Written Answers of 5 July 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Gravesend Bench
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the breakdown by party political affiliation of members of the Gravesend bench.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The political balance of magistrates on the Gravesham bench, which covers Gravesend, on the latest information available is as follows:

  Number

  Conservative

  24

  Labour

  13

  Liberal Democrat

  6

  Independent/Not Known

  10

  Pre-trial Issues Working Group
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement concerning the pilot study of recommendation 92 of the inter-agency working group on pre-trial issues.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The pilot study has now been evaluated and the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary and the Attorney-General have received a report setting out its results. The inter-agency pre-trial issues steering group, which set up the pilot study, has recommended that the system under which magistrates' courts, when committing defendants to the Crown court for trial, fix a date upon which the case will be listed for a plea and directions hearing in the Crown court should be introduced on a national basis.

  We, together with the Lord Chief Justice, welcome the report as a significant step towards a reduction in the number of cases which are listed for trial, with witnesses attending to give evidence, but which are not contested on the day. The percentage of such cases fell from 31 per cent. before the pilot to 18 per cent. during the pilot. The Lord Chancellor's Department is establishing an inter-agency implementation group to carry forward the implementation of the recommendation. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Courts Service
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce computerisation into the county court service; how many county courts these plans will affect; how many will not be so affected; and what account he will take of whether a court has been computerised in deciding whether it should be closed.
  106
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor and I are committed to improving the efficiency of the court system by providing court staff with computer support where appropriate. To achieve this, all county court offices are already provided with some form of computer support in the areas of warrant production and control and of the handling of suitors' cash. Those systems are currently being upgraded. A project is also under way to extend the range of functions to which computer support can be given. The criteria applied in deciding whether it is appropriate to close a county court do not include the existence of computer support.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria he applies when deciding which of the functions of the courts service are appropriate for contracting out and which are not.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The first and paramount criterion is the preservation of the independence and probity of the judicial process. If that is not at risk, general issues relating to the effective and efficient operation and management of the courts in providing a good-quality service to their users and value for money for the taxpayer would be taken into account.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to identify a core of activities of the courts service that are not appropriate for contracting out.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is exploring the matter with the senior judiciary. Each activity will be considered on its own merits, bearing in mind the paramount need to maintain the independence and probity of the judicial process.

TREASURY

  Political Parties (Funds)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if funds drawn in the form of either interest or capital from a capital sum held abroad by a political party are subject to United Kingdom taxation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Political parties are chargeable to corporation tax or income and capital gains tax on their profits or gains depending on their status and organisation. Whether sums drawn in the form of interest or capital from a capital sum held abroad are subject to United Kingdom taxation will depend on whether those sums represent profits or gains, and on the particular circumstances in which the sums are drawn.

  Visible Trade
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken internationally to reduce Japanese and German surpluses on visible trade.

  Mr. Nelson
  Trade surpluses reflect, in the main, structural factors, such as Japan's high domestic savings ratio and relative cyclical position. At last year's G7 summit in Tokyo, Japan undertook to implement fiscal and monetary measures to ensure sustained non-inflationary growth contributing to the goal of significantly reducing external imbalances.

  Fonds Commun de Placement
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment of the benefit to United Kingdom investors and financial institutions if the tax treatment of fonds commun de placement with undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities certificates is changed so it is practical to market them in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have made no such assessment. I understand, however, that fonds commun de placement are mutual funds set up in other member states of the European Union by financial institutions established in those states. It is not clear to what extent changing the tax treatment of those funds to enhance their marketability in the United Kingdom would beneift financial institutions in the United Kingdom as opposed to those of other member states.

  Corporation Tax, Northern Ireland
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the yield from corporation tax in Northern Ireland each year since 1989–90.

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is not possible to provide a reliable geographical analysis of the yield of corporation tax. The tax is charged on total profits of a company, including income received from abroad. A company may surrender tax losses to another company in the same group anywhere in the United Kingdom and thus reduce the latter's tax charge.

  Dividend Payments
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was repaid by the inspector of foreign dividends or his equivalent to foreign holders of United Kingdom dividends, warrants etc. in relation to tax credits or to tax withheld in regard to their dividend payments in each fiscal year since 1985.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: Payments to foreign residents of tax credits on United Kingdom dividends under double taxation agreements made either at source by the company paying the dividend or by the inspector of foreign dividends are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1985–86

  440

  1986–87

  490

  1987–88

  480

  1988–89

  510

  1989–90

  550

  1990–91

  490

  1991–92

  480

  1992–93

  550

  1993–94

  470

  Note:

  Excludes payments to sovereign immune bodies.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ernst and Young
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action he has taken against the auditing firm and partners criticised in the inspectors' report on Rotaprint plc; and what has been the outcome;
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  (2) what action he has taken against the auditing firm and partners criticised in the inspectors' reports on Sound Diffusion; and what has been the outcome.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 4 July 1994,Official Report, column 11.

  Electrical Appliances (Plugs)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to make regulations requiring electrical applicances to be supplied with a correctly fused plug; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Regulations under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 will be laid before Parliament shortly, and from 1 February 1995 most domestic electrical appliances manufactured in, or imported into, the United Kingdom must be supplied with a correctly fused plug.

  Fatalities and injuries occur each year because of incorrectly fitted electric plugs. These regulations represent an important step forward in consumer safety for the British public.

  Slate
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what conveniently available figures he has for the import of slate into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Needham
  Information on the topic is regularly published in "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Property Misdescriptions Act 1991
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is his assessment of the benefits that the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 has brought to home buyers;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991; and what plans he has to amend it.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Act was introduced to deter estate agents from making inaccurate statements about property. It has had practical effect only since April 1993, when the Property Misdescriptions (Specified Matters) Order 1992 came into force. It takes time for new legislation to settle and it is too soon to be able to judge how effectively the Act and the order are operating.

  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many convictions there have been under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991;

  (2) how many prosecutions have been brought under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  As of 29 June 1994, the Office of Fair Trading had been notified of six prosecutions under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991, all of which resulted in convictions.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many applicants in each region of the United Kingdom have been rejected for regional selective assistance because of a failure to meet new guidelines;
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  (2) what recent changes have been made in the guidelines relating to the disbursement of regional selective assistance; and from when they took effect.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Teampace Holdings Ltd.
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he received the report from the receivers to Teampace Holdings Ltd.; what factors led the Department to decide against further investigations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The administrative receivers' report was received by the disqualification unit on 5 April 1993 and identified as meriting further investigation on 11 May 1993. Because of the need to prioritise the unit's resources, the matter was not taken forward, as I explained in my speech in the House on 29 June 1994,Official Report, columns 920–22.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what legal advice he has received on the implications of change in ownership of the Patent Office; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) which options in regard to the United Kingdom Patent Office have been ruled out; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is the option which Price Waterhouse has been requested to provide covering the future of the Patent Office; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) how many representations he has received on the future of the Patent Ofice in the last 12 months; how many of them were in favour of the status quo; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) if he will consider making an interim announcement in regard to the Patent Office.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We are still considering the report by Price Waterhouse which was commissioned as part of the review of the Patent Office's performance as an agency and of its options for the future. The review covers a range of possibilities from abolition to maintenance of the status quo. It is also required to address the scope for contractorisation or privatisation. The review has thrown up a number of complex legal and policy issues, which we are considering. I should emphasise that no decision on the future of the office has yet been taken. An announcement will be made as soon as the review is complete.

  Company

  Inspectors

  Accountant inspectors costs (inc support staff and VAT) £ (000's)

  Legal inspectors costs (inc support staff and VAT) £ (000's)

  Cost of inspection/inspection to date £ (000's)

  Guinness Plc

  Mr. D. Donaldson QC

  1,794

  482

  2,276

  Mr. I Watt FCA, formerly of

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Graylaw Holdings Ltd.

  Miss E. Appleby QC

  431

  43

  474

  Link Service Stations Ltd.

  Mr. P. Foss FCA,

  British Anzani Plc

  Moore Rowland

  Bank Street Securities Ltd.

  Miss E. Appleby QC

  152

  20

  172

  Medway Secondary Metals Ltd.

  Mr. P. Foss FCA,

  85

  15

  100

  Pennine Comnmercial Holdings Plc

  Moore Rowland

  352

  35

  387

  110
  Around 80 representations have been received regarding the future of the Patent Office. These reflect a wide range of issues.

  Post Office Workers (Dog Attacks)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many post office employees received injuries caused by dog attacks while delivering letters and parcels in 1993; how many work days were lost as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The handling of Post Office staff matters is the responsibility of Post Office management. However, I understand that in 1993 the total number of incidents involving animal attacks on Post Office employees was 6,040, of which 694 were sufficiently serious to require sick leave, amounting to a total of 4,527 working days.

  Inspectorate AG and Omni Group
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to investigate the activities in the United Kingdom of subsidiaries or companies related to the Inspectorate AG and Omni Group between 1987 and 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  It is not my Department's policy to comment on the affairs of individual companies. If the hon. Member has information to suggest that an inquiry would be appropriate, my officials would be pleased to consider any information forwarded in the usual manner.

  Company Inspections
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if, for each of the investigations authorised under the Companies Acts, where inspectors have been appointed and the investigation is in progress or the final report remains unpublished, he will publish a table showing the cost of to date, the business connections of the inspectors, the manner in which costs have been disbursed to each of the inspectors, the total number of hours for which his Department has been charged and the basis of fees.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The table below covers all current Companies Acts inspections where the inspection has been announced or, if completed, the report has not yet been published or a decision whether to publish has not been taken. Further information on costs is commercially confidential and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 July 1993,Official Report, column 132.
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  Company

  Inspectors

  Accountant inspectors costs (inc support staff and VAT) £ (000's)

  Legal inspectors costs (inc support staff and VAT) £ (000's)

  Cost of inspection/inspection to date £ (000's)

  James Ferguson Holdings Plc

  Mr. L. Ziman

  4,180

  1,558

  5,738

  Barlow Clowes Gilt Managers Ltd.

  Nabarro Nathanson

  Mr. W. Hoffman FCA,

  Baker Tilly

  Consolidated Gold Fields Plc.

  Mr. P. Heslop QC

  3,415

  384

  3,799

  Mr. R. Lewis FCA,

  Kidsons Impey

  Atlantic Computers Plc

  Mr. E. Hamilton QC

  4,643

  1,849

  6,492

  Atlantic Computer Systems Plc

  Mr. J. Scott FCA,

  BDO Binder Hamlyn

  Wace UK Holdings Ltd.

  Mr. A. Robertshaw

  282

  Tinsley Robor Plc

  Mr. C. Mayhew

  European Colour Plc

  both Departmental officers

  Mirror Group Newspapers Plc

  Mr. J. Thomas QC

  4,331

  1,003

  5,334

  Mr. R. Turner FCA,

  Neville Russell

  Chancery Plc

  Mr. R. Chandler,

  86

  203

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Mr. A. Robertshaw

  Mr. M. Deveson

  Mr. A. Fausset

  all Departmental officers

  Queens Moat Houses Plc

  Mr. P. Phillips QC

  724

  180

  904

  Mr. A. Burn FCA,

  BDO Binder Hamlyn

  Euroscan
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint inspectors to investigate the liquidation of Euroscan.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  I cannot comment on the affairs of individual companies. I am prepared to consider any information the hon. Member may provide in the usual way.

  Corporate Communications
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint inspectors to investigate the liquidation of Corporate Communications.

  Company

  Date of publication

  Accountant inspectors costs (inc support staff) £ (000's)

  Legal inspectors costs (inc support staff) £ (000's)

  Total £ (000's)

  Cornhill Consolidated Group Ltd

  31 December 1980

  —

  —

  (i)

  Burnholme and Forder Ltd

  17 July 1979

  —

  —

  (i)

  Dowgate & General Investments Ltd

  14 May1979

  —

  —

  (i)

  CST Investments Ltd

  Words in Action Ltd

  22 February 1979

  —

  —

  (ii)

  Ashbourne Investments Ltd

  31 July 1979

  245

  82

  327

  Darjeeling Holdings Ltd

  30 April 1980

  155

  28

  183

  The Central Provinces Manganese Ore Co. Ltd

  Data Investments Ltd

  Vivella Ltd

  Bandara Investments Ltd

  Bandarapola Ceylon Company

  112
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  On the basis of the information currently before me, I am not persuaded that this is an appropriate case for the appointment of inspectors.

  Inspectors' Reports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the amount paid to each of his Department's inspectors for the reports published between 1979 and 1985.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The information requested by the hon. Member is set out in the table. The figures for costs include expenses incurred by the inspectors.
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  Company

  Date of publication

  Accountant inspectors costs (inc support staff) £ (000's)

  Legal inspectors costs (inc support staff) £ (000's)

  Total £ (000's)

  Brayhead Ltd

  17 July 1979

  —

  —

  (i)

  Larkfold Holdings Ltd

  7 June 1979

  66

  18

  84

  Kina Holdings Ltd

  24 March 1981

  218

  22

  240

  Scotia Investments Ltd

  22 January 1981

  270

  83

  353

  North Devon Railway Company Ltd

  22 February 1979

  —

  —

  (ii)

  AEG-Telefunken (UK) Ltd

  6 September 1979

  42

  5

  47

  Credit Collections Ltd

  Norwest Holst Ltd

  23 June 1982

  69

  63

  132

  Gilgate Holdings Ltd

  8 September 1981

  628

  28

  656

  Rayborne Group Ltd

  Calomefern Ltd

  Desadean Properties Ltd

  Aveley Laboratories Ltd

  19 May 1981

  17

  6

  23

  Peachey Property Corp Ltd

  30 January 1979

  —

  —

  (i)

  Peek Foods Ltd

  8 December 1981

  —

  —

  (i)

  Orbit Holdings Ltd

  23 December 1981

  30

  6

  36

  Ozalid Group Holdings Ltd

  13 March 1980

  84

  22

  106

  The United Industrial Company Ltd

  17 March 1981

  83

  7

  90

  Fourth City and Commercial Investments Trust Ltd

  27 January 1982

  268

  44

  312

  Systematic Tooling Ltd

  Excelads Ltd

  Cambramain Ltd

  Ozalid Group Holdings Ltd

  13 March 1980

  84

  22

  106

  Ramor Investments Ltd

  22 March 1983

  651

  109

  760 (iii)

  Derritron Ltd

  (interim)

  Saint Piran Ltd

  4 December 1980

  —

  —

  191 (iv)

  (interim)

  16 April 1981

  (final)

  Consolidated Gold Fields Ltd

  5 August 1980

  —

  —

  (ii)

  Dunlop Holdings Ltd

  17 February 1981

  —

  —

  (ii)

  (interim)

  House of Fraser Plc

  9 August 1984

  —

  149

  149

  (i) Cost information no longer available.

  (ii) Inspectors were Departmental officers and the cost of their investigation is not available.

  (iii) Costs are total costs of the investigation.

  (iv) Detailed cost information is no longer available.

  Accounting Firms
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will launch an independent inquiry into the affairs of Coopers and Lybrand following the DTI report on the company;

  (2) if he will initiate an independent inquiry into the regulation of the major accounting firms by the Institute of Chartered Accountants;
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  (3) if he will launch an independent inquiry into the affairs of Grant Thornton following the DTI report on the company.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  No.

  Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing by standard industrial trade classification two-digit division the
  115
  industries whose share of exports by the main manufacturing countries has declined since 1979 as a result of lack of investment in new plant and machinery.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Multi-level Marketing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposal he has for updating legislation in relation to multi-level marketing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government are preparing proposals for changes to the present legislation, and hope to publish a consultation paper shortly.

  Parcels
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 16 June,Official Report, column 630, what is the position in relation to VAT exemption for parcels sent via a privatised company by franked or account postage rather than by the purchase of a stamp.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This issue is discussed in the Government's Green Paper "The Future of Postal Services" (Cm. 2614) published on 30 June. If the Government decide to proceed with privatisation or part-privatisation of the Royal Mail and Parcelforce, they will consider, in the light of EC law, the appropriate VAT treatment for non-obligatory parcels services provided by the new company. Such services would include those offered on account to commercial companies and other organisations, in competition with services from other parcels carriers.

  Unfair Consumer Contracts
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make it his policy to receive a delegation led by the hon. Member for Macclesfield to discuss the provisions of the European directive on unfair consumer contracts and its implications for British industry.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: If my hon. Friend contacts the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms, I am sure that my noble Friend will be pleased to meet with him.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 23 June,Official Report, column 254, when he expects to complete the compliance cost assessment in relation to the European directive on unfair consumer contracts; which trade associations and individual companies have been consulted specifically in connection with that assessment; and if he will list all those provisions likely to prove onerous to industry which his Department succeeded in having deleted from the European directive on unfair consumer contracts.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: A compliance cost assessment is being prepared on the proposals to implement the EC directive on unfair terms in
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  consumer contracts and will be published shortly. All trade associations and companies that received the Department's consultation document were invited to make an estimate of the compliance costs. Provisions in earlier drafts of the directive which were considered likely to be onerous to industry included extension of the scope of the directive to all contract terms, whether negotiated or not; inclusion of a blacklist of terms which would be unfair in all circumstances; and an attempt to harmonise sale of goods legislation.

  Universal Postal Service
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who will make the definition of the exclusive services which will be offered to the operators of the universal postal service, under the proposed reserved services directive of the European Union.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: The maximum scope of the reserved area is likely to be defined at Community level, and member states will be free to establish smaller reserved areas if they wish.

EMPLOYMENT

  Barnsley/Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current training targets for the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The training and enterprise council's corporate plan for 1994–1997 sets out local targets which it has agreed with key players in education and training, to contribute towards the achievement of the national education and training targets. The TEC's corporate plan is available in the Library.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what internationally recognised qualifications are obtainable through the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The qualifications which are obtainable through the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council are nationally recognised qualifications. A second EC directive on mutual recognition of qualifications has been adopted which will give national vocational qualifications and Scottish vocational qualifications currency throughout the Community.

  Training
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what the amount of Government expenditure on training the existing work force has been in each year since 1979 at 1993 prices;

  (2) how much Government expenditure has been spent on overall training in each year since 1979 at 1993 prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Expenditure by the Department on training, education, enterprise, employment measures and labour market services in Great Britain is detailed in the table. Information relating to other Government expenditure on training is not available to this Department. The Employment Department group is offering a total of 1.5 million opportunities for unemployed people in 1994–95, the same as 1993–94's record level.
  117

  £ million

  Cash

  Real terms (1993 prices)

  1979–80

  878

  2,091

  1980–81

  1,324

  2,664

  1981–82

  1,452

  2,663

  1982–83

  1,645

  2,817

  1983–84

  2,067

  3,383

  1984–85

  2,203

  3,433

  1985–86

  2,420

  3,572

  1986–87

  2,969

  4,259

  1987–88

  3,217

  4,381

  1988–89

  3,137

  4,003

  1989–90

  3,008

  3,589

  1990–91

  2,871

  3,170

  1991–92

  2,779

  2,885

  1992–93

  2,692

  —

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his most recent estimate of the amount spent on training by(a) private employers, (b) public employers, (c) Government and (d) individuals.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Estimates from the "Training in Britain" study of 1986–87 of the amount spent on training in Great Britain by private sector firms with 10 or more employees, public sector employers, Government and individuals are shown in the table:

  £'000 million

  Private sector firms with 10 more employees

  9

  Public sector employers (excludes armed services)

  5

  Government

  7

  Individuals

  8

  It is estimated that British employers currently spend over £20,000 million a year on training and developing their employees.

  The estimate of Government expenditure includes expenditure by the then Manpower Services Commission on training programmes and the costs of post-compulsory education outside schools. Expenditure in 1992–93 by the Department on training, education, enterprise, employment measures and labour market services in Great Britain was £2,692 million. The estimate of expenditure by individuals consists mainly of earnings forgone by those in post-compulsory education.

  1992–93 (£ million)

  Percentage of aid allocable by sector

  Percentage of total United Kingdom bilateral aid to developing countries

  Health and Population

  48·9

  8·6

  3·8

  Basic Education1

  15·8

  2·8

  1·2

  Water and Sanitation

  25·8

  4·5

  2·0

  1Basic education, including primary education, some teacher training and adult literacy, is estimated to be 15 per cent. of the total ODA spending in the education sector.

  In addition, in 1992–93, £150 million of emergency aid was provided. Most of this goes to meet basic human needs in time of crisis.

  Financial Services Industry
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of relative wage levels in the financial services industry in(a) London, (b) Dublin and (c) Luxembourg; and what implications this has for employment opportunities.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Reliable information is not available at this level.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out the total cost of external consultancy fees in relation to market testing.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 29 June 1994]: As reflected in information already provided to the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee as part of its inquiry into the civil service, during the period 1 April 1992 to 31 December 1993, the total cost of external consultancy fees incurred by the Department in relation to market testing was £845,319. The Employment Department group's market-testing programme is being developed within existing resources.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Bilateral Aid
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount of the United Kingdom's bilateral aid spending is focused on basic needs provision; and if he will set out separately figures for spending on health, primary education and clean water provision(a) in cash prices and (b) as a percentage of the United Kingdom's total bilateral aid spending.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It is estimated that a minimum of £111 million of the United Kingdom's bilateral aid was focused on basic needs provision in 1992–93. Some £13 million of this was provided as block grants to non-governmental organisations and £8 million was provided as a grant to the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

  The sectoral figures shown in the table are included within the £111 millon:

  Nigeria
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 525–26, if he will list those practical initiatives in Nigeria which his Department is funding in support of a democratic transition in that country; if he will indicate the amount of funding

  119
  for each project; and if he will make a statement indicating specifically what steps his Department intends to take to assist the work of the National Constitutional Conference in Nigeria.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Since April 1993, we have provided office equipment and literature to organisations concerned with democracy and human rights—£40,000—help towards the running of and participation in human rights conferences—£12,000—and support for monitoring of the June 1993 election—£10,000. Further initiatives totalling up to £75,000 in 1994–95 are being considered. In addition, we have helped the work of the National Constitutional Conference by providing its library with books and journals on legal, political and constitutional issues, including copies of the democratic constitutions of several Commonwealth countries—£5,500.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Forensic Pathology
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidelines to prevent the use of photographic or other material gained in the course of forensic pathology for public entertainment.

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

  Prisoners, Northern Ireland
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Northern Ireland prisoners have received transfers from England and Wales to Northern Ireland since 1 January 1993; and how many were(a) permanent, (b) temporary, (c) male, (d) female, (e) loyalists and (f) republican transfers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Since 1 January 1993, three male prisoners have been permanently transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland and eight male prisoners have been temporarily transferred. In addition, four male prisoners previously temporarily transferred have been granted further periods of temporary transfer in Northern Ireland. No female prisoners have been either permanently or temporarily transferred during this period, and one of the prisoners transferred was convicted of a terrorist offence. It is our policy not to comment on the past or present political affiliations of prisoners.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the greatest, the shortest and the average length of time between application for transfer and notification of the decision to accept or reject the application for temporary or permanent transfer from England and Wales to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Transfers of prisoners between United Kingdom jurisdictions have been effected since the introduction of the Criminal Justice Act 1961. The information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long a prisoner whose application for transfer from England and Wales to Northern Ireland is rejected must wait before reapplying.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A prisoner may apply for transfer to another United Kingdom jurisdiction at any time. Each 120
  application will be considered individually and on its own merits under the criteria announced to Parliament on 23 November 1992.

  Colin Ivor Dunning (Appeal)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 May,Official Report, column 456, if he has now considered the representations submitted in February 1994, on behalf of Colin Ivor Dunning, together with earlier representations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I regret that our consideration of those representations is not yet complete and it is possible that some outside inquiries may have to be made before a decision is made on whether to refer Mr. Dunning's conviction to the Court of Appeal or to take any other action. I will ensure that the hon. Member is informed as soon as there are any further developments.

  Aldington Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases staff shortages at Aldington prison have been the reason for the non-production of prisoners in court in the past 12 months.

  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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 5 July 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of occasions in the past 12 months on which staff shortages at Aldington prison have been responsible for the non-production of prisoners in court.
  Aldington is a small prison which receives few requests to produce prisoners for court appearances. Other establishments are advised not to send to Aldington prisoners who will need to be produced at court. Until recently, there has been no system at the prison for recording such requests. It is known that the obligation to produce prisoners for Crown Court appearances has been fulfilled without exception. In the absence of any statistics, however, it is not possible to give any precise figures about productions at Magistrates courts.
  A system of recording all requests for production, including the reasons for any cancellations, has now been introduced at Aldington.

  Police (Performance-related Pay)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 458, (1) if he will provide the evidence available to him on the extent to which benefits may accrue (a) to the organisation and (b) to the individual; and what assessment he has made of the benefit to the public of introducing performance-related pay;

  (2) if he will list the specific benefits that will accrue to the police service as a result of performance-related pay and the defects resulting from the present system which he aims to correct;

  (3) if he will list his targets for the improvement in the performance of police officers (a) in terms of specific activities and (b) in terms of improvement sought.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have made it clear on a number of occasions that police pay should be related to
  121
  overall performance. This does not mean judging performance against crude indicators such as numbers of arrests or crimes cleared up. The introduction of an element in police pay related to overall performance will enable the police service, in a tangible way, to distinguish the especially good performance from the average performance, which is not possible under the current pay system. Together with the other police management reforms being introduced by the Government, performance-related pay will assist in the process of improving quality and increasing efficiency by providing a sensible incentive to police officers and a better basis for managing police pay, which constitutes some 80 per cent. of all money spent on policing.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 June,Official Report, column 627, on how many occasions United Kingdom Detention Services Ltd. has received warnings in relation to its management of Blakenhurst prison; what was the nature of the warning on each occasion; and what was the outcome.

  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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 5 July 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the warnings United Kingdom Detention Services have received in relation to their management of Blakenhurst prison.
  Excluding the occasions mentioned in the earlier reply where default notices have been issued against the contractor and the one occasion where payment was withheld, the Controller has on six occasions required the Director of United Kingdom Detention Services to improve specific areas of service delivery. These warnings related to a number of matters including contingency arrangements, supervision of visits, visits by the Director to the segregation unit, the timely discharge of prisoners with adequate clothing, provison of regime monitoring information, and cleanliness. All the warnings were acted upon by United Kingdom Detention Services Ltd and no further action proved necessary.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current reinstatement value of Blakenhurst prison; how it is calculated; and how often it is reassessed.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: 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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 5 July 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the reinstatement value of Blakenhurst Prison.
  The current reinstatement value of Blakenhurst Prison is estimated at £91 million. This valuation is based on an estimate of the new replacement cost of the buildings, using current construction costs, from which deductions are made to allow for age and condition. The valuation also includes an estimate of the value of the land in its existing use.
  122
  This valuation is in line with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors guidelines on asset valuations and will be reviewed and adjusted annually.

  Immigration Act 1971
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) prisons, (b) detention centres and (c) police stations used to detain persons under the powers of the Immigration Act 1971, as amended; and what is the number of persons currently detained at each individual establishment.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 27 June 1994]: On 29 June 1994, people were detained under Immigration Act powers at the following locations:

  Immigration Service

  Number

  Campsfield House

  165

  Harmondsworth

  95

  Gatwick Beehive

  16

  Queens Building

  15

  Stansted

  7

  Port Detention

  7

  Newhaven

  6

  Prison Service

  Aberdeen

  2

  Belfast

  1

  Belmarsh

  8

  Blakenhurst

  10

  Brinsford R C

  6

  Bristol

  4

  Bullingdon

  1

  Brixton

  4

  Canterbury

  33

  Cardiff

  1

  Chelmsford

  4

  Dover

  23

  Durham

  2

  Edinburgh

  1

  Elmley

  1

  Erlestoke

  3

  Exeter

  6

  Feltham

  4

  Glen Parva

  1

  Gloucester

  1

  Greenock

  9

  Haslar1

  128

  High Down

  13

  Holloway

  11

  Hull

  4

  Leeds

  4

  Lewes

  3

  Liverpool

  3

  Norwich

  5

  Pentonville

  21

  Reading

  1

  Risley

  1

  Rochester

  1

  Shrewsbury

  2

  Strangeways

  9

  Swaleside

  1

  Swansea

  1

  Wandsworth

  7

  Winchester

  8

  Winson Green

  40

  The Wolds

  1

  Wormwood Scrubs

  6

  Police Stations2

  43

  Total

  749

  1Haslar Holding Centre is primarily an Immigration Detention Centre, although managed by the Prison Service.

  2The numbers held in individual police stations are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when it is proposed that probation boards will begin to exercise executive functions and powers;

  (2) what appointment procedures will be set in place for constituting the membership of probation boards; and when such procedures will be published.

  Mr. Maclean
  Primary legislation is required to enact the probation board proposals and the timing of this depends on an appropriate legislative opportunity. Details of the procedures proposed for appointments to boards will be confirmed at that time.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether representatives of voluntary bodies who are either tendering for or involved in partnerships will be eligible to be members of probation boards.

  Mr. Maclean
  A number of probation committee members have active links with voluntary sector organisations which are, or may be, involved in partnerships with the probation service. Although those links should not be a bar to probation committee membership, it is important that committees have in place procedures to avoid any conflicts of interest which may arise. Similar considerations are likely to apply to probation boards in due course.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which probation services in England and Wales will be reducing staffing levels in the financial year 1994–95; and what will be the consequent effect on probation work loads.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for each probation committee to decide how the resources available to it should be used to best effect; and the Home Office does not have information about committees' plans for the remainder of the present financial year with regard to numbers of staff in post.

  Third-country Nationals
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the free movement of legally resident third-country nationals.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Government do not support the extension of European Community rights of free movement to third-country nationals and consider that the admission of third-country nationals should remain a matter for individual member states. We are discussing with our European partners a proposal in the draft external frontiers convention which would exempt third-country nationals who are legally resident in another member state from any visa requirement for a short visit. This proposal would make travel within the Community easier but would give no automatic right of free movement to resident third-country nationals.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers and passengers were summoned for travelling without a seat belt in(a) 1990, (b) 1991, (c) 1992 and (d) 1993; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Maclean
  There were 10,145 prosecutions for not wearing a seat belt in England and Wales in 1990, 12,156 in 1991 and 11,258 in 1992. Statistics for 1993 are not yet available.

  Firearms
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for a firearms licence have been refused in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is published in Home Office statistical bulletin "Firearm Certificate Statistics, England and Wales 1992", issue 23/93, a copy of which can be found in the Library. Figures for 1993 are not yet available.

  Obscene Publications Branch
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans he has formulated for co-ordination between police forces in the United Kingdom and Interpol in respect of computer pornography and other obscene material if the obscene publications branch at Scotland Yard is closed down.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No proposals about the future of the obsecne publications branch have yet been made, but the Metropolitan police have given assurances that its work will continue whatever the recommendations of the current headquarters and specialist units' review.

  Escort and Custody Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are currently on court escort and custody service in the Metropolitan police district; and how many staff will be on this service when Securicor is operating all of this service in July 1995.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 29 June 1994]: 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 Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 July 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of staff currently employed on the court escort and custody service in the Metropolitan Police area and the number of staff who will be employed on this service when Securicor are operating the whole of it from July 1995.
  It is not possible to make a simple comparison of this kind because of the difficulty of comparing like with like. The service has hitherto been provided by the Metropolitan Police and Prison Service but not by staff exclusively dedicated to it. Therefore, calculating the overall resources devoted to the work was difficult. To overcome this problem the number of staff so employed was calculated on the basis of full time equivalent posts. It has been calculated that the Metropolitan Police employed 271 full time equivalent police officers and 47 full time civilian staff on court escort and custody work. This excludes the time deployed on the work by more senior officers. Using a similar methodology it was calculated that the Prison Service employed 335 full time equivalent prison officers. These figures exclude time spent by drivers of private hire vehicles, where these are used for escorting.
  These staffing levels reflected the level of activity in the 1992–93 financial year. Since April 1993 there has been a 25 per cent. increase in the remand population and this would have resulted in an increase in staff time utilized had the police and Prison Service continued to provide the service.

  125
  Securicor intend to employ 815 uniformed staff, consisting of 738 basic grade prisoner custody officers and 77 supervisors. This figure includes vehicle drivers who are certificated prisoner custody officers and who will be carrying out escort duties at court.
  The number of staff to be employed by Securicor reflects the increasing number of remand prisoner movements to and from court for which they will be responsible.
  The cost of the contract over five years is £96 million or just under £22 million, exclusive of VAT, for a fully operational year. This compares with an estimated annual cost under the previous arrangements of approximately £28 million.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decisions his Department has taken in respect of TECs over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement with TECs over the same period.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 30 June 1994]: Officials from the Home Office and United Kingdom Passport Agency have had a number of meetings with representatives of the Central London TEC and Investors In People (UK) Ltd. Passport agency officials have also met the TECs for the areas in which the agency's regional offices are located. There have also been meetings between officials of the Immigration and Nationality Department and the South London TEC; the Fire Service college and Gloucestershire TEC; and the Forensic Science Service with Birmingham TEC. All those meetings have been in connection with the Home Office commitment to the Investors in People—IIP—initiative; none of them has involved particular decisions. In addition, there have been meetings between representatives of a number of Prison Service establishments and their local TECs concerning the development of both staff and prisoner non-vocational qualifications, and steps towards IIP accreditation. In the context of developing local policies to help offenders and ex-offenders to find employment, the Home Office has advised chief probation officers to seek agreements with TECs.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will define the role of the private sector forum on market testing, its terms of reference and the criteria used for issuing invitations to attend;

  (2) if he will list the names of the individuals and companies of those invited to attend, and those who actually attended, the January meeting of the private sector forum on market testing;

  (3) what safeguards exist to prevent those individuals and companies invited to take part as members of the private sector forum from financial gain from contracting out of Government services as a result of their membership of the forum;

  (4) if he will list the names of the individuals and companies of those invited to attend the July meeting of the private sector forum on market testing.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The role of the private sector forum is to provide a channel of communication on "Competing for Quality" issues between the private sector, central Departments, and other Departments and agencies.
  126
  There are no formal terms of reference. The forum will provide an opportunity for the Government and the private sector to exchange experience on the "Competing for Quality" programme and to identify best practice which could be more widely adopted. No specific contracting opportunities will be discussed, and the forum will not provide a means of redress for companies which have failed to win competitions. Those matters must be discussed between bidders and individual Departments in the normal way. Invitations have been issued to a broad and representative range of those industries participating in the "Competing for Quality" programme.

  The meeting in January was called to discuss with contractors and consultants the Government's intentions, as announced in the next steps review in December 1993, to publicise prior options reviews of agencies and to invite views from interested parties. Those present were:

  John Allen, BET Group

  John Barker, Kleinwort Benson

  Richard Benton, Capita Group plc

  Norman Biddle, Symonds Facilities Management plc

  Mark Call, QDM Limited

  Charles Cox, Hoskyns Group plc

  Peter Farmer, Ernst and Young

  Kit Farrow, Merchant Bank Association

  Paul Fuller, Touche Ross

  Marc Gillespie, 3i Group plc

  Peter Holmes, SEMA Group

  Richard Nicholls, Serco Group plc

  Francis Plowden, Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte

  Elizabeth Ransome, KPMG Peat Marwick

  Marwan Rifka, EDS-Scicon

  Peter Rowley, Grant Thornton

  Steven Unsworth, Price Waterhouse and Co.

  Vincent Watts, Andersen Consulting

  David van den Woude, Mackwood Finance

  Mathew Young, Y&S

  Of those companies invited, only Owens Associates was unable to attend. There is no prospect of any of those individuals and companies securing financial gain by virtue of their attendance at the forum. Should any of the companies bid for work under the "Competing for Quality" programme, they will do so under the same competitive conditions as other bidders.

  The following private sector representatives are expected to attend the private sector forum on 8 July.

  Rod Aldridge, Capita Group

  Maggi Bell, Manpower plc

  Norman Biddle, Symonds Facilities Management plc

  Gerry Bunn, Hunting Aircraft Ltd

  Tom Butler, EDS United Kingdom

  Charles Cox, Hoskyns plc

  Ian Downey, Serco Group plc

  John Hall, Business Services Association

  Peter Holmes, SEMA Group

  John Jack, PROCORD Ltd

  Brian Neylan, Securicor Group plc

  John Owens, Owens Associates

EDUCATION

  Parents Charter, Nottinghamshire
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many copies of the parents charter were distributed in Nottinghamshire; and what was the cost of publication and delivery.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Every household in England is receiving a copy of the updated parents charter. Figures provided by the Royal Mail show that some 459,200 copies
  127
  of the charter are being distributed in Nottinghamshire. The total cost of publication and delivery in that area is approximately £46,000.

  EC Councils
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what were the outcomes of the Council of EC Youth Ministers and the Council of EC Education Ministers held on 6 and 21 June, respectively.

  Mr. Boswell
  The main item of business for the Council of Youth Ministers was the Commission proposal to extend the "Youth for Europe" programme for a third phase. The programme will continue to support a wide range of exchange-based activities for young people and youth workers in the Community, with an emphasis in the third phase on activities for the disadvantaged. The Council of 6 June reached a common position which the United Kingdom could accept. A budget of 105 million ecu, approximately £82 million, over five years—1995–99—was agreed.

  The Council of Education Ministers considered the Commission proposal for an EC education action programme, SOCRATES. Ministers reached a common position on the proposal. A budget of 760 million ecu, approximately £580 million, over five years—1995–99—for the programme was agreed. The programme will amalgamate and expand the existing ERASMUS—European Community action scheme for the mobility of university students—and Lingua programmes and will introduce Community activity at school level for the first time, through support for joint projects undertaken by schools in at least three member states. In addition, the programme will support the education of migrant workers', gipsies' and travellers' children and the dissemination of information about the education systems of member states, as well as trans-national co-operation on the in-service training of teachers, open and distance learning and adult education.

  Ministers also agreed conclusions on the cultural and artistic aspects of education and discussed a presidency note on the education of the children of migrant workers.

PRIME MINISTER

  Stephan Adolph Kock
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reason Stephan Adolph Kock has special branch protection; and what other names he uses or has been known by.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not in the public interest to disclose whether any person has received official protection or not. There is no ministerial responsibility for names by which Mr. Kock is known or has been known.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from relatives of those killed in Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie on the need to make inquiries about the statements attributed to Youssef Chaabane, accused of murdering a Jordanian diplomat in a Beirut court; and what response Her Majesty's Government have made.
  128
  The Prime Minister
  The Lord Advocate has received one letter from a relative of a Lockerbie victim, inquiring about the Crown Office response to the statement attributed to Chaabane. She has been told that, although it appears that what Chaabane said was very far from being a claim of responsibility for the bombing of Pan Am 103, the Crown Office will pursue any further investigation which may be necessary.

ENVIRONMENT

  Landfill Sites
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the landfill sites licensed by local authorities in the United Kingdom that are situated closer than 200 m to human habitations.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of the Environment does not keep records of individual landfill sites. That information can be obtained from the waste regulation authorities. The Department gives guidance, in waste management paper No. 27, on the safeguards required for developments near landfill sites. In addition, planning law requires a local planning authority to consult the relevant waste disposal authority about certain planning applications within 250 m of a waste disposal site.

  Brixton City Challenge
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the P and O Property Group in relation to its participation in Brixton city challenge projects.

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been no such discussions with the P and O Property Group. Brixton city challenge has kept the Department informed of developments.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to produce a definition of hazardous waste for use in the United Kingdom which is consistent with the definitions in the Basle convention; and if he will make a statement on progress towards such a definition.

  Mr. Atkins
  The hazardous waste directive, 91/689/EEC, defines hazardous waste, inter alia, as waste featuring on a list to be drawn up by reference to the annexes to the directive. The annexes are similar to annexes included in the Basle convention. The Council is likely to consider the list in the autumn. The probable revised implementation date for the directive is July 1995.

  Water Byelaws
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his proposals for taking action on the replacement of water byelaws by regulations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is intended to issue a consultation paper which considers the scope, format and enforcement of provisions to replace the water byelaws during the summer.

  Lavatory Cisterns
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from the British Bathroom Council in respect of the retention of byelaws relating to siphons and overflows in lavatory cisterns.

  Mr. Atkins
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for the construction industry was briefed on that matter on 16 June at one of his regular fortnightly meetings with the construction industry.

  Listed Churches
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he applies in deciding whether to hold a non-statutory public inquiry when notified by the Church Commissioners that they propose to demolish a listed church where reasoned objections to the proposal are given by English Heritage, the Advisory Board for Redundant Churches, the local planning authority or a national amenity society.

  Mr. Baldry
  Each case is considered on its merits in the light of the information supplied by the Church Commissioners, the views of the Advisory Board for Redundant Churches and English Heritage, and any representations made by local authorities or other interested parties.

  Construction Industry
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest information known to his Department as to the likely date for completion of the European standardisation programme as it affects the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Some 2,700 European standards for construction material are currently in preparation by the European Committee for Standardisation. I expect the first harmonised standards to be available early next year and the major part of the current programme to be completed by the end of 1997.

  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has in relation to likely increased activity in the construction industry in 1994 as it affects slate products; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  Deliveries of slate in the first quarter of 1994 were 11 per cent. higher than in the previous three months and 21 per cent. more than during the same period a year ago. This reflects the recent improvements in the volume of new construction orders. My Department's consultations with the construction industry indicate that a period of modest but sustained growth is expected. The slate industry is well placed to take advantage of that recovery.

  Council Tax Banding Appeals
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, by council tax collection authority area, the number of outstanding banding appeal cases and the proportion that they represent of all liable properties in that area, as at 1 April.
  130
  Mr. Curry
  I am placing in the Library a list that shows, for each billing authority in England, the number of outstanding council tax banding appeals as at 31 March 1994 and the percentage of dwellings in each area this represents.

  Tributyl Tin
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to extending the ban on the use of tributyl tin on small craft to include all vessels.

  Mr. Atkins
  Tributyl tin use on large vessels is an international concern which is being addressed by the marine environment protection Committee of the International Maritime Organisation. Members agreed in 1990 to consider appropriate ways of prohibiting totally, in the future, the use of tributyl tin compounds in anti-fouling paints for ships and the need for this was confirmed at the intermediate ministerial meeting of the North Sea Conference in December 1993. At the March 1994 meeting of the MEPC, however, the Committee recognised that at the present time alternative systems were not available whose cost could be justified by the benefits.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what measures are being taken to protect marine wildlife from the effects of tributyl tin;

  (2) what plans the Government have to restrict the use of tributyl tin.

  Mr. Atkins
  Controls introduced in the United Kingdom in 1987 preventing the use of anti-foulants containing tributyl tin compounds on small boats and aquaculture equipment have resulted in significant improvements in water quality. Monitoring suggests that even the most sensitive species, the dogwhelk, is beginning to recover in many areas. Dockyard operations involving removal and application of anti-fouling paints containing tributyl tin compounds will become subject to integrated pollution control and require authorisation by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution from 1995.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been carried out on the effects of tributyl tin on shellfish and marine wildlife.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government have undertaken a substantial amount of work since 1982 on the effects of tributyl tin compounds used in anti-foulants, both within their own laboratories and through contracts with the Natural Environment Research Council and other organisations. Initially, the research was aimed mainly at establishing the nature and extent of toxic effects in non-target organisms and the results justified the regulation of anti-foulants containing tributyl tin compounds in 1987. Subsequent research has monitored the effectiveness of the regulations by assessing levels of contamination in, and the recovery of, commercially important shellfish and other components of the marine ecosystem including the dogwhelk, the most sensitive species.

  Slate
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department is planning in 1994 to limit imports of inferior quality slate; and if he will make a statement.
  131
  Sir George Young
  It is not appropriate to limit imports of slate products directly. However, slate used in the United Kingdom should be suitable for our climatic and atmospheric conditions as well as for their specified purpose. The appropriate requirements are set out in a British standard, BS680, satisfaction of which will ensure compliance with building regulations where applicable. My Department is seeking to ensure that the benefits of the British standard are carried over into harmonised European standards.

  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures of export assistance his Department will undertake in 1994 to help the slate industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  In conjunction with the DTI, my Department maintains building materials exports task forces for France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries and North America. My Ministerial colleagues and I plan to have taken export missions to eight countries this year. All those activities are open to the United Kingdom slate industry. I would be happy for them to discuss any specific needs with my officials.

  Canada Geese
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations underlay the issue of licences for the killing of Canada geese in London parks; which parks these licences are valid for; and what methods are permitted.

  Mr. Atkins
  Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides that licences to control birds may be issued for reasons which include conserving wild birds, preserving public health or public safety. It was for these reasons that licences have been issued for the control of Canada geese numbers in London parks. Information that would identify the applicant for a licence is normally regarded as confidential. Licences provide that birds may be killed humanely using any method not prohibited by the 1981 Act.

  Ecolabelling
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will set out the evidence which led the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board to arrive at the conclusion that no other EU country considers animal testing should be part of ecolabelling; and if he will list all those EU members who have taken a public position on this issue;

  (2) what factors led the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board to conclude that there is no basis for agreement in the United Kingdom about including animal testing in ecolabelling; what percentage of the organisations consulted by the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board on this issue were not environmental or animal welfare groups; and what percentage of the organisations consulted were opposed to inclusion of animal welfare in ecolabelling.

  Mr. Atkins
  The United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board was established under the European Communities Act 1972 to administer and promote the EC ecolabelling scheme in the United Kingdom. These questions are 132
  matters for the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board and I have, therefore, asked the board to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the total cost of external consultancy fees incurred by his Department in relation to market testing.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 29 June 1994]: As at March 1994, the total cost of external consultancy fees paid by the Department and its agencies in relation to market testing amounted to approximately £1,177,000.

  Recycled Paper
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of his Department's(a) press releases and (b) written answers are printed on recycled paper.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: My Department is committed by its green housekeeping policy statement to preserve natural resources and so, where possible, press notices are sent to media outlets by electronic mail. Those hard copies which are required and all written answers are printed on recycled paper with the exception of the press release header page which is printed on paper from managed forests.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to the implications of the publication by the United States Department of Energy on 27 June of details of the use of United Kingdom origin reactor grade plutonium in a nuclear test explosion in 1962, on Her Majesty's Government's policy of not commenting on the details of any nuclear weapons tests which may have been carried out.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Official Report, 4 July, column 82.

  Fire Consultants
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last consulted with the Association of Professional Fire Consultants.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: My Department has become aware only recently of the Association of Professional Fire Consultants. The association made representations to the inter-departmental scrutiny on fire legislation and enforcement. The association will be included in any future consultation on building regulation fire matters.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which have a statutory basis.
  133
  Sir John Wheeler
  A list of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments which have a statutory basis is as follows:

  Advisory Committee of the Therapeutic Professions Allied to Medicine

  Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland

  Central Dental Advisory Committee

  Central Medical Advisory Committee

  Central Nursing Advisory Committee

  Central Personal Social Services Advisory Committee

  Central Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee

  Clinical Engineering and Medical Physics Services Advisory Committee

  Clinical Imaging Services Advisory Committee

  Committees for the Employment of Disabled People

  Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland

  Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards Committee

  Drainage Council for Northern Ireland

  Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland

  Laboratory Services Advisory Committee

  Northern Ireland Water Council (NIWC)

  Poisons Board

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights (SACHR)

  Statistics Advisory Committee

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult prior to legislation proposals; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied by them.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights is consulted when legislative proposals affecting human rights are published; a formal response by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is issued when the Commission's annual report is laid before Parliament.

  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland is required to consult the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland before its legislation proposals. However, it is not required to publish its response to any advice supplied by the council.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to produce annual reports;

  (2) if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested can be obtained from the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1993", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland is required to publish its final recommendations, which are laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State. The Northern Ireland Higher Education Council and the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights are each required to produce an annual report, which will ensure that the outcome of the advice to Government is made widely available.
  134
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the advisory bodies which he has set up in his Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993".

  Sir John Wheeler
  Only one advisory body has been set up by the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993"—the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Advisory Panel.

  Police Authority
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made for the appointment of a new Police Authority for Northern Ireland following the expiry of the term of office of the previous authority on 28 June; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have appointed Mr. David Cook as chairman, Mr. Pat Armstrong CBE as vice-chairman and 18 members of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, for a term of three years from 29 June 1994. In making the appointments I have, as required by statute, consulted organisations and persons representative of the community in Northern Ireland. I welcome the positive response that was made by almost all those consulted. As a result, the authority's members are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, including the district councils, voluntary organisations, agriculture, industry and commerce. Continuity is provided by the reappointment of many individuals for a second term.

  The police authority has a vital task to perform in securing the maintenance of an adequate and efficient police force. It also has a very important role to play in enhancing the relationship between the police and the public whom it serves. The authority has the additional challenge of helping to develop new structures for policing in Northern Ireland. I believe it will make a significant contribution in all those sectors.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mr. Wernher Rey
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approaches have been made to him by the Swiss authorities in relation to Mr. Wernher Rey and the affairs of Omni Corporation, Inspectorate AG and related companies.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I understand that the Swiss authorities contacted our embassy in Berne in 1991, to inquire about Mr. Rey's nationality. I am not aware of any other approaches.

  Nigeria
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the inauguration by the Nigerian authorities of a National Constitutional Conference; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following the inauguration of the National Constitutional Conference in Nigeria on 27 June,
  135
  proceedings were adjourned until 11 July. We look forward to expressions of intent by the Nigerian authorities being translated into real progress towards civilian rule.

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the recommendations of the Commissioner for Social Affairs as contained in his communication on immigration and asylum to the European Parliament and the Council 1994 that the member states ratify the international convention for the protection of rights of all migrant workers and members of their families, adopted by the United Nations on 18 December 1990.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government deposited their explanatory memorandum on the communication on 25 March. We have considered this convention carefully, but are unable to sign it, as it goes beyond our existing international commitments on access to labour markets and measures necessary to secure the interests of migrants working here.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 June,Official Report, column 523, which foreign states the Sudanese Government have accused of being behind the plot in which the former President Sadiq al-Mahdi is alleged to have been involved.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The officially controlled Sudanese media have referred to foreign states and intelligence agencies, but have not provided more specific details.

  China
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he gives to United Kingdom business men, travellers and tourists who are considering flying internally in China.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  British nationals are advised of those internal Chinese airlines which are believed to meet international standards of maintenance. It is for the traveller to decide which air carrier to use.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what commitments of(a) troops and (b) logistical support have been made by countries supporting the French-led United Nations initiative in Rwanda.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  By 30 June, Senegal had contributed 40 troops to the French-led intervention force in Rwanda. A medical team from Mauritania, 20 observers from Egypt, 100 troops from Guinea Bissau and a Belgian military liaison officer are also expected to arrive shortly.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Western European Union role in supporting Operation Turquoise in Rwanda; and what has been achieved so far.

  Mr. Heathcoat Amory
  A number of WEU member states, including the United Kingdom, have expressed their 136
  readiness to assist and support the French humanitarian operation in Rwanda, primarily through the provision of logistic resources, which might be co-ordinated through the WEU, and humanitarian assistance. The operation is proceeding on the ground, with French troops evacuating civilians from both ethnic communities caught up in the fighting and offering protection to Tutsi refugees near the Zaire border.

  Holland
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relationship with the Netherlands; what ministerial visits have taken place to Holland in the past 12 months; what bilateral trade initiatives and contracts the United Kingdom has with that country; and how many official Dutch visits have been made to the United Kingdom in the past year.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The United Kingdom enjoys excellent relations with the Netherlands. In the past 12 months, the following ministerial visits have taken place to the Netherlands: the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for Employment, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Under-Secretary of State for Education, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland and the Under-Secretary of State for Health. Trade between the two countries last year totalled over £15·8 billion. The Netherlands is the United Kingdom's fourth largest market. There have been a number of visits by Dutch Ministers over this period.

  Colombia
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Colombian authorities with regard to political disappearances and killings in Colombia.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We are in regular touch with the Colombian Government on human rights. I raised our concerns with President Gaviria during the President's visit to London in July last year. They were also discussed when the Prime Minister met the President. I repeated our concerns during my visit to Colombia in January.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government of Iraq is co-operating with the Red Cross over Kuwaiti and other prisoners held in Iraqi prisons; and what representations he has made on this matter.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Committee of the Red Cross chaired a meeting of the tripartite commission—coalition countries, Iraq and the ICRC—in Geneva on 1 July during which the Iraqi delegation gave its initial response to 71 out of the 609 inquiry files passed to Iraq by the ICRC over 18 months ago. We are demanding that Iraq offer information on the other files very soon. If substantive progress is not made, this matter may have to be referred to the Security Council for further action. A further meeting will be held in two months' time to review progress. We raise the plight of Kuwaiti and other missing
  137
  persons at the United Nations at every possible opportunity, for example when the Security Council last reviewed sanctions against Iraq on 17 May.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently known to be actively involved in foreign conflicts as mercenaries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no figures available for the numbers of British citizens involved in foreign conflicts as mercenaries. The Government have no control over private citizens going overseas. The recruitment of mercenaries in this country is in some cases unlawful. If any evidence came to light that British citizens recruited as mercenaries were engaged in illegal activities, that evidence would be referred to the relevant authorities.

  British Workers Abroad
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom citizens under the age of 25 years are currently known to be working abroad in part-time jobs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government do not maintain records of British nationals under the age of 25 who are in part-time employment abroad.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom citizens were victims of violent crime while being abroad in 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  In 1993 there were 194 cases of violent crime abroad against British nationals notified to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The crimes included homicide, rape, assault and kidnap.

  Oeno (Rats)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has received from Dr. M. de L. Brooke of the department of zoology at Cambridge university for the removal of rats from Oeno in the Pitcairn Islands group; and what action he is taking.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Dr. Brooke wrote to me on 17 June with a proposal for the eradication of rats from Oeno island, at an estimated cost of £47,500. We will consider this proposal carefully in the context of the management plan we are drawing up for the neighbouring island of Henderson, and plan to discuss it further with Dr. Brooke.

  Mrs. Rekhmat Bibi
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for the application by Mrs. Rekhmat Bibi—ref. V94/01052—to the British high commission in Islamabad to visit the United Kingdom to be urgently reconsidered on the basis of correspondence from Bradford law centre forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Bradford, West.
  138
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The documents referred to have not yet been received in my office. I have however asked the entry clearance officer at the high commission in Islamabad to let me have a report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the draft comprehensive test ban treaty tabled by the Australian Government in Geneva on 31 March.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  On 31 March, the Australian Government put forward a resource paper, in the form of a draft comprehensive test ban treaty, to aid the work of the nuclear test ban ad hoc committee. This resource paper contains interesting and useful ideas.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the likely duration of negotiations for a comprehensive test ban treaty after the first two sessions of talks at the conference on disarmament; and if he will make a statement on the issues remaining to be resolved.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There has been good progress in the second session of the comprehensive test ban treaty negotiations. We hope that similar progress can be made during the final 1994 session of the conference on disarmament from 25 July to 7 September. It is difficult, however, to assess how much longer the negotiating process is likely to take. The CTB delegations will agree to the treaty as a whole, rather than in sections. Major issues on which negotiations are likely to focus include verification, the organisation, duration, scope, and entry into force.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress being made towards a comprehensive test ban treaty at the conference on disarmament in Geneva.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There has been good progress in the second session of the comprehensive test ban treaty negotiations. Delegations have shown a strong commitment to moving forward towards agreement on an effective, verifiable CTB. The United Kingdom team has been fully involved in the debate, and has made valuable contributions to the work completed during this session. In particular, the contribution by the United Kingdom friend of the chair in the verification working group has been warmly welcomed.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of progress towards preparing a draft comprehensive test ban treaty by the two working groups of the conference on disarmament's ad hoc committee on a nuclear test ban.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The two working groups have made excellent progress. The working group on verification has conducted intensive discussions on the various monitoring techniques which might be deployed in an international verification system. The working group on legal and institutional issues has completed the first or
  139
  second readings of all main draft articles. Both working groups have produced compilations of draft treaty text to be used as the basis of negotiations in the next session.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the chair of the ad hoc committee on a nuclear test ban treaty at the conference on disarmament in Geneva had not presented an official draft treaty before the end of the second session; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The chairman of the ad hoc group on a nuclear test ban has decided that the composite texts produced by the two working groups—on verification and on legal and institutional issues—should be put forward for the next session as the basis for negotiations. We welcome Ambassador Marin-Bosch's pragmatic attitude in promoting the committee's efforts to develop these composite texts into a rolling text.

  Iran
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response was given to an Iranian Government representative's complaints about items concerning the Mashad bombing, broadcast by Spectrum Radio's Persian programme.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Iranian authorities have told us that they believe that Spectrum Radio's Persian programme is broadcasting subversive material on behalf of the Iranian opposition group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq—MKO. They have not complained about any specific broadcast. We have replied that any organisation enjoys freedom of speech in the United Kingdom as long as it acts within the law. Any breach of the terms and conditions of the broadcasting licence would be a matter for the Radio Authority, which is investigating a separate complaint. We do not support the MKO. We condemn the terrorist attack on the Mashad mosque.

  Cyprus
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that the Cyprus problem must be resolved before the admission of Cyprus to full membership of the European Community.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It would be difficult for Cyprus to accede if the four freedoms—free movement of people, goods, services and capital—were not in force throughout the island, but the Council has confirmed that Cyprus is eligible for European Union membership and the next phase of enlargement will involve Cyprus. The Council will review the situation in January 1995.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the election of Mr. John Swaine as President of the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 19 February 1993.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: Mr. John Swaine was elected unopposed as President of the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 19 February 1993. Although Mr. Swaine's election took place before all the residual
  140
  formalities relating to the Hong Kong Letters Patent 1992 and the Hong Kong Additional Instructions 1992 had been completed, we know of no act performed by Mr. Swaine which was invalid as a result of this error.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the errors in the procedural steps in respect of local laws enacted in Hong Kong in 1992 and 1993 including the two budgets; and if he will introduce legislation to rectify those errors.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: The Hong Kong Letters Patent 1992 and the Hong Kong Additional Instructions 1992 were published in the Hong Kong Gazette before residual formalities relating to them were completed. This should have no effect on the validity of anything done in Hong Kong before or after the formalities had been completed, but we are considering whether any further action is necessary to remove doubt in this matter.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what date Her Majesty sealed the amendments to the Hong Kong Additional Instructions 1992 and the Hong Kong Letters Patent 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: The Hong Kong Letters Patent 1992 were sealed on 15 April 1993 and the Hong Kong Additional Instructions 1992 were signed by Her Majesty on 24 March 1993.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the reasons for the legal formalities not being completed prior to the enactment of the Hong Kong Letters Patent 1992 and the Hong Kong Additional Instruction 1992.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: As a result of a clerical error, the Hong Kong Letters Patent 1992 and the Hong Kong Additional Instructions 1992 were gazetted and brought into force in Hong Kong before the residual formalities had been completed.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions for cruelty to livestock were brough in each year since 1985; and how many, in each year, were brought by(a) the Government and (b) the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

  Mr. Soames
  The number of prosecutions for cruelty to livestock in England and Wales taken by my Department and the Welsh Office between 1985 and 1993 under the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 to 1988 and the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 are as follows:

  Number

  1985

  2

  1986

  6

  1987

  8

  1988

  6

  1989

  4

  1990

  5

  141

  Number

  1991

  0

  1992

  6

  1993

  2

  Prosecutions may also be taken by other parties such as local authorities and the RSPCA. Comprehensive figures on the numbers of such prosecutions are not available.

  Arable Area Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in England received arable area payments greater than(a) £100,000, (b) £250,000, (c) £500,000 and (d) £1,000,000 in the last year for which the information is available.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Under the integrated administration and control system, applicants must make a single application covering all the land which they farm and some applications cover a number of holdings which are farmed quite separately on a day-to-day basis. The information given below relates to IACS applications, rather than to individual farmers.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme: 1992–93

  Size Band

  Number of Payments

  from £1,000,000 to £249,999

  599

  from £250,000 to £499,999

  45

  from £500,000 upwards1

  7

  1It is not possible to identify separately the number of payments between £500,999 and £100,000 and the number over £1,000,000 for reasons of confidentiality.

  Staff Surveys
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of her Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if she will place copies of the findings in the Library.

  Mr. Jack
  The following surveys of views, opinions and attitudes of staff have been carried out within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and its agencies during the last two years. Summaries of findings made available to staff will be placed in the Library.
  Central Veterinary Laboratories—Repertory Grid Survey (assessment of the views of staff on management styles), summer 19931Intervention Board—Staff Attitude Survey, November 1992 Central Science Laboratories—Survey of the Quality of Administrative Services, summer 19921A summary is being produced for staff, which will be placed in the Library when ready.

  Proposals/appeals still to be dealt with at 31 March 1994

  Number of properties liable for Council Tax (i)

  Number

  As percentage of liable properties

  Borders

  46,487

  2,372

  5·1

  Central

  109,913

  1,751

  1·6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  62,796

  1,276

  2·0

  Fife

  142,456

  1,936

  1·4

  Grampian

  211,628

  5,141

  2·4

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 24 June,Official Report, column 391, when she expects the 1992 CAP reform agreement to be fully implemented; what benefit of that reform deal has been experienced by consumers in food prices to date; what estimates she has of the costs of the CAP to the consumer in (i) 1992 and (ii) 1993; what foodstuffs she expects will cost consumers less; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: The 1992 CAP reforms will be fully implemented by the end of the 1995–96 marketing years for those commodities affected. The reforms will result in particular in a reduction in the support prices for cereals and beef of around 35 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively. Overall, the effect of CAP reform will be to reduce support prices by an amount equivalent to 2 per cent. of retail food prices, the effect being spread over a number of years. However, movements in retail food prices are influenced by a wide range of factors and it is not possible to isolate the impact of any single factor over a particular period.

  Estimates of the total cost of the CAP to consumers are not possible without making speculative assumptions about current levels of world prices and the changes in these prices if present policies were abandoned.

SCOTLAND

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which rating authorities in Scotland use their discretionary powers to reduce rates leviable on private sector nursery schools.

  Mr. Stewart
  Details of the policies of individual rating authorities with regard to their granting of discretionary rating relief are not held centrally. However, if a private sector nursery school has charitable status it will be eligible for mandatory rates relief of 80 per cent. in accordance with section 4 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions Etc.) (Scotland) Act 1962, as amended.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by council tax collection authority area, the number of outstanding banding appeal cases and the proportion they represent of all liable properties in that area, as at 1 April.

  Mr. Stewart
  The table provides the available information, which relates to all classes of proposal to change the valuation list made to assessors and subsequent appeals.
  143

  Proposals/appeals still to be dealt with at 31 March 1994

  Number of properties liable for Council Tax (i)

  Number

  As percentage of liable properties

  Highland

  87,532

  2,537

  2·9

  Lothian

  319,925

  6,905

  2·2

  Strathclyde

  937,092

  16,894

  1·8

  Tayside

  166,562

  8,103

  4·9

  Orkney

  8,381

  4

  0·0

  Shetland

  9,120

  20

  0·2

  Western Isles

  12,135

  352

  2·9

  Scotland

  2,114,027

  47,291

  2·2

  Sources: (i) Estimates supplied by Local Authorities, October 1993.

  (ii) Quarterly statistical return, from Assessors, 31 March 1994.

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 23 June,Official Report, column 299, what obligation the proposed new water authorities will be under to offer a 25 per cent. single person discount when they charge for their services.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I refer the hon. Member to my second reply to him of 15 June 1994,Official Report, column 469.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which have a statutory basis;

  (2) if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to produce annual reports;

  (3) if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to the Government;

  (4) if he will list the advisory bodies which he has set up in his Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993";

  (5) if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament;

  (6) if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied by them.

  Mr. Lang
  The readily available information on advisory bodies sponsored by my Department is contained in the Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies 1993", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House. The next edition of "Public Bodies", with updated information, will be published in December. Other information on the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the take-up of the enterprise allowance scheme in Fife over the last three years; and what was(a) the number and (b) the total value of awards made in each six-month period.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 27 June 1994]: Questions relating to the take-up of the enterprise allowance scheme in Fife are a matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Seabird Monitoring Programme
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what support will be provided to the long-term seabird monitoring programme on the Isle of May.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: The Institute for Terrestrial Ecology will carry out seabird monitoring on the Isle of May this year on behalf of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The value of the contract is £9,300. In addition, Scottish Natural Heritage, which owns and manages the island as a national nature reserve, carries out its own monitoring work on the island and has commissioned further monitoring projects to the value of £7,500. Decisions on monitoring projects in future years are matters for Scottish Natural Heritage and the JNCC.

  Fox Hunts
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of policing fox hunts in each chief constabulary in Scotland during each financial year since 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: Central Scotland police, Grampian, Northern constabulary and Tayside police have not incurred any expense in policing fox hunts since 1990. Details relating to costs incurred by Fife constabulary and Strathclyde police are not readily available. The estimated costs for policing this activity by Dumfries and Galloway constabulary and Lothian and Borders police are as follows:
  145

  Financial Year Costs

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary

  464·00

  476·00

  482·00

  690·00

  Lothian and Borders Police

  5,807·00

  2,496·00

  2,636·00

  2,673·00

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the identifiable(a) capital and (b) revenue or current expenditure by Scottish Homes by regional council electoral division, or on any other geographical basis on which the data are collated or accounted, in each year since 1990; how much in both expenditure categories is (i) legally committed and

  Scottish Homes: Development Funding

  1989–90 Outturn £ million

  1990–91 Outturn £ million

  1991–92 Outturn £ million

  1992–93 Outturn £ million

  1993–94 Estimated outturn £ million

  1993–94 Spend per capita £

  1994–95 Plans

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale

  0·9

  0·7

  0·1

  0·2

  0·5

  13·9

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0·3

  1·2

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  10·9

  Cunninghame

  2·4

  4·1

  3·8

  4·9

  6·3

  46·0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  2·7

  1·9

  1·8

  3·6

  1·7

  21·6

  Kyle and Carrick

  0·0

  0·9

  1·5

  1·7

  3·6

  32·0

  Nithsdale

  1·1

  1·4

  1·9

  3·0

  1·7

  29·0

  Stewartry

  1·2

  0·3

  0·2

  0·4

  1·0

  44·8

  Wigtown

  0·5

  1·4

  2·2

  1·2

  0·9

  31·0

  TOTAL

  9·0

  11·9

  12·0

  15·6

  16·3

  31·3

  16·6

  Glasgow City

  City of Glasgow

  77·6

  68·5

  74·8

  90·2

  92·0

  138·4

  96·3

  Highlands Islands and Grampian

  Aberdeen

  7·3

  6·8

  7·7

  8·6

  7·9

  37·5

  Badenoch

  0·3

  0·8

  0·6

  1·1

  0·3

  25·0

  Banff and Buchan

  0·7

  0·4

  1·6

  1·6

  2·1

  24·5

  Caithness

  1·5

  0·7

  0·3

  0·1

  0·1

  4·8

  Gordon

  0·5

  0·9

  0·5

  1·7

  2·4

  31·6

  Inverness

  2·9

  2·2

  1·7

  2·3

  2·2

  33·8

  Kincardine

  1·1

  1·5

  0·6

  1·1

  2·7

  51·4

  Lochaber

  1·6

  1·5

  0·9

  2·1

  3·7

  189·8

  Moray

  2·1

  2·6

  1·5

  1·8

  1·2

  14·8

  Nairn

  0·4

  0 5

  0·3

  0·4

  0·4

  36·5

  Orkney

  0·8

  1·5

  3·4

  1·8

  1·9

  96·3

  Ross and Cromarty

  0·7

  1·0

  0·5

  2·1

  1·4

  29·3

  Shetlands

  0·9

  0·6

  0·9

  0·8

  0·6

  25·7

  Skye and Lochalsh

  0·1

  0·4

  1·8

  1·4

  1·7

  138·3

  Sutherland

  0·0

  0·6

  0·1

  0·1

  0·3

  20·9

  Western Isles

  0·2

  0·9

  0·7

  1·0

  2·3

  77·6

  TOTAL

  21·4

  23·0

  23·1

  28·0

  31·1

  39·6

  30·8

  Lanarkshire and Central

  Clackmannan

  0·5

  1·1

  2·7

  2·6

  3·8

  81·0

  Clydesdale

  1·8

  1·0

  1·4

  1·9

  2·9

  50·7

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0·8

  0·4

  0·8

  0·3

  0·4

  5·9

  East Kilbride

  0·1

  0·3

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·5

  Falkirk

  3·5

  2·7

  2·0

  4·5

  2·9

  20·1

  Hamilton

  2·4

  2·3

  2·5

  4·3

  3·2

  30·5

  Monklands

  06

  1·6

  3·2

  3·1

  1·2

  12·0

  Motherwell

  1·5

  3·9

  5·8

  7·0

  11·5

  80·8

  Stirling

  1·6

  3·1

  3·2

  3·4

  3·2

  38·9

  TOTAL

  12·9

  16·3

  21·6

  27·0

  29·2

  35·3

  29·9

  Lothian and Borders

  Berwickshire

  0·4

  0·2

  0·6

  0·2

  1·2

  59·6

  East Lothian

  2·4

  2·3

  2·9

  3·1

  3·8

  43·7

  146
  (ii) planned for 1994–95 and 1995–96; what is the pro rata expenditure in each category for each regional council electoral division, expressed as a percentage of the total capital and revenue budgets measured against their respective populations; if he will rank the regional council electoral divisions in descending order by level of expenditure in both categories; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Scottish Homes does not hold records by regional council electoral division. The information which is readily available is shown in the table and groups district council areas together according to Scottish Homes administrative districts. The figures show capital expenditure on development funding; revenue grants amount to only £6·5 million across Scotland in 1994–95. The programme for 1995–96 will not be decided until after my right hon. Friend announces his expenditure plans later this year.
  147

  1989–90 Outturn £ million

  1990–91 Outturn £ million

  1991–92 Outturn £ million

  1992–93 Outturn £ million

  1993–94 Estimated outturn £ million

  1993–94 Spend per capita £

  1994–95 Plans

  Edinburgh

  17·6

  17·3

  20·4

  24·8

  28·7

  66·4

  Ettrick

  1·4

  1·0

  1·2

  1·2

  2·0

  56·9

  Midlothian

  2·7

  3·9

  2·7

  3·0

  1·8

  22·7

  Roxburgh

  1·3

  2·1

  1·4

  1·0

  1·4

  39·6

  Tweeddale

  1·2

  0·5

  0·4

  1·3

  0·9

  57·6

  West Lothian

  3·0

  2·0

  2·8

  5·7

  4·6

  30·8

  TOTAL

  30·0

  29·2

  32·4

  40·3

  44·3

  52·0

  44·5

  North and South Clyde

  Argyll and Bute

  5·2

  4·1

  4·3

  4·2

  3·5

  52·9

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0·1

  0·0

  —

  0·0

  —

  —

  Clydebank

  3·5

  3·7

  8·7

  9·4

  9·1

  200·9

  Dumbarton

  1·2

  1·3

  1·0

  4·2

  5·6

  71·5

  Eastwood

  0·3

  0·3

  0·0

  —

  0·1

  1·7

  Inverclyde

  5·7

  4·6

  8·2

  9·5

  9·8

  107·9

  Renfrew

  8·5

  13·2

  18·0

  18·1

  18·6

  94·3

  Strathkelvin

  0·7

  1·8

  —

  0·8

  1·3

  14·9

  TOTAL

  25·3

  29·0

  40·3

  46·2

  48·0

  71·8

  52·6

  Tayside and Fife

  Angus

  2·8

  1·5

  3·6

  2·8

  4·4

  46·3

  Dundee

  11·3

  10·8

  10·9

  14·0

  14·5

  86·8

  Dunfermline

  2·4

  3·1

  2·6

  3·3

  6·0

  45·5

  Kirkcaldy

  2·7

  2·3

  3·0

  3·1

  5·4

  36·6

  North and East Fife

  1·4

  2·6

  2·5

  3·3

  2·7

  39·8

  Perth and Kinross

  3·9

  6·6

  8·4

  7·9

  8·6

  67·1

  TOTAL

  24·6

  27·0

  31·1

  34·4

  41·6

  56·4

  41·1

  SCOTLAND TOTAL

  200·9

  205·0

  235·2

  281·6

  302·6

  59·8

  311·9

  Note: Figures may not add up to rounding.

TRANSPORT

  Departmental Staff
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Bristol travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 81 offices in the south-west region, which includes the Bristol travel-to-work area. At present, a total of 52 casual staff are employed at 18 of those offices, and one person is employed on a fixed-term appointment. Details are as follows:

  South West

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  1 Alverton Terrace Penzance Cornwall

  —

  —

  1A Courtney Park Newton Abbot Devon

  —

  —

  2 Concorde Drive Southmead Bristol

  —

  —

  2 Meads Business Centre Bridgemead Swindon SN5 7YR

  —

  1

  2 Scott House Bindon Road Business Park Taunton TA2 6BH

  —

  —

  21–23 Gillam Road Northbourne Bournemouth BH10 6Bw

  —

  —

  148

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  226 Kingsway St. George Bristol BS5 8NS

  —

  —

  39 Blenheim Road Minehead Somerset

  —

  —

  73 Molesworth Street Wadebridge Cornwall

  —

  —

  8 St. Peters Road Parkstone Dorset BH14 0RA

  —

  —

  Agaton Fort Budshead Road Ernesettle Plymouth

  —

  1

  Albert Place Daniell Street Truro Cornwall

  —

  —

  Ashton Vale Road Ashton Bristol BS3 2JE

  —

  —

  Ashville Road Gloucester GL2 6ET

  —

  —

  Audley House Goldney Avenue Chippenham SN15 1ND

  —

  —

  Barrie Lane St. Albans HD Worth Matravers Swanage

  —

  —

  Berkeley House Croydon Street Bristol BS5 0DA

  —

  3

  Bishopsgate House 94 All Saints Road Cheltenham

  —

  —

  Brendon House High Street Taunton Somerset TA1 3NT

  —

  2

  Bridge House Sion Place Bristol BS8 4AS

  —

  —

  Brunel Road Chruchfields Industrial Estate Salisbury Wiltshire

  —

  —

  Car Park Cannon Street Taunton TA1 LPT

  —

  —

  Cast Down Hartland Bideford North Devon EX39 6AD

  —

  —

  Castle Drive Falmouth TR11 4WZ

  —

  —

  149

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  CGS Common Lane Beer Seaton Devon X12 3AG

  —

  —

  Chiseldon Camp Chiseldon Wiltshire

  —

  —

  Chy-An-Dour Barracks Penzance TR18 3LH

  —

  —

  Cooks Way Bindon Row Business Park Taunton TA2 6BG

  —

  —

  County Hall Taunton Somerset TA1 4DT

  —

  —

  Cumberland Block South Raglan Barracks Devonport

  —

  —

  Customs House Clayton Street Bristol BS11 9EX

  —

  —

  Darbys Lane Nuffield Industrial Estate Poole BH1

  —

  —

  DTP WNTR MNTNC Comp Tortworth Road Falfield Gloucester

  —

  —

  Eastern Avenue Barnwood Gloucester

  —

  —

  Eastgate Office Centre Bristol

  —

  6

  Elmbridge Court Cheltenham Road Gloucester GL3 1JY

  —

  1

  Falcon Road Sowton Exeter Devon EX2 7LB

  —

  3

  Flowers Hill Bath Road Brislington Bristol

  —

  —

  Foxhill Bath Avon

  —

  —

  Glen View Truro Road St. Austell Cornwall

  —

  —

  Gorran Haven St. Austell Cornwall PL26 6NX

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Prince of Wales Road Dorchester Dorset

  —

  —

  Grace Road Marsh Barton Trading Estate Exeter Devon

  —

  2

  Grove Point Easton Portland Dorset DT5 1DW

  —

  —

  Hanover House Northgate Bridgwater Somerset

  —

  —

  Highbank 1 Govier Lane Watchet Somerset TA23 ODQ

  —

  —

  Highcliffe Christchurch Dorset

  —

  —

  Hope Cove Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 3HW

  —

  —

  Ilfracombe Devon EX34 9RU

  —

  —

  Imperial Buildings Bar Road Falmouth TR11 4NW

  —

  1

  Kings Quay Brixham Devon TQ4 6DL

  —

  —

  LGV Marlborough Lane Swindon SN3 1RA

  —

  —

  Maltravers House Petters Way Yeovil Somerset

  —

  —

  Melrose House Rydon Lane Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5AZ

  —

  —

  No. 2 The Barbican Plymouth Devon

  —

  —

  Northleigh House Limekiln Close Bristol BS12 6SR

  —

  2

  Norton Fitzwarren Taunton Somerset

  —

  —

  Parmorr Road Par Cornwall

  —

  —

  Phoenix House Notte Street Plymouth Devon PL1 2HF

  —

  3

  Porte Marsh Road Calne Wiltshire

  —

  —

  Portmarsh Victoria Street Barnstable Devon

  —

  —

  Pydar House Pydar Street Truro TR1 2TG

  —

  1

  150

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Room 306 Regent House High Street Western Super Mare

  —

  1

  Rougement London Road Salisbury Wiltshire

  —

  —

  South Quay The Harbour Paignton Devon TQH 6DT

  —

  —

  St. Ives Cornwall

  —

  —

  St. Johns Western Road Launceston PL15 7AY

  —

  —

  St. Modwen House Parkway Industrial Estate Plymouth PL6 8LH

  —

  —

  St. Paul Street Tiverton Devon

  —

  —

  Station Road South Molton Devon

  —

  1

  Sterling House Dixsfield Exeter EX1 1TP

  —

  1

  Stillmore House Dennison Road Bodmin Cornwall

  —

  —

  The Brotherhood Hall Launceston Cornwall

  —

  —

  The Gaunts House Denmark Street Bristol BS1 5DR

  1

  12

  The Quay Poole Dorset BH15 1HJ

  —

  —

  Tollgate House Annexe (County House Bristol) BS2 8PS

  —

  1

  Tollgate House Houlton Street Bristol BS2 9DJ

  —

  10

  Tregonwell Court Commercial Road Bournemouth BH2 5LN

  —

  —

  Unit 11 Sunnyside Road Weston-Super-Mare Avon

  —

  —

  Westhill Road Wyke Regis Weymouth DT4 9ND

  Wilson Way Redruth Cornwall

  —

  —

  Wiltshire Drive Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 0RF

  —

  —

  Produced from the Personnel Information System as at 25 May 1994.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the London travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 193 offices in the London and south-east regions. At present, a total of 146 casual staff are employed at 51 of those offices, and 72 staff are employed on fixed-term appointments in 14 offices. Details are as follows:

  London

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  10 Tudor Drive Morden Surrey

  —

  —

  102/110 Regency Street London SW1P 4BW

  —

  —

  111 Canterbury Road Croydon Surrey CR0 3HH

  —

  1

  112 Ruislip Road Greenford Middlesex UB6 9QH

  —

  —

  112A Portland Road South Norwood London SE25

  —

  1

  12 Guildford Street Chertsey Surrey

  —

  1

  12 Station Road Sidcup Kent

  —

  10

  134 Maple Road Surbiton Surrey

  —

  1

  15–17 Great Marlborough Street London W1V 2VD

  —

  —

  18 Great Marlborough Street London W1V 2DB

  —

  1

  151

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  2 Charteris Road Woodford Green London

  —

  —

  2 Devon House Hermon Hill Wanstead London E11 2AW

  —

  —

  2 Marsham Street London SW1P 3EB

  12

  2

  23 Balfour Road Ilford IG1 4HP

  —

  2

  239 The Broadway Burnt Oak Edgware Middlesex HA8 5EE

  —

  1

  26–28 Old Queen Street London SWIH 9HP

  —

  —

  28 Brookwood Road Southfields London SW18

  —

  —

  285 Allenby Road Southall Middlesex

  —

  —

  33 Woolwich Road Belvedere Kent DA17 5EE

  —

  —

  38 Avenue Road Bexleyheath Kent DA7 4EG

  —

  —

  4 Burnt Ash Hill Lee London SE12

  —

  —

  473 Barking Road East Ham London E6 2LU

  —

  —

  5 Stanley Road Teddington Middlesex

  —

  —

  5–7 Green Lanes Palmers Green London N13 4TT

  —

  —

  56 Glebe Way West Wickham Kent BR4 0RL

  —

  1

  61 Lowfield Street Dartford Kent DA1 1HP

  —

  —

  73–77 Station Lane Hornchurch Essex RM12 6JX

  —

  1

  84 Tanner Street Barking Essex

  —

  —

  96 Horsenden Lane North Greenford Middlesex

  —

  —

  Aerodrome Road Hendon London NW9 5JJ

  —

  —

  Anthony Wharf Lea Valley Trading Estate Edmonton

  —

  —

  Argyle Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1NJ

  —

  —

  Ashley House Monck Street London SW1P 2BQ

  —

  1

  Avenue Lodge Park Avenue Wood Green London N22

  —

  —

  Beddington Farm Road Croydon Surrey CR0 4XB

  —

  —

  Bray Court Windsor Road Bray Maidenhead Berkshire

  —

  —

  Capitol House 794 Green Lanes Winchmore Hill London

  —

  —

  Central Court 1B Knoll Rise Orpington Kent BR6 0JA

  2

  1

  Charles House Kensington High Street London W14 8QH

  1

  7

  Church House Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BL

  —

  2

  Clive House 12–18 Queens Road Weybridge Surrey

  —

  —

  Craybrook House 15 Sidcup Hill Sidcup Kent

  —

  —

  Crown Buildings 284 High Road Loughton Essex

  —

  —

  Doric House Station Road Chingford London E4 6AD

  —

  1

  Employment Exchange High Road Seven Kings Ilford Essex

  —

  —

  Ennersdale Road Hither Green London SE13

  —

  —

  Fir Tree Place Church Road Ashford Middlesex

  —

  —

  152

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Gate House Woodall House Lordship Lane Wood Green N22 5JW

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Lime Grove Eastcote

  —

  —

  Government Building Tolcarne Drive Pinner Middlesex HA5 2DZ

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Honeypot Lane Stanmore HA7 1BD

  —

  1

  Government Buildings London Road Stanmore Middlesex HA7 4PP

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Viveash Close Hayes Middlesex

  —

  —

  Grays Place Stoke Road Slough SL2 5AS

  —

  1

  Hampton House 20 Albert Embankment London SE1

  —

  —

  Hayes Repository Bourne Avenue Hayes Middlesex UB3 1RF

  —

  —

  Helena House 348 High Street Sutton Surrey

  —

  —

  HGVTS Anthony Wharf Lea Valley Trading Estate London

  —

  —

  Hollison Avenue Brimsdown Enfield Middlesex

  —

  —

  Home Address

  —

  —

  Kings House 236–240 Pentonville Road London N1 9JZ

  —

  —

  Lambeth Bridge House Albert Embankment London SE1 7SB

  1

  3

  Leatherhead Road Chessington Surrey KT9 2LX

  —

  —

  Lyndhurst House Bunns Lane Mill Hill London NW7 2AT

  —

  —

  Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 2AG

  —

  —

  Milton Road Wealdstone Middlesex

  —

  —

  Mint House 6 Stanley Park Road Wallington SM6 0EU

  —

  —

  North Street Redhill Surrey

  —

  —

  Northside House 69 Tweedy Road Bromley BR1 3T2

  —

  —

  Old Town Hall Woodcote Road Wallington SM6 OND

  —

  —

  Quest House 11 Cross Road Croydon Surrey CR9 6EL

  —

  2

  Raydean House 15–17 Western Parade Barnet Herts

  —

  —

  Redhouse Road Mitcham Surrey CR0 3AQ

  —

  1

  Refer to Relevant Personnel Management Section

  —

  —

  Romney House 43 Marsham Street London SW1 3PY

  —

  3

  Scratchwood M1 Comp Snowplough DP Millhill NW7 3JA

  —

  —

  South Quay Plaza 2 183 Marsh Wall London E3

  —

  —

  St. Christopher House Southwark Street London SE1

  2

  3

  Sunley House 90–93 High Holborn London WC1V 6LP

  —

  —

  Swanley Depot Junction M25/M20 Swanley Kent

  —

  —

  Tank Hill Road Purfleet Essex RM16 1SX

  —

  —

  153

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Tolworth Tower Surbiton Surrey

  —

  —

  US Naval Base Lime Grove Eastcote Middlesex

  —

  —

  Willow Tree Lane Yeading Middlesex

  —

  1

  Worton Hall Worton Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6ER

  —

  —

  South East

  1 CG Cottages 84 Wartling Road Eastbourne B22 7PT

  —

  —

  1–4 Queen Street Portsmouth Hants PO1 3JD

  —

  6

  101 Alexandra Road Farnborough Hampshire

  —

  —

  103–105 Carnarvon Road Clacton-on-Sea Essex

  —

  —

  12 Eversfield Road Eastbourne East Sussex

  —

  1

  124 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  143 Rock Avenue Gillingham Kent

  —

  1

  19 Desborough Avenue High Wycombe Buckinghamshire

  —

  —

  2 Dunstable Road Luton Bedfordshire LU1 1EB

  —

  —

  20 Marsh Parade Hythe Southampton SO4 6AN

  —

  —

  23 Medina Avenue Newport Isle of Wight PO30 1EL

  —

  —

  24 Bennet Road Reading Berkshire RG2 0RT

  —

  —

  25 New Dover Road Canterbury Kent

  —

  —

  25 New Dover Road Canterbury Kent CT1 3AS

  —

  —

  25 Pelham Road Gravesend Kent

  —

  —

  28–30 High Street Guildford Surrey GU1 3EL

  —

  2

  3 Drapers Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 3DT

  —

  —

  3–7 Cambridge Terrace Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 1RW

  —

  2

  4 Circular Road East Colchester Essex

  —

  —

  45 Argyle Road Sevenoaks TN13 1BR

  —

  —

  5–7 Brunswick Place Southampton SO1 2AN

  2

  1

  6 Bate-Dudley Drive Bradwell on Sea Essex CM0 7QE

  —

  —

  6–10 Adelaide Street Luton LV1 5BT

  —

  —

  62 Whitehall Lane Grays Essex RM17 6SS

  —

  —

  77–81 Basingstoke Road Reading RG2 0ER

  —

  —

  8 Upper Grosvenor Road Tunbridge Wells Kent

  —

  —

  8–10 Howard Street Bedford MK40 3HS

  —

  1

  89 Warley Hill Brentwood CM14 5JN

  —

  —

  8B Sea Street Herne Bay Kent

  —

  —

  9 Burwash Road Hove BN3 8GP

  —

  —

  A.A.I.B. DRA Farnborough Hampshire GU14 6TD

  —

  —

  Albion House Lime Street Bedford

  —

  —

  Ambley Road Gillingham Kent

  1

  1

  154

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Artillery House 61 Tilehurst Road Reading Berkshire

  —

  —

  Ashdown House Sedlescombe Road North St. Leonards-on-Sea

  2

  6

  Barden House, 36 Spencers Road, Crawley RH11 7DA

  —

  —

  Beauver House 6 Bricket Road St. Albans AL1 3JS

  —

  —

  Beeches Road Chelmsford Essex CM1 2SG

  —

  —

  Brighton Hill Centre Basingstoke RG22 4LR

  —

  —

  Cambridge Place House Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 2LQ

  —

  —

  Charter Court Midland Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 5R1

  —

  1

  Churchill Industrial Estate Lancing West Sussex

  —

  —

  Circus House New England Road Brighton BN1 1DH

  —

  5

  Coastguard Road Littlehampton BN17 5LM

  —

  —

  Coronet House 11 Queen Anne Road Maidstone Kent

  —

  6

  Crown Buildings 11 Prittlewell Chase Southend-on-Sea

  —

  —

  Crown Buildings Wellesley Road Ashford Kent

  —

  —

  Crown House, Sittingbourne Road Maidstone Kent

  —

  —

  Culham Storage Depot Abingdon Berkshire

  —

  —

  Dominion House, 5 Gravel Hill, Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshir

  —

  —

  Dover Priory St. Johns Road Dover Kent

  —

  —

  East Terrace Walton on Naze Essex

  —

  —

  Federated House London Road Dorking Surrey RH4 1SZ

  —

  10

  Foresthill Drive, Townhill Southampton S02 2SY

  —

  —

  Fort Haven Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN4 51HY

  —

  —

  Fort Road Newhaven East Sussex BN9 9EL

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Block 1 Spur D Marston Road Oxford

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Christchurch Road Winchester Hampshire

  —

  —

  Grange Way Colchester CO2 8HF

  —

  —

  Green Lane Maybush Southampton Hampshire SO9 3SW

  —

  —

  Hambridge Lane Newbury Berkshire RG14 5TZ

  —

  —

  Harwich Docks Parkstone Quay Harwich

  —

  —

  Hayling Island Hampshire

  —

  —

  Heron House Goldington Road Bedford

  —

  2

  Heron House, 149 London Road St. Leonards East Sussex

  —

  —

  Hersden Canterbury Kent

  —

  1

  Highland House Henderson Road Eastney Southsea Hants

  —

  —

  Hillsons Road Botley Southampton Hampshire

  —

  1

  155

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Ivy House 1–5 Ivy Terrace Eastbourne East Sussex BN4 QP

  1

  11

  Ivy House Lane Ore Hastings East Sussex

  —

  1

  Jackmans Place Letchworth Hertfordshire SG6 1TS

  —

  1

  Lade Dungeness Romney Marsh Kent TN29 9PD

  —

  —

  Lanes End Totland Isle of Wight PO39 0BE

  —

  —

  Langdon Battery Swingate Dover Kent CT15 5NA

  —

  —

  Launton Road Bicester Oxon

  1

  —

  Leighton Road Stanbridge Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  LGV 3 West Bar Street Banbury Oxon OX16 9SD

  —

  —

  LGV South Street Gosport PO12 1EL

  —

  —

  Mercantile Marine Office Canute Road Southampton

  —

  —

  Minster House Minster Street Reading Berkshire RG1 2JD

  —

  3

  Newtown Road Newbury Berkshire

  —

  —

  North Court Armstrong Road Maidstone Kent ME15 6JZ

  —

  —

  North Lane Aldershot Hampshire GU11 2AG

  —

  1

  Orchard Road Royston Hertfordshire

  1

  —

  Oxford House London Road Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  Palting House Trinity Road Folkestone CT20 2RH

  —

  —

  Parkway House 49 Baddow Road Chelmsford CM2 0XJ

  —

  1

  Paul Waller Avenue Cardington Bedford MK44 3ST

  —

  —

  Portacabin James Wolfe Road Cowley Oxford OX4 2PT

  —

  1

  Portman House Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3LY

  —

  —

  Prospect Road Cowes Isle of Wight

  —

  —

  Rock-a-Nor Road Hastings TN34 3DW

  —

  —

  Senet House Dorking Business Park Dorking Surrey

  —

  9

  Seymour House Whiteleaf Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 9DE

  —

  —

  Slyfield Estate Guildford Surrey

  —

  —

  Spring Place 105 Commercial Road Southampton SO1 0ZD

  3

  15

  Stanbridge Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire

  1

  —

  Sutherland Lodge St. Omer Road Guildford GU1 2DB

  —

  —

  The Cottage Pierremont Hall Broadstairs CT10 1JH

  —

  —

  The Hut Link Road Newbury Berkshire

  —

  —

  The Village Square Brighton Marina Brighton BN2 5QL

  —

  —

  TRL Old Wokingham Road Crowthorne Berkshire RG11 6AU

  42

  5

  Tumpike Road Newbury Berkshire

  —

  —

  Unit 5 Newman Industrial Estate Ford Road Clacton-on-Sea

  —

  —

  156

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Vandyke Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  Westmoreland House Strand Parade Goring Worthing

  —

  —

  Whytecroft House 44 Marine Parade West Lee O/S PO13 9NR

  —

  —

  Widford Industrial Estate Chelmsford Essex

  —

  2

  Wilton Hostel Wilton Avenue Bletchley Buckinghamshire MK3 6DH

  —

  —

  Wyman House Shopwhyke Road Chichester West Sussex

  —

  —

  Note: PRODUCED FROM THE PERSONNEL INFORMATION SYSTEM AS AT 25/5/94.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Bedford travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 21 offices in the Bedford travel-to-work area. At present, a total of five casual staff are employed at four of those offices, and two persons are employed on fixed-term appointments. Details are as follows:

  Bedford

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  124 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  19 Desborough Avenue High Wycombe Buckinghamshire

  —

  —

  2 Dunstable Road Luton Bedfordshire LU1 1EB

  —

  —

  3 Drapers Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 3DT

  —

  —

  6–10 Adelaide Street Luton LV1 5BT

  —

  —

  8–10 Howard Street Bedford MK40 3HS

  —

  1

  Albion House Lime Street Bedford

  —

  —

  Beauver House 6 Bricket Road St. Albans AL1 3JS

  —

  —

  Cambridge Place House Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 2LQ

  —

  —

  Charter Court Midland Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 5RL

  —

  1

  Heron House Goldington Road Bedford

  —

  2

  Jackmans Place Letchworth Hertfordshire SG6 1TS

  —

  1

  Leighton Road Stanbridge Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  Orchard Road Royston Hertfordshire

  1

  —

  Oxford House London Road Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  Paul Waller Avenue Cardington Bedford MK44 3ST

  —

  —

  Portman House Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3LY

  —

  —

  Seymour House Whiteleaf Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 9DE

  —

  —

  Stanbridge Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire

  1

  —

  157

  Building

  Fixed-term appointments

  Casuals

  Vandyke Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  Wilton Hostel Wilton Avenue Bletchley Buckinghamshire MK3 6DH

  —

  —

  Produced from the Personnel Information System as at 25 May 1994.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Coventry travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 27 offices in the Coventry travel-to-work area. At present, a total of 34 casual staff are employed at nine of those offices, and three persons are employed on fixed term appointments. Details are as follows:

  Coventry

  Building

  Fixed term appointments

  Casuals

  110/116 Boldmere Road Sutton Coldfield B73 5UB

  —

  —

  165 Thornbridge Avenue Perry Bar Birmingham B42 2AF

  —

  —

  205 Birdbrook Road Kindstanding Birmingham

  —

  —

  401 Stratford Road Shirley Solihull Warwickshire

  —

  1

  457 Holyhead Road Coventry West Midlands CV5 8HU

  —

  —

  5 Newbold Road Rugby Warwickshire

  —

  —

  54 Vernons Land Nuneaton Warwickshire

  —

  1

  6 Dormer Place Leamington Spa Warwickshire

  —

  —

  74 Ridgeacre Lane Quinton Birmingham B32 1HH

  —

  —

  866 Washwood Health Road Birmingham B82 NG

  —

  1

  955 Alcester Road South Kings Health Birmingham

  —

  1

  Ashland Street Wolverhampton WV3 0BX

  —

  —

  Broadway House Broad Street Edgbaston Birmingham

  —

  —

  Churchfields Bromsgrove B61 8DX

  —

  —

  Clay Lane Birmingham West Midlands

  —

  —

  Cumberland House 200 Broad St. Birmingham B15 1TD

  3

  13

  Elm Road Redditch B97 6AJ

  —

  —

  Five Ways House Islington Row Birmingham B15 1SL

  —

  —

  Five Ways Tower Frederick Road Birmingham B15 1SJ

  —

  —

  Friars House Manor House Drive Coventry CV1 2TD

  —

  2

  Garretts Green Industrial Estate Birmingham 33

  —

  3

  Granby Avenue Granby Industrial Estate Birmingham 33

  —

  —

  Greyfriars House Greyfriars Lane Coventry CV1 2HB

  —

  2

  Mason Road Coventry West Midlands CV6 7FJ

  —

  —

  St. Martins House 10 The Bull Ring Birmingham B5 5DP

  —

  10

  158

  Building

  Fixed term appointments

  Casuals

  The Crescent Bilston West Midlands WV1 40DB

  —

  —

  VTAC Watling Street Nuneaton Warwickshire CV10 0UA

  —

  —

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Edinburgh travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 50 offices in the Edinburgh travel-to-work area. At present, a total of 22 casual staff are employed at 10 of those offices, and six persons are employed on fixed-term appointments. Details are as follows:

  Scotland

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  1 Johns Place Edinburgh EH6 7EL

  —

  —

  10 Shore Road Anstruther Fife

  —

  —

  107 Bothwell Street Glasgow Renfrewshire G2 7EE

  —

  6

  11 Maggie Woods Loads Loan Falkirk

  —

  —

  111 Rannoch Road Perth PH1 2DF

  —

  —

  124–125 Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 4BE

  —

  —

  161 Whitletts Road Ayr

  —

  —

  26 Glenburn Road Paisley Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  30 Selkirk Street Hamilton Lanarkshire ML3 6RQ

  —

  —

  31 Old Raise Road Saltcoats Ayrshire

  —

  —

  33 West Saville Terrace Edinburgh 9

  —

  1

  335–337 Calder Road Edinburgh

  —

  —

  335–337 Sighthill Road Edinburgh

  —

  —

  351 Anniesland Road Glasgow

  —

  —

  368 Amulree Street Shettleston Glasgow G32 7SJ

  —

  —

  40 Millhill Street Dunfermline Fife

  —

  —

  41 Shawbridge Arcade Ashtree Road Glasgow G43 1RT

  —

  —

  6 Bridge Street Dumbarton

  —

  —

  6000 Academy Park Gower Street Glasgow G51 1TR

  —

  2

  7 Aitchison Street Airdrie Strathclyde ML6 0DY

  —

  —

  71 Whatriggs Road Kilmarnock Ayshire

  —

  —

  74 Glasgow Road Bathgate EH48 2AG

  —

  —

  83 Princes Street Edinburgh Scotland

  2

  5

  Bankhead Avenue Sighthill Edinburgh EH11 4AA

  —

  —

  Caledonian House 3rd Floor Greenmarket Dundee DD1 1DP

  —

  2

  City Wall House 32 Eastwood Avenue Glasgow G41 3NS

  —

  1

  Crosshill Road Bishopsbriggs Glasgow

  —

  —

  Crown Buildings Princes Pier Greenock Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  East Burnside Cupar Fife

  —

  1

  159

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  East Fortune Airfield Drem East Lothian

  —

  —

  Fechney Buildings Glasgow Road Perth Perthshire

  —

  —

  Fifeness Crail Fife KY10 3XN

  —

  —

  Fisher Row Musselburgh Midlothian BH21 6SG

  —

  —

  Gob Saughton Broomhouse Drive Edinburgh

  —

  —

  Government Buildings 2 St. Ninians Road Stirling

  —

  —

  HMCG Church Road Leven Fife

  —

  —

  Houstoun Industrial Estate Livingston West Lothian

  —

  3

  John Street Forfar Angus

  —

  —

  Joppa Terrace Joppa Edinburgh

  —

  —

  Navy Building Eldon Street Greenock Renfrew PA16 7QY

  —

  —

  Navy Buildings Eldon Street Greenock Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  North Muirton Industrial Estate Perth Perthshire

  1

  —

  Overgate House 121 Marketgait Dundee DD1 1JL

  —

  —

  Park Road Gallatown Kirkcaldy Fife

  —

  —

  Springburn Park 14A Balornoch Road Glasgow

  Tanterfield SCL Victoria Park Haddington East Lothian

  —

  —

  Town Hall Hall Terrace Cumnock Ayrshire

  —

  —

  TRRSL Livingston West Lothian EH54 5DU

  3

  —

  Wellmeadow Blairgowrie Perthshire

  —

  —

  Western Road Kilmarnock Ayrshire

  —

  1

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Glasgow travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 50 offices in the Glasgow travel-to-work area. At present, a total of 22 casual staff are employed at 10 of those offices, and six persons are employed on fixed-term appointments. Details are as follows:

  Scotland

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  1 Johns Place Edinburgh EH6 7 EL

  —

  —

  10 Shore Road Anstruther Fife

  —

  —

  7

  107 Bothwell Street Glasgow Renfrewshire G2 7EE

  —

  6

  11 Maggie Woods Loads Loan Falkirk

  —

  —

  111 Rannoch Road Perth PH1 2DF

  —

  —

  124–125 Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 4BE

  —

  —

  161 Whitletts Road Ayr

  —

  —

  26 Glenburn Road Paisley Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  30 Selkirk Street Hamilton Lanarkshire ML3 6RQ

  —

  —

  31 Old Raise Road Saltcoats Ayrshire

  —

  —

  160

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  33 West Saville Terrace Edinburgh 9

  —

  —

  335–337 Calder Road Edinburgh

  —

  —

  335–337 Sighthill Road Edinburgh

  —

  —

  351 Anniesland Road Glasgow

  —

  —

  368 Amulree Street Shettleston Glasgow G32 7SJ

  —

  —

  40 Millhill Street Dunfermline Fife

  —

  —

  41 Shawbridge Arcade Ashtree Road Glasgow G43 1RT

  —

  —

  6 Bridge Street Dumbarton

  —

  —

  6000 Academy Park Gower Street Glasgow G51 1TR

  —

  2

  7 Aitchison Street Airdrie Strathclyde ML6 0DY

  —

  —

  71 Whatriggs Road Kilmarnock Ayrshire

  —

  —

  74 Glasgow Road Bathgate EH48 2 AG

  —

  —

  83 Princes Street Edinburgh Scotland

  2

  5

  Bankhead Avenue Sighthill Edinburgh EH11 4AA

  —

  —

  Caledonian House 3rd Floor Greenmarket Dundee DD1 1DP

  —

  2

  City Wall House 32 Eastwood Avenue Glasgow G41 3NS

  —

  1

  Crossshill Road Bishopsbriggs Glasgow

  —

  —

  Crown Buildings Princes Pier Greenock Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  East Burnside Cupar Fife

  —

  1

  East Fortune Airfield Drem East Lothian

  —

  —

  Fechney Buildings Glasgow Road Perth Perthshire

  —

  —

  Fifeness Crail Fife KY10 3XN

  —

  —

  Fisher Row Musselburgh Midlothian BH21 6SG

  —

  —

  Gob Saughton Broomhouse Drive Edinburgh

  —

  —

  Government Buildings 2 St. Ninians Road Stirling

  —

  —

  HMCG Church Road Leven Fife

  —

  —

  Houstoun Industrial Estate Livingston West Lothian

  —

  3

  John Street Forfar Angus

  —

  3

  Joppa Terrace Joppa Edinburgh

  —

  —

  Navy Building Eldon Street Greenock Renfrew PA16 7QY

  —

  —

  Navy Buildings Eldon Street Greenock Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  North Muirton Industrial Estate Perth Perthshire

  1

  —

  Overgate House 121 Marketgait Dundee DD1 1JL

  —

  —

  Park Road Gallatown Kirkcaldy Fife

  —

  —

  Springburn Park 14A Balornoch Road Glasgow

  —

  —

  Tanter Field School Victoria Park Haddington East Lothian

  —

  —

  Town Hall Hall Terrace Cumnock Ayrshire

  —

  —

  TRRSL Livingston West Lothian EH54 5DU

  3

  —

  Wellmeadow Blairgowrie Perthshire

  —

  —

  Western Road Kilmarnock Ayrshire

  —

  1

  161
  Note:

  Produced from the Personnel Information System as at 25 May 1994.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list for the last five financial years the Department of Transport's staff-in-post figures broken down by grade;

  (2) if he will place in the Library the latest staff-in-post figures broken down by grade for each Department of Transport office including executive agencies.

  Mr. Norris
  I am placing copies of the information requested in the Library.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will institute a recruitment ban in his Department and its agencies immediately.

  Mr. Norris
  No.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Manchester travel-to-work area the numbers of(a) casuals and (b) fixed-term appointments in each Department of Transport office.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its agencies have 51 offices in the north-west region, which includes the Manchester travel-to-work area. At present, a total of 35 casual staff are employed at 15 of those offices, and five staff are employed on fixed-term appointments. Details are as follows:

  North West

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  101 Sankey Street Warrington Cheshire WA1 1LB

  —

  —

  14 Milton Grove Whalley Range Manchester

  —

  —

  1A Sugham Lane Heysham Lancashire

  —

  —

  208 Drake Street Rochdale Lancashire

  —

  —

  22 Chester Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire

  —

  —

  22 Woodside Road. Irby Wirral Cheshire L61 4UL

  —

  —

  23 Perrin Street Hyde Cheshire SK14 1JE

  —

  1

  26–28 Broadstone Road Reddish Stockport Cheshire

  —

  —

  3 Mesnes Park Terrace Wigan Lancashire

  —

  —

  36–38 Poplar Grove Sale Cheshire

  —

  —

  4 Felix Road Winnington Northwich Cheshire

  —

  1

  50 Preston New Road Blackburn Lancashire

  —

  6 Nile Street Crewe Cheshire

  —

  —

  88 School Lane Didsbury Lancashire M20 0HG

  —

  —

  95 Bond Parade Dicksons Drive Newton Chester

  —

  —

  Alderglen Road Cheetham Manchester

  —

  1

  Apsley House Park Road Crosby Merseyside L22 3XF

  —

  —

  Arrowe Park Road Upton Wirral L49 0UL

  —

  —

  Ashburner House Seymour Grove Manchester M16 0JL

  —

  —

  Ashton House Cottam Lane Preston Lancashire PR2 1HU

  —

  —

  162

  Building

  Fixed term appointment

  Casuals

  Atherton Street St. Helens Merseyside WA10 2JY

  —

  —

  Buckingham House Glover Court Preston Lancashire PR1 3LS

  —

  6

  Chapel House Chapel Street Congleton Cheshire

  —

  —

  Corn Exchange Building Fenwick Street Liverpool L2 7TT

  —

  3

  Cuerden Depot Haverlock Terrace Bamber Bridge Preston

  —

  —

  Dock Road South Bromborough Wirrall Merseyside

  —

  —

  Driving Test Centre Weston Street Bolton BL3 2AW

  —

  —

  DTC Warrington Business Park Long Lane Cheshire WA2 7JR

  —

  1

  Eastbank House 68 Eastbank Street Southport Lancashire

  —

  —

  Eaves Lanes Rossall Road Chorley Lancashire

  —

  —

  Everite Road Widnes Cheshire WA8 8PT

  —

  —

  Forest House Cobden Street Nelson Lancashire

  —

  —

  Freckleton Road Kirkham Lancashire PR4 2RA

  —

  2

  Government Buildings Fielden Road Didsbury Lancashire

  —

  —

  Government Buildings Warbeck Hill Road Blackpool Lancashire

  —

  —

  Graeme House Derby Square Liverpool L2 7SU

  1

  2

  Gressington House St. Marys Road Liverpool L19 0NE

  —

  —

  Government Buildings South Park Road Macclesfield Cheshire

  —

  —

  Hall Road West Liverpool L23 8SY

  —

  —

  King Street Wallasey Merseyside

  —

  —

  Lingard Lane Bredbury Stockport Cheshire

  —

  3

  Middleton Road Heywood Lancashire

  —

  1

  Norroy House Nuns Road Chester Cheshire CH1 2NB

  —

  —

  Old Government Buildings Dee Hills Park Chester

  —

  —

  Parthenon Drive Norris Green Liverpool

  —

  —

  Partington Street Failsworth Lancashire

  —

  —

  Portcullis House Seymour Grove Manchester M16 0NE

  4

  7

  Princes Way Fleetwood Lancashire FY7 8PG

  —

  —

  Sector 43 4 Mesnes Park Terrace Wigan WN1 1SU

  —

  —

  Smith Street Bury BL9 6HH

  —

  1

  Stopgate Lane Kirkby Merseyside

  —

  1

  Sunley Tower Piccadilly Plaza Manchester M1 4AX

  —

  3

  Trafford House Chester Road Stretford Manchester

  —

  2

  Staff Surveys
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of his Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if he will place copies of the findings in the Library.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has completed two such surveys over the past two years. A third is now under way. The findings are confidential to management and staff so as to avoid drawing civil servants into areas of political controversy. In 1991, the National Audit Office commissioned a survey of staff attitudes within the Department's Vehicle Inspectorate, which was published. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  M25
  Sir Geoffrey Pattie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give by category the total number of residential dwellings, commercial premises and other categories of buildings purchased by his Department within the vicinity of the M25 between junctions 12 and 8 over the last five years, together with the itemised costs and the powers by which those purchases were made.

  Mr. Key
  The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the southern section of the M25 from the Dartford crossing to the M4 interchange will be completely free from road works.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 28 June 1994]: This question relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Keith Speed, dated 30 June 1994:
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the southern section of the M25 would be completely free from road works.
  We have a major rolling programme for widening the M25 between Junctions 3 and 11 on the southern section to dual four lanes without the existing highway boundary. This will take several years to complete. Timing will depend on the availability of funds and the competing demands of other parts of the Road Programme, so I cannot forecast at present exactly when this programme will be finished.
  We are also considering the provision of capacity beyond dual four lanes for the section of M25 from Junction 10 to the M4 (and beyond). Work on this is dependent on the completion of statutory procedures as well as the availability of funds.
  In addition, there will be a need for maintenance works but wherever possible these will be incorporated in the widening schemes to minimise disruption to traffic.
  Bridgeworks are also planned between now and the turn of the century. All bridges are being assessed under the assessment and strengthening programme post-tensioned bridges are also being assessed and inspected under the Special Inspection programme which is being conducted nationwide. It is not therefore possible to say at present what strengthening and/or replacement works will be required for these structures.
  Every effort is made to keep disruption to a minimum. Experience has shown that limiting the length of individual road works to relatively short sections is less disruptive to traffic than carrying out works over a long distance at one time. This will
  164
  mean, however, that road works will be taking place on the southern section of the M25 for a longer period than if we had carried out all the works together.

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under the citizens charter how much compensation will be paid to the passengers stranded at Royston railway station at 12.30 am on Sunday 19 June, on their way from King's Cross to Cambridge; and how many passengers were affected.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under the passengers charter, BR offers compensation to the value of 20 per cent. or more of the ticket price paid if passengers are delayed for more than an hour. I understand that 30 passengers have so far requested compensation for the delay at Royston on 19 June and over £500 in compensation has been paid. I am not aware of the number of passengers affected by the delay.

  Signal Box Operators
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the criteria for allowing people to operate signal boxes; and what previous experience of specific lines is required by operators of signal boxes on those lines.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no statutory criteria against which competence to operate signalling equipment is to be judged. However, the Health and Safety Executive's guidance on the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 recommends that the employer should be satisfied that the employees have appropriate training, personal qualities, fitness and qualifications to do the work in question without undue risk to themselves or others and that they are fully aware of the nature of the work. HM railway inspectorate has sampled the effectiveness of the selection process applied by Railtrack and is satisfied that Railtrack is taking the necessary steps to ensure competence. HMRI is continuing to monitor the situation.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations at which British Rail staff who do not hold the required certificate of competence operated signal boxes on 22 June.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 stipulate that those employed on tasks that are regarded as critical to safety must be competent. Certification of competence is not a statutory requirement under the regulations. All staff operating in signal boxes have been assessed and confirmed competent by Railtrack. HM railway inspectorate has sampled the effectiveness of that process and is satisfied that Railtrack is taking the necessary steps to ensure competence. HMRI is continuing to monitor the situation.

  Rail Journey Costs
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of a journey by rail from(a) Hounslow to Waterloo and (b) Richmond to Waterloo (i) off-peak return, (ii) standard rate return and (iii) standard rate single for each year from 1979, at current and 1993 prices.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:
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  From Hounslow to London Waterloo

  Date

  Standard Single (Current)

  Standard Single (1993)

  Standard Return (Current)

  Standard Return (1993)

  Cheap Day (Current)

  Cheap Day (1993)

  7 January 1979

  0·84

  2·21

  1·68

  4·41

  0·96

  2·52

  6 January 1980

  0·99

  2·20

  1·97

  4·37

  1·15

  2·55

  30 November 1980

  1·22

  2·41

  2·44

  4·82

  1·40

  2·76

  29 November 1981

  1·30

  2·29

  2·60

  4·58

  1·50

  2·64

  9 January 1983

  1·40

  2·33

  2·80

  4·67

  1·60

  2·67

  8 January 1984

  1·50

  2·38

  3·00

  4·76

  1·70

  2·70

  6 January 1985

  1·60

  2·42

  3·20

  4·84

  1·80

  2·72

  12 January 1986

  1·70

  1·43

  3·40

  4·87

  2·00

  2·86

  11 January 1987

  1·80

  2·48

  3·60

  4·96

  2·10

  2·89

  10 January 1988

  1·90

  2·54

  3·80

  5·07

  2·20

  2·94

  8 January 1989

  2·10

  2·61

  4·20

  5·22

  2·30

  2·86

  4 February 1990

  2·30

  2·64

  4·60

  5·28

  2·60

  2·98

  6 January 1991

  2·60

  2·75

  5·20

  5·51

  2·80

  2·97

  5 January 1992

  2·80

  2·85

  5·60

  5·69

  2·80

  2·85

  3 January 1993

  3·00

  3·00

  6·00

  6·00

  3·10

  3·10

  2 January 1994

  3·20

  3·10

  6·40

  6·20

  3·30

  3·20

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the performance of the Driving Standards Agency since the appointment of the current chief executive.

  Mr. Key
  The new chief executive has maintained the continuing gradual improvement in DSA's performance.

  Buses
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the number of bus passengers carried and bus-miles worked in each metropolitan area outside London in 1985, 1990 and each subsequent year.

  Mr. Freeman
  Data collected by the Department cannot be released for individual metropolitan areas for reasons of reliability and confidentiality. Financial year estimates of the total number of local bus journeys made by passengers in the six English metropolitan areas outside London, and the corresponding figures for local bus-km worked, are given below. These have been extracted from tables 1.1 and 2.1 of "Bus and Coach Statistics Great Britain 1992–93", which also present data for Scotland as a whole. A copy of this HMSO publication has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  millions

  English metropolitan areas

  Year

  Local passenger journeys

  Local vehicle kms

  1985–86

  2,068

  574

  1990–91

  1,547

  650

  1991–92

  1,478

  662

  1992–93

  1,386

  678

  Source: Statistical returns from PSV operators

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), of 3 May,Official Report, column 466, and to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson), of 26 May, Official Report, column 284, if he will show for each separate invoice supplied to his Department by Dewe Rogerson for advice
  166
  on his Department's marketing strategy for rail privatisation, (a) the date on which the invoice was received by his Department, (b) the date on which the invoice was paid by his Department and (c) the amount contained in each separate invoice, inclusive of value added tax; whether he has now received the final invoice from Dewe Rogerson; which is the total amount inclusive of value added tax, which his Department will have paid to Dewe Rogerson by the time its contract expires; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested in parts(a), (b) and (c) is commercially confidential. Dewe Rogerson's final invoice has not yet been received and it is not therefore possible to provide a figure for the total amount. To date, Dewe Rogerson has been paid £566,000, including VAT, for this advice.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he intends to publish the full report and findings of his review of the technical and cost implications of fitting seat belts to all seats in minibuses and coaches; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend intends to publish the conclusions of the review before the summer recess and copies of the relevant papers will be deposited in the Library at that time.

  Sir Christopher Foster
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date Sir Christopher Foster was appointed as an adviser to his Department; on what date his employment as an adviser was completed; how much he was paid in total for his work as an adviser to his Department; on what date he was invited to apply for the post of board member of Railtrack; on what date he was appointed a board member of Railtrack; who was responsible for(a) recruiting, (b) interviewing and (c) appointing Sir Christopher Foster as a board member of Railtrack; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Sir Christopher Foster was appointed as special adviser to the Secretary of State from 1 June 1992. He was seconded to the Department from Coopers and Lybrand: the Department reimbursed Coopers and Lybrand at the rate of £5,000 per year, amounting to a total
  167
  of £7,321·43 plus VAT for the period until his resignation on 16 November 1993. On that date, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that Sir Christopher would be appointed as a non-executive member of the Railtrack board on its incorporation as a British Rail subsidiary company in February 1994. His appointment from 1 April 1994 as a director of Railtrack Group plc as a Government-owned company, was approved by shareholders' decision given by the Secretary of State.

  Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) of 22 March,Official Report, column 146, if he will show for all consultants and/or other outside organisations or individuals currently or previously employed by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, (a) the name of the consultancy, organisation or individual, (b) the length of contract offered to each consultancy, organisation or individual, (c) the total amount inclusive of value added tax paid to date to each consultancy, organisation or individual, (d) the total amount inclusive of value added tax expected to be paid to each consultancy, organisation or individual and (e) the services required by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising from each consultancy, organisation or individual; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The principal external consultants retained by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, the services which it is supplying, and expenditure on them to date are as follows:

  Consultant

  Service supplied

  Expenditure to 30 June 1994 (£000s exclusive of VAT)

  Linklaters and Paines

  Legal services

  987

  Brodies WS

  Advice on Scots law

  8

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Accountancy services

  599

  Samuel Montagu & Co.

  Merchant Bank

  200

  S and G Warburg & Co.

  Advice on rolling stock leasing

  73

  PJR Ltd.

  Recruitment and organisational advice

  50

  Total

  1,917

  Note: VAT at 17–5 per cent. is payable in addition.

  Price Waterhouse and Co., accountancy services, Coopers and Lybrand, accountancy services, and Shandwick Consultants Ltd., marketing advice, have also been retained by Opraf, but no payments have yet been made to them. The amount paid in future to those firms will depend on the work done. All those appointments are terminable not later than 31 March 1995.

  In addition, Opraf has 20 employees of its own and 15 seconded staff and uses various external firms for such matters as cleaning and maintenance of its premises, the carrying out of minor repairs, staff training, courier services, printing, and the supply of working lunches.

  British Rail
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing(a) the total amount spent centrally or in each separate region by British Rail in 1993–94 on legal advice, together with the name of each firm or individual employed and (b) the total amount budgeted to be spent on legal advice in 1994–95 centrally by British Rail and individually by each train operating unit, together with the name of each firm or individual employed.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a management matter for the British Railways Board.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the unadjusted traffic forecasts and year 1 traffic counts for road schemes opened in(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 23 June 1994]: The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cost-benefit ratio of road schemes for(a) currently under construction, (b) agreed starts for 1994–95, (c) schemes designated priority 1 in the roads review, (d) schemes designated priority 2, (e) schemes designated longer term in the roads review and (f) schemes abandoned in the roads review.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 23 June 1994]: The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the cost-benefit ratio for the current active road programmes is 2·2:1.

  Rail Accident (Greenock)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the railway inspectorate will begin its investigation into the derailment of the 22.45 hours Wemyss Bay to Glasgow train in Greenock on Saturday, 25 June; if the report of the investigation will contain recommendations concerning(a) improvements in the design and construction of electric multiple units and (b) improve safety procedures; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate, HMRI, started a preliminary investigation into the derailment shortly after first light on Sunday 26 June. Strathclyde police, assisted by British Transport police, were conducting a scene-of-crime investigation at that time and subsequently announced that it had become a murder inquiry. I understand that two people have now been charged in connection with the deaths. An inquiry under the Regulation of Railways Act 1871 has not been recommended by the chief inspecting officer of railways, given the cause of the accident. The holding of a fatal accident inquiry is a matter for the Lord Advocate.

  The HMRI will continue to assist the police in relation to railway technical matters and is also considering what lessons may be learnt to prevent a recurrence. The crash resistance of new rolling stock has been considerably

  169
  improved above the standards of the train involved in the accident. I have asked the HMRI to let me know its conclusions and I will write to the hon. Member when I have received this information.

WALES

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many men were in work in 1991 in each of the districts covered by the valleys initiative; and what his latest estimate is of the number of men unemployed in these districts.

  Mr. Redwood
  The following districts are wholly or partially in the programme for the valleys area:

  Blaenau Gwent

  Brecknock

  Cynon Valley

  Dinefwr

  Islwyn

  Llanelli

  Lliw Valley

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Neath

  Ogwr

  Port Talbot

  Rhondda

  Rhymney Valley

  Swansea

  Taff Ely

  Torfaen

  The employment and unemployment data requested are available from the NOMIS database, which can be accessed on-line by House of Commons Library staff.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his policies for the careers service.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh Office published a prospectus on 8 June 1994 setting out arrangements for the provision of the careers service from April 1995. A copy of the prospectus has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Apprenticeships
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement about his new apprenticeships initiative with respect to(a) Alyn and Deeside, (b) Clwyd and (c) Wales;

  (2) what measures he is adopting to encourage the provision of more apprenticeships.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Some £3·6 million has been allocated to training and enterprise councils in Wales for the implementation of modern engineering apprenticeships in the current financial year. That will support a total of 550 apprenticeship places and contribute to the training of some 1,400 people as specialist workplace trainers. Some £2·2 million of the total is being made available to colleges of further education to buy engineering equipment. Allocations have been made on the basis of TEC areas. North East Wales TEC, which includes Alyn and Deeside within its area, has been allocated 50 apprenticeship places, 112 trainer training places and £225,000 for college equipment.

  Training
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his training for work programme with respect to Alyn and Deeside.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The objective of the training for work programme throughout Wales is to help long-term unemployed people to find jobs and to improve their work-related skills through the provision of appropriate training and structured work activity in line with assessed needs. It is delivered in Alyn and Deeside through North East Wales training and enterprise council.

  Home Building
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the total numbers of homes built by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is given in the table.

  New dwellings completed

  Local authorities

  Housing associations1

  1989

  566

  1,663

  1990

  610

  1,685

  1991

  418

  2,463

  1992

  133

  2,459

  1993

  172

  2,849

  1Excludes acquisitions, rehabilitation and hostel spaces.

  Live Animals (Transport)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what measures he has taken since 1990 to ensure that live farm animals being transported to the continent are adequately cared for with respect to(a) horses, (b) cattle, (c) sheep and (d) pigs; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is his policy concerning the transportation of live farm animals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government are actuely aware of the great strength of feeling in this country on animal welfare, and are strongly committed to ensuring that the welfare of animals is properly safeguarded. The Government have strict rules to protect animals exported from this country. Where there has been evidence of infringements, prompt action has been taken to rectify the situation and, where appropriate, offenders have been prosecuted.

  The EC directive on the protection of animals in transit sets Community standards for the transportation of all animals over 50 km. It requires animals to be fed, watered and rested at appropriate intervals, not exceeding 24 hours. It also required the European Commission to produce a report and, where appropriate, proposals on certain detailed issues, including feeding and watering intervals, rest periods and maximum journey times. Pending adoption of the measures, member states have been able to apply national rules in those areas, and in the United Kingdom the Government are currently applying a maximum feeding and watering interval of 15 hours for all livestock and 12 hours for poultry. For horses, the directive provides

  171
  for national rules to remain applicable and our national minimum value arrangements continue; there are no proposals at present which affect this.

  At the Agriculture Council meeting on 20 June, proposals representing a significant improvement on those which the Government blocked in December last year were put forward. However, it became clear that further improvements could be made and the Commission has committed itself to bringing forward further proposals on journey limits by 1 July 1995.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of air quality on the A548 Queensferry to Connah's Quay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Monitoring of air quality in the vicinity of the A548 Queensferry to Connah's Quay is the responsibility of the local district council. I understand that Alyn and Deeside district council carries out regular monitoring in the area and that none of its readings to date have exceeded European guidelines.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the measures taken designed to improve water quality on the beaches of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Dwr Cymru—Welsh Water—is currently engaged in a £230 million investment programme designed to ensure that all bathing waters in Wales identified under the European bathing water directive consistently meet its mandatory bacteriological standards. There has been a major improvement in the quality of the bathing waters on the Welsh coastline and last year 84 per cent. of identified waters met the standards, compared with 48 per cent. in 1986. The majority of the improvement programme is expected to be completed by 1995, with the remainder due to be completed by the end of 1997.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, by council tax collection authority area, the number of outstanding banding appeal cases and the proportion they represent of all liable properties in that area, as at 1 April.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The position in Wales on 1 April 1994 was as follows:

  Billing authority area

  Outstanding banding appeal cases

  Percentage of liable properties

  Aberconwy

  892

  3·6

  Alyn and Deeside

  896

  3·0

  Arfon

  778

  3·2

  Blaenau Gwent

  406

  1·3

  Brecknock

  1,254

  6·8

  Cardiff

  2,841

  2·4

  Carmarthen

  1,808

  7·4

  Ceredigion

  3,196

  10·6

  Colwyn

  805

  3·2

  Cynon Valley

  608

  2·2

  Delyn

  806

  2·9

  Dinefwr

  1,349

  7·9

  172

  Billing authority area

  Outstanding banding appeal cases

  Percentage of liable properties

  Dwyfor

  632

  4·4

  Glyndwr

  869

  4·7

  Islwyn

  487

  1·8

  Llanelli

  761

  2·4

  Lliw Valley

  671

  2·5

  Meirionnydd

  549

  3·1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  373

  1·5

  Monmouth

  1,797

  6·0

  Montgomeryshire

  956

  4·0

  Neath

  625

  2·3

  Newport

  627

  1·1

  Ogwr

  1,157

  2·1

  Port Talbot

  494

  2·3

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  1,700

  5·5

  Radnorshire

  824

  7·4

  Rhondda

  226

  0·7

  Rhuddlan

  518

  2·1

  Rhymney Valley

  614

  1·5

  South Pembrokeshire

  933

  4·7

  Swansea

  2,313

  3·0

  Taff Ely

  820

  2·1

  Torfaen

  566

  1·5

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,427

  3·0

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,191

  2·5

  Ynys Mon

  1,208

  3·8

  Blood Transfusion Service, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority about the closure of the Dominion arcade blood transfusion centre for plasma donors in Cardiff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The decision to close the Dominion arcade blood transfusion centre was taken by the board of the authority following wide consultation with donors. Arrangements have been made for them to use the plasma suite at the blood transfusion service headquarters at Rhydlafar.

DEFENCE

  Troop Location
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink), of 23 June 1994,Official Report, columns 247–48, if he is now in a position to announce the location for the second additional infantry battalion; and what other plans he has for Army use of the defence estate.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have now decided that Oakington barracks, Oakington, which is currently the home of the 1st Battalion the Cheshire Regiment, should be retained as a permanent infantry barracks to cater for the second of the two additional infantry battalions announced on 3 February 1993,Official Report, column 320. The Gurkhas will move from Church Crookham to Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright around the end of 1996, not the end of 1994 as indicated in my previous answer of 23 June 1994, Official Report, columns 247–48. Under current plans, the Black Watch will remain in Pirbright until mid-1996. In addition, we have decided that RAF Hullavington, currently being used as temporary accommodation of 9 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps should be retained in the defence estate for

  173
  the time being as the home of 9 Supply Regiment RLC which will now not move to Aldershot as previously planned.

  Ferranti/ISC
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library those reports he has commissioned or received into the effect on the defence interests of the United Kingdom of the collapse of Ferranti/ISC.

  Mr. Aitken
  No. It is not my Department's practice to disclose internal papers which contain classified or commercially sensitive information.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list and place in the Library a copy of those memoranda and authorisations from Government Departments which preceded and accompanied the merger of Ferranti and ISC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  No. Any advice which my Department offers in connection with proposed mergers is confidential.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those charged with offences relating to the Ferranti/ISC fraud; and if he will list in each case the pleas entered and the sentences imposed.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.

  Merchant Banks
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which merchant bank is the adviser to his Department; and if he will list all the fees and commissions paid to banks by his Department each year since 1988.

  Mr. Hanley
  My Department does not employ any one merchant bank as a permanent adviser. In fact, since 1988, only one centrally held record exists for the employment of a merchant bank. This was a contract placed with Kleinwort Benson Investment Trust Ltd. for a project in connection with the contractorisation of the royal dockyards in August 1993. To protect commercial confidentiality, the value of this contract cannot be released. It is likely that a number of other, lower-value contracts will have been placed with banks by subordinate budget holders from time to time during the period in question. The details of such contracts are not held centrally, however, and details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Puma
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedure was adopted for the contract for Puma modifications; and whether royal naval aircraft yard Fleetlands was invited to tender for any part of the contract.

  Mr. Aitken
  There have been many contracts for the modification of the Puma helicopter to maintain its operational effectiveness since it entered service. Royal naval aircraft yard—RNAY—Fleetlands, which is part of the naval aircraft repair organisation defence agency, is regularly tasked by my Department with embodiment of modification kits into service aircraft, and consideration 174
  has been given to RNAY Fleetlands carrying out such work on the Puma helicopter. Fleetlands is permitted to respond to MOD invitations to tender.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the measures which have been taken to clear the Falkland Islands of mines and other lethal debris of war and the extent to which these measures have succeeded.

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes) on 8 February,Official Report, columns 239–40.

  Training Flights (Plymouth Airport)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the instructions given to MOD personnel involved in training flights from Plymouth airport in the event of engine failure immediately after take-off.

  Mr. Hanley
  A pilot can take a number of actions in the event of an engine failure immediately after take-off. If there is sufficient space ahead, the pilot will land on the airfield. If, however, there is insufficient space remaining, the pilot will by that time have gained sufficient height or speed or both to enable him to turn towards a suitable clear area to land or to turn back to the airfield to land. The decision as to which procedure is adopted is a matter for the professional judgment of the pilot at the time of the incident. Experienced aircrew, well versed in the engine failure procedure, are on board all training flights from Plymouth airport. The engine failure procedure is also practised regularly as part of routine flying, with the turn-back procedure normally being practised away from the airfield to reduce noisy disturbance. Over its 30 years operating experience at Plymouth airport, the Royal Navy has maintained an excellent safety record.

  Defence Bases
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) details, (b) plans and (c) inventories of defence bases have been supplied to Crown Ridge Industries in (i) 1993 and (ii) 1994.

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not held centrally. In addition to being available from other sources, details of surplus defence bases are widely disseminated by officials to many companies and individuals. As far as can be ascertained, however, no details, plans or inventories have been supplied to Crownridge Industries with the exception of details of Royal Navy armaments depot, Trecwn supplied to Mr. R. Philipps in his capacity as a director of Crownridge Industries in 1994.

  Bases (Sales)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 June,Official Report, column 443–45, if he will list for each base sold, intended to be sold or currently marketed the date (a) on which the decision to close was made, (b) on which the decision to sell the base was made and (c) on which expressions of interest were first invited.
  175
  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Royal Navy Armaments Depot, Trecwn
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answers of 27 June,Official Report, column 445, on RNAD Trecwn, on what date the decision was made that no further military use could be found for RNAD Trecwn and that the base should be sold.

  Mr. Hanley
  As part of my Department's normal procedure concerning redundant land, expressions of interest in RNAD Trecwn from other MOD organisations were sought on 28 February 1992. No firm military requirement for the site was identified however, and details of the site were then circulated to some 25 other Government Departments on 13 July 1992. Again, no interest was shown, and the site was declared surplus to requirements on 1 August 1992.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 June,Official Report, column 445, on the supply since July 1991, of information relating to RNAD Trecwn, if he will list individuals or organisations to whom his Department is aware that details at the facilities in RNAD Trecwn were supplied, together with the month in which the material was supplied.

  Mr. Hanley
  The individuals and organisations to whom my Department is aware that details of the facilities in RNAD Trecwn were supplied are:

  Organisation/Individual

  Slough Estates plc

  O'Rion London Ltd.

  Fairfield Properties

  Mr. R. A. Halliday

  Otto Properties

  Pearl & Coutts Ltd.

  Mr. K. B. Hobday

  The County Echo

  Lands Improvements Group Ltd.

  Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

  Mr. M. Scrace

  Dyfed Antiques

  Miss E. A. Stokes

  Maltsword Ltd.

  Mr. Jacques

  St. Modwen Properties

  Queensway Land & Property Ltd.

  Mr. K. Williams

  Document Storage Co.

  BDC Building & Civil Engineering

  South Pembrokeshire District Council

  Dave Harris Transport

  Park Investments Management Ltd.

  Economic Development Section, Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council

  Property Services, Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council

  The Cleveland Trust

  Ms T. J. Simpkins

  West Wales Task Force

  Mr. Edwards

  Welsh Development Agency

  Vulcan Firework UK Limited

  Dyfed County Planning Department

  Acer Wallace Evans

  176

  London & County Development

  Mr. M. Rowlands

  Mr. D. Morris, MEP

  Cooke & Arkwright

  A. G. Edwards & Sons

  Mr. P. Morgan

  Mr. T. Twomey

  Evans & Roach & Co.

  DTZ Debenham Thorpe

  Mr. H. N. Griffiths

  Mr. S. W. Buckley

  Mr. W. D. Berry

  Mr. Riaz

  Mr. Sinnett

  Mr. B. Freid

  Mr. P. Hunter

  Mr. A. Bilton

  Mr. J. Hager

  WGSs, Leeds

  Hutchings & Thomas

  M. J. Barrett Properties

  Mr. J. Goodwin

  Mr. M. J. Hendy

  Broxtead Consulting

  Davron Business Park

  Cheetham & Mortimer

  Mr. J. W. Molay

  Clare House Landshipping

  Unicorn Estates

  Rhos Landscapes

  Mr. J. Townsend

  The Western Telegraph

  Mr. M. Danzey

  Mr. Hughes

  Pembroke Design Ltd.

  Hon. R. Philipps

  Gulfstream (Pembrokeshire) Ltd.

  Strutt & Parker

  Mr. M. Oliver

  Dr. C. Smith

  ICI Nobel Explosives

  TGWU

  Mr. D. T. Jones

  Hilderbrand & Glicker

  Ms S. Morris

  Mr. R. F. Grant

  Glassclean Services

  Richard Ellis

  Mr. J. Ambrey

  Mr. A. James

  T. G. Jones & Associates

  Mr. N. Ainger, MP

  Mr. P. Jones

  Mr. R. Murray

  Mr. McHale

  The various dates on which this information was released is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Vacant Married Quarters
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a regional breakdown of the numbers of vacant married quarters at the end of March 1992, 1993 and 1994, with an estimate of the proportion of the total that the figures for each region represent.

  Mr. Hanley
  The regional breakdown of vacant married quarters at 31 March 1992, 1993 and 1994 and the percentage of the total stock which was vacant is as follows:
  177

  31 March 1992

  31 March 1993

  31 March 1994

  Region

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Yorkshire

  596

  11·6

  532

  9·8

  427

  7·9

  Northern

  88

  13·6

  55

  8·7

  116

  16·4

  North West

  126

  13·7

  192

  19·1

  144

  15·1

  South East

  3,684

  12·9

  3,326

  12·6

  3,407

  13·2

  South West

  1,594

  12·3

  1,985

  13·5

  2,089

  14·3

  East Anglia

  566

  10·6

  632

  12·1

  1,145

  21·2

  East Midlands

  707

  17·5

  638

  16·8

  670

  18·5

  West Midlands

  322

  11·9

  342

  12·5

  389

  14·5

  Wales

  230

  9·5

  347

  14·5

  452

  18·1

  Scotland

  954

  14·5

  745

  11·5

  736

  11·3

  Northern Ireland

  497

  16·4

  372

  12·5

  307

  10 2

  Total

  9,364

  12·9

  9,166

  12·8

  9,882

  13·9

  Many of these vacant married quarters were either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work, held for unit deployments or already allocated to service families who were due to move in shortly. In addition, the following vacant surplus married quarters were in the process of being sold:

  Period

  Number

  31 March 1992

  1,889

  31 March 1993

  1,861

  31 March 1994

  1,519

  Unfortunately, these figures are not maintained in a form which enables them to be readily broken down by regions.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what definition of arts and sports his Department is using to decide resourcing from the national lottery.

  Mr. Brooke
  In accordance with section 23 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Arts Council and Sports Council will distribute lottery proceeds for expenditure on or connected with the arts and sport respectively. They are responsible for defining those terms, taking into account their existing charter powers.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will include the National Playing Fields Association and Play Wales as consultees with regard to the distribution of national lottery funds.

  Mr. Brooke
  In accordance with section 26(5) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, I and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland consulted the bodies responsible for the distribution of lottery proceeds before giving them policy directions under section 26(1) and (2) of the Act. Those bodies will also be consulted before receiving financial directions under section 26(3) and (4). In relation to applications for lottery funds, it will be for the distributing bodies to decide from whom they should seek advice.

  Royal Palaces
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 346, how much of the figure given for
  178
  utilities, salaries and ancillary costs of the occupied royal palaces in 1994–95 is spent on utilities; how much is spent on salaries, and for how many staff; and what ancillary costs are involved.

  Mr. Sproat
  The £6·469 million to be spent on utilities, salaries and ancillary costs at the occupied palaces is broken down as follows:

  £

  Utilities

  1·573 million

  Salary costs of 149·2 staff

  3·331 million

  Ancillary costs:

  Rates

  638,000

  Other operational costs eg custody guard service, preparation for official functions etc.

  225,000

  Furniture and equipment

  209,000

  Fire branch equipment, uniforms etc.

  182,000

  Training, stationary, computers, recruitment, minor consultancies

  153,000

  Garden costs, seeds, vehicle and equipment maintenance etc.

  144,000

  Craftsmen materials

  14,000

  Total

  6·469 million

  Television Licence Fees
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish his estimate of the cost of BBC revenues of a 25 per cent. reduction of television licence fees for all single pensioners living alone in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) Wales.

  Mr. Brooke
  The estimated cost in lost television licence revenue of introducing a 25 per cent. reduction in televison licences for all single pensioners living alone in the United Kingdom would be £63 million. Separate estimates by country are not available.

  Spectrum Radio Persian Programme
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he will call for a report from the Radio Authority into allegations of attempted interference by the Iranian Government in the Spectrum Radio Persian programme.

  Mr. Brooke
  No. Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, independent radio stations are responsible for their own programme content and for observing the terms and conditions of the licences issued to them by the Radio
  179
  Authority. The authority investigates the written complaints that it receives about programming and advertising on independent radio and publishes a quarterly bulletin.

  Regulations
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 May,Official Report, columns 12–13, if he will publish a table listing each of the more than 90 regulations grouping them in the seven main sections; with which Department he is considering each regulation; what is the intended modification to each regulation; and what is the estimated target date for each modification.

  Mr. Sproat
  I shall write to the hon. Member with a list of the 90 regulations which have been drawn to my attention by the tourism industry. The seven areas identified by my inquiries as being of particular concern to the industry, and the Departments with which I have discussed these areas, are:

  Food hygiene:
  Department of Health

  Fire safety:
  Home Office and Department of Trade and Industry

  EU Package Travel Directive:
  Department of Trade and Industry

  Electricity at Work Regulations:
  Employment Department

  Public entertainment licensing:
  Home Office

  Signposting to tourist attractions and facilities:
  Department of Transport

  Price indications:
  Department of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  In the case of the electricity at work regulations, fresh guidance has been issued for tourist accommodation businesses and in the case of food hygiene, the Department of Health has proposed an improved set of regulations which have been the subject of a public consultation exercise. Consideration has been given, or is being given, to the other five areas and where appropriate proposals for changes in regulations or for improved guidance will be brought forward in due course.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied by them.

  Mr. Sproat
  There are no advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals, and none to whose advice the Government must publish a response.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government.

  Mr. Sproat
  None of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department is required to publish the advice that it gives to Government.
  180
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament.

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department sponsors only one advisory non-departmental public body, the Royal Fine Art Commission. This produces an annual report, although there is no requirement for it to do so or to lay it before Parliament. The report for the 1993 calendar year has just been published and presented to Parliament.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the advisory bodies which he has set up in his Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993".

  Mr. Sproat
  No advisory non-departmental public bodies have been set up under the sponsorship of my Department since publication of "Public Bodies 1993".

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to produce annual reports.

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department sponsors only one advisory non-departmental public body, the Royal Fine Art Commission. It produces an annual report, although there is no requirement for it to do so. The report for the 1993 calendar year has just been published and presented to Parliament.

  Tourism
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many of his Department's officials are engaged in duties relating to tourism; and what is the total salary bill for their employment.

  Mr. Sproat
  There are currently 18 staff in my Department directly engaged in duties relating to tourism; including one who works part time. The estimated total salary bill for their employment in the current financial year is £476,363.

  Staff Surveys
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of his Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if he will place copies of the findings in the Library.

  Mr. Sproat
  No surveys of this type have been conducted within the Department of National Heritage.

  Stolen Cultural Property
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he has taken to prevent stolen antiquities, illegally removed from their country of origin, free access into the United Kingdom; what taxes and import duties are applied to imported antiquities; what investigations were made regarding the legality of the 12-tonne load of antiquities recently taken from an ancient site in Lebanon and sent to a London dealer via Larnaca and Ipswich; and if he will ratify the 1970 UNESCO convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing illicit import, exportation and transfer of cultural property.
  181
  Mr. Brooke
  The restriction of imports into the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Taxes and import duties applied to imported antiquities are also a matter for the Chancellor, although there are no import duties at the moment. Any investigation of stolen antiquities in London would be for the police to take forward. In response to our inquiries, neither the Metropolitan police nor the antiquities trade has any knowledge of the Lebanese objects. The Government have no plans to ratify the 1970 UNESCO convention.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he took to prevent the sale at Sotheby of the 17 Century Joachim Wtewal painting, stolen from the east German Schloss museum; if he will condemn Switzerland for giving clear title to stolen goods kept in its vaults for five years; and if he supports European Union regulations on the control of the illegal export of cultural property.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have no powers to intervene in the sale of alleged stolen objects. This is a matter for the police. The laws governing title to stolen goods vary from country to country and I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on those in force in any particular state. I fully support the principles of the European Community directive on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a member state. That has been implemented via a statutory instrument under the European Communities Act 1972, and entered into force on 2 March 1994.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his Department's policy towards the publication of external consultants' reports in relation to market testing.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 29 June 1994]: With regard to external consultants' reports on market testing, as in other matters, my Department follows the principles set out in the code of practice on access to Government information.

  Information which could prejudice negotiations or the effective conduct of commercial and contractual activities would not be published.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will set out the total cost of external consultancy fees incurred by his Department in relation to market testing.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 29 June 1994]: Since it was established in April 1992, my Department and its two agencies have to date spent approximately £66,000 on consultancy relating to market testing. Most of this sum was in connection with a scoping study on the strategic contracting out of central services.

  Recycled Paper
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of his Department's(a) press releases and (b) written answers are printed on recycled paper.

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 4 July 1994]: My Department uses recycled paper wherever possible and,
  182
  following unsuccessful tests of samples of recycled paper for computer printing and photocopying, continues to search the market for improved products which would enable items such as press releases and written answers to be produced on such paper.

  Amusement Machines
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to make a decision on allowing amusement-with-prizes machines in betting offices.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is under review. Other matters concerning deregulation of betting shops are receiving attention at present. We will then turn to the question of amusement-with-prizes machines in betting shops, but that would require primary legislation and it is not expected that there would be any changes to the law in the short term. However, we will review the policy and announce our conclusions in due course.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to produce annual reports.

  Mr. Hague
  The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory basis; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Hague
  The Social Security Advisory Committee, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board, the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions and the war pensions committees.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the advisory bodies set up in his Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993".

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government.

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those of his Department's advisory
  183
  non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied by them.

  Mr. Hague
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is required to consult the Social Security Advisory Committee on most proposals to amend social security regulations. If the committee reports on those proposals, my right hon. Friend is required to publish the report and his response to any recommendations if and when the regulations are laid before Parliament.

  My right hon. Friend is similarly required to refer most proposals to amend regulations relating to industrial injuries benefit or its administration to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council for consideration and advice.

  Occupational Lung Disease
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his policy in respect of reclaiming previously paid sickness benefits from sufferers from asbestos-related diseases who have won compensation through the courts;

  (2) what is the basis (a) for requiring sufferers from asbestosis and mesothelioma have to repay compensation for industrial injury and (b) for not requiring sufferers from pneumoconiosis to do so;

  (3) what is his policy in respect of the pursuit of claims for repayment of sickness benefit from asbestosis sufferers after death if they win court cases for damages posthumously.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 21 June at column 147. The value of all relevant benefits, including sickness benefit, should be deducted from compensation awards exceeding £2,500. The provisions also apply to posthumous settlements.

  Payments made under the pneumoconiosis compensation scheme are exempted from recoupment because the scheme has been subject to Government funding and it was structured to supplement, rather than replace, social security benefit payments.

  Rights of the Child
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list what information in relation to low-income families is available for the statements in the United Kingdom's first report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in respect of(a) the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual and social development, and (b) the level of real disposable income of all types of families with children in 1979 and currently.

  Mr. Burt
  Information on the social security benefits available for low incomes families described in the United Kingdom report is available in leaflet FB27 "Bringing Up Children?"

  A recent research report, "Support for Children, A Comparison of Arrangements in Fifteen Countries", published by this Department in 1993, provides a comparative analysis of United Kingdom support for children against that of other countries.

  The latest estimates of changes in the real disposable income since 1979 for various family types can be found in "Households Below Average Income 1979–1990/91", published in June 1993.
  184
  Copies of all of those publications are in the Library.

  Vaccine Damage
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the reasons for the number of disallowances made by the vaccine damage tribunal for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Scott
  Vaccine damage tribunals which determine appeals are independent of this Department. I am unable to comment on matters for which those independent authorities are responsible.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims were made on behalf of vaccine-damaged children for the vaccine damage payment, who have been accepted as vaccine-damaged but were turned down because their disability was less than 80 per cent., between the passing of the compensation Act and June 1981; and how many parents have applied but have been turned down because of the six-year ruling between these dates.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of the vaccine damage payment scheme is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 4 July 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has aked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many claims were made on behalf of vaccine damaged children for the vaccine damage payment, who have been accepted as vaccine damaged but were turned down because their disability was less than 80 per cent. between the passing of the compensation act and June 1981; and how many parents have applied but have been turned down because of the six year ruling between these dates.
  You will be aware from my earlier letter of 24 June 1994 to you about this subject [OR Vol 245 Col 441] that the full range of information requested is not available. This is because statistics relating to claims for Vaccine Damage Payments were not maintained in a form which could identify the specific reason for refusal until June 1981. However, I am able to tell you that in the period up to June 1981 there were 2,742 claims made, the majority being on behalf of Vaccine Damaged children and a small minority being made by self claimants, ie persons over the age of 18 years. Of those claims 2,301 claims were disallowed.
  I am sorry that I am unable to be more specific on this occasion but I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what considerations led to the requirement that cheques made payable by the CSA as a refund for overpayment should include the individual's name, address and national insurance number.

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

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 5 July 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the inclusion of clients' names, addresses and National Insurance numbers on girocheques.

  185
  National Insurance Numbers are included on girocheques as the Agency uses them as unique reference numbers for clients.
  The address is included because girocheques are despatched in window envelopes.
  I hope this reply is useful.

  Social Fund Loans
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 21 June,Official Report, columns 140–41, when he was first made aware of the problems concerning the checks made to ensure that unemployed claimants do not overpay their loans from the social fund; if he will list the district offices which have been affected; and how many claimants at each office have (a) had a refund or (b) had the overpayment offset against another loan.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 4 July 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State, pursuant to his answer of 21 June, OR cols. 140–1, when he was first made aware of the problems concerning the checks made to ensure that unemployed claimants do not overpay their loans from the Social Fund; if he will list the district offices which have been affected; and how many claimants at each office have (a) had a refund or (b) had the overpayment offset against another loan.
  Firstly, I should explain that whilst the Agency is aware that there have been problems with unemployed customers overpaying their loans, statistics have not been maintained to record the number of individuals customers concerned or indeed the Districts involved. To obtain this specific information would require a manual trawl of each Districts records, an exercise which could only be undertaken at a disproportionate cost.
  With regard to checks which are carried out, I am pleased to tell you that there is not a problem with the checks I outlined in my previous response of 21 June 1994 [OR Vol 245 Col 140]. The automated and clerical checks are effective and minimise the risk of over-recovery, ensuring that if exceptionally, a customer overpays a loan, a refund is made or that over-recovery offset against another loan.
  I am unable to comment about any difficulties that the Employment Services Agency may have experienced where SF deductions are their responsibility. However, I can assure you that there is a regular dialogue between both Agencies where any problems are discussed and resolutions sought. Furthermore, I am confident that the automation of SF recoveries planned for April 1995 will improve matters still further.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

HEALTH

  Social Workers (Training)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes have been made in the system of training for social workers.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work is reviewing the diploma in social work to keep pace with legislation and best social work practice. Training for social workers should be clown to earth, practical and based on sound knowledge of the law.

  NHS Staff (Guidance)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guarantees the NHS guidance for staff on relations with the press and media provide against dismissal for any nurse, midwife or health visitor who publicises misconduct or mismanagement within the NHS; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guarantees the National Health Service Executive guidance for staff on relations with the public and the media provide against dismissal for any nurse, midwife or health visitor who publicises misconduct or mismanagement within the NHS; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The guidance makes it clear that employees who express their views about health service issues in accordance with the guidance are not to be penalised in any way for doing so.

  Responsibility for decisions about disciplinary matters lies with each national health service employer.

  Hospitals, Buckinghamshire
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many major NHS hospital building projects have been carried out in Buckinghamshire since 1979; and at what cost to public funds.

  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 17 national health service hospital building projects costing over £1 million have been completed in Buckinghamshire since 1979. The approximate cost to public funds was in excess of £70 million. These costs include construction, fees and equipment but information on total cost of schemes is not available. For example, value added tax and land purchase costs are excluded.

  General Practitioner Fundholders
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of health service purchasing activity in the west midlands is undertaken by general practitioner fundholders.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are now 283 fundholding practices in the west midlands, covering 41 per cent. of the population, and purchasing nearly 10 per cent. of all hospital and community health services.

  Embryo Research
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral answer of 24 May,Official Report, column 166, what consultations she has had with the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority about the use of ovarian foetal material in research; and what action she proposes to take until such time as the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority reports.

  Mr. Sackville
  Ministers and officials from the Department meet regularly the authority's chairman, members and executive. The authority's consultation exercise has been discussed at some of these meetings.

  Purchasing Authorities
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to develop the role of the purchasing authorities in the NHS.
  187
  Mr. Sackville
  Purchasing authorities have an important role in the national health service and there has been much good work to develop their function. This will be consolidated through the enabling legislation, which will allow district health authorities and family health services authorities to merge and ensure high levels of performance and effectiveness.

  Community Care
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessments she has made of the cost-effectiveness of the recent changes in community care.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is far too early to draw definitive conclusions about the success of the new arrangements. However, what we have seen so far suggests that the Health Committee was right to conclude last March that"the new funding arrangements provide the potential for a better and more efficient use of public money."

  Registered Homes Act 1984
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce legislation to amend the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Mr. Bowis
  None at present.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made as to the adequacy of the existing situation for NHS dental provision; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are committed to an effective and accessible national health service dental service. There were, at the latest dates, more dentists on the lists of family health services authorities and 3.8 per cent. more registered patients than at 1 July 1992.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department received the report on the review of the resource allocation working party and the capitation funding formula; when the report will be published; and when her Department will publish its proposals on future funding formulae for the national health service.

  Mr. Sackville
  The weighted capitation review steering group received in March 1994 the results of a study commissioned from York university. I understand that York university intends to publish its findings in due course.

  The steering group forwarded the results, together with its comments, to the National Health Service Executive at the end of April. The executive is still evaluating these.

  In-patient Treatment, Rugby
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many in-patients were treated by the Rugby NHS trust in 1992–93; and what was the figure for the first year of the trust's existence.
  188
  Mr. Sackville
  In the first two years of its existence, the number of in-patients treated at Rugby Hospital national health service trust has grown from 12,188 in 1991–92 to 12,478 in 1992–93; this represents a 2·4 per cent. increase.
  Statistical Source: Ordinary admissions and day cases, general and acute; figures taken from KP70 returns.

  Independent NHS Sector
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what definition she uses of the independent NHS sector.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no independent national health service sector. NHS trusts are free to make accommodation and services available to private patients provided that there is no significant disadvantage in the exercise of their obligations under any NHS contract.

  Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the introduction of trust hospitals has resulted in a decrease in the number of regulations issued by her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  No regulations have been issued since 1991.

  Health Care Costs, Devon and Cornwall
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the impact of tourists on health care costs in Devon and Cornwall.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is for regional health authorities to make allocations of funds to district health authorities, adapting the national formula for weighted capitation, to take account of the differing health needs of their resident population and particular local characteristics and circumstances.

  Strikes (Cost)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the highest annual total of operations deferred through strikes in the health service since 1964; and when this occurred.

  Mr. Sackville
  Details of the number of operations deferred through strikes are not available.

  NHS Expenditure, Yorkshire
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will outline the levels of expenditure paid by the Government to the NHS in the Yorkshire region in 1994–95 and in 1978–79 at 1994 constant prices.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on levels of expenditure for Yorkshire region in 1978–79 is no longer held centrally. Figures for the Northern and Yorkshire region in 1994–95 are not yet available.

  General Practitioner Fundholders, Redbridge and Waltham Forest
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholders there are in Redbridge and Waltham Forest district health authority areas.
  189
  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are 19 fundholding practices in the Redbridge and Waltham Forest family health services authority, covering 14 per cent. of the population.

  Hospital Beds, London
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the required change in the number of hospital beds in London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of hospital beds in London will depend, in large part, on the assessment by local health authorities, general practitioner fundholders and hospitals of the future requirement for in-patient, day case and out-patient services to best meet the needs of their patients. Also, more patients from outside London are being treated locally, further reducing the need for hospital beds in London.

  Joint Ventures
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to encourage joint ventures between the NHS and the private sector.

  Mr. Sackville
  The National Health Service Executive has an on-going programme of work to promote the private finance initiative and encourage joint ventures between the NHS and the private sector. This has so far involved:Issuing clear guidance about procedures to be followed and how to make a business case using appropriate investment appraisal techniques;
  Providing advice direct to private sector and NHS enquirers, and making direct personal contact with NHS and private sector parties;
  Organising "roadshows" for NHS trust finance directors, and others, explaining the Private Finance Initiative and the opportunties in the NHS;
  Ministerial and senior officials' speeches to encourage both NHS and private sector;
  Publishing publicity material—such as the brochure pack "Public Service, Private Finance" (over 1000 copies issued to NHS and private sector contacts, with requests for over 1000 more since launch);
  Setting up and managing the Newchurch Database project, to increase contacts between the NHS and the private sector and encourage people to explore the possibility of using private finance by spreading knowledge of projects that have already been undertaken by NHS trusts and health authorities.
  Setting up the Private Finance Unit. The remit of the Private Finance Unit is to promote the Private Finance Initiative throughout the NHS and to help trusts and health authorities make greater use of private finance.

  Deprived Areas
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average primary care deprivation score for each family health services authority in the London implementation group remit.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The average primary care deprivation scores for each family health services authority or part-FHSA are:

  Average

  City and East London

  43·39

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  32·23

  Camden and Islington

  30·96

  Eastern Enfield and Edmonton area of Haringey

  27·13

  Brent (excluding Harrow)

  24·93

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  23·90

  190

  Average

  Waltham Forest (excluding Redbridge)

  22·42

  Greenwich (excluding Bexley but including Thamesmead)

  21·76

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  21·00

  Wandsworth (excluding Sutton and Merton)

  20·98

  Barking (excluding Havering)

  20·76

  Croydon (North only)

  15·72

  Note: the scores are calculated as an average of all wards within each FHSA or part-FHSA.

  Tuberculosis
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were notified as having tuberculosis in 1990, 1991 and 1992; and how many in each year were from areas where health authorities stopped the school immunisation programme.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of children between the ages of nought and 19 who contracted tuberculosis were:

  Number

  1990

  569

  1991

  631

  1992

  706

  District health authorities are responsible for the schools' BCG immunisation programme.

  "Making London Better"
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 23 June,Official Report, column 301, how many of the 425 individuals displaced from London's national health service were assisted to find work in (a) the national health service in London, (b) the national health service outside London, (c) the private health care sector and (d) non-health care work; and how many did not find work despite assistance.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The clearing house has assisted displaced staff as shown in the table.

  Category

  Number

  Currently on Clearing House Register being matched to job

  218

  Matched to National Health Service job in London

  134

  Matched to National Health Service job outside London

  3

  Matched to private sector health care job

  4

  Matched to non-health care job (eg in voluntary sector or social services)

  27

  Withdrawals

  39

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer 23 June,Official Report, column 301, what were the job titles of the 425 individuals who requested help from the clearing house after being displaced as a result of service changes in London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Job titles, by staff group, of those who have requested help from the clearing house are summarised in the table.

  Staff group

  Number

  General Management/Administrative grades

  201

  Nursing and Midwifery grades

  102

  Ancillary grades

  28

  191

  Staff group

  Number

  Laboratory technicians

  27

  Allied to medicine grades (paramedical)

  18

  Clinical Scientists

  15

  "Other" technical staff

  14

  Maintenance grades

  7

  Pharmacists

  6

  Doctors/Dentists

  6

  Clinical psychologist

  1

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  England

  9,633

  11,533

  13,700

  16,163

  18,761

  22,240

  York

  17

  24

  37

  49

  49

  72

  North Yorkshire

  29

  75

  69

  101

  117

  185

  Note:

  North Yorkshire District Health Authority was formed on 1 December 1992 by the amalgamation of Northallerton, York, Scarborough, Harrogate and part of Airedale District Health Authority. Data for 1987–92 inclusive have therefore been estimated by adding data for those DHAs. It is not possible to produce data for the exact statutory boundary of North Yorkshire DHA as part of Airedale DHA is now within Bradford DHA.

  Staff Surveys
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of her Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if she will place copies of the findings in the Library.

  Mr. Sackville
  A number of surveys have been carried out in the last two years seeking staff views on specific issues. This information is confidential to management and staff.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what independent audit is undertaken of the data supplied by hospitals for patients charter standards.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Audit Commission appointed auditors to review the systems used to collect data on patients charter standards published in the hospital and ambulance services comparative performance guide for 1993–94, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Air Ambulances
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average cost of an air ambulance flight; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) how many United Kingdom residents were seriously injured abroad in 1993 and returned to the United Kingdom by air ambulance; how many of these had medical insurance which covered the cost of the air ambulance; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities her Department provides for the parking of the bicycles of visitors to its offices in Westminster.

  Mr. Sackville
  Richmond house has a bicycle rack in the car park where bicycles of visitors can be parked.

  Dependency
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered drug addicts there were in(a) York, (b) North Yorkshire and (c) England in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the number of registered drug addicts for the years 1987–92 is shown in the table Data for earlier years are not available for district health authorities

  Hospital League Tables
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who conducted the survey research for the published hospital league tables; and whether this was put out to tender.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Central Office of Information commissioned the survey research on the Department's behalf. The research company chosen was BMJ Research and Consultancy Ltd. A full competitive tendering exercise did not take place. This was due to urgent decisions being required on the outcomes of the research to ensure that the critical timetable the Department was working to could be met.

  Drug Dispensing
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the criteria for transferring prescription-only medicines to over-the-counter purchases.

  Mr. Sackville
  Patient safety is the criterion which determines whether or not a medicine can be released from prescription control. Prescription control is determined by the provisions in section 58A of the Medicines Act 1968, which implements EC directive 92/26.

  Travel Costs
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial assistance is available to parents to meet the costs of children needing to travel to hospitals and medical centres outside their home area for treatment.

  Mr. Bowis
  The hospital travel costs scheme provides help with hospital travelling expenses for children who are in families on income support, family credit or low income and for the expenses of a companion where this is medically necessary. To qualify for help under the scheme, patients must be receiving national health service treatment given under the care of a hospital consultant.

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to regulate private cosmetic surgery clinics.
  193
  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. French) on 17 May,Official Report, column 418.

  Immunisations
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many two-year-old children per 100,000 received immunisations against(a) diphtheria, (b) tetanus,

  Percentage of two-year old children immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella.

  England 1987–88 to 1992–93

  Percentage

  11987–88

  21988–89

  21989–90

  21990–91

  21991–92

  21992–93

  Diphtheria

  87

  87

  89

  92

  93

  95

  Tetanus

  87

  87

  89

  92

  93

  95

  Polio

  87

  87

  89

  92

  93

  95

  Whooping Cough

  73

  75

  78

  84

  88

  92

  Measles

  76

  80

  84

  87

  90

  92

  Mumps/Rubella3

  —

  7

  68

  86

  90

  92

  1Percentage of children born in 1985 and vaccinated by 31 March 1988.

  1Percentage immunised by 2nd birthday.

  3The combined MMR vaccine was first used in 1988–89.

  Percentage of five-year old children receiving booster doses against diphtheria, tetanus and polio1 England 1990–91 to 1992–93

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Diphtheria percentage

  83

  85

  86

  Tetanus percentage

  82

  85

  86

  Polio percentage

  82

  85

  86

  1Booster doses are provided only for diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of legal fees incurred by national health service bodies as a result of clinical negligence claims in each year since 1990–91.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 27 June 1994]: The total legal costs for national health service bodies in England for 1991–92 was £6,348,335 and for 1992–93 was £4,364,709. Information on such costs for 1990–91 is not available.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each NHS trust in the former North West Thames region, those chairmen and non-executive directors who live outside the boundaries of the district health authority in which that trust is situated.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 1 July 1994]: Some 207 out of the 278–75 per cent.—chairmen and non-executive directors appointed to national health service trusts within the West Midlands region live within the boundaries of the district health authorities in which that trust is situated. The names of the appointees who live outside the relevant district health authority boundaries are listed.

  First Community Health NHS Trust

  Miss S. Massey

  Rugby NHS Trust

  Mr. I. Fell

  194
  (c) polio, (d) whooping cough, (e) measles, (f) mumps and (g) rubella; and how many five-year-old children per 100,000 received boosters for these same categories for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the tables.

  Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mrs. M. Bladon

  Mr. D. S. Frost

  Kidderminster Healthcare NHS Trust

  Sir Patrick Lawrence

  Professor P. Spurgeon

  Wolverley NHS Trust

  Mr. J. S. C. Quinn

  Mr. D. H. Rogers

  North Warwickshire NHS Trust

  Mr. P. Hartley

  Mrs. E. M. Stuart

  Burton Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. R. M. Heelis

  North Staffordshire Hospital Centre NHS Trust

  Mr. G. Manning

  Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. Burton

  The Princess Royal NHS Trust

  Miss M. J. Pursglove

  Walsall Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Mr. D. G. Chevins

  West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Mr. H. J. Musgrove

  Mrs. J. H. Moyle

  Mr. R. J. Clifford

  Mr. P. G. Leopold

  Walsgrave Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Jordan

  Mr. F. T. Bunting

  Mr. H. Corker

  The Alexandra Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. A. Mackrael

  Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Lady Huntington-Whiteley

  Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service

  Mrs. R. I. Reynolds

  George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. M. Jones

  195
  Coventry Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Henry

  Miss J. M. Talbot

  Mr. P. B. Forde

  Mr. M. J. Cotton

  Birmingham Women's Health Care NHS Trust

  Professor E. Ives

  South Birmingham Community Health NHS Trust

  Mrs. T. M. Samuels

  Mr. J. E. Merrick

  South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust

  Mr. I. A. King

  Mr. A. B. Knapp

  Mrs. P. Arksey

  The City Hospital NHS Trust

  Mrs. S. Sharma

  Mr. R. Lea

  Northern Birmingham Community Health NHS Trust

  Mr. H. A. Nicholls

  Dr. R. A. Bassett

  Mr. E. G. Lynch

  Dr. S. Toogood

  Northern Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust

  Ms J. Mackay

  Professor R. Cochrane

  Ms S. Squires

  Mr. M. S. Akhtar

  Mr. C. C. Jordan

  Mr. M. Clifford

  196
  Birmingham Heartlands Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. J. Bettinson

  Lady Thompson

  Mr. P. E. Couse

  Mr. M. N. W. Wilcox

  Dr. G. Thorpe

  North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. C. Bullock

  Mr. J. Lee

  Mr. C. Myatt

  Mr. J. Lovatt

  Ms E. A. Fisher

  Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital

  NHS Trust

  Professor J. Sloboda

  Dudley Priority Health NHS Trust

  Mr. I. J. Brough

  Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. P. Suddock

  Mrs. V. M. McGhee

  Mr. L. F. Turner

  Sandwell Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. B. C. Knight

  Ms J. Darbyshire

  Mr. S. Lawley

  Ms A. Gosain

  Mr. P. R. Dearing

  Solihull Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. F. Wedgewood-Oppenheim

  Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

  Mr. G. Morris

  Mrs. V. A. Tudor

  PRE-TRIAL ISSUES STEERING GROUP: REPORT
  PRE-TRIAL ISSUES STEERING GROUP: REPORT
  DR. Xu Li-QUIN
  DR. Xu Li-QUIN
  WORK PERMITS: POLICY
  WORK PERMITS: POLICY
  PAROLE REVIEWS: ASSESSMENTS
  PAROLE REVIEWS: ASSESSMENTS
  RACE RELATIONS ACT 1976, S.69(2) CERTIFICATES
  RACE RELATIONS ACT 1976, S.69(2) CERTIFICATES
  CONVICTED UNSENTENCED PRISONERS
  CONVICTED UNSENTENCED PRISONERS
  US MISSILE DEFENCE PLAN
  US MISSILE DEFENCE PLAN
  ARMY UNITS' FUTURE ACCOMMODATION
  ARMY UNITS' FUTURE ACCOMMODATION
  GENETICALLY MODIFIED VIRUSES: CONTROL AND LIABILITY
  GENETICALLY MODIFIED VIRUSES: CONTROL AND LIABILITY
  BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY AND CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE
  BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY AND CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE
  ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: SAFETY REGULATIONS
  ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: SAFETY REGULATIONS
  RED MERCURY: ALLEGED LETTER
  RED MERCURY: ALLEGED LETTER
  RED MERCURY: ALLEGED SEIZURE
  RED MERCURY: ALLEGED SEIZURE
  MEDICAL CONSULTANTS: DISTINCTION AWARDS
  MEDICAL CONSULTANTS: DISTINCTION AWARDS