Written Answers of 17 January 1994

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Cars
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will quantify the cost of the factors which led to an increase in the cost of cars for Ministers in his Department since 1990–91.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Government car service—GCS—provides cars for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers. Increases in GCS charges since 1990–91 are due to the following factors:

  (i) GCS prices for its standard service were increased by 12 per cent. from 1 July 1990 and again by 10 per cent. from 1 January 1991;

  (ii) the basis for provision of a protected car was also changed. Prior to 1 April 1992, GCS purchased the base car while the user Department funded the one-off cost of protection. From 1 April 1992, GCS charges for a protected vehicle were increased by 54 per cent. to take account of the full cost of providing a protected car, amortised over its five-year lifespan;

  (iii) Value added tax on GCS bills increased from 15 to 17·5 per cent. on 1 April 1991.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make arrangements for the Data Protection Registrar to inspect relevant contracts with suppliers of IT services that involve the use of personal data held by his Department in order to check whether all appropriate arrangements in relation to the Data Protection Act 1984 have been made, and whether such contracts make provisions for the registrar to make random inspections in order to check the suppliers' compliance with the eighth data protection principle.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  When IT services are contracted out by a data user, the contractor and the user will be subject to the application of the data protection principles and to the registrar's powers to promote compliance with them, as provided for in the Act. It is for the registrar to decide how he will use his powers under the Act, and I do not consider that any further arrangements are necessary for him to discharge his duties effectively.

  Sudan
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sudanese Government on the question of human rights violations in southern Sudan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We take every suitable opportunity, both bilaterally and in concert with our European Union partners, to express our concern to the Sudanese authorities at reported abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Sudan, including the south. We have also raised our concerns with the leaders of 352
  the SPLA factions. We were active earlier this year in securing the appointment of a special rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in Sudan. At the United Nations General Assembly, we co-sponsored a hard-hitting resolution, commending the work of the special rapporteur, which was passed in plenary by 111 votes to 13.

  False Imprisonment
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider taking steps to ensure that British citizens wrongly imprisoned abroad receive adequate compensation from the Governments responsible.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Claims for compensation against foreign Governments must be pursued through their courts. Under international law, a Government will not consider espousing a claim on behalf of an individual while other legal channels remain open. Even after the claimant has exhausted all available legal channels, we would need to consider all the circumstances of each case before taking such a course.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to implement the land mines protocol and ban the export of anti-personnel land mines by the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has always adhered to the United Nations weaponry convention, protocol II of which lays down rules for the responsible use of land mines. We signed the convention in 1981 and hope to ratify it later this year.

  We are not contemplating additional measures to cover the export of anti-personnel land mines from the United Kingdom. We have not produced or exported antipersonnel mines for some time; and we believe that our current stringent controls on the export of defence equipment, which includes controls on all mines, are sufficient to stop the sale of these weapons to countries which may use them irresponsibly.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with his German counterpart and at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council the implications for EU export control and non-proliferation policy of the recent conviction of the owners of RO-SCH Technology GmbH of Kaufbevren of exporting carbon fibre centrifuge rotor tubes for uranium enrichment in contravention of the Federal German Foreign Trade Act.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. I do not intend to raise this issue. The action of the German authorities is a matter for that sovereign state.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government intend to put to the second preparatory committee meeting of the fifth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to be held in New York from 17 January.
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  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  At the second preparatory committee meeting, we shall be working to ensure that decisions are reached on outstanding procedural and administrative matters relating to the 1995 nonproliferation treaty extension and review conference. Our policy is to secure the unconditional and indefinite extension of the treaty in 1995.

  EC Social Development Fund
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent changes in the organisation of the Council of Europe's social development fund; and if he proposes, in the light of these reforms, that the United Kingdom should now participate in the fund.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Following allegations of irregularities in the operation of the social development fund, a number of measures were agreed on by the member states, designed to ensure greater rigour and transparency in the management of the organisation and the proper care of public funds.

  There are no plans for United Kingdom participation in the fund.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what terms will be offered to expatriate civil servants currently based in Hong Kong on the resumption of sovereignty by China; and what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of these arrangements.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Two White Papers of 1954 and 1960 set out our obligation to Her Majesty's overseas civil service—HMOCS—employed in overseas territories upon the ending of British sovereignty. These obligations include provision of a compensation scheme and a sterling pension protection scheme. Draft schemes have been prepared for consultation with the Hong Kong HMOCS association. The cost of these schemes will be known when they have been finalised.

  Immigration
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of his submission to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers concerning the rights to enter the United Kingdom of citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, The Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Kiribati, Lesotho, the Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made no submission to the European Commission or the Council of Ministers about the rights of the citizens of the countries listed to enter the United Kingdom.

  The European Commission has, however, made proposals to determine the list of countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external
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  frontiers of member states. When these proposals have been received formally from the Council secretariat they will be made available to Parliament in accordance with normal scrutiny arrangements.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Dominica, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Kiribati, Lesotho, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe on changing the status of their citizens with regard to entering the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has had no consultations with the Governments of the countries listed about changing the status of their citizens with regards to entering the United Kingdom. Entry into the United Kingdom for these nationalities, and others, will continue to be governed by the immigration rules.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings he has given to the Governments of each of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Dominica, The Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Kiribati, Lesotho, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe about the continuing rights of their citizens to enter the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwelth Affairs has given no undertakings to the Governments of the countries listed about the continuing rights of their citizens to enter the United Kingdom. Entry into the United Kingdom for these nationalities, and others, will continue to be governed by the immigration rules.

  Council of Europe
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those Council of Europe conventions and agreements which the United Kingdom has not signed or ratified; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for not doing so.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom has neither signed nor ratified the conventions or agreements set out in the table. The reasons for not signing or ratifying vary. The information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  European Convention on Compulsory Insurance Against Civil Liability in Respect of Motor Vehicles (1959)

  Agreement Relating to Application of the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (1962)

  European Convention on the Supervision of Conditionally Sentenced or Conditionally Released Offenders (1964)

  European Convention on the Punishment of Road Traffic Offences (1964)

  European Convention Providing a Uniform Law of Arbitration (1966)

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  European Convention on Establishment of Companies (1966)

  European Convention on Foreign Money Liabilities (1967)

  European Convention on Consular Functions (1967)

  European Convention on "Au Pair" "Placement (1969)

  European Convention on the International Validity of Criminal Judgments(1970)

  European Convention on the Repatriation of Minors(1970)

  European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters (1972)

  European Convention on the Place of Payment of Money Liabilities (1972)

  European Convention on the Calculation of Time-limits (1972)

  European Convention on Social Security (1972)

  Supplementary Agreement to the European Convention on Social Security (1972)

  European Convention on Civil Liability for Damage Caused by Motor Vehicles (1973)

  Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses (1973)

  European Convention on the Non-applicability of Statutory Limitation to Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes (1974)

  European Convention on the International Effects of Deprivation of the Right to Drive a Motor Vehicle (1976)

  European Convention on products Liability in regard to Personal Injury and Death (1977)

  European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers (1977)

  European Convention on the Service Abroad of documents relating to Administrative Matters (1977)

  European Convention on the obtaining abroad of Information and Evidence in Administrative Matters (1978)

  European Convention on The Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals (1978)

  European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter (1979)

  European Outline Convention on Transfrontiern co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities (1980)

  European Convention on Offences Relating to Cultural Property (1985)

  European Charter of Local Self-Government (1985)

  European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (1987)

  Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (1988)

  Arrangement for the Application of the European Agreement of 17 October 1980 concerning the Provision of Medical Care to Persons During Temporary Residence (1988)

  European Convention on Certain International Aspects of Bankruptcy (1990)

  European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University Study (1990)

  European Code of Social Security (Revised) (1990)

  European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages 1992

  Convention on Civil Liability for Damage from Activities Dangerous to the Environment (1993)

  North Korea
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on negotiations with North Korea for the access of nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to its nuclear facilities.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  North Korea's refusal to comply fully with its IAEA safeguards agreement is a cause for great concern. We hope that the problem can be resolved through dialogue between North Korea, the United States, South Korea and the IAEA. Any solution must reaffirm the IAEA' s right to inspect all North Korean nuclear sites to the agency's satisfaction.
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  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he now plans to follow up his signature of the chemical weapons convention in Paris in 1993; what legislation is necessary to implement the United Kingdom's commitments under the convention; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We intend to ratify the chemical weapons convention—CWC—as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place. The legislation's main elements will be rights of entry and immunity for Organisation in the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons inspectors, requirements for industry declarations and creation of offences in respect of non-compliance with the CWC. We will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Personal Allowances
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the numbers of additional income tax payers in 1994–95 compared to 1992–93 as a result of freezing the rate of personal allowance in two years; and how much extra income tax will be raised as a result.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Compared with indexing the 1992–93 personal allowance to 1994–95 levels by reference to the statutory formula, the revenue yield from the measures in the last two Budgets is £1·1 billion and about 400,000 more people will pay tax.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss to the Treasury of tax revenue as a result of the exemption from inheritance tax of gifts to political parties for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of insider dealing were reported by the authorities in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Nelson
  Alleged cases of insider dealing are generally detected by the stock exchange through its
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  monitoring of share dealing. Following a preliminary investigation the stock exchange informs the Department of Trade and Industry when it believes there is a prima facie case. That Department has powers to investigate and to bring prosecutions where appropriate. The cases referred to the DTI in this way since 1980 are set out in the table.

  Alleged cases of insider dealing reported to the DTI by the stock exchange between 1980 and 1993–941

  Cases reported

  1980

  7

  1981

  18

  1982

  23

  1983

  17

  1984

  12

  1985

  6

  1986–87

  13

  1987–88

  29

  1988–89

  33

  1989–90

  21

  1990–91

  8

  1991–92

  11

  1992–93

  5

  1993–94

  7

  1The data for the period 1980–85 relate to calendar years whereas thereafter the figures are on a financial year basis. The information for 1993–94 relates to cases which were reported to the DTI between April and the end of December 1993. A case may have led to more than one person being prosecuted.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of insider dealing have been prosecuted in each year since 1980; and how many prosecutions resulted in(a) conviction and (b) acquittal.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information is given in the table.

  Insider dealing prosecutions between 1980–81 and 1993–941

  Year

  Cases

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Acquittals

  1980–81

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1981–82

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1982–83

  2

  3

  3

  0

  1983–84

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1984–85

  2

  4

  0

  4

  1985–86

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1986–87

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1987–88

  3

  3

  3

  0

  1988–89

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1989–902

  10

  14

  4

  9

  1990–91

  1

  2

  2

  0

  1991–92

  5

  8

  3

  5

  1992–93

  3

  7

  5

  2

  1993–943

  3

  6

  0

  5

  Total

  32

  50

  22

  26

  1 The figures reflect the number of individual defendants who were prosecuted in the thirty-two insider dealing cases which have been concluded since 1980. They do not include a case which is still in progress.

  2 The figures for 1989–90 include one prosecution which was subsequently withdrawn.

  3 The figures for 1993–94 include one case which was not proven.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Nelson
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part,358
  by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate can be made of the number of people who would have an income tax liability from April 1995 whose sole income was incapacity benefit; and what would be the yield in a full year of taxing incapacity benefit.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Only a very small number of people whose sole income was incapacity benefit would have any income tax liability in 1995–96 on the basis of the announced rules for the taxation of incapacity benefit for 1995–96 and the changes to income tax allowances announced for that year, assuming indexation of benefits and the personal allowance. The revenue yield in respect of these people would be negligible.

  Charities (VAT)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether previous VAT zero-rated non-domestic charitable institutions will be liable for VAT from 1 April.

  Sir John Cope
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the existing VAT zero rate for fuel and power used by a charity otherwise than in the course or furtherance of a business. I confirm that the relief will not apply from 1 April 1994.

  Household Debt
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of debt per household for every £100 of disposable income in(a) 1992 and (b)

  Mr. Nelson
  Figures for the level of household debt outstanding are not available. The level of debt of the personal sector, which includes apart from households, all unincorporated private businesses, sole traders, partnerships, non-profit making bodies serving persons and private trusts, per £100 of disposable income in 1992 was £112. Figures for 1993 have not yet been published but the latest Treasury estimate is shown in chart 3.9 of the Red Book.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make arrangements for the Data Protection Registrar to inspect relevant contracts with suppliers of IT services that involve the use of personal data held by his Department in order to check whether all appropriate arrangements in relation to the Data Protection Act 1984 have been made, and whether such contracts make provisions for the registrar to make random inspections in order to check the suppliers' compliance with the eighth data protection principle.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Treasury has no IT service contracts that involve the use of personal data held by the Department.
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  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will detail the statistical sources for the information given by the Paymaster General in answer to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) of 24 November,Official Report, columns 66–70.

  Sir John Cope
  The sources of this information were:

  1. The document produced by the Commission of the European Communities entitled "The Evolution of VAT Rates applicable in the Member States of the Community" and numbered XXI/158/93-EN, which was deposited in the House of Commons Library in reply to a Parliamentary Question tabled by the hon. Member for Newham South, of 18 October 1993, Official Report, columns 7–8;

  2. VAT in Europe;

  3. International VAT Monitor; and

  4. Tax News Service.

  Items 2 to 4 are produced by the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation.

  American Depositary Receipts
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total revenue gathered from stamp duty reserve tax on American depositary receipts issued on behalf of United Kingdom companies.

  Mr. Nelson
  The 1·5 per cent. rate of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax applies to transfers of shares either into a depositary receipt scheme or into a clearance service system. The total yield from the 1·5 per cent. rate is estimated at around £20 million. Precise information is not available about the proportion attributable to.transfers into American depositary receipt schemes, as distinct from other depositary receipt schemes or clearance services.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Racially Motivated Crimes
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will discuss with the Director of Public Prosecutions the procedure for the Crown Prosecution Service drawing to the attention of the courts the fact that a crime appears to be racially motivated; and if he will make a statement.

  The Solicitor-General
  It is the duty of all those who prosecute on behalf of the Crown to put all the relevant facts before the court.

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the future of the Serious Fraud Office.

  The Solicitor-General
  The review of the handling of serious fraud by the Serious Fraud Office and the fraud divisions of the Crown Prosecution Service, which the Attorney-General announced last October in the light of the recommendations of the royal commission, is expected to report by the end of February.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent consideration has been given by the Serious Fraud Office regarding City crime and sentencing.

  The Solicitor-General
  Sentencing in all cases is a matter for the independent judiciary.
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  Prosecutions (Public Interest)
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Attorney-General what criteria are used by the Director of Public Prosecutions in assessing the public interest when deciding whether to proceed with a prosecution.

  The Solicitor-General
  The general principles used when assessing the public interest are set out in the "Code for Crown Prosecutors" which is published and laid before Parliament each year in the annual report of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  Extradition (Cyprus)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Attorney-General when he next plans to visit Cyprus to discuss extradition.

  The Solicitor-General
  The Attorney-General has no such plans.

  Fiats for Cases to Proceed
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Attorney-General in how many instances in each of the last five years he has(a) granted his fiat and (b) refused his fiat for a case to proceed; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The information sought by my hon. Friend is recorded only on the files relating to individual defendants in relation to a wide variety of different offences and is not collected or collated centrally. The information requested could therefore be collected only at disproportionate cost.

ENVIRONMENT

  Corby District Council
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since 1980–81 the money paid to Corby district council under the derelict land scheme.

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not available in the precise form requested. However, since 1980–81, Corby district council has incurred the following expenditure on land reclamation which has been eligible for derelict land grant. Grant is payable on this expenditure at a rate of 100 per cent.

  Corny District Council Derelict Land Grant Expenditure

  Year

  Expenditure £

  1980–81

  505,000

  1981–82

  809,000

  1982–83

  3,112,640

  1983–84

  3,289,793

  1984–85

  3,512,493

  1985–86

  3,652,513

  1986–87

  4,000,000

  1987–88

  3,941,974

  1988–89

  3,035,917

  1989–90

  2,410,386

  1990–91

  1,374,391

  1991–92

  1,914,953

  1992–93

  3,635,003

  11993–94

  1,305,000

  Total

  36,499,063

  1forecast

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  A further £27,000 of derelict land grant has been paid towards reclamation schemes carried out by non-local authority applicants in the Corby district.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been made available to the district and borough of Corby under the estate action scheme in each year since 1985.

  Sir George Young
  The following amounts of estate action resources have been made available to Corby since 1985:

  .

  £ million

  1985–86 to 1990–91

  Nil

  1991–92

  1·4

  1992–93

  1·85

  1993–94

  2·9

  1994–951

  3·0

  1995–961

  3·0

  1996–971

  0·6

  1 Provisional.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he intends to take to encourage local authorities to become debt free.

  Mr. Baldry
  Local authorities which have repaid all their long-term debts have recently been given general freedom to spend amounts already set aside for debt redemption. They are also generally relieved of the obligation to make further provision for debt redemption, either from capital receipts or revenue.

  Local Authorities (Northamptonshire)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total of usable receipts held by each local authority in Northamptonshire at the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information is as follows:

  Authority

  Usable receipts at 1 April 1993 £'000

  Northamptonshire County Council

  220

  Corby

  749

  Daventry

  2,884

  East Northamptonshire

  2,628

  Kettering

  1,481

  Northampton

  3,634

  South Northamptonshire

  Nil

  Wellingborough

  11,840

  Source: Local authority returns.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the representations he has received from the British Medical Association about the accuracy of his Department's estimates of the extent of homelessness in London in the light of their research findings using capture-recapture analysis techniques.
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  Sir George Young
  This Department has received no such representations from the British Medical Association. The methodology used by the voluntary sector to count the number of people sleeping rough in central London, which has informed the rough sleepers initiative, was developed independently to provide a series of accurate, directly comparable counts. This methodology is now being adapted to undertake local counts in some other towns and cities.

  Private Rented Housing
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce incentives to strengthen and increase the private rented sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  We are very keen to expand the private rented sector. The package of deregulation measures in the Housing Act 1988, which introduced assured and assured shorthold tenancies at market rents for most new lettings, was designed to encourage landlords to bring their property on to the market. In addition, we have already launched a number of specific initiatives to encourage private landlords to let their property. We are keen to explore all avenues to encourage further growth in the sector.

  Press Office
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed in his Department's press/communications office including clerical and administrative staff in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Gummer
  There are currently 46 staff employed by the Department of the Environment's information directorate.

  Figures for prior years on the composition of the information directorate are published each year within the management information system for Ministers dating back to 1979 which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his Department's press releases in date order since 1 June 1992.

  Mr. Gummer
  Monthly summaries of this Department's press releases for the period 1 June 1992 to 31 December 1993 have been placed in the Library.

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

  Mr. Gummer
  The Department is currently analysing the outcome of the 1992–93 "Competing for Quality" programme with the Efficiency Unit in the Cabinet Office. Some points of detail have yet to be finalised, but, once this has been completed, much of the information requested in
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  the question will be published in aggregate form in the "Citizen's Charter Second Report". On an individual contract basis, much of the information is commercially confidential.

  Rent Assessment Committees
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his review of the role of the rent assessment committees.

  Sir George Young
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Mr. Fishburn) on 30 November,Official Report, column 507.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to make public the conclusions of his review of the homeless persons legislation.

  Sir George Young
  I intend to publish before the end of this month a consultation paper about reforming the homelessness legislation and improving access to local authority and housing association tenancies. I look forward to a constructive debate about the Government's proposals for reform.

  Superstores
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will ensure that superstores(a) have more than one entrance and exit and (b) are sited at sufficient distance from petrol stations such that it would be impossible for a fire in a superstore to spread to a petrol station.

  Mr. Baldry
  Whether a single entrance and exit is adequate for escape in fire is dependent on the size of the building and the distances that persons would need to travel. A superstore would almost certainly be large enough for more than one escape route to have to be provided to satisfy the Building Regulations.

  If the petrol station was outside the boundary of the superstore site compliance with the Building Regulations would ensure that the superstore was located at a safe distance from the boundary if a fire were to take place therein. If the petrol station was within the confines of the superstore site boundary guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive would need to be followed with regard to its location. If this guidance were not followed, a petroleum licence would not be issued. The relative locations of different land uses may also be material considerations to be taken into account in deciding whether to grant planning permission, whether in response to an application or by the Secretary of State on appeal.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the cost of advertising by his Department has been for each year since 1979 and for each of the last 12 months.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 16 December 1993]: In the financial year 1991–92, my Department spent £815,118·06 on advertising; in the financial year 1992–93,
  364
  it spent £6,929,637·89 on advertising. However, before the financial year 1991–92, figures are not available for advertising alone. In addition, information relating to the financial years before 1979–80 and 1984–85 cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. The total publicity expenditure for each financial year from 1985–86 to 1992–93 was:

  £ million

  1985–86

  3·5

  1986–87

  4·2

  1987–88

  4·8

  1988–89

  6·9

  1989–90

  131·5

  1990–91

  7·5

  1991–92

  2·7

  1992–93

  213·4

  1 The figure for 1989–90 includes publicity costs associated with water privatisation and community charge.

  2 The figure for 1992–93 includes publicity costs associated with the CO2 reduction campaign "Helping the Earth" and the introduction of the council tax.

  For the financial years 1985–86 to 1990–91 inclusive, the figures also include associated staff costs for my Department, including agencies. Before 1991–92, expenditure was not broken down between different publicity media.

  The cost of publicity advertising per month for the past 12 months has been:

  £

  December 1992

  nil

  January 1993

  3,311·74

  February 1993

  3,120,031·18

  March 1993

  3,236,235·92

  April 1993

  475,506·00

  May 1993

  1,394·00

  June 1993

  1,128·00

  July 1993

  780,047·00

  August 1993

  nil

  September 1993

  257·33

  October 1993

  3,493,327·30

  November 1993

  347,246·71

  These costs include creative and production charges, value added tax, and other levies as paid.

  The costs given for the months above relate to the month in which the invoice was processed for payment; in some cases the advertising may have appeared some time previously.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local education authorities in England who in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 have spent or are expected to spend less than their allocated standard spending assessment for education in each of those years, together with the respective figures for each year, the totals of all such spending assessments for that authority, the standard spending assessment figure in respect of interest on capital expenditure approved by Her Majesty's Government, the amount paid or expected to be paid and the contribution to any consequential deficit that must be made, pro rata, by transfer from the respective standard assessments for educational expenditure made by Her Majesty's Government for the relevant years.
  365
  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: The information requested has been placed in the Library. It is for each local authority to determine its spending priorities between services in the light of local circumstances.

  Negative Equity
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, columns 7–8, if he will disaggregate the table on households with negative equity into the normal planning regions.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: No. The sample sizes from which changes in house prices and distributions of mortgage advance to price ratios are estimated are not large enough to produce sufficiently reliable figures for all regions

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the site or sites of proposed enterprise zones in north Nottinghamshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction intends to announce very shortly proposals for four sites in the east midlands to be designated, subject to the agreement of the European Commission, as enterprise zones.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was paid to whom in each district council area in North Yorkshire for carrying out council tax valuations; and what was the cost of managing and administering the valuation process.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is not possible to disclose payments to individual contractors, on the grounds of commercial confidence. The cost of managing and administering the valuation process in North Yorkshire was £98,517.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against council tax valuations in each district council area in North Yorkshire have been settled in the last six months; and what was the average cost of settling each appeal.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Receipts and settlements of appeals against council tax for each billing authority in North Yorkshire are as follows:

  Billing authority

  Appeals settled

  Craven

  374

  Hambleton

  496

  Harrogate

  872

  Richmondshire

  210

  Ryedale

  509

  Scarborough

  488

  Selby

  498

  York

  484

  366
  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.

PRIME MINISTER

  Severance Payment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what ministerial severance payment has been offered to the hon. Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) and what amount is to be paid to the hon. Member.

  The Prime Minister
  The hon. Member is entitled to a severance payment under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

  Iraq and Iran
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the policy on Iraq and Iran set out by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 29 October 1985,Official Report, column 450, remains that of Her Majesty's Government.

  The Prime Minister
  No. An embargo on trade with Iraq was imposed by the Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1990 (SI 90/1651). This put into effect the sanctions on Iraq imposed by United Nations resolution 661. Current policy on exports to Iran was set out by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 1 March 1993,Official Report, column 8.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister when he or his predecessor last met his counterpart or the President of Iraq; and what was the purpose of the meeting.

  The Prime Minister
  I have not met my Iraqi counterpart or the President of Iraq; neither did my predecessor.

  Question Time
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions in total(a) he, (b) Lady Thatcher or (c) Lord Callaghan was absent from the House at Prime Minister's Question Time while serving as Prime Minister; and what that figure represents in each case and as a percentage of the total number of Prime Minister's Question Times for which he or she was responsible.

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter of public record.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what records held at 10 Downing street prior to December 1990 have been passed to the Scott inquiry on request.

  The Prime Minister
  My office has passed to the Scott inquiry those records held at 10 Downing street prior to December 1990 which fall within the terms of the inquiry's requests.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each occasion since the 1992 Edinburgh European Council that cameras have been admitted to meetings of European Community Council of Ministers.
  367
  The Prime Minister
  The following Council sessions—all in 1993—have been televised:

  Foreign Affairs, 1 February: Danish Presidency work programme, and opening EFTAn accession negotiations;

  Agriculture, 9 February: agriculture price fixing proposals;

  ECOFIN, 15 February: Danish Presidency work programme;

  Foreign Affairs, 5 April: opening of accession negotiations with Norway;

  Internal Market, 5 April: Sutherland report;

  Social affairs, 6 April: employment;

  Industry, 3 May: industrial competitiveness and environmental protection;

  Development, 25 May: development co-operation policy to 2000 (Horizon 2000);

  Foreign Affairs, 19 July: Belgian Presidency work programme;

  ECOFIN, 13 November: Belgian Presidency work programme;

  Internal Market, 11 November: strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, and skilled workers and development of employment in the Community;

  Environment 3 December: Green Paper on civil liability.

  Mr. Gerry Adams
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on what date or dates he has received a letter or letters from Mr. Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, seeking clarification of the joint declaration; if he will place a copy of the letter or letters in the Library; when he intends to reply to Mr. Adams; and if he will place a copy of his letter or letters to Mr. Adams in the Library;

  (2) if he will give the precise terms of clarification of the joint declaration sought by Mr. Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, in communications with him since the joint declaration was published ; what were the precise terms of his responses to such communications; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I received an unsigned letter on Mr. Adams's headed notepaper, dated 7 January 1994, last week. It is being considered and no response has yet been made.

  Public Appointments
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give details of the public appointments that he is able to make, excluding Cabinet and ministerial appointments and those covered by "Questions of Procedure for Ministers'; and which appointments he has made since 1991.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 December 1993]: As Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury I am able to appoint to the following public bodies. There is no single central record for all these appointments, but, to the best of my knowledge, the appointments listed in the table have been made over the last three years.

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  15 Commissioners of which 6 have been appointed from 1991

  British Museum

  15 Trustees of which 5 have been appointed from 1991

  Natural History Museum

  8 Trustees of which 3 have been appointed from 1991

  National Gallery

  13 Trustees of which 6 have been appointed from 1991

  Tate Gallery

  11 Trustees of which 5 have been appointed from 1991

  National Maritime Museum

  Normally 12 Trustees of which 5 have been appointed from 1991
  368
  National Portrait Gallery

  Normally 15 Trustees of which 5 have been appointed from 1991

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  Not less than 12 and not more than 20 Trustees of which 3 have been appointed from 1991

  Science Museum

  Not less than 13 and not more than 20 Trustees of which 4 have been appointed from 1991

  Museum of London

  9 Governors of whom 4 have been appointed from 1991

  Wallace Collection

  7 Trustees, none of whom has been appointed from 1991

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  11 Trustees of whom 7 have been appointed from 1991

  Kennedy Memorial Trust

  6 Trustees, none of whom has been appointed from 1991

  Security Commission

  7 members have been appointed from 1991

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments

  None has been appointed from 1991

  Police Negotiating Board Chairman and Deputy Chairman

  None has been appointed from 1991

  Police Arbitration Tribunal Members

  None has been appointed from 1991

  Security Service Tribunal Commissioner

  No appointment made from 1991

  Interception of Communications Tribunal Commissioner

  1 appointment has been made from 1991

  Political Honours Scrutiny Committee

  2 members have been appointed from 1991

  Armed Forces Pay Review Body

  6 members have been appointed from 1991

  Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body

  6 members have been appointed from 1991

  Nurses', Midwives' and other NHS Professions' Review Body

  2 members have been appointed from 1991

  Schoolteachers' Review Body

  12 members have been appointed from 1991

  Senior Salaries Review Body

  2 members have been appointed from 1991

  Citizen's Charter Panel of Advisers

  9 members have been appointed from 1991

  Women's National Commission

  1 appointment has been made from 1991

  Chequers Trustees

  1 Trustee has been appointed from 1991

  Dorneywood Trustees

  3 Trustees have been appointed from 1991

  Chevening Trustees

  1 Trustee has been appointed from 1991

  As Prime Minister, I am also responsible for advising Her Majesty the Queen on Crown appointments.
  369

  Sinn Fein
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the value served by the ban on Sinn Fein voices being heard and of the practice of using an actor to dub the person's voice.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage is reviewing the relevant restrictions, in consultation with other Government Departments concerned.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether political advisers receive redundancy payment when they resume the same responsibilities(a) when the appointing Minister leaves his post and the appointment is renewed by his successor and (b) when the same Government are returned after a general election; and since 1986, how many political advisers have resumed their same responsibilities after a change of appointing Minister and after a general election.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Although each Minister's appointment of a special adviser is formally a new appointment, no severance payments are made if there is no break in the special adviser's service. Since 1986, special advisers have remained in post after a change of appointing Minister on eight occasions, including, in one case, following the 1992 general election.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. David Davis
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Television
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will hold discussions with independent television company representatives on the proposals that the Council of Europe approve a special study of the value of co-production at the regional level; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  I believe that the hon. Gentleman refers to the resolution, published in March 1993 by the Council of Europe standing conference of local and regional authorities of Europe, on the regional dimension of the European audiovisual area. This resolution proposed a study of regional television co-production. I understand that the project is still in its early stages, and I have not seen any detailed proposals. In these circumstances, a meeting with industry representatives would be premature.
  370

  Theatre in Education
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps his Department is taking to maintain and develop the educational and artistic methodology of theatre in education as a vehicle for educating children in social responsiveness and community responsibility.

  Mr. Brooke
  The methodology of theatre in education raises questions of educational and artistic judgment in which my Department does not become involved. The value, use and development of theatre in education are issues that need to be addressed by those agencies with a direct interest—local authorities and individual schools, and the arts councils and regional arts boards.

  Arts Venues
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how the advent of unitary authorities will affect the funding of venues with fewer than 400 seats.

  Mr. Brooke
  I maintain a close interest in the work of the Local Government Commission, although ministerial responsibility rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The funding of local authority controlled arts venues is a matter for the local authorities concerned.

  European Union
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he plans to put forward to enhance European cultural activities during the Greek presidency of the European Union.

  Mr. Brooke
  It is for the Greek presidency of the European Union to indicate what areas it wishes to give priority to during its presidency. The United Kingdom will participate fully in carrying forward the work of the Culture Council as a whole.

  London Orchestras
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent information he has about the Arts Council's policy towards funding the leading London orchestras; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Having undertaken a review of its support for the London orchestras, the Arts Council has decided that, in the immediate future, it will continue to concentrate funding on the London Symphony, Philharmonia and London Philharmonic orchestras. In addition, the Council has welcomed the emerging regional strategy of the Royal Philharmonic orchestra, for which it will also provide financial support.

  The Council will be discussing this approach, and its longer-term policies with the Philharmonia and London Philharmonic orchestras, and with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra. In formulating its policies, the Council will take account of the general review of orchestral provision now being undertaken jointly with the BBC, and of the timing of decisions to be taken by the South Bank Board on the future of the orchestral residency at the royal festival hall.

  Television (Children)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what evidence he has on the numbers of children watching after the 9 pm watershed.
  371
  Mr. Brooke
  Statistics on the make-up of television audiences are not collected by my Department, but the table sets out data, compiled by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board and interpreted by the BBC, on television viewing by children during a recent period.

  Estimated average numbers of children aged 4 to 15 years, watching TV channels (including satellite) after 9 pm in period 5 to 10 December 1993

  Million

  9.00 to 9.30 pm

  2·0

  9.30 to 10.00 pm

  1·8

  10.00 to 10.30 pm

  1·1

  10.30 to 11.00 pm

  0·7

  11.00 to 11.30 pm

  0·5

  11.30 to 12.00 pm

  0·3

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Joy Gardner
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce the outcome of his internal review of deportation policies and procedures following the death of Joy Gardner; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) on 12 January,Official Report, columns 212–13.

  Vehicle Theft
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange to publish statistics showing separate figures for reported thefts of(a) cars and motorcycles, (b) light commercial vehicles and vans and (c) heavy commercial vehicles.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information collected centrally relates to the total number of offences of theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle recorded by the police. It is not possible to identify the type of vehicle stolen and there are no plans to collect such information.

  Football (Arrests and Ejections)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the Carling premiership and Endsleigh Insurance league clubs together with the total season's attendance at(a) matches played in the Carling premiership and Endsleigh Insurance leagues and (b) matches played in the FA cup, Coca-Cola cup and Autoglass trophy with the total numbers of (i) arrests, (ii) ejections and (iii) arrests plus ejections as a percentage of the total attendance at each category of such matches, accurate to four decimal places, for the seasons 1991–92 and 1992–93; and if he will make a statement on attendance rates and arrest rates at each category of such matches.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  372

  Interception of Communications
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warrants were issued under section 2 of the Interception of Communications Act 1985 in each year since 1986; and how many such warrants are still in operation.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The numbers of warrants issued by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland and of those remaining in force at the end of each year are published in the annual reports of the commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has on the level of involvement in serious road accidents of persons found to be under the influence of alcohol while being below the legal limit of intoxification for driving a car in each year from 1980.

  Mr. Maclean
  The only available information relates to the years 1987 to 1991 and was published in Home Office statistical bulletins "Breath Test Statistics". This suggests that the following percentages of persons were found to be below the legal limit in England and Wales when required to submit to an evidential test following a positive roadside screening breath test after a road accident:

  Per cent.

  1987

  15

  1988

  14

  1989

  13

  1990

  14

  1991

  14

  Homosexual Offences
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions and convictions there have been involving homosexual offences committed by consenting persons in private over the past five years where any person involved was aged between 16 and 21 years of age.

  Mr. Maclean
  The table gives information on consensual acts of buggery or attempted buggery of a male of, or over 21, with another male under the age of 21, with consent—Sexual Offences Act 1956, section 12 as amended by the Sexual Offences Act 1967, section 3(1).

  Number of persons prosecuted and convicted for consensual sexual offences1, 1998–92

  England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Year

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  1988

  19

  24

  1989

  8

  17

  1990

  10

  9

  1991

  19

  10

  1992

  14

  12

  1Buggery or attempted buggery of a male of, or over 21 with another male under the age of 21 with consent.

  373

  Game Shooters
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to ensure that all game bird shooters have a licence to shoot;

  (2) how many prosecutions of game bird shooters have taken place under the Game Licence Act 1860 in each of the last five years; and what plans he has to more rigorously enforce the Act;

  (3) how many game licences have been issued in each of the last five years; and what proportion this represents of the number of game bird shooters.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is as follows:

  Game Licences issued, 1988–89 to 1992–93

  Number

  1988–89

  40,600

  1989–90

  43,600

  1990–91

  43,300

  1991–92

  46,700

  1992–93

  43,900

  There is no information currently available on the extent of licence evasion.

  Defendants proceeded against in magistrates' courts for offences under the Game Licence Act 1860, 1988–92

  England and Wales

  Number

  1988

  61

  1989

  76

  1990

  86

  1991

  76

  1992

  70

  Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police.

  We are currently consulting interested groups to see how far the game licences continue to meet their original objectives of combatting poaching and enforcing the statutory close seasons, or whether there may be better means of achieving the same object.

  Murder
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been murdered or are suspected to have been murdered by members of their immediate families or by those with whom they have been placed in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Maclean
  The table shows the number of offences currently recorded as homicide in England and Wales where the victims were persons under the age of 16 years and the suspect was the parent, other relative or a child minder or nurse:

  Year

  Number

  1983

  57

  1984

  62

  1985

  79

  1986

  37

  1987

  58

  1988

  80

  1989

  47

  1990

  51

  374

  Year

  Number

  1991

  76

  1992

  59

  Children at Risk
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to ensure that local police officers are informed of the names and addresses of all children recorded as being at risk; and if he will advise all police forces and local authority social services departments that it is essential for relevant information to be passed both organisations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Detailed guidance on liaison arrangements between the police, social services departments, and other agencies concerned with child protection is contained in "Working Together: A guide to arrangements for inter-agency co-operation for the protection of children from abuse" which was published by the Government in October 1991. Copies were distributed to all police forces. This document emphasises the importance of sharing information between agencies and the requirements of confidentiality. The detailed arrangements are a matter for local operational decision.

  Mr. Stefan Kiszko
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Lancashire police commenced their investigation into the conviction of Stefan Kiszko; when he expects it to be complete; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The investigation started on 10 May 1991. A report was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service on 3 June 1993, and is now under consideration.

  Organised Crime
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into organised crime and protection racketeering in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have no plans to do so. However, the hon. Member may be aware of an inquiry into organised crime currently being undertaken by the Home Affairs Committee to examine the threat from organised crime and to consider the most effective ways of responding to that threat.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has been given by the chief constable of Northumbria regarding the prevalence of protection rackets and organised crime in his region.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The chief constable is aware of media reports about organised crime in his force area. He acknowledges that protection rackets do exist in some parts of Tyne and Wear. Concerted efforts are being made by Northumbria police to tackle this type of crime. These are operational matters for which the chief constable is responsible.
  375
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal with protection rackets in the leisure industry in major cities.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The investigation of alleged criminal offences is an operational matter for inividual chief officers of police.

  Mr. Tony Bland
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make available in the Library the post-mortem report and any specialised pathology reports relating to the case of the late Mr. Tony Bland;

  (2) whether it is his usual policy to publish post-mortem and pathology reports relating to inquests which are held; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the normal period which elapses between the death of a patient in accidental or unnatural circumstances and the holding of an inquest into that death.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Coroners always endeavour to open inquests into deaths reported to them as soon as is reasonably possible.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long elapsed between the death of Mr. Tony Bland and the completion of the inquest into his death; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the West Yorkshire (West) coroner that Mr. Bland died on 3 March 1993. The inquest into his death was opened the following day and adjourned to await the outcome of relevant legal proceedings. The inquest was resumed on 21 December 1993 and concluded on the same day. Coroners are independent judicial officers and Ministers have no authority to intervene in or comment on the way in which a coroner carries out his duties in any individual case.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his Departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Howard
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  Police Authorities
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to select the five members of each police authority whom he will be required to appoint under the provisions of the Police and Magistrates Court Bill ; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Members of the public will be able to put themselves forward for appointment as independent 376
  members of a police authority. To assist people to decide whether they have the qualities to undertake the duties of a police authority member, I am publishing today a job description and personal profile against which candidates' suitability for appointment will be considered.

  Job Description

  The main tasks of a police authority will be:

  To establish the local priorities for policing in consultation with the Chief Constable.

  To ensure that there are effective arrangements for consulting local communities about policing and for reflecting those views in local policing priorities.

  To set the total budget for policing for the year.

  To approve and publish a costed plan for policing. The police authority will need to ensure that the plan is designed to deliver both the Government's key objectives and those which are set locally.

  To monitor the financial and other performance of the police force during the year in terms of key and local objectives and targets.

  To maintain a dialogue with the Home Office about the achievement of key and local objectives for policing.

  To publish annual performance results in a standard form to allow comparison of performance against other forces.

  To participate in the selection of senior police officers.

  To participate in the selection of senior civilian staff, both for the force and the authority itself.

  Members of a police authority will be expected to:

  Act on behalf of local people as the "customer" of the service which the police force provides.

  Consult the public about the work of the police force.

  Help to build a partnership between the police and the local community.

  In achieving these aims, members of the authority will be expected to:

  Attend all meetings of the police authority.

  Attend meetings of any sub-committees of the authority as appropriate.

  Prepare for these meetings by reading papers, reports and background information in advance and by keeping abreast of developments both locally and nationally in the policing sphere.

  Represent the policy authority in discussions with:

  other police authorities

  staff associations

  local government

  central government

  any other groups with an interest in policing matters.

  Attend local police consultative groups as appropriate. Consult with representatives of the local community about issues relating to policing.

  It is envisaged that the above duties will require a minimum commitment of 18 days a year. Most commitments will be on weekdays, on some occasions during the evenings.

  There is a statutory obligation on police authority members to set a lawful budget each year. Failure to do so may lead to a member being surcharged if auditors consider that the authority suffered a financial loss as a consequence.

  Appointments will be made for a period not exceeding four years.

  Police Authority Members are not paid but are entitled to receive an allowance and expenses relating to the work they undertake on the Authority's business.

  Personal Profile

  Potential candidates should be at least 21 years old, be under 70 years of age at the expiration of their term of appointment and be of good character. They should also meet the following criteria:

  They should live or work in the area for which the authority is responsible.

  They should possess good communication skills. They should have good financial skills.

  They should be able to demonstrate the ability to challenge accepted views in a constructive way.

  They should have an understanding of the needs of the community with regard to policing and of the pressures and challenges which face the police themselves.

  They should have the skills and experience which would broaden the expertise available to the authority.

  377

  Police Authorities should include members from a wide range of backgrounds and experience and should reflect the composition of the society they serve.

  All applications received will be considered in the first instance by one of six regional short-listing panels. Each regional panel will consist of a professional recruitment consultant and two people independent of Government.

  I shall select those I wish to appoint as members of police authorities from the short-list for each authority submitted by the regional panels.

  The involvement of people independent of Government in the short-listing procedure, and the publication of the selection criteria for these appointments emphasise the Government's aim that the five independent members of each police authority should be truly independent, and bring to their authorities a broader range of skills and experience.

  We are consulting the Association of Lord-Lieutenants about their possible involvement in the short-listing procedure.

  Juveniles (Secure Accommodation)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the powers of the courts to direct that juveniles who are remanded to local authority accommodation should be held in secure conditions.

  Mr. Howard
  I intend shortly to introduce an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill 1993, which would allow the courts to exercise such a power in relation to all juveniles who are at least 12 but not more than 16 years old, in accordance with the existing statutory criteria for its use in relation to 15 and 16-year-olds.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Sustainable Energy Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to meet the Association of County Councils to discuss its recent paper on a sustainable energy policy, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Eggar
  The association will discuss its paper with my officials in February.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Defence and the Lord Chancellor, or their deputies or officials of their Departments, in regard to the withholding of departmental records inherited from the former Ministry of Power and Ministry of Fuel and Power, on Anglo-American arrangements for the import and export of nuclear materials to and from the United States, under the provisions of section 3(4) of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967, in preparation for the most recent release of official papers from the Public Records Office.

  Mr. Eggar
  The decision to approve the retention of records or to prescribe a closure period of longer than 30 years, in accordance with the criteria established under the Public Records Acts, is made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor on the advice of the Advisory 378
  Council on Public Records and of his officials in the Public Record Office. Applications are made by the relevant departmental officials in consultation with colleagues in other Departments as appropriate.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with his counterparts on the EC Council of Ministers in regard to communicating to the American nuclear industrial trade organisations the European Community's policy on obtaining a one-time waiver comprising prior consent for a programme of approval for reprocessing US nuclear fuel in European reprocessing plants after 1995.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Corby Development Area
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been paid by his Department under the Industry Act 1972 and subsequent related legislation in each year to companies in the Corby development area.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Details of payments to companies in the Corby travel-to-work area under the original and revised regional development grants scheme; regional selective assistance and regional enterprise grants, are as follows:

  £ million

  1980–81

  0·3

  1981–82

  3·4

  1982–83

  9·3

  1983–84

  12·6

  1984–85

  7·2

  1985–86

  7·2

  1986–87

  9·9

  1987–88

  8·0

  1988–89

  8·5

  1989–90

  8·9

  1990–91

  4·9

  1991–92

  1·9

  1992–93

  1·0

  1993–94

  0·7

  Aggregate information about payments to companies under other sections of the Industry Act 1972 and its successors is not available at a sub-regional level.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what export licences were granted in 1993 for arms or arms-related equipment to Indonesia.

  Mr. Needham
  In 1993, 51 licences were issued for goods listed in schedule 1 part III group 1 of the Export of Goods Control Order 1992.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of imports and exports with Indonesia in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is given in the table:

  United Kingdom trade with Indonesia

  Year

  United Kingdom imports £ millions

  United Kingdom exports £ millions

  1983

  169·4

  193·6

  1984

  181·5

  186·7

  1985

  156·5

  175·3

  379

  Year

  United Kingdom imports £ millions

  United Kingdom exports £ millions

  1986

  141·2

  196·5

  1987

  144·8

  236·0

  1988

  233·7

  203·3

  1989

  273·1

  183·9

  1990

  327·9

  198·0

  1991

  415·2

  198·0

  1992

  536·0

  312·8

  Source: Business Monitor MA20, Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

  Jetstream
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of his meeting, and the meetings between officers of his Department, with the management of Jetstream; what representations he is making to the European Commission as a result of these meetings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The managing director of Jetstream has had meetings with myself and my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade. As a result, discussions are taking place on whether DTI can further help promote Jetstream's export campaigns, while the European Commission has been asked to look at possible examples of unfair competition.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Eggar
  The effect on my Department's budget of the abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate is likely to be more than offset by the reduction in employers' national insurance contributions.

  Departmental Organisation
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to consolidate the organisation of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  I have today announced further changes to consolidate the DTI's organisation along the lines initiated in July 1992, to take effect on 1 March 1994. The changes mark another step in restructuring the Department to ensure that it is best placed to fulfil my principal objective of helping United Kingdom business to win in world markets.

  The principal changes are:
  The main division sponsoring industrial sectors will be grouped under one Deputy Secretary.
  In recognition of the vital importance of innovation and the policies in the recent White Paper on science, engineering and technology, DTI's work on technology development will be integrated more closely with its promotion of industrial competitiveness; its work on technology transfer and the spreading of management best practice will be brought together with the work to assist small and medium-sized enterprises and develop the business link network.
  The divisions dealing with export promotion will be grouped under the director general, export promotion.
  The Invest in Britain Bureau's successful efforts are to be reinforced by establishing it as a separate division of the DTI under a new chief executive.
  380
  The Offshore Supplies Office will become the new Oil and Gas Projects and Supplies Office. It will have a wider remit covering oil and gas market opportunities at home and abroad both upstream and downstream including petrochemicals. It will continue its existing work to ensure that United Kingdom suppliers take full advantage of North sea market opportunities, working closely with the DTI's energy divisions, under the Minister for Energy. It will, in addition, have a new task of exploiting opportunities for major overseas projects as well as other export opportunities working as part of the DTI's export promotion effort, under the Minister for Trade.

  Science and Technology Adviser
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to maintain a post of chief adviser on science and technology; and to which official he intends the Innovation Unit to report.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [pursuant to the reply, 14 December, c. 612]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns). Following the reorganisation of the work of the Department on innovation, I shall not be appointing a successor to Dr. Robinson when he returns to the private sector in March. Within the new structure, the innovation unit will report direct to the head of the industry command.

  Local Authority Enforcement Functions
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for a review of overlapping local authority enforcement functions; and what the terms of reference for such a review will be.

  Mr. Heseltine
  In response to concerns of business, and following the announcement after the Prime Minister's last progress meeting on deregulation, that ways of eliminating duplication between enforcement agencies should be reviewed, the Government have decided that there should be a review of the enforcement functions of local authorities. This review has started today with the following terms of reference:To investigate the organisational arrangements for the enforcement functions of local authorities, except insofar as they relate to fire safety, and to report on the scope for minimising business compliance costs and enforcement costs, as well as reducing inconsistencies in enforcement by removing any duplication and improving co-ordination within and between enforcement functions. The study should:

  (a) review experience of co-ordination of enforcement, particularly within existing unitary authorities and also within and between other authorities;

  (b) assess the scope for wider-coordination of regulatory functions by all authorities; and

  (c) make recommendations on the means available to central and local government to promote good practice.

  The scrutiny will report to Ministers within the 90 working days which are allowed under efficiency scrutiny guidelines.

  The Secretary of State for the Environment and I will be the supervising Ministers for the scrutiny. The scrutiny team will be advised by a steering group which will include officials from interested Government Departments together with representatives of the local authority associations.
  381

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for a review of the enforcement agencies for fire safety matters; and what the terms of reference for such a review will be.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Following the announcement after the Prime Minister's last progress meeting on deregulation, that ways of eliminating duplication between enforcement agencies should be reviewed, and in response to concerns of business such as those of the deregulation task force for the construction industry, the Government have decided that there should be a review of those enforcement agencies responsible for fire safety. This review has started today with the following terms of reference:Taking account of the review of the operation and effectiveness of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 recently undertaken by the Home Office, to review the operation and effectiveness of all legislation for which Home Office, DOE and HSE have policy responsibility in relation to fire safety; to review the organisation arrangements of all relevant bodies and agencies, including local authorities, responsible for enforcing this legislation; and to make recommendations.
  The study should identify any areas of overlap, duplication or lack of clarity between the responsibilities of enforcement bodies, and should recommend ways of dealing with them. It should also address the practicability of bringing all policy responsibility for fire safety together in a single Department.

  The scrutiny will report to Ministers within the 90 working days which are allowed under efficiency scrutiny guidelines.

  The Home Secretary, Secretary of State for the Environment, Secretary of State for Employment and I will be the supervising Ministers for the scrutiny.. The scrutiny team will be advised by a steering group which will include officials from interested Government Departments. The steering group which will be assisted by a contact group representing the interests of business users, constructors, the insurance industry and the various enforcement interests.

  British Coal
  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions he has reached about arrangements for the future of concessionary fuel entitlements after the privatisation of British Coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  In October, the Government published a consultation paper on proposals for future concessionary fuel arrangements after privatisation of British Coal. Comments were received from coal industry unions, other organisations and a number of individuals.

  Careful consideration has been given to all responses to the consultation paper. In the light of these responses, the Government have decided to pursue the proposals which were set out in the consultation paper.

  Responsibility for meeting the entitlements of former British Coal employees and their dependants would be transferred at privatisation to the Secretary of State. The Coal Industry Bill which was introduced into the House on 2 December would provide powers for the Secretary of State to make payments necessary for securing these entitlements. The total liability to be assumed by the tax-payer would be in the region of £1,500 million.

  Responsibility for supplying concessionary fuel to employees transferred to successor companies would pass to those companies. The Coal Industry Bill would provide the powers for these transfers by means of restructuring
  382
  schemes. The schemes would place a contractual obligation on successor companies to honour the concessionary fuel entitlements of persons transferred to their employment.

  In order to achieve continuity in the administration of concessionary fuel entitlements, the Government have decided that the National Concessionary Fuel Office—NCFO—part of British Coal's pensions and insurance centre in Sheffield—PIC—should continue to administer such entitlements for at least four years after the main privatisation of British Coal. The PIC would be privatised within a year or so of the main privatisation.

  As far as continuing employees are concerned, it would be for successor companies to ensure satisfactory administrative arrangements in respect of concessionary fuel entitlements of British Coal employees who transfer to their employment. If required, the NCFO would be able to provide a concessionary fuel administration service to successor companies.

  The Government believe that these proposals meet in full their commitment to safeguard the entitlements of past and present employees of British Coal, and their dependants, to concessionary fuel or cash in lieu after privatisation.

  Export Licences
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what information he has on the export of Heckler and Koch machine guns from the United Kingdom to the United Arab Emirates in 1987; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will now publish details of all export licences granted to Royal Ordnance between 1980 and 1993; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what information he has on the export of Heckler and Koch weapons from the United Kingdom to the former Yugoslavia in 1992; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what information he has relating to the exports of Royal Ordnance to (a) the United Arab Emirates, (b) central America, (c) the former Yugoslavia and (d) the former East Germany; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what information he has relating to the export of ethyl cellulose by Royal Ordnance in 1989; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what is his policy regarding the collection and publication of information on the export of weapons by Heckler and Koch from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: It has been the policy of successive administrations not to disclose details of an individual company's export licence applications, which are submitted to my Department in confidence.

  Trade Barriers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy towards negotiating bilateral agreements with(a) Russia, (b) Hungary and (c) the Czech Republic in relation to reducing tariff or other trade barriers on agricultural products and food manufactured products; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.
  383
  The negotiation of trade agreements is undertaken on behalf of the Community by the European Commission, working from mandates approved by the Council of Ministers. Europe agreements have been concluded both with Hungary and the Czech Republic, as well as with Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. These provide access to the Community market at concessionary rates of import charge for a wide range of agricultural and processed agricultural products, as well as favourable access terms for the Community's farm exports to their markets. The United Kingdom strongly supported the negotiation of these agreements which should help the development of more market-oriented economic structures in those countries.

  Russia benefits from certain agricultural concessionary arrangements under the Community's generalised scheme of preference. Negotiations are currently under way for a partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia. This agreement does not contain specific trade concessions but does hold out the possibility of a free trade agreement in the future.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid (Kenya)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new British aid projects are now being considered in discussions with the Kenyan Government.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are discussing new projects in many areas including health and family planning, education, agriculture and wildlife, transport and the police.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions Her Majesty's Government are currently making towards the lifting of mines in Cambodia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since October 1991, we have provided nearly £500,000 for demining in Cambodia. and we are currently contributing in addition some £135,000.

  Brazil (Street Children)
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government have given to projects in Brazil concerned with assisting former street children.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since 1992, we have committed over £400,000 to projects which assist Brazilian street children. This assistance is largely channelled through United Kingdom non-governmental organisations such as Childhope, Womankind and Oxfam.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how aid is being affected by the political situation in Nigeria.
  384
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Existing aid projects continue and we are reviewing the rest of our programme. A £23·3 million grant to the power sector has been cancelled.

  Sudan
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the impact of conflict in Sudan on the United Kingdom"s aid programme to that area.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We closed our aid projects in southern Sudan in 1986 due to the conflict. In 1991, the continuing civil war was one factor in the decision to terminate our aid programme completely.

  South Africa
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the United Kingdom is doing to help the training of the police and crowd control marshals in South Africa, with particular reference to election monitoring.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following a successful pilot project, we have agreed to help train marshals in crowd control at a cost of £750,000. We also plan to train 6,000 peace monitors who will be deployed during the elections at a cost of some £830,000. In addition we shall contribute to the activities of the new electoral unit to be set up in South Africa by the European Union, and consider any specific requests from the South African Independent Electoral Commission.

  World Bank
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the accountability of the World bank and the International Monetary Fund to Parliament; and what plans he has to make changes to improve accountability to national Parliaments.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The World bank and the IMF are accountable to their shareholders, including the United Kingdom. The Government are accountable to Parliament for payments made to these institutions. These arrangements work and we therefore have no current plans to change them.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the report, "Adjustment in Sub-Saharan Africa" published by the operations evaluations department of the World bank on 30 June 1993.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Individual evaluations produced by the operations evaluation department—OED—of the World bank are not published, but summaries of selected reports highlighting the main findings and lessons are released. Publication of the summary of the OED report on adjustment in sub-Saharan Africa is imminent, and a copy will be placed in each Library of the House as soon as it is received.
  385

HEALTH

  NHS Employees
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to health authorities regarding procedures for suspension of NHS employees and the length of time in which formal disciplinary inquiries should be instigated, where such an inquiry is to take place.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Disciplinary proceedings for national health service staff employed on national terms and conditions of service are governed by section 40 of the General Whitley Council's handbook, a copy of which is available in the Library. This provides a framework within which employing authorities determine local disciplinary procedures.

  Guidance on disciplinary procedures for hospital medical and dental and community medical staff, where questions of professional conduct or professional competence are involved, was issued to employing authorities in departmental circular HC(90)9, copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of all individuals appointed to chair NHS trusts and serve as non-executive directors, listing their occupation and sex.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital allocations have been awarded to each NHS trust in the Northern region for 1994–95.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Capital allocations to national health service trusts are not yet complete. An announcement about the issue of trust external financing limits, which control trust capital spending, will be made shortly.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish estimates of the amount of money held in trust funds by(a) district and (b) region.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  Mr. Critchley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals are at present engaged in community activities in order to raise money to purchase a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Surgeons' Assistants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on cardiac surgeons' assistants.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This interesting development is being evaluated at the Churchill John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford. The Royal College of Surgeons is closely involved in the scheme and it will be discussed with the medical profession in the joint consultants committee shortly.
  386

  Optician Registered Premises
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many optician registered premises there were in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of ophthalmic opticians premises1 for the five most recent years for which figures are available is as follows:

  at 31 December

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  England

  Ophthalmic opticians premises2

  4,970

  4,944

  4,887

  4,944

  4,927

  Other3

  —

  —

  735

  734

  832

  Total

  —

  —

  5,622

  5,678

  5,759

  Wales

  Ophthalmic opticians premises

  349

  345

  330

  353

  358

  Other

  —

  —

  56

  51

  47

  Total

  —

  —

  386

  404

  405

  1 Between 1986 and 1989, data were not collected on those premises not classified as 'Ophthalmic Opticians' premises. In 1990, information on all premises was collected. As a result, it became apparent that some family health services authorities were wrongly classifying some premises as 'Ophthalmic Opticians'. These figures should therefore be used with care.

  2Premises where the owner or manager is registered with the General Optical Council as an ophthalmic optician.

  3 Premises where the owner or manager is not registered with the General Optical Council as an ophthalmic optician.

  Female Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many female consultants there were in the national health service on 1 January; and what was the Opportunity 2000 target for female consultants in the national health service by 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  Most recent figures available are that there were 2,822 female consultants in the national health service as at 30 September 1992. The Opportunity 2000 target is that 20 per cent. of all consultants should be female by 1994.

  Dentists
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were salaried in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of salaried dentists in England at 30 September

  Year

  Number of salaried dentists

  1989

  36

  1990

  33

  1991

  27

  1992

  65

  1993

  93

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of general practitioner fundholders have spent more than their budgets for 1992–93.
  387
  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not yet available centrally. The Department is awaiting finally audited figures on fundholder expenditure from some regions.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to be able to publish a regional breakdown of the 1992–93 allocations retained by general practitioner fundholders.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  These figures are not yet available centrally, as the Department is awaiting finally audited figures from some regions. When these are available, the regional information will be published.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it remains her policy that hospital treatment should be made available equally to the patients of fundholding and non-fundholding general practices and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  All patients are entitled to expect high-quality health care, regardless of whether the treatment is paid for by a fundholding general practitioner, or a district health authority on behalf of the general practitioner.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has received from right hon. and hon. Members identifying instances where is it alleged that different priority in the allocation of treatment is given to the patients of fundholding and non-fundholding general practices; and if she will in each case identify the establishment allegedly operating any such two-tier system.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  According to our records, six parliamentary questions—excluding my hon. Friend's—and 61 letters from hon. Members have been answered in the current financial year.

  At 31 December

  England1

  Wales1

  Ophthalmic opticians

  Ophthalmic medical practitioners

  Total

  Ophthalmic opticians

  Ophthalmic medical practitioners

  Total

  1988

  5,378

  832

  6,210

  419

  47

  466

  1989

  5,514

  784

  6,298

  436

  43

  479

  1990

  5,652

  779

  6,431

  461

  46

  507

  1991

  5,745

  757

  6,502

  471

  50

  521

  1992

  5,863

  738

  6,601

  477

  53

  530

  1 Practitioners are generally counted only once even if they have a contract with more than one family health services authority. If however, they have contracts in both England and Wales, they will appear in figures for both countries.

  Confidentiality
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she first announced a plan to publish a code of confidentiality for the NHS; what progress has been made; and if she will publish the draft NHS Management Executive document on confidentiality, use and disclosure on NHS information.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1984 and in 1989, the Government issued consultation documents on a draft code of practice for handling personal health information. After failure to achieve consensus on this code the Government decided instead to prepare guidance on the matter. This was announced in the reply given by my hon. Friend the
  388
  The establishments named were:

  Addenbrookes Hospital (twice), Cambridge

  Kidderminster General, Kidderminster

  Lister Hospital, Stevenage and Queen Elizabeth H Hospital Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire

  Luton and Dunstable Hospital Trust, Luton

  Norfolk Acute Hospitals Trust, Norwich

  Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Headington

  Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex

  Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford

  Royal United Hospital Trust, Wiltshire

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London

  St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey

  South Warwickshire General Hospital Trust, Warwick

  Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury

  Watford General, Watford

  Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal and Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

  Cigarette Advertising
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of the effect of a ban on cigarette promotion on levels of smoking.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health discussion document "Effect of tobacco advertising on tobacco consumption" reviewed the evidence on the effect of tobacco bans in other countries. The report makes no estimate of the effect of an advertising ban in the United Kingdom. Copies of the report, published in October 1992, are available in the Library.

  Opticians
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many opticians were registered with family health services authorities in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of ophthalmic opticians and ophthalmic medical practitioners registered in the five most recent years for which figures are available is:

  Member for Loughborough (Mr. Dorrell) to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 13 1991 at column 509. There have beeb compelx legal issues to resolve, but we hope to issue the guidance for consultation before the end of March.

  Midwifery
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her Department's policy on the establishment by Leeds university of a chair of midwifery which is open to non-midwives; and if she will make a statement about the funding of this post.

  Mr. Sackville
  The qualifications required for appointment to the chair of midwifery are a matter for the university funding the chair to determine.
  389
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what communication she has had with the director of research and development about advertisement for the chair of midwifery at Leeds university being open to non-midwives; and if she will comment about his views.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to restructure the Medicines Control Agency; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Medicines Control Agency became an executive agency in July 1991 and a Government trading fund in April 1993. In accordance with the usual arrangements, and as announced in the next steps review 1993, we shall be conducting a review of the performance and operation of the Medicines Control Agency for completion within three and a half years of the agency's launch—that is, by early 1995.

  GP Night Fees
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is required on the form on which general practitioners claim night fees.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department of Health has issued a model form for completion by general practitioners claiming night visit fees. However, individual family health services authorities are free to amend this form to ask for additional information if they The model form asks for details of the GP making the visit, including FHSA code number, and his or her relationship to the patient's own GP; the patient's personal details, including national health service number and date of birth; place of attendance; and confirmation that the visit was requested and made between the hours of 10pm and 8am; additionally, if more than one patient was seen on the same visit to one place, details for each patient are requested.

  Christmas Cards
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many official Christmas cards were sent out in 1993 by(a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) staff of Government agencies working in or to his Department; and how much these cards cost (i) to buy, (ii) to post and (iii) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes.

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

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who are those people currently appointed to serve on regional health authorities.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Non-executive chairmen and members of regional health authorities are as listed. The appointment of executive members to regional health authorities is a matter for the authorities themselves.

  EAST ANGLIAN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir Colin Walker

  Non-executive members

  Mrs. J. Hopwood

  390

  Professor Sir David Peters

  Mr. J. Mowson

  Mr. L. Rice

  Mrs. S. Sida-Lockett

  MERSEY REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir Donald Wilson

  Non-executive members

  Professor Alistair Breckenridge

  Mrs. R. Hawley

  Mrs. J. Timms

  Mr. J. Halliday

  Mr. B. Jenkins

  NORTH EAST THAMES REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir William Staveley

  Non-executive members

  Mr. P. Holwell

  Baroness Gardner of Parkes

  Major General R. Wall

  Dr. Mollie McBride

  Mr. B. Davis

  NORTHERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Mr. P. Car

  Non-executive members

  Mr. A. Brown

  Professor Michael Rawlins

  Mr. R. Spoor

  Mrs. J. Flanagan

  Mrs. S. Irvine

  NORTH WESTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir Bruce Martin

  Non-executive members

  Mr. C. Jeanes

  Dr. Arup Banerjee

  Professor Stephen Tomlinson

  Professor Janet Finch

  (Vacancy)

  NORTH WEST THAMES REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir William Doughty

  Non-executive members

  Mrs. J. Stern

  Mrs. J. Hanham

  Mr. J. Taylor

  Mr. R. Gain

  Professor Stewart Sutherland

  OXFORD REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Dr. Stuart Burgess

  Non-executive members

  Professor Sir David Weatherall

  Mr. P. Gell

  Mr. N. Ward

  Mrs. V. Rubinstein

  (Vacancy)

  SOUTH EAST THAMES REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Mr. P. W. Barker

  Non-executive members

  Mr. G. Neely

  Professor Arthur Lucas

  Mrs. J. Rodin

  Ms S. Reeve

  Dame Wendy Mitchell

  SOUTH WESTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Ms R. Fritchie

  Non-executive members

  Mr. U. A. Woodburn

  391

  Mr. D. Strachan

  Sir John Kingman

  Dame Margaret Fry

  Ms N. Pain

  SOUTH WEST THAMES REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Professor Marian Hicks

  Non-executive members

  Ms S. Stapley

  Professor John Lacey

  Mr. G. Howe

  Mrs. M. McNaughton

  Ms L. McGoldrick

  TRENT REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir Michael Carlisle

  Non-executive members

  Mr. M. Dessau

  Professor Sir Colin Campbell

  Mrs. P. Wildgoose

  Mr. G. Clemons (Vacancy)

  WESSEX REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Mr. A. Service

  Non-executive members

  Sir Julian Oswald

  Dr. Dale Ferguson-Hudson

  Mr. P. Waring

  Ms F. Sheldon (Vacancy)

  WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Mr. B. Baker

  Non-executive members

  Mrs. E. Metcalfe

  Professor Sir Michael Thompson

  Mr. B. Sedghi

  Ms J. Cravos

  Mr. D. Rhead

  YORKSHIRE REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Chairman

  Sir Bryan Askew

  Non-executive members

  Mr. J. Fergusson

  Professor Stanley Brown

  Mrs. J. Barden

  Mr. M. Morgan

  Mrs. C. Trimmer

  Nuts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about the number of people suffering from an allergy to nuts and the number of deaths that have resulted in recent years.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Flu Vaccine
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the distribution of flu vaccine for 1993–94; and what relative priorities have been given to asthmatics, children, adults and the retired.

  Mr. Sackville
  For commercial reasons, a fifth of the expected supply of flu vaccine did not become available until 22 December 1993. Helpfully, however, additional production by licensed suppliers resulted in over 5 million 392
  doses being made available to the national health service prior to this date compared with 4·7 million in 1992–93. Supplies of influenza vaccine are still available.

  As in previous years, the chief medical officer wrote to all general practitioners in 1993–94 giving advice about available vaccines and about people most at risk for whom immunisation is recommended, including asthmatics. Routine immunisation of children and fit and healthy older people is not recommended unless there are particular risk factors. The final decision in individual cases rests with the GP.

  Private Health Care
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about the number of people using private health care(a) by region and (b) by district health authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally.

  Patient Complaints
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish a regional breakdown of written patient complaints for 1992–93.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information should be available by the end of March 1994.

  NHS Estates
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out the terms of reference for the review of the role and functions of the NHS estates; and when she expects the review to be completed.

  Mr. Sackville
  The terms of reference, including the time scale, for the review of the national health service estates agency are as follows.

  REVIEW OF THE NHS ESTATES AGENCY

  Terms of Reference

  I. To carry out a review of the NHS Estates Agency by the end of June 1994, by

  1. evaluating the following:

  (a) the appropriateness of the aims and objectives of the agency

  (b) the agency's performance in meeting its targets

  (c) the appropriateness of the delegations available to the agency

  (d) the efficiency and economy of the agency's internal operations, including its personnel, management and financial systems

  (e) the impact of agency status on the agency's activities in relation to the Department of Health and its Ministers

  (f) the impact of agency status on the agency's and Department's relationship with Parliament and the public;

  2. reconsidering the prior options for the status of the agency;

  3. depending on the outcome of 1 and 2 above, revising the agency's framework document as appropriate.

  II. to report to Ministers according to the agreed timetable, consulting the Office of Public Services and Science and the Treasury as necessary.
  393

  Runaway Children
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will direct area child protection committees to undertake monitoring of the scale of the problem of young runaways in each area and ensure that proper inter-agency arrangements are in place to respond effectively.

  Mr. Bowis
  Government guidance on the role and functions of area child protection committees—ACPCs—is given in "Working Together under the Children Act 1989" and we have no plans to issue specific guidance to ACPCs on young runaways. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has made to the report of the Children's Society on young runaways, a copy of which has been sent to her.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has just received a copy of the report of the Children's Society on young runaways and will study it with interest.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon her departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Sackville
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employer's national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's running costs baseline.

  Oldchurch Hospital, Romford
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number and nature of representations she has received relating to Oldchurch hospital, Romford.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a petition of some 46,000 signatures and some 17,000 pre-printed letters and postcards from members of the public, as well as a number of letters from individuals and hon. Members.

  In-vitro Fertilisation
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement indicating her policy on the use of ova from aborted babies to enable babies to be conceived through in vitro fertilisation; and if she will identify precisely those sections of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 which would effectively prevent the adoption of such techniques.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government welcome the consultation document on the use of ovarian tissue, including fetal ovarian tissue, in the treatment of infertility issued on 7 January by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. This wide-ranging consultation will give the public and professional interests time to consider all aspects of this complex and sensitive area. We look forward to receiving advice from the authority in due course, when we can consider what action, if any, is required.
  394
  Under Section 3 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, it is an offence to create, keep or use an embryo without a licence. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority stated that no licence would be granted where the in vitro fertilisation involved fetal eggs.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each year since 1990 the expenditure on gross redundancy payments for(a) regions, (b) districts and (c) trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 14 December 1993]: The information is shown in the table.

  Revenue expenditure on gross redundancy payments in England

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  £

  £

  £

  Regional Health Authorities

  948,202

  2,720,438

  3,236,599

  District Health Authorities

  10,789,525

  25,875,532

  34,805,785

  NHS Trusts

  Not applicable

  3,674,860

  14,467,515

  Totals

  11,737,727

  32,270,650

  52,509,899

  Notes:

  Number of trusts as at: 1 April 1991—57

  Number of trusts as at: 1 April 1992—156

  Number of trusts as at: 1 April 1993—292

  The closure of psychiatric hospitals in connection with "Care in the Community" and management restructuring throughout the national health service are the main reasons for the increase in redundancy compensation payments. Section 45 of the General Whitley Council handbook establishes the redundancy compensation arrangements for NHS staff. Redundancy compensation takes the form of a lump sum dependent on the age and reckonable service of the employee at the date he or she ceases to be employed.

  Benefits
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total annual amount of money paid to claimants by way of health benefits; and how much was paid in each area of entitlement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: Holders of low income scheme charge remission certificates are entitled to receive national health services free or at a reduced cost as and when these are needed during the currency of a certificate; they do not receive a specified financial award. Certificate holders may also be entitled to refunds of travelling expenses incurred when attending hospital for national health service treatment and, within strict time limits, to refunds of charges paid before they claimed help from the low income scheme. Information about expenditure on these refunds is not collected centrally.

WALES

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the Welsh share of inward investment to the United Kingdom and the European Community.
  395
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1992–93, Wales had a 20 per cent. share of United Kingdom foreign investment projects. The comparable European figure is not available.

  Cardiff Wales Airport (Road Links)
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to secure the provision of an improved road link between Culverhouse cross and Cardiff Wales airport.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The responsibility for securing the good communications which are important to the continued success of Cardiff Wales airport rests with South Glamorgan county council. The Department would be prepared to consider a well substantiated case for transport grant support for major improvement to road links to the airport if the county council considered it of sufficient priority.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest information he has concerning the length of hospital waiting lists at(a) six months, (b) one year and (c) over one year.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The most recent detailed information on the length of hospital waiting lists in Wales and the increasing numbers of patients being treated is that shown in the Welsh "Hospital Waiting List Bulletin 1993", No. 2, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Economy
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement outlining the prospects for the Welsh economy during 1994.

  Mr. Redwood
  Welsh industry has extremely high productivity. We have seen a long-term trend of falling unemployment with a further fall of 1,800 in Wales last month; low inflation; low interest rates; and competitive exchange rates. All of these factors have given Welsh companies a competitive edge which they are using to the full. Welsh industry is in a strong position to take advantage of improving trading conditions both at home and overseas, which will be improved even further with the accord reached in the Uruguay round.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of unemployment in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  The seasonally adjusted number of claimant unemployed in Wales was 126,000 in December 1993. The number has fallen by 7,900 since January 1993.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the level of male and female unemployment in Wales at the latest available date.

  Mr. Redwood
  Seasonally adjusted, there were 99,600 males and 26,500 females who were claimant unemployed in Wales in December 1993.
  396

  Hill Sheep Farmers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will arrange to meet leaders of farmers' unions in Wales to discuss the acute problems facing hill sheep farmers.

  Mr. Redwood
  I meet the farming unions several times each year.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many managerial, nursing and midwife posts there were in the NHS, including trusts, in Wales in each year from 1988 to date.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information given as follows relates to staff numbers and not posts.

  Managerial staff1

  Nursing and midwifery staff

  Other

  Learners2

  Total

  1988

  3—

  24,583

  3,336

  27,920

  1989

  187

  24,919

  3,118

  28,037

  1990

  416

  25,018

  3,075

  28,093

  1991

  683

  25,028

  2,934

  27,962

  1992

  848

  25,451

  1,970

  27,421

  1993

  1,028

  25,206

  1,033

  26,239

  Notes:

  Figures given are the whole-time equivalent number of staff employed as at 30 September each year.

  Includes staff employed by the Welsh Health Common Services Authority and those Family Health Services Authorities using District Health Authority payroll systems.

  The use of locally devised payscales from 1991 onwards may affect the comparability of figures as these staff cannot be allocated centrally to a specific staff group and are not, therefore, included above.

  1General and senior managers. The growth in the number of these staff arises partly from the extension in 1989 of senior manager terms and conditions of service to second and third level managers including some senior nurses and other professional staff.

  2 Since the autumn of 1991 student nurses have been classified as students and are no longer included in the NHS staff figures. Staff included here are students finishing courses begun before this date. There were some 1,800 Project 2000 student nurses at September 1993.

  3 Comparable figures for years before 1989 are not available.

  North Wales Main Railway Line
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of British Rail to discuss improvements to the north Wales main railway line.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend last met Sir Bob Reid on 12 October 1992. They discussed a number of issues including the north Wales main line.

  Roads
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for further road building in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  On 14 December, my right hon. Friend announced that in 1993–94 work will start on the A465 Aberdulais-Glynneath improvement, the A4042 Llantarnam bypass, and the A40 Llandeilo northern bypass. Work has since started on the first two of these
  397
  schemes and tenders for the third are being assessed. In 1994–95 starts are planned for the A470 Pentrebach-Cefn Coed improvement, the A5 Glyn Bends improvement and the A40 Whitland bypass.

  My right hon. Friend is reviewing the strategic roads needs of Wales with the aim of accelerating the start of the more important schemes in the forward programme. He plans to make an announcement shortly.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of his local government settlement on the level of youth service provision in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The provisional local government revenue settlement for 1994–95 provides for local government spending of £2,704·8 million, an increase of 4·2 per cent. over 1993–94. The settlement is realistic in the present economic climate.

  Local authorities are responsible for determining their priorities for expenditure in the light of available resources and local needs, including the youth service.

  Health Authorities (Administration Costs)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much the administration of the Clwyd health authority and other authorities in Wales cost in the last year and in 1978 adjusted to 1992 prices.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is as follows. The table gives the cost of administration for health authorities in Wales for 1992–93—the last year for which data are available—and for 1978–79 adjusted to 1992–93 prices.

  £ thousands

  Health authority

  1992–93

  1978–79

  Clwyd

  3,615

  4,198

  East Dyfed/Pembrokeshire

  2,804

  4,687

  Gwent

  3,729

  6,312

  Gwynedd

  2,080

  3,337

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,372

  7,321

  Powys

  2,248

  1,870

  South Glamorgan

  7,101

  6,923

  West Glamorgan

  2,605

  4,584

  Source: Summarised Accounts of Health Authorities in Wales.

  Note: The figure for the cost of administration is taken to be that covering authority administration and purchasing expenses. This represents the total revenue expenditure on the pay and accommodation costs of staff of all disciplines and their support staff employed at headquarters levels together with the costs of the purchaser function. They exclude administrative support in hospital departments and at other local levels which is regarded as operational expenditure.

  Council Spending
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the actual council revenue spending for 1993–94, net of community care, and the planned council revenue spending for 1993–94 and 1994–95, net of community care, for each district and county of Wales and for Wales as a whole.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authority budgeted expenditure, including community care, for the current financial year is published on page 43 of "Welsh Local Government Financial Statistics No. 17 1993", copies of which are in 398
  the Library of the House. Information on community care budgets is not available separately. Actual figures for 1993–94 and budgeted expenditure for 1994–95 are not yet available.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of reserves was spent by every county and district council in Wales during the last financial year; and if he will give the totals for all counties and all districts, and the combined total for Wales.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The use of reserves by local authorities during the last financial year is shown in the table.

  Appropriations from/to financial reserves, 1992–93 revised estimates1

  £'000

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,133

  Colwyn

  193

  Delyn

  1,216

  Glyndwr

  378

  Rhuddlan

  327

  Wrexham Maelor

  -283

  Carmarthen

  -50

  Ceredigion

  892

  Dinefwr

  -91

  Llanelli

  415

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  -685

  South Pembrokeshire

  222

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,672

  Islwyn

  725

  Monmouth

  193

  Newport

  -1,568

  Torfaen

  -314

  Aberconwy

  909

  Arfon

  58

  Dwyfor

  241

  Meirionnydd

  990

  Ynys Mon

  198

  Cynon Valley

  568

  Merthyr Tydfil

  224

  Ogwr

  -3

  Rhondda

  -1,104

  Rhymney Valley

  389

  Taff Ely

  789

  Brecknock

  -107

  Montgomeryshire

  1,134

  Radnorshire

  -176

  Cardiff

  -1,529

  Vale of Glamorgan

  477

  Port Talbot

  143

  Lliw Valley

  -9

  Neath

  3,464

  Swansea

  4,659

  Clwyd

  -22

  Dyfed

  1,030

  Gwent

  819

  Gwynedd

  1,002

  Mid Glamorgan

  -5,496

  Powys

  2,121

  South Glamorgan

  898

  West Glamorgan

  -125

  Total Districts

  15,690

  Total Counties

  227

  Total Wales

  15,917

  Source: General Fund Revenue Accounts Return (RA94).

  1 Appropriations from financial reserves are shown as positive and appropriations to reserves are shown as (-). Includes reserves under Local Management of Schools and Local Management of Colleges.
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  Public Appointments
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of members of all public bodies to which he made appointments.

  Mr. Redwood
  The latest list, showing the position as at 1 December 1993, was deposited in the Library of the House on 16 December 1993.

  Youthstart
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the effect on Wales of implementing the Youthstart programme, proposed by the European Commission White Paper on growth, competition and employment.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Youthstart is a Community youth guarantee scheme which is still being considered. The Government's youth guarantee scheme already ensures that all young people under the age of 18 who are not in a job or further education are given the opportunity of a suitable place on youth training.

  Welsh Language Act 1993
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make available in the Vote Office and Library Welsh language copies of the Welsh Language Act 1993.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Yes. I have today arranged for copies of the Welsh translation of the Welsh Language Act 1993 to be available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House.

  NHS Managers
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of general and senior managers in the NHS in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is as
  follows:

  Salary costs of general and senior managers

  £000

  1986–87

  1,332

  1987–88

  1,600

  1988–89

  1,735

  1989–90

  6,521

  1990–91

  9,253

  1991–92

  16,897

  1992–93

  20,127

  Source:

  Health Authorities' Annual Accounts/Financial Returns

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust Financial Returns

  Notes:

  i. Figures include expenditure by Health Authorities, the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, Pembrokeshire NHS Trust and the Health Promotion Authority for Wales but excludes those of Family Health Services Authorities whose corresponding costs are not identifiable on the same basis.

  ii. It should be noted that since 1989 senior managers' terms and conditions of service have been extended to second and third level managers and some senior nurses and other professional staff have also transferred to the senior management grades.
  400

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he received a copy of a report on biodiversity and conservation action, prepared by six environmental groups; and what steps he has taken to evaluate the risks outlined in the report.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have not received a copy of the report although I understand that it broadly accords with the Government's biodiversity action plan which will be published shortly.

  Tunnel Safety
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has made to Friends of the Earth Cymru's inquiry in regard to the standardisation of safety regulations covering the transport of dangerous cargoes through road tunnels.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I replied to a letter from Friends of the Earth on 10 January decribing the measures we have taken to minimise the risk of vehicles carrying hazardous loads using the tunnels on the A55. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Education Staff
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made for the continued employment of the staff of the Welsh Education Development Committee—PDAG—the Welsh Committee of School Examinations and Assessment Council and the Curriculum Council for Wales following the transference and expansion of the functions of those bodies following the enactment of the Education Act 1993 and the Welsh Language Act 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Decisions on the continued employment of the staff of the Curriculum Council for Wales when it is established as the new Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales/Awdurdod Cwricwlwm ac Asesu Cymru—ACAC—from 1 April will be a matter for the new Authority to consider within the approved staffing structure and resources to be made available to the authority. Discussions are taking place with the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority in respect of those staff employed on Welsh language functions whose contracts will continue after 1 April 1994. The redeployment of staff currently employed by the Welsh Language Education Development Committee—PDAG—is the responsibility of the Welsh Joint Education Committee which is their statutory employer. Staff currently engaged at PDAG will, however, be free to apply for any post advertised by ACAC, the Further Education Funding Council and the Welsh Language Board.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has in regard to the disposal of radioactive waste by Singleton hospital, Swansea in a local landfill site.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The disposal of radioactive waste from Singleton hospital is authorised by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the provisions of the
  401
  Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The small volume of waste sent to landfill is mainly in ash form, most of it having already been incinerated, and contains very low levels of radioactivity.

  Grant and Subsidy Schemes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been spent in Wales on each different grant and subsidy scheme available to farmers and landowners in each year from 1990–91 to 1993–94; what are his forecasts for 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The expenditure on agricultural grant and subsidy schemes in the years 1990–91 to 1992–93 is published in the appropriation accounts for the relevant years, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The latest forecasts for 1993–94 are set out in the supply estimates 1993–94 for vote 1 schemes and, for vote 2 schemes, in the winter supplementary estimates. My plans for spending on agricultural grants and subsidies in Wales for 1994–95 will be set out in the 1994–95 supply estimates. The Government's priorities on and aims for agricultural spending will be set out in the Welsh Office departmental report to be laid before Parliament in March.

  Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress his Department has made in reviewing the boundaries of the Pembrokeshire Coast national park following the public inquiry in 1991; and if he will make a statement.
  402
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The review has raised complex legal issues which are still being considered. A response is expected to issue in the near future.

  Local Planning Authorities
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish new guidelines to local planning authorities with regard to the factors which should be considered in permitting out-of-town shopping centres with a potentially detrimental effect on town centre business activity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Revised guidelines were published in July last year in planning policy guidance note No. 6. These advise that the scale, type and location of out-of centre retail developments should not be such as to undermine the vitality and visibility of those town centres that would otherwise serve the community well. The guidance is being kept under review.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employer's national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.
  403

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Swimming Pool, Kilkeel
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when funding will be provided to Newry and Mourne district council in respect of the provision of a swimming pool at Kilkeel.

  Mr. Ancram
  Finance for this project is not currently available.

  The position in future years will be determined in the light of the resources available and the priorities which need to be addressed.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what changes have taken place in teacher training to ensure that all newly qualified teachers can identify and assist children suffering from dyslexia ;

  (2) how many teachers in Northern Ireland have been trained specifically to recognise or to assist children with dyslexia and other special educational needs.

  Mr. Ancram
  Dyslexia can describe a variety of learning difficulties experienced by children. All teachers receive, as part of their initial training, an element designed to enable them to develop the capacity to identify and deal with pupils with learning difficulties. For serving teachers, the education and library boards mount in-service courses with similar objectives, but the numbers involved are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Parole
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were released from prison for Christmas parole; how many returned at the required date and time; and what was the maximum number of years of sentence for any such prisoners.

  Sir John Wheeler
  In December 1993, a total number of 446 prisoners were released from prison for Christmas home leave; of these, 100 prisoners were serving indeterminate sentences. The number who returned at the required date and time was 436, including all the indeterminate sentence prisoners.

  At 14 January, three prisoners were still unlawfully at large and their names have been passed to the security forces.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why Neil Latimer was not released from prison for Christmas parole; how many years he has been sentenced to imprisonment; and how many of these years he has already served in prison.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Neil Latimer is serving a life sentence. He completed 10 years imprisonment in December 1993. To be eligible for consideration for Christmas home leave a prisoner was required to have served a minimum of 11 years in custody.

  Ice Bowl
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the public inquiry was held about the next phase of the development of Dundonalds 404
  international ice bowl; when a decision is to be announced; and if he will make a statement about the efficiency of such public inquiries.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The public inquiry was held before the Planning Appeals Commission from 5 January until 13 January 1993. Unfortunately, as the presiding commissioner was indisposed for a period following the close of the inquiry, the commission's report is not yet with the Department. I understand that the report should be submitted to the Department next month after which a decision will issue as soon as possible.

  Planning inquiries are held to ensure that all representations are fully aired and considered in an open forum before a decision is made. I am content that this system provides a fair consideration of what are often complex planning issues.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  Parliament Buildings, Stormont
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the refurbishment of Parliament buildings, Stormont.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  A contract costing in the region of £2·5 million is to commence at Parliament buildings in February 1994. The work, which will take about a year to complete, will ensure that the building complies with health and safety and fire regulations.

  Christmas Cards
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many official Christmas cards were sent in 1993 by(a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) staff of Government agencies working in or to his Department; and how much these cards cost (i) to buy, (ii) to post and (iii) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes.

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

SCOTLAND

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average prison sentence imposed for defaulting on a fine; what is the average period actually spent in prison by such a defaulter in Scotland; and what is the average cost of such a person's imprisonment.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The average sentence imposed in 1992 for defaulting on a fine was 23 days. The
  405
  average time spent in prison by a fine defaulter was an estimated 13 days and the estimated average cost of the person's imprisonment was £970.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were sentenced to a prison term under each offence category in the latest year for which figures are available; and what number and percentage of the total were fine defaulters.

  Receptions to Scottish Penal Establishments in 1992 by Crime and Offence

  Crime/offence classification

  Total receptions

  Fine defaulter receptions

  Fine defaulter1 receptions as a percentage of total receptions

  Total crimes & offences

  19,923

  8,339

  42

  Total crimes: sub total

  12,388

  4,044

  33

  Non-sexual crimes of violence: sub total

  1,218

  66

  5

  Homicide

  80

  2

  3

  Serious assault etc

  718

  30

  4

  Handling offensive weapons

  31

  12

  39

  Robbery

  354

  15

  4

  Other

  35

  7

  20

  Crimes of indencency: sub total

  328

  158

  48

  Sexual assault

  70

  2

  3

  Lewd & libidinous practices

  81

  5

  6

  Other

  177

  151

  85

  Crimes of dishonesty: sub total

  9,020

  3,024

  34

  Housebreaking

  2,345

  489

  21

  Theft by opening lockfast places

  547

  193

  35

  Theft of a motor vehicle

  825

  229

  28

  Other theft

  3,992

  1,619

  41

  Fraud

  321

  143

  45

  Other

  990

  351

  35

  Fire-raising, vandalism etc: sub total

  371

  215

  58

  Fire-raising

  41

  7

  17

  Vandalism etc

  330

  208

  63

  Other crimes: sub total

  1,451

  581

  40

  Crimes against public justice

  773

  317

  41

  Drugs offences

  651

  262

  40

  Other

  27

  2

  7

  Total offences: sub total

  7,535

  4,295

  57

  Miscellaneous offences: sub total

  5,364

  2,994

  56

  Petty assault

  1,082

  480

  44

  Breach of the peace

  3,796

  2,197

  58

  Drunkeness

  228

  139

  61

  Other

  258

  178

  69

  Motor vehicle offences: sub total

  2,171

  1,301

  60

  Reckless & careless driving

  147

  88

  60

  Drunk driving

  390

  245

  63

  Speeding

  18

  15

  83

  Unlawful use of vehicle

  1,525

  873

  57

  Vehicle defect offences

  15

  15

  100

  Other

  76

  65

  86

  Agricultural Base Areas
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the figures in hectares for (a) set-aside; (b) pulses, (c) oilseed rape and (d) cereals for 1989, 1990 and 1991 which were used to calculate the base area in Scotland.
  406
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested. The table details the total number of receptions and the number of fine defaulter receptions to penal establishments in Scotland by classification of crime and offence for 1992.

  (2) if he will list the June census set-aside figures for Scotland for 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 29 November 1993]: The figures used to calculate the base areas in Scotland are as follows:—
  407

  1989

  1990

  1991

  3 years average

  LFA

  Non-LFA

  LFA

  Non-LFA

  LFA

  Non-LFA

  LFA

  Non-LFA

  Set-aside1

  3,643

  7,807

  4,919

  12,949

  6,487

  15,796

  5,016

  12,184

  Protein crops

  526

  4,509

  358

  4,046

  353

  3,024

  412

  3,860

  Oilseed rape

  7,821

  28,244

  8,919

  36,276

  9,896

  39,999

  8,879

  34,840

  Cereals

  188,780

  319,270

  178,060

  303,383

  175,843

  292,665

  180,895

  305,106

  Total

  200,770

  359,830

  192,256

  356,654

  192,579

  351,484

  2195,202

  2355,990

  1Figures taken from the five-year and one-year set-aside scheme returns.

  2Before submission to the EC Commission in September 1992, these figures were adjusted by switching 34,854 hectares from less-favoured areas to non-LFAs giving a base area of 160,348 hectares for the LFAs and 390,844 hectares for the non-LFAs. These figures were further adjusted to reflect the more accurate split between LFAs and non-LFA arable land established from the integrated administration and control system returns, and a further 39,303 hectares was switched from LFAs to non-LFAs giving new base areas of 121,045 hectares for the LFAs and 430,147 for the non-LFAs. These last figures are now accepted by the EC as the Scottish base areas. Throughout, the total base area has remained constant at 551,192 hectares.

  The set-aside figures recorded in the June census for 1989 and 1990 were 29,197 and 44,465 hectares respectively. These figures partly reflect land registered for set-aside and are, therefore, higher than the area actually set aside. No specific set-aside questions were asked in 1991.

  Negative Equity
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of households with negative equity for the third quarter of 1993; and what this figure represents as a proportion of total owner occupied households.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 14 January 1994]: We do not hold this information. However, recent studies have shown that the problem of negative equity is less pronounced in Scotland than in other regions of the United Kingdom, affecting only an estimated 1 per cent. of recent homebuyers. It is open to anyone in that position to discuss their situation with their mortgage lender.

EDUCATION

  Further Education Colleges
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Education (1) if he will list the members of the governing bodies of the new further education college corporations together with(a) their age, (b) their gender and (c) occupation;

  (2) what statistics were held on (a) the age, (b) the gender and (c) the occupations of members of further education college governing bodies prior to the passing of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department does not hold records of members of further education college governing bodies prior to the passing of the Education Reform Act 1988, nor of members of further education college corporations, since in neither case was the Secretary of State the appointing authority. In the case of sixth form college corporations, my right hon. Friend was responsible for the appointment of the initial members only. Current records are not held by the Department.

  Student Loans
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the usual period experienced by full-time students who have no other financial means for 408
  the processing of their applications for support from the access fund; and what assistance is available to sustain them during that period.

  Mr. Boswell
  Access funds are intended to help eligible full-time students in higher and further education who, for whatever reason, face financial difficulties. Arrangements for allocation and payment of funds to students are determined by individual institutions. Under the charters for further and higher education published by my right hon. Friend, students who apply for assistance from access funds can expect a decision normally within four weeks of applying or by a published termly date when the institution considers applications. They can also expect to be paid quickly if their application is approved. It is open to institutions to accelerate the timetable for students in exceptional circumstances.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the usual period experienced by students between the end of entitlement to benefit on the commencement of a full-time course and the actual receipt of maintenance grant from the local education authority; and what financial assistance is available to such students who have no other financial means to sustain them during that period.

  Mr. Boswell
  Most full-time students in further and higher education are ineligible for income support, unemployment benefit and housing benefit from the date of their enrolment on the course. Students formally enrol at their institution at the beginning of their first term. Local education authorities are responsible for the payment of the grants they make to students. Under the charters for further and higher education published by my right hon. Friend, students have a right to expect the payment of their grant at the start of each term, provided that they have met the authority's application deadline and given such information as the authority requires. Where payment of the full grant is delayed, authorities can make some payment on account. Institutions may use their access funds to give help to eligible students who face particular financial difficulties.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice he has issued about responses to be made in respect of complaints concerning quality in higher education.

  Mr. Boswell
  As autonomous institutions, universities and higher education colleges are responsible for providing responses to complaints about the quality of what they
  409
  provide. However, the charter for higher education published on 21 September 1993 by my right hon. Friend advises that institutions responsible for service delivery can be expected to reply to complaints within 10 working days.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the total cost to public funds of the assisted places scheme at the Royal school, Wolverhampton in each year since 1988–89;

  (2) how many pupils have been (a) on the roll and (b) under the assisted places scheme in each year since 1988–89 at the Royal school, Wolverhampton.

  Mr. Forth
  Nil. The Royal school, Wolverhampton does not participate in the assisted places scheme.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average household income of children supported by the assisted places scheme in each year since 1988–89 in each English local education authority.

  Mr. Forth
  Information about the average household income of an assisted place holder is not collected by reference to local education authority areas. The data can be derived only at disproportionate cost. The average household income of assisted pupils in England for each year since 1988–89 is given in the table:

  Financial year

  Average household income of assisted place holders £

  1988–89

  9,105

  1989–90

  9,716

  1990–91

  10,457

  1991–92

  10,932

  1992–93

  10,982

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many pupils have been(a) on the roll and (b) under the assisted places scheme in each year since 1988–89 at Tettenhall college, Wolverhampton;

  (2) what was the total cost to public funds of the assisted places scheme at Tettenhall college, Wolverhampton in each year since 1988–89.

  Mr. Forth
  Tettenhall college does not participate in the assisted places scheme.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total cost to public funds of the assisted places scheme; and how many children were supported by the scheme in each year since 1988–89 in each English local education authority.

  Mr. Forth
  The total cost of the scheme and the number of children supported by it for each year since 1988–89 is given in the following table. The data are not available broken down by each local education authority.

  Year

  Total expenditure (financial year) £ million

  Total number of assisted pupils (academic year)

  1988–89

  50·9

  27,083

  1989–90

  56·5

  27,008

  1990–91

  63·4

  26,740

  410

  Year

  Total expenditure (financial year) £ million

  Total number of assisted pupils (academic year)

  1991–92

  75·7

  27,641

  1992–93

  192·8

  28,674

  1 Includes £4·9 million brought forward from financial year 1993–94.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average cost to public funds of each place at non-maintained secondary schools under the assisted places scheme in each year since 1988–89 in each English local education authority.

  Mr. Forth
  Information about the average cost of an assisted place is not collected by reference to local education authority areas. The data can be derived only at disproportionate cost. The overall average cost to public funds of an assisted place for each year since 1988–89 is given in the table:

  Academic year

  Average cost of an assisted place

  £

  1988–89

  2,121

  1989–90

  2,364

  1990–91

  2,691

  1991–92

  3,101

  1992–93

  3,405

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 13 December,Official Report, column 442, if he will publish the random audit surveys of income assessments made by his Department for parents of children supported by the assisted places scheme, together with other statistical information collected and referred to.

  Mr. Forth
  No.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average school fee paid by the parents of children who benefited under the assisted places scheme, in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Academic year

  Average fee charged for assisted pupils £

  1990–91

  3,267

  1991–92

  3,703

  1992–93

  3,996

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total cost of the assisted places scheme for each financial year since 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Financial year

  Total cost of assisted places scheme £ million

  1990–91

  63·4

  1991–92

  75·7

  1992–93

  192·8

  1 Includes £4·9 million brought forward from financial year 1993–94.

  411
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children in(a) England, (b) Cornwall and (c) Devon have received funding under the assisted places scheme, in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is given in the table. The number of assisted pupils in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Number of assisted pupils

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Academic year

  England

  Cornwall

  Devon

  1990–91

  26,740

  174

  728

  1991–92

  27,641

  178

  753

  1992–93

  28,674

  179

  774

  Sex Education
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans the Government have to ensure that teachers receive adequate initial and in-service training to deliver the new compulsory provision of sex education in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The new arrangements for sex education, which will come into force in September 1994, will incorporate elements which currently form part of the national curriculum requirements for science; and many secondary schools already teach other elements of sex education too. The Department's grants for education support and training programme for 1994–95 will assist schools in securing any additional in-service training needed to equip teachers to deal with these and other aspects of the new arrangements. My right hon. Friend's accreditation criteria for initial teacher training require that the new arrangements should be adequately covered in all relevant courses.

  Surplus School Places
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the latest available statistics for surplus school places for primary schools and for secondary schools in Essex.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The latest figures we have for surplus places in Essex are for 1992. In that year the local education authority estimated that there were 18,121 surplus primary and 12,600 surplus secondary places in schools maintained by the county council, representing 13 per cent. of capacity in each sector.

  Capital Bids
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the purpose of his Department issuing a list of named schools following the announcement of the decisions on capital bids for local education authorities.

  Mr. Forth
  The schools named in the announcement are those voluntary aided and special agreement schools where central Government grant is being set aside for projects. The annual announcement of capital allocations also covers the annual capital guidelines given to local education authorities in respect of their county and voluntary controlled schools.
  412

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to meet representatives of the national steering committee of the nuclear-free local authorities to discuss their report on the nuclear industry in schools, a copy of which was recently sent to him.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. How nuclear issues are handled in schools is a matter for the individual schools themselves and their local education authorities, within the law.

  Student Grants
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the efficiency of payments of grants to students by local education authorities; and if the citizens charter specifies the standard of service students are entitled to in this respect.

  Mr. Boswell
  Local education authorities are responsible for ensuring the prompt payment of grants to students. My right hon. Friend wrote on 8 September 1993 to the chairmen of all authorities in England and Wales to remind them that students have a right to expect the prompt payment of their grant at the start of term, provided that they have met the authority's application deadline and given such information as the authority requires. The charters for further and higher education published by my right hon. Friend on 21 September 1993 tell students about the level of service they have a right to expect from their authority. The Department is prepared to take up some complaints of significant delay with the authority concerned.

  List D Schools
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement in respect of his Department's current proposals for list D schools.

  Mr. Forth
  There are no list D schools in England.

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

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department is currently analysing the outcome of the 1992–93 Competing for Quality programme with the efficiency unit in the Cabinet Office, Much of the information requested in the question will, once it has been finalised, be published in aggregate form in the "Citizen's Charter Second Report". On an individual contract basis, much of the information is commercially confidential.

  Postgraduate Students
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many postgraduate students have successfully completed their doctorates within British universities for each year over the last five years.
  413
  Mr. Boswell
  The number of students successfully completing doctorates in the former UFC-funded universities in the United Kingdom in the last five years for which information is currently available was as follows:

  Number

  1987–88

  7,552

  1988–89

  7,745

  1989–90

  8,380

  1990–91

  8,447

  1991–92

  8,878

  University Academic Posts
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what data he holds on the number of academic posts existing within British universities which are(a) not wholly funded and (b) wholly funded by the institutions.

  Mr. Boswell
  In the academic year 1991–92, there were 31,226 full-time and 2,532 part-time academic staff wholly funded, and 19,895 full-time and 1,778 part-time academic staff not wholly funded by their institution in the former UFC-funded universities in Great Britain.

  Parents Charter
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of his Department's officials involved in the preparation of the parents charter; how many hours this involved; what was the total cost to the taxpayer of(a) the involvement of civil servants, (b) typesetting and printing and (c) circulation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on Friday 14 January 1994 at column 280. The revised parents charter will cover many aspects of the organisation and curriculum of schools in England. The involvement of civil servants in the Department in the preparation of the text reflects their ongoing responsibilities for promoting improved educational standards, and cannot be separately quantified.

  Curriculum Advisory Group
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the members of each Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority curriculum advisory group.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is a matter for the authority. SCAA announced the members of its advisory groups on 12 January and I have arranged for a copy of its press notice to be placed in the Library.

  Asthma
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice he has given to schools to ensure that medication for conditions like asthma are readily available for children to take when necessary; if he will consider publishing guidelines to ensure that medication for conditions like asthma are readily available for immediate use when required; and what representations he has received on this subject.
  414
  Mr. Forth
  General guidance on health care in schools for children with medical conditions is given in DES circular 11/90, "Staffing for Pupils with Special Educational Needs", and the October 1993 draft code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. My right hon. Friend has recently received a letter on this subject from the National Asthma Campaign.

  Teachers should, in consultation with parents and with appropriate medical advice, do all that is reasonable to enable children with medical conditions to obtain maximum benefit from education and to participate as fully as possible in school life. Where possible, and particularly in cases of asthma or diabetes, it is considered good health care practice to encourage children to manage their own condition as early as is consistent with their development.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Boswell
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  School Premises Regulations 1981
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to publish the results of his Department's review of the School Premises Regulations 1981.

  Mr. Forth
  An announcement will be made in due course.

  Christmas Cards
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many official Christmas cards were sent out in 1993 by(a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) staff of Government agencies working in or to his Department; and how much these cards cost (i) to buy, (ii) to post and (iii) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many tonnes of freight were carried by BR's Railfreight distribution company in each of the last five years; and how much it is estimated will be carried in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96;

  (2) how many tonnes of (a) coal, (b) petroleum, (c) metals and (d) construction materials were carried by BR's Trainload freight company in each of the last five years; and how much it is estimated will be carried in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1995–96.
  415
  Mr. Freeman
  Historic data can be found in table 5.14 of "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1993", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Traffic forecasts are a matter for BR.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will seek to use freight facilities grant, or other grants, to ensure that fuel oil is once again carried from Stanlow to Aberystwyth by rail.

  Mr. Freeman
  If the company concerned felt that an application for freight facilities grant or the new track access grant, which will be available from 5 April, could be of assistance in returning this business to rail, I would be happy to consider it.

  Marchioness Disaster
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate whether the crew of the Bowbelle had been made aware of the availability of walkie talkies on the night of the Marchioness disaster.

  Mr. Norris
  The matter was investigated during the marine accident investigation branch inquiry. The master was aware of the presence of hand-held VHF sets on board Bowbelle; sections 8.9 and 17.1 of the chief inspector's report refer. At least one of the seamen on the fo'c'sle was aware that sets were carried.

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total

  Scotland and North

  1,957

  1,834

  1,969

  2,022

  1,930

  9,712

  Midlands

  2,240

  2,423

  2,037

  2,198

  2,179

  11,077

  Southern

  2,109

  1,993

  1,897

  1,756

  1,701

  9,456

  South Wales/South West

  1,908

  1,717

  1,375

  1,316

  1,223

  7,539

  North and North Wales

  2,268

  2,305

  2,461

  2,013

  2,070

  11,117

  London and Eastern

  2,141

  1,829

  1,716

  1,434

  1,414

  8,534

  Total

  12,632

  12,101

  11,455

  10,739

  10,517

  57,435

  Information on the number later found to be stolen is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Trunk Roads, London
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what major road improvement schemes on trunk roads in London have been(a) completed, (b) started or (c) planned to start in the current financial year.

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:—

  (a) Trunk road schemes in London completed in 1993–94:

  A13 Blackwall Tunnel/Cotton Street "dedicated lane"

  (a) Trunk road schemes in London started in 1993–94:

  A13 West India Dock Road Junction Final Scheme

  A406 East of Falloden Way to Finchley High Road

  A406 Dysons Road Phase 2

  A406 M1 Junction 1 Improvement

  Al2 Hackney-M11 Contract 4

  A40 Long Lane to West End Road Junction

  A13 Heathway—Wennington Advance Works

  A13 Butcher Row Junction

  (c) Trunk Road schemes planned to start in London 1993–94

  A13 Thames Avenue to Wennington

  A13 Blackwall Tunnel/Cotton Street Main Works

  A406 Dysons Road Phase 1

  416

  Thames Bridges
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the co-ordination of works involving Thames bridges as a result of consultation between his officials and the Association of London Borough Engineers and Surveyors.

  Mr. Norris
  Ways in which the co-ordination of works, including those on Thames bridges, could be improved feature regularly in discussions between officials of the Department and the Association of London Borough Engineers and Surveyors. A "Riparian" group of borough highway authorities, which have responsibility for most river crossings within London, has been set up under the chairmanship of the City of London. One of the main aims of this group, which has now met twice, is to reduce the inconvenience to traffic and pedestrians caused by roadworks on those structures.

  Q Plates
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give, by region, figures for the number of vehicles which have been issued Q plates for each of the last five years; and how many of these vehicles were later found to be stolen.

  Mr. Robert Key
  The information requested on the volumes of Q plates issued is as follows by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency area command:

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what future role that grade of senior executive officer will play in the structure of the vehicle inspectorate; and what will be the significance of the grade's duties.

  Mr. Key
  Senior enforcement officers (traffic) are and will continue to be key members of the area management teams of the road traffic enforcement division of the vehicle inspectorate. In addition, they provide expert advice on traffic enforcement matters for traffic commissioners, lorry and bus operators and other enforcement agencies.

  Tanker Safety
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress made in his review of the safety of tanker transport established after the Braer oil tanker accident.

  Mr. Norris
  I expect the report of Lord Donaldson's inquiry in the early part of this year.

  In addition, the Department made specific proposals on tanker routing to the International Maritime Organisation. These entered into force on 28 November.
  417
  Recommended routes will be introduced for the Fair Isle channel subject to the successful completion in 1994 of further hydrographic surveys.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing the punctuality performance of each of the Network SouthEast divisions as compared to target performance in the four-week periods ending 3 December and 31 December 1993.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Division

  Punctuality

  Performance four weeks ending

  standard Per cent.

  3 December 1993 Per cent.

  31 December 1993 Per cent.

  Great Northern

  90·0

  86·5

  93·8

  Northampton Line

  90·0

  90·6

  87·5

  Chiltern

  90·0

  91·3

  92·6

  West Anglia

  90·0

  82·1

  98·1

  Thameslink

  89·0

  83·2

  89·5

  South Western Lines

  88·0

  82·8

  87·8

  Kent Link

  88·0

  68·6

  81·6

  South London Lines

  88·0

  82·4

  84·4

  North London Lines

  87·0

  82·5

  87·0

  Great Eastern

  86·0

  80·9

  88·7

  Solent and Wessex

  86·0

  76·9

  83·6

  Thames

  85·0

  87·7

  89·6

  London Tilbury and Southend

  85·0

  88·3

  93·2

  Sussex Coast

  83·0

  84·0

  78·6

  Kent Coast

  82·0

  70·7

  77·1

  On average over 1993, 12 out of the 15 groups met or exceeded their punctuality standards.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his Department's proposals for sound reduction measures on existing rail routes that will be part of the network to the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  For some locations on the existing rail routes where the concentration of international traffic will be heaviest, between the channel tunnel and west London, BR has agreed with local authorities jointly funded non-statutory schemes for the provision of noise barriers. Beyond London, international traffic will be spread over a number of routes without the same degree of concentration. The new international rolling stock which is to be introduced on all the routes concerned has been designed so as to minimise noise levels.

  A43
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further progress has been made since July 1993 on improvements to the A43 between Stanton and Corby.

  Mr. Key
  Tenders have now been returned for the installation of traffic signals at both A6116 junctions with the A43, and for road lighting from south of the southern A43 junction at Stanton northwards to the existing lighting on the Weldon bypass. Work is programmed to start in February.
  418

  Indoor Enforcement Office
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of the indoor enforcement office as a main prosecution unit or for diversification of its functions.

  Mr. Key
  The vehicle inspectorate is conducting a review of the future role of the indoor enforcement offices—now called group support offices. This is expected to report by the end of Feburary and decisions about their future will be taken in the light of the recommendations of the review team. Interested parties, including the staff and trade unions are being consulted.

  A1(M)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has published in advance of the outcome of the planning inquiry into Radwell motorway services station concerning the sites of such stations on the A 1 (M) motorway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  We announced on 1 December that the proposal at Radwell was one of 16 potential motorway service area sites in England on which a planning application was under consideration.

  Cycle Network, London
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of the 1,000-mile cycle network in London have now been completed; and what action his Department has taken to speed up its completion.

  Mr. Norris
  Responsibility for the provision of the 1,000 mile network in London rests primarily with the 33 London boroughs. Cycle schemes on local authority routes are eligible for Government funding support. Approximately a third of the network is in existence or in preparation. We have agreed to provide, where practicable, all the routes that have been proposed for trunk roads as well as cycle crossing points of the trunk road network. We continue to encourage local authorities to provide cycle facilities.

  London buses (Privatisation)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information has been presented to him by London Buses Ltd. on the expected impact on mileage following privatisation.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  British Rail
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the approximate passenger mileage on British Railway's InterCity services travelled by passengers paying(a) first-class fares, (b) normal standard fares, (c) saver and supersaver fares and (d) period on fare past tickets, together with the approximate revenue per year for each category of ticket.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of state for Transport if he will publish a table showing his Department's latest estimate of passengers travelling
  419
  (a) into, (b) out of and (c) within (i) South Yorkshire, (ii) Humberside, (iii) North Yorkshire and (iv) West Yorkshire, each day on British Rail; and what are the comparable figures for (1) 1979, (2) 1983 and (3) 1989.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department does not hold the information requested. This is a commercial matter for InterCity.

  Maritime Collisions (Inquiries)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether the discretion afforded to an inspector appointed by the chief inspector of marine accidents under the regulations concerning the conduct of inquiries into maritime collisions (SI, 1989, No. 1172) is compatible with the open policy objectives of Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Tuesday 11 January,Official Report, column 135.

  Al-M1
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Al -M1 link road serving the Dearne valley area to be completed; and what proportion of this highway is currently able to carry traffic.

  Mr. Key
  Barnsley metropolitan borough council hopes to complete the Dearne towns link road in 1996. About one quarter of this road is already open to traffic.

  London Lorry Ban
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to abolish or reduce the existing restrictions on heavy goods vehicles over 16·5 tonnes entering the Greater London restriction zone.

  Mr. Norris
  I am considering proposals aimed at reducing the bureaucracy associated with the administration of the Londonwide night and weekend lorry ban while maintaining the environmental protection it offers. These will be published shortly.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Norris
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  EC Habitats Directive
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Transport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Attorney-General in regard to the implications for areas covered by EC habitats and species directives by his roads development programme.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government are considering the arrangements for implementing the EC habitats directive in United Kingdom law. Draft regulations will be laid before Parliament in due course.
  420

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Business Plan and Yearbook (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of producing the North Yorkshire district benefit agency's 1993–94 business plan and yearbook; how many copies were produced; and to whom they have been given.

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

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 14 January 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking details about the cost and production of the North Yorkshire Benefits Agency's 1993–94 Business Plan and Yearbook.
  The Benefits Agency requires its District Offices to produce Business plans for external customers. In total 460 copies of the North Yorkshire District Benefits Agency 1993–94 Business Plan and Yearbook were produced and distributed to client representatives in the North Yorkshire Area. Of these 330 copies were distributed to local councillors and Members of Parliament and 65 copies to Statutory and Voluntary organisations, for whom the year book is intended as a reference document. Other copies were distributed internally.
  The majority of the preparation work was done locally, all the photographs being provided by the District Office staff and the document was produced on recycled paper. With the exception of 70 copies issued by second class post, all other copies were distributed at nil cost.
  Some of the design and artwork was completed by Benefits Agency Publishing House at a staffing cost of £999·42 met from their own budget allocation. HMSO printing costs were covered out of the Benefits Agency's printing budget.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for the United Kingdom and by standard region, including Greater London, the number of households and the proportion of all households claiming income support for each year since 1989.

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is in the tables.

  Claimants, Partners and Dependants in receipt of Income Support—May 1989

  Region

  Number of beneficiaries

  Percentage of Population

  North Eastern

  1,179,000

  —

  London North

  1,029,000

  —

  South Western

  419,000

  —

  Midlands

  1,163,000

  —

  North Western

  1,142,000

  —

  London South

  878,000

  —

  England

  5,811,000

  12·2

  Wales

  413,000

  14·4

  Scotland

  799,000

  15·7

  Great Britain

  7,023,000

  12·6

  Claimants, Partners and Dependants in receipt of Income Support—May 1990

  Region

  Number of beneficiaries

  Percentage of Population

  North Eastern

  1,137,000

  —

  London North

  1,092,000

  —

  South Western

  432,000

  —

  421

  Region

  Number of beneficiaries

  Percentage of Population

  Midlands

  1,150,000

  —

  North Western

  1,103,000

  —

  London South

  907,000

  —

  England

  5,821,000

  12·2

  Wales

  424,000

  14·7

  Scotland

  777,000

  15·2

  Great Britain

  7,023,000

  12·6

  Claimants, Partners and Dependants in receipt of Income Support—1991

  Region

  Number of beneficiaries

  Percentage of population

  North Eastern

  1,216,000

  —

  London North

  1,289,000

  —

  South Western

  524,000

  —

  Midlands

  1,233,000

  —

  North Western

  1,155,000

  —

  London South

  1,083,000

  —

  England

  6,500,000

  13·5

  Wales

  442,000

  15·3

  Scotland

  805,000

  15·8

  Great Britain

  7,747,000

  13·8

  Claimants, Partners and Dependants in receipt of Income Support—May 1992

  Region

  Number of beneficiaries

  Percentage of population

  North Eastern

  1,319,000

  —

  London North

  1,604,000

  —

  South Western

  613,000

  —

  Midlands

  1,414,000

  —

  North Western

  1,269,000

  —

  London South

  1,284,000

  —

  England

  7,502,000

  15·5

  Wales

  496,000

  17·1

  Scotland

  855,000

  16·7

  Great Britain

  8,853,000

  15·7

  Claimants, Partners and Dependants in receipt of Income Support— February 1993

  Region

  Number of beneficiaries

  Percentage of population

  North Eastern

  1,443,000

  1

  London North

  1,758,000

  1

  South Western

  702,000

  1

  Midlands

  1,598,000

  1

  North Western

  1,390,000

  1

  London South

  1,537,000

  1

  England

  8,428,000

  17·4

  Wales

  541,000

  18·7

  Scotland

  898,000

  17·6

  Great Britain

  9,868,000

  17·5

  Sources of all tables:

  Income support statistics annual inquiries May 1989 to 1992.

  Income support statistics quarterly inquiry February 1993.

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Notes to tables:

  1. All figures rounded to nearest thousand. Percentages correct to one decimal place. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  1 Indicates that figures are not available.

  3. The tables refer to Great Britain only. Figures for Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  4. Information on the number of households claiming income support is not available. The tables show the number of claimants, partners and dependants in receipt of income support.

  5. Information on the number of income support claims is not collected by standard regions. The tables show Department of
  422
  Social Security administrative regions as used by the Department prior to 1988.Population figures for these regions are not available.

  6. The latest available figures for numbers receiving income support are taken from the February 1993 quarterly statistical inquiry.

  7. The latest population figures available are for mid-1992. Therefore these have been used to calculate both the May 1992 and February 1993 proportions.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department is taking to ensure that claimants with disabling medical conditions are given due consideration in any assessment of eligibility for incapacity benefits; and if he will make it his policy that claimants' existing medical histories will be taken fully into account in these assessments.

  Mr. Scott
  The proposed new medical incapacity test will accurately assess the limiting effect of all medical conditions on a claimant's capacity for work. In applying the test, all relevant factors, including the claimant's medical history, will be taken into account.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if people receiving the new incapacity benefit will be eligible for the income support disability premium from the 28th week of incapacity.

  Mr. Scott
  The new long-term rate of incapacity benefit, payable after 52 weeks, will act as a passport to the disability premium. For those who have no other means of entitlement to the disability premium, the period of incapacity needed to qualify will be 52 weeks.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the child dependant additions payable with incapacity benefit will be payable from the first day of incapacity.

  Mr. Scott
  Incapacity benefit will follow the usual rule that child dependency increases are not payable with short-term contributory benefits, unless the beneficiary has reached pensionable age. They will not normally commence until long-term incapacity benefit comes into payment after 52 weeks.

  Special Compensation Payments
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for special compensation payments have been made in each of the most recent four quarters for which figures are available; how many were successful; and what was the average amount of each payment in each quarter.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of disability living allowance and attendance allowance are matters for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 14 January 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for details of the special compensation payments made in the most recent four quarters for which figures are available.

  423
  Firstly, I should explain that the Special Compensation Scheme applied to both Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) customers.
  Scans of both the DLA and AA computer systems were obtained and these lists of customers were then individualy scrutinised for possible entitlement to compensation under the special scheme.
  There were no applications from customers, indeed the first that the vast majority of customers knew about the scheme was when they actually received their compensation payment.
  The scheme has now been completed in its entirety but as there were no monthly or quarterly collations of statistics I have provided the total figures for both benefits below.

  Cases examined

  Cases entitled

  Cases not entitled

  Cases paid

  Amount paid £

  DLA

  33,539

  20,457

  13,082

  20,457

  406,745

  AA

  44,299

  19,564

  34,735

  19,527

  217,105

  The average payment made to both DLA and AA compensation recipients was £20.

  1 The difference between AA cases entitled and AA cases paid is 37 and occurred as a result of the death of customers for whom no next of kin could be found.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of invalidity benefit receive an additional pension; and what is the average amount payable.

  Mr. Scott
  On 4 April 1992, the latest date for which information is available, additional pension was paid to 1,230,000 invalidity benefit recipients1. The average weekly amount of additional pension in payment was £13·402.

  Notes

  1 Based on a 1 per cent. sample of claimants in Great Britain, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2 Rounded to the nearest penny.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals against a decision that an invalidity benefit claimant was fit for work were received by his Department during(a) April to December 1992 and (b) April to December 1993; and what percentage of these were found in the claimant's favour.

  Mr. Scott
  Information is not available in the form requested. The available information is in the table.

  Appeals registered with Social Security Appeal Tribunals: Invalidity Benefit1

  Quarter ending

  Appeals lodged

  Heard and decided2

  Decided in claimant's favour2

  30 June 1992

  2,593

  1,311

  681

  30 September 1992

  2,836

  1,236

  670

  21 December 1992

  2,834

  1,367

  757

  31 March 1993

  3,245

  1,436

  782

  Notes:

  1 Figures show all invalidity benefit appeals, including those against decisions that the claimant is capable of work.

  2 Includes appeals lodged in an earlier quarter.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of(a) male and (b) female claimants of invalidity benefit are over the age of 45 years where an invalidity allowance is in payment.
  424
  Mr. Scott
  The latest available information is in the table.

  Invalidity Benefit recipients aged 45 and over receiving invalidity allowance1

  Percentage of Invalidity Benefit recipients by gender

  Male

  232,000

  22

  Female

  113,000

  30

  Notes:

  1 Based on a 1 per cent. sample of claimants in Great Britain at 4 April 1992, the latest date for which figures are available. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2 Figures do not include people whose entitlement to invalidity allowance is wholly offset by payment of additional pension.

  Child Support
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give details of the changes in targets on savings in benefits paid to parents with care following his recent announcement on changes to the Child Support Act 1991.

  Mr. Burt
  The changes will have an effect on benefit savings this year, but it is too early to be precise about the impact. We do not intend to alter the target at this stage in the year.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Scott
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  Age-related Rebates
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he issued the consultative document on age-related rebates; what time scale he laid down for responses; and which bodies and organisations were consulted on the document.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Hams (Mr. Steen) on 10 December 1993 at column 408. Several hundred copies of the consultation document have been issued to a wide variety of interested organisations and individuals.

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Contributions Agency has for improved standards of service to employers.

  Mr. Hague
  The Contributions Agency today published a revised employers charter setting out the new improved standards of service employers can now expect. It incorporates the code for enforcement that all enforcement agencies were committed to publish as part of the Department of Trade and Industry's "Working with Business" initiative. Copies are available in the Library.
  425

EMPLOYMENT

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who would own equipment jointly purchased by employers and the Government for disabled employees under the access to work proposals; and what advice will be issued to companies by his Department on(a) the declaration of equipment purchasing within the audited accounts of companies and (b) arrangements for insuring equipment.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In reaching final decisions about these and other details of the access to work scheme, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend Lord Henley are considering carefully all the representations made by the disability and employer groups whom they have recently met. Our aims, in relation to the issues raised by the hon. Member, will be to ensure that we have arrangements that do not inhibit the movement of people with disabilities into and between jobs and to ensure that procedures are simple and non-bureaucratic.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make the levy upon employers within his access-to-work proposals dependent on the allocated budget being fully spent after one year of the new scheme.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps will be taken by his Department to encourage employers to make the contributions expected of them under the proposed access-to-work scheme.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In reaching final decisions about the details of the access to work scheme, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend Lord Henley are considering carefully a range of representations made by disability and employer groups including representations about the proposed employer contribution. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce decisions soon.

  Social Policies (EC Budget)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on the provision of public money via the European Community budget to promote social policies through the Trades Union Congress which are incompatible with the policies of Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government are opposed to such subsidies and are considering what steps can be taken to restrict them.

  European Year of Older People
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what contribution his Department made to the European Year of Older People and Solidarity between Generations in terms of financial support, practical support for particular events, and the provision of information;

  (2) in which programmes and events for the European Year of Older People and Solidarity between Generations he has been directly involved.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To mark the end of the European Year of Older People and Solidarity Between Generations 426
  my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my hon. Friend the Minister of State joined colleagues at a meeting of the EC Social Affairs Council in November in issuing a declaration of principles confirming the commitment of member states to integrating older people into all areas of the life of the Community.

  Throughout the year, Ministers and officials from the Employment Department supported appropriate events, including that on "Investing in Older People at Work" staged by the Health Education Authority in October. In December, I spoke at an international symposium in Dublin on the implications of our ageing population for the work force. I told delegates of the work of my Advisory Group on Older Workers to persuade employers of the benefits of treating everyone on merit, regardless of age. I described our "Getting On" campaign which offers employers a five-point plan to avoid ageism. I also took the opportunity to challenge the European Commission to end its practice of excluding anyone over the age of 35 from applying to work with it or its institutions.

  Office Heating Bills
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 15 December,Official Report, columns 737–38, in what form information in respect of heating bills for his Department's offices is available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Employment Department group occupies some 1,500 buildings nationally. Where the Department is billed direct, which is in the majority of cases, we hold records of electricity, gas and fuel consumption from April 1990 for individual offices. In the remaining offices these costs are part of an overall service charge and details are not available.

  There is no mechanism for identifying separately the cost of heating the Department's offices.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in abattoirs in each year since 1979.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information on employees in employment in abattoirs is from the periodic censuses of employment and is given in the table:

  Number of Employees in employment in Abattoirs1 in Great Britain, September of each year

  Year

  Number

  1981

  10,100

  1984

  9,900

  1987

  11,200

  1989

  10,400

  1991

  10,400

  1 Activity Heading 4121 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980.

  Training
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a regional breakdown of the number of participants on work-related Government training programmes in each year since 1979; and if he will give the figure as a percentage of the total regional civilian work force in each such year.
  427
  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is available from June 1983, and can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Astra
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has made to representations to extend preferential reinstatement arrangements for staff employed by Astra.

  Miss Widdecombe
  In the light of the representations I have received, I have extended for a further year the previous arrangements to give staff employed in the Skills Training Agency immediately before its sale to the private sector preferential consideration for reinstatement in the Employment Department group.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent the Health and Safety Commission has been able under the auspices of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to rationalise or modernise substantial areas of health and safety law.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 11 January 1994]: Since 1975, the Health and Safety Commission—HSC—using the powers given to it under the 1974 Act has proposed changes endorsed by Ministers which have led to the replacement of around 350 sets of old-style prescriptive sets of regulations with some 100 sets of modern goal-setting ones. This is a substantial programme of achievement, although the Government share the Commission's view that there is scope for simplifying legislation and reducing red tape.

  However, the powers in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 are technically deficient and do not allow for regulations to make revocations or repeals of pre-1974 provisions unless they are directly replaced by new requirements in the same set of regulations.

  The HSC has requested an amendment to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to permit repeals and revocations without direct replacement where it is satisfied that the overall system of regulations and approved codes of practice in modern legislation properly safeguards standards of health and safety.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the Health and Safety Executive draft publication "The Cost to the British Economy of Work Accidents and Work-Related Ill Health" will be published.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 11 January 1994]: "The Cost to the British Economy of Work Accidents and Work Related Ill Health", a technical companion to the "Cost of Accidents" report, published in January 1993, is to be published on 9 February.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE were confirmed in the United Kingdom for each month of 1992 and 1993 in cattle that were(a) under two years of age, (b)
  428
  aged two to three years, (c) aged three to four years, (d) aged four to five years, (e) aged five to six years, (f) aged six to seven years and (g) aged seven or more years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I shall write to the hon. Member with the information and arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE were confirmed in the United Kingdom for each year from 1985 in cattle that were(a) under two years of age, (b) aged two to three years, (c) aged three to four years, (d) aged four to five years, (e) aged five to six years, (f) aged six to seven years and (g) aged seven or more years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I shall write to the hon. Member with the information and arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE were(a) confirmed, (b) reported and (c) slaughtered in the United Kingdom for each month of 1992 and 1993.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I shall write to the hon. Member with the information and arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was spent by the Government in respect of BSE on(a) research, (b) slaughter, (c) compensation and (d) disposal of carcases for each year since 1985 to the latest available date.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The amounts spent by this Ministey in respect of BSE in Great Britain for the areas requested are as follows:

  Miscellaneous1

  Compensation2

  Research3 (Financial year)

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1987

  0·2

  1988

  0·2

  0·5

  0·3

  1989

  1·6

  2·8

  1·0

  1990

  4·1

  9·1

  3·1

  1991

  7·2

  16·3

  4·9

  1992

  10·2

  29·2

  5·7

  1993

  9·5

  38·1

  6·1

  1 This includes all expenditure involved in the slaughter, transportation, storage and disposal of carcasses of cattle suspected of being affected by BSE.

  2 The compulsory slaughter of suspects with compensation was introduced in August 1988.

  1 Separate figures on R and D expenditure on BSE before April 1987 are not readily available. The disease was first identified in 1986.

  Milk Industry
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been done by the Government to promote a level playing field in the development of competition following the decision to abolish the Milk Marketing Board; and what methods have been employed by the Milk Marketing Board in establishing Milk Marque as its successor.

  Mr. Jack
  The Government's actions in respect of the proposed changes to the marketing of milk are guided by the provisions of the Agriculture Act 1993. The Milk
  429
  Marketing Board has proposed that Milk Marque should be established as its successor body. We have received reports of concern from outside bodies regarding the methods employed by Milk Marketing Board, Genus and National Milk Record staff to persuade producers to sign contracts with Milk Marque.

  Food Expenditure
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage of average income spent on food in(a) the United Kingdom, (b)

  Household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages1 as a percentage of:

  1. Household expenditure on all goods and services

  2. Total current receipts (ie income) of households and private unincorporated enterprises

  United Kingdom

  France

  Germany2

  United States3

  United Kingdom

  France

  Germany2

  United States

  1966 to 1970

  21·2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1971 to 1975

  18·9

  19·8

  25·4

  14·3

  13·1

  12·4

  14·5

  10·2

  1976 to 1980

  18·1

  18·0

  22·9

  13·2

  12·3

  10·6

  13·0

  9·3

  1981 to 1985

  15·3

  17·7

  21·7

  11·5

  10·4

  10·4

  12·3

  8·0

  1986 to 1990

  12·7

  16·6

  20·2

  10·1

  8·7

  10·0

  11·2

  7·2

  1991

  12·3

  16·2

  19·6

  9·9

  8·1

  9·7

  10·8

  7·1

  1992

  12·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993 Ql

  11·9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993 Q2

  11·7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993 Q3

  11·5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1 Excludes expenditure in restaurants, cafes and hotels.

  2 Includes expenditure on alcoholic beverages and in restaurants and cafes.

  3 Includes expenditure by private non-profit making institutions.

  Sources: OECD National Accounts, CSO National Accounts (Blue Book).

  Cereal Production
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the change in(a) tonnage and (b) percentage terms in cereal production between 1992 and 1993 in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the United States of America and (iii) the European Union as a whole.

  Mr. Jack
  Final estimates for the 1993 harvest in the United Kingdom will be known only when the results of the April cereal production survey become available in May 1994. A similar situation exists in other countries.

  The current estimates are shown in the table.

  Estimated cereal production

  (thousand tonnes)

  1992

  1993

  Change

  Percentage change

  United Kingdom

  22,063

  19,607

  -2,456

  -11·1

  United States of America1

  344,700

  262,100

  -82,600

  -24·0

  European Union

  168,059

  164,061

  -3,998

  -2·4

  1 The figures are taken from the latest IWC grain market report—30 November 1993—and do not include rice production. The 1992 figure is an estimate and that for 1993 is a forecast.

  Crop Spraying
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she has to tighten controls on tractor spraying to bring them into line with aerial spraying; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  In May 1993 the pesticides safety directorate consulted interested parties on proposed 430
  France, (c) Germany and (d) the United States of America for each five-year period since 1965 and for the third quarter of 1993.

  Mr. Jack
  Information is not available for all four countries for the whole of the period referred to nor in the precise form requested. Details of household expenditure on food as a proportion, first, of total household expenditure on goods and services and secondly, of the total income of households and private unincorporated enterprises for five-year periods from 1966 to 1990 and for the latest available periods are shown in the table.

  amendments to the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 including a new provision requiring any person who uses a pesticide to confine the pesticide to the land, crop, structure, material or other area to be treated. This would effectively extend the existing provision on aerial spraying to all methods of use. The proposed amendments are being considered in the light of comments received with a view to laying a statutory instrument before the House in the near future.

  Radioactive Waters
  Mrs. Anne Campbel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the aquatic environment monitoring report on "Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles 1991" will be published.

  Mr. Jack
  The report "Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles 1991" was published in February 1993. The subsequent edition, with the results of monitoring undertaken in 1992, was published on 6 January 1994. Copies of both reports are in the Library.

  Cake Wood
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans her Department has to sell off the part of Cake wood which is owned by the Forestry Commission under its current disposals programme.

  Mr. Jack
  No decision has been taken to sell any part of Cake wood under the Forestry Commission's disposals programme.
  431

  EC Surplus Beef
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list for each of the metropolitan boroughs of South Yorkshire the designated organisation allowed to distribute surplus beef released by the European Community; and what has been the response to date.

  Mr. Jack
  A list of all organisations in the United Kingdom that have been designated to distribute canned beef under the EC surplus food scheme in 1993–94 is available in the Library. The 28 organisations designated in south Yorkshire have so far received allocations for over 100,000 eligible people. It is for the organisations to arrange distributions which best reflect their circumstances.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon her departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Jack
  The abolition of the 80 per cent. statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.

  Agricultural Imports
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the value of imports(a) into the United Kingdom and (b) into the EU of agricultural products analysed by suitable category of product from (i) Russia, (ii) Hungary and (iii) Czechoslovakia in each of the three most recent years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Jack
  The value of imports into the United Kingdom is shown in table 1 in thousands of pounds while those for imports into the member states of the European Community are shown in table 2 in thousands of ecus.

  Data for the whole of 1993 are not yet available. Prior to 1993 no separate data were collected for Russia.

  Value of imports to United Kingdom from countries listed 1990

  (£'000)

  Division

  Former USSR

  Hungary

  Czechoslovakia

  00

  56

  53

  75

  01

  —

  2,667

  383

  02

  —

  —

  —

  03

  14,291

  8

  27

  04

  33

  81

  —

  05

  178

  8,156

  877

  06

  —

  243

  105

  Imports to the EC from the former Soviet Union in 1990

  (thousand ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  10,196

  12

  0

  492

  1,040

  8,250

  88

  0

  313

  0

  0

  1

  01

  231

  17

  88

  8

  0

  5

  0

  40

  0

  70

  0

  3

  02

  3,322

  430

  1,860

  740

  262

  0

  0

  0

  30

  0

  0

  0

  03

  127,669

  24,370

  2,843

  6,230

  9,377

  3,634

  20,069

  5

  32,340

  296

  6,241

  22,264

  04

  651

  0

  343

  32

  150

  0

  123

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  05

  18,649

  946

  603

  649

  11,852

  2,558

  384

  0

  294

  749

  0

  614

  06

  6,313

  0

  1

  880

  5,179

  0

  0

  0

  253

  0

  0

  0

  07

  424

  8

  12

  87

  192

  0

  118

  0

  7

  0

  0

  0

  432

  Division

  Former USSR

  Hungary

  Czechoslovakia

  07

  2,185

  122

  91

  08

  285

  1,324

  171

  09

  —

  25

  —

  11

  1,021

  2,903

  1,039

  22

  187

  240

  —

  Section 4

  193

  53

  8

  Value of imports to United Kingdom from countries listed 1991

  (£'000)

  Division

  Former USSR

  Hungary

  Czechoslovakia

  00

  73

  89

  14

  01

  —

  1,334

  116

  02

  0

  6

  1

  03

  12,077

  1

  57

  04

  29

  141

  —

  05

  50

  6,419

  614

  06

  138

  28

  95

  07

  32

  145

  68

  08

  230

  467

  48

  09

  3

  94

  —

  11

  875

  3,779

  1,592

  22

  620

  295

  —

  Section 4

  475

  906

  613

  Value of imports to United Kingdom from countries listed 1992

  (£'000)

  Division

  Former USSR

  Hungary

  Czechoslovakia

  00

  47

  50

  118

  01

  36

  2,394

  —

  02

  —

  1

  —

  03

  22,556

  72

  58

  04

  20

  68

  7

  05

  43

  6,415

  696

  06

  6

  21

  118

  07

  20

  83

  65

  08

  131

  435

  —

  09

  —

  51

  —

  11

  992

  5,471

  2,341

  22

  747

  255

  4

  Section 4

  6

  806

  20

  Data Source: Central Statistical Office—MA 20.

  CODE DEFINMONS:

  00 Live animals other than those in '03' definition.

  01 Meat and meat preparations.

  02 Dairy products and birds' eggs.

  03 Fish—not marine animals—crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof.

  04 Cereals and cereal preparations.

  05 Vegetables and fruit.

  06 Sugar, sugar preparations and honey.

  07 Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, and manufactures thereof.

  08 Feeding stuff for animals—excluding unmilled cereals.

  09 Miscellaneous edibile products and preparations.

  11 Beverages.

  22 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruit.

  4 Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes.

  433

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  08

  1,114

  7

  0

  175

  48

  0

  400

  0

  1

  0

  51

  432

  09

  280

  12

  9

  146

  19

  18

  63

  0

  0

  0

  0

  13

  11

  25,523

  818

  438

  869

  16,663

  1,687

  1,557

  31

  90

  2,364

  25

  981

  22

  7,593

  3

  931

  896

  2,723

  1,079

  258

  0

  4

  1,418

  0

  281

  4

  6,212

  814

  2,186

  1,838

  1,330

  35

  9

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Imports to the EC from the former Soviet Union in 1991

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  6,745

  101

  41

  797

  745

  4,650

  105

  0

  294

  0

  0

  12

  01

  349

  117

  0

  28

  0

  145

  0

  0

  2

  57

  0

  0

  02

  3,159

  0

  461

  1,585

  258

  442

  0

  0

  369

  44

  0

  0

  03

  177,822

  21,215

  2,431

  16,930

  20,526

  3,379

  16,510

  0

  46,782

  300

  11,960

  37,789

  04

  730

  0

  181

  22

  433

  0

  94

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  05

  41,659

  417

  4,192

  1,339

  31,972

  1,972

  148

  0

  337

  646

  0

  636

  06

  11,064

  25

  47

  986

  5,522

  15

  174

  0

  4,027

  0

  0

  268

  07

  438

  0

  0

  93

  292

  0

  53

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  08

  2,387

  0

  0

  89

  608

  41

  329

  0

  401

  0

  124

  795

  09

  341

  30

  2

  276

  17

  6

  0

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  24,083

  698

  576

  1,487

  15,394

  1,099

  783

  26

  83

  2,526

  21

  1,390

  22

  26,136

  300

  526

  1,148

  2,240

  13,182

  893

  0

  16

  4,476

  2,540

  815

  4

  4,406

  410

  9

  161

  2,718

  52

  677

  0

  16

  352

  0

  11

  Imports to the EC from the former Soviet Union in 1992

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  1,323

  8

  0

  157

  175

  915

  62

  0

  0

  5

  0

  1

  01

  296

  0

  0

  26

  0

  97

  80

  0

  0

  93

  0

  0

  02

  1,019

  0

  227

  302

  14

  282

  20

  0

  174

  0

  0

  0

  03

  78,615

  7,219

  1,064

  4,865

  9,470

  1,523

  31,215

  0

  10,601

  60

  5,080

  7,518

  04

  374

  0

  0

  1

  344

  0

  29

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  05

  15,925

  126

  816

  96

  13,811

  501

  81

  0

  230

  175

  0

  89

  06

  4,357

  0

  220

  22

  1,040

  24

  58

  238

  2,409

  0

  0

  346

  07

  345

  7

  0

  116

  184

  0

  34

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  08

  2,791

  0

  0

  0

  31

  191

  134

  0

  590

  0

  75

  1,770

  09

  198

  0

  0

  53

  0

  145

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  9,266

  389

  455

  442

  4,360

  559

  972

  25

  6

  1,118

  0

  940

  22

  30,480

  0

  0

  135

  15

  23,609

  1,054

  0

  0

  1,979

  1,019

  2,669

  4

  270

  0

  11

  0

  151

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  105

  Source: EUROSTAT.

  Imports to the EC from Hungary in 1990

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  71,675

  2,478

  3,134

  668

  3,345

  57,974

  100

  0

  37

  3,399

  0

  540

  01

  306,866

  48,731

  24,487

  6,018

  121,903

  88,476

  2,490

  0

  1,681

  7,451

  0

  5,629

  02

  6,014

  812

  470

  1,189

  713

  2,046

  0

  0

  105

  580

  0

  99

  03

  3,650

  15

  390

  12

  1,052

  2,028

  11

  0

  9

  1

  0

  132

  04

  20,041

  4,012

  942

  1,845

  9,189

  3,715

  113

  0

  7

  0

  56

  162

  05

  135,980

  5,369

  3,689

  11,191

  88,369

  8,596

  12,089

  69

  2,929

  2,610

  178

  891

  06

  13,973

  2,185

  235

  505

  6,397

  4,074

  359

  30

  33

  37

  0

  118

  07

  13,170

  1,218

  159

  1,876

  9,210

  141

  190

  0

  294

  0

  0

  82

  08

  25,534

  608

  167

  149

  4,222

  16,906

  2,075

  292

  233

  477

  0

  405

  09

  3,339

  119

  24

  1,034

  2,028

  93

  34

  0

  5

  1

  0

  1

  11

  12,140

  330

  126

  327

  7,033

  82

  3,989

  73

  146

  30

  0

  4

  22

  22,906

  2,488

  889

  1,470

  12,344

  4,757

  424

  0

  199

  17

  0

  318

  4

  12,143

  444

  1,074

  4,444

  2,300

  3,209

  42

  0

  303

  0

  0

  327

  Imports to the EC from Hungary in 1991

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  92,830

  3,092

  191

  560

  9,241

  69,587

  127

  0

  14

  9,177

  30

  811

  01

  351,757

  52,584

  22,859

  4,205

  164,373

  83,243

  1,161

  0

  2,795

  11,711

  284

  8,542

  02

  4,752

  103

  237

  854

  614

  1,609

  9

  0

  11

  1,093

  0

  222

  03

  3,539

  61

  266

  29

  1,054

  2,074

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  54

  04

  30,197

  3,450

  296

  1,336

  19,266

  5,148

  267

  0

  40

  38

  88

  268

  05

  225,447

  8,315

  9,505

  16,606

  154,184

  15,492

  10,432

  0

  4,962

  2,473

  133

  3,345

  06

  11,810

  1,374

  124

  393

  5,788

  4,034

  51

  0

  5

  18

  0

  23

  434 435

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  07

  14,623

  1,041

  196

  1,791

  10,471

  279

  216

  0

  315

  25

  22

  267

  08

  34,730

  150

  176

  737

  5,631

  24,865

  729

  164

  0

  1,975

  0

  303

  09

  7,441

  26

  71

  1,092

  5,638

  459

  132

  0

  12

  9

  2

  0

  11

  16,395

  232

  280

  376

  9,038

  36

  6,066

  86

  171

  85

  0

  25

  22

  30,435

  1,954

  582

  2,073

  14,005

  10,061

  524

  0

  424

  148

  0

  664

  4

  17,299

  762

  2,426

  3,848

  3,434

  4,506

  1,293

  0

  46

  0

  0

  984

  Imports to the EC from Hungary in 1992

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  84,740

  2,149

  175

  152

  8,080

  63,570

  66

  0

  6

  10,302

  0

  240

  01

  326,171

  54,900

  13,195

  4,366

  159,869

  69,836

  2,519

  0

  1,134

  5,255

  218

  14,879

  02

  1,870

  112

  33

  141

  712

  235

  2

  0

  130

  409

  0

  96

  03

  4,350

  26

  217

  4

  1,691

  2,221

  102

  0

  14

  72

  0

  3

  04

  28,096

  2,993

  487

  1,342

  17,500

  4,199

  133

  0

  78

  806

  38

  520

  05

  189,252

  5,279

  6,284

  14,452

  134,758

  8,237

  10,026

  22

  4,715

  1,309

  510

  3,660

  06

  10,150

  692

  141

  451

  5,660

  3,093

  30

  0

  68

  14

  0

  1

  07

  17,071

  1,429

  1,327

  1,243

  12,193

  275

  118

  0

  292

  0

  52

  142

  08

  27,856

  479

  296

  225

  5,696

  20,051

  567

  141

  3

  163

  0

  235

  09

  7,335

  3

  14

  795

  4,979

  1,444

  77

  0

  1

  0

  22

  0

  11

  21,909

  309

  428

  367

  13,192

  110

  7,112

  79

  227

  62

  0

  23

  22

  29,650

  1,760

  570

  2,710

  16,111

  6,472

  700

  0

  763

  29

  10

  525

  4

  14,048

  1,668

  1,116

  3,638

  3,543

  2,577

  1,141

  0

  55

  297

  0

  13

  Source: Eurostat.

  Imports to the EC from Czechoslovakia in 1990

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  19,064

  1,054

  173

  215

  4,280

  13,079

  105

  14

  35

  99

  0

  10

  01

  64,634

  5,643

  579

  1,395

  37,381

  11,112

  433

  0

  2,349

  3,238

  439

  2,065

  02

  19,796

  4

  7,645

  6,318

  2,169

  2,005

  0

  0

  90

  1,261

  0

  304

  03

  4,665

  563

  207

  51

  3,031

  701

  39

  0

  7

  0

  0

  66

  04

  9,588

  15

  1,691

  5,117

  2,747

  1

  0

  0

  17

  0

  0

  0

  05

  46,859

  369

  6,557

  1,709

  35,002

  439

  1,046

  0

  1,067

  303

  298

  69

  06

  7,201

  43

  78

  18

  5,904

  818

  147

  0

  0

  0

  0

  193

  07

  2,187

  0

  15

  296

  1,486

  4

  118

  0

  0

  10

  0

  258

  08

  4,751

  0

  0

  0

  4,091

  29

  631

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  09

  1,329

  0

  133

  119

  157

  920

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  12,272

  133

  36

  257

  8,184

  1,614

  1,473

  0

  39

  125

  0

  411

  22

  1,937

  0

  0

  0

  1,936

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  5,796

  4

  0

  1,578

  2,966

  1,244

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Imports to the EC from Czechoslovakia in 1991

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  18,599

  822

  162

  178

  6,494

  9,871

  43

  0

  24

  538

  372

  95

  01

  41,958

  2,252

  825

  700

  24,312

  8,850

  456

  0

  1,036

  2,553

  0

  974

  02

  11,289

  235

  1,169

  4,152

  306

  920

  1

  0

  68

  1,284

  80

  1,074

  03

  7,344

  725

  541

  411

  4,669

  788

  81

  0

  7

  0

  0

  122

  04

  11,792

  0

  2,397

  2,202

  7,129

  29

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  25

  05

  78,522

  930

  7,580

  3,522

  63,538

  394

  691

  8

  639

  285

  183

  752

  06

  8,377

  127

  0

  23

  7,285

  320

  136

  0

  57

  5

  0

  424

  07

  2,585

  1

  17

  414

  1,730

  92

  86

  0

  0

  7

  0

  238

  08

  16,744

  4

  236

  241

  15,613

  391

  68

  108

  2

  0

  0

  81

  09

  1,235

  2

  0

  23

  320

  886

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  11

  22,338

  181

  45

  191

  16,215

  1,993

  2,756

  1

  25

  205

  0

  726

  22

  3,485

  41

  0

  121

  2,704

  487

  0

  0

  93

  39

  0

  0

  4

  9,545

  0

  11

  1,411

  7,278

  734

  29

  0

  0

  0

  0

  82

  Imports to the EC from Czechoslovakia in 1992

  (thousands ECU)

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  00

  36,323

  746

  647

  116

  16,299

  14,723

  150

  0

  33

  2,865

  415

  329

  01

  31,306

  1,413

  146

  19

  19,335

  8,834

  0

  0

  147

  851

  233

  328

  02

  4,930

  543

  135

  536

  2,955

  299

  0

  0

  94

  248

  0

  120

  03

  9,952

  1,004

  578

  609

  6,664

  804

  82

  0

  8

  1

  2

  200

  04

  4,946

  9

  1,335

  185

  3,305

  100

  9

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  05

  76,363

  1,188

  4,487

  4,186

  63,405

  460

  819

  22

  1,050

  68

  154

  524

  436 437

  Codes

  EC 12 Total

  France

  Belgium/ Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  FR Germany

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Greece

  Portugal

  Spain

  06

  6,337

  26

  67

  97

  5,251

  312

  154

  0

  14

  377

  0

  39

  07

  3,749

  9

  16

  685

  2,572

  139

  134

  0

  7

  9

  0

  178

  08

  33,706

  0

  182

  353

  31,933

  739

  0

  420

  0

  0

  0

  79

  09

  2,673

  18

  55

  1,167

  1,027

  406,0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  28,321

  425

  104

  388

  21,042

  2,052

  3,192

  9

  26

  341

  0

  742

  22

  13,355

  6

  320

  215

  8,036

  4,685

  12

  0

  73

  0

  0

  8

  4

  7,039

  37

  6

  1,554

  5,223

  193

  26

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Source: Eurostat.

  Code definitions:

  00 Live animals other than those in'03' defintion.

  01 Meat and meant preparations.

  02 Dairy products and birds' eggs.

  03 Fish—not marine animals—crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof.

  04 Cereals and cereal preparations.

  05 Vegetables and fruit.

  06 Sugar, sugar preparations and honey.

  07 Coffee, tea cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof.

  08 Feeding stuff for animals—excluding unmilled cereals.

  09 Miscellaneous edible products and preparations.

  11 Beverages.

  22 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruit.

  4 Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will bring forward legislation requiring improved food labelling by food manufacturers.

  Mr. Jack
  The food labelling regulations will be amended shortly to provide a standard format for the provision of nutrition information. We also plan to consolidate these regulations this year, because of the many amendments which have been made to them since 1984. I do not believe that further regulation is necessary in advance of decisions on several labelling issues in the European Community.

  Farm and Conservation Grants
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation she has made of the horticultural elements of her Department's farm and conservation grants scheme.

  Mr. Jack
  An evaluation of the horticultural elements of the farm and conservation grant scheme was completed in May 1993 by Dr. Ilbery of Coventry university and Dr. Bowler of the university of Leicester. A copy of the evaluation has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Advertising
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the cost of advertising by her Department has been for each year since 1979 and for each of the last 12 months.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 16 December 1993]: Expenditure on advertising by MAFF in the financial year 1982-83 and each subsequent year was as follows:

  £

  1982–83

  3,000

  1983–84

  27,000

  1984–85

  26,000

  1985–86

  29,000

  1986–87

  54,000

  1987–88

  12,000

  1988–89

  380,000

  1989–90

  116,000

  438

  £

  1990–91

  53,000

  1991–92

  262,000

  1992–93

  April

  13,000

  May

  Nil

  June

  Nil

  July

  Nil

  August

  Nil

  September

  475,000

  October

  Nil

  November

  Nil

  December

  Nil

  January

  6,000

  February

  Nil

  March

  Nil

  Figures prior to 1982–83 are not available in this form since they do not distinguish between expenditure on advertising and other paid publicity.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will set out, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, the balance of trade for organic food produce, both in terms of value in real terms and as a percentage of all foods.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 11 January]: Trade statistics do not separately identify organic food.

  Estimates suggest, however, that about two thirds of organic food consumed in the United Kingdom is imported. Some of this, but it is not known how much, is attributable to such factors as climate. The total organic market is very small, representing less than 1 per cent. of all food sales.

DEFENCE

  Exercise Hadrian's Wall
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties by(a) helicopters and (b) fixed-wing aircraft took place (i) in the Hunterston area and (ii) at other locations during Exercise Hadrian's Wall; and how many of these took place at night.
  439
  Mr. Hanley
  A total of 117 sorties were flown during Exercise Hadrian's Wall, 104 by helicopter and 13 by fixed-wing aircraft. Of these, four helicopters sorties were flown in the Hunterston area; 41 sorties were flown at night.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were received about(a) low flying and (b) other activity connected with Exercise Hadrian's Wall.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department's air staff secretariat received 12 complaints or inquiries about low flying in areas affected by Exercise Hadrian's Wall, not all of which were necessarily connected with the exercise. Two further complaints were received about other activity connected with the exercise.

  Departmental Records
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with the Lord Chancellor's Department in regard to the withholding of departmental records on Anglo-American mutual defence co-operation under section 3(4) of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967, in preparation for the most recent release of official papers from the Public Records Office.

  Mr. Hanley
  In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958, MOD records withheld under section 3(4) are reviewed, on a rolling programme, every 10 years. Records may be withheld individually or under blanket arrangements, covering certain classes or records such as those relating to security, intelligence and nuclear matters.

  Records may continue to be withheld under the blanket arrangements without reference to the Lord Chancellor. Individual records withheld require separate reference to the Lord Chancellor for his approval.

  Due to the very large number of records reviewed under these procedures it is not possible to identify, without disproportionate cost, records which may have been withheld under a very broad category such as Anglo-American defence co-operation.

  Air Transport (Outsize Loads)
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's current policy on the air transportation of outsize loads, including the Challenger main battle tank, Warrior mechanised infantry combat vehicle and multiple launch rocket system.

  Mr. Hanley
  Outsize loads are normally transported by sea or land. If these needed to be moved by air, we have a bilateral agreement with the United States for the use of their aircraft and plans for the use of chartered civil wide-bodied aircraft.

  West Freugh Airfield
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what night flying facilities are available at West Freugh airfield.

  Mr. Hanley
  West Freugh airfield is capable of providing all the facilities necessary for night flying; it is equipped with runway, taxi-way and approach lighting and air traffic, crash, fire and refuelling facilities can be made available in support of night flying detachments.
  440

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates, locations, aircraft types and circumstances of all incidents occurring in each year since 1988 in which a public complaint about low flying led to an investigation which concluded that the aircraft concerned was in breach of low flying regulations.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested could not be provided without disproportionate cost and effort.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative statistical information on the safety record of different air forces while flying in Flag exercises underlay the statement in his Department's memorandum to the Committee of Public Accounts inquiry into low flying training—HC 241-i, Session 1989–90, appendix 1, paragraph 7—on the safety record of the Royal Air Force.

  Mr. Hanley
  The statement is borne out by United States Air Force statistical records of all aspects of FLAG Exercise flying. The RAF has been a major participant in these exercises since 1977 during which time it has lost four aircraft. This is some 7·8 per cent. of the total number of FLAG accidents suffered by all participating nations up to October 1990.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date night low level training by Royal Air Force Harrier GR7s re-commenced after the summer of 1993; and what are the projected dates for commencement of night low level training by numbers 3 and 4 squadrons.

  Mr. Hanley
  Royal Air Force Harrier GR7s resumed night low flying on 28 September 1993. One of the two squadrons mentioned is planned to commence night flying in September 1994 and the other in September 1995; the order has yet to be decided.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the regulations for practice interception of aircraft in the United Kingdom low flying system(a) by similar aircraft types and (b) by dissimilar aircraft types since the accident to a Royal Air Force Jaguar on 12 September 1990.

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

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are used to ensure separation of military aircraft, operating without lights at night in the low flying system, from civil aircraft operating in the flight information region.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are two such procedures: notices to airmen and separation by height.

  Laser-guided Bomb
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tenders have been received for the low-level laser-guided bomb programme; and if he will make a statement on the projected dates for project milestones for this programme.

  Mr. Aitken
  Three companies responded following the invitation to tender issued last year. Of these, two were invited to submit best and final offers which are currently
  441
  under consideration. Project milestones will be established once the weapons contractor has been selected and final negotiations are complete.

  RAF Edzell
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel are currently employed at the US Navy facility at RAF Edzell.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are currently 42 British military personnel employed at the US Navy facility at RAF Edzell.

  NATO Infrastructure Programme
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce shared civil-military usage of(a) existing military infrastructure facilities funded by the NATO infrastructure programme and (b) future NATO infrastructure programme facilities.

  Mr. Hanley
  Certain military infrastructure facilities funded by the NATO infrastructure programme are already shared with civil users. The possibility of shared usage will be taken into account for all future NATO infrastructure facilities.

  Pilot Training
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual continuation training requirement, in hours, for simulator training for(a) Tornado GR1/1A pilots and (b) Harrier GR5/GR7 pilots.

  Mr. Hanley
  The annual continuation training requirement for simulator training for GR1/IA and Harrier GR5/GR7 pilots is 20 hours.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the annual continuation training hours requirements for fully combat-ready front-line pilots in(a) Tornado GR1/1A pilots and (b) Harrier GR5/GR7.

  Mr. Hanley
  To retain combat-ready status on Tornado GR1/1A and Harrier GR5/GR7, pilots must fly a minimum of 180 hours a year.

  Birds (Radar)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to deploy radars in the United Kingdom for the purpose of monitoring concentrations and movements of birds.

  Mr. Hanley
  There are currently no plans to deploy radars in the United Kingdom for this purpose. However, a trial has established the feasibility of detecting birds on radar and a contract has been let in order to evaluate the development of a bird hazard warning system for the RAF.

  Operation Distant Frontier
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military operations areas, instrument flight rules military training routes, visual flight rules military training routes, air-to-ground weapons ranges and electronic warfare ranges to which Royal Air Force aircraft have been granted access by the United States authorities during Distant Frontier deployments to Alaska.
  442
  Mr. Hanley
  Military operations areas, training routes and ranges to which the RAF has been granted access by the United States authorities during Distant Frontier deployments to Alaska are as follows:

  Military Operations Areas

  Yukon One and Two

  IFR Military Training Route

  IR952

  VFR Military Training Routes

  VR1909 and VR1910

  Weapons Range

  R2202

  Electronic Warfare Ranges

  Tactical EW Simulators deployed in Weapons Ranges

  R2202 and R2205

  Jetstream
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to the purchase of new Jetstream aircraft following his meeting with Jetstream managing director, Allan Macdonald; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has studied carefully the company's proposal to replace RN and RAF Jetstreams with new Jetstream Super 31s. There is, however, no current operational requirement, nor are there other grounds for replacing our existing Jetstreams, which can continue in service into the next century.

  HMS Illustrious
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report on the inquiry into the recent accident aboard HMS Illustrious; and if he will make a statement on the accident.

  Mr. Hanley
  HMS Illustrious is at present undergoing a refit in Devonport dockyard. On the morning of 7 January 1994 an accident occurred when a member of the ship's company fell into the machinery of the vessel's vertiflo stores lift. He suffered severe facial injuries and was transferred to a local hospital.

  An investigation was immediately initiated by the ship to establish the circumstances which led to the accident. The report is an internal document produced for internal use and there are no plans to publish it. However, a copy would be made available to the individual concerned on request.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number and location of vacant dwellings owned by his Department in the parliamentary constituencies of Plymouth, Drake, Plymouth, Devonport, and Plymouth, Sutton.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 31 December 1993 the Ministry of Defence owned the following vacant dwellings in the parliamentary constituencies of Plymouth, Drake, Plymouth, Devonport and Plymouth, Sutton:

  Plymouth Drake

  Plymouth Devonport

  Plymouth Sutton

  Service married quarters

  11

  205

  67

  MOD civilian houses

  0

  5

  0

  Former married quarters in the process of being sold

  27

  17

  26

  443

  Plymouth Drake

  Plymouth Devonport

  Plymouth Sutton

  TOTAL

  38

  227

  93

  The majority of the married quarters are either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation or are already allotted to service families who will be moving in shortly. I am not prepared to give the location of these properties on security grounds.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vacant dwellings are owned by his Department in each parliamentary constituency in Devon and Cornwall.

  Mr. Hanley
  Following is the information.

  Service married quarters

  MOD civilian houses

  Former married quarters in the process of sale

  Total

  North Devon

  20

  0

  0

  20

  Exeter

  5

  0

  0

  5

  Honiton

  30

  0

  3

  33

  Plymouth Devonport

  151

  5

  17

  173

  Plymouth Drake

  11

  0

  27

  38

  Plymouth Sutton

  67

  0

  26

  93

  Torridge and West Devon

  10

  0

  0

  10

  Falmouth and Camborne

  1

  0

  0

  1

  North Cornwall

  161

  0

  0

  161

  St. Ives

  85

  0

  0

  85

  South East Cornwall

  2

  0

  0

  2

  The majority of the married quarters are either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation or are already allotted to service families who will be moving in shortly.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings are owned by his Department; and how many are currently vacant.

  Mr. Hanley
  As at 31 December 1993 MOD owned 71,415 service married quarters of which 10,112 were vacant and at 30 September 1993, the latest date for which figures are available, 677 MOD civilian houses of which 134 were vacant. The majority of the vacant quarters were either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation, already allocated to service families who were due to move in shortly or held for units returning from overseas as a result of the restructuring of the armed forces. In addition some 2,019 service married quarters, of which 1,275 were vacant and 456 civilian houses, of which 44 were vacant, were in the process of being sold.

  HMS Tireless
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report of the inquiry into the accident which occurred on HMS Tireless on 7 January; and if he will make a statement on the accident.

  Mr. Hanley
  On the afternoon of 7 January HMS Tireless was preparing for machinery trials in Devonport 444
  Dockyard. During this procedure a member of the ship's company was caught in a large spill of very hot water from the ship's propulsion system causing him to suffer burns. He was taken to a local hospital where his condition is now stable.

  An investigation was immediately convened to investigate this accident. The report of that investigation is an internal document produced for internal use and there are no plans to publish the report. However, a copy would be made available to the individual concerned on request.

  Private Schools
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average cost of the school place provided for the children of service personnel in independent and private schools in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  The MOD provides support to service parents for the education of their children by means of boarding school allowance; this is paid to assist eligible service parents in providing a stable education for their children in the face of the domestic turbulence frequently encountered in service life. The average amounts of boarding school allowance paid per service child for the years in question were:

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  5,897

  1991–92

  7,117

  1992–93

  7,719

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of sending children of service personnel to independent or private schools in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  The total cost to the MOD of boarding school allowance for the years in question was:

  Year

  £ million

  1990–91

  105·61

  1991–92

  115·35

  1992–93

  116·72

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of children of service personnel in(a) Devon and (b) Cornwall whose place at independent or private schools were paid for by his Department, in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Hanley
  Information on the locations of children of service parents claiming boarding school allowance is not collected annually. The most recent figures, for 1992, are:

  Number

  a. Devon

  640

  b. Cornwall

  211

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings are owned by his Department in Plymouth.
  445
  Mr. Hanley
  As at 31 December 1993 the Ministry of Defence owned 2,548 married quarters and 11 civilian houses in the Plymouth area. In addition 70 former married quarters and two civilian houses were in the process of being sold.

  RAF Brawdy
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers will occupy RAF Brawdy following their arrival in August.

  Mr. Hanley
  On current plans, the advance elements of the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers will occupy RAF Brawdy in August 1994 with the remainder of the battalion following in September 1994. The battalion is planned to remain there until 1996.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if RAF Brawdy is still being considered for longer-term Army barracks requirements.

  Mr. Hanley
  Yes, RAF Brawdy is being looked at as one of a number of options for the Army's longer-term barracks requirements.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Welch Fusiliers will transfer from RAF Brawdy.

  Mr. Hanley
  On current plans, the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers will transfer from RAF Brawdy in the first half of 1996.

  Army Apprentice College, Chepstow
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his best estimate of the cost of refurbishing the Army apprentice college, Chepstow, accommodation in the next two years.

  Mr. Hanley
  The latest estimate for refurbishing the Army apprentice college Chepstow to allow reroling as an infantry battalion barracks is approximately £16,000,000.

  RAF Chivenor
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 December,Official Report, column 918, if he will give a full breakdown of the total annual support costs for helicopter search-and-rescue operations at RAF Chivenor after (a) 31 July 1994 and (b) 1 October 1995.

  Mr. Hanley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes to statutory sick pay provision upon his departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Aitken
  The abolition of the 80 per cent, statutory sick pay reimbursement rate will be offset, at least in part, by a reduction in employers' national insurance contributions. Any additional costs will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs baseline.
  446

  RAF Supply Depots
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for an examination by auditors of the findings of the equipment depot supplies report into RAF supply depots.

  Mr. Hanley
  The findings of the equipment supply depot report have been scrutinised by the senior finance officer of RAF Support Command and are fully open in the usual way to examination by the MOD's internal auditors and the NAO. In addition, and in response to concerns expressed, I have asked senior MOD officials outside the RAF Support Command structure to go over the analysis again on my behalf.

  Ukraine
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent agreement reached with the Ukraine to dismantle its nuclear defences.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister referred to this in the House on 12 January. We warmly welcome this agreement and pay tribute to all the signatories. It is important that it be speedily implemented. I have placed in the Library of the House the text of the statement made on 14 January.

  NATO
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the conditions under which countries are eligible to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are no fixed criteria for membership of NATO. Article 10 of the Washington treaty allows the members of the alliance, by unanimous agreement, to offer membership to any other European state which is in a position to further the principles of the alliance and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Assaults)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of assaults(a) by prisoners on prisoners and (b) by prisoners on staff, in each of the last three months, for each prison in England and Wales.

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 17 January 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking for a list of the number of assaults (a) by prisoners on prisoners and (b) by prisoners on staff, in each of the last three months, for each prison in England and Wales.

  447
  The latest available information for the number of assaults proved at adjudication under the prison discipline system for the last three months is given in the attached table.

  Assaults October-December 1993

  October 1993

  November 1993

  December 1993

  Prison Establishments, areas

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  All establishments

  268

  210

  478

  311

  212

  523

  256

  174

  430

  North East

  11

  14

  25

  23

  14

  37

  13

  11

  24

  Acklington

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  1

  3

  —

  3

  Castington

  2

  3

  5

  2

  2

  4

  —

  2

  2

  Durham

  2

  —

  2

  2

  2

  4

  4

  2

  6

  Frankland

  1

  —

  1

  5

  2

  7

  —

  3

  3

  Full Sutton

  2

  3

  5

  7

  2

  9

  3

  1

  4

  Holme House

  3

  —

  3

  2

  2

  4

  3

  2

  5

  Kirklevington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Low Newton

  1

  7

  8

  4

  4

  8

  —

  1

  1

  North West

  11

  14

  25

  10

  18

  28

  13

  15

  28

  Garth

  4

  1

  5

  1

  4

  5

  2

  —

  2

  Haverigg

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hindley

  1

  8

  9

  —

  4

  4

  —

  7

  7

  Kirkham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Lancaster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  Lancaster Farms

  2

  2

  4

  4

  6

  10

  6

  4

  10

  Preston

  4

  1

  5

  4

  3

  7

  4

  2

  6

  Thom Cross

  —

  2

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Wymott

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire

  8

  10

  18

  17

  7

  24

  10

  11

  21

  Askham Grange

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Deerbolt

  —

  3

  3

  1

  1

  2

  3

  1

  4

  Everthorpe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hatfield

  —

  2

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Hull

  8

  1

  9

  14

  2

  16

  4

  3

  7

  Northallerton

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  3

  3

  3

  6

  Rudgate

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thorpe Arch

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wetherby

  —

  4

  4

  —

  2

  2

  —

  3

  3

  Trans-Pennine

  22

  10

  32

  37

  8

  45

  22

  9

  31

  Leeds

  8

  6

  14

  8

  5

  13

  12

  3

  15

  Liverpool

  5

  1

  6

  4

  —

  4

  2

  3

  5

  Manchester

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  New Hall

  1

  —

  1

  3

  —

  3

  1

  1

  2

  Risley

  7

  —

  7

  15

  1

  16

  5

  1

  6

  Styal

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1

  5

  2

  —

  2

  Wakefield

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  East Midlands

  18

  14

  32

  21

  19

  40

  11

  9

  20

  Lincoln

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  2

  Lindholme

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Moorland

  14

  12

  26

  15

  15

  30

  8

  6

  14

  Morton Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Sea Camp

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nottingham

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Ranby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stocken

  3

  1

  4

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Whatton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Mercia

  9

  11

  20

  5

  11

  16

  4

  17

  21

  Brockhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drake Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hewell Grange

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shrewsbury

  1

  2

  3

  2

  1

  3

  —

  2

  2

  Stoke Heath

  3

  3

  6

  —

  1

  1

  3

  2

  5

  Sudbury/Foston

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Swinfen Hall

  4

  1

  5

  —

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Werrington

  1

  5

  6

  3

  6

  9

  1

  13

  14

  Central

  34

  20

  54

  33

  25

  58

  26

  24

  50

  Ashwell

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Birmingham

  2

  —

  2

  5

  —

  5

  2

  1

  3

  Brinsford

  9

  5

  14

  5

  8

  13

  6

  9

  15

  Featherstone

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  2

  —

  2

  Gartree

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Glen Parva

  6

  12

  18

  9

  11

  20

  8

  12

  20

  Leicester

  4

  1

  5

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  448 449

  October 1993

  November 1993

  December 1993

  Prison Establishments, areas

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Long Lartin

  6

  —

  6

  10

  2

  12

  2

  —

  2

  Stafford

  6

  1

  7

  1

  3

  4

  5

  —

  5

  Chilterns

  20

  29

  49

  22

  22

  44

  19

  21

  40

  Aylesbury

  7

  7

  14

  6

  4

  10

  7

  3

  10

  Bullingdon

  2

  —

  2

  10

  1

  11

  4

  1

  5

  Coldingley

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Huntercombe/Finnamore Wood

  —

  3

  3

  —

  2

  2

  1

  4

  5

  The Mount

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Onley

  5

  16

  21

  4

  12

  16

  1

  12

  13

  Reading

  3

  3

  6

  1

  2

  3

  2

  1

  3

  Wales and the West

  5

  6

  11

  8

  11

  19

  7

  2

  9

  Bristol

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Cardiff

  —

  3

  3

  3

  7

  10

  —

  2

  2

  Eastwood Park

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Erlestoke

  2

  —

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucester

  —

  3

  3

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Leyhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pucklechurch

  1

  —

  1

  2

  2

  4

  4

  —

  4

  Swansea

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  1

  —

  1

  Usk/Prescoed

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wessex

  12

  7

  19

  7

  5

  12

  7

  5

  12

  Channings Wood

  2

  —

  2

  2

  1

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Dartmoor

  3

  —

  3

  3

  —

  3

  1

  2

  3

  Dorchester

  1

  2

  3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Exeter

  5

  1

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Guys Marsh

  —

  1

  1

  —

  3

  3

  3

  —

  3

  Portland

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  3

  Shepton Mallet

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  The Verne

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  London North

  25

  20

  45

  26

  24

  50

  28

  11

  39

  Bedford

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Grendon/Spring Hill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Holloway

  7

  7

  14

  5

  9

  14

  5

  4

  9

  Littlehey

  3

  1

  4

  1

  —

  1

  2

  —

  2

  Oxford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pentonville

  5

  —

  5

  5

  4

  9

  5

  2

  7

  Wellingborough

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Whitemoor

  1

  2

  3

  3

  3

  6

  4

  3

  7

  Woodhill

  1

  5

  6

  2

  7

  9

  5

  —

  5

  Wormwood Scrubs

  7

  3

  10

  9

  1

  10

  6

  2

  8

  East Anglia

  17

  18

  35

  21

  8

  29

  12

  8

  20

  Blundeston

  2

  5

  7

  2

  —

  2

  —

  1

  1

  Bullwood Hall

  3

  —

  3

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  Chelmsford

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  3

  Highpoint

  4

  1

  5

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Hollesley Bay

  1

  4

  5

  4

  2

  6

  —

  —

  —

  Norwich

  2

  6

  8

  3

  4

  7

  2

  3

  5

  Wayland

  4

  1

  5

  11

  —

  11

  4

  2

  6

  London South

  23

  21

  44

  33

  15

  48

  41

  11

  52

  Albany

  1

  3

  4

  —

  2

  2

  2

  1

  3

  Belmarsh

  7

  —

  7

  11

  1

  12

  7

  1

  8

  Brixton

  3

  6

  9

  4

  —

  4

  4

  2

  6

  Camp Hill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  2

  —

  2

  Feltham

  4

  10

  14

  10

  8

  18

  8

  6

  14

  Latchmere House

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Parkhurst

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  9

  —

  9

  Wandsworth

  7

  2

  97

  7

  1

  8

  9

  1

  10

  Kent

  13

  8

  21

  14

  15

  29

  12

  13

  25

  Aldington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Blantyre House

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Canterbury

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  2

  Cookham Wood

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Dover

  —

  2

  2

  1

  2

  3

  1

  4

  5

  East Sutton Park

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Elmley

  3

  —

  3

  2

  2

  4

  1

  —

  1

  Maidstone

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  Rochester

  2

  4

  6

  4

  8

  12

  1

  4

  5

  Stanford Hill

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Swaleside

  6

  —

  6

  4

  2

  6

  7

  2

  9

  450 451

  October 1993

  November 1993

  December 1993

  Prison Establishments, areas

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Staff and others

  Prisoners

  Total

  South Coast

  12

  2

  14

  5

  8

  13

  15

  5

  20

  Downview

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Haslar

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  High Down

  6

  1

  7

  4

  4

  8

  8

  1

  9

  Kingston

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lewes

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  —

  2

  Northeye

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Send

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Winchester

  4

  1

  5

  —

  3

  3

  5

  3

  8

  Contracted out Prisons

  28

  6

  34

  29

  2

  31

  16

  2

  18

  Blakenhurst

  26

  5

  31

  24

  2

  26

  14

  2

  16

  The Wolds

  2

  1

  3

  5

  —

  5

  2

  —

  2

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of the political advisers to Ministers in October 1993 were in which Department; how many were on which salary spine point; how many were aged under 34, 34 and 35 years and above; and how many had served less than two years, two but less than three years, three but less than four years and four years and over.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In October 1993, 30 political advisers were serving in 18 departments as shown in table1.The numbers on each salary spine point is given in table2.Three advisers were not paid on the normal salary spine points. Of those, two were on secondment and their salary was reimbursed to their employer. The third was paid on a personal basis.

  Information on the ages of special advisers is not held centrally.

  For severence payment purposes, 18 political advisers had served in their current appointments less than two years, eight had served two but less than three years, three had served three but less than four years and one had served four years and over.

  Table 1

  Department

  Number of political advisers

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1

  Cabinet Office (including Prime Minister's Office, Chief Whips Office, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's Office)

  8

  Ministry of Defence

  1

  Department of Education

  1

  Department of Employment

  1

  Department of the Environment

  2

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  2

  Department of Health

  1

  Home Office

  2

  House of Lords

  1

  452

  Department

  Number of political advisers

  Department of National Heritage

  1

  Northern Ireland Office

  1

  Scottish Office

  2

  Department of Social Security

  I

  Department of Trade and Industry

  1

  Department of Transport

  1

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  2

  Welsh Office

  1

  Table 2

  Spine point

  Number on spine point

  1

  —

  2

  1

  3

  —

  4

  —

  5

  2

  6

  1

  7

  —

  8

  2

  9

  1

  10

  1

  11

  1

  12

  —

  13

  1

  14

  1

  15

  1

  16

  —

  17

  —

  18

  1

  19

  —

  20

  —

  21

  2

  22

  1

  23

  1

  24

  4

  25

  —

  26

  1

  27

  —

  28

  4

  29

  —

  30

  1

  POLICE AUTHORITY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
  POLICE AUTHORITY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
  FERTILITY TREATMENTS
  FERTILITY TREATMENTS
  CONTRIBUTIONS AGENCY
  CONTRIBUTIONS AGENCY
  UNEMPLOYMENT MEASUREMENT: ALTERNATIVE CRITERIA
  UNEMPLOYMENT MEASUREMENT: ALTERNATIVE CRITERIA
  UNEMPLOYED PERSONS AGED UNDER 50
  UNEMPLOYED PERSONS AGED UNDER 50