are set out in press notices 427/93 dated 17 December 1993 and 425/93 dated 16 December 1993 respectively. Copies of these notices have been placed in the Library.

  An announcement about those schools which became self-governing between October 1993 and January 1994 will be made during March 1994.

  Chief Inspectors of Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which of Her Majesty's chief inspectors of schools—England—who have been in office since 1979 have had no experience(a) professionally in a primary or secondary school or (b) in another professional post in education; and what requirements he is making in respect of both the above in the appointment of the chief inspector due to take office on 1 September.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Between 1979 and 31 August 1992 when HMI were part of this Department, three people—Sheila Browne, Professor Eric Bolton and Dr. Terence Melia—held the post of senior chief inspector (England). The Education (Schools) Act 1992 created a new statutory office-holder, Her Majesty's chief inspector of Schools (England) and Professor Stewart Sutherland was appointed to head his own department, the Office for Standards in Education, which opened on 1 September 1992.

  All four had held professional posts in higher or further education. Professor Bolton had held a teaching post in a secondary school.

  Professor Sutherland has given notice of his intention to resign from 1 September 1994. The public advertisement for the post states that Professor Sutherland's successor will be expected to have a good understanding of developments in education but experience of working in education is not a necessary requirement.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will state the names, current positions and the relevant experience of the panel of persons, or the person, who will make a final recommendation concerning(a) the short list and (b) the appointment of the next chief inspector of schools—England.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A selection board will meet shortly to draw up a shortlist and interview candidates for the post
  259
  of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in England with a view to making a recommendation to my right hon. Friend. The appointment is made by Her Majesty in Council.

  The board will consist of:
  Mrs. A. E. Bowtell, First Civil Service Commissioner
  Sir Timothy Lankester, KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education
  Sir Ron Dearing, CBE, Chairman, School Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  Mr. S. Kalms, Chairman, Dixons Group plc and Chairman of the Trust of Dixons CTC in Bradford
  Mr. J. C. Hedger, Deputy Secretary, Department for Education

ENVIRONMENT

  Hazardous Wastes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans) on 12 January,Official Report, columns 200–1, (1) which hazardous waste shipments to developing countries have been prohibited on the grounds that they are not moving towards environmentally sound recovery operations; who is responsible for deciding which shipments to prohibit; and what information is taken into account in making the decision to prohibit a shipment;

  (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that lead battery recycling operations in Brazil are environmentally sound;

  (3) what criteria he uses to decide whether lead battery recycling operations are environmentally sound in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) non-OECD countries;

  (4) when he was informed to which Brazilian battery recycling facility the consignment of battery wastes which were prevented from loading on the container ship Brazil Express, at Tilbury docks on 10 February, was destined; whether he considers this facility to be environmentally sound; if he will prohibit this consignment from shipment to a facility whose environmental standards he has not investigated; and what steps he will take to ensure that this consignment moves towards environmentally sound recovery.

  Mr. Atkins
  There are no powers under the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 to prohibit shipments of non-ferrous metals destined for recovery operations. The operation of the 1988 regulations is normally a matter for the waste regulation authorities. However, in the event that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a notification under regulation 6 of the 1988 regulations, relating to the export of hazardous waste outside the European Community, he would consider that notification in accordance with article 4 of Council directive 84/631/EEC, as amended, on the supervision and control within the European Community of the transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste. No such notification has been received in relation to any developing countries.

  The supervision of standards in lead battery recycling facilities in Brazil is, in the first instance, a matter for the Brazilian authorities. Environmentally sound management at overseas recovery facilities is the subject of the investigation referred to in my answer of 12 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans) Official Report, columns 200–1. The question of environmentally sound management of wastes is also
  260
  being considered by a technical working group under the auspices of the Basel convention. Officials from my Department are participating fully in those discussions.

  All facilities recycling waste batteries in Great Britain must be licensed under part I of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  I have no information about the recycling facility referred to by the hon. Member. I understand that the waste regulation authorities concerned are investigating this case.

  Air Monitoring Sites
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Government air monitoring sites there are; what plans there are to increase their number; and what information he has on the number of air monitoring sites in(a) Germany and (b) Japan.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government fund a number of air quality monitoring stations. This includes 46 continuous automatic sites of which:

  29 monitor ozone,

  24 monitor nitrogen dioxide,

  21 monitor sulphur dioxide,

  19 monitor carbon monoxide,

  12 monitor fine particles (PM10)

  and 7 monitor 26 hydrocarbons including benzene, 1, 3, butadiene and ozone precursors.

  The Government also undertake air quality monitoring surveys using non-automatic techniques. Nitrogen dioxide is monitored in this way at over 1,100 sites and smoke and sulphur dioxide at 252 urban sites, both in collaboration with local authorities. In addition, lead is monitored at 21 sites, other heavy metals at six sites, toxic organic micropollutants such as dioxins at five sites and sulphur dioxide at 38 rural sites.

  In the second anniversary report of the 1990 Environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance", the Government made a commitment to extend their urban air quality monitoring network to cover all major cities by 1997. In addition, the Government are currently considering responses to the recently published consultation paper on "The Future of Air Quality Monitoring Networks in the United Kingdom", in which proposals were made to develop a framework which draws local and national air quality monitoring together into a coherent quality assured network.

  Information on numbers of air quality monitoring sites in Germany and Japan is not held centrally.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the per capita coverage on provision of air monitoring sites in Britain and each other EC country for which figures are available.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government fund a number of air quality monitoring stations in the United Kingdom. The per capita coverage of these monitoring sites is presented in the tables.

  Pollutant

  Number of sites

  Per capita coverage x 10-7*

  1. Continuous automatic sites

  Ozone

  29

  5·30

  Nitrogen dioxide

  24

  4·40

  Sulphur dioxide

  21

  3·80

  Carbon monoxide

  19

  3·50

  Fine particles (PM10)

  12

  2·20

  Hydrocarbons

  7

  1·30

  261

  Pollutant

  Number of sites

  Per capita coverage x 10-7*

  2. Non-automatic sites

  Nitrogen dioxide†

  1,164

  212·00

  Smoke/sulphur† dioxide (urban)

  252

  45·80

  Sulphur dioxide (rural)

  38

  6·90

  Lead

  21

  3·80

  Heavy metals

  6

  1·10

  Toxic organic micropollutants

  5

  0·91

  * Assumes population of the United Kingdom of 55 million.

  † Monitoring undertaken in collaboration with local authorities.

  Information on numbers of air quality monitoring sites in other European countries is not held centrally.

  Atmospheric Pollution, Greenwich
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the levels of atmospheric pollution in the Greenwich area and, in particular, the levels of nitrous oxide and black smoke emissions, in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Atkins
  Annual average concentrations of black smoke, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in Greenwich and surrounding sites are given in tables 1 and 2. As part of the expansion of the urban monitoring network a site was established in Eltham, Greenwich in 1993 which continually monitors 26 hydrocarbons. The provisional data for benzene and 1, 3 butadiene for the first four months of operation are presented in table 3. Annual emissions of smoke, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide between 1985 and 1991 are given in the Department of the Environment's 15th edition of the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Table 1

  Greenwich1

  Woolwich

  Year

  Black smoke (ug/m3)

  SO2 (ppb3)

  Black smoke (ug/m3)

  SO2 (ppb3)

  1985

  8·7

  66·3

  6·0

  48·2

  1986

  8·0

  47·1

  6·0

  47·1

  1987

  12·6

  50·1

  11·3

  51·0

  1988

  12·8

  58·7

  10·5

  63·8

  1989

  19·4

  55·2

  9·7

  40·2

  1990

  16·8

  50·5

  10·2

  47·3

  1991

  14·5

  45·8

  9·0

  47·1

  1992

  11·2

  36·2

  6·6

  36·0

  1 Greenwich site:

  West Greenwich branch library, Greenwich High road.

  2 Woolwich site:

  Shrewsbury house, Rushmore Crescent. Plumstead, SE18.

  3 Parts per billion at 20°C and 1013 millibars pressure.

  Table 2

  Year and site

  Annual average No2 (ppb)

  1991

  Shrewsbury house, Rushmore crescent. Plumstead SE18

  34·0

  1993

  (Kerbside), Greenwich town hall, Woolwich road, SE10

  20·6

  Environmental curriculum centre, Bexley road, SE9

  15·5

  De Lucy school, Cookhill road, Abbey Wood, SE2

  16·3

  Shrewsbury house, Bushmoor crescent. Plumstead, SE18

  13·7

  262

  Table 3

  Month/year

  Benzene (ppb)

  1,3 Butadiene (ppb)

  August 1993

  0·80

  0·16

  September 1993

  0·89

  0·21

  October 1993

  0·75

  0·17

  November 1993

  1·16

  0·21

  Private Water Companies
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make regulations applicable to private water companies on the same lines as those in section 2(3) of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Environmental Information Regulations 1992 apply among others to those bodies with public responsibilities for the environment as defined in regulation 2(3). It is for the water companies to interpret what responsibilities they may have under the existing regulations and for the courts to adjudicate if their interpretation is challenged.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what levels of teachers' pay was allowed for in the local government central support grant settlement for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Baldry
  The settlement assumes that any increase in pay costs is offset by efficiency savings.

  Benzene
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to monitor and control airborne levels of benzene in the light of the report by the expert panel on air quality standards committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of the Environment is establishing a network of 12 sites to continually monitor benzene and 25 other hydrocarbons in urban areas in the United Kingdom. Sites have been established in London Bloomsbury, London Eltham, Middlesbrough, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Cardiff. Sites in Leeds and Bristol are expected to be in operation by the spring and a further three sites are expected to be in operation by the end of the year.

  The expert panel on air quality standards recently published its first report in which it recommended an air quality standard for benzene in the United Kingdom of 5ppb as a running annual average and a target standard. The panel also recommended that this standard be reduced to the lower level of 1ppb running annual average in the longer term. The Government are considering the panel's recommendations on benzene very carefully and will shortly publish a consultation paper which will discuss how air quality standards should operate and ways in which they can be achieved. The Government will consider how the recommended standard could be used in this context and over what time scale the lower target standard could be met.

  Water Use
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will launch a Government action plan to encourage using water more wisely;

  (2) what action he has taken following the receipt of responses to the publication of "Using Water Wisely, A Consultation Paper", July 1992, DoE/Welsh Office.

  Mr. Atkins
  We intend to publish shortly a document setting out the range of actions that we are taking in the light of the responses to the consultation paper.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what targets and mechanisms he will introduce to ensure the sustainable use of water in accordance with the principles of sustainable development as set out in articles 3 and 4 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

  Mr. Atkins
  For England and Wales, the system of water management, introduced by the Water Resources Act 1963 and most recently updated by the Water Act 1989, provides an excellent framework for ensuring the sustainable management of water. Systems for the same purposes exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The policies to be followed, and the challenges to be addressed, in running these systems are described in "Sustainable Development—The UK Strategy" (Cm 2426).

  Staff Transfers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 26, what are the criteria and rules applying to the house purchase loans for departmental staff on compulsory transfer including the circumstances under which loans can be written off; what were the total amounts loaned or granted under the scheme in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94; and how many staff were assisted in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94.

  Mr. Baldry
  Advances of salary are available to assist with the costs of house purchase when staff are involved in permanent and compulsory transfers. Loans are advanced when staff move to a higher-priced housing area or when, because of individual circumstances, they would not otherwise be able to afford to move home. Staff must take the maximum mortgage they can afford and contribute the net proceeds of sale of the old property. Loans are normally limited to half annual salary. Staff posted to London whose loan under the normal rules would be limited to less than £9,500 can, however, obtain an extra £1,000.

  Loans must be repaid within 12 years of the date of transfer, but repayment can be deferred for up to four years from the date of the transfer. The advance is repayable if the borrower ceases to be a civil servant or if completion of purchase is not made.

  Excluding PSA Services, there were 14 loans in 1992–93 amounting to £115,529 and 10 so far in 1993–94 amounting to £94,600.

  Write-off is unlikely and would normally be approved only after all avenues of recovery had been pursued. There have been no write-offs in 1992–93 or 1993–94.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to include part M of the Building Regulations in the Government's deregulation programme; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he expects to extend part M of the Building Regulations to include existing buildings and housing.

  Mr. Baldry
  Building Regulations made under the Building Act 1984 at present make provision for access by disabled people to new non-domestic buildings. I have asked the Building Regulations Advisory Committee to advise me on whether these provisions should be extended to cover certain alterations and changes of use in such buildings. I have also asked it to examine the desirability and practicability of extending the provisions in part M to new dwellings. I hope to be in a position to make a statement on this before Easter. Any plans to introduce new or extended regulations are carefully scrutinised to ensure that the costs do not outweigh the benefits.

  Approved Contractors
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms are included in his Department's register of approved contractors.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Department of the Environment manages two registers of approved contractors. These are the contractor management information system and the consultants register. There are 7,893 contractors on the contractor management information system and 3,239 consultants on the consultants register.

  Hayes Records Centre
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to speed up the decontamination work at the Hayes records centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The decontamination work at the Public Record Office site, Hayes, started in late November 1993. As the separate storage areas in the two buildings are decontaminated they are being handed over progressively so that the records in them can be accessed, with priority being given to the records which are most urgently needed. Six of the eight areas in building A, which contains the MOD records, have already been completed and the building should be fully decontaminated by 4 March. Four of the eight areas in building Y had been completed and the aim is to complete the final area by 10 March. The work on building Y is a seven-days-a-week operation.

  Hotels (Change of Use)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue guidance in respect of the change of use of hotels to(a) hostels for social security claimants and (b) housing association homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  On(a), this will depend on the outcome of our review. (b) There are no plans to issue guidance on the conversion of hotels to housing association homes.

  Subsidence
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of homes in(a) London, (b) the south-east of England, (c) the south-west of England, (d) the midlands, (e) the north-east of England, (f) the north-west of England, (g) Scotland, (h) Wales and (i) Northern Ireland were affected by subsidence from 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Baldry
  There are no centrally collected statistics on the number of homes affected by subsidence.

  BRE Digest 352 "Underpinning" (Revised 1993) gives the annual value and number of insurance claims for subsidence and heave damage to dwellings based on payments made by the major insurance companies. This shows the number of claims to rise from about 10,000 per year in 1985 and 1986 to about 65,000 in 1991 and the value to rise from about £110 million per year in 1985 and 1986 to almost £550 million in 1991. The most recent figure available is that the value of claims exceeds £260 million for 1992.

  A nationwide survey for the Building Research Establishment found that about 50 per cent. of all underpinning is carried out in London and the home counties. BRE Digest 352 illustrates the geographical distribution of underpinning projects as proportions of the national total in 12 arbitrary areas. The relevant figures are:

  Percentage of national total

  London and South East England

  33

  Central Southern England

  18

  South West England

  2

  Midlands

  20

  East Anglia

  12

  North East England

  3

  North West England

  4

  Wales and Welsh Borders

  3

  Scotland

  4

  Northern Ireland

  1

  Groundwork Trusts
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will approve funding for a Groundwork trust to make payments to an existing environmental charity providing the same services as Groundwork trusts to pay for(a) core costs and (b) project costs.

  Mr. Atkins
  No. Groundwork's grant in aid is given specifically to fund Groundwork activity. There is a wide range of grants available from this Department to fund the environmental activities of other existing voluntary organisations.

  Flats Over Shops Initiative
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will receive supplementary credit approvals under the flats over shops initiative for 1994–95 and at what levels; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  I have placed in the Library a list of the 131 local authorities in England to receive flats over shops allocations totalling £10 million in 1994–95.

  I am delighted with the progress that has been made with this scheme. As in the last two years, the programme
  266
  was again considerably oversubscribed. This shows that there is great interest in turning empty space above shops into residential accommodation.

  The aims of the initiative are twofold; to reduce housing stress by creating new homes and to demonstrate that such a change of use is possible and can have positive advantages for both property owners and the area generally.

  Creating flats over shops not only contributes to the growth of housing for rent, but brings life back to our inner cities and improves shop front security.

  I expect to see many more homes created this year as a result of this initiative.

  I hope that those local authorities which were not successful in gaining Government resources will still consider promoting flats over shops schemes in their area, using other available funds.

  Redundant Building Grant Scheme
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria for eligibility for receipt of the Rural Development Commission's redundant building grant scheme; what were the criteria in April 1992; what parts of the country it covers now; and what parts it covered in April 1992.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 21 February 1994]: Virtually any building in a designated rural development area is eligible, provided that it will be used for business purposes when the works are completed. Grants are not, however, available for conversions to, or refurbishment of, residential property, nor for buildings which will be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes. Tourism and leisure projects are eligible, including quality, serviced, overnight accommodation but not small bed-and-breakfast and self-catering developments.

  Prior to April 1992, the Rural Development Commission's redundant building grant scheme was available only in the designated rural development areas. The scheme's coverage was extended in April 1992. Areas now eligible are:

  All rural development areas.

  All national Parks and the Norfolk Broads.

  Countryside employment programme areas.

  The rural coastal strip in the Worthington and Whitehaven areas of Cumbria.

  Rural parts of the Barrow peninsula, Cumbria.

  Portland, Dorset.

  St. Austell and surrounding area.

  Rural coalfield closure areas in:

  North East Derbyshire/West Nottinghamshire/South

  Yorkshire

  North West Leicestershire/South Derbyshire

  South East Northumberland

  East and West Durham

  Yorkshire

  North Warwickshire

  East Kent.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently in receipt of the Rural Development Commission's redundant building grant scheme; and how many were in receipt in April 1992.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 21 February 1994]: At the end of January 1994, the Rural Development Commission had paid £19·89 million in grants to 3,144 redundant building grant projects since the scheme's inception in 1982. At the beginning of April 1992 the comparable figures were £15· 7 million to 2,723 projects.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Integrated Prison Scheme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his evaluation of the integrated prison scheme in which vulnerable and ordinary prisoners share all activities together.

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

  Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 February 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the evaluation of arrangements in those prison establishments where vulnerable and ordinary prisoners share regime activities. An evaluation study is to be undertaken as part of the Prison Service's planned research programme for 1994–95.

  Traffic Laws (Police Enforcement)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 801, who is conducting the review of police enforcement of the traffic laws; when it will be completed; if he will make the results public; what is the time scale for public consultation as part of the review; if he will place a list of those being consulted in the Library; and if he will make it his policy to advise any organisation or individual being consulted that their response may be made public unless they request otherwise.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Government officials will be reviewing traffic policing duties in consultation with the police service and police authority representatives. My right hon. and learned Friend expects to receive a report on that exercise in the autumn. He will consider the impact of any changes proposed on operational efficiency and the quality of service that the police offer the community. He will also wish to consider how best to consult the public if any changes are proposed that would affect the police interface with the public.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost to date of police operations in connection with protests in Wanstead against the construction of the M11 link road.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 22 February,Official Report, column 154.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the police tactics decided on for the final removal of protestors occupying houses in Wanstead in opposition to the M11 link road; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the level of seniority within the Metropolitan police service at which the decisions were taken as to the number of officers to be deployed, and the
  268
  tactics to be used, in the final removal of protestors from houses in Wanstead occupied as a protest against the construction of the M11 link road.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner that his officers were present at the request of the high sheriff of Greater London who was seeking to enforce an order of the High Court obtained by the Department of Transport for possession of the site. The role of the police was to prevent any breach of the peace.

  The Commissioner informs me that his officers sought, for reasons of safety and to enable the order to be enforced, to establish cordons around the area and to direct traffic away from it. Police officers then cleared the road in front of the houses to enable the high sheriff's officers to take possession of them. Once this had been achieved, most of the police officers withdrew, although a few remained to prevent the site from being reoccupied. Decisions on deployment and tactics were taken by an officer of the rank of commander.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the police operation against the M11 link with protestors at Wanstead on 16 February cost; and what are the total costs to date of policing activities in relation to the M11 link road.

  Mr Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner that the additional costs of the police operation on 16 February are estimated to be more than £200,000. The total manpower costs since September of security and policing for the M11 link road through Wanstead are £470,075. Information on the cost of support services and other resources involved is not available.

  Ethnic Minority Grants
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the effect of withdrawing section 11 funding on schools in Avon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  All posts approved for funding under section 11 remain eligible for grant. It is a matter for grant recipients to decide, within their overall financial provisions, how they propose to proceed in the light of the reductions in the level of section 11 expenditure which we regret it has been necessary to make.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the schools within the Tooting constituency that are receiving funding under section 11.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Teacher posts approved for funding under section 11 are currently allocated to the following schools identified as being in the Tooting constituency:

  Balham Nursery

  Broadwater—junior mixed infants

  Burntwood

  Chestnut Grove

  Eardley—junior mixed infants

  Earlsfield—junior mixed infants

  Ernest Bevin

  Fircroft—junior mixed infants

  Franciscan—junior mixed infants

  Furzedown—junior mixed infants

  Graveney

  Hillbrook—junior mixed infants

  Penwortham—junior mixed infants

  Ravenstone—junior mixed infants

  Sellingcourt—junior mixed infants

  269

  Smallwood junior mixed infants

  St. Anselm's—junior mixed infants

  St. Boniface—junior mixed infants

  Swaffield—junior mixed infants

  Trinity St. Mary's CE—junior mixed infants

  Wandle—junior mixed infants

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, columns 698–99, when the hon. Member for Walthamstow can expect to receive the letter referred to.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I wrote to the hon. Member yesterday.

  Cannabis (Sentencing)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is(a) the average sentence and (b) the range of sentences for those convicted of dealing in cannabis in the latest convenient period; and how many people are currently in prison for this offence.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in tables S2.28 and S2.31 of the Home Office statistical bulletin, issue 30/93 "Statistics of drugs seizures and offenders dealt with, United Kingdom, 1992 (Supplementary tables)", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are in prison as a result of convictions for possessing cannabis.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of persons in prison on 30 June 1992—the latest date for which figures are available—is contained in table S2.31 of the Home Office statistical bulletin No. 30/93 "Statistics of drugs seizures and offenders dealt with, United Kingdom 1992 (Supplementary tables)", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Contracting Out (Pension Rights)
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued about the effect of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 and the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 on the transfer of pension rights in services in his Department which are subject to contracting out.

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 18 February,Official Report, column 1010.

  Members (Statutory References)
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statutory references to hon. Members in respect of(a) parliamentary constituency boundaries, (b) disqualification and (c) any other matters.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is as follows:

  (a) There are no references to hon.Members in the legislation governing the drawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries.

  (b) The main statutory references to disqualification for membership of the House of Commons are contained in the Parliamentary Elections Act 1695, the Act of Settlement 1700 and schedule 7 to the British Nationality Act 1981, the House of Commons (Clergy
  270
  Disqualification) Act 1801, the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918, the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, the Representation of the People Act 1981, the Representation of the People Act 1983, and section 427 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

  (c) Information about other statutory references to hon. Members is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Fires (Letting Accommodation)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires occurred, by fire authority, in letting accommodation not requiring fire certification as a result of six-bedspace legislation in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The statistical information requested on the number of fires in such properties is not available centrally.

  Urgent Inquiries
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his target for replying to urgent inquiries from hon. Members.

  Mr. Howard
  I have no specific target for replying to urgent inquiries from hon. Members but I aim to do so as quickly as possible. Inquiries requiring urgent attention are identified by my private office which ensures that they are treated with priority.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will respond to the resolution of the European Parliament concerning the deserters and conscientious objectors in former Yugoslavia; and what action will be taken to assist those individuals.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have noted the terms of this resolution. All applications for asylum, including those from deserters and draft evaders, are considered carefully on their merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 United Nations convention on the status of refugees.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list, by country of origin, how many asylum seekers whose applications were made before the enactment of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 have since had their application determined; how many were granted refugee status; how many were granted exceptional leave to remain; and how many were refused;

  (2) if he will list, by country of origin, how many asylum seekers have made application since the enactment of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993; how many of these applications have been determined; how many applicants have been granted refugee status; and how many have been granted exceptional leave to remain.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The table provides information on applications and decisions made in the period 1 August 1993 to 31 January 1994.

  A split of the decision figures between those where the application was lodged before enactment of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 and those lodged after is not readily available.
  271

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and decisions1, by nationality, 1 August 1993 to 31 January 1994

  Number of principal applicants

  Applications received2

  Decisions2 3

  Total decisions

  Recognised as a and granted granted asylum4

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leaves5

  Total refusals6

  Europe and Americas

  Bulgaria

  55

  20

  —

  *

  15

  Colombia

  175

  70

  —

  *

  70

  Romania

  150

  155

  —

  5

  150

  Turkey

  730

  515

  80

  40

  400

  Former USSR

  195

  25

  —

  —

  25

  Former Yugoslavia

  620

  155

  5

  100

  55

  Others

  325

  80

  *

  *

  80

  Total

  2,255

  1,020

  80

  145

  790

  Africa

  Angola

  195

  145

  *

  *

  140

  Benin

  5

  15

  —

  —

  15

  Cameroon

  35

  15

  —

  —

  15

  Congo

  5

  10

  —

  —

  10

  Ethiopia

  295

  95

  5

  25

  65

  Ghana

  925

  630

  *

  *

  625

  Nigeria

  1,200

  315

  —

  5

  315

  Sierra Leone

  475

  170

  *

  5

  165

  Somalia

  600

  760

  10

  615

  135

  Sudan

  145

  120

  35

  10

  75

  Togo/Ivory Coast

  180

  95

  —

  *

  90

  Uganda

  185

  205

  *

  15

  185

  Zaire

  245

  250

  *

  5

  245

  Others

  905

  420

  10

  50

  380

  Total

  5,405

  3,245

  65

  740

  2,445

  Middle East

  Iran

  160

  80

  40

  5

  35

  Iraq

  260

  145

  75

  60

  15

  Lebanon

  145

  50

  *

  5

  40

  Others

  145

  130

  10

  15

  110

  Total

  705

  405

  120

  85

  200

  Asia

  China

  120

  40

  10

  5

  30

  India

  685

  560

  *

  5

  560

  Pakistan

  545

  330

  —

  5

  320

  Sri Lanka

  1,130

  235

  5

  50

  180

  Others

  315

  130

  5

  5

  120

  Total

  2,795

  1,295

  20

  65

  1,210

  Other and unknown nationalities

  130

  25

  —

  *

  25

  Grand Total

  11,285

  6,000

  290

  1,040

  4,670

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5 with *=1 or 2.

  2 Figures exclude information on applications made overseas.

  3 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the period.

  4 Excluding south-east Asian refugees.

  5 Usually granted for a year in the first instance, subject than to further review.

  6 Total refused includes: those refused after full consideration, those refused on third country grounds where the applicant had arrived from a safe third country, and those refused under paragraph 180F of the immigration rules for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failure to respond to two invitations to interview to establish identity.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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) Her Majesty's Treasury and (b) his agencies (i) in the current financial year and (ii) planned
  272
  for 1994–95, showing for each the objectives and mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the advertising.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested covering the Treasury is shown in the table. None of the Chancellor's agencies mounted campaigns costing more than £10,000. The information relating to campaigns to promote the sale of coins covers those which are paid for by the Treasury. It does not include campaigns mounted by the Royal Mint to promote sales of its other products.
  273

  Campaign

  Objectives

  Cost £

  Effectiveness

  HM Treasury1993–94

  BT3 share offer

  To inform prospective purchasers that the BT3 share offer was taking place and the key dates on which action had to be taken.

  13,500,000

  Effectiveness was assessed through market research conducted on hehalf of the Treasury and involving the Central Office of Information.

  £5 Coronation crown

  To promote sales of the circulating of the 1993 £5coronation crown.

  470,000

  Sales of the coin were monitored before and afterthe campaign.

  1994–95

  £2 Commemorative coin

  To promote sales of the £2 commemorative coin.

  415,000

  Sales of the coin will be monitored before andafter the campaign.

  Mortgage Protection
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to assess the Financial Services Act 1986 to include the sale of mortgage protection policies.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have no plans to extend the range of insurance products which fall within the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department plans to take to encourage the development of mortgage protection policies for borrowers.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government believe that the development of mortgage protection policies is a matter for the insurance market.

  VAT (Domestic Fuel)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue will be raised by the imposition of 8 per cent. VAT on domestic fuel.

  Sir John Cope
  Figures published in the 1993–94 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" show that imposing VAT at 8 per cent. on domestic fuel is expected to raise £950 million in 1994–5.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the number of people who will not be able to afford house contents insurance due to his imposition of a 3 per cent. levy; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  I have received no such specific representations. At the low rate proposed the tax is unlikely to have any significant effect on the take-up of insurance.

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response his Department has made to the report by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux on mortgage repossessions.

  Mr. Nelson
  I was interested to read the recent NACAB report on mortgage repossessions. I commented on the report in a letter to Ms Ann Abraham, the chief executive of NACAB, on 25 November 1993 and I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library. Since then, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has published figures showing a further significant fall in mortgage arrears and possessions in 1993.

  National Tax Burden
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what the nation's tax burden as a percentage of gross domestic product will be in 1998–99; and what this figure was in 1978–79.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Estimates for the non-North sea tax burden are shown in table 2A.2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1994–95".

  Percentage of Gross Domestic Product in the finance and business sector1

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  21992

  North

  5

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5

  5

  6

  7

  7

  6

  7

  8

  8

  8

  East Midlands

  6

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  8

  8

  8

  East Anglia

  7

  7

  8

  8

  9

  9

  9

  9

  9

  9

  Greater London

  15

  15

  17

  19

  21

  21

  22

  23

  22

  22

  Rest of South East

  13

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  17

  17

  16

  16

  South West

  8

  8

  8

  9

  10

  9

  10

  10

  10

  9

  West Midlands

  7

  7

  7

  8

  9

  8

  9

  9

  8

  9

  North West

  7

  7

  7

  8

  8

  8

  9

  9

  9

  9

  Wales

  5

  5

  6

  6

  7

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Scotland

  7

  7

  8

  8

  9

  8

  9

  9

  9

  10

  Northern Ireland

  5

  5

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  7

  7

  United Kingdom

  9

  9

  10

  11

  12

  12

  12

  13

  12

  12

  1 Excluding rent on dwellings.

  2 1992 results are provisional.

  Mortgage Interest Rates
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table giving(a) the average mortgage interest rate for the leading building societies on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October of each year since 1990, (b) the average interest rate paid to investors by the leading building societies on each of these dates and (c) the differential between them.

  Mr. Nelson
  The table gives(a) the average mortgage rates charged by building societies, (b) the average share rates paid by them and (c) the difference between the two, on each date specified. The rates are taken from "Financial Statistics" published by the Central Statistical Office. The interest rate paid to investors has been enhanced to take account of withheld tax paid by societies direct to the Inland Revenue, on investors' behalf.

  Mortgage rate

  Gross share rate

  Differential

  1990

  January

  14·44

  13·28

  1·16

  April

  15·24

  14·21

  1·03

  Tax Increases
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the most recent representations he has received concerning the cost to the average family of the cumulative tax increases announced since last March.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Treasury Ministers have received a number of letters from correspondents about the impact of the Budget on their family finances.

  Finance and Business Sector
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross domestic product for(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each region was accounted for to the finance and business sector in each year between 1983 and 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  The latest available estimates consistent with the United Kingdom "National Accounts Blue Book", 1993 edition, expressed in percentage terms are as follows:

  Mortgage rate

  Gross share rate

  Differential

  July

  15·25

  14·37

  0·88

  October

  15·25

  14·44

  0·81

  1991

  January

  14·34

  13·41

  0·93

  April

  14·24

  12·71

  1·53

  July

  12·75

  10·61

  2·14

  October

  11·82

  9·77

  2·05

  1992

  January

  11·39

  9·69

  1·70

  April

  10·96

  9·23

  1·73

  July

  10·82

  8·84

  1·98

  October

  10·60

  8·41

  2·19

  1993

  January

  8·98

  6·29

  2·69

  April

  8·04

  5·76

  2·28

  July

  8·01

  5·80

  2·21

  October

  8·00

  5·77

  2·23

  1994

  January

  8·00

  5·32

  2·68

  Source: Financial Statistics (CSO).

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Bolton Institute of Higher Education
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he expects to make a decision concerning the application of Bolton institute of higher education to become a university.

  Mr. Newton
  No such application has been received. There is however an application for the institute to be granted powers to grant research degrees, which is currently under consideration.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Secretarial Allowances
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members pay their secretarial allowances into private or public limited companies.

  Mr. Newton
  There has been no significant change in the number of Members who have authorised payments from their office costs allowance direct to companies and other organisations from that quoted in my reply to the hon. Member on 19 July, 1993,Official Report, columns 23–24.

  Automated Access Control
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what assessment he has made of the effect on Divisions of the House of the introduction of automated access control at the entrance to New Palace Yard; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  No such specific assessment has been undertaken, but I am not aware of any significant difficulties having been caused in relation to Divisions. It is, of course, the practice for the side gate at the subway entrance to be open during Divisions to avoid any risk of congestion at the turnstiles.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Korean Peninsula
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Government about tensions on the Korean peninsula.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are in regular and continuous contact with the United States Government on Korean matters.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the IGADD—Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development—talks seeking to bring peace in Sudan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development leaders have had some success in reconciling the factions of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, who agreed on 6 January to a joint 278
  position on an agenda for peace talks. But progress with the Sudanese Government is more limited. On 17 February the Sudanese Government announced the postponement of a meeting between Presidents Bashir and Moi arranged for 18 February. We urge the Sudanese Government to respond positively to the IGADD initiative and make a serious effort to achieve a negotiated settlement.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press at the United Nations Security Council for a no-fly zone to prevent the bombing of civilian targets in southern Sudan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We deplore the latest outbreak of fighting in the south, and condemn the bombing by the Sudanese air force of civilian targets. On 21 February we and our European Union partners issued a declaration to this effect, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. We have not ruled out recourse to the United Nations Security Council but would not want to pursue this option unless we were confident that it would be constructive.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress there has been in the talks between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Talks at permanent secretary level between India and Pakistan on Kashmir resumed last month in Islamabad after a gap of over a year. We were encouraged that both sides were prepared to discuss their differences over Kashmir at length. We hope that they will continue their efforts to resolve the Kashmir problem through bilateral dialogue.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is British Government policy that the Simla agreement should form the basis for progress in talks between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We continue to believe that the best way forward on Kashmir should involve simultaneous progress on dialogue between India and Pakistan as provided for under the 1972 Simla agreement, an improvement in human rights in Kashmir and a genuine political progress there, and an end to external support for violence in Kashmir.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what significant changes in the United. Nations position on Somalia have been made following the recent meeting of the Security Council.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Security Council reviewed the mandate of UNOSOM II during late January/early February in light of the decision by the United States of America and most European nations to withdraw most of their forces from Somalia at the end of March 1994.

  SCR 897 of 4 February 1994 redefines UNOSOM II's mandate as:

  (a) Encouraging and assisting the Somali parties in implementing the "Addis Ababa Agreements", in particular in their co-operative efforts to achieve disarmament and to respect the ceasefire;

  279

  (b) Protecting major ports and airports and essential infrastructure and safeguarding the lines of communications vital to the provision of humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance;

  (c) Continuing its efforts to provide humanitarian relief to all in need throughout the country;

  (d) Assisting in the reorganisation of the Somali police and judicial system;

  (e) Helping with the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons;

  (f) Assisting also in the ongoing political process in Somalia, which should culminate in the installation of a democratically elected government;

  (g) Providing protection for the personnel, installations and equipment of the United Nations and its agencies, as well as of non-governmental organisations providing humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance.

  The main difference between the new mandate and the previous one is that United Nations troops will no longer attempt to disarm factions by coercive means, but will instead rely on the parties to disarm voluntarily.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time for the disposal of a case before the European Court of Human Rights from the time of petition to the time of setting down for trial.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The average time taken from petition to the European Commission of Human Rights to judgment by the Court is about four and a half years.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many petitions have been brought by United Kingdom citizens before the European Court of Human Rights in each of the years since its establishment.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Cases are referred to the European Court of Human Rights by the Commission or by the state concerned, not by individuals. We do not have a figure for the total number of petitions received by the Commission. Many are rejected as unfounded or frivolous, and details of these are not notified to the Governments concerned.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many judgments adverse to the British Government have been delivered by the European Court of Human Rights.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The European Court of Human Rights has delivered 31 judgments adverse to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many petitions brought by United Kingdom citizens have been accepted by the European Court of Human Rights as being within its jurisdiction in each of the years since its establishment.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In all, 48 individual applications against the United Kingdom have been referred by the European Commission of Human Rights to the Court and resulted in judgments on the merits. The number of those applications which have been brought by United Kingdom citizens is not readily available and could be determined only at disproportionate cost.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the talks with China over Hong Kong's constitutional development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A White Paper on the development of representative Government in Hong Kong will be published and laid before Parliament on Thursday 24 February. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The White Paper will explain the background to the talks with China on electoral issues in Hong Kong, give a summary of the talks, and an assessment of the proposals put forward by both sides against our requirement that the elections should be open and fair.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Electricity (Rural Properties)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assistance is available in Northern Ireland to connect rural properties to the mains electricity supply.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  I understand it is the practice of Northern Ireland Electricity plc to bear 40 per cent. of the cost of connecting rural properties.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council.

  Mr. Ancram
  Membership of the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council is as follows:

  Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB (Chairman)

  Mr. Roy Bailie Professor Peter Bush

  Mr. Dan Harvey

  Dr. Tony Hughes

  Dr. Paula Kilbane

  Professor Peter H. McKie

  Mr. Declan Morgan

  Mr. Finlay Scott

  Professor Dorothy Severin

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Local Enterprise Development Unit.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The current membership of the Local Enterprise Development Unit is as follows:

  Mr. Paul McWilliams (Chairman)

  Mrs. Joan Ruddock

  Mrs. Teresa Townsley

  Mr. Garry Mullen

  Mr. Will KcKee

  Dr. Bill McCourt

  Prof. Jim Magowan

  Mr. Michael Black

  Mr. Sean Quinn

  Ms Claire Faulkner

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to each education and library board.
  281
  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARDS

  Belfast

  Chairman:

  Rev. J. McAllister

  Members:

  Mr. J. Alderdice

  Mrs. L. R. Brown

  Mr. D. H. Browne

  Mr. N. B. Butterwick

  Mr. J. Carson

  Mr. D. C. Carty

  Mr. V. Cochrane

  Mr. J. A. Coggle

  Mr. J. J. Collins

  Mr. J. Cooper

  Rev. T. D. Cooper

  Mrs. M. Cruickshank

  Mr. N. A. Dodds

  Mr. T. D. Hamilton

  Mr. T. J. Kirkpatrick

  Rev. W. A. Lewis

  Ms P. Lewsley

  Mr. S. McBride

  Mr. N. A. McCausland

  Mrs. M. McGuinness

  Mr. W. F. C. McKay

  Rev. J. McManus

  Mrs. M. F. MacNally

  Mr. O. J. Magill

  Mrs. M. S. Muldoon

  Miss C. Murphy

  Mr. J. P. A. Murphy

  Mrs. A. Odling-Smee

  Rev. P. F. Patterson

  Mr. F. Proctor

  Mr. F. Rogers

  Mr. W. M. Sillery

  Rev. E. Smyth

  Mr. J. Walker

  South Eastern

  Chairman:

  Mr. H. R. Small

  Members:

  Mr. D. G. Andrews

  Rev. R. G. Bagnall

  Rev. W. J. Beattie

  Mrs. H. M. Bell

  Mr. T. P. Benson

  Mr. W. J. Biggerstaff

  Mrs. H. E. Bradford

  Mr. S. A. Campbell

  Miss R. B. Carabine

  Rev. T. V. Craig

  Mr. M. J. Curran

  Mr. I. Davis

  Canon S. M. J. Dickson

  Mrs. L. P. Douglas

  Mr. R. Gibson

  Mr. R. A. Jones

  Mr. S. R. Kilpatrick

  Mr. W. D. Linton

  Mr. P. McAleenan

  Mrs. M. M. McGoran

  Rev. J. H. McIntyre

  Mr. W. R. Magill

  Mr. W. J. Masterson

  Mr. C. Moore

  Mrs. F. M. Reid

  Dr. R. J. Rodgers

  Mr. S. Semple

  Rev. K. J. Smyth

  Mrs. D. Tennis

  Miss G. Tigchelaar

  Mrs. A. Thompson

  Mrs. S. T. Townsley

  282

  Mr. W. G. Watson

  Rev. D. Whyte

  North Eastern

  Chairman:

  Rev. R. F. S. Poots

  Members:

  Rev. S. Allen

  Mr. J. A. Beggs

  Mrs. E. T. Black

  Mr. R. S. Bolton

  Mrs. J. Christie

  Rev. D. Clarke

  Mrs. C. C. Corrigan

  Mr. E J. Crilly

  Mr. J. Currie

  Mr. S. C. Dickson

  Rev. J. A. Fair

  Mrs. L. Frazer

  Mr. J. A. Gaston

  Mrs. P. A. Gillespie

  Mr. J. Graham

  Mr. R. J. Hanna

  Mr. J. B. H. Hill

  Mr. D. Hollis

  Mr. P. A. Kilpatrick

  Mrs. P. A. Lerwill

  Mr. T. A. Lyttle

  Mr. A. P. McConaghy

  Mr. R. E. McCrea

  Rev. B. McGoldrick

  Mr. P. G. McShane

  Mr. F. R. H. Marks

  Mr. J. J. Meehan

  Mrs. K. Regan

  Mrs. G. E. Scott

  Mr. J. A. Scott

  Mr. R. J. Sloan

  Mrs. D. M. White

  Rev. J. R. Wilson

  Rev. T. H. Wilson

  Southern

  Chairman:

  Councillor N. R. D. Mulligan

  Members:

  Mrs. M. Alexander

  Mr. C. W. Breen

  Mr. B. Costelloe

  Mr. F. E. Crowe

  Mr. F. Feely

  Rev. G. A. Green

  Rev. A. Hamill

  Mrs. F. Hamill

  Mr. I. B. Hanna

  Mrs. P. M. B. Kelly

  Mrs. C. O. McAnerney

  Mrs. D. A. McBride

  Mr. J. V. McCart

  Mrs. E. McClurg

  Sister O. A. E. McConville

  Mrs. J. M. McCool

  Mr. A. C. McElhinney

  MMr. V. M. McGahie

  Mr. W. J. McIlwrath

  Mr. A. McKelvey

  Mr. J. H. McParland

  Mrs. S. McRoberts

  Rev. M. McVeigh

  Mr. W. J. Martin

  Rev. S. A. Matthews

  Mr. W. J. Mitchell

  Rev. S. Rice

  Mr. A. Ruddy

  Mr. J. A. Speers

  Rev. F. D. Swann

  Mr. J. Tate

  Mr. J. W. Trueman

  Rev. W. R. Twaddell

  Mrs. P. E. Wilson

  283

  Western

  Chairman:

  Mrs. B. B. McIvor

  Members:

  Mr. M. Bradley

  Mr. S. J. Burnside

  Mr. T. B. Campbell

  Rev. R. W. W. Clarke

  Rev. C. Clerkin

  Rev O. Crilly

  Rev. P. J. Crilly

  Mr. R. E. Dallas

  Mr. A. J. Dardis

  Mr. P. Devine

  Mr. A. Doherty

  Dr. E. M. Downey

  Mr. P. Duffy

  Mr. H. Faulkner

  Mr. J. Gallagher

  Mr. T. J. Gallagher

  Mrs. S. C. Hogg

  Mrs. T. Kelly

  Mr. J. J. Kerr

  Mr. P. M. C. Little

  Mr. A. C. McFarland

  Miss D. M. McNamee

  Mr. D. Nixon

  Mr. W. C. Noble

  Mr. G. O'hEara

  Mr. P. O'Kane

  Mrs. S. M. O'Kane

  Rev. D. C. Orr

  Mr. S. Shields

  Mr. E. Turner

  Mrs. E. Waterson

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

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Probation Board for Northern Ireland currently comprises 14 members, including a chairman and deputy chairman. In the interests of personal security it would not be appropriate to name individual members of the board.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The current members of the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland are as follows:

  Mrs. J. R. Smyth Chair and Chief Executive

  Mr. R. A. Coughlin Deputy Chairman

  Professor S. B. Dickson Deputy Chairman

  Mrs. M. S. V. Young

  Dr. D. Kennedy

  Mrs. P. Feeney

  Mrs. J. Eve

  Ms A. Hope

  Ms B. Callaghan

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to each of the boards of visitors and visiting committees.

  Sir John Wheeler
  In the interest of personal security it would not be appropriate to name individual members of boards of visitors or visiting committees.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Historic Monuments Council.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Historic Monuments Council are as follows:284

  Reverend Canon A. E. T. Harper (Chairman)

  Professor M. G. L. Baillie

  Mrs. D. Browne

  Professor R. E. Buchanan

  Mr. A. Candon

  Mrs. Corcoran

  Dr. R. M. M. Crozier

  Mr. C. W. Dickinson

  Miss M. M. Gallagher

  Ms K. M. Gormley

  Dr. A. Lynch

  Dr. P. Robinson

  Mr. C. W. Tweed

  Mr. R. B. Warner

  Mrs. P. Wilson

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company are as follows:

  Mr. I. Doherty (Chairman)

  Mrs. P. Farren

  Mr. A. Keery

  Mr. S. R. Reed

  Mr. N. Whitehead

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland review body for operator and vehicle licensing.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland review body for operator and vehicle licensing are as follows:

  Mr. M. Hale (Chairman)

  Mr. N. Caters

  Mr. W. S. Anderson

  Mr. E. Sheridan

  Mr. S. Best

  Ms H. E. Roulston

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Economic Council.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The current membership is as follows:

  Professor Sir C. M. Campbell (Chairman)

  Professor S. Birley

  Professor R. P. Kinsella

  P. D. Montgomery

  Janet M. Trewsdale

  R. M. Gibson

  R. T. Jordan, OBE

  W. J. McCourt

  G. P. McGrath

  N. P. E. Smyth

  T. Carlin

  M. Dummigan

  J. Freeman

  Ms P. Holloway

  J. McCusker

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  Chairman

  The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Carswell

  Members

  Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, KCB

  Mr. J. B. Garrett

  Professor D. S. Greer

  His Honour Judge Gibson, QC

  285

  Mrs. S. Grant

  Mr. H. P. Kennedy, QC

  His Honour Judge Markey, QC

  Mr. J. Meehan

  Mr. I. Montgomery

  Miss M. Walsh

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Travellers.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Travellers are as follows:

  Mr. W. J. Newburn, OBE, Chairman

  Councillor J. A. Agnew

  Councillor M. J. Byrne

  Councillor H. Casey

  Ms D. Cunningham

  Mr. T. Curran

  Miss E. M. Gallagher, OBE

  Dr. M. Gordon

  Mr. T. Haverty

  Councillor P. McElroy

  Councillor C. D. McGimpsey

  Mr. D. A. McMurray

  Mr. T. McQuillan

  Mr. M. Mongan

  Alderman F. Proctor

  Mr. P. Stokes

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside are as follows:

  Professor P. Newbould Chairman

  Mr. R. Hanna Deputy Chairman

  Ms D. Allen

  Sister U. Beggan

  Mr. R. Blakiston-Houston

  Mrs. D. Browne

  Mr. P. Casement

  Mr. P. Doughty

  Dr. D. Kennedy

  Professor A. Long

  Miss M. Lyons

  Mr. N. McLaughlin

  Councillor M. McSparran

  Councillor J. McVitty

  Dr. A. Mitchell

  Dr. K. Milton

  Mrs. H. Northridge

  Miss A. Nugent

  Dr. J. Parsons

  Professor D. Wilcock

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Rent Assessment Panel.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Rent Assessment Panel are as follows:

  Mr. J. V. Arthur

  Councillor Mrs. J. Baird

  Councillor P. J. Bradley

  Councillor D. Browne

  Mr. G. R. Burgess

  Mr. B. Campfield

  Councillor T. J. Catherwood

  Councillor W. Clulow

  Mrs. J. Conaghan

  Mr. J. E. Cousins

  Mrs. A. O. Curran

  Councillor J. McD Dow

  Councillor S. Dunlop

  286

  Mr. J. L. Frazer

  Miss D. J. Gillings

  Alderman D. G. R. Green

  Mr. P. V. Hopkins

  Mr. R. H. B. Houston

  Mrs. A. C. Lismore

  Mrs. G. M. Loughran

  Miss M. P. Mackintosh

  Mr. L. McBrinn

  Mr. S. A. McCauseland

  Mr. D. P. McDonagh

  Mrs. C. McGuckian

  Mrs. M. McMullan

  Mr. J. G. Neill

  Mr. J. Nixon

  Councillor P. O'Hare

  Councillor G. V. Peoples

  Mr. R. J. Polley

  Mr. B. T. Shiels

  Mr. B. H. Sleith

  Mr. D. Smyth

  Ms F. M. Stelfox

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Water Council.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Water Council are as follows:

  Mr. John G. Kelly, Chairman

  Councillor Joan Baird

  Sister Mary Una Beggan

  Dr. Clare Elizabeth Carter

  Dr. Stanley Robert Cochrane

  Mrs. Patricia Farren

  Mrs. Joan Irene Harbison

  Mr. Anthony Francis Hennessey

  Mr. Allen Kilgore

  Councillor Robert McKee

  Mr. George S. McKinley

  Mr. C. G. M. Mills

  Alderman William F. O'Connell

  Mr. Michael D. Playle

  Alderman Geraldine A. Rice

  Mr Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Local Government Staff Commission.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members of the Local Government Staff Commission are:

  Prof. D. Rea Chairman

  Mr. P. Devine

  Ms D. Vaugh

  Mr. D. Haughey

  Mr. G. Kane

  Mr. J. McCammick MBE

  Mr. C. McGimpsey

  Ms A. McGonigle

  Mr. R. Gilmore

  Mrs. I. Belshaw

  Mr. P. O'Neill

  Mrs. M. Taggart

  Mr. G. Burns MBE

  Mrs. M. Young

  Mr. N. Jackson

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Historic Buildings Council.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Historic Buildings Council are as follows:

  Dr. P. Robinson, Chairman

  The Viscountess Brookeborough

  Mr. T. Brown

  Cmdr P. C. D. Campbell

  Mrs. A. Davey Orr

  287

  Mr. D. Evans

  Mr. P. C. Fay

  Dr. M. H. Gould

  Lady Humphreys

  Mr. S. Leighton

  Miss O. Madden

  Dr. D. S. MacNeice

  Mrs. C. McGuckian

  Mr. J. D. Thompson

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Laganside corporation.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Laganside corporation are as follows:

  The Duke of Abercorn, Chairman

  Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick

  Mrs. Margaret Spence

  Councillor Reg Empey

  Dr. Brian Feeney

  Mr. Ernest Airey

  Mr. G. R. Irwin

  Councillor Fred Cobain

  Mrs. Lucinda Blakiston-Houston

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Water Appeals Commission for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Water Appeals Commission for Northern Ireland are as follows:

  Mr. R. S. Hawthorne

  Mr. F. J. Warke

  Mr. F. G. Guckian

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the housing benefit review body.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the housing benefit review boards are as follows:

  Belfast area panel

  Ms E. Evason1

  Mr. W. Glendinning1

  Mrs. M. McMullan1

  Ald. N. Dodds

  Mrs. K. G. Dunlop

  Mr. S. H. Egerton

  Mrs. E. M. Fulton

  Miss K. Gill

  Mr. W. J. Heyburn

  Mr. D. W. Irvine

  Mrs. M. Muldoon

  Mr. D. Wasson

  North east area panel

  Cllr. W. H. King1

  Ald. J. Neeson1

  Mrs. P. Whittley1

  Ald. Mrs. R. G. Armstrong

  Mrs. S. Hillan

  Cllr. Mrs. A. Kelly

  Mrs. M. P. Moran

  Mr. C. Steele

  Mr. G. Wells

  South east area panel

  Mrs. B. McErland1

  Mr. J. Wells1

  Mrs. W. Bleakley

  Mrs. A. Boyle

  Cllr. W. J. McAllister

  Mrs. B. McKeown

  Mr. A. D. Nichol

  Mrs. C. Shannon

  288

  South area panel

  Mr. J. McGaffin1

  Mr. D. J. Ryan1

  Mrs. J. Allister

  Cllr. Mrs. A. Brolly

  Mrs. A. Gray

  Mrs. E. F. Hendron

  Mrs. E. Holt

  Mr. H. McCafferty

  Cllr. W. McFadden

  West area panel

  Cllr. O. Gibson1

  Mrs. M. Jefferson1

  Cllr. A. Kane1

  Cllr. T. Kerrigan1

  Mr. R. Rogan1

  Mrs. M. Campbell

  Cllr. J. Canning

  Mrs. M. Devlin

  Cllr. G. Gallagher

  Mrs. E. McClelland

  Mr. J. A. McConnell

  Miss M. R. McEneaney

  Cllr. McGrath

  Mr. S. Stennet

  1Denotes Chairperson

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee are as follows:

  Mr. E. G. Isherwood (Chairman)

  Ms R. C. M. Bevan

  Mr. D. F. Cannell

  Mr. P. Cooke

  Mr. K. Ewart

  Mr. M. Ferguson

  Mr. K. Harper

  Mr. J. A. Hill

  Mrs. S. Ingram

  Ms M. McKeown

  Mr. E. A. McKinley

  Mr. A. S. Nelson

  Mr. C. O'Cathain

  Mr. T. G. Rankin

  Mr. G. W. H. Silcock

  Mr. J. Smith

  Mr. J. K. Stevenson

  Mr. R. F. White

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members of the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee are:

  Mr. F. Ledwidge, OBE, FCA (Chairman)

  Councillor Mrs. E. T. Black

  Mr. J. Galbraith

  Mr. K. Brown

  Councillor Mrs. M. Bradley

  Mr. T. Salmon

  Mrs. C. Shields

  Mr. E. Hesketh

  Mr. S. J. Lyons

  Ms B. Callaghan

  Mr. E. G. Corscadden

  Mr. G. Manly

  Mr. G. S. McKinley

  Miss P. D. Bunting

  289

  Mr. G. McKinley

  Ms E. May

  Mr. F. E. Donnelly

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive are as follows:

  Chairman:

  Mr. John McEvoy

  Vice-Chairman:

  Mr. William Carson, CBE

  Members:

  Mr. John Hood

  Mr. Sydney McDowell

  Mrs. Elaine Waterson, MBE

  Mrs. Fionnuala Cook

  Mrs. Anne O'Donoghue

  Mr. Jack Allen, OBE

  Mr. Sandy Spence, MBE

  Mr. Eddie Turner

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Planning Appeals Commission.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Planning Appeals Commission are as follows:

  Full-time members:

  R. S. Hawthorne, Chief Commissioner

  F. J. Warke, Deputy Chief Commissioner

  J. S. Turner, Senior Professional Commissioner

  G. R. B. Farrington, Senior Professional Commissioner

  B. A. M. Banks, Senior Professional Commissioner

  Part-time members:

  Mrs. I. Marie Campbell

  Ms. Jane O' Dempsey

  Mr. Don Crawley

  Mr. W. J. Mitchell

  Mr. James Rowlan Mossop

  Mr. Iain Kirk

  Mr Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Construction Industry Advisory Council.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The members currently appointed to the Northern Ireland Construction Industry Advisory Council are as follows:

  Mr. W. E. Little

  Mr. T. Patterson

  Mr. A. A. Reynolds

  Mr. W. F. Gillespie

  Mr. P. R. Scott

  Mr. R. B. Anderson

  The Hon. T. R. V. Dixon, MBE DL

  Mr. J. N. Finlay

  Mrs. J. White

  Mr. F. Cogan

  Mr. W. H. Dowds

SCOTLAND

  Forestry
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the forestry review group.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend expects to receive the forestry review group's advice within the next few weeks.
  290
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the planting of broadleaved trees.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has received many representations in relation to the review of forestry incentives, which is part of the work of the forestry review group. Some of these have been concerned with planting broadleaves.

  A90 Upgrading
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the upgrading to dual carriageway of the final section of the A90 Aberdeen to Perth road to be complete.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Brechin bypass, the final section of the A90 Perth to Aberdeen trunk road to be upgraded to dual carriageway, is scheduled to open fully to traffic within the next two months.

  Sheriff Courts
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the operations of the sheriff court system.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend receives many representations about the operation of the courts. In recent months he has been receiving responses to the wide-ranging proposals we have made for improving the delivery of justice in Scotland.

  Reinventing Government
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of his speech on reinventing government and the accountability of quangos and other public bodies and public services, delivered at the Eglinton management centre, Edinburgh, on 7 February.

  Mr. Lang
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of my speech on reinventing government.

  Roads (Crash Barriers)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of motorway and dual carriageway there are in Scotland that do not have crash barriers along their central reservations.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are 19 miles of trunk road motorway and 106 miles of trunk road dual carriageway in Scotland without central reserve safety fencing.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on capital allocation to regional councils for the repair and replacement of school buildings.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend will be announcing within the next few weeks the detailed distribution among authorities of capital allocations for 1994–95, in respect of their non-housing programmes, including educational building.

  Housing, Glasgow
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the representatives of tenants' associations to discuss the housing needs in Glasgow.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet tenants' organisations to discuss housing needs in Glasgow. In the first instance, it is for the City of Glasgow district council to assess the housing needs of its area. In the course of my own housing visits in the Glasgow area I often meet tenants and hear their concerns at first hand while my officials are in regular contact with the council.

  Scottish Economy
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Lang
  I last discussed the Scottish economy with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on 14 December 1992.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Highland health board over the introduction of NHS trusts in its area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Approval was given on 6 December 1993 to the application for trust status by the Highland communities NHS trust. All provider units in the Highland health board area will be self-governing trusts from 1 April 1994.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trained nurses employed by agencies were employed within(a) NHS non-trust and (b) NHS trust hospitals in Scotland in the three months ended December 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information on the overall number of agency nurses—head count—employed in the NHS in Scotland is not held centrally. The information which is held, however, shows that the average hours worked by agency nursing staff during the six months ending 30 September 1993, the latest period for which data are available, were as follows:

  Average hours

  NHS non-trust hospitals:1

  Total:

  204·5

  Nurses

  157·5

  Nursing assistants

  47·0

  NHS trust hospitals:

  Total:

  56·2

  Nurses2

  38·5

  Nursing assistants

  17·7

  1 No separate figures are as yet available for Lothian trust and non-trust hospitals. Both are, therefore, shown under this category.

  2 1 whole-time-equivalent nurse contributes 875 hours of work in a six-month period.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to meet the chairman of Tayside health council to discuss the Perth and Kinross trust.
  292
  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Highlands and Islands
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the economic development of the west highlands and islands.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The west highlands and islands share the confidence in the economic outlook which Government policies have promoted throughout the highlands and islands.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to maintain the current levels of public expenditure by his Department upon development, training and infrastructure in the highlands and islands.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend will continue to review the needs of the highlands and islands as part of the annual public expenditure survey.

  GPs' Patients
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest available figures of the average number of patients per general practitioner; and what they were in(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Stewart
  At 1 April 1993, the average number of patients per general practitioner was 1,549; the figures for 1 October 1979 and 1 October 1989 were 1,856 and 1,590 respectively.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of interest rate changes since October 1990 on the performance of industry and commerce in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Treasury estimates that in the United Kingdom as a whole the reductions in interest rates since October 1990 are worth over £13 billion a year off companies' interest payments, when fully passed through.

  Given Scotland's share of the number of registered companies, this suggests that the reduction in Scottish companies' interest payments is worth over £700 million a year.

  Cumbernauld Airport
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many bids were received by Cumbernauld development corporation for Cumbernauld airport; who made these bids; and which was the highest offer.

  Mr. Stewart
  Two bids were received by the closing date. These were from Cormack Air Services Ltd., which made the higher bid, and the West of Scotland Flying Club Ltd.

  Housing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet representatives of the various tenant associations throughout Scotland to discuss bad housing in Scotland.
  293
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster), on 26 January 1994,Official Report, column 277.

  Health Provision, Glasgow
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to meet the chairman of the Greater Glasgow health board to discuss health provision in the Greater Glasgow area.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend and my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State regularly meet with representatives from all health boards to discuss health provision issues. He expects to meet with the chairman of Greater Glasgow health board in due course.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most recent estimate of the cost of local government reform.

  Mr. Stewart
  The likely costs of local government reform were detailed in the Government's White Paper "Shaping the Future—The New Councils", published last July. The Government have estimated that following the changes in boundaries agreed during the Committee stage of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill, there will be annual savings in the range £16 million to £60 million arising from the new structure, with some consequential reduction in transitional costs. In addition, some local authorities concerned have estimated that the new structures will be more cost effective in a number of respects.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the range of salary payments to health board chairmen in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  Levels of remuneration of health board chairmen vary according to the size of the respective boards in terms of population and budgetary responsibility. At present, the rates payable range between £7,200 and £25,140 per annum.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet the chairmen of the health boards to discuss funding.

  Mr. Stewart
  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State will meet the chairmen of health boards on 25 February 1994 to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss unemployment.

  Mr. Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Members for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) and for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire) earlier today.

  Rents
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish community-based housing associations raised their rents above the rate of inflation in 1993.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average council home rent; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The average standard rent in 1993–94 of local authorities in Scotland is £26·51 per dwelling per week. Local authority rent levels are a matter for decision by the local authorities concerned.

  University Entrance Examinations
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what comparisons the Scottish Office has made between secondary education university entrance examination procedures in Scotland with that of the rest of the European Union.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office Education Department has participated in a Europe-wide survey of entrance requirements to higher education in the European Union which is about to be published by EURYDICE, the official EC information network for senior policy-makers in education. The survey report will include comparison of university entrance procedures and requirements, together with a statement of restrictions on admissions.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make dedicated funding available to enable the Scottish local authorities to increase the respite care provision they offer in respect of increases in the numbers of those receiving care in the community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  Although I have no plans to introduce such arrangements, £6·5 million has been allowed in grant-aided expenditure for day, domiciliary and respite care services in 1994–95. It is, however, for local authorities to determine their own spending priorities. Taking account of the DSS transfer, authorities in Scotland will have additional provision of approximately £170 million for community care expenditure in 1994–95 compared with 1990–91.

  Central funding is also provided towards the development of respite care services through the mental illness specific grant scheme, bridging finance and direct to voluntary organisations. Of the 230 projects assisted by mental illness specific grant, in the current year, the 117 which provide respite care have been allocated almost £5 million.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of voluntary organisations operating in Scotland who have a direct and recognised role in the implementation of care in the community policies.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: This information is not held centrally.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the river purification boards.

  Mr. Lang
  The members of the river purification boards are:Clyde River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Mr. D. A. Biggart

  Mr. S. G. Cannon

  Mr. D. A. S. Cranstoun

  Mr. J. W. Lawrie

  Mr. A. J. Love

  Mrs. A. R. McKay

  Mrs. J. Mitchell

  Mr. G. S. Murray

  Dr. I. Simpson

  Mr. G. J. Young

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor C. Hebenton, JP

  Councillor A. Lambie, JP

  Councillor A. MacLean, JP1

  Councillor J. Martin

  Councillor D. Mills, MBE

  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor J. Foley

  Provost A. Macdonald, JP

  Councillor A. Nisbet, JP

  Councillor D. Roach, JP

  Councillor J. Shields

  Forth River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Dr. J. Balfour

  Dr. J. Blair

  Mr. J. H. Brown

  Mr. I MacKenzie

  Dr. P. S. Maitland

  Mr. D. A. Pate

  Lt. Cmdr. E. F. B. Spragge

  Cptn. A. H. F. Wilks

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor J. Connelly JP

  Councillor W. Drummond JP

  Councillor W. Hanlon

  Councillor R. King OBE Jp1

  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor A. Fowler

  Councillor W. Russell

  Councillor R. N. Turpie

  Councillor D. Wilson

  Highland River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Mr. W. Brown

  Mrs. M. Dennis

  Mr. N. M. Graesser OBE1

  Mr. A. J. Kelly

  Mr. I Lambart

  Major J. MacAlpine Gregor Grant TD

  Mrs. B. MacDonald

  Mr. D. A. McLeod

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor N. Cameron

  Councillor Col. Sir A. M. Gilmour

  Councillor N. J. O. Graham

  Councillor R. W. Munn

  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor J. Anderson

  Councillor D. Fraser

  Councillor J. H. Green

  296

  Councillor Rev. A. MacArthur

  North East River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Mr. A. S. Buchan

  Mr. J. P. Grant

  Mr. J. A. D. Harrison

  Mr. A. Hume

  Mr. D. R. Paton

  Dr. M. Young

  Mr. J. G. Watson

  Dr. S. Woodin

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor G. A. Barnes

  Councillor B. M. S. Dunlop

  Councillor A. Stuart

  Councillor G. Swapp

  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor A. Gordon

  Councillor J. B. Gordon1

  Councillor C. Mossie

  Councillor (Mrs.) J. Watson

  Solway River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Mr. A. P. G. Dodd

  Mr. G. H. Gordon

  Dr. P. G. Hopkins

  Mr. J. Y. Ogilvie

  Mr. D. M. Rothwell

  Mr. S. Watson Pain

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor B. D. Conchie

  Councillor N. Parke

  Councillor J. Pirrie

  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor W. N. Copeland, MBE TD DL

  Councillor J. Nelson1

  Councillor A. Turner

  Tay River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Mr. M. A. E. Browne

  Mr. J. C. Compton

  Mr. J. Goodfellow

  Dr. J. A. Horobin

  Mr. S. G. House

  Mr. W. J. McGregor

  Mr. I. Mitchell1

  Captain J. J. Watson

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor W. F. Barr

  Councillor J. A. O. Fordyce, JP

  Councillor J. Glover

  Councillor R. N. Turpie

  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor N. A. McGowan

  Councillor R. W. Nairn

  Councillor C. Rhind

  Councillor A. Thomson

  Tweed River Purification Board
  (Members appointed by the Secretary of State)

  Mr. D. Bumpsteed

  Mr. R. Bruce Cowe, MBE

  Mrs. M. McGregor

  Mr. W. Paton

  Mr. V. Tokely

  Mr. N. P. Yonge

  (Members appointed by Regional Councils)

  Councillor A. J. C. Hewat1

  Councillor P. Fishbourne

  Councillor A. S. Watt

  297
  (Members appointed by District Councils)

  Councillor J. M. Davidson

  Councillor S. A. Rose

  Councillor G. Till

  1Chairman (appointed by the board)

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board.

  Mr. Stewart
  The members currently appointed to the Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board are as follows:

  Mr. D. J. MacLeod, CBE, CA (Chairman)

  Mr. Y. Ali, OBE

  Mr. D. R. Campbell

  Mr. J. J. G. Good, CBE

  Mr. J. C. G. Halley, OBE

  Mr. J. Lumsden

  Mrs. C. McAteer

  Mr. H. McLevy

  Mr. A. Merrills, OBE

  Professor J. C. Shaw, CBE

  Mr. P. Timms, MBE

  Mr. P. H. J. de Vink

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Dental Establishments.

  Mr. Stewart
  The current members are:

  Mr. J. R. Wild (Chairman)

  Mr. C. J. Allan

  Dr. I. G. Chestnutt

  Mr. D. MacIntyre

  Dr. J. S. Rennie

  Professor P. Sutcliffe

  Mr. T. R. Watkins

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Scottish Records Advisory Council.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The members are:

  Professor R. H. Campbell, CBE (Chairman)

  Dr. Barbara E. Crawford

  Mrs. A. Dundas-Bekker

  Mr. M. A. J. Gossip, OBE

  Sheriff P. G. B. McNeill, QC

  Rt. Hon. the Lord Cameron of Lochbroom

  Miss Marion M. Stewart

  W. W. Scott, CB

  Andrew Tod

  Miss A. B. F. Farquhar

  Dr. M. A. Crowther

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the local review committees for Her Majesty's prisons and young offenders institutions in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:Aberdeen Prison

  Mr. W. D. McKenzie

  Mr. J. M. Pirie

  Dr. Audrey A. Dawson

  Mr. G. Bell

  Mrs. H. Smith

  Mr. T. Houlichan

  Castle Fluntly Young Offenders' Institution and Noranside Prison

  Mr. D. Watt

  Mr. B. McWilliam

  Mr. E. Carnegie

  Mrs. B. L. Jack

  Mr. A. Courtney-Dunn

  298

  The Hon. Mrs. E. Lyle

  Cornton Vale Prison and Institution

  Mr. R. F. Fyfe

  Mrs. H. R. Corbett

  Mrs. B. Docherty

  Mr. W. Brown

  Mrs. A. Dando

  Mrs. E. Murdoch

  Dumfries Young Offenders Institution

  Mr. J. Brydson

  Mr. M. K. Marchbank

  s. M. Bogie

  Mrs. B. McGilliard

  Mr. I. M. Harvey

  Mr. J. W. B. Taylor

  Dungavel/Barlinnie Prisons

  Mr. D. Crawford

  Mrs. R. Cochrane

  Mrs. J. Young

  Mr. J. Beresford

  Mr. H. McGregor

  Edinburgh Prison

  Mr. P. W. Milliard

  Mr. L. Findlay

  Mr. D. Gray

  Mr. R. S. Lancashire

  Mrs. C. Gill

  The Rev. Hillary Smith

  Father James Morrison

  Mr. C. Hawkes

  Mr. A. Duncan

  Glenochil Prison

  Mr. A. R. T. Henry

  Mr. R. McGregor

  Mr. R. McQuillen

  The Rev. D. Redwood

  Mr. I. B. Johnston

  Mr. J. H. M. Forrest

  Mr. J. L. McKiddie

  Mr. A. Hunter

  Mr. R. Burns

  Mrs. M. Lawrie

  Penninghame Prison

  Mrs. A. E. Findlay

  Mr. P. W. Bolland

  Mr. J. Haylett

  Dr. R. Simpson

  Lt. General Sir Norman Arthur

  Mr. J. Bateman

  Mrs. M. O'Brien

  Perth Prison

  Mrs. M. Owens

  Mrs. C. N. M. Fowlie

  Mr. J. D. Robertson

  Mr. T. Aitken

  Mr. A. W. Prescott

  Mr. A. Manson

  Mr. J. Howden

  Peterhead Prison

  Mr. A. Hamilton

  Mr. J. G. Morgan

  Mr. J. G. E. Paulin

  Mrs. E. Strachan

  Mr. C. D. Mackenzie

  Polmont Young Offenders' Institution-Greenock Prison

  Mr. J. Graham

  Mr. J. Muirhead

  Councillor P. McCafferty

  Mr. R. Barnes

  Mr. J. Leinster

  Mr. A. Mackenzie

  Mr. J. B. Adams

  299

  Ms J. Martin

  Shotts Prison

  Mrs. E. Williams

  Mr. A. Hall

  Mr. A. W. McCallum

  Mr. F. Pontin

  Ms M. Anderson

  Mrs. F. Corsar

  Mr. J. Donaldson

  Mr. P. Streater

  Mr. M. Lipsey

  Mrs. E. Aughey

  Mr. A. Law

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Medical Establishments.

  Mr. Stewart
  The current members are:

  Dr. A. B. Young, Chairman

  Mr. M. D. Cook

  Dr. C. A. Cormie

  Dr. A. Cremona

  Professor G. W. Fenton

  Dr. J. A. Ford

  Dr. H. P. McEwan

  Mr. A. B. MacGregor

  Mr. P. McNally

  Dr. S. B. M. Reith

  Dr. M. A. Roberts

  Dr. I. S. Ruthven

  Professor A. A. Spence

  Professor F. Walker

  Professor J. Weir

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the board of Scottish Enterprise.

  Mr. Stewart
  The members currently appointed to the board of Scottish Enterprise are as follows:

  Professor Donald lain MacKay, MA, FRSE, Chairman

  Ronald Garrick, CBE, Deputy Chairman

  Dr. James Adamson, OBE

  Professor Andrew Bain

  Tom Farmer, CBE

  Michael Gray, OBE

  Barbara Kelly, CBE

  Rosemary McKenna

  Cameron McLatchie, OBE

  Professor John Shaw, CBE

  Yvonne Strachan

  In addition the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise is an ex-officio member of the board.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The present membership of the Scottish Legal Aid Board is as follows:

  Mrs. Christine Davis, Chairman

  George Barrie, Esq

  Mrs. Patricia A. M. Bolton

  Mrs. Pamela Bowman

  Miss M. Lynda Clark, QC

  Archibald Gilchrist, Esq

  Professor Peter H. Grinyer

  George D. Holmes, Esq CB FRSE

  David A. Leitch, Esq

  Robert J. Livingstone, Esq

  Mrs. Isobel G. McColl

  Colin N. McEachran, Esq QC

  Sheriff Robin G. McEwan, QC

  Mrs. Gillian M. Peebles

  Mrs. Margaret Tait

  Supplies (Quality)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action his Department takes if the quality of supplies from one of its contractors does not meet the specification.

  Mr. Lang
  Should the quality of supplies from a contractor fail to meet the specification, the contractor will immediately be invited to discuss with the Department what measures the supplier intends to implement to rectify the problem. If the problem with the quality of supplies is not rectified, the Scottish Office will consider exercising its rights under the terms and conditions of the contract.

  Contracting Out (Pension Rights)
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has issued about the effect of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 and the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 on the transfer of pension rights in services in his Department which are subject to contracting out.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 18 February, at column 1010.

  EC Structural Funds
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has as to what proportion of EC structural funds for industrial and urban areas in decline—objective 2 areas—will be apportioned to(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: The European Commission recently announced indicative allocations to member states. The United Kingdom share of objective 2 funds for the period 1994–96 has been set at 2,142 mecu at 1994 prices.

  Allocations to individual objective 2 areas will be linked to the submission of satisfactory regional development plans to the European Commission and the establishment of Community support frameworks for the respective objective 2 areas. The Commission has indicated that use within the United Kingdom of the same criteria for internal allocation as were used to set the United Kingdom total would result in the allocation of 19 per cent. of the available resources to Scotland, as follows:

  Eastern Scotland 118 mecus

  Western Scotland 289 mecus

  The Western Scotland area includes Strathclyde region outside objective 1 apd a small part of the Glasgow travel-to-work area in central region.

  Funds are not normally earmarked for specific parts within designated objective 2 areas. Individual areas benefit through projects competing successfully for funds by demonstrating value for money and lasting economic benefit.

  Local Authorities (Applicants)
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to local authorities on the appointment of chief executives; and if he will make a statement.
  301
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 7 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend has no locus in the employment practices of local authorities and has therefore offered no advice on the subject.

  Court of Session
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to consult interested parties before the next revision of fees for actions in the Court of Session.

  Mr. Lang
  Officials have asked the Law Society of Scotland for views on proposals for the attribution of costs to different items of business in the Court of Session in preparation for revision of the Court of Session fees.

  AIDS
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money will be given to each health board in Scotland in 1994–95 for(a) HIV/AIDS and (b) drugs services.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 February 1994]: Discussions are currently taking place with Scottish health boards to consider the proposals which each has submitted for the funding of HIV/AIDS and drug misuse services in 1994–95.

  Planning Guidelines
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to issue draft planning/mineral guidelines; if he proposes to make these open to consultation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 February 1994]: Draft national planning policy guidelines on land for mineral working were issued for public consultation in July 1992. We do not propose further consultation, and intend to issue the final guidelines soon.

  Cancer Clusters
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what surveys have been undertaken by the Scottish Office into cancer clusters in the west of Scotland; and what conclusions they have reached.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 18 February 1994]: Over the last three years, the information and statistics division of the NHS in Scotland has carried out four studies of cancer incidence in the west of Scotland, as follows: cancer incidence in the Port Glasgow area; childhood leukaemia in Largs and Millport; cancer incidence in the Cumbernauld and Muirhead areas; and childhood cancer in the Ayrshire and Arran health board area. Each study concluded that there was no evidence of abnormally high rates of cancer in the area studied.

  Hearing Aids (Children)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which agency monitors the provision of insurance on hearing aids for children and young people; and what plans there are to change the present arrangement;

  (2) if he will list the conditions under which children and young people are entitled to be provided with the most appropriate hearing aid whether or not this is part of the national health service range of hearing aids;
  302
  (3) which agency is responsible for monitoring the provision and maintenance of hearing aids for (a) pre-school children, (b) children at school and (c) young people aged 16 years and above who are in full-time education; and what plans there are to change the present arrangement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 21 February 1994]: Hearing aids are available under the national health service for anyone who needs one. It is for the clinician concerned to decide which aid is most appropriate in each case, whether it is from the standard range or purchased by hearing aid centres from a commercial source. As hearing aids are provided on loan there is no requirement for the patient, or in the case of a child under 16 the child's parent, to insure the device. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of voluntary organisations in Scotland receiving funding from regional social work departments in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations his Department has received from voluntary organisations expressing concern that(a) the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill has no statutory requirement for the new councils to establish a social work committee, or a director of social work and (b) that there is no requirement for a director of social work, if appointed, to hold a professional qualification in social work.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: As at 16 February representations have been received from 27 voluntary organisations, four housing associations and five individuals expressing concern that the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill has no statutory requirement for the new councils to establish a social work committee or a director of social work. Those same correspondents have also expressed concern that there is no requirement for a director of social work, if appointed, to hold a professional qualification in social work.

  Dental Treatment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dentists have been recruited by each of Scotland's health boards in each of the last three years; and how many dentists are currently employed by each of Scotland's health boards.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 16 February 1994]: The information requested is shown in table 1. General dental practitioners are not employed by health boards but are independent contractors who join a health board's dental list and undertake to provide NHS dental services. The number of general dental practitioners on health board dental lists is contained in table 2.
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  Table 1

  Hospital, community and salaried dentists; by health board: at 30 September

  Recruits in year ending 30 September

  Number in post

  1991

  1992

  1993

  19931

  Scotland

  62

  60

  29

  462

  Argyll and Clyde

  5

  5

  3

  30

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3

  2

  1

  21

  Borders

  1

  —

  —

  9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1

  —

  1

  13

  Fife

  2

  4

  2

  26

  Forth Valley

  3

  1

  1

  15

  Grampian

  6

  6

  —

  31

  Greater Glasgow

  17

  10

  7

  112

  Highland

  4

  2

  5

  25

  Lanarkshire

  4

  1

  6

  36

  Lothian

  11

  26

  2

  98

  Orkney

  —

  1

  —

  3

  Shetland

  —

  2

  —

  5

  Tayside

  4

  —

  3

  53

  Western Isles

  1

  2

  1

  8

  1 Some dentists may hold contracts in more than one health board and are therefore double counted.

  Table 2

  Number of general dental practitioners on health board dental lists as at 30 September 1993

  Health Board

  Number

  Argyll and Clyde

  163

  Ayrshire and Arran

  126

  Borders

  34

  Dumfries and Galloway

  40

  Fife

  116

  Forth Valley

  81

  Grampian

  160

  Greater Glasgow

  356

  Highland

  67

  Lanarkshire

  142

  Lothian

  283

  Orkney

  3

  Shetland

  6

  Tayside

  139

  Western Isles

  10

  Total

  1,726

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the date, purpose and itinerary of official visits made to each Scottish parliamentary constituency by himself and each Minister in his Department since January 1993.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 February 1994]: The information is not held in the form requested and its compilation would involve disproportionate costs. Scottish Office Ministers have paid around 450 official visits to many parts of Scotland since January 1993.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Pension Fund
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what plans the Commissioners have for a separate pension fund to be set up with independent trustees; and if it will be the Commissioners' policy for the size of the fund to be 304
  actuarially sound to meet all committed pension payments even to the extent of funding it out of income for a number of years.

  Mr. Alison
  It is the Commissioners' intention to ensure that the arrangements for the funding of clergy pensions should be placed on an actuarially sound basis. A leading firm of actuaries has been appointed to offer independent advice and discussions are being held with the Church of England Pensions Board and others about the best way forward. The Commissioners' assets comfortably exceed the pensions liabilities which have accrued to date.

  Investment Advisers
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 9, what consideration the Church Commissioners gave to dismissing any of their commercial property investment advisers in the last three years.

  Mr. Alison
  The Commissioners regularly review the performance of their commercial property advisers. None has been dismissed but, following competitive tendering, the day-to-day management of their American properties has passed from Chesterton to Aldrich, Eastman and Waltch of Boston, Massachusetts.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what plans the Church Commissioners have to contract out to independent professional advisers any investment advice currently obtained in house.

  Mr. Alison
  The Commissioners already have the benefit of a wide range of professional investment advice through the use of external managers for their property portfolio and from brokers in relation to their stock exchange investments. The independent actuaries, to whom I referred in my previous answer will, in addition to expenditure liabilities, also advise on investment strategy and management.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners if he will list which recommendations outlined in the Lambeth Group report and Coopers and Lybrand report to the
  305
  Archbishop of Canterbury last year have now been implemented, with particular reference to (a) the recommended alternations in the investment strategy and (b) regarding pensions as a first charge on the Commissioners' assets.

  Mr. Alison
  I have arranged for a copy of GS 1093 to be placed in the Library. This note was prepared by the Commissioners to inform the General Synod debate last 306
  November about the Lambeth report and lists action taken in response to the report's recommendations. The outstanding recommendations are being actively pursued, although the reduction of the Commissioners' dependence on property investment has to be sensibly managed against market conditions and may take several years to achieve. As regards pensions, I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer.

  DEVELOPMENT WORK BY NGOs: ADDITIONAL FUNDING
  DEVELOPMENT WORK BY NGOs: ADDITIONAL FUNDING
  AFGHANISTAN: ADDITIONAL AID
  AFGHANISTAN: ADDITIONAL AID
  HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  PLANNING POLICY AND HOUSE PRICES
  PLANNING POLICY AND HOUSE PRICES
  No.2 MARSHAM STREET
  No.2 MARSHAM STREET
  PATIENT CARE IN NHS TRUST HOSPITALS
  PATIENT CARE IN NHS TRUST HOSPITALS
  TRADE VEHICLES: PARKING CONTROLS
  TRADE VEHICLES: PARKING CONTROLS
  POLICE AUTHORITY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
  POLICE AUTHORITY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
  IMMIGRATION: EXERCISE OF HOME SECRETARY'S DISCRETION
  IMMIGRATION: EXERCISE OF HOME SECRETARY'S DISCRETION
  POLITICAL ASYLUM
  POLITICAL ASYLUM