Written Answers of 28 February 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the minimum period before which fees are settled for legal aid in(a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland.

  (2) what is the average length of time for settlement of fees in legally aided cases in (a) England and Wales and (b)Northern Ireland.

  (3) what is the maximum period his Department allows itself for settlement of legal aid fees in (a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is no minimum or maximum period for settling legal aid claims in England and Wales or in Northern Ireland. For England and Wales, both the Legal Aid Board and the Lord Chancellor's Department have set performance targets for processing claims. Present targets and performance against those targets is as follows:

  Type of proceedings

  Time taken

  Target (per cent.)

  Performance (per cent.)

  Magistrates' Courts' Bills1

  6 weeks

  90

  295

  Civil Bills (taxed and assessed)1

  6 weeks

  75

  384

  Other Bills1

  6 weeks

  92

  295

  Criminal Higher Bills (standard fees)1

  (i) claim lodged day case concluded

  5 days

  100

  87

  (ii) claim received thereafter Criminal Higher Bills1

  10 days

  100

  87

  (courts' non standard fees)

  4 weeks

  70

  73

  Criminal Higher Bills4

  3 months

  75

  74

  (taxing teams' non standard fees)

  6 months

  100

  100

  1 From receipt of claim. The process involves the assessment of claims, and in civil proceedings investigation of the statutory charge, as well as the actual payment process.

  2 99 per cent, within 13 weeks.

  3 98 per cent, within 13 weeks.

  4 This target relates to final payments and to the period from the bills being ready to tax. "Ready to tax" means all claims in the case have been submitted. In certain circumstances interim payments may be made in respect of these cases.

  For the first time the Law Society of Northern Ireland set targets for processing claims during 1993–94. These were based on actual performance during 1992–93, which was as follows:

  Type of proceedings

  Time taken">4

  Performance Per cent.

  Criminal legal aid

  Magistrates' Courts Bills

  7 weeks

  50

  12 weeks

  93

  Appeals from Magistrates' Courts

  7 weeks

  50

  12 weeks

  90

  Crown Court bills

  12 weeks

  35

  26 weeks

  95

  Bails

  7 weeks

  54

  12 weeks

  94

  Civil legal aid

  County Court

  7 weeks

  73

  12 weeks

  88

  530

  Type of proceedings

  Time taken4

  Performance Per cent.

  High Court

  7 weeks

  79

  12 weeks

  91

  Appeals

  7 weeks

  73

  12 weeks

  89

  Bails

  7 weeks

  72

  12 weeks

  90

  ABWOR

  1 week

  100

  Legal Advice and Assistance

  7 weeks

  92

  4 From receipt of claim to assessment. A further period of up to 4 weeks may elapse before actual payment.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The figure for public appointments made by the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Northern Ireland court service in 1993 is 42 per cent. This answer does not include judicial appointments.

  Mr. Bryan G. Davies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will invoke the services of the Official Solicitor in the case of Mr. Bryan G. Davies, currently in Brixton prison.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As a Minister I have no power to assign the Official Solicitor to a particular case.

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to implement the Law Commission's proposals to allow for a time limit over the period after mortgage repossession during which interest may be charged by the lender.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Law Commission's report on "Transfer of Land—Land Mortgages", Law Com. No. 204, which contains these proposals remains under consideration by the Government.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if his Department will collect and publish statistics on possession proceedings taken by secured lenders.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  At present, information is published on possession actions taken in the county courts, broken down between local authority and private lenders, including banks, building societies and other lenders. My Department has no plans to amend the categories used in the collection of these statistics.

  Courts Charter
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans his Department has to amend the courts charter to ensure that courts provide access and facilities for disabled people and minority language provision.

  Mr. John M. Taylor:
  The courts charter applies equally to all court users. It will be reissued in April 1995
  531
  and revised to ensure that it meets the needs of court users. Facilities for disabled people are provided in all new court buildings and when old buildings are refurbished. However, there are constraints with some of the very old buildings. A register of facilities for disabled people in the Crown and county courts is produced by the Department.

  County Courts
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent discussions he has had with the citizens advice bureaux service and other consumer and advice agencies on providing advice and representations schemes in the county courts.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The citizens advice bureaux are consulted on all proposed county court rule amendments. The majority of county courts hold regular user committee meetings usually at quarterly intervals. The citizens advice bureaux and other advice agencies are represented on approximately 50 per cent. of the committees.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he last met the Home Secretary to discuss the method for petitioning the European Court of Human Rights.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and I regularly discuss matters of common interest with the Home Secretary.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he last met the President of the European Court of Human Rights.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have never met the President of the European Court of Human Rights. The Lord Chancellor last met him on 8 October 1993 at the Council of Europe summit meeting in Vienna.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has

  Name

  When appointed

  Term (years)

  1st Commissioner:

  Lord Mansfield

  September 1993

  2

  2nd Commissioner:

  C. K. Howes

  September 1991

  5

  Commissioners:

  R. B. Caws

  January 1994

  3

  J. N. James

  January 1993

  3

  P. Sober

  January 1992

  3

  A. Macdonald

  January 1993

  3

  J. H. Norris

  April 1991

  3

  Lord De Ramsey

  January 1994

  3

  All appointments were made by Her Majesty the Queen.

  Building Societies
  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 averaged throughout each year since 1979, including the average to date for 1994, (b) the average interest rate paid to investors by the leading building societies averaged for each of these years and (c) the differential between them.

  Mr. Nelson
  The table gives annual average mortgage and share rates for all building societies during the period 532
  received on the ability of United Kingdom citizens to petition the European Court of Human Rights; and from whom.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and I have received representations on this subject from five persons or bodies. I will not say who they are since I have not obtained their consent to do so.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  The latest statistics, for the year ending 1 September 1993, show that women were appointed to 31 per cent. of the public appointments made by the Treasury.

  Value Added Tax (Domestic Fuel)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what average net weekly increase to revenue his Department estimates will be generated by the imposition of VAT on domestic fuel once all bills become subject to the 8½ per cent. rate of VAT.

  Sir John Cope
  There are no plans to charge 8½ per cent. VAT on domestic fuel and power. Estimates of the yield of forthcoming changes are given in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Crown Estate Commissioners
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the current Crown Estate Commissioners; how were they appointed; when were they appointed; and how long their appointment will last.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  1979–83; from 1984 onwards, it gives the rates for the largest 20 societies. 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. The latest available figures are for 1 January 1994. These rates are taken from "Financial Statistics" published by the CSO.

  Date

  Average Mortgage Rate

  Gross Average Share Rate

  Differential

  1979

  11·94

  12·07

  -0·13

  1980

  14·92

  14·77

  0·15

  1981

  14·01

  13·13

  0·88

  533

  Date

  Average Mortgage Rate

  Gross Average Share Rate

  Differential

  1982

  13·30

  12·57

  0·73

  1983

  11·03

  10·39

  0·64

  1984

  11·76

  11·29

  0·47

  1985

  13·51

  12·78

  0·73

  1986

  11·92

  11·10

  0·82

  1987

  11·56

  10·42

  1·14

  1988

  10·97

  9·38

  1·59

  1989

  13·61

  12·30

  1·31

  1990

  14·99

  14·04

  0·95

  1991

  12·72

  11·01

  1·71

  1992

  10·64

  8·45

  2·19

  1993

  8·09

  5·78

  2·31

  11994

  7·94

  5·32

  2·62

  1 1 January.

  I should point out that the January 1994 mortgage rate quoted in reply to previous questions, 14 February, column 579, and 24 February, columns 273–75, should also have read 7·94 per cent. and not 8·00 per cent.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table giving the pre-tax profits in total for each of the members of the Building Societies Association for each financial year from 1978–79(a) in cash terms and (b) in real terms in 1994 figures.

  Mr. Nelson
  These figures are not collated by the Treasury and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Recession and Recovery
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 2, what are the widely used conventions for defining recession and recovery.

  Mr. Nelson
  A common convention is to define a recession as two or more consecutive quarters of falling output, with the recovery dated from when output clearly starts to rise again.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of member states' net contributions to the EC budget, after the United Kingdom rebate, in 1993; and what estimate he has made, in respect of the calendar year 1994, of member states' net contributions to the European Union budget for that year(a) on the basis of the latest draft proposal European Union budget, and (b) after taking account of the latest estimate of the United Kingdom's rebate for 1994.

  Sir John Cope
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury gave on 13 January at column 246.

  Ministerial Instructions
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the occasions since 1979 when Ministers have issued written instructions to override his Department's accounting officer's objections.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: I know of no such cases.
  534

EMPLOYMENT

  Staff Transfers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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. Michael Forsyth
  When staff in the Employment Department Group are transferred to other sites in order to maintain operational efficiency, allowances are payable to cover the costs of house moves. In addition, if any staff are experiencing severe financial hardship, the Department has discretion to help with the repayment of bridging finance. Staff are required to borrow the maximum available from commercial sources. Help may then be available in one or more of the following ways:An interest-free loan of up to 12 months' salary; and/or
  An interest bearing loan; and/or
  In very exceptional cases, write-off of part of the capital. If the total to be written off is in excess of £5,000, in accordance with required procedures, prior Treasury approval is sought

  Each case is dealt with according to the particular circumstances and its merits.

  Staff transferring who find that the value of their old home is no longer sufficient to repay the mortgage may be allowed an interest-free loan of the difference between the sale price and outstanding mortgage to allow a relocation to go ahead.

  In 1992–93 40 staff received help in this way. The cost was £457,000, of which just under £130,000 will be recovered over the next 10 years. In 1993–94 so far, four staff have received help, at a cost of £41,000, of which just under £10,000 will be recovered.

  Labour Statistics
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he currently defines unemployment; how he currently compiles the unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Employment Department compiles and publishes two alternative and complementary measures of unemployment.

  The monthly claimant unemployment count is based on people claiming unemployment related benefits, that is, unemployment benefit, income support or national insurance credits at Employment Service local offices, who on the day of the count were signed on as unemployed, available for and actively seeking work. Students claiming benefit during a vacation and who intend to return to full-time education and temporarily stopped workers are excluded. The claimant count is a by-product of the administrative system for paying unemployment-related benefits. It is compiled from records of unemployment claimants provided by the Employment Service local offices. Almost all the data used to compile the count are derived from the Department of Social Security's national unemployment benefit system computers.

  In addition to the "unadjusted" claimant count the Department publishes a consistent seasonally adjusted

  535
  series. This series which is maintained to be consistent with the current coverage of the count, takes into account all relevant changes which, unless adjusted for, would distort comparisons over time. It thus allows meaningful comparisons with the past. The consistent seasonally adjusted series is available from 1971 onwards nationally, and from 1974 onwards for each standard region. It is this series which is the prime focus of economic analysis.

  A measure of unemployment according to the internationally standard International Labour Organisation definition is obtained from the Department's quarterly Labour Force Survey. The ILO measure includes as unemployed those people who at the time of interview were without work—that is, working less than one hour per week—were available to start work within the next two weeks and had either looked for work in the four weeks prior to interview or were waiting to start a job they had already obtained. The figures are consistently extremely close to those provided by the unemployment benefit claimant count.

  The Labour Force Survey has been conducted since 1973 and had provided a measure of unemployment consistent with the ILO measure since 1984. Quarterly results have been available from the survey since 1992. About 150,000 people in 60,000 households are interviewed each quarter. The survey covers a wide range of labour market topics on the basis of internationally standard concepts and definitions.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the ratio between the number of unemployed persons and the number of vacant jobs in(a) south-east England, (b) the whole of England, (c) Wales and (d) the United Kingdom.

  Miss Widdecombe
  When making comparisons between claimant unemployment figures for an area and the corresponding jobcentre vacancy figures it should be borne in mind that, nationally, jobcentre vacancies represent only approximately a third of all vacancies, and this proportion is likely to vary between regions and between different skills and occupations. It is therefore not meaningful to express such figures as ratios. The extent of the available information is given in the table:

  Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment and Vacancies January 1994 (£000's)

  Claimant Unemployment

  Unfilled Jobcentre vacancies

  South East Region

  884·7

  36·6

  England

  2,320·9

  106·2

  Wales

  127·5

  10·4

  United Kingdom

  2,787·6

  141·8

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which occupations are not covered by national vocational qualifications; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government have set the National Council for Vocational Qualifications the following target:"To secure the accreditation of NVQs of high quality and widespread acceptability, covering 90 per cent. of the employed population, by the end of 1995."
  536
  Currently 83 per cent. of the employed population, including all major occupational areas, are covered by national vocational qualifications at levels 1 to 4.

  The Employment Department and NCVQ are working closely together to develop NVQs in particular for higher levels and for occupations where the costs of developing NVQs can be justified by the numbers of people likely to demand them.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people who took national vocational qualifications level 2 passed in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. However, according to the National Council for Vocational Qualifications, just under 200,000 national vocational qualifications in total were awarded from October 1992 to September 1993. The total has not been broken down by age and level. Information on awards by age and level should be available shortly.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Figures are collected each year for the year ending 31 August. In 1992–93 901 appointments were made. Of these, 182 or 20 per cent. were women.

  Figures for the calendar year 1993 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Access to Work
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what decisions he has reached on the detailed arrangements for access to work as a replacement for the existing special schemes for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  On 22 June 1993,Official Report. col. 102, I announced in outline the introduction of access to work, a major new programme for people with disabilities, in the next financial year. I am now able to announce further details.

  In reaching decisions about details, I have taken full account of the many comments and representations made to myself and to my noble Friend Lord Henley by hon. Members, noble Lords, disability and employer organisations and others, and advice by the National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities.

  Access to Work will assist people to overcome barriers to work resulting from their disabilities. It replaces the special aids to employment, adaptations to premises and equipment, fares to work, and personal reader service schemes, which will be wound up. Help available under access to work will not be confined to specified forms of assistance; the scheme will be able to respond flexibly to need—for example, the needs of deaf people for communication support.

  It will be open to unemployed, employed or self-employed people registerable as disabled, with priority for unemployed people.

  As already announced, there will be an upper limit to the amount of financial help an individual can receive over

  537
  a five-year period, with entitlement beginning again after five years. I have decided to set this limit at £21,000. I have also decided to empower senior officials of the Employment Service, exceptionally, to authorise payments in excess of this limit where it is necessary and reasonable to do so and is compatible with helping the planned numbers of people from the resources made available to the Employment Service region concerned.

  I am very grateful to all those who participated in consultation and the various meetings I and my colleagues have held. In view of the evidence that many business people feel that a mandatory contribution could act as a deterrent to employers, contrary to the original survey data produced, I have decided to introduce access to work without seeking an employer contribution. I am particularly persuaded by the arguments of members of the all-party disablement group that we should try the new scheme for a year without an employer contribution and then review the position. However, we will continue to expect an employer to contribute when the help will be of general benefit to the firm and not solely for the disabled employee.

  I have therefore decided to introduce access to work without seeking an employer contribution and without assuming that employers will meet one-off costs of £100 or less for established employees. This will allow us to consider further the case for an employer contribution in the light of experience of operating the scheme. To fund wider access in 1994–95 I am increasing by £3·5 million the expenditure in 1993–94 on the schemes that Access to Work replaces. This includes £2 million that had not been in any previous plans. The total budget for further activities in 1994–95 will be £14·6 million.

  I will review access to work, including the issue of employer contributions, after the first full year of operation.

  The changes to the operation of access to work outlined earlier mean that it will no longer be possible to launch the new arrangements from 1 April 1994. Access to Work will now be introduced on 6 June 1994 and accordingly fares to work, adaptations to premises and equipment, special aids to employment, personal reader services for the blind., and separate help towards the cost of communication at interview for deaf people will continue until 5 June 1994.

  People receiving help under the current four schemes will be supported on their existing terms until 31 March 1995, from which time they will join access to work. They may join access to work earlier if they wish—for example, if they would benefit from the new forms of help.

  As previously announced, the business on own account scheme will be wound up from 31 March 1994. The job introduction scheme will continue unchanged.

  I believe that the introduction of access to work will be widely supported by disabled people and employers and will be a major step forward in releasing the skills and potential of disabled people at work.

  Child Labour
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of employers illegally employing child labour there have been(a) since 1973 and (b) in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for the years 1979 to 1992 on the number of prosecutions in England and Wales for 538
  offences in connection with the employment of children and young persons is given in the table. Data prior to 1979 are not available centrally.

  Number of defendants prosecuted for offences in connection with employment of children and young persons under the Children and Young Persons Act 1993, sections 18 to 21—section 18 as amended by the Children Act 1972–1979–1992. England and Wales

  Year

  Prosecutions

  1979

  23

  1980

  26

  1981

  24

  1982

  17

  1983

  12

  1984

  12

  1985

  11

  1986

  2

  1987

  8

  1988

  28

  1989

  23

  1990

  25

  1991

  15

  1992

  12

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many grade 1 and 2 listed buildings have been(a) demolished, (b) lost by fire or (c) otherwise lost since 1979.

  Mr. Brooke
  The number of demolitions for which listed building consent was given between 1 January 1979 and 31 March 1993 are as follows:

  Number

  Grade I

  0

  Grade II*

  37

  Grade II

  2,227

  Total

  2,264

  The annual rate has decreased substantialy in recent years.

  Records are not kept centrally on the extent to which losses took place without the need to apply for consent, the causes which led to applications being made, or the extent to which consents given were implemented.

  Sports Facilities
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what circumstances sports facilities are revenue funded.

  Mr. Brooke
  The great majority of public sports facilities are funded by local authorities. It is for them to decide what suitable revenue funding arrangements to make. My Department does not directly provide assistance for the revenue funding of any sports facilities.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what representations he has received from people in Coventry about the future and finances of building-based sports facilities;
  539
  (2) what representations he has received about the difficulties faced by sports clubs and local authorities in new capital schemes and enhancement schemes, particularly in the early years of sports facilities.

  Mr. Brooke
  My Department has received representations from a number of local authority associations and individual local authorities, including Coventry city council, about these matters.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of the funds available to Coventry sports organisations from the West Midlands sports council in 1994–95.

  Mr. Brooke
  The West Midlands region sports council is negotiating its proposed grant-aid to Coventry city council for two capital and two revenue sports projects within Coventry in 1994–95.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to allow all sports facilities to be revenue funded.

  Mr. Brooke
  This is largely a matter for local authorities rather than central government.

  The hon. Member may have in mind national lottery assistance for revenue funding. The draft directions I issued on 18 February set out the circumstances under which maintenance costs of capital projects might be assisted by revenue grants paid for out of lottery proceeds.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to allocate funds to regional sports councils from the national lottery.

  Mr. Brooke
  Under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Sports Council is responsible for distributing that share of the net proceeds from the national lottery that will go to expenditure on or connected with sport. The Sports Council may not delegate this function to its regional offices, but may, of course, seek their advice on applications relating to their parts of the country.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

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

  Mr. Needham
  Of the guarantees issued by the Export Credit Guarantees Department in support of United Kingdom capital goods and projects exports to Oman over the last five years, the proportion in respect of exports of defence equipment was as follows:

  Per cent.

  1988–89

  0·0

  1989–90

  100·0

  1990–91

  100·0

  1991–92

  0·0

  1992–93

  98·4

  540
  ECGD's recently published 1992–93 annual report details the breakdown by sector, including defence, of the capital goods and project exports it has exported during each of the four years to 1992–93.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export credit guarantees have been provided to Oman in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department has issued eight guarantees in the past five years in support of United Kingdom exports of capital goods and projects to Oman as follows:

  Number

  1988–89

  1

  1989–90

  1

  1990–91

  1

  1991–92

  2

  1992–93

  3

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total Export Credits Guarantee Department exposure outstanding with Oman.

  Mr. Needham
  At the close of its last financial year on 31 March 1993, the Export Credits Guarantee Department's exposure on Oman stood at £427·6 million.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 320, if he will provide the information concerning foreign investment in some other form.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Information on stocks of foreign direct investment within the United Kingdom is regularly published in "Business Monitor MA4 Overseas Transactions", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Information on direct investment within OECD countries is published in "International Direct Investment Statistics Yearbook 1993", OECD, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Libya (Trade Figures)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the trade figures between the United Kingdom and Libya over the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Needham
  The trade figures between the United Kingdom and Libya for the past five years are shown in the table.

  United Kingdom trade with Libya—1989 to 1993

  £ thousands

  imports

  Exports

  1989

  104,545

  239,191

  1990

  151,605

  244,849

  1991

  121,219

  255,718

  1992

  162,899

  228,273

  1993

  156,542

  274,051

  Source: UK Overseas Trade (Business Monitor MA20).
  541

  Textiles
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made on securing increased market access for the United Kingdom textile industry under the general agreement on tariffs and trade.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Valuable gains in market access have been achieved with the United States, the Philippines, Thailand and the Latin American countries. The improved access for wool cloth to the United States is particularly significant. The European Commission is continuing to negotiate with those countries which have made disappointing offers. I can confirm that my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade met the Indonesian ambassador to the United Kingdom on 14 February to express concern about Indonesia's offer. In addition, he wrote to the high commissioners for India and Pakistan on 18 February.

  Biological Warfare
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates his Department withdrew commercial export licences from United Kingdom companies wishing to sell(a) bacillus anthracis, (b) clostridium botulinum, (c) brucella melitensis and (d) clostridium perfringens to Iraq.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Export licences for Iraq were revoked by DTI on 9 August 1990 when SI 1990 No. 1651 came into force. This implemented United Nations Security Council Resolution 661 of 6 August 1990. There is no record of any licence being issued for these agents in the period 1986–1994.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the first fuel core was delivered to the Sizewell B reactor.

  Mr. Eggar
  I understand from Nuclear Electric plc that the first fuel elements were delivered to Sizewell B on 14 February 1994.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contracts have been taken out with Lloyd's Register for the independent safety assessment of the commissioning of the Sizewell B nuclear plant.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for Nuclear Electric plc.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with his German counterpart as to the compatibility of the policy on the international co-operation on export controls, announced in December, with the European Union policy on co-operation and harmonisation of trade regulations.

  Mr. Needham
  I can confirm that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has had discussions with Herr Rexrodt, the German Federal Economics Minister, on the subject of the proposed EC dual-use regulation. There have also been regular bilateral contacts between British and German officials on the same subject.
  542

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Women (Violent Offences)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Attorney-General what guidelines the Crown Prosecution Service operates in considering public interest in the prosecution of women for violent offences.

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service considers the personal circumstances of all potential defendants when deciding whether or not prosecutions are in the public interest.

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received about the Serious Fraud Office.

  The Attorney-General
  Recent representations from Members of Parliament and members of the public have emphasised the importance of continuing to tackle serious fraud both firmly and effectively.

  Bromley Council (Social Services Department)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 726, when the inquiry by the Metropolitan police concerning the alleged fraud within the social services department of Bromley council began; and on what date the last police report was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Solicitor-General
  The investigation began in January 1991. The Crown Prosecution Service received the most recent police report on 25 January 1994. It decided that the evidence was not sufficient to justify the institution of proceedings for corruption. The Metropolitan police are continuing inquiries into a separate allegation of dishonesty.

  Matrix Churchill
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General how many representations have been made to him about the opening statement made by the Cabinet Secretary to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I make no appointments to public bodies.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Attorney-General what instructions he has given to the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning the prosecution of persons alleged to have assaulted police officers; if he will instruct the Director to prosecute illegal immigrants charged with assault rather than relying on deportation; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Where there is sufficient evidence the public interest normaly demands prosecution when the victim of an assault is a police officer.
  543
  The Crown Prosecution Service last week issued guidance to all Crown prosecutors emphasising that illegal immigrants should not be dealt with by means of deportation when the gravity of the offence demands prosecution.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases were considered by the Crown Prosecution Service for prosecution in the last 12-month period for which figures are available; what number and percentage of cases were actually prosecuted; what number and percentage of convictions were obtained for England and Wales; and what are the corresponding figures for the Devon and Cornwall area.

  Table A: Magistrates' court

  Column 1 Completed Cases

  Column 2 Prosecutions Dropped

  Column 3 Bind Overs

  Column 4 Prosecutions could not proceed

  Column 5 Committal Hearings

  Column 6 Hearings

  Column 7 Convictions

  Column 8 Dismissals

  CPS

  1,362,277

  175,025

  23,920

  175,025

  103,299

  950,676

  935,044

  21,953

  Total (per cent.)

  —

  (12·8)

  (1·7)

  (12·8)

  (7·7)

  (69·8)

  (97·7)

  (2·3)

  CPS

  69,968

  8,535

  610

  4,034

  5,099

  51,690

  51,087

  839

  South West (per cent.)

  —

  (12·2)

  (0·9)

  (5·8)

  7·3)

  (73·9)

  (98·4)

  (1·6)

  The number of completed cases at column 1 does not include cases referred to the CPS by the police for pre-charge advice, or non-criminal proceedings.

  Convictions at column 7 are inclusive of guilty pleas as well as convictions after trial. Both convictions and dismissals are inclusive of cases proceeding to a hearing after the defendant offered mixed pleas of guilty to some counts and not guilty to others: these defendants are counted twice.

  Table B: Crown Court

  Column 1 Completed cases

  Column 2 Hearings

  Per cent.

  Column 3 Convictions

  Per cent.

  Column 4 Acquittals

  Per cent.

  CPS total

  95,600

  84,608

  (88·5)

  78,156

  (90·1)

  8,620

  (9·9)

  CPS South West

  5,647

  5,028

  (89·0)

  4,762

  (92·1)

  409

  (7·9)

  Completed cases at column 1 do not include appeals or committals for sentence.

  Hearings at column 2 do not include proceedings in which the defendant was bound over to keep the peace; prosecutions dropped by the CPS before the jury was sworn; or cases in which the prosecution could not proceed because the defendant had died, could not be traced, or was found unfit to plead.

  Convictions are inclusive of guilty pleas. The figures for convictions and acquittals include cases proceeding to a hearing after the defendant offered a mix of guilty pleas to some counts on the indictment, and not guilty to others: these defendants are counted twice.

  The national totals given comprise the 13 CPS areas, but do not include the specialised casework undertaken by the headquarters of the service.

  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Attorney-General what guidance is given to the Crown Prosecution Service as to whether it should proceed with a prosecution; and if he will make a statement.
  544
  The Attorney-General
  Figures for prosecutions in Devon and Cornwall are included in the total for CPS South West, and cannot be given separately. The latest period for which figures are available is the year ending December 1993.

  Table A shows at column 1 the number of defendants whose case was completed by the CPS in magistrates' courts during 1993; at column 2 the number and proportion of prosecutions dropped; at column 3 the number and proportion of bind overs; at column 4 the number and proportion of prosecutions which could not proceed; at column 5 the number and proportion of committal hearings; at column 6 the number and proportion proceeding to a hearing; at column 7 the number and proportion of hearings resulting in conviction; and at column 8 the number and proportion of hearings resulting in dismissal:

  Table B shows at column 1 defendants whose case was completed by the CPS in the Crown court during 1993; at column 2 those proceeding to a hearing; at column 3 those resulting in conviction, and at column 4 those resulting in acquittal:

  The Attorney-General
  The criteria set out in the code for Crown prosecutors are that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction, and a prosecution is required in the public interest.

  The charges should reflect the gravity of the defendant's conduct and will normally be the most serious revealed by the evidence.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Pitcairn
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ecological considerations have been adduced by the Pitcairn islanders in expressing their preference for transferring from Britain's dependent territories to those of France.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Pitcairn islanders have not expressed to us any wish to become a dependent territory of France or to change the nature of their existing relationship with the United Kingdom.
  545

  EC Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely annual cost of the new EC Committee of the Regions.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Committee of the Regions has been allocated 12 mecu—£8·94 million—in the EC budget for this year.

  EC Bodies
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely annual cost of each of the new Community bodies that were formally established at the European Council meeting on 29 October.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have the following information on estimated annual costs for those European Community bodies whose locations were determined at the European Council in Brussels on 29 October 1993:

  European Environment Agency

  The 1994 budget for the European Environment Agency has been fixed at at 8 million ecu.

  European Training Foundation

  The European Communities budget provides for expenditure of 5 million ecu for the European Training Foundation in 1994.

  Office for Veterinary and Plant Health Inspection and Control

  No detailed work has yet been done on the projected budget for the agency.

  European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

  The reserve chapter of the European Communities budget for 1994 includes provision of 4·8 million ecu for commitments and 4·64 million ecu for payments.

  European Medicines Evaluation Agency

  The budget for 1994 has been set at 7·5 million ecu (of which 0·7 million ecu is in the reserve chapter of the European Communities budget). The intention is that running costs will in due course be offset by fees so that within a relatively short period the Agency will be self-financing.

  Agency for Health and Safety at Work

  The appropriation requested by the European Commission in 1991, when the original proposal was made, was 6 million ecu for a fun financial year. Discussions are still continuing on the remit for the agency, and a final assessment of costs cannot be made until agreement has been reached. No budgetary provision has been made for 1994, but the European Parliament voted 500,000 ecu to the existing European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions "to take over the tasks of the planned Health and Safety Agency" pending the setting up of the agency.

  European Monetary Institute

  The size of the European Monetary Institute's resources is a matter for the Council of the European Monetary Institute (ie the central bank governors of all the member states and their President) which has not yet reached a view on the question.

  The Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (trade marks, designs and models)

  The European Communities budget for 1994 includes provision for start-up costs of ½million ecu in its reserve chapter for this office. This may increase in subsequent years—in 1990 the European Commission, based on a study by consultants, estimated annual operating costs at 17 million ecu. The intention is that running costs will in due course be offset by fees so that within a relatively short period the office will be self-financing.

  European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)
  546
  CEDEFOP's budget for 1994 has been set at 11 million ecu.

  Translation Centre

  No detailed work has yet been done on the projected budget for this centre although it is planned that it should be self-financing on the basis of charges for its services.

  The European Council in Brussels on 29 October 1993 also determined the location of Europol, an intergovernmental organisation created under the third pillar of the Treaty or, European Union. The total budget estimated for the European Drugs Unit (the first phase of Europol) for 1994 is 2·065 million ecu.

  Libya
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of British nationals employed in Libya in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no figures available of British nationals employed in Libya. However, between the years 1990–92 we estimate that there were 5,000 British nationals there.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals were employed in Libya at the most recent date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no figures available for the number of British nationals employed in Libya. We estimate that there are 4,000 British nationals there.

  Jamaica
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Jamaican nationals have applied for visas since 1 January; what was the comparable figure for the same period of 1993; what is the current waiting time between application and interview; if he will appoint additional staff to process applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A total of 327 Jamaican nationals have applied in Kingston for entry clearance since 1 January. The corresponding figure for last year was 322. Applications to visit Britain are normally processed the same day. The one entry clearance officer in the British high commission in Kingston is assisted by a second such officer between 1 April and 30 September each year. The option to appoint additional staff, if required, to process applications is always under review.

  Mr. Stephan Kock
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions and in what capacities Mr. Stephan Kock acted on behalf of Her Majesty's Government in relation to contracts arising out of overseas development since 1988.

  Mr. Goodlad
  None.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Mr. Stephan Kock was appointed to act on behalf of the Joint Intelligence Committee in relation to the Pergau dam contract in Malaysia.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have been asked to reply.
  547
  Mr. Kock is not, and never has been, an adviser to the Joint Intelligence Committee.

  Mr. Israr Ahmed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 43, concerning an application made by Israr Ahmed (Ref: IMM/CO 442) to the British High Commission in Islamabad to enter the United Kingdom, when the hon. Member for Bradford, West will receive the substantive reply.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I regret that the hon. Member has not yet received a substantive answer. I will ask my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to let the hon. Member have one as soon as possible.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure his Department instructs British overseas embassies and high commissions promptly to issue visas to those wishing to enter the United Kingdom in cases where appellate bodies uphold appeals or refuse to grant his Department leave to appeal to the immigration appeals tribunal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Entry clearance officers at posts overseas are under standing instructions to issue entry clearances as soon as possible when determinations favourable to the applicant are received via the Home Office.

  Mr. Ahmed Zahir
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will instruct the British high commission in Islamabad to issue a visa to enter the United Kingdom to Mr. Ahmed Zahir (TH/1322/93) following the refusal of the immigration appeals tribunal to grant his Department leave to appeal on 3 December last; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  In the absence of any information about this case, I have asked the correspondence unit of the migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to let the hon. Member have a substantive reply in due course.

  Somaliland
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking, at international level, to ensure that resources are available to provide programmes of work and support for disarming militias in Somaliland.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As a permanent member of the Security Council the United Kingdom has ensured that all relevant UNSC resolutions have underlined the importance of disarming militias throughout Somalia. We have also ensured that UNSC resolutions urge member states to provide resources in support of UNOSOM's efforts throughout Somalia.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what way the United Nations supports the Egal Government in Somaliland.
  548
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are four senior UNOSOM staff in Hargeisa, comprising officer-in-charge, senior humanitarian officer, political officer and security co-ordinator. There are also local and international support staff.

  UNOSOM is working to promote stability and rehabilitation within existing civic structures throughout Somalia including the north-west.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the 1993 budget of the United Nations operation in Somalia—UNOSOM—was spent in Somaliland; and what proportion this was of UNOSOM's total expenditure in Somalia as a whole.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Total UNOSOM expenditure in 1993 was approximately $650 million, of which some 84 per cent. relates directly or indirectly to troop costs. The remainder covers the administrative support costs of the operation. Details regarding the proportion of this figure spent in north-west Somalia are not available.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Admiral Jonathan Howe, head of UNOSOM, has visited Somaliland; what promises of assistance were given; and what has actually been delivered by UNOSOM.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Admiral Howe visited Berbera in north-west Somalia on 6 November 1993, and committed UNOSOM to provide more than $3 million for strengthening the police, prison and judicial services, and for the provision of administrative kits to help local administrative structures improve their operations in north-west Somalia.

  This money has been allocated, but UNOSOM is not yet able to provide a summary of how much has been disbursed.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the United Nations to increase the resources of the Office for Project Services division of the United Nations Development Plan in Somaliland to assist the reintegration of former militia into a peaceful society.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations attaches importance to the early reintegration of former militia into a peaceful society. OPS is, however, an implementing agency which performs services for the United Nations system and governments on a cost-reimburseable basis. Any expansion of projects under way would depend on the availability of additional donor finance.

  "Partnership for Peace"
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made since the NATO summits of the diligence and application being shown by those responsible for setting up the combined joint task force and the infrastructure for "Partnership for Peace"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Work was set in hand to develop the combined joint task force concept and the "Partnership for Peace" initiative immediately after the NATO summit in January. Considerable progress has already been made. I have no reason to doubt the diligence and application of those responsible for this work.
  549

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Medical Association and Department of Health will be consulted on the health effects of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As I said in my answer on 1 February, c.605, our submission to the International Court of Justice will set out the position of the Government on this question. We shall therefore be consulting relevant Government Departments.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 605, when he will be making his submission to the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We shall make our submission before 10 June.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of I February,Official Report, column 605, whether Her Majesty's Government's submission to the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons will be published in advance.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. Under rule 106 of the rules of the International Court of Justice it is for the court to decide, following the opening of an oral hearing, whether to publish submissions.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 605, what consultations he will hold before submission of Her Majesty's Government's report on the legality of nuclear weapons to the International Court of Justice.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We will be consulting relevant Government Departments. We have discussed this question with allies in the past and may do so again if necessary.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 605, if his submission to the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons will support the legality of (a) the use and (b) the possession of nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It will.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 605, whether Her Majesty's Government's submission to the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons will be laid before the House of Commons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A copy of our submission to the International Court of Justice will be placed in the Library of the House if and when the court has ordered publication of submissions to it.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the objectives and current status of CSCE 550
  missions in (a) Madedonia, (b) Georgia, (c) Estonia, (d) Latvia, (e) Moldova, (f) Tajikistan, (g) Nagorno-Karabakh and (h) Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvodina.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  CSCE missions can make an effective contribution to promoting stability and containing the spread of conflict. They complement the work of the CSCE's high commissioner on national minorities and office for democratic institutions and human rights. I welcome the appointment of Richard Samuel, a recently retired member of the diplomatic service, as head of mission to Moldova.

  A note prepared by the CSCE unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, giving details of the objectives and current status of CSCE missions, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Poland
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current United Kingdom relations with Poland; when a senior Minister of the Crown last visited that country; and what significant visits by Ministers are planned during the next 12 months.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We attach importance to our relations with Poland which are warm and friendly. We are optimistic that the one problem, that of air services, will be resolved soon.

  The last visit to Poland by a senior Minister was that of my right honourable and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in October 1992. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited in May 1992. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales paid a visit in May 1993 and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in September 1993.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs hopes to visit Poland this spring. Other high-level visits are under consideration.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards the ratification of the 1981 inhumane weapons convention.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The subject is under active consideration. We hope to make a decision soon.

  Anguilla
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the Anguilla Parliament has no Parliament building; and what plans there are to build one.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Agreement for the construction of separate accommodation for Anguilla's House of Assembly features in the country policy plan—CPP—signed between the Government of Anguilla and ourselves in August 1993. The relevant section of the CPP calls for the drawing up of detailed plans for the building in the financial year 1994–95, with construction scheduled to commence the following year.

  Iraq
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from the United Nations special inquiry commission on
  551
  Iraq to provide a list of British companies thought to have provided Iraq with military equipment or dual-use technology; and what examination he has made of the German submission to UNSCOM on the German companies' contribution for arming Iraq since its publication by UNSCOM.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]We have received no such requests from the special commission. However, we co-operate closely with UNSCOM and the International Atomic Energy Authority on questions of supplier information and investigate where the evidence warrants it.

  I am not aware of any publication by UNSCOMT/IAEA on the German contribution to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programme.

ENVIRONMENT

  Commission for Local Administration
  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost of the commission for Local Administration in England in each of the last three financial years and in the first six months of the present financial year.

  Mr. Curry
  The cost of the commission since 1 April 1990 has been as follows:

  £

  1990–91

  3,969,804

  1991–92

  4,905,021

  1992–93

  6,105,854

  11993–94

  3,219,800

  1 1 April to 30 September.

  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long it has taken, on average, for the Commission for Local Administration to deal with individual cases in each of the last three years and in the most recent six months.

  Mr. Curry
  The average time taken to deal with individual complaints has been as follows (number of weeks):

  Stage 12

  Stage 23

  1990–91

  18·0

  69·5

  1991–92

  17·0

  74·5

  1992–93

  15·4

  70·5

  11993–94

  14·4

  65·0

  1 1 August 1993 to 31 January 1994.

  2 A stage 1 investigation is one where the complaint is examined but investigation is not pursued beyond the stage of considering the council's detailed comments on it.

  3 A stage 2 investigation is one which proceeds with a view to the issue of a formal investigation report.

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless households were temporarily accommodated in bed-and-breakfast hotels by each of the London boroughs, in rank order, at the latest available date.
  552
  Sir George Young
  The numbers of households reported by the London boroughs in bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the end of September 1993, the latest date for which data are available, ranked by size are as follows:

  London borough

  Households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation

  Wandsworth

  435

  Tower Hamlets

  322

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  240

  Kensington and Chelsea

  215

  Westminster

  210

  Haringey

  202

  Barnet

  188

  Hackney

  159

  Lambeth

  100

  Enfield

  82

  Brent

  78

  Harrow

  74

  Hillingdon

  67

  Newham

  45

  Croydon

  44

  Hounslow

  36

  Bromley

  34

  Redbridge

  21

  Kingston upon Thames

  20

  Southwark

  18

  Sutton

  16

  Ealing

  9

  Merton

  9

  Bexley

  6

  City of London

  4

  Havering

  0

  Lewisham

  0

  Greenwich

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  Waltham Forest

  0

  Camden

  0

  Barking and Dagenham

  0

  Source: Quarterly PIE returns.

  No return was received from Islington for this period.

  The differences in the use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation reflect variations in authorities' practices and in the level of homeless acceptances.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what agreement he reached with the Association of District Authorities on using nature of tenure as an indicator in the personal social services and the all-other services standard spending assessment;

  (2) what agreement he has reached with the Association of Metropolitan Authorities on using nature of housing tenure as an indicator in the personal social services and the all-other services standard spending assessment;

  (3) what discussions he has had with the Association of County Councils on using nature of tenure as an indicator in the personal social services and the all-other services standard spending assessment; and what measure of agreement was reached.

  Mr. Baldry
  As part of the review of standard spending assessments for 1994–95 we discussed the inclusion of indicators of housing tenure in SSAs with representatives of each of the local authority associations. The main forum for these discussions was the SSA sub-group.
  553
  The decision to include indicators of the nature of housing tenure in SSAs was based on a statistical analysis which was discussed with representatives of each of the local authority associations in the SSA sub-group.

  The report of the SSA sub-group for 1994–95 was considered by the Consultative Council for Local Government Finance on 12 October. This report contained a number of options for changes to SSA methodology requested by these local authority associations which included indicators of the nature of housing tenure. During consultation on the provisional revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95 none of the local authority associations listed made representations on the proposal to use nature of housing tenure as an SSA indicator.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authority associations prior to his announcing the provisional revenue support grant settlement as to the use of nature of tenure as a proxy for disadvantage for the purpose of standard spending assessment distribution.

  Mr. Baldry
  Prior to the announcement of the provisional revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95, as part of the review of standard spending assessments, we discussed a wide range of possible changes in SSA methodology with representatives of each of the local authority associations. The use of indicators of the nature of housing tenure was considered as part of these discussions, which took place in the official level SSA sub-group.

  The report of the SSA sub-group for 1994–95 summarises the papers presented to the sub-group and the points made by representatives of the local authority associations in the discussion which took place. I have placed a copy of this report in the Library.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the reporting mechanisms for homelessness as used to calculate standard spending assessments.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information on homelessness used in the calculation of standard spending assessments is taken from the annual housing investment programme returns completed by local authorities.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the bed-and-breakfast hostels for the homeless that have (i) been opened and (ii) been closed in each yeare since 1990.

  Sir George Young
  The information requested by the hon. Member is not held centrally.

  Earth Tremors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of the last four years, and for the current year to date(a) the location and (b) the Richter scale measurement of earth tremors that have occurred in England; and what structural damage was reported.

  Mr. Baldry
  The British Geological Survey has located 1,478 earthquakes in the United Kingdom and its offshore area in the period January 1990 to mid-February 1994.554
  Reports have been received of minor damage caused to properties from seven of these earthquakes; most widely from the so-called Bishop's Castle earthquake in western Shropshire on 2 April 1990 which had a magnitude of 5·1 on the Richter scale. Details are contained in annual bulletins and annual reports of the national seismic monitoring and information service operated by the BGS. Published copies for the first three years and draft material for 1993–94 have been lodged in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Canada Geese
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact of Canada geese on the environment and on other forms of wildlife.

  Mr. Atkins
  There is growing concern about the impact of Canada geese on the environment and last year my Department set up a working group to assess the need for and develop a strategy to manage the population. To assist the group's work the Government have commissioned research into whether the geese pose health problems and whether they interact adversely with the nesting and breeding success of native wildfowl. It is also proposed to commission research into population distribution dynamics and movement of the species, and to quantify damage caused by geese to amenity land in London.

  Passenger Transport Authorities
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the current mood of funding passenger transport authorities through the levy system.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no plans to change the current arrangements.

  Recyclable Waste
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the percentage of waste sent to landfills which is recyclable.

  Mr. Atkins
  We have made no such estimate. However, research by the Government's Warren Spring Laboratory suggests that over 50 per cent. of household waste by weight sent to landfill is recyclable.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total income received by each district council from the sales of council houses in each of the past five years; what percentage of these have been reclaimed by his Department; what is the projected figure, from each council, for the building of new council housing in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Information on the total income received by each district council from the sales of council houses in the past five years will be placed in the Library of the House. None of these receipts is reclaimed by my Department. Under the capital receipts rules, local authorities are normally required to set aside 75 per cent. of their housing receipts to meet their debts. Figures for the building of new council housing in the next financial year
  555
  are not held centrally. Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing, with local authorities concentrating on their enabling role and on managing their large stocks of existing council housing.

  British Scrap Federation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of his Department's officials have attended the half-yearly dinners of the British Scrap Federation in each year since 1993; and what positions they held at the time.

  Mr. Atkins
  Although the British Scrap Federation hold half-yearly annual dinners in the spring and the autumn, it is only the autumn dinner that is normally attended by outside guests. Mrs. L. A. C. Simcock, head of waste management division in the Department, attended the dinner last November.

  English Nature
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have been made to the allocation of money for management agreements for English Nature; what limits there are on the levels of payments for new agreements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has recently provided English Nature with an additional £800,000 to spend on management agreements in the current financial year. Financial guidelines in accordance with section 50 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provide the basis for calculating payments under individual agreements. These are currently under review and a consultation paper will be issued as soon as possible. In addition, English Nature is required to consult my Department where annual payments would be £40,000 or more or a lump sum payment of £250,000 is proposed.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment the quality of urban air review group has made of the relative disbenefits to the environment and human health of motor vehicles using(a) leaded petrol, (b) unleaded petrol, (c) diesel and (d) natural gas.

  Mr. Atkins
  The most recent report of the quality of urban air review group, "Diesel Vehicle Emissions and Urban Air Quality" was published on 28 January 1994 and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was(a) the average waiting time for appeals going to the council tax valuation tribunals and (b) the cost of valuation appeals for each English valuation tribunal area.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is not yet possible to say what is the average length of time taken to hear appeals, since a great many cases are being settled by agreement between the taxpayer and the Valuation Office Agency, and only a small proportion have been heard and determined by valuation tribunals.
  556
  The estimated average cost of processing a council tax appeal in the current financial year in England is£115. This estimate includes Valuation Office Agency and valuation tribunal costs.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many households in Rochdale have appealed against their council tax banding; and how many of these appeals have been accepted;

  (2) how many households in Rochdale are still waiting to hear the results of their appeals against wrong council tax banding.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond), on 17 February, column 967. Details of the outcome of appeals are not collected centrally.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the review of powers and duties of public authorities relating to the identification, assessment and appropriate treatment of contaminated land and liabilities to be completed.

  Mr. Atkins
  The review of the machinery for dealing with contaminated land and of liabilities is making good progress and is expected to be completed later this year.

  Offshore Oil Licensing
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which blocks his Department recommended should be excluded from the 14th round of offshore oil licensing; and on what grounds.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department expressed concern about certain blocks which were of considerable importance to the marine aggregates industry. Our concerns were met and appropriate conditions were attached to those blocks which were included in the 14th licensing round.

  Forests (Access)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial assistance the Government are giving to English local authorities to help them sign access agreements on privatised Forestry Commission land.

  Mr. Atkins
  No specific grants are available for this purpose, but considerable general financial support is provided to local government through revenue support grant. Local authorities determine for themselves how these resources are to be used.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what controls exist at present on the rents charged by housing associations; and what plans his Department has to increase these controls in the future.

  Sir George Young
  The rents of secure housing association tenants—those whose tenancy began before 15 January 1989—are controlled by the rent officer. The rents of assured tenants—those whose tenancy began after 15 January 1989—are set at the discretion of the housing association. For housing provided with public subsidy, all
  557
  registered housing associations are required by the terms of the tenants guarantee to set and maintain assured rents which are within the reach of people in low-paid employment. The corporation monitors rent levels and the financial efficiency of housing associations, and can take action where excessive costs might lead to high rent levels. My Department has no plans at present to increase these controls.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy as regards the contruction of wind farms; and what circulars he has issued to local planning authorities.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's policy on renewable energy, including wind energy, is set out in Planning Policy Guidancee note 22. Copies of this note were sent to all local authorities in England and Wales in February 1993.

  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) wind farms and (b) propellors (i) have been constructed, (ii) have been approved and (iii) are pending.

  Mr. Baldry
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Bio-fuels
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has commissioned to determine the effect of bio-fuels on the global environment.

  Mr. Atkins
  Bio-fuels can affect the global environment by influencing emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, other gaseous emissions, and reservoirs of carbon in soils and vegetation. My Department has commissioned research on greenhouse gas emissions from waste disposal including waste as fuel, on landfill gas production, and on gaseous emissions from engines driven by landfill gas. We are also undertaking research relevant to quantifying the effect of bio-fuels on United Kingdom carbon reservoirs.

  Storm Damage
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which regions of the United Kingdom have been most severely affected by storm damage for each year from 1985 to 1993.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Meteorological Office, who will reply directly to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mrs. Bridget Prentice, dated 25 February 1994:

  I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking which regions of the United Kingdom have been most severely affected by storm damage for each year from 1982 to 1993.

  All parts of the British Isles can be affected by storms. Notable storms in the period include 15/16 October 1987 (southern England), 13 February 1989 (Scotland) and 25 January 1990 (much of England and Wales). In general, the windiest places are exposed coasts and hills, particularly in northern and western
  558
  Scotland. However, building standards do take account of the expected extreme winds in the local area, so that storm damage is not necessarily related. Records of wind damage are held by the Building Research Establishment. Further information can be obtained directly from the Chief Executive, Building Research Establishment, Bucknalls Lane, Garston, Watford, Hens WD2 7JR.

EDUCATION

  Special Schools
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of children were taught in special schools in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1989 and the latest available year.

  Mr. Forth
  Pupils in special schools as a percentage of total pupil population in maintained schools in the years concerned, based on the latest data available, are as follows:

  Year

  Per cent.

  1977

  1·55

  1979

  1·59

  1981

  1·62

  1989

  1·34

  1993

  1·25

  Prospect School, Berkshire
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education under which Act the ballot for grant-maintained status at Prospect school, Berkshire, has been conducted.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The governors of Prospect school, Berkshire passed a resolution on 10 January 1994 to ballot parents on the question of seeking grant-maintained status. The ballot has therefore been conducted under section 28 of the Education Act 1993.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing nursery education for all three and four-year-olds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The cost would depend on the types of provision, the balance between full-time and part-time attendance and the numbers of parents who choose to take up a nursery place. We estimate that the average annual recurrent unit cost for a full-time equivalent pupil aged under five in the maintained sector is £1,770 at 1993–4 prices. In addition, there would be capital, transport and staff training costs. As at January 1993, 55 per cent. of children aged three and four in England were already in receipt of some form of maintained or independent schooling.

  Capital Allocations
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give an indication of the figure available for supplementary capital allocations to local education authorities for 1994–95.

  Mr. Forth
  The total of supplementary credit approvals to be made available to local education authorities for 1994–95 is £39·398 million.
  559

  Drug Education
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the allocation for drug education in schools in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Forth
  Most current expenditure on schools is incurred by local education authorities, either directly or delegated through local management of schools schemes and totals some £15 billion a year. It is for schools and LEAs to determine in the light of local priorities and taking account of advice and guidance available how much of their total budgets to spend on drugs education. Through the grants for education support and training programme funding was made available on a pump-priming basis to support expenditure of £7·3 million in 1991–92 and £5·0 million in 1992–93 on preventive health education and training in schools, including education about drugs. At national level my Department's preventive health education budget supported drugs-related initiatives with grant exceeding £42,000 in 1991–92 and £149,000 in 1992–93. The provisional figure for 1993–94 is £104.000.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he was consulted by the Colleges Employers Forum on its model contract for further education staff.

  Mr. Boswell
  No.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East can expect a reply to his letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell), dated 25 January.

  Mr. Boswell
  I replied to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East on 25 February 1994.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Latin America
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the aid programme in Latin America.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have a sizeable and successful bilateral aid programme in Latin America. It is focusing increasingly on the key areas of environmental cooperation, natural resources and good government.

  Southern and Eastern Africa
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom overseas aid to the southern and eastern African countries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Africa is a high priority for Britain's bilateral aid programme. In 1992–93 we disbursed almost £304 million of bilateral aid to countries in eastern and southern Africa, excluding CDC investments, to help promote sustainable development and to relieve immediate suffering.
  560

  India
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will increase the level of aid to India.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  India is the top recipient of our bilateral aid and will continue to be a high priority. Planned expenditure for next year is in line with average levels over recent years.

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many individuals in how many countries are estimated to have benefited from overseas aid in each of the past five years; how much cash was involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In the last five years we have provided bilateral aid to an average of 133 countries each year. By promoting economic and social development, and by helping reduce poverty, our aid is intended to be of wide benefit in the recipient countries. It is not, however, possible to say how many individuals have benefited. The amount of aid which we have provided is as follows:

  Gross bilateral aid £ million1

  Total gross aid £ million1

  1988–89

  933

  1,616

  1989–90

  1,035

  1,736

  1990–91

  1,168

  1,893

  1991–92

  1,081

  2,016

  1992–93

  1,278

  2,245

  1 Rounded to the nearest million.

  Oman
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each project funded by the Overseas Development Administration in the last five years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 7 February 1994,Official Report, column 70.

  Angola
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of United Kingdom aid to Angola.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since the start of 1993 we have allocated over £15 million of aid for Angola. This includes our share of EC aid.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much British Aid is currently being given to Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We expect United Kingdom bilateral aid expenditure for Indonesia in the current
  561
  financial year to be about £21 million. Our aid supports projects in such sectors as power, forestry, railways, civil aviation, education, broadcasting and public administration.

  South Africa
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to offer aid to South Africa.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  This year we will spend up to £15 million, plus over £11 million as our share of EC aid. We will increase our aid to support a new South African Government pursuing sound policies.

TRANSPORT

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to transfer the Driving Standards Agency to the private sector.

  Mr. Key
  I have no plans to change the status of the agency. Options for the future of the agency will be reviewed again in around three years. Meanwhile, the chief executive has been asked to make full use of the market testing initiative to secure best value for money.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether consultants have been employed to consider the future status of the Driving Standards Agency.

  Mr. Key
  No.

  Supermarket Construction
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his intention to give a direction to refuse Asda/Thomas Storey, Stockport, Application No. 59583, which was lodged on 7 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  No application for this proposed development has yet been referred to the Department.

  Vehicle Testing Stations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the future status of the Vehicle Inspectorate's testing stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his provisional conclusions shortly. He recently made available to the Transport Select Committee the consultants' report on the future of the VI's testing functions; a copy is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis) of 8 February,Official Report, column 149, whether the Government's review of the issues surrounding sustainable development resulted in any changes in the Government's policies on transport.
  562
  Mr. MacGregor
  "Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy" builds directly upon the commitments made in "This Common Inheritance" and subsequent reports. We are, therefore, already taking action on the issues raised. In addition to setting out the environmental situation in the United Kingdom and the principles and processes designed to respond to it, the strategy also highlights key areas for future action.

  Polish Airlines
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons he approved the withdrawal of landing rights for the Polish airline LOT; and how he proposes to resolve the dispute.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the letter I wrote to the hon. Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) on 16 November 1993 which was deposited in the Library of the House and which explains the background to the current situation. We have been in contact with the Polish Government since the autumn in an attempt to resolve the current difficulties. Contacts are continuing and we hope that it will possible for direct services to be restored soon.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated number of all categories of motor vehicles in the United Kingdom, together with the estimated percentage of them equipped with catalytic converters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  The distribution and volume of the United Kingdom vehicle fleet is set out in full in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1993". The latest information on the total volumes of licenced vehicles up to the end of September 1993 is included in the following table.

  Total licensed vehicles End September 1993

  Thousands

  Taxation class

  Total

  Petrol

  Diesel

  Other

  Private and light goods

  22,371·5

  20,249·6

  2,120·7

  4·8

  Of which:

  Private cars

  20,157·3

  19,040·7

  1,113·1

  3·5

  Motor cycles

  713·2

  712·4

  0·7

  0·1

  Goods vehicles

  430·3

  15·8

  414·4

  0·0

  Public transport vehicles

  107·8

  7·2

  100·6

  0·0

  Agricultural machines

  319·9

  7·8

  310·1

  2·0

  Other vehicles

  56·1

  39·8

  16·2

  0·0

  Exempt vehicles

  961·8

  766·3

  163·7

  31·7

  ALL VEHICLES

  24,964·2

  21,798·9

  3,126·5

  38·8

  The precise number of vehicles fitted with catalytic converters is not known, but is estimated at approximately 2·5 million or 13 per cent. of the total licensed passenger car fleet, excluding diesel cars. Catalysts are also optionally offered on some diesel car models and some motor cycles, but the numbers licensed are likely to be negligible.

  Midland Metro
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce Government funding and financial support for the Midland metro.
  563
  Mr. Freeman
  We will be looking carefully, in the context of this year's public expenditure round, at the scope for making resources available to that a start could be made on Midland metro in 1995–96.

  Road Improvements
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what reason no commitment to re-route the A40 trunk road in Cheltenham was made in the Government's draft planning guidance for the south west; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he plans to announce a starting date for road improvements to the A436 and the A417.

  Mr. Key
  The draft regional planning guidance for the south-west is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. It provides the framework for the updating of structure and local plans in the region and is not the appropriate vehicle for commitments to particular road schemes.

  Construction of the A417 Brockworth bypass started last month. Further improvements to the A417 in this area are at the very earliest planning stages. It is planned that the A436 will act as a bypass for Cheltenham in conjunction with Brockworth bypass. A constultants' study is in progress to identify the need for, and environmental acceptability of, any improvements.

  Cones Hotline
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has considered paying the Automobile Association a fee for running the cones hotline.

  Mr. Key
  In considering the future development of the cones hotline, we are currently looking at the option of having it run by a private sector agency.

  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the cones hotline number is an indirect line.

  Mr. Key
  Until recently the cones hotline has operated adequately on the Department's general inquiry number. However, it has now been changed to a direct line—0345 50 40 30.

  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the purpose of the cones hotline.

  Mr. Key
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 2 February, column 759.

  Baggage Security
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of instances annually, over the past five years, in which unaccompanied baggage was erroneously carried on flights departing from United Kingdom airports.

  Mr. Norris
  No such information is available.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it compulsory by law for all aircraft hold baggage to be reconciled with passengers on all flights departing from United Kingdom airports.
  564
  Mr. Norris
  It is already a legal requirement for aircraft operators to ensure that all passengers and operating crew, whose hold baggage has been loaded into an aircraft, have boarded and will travel on that aircraft. The baggage of passengers who check in but do not board the aircraft is required to be removed and may not be carried unless it is subjected to security controls. There are circumstances where baggage may be legitimately carried without an accompanying passenger; however, such unaccompanied baggage is not carried unless it is first screened and if necessary hand-searched.

  The United Kingdom has always complied with international requirements on passenger baggage. We have even gone further and introduced a recommended practice for airlines to account for and authorise for carriage every item of hold baggage that they carry. This will become a mandatory requirement within a few months.

  A27
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the cost of the tunnels on the Department's scheme for the A27 development in Worthing and Shoreham and the costs of the tunnels of the blue route and the extent to which these figures have been reduced by improved technology compared with the technology used on the Brighton bypass.

  Mr. Key
  This information is available from the Department's representative at the public inquiry into the A27 Worthing-Lancing improvement proposals. I will ask him to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the properties which have been purchased by his Department in connection with the developments of the A27 in the Worthing area which he has or now proposes to sell; what is the price, and total cost to his Department, of each; and at price each has been(a) sold or (b) is now on the market.

  Mr. Key
  Of the properties which have been purchased in connection with the A27 Worthing-Lancing scheme, six have been offered for sale as follows:

  Property

  Offers invited in the region of(£)

  52 Longlands, Worthing

  130,000

  54 Longlands, Worthing

  135,000

  56 Longlands, Worthing

  140,000

  44 Copthorne hill. Worthing

  75,000

  11 Fontwell close, Worthing.

  90,000

  20 Findon road, Worthing

  57,000

  Total

  627,000

  A sale has been agreed for 54 Longlands, but it would not be appropriate to disclose the sale price which is confidential to the prospective purchaser.

  It would not be appropriate to disclose the price paid by the Department for each property, which is confidential to the former owners, but the total price to the Department for the six properties was £901,750 exclusive of fees and other administrative costs.
  565

  Goods Vehicle Information Discs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the discs which goods vehicle operators are required to display are designed to be read by pedestrians who are aggrieved by the vehicle's operation or operator.

  Mr. Key
  Goods vehicle operator discs are primary intended to assist the police and other enforcement organisations who carry out checks on heavy goods vehicles. Should members of the public who wish to register a complaint concerning a goods vehicle have difficulty in readily identifying the operator of the vehicle, they should contact the local traffice office quoting the vehicle's registration mark.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Information in the precise form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. An annual monitoring exercise is undertaken of the position as at 1 September each year and figures are passed to the Cabinet Office for inclusion in their annual publication of "Public Bodies 1993". The proportion of DOT appointments held by women shown in "Public Bodies 1993" is 19 per cent. In "Public Bodies 1992" it was 14 per cent. The departmental objective is that the percentage should be increased to 25 per cent. by 1996.

  Traffic Regulations (Implementation)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which private organisations have been authorised to implement traffic regulations; and in what circumstances they have been authorised.

  Mr. Key
  Some local traffic authorities employ contractors to carry out various parking enforcement functions, and some police forces use them to remove vehicles under the direction of constables or traffic wardens. In addition, the Metropolitan police use contractors to fix and remove wheelclamps—again under the direction of constables or traffic wardens. There is no requirement for the traffic authorities and police forces concerned to notify the Department of their arrangements, so there is no central record of those which have employed contractors on these tasks, or of the contractors used.

  Trolley Bus Service
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reinstate the proposal to establish a trolley bus service from Bradford city centre to Buttershaw in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The West Yorkshire passenger transport authority did not include this project in its bid for resources in 1994–95. It is for the PTA and the city council to decide whether to include it in their bids in future years.
  566

  Free Rail Passes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he has made for the continuation of the availability of the free rail passes to former GWR and subsequently BR employees, currently pensioners, under future franchise arrangements.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have given a clear assurance that free and reduced rate travel concessions for the retired staff of BR will be safeguarded. Franchised service operators will be obliged, through the terms of the contracts that they will have with the franchising director, to provide concessionary travel on their services to those permanently entitled.

  Railway Pension Scheme
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to establish a joint railway industry pension scheme, providing benefits no less favourable than the existing BR pension scheme, which BR staff employed on 5 November 1993(a) who continue to work in the railway industry and (b) who, following privatisation, leave the railway industry company in which they were first employed, will have a statutory right to join.

  Mr. Freeman
  It has long been Government policy to establish such a scheme, which will provide benefits no less favourable than the existing BR pension scheme to BR staff participating, or eligible to participate, in that scheme at 5 November 1993. Those staff will have an "indefeasible right" to remain in the joint industry scheme so long as they remain in continuous employment in the railway industry.

  A66
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give estimates of the number of vehicles travelling east to west along the A66 from Stockton to Darlington on(a) weekdays and (b) Saturdays and Sundays.

  Mr. Key
  The average westbound traffic flows on the A66 in the vicinity of Elton and Longnewton are as follows:

  Daily

  Peak hour

  Weekday

  12,900

  1,380

  Saturday

  9,700

  760

  Sunday

  6,600

  600

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will direct his regional office not to divert traffic from the A66 through Elton during the week beginning 5 March.

  Mr. Key
  I regret the inconvenience to my hon. Friend's constituents. Diversion through Elton is, on balance, the optimum solution and will go ahead as planned.

  Learner Drivers
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish an official syllabus for learner large goods vehicle drivers.
  567
  Mr. Key
  The Driving Standards Agency has today published "Your Large Goods Vehicle Driving Test". As well as giving clear guidance about preparing for and taking an LGV driving test, the book contains the officially recommended learner LGV syllabus which was developed by the DSA following extensive consultation with the road transport and haulage industries. The book also offers advice on issues that will be equally relevant to the more experienced LGV driver, such as driver attitudes and knowledge, hazard perception and motorway driving. I am placing copies in the Library.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for starting new construction on trunk roads in 1994–95.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I am pleased to announce that, subject to the completion of the remaining statutory procedures and availability of funds, we will begin work on 22 major national road starts in 1994–95. These starts represent new investment in total over the whole construction period of over £1 billion. The Highways Agency, which will assume responsibility for managing, maintaining and improving the trunk road network at the beginning of the new financial year, will oversee the construction of these starts.

  I am also publishing today a reserve list of seven starts that could also begin in 1994–95. In the event of unavoidable delays in the planned starts, these will be brought forward.

  The planned and reserve starts are as follows:

  Planned starts

  A564 Doveridge Bypass1

  A564 Derby Southern Bypass and Spur

  M1 Junction 21–21A Widening Phase 1

  M40 Junction—1A-13 Widening

  A13 Wennington—Mar Dyke Improvement

  A428 Bedford Southern Bypass

  A1(M) Alconbury—Peterborough Upgrading Contract 11

  A12 Hackney—M11 Contract 2

  A12 Hackney—M11 Contract 3

  A406 Silver Street—Fore Street Improvement

  A568 Widnes Eastern Bypass (South)

  M66 Denton—Middleton Contract 2

  M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 2

  M6 Junction 20–21A (bridge renewal)

  A19 Norton—Parkway Improvement

  A34 Newbury Bypass

  A34 Chieveley/M4 Junction 13 Improvement

  M25 Junction 8–10 Widening1

  A30 Honiton—Exeter Improvement

  M5 Junction 18–19 Widening

  A50 Blythe Bridge—Queensway Phase 2

  M621/M1 Link

  Reserve list

  All Roudham—Attleborough Improvement

  M25 Junction 16–19 Widening1

  A406/A1/A598 Regents Park Road Junction Improvement1

  A13 West of Heathway—Thames Avenue Improvement

  A69 Haltwhistle Bypass

  A27 Polegate Bypass

  A35 Tolpuddle—Puddletown Bypass

  1Design and build schemes.

  All the 1994–95 starts will bring substantial economic and safety benefits to users of the national road network and local residents. They are particularly important in
  568
  helping to reduce the cost of congestion to industry. All the schemes have been subject to full environmental assessment and have been designed in accordance with the latest techniques to minimise the impact on the environment. The planned starts include six bypasses particularly designed to remove traffic from town and village centres.

  Three of the planned starts and two of the reserve starts are being progressed under design and build contracts, where the contractor is responsible for both scheme design and construction. These contracts offer increased certainty over timing and cost and greater efficiency of design.

  The 22 new starts are in addition to the current construction programme. There are over 50 contracts currently under way. In 1994–95 we estimate total expenditure on new construction will be some £1·3 billion.

  Arundel Bypass
  Sir Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the proposed date is for commencement of work on the construction of the A27 Arundel bypass.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: Start of construction of the A27 Arundel bypass will depend on the completion of statutory procedures, the outcome of the current review of the roads programme, and the availability of funds.

NORTHERN IRELAND

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

  Mr. Ancram
  My right hon. and learned Friend has approved the following appointments to the boards of health and social services trusts:

  ROYAL GROUP OF HOSPITALS HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Dr. William George Quigley CB

  Non-executive directors

  Dr. George Alexander Baird

  John Carson Esq.

  Alan Johnston Gibson Esq.

  Paul McWilliams

  Sister Mary Turley

  BELFAST CITY HOSPITAL HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  G. Henry Moore Esq.

  Non-executive directors

  Danny Carty Esq.

  Harold Ennis Esq.

  Mrs. Catherine Francis (Pip) Jaffa

  Wilfred Mulryne Esq.

  Professor Robert G. Shanks

  DOWN LISBURN HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Mrs. Gillian Shaw

  Non-executive directors

  Albert S. Baird Esq.

  Mrs. Anne Marie Colgan

  Mark Ennis Esq.

  Mrs. Denise Fitzsimons

  Alfred Linehan Esq.

  569
  EASTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  G. Ivor Oswald Esq. OBE

  Non-executive directors

  Brian Carlin Esq.

  Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Fulton

  Ernest George Taylor Esq.

  GREEN PARK HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Norman Shaw Esq.

  Non-executive directors

  Sir Kenneth Percy Bloomfield

  Lord Alan Henry Brookenborough

  Ian Doherty Esq.

  Mrs. Christine Lynch

  Rollo McClure Esq.

  NORTH DOWNS AND ARDS HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Jim Shields Esq.

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. Ann R. Bagnall

  Eric D. Carson Esq.

  Charles Coleman Esq.

  Mrs. Eileen Siobhan Grant

  Stanley McDowell Esq.

  NORTH AND WEST BELFAST HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Gordon Burnison OBE Esq.

  Non-executive directors

  Thomas Connolly Esq.

  Mrs. Judith M. Eve

  Mrs. Anne M. Maguire

  Ronald E. Moore Esq.

  David Russell Esq.

  SOUTH AND EAST BELFAST HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Mrs. Brenda McLaughlin

  Non-executive directors

  Peter Fleming Esq.

  Gerald F. Gilpin Esq.

  Robin Hams Esq.

  Professor Simon Lee

  Mrs. Georgina Poulter-Brown

  ULSTER NORTH DOWN AND ARDS HOSPITALS TRUST

  Chairman

  Sir Dennis Faulkner

  Non-executive directors

  Mrs. Joan Cynthia Baxter

  Mrs. Lucinda Blakiston-Houston

  David de Bohun Chamberlain Esq.

  George Harkness Esq.

  Barry McBride Esq.

  CRAIGAVON AREA HOSPITALS HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  Noel Stewart Esq.

  Non-executive directors

  Professor Michael Connolly

  Mrs. Anne Eimear Cullen

  David Hall Esq.

  Archie Mckelvey Esq.

  Mrs. Cecilia M. Woods

  CRAIGAVON AND BANBRIDGE HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  David Somerville Cook Esq.
  570
  Non-executive directors

  Not yet appointed

  NEWRY AND MOURNE HSS TRUST

  Chairman

  John Francis McEvoy Esq.

  Non-executive directors

  Walter Cosgrove Esq.

  Mrs. Delia Cunningham

  George Graham Esq.

  Fergal McCormack Esq.

  Anglo-Irish Conference
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a detailed report of the discussions which took place in the last meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference on the proposed United Kingdom parliamentary constituencies; what undertakings were given to the Irish Republic's delegation in regard to those proposals; and what representations made by the Irish Republic's delegation have been brought to the attention of Madam Speaker, as chair of the Boundary Commission.

  Mr. Ancram
  It is not the custom to publish reports of discussions which take place within the intergovernmental conference, but the hon. Gentleman will be aware of the terms of the communiqué issued after that meeting. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland is an independent body responsible to Parliament and not to the Government, a fact which was made clear at the IGC. It follows that Her Majesty's Government has no role in representing anyone else's views on the Boundary Commission to its Chairman.

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current membership of the Poisons Board is as follows:

  Mr. T. Ferris, QC (Chairman)

  Professor D. T. Burns

  Dr. D. J. L. Carson

  Mr. R. A. Hall, OBE

  Dr. B. D. Harper

  Mr. W. T. Hunter

  Dr. G. D. Johnston

  Mr. R. G. P. McMullan

  Mr. T. Scott

  Mrs. M. Singleton

  Dr. W. M. Mawhinney

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Laboratory Services Advisory Committee are as follows:

  Professor J. M. Bridges (Chairman)

  Dr. G. P. R. Archbold

  Dr. P. C. Boreland

  Mr. R. G. Coulter

  Mr. E. H. Crozier

  Dr. B. M. Hannigan

  Mr. W. D. Harvey

  Mr. B. P. Ingram

  Mr. G. W. M. Leahy

  Dr. M. Madden

  Miss G. Roberts

  Professor P. G. Toner

  571

  Dr. T. S. Wilson

  Mrs. M. Keenan

  Mr. J. J. O'Boyle

  Miss M. A. Pidgeon

  Mrs. K. Savage

  Mrs. E. Roche

  Miss P. Ginnety

  Mrs. M. J. Smyth

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards Committee.

  Mr. Ancram
  The present membership of the committee is:

  Mr. D. Gordon, CBE

  Professor J. Bridges

  Professor R. G. Shanks

  Professor M. Rosen, CBE

  Professor B. M. Hibbard

  Dr. F. Caldicott

  Mr. D. D. Smyth

  The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice T. O'Donnell (retired)

  The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Carswell

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The current membership of the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland is as follows:

  Dr. J. A. F. Beirne (Chairman)

  Mrs. Nora Archibald

  Mr. Eric A. N. Culbert

  Dr. Yvonne Duff

  Mrs. Joan Ewing

  Mr. Mervyn Gallagher

  Mrs. Deidre Gilchrist

  Mr. George Graham

  Mr. William Keown

  Dr. Joseph H. K. Lim

  Dr. Carolyn M. Marriott

  Dr. Graham McDonald

  Dr. Joseph MacMahon

  Dr. Agnes M. McKnight

  Mrs. M. Kay Rogers

  Mrs. Isobel Thompson

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Clinical Imaging Services Advisory Committee are as follows:

  Chairman:

  Dr. J. G. Crothers

  Members:

  Dr. T. K. Bell

  Dr. K. Cranley

  Dr. C. W. Majury

  Mr. R. McQuade

  Miss C. O'Neill

  Miss D. Patton

  Mrs. A. E. Porter

  Mr. S. H. Porter

  Miss J. Robinson

  Dr. J. Walker

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Clinical Engineering and Medical Physics Services Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Clinical Engineering and Medical Physics Services Advisory Committee are as follows:
  572
  Chairman

  Dr. J. E. Galway

  Members

  Mr. M. W. Algie

  Mr. D. A. Adams

  Dr. T. K. Bell

  Dr. M. Cody

  Mr. W. J. Doran

  Mr. J. M. Easton

  Mr. T. L. Frew

  Dr. P. D. Hanley

  Dr. G. Kernohan

  Mr. J. D. Malcolm

  Mrs. S. Mullin

  Mr. D. O'Donnell

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Central Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee are as follows:

  Chairman

  Mr. D. Corbett

  Members

  Mr. D. Dougherty

  Mr. C. Watt

  Miss A. Diamond

  Mr. J. P. Beagon

  Dr. J. D. G. O'Hare

  Ms A. Bowen

  Mrs. M. Singleton

  Mr. V. E. Reaney

  Mr. T. G. Hannawin

  Miss A. McCollom

  Dr. D. J. Morrison

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Central Personal Social Services Advisory Committee are as follows:

  Chairman

  Mrs. E. McKay

  Members

  Mr. A. S. Buchanan

  Mr. C. J. Common

  Miss M. S. Irwin

  Mr. K. P. Keenan

  Miss P. A. Lockie

  Ms M. C. McAuley

  Mrs. V. McGuffin

  Mr. R. I. McKeown

  Mrs. G. McKibbin

  Mr. R. Moore

  Dr. J. R. Pinkerton

  Ms M. B. E. Smyth

  Mr. P. Sweeney

  one vacancy.

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Central Medical Advisory Committee are as follows:

  Dr. S. M. Lyons(Chairman)

  Dr. A. M. Telford

  Professor R. W. Stout

  Dr. J. Wilde

  Mr. D. S. Gordon

  Dr. C. A. Hamilton

  Dr. H. A. Jefferson

  573

  Dr. E. P. Beckett

  Dr. D. A. J. Keegan

  Dr. J. M. W. Park

  Dr. P. J. Kennedy

  Dr. M. J. Toal

  one vacancy.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Therapeutic Professions Allied to Medicine.

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Advisory Committee of the Therapeutic Professions Allied to Medicine are as follows:

  Mrs. C. Rosen (Chairman)

  Miss M. J. Boyd

  Mrs. I. Boyd

  Mrs. J. Holmes

  Mrs. C. McGartland

  Miss R. Nesbitt

  Mrs. D. E. Braden

  Mrs. C. M. E. Cranston

  Mrs. R. M. Maxwell

  Mrs. G. E. McDowell

  Miss A. McQueen

  (one vacancy)

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members currently appointed to the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland is as follows:

  Non-executive appointments

  Miss E. McNair (Chairman)

  Mrs. R. Malone

  Mrs. M. McGinley

  Mrs. A. Colgan

  Miss P. Stanley

  Professor M. Connolly

  Mr. G. R. Camlin

  Executive appointments

  Dr. O. D'A. Slevin

  Mr. E. N. Thom

  Miss S. G. Campbell

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

  Mr. Ancram
  The current members of the Charities Advisory Committee are:

  Sir Eric McDowell, CBE

  Mr. J. R. Comerton

  Mr. F. J. Ledwidge

  Mr. H. T. Morrison

  Mr. J. M. Holland

  Salmon
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums have been expended by his Department in each year since the Department of Agriculture first leased and began investigations into the salmon in the River Bush; and how many reports have been produced as a result of that work; how many and which of these reports have been published for sale to the general public; and if he will now publish a comprehensive report of all the findings in a form easily understood by the general reader.

  Mr. Ancram
  The total expenditure by the Department in each year is not available. However, the running costs 574
  relating to the project are published in the annual reports on the sea and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland, copies of which are in the Library. Forty-eight scientific reports arising from the River Bush project have been published. A comprehensive report will not be published until the project has been completed. However, annual reports on the project, written in layman's terms, are published in the annual report on research and technical work of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. Copies of the scientific publications and the annual reports are available, on application, from the Department.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the area of spawning grounds available to grilse and salmon in the River Bush catchment area, the number of such fish that this area can accommodate, the number of fish counted in such areas in each of the last five years for which figures are available, the number of parr produced in each of the last five years and the number of smolts migrating in those years; and what is his estimate of the optimum numbers of each cohort of such mature and juvenile fish.

  Mr. Ancram
  The total usable salmonid nursery habitat, comprising spawning and nursery habitat as both are necessary to produce juveniles, is 41·06 hectares. The internationally recognised methodology for measuring utilisation of habitat is ova deposition, rather than number of adult fish, as number of ova per fish can vary considerably. From the research to date, it has been estimated that the overall optimum ova deposition for the River Bush is 2·46 million ova. Ova deposition actually achieved over the past five years is set out in the table. The target deposition has been exceeded in three out of the last five years.

  Year of run

  Ova deposition (millions)

  1988

  4·60

  1989

  1·06

  1990

  2·44

  1991

  2·97

  1992

  2·72

  11993

  1

  1Not yet collated.

  The number of juvenile fish—fry and parr—on the River Bush is ascertained by electrofishing surveys at 137 sites covering all the significant spawning and nursery areas. The table sets out the results of the survey.

  Year

  Average number salmon 0+ per 5 min. fishing

  1988

  8·26

  1989

  16·20

  1990

  5·65

  1991

  12·48

  1992

  13·04

  5 year average

  11·25

  It should be noted that the surveys are not fully quantitative. They should provide indices of abundance to compare between years and should not be interpreted as indicative of the number of salmon comprising the standing stock at the time of the survey.
  575
  The wild salmon smelt migration is set out in the table.

  Year

  Number of smolts

  1988

  22,994

  1989

  17,812

  1990

  17,354

  1991

  18,471

  1992

  10,006

  It should be noted that the target ova deposition set by the Department to achieve optimum recruitment may, due to biological and environmental conditions occurring after ova deposition, result in a wide range of recruitment—that is, an egg-based target aims to ensure full utilisation of habitat, but environmental and predation factors influence the eventual number of fish produced. As a result targets cannot be set for these categories of fish and the statistics given on juvenile and smolt numbers are of limited application to the estimation optimum numbers requested as there are no juvenile or smolt targets set.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was(a) the cash income and (b) the real income of Northern Ireland farmers, divided into the main farm sectors, for the longest available series of years since 1964, with the numbers of farm businesses in each of those years, the number of (i) farmers, (ii) full-time farm workers, and (iii) farm family workers, giving the total

  Table 1

  Total Income from Farming, Income per Farm Business and Annual Wage per Full-time Male Worker (20 years and over) in Current Terms and in Real Terms in Index Number Form, 1970–1993

  Total income from farming

  Number of farm businesses3

  Income perform business

  Annual wage per full-time hired male (20+)

  Total income from farming: real terms index 1993=100

  Income perform business: real terms index 1993=100

  Annual wage per full-time hired male 20+: real terms index 1993=100

  (£ million)

  (£)

  (£)

  1970

  45·52

  37,079

  1,228

  728

  126·37

  98·07

  66·40

  1971

  46·85

  36,190

  1,294

  829

  119·23

  94·80

  69·34

  1972

  50·61

  35,230

  1,436

  889

  120·43

  98·35

  69·48

  1973

  61·62

  35,207

  1,750

  1,068

  133·63

  109·22

  76·09

  1974

  42·41

  34,700

  1,222

  1,449

  79·70

  65·09

  89·48

  1975

  46·00

  33,641

  1,368

  1,914

  69·38

  59·35

  94·01

  1976

  56·34

  32,529

  2,033

  2,147

  85·92

  75·77

  91·32

  1977

  89·32

  32,352

  2,761

  2,381

  99·80

  88·77

  87·30

  1978

  87·87

  31,715

  2,771

  2,581

  90·72

  82·31

  87·52

  1979

  58·51

  31,075

  1,883

  2,988

  53·20

  49·27

  89·26

  1980

  51·57

  30,284

  1,703

  3,596

  39·79

  37·81

  94·14

  19811

  112·54

  33,740

  3,335

  3,869

  77·53

  66·12

  87·57

  1982

  130·52

  33,665

  3,877

  4,165

  82·90

  70·86

  86·91

  19832

  122·75

  33,373

  3,678

  4,597

  74·48

  64·22

  91·64

  1984

  160·14

  32,814

  4,880

  4,815

  92·57

  81·18

  91·46

  1985

  118·92

  32,426

  3,660

  5,186

  64·76

  57·47

  92·77

  1986

  100·66

  31,951

  3,150

  5,560

  53·01

  47·72

  96·18

  1987

  154·22

  31,203

  4,943

  5,734

  78·07

  71·99

  95·35

  1988

  187·11

  30,843

  6,066

  6,141

  90·23

  84·18

  97·28

  1989

  215·13

  30,289

  7,103

  6,585

  96·27

  91·46

  96·81

  1990

  162·40

  29,850

  5,441

  5,992

  66·35

  63·96

  93·85

  1991

  197·87

  29,363

  6,739

  7,779

  76·41

  74·88

  98·69

  1992

  229·67

  29,096

  7,893

  7,978

  85·45

  84·51

  97·51

  19934

  272·86

  28,775

  9,483

  8,306

  100·00

  100·00

  100·00

  1 Owing to changes in definition, the numbers of farm businesses in the years before 1981 cannot be compared directly with those from 1981 onwards.

  2 Owing to changes in methodology, the estimates of total income from farming in the years before 1983 cannot be compared directly with those from 1983 onwards.

  3 The numbers of farm businesses in each of the years 1981 to 1992 refer to all holdings in the main census register which produce agricultural products. The earlier series excludes holdings with insufficient crops or livestock to provide at least 50 standard man-days of agricultural work.

  4 Provisional.

  576
  number of persons employed in farming and the average income of each such person with the latest available year taken as the base year.

  Mr. Ancram
  Aggregate income estimates by main farm sectors are not available. Table 1 provides details of total income from farming in Northern Ireland agriculture as a whole between 1970 and 1993. These data are presented in both current terms and in real terms in index number form.

  This table also presents data on the number of farm businesses between 1970 and 1993 and total income from farming divided by the number of businesses to give a measure of the average income per farm—the amount available to reward owners, spouses and family workers for their manual and managerial labour and to provide a return on their own capital invested. Again, the information is presented in current terms and in real terms in index number form.

  Also given are estimates of the annual average wage per full-time male hired worker—20 years and over—over the same timespan, in current and real terms.

  In table 2, data are presented on the numbers of farmers, partners and directors, full-time hired male workers, regularly employed family workers and the total agricultural labour force—that is, farmers, partners and directors, their spouses, family workers and hired workers —in the years between 1964 and 1993.

  Caution should be exercised interpreting these data owing to the breaks in the series indicated in the footnotes to the tables.
  577

  Table 2

  Northern Ireland agricultural labour force, 1964–1993

  Year

  Farmers and partners

  Full-time hired workers

  All regularly1 employed2 family workers

  Total agricultural labour force3

  1964

  42,600

  7,300

  24,700

  100,600

  1965

  41,900

  6,000

  23,400

  96,200

  1966

  38,600

  6,200

  21,500

  89,200

  1967

  38,500

  5,700

  22,200

  86,700

  1968

  37,600

  5,400

  21,300

  83,200

  1969

  36,100

  5,000

  20,800

  80,000

  1970

  36,100

  4,700

  19,800

  78,100

  1971

  38,700

  4,600

  17,100

  75,700

  1972

  37,900

  4,300

  16,200

  72,700

  1973

  37,500

  4,300

  15,400

  71,100

  1974

  37,300

  3,800

  14,200

  68,900

  1975

  37,900

  3,300

  12,400

  67,100

  1976

  37,200

  3,200

  12,000

  67,800

  1977

  37,200

  3,000

  11,000

  65,800

  1978

  39,200

  2,900

  10,000

  65,700

  1979

  38,700

  3,100

  9,600

  64,700

  1980

  38,500

  2,800

  9,400

  63,500

  1981

  36,900

  2,700

  8,800

  60,700

  1982

  36,800

  2,400

  8,500

  60,300

  1983

  36,800

  2,500

  8,300

  60,800

  1984

  36,600

  2,300

  8,200

  60,500

  1985

  36,100

  2,200

  8,100

  60,600

  1986

  35,900

  2,100

  7,800

  60,000

  1987

  35,400

  2,100

  7,500

  59,400

  1988

  35,700

  2,100

  7,200

  59,500

  1989

  35,000

  2,000

  7,400

  59,100

  1990

  34,600

  2,100

  7,200

  58,400

  1991

  34,300

  2,000

  6,900

  57,200

  1992

  34,500

  1,900

  6,700

  56,500

  1993

  32,400

  1,900

  6,000

  56,500

  1Numbers of regularly employed family workers include those working full-time and part-time but exclude farmers' wives. The 1993 figure excludes the husbands of female farmers (previously included as family workers).

  2Prior to 1975, figures for seasonal and casual workers were not collected separately and would have been included with part-time family and part-time hired workers.

  3The total agricultural labour force includes fanners and partners, regularly employed family workers (both full-time and part-time), regularly employed hired workers (both full-time and part-time), casual and seasonal workers and farmers' spouses.

  Farmers' Early Retirement Scheme
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to introduce the early retirement scheme for farmers approved by the European Commission; and what proportion of the scheme is co-financed by the EAGGF/Guarantee Fund.

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no plans to introduce an early retirement scheme for farmers in Northern Ireland under the provision approved by the European Commission. The regulation covering a discretionary early retirement scheme provides for EC co-financing of 50 per cent. of cost rising to 75 per cent. in objective 1 areas.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a decision on the Milk Marketing Board's proposals to form itself into a farmers voluntary co-operative will be considered.

  Mr. Ancram
  Ministers are currently examining the proposals in the reorganisation scheme submitted by the Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland and the 578
  representations received in response to the consultation exercise which ended on 18 February 1994. No decisions will be made until this exercise has been completed.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) wind farms and (b) propellors (i) have been constructed, (ii) have been approved and (iii) are pending.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  There are two wind farms containing a total of four turbines currently in operation in Northern Ireland. One further wind farm has been approved, containing 26 turbines. Five applications for wind farms containing a total of 58 turbines are currently under consideration.

  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy as regards the construction of wind farms; and what circulars he has issued to local planning authorities.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is the planning authority in Northern Ireland. Its policy for the construction of wind farms is set out on pages 115 and 116 of the policy document "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", which was published in September 1993. A copy is available in the Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Gifts
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) of 21 February,Official Report, column 32, if he will give his reason for declining to provide the information on official gifts requested.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a large number of such gifts, most of minor value. The cost of providing a list would be disproportionate. All the gifts have been handled in accordance with the provisions set out in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 162, if he will list those official gifts purchased by Baroness Thatcher on leaving the office of Prime Minister; and how their value is established.

  The Prime Minister
  No. I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 22 February,Official Report, column 162.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in respect of official gifts received by his office.

  The Prime Minister
  The arrangements set out in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" are followed.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the items of jewellery given to the state which are at present housed at No. 10 Downing street.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: There are a number of such items.
  579

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give details of the public appointments he is responsible for making in addition to those identified in "Public Bodies 1993" including non-executive agency and other departmental management boards.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 17 January,Official Report, columns 367–68. The public bodies referred to in that answer, which are not listed in "Public Bodies 1993", are the Kennedy Memorial Trust together with the Chequers Trust, the Chevening Trust and the Dorneywood Trust.

  I make no appointments to non-executive agencies and other departmental management boards.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Prime Minister what percentage of public appointments was taken by women in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  On 1 September 1993, 28 per cent. of appointments to public bodies were held by women, compared with 26 per cent. in 1992 and 23 per cent. in 1991.

  All Departments have drawn up objectives and goals to achieve further progress in this area over the years to 1996 and beyond. A summary of the departmental plans was published on 16 November 1992, and a copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Council of Europe
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, columns 32–33, if he will list those conventions of the Council of Europe to which the Government have refused to accede from 1964.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 17 January,Official Report, columns 354–55.

  Lady Thatcher (Foreign Visits)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all visits made by Lady Thatcher, when Prime Minister, to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, with a list in each case of all the business people who accompanied her on those visits.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. and noble Friend, when Prime Minister, made the following visits to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. My right hon. and noble Friend was not accompanied by business people on any of these visits.

  Indonesia.

  9–11 April 1985

  Malaysia

  5–8 April 1985

  6 August 1988

  18–24 October 1989

  Thailand

  6–9 August 1988

  580

  Malaysia
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions were held with Malaysians concerning the construction of military bases in Malaysia by British companies during his visit in September 1993.

  The Prime Minister
  Commercial discussions were held by British companies on a number of issues during the course of the visit.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Prime Minister what offers of ECGD credits were made during his visit to Malaysia in September 1933; and for which purposes.

  The Prime Minister
  No offers of ECGD credits were made during my visit to Malaysia in September 1993.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all those who accompanied him on his visit to Malaysia in September 1993.

  The Prime Minister
  I was accompanied by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and a party of senior business men representing BICC, Biwater, British Aerospace, British Gas, Cable and Wireless, GEC, John Laing, Johnson Matthey, the National Grid, North West Water, PowerGen, Rolls-Royce and Trinity Holdings, together with my wife, officials, support staff and members of the press.

  Thailand
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all visits of Government Ministers and officials to Thailand since 1979 with dates and their purpose of each visit.

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Jewellery
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give details of all items of jewellery available for wearing by the Prime Minister and his family; and to whom such jewellery belongs.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the items of jewellery in the ownership of the state but kept at No. 10 Downing street.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the inventory of Downing street jewellery, its source, a statement of ownership and who has the rights to wear such jewellery.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 February 1994]: Nearly all the jewellery available for wearing by my family belongs to my wife personally. I have no intention of providing the hon. Member with the details he seeks. There are, in addition, a number of items given to previous Prime Ministers and kept at No. 10 on the official inventory.

  Pergau Dam
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 33, on what date in February 1991 he was first

  581
  informed that the Foreign Secretary intended to issue a direction to the accounting officer in respect of the Pergau project.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs drew my attention to the concerns of the Overseas Development Administration accounting officer when he minuted me on 16 February 1991 recommending aid and trade provision support for this project on the basis of commitments previously given. The need for a direction to the accounting officer was reported in the subsequent ministerial correspondence.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Bacterial Infections
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what provision he is proposing to increase the level of research into staphylococcus aureus and enterococcus faecium and the development of antibiotics to counteract them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  As part of its clinical research initiative in Nottingham, the Medical Research Council is building up support for several groups studying bacterial infections. One of them has a particular interest in staphylococcal infections. The council is also reviewing the literature relating to septic shock, especially in relation to possible studies of monoclonal antibody therapy. In addition, the Public Health Laboratory Service—a non-departmental public body—is undertaking surveillance programmes to monitor the incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance to staphylococcus aureus and to enterococcus faecium. The development of new antibiotics is principally a matter for the pharmaceutical industry.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Car Parks
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many criminal offences occurred in premises of major car parking providers in each of the last five years;

  (2) how many violent attacks on women occurred in car parks in each of the last five years.

  Mr Maclean
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, the British Crime Survey indicates that in 1991 some 7 per cent. of the 15 million offences counted in the survey took place in publicly and privately owned car parks of any sort. A breakdown of the types of offences involved is in table. The survey indicates that in 1991, 1 per cent. of assaults—woundings, common assaults and sexual offences—against women occurred in car parks, representing two incidents mentioned by the 5,600 women interviewed in the survey.

  Offences in car parks in 1991: British Crime Survey

  Percentage of different offences of all offences in car parks1

  Assaults

  4

  Robbery/theft from person

  1

  Bicycle theft

  1

  582

  Percentage of different offences of all offences in car parks1

  Vehicle thefts2

  77

  Vehicle vandalism

  16

  All offences in car parks3

  100

  1 Public and private car parks in a wide variety of locations, including car parks at the workplace.

  2 Thefts of vehicles, thefts from vehicles, and attempts.

  3 Excludes threats.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of awards made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last three available years; and what is the estimated cost in 1994–95 after the introduction of the tariff scales.

  Mr. Maclean
  Compensation paid by the board in the last three years, and estimated compensation in the current financial year and in 1994–95 is as follows, in cash terms:

  Financial year

  Compensation paid

  (£ million)

  1990–91

  109·33

  1991–92

  143·66

  1992–93

  152·49

  1993–94

  164·00

  1994–95

  188·00

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The readily available information about public appointments for which my Department is responsible is given in "Public Bodies". A copy of the 1993 edition is in the Library.

  Film Classifications
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to create a not suitable for home viewing classification for films in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have no such plans. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 16 December 1993, column 780.

  Young Offenders
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many 15-year-old girls were found guilty in (i) magistrates courts and (ii) Crown courts in(a) 1992 and (b) 1993; and for which offences;

  (2) how many 15-year-old girls were cautioned or found guilty in (a) 1992 and (b) 1993; and for which offences;
  583
  (3) how many 15-year-old boys were cautioned or found guilty in (i) magistrates courts and (ii) Crown courts in (a) 1992 and (b) 1993; and for which offences;

  (4) how many 15-year-old boys were cautioned or found guilty in (a) 1992 and (b) 1993; and for which offences.

  Table A: number of 15-year-old females cautioned and/or found guilty of all offences at all courts by type of offence and type of court

  England and Wales 1992

  Found guilty

  Offence

  Cautioned

  Magistrates' courts

  Crown Court

  Total cautioned or found guilty

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person

  786

  173

  3

  962

  Sexual offences

  7

  2

  —

  9

  Burglary

  188

  69

  5

  262

  Robbery

  22

  26

  9

  57

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  4,713

  332

  —

  5,045

  Fraud and forgery

  98

  6

  —

  104

  Criminal damage

  41

  20

  3

  64

  Drug offences

  94

  4

  —

  98

  Other (excluding motoring offences)

  24

  26

  —

  50

  Motoring offences

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  5,973

  658

  20

  6,651

  Summary offences

  Offences (excluding motoring offences)

  837

  155

  —

  992

  Motoring offences

  1

  9

  —

  9

  All offences

  6,810

  822

  20

  7,652

  1 Not applicable.

  Table B: number of 15-year-old males cautioned and/or found guilty of all offences at all courts by type of offence and type of court

  England and Wales 1992

  Found guilty

  Offence

  Cautioned

  Magistrates' courts

  Crown Court

  Total cautioned or found guilty

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person

  1,783

  692

  26

  2,501

  Sexual offences

  284

  44

  16

  344

  Burglary

  2,213

  1,415

  64

  3,692

  Robbery

  79

  161

  48

  288

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  8,784

  1,843

  14

  10,641

  Fraud and forgery

  196

  40

  —

  236

  Criminal damage

  402

  211

  19

  632

  Drug offences

  676

  70

  4

  750

  Other (excluding motoring offences)

  308

  215

  19

  542

  Motoring offences

  1

  74

  1

  75

  Total

  14,725

  4,765

  211

  19,701

  Summary offences

  Offences (excluding motoring offences)

  4,791

  1,718

  6

  6,515

  Motoring offences

  1

  380

  2

  382

  All offences

  19,516

  6,863

  219

  26,598

  1 Not applicable.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of self-harm involving 15-year-old girls on remand in penal custody were recorded in each month of 1993; and in which institutions these incidents occurred;

  (2) how many incidents of self-harm involving 15-year-old boys on remand in penal custody were recorded in each month of 1993; and in which institutions these incidents occurred.
  584
  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1992 is given in the tables. Data for 1993 will not be available until autumn 1994.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 28 February 1994:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent questions about self-harm by 15 year olds in prison custody.
  585
  The information you have requested is not routinely collected centrally, and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many 15-year-old girls were remanded in custody pending trial or sentence in 1993 and received custodial sentences at the conclusion of their trial;

  (2) how many 15-year-old boys were remanded in custody pending trial or sentence in 1993 and received custodial sentences at the conclusion of their trial.

  Mr. Maclean
  The latest information is for 1992 and is provisional. During that year 377 males aged 15 were received as untried or convicted unsentenced by a Prison Service establishment in England and Wales, of whom 141

  Provisional Receptions of 15-year-old males into prison service establishments, England and Wales each Month by Offence in 19932

  Month

  Violence against the person

  Sex offences

  Burglary

  Robbery

  Theft and handling

  Other offences

  Offence not recorded

  Total offences

  January

  3

  1

  11

  2

  6

  5

  1

  29

  February

  4

  2

  10

  4

  14

  2

  1

  37

  March

  4

  3

  14

  7

  14

  6

  2

  50

  April

  1

  —

  13

  6

  10

  9

  —

  39

  May

  6

  1

  22

  6

  7

  7

  —

  49

  June

  3

  —

  15

  4

  19

  3

  2

  46

  July

  1

  2

  18

  7

  20

  6

  1

  55

  August

  8

  —

  15

  —

  21

  5

  2

  51

  September

  1

  —

  22

  6

  13

  37

  2

  51

  October

  5

  —

  18

  7

  13

  6

  1

  50

  November

  7

  —

  26

  9

  9

  4

  3

  58

  December

  3

  —

  18

  3

  8

  3

  3

  38

  Total

  46

  9

  202

  61

  154

  63

  18

  553

  1 Aged 15 years as at date of sentence.

  2 Excludes those committed in default of payment of a fine.

  3 Includes 2 inmates received for drugs offences.

  Provisional receptions of 15-year-old females1 into prison service establishments, England and Wales each month by offence 19932

  Month

  Violence against the person

  Robbery

  Theft and handling

  Other offences

  Total offences

  January

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  February

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  March

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  April

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  May

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  June

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  July

  3

  —

  1

  —

  4

  August

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  September

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  October

  3

  2

  —

  —

  5

  November

  1

  2

  —

  1

  4

  December

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Total

  10

  6

  5

  4

  25

  1 Aged 15 as at date of sentence.

  2 Excludes those committed in default of payment of a fine.

  Deportees
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which countries deportees escorted in 1993 by the police forces of(a) Cambridgeshire, (b) Devon and Cornwall, (c) Durham, (d) Greater Manchester, (e) Leicestershire, (f) Norfolk, (g) West Mercia, (h) South Wales, (i) the Metropolitan police and (j) the Royal Ulster Constabulary were being deported.
  586
  were recorded as being subsequently received under a custodial sentence. No female aged 15 was received as a remand prisoner in 1992.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many 15-year-old girls were sentenced to immediate custody in each month of 1993; and for which offences;

  (2) how many 15-year-old boys were sentenced to immediate custody in each month of 1993; and for which offences.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information for receptions of sentenced prisoners into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in 1993 is given in the tables.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In-flight escorts were provided, as follows:

  Police force and country w which person removed

  Cambridgeshire

  Slovakia

  Devon and Cornwall

  Bermuda

  Durham

  Jamaica

  Greater Manchester

  Jamaica

  Leicestershire

  Hong Kong

  587

  Norfolk

  Algeria

  West Mercia

  Israel

  South Wales

  Hong Kong

  Metropolitan Police

  Algeria, Angola, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Ghana, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Sir Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad, Turkey, Uganda and the United States of America

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  New Zealand

  Medomsley Prison
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions she has had about recommissioning Medomsley prison; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has for the former prison in Medomsley, Consett.

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Director General of the Prison Service that there are currently no plans to recommission Medomsley. The site is surplus to prison service requirements. An appraisal has been conducted of the Medomsley site to assess whether it might prove a suitable location for a new secure training centre for persistent juvenile offenders. No final decisions have yet been reached on sites for secure training centres.

  Public Alert Systems
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the need for a national public alert system, and of the cost of establishing one; and what provisions currently exist for a public alert system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The then Home Secretary, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), announced on 12 November 1992 that the national siren warning system was to be closed and that future warning arrangements would be based around television and radio broadcasts. Such arrangements already exist and studies are being carried out to see what enhancements may be required and at what cost.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made on the future of emergency planning and public alert systems as part of the local government review.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In response to a request from the Local Government Commission for England, my officials have recently written to suggest that while firm arrangements must depend on local government structures finally adopted, it will be important that those who provide local services are able to be linked with a coherent strategic framework that can ensure an effective response to major emergencies.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which agencies are currently responsible for emergency planning and the provision of public alert systems.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for emergency planning lies across many parts of central and local government with a wide range of agencies and with the private sector. This is why the Home Office promotes the concept of integrated emergency management.
  588
  My Department has a specific responsibility for the provision of national air attack warning on which studies are in hand to establish whether enhanced arrangements are necessary.

  Airline Securities Consultants Ltd.
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of his Department's investigation of the complaints alleging excessive force by Airline Securities Consultants Ltd. when it is complete.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to her question on 1 February, columns 649–50.

DEFENCE

  Fissile Material
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom is still producing fissile material for weapons purposes.

  Mr. Aitken
  There has been no change in Her Majesty's Government policy on the production of fissile material. Production of this material for weapons purposes is kept at the minimum level required to meet defence needs.

  Trident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why his Department has decided to raise the maximum warhead ceiling for the United Kingdom's ballistic missile-carrying submarines when Trident replaces Polaris.

  Mr. Aitken
  The introduction of Trident represents no change in the Government's policy of maintaining only the minimum nuclear deterrent required for our security needs. We have long made it clear that we do not intend to use the full capacity of the Trident system and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 16 November that each submarine will deploy with no more than 96 warheads, and may carry significantly fewer.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has decided how many warheads will be deployed on the first Trident submarine when it enters operational service.

  Mr. Aitken
  Planning for HMS Vanguard's first operational deployment is well advanced and assumes a particular number of warheads, within the maximum ceiling of 96 announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 16 November 1993.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, column 516, if the maximum technical capability of Trident to deploy 192 warheads applies to Trident missiles fitted with the mark IV bus.

  Mr. Aitken
  Yes. All United Kingdom Trident missiles will be fitted with the mark IV bus.
  589

  Warhead Deployment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications for the United Kingdom's planned warhead deployment of the recent agreement with Russia to de-target Russian territory.

  Mr. Aitken
  The joint declaration signed in Moscow on 15 February on the detargeting of strategic nuclear missiles will not affect our planned warhead deployment.

  Habitats
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions he will take or policy changes he will make to implement the requirements of European Union directive 92/43 EEC on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence gives a high priority to the conservation of the land in its ownership and is co-operating with the statutory bodies concerned with the implementation of European Union directive 92/43 EEC (Habitats and Species Directive). In particular, management plans are being created to integrate the protection of flora and fauna with the primary military use.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hanley
  Twenty-four per cent. of new appointments made during 1993 to MOD non-departmental public bodies were women.

  Offshore Oil Licensing
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which blocks his Department recommended should be excluded from the 14th round of offshore oil licensing; and on what grounds.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Ministry of Defence is consulted on all proposals to undertake oil exploration work to ensure that they and essential military activities are not incompatible. For operational reasons it would be inappropriate to identify the particular blocks where such military activity takes place. The licenses subsequently issued reflect the outcome of negotiations between this Department, the Department of Trade and Industry and the companies concerned.

  Hunting Dogs
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who pays for the kennel costs and upkeep of the dogs belonging to the Britannia Beagles Association at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer in each of the last three financial years.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Britannia Beagle Association is fully responsible for the cost of water, food, electricity and staff of their kennels which are lodged at and predate BRNC Dartmouth. Maintenance costs are the responsibility of my Department but the kennels require little upkeep and no costs have been incurred during the last three financial years.
  590
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all his Department's establishments where hunting dogs are kennelled and list the total amounts spent by his Department, in the last five years, on the upkeep of the dogs at each establishment.

  Mr. Hanley
  Hunting dogs are kennelled at the following establishments: Sandhurst, Bovington, Catterick, Colchester, Larkhill, Shrivenham, Warminster and Dartmouth. The upkeep of the dogs is paid for out of private subscription and fund-raising, although these are cases where utilities, such as light and water—the costs 'for which could not be separately identified, and would in any case be minimal—will be borne by my Department.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list details of accidents involving low-flying RAF jets over Wales in 1991 in which the deaths of civilian pilots flying other aircraft were involved; and if he will make a statement about the settlements made to the bereaved civilian families.

  Mr. Hanley
  There was one such accident in 1991 which involved a RAF Jaguar and a civilian Cessna aircraft. No claim has been made against the Ministry of Defence by the next of kin of the civilian who died in the accident.

  Mr. Stephen Kock
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions Mr. Stephen Kock has represented Her Majesty's Government in campaigning for defence exports to Oman, Jordan, Indonesia and Thailand.

  Mr. Aitken
  Mr. Stephen Kock has not, on any occasion, been asked to represent Her Majesty's Government on these matters.

  Battle of Normandy
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will arrange for financial assistance to be given to the sons and daughters of British service men who died at the battle of Normandy to enable them to attend the 50th anniversary ceremony in France; and if he will give special consideration to cases where such sons and daughters are the last surviving next-of-kin and are now retirement pensioners.

  Mr. Hanley
  While the Government sponsor a war widows grant-in-aid scheme to help widows visit their husbands' graves once at public expense, I regret that it is not possible for my Department to extend financial assistance to all relatives of those British service men who died at the Battle of Normandy. Commercial arrangements are available and in many cases are being arranged by local veterans associations.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial assistance will be given to widows of those involved in the D-day landing to enable them to go to France in June to receive commemorative medals.

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.
  591

  Gulf War
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Government department authorised the export of new uniforms, webbing, disruptive patterned material and other battledress and related equipment manufactured in the United Kingdom, to the Government of Iraq in the 10 years prior to Operation Desert Storm.

  Mr. Needham
  I have been asked to reply.

  Prior to the introduction of sanctions on 9 August 1990 the goods listed would not have required an export licence unless specially treated for use against chemical or biological agents. No Government permission needed to be obtained for the export of untreated military clothing.

  Following the imposition of sanctions any applications received for the supply of military clothing would be submitted to the UN Sanctions Committee (Iraq) for approval. No such licences have been issued.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Robins
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give specific details of the premises and their use in which robins were killed under licence in 1990 and 1992.

  Mr. Soames
  The details requested are as follows:

  Year

  Type of premises

  1990

  Supermarket, Hove, East Sussex

  1992

  Wholesale food shop, Leicester Food warehouse, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

  Wrens
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what happened to the wrens for which a licence to kill was issued in 1992 but for which no deaths are recorded.

  Mr. Soames
  The licence was issued to allow the shooting of one wren trapped in a supermarket. Before the licence was used, one last attempt to catch the bird was successful and the bird was released.

  Forestry Plantations
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will list all the plantations at present owned by the Forestry Commission in Somerset and those disposed of within the last 10 years giving, in each case, their acreage and the extent of public access, and which of them are included in the current disposals programme;

  (2) if she will list all the plantations at present owned by the Forestry Commission in Devon and those disposed of within the last 10 years giving, in each case, their acreage and the extent of public access, and which of them are included in the current disposals programme.

  Mr. Jack
  Lists and maps of all Forestry Commission woodlands are in the Library of the House. I shall also send the hon. Member a list of the woodlands in Somerset and Devon which will indicate those which the commission is currently selling or planning to sell.
  592
  Lists giving details of the areas of forest land sold by the commission from the start of the disposals programme in July 1981 to December 1992 are held in the Library of the House. A list of the forest land sold by the commission in 1993 is being prepared and will be placed in the Library shortly.

  The commission does not maintain records of the extent of public access to individual woodlands, so this information is not included in the lists.

  Offshore Oil Licensing
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which blocks her Department recommended should be excluded from the 14th round of offshore oil licensing; and on what grounds.

  Mr. Jack
  I have nothing to add to the reply given on 16 February 1994 by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy, at column 835.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the dumping of nuclear waste at sea; and how her plans have changed as a result of the London convention consultative meeting of 8 to 12 November 1993.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 17 February,Official Report, column 986.

  Wool
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received regarding the operation of the British wool marketing scheme; what complaints she has received from British wool merchants regarding the purchase of British wool by foreign buyers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on this issue. Included among these were complaints from two companies of British wool merchants regarding the ability of foreign buyers to purchase wool directly from United Kingdom producers. My right hon. Friend has also received representations from the Confederation of British Wool Textiles Ltd. which emphasise that approximately 98 per cent. of all United Kingdom wool merchants strongly support the Government's decision to retain the British wool marketing scheme.

  Farm Business Survey
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the average area in terms of(a) hectarage and (b) acreage of (i) hill and upland less-favoured area farms and (ii) severely disadvantaged less-favoured area farms participating in each of the local surveys conducted by universities and colleges in connection with the annual farm business survey;

  (2) what is the average stocking per farm in terms of (a) cattle livestock units, (b) sheep livestock units and (c) cattle and sheep livestock units for hill and upland less-favoured area farms and severely disadvantaged area farms respectively participating in each of the local surveys conducted by universities and colleges in connection with the annual farm business survey.
  593
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 February 1994]: The information requested is shown in the following tables for those farms classified in the 1992–93 farm business survey for England as cattle and sheep farms in the less-favoured areas as a whole or in the severely disadvantaged areas. The data provided are unweighted

  Cattle and sheep (LFA) farms: unweighted sample averages per farm, 1992–93

  Province

  Farm area (hectares)

  Farm area (acres)

  Livestock units Sheep

  Cattle

  Cattle and sheep

  (Isu)

  (Isu)

  (Isu)

  Newcastle

  307

  757

  80

  69

  149

  Askham Bryan

  258

  637

  66

  55

  120

  Manchester

  178

  440

  54

  72

  126

  Nottingham

  110

  273

  45

  71

  116

  Exeter

  130

  322

  57

  65

  122

  Cattle and sheep (SDA) farms: unweighted sample averages per farm, 1992–93

  Province

  Farm area (hectares

  Farm area (acres)

  Livestock units Sheep

  Cattle

  Cattle and sheep

  (Isu)

  (Isu)

  (Isu)

  Newcastle

  332

  821

  86

  68

  154

  Askham Bryan

  258

  637

  66

  55

  120

  Manchester

  195

  483

  56

  73

  129

  Nottingham

  110

  273

  45

  71

  116

  Exeter

  149

  368

  69

  63

  131

WALES

  Bird Killing
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many licences have been issued in each of the last five years for the taking of cormorants and saw-billed ducks in each river system in Wales; how many birds were taken, pursuant to each licence; what consultation he had with the National Rivers Authority and conservation bodies; and what was the nature and origin of the evidence submitted to him to justify the issue of such licences.

  Mr. Redwood
  No such licences have been issued. It is the Department's practice to consult the CCW and the Welsh region of the National Rivers Authority on applications.

  Housing
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will introduce for Wales a system of licensing for landlords of privately rented accommodation in multiple occupation similar to that currently operating in Scotland.

  Mr. Redwood
  Local authorities in Wales can already operate registration schemes and have extensive powers to deal with houses in multiple occupation.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Between 1 January and 1 December 1993, I and my predecessor appointed 50 women—25 per cent.—and 149 men to public bodies.
  594
  averages and merely describe the sample. In order to make estimates for the populations from which the samples are drawn, it is necessary to weight the sample imformation. The sample for Nottingham is too small to give reliable results.

  Early Year Forums
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make available funding from the children and family support grant to support voluntary sector early year forums; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  One application for grant aid in 1994–95 has been made to support an early years forum in Clwyd. Details of grant awards under this scheme have yet to be announced.

  Technology Education
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that design and technology are established as statutory entitlements for all pupils at stage 4 in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have accepted the recommendations of the Curriculum Council for Wales on the review of the national curriculum, including the proposal that technology should become optional for 14 to 16-year-old pupils —key stage 4—and that they should be encouraged to take forward their education in technology at this key stage through a variety of routes. The right course for Wales is to concentrate on the basics of language, mathematics and science and to leave further subjects to choice according to pupils' need to pursue GCSE or vocational qualifications, such as a full general national vocational qualification, if they so wish. I am encouraging schools not only to maintain the progress that they have made with technology at key stage 4 but also to provide appropriate courses in this subject.

  European Union Funding
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the 10 capital projects which received the greatest amount of European Union funding in Wales in each year since 1988; and if he will make a statement.
  595
  Mr. Redwood
  Grants under Welsh structural funds programmes are made on a programme basis and cannot be attributed to single calendar years. The 10 largest grants under the programmes for the calendar years 1989–91—1987–91 in the case of the Dyfed-Gwynedd-Powys programme—and 1992–93 were as follows:

  1989–91

  £

  Llanelli Relief Road, Trostre/Yspitty

  6,888,464

  Technical and Vocational Training Centre, Haverfordwest

  6,117,606

  Milford Docks Redevelopment Phase 2

  4,685,500

  Additional Coastal Protection Works, Towyn

  3,108,000

  Docklands Distributor Road, Newport

  2,778,278

  Welshpool Tourism and Leisure World

  1,933,350

  A4067 Pontardawe to Glanrhyd

  1,893,202

  Bala Lake Tourism Development

  1,750,000

  New Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl

  1,749,396

  West Promenade Car Park, Rhyl

  1,694,178

  1992–93

  £

  A472 Maesycymmer/Newbridge1

  5,426,500

  Lower Rhymney Valley Relief Road Phase 21

  3,971,400

  Pontypridd Inner Relief Road

  3,324,960

  Children's Village, West Promenade, Rhyl

  2,753,335

  Quest Centre Phase 1, Cardiff Bay

  2,744,100

  Former Coed Ely Colliery Redevelopment

  2,489,200

  Fishguard Harbour Development

  2,190,000

  A4119 Dualling—Ynysmaerdy Industrial Estate

  2,091,800

  Brecon Leisure Complex

  1,734,000

  JKI/Firestone Redevelopment, Wrexham Industrial Estate

  1,600,000

  1Grant subject to resolution of outstanding issues with the European Commission.

  Information for EU grants other than from the structural funds could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much Wales received from the European social fund in each year since 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information for the period from 1990 is set out in the table.

  ESF for Wales 1990–93

  £

  1990

  10,094,700

  1991

  28,503,500

  1992

  29,064,600

  1993

  51,792,500

  Notes:

  1. Before 1990 all applications were handled directly by the European Commission and information is not held centrally in the United Kingdom.

  2. The amount shown for 1993 represents the amount of ESF committed as final claims have not yet been received. For all other years the figures show the amounts claimed.

  3. No reliable information is available for objectives 3, 4 and 6 in 1990 so the figure for that year covers objectives 2 and 5b only.

  4. The objective 3 and 4 money received by Central Government for programmes in Wales for 1991 and 1992 is calculated as a percentage of the national figure.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of their budgets each local authority spent on the provision of social housing in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Information is not collected centrally on the proportion of revenue budgets spent on the provision of 596
  social housing. Information on actual, rather than budgeted, capital expenditure is available but this forms only a small part of the total spending on social housing.

  Tai Cymru
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much grant Tai Cymru received in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to table 8.6 of "Welsh Housing Statistics No. 13 1993".

  Welsh Economic Council
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to set up a Welsh economic council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I intend to make a statement on the Welsh Economic Council in the very near future.

  After-school Care
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what money was made available in 1993 to help employers, voluntary groups or schools set up after-school care; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  In 1993–94, £153,000 is available in Wales for after-school and holiday care through the Government's out of school child care grant initiative. A further £18,240 has been made available through the child and family services scheme to support a kids club network development officer in south-east Wales.

  The Chwarae Teg Consortium is co-ordinating the childcare grant initiative on behalf of the training and enterprise councils. It is proposed to spend a further £2 million on the initiative over the next three financial years.

  Radioisotopic Pollution
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest information regarding the levels of radioisotopic pollution in the Trawsfynydd lake; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Data on levels of radioisotopes in Trawsfynydd lake are collected in the course of routine monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Results are presented in the "Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report" published annually by that Department's directorate of fisheries research. The latest issue, No. 38—item 6.10 of which refers to Trawsfynydd —is in the Library of the House.

  Touche Ross Survey
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of the Touche Ross survey of school governors in Wales; and when the Touche Ross survey of school governors in Wales will be published.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 17 February, column 947, to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley).
  597

  Cardiac Surgery
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the current capacity shortfall for cardiac surgery in(a) Wales and (b) that area of Wales currently served by the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

  Mr. Redwood
  In addition to their own resources, health authorities in Wales are fully funded for the target level of cardiac surgery set in 1989. Additional resources are being made available, and new facilities developed, to ensure that the total estimated need in South Wales, which we announced in June last year, can be met by Welsh hospitals. Health authorities in North Wales are fully funded to secure appropriate levels of cardiac services from a number of specialist centres both within and outside Wales.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Association of the Directors of Social Services in Wales, the Assembly of Welsh Counties, the chairmen of the health authorities and trusts and the voluntary sector in relation to the reduced grant to the Alzheimer's Society; and what assessment he has made of the effect of future grant levels on Alzheimer's patients in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Welsh Office continues to give financial support to the Alzheimer's Disease Society Wales office. In addition, we provide support for some individual projects at county level on a time limited, reducing basis, with the agreement of the statutory and voluntary agencies concerned. These grants are discussed, as appropriate, with the agencies involved.

  Health and social services authorities are responsible for assessing the need for services for people with Alzheimer's disease and their carers and for making arrangements to meet that need, in consultation with all relevant interests.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each non-departmental public body in his departmental sponsorship, the value of consultancy contracts approved and commenced in each of the past three financial years.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Conflicts of Interest (Advice)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the additional advice on conflicts of interest given by the then permanent secretary of the Welsh Office in March 1993 to the chief executives of all non-departmental public bodies.

  Mr. Redwood
  Yes.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation in relation to the reduction in the number of consultants to be employed by the corporation.
  598
  Mr. Redwood
  The chairman has suggested to me that the development corporation could save money by employing fewer consultants and doing more work in-house. I have encouraged him to work up such proposals.

  Munchhausen's Syndrome by Proxy
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with area child protection teams in relation to approving a protocol on covert video surveillance in hospitals in the case of Munchhausen's syndrome by proxy, non-accidental injury and allied suspected conditions and episodes.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he consulted the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding his plans for a special advisory body on sustainable development before deciding not to set up a similar body for Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  No, because effective arrangements already exist in Wales for consulting Welsh interests on matters relevant to sustainable development. For example, my Department organised a successful seminar in Cardiff in September 1993 on this topic. I am not immediately persuaded that these arrangements need to be formalised via a new advisory body. They will, however, be developed further through the national round table and citizen' s environment initiatives.

SCOTLAND

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish his reasons for establishing a special advisory body for sustainable development in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Separate advisory bodies across the full range of Scottish Office responsibilities are appropriate from time to time to help in the effective delivery of policies and programmes in Scotland. In this instance, in view of the range of interests, my right hon. Friend considered that there would be advantage in establishing such a body to facilitate action in Scotland on agenda 21.

  The Government's panel on sustainable development, chaired by Sir Crispin Tickell, will, of course, be advising on strategic policies and progress for the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Scottish Studentship Selection Committee.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]The current Secretary of State appointees are shown in the table:

  Professor J. Trainer (Chairman), University of Stirling

  Professor J. Butt, University of Strathclyde

  Professor D. Harding, University of Edinburgh

  Professor R. Jack, University of Edinburgh

  Professor W. Gordon, University of Glasgow

  599

  Professor R. J. Bauckham, University of St. Andrews

  Professor S. W. Smith, University of Dundee

  Professor J. R. Cameron, University of Aberdeen

  Professor J. B. I. McDonald, University of Glasgow

  Professor P. H. Ramsay, University of Aberdeen

  All members were nominated by the principal of their respective university, with the exception of Professor D. Harding, who was nominated by the senate of the university of Edinburgh.

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

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]The members currently appointed to the Scottish Examination Board by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland are listed in the table, with the source of their nomination where relevant:

  Chairman appointed by Secretary of State:

  Mr. I. L. Fraser OBE (Chairman)

  Chosen by Secretary of State for experience in industry, commerce or other relevant qualifications:

  Mr. R. Dobson

  Mrs. A. J. Gardner

  Mrs. A. I. Ritchie

  Miss V. M. Pugh

  Mr. J. B. Wright

  Universities of Scotland nominated by Scottish Universities Council on Entrance:

  Professor R. J. Lyall

  Professor P. R. Boyle

  Dr. I. M. Hannah

  Professor H. M. Hine

  Professor M. K. Thomas

  Professor D. J. Tedford

  Professor E. H. Thomson

  Professor R. J. Knops

  Education Authorities nominated by COSLA:

  Councillor T. M. Dair

  Councillor Mrs. K. Hutchison

  Councillor T. R. Dumble

  Councillor T. McAughtrie

  Councillor Mrs. E. Macginnis

  Councillor Mrs. J. P. Orskov

  Director of Education nominated by ADES:

  Mr. D. S. Alexander

  Mr. N. R. Galbraith

  Teachers employed in Education Establishments nominated by various teacher unions:

  Mr. J. Bell—EIS

  Mr. G. M. Munro—HAS

  Mr. A. Hannah—SSTA

  Mr. D. Drever—EIS

  Mrs. E. C. Marsh—AHTS

  Mr. G. MacBride—EIS

  Mr. J. B. 0. McNair—HAS

  Mr. K. Paterson—PAT

  Mr. G. A. Rubenski—EIS

  Dr. P. W. Thomson—EIS

  Mr. B. Williams—SSTA

  Central Institutions nominated by Committee of Principals and Directors of Central institutions:

  Professor C. E. R. Maddox

  Institutions of Further Education nominated by Association of Principals of Colleges:

  Principal W. Greenock

  Colleges of Education nominated by Conference of Scottish Centrally Funded Colleges:

  Professor Kirk

  Educational Advisers nominated by Association of Educational Advisers in Scotland:

  Mrs. D. McVean

  Independent Schools nominated by Scottish Council for Independent Schools:

  Mr. R. Nimmo

  600
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the Animal Diseases Research Association.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]The Animal Diseases Research Association is a registered friendly society. There are currently 49 members of the directorate of ADRA. They are listed in the table. All officers and directors except the president, vice-president and the co-opted and special directors are elected by the members of the association present and entitled to vote at an annual general meeting or a special general meeting. Directors are elected by members on a regional basis. The president and vice-president are elected by the directors. The source of the appointments of the co-opted directors and special directors are shown in the table.

  Hon. President—His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch

  Hon. Vice-Presidents

  Sir John Gilmour

  Sir John Gilmour

  J. Cameron

  C. B. R. Gray

  President

  J. Stobo

  Vice-President

  J. Matts

  Directors

  Scotland North

  R. J. Lennox

  R. Simpson

  A. D. Forbes

  G. A. D. Clyne

  R. Paterson

  Scotland South

  K. A. Brooke

  J. Duncan J.

  J. Sharp

  MacMillan

  W. Brown

  Jeffrey

  England North

  H. McLaren

  C. Slade

  P. Johnson

  Fiona Fell

  A. Harker

  M. Walton

  England South

  J. Matts

  Lesley Stubbins

  Harbottle

  J. Hindson

  Catherine Paine

  D. D. Mackie

  Wales

  T. Tudor

  R. Howells

  H. Hughes

  J. Willyman

  A. Lewis

  J. Jones

  Northern Ireland

  J. Campbell

  Co-opted Directors

  W. Elliot—Sheep Representative

  D. J. Biggar—cattle Representative

  Dr. K. A. Linklater—Veterinary Representative

  Dr. P. Wells—Industry Representative

  601

  Lady Sanderson—ADRA Equine Fund

  Special Directors

  J. Ross—Secretary of State for Scotland

  Councillor C. Hebenton—COSLA

  Councillor A. Milne—COSLA

  T. Elliot—RHAS

  Trustees

  W. A. Biggar (Chairman)

  J. G. S. Gammell

  J. Gilmour

  J. Izat

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, column 774, if he will list those hon. Members defeated in the general election of June 1987 who, at any subsequent date, have been appointed to public bodies by him or his predecessor; and if he will list those appointments.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]As indicated in the reply referred to by the hon. Member, no hon. Member who was defeated in the general election of 1987 currently holds appointment on any non-departmental public body or NHS body for which my department has responsibility. The information held centrally by my Department does not show whether defeated Members were appointed to such bodies earlier.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish a register of new appointees to executive bodies or advisory bodies which would show previous and present political affiliations, together with financial contributions to any political parties.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]No. Appointments are made on the basis of aptitude and merit. No central record is kept of the political affiliation of those appointed to public bodies.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has issued to non-departmental public bodies regarding the admission of public to meetings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]None. Given the very wide range of non-departmental public bodies for which the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible, general guidance would not be appropriate.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the arrangements made by each non-departmental public body appointed by him, to enable members of the public to have access to agendas, minutes and reports of such bodies.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: It is not normal practice to make the agendas and minutes of the meetings of NDPBs available to the public. Those NDPBs which are covered by the Companies Acts are required to publish annual reports, as are some other bodies. In a number of cases, the body is required by statute to produce an annual report on the exercise and performance of its functions for the Secretary of State which he is obliged to lay before Parliament. Many executive NDPBs, both statutory and non-statutory, make their annual report available to the public. Full details of the availability of annual reports in relation to executive NDPBs are given in my letter of 16 November 1993 to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright), a copy of which was placed in the Libraries of the House.
  602
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his practice to consult the leaders of the opposition parties in Scotland prior to making appointments to the chairmanship of non-departmental public bodies within his Department's responsibility.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: No.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the rent assessment panel for Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are 78 members currently appointed to the rent assessment panel in Scotland. The list of members as at 14 February 1994 is as follows:

  President

  G. F. Robertson, FRICS, FCIArb

  Vice President

  Mrs. M. J. L. Walker, MA, LLB, NP

  Chairmen

  J. M. Barton, WS

  J. Burns, MA, LLB

  Mrs. L. J. M. Campbell, BL

  Mrs. J. Catto, LLB, NP

  Miss A. Chisholm, LLB

  Miss M. Crighton

  C. J. Forrest, WS

  J. R. Gardiner, BL, NP, WS

  Miss S. T. Givens, MA, LLB

  J. M. D. Graham, LLB, NP

  The Hon. Simon E. G. Guest, LLB, WS

  Miss C. S. Hederson, MA, LLB, NP

  Professor J. A. M. Inglis, CBE, MA, LLB

  E. G. Kennedy, LLB, NP

  Miss D. McGhie, LLB

  J. G. Malcolm-Smith

  Mrs. E. Mochar

  J. A. Robertson, BL

  J.G. L. Robinson, BA, LLB

  E. O. St. John, BL. WS

  O. H. Spiers, MA

  B. C. T. Wood, BL

  Valuers

  J. M. Bennett, FRICS, ARVA

  K. I. Crichton, FRICS

  F. M. Halliday, FRICS

  Mrs. U. L. Heaney, MA, FRICS

  M. Kay, FRICS

  A. C. Love, FRICS

  R. R. McConnell, FRICS

  L. J. McFarlane, FRICS FRVA

  R. A. M. MacKenzie, FRICS

  MacPherson, MA, FRICS

  E. Milne, FRICS

  W. W. Mitchell, FRICS, FRVA

  Miss C. Oliphant, ARICS

  P. Paterson, FRICS

  J. B. Pettinger, FRICS, ARVA

  T. F. Phillips, FRICS

  A. J. Prentice, FRICS, ARVA

  J. D. O. Ramsay, FRICS, FFB

  G. Scott, FRICS, FRVA

  R. T. Shanks, FRICS

  J. G. Smith, FRICS

  D. Sutherland, FRICS

  T. Sutherland, FRICS

  J. S. Traill, MSc, FRICS, MRTPI

  A. E. L. Weir, FRICS, FRVA

  >Lay Members

  Mrs. P. Bolton

  S. J. Boyd, AIPM

  Mrs. H. Charlton

  Ms A. S. Daghlian

  I. S. Davidson

  M. Fleming

  603

  J. Forbes

  Mrs. C. K. Fraser

  W. G. Fyfe, MA, BD, STM8

  A. Gray

  W. Hill, FIHsg

  Mrs. E. R. Innes

  N. MacPhail

  A. McQuaker

  Mrs. S. B. Mathieson

  J. S. Methven

  Mrs. A. O'Neale

  Mrs. E. Park

  Mrs. D. Rankin

  Mrs. S. Ritchie

  R. C. Robinson

  Mrs. S. Ross

  Mrs. M. M. Roxburgh

  J. I. Stevenson

  Mrs. A. Tankel

  J. Thomson, MBE, JP

  Mrs. A. Woodward-Nutt

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the members currently appointed to the board of the Rowett Research Institute.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: There are currently fourteen members of the board of the Rowett Research Institute. Their names and the sources of the appointments are:

  Chairman

  Mr. J. Provan— Secretary of State for Scotland

  Mr. M. Mackie, Jnr—Secretary of State for Scotland

  Professor A. Trichopoulou—Secretary of State for Scotland

  Mr. W. J. Ferguson—The Scottish Agricultural College

  Professor H. M. Keir—University of Aberdeen

  Principal J. M. Irvine—University of Aberdeen

  Professor C. Kidd—University of Aberdeen

  Dr. R. W. Brimblecombe—Confederation of British Industry

  Mr. F. G. Perry—Confederation of British Industry

  Professor P. Cohen—Learned Societies The Royal Society

  Professor A. J. F. Webster—Nutrition Society

  Mr. C. S. MacPhie—Co-opted by the Rowett Research Institute

  Mr. D. S. C. Levie—Co-opted by the Rowett Research Institute

  Professor C. H. MacMurray—Co-opted by the Rowett Research Institute

HEALTH

  Hospital Managers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the change in numbers and cost of hospital general and senior managers between 1986 and 1991;

  (2) how much was spent on hospital general managers and senior managers in England in the lass year for which figures are available and the previous year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  General and senior management posts were introduced in phases from 1986 before which the national health service was clearly undermanaged. In the hospital and community health services in 1986 and 1991 there were respectively 510 and 12,420 whole-time equivalent staff paid on general and senior managers' terms. HCHS salary costs for this group of staff were £25·7 million in 1986–87, £383·8 million in 1991–92 and £494·1 million (provisional) in 1992–93. Comparisons over the years are meaningless because the growth in numbers and costs is mainly due to the reclassification of staff 604
  previously included in other administrative and professional categories, including many senior nurses. General and senior managers account for only 2 per cent. of the total NHS work force and 3 per cent. of total NHS expenditure on salaries and wages, but the proposals set out by my right hon. Friend on 21 October 1993 contained a commitment to streamline the structure of the NHS, to slim down its management and to make it simpler and sharper.

  NHS Administrative Costs
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of employing managers, advisers, administrators and clerical staff in the NHS management executive, the NHS Supplies Authority, the Prescription Pricing Authority, the medical advisers support group and the medicines research centre in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Disaggregated costs for managers, advisers, administrative and clerical staff in these five organisations are not available centrally. The total manpower costs for the national health service management executive in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 were £24 million, £20 million and £29 million respectively. These figures are not directly comparable because of organisational changes between the NHSME and the rest of the Department of Health. The total manpower costs for the national health service supplies authority were £640,000 for the six-month period from 1 October 1991, when the authority was formally established, and £32·2 million in 1992–93 when 4,500 staff were transferred from NHS regional and district health authorities. The total manpower costs for the Prescription Pricing Authority were £20·19 million, £22·17 million and £24.13 million in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 respectively. The total manpower costs for the medical advisers support group were £71·11 million in 1990–91—part year in which the MASG was set up-£157·96 million and £175·94 million in 1991–92 and 1992–93 respectively. The total manpower costs for the medicines research centre were £83 million in 1990–91—part year in which the MRC was set up—£114·25 million and £111·83 million in 1991–92 and 1992–93 respectively.

  HIV
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies born in each of the last five years were found at birth to be HIV positive; what percentage remained HIV positive one and a half years later; and if she will make a statement on HIV in the new-born.

  Mr. Sackville
  Between the beginning of 1989 and October 1993, 235 children born in England have been recognised at or after their birth as born to an HIV-infected woman. HIV infection has been confirmed in 76 of these and 49 are known to be uninfected. The infection status of the remaining 110 has not yet been resolved. However, the figures do not provide a reliable guide to the transmission rate as they do not cover all women who are HIV positive, but only those who were already known to be so, or whose status was recognised retrospectively as a result of the child developing symptoms. It is generally accepted that the proportion of infants born to HIV-infected women who are infected themselves is best estimated from prospective studies such as the European collaborative study, which estimates the transmission rate at 14 per cent.
  605

  Highfield Hospital
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has made to the letters sent to her by the Save Highfield Hospital Campaign on 20 November 1993 and 31 January 1994 and to the petition on Highfield hospital which was handed to her on 20 November 1993; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Save Highfield Hospital campaign has been informed that the proposal to close Highfield hospital and transfer services to Worcester royal infirmy was dealt with in accordance with laid-down procedures. As agreement was reached locally with the two community health councils involved and followed a full public consultation exercise, North Worcester health authority was able to implement the proposal without recourse to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Children's Rights
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for carrying forward the work of the children's rights development unit in connection with the United Nations convention on the rights of the child following the decision to cease its funding; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The children's rights development unit is an organisation independent of Government and questions relating to its future work should be referred to that organisation.

  Staff Transfers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the schemes her 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. Sackville
  There are two schemes to assist staff affected by the fall in house prices:

  Bridging Loans

  The Department may assist a member of staff transferred at the public expense who is in severe and immediate financial difficulties as a result of taking out a bridging loan which subsequently exceeds the selling price of property. Provided the member of staff cannot make good the shortfall of funds from his or her own resources and, that a value for money case can be clearly established, the Department can offer:

  an interest free advance of up to 12 months salary repayable over 15 years; and/or

  an additional housing cost allowance to cover the interest charges on extra mortgage borrowing; and/or

  as a last resort where other options are not possible, to write off up to £15,000 of the bridging loan. Amounts in excess of this require Treasury approval.

  Mortgage Redemption (negative Equity)

  Where staff transferred at the public expense face genuine financial hardship an advance of up to 12 months salary may be made, repayable over 15 years.

  In 1992–93 eight members of staff received advances of salary averaging £7,860 under these provisions. To date the comparable figures for 1993–94 are two and £16,500.
  606

  Mental Hospitals (Nursing Staff)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the level of competence and skills of the nursing staff at(a) Broadmoor hospital and (b) other mental hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Those who manage hospitals are responsible for ensuring that the nursing staff they employ have the required competence and skills. The management of Broadmoor hospital and the other special hospitals is the responsibility of the Special Hospitals Service Authority.

  The review of mental health nursing which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in 1992 has now been completed and the report will be published shortly.

  Oral Health
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 18 January,Official Report, column 530, when she expects to publish the report of the oral health strategy group.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Wardell) on 18 February at column 1042.

  Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the membership of the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs; and which of them have specialist knowledge in the treatment of skin conditions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The names of the members and their areas of medical expertise are listed. Dr. Grattan is a consultant dermatologist with a specialist knowledge in the treatment of skin conditions. The committee can also seek advice from external experts if it wishes to do so.

  Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs Membership

  Name

  Areas of Medical Expertise

  Chairman

  Dr. J. S. Metters

  Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

  Members

  Professor A. M. Breckenridge

  Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool

  Professor C. M. Castleden

  Professor of Medicine for the Elderly, University of Leicester

  Mr. D. L. Coleman Professor H. D. Edmondson

  Community Pharmacist, Norfolk Professor of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Dental School, University of Birmingham

  Dr. P. R. Fellows

  General practitioner, Gloucestershire Chairman of Gloucester Local Medical Committee

  Professor D. Ganderton

  Visiting Professor in pharmacy, King's College, London. Chairman of the British Pharmacopoeia Commission

  Miss A. F. Glasier

  Consultant gynaecologist, Director of Family Planning, Lothian Health Board

  Dr. C. Grattan

  Consultant dermatologist, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital

  Dr. A. Greenhough

  Professor of Clinical Respiratory Physiology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry

  Dr. G. Hargreaves

  Former GP with experience of the Pharmaceutical Industry

  607

  Name

  Areas of Medical Expertise

  Professor S. Holgate

  Specialist in allergic disorders, Southampton Hospital

  Dr. D. F. Jones Professor R. M. Jones

  General practitioner, South Wales Professor of Anaesthetics, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London

  Mr. A. G. Kerr

  Consultant ENT Surgeon, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast

  Mrs. S. Noyce Dr. S. J. Richards Dr. C. H. Swan

  Pharmacist adviser to Sefton FHSA General practitioner, Exeter Consultant physician (gastro-enterology) City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent

  Professor P. J. Tyrer

  Professor of Community Psychiatry, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London

  Dr. D. M. B. Ward

  General practitioner, Glasgow

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received concerning the referral to the Advisory Committee on NHS Drugs of treatments for skin diseases; what action she has taken as a result; when she expects the report of the committee; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A number of representations have been received about drugs acting on the skin. These have been drawn to the attention of the independent advisory committee, which will be reporting as soon as its review is complete. Any recommendations resulting from the work of the committee will be published for consultation before final decisions are taken.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she takes to ensure that animal tests currently used for the safety assessment of food products are effective for identifying constituents of diet that are potentially toxic or harmful to humans.

  Mr. Sackville
  The use of toxicity studies in laboratory animals for the safety testing of food and other products is of proven value and has gained acceptance by the scientific community worldwide. Most chemically-induced toxic effects seen in humans are also seen in appropriate animal studies. Animal studies are assessed by expert toxicologists experienced in extrapolating the information to predict likely effects in humans. Allowances are made for the uncertainties involved, particularly any differences between species.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the introduction of validated alternatives to the use of animals in the toxicity and safety testing of food products.

  Mr. Sackville
  Validated alternatives to laboratory animals are available for assessing mutagenic potential of chemicals in food and other products. These data are also of value in screening compounds for their carcinogenic potential.

  Much effort is being put into the development of alternatives in other areas, particularly for screening for local irritant effects, where it is hoped to have validated alternatives within a few years. However, the replacement of animals for general toxicity testing is much more difficult because of the need to reproduce the very complex
  608
  biochemical and pharmacological interactions that occur in animals. There has been some progress in reducing the number of animals used in certain tests and reducing the distress that may be caused, for example by the use of the fixed dose procedure as an alternative method for investigating acute toxicity. This was validated in a large international study sponsored by United Kingdom Government Departments and the European Community. The new procedure obviates the need for calculating LD50 values.

  Sir James Ackers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the special circumstances in view of which she made a payment of £10,000 to Sir James Ackers.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 29 April 1993, at columns 492–93.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 385, if she will list for each trust chair and non-executive director in the Northern region the name of the organisation by which they are employed.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We do not maintain up-to-date information relating to the names of appointees' employers.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 385, if she will list for each trust chair and non-executive director in the Northern region their known party political affiliation.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The political affiliation of chairmen and non-executive directors of national health service trusts plays no part in the appointment by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and would be known only where an appointee is actively pursuing a political career at the time of the appointment. No attempt is made to check on whether that activity is continued after appointment, so current political affiliations are not known.

  Age Limits
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what age limits her Department(a) recommends and (b) requires for appointment to community health councils, health authorities, health service trusts, family health service authorities and any other bodies for which age limits are recommended or required; and if in each case she will state the reasons why limits have been set.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are no statutory age limits for members of national health service authorities and trusts, nor for community health council members. Regional health authorities have been recommended not to appoint members to community health councils older than 70 years except in special circumstances.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of public appointments made by her Department in 1993 were of women; and if she will make a statement.
  609
  Mr. Sackville
  In 1993, 35 per cent. of members of national health service bodies and health non-departmental public bodies were women. This includes 40 per cent. of appointees to fourth-wave NHS trusts.

  Secure Accommodation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many females aged(a) 12, (b) 13, (c) 14, (d) 15, (e) 16, (f) 17 and (g) 18 years were detained in secure accommodation on the last day of each month of 1992 and 1993; and what were the reasons for their detention in secure accommodation;

  (2) how many males aged (a) 12, (b) 13, (c) 14, (d) 15, (e) 16, (f) 17 and (g) 18 years were detained in secure accommodation on the last day of each month of 1992 and 1993; and what were the reasons for their detention in secure accommodation;

  (3) how many females aged (a) 12, (b) 13, (c) 14, (d) 15, (e) 16, (f) 17 and (g) 18 years were admitted to secure accommodation during (i) 1992 and (ii) 1993; and what were the reasons for their detention in secure accommodation;

  (4) how many males aged (a) 12, (b) 13, (c) 14, (d) 15, (e) 16, (f) 17 and (g) 18 years were admitted to secure accommodation during (i) 1992 and (ii) 1993; and what were the reasons for their detention in secure accommodation.

  Mr. Bowis
  The latest available information on the numbers of children and young people admitted to secure accommodation and resident in secure accommodation during the year by legal status and age on admission relates to the year ending 31 March 1992 and has been placed in the Library.

  Midwives
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether midwives employed by health authorities and trusts will continue to benefit from their employer's liability insurance cover.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  National health service bodies are not required to take out insurance cover for possible negligence by the health care professionals that they employ, but both health authorities and NHS trusts are responsible for the negligent acts and omissions of their midwife employees acting in the course of their employment. Insurance is desirable for any work done outside the NHS contract of employment, such as Good Samaritan acts in emergencies and providing midwifery services to friends and relatives.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has made to the decision by insurance companies to regard self-employed midwives as a high financial risk; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Cumberlege, has had discussions with the Royal College of Midwives about this matter; they arrange for their self-employed members to be provided with professional indemnity insurance and are actively seeking to resolve the concerns raised.
  610

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for September 1989, September 1990 and September 1992, for each regional health authority, the number of nurses, midwives and health visitors by clinical grade and specialty.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dentistry
  Ms. Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department will publish the results of the 1993 children's dental health survey.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Preliminary results of the survey were published on 22 February, copies of which will be placed in the Library. A full report of the survey will be published later this year.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were registered with dentists in each of the six months up to and including January.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is shown in the table. Child registrations increased in each month until 31 December when, on that day, child registrations which had not previously been extended for a further term were automatically deleted from the dental register. Children whose registrations have lapsed will be able to re-register.

  Month ending

  Child registrations

  July

  7,156,512

  August

  7,273,977

  September

  7,396,329

  October

  7,488,760

  November

  7,604,594

  December

  6,196,058

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has given to the British Dental Association's letter of 9 February; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the British Dental Association on 22 February.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for the Environment of 21 February,Official Report, column 7: What is the percentage of the implicit element within the standard spending assessment calculation for personal social services relating to charges for services other than residential care; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Within the calculations of the standard spending assessments for personal social services other than residential care for the elderly, it is uniformity between authorities in the rate of recovery of gross expenditure through income from charges which is implicitly assumed, not any specific rate of recovery.
  611

  Administrative Expenditure
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will publish a table showing administrative expenditure by family practitioner committees in 1989(a) in total and (b) by region;

  (2) what was the total administrative expenditure of family health services authorities for each year since their creation (a)for England as a whole and (b)by region.

  £000.

  Region

  FPC (1989–90) and FHSA (1990–91 to 1992–93) Administration:

  Revenue Expenditure in England

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Northern

  6,159

  9,684

  9,438

  10,824

  Yorkshire

  6,304

  9,769

  9,265

  10,973

  Trent

  5,175

  7,811

  12,689

  14,638

  East Anglian

  3,021

  4,640

  5,083

  5,663

  North West Thames

  5,429

  9,983

  12,964

  15,160

  North East Thames

  4,588

  7,677

  12,297

  14,772

  South East Thames

  2,903

  6,689

  10,975

  14,604

  South West Thames

  4,693

  6,423

  9,711

  11,533

  Wessex

  2,979

  6,285

  6,417

  7,701

  Oxford

  1,810

  5,641

  6,403

  8,528

  South Western

  4,168

  4,997

  7,210

  8,151

  West Midlands

  6,855

  9,956

  14,314

  16,700

  Mersey

  3,432

  3,499

  7,146

  7,899

  North Western

  8,993

  10,863

  12,779

  14,735

  Total

  66,509

  103,917

  136,331

  161,881

  Source:

  Family Practitioner Committee annual accounts for 1989–90 and Family Health Services Authorities' annual accounts for 1990–91 to 1992–93; net revenue expenditure.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further action he is taking concerning fraud.

  Mr. Lilley
  I am determined to step up the fight against fraud and abuse. A wide variety of initiatives are being introduced including making more use of information technology, more secure payment methods, a one-stop service and tightening the rules to prevent abuse.

  Household Incomes
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what precentage of households have an income which is less than half the average national household income; and what was the comparable figure for 1979.

  Mr. Burt
  In 1979, half average national household income was £86 before housing costs and £73 after housing costs, in 1991 prices. The percentage of households with income less than this was 8 per cent. and 10 per cent. respectively. In 1990–91, the latest date for which information is available, half average national household income was £118 before housing costs and £101 after housing costs. The percentage of households with income less than this was 23 per cent. and 27 per cent. respectively. The percentage of households below half of the 1979 average household income held constant was lower in 1990–91 than in 1979.
  612
  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 24 February 1994]: The information is shown in the table. Family health services authorities manage the introduction of general practitioner fundholding, the monitoring of GP prescribing, and the development of clinical audit in primary care —all initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of patient care and value for money. In 1992–1993 FHSA administrative expenditure represented only 2.5 per cent. of the £6.5 billion of taxpayers' money spent on the FHS.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further representations he has received on the workings of the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  From 20 January to 16 January the Department of Social Security and the Child Support Agency headquarters have received 2,954 written representations covering a range of views about child support policy and Child Support Agency operations.

  The cost of establishing the number of written representations made to the Child Support Agency centres and field offices would be disproportionately high. The number of representations made in person or by telephone is not recorded.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what timetable he has drawn up for a further review of the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  The child support system will continue to be kept under close scrutiny, as it has been since its introduction. The recent changes are testament to that fact. This is a continual process and therefore not one which should be subject to a specific timetable.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to charge the collection fee for child support maintenance to the absent parent when the Child Support Agency takes on all maintenance agreements in 1996 where the parent with care is not on income support and where the parents are not using the collection service.

  Mr. Burt
  Where payments are being made direct to the parent with care but she has requested the Child Support
  613
  Agency's collection service, which includes enforcement, the fee will be payable by both parents. Otherwise, no fee will be charged where payments are made direct.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for the protection of mothers who may know the whereabouts of the absentee father, but may be reluctant to divulge it.

  Mr. Burt
  A parent with care receiving income support, family credit or disability working allowance is required to authorise the Child Support Agency to obtain maintenance, unless the pursuit of maintenance would risk harm or undue distress to her or any child living with her. Where there is such a risk, the parent with care is not required to give authority.

  In all cases the agency will act as a buffer between the parent with care and the absent parent, and will not divulge her address to him.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in what proportion of cases the Child Support Agency is currently meeting the performance target it has set itself by writing to parents with an assessment within five working days of receiving all the information needed by both parents.

  (2) what steps the Child Support Agency is taking to fulfil the promise in its customer charter to let customers know as a matter of course if there has been undue delay.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is the responsibility of its chief executive, Ros Hepplewhite. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 24 February 1994:

  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking the steps being taken by the Child Support Agency to fulfil its commitments to write to clients with an assessment within five working days; and to let clients know as a matter of course if there is an undue delay in processing their application.

  The Agency is currently monitoring its performance against Charter Standards. At the end of its first year of operation, it will be in a position to determine case clearance times, and to advise clients how long on average the process is likely to take. The Agency will also be in a position to advise clients if there has been undue delay.

  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current backlog for second tier review applications arising out of disputes with the Child Support Agency; at what rate second tier review applications are being lodged each month; how many second tier review applications are being cleared each month; how many post-second tier applications are being sent on to appeal each month; and what is the average length of time that applicants then wait for an appeal to be heard.

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

  Letter from Derek Brown to Mr. Frank Field, dated 25 February 1994:

  In her absence, the Chief Executive Mrs. Hepplewhite has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question to the
  614
  Secretary of State for Social Security, asking about the average times taken to process reviews and appeals in the Child Support Agency.

  You asked about the position on requests for second tier reviews. At 31 January the Agency had received and cleared the following:

  Month

  Received

  Cleared

  April to November

  8,000

  1,500

  December

  3,700

  800

  January

  4,900

  3,500

  Total

  16,600

  5,800

  The number of reviews requested has increased over the last three months. This is as expected, and reflects the significant increases in the number of assessments now being processed by the Agency.

  Requests that had been received but not processed are being actioned. The Agency has increased the number of staff undertaking this work, and significant progress is being made. During January four times as many cases were processed as in the preceding month.

  Finally you asked about appeals. Appeals are primarily a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service which is an Independent Statutory Authority. I understand that, to the end of January 1994, a total of 611 appeals had been lodged, of which 82 cases had been heard by the Child Support Appeal Tribunal. Figures are not currently available on the proportion of these that had already been subject to a second tier review. Given, however, that the only category of client who has a right of appeal direct to the Tribunal are those appealing against a decision to impose a reduced benefit direction, it is likely that a large majority of appeals had already been subject to a second tier review.

  The President of the Independent Tribunal Service informs me that information on the average length of time applicants wait for an appeal to be heard is not available. The average length of time from receipt of an appeal to the date the tribunal decision is, however, 17 weeks.

  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has had in relation to the operations of the Child Support Agency.

  Mr. Burt
  Between April 1993 and 16 February 1994 the Department of Social Security and the Child Support Agency headquarters received 13,715 written representations covering a range of views about child support policy and Child Support Agency operations.

  The cost of establishing the number of written representations made to Child Support Agency centres and field offices would be disproportionately high. The number of representations made in person or by telephone is not recorded.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families receive family credit; and how many received family income support in 1978–79.

  Mr. Burt
  In September 1993, 515,000 families were receiving family credit compared with only 78,000 receiving family income supplement in March 1979.

  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current average award for family credit.

  Mr. Burt
  The average weekly award is £43.30.

  Source: Five per cent. sample of Family Credit recipients as at 31 May 1993.
  615

  Pensions
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of uprating the retirement pension in 1994–95.

  Mr. Hague
  The estimated cost is £717 million.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for a real increase in pensions in the current year.

  Mr. Hague
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the full uprating of pensions in line with

  Number of retirement pensions in Great Britain

  Category of pension

  Number with retirement pension

  Number with less than 100 per cent. basic retirement pension

  Percentage receiving less than 100 per cent.

  Average percentage for persons in receipt of less than 100 per cent.

  All retirement pensions

  9,581,660

  1,085,450

  11

  62

  Category A men

  3,293,560

  161,030

  5

  76

  Category A women

  2,336,620

  666,780

  29

  56

  Category BL wives

  1,330,740

  45,790

  3

  74

  Category ABL wives

  628,490

  2,930

  —

  85

  Category B widows

  1,884,860

  61,530

  3

  79

  Graduated pensions only

  134,130

  134,130

  100

  N/a

  Additional pensions only

  13,260

  13,260

  100

  N/a

  N/a—Not available.

  The percentage of people residing overseas

  Category of pension

  Number with retirement pension

  Number with less than 100 per cent. basic retirement pension

  Percentage receiving less than 100 per cent.

  Average percentage for persons in receipt of less than 100 per cent.

  All retirement pensions

  613,860

  550,120

  90

  14

  Category A Men

  234,880

  212,540

  90

  17

  Category A Women

  154,540

  140,660

  91

  15

  Category BL Wives

  108,690

  98,770

  91

  6

  Category ABL Wives

  32,190

  24,520

  76

  1

  Category B Widows

  75,690

  65,760

  87

  13

  Graduated pensions only

  7,040

  7,040

  100

  N/A

  Additional pension only

  830

  830

  100

  N/A

  Notes:

  1 Figures given are for people of contributory Retirement Pension (including Graduated Retirement Pension or Additional Pension only) at 31 March 1993 excluding widowers receiving Category B pension (total number at 31 March 1993 is 750).

  2 Category A pension is payable on a person's own contributions.

  3 Category BL pension is payable to a married woman based on her husband's contributions—the standard rate is approximately 60 per cent. of the standard Category A rate.

  4 Category ABL pension is payable to a married woman based on her own and her husband's contributions—the standard rate is the same as that for Category BL.

  5 Category B pension is payable to surviving spouses on the basis of their late spouses' contributions—the standard rate is the same as that for Category A.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Budget speech of 30 November,Official Report, column 1037, if pensioners who do not receive 100 per cent. of a state pension will receive the full 50p addition in respect of VAT on fuel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The extra help towards VAT on fuel will be included in the standard rate of basic retirement pension. The rate of pension is reduced where basic pension entitlement is less than 100 per cent. This will have the effect of reducing the extra help in proportion to the percentage rate of basic pension entitlement.

  The standard married woman's rate of basic retirement pension, based on her husband's contributions, will be increased by 20p per week thereby providing pensioner couples in receipt of the standard rate with an overall additional increase of 70p per week.
  616
  inflation from April, plus extra help with the cost of VAT on fuel, amounting to 50p a week for single pensioners and 70p for couples.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of people in receipt of state pensions receive less than 100 per cent. of the full pension; and what number of people this represents;

  (2) what is the average percentage of state pension received by those in receipt of less than 100 per cent. of the full state pension.

  Mr. Hague
  The available information is in the tables.

  As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made clear in his speech, all pensioners on income support will receive the full 50p single and 70p for couples, whether or not they are entitled to a reduced rate retirement pension.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what gross weekly cost his Department estimates will be incurred by the increase of all state pensions to compensate for the imposition of VAT on domestic fuel in each week during April.

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

  It is estimated that the average gross weekly cost from 11 April, when the 1994 uprating will become effective, will be approximately £4 millon.
  617

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many, and what proportion of, applicants for disability working allowance in the. last 12-month period for which information is available, were disqualified because of their earnings or rise in family income.

  Mr. Scott
  Out of a total of 12,665 applications received between December 1992 and November 1993, 850 new and repeat claims were disallowed because their income exceeded the level of disability working allowance. This represented a proportion of 6·7 per cent.

  Poverty
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the Government's assessment of the extent and scale of poverty prevailing in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  Statistics on patterns of household disposable income, for the United Kingdom are provided in "Households Below Average Income 1979–1990/91", published in June 1993, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households were in the bottom decile of income distribution in 1979 and in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table:

  Numbers of pensioner families with incomes in the bottom decile of income distribution (000s)

  1979

  1990–91

  Before housing costs

  Couples

  510

  290

  Single

  890

  620

  All

  1,400

  910

  After housing costs

  Couples

  550

  160

  Single

  580

  290

  All

  1,200

  450

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Surveys, rounded to nearest 10,000.

  2. Numbers relate to pensioner benefit units.

  Social Fund
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessments he has made of the operation of social funds within benefits agencies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The operation of the discretionary social fund is monitored routinely. We believe that the basic principles of the fund are right and working well, but we continue to evaluate its effectiveness and to introduce operational improvements as required.

  Pensioner Households (Assets)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the current value of the assets held by the average pensioner household; and what was the comparable position in real terms in 1978–79.
  618
  Mr. Hague
  We do not have information on the capital value of pensioners' assets. The estimated average weekly income which pensioners received from their savings or investments are in the table.

  Year

  Couples

  Singles

  All1

  1979

  £16·20

  £8·60

  £11·20

  1990–91

  £45·10

  £21·60

  £30·30

  1 Single people over state pension age and couples where the husband is over state pensions age.

  All estimates derive from the family expenditure survey and are at 1990–91 prices. Averages are across all pensioners, whether or not receiving an income from savings or investments.

  Long-term Unemployment
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the long-term unemployed to his Department in 1993.

  Mr. Burt
  The cost of those receiving benefit for more than six months cannot be separated from the planned total benefit expenditure of unemployed people which for the year April 1993 to April 1994 is £10·39 billion.

  Notes:

  The information is taken from table 5 of the 1993 departmental annual report which is in the Library. The 1994 annual report will be published shortly and will be placed in the Library.

  The benefits included are: unemployment benefit, income support, family credit, child benefit, one-parent benefit, housing benefit, community charge benefit, and social fund loans.

  Benefits
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account the 1994 uprating benefits for pensioners and sick and disabled people has taken of the rate of inflation.

  Mr. Hague
  The uprating of benefits from April 1994 is based on the movement in the retail prices index over the preceding September-to-September period. In addition to price indexation, the standard weekly rates of basic retirement and invalidity pensions, severe disablement allowance and income support for sick and disabled people will be increased by 50p single rate or 70p couple rate to provide extra help for VAT on domestic fuel.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in which area of benefits he proposes to make cuts.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 1 December 1993 at columns 1037–59 announcing a full uprating of benefits, substantial extra help towards VAT on fuel and proposals for the reform of a number of benefits. The subsequent Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1994 was approved by the Commons on 16 February, and will be debated by the Lords on 28 February.

  We continue to keep social security under review to ensure that we have the kind of system which will serve the country well into the next century.
  619

  Family Allowances
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase family allowances; and by how much.

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already announced that child benefit will be increased in line with prices from April 1994. The rates will increase to £10·20 for the eldest eligible child in the family and £8·25 for each other child.

  Disability Allowance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to increase the disability allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  On 1 December 1993 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced increases in disability living allowance, attendance allowance and disability working allowance from April 1994 as part of the annual uprating of all social security benefits.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.
  620
  Mr. Hague
  For the year ended 31 August 1993, 47 per cent. of all new appointees were women.

  In support of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's public appointments initiative, this Department set a goal for 40 per cent. of new appointees to public bodies to be women. This goal has been exceeded, increasing the overall percentage of women holding public appointments from 27 per cent. in 1991 to 32·5 per cent. in 1993.

  Occupational Pension Plans
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to introduce legislation allowing employees who have an occupational pension plan an annual statement of the valuation of their savings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government are considering, in the light of the report of the Pension Law Review Committee, the whole question of what information should be provided to members of occupational pension schemes, either routinely or on request. Under current legislation, members of defined contribution occupational pension schemes already receive an annual statement showing the value of the member's rights and members of defined benefit schemes have a right to request one.

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